Chapter 2

A/N: Big, big thanks to my betas, Wildcatcdc and Sc010f. This story was written for the HermioneBigBang on LJ

“Harry, have a moment?” Ron asked, making his way to the podium where Harry was gathering his presentation materials. Ron noticed Professor Snape doing the same a few feet away.

The morning’s lecture on counter-intelligence had been thrilling, as well as familiar. Ron had heard it several times now; Harry and Professor Snape gave the same presentation to each new set of recruits to the Auror Department. Ron took great pride in knowing the inventions that came from WSD were making a difference in the way Aurors and Unspeakables were able to perform their jobs.

“Wotcher, Ron,” Harry said, distracted. “I didn’t know you were here. Bit old hat, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, a bit.” Ron grinned. “But I still get a kick out of it.” Ron looked down for a moment, gathering up a bit of courage. He felt Harry’s eyes on him.

“How is Pansy doing?” Ron asked. He could tell from Harry’s expression that he’d taken his friend by surprise. While the woman had been in Slytherin and had been Draco’s friend throughout school, neither took much notice of her since the end of the war. When she had signed up for Auror cadet training, they had been shocked, but pleasantly so. From the corner of his eye, Ron saw Professor Snape pause in his work. Ron smiled briefly.

“Is she making it through her classes all right?” Ron continued.

“So far, so good,” Harry answered him, his voice full of caution. Ron understood Harry’s tone, it wasn’t like him to inquire after cadets enrolled in the training. In fact, Ron made it a point not to get chummy with the cadets after ‘the fiasco’ a couple of years ago. Being a war hero combined with being the COO of the company supplying them with body shields made Ron an excellent ‘catch’ and a couple of the female cadets wanted to personally ‘thank him’ for his invaluable help. Ever since, Ron had steered clear of Auror cadets.

And now, he was asking after one in particular. Harry was curious, as was Severus, although the taciturn man wouldn’t show it.

“What is going on, Ron?” Harry asked, the question burning his brain.

Ron shrugged. “Just curious, I suppose. I’ve been thinking of asking her to the annual shindig.” The ‘shindig’ was the Victory Gala held every year in May, to celebrate Voldemort’s defeat.

“WHAT?” Harry shouted.

Severus eyed the two men critically. He was sure Mr. Weasley was speaking to him as much as he was to his friend. He was unsure of why, however. He gave up the pretense of packing away his material and stood leaning against the table, his arms crossed. While Mr. Weasley did not spare a glance to his former professor, Severus knew the man was aware of his interest. He was interested in what was said next.

“And what the hell does Hermione have to say about it, huh?” Harry asked belligerently.

Ron understood Harry’s indignation, for Hermione was his sister in all ways but blood. Ron held up a hand. He would not be baited into an argument with his best friend. He needed Harry’s help.

“Harry, do you really think I would just step out on Hermione? No, don’t answer that,” Ron said firmly, knowing his friend was going to deny the accusation. “Harry, I love Hermione. There is nothing on this earth I wouldn’t do for her. But I need to do what is best for me too, mate. I’m over this war! I’m moving on with my life, and I’m trying like hell to help Hermione do the same, but she can’t. She needs help, Harry, and I’m not the one who can help her.”

From the look on his face, Harry was confused and angry, as well he should be, as would Ron, if their positions were reversed.

“You know it’s been a while since ‘Mione and I could be called a couple, Harry. As much as we love each other, if we were supposed to be married, we’d have done it by now, don’t you think?”

“So, you have any ideas who can help Hermione?” Harry asked, concern etched in the question.

Ron jerked his head in Professor Snape’s direction. Harry’s eyes grew round as he looked between him and their former teacher. While was Ron no longer was intimidated by the man, having crossed his path often enough at seminars and conventions, he still had a healthy respect for the powerful wizard.

“May I speak plainly, sir?” Ron asked, waited while Severus studied him for several long moments. Finally, he nodded slowly.

“Sir, both you and Harry have talked with Hermione. She is obsessed with this book she is writing. She has dogged you both for months. I realize you refuse to answer certain questions; this conversation is not about that. Well, it is, but not directly. Since Hermione was eleven, she immersed herself in our world; she has studied and memorized, theorized and researched, you know how she is. But for all her learning, she has not learned how to make a life in this world of ours.

“She attended school with us, fought with us during the war, and helped put our world back together, moving from one project to the next. She accepted a menial job at the Ministry, menial for her intelligence, leastways. And now she has her book. But is she living? No, she has no friends, save us. Her house came furnished by the Ministry, and she has put no effort into making it a home. She doesn’t attend Quidditch games or lectures. She doesn’t go to the theater. She shops for necessity, not for want. She is merely existing, going through the paces, but not interacting.” Ron spoke quietly, his sadness permeating his words.

“And why does Ms. Granger’s life concern me, Mr. Weasley?” Severus asked, a hint of menace in his voice.

“With all due respect, Professor Snape, the questions she desperately needs answers to are the ones you can provide. With your help, she can learn how to make a life for herself now that school and the war is over. Last night I told her that if she asks you the right questions, you would have her answers.”

Professor Snape shook his head. “I cannot give her the answers for her book, Mr. Weasley. I will not talk about that time. I’ve put it behind me, and there it shall stay.”

‘I quite agree, Professor. Those aren’t the answers to which I was referring; but of course, Hermione is still a bit stubborn. But would you help her, if she came to you? Like she has helped all of us, time and time again?” Ron couldn’t quite keep the pleading from his voice.

Harry spoke up. “Ron, what exactly is it that you want Severus to do?” Ron saw the slow look that his friend and former teacher shared.

“Would you ask her to attend the Victory Gala with you, sir? Tell her you’ve been thinking of her questions, and you would be willing to talk with her?” Ron shuffled his feet back and forth. He was no longer looking at either man. He truly felt awful for Hermione and what he was setting in motion, but he reminded himself that this must be done.

“I’ve told you, Mr. Weasley…” Severus began, but stopped when Ron looked up at him. There was pain on the man’s face, pain that he, himself, recognized. He understood that Weasley was letting go of something he held precious, and Severus was not indifferent to his pain, though he was loath to admit it. If Mr. Weasley was being truthful, and Severus was not quite sure of the man’s intentions, as yet, then perhaps he and Hermione had something in common, something they could perhaps talk about.

Harry jumped into the conversation. “Severus, would you help Hermione? She hasn’t found her place in our world. I think you, of all people, understand that.”

Severus observed Ron looking at Harry, grateful that Harry understood. Ron and Harry and Hermione, they were the Holy Trinity, of sorts. Equal, but separate, and when together, they became a force unlike any other in the history of the Wizarding world. Ron gave his best friend an encouraging smile, and together, they turned their attention to the one man who could save their sister. Severus Snape.