12 Nov 1997 - Wednesday afternoon
October passed quietly as Severus settled into his new home. Once in awhile he had one of three visitors; one very welcome, one tolerated, and the other - an experimental subject.
Whether Severus realised it or not Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, and Remus Lupin all considered the withdrawn Potions Master their friend. They never told him, of course, for he would be terribly offended.
Minerva would come by as regular as clockwork to have tea and to tell Severus about the restorations being done at Hogwarts. She was very excited one afternoon, and she barely took a first sip of her tea when she blurted her news.
"5,000 galleons per year, Severus. From Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy!" she smiled brightly and Severus noted for the first time how the sun rays fell upon her brown hair streaked with grey. They were sitting within the newly erected gazebo in Severus' backyard. Snow was just beginning to fall but a Warming Ward kept those within the gazebo nicely comfortable.
"That is rather generous, Minerva," nodded Severus. "Did Lucius put any stipulations upon the gold?"
"1,000 galleons for a scholarship to benefit three needy students in their first year, regardless of the House the student is Sorted into. The rest we are free to use as we will. I have already decided that each of the Houses are in need of more than just restoration but updates in decor and furniture."
"I should hope that the awful green lamps and green chairs, and regrettable green stained tables in Slytherin are done away with," mused Severus.
"Oh yes," nodded Minerva in agreement. "The colours of each House will be on the walls, the rugs, and the drapes and coverlets for the beds. The rest of the colours will highlight or complement the main colours."
"Severus, if I may speak of Hermione?" The witch asked carefully. The Potions Master nodded once. "I understand from Poppy that St. Mungo's is demanding that Hermione be moved to their Janus Thickey Ward. Will you allow that?"
"Not at this time. I should like to have Poppy continue Miss Granger's care until she delivers. At that point I shall have no choice but to move her. I am considering private care, though. It depends upon what I can afford after factoring in the child's costs, the Apothecary costs, and what it would take to care for Herm… for Miss Granger."
"Here?" Minerva asked dubiously. Severus nodded. The Headmistress of Hogwarts shook her head. "I would advise against doing so, Severus, even if you can afford it. Think of the child you would be raising. If you had Hermione here twenty-four hours seven days a week that could take your attention from the child."
Severus frowned. "I had not thought of that, Minerva."
"The child will need your full attention, Severus. If you have a private Healer for Hermione then she ought to be away from your home so the child's memories of this house will be home; the cherished memories of a child."
"You do make sense, Minerva. I shall see when the time comes."
23 Nov 1997 - Sunday
"Professor…" Hermione's voice held the sense that she knew her Potions Master was near and that she was safe from the dark images that held her prisoner.
She did hear his smooth dulcet voice as he read to her from her favourite books. Always, though, were the monsters that hovered just beyond her sight. They were there. She could hear them breathe. When the nights were their heaviest the monsters tormented her by throwing things, or pinching her. Hermione would weep.
Poppy would see these tears, and the Healer would hurt with the frustration that she could do nothing for the girl. Severus had created a form of Dreamless Sleep potion that would ease her dreams and allow the witch to sleep without being addictive.
Hermione was able to hide from her demons. There was a parlour. A place of quaint gentility that was very much like something from Jane Austen. In this parlour would be the Potions Master who would tell her about everything going on in the world outside.
Hermione enjoyed hearing about his new home in Flitwick Creek. The time was winter but Severus told her that all the plants had been protected from the chill of the season. If she looked out of her parlour window she could see all the flowers, the bushes with flowers or berries and the wonderful trees that hid the gem from view.
Hermione wanted to see Severus' home. She would waken, and he would take her to his house…
Whenever Hermione thought of waking, the Darkness, the monsters, her fears all fell over her like a heavy cloak. It was then she pulled away… further… further… until she was so far away she felt as though immersed in the River of Lethe.
Severus was unaware of how busy it was in Hermione's mind. He assumed that she slept. He had tried to Legilimise her several times but there was only a blank, black wall. Hermione was not lost but just unseen by him. Every few days, as if an inner eye blinked open, her eyes would be clear with awareness, and that was when she spoke the only word he ever heard, 'Professor'.
Speaking to Poppy he learned that when Hermione spoke it was only when he was near, and alone. Never did she speak to another.
"It is done, Hermione," Severus spoke for the witch's hearing only. "My Potions lab at my home is all set the way I want it and the new apothecary is complete." His voice faded as he studied Hermione's rounded belly. It was only a little as she was just two months and a few days gravid. Poppy had told him that Hermione had 'popped' in the evening. The first sign that the young witch was pregnant.
Seeing that sign Severus felt a curious sensation of protectiveness that was no longer just about Hermione. The child he intended to adopt, to claim as his, was within that rounded belly. His impending fatherhood should have been something to frighten him, or at the very least cause him worry. It did not. He felt that it was right.
Oh yes, he had told Poppy and Minerva he wanted only to maintain everything for Hermione but in the back of his mind was that simple kiss to his cheek that she had bestowed upon him. As each day passed, as every visit became more solid, Severus felt a closeness with the lost woman that he had not felt for another in a long time. Not even Lily had piqued his sense of proprietary protectiveness as much as Hermione did.
Despite that, he could not bring himself to violate Hermione's person by touching her abdomen to see if he could sense the life within. What if his touch distressed her?
"Hermione, Mr. Potter, or I should call him Harry, now, and his fiance' Draco will be visiting tomorrow. Both have good news they wish to impart to you." He smirked. "As if the entire wizarding world has not guessed at the shocking union of the Slytherin Prince to the Gryffindor Prince. Yes, I know many of us thought that Mr. Potter would wed Ginevra Weasley but it appears that they were never more than friends. Ronald Weasley is quite incensed at this imagined rebuff and is not speaking to Mr. Potter at the moment."
For the tiniest of moments a smile graced Hermione's features as she whispered, "Professor."
Severus swore to himself that in that precious moment that the young witch was smiling, perhaps even laughing at the gossip he imparted.
24 Nov 1997 - Draco and Harry's news
At noon on a Monday Severus met Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy at the gates to Hogwarts. The main corridor and the Moving Staircase had all been repaired and renovated so there was not a need to bother Minerva for an escort through the castle. Even so the place was busy with Magical Construction Crews and a near army of students and alumni all helping to restore what had been injured during the Final Battle. All the clan Weasley were at Hogwarts, and Ginny, seeing Harry, broke from the battalion of workers to give him a hug. Without hesitation she then turned and did the same to Draco.
"Have you heard our news?" Ginny asked with a large grin.
Harry and Draco smiled but Harry asked, "What's up, Ginny?"
"Ron was just accepted by the Hooded Wasps of Bulgaria!"
Draco shook his head. "I've never heard of them."
"Draco's as much in love with Quidditch as I am, Ginny. Are the Hooded Wasps a pro team?" asked Harry.
Ginny continued to grin as she nodded. "Ron was rather disgusted that he couldn't tryout for Quidditch with his limp and his weak arm. Well, asking around he found out there were other witches and wizards with disabilities such as he has, and with Bill's help they formed the Special Quidditch Association. There are eight teams and Ron is the captain of the Hooded Wasps."
"That's fantastic, Ginny!" enthused Harry. He glanced at the impatient Potions Master. "We're here to visit Hermione so we'd better get going. I'll write to Ron since I have news for him, too."
Ginny smiled smugly as she turned and patted Draco's arm, "So I know, Harry. Talk to you later! Bye, Professor Snape!" Ginny ran back into the fray and Severus herded the two young wizards to Hermione's room in the Infirmary.
Harry and Draco's announcement to Hermione went without response but Severus, who had been waiting for what was already known by everyone, congratulated both young wizards. He then bade them to sit so they could talk and hopefully be heard by Hermione.
"My father has had a magical construction crew building a house for us behind the manor," said Draco to Severus' question about living arrangements.
"I'm deeding #12 Grimmauld Place over to Remus," added Harry. "For some reason I'm going to be rich now and don't need the place." Draco nudged Harry and smiled cheekily at him.
"Mother informed me, it seems, I have a… an inheritance," said Draco with slight embarrassment.
Harry laughed, "It's a dowry!"
"I'm no witch!" ground out Draco. "It's an inheritance, Harry!"
Severus' eyebrow rose in exasperation. "Whatever you might call each other in private the two of you will be husbands to each other. Now, have you thought of children?"
Harry's laughter stopped as if it was rolled over. Draco smiled. "We will adopt, Uncle Severus."
Harry nodded. "I think we should. There are far too many war orphans and since we are being called heroes by the Ministry…"
"An obligation is no substitute for what you can give to a child, Mr… er... Harry." chided Severus and correcting himself on the address of the young wizard.
Harry shook his head. "No! No, Sir. It's not out of obligation. Draco and I both want children. We do!"
Draco nodded. "We even thought of taking a wife."
"We still might," Harry agreed. He then glanced knowingly at Draco.
Severus read the expressions each young wizard were tossing to each other. "You are both in love with Miss Weasley."
Harry's jaw dropped as the Potions Master guessed the truth. Draco replied, "Ginny's in love with both of us but she wants to have a seventh year for her NEWTs before wedding us."
"That is wise of her. Do know that the pregnancy of an unwed witch will result in her expulsion. Neither of you should compromise the girl until all three of you are legal," Severus sternly warned.
"Molly would just kill me and Draco," muttered Harry.
Draco nodded. "She's a bit more terrifying than the threat of expulsion, Uncle Severus."
"Have you discussed this potential triumvirate marriage with Mrs. Weasley?" asked the older wizard. Harry looked up towards the ceiling and Draco studied his toes. Severus correctly surmised that neither wizard had approached the Mother of the witch in question, and so he glared at both young men to draw their attention. "A Triumvirate is no small matter, gentlemen. Tradition and good sense says that you need to speak to both Mrs. Weasley, and Mr. Weasley in order to get their approval. Without it, there will be no triumvirate."
"But my father…" protested Draco.
"Your father, Mr. Malfoy, has no say in this matter of you two taking Miss Weasley as your wife. Regardless of her age, her social status, anything else, you must speak to her parents. Read up on the ritual for the Triumvirate Binding and you shall understand me more."
"I only learned recently that such a thing was possible in the wizarding world, Sir," confessed Harry.
"And, you, Mr. Potter, have no idea that there is a ritual that must be followed." Harry nodded. Severus frowned in condemnation at Draco. "As both a Malfoy and a wizard raised with our customs and rituals you should have informed your prospective husband."
Harry glanced sharply at Draco but he was obviously hurt at being improperly informed. "Harry, I was going to tell you but since we want to wait and so does Ginny. I just didn't think…"
Harry jumped up and spoke sharply, "No, Draco. That's the problem, isn't it? You never do think and just assume everything is going to go your way. Well, I've told you before to stop it, and once again you decide all on your own what's to be done… for me. I won't stand for it!" Harry pushed out of Hermione's room, and Draco slumped in dejection.
"Do not just sit there like a knot on a tree, Draco," sighed Severus. "Go after Harry and apologise."
Draco slowly stood. "Thank you, Uncle Severus." He then turned to Hermione. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I'll get this all straightened out." He then left.
Severus vanished the two visitor chairs he had conjured earlier, pulled his own up to the side of Hermione's bed, Summoned a brush, and began to brush her curls at the side of her face. "Do you see what you have left me with, young lady?"