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 6 ~ Amenities and Plain Good Food

Severus spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the manor, while Hermione did what she normally did to occupy her time, read. She was curious as to what the Potions Master was up to, but forced herself not shadow him.

Severus found another corridor beyond the kitchen that turned right, and he followed it, opening doors on more empty rooms. Gods, this place was huge. He came to a set of aqua blue doors, that didn't have knobs but pull handles. Curiously he pulled one of the doors open and looked in. His eyes went wide.

Before him lay a large indoor swimming pool. The water was very clear, although the surroundings were dusty and cobwebbed. A huge skylight was erected over the pool, but no light could pass through it because of all the webbing and accumulated dust. At least an inch of dust covered the tiled floor as well. Scattered about the pool were comfortable cushioned lounge chairs and a couple of white circular tables also covered in dust.

Severus entered the pool area, his black eyes glittering. Most likely the pool was charmed with a self-cleaning spell to keep the water sanitary.

"Well, finally…some amenities," the wizard said, rolling up his sleeves and pulling out his wand.

An hour later the entire room was clean, though Severus was covered in dust. The walls were made of aqua-green marble with gold flecks, and the floor was covered in aqua-green and white tiling. The skylight lit the area nicely and torch-filled scones lined the wall for night use. Severus scourgified himself and looked at the clear water.

The Potions Master glanced back at the doors, then at the pool again.

He arched an eyebrow, then pointed his wand at himself.

"Divesto!"

His clothes appeared neatly folded on the closest table. Naked, Severus walked up to the edge of the pool and stuck one pale toe into the water. He gave a slight smile.

Heated.

At the other end of the pool was a diving board. The naked wizard walked over to it, mounted the board and bounced a couple of times, checking the spring. Satisfied, Severus walked back to the end of the board, stood there a moment, then sprinted forward, springing high into the air and performing a perfect jack-knife dive, hardly making a splash. He swam underwater until he reached the shallow end of the pool and rose, wiping the streaming water from his face as it ran down his pale body. He turned and looked back at the springboard.

"I can get used to this," he thought, returning to the water and swimming strongly toward the deep end.

The Potions Master spent over two hours enjoying the pool. He would be certain to make a morning swim part of his daily activities. After all, he needed some activity to keep him strong and in shape now that he was back in civilization. Hermione used to provide him plenty of exercise when they were lovers. His back was kept quite strong and supple as were other parts of his body depending on the position he twisted the witch into. Well, he no longer had that avenue of sexercise, so swimming would have to do…until he went abroad again in search of more adventure.

For a large part of his life, the Potions Master was a prisoner of his situation…forced to stay at Hogwarts to fulfill his role as a spy against the Dark Lord. But now that he was a free man, the wizard found that he had a love of travel, danger and distant, exotic places. Severus doubted he would ever settle down to a normal life until he was a very old man. If he lived that long.

The Potions Master had no idea he loved adventure so much until he separated from the witch. If he had discovered it on his own, he and Hermione may have gone their separate ways even if she hadn't killed Harry. The witch probably wouldn't have wanted to live a nomadic life with the wizard and would have stayed behind. So for Severus, it was better that he had no attachments. He was free to live as he pleased. Once he discovered the secret of the elixir, he would move on to the next leg of his life journey. There were many more mysteries to uncover.

The wizard dried himself and dressed, leaving his hair slightly damp. He felt invigorated, renewed. His stomach growled.

"Time for dinner," he said to himself, and exited the pool area, heading for the kitchen.

He had some dinner planned.

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Ying and Yang were lying on the hearth in front of the fireplace in the study purring, their blue eyes half-closed contentedly as Hermione read. Suddenly they both jumped up, sniffed the air and hurried from the room, tails high. Hermione looked after them.

"What in the world?" she said, putting the book down on the small table beside the armchair and rising.

Something had to be going on for the cats to have suddenly bolted from the study in such a manner. Hermione scowled slightly. She hadn't seen wand or robes of Severus in about four hours. It was time to check up on him. The gods only knew what changes he was making to her home without her knowledge.

Hermione felt a bit more energy than usual as she walked down the corridor. That ham sandwich must have done its work. Halfway down the hall, Hermione slowed as a delicious aroma filled her nostrils. Severus must be in the kitchen again. What was he making now?

Hermione knew she should turn around. She had already broken her usual food pattern of one meal a day. But hell, she had to…her stomach had been demanding food. Normally her body didn't protest if she only had a meal a day. Now it was starting to churn again. Well, she could just take a peek in to see what the Potions Master was cooking.

Hermione walked up to the kitchen. Ying and Yang were mewling frantically before it, not having enough combined weight to force the doors open. They looked up at Hermione, who pushed the door open, and the cats zipped inside.

Severus was in his shirt and trousers, standing over the grill, turning a huge steak with a two-tined grilling fork. Then he rushed over to the stove, where a pan of potatoes and onions were browning, and stirred them vigorously, removing them from the heat. Everything smelled so delicious. Hermione seemed to drift over to the grill, led by her nose. She didn't notice the pot of boiling spaghetti on the stove as well.

Severus saw Hermione out of the corner of his eye. The witch was walking toward the grill as if under a spell, her eyes focused on the sizzling meat. The wizard moved back to the steak just before she reached it, blocking her way with his back. Hermione moved around him until she stood where she could see the perfectly seared piece of beef. Severus removed it from the grill and placed it on a platter. The cut of meat had to weigh at least four pounds. It was huge.

"Good evening, Hermione," the wizard said, carrying the plated steak over to the stove, Hermione's neck craning as he did so. "I have a pot of spaghetti on for you in case you decided you were hungry after all. It's just about ready. I can always put it in the cooler if you aren't hungry right now. It will stay a couple of days."

Hermione watched as Severus drained the oil from the fried potatoes and onions, then dumped them on top of the steak, spreading them evenly with a fork. He lifted the platter just beneath his large nose and sniffed appreciatively. Then he looked at Hermione.

"Ah, medium rare porterhouse with onions, potatoes and a small lettuce and tomato salad," he said, moving toward the kitchen table with his meal. He looked down at the trailing cats.

"Don't worry kitties. The Potions Master has a bit for you too," he said, setting the platter down on the table so the meat could rest and the juices distribute evenly through the perfectly cooked flesh.

Ying and Yang yowled up at him. Severus gave them a small smirk as they twined around his legs, sucking up big time.

"Very communicative animals you have here, Hermione. They certainly know how to ask for what they want," he said to the witch, who was still by the grill…her eyes resting on the platter of meat.

Severus walked back over to the stove, cut off the flame beneath the spaghetti and dumped it into a colander in the sink. He ran a bit of cold water over it, followed by hot water to remove some of the starchiness so it wouldn't stick together when it cooled.

He looked back at Hermione.

"Should I get the canned sauce?" he asked her.

Hermione seemed to come out of a dream.

"No. I'm not hungry," she said, her eyes still glued to the wizard's steaming steak. Gods it smelled divine.

"All right," Severus said. He walked over to a lower cabinet and removed a large bowl, and then to another cabinet that held plastic wrap. He certainly knew his way around her kitchen.

The wizard dumped the spaghetti into the bowl, then covered the top tightly with wrap, then put the spaghetti into the cooler Hermione used. He then rinsed the colander, washed the pot and put the wrap away. He took his time, letting Hermione get a good long gander at his huge meal. Severus then picked up a glass, walked over to the cooler and poured himself a nice cold glass of pumpkin juice.

He walked back over to the table, put the glass down and looked down at the steak consideringly.

"You know, this steak is too large for one person to eat," he said, Hermione's eyes flicking towards him as he walked back to the cabinet and got another plate, then retrieved a steak knife and fork from the utensil drawer. He strode back to the table and cut the steak in half, carefully placing one half on the other plate so he wouldn't lose any of the potatoes and onions.

Hermione took a few steps toward the table, expecting the wizard to offer her the steak. When he did, she'd accept it…just to be polite. Severus finished transferring the steak. He looked at Hermione.

"I'd better put part this half away for later consumption," the wizard said carrying the plate to the cabinet, this time retrieving some tin foil and wrapping the food.

Hermione's jaw tightened as Severus carried the plate to the far cooler and put it inside, retrieving a small bowl of lettuce and tomato salad and returning to the table. He pulled out the chair, sat down and picked up the steak knife and fork. The wizard then cut two nice sized pieces out of the steak and gave them to Ying and Yang, who once again ran to opposite corners of the kitchen with their prize.

He then cut into the steak, spearing the dripping meat with his fork and inserting it in his mouth, chewing exaggeratedly, a look of pure bliss crossing his face.

"Delicious. Just marvelous," he said after he swallowed.

He looked at Hermione who was just staring at him.

"You know, it is quite impolite to stare at a person while he's eating," he said to the witch, frowning slightly.

Hermione frowned.

"I'm not staring," Hermione said, still staring at his plate. "I'm just looking."

Severus fought back a smirk and went back to eating his meal. Ying and Yang were back at his feet, one cat sitting on either side of his chair, tails lashing. Hermione stood there and watched as Severus consumed his entire meal, including the salad. The wizard sat back, looking sated and patting his belly.

"Now, that was a meal fit for a king," he commented, looking at Hermione. "The other half will make a wonderful breakfast with some eggs and toast."

He yawned, stretching in the chair luxuriously, then rose and cleared the table, carrying the plate, glass and utensils to the sink and washing them.

"You know Hermione…you really should get a hobby. Watching me eat will grow old after a while," he commented.

Hermione didn't say anything, but her eyes flicked toward the far cooler. Then she strode quickly from the kitchen.

Severus chuckled as he dried all the dishes, pots and colander and put everything away.

He knew the other half of that steak existed on borrowed time.

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At about eleven that night, a small form pushed open the kitchen door.

"Lumos."

A dim light emitted from the tip of a wand revealing Hermione in stealth mode. She made her way to the far cooler, opened it, then took out the foil wrapped steak and the rest of the pumpkin juice. Setting the steak on the counter, Hermione retrieved a glass, emptied the pumpkin juice into it, then put brought the empty container to the sink. She washed and dried it, then put it away.

She retrieved the steak and juice, then made her way out the kitchen and headed back toward her room. She'd heat the food up magically once she was safely behind closed doors. If she did it now, Severus might smell the aroma. Hermione ascended the stairs quickly on tiptoe and returned to her room, wishing she had thought to cut a piece of cheesecake too.

Once in the room, she securely warded her door, sat down on the bed with the plate in her lap and quickly heated up the steak. She cut into it, the knife gliding through the flesh easily. Spearing the meat with her fork while making sure some onions were on it, Hermione sniffed the steak delicately then inserted it into her mouth. Her look of bliss as she chewed mirrored that of the Potions Master earlier. Dear Merlin that steak was good. Hermione felt no guilt as she devoured the steak, potatoes and onions. This was her manor after all.

Severus would just have to make something else for breakfast.

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A/N: Just a little slice of life chappie. It seems Severus intends to continue to seek out adventure in exotic places after he solves the mystery of the elixir. Wonder how that will work out as far as Hermione goes? We'll just have to see. The Potions Master likes swimming and Hermione likes grilled steak. The wizard is really good at tempting her to eat. And Hermione is trying to be so sneaky about it. The witch really needs to give in and go food shopping. Lol. Introducing another familiar OC character next chapter. I think some of you will be delighted. Anyway, please review.