Severus grimly looked out of the window in his office at the storm brewing high above. His gaze followed a particularly bright bolt of blue lightning as it struck the trunk of a giant, ancient oak. The lightning faded after a few seconds and the sky became darker than ever. He closed his eyes and exhaled. He had always liked this particular type of weather. No matter how stormy it was, he felt a strange affinity with the thunder and lightning reigning outside. It calmed his frayed senses. Sighing, Severus walked to the desk and poured himself a cup of tea, and grabbed a biscuit to nibble. He sipped the hot liquid and glanced over towards his desk where several papers and a pile of mail were piled up. He had definitely neglected his office routine in favor of new research and more experimental brewing. He missed his Apprentice's accusing smile when she happened to come across the mountain of paperwork.
Sometimes he thought he'd like to meet her eyes now too. Perhaps. A sudden crash and a deafening crack tore through his thoughts and interrupted the peaceful atmosphere. Severus looked out the window in astonishment. Hermione unlike him never liked stormy weather. He blinked at the sudden onslaught of white lights dancing all around him, illuminating the woods and bushes, and let his thoughts wander in the dangerous direction he had been avoiding for almost two years. Rains always brought him this feeling of longing and melancholy, so he nursed his cup of tea while setting himself on the couch, and focused on some flashbacks from their shared past. The past that he grew to cherish. She became his Apprentice two years after the Battle. After her struggles with the Ministry had completely got on to her and all her attempts in changing ol' good Mother Britain for the better had proved to be futile, she showed up at Hogwarts' doorstep and in his office and boldly offered him her assistance with the possible Apprenticeship in future. That audacity of hers had almost rendered Severus speechless, but the brains of the infamous Golden Trio proved once again that she didn't receive her moniker for naught. She shoved into his unexpecting hands a fat folder of her research and left him to mull her audacity over. And what research it was!
He smiled lightly, thinking about that day. Two hours later they sat in his office with a stack of parchment scattered all around them and the two quill pens flying and leaving marks and smudges everywhere, as each of them wrote furiously on the paper. They were both exhausted, but neither wanted to stop. Her experimental potions looked very promising, if he just changed those volatile ingredients for less explosive ones, or took the moon crystal instead of a less stable tiger eye. Severus' mind was already full of thoughts and run with millions of possibilities. He was sure that he would take Hermione Granger as his Apprentice. An event that had never happened since the First War! Hogwarts' staffroom was buzzing like a beehive. Severus just smirked and let them indulge themselves in a grapevine. His nostalgic grin faded suddenly and his thoughts wandered away from the storm exploding right in front of him and towards that same amber-eyed woman that had haunted his thoughts so many times during these past years. Those eyes. He missed them. Just as he missed her. Severus squeezed a bridge of his nose, thus stopping his train of thought, and returned his now empty cup to the table. Hermione had always been afraid of storms. And at nights like this, he just couldn't stop himself from worrying about her. And from remembering.
Hermione sighed and rubbed her temples wearily. She wished she was fully awake and not sitting here, looking drowsily, so she could enjoy this magnificent view of nature that surrounded her, even if it was just nasty weather in reality. She hadn't realized until now just how tired and worn she really was. Constant exhaustion kept pressing on her shoulders as if the whole world was weighing her down. She literally dragged Professor Snape into that Apprenticeship with her, never hoping that he would agree to it this easily, but he did, and Hermione was still staring at him in astonishment. Why had he agreed in the first place, anyway? Wasn't he the one who usually rejected any offer of such
kind when there were other people involved? But then again, Hermione reminded herself, that was only when she showed him her research papers. Maybe her wish to become a Potions Mistress wasn't a hopeless case, after all? The loud crash of thunder snapped her from the thoughtful reverie and she shivered involuntarily, borrowing herself under the plaid comforter she'd been curled up and leafing through the book for the past two hours or so. Hermione knew that she should not invade Professor Snape'sprivacy so blatantly as she was already doing, but it was the end of October, a hard time for both of them no matter how bravely they pretended that it was just another month. They had been working together for almost four months and they had even developed something akin to friendship, if Hermione was truly honest with herself, she quite enjoyed the silence of his quarters and the feeling of safety. If not for this insane storm brewing outside, the evening could almost have been called "peaceful". She wondered briefly what her parents would think if they were here. Would they be proud of their daughter, who didn't manage to become the next Minister Of Magic, not even close, and returned to Hogwarts instead? The sound of another violent clap of thunder jolted Hermione back to reality and looked up towards the ceiling in an attempt to find solace there. There was none, not for her, not now. The door of the private quarters opened after the soft knock. Since when had Professor Snape knocked at his own door? And why did he need to do so, especially today?
"Don't be afraid, Miss Granger, it's just me," said Snape's slow voice, and Hermione got up reluctantly from the couch. Professor Snape stood at the entrance of his darkened study, the candlelight flickering off the shiny mahogany doors and casting shadows along its walls. One look at Hermione's pale features and her shivering form during an especially bright flash of lightning had told Snape everything. He came closer and extended his arm in an invitation.
"Shall we go to the kitchen? Let's make something warm to drink. It'll be a good treat in this nasty weather. What would you say about a good mug of masala tea?" Hermione's expression was unreadable and her mouth hung open slightly. The professor must have seen her shocked reaction. "Now, MissGranger, wipe this expression of disbelief, if you will, please," he replied quietly when the silence started to stretch between them. "It will keep you warm, as you must be freezing." "Could you... could you teach me how to make a proper masala?" Hermione only mumbled after a few more silent seconds and followed Snape out of the room. She hadn't noticed a small smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Indian tea with milk and spices," Snape started with aplomb when they were seated in the kitchen, "is magic itself. As long as you have faith in the power of the universe, then you can brew anything for anyone. All you need is patience and care. A lot of time and practice, though. I am sure you can appreciate that." Hermione bit her lower lip, her face flushing. "I understand, sir." Snape looked her over from head to toe and suddenly grinned.
"Come on, Apprentice Granger, give me some milk, please, and pay attention. In order to make a proper masala, you need to keep the perfect balance of temperature, sweetness, and sourness. You see, that is the secret of making the beverage taste just right. First, you heat water but not let it boil. When the temperature reaches a certain degree, then add in all necessary ingredients: ginger powder, cardamom seeds, cardamom pods, saffron, cinnamon, cloves, and turmeric, and mix them well together in a mortar until they turn into a paste. Letyourwaterandspicessimmerfor a minute and then add the tea leaves here, and let the brew simmer for two more minutes. And just after the tealeaves opened up completely, pour milk into your tea and bring the liquid to boil. Then add a tablespoon of honey into a cup and pour masala down. It's ready. MissGranger, stop grinning like a first-yearHufflepuffin a sweet shop and drink your tea!"
Hermione took the first tentative sip from her mug and welcomed the sensation of calm enveloping her.
The next clap of thunder went unnoticed for her, as she drank her tea and looked at Snape with something akin to gratefulness. The feeling that was completely unknown to him yet not unwelcome.
It felt strange. Like being embraced by a familiar hug. She continued drinking her tea without saying a word, occasionally offering Severus a polite smile before returning to her tea and watching the clouds rolling above and wondering what it would be like to be a part of that sky with them.
They never overcame that stage of quiet evenings filled with tea and talks about nothing and everything. He was her teacher, she was his Apprentice, and that was...not enough. But Severus definitely seemed to prefer it that way. Stubborn, as he had ever been. Not like her who was willing to compromise with whatever conditions Professor Snape set before her. He was a man of strict principles, a man who held all authority tightly within his grasp and used it whenever he needed to, and Hermione couldn't help but admire this about him.
She baked him apple pies, he brewed her masala, and it was the connection deeply appreciated by both.
And then her two-year Apprenticeship was over and she was gone to roam new destinations. Everything happened in a blink of an eye, leaving only seeping cold enveloping Snape in silence and loneliness.
But she was there, too, standing just on the edge of his life. Always just behind the veil of his thoughts. Sometimes, she would appear with little hints of laughter or mischief lurking in her green orbs. Sometimes, she would walk into his office in the middle of the night, entering his dreams hesitantly... Sometimes he would receive a real letter from her, which he cherished dearly, and kept hidden in a box in his drawer. He was proud of her achievements, her dedication, and her determination to reach her goals. And sometimes, he would feel a sense of relief, knowing that he had someone by his side, someone whom he respected, cared for, and felt proud of.
But mostly, he was sad. And lonely.
October came, cold, inevitable, and terrifying in its sorrow. Severus was well aware that both, Hermione and he, truly hated Octobers. It's just a day, he thought, but one which seemed longer than most weeks.
He couldn't shake it off as much as he tried to, as he had done with all the previous days before it. No matter how much he wanted to, how much he tried to block it from his mind, the sadness just wouldn't leave.
He was sitting before the fireplace, melancholy lingering in the air, trying his best to ignore it, and he heard the creaking sound of the kitchen door opening, letting in a gust of chilly wind. His gaze lifted instinctively, and he saw Hermione walking slowly towards him, the usual bright aura of excitement which usually surrounded her now dull and tired. He made an attempt to get to his feet, but she made a vague gesture and let out a small smile. She walked to him instead and sat down on a small ottoman.
"I am tired of roaming around the world," she confessed, looking him in the eyes, "Yes, this is the life I wanted, and I am proud of my accomplishments, but every time I achieve my goals, my thoughts bring me back here, and I want to share my joy with...you. Then October comes, and my past comes to haunt me, and my thoughts scream at me to share my pain as well... I know you are the same. Please come sit with me," said the witch. Snape sighed heavily, and he knew that he couldn't refuse her. He moved away from the fireplace and sat beside her. He was careful not to touch her, even though every cell in his body urged him to grab her hand and comfort her. She moved an inch and put her head on his shoulder. Snape hesitated a second before hugging her shoulders and putting a kiss on the crown of her head. Hermione let out a weary but contented sigh.
"I missed you..."
"And I you," Severus finally confessed, hugging her close.
"I brought an apple pie."
"I'll brew some masala?"
"May I stay till tomorrow?"
"Stay forever, Hermione."
And she touched his cheek and lifted her face for a kiss.
The End.