A/N: Hey everyone! Just wanted to make a quick note that I am currently working with a Beta but sadly we are only on chapter three. Both of us have very limited time to work on it. To anyone who doesn't want to read this (the unedited version) is more than welcome to wait and read it when I post it on the mugglenet website. That of course will be months away from happening. The plot will change a little for sure, but not so much so that you wouldn't recognise it, we are mostly going through it and working out all the character, grammar and plot flaws. I will be sure to put a link on my profile when I upload it to mugglenet.
Posting it here I was hoping to get feedback from readers on what they like and don't like, and what they want to see happen in this story. I hope that doesn't bother anyone, just thought I'd put it out there.
Also a big thanks to QueenofDemons68, LK-HoGwArTs-hEaDgIrL, DarkestAngel13 , Justagirl019, GryffindorPrincess23 , Lost O'Fallon Girl , candokid1 and TheTragedyIs13
Chapter 26
An Afternoon by the Sea
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed. "I didn't know you were coming."
"I thought I'd walk you both to the Great Hall for breakfast," Hermione said with a smile. She was so happy to have both of her friends back. She had heard through Severus that Harry and Ron were being released from the hospital wing this morning, and decided to surprise them. It had been months since all three of them had been together, and she was looking forward to breakfast in the Great Hall with them. She listened as the two of them spoke about the Quidditch match, and how Harry had fallen, "It must have looked pretty funny," Ron said.
"It did not look funny!" Hermione said aghast. "It was terrifying, honestly I don't know why boys think falling to your death would look funny. Ginny and Dean got into a row just last night about it."
"I wouldn't want them to split up over that," Harry said convincing no one but Ron.
"Oh they haven't split up. They worked it out eventually," Hermione said reading the crestfallen look on Harry's face.
"Harry," Came the familiar voice of Luna Lovegood. "I've been looking all over for you." Luna said walking over to the trio.
"Nice commentary last match," Ron said.
Luna looked up then, blushing at the comment, "You're making fun of me aren't you. Everyone says I was dreadful."
Realizing his error Ron quickly tried to fix the situation, "No honestly, you were brilliant!" he said in earnest, as Luna started to empty, what looked to be, the entire contents of her bag into his hands.
"I've been told to give you this," Luna said ignoring Ron's last comment to give Harry a scroll of parchment.
Opening it as quickly as he could, he quickly read through it. "Tonight," Harry said looking up at the both of them after reading the scroll, Hermione assumed was from Dumbledore.
"So what is this?" Ron said holding up one of the onion like items Luna had him holding.
"It's a gurdyroot," Luna said as she started putting everything back into her purse. "You can keep it if you like. I've got a few of them. They're really excellent for warding off gulping plimpies," she said now walking away, leaving Ron in a fit of laughter.
As they began making their way down to the Great Hall, Ron said, "You know she's grown on me, Luna. I know she's insane but it's in a good-" He stopped suddenly, there waiting at the end of the marble staircase was Lavender, and she didn't look at all pleased to see him. He gulped nervously before getting out a nervous, "Hi."
"C'mon," Harry whispered to Hermione.
As they made their way into the Great Hall Hermione heard Lavender say, "Why didn't you tell me you were getting out today? And why was she with you?"
This was perfect! Hermione thought to herself. It looked as though Lavender wasn't going to be putting up with Ron for much longer, which meant that she could put her plan into action that much sooner.
What are you plotting? Came the familiar silky voice.
Hermione sat bolt upright at the intrusion. Since when could they conduct a full conversation in their heads? Hermione thought.
Something I figured out the other day. The voice said answering her question.
Hermione's eyebrows rose. You can hear my thoughts as well?
Yes. Now what are you plotting?
Hermione looked up at the staff table to see Severus looking at his food as if nothing was out of the norm and he wasn't having a conversation with a student halfway across the hall. How do you even know that I'm plotting something? She asked accusingly.
You just have that look about you. Your "I'm plotting something face."
"Hermione?" Harry said, looking over at her concerned. "Are you all right?"
"What! Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Hermione said, attempting an innocent expression.
"You just looked like you were in a different place, that's all," Harry said, still looking a little concerned.
"I'm fine, just thinking about a project that I'm working on." Hermione said. Wanting to change subject she whispers to Harry, "Ron doesn't look too happy does he?"
Harry turned his head slightly to see Ron sulking as he sat next to Lavender eating his food. It was quite obvious to anyone who looked over at the couple that they were having problems. "There's nothing we can do, Ron's just going to have to solve this problem on his own. I just hope it doesn't take too long," Harry said shaking his head.
"As do I," Hermione said, nodding in agreement.
…...
That evening, after supper Hermione walks into the lab to see Severus at his desk writing furiously. "Good evening." he said in his usual deep timber. It seemed that he was in one of his rare good moods.
"I spoke to Katie today. Katie Bell I mean. I'm sure you knew that she returned today." Hermione said walking over to stand across from him.
"Yes it was the talk of the Professor's lounge. Oh joy! Another Gryffindor is back amongst us." Severus said sarcastically. "Please enlighten me what did the girl have to say?"
"We spoke about you, actually." Hermione smiled at the surprised look he gave her.
"Me? Why on earth were you talking about me?"
"Katie was telling me that it was all thanks to your potions that she was alive, that St. Mungo's didn't have a potioneer competent enough to make the correct antidotes needed for her curse."
"Well that I do believe. I taught most of the potioneer's at St. Mungo's and they're dunderheads, the lot of them. The reason that Miss Bell is still alive is because only the smallest amount of skin possible, touched the cursed necklace."
"Say what you want Severus Snape, but I know the truth." Hermione said confidently.
"And what is that truth precisely?" Severus said good naturedly.
"That you, Bat of the Dungeons, actually like Gryffindor's." Hermione smiled triumphantly.
"No one would ever believe you." He said with an evil smirk. "Besides it's not even true."
"You can't deny it Severus, I know it's the truth." Hermione said with a smirk.
"Only a few." He said finally. "And I like them despite that particular quality."
"Mhmm." Hermione said doubtfully.
"So are we ever going to finish our conversation?" Severus said finally putting his quill down to look at her.
"And what conversation would that be?" Hermione said curiously.
"What are you plotting." It wasn't a question it was more of a friendly demand.
"Ahhh that." Hermione said leaning against his desk. "That is for me to know and for you to find out."
"You do realize that I could just search your mind and know in a matter of seconds." Severus said leaning back in his chair, eyebrow raised.
"To a friend? I don't think you capable of such a thing, not with these circumstances any ways." Hermione said confidently.
"Perhaps you underestimate my curiosity." Severus challenged.
Hermione gave him a look, as if sizing him up. "No, I'm pretty sure I'm right."
Finally Severus let out a sigh and said, "Fine. But you will tell me at some point won't you?"
"Of course, who else would I celebrate with?"
"Hopefully it's nothing to do with S.P.E.W., otherwise we will be waiting a long time to celebrate." Severus said under his breath. Of course Hermione heard him, and sent a minor stinging hex his way.
"For your information, it has nothing to do with S.P.E.W.!" Hermione said hotly.
"That hurt you know!" Severus said, grabbing the spot on his arm where Hermione had hexed him. "Hexing a teacher is strictly forbidden Granger."
"Oh please Severus, it was only a minor stinging hex, relax for goodness sake." Hermione said waving her hand at his previous comment.
"No respect, whatsoever!" He said with a huff, returning to his parchment.
…...
It was early the next morning when Hermione woke unexpectedly to someone poking her repeatedly. "Miss, Miss, you must come with Dobby," squeaked the little elf.
"Dobby? What, where? What time is it?" Hermione said groggily still coming to.
"You is needed Miss."
"Okay, okay I'm up," she said, clambering out of bed, as she put on her dressing gown. "Is everything all right?"
"Oh yes Miss everything is fine, you must get dressed and then Dobby will take you. You will see." He said giving her a big smile.
When Hermione was dressed and ready. she as quietly as possible, left the dorm and went down to the common room where Dobby was waiting for her.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked, taking his hand.
"The dungeons," Dobby said, and before Hermione had time to process they had disapparated and apperated into Snape's library.
"About bloody time." A voice spoke from behind her. She turned to see Snape putting a book down on the coffee table beside him.
"Oh I'm so sorry that I wasn't raring to go at five in the morning!" Hermione replied sarcastically.
"I find it quite concerning that when you are woken up in the middle of the night your first reaction is about your appearance."
"Dobby seemed to think I had enough time. If I had thought something was wrong I would have come directly," Hermione said crossing her arms, quite cross at the man sitting in front of her now. "And why am I here? It must be important to wake me up at this hour."
"We are taking a trip," Severus said simply, standing up and walking over to his bedroom door.
"A trip? For how long? I have classes! People will notice if we are both missing."
"Relax we will be back for dinner. And as for people noticing, I think you're giving your peers too much credit. When people find out that my classes have been cancelled they will be too excited to care, and as for you, Minerva is going to say that you are doing research for her."
"Where are we going?" Hermione's asked, her curiosity now peaked. She saw the smirk of satisfaction on his face at hearing the eagerness in her voice.
"Pembrokeshire, Wales." Severus said as if that answered her question.
"What's in Wales?" Hermione asked, a bit confused.
"You'll see." Severus said, walking into his bedroom. "Follow me."
Hermione tried to ignore the chill now making its way up her spine as she followed Severus into his bedroom, not really knowing where this was going to lead. She watched as he walked over to the opposite wall made of stone. He then turned around and gave her an intense glare. "What you are about to see never leaves this room. Understand?"
Realizing that he was waiting for a response Hermione nodded her head yes. He then spun around, and taking out his wand, began tapping the stones in front of him. It reminded Hermione instantly of the entrance to Diagon Alley. Suddenly they started to move apart, she gasped as the grounds of Hogwarts were revealed.
"I don't usually use this door but your perfume is very strong, no doubt Mrs Norris is wandering about and will alert Filch to your presence," Severus said with a sneer. Hermione had heard him on many occasions grumbling about the feline after his rounds of the school, talking about how unnatural her relationship with Filch was.
"Why don't you use this door more often?" Hermione asked as they began to make their way across the grounds.
"The less I use it, the less likely it is that someone would find out about its existence," Severus said darkly.
"I suppose that makes sense. So how are we supposed to get to Wales?"
"We shall apparate of course. Just beyond the gate," Severus said gesturing to the main entrance. Hermione nodded her understanding as she tried to keep up with his long strides. They spent the rest of their walk in companionable silence, simply enjoying the morning sunrise. When they arrived at the gate she heard Severus mutter something under his breath, she was about to inquire as to what he said when her question was answered by the creaking of the iron gates opening. Severus stepped forward and then turned to Hermione, offering his arm. Only slightly hesitant, Hermione took a deep breath and held tightly. She squeezed even tighter as she felt the usual sensation of her body being squeezed through an impossibly tiny hole. But just as she thought she couldn't stand it any longer, it was over. Feeling a little nauseous she kept her eyes shut.
"You can let go now." Severus whispered. "We're here." Hermione snatched her hands back, embarrassed at her childish behaviour. Opening her eyes, she gasped at what lay before her. Severus had apparated Hermione to her dream place. She had always pictured living somewhere like this. They were obviously not close to any cities, most of the land seemed to be farmland, in the distance you could see the luscious green fields speckled with cows and sheep. And right in front of them was a beautiful cottage with vines growing up the front. The house was made out of stone with blue shutters, on the side of the house there was a large greenhouse, almost as large as the house itself. On the other side, there was a garden which was overflowing with an impossible amount of colours, and behind everything, was the ocean.
"Severus its beautiful! Where are we?" Hermione said in wonderment.
"Pembrokeshire, Wales. I told you already," Severus said grumbling.
"Yes, but where are we? Why are we here?"
"Hawthorne Cottage. This is my safe house. It is also where I grow all of my potions' supplies that I am not able to purchase."
"Your safe house? Why would you bring me here? You shouldn't let anyone know you have a safe house, it defeats the purpose." Hermione said quite upset.
"You don't understand. I want you to know where my safe house is. If in the future anything happens I want you to be safe. I have changed the wards so you may apparate here. All I ask is that you apparate somewhere else first so that you are sure no one is following you." Severus said seriously.
"You're giving me permission to use your safe house?" Hermione said disbelievingly. "You realize that if something like that happened I would be bringing Harry and Ron with me right?"
"Although I cringe at the thought of helping those two idiots, if it kept you safe, I would be willing to let them come here as well.
"I cant believe what I'm hearing!"
"I can just as easily revoke my generous offer." Severus said grumpily.
"But you wont. Despite what you, and everyone else says you're a good man Severus Snape."
"There is no need to suck up to me Miss Granger, I have already set the wards." Severus said with a frown.
"I am not sucking up! I'm saying thank you."
"Well let's get going, enough with your so called "thank you's" we have harvesting to do, and I would like to be back in time for supper," Severus said, obviously uncomfortable with her candour. As they came closer to the greenhouse Hermione realized that the greenhouse was larger than the house, quite a bit in fact.
"Severus this is incredible! If only Neville could see this." Hermione said, eyes glowing with mirth.
"I highly doubt there will ever be a time when I willingly let that menace near my greenhouse." Severus said, quite serious.
"Severus you must have heard how gifted he is in Herbology." Hermione said placating.
"That may be, but he is guaranteed to kill something if I am present."
"Hmm I wonder why," Hermione said sardonically.
"Here's a basket." Severus said, indicating that the conversation was over. "I trust you know how to harvest shrivelfig's?" He said dryly.
"You assumed correctly," Hermione said in mock seriousness.
Rolling his eyes, Severus sighed and said, "Then get to work we don't have all day."
"Yes sir!"
…...
Around half past ten they had harvested half of the ingredients on their list. All Hermione could think about at that moment however was harvesting herself some food. In the shock of being woken up so early she had forgotten to eat. "Severus? Can we stop soon and get something to eat? Im ravenous!" Hermione said just as her stomach let out a loud growl.
"If we must." Severus said with a sigh. "You are aware that it is only half past ten?"
"I don't care! I haven't had a bite to eat all day!" Hermione said hotly. "Someone woke me up at the crack of dawn."
"All right. All right, stop your winging woman! We'll eat as soon as I finish with the ginger root," Severus said with a sigh.
As they made their way out of the greenhouse and over to the side door, Hermione came to the realization that she was about to see Severus'' home, a place where she was sure few could boast of seeing.
"What's wrong?" Severus said, turning to look at her.
"What do you mean?" Hermione said, instantly on guard.
"I just felt a jolt of emotion go through your mind."
Damn! She had forgotten that he was constantly scanning her mind. "Oh nothing's wrong. Im just excited to see your home. I have to admit I'm quite curious to see how Severus Snape really lives."
"Don't get too excited, I only come here a few times a year to harvest potions ingredients. I don't like to come here too often, it helps me keep this place a secret. I wouldn't call it my home." Severus said putting emphasis on the last word.
"After the war is over, are you going to live here? I'd come visit you. We could have tea together every Sunday." Hermione said with a teasing smile.
"I'll be lucky to see it to the other side of this war." Severus said with a bitter edge to his voice.
"Well leave the place to me then! You know I'll take good care of it!" Hermione said with an evil smile.
Severus laughed at her wicked sense of humour, it seemed that he was starting to rub off on her. "Only if you promise never to let Neville Longbottom into my greenhouse." He said still chuckling.
Hermione, pretending to think his stipulation over, finally she answered, "I suppose I could do that if that is what you truly wish."
"Then its settled. I will leave the house to you." He said with a nod of his head.
"Splendid! I have always wanted a house by the sea." Hermione said with a giggle. They walked the rest of the way in silence both trying to pretend that their conversation was only a joke. "So what are we having for lunch?" Hermione said breaking the silence.
"I'll have to see what's in the kitchen. I'm not exactly sure what I have." Severus said with a grumble.
"Don't worry. Im sure we can find something." Hermione said as they walked into the mudroom of the cottage.
"The kitchen is just through here." Severus said leading the way after kicking off his muddy shoes. Hermione had to hold back a smile, it seemed almost unnatural for him to be walking around the house without his shoes on.
"Severus this is gorgeous!" Hermione said in awe as she walked into the kitchen.
"What were you expecting?" Severus replied.
"Something smaller for sure. Do you like to cook?"
"Sometimes." He said with a sigh. "I'd rather spend the time in the lab." Hermione could tell that he was tired, he couldn't have gotten much sleep and was obviously hungry as well. "Let's see what's in the fridge." He said getting up.
"Sit down Severus. I insist, I'll make lunch, you just relax. It is after all going to be my house one day. Let me play host, it'll be good practice." Hermione said bossily, as she went over to the fridge and shooed him away.
"How do you feel about a salad?" Hermione said looking at the sparse contents of Severus' fridge.
"I'm not entirely opposed to it." Severus said his lips thinning slightly. The truth was he was much more of a meat eater, but he wasn't about to discourage the girl when she was so willing to make him lunch.
"Good because I think that's about all I can make. Luckily you have an amazing vegetable garden." Hermione said with a bright smile.
"I don't usually keep much in this house, I never stay here long. I usually get the supplies I need and then leave."
" It doesn't matter. I love making meals out of the odds and ends in the kitchen, I find it to be rather a lot of fun. Don't you?"
"I cant say that I do." Severus said dryly.
"Must you always be so uptight?" Hermione said with a sigh. "You can relax you know, we aren't at Hogwarts. Nobody's watching you."
For a moment neither of them said anything. Eventually Severus sighed in defeat, standing up he took off his robes, banishing them to a nearby coat rack. "Will that do?" He said raising one eyebrow.
"For now." Hermione said, with a triumphant air about her. "I'll be right back, please do make yourself at home." She said in mock seriousness, as she left to go gather ingredients from the garden.
"It's not your house yet witch," Severus said smirking slightly, now left alone in his kitchen. It was odd being here with someone else. To make sure that the location had been kept a secret Severus had never even told anyone about it's existence, let alone bring them here for gardening, then lunch. It had taken him months to find a suitable safe house. Not wanting it to be by any wizards he had chosen a small muggle village, one that was also near the sea, which pleased him very much. Pembrokeshire also had a vast amount of open space, which meant neighbours were few and far between. This was something else that Severus was most pleased about. He had always enjoyed the solitude that this place brought, but it was different now. This past year, getting to know Hermione had shown him how his life could have been if he hadn't decided to become a Death Eater. He was becoming increasingly worried at how much he preferred this alternate life.
"Something the matter?" Hermione said walking back in with a basket full of lettuce and various vegetables.
"Nothing in particular," Severus answered flatly.
Hermione looked over at him sceptically, knowing full well that he was lying, deciding to let it go she got to work on the salad as Severus watched her.
"I am surprised to hear you say that you like to cook, you don't strike me as the type." Severus said, commenting on Hermione's previous statement.
Hermione gasped dramatically bringing her hand to her chest and said, "You mean that I a Gryffindor surprised you Severus Snape, master spy extraordinaire?"
"Oh hush woman, I was merely making conversation," Severus said with a frustrated grumble.
Smiling she said, "Im sorry, it's not right to tease. My reply to your conversation making comment is that my mum and I always use to cook together. As a child I didn't have many friends. Most weekends were spent in the kitchen with my mum, discovering some new recipe that we would find in an old cookbook." Hermione's face became melancholy then, "That's the one thing that I don't like about Hogwarts, how little I get to see my parents. I feel like they barely know me anymore."
"It's ironic that was always the one thing that I loved about Hogwarts, not having to see my parents. How I used to hate the summer months. You're lucky that you have parents like yours," Severus said pensively.
"Im sorry," Hermione whispered.
"Do not be sorry for that. If you're going to be sorry for anything, apologize for stealing the boomslang from my stores in second year," Severus said with a wry smirk.
"You knew about that!" Hermione said blushing furiously as she placed two servings of salad down on the table.
"Not at first. I was able to put two and two together when you were sent to the hospital wing with a tail," He said smirking when he saw Hermione cringe at the mention of the tail.
"You know about the tail too?"
"Of course I do, I was the one after all who made the antidote."
"You did?" Hermione said looking surprised.
"Who else would have been able to." Severus replied.
"I guess I never really thought about it. Thank you, by the way," Hermione said taking a bite of her salad.
"There is no need to thank me. It all comes with the territory of being the Potions Professor," Severus said, following suit and eating a forkful of the surprising tasty lunch.
"Why didn't you ever give me detention?" Hermione asked looking over at him.
"I tried," Severus said lift one corner of his mouth up. "But Dumbledore decided that the tail was punishment enough," He said now avoiding eye contact with her.
"You're lying to me! I can tell. So don't try to deny it, I know you too well," Hermione said pointing an accusing finger.
Severus had been about to deny it, but seeing the look on her face he gave in. "I may have taken longer than needed on the antidote," Severus said taking another bite of his lunch before Hermione could start in on him.
"You mean to tell me that I spent weeks, weeks Severus! As a cat for no good reason, other then your petty vendetta against me!" Hermione said in a thunderous voice.
"It seemed appropriate at the time," Severus said stiffly.
"I'm going to get you for this! Do have any idea how uncomfortable it was having a tail?" At this question Severus began to laugh. "Don't laugh! It's not funny!" But by this point Hermione's resolve started to crumble and she too began to laugh. After what seemed an eternity they settled down, and Hermione repeated her earlier statement. "I am going to get you back for this. Just you wait," She said with a determined look on her face.
"Oh I shudder to think about what you could do," Severus said in mock seriousness.
"Go ahead, joke," Hermione said confidently. "I'll be the one laughing in the end. Now finish your lunch I want to get home in time for supper." She said quoting him from earlier.
"Yes dear." Severus said under his breath, before taking another bite of salad.
…...
It looked as if Severus had over estimated the amount of time that it would take to harvest all of the ingredients. This made Hermione very cross indeed when she realized that there had been no need for her to wake up so early. "I could have slept another two hours Severus, you could have at least offered me breakfast!" She said crossing her arms as they walked, under a disillusionment charm, towards the secret passageway to Severus' quarters.
"Oh I'm so sorry that I gave you the opportunity to work with level five plants that you, otherwise never would have seen in your life! Really how could I be so inconsiderate!" Severus said, as he opened the secret passage with a flick of his wand.
"I'm not saying that I didn't want to come, I'm just saying that I would have liked to sleep a little longer. That's all." Hermione said walking through Severus' bedroom and into the sitting room, towards the lab door."
"Ungrateful little Gryffindor." Severus muttered under his breath. "Where do you think you're going?" He added at seeing Hermione open the door to the lab.
"Where do you think I'm going? Back to my dorm, of course!" Hermione huffed indignantly.
"You cant go back there yet, someone will see you. Everyone thinks that you are doing special research for Minerva, you cant been seen until dinner."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione slams the door and sits down in her chair by the fire, letting out a loud huff while doing so. After ten minutes of brooding Hermione looked up at Severus, waiting until he looked up at her.
"Is there something you wanted to say?" Severus said raising an eyebrow.
Tilting her head to the side, Hermione said softly, "Im ruining a perfectly nice day aren't I?"
"Yes. I believe you just did." Severus said looking down as he flattened a non-existent crease in his robes.
"I'm sorry. You're right, it was an amazing opportunity to get the hands on experience. And you just offered me a safe house on top of everything else." Severus barely had a moment to comprehend what was happening before Hermione had wrapped her arms around him. It wasn't the most comfortable hug Severus had ever received. He was sitting down in his chair while Hermione was half sitting half leaning on the right arm of the chair, hugging him close to her body. Severus unsure of what to do patted her on the back. It was then that the girl in his arms began to cry. Fearing that him patting her on the back had been the trigger of her tears, he immediately stopped.
"Im sorry Severus. I know you hate it when I cry." Hermione said through her sobs. "Or hug you for that matter." She said with a slight chuckle. "It's just that I'm so scared for you. I can't imagine you not being a part of my life." She said finally drawing back to face him, wiping the tears off her cheeks. Severus just looked at her, and marvelled at the fact that these tears were for him. She was crying about the idea of losing him. He realized that she was waiting for him to say something. But even the idea of being able to form words at the moment was impossible. Ever so slightly he leaned in closer to her face. He heard her breath catch as she realized what he was about to do. He noticed however that she did not try and distance herself from him, she was after all sitting on arm of his chair. And just as their lips were about to meet they were interrupted by a ball of orange fluff jumping onto Severus' lap.
"Crooks!" Hermione gasped, instantly jumping two feet away from Severus, blushing furiously at what she and Severus had almost done.
Severus stood up quickly, and walked over to the door to his, while muttering something about having paperwork to catch up on. Hermione, who barley had a moment to respond, whispered a timid, "See you at dinner." Before retreating to the lab to get a head start on restocking medical potions for the hospital wing.
…...
The next few days had been decidedly awkward between Hermione and Severus. Their working time had been considerately cut down since their "almost kiss". Hermione never went down to the lab until precisely eight, and left at eleven, which admittedly didn't give them enough time to really accomplish anything. They spent most of the time in silence and on opposite sides of the room. Even her friends had started to notice. Ron had even inquired about it. "Don't get me wrong Hermione, I like that you're spending more time with us. Im just asking why. That's all." Ron said defensively.
"There just hasn't been a lot of work for me lately. That's all. We're just a bit stuck at the moment. And until we figure out the next step, there's nothing for me to do." Hermione said shrugging her shoulders. "Have you finished your Herbology essay?" She said changing the subject.
"Yup finished it yesterday!" Ron said cheerily, it wasn't often that he was able to boast.
"What about you Harry?" Hermione said turning her attentions over to him.
"Not yet." Harry said looking at his watch. "I have to go to my lesson with Dumbledore soon, Im never going to finish it." He said frustrated.
Rolling her eyes and sighing Hermione said, "Go on, I'll finish it for you." Harry's face snapped up too look at hers, eyes filled with relief.
"Thanks Hermione. Your the best. I don't know what I would do without you." Harry said handing his essay over, then gathering his things to leave for his lesson.
"Yes, yes. I know." Hermione said smiling at him.
"Really, you're a lifesaver. I might be late, don't wait up I'll tell you how it goes tomorrow." Harry said as he made his way out of the portrait hole.
Hermione shook her head as she watched her friend leave, honestly it's a wonder he was able to pass his OWL's! She thought to herself, opening up to chapter sixteen, Rare Herbs, Fungi and Pastes of their Herbology text. She was actually glad to do some Herbology homework. She hadn't read the last few chapters they had covered, and was starting to feel guilty about it. It was when she came across a side note halfway through the chapter, that her heart almost skipped a beat. She could hardly believe what she was reading. She had found the solution to completing the anti-venom!