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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After	By : ElizabethStump Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 90306 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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"And They Didn't Live Happily Ever After"

Chapter Thirty-Six
“Anticipation”

Disclaimer: Must I say it again? All right. JK Rowling, Bloomsbury, Scholastic, Warner Bros., and the plethora of lawyers that come part and parcel with such a huge and successful franchise own, control, distribute, regulate, promote, publish, and produce everything related to Harry Potter. I'm just a lowly fan who likes to borrow Rowling’s ideas and play with them a bit... okay, a lot!

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Entering his office Thursday morning, Severus saw that owl post had already arrived. With anticipation, he went through the short stack of letters until he came upon the one he was hoping to find.

-------

Dear Sebastian,

I was most pleased to find such a quick response to my owl. I would be most agreeable to taking on Mrs. Weasley as an apprentice based on the conditions you described. I remember her application letter to me from years ago and would have gladly taken her on, but as I was planning on doing private research, and had just finished training an apprentice who dragged out his apprenticeship with procrastination and sloth, I was hesitant to take another one on, even with Mrs. Weasley's outstanding academic record.

To discover that she is still interested in an apprenticeship after so many years out of school surprised me, but your recommendation of her has removed any doubts I may have had. In response to your comments about Calpurnia Fudge, I was approached by her years ago with the threat to not take the witch on as well. However, I have disregarded her warnings, since I do not dabble in Ministry grants, and I find the threats of a public official's wife who will no longer have influence once her husband is out of office pointless.

In answer to your other question, Mr. Spawn paid me four thousand Galleons to take the younger Spawn on as an apprentice. I believe that since the boy's apprenticeship is a ways away, I can recommend a less scrupulous Potions master who is willing to turn a blind eye to the wizard's incompetencies so that the boy may still receive an advanced education in accordance with his father's wishes. As I have spent a thousand so far in maintaining my household and paying my lawyers' exorbitant fees, I will need an upfront fee of fifteen hundred in order to return the full four thousand and sustain me until Miss Brown can start me on a regular salary. I am willing to negotiate a lower salary as royalties begin rolling in, but in the meantime, I need as much money possible to grease the arbitrator's palm in order to release me from these lampreys that I refuse to recognize as family.

I am excited to learn of your plans to go abroad, and I am rather anxious to begin working for Miss Brown, if she were to hire me. If there is anything that I can do in order to help you hasten your arrangements, please do not hesitate to ask me for anything. It is not that I wish to shove you out the door, but that I am eager to find a way out of this situation that I am placed in.

Remember, I would be more than happy to fulfill any request, no matter how small, to help you.

Sincerest regards,

Albert Dobmeir

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'Anything to help? How about a cauldron full of Polyjuice potion,' Severus thought wryly. Of course he couldn't come right out and ask for such a request, though it was simple. It was too suspicious, and with the Ministry regulations on specific ingredients and Polyjuice potion, he did not want to put Dobmeir on the spot. Though, knowing the elder Potions master, he most probably had those ingredients in his private stores.

Severus' plan was in motion, and there was no need to alter the scheme. However, if Hermione did balk when it came time for her help, Severus had a possible back-up plan with Dobmeir.

The Potions master went to Miss Brown's office to discuss the latest developments with Dobmeir's letter. When he knocked on the door, he found she was not there, and headed to the lab.
Lovely Lavender’s lab was bright and spacious, with large windows overlooking the London skyline and ample sunlight spilling across the room. Here, he found his employer bottling the latest test cauldron full of the male enhancement potion. It was the batch that had simmered for fifty-eight hours.

Waiting until she finished, the tall wizard cleared his throat.

Miss Brown glanced over her shoulder at him. “Yes?” she asked, her voice flat.

Since Severus' trip into the Pensieve, Lavender had been withdrawn and less than sociable. As much as her convivial attitude could be grating to the wizard's nerves, it was one of the constants in the world in which anchored him, much like Dumbledore's twinkling eyes and insatiable cravings for sweets had.

“I have news on my replacement,” he announced formally.

A weak smile graced the withdrawn witch's face. “That's good to hear.” She turned back to stare down into the empty cauldron.

He could have walked away and let Miss Brown wallow in her self-pity, but Severus didn't. Instead, he walked over to Miss Brown and stood beside her.

“There was nothing that you could have done. No wand, Apparition wards up. Consider yourself lucky that you are alive and were left relatively untouched. It could have been worse... much worse,” the ex-Death Eater told her, a touch of compassion in his voice. He knew what it was like to be in a position of powerlessness, yet regretting every action and inaction afterwards. Today was not the day to address the fact Miss Brown had almost killed him as well, though he would have completed the curse if their positions had been reversed.

“It still doesn't change the fact that Parvati was raped and cursed, and sits in St. Mungo's like a vegetable,” she plainly replied.

“No, it doesn't. But it doesn't help if you continue to stand here crucifying yourself for the fact that you were the one to survive and she barely did.” It seemed rather hypocritical of himself that he should lecture Miss Brown on moving on, and getting past regret and guilt, but Severus figured it was his own dog-eared guilt and he'd cling on to it until he was done with it.

“You have news for me about a Potions master who will take over for you?” Lavender asked wearily.

Severus respected the fact that she had changed the subject, and decided not to press the issue. Albus rarely let a discussion end until the elder wizard was satisfied. The Potions master would do what the Headmaster did not do by letting the topic end.

“Yes, however, there is a small matter of money involved,” Severus began, hoping Miss Brown would part with the money, so that all parties would benefit.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione found it hard to concentrate on the pickled cockatrice gizzards in front of her. She almost cut her hand twice, not paying attention to the knife, nor to how she was wielding it. The witch didn't need another scar on her left hand, one was plenty.

Her thoughts drifted to the night ahead with Calleo. He had told her that she would be the one to initiate any possible intimacy between them. Part of her was thrilled at the prospect that someone she was so strongly attracted to was equally interested, but then – remembering he was a gigolo – she subverted those heady thoughts. She wondered how many women he had slept with. Hermione knew that if she did take things farther, she would not be the last witch in his bed. Not only did the nervous witch have to think about infidelity, but she needed to accept the fact that she was one in a long line of many witches. As much as her head protested that this was insanity, her heart and body kept up the debate all day long, never ceasing from their slew of arguments, citing the grounds and warrants for becoming physical with Calleo.

'I could always use it as an excuse and chalk it up to research. How to properly seduce my husband with advice from a professional.' Somehow, just the thought cheapened the whole prospect. If she was going to sleep with Calleo, it would not be under the self-deluded lie that it was to save her marriage. It was because she wanted to be with Calleo intimately, because she wanted him. Hermione had gone to Calleo to save herself from intellectual boredom in order to save her marriage, and her marriage was no better now than it was weeks ago.

Mrs. Weasley did her best to focus on the cockatrice gizzards once more, knowing her lack of attention could result in a ruined test batch, further lengthening her workday.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As his workday drew to a close, Severus looked forward to his evening ahead with more and more anticipation. Tonight he would be free of his mask, while Hermione would wear a blindfold.

When the raven-haired wizard wore a mask for clients, he felt confident. No one knew who he really was; that knowledge gave him courage and license to be whomever he chose to be. If he truly contemplated the psychology of putting on a physical mask, he would have to admit that he had worn a mask of some sort or another for years, hiding his true self behind a facade of indifference, sarcasm, and disdain. Tonight, he would be stripped of both masks. Vulnerable and naked were not the only words to describe his state of mind. There was a sense of anticipation that bordered on nervousness.

As much as he was never a clock-watcher, and loathed those that were, Severus found himself checking the time frequently. The clock chimed five. Convinced he was not rushing home, he still hurried to put his research materials away for the day.

Severus had descended a flight of stairs before he remembered that there was a new Potions journal he wanted to lend Hermione for the weekend. Turning around, he headed back up to his office.

Near the top of the stairs, he halted and retreated a few steps. Peering over the edge of the landing, the former spy saw Miss Brown and another man just outside the doors of her office.

“Oh, Kingsley!” Lavender exclaimed. “Is it really true?” Severus saw Miss Brown rush and embrace the black Auror. “You don't know how long I've waited and hoped! Finally!”

“I was beginning to give up hope, too. There are no guarantees, but there is a strong possibility,” Shacklebolt assured her, returning her hug.

“Please, let's take this inside and talk some more,” Miss Brown said, ushering the bald wizard inside her office.

When the door clicked shut, Severus stealthily snuck back to his office and grabbed the Potions journal he had returned for. Descending the stairs once more, he wondered if the wizard he heard with Miss Brown that Saturday night had been Kingsley. Remembering that Kingsley was married with children, he speculated what sort of arrangement Kingsley had with Miss Brown. Perhaps he was leaving his wife, both leading separate lives though remaining married. It was an arrangement that was as close to divorce in the wizarding world, since children bound Kingsley to his wife for the rest for their lives. It was not uncommon for wizards to live separately from their wives, taking up residence with their lovers, their paramours becoming mistress of their new home and the hostess of parties and functions. However, it was only when a wizard could afford to run two households that such an arrangement could be undertaken.

Miss Brown was wealthy enough where she did not need another man to support her. Still, nothing about the overheard conversation proved one way or the other that his employer and parole officer were romantically linked. It was just pure coincidence that Miss Brown was rushing into another man's arms, seemingly relieved over something.

Severus made a mental note to watch Kingsley's behavior at his next several parole meetings, and Miss Brown's demeanor after today.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sweeping through the muggy alleys on his way home, the wizard cloaked in black was thankful he had remembered to put a light cooling charm on his cloak, as the summer sun pressed down, laying long slivers of bright heat on the cobblestones in between the buildings.

Inside his flat, Severus cast several more cooling charms. Though he enjoyed the heat, he doubted Hermione would appreciate the warmth after spending the day with her head stuck over a steaming cauldron. When he was still teaching at Hogwarts, he was fortunate enough that most of the sweltering days of the year occurred while the students were away on their summer holiday. Having to endure the heat of ninety cauldrons boiling throughout the day, on top of a summer heatwave, would have made his temper more volatile than it already was in those days.

Severus moved about the kitchen with purpose, preparing everything for dinner. Since Hermione would be without sight, he planned a dinner that would not require eating utensils.

Once the b'stilla was in the oven and the honey lamb basted one last time, he showered and shaved once more, feeling the tension in his muscles mount as each minute ticked by. Dressed and ready, with Marf briefed on how to serve the dishes, the wizard hated the fact that he felt more like an anxious suitor than a person waiting for a friend to show up for dinner.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mrs. Weasley suddenly realized she had been shaving her legs weekly on Thursday night for a while now. She remembered when she and Ron first started dating, she would shave her legs on Friday night, just before Hogsmeade weekends and late-night snogging sessions in the Head Girl's quarters. Now she was preparing herself for evenings with Calleo, as if they were dates.

She couldn't deny that they did feel like dates as of late. The only thing missing from their evenings was physical intimacy and clear intent of romance. With each passing visit, she felt herself drawn to him; each visit intensified the attraction between them.

As Hermione dressed, she heard Ron rummaging around in the kitchen. Still feeling chafed over how poorly their first marriage counseling session with James Hoover went, she remembered her old familiar, Crookshanks. 'If Crooks was still alive, I'd leave one of his hairballs in Ron's shoes.' The witch missed her old half-kneazle. Perhaps if she could get a decent co-worker once Mr. Spawn left for his apprenticeship, she could start working more reasonable hours and buy a new pet. At least then she'd have someone to talk to at home.

Ron was in an exceptionally good mood that day, as Hermione could hear him singing the latest Monty and the Mad Muggles' song in the other room. Having received the latest copy of Quidditch Weekly that day with his picture on the front cover had made her husband's day. The cover photograph, featuring him catching the Quaffle during last weekend's game against Ballycastle Bats, was rather flattering. It showed him astride his broom, wind whipping through his hair. One could say he looked athletically appealing, but Hermione's personal tastes in men ran towards the dark-haired set, and not red.

During a trip to the loo while at that game, Hermione had heard some female fans a few stalls over squealing about how cute the Cannons Keeper was, and that it was such a pity a wizard like that was married. One witch mentioned she didn't care if he was married, she'd still “ride his broom anytime.” Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes, and dismissed it as the by-product of her husband's new popularity in the Quidditch world. All these years before, never had she heard any witch swoon with delight about her husband, during or after a game.

Now dressed in low heels and a simple new skirt and top she had bought during a brief shopping foray during her lunch break that week, Hermione stepped into the kitchen to bid her husband goodnight. As she cleared her throat, Ron pulled his head out of the ice box, holding the leftover turkey she roasted the other night.

“I'm going now. Give my best to Rogina and Rufus,” Hermione said plainly.

Ron gave her a brief smile. “I don't have to go in tonight. We found a new guy last night, and I think he'll work out just fine. A fellow by the name of Pete. Good chap, can deflect a curse pretty well. Hopefully, he'll work out for them. If he doesn't, they may call me back for a bit until they find someone else who does.”

“Really? So, no more nights at The Listing Broom?” Hermione asked, feeling a bit nervous. How was she going to explain her Thursday nights out after their anniversary dinner?

“Well, hopefully not. But since they've been so good to me over the past few years, I offered to help out if they get in a pinch. But I think Pete is the right bloke.” Ron shrugged casually.

“Oh, that's good news,” she answered in what she prayed was a hopeful tone.

“Yeah, that means I won't be so knackered during practice,” the redhead commented before diving into the breadbox for a couple of slices of bread in order to make himself a sandwich. “Have a good dance lesson. Don't step on anyone's toes,” Ron said as a parting jest.

“All right. Don't wait up, class might run late tonight,” Hermione said, aspiring to not sound guilty.

“Have fun,” he replied with a mouthful of sandwich, and a half-wave of his hand.

“I will.”

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A/N: Originally I wrote this segueing into the blindfold date, but the chapter was getting so long, I had to break it into two chapters. And Chapter 37 is so long, I had to post in two parts! So that's why this one is a bit shorter than usual.

Recommended songs for the dance lesson portion of chapter 37, Part 2:
Corazón De Oro
Por Una Cabeza
Caminito
I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Performances by Tony Bennett or Nancy Wilson recommended)
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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After