Disclaimer: I do not own anything and make no monies writing this.
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Chapter 9
Severus Snape's life should have gotten better. He no longer had any masters to answer to or be manipulated by. Life should have been smooth sailing after healing from his wounds. However, the Ministry of Morons had decided to intrude upon his life, everyone's lives actually, once again. One would think that he, and others like him, had done enough for the wizarding world but oh no! No, the Morons had taken it upon themselves to wreak havoc on anyone who was 17-70 with a stupid marriage law! He couldn't believe the populace was just letting them do it too!
After everything everyone had sacrificed over the past few years, this was the last straw for Severus. He had already sold Spinner's End. It was the first thing he did once he was healed and released. He could admit that the house looked much better once he took cleaning and repair charms to it but it still held too many bad memories for him to continue to live there. Every room and piece of furniture reminded him of his childhood and then the years he spent as a spy. He wished the new owners well but was glad to wash his hands of it. He had been renting a flat the last two months since he hadn't decided yet where he wanted to be. Severus had thought of opening an apothecary but had nixed the idea. He wanted to be free for a time. He might one day open one but not for a time yet. He wanted to enjoy being beholden to no one, not even paying customers.
Severus had had several potion contracts before the Final Battle. They had made him quite well off financially. He also had the accumulation of his salary from teaching. He had never been one to spend superfluously on things, then his second master had come back and Severus had no time to buy anything but the basics, and just barely that. Most of the contracts he had had expired since he spent so long recovering. Oh, most would gladly take back up with him brewing for them but he had yet to contact any of them.
The only person he would truly miss would be Ms. Granger. She had saved his life in that damned shack and, now, he was grateful she had. When he had first woken from the magical coma, he had been livid with her. How dare she do this to him! But after some time to heal and think things through, Severus would be forever grateful to her. She had given him a second lease on life, free to be his own man. Well, that was until the Ministry of Morons had decided to meddle in everyone's lives again.
Hadn't everyone given enough? He understood the need to repopulate their society but the Morons were going about it the wrong way. They were supposedly using a potion which would match up the perfect match but it was hogwash! The woman they had paired with him was about as perfect of a match as a hippogriff with a selkie. Not. At. All. He shuddered remembering the one dinner he had with her. She simpered and fawned over him like some lovesick fool who had no clue how to carry a decent conversation. Severus knew she was only happy to be with him due to Potter spewing his guts about his "love" for Lily. What he failed to include in his tell-all was that Severus was NOT romantically attached and pining for her. He longed for the friendship she had thrown away from a slip of the tongue under duress and embarrassment. He missed his best friend of several years, his only friend.
However, no one would consider that bit of information. No, he was the heartbroken dark wizard redeemed and it drove Severus batty. So after that one date, he had gone back to his flat and immediately started collecting his things. He was leaving England, period. He would not have anyone telling him that he had to get married and have a child with someone, someone he had not picked, in three years! After putting all his belongings into a rucksack with an undetectable extension charm on it, thank you Ms. Granger, Severus closed up his flat and left, stopping off at Gringotts to close his account, much to the goblins dismay. He then made a quick trip to Hogwarts so he could visit the Forbidden Forest one more time. There were some Dewdrop Bells ready for picking and he wanted to get some to restock his stores.
As he stepped into the Forest, he pulled out a container to put the precious flowers into. The tricky part was casting an immobile spell before being sensed by them. Then he would need to cast a stasis spell on them before he could pick them. The dew they collected in their bell was equally as important as the flower itself. It had amazing healing qualities but most couldn't get the spells off soon enough. He even had problems sometimes, generally getting only half of what he wanted. This time though, he managed to spell a whole area of them before alerting them to his presence. Severus was thrilled. He smiled a genuine smile and started collecting the flowers. After spending an hour filling his container with the treasured flowers, Severus put another stasis spell on the container as well as a shrinking and cushioning charm.
Just as he was lowering the container into his rucksack, Severus felt a disturbance. When he turned around to see what it was, his gaze took in someone he hadn't thought to see again. Hermione Granger. She was staring at him with a surprised look. Then Severus noticed the two males on either side of her, vampires, and studied them. They seemed to be ready to attack if she needed them to. Curious. Then she spoke and he knew what he was going to do.
"Master!" Hermione exclaimed. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her mentor, master and favorite teacher, despite what everyone thought, was standing there looking at her through the portal. She at least got to see him one more time, she thought wistfully.
"Master Granger. What are you doing there?" he asked, quite curious.
"I, oh, we don't really have time. I wish I could tell you everything, Master. This portal doesn't stay open for very long I'm afraid." She answered him.
"I haven't been your master in over a year; you need not call me that anymore. Are you in another realm?" Severus asked, just to make sure.
"Yes!" Hermione answered enthusiastically. She laughed when Severus raised his eyebrow at her.
"Is this realm safe, Master Granger?" he asked her, wanting to know before he asked if she would mind company.
"Well, as safe as any other I suppose. And please, it's Hermione." She answered him.
"Then, Hermione, would you mind some company in this new home of yours?" he asked her, not wanting to assume, then continued, "Then call me Severus if you must name me, insufferable know-it-all" Severus told her with his usual scowl but it didn't reach his eyes. If she said no then he would bid her a good life and move to another country in his realm.
"Oh, seriously?! I would love company! But do you really want to leave the wizarding world Severus? I don't know if this portal will continue to open or not. You could be permanently stuck here." She told him to make sure he truly wanted to come over.
"I understand the risks, Hermione. I am done with this world and its Ministry of Morons and would very much appreciate one that does not know me over suffering another moment here." Severus said. He was happy to see her so happy. He hadn't seen her since she had patched him up enough on that dreaded day to get to Poppy for further treatment. She had gained a bit of weight back but not enough, in his opinion. Her eyes seemed to sparkle more with life than the last time he had seen her. But, of course, she wasn't fighting for her life either, funny how that had such a bearing on a person's disposition.
When he saw Hermione turn to her companions with a questioning look, he was curious to whom they were. Why did she want their input or approval? Were they the rulers or in a position of authority? Severus had not missed them both scrutinizing him during his interaction with Hermione. Who were they to her? That was the most important question.
Eric looked at her questioning look and turned to look at Godric. Once they made eye contact, they knew what the other was thinking. If this man made Hermione this happy then he would most certainly be welcome. They just hoped it wasn't a romantic interest she was excited over. They didn't think so, their body language and words spoke of familiarity but not on an intimate level. When they both nodded their heads at her, Hermione's smile grew even larger.
"Please come on through Potions Master Snape." Hermione said formally.
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