Disclaimer: I do not own anything and make no monies writing this.
Notes: This chapter posting goes to those of you wonderful readers who have kindly left reviews. :) They are much appreciated. Oh, and my internet is playing nice today, which helps a bit. :p
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Chapter 11
While Hermione was trying to recover from the teasing Severus gave her, Daisy popped in.
"Does Mistress needs anything" Daisy asked, noticing Hermione's visitor.
"No Daisy, thank you. I'll be retiring soon." Hermione told her. After Daisy popped away, Severus sat back down with a cup of tea for him and Hermione.
"When did you get a house elf?" He asked with a raised brow.
"I bonded with Daisy about a month after the Final Battle. She was wandering the halls of Hogwarts and promptly latched onto me. I tried to refuse but she told me she had lost her family to the Battle and now she had no one to anchor to." Hermione explained.
When Severus just looked at her with no expression, Hermione huffed.
"You know I learned my lesson after fourth year! It's not my fault no one cared to explain the relationship elves have with witches and wizards! I thought, in my youthful mind, that they were being enslaved. How was I to know they needed the bond or they would die?!" Hermione exclaimed, knowing this was an old conversation that Severus loved to bring up. He would never let her forget her campaign of S.P.E.W. Looking over, Hermione realized Severus was trying very hard to keep his laughter at bay. She stuck her tongue out at him and crossed her arms.
"Very mature. You do realize I cannot, in good conscious, let such an abominable display of ignorance go." Severus asked her.
"Yeah, yeah. You've told me plenty of times how amazed you were that someone with my intelligence could be so oblivious." Hermione retorted, trying to hide her smile and failing. "The Hogwarts house elves avoided me for the whole year and half of the next. Dobby was the only one who would come near me." She said, laughing.
Severus smirked at her and nodded. "That elf was an outcast amongst his own." He commented.
"Yeah, but he was really sweet, especially where Harry was concerned." Hermione said, her voice slowly saddening thinking of the strange little elf. She missed him…and Harry.
Severus noticed her mood change and decided to change the topic.
"May I inquire to possible sleeping arrangements? Do you have a spare bed?" he asked.
"Oh! I do, just up the stairs. Actually, there's two, so take your pick. There's also a bath attached to each too. They should be stocked but you are welcome to replace whatever with your own." Hermione answered.
"Very well. I shall retire to the room and let you get some rest, you look tired." Severus told her.
"I am actually. I'm not used to this time zone just yet." Hermione told him. "Oh and Severus?" When he turned to look at her she continued, "I'm glad you're here. You are welcome to stay here for as long as you wish, you know this right?"
Severus tilted his head towards her and answered, "Thank you, Hermione. I may stay until I learn of this world, as long as you are sure." At her nod and smile, Severus continued, "I am pleased to be here as well. Thank you for inviting me to join you."
"You don't have to thank me but you are welcome, rest well Severus." Hermione told him.
"You as well, Hermione." Severus replied as he continued up the stairs. Once in the room, Severus looked around. It was surprisingly roomy. It had a Queen size bed, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe and a nightstand. It was done in neutral earthy tones, tasteful. Severus knew he wouldn't be able to sleep just yet, so he set about switching out her furniture with his own. He would look for something of his own in time but at the moment, he appreciated the familiarity of her tent. It felt more like home here than anywhere he had been, including Hogwarts.
Severus shrunk down her furniture and toiletries, placing them in one of the boxes he emptied. He wondered if she had a potions lab and if she would mind sharing with him. He would need something to keep himself busy while he adjusted. Fortunately, he had boxed up all his lab equipment and stores. Just because he wasn't brewing for anyone anymore didn't mean he would stop making potions. There was danger in this world just as it was in theirs, some different, some the same. It would be strange to be the only wizard here but nice at the same time.
He wondered how Hermione was doing. She seemed quite down and he was sorry he had put her in that mood. He had come to view her as a daughter of sorts. Since she stubbornly hounded him to allow her to apprentice with him, he had done his best to help her outside the lab as well. Those two bumbling fools she called friends would tie her in knots often enough. Severus knew he wasn't an easy man to be around, especially as his apprentice. Actually, he had been a bastard towards her the first year. He wanted to know if she could handle the cutthroat world of potions and she had passed with flying colors. She had taken his harshness and snarky attitude in stride.
He had been amazed that she had not complained, not once. She had strove every day to do her best and make him not regret taking her on. He knew he would never regret making that decision but couldn't let her know too soon. He had been a harsh taskmaster but she knew he would be when she signed on. She had told him that she wanted to learn from the best and would accept nothing less. It had taken him aback, her blunt honesty and high regard, but it had been refreshing too. As usual, she had known what she wanted and had gone after it. He had, and still did, admired her tenacity. She had proven herself worthy of being his apprentice by her second year. Although he hadn't been allowed to show her how impressed he had been with her, she hadn't let it stop her.
Hermione had started as his apprentice in her fifth year, unbeknown to anyone else, even Albus Dumbledore. After Hermione had approached him, Severus had let her know the only way to make it happen was for him to give her detention for the year. She had cringed at that but said it would be worth it to be under his tutelage. They had both worked on a scenario that would be cause for a yearlong detention with him. It had worked beautifully. Everyone around her had given her their condolences and she had played her part perfectly. Of course, Minerva had given him an earful but Severus had kept the truth to himself.
Fortunately Hermione was a quick study, especially when one on one. She had excelled in the afterhours work. Due to this she was able to take her mastery a week before school had let out her sixth year, which Severus had been thankful for. If they hadn't been able to work so quickly, she would never have finished and that would have been a waste. Not for him, no, it would have been for her. She deserved the Masters laurels she had received. He had given her robes, gloves and boots made out of basilisk skin as her graduation gift. One of the rare nice things Albus had done for him.
Severus couldn't stop the smile when he remembered her reaction to his gift. Her mouth had literally fallen open and she had become speechless, something he thought could never happen. She had graciously taken the gifts and thanked him. When they had stepped out of the testing hall, she had grabbed him in a tight hug and told him she would treasure his gifts always. He had automatically responded by hugging her back. The only other person to ever hug him was Dumbledore and that had been when he had first seen Severus after the death of Lily and James.
Minerva would pat his hand or lay her hand on his shoulder but she never hugged him. His mother was not an expressive woman and his father…yeah, hell could freeze over and it would never be something Tobias would dream of doing. Lily, well, she never really touched him unless it was to push him playfully. No, Severus wasn't used to being hugged but it had felt really nice. She had done it out of the public eye, which he appreciated, and had put full emotion behind it. When they had separated, Severus had schooled his features back to a stoic mask and she had given him a small smile. She then told him to be careful and they would meet up for tea after the scaly bastard was dead and gone for good.
He had given her a small smile and told her he looked forward to it. After she went on the run with her friends, Severus had worried about her, although he would admit that to no one at the time, he could now. He had often thought of her and wondered if she was safe despite being Public Enemy #2. When he had seen her at the Final Battle, he had been taken aback. She had been so thin, unhealthily so. He had wondered if she would have the strength to fight and then chastised himself for having such thoughts. This was Hermione Granger he was thinking this about; of course she would find what she needed to fight against the enemy.
As the Battle had waged on, he had lost sight of her. When he saw her again was when she was leaned over him trying to heal him. He had wanted to tell her to stop, to not waste her efforts on him but hadn't had the strength to. He had used what little he had to give Potter the memories. She had searched the pockets of his robes for the potions she knew would be there. Then she had poured Dittany over his open wound and had shoved a bezoar down his throat. She had then poured potion after potion down his throat, massaging it to make sure he swallowed. He remembered his last thought was that he was surprised she had her own potions to add to his. He had thought she wouldn't have any left after being on the run for a year. Yet, he really should have known someone like her would be as prepared as she could be, not allowing herself to run out of anything if she could help it.
The last thing he heard was her crying and telling him he owed her a cup of tea so he couldn't die on her. She planned on collecting and couldn't do that if he died on her. Then all went dark and the next thing he knew he was waking in the hospital wing, in his own room, with Poppy fussing over him. He had scowled at her which had made the mediwitch laugh and gently hug him. She had told him that if it hadn't been for Ms. Granger's quick thinking, they would have lost him. At the time, he had wished they had. Looking back now, he would never be able to repay her stubbornness. If she hadn't been so resolute in his survival, he wouldn't be here now and getting a second chance at a life all his own. Yes, it was good to be here and he planned to take full advantage of the fresh start.
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