Choices: Chapters 70 to 78

Summary: He was a fool to hold Hermione to her original promise. It was time to rectify that mistake. But it seemed fate, and Hermione had other plans. Can Severus learn to live with the choices he’s made, even at the cost of his own happiness?

A/N: The story is written in drabble form, one hundred words per chapter. The brevity of the chapters forces the emotions to stand out sharply against the action. The first forty chapters were posted in the drabble collections – Round Nine through Fourteen. Since so many have asked me to post these as their own story, I’ve decided to compile them here.

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc., of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

The Choices We Make

Chapter 70: Life Is Full of Minor Annoyances

Once again, Albus greeted him at the door.

“How’s Hermione? I trust all went well tonight?”

Severus snarled at his friend. “Don’t you have anything better to do than stand here waiting to annoy me?”

Albus smiled. “Well?”

“It went…fine. As well a date with my own wife can go.” Severus sighed. Leaving Hermione at her door had been more difficult than he’d anticipated. “By the way, you need to connect her Floo to my office. She can’t keep trudging up the path from Hogsmeade. Especially since she’s taken on more work. I don’t want her to tire herself out.”

Chapter 71: Tempting Fate or Put On A Happy Face

“For obvious reasons, I can’t leave an open connection. Is there a way to contact her when she’s ready to comes through?”

“What about setting a time to open and close the Floo?”

Albus shook his head. “I’d rather not have anything that specific set up. There hasn’t been any real trouble in the last few years. Still, it’s never wise to tempt fate.”

Severus snorted, he knew all about fate. “I gave her a two-way mirror. She’ll call me when she’s ready, you can open the connection then.”

“Splendid. Smile, things are looking up.”

“Right. Wonderful.” He agreed, miserably.

Chapter 72: The Edge of Reason

Saturday turned into Sunday, the weather warmer than usual. Severus contemplated the stack of essays in front of him, not really seeing them. Perhaps he could set up a small garden outside the side entrance. Hermione often commented how much she missed her parent’s garden. It might give her a reason to visit their quarters, if only to check on the plants.

Holding the two-way mirror, Severus called to her. “Hermione.”

The image of his estranged wife, a quill stuck messily through her hair, her expression one of intense concentration, appeared in his mirror.

“Hermione,” he intoned, louder this time.

Chapter 73: Eavesdropping

The witch jumped. “Oh great, not only do I dream about him, now I’m hearing his voice when he’s not here.”

A sly smile appeared on Severus’s lips. “And what, pray tell, do these dreams entail?”

“Severus? Where are you?”

“You’re not going to tell me your dreams?”

“Where are you?”

“Pick up the mirror you have propped to the side and you’ll see me.”

The two-way mirror he’d given her. She’d forgotten about it. It was like looking into a wizarding photo, without the loop. His lean image looked back at her.

“Good afternoon, I trust you slept well?”

Chapter 74: There’s No Place Like Home

“Good afternoon, yourself, I did sleep well. I’m just going over the lesson plans for the classes I’m taking over.”

“I won’t keep you. I spoke with Albus. Contact me tomorrow by mirror when you’re ready to come through and he’ll open the Floo network. You’ll come through in my office.”

“Thank you. I really do appreciate it. The walk to school is fine, it’s the trip home that’s getting tiring.”

Unconsciously, Severus winced at her use of the word ‘home’ when referring to the cottage she was renting. Home should have been with him, in their chambers at Hogwarts.

Chapter 75: A Glimpse of Things To Come

“Which is exactly the reason you should not be walking up and back. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Hermione sighed. “No, Filius has the lessons already planned. I’m just reviewing the next set of charms. Tell Albus thank you for me. It’ll be nice to sleep in a bit since I don’t have to allow for travel time. I can call to you when I’m ready. How does eight a.m. sound?”

“That’s fine. You’ll be able to have breakfast before your first class.”

“Severus, I…I don’t know what to say. You’ve gone above and beyond. Thank you.”

Chapter 76: Understanding

She should not have had to thank him for caring. Hadn’t that been one of the problems she’d pointed out, his lack of involvement in their marriage? This should’ve been a natural part of their relationship, not just a reaction to circumstances.

Severus shook his head; maybe he’d actually learned something.

“Don’t thank me, I’ve a vested interest in your continued good health. You need to remember to stop and eat; I know how you get when you’re involved in something. I’ll have the mirror with me tonight when I make rounds, just in case. Call if you need me.”

Chapter 77: Of Zippers and Reality

Hermione laughed. “Be careful which pocket you put the mirror in. I don’t think you want the sound of my voice issuing from your zipper while you’re walking around.”

While he found it difficult to voice his pleasure, Hermione had no such problem. His body responded to the image of his wife, in the flesh, her voice coming from the very area of his body she had just mentioned.

She smiled as she watched Severus shift in his chair, pleased she seemed to be having an effect on her taciturn husband. “I’ll call you in the morning. Take care, Severus.”

Chapter 78: Forty-Two Days and Counting

He didn’t want to sever the connection; all he had to look forward to was bad essays and another evening alone. Severus regarded his desk calendar. School was over in six weeks, after that, Hermione wouldn’t be coming to the castle on a regular basis. He’d have to schedule dates if he wanted to see her. Six weeks. He’d have to make the most of that time.

He had a month and a half to win her over, to prove he’d changed. Forty-two days to show her how much he cared.

Severus sighed, he only hoped it was enough time.

TBC

A/N: Just a quick note to thank all those that have been following “Choices.

I did have every intention of answering each review, but RL has dramatically cut into my free time lately, so I have been spending the little free time I have, writing instead (yes, before you ask, this does include finishing the next chapter of Dances…grin). More “Choices” (and “Dances”) to come!