June 26, 2004

Headmaster Snape looked out at the great hall. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. It was the end of the school year staff party. One of the things he'd started doing post-war was to recognize the long school year and allow his staff a bit of reprieve before the final week of grading was upon them. It wasn't a requirement that all attend. He wasn't a tyrant. The point of the evening was to relax, unwind. He understood that not everyone wanted to be social with people they saw virtually every day ten months out of the year as a form of relaxation.

The first year or two more than just a few elected not to come. Whether that was lack of fully trusting their headmaster despite his being cleared of all charges or just an unwillingness to accept something new he'd never know. Though he had his suspicions which it was.

Five years later, that was no longer the case and he was glad to see that his staff was as close as they were. It meant that he was doing something right. And that people were, in fact, healing and moving forward. There was still another week of classes left, but he wasn't going to host a party and require staff to remain in the castle for a weekend longer than they had to.

Albus would have done that. He never stopped to realize people had lives outside of Hogwarts that they might want to get to sooner rather than later when summer holidays came.

There were vials of hangover potion available at the exits for any who might want to partake of such an offering.

He was torn between watching his Arithmancy professor, trying not to appear obvious in doing so. Two years into her working here and he was pretty sure he was failing drastically at letting others see he was smitten with his former best friend's son's best friend.

Imagine successfully spying and fooling the Dark Lord for years and being unable to hide his feelings for a slip of a witch that thirteen years ago he'd found to be an insufferable swot. Of course she could still be an insufferable swot but he found it … endearing now because she'd learned how to be inquisitive without being tedious.

The other staff member he found himself observing was his Muggle Studies professor.

This staff member was of no interest to Severus romantically, though there were some similarities between that witch and his. Both were quite spunky with heads of riotous curls and an almost child-like desire to learn everything imaginable.

His witch's desire to learn everything was rooted very much in fact, thus her chosen field of Arithmancy.

Sara Dawson from Severus' observations was rooted very much in fiction and her imagination. Not to say that she was flakey. No. He wouldn't have hired her if she was, but her strongest (and most talked about) lectures to this point had been on muggle media: movies, television, pop culture. The door to her classroom was covered in a life-sized picture of the Marvel superhero Thor that the witch had drawn herself.

Evidently, she had a childlike infatuation on Thor that she'd never outgrown. He recalled being infatuated with Emma Peel and Wonder Woman as a child, so he understood.

No, that witch was already married and from the sounds of it (and appearances tonight) quite happily. The muggle man had hauled himself across an ocean, selling his established business in the process, so that she could take a job at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Admirable of the man to do so so that his wife, his witch, could work in a world that he would always be on the outside of looking in. His own father would never have allowed his mother to work in the magical world.

No, that wasn't what had his attention.

It was her husband.

He had never met the - very - muggle object of Professor Dawson's affections until tonight. He owned an automotive garage in London and was quite successful from reports. In fact, she had asked Severus if she could take her older students on a field trip to his garage next year. Severus had agreed after taking in the garage firsthand to ensure students' safety. For being here less than a year he already had a business that was clearly on its way to thriving.

Professor Dawson was twenty-seven, just two years older than Hermione's twenty-five. Erik Dawson was forty-six, just two years older than Severus.

He watched them throughout dinner as they interacted not just one another but the other staff. Now they were to the socializing part of the evening. He would discreetly ask his wife a question and she would answer.

As different as could be. She was from an affluent, loving family who never wanted or needed for anything to this point. She'd breezed through her education at Ilvermorny, not quite to the levels his witch had but she'd graduated with impressive marks just the same.

The husband had been saved from a life of gangs and drugs because of his innate talent with cars from what Sara had told him when he'd interviewed her. His previous boss had taken him under his wing when he was in sixth grade, leaving his garage to him when he'd retired.

He had questioned her husband's willingness to move to a different country for a world he was essentially on the outside of when he'd agreed to the interview with her. If they had children, there was obviously a chance they would be magical as Sara was and Erik would then have more to do with the magical world than he did now.

She had assured her future boss at the time of their final interview that relocation wouldn't be a problem. Evidently, they'd initially met when Sara was ten. She'd found him again while she was in college. She claimed the man had saved her life when she was a child and she'd sought him out to thank him.

A precarious friendship had formed, the man seeming suspect of the witch's apparent interest in a man twice her age. That suspicion had obviously gone away as they were now married and he'd come here with her.

The parallels were not lost on Severus. It was, in fact, witnessing their interaction tonight that had Severus thinking he was an imbecile for not pursuing the witch.

Hermione was from a similar background as Sara, which was the reason when Severus hired Hermione Granger two years ago he'd sworn the blooming affection he'd felt for her would remain hidden. He thought she might reciprocate, that wasn't the problem. He just couldn't fathom why she would return his interest.

What could he offer her that other wizards closer to her in age could not?

He regarded the Dawson's covertly. She was rather petite while her husband was almost six and a half feet tall and cut a rather impressive figure under his muggle suit. He clearly wasn't comfortable wearing it, which made Severus chuckle. He recalled a time or two being forced to wear one as a child and he'd hated it. He'd felt … constricted, stifled. Severus had few occasions to wear one. Mechanics didn't have much reason to wear suits either regardless of age in Severus' limited experience dealing with motor cars and mechanics.

But they clearly loved one another. So much so that he was immune to Fleur Weasley's Veela charms. The witch was unaccustomed to men (certainly non-magical ones) not fawning over her.

He'd debated about inviting her and Bill this evening as they weren't officially staff, but both of them had given special presentations throughout the school year for various classes. He viewed them as contributing to the education of his students.

His eyes fell on Hermione who happened to be looking at him at that moment in time. She smiled prettily, blushing before she looked away. She had hinted years ago that she was interested. Unlike Erik Dawson, Severus had not been able to get past their differences. Their age difference being most significant but not the only one.

"Go talk to the witch," Filius Flitwich said from beside him.

"Pardon me, Filius?"

He hadn't even heard him approach. Way to be vigilant! Just because Voldemort was gone did not mean there were no threats to his safety. Of course, in theory, he should be safe in Hogwarts, but it wasn't that long ago Death Eaters had gotten in.

He shook his head, and reached for the drink that Severus was holding. Severus scowled at him.

"We all see it, Severus. From both of you. The staff, not including her of course, have a pool going on not just when you'll give in but which of you will make the first move. I'm surprised you've lasted two years."

Severus was, too. He almost hadn't hired her for fear he'd fall to his knees and ask her for a chance a day into her employment. With him as her boss. So they'd gone from a power dynamic of professor and student to boss and employee. How could a relationship blossom from that? How could she ever see him as anything but her cruel potions professor who'd insulted her?

After he'd hired her he'd made an effort to apologize for the comment he'd made back in her fourth year about her teeth. It had been particularly cruel and unnecessary even in his role as a spy.

She had waved off his apology before he'd even finished.

"Professor. Headmaster. It's in the past. You were acting as a spy and I'm sure said and did more than just that. It was war. You had a role to play. She'd smiled then, cheekily. And Draco saved me years of orthodontic treatment. It's not as if I didn't know my front teeth were noticeable."

He remembered he stared at her for a moment, clearing his throat because he had no idea what to say to that. Apologizing was not easy for him in the first place. He'd rehearsed this one more than once because her opinion mattered. He'd had many people apologize to him. He was sure there were dozens in addition to (or perhaps before) Hermione Granger he should have apologized to, but he hadn't wanted to embark on that path. Albus had advised him it wasn't necessary that the people who needed to would understand and those who didn't weren't worth his time anyway. He was certain there was no way that someone could be that forgiving. Unquestionably this witch had not displayed understanding for those she felt betrayed her trust in the past. He - the whole of Hogwarts - had seen her temper more than once.

"And the end of this year is your bet I presume?"

"Well, if it makes me some money, so be it."

Severus chuckled. Honestly, if anyone was to … gain off of this he'd prefer it be Filius over anyone else. Even Minerva. Of all the things he felt guilty about it was having to stupefy this wizard. He had done nothing to Severus.

Ever.

"I've spent years convincing myself that I was too old for her," he said softly.

Albus' portrait had encouraged him to pursue the witch before he'd even hired her. Their paths crossed at functions and what not prior to her coming on here. He'd always come back here from those events, impressed with the woman she had become. A year on the run as she'd experienced could have changed her, hardened her.

It should have.

It hadn't.

She was warm and kind, giving. Seven years of war and being ridiculed because her parents weren't magical hadn't brought her down. He watched and listened to her not just with the staff but with students as well. She still lived in the library in her spare time. Now, students were more than willing to take her offered assistance. She thrived on it, knowing she was helping students. It was something he could admit he did not have the patience for. Oh, she had a mean streak in her for certain. She was no one he wanted pissed off at him. He didn't think there was anyone in Britain who would disagree with him on that. Marietta Edgecombe's jinx aside, most of the other things she'd done were reasonable.

"Too rough. Her boss."

"Mm," Filius said.

He watched as the Charms professor took in the same couple Severus had been watching throughout the evening. Filius evidently had the same thoughts his headmaster did. That those two had overcome age and socioeconomic differences and seemed happy. Hell, the man had moved three thousand miles for his wife to teach a subject most in the wizarding world scoffed at. Neither seemed embarrassed of one another. She looked at him with the same look of love Severus saw in Mr. Dawson's eyes when he looked at his wife.

"Well, I suppose you've left me no choice but to at least get a new drink if nothing else."

"So it would seem," the part-goblin said. He was far too chipper at the idea.

She was at the bar when he approached and he couldn't help but notice how nice she looked. It seemed she took her queue from Sara Dawson and was wearing a muggle dress, too. Something summery, off the shoulders and with flowers on it. Feminine. It was easy to forget how curvy she was under the robes she wore every other day of the school year. It was one of the things about wizarding clothes he did not like.

"Professor Granger," he said.

"Hello Headmaster."

"You look lovely."

She didn't respond and he wondered if he'd misinterpreted or overstepped.

"Thank you. It's refreshing to be able to wear a dress in the castle."

He breathed out, relieved she hadn't reacted badly.

"Well, if I had known you look like this under your robes I would have encouraged you to do so two years ago."

She blushed, reaching for her drink as he did the same.

"Did you know I told Sara she should bring Erik with her tonight?" she asked.

"I did not. She was not going to include him until you made the suggestion?"

"No, it didn't sound like it."

"Why did you do that?"

She smiled then, taking a sip of her drink. He noticed colour on her cheeks, so she was blushing.

"Subtlety was failing, Headmaster."

"I'm sorry?"

"You think you're too old. I'm too young. A combination of both. I haven't quite figured it out yet. My parents were somewhat well to do, yours were not. I had a loving home. You did not. I was hoping you would see the parallels. And he's muggle so will not live as long as she does. So if they can survive an age difference…"

Severus, in truth, hadn't thought on that part of his new Muggle Studies professor's marriage. He supposed the age difference between them was even more pronounced under those circumstances whereas Severus could, theoretically, live to be two hundred. Nineteen years seemed rather silly to quibble about at two hundred and one hundred eight-one.

"Are you coming onto me, Miss Granger?"

"Is it working, Headmaster?"

He turned then to face her, giving her his full attention. "Will it get me you wearing more dresses like this one?"

She glanced at herself then and he could almost see the wheels turning in her head.

"You really like it?"

"You look very fetching, Hermione."

"Thank you. I do have others."

"Oh?"

"I could maybe be convinced to wear another next weekend if you wanted to take me to dinner."

He gave her a smirk then.

"You drive a hard bargain, Hermione."

"I suppose I should thank Sara for bringing Erik tonight then."

Both glanced at the couple in question. The witch was clearly the more social of the two. Severus would bet one hundred galleons on the fact it wouldn't matter if they were at Hogwarts or an event for his profession, she would still be more comfortable in a group. He recognized the look in her husband's eyes.

Discomfort. Ensuring he knew where the nearest exit was. Trying not to say the wrong thing to the wrong person that would embarrass his wife with her new job's coworkers. A new job that he didn't completely understand despite the fact she was teaching Muggle Studies.

As headmaster it was required of him to be at things like this and engaged while in attendance. So he'd gotten more proficient at these types of things, but he still loathed them. Internally.

"No, my witch, I think it's me who should be thanking her. I needed to see that age should not be a factor in compatibility issues. So long as legality isn't an issue at any rate."

"I have been legal for years."

"Yes, well," he said with a shrug.

"Stubborn wizard."

He shrugged. There was no denying it.

"It may take me a while to make up my mind on something, but when I do it is rather for keeps."

Silence.

Perhaps too … much too soon, but it needed to be said. Age difference not being important or not, he was too old and had come too far to embark on a courtship without the witch in question realizing his intentions were true.

"Is that supposed to scare me off, Severus?"

He scoffed. He doubted much could scare this witch.

"No, just stating facts as I do not play games. I had enough of Albus' and Tom's riddles to last me a lifetime."

Suddenly he felt feminine fingertips against the back of his hand. Again with the lack of attention to his surroundings. He turned his hand a bit, an invitation but he was not going to take that next step on his end.

She twined her fingers through his. He let her.

Who was he kidding?

Of course he let her. He'd truthfully let her do anything she wanted to.

And he refused to think of that as pathetic or weak.

"I don't either, Severus."

He nodded then. She was saying she was on board. Interested. Not just interested. In.

"So," he said, settling his recently acquired drink down. "Care to help me shock the masses then?"

"Um?"

He chuckled then, turning their joined hands so hers was on top before bringing it to his mouth for a kiss.

"Well, it's been decades since the headmaster has been able to start off the dancing portion of evenings like this. I am ready to change that."

"I'm not sure I even knew you could dance, Severus."

"Care to find out?"

"Well, you know me and the pursuit of knowledge."

"I was kind of counting on that fact."

"Lead the way then, Headmaster."

"At least in this case they'll be watching my dance partner not me."

"Shows what you know, Severus Snape." She stepped closer, grazing a finger along his jaw. "Sara Dawson has Thor. I have Ian Nottingham."

He regarded her curiously. His one vice throughout the years was muggle comics. He always found the Witchblade comics enjoyable but they weren't talked about like Batman, Superman, and Spiderman. He could see why she would pick Ian for him. He was dark, morally grey some might say, but he wasn't in the realm of the Punisher. Yes, Ian was a suitable comparison.

"Your comics knowledge is impressive."

"Yes, well, that's my dad's doing."

"I will be sure to personally relay my being impressed another time."

"I look forward to it."

"But, first, a dance."

"You do know how to start off a courtship in style."

"Yes, well, if I'm going to do something I go all in, Witch."

"Well then, where's the music, Headmaster?"

And just like that as he started leading her to the area set aside for dancing, music started to play.

He was right, she was wrong.

Every set of eyes in the room was on her. He did notice his Muggle Studies professor smiling, knowingly. The rest, though, were wondering no doubt.

Let them wonder.

They were doing nothing wrong.

~The End~

Story ©Susan Falk/APCKRFAN/PhantomRoses.com