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Unquestionable Love	By : CRMediaGal Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 3380 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyrighted to and belongs to JK Rowling. I own none of her associated characters. New characters belong to me. No money/profit is made from this story.

Chapter List
- 22
- 23
- 24
A/N: Another character pops up here...

Many thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Brittny.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyrighted to and belongs to JK Rowling. I own none of her associated characters. New characters belong to me.

Chapter 23: The Former Flame

Hermione locked her office with a few protective charms and made her way down the long hallway on the second floor. Not too many of her coworkers lingered about tonight, and the pretty witch was grateful to not have too many faces to go through formal goodnights with. She was tired and eager to get home.

Surely, a letter from Severus would be waiting for her this time. He had not written all week and although she concluded her husband must be insanely busy, it did not lessen her strong desire to hear from him; to soak in that familiar, elegant handwriting; to listen for that deep, silky voice that always managed to penetrate through the words and into her consciousness, making her yearn for him more...

Hermione blinked several times as a very short, pudgy-faced witch addressed her a second time, eying her with a funny look as she disappeared into her office. "Erm, goodnight, Winifred!" she managed before the woman slammed her door.

Hermione shrugged and headed for the elevators at the far end. She was just turning the corner when the person coming her way made her stop in her tracks. A man with a light goatee and slicked blonde hair strolled directly towards her, his footsteps echoing along the marble floors. His angular face was contorted into a scowl, making him look positively miserable. Hermione would recognize that unhappy grimace anywhere. Draco Malfoy.

The man halted as his eyes took in Hermione—identifying her instantly—and his hand smoothed over his black tie before he resumed his steps. His scowl slowly lifted into a crooked smile as he drew nearer.

"Granger," he sniffed, showcasing his pearly white teeth.

Hermione tensed at what she considered to be an unfriendly jest. "You know I don't go by that anymore, Draco."

Draco waved his hands dramatically. "Ahhh, yes, forgive me. Mrs. Snape."

Hermione's eyebrows narrowed, not at all liking the way he mockingly phrased her married name. She crossed her arms and stared him down with heated cheeks.

"Nice to see you, too," she huffed sorely.

Draco's smug smile softened a bit and he casually placed his hands in his coat pockets. "C'mon, Granger, I can't tease you about it anymore? Just a little?"

"Stop calling me that!"

Draco's fair eyebrows rose, but he continued to give her an obnoxious grin. "I guess not."

Hermione rolled her eyes and brushed past him, not in the mood for his banter or his presence. Draco turned to her questioningly, his scowl returning.

"That's all I get after not seeing you for months?"

Hermione held firm and kept walking towards the elevator. "When you want to address me the way any respectful adult would, then we can talk all you want, Draco. Until then, goodnight."

"All right, all right," Draco sighed with laughter. "Get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?"

Hermione paused once she reached the elevator and whipped her head around, her face still flushed. "No, I just want to go home."

"Fair enough." Draco stared at her with a friendlier demeanor than before, but remained at a distance. "How is Severus? I haven't heard from him for some time."

"He's fine," Hermione replied, inching away from the elevator as it opened, not sure whether she should leave or stay.

"He's fine? That's all? C'mon, Hermione. How is my godfather doing?"

Draco waited, his pale brow furrowed. Hermione exhaled and took a few steps towards him as the elevator closed and was whisked away.

"He's all right. Very overworked, as usual. Surina made the Slytherin Quidditch Team as a Chaser."

"I heard, Scorpius wrote me a few weeks back. Congratulations! I bet the old man is elated." He stopped when he saw Hermione wince and reformulated his words apologetically. "Um, sorry, Hermione, you know what I mean though."

Hermione finally smiled at him, her countenance no longer cross as before. Sometimes it was astounding to her just how much progress she and Draco had made over the years; or, rather, progress he made. The years since the war had softened Draco a bit, although he maintained the Malfoy air—a smugness and unforgiving snobbery—that sometimes got under Hermione's skin. Still, he grew far more friendly towards her in the years that passed, especially in light of Severus's feelings towards Hermione and their eventual marriage; Severus had always been particularly fond of Draco and had taken him under his guidance and protection while they were at school. It took some time, but now things between Hermione and Draco were practically normal, albeit somewhat reserved.

"I heard about Lily's accident. I didn't make the game, unfortunately, but Scorpius told me. Is she all right?"

"Yes, thankfully. Severus is looking into it. It's all very unsettling. Harry and Ron were there and saw it, too."

Draco's body stiffened at the mention of her best friends' names. Despite the many years that had lapsed between now and their school days, a coolness remained whenever they were in each other's company, which Hermione hated to see. It all seemed so silly and childish now, considering everything they had all gone through.

"Well, I'm glad to hear she's all right. I heard Surina was almost knocked off her broom?"

"Yes," Hermione gulped, remembering the terrifying incident with clarity. "It was jinxed."

"How odd..."

Hermione quickly changed the subject, not wanting to get held up on the event that had been worrying her for weeks. "How is Scorpius?" she asked, taking another few steps towards him. "Surina hasn't said much in her letters, but I'm assuming he's settling in well?"

Draco smirked. "Well enough, yes. I think he's been hoping to gain Severus's attention in Potions, but it seems to be quite the struggle for him." Hermione's eyebrows rose curiously, so Draco elaborated. "It's not his best subject, I'm afraid."

"Oh, well, it's his first year and it's new to him. Severus doesn't exactly make it easy on any of his first years; or on any of his students, for that matter."

Draco snickered and nodded his head in agreement. "No, he doesn't, although he made exceptions with me."

Hermione surveyed the man thoughtfully. She understood the cryptic message behind his comment and no longer held the reservations about the two Slytherin men that she once had as a teenager. Draco's eyes looked away towards the dark marble hallway, seemingly lost in thought over his troubled youth and the selfless professor who undoubtedly kept him alive.

"I'm glad Severus was there for you, Draco," Hermione offered with a kindhearted smile.

"He saved my life more than once," Draco grumbled, shifting his hands in his coat pockets. "I wish people could see my godfather the way we do."

Hermione continued to smile and stifled a laugh. "Me, too. I wish that were possible. Severus isn't going to make any attempts to change people's minds though, I'm afraid. You, of all people, should know that."

Draco rolled his eyes and considered the woman's words carefully, pausing for a moment. Hermione gathered there was something else the man wanted to tell her but was reluctant to give up. Finally, he stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Perhaps I could call on him sometime soon when he's in town?"

There was an unmistakable longing behind Draco's question, almost a desperation that Hermione picked up on. The Malfoy family did not make regular visits to the Snape household, but Hermione was content to make an exception.

"He'll be home next weekend. You are welcome to stop by, Draco."

Draco nodded with a hint of enthusiasm, his grim features livening considerably. Then the elevator opened and when his eyes fell on who came through the moving doors, that pleasant countenance vanished.

Hermione whipped her eyes around inquisitively and was stunned to see a familiar ginger stepping off of the elevator. He seemed just as surprised to catch her standing there, but was even more shocked at taking in his old school rival.

"Ron!" she exclaimed with a mixture of elation and alarm.

"'Mione," he greeted with a twinge of skepticism, his blue irises scanning the blonde boy with the dreadful frown. His freckled face considered Draco carefully, unsure of what to say, and he gave a curt nod. "Malfoy."

"Weasley," Draco sniggered, refraining from uttering another colorful name he used to call the Gryffindor redhead.

Ron turned to Hermione, and the situation they all found themselves in was more than a little awkward. Hermione bit her lip and darted her eyes back and forth between them.

"I ran into Draco just now, and we were catching up."

"Oh," Ron replied quietly, choosing not to address the man.

Draco illustrated his crooked smirk, taking joy in Ron's overt discomfort. "Got a problem with it, Weasley?" he prodded, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Not at all," Ron retorted, his jaw clenched. "Should I?"

Hermione sighed, annoyed by the jabs that had not ceased in too many years to count. "All right, you two. That's enough! Behave like men, please?"

The two gentlemen glanced away, rather ashamed and annoyed at being told to act like adults. An uncomfortable stillness stifled the air for a time when no one said a word. Then Draco peered at Hermione with a stern, determined expression.

"I'll see you next weekend. Give Severus my best. I hope he's taking care of himself."

Hermione smiled meekly, grateful for Draco's concern, which did not go unnoticed by Draco. He bowed to her respectfully and glared Ron down one more time before turning on his heel and marching away. His silhouette fell into shadow as he meandered down a deserted corridor and disappeared.

Hermione had not even had the opportunity to ask why Draco was at the Ministry, as neither he, nor any member of the Malfoy family, worked there, and she regretted the opportunity slipping through her fingers. Judging by Ron's peculiar expression, he seemed to be wondering the same thing as he watched Draco slither away into the darkness.

"See you next weekend?" the redhead repeated, scrutinizing Hermione with a less than friendly demeanor.

Hermione willed herself to ignore her friend's slight. "Yes, Draco wants to visit Severus. He hasn't seen him in a while. He is Severus's godson after all, Ron."

"Yeah, well, I don't trust him, 'Mione. I wish you and your family would steer clear of the Malfoys."

"Oh, stop it, Ron!" she huffed, crossing her arms. "That was a long time ago! The Malfoys acted out of fear back then, you know that, and Draco isn't as bad as he used to be. He's changed a lot. I wish you all could move on from this already."

Ron mumbled something inaudible which Hermione chose to disregard. He adjusted his unkempt hair and shoved his hands in his pockets, looking sheepish as usual. She wished he would stop acting so odd. It was beginning to unnerve her.

"What are you doing here anyway?" she inquired, more heatedly than she meant to.

"I came to see you actually," Ron responded with a twinge of hurt in his voice. "I thought maybe we could grab a pint this evening and catch up a bit, seeing as we didn't get to talk much at the Quidditch match the other weekend, what with everything going on..."

Hermione blushed with embarrassment at his friendly gesture and her earlier inquiry. "Oh!" she exclaimed, biting her lip and lacing her hands together nervously. "Well, um..."

"It's just a pint, 'Mione," he chuckled, taking in her alluring bashfulness that he found endearing. "For old time's sake? C'mon."

Hermione sighed in defeat but gave him an amiable smile. "All right, but only one. I need to pick my daughter up in about an hour."

Ron nodded, displaying his wide, goofy grin and followed her to the elevator, trailing close at her heel as they made their way down in the elevator, out of the atrium of the Ministry, and up inside a cramped red telephone booth. Hermione quickly inched her way out of the tight space that left them a little too close for comfort and allowed Ron to lead her down the street and around a few corners.

They decided to head for The Leaky Cauldron rather than chance any of the many Muggle pubs they passed, preferring the familiarity of the popular wizarding bar than any other in London. As they reached Charing Cross Road, they took in the old, broken down shop entrance and peeked around before entering inconspicuously.

The pub was not too crowded this evening, although there were a few stragglers mucking about. Ron and Hermione were immediately approached by a blonde woman with rather pinkish skin that they recognized from their days at Hogwarts: Hannah Abbott, the landlady. She had taken over from Tom, the old landlord from their youth, only a few years after leaving the school. The Hufflepuff had never married, supposedly preferring work to pleasure, and she was always cordial and inviting to her former classmates whenever they stopped by.

"Ron! Hermione!" she waved, before wiping her hands on her dirty apron as she waltzed towards them.

"Hi, Hannah! How are you?" Hermione greeted, waiting by the door before venturing in further. Ron remained firmly at her side, as if her moves determined his own.

"Wonderful! Business has been picking up since the lull in the summer months. Practically every room is let at the moment!"

Hannah whisked a few frizzy strands of hair from her face and guided them towards a table in the corner, her loose ponytail swooshing behind her. She waved her hand and the seats stacked on top of the table moved themselves to the floor.

"What can I get for you two?"

"I'll take a Butterbeer, please," Hermione replied as she situated herself into her seat.

Ron nodded in agreement and handed Hannah several sickles. Hermione wanted to protest Ron purchasing her drink for her, but he threw up a hand to stop her. Hannah chuckled and sauntered away behind the dingy-looking bar.

Ron put his hands on the table and rubbed them together several times. Hermione could only guess that it was to put his nerves at rest. He appeared out of sorts, but she was determined to keep things as casual as possible. Before she could say anything, however, Ron beat her to it.

"How's Lily doing? Is she better?"

"Yes, she is, thank you. I'm sure I've been annoying her to no end with all of my letters, but I keep checking up on her just in case. Surina, too."

Ron sniggered. "Well, I'm glad she's all right. That was pretty frightening, to say the least. Have you any idea how it happened?"

Hermione's shoulders caved in and she bowed her head, her features downcast. "No, I don't... Severus is looking into it, though I haven't heard from him all week so I have no idea what he's found out, if anything."

Ron looked away as soon as she mentioned Severus's name, and Hermione fought the urge to reprimand him. She fiddled with her fingers, meshed together in her lap.

"Well, I'm sure it'll be fine, 'Mione. I can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt those kids. I don't think it was deliberate."

Hermione peered up at him wide-eyed. "You don't?"

"No. I think she didn't see the Bludger coming and it knocked her off her broom. It happens, 'Mione. People are always getting hurt in Quidditch, you know that."

Hermione's pupils narrowed. "And Surina's broom? You mean to tell me that she did that to herself?"

Ron shrugged, unfazed by her challenge. "Remember when Harry's broom was jinxed? It turned out to be Quirrell. Granted, he was a total git, but still. Odds are probably some little Gryffindor snitch did it as a mean prank, don't you think?"

Hermione's mouth dropped. Ron's explanations were not making any logical sense.

"Ron, you can't be serious. It would have to be a very capable student to put a jinx on someone's broom. Plus, I don't think the students are that spiteful or mean-spirited, do you?"

"Malfoy and his band of followers were, remember?"

Hermione heaved a sigh, not wanting to bring Draco into the conversation yet again. Ron leaned forward, sensing her dismay with his opinions.

"'Mione," he whispered imploringly, "don't you think you and Snape are taking this a little too personally?"

"What?"

"I know it was very frightening and all," he replied hastily, not wanting her to work herself into a frenzy, "but, look, it was just a game. Accidents happen and they're unfortunate, but I think your husband is taking this to an extreme. He's been making his rounds to different contacts at the Ministry—some of whom I know personally—and, I have to tell you, 'Mione, people think Snape is in over his head on this."

Hermione stared at him, flabbergasted by her friend's take on things. She had no idea who the dark wizard might be conversing with on these matters, but she trusted her husband, and the manner in which Ron relayed this news to her was cynical, at best.

"I think Severus knows what he's doing, Ron."

Ron shook his head and grunted. "I just think he's looking for something that isn't there, 'Mione. That's all. I think it's the spy in him, the superstitious nature that he can't let go."

Hermione put up a palm in defense. "Please don't lecture me, or Severus for that matter, on that. You have no idea what he went through back then, Ron. None whatsoever."

Ron's eyebrows narrowed in response. "No, I don't, and I don't care to."

"Does Harry share your view of things?" she challenged, her eyes staring at her friend with intensity.

"No, he doesn't," Ron grumbled, scowling.

"Well, then you should believe Harry if you don't want to believe Severus. Harry has a pretty good intuition about these sorts of things, if you remember correctly."

Ron stared back with a hurt expression, his disposition unraveled. "I do too, you know."

Hermione did not want to decipher Ron's comment, so she glanced at him with a blank look that made his mouth twitch. He ran his fingers through his disheveled hair and continued to frown.

Suddenly, Hannah reappeared with their Butterbeers and the conversation abruptly ended. Both peered up at her uneasily with strained smiles as she placed their drinks on the table.

"Enjoy!" she chimed, unaware of the lingering tension. She meandered away to a nearby table to start up an intense conversation with another customer.

"Let's talk about something else," Hermione whispered after a time, shifting in her chair. "I've had the accident pressing on me for two weeks now. I really don't want to discuss it."

Ron seemed hesitant to give up the subject, but he consented with an impish glance and a short bow of his head. "I was hoping we'd get to chat more over dinner that weekend, but it was all rather chaotic with the kids, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Hermione replied, relieved to progress to a more cheerful topic. "I think everyone had a good time though, don't you? Hailey, Albus, and Hugo are all so close. It reminds me so much of us."

Ron offered her an affectionate smile as the scowl slowly faded from his visage. "Yeah, it is kind of uncanny, isn't it? The three of them? They look and act so much like we did. George keeps saying how 'the Golden Trio' has been reincarnated."

Hermione snickered happily but then fumbled over a pressing question she wanted to ask, unsure if it was appropriate. She bit her lip and peered over at him curiously.

"Was Lavender all right? She was very quiet at the match and then at dinner that night. You were, too, actually..."

Ron seemed taken aback by her question and swallowed hard, his blue eyes expanding a little. Hermione instantly regretted asking and turned away, darting her attention about the dimly lit pub rather than focusing on the man before her.

"Erm, sorry, I guess I didn't realize it. I don't think Lavender did either."

Hermione knew Ron was lying but did not have the heart to question him further. He took her silence as confirmation and leaned in again.

"So, um, how have you been?"

Hermione's eyebrows came together. She had not expected something so informal and simple.

"I'm fine. It's been a little difficult just having my littlest for company, but I'm adjusting."

"And Snape? How is he?"

Hermione was surprised again by Ron's question but kept her suspicions to herself. "He's all right, thanks. Just—"

"Overworked?"

"Um, yes. Very. Hailey's become an assistant and is helping him with some of his potion orders. The demand has just gotten too great, especially since the Potions professor at Durmstrang retired."

"Professor Cosworth? They still haven't found a replacement for that bloke? He left almost two years ago!"

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know what the holdup is, but everyone's placing far too much pressure on Severus. He's only one Potion-maker, after all. I wish people could remember that."

"Yeah, well, there aren't many left, unfortunately."

"I know..." Hermione exhaled a deep breath and glanced at him with a newly forlorn expression. "I just wish he could get a break. I hardly see him as it is. He was supposed to come home this weekend, but I would have heard from him by now if that were the case. I have a feeling he's just too swamped to come home."

Ron cleared his throat and shifted his weight uneasily in his chair. "I'm sorry you're by yourself so much. You shouldn't be..."

Hermione drew back a little, her mouth hanging open. It was another peculiar response from her former flame that she was unprepared for.

"I complain too much," she answered in haste, her cheeks blushing. "It's not so bad, really. I just miss him terribly."

Ron's jaw clenched. "Why doesn't he give it up?"

Hermione shook her chestnut curls, a little unraveled that Ron would even propose such an idea. "He couldn't give it up, Ron. He's one of the few Potion-makers left, as you said, and he's been at Hogwarts so long... I'm not sure he would know what to do with himself if he retired. It's been such a long-standing part of his life: the school, the work, all of it."

"But shouldn't your needs come before his work?"

"Ron..."

"What? It's a legitimate question, 'Mione."

"Please don't!" Hermione whisked her hair off her shoulder and glanced about the pub nervously, afraid of being overheard.

"When is it going to be enough, 'Mione?" she heard Ron whisper with flaring anger and urgency, throwing her off her guard. "When will you quit defending Snape and hold him accountable? He's clearly hurting you by continuing what he's doing."

"Ron! Stop it! That's not at all what I meant—"

"I don't like seeing him hurt you!" Ron growled with a ferocity that shook Hermione's nerves. She recoiled in her chair, her eyes sweeping his face in a panic.

"He's not hurting me, Ron, so you can quit worrying! That's hardly your place—"

"I'm your friend, aren't I?"

"Yes!" she snapped back. "And that is all!"

A silence fell over them as the two Gryffindors stared at one another with an emotional history etched in the lines of their faces. Hermione wanted to leave but knew it would only hurt Ron, who was gazing at her at first with equal fury but then with a gravitational sadness. Hermione inhaled, trying to muster composure. She did not want to fight with one of her closest friends.

"It hurts me when you talk of Severus like that, Ron... Please don't."

"What did I say about him that was so harsh?"

"You know what I'm getting at."

Ron groaned and crossed his arms on the table. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper.

"I don't understand it, 'Mione. I'm sorry, I just don't. I probably never will. If I truly believed that Snape made you happy, I'd leave the matter alone, but I don't think you're telling the truth."

"What?" Hermione felt her cheeks turning red again, and she fought the temperature rising in the middle of her chest.

"I don't believe you're entirely happy with him, and you should be happy, 'Mione. You deserve it."

"I - I am happy, Ron," she breathed, unable to disguise the slight she felt at such an accusation. "Why can't you be happy for me?"

Ron's blue eyes darted away abashed, his mouth tightening. His face contorted as some inner conflict he seemed to be struggling with swept over him. When he finally met her aggrieved stare, he swallowed before answering her.

"How could I be happy for you, 'Mione? It's Snape. He was unforgivably cruel to us as kids. He bullied us. He bullied you. Don't you remember?"

"Ron, that was a long time ago—"

"Don't make excuses, 'Mione!"

"I'm not making excuses. I'm trying to get you to see the situation for what it was."

"Explain to me how Snape's actions back then are pardonable!"

Hermione let out a dismal sigh. It seemed that her friend would never let go of the past, and that disappointed her greatly. She realized then that she should not be so heated with Ron, who was still consumed by a bitterness and confusion that, she lamented, he could not will himself to move beyond.

"Ron," she replied in her soothing, sweet manner, "there was a lot of hurt, anger and emotion behind everything Severus did. He knows how unfair he was to us. He apologized many times, and I forgave him for it; so did Harry. You need to, too."

"Forgive him after what he did to you? The things he said to you?" Ron bated through gritted teeth. "I couldn't!"

"Stop talking about me; we're talking about you."

"Snape's a spiteful man, 'Mione! He always has been! Don't you remember that awful, disgusting comment he spat at you in our fourth year?"

Hermione ignored his remark, though it pained her more than she let on to be reminded of what he was talking about. She knew Ron did not understand. He was too wrapped up in his own anger to see the truth. He was too far gone on events of the past, unable to grasp the here and now.

"People change, Ron. Severus has changed. You just don't want to admit it..."

For a long time, Ron only stared at Hermione before his tortured eyes narrowed with a frown tracing his freckled face. He did not seem to know how to respond, and his mind was racing with what Hermione could only guess were comebacks and accusations he still wanted to throw at her husband.

Hermione reluctantly rose from her seat. Neither one of them had even touched their Butterbeers, which sat on the table, no longer chilled. The foam at the top of the glasses had almost melted.

Ron started at seeing the fetching woman rise from her chair. "Where are you going?" he asked in angst.

Hermione wrapped her coat around herself, not making eye contact. "I'm leaving. I have to pick up Jeannie. I've stayed too long."

"'Mione—"

"No!" she blurted out before she could stop herself.

Hermione stared down at her former flame—her first love that had cared about her long after she left him—and her pretty eyes became drenched with wetness. She did not want to cry, so she wiped her long eyelashes in haste, not wishing for one droplet to fall. Not for Ron. Not for the man who had not moved on and kept throwing burdens of guilt in her lap for falling in love with someone else. Not the guy who possessed so much hatred for her husband, even now, that every unfriendly remark was like a stab to her heart.

"'Mione, I'm sorry," Ron offered very quietly, a lump forming in his throat at spotting the tears he had caused.

Hermione ignored his apology, however, which hardly felt genuine to her ears. "Say hello to Lavender and your family for me." Ron was on the verge of saying something when Hermione abruptly turned away from him. "I have to go."

Hermione's soft waves flew after her as she dashed out of The Leaky Cauldron with Hannah and a few other wizards scrutinizing her curiously as she left. Ron remained silent and still at the table, soaking in everything that had just happened with a miserable grimace that only a blind person would not have noticed.
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Unquestionable Love