Forty
Chapter 41 of 50
neelixHermione was anxiously wringing her hands as she paced Severus's quarters. Every now and again her eyes darted to the Floo, then to the clock on the wall. Severus rustled that day's copy of the Daily Prophet, dropping it slightly to watch his fiancée as she wore a hole in the rug.
'Relax,' he soothed. 'Have some tea, or perhaps find something to read.' He indicated the bookshelf along the far wall, and Hermione was tempted, but she knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate.
She desperately wanted this to go well, but she hadn't had the chance to talk to Alicia privately to tell her that things had changed between herself and Severus. She really hoped that her friend would be respectful, at least, but she had a terrible feeling the whole situation may be more than awkward.
'Would you prefer me to leave?' Severus asked as he quirked an eyebrow at her.
It was on the tip of her tongue to say yes, but it was too late. With a roar that made Hermione jump, the Floo sprang to life, and out stepped Alicia, looking more glamorous than Hermione had ever seen her. She was wearing a well-cut dark grey suit with a crisp, cerise shirt, and her blonde hair was long and shimmering down her back. Hermione felt immediately the lesser person in her presence, which she knew to be a ridiculous notion, but the feeling was there nonetheless.
'Alicia,' she said warmly, going immediately to her and hugging her tightly. She had missed her very much.
'Oh, God, it's so good to see you,' Alicia replied. She stood back a little and looked her up and down. 'You look fabulous, honey,' she said sincerely.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Severus stand, laying his newspaper on the chair behind him.
'Alicia, I want to introduce you to Professor Severus Snape,' she said, turning Alicia around to face Severus, who immediately smiled charmingly and held his hand out.
'Miss Maines, it's a pleasure to meet you at last. I have heard much about you from Hermione,' he said smoothly.
Alicia smiled and took Severus's hand and shook it firmly, before turning to look at Hermione, letting out a low whistle.
'And you left him?' she whispered loudly.
Hermione burst out laughing, relief washing over her. She beamed at Alicia, who had obviously been prepared that Hermione would be back with Severus. She wouldn't say anything.
'Thankfully, she came back,' said Severus, a touch of laughter in his own voice.
'And how is Donovan doing? I really missed that little guy,' said Alicia.
'He's doing great. You'll see him later,' Hermione said, smiling, 'and I'll fill you in on all of the drama.'
Severus quirked an eyebrow at Hermione and Alicia as they shared a look, and Alicia laughed.
'Girl talk, Professor. You wouldn't be one bit interested,' she said.
'Why do I have the uncomfortable feeling that I will be a topic of conversation?' he said sternly. Hermione caught the amused look in his eyes that belied his tone, and she poked her tongue out playfully.
'Don't be so smug!' she exclaimed. 'We will have so much more to talk about than the men in our lives,' Hermione protested.
'Oh, do we?' Alicia teased, sounding disappointed. 'What a pity. I wanted all of the gory details.'
'Enough,' Severus chuckled. 'We have some research notes to share, I believe. The gossip can wait until I'm out of the way.'
Hermione grinned, but she didn't notice the appreciative gaze that Alicia gave Severus as they followed him obediently into his lab.
***
Two hours later, Alicia, Hermione and Severus were standing around Minerva McGonagall's bed. Alicia had her wand out and was murmuring a series of charms that the others had never heard before.
They had spent over an hour poring over the sheaves of parchment that detailed all of Hermione's calculations, Severus's potions and their ingredients and Minerva's symptoms. It was clear that while certain medicinal treatments were having a positive effect on Minerva's immune system, the usual therapies had only worked to a point.
'Do we know what your friend had been doing prior to falling ill?' Alicia asked eventually.
Severus sighed. 'She had been under some pressure I think. The responsibility of building up the school after the war has been a great strain, according to Filius. I feel a certain amount of guilt that I didn't return to assist as she requested,' he said, frowning.
'You had your reasons, and Minerva understood them, Severus. You shouldn't feel guilty. We don't even know if that's what caused this,' Hermione chided him.
'Is there anything specific about Minerva's magic I need to know about? She was a Transfiguration professor, I believe?' Alicia looked up at Hermione with her face set.
'Well, she is incredibly gifted in that area. And of course, she's an Animagus,' Hermione said proudly.
'What animal?' Alicia said suddenly, her eyes bright.
'She is a tabby cat,' Severus murmured, staring down at Minerva's pale, lined face.
'A cat?' Alicia asked in disbelief.
'Yes,' said Hermione. 'Why? Is that significant?'
'Well, it's significant if she contracted her illness when she was in her Animagus form, yes.'
'Good god, I had never even considered that it might not be a human virus,' Severus said, shocked.
'Why would you, Severus? It didn't cross my mind either, but I know that when Minerva is under pressure she enjoys spending time in her Animagus form. She explained it to me once. It gives her the chance to run and stretch in a way she can't as a witch,' Hermione said softly.
'What should we do, Miss Maines?' asked Severus seriously.
'Well, firstly you can call me Alicia. All of my friends do.'
She flashed him a wide smile, but Severus didn't acknowledge it. He was too concerned about Minerva.
'Secondly,' Alicia continued briskly, 'you will need to find a specialist who has experience with Animagus illness. If there is no one here, I could contact my own department. I know that Barnabus Speight would be fascinated with this case.'
'I'll check with Luna,' said Hermione, and she slipped out of the room.
Severus raised his eyes to Alicia. 'I don't know how to thank you. We have been going around in circles with this,' he said sincerely.
Alicia smiled warmly. 'Nonsense. It just needed fresh eyes, that's all.'
She walked around to where Severus was standing and placed her hand over his where it rested on Minerva's bedclothes. She squeezed his hand lightly, and Severus looked at her with a puzzled frown. He was about to speak when the door opened, and Hermione walked in. Alicia immediately removed her hand from Severus's and walked over to Hermione with a small smile.
'Any joy?' she said, a little too brightly.
Hermione looked at Alicia in confusion and didn't quite understand what she had just seen. She turned to look at Severus, whose face was blank and emotionless. He had signs of a telltale flush to his cheeks. She looked back at Alicia, who had schooled her face to its normal, friendly demeanour, and shook her head. Whatever it was, it could wait for now.
'Luna said there is no specialist here at the hospital. They don't have many cases of this type, apparently, which would explain why we hadn't thought of it before,' she said calmly.
'You will call your colleague then, Miss Maines?' Severus spoke firmly, and Hermione noticed the edge to his voice, even if Alicia didn't. She did notice his reverting to her more formal mode of address, however, and she took a slight backward step before nodding.
'Of course. I'll Floo call him as soon as I can,' she said simply.
'Very well. Hermione, I have Hogwarts business to attend to this evening, so I will leave Miss Maines in your capable hands tonight. Say goodnight to Donovan for me.' He went to walk from the room, pausing to kiss Hermione lightly.
'Severus? Do you mean you'll be staying at the school tonight?' Hermione was disappointed and wondered what had happened. They had agreed never to have another night apart, now that they were reunited.
'Only for tonight, Hermione.' Severus's voice softened as he spoke, and he smiled at her briefly. 'I have much to do, and it will give you and Miss Maines plenty of time for that 'girl talk'.' He looked briefly at Alicia and his gaze went steely for a brief moment.
Ah, thought Hermione. Alicia must have said something to upset him when she was out of the room. She would talk to him once Alicia had gone and reassure him. Her feelings for him had never really changed, despite what she may have declared to her friend in the heat of an emotional moment.
Severus closed the door and Hermione grinned at Alicia. 'Now we have the night to ourselves, let's get Donovan to bed early and open a bottle of wine.'
Alicia smiled at her a little tightly. 'Sure, great idea.'
As they walked out into the hospital corridor, Hermione lowered her voice.
'Then perhaps you will explain exactly what was going on when I walked back into the room, and why Severus would rather be anywhere but in your company.'
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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? 