Crossing the Line

Chapter 13

Feb 11

Hermione's pov

Hermione and Severus were out in the greenhouse while Severus brewed some extra healing potions for the infirmary. They had been going to Dumbledore's house more often, preferring to use it as their home base rather than his lab at the school. They went every weekend saying that they were running some more tests on the contents of the vial. But that was a lie. Well, not a complete lie. They did conduct some research but they always came empty-handed. They found all that there is to be found about the subject matter. Dumbledore was fully aware of the true reason as to why they left Hogwarts grounds every week. He never said anything but he knew with that sparkle in his eye. They mostly left to escape the rising tension at Hogwarts. Everything is coming to a head. Whether that be in a couple of days or a week. The war won't last more than a month. And it will finally be over one way or another. Something that left Hermione relieved and also terrified.

The war was looking to end favourable for them. But there was still a high chance she and/or Severus wouldn't survive to see it's end.

Everyone was getting angsty including her friends. The order was working overtime with guards stationed at Hogwarts and Hogsmeade waiting to signal for the beginning of the final battle. It was going to happen at Hogwarts. Voldemort wouldn't want it any other way. They had prepared various evacuation plans and they can only hope that when the time comes it will be enough to save the students. Though Dumbledore's army has already made its decision known that they aren't going anywhere. They were going to fight.

But for now, they were waiting. At least she wasn't waiting alone. She was with Severus and spent most evenings with him in some shape or form. And with their weekend escape, there was the added benefit of sleeping in the same bed. They were currently in charge of stocking up potions for the infirmary. Well, Severus was. Hermione was just watching. The final battle would bring about many injuries.

She and Severus were in a good place. Despite the war. There were no recurring problems between the two. They set up some boundaries between them and it seemed to be working like a charm. They had found a balance instead of a constant push and pull in either of their directions. No one was gaining more than the other in the relationship. Though it was far from being one sided.

They had a better line of communication. If they didn't spend the time throughout the day together then they would have tea for about an hour before bed and simply talk. About anything and everything, but mostly the little things. And by doing this they never really needed to have a huge discussion or a fight again. Oh, they bickered and grumbled now and then but it happened more so on the teasing side rather than anger. Any big conversations they had were discussed not in anger but in calmness and understanding. It made everything so much easier, now that they were on the same page. This one was purely Hermione's suggestion but Severus couldn't help but be quite glad once the idea became routine. He looked forward to it. She preferred that Severus didn't speak unkindly about her friends. She knew that he didn't like them but it made her feel better when he didn't put her in a position where she would have to defend one over the other.

Severus preferred if she didn't make any comments or ask any questions about his family. He had grieved and acce[ted everything that had happened between them decades ago and would prefer not to drag it all up again on her behalf. Though he did promise to one day take her to visit his mother's grave and tell her some good stories he has about her. But he wanted to focus on the present rather than the past. Hermione gladly accepted his request, especially once she noticed he didn't include his time as a death eater into the category of not talking. Severus admitted that he was fine with her being in the potion's lab with him while he worked but he requested that she was silent while he brewed. He needed his concentration.