𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑪 𝑶𝑩𝑺𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑰𝑶𝑵 || 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟎𝟕.

The cameras were the worst part of the conference...

She tried to adjust her eyes, but the flashing bulbs continued. Wish they would bloody well find a way to take pictures without the flash! She couldn't see a blasted thing, and even after all these years that made her feel distinctly uncomfortable and vulnerable.

"Spell-Mistress Granger, do you have any plans for furthering your research?"

"Of course."

The reporter nodded and followed up. "Can you tell us exactly what your next area of research will be? How soon do you expect it to be before Britain has the Squib Enhancement potion available? The ministry in America is handing it out free of charge."

Hermione sighed. Of course they were. "I really can't discuss the details with the press at this time." Because if she did she was sure that the phrase 'blithering idiots' would slip out in regard to their own Ministry, and that tended to set people's teeth on edge....

"Word at the Ministry is that your next budget is still waiting for approval, any comment?"

"No."

"Is it true that you were romantically involved with Severus Snape while you were a student at Hogwarts?"

"What?"

Hermione looked down at the annoying witch. Philomena Douglas-Dean...was that her name? She was utterly forgettable. Hermione could just make out the other woman's outline after a fresh round of flashing lights.

"I believe the question was self-explanatory Miss Granger."

Hermione snorted. She took it back. The cameras were bad...the reporters were worse. She didn't bother to play nice.

"In case you've had major head trauma and don't remember correctly, Potion Master Snape was somewhat occupied, along with everyone else, fighting Voldemort. He hardly had time to go about seducing students when he was busy saving their lives." Her voice dripped irony.

She dismissed the woman and turned her attention to another reporter. "Next question."

Severus was proud of her. She wasn't used to that sort of intrusive personal question, but she'd handled it nicely. Her voice was not defensive, her face was open...she looked completely honest. Of course, she was being honest, which always helped. He had not even considered a relationship of any sort (even a passing physical fling) during those years after Voldemort returned. It would have been too dangerous, both for himself and any partner he might have met. It wasn't the least of what he'd given up (he had always been a sensual man, and he had missed the release of being in the arms of a willing witch) but it wasn't the worst of his sacrifices during those years either.

The questions were coming slower and the reporters' eyes were glazing over as Hermione delved into details of her research that they couldn't possibly comprehend or appreciate. He walked up and offered her his arm once more.

"Ladies, gentlemen...I'm afraid that the Spell Mistress has an important lunch date in a few moments."

The snide witch (what was her name?) from the gossip rag perked up.

"Who is she meeting for lunch?"

"A plate of sandwiches. We can't have a war hero starving, now can we?"

He swept her out of the room.

Hermione sighed deeply as they approached their rooms.

"Did I assume too much? You looked ready to get away..."

She grinned up at him. Even in heels the little witch was nearly a foot shorter than he was.

"No, I just envy you. I've never been able to make a proper exit."