Disclaimer: Not mine.
Life For Rent
Chapter 9
"David!" Harry said in surprise as he exited his home on Grimmauld Place to walk to a nearby grocer. Ginny was very hungry and she was adamant that the only thing that would satisfy her was a bag of crisps, so Harry, always eager to please her volunteered to them for her. Harry was beginning to doubt that she was only going on three months along. Her stomach was starting to round out just a little and her mood swings were a little severe. Hermione said that she might be pregnant with twins. Harry had shuddered at the thought. He was scared enough to have to deal with one.
David shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't mean to interrupt you. If you're leaving I can talk to you later."
"Not at all. You can walk with me. I am just going to get Ginny some crisps. She's pregnant, you know." Harry said congenially. He'd always liked David; he was good for Hermione because he was intelligent and easy going. Harry had to admit he was a little resentful toward him for not saving Hermione from the marriage law, but he had outgrown grudges and Hermione wouldn't want him to hold one anyway.
"No, I didn't know. I guess Hermione found out after, we uh, you know." David said quietly. "How is she?"
Harry knew David was referring to Hermione and not Ginny. "She's well."
They walked in silence for a few more moments until David spoke abruptly. "Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush here. Did Hermione get set up with someone?"
Harry stopped walking for a beat. He wasn't expecting that at all. "Yes, actually, she did get set up. They have been seeing each other for around three weeks now."
David stopped and leaned against the wall of the grocer's that they had just arrived at. He was hoping he still had time to make things right. He really missed Hermione terribly and regretted his words that night.
"Is she happy?"
Harry frowned at David. "I really don't know, David. I think she is as happy as she can be given the circumstances. I know she likes Severus but he wasn't her first choice, you were."
David felt a flicker of hope at Harry's words. He also felt a stab of jealousy at hearing the name of her newly betrothed. "Hang on; I've heard that name before. She's mentioned a Severus somebody or other. Old teacher, war hero, you used to mention him."
"The one and the same." Harry said. He suspected he knew where this conversation was going and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. Snape may be a sarcastic git sometimes but he was prepared to do right for Hermione and abide the marriage law. David on the other hand had balked at committing to her after three year of being together. Hermione did seem like she was happy at least getting to know Snape. She talked endlessly about the potions he was teaching her to make and how intelligent their conversation was. They had only argued over a few things and according to Hermione they were healthy debates over the properties of certain ingredients or why chick flicks are good movies too.
"That's really strange. I'll never understand how things work in your world." David said.
That comment raised Harry's hackles considerably. "You could have, you know."
David shuffled his feet and looked away from Harry. "I know. That's why I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to see if there was a chance that I might win her back. I do love her. I made a mistake letting her go. Do you think she's – err, does she mention me?"
Yeah, with tears in her eyes every time, Harry thought. "I don't want her to get hurt by you again David." Harry said protectively.
"And this nasty old teacher of yours would never hurt her?" David snapped.
Harry thought about it. And the truth was that he didn't think Snape ever would. "Not intentionally he wouldn't." Harry said stressing the word intentionally.
"So you're saying I hurt Hermione on purpose?" David demanded angrily.
Harry sighed deeply, beginning to get exasperated. "I'm not saying that exactly. But you should have considered the position she was in and you didn't. You just said you didn't want kids and even if you did you wouldn't want to raise them in a magical world. Sounds like a deal breaker to me."
"Well, I was wrong. I want to make it up to her and I want to know if I have a chance."
"I can't tell you if you have a chance or not. You'll have to talk to Hermione but I'm warning you –"
David interrupted, "Yeah, yeah, I know you'll kick my ass if I hurt her again."
"Sure, I'll do that but I was going to say don't be surprised if she turns you down." Harry finished.
David stared at Harry for a moment. He was confident Hermione would not want to turn him down. After all, he was going offer her everything she had ever wanted from him, and should have done in the first place. Then, making his decision to at least try, he nodded curtly at Harry and walked away.
Harry went inside the store and bought four giant bags of crisps all in different flavors all the while debating on whether he should tell Hermione about his encounter with David. In the end he decided not to. He didn't want to plant seeds of doubt in her mind when she was just beginning to turn into her old self again. He would let David ruin things on his own if that's what he wanted to do. Harry was not going to get involved unless it was to hex a Muggle.
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Hermione stood over a bubbling cauldron in Severus' lab. Over the last few weeks he had taken great pains to show her how to make wolfsbane. She had loved every moment of being under his tutelage again. Severus was quite a pleasant teacher when he was willing to be. He had an immense amount of patience which Hermione ascribed to two things. One, he was in a much more relaxed state of mind being free from the war, and two, if she messed up the potion he would be out a lot of money for the ingredients so he wanted it to be right.
Severus approached the potion and stood over Hermione's shoulder as she turned the stirring rod three last times. As a student Hermione would have started to get nervous with him so close but now it was pleasant and comforting to have him there. Any nervous feelings she might have felt were because she liked him there now.
"There, it's finished." Hermione removed the rod from the potion and set it on the work table. The potion had a light blue hue and was smoking slightly just as it was supposed to.
Severus filled a vial full of the potion and inspected it closely against the light coming through the basements high cellar windows. "It appears to be adequate."
Hermione looked at him dumbfounded. It was perfect! She was about to speak when she saw the corners of his mouth lift into a small smile and dark eyes sparkled betraying the tiny bit of mirth he was hiding. He was teasing her and he was actually very impressed with her first attempt at wolfsbane. He would be able to sell this batch. Even Severus had not been able to brew a perfect batch his first time.
Hermione just rolled her eyes and began to fill the rest of the vials with the potion. "I suppose adequate is as grand of a compliment I will ever get out of you."
"You did very well and you know you did. I would only be stating the obvious and as such would unnecessarily inflate your ego." He said lightly.
Hermione laughed. "You are the king of the backhanded compliment you know that right?"
"And you are the queen." He said matter-of-factly. Hermione smiled and washed her hands after she corked the last vial. "Well, your Highness, I think we are finished in here."
Severus looked around him. The shelves were full of the week's potions all ready to be boxed and delivered. It was only Thursday evening. Normally he wouldn't reach this point until late Saturday night. With Hermione's help he had just finished two days early. Maybe he did need an assistant; although he couldn't imagine working with anyone besides Hermione.
"Are you hungry?" Severus asked taking her hand to lead her up to the kitchen.
"I am." Hermione said and then she smacked her head with her hand. "But it's Thursday. I always have dinner with Harry and Ginny on Thursdays, remember?"
Severus did remember her telling him that over one of their many conversations over the last few weeks and it was one of the things he learned about her. He had also learned that she didn't like any food that had ground beef in it unless it was a hamburger, and that she really loved Brussels sprouts. He also knew that her favorite color was green which made him happy because he was partial to the color as well. He had told Hermione the whole Rita Skeeter story, which she found extremely amusing. Hermione mentioned that she had a pretty fantastic Rita story herself but wasn't ready to tell it yet. She said it was such a good story she wanted to save it for a special occasion.
"I do remember. It's a shame I was hoping to spend some more time with you this evening." Severus said once they reached the top of the stairs.
Hermione looked at him slightly disappointed. She really wanted to stay with him too but she had been really busy over the last few weeks getting to know Severus, brewing potions, and working so she wasn't able to see her friends as much as usual. She really was torn until…
"You could come with me you know." Hermione said hopefully.
Severus' eyes darkened and he frowned with distaste as if she had suggested he go bed Rita Skeeter rather than go to dinner with his pseudo lover and her friends.
"Come on Severus. You can't avoid them forever. They are always going to be my friends and that's the end of the story. I am fully resigned to the fact that I will have to visit with the Malfoys. I may not like it but I will make the best of it. I know they are different now, I see Draco all the time and he is perfectly cordial." Hermione insisted.
Severus weighed his options. He could spend the night alone with nothing to do, no potions to brew, and think about being with Hermione, or, he could suck it up, be a man, and actually just be with her even if it is going to be with the boy wonder and his red-headed sidekick. Severus had to admit that he much preferred the replacement of Ron Weasley with Ginny as the third of the golden trio. Severus thought that the youngest male Weasley was a first class ignoramus. He had always found Ginny to be intelligent, witty, and engaging though. She was a much better friend for Hermione too.
"Fine, I'll go." He said with a great air of defeat.
"Oh stop it. You say that is if I am leading you to the gallows."
"You are." He said lacing his fingers through hers and bending over to kiss the top of her head.
Hermione smiled and sighed. She was beginning to think that she was ready for him to move a little bit further. David was still lingering in the back of her mind but every time he touched her she felt a spark of something deep inside her. It was faint but it was there and as every day went by it felt closer and closer to breaking free. Hermione recognized the feeling as growing attraction and affection for him and she was longing for the moment when it turned into a flame.
Severus looked down at Hermione for a moment. He really liked her chocolate eyes. They were always so animated and inviting. When they had first started seeing each other they were lacking some of the luster he saw in them now. He took as a sign that she was getting over her ex-boyfriend, but he also knew it had a little to do with learning potions again. Hermione thrived in an academic environment and Severus believed that she would make a wonderful teacher if she was inclined to pursue that path.
Above all though, he thought she was very beautiful. He never thought he would consider any woman besides Lily beautiful, but Hermione had won him over. She was natural and easy in her demeanor. Lily had been easygoing to for the most part but she was aware that she was pretty and she reveled in it. Hermione had no clue that she was attractive and to Severus that was her most redeeming feature.
Reaching up with one hand he traced a finger along her jaw eventually resting it under chin and applying gentle pressure so that she was looking directly up at him. He leaned his head towards hers just a fraction of an inch and he felt her suck in a breath and hold it.
"You're really lovely when you smile." Severus said his face close to hers.
"Thank you. So are you." She whispered. He was so near she could see the lines around his irises where his eyes turned from a very dark brown to black. From a distance the difference was virtually indistinguishable. Hermione was convinced that he was about to kiss her but instead he brushed his thumb over her lips, dropped his hand and stood up straight again. Hermione nearly growled in frustration which surprised her. She didn't even realize how much she was anticipating the kiss until it didn't come.
Severus was frustrated too. He was dangerously close to kissing her but at the last second had lost his nerve. What the hell is your problem? He berated himself. It's been almost four weeks since you started seeing her, you're going to marry the girl so stop being such a damn prude, most couples would be shagging each other senseless by now. I really need to grow a pair.
Severus wanted to kiss her, he really did but she was the first woman he had wanted to kiss that he really liked in years and for some reason that scared the shit out of him. Trying to shake of the moment he offered her his arm.
"You know where we're going so…" He said still feeling like an idiot.
Hermione almost laughed out loud. He did want to kiss her, she could tell, and he was embarrassed. It was very cute, if anything related to Severus could be considered cute. She might have to help him along if he was going to be shy. Taking his arm she apparated them away.
When they regained their balance Severus saw they were in a very dark alley. He raised an eyebrow as he looked around. "Where are we?"
"Gloucester." Hermione said looking at her watch. "Harry and Ginny will be here any minute now. We found this pub that just around the corner after a Quidditch match about two years ago. David was with us and he --," Hermione stopped talking after her slip. She didn't think Severus wanted to hear about what David had done after his first Quidditch match. "In any case, Harry, Ginny, and I have been coming here every Thursday since. It's a Muggle place. Obviously."
Before Severus could say anything Harry and Ginny arrived with a crack, and Ginny swooned a little once she landed. "Oy," she said, "apparating while pregnant is not pleasant. We're going to have to find a new place to meet, somewhere closer to home. Professor Snape!"
Ginny brightened upon seeing Severus next to Hermione. Severus was happy for her suggestion to find a new location for the Thursday night evening out. Especially if he was going to be a part of it because this place clearly had memories that he either didn't want to spoil or didn't want Hermione to remember, he couldn't decide which.
"Please call me Severus. I am no longer your professor." He said extending a hand to Ginny and then to Harry, "Potter."
"Harry." Harry replied shaking his hand surprised to see him. Harry was actually glad he was there because he would be able to see him interact with Hermione. His conversation with David earlier that day was weighing on his mind.
"Harry then." Severus said a little uncomfortably.
The group made their way out of the dark alley to the pub. It was a typical British pub with a sign hanging above the door bearing the words, the Chipper Tarragon, which made Severus snicker. Hermione noticed him laugh.
"I know, it's basically called the Happy Dragon, that's why we picked it the first time, the name." Hermione said taking his hand to lead him through the door.
Ginny smiled at the pair holding hands and nudged Harry pointing at their joined hands. Harry looked at them thoughtfully. He hadn't even told Ginny about his talk with David because he knew that she would immediately tell Hermione. Harry decided that if Hermione looked happy with Severus and appeared to be well on the mend from her break up with David, he would contact her ex and tell him to leave her alone. Hermione didn't need the added drama of making a choice between the two.
Once they were seated and happily nursing beers or in Ginny's case a ginger ale, Severus began to relax. Neither Harry nor Ginny acted as if their old potions professor was at the table with them. They were treating him as just another one of their friends and Severus was grateful. He wasn't expecting any deep and meaningful questions but he wasn't expecting such happy chatter about work and their other mutual acquaintances. Only Harry on occasion would watch Severus intently. Severus could tell that he was watching their every move and filing the information away. He imagined it was probably out of protectiveness for Hermione and tried to ignore it.
Severus draped an arm on the bench seat behind Hermione. After awhile he started absentmindedly rubbing her arm just below her shoulder. He noticed Harry watch for Hermione's reaction at his touch. Hermione had leaned into him just a touch when he had put his arm around her. Harry smiled very faintly and went back to his food, apparently satisfied with what he saw.
"Hermione tells me your potions business is going well." Harry said.
"Yes, it's going well. Especially now that I have had a little help getting ahead on my orders." He said smiling at Hermione affectionately. Hermione beamed in return.
"Yes, it's been wonderful learning new things again. I didn't realize how much I was missing it until I started brewing again." Hermione commented.
Harry just laughed and rolled his eyes. The rest of the evening passed in amicable conversation until Ginny yawned widely.
"Excuse me, I just get tired earlier than I used to. Hermione, I think you're right it might be twins." Ginny said nonchalantly. Harry's eyes widened in shock and fear as they always did when somebody suggested he had twins on the way. Severus just laughed and watched the couple as Harry helped Ginny out of the booth. Severus and Hermione both each privately wondered what it would be like when Hermione finally got pregnant.
After many hugs and goodbyes between Harry, Ginny, and Hermione they all apparated away. Severus offered to take Hermione home so they arrived in her kitchen just a moment later.
"You acted as if you weren't going to see your friends in years, all that hugging." Severus commented drily settling into a kitchen chair as Hermione put the kettle on for tea.
"There was a point not too long ago when we didn't know when we would see each other again. It was like that during the war and it was like that before I left for Australia. At the time I didn't know if I was going to come back." She said.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean anything like that."
Hermione plunked a cup of tea in front of him. "I know you didn't. I just think that's when we got in the habit of always hugging each other goodbye. I love my friends and I want them to know that, so I am not afraid to show it. I hug you when I say goodbye." Hermione blushed fiercely at the insinuation that she loved him like she did her friends. Severus didn't say anything else about it.
After a few minutes of quietly sipping their tea Severus spoke. "It's still early, do you want to watch a movie or something?"
He still wasn't quite ready for the evening to end. He was determined not to go home until he kissed her.
"Sure," Hermione said happily putting their dishes in the sink. "I also have some paint samples I wanted to show you. I was thinking about the color that might look good in your house."
"As long as they aren't varying shades of red and gold I can probably live with it." Severus said sarcastically getting up to follow Hermione out.
"Of course not, Severus. They're all varying shades of pink. You should know me better than tha-, oh wow they're beautiful!" Hermione gasped as she walked into the living room. Sitting on her coffee table just next to the paint samples was a large and lovely arrangement of all of her favorite flowers. There were daisies, lilies, and tulips of varying colors nestled into a crystal vase with vines etched into the glass. Hermione looked at Severus with glowing eyes. "You shouldn't have!"
Severus scowled as he took in the arrangement. "I didn't."
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A/N: We all need to send a bowl of chicken soup to my beta whoopsydaisy because she is feeling poorly, despite that she managed to get this back to me really fast so I could post!
Thanks to all my reviewers, readers, etc… I was thinking that I wanted Ginny to have some sort of occupation but I have seen my idea done a million times before. Please send me your ideas for what you think her job should be.
