Doubts and Desires

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing! Please review! I love to know what people think about variohinghings and such.


Chapter Fifteen: Visitations


Hermione sat in the Three Broomsticks, waiting for Harry to come. He had written her, asking to meet with her for drinks. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to him much since the last time back in September. She hadn’t told him about her and Severus, and she wasn’t sure if she should. He might not take it well, since Severus and Harry did not get along. Finally, she saw him enter and waved him over.

Harry walked in and took off his cloak. It had been a colder November this year than any other yet. “Hi, ‘Mione,” he said, giving her a hug to let her know that all was forgiven from the last time.

She returned the hug, knowing that this seemed to be a normal routine for the two of them. They would get into an argument, normally over the final battle with Voldemort. Then, they wouldn’t talk for a while. After that, they would be best friends again. And, she thought that her relationship with Ron was one argument after another! “So, how are things with you, Harry?”

He ran his hand through his hair and ordered a firewhiskey. “It’s not too bad. Been fairly busy still actually. I…I…er...,” he said, not able to tell her what he wanted to. “So, how have you been, Hermione? Still busy at the Hospital Wing?”

She knew that there was something that he wanted to tell her, but again, he was keeping her out of it. He had a bad tendency to do this. “I’ve been very busy actually still.” She looked at him. “Harry, can I tell you something? Can you keep an open mind about this?”

He looked at her and leaned forward toward her slightly. “Sure, Hermione. What is it?” He lifted his glass of firewhiskey up and took a sip.

“I’ve been dating Severus Snape,” she said rather quietly.

He began to cough as he choked on his firewhiskey. “You…you are dating…Snape!?!”

She blushed lightly and playfully hit his hand. “Now, be nice. He’s really not that bad, Harry. He’s been nice to me, and we have a lot in on.”on.” She decided to leave out the fact that the sex was phenomenal. “We’re even working on this new potion together, although I think it is possible to be almost impossible. It’s the hardest potion to figure out and create.”

He finally got under control. “Snape, huh?” He really couldn’t say much about it. Hermione had always done what Hermione wanted to do. She was stubborn, and he loved that about her. “Well, I…I hope he makes you happy, Hermione.”

She smiled. “He does. He really does.” She was so relieved that he was taking this so well. “You might not want to mention this to Ron any time soon.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I guess not.” He thought about the potion she mentioned. “So how is the anti-killing curse potion? Are you making any progress with it?”

She opened her mouth to tell him when she closed it again. Her eyes narrowed. “How did you know what the potion was for, Harry?”

“You…you mentioned it, Hermione. Don’t you remember?” he said, obviously trying to cover his tracks.

“I mentioned the potion, but I did not mention what it was set out to do. What do you know, Harry James Potter, and tell me the truth?” Her tone has a slight McGonagall edge to it.

He looked at her. “Well, I know some gs, gs, but I…I really can’t tell them to you, Hermione.” He took her hands in his. “Trust me, Hermione. And, you and Snape need to get this potion to work. It’s very important.”

She gave him a suspicious look and leaned closer. “Why won’t you tell me why it is so important?”

He sighed. “I promised that I wouldn’t say, ‘Mione. Please don’t make me break my promise. You’ll know in time. Trust me. Do you trust me?”

She slowly nodded, giving his hands a gentle squeeze. “Of course, I trust you, Harry.”

He released her hands and finished his firewhiskey. “Good. If you are ready you you want to walk with me back to Remus’? He would love to see you.”

She nodded and gave him a smile, finishing her butterbeer. She stood up and put on her cloak as Harry did the same. He offered her his arm, which she gladly took, and they walked quietly along the streets up to the Shrieking ShacRemuRemus had been living there since after the war. The outside still looked the same, but the inside was quite nice and simple. She knew that Harry was mainly helping Remus out with the funds to live there, since the wizarding laws no longer allowed werewolves to get a job. They entered through a back door. “Remus, I’m back. ‘Mione’s here with me too.”

Remus came into his kitchen where Harry and Hermione were standing. He looked tired and worn. He smiled at her and gave her a warm hug. “Hello, Hermione. How is Hogwarts treating you?”

Hermione returned the hug. “Quite well. They keep me busy in the Hospital Wing.”

“And, she’s seeing Snape,” Harry piped up, thinking it wouldn’t hurt for Remus to know as he ignored Hermione’s glare.

Remus was only slightly surprised. He had known Severus for many years, and he had always thought that the two of them had things in common. “That’s nice, Hermione. Is he treating you well?”
Hermione nodded. “Quite well actually.” Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she mentioned him. The more she was with Severus; the more certain she was in love with him.

Remus noted the sparkle in her eyes. “Are you going to stay for a while? Or do you have to get back soon?”

She looked at the time. “I can stay a little while longer. I do have to get back though. You never know when I might be needed.”

He nodded. “I’ll have to stop by tomorrow for the Wolfsbane potion actually. Full moon and all.” He motioned for them to sit at the kitchen table as he sank into the chair, finding it hard to do this the older he got.

She gave him a worried look. “How are you doing, Remus? You look tired.”

He gave her a gentle smile. “I’m doing alright. I wish I could be doing something more. Oh, I’ve been writing a book actually on Defense Against the Dark Arts. I noticed that the school’s textbook could be updated on matters.” He completely avoided the comment that he looked tired.

“That’s wonderful! They could use a new book, and I know you know so much about DADA already.” She smiled at him, knowing that he needed to keep busy and do things that he enjoyed.

He nodded. “So, how long have you been seeing the brooding Potions Master?”

She blushed. “Only for a few weeks. We’ve been out on a couple of dates. We like to spend time together.” She gave a slight smirk, knowing how much they liked to spend time together.

“Good,” Remus stated. He wanted Hermione to be happy and Severus too. He considered Severus a friend of sorts.

She smiled and the three chatted for a while longer until Hermione had to go back to Hogwarts, while the mention of the potion earlier was completely forgotten along with the secrets still hidden. Remus saw her to the door, telling her that he might see her tomorrow while he was there as they watched her leave for Hogwarts.

* * * * *

Severus looked up from his paperwork at the sound of the knock. He knew that it was Remus. Hermione had told him about her visit with Potter and Remus, including the mention that Potter actually knew what the potion that they were working on was about. “Come in.”
Remus entered the office. “Hello, Severus. Do you have the Wolfsbane potion ready?”

“Of course.” Severus took out the vials. “I trust that I don’t have to remind you when to take these.”

Remus sat down. “Severus, you have been making this potion for me for years. I know how to take it. I may change form month to month, but I don’t lose my mind or my memory.

Severus scoffed and sat the potion in front of Remus. He bowed his head again to work on his paperwork as a way to let Remus know that he was finished with him.

“I talked to Hermione yesterday.”

“I know,” Severus said without looking up.

“She mentioned that the two of you were seeing each other.”

His head shot up as he looked at Remus. She had forgotten to mention that fact of the conversation she had yesterday. “What is it to you?”

Remus gave a nonchalant shrug. “Hermione is my friend just as you are, but I also know how you can be, Severus. You are being good to her, aren’t you?”

Severus smirked. “It all depends on your definition of good,” he said, letting Remus take the undertones of the statement as he would.

Remus slowly nodded, confirming one of his suspicions. “She really likes you, Severus. Don’t screw it up and push her away. She’s good for you.”

He scoffed. “And how would you know about this?”

Remus leaned forward. “C’mon, Severus. You have to admit that the ladies aren’t just jumping in line for either of us really.” He paused briefly. “Do you love her?”

Severus blinked. “What?! That…That’s beside the point. We enjoy each other’s company.” He shifted, uncomfortable with such questions. “Besides,” he said as he busied himself with moving around his papers, “I don’t love anyone.”

“Hmm.” Remus had all the confirmation that he needed. He took the potion and stood up, going over to the door. “Just remember what I said, Severus. Love doesn’t come around all the time. And, you really should tell her how you feel about her. She deserves to know.” He then left, closing the door behind him.

“Preposterous,” Severus mumbled as he shook his head and arranged the papers. Remus didn’t know what he was talking about and since when did he even listen to the werewolf?! He didn’t. After all, Severus Snape did not fall in love.


A/N: Please review!