In a Lifetime

In A Lifetime
Chapter 6: A Modest Proposal

Disclaimer: I own nothing of what you’re about to read, with the possible exception of the plot, although I’m sure it’s been done before. The places, characters, etc. belong to JK Rowling. Thanks.

Hermione walked into the hospital wing, smiling at Ginny. The redhead smiled back, motioning for Hermione to wait while she finished taking the vitals of a Hufflepuff who failed to follow instructions in potions class. When she finished, she had the student drink an amber potion and lay down for a bit. She pulled Hermione aside.

“Two questions,” she said, “first, are you here to see Remus?”

“Yes,” replied Hermione, “I have to examine him fully myself and look for signs of potion poisoning.”

“Second question,” said Ginny, “are you and Harry really friends again?”

Hermione smiled at her friend, “I think we’re well on our way.”

“That’s good,” said Ginny, “you were such good friends, I hated to see you lose that. But, like I said at the Sorting Feast, you weren’t meant to be married. I just still can’t believe you’re with Severus.”

“He makes me happy,” said Hermione.

“I know. And he’s a good person. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have helped me with my medipotion class.”

“How is Remus today?” asked Hermione with a smile.

“Still sleeping. Poppy said they might lift the sleeping charm tonight or tomorrow,” replied Ginny with a shrug, “I really hope that he can be healed.”

“We’re all going to do our best, Ginny,” replied Hermione, steeling herself for the sight of the once vital Remus Lupin lying in a bed under a sleeping charm.

Hermione opened the door and quietly walked over to Remus. She knew he was fast asleep and that she would not wake him, but she moved quietly nonetheless. She realized that Ginny had cleaned him up, brushed his hair, and shaved his face. She glanced at the younger intern.

“I had to clean him up without magic. Poppy didn’t want to use too much magic on him. She thought it was enough to have him under this sleeping charm, and Severus said no to any other potions until the two of you do some more research.”

“That makes sense,” nodded Hermione, taking her wand and running it over Remus’ prone body.

“What are you looking for?” asked Ginny, “you’re so much farther along than I am at mediwizardry,” she noted, a touch of envy in her voice.

“I’m looking for anything at this point, Gin, and I’m actually no further along than you are, I’m just using my knowledge of potions to try to help Remus. I’ve no doubt that you will prove just as useful as I am, if not more so. I understand that you’ve been assigned to track Remus’ condition,” said Hermione, smiling at her friend.

“Thanks, Hermione,” said Ginny, “I guess I’m feeling like the youngest Weasley again.”

“Youngest Weasley Syndrome, I take it?” commented Hermione with a laugh.

“Frightening syndrome. No cure, unless my parents add another child to the stable,” joked back Ginny, looking at Hermione’s wand, “Hermione, why is your wand glowing green?”

“I just now noticed that. That’s it,” said Hermione.

“That’s what?”

“Where the block is emanating from. Gin, run your diagnostic spell and pinpoint the area where the green glow appears. I’ll get Poppy and Severus,” said Hermione, heading to the floo.

A few moments later, Poppy, Severus, Ginny, and Hermione were standing around Remus, watching their wands turn green near Remus’ heart.

“It’s the heart/lung area,” explained Ginny, “I can’t pinpoint it any more, but my best guess would be something that is in the blood stream, which would explain a concentration around the heart area. If it was the lungs, it would probably have been something airborne and I think our diagnostic spells would have picked something up in the air as he is breathing.”

“Agreed, Ginny,” said Poppy, “excellent work.”

“So,” continued Ginny, “if it’s bloodborne, than it could have been a potion of some sort.”

“Very apt supposition,” remarked Severus, looking at Ginny with an impressed expression, “you could very well be correct, Virginia.”

“How is the potion detecting potion going, Severus?” asked Hermione.

“I’ve strengthened it, but I am not sure if it is enough. If I keep making it stronger, it will gain more toxicity and I can’t risk that. I have to find a catalyst that won’t create a toxic potion. It is of no use to discover if it’s definitely a potion that’s causing the problem if I kill Remus in the process,” said Severus.

“Could we just try it at the strength it’s at?” asked Poppy, “I’ve noticed that there are times the green glow is stronger, perhaps if we administer the potion when the glow is stronger, the potion will work. If we could just determine whether or not it’s potion based, then we at least have something to do other than sit around and wave our wands at poor Remus.”

Hermione looked at Severus, seeing loo look in his eyes. She knew he was calculating the risks of using the potion in its current state.

“I will run it by Albus,” he finally said, “and I will prepare the dosage if he agrees.”

They all nodded as Severus used the floo to contact Albus. Without a word, he tossed more floo powder on the fire and stated his destination, his quarters. Hermione knew there was no hearth in the private lab.

“I would say we’re good to go,” remarked Hermione, smiling at Poppy and Ginny, would was absentmindedly stroking Remus’ arm. Poppy nodded.

Severus stepped through the floo carrying a vial of golden potion. He handed the vial to Poppy. Poppy lifted Remus’ head and gently poured the potion down his throat.

“If there is a potion causing this blockage, when I speak the revelation spell, the body will glow violet. If it does nothing, it is not potion based. Now remember, the detecting potion might not be strong enough to give a powerful reading, so we’ll have to all keep out eyes open for the slightest glow around his body,” said Severus, looking at the medical personnel. They all nodded and kept a close eye on Remus’ body while Severus spoke the words.

After a moment, a faint violet shimmer arose from Remus. Hermione smiled as the violet grew stronger for a moment, then faded.

“Well,” said Severus, “there’s our answer. It is a potion.”

“Yes, it would appear that way,” spoke a voice from behind them. Albus walked from the hearth to the small group, “if it is a potion, we have a place to start from. Poppy, can you administer a general anti-potion and let us know in the morning what, if any, results it had? Then Severus and Hermione can begin finding an antidote using an anti-potion as the base. And I’m sure Hermione would love to do some research. But tonight, I want you all to rest. Severus, this is first and foremost on your agenda. I will have Professor Ildwild cover your classes for the next few days, just leave him a syllabus. I would like Hermione in the lab with Severus. Poppy, I would like the sleeping charm lifted in the morning, and Virginia, I trust you will monitor Remus for any changes and help keep him calm, perhaps attempt to jog his memory a bit?”

“Absolutely Albus,” answered Ginny while the others nodded.

They dispersed, Severus and Hermione heeding an admonishment from Albus not to return to the lab tonight. They had made plans for a quiet dinner alone anyway. Hermione headed to her quarters to change, Severus to his to set up for dinner and for the other plans he had made.

* * * * *

An hour later, Hermione took down Severus’ wards and entered his chambers. She smiled as she took in the crackling fire, the candlelit table set for two, the wine, and the soft music in the background. She walked to the table, trailing her fingers over the fine silverware and clearly expensive china. Shaking her head, Hermione breathed in the scent of the cinnamon roses that graced the center of the table, flanked by elegant silver candlesticks.

Severus stood at the door to his chambers, taking in the sight of Hermione, dressed in a royal blue satin blouse and black pants. She looked stunning, her hair pulled back into a low ponytail, her eyes shining in the candlelight. Severus had never seen anyone more beautiful in his life. And not only was she beautiful, she was bright, funny, quick witted, and full of life. He knew that asking her to marry him tonight was the right decision. She might not say yes, but he could wait if that were thee.
e.

“Good evening Hermione,” he said quietly.

Hermione turned around and smiled at him, quickly approaching him and wrapping her arms around him.

“My Severus,” she said, kissing him lightly, “you look amazing.”

“As do you, my dear, as do you. You truly are an amazingly beautiful woman,” he said, running a finger along her jawline, “you came into my life and made it so much better.”

Hermione smiled at the love she saw in Severus’ eyes. She knew that her eyes mirrored that love. She allowed Severus to lead her to the table where they dined in companionable conversation, avoiding the topic of Remus Lupin for the evening. They spoke of wizarding politics, of potions, of the seasons, and of a conference that Severus was asked to speak at. When they had completed dinner, Severus cleared off the table and decided that it was time. He leaned forward and took Hermione’s hands in his. Hermione looked at him quizzically.

“Hermione,” he began nervously, “I never expected you to come into my life. Yes, I had watched your professional life from afar, and yes, at some point I realized I was attracted to you, but I never thought that you would be here now, a vital part of my life,” he brushed an errant lock of hair out of his eyes and grasped her hand again, “you are my North, my South, my East and West, my working week and my Sunday rest. My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song…”

“W.H. Auden,” breathed Hermione, earning a smile from Severus, “only love CAN last forever, he was wrong.”

“I want you in my life Hermione, for the rest of my days,” he said, slipping down to one knee if front of her. Hermione stared at him in mild shock as he continued, “You are important to me. I can’t imagine the absolute joy of waking up each and every morning with you in my arms. I can’t imagine the bliss of not feeling like we’re sneaking around because of the discretion needed here. I know that I am difficult,” he looked up to see Hermione smiling slightly through the tears that were beginning to form in her eyes, he plowed on, “I know that I am far from the easiest man in the world. But I love you. And I can make a good life for you. I can pledge that you will have my love from now until end of time. Hermione Granger, Gryffindor-know-it-all, would you consider doing me the honor of becoming my wife, my partner, my life’s companion? I will understand if you are not ready. I will understand if you wish to wait. I love you enough to accept your decision and to bide my time until you are ready…”

“Severus,” interrupted Hermione, “I am ready. While I am not ready to actually wed at this moment, and I don’t think you are either since there is so much going on in our lives right now, I am ready to become engaged. I am ready to plan our life together. I am ready to laugh your joy and cry your grief*. I love you, Severus Snape,” she continued, the tears now falling on her cheeks, “and nothing would make me happier than to accept your proposal and begin the hopefully not too long journey to becoming your wife.”

Severus smiled at her answer and pulled out the small box, opening it up to reveal a stunning diamond ring flanked by emeralds and rubies. Hermione let out a small gasp.

“Oh Severus, it’s beautiful,” she breathed.

“It’s indicative of both our houses, and the diamond is like the sun. The sun that came into my life when we first kissed,” he explained, slipping the ring on her finger.

“I don’t have to keep quiet about this, do I?” she asked slyly, admiring the ring.

“Of course not. You are my betrothed. I want the world to know it,” replied Severus, wiping the tears off Hermione’s shining face. “although I think discretion would be the better part of valour in front of Harry.”

A small shadow crossed Hermione’s face at the mention of her ex-husband, “Agreed. I think I should tell him first, before it becomes common knowledge.”

Severus nodded, “But tonight, my love and future bride, is for us.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she said, standing up and pulling Severus to his feet, “now,” she smiled playfully, “about dessert…”

Hermione pulled Severus into the bedroom, extinguishing the lighting in the main room with a quick wave of her wand and a softly muttered spell.


* * * *

Author\'s Note

*a line from ee cummings \"Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town\". If you read it, read it aloud, it\'s far more beautiful when read aloud.

Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn\'t he danced his did.

Women and men (both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn\'t they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed (but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone\'s any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then) they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died I guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men (both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

-E.E. Cummings

*Sorry to edit, but someone asked. The poem by W.H. Auden is:

Stop All The Clocks

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.