Granger Things (by Shraddha)

The Special Night

Stretching his legs under the table, Severus Snape turned to watch Hermione Granger and Demelza Robins approach with their first round. Hermione sat next to Demelza, instead of beside him. I don't know if we should be all couple-y in front of Demi, Hermione had whispered into his ear before they'd arrived at the Three Broomsticks Inn and Pub. She has witnessed us in more embarrassing positions, Snape had remarked under his breath.

Hermione placed two butterbeer glasses on their side of the table, and a glass of gillywater on Snape's. This was the latter's trade-off for spending some time with his lover- sharing her company with a blue-eyed student and drinking gillywater. His frown turned deeper. Behave yourself, Hermione communicated with a gesture.

Demelza was the only one aware of their relationship, not through their own admission, but by accident. Whenever Hermione had visited him for their clandestine meetings last year, Snape had placed a difficult-to-break charm on his door. During one fateful evening, Hermione had burst into his office and rushed into his embrace. Disarmed by her touch, Snape had forgotten to place the precautionary charm. A few minutes later, a pea-brained first-year witch (Demelza Robins) had walked into the office carrying her Potions homework.

The office had always been a gloomy and dimly-lit room, perhaps the gloomiest found in the school dungeons; the shadowy walls lined with shelves of large glass jars filled with slimy, revolting things, such as bits of animals and plants, floating in potions of varying colours. Hermione would sometimes try to recognise them in the dark, as she was balled up against him. And Snape would award her imaginary points for the correct answers. In a corner, there was a cupboard containing Snape's private stock of potions ingredients. The office had a fireplace, and in its light, Demelza had seen her Potions Professor and her Gryffindor senior locked in a loving embrace.

A Memory Charm in the works, Hermione had drawn her wand. The reaction of Demelza, however, stopped her in her tracks. The former had become teary-eyed, and had started to voice her support for their relationship.

I know love, when I see it, had been her exact words.

Demelza had further pledged that she'd help, to the best of her ability, to protect their secret, while arranging occasions for them to spend time together. Since then, she'd accompany them to Hogsmeade during the weekends, watching out for familiar people. She was really good at this sort of thing, considering she never had a man in her life. Hermione had tried to set her up with Colin Creevy since, but Demelza had confessed that she was turned off by his freckles, even though he was a charming boy to talk to.

Snape snapped back to the present. The day was special, he reminded himself. 19 September 1996- Hermione's birthday, and she had come of age. It meant several things for Snape. Hermione had placed several restrictions- on certain, intimate activities- until she came of age. And tonight those fetters would be released. It was a special night for Snape as well. Since he was- he was- not experienced at all.

The last partner Snape had was Lily- he recalled- young ones trying out kissing for the first time- behind the greenhouses, at the age of thirteen. Lily was just curious what kissing felt like. Snape still remembered the kiss-sloppy and wet and awkward-had left him desiring more, but Lily had rolled on the ground, laughing, after. Hermione, however, had treated him tenderly- adjusting her own moods to his.

He looked around the pub, hoping not to find another familiar face. But that was a wish unlikely to come true. The Three Broomsticks Inn and Pub, managed by Madam Rosmerta, got all sorts of wizarding folks and creatures- drinking firewhisky, butterbeer, mulled mead, . Some juvenile guests also had cherry syrup and soda with ice and an umbrella. It was warm, crowded, but very welcoming. The place was frequented by Hogwarts students, but at the moment, nobody recognised him. It was a simple disguise spell he was wearing, by virtue of which, anybody farther away than four feet could not recognise his face or voice- one of his own clever magical creations. Madam Rosmerta, herself, was nowhere to be seen. That was for the better, Snape concluded. She was too clever to be fooled by a spell of disguise.

Snape's scrutiny returned to Hermione- who was chatting with Demelza, her lips making odd shapes as she tried to inflect her voice every time she made a significant point.

"-in the book, Sites of Historical Sorcery, it was mentioned that this inn served as human headquarters for the 1612 goblin rebellion-"

He looked at her longingly, praying this farce would be over soon, and he'd have some time with her alone. His special night. Their special night. Hermione caught him inspecting, and narrowed her eyes at him, mildly blushing. Did she just read his mind? That was unlikely- he was immune to legilimency. Even without the spell, he believed they had a connection that transcended magic. Or was he being too naive? Truth is he had changed so drastically since they'd started being intimate. Was he still- the- Half Blood Prince?

He brushed his foot over what he thought was Hermione's ankle, and made Demelza snort.

"Professor, that's my leg."

"Apologies, Miss Robins, this table is too small to accommodate me," Snape explained, while not taking his eyes off Hermione.

The latter tried to break his trance. It was making her queasy.

"What about Harry and Ron. They do visit on weekends."

"They shall be occupied otherwise," Snape said as-a-matter-of-factly.

There was a note from the Potions Master left with Argus Filch that expressly stated that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley will be doing their detentions with him, sorting out fresh Flobberworms from rotten ones, without the use of protective gloves.

"I wish Harry did not have to suffer for this. But it brings peace to my heart, when I hear Ron is in trouble," Demelza buzzed.

Her nose had begun to bleed again.

"Episkey," Hermione fixed her.

During last year's Quidditch season, Demelza had been injured- which was accidentally caused by Ron Weasley, and Harry had helped her with the nose-bleed. Ron had also shouted at Demelza unexpectedly, resulting in her breaking down in tears. Since then, her nose would start bleeding abruptly once every week, and no amount of healer treatment worked to fix her malady for good.

"Don't look now," Demelza said under her breath, while wiping off the blood from under her nose, "but Cormac and Dean just walked in." They are on the Quidditch team and never miss a chance to bully me."

"Let us not try not to attract their attention," Hermione advised. She leaned closer to Demelza and wrapped an arm around her.

But the Quidditch extras had noticed them and were already on their way to the table.

"Oi, Hermione!" Dean called.