Chapter 11
Her days went much the same till Friday afternoon when she finished Care of Magical creatures. It was the tenth and final subject that she would read for her exams. Her nights were much as their first together and her mornings were the same unless Severus woke before her and claimed her.
She watched as Severus revised his notes for his classes. He looked relaxed as he read over everything and corrected minor things to his lesson plans that he had to turn into Minerva. It was still early, barely six when she said, "Do you want to do something tonight?" She asked.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Well, I finished my revisions and I don't have anything to do but read over my notes so I was wondering if we could do something together maybe go out to eat like in muggle London or someplace where we will not be recognized." She said.
"Do you feel cooped up in the castle?" He asked.
"Yes. I think I understand some of what Harry felt when he never left the Dursley's." She admitted.
"Where did you have in mind?" He asked putting is papers down.
"Nothing very formal. I was thinking more along the lines of Pizza or Hamburgers or something like that." She said.
"I really do not think we will be recognized someplace like that." Severus said. "Go get dressed and we'll go." He added as he watched her jump up then kiss him soundly, then bound to the floo and go to her quarters for her muggle wardrobe.
She knew what she wanted to wear. She had been longing to wear her red knit sleeveless top and the new jeans her mum gave her with the black leather blazer and black leather pointed toe boots with the three inch heels that had the cushioning spell in them. She spelled her clothes on and then charmed her hair into ringlets after putting it all in a ponytail. She wore no jewelry but her engagement and wedding rings. She quickly did her makeup lightly and put on a little perfume and exited her bathroom to find Severus in a pair of dark jeans a very dark green knit top and his best pair of Dragon hide boots, matching belt and a black leather sports coat. He looked very good.
"You look really handsome." She said squeezing his hand and giving him a kiss. He looked Hermione up and down then twisted her around for a full view.
"You look wonderful. I just hope that I do not have to hex anyone that tries anything with you tonight." He said.
"I am sure I might have to the same when the ladies take a good look at your rear end in those jeans." She said cheekily.
"I think that you need a thorough tongue lashing for your cheek." He said snogging her thoroughly letting his hands roam down her back and rear. She returned the kiss equally.
When she released his mouth she said, "Let's tell those Harpies we are alive and that we are going out for the evening."
She took his hand as a girlfriend or any loving couple would. She made sure she had her wand and some muggle money just in case. Severus walked with her now instead of three steps ahead as he always had before. She was his equal and he treated her as such.
When they entered the great hall, Minerva and the rest looked at them quizzically for a few seconds then Severus said, "We are going muggle for the evening. Don't wait up for us Minerva." He led her back out to the entrance hall and down to the main gates to apparate. He apparated them to the alley of a dine in pizzeria.
"Is this fine?" He asked.
"Yes. It's great but do you want pizza?" She asked.
"It is agreeable sometimes. Bout I would not eat it as often as it would be served in the Great Hall if it was on the menu." He said.
"My parents must have introduced this place to you." Hermione said.
"They have ordered take away from here several times." He said.
"Do you have a topping preference?" She asked.
"Your parents order pepperoni, bacon, and all of the vegetable toppings but olives. I would not mind that." Severus said.
"My parents like the olives." Hermione said.
"But I don't." He returned.
"Okay. No olives." She said to him then ordered a large pizza and two different dipping sauces for the crust. Severus didn't like the coke or Pepsi so she ordered them both Dr. Pepper's to see if he liked it.
They sat down with their drinks and Severus was surprised to see tat what he was drinking was at least palatable. Their pizza would take about ten minutes to cook so they were able to talk.
"What else did you want to do while you are here?" He asked.
"I was thinking about doing a little shopping in the mall or something like that till the pizza had a chance to digest so we can get some ice cream for dessert." She said.
"Sounds interesting but what did you want to go shopping for?" He asked.
"Part of the fun of going shopping, is walking around and looking at what is out there then discussing the interesting or extraordinary." She said.
"That is how you found your dress. I know that you were not in there long. I was having my teaching suits made with the tailor and I noticed when you came out that the dress was gone from the window. I waited till you went in the Three Broomsticks before I went in the shop. The woman did not know who I was when I asked. She described you to the letter and I had that cape made there. I thought that you would appreciate the gesture." He said.
"The first time I saw it in the window I knew that was the dress for me. Then with all that has happened, I got it." She said.
"You looked so beautiful in it." He said.
"You had my attention the whole night." She returned.
"So did you." He added rubbing small circles on the back of her hands.
"I know." She said cheekily.
"Now, what have I told you about all of that cheek?" He asked playfully.
"That I would get a thorough tongue lashing but not now, our pizza is coming." Hermione said.
"You can count on it." He said watching her response. She blushed crimson at that.
The young man brought the pizza and set it down on the table along with the dipping sauces and asked, "Will that be all?"
"For now. Thank you." Hermione said.
The young man looked at her and then to Severus then said, "Hermione Granger?"
"Yes Jackson it is me, but I am not a Granger any more. This is my husband Severus Snape, Severus this is Jackson one of my parents neighbors." She said introducing them. Severus extended a hand and gave the boy a rather firm hand shake that the boy tried not to wince at before letting go.
"Hello." Jackson said.
"Nice to meet you." Severus said trying to be polite.
"Your parents told me that you were in school in Scotland. What are you doing now?" He asked.
"We are both teaching in a boarding school in Scotland." She admitted.
"What brings you to London?" He asked trying to get a conversation going but he was intimidated by Severus.
"We are shopping before the term begins." She told him.
"It is good to see you. Stop by and see me come time when you are in town." Jackson said.
"I might do that. Take care of yourself." She told him then he walked away.
Severus took a slice and begun to eat. He had secretly enjoyed the look the boy gave him when he was introduced as her husband. The boy looked positively scared.
Hermione looked at him curiously then took a slice and began to eat. Finally when she couldn't stand the silence, she asked, "What are you thinking?"
"Of how much I like you presenting me as husband and not professor." He said.
"You are not jealous of Jackson are you?" She asked.
"No. Why should I be. You are mine and he will not get the chance with you." He said smugly.
"We were friends in primary school. I have not seen him since the summer in between second and third year. Today, I see him out of the blue and he tries to flirt." She said.
"I guarantee he will not flirt again." He said.
"I know. He looked terrified of you." She said trying to repress a giggle.
"It took me a long time to acquire that look. It keeps students in line." He said.
"That was until me. Without the hair and teeth, you are not so scary." She said eyeing him affectionately.
"I can still be intimidating with out my looks before." He said.
"You know I wanted to say something when Rolanda was flirting with you the other day when you told them you were getting married." She said.
"But you were very convincing as an uninterested party." He returned.
"I have had years of watching a master." She said then dipped her crust in the sauce.
"About twelve years ago, she began teaching with us. She and I were in the beginning stages of a relationship. She saw the tattoo on my forearm and wouldn't let me explain. She wouldn't speak to me. About six months later, she comes to me and tries to pick things back up. Albus had told her what I was doing. I wouldn't take her back. Ever since, she has always acted that way." He said.
"At least now I know." She said.
"You know I had to use an attraction deterrent on Krum for you. He was running his mouth to Karkaroff saying that he would have you bedded by the end of the ball. I let him have it when he went to get drinks. I made sure his anatomy would not work for about a month following." He said.
"I told him the day that he asked me to the ball that I was contracted. I guess in Durmstang, friend means friendly." She said.
"At Durmstang, everything means friendly. He was not a good looser." Severus said.
"Neither is Ron. He blew up the day that he found out I was contracted. It broke him. I never liked him like that anyway." She returned.
"Ron has always been like that." He said then he realized something. "Minerva owes me 10 on this one. She said one day that the two of you would be together and I said and I quote 'not if I can help it'. We agreed to a standard wager." Severus said.
"How much does the staff bet on things?" Hermione asked.
"Sports is a given. Dating is popular, the cup, NEWT scores, OWL's, the tournament, or everyone's favorite, first engagements of each class. You won in your class by the way. You were contracted after coming to school. Everyone else was contracted before they were a year old. I won that one too." Severus said smiling.
"You know Harry was outside when we snogged on the landing the night that Remus caught us. He came to me a few days ago asking me about it. I told him the truth then he retrieved the ring for Ginny."
"You mean you went to town to get it. You were spotted by the press and it was in the paper. They all were wondering who the young man was. Minerva and I think that is what spooked the minister into action." He said.
"I am sorry. I was in disguise. Harry came to me and asked me to go with him. I didn't think that I would be recognized." She said.
"It's okay. You were safe. Harry keeps a port key on him and he could have gotten you away from the press if they would have rushed you." He said. His words were not harsh.
"I thought that you were busted with the jewelry conversation." She said.
"I had a few words with those two after that one. That is the only time either one of them ever got a rise out of me."
"I think he was looking to get both of us." she said.
"No. I think he was really just after me." He said polishing off the last slice of pizza.
"Are we going to the Mall next?" She asked.
"Why not." He said. He left a tip on the table for who ever bussed the table.
They walked back to the alley and Severus asked, "why do you want to go here?'
"There is a shop in here that sell clothes like my dress and I wanted to find something similar for the ball." She said.
"Is it a muggle shop?" He questioned.
"I think so but you can charm me if you want." She said.
"I think I will charm us both just to be safe." He said.
"He charmed her hair to a straight black and tanned her skin to a nice olive then changed her eyes to a brilliant purple. He changed his face to like the man from the Three Broomsticks.
"I like the other you better." She said.
"Same goes for me." He said kissing her soundly. "Now how do we get to the mall?' He asked.
"I'll take us." She said holding on to him. She apparated them to a dark corner of the mall.
She took his hand in hers and they made their way to the little shop through the throng of people to the shop she had described. Severus noticed that a few women were giving him dirty looks and a few men were openly staring at him as he was dating a supermodel.
They entered the shop and an elderly woman came around from the counter and asked, "Can I help you with something?"
"Yes, I am looking for a Celtic style dress in a dark red with gold accents." Hermione said.
"I have a few things that might be of interest. May I ask what it is for?"
"A ball." Hermione offered.
"I see." She said looking at the both of them curiously. "Come with me. Perhaps there is something on this rack that would interest you." She said.
Hermione and Severus followed her to the far side of the store to a rack. Out of all of them, the first tow would not flatter her figure and the third had too much gold. the fourth was too short and the fifth one might have worked if it had long sleeves. The sixth one was made of silk and was exactly what she wanted. It was long sleeved but they were bell sleeves and the dress fit her through then chest then the skirt began just under the chest. The skirt was a split skirt with the under panel in the same crimson shade but it had gold stitching swirling through the material. it was the same as what the bodice was made of and the sleeves were made of the plain silk like the over skirt. Just below her cleavage where the skirt started, there was a fake ruby gemstone in a gold looking mounting.
"This will do. Is there any way that I could get a cape to match. I was hoping that you could match the jewel for the cape's clasps." Hermione said when the woman got too close; she could feel the glamour charm radiating from her.
"I didn't think you were a Gryffindor. I thought for were you were a Hufflepuff." The old woman said.
"I am a Hufflepuff, but I like the colors and they do look good on me." Hermione said. The old woman looked at her curiously then she led her to the belts and accessories and handed her the clasps that would match for her cape. "Do you want the cape in the plain silk or the fancy silk with the gold accent?" She asked.
"Plain silk." Hermione said. The old lady went into the back and came back with the cape. Hermione had to try it on. Severus stood in front of her changing room to guard it.
"For a Slytherin, you are very protective of her." The old woman said.
"It is something her parents wished me to do." Severus said.
"I see. Tell me why the two of you needed to come disguised to a clothing store? I for one know that the young lady strikes me more as a blonde and the both of you should probably have paler complexions."
"I'll answer if you will." Severus said.
"I had an accident in the war and was left with some rather nasty scars. The charm allows me to stay in business." she said.
"My wife and I are European icons from Italy and we are on holiday trying to stay away from the press. They have been hounding us for months on a war interview and now that it is over, the interview offers are much worse." Severus said. He heard her stirring behind him and he asked, "Darling, are you going to come out and model this dress?"
"If you want me to." She said.
"You know that I love to see you model." He said. She come out and turned for them showing them the whole picture.
"The dress looks lovely on your figure." The old woman said.
"Yes it does." Severus added.
"So, what is this ball that you are going to?" She asked.
"Our company is celebrating its annual ball." Severus said.
"You are Sebastian of Sebastian Industries." The old woman said.
"One and the same." Severus said as Hermione went to change again.
Hermione come back out fully clothed and said, "I'll take them."
"Let me just slip them in a bag and shrink them for you." She said taking them into the back. She come out and handed Hermione the small package and she rang up the sale. Severus paid and they left quickly. They made it four stores down before Hermione felt safe enough to talk.
"Thank you." She said.
"You are welcome. I do not like that old woman. She was too nosey." Severus said, then added, "Is there any thing else that you would like to get while we were out?" He asked.
"Accessories." Hermione said. Severus playfully rolled his eyes at her.
"You mean jewelry don't you." He said.
"Yes. The only jewelry I have is what you gave me and the locket Ginny gave me. I really did not have a need for any except for occasions like this and they have been few. I borrowed what I needed from mum." She said.
"Your wedding presents looked absolutely stunning on you." He said.
"I really liked them. Your watch looks good on you too." She said.
"The last muggle jewelry store that I went to was with your father and it had something that might work for you." He said.
"How do you know?" She asked.
"The watch your mother is wearing came from me. I bought it for her on her birthday." Severus said.
"You bought my mum jewelry before you bought for me?" She asked.
"No. I bought your ring first in Paris last summer." Severus said.
"I have always enjoyed the gifts you have given me." She said.
"I have as well." He said leaning over to steal a kiss which she gave freely. They stopped a few times to look at a few things but didn't buy anything. They entered the jewelry store and they glanced through the counters looking for something that might be suitable.
Severus found something and said, "My dear, these might work."
She came back to him and the attendant pulled out a square cut four carat ruby mounted in gold. "It's beautiful." She said.
"Can you show us earrings to match please." Severus said.
The man brought over a pair of hanging square cut rubies in two carat total weight. Hermione flashed Severus her best I love you smile and Severus just smiled at her.
"Will take them both." Severus said.
"Thank you." Hermione said and she kissed him full on the lips soundly. Severus just smiled at her and held her close as he watched the young man box everything and ring it up. Severus pulled out his wallet and paid. His wallet was considerably lighter when he was finished but he was happy if Hermione was. He stowed the two boxes in his inside jacket pocket and the receipt in his wallet. When they exited the store, they felt as if they were being watched. They quickly found an exit and a dark section to apparate from. Hermione apparated them to an Ice-cream parlor and they ended up ordering two vanilla shakes. Severus ate his with a spoon as he refused to suck it out with a straw.
"I don't know which is more eerie, the old woman or the feeling of being followed." Hermione said.
"Being followed." Severus said.
"Could we have been followed here?" Hermione asked.
"It is possible." Severus said.
"I think when we finish here; I think the rest of our night should be spent between the two of us." Hermione said.
"What did you have in mind?" Severus asked in his velvety tone.
"The pool might be fun to try out." Hermione said suggestively.
"So you want to go home and take a quick dip." Severus said.
"I wouldn't say a quick dip, but a dip in the pool sounds fun." She said.
"Then when we get home, I shall have to find something to wear." He said mildly.
"I know of something you can wear." She said very suggestively.
Severus and Hermione finished their ice-cream quickly and apparated to the house from the alley. Severus quickly erected the strongest wards to keep out everyone and everything then they headed to the back yard to the pool after removing their glamour charms.
"Nubby!" He called.
"Master?"
"Please bring us each a dressing robe and some towels." Severus said.
Nubby snapped his fingers and what he requested appeared folded in his hands. The elf handed Severus the stack and he put them down on one of the deck chairs then tested the water. He heated the water then put a stasis charm on it to keep it at that temperature. Hermione had transfigured her undergarments into sexy black swimwear and sneakily done his as well. She divested herself of her clothes leaving the swim suit and when he saw her he was temporarily stunned until she divested him of his clothes but the trunks.
"Why you sneaky little minx!" He exclaimed lunging at her. She easily dodged him and ran a few feet from him.
"You are really going to have to do better than that if you want to catch me." She said playfully and took three steps foreword.
He lunged and missed going head first in the pool. Hermione jumped in gracefully and gave him a kiss for his efforts when he surfaced. He decided to play dirty and lifted her out of the water and dunked her in the deep end.
Hermione surfaced without even a splutter or cough. She smiled at him dived and dunked him from the bottom. He knew it was coming and held his breath for it. Hermione got out and stood on the diving board. Severus looked at her funny and she dove in. It was a simple dive, no twists or turns. Severus was impressed. Hermione swam up to him and rubbed her butt on him. Severus pulled the knots free holding her bikini top on and it fell into the pool. Hermione gave him a devilish grin taking a step back. Severus inched his way toward her then she dunked him and removed his trunks. Severus come up with a full erection and was not ashamed of it. He wand-lessly divested her of her bottoms the accioed her causing her to get knocked right into his chest.
"Now that I have caught my very naked prey, what shall I do with you?" He asked.
"Play fair." She said.
"No. I think that I shall give you a thorough thrashing. The question is will I do it this way?" He asked pulling one leg around his waist. "Or this way?" He asked as he sat down on the step and pulled her on top of him. "Or this way?" He asked as he stood and pressed her over the edge with his massive erection pressed into her clit from behind.
She could only moan in response. He placed a slight cushioning charm on the lip of the pool to keep her from having bruises and he trust sharply into her. Again and again he thrust in allowing her returns to set the pace. She set a good rhythm keeping up with him. He held her hips in place with one hand and the other snaked around to fondle her breasts. He would alternate breasts then leave them to suckle her throat never skipping a thrust. Hermione could only hold onto his legs and keep the contact.
"I think that you are enjoying this thrashing." He said as he stepped up the tempo. She threw her head back and her rear end tingled from where his bits were slapping her. Severus sped up one last time pushing them to their mutual climax. Hermione matched him thrust for thrust and each were wild and erratic as she reached her peak. "Severus" She moaned. He thrust two more times then he too was in bliss as he spilled himself.
"I think you are definitely learning from our experiments." He said panting.
"I am enjoying them." She returned panting. She gave him a tender kiss and climbed out of the pool. She wrapped her hair in a towel and spelled herself dry then pulled on her dressing robe tying it at the front. She summoned their clothes and removed all of their things from the pockets then sent their clothes to the hamper in the bathroom and blazers to the chair in their room. She put their packages, jewelry wallets and his wand in the pocket of her robe and waited for him.
"Are you going to get out?" She asked.
"I would if I had enough energy." He said.
If you lower the wards long enough, I could take us to our room but you have to be out of the pool for me to get you there. Either that of I can have Nubby and Ixi pull you out of the pool and take you to bed." She said giving him some options.
"You drive a hard bargain but I will get out just for you." He said. He accepted a towel and dried his hands then took his wand from her pocket and spelled himself dry and put on the dressing robe tying it shut. He escorted her to their bed and where they immediately fell asleep. They were nearly late for breakfast the next morning.
Hermione was sitting next to Minerva when Minerva asked, "I had my class notes sent to your office and I have filled your lesson plans for the year. After your exams I want you to look over them and get familiar with them so you will be ready for the new semester." Hermione flipped her hair and Minerva caught sight of a love bite on the back of her neck. She couldn't help but snicker a little then spell it away before she leaned over and whispered, "Next time, mark Severus back. I got rid of it before the others could see. The students would have gossiped for months over it."
"I am sorry about that. I didn't get up early enough to even spell my hair up this morning. I must have missed it." She whispered back.
"Severus, how long were you two out being muggles?" Minerva questioned aloud.
"Till ten thirty. We did some work about the house and went to bed." Severus said defending whatever he might have done.
"Don't let Severus lie to you we were doing experiments until 11:30 last night." Hermione said.
Minerva really laughed at that and Severus colored slightly but did not say anything. Minerva could only laugh again. Then the profit showed up.
It was the first time Hermione had even seen it since the war had ended. The heading for the profit said, "'Sebastian of Sebastian Industries sighted.' 'Is one of the wealthiest wizards in Europe off the market?' A local shop owner said, she was graced with the presence of Sebastian and that he was 'flaunting a raven haired dark complected beauty as his wife'. When asked if she had seen their binding rings on the couple, she said, 'most definitely. Her engagement and binding band was clearly visible as was his.'
When our sources tried to locate the couple, we were unable after they apparated away. Our sources did confirm however that the couple remained in the area."
Hermione huffed. She couldn't believe the old hag from the store had called Rita Skeeter over it and that they had made the front page. The woman really needed to be stopped before someone got hurt. She handed Severus the paper. He skimmed it and said, "Pick a name that you would like to be called as for the company and I will have my press secretary print a reply stating yes Sebastian is married and you will be mentioned under that name. There will be no pictures so you should be safe." Severus said.
"What did you buy from the woman?" Minerva asked.
"A dress for the order of Merlin ceremony." If there are pictures and the old woman sees them, then we will be exposed." Hermione said." Would you like to have her obliviated. I could make it so she never remembers yesterday." Tonks said.
"Tonks you know that you can't just obliviated someone without proper justification." Remus said.
"It is proper justification if I am protecting the identity of the man who brews our potions for the auror service." Tonks said. Hermione beamed at Tonks. Tonks kissed Remus then whispered something in his ear. Remus smiled at that. "Where is the lady and what does she look like?"
"She is in the mall in London the store is Carmine's Boutique. She is short, heavy with short hair. She is wearing a glamour she says that hides a battle scar." Hermione said.
"The team and I will investigate the shop. If something is not in order with her paperwork, we will haul her in to headquarters for questioning and I will see to it that no information leaves her." Tonks said then she left the great hall.