Ginny was already waiting outside the Great Hall when Hermione approached her.
"There you are! I was starting to worry you got lost in that big villa of yours," Ginny teased.
"Ha ha- very funny, Ginny. You know how McGonagall can be sometimes." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure she was trying to plan your future in the five minutes you allotted yourself to ask for floo permission." Ginny looked at the scowl on Hermione's face and laughed.
Hermione continued, "We just have to be back before nine this evening, which is particularly generous."
Ginny placed a hand on Hermione's arm, "There's nothing to worry about anymore, Hermione. They don't have to be as cautious."
"I guess I forgot about that, Ginny. Well, we don't have to be out that long!"
"Are you kidding?! We're going to make good use of this freedom, Hermione, now let's go."
Ginny grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her up the main stairs in the direction of Professor McGonagall's office.
They barely reached the office door when Hermione heard his voice.
"Going somewhere?" Snape questioned, removing his scarf.
Ginny's eyes grew wide as she tried to speak, "We were granted permission sir! By Professor McGonagall!"
"Miss Weasley, do you think they would have asked me to take the position of Headmaster if I was unable to make such base assumptions?"
Ginny closed her mouth, but Hermione chuckled.
"Sir, Professor gave me explicit permission that Ginny and I could use her floo to go to Hogsmeade today." Hermione stared at the snow Snape was brushing off his shoulders.
"I see," he drawled, "Well I was heading to my office, you are welcome to use my floo."
Hermione didn't see the look of dread in Ginny's eyes, she merely followed behind Snape.
Once they reached his office, Snape took off his overcoat, which flew to a nearby coat rack.
"How cold is it, sir?" Hermione mused.
"It is quite bitter, Miss Granger. Do take care. I should hate to see you ill. You as well Miss Weasley." Snape walked to the two girls with his canister of floo powder.
Hermione took a handful happily, with Ginny watched her tentatively. The two girls stepped into the fireplace.
"Thank you, sir." Hermione said before flashing a bright smile and throwing the powder.
Hogsmeade looked as if it never endured a war. Stores were busy, people bustled about with packages, and street vendors continued to shout their goods. At the same time, it felt different. Probably because no one had to worry about a Death Eater showing up, or random scenes of terror. It was busy, yet peaceful. It was everything she remembered before she knew anything about the Dark Lord.
Ginny interrupted her thoughts, "I need to shop for everything, Hermione. We have a long day ahead of us. What do you need?"
Hermione took a minute to think. "Well I suppose I am in the same position. I wonder if there are any new shops." Hermione squinted at the signs posted above the shops.
Ginny pointed at one. "That one looks new."
The sign read: The Potions Palace.
Hermione instantly thought of Severus.
"Ginny, I want to check out that new potions store!" Hesitantly, she added, "But I don't want to keep you from shopping, as I know you have many more people to look for. Let's meet at The Three Broomsticks at noon."
She was relieved once Ginny agreed and watched her walk quickly to a new frilly underwear shop that opened.
Hermione stepped into the shop and was immediately overwhelmed by the amount of vials and cauldrons that lined the shelves. This was a great find. I wonder if Severus has been here yet. The only problem was finding something that he didn't already have.
She was looking at a cauldron made of quartz, when an older man approached her.
"That cauldron is wonderful for healers. Lets them see the color of their potion from across the room while they attend patients. Eliminates the need to keep walking back and forth to it." The man stopped. "Are you a healer, young lady?"
Hermione giggled, "No sir, I'm afraid not. I'm merely looking for the perfect Christmas present for a Potions Master who has everything."
The old man raised his eyebrows. "A Potions Master? What nice company you keep, my dear! I must know some more information. How long has he been a Master?"
Hermione froze, "Well, a long time. I'd say at least twenty-five years already."
"Oh my! I would say he is a Master! My name is John, by the way. Now come, follow me."
John excitedly led Hermione down an aisle to a large china cabinet at the back of the shop. Instantly, she could sense it was heavily warded. She watched as his magic incantation released the wards. He opened the cabinet carefully and brought out a black velvet box.
"I must be honest, I am showing you this only because there is nothing else in this store that a Master of twenty-five years wouldn't have already. This is purely for present sakes."
John opened the box, and Hermione gasped.
Inside was the most stunning medallion Hermione had ever seen.
Hung from a dark green braided leather necklace was the symbol of the Valkyrie.
"Go on, pick it up!" John encouraged her. "The pendant is platinum. The pendant is from the ancient myth of the Valkyrie, which symbolizes protection. It's a stunning piece. All the way from Ireland! I suppose if you need an explanation for it, just tell the man it's to protect from possible potion mishaps," the man paused, then continued, "but then again I don't think he'd be a Master if he made too many mistakes."
Hermione stopped him, "What's this stone?" She gently placed her fingers over the green stone.
John scratched his head, "Well, that there is what makes the piece so expensive. It's a fire emerald. One of the rarest stones because it only forms at the base of a volcano."
Hermione knew that Snape wore one piece of jewelry, a black ring on his right hand. She never would have thought to pick out something like this, but she had this feeling it was the perfect gift. He could wear it under his high collar and wouldn't have to worry about answering questions.
"I'll take it, John." Hermione stated.
John looked surprised. "Miss, I hate to be rude, but it is quite expensive."
Hermione only smiled. "That is of no concern to me."
"Well, okay then. Oh- I really am rude! I never asked for your name."
Hermione winced. Her name. The name everyone recognized and ogled over. She could easily lie, but she liked John.
"It's Hermione Granger, John."
John smiled and held his hand out for Hermione to take. He took the necklace from her hands and put it neatly back into the box.
He walked through a door next to the cabinet and shouted, "Green, gold, or black?"
Hermione only assumed he was referring to gift wrapping and replied, "Hmmm black with a green ribbon, if you please!"
Several moments later John returned with a beautifully wrapped package.
"I do hope he enjoys this, whoever he is." John handed Hermione the gift.
Hermione took the package and reached into her bag for her pocket book. Swiftly, it returned back into her bag with a wave of John's hand.
"Miss Granger, I am sure that you have endured more attention than you could possibly handle in a lifetime, let alone in a few months. This is not charity. This is not a favor. This is a 'thank you' for your service. Most men wouldn't have done what you did, and the results of your service hold a dear place in my heart. I am not too proud to acknowledge when gratitude is due, and this is a situation where I believe it is."
Hermione smiled softly. "Did you have a child at Hogwarts, John?"
John shook his head slowly. "No, Miss Granger. Only a brother who was lucky enough to escape death at the hands of the Dark Lord. But only because of you."
"You're welcome, John. But you cannot think I could accept a gift as dear as this-," Hermione started.
"You can, and you will." John gave her a stern look. "Now, I do hope you will come back and visit in the near future, Miss Granger."
"Of course! I intend to, John. Thank you again." Hermione smiled and held the package tightly against her as she walked out of the shop.
"Who was that, John?" A woman's voice called from the back room.
"A nice young woman came for the pendant." John replied.
"Oh?" the woman's voice sounded surprised, "and who could possibly afford one of Thomas' pieces?'
"The girl who saved him."