Ch 14 Febuary
Sirius POV
Sirius turned with a startled gasp when he heard a stifled laugh behind him. It was February and he was supposed to be alone. The children were off at school. And Mooney was off sulking somewhere and giving him the third degree since he vocally expressed, quite loudly, how much of an idiot he was for ignoring Tonks.
Since he had the house to himself he decided to try his hand at baking. Dorea Potter had these most amazing banana crunch muffins that he was trying to replicate without a recipe. He was just taking his latest batch out of the oven when he heard the noise.
He knew he must have been a sight. He was covered head to toe in various splotches of flour. He was fairly certain he had some sticky substance in his hair. And he was currently wearing pink mittens looking as if he was caught red-handed. No wonder Hermione was standing there with a hand over her mouth trying to suppress her laugh.
Immediately his mind turned to the worse since she was standing there. "Kitten, you are supposed to contact me when something is wrong,"
"Nothing is wrong," she said reassuringly before backtracking. "Well at this moment."
Well if she wasn't here for some life-threatening situation. "Then why are you here?" Though he was confused by her presence he wasn't upset by it. It was just a little out of character for her to play hooky from school. And how did she even get here?
"We figured it would be a good idea to come here."
"We?" Sirius asked, confused. Who else was here?
"Yes, we Black. Who else would be here?" Snape said, striding into the kitchen as if he owned it. He arched one brow at Sirius' wardrobe. Though he didn't comment Sirius hastily removed the mits off of his hands.
"I don't know Hermione sneaking out of the castle on a weekend seems more like something Hary would pull." Once Sirius noticed the glare from Snape and the raised brows from Hermione. He reiterated "That he has never done. Nor do I condone or encourage."
Hermione just shrugged. "I guess you are rubbing off on me."
For a moment a feeling of panic overcame him and judging by Hermione's smile it was showing on his face. "Relax. It was Professor Snape's idea."
He let out a sigh of relief. He would be in some serious trouble if Hermione started replicating his behaviour.
"Snape. You dirty dog. Look at you breaking the rules."
"I have broken at least a dozen in the past month. To which are you referring?" Snape drawled. Not letting the teasing affect him in the slightest.
"Ugh, you're no fun."
But they weren't here for fun. They still needed to finish the linking spell. They wanted to make it so that it killed the parasite and not the living host. They would like to avoid killing Nagini and Voldemort catching on. They figured that Nagini was the likeliest possibility of a Horcrux. She was the only thing Voldemort seemed attached to. Unfortunately, she was impossible to get to and of course, there was the matter of her being incredibly venomous.
But they had made some headway. They had a couple of possible objects that could be the Horcruxes.
Once Snape revealed Voldemort's linkage to Salazar Slytherin and his obsession with Hogwarts. As if it was the ultimate prize the war was fighting for. They started to search for objects tied to the founders. Apparently, Hufflepuff had this cup that went missing in 1946 along with a locket supposedly belonging to Salazar Slytherin. The timing added up. Voldemort disappeared shortly after those artifacts went missing. There were too many artifacts belonging to Gryffindor that they couldn't seem to narrow down. There weren't many objects tied to Ravenclaw except for her lost diadem which had been lost for centuries. They didn't rule out the possibility that Voldemort somehow was able to track it down but they also weren't holding their breath either. Snape even brought a couple of drawings he somehow had found that illustrated the objects. So now they had an idea of what they were searching for though they still had no clue where to find them. And even if they were Horcruxes.
Sirius was making some sandwiches and he was busy bustling around only half aware that there was a tapping coming from behind him. It didn't bother him. He knew Hermione liked to tap her fingers when she was stressed or bored. He tried to follow along with her taps but there was no consistent pattern that he could detect.
"Will you please stop tapping Beethoven," Snape said. Though there wasn't as much heat in his words as when he told Sirius to stop something.
"You recognized it?" Hermione's voice came out surprised.
"You do it when you are bored or anxious." Hmm. Sirius never realized that she was tapping music. He figured it was just useless patterns and fidgets like he did. He turned around to watch the pair.
"Beethoven?" Hermione asked with a smile.
Snape looked up to meet her eyes. "Classical music is relaxing." He said it almost defensively, though Sirius knew Hermione meant no harm in her question. "How long have you played?"
"Only about three years. I started when I was seven. But after I started Hogwarts I could never keep up with my lessons. I haven't played on a real piano in years." What a shame that she had to choose between her hobbies and passions and sacrifice them when coming to Hogwarts. He knew from Lily that a lot of muggleborns did it in order to fit into the wizarding world.
"There is one in the basement I could bring up if you wanted." Classical music was a far cry from his preferred music of rock but if it made her happy he would be willing to listen to it. Especially if it is as relaxing and calming as they say it is,
"Thanks but I don't know how much time I would have to actually use it." Of course. They were a little busy saving the world. She turned back to Snape. "Do you play?"
"No. Never had any interest in it. I prefer other mediums of art."
"A different instrument?" Hermione asked. Snape didn't reply. Hermione narrowed her eyes and guessed. "Violin? Guitar?" But still, Snape didn't answer, he did roll his shoulders back and a smirk was beginning to grow on his face.
Hermione thought hard for a minute. It looked like she was about to give up when she looked down at the paper in her hand. It was one of the drawings of objects. She stared at it intensely for a moment, analyzing each and every detail as if she hadn't done it already and then looked back up meeting Snape's gaze. "Wait, did you draw these?"
"I am surprised you never asked where I got these since we determined that there was no image of this, only a description." He didn't seem embarrassed over revealing something private about himself. In fact, it almost seemed like he was teasing her. But Snape didn't have a playful and carefree side.
"I just guessed you found something in a book or something."
"And if I did, don't you think you would have already had your nose in said book by now."
"Haha, very funny.," she said with a roll of her eyes. "You can't exactly mock me for that since you read just as much as I do. I have seen your library."
"Yes but the only difference is that I have never walked into a wall because I was reading," he drawled.
And though Sirius thought he was being sarcastic. It wasn't until Hermione muttered underneath her breath. "It was one time." That Sirius knew it to be true.
"That I saw," Snape retorted with a smirk. Causing Hermione to glare at him.
It was then her eyes narrowed at him.
Sirius sat down and started to eat his sandwich. "What's wrong with your shoulder?" Sirius was startled for a moment. As far as he knew there was nothing wrong with either of his shoulders and then he realized Hermione was still looking intently at Snape.
"Why?" He asked through narrow eyes.
"You have been rolling it several times in the past hour."
"And?" He drawled.
"You never do that." She pointed it out as if she was stating the obvious. Well, it was news for Sirius.
"Taking a lot of your free time to notice my behavior. How flattering." Oh great, now he was being really sarcastic. Sirius sighed as he took another bite of his food. Snape was easier to deal with when he was muted and impassive. When he got sarcastic Sirius always ended up rising to the bait.
"I can be observant and it almost seems like you forgot how much time we spend together."
"Believe me I don't."
"And you are deflecting. So your shoulder?" She stared at him pointedly. It was very clear that she wasn't going to drop this until he answered.
Snape glared back at her before sighing and giving up. "It was dislocated. I reset it. But before I did I overcorrected it. Happy."
Well, that wasn't what Sirius expected. "You reset your own shoulder." That is kinda disturbing and just imagining the popping sound made Sirius put down his half-eaten sandwich.
"It's not like it is hard or the first time." Snape was a little too calm for Sirius' liking.
"Why didn't you go to Madam Pomphrey?" It didn't make sense to Sirius. She could heal almost anything. And they had been working together for over a decade. Weren't they friends? If he didn't want anyone to know, even Dumbledore, then Pomphrey wouldn't do it. She always kept patient confidentiality. No matter the case, Even if in some cases she probably shouldn't. But she did it so that every student would always come to her for help.
"Why? So she could keep me hostage in the infirmary? I'd rather have my shoulder dislocated again." He did have a point. She was very strict when it came to the infirmary. Including when it came to visitors. Sirius knew that first hand whenever he would try to visit Moony after the full moon.
"You could have asked me," Hermione said, looking at him in disbelief for not even considering her as an option. "I mean what is the purpose of me shadowing Madam Pomphrey if I don't ever use the skills."
"You have no experience. And I will not be your test subject," Snape immediately protested.
"It's a simple fix."
"That is healing on its own."
"I can make it faster."
"Or you will just make the process longer."
Sirius watched as the two of them kept going back and forth without pause. The two of them spoke together as if they were able to feed off each other's energy. They verbally bounced back and forth. It was exciting like watching a tennis match. He leaned back in his chair and watched. It was unusual. And Sirius almost felt as if he were intruding on the pair. They hardly seemed to notice his presence.
"God will you two shut it. You sound like an old married couple," Sirius finally said out loud, stopping all of the arguments. This was not how his day was supposed to go. It was supposed to be a quiet and relaxing day. Not this. "Snape, stop being such a baby and let her help. Besides, you are being more grumpy while in pain. More so than usual and it is affecting our work relationship."
Hermione gave a proud smile as if she had just won the lottery. "You heard the man."
"Fine." He was clearly reluctant about this whole thing. And if Sirius didn't know any better it almost seemed like he was embarrassed by the attention.
"What do you need?"
"What I need. I highly doubt you will have." Sirius wanted to hit the man for continuing to drag this out.
"Try me," Hermione challenged.
"A compression band," Snape sighed.
Hermione immediately jumped out of her seat and ran presumably upstairs.
Well, that was not what Sirius expected. He didn't even know what it was though he knew it was a term for a muggle medical object. "Really."
Snape narrowed his eyes defensively. "Muggle medicine in some cases is more effective than magical means. Especially when it comes to pain management. " He stated it as if it was out of a textbook and should be common knowledge.
"Sorry I am just surprised that you know so much about muggle medicine." He didn't mean to imply that Snape was against all things muggle related. Sirius might have always thought he was a Death Eater but even he knew that whatever his reasons were it wasn't about blood purity.
"Well, I needed to find something to numb the pain. And unfortunately, I have built up too much of an intolerance for certain potions to be effective." That explains it. Magic was a more time-efficient tool when it came to most things but that didn't mean the quality was always the best.
"I see." Both he and Snape turned when they heard Hermione coming back. She was lugging a giant bag and seemed to be struggling with its weight. She had to swing it onto the table which resulted in a loud thump.
She had a smile on her face. "I actually have one," she huffed out breathlessly.
Snape looked very confused. "Why do you have one? Most people use these when they have sports injuries. And despite the physical training I am giving you. Nothing you have done should warrant the use of one of those."
That reminded Sirius about their physical training. He had completely forgotten they were doing that. He knew she started that training in October but she didn't tell him they had continued after Christmas. And at the time he encouraged her due to what happened but now he was slightly concerned about what physical training entailed. "Kitten. Snape isn't being too rough with you in the ring is he?" He said, eyeing her wearily.
She immediately said "No." While simultaneously Snape said, "She can take it."
Hermione looked at Snape for a brief moment before addressing both of them. "Before my parents went into hiding and they realized that I was kinda involved in a war. My dad made me this safety kit."
"What in the world is in there and why does it look like it weighs the same amount as a dead body." Not that Sirius had much experience with those. However, her bag did look mildly suspicious.
"Depends on the body," Snape stated casually.
She started to rifle through the bag. "My dad gave me a bunch of survival supplies like a tarp, drinkable water straw, ration bars, and a knife. And tons of medical supplies. Which included, aha, a compression band." Pulling said object out. Oh for some reason Sirius didn't think all of this fuss was over some blue tape. "So do you want me to do it or are you too worried that I will mess it up like you did the first time around," she said rounding on Snape.
"I can't wait for the hell of a party that is going to be thrown once the snake-faced bastard is finally dead," Sirius said while stretching his arms above his head. He was attempting to stretch out the knot from his back from sitting in the chair for too long.
Hermione laughed at him. "I plan to not leave my bed for a week once everything is over."
Now that was definitely a good idea. But unfortunately for him, he found that a week in bed could be a little lonely. And he didn't exactly have anyone to share it with. His dating life was currently non-existent as of late. At least he wasn't the only single person in the room. He knew that Hermione wasn't seeing anyone and he assumed the same of Snape. He never really thought about Snape having a dating life. But it was entirely possible. Though Sirius shuddered at the thought of who would want to date him. To each their own. But if he had no time to date then Snape definitely didn't. But that still left the question of what he was going to do once he was officially done as a spy. "And you?" He asked pointedly to Snape. Hermione too seemed quite curious about what he had to say.
"There is still much that will need to be done." Yes, there will be but most of that involved the Ministry getting its head out of its arse. And of course getting their shit together. And that didn't involve them.
"Come on man." Surely he out of everyone had considered what he was going to do once the war was over. Sirius had been fantasizing for at least a year. And he had to bet that Snape had been doing that for longer. "After everything we are doing and the work we would have done, we need- No. Deserve a break."
Snape looked at him with a sneer. "I never said I wasn't going to take one. Just not right away."
"Okay, but what's your definition of a break? Cause you are probably severely overdue for a vacation." They all were.
"That's the plan." Hermione smiled at his admission. She seemed impressed that he would even admit that he needed a break. Hell, he was too. That was the closest Snape ever came to admitting weakness. He was tired.
He sighed wearily and thought it over for a moment. Before quietly saying, "I will probably do some travelling. France and the Faroe Islands. Possibly Greece depending on how long I plan to be gone for." A mirthless smirk overcame him. "And perhaps I will do everyone the favor and not bother coming back."
Hermione's smile seemed to dim slightly. But Sirius didn't take too much notice. "But then everyone would be far too cheerful."
"Wouldn't you want to sleep in an actual bed? It would be a bit more relaxing since travelling should be treated more like a vacation than a work trip." He turned back to Hermione and whispered conspiratorially. "I am convinced that he doesn't even have a bed.
"He has a bed," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes.
That startled him and apparently Snape as well and the both of them looked at her curiously. "And how would you know that?" Snape asked. Though Sirius was just about to if he didn't.
"We have been in your private quarters before. One time you forgot to close your bedroom door." Snape only seemed partially placated by her answer. "Is it a requirement for all Slytherins to own just black," Hermione teased
"How come I didn't know that? I would have loved the opportunity to snoop."
"Good thing you didn't then," Snape said with a sneer.
"Okay, he has a bed. When do you actually use it and sleep?"
"Rarely." Well, that explained the dark circles under his eyes.
"What do you toss and turn too much and end up sleeping on the floor?"
"Insomnia is a bitch," Snape said simply. As if that was the answer to all of his problems.
"Does it ever go away?" Hermione asked. After noticing both of them looking at her she shrugged, "I have been struggling to sleep lately." She noticed Sirius' concern and waved it off. "I just feel too restless and am constantly itching to be productive."
"And even when you are exhausted, sleep just won't come and every time you close your eyes you can practically see the gears in your head turning," Snape said to her. He seemed to eye her curiously.
"Yes,"
"It hasn't gone away for me. But it might go away for you." That seemed quite optimistic for Snape.
"Well, I have always been a morning person. So it doesn't matter too much if I am waking up at 5." She didn't seem overly concerned. More curious than anything.
"That's insane." That wasn't normal. And definitely not for a 17-year-old. "What time do you fall asleep?"
"Around midnight. I tend to fall asleep okay but I usually wake up various times and can't fall back to sleep."
"I tend to do the opposite," Snape said, drawing Hermione's attention. "I struggle to fall asleep. It's usually around 3 when I am too physically exhausted to be able to continue. And once I am asleep I tend to remain so"
The two of them seemed to find understanding in each other's eyes. But Sirius was beginning to become unnerved by the silence. "Okay, you two do realize that in order to be healthy and productive human beings you need 8 hours of sleep."
"That's only a recommendation some people can manage with less and in some cases are even more productive," Snape said. And Sirius couldn't help but wonder how long he has been functioning on such little sleep. He didn't think he wanted to know.
"I really hope once this war is over that both of you get some proper sleep."
It was interesting that Sirius had been paying so much attention to Hermione's healing process that he never really took notice of how she interacted with others, except Harry of course. Particularly with Snape. Despite the three of them working together for months now Sirius never noticed how Snape's interactions with her were different from how he interacted with him or anyone else for that matter. He was still as sarcastic as ever. And though he has learned over the months the man had a dark sense of humour. It seemed to be lighter when he was with her.
She was the only person he has known to be able to hold his attention. It was probably because she was smarter than most. And that appealed to Snape. And vice versa. Both of them were quite a pair of bookworms.
But it was still strange. Sirius never thought that Snape reeled back his bitterness when he was with his students. Harry indicated that he was just as much of a bastard with them as he was with everyone else. But seeing him with Hermione told a different tale.
Hermione was doing the dishes. The pair had to leave soon and didn't want to leave a mess behind. He knew since Hermione was a muggleborn that she felt more comfortable cleaning by hand. So it wasn't a surprise to see her start washing the dishes by hand. But what was odd was Snape getting up to start helping her. He knew that it technically was the polite thing to do. But since when has Snape ever been polite?
He was the one who insisted after Hermione's attack that they should treat her as if nothing ever happened. And yet he was acting differently now than from six months ago.
At least he thought he was. But maybe he was acting the exact same.
But that didn't make any sense.
Why on earth would Snape be so nice to Hermione, when he was a complete bastard to everyone else. Sirius understood that Hermione was, well, Hermione and that she deserved to be treated nicely. He wasn't refuting that. But out of all of the people in the world Snape was for some reason being courteous and polite too instead of being his normal rude, bastard self. Why was Hermione the exception?
