Arguments and Picnics

A routine was set from that night forward. Every evening they dined together, each of them contributing to the meal. After dinner they would sit in the parlor. Whether it was reading quietly or partaking in a film or show, their time together was pleasant. While Severus was still private and guarded most of the time, she noticed that he was peeling back the layers of himself for her; it overwhelmed her at times over these past three weeks. This man was truly different from the persona he had portrayed for so long, and it made her wonder how many people truly knew Severus Snape.

Hermione found herself endlessly debating how to tell him who she was. Regardless of his recent behavior, she wondered what his reaction would be. The Gryffindor Know-It-All that had plagued his classroom with incessant questions for six years was the one residing in his home caring for him. If anything could snap him back into the dreaded Potions master he once was, she was sure that would be it.

She was drawn from her thoughts by the sound of his footsteps ascending lightly up the stairs. A moment later the door flew open and his footsteps stalked down the short distance of the hall, into her view. He was dirty, covered in sweat and grime from standing over a cauldron all afternoon. He was tired, and for a moment she considered taking him to task for pushing himself too hard. Instead she felt warmth spread through her chest as she realized she found the sight of him quite endearing.

“Go clean up,” she said wrinkling her nose teasingly. “We’ll go out for lunch, if that’s agreeable with you?”

He acknowledged her with a grunt and then made his way towards his room. A few moments later she heard the rush of water through the old pipes signaling the start of his shower. She went to her own room to change her clothes. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a green shirt, she dressed quickly. She cast her eyes to the mirror, frowning at the unfamiliar reflection. She was beautiful with long, silky black hair that was entirely different from the riotous bush of brown that normally adorned her head. Startlingly blue eyes and a slight alteration to the shape of her face, with her new hair and she was a vision. A vision of lies, and she wondered where her Gryffindor courage disappeared to. She released a shuddering breath when she caught sight of him standing in the door.

“All set?” she asked, her eyes sweeping over his form appraisingly. The dark trousers that fit snugly around his backside were almost as unbelievable as the dark blue shirt he wore. Gone were the billowing black robes she was sure he would never part with. His hair was still damp, but tied back at the nape of his neck, allowing her the full view of his sharp features.

An incline of his head gestured that he was ready. “Do you have anywhere particular in mind?” he asked.

“This is your first time out in over a month. You choose.”

He considered her for a moment, standing there, her hands on her hips in a familiar stance that he knew meant she would not compromise.

“Very well,” he drawled as he walked towards her, offering his arm.

“Where are we going?”

“I suppose you will have to wait and see,” he teased as he walked them towards the large fireplace. He grasped a handful of Floo Powder, tossed it into the fire, and stated their destination: “The Burrow.”

A moment later they were stumbling out into the Weasleys' living room. Severus immediately noticed that his young healer had tensed upon their arrival. While he was shaking the excess powder from his person, she stood frozen.

“Why are we here?” she asked. Her voice held a frantic intonation he never would have associated with his brash healer.

“To arrange a Portkey. Arthur is a friend of mine, and with his connections to the Ministry there is no need to wait.”

She released the breath she didn’t know she was holding and cast a nervous glance around the unusual quiet that encased The Burrow. It had never been this quiet.

“This way, I believe Arthur is out the back.” He began moving towards the back entrance when a resounding slam was heard from the front of the house.

Ron Weasley stalked into the kitchen, seemingly oblivious to the two guests standing in the living room. Severus cleared his throat, startling Ron, who spun around, wand drawn. His eyes narrowed as he registered the identity of the intruders.

“What are you doing here?” Ron spat angrily. His gaze directed not at Severus, but at the young healer standing with him.

“I’m sorry. I will go,” she choked out as tears welled up behind blinking eyes. She cast her gaze to the floor, brushing past Severus in her rush to get to the nearest exit.

“What was that?” Severus seethed, his anger barely contained at the scene he was witness too.

Ron’s cold eyes met Severus'. “Ask her.” And with that he stormed up the stairs.

Severus turned quickly, following the path his companion took while fleeing. He found her in the yard sitting with her back against a tree for support as sobs shook through her body. Her eyes shot upward when his shadow cast over her. Her tear-stained face tipped upwards, and his heart clenched at the obvious pain that shadowed her eyes. His hand reached out and grasped hers firmly, lifting her off the ground and into his arms.

“Let’s go,” he said, guiding her towards the garage. He disappeared for a brief moment and returned clutching a broomstick.

An involuntary shudder wracked through her body at the sight of the broomstick. “I’m not terribly fond of flying.”

“Do you trust me?”

Her eyes locked with his, and she knew that she trusted him. She knew without doubt that he would never let harm come to her.

“Yes,” she whispered, her eyes shying away from the intensity of his stare. He mounted the broom and beckoned her towards it.

She mounted the broom so that she was sitting between his legs, and his arms wrapped around her to grasp the handle.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she replied, nearly breathless from the hot puffs of his breath across her neck.

He kicked upwards, and the broom lifted effortlessly off the ground. They rose into the air and took off. A startled squeal left her lips as they flew faster and higher. The treetops passed under their feet, and soon they descended into a clearing, landing softly. She looked around as she dismounted from the broom. A small path twisted out ahead of them, and Severus inclined his head for her to follow it. They walked a few moments in silence, entering into a forest and weaving along the path between the copses of trees. They emerged to find a small pond and patch of grass. Severus stopped and withdrew an object from his pocket. A flick of his wand and the object enlarged. In his hand, Severus held a large picnic basket and blanket. He worked silently, laying the blanket down and emptying the contents of the basket out. He gestured for her to be seated as well.

“This is wonderful, Severus. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

They ate silently, each lost in their own thoughts until Severus finally broke through the silence that settled over them. "You are the closest thing I have to a friend, and yet, I don't know who you are. I need you to trust me. I need you to see me. I know that you have been through a lot today, and so, I don't expect you to tell me now, but you must understand... I need to know who you are."

Thanks to eternal lily for beta reading this!