AN: I don´t own Harry Potter and don´t make any profit.
About two weeks later Hermione apparated to her bed-room and let herself fall onto her bed, it had been an exhausting morning. She was still working at the Hogwarts library, due to Minerva begging her to stay on, but it became increasingly difficult to work with Madame Pince, who was still shaken by the aftermaths of the war and it was more and more Hermione who ran the library nearly all by herself. So she basically had to do the work of a day until noon.
I´m just closing my eyes for a second, just resting for a minute, I´ve got to write some more, until Severus gets home from his training at St. Mungo´s.
A knock on the door made her jump up. Severus peeked inside her room, "Hi, I´m home! How are you?"
"Hey you´re early," she smiled at him.
"Early? I´m actually half an hour late," he replied, tilting his head, "Have you been sleeping?"
"Bugger I must have fallen asleep. I guess I slept for four hours," she groaned, looking at her watch.
He closed the gap between them and pulled her into his arm, "You have the cutest little imprint of your wrinkled sheets on your cheek." He kissed her tenderly, making her stomach flutter.
"How was your day at St. Mungo´s?" she asked wiping the sleep from her eyes.
"I tell you over dinner, I bought Chinese. I hope that´s fine with you?" She nodded.
"Hermione you do look exhausted," Severus stated, reaching over the table and softly caressing her cheek with his thumb.
"You are working way too much!"
"I know but I need the money. Let´s change the subject," she said, opening the take away boxes.
"Mmh, that´s smells lovely. By the way I should really meet with Ginny," she sighed.
"And why is that?"
"I haven´t talked to her in months. When I´m in the library, I normally just have time for a quick ´Hello´ and she is busy studying for her N.E.W.T.s . I actually have to thank her properly, she was the one who found me at my parents´ place and brought me to St. Mungo´s."
He looked at her with a pained face, "So it was her who actually saved your life. I´m still not sure what happened at your parent´s house?"
Hermione sighed, "Nothing major really. I think I was weak from the battle, I was injured, alone and sad. Severus, I was so sad! Then I think I just lost the will to live."
"I´m so glad she found you," he said and lowered his head, so she wouldn´t see the tears stinging in his eyes.
The next morning came and Hermione was preparing breakfast, when two large Eagle Owls, came soaring in through the open window. They had some problems finding a place to land, as for the small kitchen and the table already holding breakfast items. Finally they managed to land on the backrests of the chairs. One of them was holding out its leg to Hermione, hooting softly, causing her to take the parchment from its leg and feeding it some bacon, which nearly cost her, her finger, since the owl was so eagerly snatching the treat out of her hand. Hermione enrolled the official looking parchment starting to read and gasped.
"Wow!" Severus exclaimed who just came down and peeked over Hermione´s shoulder.
"There is a letter for you too," Hermione said pointing to the other owl, without looking up from her letter.
Severus opened her letter and huffed, "It´s the same thing. But I´m not going."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"It means I´m not going. And that´s that!" There was another owl soaring in, dropping a letter into Hermione´s hand and since she didn´t find a place to land she just flew right to the living room.
"Can you at least give them a treat, so they don´t mess up the whole house?" Hermione growled. She enrolled the parchment, read through it and laughed, "Listen to this!"
Dear Hermione,
It has been brought to my attention that you are currently residing with Severus Snape. Will you please talk some sense into the man! He will be bestowed with the Order of Merlin First Class, just like you. I´m sure he is intending not to show up at the ceremony. But it cost me hours to persuade the Wizengamot, that he really deserves that Order. So he has to come to the ceremony. Otherwise he will just proof them right. I will persuade them to have the ceremony at Hogwarts, since everybody who will receive one, has a special connection to Hogwarts. So it hopefully won´t be too uncomfortable, even for Severus. I beg you to talk to him! The ceremony will be held sometime in September, but the money that comes with it, has already been transferred to your vault at Gringotts, as has the money you receive as compensation for defeating Tom Riddle aka Voldemort.
Warm regards,
Kingsley S.
"The Minister for Magic, is actually begging me. That´s embarrassing. You are going to that ceremony. And that´s that!" Hermione ranted.
Severus glared at her, "Fine. If you insist."
"By the way what did he mean by ´the money you receive as compensation´?" Hermione wondered.
"Did you read the whole letter from the Ministry?" Severus chuckled. She took the other letter in her hand and read through it till the end.
"That is a lot of money. I guess Minerva has to find somebody else to help out at the library. Looks like I don´t need the money after all," she smiled and suddenly started a little dance singing, "I´m riiich. I´m riiihich!"
"No actually you are crazy," Severus growled but a small smile played around his lips, when a fourth owl came through the window, dropping a letter into Hermione´s hands.
Hermione treated it with some bacon, mumbling in annoyance, "There is hardly any bacon left."
Severus laughed loudly, "Poor carnivore!"
Hermione´s face lit up, "Ah, it´s a reply from Ginny. She is happy to meet me in Hogsmeade on Saturday. It´s a Hogsmeade weekend."
Saturday came and Hermione was waiting at the gates of Hogwarts, when she saw Ginny happily bouncing down the path. They fell into each other´s arms, holding on tightly for a couple of moments.
"I´m so glad we actually found some time to meet. McGonagall allowed me to stay out until curfew, so we have the whole afternoon and evening. Oh and before I forget McGonagall sends her regards to you and to Snape. Are you still staying at his place?" Hermione nodded.
"Why? What is this?" Ginny asked curiously.
Hermione didn´t answer, but a smile spread across her face, prompting Ginny to say, "No! Really?"
Hermione nodded.
"I don´t know if I´m happy for you or being sick."
Hermione laughed, "Please be happy for me. Severus is really caring, he loves books, it´s fun with him, I like talking to him. But please don´t tell anybody, it´s not official yet."
"My lips are sealed. I´m happy, if you are happy. Where do you want to go first?"
"Should we go to the Three Broomstick first? I´m really hungry. My treat by the way," Hermione said.
After they had finished their lunch, Hermione ordered some more butterbeer for them.
"Ginny I actually want to thank you for saving my life," Hermione reached over and squeezed Ginny´s arm. A tear escaped Ginny´s eye, but she didn´t bother wiping it away.
"When I found you, I thought I was too late," she whispered.
"Please don´t cry it´s all good, I´m alive and well."
Ginny smiled through her tears.
"So how are things at the Burrow?" Hermione asked, setting Ginny off with a new flood of tears.
"The last couple of months have been horrible," Ginny sobbed into her hands. Hermione got up and squeezed herself next to Ginny on the bench and hugged her tightly. After a couple of minutes Ginny was able to speak again.
"You have to know McGonagall gave permission to all the people who fought in the battle, who were in the resistance movement or students who lost contact to their parents during the war due to them hiding or being captured, to go home for the weekends on a regular basis. She thought it would help us healing. So I was home quite often. It was awful. Mum was really depressed and she was normally the one holding together the family. She couldn´t get out of bed for days in a row, but Dad had to work, since we normally need every Galleon as you know. George was hardly ever home he is working feverishly to make his shop a success, when actually he supressed the fact that his twin brother had died. Dad was always so loving and caring, now he seems heartless and cold."
"When did that start? Because when I stayed at the Burrow everything was still fine and everybody seemed so happy and cheerful the war was over?" Hermione asked.
"I think everything started falling apart about three weeks after you had left."
"How is Ron?" Hermione asked with a worried face.
Ginny shook her head, "Ron is the worst. I think he takes Fred´s death the hardest. He is out partying and drinking a lot, dating girl after girl. I think he is just trying to numb the pain and forget. But clearly that won´t be working in the long term. I really fear for him, fear that he will crash hard." Ginny sniffled.
"Ginny don´t get me wrong, because I really love Ron, but maybe he needs to crash to come to his senses."
"Maybe you are right, but I hope he comes to his senses before he actually gets hurt," Ginny snuggled close to Hermione.
"I hope so too," Hermione mumbled and leaned her head to Ginny´s head.
"And how are you doing, Ginny?"
"I´m actually doing fine. I think I´m well prepared for my N.E.W.T.s. And things with Harry go really well, too. He is so sweet and caring. He lets me talk about war and about Fred´s death, which really helps. And I listen, when he needs to talk about the war. I think we are good for each other. We are healing." Ginny said with small but very warm smile.
"Oh Ginny, I´m so happy for you!"
"I hope all the others will be able to heal too," Hermione sighed.
"I think they will. George started dating Angelina and she seems to be good for him as well. He is not working as hard anymore and is seen more often around the Burrow lately. Maybe she is talking some sense into my brother. I´m just worried about Mum and Dad."
"What if we send them on a holiday together? So they would have time together, time to talk," Hermione looked at Ginny expectantly.
Ginny raised an eyebrow, "With which money?"
"My money."
"Since when have you got money?"
"Since three days ago. Order of Merlin First Class thank you very much."
Ginny gasped, "What?"
"Didn´t Harry tell you anything? I´m sure he got it too and thinking of it Ron must have too. The ceremony will be in September, but they already transferred the money."
"Harry was really busy the last two weeks, so I guess he forgot and I´m not in touch with Ron at the moment, but I´m sure he would chip in."
"And I´m sure Harry will chip in too. Where would your parents enjoy going?"
"Umm … I think they enjoy city trips. They went once to Venice and once to Amsterdam together and really liked it."
"So that´s settled then, what about sending them to different European Cities maybe Paris, Prague, Rome, Vienna I don´t know. You choose the cities. I talk to Harry and Ron about the money."
"You would really do that for us?" Ginny looked at her friend amazed and tears starting to run down her face.
"Sure. They are like my other set of parents. My wizarding parents if you will."
Ginny and Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the shops of Hogsmeade. They were giggling, talking about their men and remembering old times. Hermione was buying bits and bobs she needed, but couldn´t afford over the last couple of months and she was buying some chocolate for Ginny, remembering how it helped her while studying.
"That wouldn´t have been necessary," Ginny said with a tiny smile, holding a Honeyduke´s bag in her hand.
"Please take it. It´s nothing in comparison to what you´ve done for me," Hermione said hugging her friend tightly.
They went to The Hog´s Head for dinner, talking to Aberforth and Neville, who was a regular guest there, since he trained to be a herbologist with Professor Sprout. It turned out to be an enjoyable evening, which motivated Hermione to invite Neville to come around the next day sometime in the afternoon. Neville squired Ginny back to the castle, while Hermione apparated back home, finding Severus sound asleep on the settee a huge book lying across his chest. Hermione smiled. She moved closer and kneeled down in front of the settee. Her hand slowly reached out and stroked from his forehead over the side of his cheek down to his chin, her thumb softly caressing his lips.
When she bent down and kissed him gently, she felt him kiss her back and opening his eyes he said, "Hi bookworm, how was your day?" he mumbled.
"Good, I´ll tell you tomorrow, you should go to bed. Good night!"
When she came down the next morning, Severus was still lying on the settee, but he had turned on his belly and the tome was lying on the floor.
"Oi dungeon bat, you should get up, your back is going to kill you otherwise," she exclaimed, causing him to jump up.
His hands instantly found his back and he rasped "Another night on the couch. Not cool!"
She laughed, "You way past cool at your age anyway."
He glared at her, but she could see a smile curling around his lips.
"Go and take a hot shower and I´ll make breakfast in the meantime."
"Thanks my little bookworm," he quickly kissed her neck, making her shudder in delight and made his way upstairs.
"By the way I invited Neville for this afternoon," she said, when they had breakfast together a little while later.
Seeing Severus tense a bit she quickly added, "I hope that´s fine with you?"
"It´s fine with me. It´s just I invited Andromeda and Teddy for this afternoon too. I met her yesterday at the hospital, Teddy hit his head really bad and actually cut his forehead."
"Is he ok?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"He is fine. But Andromeda was really stressed and so I thought they could come over, so she could relax a bit. I thought we could have a barbecue. I bought everything yesterday, but I think there will be enough, if Mister Longbottom is staying too. I know the weather is not warm enough to sit outside but I can barbecue in the backyard and we could eat inside.
"Sounds lovely."
When Andromeda arrived in the afternoon with Teddy on her arm, Neville was already sitting in the living room animatedly talking to Hermione.
Severus who heard the floo activate, came down to greet Andromeda and Teddy, "Hello Andromeda!" he smiled and shook her hand.
"Hello Severus! My friends call me Andy," she replied.
"So Andy, how is Teddy doing?"
"We had a bit of a rough night, yesterday was too much for him I think, but he is fine now."
"Hello Teddy, my friend," Severus smiled and took him out of Andromeda´s arms. Teddy´s hair instantly changed into black and grew to his shoulder and he smiled back at Severus.
"So I guess that must be Tonks´son?" Neville got up.
"Yes sorry, let me introduce you, this is Neville Longbottom and this are Andromeda Tonks and Teddy Luping," Severus said.
"I´m sorry Hermione and I had a bit of a communication problem, so we invited you both at the same. I hope you don´t mind."
"Not at all. So you must be Alice´s and Frank´s son. You are quite the hero, I hear. I´m Andromeda or Andy," Andromeda reached out to shake Neville´s hand, who blushed by the mentioning of him being a hero.
"Thanks. I´m Neville." he mumbled.
"Hello Hermione!"
"Hi Andromeda!"
"I thought we were friends?" Andromeda grinned.
"Sorry Andy," Hermione smiled and then she snatched Teddy out of Severus arms and gave him a cuddle.
"Hey he doesn´t like me, his hair is still the same, " Hermione pouted, while Severus puffed out his chest, "Well I´m just very loveable and your hair on a baby, you would lose the baby in this bird´s nest."
"Hey cheeky," Hermione smacked Severus arms.
Neville and Andy exchanged silent looks, noticing the loving tone in their teasing. Suddenly Hermione´s eyes sparkled and she popped Teddy in Neville´s arms, who tensed up and didn´t know what to do, holding Teddy awkwardly at arm´s length.
"I´m still not sure the Sorting Hat did a thorough job with putting you into Gryffindor. You are even scared of holding a baby. Where is your manhood gone to? Be brave not a sissy!" Severus scolded.
Neville straightened his back, handed Teddy back to Hermione and strode over to Severus a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He didn´t stop until their faces were really close, making Severus nervous. Hermione could tell, by his clenched fists.
"Severus honey, let´s see if you´re manly enough to handle the following. I dare you," Neville smirked and out of nowhere Neville lifted his hand to gently cup Severus cheek and moved his head forwards his lips softly brushing over the corner of Severus´ mouth.
Severus tensed and through gritted teeth he hissed, "Touché Mister Longbottom."
"It´s Neville actually."
"I need a firewhisky," Severus growled.
"Me too," Neville said slumping down on one of the kitchen chairs.
Hermione and Andromeda who were watching the whole scene, couldn´t stifle their laughs anymore, burst out laughing and couldn´t stop for a couple of minutes. Every time one of them looked at the two men glaring at each other from opposite sides of the table, sipping their firewhisky they would start laughing again.
Rolling his eyes at the women´s behaviour Severus asked, "Do you want to join me outside barbecuing, Neville?" The other man nodded.
"Manly!" Hermione chuckled and started preparing a salad and some garlic bread, to go with the meat. The door to the backyard was open so she heard Neville and Severus talking to each other, although she couldn´t see them.
"What was the mean of your romantic outburst, Neville?" Hermione heard the snide tone in Severus´ voice.
"Well I just wanted you to be gobsmacked for once and shut up really. Skeeter´s article suddenly popped into my head, I gathered all my Griffyndor courage and voilà, you earned yourself a kiss from the serpent-slayer, as they call me nowadays."
Hermione heard Severus´ familiar chuckle that bubbled into a loud and carefree laugh.
Neville joined in and added, "And by the way, if you are wondering, I´m not gay. I just started dating Hannah Abbott."
"So tell me about your apprenticeship with Pomona. How is she treating you? She can be pain in the arse sometimes, with her mothering everybody." She could hear Severus say.
"Yeah well, that´s true. But I´m used to that from my grandmother, although she is a lot better, since we fought side by side in the battle. And to be fair Pomona is a hell of a teacher, I learned a lot these last months. I´m still having problems with Potions though, I need to study them as well to become a master," Neville replied.
"I could tutor you, if you would like that," Severus suggested.
"Do you think that´s a good idea?" Neville asked.
"It´s worth a shot," Hermione suddenly said, without thinking. "
Stop eavesdropping on our conversation, woman." Severus growled and slammed the door shut, making Hermione giggle again.
The spent a relaxed evening together. Severus seemed to get on really well with Neville, they were talking about herbs and their uses in potions. Hermione was feeding Teddy and played with him on the floor, while an exhausted Andromeda fell asleep on the couch.
AN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter!?