“Severus,” Molly Weasley
asked him. “Are you insane?”
Severus lowered his
eyebrows at her. He clenched a mug of hot cocoa in his left hand. He looked at
Dumbledore, who was sipping at his mug of cocoa.
The table in the kitchen
of
“Yes, Molly,” Severus
said, annoyed. “I’ve gone insane. I thought it would do for a nice change.”
Charlie snorted cocoa out
his nose and Bill had to pound him on the back.
“She’s never done field
work, and she’s not even initiated yet,” snapped Molly.
“She’s the best person for
the job,” said Lupin, reaching for a tin of biscuits.
“I’m going to have to
agree,” Arthur looked reluctantly at his wife.
Molly turned her eyes on
Dumbledore, who set his mug down thoughtfully.
“Molly, it’s just
research,” said Dumbledore. “They’re not going to go prowling around looking
for Voldemort. And I have to say, Miss Granger is the best person for any
research project.”
“Madam Snape, you mean,”
said Molly, rolling her eyes at Severus.
“I am not having this
conversation,” said Severus looking levelly at her.
“It was done because it
had to be,” said Arthur. “Unless you think Percy should break his engagement
off to do it. He very nearly did, you know.”
“No, of course not,” said
Molly. “I just don’t think its right. She’s still in school.”
Percy had finally
reconciled with his family. There had been a tearful session between Molly and
him and in the end, he had joined the Order. His wedding to Cassie Jackson was
arranged for the end of July. He had retained his job at the Ministry, but had
been transferred to the Department of Matrimonial Destiny. He had notified
Dumbledore the second Hermiones name appeared in the Book of Brides.
“At least he could keep
her there,” said Mrs. Longbottom, frowning deeply. The stuffed vulture on her
hat bobbed in time with her nodding. “Someone else might have decided her
education was over and pulled her enrollment.”
Molly sighed resignedly.
“It just seems like she’s
so young,” said Molly shaking her head.
“Think of it this way,”
Arthur said. “When you were her age you were a year away from starting this
brood.” He smiled at his sons.
“Heaven forbid,” said
Molly throwing a warning look at Severus.
He gave her an annoyed
look.
“I don’t make it a habit
to molest my students,” Severus said stiffly.
“She won’t be your student
for long, mate,” said Fred, or George. “She’s turned into a right piece.”
“George!” said Molly,
appalled. Mrs. Longbottom stared at him in shock. Tonks began to giggle
uncontrollably, as did the other Weasleys. Dumbledore just rolled his eyes and
sipped at his cocoa.
“Oh my God, that was
rude,” said Bill laughing, his hand slapped to his forehead.
“It’s true,” said George
annoyed. Kingsley shook his head in amazement that George had said what
everyone was thinking.
Hermione had grown into a
very pretty young lady. She wore her long bushy hair pulled back, but it had
gotten very long. She never wore makeup, but she didn’t have to. When she chose
to do so, she was stunning.
Severus waved his wand at
the cocoa he slopped on the front of his clothing.
“As much as I hate to say
it,” Severus said. “Your sibling is right. That was terribly rude.”
“Sorry,” said George,
poking Fred, not looking very sorry at all. Fred snickered. Their mother glared
at them.
&&
“How did the meeting go?”
Hermione asked as Severus walked through the green flames in his fireplace. She
closed the book she had been reading and looked at him. She was wearing blue
plaid flannel pajamas and white socks. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail,
but its curls still winded their way over her shoulders.
“Molly was not overly
enthusiastic over you going to
“I can imagine,” said
Hermione, wincing.
“Though we decided that
you are the best person for research assignments,” said Severus. She shrugged
at him, resignedly.
“What’s that?” Hermione
asked, noddong at the brown paper wrapped package, sitting on the coffee table.
“Potion ingredients,” said
Severus gruffly. “For the Sixth years.”
Hermione smirked as her
eyes went back to her book.