Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story. Just the plot is partly mine and anything you recognise belongs to JK Rowling and associates.

sSs

A/N:- Nothing significant to say this time, just thank you to everyone who is reading this story. I appreciate your reviews, favourites and follows, thank you. I hope you enjoy this next instalment…

hHh

Chapter Six - Time

Today was the day, it was their wedding day. Hermione's mother, Jean had been both a whirlwind and a god-send. Charles had laughed the first time he'd caught Severus' expression of dismay. "Just let it roll over you, son, she'll only ever have your best interest at heart," Charles advised, gazing lovingly at his wife of twenty five years.

"I've noted the same industry in Mia," Severus commented dryly, "it's just interesting to note that it may be an inherited trait."

Charles Granger merely laughed appreciatively. Hermione's father was a tall and stocky man, with a kind face, and was in his early sixties. His quick brown eyes sparkled with intelligence and wit, and his laid back attitude had probably been cultivated over a long period of dealing with Jean's bossy busyness.

Hermione was a younger copy of Jean. The only difference was that Jean's copious locks were darker and, surprisingly she had clear blue eyes.

There was a significant age difference between the Grangers as well. Hermione had told Severus that her mum was fifty last year and that her dad was sixty three. They had met Jean's first year as a dentist, when she had been employed at the practice where he already worked.

Severus had pondered at the time, that this may have been the reason they didn't object to the age difference between he and Hermione, which was something he had been expecting.

The community had wholeheartedly embraced the Prince's day as they had named it, and Jean Granger had gotten her own way. Hermione would be married in a white—well ivory—wedding dress. The dress in question was a simple A-line satin dress with a scalloped neck-line and elegant beading on the bodice, but it was formal and hanging on the wardrobe, waiting for her to be ready to put it on.

Hermione had only been awake a short time, and was considering everything that had led up to this day. To begin with she didn't think she would have a bridesmaid. She'd never had any really close female friends anyway, and was happy to have her mother and Minerva to assist her, and that was all she had wanted, especially if Severus didn't have a best man.

Even though she had to admit that she was starting to feel a little guilty that Harry wasn't here for the day. What he'd done to her was wrong, and Minerva had told her he'd come looking for her when he found out the extent of Ron's lies. At the time she'd been pleased that the headmistress had short shifted him. No, she had to be strong, he'd made his bed and now he had to lay in it.

This visit, Minerva had offered her more information. It appeared that Harry had abandoned the Weasley's all together. She had seen him at a ministry function in the company of Draco Malfoy and Luna Lovegood, and the Weasley's appeared to be snubbing him. Hermione actually hoped that new company would help Harry grow up a bit, because she knew that living with Ginny would never make that happen.

Then her thoughts turned to Severus, she wondered if he wanted Draco here. His best friend was now a permanent resident of Azkaban, even though Severus maintained that Lucius didn't belong there, the blond Slytherin didn't have the advantage of evidence to the contrary. He had always been viewed as Voldemort's right hand man, and in the present political environment there was no way he could do anything to help him.

Draco still had his mother, and so he hadn't left him without support. He had said to her once, that he couldn't have left Draco alone had he lost both parents. "I know how that works," he'd told her bitterly.

She shook her head and wondered again at the strange workings of fate. Turning away from the dress to watch the still sleeping Severus, she wondered for the first time, if perhaps leaving like they had, had simply been a knee-jerk reaction to hurt. She could understand it from Severus' point of view though, there was just too much of a gulf of understanding for people to accept him any differently. It wasn't like she regretted what they'd done, they were happy and life went on, but sometimes she just felt guilty about it. Perhaps he would have Draco as best man today if they hadn't left, and yet they'd both found something better.

The ceremony was at eleven o'clock, and it was now eight. While Hermione was still contemplating everything, there was a knock on their bedroom door. "Come on sleepyheads," her mother said, "it's your big day, Emma will be here soon." There was silence for a moment, then another, more thunderous knock.

Severus groaned, "What the f…" but the last part of the curse was lost under his pillow.

"You really aren't a morning person when you've had a late night, are you darling?" Hermione laughed at the growl that emanated from under the pillow, and called, "Okay Mum, I'll be out in a minute." She kissed Severus' shoulder and went to get up. But of course as she did, a wave of nausea hit her. "Oohh," she moaned, hand over her mouth as she lay back down suddenly sweating and panting.

They hadn't told anyone about the baby yet, and this morning wasn't the right time to do it. Every other morning while their visitors had been here, Severus had risen before everyone and prepared Hermione dry toast and a cup of strong tea for both of them.

Thankfully, her mother had left with Hermione's reassurances that she would soon be up. However, hearing her plaintive moan, regardless of his hangover, Severus was instantly attentive. "Just lay there, love; I'll get you your toast and tea." He kissed her head and rose.

"Thank you, love," she managed weakly, and did exactly what he asked.

Severus had been pressed into a bit of a bucks night last night by the men of the village, and Charles had been charged with getting him to the pub without the women. It didn't take Severus long to shuffle into his shirt, pants and shoes after he'd found a hangover potion in the bathroom cupboard. He pocketed an extra one for Charles and was off to the kitchen.

Of course the kitchen had been taken over by the two other females in the house. Charles was sitting back, looking more than a little green and watching with a slightly scared look on his face. "Morning, Rus," he said, easily.

Severus nodded, "Morning, here, this will help with the hangover."

"What is it, hair of the dog?"

"No, a hangover potion I brew," Severus replied, and started going about his business, knowing he was being watched by Jean and Minerva.

"I've already made breakfast," Minerva protested.

"I need to make this for Hermione," he said, knowing he was being scrutinized.

Both older women were puzzling Severus' actions when the man at the kitchen table spoke. "Wow, this stuff's brilliant. You should sell it, you'd make a fortune," said a revived Charles. "My hangover's completely gone."

Any reply Severus would have made was cut off when Jean started good naturedly ribbing her husband. "Well, if you two hadn't come home so rolling drunk last night, you wouldn't have needed it, would you?"

"Ah geez, love, a man's got to have some fun," Charles responded in the same vein.

"We held a lovely tea party for Hermione, none of us drank until we couldn't work out how to open the front door," Minerva added, with a slight sniff.

Mind you, after they'd safely tucked Severus and Charles into their respective beds, all three women had stood on the landing and laughed until they cried remembering the two men sitting on the front step leaning on one another, with Charles asserting drunkenly that Severus couldn't find his key. This was followed by Severus scowling and telling them that he would never do such a thing.

While they were still discussing this Severus disappeared with what Hermione needed, and thankful that both Minerva and Jean seemed too occupied ribbing Charles to bother about why Hermione required dry toast and black tea first thing in the morning. He had no doubt though they would both work it out soon enough; after all they had both been pregnant.

xox

It was now ten thirty and everything was ready. Hermione had recovered and was being helped into the trap that Jean had organised, along with its driver who would take her, Emma and Charles to the town square.

Hermione and Severus had made friends with Albert and Emma Finlay there first week in the village. He was the local publican and she was the primary school teacher. They had discovered Albert was also a wizard, and had even fought in the second Voldemort war from the Irish side of things.

It was a sad fact that Voldemort had infiltrated more than just the British ministry. Well to cut a long story short, Albert, who was a little younger than Severus liked to make his own beer, but wasn't having much luck, so about a week after they moved into the village, Severus and he got into a conversation about it over the fence in the back garden of the Apothecary, which was next door to the pub, and a friendship was born.

Albert had even worked out who Severus was. He'd caught a glimpse of his dark mark and had initially been aggressive, until Hermione came out the door in response to the raised voices. She sometimes forgot to call him Rus, and in her hurry to know why they had their wands drawn she'd called him Severus.

"You're Severus Snape… the spy, aren't you? I saw your picture with an article I read in the Irish Prophet," Albert said in awe, he took Severus' stunned silence as affirmation. "You're a hero, geez I'm sorry." Then he looked confused, "Why are you calling your… oh, you have the family title now."

"Yes," said Severus quietly, "But we were hoping for a new start, you understand."

"Well, you come to the perfect place here, there are many secrets." Albert came through the gate, "Friends, Rus," he said offering his hand.

Smiling, Severus took it. "Friends," he repeated, and he slung an arm around Hermione. "This is my fiancé, Mia Granger," Severus said.

"Pleased to meet you, Mia. When Emmie gets home from work she'll love to meet another woman about her own age.

Hermione came back to the present, as the ponies clopped along the cobblestones towards the village green and the arch of roses the young girls who lived here had constructed. Hermione was happy to see her Severus waiting for her with Albert. Perhaps it was ironic, but Albert had long auburn hair. It was as long and lush as Lucius Malfoy's had ever been and a much more dignified red than any Weasley.

Hermione had instantly taken a liking to Albert's wife Emma as well, who was only a few years older than her. They had a son, Seamus who was four and another on the way. Emma was just starting to show with this one, but she still fitted into the periwinkle blue bridesmaid dress. Jean had had the forethought to make certain they bought an empire waisted, georgette gown that flowed perfectly over the little bump.

xox

The same afternoon that Hermione Granger became Mia Prince and a whole village celebrated. Another wedding was taking place in England, this bride wore a high-waisted dress for the same reason that Emma Finlay did, but this wedding was not a celebration of love. When Pansy Parkinson married Ronald Weasley, the wedding was the result of a wizarding paternity test that named Ron as the father of Pansy's unborn child.

Molly and Arthur Weasley stood behind their son, stone faced as he took his vows. Not only were they seriously displeased with having pure-blood supremists in the family, they had finally realised what a tangled web their son had woven, when Harry Potter pointedly refused to come to the wedding.

Draco also made certain that his mother, Luna, Harry and he were out of the country that weekend. He had no intention of playing nice with people who had testified against his father and then claimed immunity because they were supposedly Imperiused at the time.

Harry had very quickly started to become just as special to Draco as Luna was. He was feeling very confused though, because he found he had feelings for both of his friends. He was currently sitting on the edge of the pool at their French villa watching those same two friends playing in the water.

Harry was giving Luna a seriously heated look, and Draco's heart sank. He likes her, the blond wizard thought. I'll have no chance. But then he saw something strange, both Harry and Luna said something to each other, and glanced at Draco.

Thinking they wanted privacy, he obliged and got up to leave, but only as far as the outdoor bar. He was making himself a pitcher of martinis to drown his sorrows in, and was surprised when wet arms encircled him from both sides.

"Where'd you go, we were going to ask you to come in with us," Harry said.

"Yes, we wanted to ask you a question," added Luna, her mouth tantalizingly close to his ear.

Here it comes, thought Draco. They want to ask me if it's all right if they… but he never got to finish the thought, because Harry said.

"We really want to be more than friends with you, I can't choose between you, so I said to Luna it's either both you and her, or nothing."

"I agreed," Luna commented.

"What do you say, Dray. Would you like us to see where we go?" Harry was quietly caressing Draco's arm, and Luna drew herself closer and drew his earlobe into her mouth as she started gently rubbing herself on his hip.

Draco was speechless, they wanted him. They both wanted him… wanted, him. "Yes," he squeaked, in a very unmanly way. The drinks were forgotten, he drew them to him and first kissed Harry, and them immediately Luna, then Harry joined their kiss and the three of them had started in on an encounter they all knew would be special.

xox

Back in Ireland the celebrations were in full swing, even their staid friend Minerva found a fella, one who bore a remarkable resemblance to Alastair Moody, but without the magical eye, and with a complete nose. "I always thought Moody was sexy," she giggled breathlessly to Severus and Hermione as they all arrived at the bar together.

"Well, we wish you luck," Severus laughed.

Minerva who was very tipsy pulled them both into a hugged and said, "Congratulations, you two are made for one another, and this time I don't feel the need to run, because I know you won't try and hex me."

Hermione looked quizzical. Severus squeezed his wife's waist, and laughed, "Long story," he kissed Hermione, "Let's get back into the dance."

Neither Severus nor Hermione were drinking. Severus felt if Hermione couldn't, he wouldn't, so by the end of a joyous evening, Severus collected Charles and Jean and poured them into the trap which the farmer had now left with them, saying he would pick it up the next day.

As he helped Hermione up into the seat next to him, she asked, "Can you drive one of these?"

"Mia, darling, there are many things you will not know about me, but one thing you should know is that I will never start something I can't follow through with," he gave her a languid kiss and picked up the reins. Minerva had said her goodbyes earlier and disappeared with her new friend.

"I love you, Russie," Hermione whispered sleepily, cuddling up to him as the horses started towards Prince Manor.

"And I you, Mia, my love." He drew her closer with an arm around her and leaned over and kissed her head.

Neither of them looked around when they heard mingled giggling in the back of the trap. "Oh, now that's more than I need to know," Hermione laughed.

"Indeed," replied Severus, eyebrow raised.

Finally, they had levitated Charles and Jean into the house and up into their bed, Charles mumbled that he would be all right from here, and they shut the door.

Hermione had watched from the front porch, leaning against the door frame while Severus took the gear off the two horses, which had stood placidly all day for them. He directed them into the paddock next to the house, and even made certain they had water.

Coming back over to an exhausted looking Hermione, he swept her up into his arms, kissed her thoroughly and carried her into the house, and into their room. He could plainly see she was exhausted. His heart was so very full as she allowed him to strip her naked. He held her in the shower and once they were both clean and fresh he dried her with a towel. She'd read a book that told her not to use drying charms on herself while pregnant, lifting his yawning wife he placed her in bed and climbed in with her.

Starting at her forehead he kissed her, bathing her face and shoulders in tiny kisses. Working his way along her jaw he finally reached her mouth. Hermione giggled. "What's so funny?" Severus asked.

She lazily entwined her arms around his neck. "I was thinking of the first night we spent in this room."

Severus chuckled too. "Yes, we've come a long way since then, haven't we?"

"Certainly have," she lifted her head off the pillow to capture his lips and arched up into his body while his warm mouth meandered down towards her breasts. Hermione whimpered and made a mewing sound when he took longer than she thought he should to get where he was going.

Severus chuckled wickedly, and then continued, kissing her navel and across from one hip to the other as his hair tickled her deliciously. He laughed again as her legs strained open and she left go with a series of irritated whimpers trying to encourage him to where she wanted him. When he finally did snake his tongue out to lick up her glistening cleft, she squealed her delight, and pushed up harder.

His hand came out to keep her hips still and he started on the business of making his beautiful wife pant and scream her satisfaction. Once he'd made her come twice with his fingers and tongue, he readied himself between her thighs, and slowly, inch by delicious inch he seated himself within her.

Hermione was squealing and panting again just from the feel of him stretching her so perfectly. Severus kept the pace slow and deliberate, his decadent voice crooning words of passion in her ear while he drew himself in and out of her heated body.

He rode her through another climax with gritted teeth so he wouldn't come just because she felt so amazing around him, but finally he could feel is orgasm roaring down his spine and he couldn't stop it.

That was it, their marriage was consummated, and Severus himself was the happiest wizard anywhere, right at this moment. Rolling off Hermione, he covered them and pulled her into his arms. Almost as soon as he'd done it they were both sound asleep.