CHAPTER ELEVEN

Severus entered his quarters to find that Hermione was not there. A note told him she'd gone to the library. He grew worried, with half a mind to go bring her back, but noticed evidence of her preparing food to take with her, and was appeased. He also saw that the tea and toast he'd set out for her that morning was gone.

He decided to try to make an effort to form peace with her, and went about making dinner for when she returned. He had never done this, but he hoped she would enjoy it.

After spending her day in the library, Hermione returned to the dungeons, wondering if he was home. She no longer felt the terrifying sense of foreboding that she usually did when she returned to him. Hermione caught herself wondering if anything else would happen tonight, before shaking her head. The absurdity of the thought – this was Snape. Whether or not he had kissed her, she was positive he wasn't capable of anything more when it came to her.

She reached the door to Snape's office and entered, moving through it to their living quarters.

She stopped in surprise when she swung open the door. Severus was standing beside the table, which he had moved to the center of the living room. There were candles all around and on the table was a delicious smelling meal.

"What's this?" Hermione asked, looking around in surprise.

"I have made dinner," he said in a smooth voice. "A symbol of wanting us to find peace with our situation." He pulled out a chair and moved to stand before her, offering his hand. "May I?"

Hermione tentatively set her bag down and accepted his outstretched hand.

His fingers were cold, but his hand was gentle as he walked with her over to the table. She sat down in the chair and he helped her move it closer before sitting down across from her.

"You made my favorite," Hermione said softly, looking down at the food. There was garlic chicken, potatoes with rosemary, and tender asparagus.

He offered a stiff smile. "Yes. I was hoping that we could talk."

"About what?" she said, her hands in her lap.

"Well, it's no secret that there has been a relatively high level of strained relations between us for many years. Having that kind of animosity is no way to start a marriage. It is not what I ever wanted, and is surely not what you ever wanted. Therefore, I would like to…start fresh, if you will."

"Why?" was all she could think to say.

Severus sighed, glad he'd had a shot of Firewhiskey while waiting. "I suppose I will have to tell you at some point, so it may as well be now. Through the past few weeks I have begun to care for you, to an extent. I do not expect reciprocity, so you need not feel like you need to return these feelings. But I wanted to make sure that I felt this way for you, not for your likeness to Lily Evans."

"Oh." Hermione looked down. "So you're just trying to sort through that."

"No, Miss G— Hermione. That is what I am telling you. I went to the Headmaster this morning and asked him to assist me. He used magic to dull my feelings toward Lily, so I could have the freedom to explore this."

Hermione frowned in confusion, looking up at him. "So you don't have feelings for Lily anymore?"

"No. Professor Dumbledore has successfully severed any romantic connections I had to Lily. Since he did that, my feelings about you have not changed – I care for you, Hermione. Because of who you are as your own person. Not because of the fact that you remind me of someone I once loved."

Hermione blinked in surprise. "I… I don't know what to say," she murmured.

"That is all right – I did not tell you because I wanted your response. You may never feel the same, and I will not fault you for that. This is an exceedingly unusual situation. I do not want you to feel any pressue as a result of my words. I merely wish to find a way for us to figure this out peacefully. You're to be my wife within the year – I would like for that situation to be without conflict."

Hermione nodded in understanding. She took a bite of her food, thinking quietly. Severus took a bite of his own food, not wanting to force her thoughts from her.

"Maybe… Maybe we could do something this weekend," she suggested softly. "Something for us to have quality time."

Severus swallowed, surprised. "The snow has started," he found himself saying. "Perhaps we could go to Hogsmeade tomorrow – the snow is always lovely in the village."

Hermione found herself smiling a bit. "I'd… I'd like that."

Severus smiled as well. "Good. We can go around ten, if you'd like."

She nodded. "That sounds good."

They finished their meal, making small talk. He asked her a bit about herself, things that he didn't already know. Once the meal was over, Hermione found herself extremely full and extremely tired.

"I hate to do this, but I'm exhausted… I was studying all day. I should probably get some sleep."

Severus offered a smile, one he hoped was warm. "Very well. I will clean up, and I will be in soon – I have a few more first year essays to grade."

"Okay. And Severus?" she asked, turning back in the bedroom doorway.

"Yes?"

"Please try to remember that they're first years and they're still learning."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well… After this evening, I'd like to think I can consider you a friend, and… you can be harsh with your students sometimes. As one of them, I know it firsthand. I don't mean any offense, but I don't think you should be so hard on them. I remember when I was a first-year. I was so eager to learn, and a big part of that is because I knew nothing of that world beforehand. The same with Harry. But some of the other students… Ron, Neville, Lavender – they were all purebloods, and they still had the same drive to learn. They're young – they can't be expected to be perfect yet. Please try to consider that."

He was quiet for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. "I will try to take that into account. I appreciate your honesty."

"And Severus?"

"Yes?" he asked, looking up at her.

She moved back to him. "One more thing." She bent and tentatively kissed his cheek. "Thank you for dinner." She smiled shyly, her cheeks pink as she scuttled quickly back to the bedroom.

Severus smiled to himself, laying a hand on his cheek before cleaning up and going to finish grading the essays.