Chapter Thirteen: Choices

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Chapter 13: Choices

Hermione woke at six that evening to find Severus still quietly snoring in the bed opposite. She sat up and contemplated her new 'outfit' briefly, smiling at the antics of the bunnies. Somewhat reluctantly, she transfigured her pyjamas back into her previous jeans and T-shirt and went off to the bathroom to freshen up. Returning to the room, she decided that is was time her companion was up as well and whisked off his bedclothes. "Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beaut... Oops!" She quickly replaced the covers as she realised that at least one part of him was definitely awake.

He opened one eye and sleepily murmured, "That'll teach you. Bloody Gryffindors... always rushing in without thinking."

At that provocation, she dragged the covers off him again and calmly conjured an ice-cold glass of water. "I'm sure I can help you with that little problem you have there, Severus..."

"Little?" he snorted as he got out of bed and stretched. "Always the ego boost with you around, my dear!"

"Think nothing of it. Any time you need deflating, just call on me! But hurry up, I am starving!" she urged.

Bruce served them a tasty meal of barbecued steak, salad, and chips, followed by a platter of fresh pineapple, mangoes, and bananas. While enjoying the surprisingly good coffee provided after they had eaten, Severus decided it was time Hermione stopped avoiding the choice she needed to make.

"Well, you can't put it off any longer, Hermione. You have slept, showered, and eaten; now it is time to decide your parents' future."

"I know. I have been thinking about it all through dinner. I think that I would like to go back there tomorrow and watch them again; make sure they really are as happy as they appear. I know it is probably unethical, but is there any way you could use Legilimency to find out whether they are content and if there is any chance of the memory modification breaking down?" she asked anxiously.

"I suppose if we find an excuse to talk to them it would be possible. I can't promise anything, though," he replied.

Once they had decided on a course of action for the following day, Severus suggested a walk in the neighbouring park. Hermione readily agreed, feeling the need for some exercise after the last few days' emotional upheavals. Later that night as they retired to their room, he teased her. "Would you like your special pyjamas again tonight, Hermione? They did look so... cute."

"Yes, thanks. I was rather taken with them," she retorted, "although I was a little disappointed that they did not come with a cuddly toy."

He smirked and picked up a cushion from the armchair in the room. With a wave of his wand, the cushion was neatly transfigured into a soft, fluffy, toy bunny. "There. Don't say I don't do anything for you."

"Lovely. Just the sort of bed fellow I need: soft, small, and silent!"

"You don't know what you are missing, woman!"

***

Hermione gathered up her props: a clipboard, notepad, pen, and name badge and followed Severus out into the warm, spring day. "If this is early spring, then summer must be awfully hot," she complained. "I can see why my mother would like it here. She hates the cold."

"You get used to colder weather when you have lived in Scotland for years," Severus commented. "Now, are you happy with the plan?"

"Yes. I knock on the door and invite them to participate in a Quality of Life survey. You are disillusioned behind me and using Legilimency to check out how solid the memory modifications are. I hope we are doing the right thing, but I really need to know how they feel about their current lifestyle."

"It will not harm them, Hermione. We are doing this to avoid causing them distress, not to create it. I promise not to look at anything too personal," he reassured. "Now, let's get it over with."

An hour later they were back at the pub comparing notes. Hermione had discovered that they were very happy with their lifestyle, with a good balance of work and leisure. Her mother was actually looking forward to stopping work when their precious 'first' child arrived. They lived a far simpler life than they had in Britain, working for someone else, rather than having the stress of their own practice and owned their house, thanks to Hermione's skilful manipulations the year before, enabling the old practice to be sold and the proceeds banked under their new name. She had been astounded by the casual affection they displayed openly, which was so unlike the parents she had known.

Severus was able to confirm that they were genuinely content and the memory modification she had performed was sound. She had simply obliterated any memory of herself and the magical community and set them up with different names. Any past memories they retained were real; they had just experienced them as Wilkins, not Grangers.

"So what is your decision? Have you had enough time to be sure what you want?" he asked her gently.

"I know what I want. But I think what would be best for them would be to leave well alone. Although I will miss them terribly, I must be honest with myself. After my experience without my magic, I have realised that I could never voluntarily live as a Muggle. Ideally, I would love to tell them who I am and restore their memories, but that would mainly be for my own benefit. Who knows what it would do to their relationship with the new baby, who is going to benefit from all the things I never knew: parents who will spend time with their child; a happy, stress-free home; lots of warmth, sunshine and love. Not that I am complaining about my upbringing. I knew they loved me, but it was just expressed in a more reserved fashion.

"I suspect that if they knew about me, they would either want to move back to Britain or worry needlessly about my life as a witch. My brother or sister deserves better; I have had my turn, it is now the new baby's chance."

"And what if your new sibling develops magical potential?"

"I'll cross that bridge if I come to it. I think I'd like to visit discreetly from time to time and keep an eye on things. If the baby appears to be displaying any magical potential, then maybe I will have to re-evaluate the situation." She sighed with the weight of the decision she had made. Deep down she knew it was the best she could do for her parents. Who wouldn't want a fresh start if they had the opportunity? She hoped that if she ever had to reveal who she was, they would understand her reasoning.

"I think I'd like to go home now, Severus."

"I'm ready whenever you are," he gallantly replied.

They made their farewells to Bruce, promising to return for a visit one day, and took the Floo back to the International Portkey terminal. The trip back to Britain was arranged easily, and soon they were standing at the front door of their home at Spinner's End.

"Home, sweet home," Hermione whispered to herself as they entered.

"Indeed," agreed Severus.

***

Two days later, Hermione had visited her childhood home and removed the few personal belongings and photos she had left behind previously. With Severus' help, her bedroom was transformed into a plain guest room with no evidence left in the house of the child who had been raised there. Her parents had already taken all of their clothes and books with them to Australia. All that remained was to send her parents' lawyer a charmed note which would activate a spell she had cast the previous year. The seemingly innocent brochure for an investment opportunity would trigger a desire to write to her parents and ask them if they wished to sell the family home now they had settled in Australia.

Now she had sorted out her past, it was time to face up to her future. They had decided to Apparate to Grimmauld Place at noon the following day. Severus knew that Molly had been planning a special dinner; even Ginny had been given special leave from Hogwarts for the occasion, and would be accompanied by Minerva. What Hermione had forgotten was that it was her nineteenth birthday the next day. Her friends had decided to celebrate her birthday as a memorial to their lost loved one. Little did they know, the late guest of honour was going to arrive right on time. Severus had simply told her that Harry often invited the Weasleys for dinner on Saturday nights. He and Ron lived at Grimmauld Place, with other friends often staying for a night or two.

As Hermione sat in front of the fire in the sitting room, she watched Severus covertly from beneath her lowered lids. He was reading the latest Potions journals, catching up on all he had missed while they were working on restoring her magic. His sleek, black hair fell forward onto his face and his elegant fingers ran down the parchment, caressing it almost lovingly. He really was quite attractive when he was relaxed and happy. He had been her teacher for six years; she had respected him and believed in him, even after Dumbledore's death, despite his outward disposition. She had now lived with him for nearly three months, shared his home, his food and his company. His moods, whether good or bad, were familiar to her, and she could read him like no other had ever been allowed. I know I have become inordinately fond of him. I love him, but is it a romantic kind of love, or is it the love of a friend, a protector, a good man? she pondered. She knew she had loved Ron before they were separated, but now she was confused. Coming to a decision, she stood up and walked over to his chair.

"Severus, could you please stand up for a moment? There is something I need to find out," she requested.

He looked up curiously, put down his work, and stood. "Your wish is my command, my lady," he declared indulgently.

At that, she garnered all her courage, moved closer to him, stood on tiptoe, took his head in her hands, and pressed her mouth to his. His lips were pleasantly soft and warm, which surprised her. He opened at the tentative sweep of her tongue, and for several minutes they kissed and explored the sensation. His hands swept up her sides and held her to his body in a gentle embrace.

When they separated, they looked at each other, both somewhat flushed. As if by mutual agreement, they both shook their heads. Hermione grinned and understood.

"Well, that answers that question," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Indeed it does. Did you expect more?" he replied.

"Not really. The thing is, I have grown to care deeply for you, Severus, and I was confused as to what that meant. You see, I didn't know whether I was falling in love with you or whether my feelings were more platonic, so I decided to kiss you to find out."

"And...?"

"Nothing, not a spark... Well, I admit it was very pleasant, but it still felt like I was kissing my older brother or best friend, and I suspect you felt much the same," she said, hoping he would agree.

"And if I felt differently? If I had been desperately in love with you?" he challenged.

"I know. I realised as soon as I did it, that it could have been very embarrassing if one of us felt that way and the other didn't, but I had a fair idea that wouldn't be the case. I'm sorry if I stepped over the line, but I had to know," she pleaded.

"You always have to know," he chuckled as he relented. "I had already worked it out, but I didn't know how you felt. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to break your heart! You know, I love you too, Hermione. You have become very special to me, but a part of me still sees you as the schoolgirl you once were. Maybe, if we were both ten or twenty years older, it would be different. You need to finish growing up, have some fun, make the most of your youth. You need to go to parties, fall in love, and make mistakes, all the things you have missed out on over the last few years. I believe there is a certain red-headed dunderhead out there who would be very pleased to see you again."

She whacked him on the arm. "Well then, Mr Know-It-All, what relationship do we have then?"

"Friends, Hermione, very good friends, who can rely on each other and look out for one another. After all, if you end up with Ronald Weasley, you are going to need someone to visit for intelligent conversation on a regular basis," he said with a smirk, earning himself another whack. "On second thoughts, it could be dangerous being your friend, if you treat them all like punching bags!"

"No, I reserve that for my special friends," she retorted.

"Just remember, my dear, I will be there for you if you need me. Any time, any place, for any reason. Just don't expect me to babysit!"

"I can just see that – Severus, the Sitter from Hell – the poor kids would be so terrified, they would voluntarily go to bed early!" She giggled at the thought of the erstwhile scary Potions professor babysitting small children.

They both settled onto the couch, Hermione reclining sideways, propping herself up against Severus, in her favourite position.

"There is just one more mission to accomplish," she stated, smirking deviously.

"I do not like the look on your face. What are you plotting?" he suspiciously enquired.

"Well, there seems to have been a distinct absence of any women in your life for as long as I have known you..."

"Death Eater. Spy. Greasy Git. Bat of the Dungeons. Need I say more?" he interrupted.

"And those are just your finer points," she retorted. "Now, there is no excuse. Here you are; an intelligent, powerful wizard; a decorated War Hero; a wizard in his prime, by your own account; a fine figure of a man..."

"You think so?"

"Well... yes. What I saw in Australia was nothing to be shy about... pretty impressive, really. Oh, stop preening, for goodness sake. I'm trying to think of a potential girlfriend for you. Start acting the libertine and they will all be scared off!" She grinned. "Now, back to the problem at hand. What about Madam Hooch?" she suggested.

"Not likely. I don't think my feminine charms are strong enough for that one," he sniggered.

"Oh... right." She flushed, not having realised that Hooch swung that way.

"I know... Sybill Trelawney, she seemed to fancy you. I remember she used to watch you on the few occasions she joined the staff table at dinner."

Whack!

"Hey! What was that for?" she demanded, rubbing her arm.

"Mentioning her name and mine in the same sentence. Besides, she was probably thinking up some dire prediction for my demise at the time. Wouldn't have been far off the mark either," he replied glumly.

"Pessimist! What about Sinistra?"

"Head in the clouds."

"Vector"

"BORING!"

"Madam Rosmerta? Now she looked a willing woman, if I ever saw one."

"Willing is correct. Willing to shag anything in trousers. No thanks!" He shuddered.

She gave him a sly look. "Filch?" she asked with a perfectly straight face.

"I do not fancy men, and even if I did, Filch is not my type." He pouted.

Hermione giggled at his offended tone and pondered some more. Suddenly her face split into a wide smile. "I've got it... perfect. All the woman you could ever want!"

"Who?"

"Dolores Umbridge! Now, Severus... put your wand down... you know I loathe that woman as much as you do... Severus!"

***

A/N: Now, all you wonderful readers out there who are about to hunt me down and AK me after this chapter, just have a gin and a lie down, and keep reading. Trust me!

A/N: Based on prompt 93. "Someone has his or her powers stripped away for misuse. Did he/she lose them because of actual misuse or was it a set up? How do they get them back?"