Closer

Severus had returned to Hermione's home as soon as he got the potion made. Hermione had fallen asleep watching TV so he just gave the potion to her mother. Jane had been shocked to see him but she hadn't said much to him as she took the potion.

After he left there he went back to Hogwarts. The constant disappointing was starting to wear him down. He really wished he could be closer to her. He wanted to get her to move to Hogwarts so he could be near her.

When he returned to Hogwarts he went right to the Minerva's office. Ever since the end of the war she was the headmaster of Hogwarts. She didn't like the position but didn't know who else she could appoint.

Severus stood in front of the gargoyle debating whether or not to go up. He wanted Hermione to be close but he didn't know if it was the best thing for her. She would be away from her family and friends. She would be locked up in that castle with him. He didn't want her to feel trapped.

After a while of thinking he decided it wouldn't hurt to talk to Minvera about it.

"Jellybeans," he said.

The gargoyle slid out of the way. He stepped onto the stairs and rode them up. He was relived to see Minvera was alone. She was sitting at the desk going over paper work.

"Hello," she said not even looking up from the papers. "How can I help you Severus?"

"How did you know it was me?" he asked walking over to the desk.

"Lucky guess," she said smiling at him. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to ask a favor," he said looking down at his hands.

"What kind of favor?" Minerva asked setting the papers down.

"I want you to find a position for Hermione here at Hogwarts," Severus explained.

"I see," she said. "I take it you two are going to get serious."

"I guess so," he said. "I want to be near her and I can't quit my job to move in with her. I need the money more than ever."

"I could always use an assistant," she said. "Being a teacher and the headmaster is hard."

"She'd like that," he said giving her a small smile. "You always seemed to be her favorite teacher."

"I wish you two the best of luck," Minvera said.

"Thank you," he said. "I have a feeling we are going to need it. Things are so messed up."

"I'm sure it'll work out," Minerva said standing up from her desk. "I wish I could stay and talk to you about this longer but I promised Sibyll I'd have lunch with her."

"No problem," he said getting up as well. "I'll see you later."

Severus walked out of the office. He was happy about his decision to talk to Minvera about Hermione. He knew that trying to get her to come to Hogwarts was the right decision. He knew that Hermione might not agree but it was worth a shot.

---

He didn't go to Hermione right away. He waited a few days. He didn't want her to feel pressured. He just wanted her to be aware of all her options. It was half way through July before Severus appeared at the Granger's front door.

It was her mother that opened the door.

"Hello," he said. "Is Hermione in?"

"She is running a quick errand," Jane said. "You can come in and wait for her."

Jane stepped out of the way to allow Severus inside. She led him into the living room. The two of them sat down on the couch.

"How is she?" Severus asked.

"Much better," she said. "The potion you gave her is doing a great job."

"That's good," he said.

Neither one of them was sure of what to say so neither of them said anything. Jane was being so nice to him and he didn't know how to react to it.

"Can I get you a soda or something?" Jane asked. "Do you even drink it? Hermione told me there isn't much of it in the wizarding world."

"I'll take a Dr.Pepper if you got it," he said. "She is right. Most wizard and witches don't drink it."

Jane got up and walked into the next room.

"I take it you both your parents aren't magic," she said from the kitchen.

"No," he said loud enough for her to hear. "My mum was a witch and my father is a muggle."

Jane didn't say anything until she returned with the can of soda. She handed it to him and sat back down.

"Was?" she asked.

"She passed away a few years ago," he explained.

"I'm sorry," she said and quickly dropped the subject.

Severus popped open the soda and took a few sips. He was trying to think of something to say when he heard someone walk in the front.

"Mum?" came Hermione's voice. "Are you home?"

"In the living room dear," Jane said.

Hermione walked into the living room carrying a brown bag. Her face lit up when she saw Severus.

"Hello," she said.

"I'll take these," her mum said getting up from the chair.

She took the bag from Hermione and walked off to the kitchen.

"I'm glad you're here," she said sitting down on the couch next to him. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too," he confessed. He hadn't realized how much he had missed her until he saw her.

"I have so much tell you," Hermione said. "I dumped Ron. He didn't take it very well. He was so cruel to me."

"You want me to talk to her?" Severus asked. "I'll have a word with the little jerk."

"No," she said sternly. "I just want to forget about my short romance with him. I just want to focus on my relationship with you and the babies. I even bought a few baby things."

"You do whatever makes you happy," Severus said running a hand through her hair. "I wanted to talk to you about something I think is important."

"What is it?" she asked leaning into his touch.

"I talked to Minerva the other day," he said. "She would be more than willing to give you a job as her assistant. She could use the extra help."

"That would be neat," she said. "She was my favorite teacher during school."

"I really want you to be near me," Severus said. "If you aren't ready to go to Hogwarts I won't blame you. I won't blame you if aren't ready to share a room with me. I don't want to rush you."

"You are such a nice guy," she Hermione said with a sigh. "Why didn't I see it before?"

"I was the enemy then," he reminded her moving his hand down to rub her cheek. "So do you want to go to Hogwarts?"

"I do," she said smiling at him. "I want to get away from everything. My parents are being supportive any everything but they are being too supportive. My Mum constantly checks on me and ask me if I'm alright. I guess I need some space."

"You'll get that at Hogwarts," He said. "The only one who knows about the babies is Minerva."

"You told her?" she asked.

"I needed to talk to someone about it," Severus said. "I hope you don't mind."

"I don't," Hermione said smiling. "I like her. I'll be ready to go as soon as I break the news to my parents. I don't think they'll like me being so far away while I'm pregnant."

"Ok," he said giving her a small smile. "That sounds good to me."

"Do you have to leave right away?" she asked in a hopeful voice.

"No," he answered. "I don't have anything I need to do today."

"Come up to my room," she said standing up. "I want to show you some of the stuff I bought."

"Sounds like fun," he said standing up.

He picked up his half empty soda and followed her upstairs.

---

I couldn't find that much information about his parents. I killed Elaine. Damn I'm evil. I'm also a Dr.pepper junkie and I thought it would be kind of funny to have Severus drink it :D