Miss Granger-Hermione-
Please indulge my hastened correspondence, but I felt it imperative to set about committing thought to parchment in hopes of assaying the multitude of inquiries you have remaining over our recent reintroduction. I would like nothing more than to tell you that it was my intention to remain hidden for the remainder of my years; yet, when it became known to me that I was pursued in death by your keen intellect, my curiosity was resoundingly piqued. Perhaps it is only because I have been a witness to your fastidious commitment to knowledge, that I was shocked to learn you had dropped your pursuit. This, coupled with Potter's apparent nosiness, spurred me to action. I provided my location to Narcissa to deliver into your hands, coupled with the hope that you would arrive upon my quiet doorstep. Unfortunately, our meeting met no other expectation. I apologize, again, for the intrusion which caused you undoubtedly a level of discomfort. This is why I ceased our interaction-it was not for lack of desire to speak with you. On the contrary, as the possibility of immersing myself in elements of my past have become more real, I took comfort in knowing it was at your prodding.
As I have stayed abreast of the events following the conclusion of the war, I know you are aware of much of the role that I was forced to play-and even the motivations why. I am aware that Potter was not as...delicate...with my memories as I perhaps would have wished. You know of Lily, and my history with her. I would like to explain, now with the proper time to mourn and reflect, that I loved Lily. But I can see now that my feelings for her were twisted in my anger and become unnaturally...obsessive. This raging, impure version of love drove more of my darker actions over time, and at the behest of two equally manipulative masters, made me believe I was justified in treating the world with the cruelty I felt victimized of. If I had loved Lily, as I had when we were children, I would have carried her kindness and compassion into my actions in the war. I would have unashamedly chosen a side and fought with the courage my bitterness stole from me.
Due to the confinement I have assigned myself to these past years, I can confidently admit all of this. I daren't say I have changed and become a simpering, spineless shell of the man you knew. But I feel comfortable admitting to an evolution within my own psyche. I no longer wish to be chained by any lingering emotions of my past, and I seek to ground my life with the kinds of relationships I have so long denied the possibility of. I am still rude, unflinchingly honest, selfish and self-assured. I don't seek approval or relish in flattery and compliments. Can you understand the difficulty I face with this internal reconciliation? Can you extend your patience and grace? Can you-
Severus stopped writing. He cast the parchment aside on his desk. He pulled a clean sheet and set the quill against it once more.
Hermione-
I should like to request the presence of your company again. Saturday next, 3pm. Your arrival will be reply enough.
-Severus Snape
—xx—
Hermione sat on her couch with Harry, while Draco sat in the lone reading chair. She had just finished recounting the events of her reintroduction to one, Severus Snape. There were some notable exceptions to the complete story (the fainting feeling was edited to exclude the legelimens). Draco's face was a well-worn calmness, Hermione noted; while Harry released a large sigh, and ran a hand through his hair. She distinctly felt their disbelief-and irritation-at the interactions she had had with Snape. She wondered, briefly, which of these two men were more conflicted at the confirmation that Severus Snape was once again (or still?) a living, breathing entity in their lives. Hermione felt exhausted and slumped into Harry, his arms encircling her with a gentle embrace. She let out a contented sigh, closing her eyes in his reassuring presence, until she heard a slight clearing of a throat. She raised her head off Harry's chest and looked at Draco.
"Should I be going?" he asked. Hermione noted the uncomfortableness he tried to hide. She smiled a little.
"Oh, no, Draco," she said as she extricated herself from Harry, who simply chuckled at her. "I'm sorry. We forget ourselves, sometimes. Old habits."
He gave her a smirk at that. "Well, those habits are certainly more…cuddly…than ours, right, Granger?"
"Indeed, Malfoy." Hermione rolled her eyes, but it broke the beginning of the tension in the room. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to provide you both with more information. I had no idea that it would be so unnerving to see him again."
Harry nodded next to her. "Merlin, Hermione. I'm just so sorry that I didn't believe you years ago. You would think, that after saving my ass so many times, I would have learned to trust your gut a little more. I'm sorry I was a rubbish friend and poor excuse for help."
"It's alright, Harry. You know I lost myself for a while with all of it. It was good that you pulled me out of it before I lost myself too deep."
Hermione watched Draco roll his eyes at them and make an exaggerated sick face. She readjusted on the couch. Draco spoke. "What's next? Do you think he will contact you?"
"I really have no idea." Hermione answered honestly. "I'm not sure if he wants to be back in this world, or if he was just settling his own curiosity when he found out someone was looking for him. Maybe he just had a nostalgic feeling for seeing me squirm."
"Snape rarely made you squirm, Hermione," Harry reasoned. Hermione, however, saw the smirk that played on Draco's lips.
"Well, he does now." Draco murmured cheekily. Hermione's jaw slacked at his blatant insinuation, and Harry's eyes bulged at her.
"What- "Harry started. There was a tapping at the window, and Hermione had never been more grateful for an interruption in her life. She crossed to let the unknown owl into her flat and untied the rolled parchment. The owl left before Hermione could do anything else. She unfurled it and read.
"He wants to see me again." She said.
A/N: Love? Hate? Feedback is so appreciated. -Archer
