Day 11 prompt: Yule Ball

Chapter 11: The past repeats itself

Friday, December 25, 2009

Returning to Hogwarts was like coming home for Hermione. Not just as a former students, but as a former Professor. Her two and a half years there teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts had been a safety net of sorts. A way to move forward with her new life in a familiar setting. It also provided her with the safety of the school nursery for Lily and then Shiloh when she wasn't ready to leave them with someone else while she pursued a job and career. Leaving the position came at the right moment. Severus' exoneration had been a hard fought victory. Seeing the man in question looking extremely uncomfortable in the corner trying not to enjoy himself, Hermione grabbed two champagne flutes and approached him. Handing Snape one, she drank from the other. "You'll have your fun when the dinner is over," she told him, knowing how much he enjoyed breaking up the older students who tried to sneak off to snog. "It wouldn't hurt to enjoy yourself here."

He spun the flute in his hands at the stem but didn't drink. "You don't know that."

Unable to stifle the laugh at his expense, Hermione swayed in the spot. She remembered how much fun she had at the Yule Ball with Victor. It was the night she realized she wasn't a sidekick. She was her own person and could find her own path. Still, it had hurt that her best friends weren't interested in her newfound freedom. Particularly Ron. Little did she know the greatest hurt had yet to come.

"It's… good to have a Potter back at the school," Snape continued.

Hermione tried to interpret his pause. She knew from experience one could learn more from what the complicated man didn't say than what he did. It had to be hard to see a Lily Potter on the class roster. It had taken him time to really trust her and Harry with the full story of his choices and his motivations. To say Harry hadn't taken it well was an understatement. She couldn't blame him. Still, in their attempt to understand the man who saved her life in order to save his, some pieces to the puzzle fell into place. It wasn't until Snape finally apologized for the terrible treatment of Harry that the ice between the two thawed a small measure. There was never a scenario Harry and Snape would be considered friends. Just mutual respect. Hermione was more sympathetic. However misguided Snape's path started, it ended on the right side. That was something. "I assume you mean Lily and not Harry," she joked, Snape nodded. Harry had been adamant he should lead the security for the Triwizard Tournament. It wasn't necessary for a team of Aurors to spend to much time at the school. Hermione guessed having Teddy and Lily in the castle was part of the reason he was taking his responsibility so diligently. "Lily is determined to be the Hogwarts champion in the next tournament."

"I'll keep that in mind. She has a knack for DADA. A quick study."

"She has a good teacher."

Snape tipped his glass in her direction, bowed his head slightly. "She has. Yes."

Hermione took the compliment, knowing it was genuine. She felt a hand on her back and turned to find Harry. Smiling, she kissed his cheek. "I was beginning to think you invited me here to watch you work."

Pulling her closer he looked around her to Severus. "Professor. Mind if I steal her from you for a dance?"

Snapped waved them on and finally drank the champagne. Hermione leaned in to Harry and let him take the lead. "Everything all right?"

"Hm. No troubles. Nelson has it from here for the night."

Hermione thought the security was excessive. She supposed it was the only right answer considering the history of the tournament at Hogwarts and the growing political unrest in the wizarding world. She understood the conflicts they had to manage were cyclical. It didn't help her understand why the magical community couldn't learn from the mistakes in their past. "Ophelia announced her retirement," she told him. He'd been so busy she hadn't had an opportunity to tell him her director was leaving the ICW in the new year.

Not missing a step, Harry was quiet as he processed her words. They weren't important to mention at the Yule Ball unless the news impacted them. Finally, it sunk in. He stopped. "You're applying for the job." It wasn't a question.

A small shake of her head, "I don't have to. It's mine if I want it."

Harry seemed completely unaware that they were an obstacle for everyone else around them trying to waltz. "Do you? Want it?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip. She shouldn't want it. After everything the job had cost her.

At her non-answer answer, Harry started moving again. Thinking. She gave him the time he seemed to need. "They can keep you, us, safe from the syndicate?"

"You know there are no guarantees. I think they're closer to breaking it all up." It was optimistic she knew. The reach of the organization wasn't completely understood yet.

"You know as long as Ra–…" Harry stopped himself, look around. It wasn't the time or place. "As long as he's alive. Locked up or free, they'll be a threat."

Hermione was regretting raising the topic. "I don't need to make any decisions right now. We can think about it."

His eyes narrowed. Reading between her words. Leading her from the dance floor out to the courtyard, he stood facing her. "Why don't we need to make any decisions right now?"

Merlin she hated how perceptive he was. This should have waited until they got home. "I'll be appointed the interim director on January second. They'll organize a search committee if they need to."

"So it's done then." His tone took on the hurt that came anytime she tried to shield him from information that would make him worry. The tone that was used more frequently with each passing year.

"It's not. I can turn all of it down. The temporary position too." Desperately wishing they weren't having such a serious conversation in formal attire, she reached out for him. "I shouldn't have brought it up here. I should have waited. Let's enjoy the rest of the night and we can work through it tomorrow. I promise. Nothing is decided."

A flash of guilt swept over his face, wiping the worry away. He took both hands in his. "You're perfect for the job. You know that right? I'm not questioning that."

"I know. I know there are so many things to consider. We'll talk about them all."

The music drifted in from the ballroom. He started to slow dance with her. "What's a yule ball without an argument," he offered half heartedly, leaned in for a kiss.

"Break it up," a voice interrupted them before their lips met. Surprised Harry and Hermione turned to see Snape just as he realized his mistake. "Honestly," he huffed and set off in the opposite direction.

Hermione giggled. "I kinda feel bad for whoever he finds next."

"If they didn't hide well enough, they deserve to get caught," Harry said as he brushed back a stray hair. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Potter."