Chapter 3: A close friend


When Hermione awoke for the second time that day, she felt much better. She knew immediately where she was and what had occurred this morning. After Snape and her had arrived at their chambers, she had gone straight to the bedroom and cried herself to sleep. And it seemed as though her eyes were done for now. She had thought quite long about her current situation and decided that maybe she was overreacting. Once she got her memories back, she would probably be angry with herself and how childish she had reacted. She was an adult now! A strong, brave woman. She had fought against so many evils over the past years, that waking up without memory seemed like the smallest problem.

Therefore she had come to the conclusion that there was no way back to being the clever student. She now was a wife and soon to be mother. And she would make the best out of it. There were still so many things she wanted to ask Snape. She did not even know how this relationship had started.

Feeling her stomach grumble she knew it was time to stand up. She hadn't eaten all day, because back then she hadn't felt like it. Now she was basically starving. Without checking her appearance she simply opened the bedroom door, which led to the living room and kitchen. Quite voices, which had apparently been in a conversation, suddenly muted.

Hermiones gaze wandered to the kitchen table, where Snape sat and held a mug of coffee in his hand. The redhead to his right stood up and smiled at her.

"Ginny?" For the first time this day Hermiones face lit up and she went to hug her friend, who happily returned the contact.

Next to them Snape cleared his throat and they broke the hug only to grin at each other.

"I thought you might want to speak to someone you know from before…", he trailed of and stood up himself.

"That's very thoughtful of you. Thank you, Professor." Hermione answered and looked at her husband. She should stop calling him Professor. But she couldn't bring herself to do so yet.

Snape only nodded and then motioned to the kitchen. "You must be hungry. I left some lunch for you, just in case."

Hermione felt herself blush again. This situation wasn't to her liking, but she saw the effort he had made and gratefully nodded. She needed to get used to him being around.

"I'll leave the two of you for now. If anything happens, I'm lecturing these annoying first graders down the corridor.", he said and left their chambers without a second look. Hermione could tell he was keeping his distance on purpose. She starred after him and noticed her friend shaking her head.

"I couldn't really believe it, when he told me, but now that I've seen you… I mean… you are calling him Professor? ", Ginny said and sat down again. "This must be tough. I don't want to be in your place right now."

"Me neither.", Hermione answered and went to the kitchen to get the lunch Snape had mentioned. Her stomach was growling already. She quickly asked Ginny if she wanted some as well, but her friend declined. When she came back with her plate Ginny was pouring herself some more coffee.

"So… Severus said your last memory is from school?", Ginny asked while Hermione ate. "That's aweful. I remember you first telling me about you starting to like him. But that was like half a year after you graduated and became his apprentice."

Hermione eyed her friend suspiciously. "I was his apprentice? But I want to study charmes and spells! I mean… I wanted. How did I end up with potions?", she asked curious.

"Well, actually you did both. Charmes and spells and potions. You were so good, you didn't mind working with Severus, studying and even teaching some classes. It still amazes me, how you did all of it at once." Ginny said and took a sip of her coffee.

Hermiones plate was already half empty. Her mind was racing while she kept shovelling food into her mouth. How had she managed all of this? Why did she even become Severus apprentice? The thought of her doing so well, pleased her though. She had really accomplished what she had wanted all along. Pity, though, that she couldn't remember a single thing she had studied.

"So, are we still close friends?", she asked Ginny and her friend nodded in response.

"The best." The grin on her face was heartwarming. "Actually, you and Severus come to visit us so often, you have seats at our table that are only meant for you."

Ginny winked at her and Hermione frowned. She couldn't see Snape and Harry having a decent conversation or chatting about the weather or something ridiculous like that. Then again she couldn't see herself having a decent conversation with the man she now called her husband either.

"Everything seems so surreal to me.", she said in a calm voice. "Do I really love him?"

Ginny looked at her apologetic, but nodded.

"I swear it. You do. And he loves you more than anything." She sighed and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"The two of you are so head over heels, sometimes I envy you for this wonderful romance you have going on.", Ginny admitted and Hermione suddenly felt bad for her.

"Are you and Harry not happy anymore?", she asked carefully. She didn't feel like it was appropriate to ask, but she also couldn't ignore the comment.

"Oh no, we are good. Really. It's just that after James birth we didn't have that much time to ourselves and now we are to worn out to go on a date. Most nights we are happy if we get some sleep." The redhead laughed and Hermione smiled at her.

"So, you have a child?"

"Yes, James Sirius Potter. He is one year old already." The witch started searching through her pockets until she found what she was looking for. Proudly she showed Hermione a picture of the baby.

"How cute. He looks a lot like Harry.", she said, suddenly unsure if she wanted to talk about children. Her baby might look like Snape and did that thought not freak her out enough?

Ginny nodded and put the picture back in her pocket. As if she had sensed Hermiones discomfort she suddenly changed topics.

"He is a very loud child, but you get used to it. However I think there are more important things to discuss. You need to get your memories back - ASAP. Any clue on how we could possibly do this?"

Hermione swallowed the last bite of her food and placed the fork on her plate.

"Seriously, if I knew I wouldn't sit here, discussing it. Professor Snape-"

"Severus.", Ginny interrupted.

"Yes, you are right. I'm just not used to it. It's so creepy. I know you don't think that way anymore, but I really don't know if I can make this relationship work. He is my teacher! Or at least I still feel as though he is. We definitely need to talk. I don't know anything about him. But I'm always so nervous in his present, it's just...awwr." She threw her hand up and shook her head.

"Do you know what made me fall in love with him? Maybe if I knew I could speed up the whole process."

Ginny sighed.

"You only told me, that he opened up a bit more towards you. But I have the feeling that you worked pretty hard to make him. You liked him before he liked you. So yeah, I really don't know."

Hermione nodded.

"Of course it can't be easy.", she mumbled. Then remembered that this conversation had headed into another direction.

"Anyways, I was going to say: Severus wants to show me his memories.", she said with a bit more enthusiasm. "I'm not sure if this will help, though. Maybe we should talk some more beforehand. I fear that his memories might only make it worse. It could be to overwhelming."

Ginny nodded understanding.

"You two should definitely talk. And maybe a kiss or two would help." She winked at her friend, but Hermione made a disgusted face.

"I already told you-", she started.

"Oh come on, actually Severus isn't bad looking or anything. You just haven't noticed before. Plus, I'm a bit mad you. I mean you read all these books and you never came across a fairytale? You know? True loves kiss? Ring a bell?" The redhead grinned. "I once caught the two of you snogging in a broom closet. This chemistry is undeniable. You will get there again. I'd bet every single penny I have on it." Hermiones cheeks where reddend and she unsuccessfully tried to hide it.

"It's hard to imagine."

Ginny grinned.

"I know, but I have faith in you." Drinking her last sip of coffee she stood up and put her coat back on. "Unfortunately, it's getting late. I have to leave now. But owl me whenever you need to, okay?", the redhead said and went to hug her.

Hermione nodded and returned the hug. This was such a mess, but talking to Ginny had taken some weight of her chest. If her friend believed that she could love Snape, she probably could. It only meant, that a lot of work was about to come.


It's so nice to get some feedback from you!

Thank you all for following. I hope you still like the start of this story.

I often feel insecure about my writing, grammar and vocabulary in general.

English isn't my mother tongue and I haven't written in English in such a long time, that I often only find mistakes after reading the story for the tenth time.

Still hope you enjoy and have a nice weekend.

AC