Chapter 9 - The Library

A/N - All hail J. K. Rowling, who owns the rights to any and everything Harry Potter (that Warner Bros. and other subsidiaries don't own). I'm doing this for fun, not profit. Thanks again to my marvelous beta, Dreamy_Dragon.

The Monday of the following week found Crookshanks sitting at the closed kitchen window, his eyes carefully watching for any opportunity to pounce upon the brown owl perched on the outside ledge.

“Down you go, Mister,” Hermione admonished as she picked up her familiar and moved him to the floor. Opening the pane to allow the owl entry, she looked at the parchment tied to his leg. “Now let’s see what you have in exchange for this treat.”

It had been almost a week since their meeting at Harrods, and Hermione had anxiously awaited Mr. Snape’s decision. She was slightly disappointed when she unfurled the scroll, and instead of seeing the scrawl of his quill, she recognized the fluid penmanship of Mrs. Ginevra Potter.

TO: Miss Hermione Granger & Guest

RSVP

As Hermione pondered the invitation, a raven landed on the window ledge and announced his presence with a sharp CAW!

Hermione jumped in front of Crookshanks, knowing this was the missive she awaited. The raven dropped the stiff note he carried as soon as Hermione presented him with a scrap of toast.

Her bitter familiar watched the window close and potential prey elude him for the second time that morning. He demanded his mistress’ attention by rubbing against her legs as she sat at her table and read the sharp spiky letters.

Miss Granger,

SS

~~SSHG~~

Hermione had never travelled to Manchester before, yet she had heard of the Rylands Library and looked forward to exploring it after her meeting concluded. To facilitate her comfort, but keep an appropriate businesslike quality to her appearance, she chose to don an outfit similar to traditional riding apparel for the day.

After checking in with the Library’s reception desk, Hermione Granger made her way to the Reading Room. Even though she spotted Severus Snape waiting for her at the farthest table, her eyes could not stop taking in the stacks and stacks of book one floor above or the treasured, ancient texts, displayed and preserved under glass and mere inches from her fingertips. She slowly made her way to him while espying her next vacation destination.

~~SSHG~~

Severus noticed her from a distance. He had been trying to distance his thoughts from the dreams that had haunted him most nights since their meeting. He immediately knew today would test his perseverance. She was slowly approaching him, yet ignoring him, aloof and disinterested. Though conservative in dress, her fashion screamed sex in his deprived brain. Certainly, the houndstooth blazer and crisp white blouse were acceptable. However, the tight tan breeches and the brown boots which hugged the tops of her knees were most distracting, an attire that begged for a caress of her lower thighs. A stiff crop had to be hiding somewhere in the close-fitting garments.

He quickly grew uncomfortable with his decision to meet her. Severus stood as she drew near. His discomfiture played out in his greeting. “Miss Granger, I had no idea a library would be all it took to quiet your questioning nature.”

Slightly irritated by his jab at her inquisitive nature, Hermione replied, “I’ve always loved books. I’ve never been here before, and I’m trying to take in as much as possible. I definitely plan to spend more time here in the near future just for my enjoyment.”

Severus considered the way his former student had always referred to her texts to support her unsolicited answers in class. “Well then, it seems I’ve chosen a mutually acceptable meeting place.” The Muffliato was cast this time by Severus. “Sit, Miss Granger, I am curious to hear what you have considered on my behalf.”

Hermione sat at the table and withdrew a Muggle notebook from the leather messenger bag that had been draped across her torso. Pulling out a Biro, she began with her first bullet on the list. “Mr. Snape, it is my intention to promote you as an acceptable member of wizarding society. I hope to restore your good name in the public forum and thus restore your potions business. The business’s success could be not only for your profit but for the gain of society. I believe we can systematically achieve these goals over the course of two years.

“First, I’ll promote you as an acceptable member of wizarding society. Please note I did not state the goal as a promotion of you being an Order of Merlin recipient and war hero. All I am hoping to achieve is the possibility of rehabituating your presence to our world. I want you to be able to walk the streets of Hogsmeade - or wherever you wish - without the risk of being hexed or verbally harassed. I plan to achieve this goal within four months' time.

“Second, I seek to restore your good name in the public forum. Once we have achieved our first goal, the second goal can be segued into with a great deal less opposition. Once again, I don’t plan to promote any hero status through this goal. My objective is to have our population remember who you are: an accomplished Potions master and respected academic.

“Finally, I seek to restore your potions trade to a successful business. You have already said you do not care if any achievement of monetary profit results from these efforts. I believe that society can benefit greatly from your high-quality production along with your research and development for new potions. How do you feel about my proposal?”

Randy as a Rough Fell ram surrounded by a herd of ewes in estrus, Severus thought, followed quickly by, What the bloody hell is happening here? Severus closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly replied, “Miss Granger, I don’t particularly care for your primary or secondary goal. However, I believe your third goal is acceptable. I have a compelling need to provide reparations to Wizarding England, but their acceptance must also be necessary. I understand that even if I don’t like them, goals one and two are necessary. I shall concede to them as well.”

“Great!” Hermione beamed. “Since you are in agreement, I’ll spell out my course of action to achieve goal one. We must find reason for you to be present in society more. And we have to neutralize the public’s opinion of you. Tell me, Professor, what catalysts in potions produce a neutral result?”

Snape sneered. “Miss Granger, do you think I’ve already forgotten my remedial potions properties? Acidic and base combinations are necessary for neutral results.”

“Of course I don’t question your intelligence. But that example is what we need. The public perceives you as acid. I, however, can play the role of base. Our presence together will neutralize public opinion. Fortunately for you I have the perfect place to begin. I need an escort to Harry’s birthday party in one week’s time.”

Bloody. Buggering. Hell.