10 Years After

10 Years After
Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I own nothing of what you’re about to read, with the possible exception of the plot, although I’m sure it’s been done before. The places, characters, etc. belong to JK Rowling. Thanks.


Outside Hogsmeade: April 4, 2008, late afternoon; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Severus sat in the staff room fidgeting uncomfortably. He was still awaiting the questions of Albus Dumbledore, surprised that the previous night had gone by without a summons. Now he was stuck in a staff meeting with his escape, dinner with Hermione in Hogsmeade, just a few hours away. He loathed staff meetings. They took time away from what he really wanted to do and they involved sitting in a room with the likes of Sibyll Trelawney. Severus wasn’t scared of much, but he was terrified of Trelawney. The woman had never made a secret of her interest in the potions master, and most of the other staff found it amusing. Between prophesizing about a great love for Severus (that she appeared to assume was her) and gazing at him with her protruding “bug” eyes, magnified by her glasses.

“How was your holiday, Severus?” asked Trelawney, “you were missed. Weren’t you lonesome on holiday by yourself?”

“I wasn’t by myself,” he replied, noting the look of surprise in her eyes.

“Ah, werewere with friends?”

“A friend,” said Severus with a smirk.

“Do I know him?” asked Trelawney.

“Her, and I think you might.” Severus enjoyed the look of dismay on her gaunt face and was saved by Dumbledore calling the staff meeting to order.

“First order of business, Welcome Back Severus,” stated Dumbledore, “I trust your holiday was enjoyable,” Severus nodded and Dumbledore continued, “We are currently in the process of searching for 2 mediwizard interns to work with our Poppy Pomfrey…”

Severus sat up straight in his seat as he listened to Dumbledore explain about their searor qor qualified interns and Poppy Pomfrey’s plan to eventually move on to mediwizard training in a few years.

“Albus?” asked Severus.

“Yes, Severus?”

“Exactly what qualifications are you looking for in a mediwizard intern?”

“Are you making a leap from potions to mediwizardry, Severus?” asked Albus, his blue eyes twinkling. He was rewarded with a patented glare from his potions master.

“Hardly,” Severus snorted, “I was curious.”

“We’re looking for a course of mediwizardry study at an accredited university and a background in potions couldn’t hurt. The intern needn’t have mastered in mediwizardry. We will accept a minor with great potential and a willingness trk ork on course study whilst interning. Did you have someone in mind?”

“Perhaps,” replied Severus, mentally filing away this information to give tomionmione at dinner. This could be the opportunity she was looking for. A chance to intern while studying, and a close proximity to the private labs at Hogwarts for her research. She could do her research and finish school without worrying about working full time and having no time for herself, “Does this internship include room and board?”

“Yes, it does. Perhaps you should see me after the meeting to let me know who you are considering.”

Severus nodded and tientiently listened to what he considered the rest of the babble; two Slytherins were caught attempting to brew a lust potion, but they had the wrong ingredients and currently were sitting in the hospital ward unable to prevent themselves from squawking and molting the lovely feathers they had grown overnight, Nymphadora Tonks had accepted the DADA position for the following fall when the current professor, Evan Drake, went on extended sabbatical, a reminder of upcoming exams, and much debate over plans for this years graduation ceremony. When mee meeting ended and the rest of the staff headed toward the Great Hall, Severus stayed behind to discuss the internship with Dumbledore.

“So, Severus,” began Dumbledore, “Who do you have in mind for one of the positions?”

“Hermione Granger. She’s considering retng tng to school to finish her masters in mediwizardry and she’s already a potions mistress. She’s involved in some serious research as well. Interning here would solve her problem of not having enough time to do all she wants to do. If she lived here and did the mediwizardry internship, she would also be doing her coursework here, right?” Dumbledore nodded, “and my private labs are state of the art and I would have no issue with her using them for her research…”

“And she would be living a lot closer than St Damian’s,” remarked Dumbledore, attempting to gauge the reaction from the younger man. He was amused to see the look of surprise that crossed Severus’ face. The man had never even considered that doing this internship would bring the young witch to the same castle. Dumbledore had known about the divorce of Harry and Hermione Potter, and he had heard that Severus was not alone in Corforinu but rather was enjoying the company of a brilliant brunette witch with the face of an angel and kind eyes. Coincidentally, her name was Hermione.

“I hadn’t considered that,” said Severus.

“You must really care about her, my boy. You actually put her needs ahead of yours. In fact, you didn’t even appear to consider your own needs.”

“This is about what’s best for Hermione,” said Severus, “she wants so much from the world and it would be a shame not to be able to offer her a way to make having it all easier.”

“Would she accept it, do you think?” asked Dumbledore, “If I thought she would, I wouldn’t consider anyone else for one of the internships.”

“I can mention it tonight, we’re supposed to have dinner.”

“That would be perfect. And Severus,” Dumbledore said with a smile, “congratulations on winning over such a wonderful girl. She’s bound to be good for you. And you for her.”

“I am very lucky,” replied Severus, “she’s the most incredible woman in the world. Hard to believe the Gryffindor Terror grew into my Hermione,” his eyes grew sad for a moment, “I only hope I can live up to what she deserves.”

“If anyone can, it’s you, my boy. You deserve a little happiness. Let yourself have it.”

Severus nodded, and bidding Dumbledore goodnight, he slipped down to his dungeons to change out of his teaching robes and then headed to Hogsmeade.

Hogsmeade: April 4, 2008, evening; The Three Broomsticks and back to Hogwarts.
Hermione nervously entered the Three Broomsticks, looking for Severus. She was a few minutes late due to her preening and primping for this date. She felt as though she hadn’t seen Severus in ages, even though it had only been a day. She spied him at a table and made her way over to him, wrapping her arms around him from behind and kissing him on the neck. He knew she was behind him before she touched him, her citrus and jasmine scent giving her away. She slipped into the chair across from him and smiled.

“It is so good to see you,” she said.

“It’s even better to see you,” he said, smiling at her, almost shyly. They quickly selected their orders and a bottle of red wine and settled back to talk.

“How was your day back teachinshe she asked with a sly grin.

“Just ducky,” replied Severus with a glower.

“Why do I feel like I’m on a first date?”

“Because it is our first date in our real lives. I hardly think you could count New York as an actual date.”

“We had drinks…” said Hermione.

“And then had sex.”

“Several times.”

“Not a date.”

“More like a seduction.”

“I did not seduce you,” protested Severus.

“No,” agreed Hermione, “I seduced you.”

“Thank you for that,” remarked Severus quietly as Madame Rosmerta placed their food in front of them.

“It was my pleasure. Several times,” she grinned.

“How was your first day back?” he asked, laughing.

“Just ducky, too,” she replied, “had a cauldron melter take out two cauldrons. One would think that by University, they would have learned not to do that.”

“Once a dunderhead, always one,” agreed Severus with a chuckle, “so, have you thought more about pursuing your mediwitch studies?”

“I want to do it so badly, but I’m afraid it’s not logistically possible. Not without a time turner at least, and I don’t think I could handle that again. It was hard enough when I was at Hogwarts.”

“What if you gave up teaching?”

“I would only have the money from Harry to live on. That wouldn’t feel right. I need to do this on my own, not on a settlement from a marital error.”

“What if you could find an internship that gave you room and board? And was very nearby to a rather well stocked potions lab?”

“Oh Severus, that would be ideal. But unfortunately, situations like that rarely exist. And when they do, they’re next to impossible to get. Besides, I’d rather not be any further away from you than I am right now. Not if I can avoid it.”

“Take me out of the equation, Hermione. This is something you need to do for you.”

“I don’tt tot to take you out of the equation.”

“I would wait forever and a day for you if I had to. But seriously, Lady Hermione, what if that situation existed? Would you take it?”

“I’d be a fool not to.”

“And Hermione Granger is no fool.”

“Why are you asking, Severus? Have you heard of something like this?”

“Actually, yes, I have. There’s an internship available at Hogwarts.”

Hermione’s eyes lit up as she stared at Severus in disbelief, “There is?”

“Yes,” ied ied Severus, smiling broadly at her, “and it’s yours if you want it. I hope you don’t mind, but I mentioned you to Albus when I heard of it. He said he one of the positions would be yours for the asking. You do have a rather amazing reputation at Hogwarts.”

Hermione leaned over the table, her eyes shining, and grabbed Severus’ head, pulling him toward her. She kissed him hard, to the amusement of Madame Rosmerta, who had come to clear their table.

“Tell Professor Dumbledore that I absolutely would be honored to take the internship.”

“I’m sure he’s want to hear it for himself. Fancy a walk back to the castle and tea with the Headmaster?”

“I would love to. I’ve missed Hogwarts so.”

Severus paid the tab and taking Hermione’s hand, led her out of the Three Broomsticks and into the early spring evening. They walked along the High Street, across the tracks and down the path to the castle. Hermione moved closer to Severus, who wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close as they walked in silence. The silence with Severus was differehan han the silence with Harry. It wasn’t uncomfortable. It wasn’t because they had nothing to say, it was because they didn’t have to say anything. The reached the gates of Hogwarts and Severus felt Hermione shiver.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

“Nervous,” she replied.

Severus stopped walking and wrapped both of his arms around her, drawing her nearer for a soft kiss on the lips. Hermione deepened the kiss, snaking her tongue into his mouth and running her hands through his silky hair.

“I’ve wanted this all day,” she said quietly.

“Me too,” stated Severus, kissing her again, “There is nothing in this world that can compare to kissing you.”

“We should get moving,” said Hermione with a smile, “I don’t want it to get too late to meet with Professor Dumbledore.”

“I doubt it could ever be too late for Albus not to wish to see you.”

They reached the castle doors, which swung open on a word from the dark potions master. Hermione and Severus entered the castle and walked through the entry to the marstaistaircase that led to the first floor. From the first floor, they walked up the steps to the second floor, and to Dumbledore’s office. Speaking the password “peanut butter delight” with a sneer in his voice, the door opened and the pair rode the moving staircase to the Headmaster’s office. They entered to find Albus Dumbledore sitting at his desk reading the Daily Prophet.

“Rag, really,” he said, putting down he paper, “ministry propaganda at it’s most frightening. Welcome back Professor Granger.”

“Thank you Professor Dumbledore.”

“You may call me Albus.”

“Thank you Albus.”

“Now, I trust our esteemed Professor Snape has mentioned the internships we’re offering in the fall?”

“Yes, he has,” replied Hermione, “and I would be most interested in one.”

“You understand that you would have to give up your job at the University.”

“Yes, sir, I understand that and have no issue with it. Would I be able to cone mye my research?”

“Absolutely. And Severus has made the offer to share his private labs with you. I think you will find them to be more than adequate for your research. I have read some of your preliminary reports, Hermione, your findings thus far are fascinating.”

“Thank you so much. I have much work yet to do.”

“Remus would have been so proud of you.”

“Severus has said that, as well. I do this research in memory of him.”

“Hermione Granger,” stated Dumbledore ouldould like to offer you one of the mediwitch internships for the fall. Will you accept?”

“I would be honored,” replied Hermione.

“You may move into your castle quarters when your teaching term is over. You will have the entire summer to work on your research full time.”

“Thank you Prof…Albus,” said Hermione, her eyes shining brightly.

“You’re welcome.”

Hermione and Severus left the Headmasters office, Hermione nearly skipping down the moving staircase.

“Oh Severus!” she said, “my dreams are coming true. I can’t believe this.”

“You deserve it, Hermione.”

“I need to get back to the University,” said Hermione sadly, “I have papers to grade.”

“As do I,” concurred Severus, “I’ll walk you to the gates.”

Hermione and Severus walked the path to the gates of Hogwarts, holding hands and discussing her research. At the gates, Severus gifted Hermione with a searing yet tender kiss and with a smile, Hermione apparated to Smianmian’s, her future firmly in hand. Severus watched her disappear with a smile of his own. Not only would Hermione be getting all that she deserved, but she would be near him for her internship, all 2 years of it. For once in his life, Severus was truly happy for another person, and truly happy for himself.