Severus,

I do hope that this manages to find you before Thursday evening. I am terribly sorry to inform you that I am unable to attend dinner with you. St. Mungo's has had a rather unseasonable, and disturbing, uptick in dragon pox cases this week. I have been called off my regular floor duties to assist the Magical Diseases Unit in rotating healers that can provide care-the majority of the new cases in the last 24 hours are all children under the age of ten. We haven't discussed it yet, but I completed my course study in mediwizardry following my NEWTS. I work on the Cursed Maladies floor with Draco, although we have different areas of focus. While dragon pox is not curse related, our pediatrics unit is spread thin under the strain of the influx and its regular duties, and as I originally began my tenure in that department before switching specialties, they have requested my assistance.

I hope the abrupt notice does not put undue stress on Winky, and that you can find it within you to accept my most sincere regrets. I look forward to our next meeting.

Respectfully,

Hermione

P.S. Draco has requested that we attempt to find alternate means of communication as he does not see himself as an owl. I have amended my floo to accept your calls or a visit if you find that acceptable. The proper fireplace is "Granger Flat".

Hermione,

Thank you for the notice. Winky was disheartened by the cancellation as she has longed to be able to entertain more than just myself in the house; visits with Narcissa or Andromeda are often short, formal occasions that only require the basic tea. I do believe that Winky was looking forward to an opportunity to impress you-your previous ideologies having been motivation to produce quiet a cleaning frenzy and long-winded discussions of menu selections.

I, myself, admit to a level of disappointment at your absence. I had wished to express my most profound apologies for the abrupt end to our previous visit. I do hope to be able to explain myself more thoroughly when next we meet, but for now, allow me to express that my abrupt departure was in no way a reflection to any word, thought, or action on your part during our visit. I find discussing Lily to be…uncomfortable. It is akin to using a muscle that has shown signs of atrophy, I am ill-practiced and therefore reticent to expound upon my past with her. I do hope that you are able to appreciate that there are certain topics, and especially certain people, that conjure unsolicited reactions within us and are-through no fault-an unplanned demise to perfectly fulfilling exchanges of conversations.

Additionally, my request for your presence was to also express my gratitude for the salve you thoughtfully left with Winky. While I am certain your generous nature led you to procure a possible aid to my…malady…I also think you were unable to deny the professional curiosity associated in providing treatment. During my recovery I have concocted multiple scar salves, but I admit that I find your offering most agreeable to easing the tightened skin. Is this the salve St. Mungo's issues to patients? I should like to know more of its properties and compare it to the previous iterations I made.

Speaking to that, I am sorry that so many children have taken ill. Dragon pox is not as fatal as it was generations ago, but I have been assured that the illness is still challenging and can be prolonged in its effects. Knowing your work ethic and determination to see to the upmost care with all creatures (including children), the pediatrics floor is fortunate to borrow your services, if even for a brief time. I was unaware that you worked in the same department as Draco, but that is a topic I'd be interested to discuss with you further.

In closing, I shall endeavor to contact you again in a few days.

Severus

-xx—

It had been nearly two weeks since Hermione had cancelled her dinner plans with Severus Snape, and since he had promised to contact her. She had barely had time to focus on his distinct lack of communication, the dragon pox outbreak had intensified in the days that followed and had only begun to find stability, but as she returned to her flat for the first time in days she thought on the silence from her new reacquaintance. His letter had been a welcome distraction in the small moments she allowed for pause during her work. She felt such affinity to the way he described talking about Lily-it was closely akin to how she felt when discussing her relationship with Ron during (and immediately following) the war. Hermione couldn't wait to provide him the reassurance that she would not bring up Lily Potter again in conversation, and that he should not feel pressured to discuss their past with her. She was also heartened to learn that Snape had used-and liked-the scar salve she left with Winky. She knew him to be a man of discerning tastes, so she tried not to allow her pride to be inflated by the compliment of his review. Instead, Hermione had felt a stirring of affection at the knowledge that some level of trust had begun to exist between them if Severus Snape had used an unfamiliar product at only her behest. The warmth provided by that connection had fueled her over the last two weeks.

She closed the door to her flat, hanging her lime robe on a peg next to it, and dropped her healer satchel onto the entry table. Her eyes drew along the sitting area of the living space towards the small dining room and entry to the open kitchen. Despite being uninhabited over the last four days, the flat still held a welcoming air and comfort. As Hermione entered into the living space, she spotted a small parcel and parchment on the end table past the sofa. The parcel was rectangular and wrapped in black paper, the parchment folded in half and tucked under one corner. Hermione pulled her wand and ran a quick flourish over the parcel. Her war-honed instincts and current occupation made her wary of the unknown. When the spell came back clear of routine curses, Hermione gingerly tore the paper away from the parcel. It was a small, well-worn journal of midnight blue leather. Before she opened its bindings to reveal the contents, Hermione reached for the folded parchment, and sat upon the sofa to read the note.

Hermione: it took two days of careful experimentation to determine the components of the scar salve you left, but the greatest shock was the discovery of the magical signature connected to the fine craftsmanship…it was yours. I am now truly indebted to you, for the discomfort of the last years has finally waned and the skin appears to have begun healing. This journal is a small token of my appreciation. It contains formulas to the previous salves I made. While they did not work on my cursed scar, it occurred to me that they might still find use in your line of work.

Gratefully yours,

Severus

P.S.- I asked Winky to place this where you might see it but would not be an invasion of your privacy. I will attempt a floo call in the evening of the 26th.

Before Hermione had a moment to try to recall the date, the floo glowed green before her, and she started. "Hermione? Are you in?"


A/N: Love it? Hate it? Missed it? I apologize, updates will continue to be more sporadic than intended. Also, in response to a question: I have no current plans to upload to AO3. (Should I? Are there advantages to this?) -Archer