This Sense of Sorrow

A/N: Dear Reader. Thank you for your kind reviews. It is very lovely to feel I am getting to know so many of you, and your words make me smile every time. :)

Some years ago, the wonderful Droxy did some stunning fanart to go with Denial – a picture of the Backless Wedding Dress that our favourite Potions Professor liked so much in the last chapter. If you would like to see it, it can be found here: http://droxy.deviantart.com/art/The-Backless-Wedding-Dress-177734942

LB x

O Sweet to-morrow –

After to-day

There will away

This sense of sorrow.

Then let us borrow

Hope, for a gleaming

Soon will be streaming,

Dimmed by no gray –

No gray!

- Thomas Hardy, Song of Hope

***

Hermione Granger Nott smiled in anticipation as the twinkling lights on the ground below signalled their approach to Heathrow Airport. Today was her first wedding anniversary, and she didn't mind spending it on an airplane. Not if it meant she was coming home at last.

Theo had sulked practically all the way to England. They could have arranged to take a Portkey to London from Toronto, but she'd always hated travelling by Portkey over such long distances, so they'd arranged to fly instead.

Theo's petulance had begun well before they'd boarded the plane. They'd been in Kiev when she had received an owl from the Ministry of Magic a month earlier, requesting confirmation that she would begin work as an Unspeakable on the first of September. She'd immediately put quill to parchment to reply in the affirmative, but Theo had reached out to still her hand.

"Hermione, you don't have to do this," he'd said.

"I might not have to, Theo, but I want to," she'd replied, gritting her teeth. She had expected this.

"But why? We're only twenty-four. Why would you want to tie us down?"

She'd lost her temper. "I want stability, Theo. I want a career, a house, the opportunity to go and have a coffee with my friends. I miss Britain; I miss my mum and dad; I miss my friends!"

He'd scowled at her and crossed his arms. "How come you were willing to give all those things up when you spent four years in Paris?"

"That was different! Paris is close enough to London for Apparition, and I spent a month at home every Christmas and three months at home every summer. At the Sorbonne I had my studies to keep me busy. And lots of company!"

"Am I not company enough for you?" he'd asked, pouting.

"That's not the point. Anyone who knows me knows that I need to work, Theo. I need my books; I need to be challenged. I can't function without some kind of focus in my life!"

"Well, I'm sorry I'm not as thought-provoking as your precious books," he'd snarled. "What if I don't want to go back?"

She'd stamped her foot in sheer frustration. "Theo, you promised! You gave me your word that we'd return to London after a year of travelling."

"Yes, but maybe I want to take it back."

She'd fled from the room in anger, slamming the door behind her. She'd wandered the dark streets of Kiev for over two hours. He hadn't followed her.

And so it had continued for four weeks. They'd bickered constantly. When they hadn't been quarrelling, there had been empty silences, filled only by the alien sounds of whatever part of the world they happened to be in. They hadn't had sex for over a month. Happy anniversary, indeed.

Hermione had enjoyed the first few months of their extended honeymoon. Japan had been wonderful. She had particularly enjoyed Kyoto, where she'd learned so much about Japanese cultural history. The sex had been, she supposed, rather good for an arranged marriage – certainly not the disaster she'd feared it might be. Theo, for his part, seemed to find her attractive, and she was attracted to him, too. But seven months after their wedding, they'd visited Amsterdam, and things had not been the same since.

And now, as they headed towards Heathrow, Hermione stole a sideward glance at her husband. He hadn't said a word since they'd boarded the plane, but to her surprise, he took her hand as the plane began its descent.

"I'm sorry for the way I've behaved in the past few weeks," he whispered. "I just ... the thought of sitting in Kensington Square all week is hardly appealing."

She gave his hand a squeeze. "You don't have to sit in Kensington Square all week. Why don't you reconsider taking up a career? You have a degree from a Muggle university – you've so many opportunities open to you in both worlds. You could even go back and study for a postgraduate degree."

He shrugged. "We'll see. I just wanted to say I'll give it a shot. I know you want a career. Let's see how we feel in six months. We can review the situation then."

She nodded at him and smiled, suddenly looking forward to embarking on yet another new start. The last few weeks hadn't looked good for the future of their marriage, but she truly believed that things would be better when they were surrounded by the people they loved.

The plane landed, and she felt her excitement increase. Her parents were waiting for them in the arrivals hall, and she couldn't wait to see them. She hadn't felt so hopeless since the year she'd been on the run from the Death Eaters with Harry and Ron.

Surely a year abroad with her husband should have been a lot more fun than life in a tent, hiding from Voldemort?

***

After her reunion with her parents, Hermione returned to her new home in Kensington Square with Theo. She had four days to settle in before beginning work as an Unspeakable, and those days were to be spent in a whirlwind of reunions with her friends. The first on her list was Harry and Ginny. Their son was almost five months old, and she'd yet to set eyes on him.

The Potters had built a large cottage in Godric's Hollow, and Hermione drew in the fragrance of honeysuckle as she and Theo approached the door.

"Isn't it gorgeous?" she asked, admiring the roses and the thatched roof.

Theo snorted. "I wouldn't live this far from civilisation for all the Galleons in Gringotts."

Hermione darted him an irritated glance, already regretting her decision to bring him along. She'd met many of his friends and extended family in Germany and the Netherlands, and she had been perfectly cordial. She knew she'd be upset if he failed to reciprocate.

Harry flung open the door before she'd even reached for the knocker. She bounded the last few feet to the doorstep and threw her arms around him.

"Hello, Harry," she said, grinning. "It's really, really good to see you."

"You too," he replied, pulling away from her. "You look well – a life of leisure suits you."

"You look like you were born to be a father," she remarked, taking in the tiny pair of blue socks he held in one hand and the Chudley Cannons bib in the other. "Gift from Ron, I presume?" she said, gesturing to the bib.

Harry rolled his eyes and nodded. "Yes, and before you ask, they're still bottom of the league, although Ron swears this will be their year."

Hermione handed him a heavy, colourfully wrapped package. "I'm afraid my gift is equally predictable."

Harry ran his hand over the smooth package. "Hogwarts: A History?" he asked.

"Illustrated and newly updated version," she said. "Includes all the details of the battle and an excellent photo of you receiving your Order of Merlin."

Harry shook his head and reached out to shake Theo's hand. "Welcome, both of you. Come on in – Ginny's been dying to see you."

They followed him to the living room, where they found Ginny bent over a white crib. She turned to them with a beaming smile. "He's just woken up, so you don't have to whisper." She straightened and pulled Hermione into a hug. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too. I really have." Hermione turned her gaze to the crib while Ginny greeted Theo, where the baby was frantically waving his arms and legs. She smiled at the sight of him.

"He's one-hundred per-cent Weasley," she said, gazing at the red-headed infant. "Not a trace of Potter."

Harry joined her and peered fondly at his son. "I'm hoping he'll be short-sighted – glasses might make him look a little more like me. Or maybe we could tattoo a scar onto his forehead ..."

"We most certainly will not," Ginny said, lifting the baby from his crib and turning him towards the visitors. "Well, say hello to James Frederick."

Hermione reached out and touched his rosy cheek. "Hello, little James," she whispered. The little boy grabbed her finger and gave her a gummy smile.

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Well, he's certainly taken a shine to you. Would you like to hold him?"

"Can I sit down before I take him? I've not had much experience with babies."

She sat on the sofa, and Ginny handed her the baby. He was a sturdy little thing, and Hermione found she wasn't as nervous and uncomfortable as she'd thought she would be. Harry went to make them tea, and Theo sat as far from little James as he possibly could.

They chatted for a time about the countries she and Theo had visited, although Theo hardly said a word. When Ginny plucked little James from Hermione's lap and announced it was time for him to be fed, Theo left to have a look around the village. Hermione was relieved – she couldn't imagine somebody as shy as Theo being comfortable around a breastfeeding mother.

She watched as Ginny put her son to her breast and began to nurse him. She and Harry seemed so at ease in their new occupation; it was almost as if they'd been doing it all their lives.

"Does it hurt?" Hermione asked as she watched the baby suckle.

"It did at first, but Mum taught me a few handy Soothing Spells, and it was all fine after a few weeks. I'm trying to get him weaned at the moment – I have to go back to work next month."

"Speaking of work," Harry said, handing Hermione a mug of tea, "when do you start at the Department of Mysteries?"

"On Monday," she said. "I'm looking forward to it. Travelling is all very well and good, but you know me – I need something to get my teeth into."

"And what about Theo?" Ginny asked. "Does he have something lined up?"

Hermione shook her head and avoided their gaze. "He doesn't need to work, so I think he's a little bit lost, to be honest. He would have preferred to travel a bit longer," she added with a sigh.

Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance. "Is everything okay?" Harry asked. "Have you two been getting along alright?"

She gave him a forced smile. "It's been fine. He wasn't looking forward to coming home, but other than that it's been great," she lied.

Luckily, Theo soon returned from the village, and she was spared further interrogation.

Hermione looked at her reflection in the mirror that night and wondered what type of mother she would make. Would she be as good at it as Ginny? Harry and Ginny had always been so comfortable together, but now that they had James they were a real family. Her own marriage seemed so cold, so empty in comparison. For the very first time in her life, she found that the idea of a child was a welcome one.

***

The next stop on her list was Padma and Dean. She arranged to visit them on Saturday morning, and Theo decided to look up some of his friends from Cambridge. Hermione was glad; after an entire year, she felt like she could do with a break from Theo. She was also looking forward to having a good heart-to-heart with Padma. Ginny wouldn't have understood: Harry and Ginny had married for love, not because of the Marriage Act.

But after only five minutes in their company, Hermione could tell that Padma and Dean were every bit as much a happy couple as Harry and Ginny. What had begun as mutual attraction had blossomed into love, and it was obvious that they cared for each other deeply.

Dean stayed to chat for a few minutes before leaving to watch a football match, and alone with her closest friend, Hermione finally let her guard down.

"Oh, Padma! I'm so delighted to see how happy you and Dean are together, but it makes it even more obvious that things are not good with me and Theo."

Padma put a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits on the table and frowned. "What do you mean? You sounded quite happy in your letters – at first, anyway."

Hermione shrugged. "We were happy. I really enjoyed the first few months of travelling, and Theo was good company. Things were fine ..."

"How was everything in the bedroom?" Padma asked with a crooked smile.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I knew you'd ask. Things in the bedroom were far better than I'd thought they would be. Okay, it wasn't pure passion like it was with you and Philippe, but it was fine – better than fine. We were compatible, attracted to one another, and for the first six or seven months it was ... good. Not just the sex, everything was good."

"What happened to make it change?"

Hermione shook her head. "Lots of things, I guess. By March, I began to get restless. We'd been to Japan, China, India, New Zealand and Australia – I'd enjoyed it, but I was missing everybody dreadfully, and I just felt at such a loose end. You know what I'm like – I need my books, and even though I'd brought as many as possible with me, I needed something to do."

Padma picked up a biscuit. "And Theo?"

Hermione sighed. "When I decided I wanted a few days off to read, he sulked! I know I might be boring, but all I wanted was to curl up with a few good books for a while. Even when we did go sight-seeing, we wanted to see different things, and it began to cause friction."

"Two people holed up together in hotel rooms for months? Things were bound to get claustrophobic."

"You're right, but it's just ... He can't compromise at all, Padma. And if he's going to be like this about bloody sight-seeing, what's he going to be like about my career? What's he going to be like about whose parents we eat with for Christmas, and whether or not we have children?"

"Hermione, it's only been a year, and because you've been away, you haven't had a chance to settle down properly as a married couple." She patted her friend on the hand. "We were almost the exact opposite: we fought like cat and dog for the first few months – silly things like toilet seats and washing the dishes – but then it got better. You and Theo have been living in this unnatural environment for a year. Things were bound to get tough!"

"I know, Padma, I do. But I'm beginning to think we might just be too different. I've been thinking about all the things Severus Snape said me, and I'm starting to wonder if he was right."

"But ... Is it just all these little things, or did something bad happen?"

Hermione regarded her friend, wondering how much she should tell her. "Do I have your word that what I say will stay in this room?"

"Of course! Do you even have to ask?"

Hermione sipped her tea and took a deep breath. "When we'd finished touring South Africa, we decided to come back to Europe. Theo wanted to head for the Netherlands, because his cousins live there. We booked into our hotel room in Amsterdam, and while I took a shower, Theo went out for a walk. When he came back, he had a big bag of marijuana."

Padma looked surprised, but motioned for Hermione to continue.

"I know that it's not against the law over there, and I know that half our classmates in Paris smoked it, but I just can't stand it! I know I'm a prude, but it's illegal in my country, and so I just can't abide it." She paused and nibbled at a biscuit. "We had a big row, and right in front of me, completely against my wishes, he lit up and got stoned. I was so angry, but it got even worse the next day."

"He didn't hurt you or anything, did he, Hermione?"

"No! Nothing like that – he's very laid back, even more so when he's been smoking that dreadful stuff. We met his second cousin – a wizard called Hans Michelob Schneiderlidl. Bit of a mouthful, that name. Anyway, I couldn't stand the sight of him. He reminded me of Lucius Malfoy, in a way. Don't get me wrong – I'm very fond of Draco now, but I'll never like Lucius. Hans is cut of a similar cloth; I could tell he didn't like me because I'm Muggle-born. He invited us to his apartment, and all he and Theo did that evening was smoke joints. I had to put up with endless jibes from Hans about what a killjoy I am, and Theo didn't defend me once. I was so upset that I left. Theo spent most of the week hanging out with him, and I stayed in my hotel room, reading."

"How long did you stay?" Padma asked.

"Just for a week. We went to visit friends of his in Berlin after that, and they were much nicer, but there were far too many joints and illegal potions and stuff around for my liking. Seriously, the kind of friends Theo has set alarm bells ringing. They're all from fantastically rich families, and they've nothing better to do than sit around getting wasted all day."

Padma frowned. "This isn't sounding good, Hermione. Where did you go next?"

"We stayed in Berlin for two weeks and then headed to Chile. Things got better for a while – he hasn't touched marijuana since we left Berlin, thankfully. I was a bit more optimistic once we were away from his friends, and things were okay until we got my letter from the Ministry."

"Let me guess. He didn't want to come home?"

"Precisely. All we did was bicker for the rest of the holiday. I didn't enjoy the States or Canada at all, and we mostly just did our own thing." She put her cup down and looked at Padma. "Have I made the biggest mistake of my life?"

Padma shook her head. "I don't know. You've been living in an artificial situation for the past year. It was bound to be a strain. It's impossible to tell how thing's will be, now that you're home again. And you're not the only ones who've found it tough. Not from what I've heard."

"Really? What have you heard?" Hermione asked.

"Blaise has been having an affair for the past three months. He's working near Dean's office at the ministry, and by all accounts it's common knowledge."

"That bastard!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes wide. "Does Katie know?"

"I've no idea. I don't know either of them very well. But the point is that things might change for the better, now that you're about to settle down. Give it more time, Hermione. I'm sure you can work things out with Theo. Look at poor Katie – things could be much worse!"

Hermione smiled. "I suppose you're right. Anyway – enough about me and Theo! How have you been? I really enjoyed your letters; it sounds like you're happy at the Obliviation Board."

Padma grinned. "I love it! It's such an interesting job. I even got to work with Dean last week. Some idiot up in York's been breeding two-headed chickens, and twenty-four of them escaped last week – there was complete chaos! Dean's lot had to round them up while we modified all the Muggle neighbours' memories ..."

Padma suddenly stopped and clapped a hand over her mouth. Muttering an apology, she rose from the table and fled from the kitchen.

Hermione watched in confusion as her friend flung open the door of the little bathroom beneath the stairs and disappeared inside. Within seconds she could hear the sounds of retching. She ran to the sink and filled a glass with some water.

She heard the toilet flush, and Padma emerged from the bathroom.

"Are you alright?" she asked, handing her the glass of water.

Padma nodded weakly and accepted the glass. She crossed to the kitchen sink, where she took a mouthful of the water and then spat it into the sink. She turned to Hermione and smiled.

"I'm three months pregnant," she said. "I didn't want to tell you in a letter; I wanted to wait until you came home."

Hermione squealed and threw her arms around Padma. "I can't believe it! I've been sitting there ranting on about me and Theo and you were pregnant all that time?"

Padma chuckled and patted her tummy. "I wore a loose top so you wouldn't notice – I have a bump already – see?"

She smoothed her blouse over her stomach, and sure enough, there was a gentle swell.

Hermione frowned. "Are you sure you're only three months?"

Padma nodded. "It's twins – twin girls. That's why I've been so ill."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "No way!"

"Well, twins do run in the family, so it wasn't too much of a shock." She patted her bump again. "And you won't believe it, but Parvati is pregnant again, and she's due on the same day as me!"

They hugged once more, and Hermione couldn't stop the tears that came to her eyes. It felt as though all her friends were having babies, and they all seemed so happy and fulfilled. Her life was so empty in comparison. She hoped her new career would help to fill it.

***

The evening before Hermione was due to begin work at the Department of Mysteries, she and Theo were invited to dinner with Cordelia and Severus. Hermione looked forward to it with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity; she was worried that they'd pick up on the tension between her and Theo, but she was also looking forward to seeing Severus Snape again. They'd parted on friendly terms, and she was interested to see whether or not their 'truce' still held.

When they arrived, she was delighted to find Lance there, too; he was always entertaining, and she was sure he would divert some of the attention away from her and Theo. Cordelia greeted her warmly, and she crossed the room to shake Severus's hand. While he wasn't quite smiling, he wasn't scowling either, and she decided their ceasefire hadn't been a mere figment of her imagination.

"Hello, Severus," she said, testing the waters.

He inclined his head. "Hermione," he replied.

"Did you miss me?" she asked playfully.

He raised an eyebrow. "Just because I've allowed you to call me by my given name doesn't mean I've any intention of engaging in meaningless repartee."

She chuckled. "Well, you haven't hexed me, so we appear to have made progress."

He regarded her as if she was unhinged. "Might I interest you in a glass of wine?"

She nodded, and he turned to pour her a glass of red.

"Did you enjoy your year abroad?"

She met his inquisitive gaze. "Yes, I did. But I'm glad to be home."

"I rather thought you might be," he said in such an I-told-you-so voice that she very much regretted not keeping her mouth shut.

***

Hermione could hardly believe she was actually enjoying her evening. Cordelia was full of questions about their travels, and although her inquiries were directed largely at her son, she included Hermione in the conversation at every turn. It was amazing: she managed to keep the dialogue impersonal – far away from the subject of how she and Theo were getting along. It was obvious she was an experienced hostess who knew how to keep her guests comfortable.

Severus, however, was analysing their every nuance. Hermione was certain he wasn't fooled by their light-hearted banter. She'd always felt as though the Potions master could see through everything his students said or did, and things hadn't changed. She knew her body language probably spoke volumes, and she was painfully aware that she and Theo had not once made eye-contact during the meal.

The subject soon turned to the latest wave of Marriage Act offspring.

"I believe Pansy Parkinson and her husband had a baby boy last week," Cordelia announced.

Hermione was genuinely surprised. "Really? I hadn't heard that!"

Cordelia nodded. "I had tea with Narcissa Malfoy last week. I get the impression Narcissa is itching for a grandchild, but there seems to be no news from Draco yet."

"Pah!" Lancelot exclaimed. "There were never good breeders, those Malfoys!"

Hermione nearly inhaled her wine at the expression of horror on Cordelia's face.

"Uncle Lance, really! Must you put it in such equestrian terms?" Cordelia asked.

Lance was not to be thwarted. "Horses, hippogriffs, dragons, wizards ... All the same when you get down to basics."

Cordelia shot Hermione an apologetic look. "I read some time ago that your friend, Harry, had also had a son?"

Hermione smiled. "That's right. We visited them on Thursday. They've called him James Frederick Potter."

Severus choked on a mouthful of salmon. "Another James Potter. How delightful."

Hermione grinned. "If it's any consolation, he looks nothing like Harry or James – he's a Weasley through and through. He has a big mop of red hair, and I'm sure he'll be covered in freckles within a few years. He's very like the twins."

Severus smirked. "Ah, the Weasley twins. I'm quite devastated that I won't be at Hogwarts to deal with another generation of miscreants."

"Ants?" Lance asked, looking confused. "Ants at Hogwarts?"

Everybody laughed. "Severus said miscreants, Uncle Lance," Theo explained.

"Do you remember my bridesmaid, Padma Patil?" Hermione asked Cordelia.

Cordelia nodded. "Yes, indeed – pretty girl with an identical twin sister."

"That's the one," she said with a smile. "I went to visit her yesterday; she's expecting twin daughters."

"Oh, how lovely!" Cordelia said with what seemed to be genuine delight. "I'm sure they'll be just like her and her sister!"

"Yes, well, enough about all these strangers. What about you and young Theodore, eh? What's your breeding strategy?" Lance asked, prodding the air in front of him with a crooked finger.

Hermione gaped at him for a moment and then started to giggle. Theo and Cordelia looked scandalized, while Severus remained quiet, his black eyes glittering with amusement.

"Lancelot Mill! If you do not behave yourself, I will have to ask you to leave the table." Cordelia turned to Hermione. "I do apologise, my dear."

"That's quite alright," Hermione said, grinning.

"I didn't mean any offence," Lancelot insisted. "Look at her! She's a great girl – fertile as they come, these Muggle-borns. She'll be churning out the tots before too long!"

Hermione giggled until she was near tears. Cordelia and Theo looked at one another, shaking their heads.

"Lance, I think Hermione has heard quite enough on the topic of breeding for this evening," Severus said with barely concealed amusement. "I imagine she would like to try her hand at a career before she considers adding to the Mill dynasty."

Cordelia flashed her husband a smile of gratitude. "I believe you start work in the morning, Hermione? It must be very disappointing to have to come home so soon. What a pity they refused to grant you another year!"

Hermione frowned. "I didn't want another year. I'm looking forward to starting as an Unspeakable."

Cordelia looked surprised. Her gaze moved to her son. "I'd formed the impression you both would have liked to continue your travels."

Hermione sensed Theo stiffen beside her. "Theo might have wished to travel some more, but I was glad to come home."

She was glad when Severus came to her rescue and asked, "I believe the new Unspeakables are apprenticed to a more experienced colleague. Have you been told to whom you'll be assigned?"

Hermione nodded. "I've been assigned to Primrose Chuckley. She was three or four years ahead of us at Hogwarts; I met her at my interview. She seemed nice."

Severus gave a nod. "I remember her. Powell was her maiden name. She was in Ravenclaw: a reasonably gifted Potions student."

Hermione suddenly remembered something. "Did you ever fill the Potions position you advertised last summer?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.

"I did not. It appears the greater London area is devoid of competent Potioneers."

"Did you receive many applications?" She remembered the salary had been more than ample for such a position. She'd been certain it would attract many qualified Potion makers.

Before Severus could answer, Cordelia said, "He got seventy-two applications."

"Oh! How many did you interview?" Hermione asked.

"Three," Severus said.

"Two of them left in tears," Cordelia explained.

Hermione grinned; it wasn't difficult to imagine why the interviewees might have been reduced to tears. "Where's your laboratory?" she asked.

"In the basement beneath this house," he replied.

"Really? Could I see it?"

His looked taken aback, and she suspected the pause meant he was looking for some reason to refuse.

"Of course you can!" Cordelia answered for him. "Why not give her a quick tour, Severus, while we wait for dessert?"

"Only if you wouldn't mind," Hermione added, not wanting to jeopardise their fragile truce.

He gave a soft sigh and pushed back his chair. "Not at all. Follow me."

Hermione rose quickly and followed his flurry of black robes from the room. She couldn't wait to see his laboratory. His Potions classroom had always been impeccable, and she was sure his laboratory would be the same.

He did not speak as they descended the stairs, and she wondered if he resented her curiosity. They reached a wooden door inlaid with an intricate wrought-iron design.

"I apologise for being so nosy," she whispered. "Please don't feel you have let me in if you really don't want to."

He unlocked the door with a flick of his wand. "I wouldn't have agreed to let you see the laboratory if I'd no wish to do so."

He pushed open the door and gestured for her to precede him. The moment she stepped over the threshold, torches flamed into life around the walls. She couldn't help but gasp as the room lit up: the walls were of light grey granite, not entirely unlike his dungeon classroom at Hogwarts, and they were lined with shelf after shelf of labelled Potions ingredients.

There were dozens of phials of brightly coloured liquids, jars of pickled ingredients and numerous tins of powder. One wall was covered with Potions books, and at the centre of the room were two broad wooden work benches. On both of these sat three cauldrons, all of them spaced perfectly apart. The positioning of the cauldrons was so precise that she was certain he must have used a spell to place them so.

"It's exactly the way I'd imagined," she said, smiling.

"How predictable I must be."

She knew by the tone of his voice that he was amused rather than annoyed. "May I look around?"

He nodded. "Be my guest."

She wandered around the room, reading the names of the ingredients scrawled upon the labels of the jars and tins, aware all the while that he was watching her.

"The more volatile ingredients are stored in the small room to your left," he said, indicating a heavy iron door. "It has been imbued with extra magical protection to protect the rooms above, in case of a mishap."

"I see," she replied, glancing at the door before moving to the centre of the room. She examined the first set of three cauldrons. "All pewter, but of varying thicknesses?"

He nodded. "Simple and functional – the other three are more interesting."

She crossed to the second bench. "This one is wrought iron lined with platinum," she said, trying to calculate what it might have cost. A lot, she guessed.

"Very good," he answered in the voice she had known him to reserve exclusively for his Slytherin students.

She moved to the next one – by far the prettiest of the six. "Solid gold?"

He nodded, and she scrutinised the base of the cauldron more closely. There were markings along the lower rim – unmistakably Chinese.

"I don't believe it!" she said. "It's a Xiao Tiang Mei cauldron!"

The corner of his mouth curled in a slight smile. "Well done, Hermione. It appears you know your cauldrons."

"We had a Xiao Tiang Mei cauldron at the Sorbonne – but it certainly wasn't as big as this one." She knew that these cauldrons were very rare and highly sought-after; the Mill family obviously had some serious contacts as well as copious funds at their disposal.

"Let's see if you can tell me anything about the final one," he said, gesturing to the last cauldron on the bench – the smallest of the three.

She examined it; she didn't recognise the material with which it was made, and its shape was unusual too – it was more belled in the centre than were the others.

She shook her head. "This one has me stumped, I'm afraid."

"Let me give you a clue: It was bequeathed to me by Albus Dumbledore, who in turn received it from Nicolas Flamel."

She frowned for a moment and then her jaw dropped in surprise. "You're not serious! This is a Telenium cauldron?"

He nodded, his expression smug.

"But there are only three of these in the whole world!"

"Indeed," he drawled.

The possibilities were racing through her mind. There were rare potions that could be brewed only in a Telenium cauldron – if Severus Snape had the ability to brew them, he was surely a rich man.

She ran her fingertip along the rim of the cauldron, feeling as though she was in the presence of greatness. This laboratory would be a fascinating place to work. She turned to face him.

"Why didn't you fill the position?"

"My standards were unrealistically high, perhaps. Now that you've seen my equipment, though, maybe you understand why I'm reluctant to employ somebody who does not meet my expectations as regards proper qualification for the position."

She frowned. "Were none of the applicants suitably qualified?"

He paused before answering, "Only one of the applicants was educated to the standard I would demand."

"And what standard did you demand? The advertisement didn't specify."

"Master's level."

She raised her eyebrows, feeling suddenly annoyed. "But I'm qualified to master's level!"

He inclined his head. "I'm aware of that. You are the one of whom I spoke."

"And you wouldn't even consider my application?"

He gave a wry laugh. "Do you really think you and I could work together?"

"I suppose not," she said grudgingly.

"Despite your undoubted abilities in the field, your constant chatter would drive me to distraction. My universally acknowledged lack of tolerance would exacerbate the problem further, and we would come to blows within a month."

She chuckled. "You'd give us a whole month? I'd give us a week." She returned to the door, no longer annoyed, and he stood aside to allow her exit. "Sincere thanks for allowing me access to your laboratory, Severus," she said with mock formality.

He smirked at her. "You're welcome. You might make rather an amusing dinner guest, Hermione, but I'm certain you would make an infuriating colleague."

Amusing dinner guest? She was so pleased that she practically bounced back up the stairs.

***

It was after eleven o'clock when Theo and Hermione left. They walked around the square in silence.

"Tired?" Theo asked as they approached their front door.

"Yes," she replied with a weary smile.

"Nervous about tomorrow?"

She nodded. "A little. I'd like to get to bed and try to sleep before I begin fretting."

Theo pushed open the door, and they found Moe waiting for them in the hallway. Her thin little lips were pressed tightly together in a line of disapproval.

"Is something the matter, Moe?" Hermione asked.

Moe glared at Theo and folded her arms across her chest. "Master Theodore is having a visitor," she announced, gesturing to the sitting room with a jerk of her head. She clicked her fingers and disappeared.

Hermione and Theo looked at one another. She could tell by the expression on his face that he was as surprised as she was to have received a guest at this late hour. Before she could express her dismay, the sitting room door opened and Hans Michelob Schneiderlidl stood grinning at them, a large bottle of Firewhisky in his hand. Hermione's heart sank.

"Theo!" he exclaimed, a broad grin on his face.

"Hans!" Theo responded, embracing his cousin. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Hermione's hopes of an early night diminished as she took in the look of delight on her husband's face.

"I was in London for the weekend and thought I'd join you for a few days." His gaze flicked challengingly to Hermione.

"Hello, Hans," she said coldly, extending her hand.

He shook her hand limply, a slight sneer on his face. "Mrs Nott."

Hermione dropped his hand and fought the temptation to correct him. He knew damn well that she'd chosen to be known as Granger Nott.

"I hope you'll excuse me," she said, turning to Theo. "I begin work in the morning, so I'd like to get to bed. Goodnight."

When she reached the sanctuary of her room, she sank onto the bed and put her head in her hands. She'd enjoyed her evening. She liked Cordelia; she very fond of Lance; and she'd even enjoyed the company of Severus Snape. Theo had relaxed in the company of his family, and for a few hours she'd felt hope for their future. But now Hans was in their sitting room. She couldn't stand him, and as his raucous laughter rang out above the bedroom, she knew she wasn't going to get much sleep that night.

She suddenly felt claustrophobic, despite the grandeur of the room. She needed fresh air. Taking her cloak from a hook and tiptoed up the stairs and out through the front door, closing it gently behind her. She crossed the road and opened the small, wrought-iron gate that led to the park at the centre of the handsome square.

Taking a seat on a wooden bench, she looked at Cordelia and Severus's house, wondering how they'd managed to make such an amiable marriage. From what Theo had told her, they'd barely known one another when they'd wed, yet they gave the impression of a comfortable couple. Formal, perhaps, but comfortable nonetheless. Surely if Cordelia could get along with a man as difficult as Severus Snape, she could do the same with Theodore Nott?

She heard somebody approach from behind her and, expecting to find her husband, she turned to find Lance hobbling towards her with the help of his walking-stick. She mustered as genuine a smile as she could.

"Hello," she whispered, moving to make room for him on the bench.

He lowered himself stiffly to sit next to her and placed his ebony cane across his lap. He turned and inspected her over his little round glasses.

"I've never liked the Schneiderlidl family," he muttered, "but even by their standards, Hans is something of a rotten egg."

"I'm so glad to hear you say that," she said. "I don't like him at all, and I'm convinced he hates me. Theo changes completely when Hans is around."

Lance patted her hand. "In many ways Theodore's an intelligent boy, but in very many more, he's his father all over again."

Hermione shook her head. "I've tried to get Theo to talk about his father so many times over the past year, but it's almost as though he's decided to wipe all traces of him from his memory."

"Theo's a fool, Hermione, and although I've no wish to excuse his behaviour, it has to be admitted that he's suffered because of his father. Cordelia hasn't helped matters by indulging him, either. He's a product of his upbringing."

They both cast the direction of their gaze towards Cordelia's house, and a comfortable silence fell between them.

Eventually, Hermione turned to him and said, "How come you're suddenly so lucid? You came across as positively batty during dinner."

Lance chuckled. "I like to put on an act for the rest of the family. They're so obsessed with keeping up appearances; it gives an old man great pleasure to watch them squirm when I misbehave in company."

Hermione giggled. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."

"I'm not the only one playing pretend, Hermione Granger," he said with a wink and a nod at Cordelia and Severus's house. "People have always played pretend; it's become a veritable epidemic since the introduction of the Marriage Act."

Hermione looked across the manicured lawn and wondered whether or not she would be doomed to play pretend for the rest of her married life. But tomorrow was another new beginning. There was still hope for her marriage. There was time to make it work. She'd never failed a test in her entire life, and she absolutely refused to fail at this one.