Chapter 13

As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he ran his hands over the once-puckered and seeping neck. There were red spots and lines of scar tissue, but the wounds were gone. If he applied more salve, they would eventually vanish.

The potion had been a very difficult and complicated one, and Hermione had brewed it like a professional. He couldn’t have been more proud.

They spent the day preparing the first ingredients for the new potion. They wouldn’t be able to start it until the new moon, which was a few days away.

Severus finally said, "Enough. Why don’t we go to the Shrieking Shack and spend the evening. We can walk down under a concealment charm by way of the lake.”

Hermione smiled excitedly and went to wash her hands. They gathered food and wine and packed a basket to take with them. The sun had just gone down, and the evening light shone off a new layer of snow. It was cold, but the air was still. They pulled their cloaks tightly around them, and Severus enveloped both of them with one charm so they could see each other. He took her hand, and they made their way through the snow. Even after darkness fell, they moved slowly, enjoying the freedom from the weight of the oppressive castle. They circled the edge of the lake, thankful that the stars were bright. They went down the road towards Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack. Once inside, Severus quickly lit the fire and warmed the room magically. Hermione lit candles with her wand. They sat on the rug in front of the fire and ate their dinner.

Later, Hermione got some pillows and propped them under Severus’ head so he could lie on his back before the fire. She stretched out next to him and read from the book they had been reading to each other.

She finally set the book aside and asked, “Severus, have you ever heard of physical therapy?"

“Of course, my father was a Muggle. I watched TV as a kid.”

“I know we will be using a potion that will heal the tissues of your leg and hand, but it’s been nearly two years since you have been able to use them properly. I would like to see if exercising the muscles would help you regain some of your control while the potion is being made. It would be an interesting experiment,” Hermione said with a slight twinkle in her eye.

Severus looked at her eagerness and decided it couldn’t hurt. Thinking to himself, he grinned: They would have to have lots of close, physical contact and time with each other. He realized how much he’d come to enjoy her touch. He was like a starved man getting steak for the first time in his life. This was a win-win situation for them both.

She studied the grin on his face, and it made her feel warmed inside. She leaned over him and planted a light kiss on his lips. He slipped his hand into her hair and claimed her lips for a deeper, more profound, kiss. He released her with a sigh.

She looked at him curiously but did not ask why he always backed off. This was all new to him, and she had to give him time. She wouldn’t make him feel bad by letting him know how much she wanted more from him.

She sat back. “I think the little bookstore in Hogsmeade has some Muggle books. They can order something if they don’t have what we need. If I only had a computer…” Hermione trailed off.

“A computer! Those things are a menace.” He sat up, and she helped him get to his feet.

“Severus, you can find out anything almost immediately on the Internet. The research possibilities are endless.”

“Good books will tell you the same thing if you know where to look.” The scathing look so reminiscent of Hermione’s school days was on Severus’ face, and she had to try hard to suppress a smile.

“You don’t have to tell me that. I’m just saying that a computer has its uses. I had one at my parents’ house. Did you know there are wizards who have websites? If you know the spell, you can see things the Muggles can’t,” she retorted.

“No,” he said with a sigh, “I didn’t. I’m not sure I agree with wizards using Muggle technology. Muggles are smart, and someone could stumble on to one of those sites by accident.”

“Well, the Ministry is aware, and they even have an office overseeing the websites now.”

Severus just shook his head and said, “Order the books from the Hogsmeade bookstore, if you must, but don’t be surprised if they ask questions.”

“Does it matter, Severus? It’s none of their business.”

“Maybe you should go disguised. Wizards are suspicious by nature—it’s how we protect ourselves. They will start to murmur to each other if 'the war hero' starts to show up all the time. You don’t live near here and the locals know that.”

She nodded. “You’re right. Maybe a gypsy would be fun this time. Would it be so terrible for them to find out you are alive?”

He got up and angrily paced the floor. “I will not be a source of pity!” He erupted with the old venom in his voice. “There’s no guarantee the potion will work after all the time that has lapsed. I could be maimed forever.”

Hermione came up behind him, put her arms around him, and laid her cheek against his back.

“Severus, there are others with permanent scars. Those scarred by magic cannot be healed. George Weasley has the missing ear, and his brother Bill has scars from Fenrir Greyback. No one looks down on them.”

His back was rigid. She thought he might pull away, so she locked her hands together and held on tightly. After a few minutes, he relaxed against her with a sigh and covered her hands with his.

“Your pride is stopping you from living the best life you could have. You’re an amazing teacher, Severus. Look at what we have already accomplished together. You don’t have to be able to brew the potion yourself. I do believe that we will have success with the potion. In the unlikely chance it doesn’t work, you can hire an assistant.”

“Are you applying for the job?” he whispered. He turned in her arms and faced her.

Her eyes widened with surprise. “Are you offering an apprenticeship or just an assistantship?"

“Apprenticeship, with all the Bonds that it entails. If I go back to society, I want you there with me.”

“Severus!” She slipped her hand behind his neck and drew his face closer. “I would be honored to be your apprentice.”

“Bound 20 years,” he reminded her.

“I’m already bonded in my heart.” She shyly glanced up at him.

Now it was his turn to be surprised. “Truly?”

“Truly,” she whispered against his lips.

Then he was kissing her hard and hungrily. All thoughts of her having been his student as a child were gone. Finally they just held each other.

“Hermione,” he groaned against her hair, “you turn me inside out.”

“That’s a good thing, Severus. You can’t imagine how much you have changed my life in such a short time.” She drew him back to the rug before the fireplace.

They sat together just enjoying each other’s company and silently staring into the fire for a good hour. Occasionally they would kiss, but mostly they just snuggled. Finally, they gathered their things and walked slowly back through the tunnels, using warming charms to heat the space around them. It was frigid.

“It’s probably snowed,” Severus observed.

“Oh, I used to love the snow. Harry and Ron…” She swallowed and forced herself to continue, “…and I had the best snowball fights."

Severus chuckled. “I watched a few of those from the observatory tower."

“You did?” She was surprised and pleased to know he had watched them. She snuggled up against him. “I suppose you had a sneer on your face the entire time.”

He laughed. “Of course. Potter was fuel for my role as a hated Potions master and servant of Voldemort."

“Do you really hate him, Severus?”

******

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