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" Good morning, Severus! How was your evening?" Minerva greeted cheerily at breakfast.

"Mister Weasley the Youngest made a spectacle of himself, otherwise it was a very...enlightening evening. And the Weasleys and Potters send their good Christmas wishes."

"Well as I recall it was about this time last year that Hermione and Ronald began their divorce proceedings, so I imagine that brought some tenseness to the table."

"They were civil enough with each other," he explained dismissively, comfortable enough with the Headmistress to speak freely as they were the first of the staff to the Great Hall. "It was my presence that caused the tension."

"Oh?"

"All because of this blasted thing," he tugged at his brown hairs, "It's Soul Magic George Weasley performed on Miss Granger."

"Oh Severus," she near squeaked, attempting to hide a growing smile behind her hand, "Is it the compelling sort? How do you feel about it all?"

"It is not. And I am...intrigued, to be honest. Clearly the Weasleys know more about it than I do, but Miss Granger and I have agreed to discuss...things this afternoon."

The subject was quickly dropped as they were joined by their other co-workers.

He kept himself occupied with the school's brewing, happy for a change to be doing the mindlessly tedious brewing he'd been doing for more than twenty years. It was almost cathartic working on the pastes and salves and potions, moving from station to station with such practiced ease it was akin to breathing. It kept him from thinking about his upcoming afternoon as he didn't want to color the situation with unfavorable what-if's and incomplete or inaccurate information.

It was late afternoon when he finally made his way down to the village and ultimately, the apothecary. The wards on the door were down, so he slipped inside, feeling the strong wards over the shelves on the shop floor pushing against him. He bypassed it all, moving past the counter to the stairwell that led up to her flat. There was a laugh following the squeal that answered his knock, and presently the door was flung open to allow Rose to launch herself at him. "Hello to you too, Miss Weasley." Severus chuckled, patting her hair.

Granger appeared in the kitchen doorway, smiling, "I swear she's as fond of you as she is her Chimera. Come on in, make yourself comfortable. Tea?"

"Please," He shut the door behind him and Rose scampered off to her bedroom; Severus made himself comfortable in the arm chair in the living area, admiring the tiny tree nestled in the corner, glowing with little multicolored fairy lights and decorated with paper snowflakes and other handmade ornaments. He wondered if that was a muggle tradition Granger was continuing for her child. Two red stockings hung from the little mantle over the tiny fireplace, garland was draped over the curtain rods on the windows and festive doilies were laid out on all the flat surfaces. It was positively cozy.

"So," she said quietly, setting a tea cup on the little table between the chair and sofa before sitting down herself with her own cup, "What haven't you figured out already?"

"I inadvertently ended your marriage, didn't I?"

"Yes," she sighed, "We were well down that road in any case. Besides he was having an affair with one of his co-workers anyway. I'm just lucky I got out before he got us both pregnant."

That answered one question. His other question was promptly on his lips, "Why did George use the charm on you in the first place?"

"He tried it on himself first, but his hair never changed, he only got a permanently cold spot on his scalp..."

"Fred Weasley?"

"That was our guess," She nodded, smiling bitterly. Rose emerged from her room with her crayons and paper and settled herself on the floor between them. "I happened to be in the shop that day and he convinced me. I hadn't even considered what would happen if it didn't turn ginger, it just felt so good to see George smile again - he's had a hard time of it, adjusting without Fred."

Severus nodded and sipped at his tea. " I'm no expert on the subject, but it's my understanding that Soul Magic is particularly strong between twins."

"The theory behind it is rather fascinating," she agreed.

"I must admit that I'm quite relieved that it isn't the compelling sort of Soul Magic; I do not enjoy my feelings being decided for me."

"No, I imagine not, after the Wars. If we're being honest, I must admit that I'm extremely relieved you haven't billowed in scowling and demeaning my lack of forethought and disregard for the consequences."

"I'm no longer a double agent with some of the strongest Occlumency shields in all of Wizarding Britain." He remarked passively, "While I strive to maintain such a reputation among the students, I feel no need to alienate myself among my peers, even if they happen to be Neville Longbottom or the Gryffindor Princess," Severus hid his smirk behind his tea cup when she colored at his use of one of her old school monikers. "Even a dungeon bat requires socialization."

"I like bats," Rose grinned.

The adults eyed each other and chuckled. "You certainly do, Rose," Granger agreed.

His afternoon in the cozy flat was quiet and relaxing, and he particularly enjoyed sitting at the table after supper and showing Rose how to use her new watercolors. Her first work of art was a bat - she was adamant he keep it before she was sent off to bed.

"So where do we go from here, then?" Granger's voice held a certain shyness and hesitancy that reminded him of the two decades between them.

Were he a muggle and a stronger man, he'd have quietly distanced himself from her and her child, but he was a wizard and weak and after having been denied companionship for so long due in no small part to the blasted Vows he'd made to Albus and dead childhood friends over the years, he was loath to deny himself the company of the younger witch and her overly affectionate daughter, especially since they so readily welcomed him into their lives. That they apparently happened to be quite compatible in other areas that as of yet remained unexplored was a bonus.

"It's been some time since my last experience, but I believe this is the part where I ask you to join me for dinner - properly of course, and without rambunctious children joining us."

She chuckled, "Did you have a date in mind?"

"Yes, I do believe that is what courting is called these days," he said, taking extra care to keep a passive expression in place.

Granger's mouth opened repeatedly before she finally gasped out, "Did- did you just make a joke, Mister Snape?"

Severus grinned, "Do you think me incapable of such things? I had thought that we'd spent enough afternoons in each other's company for you to know better, Miss Granger."

"I'll have to get used to that," she huffed good-naturedly, "So, as we were saying - did you have a particular day in mind for dinner?"

"I suppose New Year's would suffice, unless you've already committed to plans with the Weasley's?"

She waved it off dismissively, "They'd rather I go out with you, I'm sure. We already have quite the cheering section, if yesterday didn't tip you off to that. And I doubt I'd be able to ask them to watch Rose without them putting two and two together."

"I'll take that as a 'yes' then, Miss Granger?"

"Yes, I'd very much like to go out to dinner with you, Mister Snape, as long as you agree to use my name."

"Severus, Hermione." he corrected gently. "If we're to give whatever this is a go, I must also insist you call me by my given name."

"Okay,"

"Good; I think I will bid you goodnight, then. I have potions waiting for me back at the castle that will need tending soon." She walked him all the way downstairs to the front door of the apothecary. Before he ventured out into the snowy gloom of night, he said, "I will let you know the pertinent details for our date as soon as I've made arrangements."

Granger nodded, "Sounds good… Severus. Goodnight - be safe walking back to Hogwarts."

Severus dipped his head to hide the pleased quirk of his lips. He couldn't remember the last time someone had told him to be safe. "Goodnight, Hermione."