"And are you quite sure that you can manage him by yourself for now? I of all people know what a handful Severus can be when disgruntled!" A Scottish voice trilled through the fireplace to Hermione.
"I've kept him well up until now, Minerva, I'm sure we can manage a few more days. Besides, he's a lot less scary now we're more equal in age."
"And now he has no wand, you mean?" Poppy Pomfrey retorted, unable to hide the grin that spread ear to ear.
Hermione smirked in reply.
"Very well! Whilst I assemble a de-briefing meeting, you will remain the carer and gracious host of Severus" Minerva stated, adding "but should you need anything at all - including a cup of tea and rant - you know where to find us".
"Both of us", Poppy added quickly "and please, don't hex him until I can prove my charm worked, eh?"
"Thank you both, and see you soon. Good luck assembling the de-brief team, Minerva. Please do keep us updated." And with that, Hermione shut down the floo link and headed through to the kitchen.
As Hermione bustled around the kitchen, assembling a small tea tray for Severus, she realised she wasn't really sure how to approach him - for he was both the intimidating bully she remembered but also - softer? It seemed to Hermione that Severus' instincts were what made him snap and always assume the worst about others' intentions; but today it was almost as if his manners and intellect overrode it more than she'd ever noticed all those years ago. She hoped to herself that now the war was over and there was no longer a world out to get the man, he might be able to break down this walls and be as peaceful as when she'd been watching over him every morning.
A small cough from behind Hermione made her spin around, brandishing her wand at the unexpected presence in the kitchen. There, with her wand pressed under his chin just inches from a pale scar, stood the very man who had occupied her mind moments before.
"Severus" Hermione exhaled, slowly withdrawing her wand from his person.
"Rather familiar all of a sudden, are we Granger?" Severus drawled, but he couldn't hide the hint of amusement from his eyes. Oddly it didn't bother him as much as it ought hearing his former pupil use his given name. Perhaps because she was his age, he wondered.
"Apologies, Professor." Hermione replied without any of the awkwardness or blushing her teenage self was prone to, which intrigued Severus further. "I just finished the call to Minerva and Poppy, who referred to you more familiarly so it remained fresh in my mind."
Severus felt slightly ashamed at calling out this woman who seemingly had, for some yet to be ascertained reason, done quite a lot to ensure his survival and care. "Apologies, Miss Granger, I did not mean to call you out - it just surprised me. Actually, according to my calculations we are now peers and as such, I would invite you to call me by Severus if you so choose."
Hermione's eyes widened, as if Severus had grown another head. "In which case, Severus, it is nice to re-meet you. Please, call me Hermione. I haven't been Miss Granger for a long time!"
Severus halted at the realisation that she was probably now married, and for some unknown reason it bugged him. "Ah, apologies - Hermione. It was foolish of me to assume you would not be married. Tell me, is it Mrs Weasley now as we all anticipated, or did you develop a semblance of taste in the past 16 years?" As soon as the words left his lips, Severus realised how rude he was being. Quirking up the corners of his mouth, he hoped a small smile might - if not allow Hermione to view the comment humorously - then at least disarm her with shock.
To his surprise, she gave a deep laugh, her styled hair bouncing around her shoulders. He wondered what was so amusing! Arching his eyebrow at her response, she indulged him. "Oh gosh no, it is still very much Miss Granger for all formal intents and purposes. Ron and I met an impasse over something close to my heart, so we are no longer particularly close. I simply prefer 'Hermione' at home."
She drew up a chair at the kitchen table, gesturing for Severus to do the same. As he did so, it finally dawned on him that this was in fact Hermione's home. "So this…" he explored, gesturing around him.
"Yes, this is my home." Hermione poured them each a cup of tea from the pot she'd just brewed, which Severus accepted gratefully. "I've - well, I guess technically we've - lived here for 13 years."
"You and that half kneazle?"
"Crookshanks, myself - and, well, you. Isn't that obvious from waking up here?" Hermione ventured cautiously.
Severus spluttered at this, barely suppressing his tea being spat out. Regaining composure, he responded far more calmly than his racing heart would have you believe: "You're telling me that I've been occupying your bedroom for thirteen years?" At Hermione's nod, he continued with the question burning on his tongue "why?".
Hermione carefully placed down her cup, steepling her fingers as she pondered her response. "We didn't know how long you would be out for. Initially we assumed it would be for only a few months, and Poppy happily kept you in the Infirmary Wing at Hogwarts. However as the first couple of years passed, it became something of a tradition for new students to come and find you - to see the infamous Severus Snape." Noticing Severus blanch at the thought, Hermione found his gaze with hers and continued more gently. "Minerva wanted you out of the castle - for your dignity and safety - but Poppy couldn't spread herself between two places at once. St Mungos and other public places were out of the question, for similar reasons to Hogwarts, so Minerva turned to Harry and me." Severus' eyes widened and Hermione couldn't help but chuckle.
"May I assume that you were burdened with my presence as I cannot imagine anything Potter, nor I for that matter, would like less than him hosting me in my convalescence?" Snape sneered.
"Actually, no. It had more to do with my house being quiet and restful, whilst his being filled with an ever increasing number of rambunctious children! And besides, your presence has most certainly not been a burden, Severus." Hermione blushed, quickly hiding her face with a swig of tea.
"Oh?" For all the gratitude he was sure he owed the witch, Severus took delight as always in tormenting the little know-it-all.
"I only mean I have grown used to having you here, and it's been nice to have the company. I'm sure you wouldn't have tolerated this should you have been listening, but I have verbally berated many shoddily written books in your presence!"
Severus surprised the witch with a chuckle. "Depending on the accuracy and literacy of such berations Miss G- Hermione, it's entirely possible I wouldn't have objected as readily as you may think."
They shared a moment of surprisingly content, friendly eye contact before Hermione broke it in something akin to panic, offering him a pumpkin muffin. After an initial appreciative noise and nod from Severus, they both ate their muffins in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Once finished, Hermione floated the plates to the sink and set them to soak.
"That reminds me, Hermione. Where might I find my wand? I feel rather… exposed without it." Severus reluctantly admitted.
"I'm sorry Severus, but your wand was taken as evidence by the Ministry 16 years ago and cannot be released. However, the call I had with Minerva and Poppy just now suggested you will be able to enquire after a new one shortly." Seeing the confused expression on Severus' face, Hermione expanded. "The plan put in place after we realised you were out for the count involves a debriefing meeting between yourself and a collection of the Wizarding community who are involved in your care, and/or were involved in the Battle's final outcome, at the time you awake."
At that moment, it occurred to Severus that he hadn't asked the most important question of all. "I assume, Hermione, that your presence seemingly unscathed before me, and the continued existence of Minerva, Poppy and a Hogwarts under their control means that the Dark Lord was ultimately defeated?"
"Oh gosh it completely slipped my mind that you wouldn't know such things!" Severus smirked in response. "Yes, the Battle was ultimately won, although I wouldn't call me unscathed, and-" Hermione caught herself rambling; "and I may not tell you anymore, I'm afraid. The purpose of the debriefing will be to catch you up on everything of relevance - including both the Battle, and pertinent events of the past 16 years. Until the meeting is arranged, I am afraid that you will be expected to remain here so that nothing takes you by surprise, and in turn, you take nobody by surprise."
This new information played around in Severus' head, and as loathe as he was to embrace what seemed to be house arrest, he could think of worse ways to spend a day or two after the events of the past … however long.
"Thank you for explaining, Hermione. May I enquire as to when this meeting will take place?"
She seemed appeased at his quick acceptance, knowing how hard it must be. "It's difficult to put a timeline on this unfortunately, as those required to attend are not exactly easy to herd. We all have jobs so far and wide, with differing levels of communications you see."
Severus tilted his head to one side thoughtfully. He wasn't sure if it was the fact Hermione was the only person he had interacted with pleasantly, if at all, in a long time, or if there was more to it, but he was rather interested in finding out more about this grown up witch.
"Pray tell, what did the insufferable-little-know-it-all I recall grow up to be?" He softened this with a semi-smirk, but evidently not enough by the playful glare he received back.
"If by that you mean me, I am a healer of sorts. But I shan't bore you with the details today."
To Hermione's surprise, Severus went to object to her stopping this particular conversation - however she did not want to fatigue the poor man. Redirecting the conversation firmly, she continued: "Whilst I am aware that the coma charm allowing you to regain consciousness means you are in fact healed and at full strength, it would be remiss of me to ignore the need you have to process some of this information and the situation in which you now find yourself."
Severus conceded with a head tilt towards her.
"I don't know about you, but I find a long, hot bath with variously brewed additions the perfect way to soothe the body and mind." Hermione took the half smile gracing Severus' face as agreement. "If you would like to follow me, I'll show you to the bathroom."
As he headed past Hermione in the doorway where she stood, he turned briefly, making sincere eye contact as he said "I realise this is long overdue, but thank you, Hermione. You have my deepest gratitude".