AN: Sadly I will be traveling on Thursday, so I won't be able to update then. In the meantime, have a safe and happy week!
Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Hermione was the most pathetic woman in the history of Hogwarts The only Valentine's Day gift she would receive today was a trip to a coffee shop given to her by Neville. Was her situation so depressing even Neville couldn't help but feel sorry for her?
It was not as if Neville had any interest in her, not when he had his own girlfriend with whom to spend the evening. He swore it wouldn't make him late for his date with Edwina if he and Hermione had a cup of coffee. It was doubtful a trip to the coffee shop would take longer than five minutes. She didn't want to be out amidst happy couples who reminded her that Severus was with another woman, and that he would never see her as worthy of his affection.
Perhaps she deserved to be alone. Despite Lucius' advice, she continued her search into Judith Turner, and came up empty. The woman had appeared from nowhere, become wealthy, and now had her claws into the man Hermione loved more than her own life. Tonight, they would be dining in the finest restaurant money could buy, whereas Hermione would be alone, reveling in the memories of the kisses she and Severus shared, wishing she had the courage to tell him how she felt, all the while knowing he would be a fool to return her affections.
This promised to be the most depressing Valentine's Day of Hermione's life.
She set her hairbrush onto the sink. Why Neville told her to look her best going out to coffee was beyond her. It wasn't as if anyone would take note of her. Perhaps he thought dressing up would make her feel better about herself, or he thought she could attract the attention of another man who was just as lonely. Because he insisted so much on getting dressed up. she wore a long, burgundy dress and applied a bottle of Sleekeazy's on the off chance Severus saw her after his date. For a moment, she wondered if he'd find her beautiful, or if he'd be so taken with Judith that he wouldn't notice her.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Coming," Hermione unlocked her wheelchair and made her way to the door. As she drew closer, she forced herself to smile. Just because she was being pitied with a coffee didn't mean she needed to appear miserable about it. Being asked to go anywhere was a kindness. The least she could do was appreciate it.
"Hermione," Neville grinned as he examined her. "You look stunning."
She cocked her head. "Are you sure you should be saying those kinds of things to a woman other than your girlfriend on Valentine's Day?"
"Edwina is secure enough in our relationship to handle me handing out a well earned compliment to a good friend."
"I don't know if the compliment is well-earned," Hermione wheeled out of the room before giving him a half smile, "but I'll take it."
"Trust me, it is," He strolled down the hall. "You look absolutely perfect for what we have planned."
"How? We're going to coffee, not a Ministry gala."
"Yes, but it will be the nicest coffee I can find. You'll want to look beautiful when going to the cafe, which you do."
"If half the Wizarding World will be dressed up for Valentine's Day, I suppose I may as well be dressed up as well."
"I think being out amongst others will do wonders for your mood."
"Oh yes, being in a crowded area where I can barely maneuver between the tables and chairs sounds like a lovely evening," she deadpanned.
"Don't worry, I found a place which is wheelchair accessible. It's specifically designed to cater to the needs of the disabled."
"It is?" Her eyes lit up.
"Indeed it is. It was invented with the disabled in mind."
"I take it that it's muggle."
"Well," he twisted his lip, "You could say that."
"Great," she began to turn right, only for Neville to keep walking straight.
"Uh Neville," she began, "the front door is that way."
"We aren't going out the front door."
"We aren't?"
"Nope, we'll be going someplace which you don't need to reach via apparition."
"Okay," she wheeled herself and continued following her friend, unable to shake the feeling that she was going to hate what he had in store.
Severus couldn't believe he'd allowed Minerva to coerce him into going on a Valentine's Day date.
He sat at a table with a cream colored candle in the center. The tablecloth was whiter than the snow which had fallen the night before. All around him, the lights were dim, creating a much more intimate atmosphere than one would have at The Leaky Cauldron. If he strained his ears, he could hear the hushed sounds of waiters and fellow patrons. That may be his imagination though. One never knew with the Room of Requirement.
What did he want from this room anyway? The room catered to his whims, but what did he want? Although he enjoyed Italian, he did not want to go to a romantic dinner, at least not with Judith.
Then again, the Room of Requirement wasn't his idea. Minerva had sent him here to have dinner with Judith, presumably so they would have as few interruptions as possible. She swore it would do wonders for his concentration.
It should be pleasant to have a Valentine's Day where he was not alone. Part of him was relieved not to spend the evening in his dungeons brewing, knowing everyone above him was having an enjoyable time without him. Not that there was any reason to take pleasure in Valentine's Day. Love was too messy of a concept to celebrate. A beautiful witch being interested in him should be enough, especially if it wouldn't hurt for him to watch her leave because she grew bored with him.
Yet that witch wasn't Hermione. She never was and never would be. Nothing anyone could say or do could change that. He didn't want to be with any woman aside from Hermione.
Severus pressed his head against the table. He was in love with Hermione, a fact that became clearer every time he interacted with her. Everything about her was perfect for him, from her sense of humor, her thirst for knowledge, the unique way she saw the world, and the way she never gave up on him, even when everyone else did.
He groaned louder. Why did his mind betray him by dwelling on the kisses they shared? How could the dreams of them raising their children haunt him every night? A relationship between them was never going to work. Another wizard was bound to see what an amazing witch she was. That wizard would be younger, handsomer, and more open with his feelings that Severus could ever be. It was time to brace himself for her inevitable rejection and accept a life of solitude where she was only the friend he loved from afar.
He sighed. Why did he ruin every good relationship in his life with emotions and desires? Couldn't he do the right thing for once and ignore his feelings for her? The witch dealt with enough problems without his unwanted affections causing more. She didn't need to be subjected to the kinds of stares, whispers, and jeers she would endure by being with him. It was bad enough that few took her seriously due to her disability. Her horrendous taste in men didn't need to be put on display for all the world to see as well. Best to remain friends so he didn't ruin her life.
Judith Turner was safe. She didn't care about the infamy, and she was tolerable. Perhaps Minerva was right in that he should give her a chance. He'd spent his life obsessing over one woman who cared nothing for him. Must he place himself in that situation again?
"What are we doing here?"
Severus' heart skipped a beat as he sat up straighter. Was Hermione outside, or had the castle decided it would be amusing to torture him with her voice?
"This is the coffee shop," Neville began.
Severus glanced around, waiting for the scenery to change. His stomach churned at the thought of being in a coffee shop. Coffee tore apart his stomach unless he'd had a large meal or a scoop of ice cream. Ice cream didn't sound terrible at the moment, though he would sink into the ground if anyone discovered his favorite flavor was strawberry. Not even Hermione knew that fact about him, and he intended to keep it that way.
"You mean to tell me the only accessible coffee shop you could find was one conjured up by the castle?" The disappointment in her voice was evident.
"I think it's rather clever," Neville answered. "You don't need to worry about cobblestone streets with potholes, swarms of lovers snogging each other, baristas jostling your chair, the incoming snow storm, or taking too long to get home."
"It is a rather clever setup," she admitted.
Severus glanced around, wondering why the scenery did not change. Could two people have different visions in the room? It could be possible, but how could anyone communicate if they were in such different realities?
"Then," the door creaked open. "After you, madame."
"Very well then." From the shadows, she wheeled into the room. Then, she stopped. "Uh Neville, this isn't a cafe."
"No, it is not," Severus drawled.
"Severus?"
"Hermione."
"What are you doing here?" The light brightened, allowing him to see her burgundy dress. It brought out the natural highlights of her hair, and the softness of her eyes. His mouth watered at the sight. Every fiber of his being fought not to capture her lips and tell her how beautiful he found her.
Nobody could drive him as wild as this witch! If only he had the courage to make her understand that he would give her anything she desired! They would both be doomed if he did so, but at least he'd have a smile on his face the entire time.
"Severus?" She asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I uh," he gulped. "I was waiting for someone."
"Judith," she frowned.
"Indeed," Severus exhaled. "Minerva set us up on a date."
"I had no idea," she turned around. "Neville, we should…"
"Stay in here as long as you need to!" His expression was that of a child who had just stolen an entire cookie jar.
"What?" Hermione exclaimed.
Before anyone could react, Neville slammed the door shut. The sound of it locking behind him echoed throughout the makeshift restaurant. Severus swore he could hear the herbology professor putting things in front of the door, ensuring they had no escape.
"Neville!" Hermione wheeled over to the door and grabbed the handle. Try as she might to jostle it, the door wouldn't budge.
"Neville!" Severus rushed to the door. "What is the meaning of this?"
"You can't just lock people in rooms!"
"Yes, one of us may need to use the restroom!"
Hermione turned to him. "Do you need to use the restroom?"
"No," Severus hissed. "But he doesn't need to know that."
"True," she turned to the door and replied in a louder voice. "Severus needs to use the little professors room!"
"No, he doesn't," Neville sang as another object was shuffled around.
"Open this door, or I'll tell Minerva all about this little stunt!" Hermione threatened.
"I'm sure she'll have a few things to say about it!" Severus barked.
"I think you two will be too busy tonight to contact Minerva."
"With what?" Hermione asked.
"What do you think?" Neville chuckled.
Hermione and Severus glanced at each other. All the pain of past rejections, fear of tonight's rejection, and terror at the possibility of a future rejection was in their eyes. The only thing they could do was return their attention to the door and cry out together, "Neville!"
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Neville called before his footsteps grew softer.
Severus and Hermione returned their attention to each other, knowing this would either be the best, or worst, Valentine's Day they'd ever experienced.