Chapter 3
Hermione pushed her scrambled eggs around her plate with her fork. Where was she supposed to meet Snape? It's not like he gave her an exact place. Perhaps she'll just make her way to the Potions classroom like usual. She sighed.
Harry and Ron watched their friend. It was not like Hermione to remain quiet – said with love of course.
"Something the matter?" Harry asked, eyes curious behind his glasses.
"You ok there?" came Ron's voice.
Hermione continued to stare into space. Harry lightly jabbed her with his finger and she came out of her reverie slightly startled. "What?"
"Is there something bothering you?" Harry asked kindly.
She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Nothing. I am fine. Just a little bit tired. I couldn't sleep last night, that's all."
Harry stared at her, searching her. "If you say so."
"Hey! Why don't we go down to Hogsmeade after breakfast? Grab some butterbeer then have a snowball fight," Ron suggested, clearly excited by the idea.
"Thanks Ron but I have to do some stuff alone today. You guys go on ahead."
"What kind of stuff?" Harry asked curiously.
"Private stuff ok?" her voice became shrill. The boys were shocked, she could tell. "Look, I'm sorry but I just want to be alone today alright?"
"Alright."
Hermione rose and left the Great Hall.
Ron looked over at Harry. "Must be that time of the month." Harry punched him on the shoulder.
Hermione pushed open the door to the Potions classroom and quickly walked in. The corridor was empty so it was better she went in before someone saw her. Walking up to his office, she knocked on the door and waited. No one answered. She tried again. No one answered. Shrugging, she let herself in, surprised that Snape left the door unlocked.
The office was empty, papers in neat piles on his desk. She sat down on one of the couches by the fireplace and started a fire. The flames cast a warm glow instantly relaxing her. Hermione stared into the flames, trying to get used to the fact that she recently married a man who is much older than her, more experienced than her, a Death Eater and her teacher. And apparently he possessed a seductive side as well. She shivered, remembering his voice and the way he told her that she was going to enjoy doing sleeping with him.
She needed to calm down, fast. Her heart had started beating erratically and her breathing beginning to turn shallow. Lying down on her side and facing the fire, she closed her eyes and began to go through a list of Potions with their effects and uses in her head.
Hermione eventually drifted off into a deep sleep, tired from the previous night's lack of sleep.
~~~ Later ~~~
Snape stalked down the corridors, robes whipping behind him, and inwardly smirked at the way students hurried to get out of his way. It's good to be me.
Miss Granger would probably be waiting for him. No. Hermione. Hermione Snape. She was his wife now.
He already called for a few of the castle's many house elves to discreetly and quickly make their way to her rooms and bring her items to his quarters by the dungeons. He had also instructed them to not get caught and to not answer any questions from any student or teacher. It wouldn't do to have someone be nosy then spread rumours.
Walking through the Potions classroom, he was surprised to not find Hermione waiting by one of the student desks. Maybe she was running late?
He opened his office door and stopped when he saw the crackling fire. Someone was here. Wand raised, he silently made his way to the couch.
Snape inhaled sharply when he saw that it was Hermione who was curled up on his couch, sleeping peacefully. Lowering his wand, he let his gaze wander. Her face was framed by her bushy hair, which had turned caramel in the firelight. Her robe had flipped open; exposing the length of her legs while her skirt had rode up slightly.
What was he to do? Should he wake her up? Deciding against that, he sat at his desk and began marking student essays – occasionally smirking at the ridiculous statements that some had made in their essays. Really, how did some of them pass onto the next year?
Morning turned into afternoon, and afternoon turned into early evening. The young witch had occasionally shifted in the couch in an effort to try to find a more comfortable position. Snape looked up from his desk, surprised to find her still asleep. How long can one sleep for?
Setting aside the essays, he had enough of the students and their pathetic attempt at writing, he walked over to Hermione. It was best she wake up now.
He gently shook her awake. "Hermione," he called softly. She stirred but didn't wake. "Hermione," he repeated, his voice more firm. Her eyelids fluttered open, amber eyes unfocused.
"Mm?"
"You need to wake up."
"Tired," was all she said before drifting back into sleep.
"No, wake up. You need to eat. Then you can go back to sleep." His patience was wearing thin. Females.
She sighed, then raised her arms above her and stretched, back arching. Making a small sound of pleasure at her loose muscles she sat up and pushed her hair away from her face. "Morning Severus," she said softly.
"Evening. It's evening now Hermione." Her little display had heated his blood slightly, reminding him of the events to come.
She looked at him, slowly becoming aware of her surroundings. He was clad in his usual black attire, except his robe was missing. Her stomach grumbled loudly, breaking the silence, and she blushed. "I am hungry."
"I can tell."
"But –" She didn't want to go to the Great Hall and have to interact with Harry and Ron. She couldn't do that now. Not while she was unsettled.
He seemed to have read her mind, for he said, "We can eat down in my quarters. Let me just gather my things, then we can leave." Putting his robe on, he clapped his hands and a tiny house elf appeared. "Bring dinner for the both of us down to my quarters." The elf bowed and left with a pop. Snape turned to Hermione. "Follow me."
Hermione was thankful that the corridors were empty. Everyone, it seemed, was at the Great Hall for dinner. No doubt, that Harry and Ron would question her about her absence. Maybe she'll see them on Monday – she was in no mood to explain things to them or conjure lies.
The corridors became considerably darker the lower they went into the castle. They stopped in front of an empty wall, where Snape murmured a few words and then a black door appeared. Opening it, he let her step in first then followed.
She had stepped into what looked like the living room. It was filled with the same sort of furniture in his office – dark greens and black leather. The floor was stone, with a plush rug lying before a fireplace.
"This is the living room," came Snape's voice.
Striding towards a door, he opened it and she walked in. She had entered a bedroom. The bedroom. A huge bed dominated the room, covered in emerald green silk sheets. A large mirror stood on one end of the room and two wardrobes lined the wall on the other end. Two dressers stood on either side of the bed, candelabras on each of them. Torches lined the walls. It truly had the essence of a dungeon.
"This is the bedroom," his voice had turned deep, gravelly almost. He gestured to a door on the far wall. "That leads to the bathroom." Hermione nodded, desperately trying to keep her calm. Bedroom. That was all she could think of at the moment.
Her stomach grumbled again. At that moment, the elf appeared. "Your dinner is in the living room," it squeaked. Hermione smiled in gratitude at the little creature. "Thank you," she said.
The elf, clearly happy with her thanks, hopped then left, leaving the two of them very alone.
"Well then, we should eat." Severus undid his robes and they both made their way to the living room. Chicken and roast potatoes were laid out in two plates on the coffee table. For dessert there was caramel cake and treacle tart. Hermione sighed in delight, sat on the sofa and began to eat.
Severus heard her sigh and stiffened slightly. Then almost laughed when he saw that she was already done and had moved on to the dessert. She must have been very hungry.
"Tell me something Hermione," he said, spearing a piece of chicken with his fork. "Why are you wearing your school uniform? It's a Saturday." He lifted the fork to his mouth and chewed.
Hermione could only stare at him. His movements were fluid and calculated all at once. She was becoming more aware of him as a man, rather than her teacher. And this had all happened in the space of one day! "I'm wearing my uniform?" She looked down. "Ah well, I was a bit out of sorts this morning. I put it on without realising it."
"I see." He had begun eating dessert, treacle tart.
She was suddenly nervous. "Can I go and get my stuff please?" She needed to get away from him. He drew her in with simple actions, fascinating her.
"The elf has already brought your belongings and put them away."
She tried another route. "Then can I go and take a shower?"
He smirked. "Asking me permission to take a shower? Why? Do you want me to join you?"
Her eyes widened and her colour heightened. "N-no! No!" Good Lord.
Severus laughed at the expression on his new wife's face. "Relax Hermione. Go and take your shower. Your belongings are in the wardrobe on the right."
The young witch practically ran from the room.
Smiling to himself, Severus ran a hand through his hair. This is going to be damned entertaining.
