Chapter 8

Hermione turned her attention to the trunks next to the beds. She gathered underwear, robes, and cosmetics; she also found some jumpers and jeans. She found a few nightgowns and a couple pairs of shoes. They might need some size adjustments, but she was happy with her finds. She packed them all into the bag she kept at her neck, grateful again for the magic it held.

She checked the bathroom and found shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and even a fine brush and mirror set. She gathered a few undamaged books and some writing paper and quills from a desk. She could have Apparated to number twelve, Grimmauld Place to get her own things, but she was afraid someone would discover she really wasn’t on holiday and would try to figure out what she was up to. The Order still used the house for business, and people came and went. She thanked the silence around her for the things she was borrowing and vowed to return them when they left here.

They walked back to his rooms in silence, Hermione taking in the devastation around her. She knew there were stone vaults in the Great Hall that held the bodies of the dead. She would never step foot in there. She was grateful that Molly had insisted on taking Ron back to their family plot by the Burrow. She didn’t know if she could have stood knowing he was that close.

Finally the door closed behind them, shutting out the rest of the castle. Hermione took the bag off her neck and turned to Severus. He held out his arms as she stepped forward. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest and let the hot tears come. He found himself stroking her hair as he tried to comfort her.

“You’ll get used to it,” he said.

“Have you ever gotten used to it?” she asked, looking up into his face. Her body trembled with emotion.

“No,” he said. He let go of her so he could caress her face. She parted her lips slightly, and before he knew it, he’d leaned down and nearly kissed her. With a sigh he backed away, drawing her with him.

He sat in his chair, and she climbed into his lap. He held her until the trembling in her body ceased, and she calmed down.

“Hermione, you are a treasure. You have no idea how you have changed my life in the last 20 hours.”

“It’s the same for me, Severus. I was lost, and you have given me purpose. I find you a most intriguing man.”

“I find you to be quite the lady.”

“I look forward to working with you.” She hesitated and then said, “I hope that you are open to what could be.”

Severus looked down into her eyes and asked, “Are you sure you want to go there? I’m a broken man—a puzzle with half the pieces missing.”

She smiled and snuggled back up against his chest. “I’m good at putting puzzles back together.”

They sat for a time in silence just enjoying the comfort of each other.

Finally, Snape sighed. “You’d better get into Hogsmeade. It’s already mid-afternoon, and I would rather you be out of there before dark.”

“Agreed.” She reluctantly pulled away as he pushed her to her feet. She grabbed her bag and the cloak.

Snape went to the drawer in his bedside table and pulled out a bag of money. “Here, use this.”

“I have some gold in the bank there. There are a few personal things I’d like to get.”

“Like what?” he asked

She laughed. “OK, you got me. I’m a sugar quill addict, and Honeydukes is the only place that makes the raspberry ones.”

He smirked at her. “Well, in that case, get me some caramel chocolate bars. I haven’t had one in ages.”

“Ah, so the Potions professor does have a vice,” she teased.

“Quite,” he said, taking the cloak from her and holding it up so she could slip into it. “Take the money. I have quite a bit, and I have no use for it right now. I don’t trust Gringotts; I have my own stash here in the castle.”

She smiled, brushing the soft hair from his forehead, and then teased, “Rich, too! How lucky can a girl get?”

He laughed, a deep rattle that might have scared someone else. It was music to Hermione’s ears.

She took the bag and tucked it into a pocket.

“Severus, walk with me to the Shrieking Shack. We can use the tunnels. I can Apparate from there to Hogsmeade. I know it’s only a couple blocks, but I don’t want anyone to see me come out of the shack. They might ask questions. I’d love the exercise, and it will do you some good, too.

He scowled at her but agreed to go. “I guess I could use a concealment charm on us in case any visitors are sightseeing out by the gate. The old Whomping Willow died. I’m not sure if it was hurt in the war or just lost its will to live after the place was deserted. The stump is still covering the secret passage.” He went and got his cloak.

Hermione slipped her arm in his. “Let’s go.”

They left the castle through a side entrance and made their way to the Whomping Willow. Hermione felt tears burn in her eyes when she saw the twisted, dried stump. She’d had the misfortune of being a victim of the tree, barely escaping its wrath. Still, it had been a magical creature, and she mourned its death.

Severus used his wand to open the passageway, and they slipped into the tunnel. He removed the concealment charm, and with a light from his wand, they made their way through the damp passage.

“You need to teach me that one. I wouldn’t have had to scrunch under Harry’s invisibility cloak all those years.”

“Is that how he seemed to be in so many places and was never caught?”

Hermione smirked at him and then began to pay closer attention to her surroundings. She realized he must use the tunnel for some reason because it was clear of roots.

When she asked him, he said, “I occasionally go to Hogsmeade at night. I use a concealment charm and walk and look at the storefronts. I really haven’t needed anything. The emptiness of the castle can get to you,” he said as if reading her mind.

She squeezed his hand. “I’m here now, Severus.”