What Is This Thing Called Love?

Chapter Ten: Hogsmeade Discoveries

The gossip mill learns of Hermione's attraction to Severus.

(i) I would adore to hear your opinion of the story. Please do let me know what you think.

(ii) The characters and world of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.

(iii) And last but by no means least, a big thank you to my lovely, amazing beta, Chelsea and Queen_of_Stars.

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Hermione had been using meditation as a way of controlling her anger and resentment at Harry and Ron for their appalling behaviour towards her following the earliest of Bill's DADA lessons. She had also found Severus' tips of channelling her Darkness into other endeavours extremely helpful when the Darker emotions took over her rational mind. She would go for brisk walks in the early mornings, kicking and stomping the unfortunate ground beneath her. Occasionally she would berate the unfortunate student, whose assignment she was marking, with vitriol so sharp it, sometimes seemed as though it could have come straight from Severus' own quill. She was generally fairly successful at managing their lack of attention to their long years of friendship. Each week, despite their continuing silence, Hermione wrote the boys a joint letter, trying to convey her feelings of contentment and joy at teaching and learning. She was desperate in her own way to not lose their friendship completely. So when a letter arrived from Harry and Ron just before the first Hogsmeade weekend, which was to be in the first weekend of November, requesting that she meet them in the village, Hermione was over the moon. She thought it would give them all a chance to heal the breach in their friendship.

Hermione went down into the village to meet Harry and Ron with Ginny, Dean and Neville with a big grin on her face. She paid no heed to Ginny's sly looks and whispers of getting a room with Harry at the Three Broomsticks. Hermione felt young and carefree, and dressed in her comfortable, figure-hugging jeans, jumper and blazer, she looked just like any other senior student.

Severus watched her go with a surprising ache in his heart. Severus did not want to admit it, but he was almost afraid that she would, while away from him, come to realise the folly of pursuing a relationship with him. He realised he was old and jaded. How can I compete with the joy and brightness these callow youths embrace so mindlessly? agonised Severus in desperation. He had never been bright and joyful, even as a teenager. Watching Hermione's beaming face as she walked to the main gates made him realise how young she really was. What is such a beautiful young woman doing with a bitter old man like me? thought Severus. For he could see in her Muggle clothes how truly alluring she was.

However, when Hermione met up with Ron and Harry, things did not go well. Despite her joy at seeing her friends, Harry seemed distant and preoccupied with snogging Ginny. Ron tried to hug her suggestively and whispered, 'I've booked a room for us, 'Mione, just as Harry has for Ginny and himself.'

At Hermione's shocked expression, Ron grinned confidently and said, 'Ginny said you've not been seeing anyone at Hogwarts, and I thought you'd be desperate for a good shag right about now.'

Hermione was furious. 'You know I'm not ready for something like that. Besides, I thought we were over, given your lack of communication and our last conversation.'

Ron laughed. He did not like the attention they were getting from the rest of the group. 'Come on, 'Mione, you know that I'm the only one who will ever have you--now stop being such a prude. Live a little.'

Hermione remained silent, but her glare spoke volumes.

Ron, however, seemed not to notice her anger and resentment. 'Come on, 'Mione,' he coaxed again. 'You know the only reason I was forced to be with the others is because you aren't able to fulfil your responsibilities as an adequate girlfriend. Once we start shagging regularly, I won't need them.'

Hermione was beyond hurt; she was incensed. In a quiet voice that dripped of ice, rather like Severus' when he was enraged, she asked, 'And how, Ronald, do you expect us to shag regularly when I am teaching at Hogwarts?'

Ron just shrugged.

Hermione shook her head. 'I think,' she spat coldly, 'you and I are totally unsuitable for each other. We have never had anything in common but our involvement in Harry and his quest.'

Ron was furious at her utter refusal to sleep with him. 'You're nothing but a frigid tease. You've been stringing me along with your letters and now you refuse to put out.'

'It isn't like that,' replied Hermione heatedly. 'I wrote to you and Harry because you are both my friends. I'm sorry, but the thought of sleeping with you just turns me off completely.'

'Well you're not going to find anyone else to shag you. You're a cold, frigid bitch,' sneered Ron angrily as he stormed off.

Harry and Ginny, who had been amongst the observing throng, were shocked. Ginny was incredibly hurt at Hermione's rejection of her brother. Turning away from Hermione, she remarked loudly to Harry, 'Our 'Mione is too good for us, now. She's always with the professors. She thinks she'll be the one to rescue slimy Snape. She's desperate to shag the Dungeon Bat.'

When Hermione's face turned red in embarrassment, Harry and Ginny both realised that Ginny had not been too far off the mark with her vindictive jab.

'What, do you want to sleep with the Greasy Git?' asked Harry in shock.

Hermione did not respond to the direct question. Instead she replied, 'Really, Harry. You must stop saying things like that. You know we won the war because of him. He's a hero.'

'He's no hero, he's a sick pervert. How long have you been sleeping with him? Is that why he asked you to come back to Hogwarts?' queried Ginny maliciously.

'Don't be silly,' said Hermione. 'I've only just realised how special he is. There's nothing going on. I've not slept with him, though it is none of your business if I do. I am now an adult.'

'Ho, some adult to be taken in by that greasy bastard,' countered Harry in disgust.

Hermione yelled furiously, 'Don't call him that,' before storming off back to the castle. She was so angry she didn't know what to do with herself. Her frenzied walk back to the grounds did nothing to help her cool off, and so she used another of Severus' tricks and began blasting the passing foliage.

Saturday dinner in the Great Hall was pure torture for Hermione. All the students sniggered at her or looked at her with shocked, even horrified expressions. When Minerva and the rest of the staff heard about the argument, for Ginny was not above telling everyone that Hermione wanted to shag the bat of the dungeons, they felt compelled to question a very irritated Severus.

In truth, Severus pretended to be irritated with Poppy's inquisitive question. However, a significant part of him was glad. Glad that Hermione had not been lured away by Weasley's youth as well as the fact that Hermione had not denied her attraction to himself. With the castle almost empty of its students, Severus had had time to think, and he had come to the unsurprising realisation that he more than desired Hermione. He had feelings for her, strong, almost Hufflepuffian emotions of tenderness and devotion towards her. Knowing that Minerva, especially, would put two and two together, he said to Minerva, 'Oh, stop your needless questioning: nothing has happened. As usual the miscreants have got the wrong end of the stick and are making a mountain out of a molehill.'

But Minerva was suspicious. She, unlike the others, knew to whom the prophecy applied. Furthermore, she had seen Hermione's tear-stained face as she had returned around lunchtime to the castle. Moreover, she had seen Hermione's flushed features when the gossip had spread around the Great Hall during dinner and the horrified look in the young woman's eyes when Poppy had questioned the headmaster.

After dinner, Minerva followed Hermione as she made her way to her chambers. There, once Minerva had procured herself a cup of jasmine green tea and an after dinner chocolate, she asked Hermione gently, 'Lass, I don't disapprove. I just want to know if you are all right.'

'Oh, Minerva,' said Hermione. 'I had such hopes for today. I so wanted Ron and Harry to be like they were before. Instead, all we did was argue and hurt each other.' Hermione sighed. 'Nothing has happened between me and Severus. He's been a perfect gentleman. But I do like him.'

Minerva nodded and took a sip of her tea. 'Are you aware of the prophecy?'

Hermione nodded, 'Yes, Severus informed me that he has been using the brewing sessions to get to know me better. But I don't mind.' Looking directly at Minerva, she said, 'I'm glad he took the initiative, for otherwise I'd never have gotten to know him at all.'

Minerva nodded in understanding. 'My dear, you know I am fond of you both. If you are sure about your attachment, then I can assure you that there is nothing in the school rules that stops an inter-staff relationship. Besides, your future apprenticeship will be with Filius, so there are no problems with regulations.'

Hermione smiled her gratitude. 'It's really good to know we have your support.'

Minerva chuckled. 'Always, my dear. I may be old, but I'm not blind. You both are so much alike that it pleases me that you have found solace in each other. Severus has been alone for too long. You will be good for him, and he for you.'