Friendly Intervention

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 16 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friendly Intervention

~N~

Narcissa passed the sitting room, paused, and then stepped back into the doorway. Severus stood at the window, staring out at the back gardens. She watched him for a few seconds and then smiled as she walked away. She honestly hadn't minded having Severus in her home. He was usually the perfect houseguest. He was neat and inordinately tidy when he used her workroom or the manor's potions lab, and he hadn't brought multiple trunks and steamers of belongings either. Narcissa laughed, remembering how apologetic he had been after bringing in the crates of his personal belongings from the Weasleys', asking her where she would least mind their intrusion. In less than two days, the crates had been removed, again with his most sincere apologies for cluttering her parlor.

She entered her parlor and casually inspected the floor where the rough wood crates had sat, knowing that not a trace of their existence, not even a scratch would be seen in her pristine marble floor. She sat down in her favorite chair, and immediately a house-elf brought her a cup of tea as she stared out the window at the same view Severus would be staring at from the other room. He'd been sullen at breakfast. Probably something to do with the letters from the Ministry or the school Governors, but he hadn't wanted to talk about it, so she'd let it drop. He was dealing with so much lately, his life thrown open like a book, forcefully Bonded to that Granger girl... It was no wonder he was surly. Severus had always been a private man.

Previous to this, he'd been his normal self; even while sick and fevered, he'd been somewhat amicable. She could see how the stress of his situation was wearing on him. It was the like the last time Severus had stayed in their home. Just last summer to be precise, when the Dark Lord had begun using the manor as his home, she thought angrily.

Severus and Draco had had a falling out of sorts in Draco's sixth year, but after spending the summer and Christmas hols with the Dark Lord in their home, Draco had changed. He'd become sullen, quiet, and reclusive. Narcissa was relieved, truthfully, now that the Dark Lord was gone. The constant threats, reprimands, and the harsh chastisement they'd had to endure from that minatory potentate, as well as the malicious satisfaction of the other Death Eaters for her family's misfortunes, had been nearly unbearable. And she could bear a lot – she'd had to over the years. Moreover, the constant fear for her family had worn heavily on her. Even her sister had become a complete zealous harridan before her death.

Narcissa still believed in the superiority of purebloods over Muggle-borns only because they just didn't understand the wizard culture, its ethics and social mores – but those were not taught to the young ladies and boys who entered society today. No, everyone was conforming to them – the Muggle-borns – and it was an outrage. Still, if Miss Granger chose to stay united with Severus, Miss Granger would have to learn their customs and ways. Although, Narcissa was doubtful that she'd have the patience to teach the girl – or that the girl would want or accept her help. There would have to be another way. The Weasleys were hardly the epitome of social grace, and the witches and wizards the girl associated with were so uncouth.

Regardless, the child had performed the Moon-Song Spell and was now bound magically to Severus, Bonded to him for life. Whether she admitted it or not, it could never be broken, and as such, since Severus was associated with the pureblood elite, or what was left of them, Miss Granger would have to learn to fit in.

She'd overheard Severus and Lucius talking about Severus' last date with the girl, and apparently it hadn't gone well. Actually, Narcissa wasn't surprised. She'd taken the opportunity during lunch to pointedly ask Severus where he planned on taking the girl for their next outing, telling him about the first dates she'd had with Lucius. Lucius, ever so clever, had picked up immediately on her intentions and told a few amusing stories of the outings he'd most enjoyed. Severus had listened with mild interest, but the idea was set in his mind. Narcissa was sure of it. If he was going to have this girl in his life, as a partner and a wife, their time together couldn't be all about sex.

Thinking of which, Narcissa recalled the state of Severus' home from two years ago. Even though she'd only seen the sitting room, it had shown years of neglect and disuse. Misuse if that pestilence Wormtail had lived there. Even the tray Wormtail had carried in had looked tarnished, and the glasses had water spots. Narcissa smiled. Now that is something I can do for the couple.

"Sheton," she said softly.

A soft pop announced the arrival of the house-elf. "Yes, mistress," he said, bowing so low his snout-like nose smeared her floor.

"Take another house-elf and go to Severus' home. I want the place cleaned up, top to bottom, and brought up to a respectable livable condition as if I was going to be staying there. If anything is beyond repair, come and tell me so I can have it replaced."

"Yes, mistress," the elf replied, bowing again, his nose pressing on her floor. She scowled at the smudge he was making, and he quickly wiped the spot with the dishtowel he carried on his arm and disappeared.

My Bonding gift to you, Severus, and for everything you've done for me and my family. I hope someday you'll forgive me, she thought, grinning.

~S~

Severus stared out the window, contemplating a lot of things.

He received an owl from Lawrence McDonough, Administrative Officer of the Hogwarts School Governors, asking Severus to meet with him and Elaine Prevatt, Clerk to the Governing Body, the following day to discuss Severus' reinstatement as Headmaster. They wanted to present his answer on Tuesday, the fourth of August when the Governing Body convened. That only gave him one day to decide on what should be a very easy answer. He'd sent back his reply that he was unavailable on Friday and proposed they meet on Monday instead. Elaine Prevatt had owled back immeadiately with her comfirmation stating that they would expect him at the office at two. That, at least, gave him three days to make his mind up about returning as Headmaster. He didn't understand the rush actually. At least I'll not be teaching. That is one consolation. But he knew that he would be searching for an acceptable Potions professor soon. Horace Slughorn wouldn't be keeping the post for long. No, don't concern yourself over the dragon until the egg hatches.

The other thing occupying his thoughts was his relationship with Hermione.

Her reaction to his house hadn't been one of horror. Instead, she'd commented that the place could be cleaned up and made livable. He didn't agree, but considering that she had been living in Grimmauld Place and the Burrow, his father's house probably wasn't too off the scale. He wondered briefly what her parents' home must have been like if his father's house was acceptable to her. She'd obviously wandered around the place while he'd slept since she'd commented on the sunroom. He'd noticed that she'd even tried to clean the loo, which amused him.

Truth was he hated his father's house. It served his purposes over the summer when he wasn't at the castle, but in all honesty, he hadn't done much to the house since his mother had died. Killed herself, actually. When Severus had come home during the summer after completing Hogwarts, he could tell that his mum had been deeply depressed, but she'd been so happy to see him... until she had seen his Dark Mark. Severus had tried to explain why, but she hadn't believed him. In her rage, she had thrown him out, telling him to go live with the ones he'd chosen. Severus had been heartbroken, but he'd packed his book bag, magically enlarged inside to carry everything he wanted, and left. For a while, he'd stayed with Avery, then Rosier, and finally moved in with Malfoy for a spell. Unfortunately, word was that the Dark Lord was furious that his mum had made him leave. His friends considered his mum a blood traitor.

He'd tried to warn his mum that she'd been marked by the Dark Lord, begging her to hide, but in his heart, he had known that few survived once the Dark Lord marked them for death. She was the first person he'd pleaded with the Dark Lord to spare. The Dark Lord had simply laughed and promised that she wouldn't be touched. When his mum didn't respond to him, no owl, not one letter, Severus had assumed she'd left. But after the death of his father, his mum had fallen into poor health, and after Severus' decision to join the Dark Lord, she'd apparently lost the will to live. It had been a simple matter of a quick-acting poison. Eileen Prince had died quietly in the sunroom, the poison providing her a simple and painless release. She'd been there for months before he had been able to return to the house. Severus had never stepped foot into the sunroom again after that morning when he'd found her.

Severus shook his head to clear the memory from his thoughts and forced himself to think about Hermione. His last visit with her hadn't gone well. He'd been annoyed at having had to wait so long for her to show up, nearly having given up when she had appeared. He knew he should've been more solicitously mindful when he'd shown her around the house, taken more time to allow her to look and take in her surroundings. But he'd been anxious and concerned that she'd hate the house as much as he did. That and he'd been too desirous for her, much too eager to get her upstairs and in his bed. Still, she had responded to him just like before. That had to be a good sign, even if she had been eager to go back to Grimmauld Place. Well, Lucius thought so, even if Narcissa didn't.

The conversation at lunch had him thinking. The subtle jibe Narcissa gave him in directing the conversation had annoyed him at first, but he began to see her point. He was in a magically Bonded union, and as such, he was expected to try and make the union work. He couldn't deny that Hermione had been trying, but he had not.

He'd see Hermione that evening, and this time they would talk. He had no idea about what, but he'd try engaging the girl in conversation, even if it killed him. At least she would be able to hold an intelligent conversation. Of that he was certain. The only question is, where should I take her? She won't come here to the manor, that's for sure, and I don't really want to sit in my kitchen and talk.

The Leaky Cauldron is out – too public. The Greengrass Pub – no. Madeline's Bistro is out of the question. The Botanical Gardens... again, too public. Nowhere magical – I want privacy. He tried to think of some private place, with chairs, nice, quiet and secluded. He was drawing a blank. I could always conjure up chairs... Maybe Lucius will allow me a bottle of wine. I could ask Narcissa for a packed dinner. But where should I take the girl?

~H~

Luna had arrived at Grimmauld Place to have a late breakfast with Hermione and Ginny before they went to the Magical Botanical Gardens in Suffolk. Of course, Luna and Ginny were curious to know how her relationship with Severus was going. Hermione sighed and told them what had happened the night before.

"HE DID WHAT?" Ginny screeched.

"Severus abducted me right off the top step and took me to his house." Hermione looked at Ginny and actually smiled from the look of horror on her friend's face.

"Quite impetuous of him, but really it's a little romantic," Luna said dreamily while looking at the fireplace as if she was watching some mystical magical creature buzzing around inside it.

"If you say so," Hermione replied. "It was actually rather scary. I mean there are still Death Eaters out there – it could have been one of them!" Hermione felt a chill down her spine at the thought. "Yaxley has been in the house, although he hasn't been back since that day... Anyway, Severus scared the snot right out of me."

"Harry was really concerned when you didn't show up for dinner," Ginny admitted. "He wanted to have everyone go searching for you when you were over an hour late – even began organizing who should go where. I had to remind him twice that Flourish and Blotts closed at seven. It was Mum who suggested asking Kreacher to find you."

"When I came home I just didn't feel like doing anything but take a bath and read before bed. Kreacher walked in on my bath to tell me Harry had summoned me," Hermione said with a smile. "He was nice enough though to make me a sandwich."

Kreacher set three plates on the table, mumbling.

"He's such a good house-elf," Luna said.

Kreacher froze, turning to look at her, holding the goblets he'd just removed from the dish cupboard.

Ginny took them and set them on the table. "He did come and tell us you'd fallen asleep in the tub," she stated. "Harry and Ron were going to run right on over to check on you. Mum stuck their trainers to the floor, telling them to leave you be. It was hilarious to watch."

Kreacher bowed slightly. "Is misses ready to eat now?"

"Sure. Thank you, Kreacher." Ginny turned back to Hermione. "So give, what is his house like? Dark, dingy, a rack, and chains on the wall – a huge potions lab with all sorts of gross things in jars..."

"It's a tiny house," Hermione said. "I can tell you I was really surprised by the state of – everything. It's not that the place was filthy, but there was a layer of grime and neglect everywhere, except the lab. It took me a half an hour to clean the loo before I could use it."

"Oh, I'm sure it's not that bad," Luna said dreamily as she scanned sparkling copper bottoms of the pans. "I suspect that he simply hasn't been there much, what with all his teaching, Death Eater activities, and spying for the Order. But I'd be careful of Doxies, Bundimuns, and Weremiftens if the place has been left unattended for long. If he has any Chizpurfles, I wouldn't take your Pygmy Puff or quills – they'll get infested."

"It's Harry's Pygmy Puff, and don't worry. I'd be afraid Snape would zap it," Ginny said, emphasizing her words with a jab of her finger.

"Oh, stop," Hermione chided her friends.

"So, what is his house like? I'm dying to know," Ginny persisted.

Hermione shrugged. "It's small. There is a narrow sitting room and an elongated room behind it that serves as eating area and kitchen. I think there was a pantry, but the door was stuck, and an old washing machine with a hand-crank ringer that your father would love! There is a potions lab, a box room that's basically a storage area, and a room that's been magically transformed into a sunroom," she said, wrinkling her nose, remembering the smell. "The sitting room is like a library – there are bookshelves on every wall."

"Oh, I know you like that!" Ginny interrupted, winking at Luna as Kreacher could set the platters of eggs and bacon on the table.

"Yeah, the books are great – loads that the library at Hogwarts doesn't have." Hermione shifted in her chair. "I think the lab, sunroom, and box room were added onto the house magically. Oh, and upstairs there's another tiny box room, the loo, and two bedrooms. His old bedroom smelled horrible, like a rat's nest. The master bedroom smells musty and is full of books." She turned to Ginny grinning. "And yes, loads of jars of creepy stuff," she added, wrinkling her nose. Ginny giggled as Kreacher started serving them fresh scones and tea. "The place is so neglected and dingy. If I didn't know better, I'd say it had been abandoned years ago."

Ginny wrinkled her nose. "And he said it was your new home? Maybe Mum and I could come and help you clean up?"

"He said he hadn't decided if he was going to keep the place. He said that he had options." Hermione sighed heavily. "One can only hope."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," Luna said, turning to look at her.

Hermione shook her head. "You didn't see the place. It was all I could do not to sound disgusted. I told him it'd be nice if he cleaned the place up, but I was being polite. It's very depressing to think of living there."

"But if you get the annulment you won't have to," Luna said pointedly, checking the bottom of her scone.

Ginny set down her teacup, smiling broadly. "Yeah, stay here with us. Harry and I have loads of room."

"Not jealous that I'll steal your fiancé?" Hermione asked teasingly, picking at her eggs.

"Not a chance," Ginny said, laughing. "So, how was it? Was he, you know, better?"

Hermione shook her head. "Nope, like before – grab, shag, and send me on my way. He did ask me if I wanted to have dinner with him – at Malfoy manor."

"No!" Ginny exclaimed, looking up at her aghast.

Luna tilted her head questioningly. "I suppose that wasn't the brightest suggestion he could have made, considering."

"Yep," Hermione agreed. Telling her friends about it made her feel better. "He jokingly suggested the alternative was to dine on his potions ingredients because he didn't have anything edible in the pantry, which in my book would have been preferable."

All three girls had a good laugh, Luna laughing harder than either Ginny or Hermione. "I always did enjoy his sense of humor," Luna gasped between bursts of laughter.

"But are things improving any?" Ginny asked. "I mean, if he wanted to see you bad enough to abduct you from in front of the house – maybe he's coming around some?"

"A simple owl asking me to meet him or calling my name out from the pavement would have sufficed. I haven't turned him down so far. But it's still the same. It wasn't too bad – far from romantic or anything," Hermione sighed with a wave of her hand. She brushed a strand of her hair off her forehead. "It was better." She wasn't sure she really wanted to elaborate. "He was attentive at least, but he fell asleep right after."

"You're kidding!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Neville does that when he's been working in the greenhouses all day." Luna was staring over Hermione's head at the wall above the dish cupboard. Hermione turned around for a moment to see what she was staring at. "They make him haul all the pots and dragon dung deliveries. I like to massage his back and shoulders, but that makes him fall asleep, too."

"So, have you decided what you want to do yet?" Ginny asked

"I'm so tired of everyone asking me that!" Hermione said with a moan. "No, I haven't decided. I just can't make up my mind. Part of me is kicking myself in the arse for staying with him, the other half believes in what you all say – that this is a magically aligned union and they always work out great. But I feel like a fool. If one of you were asking me if you should stick it out under the same circumstances, putting up with the same treatment – I'd be trying to help you find a way out of it. Did I tell you he expects to see me again tonight? Supposedly to talk. Yeah, right."

Luna looked at Hermione thoughtfully. "It sounds to me as if you like him," she said. Hermione looked at her incredulously, and Luna smiled. "No, it does! If you didn't, you'd have filed for the annulment the moment the Minister of Magic offered you one." Hermione opened her mouth to disagree and Luna held up her hand. "Part of you likes him. I know you respect him, and that is as good as any reason for marriage. Like and respect are a good foundation to start from. Keep in mind that arranged marriages are still practiced among some wizarding families, and in pureblood society, the couples are expected to work it out."

"I've tried!" Hermione said, exasperated, and Luna tilted her head and smirked at her. "Okay, we haven't tried."

"I think you should spend some time with him to really get to know him," Luna said. "The best thing to do is for you to take him somewhere out in the open where you can talk but he wouldn't expect you to shag him."

"It's not like I had a choice!" Hermione said stubbornly. "That's really hard to do when you're being abducted off the front step!"

"But the next time he makes an offer to take you to Malfoy manor, you suggest somewhere else. Don't leave it all up to him," Luna stated. "You could have suggested going to... Hebridean Point or some place."

"Harry loves Burger King," Ginny said, giggling. "I can't imagine Severus Snape ordering a Whopper."

"I can't imagine why not. We just don't know what he'd like; we don't know him very well," Luna replied off-handedly. "Oh, before I forget, the wedding is being moved up to the eighth of August."

"Really? Why?" Hermione asked.

"Gran is concerned about my getting pregnant. Neville and I are not exactly keeping apart," Luna said dreamily with a wide smile. "She doesn't know that I make a Contraception Potion and drink wild yam and wild carrot juice. Plus Neville uses the Contraception Charm. We don't really want kids yet. But I think his Gran wants us to have a honeymoon before I go back to school and Neville leaves for his expedition. Besides, I don't want to wait."

"You must be so excited?" Ginny asked. "I wish I didn't have to wait."

"I am, but it will be nice to be allowed to sleep in the same room instead of sneaking in to see each other. Although, I like the game – it makes it exciting," Luna said without a trace of blushing. "The wedding will be nice. Gran promised to make sure that all the Nargles are removed."

"I like the fact that I can come here and have breakfast with Harry, but Mum forbids me sneaking over at night. She has a trace on the Floo. But Harry and I manage," Ginny said, grinning.

Hermione laughed. "Oh, you are so like Fred and George."

"Thank you," she replied, looking smug. "So, Luna, are you planning a big wedding?"

"My friends, a few family, and Professor Flitwick," Luna listed off. "Although, Gran is inviting everyone she knows. She loves Neville like a son and wants him to have a big wedding."

"Harry and I are going to have a small wedding at the Burrow," Ginny stated. "He doesn't want anyone we don't know personally to be invited. His list is really short."

"I don't blame him. Can you imagine?" Hermione asked rhetorically. She swept her hand in an arch as she added, "The-Boy-Who-Destroyed-Voldemort – Twice, gets married. It'll be on the front page of the Daily Prophet!"

"Everything he does lately is in the paper, right under, 'Will Hermione stay with Severus Snape!'" Ginny said, mimicking her by sweeping her arm in the air in the same manner.

Hermione grimaced and covered her face with her hands. "Ugh, don't remind me!"

~MoM~

Maggie had tried once again to meet with Kingsley in regards to the Snape's delinquent filing. Once again, she was reminded that he was still honoring the extension for Mrs. Snape to file her forms and that Marvin Maretbell in the Accidental Magic Reversal Office was quite happy to allow the couple time to work things out.

Maggie had left his office in a huff.

Kingsley then called Maybelline into his office. "I've had enough of that woman! Please tell me we have someone – anyone – who would like to work in that office," he asked as soon as Maybelline sat down with her pad and quill.

Maybelline opened up her small notebook. "Victoria Chase is available, as is Deloris Wallace."

Kingsley didn't know Miss Chase, but Mrs. Wallace might not be appropriate for his needs. "Does either strike you as the type to encourage gossip?"

"Mrs. Wallace might be; she's been known to spread information occasionally. I don't know about Miss Chase. She is the daughter of Ralph Chase in the Muggle-Worthy Excuse office, and I know how strict he is about International Secrecy. Victoria Chase seems like a sweet, quiet girl, but I've only met her a few times. She was a shop assistant in the Magical Menagerie until last summer. She has recently returned with her mother from Morocco. I haven't seen her since she and her mother came home," Maybelline suggested, pausing a moment for him to respond. "But her application is on file with the clerical pool."

"Isn't she only nineteen?" he asked, vaguely remembering Ralph introducing him to his daughter during a Ministry party a few years back.

"I believe she is twenty," Maybelline stated, checking her notes. "The girl and her mother, Regina, had taken an extended vacation when the Death Eaters took over the Ministry, because Regina was Muggle-born."

Kingsley shook his head. "That would possibly send the wrong message to Ms. Whitmire. She would think she's the girl's supervisor. Any others?"

"May I suggest Roberta Shelton?" Maybelline said, sounding a bit more hopeful than when she suggested Miss Chase. "She was planning on retiring this year because things are too hectic for her in the Obliviator's office lately. She is a bit touchy ever since her neighbors, the Townsends, had the Dark Mark over their home. I think she would like a nice quiet office to work in. Robbie is a good friend of mine, and she's not usually a gossip. But she'd have to be replaced. Mr. Aguilar relies on her quite heavily."

After meeting both witches, Kingsley knew he was making a good decision. Victoria was a plain girl with a quiet, soothing demeanor, if a bit diffident, and Roberta Shelton was the typical efficient and impeccably dressed type of witch. After talking to Eduardo Aguilar in the Obliviator's office, he knew that Robbie was quite discreet and the perfect choice. Mrs. Shelton was to be transferred to the Magical Marriage and Birth Registration Office after training Miss Chase to replace her in the Obliviator's office. Robbie's duties would be to handle all press relations, as well as the new Muggle Marriage Assistance Program. Her duties would be spelled out more clearly when she relocated to her new office, but so far the idea of an introductory package for all Muggle spouses seemed like a good idea.

He'd schedule a meeting with the Department of Magical Catastrophes, Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Improper Use of Magic Office to discuss the implications of his idea.

~ H ~

Hermione paced the drawing room as she waited. His note had said precisely what he'd told her on the front step the night before: he would be here at six, and he was taking her out to dinner somewhere to talk. That was it. No explanations, not hint as to where or even what to expect.

She'd chosen a butter-cream blouse with tiny buttons and brown pants for her date, but she was second-guessing her choice. She'd already changed once and had both casual sandals and walking shoes sitting next to the sofa. She intended to see what Severus was wearing, then Apparate to her room to change if necessary. Three options lay on her bed in case she was dressed too casually or if he showed up in robes.

Harry sat in the chair opposite her, grinning at her from behind a book.

"Oh, bollocks to him, bollocks to him..." she muttered under her breath as she sat down. No matter where he chose, she was not going to have sex with him. Of that she was determined. She was going to make him tell her if he wanted out, and whichever decision they came to, she was going to make him sign the forms.

Harry looked up at the clock and grinned, then lowered his gaze, pretending to read his book. The clock on the mantel said it was precisely five fifty-seven. Hermione watched the second hand sweep around the face feeling apprehensive.

"So, you still want me to answer the door?" Harry asked nonchalantly, turning the page.

"Yes," Hermione answered, trying to sound calm.

"Might not be the best way to start your date," he said, his smile getting larger. "You know how much he likes me."

"It's not a date," she snapped, getting up to look out the window again, and then turned to apologize. "We are only going to be discussing the annulment, whether or not to – you know – stay married. Oh, bugger! It's not a date."

"If you say so," Harry said, seemingly returning to his book but was actually still watching her over the top instead.

"I can't see the front step from here," Hermione said, trying to peek through the drapes without moving them. "How do I know if I'm dressed appropriately? I don't know where wizards take girls for dinner."

Harry sighed and turned the page. "Hermione, you look great. Calm down," he said for the twentieth time.

She sat down, but she had her hands clenched in her lap, and her legs were bouncing. She watched the clock on the mantel as the second hand swept around the face, mentally counting the seconds. The big hand jerked, first back two minutes, then forward, landing at the twelve. Hermione held her breath as the clock began to chime.

"Hermione, you look fine. Very pretty, actually," Harry reassured her again as the clock continued to chime.

When the last chime of the clock faded, there was a soft but discernable knock at the front door.

Hermione jumped to her feet. "Oh, my gods! He's here!"

Harry set his book down, rose slowly and walked toward the door. Hermione caught his arm just as he passed her. "Wait! What if he expects me to be wearing robes – what if I'm underdressed?"

"Relax, will you? Go upstairs, and I'll have Kreacher go get you," Harry suggested.

"Good idea," she said, Apparating immediately. She paced the floor of her room, waiting. She opened her purse, making sure she had both Maggie Whitmire's confirmation forms and Marvin Maretbell's annulment forms, as well as a quill and tightly sealed ink well. She paused to listen if anyone was coming up the stairs, then checked her simple hairstyle as she passed the mirror and wondered if she should remove the hairclip.

Finally, Kreacher appeared, holding her shoes from downstairs. "You is to come down, miss," he said, making a slight bow while dropping her shoes on the floor.

"Kreacher, wait," she called out imploringly. "What is Professor Snape wearing?"

Kreacher turned around. "Clothes, miss," he said, confused by her question.

"Clothes?" she asked, expecting more information.

The portrait of Charis Black-Crouch snickered at her from the frame beside Hermione's wardrobe.

"Yes, miss," the elf said impatiently, "clothes."

"Do you mean he's in robes, a frock coat, or just plain Muggle clothes?" she asked, hoping he'd clarify it a bit more.

"Not robes, miss. Clothes," he said, waving his hand at her as if indicating her attire. "Like my master wears."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Kreacher," she said, slipping on her sandals.

Kreacher shook his head, mumbling as he ran out. Hermione picked up her small purse, checked her face and hair in the mirror one more time, and turned to go. She looked at the clothes on the bed, almost deciding to change into the pale blue oxford blouse, which would be more businesslike, but shrugged. "It's not a date. Were just going somewhere to talk. I have no idea where – but it's not a date."

"If you say so, dearie," Charis Black-Crouch said as Hermione exited the room.

Severus was sitting across from Harry in the drawing room, wearing a deep blue shirt and dark charcoal-grey trousers, and his hair looked as if he'd actually washed it. She had to make a double take to assure herself of what she was seeing, but since he was sitting in the drawing room with Harry, it most certainly was Severus. Both men were sitting in silence, Severus with one elbow on the armrest of the couch and his other hand resting on his ankle, which was perched on the his knee. Harry was sitting back in his chair, hands clasped in a pose that was meant to portray a relaxed confidence. Neither man looked comfortable, regardless of their casual postures.

When Hermione entered the room, both men stood up quickly. Severus' gaze swept over her, from her heeled sandals to the way she'd done her hair. She had no idea if he liked what he saw; there wasn't even the slightest hint of approval or disapproval in his expression.

"Are you ready?" he asked softly.

"Yes," she said with a nod. He indicated for her to precede him to the door.

Harry called out just before Severus reached for the latch. "You two have a good time. Severus, be nice to my friend."

Severus' expression hardened momentarily. "We will," he replied, opening the door.

Hermione stepped through the door and turned to face him. "Where are we going?" she asked. If she didn't like his choice she'd prepared a list of options, each one a public place.

"Somewhere we can talk," he said cryptically. "I hope those are comfortable for walking," he amended, indicating her sandals as he once again took in her appearance.

"They're comfortable enough," she replied, still baffled by his demeanor.

He held out his arm, waiting for her to grasp it. Taking a deep breath, Hermione placed her hand on his arm. "You might want to hang on," he said with a smirk. She had only a few seconds to grip his arm more tightly before he Disapparated, taking her along with him.

~ T B C ~>

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Author's notes: