Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Chapter 11: Which Reason Calls Madness
Hermione was marking papers in the sitting room when the fireplace flared green and Ginny's voice came through. "Hermione, are you there?"
"Yes, one second," said Hermione. She set aside the essay she'd been covering with red ink and sat down in front of the fireplace. "What is it?"
"I just got a letter from Charlie," said Ginny. "It's a fascinating read. He's coming for Christmas, and he'll be here in time for the Order party, and get this: he's bringing someone."
"Charlie's bringing someone with him?" Hermione asked. "Is this a partner-someone?"
Ginny grinned. "It is! He's wanted to introduce Andrei for a while, apparently, but wasn't sure about what the right timing would be, and finally they decided that putting it off wasn't helping. So if we're right, and Mum's just upset about you and Severus because she wanted you to marry Charlie, this should take care of that."
"Aren't you worried about the scene that might result?" Hermione asked. "I mean, your mum's not exactly known for restraint when it comes to reacting to sensitive topics in public."
"Does it matter?" said Ginny. "I don't know what she's going to say, since I've never really heard her opinion on the topic, surprisingly, but she's probably going to read him the riot act for not telling them sooner. He knows it. There's a reason he and Andrei are staying with us, and not at the Burrow."
Hermione winced. "Good move on their part. Do you guys need a hand with anything?"
Ginny shook her head. "Kreacher loves doing food for parties, so he's handling all of that, and decorating's easy enough. How are classes going?"
"The students are getting more disruptive the closer we get to Christmas. Severus is out supervising detentions right now. I think he has at least half a dozen students slicing up spleens for Potions classes." She grinned at the slightly green cast that Ginny's face developed. "It's not that bad. He's better at making detention feel like a punishment than I am, so he's doing that and I'm marking essays. We should really add a writing class to the curriculum. Not many of them know how to structure an essay and too many rely on Spell-Checking quills. And the penmanship is appalling."
"Trust you to think of another class to add on top of everything else," said Ginny. "Though I suppose you have a point. We'll see you next weekend?"
"Absolutely. We were planning on being there anyway, and now Severus will want to come just to watch your mother's reaction. Say hi to Harry for me."
"Of course," Ginny replied. The fire returned to normal as she ended the call and Hermione went back to marking her essays.
When Severus came back from detention, he went straight to the bathroom for a shower. He'd just been supervising, but he reeked of preserved spleens. When he emerged, Hermione was just finishing her grading. "Do we need to fumigate the classroom?" she asked.
"No, I took care of it," he said, falling into his favourite chair. "Air-Freshening Charm. It became rather necessary after Mr. Dobson vomited."
Hermione raised an eyebrow at the smirk on his face. "So, you didn't manage to make anyone cry, but you did make someone vomit?"
"It's not my fault he can't handle the smell of spleens," said Severus. "He should have thought of that before he decided to set off a firework during Minerva's class."
"Ginny called earlier," said Hermione, changing the subject. "Charlie's coming for Christmas and he's bringing his boyfriend."
"Is he?" said Severus, eyes lighting with interest. "Will they be at the Burrow?"
"No, they're staying with Harry and Ginny. But they will both be at the Order Christmas party."
"I suppose this means that you have finally persuaded me to attend," he said.
"You already said you'd come," Hermione pointed out.
"Yes, but now there will be entertainment," he replied.
Hermione and Severus arrived at Grimmauld Place before Molly and Arthur Weasley. Charlie and Andrei were in the kitchen and greeted them.
"Nice to see you again, Hermione," said Charlie. "And Professor, uh, congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley," said Severus. "I understand you have some news of your own."
Charlie grinned sheepishly. "Yeah. This is Andrei. We met at work, and well, I guess things are looking sort of permanent."
Andrei rolled his eyes. "I believe so, although if you keep adding 'sort of' to that statement, you may have trouble. And this is the famous Severus Snape." He offered his hand, and Severus shook it.
"I have heard much about you," Andrei continued. "Charlie received a very interesting letter from his mother when you and your wife announced your marriage."
Hermione snorted. "I'm guessing 'interesting' is an understatement," she said. "It's lovely to meet you. I'm Hermione, Severus' wife."
"Pleased to meet you," said Andrei.
"How many people are aware of the situation?" Severus asked. "I'm curious."
"Oh, all of my siblings know," said Charlie. "I think Andrei's been introduced to all of them. He and Dad haven't met, but I got Bill to let Dad know who I was bringing. So it's just Mum we're worried about, really. It's not like the rest of the Order is going to care."
"Probably not," Hermione agreed. "Severus has been eagerly anticipated Molly's reaction."
"So have we," said Andrei. "Although perhaps not eagerly. At least she may stop trying to tell Charlie he needs to meet a nice girl and settle down."
Someone shouted down the stairs into the kitchen, "Molly and Arthur are here!" and the four of them exchanged glances.
"Showtime," Hermione commented. "Us first, do you think?"
"Agreed," said Severus. "We'll get in position, let Molly start haranguing me, and then you two can interrupt." He offered Hermione his arm. "Ready, my dear?"
"I think so," she replied. She turned to Charlie and Andrei. "Good luck."
Severus had not underestimated Molly. She was still upset with him, and was starting into what promised to be a truly impressive monologue about his morals and sense of propriety, when Charlie tapped her on the shoulder.
"Mum?" he said.
She whirled. "Charlie!" She hugged. "Why on earth didn't you tell me when you were getting here? I didn't even know you were coming to this party. You'll have to come and stay at the Burrow, and since Hermione is taken"—she shot a glance at Severus—"I think I know another girl who might be perfect for you."
"Well, I did bring someone with me, actually," said Charlie. "Mum, Dad, this is Andrei."
"Oh, a friend from work?" said Molly, shaking hands with Andrei.
"Not exactly, although we did meet at work," said Charlie. "He's my fiancé."
Arthur came forward. "Great to meet you at last, Andrei," he said. "How was the trip over here?"
"Oh, it was fine, Mr. Weasley," said Andrei. "It's nice to meet you as well."
"Call me Arthur," he said. "I'm going to be your father-in-law; we might as well be on first-name terms." He glanced at his wife. "Molly?"
She was frozen, staring at her son.
"Molly?" Arthur repeated.
She blinked. "How long has this been going on?" she asked quietly.
"Well, Andrei and I have been together for a few years now," said Charlie.
"A few years? And you never thought to tell me, or to bring him over so we could meet him until now?"
Charlie glanced at the floor. "Well, I didn't exactly know how you'd react. You keep telling me to meet a nice girl, and you went ballistic when Hermione married Professor Snape...I didn't really want you sending me Howlers over Andrei."
"I wouldn't have done that!" Molly protested. "I want you to be happy!"
Hermione took her husband's hand and pulled him out of the room. "Fireworks over," she murmured.
Severus followed her back to the kitchen and then drew her into an embrace. "She may come to her senses," he said quietly.
"No. She just doesn't care enough about me to respect my choices. I know they say I'm part of the family, but I'm not, really. Not enough for her to realize that we're happy together, or for her to want me to be happy even if I didn't do what she planned for me." Hermione wasn't crying, but she was upset.
Severus kissed the top of her head.
"Are you guys okay?" Ginny asked as she slipped into the kitchen.
"We will be," said Severus.
"Mum's still processing Charlie's news," said Ginny. "She may realize later just how awful she's been. And if she doesn't, we'll let her know."
"Thanks," said Hermione. "I think I just want to go home, if you don't mind."
"Not at all," said Ginny.
Severus and Hermione quickly stepped through the Floo into their rooms at Hogwarts. "You do have a family, Hermione," said Severus, putting a hand on her shoulder before she could walk away from him. "I know I'm not much..."
Hermione smiled, blinking back tears. "But you're enough."
