CHAPTER 19
The classes weren't that bad. No one had the guts to irritate him and they were being quiet and attentive. He felt glad at being able to maintain his demeanor. Only when the last boy of the last class came up to him and said, "Thank you sir for awarding points to our house," did he realize that he had not only not deducted points from any house but also awarded points to Griffindor. And when he looked in the mirror and saw his lip, he grimaced.
So much for wanting to maintain his reputation! Awesome!
He looked at the clock and realized that it was time for lunch.
He suddenly had an urge to go to the Ministry and have lunch with Hermione.
He frowned. What was happening to him? What was in his mind? Has he started seeing Hermione as his wife in true sense? For some reason, he didn't feel opposed to the idea.
"Don't get used it."
"What's wrong?"
He looked up from his bench and saw two auras of himself, one clad in red and the other in green.
Oh Great! Now he was having an aura vision! He hadn't had one since the day he made choice to turn a spy.
Well, the only sensible thing to do was to sit back and watch what arguments they had for each other.
"He can't start thinking of her as a wife," said the red one.
"Why not? She is indeed his wife," countered the green.
"She hasn't found her perfect guy. Once she does, she will leave him and he will be hurt."
"Oh please! After the way she had responded to his kisses, how can you even think that?"
"That's just natural instincts. Besides, why would she want to get wound up with such an old guy?"
"You very well know age doesn't matter in the wizarding world!"
"He is probably the last person she would want to end up with."
"Didn't you see the concern she had for him?"
"She is an incredible person. She would have had the same concern for Tom Riddle, for Merlin's sake."
"Don't listen to him. Go and take your wife for a lovely lunch, Severus," the green one said turning to him.
"Don't listen to him. She will find some excuse. Just go and tell her to find a good guy soon. You can't afford to get such thoughts anymore. It will hurt you in the end," said the red one, turning his full attention to him.
"Fine!" he said to neither the red nor the green aura and both disappeared in a poof.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC - DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
HERMIONE'S OFFICE
She sat in her office, placing her hand on her mouth, controlling her "not ending soon" smile.
Something had changed today morning. She could feel it. She had known it the moment Severus had agreed not to go poison-hunting on lunar eclipse.
And the kiss! Even thinking about it made her squirm in pleasure!
Was it possible to find a place in his heart?
Wait a minute! Did she want that?
Of course she did!
That man had been alone for all these years and he deserved much better.
She knew in that instant that she was standing in a thin line between "like" and "love".
She knew it was just a matter of time before she fell in the later.
"Mrs. Snape. Will you stop day dreaming and get some work done?"
"Oh I'm sorry. Please come in," she said coming out of the trance and standing up as the Minister entered the room.
"This is why I told you take your honeymoon off."
She blushed, "I'm sorry Minister. What can I do for you?"
"I need this proposal out by today evening. You can't waste even one minute. I need it sharp at 4," he said, handing out a folder out to her and turning to leave, only to bump into someone.
"Sorry."
"Sorry, Mr. Snape. Good to see you. I see you have come to see your wife. Good day to you two," he said, before turning to Hermione to give an "I'm sorry for the work" look.
Severus stepped in and closed the door behind him.
"Hi. I didn't expect to see you," she said, still holding the folder.
"I…er…I was wondering if you would want to go for lunch with me," he said awkwardly.
"Oh that would be great," she said, almost keeping the folder down. She frowned when she realized she had work, "How did I forget. I have this proposal to send out by 4. Kingsley just told me. I'm sorry."
She saw him give a tight lipped smile before nodding, "I understand. I'm sorry."
"No. Don't be sorry. It's my fault."
"I…I'm really sorry. I understand. I was a fool to think I would have a chance with you," he said getting angry at himself.
"Why would you think that?"
"I'm sorry for disturbing you," he muttered, getting ready to leave.
"No wait."
"Don't come up with excuses Hermione. You are not one to lie."
"You want the truth? Well, here it is. I was a fool to think that I would have a chance with you. You are one of the greatest wizards of all times and the most incredible person I have met. You have an undeniable charisma. You lived your life taking care of the son of your best friend, who didn't like you in return. You were brave to actually fool Voldemort and you even saved my life during Lupin's werewolf attack. Even if anyone here is to feel unwanted it is me. I have no charm, no looks or anything to add to my resume of, "Desirable woman." And I'm sorry if I have work. I am even ready to quit my job if it means I can spend more time with you," she finished letting go off her pent up frustration and slumped on her chair, feeling weak.
There she had said it. She had said that she wanted to be with him. Now it was his call. He had to decide to if he wanted her or not.
He stood there, still tight lipped.
She couldn't bear to look at him and slowly opened her folder, all the while hoping he would say something.
Without saying a word, he left the room and she sighed before getting back to work, hoping her tears stayed in her eyes.
4 pm
She looked at the watch. It had been 5 minutes since she had sent out the proposal. It was time to go home.
Hogwarts? Or Prince Manor?
She didn't have time to think when she heard a knock on her door.
Half hoping it was her husband she straightened her hair and dress.
When she saw her visitor, she hated herself for not leaving earlier.
DIAGON ALLEY
Two hours.
He had to wait two hours to finally get the courage to tell Hermione what he wanted to tell her.
Well, if he had gathered in his arms and kissed her senseless right there, he would have escaped this.
But, he had had to panic.
He looked at his watch. It was 4:05.
It was time to go to her office and make some amendments.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC - DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
HERMIONE'S OFFICE
He immediately regretted not coming there sooner.
The door was half open and he could see the scene in front of him, crystal clear.
A man stood there, holding Hermione's wand and he was trying to kiss her, while she was trying to defend herself.
"Get off me, Krum. I swear if my husband knows about this, you will regret not being killed in the war."
"Let him try, he won't even….achoo…achoo…" he was cut short when Severus muttered Mucus ad Nauseam, the spell to cause severe head cold.
Hermione looked at the door and immediately smiled in relief seeing him.
In another incantation, Krum was blasted back from her.
Severus entered the room and walked towards him, who was still coughing while struggling to get up.
He took Hermione's wand from him and said to him in menacing voice, "If I ever see you in visible parameters next to Hermione, I will not hesitate to torture you to death. Is that understood?"
He simply nodded and in another incantation from Severus, he disappeared.
He turned to look at Hermione, who was straightening her robes.
He quickly warded the room with her wand and gave it back to her.
"No one with bad intentions will be able to enter your room," he said.
"Thank you."
"Are you alright?"
She simply nodded.
"Your DADA skills are lacking."
"I know. I never got an "O" in it," she said looking away.
Then a silence prevailed.
"You are wrong. You have a charm," he started slowly.
She turned to look at him, "Huh?"
He took a deep breath before continuing, "If anyone is fortunate here, then it is me. I'm not as great as you tried portraying me. I'm sorry for assuming you wouldn't want me. And…er…I bought this for you," he said taking out a small wrapped present from his pocket.
She eyed him with curiosity and held out her hand to take it.
She didn't say a word and started to unwrap it, being careful as to not tear the paper.
She opened it and looked at him in astonishment to see a jewelery box.
He gestured her to open it.
With trembling hands she opened them to find clip on pearl earrings which changed colour.
"They change colour with mood," he provided answer to her curiosity.
She just stared at them.
"Do you like it?" he asked nervously.
She shook his head, "No, I don't like it."
She looked at his disappointed look and smiled before adding, "I love it."
He felt a grin appear, but masked it though not quick enough.
He looked dejected when she gave it back to him. Still with her youthful smile she said, "Put it on me."
"Huh?"
She raised her eyebrows.
He took out the earrings and put it on her. They gleamed a brilliant green.
"It's green. You are happy," he stated.
She frowned, "Now you have an added advantage to me."
The earrings didn't change colour and he knew she wasn't really mad.
"It's just 4-5 emotions. Not a big deal," he said tucking her hair behind her ear.
His eyes widened when he saw that his simple action changed the colour from green to red.
"Why? What colour is it?" she asked.
"Red," he said, swallowing hard.
"And what does that mean?"
"N..nothing."
"Tell me."
He leaned in to place a quick peck on her lips.
She looked at him in confusion but the colour didn't change.
He smirked and leaned in to whisper huskily, "You very well know what it means."
Her eyes widened as she controlled her blush.
"I'm taking these off."
He watched as she took it off. He didn't feel offended.
He saw her pocketing them carefully.
"Shall we go home?"
"Wait a second! How did you use those spells on Krum? I don't see your wand," she asked, eyeing him as if he was a small boy just caught doing mischief.
"No big deal! I used wandless magic," he answered, not thinking.
"So, you know wandless magic? How strong is it?" she asked, crossing her hands across her waist.
He frowned. Why was she asking it?
"Any magic I do on wand I can do without it, except the Patronus and the Unforgivables. Why do you ask?"
She didn't answer but glared at him, tapping her foot.
Suddenly it struck him.
Oh Merlin! He definitely had some explanations to do!
(TO BE CONTINUED)
The aura vision. Totally made up by me. The mood changing jewel, I remember reading it from some other story, long time back. And so, what explanations does Snape have to do? I really hope you are enjoying the story. Give me your genuine reviews! And thanks for the ones you have already given!