When Hermione woke up, pain lanced through her head.

"Ow," she whimpered and brought her hand up to her head.

Crookshanks rose and leaped to the floor. When he poked his head through the bed curtains to enter her room, a splinter of daylight broke through and lay across Hermione's eyes.

"Merlin's beard!" Hermione groaned.

"Good morning," a low, sarcastic voice appeared from her room. She moaned in reply and prayed to God he didn't look in on her and find her in such a state.

Severus pulled back her curtain and shook his head as she pulled her pillow over her face.

"You can't take this buried under there," he said, gesturing to the goblet he carried in one hand.

"I could summon a long straw," her muffled voice drifted to him. He shut his eyes and smothered a chuckle.

"I have doubts about you being in any condition to conjure anything," said Severus in a grim tone.

Hermione ventured her fuzzy head out of her bedding. She looked as if someone had hit with her a truck and zapped her with a lightning spell.

"You don't seem fit to accomplish anything," said Severus handing her the potion.

"I feel like hell," replied Hermione sipping at the goblet.

"Stay away from alcohol if that's your reaction to it," said Severus.

" I agree with you," answered Hermione, wiping the sleep from her eyes. "But you gave it to me."

"What are you going to do once we reach the Land of Vodka?" Severus asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

"Refresh my drink with water and fake it," Hermione said, placing the goblet on her bedside stand. Severus chuckled.

"Well, you will have to fake it soon," Severus said. "We set out this afternoon."

"So quickly?" Hermione said, taken by surprise.

"Well, we are carrying on under the façade of a honeymoon," Severus said. He sounded embarrassed. "I'm expected to appear eager."

"Shouldn't I appear eager as well?" Hermione asked. She tried to arrange her bedclothes under the covers so she wouldn't be exposed.

Severus watched. Her nightgown must have been high above her waist by the movements she was making.

"I'm not certain you should appear enthusiastic," Severus swallowed. "Some might find it open to question."

"Not after they talk to Lucius Malfoy," Hermione snorted as she hung her feet over the side of her bed and hopped onto cold stone.

"That's true," said Severus thoughtfully. "Nevertheless, best not overdo it."

She went across her room in a sleeveless white cotton shift. The daylight filtered through it as she moved by the window. He made every effort not to shake his head like a Muggle cartoon to recover.

'Gods, when did I become so old?' Severus asked himself.

"How long will we be gone?" Hermione asked, looking at herself in a muggle mirror and making a face.

"Most of the summer," said Severus.

"I see," said Hermione, stepping over to a bookshelf. Severus knew she was trying to look like she was considering the novels in front of her. He realized she was disappointed to be leaving before she could spend time with her parents.

"I'm sorry," said Severus. "This is a large responsibility."

"I believe you'd been through much more at my age," replied Hermione hoarsely.

"Some people could travel through numerous lifetimes to go through as much as I have," snorted Severus. "I would never hold it as an object lesson of good decision making."

"I suppose not," she answered turning around to him wiping a few tears away, but smiling.

It was the spring sun. It was the look of her unruly hair in the morning. It was that terrible old-fashioned nightgown. It was the tears rolling down her cheeks, breaking the front she had been maintaining for years.

Severus placed both of his palms on her shoulders. "You've a sharp mind, Hermione Granger. Not to mention more enterprise and fortitude than this whole institution. Never be frightened of how far you can go on your own. You do not need to make the same mistakes others have."

Suddenly, he hugged her awkwardly.

Hermione needed a hug and was shocked he was offering her one, albeit mostly arms and elbows, but she was grateful. He smelled like sandalwood and soap. His black high buttoned vest was soft under her cheek.

Severus indulged himself by breathing in the smell of her hair. Muggle shampoo. No real scent other than something simple and light. He caressed the smooth skin of her shoulders under his fingers. He watched as a loose curl winded its way straight up to ultimately settle on the end of his nose.

There was nothing improper with an innocent hug, Severus reasoned with himself. He caused her suffering and was encouraging her. She was no longer his pupil and technically his partner, a hug was within logic. Encouraged, even.

She relaxed in his arms and his lower regions latched on to the idea that his partner was in his arms and it had been a long time since he had made love in the morning.

Severus leaped back as part of him formed an opinion of its own. He swept his cloak around himself.

"I apologize for the suddenness of this," blustered Severus. "But it would be optimal if you were prepared by three o'clock."

Hermione let out the breath she had been holding. For a moment, it was as if he had enjoyed touching her. Apparently, a few moments were all the human contact he could stand. Hermione tried not to be bothered and pulled herself together. "I can be prepared earlier if required."

"How soon?" Severus asked.

Hermione glanced at the clock on her wall. "Noon, and we can grab lunch before we leave."

"Well," said Severus, surprised. "Noon then."

"Good," replied Hermione.

Severus spun and walked out of her rooms. The door shrunk behind him.

'That made him feel awkward, but he was the one that started it.'

Hermione breathed in the smell of sandalwood. He must have just put it on because the scent lingered on her nightdress. She held up the white cotton and breathed in. Her body responded. She breathed in deeper and felt the impulse to lie down. Perhaps the influences of the alcohol hadn't worn off.

He'd never notice if she was a few additional minutes.


'That was wrong,' Severus chided himself as he opened his trousers in his rooms. 'Shouldn't have let it go that far.'

He lay on his bed and slid his palm over his under things. He wrapped his hand around himself.

In his fantasy Hermione had pulled her nightgown over her head and disposed of it. She then pointed a wand at him and rendered him in an identical state. Then she had led him to the bed and let him pound her senseless.

Severus felt himself spill out, and he gasped. He his body writhed in pleasure as he squeezed his eyes shut.

When he finished he lay, trembling on the bed.

He was overjoyed the Russian estate was big. They would both be busy he'd be able to shake her out of his head then.

Severus opened the door from his private chambers to see Hermione waiting for him in the drawing room. Her trunk lay at her feet and Crookshanks lay resting in a cage stacked on top of it.

Severus dragged his trunk out of his bedroom and went on to the fireplace.

"We need to take Floo powder to get to the Portkey Station," Severus said.

"All right," answered Hermione as she got to feet. She had never been informed of a Portkey Station before, but she had never traveled internationally using wizarding means before.

"Don't forget to keep a diary," Helga said from the wall. "I need to hear all about it. And don't forget to take pictures."

"We won't," Hermione promised. "And Professor Dumbledore said he will have you brought to his office while we're gone. You can catch up with the other Headmasters and not be so lonely."

"Wonderful," answered Helga smiling silkily. "I'll have a word with Lyons."

"Portkey Station," Severus said throwing dust into the dancing flames. Green fire leapt up and Severus and Hermione dragged their trunks into them.


"Welcome, dear," a sing song voice called out as Hermione and Severus arrived at his family estate in St. Petersburg.

Hermione looked up to see a dark-haired witch striding towards her and Severus.

"Hello, Mother," said Severus wearily. He kissed her cheek as she embraced him. Hermione stared. His mother didn't appear to be any older than he was.

"You need not sound so excited," said Anastasia Snape with a frown.

"Our trip was quite an adventure," said Hermione, noticing she was covered in dust and grime from their traveling. "They gave us the wrong portkey in Stockholm and we ended up somewhere in the Congo."

"You poor dears," Anastasia said with a laugh. "I bet it was exciting!"

"It was!" Hermione reassured her.

Anastasia waved her wand at them and the dust and grime pulling away from them. It formed into a small ball in front of Anastasia and floated into a small wastebasket in a corner. "We were wondering why you were taking so long."

Hermione looked at her surroundings. The white marble fireplace was large enough to transport the entire Weasley family plus a few friends. Gold embellished accents glinted around the room. Gold ivy sectioned the walls and oil paintings were prominently displayed. The high vaulted ceiling had large pink roses blooming across it. The floor rippled as she walked across it, like she was walking across a thin layer of water.

"Thank you," said Hermione, feeling less grimy. "I'm pleased to meet you, Madame Snape." She bobbed.

"Call me either Mother or Anastasia," she said smiling.

"I tried to control her," a deep voice floated in from a set of large double doors. Jacob Snape reclined in the doorframe. "But she insisted on coming right away."

"I'm sure you did your best, Father," Severus sighed. He waved his wand at their trunks and they vanished. So, did Crookshanks' cage, although he remained. He meowed and stretched.

"Hello, little kitty," Anastasia said as he padded over to sniff her. To Hermione's surprise he flopped at Anastasias feet and rolled on her dress hem purring happily.

"He's usually not so rude," Hermione said furrowing her eyebrows at him.

"It's my fault," said Anastasia. "I was weeding the herb garden this afternoon and got into the catnip."

"Hope you like him," Severus chuckled. "He's your friend now. His name is Crookshanks."

"Hello, Crookshanks," said Anastasia scratching him behind his ears. Crookshanks meowed his adoration and twisted over on his back. "Oh, he's adorable!"

"He's found his slave," Severus smirked. "Father, we're starving. I'd like to visit the kitchens."

"The dining room has been readied," Anastasia said, beaming.

"Mother, there was no reason to go to all that trouble," Severus said embarrassedly. Hermione wondered how fancy the dining room was. It didn't take her long to find out.

A twenty foot 17th century dining table stretched the length of the room. Four chairs were set up at the same end of the table. A turkey lay steaming, kept warm by a preservation spell. Stuffed mushrooms decorated the plate around it and each plate had a bowl of spinach and beet salad. Fresh bread lay cooling on wooden trenchers nearby.

"This is incredible!" Hermione said stunned. Once again, the room where she ate she could view the night sky. In addition, the walls were made of live trees growing close together. Their branches stretched out above them, shading the table from the strength of the full moonlight, streaming it through the leaves. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"At least one of you remembered your manners," said Anastasia, looking annoyed at her son. "Thank you, dear. We're just happy to see our Severus settling down."

Severus pulled a chair out for Hermione and sat next to her.

"Bless the food, Severus," Anastasia smiled at him.

Hermione folded her hands as Severus bowed his head and chanted a prayer in Latin.

Severus helped Hermione dress her plate while Jacob carved a piece of turkey. The green carpet was thick grass, growing up from the floor and she slipped off her shoes and buried her toes in it.

Hermione picked up a fork. The glasses were crystal, and she assumed the plates were as well, but she was amazed at her glass forks and knife. The craftsman must have been patient and determined.

"This is wonderful," said Hermione sampling the food.

"We're glad you like it," said Jacob. He turned to his son. "Will you be staying all season?"

"I was planning on it," said Severus.

"You should come visit us in France for a while," insisted Anastasia.

Severus wished his mother would drop it about France. His father uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled all four glasses.

Hermione stared at her glass, turning green. Severus had to fight back the urge to laugh.

"Might make you feel better," he whispered to her. She took a sip and then nodded at him. Small bowls of strawberries appeared near their dishes. "Don't overdo it."

"Have you ever been to France?" Anastasia asked Hermione.

"Yes," said Hermione. "It's why Severus chose Russia. I had never been here before."

"There are so many things to see here," said Anastasia. "No doubt you'll be busy all season."

"No doubt," Hermione said smiling at her mother-in-law.


Hermione looked at Severus across the large expanse of bed, her arms crossed. A blue robe was securely belted around her waist and her white nightgown poked out from behind it.

"I didn't know they would stay the night," Severus mumbled.

"Well you couldn't think they'd be making off for the Portkey Station after what we went through," Hermione said crossly. "They could end up on the moon. I don't see why you should sleep on the floor. There's enough room up here."

'That's what I'm afraid of,' Severus thought to himself, taking a long breath.

"What if I snore?" he asked her.

"I've seen you sleep several times and I've never heard you snore."

"Fine," Severus said glaring at her. "But if I snore, you are to kick me to the floor."

"I'll have no trouble doing that," Hermione snorted.

"I'm taking a proper bath," Severus announced.

"Fine," Hermione said. "I'll be in bed by the time you're out."

His body reacted to her words.

'She wasn't talking to you,' he snarled, annoyed at his nether regions.

"Well then, goodnight. I'll see you in the morning," he ventured a smile, but it looked pained.

Severus walked back into his bedchamber, his hair still wet from his bath. He had satisfied himself twice before he got out.

There was a candle burning by the bed and he saw Crookshanks, light red fur curled up, standing out on the dark coverlet. On the side he planned to rest on. At this point he had become used to the idea of going to bed on a soft mattress.

"Shoo, kitty," Severus whispered as he took his robe off. He had discovered muggle cotton shirts on a commission to London for Dumbledore and wore one along with black flannel pajama pants. Crookshanks got up and put himself in the center of the bed.

Then he fixed Severus with a glare that made Severus' cheeks turn pink.

"I'm not that bad, you know," Severus whispered, glancing at the mass of hair poking out of the covers on the side opposite to him.

Crookshanks purred and shut his eyes. Severus shook his head and got in the bed with the cat between him and his wife. The feline knew what was for the best.