Twenty-Five
Chapter 27 of 50
neelixA/N: So sorry- I forgot to post this chapter completely! This means that for some there won't be a new chapter until everything is sorted, and I apologise for that.
Hermione walked into her new apartment with a smile on her face and a bounce to her step. She had fallen in love with the place, because it was so completely different to Hilltop Cottage. Light and modern, the main living area and kitchen was open plan, with a huge picture window giving an amazing view over Central Park. Best of all, the Floo was connected to all of the buildings she needed access to, so she could zip around the city quicker than if she used the subway.
Hermione stood in the kitchen and waited while the microwave nuked a plate of 'Chinese Prawns with Angel Hair Noodles,' grabbed a glass of wine and then carried everything over to the low level couch. A pile of post sat on the arm, and as she ate with one hand, she opened her mail with the other. The first letter was from Harry, telling her the gossip from the Ministry. Hermione smiled but felt so detached that he could have been talking about another planet. The second was from her estate agent, telling her that although he had a tenant for the property and her rent was being paid on a regular basis, there had been no sign of life around the house for a while, as it seemed the tenant was away. Did she want him to call by and check on the house? Hermione made a mental note to write back to him in the morning, because tonight she was going out on the town with Alicia.
Finishing her meal and gulping down the wine quickly, Hermione put her dishes in the sink (another job for tomorrow) and dashed to have a quick shower. The bathroom was en suite to the large bedroom, with such a powerful shower that she felt buffeted by the steaming water jets. Invigorated, she wrapped her fluffy white robe around her and opened the walk-in wardrobe, pulling out a navy dress and silver shoes. Drying herself quickly, she spritzed herself with perfume and used her wand to dry her hair before styling it artfully at the nape of her neck. If there was one thing Hermione had learned to do since moving to New York, it was take care of her appearance, and as she looked at herself in the mirror, adjusting the neckline of the dress slightly, she almost didn't recognise the girl who had left New Mills just over a month before.
As she walked to the Floo, she immediately regretted drinking her wine so quickly. She could feel the effects of the alcohol already, but she shrugged it off. It had been ages since she'd been dancing, and she couldn't wait. Flooing directly to Alicia's brownstone house, she walked through into the large kitchen to find her friend.
She felt at home in Alicia's house, because she had lived here for three weeks while they searched for her own place. They had spent hours in the cosy lounge, sipping wine and talking about their lives and their work, and Hermione had found a better friend in Alicia than she had ever had before. She had even told her all about Severus, and Alicia had been enthralled. She had obviously known of the war, and to hear that two of the heroes had been an item was fascinating to her. She had been a shoulder for Hermione to cry on; she hadn't judged her or said she had wasted her time with him; she had just listened and supported her. Hermione found her acceptance refreshing, and through it, she had felt her feelings of loss start to lessen.
Alicia worked at the local wizarding hospital, a section of Bellevue that was cleverly hidden from the Muggles. Hermione had visited her research department, where Alicia was working on using Charms alongside other therapies. It was fascinating work, and they had ended up having a discussion about the use of Potions in Muggle healthcare, another area that Alicia had been keen to explore at some point.
Feeling a rush of warmth, she watched as Alicia clipped on her earrings at the dining table.
'Hi sweetie, you look gorgeous,' Alicia said lightly as she stood and grabbed her clutch bag.
'Wow, so do you,' Hermione gasped. She stared in awe at Alicia's figure, clad in a cream, silky sheath, her gold coloured stiletto shoes making her taller than she already was. Her blonde hair was pinned in a high ponytail on top of her head, and her makeup was flawless.
'I hope we manage to engage some intelligent men tonight. I can't bear talking to dweebs who forget we have brains!' Alicia said, laughing loudly.
Hermione laughed, but pulled her mouth into a rueful grimace that Alicia noticed immediately.
'I'm sorry. I'm only teasing. I know you're not interested in men, but honey, it's fun,' Alicia giggled, and pulled Hermione to her and hugged her gently.
'I know,' said Hermione softly. 'I wonder if I will ever be able to meet another man and not compare him to Severus.'
'If that's the case, even the dweebs will win,' Alicia said sarcastically.
'Stop that,' Hermione said firmly, but then laughed. 'You didn't even meet Severus. He really was incredible, you know.'
'Sure. But he's also the man who's broken you're heart, and I will never let you forget that. Now, let's go find someone cute to flirt with.' Alicia winked playfully at Hermione, who couldn't help being swept away by her friend's good mood and enthusiasm as she followed her to the Floo.
***
An hour later and Hermione was having the most fun she'd had in ages. The club was full of gyrating bodies, the music was pounding, and she was more than a little bit tipsy. As she danced, a blond haired and very handsome wizard shimmied over to her and bumped against her playfully, and she giggled, meeting his startling blue eyes as he grinned back. They danced for two more songs, until he guided her from the dance floor by her elbow towards the bar.
'I'm Oliver,' he said, holding his hand out formally. Hermione laughed at the contrast and shook his hand firmly.
'Hermione,' she replied, a little loudly.
'I'll get the drinks,' he said, turning to the bar.
He didn't ask her what she wanted, and she felt a little put out for a moment, until he handed her a Manhattan. It was what she had been drinking, and she raised her eyebrow slightly as she eyed him over the rim of her glass.
Oliver chuckled warmly. 'You got me,' he said. 'I was watching you.' He shrugged, a little embarrassed, but relaxed as Hermione laughed.
They stood watching the crowd for a moment, and Hermione waved at Alicia on the dance floor. She waved back, grinning, and then proceeded to bump and grind with the shorter, dark haired man beside her.
'You know Alicia?' Oliver said in her ear.
'Yes. She's why I'm here, actually. We're friends.' Hermione smiled up at him.
'What did you say your name was again?' Oliver frowned slightly.
'Hermione... Granger,' she said.
'Not Dr. Granger?' Oliver said incredulously. 'I assumed you'd be older.'
'Really?' Hermione's eyes danced with amusement at Oliver's embarrassment as he realised what he'd said.
'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude. I work in Alicia's department, you see. The award, well, we all worked hard for it.' Oliver looked away from Hermione and stared out at the crowd, but his thoughts were obviously elsewhere.
Sensing a change in atmosphere, Hermione took her leave and went to the loo. As she walked into the cubicle, she felt suddenly dizzy and closed her eyes. She could feel the cocktails rushing through her, and was shocked to find that she was thoroughly pissed. Her stomach started to roil, and she started to feel flushed. In haste, she turned around and threw up, then rested her head against the wall. Gods, she felt awful. Heaving, she bent over and vomited again, knowing that she couldn't make it through the rest of the night in this state. She left the cubicle and splashed cold water onto her face before finding Alicia and making her apologies.
It was with relief that she collapsed on her bed in the apartment, and she allowed the cool bed linen to soothe her as the room continued to spin. Feeling wretched, she willed herself to sleep.
Hermione spent the next two days recovering from her night out and was thankful she had made no plans for her weekend. She had no hangover potion and resolved to order some as soon as she felt able to move without the need to vomit. She realised that it was most likely food poisoning from the prawns, and decided to avoid them in the future.
When she went to the Proctor Prewitt library on the Monday morning, she felt relieved for the calm atmosphere. The main archives were housed in a light and airy building so far removed from the dark, dusty library at Hogwarts that you would have thought it was a bookshop. She was still aching and exhausted, but at least the queasiness had gone. To be able to sit and just read for the whole day was exactly what she needed.
Pulling a pile of books towards her, she lifted the top one and smiled to herself contentedly.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Hilltop Cottage
734 Reviews | 7.3/10 Average
This was such a great read, thanks for sharing! I was especially happy to see that Minerva recovered well enough to be able to attend Severus' and Hermione's wedding. It just wouldn't have been the same without her. And Donovan, you just know that boy is going to be such a heartbreaker. Well done!
God what a beautiful beginning. I got chills when I read the first few sentences of this chapter. It reminded me of a 19th century British novel.... something from Hardy. I love your writing. There are naughty bits that are fun to read, but you have a charming prose that just strikes me sometimes. So, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing. THANK YOU!
Response from neelix (Author of Hilltop Cottage)
To be compared to Hardy made me smile :) You're very kind,but more than that I'm so happy you like the,story :)
For such inteligent people, in the love department they really had lower grades...so quick to think badly of one another, especialy Severus, but Hermione had her moments, too.
I was so glad when they finally learned and began to trust each other!!!
It was an interesting journey. Thank you.
Great story :) Excellent job with the buildup, realistic angst scenes, and a happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
WTF!! Why is she letting Alicia plant stupid doubts in her mind? Alicia doesn't even know Severus! And Severus was obviously not too happy with Alicia. For Merlin's sake! What the hell is the matter with Hermione?? When did she become so gullible and wishy washy? This isn't the Hermione who stood up to Malfoy and punched him in the face! She needs to take a pill or something.
And there are a hell of a lot of worse things in the world than a man who stands by you as the mother of his child!!! Get over the Cinderella complex Herms. 
OK! What the Fuck is wrong with Severus now? These aren't weak minded individuals. Snape is a freaking spy who fooled Voldemort for like 20 year, for gods sake! He should be able to see a BSer from a mile away! These two are really getting on my freaking left nerve. Doesn't Mister Ligilimens remember being inside Hermone's head? I don't know how much more of their BS I can stand. Get over yourselves Hermione and Severus! You two are freaking making me want to poke my damned eyes out!!!
Oooooh, I never would have thought! Severus will put her in her place. There's a reason Hermione is his first and only relationship. I'm sure Alicia isn't the first woman to come on to the Potion's Master. 
Too bad for Hermione, though. Betrayed by a friend. Hopefully if Alicia realizes tonight that they are engaged to be married she will back off, for Hermione's sake. I can't imagine she would think she had a chance with Severus if he want's to brush her off. He's a master at putting people in their place.
I'm looking forward to that if it becomes necessary.
I just hope this doesn't interfere with Minerva's cure.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, neelix! 
It was about time these two became a family. I'm so glad Hermione realizes she should not have left him. I will forgive her for breaking Severus' heart because of her youth and immaturity.
Now that she's a grown woman, she hopefully has her priorities straight. She can still be Dr. Granger, but she should keep it in prospective. Now, what about dear Minerva?
Severus wouldn't be the first man to change his ways once a father. If I was Severus though, like you said in the story, he needs to be sure she is committed to making this work and not leaving again when she feels hurt. Obviously she has no idea how she nearly killed him the first time she left him. By the same token, Hermione wouldn't be the first woman to grow up and make a committment to see the rough spots through rather than leave when things got rocky after having a child together. Everything changes when a couple says, you are stuck with me for the rest of our lives. How do you want to do the next 60 years? The hard way or the easy way? Make your choice.
Hopefully, she has seen that if you leave, you just change the problems you have for new ones. Unless there is physical abuse, infedelity or addiction, I think most things can be worked out. The 4 things just mentioned would be deal breakers for me. I hope they are happy together now. That's what stories are for. The happily ever after.
Please!!! It's not my place to say???? For God's sake! Let drag out the pain as long as possible shall we? Intereasting the penny dropped and Severus knew why he hadn't got her letter. Luna had told her but I guess she wasn't listening. I give up! Snapes blaming himself for being a jerk but she isn't blaming herself for anything at all. She didn't do anything wrong.
"What- an- idiot!" Hermione. How long did it take you to realize he didn't know.
I'm going back to Hermione's visit to St. Mungo's. Is she that thick? Did she hear Luna say he didn't get her letter, or at least take the hint that he may not have gotten her letter, the same as Minerva, and that she was wrong? Now she has a chance to do something about it and it doesn't seemed to have crossed her mind.
Poor Severus. I don't remember reading any stories where I liked Severus and thought Hermione was the idiot. Good original plot, just uncomfortable.
She didn't want to give up the parties and her work for Severus, but she has because she had his baby. Now, she's just lonely while giving them up. And it was all unecessry. He jumping to the conclusion that she left him for someone else, and she to he conclusion that he couldn't change.
You never even gave him a second chance to know he was wrong. Was it worth it Hermione, in the scope of things?
Did you think you were going to find someone else who understood you better and loved you more?
You could have been pregnant while with Severus and had a baby together.
There needs to be a smiley for="Self Absorbed!"
I'll think about it????
I had written a novel sized review after the last chapter but I hit one wrong button and lost it. Damn!!! I think I spent an hour and a half going back and researching the story so that I could review all the chapters I'd missed at the same time.
She needed to put chapter 14 in a pensive.
As for this
"Hermione was thrown. Not only had Severus left Spinner’s End to help find a cure for Minerva, he was also back at Hogwarts. After all that time spent in New Mills, avoiding the wizarding world and holing himself up like a hermit, he was back in the public eye in a way she would never have anticipated. She wondered what it all meant." 
I'll tell you what it all means, little sister. It means you jumped the gun when you went off in a huff! You never worried about any one elses pain but your own, including the man you claimed to love.
I am sorry to be so bitter toward her for your sake. I don't blame the story or think the story is lame. I'm just pissed off at Hermione, still have a migrain and should be in bed, because I have to go to work tomorrow, but I can't stop reading your story.
Please forgive me for not spell checking.
Goodbye Severus???? Hermione stared up into his face. It shocked her to realise that she didn’t truly know the man before her. He was more complex and insecure than she had ever imagined, and he wouldn’t change, not ever.
She's his first relationship in his entire life and he is her first love. How does she know he won't change, ever.( 
Know-it- All) I will say, OK he is being a really big prick, a huge bastard and a fuck up. He has really hurt you with this.
However, he already has changed by having his first relationship this late in his life.
She knows she is the first person he has ever trusted like, this doesn't she?
I know she's hurt and doesn't think he really loves her right now, but I dont feel like she was ever really committed to a long term relationship with him. He was handy and helped her get over the war. I guess she was on a war just rebound.
She sure made up her mind rather abruptly!
Only a few momments ago she was declairing her deep love for him. Maybe what she should really say is, "he's just too complex and insecure for her to waste any more of her time on."
Is she sweet little Hermione who just accepts him as he is, loving him so unconditionally. Or, is she just not willing to take the time to work on a relationsip with Severus Snape. She doesn't seemed to have warned him that this, not going places with her, was becoming a deal breaker for her.
Has she ever brought up the fact that it bothers her that he never says he love her?
This is his first relationship in his entire life for a reason. Of course, she is young and after all he isn't her husband, he's just a "boyfriend".
I don't know what she means though, when she says she's shocked and doesn't know this man.
He's been a mean tempered git since the first time she met him when she was 11, and she just now realized he has a tendancy to jump to the worst possible conclusions when he's worreid or up set, and that he has serious anger management problems?
If she truly loves him as much as she says, I think she should have told him what the deal breakers were and given him a chance to prove himself.
He's already pissed off right now, as it is. So she can tell him what needs to happen if he wants to keep her then leave him to stew and think about how much he is willing to do to keep her.
I've been with the same man three times the number of years I was single or 3 times longer than I was alive when we first got together. You don't get to have a lifetime mate unless you give people a chance to work on their issues before you bail for good. I don't think Hermione had ever intended to spend her entire life with Severus.
After 5 years, I think she would have pressed him a little harder to work things out sooner.
Snape is being a real shit. Yes he just falsly accussed her. However, ‘I understand, witch,’ he whispered. ‘I wouldn’t want to stay with me either.’ Is this the hint of the century or what? He can't imagine why she had wanted to be with him in the first place. From chapt. 11-'I missed you, you know. After you “died.”’ Hermione made quotation marks with her free hand and looked into his face. ‘I had no idea you meant so much to me, until I thought you were gone forever.’
She was looking at him with expectation. Severus shrugged.
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Hermione,’ he sighed. ‘Whatever you see in me is misguided. I have nothing to offer.’
This is so sad.
I'm sorry for not keeping up on my reviews for each chapter, but I've had a migraine all weekend. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about all that I've read so far. I hope they work this out.
about time! I should have been in bed two hours ago but I couldn't leave it on such a sad note.
This isn't a good sign guys.
Poor Severus. She didn't give him much of a choice without him rejecting her outright. But he doesn't have a chance in hell of coming away unscathed. Will it be worth it? I hope Hermione doesn't let me down. She on a war rebound which is worse than a Ronnald Weasely rebound. She says she needs him. Does she know what she's asking from him? I really don't think so. If he's in for a penny, he's in for a pound. Severus Snape does nothing in the middle. I hope Hermione see's that.
I'm very happy she has given Severus a garden. I hope she isn't leading him on. She seems very young here. I know that in a story this long there are usually some bumps in the road to love, but I never look forward to them. The story is sweet and filling me with anticipation of them becoming a couple.
I know Snape will keep her secret. And I think Snape is going to get a friend. Will it turn into a romance or will it bite him in the butt just like he probably expects it to?
I hope Hermione is trying to figure out how to get Snape back as much as he's trying to get her back.
I assume Severus will keep Hermione's secret. It's not Snepelike to gossip. But he'll think about what Minerva has said and will feel duty bound to check on "the girl". I wonder who will contact who first. I am also assuming that Hermione isn't using her wand so that she can't be traced back to this place by the Ministry knowing her wand has been used. When she uses it in Diagon Alley doing little insignificant spells, is just no one paying attention because of where the magic is being cast and mainly only notice it when it's in a Muggle area? Could the Ministry have found Hermione, Harry and Ron the last year of the war by following thier wands? 