Chapter 4

"What in the HELL is this Hermione?!" was the greeting she received from Harry the next morning after her dinner with Severus. No sooner had she entered the kitchen, Harry's fist had slammed on the table and with it the Daily Prophet. What was it that could get Harry so angry? At her? She looked down at the front page and there it was in large bold letters: War Heroes Wed: Did Ex-Death Eater Severus Snape marry Golden Trio member Hermione Granger? Oh dear. And it was followed by pictures. Pictures of them both at Professor Collins holiday party. Four to be exact, the three that Jack took, and the fourth of them dancing. The article was pure speculation. Although they did accurately quote Severus when the lady in the cranberry dress robes had approached them. However, it was taken completely out of context. Not that the Prophet even cared.

"It's not what it looks like," Hermione stated quickly. By that time, Ginny had wandered sleepily into the kitchen. Once she had been told the news they both sat at that table looking to Hermione for an explanation. "No, I'm not married to Professor Snape," the couple breathed a sigh of relief, "but we are together." Harry shot to his feet. He was about to speak, but just then they heard the floo activate.

"Please tell me these are lies, Hermione!" said an all too familiar voice. Sure enough, Ronald Weasley stormed into the kitchen.

"Calm down, Ron. It's not true," Hermione let out exasperated. Her curly brown hair frizzed, creating and angry halo around her face.

"But, she's still seeing him." Harry let out hotly.

"WHAT?!" the red headed boy screamed, his face beginning to match his hair.

"So what if I am?! He's a good man! You BOTH know this!" she said matching his volume.

"Good?! The Overgrown Bat? He was downright cruel to us! How could you even stand him?" Ron sputtered.

"You love him, don't you?" Ginny said from her seat across the table. Her words had effectively silenced the room. During their argument, Ginny had sat and analyzed the pictures in the Daily Prophet. She could understand why the Prophet had the balls to print something so scandalous, the pictures made the words seem true. Especially, the one with them staring into each other's eyes.

"I can't say for sure that I am, but I'm definitely very close to it."

Severus Snape was happy. There was no better word for it and so for the first time in years, he had to fight to keep up his mask of indifference. Because of this, he was one of the last Professors present for breakfast. Yes, some Professors remained there, even during the holidays. One of the most annoying being Albus himself. He entered the Great Hall, without his usual theatrics. Silently, he took a seat at the end of the table, next to Filius.

"Ah, Severus, my boy! It seems congratulations are in order," the Headmaster said twinkling cheerily at him as Severus was preparing his plate. Congrats? For what? God, did the old man already know about him and Hermione? "I only wished I could have been in attendance."

"Albus, I have no idea what you are talking about." He answered dryly.

"I'm talking about your marriage to Hermione," the old man said calmly, twinkle not vanishing.

"My WHAT?!" he bellowed, almost choking on his omelet.

It was Minerva's turn to speak, "It's all right here… in the Prophet." Upon reading the article's title, Severus stood up and stalked out of the Great Hall. He was in his quarters for all of five minutes when there was a knock on his door. "Go away, Albus."

As always, the old coot ignored him. "I take it that the Prophet strikes again." Severus nodded. Sighing he said, "And so the pictures were fake?" He hated that peace seemed to avoid the young man. A pity really, that a vibrant girl like Miss Granger wouldn't look a Severus.

"No," the dark man growled, "they're real. We're just not married."

This caused the wizened wizard eyebrows to raise. "You and Miss Granger? Together? How did this happen?"

Ah, so the old man assumed it was all untrue. Figures. "It was a month ago. Remember, I had returned to the States for a lecture? Hermione was there and we …reconnected…." There, see how you like that!

"Why, Severus this is great news! I dare say that you and Miss Granger are well matched. What are you grumpy about?" he asked with a hint of a smile.

Damn, the old fool is happy about it. "I fear the media attention, might scare her off."

"Oh, nonsense Severus! Miss Granger has had to deal with media attention before. This will be nothing for her."

"If you say so," the younger man said not succeeding in reigning in his sarcasm. To which Dumbledore just chuckled and exited his quarters.

Back at Grimmauld, the mood had settled, but the same could not be said for the tension. Especially, after a black falcon appeared in the window of the kitchen. If anything it rose once the occupants realized it was from the Potions Master.

"What does he want?" Ron let out petulantly. Ignoring him, Hermione took the missive from the bird. It was still perched in the window meaning it was expecting a response.

Dear Hermione,

No doubt you have been enlightened as to the speculations written in the Prophet. I only hope that this does not sway you in the decisions you made last night.

Yours Truly,

Severus Snape

Quickly summoning a quill and parchment, she penned him a response.

My Dear Severus,

My affections and decisions toward you have not changed. By the way, you have a beautiful falcon, what's his name?

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

Smiling, she tied her short letter to the bird's foot and sent it on its way. Hoping to diffuse the tension Ginny said, "Ron, how's quidditch?" Which prompted him to launch into player stats and what to expect from him and his fellow Chudley Canon's this year. Fleeing from the kitchen, Hermione headed upstairs to her room with plans of visiting Severus again this afternoon. Mindful of the cold, she put on a long sleeved, tweed, sharp shoulder dress in light gray color. She paired it with the boots she wore yesterday and pulled her hair into a high bun. Slipping past the kitchen, Hermione headed straight for Hogwarts.

Gossip was almost considered a recreational past time to the professors at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, that by the time Hermione was spotted near the great hall, many of them believed her to already be pregnant with Severus's firstborn. Either that, or he had drugged her. Or both. It was Professor Vector who found her. Septima Vector was the Arithmancy Professor and she was a very polite, sensible sort of woman. When Hermione was a pupil, they often spoke extensively over Arithmancy calculations forging a sort of acquaintance due to their shared interest. "Good afternoon, Miss Granger," she said her youthful smile at odds with her wrinkled face. She stood proudly in traditional wizard robes, her long dark hair hang in a curtain on her back.

"Good afternoon, Professor Vector. I see you've paid no heed to the rumors in the Prophet," Hermione said with a small grin.

"Of course not, and it's Septima," sharing in the grin, "anyway, you may be amused at the ones who did. Come. Eat lunch with us in the Great Hall and I'll show you what I mean." Giggling they strolled into the Great Hall.

All chatter ceased when the professors of Hogwarts looked on what they believed to be the surly Potions Master's wife. Hermione merely smiled and followed Septima up to the Head table. It seemed all the teachers were too afraid to speak so Hermione decided to break the silence. "It's nice to see you again Professor Flitwick," she said smiling politely at the tiny man. Apart from Septima, Filius Flitwick had been a favorite teacher of hers.

"Yes, it's nice to see you as well, uh, Mrs., uh, Snape?" the Charms Professor said in a mixture of a question and a statement.

"Actually, professor-"Hermione was about to say that she and Severus were not married, but was interrupted by Dumbledore.

"It's so good to see you Hermione, I'm afraid Severus had to leave, and so he'll not be in his quarters. Perhaps you'd like to wait for him in my office?" the old wizard asked with an amused voice. Seeing the young lady's nod he continued, "But first, I think we would not be remiss in finishing our lunch."

"So, Mrs. Snape," began a teacher on the other end of the Head table. And Hermione found herself looking into the skeptical eyes of her ex-Head of House. "Why weren't we informed about your nuptials?"

Before Hermione could even respond Albus cut in, "Now, now, Minerva, don't badger the girl. You remember what it was like to be young and in love. It is easy to neglect certain things…." Seriously? Hermione thought, he's taking this way too far.

"Oh, Albus, I'm doing nothing of the sort," the Scottish woman clucked returning her piercing gaze back to Hermione.

Deciding to play along, (for now) Hermione spoke: "Really, Professor McGonagall, it all happened so quickly," she answered neutrally receiving a twinkle of appreciation from Albus for going along with his little prank.

"So, do you plan to move into the castle Mrs. Snape?" Minerva pressed.

"Well, I'm still attending school in America…"she trailed off not wanting the perceptive woman to call her bluff just yet.

"Oh yes, how is school Miss Gra-er, Snape?" Pomona piped in.

"Wonderful. I find that I'm once more very busy between majoring in both Arithmancy and Potions."

"Oh, good. Severus must be happy that you've taken an interest in his field." The Herbologist commented politely before turning her attention back to her plate.

"I daresay he is. Professor Sprout," the young Gryffindor said making Pomona pause in her meal, "is it true that Neville Longbottom is to be your apprentice?"

"Oh, yes!" the plump woman said eyes lighting up at the mention of her favored student. "I'm retiring soon and Mr. Longbottom is to be my replacement. Couldn't have asked for a better replacement."

"I agree."

"What do you plan to do after university, Mrs. Snape?" McGonagall asked

"Well, well, well," came a smooth baritone voice that caused everyone in the hall eyes to look at the door. In walked Severus Snape in full Bat mode. "It seems even our famed Head of Gryffindor is easily guiled by stories spun by the Daily Prophet."

"But, you, but, she-" Minerva stammered. Arms wildly gesticulating.

Albus chuckled merrily. "Oh, stop blustering Minerva, it was all in good fun," he said causing the Transfiguration Master to glare at him. "Well, Miss Granger, it seems our Potions Master has arrived back ahead of time. Perhaps we'll chat some other time?" he asked arching one snowy brow.

"Of course Headmaster," Hermione answered reigning in her laughter at the stunned faces present at the Head table. Flitwick it seemed, was especially embarrassed at being the first to refer to Hermione as Mrs. Snape.

They were quiet for a while, as they headed down to the dungeons. Finally breaking the silence, Severus said, "I'm glad you came to see me Hermione."

"Of course I came. I missed you. Besides, Ron couldn't stop shouting this morning."

"You didn't tell him that the Prophet's accusations were false?"

"I did. But I also let him know that I was in fact dating you," she said but noticing Severus tense she retracted, "I'm sorry, I didn't know if you wanted to go public or not!"

"Easy, Hermione. I'm honored that you are so willing for it should be the other way around." They were in his chambers now. Hermione once again admiring the décor.

"Nonsense Severus, you are such an amazing man. Know that I more than appreciate being on your arm." He turned to her, his dark eyes calculating her sincerity. His expression relaxed almost imperceptibly. Switching gears, she said, "Oh, I never got the name of your bird."

"It's Publius. After a Roman emperor. The Prince family are of Roman descent, it is not uncommon for their descendants to be named after generals and Caesars." His explanation was thorough but, to the point. "Do you mind if I eat right now. I was busy at the apothecary, so lunch has escaped me."

"Eat. I'm just happy to be with you today."

Smiling a full smile, he said, "I shan't be long. I'll just make a quick sandwich or something. Would you like some tea?"

"Tea would be lovely, thank you." Once Severus came back with the tea and his sandwich, he sat them on the dining room table. Once Severus had devoured most of his sandwich, he turned a mischievous glance toward Hermione. "What?" she asked stealing Severus trademark one eyebrow trick.

"Nothing, just trying to find an excuse to kiss you."

"And, have you?"

"I was hoping my trying to find one was enough."

"Indeed it is." Suddenly his lips were on hers, sweetly seducing moans from her mouth.

"Perhaps, some place more comfortable?" Severus murmured between breaths as he led her to the couch. Their lips caught once more, before Severus trailed his lips down the column of her throat. He shifted down to her legs and kissed the bare skin of her thigh right where boots ended and her dress began. "Gods, woman! Are all these laces necessary?"

Giggling, Hermione said, "There's a zipper." Making quick work of the zippers once he found them, he slowly slid each boot off. Sensuously he kissed the newly bared skin from foot to mid-thigh before switching to her other leg. However, they didn't get very far before there was a pounding on his door.

Grumbling, Severus marched to his door. "Someone had better be dead."