It's What's Inside That Counts
Chapter 29- Getting It Right, Part 2
Severus and Hermione slowly and carefully started to rebuild their friendship. Hermione now realized that if perhaps they had been friends before becoming lovers last year, things might have gone better. Severus was thrilled on any account: she was allowing him back in her life and he vowed to make himself worthy of being the best friend she would ever have. He would do whatever it took to get the light back in her life, to get the loving, charming Hermione back-not only for him, but for everyone. On June 5th, he accompanied her to Ginny's Leaving Ceremony at Hogwarts. Hermione was truly happy for her friend, and was the first to jump to her feet to clap and cheer for her. Ginny and Harry were wasting no time and were marrying June 30, and pleaded with Hermione to stand in as the Maid of Honor. She was self-conscious about her hand, but was assured by the couple that no one would even notice due to the stunning gown Ginny had chosen for her; and even if they did notice, everyone wold know how it happened: she was a hero and lost it fighting alongside Harry Potter. If anyone would be stupid enough to make a crass comment about it, at a wedding, there would be plenty of people there to shut up said stupid person.
They went out for lunches and dinners, instead of always eating at the farm. Hermione always enjoyed going out. How could I have not realized it? Severus wondered, as she ordered a salad one day in June at her favorite cafe in Diagon Alley. Because I never wanted to go out, that's why, and she wanted to make me happy. Severus old boy, if you looked up 'selfish prat' in the dictionary, your picture would be next to it!
Severus now helped out at the farm, whereas before he spent most of his time in the lab. He and Hermione cared for the animals, did maintenance for the home, and harvested the beans and tomatoes from the gardens. The grounds were quite large, so Hermione hired someone cut the grass, but tended to the gardens and shrubbery herself, now with Severus' help. He enjoyed working the herb garden in particular, but had to consult Madame Sprout for a charm to keep away the pests. Severus and Hermione were no where near the Herbology wonder that Neville Longbottom was, and were surprised by his visit a week before Ginny's wedding.
"Madame Sprout sent me to help you out a bit," he said proudly, paying no attention to Severus standing nearby. He was Sprout's apprentice now and planned to open his own shop or take the Professor's place years from now. He took measurements of the garden, soil samples and determined the best charm to use for the herbs. He set the charm and wrote it on a sheet of paper for future reference.
"You'll want to cast the charm once a week, preferably when the sun is highest in the sky," he said. "And although what you have here is good, you might want to consider transforming this into three smaller gardens, or transplant to a greenhouse perhaps."
"Thanks Neville, I'll take it into consideration," she said.
"I've also developed an new kind of organic fertilizer that I want to test," he said. "I get a modest research stipend, and I would be willing to pay for using a bit of your garden, it's perfect for my needs."
"Sounds great! Would you like to stay for lunch to talk about it?" Hermione asked.
Severus wasn't so sure about spending lunch with Longbottom, but for Hermione, he would. He was pleasantly surprised throughout lunch. All he saw of Longbottom over the years was a bumbling, nervous Potions student. This Longbottom was easygoing, had a quick smile and was indeed the Herbology prodigy that Sprout bragged about.
"So Neville, how are things with Susan?" Hermione asked.
Neville smiled shyly. "Good. I get to see her everyday since she's apprenticing with Pomfrey."
"Way to go," Hermione said, lightly punching his arm.
"What about you? How are things with the Aurors?" he asked.
"I resigned," she said.
"Why? You're so good at that stuff!" Neville declared. "Harry would have never made it so far without you."
"That much is true," Severus added.
"My spells aren't what they used to be, but I'm learning with the other hand," she said, holding up her prosthesis. "I'm not going to do something as important and dangerous as Auror work if I'm not up to snuff."
"What are you going to do?" Neville asked.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I need to get right in the head before I try anything," Hermione said.
"Right in the head? You seem fine to me," Neville assured her. "You're Hermione Granger, the brightest, bravest witch of her age, hero to so many, I'm sure anyone would take you on in a second."
"Again, that much is true," Severus agreed. We should have had him over sooner! he thought.
"Everyone gets a little depressed every now and then," Neville said. "May I see your new hand?"
No one had ever called her prosthesis "her new hand" and the term made her grin.
"Sure," she said, taking it off and giving it to him.
"Hmm," he said, looking at the fingers, wiggling them and looking at the circuits. "If only limbs grew like plants..." He stopped and looked at the wall, over her shoulder and talked to himself. "Hey, why can't limbs grow like plants? Plant cells replicate, so why..."
"Hello? Earth to Neville!" Hermione said, waving her hand in front of his face.
He shook his head as if was waking up and stood up. "I've gotta look something up, I'll contact you about the fertilizer testing," he said.
"Um...okay?...at least take the sandwich with you," Hermione said, putting his half-eaten sandwich in his hand.
"Thanks, see you later," he said, quickly kissing her cheek. "Your garden is nice!" he shouted over his shoulder and apparated from the porch.
"Did I say something wrong?" Hermione asked.
"No, we just witnessed an epiphany," Severus said.
"Well, he lost me at plant cell...whatever," she said.
The morning of the wedding, Ginny treated her wedding attendants to the newest magical spa in London, Blessings. They were treated to cleansing, relaxing jacuzzis of restorative salts and oils, full body massages (that almost put Hermione to sleep) and facials but Hermione drew the line at waxing.
"No way, no how," she quipped.
When Ginny painfully shrieked during her bikini waxing, a "told you!" was heard from Hermione.
Hermione almost declined the manicure. The attendant did a beautiful job on her left hand, but when she displayed her "new hand" the attendant looked at it curiously.
"Hmm...you have the latest model," she mused and called another attendant over. "Maggie has an older model prosthesis, we keep trying to convince her to upgrade."
Maggie held up an worn prosthesis that didn't move and looked exactly like a mannequin hand, but artificial nails were applied and a pretty bracelet was charmed to stay in place at the wrist.
"Yours looks so real, and it moves!" Maggie said when she examined the hand. "May I adorn this one?"
She asked the question so casually as if she did it everyday.
"Uh...sure," Hermione said. She never would have thought to do anything with the hand.
"My dear, your hair looks so good down that I hesitate to put it up," the beautician said. "But never fear, I have an idea!"
An hour later, even Hermione agreed she had been coiffed to perfection. She looked in the mirror this way and that at the loose chignon, highlights a shade lighter than her own, with a few tendrils that hung down the side of her face.
"I must get a picture of this," her beautician crooned.
"We agree," Ginny and the other attendants said when they saw Hermione.
"Hermione, you look so beautiful," Molly gushed.
If only mum were here to see this! Hermione thought. Maggie returned with her hand, now adorned with nails, a modest bracelet, and a camera. A shoulder-up picture of Hermione was taken and the wedding party left the spa.
"That was fun," Hermione said. "I'm going to return, if only for another massage."
"Wasn't that the best?" Molly asked.
"Yeah, especially the blokes giving them," Susan Bones added.
"Now now, Susan, what would Neville think?" Hermione teasingly scolded.
Ginny and Harry, despite the unease they felt for the Ministry of Magic politics, fell in love with Solarium #3 down the corridor from the Hall of Heroes and decided to hold their wedding there. There was exclusive guest list of only 70 and absolutely no press. Shortly before noon, wedding music began and the first of the two bridesmaids strolled down the aisle and took their places. The door opened and Hermione stepped through. At the sight of her, Severus forgot how to breathe. Her stunning appearance literally took his breathe away. Her bright, warm eyes; her sweet, charming smile under her shining lips; the smooth skin of her neck and modestly-exposed bosom along with gently swaying hips made him want to jump from his seat and whisk her away, to worship her like the goddess she was.
There must be some kind of enchantment in the air! he thought.
Realizing the absurdity of the the thought, he looked around to realize he wasn't the only one who that thought so. She was exactly as he thought: Harry had a warm, admiring smile for his friend. Ron, standing next to Harry, was shocked at the sight of her. Neville was patting his face with a handkerchief. When Hermione passed him, she gave him a small wink. Minerva, sitting next to Severus, patted his shoulder.
At the reception, Severus was still enchanted at the sight of Hermione and only caught the last of her toast, "...let the memories of the great love you share on this special day be with you the rest of your lives. It only comes along once in a lifetime. Everyone, charge your glasses to Mr and Mrs. Potter!" she said and saluted the couple with her goblet.
"To the bride and groom!" the guests chanted.
Severus was touched by the emotion in her eyes as she watched Harry and Ginny have their first dance. She quickly wiped a stray tear that fell and glanced at Severus, blushed and looked down at the table. Soon socializing and dancing started, and Severus approached Hermione at the head table.
"Would you care to dance, Miss Granger?" he asked politely.
"I believe this dance is mine," Ron butted in and pulled her away before they could respond. Hermione mouthed "Next time" and smiled apologetically.
Just how many times will that twit step on her feet? Severus wondered as he observed Ron and Hermione dance. Hermione was a dancer, Ron clearly was not. He accidentally yanked her dress, poked her cheek with his thumb and left her limping when the song was over. She took a seat next to Severus and removed her damaged shoe. She pointed her wand at her foot and said "Episkey" to try and heal the damage wrought by Ron.
"I feel as if I've been in a fight rather than a dance," she said ruefully. "And look at my shoe!"
"Weasley clearly needs some work," he said.
"No, he needs to stay away from dance floors...oh god, he's got another victim!" she said.
"Would you care for some more...?" he asked.
"It's juice and yes, I'm parched."
He returned quickly with a refill. Another dance started and he again invited her to dance. During the waltz, they danced closely, but not too closely and Severus could do nothing but stare at her pretty face. He reveled at the feel of her warm, soft skin that he missed so much it hurt.
"What's with the staring?" she asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I can't help myself."
"You sound like a song."
"Would you like me to sing?" he asked. "I would if you asked, you know."
He may very well might. "No, no singing is necessary."
"This may be Missus Potter's day, but you sweet, are the most stunning woman in the room."
"Stop that."
"What? It's the truth, and I never say anything I don't mean."
"Don't I know it."
"Before me, in my lucky arms is the Hermione I know and love. Beautiful, charming, funny- and it thrills me to see it."
"I actually feel good today," she said.
He lowered his head and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Hermione Jane Granger, never forget that."
Ginny excitedly pointed at the couple on the dance floor and whispered, "Harry, he kissed her! She let him!"
Harry tilted his head sideways and appraised the couple. "She does look happy, happier than I've seen her in long time, good show Snape."