Summary: Planning for the future.
Chapter 20
Severus nuzzled Hermione's neck until she woke.
"Mmpph," was all she said.
He nuzzled her some more.
"Sev'rus, let me sleep…" she begged.
"No, my dear, we have much to do."
She cracked an eye open at him.
"What do we have to do?"
"Well, first, we need to make wild passionate love to one another, then…" he kissed her neck. "We need to make wild passionate love to one another."
Hermione chuckled at him. "So, sex all day is what you're hinting at?"
"What better way to spend a Saturday, love?"
Turning to him, she kissed his nose, causing him to blush. "I can't think of anything better."
oooOOOooo
They didn't emerge from the bedroom until after lunch. Severus quickly put together a charcuterie and paired it with a crusty bread. They sat down and enjoyed a light lunch. Hermione gazed at Severus, her brow furrowing.
"Severus?"
He looked up at her, his eyebrow arched. "Yes?"
"Do you think I should return to Hogwarts to finish my last year?"
"I thought that was a given."
Hermione took some salami and cheese and placed it on a small piece of bread. "It was… at least, I thought it was."
"You don't want to finish?"
Hermione frowned. "I'm just…" Her eyes moved up to his. "I can help you here with your brewing."
Severus put his food down on his plate and gave Hermione a curious glance. "Hermione, education has always been foremost in your mind."
"Yes, but that was before we went on the run. Before that, it was everything to me. Not doing well, even on an essay, was earth-shattering to me. But grades aren't what life is all about. You are the most important thing in my life, not some silly class."
Severus sat back. "You can have both, you know? I will not treat you any differently if you are at Hogwarts for another year."
"But I don't want to live at Hogwarts. I would never see you!"
Severus reached out his hand and motioned for her to hold it. She did so, and he curled his hand around hers. She gave him a half smile.
"You know, you can petition to live here with me."
"I can?"
"Of course. It's rare, but sometimes we have seventh-years who are married. They are allowed to live off-campus… with their spouse."
"We're not married, Severus."
"I'm sure we can get Minerva to allow it."
"You think so?" Hermione asked.
"Well, either she'll love the idea or accuse me of putting a spell on you and taking advantage of you. Either way, you will stay here–with me."
Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand. "Okay… okay. It's only a year, right? Then I can do whatever I choose."
"Hermione, you could do that now. Your year on the run did teach you much… even more than you would have learned this year at Hogwarts."
"Kingsley told Harry and me that we could have Ministry positions if we wanted them."
She frowned and stared at their hands that were joined. Severus shook her hand slightly to grab her attention.
"But?" he asked.
"It feels like cheating, you know? I think Harry will probably take Kingsley up on it. Ron too. But… Everyone else does it the right way. I want to do it the right way. I don't want anyone to ever say that I got my position because of favoritism."
He gazed at her lovingly as his lips curved up slightly, "You would never be given a position simply because of favoritism, love, but I understand what you're saying. I respect you wanting to do this right. I admire you for wanting to do that."
She gave him a lopsided grin. "Then I guess it's decided."
Severus nodded. "You will return to Hogwarts in the fall or whenever it reopens, and we will speak to Minerva about you living with me. When you are done, you can explore a career with the Ministry."
Hermione nodded. "Sounds like the perfect plan."
"What about medicine?" Severus asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Have you thought of becoming a Healer? This Empathic magic you do is remarkable. Mixed with a Healer's training, I would imagine you would be formidable."
She opened her mouth to reply, but then closed it and looked away.
"Hermione? What is it?"
"I'm not sure I want to do that," she answered finally.
"Why not?"
She shrugged. "All my life, I've been the odd one. The different one. The one nobody could relate to."
Her eyes moved to meet Severus'.
"If I practice medicine, it will be just more of the same. I will be different from all the other Healers. Will they resent me because of that? Will I be an outcast there as well, only called upon when needed?"
Severus rose and knelt before her, pulling her into his arms.
"Love… don't do this to yourself."
Hermione buried her head in his shoulder. "I can't help it."
"Shhh," he soothed.
He let her compose herself before pulling back.
"You have been on the run for a year now. Do you really care that much about what other people think? Besides, you would probably be looked upon as an asset. I know many of those who work for St. Mungo's, and they are always looking for new breakthroughs to help their healing. Don't you think they would be happy that you are sharing such a gift?"
Hermione studied him as she mulled over what he'd said.
"Maybe. I don't know; I would hope so."
Severus pulled her close again.
"It's up to you, love. But don't discount healing because you fear jealousy from others."
Hermione nodded into him. "You're right. I've learned not to let people affect me since being on the run. I won't let them bother me if I choose to become a Healer if that issue comes up."
oooOOOooo
Severus and Hermione stood outside the Headmaster's door. He knocked and heard a muffled voice beckoning him to enter. He opened the door and let Hermione pass in before entering and closing it behind him.
"Severus!" Minerva cried out as she moved quickly from her desk and approached the Potions Master, hugging him furiously.
Severus hesitated for a few seconds before his arms wrapped around her, and he returned the hug with warmth. After a long while, they pulled apart.
"It's good to see you again! I didn't expect another visit for a while. It seems like we just saw each other."
"Well, despite wanting to get as far away from this school as possible, I don't mind visiting you," Severus admitted.
Minerva smiled. Turning to Hermione she gave her a hug.
"I'm happy to see you too, Hermione," she said as she released her. "I read about you telling Dumbledore's portrait off at the Ministry," Minerva said as she pulled away. "Good show. He deserved every word."
Hermione nodded. "I'm not interested in conversing with him again."
"Just ignore his portrait. He spends most of his time sleeping anyway as he knows I'm miffed at him for all he's done. Won't you both have a seat? I'll get us some tea." She motioned to her seating area in front of her desk.
Hermione smiled at Minerva as she sat down. Severus too sat down and watched Minerva summon a House-elf and within a few minutes, they were all sipping tea together.
Minerva put down her cup. "So, Severus, are you sure I can't convince you to come back as Headmaster?" she said with a sly grin.
"Oh, that would be wonderful, wouldn't it? All the parents removing their children so they wouldn't be led by a murderer…"
Hermione's hand grasped his and squeezed. Minerva didn't fail to see the gesture.
"No, thank you, Minerva. As we discussed before, I am happy not being involved with the school. I'm sure you will do a satisfactory job."
"High praise!" Minerva commented.
He smirked. "You know what I mean."
"Indeed I do." Her eyes strayed to Severus and Hermione's hands intertwined. "So, why have you come by?"
Severus turned to Hermione, giving her the chance to speak.
"Professor, I wanted to speak to you about returning to Hogwarts next year whenever it reopens."
"Oh, of course! We would love to have you! I was thinking about returning seventh-years just yesterday. I think we can perhaps graduate you out of some classes and have you work as an apprentice in the ones that really interest you and the others coming back."
Hermione's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be amazing! Severus was saying I might be bored in some classes, especially because we learned so much last year on our own."
Minerva's eyes moved quickly to Severus and back. "Is that so? Yes, I believe he's right, for you especially. I know not everyone who returns will want to do this apprentice program, but I expect that several will."
"It sounds exciting," Hermione gushed before becoming serious. "I wanted to discuss living arrangements when I return."
"Oh? What did you want to do?"
Hermione looked at Severus before returning her gaze to Minerva. "Severus and I are in a relationship, and I would like permission to live with him at his home in Hogsmeade."
Minerva's eyes about bugged out of her head. "What?"
Severus cleared his throat. "You read about Hermione's use of Empathic magic to determine my innocence. During that time we became very close and have since begun a relationship."
Minerva sputtered. "Severus, this is highly unethical. A teacher seducing a student!"
Hermione stood. "He did not seduce me! We grew to love one another mutually over time!"
"Hermione, you're so young. What do you know of love?"
"Really, Minerva, is that the only argument you can come up with for being against us," Severus ground out.
Hermione glared at Professor McGonagall. "I am an adult, who has spent the last year on the run, Professor. I believe I am cognizant enough of my own emotions to know when I am in love. Severus is no longer a professor here at Hogwarts, so it should be no issue for you to agree to let me live with him."
Minerva stared at both of them for a long time. Severus kept his mouth shut, and Hermione also chose not to say anything.
"Are you sure, Hermione?" she asked finally.
Hermione nodded.
"And you, Severus?"
Severus frowned and looked to the ground. "You know my past, Minerva. I never thought that anyone would care for me because of it." His eyes met hers. "Hermione looks beyond everything bad that I have been. I love her, and that will never change."
Minerva gave him a quick nod and a slight smile. "I do know your past, Severus. Especially your devotion to Lily Potter in your youth. You are loyal. If you say you love Hermione then I know you will be devoted to her."
She looked over at Hermione. "And I have never known you to step into something without being certain that's what you wanted. If you both want to do this, then neither the charter of Hogwarts nor I will try and stop it. You have permission to live with Severus during your final year, Hermione."
Hermione grinned. "Thank you, Professor."
Severus became a bit choked up. "Yes, thank you, Min."
"Severus," Minerva continued. "I failed to give you any credit this last year and treated you horridly. I won't make the same mistake again. I trust you, and I will not judge you unfairly anymore."
Severus gave her a clipped nod but chose not to say anything. He was greatly moved by Minerva's words, and he refused to let her see more than he had already shown.
"Now… I expect to see you on a monthly basis, Mr. Snape. Is that clear?"
Severus let out a guffaw. "Yes, ma'am. We will find time to do lunch monthly."
"Perfect."
They visited for a while longer before Severus and Hermione took their leave. They walked back to Hogsmeade hand in hand as they chatted about the encounter.
"I thought she was going to have a heart attack when I said we were together!" Hermione said as she laughed aloud.
"Yes, and then I thought she would hex me for ruining a beautiful young cub of hers," Severus added.
"I thought she was going to tell us no for a while there. What do you think changed her mind?"
"She realized she was overreacting. She has always been a thoughtful woman. Once she calmed down, she saw that we are perfect for each other, so it was a no-brainer after that."
Hermione laughed. Severus stopped and pulled her close, kissing her reverently. "Maybe I exaggerated a bit, but, she is a reasonable woman. She came around to the right way of thinking."
"Well, I'm glad she came around. I would have hated breaking curfew every day just to see you."
"You would have done that for me?" Severus asked.
"Absolutely!"
He grinned and kissed her again.
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A/N: Thanks so much for your enthusiasm for this story. Only one chapter left!