A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 58 ~ Hermione Meets with the Family

The next morning at about eight o’clock, a summoned Eli winked into Hermione’s apartment. The witch was fully dressed in her robes and traveling cloak.

”You calls Miss?” Eli said to the witch.

Hermione looked a bit pale as she responded, first placing a small package into her robes pocket.

”Yes, Eli. Please inform your master that I need to apparate off the site as soon as possible,” she said to the elf.

Eli nodded and winked out.

He returned home to find Severus sitting in the living room drinking a strong cup of black coffee. He’d had a restless night. The wizard planned to occupy his day drawing up the new layout for next season’s plantings. He had rotations to complete so as not to drain the soil’s vital nutrients too badly. Even though he and Hermione had prepared and enhanced the grounds, he still had to carefully plot out each field.

Eli looked up at him.

”Master, the Miss wishes to leaves the grounds,” Eli said to him.

Snape looked at him with interest.

“Did she say where she was off to this early, Eli?” the wizard asked his servant.

Eli shook his scaly little head.

“No sir. She just puts something in her pocket. She doesn’t look well sir. Looks as if sleep was hard,” Eli responded, not saying his master looked a bit sleep deprived himself.

Snape wondered if the reason Hermione had a restless night was the same as his own. Suddenly, he found himself wanting to see the witch, even if it were only for a few minutes.

“I’ll take care of it, Eli,” he said, “But you don’t have to return to tell her. I’ll see to it myself.”

Eli nodded and watched as his master rose from the armchair and hurried to his room to dress. The elf shook his head slowly.

”The Master is ruined,” the elf said with a sigh, winking out to attend to his other work.

************************************

Hermione was waiting for Eli to return when she heard the female voice announce Snape’s entry into the site. She flushed and her heart started to pound. Why had he come? She walked up to the door and pulled it open on the first knock, staring up at the wizard.

Snape stared down at her, the memories of his dreams coming back to him in full relief.

”Eli said you looked as if you hadn’t slept well, so I came to see about you before you left the grounds,” he said to her softly, his eyes resting on the witch’s lips.

“Oh. Well, you didn’t have to come. I just need to be able to get off the site,” she replied, her voice wavering a bit. She could actually feel warmth flowing off the wizard, which was strange because he had just come in from the morning cold.

Snape walked forward and Hermione instinctively backed up into the apartment. It was almost like a dance the way they moved.

”I did have to come. I wanted to make sure you weren’t going to travel about in this weather if you were ill,” he said to her quietly.

”No, I’m not ill. I just . . . I just need to go,” she said, feeling a bit out of sorts as he gazed at her intensely. She felt he could see inside of her.

“Where are you going?” he asked her silkily.

”To Hogwarts. I’m going to collect Rose and Hugo, then take them to the Burrow,” Hermione said.

This seemed to break the spell between them somewhat as Snape realized what she was most likely going to do.

”So soon?” he asked her.

”Yes. Better sooner than later, and while I have the courage. If I think too much, I won’t have the courage,” Hermione said, not giving the real reason why she was going so soon.

The dreams she’d had the night before only confirmed that her attraction to Severus was very strong and very physical. She wanted to be able to see the wizard . . . and deep down inside she knew that what was bound to occur between, would most likely occur quite soon. Her body was demanding contact. It had been over two years for her now and her sexual alarm was clanging. She wanted everyone prepared for her new relationship before it was consummated.

Hermione was still apprehensive about having sex with the wizard, but knew that most likely when the moment arrived, her apprehension would be overridden by her need. She wasn’t going to delude herself. Last night proved to her she wanted very much to be intimate with Severus Snape and she was no blushing virgin although she had only been with Ron. There was no need to play games when they were both adults. It would be best to let nature take its course. Besides, she doubted if Severus was the kind of man that would stand for games.

“I see. That Gryffindor gene rising to the fore again. But for once, I think your annoying inclination to rush into the fray is the right action. The sooner you face your family, the sooner . . .” his voice trailed off.

”My sleep was haunted by you, witch,” he breathed, suddenly closing the distance between them, pulling Hermione into his arms. “It was maddening. My entire night was spent in a state of constant arousal.”

Hermione gasped as she felt herself come in contact with him, the wizard’s eyes hot as he looked at her.

“I’m . . . I’m not used to this, Hermione. It is a new experience for me and I am normally a patient man, a man of control and reserve. I’ve desired many things in my life, yet was able to deny my desires,” he said, his voice rich with emotion as he held her.

“But this . . . but you . . . my gods woman, is this what it’s like to feel for someone else? It’s more than lust, Hermione. I had no desire to summon a prostitute to relieve me. I know no one else can relieve me,” he breathed, feeling Hermione begin to quake against him. “I am sorry. I told you my attraction to you is more than sexual, and it is, it truly is . . . but I can’t help what I’m feeling toward you. How I want to possess you, to make you my own . . .I had to tell you. I had to let you know . . .”

Hermione looked up at him, feeling his arms tighten, aware of his strength, his maleness and his declaration of desire only served as fuel to her own. Was she so weak? No. No. She was the woman. The woman controlled intimacy.

“Thank you for telling me, Severus,” she managed to get out, “Thank you for being honest with me.”

He looked down at her, then reluctantly released her, straightening his robes and trying to regain his composure. He had gone into meltdown before the witch and now he felt vulnerable and unprotected. He had told her that he wanted her. Physically wanted her. At least she hadn’t shot him down or told him it was too soon.

It could never happen too soon as far as he was concerned now.

”Come,” he said gruffly, offering the witch his arm, “Let me escort you out. I’ve lowered the wards.”

Hermione took his arm, feeling how strong it was beneath the fabric of his sleeve. She said nothing as he walked her to the door. She was afraid to respond to his declaration, afraid if she admitted she understood how he felt because she shared his feelings of longing, then both of them would have fallen to it, fallen before she had a chance to do what she needed to do. But what would keep them apart once it was done? Once she had told her children and her husband’s family she intended to start a relationship with the Potions master?

No, she didn’t want to play games, but still there should be some courtship, some control, some semblance of propriety.

The door opened and the voice announced their departure. Severus released her, then leaned forward and gently kissed her lips, lingering over them for a moment before drawing back with a sigh.

”How am I supposed to survive this? Voldemort’s punishments were easier to bear,” he said to her softly.

Hermione stared up at the wizard. Gods. How was she supposed to continue to resist him when he spoke of his feelings so honestly? Severus was far more eloquent than Ron had been. Ron physically showed his feelings rather than tried to voice them. Severus made an effort to communicate with her, and communication was a true way to a woman’s heart. And he shared his weakness with her, which had to be difficult for him. He was trying to be emotionally intimate, making an effort to bridge the gap between the emotional and physical aspects of their mutual attraction.

Oh that test had been so wrong about him.

”You’ll survive it,” she assured him, smiling at him softly, realizing that for once it was definitely she who knew more about what was happening to the wizard more than he did. Hermione knew what it was like to love someone and have that love returned. Severus didn’t. As she looked up at the wizard’s somewhat pained expression, she felt that it was possible he would know.

And soon.

”I have to go, Severus,” she said, stepping back and giving him another smile, “Wish me luck.”

”Luck isn’t what is needed, Hermione. Courage is what is required here. And you have enough courage to face a world,” he replied, his dark eyes drinking her in.

Hermione hesitated as if she were going to respond, then disapparated.

Severus stared at the empty space for a moment, then wiped one hand over his face in exasperation.

”I can’t believe I said those things,” he groaned, “Am I losing my mind?”

The wizard disapparated back to his house with a clap of thunder.

Was Severus Snape losing his mind?

No.

Severus Snape, snarky bastard, brilliant wizard and one of the wizarding world’s bravest heroes . . . was losing his heart.

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Hugo and Rose were very surprised to see their mother walk into the Great Hall and up to the dais to speak to the Headmaster. Wumblewort listened, smiled, then nodded.

”Certainly you may take them for the day, Mrs. Weasley,” the wizard said amicably, then he hesitated.

“As a matter of fact, I am glad you came as I have a bit of a problem that you might possibly help the school with,” the Headmaster ventured. “I’m afraid it is a bit of short notice . . .”

Hermione’s helpful gene immediately rose to the fore. Severus would have definitely disapproved of her response.

”Oh, I’d be happy to help if I’m able,” Hermione replied with a smile.

Wumblewort smiled broadly.

”Oh, that is wonderful, Mrs. Weasley. You see, two of our parent chaperones for the dance had to suddenly drop out and we are left short. As you know, these balls can be quite . . . boisterous, and the students a bit exuberant . . . they are in dire need of supervision,” the wizard said, “I wonder if you might fill in.”

Hermione stared at the wizard. Chaperone a dance at Hogwarts? It had been years since she’d been at a dance. Plus, she’d get a chance to see Rose’s and Hugo’s first date and how it went. Of course, she’d have to stay far, far away from them to keep from “being embarrassing” but she could do that. Maybe . . . maybe she could even get Severus to come along. Did the wizard dance? Hmm.

”I’d be happy to fill in, Headmaster. May I bring a guest?” she asked him.

”Certainly,” he replied, delighted.

He and Hermione quickly made plans, then she retrieved Hugo and Rose.

”What’s up mum?” Hugo asked her, giving her a quick kiss as soon as the doors to the Great Hall closed and no one could see him being such a mummy’s boy.

”We’re going to the Burrow. There’s something I need to talk to both of you about. And your grandmother. I figured it would be best to do it all together,” she said obliquely.

Rose frowned slightly.

”What do you want to talk to us about?” Rose asked as they stopped at the bottom of the main stairwell.

”If I told you now, there’d be no reason to go to the Burrow. Now go get your traveling cloaks and dress warmly. It’s cold out. I’ll wait for you here,” Hermione directed.

Hugo hurried up the stairs, followed by Rose, Hermione’s amber eyes following them.

She sounded a lot braver than she felt.

**********************************

Molly was delighted to see Hermione, Hugo and Rose turn up. Arthur was there as well and greeted them warmly, embracing the kids before Molly covered them in kisses, Hugo frowning terribly as her lips moved all over his face.

Ah well, it was the fate of beloved grandchildren everywhere.

Molly quickly made a pot of hot chocolate and took some freshly made biscuits out of the oven, clucking and bustling over everyone until they were all cupping steaming mugs in their hands and biting into buttery biscuits covered in jam.

Finally she sat down and looked at Hermione. Arthur, who was seated at the other end of the table, looked at his daughter-in-law curiously. As nice as this was, there had to be a reason she was here with the children on a Sunday morning.

”All right, Hermione. I just know this is more than a casual visit,” Molly said, “Why are you all here? I love having you, but I know there is a reason for it.”

Hermione took a deep breath.

”Yes there is, Molly. You all are the most important people in my life, the people who I love and who are most affected by my decisions. I have something that I need to tell you, something that you might find disturbing or upsetting . . .” Hermione said.

Molly’s eyes immediately flicked down to Hermione’s belly, widening.

”Oh no! No Molly!” Hermione exclaimed, knowing immediately what the witch was thinking.

“What?” Molly exclaimed back at her, obviously relieved however.

Hugo looked back and forth between them, wondering what the hell he had missed, while Rose just stared at her mother. Arthur shook his head slightly at his wife. Molly always thought the worst first.

Hermione stood up and reached into her pocket, taking out a small package. She unwrapped it, everyone watching closely to see what she had. It was a Pensieve.

”Could you all sit around Arthur?” Hermione asked them, “It will be easier for all of you to view this together. After you see it, I will tell you what I need to tell you.”

Molly, Rose and Hugo all gathered around the wizard, and Hermione gingerly placed the bowl in front of Arthur. She blinked at her family as they stared at the Pensieve as if expecting a dragon to suddenly emerge and roast them all.

“Hermione, what is this about?” Molly asked her, hating to step into something without being prepared.

”You’ll see, Molly. Now everyone, stick a finger in the Pensieve and just watch what happened. Afterwards, I‘ll tell you the situation,” she said.

Slowly, each family member stuck a finger in the bowl and stiffened. Hermione sat down and watched them, her heart fluttering in her chest.

Well, she was in for it now.

***************************************

“Ron?”

“Hermione.”

“Is this some kind of vision? Or illusion? Or hallucination?”

"No, I don't think so, Hermione. That's the Resurrection stone. It brought me here because I'm the one person on the other side you wanted to see the most. I miss you."

"I miss you too, Ron. I still can't believe what happened to you. I was devastated."

"I know. I saw everything. I'm so sorry this happened, Hermione. I wanted to be with you longer than I was. I wanted to be there for Hugo and Rose. I wanted to see the Chudley Cannons reclaim the World Cup. But, that's just not how it was supposed to go. But at least I was happy. I was so happy with you, Hermione. You made my life good and I'll forever be thankful for that."

"Oh Ron."

"I'm proud of you too. You stepped up to the plate and now you're doing just what you were meant to do. Making more galleons than I ever could have. I'm glad of that. You're brilliant Hermione. You were always too brilliant for me. I don't know how I ended up with you."

"You ended up with me because I love you, Ron. You were a good husband and a good friend. I never regretted marrying you, even though there were some hairy moments for a while..."

"Yeah. The whole "me the wizard, you the witch" thing. It was just how I was raised Hermione. I wanted to take care of you the way dad takes care of mum. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"

"No Ron. There's not a thing wrong with that."

“Hermione, I’m gone now. I mean, I’m not really gone but you have your whole life ahead of you. I don’t like the idea of you spending it alone. I was a jealous git when I was alive, and I can’t believe I’m saying this now . . . but I think it would be good if you could find someone to make you happy now that I’m out of the picture.”

”But . . . but you’re not out of the picture, Ron. I still love you.”

”I still love you too, Hermione, but things . . . things are different here. You can see life much clearer when you’re on the other side. You can see that the most important thing that people can share is love. I love you, Hermione and I always will. I love you enough that I want you to find even more love now that I’m gone. It doesn’t mean I love you any less, or that you love me any less. What we had can never be erased, Hermione. I just want you to live a full life, and the fullest life is one where there’s love and companionship. I want that for you. I want you to be happy. I can’t stand the idea of you being alone when Rose and Hugo grow up. I don’t want to see that happen. You have too much to offer someone else, someone else who might need the kind of love you can give. It’s a gift, Hermione. You shouldn’t keep it to yourself or deny yourself because of my memory.”

”Ron, I don’t want . . .”

”Don’t argue with me, Hermione. I’m dead and you have a life to live. I’m not saying go out prowling around for some bloke to replace me . . . I’m just saying if the opportunity arises and you connect with somebody, be willing to take a chance it can become something more. That’s all I’m asking, Hermione. Will you do that for me? Please?”

”All right, Ron. I’m not going to go looking for anyone, but if I feel something and the feeling is returned, maybe I’ll give it a go.”

”That’s the girl. Now, I have to go, Hermione. My time’s up. You have to let me go, Hermione. Don’t summon me again. My time is over. Let the dead rest and the living . . . live. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. I love you, Hermione Weasley. I’ll love you until the end of time.”

”I’ll always love you too, Ron.”

*****************************************

Slowly, Hugo, Rose and Molly stirred, tears glistening in all their eyes as they looked at Hermione, whose own eyes were wet as she gazed back at them.

”That was dad. That was really dad, mum,” Hugo said, his voice hoarse.

”Yes, Hugo. I accidentally summoned him with a magic stone,” Hermione replied.

Rose bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears streaming down her face at seeing her father and hearing how much he loved her mother and how he had wanted to be there for them all.

Molly was crying too.

”He looked so good. So healthy. Even . . . even happy,” she said in a low voice, “He looked alive.”

Arthur wiped at his eyes and placed a reassuring arm around her shoulder.

”There really is an afterlife, Molly. Ron isn’t really gone, nor Fred. They still exist and still love us,” he said to her gently.

Molly let out a sob.

Hermione wiped her eyes and drew in a deep breath.

”You all heard what he said to me, about what he wanted for me,” Hermione said to them. All of them nodded.

“I still love Ron. I’ll always love him. No one will be able to replace him in my heart. What we had, nothing will ever be able to erase. Nothing and no one,” Hermione said to her family, who stared at her, the tears still coming.

”But . . . but he wants me to move on with my life . . . to be happy . . . and to find love,” she said softly, then drew a deep breath.

”I’m not in love, but I am interested in someone and he is interested in me. I’d like to start a relationship with him, but I wanted to tell all of you first, to try and make you understand that I’m not abandoning Ron . . . I just want to be happy. I promised him I would give love another chance if I thought it could be possible . . .”

She met Molly’s eyes.

”I think it might be possible with Professor Snape,” she finished.

They all stared at her, Molly’s eyes were wide in disbelief.

”Professor Snape?” she repeated, stunned.

Hugo and Rose looked at each other, saying nothing as Molly fought for words. Arthur looked thoughtful as he gazed at his daughter-in-law.

“Yes, Professor Snape,” she said.

”But Hermione, it could just be you feel attracted to him because you work in such close proximity. If you came home more often, you might see it’s just an infatuation, a passing fancy. And as for him, well, you’re a witch . . . and available. Don’t assume lechery is love,” Molly began.

”No. No it’s more than that Molly. We have a lot in common. We talk about things, have the same interests. We have differences too in a lot of areas, but we can discuss them and agree to disagree. And he is kind Molly, despite what everyone thinks of him, the man has a good heart. He’s just looking for someone to love that will love him in return,” Hermione said, trying to persuade the witch to see what she saw in the wizard. “It’s not about lechery, Molly. There are ways he could have his needs met . . .”

Hermione faltered. She didn’t want to discuss the use of prostitutes for sex in front of the children.

”Besides, he’s a hero. If he just wanted a witch for a quick indulgence there are hundreds that would be willing to accommodate him,” Hermione said. “But, we’ve developed a friendship, a friendship that’s becoming something more. I’ve been lonely without Ron. To be honest, I’m tired of being alone.”

”It hasn’t been that long, Hermione,” Molly argued, “It’s too soon!”

Hugo was staring at his mother and saw the sadness in her eyes as Molly argued with her. He loved his father, but his father was gone and he wasn’t coming back. Professor Snape wasn’t good-looking like his dad, but he was a great wizard and he had helped his mother when she needed it. And Rod. And the entire wizarding world. He couldn’t be a bad man. If he liked mum and mum liked him then maybe they should see if they could be together.

“Mum, I think if you like him then you should see if he can make you happy,” Hugo said suddenly, “Dad would be happy if he did and so would I.”

Molly stared at Hugo as did Rose, who had been silent.

Tears streamed down Hermione’s face as she looked at her son.

”Thank you, Hugo,” she said softly.

Hugo turned to his sister.

”Rose, don’t you think mum should be happy?” he asked her.

Rose looked at her mother. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of her with Professor Snape, but she didn’t want her to be sad. Anyway, it was her life after all. They wouldn’t be with her forever. Maybe she did need to have someone in her life so it wouldn’t be empty when they moved on.

”Yeah. I do Hugo. As happy as she can possibly be,” she said, giving her mother a tearful smile.

Hermione burst into a new round of tears and both her children hurried over to her, embracing her and telling her not to cry.

Molly stared at them in disbelief. Didn’t they realize they were pushing their father’s memory away by accepting this? She opened her mouth to say something but felt Arthur’s hand on her arm. He looked at her and shook his head.

”It’s decided, Molly,” he said softly, “Hermione didn’t even have to come to us about this. The ones who really matter are Hugo and Rose, and it’s clear they want to see their mother happy. She’s our son’s widow, Molly and you saw it. Ron wants her to find someone to love. He doesn’t want her to go through life alone. What does it matter if she waits one day or ten years? Love has no timetable and lightning so rarely strikes twice,“ he said to her softly. “You heard for yourself how much they loved each other, how Ron insisted she not spend her life mourning a dead man. We should respect his wishes, Molly. It is what Ron would have wanted.”

Molly looked back at Hermione clutching her children and sighed. She had to let this go. Ron was gone and life continued on. It was unfair to want Hermione to be a living shrine to his memory and cut off the most important aspect of life . . . love.

”I . . . guess you’re right, Arthur. It’s just so hard to see her move on. It’s as if she’s throwing the final bit of earth on Ron’s grave,” Molly breathed, her eyes filling again.

”Ron’s beyond any grave, Molly and he’s happy. Be happy too,” Arthur said, “Life goes on and we must as well.”

Molly moved closer to Arthur and rested her head on his shoulder, realizing how fortunate she was to have his presence in her life. How could she deny Hermione the same comfort, the same companionship, the same sense of wholeness?

But . . . Severus Snape?

Ah well. There was no accounting for taste.

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A/N: And there we are. Hermione did it. Hugo is such a sweetie, isn’t he? He pulled Rose right along with him too. Hermione is really blessed. Thanks for reading.