5

Chapter 5- August 29, 1998

Hermione welcomed everyone to her quarters at Hogwarts, having organized a party to celebrate the fact that she, Harry, and Ron had not only passed their N.E.W.T.s the week before, but Harry and Ron had officially been accepted into the Auror training program that started in three days.

Things had been quite strained between her and Ron since the first night she had moved into the dungeon at Hogwarts. When he wouldn't talk with her reasonably, she broke off the barely-official, short-lived relationship, which made Harry both relieved and sad. While Harry had come to visit her, Ron had not, but his elation at accomplishing his goals was enough that he managed to put aside his hurt feelings to join the party.

McGonagall, Pomfrey, Snape, Kingsley, Molly, Arthur, George, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Draco were in attendance, but Snape made a point to stay as far away from Ron as possible in the crowded room. After the first hour or so, the Weasleys made their exit, once again congratulating the successful students, saying they had to get up early the next morning to take Ginny to get her school things. George, who was living back at the Burrow, went with them.

Not long after that, Kingsley left, pinning Harry and Ron with a stern look and saying, "I'll be keeping an eye on you two in Auror training."

Everyone laughed at his exaggerated expression, then Pomfrey said she'd join him on his way out. McGonagall and Snape were left with the younger crowd, but when Luna asked Snape about the book he was helping Hermione with, he didn't hesitate to answer her questions, drawing Neville's attention...well, anywhere Luna was drew his attention these days...as well as Draco's.

McGonagall crossed to where the trio were standing near the refreshment table and noticed that the finger foods from earlier were gone, replaced by sweets. "What's all this?"

Hermione grinned and said, "Well, I've determined that a celebration deserves the right food. So, I've set up a sort of ice cream bar and fruit fondue."

McGonagall scanned the array and said, "That's a lot of ice cream!"

She drew the other group's attention, and Draco said, "Ice cream? Where?"

The young people all crossed to the table, followed by a smirking Snape. When he stepped up, he said in a mock-stern tone, "Hermione, that's an awful lot of sweets. Is all that really necessary?"

Hermione exchanged a knowing look with him, making them both grin as she said, "I've been a very good girl, and Harry and Ron have been very good too, so I say we all deserve a treat! Dig in, everyone, and enjoy!"

Ron frowned at their obvious shared joke, making Harry sigh in weariness. McGonagall saw both Ron's scowl and the teasing camaraderie shared between Hermione and Snape, and shook her head at the clear sides being taken.

Hermione served up a bowl of ice cream with toppings, as well as a bowl of fruit dipped in the chocolate fondue, beaming at Snape as she passed him on her way to sit down and eat. She studiously ignored the awkward tension between Ron and Snape, focusing instead on having a good time.

When they were all full, McGonagall said, "I'll leave you to your party, Hermione. These old bones need more rest than yours. Congratulations to you all. Good night!"

Neville took the opportunity to ask Luna if he could take her home before it got too late, and she agreed, smiling serenely as he cupped her elbow to guide her out. Draco had just opened a Butterbeer, so he wasn't ready to leave yet, and he turned to the trio and Snape.

"So, you two start training on Monday, but what are you going to do, Hermione?"

Hermione grimaced and said, "I'm still knee deep in working on my book. Severus and I have made a list of people I'd like to try to interview, so I should really start working on that."

Snape added, "That's actually something I wanted to talk to you about, Draco. I know your mother and father could be useful in getting us appointments with some of these people, since they likely won't reply to Hermione."

Draco's brows rose, but he smiled. "Of course, whatever I can do to help, just say the word. If you'd like me to escort you to talk to any of them, let me know."

Hermione nodded in gratitude. "That's very kind of you. I'll keep that in mind."

Ron cut in, saying, "Term starts here on Monday too, and you can't stay here once school is in session. So will you finally move back home, Hermione?"

Hermione tensed, and Harry held his breath, looking quickly between his two friends. Snape held his breath, too, but for a different reason. Heaving a sigh, Hermione carefully said, "I don't know what I'm going to do yet, Ron. I know I can't stay here, and I've looked in the Prophet for places to rent, but nothing's come up so far. I do not, however, expect to move back to Number 12. If I have to, I can stay at the Leaky Cauldron for a while. I'll figure something out."

The silence after her statement was rife with tension. Draco stepped in and said, "If you can't find something suitable, Hermione, we have plenty of room at the Manor, as well as guest cottages. You're always welcome there."

Hermione flashed a tight smile at Draco. "Thank you. I'll let you know."

Draco inclined his head graciously and tried to change the subject. "Where will you be going, Severus?"

Snape cleared his throat and said, "Back to Spinner's End, I suppose. I would have gone long before now, but Poppy kept me here for treatment."

Draco nodded politely, then glanced at Ron's thunderous expression. Sensing that nothing would lighten the mood now, he drained his Butterbeer and said, "Well, it is late. I must be going. Severus, may I use your Floo?"

Snape shot to his feet at the same time Draco did, saying, "Of course. Follow me." He turned to the trio and said, "Congratulations on your achievements, all of you. Well done. Oh, and if you'd like to use my Floo as well, you're welcome to do so. I expect to be up for a while yet." At least until everyone has left, and I can speak to Hermione alone...

Snape and Draco left the three friends, glad to escape Ron's hostile glare. Hermione whirled on Ron and snapped, "Stop acting like a spoilt child! Everything was so lovely and you had to ruin it!"

Harry said, "Now, Hermione, that's going a bit too far..."

Hermione hissed, "It is not! Is it any wonder I don't want to live in the same place as you, Ron? What with the way you're acting? Honestly, get over it already!"

Ron's jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth. Growling through stiff lips, he said, "Fine. If that's the way you feel, then I'll get out of here. Wouldn't want to be in the same place as you."

He sprang to his feet, glaring at Harry. Harry reluctantly stood, followed by Hermione. "I guess we'll be going then. The food was great, Hermione. Listen, do you think Snape was serious about letting us use his Floo?" Beside him, Ron huffed in disbelief. Harry cut an irritated glance at him and said, "Shut up, Ron. You're the one who wants to leave so damn bad, and that's the fastest way. Just act like you've got some manners for a minute or so, all right?"

Ron's eyes narrowed angrily, but he kept his mouth shut. Hermione sighed as she led them out her door and down to Snape's, which was still open. Snape was saying, "Give my regards to your parents," to Draco as he stepped into the green flames and spun out of sight. He turned to see the trio entering, and his brows rose in surprise. "Oh, hello."

Harry's voice was weary as he said, "Can we use your Floo right now?"

Snape gestured to the hearth and said, "By all means; go right ahead."

Harry and Hermione said, "Thank you," in unison, and Harry hurried to the fireplace, flicking an acid glance at Ron to follow him. He tossed Floo powder into the grate, mumbled their destination, then waved his hand and said, "You go first," to Ron.

Ron nodded stiffly and stomped into the flames without another word. When he was gone, everyone exhaled in relief. Hermione darted forward to hug Harry, murmuring, "I'm sorry it ended like this Harry. I'll talk to you soon."

He returned the embrace and said, "Let me know what you figure out, all right? And you know you're welcome at home any time, even if it's just for a short visit."

Hermione smiled and said, "I know. Thank you. Good night!"

Harry tossed more powder into the hearth and said, as he nodded to Snape, "Good night. Thanks again."

Snape inclined his head and said, "Good night," as Harry whirled out of sight. Hermione heaved a huge sigh and sank onto the sofa, cradling her face in her hands. Snape sat beside her and said, "Come on, you should get some rest."

She allowed him to tug her to her feet and guide her back to her quarters, where he summoned a house-elf to take away all the remains of the party refreshments. Hermione plopped onto her tattered sofa and said, "Thanks."

Snape snorted mildly and said, "It's nothing." He perched beside her, watching her leaning back with her eyes closed. After a few beats of silence, he started to stand and said, "Why don't I let you go to bed."

Hermione's eyes flew open and she grabbed at his hand, pulling him back down to sit by her. "Stay! I'm sorry. I just... don't know what to do about him. And it's so hard on Harry, being stuck in the middle like that."

Snape shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you."

Hermione grimaced and said, "I know. I just didn't want the night to end on that sour note." She turned to him with a tired smile. "I'm glad you're here."

Snape smiled faintly, then his expression clouded as he regarded her thoughtfully. Hermione recognized that face and said, "What? What are you thinking?"

Snape swallowed, trying to calm the fluttering in this gut. "It's nothing. Just a silly thought."

Hermione squeezed his hand and said, "I could use something silly right about now. Go on, tell me."

Snape licked his lips and took a deep breath. Settling his shoulders, he said, "Well, it's just that we've got so much more to work on with the interviews, and we have to be out of here in a couple of days, and I just thought it might make things easier on you if...if you were to move into Spinner's End as a roommate."

Hermione's eyes went round in surprise. She blinked several times, and Snape felt his face warming. He ducked his head and said, "I told you it was a silly idea."

Hermione sat up, leaning forward to catch his eye again. "No! It's not silly at all! It's very generous... and kind. It just took me by surprise; that's all."

Snape met her gaze and saw that she was smiling fondly at him. He sucked in a shaky breath. "You'd have your own room. It'd be much like here, except that it'd be smaller, and we wouldn't have house-elves in the kitchen."

Hermione beamed at him. "I daresay we could muddle through. It's high time I learned to cook anyway." At Snape's wide-eyed look of wonder, she laughed. "Although, with your potions expertise, I think you might make a better cook than I."

Snape couldn't hold back the delighted grin that surfaced, and he said, "Well, we'll just have to make sure we stay stocked up on ice cream, fruit, and chocolate sauce, if nothing else."

Hermione laughed again, then launched herself forward to hug him tightly. Snape froze, used to the touch of her hand or a fleeting caress, but nearly overwhelmed by the soft warmth of her pressed against him in a fierce embrace. While she was wrapped around him, she murmured, "I'd love to, Severus. Thank you. You always seem to know just how to make my life easier."

He patted her back awkwardly until she released him, beaming. He cleared his throat and attempted a businesslike manner as he said, "Just being practical, my dear. Now, why don't you get some sleep, and we can hammer out the details tomorrow."

Hermione nodded and rose, followed by Snape. She peered up at him and said, "This is a much better ending to my celebration, Severus. Thank you again."

He shrugged and said, "After all you've done for me, Hermione, it's the least I can do to help."

They crossed to her door and she pulled on his arm to stop him from leaving. When he turned to her with an inquiring look, she bounced up and pressed a kiss to his cheek, smirking at his startled reaction. Her voice was soft as she said, "Good night, Severus," and shut the door.

Snape walked to his quarters in a daze. His chest and throat were tight with emotion, and tingles of heat raced through him from the spot where she kissed him, making his gut flutter again. Knowing she was on the other side of the wall and would be moving with him, staying close to him, he felt certain that he would be able to sleep through the night without being plagued by bad dreams.

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