The Seaside Retreat

Chapter Four………… The Headmistress visits Maine

Minerva McGonagall leaned upon the porch railing for support after apperating. She was not as spry as she used to be and long distance apperation could make anyone waver. After taking a moment to collect herself she trudged up to the door of the cottage and knocked, waiting for Severus to answer. When he finally appeared Minerva was surprised by his appearance. It was not so much that he looked different it was … well that he looked the same. Exactly the same.

“Severus!” Minerva crowed “what the hell is the point of spending the entire summer on a beach if you lock yourself away and from the smell of you, drink yourself into a coma every evening?”

Snape looked down upon himself mildly ashamed, but unwilling to admit to it. He did love Minerva, like a best friend she had been there for him, but he honestly could not stand her mollycoddling sometimes.

“I have another month to develop some resistance to the sun and sober up… why start right away and ruin the fun for later? Besides if I leave the cottage I may run into her...”

A knowing glint appeared in Minerva’s eyes as she appraised Severus sharply. It seems as though the bloody twinkle was left to Minerva in Albus’ will. “Her…why Severus you can’t mean Miss Granger. After all, you are set to spend the next month with her. Why avoid her now? Unless of course you may feel something less then…shall we say appropriate for her?”

“Don’t be daft Minerva, of course not” Snape snorted at that. “I just don’t feel like entertaining a bored Gryffindor this summer. Her incessant questions make my head ache” Severus tried to convince himself of these words while willing his body not to react to the remembered images of Miss Granger in her tiny bikini. It would not do to convince her parents to let her stay with him while he had an erection.

“Well off we go its best to get this over with now”

Half an hour later found the two professors and Hermione and her parents having a heated “discussion” over the table at their cottage. Tea and biscuits had been provided by Hermione’s parents with a false sense of welcoming, but they laid untouched as each side argued their points. What it eventually came down to was Hermione standing on her chair, looking every inch the warrior she was rumored to be while she stated her point.

“Damn it Mum and Dad this speaking of me as if I were a petulant child will cease this instant. I am of age in my world and not too far off from being it in yours. The only reason why this conversation it still happening is because I have refused to leave without your blessing” at this her eyes softened though the steely resolve did not fade at all “I love you both, but I will return to Hogwarts in the Autumn. I just hope I still have parents to talk to when I do”.

Upon hearing this Hermione’s parents ducked their heads together and after a few whispered words, finally consented to do as they were asked. After all, from everything they have been told even if their beloved daughter stayed with them, the Death Eaters would continue to search for her.

“Alright darling, you win. This isn’t worth losing you over, especially since you have obviously made up your mind already. We love you honey, if this is what you want, so be it.” Hermione’s mother said quietly but with obvious sincerity.

Hermione clapped joyously upon hearing this and ran upstairs to get her things together for her move next door. She was terribly excited and anxious to finish her summer out, though it was with a heavy heart that she bade her parents goodbye. She still feared for them, even though they were going somewhere safe and protected.

Through no small amount of internal struggle did Hermione keep herself from crying. It really wouldn’t do to have her Professors see her so weak. She took a deep breath and steadied her resolve before turning and deciding to gather her things quickly as not to keep Professor Snape waiting.