AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Had Severus sunk so low that he was asking Neville for advice on how to escape these horrendous blind dates?
Severus stood behind the herbology professor, who was in the midst of harvesting tulip blossoms and mandrake leaves. The cool autumn air wafted through the moonlit greenhouse, making for quite a comfortable experience.
"I must admit that a strep throat cure based on tulip blossoms is interesting," Neville cut the blossom from the plant. "It's not something many would consider."
"Few other people have enough creativity to use plants associated with muggles," Severus answered. "That's what sets you apart. You notice what others do not."
"Coming from you, that is quite the compliment."
"Do not get used to hearing such things," Severus snorted. "The pollen from your Aphrodite's curse is getting to my brain. When I leave I will think better of the way I'm speaking."
"I'm sure you will." Neville clipped another blossom before pausing. "Are you certain you only want red blossoms?"
"Positive, I believe the magical properties of the flower differ by their color. Red is the one which would be most beneficial for my purposes."
"After reading your notes on how each tulip color differs, I agree with your assessment." Neville cut one more tulip blossom before putting them into a brown paper bag. "I hope these are enough."
"For the moment they are." Severus took the bag from him.
"If they aren't, let me know. I can always grow new tulips. With my new fertilizer, it is quite easy to grow anything regardless of the season."
"So it is." He looked at the bag. "There is no need to worry about growing any more now. Between grading papers and this blasted blind date coming up I will not have the kind of time I would like to dedicate to this experiment."
"You still haven't found a way out of the bet?" If Neville wasn't so adept at herbology and his services so vital, Severus would've hexed that smirk off his face.
"No, which is unfortunate given that the Slytherin Quidditch team has won three games in a row, meaning had I made the bet last week, this next blind date would not be occurring."
"Have you had any indication of where it may be?"
"No, only that we are to meet at the Leaky Cauldron and she is wearing a white rose on her wrist."
"I wonder why the dates are to wear roses on their wrists."
"Perhaps to make them distinguishable from other patrons."
"Perhaps, though I would've gone for an orchid."
"An orchid?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed," Neville answered. "I always imagined a woman who would capture your interest would have a type of elegance about her, a deep maturity you would notice, even if nobody else did."
"It is unfortunate Minerva's last choice lacked all those qualities."
"Yeah, I couldn't see you and Sybil ever holding hands, much less…"
"Please Neville," Severus held up his hands. "I have spent the last few weeks expelling Sybil's visions from my mind. Do not conjure them up again."
"Duly noted," Neville's face turned green.
"I do not understand why Gryffindor headmasters feel such an urge to meddle," Severus muttered.
"She wants to see you happy," Neville answered.
"Then she can leave me alone."
Neville examined him before humming. "I suppose you should be left alone to figure things out on your own. It may help clear your mind to what's going on around you."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Severus snapped.
"Have you spoken to Hermione recently?" Neville asked.
"Hermione?"
"Yes."
"What does she have to do with anything?"
"You two seem to know each other better than anyone else."
"Given that she is my friend I would hope I know her on some level."
"So..."
"Does this interrogation have a point, or should I go?"
"Fine, I was just wondering where she is," Neville continued. "She's been distant from me lately. Given that you two are close, I thought you may know what kind of project she's involved in."
"Come to think of it, it has been some time since we've had a long conversation outside of meal times," Severus mused aloud.
"She's been distracted recently."
"A week ago she mentioned being too involved with a project to do her rounds. She traded weeks with me."
"Do you think she's doing a project for Muggle Studies?"
"I highly doubt it. Given that she's lived amongst muggles her entire life, she shouldn't need to spend her evenings studying their latest technology or art."
"Could her parents be ill?"
"No, the last time her father was ill she was inconsolable and wanted to speak with me in her quarters for hours," Severus answered. "At the moment, she seems excited about whatever her project is, and is less than interested in sharing the specifics with me."
"You were sweet in how you supported her through her father's hospitalization."
"Sweet," Severus snapped.
"Yes," Neville grinned, despite Severus' glare. "You asked her how she was doing every day, and covered her rounds. For you, that is sweet."
"I am not a sweet man."
"I don't think Hermione would agree."
"If she does think I'm sweet than I question her ability to judge another's character."
"Or maybe she sees the parts of you that you wish to hide from others."
"I swear if I didn't find your expertise so useful I would hex you into oblivion," Severus warned. "Never forget, I was your boggart."
"Yes, and if I'd known the way to get you to stop barking at me was to grow a perfectly manicured holly bush I would have never feared you," Neville's expression had not changed since he began questioning Severus about Hermione.
"If I had known you would grow up to be such an obnoxious co-worker I would have given you several more detentions."
"Sure."
Severus glanced at the bag.
"Speaking of which, has Minerva posted the position for the new Defense Against Dark Arts professor?" Neville's expression became more serious.
"She did it two weeks ago. It's going to run in the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler for the next month. We'll stop taking applications the day the paper stops running it."
"Are you on the search committee?"
He shook his head. "The Board of Directors thought Lucius and I would form some type of alliance, giving him two votes instead of one."
"Doesn't he tend to get what he wants anyway?"
"Yes, but people want the illusion that this isn't always the case."
"I see."
"I'm not too upset. It's less work for me. Besides," Severus' lips curled up. "I can help in my own way."
"How?"
"As someone who's held the position and is working at the school, my recommendation carries weight."
"Probably more than anyone wants to admit given Lucius' involvement with everything," Neville scratched his chin.
"Indeed," Severus replied. "It is a way to be involved with the process without all the extra paperwork."
"It is only unfortunate that the less time spent on the search committee, the more time spent on blind dates."
"Do not remind me," Severus scowled again.
"Don't worry, you'll either fine someone or get some nice meals out of it."
"One would hope," Severus returned his attention to the bag. "Anyway, thank you for these tulip blossoms. I appreciate all your help."
"I am more than happy to help so long as you continue to pay me in Hershey kisses."
His stomach churned. "I still cannot understand how you could like those things."
"I cannot understand how you like bubblegum jellybeans, yet you do."
Severus shrugged. "Everyone needs a guilty pleasure. Bubblegum jellybeans are mine."
"I see the guilt in having so much sugar, but fail to see the pleasure."
"I could say the same about Hershey's kisses."
Neville chuckled. "Touché."
The door opened. "Neville!"
The men turned to the doorway to the greenhouse. Hermione stumbled through, using only her cane. Her leg was shaking so hard she was slumping to her left.
"I was hoping I'd find you here," she began as she winced with every step. "I need a few ideas on how muggle fertilizer is used in your greenhouse." She was wobbling more, and was gritting her teeth. "I was thinking if we could apply muggle gardening to the Wizarding World we could make it come alive."
She stumbled over her cane and began to fall towards the ground.
"Merlin's beard Hermione," Neville began.
Severus grabbed her before her face could hit the ground. He held her upright and looked into her eyes. "What in God's name are you doing walking with only a cane only hours after a rainstorm?"
"My leg wasn't terrible today." Her spasms told a different story. "I thought if I walked it off I could ignore the pain."
"Why do you need to ignore the pain?" Severus helped her to the edge of a flowerbed and placed her there. "Aren't you the one always saying you know your body and you know what you can take?"
"Yes, but I'm wondering if I'm not pushing myself enough. Perhaps if I try harder I can walk with only a cane in the evenings and after it rains."
"You need to take it easy, or else Minerva will wrap you in so many blankets you won't be able to move at all." Severus released her, but stayed close in case she lost her balance again.
"I know, but I have a plan."
"Are you going back to physical therapy?" Neville asked.
"No," she shuddered. "I'm done with that."
"So your plan is to push yourself until you collapse," Severus answered.
"In my defense, collapsing wasn't my plan," she admitted.
"Blowing up cauldrons was never Neville's plan, but it happened anyway."
"True," Neville squirmed.
"Look, I know this seems crazy, but Minerva saw me walking almost erect," she replied.
"When did you care about Minerva watching you walk?" Severus asked.
"It's long and complicated, but I promise to explain to both of you the day after tomorrow."
"Why then?" Neville asked. "Why not now?"
"Because there's a detail I haven't worked out, but I should have it in a couple of days."
"How about you meet with us tomorrow?" Severus asked with a gleam in his eyes. "Surely Minerva will understand if I miss a date for time with a dear friend."
"And incur her wrath?" Hermione huffed. "I think not."
"It was worth a try," Severus muttered.
"No, this plan will help all of Hogwarts, but I need both of you to help me."
"I'll help in any way I can," Neville answered.
She turned to Severus.
"I'll help you within reason," he answered.
"What does that mean?" Neville asked.
"It means I've learned my lesson about opening my mouth and agreeing to inadvisable schemes."
"Trust me, this isn't inadvisable, but," she attempted to stand, only for her trembling leg to buckle. Severus grabbed her and set her back down on the ledge.
"If it involves you destroying your leg, then yes, it is inadvisable," Severus argued.
"Admittedly, only using a cane was not the smartest idea," she glanced at her leg.
"Neville, please go to Hermione's room and grab her wheelchair."
Neville looked at her.
"I think I need it," she replied in a soft voice. "And I don't want Severus to dirty his robes again."
He nodded before rushing off.
"Thank you," Hermione exhaled.
"Do you need me to get you some Ibuprofen?" He asked.
"When we get back to my room, yes," she admitted.
"Very well, I shall do so when we reach your room."
"You don't need to do that. Surely you have other things to do this evening."
"Unless you could reading Jane Eyre to be something more pressing, I can stay."
"Wait," she drawled. "You won't read Jane Austen, but you will read Charlotte Brontë?"
"I am a man of high standards. She meets them whereas Austen does not."
"More like a man of double standards."
He laughed as she smiled.
"Well, I do consider Charlotte Brontë more entertaining than me, but I am glad you are cutting into your time with her to aid me. I do appreciate your care."
"Witch, do not say such terrible things about me. People will think I have a heart and a soul when you imply I care for anyone other than myself."
"Severus Snape have a heart and soul," Hermione gasped in mock horror. "Perish the thought."
"Perish the thought indeed."
"No, I'll just tell everyone you only helped me because you didn't want to hear Minerva rant on about how her Muggle Studies Professor is stupid enough to get stranded in a greenhouse."
"I do wish you'd be more careful."
"I will be in the future."
"That's all I ask."
Hermione's smile returned. Severus' lips curled up as he looked into her eyes.
Somehow, having two good friends made a potential blind date seem like something he could survive.