Enchanted, parts 69-75
Title: Enchanted
Team Name: Spy for the Order
Word Count: 7x100
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: Bookmark challenge
Characters: Hermione, Severus
A/N: Post-DH (epilogue ignored). Thanks to a_bees_buzz for correcting my grammar and suggesting improvements! Previous instalments: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-28, 29-32, 33-36, 37-40, 41-44, 45-48, 49-52, 53-56, 57-60, 61-64, 65-68.
Snape smirked as he listened to Hermione telling him about her plans to take the NEWTs together with other students who felt they were ready for them.
‘So you’re still a schoolgirl after all.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ admitted Hermione. ‘Only for a few more months though! And it’s not really quite the same.’
Snape looked at her.
He had the most interesting eyes, Hermione noticed. Not cold at all.
‘No, not quite the same, I suppose.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Should you have any questions regarding - well, any of your NEWTs subjects, I might perhaps be of some assistance.’
* * *
Hermione smiled.
‘You do realise you’ve just given me an open invitation to keep visiting you even once you’re allowed to leave the hospital wing, yes?’
‘Indeed.’
He reached for the glass of water on the bedside table, filling it with a wordless Aguamenti. Hermione was pleased to notice how easily he was handling his wand again.
‘I have no doubt that you will do very well on your NEWTs, even if you had to take them today,’ he said. ‘Don’t look so shocked - while I’ve never believed in lavishing praise on dunderheads, I am aware of your academic abilities.’
* * *
After Snape was released from the infirmary a week later, Hermione was free to focus on her studies. To her relief, Madam Pomfrey did not need help any longer, as nearly all her patients had left the hospital wing.
Harry had left for Grimmauld Place already, determined to turn it into a habitable place during the summer - he had not decided yet whether he would return for another year at Hogwarts or not. Hermione suspected he might, if only because Ginny was planning to finish her studies.
So Hermione was free to spend her time as she liked. With Snape.
* * *
The evening before her Potions exam, Hermione was curled up on Snape’s sofa, nearly invisible under the pile of books she had amassed around her.
Although she had been a little shy of taking advantage of his invitation at first, she was overjoyed at the opportunity. He had so many books!
She didn’t even notice him step into the sitting room with two cups of tea.
‘I think you’ve read enough,’ he remarked. ‘And there is nothing in this particular book that could possibly come up at the exam.’
Hermione looked at the cover and blushed. Australia: Tourist Guide. Indeed.
* * *
She stumbled through the door and sank into the now-familiar sofa, relishing the coolness of the dungeons.
‘All done?’ Snape asked.
‘All done. Arithmancy was the last one. I think it went rather well, all in all.’
‘Congratulations.’
He smiled - only for a moment, but the smile was genuine and all the more precious for it.
‘Thank you, Professor,’ she said sincerely. ‘I don’t know how I could have managed without your help!’
‘It’s Severus.’ He looked a little embarrassed, his cheeks tinged with pale pink. ‘As you’re done with your exams, I think you may stop calling me Professor.’
* * *
‘So, what are your plans now?’ he asked. ‘I know you’ve been focusing all your attention on the exams, but have you given any thought to what to do once you’ve received the results?’
Hermione nodded.
‘I was thinking of going to Australia - I want to see my parents. I, um, modified their memories last year and they have no idea who I am … I should go and rectify the situation.’
‘You shouldn’t go all the way to Australia on your own,’ Snape remarked.
She smiled.
‘Are you offering to accompany me?’
‘I’ve heard they have lovely beaches there.’
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
‘Why?’
‘Why what?’
‘Why me? Why let me in? Why offer to come here with me?’
‘Why not?’
‘You’re impossible!’
‘Why, thank you! But to answer your question - I felt free at last. From my obligations, from my masters, from my past. And you … well, you obviously cared.’
‘Thank you.’
‘And you’re sort of cute, I suppose…’
‘Oww! Sev, what are you doing?’
‘I’m seeing how much sand and water I can fit in your navel.’
‘Why?’
‘I’m thinking of building a miniature replica of Hogwarts.’
‘In my belly button?’
‘Why not? It’s the perfect place for the dungeons.’
The End.
Team Name: Spy for the Order
Word Count: 7x100
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: Bookmark challenge
Characters: Hermione, Severus
A/N: Post-DH (epilogue ignored). Thanks to a_bees_buzz for correcting my grammar and suggesting improvements! Previous instalments: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-28, 29-32, 33-36, 37-40, 41-44, 45-48, 49-52, 53-56, 57-60, 61-64, 65-68.
Snape smirked as he listened to Hermione telling him about her plans to take the NEWTs together with other students who felt they were ready for them.
‘So you’re still a schoolgirl after all.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ admitted Hermione. ‘Only for a few more months though! And it’s not really quite the same.’
Snape looked at her.
He had the most interesting eyes, Hermione noticed. Not cold at all.
‘No, not quite the same, I suppose.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Should you have any questions regarding - well, any of your NEWTs subjects, I might perhaps be of some assistance.’
* * *
Hermione smiled.
‘You do realise you’ve just given me an open invitation to keep visiting you even once you’re allowed to leave the hospital wing, yes?’
‘Indeed.’
He reached for the glass of water on the bedside table, filling it with a wordless Aguamenti. Hermione was pleased to notice how easily he was handling his wand again.
‘I have no doubt that you will do very well on your NEWTs, even if you had to take them today,’ he said. ‘Don’t look so shocked - while I’ve never believed in lavishing praise on dunderheads, I am aware of your academic abilities.’
* * *
After Snape was released from the infirmary a week later, Hermione was free to focus on her studies. To her relief, Madam Pomfrey did not need help any longer, as nearly all her patients had left the hospital wing.
Harry had left for Grimmauld Place already, determined to turn it into a habitable place during the summer - he had not decided yet whether he would return for another year at Hogwarts or not. Hermione suspected he might, if only because Ginny was planning to finish her studies.
So Hermione was free to spend her time as she liked. With Snape.
* * *
The evening before her Potions exam, Hermione was curled up on Snape’s sofa, nearly invisible under the pile of books she had amassed around her.
Although she had been a little shy of taking advantage of his invitation at first, she was overjoyed at the opportunity. He had so many books!
She didn’t even notice him step into the sitting room with two cups of tea.
‘I think you’ve read enough,’ he remarked. ‘And there is nothing in this particular book that could possibly come up at the exam.’
Hermione looked at the cover and blushed. Australia: Tourist Guide. Indeed.
* * *
She stumbled through the door and sank into the now-familiar sofa, relishing the coolness of the dungeons.
‘All done?’ Snape asked.
‘All done. Arithmancy was the last one. I think it went rather well, all in all.’
‘Congratulations.’
He smiled - only for a moment, but the smile was genuine and all the more precious for it.
‘Thank you, Professor,’ she said sincerely. ‘I don’t know how I could have managed without your help!’
‘It’s Severus.’ He looked a little embarrassed, his cheeks tinged with pale pink. ‘As you’re done with your exams, I think you may stop calling me Professor.’
* * *
‘So, what are your plans now?’ he asked. ‘I know you’ve been focusing all your attention on the exams, but have you given any thought to what to do once you’ve received the results?’
Hermione nodded.
‘I was thinking of going to Australia - I want to see my parents. I, um, modified their memories last year and they have no idea who I am … I should go and rectify the situation.’
‘You shouldn’t go all the way to Australia on your own,’ Snape remarked.
She smiled.
‘Are you offering to accompany me?’
‘I’ve heard they have lovely beaches there.’
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
‘Why?’
‘Why what?’
‘Why me? Why let me in? Why offer to come here with me?’
‘Why not?’
‘You’re impossible!’
‘Why, thank you! But to answer your question - I felt free at last. From my obligations, from my masters, from my past. And you … well, you obviously cared.’
‘Thank you.’
‘And you’re sort of cute, I suppose…’
‘Oww! Sev, what are you doing?’
‘I’m seeing how much sand and water I can fit in your navel.’
‘Why?’
‘I’m thinking of building a miniature replica of Hogwarts.’
‘In my belly button?’
‘Why not? It’s the perfect place for the dungeons.’
The End.