Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of 9
HermioneWeasley1972A/N Thank you to my anonymous beta. You are the best. Sorry that is has been so long since I updated. I had trouble with this chapter.
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Severus rolled over on his side and looked at his sleeping wife. She was so beautiful – the glow of pregnancy agreed with her. How could he leave her for so long? How could he take the option of working at Hogwarts again over being with his wife?
He thought back to the owl he had received from Minerva the day before.
Dear Severus,
I know that I am asking you at the last possible minute, but I am finding myself without a Potions professor. Horace Slughorn is unable to teach this year due to a family emergency, and I am asking if you would return to teach. The current books are already in your office, so you do not need to worry about purchasing them.
I understand that you are married now and that your daughter is starting her first year here. I would not ask you to do this if I did not have to, but I know that you are the best man for the job. You would, of course, resume your position as Head of Slytherin House. Of course, I will not forbid your wife from coming and visiting you after hours, so please take that into consideration when you are making your decision.
I would appreciate your answer this evening.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
***
After Nicoletta had gone to bed, they had spent several hours talking, just the two of them. He had shown her the owl that he had received so that she knew what was involved.
“Are you certain that you are OK with this?” Severus asked, holding his wife in his arms. “I realize that I have already sent my owl to Minerva, accepting the position, but I can always owl her back.”
“Severus, you know my answer to that. You know what my feeling is about education. You are the best person for the job. And Nicoletta seems to be OK with it.”
“Will you come to visit me?” he asked, drawing her nearer to himself.
“Of course I will,” she replied. “After all, the nights will get cold and lonely without you. And the baby isn't due until the end of May.”
He kissed her passionately, covering the side of her jaw with his small kisses. As he kissed her, he fondled her breast underneath her clothing until her nipple hardened under his touch. He loved pleasing her, loved touching her, loved hearing the gasps of pleasure that came from her mouth as they made love.
As he undressed her, he could already see the changes that her body was going through. She didn't have any obvious signs of pregnancy yet, but he could see that beautiful glow that she'd had when she was pregnant with Nicoletta. They made love to one another as if it would be years until they saw one another again, as if it was the first time and the last time all rolled into one.
***
A soft beeping reminded him that he needed to get moving. He had spent the night before visiting with his family, so he still had his own packing to do. He packed his robes and books, including the notes for his own book.
Leaning over, he tenderly kissed Hermione's cheek, watching her for a moment while she slept. He still had misgivings about taking the job, but he knew that Hermione would never forgive him if he passed up the opportunity.
He banished his trunk to Hogwarts, and with one last look at his wife, and then at his daughter, he Disapparated to outside the gates of Hogwarts. Truth be told, it wasn't only the fact that he was leaving Hermione that was making him hesitant. Hogwarts itself was also holding him back.
As he walked towards the castle, his eyes drifted in the direction of the Whomping Willow. Underneath its roots was the passageway to the Shrieking Shack, where he had almost died. He had never known who had saved him that day. No one had come forward as his saviour. But he wished that they would, because he was greatly in their debt.
It felt so strange returning to Hogwarts and not having to worry about being under the thumb of the Dark Lord. Never again would his Dark Mark burn. Never again would he be summoned to do the Dark Lord's bidding.
Never again would he see Albus Dumbledore.
As he entered the castle, he made his way to the office of Headmistress McGonagall. He had sent his Patronus ahead to let her know that he was coming, and she sent one back with her password. As he ascended the stairs, he wondered how Minerva would look. He estimated her to be in her mid nineties by now.
He raised his hand to knock, but the door swung open of its own accord. The large, spacious office was empty, but he heard his name spoken.
“So you have returned, Severus.”
Severus looked around, and his eyes finally settled upon the portrait of Albus Dumbledore.
“I have.”
“I told Minerva that you would. I hope you are well?” Albus' portrait smiled at him.
“I am very well. I have a wife and a daughter, and another on the way.”
“Yes, Minerva told me. Nicoletta starts today, does she not?”
“Yes, she does. Along with a number of other children.”
“Does that concern you?”
“A bit. Their parents and Hermione do not get along. I am concerned for Nicoletta,” Severus said, surprised at the sound of his own words.
“Severus, Nicoletta has two strong parents,” Minerva interjected, coming into the office. “She has her mother's bravery, and I am quite certain that you have taught her to stand up for herself.”
“Nicoletta did quite well when the children were having ice cream. But I had to pick her up. They know that I am her father.”
“Put faith in your daughter, Severus. I am quite certain that she will not let you down.” Minerva looked at Severus and gave him one of her rare smiles. “Here is a note that Slughorn left for you,” she said, handing him an envelope.
“Thank you, Minerva,” he said, accepting the envelope. “I will go and set up my office now.” He turned to leave the office, but she put a hand on his arm to stop him.
Looking at him, she said, “Severus, I want to thank you for doing this for me. I know that it could not have been an easy decision for you. Horace's departure was quite sudden. I would have liked to give you more warning.”
“You are welcome, Minerva.” With the slightest hint of a smile and a nod at Albus' portrait, he left the office.
Minerva watched him leave and then turned to Albus' portrait.
“I have a feeling this will be an interesting year.”
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Lesson in Friendship
156 Reviews | 5.22/10 Average
Are you going to write anymore? It's a great story!
Response from HermioneWeasley1972 (Author of A Lesson in Friendship)
Thank you. Yes, I just got busy with RL. :) Thanks for the review.
Response from Grace52373 (Reviewer)
Thank you for responding! i was afraid this was abandoned, and that would be a real shame, since it is such a great story! Looking forward to the next chapters! Grace
Please, PLEASE don't leave me hanging! Ron's in trouble... And Lav isn't being very nice.
Ron's lucky he didn't lose his job. Lavender is no better. What's her problem? Why is she so resentful of Hermione?
Great update, Ron got off easily in my book, I would have put him in Azkaban, if not for anything else than being a prat.
So, who is the one who listened with great interest to Ron and Kingsleys conversation? A friend of Hermione or Ron, or neither?
Another thing; Lavender, does she find it acceptable that Ron is still so hung-up about Hermione? Her jelousy towards Hermione after so many years, and with Hermione so obviously not wanting Ron, makes me think that Lavender is bottered by Rons remaining feelings for Hermione. Indifference should have been preferred compared to continued hang-ups over an ex-girlfriend, so maybe Lavender feels seccond best and blame Hermione for Ron's feelings?
I look forward to read more.
Good for Kingsley. I was afraid that Ron would escape with just a slap on the wrist. I wonder who the ears belong to?
Oooohh! Who's the third set of ears??!!
I'm glad you gave us another Ron scene - very curious about him. I'm glad he's upset, but he should be glad he wasn't fire - the bonehead!
Nice touch there with Kinglsey's rerort "And I thought you and Hermione were friends." !!!
Awesome. Looking forward to reading more.
"Did that goody goody bookworm report you?" Lavender asked, making a face at him.
Nice to see that Lavender's matured every bit as much as her charming husband. *Insert eyeroll*
And the fact that Ron never once expressed remorse over his appalling behavior towards the pregnant victim of a brutal attack--who happens to be a kind-hearted former friend-- is proof that he desperately needs and deserves the suspension that he's so furious about.
Of course, Ron's more upset about the fallout for himself rather than what he did to earn it. Knowing Ron, he'll probably blame Hermione, even though she wasn't the one who reported him.
I'm curious, though, about who was eavesdropping on Ron's ill-fated meeting with the Minister. My first thought was Rita Skeeter, but...?
Great story BTW, I look forward to seeing how things further unfold.
Another great part! I just have one critique, NOT LONG ENOUGH! I want to read more! Anyway, however way you write it, long or short, I still can't wait to read more!
I think you should add another category for this story under "Potions Under Duress." I know that lots of Hermione/Severus fans would enjoy reading this story.
Hurray - an update! I am so glad - I really liked this story. I am glad Hermione is fine. I am also glad that Severus told Ron off. Great job - I look forward to an update.
Response from HermioneWeasley1972 (Author of A Lesson in Friendship)
Thank you. I have good news for you. An update is pending in the queue and I fixed it. As soon as an admin releases it, it will be up. :)
At least he's a little angry at himself.
It's so good to see this story continued - thank you! And what a promising chapter...
You are such a tease. Now you've re-opened a can of flobber worms, so you can't quit now. It was good to see the update.
Nice job!
I am trilled to see an update to this story, I love it! So, Ron had to be a git still, I guess he will never grow up. Severus were rigth to warn him and for standing up for his wife, that is what a decent man should do.
Ron, Harry and the rest of those who turned their back on Hermione for daring to marry the man she loves should all be ashamed of them self, not to mention preferably put in their place!
The culprit (Lucius?) should be publicly humiliated and punished, preferably by Severus and Hermione, but as long as it is painful I guess I can live with it no matter who gets the honor:-))
And you should feel guilty Ron!! As should Harry!!
Lol. I was so excited when I saw an update! Woo-hoo! 
Just loved how Snape was all sweet and threatened Dunderhead!Ron.
I'm very curious how Ron's guilt will influence his next actions.
I'm also very curious about how the children's friendships develop and what they will think when they find out about their parents' estrangement.
So glad Hermione's baby is okay!!!
Look forward to reading more!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I have been looking forward to a new chapter for awhile now! I can't believe Ron, but then again, he has always had the maturity of a teaspoon! Ha! Ha! It was great to see Snape stand up for his family! Ron deserved that and more! I can't wait to see the next chapter!
Grace
Ron was out of line, he deserved what he got and more.
Nice to see how much Ron has matured over the years.
I guess it's fine for he and Lavender to keep building their own personal Quidditch team, but how dare Hermione have a second child with her husband, the man that she loves? So naturally Ron thinks it's a fine idea to antagonize his former friend, a pregnant woman who's just been brutally attacked and barely avoided a miscarriage?
What an ASS!!!
Harry's son James showed much more class and maturity when he stuck up for Nicoletta when that creep Brian tried to start something about a Snape in Gryffindor.
Sounds like James could teach Uncle Won-Won a lesson or two!
So glad to see this story back on the boards. I was really enjoying it. I look forward to your next chapter. Thanks, JoAnne
I hope no one considers Ron Hermione's friend anymore. Jeez. What a loser.
ron the eternal git. wonderful update. thanks and smoochies
I was over at Granger Enchanted when I came across this fic - it stopped at chapter 4 over there - and i just needed to read more. A good search was able to bring me here where you've got 7 chapters. It's very good. I've read several "broken trio friendship" fics, and this is defiantely one of the better ones. I love little Nicoletta and look forward to seeing what happens when Hermione and Ron confront each other at the hospital.
I'm hoping for heaps of guilt from Ron and Harry for being such jerks. I dunno if this fic is abandoned but i really hope it isn't.
Look forward to reading more and catching the bad guy!
Ron doesn't see what he did wrong? And if the healers turned him in, eh. He and Lav are going to blame Hermione anyway.
Ron! How awkward!Ooh, I like this story so far. I hope for another update soon!I'm glad that Hermione and the baby were safe, I was really worried that she would lose the baby. I hope that she can go live with Severus at Hogwarts (although I have a feeling he won't let her stay at home by herself).