A Long Way Back ~ Editing

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 15 ~ A Get Together and a Spark

After checking the equipment against Hermione's list and finding all items present, Severus signed the work order and hustled the technicians out of the manor. They were glad to go. The scowling, threatening wizard overseeing them was absolutely frightening. When Severus ascended the stairs, he was aware of the corridor being more airy, fresher. He couldn't discern anything different physically, but there was definitely a more open feeling.

"Hermione!" he called.

"I'm in here. The living room, Severus," she answered him.

Severus strode down the hall and turned into the living room. His black eyes scanned the room with approval, resting on the plush furniture and the placement of it. The large window was visible, opening up on to the gray grounds, letting in natural light, and the dark curtains had been replaced by lighter blue draperies with a valance.

"The house elves certainly are no slackers," he commented, entering the living room and looking about a bit more before his eyes rested on Hermione. She looked a bit hesitant as she looked back at him, as if she had something to tell him but was reluctant to. He was quite familiar with this look. There had been times he had to use legilimency to get the truth out of the witch.

"What happened, Hermione?" he asked her.

Hermione frowned at him slightly.

"How do you know anything happened?" she questioned him.

Severus gave her a little scowl.

"I was your lover for almost four years, Hermione. I might no longer be bedding you, but I haven't forgotten your mannerisms. There is a certain look you get in certain situations. I know that expression…so out with it," he said demandingly.

Hermione looked at him and sighed.

"Ibondedwithtwentyonehouseelves," she said in a low quick voice.

"What? Speak up. I couldn't understand you," Severus said, frowning down at her.

"I said I accidentally bonded with twenty-one house elves. They serve me now," Hermione said somewhat defiantly.

Severus blinked at her for several seconds. Then his mouth quirked and his face began to contort. Suddenly the wizard burst out in deep, rich laughter and collapsed into the nearest armchair, gripping the arms of it convulsively as he fell into gasping conniptions.

Hermione scowled at the wizard blackly as he laughed until tears streamed down his face.

"It's not funny," she said, which made Severus stop for a moment.

He tried to speak but started laughing again. Hermione enslaving house elves. It was just too funny, too ironic. She must have been mortified. And not one, but twenty-one? That was three Quidditch team's worth. Severus wiped at his eyes and struggled to regain control, taking great gulps of air as he tried to calm down. When he spoke to her, his voice was a bit high.

"You enslaved twenty-one house elves? You? Gods Hermione…how did you manage that?" he asked her.

"Well, I came in here and was so impressed I said I wouldn't mind the house elves hanging about if they could work miracles like this…and they heard me, and when they found out I was the owner of the manor, they all shot golden tendrils at me, and the next thing I knew…I owned them," she said.

"I didn't know house elves were such opportunists," Severus replied. He felt like laughing again at the way the elves had duped her. They were far from stupid creatures. Serving Hermione would be much less of a chore than working at Hogwarts…though the creatures liked work, it had to be hard to serve so many people.

"I'm going to give them the guesthouse as servants quarters. It has all the amenities. Four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a living room and study and a very nice kitchen. They can fix it up like they like," she said, "plus I am going to give them each a small allowance so they have some spending money. I always thought they should have money of their own."

Severus thought Hermione's house elves would probably be the best treated in the wizarding world.

"You're more than likely going to have to tell them what to do with it," Severus said. They know about purchasing supplies and such, but personal spending is another story. But they are good stewards of money. They receive a budget at the beginning of each month from Albus and use it to order and purchase food for meals. No one oversees this, they do it themselves and there is always a bit left over. They know exactly what is needed. Amazing really, considering the variety of dishes they are asked for by the staff.

The students at Hogwarts ate buffet style, whatever the elves served that's what they ate. But staff ordered their meals individually and had varied tastes that differed from student fare. But whatever they asked for, the elves always had it.

"You know they are going to want to do the cooking, Hermione," the wizard said. "Most likely they will insist upon it."

Hermione remembered the sandwich she had fixed for Severus.

"I made you a ham sandwich for your lunch and left it in the far cooler," she said to the wizard.

Severus looked surprised. That was quite thoughtful of the witch.

"Thank you, Hermione. I will get it presently," he responded.

No sooner than he uttered it, a house elf appeared with the sandwich on a plate and a tall glass of pumpkin juice, set it on the table beside the Potions Master, bowed and winked out.

Severus and Hermione looked at each other.

"They certainly don't waste any time starting their service do they?" Hermione said, looking at the sandwich.

"No they don't. They aren't going to let you lift a finger, Hermione. You are a witch of leisure now," the Potions Master said, lifting the sandwich and taking a bite.

Hermione didn't know how much she would like being waited on hand and foot.

"You'll get used to it," Severus said, his dark eyes resting on her. "By the way, the lab is set up and ready to go. We can start working on breaking down the elixir as soon as you are ready."

Hermione nodded. She would go down and check it out a little later. She narrowed her eyes at Severus.

"You certainly got those workers out rather quickly," she said, her amber eyes resting on him.

"They were riding the clock," he said evenly, "They were finished unpacking and just hanging about. They needed to go…and were reluctant. It seems they wanted to see you again, though they couldn't say why. So I helped them along."

"The Queen's influence," Hermione said, "They couldn't help it Severus."

"I don't give a damn what they couldn't help," he said with a bit of a growl. Hermione couldn't help but feel it was a rather possessive sound.

"Severus, does the Queen influence affect you at all?" Hermione asked him.

Severus put his sandwich down and let his eyes flick over the skinny witch. Her face was no longer as drawn as it was, she actually looked rather pretty, but was still not herself the way he remembered her.

"Yes, it affects me. But I am aware that it is a magical attraction and my logic and discipline help keep me from acting like a besotted fool. We aren't together, and I know you aren't going to invite me to have sex with you…and even if you did, your physical condition would be a liability so I wouldn't act anyway because I could seriously harm you. You'd snap in half, witch," he said to her, his black eyes glittering.

Hermione couldn't help the warmth that welled up inside her as she remembered how strong a lover the wizard was, how dominating and controlling behind closed doors. He didn't deny himself any pleasure and enjoyed twisting her about and riding her hard. He certainly could harm her without meaning to.

Severus noticed the heat that flared up in the witch's eyes and quickly looked away from her, picking up his sandwich and biting into it, staring at it as if it were the most fascinating sandwich in the world. He didn't want to see that heat. She had turned him away after all, and that look still did something to him, despite her abandonment. Severus hadn't had sex in a very long time, and it was because of Hermione. Her looking as if she wanted to be fucked by him didn't help matters. He swallowed and cleared his throat, deciding to change the topic.

"Hermione, it occurred to me that we are both sadly lacking in knowledge of the latest Potions developments over the past five years. I believe we need to go through the trade journals and bone up on what's been happening. There may be some new techniques we'll find helpful," he said.

Hermione's eyes lit up.

"You mean study?" she said excitedly.

Severus nodded. Hermione used to love studying. Apparently she did again.

"That's a wonderful idea. But how will we get hold of all those journals?" she asked him.

"Most Potions Masters keep the journals for reference purposes. I'll owl Master Vargas and ask to borrow his. He'll do it. He's almost a friend of mine," Severus said evenly.

Master Vargas was a pompous poser, but he would be delighted to have Severus owe him a favor.

"You know this will set our work back several weeks," Hermione said, looking at the wizard.

"Yes, but we will be better informed. It could help us more than hinder us," Severus said, "Unless you are in a rush to do this."

Hermione shook her head.

"No, I'm not driven by guilt anymore. I think it is best I go into this as informed as possible," the witch said. "I want to resurrect Harry, but I want to be thorough so no mistakes are made. I think it would be good if I get my mind up to par. It is a bit rusty from non-use."

Severus nodded. He thought Hermione's attitude was a wise one.

"Very well. I will write Vargas later today," the wizard said.

Hermione gave him a breathtaking smile. It made his heart clutch a little. She used to smile at him like that all the time, and it made him feel good. He didn't make many people smile in his life, so he felt rather special when she blessed him like that.

He felt rather special now.

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Severus did write Vargas, and the wizard shipped over a staggering amount of journals. Hermione started reading first, then gave Severus the trade magazine to peruse. Soon, they were arguing and debating theories and new developments as they used to do, Hermione pacing all over the study, gesticulating, shouting and driving her points home, flushed and animated as Severus sat in the armchair, quietly and aggravatingly challenging her. It was like old times.

The house elves proved to be absolutely wonderful. They were discreet little creatures too. Hermione rarely saw them. But they did all the cooking, the cleaning, the washing…everything that needed doing was done almost before even needed. Their meals were always ready, snacks present the moment they were thought of. Hermione had to admit having them was a godsend.

The witch began to fill out and within three months, was completely restored. She had a little get together at the manor, Albus, Ron, Poppy and Remus Lupin visiting all at once. They exclaimed over the state of the manor and were overjoyed they had their Hermione back. All were surprised to see Severus, who was as dark and brooding as ever. Hermione explained that they were working on a project together, pointedly letting everyone know they were associates and not lovers. Albus' eyes twinkled at this. He knew it had been a long time for both of them, and they had been good together. Hopefully they would be good again.

Hermione heard for the first time Severus' plans for the future.

"After we have completed our project, Headmaster, I plan to return to my journeys. I enjoy traveling and seeking out new potions. I was so sequestered for most of my life, I find exploration freeing," he said to the wizard, who nodded sagely.

It made sense for the Potions Master to want to experience the world. He had been bound for many years.

For some reason, Hermione felt her heart sink. She had gotten used to Severus' presence and knowing he intended to move on after they discovered the secret of the elixir sat on her stomach like a stone. She had no right to feel this way. She had no claim to him. And even if she did have a claim, that wouldn't give her the right to hold him back from what he longed to do.

Ron's son Harry was in attendance also. He was three with a full head of red hair that always stayed rather messy, no matter how much it was combed. He had startling green eyes as well. He took to Hermione immediately, sitting on her lap and hugging her tightly. He followed her around almost the entire time, and Hermione found she didn't mind a bit. He was so cute and inquisitive. He turned his eyes on the black urn on the mantle above the fireplace. It caught his attention because it was the only item there.

"What's that, Hermione?" he asked, pointing at the urn.

"That is an urn. It holds the ashes of my friend Harry Potter. The wizard you are named after," she said to the precocious little wizard.

Harry knew ashes were black stuff left over when wood burned. Since they were Harry's ashes that meant he had to have been burned.

"Did it hurt him when he burned up?" little Harry asked.

Hermione shook her head.

"No, Harry. He was beyond pain then. It didn't hurt him at all," she said softly, looking at the urn.

"That's good," the boy said. "I want pumpkin juice, please."

Hermione smiled down at the boy.

"Certainly, Harry. Come on," she said.

Harry grasped her hand and followed her to the table where the juice was, thinking she was the nicest witch he had ever met outside of mum.

Ron was eyeing Severus, waiting to catch him alone. He didn't have to wait long. The wizard sat down in an armchair at a little distance from the others, nursing a firewhiskey. Ron approached him.

"Professor?" Ron said to the wizard.

Severus sipped his firewhiskey, then looked up at Ron with a slight scowl.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley?" he responded.

Ron looked as if he were chewing on something particularly nasty for a moment, then blurted out, "I just want to thank you for getting Hermione to come out of her shell. We all tried and tried but she wouldn't respond to us. I was so afraid she was going to …well you know what she did to herself when Harry died…but she didn't. I know you helped her come back to herself. I just…just wanted to thank you. She means the world to me."

Severus looked up at the wizard consideringly. Ronald Weasley thanking him for something. Well, well.

"Hermione snapped out of her funk herself, Mr. Weasley. I had nothing to do with it," the Potions Master responded. "She must have been ready to come back to life, as it were."

Ron looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"I don't believe that Professor. I believe you snarked your way into her psyche somehow and gave her just what she needed to wake up. I'll always be grateful to you for that," Ron said. He walked away quickly.

Severus looked after him.

"I have the gratitude of a Weasley," he thought sarcastically, "What a blessing."

Severus snorted and drained his glass.

He'd be glad when this damned get together was over. He wanted to debate Hermione again about the use of Yarrow Root as a feasible substitute for Hellebore in potions.

He didn't want to admit that he wanted her all to himself.

But he did. Gods help him…he did. She was so much the woman he remembered now. All brilliance and fire. Her intelligence had always been attractive to him, and now that she was restored, he found himself drawn to her again. Sometimes he would just admire her as she strode back and forth, arguing for all she was worth, her eyes flashing and arms flailing, her face screwed up in derision that he didn't see her points. Most of the time he did see them, but acted as if he didn't…just to get her going.

Back when they were lovers, there were times the debates traveled to the bedroom with them, Severus finally shutting her up the way he loved…and she loved. It was hard to talk when you were crying out in passion.

Across the room, Hermione looked at the dour wizard. It was so much like it used to be between them, except for one thing. Intimacy. Now that she was restored, her libido was back and she found herself thinking of the Potions Master the way she used to. She still hadn't apologized for dumping him. It was very hard to do…she couldn't seem to drum up the courage. She was afraid of what he would say or how he would react. Sex was something neither spoke about. It was as if the subject was taboo.

Hermione had begun her initial testing of the elixir. She had been dismayed to find out that her spell that allowed her to identify chemicals and allow chemical reactions in the wizarding world had been cracked and now was being used commonly. Ah well. If she hadn't been so selfish, she could have gotten some residuals from it. Live and learn. She immediately taught the spell to Severus since it made no sense to keep it to herself any longer.

The elixir was proving to be quite complicated, but at least the base was plain water, which made it easier to separate the components, some of which were chemical in nature and others, which were magical. She had to separate these components further so she could study each individually. She had so little to work with, and it was very focused and tedious work…she had to practically separate the components grain by grain with tweezers while peering through a powerful microscope and keeping the tweezers scourgified so there was no cross-contamination. It was slow work but she was making some progress. It would be another month before she had everything separated, then could go about identifying each part and the exact combination necessary to create a viable solution. But at least they were on their way.

Finally the guests left and the house elves cleaned up everything in a twinkle. By the time Hermione came back from walking her guests to the door, the room was spotless. Gods, she loved house elves. Ying and Yang did too. The cats were spoiled rotten and the elves fed them whatever they wanted. No more cat food for them. As far as the familiars were concerned, the elves were an excellent addition to the household.

Severus was still sitting in the armchair, brooding. Hermione sat down next to him.

"You look thoughtful," she said.

"Yes. I was just mulling over something Ronald Weasley said to me," he responded, the firewhiskey making him a bit more open than usual.

"What did he say?" Hermione asked him curiously. Severus and Ron never got along.

Severus turned his black eyes on Hermione.

"He seems to think I am the one who brought you out of your funk," the Potions Master said. "He thanked me for it."

Hermione looked at the wizard for a moment.

"You were the one, Severus. Yes, I got an epiphany, but if not for you it would have never happened. Your presence here made me start to change for the better. And you know, I've never thanked you for it either," she said, leaning over the armchair and gently kissing his cheek.

Severus closed his eyes as he felt her soft lips on his face. He swallowed and looked at her for a long moment after she pulled away.

Hermione suddenly stood up.

"I'm so tired, Severus…I'm going to go to bed," she said, leaving quickly.

She couldn't take the way he was looking at her.

"Good night," he said, a bit of rawness in his voice. He watched her go, the place where she kissed him tingling slightly.

"You shouldn't have done that witch," he said under his breath, staring into the fire.

"You should have left well enough alone."

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A/N: Oh my…is that citrus I smell in the air??? Hmm. Please review.