Chapter Two

Disclaimer: The HP universe is not mine. The plot, however, is.

Chapter Two

To begin with Hermione was trailing after Snape as he made his way around the different shops, but after entering an Apothecary, she changed. She began engaging both Snape in conversation and the other patrons.

Snape watched her with abstract amusement as she settled into herself and her confidence started to shine through. Although he could still see that something was on her mind, distracting her thoughts, those she conversed with seemed oblivious, unconcerned with Hermione’s wild gesticulations and enthusiastic chatter.

Drawing himself away, he continued making his way around the store, picking up, checking and replacing herbs and potion ingredients. The produce was always high quality; however, he liked to check up on them to be sure. It would not do to have an inexperienced witch or wizard injured through faulty goods.

“I’m sorry, Severus, I didn’t mean to ignore you.” Smiling, Hermione slipped an arm through his crooked elbow, giving it a squeeze. “I am here with you, after all.”

“That’s quite alright; it only meant that I could continue my business without you to watch over.” His smirk was the only thing that kept her from smacking his arm. She knew he was teasing and that retaliating would only increase his amusement.

“Yes, well. It was fascinating discussing ideas and being taken seriously.”

Snape nodded. “I’m sure that you’ve had a hard time discussing things with the dunderheads you insist on associating with.”

“Severus! Please don’t insult them; you know that friendship is not just about intelligence.” Hermione blushed and shook her head as Snape’s chuckles filled the small shop.

“Indeed.”

***

Hermione looked up as the waiter moved away from their table. Snape had chosen a nice spot for their table; it was in the corner, where she could see the room, and he had his back to the wall. A thought about how his habits from spying having never left him briefly crossed her mind before she was distracted by a hand waving in front of her face.

“Hermione, what has been distracting you today? You’re not nearly as air-headed normally.”

Sighing, she pushed her bread plate to one side and settled her arms on the table. “Severus, you’re going to think I’m fickle.”

“Why would I think that, my dear?”

“You know that beach house, the one in France?”

“Yes.”

“It’s part of my inheritance… but there’s a catch as to how I can officially acquire it for myself.” Hermione covered her face with her hands and mumbled through them.

Reaching across the table, he took her right hand and pulled it away from her cheek. Keeping his grip loose, he gently massaged the back of her hand with his thumb. “Hermione, I can’t help if you do not tell me what it is that is troubling you.”

“I know, Severus, I know! It just seems so stupid to me now. I had a whole explanation practised on how I was going to explain it to you… and now… and now I just don’t know.”

“If it’s about the house, I know it must be important.” Drawing her hand closer to him, he continued to massage it, his fingertips now stroking gently at her palm. “Now, tell me.”

“The house cannot be passed on to an unmarried female. A bit sexist really, if I’d been born a male I could have quite easily taken it and not had to worry about finding someone to spend the rest of my life with. It’s stupid, I hate it… but we only found the clause after it was too late. If we’d known sooner, we could have gotten it re-written, but it’s impossible to re-write when there is no ownership. It’s just sitting there! If the solicitors were not family friends, I don’t believe I would be able to continue using it, even now!”

Drawing her hand up, he placed his lips against her knuckles as she continued to ramble. Her face became quite red with her argument. “My dear, you are rambling.” Blushing pink till even her ears were flushed with colour, she reached for her glass of water.

“I’m sorry, it’s just so… so frustrating.”

“I know, and I’m glad to be here to hear all your troubles. But now we have that out of the way, I believe we should discuss your options.”

Hermione’s gaze finally landed on her hand, which was still being held by her companion. Blushing, she slowly withdrew it and reached for her glass of water. “I need to find someone to marry, and I just know that nobody will want to do it so quickly. Their parents just won’t approve of it!” Resting her head in her hands, Hermione fought to keep tears from falling. “I just don’t see a way out of it, Severus, I just don’t.” She lifted her head, and as their eyes locked, the tears began slipping down her cheeks. “Help me, Severus.”

He wanted nothing more than to reach over the table and drag her round to him, pulling her into his arms and telling her it would be okay. But propriety wouldn’t allow it, and he didn’t know what he could say to stop the tears from continuing on their path. “We’ll think of something. I promise. Let us enjoy our food, and we can continue this later.”

***

Hermione pulled her feet up beneath her and adjusted her skirt until it covered her toes. Despite Snape having built up a large fire, she still felt chilled. He sat next to her, leaning against the black leather, sheets of parchment with notes written on them clutched in his left hand. “So, you have a week to marry or at least be engaged?”

“Yes.” Twirling a curl around her fingers, she watched the flames dancing in the grate.

“Would it not be possible to become engaged and gain yourself more time?”

“Engagements must be followed by a marriage within three months; any change of arrangements such as a change of partner, voids this period, and a marriage would have to take place within the day of discovery.” She glanced up at him, but lowered her gaze again before he could comment. “Even in the magical world, you would not be able to keep a marriage secret long enough to do that, and one day is not long enough to plan one either… it’s not a viable option.”

“I see. Well, from everything else you’ve told me, I suppose the only way out is to choose from one of your friends. Perhaps you’ll find ever lasting happiness with one of them.” A scowl flittered across his lips when he thought of her and Weasley, but he forced his face to remain a calm exterior to stop her from getting upset.

“But it’ll still be so rushed, and I always dreamed of finding the right person. Falling madly in love with them, getting married when we both felt it was right, and living happily for the rest of our lives together. I still want that.”

“And you can still have that, Hermione.” He reached out and cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking it as he waited for her to look up at him. “It’s still possible, just not quite yet. Be patient, love.”

***

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