WLTM

Severus kept a tight hold on Hermione’s hand as they walked up to the main door of Hogwarts.



‘It feels little strange walking into the school holding hands with my old professor, ‘ Hermione laughed softly.



‘I know what you mean and yet, it feels like a lifetime ago. I haven’t taught in almost 5 years. And I certainly don’t see you as my student. Not after this morning,’ he glanced at her from the corner of his eye and saw she was blushing.



Severus paused and looked at her for a moment, stroking her face with his hand softly and hooking her loose curls over her ear.



‘Don’t be embarrassed. You were perfect…really, ‘ he smiled at her.



‘You know that I have never been like that with anyone else Severus, don’t you?’ Hermione met his eyes and he saw defiance there.



‘I know that,’ he murmured.



‘I wouldn’t do that with just anyone, Severus. Just know that you are special to me, OK?’



Hermione stepped up and kissed him fiercely on his lips and he felt his stomach tighten a little. As they pulled apart, Severus smiled a little but it wasn’t returned. Instead he met passion and determination in her eyes and he paled a little. He had a feeling he had unleashed something in her that wasn’t going to be sated any time soon. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her close and stroking her hair softly.



‘You’re special to me too,’ he murmured, a tight lump in his throat.



They squeezed each other until at some unspoken signal they let go and took hold of each other’s hand.

Without speaking, they walked up the front door of the school, neither of them least bit surprised when it opened for them and revealed the thin bespectacled frame of Minerva McGonagall.



‘Albus said you were here…’ she beamed at them, ‘Severus, you look so well… I love the new clothes, you look almost…’



‘….human?’ Hermione suggested and giggled a little.



‘Thank you…I think..’ Severus stepped forward and took Minerva’s hands in his. ‘It’s good to see you, Minerva’



‘And Hermione…’ Minerva’s eyes filled with tears and Hermione walked forward to hug her old Head of House, ‘my dear girl, how you have grown!’



Hermione laughed a little and Severus smiled as he watched the two women smiling at each other warmly.



‘Are we too late for breakfast?’ Severus asked her.

‘Of course not! I’m forgetting my manners… come, we’ll go to my office, the old man will never forgive me if I don’t bring you up to talk to him, ‘ Minerva waved them inside and unconsciously, Severus took Hermione’s hand and they walked in ahead of the Headmistress.



The movement wasn’t lost on Minerva and she paused, watching them as they walked down the hall. She closed her eyes and murmured slightly. She opened her eyes and looked again. Her eyes widened and she let out a small breath, shaking her head in disbelief.



‘Severus and Hermione?’ she said softly. She shrugged and followed them. This was going to be interesting.





*******

They ate a wonderful breakfast courtesy of the house elves and Hermione was delighted when Winky came to collect the dirty crockery. She hadn’t seen the elf in such a long time and was delighted to hear that she was actually enjoying her half-day off each week.



Severus had spoken to Albus at length, the old man animated and almost dancing in his frame as he smiled down on them both. They filled Albus and Minerva in on the shop and Hermione’s bezoar project and when all the news was shared, they was a gentle lull in the conversation which Minerva couldn’t resist filling.



‘Tell me about Valentine Passiflora…’ she said softly and her eyes shone as she smiled at them smugly.



Severus was drinking coffee and almost choked. Hermione gasped a little and then started to giggle hysterically.



‘You can tell her, Severus…’ Hermione gasped between giggles.



‘No… I think this is girl talk. I fancy a walk around the school for old times sake’ He glanced up at Albus and grinned, ‘Sorry you can’t come with me, Albus.’



Albus looked down at him, his eyes twinkling a little, ‘No problem my boy, I may go and talk with the Fat Lady, its been a while…’



Once the men had left the room, Hermione fixed Minerva with a quizzical stare.



‘How do you know about Ms Passiflora?’ she asked.



Minerva chuckled, ‘I knew her Mother, Rose. Valentine inherited her Mother’s magical signature, that’s how I knew. We were actually in school together for a short while but her family were Romany and she moved on, but we were friends and stayed in touch. We used to practice together.’



‘Practice together? But wasn’t she a Seer? Does that mean you…? Hermione’s jaw dropped.



‘Oh goodness me, I am not as talented as Rose or Valentine, but I have the basic ability… I can see your connection to Severus, you know. It’s strong already. How long have you been…you know…’ Minerva smiled warmly at her former student.



‘Only since yesterday, it’s our first date. Ms Passiflora believes we are soul mates.’



Hermione stated and started to twiddle with the handle of her teacup. She was starting to feel a little restless and couldn’t understand it.



‘I would listen to her then. I have never known her to be wrong. You would be good for Severus; he needs someone to show him love, companionship. And you certainly wouldn’t be bored in his company; you would have a lot to talk about. But… what is it, child? You seem uncertain…’



Minerva narrowed her eyes slightly and murmured under her breath.



The visible connection she had seen between Hermione and Severus manifested itself as long pale blue strings of light. When they were in the same room, the light was bright and the lengths thicker and stronger. Since Severus had left, however, the strands were thinner and stretched way beyond the door. Minerva nodded and smiled a little.



‘You’re feeling a little weaker, since he left the room. I can see your connection has lessened. Being with your soul mate is different from any other relationship once you have the knowledge of it. Should you ever be parted for a significant length of time, it would be painful for both of you. There are ways to keep your connection strong however…’ Minerva nodded a little and her eyes drifted up to Albus’s empty portrait.



‘I do feel strange now you come to mention it. It’s the first time we have been this far apart since we were revealed to each other. Do you think Severus is feeling the same way?’ Hermione looked at Minerva, grateful that she has someone to talk to about the strange situation she now found herself in, pleasurable as it was.



‘I would imagine so. Although Severus has learned to keep his feelings well hidden, even from himself. He probably doesn’t even know how he feels, ‘ Minerva smiled softly.



‘You said there was a way, to keep the connection strong?’ Hermione was starting to feel a little weak and put her teacup down on Minerva’s desk, her hand trembling a little.



Minerva looked at her and Hermione noticed two pink spots appearing on her cheeks.



‘There is a way… it is very personal, Hermione, I wouldn’t like to suggest… oh goodness me, where do I start?’ Minerva was a little embarrassed. In her head, Hermione was still a child, not a young woman of 29 years old.



Hermione was feeling faint and started to sway a little on her chair.

‘I think you’re going to have to tell me, Minerva… I can’t live a normal life if I’m going to feel like this each time Severus leaves the room for any length of time…’ Hermione could hardly breathe and held onto the desk, colour draining from her cheeks.



Minerva stared at her in shock. ‘I’ll go and find Severus…’



Hermione nodded and laid her head against the desk. She was feeling exhausted suddenly and briefly wondered what Minerva had been talking about before she passed out.







****



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