A/n - hi everyone, first of all I can't figure out how to do a real author's note. Derp. Second, thanks for the fantastic feedback. A few have you have commented on Snape's comment of Hermione being a "beautiful woman" seemingly going over Hermione's head. Hermione just isn't ready to unwrap that box of worms with Snape. She heard it, but she's put it in a box with everything else that challenges her world view and she's sitting on the lid singing kum-bai-ya. But don't worry. We will be cracking that lid wide open. And because the omission of her reacting to that comment felt like a plot hole for so many of you, I will be editing that chapter or the chapter after that, to at least have Hermione react to the comment in some way. I just haven't figured out how. When I do, I'll let you know. Thanks, you guys, for the invaluable feedback.
It is nearly Halloween before Ginny realizes something is off with Hermione's schedule. "Aren't you done with those blasted detentions yet? I really need help with patrols. Extra Quidditch practices," she says, by way of explanation.
"Fuck, Ginny I am so sorry," Hermione says. "Those detentions were over ages ago. I totally forgot about helping you with patrols. I can do one night a week, and as much weekends as you like."
"Where have you been going every night after dinner?" says Ginny, and Hermione's heart lands in her stomach. This is not going to go over well.
"I'm studying with Snape." Hermione says.
Ginny just stares at her for a moment. "So, you no longer have detention, but- you're still going to detention."
"It's not like that, Gin. I'm doing his grading for him and in exchange he is tutoring me in Potions, Occlumency, and Alchemy too, soon, I hope."
Ginny narrows her eyes. "You're letting that greasy git root around in your head like he did to Harry? Does Harry know?"
"No, he is not rooting around in my head, and no, Harry doesn't know. He isn't giving me practical instruction in Occlumency, I've just been reading his papers and we've been discussing it."
"Discussing. With Snape."
"Professor Snape, Ginny."
"Whatever! It's fucking creepy. I'm telling Harry." Ginny glares at Hermione, as if she is daring her to forbid it.
"Go right ahead, Gin, I'm not going to ask you to keep anything from Harry. You might not get the response you are hoping for, though. Harry doesn't hate Professor Snape anymore either."
Ginny plops down on the bed, all the fight going out of her in one breath. "I don't like it, " she says quietly.
"I knew you wouldn't, that's why I haven't said anything… but honestly, Ginny, he's different then he used to be. He doesn't bully me at all. He never calls me names. He just teaches me. And he's- well, kind, for lack of a better word. And patient. Well, patient for Snape."
Ginny is staring at Hermione. "You LIKE him!" Her tone is accusatory.
"Yes, I do, Ginny, he's brilliant and brave and kind and he's been good to me. He's teaching me things I can't learn from anyone else."
"No, I mean LIKE him," says Ginny. "You know what I mean."
Hermione gives a derisive snort. "Don't be ridiculous."
Ginny pounces. "See? There? You even sounded like him!"
"Ginny, I am really happy. Can that be enough for you?"
Ginny considers this for a long moment. "Can I cast my bat bogey hex on him if he makes you unhappy?"
"Merlin, Ginny, he's not my boyfriend!"
Ginny just purses her lips and remains silent.
"Okay. If he makes me sad, you can hex him. At your own risk. He's fucking scary."
Ginny nods and that is the end of it.