CHAPTER TWELVE

Severus woke to the feeling of something tickling his face. He brushed his hand over his face to attempt to determine what it was, and discovered that some of Hermione's curls were resting against his cheek. He wondered how it got there until he shifted and felt how badly his shoulder ached.

A quick glance at Hermione's sleeping form let him put together the pieces. She must have been resting her head on his shoulder during the night – for quite some time, if the intensity of the ache was any indicator. And suddenly, he didn't mind.

Severus got out of bed and dressed in the bathroom before moving to the kitchen and summoning some food, as he did not feel like cooking. There were pancakes, sausages, eggs, and fruit. As he made tea, the bedroom door opened once more and a sleepy-looking Hermione emerged, clearly roused by the smell of the sausages.

"Morning," she said, yawning as she emerged. "Is that tea for me too?"

"Indeed," he said, handing her a cup. "As is the food." He gestured to the tray on the table.

She sat and put some food on a plate. Severus did as well, watching her. He noted that she seemed to particularly enjoy the pancakes.

"Would you still like to go to Hogsmeade today?" he asked her.

"Yes, if that's all right," she said.

Severus gave a small nod. "Then we will leave as soon as you are ready."

"All right," Hermione said, nodding. She stood and returned to the bedroom. Once the door was shut, she rifled through her Muggle clothing, wondering what to wear. The snow had begun to stick to the ground, so she knew it would be cold. She decided upon jeans and a sweater, with a white peacoat, a black hat, and a scarlet scarf. She finished pulling on her boots and walked out to the living area. "I'm ready."

Severus stood and pulled on his cloak – black of course. He opened the door for her, and together they walked up to the entrance hall.

There were many students who were in the entrance hall, and every single one stared as Severus and Hermione walked toward the doors together.

"Just ignore them," Severus said once they were outside. "Our arrangement is odd, I agree, but dwelling on the opinions of others will only dishearten you. They will eventually grow accustomed to seeing us together. This is only the first time we have ever gone out as a…couple."

Hermione nodded, and together they walked to where the carriages stood, waiting in line. A thestral was tethered to it, and Hermione gave it a gentle pat.

Severus was quiet for a moment. "There should never be so much death that a school full of children can see the thestrals."

"I thought that when I was riding up to the school with Ginny and Luna," Hermione said softly. She continued to pet it, and it nuzzled into her hand, clearly enjoying it.

"I did not know you had an affinity with animals," Severus said.

"Yes. I love animals. I wish I had a pet."

"Did you not have a cat?" Severus asked as they climbed into the carriage.

"I did… His name was Crookshanks. He died while I was away with Harry and Ron. Ron's parents looked after him leading up to that."

"Ah," Severus said. "Why didn't your parents watch him?"

Hermione looked down at her lap. "They couldn't."

"What do you mean? Surely they would have been willing."

"I don't know. They don't remember me."

"I do not understand," he said, furrowing his thick eyebrows.

"When Voldemort was hunting me… I had to keep them safe. I modified their memories and sent them someplace safe." Tears welled in her eyes. "They don't know they have a daughter. I don't know how to begin searching for them."

"Perhaps… Perhaps I could help you search," he offered. "I am rather gifted at finding people who do not want to be found."

Hermione looked up at him, surprised. "Would you?" she asked softly.

Severus offered her a smile. "Yes, Hermione. I will help you."

"Thank you," she whispered. Without thinking, she put her arms around his neck, hugging him. After a moment, she realized what she was doing and stopped. "S-sorry."

"It is all right. I rather enjoyed it."

"You did?"

"Yes." He smiled once more.

Before long, their carriage arrived in Hogsmeade. Severus stepped out, offering her a hand.

Hermione shyly placed her hand in his, and he helped her out of the carriage.

"Thank you," she said softly, looking up at him.

"You're welcome." He held onto her hand for a few more seconds before realizing it and letting go. "Where would you like to go?"

"Can we go to the quill shop?" Hermione asked. "I only have two left."

"Yes, in fact I need some more as well," Severus said.

The two walked to the quill shop. Severus opened the door for her and they entered.

"I can never decide what to get," Hermione said softly. "They all look so great."

"What about these ones?" he asked, holding up a multi-pack.

She examined the package. They were lovely quills, but she ultimately set them back on the shelf.

"Do you not like them?" he asked.

"I do…"

"Then why not?"

"I um… I can't afford it," she said quietly. "I don't have much money anymore… I took as little as I could when I left. So that if anything should happen to me, my parents had it to help them adjust better to their new life." She moved to look at the bare basic ones.

"Oh." He thought for a moment, knowing the basic ones were of poor quality, then picked up the multipack, along with the few quills he'd chosen for himself, and took it to the register.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.

Without answering her, he paid for all the quills, then handed her the package. "Here you go."

"Oh… You didn't have to do that," Hermione said, surprised.

"I know. But I wanted to," he replied, offering a smile.

"Thank you, Severus," she said. She stood on tiptoe, kissing his cheek gently.

He smiled and waved his wand, causing the quills to vanish. "They'll be waiting for us at home."

"Where would you like to go next?" Hermione asked.

"If you don't mind, I need to run to the apothecary. I need to restock some ingredients in my potions cupboard."

"Okay," said Hermione, following him from the quill shop.

The apothecary was rather dark, with a slightly eerie atmosphere, but Hermione wasn't nervous. She'd seen much worse.

Severus was well acquainted with the shopkeeper, who watched as Hemrione wandered about, looking at things.

"Isn't that a student? The Potter boy's friend?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," Severus replied. "We were matched under the new Ministry Law."

The shopkeeper's eyebrows went up. "Interesting. How has it been?"

"Challenging. The girl is fiercely independent.

The shopkeeper chuckled. "Well, at any rate, I know she is sensible. You'll figure something out."

"I hope so," Severus said. "If I'm going to be with her for the rest of my life, I don't want any animosity between us."

Hermione approached. "Ginny and Luna are outside – can I go and say hi? I fought with Ginny the other day… I want to make things right."

"Hermione, you are not a prisoner," Severus said. "You do not need to ask me to speak with your friends."

Hermione nodded and left the shop.

Severus glanced down at the feeling of something brushing against his legs. A gray tabby cat looked up at him and meowed.

"Yours?" he asked.

The shopkeeper nodded. "She's normally not allowed in the shop, but she's having kittens any day, and I wanted to be near so I could help her if I needed to."

"Are you planning on keeping them?" Severus asked.

"Unlikely. I don't have time to look after so many cats. I can manage for a time, but I am a busy man, especially during term."

Severus pondered for a moment. "Perhaps you would be willing to sell me one of the kittens?"

The man blinked. "I did not know you were one to fancy a pet."

"I have no interest in having a pet. But the girl's cat died while she was in hiding, and she has been unhappy since the law was passed. I thought it might lift her spirits some."

The shopkeeper smiled. "I would be happy to give you one," he said in a softer voice. "No charge."

"Thank you very much," Severus said. "When should I get it?"

"I will send you an owl. They will be weaned approximately four weeks after they are born. I will offer you first pick of the litter."

Severus nodded. "Thank you." He purchased the things he needed, and set off to find his fiancée.