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Resolution	By : chrmisha Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 8076 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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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Resolution: Chapter 7 of 13

Hermione was going home. It hadn�t taken her long to make up her mind. Although she intended to complete her studies in the future, now was not the time she decided. Trying to start at a new university mid-semester would be difficult and add more stress to her already stressful life. And more than anything else, she wanted to be near Severus, she wanted to feel safe. She wanted to regain her sense of self before she ventured back out into the world. Severus and Albus were willing to give her that chance. For that, she was eternally grateful. If she had other reasons, reasons relating to her feelings towards said Potions Master, she wasn�t willing to admit that those reasons might have played a role in her decision. For now, she would just be happy she was away from Gladwick and back at Hogwarts.

Hermione and Severus Apparated to the front gates of Hogwarts. She hadn�t asked him what had happened with Rowland. She didn�t want to know. All that mattered was that she had left that school forever and that she was safe. Instead, she focused on what lay ahead.

�May I have a look at your research?� she asked.

�Of course.�

�If I do take this position, will I simply be completing your research, or will I be adding my own thoughts to it?�

�That depends. Some of the projects are nearly finished and just need to be tested. Some are in the beginning stages and much work needs to be done. Others fall somewhere in-between. If you do choose to accept the position offered to you, I would hope you would choose a less well defined project so that you could add your own thoughts and expertise to mine.�

�Would you really value my opinion on your research?�

�I would not have offered you the position if I didn�t think you had something to add to it.�

After dinner, Hermione and Severus retired to the study. Severus graded papers while Hermione sat in front of the fireplace, going over Severus�s research notes. Although she had helped Severus with his research when she stayed with him over the summer, then she had merely followed his instructions and brewed what he had asked her to. Now, she was searching for a project where she could add her knowledge to Severus�s. She especially wanted to find one that was particularly challenging. She most enjoyed her university classes in the area of magical plants. Since plants were such an integral part of potions, she hoped her knowledge in that area could advance his work. When she finished going through the stack of research notebooks, she frowned.

�Does nothing there interest you?� Severus asked.

She looked up and realized he must have been watching her. �I was just hoping one of the projects would stand out as something I could really add value to. These are all very worthwhile and interesting research projects, and I�m sure I could assist you with them, but I don�t see that there is much I can offer that you wouldn�t have been able to do without me. I was hoping to be able to advance your work, not just complete it.�

She watched with curiosity as he slid open a drawer in his desk and pulled out a much smaller stack of older notebooks. �These are projects I have been unable to complete for various reasons. Some were unsuccessful, others were overzealous accidents that looked promising but did not pan out. You may find something of interest in here.�

Eagerly, she combed through the notebooks, setting aside three that she thought she might be able to add something to. One project in particular interested her. Severus had been researching a potion to eliminate the after effects of the Cruciatus curse. He had made significant progress, but from the looks of his notes, the potion had several problems: it was unstable for any length of time, it had to be used immediately, and the side effects of the treatment were sometimes worse than the after effects of the curse itself. She knew first hand how devastating the after effects of the curse could be, and if she could spare anyone that pain, she would gladly do so. Even though the war was over, it was always good to be prepared. Surely, there would be other wars in the future. And there was a slim chance it could help Neville Longbottom�s parents.

She had several ideas as to how to work out the kinks in the potion and get past the drawbacks. This was just the sort of project she was looking for. As she pondered her own thoughts, she had to smile at the surly looking professor grumbling under his breath about students trying to be clever while his quill made steady marks across the rolls of parchment.

�Severus?�

When he met her gaze, she knew he didn�t have any idea that he had been talking to himself.

�I�d like to start working on this first, with your permission of course,� she said, holding up the lab notebook entitled �Cure for Ill Effects caused by the Cruciatus Curse.��

He quirked his eyebrows at her and set down his quill, folding his hands on top of his desk.

�So you are accepting my offer?�

�Which one?� she asked coyly.

�Assistant Potions Master.�

Returning the pile of research notebooks to the bookshelf, she said, �Yes, that would be the one.�

�Are there any other offers outstanding?�

�One can always hope,� she said, smiling at the bemused expression on his face before scampering quickly from the room.

***

Hermione spent the next day in the library researching various magical plants. She had also managed to catch up with Professor Sprout and procure space in Greenhouse Six to grow some exotic species of plants that she thought might help with her research.

When she returned to Severus�s rooms that evening, she found him laying on the couch in his study. The room was dark and he was rubbing his temples, his eyes firmly shut.

Kneeling beside him, she whispered, �Did you take any headache potion?�

He tried to nod but the motion caused him to wince in pain. �Yes,� he murmured, �but obviously not enough.�

Hermione fetched some more of the headache potion and had him drink it before settling herself behind him on the couch. She eased his hands away from his face and took over massaging his temples, easing her fingers down along his sinuses and across his brow. She worked her fingers over his face, his head, and finally down his neck and shoulders. She smiled as he relaxed into her touch. Before long, his breathing became rhythmic.

She lit a fire in the grate and covered him with a blanket before studying the sleeping man before her. She realized that he was rather attractive when he shed the scowl he normally wore on his face. Maybe he�d just never had much reason to be happy before. He had done so much for her; perhaps this was what she could do for him. She could help him find happiness.

***

In the middle of the week, Dumbledore called a meeting to discuss Hermione�s new role at Hogwarts. She, Severus, and Albus sat in the headmaster�s office to discuss the details. She was offered a salary and her duties were discussed. Lastly came the topic of her living quarters.

�We have a spare suite of rooms available near Gryffindor tower, if you would like to be near your former House,� Albus offered.

Hermione felt a twinge of sadness. She didn�t want to be that far from Severus. He kept the nightmares at bay.

�However, there are also quarters available in the dungeons, next to Professor Snape�s quarters, if you would prefer.�

At that her head perked up. She looked between Severus and the headmaster. Severus�s expression was blank but she detected a sparkle in the headmaster�s eyes.

Hermione chose her words carefully. �Considering that Professor Snape and I will be working so closely together, I think it would make the most sense for me to choose the quarters in the dungeons.� Hermione looked to Severus for his approval and noticed the slight nod from him.

�Very well,� Albus said, �I�ll have the house elves prepare your quarters immediately.�

When she and Severus were dismissed, she stopped him outside the headmaster�s door. �I didn�t know there were extra quarters in the dungeons. How come no one uses them?�

�No one wants to live in the dungeons.�

�I do,� she said.

�Would you want to live in the dungeons if I was not there?�

She blushed at his observation. �No, probably not.�

She paused a moment. �Severus?�

He looked down at her and she realized for the first time how much taller he was than her.

�Thank you.�

By the end of the week, her position as Assistant Potions Master was made official. Dumbledore welcomed her during a dinner in the Great Hall where she took her seat next to Professor Snape. She found it odd at first to be sitting at the Head Table instead of with the students. The one thing she didn�t have to worry about was how she was received by her former professors, now colleagues. They were thrilled to have her join the staff of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall especially.

***

When the weekend arrived, Severus showed Hermione to her new quarters. He was amazed at her reaction. He thought the quarters were quite small and dingy, but to her, they were heaven.

�I�ve never had my own place before.�

He watched her catalogue every little detail in her environment; mentally ticking off the things she would do to make the space her own. He helped her unpack her larger belongings and then left her to get settled in.

When he returned, she was stacking her books on the bookshelf in her study. He watched her for a while; he had not seen that spark in her eye for quite some time and it was refreshing. Her words echoed in his head, �I have a home, I have a purpose, and I have you, Severus.� She was truly an amazing woman.

He cleared his throat to get her attention. �This is for you,� he said, holding out the plant.

She gasped. �That isn�t� it couldn�t be�� she said, her eyes meeting his.

He nodded. Her expression was priceless. She looked both surprised and immensely pleased by his small offering. He had never been one for giving gifts, but the way she was looking at him, he could easily understand the lure of it all. He had never known the thrill of making another happy until he met Hermione.

�A Pimiento Encanto plant,� she said, studying it closely.

�Otherwise known as the enchanted pepper plant, yes.�

�But where did you find it? They are exceedingly rare and grow only in South America,� she said in awe.

�I have my ways,� he said, feeling suddenly satisfied with the tremendous effort it took him to obtain the specimen.

And then, much to his surprise, she set the plant down, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him. He had expected her to be grateful, happy even, but he hadn�t expected this reaction. He could get used to this gift-giving thing, he thought, as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back.

As quickly as it started, it ended. She pulled back, swept the plant in to her arms and with the jubilation of a small child, she asked, �Where should I put it?�

Regaining his composure, he responded, �I suggest you create a microenvironment for it. It is used to warm temperatures and high humidity, two things that are not prevalent in the dungeons this time of year.�

He watched as a strange look crossed her face.

�Should I try it?�

When he nodded, she let go of the pot and rubbed the luscious green leaves between her thumb and index finger. In moments, the pot sprouted a multitude of tiny, ornate flowers of various colors.

�Do you know what all the colors mean?� she asked.

�It is different for each person, but in general, consuming a violet blossom assists with focus and concentration, light blue blossoms are for relaxation, white blossoms for peace and tranquility, pale yellow blossoms for acceptance, bright yellow for rejuvenation, orange for courage, red for passion, and so on. The shades differ for each person and their situation. The plant yields whatever it is the person who touches it needs most at that point in time. I believe you will just have to try the blossoms and find out.�

�Did you try it?�

She must have noticed the sudden scowl on his face for she immediately asked, �What color were they?�

He groaned, knowing he would not be able to get out of this one. �They were black, Hermione.�

�Black! What is black for?�

He rolled his eyes. �I touched the plant accidentally when I moved it, just after I brought you back from Gladwick. Black is for anger management.�

With that, she burst out laughing and wrapped her arms around him once again. �I do love you, Severus, you are one of a kind.�

***

That night, Hermione settled into her own bed for the first time. For the past week, she had shared Severus�s bed and had become quite accustomed to waking up with him next to her each morning. After tossing and turning for a long while, she made her way to Severus�s chambers and knocked on his door. He answered wordlessly, ushering her in as if he had been expecting her.

�Remember when you said that it would be inappropriate for an unwed witch and wizard to share quarters during the semester?�

�Yes,� he answered in his silky voice.

�Later you said that �there were ways.� What did you mean by that?�

He took her hand and led her to his study. �Do you have your wand with you?�

She nodded and pulled it out to show him.

She watched as a quick incantation revealed a shimmering, golden door in the wall of his study that hadn�t been there before. The door, if opened, would join the study in Severus�s quarters with the study in Hermione�s adjacent quarters.

�This door can only be used if you say the incantation as well. Then, we will have access to each other�s chambers. But only if you so desire, Hermione. I do not wish to invade your privacy.�

�What about your privacy?� she inquired.

�I have become quite fond of having you in my private chambers. I would not mind.�

�Me neither,� she said, raising her wand to utter the incantation. Soon, the golden door became solid. She tried the handle and opened the door, taking a quick look around her study. �This will do,� she said with a quick nod of her head. She hesitated in the doorway a moment. When she looked back at Severus he was looking at her with a bemused expression on his face. Finally, she dropped her shoulders and gave in.

�If I can�t sleep, would you mind if I joined you?�

�Not at all, Hermione. Good night.�

She gave him a kiss on the cheek before retiring to her rooms, leaving the golden door open behind her.
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Resolution