Hope is a Dangerous Thing

Four

2008

Minerva looked up from the Daily Prophet as her Deputy Headmistress breezed into the room. It was a lazy Sunday morning so far and Minerva was grateful for the visit, as always. A tray soon appeared with tea for two.

'How are you today?' Hermione asked, pouring out tea from the teapot.

'I am very well, my dear, and you?'

'Fine, thank you. I have had a busy morning marking first-year essays, but I am determined to enjoy myself for the rest of the day.' Hermione settled down into the chair next to the bed, smiling as she handed Minerva her cup and saucer.

'Will they be a good bunch do you think?' mused Minerva.

Hermione laughed good-naturedly. 'I need eyes in the back of my head, put it that way!'

They both chuckled for a moment, before lapsing into companionable silence. Minerva's thoughts, so apt to wander these days, started rooting back through time to the more memorable cohorts of children she had encountered in her long career, even the ones she had tried hard to forget! She was only brought back to the present when Hermione spoke once more.

'I saw you had a visitor again, yesterday.'

Minerva felt her eyebrow lift with interest. She had not expected that topic to have been raised so swiftly, and without any prompting too. 'I did yes; we had a lovely chat, in fact.'

She did not miss Hermione's sardonic quirk of her lips behind her cup.

'My dear… I know you said your reaction the other night was simply surprise at seeing Severus here again, but that was not quite true, was it?' Minerva watched as she flinched slightly and set her cup down with a loud clunk.

'Whatever do you mean?' Hermione asked in disbelief.

'Severus explained to me why he thought you might be upset with him.'

'He what?'

At Hermione's somewhat aghast expression, Minerva was now more sure than ever that she had not been given the full story. 'He did, though I should point out that I prevailed upon him to do so. I'm sure you understand that a first year would have noticed the atmosphere between you.'

At the continuing look of shock on her friend's face, Minerva started to feel afraid she might have put her foot in it already. 'But I should also say that I am quite sure I heard the abridged version. He did not tell me anything that would compromise your privacy, dear, but I am starting to wonder now at what he might have left out.'

Hermione stirred at that and reached over to touch Minerva's arm reassuringly. 'I am merely surprised he discussed it with you, Minerva. I assure you, there is no torrid tale to be told - far from it.'

The distant look that accompanied those words detracted somewhat from Minerva's sense of comfort.

'It was so long ago,' Hermione continued, 'I am not sure why it even matters now.' Minerva watched her expression twist slightly, as if she struggled to believe her own words even as she said them. 'I was simply surprised, that is all. But there we are, I am happy that he has come back to you; I know it means very much to you.'

'Indeed, it does… Perhaps you will allow him the chance to explain why he did what he did?'

'Why?' Hermione bit out, with a shrug of supreme unconcern. 'He doesn't owe me anything.'

Minerva felt a bubble of indecision rise up a little.

'And, actually, for the record, neither am I upset,' Hermione continued, matter of fact.

Minerva noted that she did not meet her eye when she said this, instead choosing to pluck at the sleeves of her robes to straighten them. It would be best to leave it there, for the time being, Minerva decided. She knew her young friend had much on her mind at the moment, having had to take over the running of the school amongst everything else. There could be no doubt in her mind that Severus' reappearance had, if not upset Hermione, then had certainly thrown her. Semantics, really, but she would not press too hard until she had no other option.

She focused on her tea for a moment and cast about for inspiration.

'Hermione, do you think I might get outside this afternoon for a little while? The weather is so lovely at the moment, it would be a shame to miss out.'

'Oh, well, of course. I will join you.'

'Perhaps we could arrange for a lovely afternoon tea from the kitchens?'

Hermione laughed. 'Very well, that is a good idea. I will pop down and arrange it.'

'Excellent, thank you!' Minerva beamed. 'Oh, and dear, ask the elves for some cauldron cakes, will you, please?'

As soon as she was gone, Minerva smiled to herself and leaned over to the bedside table. She pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. Pressing Hermione on the matter may not be the answer right now, but there were other options she could utilise. No, she would certainly not press too hard, but she would not sit still - there was no time for dithering. A change of tack might be necessary for a starting point at least.

She considered the blank parchment doubtfully for a moment, wondering if it really was a good idea. Still, despite the inherent risk of it back-firing, there was little to be lost, and it would be worth the punt if it did work. She smiled again and put quill to parchment.

'Dear Severus…' She began writing.