Chapter 10 - One Vision
Mum and Dad
I must apologize for my lack of letters to you of late. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore has informed you of the reason behind this. I don't really want to discuss the situation in a letter but when I next see you I promise to be more obliging to show my emotions.
I wish to tell you that I will not be completing my final year of Hogwarts in the way I had originally planned. Instead I will be doing all of my schoolwork and study in private to protect my well-being. I've also decided upon pursuing a career in potions when I've completed my exams.
All my love forever,
Hermione.
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Hermione absent-mindedly sealed her letter and tied it to the leg of the tawny owl perched on the owlery window. She watched it fly into the night before looking down at the lighted carriages travelling towards the castle. It was the 1st of September. In a matter of minutes, the castle that had been hers for the last two months would be home to a great number of other students. After watching the final carriage come to a halt and its inhabitants enter Hogwarts she began to make the journey back to the castle. The plan was to arrive while the sorting was taking place and sneak into the dungeons and eventually, Snape's quarters. Then after some time the potions master would join her with food acquired from the feast.
As she made her way along the stone path back to the castle she thought of the man whose company she had become accustomed to. She could hardly believe that he was the same person who had ridiculed and taunted her for the past six years of her life. She had witnessed such a change in him. At times he almost seemed happy. Of course, the downfall of Voldemort would have had something to do with it but she knew that her interactions with him would also have helped. They hadn't discussed their feelings for each other since the morning after the deaths of her friends and it was obvious that Severus still wasn't comfortable with showing with emotions. But Hermione needed to know what was to come of their relationship.
Had it just been a holiday fling that had the purpose of ending when the school term resumed? She desperately hoped that this wasn't the case. As she entered through the huge oak doors of Hogwarts the sound of hundreds of voices talking excitedly, magnified by the high ceiling of the entrance hall, met her ears. Unable to stand their obvious carefree and jubilant tones she hurried into the dungeons where she would wait for answers.
Severus Snape slowly pushed the door open before entering his room. Hermione, who was seated on her usual armchair, smiled at him and he nodded in recognition. He sat on the chair behind his desk and motioned for Hermione to join him. As she did so Snape began to pull various delectable items of food out of his pockets. There were chicken wings, roast potatoes, roast beef, chips and even half of an entire turkey. Hermione raised her eyebrows and looked inquisitively at her companion. "I used a expandable pocket charm. I assumed that you would be rather hungry." Hermione smiled in gratitude and began to eat.
After some time she looked up to notice her companion staring at her. She slowly lay down her fork. "We need to talk." They said in unison. Hermione laughed uncomfortably. "You first." Snape said graciously. "Okay." She paused to gather confidence. "I need to know what this is. This thing that we have." Her companion sighed heavily. "I don't know what it is. I do know that it's a good thing and I want to keep it going." Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "So you want to stay together?" Snape nodded and grabbed her hand across the table. "Of course. I've erm, grown to care for you Hermione." He stroked her hand as a huge smile spread across her face. "You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that." Severus raised his eyebrows. "What did you expect my answer to be?" Hermione's cheeks became a light shade of pink as she realised how paranoid she'd been "Oh, I don't know." Her companion gave a rare smile before she continued eating her dinner.
After Hermione had finished eating she placed her knife and fork on her plate and looked at Snape. "That leaves only one more question. I obviously can't go back to my dormitory because I'd most like be met by an acquaintance and I don't think I'm ready for that. So where am I going to sleep from now on?" Snape shifted awkwardly in his seat. "I err, have prepared an extra bed in my sleeping quarters if you would be willing to use it. I believe that it should prove to be quite comfortable." Hermione grinned. "Thankyou Severus. I'm sure that it will be."
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I suppose that I should do some kind of disclaimer (I should definitely have done that by now). I am not J.K. Rowling, nor do I own any of the characters, storylines, environments, etc. of the 'Harry Potter' novels. I am merely a crazy fan.
I hope that everyone liked the chapter!