Always Is A Long Time
Of Letters
Hogwarts:
Friday 1st November
As seemed inevitable Severus received a missive from Remus detailing in paragraphs and pages what James had said to him. Severus skimmed the majority of the letter as it seemed to be written when he was in a blubbing state. Shaking his head Severus decided to read the relevant details.
"Anyway, so Jim said that he and Lily have been concocting a plan. I cannot say I am comfortable with the idea of you seducing our little Hermione, but according to James who has it on good authority from Lily, that no one else would be right for her. If ever there was a witch we, all of us, could never say no to it was Lily, right?
So, our dear Lily visited you. I am pleased she did, especially as it may have saved all our lives. Also, it seems we are to find out how to save Hermione from herself. Can we do this without bickering do you think? I hope so. We have always been rather intelligent beings, have we not?
I have some ideas, but they are our Hermione's parents at the end of the day, we should really consult her about it. I suggest that we meet somewhere neutral on a Friday night. I will bring Dora with me as I know she views Hermione as a long lost sister.
Somewhere informal, a pub – not the Leaky Cauldron. Do you have a pair of jeans Severus – I am prepared to go under the name Roman, so you could be a Steven for the night. Good job that both the girls can be known as somewhat their names..."
The letter ran in that vein all the way through. A rambling that he found tedious to read. Some point the man seemed to be writing dialogue he and Dora were sharing whilst he was composing the damned thing. Then he picked up the next letter, it was from Narcissa. Interesting, he thought, what would she have to write to me about?
"Sev, darling,
Last night I had a visit from my mother, I hope you were visited by yours… there's something I need to talk to you about. Saturday, in your office. Please, be patient with me, I need your help again.
Do not think I am using you like a mattress because, in my heart at least, you are so much more than that. Please, see me.
XX Cissa XX"
Once he was settled in his fifth-year class he watched from hooded eyes as he composed a short note to Narcissa back.
"Narcissa
There is something else I wish to discuss with you within the privacy and confines of my office. I trust you are not bringing your sister with you this time around as this requires a delicate touch which dear contumacious Bella is most definitely not.
I hope you bring the ears you listen with both your heart and head, so you are in accord of what I want from you because, through the vow being unbreakable, I believe I am at leisure to make more demands.
Tea shall be served by my fair hands, no need to bring an elf with you the way Lucius is. Is Lucius well? I believe he has a special dispensation to be able to write to you.
Severus."
That evening he received the next letter from Cissa.
"Sev, darling,
I do believe Lucius is coping, not well, I must admit but he is…settled, is the best word for it. Although you should have seen the rage in his eyes when I told him what our Lord wants our precious son to do.
Of course, I won't bring an elf. I learned that the hard way!
Why the secrecy Sev? Is there something you fear I may not wish to hear because that is what my mother told me rather cryptically. That I shall need to listen to someone who does not sugar-coat things and it will make me uncomfortable. She told me that some things will be required of me, I have always been more afraid of my mother than I ever have been of Bella.
Saturday is fine. I promise to keep this secret from my sister. Please burn all communication so she won't find it. Bella Bloodhound, we… (he could not make out the next few words as there was a splodge as if she was thinking of something sad,) … anyway so, that's said.
Tell me, Sev, if I saw this advice for sale in a store, would I buy it?
XX Cissa XX"
"Narcissa.
Please refrain from signing off with capital X's, what are you? Twelve?
I do not think you are going to like the advice no, and I definitely do think you are going to have to bring your ice queen hat with you as I talk to you. This time I shall be inviting people I know and some of them I like. I have upped my terms.
If the price is too expensive to pay then I may have to re-evaluate what you mean to me as a friend. This is that important. Please, Narcissa, you shall need to hear me… er us… out. There would be more than one other person. I plan on making the third side with people I trust, and no it won't be called Dumbledore's Army! I know you're smirking.
I do not mind burning all correspondence between us in this our future endeavour together as that would most certainly be a wise decision in regards to what I have in mind.
Looking forward to Saturday already, even though I am hosting a tea party I will be holding you hostage, Narcissa as there are issues I want you to solve with someone.
Severus!"
"Sev, darling,
What is wrong with conveying kisses in a letter to a friend?
My gosh, Sev, this sounds like a dreadfully dull tea-party. More like a genteel way to plan a war in the confines of manners, and what do you mean by my Ice Queen Hat? You know I despise being considered as such when I have warmth and heart and am not completely stoic.
However, whatever it is you are planning it sounds like you shall not be involving Dumbledore in all this. That old fool should have been ousted in our time. If our choice of headmaster were made your life would have been easier!
All right, so this is all rather cloak and dagger and I appreciate that. Would you believe I have not seen Bella… Perhaps she's with our Lord elsewhere. That would make this a hell of a lot easier on yourself. Darling, what colours should I wear?
Oh, should there be other ladies present I expect you to be polite. Even if you have invited a muggleborn, though why would you? Although it might do them good to see how civilised people behave.
The Slytherin in me is cautious but excited as I have nothing to do and am remarkably bored. Shopping is not what it used to be without a man to wear things I buy for, and all anyone can talk about is how forlorn they are when their husbands were thrown in Azkaban,
I'm bored, Sev
XX Cissa XX"
"Narcissa,
How in the seven circles of hell should I know what colours to wear? As it's autumn I figure russets, oranges, browns? I don't know!
You have to go and ruin our correspondence by mentioning how poorly shopping has gone down. We're in a war, witch! Of course, everyone is down, dementors seem to be breeding like rabbits. Though I do not know how they mate if ever they do.
Bored? Read a bloody book!
Do not worry tomorrow is going to be the cure for your boredom anyway. I will not let you go until things are solved, just remember that. It will be better if you do not make any remarks to do with political leanings.
We need a third side so please, Narcissa, let your bigotry stay in the Manor. I need cool, controlled, Narcissa; the one who made the cold-blooded decision to marry a man for his name and not for love. Find your love, Narcissa, I urge you to do so before the war takes over all our blackened hearts.
This has to be the last letter as I need to talk to others to get them gathered.
Severus!"
Hermione was shocked to find an eagle owl sat on her coverlet with a letter hanging out of his mouth.
"Dear Miss Granger,
I would appreciate it if you come to my study via the directions I have mapped out for you, for I can assure you, it will not be on that infernal map that allows you to commit so many acts of larceny around the school.
Tomorrow afternoon, at 14:30 pm I wish to invite you over for a spot of afternoon tea with some friends. I would put your reasonable head on; you may hear things you should not be privy to, so, I will assume that I can trust that you shall be discreet over what we are to discuss.
The password to enter the study for your use is Discretion.
Wear a tea rose style set of robes. There are going to be some well-bred women at the tea party.
This may seem out of character but let's just say I have had a new perspective on life. Thank you – for all you have said about me when I was too deaf to hear.
Professor S Snape
PS: At the tea, you may address me as Severus. This is to be a meeting of equals. I shall return the favour and call you Hermione if you wish not to be addressed as such then my invitation to call me Severus is still open."
She felt a chin on her shoulder and turned to find Fay Dunbar reading with her, "I can help you if you want?"
"Thank you, Fay," she sighed, "I may need some help in getting ready."
"Wonder what has come over him all of a sudden, jealous of Slughorn?"
"I don't know, but I am intrigued."
"Brave girl," Fay remarked. "Extremely brave. Well, speaking of," she flopped onto her bed, "I have Homework to do, Herbology."
"Need some help?"
"Sure," Fay bounced on Hermione's bed. "You're better off being up here. Those two are lip locked again. She was allowing his hand on her breasts. So," she got the books, quills and plant samples out, "which soil is better and why? Like, why should I care? I'll end up being a lowly secretary at any rate."
"Gardening and Herbology are supposed to instil in us a skill we can utilise later on in life, Fay. After staying at the Weasley's I can appreciate that."
"What time did he say?"
"Half Two," she said, "which gives you and Eloise plenty of time to wrestle my hair in submission."
"You are going to look so beautiful; I just know it!"
"Thank you, Fay."
Back in the dungeons, he received a reply:
"Dear Professor S Snape (Severus)
I shall be glad to attend your afternoon soirée. I am sorry but Fay Dunbar saw the letter – I hid it from the gossiping gooses Lavender and Parvati.
You have always intrigued me, sir, so I am delighted to be counted amongst a number I never realised I was part of until today. This is about the war and Headmaster Dumbledore's withered hand isn't it?
Do not concern yourself over my ability to keep a secret. Fay keeps to herself and concerns herself with homework and nothing much else, at least I will look at boys. She seems a quiet little witch so I doubt my going to tea at your study will invite much censure.
I am perfectly at ease with you calling me Hermione for tomorrow afternoon.
Goodnight Severus x"
He did not know what to think of the presence of a love heart in a missive from a student, but he supposed she signed off that way to everyone, still, it was nice to think he was the only recipient of that lovely heart she'd drawn and outlined in purple.
Goodnight Hermione, he thought as he was on his way to his own bed.
He just knew tomorrow would be interesting.
AN: A filler chapter to set the scene for the next chapter which I hope to be all killer.