Through all time

Chapter 3 - Not a Bad Person

Through all time

by LilyGreenEyes

(Translated from German into English by Nina Berner)

Chapter 3 - Not a Bad Person

Sleepily opening her eyes again, Hermione needed a moment to remember where she was. It must have been midday by now, judging from the high angle from which the sunrays filled the room, she gathered. But then again, she wondered, if it even was a real window or just another illusion, and how could she be really sure what time of day it was. Slowly Hermione crawled out of bed and looked around the room. For once she found her clothes, neatly lying on a chair by the bed; they seemed clean and even somewhat mended, and moreover, her small pearl bag was dangling from the edge of the backrest.

She smiled, thinking how thoughtful and considerate young Severus Snape was.

Wondering if he had put the chair there just for her clothes, or if he had actually sat there, watching her sleep. It was a feeling that made Hermione slightly uneasy. She glanced over to the laboratory table, a potion was brewing, and the bubbling sound coming from the copper cauldron filled the room. A spoon was magically stirring the brew, but there was no sign of Severus anywhere. Hermione swiftly reached for her clothes and changed. Taking off Severus' old shirt, she lingered for a moment, holding it to her nose and sighed. Slight traces of mint and cedar wood still tickled her nose. After placing his shirt neatly at the end of the bed, she approached the lab table to take a look at the potion brewing there.

On the worktop she found a vial and a note.

Good morning Hermione, I assume you are finally up. I went to the Great Hall for lunch. It would be suspicious if I did not go. Drink the Strengthening Draught, I made it for you. On the table is something to eat from breakfast for you. I didn't want to wake you.

S.S.

P.S. Do not dare touch my cauldron. If you are bored, read a book!

Hermione smiled a bit, her fingertips tracing the tiny, carved letters.

Severus' handwriting already looked like she remembered it. Still, despite his words, she reached up on her toes to be able to peek inside the cauldron. Amazingly it seemed as if Severus Snape was brewing Felix Felicis, a draught some called Liquid Luck. At Hogwarts using it was forbidden during exams and sporting matches.

She wondered for which endeavor the young man was brewing it. She looked around searching for his advanced potions book, but it seemed that Severus had taken it with him.

Disappointedly she sighed, and then picked up the vial and the note. Her growling belly reminded her she was hungry again, and sat down at the smaller table. She swallowed the draught from the vial, and then started eating the toast, sausages and fruits he had left for her. Afterwards she chose a book from the shelf that had just materialized and started to read.

Just after she had finished the first ten pages, the door opened and Severus returned. After looking around, he went straight to the lab table to check on his brew without paying much attention to Hermione. She though looked up from her book for a moment, but kept reading as Severus did not seem to want to talk to her.

Only when the cauldron rustled she startled again, and placed the note inside the book, between page 88 and 89. Hermione put the book aside, and walked over to Severus who still seemed occupied with his potion.

For a while she watched him clean his equipment, noticing that even at that age he was as precise and thorough as she had known him in her time, as her Professor.