Time Boat

{6}

{6-The Library, Of Course}

Hermione enjoyed the rest of the day with the Marauders and company, noticing very easily how they'd called it quits early in the day. She could have went on the whole evening in their presence, but the far-off look in Lupin's eyes only grew as the day dragged on. Hermione thought it noble of his friends to put up the night, which James easily could have roped Lily into their date that evening, and give it to Remus freely. She wished she could go and watch, to spectate just how they handled the event. It was spectacular to think they, as young animagi, could quell the harshness of a werewolf.

She also knew how dangerous it was.

Regardless, Hermione kept to herself that Sunday morning, thinking of the wonderful day she'd had previously. All her work had been completed Friday evening for the upcoming week, and she planned on spending the day in the library searching through more books in her hopes to find something. Anything would have been better than the standard normal stuff, and the other things which were just plain useless.

Not deterred in the full, Hermione found a cozy spot in the corner of the library and set to work, a few small books in front of her to pass the time.

Lunch rolled around soon enough, and with the growl of her stomach she assumed that this was her sign to take a break.

The Great Hall was a bit scarce, but Hermione was no less amused to see her friends at the table, all bar Remus, chuckling and enjoying what was probably their breakfast.

She didn't sit with them, however, choosing to give a wave which seemed to do more than enough to quell their vibrant demeanor. Hermione was glad she didn't, either because she sorely would have doubted that Severus would have came and sat across from her if she'd chosen to join the marauders.

"How was Hogsmeade?" He asked, obviously ignoring the indifferent remarks of curiosity at the other end of the grand bench.

"Wonderful," she replied, though her incredulous look must have been grand due to Severus' halting in grabbing his lunch.

"I don't like being alone as much as you might think, and since I have found your presence tolerable, I apologize... I suppose, for the way we interacted a few days ago."

Hermione was speechless, seeming to have not deterred Severus in the way she wanted. Well, this was a predicament, for she knew that there was nothing she could convince Severus Snape out of, but this was... well, this could be harmful to time. Though, she'd been battling her insides to wonder if any action she could take would change the future, for she'd already lived it. She could kiss Sirius Black and it probably wouldn't make a difference. Then again, her other option was that time was counting on her reservation and for her to make herself back to her time in a timely fashion.

So, if she couldn't shake Severus Snape, and she went with the theory that nothing she did mattered, then maybe his friendship wasn't unwanted.

If Mary was to be believed, then of course it wasn't unwanted.

"Apology accepted... I suppose," Hermione said with a grin, Snape only looking mildly satisfied at the events. "Did you finish your potions essay?"

"Yes," she responded immediately, no thought necessary, "And you?"

"Of course, I still have some Ancient Ruins to do, however. And seeing as it is due tomorrow I suppose I should get to it."

He looked not the least bit excited to do the work before him.

"I have that done, too. I've just been lounging in the library this morning."

He looked at her oddly, "You spend your free time cooped up in that old place?"