Chapter 14: A Ministry Case
November 1982
Severus Snape was in a bad mood. He had been for a few weeks now. He hadn't seen his witch for two weeks because he felt like a wild animal. He could not control himself whenever she was around. He could not stop touching her, making love to her, and marking her. He couldn't get enough of Hermione Granger, and if it were up to him, he would marry her instantly. He wanted her scent, beautiful voice, smile, and warm body to greet him first thing in the morning. He wanted her to be the last person he would talk to at night.
He wanted her to be his anchor, lover, and everything.
But Hermione was in no hurry, he could tell. She was in love with him, but she could wait. She was patient. She was gentle, not like a wild and uncontrollable animal.
Therefore, he decided to keep his distance. He wanted to tame himself; to teach himself how to act properly and patiently around Hermione. The last thing he ever wanted to do was break her.
Today, he was not in the mood to teach. Therefore, he asked his students to just brew after he wrote the instructions on the board, and he just sat in silence, glaring, and scowling at them, scaring his students even more.
He could not stay away from her anymore. Their conversations using her wristwatch weren't enough. He needed to see her, touch her, feel her. He needed to hear her voice.
So, that night, even if it wasn't a weekend, he informed Albus that he needed to go out for something personal. He Apparated at her flat and knocked at 10:00 in the evening.
.
Viktor's presence was a welcome surprise for Hermione. It turned out that in 1999, Viktor was an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries in the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic, and he accidentally time-traveled after confiscating a time-turner from a Bulgarian wizard studying Alchemy. The culprit escaped Bulgaria and traveled to other countries in Europe until they met again in Britain. When Viktor went to Britain to catch the perp, he ended up in a time-turner accident.
He was stuck, too, and he was planning to go to Bulgaria once the British DoM was done preparing for the turnover.
Viktor was supposed to stay with her for only a couple of days. However, it turned out that there were political problems in the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic. Their Minister for Magic took over the Department of Mysteries following a declaration of martial law. There were protests and the British DoM could not secure an appointment with a Bulgarian DoM officer just yet. They were still seeking trustworthy people before they told them about Viktor Krum, a time traveler from 1999.
While waiting, Viktor had to stay under the custody of the British DoM, and Hermione gladly offered Alona's abandoned room in her flat.
It was great catching up with Viktor, and despite the unfortunate circumstances, her Bulgarian friend was glad to see her. They talked about what happened during the Second Wizarding War and what it was like in Britain and Bulgaria. Viktor also mentioned still being single. Hermione mentioned that she was in a relationship (but did not mention with whom), and he was genuinely happy for her.
Hermione did not have time anymore to sulk about her relationship with Severus. He still messaged her three times a day, but they hadn't seen each other for two weeks. Severus said he had to stay at Hogwarts on the weekends because there was too much to do, but he was also finishing up everything so he could properly go on a winter holiday. Hermione assured him that she understood. Viktor's presence helped, but she didn't tell Severus about him just yet. Viktor was a DoM case, and she wasn't allowed to talk to others about him. So, the two of them would just spend time together in two places: Hermione's flat and DoM offices.
Hermione's flat was very Muggle. That meant she had a telly. When not at work, she and Viktor would watch Muggle movies and TV programs. Viktor was very fascinated with soccer and baseball games, and Hermione also enjoyed watching them because of her father. When she was young, before she sent them into hiding, she would join her dad in the living room, watching games.
But one night, Hermione suddenly felt a pang of longing for Severus, and she did not want Viktor to sense it, so she faked a yawn and apologized to Viktor. Her friend was very understanding and urged her to go to bed. Hermione didn't need to be told twice. She eagerly went to her bedroom and her mind became busy, thinking of Severus.
.
He knocked on the door gently, just in case she was already sleeping. He thought of sending her a message but decided against it, considering it was already late at night. Hermione might not be wearing the wristwatch at this time anymore.
He knocked thrice, and to say that Severus Snape was caught off guard when the door opened was the biggest understatement of the year.
The last time he checked, Hermione was still living in this flat, so why was this burly, dark-haired man opening her door?
The man frowned at first when he saw him, and then he narrowed his eyes. "Yes?" the man asked in his deep voice. He didn't sound British.
"I am here for Hermione," he replied calmly, but in his intimidating voice he usually used to his Hogwarts students and colleagues. "I believe this is where she lives."
The man, who was shorter than Severus by some inches, puffed out his chest. "This is Hermione's residence, but I need to know why you are looking for her."
"My business with Hermione has nothing to do with you," he drawled.
"Huh," the other man muttered and stroked his invisible beard, sizing him up. "Why would the Hogwarts' Potions Master would be looking for a Ministry employee?"
"I said," he reiterated in a louder voice this time, "That is none of your concern. Hermione!" he called loudly.
"You are making a scene!" barked the man.
In just a few seconds, they heard footsteps, but Severus could not see the person behind the door because the man was still blocking the way.
"Severus?" came Hermione's voice.
The man looked over his shoulder. "You know this man, Hermione? Of course. Why wouldn't you."
"Viktor."
The man looked puzzled and abandoned the door to walk back inside. Severus opened the door wider and saw Hermione in her silk robe that was so thin. He wanted to yell at her and send her back to her room, but his witch was looking at the man – Viktor.
"Him? Why didn't you tell me? And why would you spend your weekends here, with me, instead of seeing him?"
Thank Merlin the brute wasn't yelling. Otherwise, Severus would've punched the man. Severus saw his witch sigh and she was crestfallen when she turned to him. "It's complicated. But why are you suddenly here, Sev?"
Severus did not know what to do or think. A part of him wanted to send Hermione back to her room and demand she change clothes. Another part of him wanted to yell at her and ask why there was another man in her flat.
But it looked like she wasn't expecting to see him.
She wasn't over the moon by his visit.
A part of him was jealous of this brute because he had been spending time with Hermione while Severus was punishing himself by keeping his distance.
In two weeks, Hermione had not, even once, demanded they meet.
This brute was the reason, Severus thought.
"You are correct," he suddenly said coldly. But it was too late to take his words back. "It is complicated. It was a mistake coming here." He did not wait for her response. He immediately turned back and left.
.
Hermione had not quite forgiven him for leaving her like that after keeping his distance. He hadn't received any messages from her. He didn't send one, either.
Kingsley yelled at him when he stepped into his house the following Saturday and his friend was already there, pacing back and forth in front of his fireplace.
"Have you lost your brilliant mind, Severus? She's working in the Department of Mysteries. Use your brain." Kingsley did not waste any time. He yelled at him the moment he stepped into the living room.
He stared at his friend. "It appears to me that she went to you and Alona," he stated.
"Of course!" Kingsley said irritably. "They're close friends, and now that Alona and I are married, she's starting to tell her things little by little. Besides, who would comfort her when she cried because of you?"
He felt a pang of guilt. Hermione cried because of him.
He had hurt his witch… his angel; the only woman he ever loved.
Because of what? Jealousy.
"You were busy punishing yourself by keeping your distance, and then when you saw her with another man, you assumed some things because you were jealous!" Kingsley chided.
"Kingsley, I am a man; a possessive man," he muttered.
"And she is a loyal and independent witch," he countered. "I thought you already knew that. She wasn't a Hufflepuff, but she is a loyal person, Severus, you bastard!" Kingsley looked at him like he wanted to strangle him.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled, sitting on the sofa. "It was so foolish of me. I didn't mean to hurt her. I just… lost it… when I saw another man in her flat, and he seemed to know about me… They seem close."
"Severus, even though she's a time traveler, she's allowed to have friends in her workplace," Kingsley said gently.
He nodded his head quietly. "I know. I was wrong."
Kingsley exhaled and patted his back. "You better fix this, or Alone will hex you, and I will let her... mind you."
He chuckled at that and promised Kingsley and himself that he would do his best to fix things with Hermione.
His witch.
His angel.
The only love of his life.