The Beach House

3

By the time the pizza arrived it was dusk, and the stillness and heat of the afternoon gave way to a airless and oppressive evening. Neither the witch or wizard had said much since Draco's departure, but it no longer felt like an awkward silence, and both were content to sit on the loungers and watch the slowly emerging stars. Presently Severus spoke which made Hermione jump slightly.

"I always assumed you'd end up teaching at Hogwarts" he said, wiping his hands on a napkin to clean them from the pizza grease. "What is it you do these day?"

"I work for the Wizengamot. I studied magical law after Hogwarts and I'm a Barrister but mainly a judge on the Wizarding Council. What about you? What did you do after your....convalescence?" Hermione looked at him with emotion in her eyes. "I'm so glad you didn't die Severus."

"Pfffft" he replied sharply, "Then you must be one of the very few.  I'd imagine Potter and Weasley would've rejoiced at my demise."

"That's not true" she replied softly "Harry told us what he'd seen in the pensieve. Hagrid and I brought your body to the infirmary when we realised you had a chance of being saved. I brewed some Mortentia Rejuvenatus which stopped the venom in your blood stream. Ron found your wand and brought it back to you. Harry and I visited you often in the hospital when you were in your coma. We were pleased you made it through. It was touch and go for a while. But no one Severus, absolutely no one wanted you to die."

Severus seemed to ponder on what she's said. "It was you that made the potion? It's not in the public domain. How?"

"I managed to get past your wards into your chambers and I found it in your potions notebook. Once I realised I needed to mince the beetle tongue and grind in the butterfly wing powder and not the other way round like you'd written, it worked." She smiled at him "It was quite easy really."

Severus looked ahead of him over the pampas grasses to the inkyblackness of the sea beyond.  He  inhaled deeply and then let out a long breath through puffed out cheeks.  He turned to face Hermione and smiled a genuine smile of warmth.

"You really are an Insufferable Know It All" he chuckled "But I'm so very glad you are.  Thank you Hermione."  She smiled back,  glad that she'd managed to break through his icy shell.  "And to answer your question, for the past five years I have been travelling the world over, collecting rare herbs and potion ingredients. I intend to open an Apothecary and potions laboratory back in Diagon Alley."

"That's wonderful. Truly wonderful" replied Hermione, lifting her glass and clinking it to his "The very best of luck in your new venture. It's definitely what Hogsmeade needs. I had to get some ingredients for a basic sun salve from Arlesford Crutchlow of 'Crutchlow Potions and Powders' the other day and he charged well over the odds. Some healthy competition won't go amiss."

"I need to find premises first. But I feel I've been away from England for so long I'm a bit out of the loop with regard to the cost of rent and rates. I'll need to do some proper research. They say "there's no fool like an old fool" and they could probably see this old fool coming a mile off!"

"Would you like me to come?" Asked Hermione, picking up the now empty pizza box and moving to take it inside - she rarely used magic when she was in the beach house as it seemed to keep her closer to her late non magical parents - "I don't profess to being overly knowledgeable but they might think twice about trying to fleece the both of us."

Severus nodded. "Would you really? That would be most kind.  Perhaps.... perhaps if you are willing we could partake in luncheon at the same time?  Unless of course there is someone else who has monopoly on your time? My godson for instance."  He raised his eyebrow slightly. 

Hermione laughed "Draco? Ha! Absolutely not! We're friends and that's all." Then she added with a slightly rueful undertone "I have no one."  At this Severus reached up and briefly took her hand.

"Then lunch it is" he replied smiling at the beautiful witch before him "it's a date."

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

Lying in bed later Hermione went over in her head the events of the latter part of the evening. Draco had floo called them stating that he would be tied up for the next couple of days at least. She then found herself inviting Severus to stay for the remainder of the time she was at the Beach House. On immediately agreeing she'd shown him his room and a quick tour of the small chalet. He was particularly interested in the collection of books she'd acquired and they spent an hour or so discussing their merits (or not, for some particular ones, according to Severus) "I would have expected a witch of your calibre not to be drawn into such nonsensical, unsubstantiated drivel" he scoffed at her copy of Wolfrin Claddimach's 'Potionopolis' "This is pure whimisical, biased fantasy for the best part. Really Miss Granger I did expect better of you." He had laughed then - a deep rumble that sounded like far off thunder. A steady stream of back and forth banter and discussion then continued for the rest of the evening. They'd said 'goodnight' and parted to go to their own rooms - he to the back of the chalet and the young witch up the open stair to the mezzanine which gave unfettered views over the grass and sand to the sea beyond. She did wonder if at one point he was going to kiss her, but the moment passed and she had gone to bed more than a little disappointed.