Summary: Severus and Hermione enjoy the beginnings of their new relationship, and both are in wonder that the other actually desires them. They have much exploring to do before they can feel confidence in their relationship. And when one explores unknown territory, one must remember that dangers may lurk around any corner… Figuratively and literally.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling invented this world, and I am just playing in it.
A/N: Thank you, Moon Revel, for being an awesome beta!
It was Monday, and Harry had just Floo-called Hermione again. He had appeared upset and had asked Hermione if she had time to "hang out," but she could tell he had just needed someone to talk to. Regrettably, but only for Harry's sake, she had to meet Severus earlier than usual that day.
Hermione was meeting Severus in Diagon Alley in order to visit the Apothecary since she would need to start frequenting the place for potion ingredients. But Hermione was concerned by the dejected look on Harry's green, fire-lit face, and she quickly assured him that she would be glad to meet him afterwards at the Barking Man.
Now, the Barking Man was a special place for the trio—more than just a pub popular with young adult wizards. It had once been a store devoted to the sale of amulets and other charms that were questionably Dark in nature. It had belonged to the Black family for many generations, but they had closed up and sold their goods to a shop in Knockturn Alley when Voldemort had fallen the first time. In the years after his first fall, no person wanted to be mistakenly (or not) associated with anything remotely Dark, as they were rounding up and imprisoning suspected Death Eaters without mercy. The space was owned still, but had been neglected by, the Blacks for all these years.
Now that the war was finally over, the whole wizarding community had been working to bring pride back to their world. Cleanup was done everywhere: in Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and at Hogwarts. Everything was shined up and enhanced, as if by doing so people would feel they could start afresh in a thriving and beautiful wizarding world… A gilded splendor coating the ruins, trying in vain to make people forget the pain of grief and loss… A superficial shine hoping to dazzle the once-bright, but now dimmed light within them all… Instead managing only to preserve it in the finest of shells—compacting it down so thoroughly that it would surely gain a solidity, a strength that would inevitability crack that fragile shell of false beauty, letting surface with such sudden force that which would completely overcome them, as if it were so that darkness could diffuse light.
When they began fixing up Diagon Alley, they had finally looked into the property deeds of the long-neglected store, and Harry found out soon thereafter that the place was one of the many assets that had fallen into his ownership when Sirius died. Harry had been informed that he must fix the place up… or sell it to someone who would.
Awash in emotional memories of Sirius once more, Harry had decided to do something with the space that would honor his godfather. He made it a friendly pub, a place where people could gather and have good times with their friends: laughing, drinking, being merry—the whole lot. Then he gave it a special name and hired a general manager to run and staff it.
Hermione suggested to Harry a time she could meet him at the Barking Man—a time when she was sure she and Severus would be finished with their business. Harry had smiled, finally, and agreed, and Hermione wondered what could be bothering him. Well, she would find out later today, and she would do all that she could to support him. But now, it was time to go see Severus!
"Ahh, yes. Yes, this one is even extra-strength. Perfect. Just a swig will do, and no one will ever notice…"
Hermione approached Flourish and Blotts bookstore where she and Severus had arranged to meet. Oh, and there he was! He stood in the side alley between the bookstore and the next: a store that specialized in divination tools. His feet were jutted out in front of him, supporting him as he leaned casually against the wall with his arms lightly crossed. He watched her approach with an intense, beckoning look in his eyes.
She felt a grin appear on her face and watched as he gave her one of his rare smiles—a treasured gift seemingly only ever for her. The moment they embraced and pulled together in a tight hug, she felt the now-familiar, but still exhilarating, wave of heat flow through her. She felt the comforting joy of being with him again, of being held so close by him.
She felt something else, too. It was as if some kind of wind, carrying with it a mist filled with tiny sparks of magical energy, had rushed about them in a great, swooping arc, making a complete circle about them. Hermione was about to ask Severus if he knew what it was when he gently guided her chin so that she looked at him, and he bent down to brush his lips against hers. The unfamiliar magic forgotten, she soon found herself wrapped up in Severus, their kiss intensifying with all the raw passion that new lovers have—finding themselves completely engrossed in each other, excited to explore one another further. Finally, they pulled away, panting slightly and staring at each other with awe and a certain disbelief that this was real.
"Do you know what that magic is that is circling us?" Hermione asked after a moment. She could not help wondering.
"Yes, that is of my doing," he replied, withdrawing from their embrace and leaning against the wall once more. She continued to gaze at him questioningly, and so with a gentle sigh, he continued, "It was for invisibility—so that the intimacy we just shared would go unseen."
"Why would it matter?" Hermione asked. Is he afraid of us going public about our relationship/i Hermione wondered. i It would be wrong to hide one's relationship, as if it were a dirty secret, even if it is a relationship with a match as… unusual as Severus and I are.
She felt the mist swirl back around in the opposite direction, undoing the spell.
"Miss Granger," Severus began, his eyebrow raised and his lips quirked to let her know he was teasing, "surely you should be capable of ascertaining why such a precaution is necessary? We are not aspiring to cause an uproar in the wizarding world, are we?"
Hermione was not sure just how much of a secret Severus planned to keep their relationship. It bothered her somewhat, but she was not going to make an issue of it now. If they were going to have a real relationship, sooner or later people would have to learn of it, right? No one, not even society, should make people feel pressured to keep parts of themselves hidden.
"Now, look there," Severus said, pointing at the cobbled, twisting road that was bustling with people going about their shopping. "See how many heads are turning our way?"
Hermione looked, and sure enough, several passersby stopped to gawk at them. Hermione was starting to get used to the excessive attention she was receiving since being awarded an Order of Merlin. She was not used to seeing Severus get so much attention—and he was definitely getting some looks. And Hermione noticed, with a certain disconcertment, that he was especially receiving looks of admiration from the witches who were passing by! Hermione realized Severus must have been dealing with his share of fame, too, since he was declared a War Hero, but it was still strange seeing it when people used to go out of their way to avoid the dark and enigmatic man. It must be a pleasant change for him.
She knew what Severus meant: the public seeing two of their beloved heroes in the same day? It was overwhelming for them, and no wonder! Everyone looked their way, well… except one dark-cloaked man who walked quickly past with too much purpose to pay any mind to anyone, turning down the side alley on the other side of Flourish and Blotts. Hermione began glaring at some witches who had inexplicably arrested themselves on the corner, stealing covetous looks at Severus, but these mindless witches took no notice of her jaded stare. Others stopped to look, smiling and waving in appreciation, then moving on with their business.
"And this display is only due to our part in the downfall of the Dark Lord," Severus added. "Imagine how much worse it would be if they saw the two of us together." With affected sarcasm, he added, "How… delightful… Those two ladies are conspiring on whether or not to approach us. There is simply nothing more pleasurable then being forever encumbered by the presence of effervescent admirers." He pulled out his wand, holding it loosely in one hand, running a finger down its length as he smirked. "Heh, I need a bigger stick."
"There's no need to beat them off. I can take care of it," Hermione said vehemently. She saw they were taking the first steps to approach them—approach Severus, that was to say! She discretely aimed her wand at the corner, the wand being mostly covered by the sleeve of her robe, and muttered "Ne turbare!"
"Well done, Hermione," Severus said approvingly. "The 'Do-Not-Disturb' Charm… That spell is not commonly known. Where, might I inquire, did you learn of it?"
"Er—well, some of the boys were throwing… er—Dungbombs at one of the dormitory doors…" she began reluctantly, knowing how Severus would be affected by the learning of this bout of rule breaking-gone-unpunished.
His eyes widened, and he managed to spit out, "Despicable!" before Hermione continued her explanation.
"Well, see, these other boys, uh…" she stuttered, not wanting to tell Severus they were Harry and Ron, "…yeah, well, they had started a food fight at one of the Gryffindor celebrations we had after winning a Quidditch match. It got carried away when they went into their dormitory to get a batch of spattergroit-inducing, exploding orbs and chucked them down the stairs at people. They had to retreat so as not to get hit with the retaliatory Dungbombs."
"The maturity of youth these days simply astounds me," Severus replied with a roll of his eyes.
"So, the Dungbombs were so putrid that they peeled the top coat of paint right off the door. Underneath had been the words 'Ne turbare' written in everlasting ink."
Severus laughed, clearly knowing something Hermione did not. He wore a proud smirk as he said, "She was always so brilliant."
"Who?" Hermione asked.
His smirk became a slight frown as he answered, "The Muggle-born witch who created that spell—a very special spell it is, too. It never caught on, having a Muggle catch phrase and because a successful result was never guaranteed. People have an inordinate ability to walk past signs without seeing them, and there are others, remarkably rude sorts, who after reading a 'Do Not Disturb' sign subsequently disregard it. So casting the spell on yourself will work, depending on the level of awareness and respect that others have. She enhanced the spell, using a charm I taught her, making it one that works when read in written format. And that is i not /i everlasting ink. They needn't have painted over it. There is a spell to vanish it."
"Wow!" breathed Hermione. "What a creative way to tell people you do not wish to be bothered!"
"Indeed," acknowledged Severus. He was frowning again as he asked, "You said they found that on the door of a boys' dormitory. Which?"
"The seventh years'…" Hermione said, speaking sheepishly again.
His face darkened, and Hermione, wrongly, thought it was because she had just implicated the boys in her year—the same ones whom Severus severely despised for never having appropriate consequences for their rule-breaking.
Hermione had a sudden idea, and if she was right, Harry would be interested to know…
"Er—Severus? May I ask… er—was Lily Potter the Muggle-born witch who invented the spell?"
"LilyEvans," Severus corrected. She was not married until after Hogwarts, which was where she was when she put that spell on that door."
Hermione wanted to ask him more about Lily because Harry had mentioned to her that Severus had actually been very close with his mother. However, Severus' entire mood had dampened considerably, and she was not certain of the reason. His lowered spirits disheartened her, and she truly wished he would open up to her.
Severus said suddenly, "We have dallied long enough now. We must be getting to the Apothecary." He turned toward the cobbled road and took a few steps.
Hermione, not wanting to miss a possible opportunity to unravel the elusive Severus Snape, hoped he would answer just one thing. "Wait. Severus, about Lily—"
"We must proceed to the Apothecary now," he said very firmly. He turned back and looked at her still standing by the wall. He smiled. "Come along, Hermione. We haven't the time to spare. It would not do to be tardy for a professional appointment. We have also to acquire more ingredients for the Azkaban potions whilst we are there."
She stepped up next to him, and for the briefest moment, he brushed his fingers along hers. The contact spoke volumes and provided assurance, but was not entirely appeasing. Hermione wished she and Severus could stroll along Diagon Alley with their hands clasped together, like any other couple would do.
Yes! Very good. I have just the information I needed. Now, let's see…
Severus and Hermione finished their business at the Apothecary. The owner, Mr. Sliggrick, had widened his eyes at the list of ingredients she needed, scrutinizing her as he remarked that they were a very unusual combination of ingredients. Severus, who had been perusing barrels of odorous, slimy creature portions, had coolly reprimanded him and demanded that he show Hermione the same discretion and service that he had given to Severus over the years—since she was working closely with him on his potion projects and was his apprentice. Hermione was sure she disliked the man, but felt him acquiesce to Severus' requisition and knew he could be relied upon to have in-stock all the very best of the ingredients she would need throughout the year.
"Severus, I agreed to meet Harry at the pub after our work was done today…" Hermione said as they stepped out into the fresh air, delivering them from the noxious, pungent odors of the Apothecary.
"Is that so?" he replied with an air of disinterest. "Well then, I will certainly not keep you." He nodded to her and said, "I can take these ingredients to the potions lab. I will see you on Thursday for your lesson, I presume?"
Oh, this was such an awful goodbye! "Severus!" Hermione whined, yanking on his sleeve and pulling them into the side alley between the Apothecary and the shop front next to it.
He smiled at her, and she felt him send out the invisible magic, encompassing them once again in a mist of invisibility to outsiders.
"How do you do that?" she asked in explicit awe of his magical creations.
He took a step back from where she stood in front of the stone wall, regarding her with uncertainty. After a moment, he said, shaking his head slightly, "No, I feel sure you would not understand. I am not even certain I do." Hermione raised her brows. "I would tell you, Hermione, but it is a complex magic that has evolved into something new—even to me. At a more opportune time, I shall endeavor to explain it to you."
She looked upset and offended for a moment. "Hermione—" Snape groaned out.
Hermione let it go. "Severus," she interjected, "it doesn't matter. Come here. I want—" He moved towards her as she spoke. He wrapped his arms around her as she finished, "to be close to you."
He pressed a few chaste kisses to her lips. Hermione then rested her head on his shoulder, one arm reaching up to run her fingers through the strands of his hair. "I love your long hair," she whispered into his neck.
"Do you? I am growing it even longer," he said silkily.
"Really?" She pulled back to look at him. His eyes glittered at her delight.
"Really. Long enough to tie back when I am brewing. Although…" he smirked before continuing, "I will always affectionately recall the time my hair fell forward, hindering me, and you brushed it back." He raised his brows and smirked teasingly.
"That was when this all began," whispered Hermione, staring into Severus' eyes.
"It was, and I do not even begin to comprehend it. You will tell me, will you not, if you decide that this is just a passing fancy for you?"
"Severus! It could never be that! There is something much stronger than that here. Something so real."
"Surreal, maybe." He sighed. He did not seem able to believe her so easily. "You do realize you are still young, and you may have severalstrong relationships before finding one that is, in truth, real for you?"
"Gods, I already have been through something like that with Ron," Hermione said. Severus grimaced. She continued quickly, "This feels so different. I mean, it was surprising, but I know the way I feel about you is very real. There are so many things about you that just… wow! And there are so many things that are you, but I barely glimpse them, and I want to know them—to know you."
Severus smiled softly again, which filled Hermione with pleasure. He was so sexy when he smiled. He placed his hands against the wall on either side of her head. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Strange as it is, your… feelings… for me… I suppose we will have to wait and see if you continue to like the man you see before you."
"I will," Hermione said adamantly. She found his eyes, gazed into their soft blackness, and asked, "What about you? What is this for you?"
His voice a smooth, rhythmic cadence, he intoned, "You simply cannot begin to know the effect you have on me, Hermione. I can barely believe this is no dream."
Hermione nearly melted with Severus leaning over her, his eyes smoldering, his voice so… caressing. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her. "A dream come true, maybe."
"I do not understand it," he murmured as Hermione brought her lips to meet his.
"Me neither," she breathed before their mouths came together once more. This time they allowed the raging passion boiling within to burst out into a frenetic, consuming kiss. As they held each other, kissing, their hands moved: up and down backs, running through each other's hair, cupping cheeks and sliding down necks and arms.
Hermione found she was aching with desire for Severus—for all of Severus. She gasped as he gently nibbled her lower lip. He pulled back, his eyes as dark as his raven hair, but shining. His mouth twisted in a wry grin. He was beautiful. "Minds such as ours strongly disfavor not understanding something—especially powerful feelings such as these. It feels wrong not knowing. However, like you said—"
"That's what makes it interesting," Hermione finished. "Oh, and you really are. I hope you will let me get to know you, Severus."
He smiled briefly and placed a quick kiss on her mouth. "You had better go, or you will be late for your meeting with Potter," he reminded her.
"Oh, Gods, you are right. I am going to be so late!" Hermione exclaimed. She felt the whirlwind of retreating magic and knew she and Severus were no longer invisible to passersby. "Goodbye, Severus. Can we… er—"
"Just go," he said kindly. She smiled brilliantly at him and turned to rush down the cobbled road. When she was out of sight, Severus Disapparated.
Hermione turned down a side alley. If she could zig-zag through the back ways, she could get to the pub faster without having to push through the crowds on the main road. She walked at a brisk pace, which soon turned into a jog when she realized Harry had been waiting for her for ten minutes already.
Alone! The stars must favor me today. Time to enact the next part of the plan…
Hermione was feeling uneasy. She was late, yes… and Hermione was never late! Yet, this uneasiness was something more. It was a similar discomfort to how she had felt every day for the several months it had taken to track down Horcruxes and to find and finish Voldemort. She quickened her pace, and as she did so, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her—footsteps that matched the pace of her own. She cast a nervous glance behind her but did not see anyone. She tightened her grip on her wand and ran. Hopefully, it was not anything at all.
She heard the footsteps again. They were pounding. They were gaining on her. She looked back again and saw a cloaked and hooded man right behind her. "Expelliarmus!" a hoarse voice cried. She shrieked as her wand flew away from her. He grabbed her, and they tumbled forward from the momentum. She was pinned to the ground under his heavy weight. She could not see his face, but there was a real maliciousness in his voice as he sat back and said in a low tone, "Silencio!" and then, "Incarcerous!"
Hermione was bound with rope, with no wand, and unable to cry for help. She was in a dark, narrow alley with a dangerous man. Tears streamed down her face as her mind, in her panic, thought of all the horrible reasons this man would be doing this. Did he want to hurt her? Kill her? Take her hostage? Any number of people could hate her for being the friend of the Chosen One and helping him to defeat the Dark Lord.
"You are a bright, young girl, aren't you?" The low, rumbly voice was speaking to her mockingly. "Head Girl last year? Then tell me, dear, how many possible ways there are for me to extract information from you against your will?"
Hermione blanked. What kind of information could she possibly have that someone else would know of and consider valuable? Hermione was still under the Silencing Spell, but her attacker did not even intend for her to answer.
"Let me help you with that one," the voice with superiority. "Let's see… Yes, there are two ways. One is very simple: Veritaserum. I could have you spilling your guts about anything I wanted to know. The other one is certainly more efficient with its visual accompaniment. Painful, too, from what I've heard. It's much more satisfyingly informative than the first way, and I will definitely, definitely get what I am looking for. I only wonder if a prodigious witch such as yourself can block it? We shall see…"
Hermione tried to cry out. Her mouth opened, but nothing audible came out. The man chuckled. "Have something to say?" He stuck the point of his wand in-between two of the layers of rope that wrapped around her chest. "Okay, let's hear it, but if you dare to scream you will be dead in an instant. Do you understand?"
Hermione's eyes widened in fear, and she nodded her head. She choked out, "Please, you don't have to invade my mind. I'll just tell you whatever you want to know!" Hermione had realized she was actually keeping quite a few secrets, many of them related to Harry and what the public did not need to know about him and Voldemort—the very fact that Voldemort had made Horcruxes was still unknown… There were the many Dark Magic spells she knew from her research into ways to destroy Horcruxes, and there were other things she ought not to reveal, her relationship with Severus, for one. And she also knew about…
"Azkaban." the man said succinctly. "You will tell me everything you know about the new security measures—specifically how to make the potion. Tell me now. Everything. Otherwise, I will delve deep into your mind and crudely take everything I need."
"I don't know anything more than you do!" Hermione declared.
"Yes, yes you do. Today's edition of the Daily Prophet informed the community about their use of the Black Flame. The Ministry wants to make sure people feel safe in their beds, knowing they are secure from the Dark Lord's loyal followers. They are confident in their new security system, aren't they? Overconfident, because you are going to tell me how to get through the flames. It is a potion, isn't it? Isn't it?" Hermione whimpered. "Tell me how to make it."
"I really do not know! I have never made it! You are filthy scum, and I am going to make sure the Aurors find you and lock you up behind those flames as well!"
There was a low chuckle again. "Somehow, I don't think so. I know what your job is, girl, and I know you are lying. Very well then, since you will not tell me…" He moved the wand and pointed it at Hermione's head. " Legilimens!"
There was an invading push, a whoosh that moved forcefully through the front of her mind. She felt as if cold, stabbing claws were pushing and snaking their way through the many layers of her brain. She saw before her, in her mind, a picture of the day last week when Severus was making the Azkaban potions, and she had hardly done anything but monitor the simmering cauldron. The knifelike prodding went further, looking for more…
And a voice in the distance was calling, "Hermione…? Hermione!"
The force withdrew from her mind. The man growled, cursing under his breath. He stood up and Disapparated.
Hermione cried out, "Here! I am here! Help me!"
A minute later, a tall, large-framed man burst into the alleyway where Hermione lay still tightly encircled with the binding rope. It was Ron.
Tears of relief washed down Hermione's face as he gasped aloud and frantically asked if she was okay. Meekly, she affirmed that she was with a soft, "Yes."
"Evanesco!" Ron said, banishing the ropes. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around a shaking Hermione, and she fell easily into the familiar embrace.
"I've got you, 'Mione. You're okay. Try to relax, and tell me what happened."
She tried to take in a deep breath. It quivered, and she took a couple more, finally breathing easily enough to speak. "Someone… a man… I could not see his face… chased me down and used Legilimency on me. He wanted to find out how to make the potions needed to enter Azkaban. Somehow he knew that one needs a potion to get through the flames."
"Oh, Hermione! Did he hurt you? Are you alright? Is your head hurting?"
"It was just… I am okay. I think I just have a building migraine. I can take a remedy for that when I get home."
"We need to act on this immediately. First, we must go tell Harry and then Kingsley. Can you stand? Here, take my hand…"
Hermione rose. She looked into Ron's concerned eyes. "Thanks, Ron."
"Of course," he said, staring back at her. He asked, "Where's your wand?"
"It flew over that way," she answered, pointing down the road. Ron retrieved it and handed it to her. They started walking back up the alley in the direction of the pub, which was a few blocks away.
Still shaken, Hermione asked, "Ron, what were you doing? How did you find me?"
He hesitated. "I… er—I was waiting for you actually. I've been wanting to talk to you—" He reached out to take her hand again.
"Ron—" began Hermione in a soft, but warning tone. She wanted his comfort, but she did not want to take it if it meant…
"It's not like you think, okay? I knew Harry was meeting you, so I kind of… Well, I was waiting outside the pub, hoping to intercept you."
"Did Harry set this up for you?" Hermione asked indignantly.
"No! No, Harry told me you weren't ready to talk to me. He doesn't even know I was there! You were so late, so I started to worry. You are never late. I started walking down the roads, looking for you. I had a feeling something wasn't right."
"You have good instincts for an Auror," Hermione replied kindly. "Ron, I am so sorry about what happened between us. I know how angry you are—"
"Stop. It's okay, Hermione. You shouldn't be worrying about this right now. I'm not angry about it anymore. I know now that you were right. I think we only stayed together for so long because we thought that we were just supposed to be together. Everyone expected it. Everyone even expected that we'd marry. We thought the love we had for each other was more than the love that comes from years of friendship. We expected it to be more, but it wasn't. You just figured it out first… as usual!" He ended with an amused smirk.
"Wow, Ron! You know, I really have missed you. Is it too much to hope that we can be friends again without it being too strange?"
"Hermione, I miss you. I love you—as my friend if not as anything more. There's nothing that could breakup our friendship for good. You know us. We're always having our fall-outs, but we come back each time."
Hermione smiled. She stopped walking and pulled Ron into a hug. "Ron, you are wonderful. Thank you. Thank you for saving me from that…" Her eyes welled with tears again. Fear… This was a feeling that had leapt out of the past to come and crush her when she had been feeling so content…
Ron smiled at her reassuringly, and as they continued their walk, he said, "Don't worry, 'Mione. We will track down that fucking prat and make sure he pays."
They had reached the entrance to the pub. There was a sign hanging overhead, which read "The Barking Man" and had a picture of a growling, huge, black dog baring its teeth. They opened the doors and went inside to find Harry.