Chapter 15

Chapter 15

They had returned home that evening, and the next day Hermione went to deliver the book to Cecil Nottingham. As she approached the large black gate that was the entry to his mansion, she marveled at the beauty of the home. The mansion was made of grey stone and was two stories high. The entry had a large rotunda with great grey columns surrounding it in a half circle. The mansion and grounds took up almost half a city block.

Hermione pressed the lion's head that was on the gate.

"Yes?" came a voice from the lion's head.

"This is Hermione Granger. I have the item that Mr. Nottingham requested a little while ago."

There was a pause and then the gate swung open. Hermione made her way to the entry and was surprised to see Cecil himself there to greet her instead of his house-elf.

"Hermione! Can it possibly be that you have found it?" he exclaimed at the sight of Hermione carrying a large tome.

She smiled at him. "It took some time, but I finally did find it, sir."

Cecil glowered at her. "What did I tell you about using my name, Missy?"

Hermione arched an eyebrow at him. "Cecil, then," she continued as she held the book out to him.

He motioned for her to come in and sit in the parlor. They both took seats on a white couch that stood in front of a fireplace. A beautiful dark wood framed the couch, which gave it a regal elegance. Cecil extended his hands and took the book reverently, caressing the cover as he did so.

"I never thought it would actually exist!" he marveled as he continued to examine the book.

He opened it and gingerly turned some of the pages, taking in everything the book had to offer. At some length he looked up to Hermione.

"However did you find it?" he asked her.

"It was quite difficult, Cecil. I had some invaluable help, though. Severus Snape helped me track this down. It seems he is a direct descendant of Barnaby Sutton. He had his personal diary, and from there we were able to find this. It was in a home once owned by Holt in Venice." She continued to explain their adventure, including their run in with Horatio Holt's ghost.

Cecil stared at Hermione in amazement as she told the tale. He was astounded at the journey it had taken to get the book. His thoughts were brought back to a time long ago when he and Severus Snape had been quite close.

"You say that Severus Snape helped you with this?" Cecil reiterated.

"Yes, he was essential in finding this book," Hermione remarked.

"Severus and I go way back," Cecil mused. "We used to be like father and son."

Hermione's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Really?"

Cecil nodded and smiled. He motioned to himself. "I taught him everything he knows!"

"He was your apprentice?" Hermione asked in wonder.

Cecil's eyebrows rose, and his face was filled with delight. "Ah, yes, and there has never been one better than he. We became fast friends, and he often came to me for advice with items he was working on."

Hermione sat back in her chair and folded her arms. "I wonder why Severus never mentioned that to me when I approached him to ask for help."

Cecil looked down and frowned. "We parted ways angrily. When You-Know-Who was defeated the first time, I thought Severus would change his ways. When Voldemort returned from the dead, I found out that Severus had picked up where he had left off as a Death Eater. I tried to dissuade him from such folly, but he wouldn't listen. The disagreement turned bitter. He stormed out of my home, and we haven't spoken since."

"Surely, Cecil, you know now that Severus was on our side the whole time."

Cecil nodded his head. "Of course I do, but the damage was already done. After years of separation, I was too proud to approach him, as was he, probably."

"Well, that's terrible. Do you think he would want to see you?"

Cecil shrugged. "I doubt it. I wouldn't mind seeing him, though. Maybe you can express that sentiment to him when you see him again."

"I will, Cecil. I'll tell him you're thankful for what he did and wouldn't mind if he stopped by for a visit."

Cecil nodded. "It seems that without Severus Snape's help, we would still be searching for this book," he remarked absently as he stared at the large tome.

Hermione nodded her head. "I know Holt's ghost would not have let us have this if Severus hadn't been a Potions master. Holt was adamant that this book not be used for evil purposes and made Severus swear to keep it safe."

Cecil looked up at Hermione. "I would like to reward Severus in some way. Do you have any idea what he might like?"

Hermione thought it over for a moment and then told Cecil tentatively what might be appreciated by Severus.

oooOOOooo

Hermione burst through the door to Severus' cottage with a parcel in her hands.

"Guess what?" she exclaimed.

Severus looked at her, not being able to control his smile. "What?"

"Cecil wanted to give you a gift for helping me find The Potions of our Time."

"That is not necessary," he assured her.

She dropped the large wrapped box onto the couch next to him. "Nonetheless, he insisted."

Severus looked up at her and back down to the box.

"What is it?"

"Open it!" Hermione urged.

He tore the paper from the box and lifted the lid. Inside the box was a copy of The Potions of our Time. Severus looked at Hermione incredulously.

"He made a copy of it for you," Hermione explained. "Everything is intact. I told him you had spent hours going over it, and he said you would appreciate everything in the book as much as he would."

Severus lifted the copy reverently out of the box and stroked the dark green spine. He cracked it open and looked through the pages. The only difference with the book was that, instead of looking ancient, it looked brand new. He looked up at Hermione gratefully.

"Thank you, Hermione. I will treasure this forever."

"He also said that he wouldn't mind if you stopped by for a visit," Hermione explained.

Severus sighed. "I don't think that would be prudent."

"I think he wants to see you."

Memories filled Severus' head. His relationship with Cecil Nottingham had been a close one. Severus had looked upon the old wizard as the father he would have liked to have. Of all the people in the world, this one man had never made demands on him like all of his other associates. That was why he had gotten so angry when Cecil had demanded that he turn from the Death Eaters. The unassuming man had never before asked him for anything, but the thing Cecil had demanded the night that they had parted had been the one thing he had not been able to give.

"I don't think he truly does, Hermione."

Hermione sat down next to Severus on the couch. "Severus, he told me that you were his apprentice and of your falling out. I think he truly feels guilty for the way you both parted."

"It's been too long, there's nothing of our friendship left."

Hermione placed a hand on Severus' shoulder. "It's never too late to start over, love."

Severus gazed at her for a while, mulling everything over in his head. "Maybe you're right," he acquiesced.

Squeezing his shoulder, she kissed his cheek. "Of course I'm right. I'm a know-it-all, remember?"

"You keep reminding me," he murmured before he turned his head and gave her a sultry kiss. His hand caressed her brown, curly locks, and he felt whole again.

oooOOOooo

Hermione knocked on the door at Grimmauld Place and waited patiently for it to be opened. Smiling brightly as Ginny opened the door, she entered and put her coat on the rack next to the entryway. Ginny gave her a hug as they headed into the kitchen.

"Where have you been, Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"I'm sorry, Ginny, I've been on the trail of a lost book, and I haven't really had a minute to spare."

"Did you find the book?"

"I take it you haven't seen the Prophet this morning?" Hermione answered as she handed the paper over to Ginny.

Hermione entered the kitchen, leaving Ginny reading behind her. Both Harry and Ron were sitting at the table looking over copies of an official looking document that was obviously from the Ministry. Ron looked up and saw Hermione enter. He flashed a smile at her. Harry turned and smiled too. Hermione hugged the both of them and settled herself at the table next to Ron. Ginny absently sat down next to Harry.

"Wow, that's an old book you found!" Ginny exclaimed.

"It is. It's full of potions that have long been forgotten. It's already making a buzz among Potions masters, and Mr. Nottingham has even been contacted by the Ministry."

Ginny looked up at Hermione curiously. "You worked with Snape?"

Hermione nodded.

"Oi! I thought he was dead!" Ron exclaimed.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Just because a bloke hasn't been seen for a while, Ron, doesn't mean he's dead."

Hermione nodded. "I looked him up for help. He wound up being invaluable."

Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Surely you could have found it without having to put yourself through whatever insults he must have thrown at you, Hermione."

"I'll admit, he was a bit rough at first, but he calmed down considerably."

"The things you put yourself through for your job, Hermione!" Ron exclaimed.

Hermione rolled her eyes and changed the subject. "I'm glad you're here, Ron, I have something to tell all of you."

Her three friends looked at her curiously. Harry folded his hands in front of him, Ginny arched her eyebrows again, and Ron sat back and got comfortable. Hermione looked at the three of them tentatively. She was unsure of what their reactions would be to her new relationship.

"Well, you see, Severus and I..."

"Severus! When did you start calling him that?" Harry asked.

Ginny looked to Harry sourly. "For heaven's sake, Harry, they were working together."

Harry scowled. "I can't believe you would voluntarily subject yourself to his company," he murmured.

"Anyway," Hermione continued as if nothing was amiss. "Severus and I became quite close while working on the quest together."

Ron put his head in his hands. "No, don't say it! Just don't say it."

"Don't say what, Ronald?" Hermione asked.

"You're dating him, aren't you? You're dating that nasty, foul man who used to demean you for the fun of it."

"Ron, he's not like that anymore."

"Hermione, you said yourself that he was a bit rough," Ron retorted. "That means he was rude to you still. Why, Hermione? What happened to Pierre? I thought you liked him."

Hermione looked down. "Ron, Pierre was a pompous idiot who did nothing but talk about himself. It just didn't work."

"Well," Ron exclaimed, now grasping at straws. "I'll find someone who isn't full of himself... anyone. Good grief, I'll set you up with Malfoy, just don't get yourself involved with that greasy, nasty git."

"His hygiene is better now that the war is over," Hermione muttered.

"Hermione," Harry said with concern. "What is this all about? Why on earth would you ever want to date Snape?"

Hermione sighed and looked down at the table. Ginny's eyes grew wide with understanding.

"Oh, my gosh, Hermione, you love him!" she cried.

Hermione looked up at Ginny with determination. "You're right, Ginny, I do love him. I have been attracted to him for years, and I decided to do something about it. Actually, Ron, I have you to thank for it. If you hadn't set me up with Pierre, I might not have done anything about my attraction to Severus. But as it was, I was fed up with shallow men trying to get their pictures taken with me on their arm." She sat back and crossed her arms. "You guys know me. You know that's not what I want out of a relationship."

"You want someone that you can curl up with and read books," Ginny said.

Hermione looked to her and pointed. "That's it exactly! Who do you know that would be interested in that other than Severus Snape?"

"Hermione," Harry interjected, "you can't just make a relationship based on a love of reading."

"I'm not, Harry."

"That's what it seems like."

Hermione sighed. "Harry, he's brilliant. He's sarcastic. He's good looking."

Ron spat out his mouthful of pumpkin juice at that. Hermione glared at him, and he coughed but said nothing, his face beet red.

"Did he Imperius you or something?" Harry asked angrily.

Hermione felt her control slipping away. She had known Harry would say that. It had been the reason she hadn't said a word to him about her plot to reel in Snape.

"Harry, he did not Imperius me. How dare you even insinuate such a thing?"

"Look at it from my perspective, Hermione. You come waltzing in here exclaiming that you love Snape and that he's handsome! If I said that about Pansy Parkinson, you'd have me in St. Mungo's so fast, my head would be spinning."

Hermione couldn't help herself. She had to giggle a little bit at the comparison.

"I see your point," she admitted. Heaving a great sigh, she continued. "I know this must be really hard for you guys to hear, especially since it's quite out of the blue. But I assure you, I know what I'm doing, and I know what I want. Severus has been nothing but wonderful to me since we officially got together."

"And how long has that been?" Ginny asked.

"A week."

Harry and Ron both got up and started pacing. Ginny shrugged her shoulders at Hermione in exasperation.

"A week?! A week?! He's been nice for a week?!" Harry cried. "Well, bonny good show for him! He controlled his temper for a week. What happens next week, when he screams at you for not putting the cap on the sugar bowl? He's a loose canon, Hermione. He'll hurt you."

"Harry's right!" Ron exclaimed as he waved his arms around. "He's going to disrespect you, Hermione. He's nasty and doesn't know how to be any other way."

"All I ask is that you give us a chance," Hermione begged. "Give him a chance. You are all my best friends. I don't want to have to keep away from any of you because you disapprove of my choice of men."

"Hermione, we would never treat you badly like that!" Ginny cried.

"Yeah, Hermione, we love you and all," Ron said as he sat back down beside her and put his arm around her.

"We're not saying that we like this one bit," Harry said as he too sat down and calmed himself, "but we would never ostracize you for being in love. We're just worried about the way he'll treat you."

"Well," Hermione said as she looked at each of them. "If he treats me well, do you think that sometime in the future you could come to accept him?"

The other three looked down at the table. Ginny was the first to make eye contact with Hermione again.

"If he makes you happy, Hermione, who are we to say that it's wrong. I can accept him if he's kind to you."

Harry looked up then. "Me too."

Ron was the last. He gave her a sideways glance. "You're sure you'd rather not go back with Pierre? Or me! I'm available."

Hermione scowled at him. "I don't think Lavender would appreciate that very much."

"Oh, yeah," he said sheepishly.

"Please, Ron, give him a chance."

Ron looked down at the table grumpily. "Alright, Hermione, I will for you. But I swear... if he makes just one tear fall down your face, he will find himself incapable of siring children... among other things."

Hermione threw her arms around Ron. "Thank you!" she cried.

Ron patted her on the back. "Just be careful," he advised. "I don't want you hurt."

Hermione pulled back from him. "I know what I'm doing, Ron. I understand his mood swings. He doesn't intimidate me like he did when we were kids."

"Are you sure this is what you want, Hermione?" Ron asked, hoping against hope that she would change her mind right then and there.

"Ron, I've never wanted anything so much in my entire life."

Ron shook his head. "You're hopeless, you know that?" he teased.

Hermione looked to her three friends with affection. "And that's why you all love me so much."

The four of them laughed and joked together for quite some time after that.

oooOOOooo

Severus stood tentatively outside the Nottingham manor gates for at least fifteen minutes before pushing the lion's head to announce his presence. He chastised himself for fidgeting while he waited for a response. Fidgeting was definitely not something that Severus Snape did...at least, not often.

"Yes," a voice rang out from the lion.

"I am here to see Master Nottingham. It's Severus Snape."

"One moment."

After a short wait, the gate swung open on its own, and Severus made his way to the door. A house-elf met him and showed him into the study where Cecil was awaiting him. Cecil stood when he caught sight of Severus and ambled over as quickly as his cane would allow.

"Severus, I'm glad you came," he said eagerly.

Severus nodded to Cecil. Cecil ushered him over to an armchair and motioned for him to sit down.

"You look the same as when we last saw each other," Cecil mused as he lowered himself into the chair facing Severus.

"As do you, Master Nottingham."

Cecil frowned. "Please, Severus. Let's throw away the titles and just be ourselves. I... regret the way we last parted. I've regretted it since the minute you stormed out of here. I'm sorry I doubted you, my boy. I should have known better."

Severus' eyes narrowed. "I would have thought that you had."

Cecil looked to his lap. "I reacted out of fear, Severus. I feared for your future, I feared for what you would become, and I feared that you would be killed in the process." He held his hand to his chest. "When I found out that you had almost been killed, I nearly had a heart attack."

Severus smirked. "You were just excited that you would once again be the number one Potions master in all the world."

Cecil chuckled lightly and hazarded a glance up at Severus. Severus caught the tentative gaze and became serious again.

"I wanted to tell you all of it, but I couldn't," he explained. "I had to protect the Order and my cover. I left that day angry and dejected, knowing I had lost the only true friend I have ever had."

Cecil's eyes suddenly took on a misty quality. "I too was bereft at loosing the only son I ever had."

Severus stared at Cecil and marveled at his words. He felt his emotions slipping away from him and pulled them back. It would not do to be so vulnerable. He watched Cecil as the old wizard got up and came over to his chair, stooping down to be eye level with Severus.

"I was never more proud when the truth came out, my boy. You were smashing. I thought to myself as I read the Prophet article, That's my boy, that's my Severus. He saved our world."

Severus was close to breaking down. The words of his mentor and friend were almost too much to believe true. He snorted to control himself. "I did no such thing," he whispered.

Cecil grumbled. "Oh, yes, you did, my boy." He tentatively reached out and placed an old withered hand on Severus' hair and stroked it. "I'm sorry I let you down, son. I won't ever doubt you again. You will always be my son, even if you choose to never speak to me again."

Something inside Severus snapped. Between all of the affection he had been showing Hermione and this emotionally charged conversation, he could take no more. A single tear fell from his left eye.

"Thank you, Cecil," he rasped.

Cecil pulled him toward himself and embraced him. Severus wrapped his own arms around the older man and hugged him like a lifeline. After some time, the two pulled apart.

"Now, young man, what is going on between you and my favorite book seller?" Cecil asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Severus barked out a laugh and began to tell Cecil of his relationship with Hermione.

A/N: Next up: A very important date.

Thank you, Lilith Kayden, for looking this over, and for the idea to expand Cecil's role with Severus. Thank you, dear readers, for taking the time out of your busy day to spend a few minutes with this story. Only two more chapters left!