"Do you think we should give Hermione some chocolates? Like... Do you think she will like them?"
Cho looked up at Lavender who was putting a couple liquorish wands in a container, removing it from the bag she had from Honeyduke's. The woman's brows were furrowed as she stabbed the metal tongs into another bin to collect fizzy wizzies- a favorite of Hermione's. It was clear they both had the same idea, which was to do something to cheer up their friend. Cho took a few steps over to Lavender and could see the anger on her face as she picked out pink, and blue fizzy wizzies and she sighed.
"Lav..."
"Do you know how much it takes out of me not to go find that man and give him the lashing he deserves?" Lavender whispered closing the bin as she closed her eyes. "I have never seen 'mione this low... Never. Not even when she got a low mark. She always picked herself up and got back to it to do better than before... But now... it's like she doesn't know how to do that. And it's all HIS fault."
Cho completely understood Lavender's feelings about the whole ordeal, but what she couldn't agree with is that he needed to be harmed for what had become of their relationship. If there was anything Cho had learned about this man it was that he was closed off. Merlin knows how long he had closed himself off and there is nothing more scary than opening up and exposing yourself to being hurt again. It was a difficult process to accept and commit to and she was sure that was why he ended the relationship...
But that was only speculation...
He was always in a difficult position while they were in school and it didn't matter. He was the scapegoat which oddly, he offered himself to be. The world wanted someone to blame.
To crucify...
He was that.
He allowed it to... protect others from the lashing of the world.
Being someone like that and learning to love someone... Cho could only imagine how terrifying that must have been. However she wished that she knew more because she wondered if they knew how their relationship would bloom would they still do it again?
Or would they have passed right past another...
• • • • •
"Miss. Granger."
"Professor."
"There is no need to call me that, Miss. Granger."
Hermione couldn't help the smile that came to her face as she reached out for the dried herbs on the shelf in the apothecary that she had ran into an old professor. "If you call me Miss. Granger then shall I call you, Mr. Snape?" She asked feeling her tongue trip over the new name.
It was as if they both felt the awkwardness at the same time and froze as they contemplated the change that was made. The fact that they were no longer student and teacher. No... they were in fact community now. Contributors to the wizarding world.
Hermione turned her head to look up at her old Professor and saw him resume his shopping grabbing things for his personal storage no doubt. She also saw the list in his other hand of things he was ordering for his class this year. Even though people didn't want to believe he was a caring teacher, there was one thing Hermione knew. He cared.
He always had extras.
Cauldrons...
Herbs...
Textbooks...
And things you wouldn't think to have on hand...
He cared even if he didn't verbally say so.
"Professor-"
"You don't need to refer to me as your Professor anymore, Miss. Granger." He chided again.
"For this I do." Hermione retorted slowly, raising a brow.
Sure enough she saw him give her a sideways glance that said he seriously doubted that, but was listening nonetheless. "Professor, thank you." She smiled watching him fight the urge to wince at the gentle statement. No doubt he thought it was too flowery...
But she meant it and reached out to place her hand on the side of his arm. His side ways glance immediately lowered from her face to her hand before moving back to her face. She knew it was something odd. She felt odd doing this. But she also... didn't?
Severus was taken aback by the statement. Thank you?
"As your student I was sure you were out to get us. That you hated every single one of us-"
"I did."
Hermione moved her hand to her stomach as she laughed and the quickly covered her mouth. "Of course. You hated us..." she agreed with a nod. "But, thank you for hating us enough to make sure we knew how to brew a proper potion."
With that she walked around him and headed to the register with Mrs. Gardenstan stood waiting to ring her up. The two chit chatted while Mrs. Gardenstan wrapped her bottles of herbs and other ingredients. Meanwhile Hermione was ever aware of Severus' position in the apothecary. Even though it wasn't important for her to think of him or search for him. It was such an impractical feeling.
She smiled as she bid her farewell and headed to the door. She turned to look around the shop before she left and saw that Severus Snape was looking directly at her. She had expected him to lower his gaze when he noticed her looking at him but he didn't.
"Miss. Granger."
"Professor."
• • • • •
Hermione's eyes opened at the sound of her door opening again, and felt her energy leave her body as she realized she had been dreaming... not living. Who knew that one moment would lead to a friendship that would bloom into something more? Certainly not her, but now she wished she had never ran into him in that shop.
She wouldn't be hurting like this if she hadn't.
"'Mione... I know its your last day off and you might be sleeping again but we brought back some treats that we got yesterday-Woah! Your room is clean!"
"Lavender!" Cho shushed but Lavender didn't get the memo.
"No! I mean! Good for you Hermione! This is a great first step!" Lavender said and made her way to the bed where Hermione was sitting up. Cho followed her loud friend and wondered if there was ever a moment Lavender had a more quieter and less... abrasive side.
"Hello Hermione..." Cho smiled as Lavender handed her the bag she made.
"Hello... Thank you guys..." Hermione whispered looking down at the treats before looking to the mirror. "God.. I am sorry..." she whispered lowering her head.
"No... you are fine!" Lavender said and Cho reached out to hold Hermione's hand.
"It's okay." Cho agreed.
"But you know... I am sure we can order some Chinese and watch a movie in your room if you wouldn't mind the company." Lavender offered although she half expected Hermione to decline.
Imagine her surprise when her absent and gloomy friend agreed to her idea.
It was time to let go...
It was time to move forward... Hermione told herself as her friend excitedly went to their rooms to get pillows and blankets. She could hear Lavender screaming her order to Cho who was already on the phone ordering. It was... nice to have friends that didn't judge you for being absent.
That were understanding and excited for you when you made small steps.
Maybe she did have energy to make a change...
Today.