Amour

HOPE

Maybe it was because she had attained a habit of being on her guard at all times after months of staying outside, where dangers could come knocking anytime- that Hermione was easily awakened by a light rap on the door. She quitely slipped out from under Snape's arm that was still draping over her, slipped on his dressing gown and answered the door, cracking it open a sliver, only as much to just reveal herself. "Oh, um, Ms.Granger, sorry to bother you.."McGonagall mumbled, passing her gaze up and down Hermione and clearly wishing she wasn't in this awkward position. Hermione also coloured slightly and said," Please Professor, after all that has happened, I think we can skip the formalities." McGonagall gave a snort of a laugh and adjusted her glasses," I sent Mr.Potter and Weasley home to get some rest, although they would be back in no time. Some parents also would already be arriving to get their kids. I just wanted to check whether the two of you were doing okay." She meant Snape as well and Hermione turned her head to look at the bed. "He's still sleeping."she replied, making it clear that he was allright, happy and contented. McGonagall was satisfied,"Good. He needs it. God knows, after what he has gone through..." She put a hand on hers,"It's good to have you back. I'm sure he's ecstatic!" Hermione smiled, returning her excitement. McGonagall dabbed at the corners of her eyes and continued,"They sent aid over from St.Mungo's. Heavens, Poppy needs the help. And the others offered to help restore the castle." Hermione's eyes widened. Shit. I'm so rude. "Oh no, it's so inconsiderate of me...I'll go too-"she tried to bustle away. McGonagall stopped her,"Hermione, honey, you've done enough. Gods, I'm not here to make you feel guilty or anything, no, far from it. After all that you did for us...And Severus too. No no, take all the time you need." Hermione tried to protest but was shot down. Suddenly she realised she had no idea what time it was. "I just came to make you aware that the press would be here soon. They'll want the story." Hermione groaned. "Oh, but not until a couple of hours though. You can rest awhile. Or do you not want them in your hair at all? We could arrange for them to not-" "No, that's allright. I guess everyone deserves to know the whole of the truth. Okay, we'll be there."Hermione told her and closed the door. She saw Snape stirring a little and she didn't want him to freak out feeling her absence, so she jumped back in bed and put his arm over her again. She kissed the frown line in between his brows and he smiled in his sleep. Watching him closely, she fell back into a slumber.............................................
This time Hermione was the last to wake up and just as she did, she saw Snape enter the bedroom. He looked much better."You're up? I was just about to wake you. I thought you might be hungry..." She quickly got up and they came to the drawing room where a table full of food was waiting. She plopped down on a chair, rolled up the sleeves of his dressing-gown, that was too big for her, pulled up the material so that she could sit comfortably, crossing her legs on the chair, put whatever she could reach onto her plate and started gobbling down. He sat down opposite her and watched her amused, quitely sipping his tea. She realised what un-lady-like attitude she was demonstrating so she tried to chew with her mouth closed and wiped at her mouth with a napkin, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry, I got carried away, I was just so hungry..." She saw that he was staring at her with a look of pity, so she added," It's not what you think. I didn't starve or anything these months. We had plenty of food. Enough to get us through..." Snape shook his head remembering how frail her figure was," That, I find very hard to believe, Ms.Granger." Hermione bit her lip, knowing that he had caught her lie. "We are expected to present ourselves in the Great Hall."Snape stated when they were finished,"They want the story straight from the horse's mouth." Hermione nodded and got up to get dressed. She found a dress already waiting for her and Snape nodded at her, confirming that he had bought it for her. She shook her head at him, smiling and shrugged out of the dressing gown to wear the new dress. "You should keep it too, it suits you better than me."he pointed to his dressing gown and smirked. Hermione snorted as she pulled up her hair into a horsetail. She saw that he was having trouble putting his arms through the velveteen black coat he chose to wear. So she helped and buttoned it up for him although he complained. "Stop treating me like an invalid."he grunted. Hermione sighed. Same old Severus..not willing to accept any help. She denied thinking him to be disabled in any way but walked in a slow pace to match his, to show that she just wanted to walk with him, putting her arm through his, when they walked down the corridor to greet everyone. But her smile soon disappeared when they walked around the corner and came face-to-face with the woman in an acid-green blouse and horn-rimmed spectacles. "Might I have a word, Ms.Granger?"Rita Skeeter asked, flashing a pretentious smile, her quick-quotes-quill at the ready. "You can have two. 'Get. Lost'."Hermione rolled her eyes and walked past her. Skeeter tried to run after her but was obstructed by a giant wall in the form of Hagrid. "She don' wanna talk ter ya lady. Just let em be. Let em be." Snape raised an eyebrow at Hermione as they nearly reached the Hall and Hermione grinned at him. They entered to a lot of buzzing, which quieted down as everyone looked around to them and applauded. Snape tried to guide her up to the podium with a hand on the small of her back but she took his hand instead and dragged him up with her too. She urged McGonagall, Lupin, the Weasleys and her friends on the dais too, so that they all stood tall and proud over everyone. Hermione made the official announcement about their victory, not forgetting to mention the deceased and finished with an optimistic view towards the future. With the cameras flashing and the reporters jostling around them, they felt like celebrities although ironically, it came at a hard expense. Hermione could see Skeeter shooting looks at her and everyone had most obviously noticed her and Snape's closeness, but she didn't care. They might as well know about it. They had some questions about her love life, with Skeeter being the loudest among them. "How long has this been going on?"she asked, with an inquisitive brow and a sneer. "Sorry, I just ran out of fucks to give."Hermione commented and ignored all the rest of the inquiries and the journalists were escorted out. It was then only the students, teachers, the Order members and some parents who had arrived there and drinks went round. "Someone is showing some sass."Snape said in her ear, handing her a glass. Hermione winked at him. She saw Neville and ran to hug him. "You were incredible, Neville! I don't think we could've done it without you."She kissed him on the cheek. Neville was flustered, but he gave a smile, which faded as Snape strolled in and draped a possessive arm around Hermione's waist. But surprisingly, he put his other hand out for Neville to shake. "You did well Mr.Longbottom." Neville's mouth dropped while Hermione beamed at him. "That must be the only thing you've said to me that is even remotely close to something nice, Professor." Snape rolled his eyes,"Don't go overboard Longbottom." Neville muttered aside,"And...he's back." Luna bounced up to them, dragging her father along with her,"People are so exuberantly happy, they have no idea they are infested with Nargles."Luna was muttering. Xenophilius looked a bit shrunken, having done time in Azkaban and retained his nervous demeanour,"Would you be willing to do a cover article for The Quibbler?" Hermione had been thinking that she could give an exclusive interview with him; that could be a boost to his profession and anyway she wasn't willing to give Rita Skeeter her big scoop. So she looked at Snape for his approval and said,"Sure! We'll be happy to. Name the time and place, we'll be there." "Hermione!"Ginny squealed as she came running to hug her friend. Harry and Ron were grinning as they hugged her too; they all looked fresh and well rested. "Not to steal your thunder or anything...but We're married!!!"Ginny shouted, flashing the ring on her finger."We were kinda drunk and consummated our marriage in the church altar itself!" "My sister, ladies and gentlemen."Ron said sarcastically. Hermione was totally blown away. "How-when-where did that happen?!" As Ginny was totally being over the top with joy, Harry explained,"Well, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. We headed off to LA first thing after the battle. We wanted to get married but we didn't want a big celebration, cause, you know, after Fred..." He trailed off and Hermione looked around at the Weasleys. George was hanging around awkwardly and it felt like a part of him was missing- he looked incomplete without his partner-in-crime, yet he tried to smile and share in on everyone's happiness. Ginny brought Hermione aside to fill her in on the details and also the regret that she couldn't get to have a big wedding, bridesmaids, the works, but Hermione wasn't listening that much keenly. Her eyes strayed to Snape as her mind wondered. Now that all that's behind us, is he thinking about the next step too? Does he ever spare a thought about the possibility of us having this? Or does he not believe in the institution at all? And right on cue, Snape wrinkled up his nose in apparent disgust as Harry rambled on about married life and it's characteristic features. Hermione stole her glance away from him, sighing. Of course he doesn't want to do this. After getting a first-hand view of his parents's failed marriage, he must not want to go into that. He's cynical about the whole concept. He's happy with what we have now and I'd be a fool to disturb that. I shouldn't push him though; I don't wanna seem desperate. She excused herself from Ginny when she spotted Lupin at the bar, drinking heavily. She went over to him and put an arm around his shoulder. "I'm sorry about Tonks."Hermione told him, eyeing the glass in his hand. He gave a smile that was so full of hurt and slurred an acknowledgement, that it made her suspect whether he was making a habit out of drinking. He told her that he was grieving the loss of his wife but his daughter's lovely face, that so much resembled her mother's, was the only thing that was keeping him alive. Hermione didn't know how to console him further, except watch him sympathetically. Luckily, they were interrupted by Kingsley Shacklebolt, who carried himself with the same panache and bowed down in front of Hermione, kissing her hand. "Behold- our saviour." Hermione scoffed,"You flatter me Kingsley, but I'm no such thing. It was good of you to join us. I'm sure it was difficult for you to take time out of your work, Minister, what's with you coming to accept your new position and restoring order to the Ministry." Kingsley waved a hand,"It was no trouble at all. Yes, death-eaters are being hunted down and put behind bars but I only give the orders now." On a more serious note, he added,"The real job was done by you. I'm thankful to see the two of you alive and well." He meant Snape too, who joined in on the conversation. "We got lucky."Hermione said, glancing at Snape. "Luck would've only gotten us so far had it not been for your skill."Snape retorted and proceeded to explain to him about the Deathly hallows. Kingsley listened to everything and rubbing his chin, he asked Hermione,"That means you are currently in possession of all three hallows. What do you plan on doing with it?" Hermione replied,"I have an idea.".................................
They all went out to the field where Dumbledore's tomb had been erected. Hermione had never been to a funeral but this felt like one; and not just for a single individual, but all those who had been the casualties of the war. The slab of rock which had been cracked open by Voldemort, was still lying untouched. Hermione opened it all the way, placed the Elder wand back in the hand of Dumbledore's corpse, put the resurrection stone inside his fist and positioned her invisibility cloak over his body so that the hallows and the dead body was fully covered and invisible to human eyes. Then she placed the slab back over and resealed it. She had decided to believe in the theory that Dumbledore was the avatar of Death himself and it would be appropriate to return Death's gifts to him. They all bowed their heads in silent prayer; condolences were exchanged, tears were shed and support was provided for each-other's losses. Snape reached forward and held Hermione's hand tightly. Hermione controlled a sniffle and began,"Look how far we've come. Look what time did to us. They say that time's supposed to heal us but we haven't done much healing. Atleast not yet. It seems just yesterday that we passed under the arches to enter this castle for the first time. I was just so happy to get out of my boring old life. I considered myself so lucky. And here we are. Some orphaned, some childless, some widowed, some left alone but everyone shaken up by the ravages of time. I see Lupin, who gave me some of the best council, now going about like a zombie, clueless about the world. Hagrid, who used to have a lion's heart, now getting scared of fire because of that trauma of his hut going up in flames. Colin Creevey died still looking up to me like he did all his life. Molly and Arthur, went through all the troubles of marriage, one son turning against them when they needed him most, one son cruelly disfigured, another dead. When I think about all this, that only a year back we were all together, having the time of our lives...it just feels so surreal. I guess, whatever nightmares the future holds are dreams compared to what's behind me, but thank God we can't tell the future, we could never get out of bed." Snape sighed, sensing her regret at everything that had happened but he wasn't willing to let her blame herself for the rest of her life. "We are here. We survived. We made it."he gestured with his hands to mean everyone present,"And none of it could've happened if not for you. If Dumbledore had told me anything throughout his life that made sense to me, it was this: he wanted us to hope again. No matter what comes our way, no matter how hard, we should never lose hope. It is the basis of life." Hermione looked up at his face, which looked at her with compassion and expectation and she pressed her lips together, nodding. They held each other close as the sun kissed the horizon, bathing the castle and it's surroundings in a resplendent golden deliquescence.