—————H—————

"Hermione," Marlene said with a blush as they crossed paths in the common room. "Er, I was on my way up to see you."

"Your way up?" Hermione asked, brow furrowed as she glanced at the clock on the mantle. "At seven-thirty in the morning?"

Marlene blushed more deeply.

"Well, I may just be getting back myself. Anyway, doesn't matter. Snape was by, asked me to give you this," she said, handing a piece of parchment to her with the very tips of her fingers. Marlene held it as far away from herself as she could, and Hermione caught how she rubbed her hand against her thigh.

"Thanks," she said, barely able to hide her annoyance at Marlene's ridiculousness. She unfolded it, smiling as she read his harsh scrawl.

H.,

I won't be in the Great Hall this morning. It's the weekend, I don't have to nor want to deal with the sickening display of red and pink parchment. I'm taking my breakfast in the lab.

Yours,

S.

She rolled her eyes, smiling fondly at the note before tucking it in the front pocket of her messenger bag and leaving the common room. She heard the Fat Lady giggle but chose not to say anything and headed straight for the lab. She had a book for him tucked in her bag. Nothing terribly special, just a collection of short stories she thought he might enjoy. They'd sworn to one another that they wouldn't go overboard, that it was a day like any other, and there was no need to shower one another with ludicrous gifts. It was a Hogsmeade weekend, and they'd planned to get butterbeer and sandwiches, go to Tomes and Scrolls, and perhaps stop by Honeydukes. Their simple plans and lack of lavishness made their first Valentine's as a couple palatable.

She stopped outside the lab door and groaned, rolling her eyes as Lily's voice came through the crack in the doorway.

"She broke your heart, Sev!" Lily argued impatiently. "She dragged you around for three days, left you in utter misery, and then decided that she wanted to keep you after all. I thought you were better than this. Stronger."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Severus spat, and it was another moment when, without the visual reminder of his age, she could easily picture Professor Snape. She honestly didn't mind the reminder, having started to see the older version as equally attractive.

"I know that no matter how good a show you put on, you were miserable," Lily countered, and Hermione came close enough to the door to be able to see their friend fold her arms and shift her stance as if there was no way she could be wrong.

"I was absolutely miserable, but that was because I caused the attack that sent her to the infirmary. It nearly killed her. I can't imagine anyone could feel a modicum of joy after nearly killing the one they ... care for."

"Right," Lily scoffed, not seeing or hearing Hermione enter the room.

Severus' eye shot to her immediately and they softened a fraction. Lily turned, her face draining of color before she straightened and shifted her clothes.

"Morning," Hermione greeted as though she'd heard nothing. "Marlene said you were looking for me."

"I wasn't—" Lily started.

"I'm glad she gave you my message," Severus cut her off, moving toward Hermione. "I thought she would drop the parchment on your head and risk it getting lost in the sheets, judging by the way she tried so vehemently to not touch me."

"Why would it do that?" Hermione asked as his hand fell into hers.

"I know how you sleep, and it certainly isn't with the elegance of an angel. Nor the beauty. You drool."

"You sweat, copiously, and you snore," she countered, tapping him playfully on the nose, making him scowl.

"And this doesn't suffocate you in your sleep?" he asked, giving a tug on one of her locks.

"I'm immune," she countered with a tilt of her chin, pleased by the way his eyes darkened.

"So, will you two be going to Hogsmeade?" Lily asked, leaning against a table. "Or are you going to take advantage of an empty castle?"

"What could possibly be advantageous about it?" Severus asked.

"Empty library," Hermione answered immediately. "Like during Quidditch matches."

Severus hummed in agreement before turning to Lily. "Leave."

"Seriously? You're kicking me out of your lab but letting her stay?"

"I invited her here, the invitation did not extend to you." And then much more gently, "Lily, please. I appreciate your concern, but it is not needed. The incident truly was my fault, we've worked it out and agreed to move past it."

"Fine," Lily said with a nod before heading for the door. She slammed it behind her, and Hermione's heart sunk.

"I feel terrible," she said, turning to Severus as she chewed her lip. "I'm tearing you two apart."

"No. She is," he replied. "Don't worry about her, it's not worth your time. You haven't eaten, have you?" He changed the subject as he gave her hand a tug and brought her to the sofa.

"Do I need to remind you how early it is? I doubt you and Lily were here very long before I got here."

"You're right," he said as he pulled a small basket out from behind the sofa. Clearly packed by the house-elves and not Severus himself, there was a small dish of out-of-season berries, and a plate of crepes peeking out from beneath a bowl of crème anglaise. There was a thermos of what Hermione guessed was coffee, and a small pitcher of pumpkin juice. As Hermione took in the lovely spread, Severus continued explaining as he Transfigured a napkin into a picnic blanket.

"I think Lily was on her way back from the Owlery, based on the direction she accosted me from. I'd just given McKinnon my note and had barely gotten to the stairs when she started following me, assuming that I was looking for her for whatever reason."

"We both know the reason," she said as she sat on the blanket.

He started unpacking their breakfast.

"We do," he agreed. "But she can't go on like this forever."

"She won't," Hermione said as she stole a strawberry from the dish. Severus's eyebrow twitched, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, but he said nothing. "Is it awful of me to say that this is very much not something I would expect you to do?"

Severus snorted. "No. And in the interest of honesty when possible, I confess that the idea came from Lucius Malfoy."

Hermione stiffened.

"You write to him about me?"

"No," Severus replied. "When I was a first year, I was in the common room while Narcissa Black regaled the tales of Lucius' picnic in the courtyard, where he proposed. I remember seeing the girls swooning. It stuck with me as an example of romance, as I have little to draw upon."

"You hardly need to romance me," she retorted.

"No? I'll keep that in mind for the future," he said. He then poured each of them a glass of pumpkin juice, raising his in toast. "To an unromantic courtship, as the lady requests."

She laughed, lifting her glass to his.

"I'd expect nothing more from such a grumpy git."

Breakfast was delicious, though eaten much more messily near the end as Severus' playful side made its appearance. He also thanked her for the book, his appreciation much greater than Hermione had anticipated.

They were nearly late to leave for Hogsmeade. Their first stop, however, was not the Three Broomsticks or Tomes and Scrolls. Not even Severus could brew a bruise paste in less than an hour, and both agreed it was completely unseemly to have visible hickeys at any time, let alone Valentine's Day.

—————S—————

"So, let's see if I understand," Severus said with annoyance, exasperation, and just a touch of disgust. "Messiers Crabbe and Goyle saw Potter's head in Hogsmeade because they ate something of questionable quality from Honeydukes ?"

"Actually, sir, I believe I said it was from Zonko's," Draco replied smoothly, so much so that, had he not seen Potter near the humped witch, he may have believed him.

He had the map, confiscated from Potter the moment he'd brought the boy into his office. He knew the boy had been to Hogsmeade, he was sweaty from the run back. And if Severus were honest with himself, he may have been willing to pretend he didn't know about the witch, or the tunnel, or even about the bloody map, if it weren't for Black getting closer and closer.

And this was not the time for Draco to start making excuses for Potter. It was not the time to prove that he wanted to be friends with the boy.

Warning Potter ahead of time about the foolish Dementor prank was one thing. He'd seen Draco slip Potter a parchment, even if the boy had been too bloody obvious and opened it before the Slytherins were even three feet away. But this, this was just....

"And what, pray tell, was the questionable item that would make two young men see Potter's head floating in the village? While admittedly filled with so little, I doubt it could wander off on its own. So, either Potter's whole self was in the village or I will need to assign Messiers Crabbe and Goyle a most foul detention. Which is it, Mr. Malfoy?"

House loyalties or Potter? He hated putting Draco in this position, for as much as the boy-who-lived-to-drive-him-mad could use a Slytherin influence, he could use his life more. They all could.

Draco took a deep breath. "I'm not sure if you've ever been to Zonko's, sir. Quite frankly, it's filled with common rubbish, but there's a section that's supposed to be for those of age. Crabbe and Goyle saw a seventh-year purchase something from there, then pilfered a little sample. Diamond Drops, I think they're called. Clear little balls that taste a bit like grass. They also claimed to see a big black dog lurking around and following Weasley, as well as someone looking remarkably like Hermione Granger with a redhead and a little boy."

Severus gritted his teeth and tried very hard not to rip into the little shit.

Diamond Drops were a popular hallucinogenic the Death Eaters had partaken in during some of the "sophisticated" and "classy" gatherings. Lucius, he knew, still brought them out from time to time when he and their acquaintances got together. Draco, ever the little eavesdropper, had most likely seen and heard what they were at some point. And Severus knew that some seventh years had purchased them and snuck them in despite the school ban. He also knew that Hermione was supposed to meet Delia in Hogsmeade at some point with Leo, though it had slipped his mind to warn her to change her plans after Black's attack the previous weekend.

Had he not known that Draco was lying through his teeth, Severus would have given him the benefit of the doubt.

"There's still the matter of this suspicious bit of parchment that Potter was carrying around."

"Just a bit of scrap," Potter said, appearing nonchalant except for the tension in his face.

"Well, then, I suppose I could just burn it then," he said, moving slowly to the hearth.

"No!" Potter shouted, and Draco flinched at how desperate he sounded.

"Ah, something of sentimental value, then? A secret, perhaps? Well, it might just need a little coaxing." Severus desperately wanted to shock the little git by using the proper pass phrase. But revealing too much too soon would be a bad idea. "Reveal your secrets." Nothing. Damn. Well, if there was one way to get a reaction, was to get Lupin in here and explain it. "Severus Snape demands you reveal yourself."

Words slowly appeared.

Mr. Moony would like to congratulate Severus Snape on his great display of idiocy.

Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony and wishes to inform him he is still a great greasy git.

Mr. Padfoot is astonished that an intelligent little Kitten would find her way onto such a moron's lap.

Mr. Wormtail would also like to remind Severus Snape to wash his hair, the slimeball.

Well, good humor with the exception of Pettigrew. They never did make peace.

"So, we'll see about this," he said for effect, watching both boys go sickly pale. Severus activated the Floo and called for Lupin, who promptly appeared.

"You called, Severus?" he said, darting a confused look at Draco and Potter.

"I did. After receiving a distressing report, I asked Potter to my office, where I asked him to turn out his pockets. Aside from a bag of tricks from Zonko's, he had this." He showed Remus the original Marauder's Map, and saw his eyes widen a fraction before they went cold and closed off. "This bit of parchment is clearly full of Dark Magic, which is your area of expertise. Where do you think Potter got it?"

Lupin glanced at Draco. "Perhaps it was given to him to get him in trouble," Lupin suggested.

"By Mr. Malfoy? A worthy attempt to blame a Slytherin for a Gryffindor's foolish endeavor. However, Mr. Malfoy came to Potter's defense. He claims that those who reported seeing Potter in Hogsmeade were not seeing things clearly. Have you ever seen this parchment before, Mr. Malfoy?"

"No," Draco replied, glaring at Potter suspiciously. Ah, so not so close that Potter would tell him about his father's legacy.

"So, what do you think, Professor? Where could Potter have gotten such a trinket?" Severus turned back to Lupin. "Direct from the manufacturer, perhaps?"

Before Lupin could reply, Weasley came bursting into the room with little regard for who might be on the other side of the door, or even the simple politeness of knocking first. Through his wheezing and huffing, he claimed to have purchased the joke bits for Potter, stopping short when he saw Draco standing beside his friend. He glared at Malfoy, and Severus didn't show an ounce of the amusement he felt inside him at the sheer animosity between the ginger and Draco.

"Very well," Severus said through his teeth. "It would seem that you are in the clear this time, Potter. However, I will remind you that your head or any other part of your body, is not permitted off castle grounds. And should they be discovered floating around again, the consequences may be worse than detention, am I clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Mr. Malfoy, I ask you to pass along a warning to Messiers Crabbe and Goyle that the products they sampled this afternoon are detrimental to their health, and they have little in the way of mind to waste away on such things."

"Yes, sir," he said with a nod, the tiniest of smirks on his face before he gave Potter a nudge, and they both headed for the door. Weasley was still pouting and glaring, upset that he hadn't been the one to save the day, and the strange trio left.

When the door closed, Severus turned back to Lupin, who looked terrified.

"How did he get this?" he asked shakily.

Severus studied him. "From you, I assumed."

Lupin shook his head. "Filch confiscated it from Peter our seventh year. Hermione and I were able to make a replacement, but it was burned after we graduated."

Severus sighed. "And what name did H. choose for her pseudonym?" he asked, feeling the familiar pang of regret at the reminder of the year he'd missed with her, Lily, all of them.

"Prince," Lupin replied. "Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, with Misses Prince and Petal, are proud to present...She wanted to include you in some way; Sirius argued for Kitten."

Severus sneered. "That would have been atrocious. Miss Kitten? Sounds like someone you would find in Knockturn Alley."

"I think I said the same thing," Lupin replied wistfully. It was replaced by sadness. "It was foreshadowing in a way. She took your name then; she took it again later."

"Yes, she did. But we aren't here to discuss Hermione. I need to know how Potter got a hold of this."

"I wish I knew. And given that Neville left the list of passwords lying about..."

"I heard that. Min was utterly furious. I hadn't heard her brogue come out that deep since ... it was a McGonagall event. '89, I believe?"

Lupin became thoughtful.

"Has Hermione said if she intends to see her parents when the time comes?"

Severus nodded. "We've discussed it, and while she claims she is undecided, I suspect I'll be meeting my in-laws this summer."

Silence descended upon them for a moment before Lupin cleared his throat.

"I'll keep this with me."

"Can I trust that it will not find its way into the wrong hands?" Severus asked

Lupin looked at him severely. "He killed our friends, Severus. James and Lily by betrayal, Peter in cold blood. I promise you, if I see Sirius, I will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to stop him."

"Will you not?"

"None of it matters. I'm not sure it ever did." And with that, he left Severus alone in his office.

He itched to Floo the cottage, to call his wife and ask for a hint. But he wouldn't. He'd promised himself that he would not rely on Hermione's knowledge to give him an advantage, especially when her time as a student under his tutelage was nearly over.

—————A—————

She, Ginny, and Luna came across the boys bickering in the corridor not very far from her father's office. Draco and Ron were face-to-face, while Hermione and Harry stood behind them, looking unsure.

"What's going on?" Ginny asked tentatively, looking between her brother and Draco. "Who said what now?"

"Buckbeak is being executed," Hermione explained. "Hagrid sent a letter. And—"

"It's this great git's fault!" Ron spat.

"I did what I could!" Draco countered. "I apologized to the great oaf; I wrote a letter."

"And how do we know you didn't switch it out?" Ron challenged. "Maybe you went on with that great sob story of yours. 'It killed me, it killed me.' You cry like a girl, Malfoy."

"Oi!" Ginny and Rory snapped together, and Hermione glared at Ron, though he paid little mind to them.

Draco smirked. "Is this another way of trying to make yourself look good for Granger? She throws her arms around you in gratitude for something you should've done from the start without whining, and now you want to seem superior to me?"

"All right, enough, both of you," Hermione huffed. "The only way we'll know what happened is to ask Hagrid. And we can't go down to his hut because of all the security measures in place." At this, she eyed Harry critically, and Malfoy snickered.

"We could just ask someone to escort us," Luna suggested.

"What professor is going to walk us down to see Hagrid, and then wait for us to walk back?" Harry asked. "I'm fairly certain Lupin won't do it; I think he's already covered for me once today. And I know Professor Snape is just looking for a chance to accuse me of breaking the rules."

"Which you did do," Hermione chided.

Harry ignored her. "So, who else is around that we can ask?"

At that moment, Professor Trelawney came swaying down the hall, looking confused.

Aurora looked at Draco, who smiled charmingly at the professor and approached her.

"Professor," he said with his best worried voice. "I'm afraid I need your help. You see, I was drinking tea this morning, and when I got to the bottom, I thought I saw a hippogriff in my leaves. Professor Hagrid had his hearing today about my accident. I'm terribly worried that they relate, and I want to confirm that all was as it should be. But with the restrictions...."

Professor Trelawney blinked rapidly behind her overly large glasses before becoming solemn.