Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Chapter 4: A Leap in the Dark

When Hermione woke up, she was still in bed, still wrapped around Severus. Her husband, she reminded herself. He had dozed off, but when he felt her stir, he woke up. "Hello," he said.

"Hi," she answered, stretching and sitting up. Realizing that she was naked, she pulled the blanket up around her chest, blushing.

He smiled at her. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did," she said. "How long was I out?"

"An hour or two. I dozed off a few times, so I'm not entirely certain."

"And you just stayed here, with me?"

He ran a gentle hand around the curve of her cheek. "You looked so peaceful, I hated to disturb you."

"I've never seen this side of you before," she said, settling herself in his arms.

"I'm not sure if anyone has," he admitted. "I think Dumbledore suspects that it exists, but he's a Legilimens."

"I thought you were a skilled Occlumens."

"I've let Dumbledore read my mind before, to prove my intentions when I switched sides. He knows me perhaps better than anyone." His mouth twisted in a sardonic sneer. "Little of me that is worth knowing."

"Don't say that," said Hermione, pressing a hand to his heart. "I may not know you as well as I will, but there is a great deal of you worth knowing."

"You are the first to say so," he informed her.

Hermione smiled at him. "That's nice to hear. For me, not for you, obviously." She leaned in and kissed him. Then she slid out of his lap. "I think I may need a shower," she said, grabbing a sheet and wrapping it around herself.

"Take your time," he said. "I'll move your boxes of clothes in here so you can decide where you want them, and then search out some food."

"Thanks, Severus," she replied.

He got himself tidied up after she disappeared into the bathroom, and carried her clothes into his—their—room. He looked around at the rumpled bed and the clothes scattered on the floor and a triumphant smile spread across his face. She had wanted him. Really wanted him.

Crookshanks prowled into the room and meowed at Severus. He had seen a bag of cat food in one of Hermione's boxes, so he poured a bowl of food for the cat, and then a bowl of water, placing them at the far end of the kitchen on the floor, out of the way. Crookshanks rubbed himself against Severus' legs in appreciation, leaving fur all over his trousers, and then went to the food.

He threw on a robe and headed for the main kitchen. The house elves provided him with what he asked for, and he carried the food back to his—their—rooms. He could hear the shower still running when he came in, so he built up the fire, made sure the room was lit, and went to tidy their bedroom.

He tapped the sheets with his wand, saying "Tergeo," and then made the bed. Their discarded clothing went into the laundry hamper. He opened up her boxes, impressed with how neatly she had folded everything.

"Severus?" Hermione stood in the door, wrapped in a towel, with another wrapped around her hair.

"I moved things around," he said, opening the cupboard door, where he had slid his robes and shirts to one side, and conjured some extra hangers from a nearby supply closet. The chest of drawers had needed little clearing out, because it was so large that he didn't use all of it. He had moved his socks all into one drawer, and some of his shirts, but other than that, he hadn't had much to change over.

"Thanks," said Hermione. She went to one of the boxes and fished out a shirt. Severus politely removed himself, shutting the door behind him.

Hermione emerged a few minutes later, wearing clean jeans and a t-shirt, rubbing her hair with a towel. "Where'd the box with my toiletries go?" she asked.

"I just put it on the counter in the bathroom," he said. "There's sandwiches if you're hungry."

"Great," said Hermione. "Be there in a minute." She went into the bathroom, leaving the door open, and rummaged through the box, extracting a hairbrush. She brushed her hair out and pulled it back into a ponytail.

Severus was placing another sandwich on the plate when Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist. He turned to her, surprised by her action. "Hello," he said, slipping his arms around her.

"Hi," she said, resting her head against his chest.

"Not that I don't appreciate this," he said, "but there's no need to feel obligated to..."

She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. "Obligation? I wanted to hug you, so I did. I'm not going to hug you just because I feel obligated. Last time I checked, we did agree to have a physical relationship, or need I remind you what we did a few hours ago?"

"You don't need to remind me," he said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I just don't want you to feel pressured at all."

"I don't," she said. "Do you?"

"No," he said, kissing her. She kissed him back, fiercely, trying to make her point. He pulled away. "Hermione," he said, "we shouldn't get carried away again tonight. You're not used it and I don't want you getting unnecessarily sore just because neither of us is thinking."

She sighed. "I suppose you're right. It was so much better than what I'd been expecting, though."

"I'm glad," he said. "I wish you'd told me beforehand, though. It might have made it a little easier. I would have gone a little slower, at least."

"It's fine," she assured him. "I was going to tell you, but I wasn't thinking very much there."

"Nor was I," he said with a grin. "Now, we should eat. I'll make some tea." He handed her the plate of sandwiches, which she carried to the coffee table. The kettle was already on the fire, starting to steam, and Crookshanks had sprawled out on the hearthrug.

Hermione rubbed the cat's belly before she settled on the sofa and picked up a sandwich. Severus joined her, putting the teapot on the table. He spooned in tea leaves and when the kettle boiled, Hermione jumped up to fetch the water.

He looked startled.

"You've been getting the food ready," she said. "Let me do something." She took the kettle off the fire, and poured water over the tea leaves. "I should knit another teacosy," she said. "This one doesn't fit the pot very well."

"It works," he said in protest. "Minerva gave it to me for Christmas years ago."

Hermione looked at him. "Wouldn't it be nice to have one that fits properly?"

He shrugged. She sighed and returned to the sofa. She took another bite of her sandwich. "Is it all right if we tell Harry and Ginny first?"

Severus sighed. "If we must."

"He's not that bad," said Hermione.

"I know," said Severus. "I am not stupid. Harry's insistence on befriending me, once he knew the whole story, has been irritating."

"I'm glad he did," said Hermione. "And Ginny's great."

"Yes, she has been very kind." Severus hesitated. "I don't wish to cause a rift between you and your friends."

"You won't," said Hermione. "I won't let that happen." She checked the tea, and poured cups for each of them. "I'll Floo Ginny tonight and see if we can go over for supper sometime this week. I should tell them in person. Then we can tell the Weasleys. Was there anyone you wanted to let know?"

"There's the teachers here," said Severus. "Other than that, not really. Do you have no family that should know?"

"I suppose my aunt and uncle should hear about it," said Hermione. "I can send them an announcement. Do you have any family?"

He looked at her and realized yet again how little they really knew about each other. "No," he said. "My mother had no siblings, and my father's family would not acknowledge him. I don't know if any of them are alive or if they would care to hear from me. I certainly don't wish for reminders of my father."

Hermione's eyes filled with compassion, and she did not ask further on the subject. "Is it all right, if we go see the Potters?"

"Yes," he agreed, reasoning that he did need to make a concession here. And it wasn't as if he had never been to dinner at the Potters'. He simply did not prefer Harry's company, even if the boy had changed his mind about him.

Hermione finished eating and went to the fireplace, tossing a pinch of Floo powder in from the jar on the mantel. "Number 12, Grimmauld Place," she said, sticking her head into the grate. This was not her favourite method of conversing, but it worked. "Hello?" she called.

"Hermione?" said Ginny, who fortunately happened to be in the kitchen. "Hi, what is it?"

"I was wondering if I could come by this week sometime."

"For dinner?" said Ginny. "We'd like to see you. You want to come on Friday?"

"Friday would work. Um, can I bring a guest?"

"A guest?" said Ginny, grinning at her. "Is it a male guest?"

"Yes," said Hermione. "And that's all I'm saying for now."

"Great," said Ginny. "See you around 6:30?"

"Okay," Hermione agreed. "See you then. Bye!" She pulled her head out of the fire and ended the spell.

Ginny went dashing through the kitchen to the sitting room, where Harry was. "Hermione just Floo'ed!" she said. "She's coming for dinner on Friday and she's bringing a date!"

Harry smiled at his wife. "That's great, Gin. I've been worried about her."

"Me, too," Ginny said.

"Did she say who it was?"

"No," said Ginny. "She wouldn't tell me. Maybe it's someone we don't know."

Back at Hogwarts, Hermione looked at her new husband. "Friday. 6.30."

"Fine," he agreed. "I notice you didn't tell them who you were bringing."

She went back to the sofa and picked up her tea again. "It'll be enough of a shock that I've married you," she said. "I need to tell them in person." Then she leaned her head against his shoulder, startling herself at such ease in this man's presence. Perhaps it was because they had slept together.

He had never anticipated this from her, either. He had thought she would be far more standoffish, but instead, she seemed to be taking nearly every opportunity to touch him. He lifted his arm and slid it around her, bringing her closer to him.

It was Wednesday, he realized. He had had no idea on Monday that it would be such a life-changing week.

They were both exhausted by the events of the day, and when Hermione started yawning after Severus had read her a section of the Canterbury Tales, he suggested going to bed. "Probably more comfortable than the sofa," she agreed, getting up and heading for the bedroom. He took a few minutes to deal with the fire, and to put their dishes in the kitchen, wishing to give her a moment to change.

He entered their room, book in hand. Hermione had changed into pajamas, and was struggling to braid her hair so it wouldn't tangle during the night. "I thought you might like to have this on the nightstand," he said, offering her the book. "In case you woke during the night."

"Thanks, Severus," she said, taking the book and putting it on the small table next to her wand. "If I do wake up, would some light bother you?"

"It shouldn't," he said. "I don't know for certain." He opened a drawer and took out his own pajamas.

Hermione climbed into bed and closed her eyes. "I'm so tired, even after that nap," she said.

He changed quickly, not wanting to inconvenience her. As he got into bed on the other side, she gravitated towards him.

"It's been a long day," he said. "We got married, remember?"

A smile played around her lips. "How could I forget?"

He deluminated the lamp, and the room fell dark. Hermione moved closer to him. "Good night, Severus," she said.

"Good night, Hermione."