Chapter Twelve

Hermione squirmed in the chair before Minerva's desk. She had been ushered in by the Headmistress, then left alone while Minerva went to get some special tea from her own kitchen.

A throat clearing made her look up into the crystal clear blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.

"Is Severus alright?" he asked, concerned.

"Yes, sir. He's doing well. He and Filius are visiting in the teachers' lounge," she said, glancing at the door that Minerva had exited through.

"Don't worry, Hermione, her bark is worse than her bite. She loves you, and she would never send you away. She needs you too much. Truth be known, until Severus reappeared, she had planned one day to ask you to be Headmistress."

Hermione's hand flew to her mouth. "Sir!"

Minerva returned at that moment, and Albus exited his portrait quite rapidly.

Minerva glared at the empty portrait. "What has that old man been filling your head with?" she asked. Setting the tea tray on the corner of her desk, she proceeded to fill their two cups.

Hermione reached for hers and saw that her hand was shaking. She snatched it back and wrung her hands together.

Minerva eyed her and then set the cup within her reach.

"Ms. Granger," she said formally, "I trust you know how foolish this search on your own was."

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said contritely, staring down into her lap, unable to look at Minerva.

Minerva's voice was quite stern and raised an octave or two. "You should have come to me immediately. You put your students in grave danger by your lack of food and proper sleep. Your fatigue might have cost them their lives. You left here on false pretenses a number of times. Now, I have spoken harshly to Poppy and Pomona. They were duty bound to inform me as well, and they did not."

Hermione glanced at her and saw the old witch's face was pinched with hurt.

"Headmistress, we only wished to save you from further pain if Severus proved to be disabled for the rest of his life. We all know how upset you were when the war was over and the truth came out," she begged her to understand.

"That was not your choice to make. This is my school, my responsibility, for all of you ... student and teacher alike. In attempting to save my feelings, you have wounded me in a way I cannot say." She seemed to lose her strength, and she sat heavily into her chair.

Hermione, distressed, ran to kneel at her feet. She grabbed the old woman's hands. "Oh, Minerva, please forgive us. We really thought to keep you from further pain until Severus could be returned home. Even he wanted it that way at first. He is the one who told me to finally inform you and that it had been the wrong choice."

Minerva pulled her hand free, produced a white handkerchief from her robe pocket and dabbed at her eyes. She looked down at her favorite teacher and once student and chastised her, "I warn you, Ms. Granger, you had better never repeat this sort of behaviour again... If I find I have one more reason to sack you, I will."

Hermione pulled back as if burned. Tears fell from her eyes, and she stood and turned away.

Albus' strong voice rang out, "Woman, do not say something you will regret. Remember your words sixty years ago..."

Minerva gasped, and Hermione turned to see the witch cover her face with her hands.

Hermione glanced up to see Albus' eyes flash like fire. There was an old unspoken pain between them.

Minerva seemed to suddenly lose years, her wrinkled face became pale, and she shrank into herself. Glancing up at Albus, her face crumbled, the pain fled and she reached out to Hermione, and then both women were hugging each other and crying, both asking forgiveness of each other.

When Severus knocked on the door an hour later, quite worried about Hermione, he found them laughing and sharing tea and biscuits.

The walk back to their rooms was quiet; both were quite solemn and drained from the emotional impact of being back. They slipped into the tub and just sat, Hermione leaning back against him and relaxed. They didn't speak or make love, just communed in silence, letting the weight and peace of the castle, of being home, sink in.

As they climbed into bed that night, Hermione finally broke the silence. "Severus, what happened between Minerva and Albus about sixty years ago? Do you know?"

Severus looked at her. "How did you know?"

She told him what had happened.

"They were going to be married, and Albus got a lead on the Elder Wand. He had to go immediately or the trail would be cold. Minerva challenged his love and told him if he went, she would not marry him, and that their relationship would end."

"Oh Merlin, Severus, such a waste!"

"Minerva's a very proud woman, Hermione. It tore her heart out, and it changed her. I wasn't here, of course, but Albus told me about it to demonstrate how much words can change a life. My pledge to him to help Harry would drastically change the life I'd chosen with The Dark Lord. He wanted me to know how much he regretted his choice to go get the Elder Wand; he wished he'd never seen or heard of it. He would have rather had the love of a wife. It took years, but they became good friends again. Minerva loved him and supported him, but she would never let him into her life again. It's odd that he confided in me, but he did that now and then...told me things about his life, things he never told anyone else. I guess it proved to me he trusted me with those parts of his life no one else knew about."

Hermione slipped against his side when he lay down, and he pulled her close. He could still feel her sadness and melancholy even without the pendant resting against her skin.

"It will all be okay. We all have adjustments to make and forgiveness to give and joy to learn."

"She's very alone in that tower, Severus."

"We won't leave her there. She can become an honorary great aunt to our children."

"That's a wonderful idea... Children did you say?" she asked surprised.

"Well, I don't want a brood, but I thought two might be nice...one of each sex," he said as if that was the easiest thing to do.

Hermione laughed. "One of each, and what happens if we get two girls or two boys ... will there be a third?"

"Hermione, I am a wizard and a Potions master. I think we can figure that out to our benefit."

Hermione rolled her eyes comically. "Of course, geeze where is my brain tonight? That was a foolish statement."

"I think you're just being emotional...and a bit more Muggle...tonight. It happens when you're upset."

"Oh, it does, does it?" She rose to her knees and started poking him in the ribs and tickling his side. He hated to be tickled, but she did it when she felt a need to reduce him to giggles to make herself feel better.

He grabbed her and returned the favor, and soon they were rolling about the bed. Tickles led to kisses, and kisses led to caresses, and caresses led to their bodies joining in a frantic dance to soothe emotional, stressed minds and bodies. They slept spooned against each other.

Monday morning Hermione returned to her classroom, and Severus sat in their sitting room by a fire, trying to concentrate on reading. He was at loose ends though, unable to just sit there. He slipped out of their rooms, disillusioning himself as he passed through the door. He did feel Hermione's silent question and eyes on him as he passed. She'd decided to wear the pendant against her skin that first day, claiming she would miss him as much as he would her, so she knew when he passed by.

I can't just sit there, I'm going stir crazy. I'm going for a walk, maybe stop by and see Minerva about a job.

Hermione nodded to him as looked back at her. I love you, she thought to him.

She was concerned that he was finding even the first day back with her teaching his class a difficult situation.

Hermione, I am happy for you and proud of your accomplishments. As you will remember, I was no longer the Potions teacher when I was here. I will talk to Minerva about the Arithmancy position; I know Filius hates teaching it on his free periods as well as Sybill, who has been filling in a couple periods a day. Her unfortunate students would go barmy in a few weeks with her at the helm, much longer.

Hermione giggled out aloud, and the students looked at her as if she was mad. She glared at them, and they went back to work.

I'll meet you in the Great Hall for lunch. The door opened and then closed behind him. A few students glanced at it curiously, but assuming it was a ghost or some other idiosyncrasy of the castle, they went back to their tasks.

Hermione could still feel him close to her heart, but her mind missed his proximity.

I am still here, Hermione, now get to work and let me take care of myself. His voice was stern, and yet she felt his warm mental hug. Hermione turned back to her students. "You have twenty-five minutes left. You should be bottling and cleaning up in twenty minutes," she reminded them.

*****

Severus went up to Minerva's office. The gargoyle was open and inviting. He glanced at it curiously, but then he supposed Minerva no longer felt the need for the extra protection in this era of peace. Personally, he would have been a little more cautious being who he was. But, he envied her ability to trust so completely.

He, too, felt the distance between him and Hermione physically, like a tight rubber band was trying to pull them closer. He knew in time she would have to place the pendant outside her robes. They could not stay this connected all the time. He felt her protest, and then after a few minutes, she agreed. They needed their own mental space to concentrate on their jobs. It was enough for him to know she felt it would be as difficult for her as for him.

He knocked on Minerva's door and found her hunched over a stack of parchment.

"Severus, come in, come in. I will get us some tea. Floopsy," she called.

A small elf with great floppy ears appeared. "Yes, Headmistress, what can Floopsy bring?" the little elf crooned.

"Tea?" Minerva directed the question toward Severus.

"Darjeeling," Severus requested.

Minerva smiled. "Darjeeling and some chocolate biscuits, please Floopsy. I need a pick-me-up."

The little elf popped away.

"Come, please sit, Severus. I was actually expecting you. I've never known you to be idle for long. Are you feeling alright today?" she asked.

Severus took a seat in front of her desk and stretched out his long legs, crossing them. "I'm well. I'm feeling quite good today."

Floopsy popped back in with a huge tray laden with tea and biscuits. Severus moved to help him, surprised for a moment when the tray floated onto the desk with ease. I have to get used to the elves again, he thought.

"Thank you, Floopsy, that will be all," Minerva said, taking the tea pot in hand and pouring the contents into the cups.

"What is it you wish to discuss, Severus?" she asked, handing him a cup and saucer.

"Vector's job. Did you sack her, or did she leave willingly?" Severus asked, perusing the selection of biscuits. He took one, placing it on the saucer beside his cup before settling back and crossing his legs once more.

"She left willingly. I spoke to her in private about your return. She understood what you did for this school...and the wizarding community at large...but she did not trust herself to remain here and face you every day, knowing the things you had done to stay undercover and that perhaps her son was one of the casualties."

"I knew about Ruthford's death after the fact. I was not involved, Minerva. I was on another mission for Tom. I am surprised she didn't stay to confront me," he commented.

"I had Albus talk to her." She took a biscuit and set it on a little plate.

Severus glanced at Albus, but was relieved to find the portrait empty. "There are only a few weeks until school is over. I can handle Vector's job for that long," he told the older witch.

Minerva smiled. "I thought you might volunteer, but are you sure you're up to it?"

"It's mostly mental, not physical work, and I'll rest between classes. I promise." He smirked, letting her know he was annoyed at the motherly concern.

She smirked back. "I will inform the other teachers, and you can start Wednesday. It will give you some time to look over the curriculum and prepare your lessons for that day." She raised a challenging eyebrow. "You realize that OWLs and NEWTs are in three weeks?"

"Of course, I can be ready," Severus promised.

"Good, now tell me about yours and Hermione's plans," she said pointedly.

"Plans?" he repeated.

"When is the wedding, Severus?" she said plainly.

"Wedding?" he repeated her again, a bit stunned.

"This conversation will take a long time if you keep repeating everything I say, Severus," she said humorously before turning serious again. "If the two of you are going to continue living together in this castle, there had best be a wedding sooner than later," she informed him.

"Well, Hermione and I have not talked about it; we spoke of children last night," he told her.

"Well, then a wedding best be first. This is a school, and we have certain standards to uphold," she said firmly.

"Give me some time. If I'm going to propose, it should look like my idea and be a bit romantic," he stated with a smirk. "Romance is something quite new to me, and I have to ease into it." He heard Hermione giggle in his mind. Drat! Out woman, this is a private conversation. She giggled again and was gone. Severus felt her absence like an empty room.

"Have it done by the end of the summer, and Severus, I will expect an invitation," she said. She dismissed him.

Severus glanced once more at Albus's portrait, this time finding the man's blue eyes glued on him.

"Albus," he greeted simply before he turned toward the door.

"Come see me soon, Severus. We have a lot of catching up to do," Albus implored him.

Severus nodded, not trusting his voice to be steady. It was not quite the same shock this time, but he still felt a bit rattled. When he was out of the room, he decided to go see Pomona.

He figured if she had a class, he could wander through the greenhouses until she was free.

He walked out of the castle and toward the greenhouses out on the grounds. It was only slightly overcast, and the sun was warm. He felt Hermione slip back into his mind.

I missed you, she said. Is it okay to come back?

Always, he thought back. I didn't really care if you heard the conversation. It took me by surprise to find you there, but you know, Hermione, I do want you with me for the rest of my life. Not just as a companion. I think you know that and expect that already.

Yes, Severus. I would be lost without you.

Do you want the romance and the dinner and flowers? I am well able.

Ask me now, she thought back.

What! We are not even together, he said, unnerved.

But we are. Ask me, she begged.

Severus stopped on the cliff overlooking the Black Lake, and he let her see what he was seeing, Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me? His heart was beating so fast.

YES!, her mental scream nearly staggered him, and he laughed out, then clamped a hand over his mouth and looked to see if anyone was around. He spied Pomona looking up at him from her small terraced garden down the cliff. He could see the curious look on her face. You've made me a very happy man, Hermione. I wish you were here so I could kiss you.

Hermione said, I wish I was too. You can take me back there after dinner and propose again, tonight. Having seen Pomona in this thoughts, she said Go visit your mum; my third period class is coming in.

I love you, Hermione. I look forward to having you as my wife.

I love you too, Severus. Ditto! Then she was gone.

"Ditto, what the hell does that mean?" he asked out loud, but only heard her return giggle. He went down the steep cliff path and found Pomona, digging in the soft dirt. She was planting seeds.

She put her spade down and came and gave him a hug. He held on to her for a moment before setting her back gently. "Mona, it's good to be home again." He bent and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"It's good to have you back too, Sev. I can hardly believe it. There hasn't been a day I haven't thought of you," she said emotionally.

Severus took the spade, as he always had done, and dug the hole before she dropped the seedlings into the fissures and covered them. "Was that an actual, out loud laugh I heard from up there? I have never heard you laugh. Are you sure you're alright?" She dropped another seedling in. Severus could tell there was real concern behind her gentle teasing.

"It was an actual laugh," he told her. "I'm fine...better than fine. Hermione was agreeing to marry me just then."

Pomona stood straight and looked up at him squinting against the sun. "But you were alone!" She had that maybe he's nuts look sliding into her eyes.

He gave her a nasty smirk. "She's wearing the pendant." He told her about the conversation he had had with Minerva and how Hermione had been eavesdropping.

Pomona laughed. "Well, I never heard of a woman wanting to be asked to be married through Legilimency. But, if it makes you both happy, I'm all for it. She's a gem, Sev, a real gem." Her happiness turned to apprehension. "You seem to have gotten very close very fast; you've only been awake a week. Are you sure this is what you want?" She did not want him to rush into anything merely for the sake of propriety and appearance. His happiness mattered to her more.

"I want this more than anything, and we have gotten to know each other quite well over the last few months," he assured her. "She was my life line, and we found we had a lot in common. Within the bond formed through my mind and the blood magic, we had no secrets, and we found we enjoyed that freedom to be in each other's thoughts. I suppose in time we will try to wean ourselves off, but not right now."

"Well, it certainly is a unique way to fall in love. But then again, Sev, you were always a unique wizard."

"Thanks, Mum," he gave her a warm smile.

"Mum?" Tears filled her eyes at the name.

"You are, you know. I don't think mine would mind. She gave me everything she had in the time she was with me, and I'm sure she's very happy to know that you took up where she left off. After all," he said, putting his arms about her ample shoulders, "you're going be a grandmother in a few years, and we all have to make this family as strong and as good as we can for our children."

Pomona sniffled, bringing one hand to her nose while the other searched her pockets for a tissue to wipe the fluids running from it.

Severus laughed and pulled out a white handkerchief from his inside pocket. "It's a whole new world, and I have been reborn to a new life. Now, I'm going to go find my bride-to-be and give her a long-overdue kiss."

Merrin, thank you for being my beta. I appreciate your time and hard work.

Suzanne, thank you for Brit picking, and for adding a word or two here or there to improve the interest and clarity of the sentences.

Becky, thank you for pre-reading and your encouragement.