Planning and Plotting (or Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday)

Original Prompt: Snape still has some lingering side effects from Nagini's bite. One of them is that he loses his voice easily and often. He and Hermione are having a conversation, when his voice goes out at a very bad/frustrating/dangerous moment. What are they talking about? Why are they even having a conversation? It's all up to you!

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Monday evening found Severus sitting at the desk in his private quarters contemplating "The Plan." Past experience had taught him that the success of most plans depended on careful attention to detail and knowledge of all possible variables. In other words, Severus knew careful planning increased success, and he wanted to succeed.

Phase One of "The Plan" was already complete. It had been complete before Severus had set quill to parchment. Hermione had developed a habit of working in the Hogwarts library on Sunday evenings. Severus found that more often than not he was drawn there at the same time. He was fond of sneaking up to Hermione as she was immersed in her work and startling her. In fact, it surprised him how much he enjoyed this little game.

Many evenings he would join her at the library table and share a companionable hour or so discussing the upcoming week and other news of the day. This was just one of several little routines the two of them had fallen into. It really was little wonder that Minerva had picked up on something going on between them, now that he thought about it. Severus refused to consider that the rest of the faculty might also be gossiping about the two of them. He knew that thoughts of that nature would bother him and hinder his ability to move forward with "The Plan."

Last night, he had indeed found Hermione in the library, standing before a table strewn with many books, a charmed parchment and quill hovering in front of her, ready to take notes. He snuck forward, but then stopped at a safe distance to observe her. Hermione was paused in thought, the tip of her forefinger taping her lips in a nervous gesture. Her hair was pulled up in a twist at the back of her head and kept in place by two Asian style ebony hair sticks. As untamable as ever, small curls escaped her efforts at containment and framed her face. Severus found the effect enchanting.

This was a frequent hair style of Hermione's. Severus knew she possessed a number of unique and attractive hair clips and sticks. As he stood there unseen in his observation, he decided to look for such an adornment as a gift when Christmas neared. He wanted Hermione to know of his fondness for her unruly mane. The desire to feel the texture of her curls, so opposite from his own lank, straight hair, had often made his fingers itch. Yet he had always felt it would have been most inappropriate, and probably unwelcome. So he had restrained himself. As he watched her, he admitted that it might be only his own insecurities that had been standing in the way of many things.

With quick, silent steps, he closed the distance between them. Standing directly behind Hermione, Severus leaned forward and spoke in a low, quiet voice, barely above a whisper, "Good evening, Professor Granger". He couldn't remember ever standing quite this close to Hermione. His lips were almost brushing her ear, and he was not disappointed by her reaction. While his previous ambushes had always yielded startled and flustered responses from Hermione, this time he could actually see, and almost feel, the shiver his voice had elicted from her. At the same time, the hovering quill and parchment dropped to the table.

Turning to find Severus mere inches away, a startled Hermione blinked and swallowed hard. "Severus!" she finally managed to exclaim. He was pleased that she didn't take a step back and create distance from him. "You are a wretched tease, startling me like that. And since when have I become Professor Granger again? I thought we were past that long ago." Hermione appeared to recover her wits quickly, yet her smile was shyer than normal, and she appeared to have a faint blush in her cheeks. Severus gave her, what he hoped was a wicked smile, full of suggestions and promises. Hermione's blush deepened and spread in response.

"Perhaps I feel a more formal address is appropriate for my purpose," Severus replied. "Would you do me the honor of joining me for dinner this next Saturday?"

To say that Hermione was surprised was an understatement. As she stared at him, Severus felt a moment of sheer panic. He hoped that he had not misread the situation and that Minerva had not been having a go at him.

Hermione finally found her voice. "Are you asking me out on a date, Severus?"

Hermione's demeanor and expression were both open and friendly. Feeling his panic recede, Severus asked, "Would you say yes if it was a date?" He hoped his demeanor appeared calm and masked the insecurity that prompted the question. Yet the insecurity underlying Severus response was not lost on Hermione.

She gave him a radiant smile and answered, "Yes, I believe I would."

"Then it is a date, this Saturday evening. I will plan to meet you at your rooms at seven. We won't be leaving the grounds, but I would like to keep the location of dinner a surprise for now."

"Alright," Hermione responded with a puzzled expression. "How do you suggest I dress?"

At this question, Severus glanced slowly down at her current dress, allowing his eyes to travel slowly back up the length of her body and then recapture her eyes. This caused the return of Hermione's blush and that shy smile. He could get used to being the cause of that blush, he thought.

"You will be fine in what you normally wear to dinner in the Great Hall. Just bring a cloak that will keep you warm outside at this time of year. I have some essays that still need to be graded, so I will leave you to you class preparations."

Severus then took Hermione's hand and raised it to his lips, all the while maintaining eye contact. Hermione's eyes widened at such unexpected behavior, and Severus leaned forward; speaking into her ear once more, he whispered, "Goodnight, Professor Granger." He was rewarded with another one of those delicious shivers, after which he turned and walked away before his own nerves had a chance to fail him.

Severus had lied about the grading. He knew that these uncharted waters were probably more nerve wracking for him than Hermione, and, mission accomplished, he felt in need of a strong drink.

~~~~~~

The following morning, Severus had taken his usual seat between Minerva and Hermione at the Head table. After an exchanging typical morning greetings, Severus tucked in to breakfast, wanting to behave the same as he would on any other morning. He could feel Hermione making covert glances in his direction, and turning her way, he gave her a brief acknowledgement, but no more or less than any other morning would call for. Minerva gave Severus an almost Dumbledorian twinkle and said, "What a lovely morning! Wouldn't you agree, Severus?"

"Indeed, Minerva," Severus replied. Perhaps by being brusque he could keep her at arm's length.

"Absolutely wonderful, I say. I believe this lovely weather is going to remain all the way through the coming weekend," Minerva continued, placing a special emphasis on the word weekend.

"Really, Minerva," Severus drawled. "Have you taking up forecasting the weather in your spare time? Is Trelawney in need of an assistant?" He tried to infuse his words with sarcasm, hoping to squelch any further insinuations on her part.

A glance at Hermione showed her looking down at her plate with, again, a hint of a blush. It was obvious that Hermione must have told Minerva about their date next Saturday before he had arrived at the table. Since Minerva's confidences had prompted Severus to ask Hermione on a date, he was sure she wanted to gloat.

This was exactly the type of thing Severus hated. With a last gulp of coffee, he excused himself. A final glance back at Hermione showed her looking toward him with more than a bit of embarrassment on her face. He hoped his own expression did not reveal his discomfort.

Severus had walked briskly back toward the dungeon Potions classroom, finding the urge to dock house points growing as he went. He wasn't angry at Hermione. It was only natural that she would share her news with Minerva. He just hated being the subject of any gossip. It mortified him that his personal actions, as well as Hermione's, would serve as entertainment for their co-workers.

He also knew that such fears had made it perfectly acceptable for him to live a primarily solitary life, a life free from ridicule and gossip. If he was truly honest with himself, it was a rather lonely life, after all. If he was going to take a chance and try for more, he'd have to rise above these fears.

The remainder of the day, Severus avoided encounters with other staff members. Now, while seated at the desk in his private quarters, Severus ignored his personal fear to allow for planning a romantic dinner date for Hermione. After all, planning was something Severus knew how to do.

~~~~~~

Wednesday afternoons were free of any student contact for Severus. He had no classes to teach and held no office hours. He considered this mid-week break necessary for his sanity and had negotiated this schedule with Minerva during the early days of his return to Hogwarts. Severus Snape might have become a slightly kinder, gentler version of his pre-war self, but he still disliked dunderheads and found there were precious few students who measured up to the standards he expected. Typically, Severus spent Wednesday afternoons fulfilling other aspects of his job as Hogwarts' Potions Master, such as preparing for upcoming classes, brewing medicinal potions for Poppy, acquiring ingredients to replenish low stores, and when the stars aligned in his favor, Severus had time to work on his independent research.

This Wednesday would be anything but typical. For today, Severus was leaving the castle to gather information and resources for "The Plan." If all went well today, then the rest of the week could be devoted to the implementation phase of "The Plan." No detail would be overlooked, and no chance for mishap would be left by Saturday.

Severus viewed his first stop with some trepidation. Ever since Potter's first visit during his convalescence at Malfoy Manor, when a truce of sorts was formed, Severus accepted that Harry Potter would remain a part of his life instead of becoming the bad memory he had expected Harry to fade into.

It soon became apparent that Potter believed he had tacit permission to just show up unannounced for a visit with Severus at Hogwarts. Once or twice a year, Potter would appear, acting like it was quite natural and picking up the conversation as if it had been just yesterday, not six months ago, when they had last spoke.

At first, Severus was just too flabbergasted by Potter's behavior to object. Over time, he developed a long suffering attitude toward the boy, after checking on Potter's sanity with Minerva. Eventually, Potter developed something of a pattern for his visits. The War Anniversary celebration at Hogwarts became a sure bet for Potter to visit. Then Potter added an occasional Quidditch match or two, especially the fall games. Over time, Severus could almost predict the weekend when Potter was bound to show up at his office door.

The greatest surprise to Severus was that Potter wanted to discuss Lily with him, and that he eventually allowed it. Initially, Severus felt a sort of morbid fascination with the whole idea. Could he share memories of Lily with Potter for Merlin's sake? Severus had made Albus swear to never reveal these things to anyone, especially Potter. The very idea had made his twenty-one-year-old self ill with bitter shame and jealousy. It had been his most guarded secret, after all.

The first time Potter asked Severus about Lily, Severus had to fight the urge to hex him. He wanted to eviscerate Potter for his impertinence, throw him out and tell him he had no right to ask such things. He had never expected to continue to live after he had passed his memories on to Potter. The boy had no right to take advantage of the situation like that. "Get out and never return!" had danced on his tongue.

Somehow, Severus fought down this initial impulse. The boy was asking him because there was no one else left to ask, no one who had known his mother like Severus. He was forced to admit that his hatred of Harry had been based on what he represented to Severus. Harry had been a daily reminder of his nemesis, James Potter. A daily reminder of what Severus had lost, what his own actions had put into play, and how, in the end, he had failed to save Lily.

Severus had given everything he could to atone for his actions. His final act had been to give Potter those relevant memories. Wasn't it enough? Did he owe Potter anything else? The fact that he had a new chance at life was not lost on Severus. He refused to be driven by his past demons, so he made a decision.

"There are some things you need to understand, Potter," Severus began in response to Harry's questions. "When you brought those memories back to me, I destroyed them."

"What!" Harry exclaimed. "You don't have those memories anymore?"

Severus gave a heartfelt sigh. "Memories are made of complex matter, not unlike the mind. I seem to recall you having difficulty with these concepts during our Occlumency sessions, Potter." The mention of those disastrous lessons caused Harry to glare at Severus. Severus closed his eyes, tilted his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew this conversation would result in a first class headache. It would be so much easier to just hex the boy and be done with it.

"Memories are interconnected. One memory may spark a dozen more for the mind to skim through. I have numerous memories connected to those I passed on to you. I was prepared, as Headmaster Dumbledore had instructed, to share what I had to when the time was right. I had created something like a file, for want of a better metaphor, to ensure you received everything I deemed necessary for your purpose."

Again, Severus gave a deep sigh. How he hated Albus for manipulating him into giving Potter the final keys that lead to his self-sacrifice. Once again, Albus had withheld vital information from him. It had been a shock, albeit of the positive variety, to learn that Albus had not sent the boy to a certain death.

"The memories I gave you were the strongest versions I had in relation to what you needed to know. While the strongest versions of those memories are gone, they leave a kind of shadow that is still attached to all their related memories. I still know what occurred, but it is as if everything has been blurred, the strength of emotions attached to those memories are dulled. You might consider it similar to looking at a Prior Incantato instead of the actual spell. Those particular memories had driven my actions for more years than I care to consider. It was a relief to let go of them, and I did not want them back," finished Severus.

Harry simply stared at Severus for a time. Then he uttered an emotional, "I believe I understand, sir."

Severus acknowledged his response with a tight nod.

After a few more moments of uncomfortable silence, Harry tentatively asked Severus, "May I still ask you about growing up with my mother? You're the only person I know who knew her in her childhood. Well, there is Aunt Petunia, but I can't see her telling me now what she never has before."

Severus gave a small snort of agreement about Petunia. "I... Yes, Potter, I will talk to you about your mother, but not today. I'm afraid my headache is not conducive for such a conversation," Severus explained.

"Alright, Professor. Thank you for what you did tell me." Harry turned to leave.

"One more thing, Potter." Severus held a hand up to signal Harry, but his eyes were shut, and he was pinching his brow again with the other hand. "I don't recommend discarding memories. The painful ones are there for a reason. An impetuous person, such as yourself, could get carried away with purging bad memories. Unforeseen side effects can occur with the loss of too many memories. To forestall your next question, the answer is no. This headache is from talking to you. It is not a side effect from discarding those memories."

"I'll remember that, sir." Harry smiled to himself, because after all Snape was still Snape, and he slipped out of the office.

The next time they met, Severus gave Harry the other halves of the torn note and picture that Harry had found on the floor of Sirius' bedroom. "I no longer require these," he told Harry.

That was how things had started, and now Severus could predict Potter's visits almost like clockwork. A tentative relationship grew between the two men. Severus was unwilling to name it friendship, but that was primarily because Severus found it difficult to use the word friend in most cases. He remained somewhat uncomfortable with Harry's easy manner and did not understand why Harry enjoyed his company. Severus maintained his aloof manner and refused to call Harry anything but Potter. He did allow Harry to call him Severus. He refused Harry's continued invitations to dinner at Harry and Ginny's home, but tolerated Harry's visits with little grumbling. All in all, Harry was pleased that Snape remained Snape.

~~~~~~

When Severus owled Harry asking to meet Wednesday, he expected Harry would come Hogwarts. The fates were not going to let Severus have it so easy. Ginny Potter was getting close to the day she would give birth to the Potters' third child. She was staying at the Burrow with her mother, and Harry had taken leave from the Ministry to care for the Potters' two young sons.

Severus would have to visit Potter at home for the first time and come face to face with James and Albus Severus. He considered cancelling, but he really wanted to talk to Potter about Hermione. As her oldest and closest friend, Potter should know some of Hermione's preferences for food, flowers, music, and the like. Severus wanted this information to prepare for Saturday evening. If Potter didn't know the answers to Severus' questions, surely he could get the answers from Ginevra for Severus.

Due to Potter's fame, he and his family were the targets of both positive and negative attention. Both were unwelcome and could endanger the family. So, Harry had implemented a number of charms to keep anyone away who was not explicitly invited. He considered implementing the Fidelus Charm as sheer overkill. Instead, several strategies were implemented to provide comprehensive protection for the family.

If anyone tried to Apparate to the Potters' residence without invitation, they would wind up at the Magical Law Enforcement Office instead. Being an Auror helped Harry get this system authorized. They kept the house off the Floo network. If Harry or Ginny didn't want to perform a side-along Apparation with the children, they could use the Floo at the Post Office. That was a benefit of living in a larger Wizarding community. Finally, if someone turned up in Godric's Hollow looking for the Potter residence uninvited, and they had never been to the Potters' home before, they would become confused if they found themselves on the same street as the Potters' home and head off in another direction. Hermione had designed this charm for Harry and helped him set it up. Severus was quite impressed with the diligence Harry used to protect his family.

Despite his trepidation, Severus Apparated right to the gate in front of Potter's cottage. Even though it was late fall, Severus imagined how charming the cottage would be in summer. He pictured how the garden would overflow with roses in the summer, how the trellised vines that covered the entire wall from top to bottom on the left side of the front entry would fill with climbing roses.

A huge picture window was set into the whitewashed wall on the other side of the front entry. A large bench swing hung from a sturdy tree branch in front of the window. Children would play in soft green grass, and as evening settled in, fireflies would flicker through the rose scented air. Ginerva and the children would inhabit that charming garden, making it look as lovely as a picture when Potter came home at the day's end.

Severus tried to sneer at his whimsical musings on domestic bliss, but he failed miserably. Instead, he felt an ache in his chest, accompanied by a sense of longing. To have someone waiting for him to come home suddenly held a new appeal.

Severus opened the front gate and felt a chill autumn breeze blow through his cloak as he strode on the pathway to the cottage entrance. He proceeded to knock, and mere moments later, the door was opened by Harry, clearly glad to see him. He was holding a young boy on one hip. Another boy, barely older than the one Potter held, was standing next to him. "It's great to see you, Severus. Come in, come in. Didn't have any trouble finding us, I see. Follow me: I'll put on some tea."

Severus hung his cloak and winter scarf on two hooks that had appeared on the wall in the hall as he looked around for a place to hang them. The hook under his cloak moved higher up the wall in order to keep the cloak from brushing the floor, as he was a fair bit taller than Potter.

Severus followed Harry's voice into a bright, cheerful kitchen, where Harry bustled around making tea. He set out a plate of chocolate biscuits on the kitchen table and nattered on to Severus.

"I know you've heard their names already, but James is the one who has been staring at you since you got here, and this is Albus Severus." Harry indicated the child he had deposited in a highchair, who was knocking together some colorful plastic cups.

"Charming," was all Severus said in response to the introductions.

~~~~~~

When Minerva had told Severus that Harry and Ginny had named their firstborn James Harry Potter, he had sneered in response to the news. "Of course, Potter must ensure the family legacy." Minerva had avoided the sullen man for a week. He had never seen the "good side" of James Potter that everyone assured him James had possessed. He had only ever known the conceited, arrogant bully who had ironically won the heart of the only witch Severus had ever loved.

Severus dreaded the idea of teaching James' namesake. An entire new generation of Potter brats and their friends would be headed to Hogwarts in a few years. Perhaps he needed to review his retirement plan. He recalled that the years that he had originally promised Minerva he would work at Hogwarts were almost over.

Then the second son was born to the Potters. Hermione was on staff by then, and they were well on their way to a mutual friendship. She was the one to share the news of the child's birth and naming. "Is he insane?" he remembered shrieking. "How? Why? What was Ginerva thinking, letting Potter do that to thier child?" Hermione had laughed at Severus' very real indignation. It did not bode well for their friendship, thought Severus. He had crossed his arms and given her a very disapproving look, vintage 'Snape the Bastard'.

"Severus." Hermione had reached out and placed a hand on one of his folded arms. It was the first time he could remember her touching him. "They meant it as an honor, and they agreed on the name together. Even after knowing how Dumbledore used him, Harry loved the man. He considers him his mentor, and the Weasley clan all held Dumbledore in the highest regard.

"Severus, I don't know if you realize how much esteem Harry has for you? He calls you the bravest man he's ever known. He combined your name with Albus because he said he can't expect Ginny to keep having sons so that he can honor all his heroes. After his own father, you and Albus were the men he wanted to honor. Not Sirius, not Remus, or anybody else. He wanted to honor you. Just think about that before you bite his head off. Will you please do that, Severus?" She had given him a searching look, and after a moment, he had nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Severus," she responded with a little smile. "I rather like the name myself."

Severus had rolled his eyes at her. "You're all fools. The poor boy will pay for this asinine sentimentality."

~~~~~~

"With all the extra security here, we thought it would be best for Ginny to stay at the Burrow with Molly. It's much easier to get people in or out there. Plus, Ginny gets a little break from these two before they get a little sister. Did I already tell you we're having a daughter?" Harry asked Severus.

Before Severus had a chance to reply, Harry cried out, "Oi, Al, phew, that's just disgusting! Excuse me, Severus: your namesake needs a new nappy." When Harry lifted the smiling toddler out of his highchair, Severus got his first direct look at Albus Severus' eyes. He had Lily's eyes. Then Potter and the child were gone down the hall, along with the pungent odor.

He was left alone in the kitchen with little James. The child was around three years old, by Severus' recollections. He was still staring at Severus. He did seem to look like James, Severus reflected. It was hard to tell at that age, there was lots of room and time for change. His coloring was lighter than his namesake. It was as if Harry and Ginerva's coloring had been blended, and the result was a rich medium brown coloring for his hair. It wasn't red, but it had red undertones in it. His eyes were light brown in coloring, more like Ginerva's eye color. The shape was what bothered Severus. The boy's eyes were shaped like James Potter's. Frankly, Severus was getting really annoyed by the child's scrutiny.

So he decided to have a bit of fun with him. Severus narrowed his eyes at the boy, composed his visage into a scowl, and with a low, threatening voice, said, "Go ahead and get a good look, James. Make sure you remember this face. When you start school at Hogwarts, I WILL be there. I will be your teacher, and mummy and daddy can't come to Hogwarts with you. They're not allowed, just you and me."

He knew the child wouldn't understand most of what he said, though he did choose to call himself a teacher instead of professor for that very reason. He wanted to unnerve the boy, because the boy had unnerved him. It was the type of petty behavior Severus didn't engage in anymore. He knew it, and it was a measure of how nervous he truly was to stoop to such tactics.

As expected, James began to sob immediately. Severus picked up a chocolate biscuit, scowled at James, and popped the biscuit into his mouth whole, proceeding to chew while ignoring the boy's distress. Harry skidded back into the room with little Al in his arms. He looked at James, who then increased the noise. "What's wrong, James?" Harry asked. When he got no response from James, except an increase in tears, Harry turned to Severus. "Do you know what happened to upset him so?"

Severus shrugged his shoulders and said, "I was just telling the boy I'd be his teacher when he got to Hogwarts." Harry looked back at James, who was nodding in agreement to Severus' words. His cries had settled to quiet snuffles, as he wanted to hear what was being said by his father and the scary visitor. "Is there some reason the boy is scared of school, Potter?" Severus asked. These words seemed to bring a return of James' cries.

Harry bent his knees, crouched down, and balanced Al on one knee. James ran and hid his face in Harry's chest, turning back to peak at Severus. This seemed to give Harry all the information he needed about the source of James' distress. "Everything's alright, James. I know the Professor can act really scary sometimes. He was my teacher, too. He is just teasing you. Believe it or not, James, Professor Snape is really a nice guy."

Severus gave a little growl at Potter calling him a nice guy, but James took another peak at him. "See, James, the Professor wants to play. He's growling at you. Can you growl back at him?" Harry encouraged. James turned round to face Severus and gave the biggest growl his three-year-old self could manage. Albus Severus joined in, still sporting a grin, and both boys were growling at Severus for all they were worth.

"You go too far, Potter," Severus complained over the noise.

"Men who scare three-year-olds, on purpose no less, deserve to be growled at," Harry retorted. "James, Al, you two go play while the Professor and I visit." James took his brother's hand, and they scampered off down the same hall Harry had taken Albus Severus to change his nappy.

"I live to scare children, Potter," Severus retorted, trying to maintain his dignity. "You must remember your first year with the Bat of the Dungeons?"

"I'll forgive you on behalf of James this time. I know you aren't around little ones much, and I imagine it seemed like good fun to scare the namesake of someone who did bully you, but really, scaring three-year-olds is beneath you, Severus," Harry admonished him.

"Perhaps," was all Severus allowed, but he wouldn't meet Harry's eyes.

"Would you like some more tea?" Harry offered. After filling their cups, he invited Severus into a masculine looking room where the two men sank into comfortable leather armchairs and sipped their tea.

"So what does bring you here today, Severus? It must be important. I've never been able to get you to come over before. Not even for dinner. Yet, today you were willing to make the trip here, because I couldn't make it to Hogwarts. I expect something important is going on," Harry expounded. "Come to think of it, you've never asked me to meet you before now. It's always been me dropping in to see you." Harry looked quite curious now, as if the uniqueness of the situation had just dawned on him.

Looking at Potter, sitting there waiting for Severus to explain the purpose of his visit, Severus was forcefully reminded of Hermione' words from two years ago. "I don't know if you realize how much esteem Harry has for you."

For years now, he had turned down each and every invitation from Potter. Severus had convinced himself that he was being generous to Potter. He allowed Potter to intrude into his world a couple of times a year. He answered Potter's questions about his mother and her life. Now Severus realized he had only done what was convenient for himself. This was another example of how Severus was still closed off to most of the world, even those who desired his company.

It had been easy enough to get to Godric's Hollow today, when he was the one who wanted something. To top it off, he had deliberately frightened a child because the boy got under his skin by having the name James Potter and the audacity to stare at the strange guest in his home. Severus felt something very much like shame flood through him.

"Harry, if you and Ginerva are generous enough to invite me once more for dinner, I give you my word that I will accept, with the one caveat that I have no prior commitment," Severus announced.

"Really? That would be great! Wait, did you just call me Harry?"

"That is your name, I believe. Or would you have me call you Roonil Wazlib?" Severus couldn't help himself from bringing up that absurd moniker Harry had tried to have him believe was a nickname.

Severus knew Harry was off-balance now. The boy was simply gaping at him. As well as Severus knew Harry, he knew that Harry would want to pick apart and analyze what had just occurred, once he recovered his equilibrium, that was.

Severus realized he needed to get to the point of his visit. He had allowed things to digress today, and Severus knew he was way off track from his purpose. Time was passing, and he still had to stop at Malfoy's before the day was done.

"The purpose of my visit here today, Potter, is that I believe you are one of the few people I know who can provide me with the information I'm looking for. If you don't have the answers yourself, I imagine you can help me find them. In addition, time is critical here. I don't have much time left before I have to move ahead with my preparations, with or without the answers. "

Severus' statement caused Harry to compose himself and pay attention. It sounded business-like, and Harry expected Severus would ask something related to his work at the Ministry. "Of course I'll help, Severus. As long as it is not classified information, I'll tell you whatever I know."

Severus tried hard not to grimace. He wondered how Harry would take this next revelation. "I've asked Ms Granger... I mean, I've asked Hermione to join me for dinner this Saturday night. I want to ask you about her preferences for certain items so I can...so I can be a good host."

This time, Harry just stared at Severus. He wondered if Harry had heard him at all, or was too shocked to process Severus' announcement. Just as he was about to inquire if he needed to repeat himself, Harry spoke.

"Are you telling me that you asked Hermione out, like on a date, this Saturday?" Harry wanted to clarify and just make sense of what Severus had said.

"That is correct," Severus answered.

"Well then, that is great news!" Harry jumped up and went to a sideboard. He opened up the cabinet and pulled out some Ogden's Special Reserve Firewhiskey and two glasses. Pouring a generous amount in each glass, he handed one to Severus. It seemed as if it was now Severus' turn to be surprised by Harry's behavior.

"Cheers!" Harry announced before taking a drink. "Really, Severus, that's great news. Hermione's got a real thing for you. Just last week, the night before the Quidditch game, she had dinner here and wanted to talk about you, yet again." Potter sighed and rolled his eyes to emphasize how he had endured.

"You wouldn't believe the number of times we've had the same conversation with Hermione. Well, technically Hermione and Ginny are having a heart to heart 'girl talk', but they inevitably drag me in. They think I can shed some masculine insight on you," Harry continued.

"Potter, how long have the three of you had these conversations?" Severus was getting a niggling feeling from how Harry was carrying on that this was nothing new.

"Well, how long has Hermione been back at Hogwarts now?" Harry asked Severus. "Has it been two years? Well, no matter, I'd have to say it was within a couple of months of her taking the job. She started telling us that your friendship was becoming the best part of living at Hogwarts." Harry grinned. "I have to admit, I thought she was mental at first, but the more time went on and the more I heard her talk about you...What?" Harry realized that Severus looked like he was about to explode.

"Potter, did it ever occur to you to say something to me about this? You were already in my private study trying to get me to share my most personal memories with you. It wasn't as if you didn't have a perfect opening for such a revelation!" Severus mind was reeling.

"Hermione would have killed me!" Potter retorted. "I learned a long time ago to lend her my ear, or a shoulder to cry on if she wants one. I can offer her advice, but she'd never want me to interfere like that!"

"Potter?" Severus had drained his glass and assumed one of his standard headache poises. His eyes were closed tight, and he rested an elbow on his knee as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Yes, Professor?" Potter felt the need to revert back to his student address toward Severus.

"Why would Hermione have ever known you had said a word to me?" Severus just barely refrained from adding, "you Dunderhead".

"So, you're saying that had you known she fancied you, you might have acted before now, and I wouldn't have been listening to Hermione go on and on about how to get you to take an interest in her these past two years?" Potter provided in a quiet voice.

"Precisely!" Just a small hex, Severus thought. Throwing a small hex at Potter would feel so satisfying right now.

"Didn't you say you had some questions I could answer about Hermione for you, Severus?" Potter knew he would be giving Severus all the help he could.

James and Albus Severus choose that moment to enter Potter's study. James had found a couple of silver masquerade style masks, not entirely unlike Death Eater masks, to wear. The boys began to run around the leather chairs where Potter and Severus were sitting, roaring at the men as they passed. Severus held out his glass to Harry, "I believe I'll have another Firewhiskey, Potter."

~~~~~~

It was a relief to find that the Malfoys were gone when Severus arrived at the manor. For the first time since the war, the Ministry had granted their request to visit the continent. Draco currently lived in Vienna with his wife Katalin and their young son, Scorpius. Narcissa hoped to sublet an apartment in Vienna so she could Portkey over, now that the Ministry allowed, and dote on her grandson.

Lucius had considered it a coup that he had managed to obtain a wizarding passport for Draco right after the war ended. Narcissa's aid to Potter in the final battle brought some clout their way. Draco had sat for his NEWTS at Durmstrung and then stayed abroad with the blessing of his parents. They wanted him to avoid the discrimination he would have faced in England during that time.

In England, Draco would have been unable to engage in business or enter into contracts for at least five years after the war. He would have been required to have a parole official oversee his case for at least five years, as well. On the continent, Draco avoided this entirely.

With Lucius' guidance and funding, Draco became involved in European wizarding markets. He married into an old wizarding family in Prague. Narcissa hated missing the wedding, but they didn't want Draco to postpone his life until the British Ministry loosened their leash on Lucius and Narcissa. So, Severus had attended in their stead and stood up for Draco.

The bride was one year younger than Draco, and they had first met at Durmstrung. Later, Draco was in Prague on business and ran into Katalin at a wizarding dance. She introduced him to her family, and it turned out her father knew Lucius and approved of Draco courting his daughter. Two years later, they married in Prague. Severus found Katalin to be a demure, quiet young woman. She was very attractive with soft brown hair and eyes. Severus tried to tease Draco by implying how well his bride would fit into Hufflepuff. Apparently the joke was on him, because Draco gave Severus a knowing smirk and a wink, saying that Katalin was Slytherin to the core.

The young couple settled in Vienna, Austria, due to Draco's business, buying a townhouse. Their son Scorpius was the same age as the Potters' son Albus Severus. It was planned that Draco and his family would move back to England when Scorpius turned nine. All penalties that could negatively impact Draco would have expired by then, so he could take over management of the family resources in England.

Lucius had lifetime restrictions placed on him, due to his significant involvement with Voldemort. These restrictions severely limited his business practices. Lucius' goal was to preserve what was left at home until Draco could return, at the same time advising Draco on his burgeoning European portfolio.

Scorpius would have the benefit of a Hogwarts education, and he could regain the rightful place for the Malfoy family in wizarding Britain, therefore completing Lucius plan to see that his errors did not ruin the Malfoy family or its place in Britain's wizarding society.

The Malfoy house elf, Baggins, took Severus to the wine cellar, where Lucius had put together a selection of wines for Severus, along with a note. "Take any other bottles you fancy, old friend. When I get back you must tell me who she is. Do I know her? Have I slept with her?" Severus sighed and took the bottles Lucius had selected for him.

The Malfoys would always remain part of Severus' life. If things developed with Hermione, he hoped she would give them a second chance, yet he would fully understand if she could not.