Hypocritical Headmistress

Thank you all so much. We're in the homestretch for this story, and I hope you have enjoyed it thus far! I love the reviews.

Thanks Shanastay for keeping me in line!

Chapter 25- Hypocritical Headmistress

While desire for revenge was the prominent emotion coursing through her body at the moment, a smaller, much more disabling emotion was beginning to peek its head out of the shadows. She was worried. Worried about how all of this would turn out with both of them teaching in the same school. She was worried how her colleagues would view her now. What would the children think...the children that knew her first as a student and knew about her problems with Snape? She worried about Viktor's reaction. Where was he anyway? She worried how Ron and the rest of the Weasleys, her surrogate family, would react. What would former Death Eaters think now that Severus was seeing a Muggle-born?

Hermione hated all the unknowns, especially when there were no definitive answers for the questions. There were so many possibilities, that she did not know how to play her hand. Everyone could be exceptionally accepting, and it would blow over. Or Skeeter would print more salacious stories to sell more copies, and everyone would be up in arms. Or worst of all, people would look at her critically every time she passed and point and laugh at her for her choice in men.

It was, perhaps, vain of her to think that after all the reassurances she had given Severus these past weeks that she wanted him no matter who he had been, or what he looked like, or how unpleasant he could really be. But it would bother her to hear the jeers, and she would care if people were snickering behind her back. A courageous, arrogant, and opinionated Gryffindor she might be, but aloof to hurtful things, she most definitely was not.

Tonks arriving at the bottom of the stairs to Minerva's office and alerting them to what they would face in the Great Hall had not been comforting either. She thought she might be able to handle the scorn of the student body well enough, but not combined with the disapproval of those teachers who would be eating breakfast as well. And what if Viktor was still there?

Oh, Merlin.

"Believe it or not, you will wear a divot into the stone floor if you pace long enough."

The silky voice washed over her, and she looked up to find Severus, robes billowing behind him, walking briskly to catch up to her. She glanced to her side, realizing that she had indeed stopped just outside the entrance to the Hall, and had been pacing quite feverishly while thinking. It was one of those habits she did in stressful situations...lose complete semblance of reality and retreat into her own little world while she tried to think things through or come up with solutions. Instead of chewing on her nails, she paced.

"Sorry," she muttered and shook her head to clear the cobwebs.

He attempted a smile, but it turned into more of a sneer. "Think of any good revenge plots?"

Hermione chuckled, "No, you?"

"Not at all," he said. "Two heads are better than one, though. Perhaps this evening we could discuss it."

"I don't believe you," Hermione said incredulously.

"What don't you believe?"

Hermione ranted. "Here we are facing this... this... fiasco! And you're thinking about the next time you can feel me up! Don't you care about what could happen?"

He gave her a silencing glare, one that had silenced her many times before. Stepping forward, he pulled her to the side and into a dark alcove, casting a Disillusionment charm on them. "With all due respect, Professor, I do care about what could happen, but I know nothing will happen. I've been around longer than you have. The bloody Dark Lord returned for an entire year, and they all turned a blind eye. And that was important. This is merely an annoying little infestation problem. We squash it, and we go on. There is no reason not to behave normally."

"But the way Minerva...," she began.

"Minerva would have been like that no matter if the Board of Governors had congratulated us or removed us from our positions," he explained. "Don't you see?"

"See what?"

"She fancies herself a matchmaker, Hermione," he pointed out quietly. "The reason Krum wanted to come to Hogwarts was because she told him you were going to be here. She thinks you two are perfect for each other, and had every intention of you two finding deeper feelings for each other this year."

"But we're both professors as well..." she trailed off. "That's so hypocritical!"

Severus waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, but he will be gone in a year. He does not hold an authoritarian position like I do. And you would not influence flying lessons, as he would not get close to Transfigurations. We have the opportunity to influence each other's academics. It would not have been as 'horrible' with entanglements as it is between us. "

Hermione sighed heavily and leaned against the wall, resting her forehead on the cold stone. "I just can't believe..."

"Believe it," he cut her off. "Minerva is not as innocent as you would like to believe. Besides all that, though, she still resents me for certain things I have done."

She correctly inferred the meaning of his words and nodded her head. "I knew that she and Dumbledore were close, but not that close."

He chuckled. "They were not like us. They had a very deep, abiding friendship though. He and I were the only ones that knew what would have to be done. And she resents me for doing it, and Dumbledore for not telling her what I was to do. She has acted like this ever since I came back."

"Oh," she replied.

Severus grinned slightly and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Now, we will discuss this tonight?"

"I suppose," Hermione relented.

"Breakfast?" He pointed toward the Hall.

"Must we?" She frowned. "I don't think I'm ready."

Severus snorted. "You have faced vile Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself with unquestionable courage, and you are afraid of a bunch of children? Honestly, Miss Granger."

Hermione glared up at him and pushed away. "Terrified doesn't even begin to describe what I felt those times. But I suppose you're right."

"Then together we shall face the executioners," he offered.

She gave him an odd look. "I never thought you'd refer to the children so severely, Severus. I didn't think you were scared of anything."

"Snake-faced wizards are one thing," he responded with a smirk, "but malodorous, incompetent children are wholly different."

"Malodorous, Severus?" she asked, quirking a brow at him. "How will you ever have children of your own without being scared of them? Little ones are especially smelly."

"If I ever have children, they will not be incompetent," Severus answered. "So I would be more indifferent than scared of them. If one of them were a girl, though, then I would still be terrified."

Hermione chuckled and stepped out of the alcove after him. "Ah, Severus, an indifferent father. Girls aren't that bad."

"If they were anything like you, then they would be that bad," he said flatly, meeting her eyes. "At least, though, I know they would not be incompetent. Perhaps I could make an exception."

It was obvious he had not meant to let that statement out, and an odd red tinge colored his cheeks. "What's this, Severus Snape blushing?"

"If you are going to mock me, then I will make sure never to do it again," he said bitterly.

"I'm not mocking you," she soothed. "I'm only impressed that you can blush."

He frowned.

"Fine! No more teasing," she said and walked toward the entrance. "I'm ravenous."

They stepped into the large hall together, though not touching in any form. She had considered taking his arm or hand, but had decided against it. That would have entirely ruined his image, and he would not thank her for that. However, she was glad she had decided against it as well. The low hum of talking that always accompanied mealtime stopped dead when they appeared. It was disconcerting to have every student focusing on her. But she took a deep breath and bucked up the courage to put one foot forward, and then the other, until she was walking briskly down the center aisle for the head table.

Focusing on Remus rather than looking around, she gave him a sheepish smile. He returned the look with a playful roll of his eyes. How had he taken this shock?

Hermione took her seat carefully, leaving the one beside her open for Tonks should she return, and the other for Severus. She had almost forgotten that he had been walking with her and followed closely, until he brushed by her in the most innocent, but tantalizing of ways. Struggling to maintain her composure, she looked out at the inquisitive students, willing them to turn back to their friends. They did not. As a matter of fact, they did nothing until someone cleared their throat beside her. She glanced over at the man now standing, to find his most severe warning glare etched into his face.

"You really must teach me that," she said softly as he lowered back into his seat.

"I don't think you'd be able to handle the power, Hermione," he answered with a straight face and turned to his breakfast.

Remus moved from his seat, over to the one beside her, and leaned over to her. "And when were you two going to tell me? Tonks knew and I didn't?"

"Tonks was the only one that knew," Hermione said. "But now everyone knows. Have you seen Viktor?"

"He was in here this morning, but left before the owls arrived," he informed her. "Good thing Harry isn't around to see this. If the War hadn't killed him, then hearing that his best friend was seeing the person he hated the most surely would have."

Hermione frowned and felt Severus tense up beside her. "He wouldn't have died because of it, and if he did, that would be his problem."

"Defending him? You must really be in love," Remus remarked with a short laugh.

"I do care for him very much," she acknowledged softly. "Now, may I please eat something? I need my energy to be combative."

"Fine, fine," he said, backing away. "And, Severus, I suppose I should say that I'm happy for you. You couldn't have picked a better one."

Severus nodded sullenly and looked at Hermione. "You have a very serious problem enticing former professors, don't you?"

Hermione scoffed. "Oh, please."

"She's not a student any more, and I am fully able to comment on the beauty of the gender," he replied.

"Would you two stop? You're reminding me far too much of Ron and Harry," she scolded.

Remus chuckled. "We definitely can't have that now, can we?"

Severus glared at him.

Hermione sighed and reached for one of the large muffins in the bowl in front of her. She stood up from her seat, the legs of the chair grinding painfully on the stone ground. "I'll be in my classroom if anyone needs me. See you at lunch."

With that, she turned and headed back out the way she came.

"What's her problem?" Remus asked.

Severus shrugged. "I've not a clue."

"I really am happy for you, Severus," Remus responded. "You probably deserve some happiness more than any of the rest of us, though not everyone will appreciate that you chose a former student."

"I understand that, but they need to know I'm not letting her go," he replied, sipping his pumpkin juice. "No matter what they throw at me."

Remus smiled brightly. "You will most likely get this from Ron and his brothers, but you'll get it from me as well. Do know right now that if you hurt her, I will not hesitate to hurt you."

"Who appointed you or the Weasleys as her guardians?" He scowled.

"It's unofficially for a good friend of mine and his son," Remus answered. "Besides, someone needs to look out for her."

Severus sighed and looked levelly into Remus eyes. "While I appreciate your concern, she has someone else to protect her now. No harm will come to her. Trust me."

Remus chuckled and then stated, quite matter-of-factly, "Severus, you are in love."

"Of course I am, dunderhead," he spat out. "Now let me finish my meal in peace."