Chapter 11 - Bella Sera

Sunday morning’s headlines screamed:

SNAPE ENSNARES GRANGER!

The Sunday Prophet shelled out extra Galleons to print the photo in full color, making certain the vivid image of Snape and Granger caught people’s eyes. Their robes stood out on the page, and the whites of their eyes flashed as both quickly turned to the camera after the kiss.

The facts of the story were as reliable as Pettigrew’s confidence. Rita Skeeter speculated on everything from Severus’ change of wardrobe being used as a poor disguise to Hermione’s desperate desire to leave spinsterhood behind and return to her forbidden lover. A follow-up was promised for the Monday edition.

Monday’s story was much more factual with a reminder of Snape’s pardon and his status as an Order of Merlin, First Class recipient. Most people missed that story, though, as it was printed on page four, bottom left corner, and sandwiched between ads for Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and O’Leary’s Ordinary Owl Pellets.

~~SSHG~~

A week had passed since Hermione Granger and Severus Snape had become front page fodder. Both had spent the week keeping a low profile in the privacy of their homes.

Severus spent Monday and Tuesday suffering through no less than seven Howlers. He accepted their arrivals as the punishment he deserved for straying from his path of penitence. They brought such a damper to his mood that he couldn’t even be bothered about the quick wank, which he had recently made a habit prior to the party. Hermione, on the other hand, spent the week plotting, designing ways to turn Skeeter’s negative press into a positive.

~~SSHG~~

Severus was pleased to see Hermione’s penmanship on the morning’s only post instead of another anonymous banshee-inspired letter.

2 August

SS

~~SSHG~~

When Severus arrived at the trattoria, he found Hermione had already commanded a table for two next to a window. Their view looked over the streets of the small wizarding neighborhood. A small candle on the table cast a soft light on Hermione, making her features appear more delicate than her tightly twisted coif and high-necked grey robes attempted to hide. Her glance in his direction brought a small smile, and he found it difficult not to return a smile to her.

“I see you are no worse for wear from the aftermath of last week’s attention, Severus. Thank you for coming.”

“I must admit, I’ve received no less than seven howlers in as many days. Their dulcet words have kept me company each morning.”

Hermione let out a soft laugh at his comment. Immediately, she cataloged his sense of humor as a possible tool for marketing her client.

“Severus, would you look over the menu? I want you to order for the both of us, please.”

Just as he had finished deciding their meal, their waitress approached the table. Severus vaguely recognized the girl, but offered no greeting. “We will begin with the crostini di pollo and fagioli al fiasco; my companion will have the costatine di agnello montalbano, and I’ll have the arista di cinghiale. We’ll have asparagi and potatoes as sides, and a bottle of Amarone for the table.”

As the waitress walked away with the menu, Severus noted “She seems somewhat familiar.”

“She should. That’s Martine Copplestone, Hufflepuff. One year behind me.”

“This isn’t good. I remember her taking potions but not past O.W.L.S. I was pleased she was a poor student. Her constant gossiping was disruptive during class. I suppose with her habit, we should expect to see Skeeter walk through the door at any moment.”

“That might not be such a bad thing, Severus. Remember, the point of all this is marketing your image. The Muggles have a saying: ‘no publicity is bad publicity.’ Truth is, I was hoping by suggesting dinner here that someone may notice us dining together.”

Indeed, within the course of eight minutes, Martine had bragged to the cook that the duplicitous Snape and gullible Granger were at her table. The cook then joked with the maître d’ that Snape had chosen the wild boar for dinner, instead of a tamer meat. The maître d’ had advised Madam Rosmearta via Floo that Snape and Granger were in her restaurant. Madam Rosmearta sent her Patronus to Rita Skeeter with the news, hoping to get free publicity for her new establishment.

Rita Skeeter Apparated to the lane one block away. In her great excitement as she transformed into her lovely beetle persona to avoid detection, she didn’t notice the village drunk stumbling into the lane for a wee. Before she could take flight, his heavy step squashed her into the cobblestone street, and Rita Skeeter was heard from no more.

~~SSHG~~

Oblivious to the drama that occurred a mere block from their table, Hermione and Severus settled into an enjoyable meal and conversation.

“That’s my intention, Severus. I experienced no repercussions from the photo. It was only you who did. Given the way people feel and act towards both of us, we can neutralize their negative opinion of you. Base and acid, right?”

“I can see that as a result. It would feel bizarreto walk the streets and not be shunned or worse. And I must say, that’s more than I deserve.”

Hermione hid her shock at his statement. Those eight words revealed more about Severus Snape than he had ever revealed to the Dark Lord via Legillimencys. She was surprised he had let his guard down with her.

“Severus, I mentioned before, your intentions are your own. I would never demand anything from you that you don’t want to share. But if the time comes, know that you can tell me anything you wish in confidence. Over this past month I’ve come to consider you my friend, and I am very loyal to my friends.”

This time it was Severus who drew a breath at her words. No one besides Lily and Lucius had ever called him a friend.

A/N – Thank you to everyone following this story and your kind reviews!