AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Severus tapped the table to the rhythm of a muggle tune, the words long forgotten. His mind wandered to the feeling of Hermione's body pressing against his as she flew into him. Within the last two lessons, she was better at controlling her speed, though she still could not turn. That may take time to master, so her lack of progress did not concern him. Her time in the air was increasing as well, a promising sign.
What was not so promising was the way her leg hurt after the lessons. Its shaking had increased, even a day after her lesson. According to Hermione, she would stay in the wheelchair for the rest of her life if it meant she could fly and get the Defense Against Dark Arts position. Even though she was an adult who could make her own decisions, Severus hoped flight didn't cost her her mobility. He could never live with himself if he thought for a second he had brought her more pain than comfort.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Rosmerta," he cleared his throat as she stood beside the table. "I did not hear you approaching."
"That's fine. You seemed lost in thought," she placed her pad on the table.
"I was meditating on a project," he frowned. "One which is sadly being interrupted by this nuisance of a date."
"Are you creating another potion?"
"No," he scratched the table. "This current project has to do with Defense Against the Dark Arts position."
"Does it have anything to do with Hermione applying for the job?"
"Indeed it does," he stilled his fingers. "She is finding ways to distinguish herself from the other candidates."
"You mean her experience in the war did not already do that?"
"Not in the way she would have liked. We needed a better way to distinguish her, give her a talent few others possess."
"You seem to think this project will have be successful."
"It will be," his lips curled upwards at the memory of being in the air with her in his arms. If he was honest, he'd never thought of what it would be like to fly with another person. Now that he had a levitation partner, he felt complete, as if someone could understand a hidden part of himself. Perhaps one day they could race each other, perform aerial tricks, or even find ways to move in ways they only dreamed of doing on the ground.
"I'm glad Hermione is on your mind. We need to discuss her," Rosmerta sat across from him. "I've been noticing things like how you two talk to each other, and the relaxed expression on your face when she is around you. I think…"
"Are you Severus Snape?"
Severus' mind returned to the present. Before him was a woman with a pink rose on her wrist. Yet this was the least striking thing about her. What commanded his attention was her reddish-blond hair and bright green eyes. Then there was her smooth skin which glistened in the light. He'd seen this woman's image before, though where he did not know.
"Judith Turner?" Rosmerta burst out.
"Yes, that's me," Judith's voice was as smooth as a freshly waxed cauldron.
"Oh my God," Rosmerta gasped. "I-I love your skin care products. My wife got me addicted to your facial cream. My skin has never been smoother!"
"I'm so glad you enjoy it. It's always amazing to hear from a fan," she gave her a serene smile.
"Yes," Rosmerta stood and extended her hand. Judith shook it. "It's just so amazing to meet you. What brings you here?"
"I believe I'm this man's date," Judith released Rosmerta's hand and turned to Severus. "You are Severus Snape, are you not?"
"I am," his throat was dry. The woman's flawless appearance could not be denied, nor could her skin care credentials. Severus had heard of her products from the potions conferences he attended. He'd never attended the sessions on cosmetics, but there was enough chatter to where he'd heard mentions of her name. Of all the matches Minerva had chosen for him, she was the most accomplished, though it remained to be seen if she was emotionally stable.
"Okay, well, let me get your drink." Rosmerta pulled out her pad. "What would you like?"
"I'll take a gillyweed water," Judith sat. "Anything else is terrible for one's complexion."
"Fine," Rosmerta turned to Severus. "And would you like your regular Firewhiskey?"
"You know me well."
"Okay, and when I'm done," Rosmerta looked at Judith. "I would love your autograph. It isn't every day you meet your heroines, and I don't know if I'll ever see you again."
"What do you mean?" Judith cocked her head.
"I'll allow him to explain, but I need to floo my wife. She's never going to believe this!" Rosmerta scurried away.
"I don't follow," Judith blinked. "Why does she think I would never return here? So far I quite like this place. I could see myself returning in the near future."
"Yes, but you most certainly will be alone," Severus answered, already wishing he was back at Hogwarts with Hermione.
"Why do you say that?"
"These dates have not been going well," Severus sat up straighter. "My skills conversing with women leave something to be desired."
"You're doing fine so far." Judith folded her hands.
"Indeed," Severus braced himself.
"I'd like to get to know you, if you'll let me."
"I'm not sure I do."
"Fine, you can get to know me."
"Very well then," Severus swallowed, steeling himself against the inevitable moment where they realized they were not compatible. "Rosmerta mentioned you work in skin care."
"Yes, I have a whole line of skin care products," she answered. "I sell facial cleanser, wart removers, pimple eliminators, and a host of other products. There's a solution for every skin care problem, and I've found it. You could say I have a skin care dynasty."
"Indeed, I have heard of your works at potions conferences, though I have yet to see you at one."
"I don't tend to go to those things. I'm more of a producer than an academic."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Severus furrowed his eyebrows.
"It means that I appreciate everything academics do. Potions research has helped create my skin care products. Without cutting edge research, I could not have synthesized the materials I needed for my skin creams and makeup."
"But…" His muscles tightened in preparation for her rant against the evils of all things academia.
"I don't need validation through publications. Nothing against people who do publish, but my validation comes from seeing the smile on my clients' faces and hearing people like Rosmerta talk about how I've helped them through difficult times."
"I don't recall her mentioning going through anything particularly difficult."
"You're right, Rosmerta is a bad example in that regard. I just remember the circumstances under which I began."
"How would that be?"
"I got into skin care because a close friend of mine was in an accident that disfigured her face," the spark died in her eyes. "She was afraid to show herself without covering her head. Regular creams didn't help, nor did concealing spells. She was bullied so mercilessly she contemplated taking her life at a few points."
"I could imagine how difficult that must have been," He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for this person. If her bullies were anything like the marauders, she had a miserable life and deserved better.
"I had to find a way to help her somehow, so I researched potions as best I could, combined them with some muggle makeup methods, and began creating skin care products. Now I am one of the wealthiest witches in America."
"Indeed, your accent is American."
"Yes, I spend most of my time in New York."
"If you spend your time in New York, how did Minerva convince you to come here?"
"I was visiting my London office when she contacted me. We've been corresponding since I asked her advice for how transfiguration may improve the quality of blemish concealers. One conversation led to another, and she mentioned the bet you made with her."
"So did you accept this date in order to be seen with a war hero?"
She burst out laughing. His eyes grew.
"I'm sorry, but I'm a multimillionaire with her face plastered on billboards and all along the cosmetic aisle," she caught her breath. "I don't need to boost my popularity by dating the most eligible bachelor in Hogwarts."
"You have no idea how refreshing that is," he exhaled and relaxed.
"No, the way Minerva described you intrigued me." She leaned closer to him. "I like a brooding man with sharp wit, someone who will keep my life interesting."
"Be careful," he answered. "I may find you quite dull, and I despise boredom. This may be the first and last time we meet."
"I shall have to capture and maintain your interest then."
"That will be a difficult feat."
"I'm up to the challenge," She smirked.
"Indeed," something about her expression commanded his attention, creating an idea in his mind he needed the rest of the evening to form.
"Here are your drinks." Rosmerta set them on the table. "Now, do you want me to take your orders, or do you need more time?"
"I believe I am ready to order," Judith replied. "I'll take the game pie."
"Okay," Rosmerta wrote the order down. "What about you, Severus?"
"I'll take the Shepard's Pie as usual," he answered.
"Great," she wrote down the order, then fidgeted. "Before you forget about it…"
"Oh the autograph," Judith chuckled. "I'll be more than happy to give you one."
"Thank you," Rosmerta beamed as Judith signed an order slip, putting a heart after her name with a smile in the middle.
Severus bit his lower lip. That signature was familiar. Where he'd seen it before was a mystery. He'd need to research it when he returned to the castle.
"I'm always happy to help out a fan. You all keep me motivated to keep doing the work I'm doing," Judith continued.
"I appreciate the graciousness. You are doing amazing work," Rosmerta answered.
"Think nothing of it. Other people's pleasure is what makes my career so fulfilling."
Rosmerta rushed to the kitchen, her expression that of a child who had received everything she'd wanted for Christmas.
"Now," Judith returned her attention to Severus. "Minerva said you teach potions at Hogwarts."
"That would be correct," he answered.
"How do you like the job?"
"Half the dunderheads I teach wish to blow up the classroom, and the other half want to fall asleep."
"Oh I'm sure some students pay attention."
"They are far fewer than I would like."
"Well, if they ever doubt the importance of your work, you can remind them that there's money to be made from potions, as well as a chance to make someone's dreams come true."
"That's an interesting combination of cynicism and idealism."
"I'm a realist. Making dreams come true is a passion of mine, but one needs money in order to fulfill any kind of passion."
"That is correct."
"You do a lot good of good in the world," she continued. "Your students may not appreciate potions right now, but you're planting seeds which can blossom into fulfilling careers. Those in turn can help the entire Wizarding World."
"I wish you'd tell them that," he grumbled.
"I will. I mean," she blushed. "I don't want to speak out of turn. I may have stuck my foot in my mouth and made myself unattractive in your eyes by gushing so much."
"Much to my shock, you've only further intrigued me."
"Oh good," her face became its usual hue. "I don't want to scare you away. I find you one of the most fascinating men I've ever met."
"Indeed you do," he drawled.
"Anyway, Minerva mentions you work with several fascinating people."
"My coworkers range from tolerable to insufferable," for a brief second he wondered how Hermione would react to him implying she was only tolerable. Would she consider it an insult, or would she find it endearing that he still struggled to show how deeply he cared for others? Would Hermione appreciate it if he told everyone that she was the closest friend he'd ever had, and grew to care for her more with each passing day?
Better question, why did he care what she thought? It was not as if she was in the room, so why would it matter if he was downplaying their connection?
"Who amongst them is most tolerable?" Judith asked.
"Hermione," the words came out before he could consider them. "In fact, she is a very dear and close friend."
"Hermione," Judith rubbed her chin. "I think I've heard that name."
"You may have. She was the most important person in the Golden Trio."
"Who are they, a band group?"
"No, they consisted of two people who helped win the war, and a red headed git who was about as useful as a bad case of acne."
"You don't have a very high opinion of this red-haired man."
"Let's just say he's engaged in some hurtful behavior since the end of the war."
"So he's useless, but what about Hermione? What did she do?"
"She did more to win the Second Wizarding War than anyone else did."
"Huh," Judith mused aloud. "I want to say I've heard of her, perhaps from a dermatology journal? I want to say she was involved in medicine, though how I don't remember."
"Against her will, she may be in quite a few medical journals."
"Oh? Is she a healer?"
"Sadly, no," Severus swallowed. "During the war, she underwent torture from a sadistic woman named Bellatrix. Unfortunately, it has affected her left leg, making it impossible for her to stand and walk without the aid of an assistive device."
"How unfortunate," there was a spark in Judith's eyes which gave him pause. "I'd imagine her life is difficult."
"People make her life more difficult than necessary, but she finds a way to succeed in spite of them."
"Yes, but it must be difficult for her not to walk as she once did, to be shunned by everyone."
"She is not shunned by everyone. I am her friend and always will be."
"Sure, but people must not always treat her well."
"People are dunderheads around her."
"Do they ever insult her?"
"Not to her face, but they do patronize her."
"So they treat her like a child?"
"Unfortunately."
"Have people left her over her leg, abandoned her because they thought she was a pariah, someone they don't want to be seen near?"
"Is there a reason you're being so intrusive about Hermione's life?"
"Oops," Judith covered her mouth. "I've been discussing Hermione's leg too much. It must be so dehumanizing for others to only see one as a disability. It's like a facial mark one cannot remove. I mean, it must be hard to be only seen for one trait. It has to be frustrating to be insulted and abandoned. Her life must be hard, but if she's anything like you've said, I'm sure she's resilient through it all."
"You seem to be the only one who is making any kind of attempt to show her any kind of empathy," the tension in his muscles lessened.
"Thanks to my friend, I understand Hermione's predicament better than most others would," the light in her eyes died.
"Indeed," he muttered.
"Anyway," her expression brightened again. "Tell me about your other coworkers. I'll bet they're just as fascinating."
"That depends on who you ask," Severus replied. "Neville Longbottom is interesting enough."
"I'd love to hear all about him," she batted her eyelashes. "In fact, I'd love to hear everything you feel comfortable telling me about Hogwarts."
So Severus spoke, becoming more aware of the rain falling outside, and Hermione's need for someone to let them know they cared.
Of all the dates he'd been forced to endure, Judith Turner was the most tolerable. Between her poise and her expertise in potions, she was a worthy professional contact. She'd even managed a small wave before she left, one which Severus couldn't help but find kind.
"Oh good, you haven't left yet," Rosmerta called before taking her seat across from Severus. "Now, I think we need to discuss how this date went."
"Yes," he smirked. "The date went shockingly well."
"I suppose from one perspective it did. You made a new friend. I don't think that's what you need though."
"No," Severus hummed. "I need a way out of this bet."
"Yes, but Judith isn't the answer. Now Hermione…"
"Hermione can't help me because she only wants to be my friend. I cannot blame her given that she deserves better than me. It would be unfair to forever tie her to someone older and surlier than her." Severus stood. "But Judith could help me out of these dates."
Rosmerta stared at him.
"Judith is the perfect woman to help me out of my bind. I will never love her, yet I can tolerate her. There are worse women to spend an evening with, and she meets Minerva's standards of approval. This is the best I can do at the moment, so I may as well swallow my pride and endure a few dates with someone who would make a great professional contact."
She shook her head. Already she could see this would only lead to two people on the opposite end of her bar crying over each other, wishing neither had ever heard Judith Turner's name. They would curse the other's name, before asking Rosmerta why they were not good enough for love. By then, the damage would have been done, and they'd have little interest in reuniting for fear of being hurt again. Severus and Hermione would be alone, both convinced they were unloveable.
From that perspective, Rosmerta considered this night nothing short of a disaster.