"Do you wish to retrieve your things now?" Professor Snape asked.
"Yes - no. I suppose." She retreated to the armchair and let her shaky legs collapse. The chair was just as uncomfortable as it looked. "I just want to curl up in bed and cry, but apparently I don't even have a bed to call my own at the moment." He had made it clear she was expected to stay here in his quarters . . . somewhere . . . Lord, don't make me share a bed with him! "I really don't want to have to explain this to everyone else," she admitted.
His expression softened. "I regret that marriage to me makes you cry," he said.
"I'm sorry - I didn't mean-"
He cut her off. "Understandable given the circumstances. Would you prefer I call Professor McGonagall to explain to the other Gryffindors and to bring your things here?"
It was the coward's way out, but . . . "Yes, please."
"Then come." He led her through the door he had used earlier, and Hermione found herself in a large bedroom. She vaguely noticed the bureau and wardrobe, but her attention was captured by the enormous four-poster bed. She had never given much thought to where her professors slept, and seeing the giant monstrosity made her idly wonder where Dumbledore slept - something this grandiose? Or would he prefer a whimsical bunkbed with cartoons on the sheets? Some part of her recognized she was desperately scrambling for something to think about other than-
Professor Snape cleared his throat. "You will sleep here for as long as we're married." He added extra inflection on the word. "I will understand if you need a few moments alone - I'll go get Minerva and explain the situation. I won't be gone long."
Hermione swallowed. "Does this mean we have to . . ."
"No. I will sleep in the armchair, as I have done many times in the past. We will need to keep the door open, though, so I can hear if . . . something happens."
If the higglewumps get in. He didn't need to say it - nightmares about that creature suffocating her would stay with her for a long time. She forced herself to nod.