Chapter 5 – Controversy

Disclaimer: All of the familiar characters do not belong to me. I am but borrowing them for a spin (:

A/N: I am truly sorry for the long wait for this chapter. There were the national examinations to complete, a 3 month internship at a law firm and finally, a period of time to readjust to my new college. Things have been very very stressful for me.

I have been toying with the idea of continuing with the story for the past month now but the thought that I've somewhat lost my drift and my touch seemed to hold me back. I was afraid that the story would not flow as well as it did from this point on and that my writing style may have changed a little. Then again, everyone should have to face their fears and my very long hiatus would have been for naught if in the end, I discover that I have had nothing to fear all along.

So here I am, on holiday in Thailand, typing up a storm and hoping that you all would deem this chapter worth the wait.

Hermione awoke with a start. She sat up, frantically looking for the reason she was awoke at… Eight in the morning! The last of the guests only left at four in the morning and she had only gotten into bed a little after five.

The rest of the ball had been wonderful. The party was in full swing when Lucius and Hermione returned to the ballroom. The firewhiskey flowed freely and couples were waltzing on the dance floor. Lucius had lead her into their first ever father – daughter dance and she had enjoyed every moment of it. Hermione danced with so many people that evening that she could scarcely remember them all. There was Harry, Draco, Theodore, that pleasant older gentleman from the ministry… Severus was around but Hermione couldn't pull herself to speak to him let alone dance with him. Severus, on the other hand, wanted desperately to speak with her and even dance with her once more. But alas, he was cornered by members of the Association of Potioneers, who were all very very interested in his new business. Hermione also vaguely remembered Draco and Harry disappearing through the French doors after a rather heated conversation. Hmmm curious indeed.

An angry roar shook her from her reverie and turned her attention back to the matter at hand. What could possible cause Lucius to scream and shout after only about two hours of sleep? Pulling a robe over her flannel nightwear and brushing her teeth quickly, Hermione rushed down to the family dining room.

Draco was leaning against the door frame with Harry by his side, both dressed in matching robes. After rebelling against the Weasleys by attending the ball, Harry was more then wary of returning to The Burrow. Lucius had been kind enough to offer him one of the many guest rooms. Severus was sitting at the table, calmly sipping his morning coffee. Lucius was fuming! He was angrily pacing the room and muttering under his breath. His long, platinum hair was in disarray and his robes were far from their normal, impeccable state. Hermione poked Draco and whispered "What's wrong?"

Before Draco could respond, Lucius started roaring again. "Top grades because of her hidden family connections? Obviously used the Malfoy family riches to buy her way to the top spot? Who in Merlin's beard do these people think they are, to make accusations like this?"

Draco handed her a copy of The Daily Prophet. It appears that Hermione Malfoy had made headline news. There were many moving pictures of the previous evening's ball. In the middle of the page was a picture of Hermione, Draco, Lucius and Severus descending the grand steps towards the foyer. Surrounding that photo were various snapshots including Hermione dancing with Lucius, chatting happily with Draco and Harry and of course, one particular snapshot of Hermione sharing a very passionate kiss with Severus. Hermione could feel herself heat up at the thought of that kiss and the simple fact that Severus was sitting just a few metres away at this very moment.

Hermione did not read the full article but a few quotes from several people who've been interviewed did stand out.

"I always knew there was a reason that girl was always getting better grades then my dear son. A Malfoy? She must have bribed all the examiners or made good use of all their family connections!" – Molly Weasley

"Hermione kissing Snape? No wonder she always got top marks for potions. She's nothing but a Malfoy through and through." Ronald Weasley

"I don't believe she's a Malfoy. I mean. She's just a bookish little thing with no fashion sense! I bet she's bewitched Lucius Malfoy or something like that and she just wants her hands on the family fortune." – Pansy Parkinson

Rita Skeeter had expanded on the above ideas along with several other controversial ideas but Hermione bribing her way to her Masters was the basic idea. "I worked hard for my achievements!" Hermione growled. "I should have just kept that Rita woman in that sealed jar." Lucius snapped up from his angry pacing and gestured for the three youths to sit for breakfast. Draco and Harry glanced at each other and rushed forward, leaving the seat next to Severus the only available one. Hermione scowled at the two of them and sat down. Lucius took his seat at the head of the table and buried his head in his hands. "What is wrong with these people?" Severus poured Lucius a cup of coffee while Hermione gave her father a reassuring pat. "Come now Lucius. It's not everyday that a muggleborn suddenly gains entry to one of the wizarding world's most influential families. There will be jealous people who want to bring her down"

Lucius just shrugged and took a gulp of his coffee. "I know Severus. But this is my daughter that these fools are yabbering about. What should we do?"

Hermione cleared her throat and both of the older wizards turned to her. "We shouldn't do anything. Doing something rash would be exactly what they want us to do. We should just keep calm and go about normally. I think."

"I still can't believe Ron would say such a thing though. He spent all those years watching you study and teasing you for it and here he is, saying you got your good grades using your… feminine charms." Harry glanced at Severus and added "No offence". Severus just smiled.

"He's just sore that Hermione fancies Sev instead him. Pretty obvious that Weasley's been pining over Hermione since third year or so. He should probably pine over someone who actually returns the feelings." The look that Draco gave Harry made Hermione choke. She looked from Draco to Harry, eyed their matching robes and ventured "Is there something goi – "

"Speaking of normal, doesn't Severus need you to do something?" Lucius interrupted.

Severus glared at Lucius and cleared his throat. "Yes. We do need to get some ingredients that St Mungo's has commissioned our company to supply. But it's no matter. I can fetch them on my own."

"No, no. It's alright. I insist that you take Hermione. She is associate potioneer after all. She needs to contribute to the company." Lucius interjected.

"But – "

"I'm sure Hermione wouldn't mind. Right, dear?" Lucius smiled at Hermione and winked.

Hermione was about to open her mouth to protest but Lucius already said "Good. That's settled then. Go wash up and you're off with Severus while I try to solve this problem." He finished and gestured to his copy of The Daily Prophet. Hermione opened and closed her mouth a couple of times but couldn't form any words of protest. Fuming, she took a bite of her toast and resorted to just glaring at her father.

To say Diagon Alley was crowded would've been an understatement. Summer was about to come to a close and the next generation of wizards and witches would soon be shipped off to Hogwarts. Hermione had the sense to wear an outer cloak with a hood so that she could move about discreetly. Severus, however, felt no need for any. His recognizable features, height and graceful ("It's stealthy. All the better to sneak up on the Students!") gait only served to attract more attention. Parents and older siblings pointed him out and frightened whispers of "That'll be your potions master" could be heard. Hermione stifled a giggle as she watched him roll his eyes.

Memories of him clad in his billowing black robes flashed before her eyes and all she could really remember was her, fantasizing about what really lay beneath those shapeless tents. Now, away from Hogwarts, Severus was at least a little more tastefully – a tailored white silk shirt with the first two buttons left undone revealed a small peek of a sculpted alabaster chest, glimmering black trousers and a heavy black robe worn over. This get up was still as intimidating but far sleeker and, to Hermione anyway, far more attractive. Severus turned as she giggled and flashed Hermione a small smile. Her insides did a little flip. Severus really should smile more often.

Severus had not said a single word to her besides "back room of the Leaky Cauldron". His rather passive attitude this morning to the article as well as his obvious reluctance in having her on this trip confused her after the passionate kiss from the night before. Was he upset? Was Severus now regretting the fact that he had let down his barriers and kissed her on the dance floor? Or was he offended that she had left the ballroom so abruptly with Harry and failed to seek him out upon her return? Now the smile he just flashed her pushed her further into confusion.

They walked further away from the crowd and Severus made an unexpected turn into Knockturn Alley. Hermione raised an eyebrow but did not protest, choosing instead to follow quietly. If it were even possible, that particular eyebrow would've been raised even higher when he entered a dimly lit store and rather dusty store. Although renovated and brightened in an attempt, by the ministry, to eradicate anything that was of significance to the death eaters, Knockturn Alley remained as dinghy as ever with suspicious characters constantly weaving in and out of it's many alley ways.

Once her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the store, Hermione made out various jars lined against the walls and a very short man hunched over a dusty counter regarding them with glimmering eyes.

"Ah Severus. Here to collect the package you've ordered? And who might this be?" the hunched man rasped. Hermione threw back the hood of her cloak impulsively and smiled. "Miss Malfoy, tis' a pleasure indeed. I should've known." He leered.

"Leonard, my order please. I pay you, very highly, not to sit around and make small talk but to supply me with what I need efficiently." Said Severus sternly, placing a hand on the small of Hermione's back almost possessively.

The man in question muttered under his breath and hobbled towards the back room.

Severus leant forward and whispered into Hermione's ear "Leonard likes pretty faces and the idea of having connections in high places. I suggest you be wary of him." Hermione's breath hitched as Severus' arm slowly snaked around her waist, holding her a little tighter. He leant a little closer to whisper into her ear "Hermione, I – "

Leonard had impeccable timing and appeared at that moment with a rather heavy package. Giving her a pat, Severus stepped forward to examine his wares. "She's a beauty you know, Miss Malfoy." Leonard remarked suddenly. Severus looked up from his examination and glared at him momentarily. "Excuse me?"

"Well just saying. You're a lucky man."

Severus just blinked in response, placed a few Galleons on the counter and shrunk the package to slip into his pocket. He nodded at the hunched shop keeper and lead a speechless Hermione away. Just as they reached the door, Leonard called out "Miss, if he doesn't want you, ol' Leonard here'll take care of you."

Once outside, Hermione broke into peals of laughter, almost doubling over with humour. Severus smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her. "Well you're not saying much but at least you're laughing." Hermione wiped a teardrop from the corner of her eye and smiled back at him. "That's some supplier you've got." He just shrugged in response and chewed the inside of his cheek. "He may be dinghy but he has very good sources and he can get me almost any ingredient I want. It's expensive but it sure saves me from going out and getting the ingredients myself. Now, butterbeer? I'm sure we both agree that we need to talk."

So have I lost my touch? Does the story still flow? What needs improvement?

I'm currently typing up chapter six so rest assured, I will not keep my readers in suspense for long. But please do leave a review of this chapter. Anything constructive to help me improve and get back in the flow of things would be lovely.

3 Eva