Severus glanced at the clock on the wall of his library and frowned. It was a quarter past eleven in the evening.
He had worked all day on Hermione's lesson plans for her apprenticeship, and moved to the library after dinner. He figured with the day to himself that he would complete as many lessons as possible before returning to Hogwarts. No matter how many tasks he was able to have Minerva handle, being Headmaster consumed much of his time that could be spent elsewhere. He wanted to give Hermione the best training possible, so he took any opportunity he could to perfect her plans.
He wasn't worried about her, but he still felt protective of her, and did not want her hurt any more than she already had been. Plus, just because the Dark Lord was gone, did not mean that his followers were.
Although many were captured, a small few were let go in place of testimony against others. Those small few obviously fled, but Severus remained unconvinced they wouldn't find their way back to trouble at some point. He wasn't as concerned about himself as he was for Hermione. For the most part, she was never alone trying to defend herself, and the thought of her facing off against a former Death Eater unnerved him.
He rose from the armchair and stared out into the snowy yard. He crossed his arms and sighed. A part of him wondered if she was still upset, and this was her way of letting him know. Or she just simply lost track of time, he thought to himself. She did say 'be back tonight,' and it still is 'tonight.' He rolled his eyes. He was starting to feel like a protective parent waiting for a teenager to meet curfew.
Despite the age difference, Hermione was an adult. Severus found himself forgetting that at times because of their longstanding teacher/student relationship. But, the thought of her alone somewhere in the middle of the night made him anxious.
She's not alone, Severus. She's at the Weasley's and she can floo directly back here. No matter how much he tried to stop his overthinking, he was growing impatient.
He decided he would begin organizing the experimental ingredients for the memory potion they placed on a stasis, and retreated to his potions lab to wait.
Hermione was on her fifth glass of wine, and thankfully, no one seemed to notice.
She was sitting around the entire Weasley clan, plus Harry. George's appearance at the tea shop forced Ginny to spill the beans at the family dinner. What Ginny didn't know was that George had owled Bill, Charlie and Percy as soon as he got back to his shop, so everyone was there. The dinner had been...interesting.
Molly could hardly contain herself when they got back from Hogsmeade and Ginny asked if Hermione could stay for dinner.
"It's just like old times," Molly smiled, with a slight sadness in her eyes.
Molly's excitement only grew when one by one, the rest of her children walked out of the floo just before dinner. Harry had already been over with Ron, so there was no chance anyone knew what was going to happen at dinner.
Once the dishes had been cleared, Ginny got up from her chair and walked behind Hermione's.
"Alright, everyone. I really want to say 'thank you' to Hermione for taking the time out of her rigorous study schedule to visit me today. I know it's been ages since we've all been together, and I think mum put it best: it does feel a little like 'old times.' Ginny smiled, and moved from behind Hermione's chair to Harry's.
"I'm also really glad Hermione came today because if it wasn't for her, this family dinner would not have been possible." Hermione blushed, as the entire Weasley clan looked at her with glossy eyes and thankful smiles. "And speaking of family," Ginny continued, looking at George, who gave her a wink, "there's nothing more important than family. And you should always be honest with your family, no matter how difficult it may seem."
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked at one another with uncertain eyes.
"So," Ginny went on, awkwardly, "I- er we, don't want to be dishonest anymore."
At this point, the entire table, aside from George, Hermione, Harry and Ron, was ready to burst.
"Ginevra Molly, I swear if you don't get on with what you need to say right this instant, I will-" Ginny's laughter interrupted Molly's unfinished threat.
"Revelio," she whispered, and her ring appeared.
"Harry and I have been engaged, but I was too nervous to say anything." She winced.
Much to Ginny's obvious surprise, the entire table exploded into 'congratulations.'
Molly burst from her seat, crying, to run and hug the couple. Arthur followed with a handshake for Harry and a hug for his only daughter. Each of her brother's took turns congratulating Harry and hugging their sister.
Hermione caught a comment from Ron, and her eyes filled with tears.
"Mate, you know you've been like my brother since the day we met. This only makes it more, ya know, legal." The two best friends shared a hug. When the excitement died down, Ginny started talking again.
"I've already asked Hermione to be my maid of honor for whenever this wedding may take place." She raised a glass to Hermione and smiled. Hermione matched her action, and took a large drink from her wine glass.
"Ginny, when did you plan on having the wedding?" Fleur inquired. Hermione saw her eyes sparkle. Fleur loved any excuse to throw a party.
"Well, umm, honestly we don't know. We didn't know what would be appropriate given everything that has happened." Ginny looked down sadly.
George moved so he was standing behind Ginny and Harry. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "I think a happy occasion is just what we need, and if Fred knew you were holding back from a party on account of him, he'd never let you live it down." There was a mixture of laughing and sobbing from the Weasley bunch at that comment.
Everyone knew that George was never the same after Fred's death, and this comment gave them a glimmer of hope that maybe he was going to be okay.
Hermione looked around at her friends. She looked at the family that loved each other so much despite the trials and tribulations they had all endured.
She felt alone. She looked at her hand and rubbed the spot where Severus' gift would normally be. She had decided to take it off when she returned with Ginny for fear of too many questions. Fortunately, the ever-busy Molly hadn't noticed that morning.
She wished she hadn't taken it off. She wished that she didn't have to hide what she valued so much, even though she knew it was for the best right now.
Even though she was thrilled for Ginny and her family, she wished Severus was there. She wished the small semblance of family she had could be with her. What family? She mentally scoffed. Severus is not your family.
Hermione was brought back to the present when Molly declared, "I think the wedding should be this summer."
Hermione froze. This summer?! As in six months away? There was no way Severus would be open to revealing their relationship that soon after graduation. She took a drink that was akin to half of her glass.
"I think they should wait until after Ginny graduates." It was Arthur's turn to bring the celebration back to reality.
"I actually thought about that," Harry quipped, looking at Ginny apologetically.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. That would be more than a year from now, and plenty of time to determine the course of their relationship. She took a large sip of wine.
Ginny glared at Harry. There was clearly something else that the couple was hiding.
"Well, Harry, because you're so keen on making decisions, why don't you tell my family exactly why I didn't want to wait?"
All eyes turned to Harry. Hermione's eyes turned to the bottle of wine in front of her.
"Okay, alright," Harry put up his arms in defeat. Everyone went silent, and Harry continued.
"I'm not going to be here for about a year following graduation because I have accepted a job with the Ministry and will be leaving for training." He smiled shyly. Ginny folded her arms across her chest.
"That's brilliant!" Arthur beamed.
"Well!" Molly started, "a summer wedding, it is!"
Everyone noticed Bill and Fleur look at one another.
"Oh, bloody hell, now what!" Ron was annoyed at this point. Molly gave him a stern look.
"Honestly, we don't want to ruin anyone's plans," Bill said quietly, "but the baby is due in the summer and you know we don't want to miss this."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Hermione reached for the wine bottle. She needed glass number six for what she anticipated was coming next.
"Alright, a spring wedding. Final answer." Molly summoned a piece of parchment. "I think we need to start planning! We only have four months!"
Fleur rose from her chair and was at Molly's side in an instant. "Molly, allow me to assist with everything. It will be the most beautiful wedding ever." Her French accent was intoxicating, and Molly agreed instantly.
Everyone seemed engulfed in their own conversations. Everyone except Hermione. Her head was spinning a little. George noticed and took a seat next to her.
"You alright?" He asked. Hemione looked up at him and smiled.
"I am. Just lost in my thoughts, I suppose. Maybe a bit too much wine." She happened to glance at the clock in the kitchen. It was half past midnight. "Blimey! The time! I really need to get back." Severus was probably beside himself by now. She started to get up, but stumbled and sat back down. George put his hand on hers.
"Hermione, at this point you're like a sister to me. If there's anything you ever need to talk about, I might understand more than you think." He gave her a small smile.
Hermione figured he was talking about Fred and her parents. "George, you know it's not the same. I can't begin to compare my obliviated parents to Fred. It's not right." George gave her a confused look, then chuckled. "That's not what I was referring to." He gave her a wink.
Hermione froze. There's no way. Ginny would never had said anything. She moved her hand away from his suddenly. "I'm not sure what you mean, George."
She needed to get out of there. She was drunk and nervous. The worst combination for someone like her.
George laughed again. He spoke softly. "Listen, secrets hardly ever stay a secret when you know the right people." He saw Hermione's eyes dart to Ginny.
"No, no, no. It wasn't Ginny." He gave her a reassuring pat on the back. Hermione breathed a small sigh of relief. She felt bad for that split second of doubt for her friend.
"Listen," George continued, "All I'm saying is don't make a big deal out of something that most people won't care about."
Hermione retorted in a hushed whisper. "And how exactly do you know that they won't care?"
George shrugged. "Because it's you. And him. Think of what you two did. Who would dare to say anything?" Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing, either because of the wine, or because she was so thoroughly confused.
"George, how on earth do you have any idea," she paused carefully, "about a- umm situation that I will neither- uhh confirm nor deny." She stared at him forcefully.
He laughed. "I saw your ring this afternoon. I also know a certain Potions Master had that ring especially made." Hermione's eyes grew wide. There's no way! She tried to make a mental note not to tell Severus about this specific revelation.
"How?" She sputtered.
"I went with Harry to get Ginny's. This guy, Tom, he's a friend of my buddy, he makes great pieces. He served the Dark Lord, so you know he's brilliantly good."
Hermione was stunned. Severus still keeps in touch with Death Eaters? Not only was she confused, but her head had moved from spinning to a full-blown headache. Maybe I will ask Severus about this.
George continued, "While we were there, Tom was showing us some of his recent designs. He didn't say whose they were, but that ring looked an awful lot like the one in the picture." He made a fake concerned face. "You're not going to run off and get married without us now, are you?"
Hermione made some noise that she had never heard of before. It was a cross between a gasp and shriek. George laughed.
"It's not an engagement ring, George!" Her hushed whispers had turned into hushed shouts, and she realized everyone was staring at her.
'I-uh I mean. It's lovely." She carefully made her way over to Harry and Ginny's bewildered faces.
"I really need to be going. I love you two." She gave Harry and Ginny a half hug and made her way to the floo, not bothering to turn and see the looks of confusion that followed her.
Severus had made a silent agreement with himself that if Hermione was not back by one, he would go look for her. He looked at the clock: twelve forty-five in the morning.
He had started his potions lab, but then made his way back downstairs to read by the fireplace when he could no longer concentrate on ingredients. His reading quickly turned to pacing. Get ahold of yourself. She's enjoying the company of others and lost track of time. She's not in danger. He continued to repeat those words in his head over and over again.
Suddenly, his floo activated. Hermione stumbled through, and Severus just barely caught her before she would have fallen to the floor.
"Oh. Hello, Severus." Hermine mumbled. Severus knew instantly she was drunk. He sighed. At least she's safe.
"Hermione," he embraced her, "I was beginning to worry. I was very close to going and looking for you."
Hermione giggled. "Severus, don't be silly. You couldn't have done that without exposing us." Her word choice seemed odd. Normally, she would have assured him that she was fine, and apologized for not having sent word that she would be so late.
"Hermione, I would have done what was necessary to make sure you were safe." His tone was sharp.
Hermione giggled again. "I see." Severus grabbed her hand and noticed she wasn't wearing the ring.
"Hermione, what happened to your ring?" His voice was full of concern at this point.
Hermione held onto him with one arm as she dug into her jean pocket. She held it up to him. "'sright here!" She smiled. Her words were a little off.
"Well, yes," Severus drawled, "but why isn't it on." He watched Hermione put it on her finger. It started to glow bright red.
"Well, too many questions. I don't know what I would say." She stuttered.
"You could just say it was a gift, Hermione." Severus rolled his eyes. He knew the Weasleys were nosy, but this seemed a bit extreme.
"Yeah, but a gift from whom?" She retorted, with extra emphasis. She removed her hand from him. "I need to sit down."
Severus helped her to the couch and had a glass of water for her almost instantly. She took it and drank deeply.
"Thanks," she mumbled. "I drank too much."
Severus' eyes narrowed, "Yes, I have already made that observation. May I ask, why?"
It wasn't like Hermione to imbibe like this. But then again, she wasn't concerned about a protective charm, so that's an improvement.
"Well, Ginny and Harry are getting married. This spring. As in four months from now, and I'm to be the maid of honor." From the tone of her voice, Severus knew she was less than thrilled.
"I would assume you would be happy for your friends?" Severus questioned.
"Yeah, I am, but I sat there looking around at this family full of happiness and just felt so alone." She hiccuped. "I am alone." Her words pierced him. "And I know you'll say 'that's not true' but at the end of the day Severus, it is true. I have no family."
Severus knew he needed to be as careful as possible with this situation.
"Hermione, you have me." He took her hand.
She scoffed. "Severus, we both know you're not my family. We can't even tell people about us." Her eyes looked pained.
Severus realized why she was upset. She had just spent an entire day with people celebrating love and family, and she couldn't even celebrate that herself.
"Hermione, we can do whatever you want, but I thought we both agreed that it was best to wait until after graduation." He didn't want to have to fight about this, but he also didn't want her to think that he wanted to hide her.
"It's just," she started, "how can I be happy, when I can't be happy completely? Why is there always something standing in my way?" She started playing with his fingers. "For a 'War Heroine,' it seems like I got the short end of the stick." Her voice was sarcastic.
Severus was conflicted. He wanted nothing more than to have a normal relationship with the woman he loved, but that was part of the problem. It wasn't a normal relationship. He immediately thought of something.
"Hermione, I hope you know that I would attend whatever events you request my presence at." His voice was sincere. Hermione seemed shocked.
"But, how would we even do that? What would people say? 'Oh, Hermione couldn't find a date so she brought her Headmaster?'" Her voice started to enter shrieking mode. Severus blamed the wine for that. He tried to remember that much of her present state was due to the alcohol, and was not normal for her. Perhaps, this would be my chance to learn as much as I can…
"Hermione," Severus looked at her seriously, "what do you want?"
Frustrated, Hermione stood up and turned to face him. She carefully caught her balance.
"Severus, I don't know what you want me to say. I don't know how to get you to believe me. Why is it so hard to believe that I love you? Why is it so hard to believe that I've found the person I want to spend my life with?"
Severus tried to cut her off, "Hermione- I-"
Hermione drunkenly put a finger to his lips.
"I wish you would use Legilimency on me." She laughed.
Forced to comply, Severus looked at her curiously before he muttered, "Legilimens."
A/N: I've added a poll to my profile regarding updates on this story. I want to know if you want shorter chapters with more updates, or longer chapters with fewer updates. Thanks! Poll is at the top of my profile! :D