The Curse and The Cure *Snamione*

Chapeter 13

13

The next morning dawned grey, with a dank mist swallowing everything it touched.

Hermione, sat in the kitchen, in a melancholic silence, nursing a cup of tea, her eyes reddened from crying with dark rings due to a lack of sleep.  She was eventually found by her father.

"Hermione? Are you alright love? What are you doing sitting in the dark?" He could immediately see she'd been crying and rushed to her side sweeping his arms around her, hugging her to him. She burst into tears once more.

"It's Severus, dad. We've had an argument and he's gone."

"Oh baby." He hugged her again. "I'm so sorry.  What was it about? I'm sure it's nothing that can't be sorted."

She wiped her eyes on a piece of kitchen tissue.  "I don't know dad" she took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly "he was pretty angry.  I only said that as Minerva McGonagall was retiring he should apply for The Headteacher's position as his talents are wasted just making up the odd potion for people..."

"Ahhh."

"Ahhh?"

"Well if you said that to him I'm not really surprised he was annoyed.  Look..." he took a chair next to her and patted her hands. "... Severus is obviously a proud man and you've clearly hit a nerve. You're invalidating his work - in his eyes. I'm sure you absolutely had his best intentions at heart but he must feel like his profession is second best to you.  There's not many jobs that could compete with your status."

"But I didn't mean that dad. I just meant that he was a really good teacher and the school would be blessed to have him, that's all."

He patted her hand again.  "I'm sure when he's calmed down a bit he'll know that there was no ill intent."

"Do you think?"

"I do because I had a good chat with him yesterday whilst we were having dinner and I know that he really loves you.  I'm sure he won't let this bit of nonsense ruin your relationship."

"I tried to go to him but he's blocked me through the floo.  I wonder if he'll come to The Burrow later?"

"I'm sure he will, love, and if he doesn't then I'll go round to his house and shake him by the boots, how about that?"

Hermione smiled through her tears.  She loved her dad so much.  He was always her knight in shining armour and she thanked the Lord every day he was still around for her.

************

The Burrow was as crowded - possibly even more so than the Potter's house of the day before - with friends and family alike all coming together to celebrate the life of Molly and Fred Weasley.

Severus hadn't turned up by the time of the memorial ceremony in the garden, and Hermione felt saddened to the core. 

"Hello beautiful" she spun around when she was tapped on her shoulder.

"Lucius!" She managed to drag out a smile when she saw her friend and gave him a tight hug.

"Steady on love" he laughed "I don't want Snape hexing me.  Talking of which, where is the old coot?"

"He's not here"

"Where is he?"

"Home I suppose.  I don't know.  We had an argument last night and he went home.  He won't let me through his wards."

"Oh for fuck's sake" Lucius mutter an expletive and looked skywards shaking his head. "Right.  Wait here.  I'll go and get him."

And before she could say anything he'd disapparated away with a little *pop*.