Distractions

Distractions.

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping

While my guitar gently weeps

I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping

Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know why nobody told you how to unfold your love

I don't know how someone controlled you

They bought and sold you.

I look at the world and I notice its turning

While my guitar gently weeps

With every mistake we must surely be learning

Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know how you were diverted

You were perverted too

I don't know how you were inverted

No one alerted you.

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping

While my guitar gently weeps

Look at you all . . .

Still my guitar gently weeps.

While my Guitar Gently weeps – The Beatles

Hermione woke slowly from her dream. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she groaned as she became accustomed to the bright July sunshine that streamed through the windows of her bedroom. Minerva had kindly agreed to allow her to stay on at Hogwarts after the rest of the students had left for the summer break. Sighing, she rose from the comfort of her bed. She hadn't had such a vivid, lucid dream in many months, and her heart ached as she slowly began to piece together what she had experienced.

"Oh, Severus." Hermione walked from her bed over to the window. "Of all days, today I wish you were still here." She looked across the sun-scorched lawn towards the black lake. "Mum and Dad aren't here to see what I have achieved... I so wish you were still here with me."

The arrival of a small white owl distracted her from her thoughts. "Hello there, little one," she murmured as she took the parchment from the owl's left leg. "And who do you belong to?"

Gradually she unrolled the parchment, smiling as she recognised the handwriting. Harry had remembered that she would be getting her NEWT results today. Placing the parchment on the windowsill, Hermione reached for the bag of owl treats she had and offered some to the owlet. "Here you are, little one. Thank you for bringing me this note."

She remained at the window for several minutes after the owl left before deciding she had better get dressed and face the new day. She made short work of getting ready and made her way to Minerva's room to share breakfast with the Headmistress, as she had every morning for the last five weeks.

****

Minerva had risen early that morning, checking the NEWT and OWL results once more before presenting them to the school board at 10am. Everything was in order. A gentle tap at the door disturbed her musing as Hermione entered the room.

"Good morning, my dear." Minerva greeted Hermione with a warm smile. "Winky has brought us breakfast already; I'll be with you in a moment."

Hermione took her seat at the small table and started to eat her breakfast of yoghurt and fresh fruit washed down with a large mug of black coffee.

****

The bright morning sunshine warmed the guest room where Severus lay. Lucius sat watching the younger man. There had been increasingly encouraging signs since the day when Severus had first shown signs of awakening. Last night, however, had seen the return of the prolonged bouts of fitful sleep.

"Severus, if only we knew what vexed you so," Lucius muttered. "I have a meeting with Lewins later today at St Mungo's; I will enquire if he can recommend a new approach." Lucius began to pace the room. "Narcissa will sit with you later."

Returning to the small oak bureau that had been placed in the room at Narcissa's request, Lucius checked over the paperwork one more time. Not only had he and Narcissa contributed to the rebuild of Hogwarts, they had also contributed to the development of a new Magical Maladies wing at St Mungo's. Currently, it was home to the Longbottoms and Lockhart, and although Lewins had repeatedly offered to provide a place for Severus, Lucius had declined his offer, preferring to keep Severus' survival secret until he himself could decide whether or not he wished to be lauded as a hero or to be allowed to disappear without a trace.

****

Hermione sat on the edge of the small wooden jetty, dangling her toes into the cool water of Hogwarts Lake. The midday July sunshine was fierce in its intensity. She was pondering her dream from the night before. It had been months since Hermione had dreamt about Severus. She had been so wrapped up with studying for her exams that she hadn't remembered any of her dreams.

"Miss Granger... Hermione... I believe I have some information that you and the other members of the trio will find... of benefit to your latest crusade."

Hermione sighed as she remembered their meeting after he had saved her from Greyback, when he had used Legilimency to show her why he had cast the Avada Kedavra that had killed Albus Dumbledore.

"Professor Snape, how do you know that you have information that will be a help to us?"

"Let's just say a little bird has hinted that you might find information in this text helpful."

The sound of someone approaching startled her from her reminiscences.

"Hermione, I have your results for you." Minerva passed a small white envelope to her.

"Would you stay whilst I open these, please, Minerva?" Hermione stammered.

"Of course I'll stay, my dear."

Hermione took the proffered envelope from her and carefully broke the seal. Removing the parchment, she slowly digested the results.

"But, this means I have... I don't believe it. How, I mean, I've achieved identical results to Severus' NEWTs record."

"Indeed it does, my dear, well done. I am sure that Severus would be incredibly proud of you today, Hermione."

Minerva stood watching the Hermione as tears formed in her eyes and her heart ached for the young woman who stood before her. As part of the golden trio, she had been through so much since Albus' death. "Hermione, would you join me in my room tonight? Would 6 o'clock be all right with you?"

"That would be perfect, thank you, Minerva"

****

Narcissa sat at the small bureau by Severus's bed. The latest edition of the Daily Prophet that Waldo had dropped off with her afternoon cup of Earl Grey caught her eye.

"Well, I never, Severus," Narcissa whispered. "It would seem that Miss Granger is the toast of the wizarding world. She is the first witch to match the high standard you set all those years ago. Minerva did tell Lucius that the young witch had thrown herself into her studies. I wonder if she realises that she has matched your score. Ahhh, but of course she will. Minerva will take great delight in the fact that you have been equalled by her favourite little Gryffindor cub."

Turning to face the man who lay upon the bed, she awaited a response. Every day had seen a subtle improvement in Severus' condition. She was surprised when seconds after her comment about Miss Granger, the dark eyes of the recovering wizard met her own.

"Hermione," Severus whispered.

Rising rapidly, a warm glow of hope filling her, Narcissa made her way over to the fireplace and Flooed Healer Lewins immediately.

"Where's Hermione?" Severus rasped.

"Hush, Severus, Hermione is fine. She is safe at Hogwarts with Minerva. Rest up, dear friend. The Healer will be here soon." Narcissa gently moved sweat-soaked hair from the side of Severus' face, smiling at the change in the wizard. He was returning to them at last.

Moments later, Lewins and Lucius entered the room, disturbing the stillness with a flash of green and a roar from the Floo.

"What has happened?" Lucius asked as he reached his wife's side. He looked in the direction that Narcissa was looking: his eyes met the obsidian ones of Severus. Lucius took in a deep breath, bewildered yet euphoric at the change in Severus' status.

Lewins had followed Narcissa's nod towards the bed. Realising that Snape was partially propped up by a bank of pillows, he walked over to the side of the ornate bed. Withdrawing his wand he proceeded to perform some routine diagnostic spells.

Smiling, Lewins finally spoke. "I am pleased to report, Mr Malfoy, that Mr Snape seems to be making a speedier recovery at last. The intensity of all his vital signs is improving." Both Lucius and Narcissa released the breath neither realised they had been holding, relieved that Severus was at long last making discernable progress.

****

Hermione sighed as she sat before her dressing table brushing her hair. She had spent the afternoon mostly down by the lake, but had ventured to Severus' headstone shortly before returning to the castle. She had a lot to consider: there was the matter of finding a job, or taking up either Minerva or Flitwick's offers. She also had to think about Ginny's offer of helping her clean Spinner's End.

Once she had completed brushing the knots from her hair, Hermione made her way to Minerva's private room.

"Enter," Minerva shouted so Hermione would hear. "I believe Winky has left us a pot of tea with the sandwiches. Do you want to pour? I'll be through in a moment."

Hermione smiled as she took the seat on the left of the ornate fireplace. She poured the tea into the two small china cups.

"Ahhh, thank you, my dear," Minerva stated as she sat in the chair opposite Hermione.

"Minerva, I've been thinking: if the offer is still open, I would like to help Irma in the library for a while. Ginny had offered to help me with Spinner's End, and I think I need to make a decision about whether or not I am going to keep it."

Minerva smiled kindly at Hermione. "Of course the offer to help Irma is still there, Hermione. I appreciate that you have a lot to consider. However, I am perplexed as to why you have not considered Filius' apprenticeship offer?"

"I have thought about it. I think I'd rather get some loose ends tied up before deciding what do to. You have been so kind, Minerva, but I have to face Spinner's End sooner rather than later."

Minerva sat watching Hermione as she spoke about Spinner's End. The pain of Severus' loss was still clear for all to see. Hermione still struggled with her grief, although it was nowhere near as painful as it had been when Severus' will had been read the previous June.

"Hermione, I will shortly be returning to my cottage in Ireland. I was wondering if you would care to join me for a small break before you truly decide where your future lies?"

Hermione raised her head to look at Minerva. She seemed to consider the offer for a while. "Thank you, I would enjoy that very much."

****

Hermione sat eating her breakfast in the kitchen of Minerva's holiday cottage. They had been in Glendalough, Ireland, for almost three weeks and were due to return to Hogwarts in a couple of days' time. Despite her plans to contemplate her future, she had been kept busy by Minerva.

They had spent a lovely afternoon just outside Avoca, at the Meeting of the Waters, and Hermione had been intrigued when Minerva had informed her that the Muggle poet, Thomas Moore, was said to have written his Irish melody the Meeting of the Waters while he sat upon the rustic seat where Hermione was sitting. They had also visited Russborough House, which Hermione had marvelled at. She had enthused about the Palladian style of the house, commenting that the style was far superior to that of the Malfoys' family home.

"So, my dear, what have you planned for today?" Minerva asked as she sat down at the breakfast table.

"I was just contemplating Apparating to Avoca again. Maybe I'll visit the pub, what was it called?"

"The Meeting, I believe, dear."

"Yes, that's it. I was going to sit and have a think again and then maybe get a spot of lunch."

"That sounds like an excellent idea. I'm sure you don't need me to go with you." Minerva smiled at the younger woman warmly.

****

Once Hermione had Apparated from the cottage, Minerva cleared the breakfast pots and placed the cereal and jam on the small pine sideboard. Muttering a spell she set the pots to wash before returning to her bedroom.

Asking Hermione to join her in Ireland had been inspired. Hermione had been an excellent companion, and the visit had served to distract her from thoughts of Severus. Minerva could only hope that giving Hermione space now would allow her time to decide what to do next. Sitting before her dressing table, Minerva removed a small painting of Albus from the right-hand drawer.

"Albus."

He responded to his name with a gentle snore.

"Albus, I know you're not sleeping. Hermione has returned to Avoca. Doesn't young Padraig live close to Avoca?"

"Are you referring to the young man who was an apprentice of yours a decade or more ago?"

"Indeed I am, you old goat," Minerva teased affectionately.

"I do believe that Padraig lives just outside Avoca. Why do you ask, Minnie?"

"I have a plan. Plans that even you would be proud of, Albus."

The old wizard chuckled as his blue eyes bore a faint glimmer of mischief.

****

Severus had continued to make excellent progress since he had woken. He was now able to spend short periods of the day sat in the high-backed chair that Lucius had moved from the library. His improvement had been such that Lewins had contacted a friend of his to start Severus' Magiotherapy.

Severus took an instant dislike to Trewella. The stocky young Healer, with his shock of untamed, red hair, reminded him too much of the dunderheaded youngest male Weasley.

Glowering across the room at him, Severus growled with frustration. He was finding even the simplest of magic taxing.

"Don't smirk at me like that, boy. Remember I am a Potions master, and as such, it would do you well to remember that I should be treated with at least a modicum of respect. Damn it, Kingsley has seen fit to laud me with an Order of Merlin; the least you can do is refrain from smirking when I detonate a Godforsaken peacock feather."

"I'm sorry, Professor. I will... "

Severus cut the younger man off before he could say any more. "I am no longer your Professor, Trewella, nor can it be said I will return to being a Professor. I have vague recollections of tolerating your presence for Potions lessons." He paused. "Weren't you in Hufflepuff?" he snarled.

"I was, sir, although I didn't continue with Potions past OWL level," Trewella stuttered. He had always been nervous around Snape, and now that he had taken once more to snarling at him, as though he were a first-year again, he was once more the scared, withdrawn Hufflepuff who had melted cauldrons with nearly as much constancy as Longbottom had.

"Ahhh, it's coming back to me now: you were almost as apocalyptic as Longbottom."

Trewella's facade of courage crumbled. Muttering his excuses, the young man activated the Floo and fled the Manor.

Severus smirked.

****

Hermione Apparated to Avoca initially before Apparating on to the Meeting of the Waters. She had much to consider: Minerva had offered her the chance to stay at Hogwarts, helping Irma in the vast library, which for a bibliophile like Hermione, was a very tempting offer. Flitwick had also offered her an apprenticeship in Charms, which Hermione found to be tempting. She was also aware of the fact that she needed to venture to Spinner's End.

"Ahhh, but what will you find there, Hermione?" she mused to herself as she sat on a small bench by the two rivers. "When was the last time that Severus had been there?" She wondered what she would find and how would she cope it.

"Well, Miss Granger," she chided herself. "Of course you will cope. After all, you are not alone," she mumbled. "I have Ginny, Harry, Ronald and Minerva... I can do this, and I shall. Ginny was right when she said Severus had set me up. I have a home and an income... OK, it won't be a fortune, but it's a start and means I don't have to rush into making a decision about my future just yet. I can take my time and find the right option."

Hermione was diverted from her musing by a gentle tap on her shoulder.

"A penny for those thoughts of yours," a strange voice murmured into her left ear.

Hermione's amber eyes met the pale blue eyes of the gentleman who stood before her. His face bore a warm, genuine smile, and his eyes glittered with a hint of mischief in the warm summer sunshine. They reminded her of Albus, and his shock of red hair made her think of the Weasley family. She surmised that his height was not that dissimilar to Severus, and he was most likely to be of a similar age.

"What could a beautiful young lassie like you have to worry about? Would you care to join Padraig for a drink and a bite to eat in the pub across the way?"

Smiling, Hermione took the proffered hand. She decided that she would, indeed, join the man for lunch. What would be the harm?

****

Authors Notes: I do not own Potterverse; it all belongs to JK Rowling and others too numerous to mention. I make no money from this fanfic, it is purely written for pleasure.

I would like to thank Scoffy for her support and relentless encouragement without which I would have aborted this attempt at writing. Thanks also for correcting my grammatical errors too.

Thanks also go to little_beloved for both her support and her eagle eyes which have sought out all my punctuation mistakes.

Ladies, you rock and you make my world a brighter place.