Tea, Books, and Answers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 24 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tea, Books, and Answers

~H~

Lucius' house-elf Disapparated almost the exact moment that Hermione realized that they'd arrived in George's workshop, leaving her behind and a little wobbly on her feet for a second. She found herself standing dumbstruck, holding onto three books, with nearly every male wizard she knew, plus and a few Aurors, standing around, gaping at her as if she'd appeared out of nowhere. Which, in all fairness, I just did. They all looked up with various looks of shock, annoyance, amazement, and disbelief. Ron, George, and Harry nearly bowled her over as all three reached out to grasp her as if she'd vanish again, asking, "Where have you been?" "Who's house-elf was that?" "Where did you go?" "What happened?" as several other people were asking similar questions, mostly creating an uproar of concern.

"You just vanished," Ron said in her ear as he hugged her.

"Who does that house-elf belong to?" someone asked from behind Ron.

Harry was on her other side, hugging them both. "I thought that you'd been abducted. I was so worried!"

She stood there, her arms pinned as she tried to catch her breath, not sure what to say.

"Let her breathe," a deep male voice said, and Harry backed away. "Now young lady, where were you, and why did you take off like that?"

Hermione turned to the Auror. "I was... Ron, get off me," she said, disengaging him and setting the books on the workbench. She turned so the books were concealed behind her back. "I had a lunch date..." Several of the guys, George and Ron in particular, all started to protest that she was lying. "...I forgot about. My Portkey activated before I could tell anyone." She had no idea why she was protecting Lucius Malfoy, except that he had been very gracious, the food had been the kind she'd only seen in expensive restaurants, and he'd given her books. Why he'd gone through the trouble bothered her, but if the books did have the answers she wanted – she'd forgive him. If not, well, she'd let it go, for now. He did lend her the books. That was something – large, thick books.

Somehow, only Harry was buying her explanation. "You went to see him, didn't you?" Ron asked, clenching his hands into fists.

"There are no registered Portkeys for this location today," the Auror replied, crossing his arms and leaning back slightly with his feet planted apart projecting an authoritative air.

"I don't know if it was a registered Portkey or not. I did have a lunch date to discuss my Bonding, and I am back. I have work to do and some research for tomorrow." She turned, picked up the books and added a few of Fred's journals to conceal Malfoy's against her chest, then faced the group of wizards all staring at her. Ron was gawking at her as if he couldn't comprehend what she'd said. "George, the chews are done. I have the detonators to do, unless you'd like to do them tomorrow?"

George shook his head. "Can't. I have to... Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you vanished without saying anything."

"If I wasn't okay, I'd tell you. George, if it's all right, I'm going home. I want to concentrate on the spell and need quiet. I'll come back tomorrow." She started for the door, practically pushing her way through everybody. Ron tried to hold her back from leaving. "Lay off, Ron. I said I'm fine. I just got so wrapped up in everything I forgot – that's all. Let me by."

"Sure," he said, standing aside to let her pass, his expression still one of hurt and confusion.

Hermione hurried out of the shop to go read the books Lucius Malfoy had given her.

~MoM~

Maggie arrived in her office a little late. She checked the ledgers on the way to her desk. There were several new betrothals, three of the engagements from very well respected families, and two deaths. Archie Peasworth had passed in the night, never having recovered from the curse he'd received from the war. There was a note on her desk in regards to her stationary supply, stating that the order would be delayed. Maggie picked up her favorite cup and headed to the dispensary for a cuppa before starting work. If she was lucky, she'd still get some of the gossip.

"I heard from Betty Patterson in the Oblivators' office that she's getting transferred," Faye Cook, a secretary from the Invisibility Task Force office, said. "She's training a new girl to replace her. I heard that she's really working out well.

"Yes, she's Mr. Chase daughter, you know him, from in the Muggle-Worthy Excuse office. She's recently returned from France or something like that," Marjorie Crouch stated. She was a good friend of Maggie's. She worked as a secretary for Madam Edgecombe in the Floo Regulation office.

"Morocco or Greece... Anyway, I heard it's a promotion or something," Elaine Farson said. She was a little thing that had worked in the Portkey registration office for years, longer than Maggie had been with the Ministry. "I know she's been working on a new pamphlet with Arthur Weasley and Gordon Dickson."

"An introductory package for all Muggle spouses," Faye said, adding some more sugar to her cup of tea. "Some kind of guide to the Ministry, St. Mungo's, and other magical places... so they understand things better and know what to do in case of an emergency. Seems like a good idea to me."

"What about the International Statue of Secrecy?" asked Yolanda Weyrich from the Broom Regulation Committee office for the last twenty years.

"Who's being promoted?" Maggie asked, filing her cup up with hot water for her tea.

Marjorie turned to Maggie and smiled. "Roberta Shelton from the Oblivators' office. It's something the Minister is promoting, a Muggle Marriage Assistance Program. He even created her new position,"

Maggie didn't know her very well, except by face and reputation. Roberta Shelton was always an impeccably dressed witch and well regarded in the Oblivators' office. Maggie had known that Mrs. Shelton had been talking about retiring from the gossip in the break room. This new promotion, even a lateral one, was news. She had no idea what the Muggle Marriage Assistance Program was, but since it had to do with marriages, Maggie would most certainly be visiting her office every day. She sipped her cuppa as she listened to the ladies talk, desirous to hear what else was going on, but also eager to return to her desk so that she could draft a letter to Rita and let her know of this new development.

~H~

Shortly after reading the spell in both books Mr. Malfoy had lent her, Hermione had Apparated to see Luna to ask her if she could borrow the diary they'd used. She wasn't at home. Hermione said good-bye to Mr. Lovegood and Apparated to a tree-lined lane where Neville Longbottom lived. Mr. Lovegood had said that Luna was currently staying at the Longbottom's whenever Neville was at home, but Hermione knew that Neville was currently in Darthmont Hills working with Felix Marchbanks in his greenhouses this week. She cast her Patronus and infused her voice into the shape and sent it to the house, hoping that Luna was there.

A silvery rabbit bounded toward her. "Yes, we are home. Come on up," Luna's voice projected from the form before it evaporated.

Hermione was greeted warmly by Luna and graciously by Augusta Longbottom as she was ushered into the lovely Victorian home. "I hope you don't mind the intrusion, but I wanted to ask you a favor, Luna."

"Oh, dear, it's no intrusion at all," Mrs. Longbottom said, directing the girls into a lovely parlor. A silver tea service and plates of pastries and fruit waited on a lovely glass-topped wicker table. "Please sit. Luna and I were just going to have tea. It's wonderful to have you join us, Mrs. Snape."

"Thank you," Hermione said, sitting on a chair close to the window. "Please, call me Hermione."

Luna set herself down on the other chair near the window facing Hermione. "I liked the picture of you in the Prophet this week. You and George looked happy. How is the shop doing?"

"Luna and I didn't believe a word that Skeeter woman wrote. It was a nice picture of you though. Neville wrote the editor and has a copy of it in Luna's room," Mrs. Longbottom said as if she felt Luna's comment needed clarifying. "Shall I be mother, then?"

"Yes, please. The shop is doing well. George is so busy, summer being his busiest time and all," Hermione answered, accepting a delicate, pale blue teacup.

Luna was carefully examining the lemon wedges on a small dish. "Ron is enjoying working at the shop. He said that you are making the products with George. That must be fun. I sent him a suggestion for a journal. He said that I get one as soon as you and he come up with the charms. Lemon?" she asked, handing Hermione the dish. Hermione shook her head. "So, how is Severus? Have you worked things out?"

"No, not quite yet," Hermione said. "We have a few things to discuss..."

"Sometimes these things take time," Mrs. Longbottom said with a gracious smile.

Luna looked up as she squeezed a lemon wedge over her cup. "I should get you a blue-tailed skink. They eat the Muddleknots."

Hermione had been about to sip her tea, but froze as she looked up at Luna from over the rim. "Muddle knots?"

"They muddle a person's thoughts and make the effected victim cranky and irritable if they're around them too long. I let a skink loose in the potions lab at school. He was able to get most of Addlenots before Professor Snape caught him. But they breed quickly." Luna picked up one of the plates. "Pastry? The cherry ones are really good."

"Oh, Luna, the things you suggest," Mrs. Longbottom said with a twilling laugh, making a downward flip with her fingers.

Hermione set down her cup and turned to Luna, still grinning at her comments. "Talking about Professor – eh – Severus, Luna, may I borrow your diary? I want to look up the spell again."

"Sure, I have it upstairs in my room," Luna said, smiling.

"Asia!" Mrs. Longbottom called out.

"Yes, mistress," a house-elf said as she ran out from beside a tall potted fern.

"Would you be a dear and get Luna's journal from her room?" Mrs. Longbottom asked offhandedly and sipped her tea. "So, I understand you're returning to school with Luna?"

"Yes, we'll have lessons together," Hermione said, hiding her surprise at how Mrs. Longbottom treated her house-elf.

"I hope they fixed the rose window in the East Tower. It made pretty patterns on my arms," Luna said, carefully examining the pastries. "Did you want to read about our weekend searching for Tipwertzels?"

Hermione couldn't stifle her giggle. "Actually, no, but if you want to tell me about it, I'd love to hear about it sometime. I want to read what you'd written about the Moon-Song Curse."

"Oh, that," both Mrs. Longbottom and Luna said, Mrs. Longbottom a bit curtly.

"Spell, dear, not curse. It utilizes more than on form of magical art. Honestly, didn't they teach you that in school? Luna told me you are being impressed upon by Marvin Maretbell in the Reversal office to annul your Bonding," Mrs. Longbottom said a bit contemptuously with a roll of her eyes and a flip with her hand. "Honestly dear, the things that man... Not to bother, dear, you're too sensible to listen to that fool."

"I don't understand," Hermione said, tilting her head and gripping her napkin tightly. "I – it's just that I want to know how this spell works. I have so many people telling me it can be annulled and others saying I can't."

"Oh, you poor dear, no wonder your confused. Asia! I was too many years ago with my first husband, the goddess rest his soul, but it was a good match," Mrs. Longbottom said, placing her hand on her chest with a reminiscent expression, then inhaled deeply and regarded Hermione seriously. Her house-elf appeared at her side, waiting patiently. "As a young girl, I loved the witchtales, Isadole and Persuses... and Delfennia and Edvard the Brave, that spoke of magical unions and gallant wizards – exciting demonstrations to reach their Bonded beloved... I would be happy to let you borrow a book or two. Aisa!" The elf jumped slightly when her name was called, but she still waited patiently at Mrs. Longbottom's side. "I have one in particular I love!" She finally looked down. "Oh there you are! I want my book please, the one I lent Luna." She turned back to the girls. "Oh, you'll love the stories, the romance, the trials, the adventures... Oh, and the green one! Enchanting Your Happily Ever After... You want to know how they work – oh, and Charms Make Wishes Come True. You should have that one too. Aisa!"

Several hours later, Hermione was sitting at the kitchen table in Grimmauld Place with several sheets of parchment, three colors of ink, five colors of highlighters, Lucius Malfoy's and Mrs. Longbottom's books opened up to the Moon-Song spell, taking notes, cross referencing, and making a chart.

~S~

Hermione arrived at the house precisely at eleven. Severus opened the door at her first knock and stood back to let her inside. Hermione looked around at the books as his gaze wept over her. She was wearing another Muggle sleeveless dress with a scooping neckline that buttoned all the way down the front and flared at the hemline about her calves, showing off her ankles. The bodice wasn't exactly tight, but it did accentuate her breasts. Of course, the heeled sandals made her legs look shapely. It reminded him of another dress, a purple one she'd worn when she'd visited him in jail. He turned quickly to stop himself from thinking about that day and sat down on the sofa.

Hermione walked over to the chair that faced him and sat down, crossing her legs and placing her hands on her lap. Unfortunately, the dress split open where the buttons stopped, exposing more of her legs to his view. Inhaling slowly, he forcefully averted his gaze and picked up the book he'd been reading.

"What are you reading?"

He looked up and was about to retort 'a book,' but refrained. "A comparative study of Mesoamerican Astronomy and Calendrics in relation to modern Arithmancy."

Her eyes lit up for a moment, and he hoped that she didn't expect him to get into a discussion about the subject. Of course she'd be interested. She took Arithmancy at school, and I've no doubt received an Outstanding on her O.W.L. To avoid any questions he lowered his gaze back to the book and pretended not to notice her shifting in her chair to gain his attention. He'd only just started the book himself and wasn't at a point where he could discuss it with her.

"Do you mind if I...?" she asked, indicating the books with her finger, her eyes sweeping the wall behind him with her eyes.

He nearly laughed. That took all of two minutes. "By all means, please do," he said smoothly. He watched slyly over the edge of his book to see which shelf would get her attention first.

She rose gracefully and turned to look at the books behind her. He had a hard time not noticing the way her dress moved with her or how it gapped slightly between the buttons when she moved, which exposed tiny bits of her skin, and the way the ties cinched in the waist in the back. She turned around holding a book. He mentally cringed at her choice. "That is a book on the practical application on nonverbal wandless magic. I'd prefer you not practice on my furniture."

She returned the book and selected another at random. He smirked. So she's interested in nonverbal magic, eh. "That's on nonverbal curses and hexes; a rather odd choice considering most of the magic is considered Dark arts."

"Do you have a suggestion then?" she asked, setting the book back.

"Next shelf, thirteenth from your left. It's about nonverbal wandless magic on the theoretical level and well written," he said, turning the page. And a good book for her to begin with. Mander's book would be a good one as would Rothschild's... and Brenner's. That's if she ever chooses to sit with me again. I might bore her... a room of books bore Hermione Granger. He silently scoffed at himself.

Hermione smiled, turned around, and bent over slightly, revealing more of her legs. He exhaled a sigh he hadn't realized he'd been holding when she straightened, walked over to the chair and sat down. She straightened her legs, the skirt of her dress parting again, and crossed her ankles as she opened up the book. He shifted in his seat so that he leaned on the arm of the sofa so he wasn't seeing her legs displayed, or the way she curled her hair with her finger, or toyed with her lower lip as she read over the edge of the book. After a while he caught her looking at him. She blushed and looked down when she realize it and lifted the book higher to hide her cheeks. Several pages later he saw her peeking up at him from under her lashes in his peripheral vision. He smirked and turned the page nonchalantly, making sure she was unaware he'd noticed. She must be literally vibrating with questions by now about the techniques. Maybe I'll show her how later...

At noon, the chime of a clock broke the silence. Severus lowered his book and stared at her until she looked up. "Are you hungry?"

She shrugged. "I suppose," she replied noncommittally.

Severus set down his book and rose. "If you decide, I'll be in the kitchen preparing lunch, unless you care to assist me."

He was surprised when she slipped through the door right after he did. She walked to the sink as he withdrew the container of coleslaw and a plate of sliced roast beef. "Pull down the skillet, please, and a small sauce pan from the cupboard," he directed her as he took out cheese, a baguette, and au jus sauce. He passed her the sauce and took the skillet. He watched her as she warmed the sauce as he heated the roast beef and warmed the bread. She tried asking him questions about things, apparently an attempt at small talk and getting him to open up. His answers were short, and he tried to keep his tone amiable. Once everything was ready, they sat down to eat.

"This is good. Did you cook it?" she asked.

Truth was he had been given the leftovers from the Malfoy kitchens. "Yes, I can cook. This is leftovers," he admitted, his eyes riveted to a little bit of juice at the corner of her lip.

Hermione wiped it away. "I used to love cooking with my mum. She and I would look up recipes in magazines and try them at home..." she started saying, telling him about a cheesecake that apparently came out looking like cottage cheese in a pie crust, a batch of burnt cookies that even the dog wouldn't touch, and a lemon bread that had become a family favorite.

He kept his eyes mostly focused on his food as he listened to her, nodding occasionally and grunting the appropriate, "Uh uh." If this is an example of her cooking – she'll never be allowed in the kitchen without me.

Apparently, she liked cooking Cornish hens but had difficulty cooking fish... Somehow, the story led to when she'd gone fishing with her dad, and a time she'd gone camping with her cousins' family. Severus had sat and listened, once again realizing the big difference between her childhood and his. "Have you ever been there, Severus?"

"What?"

"Wye Valley in the Forest Dean? It's really pretty there. One of my favorite places."

He recalled the time he and Avery had to lead a raid in Steep Meadow in the Wye Valley. "Yes, under less desirable circumstances." She was watching him expectantly. "It was in 1979 and I was with them."

"As a Death Eater," she said, taking a sip of her soda. He scowled at her, but she only shrugged. "I know you don't want to tell me about your dark years."

"Don't romanticize it. Avery and I led a raid to eliminate two families – women, children, and the pet dog. I will not tell you the details." He pushed back and rose to take his plate to the sink. He placed his hands on the rim and leaned on them. "Hermione, I want to place that all behind me. None of it was good or heroic. Even when I switched sides, I did things I wish to forget."

He flinched when she laid her hand on his back and set her plate on his. "I probably understand more than you think. I know you had to do things – terrible things, and you had to allow things to happen."

He turned his head to look at her, ready to scoff at her, but her expression only showed her sincerity. She truly meant what she was saying.

"I understand that. You were in the thick of everything in the war, on both sides. But you did a lot of good as well, don't forget that," she said softly.

He turned to face her and she took a step back, regarding him calmly. "So what did you have planned for today?" she asked.

"Not much," he admitted.

"We could... go to a museum or... Diagon Alley?" she suggested. He cringed at the thought of parading around Diagon Alley. "How about a movie?"

"A movie? Do you have any idea what might be playing?" he asked, wondering why she'd suggest that. Not a bad idea, no reporters, no Dolohov...

She shook her head. "No, but the Cineplex has several theaters. We could just pick one."

He sighed and relented. They Apparated near the Cineplex and walked up to the marquee. There was an animated childrens' movie, a poster depicting violence and explosions... one with a pair of young teens gazing longingly at each other... None appealed to him. "Do you have a preference?"

Hermione was staring at the movie posters, making a grimace at the childrens' animated one, scrunching her nose at the two teens, and shaking her head at the one with the man holding a gun with exploding cars behind him. "No... no... gods no..." she was mumbling.

"So I take it nothing appeals to you either?" he asked. "What were my other choices, a museum or shopping in Diagon Alley?"

She shrugged. "Well, either of them, I suppose."

"I have an idea." He took her hand, walked back around the building between the theater and the parking garage and Apparated beside a doorway in an alley near a bookshop he liked. He led the way, and once inside, he turned to the left to the Potions section. Hermione had followed him, but stopped at the display of new arrivals. After searching through the shelves, he moved to the Herbology section, passing Hermione as she pursued through the Charms section. She was in the history section when he walked over to the Asian section. When he came to find her, she was in a large chair, flipping through a thick book. He walked around the chair and realized that she had one foot tucked under her, balancing another book on her knee as she compared something between the two books. "Find anything you can't live without?" he asked, smirking at her.

She looked up and smiled. "I can always find something I can't live without in a book shop." She closed the books and set them aside.

He picked one up and grinned. "I have this one." He looked at the other one. It looked like a reprint of a book by his old mentor, Master Kirkwell Ogden. "I have the original of this one."

She smiled, indicating the book in his hands. "That one is a comparative of Master Ogden's works and achievements with current practices in Potions. Master Terrell and Master Reynolds, who were apparently his apprentices, wrote it. They also include the potions invented in the Voldemort wars. You are mentioned."

He cringed at her casual use of the Dark Lord's name. Her synopsis of the book intrigued him. "Maybe I'll get it," he suggested.

She grinned and followed him to the register.

He paid for the book, plus two he'd selected, and arranged for owl delivery. Once outside, he suggested going to Lé Blanche Herbal, a nursery that specialized in exotic and foreign plants for potion ingredients. Unfortunately it was closed. So was the Poimandres' Saturae Potionis. Severus scowled at the sign in the door.

"Where are we?" Hermione had been looking at the small cluster of magical shops that surrounded the pretty courtyard.

"We are in Kent. I do business here on occasion," he said, turning to leave.

"Is there anywhere else that would have what you need?" Hermione asked from behind him.

"Yes, the apothecary in Knockturn Alley," he said as he turned and held up his elbow, quirking an eyebrow when she hesitated in accepting his arm. "I'm not taking you there, Hermione." It's too dangerous, and Dolohov's likely to be there or one of his cronies.

"Where then?" she asked, hooking her arm with his.

"I suggest we go to the green grocer." The shop he took her to was small, but carried a wide variety of produce, herbs, and even had a back room of basic potions since it was owned by a wizarding family. He allowed Hermione to help select which vegetables and fruit she wanted for dinner as he selected his favorites. Afterwards, they walked down three doors to the butcher. It was owned by two wizard brothers who kept the more exotic meats in the back for their magical customers. Severus led her to the counter and requested cube steak and turkey breast. The next stop was a Muggle bakery he preferred, then a family store on the corner that had fresh juices and an array of frizzy drinks, as well as carrot, pumpkin, and tomato juices and a selection of fruit juices.

"So where to now, the winery?" she asked with a soft chuckle.

"Home," he simply said just before he took her back to his house. They went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner together. Hermione was continually distracted by his hands for some reason, blushing when he'd look at her questioningly or asked her why. As the food simmered in the pan, he poured her a glass of wine he had and leaned against the sink. "What made you select that particular book?" he asked.

Hermione explained her attraction and the confusion she had between the different directions between the books. "That's common, Hermione," he said. "Master Ogden's book was written over a hundred and twenty years ago. My mother had a copy in her trunk. Several of the potions have been improved upon, or techniques are discovered that enhance the potion or make it easier to brew."

They continued to discuss recent advances in potions over dinner. He was surprised at the things she remembered from his lessons and scowled when she mentioned reading Potter's potions book. "You mean my book, don't you?"

She blushed. "Well, yes, technically... except Harry would be loath to part with it, especially considering how he feels about you."

"Feels about me?" Severus scoffed.

Hermione explained about Harry's change of heart toward him after viewing his memories and the facts that came out during his trial. Severus decided to change the topic back to potions, uncomfortable talking about his hero status.

After cleaning up and putting away the leftovers, Severus went to sit down on the sofa in the sitting room.

Hermione sat on the chair across from him, looking at him expectantly, her hands on her knees. "So what do you usually do when you're at home?"

"Read. Brew potions. Cook. Sleep," he said drolly, resting his left hand on his right ankle he had placed on his left knee. His right elbow rested on the armrest of the sofa.

Hermione waited, obviously hoping for more.

"I like to listen to music, take long walks, sometimes I collect my own ingredients," he added, hoping that would satisfy her question. "Leisure time wasn't something I generally had an abundance of."

She smiled, leaning forward a little. "What?" he asked, his back stiffening involuntarily in anticipation of her innumerous questions.

"Well, I was wondering..."

He smirked that his assumption was proven astute. "I'm not going to sit here and have you drill me with questions."

"Well, then – talk."

His jaw clenched for a second at the statement. "About what?"

"I don't know – anything," she said, shrugging her shoulders so that her breasts squeezed together, emphasizing her cleavage.

He tore his eyes away from her chest. "Be more specific."

She relaxed, scrutinizing him as she considered her next question. "Well you won't tell me about your childhood, or your school years or your Death Eater activities... so, how about what you did after school?"

He looked her in the eye and held her gaze. "Hermione, my father was an alcoholic and my mother was a dependant enabler, constantly afraid of my father's temper. That was my childhood, trying to avoid upsetting my father by my presence or my accidental magical outbursts, or later, as I learned to control my emotions and my magic, the fact that I could do magic was enough to infuriate him."

She was staring at him, her mouth open slightly in shock at his blunt assessment of his life.

"I didn't have toys. No bike. No balls. Never made a kite. Didn't go to the movies. My clothes came from the secondhand store. I found a puppy once, and my father made me get rid of it – by drowning it in the river. I used to play on the riverbank with rocks and sticks or in the park across the bridge." He knew he sounded bitter and didn't care. "So forgive me if I don't talk about my childhood. My school years – I was a loner. I had one true friend, who turned against me when I made a mistake while being tormented by Potter and Black – which by the way, was a regular occurrence throughout my school years as I was frequently the brunt of their bullying and trickery. I wasn't well accepted in my house because I loved the wrong type of girl and didn't hold the belief that pure blood mattered more than power and ability. When I did start to make friends in my house with the boys in my year – I started losing the one girl I really loved."

He turned to look at the beams of light coming in through the curtains instead of continuing to watch the myriad of emotions reflected on Hermione's face. "Summer hols, I had my wand confiscated by my father and was told to go to my room or to get lost." He smirked. "I usually chose to get lost. After school, I joined the Death Eaters. I apprenticed under Master Ogden with Roger Terrell and later with Reginald Reynolds, but I served the Dark Lord."

A movement caught his attention, and he frowned as she wiped away tear. "Don't pity me. I don't want your pity," he snapped.

"I just never realized..." Her head jerked up, her hand still immobile where it had been wiping away the tear. "I don't pity you! I feel sorry that your father was like that, but it's sad that he was like he was," she said, trying to smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You're right, mine was different. At least you had books to read."

"I was not allowed to sit around and read." He laughed, a dry mirthless laugh. "Only a few of these books are ones my mother obtained while in school that she kept hidden from my father in her old school trunk. Most of the collection I inherited from my grandfather or are books I've collected over the years." He turned away, looking at the shelf his mum's books sat. "As much as I enjoy hearing about your little anecdotes of your childhood, don't expect me to reciprocate."

"I'm sorry that I pried. I won't do it again." She lowered her head and stared at her hands. "Do you want me to leave?"

She was picking at her cuticle on her thumb. "No – stop doing that." She froze and he smirked. "If you pick at your cuticles, you create open wounds – not good when handling certain ingredients." He dropped his foot on the floor and stood up, intending on retrieving his copy of the book that had intrigued her in the bookshop.

Hermione stood too. "I had a nice time today, Severus," she said politely, turning for the door.

A thousand remarks floated in his mind. Oh, I'm sure you did. I did too. Don't go. But of course you want to leave – why would you stay... Oh, for the love of Merlin, "stay."

She turned and gave him a weak smile. "It's time I go home anyway. I really did have a nice time. I'm sorry I upset you."

He cupped her face and kissed her good night, just a light, gentle kiss. Hermione slid her arms around his waist effectively drawing him closer, and he'd wrapped his arm around her as well, still keeping one hand in her mass of curls. Her lips parted slightly, and her face tipped up to meet his more firmly. He took that as an invitation to deepen the kiss, and she moaned. She swayed a little and he held her more firmly, pleased when she molded herself against him. Oh, this witch was going to be his undoing. He wanted to sweep her off her feet and carry her upstairs, but knew she'd protest and struggle if he did.

The clock in the bookshelf began to chime again, and Hermione pulled away. "It's late. I really should be going."

His head dropped and he exhaled. "Will I see you tomorrow?" he asked, hating that he sounded so pathetic in asking.

"I'm having dinner at the Burrow," she said, stepping back to the door. "I'm pretty sure that you can come if you want."

"I'll consider it," he said. She nodded and opened the door.

Severus followed her through the door and watched as she walked down to the place that he'd told her use to Apparate. He turned back to the house when he heard the sound of her Disapparation.

~*~

Hermione Apparated to Grimmauld Place and stood a moment on the pavement. She looked at the door and hesitated. Turning, she strolled down the street, heading to the gated private park a few blocks away, thinking about everything Severus had told her today. His summary of his life had shocked her. It was what she'd expected, but the way he'd said it, the coldness in his voice, the anger... He made his childhood sound so horrible, and yet Harry had told her about what he'd seen in the Pensieve: meeting Lily in the park, sitting with Lily under a tree and on the riverbank. There had to have been good memories in his life, at least some. She remembered his comments at Southend on the Sea. His dad had sat in the pub and drank while Severus and his mum had walked on the pier. It was so sad... She began to reconstruct her day with Severus as she neared the private park. With a simple Alohomora, the gate opened, and Hermione slipped inside and onto the garden path. What had started out as awkward had ended well. She'd loved the bookshop and shopping for groceries had been fun, and they liked many of the same vegetables. Dinner with Severus was nice, and she'd really liked cooking with him, watching his hands handle a knife.

Hermione strolled along the garden path as it followed the man-made stream. Goldfish swam under the water lilies and aquatic plants. The Japanese anemone, silver spears, and calla lilies were in bloom. The azalea bushes were beautiful. But her mind was too preoccupied.

She sighed and stared at the fish in the stream. She Transfigured a handful grass into fish pellets, tossing them in small pinches, watching the fish scrambling over each other to eat. Hermione started to mull over what she'd read in Lucius Malfoy's books and the ones from Mrs. Longbottom. One of Mr. Malfoy's books was old. It clearly explained all types of Plight and Betrothal Charms and even a few Matchmaking Curses. She'd been surprised to see the Moon-Song spell listed as a curse. In fact, in both of Mr. Malfoy's books, the spell seemed more like Dark magic, whereas in Mrs. Longbottom's it was depicted as romantic and the joining of soul mates. Mr. Malfoy's books each contained a warning as to the unpredictability and finality of the magic cohesion, whereas Mrs. Longbottom's books discussed the practicality of matching a couple magically to ensure true compatibility and eliminate the unreasonable expiations of a love-marriage relationship. But all four books clearly indicated the finality of the Bonding. So that meant that there was no reversal for the spell. It was a tri-binding spell since it used a potion, an incantation and one's innate magic – tying one's very magical core to the magical core of the one the spell connected with – permanently binding them together... Her magical core was bound to Severus Snape's and it was immutable. Severus, he was right. Kingsley and Mr. Maretball had been wrong... or had lied to her. What if people find themselves stuck in marriages with a person decidedly not of their choosing, like someone with whom they may find personally repulsive, or annoying, or insufferable?

She tossed in the last of the pellets and sighed. Looking up, she took in the serenity of the private garden she liked so much. Hermione wanted a home with a garden or at least with a home with a view. Severus' house, even when cleaned up, was depressing. It wasn't that it was a poor home; the size wasn't the issue when things could be made more spacious with magic – it was the feel of the home. It took more than clean floors, dusted shelves, shiny pots, and fresh linens to make a house feel like a home. Harry and Ginny had made Grimmauld Place homey, and the Burrow was always warm and inviting, just like her parent's home had been for her. Severus' home didn't have any of that warmth. She wondered if it was because of him or if it was her, but the place made her sad.

Hermione turned and headed for the gate. She had a lot to consider where one Severus Snape was concerned.

She noticed that the streetlights were on when she turned to close the gate. Harry's going to worry, she thought as Apparated to the front stoop of Grimmauld Place and let herself in the door.

~ T B C ~>

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Author's Notes:

The unfamiliar Latin word used is: Satura –ae: a dish of various ingredients, a medley.

My Latin resource is: catholic.archives.nd.edu/cig-bin/lookingdown.pl

Thank you to Era1960 for his masculine advice and for being a sounding board when I had a bit of a block, and to my betas, MadBrilliant and Shug, for helping me clean this up and fix all my mistakes.

I also want to give a big hug to Southern_Witch_69 for my banner. I still get that silly little grin each time I look at it.