JK Rowling is the genius who invented and owns these wonderful characters I am using.
Chapter 10: Good Morning
Severus woke up at nearly two in the morning. He gently slid his arm away from Hermione, and looked for his clothes. When he had dressed in his pajamas again, he checked on his wife. She was gently snoring. The blanket was draped over her hips, leaving her torso exposed. He lifted the blanket to her shoulders and tucked it in around her. He returned to his couch and tried to sleep. But memories of the nights' previous events kept him awake. It was hard to picture her as the innocent lady he had known her as before, when she had been so determined, so desirous of him. It was rather attractive. But she was just making sure the marriage was set, and maybe the hormones from being pregnant added to it. That's all it was. He knew that, had known it, but still had gotten carried away. Being with her had washed everything else away, and for their last few moments together, he had not been a man fulfilling an obligation, but a husband loving his wife. 'You're crazy. Dumbledore has finally pushed you over the edge. You hardly know her as anything other than your student. This is an arrangement, not a real marriage. Stay focused!'
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Hermione awoke to sunlight shining through the window. It was almost 9:30. She could see Severus on the couch, reading his book. He was fully dressed. She sat up, pulling the covers with her. She thought about taking the sheet with her to the bathroom, but noticed a robe had been set beside the bed for her. As she showered, Hermione thought about last night. She had figured that it was just to consummate, to make sure the marriage was set in stone. But she couldn't help but get all tingly when he had said she was beautiful. And then he held her. 'He's romantic and doesn't even know it.' She was grinning ear to ear.
"Miss Granger! The boat docks in France within thirty minutes, do keep in mind the time!"
And he's back to normal.
"Yes, I will be right out."
Hermione dressed quickly, wearing comfortable muggle jeans and a sweatshirt. She tossed her hair back into a half bun and walked out to greet Severus. When the boat docked, Severus led her to a small café just off the main road. They ate breakfast in silence. They traveled the road directed on the map the cruise had provided. Hermione enjoyed all the sights, and took pictures everywhere. "Will you take a picture with me Severus?"
"You seem to have dozens already."
"Just of the sights, though."
"Then let me take a picture of you."
"Okay." But when Severus took her camera, they heard a loud voice behind them.
"Oh, look at you two, enjoying the sights! Give me that camera, and let me take a picture of you guys! Oh, this is so romantic, spending part of your honeymoon in France!" The man tried to take the camera, but Severus held on.
"If I wanted—"
"Thank you so much, but I think we're pretty pictured out for now." Hermione was nervous, she hadn't seen Severus around very many muggles, and she didn't how long his temper would hold out. She didn't want their waiter from last night to run away crying like so many Hogwart's students.
"Nonsense! You can never have too many pictures of your honeymoon!"
Severus glared coldly at the man. "I sugge—"
"It's okay. We appreciate your kindness, really, but right now, we just want to be alone with each other."
"Ohh, newlyweds! It's so cute! Alright, you two lovebirds have fun now!" the man was practically prancing away.
"Nosy, no good, annoying—"
"He's gone now. Let's move on."
Three hours passed quickly. The couple was on the boat and back in their quarters by 2:30. Severus immediately went to his book and Hermione to her luggage. She had seen a poster advertising tennis on the top floor. She changed into some clothes comfortable for the sport, told Severus where she was going, and left. Hermione was fairly good at tennis, and easily got caught up in the game. She hadn't noticed the sun setting until she saw Severus watching from outside the cage. She had done a double take, removing her attention from the ball, which proceeded to hit her left cheek. "Ow!" But the game was over, Hermione had lost for the third time. She rubbed her cheek as she walked over to Severus.
"What are you doing here? I thought you'd be reading."
"It's nearly sunset. I was concerned and came to make sure everything was alright. If you prefer I don't, then I won't." he turned as if to walk away.
"No, don't go. I didn't mean to come off that way, I was just surprised."
His lips turned up ever so slightly. They found a nice restaurant to have dinner at, and again hardly spoke a word.
"Is this how it is going to be all the time?"
"You'll have to make yourself more clear, Miss Granger."
"Are we always going to eat, walk, sit, EXIST, in silence? And that, why do you keep calling me Miss Granger? Why such formality?"
"I prefer silence to incessant chattering. Of course, if you have some intelligent conversation to speak of, then by all means, let's talk. And as for your name, I see no reason why it should change."
"Maybe because it did. Maybe because I live with you now, as your wife. Which is now set in stone, by the way. I'm going to be around you more often than my closest friends, and you won't even call me by my given name."
"In case you don't recall, we are not married for traditional reasons. But, I will attempt to remember to call you Hermione. However, forgive me if I sometimes revert, as I have called you Miss Granger for quite some time."
"Thank you. So, I was reading an article in Potions Weekly, about a newer variation of wolfsbane potions, it said that…" so began the intelligent conversation.
That night Hermione crawled into bed exhausted. She wore blue night pants and a pink tanktop. She thought she looked like cotton candy. But her mother had bought the set for her, and she couldn't bear to let them waste in a drawer. Not something she would have chosen or this trip, though. She pulled the covers up to her neck. So warm… She wondered if Severus was warm on the couch. She would have offered for him to come share the bed with her, but imagined he would not react well.
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The honeymoon had only lasted for three days, but Hermione had enjoyed herself very much regardless. Severus had been patient for most of the trip, escorting her wherever she wished to go. After the first night, they had kept a distance from each other, making physical contact as little as possible. As soon as they had made their way off the boat at six that evening, Severus asked if Hermione was up to apparating herself to Hogwarts gates. He then collected their luggage then did the same.
Hermione loved to see Hogwarts practically empty. As they were made their way through the corridors, Hermione made sure to watch every step and turn, as she had not previously been to her professor's quarters and didn't want to get lost when searching for it again. He stopped in the hallway, across the hall and thirty feet down from his classroom. He tapped against the wall, muttered low under his breath, and a door appeared. He tapped on the door with his wand and it opened to them. Once inside, he stopped Hermione and showed her the wards. "I like my privacy, and would not appreciate you inviting your friends over very often."
"I understand."
"The door directly across from the fireplace leads to your room. There is a bathroom attached. The kitchen is through that doorway, directly to your left. The study is next to your bedroom, if you need a workspace, I will have another desk put in. I do not like for anyone to touch my desk. That door over by the grandfather clock leads down a narrow corridor to my private brewing lab. Finally, if you should need anything in the middle of the night, my room is that last door on the right."
"Your quarters are very nice. I like the way you decorate. It's simple. Dark, but elegant."
"Perhaps you should go unpack your things."
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Severus was on his way back to his quarters from Dumbledore's office. The headmaster had still not returned from his trip with Minerva to Hawaii. They liked to visit there during the winter. Severus had wanted to check on the headmaster's progress in discovering the elf. It was obviously not much of a priority. Severus could not understand why the old man cared so little. Maybe this little event was unrelated to the Dark Lord, but it should have merited just as much concern. After all she had been through, had to do, it was only appropriate that she have some closure to the situation. And Severus wanted to teach the monster that had bested him a lesson. 'An elf was more than likely following the commands of its master.' Voldemort had no elves that he knew of. Then again, Voldemort was trustful of few. He just may not have disclosed such information. But why would he want such a thing? This whole situation made no sense. When he entered the living room of his quarters, Hermione threw her arms around him.
"Miss Gran-Hermione, explain yourself!"
"Thank you. My room, it's beautiful. I love the crib you put in there. It's perfect!"
"No thanks are necessary. It is my responsibility to ensure yours and—" he pointed at her stomach, "needs are met."
"But I'm not yet three months along, you already practically have a whole nursery set up."
"Just the necessary furniture, Mis-. When you are closer to your due date, I will take you to get the decorative and other necessary items."
"You don't have to—"
"Do not argue. Now, if you have unpacked, please find something to do. I will be in my study, grading the seventh year students' term papers."
"Why so early? They aren't due back until after Christmas. It's only the 5th."
"Coming from the girl who turned in her paper nearly a month early. Same as you, I like to be prepared earlier, than later. Besides, if I must attend the dark lord, I will not have time later."
"Oh, right. I forgot that you have to go to him at times."
"Mm. Well make yourself comfortable. But try to disturb a few things as possible. That cabinet is filled with books, I'm sure you will find something worth reading if you should like."
"Thank you." But Severus didn't hear her; he had already shut the Study door behind him.
'Well Hermione, let's go check out your new kitchen.' Hermione loved to cook, but as a student, and not an elf, it wasn't something she got to do much. The kitchen was pristine. Each cabinet was neatly organized and the pantry was stocked. Hermione traveled around the kitchen a few times, familiarizing herself with the locations of all her supplies. When she was contented that she knew her way around the kitchen well enough, she got to work. When the potatoes were on to boil and the chicken was in the oven, Hermione decided to look at Severus' collection of books. She had twenty minutes before she would need to tend to the potatoes. His selection was vast. When Hermione opened the cabinet doors, they magically extended down the length of the wall, revealing hundreds of books. They were catalogued by category, and alphabetized within their categories. 'I think I have a crush on my husband.' Dinner was ready within the hour, and Hermione put a spell on the food to keep it hot while she waited for Severus to come out of his study. Finally, at a quarter to ten, Hermione knocked and entered his study.
"Yes?"
"Um, I was just wondering if you were almost finished."
"Do you need something?"
"Not really. Well, I made dinner, and I—"
"Need my permission to eat?"
"No, I was hoping we could eat dinner together."
Severus looked at the time. It was getting late, and he was hungry. He checked his papers. Only three left to grade. He could finish in the morning. "Alright."
Hermione was proud of the dinner she had made. It made her even happier to see Severus eat it. He seemed to really enjoy it. When they were both finished, he thanked her for preparing the meal, then took their plates to the kitchen. When Hermione followed a moment later, he was filling the sink with soapy water to wash the plates.
"You know there is a spell that will accomplish that much faster."
"I don't like to use it. I enjoy washing dishes, I find it very soothing."
"I'm picturing you in a pink, frilly apron and bright yellow gloves."
"I prefer that over Grandmother Longbottom's clothes."
Hermione laughed and Severus gave a slight smirk. They cleaned the kitchen together, and then Hermione went to her room. She pulled aside her red comforter, exposing the gold sheets. When she had come in here earlier in the day, they had been green and silver. She had changed them before even looking at any other part of the room.
Later on that evening, Severus smirked at he looked in on the sleeping figure. That didn't take long at all. He had given her the comforter a bit of a practical joke. He closed the door and headed for his own bed.
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Hermione was in Hogsmeade. Severus was preoccupied preparing for his classes and brewing potions for Poppy and Voldemort(night and day, Hermione thought). She had offered to help, but he was distracted and had brushed her off. So Hermione had decided to do a little shopping. She had bought everyone Christmas gifts, and decided that she wanted to add a little Christmas cheer to her new home. She was in the middle out of picking out a tree (a reusable, plastic one) when she bumped into Hagrid.
"`Mione! I thought you'd be on yer `oneymoon. What're you doin` here?" he had been at the wedding, but they had hardly had a chance to speak then.
"Oh, that's over. I'm just doing a little Christmas shopping."
"Yer `usband with you?"
"Huh? Oh, no. He's busy, brewing potions and preparing for his classes."
"Does he know yer buyin a tree?"
"No. I thought I'd surprise him."
"In your seven years at Hogwarts, you still haven't realized that Snape hates Christmas?"
"I don't think he hates it, at least, I hope not…" Hermione looked a little disturbed. "Well even if he does, I don't." She said it with conviction, but her mind wandered to the possible first fight of the marriage. 'He wouldn't tell me not to celebrate Christmas, right?'
"good luck with tha', Hermione. In the meantime, I was just gettin' back from visiting a friend. Would you like some copany? I would be happy to take some of yer bags. You oughtn't be liftin to much heavy stuff in yer condition, you know."
"I'd love some company, Hagrid. As for carrying stuff, I'm perfectly well enough for now."
The two browsed around, finding a tree, a wreath, a couple of stockings for the fireplace, and a few other various decorations to place around the house. Hermione even found a peppermint looking apron for the kitchen. When they finished shopping, Hagrid carried the tree up the path to Hogwarts.
"You know, `ermione, I still don't understand `ow or even possibly why you two got involved. It's strange, I have to say I was completely surprised. Even more surprised at how happy Dumbledore was, Ida thought he have Snape's head, honestly."
"I know. Everyone was a bit surprised, I guess. But Severus is a good man. I am proud to be the wife of a man who puts the lives of innocent people he has never met above his own. Some people just can't see that. And as for Dumbledore, you're right. I think he was happier about it than anyone else. Who knows, it's a crazy world. I'm sure more exciting things than Severus and I will come up."
"I told `arry `e was wrong ya know. Told `im that Snape was a spy for the order, and that he was a man to be respected. And I told `im you had a right to love whom you chose."
"Thank you, Hagrid. That means a lot."
"Still strange, though." Hermione giggled. She was uncomfortable talking with Hagrid about this, but it seemed to make him feel better.
"Well, Mrs. Snape, this is your dungeon. I better leave before your 'usband sees me holding a Christmas tree outside `is `ouse."
"Thank you for all your help, Hagrid. I will see you later. I was thinking about going flying tomorrow."
When Hermione stepped inside her home, she assumed Severus was in his study. She quickly found homes for all her decorations, put up and decorated the tree. The cashier thrown in a few bunches of holly and some mistletoe for free. Hermione hung the mistletoe over the doorway to Severus' bedroom. 'Won't he love that!' She then set work preparing dinner. She had cooked dinner every night since she had moved in, despite Severus' assurances she that was not required to cook. But she loved it, especially since Severus always helped clean up. It was funny how some of their most comfortable moments with each other were while washing dishes. Around seven, Hermione went to find Severus. He had been working since early that morning, and Hermione didn't think he'd mind the break. But he wasn't in his study. Or in his potions lab. He wasn't anywhere in the apartment. Hermione put a warming spell on the food. When he wasn't back after an hour, Hermione figured he had been summoned by Voldemort. She cleaned up the kitchen and grabbed a book to read while she waited. Three hours passed. Hermione was still only in the first chapter of the book. She couldn't concentrate. The grandfather clock chimed eleven. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore, and headed for Hogwarts' front gates. He was there. He lay on the ground unconscious, blood staining the grass by his side. After a brief moment of panic, Hermione levitated him and hurried to Madame Pomfrey's hospital wing. She watched while Poppy tended his wounds. After a moment, Poppy turned to Hermione. "It's all right. He had a gash over his rib cage which accounts for all the bleeding, but it's healed well enough for now. He will still be sore for a couple of days though. He's unconscious, so if you want he can stay here the night or you can levitate him back to your quarters, I wouldn't try to wake him though. He can get quite grumpy."
"Okay, yes I'm sure he would rather wake up in his bed. I will levitate him home."
"Okay. Hermione, how are you holding up? I know the last few months have not been kind to you."
"I'm fine. I'm lucky, things could have turned out much worse than they have. Thank you for your concern."
"How about your nightmares? Are they still as frequent?"
"Not as, but they are still coming. On the cruise Dumbledore sent us on, I found myself gasping for breath a few times in the middle of the night. But most of them aren't too intense anymore. But it's no big deal, I expect they will go away soon enough."
"It's so much for someone your age to deal with, I am glad that you are handling it so well. You know if you need anything, I'm here."
"Thank you, Poppy"
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Severus awoke to Hermione taking off his boots. He was lying in his bed, the room dimly lit from the light in the doorway. He glared angrily at Hermione. She hadn't noticed him wake, and gasped when he grabbed her wrist and pulled.
"Where were you?"
"What? What are you talking about? I've been here, waiting for you."
"Before I left, I couldn't find you. Where were you?"
"Oh, I was in Hogsmeade. I wanted to do a little shopping for the holiday. Will you please let go of my wrist? You're hurting me."
Severus released his grasp, but his eyes were still focused coldly on her. "Are you stupid, girl? Until we find whatever THING that wanted to attack you, you cannot wander off on your own! And right now, the Dark Lord is looking for any reason to lure Harry out of safety. If you had been seen, captured… Did you even think about that?!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. But I wasn't alone, I was with Hagrid." Hermione refused to look at him, instead focusing on her wrist, which had started to swell. It was only a half lie, Hagrid was with her for at least half of the time.
"Oh. Well you should have informed me of your departure!"
"I would have, but the last time I was in your office, you told me to get out of your way and stop bothering you, in case you don't remember. And I don't appreciate you yelling at me like this before you even ask what my reasoning was. Besides you shouldn't be working yourself up right now."
"Next time you leave, inform me, regardless of whether or not I am working! I cannot protect you if you insist on doing stupid things! If you do not appreciate my yelling, then do not provoke it."
"Okay, then. Goodnight, Professor."
Severus just glared at her as she left the room. It was after one in the morning, and Hermione was exhausted. But Severus was home, safe. Even if he was going to be jerk tomorrow.