The Reunion
Hermione Granger was rather pleased as she returned to her office and sat down. Lucius’s first medical appointment had gone well. He was underweight and would require lots of support to regain his physical strength, but more than that, he needed to be motivated and encouraged mentally, as he felt he was worthless.
She frowned on hearing the roar of a car engine that sounded as if it was on its last legs and chuckled. Hermione knew the owner and headed outside to the carpark to greet the visitor.
+++
Severus knew not to use magic if travelling to visit anyone in the Magical Rehabilitation Units. He had not used magic deliberately for three days and had changed his clothing to muggle attire that was kept separate from his magical clothing and never cleaned using magical means.
He climbed into his Land Rover. It suited him as he liked how it drove easily in the countryside and looked insignificant.
It was second-hand, a little bit battered and bruised, and just like himself, still had a few more miles left under the bonnet.
As he drove closer to the unit, his hands began to shake. He had not felt so anxious in years.
He glared at the figure standing outside the security gates as if waiting on him as he swung his vehicle into the private parking area.
“Fucking Gryffindor!” Severus swore under his breath.
Hermione wafted the foul-smelling fumes away from her face and coughed.
“Fuck off, Granger, it’s not that bad,” huffed Severus Snape as he got down from the dark green and what used to be cream landrover.
“I could hear you coming,” she shot back at him.
“Yeah, you wish!” He muttered under his breath and then called back, loud enough for her to hear, “Sod off!”
She folded her arms and glared back at him and his usual snarkiness. “I thought you wanted to help with Mr Malfoy’s rehabilitation?”
“You know I bloody well do.”
“Well?”
Severus moved in closer and gritted his teeth. His stomach had been in a knot for miles, worsening as he drew closer to the unit. He had hoped to calm himself down before going inside but had not expected the witch to be waiting in the carpark for him. Instead, he had seen her giving him the once over. Severus hid his smile as he knew his muggle clothing was always perfect.
His muggle jacket was warm, and he knew his jeans and boots added to his outdoorsy look. His hair was tied back, but some strands were deliberately kept loose to cover his face.
He removed his sunglasses to give the witch a glare as he looked directly down at her.
“I am here to help my friend, not to stand around in a carpark chit-chatting all day, Granger!”
+++
“Are you not coming in with me, Granger?” He looked at her and frowned as she walked away, indicating the door leading into Lucius Malfoy’s private suite.
“No, it is up to Mr Malfoy who he wishes over his threshold. He is a free man; he is not a prisoner now.”
Severus shared a long look with Hermione and nodded, his mouth relaxed.
” Least you appear not to be treating him like filth.”
At his words, Hermione stormed up to him, her face filled with rage.
“How dare you even think I would treat anyone like filth. On the contrary, I have treated every single client with the dignity they deserve, no matter what they had done in the past.”
He met and held her glare. Her whole countenance was rigid with anger. He was surprised and, at the same time, proud of her for standing up to him. Severus deserved it.
“I do apologise; I did not infer anything towards you. Draco had mentioned -“
“Yes, I am sure he did. I dealt with that little incident swiftly, and those who did that dreadful thing to Mr Malfoy are in custody and being fully investigated.”
“I have no doubt you did,” he murmured. He knew he had brought his anxiety with him, and his annoyance at Hermione was not her doing. “Forgive me, Miss Granger,” he sighed, then told her the truth. “I am at sixes and sevens and have not seen Lucius in years. I was not permitted to visit or write directly to him.”
Hermione only now became fully aware of how stressed Severus looked, how he was holding himself and that his hands were balled up into fists.
“I accept your apology.” She relaxed and turned a beaming smile towards him. “Knock on the door,” she suggested, “I am sure he will be delighted to see you.” She chuckled and slowly turned him to face the door.” Mr Malfoy told me you had played chess with him in the past and not magical chess either. I have ensured that there are a wide variety of non-magical games under the coffee table. I included a chess set. Perhaps you can suggest to Mr Malfoy that you could play a game or two?”
She walked away, leaving him to knock on the door and for her to figure out why Severus Snape blushed.
+++
Lucius was surprised when a knock came on his door. He had not expected any visitors, and Miss Granger or her team had not telephoned him to state they required a meeting with him.
He placed the book he had been reading down on the tabletop and headed towards the door.
Hermione had shown him the small peephole he could look through discreetly. Then, if he did not wish to admit the visitor, he need not even react to any knock.
He looked through the glass and took a step back.
His heart began to thunder as he recognised the man standing on the other side of the door. He knew only one man with a nose like that.
He opened the door and, with a wave of his hand, invited Severus inside. They stood staring at each other for a few seconds after he had closed the door.
“Lucius,” Severus greeted blandly.
“Severus,” Lucius followed his lead.
They experimentally shook hands then Lucius felt himself react in a very ungainly manner as he reached out and clutched Severus with his free hand. The familiar smell of potions, a scent that was pure Snape that he had not smelled for years that made his knees weak, and his emotions burst through. He clutched at Severus as if he was his lifeline.
Severus sighed with relief and returned the hug.
They held each other for a long time.
No words were necessary.
They finally broke apart as if it had never happened. Then Lucius began to laugh. He had not laughed in many months, if not years.
“Severus, come along. I will make you coffee. Now isn’t that a first?”
They had coffee over a game of chess, which they had not done for years. There was no alcohol allowed on the premises, so they had more coffee.
Severus was shocked to see Lucius look so thin and gaunt. He looked strange in non-magical clothing. And yet, Lucius still looked good in Severus’s eyes.
They spent a happy afternoon and then ate dinner together. Severus phoned a local Indian restaurant for a meal before driving to collect their meal.
Lucius loved the spicy food and said it would be good to visit the restaurant when he could. Severus agreed to take him, his treat.
The two men had conversed about many subjects for the last six or so hours, and Severus realised that Lucius was exhausted. He stood up and headed for the door.
“Do you have to go?” Lucius asked, tired but also not wanting his old friend to leave.
“Do you want me to go?” inquired Severus.
Lucius shook his head and took Severus by the hand. “No, my old friend. I have enjoyed your companionship and don’t want..”. His voice trailed off, full of emotion, as he bit back a sob.
“I’ll stay.”
Severus gently squeezed his friend’s hand, drew him into a hug, and kissed his neck.
They made their way to Lucius’s bed, still holding hands as they whispered softly to each other till they fell asleep.
Severus made his exit while Lucius was still sleeping. He left a note next to the chess set on the coffee table to say he’d return later in the week.
+++
Hermione Granger headed into work the following morning and recognised the beat-up old Land Rover approach from the opposite side of the road. It made a dreadful racket, and smoke burst from its exhaust. Her eyebrows lifted, and a smile broke out on her face as they acknowledged the other as they passed by.
She never mentioned the early morning encounter with anyone, not even Mr Malfoy. She never even mentioned it to Severus Snape the next time they met. Even when she passed him yet again on her route to work, she kept mum.