AFTERWARDS

Harry had been watching Hermione talking with Professor Snape and his eyes widened incredulously as he saw them both laughing. She had changed so much since the war and although they still spent time together, she was closer to Ginny now than she was to him. Nevertheless, he still recognised flirting when he saw it and he wondered what the hell she was playing at. He waved at her to get her attention and she walked over to him, a smile on her face and a light in her eyes he had never seen before.

‘You seemed to be having a good time. What was that about?’ He still felt protective of her, even though she had gone off and carved out her own career and put distance between them.

‘I don’t know what you mean.’ Hermione looked at him in mock innocence but there was a hint of a challenge in her eye that, if he had seen it, he would have known better to avoid.

‘You and the Professor. You were flirting with him, weren’t you?’ His tone was accusatory and Hermione bristled.

‘You are my friend Harry, but I have to say, it’s none of your business what I do really, is it?’ She glared at him and dared him to say more.

Harry shrugged. ‘He’s old, an ex-death eater and a miserable git most of the time, but if he’s your type, who am I to argue?’ He snapped at her and turned to walk over to Ginny, who was deep in conversation with Ron and Lavender.

Hermione looked over at them and sighed. She knew they had all gone in different directions. Ron and Harry had stayed close because not only were they related as brothers-in-law; they also shared an office at the Ministry, Harry being Ron’s boss.

She looked around the room and spotted Madame Pomfrey sitting behind the teachers’ table at the top of the hall. Hermione was shocked; the woman had aged in the last three years and was obviously tired. She walked over and pulled a chair up next to her.

‘Hello, Madame Pomfrey!’ She said brightly.

Poppy Pomfrey turned to look at her. ‘Hello, my dear girl. I was watching you as you walked in earlier, you look very beautiful tonight.’ She took Hermione’s hand and squeezed it gently.

‘Thanks.’ Hermione smiled and looked into Poppy’s face. ‘Madame Pomfrey, are you well? You look a little tired this evening.’

‘Observant girl, as always.’ Poppy patted Hermione’s hand. ‘I have indeed been ill, but thankfully Severus had been able to brew the necessary potions for me regularly and I believe I am now on the mend. It has exhausted me, however and I shall be pleased to hand over the reins to you, my dear.’

Hermione smiled with relief. She had kept in touch with Madame Pomfrey by owl and she had been a real encouragement when Hermione suggested she apply for the soon to be vacant post. She was very fond of her.

Minerva walked over to where they were talking and glanced at Hermione in surprise.

‘My goodness, Miss Granger. You look breathtaking in the dress!’ She exclaimed.

Hermione laughed and Minerva looked at her. She had definitely blossomed. She would have to be vigilant where the male pupils were concerned.

‘Miss Granger, as you are now part of the staff I wonder if I can count on you to assist with the next part of the celebrations? I know how you love dancing and Poppy, as you can see, is not well enough to join in.’ Minerva fixed Hermione with a steely stare as if daring her to refuse.

Wordlessly, Hermione nodded. ‘Oh no…’ It hadn’t occurred to her she would be involved in the embarrassment from now on.

Minerva McGonagall stood behind the podium and waved her wand. The hall lit up with lanterns and everyone stopped talking and turned to face her.

‘Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone. Before we start the dancing…’ A groan went about the room which she quelled with one look ‘I would like to introduce you to our newest member of staff. Miss Granger had just completed her apprenticeship at St Mungo’s and I am delighted she will be joining us as Head Medi-witch in the hospital wing here at Hogwarts.’

Hermione flushed red as the hall erupted in applause. She stood and wave a little and a round of wolf whistles rang around the room, followed by raucous laughter.

Minerva frowned at the crowd in the hall as Hermione sat down and tried to stifle a giggle with the back of her hand. She looked over and caught Severus’s eye to see that he was also trying not to laugh. She recognised the twitch of his mouth and the telltale shaking of his shoulders. She winked at him and he stopped laughing immediately and looked away. Hermione smirked.

‘The dancing will commence with the Professors, then everyone else can join in… Merry Christmas, everyone!’ Minerva waved her wand and the hall was transformed. A wooden dance floor appeared in the centre of the room and the ceiling was lit with thousands of small fairy lights, twinkling in the colours of all of the houses. A small band appeared to one side and Christmassy scents were flooding the room.

Hermione smiled as she looked around the hall. It was just perfect. She grinned as she looked down at the dance floor. The Headmistress was dancing with Hagrid and Hermione waved enthusiastically at him.

‘Hello, ‘Mione!’ He called, waving back at her and almost dropping Minerva in the process. Hermione laughed out loud and then even louder as she saw Professor Flitwick attempting to put his arms around Professor Sprout. She had tears rolling down her face but was caught short when the looming figure of Severus Snape came into her line of vision.

‘I believe we are meant to dance.’ He was looking at her, his jaw set.

Hermione looked up at him in shock and wished she had grabbed Professor Flitwick before Professor Sprout had.

‘Right, yes…of course, Severus.’ She mumbled. He didn’t look particularly happy and her previous confidence and playful teasing left her as she tentatively held out her hand.

Severus took her small hand in his. She was trembling and he knew that if he were not as in control of his own feelings, the touch of her skin on his would have him shaking also. As it was, his stomach clenched as they touched, his head swam a little but these were things only he was aware of. He tried not to look at her as he led her onto the dance floor.

Severus wrapped one hand gently around Hermione’s slim waist and she gasped as he pulled her slightly closer to him, grasping her other hand in his and taking total control. Looking forward, she was close enough to see the buttons on his coat and the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. She had never noticed it before, a woody, almost sandalwood aroma that made her mouth water and her head spin. She licked her lips and opened her eyes as she put a hand on his shoulder lightly. She glanced up t his face. His jaw was set and he stared straight ahead. Hermione wasn’t aware of the music as he started to turn her around the floor; in fact she wasn’t aware of anything except the feel of being held by him. She didn’t notice the stares of the students, she didn’t notice Harry glaring and having a heated argument with Ginny and she didn’t notice that Severus was having a hard time not pulling her flush with his firm body and crushing her mouth with his.

The dance seemed to last forever and Hermione almost fell over as Severus gently brought them to a stop. Her heart was beating so loudly she was sure he must have heard it. He bent his head to her ear.

‘Fire whisky. My quarters. When you are ready, Miss Granger.’ He flashed her a small smile and swept out of the hall before she had chance to respond.


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Finally, Hermione will get her man alone... lets hope there are lemons to squeeze....