Open Letter

Chapter Fourteen

The Great Hall was absolutely enchanting that evening. Huge pumpkins had been carved and then charmed to make different faces. The children found that a few of the pumpkins would mimic them, and soon quite a circle had gathered around the pumpkins in question. Bales of hay were charmed into seats and tables, and coloured leaves floated in the air as decoration.

The High Table had been expanded for the evening in order to acomodate our guests. On one side were the teachers not affiliated with the Order; the other side was packed with our guests. In essence, there were two different tables. Dumbledore had constructed some powerful wards to protect our party from detection. In addition to the Privacy Ward which ensured that our conversations would not be overheard, an Illusion Screen was in place so that no one would be aware of our added guests.

I was so happy to have everyone there: Dumbledore; Minerva; Molly and Arthur; Bill and his on-again-off-again girlfriend, Fleur; Charlie and his Romanian beau; Percy and Penelope; Ron and Hannah with their children; Harry and Draco; and Ginny and Remus, with little Sirius in tow. George and Alicia had been released from St. Mungo's along with Fred. Molly especially brightened at the news that Angelina was expected to pull through.

The whole table was chatting happily, and quite frankly the whole thing was turning more into a Weasley family reunion. After all, several generations were present at the table, and those who weren't Weasleys by blood or marriage had very nearly been adopted in anyway. Molly certainly viewed Harry and I as her other children, and Remus had been welcomed into the fold with open arms even though he and Ginny were still just dating.

I snuck a glance at Severus and found him focused more on his food than anything else. I caught his eye and gave him an encouraging smile. I was impressed that he'd been able to take this closeness to the Weasley's as well as he had. Still... he had his limits and I didn't want to strain them too much. I took his hand and excused us from the table. He was all too happy to follow me outside. We sat down on one of the many stone benches that littered the garden. "Feeling the urge to blast a couple of rosebushes to oblivion?" I joked as I tucked my arm into the crook of his elbow and gave him a sly smile.

"I believe I will wait until Lupin and Ms. Weasley decide to seek a romantic refuge," he said while offering me a crooked smile. "They should be tiring of Mother Weasley's vigilance any time now." I laughed a little bit at his blunt observation. Molly did tend to resemble Alastor Moody when it came to her children.

I turned my head and simply looked up at him. In our few years together, I had seen a change come over his appearance. His face had filled out a little--he didn't look as gaunt and worn as he had. His hair still tended to be greasy, but he did try and take better care of himself. He had even begun to wear robes other than black on occasion. He was wearing green robes tonight. They were dark enough to almost be black, but still. It was as if he was finally out of mourning for his life.

I was so happy to see those changes, yet there were other ones that worried me. His time with Voldemort had been getting rougher. His many bouts with the Cruciatus curse had created new lines on his face. He was still as handsome to me as he had ever been, but when his face was un-relaxed even in sleep, I worried for him. I shivered slightly as a chill wind ran its fingernails lightly down my spine. "I think that's your cue to offer me your cloak," I said, making light of my shiver.

"I seem to remember telling you that champagne coloured confection, although lovely, would leave you chilly," Severus remarked while removing his cloak and placing it over my shoulders. I couldn't resist the urge to snort. Typical Severus to find the most eloquent way to say "I told you so". Severus put his arm around my shoulder and said, "You know, Hermione, perhaps you should give up on becoming an animagus. You would be most disappointed to find out you resemble a pig more than any other animal." I simply had to give him a playful slap after that comment. He turned and caught both of my wrists in his hands and brought me closer to him. As he leaned in to kiss my neck he whispered, "Now, is violence really the answer?"

"Shut up and kiss me you prat."

"Patience is a virtue."

"I think you're enjoying this torture."

"Absolutely," he breathed, before finally pressing his lips to mine. It was then that an ashen-faced Draco interrupted us. Harry had been abducted by Death Eaters.