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….

Chapter 7

Hermione woke to an empty bed and a full bladder.

She stretched languidly in the large bed and took in her surroundings. The bright light coming in from the windows around the thick curtains suggested she'd slept much later than she normally did. The bed she'd slept in had been supremely comfortable, and she was struggling to want to get up, which was not like her at all. She was very much a get up and go kind of witch.

She moved her arm to the place she remembered Severus Snape sleeping, but it was cold suggesting that he'd been up for some time. A tempus charm told her that it was a little after nine.

Hermione sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed, glad that he wasn't actually around at that point as she wasn't wearing a stitch of clothes, and didn't have anything other than the bedclothes to put over her. She padded over to one of the windows to let more daylight in, and stuck her head around the curtain to look outside, but save anyone from seeing her naked in case the room was overlooked. That, it seemed, wasn't an issue as the view outside was of the reasonably sized front garden and the thick woods beyond.

After using the facilities, she decided on a shower, piling her hair on top of her head with a simple charm, and relished the hot spray. She was glad Malfoy's property did at least extend to muggle plumbing. She was trying hard to stay in the here and now, and not think about what happened last night, or what would happen next, but on moving it instantly brought it all back thanks to that pleasant soreness between her legs and soreness of used muscles that came from a night of incredible sex.

And it hadn't been just the one time. She'd fallen asleep in his arms, but had woken only a few hours later feeling very thirsty and with the need to pee. She'd gently disentangled herself from his arms trying not to disturb him and made her way to the bathroom to sort herself out.

On return to the bedroom, Severus too was awake and also got up to use the facilities. As he went to the bathroom, she sat on the edge of the bed, the light summer duvet around her while contemplating whether she should go into the other bedroom when he returned. He walked up to her, unashamed in his nudity and leaned down to softly take her mouth with hers, his hands moving to her hair as he pushed her gently back onto the bed.

"Stay," was all he said before he pulled her underneath him for round two.

After dressing in clothes which had been laundered by his house elf over night, and included the knickers that he'd magically removed from her body the night before, she took a deep breath and ventured outside of the room, listening for any sign of the other occupant of the house.

She slowly went down the stairs and looked first in the room where they'd talked the previous night, but found the place empty. The house had two other reception rooms and a study, which were all empty. She finally found him in a small but well stocked library sipping on a mug of black coffee.

He looked up as she walked in. "Miss Granger."

He was dressed as he had been the previous night - that being his black trousers and matching frock coat. He looked very Professor Snape again sans the robes. She tried not to be embarrassed, but it was hard not to be considering the history between them. They'd talked easily the night before, but now there was now definitely an awkwardness between them which she wished wasn't there. She wasn't sure what she had hoped for or even expected, but this was not it.

She cleared her throat, trying to think of something to say. "How are you …"

"Lucius has invited us to brunch at the Manor with your little friends at ten. We should go now if we don't want to be late."

She looked to the clock on the mantlepiece noting it was a quarter to ten and nodded her agreement, following him out of the house and into the twee front garden where they had arrived the night before.

"I trust you will be able to apparate there yourself?"

She gave him a look of exasperation. "Of course I can."

After she apparated to the gates of the Manor, he arrived a split second later and opened the gates up, letting her in first and then striding ahead of her with his longer legs. She needed to say something before they went inside.

"Severus, wait a moment." He paused, his back remaining to her forcing her to walk around him so she could meet his eyes. "We need to talk about what happened last night."

"We most certainly do not, Miss Granger. It was sex, and nothing more."

"Excuse me?"

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

"No, you do not. But I'd like to know why the sudden change of heart. You had no problem with me last night."

She tried to study him but he wouldn't meet his eyes. His face was impassive, but she had the feeling that he was hiding something, but she had no idea what it was.

"A lover's quarrel already? Dear me."

She turned to see Lucius Malfoy leaning in the doorway of the Manor, immaculately dressed in his pale grey robes, and giving them both a self-congratulatory look of amusement. His two enormous dogs sat either side of him like guards.

"Stay out of it, Malfoy," she spat at him over her shoulder before turning back to Severus and drawing her wand to cast a muffliato to stop unwanted ears hear their conversation.

But Malfoy ignored her and approached them, one of the dogs following him while the other watched them from the doorway. "I think, Miss Granger, that you are forgetting the timeline."

"What?" She cancelled the muffliato and spun around to look at him again. Oddly he'd lost his smug smile and had that same sincere look he'd worn the night before when he had apologised to her. It almost made the wizard look like a different man.

"Lucius," Severus warned, but Malfoy ignored him.

"In Severus' timeline, it has been only three weeks since the final battle. I know for a fact, Miss Granger, that you struggled for several years after leaving Hogwarts. Yes, you overcame it, but you have had over twenty years. Do you think a quick fumble in the bedroom is enough for you to be entitled to anything from him?"

"Enough, Lucius." Oddly, Snape wasn't angry this time, but seemed tired.

She realised that she hadn't really thought about that. For him, the last battle was literally three weeks ago. Only three weeks previous he'd given Harry memories confirming his love for Lily Potter. She turned to look at Snape, who didn't meet her eyes, choosing to watch the enormous hound on the stairs to the Manor instead.

"Severus," she said gently placing a hand gently on his arm and drawing his attention. She didn't particularly want Malfoy as a witness to this, but she wasn't going to have an option. "I am sorry. I didn't think."

She watched the man sigh and run a hand through his hair. She removed her hand from him and turned to follow his line of vision as he spoke. "Lucius, leave us a moment."

Malfoy raised an eyebrow but disappeared without comment back into his house with a dramatic swish of his robes and hair.

"Miss Granger … Hermione." His eyes softened a little as her spoke her first name. It seemed almost rusty on his lips. "I don't particularly like using these words in this order, but Lucius is right. A lot has changed for me over the last few weeks, and I have not had chance to think. I have been suitably preoccupied by trying to find a cure for Astoria, but I feel I need some time alone.

"When I woke this morning, I realised that I'd made a mistake. I shouldn't have slept with you, and for that I am sorry. You do not seem the type for one night stands, and I can offer no more."

She swallowed thickly. She didn't expect his rejection of her to hit her quite so hard. She'd never previously been attracted to Severus Snape. She'd never had a crush on him at school. Yes, she'd always admired his magical ability, his mind and his extensive knowledge, and she'd always though that he had a rather gorgeous voice. And after she'd found out about his love for Lily Potter she couldn't help but see him as some Byronic Hero. But that was when he was dead, not living and breathing and standing in front of her. And if she'd thought about it, Lily Potter was a whole other reason that she should have stayed away. She didn't like to think what Harry would say if he found out.

"I understand. And I do wish you well, Severus. I will do anything I can for you to make this transition easier for you." She'd found that in trying to protect herself, she'd slipped on her Minister for Magic hat.

He nodded his acquiescence but said no more.

"I do have to say, I'm a little surprised that Malfoy had your back in that way." She felt that shifting the focus away from the two of them was wise. "He's never seemed one to be interested in anyone other than himself."

He gave her a reproachful look, but also looked a little relived at the change of subject matter. "You may consider Slytherin's to be self-interested, Miss Granger, and I will admit Lucius is more egocentric than most. But other Slytherin qualities are loyalty and fraternity. As Slytherins we do watch out for each other, particularly those we have been close to for many decades. Lucius knows me better than any other witch or wizard alive, and is like a brother to me. I trust him as much as I can trust anyone."

She felt a little chastised, but she still didn't like the man, and certainly didn't trust him.

Severus led her towards the door of the Manor. "I don't suppose I need to say this should remain between the two of us?"

"You don't."

"And if anyone asks, not that they would as they all have the subtlety of a giant in a potions storeroom, we also both stayed in the Manor. In different rooms. Lucius would not have told your little friends that you stayed at my cottage."

She nodded her agreement, and Severus hung back a minute or so before joining the others.

Brunch was certainly an interesting affair.

Harry and Ron initially had some boils on their skin, although Severus reluctantly healed them both after some cajoling. Draco's hair seemed to have faded to a pale pink and yellow colour, but he was wearing a Slytherin green woollen beanie hat so only the ends were sticking out to be able to tell. And Ginny's skin definitely had a green tinge to it that completely clashed with her naturally ginger hair. Hermione wasn't sure who'd been hit with the curse that had shrunk their hands and feet, as all people appeared to have normal sized hands.

As soon as she'd entered the room, all of her friends descended on her intent on making sure she was okay after the previous evening's episode. Her hurt and discomfort at being around Snape after their night together was easily passed off as a discomfort of being in Malfoy Manor, and an embarrassment of what had happened to her. All her friends were apologetic for the drunkenness of the night before, and no one seemed to have any inclination about what had happened once they'd all gone to bed.

The brunch itself was delicious and plentiful, prepared by Malfoy's now seemingly paid house elves. Everyone managed to behave themselves, managing not to throw any further curses around Malfoy's dining room.

She'd surreptitiously been studying Severus Snape throughout brunch. The man had watched with some interest as the others talked, though remained out stoic and of the conversation. She'd watched him pay particular attention to Harry, seemingly analysing the man he'd become in the intervening twenty one years. She'd have loved to have known his final opinion.

After they'd all eaten the others apparated back to Harry and Ginny's house for further drinks in the warm afternoon sun, but Hermione told the others she was going to head straight home as she had some work to catch up on. Since she was well known to be something of a workaholic, no one batted an eyelid and bid her adieu, talking amongst themselves as they went.

"Professor, could I please have a word?" She asked once the others had left. She noticed both Malfoy males watching her with interest, but ignored them.

Severus nodded his head in agreement and led her silently further into the Manor. He opened the door to the largest library she'd ever seen. It was bigger than both the ones at Hogwarts and the magical wing of the British Library, a place where she'd spent a lot of time in over the last twenty years or so.

The room was clearly enhanced magically to make it considerably bigger on the inside than it appeared on the outside, as although she was certain Malfoy Manor was enormous, she didn't think it was large enough to warrant housing such a large room. It had floor to ceiling shelves full of books lining most of the walls which didn't house windows, with further shelves jutting out into the room which too were stacked with books. In the centre of the room against the far wall was a beautifully ornate fireplace, a thick sheepskin rug and several comfortable chairs and sofas surrounding it.

She wandered over to the nearest shelf and ran her fingers over the beautiful books, entirely lost in her own thoughts, and wondering what marvels of wizarding texts were held here. Likely it had books not only that she'd been searching for for years, but ones she'd never even heard of before. She also didn't doubt that there were a significant number of dark and illegal texts, and pondered whether those were kept hidden or if they were amongst the other tomes.

"Miss Granger," a voice said, startling her and bringing her back to the present. "Rather than ogling the Malfoy library, I was under the impression that you wished to speak to me."

She felt her face flush, and she turned back to him. "Sorry. But this place is amazing."

"That it is. The Malfoys have been collecting wizarding texts for centuries, but Lucius in particular has expanded the library significantly over the last forty years. Luckily during the Dark Lord's stay, the Malfoys were able to protect the library from his tyranny, and the auror department were far too lazy to spend any significant time searching the place after the war." She didn't doubt that, knowing what Harry had said right after the war.

He smirked at her. "It's a shame you are not better acquainted with the Malfoys, as otherwise I'm sure Lucius would happily allow you entry. He's always been fond of people that share his academic interests."

That clearly was not going to happen. Which was a shame, as she loved the place. Maybe she'd have words with Draco to gain entrance.

She swallowed thickly to steel herself and began talking. "I wanted to speak to you about Harry, he…"

She was cut off instantly, and he had a face that reminded her of his most ferocious when he'd been her potions professor.

"No."

"Professor…"

He walked up closer to her, stopping a foot or so in front of her, clearly hoping to use his greater height and build to intimidate her.

"I am not your professor anymore, Miss Granger. And I have said before that I will not speak to, or about Mr Potter, or anything I told that damnable boy in the strictest of confidence that he felt necessary to proclaim to the whole world! " His voice had gained in volume as he spoke.

Hermione studied his enraged face, no longer feeling the fear of him she once did as a child, but in this instance understanding his anger.

She nevertheless carried on. "I do understand, Severus. In fairness to Harry, we did think you were dead. I believe that if he knew you were still alive then he would not have spoken as he did."

"You will forgive me if I don't believe you," he spat, "the boy has no subtlety."

"You're entitled to your opinion," she placated. "But I do think you should speak to him, for both of your sakes."

"The answer remains no, and no amount of you annoying me will change that."

She could tell this wasn't a battle she was going to win. At least not now, anyway. "Fine. You know my thoughts, and I do think I am right."

"Of course you do."

She simply smiled at him. "I am sure I will see around, Professor. Take care."

She nodded her head to him, and reluctantly left the library, resolving to speak to Draco as soon as she could to gain reentry.

.

The next four months for Hermione were manic. Snape had followed through with this agreement to do an interview with the Daily Prophet to announce his return from death, and then all hell had broken loose.

Witches and wizards from all over the wizarding globe had wanted to know what had happened in the intervening years, despite the interview explaining exactly that. The public were outraged that the Ministry had lied to them about Snape's death, although there seemed to be an equal split of those revering him as a hero and those saying he should be locked up in Azkaban for his crimes before and during the second war, and the killing of Albus Dumbledore in particular.

The Ministry led with a hard approach in its pronouncement that the wizard in question was nothing but a hero, and reiterated that he'd been awarded the Order of Merlin posthumously, which had now been formally given to him, along with the full stipend that Malfoy had been looking after, and was now quite a significant sum. Both Harry and Hermione had also given a statement in support of their former potions professor, and even Ron had given words of support, which she was hugely grateful for.

The man himself seemed to have disappeared and hadn't been seen or heard of since his interview. She'd assumed that he was still staying in that magnificent 'cottage' of Malfoy's but she hadn't investigated whether that was the truth. She had heard that he'd received numerous death threats, though didn't know if any of them had reached him personally, and she was certain that no one would have got close enough to him to enact anything. The man had been a spy for years, and she was positive that he knew how to look after himself.

Not that she was concerned.

Except that she was.

When she'd heard from Harry about the threats of mortal peril that had been levelled at Severus she couldn't help but be troubled. She knew she shouldn't be, and didn't have any right to be. She knew also that he wouldn't want or appreciate her concern, but the fact was that the wizard had been on her mind far more than she'd intended since that night in August.

It was one mid-December evening when Harry appeared at her home unexpected, that she slipped up.

"I had an unexpected visitor," Harry had announced as he sat down in her living room and sipped on the cup of hot chocolate she'd made him.

"Who?"

"Severus Snape."

She frowned at him. "Really? Wow. How is he? Did he know about the death threats? What's he been doing all this time? Is he still living at Malfoy's?"

Harry paused for a moment and gave her an assessing look. "You know it's odd, he also had a lot of questions about you as well."

"Really?"

Hermione couldn't help the smile that reached her face. She was genuinely happy that he too seemed interested in her. Maybe she might see him again. Maybe they could talk more, and who knows what else. The more she'd thought about him over the last few months, the more she realised they had a lot in common. And she wanted to spend some more time with him.

"Well, actually no."

Her line of thought stopped with an almighty crash and she looked over at her friend who wore a guilty expression on his face.

"What?" She asked, feeling very confused.

"He didn't mention you at all."

"Then why…," she couldn't quite carry on and she walked out of the room into her kitchen, throwing away the contents of her mug of hot chocolate and going to get a glass of red wine instead.

Harry had followed her into the kitchen, "Hermione, what happened?" His voice held genuine concern.

"Nothing. I just don't know why you'd say that when you didn't mean it."

"Because I knew you were hiding something. I know you, Hermione. No one else may have noticed, but you're my closest friend. I've known something was up, but I didn't know what. You just looked the happiest I've seen you in a long time."

"So you felt it was okay to manipulate that? Harry, I thought better of you."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I didn't meant to play on your emotions, or try and slip you up. I don't want to hurt you."

Hermione walked over to the window and stared out into the dark. The lights from her kitchen showed that it was gently sleeting, and she could feel the chill coming off the window.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Harry said from behind her. When she didn't say anything, he continued. "I'll assume that something happened at Malfoy's that evening."

She still didn't respond.

"Did you sleep with him?"

She finally turned to face him, feeling enraged. "Harry, it is none of your business. I'm guessing you didn't ask him these questions about me?"

"No, I didn't."

"Then don't ask me. Merlin, you are meant to be my friend. If I don't want to talk about something, then I do not have to." She crossed her arms across her chest. "Now, was there something you were actually going to say about Severus Snape?"

….

Bad Harry!

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