Thank you to everyone following along
Rising early Hermione spent more time than usual grooming herself and taming her hair. With a final flourish of her wand she stood back to admire her hard work. Instead of the usual frizzy mess, she now had smooth, sleek, individual curls. She knew Ginny wouldn't judge her for not putting some effort into her appearance if she so chose. However, the thought of sitting in public with Ginny and her flawless, flowing locks, looking more beautiful than Hermione could ever dream of, even in the latter stages of pregnancy was discouraging.
Of course Hermione didn't really care about her appearance. It just so happened that her two closest female friends were both stunningly beautiful. This made her more inclined to reflect on her own features. Both Ginny and Luna had hair that anyone would envy, Hermione more than most. Her own birds nest was not only uncontrollable but so boringly brown that it seemed to be it's own shade. Luna's eyes were like nothing Hermione had ever seen before, large, dreamy and the palest grey colour imaginable. Her eyes exuded magic and wonder. Although Ginny's were brown, just like Hermione's, the striking contradiction with her fiery hair made for quite a statement.
Running her hands down over her mauve coloured day robes Hermione assessed her attempts. The robes were more casual than the ones she intended to teach in. There were straps running up her collarbone, her shoulder caps were exposed, the light airy material hung around her upper arms and flowed into a long sheer sleeve cuffed at the wrist. Admittedly they were a little fancy for a lunch date in Hogsmeade but she felt good in them. Her makeup was little more than a swipe of mascara and some lip balm, anything more substantial would take far too much time, which she was swiftly running low on. Grabbing her bag she stowed her wand inside carefully and made her way through the castle in the direction of the front doors.
The weather was glorious as she walked the familiar path from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Hermione had chosen to walk rather than Floo directly, giving her time to bask in the late summer sunshine. There was no telling when the weather would shift into typical Scottish damp, she would make the most of it while she had the chance.
The witch spent the walk ignoring the niggling voice in her head which was determined to remind her about her treacherous thoughts the night before while bathing. Hermione was not ready to acknowledge or examine that fleeting notion just yet. Her stomach tightened in anxiety at the very idea.
With no sign of Ginny outside The Three Broomsticks she made her way inside. The place was scarcely populated with what she had deemed the 'regulars'. Madam Rosemerta nodded in her direction with a friendly smile as she polished down the bar. Taking a seat near the window she examined the lunch menu while she waited for Ginny to arrive. Timekeeping was a skill Hermione prided herself on, but knew better than to expect the same of her friends.
Around twenty minutes after noon the door to the pub creaked open, Ginny's belly made itself known before the witch herself did. Stifling a giggle Hermione stood and made her way over to her friend. Hugging the red-head in itself was challenging with her godchild pressed between them.
"Do you get the feeling that there's something between us?" Ginny laughed while pointing at her swollen stomach.
Laughing, Hermione led Ginny to the table and pulled out a chair for her.
"Oh and such a lady too! I would swoon if I was capable of staying on my feet long enough," the younger witch continued.
Taking her own seat Hermione took a moment to appraise her friend. Ginny, although still stunning looked absolutely exhausted, her makeup barely covering the dark circles weighing her eyes down. Passing a menu across the table with a smile she waited patiently while her friend looked over the lunch offerings. Hermione had already decided what she wanted.
Ginny had also chosen the fish pie, leaving Hermione free to order for them. The lunch deal came with a bottle of wine and Hermione Granger was not a woman to say no to a glass or two of white, even early in the afternoon.
"I miss wine more than anything," Ginny lamented, eyeing up Hermione's glass. "I've been dreaming of a proper girls night out for months now. You, me and Luna. Lots of wine and junk food, maybe a nightclub or two."
"You know I hate nightclubs Gin, I'd much rather a quiet night in with you. Still plenty of wine, but less people and noise, thank you."
"Ah yes, but we're not going to find you a suitable man staying in are we?" Ginny raised an eyebrow and popped a forkful of pie into her mouth.
Scoffing at the thought Hermione took a swig of her wine and allowed her eyes to sweep the room. What even constituted as a 'suitable man' she wondered? The pub was full of aging wizards, mostly bachelors she presumed. This, in her opinion was no place to seek a deep, meaningful connection. Fleeting, lustful unions might come from pubs and nightclubs, she had her fair share but she had grown tired of meaningless sex.
Her eyes darted back to a table she hadn't noticed was occupied. Shadowed in near darkness sat Severus Snape with a book in hand. A pot of tea sat steaming on his table, he seemed oblivious to her presence. Her stomach tightened annoyingly again. Reluctantly tearing her eyes away she allowed Ginny's rambling conversation to wash over her as she poured herself a fresh glass.
"Hogwarts looks good on you," Ginny said while rubbing a hand over her stomach. "Your students might find it hard to concentrate." Her smirk was nothing short of wicked, reminiscent of the twins.
A deep blush crept up Hermione's face, her eyes subconsciously glanced to her former professor again. Following her gaze Ginny turned in her seat.
"Or, perhaps your colleagues might be distracted into being civil," she said, turning back around to face Hermione clearly suppressing a grin.
Snorting into her wine glass Hermione rolled her eyes dramatically. Her mind was becoming delightfully fuzzy on her second glass. She couldn't help thinking that day drinking had a different effect. Allowing her eyes to wander again she sipped her wine.
"No fear there, he's already been predictably unpleasant."
"Shocking," Ginny's voice was dripping in sarcasm.
"He has already implied that Neville fancies me and suspects we're in the midst of a steamy love affair," Hermione laughed at the idea once again.
"Why would he even care?" Ginny asked.
"Said he didn't want to bear witness to our love," sneering at her glass Hermione made herself look away from Snape. It wouldn't do for him to look up and notice her staring at him.
Ginny was starting to fidget in her seat, clearly her condition was making her uncomfortable and tired. Hermione smiled across the table at her friend.
"You look like you need to rest Gin, don't stay on my account. I'll head off shortly once I finish this," she said pointing to her half full glass.
"I'd love to stay, but I'll be snoring on the table very soon," Ginny sighed while rising from her chair, yawning. "I'll come visit you at work as soon as I'm allowed to apparate again."
Wrapped in an awkward, gentle hug Ginny whispered in her ear; "Don't let him get you down, you deserve to enjoy this opportunity." Hermione didn't need to clarify who she meant.
"Thanks Gin, I won't," Hermione said breaking apart. "Let me know as soon as my god child pops."
Ginny left and Hermione took her seat once more. The bottle of wine was still half full, the thought of finishing it was tempting. She found her gaze lingering once again in the direction of her new colleague. His tea had been replaced with a glass of amber liquid. Seemingly Hermione was not the only one partial to an afternoon drink. Emboldened by the alcohol in her system she grabbed the bottle and stood. Before her courage betrayed her she made her way over to his table.
Shaking the bottle slightly with a questioning look at the free seat across from him she held her breath. His eyes darted from the bottle to her face, next to the chair and back to her face again. With a small sigh he gestured to the chair with his left hand. Hermione did her best to conceal a smile by biting her lower lip as she seated herself. Placing the bottle on the table between them she picked up her glass and took another sip. Snape raised his own glass to his lips, finished it and transfigured the tumbler into a wine glass. Picking up the wine bottle he poured himself a glass and tilted the neck of the bottle in her direction. She smiled and held her glass out for him to top up.
Not for the first time, Hermione could feel thick tension filling the space between them, or was it just the wine setting her nerves on edge. Fingering the stem of her glass she willed him to speak first. It seemed unlikely, the man didn't strike her as the small-talk type. She smiled at the thought of Snape leaning forward and avidly partaking in frivolous gossip with her. Just when she had enough of the silence he spoke;
"I feared Miss Weasley might lay down and squeeze out a fresh red-head right here," he said taking a sip of the wine and curling his lip at the taste.
Hermione's laugh sounded unfamiliar to her own ears. It was far too shrill and girlish, she ducked her head in embarrassment.
"Any day now," she said, "we'll have a new little Potter running around."
"I'd prefer to think of it as a new little Weasley running around," he replied curtly.
"I thought after teaching them for most of your life, you might have had your fill of Weasleys?"
"With the exception of your Ronald, I've never minded teaching the Weasley brood."
"My Ronald? You are aware Ron is currently awaiting the birth of his first child with Lavender Brown are you not?"
Snape did not reply, just continued to study her over the rim of his glass.
"You seem to be under the assumption that my sex life is a lot more active than it is," immediately regretting her words Hermione took a large gulp of wine.
The look of utter horror on the witch's face was amusing. That curious, delicate, pink blush was back. Her attempt to hide her embarrassment behind her glass was pitiful. Severus couldn't decide wether to snap the witch back into her place or prolong her discomfort.
From his vantage point, half hidden in shadow, he had seen her arrive. Admittedly he had done a quick double take when she came through the door. Her usual wild curls were tamed and sleek, her robes unfamiliar. Severus feared he might be about to witness her on a date with some bumbling idiot, not that he cared.
Curiously, his thoughts had informed him that he preferred her hair in its natural state, it suited her vibrant and tiresome attitude. Looking at her now with the charm slowly dissipating, likely due to her alcohol consumption, some frizz was starting to poke through.
A devious smirk tilted the corners of his mouth. Granger was clearly discomfited at his continued means of address for her. He knew it made her feel too young, too inadequate and possibly out of her depth in her new position. Good.
"Your sexual proclivity is of no interest to me," he drawled, "Miss Granger." Her face twitched into an almost frown at the added mention of her name. She made it too easy for him.
She sighed, studying the stem of her glass with great interest, twisting it between her fingers, making the glass turn on the table. Snape picked up the bottle and emptied the last of her abhorrent wine into her glass. The witch peaked at him through her lashes and offered him a sweet smile.
"Shall I.. get another bottle?" she asked with false confidence.
"No," he snapped. Her face dropped. "Clearly you are incapable of choosing a satisfactory blend and I will not sit here drinking swill just to appease your ego."
Severus could feel her tracking his movements as he swept from the table. He wondered briefly why he was entertaining her company. Her easy embarrassment was highly entertaining and since losing Minerva's company to the overwhelming pressure of her new title, his opportunity for snarky quips was all but lost. Perhaps if Granger could hold her temper, he could have some much needed fun.
Returning to the table with a fresh bottle in hand Severus seated himself and uncorked. Pouring himself a measure he placed the bottle between them in wait for her to finish her cheap tipple.
"Elf-made, similar to a Muggle oaked-Chardonnay," he said while swirling the liquid in his glass. Wine was not his beverage of choice truth-be-told but he did appreciate a decent brew in any respect.
He watched as she poured herself a measure and raised the golden liquid to her lips, her eyes closed and head tilted back slightly. Her tongue ran over her top lip after she lowered the glass, making sure she caught every drop. The girl's face was obscenely open, every emotion played out on her features like a Muggle film. Severus couldn't help but notice her eyes had a slight glassy shine which accentuated the golden flecks running through them. She smiled again.
"Oh, that's delicious. Usually I just choose the highest alcohol content at the cheapest price," her laugh was soft and tinkling.
"Or whatever is offered free of course," she continued.
Severus was aware the witch had a habit of babbling at the best of times, he shuddered to think how alcohol consumption might affect this less-than-endearing trait.
Afternoon soon gave way to evening, being Summer it remained bright outside as they polished off the second bottle of wine between them. Severus was surprised at how well Granger could hold her own against him, she didn't seem overly intoxicated.
"Well, I think it is time for me to retire," Severus said, rising from his seat.
Granger followed his movement to stand also, curling her neck and shoulders back in a stretch. Severus averted his eye, her robes were unsettlingly form fitting.
"Let's go," she said rounding the table to stand next to him. Entirely too close for comfort.
Sighing, he headed for the door and opened it for her to walk through. She gave an exaggerated wave back at Rosemerta, attracting unwanted attention from a few locals. He scowled and nudged her out into the street.
"Do you usually walk or apparate?"
"Apparating is not recommended while intoxicated," he sneered at her. "I don't care to explain to Minerva that her latest recruit has splinched herself straight into St Mungo's before term has even begun."
"I'm not intoxicated," she mumbled somewhat petulantly. "Fine, we'll walk."
Severus refused to slow his stride, if the witch insisted on inflicting her company on him she could figure out her own way to keep up. Chancing a look in her direction he could see her face flushed with her efforts, her legs moving in an almost jog.
Their walk back was blessedly silent, clearly her efforts to keep the pace made it difficult for her to converse. Arriving at the school gates he raised both hands in front of him to alert the wards of his presence. Approaching the gates he noted Granger, her face still flushed pink watching in awe as he placed his palm to the central bar immediately causing them to swing open and allow entry.
Once inside the entrance hall the witch stalled, Severus turned to see what the hold up might be.
"What?" he snapped impatiently.
"Um, aren't you going back to your quarters?"
"I will not be held accountable for your untimely death due to alcohol induced asphyxiation," he said curtly. "I will return you to your chambers."
Confusion and embarrassment written across her face, she started moving again without further argument.
Arriving at the third floor corridor which housed the Charm Professor's living quarters Severus stopped outside her door as the witch quickly caught up. She placed herself in front of his person, looking up at him with wide eyes, bottom lip caught between her teeth. She was shifting awkwardly from foot to foot for a moment. Her wild hair almost fully restored to its regular state, Granger looked like she was building her courage to say something. Part of him was curious, so he stalled himself.
"D-do… would-," she faltered. "Do you want to use my Floo? O-or, if you prefer I can fix you a drink of awful, cheap wine that you can judge me mercilessly for?"
Taken aback Severus blinked several times, did she really just invite him in for a nightcap? Like this had been some inadequate first date. Keeping his eyes trained on her face, she was clearly doing her best to suppress her embarrassment at her own suggestion. He smirked.
"I shall walk thank you. I think you have imbibed quite enough tonight," his insinuation at her drunken state had just the effect he was hoping for. She dropped her eyes and creased her brow in badly disguised anger.
"Ok," she replied stonily. "Goodnight professor."
"Goodnight Granger," he said already half way down the corridor in the direction of his destination.