Seb also turned and looked out over the water, his frown firmly in place. "Yes she is, her father was one, though he never spoke of it. Elizabeth was a muggle though, from what I understand Simon's family disapproved of the match. Jamie is the only one who kept in contact with them. Jane goes to regular muggle school here, I don't want her picking up those ridiculous prejudices."
As a muggleborn witch herself Hermione could understand what he was saying. She had tried to overcome a lot of prejudice during her time at Hogwarts and even more so in her chosen field. She replied, "I spent six years getting my potions qualifications and everything I did was judged more harshly because of who my parents are, not to mention the fact that I'm a witch. It was tough just trying to get an interview, finally Minerva bullied Professor Mercury in New York into giving me a chance. I don't know how she managed that, but I guess she can be very persuasive. For six years I worked so hard to prove those theories false, the professor accepted me in the end I think, but by then I didn't really care. No one will ever tell me that I'm not good enough because of who my parents are!"
Hermione turned and looked at her former professor who was now staring at her with an odd look on his face. "You're the Half Blood Prince." He nodded and winced, "Adolescent hubris, I'm afraid."
She continued speaking, "You faced them yourself. You know…I try to tell myself to ignore them, but it hurts all the same. Does it ever stop hurting?"
"It hasn't yet Hermione…not yet." His frown was ferocious as he looked towards the lake. "I should not be telling you this! It is madness to expose myself so. What has got into me today? I am asked a question and, instead of replying in a straightforward manner, I spill my soul."
"Me too, it's awfully strange." Hermione let out a sigh and squinted out into the sunlight, for once in her life she had nothing more to say. They stood there for some time lost in their own thoughts, both wondering why they had been so honest with the other. Seb broke the silence first, "I've got to do some work this morning Hermione, will you come with me?"
She replied that she would like the company and they slowly walked towards the café. As they walked in the door they were greeted by Jamie who looked very interested in Seb's guest. Seb excused himself to get some work out of the office to bring back to the table and Jamie swung his legs easily around the back of a chair and sat down to talk to Hermione. "So, you were Seb's student…what was he like?" He asked with a smile.
Jamie Atwood considered Sebastian Prince to be a part of his family. They had met in terrible circumstances when Jamies's cousin was injured and finally died. They had become friends, although Jamie knew little about him. Seb had taken a long time to speak about his past and when he had Jamie had instantly invited him to New Zealand, he said it would be the perfect place to escape from it all. Plus Jamie had wanted Jane to be a part of his life as well. He had been surprised the night before to see Seb talking so intently to a young woman and was determined to find out more about her. His expansive personality was miles away from his taciturn friend and his easy smile usually meant he achieved what he wanted easily.
"Bad tempered mainly, terribly intimidating, scared the life out of me for years!" She smiled in recollection; "he's brilliant, but scary!"
Jamie laughed heartily and agreed, "that about sums him up!"
She grinned at him as she replied, "he's strangely reassuring though, the sort of man you would want around in an emergency. He told me how the two of you met, you have been a great friend to him."
"He is incredibly loyal and he helped me so much when my cousin died. Plus he is a wonderful father to Jane, I will be forever grateful for that."
"I'd like to meet her again soon, she seemed like a delightful child."
"So you shall Hermione," Snape said quietly. Hermione squeaked and jumped in fright, her hand going to her wand pocket. She took a deep breath to calm herself and forced a smile, she began to speak but Snape stopped her. He looked concerned and gave her a piercing look, in a low voice he asked if he frightened her. Jamie also looked worried at her reaction.
Hermione quietly explained her response. "When I was nearly 12 years old I made friend with a boy whom, it was prophesised, would have to kill Voldemort. Each year we faced up to the fact that evil existed. We were just children. In my seventh year I found a way to kill him, Harry did it but I gave him the tools to do so. Following Voldemort's death even walking down the street was dangerous, people wanted to kill us, and we were on alert constantly. As we learnt in Defence, 'CONSTANT VIGILANCE!'" Snape smile in recollection of Moody, and Hermione continued, "people constantly reminded us of the danger we were facing. It was exhausting and I've never quite recovered, every time I meet someone I know from that time I get a bit nervous, a bit jumpy. I've nearly hexed Albus Dumbledore a number of times, he likes to surprise people." She smiled wistfully. "Maybe I should have been in Ravenclaw."
In a reflection of earlier that day Seb stepped towards Hermione and gently enfolded her in his arms. He spoke quietly and said, "we are all damaged, Hermione, but it's going to be alright, we will be alright!"
She quietly sobbed and leaned against him, so he held her tighter.
Jamie looked at the two of them with dawning recognition, 'Oh, she's that Hermione Granger,' he thought to himself. Before coming to New Zealand Snape had told Jamie a lot about his former life, Jamie knew more than anyone else did what his life had been like. He also knew that even now Snape wanted nothing more than redemption. But he had never seen Snape be as open to anyone as he had been to this young woman. Jamie smiled as he looked at his friend and a thought crossed his mind, 'there will be a few broken hearts in Taupo tonight when word of this gets around!' He patted Seb on the shoulder in support and turned away, leaving the two of them momentarily united against the world.
A/N I really struggled with this chapter, I'm trying to show that they are both really confused about what is happening between them without descending into melodrama, it's a fine line I know. However the next one is looking much better!
Thanks for your reviews, I appreciate it!