Chapter 20 - Good Company

For Hermione, the following month passed in a whirl of revision and waiting. Waiting for Severus to crack. After their discussion in the Hospital Wing, she had continued to inhabit his quarters, and he had continued as her academic mentor. True to her word, she had gone along with his proposal of discontinuing their romantic relationship. But she was doing all that she could to tempt Severus into letting his guard down. She would parade around each morning in nightgowns that sat halfway up her thighs, nonchalantly brush against his shoulder as they passed one another and tuck her unruly hair behind her ear in that way she knew he loved, whenever she felt his eyes upon her face. But, through all of this, he remained resolute in his careful avoidance of intimacy.

And so, the NEWT exams came and went, providing Hermione with a welcome distraction from her frustration. Despite the disruption of the preceding months, she made her way through the challenging questions with little difficulty. Before long, the seventh years in other areas of the castle, particularly the females, were obsessively contemplating the imminent approach of their graduation feast and ball.

One Wednesday evening found the pair sitting in silence, Severus marking 6th year papers and Hermione reading through one of her many accumulated potions text books. Before long, the sounds of his quill moving across the parchment ceased, and she knew that he was watching her. She pouted her lips a little and began twirling her hair around her index finger. "You do realise that the exams are over, don't you? There is really no necessity to continue revising." His voice rang out across the silent room. Hermione looked up briefly and gave him a contemptuous glance before returning to her book.

A few more moments passed before she again looked up and opened her mouth. "Are you planning on attending the graduation ball on Friday?" He considered her for a moment before replying. "I am afraid so. The headmaster is forcing me to, as head of Slytherin. I imagine you have a fun-filled evening of reading before the fire on Friday...?" Hermione didn't smile, but tried to speak casually as she answered. "Actually, I've been thinking about going along. My time at Hogwarts has defined my character in more depth than any other experience of my life. And I feel as though I should commemorate it. Plus, it's probably time that I began to branch out a little, don't you think? I mean, when this year is over there isn't going to be much point in staying here." Severus did not reply, but merely held contact with her eyes for a few seconds longer than necessary before returning to his marking.

Two evenings later found Hermione standing before the bathroom mirror in Severus' quarters. Her hair was, for once, sleek and shiny, her lips were bright red and an emerald green floor length gown hung upon her shoulders. Its silken material clung to her figure in all the right places and dipped down to her lower back. Severus had already left for the great hall without a word, and as Hermione slid her feet into her black heels and stepped out into the dungeon corridor, she was surprised at how calm she was feeling. At last, she felt ready to face the outside world and all who inhabited it. Before long, she was facing the vast great hall doors, her hand resting upon the engraved wood. The voices from inside carried their owners' excitement into the entrance hall. She felt the flutter of her heart increase as she exerted pressure upon the doors and stepped through.

Making her way quickly to the Gryffindor table she felt many pairs of eyes following her movement, their accompanying mouths dropping open. Upon reaching the table, she hurriedly settled herself between Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley. Looking up and down she saw not only seventh years, but also many of their siblings and family members. Ginny was gaping at her. "Hermione!" She exclaimed the name of her friend loudly before throwing her arms around Hermione's shoulders. "You look beautiful!" Hermione grinned sheepishly, glanced at Neville who grinned back and turned back to Ginny. "Thanks Gin, so do you!" Both girls had the beginnings of tears in their eyes when another female voice joined the conversation. "Its so wonderful to see you again, Hermione. We've all missed you." It was Molly Weasley. "Thankyou, Mrs Weasley. I'm sorry for my extended absence." Her cheeks became a little red. "Don't mention it, dear. We of all people should understand. In fact, Ginny and I were initially considering not attending this evening, but I think Ron and Harry would have wanted us to share in the celebration, even if they can't be here themselves."

Hermione nodded, smiling warmly and wiping a single tear from her cheek (inwardly grateful that she had placed a waterproof charm upon her make-up). She glanced very briefly towards the staff table, spotting Severus staring in her direction. His brow was furrowed and he was drinking deeply from his goblet of elf-made wine. Hermione looked back to the smiling faces of the friends that she hadn't realised she was missing so much just as Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet.

"My friends. I will not speak for long, as I know you are all anxious for your own conversations with those you have not seen for some time. However, indulge me for one moment as I say this. I could not be more proud of each and every person in this room, particularly those who have recently completed their NEWT examinations. You have made it through seven years of sometimes gruelling education, and we at Hogwarts will be most sad to see you go. But, at the same time, we look forward with great anticipation to seeing you spread your wings and flourish in the outside world. Congratulations. And finally, before we become too enraptured by the delicious food that is soon to appear before us, I would like to take this moment to remember two of the bravest individuals to ever pass through the doors of this castle, and as a result, cannot be here tonight. It is because of their sacrifice that the rest of us can come together and celebrate. Please join me in making a toast to the immortal memories of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley." Hermione grasped the golden goblet sitting upon the table before her, now filled with wine, raised it to the head table and said, "To the immortal memories of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley."

When all surrounding her had returned their own glasses to the table, the food appeared, and they began to feast. She could not remember a time when she had enjoyed herself more, catching up upon all that had been happening in the world while she had been locked away. She reminisced about fond memories of Harry and Ron with those sitting around her, all the while eating ravenously and drinking joyously from her goblet, which seemed to refill itself every time it came close to emptiness. And if she had chanced another look in his direction, she would have seen Severus' cheeks becoming more drunkenly flushed and his stares toward her face becoming more blatantly full of desire.

…

It's been a while, hasn't it? To be honest, I completely forgot about this story until fairly recently. My life has been quite hectic. But I'm hoping that the following chapter will be finished very soon. I wonder what will happen, hmm? Feel free to review. :)