Disclaimer: see first chapter.

A/N: I deeply apologize for not keeping my promise that I'll update every week! I hope you'll forgive me and be content with the fact that I'll update faster! I love to hear input, so please review! Thanks!

Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 3

Mrs. Weasley stayed at the Burrow for several months; not because she was attached to the house, for her heart was starting to heal and she was impatient now to move on. She had started her search for a new house close to the Burrow, so as to not lose contact with close friends of the countryside she had made there. The problem was finding a home comfortable enough to suit her, but one that was prudent for their income. Hermione had a great deal of helpful advice in that category. She had not found one yet that would appease them both.

Mrs. Weasley was comforted by the promise made to her husband by their son. She doubted the sincerity of that promise no more than he doubted it himself, and thought happily of the prospects her daughters would get, never mind the smaller amount she would get. She was happy for Percy, as well, for the sake of his heart, and scolded herself for judging him so harshly before, in not believing him capable of generosity. His attentive behavior towards them all since that unhappy circumstance convinced her that he truly cared about what happened to them, and for a long time, she relied on his kindness.

The contempt she had for Penelope Weasley was increased by their close proximity, which enabled her to constantly see all the rudeness she had remembered from earlier times. In fact, had not certain events happened, Mrs. Weasley would not have been able to stay in the young Mrs. Weasley's presence so long.

The circumstance was the fact that Penelope seemed to be related to Mr. Severus Snape. She thought them to be second cousins, but wasn't quite sure. Either way, he had been invited to stay at the Burrow a few months after it was in the ownership of Percy. His house in Spinner's End was being demolished, along with the rest of that neighborhood, to make room for some Muggle shopping center, and he was still looking for a suitable home (one that had spacious room for a laboratory and greenhouse). He had been quite sympathetic to them all, and it was no surprise, as he had rather respected Arthur Weasley.

"Madam, if I can ever be of assistance, you only need ask," He told her in quiet tones, once welcomes and condolences were over with. Mrs. Weasley's hand rose to her heart, so moved was she by the generosity of a man known to be one of his word. A gentleman.

"Ah, Miss Granger, it has been some time since I saw your eager hand waving in my classroom." Severus directed his attention to the intelligent woman. Said woman flushed but chuckled good-naturedly.

"I was quite a menace, wasn't I?" She replied, a twinkle in her eye.

Severus smirked back. "Not necessarily a menace, but very…eager." The two continued on to more intellectual subjects, all the while not noticing Molly Weasley watching in fascination. Both carried on, and Mrs. Weasley saw a sparkle in her dear charge's eye that she had not seen in quite a while. The question was whether it came from the intellectual conversation, or because he was a man? Already, plots were spinning dizzyingly around the woman's head.

Since the war was over, and Severus' name cleared because of his status of spy, it appeared that unattached witches saw him in one of two ways. Some wished for the fame of being his next idol of worship, now that the story of his devotion to Lily Potter had circulated among the public (much to his annoyance). Some still avoided him, unable to forgive the fact that he had once been a true Death Eater. All of this attention, whether smothering or negative, lead the man to be more reclusive. The only company he really tolerated was that of the Order of the Phoenix, those who really knew him and treated him not as a celebrity or blight, but as a comrade.

Mrs. Weasley cared not for his past. She was content with the fact that he treated Hermione with respect. Sure, he had a dark disposition, but Hermione was not in any way negatively affected by it. If anything, Mrs. Weasley suspected she was secretly amused by it. Severus didn't seem to mind the glint of humor in her eye whenever he said something particularly disparaging about someone or other (who no doubt deserved it).

Mrs. Weasley didn't even think about their different financial situations. While Severus had struck out from Hogwarts, and was now very profitable with his potions research, Hermione was still taking a break from both continuing education and finding a job. Of course, it was never said aloud, but Hermione's support and influence greatly helped Mrs. Weasley, even if she sometimes griped over the stringent economy under her adoptive daughter's care.

Severus was not in any way a handsome man, and many were not brave enough to get to know the man behind the grouchiness. He was very reserved, but those who knew him saw his sense of honor and awkward affection. There was no doubt of his intelligence. He was stubborn though. Relatives wished to see him grasp hold of the fame and take the highest advantage of it, like a true Slytherin. Penelope was of the same mind. Her mother had been a Slytherin, and she inherited some of the same traits. She loved to manipulate others for her own gain, and being a relative to Severus Snape was a gain in her eyes. Seeing his reclusiveness grated on her nerves. Yes, he was becoming wealthier, but why not add a trophy wife to the mix, or stir up the media with campaigns. If he really tried, she knew he could get a seat one day on the Wizengamot. The problem was he didn't seem to care.

Penelope knew that it would take time for him to reach such distinction, even with his fame, but she wished he would at least look a bit more fashionable, instead of wearing his great black billowing robes around all the time. It was intimidating. She also wished for him to court with someone of distinction, authority, and beauty. Fortunately, his Godson, Draco Malfoy, seemed to be more promising.

For the first few weeks Severus stayed at the Burrow, he had made himself scarce, always seeming to be working on research. He stayed out of Mrs. Weasley's way, no doubt a bit uncomfortable at the circumstances. He would eat all the food she prepared for him, something that cheered her immensely. Mrs. Weasley didn't mind his silence. In fact, compared to the tedious and self-centered prattle she had to put up from Penelope Weasley, it was a blessing.

One day she even told Hermione, "That he is not similar to Penelope in anything other than relatives makes him a great man. I think I love him!"

Hermione smirked, "You'll like him when you get to know him better."

Mrs. Weasley smiled, "Like him! How can I only like him, when I love him already?"

"You just appreciate him more than other company present at the moment."

Mrs. Weasley huffed good naturedly, "Is there a difference?"

Because of this conversation, Mrs. Weasley now wished to get to know the reclusive man. She soon began to see what Hermione saw in him, as he got more comfortable with her. She came to like his quiet manner and witticisms, even though it wasn't the regular attitude for a man of his years to have. She liked it because she knew it was a front to hide the warmth he was unused to showing. His letting them see past it was a compliment.

Molly Weasley, always one for more marriages and more babies, was quick to begin plotting out down to the floral arrangements the wedding between Severus and Hermione in her mind. She even took Ginny aside one day, to warn her.

"It might not be long before Hermione settles down. She will be missed, but I'm willing to miss her if that means she will be happy."

Hermione was one of Ginny's closest friends, Ginny and didn't feel as content with losing her company. "What will we do without her?"

"We will hardly be without her, Ginny!" Molly scolded lightly, "She'll be a Floo call away. We could visit every day, if we wished. You will gain another brother, not that you need another one, but he is very respectable, and will make Hermione happy." She paused and looked at Ginny, who was still frowning. "Do you not like her choice?"

"It's a little shocking. He's respectable and intelligent, to be sure, but dashing? He's hardly that. He isn't that interested in Quiddich. He's also not lively at all, no parties, no games. He'd just be content to read a book. And how do we know that he really likes her in such a way? It may just be academically stimulating for him to be in her presence. After Lily Potter, I wonder that he can love again at all. I just can't see anyone being with him romantically. I was sitting next to him at dinner yesterday, and all he did was talk to Hermione about some of his research. It's all about potions with him! Eye of Newt, lacewing flies, and Armadillo Bile is all he's interested in. I almost fell asleep. How he can have room for any passionate romance, I don't know! Are we sure she should be tied to that kind of life?"

"Ginny," Molly cried, aghast at her daughter's opinion, "the rest of us had to endure Penelope prattle on about what her son did today in Diagon Alley. I'm sure he would have joined in if there was anything he could contribute."

Ginny sighed, "Hermione doesn't have the passionate feelings I do, so she may be happy with him, but I know I never could if I were in her situation! I think I'm hopeless when it comes to love. It will be hard to find someone who feels things as I do. I guess I'm just really selective. The man I love must have goodness of heart, and show it in his countenance."

Mrs. Weasley looked down at her daughter with an amused smile, "My dear, you just turned seventeen last month. This is not the time to be so worried. I'm sure you'll be just as fortunate as I was with your father." She kissed Ginny on her forehead. "Five years from now, if this is still the case, I will be worried!"