Chapter 12 - Realization

The next three weeks passed quickly. Hermione continued to make certain she and Severus were seen publicly in a variety of places in wizarding England. Diagon Alley was visited twice. The first trip began with lunch at the Leaky Cauldron followed by a few hours browsing in Flourish and Blotts, then popping into Ollivanders for a quick “hello.” The second trip began with a visit to Gringotts to assess the assets of Severus’ recently growing account, a drop by the Magical Menagerie to pick up catnip for Crookshanks, a break at Florean Fortescue’s for ice cream, and finally a stroll through Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.

Severus didn’t much care for Fortescue’s but definitely preferred it over WWW.

Hermione had insisted each establishment was important to visit, and no visits were rushed. Scowls were prohibited.

According to his public relations agent, the goal was not to shop, but to desensitize the public to Severus’ presence in society. Purchases would be made, though, not because the items were needed, but because by patronizing a retailer, that retailer would now hold a subconscious ‘vested interest’ in Severus as a client. Even though they received a number of stares and noticed hushed whispers, they carried their heads high and spent their time outwardly enjoying their excursions.

Severus’ favorite afternoon was spent at a Quidditch match between the Montrose Magpies and Puddlemere United. Hermione showed signs of merely tolerating the game, but she still insisted the variety of their excursions would only add to their goal. It had been years since he had been Head of Slytherin and had the opportunity to watch a game. He had not enjoyed a game without reserve since he was a student. When Puddlemere Chaser Quinn Quickly successfully maneuvered a Wronski Feint causing Magpies Chaser Devon McDonough to tumble across the pitch, Severus jumped to his feet with the crowd, spilling Butterbeer over Hermione’s lap and cheering his excitement. Hermione quickly Evanescoed the mess and didn’t even mind. To see a withdrawn Severus Snape exhibit such normal and unrestrained behavior in public was a miracle indeed.

Severus felt a long forgotten giddiness in his gut after participating in the high spirits of the match, and for the first time in a few weeks, he was nervous as he escorted Hermione back to her flat. Even though each time they returned, their Homenum Revelio never showed any signs of Skeeter lurking around, he couldn’t imagine that after his behavior at the match no one would follow them through the evening. When they walked to the door, Severus gathered all of his courage.

“Hermione, would it be rude of me to ask to be invited in for tea? I’m hoping we could talk in private.”

Hermione looked up to Severus and suddenly rubbed her left wrist. “Certainly, Severus. Consider yourself invited. Follow me.”

The two were greeted by a possessive Crookshanks. The familiar circled his witch’s legs while casting a predatory glare towards her companion. Severus thought the Kneazle would make a good dust mop if push came to shove.

“Severus, have a seat over here while I feed Crooks and put the tea on. I won’t be a minute.”

As Hermione escaped to the kitchen with the feline following closely behind, Severus took in the small sitting area of Hermione’s home. A comfortable Muggle style sofa faced a table across the room upon which a telly sat with a grey face. Lining the walls on either side of the telly were strange shaped bookshelves, not built into the walls, but standing alone in a way he had not seen before. Every shelf was crammed full of tomes, shelved by subject, then alphabetically by author. The tops of the shelves held a number of unsorted books that had no room to fit in with their brethren, and a couple of paperbacks sat on the coffee table before the sofa. Sensing no adverse magic in the books, Severus closed his eyes, dragged a finger across the spines, and randomly chose a book he could tell was bound in leather. Pulling the book out, he brought it to his nose, taking in the binding and the old leaves. He let his fingers pull the pages open at an undetermined spot, opened his eyes and took in the words.

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,

While Hermione’s voice could be heard from the kitchen, talking to her pet and humming a sweet tune, Severus stood staring at the page with his heart beating wildly in his chest. He knew Shakespeare, and knew the man must have had ten-fold the Divination skills of Trelawney. No other reasons could have fated those exact words, at this exact time, on this randomly chosen book and its randomly chosen page.

Higher Powers than Merlin had brought Severus to the revelation that his disgrace and loathing were of his own making. He could hope to have the life others enjoyed. And the person who brought this realization to him was none other than Hermione Granger, who Shakespeare identified as none less than his ‘sweet love’.

His eyes were opened for the first time in his life. He could be loved, someone taught him he deserved love, and he was falling for the witch.

~~SSHG~~

Hermione walked into the room, levitating a full tea tray in front of her. Severus stepped towards her and placed the set on the coffee table, opening the space between them. He looked at her sweet face, taking in the hazel eyes, her pert nose, and those beautiful lips.

“Well, Severus, I’m very happy with the way this afternoon went. What is it you wanted to speak about?”

Severus sat, looking into Hermione’s eyes. He drew a deep breath to center himself. “Hermione, I’m sorry. I find that I cannot continue with your plan.”

A/N –The italicized passage is William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29. Thank you, Dreamy_Dragon. You are the best beta in all of fanfiction!