Prologue [ 3/3 ]:
Of All The Ways.
The new silver wand fitted comfortably in his hand. It resembled a fallen branch on a winters day, and the magical aura felt soothing to Severus. This place is terribly odd. He had to admit that he liked it a lot.
Hermione stood next to him smiling down at her multi-coloured wand. The man who owned the shop started dancing around the moment she stepped inside; apparently, he could sense her many passions, which meant she deserved one of his more brightly coloured wands.
They walked out of the shop together, and Leona went over to one of the market stalls. Hermione almost got lost in the fast moving crowd, so Severus reached out to her and she grabbed his wrist.
He hadn't addressed her wish yet, truthfully, he wasn't sure what to do about it. Her company doesn't bother me, I just don't want to hold her back.
Leona waved her hand to show them where she was, and they joined her at the stall. Severus saw a variety of different fruits that didn't look familiar to him. A foul smell entered his nostrils. He glanced a few stalls down and saw a man stirring an awful concoction.
"Try this," Leona forced a purple fruit into Hermione's mouth and a blissful smile grew on her face.
"Oh wow," she sighed, then held out the fruit to him. "It tastes delicious."
He stared into her sparkling eyes. "Fine." Reluctantly, he took the fruit from her—it tasted divine.
"What's it called?" Hermione asked.
"The Sweet Merlin."
Severus stopped himself from laughing, but Hermione burst out into a chorus of giggles.
"Come along now, let's buy some new clothes for you," Leona ushered them away from the stall as if they were her children, and Severus felt a small hand in his own.
"I don't want to get lost again," Hermione said.
"Right," he muttered to himself.
She didn't bring feelings of discomfort, he just didn't understand why it felt normal to him. No one had ever needed to hold his hand or wanted to; it was only now that he realised he wished someone had before. I guess I should try plenty of new things now that I'm here, forever.
"Leona, can women still have babies here?" Hermione asked, and Severus gave her an odd look. What sort of question is that?
She held open the door for him and he thanked her with a nod. Leona seemed to pause at the question then she smiled sadly.
"It's very rare that it happens. As of right now, you're no longer fit to carry a child, but there is a potion that can remove the restriction if you make a good case to Merlin."
"Oh...that seems rather sad, I thought this new life is meant to be filled with hope," Leona held a dress up against Hermione's front, and Severus listened with mild interest.
"Merlin likes to encourage those who want children to adopt those who don't have parents. Muggleborn children are a rarity, but when they do turn up, most couples are more than willing to take them in. Also, the babies who die before their real parents, are given to a loving home to be brought up in. You can ask Jerome if you have any more questions."
"I will—when is he coming back? Doesn't he have to go through this list with Severus and me?"
Severus narrowed his eyes at her. The sound of his name on her lips still didn't feel right to him, but there was no point in telling her to stop it since he told her not to call him "Sir".
"He should be coming by later," Leona said. "How about this one?" she grabbed a white tunic and a brown waistcoat, then held it out to him.
"No thank you," he grumbled. "I can choose my own clothes."
"I'm sure you can; I only wish to help you-"
"What about this?" Severus turned to see Hermione was holding onto an outfit that much resembled his teaching clothes, minus the billowing fabric of his robes. "I rather think this suits you well."
Hermione smiled at him in an oblivious kind of way, like she had no idea how much that smile could bend a man against his will. He had no desire to return to his old fashion sense, but he couldn't deny that it brought him comfort.
She stared at him for a while, and he realised he hadn't responded.
"Leona and I will leave you to browse on your own. I saw a stall selling books that I'd like to check out," Hermione put the clothes back and walked from the shop. He watched her disappear into the crowd through the window, then he quickly shook his head and moved around the wooden racks.
I wonder where I should go from here? Severus wanted to find his mother, so he needed to stop by the local Seeking Souls to see where she is. Will she be happy to see me?
Severus glanced lazily over the clothes, not bothering to think about anything he was looking for. A thought lingered at the forefront of his mind, would Hermione really come with him?
The whole idea of an afterlife was to live freely, and do all the things you ever desired—he didn't understand why her wish was to go travelling with him. Perhaps she is scared of being on her own?
Potter and that Weasley fellow rarely left her side, plus her parents will never see her again. Severus understood her worries, but he wasn't sure whether he wanted to allow her to come with him. He wasn't opposed to the idea of her coming—won't she get bored of being around me?
After ten minutes of mindless wandering, he returned to the clothes she had originally picked out, grabbed some other outfits that matched, then paid the man so he could rejoin Leona and Hermione. Severus quickly shrunk his new clothes with his silver wand and put them in his pocket.
The thick crowd bustled around him, and he glanced around for any sign of them. A tiny hand erupted from the mass of people and Hermione started to call out to him.
"Over here!" she jumped so he could see her face. "Severus, we're over here-"
"I can see you perfectly well!" he snapped, and she smiled back at him.
They stood in front of the bookstall and Leona's basket was full of scrolls and worn covers. Hermione kept adding more and paying the woman each time, he came to stand by her side and glanced over some of the titles.
"Look at all of this," Hermione gushed. "I cannot wait to read all about this place."
Severus could relate to her excitement, however, he was better at hiding it. He picked up a book titled 'The Chronicles of Rocky Valley,' and paid the lady.
"You can borrow some of mine if you'd like?" Hermione looked up at him with delight in her eyes, and he could only nod back blankly.
They moved to the next stall and eventually made their way around all the appealing ones. Leona led them back to their current house and it sparked a thought in Severus' mind.
"What is the property value like here?" he asked as they placed all of their things on the small table.
"There are plenty of relaxing inns that charge a certain amount a week, but buying yourself a home usually involves saving up some of your money," Leona started to heat up some water for their tea. "If you make a good case though, the property workers tend to be more lenient on the selling price."
"OK," he glanced at Hermione to see she was already submerged in a book. "Do you own this place?"
"Yes I do," she started to place the cups on their saucers. "It took me six months to save for this place. It may take a little longer if you want to stay in a more secluded place."
Severus stayed and talked with Leona for a while, he didn't even notice when Hermione left the table to take her things upstairs. They sat at the table drinking tea, and he found himself ravished in their small talk and all the new things he was learning.
"One of the scholars in charge of the mapping of this world approached Hermione while you were in the shop," she said over her tea. "He received her information and wanted to know whether she was interested in joining their team to write the information books on this place. It's very rare that they hire anybody, so she must be a bright woman."
"What did she say to them?"
"She seemed interested in it, but she wants to think it over," Severus sighed and stared at a chipped part of the table.
Maybe this means she won't want to travel with me anymore? Good...I think. He wished her all the best on her new job prospect; he couldn't see how she would pass up such an opportunity.
"You look sad," she leaned closer slightly. "I thought she was your student?"
"She was-"
"Honey, I'm home!" The door flew open and in walked a buff, dark-skinned man holding a large crossbow. Two chickens were slung over his shoulder and he tossed them onto the table in front of them.
"Max, how many times have I told you not to put your kills on the bloody table!" Leona pointed at them, and the man he now knew as Max, smirked back at her.
"Aren't you going to give me a kiss?" he stalked towards her, and Severus found himself feeling uncomfortable.
"Get it off my table!" she crossed her arms over her chest. He quickly moved the chickens and put them next to the large pot.
"Can I have my kiss now?" Leona pinned him with a venomous look, but she soon broke and moved to kiss him.
"How was your trip?" she asked.
"Everything went well, Ben had a bad fall but he's doing fine now," he explained. "You must be one of the new people, a pleasure to meet you…?"
"Severus."
"His Hermione is upstairs," Leona smirked wickedly.
"For goodness sake woman, I have no affiliations with her-"
"Leona, would you mind helping me with my clothes?" Hermione called from upstairs.
"Run along and help her," Max stared at him and pointed towards the stairs.
"You-"
"I'm only joking Severus. I know she's just your student," Leona walked over to the stairs laughing.
"I'll join you."
"No you will not!" Severus and Leona said at the same time.
"You're all a bunch of killjoys."
...
Severus sat down on the long box beneath his window and opened up the wooden doors to stare down at the dark alley below. One of Hermione's books rested in his lap; she had bombarded him at dinner and insisted that he read this certain book she had skimmed across.
It's pretty enlightening.
There was a tavern not too far away which meant he could hear the song and cheers coming from inside. He felt at peace with the world as he stared up at the large moon in the night sky.
Tomorrow he had plans to go to the local Seeking Souls to find out where his mother is. I'm going to go and see her first, then consider travelling around. He had pondered on the thought of finding Lily, but he wasn't ready to reopen that wound yet.
Leona mentioned renting a horse-and-cart to travel in as Apparating required a specific license. It was discovered a long time ago that if one dies during apparating somewhere, there is no coming back from it. A man lost his head after a drunken night and the magic in the air couldn't heal him—no ones knows what became of him. This prompted Merlin to alter the magic of this world to take away everyone's ability to do so.
He had just finished talking to Jerome who had stopped by to tell them some more information. They were expected to be polite to others and treat people with respect. Severus didn't need to be told twice, he would plaster an awkward smile on his face all the time if it meant he got to stay here.
I wonder what it's like back at Hogwarts? I want to know how Hermione died...it was such a gruesome question to ask someone, but she doesn't seem to want to talk about it.
A light knock came from the door and it opened slowly to reveal a dishevelled looking Hermione. She wore a plain nightgown that stopped at her knees and her hair curled upright at the ends.
"I couldn't sleep," she yawned and took a seat next to him.
He bit back his harsh response—why was she coming to him because she couldn't sleep? Severus looked back out of the window and she joined him. They sat in silence for a while and he occasionally glanced her way to take in the expression on her face.
Back when she had been his student, reading her was the easiest thing in the world. Her friends could anger her quickly, and he knew exactly when he annoyed her. However, right now, nothing passed over her soft features.
"Do you miss home?" she asked.
"I never felt at home where you did."
She flashed him a sad smile. "I suppose so."
"I don't need your sympathies."
"A person is allowed to feel sad when someone doesn't feel like they belonged in a place where they mattered the most," she turned away from the open window to look at him.
"It appears even though we went to the same place, we lived completely different lives," Severus cleared his throat and averted his eyes from hers.
More silence fell, and he felt like he needed to fill it with talk, but no subject came to mind. Hermione started to shift uncomfortably until she gave up with a sigh.
"Why haven't you asked me yet?"
"Excuse me?"
"Aren't you going to ask how I died?"
There it was. The burning question which he now didn't know if he wanted to hear the answer too. Her eyes held shame and numerous scenarios appeared in his mind. What did they do to her? It must've been Death Eaters, but what exactly happened?
"It seems impolite to ask someone that," he settled on saying.
"I…" she mumbled something under her breath so he couldn't hear.
"What did you say?"
"I went back to get your body."
He didn't register her words immediately, but as the imaginary seconds ticked closer to midnight, her words dawned on him.
"No...No!" he got to his feet and glared down at her.
A tightness laced around his heart and he suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe properly. Why would she do that?
"W-What?" The words refused to form correctly on his tongue, and she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"We were collecting the dead...no one had mentioned going back for your body, so I decided to leave Hogwarts and retrieve you myself," she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "All the adrenaline from the fight had left my body; I wasn't paying attention, so I missed when a lone Death Eater came out of nowhere. My remaining energy was enough to get me to the Shrieking Shack...where he fired the Killing Curse at my heart...I'm pretty sure they found my body next to yours."
"Why would you risk your life for something so stupid?!"
"It wasn't stupid to me!" she snapped back.
"You left on your own, right after a bloody war! That's stupidity if I ever heard it!" he turned away from her and tried to control the anger bubbling inside of him.
"I don't regret it…" she whispered.
"Well, you should."
"Oh," Severus turned in time to see her slamming the door shut behind her.
...
The next week passed by at an agonisingly slow speed. Leona had informed him that Hermione had taken up the job offer from one of the scholars, so she would be starting there at the end of this week. Severus didn't give much of a response as he hadn't seen a lot of Hermione since their argument in his bedroom. She seems to have a talent for avoiding people.
Seeking Souls proved to not be of any help as they couldn't locate his mother anywhere; it meant that she was staying somewhere that hadn't been put on the map yet. He had plans to stop off at Dosrose Village along the way, then see if he can find anyone who might help him find her. While at Seeking Souls, he almost inquired about Lily. He was thankful that he managed to stop himself because he didn't need it to dampen his mood more.
Severus looked at the two satchels on his bed then sighed. He was due to leave in a matter of minutes, but he couldn't get himself to move from the window seat. His bedroom door was wide open which meant he could see Hermione's closed door.
It would be wrong of me to leave things the way they are…
He couldn't ignore his anger towards her. Why would she bother going back for me right after they'd won the war? There were many questions racing through his mind, but he didn't have the confidence to voice them all. I'm torn between feeling pissed off or being mildly flattered that she went back for me.
"Severus, your cart is ready!" Leona called from the kitchen. With another sigh, he picked up his belongings and headed downstairs.
Leona's husband has been a thorn in his side for the past week; he seemed to have a guidebook on all the ways to infuriate him, so he was happy to see the back of him. Leona smiled at him when he reached the bottom step, and they went outside together. The cart contained some extra belongings that Leona thought were necessary for his journey—a few too many by the looks of things.
Severus climbed up on the seat and dumped his bags in the back. The horse shifted slightly and he reached out to pet his brown coat.
"Why is there so much?" he nodded to the back of the cart.
"Well—"
"Is everything ready?" Hermione came running from the alleyway with a bag hanging over her shoulder and a map in her hand.
"Yes," Leona said with another beaming smile. "It was lovely meeting you both."
The pair hugged, then Hermione climbed into the spot next to him. What in Merlin's name is she doing?
"Goodbye!" Leona waved at them and headed back inside.
"Are you ready?" Hermione turned to look at him. "We can take it in turns if you want? Would you like to read the map first or hold the reins?"
"What are you doing?" he retorted.
"I'm coming with you," she said. "I accepted the job with the scholars, but I asked if I could do it while travelling. I'll be collecting information on the move and recording everything down for them."
"I thought you were...you still want to come?"
She nodded.
Severus stared at her for a while, unable to understand why she was sitting next to him. I assumed she wouldn't want to talk to me after that night? It wasn't that big of an argument, but he couldn't fathom as to why she wanted to travel with him still.
Her smile seemed to chip away at him, so he quickly nodded back and got the horse moving. "We're heading to Dosrose Village."
"OK," she hummed. "Found it!"
He listened carefully to her instructions as they made their way out of the kingdom. Severus felt that odd tightness wrap around his heart, and he turned his head to look at her for a moment. There was no sadness on her face; he could see clearly now that she was happy, happy to be here with him.
AN:/ Hello! I hope you enjoyed the final part of the prologue! Please let me know what you think?
Some brief information for you all. The only GOOD people who died during the war were Severus and Hermione. Others will be appearing in due time. There will be a bit of a time jump in the first chapter because I want to have them both in a comfortable/awkward friendship before anything progresses into more! Also, this story isn't just going to be romance, lets just say that drama will soon arrive when they come to realise that a certain evil someone is wanting to break out of Hell... ;)