A/N Dear readers, you will be pleased to note this is an almost Ron free chapter, with only mention of him and no appearance. The character death I promised in the last chapter was not in the cards just yet. I felt there was more to tell in a different direction without rushing the story line. So, please forgive, but it will happen, I promise. I also had some news of a personal nature about a family member, which made me disinclined to write about death just now.
A New Beginning – Chapter 5
Severus had been cooling his heels in the hospital wing of Hogwarts for a week. It had been his intention to leave long before now, but Madam Pomfrey had been very persuasive in prolonging his stay. If truth be told, he had enjoyed the rest. He had not realised how mentally and physically exhausted he was. In the end it was Poppy who had brought up the issue of the constant numbness in his fingers. She had managed to extract a promise from him that he would not leave until a healer from St Mungo's had been to examine him. She was expected tomorrow, and after that he could be released. He was not ready to take over the reins of Hogwarts just yet. Minerva could deal with the French Wizard stone masons that had arrived earlier in the week. He had little patience for details at the moment. The rebuilding of the school was well under way and he was satisfied with the progress.
A peculiar feeling of depression had settled over him the last couple of days. Although he enjoyed the rest, it gave him too much time to think. He had read the information in The Daily Prophet that the remaining two thirds of the Golden Trio had decided to tie the knot along with Potter and the Weasley girl. Hermione Granger was a fool if she thought she would find one moment's happiness with Mr Weasley. She was his intellectual better in every way. All he had ever heard the boy talk about was Quidditch. She needed a challenge for that quick mind to stay stimulated. Severus made a moue of disgust. Let her get on with it. If she wanted to throw a promising career down the toilet it was her concern, not his.
The new marriage law had been announced days ago and as he expected, it had caused an outcry among the wizarding community, but most who wished to marry had had submitted themselves for examination. It seemed that everyone was weary of a fight. All week there had been stories plastered over the papers of heartbreak among those who had not passed the tests. Severus was sorely tempted to cancel his subscription to The Daily Prophet as each day passed.
Minerva was his constant visitor, often with new documents for him to sign. Rolls of parchment littered his hospital bed. He was still mulling over several of the new proposals. The Ministry for Magic had decreed that those students that had missed their seventh year of education due to the war were being offered places so they could have a chance to take their N.E.W.T.S. and complete their learning. They were to have special privileges being older than the rest of the students and school uniform would be optional. Snape rolled his eyes, it was hard enough getting respect from them within the bounds of a student/teacher relationship as it was and with these new freedoms he was sure it would be anarchy.
Of course there were always those who were given special treatment. Rumour had it that the Golden Trio had been offered anything they wanted in regards to their future careers. It still irked him that Hermione Granger had turned her bright future in for something as mundane as breeding more Weasleys. Why did the annoying little Witch have to keep popping up in his head? Strangely, since his experience on the other side, he had been dwelling on Lily less and less. She was like the dull twinge of a headache that had not quite manifested itself. It was held at bay, unlike the preceding pain that had been his companion whenever he had thought of her. Maybe, their encounter had allowed him to let go in some way now that he knew he had her forgiveness. Perhaps he was finally making peace with a past that could not be changed.
He would rise to Poppy Pomfrey's challenge, there would not only be a new era at Hogwarts, but a new page in his life. Albus had been so fond of reminding him that life moved on, but he had been unwilling to accept it. He had been stuck in the same place for so long, held there by two masters. It was time to turn the page.
Severus looked across at Lavender Brown. Her condition had changed little since he had first seen her lying there. If anything she looked worse. It was not totally clear if she had been bitten by Fenir in human or Werewolf form. They would have the answer soon enough when the next full moon appeared. Her blonde hair had been reduced to lank tangles and she stared out of eyes that had seen too much. No one came to visit the girl. She had been abandoned by her relations, the taint of having a possible werewolf in the family, too much for them. They had been putting it about that she had died in The Battle for Hogwarts.
Some people did not deserve to be parents, he knew from experience of his own troubled family unit. Tobias Snape was a bastard, if the students knew, they would think like father, like son. His sometimes harsh teaching methods were not without purpose, but at least he didn't seek to discipline with a leather strap like his parent had. They did not get it. Life wasn't fair, or easy. How was he supposed to prepare them for the outside world if he wrapped them in cotton wool like the other professors did? Good course work was its own reward. Potion making was an exact science and hazardous, he could not allow stupidity in his classroom; it could be the difference between life and death.
Severus glanced at the clock. It was almost two. Minerva would be arriving for her daily visit, shortly. She was if anything, punctual to the last second, something which he himself admired. He slipped on his dressing gown and belted it tightly about his waist and sat down in the ridiculously large armchair by his bed, a legacy from Hermione Granger. He had thought of changing it back into the visitor's chair it had been, but decided he liked it. The clock struck the hour and Minerva strode into the ward, a thin smile slightly softening her features. She had several rolls of parchment, clutched tightly to her chest; her visits were never strictly of a social nature.
She looked at the space next to Severus, briefly contemplating joining him on the armchair. Minerva brushed the documents on his bed to one side and sat on it instead. "I bring some bad news Severus."
"Nothing out of the ordinary then Minerva." He drawled, examining his nails.
She pressed on. "I had a staff meeting today and some of them do not want to return in the new school year."
"Is it because I am headmaster?" He pretended indifference, but it would not surprise him if they had all had the urge to leave, knowing he would be staying on. He had few illusions of how he was regarded by others.
"Oh no, of course not!" Minerva put her papers down and squeezed one of Severus's hands. The look he gave at her gesture made her draw back. She continued. "One or two are leaving to get married, Professor Vector among them. Although, she has said she is willing to stay on over the summer holidays and perhaps first term to train up a new teacher."
"Not Septima too? This marriage business is so troublesome. Has everyone taken leave of their senses?" Severus sighed tiredly. "Take care of it Minerva, I trust your judgement. Any others I should know of?"
"Well, with the Carrow twins gone there are openings for a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. I was hoping someone not so far away would fill that position. He knows the workings of Dark Wizards and the best way to defend against attacks."
"Oh, yes I am so good at that. I allowed myself to be bested by a snake! All those years of fooling the Dark Lord and in the end it all came down to Nagini. I am a Potions Master; it is bloody first year stuff! If I had had the sense to carry a Bezoar about me...I almost didn't live to give Potter the rest of his mission."
"Severus, I am not sure if you are suffering from false modesty or you are a fool, but without your efforts, the war would have been lost. You are every bit the hero that Harry Potter is. Maybe not in the conventional sense, but you are one, all the same."
Severus looked away. He heard the clink of fine china as Minerva conjured up a tea set, complete with tray. She poured for them both, handing Severus a cup of his favourite, Earl Grey. He took it gratefully, glad of the distraction as he breathed in the pleasing scent of Bergamot.
"Did you see that Miss Granger and Mr Weasley are going to be married?" It was the first time he had said the words aloud. His hand shook a little as he raised the cup to his lips.
Minerva pursed her mouth. "I had heard." Her sharp eyes missing little as she studied the Headmaster. "Your hands continuing to trouble you Severus?"
"Why do you think I am still in here? I have a healer coming to see me tomorrow."
"Hmmm, talking of visitors, Harry and Hermione are paying me a visit this evening. Mr Potter is looking to come back and do his seventh year to get his N.E.W.T.'s. He wants to go into Auror training next year. Kingsley offered him the position without the N.E.W.T.'s but he turned it down, said it wouldn't be fair to the others in the program. If Mr Potter returns for his seventh year we will have to arrange married quarters for him and Miss Weasley and any other students that will be joining us as married couples."
Severus didn't answer for a few moments as he drank down the dregs of his tea, replacing the empty cup on the tray. He sniffed. "And Miss Granger? I would have thought she would be too busy churning out of the next generation of Weasleys to come back here."
"Come now Severus, you judge her too harshly. Do you think the Hermione Granger you know would be satisfied with just being a wife and mother? She also wants to take her N.E.W.T's too."
"Of course that Gryffindor sense of fair play would never let her take something without earning it." He sneered. "We already know Miss Granger exceeds many of the Professors here in her knowledge and skill. Returning to sit her N.E.W.T.'s, which she could pass in her sleep, is a bit of a futile exercise for her."
Professor McGonagall's brows shot up in surprise at his high praise of his former student. "Well, if you feel that way Severus, I have had a plan brewing. You say you trust my judgement, so I shall act accordingly."
The clock chimed the half hour. Minerva got out her wand and pointed it at the tea things, doing a silent Evanesco on them, they vanished. "Headmaster, your company has been as pleasant as always. Same time and same place tomorrow?"
Severus nodded distractedly, completely missing the irony of her words as he looked over at Lavender brown. He didn't even register McGonagall's departure. Surely something could be done for the girl? If someone didn't try something soon, she would end up in the psychiatric ward at St Mungo's, another casualty and forgotten by all. There was little he could do for the others, but perhaps he could try with her.
At that propitious moment, Poppy chose to walk by his bed. "Madam Pomfrey, can I beg a moment of your time?" He asked.
"That makes a refreshing change Severus, usually you demand, but if it is a fresh complaint about how I run my hospital, then no."
"Not at all, just a thought about Miss Brown over there."
Poppy quickly masked her surprise. "What did you have in mind?"
"I have observed that no one has been near her since her unfortunate accident. Maybe some human interaction might jog her out of her current state and make her begin to deal with the changes she might face. I have little banter suitable for a young woman, but if perhaps I read to her?"
Madam Pomfrey rewarded him with a warm smile. "I will have some books sent up from the library, later."
"Thank you, and while I have your attention, when are you going to do something about that abominably uncomfortable mattress of mine?"
Poppy rolled her eyes, and walked off. The Medi-Witch probably thought he was going soft. He had little else to do all day but watch the comings and goings of the ward, and an occupation would relieve the boredom. He just hoped Pomfrey would not come back with a syrupy adolescent romance novel as some kind of punishment to himself. He shuddered at the thought.
At seven o'clock exactly, Hermione Granger appeared in the fireplace of the headmaster's office, followed by Harry. She dusted a remaining speck of soot from the sleeve of her blouse, before smiling in greeting at Professor McGonagall.
"How have you both been?" Minerva asked, ushering them away from the hearth and to an old horsehair sofa. "May I say congratulations to you both on your recent engagements?"
"Thank you." They both replied in unison.
"Fred's funeral went...well." Hermione struggled for the right words.
Minerva nodded sadly and then in her usual brusque fashion, continued. "I would have liked to attend. Things have kept me so busy here. I have hardly had time to sleep."
Hermione smiled sympathetically. The elderly witch, did indeed look exhausted. "Molly and Arthur wanted me to pass on their thanks for the lilies you sent."
Minerva nodded. "It was the least I could do." She sighed before continuing. "A considerable number of students are returning for their seventh year. With all the changes, we have to add married quarters to the house dormitories before the start of the new school year."
"That's great news Professor, Ginny and I did wonder about that." Harry replied.
"I bet Severus is happy about the changes." Hermione gave a little grin. "Where is the headmaster?"
"He is still in the hospital wing. It would be unseemly of me to discuss his condition with you, but he is seeing a specialist healer from St Mungo's tomorrow."
"It is not anything serious is it?" Hermione asked, clasping the arm of the chair.
Professor McGonagall looked down her long nose at Hermione. The girl's concern seemed to go above the enquiry for the health of a former teacher. She dismissed the thought and turned her attention to Harry.
"Mr Potter, you said in your letter that you wanted to coach the Quidditch team for this year while earning your N.E.W.T's in your spare time, is that correct?"
"Yes, the battling on the pitch will get me in good order for Aurors training, don't you think?" Harry asked.
"Indeed, and it would also give you free time in your new role as a husband too." She said wryly. "Although I will not have Miss Weasley overly distracted during her academic year. She warned. "What about you Miss Granger?"
"Well, Ron and I are going to be married before the start of the new school year. We decided to make it a double wedding with Ginny and Harry, but he is not returning to Hogwarts. He has been offered a scholarship to a Scottish Quidditch team, the Wigtown Wanderers. That's where he is now."
Professor McGonagall looked at Hermione for a few moments, weighing up her words before she spoke. "I have a proposition for you Miss Granger, I know you said in your letter that you wanted to return to Hogwarts to get your N.E.W.T's, but you and I both know you are beyond N.E.W.T. level. Come September there will be some vacancies for Professors and Severus has left me to do the hiring. I wondered if you might consider rejoining us at apprentice teacher level."
Hermione took a breath. "Which subject?"
"Well, I was hoping you might consider Arithmancy. Professor Vector is leaving. She has said she would be willing to train someone over the summer and part of the new school year. She is in her classroom along the corridor if you would like to discuss it with her further?"
"What will Severus have to say about it?" Hermione bit her lip.
"Leave him to me. He said only today how knowledgeable and skilled a student you were. You can learn to become a teacher and still achieve your N.E.W.T's."
She had been afraid that Professor McGonagall was going to offer her Potions or DADA, the two subjects the Severus specialised in. The idea of getting her N.E.W.T's and training as a teacher in one of her favourite subjects was highly appealing to her and praise from Severus Snape! He must be unwell. She gave her attention back to what Minerva was saying.
"There will be perks with the job Miss Granger. You will get to sit at the high table with the other Professors at mealtimes and address them on a first name basis. It will be in your power to discipline students as well awarding and deducting house points. Finally, on her leaving, Professor Vector's quarters would become yours."
"I think you have iced the cake enough." Hermione held her hands up in surrender. "I will go and speak with Professor Vector. Meet you back here in an hour Harry?" She got up out of her seat and walked to the door.
"Sure," He turned back to Professor McGonagall. She already had a teapot out and a plate selection of mouth watering cakes, which Harry eyed hungrily.
"Now, let's talk about Quidditch." Minerva invited.
Hermione left Professor Vector's classroom with a big smile on her face. All she had to do was say yes to Professor McGonagall and the job was hers. It seemed like her life was finally making some sense. She checked the time, she still had half an hour before she was due back in the Headmaster's office. Some urge led her to the stairs and she decided to go down to the hospital wing. Professor McGonagall had rather evasive when she had asked about the seriousness of Severus's condition. She had to see for herself. Hermione neared the doors to the hospital wing, her hand on the ring, she paused. She could hear a rich male voice, reading aloud. Its tones sent shivers up her spine. Her breath hitched in her throat as she opened the door to better hear him.
Where true Love burns Desire is Love's pure flame;
It is the reflex of our earthly frame,
That takes its meaning from the nobler part,
And but translates the language of the heart.
Hermione did not need to see, to know the author of that voice. She had never realised how truly attractive it was when not being used in anger or derision. It had always been there; but generally she had been concentrating more on getting her potions right, to enjoy it. The words that passed his lips were starting to make her feel desire's burn, like in the poem. Hermione put her head around the door and was surprised to find him sitting by Lavender Brown's bedside, flicking through a volume of verse. He turned to look at Poppy; even she appeared to have stopped working to hear him read.
"Really Poppy, with a library as extensive as this school boasts, all Madam Pince could come up with was a book of English verse?"
"She is still cataloguing the books after the damage to the library, Severus. It was either that or some old Teen Witch publications." The Medi-Witch hid her amusement at the Headmaster's discomfort. "Perhaps you would have preferred to read about the benefits of Make-up Charms and Hair Straightening Potions?" She enquired dryly.
Severus ignored her. "I think one more and then I will call it a day. I am not sure this is doing any good anyway." He waved a hand at the patient.
"Give it time Severus. She can probably hear you even if she does not respond."
Hermione watched him from her vantage point. She was fascinated by his long fingers as they ran down pages, trying to select something pleasing. He began to read again.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
She closed her eyes and let his words wash over her, she realised he could be reading the index pages of Advanced Potion Making and it wouldn't matter. It was like being dipped in melted chocolate. Hermione tried to focus on the next verse as he read on.
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
"Miss Granger!" Madam Pomfrey finally noticed the young woman standing in the doorway. "You look positively out of breath, did you run here?"
Hermione felt her cheeks grow red as Severus almost dropped the poetry book and spun round in his chair to stare at her. His eyes narrowed accusingly as they swept over her form. She felt like a thief who had been caught with a hand in the till. "Oh, er, I did come all the way from the seventh floor. I wanted to see how Lavender was doing. How is she?" She stuttered. Her gaze was still drawn by a pair of black eyes, which drew her in, unable to find the will to look away and break the contact.
She was afraid that her lie was written across her face. Harry had once said that he wondered if Snape could read thoughts and the way he was looking at her now, she wondered it too.
"Not as well as I would like, I am afraid. Severus here, very kindly offered to read to her, to see if it might help. Sometimes, just the sound of a voice can rouse a response out of people."
"There was no kindness in it. I was bored." He drawled.
Hermione, nodded. He had certainly managed to rouse a response out of her, even if he hadn't managed with Lavender. Severus continued to regard her in a calculating manner, giving her the suspicion that he knew it too. Finally he broke eye contact with her and she breathed a sigh of relief.
He closed the book and left it by Lavender's bedside. He walked slowly across the room and back to his own bed. Hermione watched his every move. There seemed to be little wrong with him, her fears for his health allayed somewhat.
"I must admit that I am surprised to see you grace our halls again so soon Miss Granger. I thought you had quit us for good."
"Thought, or hoped Severus?" She smirked knowingly.
"Miss Granger, must I remind you that I am headmaster here, Professor Snape or Headmaster would be more appropriate in the situation."
"Ah, but Severus, I am no student." She made great emphasis on his name, enjoying the darkening scowl on his face. "I am returning to Hogwarts in the new school year, as an apprentice teacher. I was told it gave me the right to call my fellow members of staff by their first names."
"What drivel is this?" He demanded.
"I am to be the new Arithmancy teacher. I start training with Professor Vector in two weeks." She replied smugly.
"Has Minerva taken leave of her sanity?"
A brief flash of hurt crossed her features. He felt a small jab of shame, but smothered it almost as soon as it was born. Hermione folded her arms in a defensive gesture. It drew his attention to the rise and fall of her breasts. His lip curled in self disgust. He had been without female company for too many years. He was drooling over her curves like a pubescent teenager. What was wrong with him? There was a glint in the in the young woman's eye and her cheeks were still flushed. He was no expert in the opposite sex, but she did not look unmoved by his presence.
"Professor McGonagall told me that you thought me a knowledgeable and capable student."
She flicked her head back, exposing the pale column of her neck and he wondered what it would feel like to press his lips against the exposed flesh.
He dragged his eyes away from her neck and looked up at her. "Does that sound like something I would say?" He sneered.
So, this is what Minerva meant when she said she had an idea brewing? The idea of her being at Hogwarts every day stirred something inside of him, having her eating at the same table with him, sharing their thoughts...if he deigned to speak to her of course.
Hermione's arms dropped by her sides. "I guess not." She said in defeat. "Then I shall refuse."
"Good God girl, is my approval still so necessary to you after all these years?" He spat out impatiently. His eye had caught the engagement ring on her finger and soured his mood. "Take the position. It is yours, but I sincerely hope Mr Weasley will not be following after you like a puppy dog around the halls."
"Ron, for your information is going to train with a Quidditch team here in Scotland."
"How wonderful." He sneered. "But as he will not be a student or teacher at Hogwarts he will be not be allowed to make overnight visits, even when you are... married."
"So, you have heard the news then?" She asked.
Snape did not bother to reply to her question. "You have taken the Ministry ordered tests?"
"Of course, we all came back clear."
"Of course." He echoed mockingly. "Although, I might have wondered about Mr Weasley, but then looking at the fecundity of that family...I am sure he will have no trouble keeping you barefoot and pregnant." Snape trailed off.
Hermione refused to respond to the blatant insult or giving him the satisfaction of knowing how much he was getting to her.
"I think it disgusting how the Ministry wish to interfere in our private lives, but I cannot imagine a life without magic, so it was a small price to pay. Besides, I am tired of warfare. At least you are too old to have to take the test. What are you, forty-five?"
She knew he would be the same age as James and Lily Potter had they lived but a perverse part of her wanted to see him lose that cool exterior just once in the heat of passion. The air between them was almost crackling with anger, and something else undefined. Hermione felt it so strongly she wondered if it would manifest its self
Severus's hands clenched on the arms of the chair, he took several deep breaths before he could trust himself to answer her. If she was trying to piss him off, she was succeeding. "For your information, I am thirty-eight years of age. Hardly into my dotage, whatever you might believe." He hissed.
Hermione felt a flash of triumph. It encouraged her to prod him further. "Since you are being so personal, have you taken the test yet?" She challenged.
He looked at her. "Of course not."
"Oh, so you are planning to live life as a muggle then?"
She was being an impudent little piece and he wanted to repay her in kind. He recalled her reaction the other week to his mention of her playing the innocent virgin, which he was starting to suspect was no act.
"Why so much interest Miss Granger? Would you like to help me complete the test...manually?"
He drew out the last word on purpose, as if he was emphasising a point in class. Involuntarily, Hermione's eyes lowered to where his robe had parted, revealing his cotton covered sex. The material was pulled tightly, clearly defining the outline of his cock. It made her aware of him as a man and she was infuriated at him for it. The teaching robes had been concealing a lot. Her eyes flew back to his face. There was an expression of shock in his eyes, which mirrored hers. Her face burned in shame at her thoughts. She was engaged and here she was panting over her ex Potions Master like a wanderer in the desert. If she was going to work here, this had to stop this now! Why were they baiting each other in this manner?
"I hate you; I wouldn't handle you if you were the last Wizard in the whole of the Magical World." She spat at him.
Snape's countenance darkened. A murderous expression appeared on his face. She watched in fascination as the muscles clenched in his jaw as he fought for control of his temper. "Really Miss Granger? That is a very bold statement." He shot up out of his chair, took out his wand and tapped her and then himself on the head with it, casting a Disillusionment Charm on the both of them. "There, no one can see us but you and me. You are interested in learning, perhaps you would care to test your theory?"
He looked down his nose at her. Hermione could feel the heat of his body radiating outwards. "What do you mean?" For some reason she had thought he would be cold, like his demeanour, like a serpent. She had wanted him to lose his celebrated self control, and now that he had, she found herself trembling in fear, wondering what she had awakened.
She opened her mouth to protest. He took the advantage and leaned in, dipping the tip of his tongue between her parted lips. Hermione raised her hands and pushed at his shoulders, struggling against the sudden invasion. His tongue explored deeper, before he crushed his lips to hers. The hands that had been pushing at him a moment ago threaded through his hair and pulled him in closer. She was kissing the Headmaster of Hogwarts was her last coherent thought. His hands slid boldly down her back and lower as he cupped her rear through the material of her jeans, pulling her body closer. She could feel the hard stab of his ready erection against her stomach. Hermione groaned into his mouth as he continued to plunder it.
What had started out as a lesson on his part had quickly escalated to something more. He wanted to throw her down on the bed and have her, screaming his name, as he poured himself into her. Self disgust at his thoughts started to trickle down his spine like cold water. He was fondling Hermione like a Knockturn Alley whore. He pulled away from her, leaving her gasping like a fish out of water. She was breaking down barriers on him that he didn't want breached. Ever. He preferred it that way. An almost sexless life with no emotional ties had served him well enough in the fight against Voldemort. But you are no longer at war. His inner voice reminded him. He struggled to get his desires back under control and wrapped his dressing gown tightly around his middle.
Hermione stared at him wide eyed. She struggled with the urge to get her wand out and hex him, deciding to slap him hard across the cheek instead. He barely flinched at the contact. A red hand mark appeared on his face.
"Have you forgotten I am engaged?" She raged at him.
Snape's eyes slid to her ring finger to make his point. "Not for a moment, but perhaps you have? You look like a woman who has been thoroughly kissed by her lover and enjoyed it."
"You are a cold bastard."
"I have never claimed to be a nice man, perhaps you would do well to remember it? If you want nice, run home to Mr Weasley." He mocked.
His words stung and she felt tears prick at her eyes. "If you think using scare tactics will make me change my mind about teaching here, think again Headmaster..." She emphasised the last word. Shame curled in the pit of her belly. He was right; she had enjoyed his kiss, every moment of it, once the surprise had worn off.
"You mistake me. If I was against you working here, I would just have to say the word, Miss Granger. However, provoke me again and there will be consequences." Snape released them from the Disillusionment Charm and walked over to his bed, sat down. He turned his back on her, signalling that the visit was at an end.
Hermione stood there staring at his form. A battle raged inside her. If she cared enough for Ron, she would turn around on her heels and never return here again. But she wanted the teaching position, she wanted her N.E.W.T's and wasn't about to let Severus Snape veer her from her chosen course. She would trample this bond she felt for him into the dust of Hogwarts and show the self control she knew she had.
He could hear her angry footsteps as she walked away. "I will see you in two weeks time Miss Granger." He said softly under his breath.
Severus waited for the bang of the door to signal she was truly gone. His shoulders slumped. He had to get her out of his mind. He was damaged goods; she deserved someone unsullied like her Mr Weasley. He had waded too long in the mud and did not want to soil her. She would return to the school in a few days under the tutelage of Septima Vector and he would pretend she didn't exist.
TBC
A/N Poem 1 ~ is called Desire and was written by Samuel Coleridge Taylor Poem 2 ~ is called She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron