A/N: My sincerest apologies on the lack of updates these past weeks. Sometimes real life is just a bitch. :) Between finals, work, and extensor tendonitis in my foot (running in heels is never a good idea), I've been quite sidetracked for a while! I do apologize, though - I hate not getting regular updates on stories I read, so I can sympathize.
Here is a relatively short chapter - what I'd hoped would be the final chapter ended up turning out ... not so final! We've got a ways to go yet. :) Mind you, I'll be expanding and hacking at this chapter over the next few days, but here's a great body and sketch of it - so enjoy. I don't have the heart to make you all wait any longer!
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Hermione arrived at the Brighton residence, eyes gleaming. She nearly skipped along the beach, up to the house - the sun was shining, the water sparkling, and there was nary a cloud in the sky. She had bags of bottles, books, and bustiers, and it was a good day.
She made her way up onto the sunburn-inducing deck, and opened the screen door. There was a nice breeze mulling through the house, slowly making its way from one side to another. She walked down the hallway to the kitchen, dropping her bags onto the floor as she went to the fridge to reach for the lemonade. She heard some of the bags tip over, but no matter. It was a wonderful day. How horrendously optimistic is that? she thought, smiling, wrapping her fingers around the glass of ice cold lemonade.
A brief flash of light in the corner of her eye caught her attention. She frowned and walked over to the counter opposite her. A crimson box sat on the pine countertop, gleaming with silver sparkling dots and tied with what appeared to be ... "Oh my God, is that unicorn hair?" she asked aloud.
"Ten points to Gryffindor," a lazily seductive voice drawled.
Hermione's hands, previously engaged in untying the strands of hair, froze. She knew that voice. Had been memorized by it for years. Had longed to hear it for ... only God knew how long. Please let it be him, please don't let me be imagining things ...
She slowly turned to face the adjoining sitting room. Resplendent in a white cuffed shirt, black cargos, and Birkenstocks (my God, are those Birkenstocks? she thought) sat Severus Snape. His hair fell in waves that framed his face, and his hands were clasped behind his head. His skin was still pale as ever, but he looked ... relaxed.
Her body was frozen, but her mind was racing a mile a minute.
"How did you ... " she started.
He chuckled, and released one of his hands from his head, holding a gold key between his fingers. "Minerva," he said simply. He nodded towards the box on the counter. "Go ahead. Open it."
Her hands were shaking by now, her heart was racing, her mind spinning as she opened the crimson box.
Why is he here? What is in this box! Why would Minerva give him a key? Why would he want to be here? Is he coming back to England ... oh please God, let him come back ... does he still love me? Is he here because he loves me or ...
The last piece of paper gave way to reveal a simple white box. Hermione looked up at him briefly, and was shocked by the angered, pained expression that seemed to be on his face. Pain? Anger? Am I reading him correctly ...
She opened the box. There was a small note on top - Archie told me you were desperate to have these. Use them well.
She looked up at him, shock registering on her face as she removed the card to reveal two small glass vials of black and red powder, respectively. "Are these ... ?"
"Aglaophotis and Orielibos?" he asked, getting up out of the chair. "Archie told me you were ... desperate ... to have them."
"He didn't say that he'd tell his friend ... oh my God, you're his contact in the Mediterannean?"
"I don't know whether to award points or take them away right now, Miss Granger."
"Why don't you call me Hermione?"
"This is a business transaction," he said simply, his countenance revealing nothing. Damn his ability to hide whatever he's feeling. Is he feeling anything?
He sighed, and continued. "Seeing as how Minerva and Archie both beseeched me on your behalf, I could hardly refuse the request. It was too ... intriguing ... a challenge."
"Did these come from Neville's greenhouse?"
Severus laughed, a deep roar that made her heart clench in nostalgia. She'd always been able to make him laugh when they were working together ... or talking together, or ...
God, stop it, Hermione. He said he's here for business. He is not here for you. God, why did you let him come if it's only here for business!
"Alas, no. I have distant relatives - no, distant doesn't quite explain it enough - extremely far removed relatives in the Sahara who control the supply of these herbs. They are very stringent with who they allow to have them," he said slowly.
"And they let you have them?"
"No, they let you have them."
"But Archie said ..."
"It was easy enough to discern from his description who he was trying to procure the herbs for. In addition, the family would never allow the herbs to be released into society if they did not know the exact name, background, and profession of the person who would be using them."
"I don't understand, they're a good herb ..."
"Have you not learned by now that even the best of magic can be used for evil purpose?" His piercing gaze silenced her.
"Of course," she muttered. "I hadn't thought of it that way."
"So I thought." It looked like he had wrung his hands for a moment, but Hermione decided it was just a natural twitch. He's so controlled. God. How does he do it?
His eyes met hers, and for a moment she thought she saw a flash of pain in them.
"Well, now that I've delivered the herbs, Miss Granger ..."
"Don't call me Miss Granger!" she exclaimed, unable to hold back any longer.
"What?" He looked at her quizically.
It's now or never.
She looked at him straight in the eye and walked towards him. "How can you do it?"
"Do what?" Is it just me or does his voice sound strangled?
"Act like there was nothing between us."
"Because there obviously was nothing between us."
"How can you say that?" she yelled. "I loved you! I loved you and you left!"
"Do not speak of that day, Hermione!" he raised his voice to match hers. "You did not care for me enough to come after me!"
"You did not care for me enough to tell me why you left! I had to hear about it from Minerva! Minerva! And then I heard about it months after the fact ..."
"The Ministry kept it quiet."
"You could have told me!"
"No I couldn't have!"
"You were stupid, Severus. Stupid. And a coward."
"DON'T CALL ME A COWARD!" he screamed, walking towards her at full force, shoving her against the counter. "I acted in my own self-interest. I see now that I was wise in doing so."
"Why?" she screamed, tears slipping out from her eyes. "I haven't seen you in a year, dammit, a year! Don't you think ..."
"What I think is irrelevent, Miss Granger," he sneered.
"I missed you," she said insistantly.
"Like hell you did!"
"Who are you to tell me what I'm feeling?"
"Yes, who am I to tell you, when the evidence is laid right here before me!" He shoved her shoulders, and walked into the sitting room. She followed. Oh God, not again, don't let me lose him again ...
"What EVIDENCE do you speak of?" she shrieked.
"You did not know I was coming, therefore I can safely assume that that piece of evidence over there has been purchased for a different gentleman. Your pathetic attempts at clinging to me are irrelevent when there is obviously someone else in your life." His eyes glittered. Hermione attempted to search their depths, but he shook her by the shoulders. "You are making a fool out of me and a mockery of yourself. You have your damned herbs. Find your cures, publish your findings, reap the wealth and fame. And live in your self-serving hypocrisy," he finished, and Apparated away.
The tears were streaming down her face. What piece of ... oh no ... she slowly turned around in the sitting room to see the bag from the Deeses spilled out onto her hardwood floor - the bustier exposed for all to see.
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A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter - shadowgirl75, cricketsong, Gwenog Jones, lost-muse, lizi, Mrs.HarryPotter12, Natsuyori, enchantedlight, Snuffle's Girl86, Brf526, and softballchick dreaowa.
Speaking of reviewing ... (and please don't get angry with me for my lack of updates - I'm already quite angry with myself!)