Chapter 4

AN: Many thanks to my super, wonderful betas, Clairvoyant and SoftObsidian. Also many thanks to pythia_delphi for the awesome prompts.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I make no money here.

After the bizarre encounter with Snape in the morning, Cissy took Hermione out shopping. While Hermione personally hated clothes shopping, she realized that as a department head she couldn't very well show up to work in her ensemble of choice: Muggle jeans, tee-shirt, and trainers. Luckily, Narcissa loved shopping, and she was good at it. She always seemed to know what went with what, what was in or out of style, what accessories were best with each outfit, and what hues would compliment Hermione's coloring. Since Hermione didn't care at all if her shoes matched her robes, or if anything matched anything, for that matter, Cissy insisted on supervising her shopping. Hermione was a department head now, after all, and according to Cissy, she needed to dress the part.

After arriving back at the manor, Hermione was happy to spend a good four and a half hours coordinating her research and making some decent headway on where to start on Monday with the new artifacts. She had to admit it was rather nice not to spend the entire weekend on work. She now had time left over to look at some real estate ads and circle a few that she wanted to check on Sunday.

Hermione had come to the conclusion that she did want a house of her own rather than a flat in London. Something small and in the country, perhaps a cottage with a nice-sized yard so she could get a dog. She had debated on that choice. Although she missed Crooks, she also had very fond memories of a dog from her childhood. From her earliest recollections, until she'd left for Hogwarts, her family had owned, or been owned by, a little Norwich Terrier mix named Jack. He had died in Hermione's third year while she'd been away at school, and her parents had opted not to replace him. But she thought now that she'd like the companionship of a dog.

They had a quiet dinner that evening with just 'family,' the three Malfoys and Hermione. While she had spent a good deal of time with them in America, she hadn't been living in their home, and she could now see the potential for awkward situations. Lucius and Cissy were particularly flirtatious with each other all through dinner, sending heated glances across the table, brushing hands or fingers whenever they got the chance. Hermione even caught them playing footsies under the table at one point.

"Lucius," Hermione stated calmly as she lifted the fork to her lips, "that happens to be my foot you're rubbing your toes on."

He actually blushed. Hermione had not realized that Lucius Malfoy was capable of such a thing, but he straightened in his chair and turned a lovely shade of pink. Then shrugging, he stood and held out his hand for Cissy. "Shall we forgo dessert and take a walk in the gardens, darling?"

Cissy rose, taking his hand, and agreed as she flashed him a blinding smile. "What a lovely idea, Lucius. I'd love to. Excuse us, won't you, dears?"

Hermione and Draco were left to consume their dessert in silence. Over the years, the two had come to tolerate one another. While they were not bosom friends, neither were they bitter enemies; they stood on neutral ground and generally circled each other warily.

After scraping out the last of her crème brûlée...it was her favorite, after all...Hermione stood and wandered over to gaze out the French doors. "Maybe I'll take a walk in the garden too."

"Errrm... Granger, I really don't think you want to do that," he warned cautiously.

"Why not?" she asked, wide eyed.

"Because with the looks those two were shooting across the table at each other all night, you might see more than you really want to."

Hermoine's eyes grew round as his meaning sunk in. "Oh... Oh! Oh my, I guess I really don't want to walk out there, after all." She sat on the sofa and accepted the wine that Draco offered. "It is kind of sweet, though, isn't it?"

"What's sweet about it?" asked Draco. "It's been like this all my life. I always had to worry that my friends or I might run across my parents going at it like kneazles in heat. Eeeewwww... it's just not right. Things like that can emotionally scar a young boy... or even an older boy. Hell, it would scar me now, and I'm a grown man."

"Well, I think it's sweet that they're still so in love after all these years. After everything they've gone through, they still want each other so much. I can't imagine that. I have come to believe it's something I'll never have."

Draco looked down at her, puzzled by her statement. "You don't know that, Granger. You just haven't met the right bloke yet."

Hermione gave him a sad little half smile and shook her head. "No, it's just not going to happen for me. I'd have to be able to trust someone enough to... to make that sort of commitment... I just couldn't." She looked at Draco curiously as he sat at the other end of the sofa. "How about you, Malfoy. Do you see yourself with someone, living happily-ever-after?"

"Not right now, but someday, maybe. I certainly hope so. I'm young, so I'm in no hurry, but someday... yes, I'd like to have the kind of relationship my parents have."

Hermione leaned her head back and chuckled. "You do realize that for at least a year your mother was convinced we would end up together."

"I know," said Draco. "She believed that all of our antagonism toward each other was some form of unresolved sexual tension. She was positive we'd end up married and she'd have her two favorite children together forever."

"I'm glad she finally realized that was never going to happen," said Hermione. "You make a much better brother than a boyfriend, for me at least."

"Why, Granger, I do believe that's one of the nicest things you've ever said to me," replied Draco with a grin.

~*~

Severus arrived at the Potter's home for Selene's bi-weekly potions lesson. He was usually invited to stay for dinner afterward, and this night was no exception. Even after years of dinners with the Potters, he never knew what to expect; it could be a five-course gourmet meal, or it could be peanut butter and dirigible plum jelly sandwiches. Tonight, however, was one of his favorites, cottage pie with bread and butter pudding for afters.

While Luna and Harry got the younger children ready for bed, Severus sat down to catch up on the news, if one could call what the Prophet printed news. He wanted to see what Ron had been referring to regarding Granger and the Malfoys.

He'd just finished the article on the press conference when he got that prickly feeling on the back of his neck, like he was being watched. Lowering the paper slowly, he peered over to top to find Albus Potter standing there in his pyjamas, freshly scrubbed from his bath, a plushie dragon stuffed under one arm, and a story book clutched under the other.

"Hello, my little man. What's all this?"

"My daddy tell-ded me to ast, is otay you to wead me a stowy, Unca' Sev."

"Oh, he did, did he?" At the little boy's serious nod, Severus chuckled. "Climb on up here then, lad," he said, patting his lap. Al passed him the book, then the dragon, then clamored up after. He settled himself comfortably under Severus' arm, with the dragon, Norbert, snuggled in his lap as Severus proceeded to read his story for him.

About ten minutes later, Severus looked down to see that the boy was sound asleep. He carefully set the book aside and was about to shift him around to carry him to bed when he looked up. There in the doorway stood Harry, his arms wrapped around Luna's waist as she leaned back against him. They both wore huge grins as they observed him with their son, his namesake.

"Oh, Severus," whispered Luna, "I wish I had a picture; no one will ever believe it."

Severus stood up with Al in his arms, shaking his head as Harry stepped forward to take his son from him. "No, all that jiggling around will just wake him up. I'll go put him to bed."

As he passed Luna, he growled, "Not one word of this to anyone, woman. I do still have a reputation to uphold, you know." Luna giggled and patted his arm as he walked by.

Once Severus got Al settled in for the night, the three adults sat down to share a bottle of wine.

"I ran into Zabini over at the Malfoys'. Care to explain why the Ministry is paying Aurors to stand duty as security guards at Malfoy Manor?"

Since Severus actually did have the high security clearance he'd boasted to Zabini about, Harry had no qualms about explaining the situation to him. "... So, there really hasn't been any overt threat at this point in time. It's really more of a precautionary measure. Hopefully, the Malfoys will settle in, and there won't be any problems at all."

"And why were you visiting Malfoy Manor, Severus?" asked Luna innocently.

"I... umm... Narcissa asked me... errr... you see, she was worried about...." Unusually inarticulate, Severus stumbled about, not wanting to tell them how he'd insulted Granger. "Something happened that..."

Finally taking mercy on him, Harry explained, "Severus, I already talked to Ron, and we know what happened at the Hog's Head."

"Well, hell! Why didn't you just say so instead of torturing me," said Severus with a scowl on his face.

"Ron also tells me that you intend to pursue Hermione romantically. Do you really think that's a good idea?" asked Harry with a worried expression.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" demanded Severus. "I don't understand. Granger and I are perfect for each other; I can see it, so why can't the rest of you? We have a lot of similarities: we're both highly intelligent, logical thinkers, methodical, analytical; we love books and research; we're both solitary beings, introverted..."

"It's obvious you've put a lot of thought into this, Severus," said Luna softly.

"I'm just trying to point out that we have a hell of a lot in common. As friends to both of us, I would think that all of you would be happy at the possibility of us together. In fact, I'm surprised none of you came up with the idea first."

"All the things you've said are true," admitted Harry.

"Yes, they are," added Luna, "so it seems as if you would be perfect for each other. But there's one big problem. You want Hermione, but she's been quite clear that she doesn't want you."

"You said it yourself, Severus, both of you are our friends. What if you pursue this and it causes a rift between us all. We don't want to be forced to take sides, and we don't want to lose either of you as friends," said Harry.

"I won't ask you to take sides, and I won't ask for your help in wooing her. Just don't try to stop me. I don't understand it myself. For some reason, once I saw her there the other night, I just can't let go of the idea."

Luna gasped, "Un colpo di fulmine."

"Excuse me?" said Severus.

"Un colpo di fulmine. Well, that explains it, of course," said Luna. "You've been struck by lightning."

"Luna, I've not been struck by lightning," said Severus patiently.

"I know that, not really. It's figurative, Severus. It means like a bolt from the blue, love at first sight. Although, I guess in this case, it's not exactly first sight, is it? I mean, since your first sight of Hermione was something like eighteen years ago, and she left England before you recovered, so technically, you haven't seen her since before the war ended. Maybe it's love at first sight after an eleven year absence."

Severus shook his head. Luna never ceased to amaze him. "Whatever it is, when I confronted her at the Manor, her reaction to me was not entirely negative, no matter what she may claim."

"Honestly, none of us knows why Hermione doesn't seem to like you now; she used to be one of your staunchest defenders," said Harry. "Even when we all thought you were a real git, she stood up for you. What made that change, I wonder?"

"I don't know, but somehow I'd like to find out."

~*~

Sunday's agenda proved just as busy as Saturday's. Hermione wondered whether she would ever have time to bring work home on the weekends anymore. Still, it was lovely to enjoy a lie-in, something she hadn't indulged in since weekends back at Hogwarts.

After breakfast, Hermione set off with her list of properties. Ultimately, none of the ones she viewed seemed to call to her, but it was too early to get discouraged. She was sure her cottage was out there somewhere, but she just had to find it.

She'd finished her house hunting just in time for the late luncheon she had scheduled with Ron and Pansy. Hermione had been very careful to ascertain that it would be just the three of them for lunch and no other friends would be included. Ron had assured her that no one else had been invited, immediately understanding the meaning behind her questioning.

Hermione arrived by Floo, as she'd never been to their house before. Stepping out, she banished the soot with a discreet spell, then turned to face her hosts. Ron stood with his arm draped across his wife's shoulder while she leaned into him with her arms wrapped around his waist.

"Parkinson," Hermione sneered.

"Granger," Pansy sneered right back.

"Bitch."

"Cow."

"Sneaky slut."

"Filthy tart."

"Slytherin slag."

"Gryffindor whore."

The two glared through narrowed eyes, then burst out laughing as they embraced.

"Dear Lord, Pans! I know Ron said you were due soon, but I'm scared to hug you too hard, else that baby might just pop out here and now," teased Hermione.

"Oh, you can't hurt me or him, so give us a good hug there, Granger," she replied with a laugh, throwing her arms around Hermione and hugging her tightly.

Ron just shook his head. "You two are going to have to learn a normal means of greeting each other before junior is born. I'm not going to have my son hearing his mum and godmother calling each other slag and whore."

"I suppose you're right, Ron, so it's all the more reason for us to get it out of our system now, isn't it?" said Hermione with a grin. The greeting was a ritual between the two girls resulting from a practical joke they had played on Ron years earlier.

For all that they had disliked each other back at Hogwarts, the two actually were friendly since shortly after the war had ended. Both girls had volunteered at St. Mungo's, helping to take care of those injured during the final battle, and had got to know each other through their contact there. In spite of her own friendship with Pansy, Hermione had been surprised at the idea of Ron and Pansy as a couple. They seemed so different, but she'd been supportive of the two in the end. Hermione's volunteering had merely been a result of wanting to do something helpful after the war, but for Pansy, it had led ultimately to a career as a mediwitch.

Over lunch, the three caught up on what was going on in each other's lives since Hermione had last been home. Hermione was now able to speak somewhat more freely about her job and what she had been doing for the last ten years. She learned that Pansy was planning on going back to work part-time at St. Mungo's after the baby came. She also found out what Ron's project with Snape was all about.

It seemed Snape had come to the conclusion that Ron was a 'sensitive' in relation to Dark Objects, and they had been working together to hone his natural skills in that area. This revelation came as a shock to Hermione, but the more she thought about it, the more sense it made.

"So, your reaction to Slytherin's locket when we were on the Horcrux hunt..."

"...Wasn't just me being a big jerk," responded Ron. "I didn't realize it at the time, but it turns out I have very strong physical and emotional reactions to Dark Objects."

"Oh, Ron, I'm sorry. I didn't think you were a j..." She paused as Ron gave her a look that said he knew what she really thought. "Well, okay, maybe I did think that at the time, but I was hurt. Harry and I both were when you left us, but knowing this now... I guess now I'm the one who feels like the jerk. We should have realized. You did seem to be affected by it so much more than either of us, but sensitives are so rare that it never even occurred to me. I'm sorry, Ron, I should have figured it out."

"Don't be silly. None of us could have known, Hermione. We were just kids, and the fact that we made it through at all was mostly due to sheer dumb luck."

"I'd heard a buzz since I've been back that the Auror department had a lead on a sensitive, but I just didn't know it was you. You do realize that you're going to be recruited by the D.I.D.A.?" said Hermione with a grin.

"And you do realize that Severus and I are a team in this? It's actually a skill that can be quite useful in our work, and he's helped me tremendously in learning how to use it without going all mental. If your department recruits me, then he's going to be part of the package too; we're a team now," said Ron, noting that the smile immediately faded from his friend's face at the mention Snape.

After some consideration, she replied carefully, "I'd realized that I was going to have to deal with him in some manner, working with M.L.E. Hopefully, Lucius will take on that responsibility so I won't be forced to have to deal with Snape directly."

Ron laid his hand over Hermione's and spoke softly, "Hermione, I really don't understand what you have against Severus. You haven't even had any contact with him in years. What's changed? What could he have done to make you dislike him so much?"

Hermione removed her hand from beneath Ron's and shrugged. "I just don't trust him. I can't explain it to you, but I just don't... I won't," she said, her voice low.

Ron was going to push the issue, but he glanced up to see Pansy standing in the doorway behind Hermione. She frowned at him slightly and shook her head, telling him without words to let it drop.

"Here we go then, loves," said Pansy, brightly setting down the treacle tart. "Let's finish up here, then we'll give you the grand tour of the place. You're going to love it."

Hermione did love it; she ooohed and ahhhed appropriately at all of improvements the two had made in their home. She admired the decorating that Pansy had done and was enchanted by the nursery. Seeing the way her friends had made the house into a home only made Hermione crave her own space all the more.

While Pansy was showing her the back garden, Hermione told her about her own search for the perfect house or cottage. Pansy immediately had some suggestions. There was a house for sale just down the road a bit, but Hermione vetoed that idea right away. As much as she loved her friends, with Harry and Luna living close-by, Hermione really didn't want the Golden Trio to end up being neighbors. Pansy came up with yet another suggestion. It seemed her gran's sister, her great-aunt Blossom, had died, and none of the family wanted to keep her cottage. It was in the neighboring county of Dorset, just southwest of Sturminster Newton along the River Divelish. She gave Hermione the address and directions, encouraging her to go and see the house.

As they neared that back door of the house, Hermione heard Ron talking to someone inside and recognized Severus' voice. She stopped outside, then turned to Pansy and said, "I think I'll just pop home from here. Tell Ron I said good-bye, will you, Pans?"

"Hermione, I heard what happened at the Hog's Head. But Severus really isn't that bad... he's not. It was a mistake, and he admits it," said Pansy. "I know that you once thought as highly of him as I do. I know that's true, Hermione. I remember how you used to visit him almost every day at St. Mungo's. Can't you get over what happened the other night and start fresh?"

Hermione shook her head, refusing to meet Pansy's eyes. "It's not just because of the other night, Pans. And I'm not convinced that it really was a mistake. I believe deep down that's how he really still sees me, thinks of me. I'm just some slag to him; I'll never be good enough in his eyes. I won't even try to justify myself to him, as it's not worth my time." Giving Pansy a quick hug, Hermione said, "I'll be in touch soon. Bye, Pansy." With a crack of Apparation she was gone.

~*~

Pansy sat on a bench pondering what Hermione had just said. Ron came out and sat beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"I got rid of Severus, but I guess Hermione has left already, huh?"

"Yes, she heard you two talking and recognized his voice. She said to tell you good-bye and that she'd be in touch soon," answered Pansy. "Ron, something's not right. I tried to talk to her about Severus, and the things she said just don't sit right with me, they don't add up. I think we need to figure this out."

"Okay, love. Maybe we should get Harry and Luna's input too," replied Ron. "Should we include Severus?"

Pansy thought on it for a minute, then rejected that idea. "No, let's compare notes first. I don't want to get Severus involved just yet. It would probably seem like a betrayal to Hermione, like we're all ganging up on her, taking sides. I don't want to risk that. She already seems different from before, kind of distant from us. Let's try to make some sense of it on our own first, just the four of us, before we talk to either Severus or Hermione."

~*~

After leaving Ron and Pansy's house, Hermione decided to check out the lead on Aunt Blossom's cottage. She Apparated and then followed Pansy's directions. She walked along the country lane to the gate and turned up the path. The cottage sat back from the road. She came around the bend in the path and caught her first glimpse of the place, and her heart melted right then and there...she was home.

It was perfect, not too large, but not too small. She could see it needed a bit of TLC: a fresh coat of paint and a good weeding for the flowerbeds. She'd have to get the roof checked for leaks, but all in all, it was perfect. The main part of the cottage was older, a two story with a quaint, thatched roof, but there was also a newer addition. Walking around the back she peered through the windows and discovered that a good portion of the newer addition encompassed a modern kitchen and a master suite.

Thrilled, Hermione did a little dance of joy. There was a worn bistro set on the small patio off the kitchen; that would be a perfect spot to sit and enjoy her morning tea and scones. A quick scouring spell removed the rust, and she sank into the chair, surveyed what would be her back garden, and pictured her imaginary dog dashing about.

A few moments later, Hermione thought she truly was imagining things when she heard the yip of a dog. Suddenly, a shaggy monstrosity burst through the brush in pursuit of a rabbit. He was huge with wiry greyish-black fur and and big, expressive brown eyes. If she had to guess, she'd no doubt he was part wolfhound.

"Hey, you!" shouted Hermione.

The dog stopped short and seemed surprised to find someone sitting behind the cottage. After considering her for a moment, he trotted over and sat politely before her as he cocked his head from side to side, studying her. Then he held out his paw, as if to shake her hand in greeting.

Hermione laughed. "Well, aren't you a handsome boy? And so polite, too," she said, holding her hand out to let the dog sniff before she shook his paw and then scratched him behind the ears. "Not a stray either, I see," she said, taking note of the collar. "A neighbor, then. Well, I intend to live here, and perhaps you'll come back and visit me after I move in, yes?"

The dog appeared to nod in agreement with the plan.

"All right then. I'll make sure to put dog treaties on my shopping list. Best be off home then, boy, before your master finds you gone."

He licked her hand and gave her a big doggie grin before he loped back through the bushes he had appeared from.

"Well, at least the neighbors are friendly," she commented as she Apparated away, making plans to call the solicitor first thing in the morning.

TBC