Return to Spinner’s End

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 22 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Return to Spinner's End

~L~

Lucius looked up as Narcissa scowled briefly at her poached egg. "Problem?" he asked as he spread marmalade on his toast.

"The yolk is overdone," she sighed discontentedly, scooping up a bite.

His lip curled into a slight smirk, knowing full well that the egg was satisfactory if she wasn't calling the house-elf to reprimand him. She was going to be irritable today. The restrictions imposed on them were making both he and his wife miserable at times. Draco was becoming downright intolerable. He looked up at Severus, actually thankful for his friend's extended stay. Even with Severus' occasional outbursts lately, he was still a person who could discuss any topic with a level of intelligence. In a way, he's making my confinement bearable, Lucius thought as he looked at his friend. And I know that his usually calm demeanor is soothing to Narcissa. Well, normally. That, and she likes having her own Potions master on hand.

The owls arrived, and most of the post landed in front of Severus, as did their copies of the Prophet. Severus simply handed Lucius his copy with a subtle smirk and started opening his mail, discarding the first letter as if it was offensive.

Love notes from the desperate and lonely, or advise and condemnation from the nosey and intrusive old biddies, Lucius thought with a smirk. He turned to his own post. He did receive the regular correspondences regarding his investments, but thanks to his confinement, all his business post was inspected. It was annoying and, at times, most inconvenient. Lucius read through his letters as he finished his breakfast, slyly watching Narcissa fume over her lack of post. No parties and no luncheon invitations. To her it's like being shunned for the social season.

Severus set the letter he was reading down with a definite scowl and reached for his Daily Prophet. He opened the paper, and his expression darkened, never a good sign, as he scanned the front page. He nearly ripped the parchment as he opened it to the fourth or fifth page, and his scowl became angrier as he finished the article. Severus then closed the paper, setting it aside as if disgusted. "I'm sorry, Narcissa, I seem to have lost my appetite. Please excuse me," he said smoothly, his tone barely concealing his anger. "Lucius," he added with a nod as he left the table.

Lucius reached for his paper and scoffed at the headline: Mrs. Snape seen cozying up to ex-paramour.

"What is it, another scandalous article about Severus and Hermione?" Narcissa asked over the rim of her teacup.

"No, this time it's just the girl," he replied, scanning the article. Unlike Severus, he didn't care to continue on page four. There were two pictures on the page, one of Hermione walking on the arm of George Weasley, and the other of George opening the door to the apothecary for her. The caption read: This witch really prefers her redheads. Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelor, George Weasley, has been seen escorting Mrs. Hermione Granger-Snape in Diagon Alley. Sources say the couple spent a considerable amount of time together. Is she throwing Severus Snape over for a Weasley?

"One would really question the girl's sensibility," he said, flipping to the financial section.

"What has the girl done now?" Narcissa asked, setting sown her teacup and looking at him expectantly. He passed her a paper. "Doesn't she know how to behave with the proper decorum? She's one of the heroines of the war, and she prances around like a trollop."

"Caution, dearest. She is very well-liked these days. She is a Mud – Muggle-born. Nevertheless, you're right, of course. But I really have to question her social status," he sneered. "I mean, even Muggles have social levels. The way she conducts herself... It's appalling. I don't know how Severus tolerates her or why he allows her such a free rein."

"You know, Lucius, this might not be what you think," Narcissa said, after reading the entire article. "This Skeeter woman is notorious for printing slander. It could be a misunderstanding. The article does mention that Ginny Weasley-Potter was seen with them, as well as a Mr. Thomas and his brother – the younger one. Isn't this Miss Weasley-Potter the Weasley girl?"

"Yes, but the younger Weasley is her ex-boyfriend. And from what Severus has told me, he still cares for her and is waiting for the girl to get an annulment," he said, reading the Ministry news. "You are right about Miss Skeeter, though. That woman is notorious. Still, someone should take the girl in hand."

Narcissa smiled as she turned to the social pages. "Yes, both of them."

~S~

Severus entered the gates of Hogwarts with a sense of coming home. He strode up the path to the castle, trying to force all thoughts of Hermione from his mind. However, he knew that it was one subject Minerva was bound to want to discuss.

The door to her office was open, but he knocked on the doorframe, nonetheless, to garner her attention before walking in. "Headmaster," she said, looking up from sorting parchments. "I – you're early. I thought we were meeting in your office."

He smiled as he sat down in the chair facing her desk. "I believe you have everything ready," he said, indicating the ledgers that sat on the corner of her desk. "Why not make this informal and just discuss everything here."

"Very well. Where should we start?" she asked formally. "The housing problem, punishments, course curriculum, staffing changes, or staff assignments..."

"Housing problems?" he asked drolly, bracing himself for her opinions regarding Hermione.

"As you are probably aware, there will be a number of students returning to make up the year they missed, which has lead to overcrowding the of dormitories and classrooms for the years two through seven," she said, dragging the school registry from the stack of ledgers and opening it up. "In addition, since the laws regarding home tutoring haven't been amended, those students will be returning as well. My concern is the influx of students on the dormitories and classrooms."

He almost sighed in relief. "Minerva, I'm sorry, I don't see that as a problem. The dormitories will extend to accommodate the increase of students," he said, lacing his fingers together across his middle. "And, if you like, we can add additional assistance by allowing the professors to take on apprenticeships."

"So you don't intend to – I thought we might have separate housing for the adult students returning after a year's absence to finish their seventh year?" she asked, looking up at him over her spectacles.

He controlled the smile at her tactic, knowing that she'd used the same expression on Dumbledore numerous times. "No, I don't see a reason to. They can stay in the seventh-year dormitories of their houses. It's only been a year after all."

"All right, I'll notify the house-elves," she said, closing the heavy book. "Next, in regards to the barbaric punishments..."

"Minerva, I don't see why we cannot revert to the standard forms of discipline," he interrupted her. She momentarily glared at him, but he continued undaunted. "Make a list of what you deem as appropriate means of punishment, and I'll have it posted in the office of each Head of House and in Filch's office. I would appreciate it if you would circulate it among the rest of the staff, please."

She looked appeased, making a few notations on her parchment. "As you wish. Now in regards to staff. I have received acceptance letters from our two new professors, Kenneth Brandstone for the position of Muggle Studies and retired Auror John Dawlish for Defense."

Severus nodded. "They will be fine. Mr. Brandstone – wasn't he Arthur's replacement in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office? I believe he was in hiding last year."

Minerva checked his file. "Yes, I believe so. Arthur recruited him into the Order the... summer... But I don't believe you were ever formally introduced. He was a great help in hiding the Muggle-borns and their families during the war."

He smirked, knowing she was referring to the summer after he'd killed Dumbledore. "I also want to hire a new History of Magic professor," he stated firmly.

"What about Cuthbert?" she asked, her eyes widening and her body reflexively leaning away from him slightly.

He wanted to laugh. "He may stay on at the castle, of course, but I want someone with a more current and broader spectrum of knowledge in regards to history. Besides, he will hardly know the difference."

"Severus!" she admonished him.

"Cuthbert Binns died in 1785! The only history of any relevance during his lifetime was the Goblin rebellions. While I do concede that the Goblin wars of the 1600s and 1700s are indeed an important time of our history, they are not the only significant occurrences of our past. We currently have an amicable relationship with the Goblins, and there have been many other events in history in the last two hundred years that should be covered. If we are to teach the students the follies of past mistakes, wouldn't it be prudent to cover the major uprisings of maniacs such as Hitler, Grindelwald, and even the Dark Lord?"

"Who did you have in mind?" she asked, folding her hands on her desk.

"A professor from St. Petersburg, Tigran Avoian," he said, handing her a thick packet of folded parchments. "Here is his acceptance letter, awaiting confirmation of course, his curriculum vitae, and letters of recommendation." He watched as she unfolded the parchments. "I also understand that Professor Slughorn wishes to retire. If that is still the case, Reginald Reynolds has agreed to accept the post as Professor of Potions. He is quite competent at potions and qualified to teach. He will be more than happy to share the post until Horace retires, and since he attended Hogwarts for five of his seven years, in Slytherin House, as you well know, he is eligible to serve as Head of House when Professor Slughorn retires."

"I'm surprised he wants the post!" she exclaimed, apparently having heard of Reginald.

Severus hoped she knew more than that which had been printed in the Prophet. "Reginald and I go way back," he said and paused, knowing what had been said in the paper. "And no, he was not a Death Eater – he was Imperiused. I shall speak to Horace about Reginald personally."

"Very well," she said as she set down the parchments and looked him squarely in the eye. "Now in regards to Hermione Granger."

Severus gritted his teeth. He was not yet ready to address this subject. "Hermione's living arrangements do need to be resolved, but as of yet, my wife and I have not reached an understanding."

"You do realize that it would be more prudent to her studies to be housed in the school dormitory," she said pointedly.

"I realize that would be your position, Minerva; however, Hermione is a levelheaded witch, and I assumed this would be something the three of us should decide," he said smoothly, with enough authoritativeness to dispel further discussion.

"Very well," she said, but he could see she wasn't appeased. She laced her fingers together on her desk. "I know I don't have to remind you, Severus, but the school charter is rather specific in regards to student-professor fraternization." Severus shifted in his chair before answering, but she held up one hand to stem of his rebuke. "I know that over the years you have behaved with the utmost decorum in this regard. I am well aware that even considering your dark, broody, acerbic nature, female students over the years still formed infatuations for you – which you've always handled adequately."

"I am well aware of the regulation of initiating or accepting the advances of female or male students for, as you put it, fraternization. However, this situation, this relationship between Hermione and me, is of her doing, by means of a Betrothal Charm – or more accurately the Moon-Song Curse," he informed her.

"I'm aware of the situation, Severus," Minerva said softly. "What I want to point out is that there is a great deal of attention on the two of you because of the unusual circumstances, although I can hardly understand why Miss Skeeter is still so interested in the both of you. I happen to know that Hermione is undecided about the relationship..." She held up her hand to cut him off again. "And I can only assume why. Not my place to interfere. But because there is some discourse, I feel compelled to insist that, if Hermione chooses to reside in the dormitory, you allow her to decide if she wants to spend intimate time with you."

Severus narrowed his eyes at her presumption, and Minerva smiled slightly, looking at him indulgently. "Now don't get your feathers ruffled – I'm merely reminding you that can't be seen consorting intimately with Hermione or insisting she visit with you as if you were handing out a detention. This is the one thing the portraits are not under the vow of secrecy to keep – coercion of a student for illicit purposes."

"I'm aware of this, Minerva," he said with a warning edge to his tone.

"Then let me be perfectly clear – I know that Hermione is having doubts. She came to me over the summer. I know that you two need to work out your differences. There is a certain excitement about secret rendezvous and chance encounters or slipping into private nooks and corners. You spent years disrupting such encounters and deducting house points for such behavior," she said with an equal level of warning in her tone, and then her expression became indulgent. "What I'm just saying that you'll have to establish a private and acceptable relationship with Hermione, and I shall have to rely on your discretion."

"Oh, you can count on that," he said, curious about her apparent position on his relationship with Hermione. He had been prepared for her to be fully against it. Well, wonders never cease.

"Very well, and I'll deal with the bothersome meddling of presumptuous parents," she said. "Now in regards to curriculum, are there any other changes, beside History of Magic, that should be addressed?"

~H~

Hermione arrived home after spending two days at the Burrow with her friends. It had seemed like old times, with the exception that Luna had joined them and Molly had moved the girls into Bill's old room since it was the largest. Still it had been very similar to when she'd been sleeping in Ginny's room, staying up late, talking about everything.

She sighed as she stripped out of her clothes. Ginny was so anxious for school to be over so she and Harry could get married, and Luna had a wistful look every time she mentioned Neville or the girls had talked about her wedding. It isn't fair, Hermione thought as she eased into the tub for a good soak. Both of them are so happy and content. No, I'm not going to moan about being matched with Severus anymore. The hot soapy water was soothing. She lay submerged to her chin, letting her mind go blank. There was simply something about bubbles that lifted the spirits, and lately, she'd needed the lift.

The chime of a clock jostled her from her state of relaxation, making her aware of the time, and she grudgingly dragged herself from her bath. When she entered her room, there was a letter lying on the clothes she'd selected for her date.

It was from George.

Hermione,

Reply as soon as you can.

Still in a dressing gown, Hermione rushed to the Floo to answer, tossed a bit of Floo powder on the grate, called out, "Weasley's wild loft," and leaned into the flames. She hoped he was still in his flat and was relieved that he answered her when she called out his name. "I only have a minute, but my answer is yes. I'll come by tomorrow, okay?" she asked quickly then pulled back, breaking the connection.

She hurried upstairs to dress. Severus had indicated that she should wear robes, which was to say he'd asked if she'd had any. The answer was an embarrassing, no. Well, not really. She had her dress robes from her fourth year and from Bill and Fleur's wedding. So Hermione had selected what she hoped was the next best thing: an ankle-length sleeveless dress with a simple scooped neckline. It was pink, had a sash around the waist and slits up the side past her knees, but it was a dress. She slipped it on and examined her appearance, gasping at the state of her hair. It was full of soot. Groaning, she tried the spell used to clean Floos and brushed it out. It helped, but now her hair was frizzy. She checked the time and grimaced; she didn't have time to wash it again. She twisted her hair up, turning, tucking, and curling it until it was somewhat under control, and used the holding charm Lavender had taught her, adding a few hairpins just in case.

Still unhappy, but knowing she didn't have time to fuss with it, she hurried to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Dabbing water on the flyaway hairs at her temples and neck, she rolled them around her wand, using another spell Lavender had taught her. With a touch of lip-gloss and mascara, she finally felt ready to face Severus. She was putting on her low-heeled sandals when Kreacher popped in to tell her he had arrived.

Severus was standing in the foyer in his usual attire, staring at her as she approached, although he didn't make any comment about her hair or her dress. Mentally shrugging it off, she casually walked up to him.

"Are you ready?" he asked coolly.

"Yes," she said, holding her small clutch in her hand.

Severus held out his hand, and she nervously placed her hand in his, wondering what had his wand in a knot. She turned to face him as soon as they were out the door. "Where are we going tonight?" she asked, pushing her nervousness aside and hoping it didn't show.

"I already told you. Now hang on," he said smoothly, tightening his grip on her hand and Disapparating. They arrived in a dark alley between two brick houses. "This is the Apparation site. There is a charm on this location to muffle the sound of Apparation, although if you make loud entrances it may still be noticed. This way," he said, still holding her hand firmly, and they stepped out onto the narrow cobbled street under a broken street lamp and turned left.

Hermione tried to take in her surroundings and still keep up with him. The street gave off a sullen, depressing feel as they walked. Most of the houses on the street appeared dilapidated and unused. The windows, those that weren't broken or boarded up, were dull and dark. One of the houses had the door hanging open, and the soft sound of the news broadcast wafted out as they passed. There were weeds growing amongst the houses between the front steps, and the paint on most of the doors was faded and peeling. The street lamps were flickering, as if threatening to go out, or were not working at all, and the cobbled street had many broken, loose, and missing stones. Severus slowed his pace when Hermione stumbled on a loose stone.

He stopped at the last house on the street "This is it," he said. The house was like all the others, except with a slightly larger window to the left of the door. The front door might have been blue once, judging by the slivers of paint still left on the wood. There was a tall mill chimney sticking straight up, almost like an accusing beacon, over the rooftop.

Severus drew out his wand. "Hold out your hand, but do not touch the door," he instructed. Hermione did as she was told, feeling the vibration of the wards on her palm. He made a few quick swishes of his wand, and the sensation turned to a warm tingling then faded. "Go ahead, open the door."

She entered, stopping short in wonderment. There was a faint scent of lemon and orange oil, and the musty smell she'd remembered was gone. The candles flared to life, and she stared in amazement. The threadbare carpet had been cleaned, not that it made much of a difference, but some of the furniture had been changed. There was a new sofa and two chairs with soft blue cushions, as well as two standing lamps. The small side tables, though, were the same. A bowl of aromatic herbs sat on a small glass coffee table, which had replace the old, wobbly, wooden one. She turned her head, realizing that all the books had been meticulously dusted, and the wood of the shelves, mantel, and floor shone with a warm polish. There were even gauzy curtains that would let in the daylight and blue drapes on the window. "You've been busy," she said, turning to face Severus.

He was scowling at the room. "Like an elf," he said frostily as he crossed to the door that led to the kitchen.

She quickly followed him and froze at the sight. The walls, cabinets, and counters were scrubbed clean. The mismatched chairs, table, and dish cupboard had obviously been buffed down, refinished, and oiled. The Floo was cleaned up, and the copper bottom pans on the rack shined almost like new. Hermione turned and hurried through the now tidy box room into the sunroom, smiling in delight at the clean windows and the rows of herbs and flowers on the shelves and gardening bench. A small wicker set sat in the corner. She turned around to look at Severus and realized he wasn't in the room.

He was leaning against the kitchen sink with his arms and ankles crossed when she walked in. "So have you given us any thought?"

"Some," she replied hesitantly from the doorway.

"By all means, keep me in the dark," he said through clenched teeth.

"I have no idea what I want anymore! You tell me one thing, but people I know and trust tell me the exact opposite, and Ginny, she, well..." Hermione stammered, not really wanting to tell him Ginny's opinion. "I hardly know you – except as my snarky professor, and frankly, well..." She wavered under his stare, feeling like an errant first-year, wanting to say, 'I don't like be used and manipulated,' but holding back. "I feel like I've been trapped in this – and I know you do too. You keep throwing it in my face, which is why I don't understand why you aren't trying to break this Bonding, too. I thought you wanted out of this, but... I can't believe you want to stay in it after all the times you bit my head off for doing the spell! I mean, do you really want this – us? Do you? I admit, you're being nicer to me than you've ever... but only because you have to. You don't even like me!" She stopped, aware that she'd tapped her foot like a child. She waited, breathless for him to lash out at her, fully aware that he was watching her intently and not saying anything.

"I see," he said, turning his head to the side and back, apparently looking at the floor.

"You see what?" she asked, baffled. She expected more of a reaction than that.

His head snapped up. "You still want to get the annulment," he said as if he was clenching his jaw.

"I admit it. I don't know what I want – okay, I know you don't like being trapped in this with me, and if I can fix this, I will." She said, dropping her head so she didn't have to see the anger in his eyes.

"And if you can't?" he asked, one hand now resting on the counter beside him.

Hermione walked over and leaned on the side counter, still keeping her gaze anywhere but his face. "Deal with the dragon when the egg hatches, isn't that the saying?" she replied.

"Does this have anything to do with Ronald Weasley?" he asked.

Her head snapped in his direction. "With Ron? No!" she exclaimed.

He didn't seem to accept that. "And yet you were seen with him in the Leaky Cauldron," he said coolly, "and I know you are still seeing him."

"Only as friends," she tried to reassure him. "Ron has been treating me like he did when we were in school, nothing more. We have been friends for a long time. There isn't anything going on between us."

"You expect me to believe that when you have been seen alone with him, apparently on a date," he spat.

She stared at him in shock, trying to figure out what he was talking about. "I haven't – the last time I saw him... Unless... Of course! But that wasn't a date!" She explained what had happened when she and Ginny went to lunch with Ron and George after buying their school things. He was staring at her so intently as she spoke that she averted her head. "No, don't you dare! You are not going to use Legilimency on me again!"

"Just because I'm looking at you doesn't mean that I am going to use Legilimency," he snapped.

Hermione looked at him timidly.

"Oh, for the love of Merlin! Look, I should have asked you before using it on you, but I wanted answers, and I didn't trust you to tell me the truth," he said, shifting his feet.

Her gaze snapped to him in mortified disbelief. "I've never lied to you," she said, and he smirked at her. She pointed a finger at him. "The troll doesn't count! And Harry didn't steal from you." His eyes narrowed, and she blushed as she held up both hands in supplication. "I admitted to making the potion, and about the..." She took a chance and looked him in the eye. "But that day on the cliffs, I wasn't lying to you – and you – you just forced your way into my mind!"

"Hermione, it is a convenient method of interrogation, and I happen to be quite an accomplished Legilimens. I frequently used Legilimency to obtain the information I needed, quickly and efficiently. It was one of the reasons I was favored by the Dark Lord – that and my other skills. I'm not saying it was right, but it's a hard habit to break. I am a Death Eater. It's who I am, and that's not going to change," Severus paused and looked away for a moment. "I should have apologized for it, but I was angry because you had disappeared for days, and I didn't like what I saw. I wanted the truth. I won't do it again."

Hermione looked at the floor and sighed. She knew that was a close to an apology as she was going to get.

"What is going on between you and Weasley?" he asked.

Her head snapped up. "I just told you! Nothing is going on between me and Ron – we are just friends," she said, exasperated to have to answer the same question again.

"Then please, explain this," he said, pulling a copy of the Daily Prophet from his pocket. Hermione didn't need to see it; she could guess what it said. The paper rustled as he held it out, waiting for her to take it. When she didn't, he dropped the paper on the counter next to her, and it opened to the front page.

Hermione cringed at the headline. "That's rubbish, and you know it!" she exclaimed, looking from the paper to him.

"Do I?" he asked coolly.

She crossed her arms. "I thought you were intelligent? You know that woman writes lies. I told you about the lunch. The other – George is not interested in me romantically. I have accepted a job working for George Weasley for the rest of the month. This was taken when he was – when I went to talk to him about taking the job."

"Why did you see him about a job?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Pocket money! Pin money for incidental expenses," she said waspishly. "You know I don't have any money except for necessities. What little I have I need for school, and I spent most of it already on school supplies. It would be nice to have some spending money."

"And Ronald?" he asked again, as if still not satisfied.

She exhaled to control her annoyance. "I have already explained – twice now – he and I are only friends, nothing more. This – us – has been rough, but he's treating me like he used to. He knows about the Bonding, and I told him that I can't be with him romantically, and he's accepted it. We are just friends."

He still didn't look convinced. "How am I to believe you?"

"You'll just have to," she said flatly. "How are we ever going to have a relationship built on trust if you never trust me! It's bad enough..." she sighed and crossed her arms. "Oh, never mind."

"No, never you mind – spit it out," he snapped. "How am I supposed to trust you – this is a two headed newt, Hermione. I have every right to question you regarding your actions – especially when you make the front page! With two different Weasley boys, no less!"

"Is there anything else you'd like to throw in my face tonight?" she asked and sighed heavily. She stared at the bottom of the fridge and fought back the angry tears. She felt horrible. "You're making a dragon out of a salamander. I don't want to fight anymore. I'd rather just..." talk, she finished in her head, still staring at the floor. I wish you'd trust me. Harry and Ron always trusted me. She looked at him, feeling the hurt and anger sink in her gut like a rock. She wished they had more in common, that he'd liked her in school the way the other teachers did, instead of always belittling and scowling at her. I wish you'd open up more ... let me get to know you. Merlin, I wish school would start soon – like tomorrow!

Severus looked at the opposite wall as he apparently considered what she'd said. He sighed and pushed off from the counter. "We might as well see what was done to the second floor." He turned when she hadn't moved. "Aren't you coming?"

"I'll wait for you down here," she replied, pulling out a chair.

"I want you to tell me what changes you want made to our bedroom, if any."

Hermione looked at him in disbelief. "Your bedroom – and I'm not ready for that yet," she replied, then swallowed nervously at his scowl. "The only thing I didn't like about the room, besides the dust, was that the mattress was flat and lumpy and so were the pillows. If you've cleaned the upstairs as well as downstairs – that's one problem solved."

He smirked at her comment, and she forced herself not to fidget. "So are we eating here?" she asked.

He reached over and jerked open the fridge. "Unless you can make edible food with an onion and an old celery root, I think not."

"What else is here?" she asked, and he pointed to the cupboard behind her. Hermione turned around and opened it up, scrunching her face at the tins within. They looked old. She picked up one and cringed at the expired date. "So if we are to eat, I suppose were going out," she said while turning around, "unless you'll brave Harry's place?" He scowled, and she smirked. "There is always take-away?"

"The local fish and chips is moderately digestible," he said with distaste.

"Have you ever tried Burger King?" she suggested with a grin, assuming he'd decline going there. He surprised her by accepting, although admitting that he didn't know the exact location of the nearest one. Choosing a Burger King he knew, they Apparated from the sitting room and, with Hermione's insistence, found seats along the window to eat.

Hermione was amused that he leaned forward over his food as he ate like he used to in the Great Hall. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" he asked, looking up.

"Eat like I'm going to snatch your fries away from you," she replied.

"I don't like eating around a bunch of kids," he said, turning his head to look at the other families and teenagers.

"Then why ever did you choose to teach?" she asked.

"I love berating children," he said facetiously with a smirk. "It's so much fun to impart knowledge to dunderheads, dole out detentions, and take away house points."

Hermione started laughing, nearly snorting on her Coke. "I always assumed you took the post because you hoped to raise the level of potion making at Hogwarts to your exacting standards. When I was sixteen, I realized you took the role when you switched sides and joined Dumbledore."

He was watching her with an odd look to his eyes. "It was Dumbledore's suggestion after he helped clear my name, and after I reaffirmed my loyalty... I didn't have a lot of other options. After the Dark Lord's resurrection, I managed to convince him it was advantageous to have me at Hogwarts, and he agreed. Truth was, it was convenient to stay. Later, he decided it was where he wanted me to be."

"And when he came back, he was pleased that you had, wasn't he?" she asked. She had always wondered about what had happened when he'd gone to Voldemort that night.

"Not at first, no. I had to convince him of my reasons. But he did see the advantage of allowing me to retain my position and my connections with the Order," he said smoothly. "Don't dig too deeply. I will not talk about my... years with him."

She shrugged as she ate her burger. She washed it down with a drink of fizzy drink. "You won't tell me about your childhood or your school years or any other part of your life. How is a girl supposed to get to know you?"

He set down his orange Hi-C. "No one has been this interested in me for years," he said. "I'm not used to just opening up as you are apparently capable of."

"You could at least try," she said, finishing her last fry.

"Are you done?" he asked.

She smiled and crumpled up her Whopper wrapper. "Yes."

He scoffed and piled their trash on their tray, then slid out from the table. Hermione waited by the door as he dumped the trash, and then he followed her outside. He pulled her aside at a spot that he must have thought of as acceptable for Apparation. "Good night, Severus," she said politely. "I had a good time."

"Come back to the house," he murmured, touching her arm.

She looked up at him, nervous about the intensity in his eyes, and turned to stare at the ivy growing on the wall. If she went back, she knew that things could get awkward between them – at least for her. His hand stroked her hair, giving her that fuzzy sensation she loved when someone touched or brushed her hair. She opened her eyes and looked up at him with a dazed smile as he leaned forward. She parted her lips to speak, and her mind went blank just as his lips touched hers. She felt him tip her head up as he kissed her softly. She inhaled, his scent mixing with the headiness she felt at his tender unhurried kiss and his fingers still toying with her hair. She felt herself slipping, giving in to him, and for a moment, she allowed her mind to soar.

He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead on hers. "Stay with me."

Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to, but didn't want to let things progress too far – not yet at least. Her mind raced over possible scenarios, knowing that since she'd already been intimate with him, he'd expect her to have sex again – was expecting it from her. She just wasn't ready for sex. "Not tonight. I can't," she replied, fighting down the rise of anxiety in her chest, knowing that he would be angry at her. He became rigid, and she quickly added, "Not tonight, I'm really tired. Some other time, maybe?"

He drew himself up, his posture rigid and his expression stony. "Fine."

She reached out and grasped his arm. "This weekend. I'll spend the day with you – the whole day – this weekend," she suggested, hoping to appease him but also wondering what he'd plan.

He stared at her, unmoving. "Fine." He stepped back and vanished with a pop.

~ T B C ~>

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