Hermione was immediately incensed by the accusation in his tone and glare. The Floo erupted again, and Ginny stepped out. She reached out to smack her brother on the shoulder.

"Yes, actually," she replied to Ron haughtily, "I'm due for my period and feeling rather down, so I asked Harry for a hug. The cramps -"

Ginny grinned, and Harry made a whimpering noise.

"Stop!" Ron cried, "Are you trying to scare me?"

"Or make you think before you speak?" Hermione suggested.

"That will never happen," Ginny scoffed, "This prat found out Harry was taking you to lunch and he is here to make an idiot of himself."

"What if we had gone somewhere Muggle?" Harry wondered.

"He's probably rant at the empty room until you came back," Ginny replied cheekily.

Hermione found herself comparing the boy in front of her to the man at Hogwarts. Severus clearly considered her to be annoying, but he did not throw tantrums when he did not get his own way. The threatening tone the older wizard could use was far more likely to make her consider his opinion than the incoherent rant Ginny was predicting.

"Well, Ronald, if you are here to rant you had better start. Kreature will be serving lunch soon."

The chill in her voice silenced the room. Harry watched her with wide eyes and Ginny was clearly impressed.

"You're betrothed to Snape?" Ron blurted out.

Hermione crossed her arms casually, "As I am sure Harry explained, it was an accident. He saved my life two years ago by supporting my dying magic with his own. To save his life last month, his House Elf reinitiated the bond."

"So, you're not going to marry him?" Ron asked hopefully.

"I don't plan to marry anyone for quite a while," Hermione said flatly, "Unless the Ministry passed the idiotic marriage law which has been proposed."

"That will never get through," Ginny declared, "Augusta Longbottom would lead a revolt and have the support of everyone under sixty with a brain."

Ron was clearly clinging to the idea that Hermione would change her mind. She found the hope in his eyes to be distinctly annoying.

"Is the rant over?" Hermione inquired politely.

Ron took a deep breath, "I am worried that you have been cursed or something," he said in a rush, "How do you know this soul thingy isn't affecting your judgement?"

Harry cringed at the fury in the glare of the brunette. Ginny stepped away from her brother, just in case hexes started flying.

"I have been thoroughly checked over by Madam Pomphrey," Hermione growled through clenched teeth, "Severus has made it clear he wishes to be free of the Soul Bond, even at the expense of his health. Or were you referring to my disinterest in having children?"

"Mum agrees that there is something wrong there," Ron said confidently, "Since when do you call him Severus?"

Hermione stood up slowly with her wand gripped in her fist. Ron stepped back involuntarily and silently wondered how someone who was barely as tall as his chin could be so terrifying.

"Speaking of your mother," Hermione spat, "If she tries to interefere on your behalf again by telling me I need to drop every priority in my life to cater to your whims, I will not be responsible for my actions. If I hear any more rumours that I must be a tart who was sleeping with both you and Harry while we were hunting horcruxes I will be contacting a lawyer."

Ginny gasped, "Mum got involved? What did she say?"

Ron was bright red, "I just asked her what I should do. She offered to try to talk some sense into you."

"Sense?" Hermione repeated, her voice shrill, "By insisting that wanting a career is a 'silly Muggle idea' I needed to get over?"

"Well, it is!" Ron yelled, "Witches are supposed to want to get married and have kids!"

Ginny shook her head at her brother. Harry stood up next to Hermione.

"Ron, you need to leave," he said firmly, "Or you'll end up getting three Bat Bogey Hexes in the face."

Ron spluttered something incomprehensible at his best friend before turning, grabbing some Floo powder and disappearing back to the Burrow.

"George is right; he's an idiot," Ginny declared, "I'm sorry I couldn't stop him coming over."

"He is delusional," Hermione said flatly, "I tried really hard not to be rude to Molly. Severus woke up and insulted her for me."

"No wonder she was so pissed off that night," Harry recalled.

Ginny edged toward the fireplace, "I'll leave you guys to lunch. Will I see you tonight, Harry?"

Harry nodded, "Definitely. If Ron starts spewing rubbish over dinner, I plan to leave. I hope it's not until after dessert."

"He rarely rants while he is eating," Ginny agreed before she left.

Hermione sagged back against the lounge, the adrenaline in her system fuelling her anger.

"I would love to curse someone right now," she admitted.

Kreature appeared with their lunch, "Miss Muggleborn Filth could curse Kreature if she likes," he offered sincerely.

Hermione regarded the House Elf sadly, "Thank-you for the offer, but I would never want to hurt you, Kreature."

Kreature tilted his head quizzically.

"Thank-you for lunch, Kreature," Harry interrupted, before the conversation could devolve further, "It smells great."

"Of course," the Elf said in a patronising tone, "Kreature made it."

Hermione smiled at the censure in his squeaky voice. She was again reminded that all House Elves were sure witches and wizards were silly children who needed to be looked after.

"Enjoy your meal," Kreature instructed before he disappeared.

Harry did not hesitate to begin eating. Hermione watched him silently.

"Kreature saves the day," Harry commented between mouthfuls, "After Ron ruined any chance of a nice, quiet lunch."

Hermione began to pick at her plate of food thoughtfully, "I always assumed he would grow up," she mused, "That he would move beyond being thoughtless."

"He's loyal and funny," Harry offered.

"I know," Hermione agreed, "He has his good qualities, but I keep expecting him to grow out of the annoying parts of his personality. It's strange to realize that they are simply a part of him."

Harry shrugged, "I don't think boys grow up; we just get taller."

Hermione smiled, "You seem to be maturing."

"Not really," Harry disagreed, "I think having the Horcrux removed has smoothed out a lot of the moodiness. I don't lose my temper as much anymore, even when I was clinging to Molly and Arthur like a shadow."

"I did notice that," Hermione said softly, "We all grieve in our own ways."

"Ron was furious when he read about the betrothal. Arthur petrified him to stop him barging into Hogwarts and doing something stupid."

"And you were sent instead?" Hermione guessed, clearly recalling their conversation that morning.

"Yep, after Molly pulled me aside to relay her concerns for your reputation."

Hermione frowned, "I hate how she is so infuriating while trying to be helpful."

"Ron is like that, I think," Harry mused, "He has good intentions, but the execution lacks subtlety."

"It could be a family trait," Hermione agreed, "Ginny has never been subtle either. I she gets impatient, you'll find her naked in your bed one day."

Harry blushed a deep red, "Well, she wasn't completely naked."

Kreature liked to hear laughter in his house. It gave him energy to clean out the most stubborn corners of the attic.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione apparated to her chosen spot a step beyond the edge of Hogwarts grounds. She was deep in thought as she trudged toward the main doors.

Spending a few hours with Harry had been great yet exhausting at the same time. There were significant changes in his demeanour since the Battle, and Hermione wasn't sure if they were the result of the Horcrux being removed or trauma from the war.

She had been so close to cursing Ronald through the wall she could taste it. The impulse to throw the Sectumsempra at the stupid, freckled git had scared her. For a moment, she had felt the anger rise and she had wanted to throw aside all morality to let it out. Seconds later, she had wanted to throw up.

Overall, Hermione wanted Ronald to disappear until he could develop some common sense. She was sure she would be waiting a very long time for that to happen.

Hermione longed to return to Severus. Spending time with the sarcastic arse was easy; she knew exactly where she stood with him. He tolerated her presence and did not hesitate to give his opinion, even when it was harsh, insulting or completely unwelcome.

The edge of a smile tugged at her mouth when she contemplated how often Severus said something which was harsh, insulting and completely unwelcome.

How could the grumpy Professor understand her better than Ron? As a former spy, Severus was very observant. Could Ron really be that dense?

Hermione followed her thoughts to the Infirmary without deliberate effort. The cup of tea she shared with Poppy and Severus each afternoon was exactly what she needed.

The smile fell from her face at the sight which greeted her as she entered the Infirmary. Severus was lying on the bed, as expected.

"Hello Granger," Draco Malfoy said pleasantly.

Hermione had her wand in hand in less than a second. She held it firmly and slightly raised.

"Malfoy," Hermione replied tightly, "I can't say it's a pleasure to see you."

Malfoy rolled his eyes, "Likewise."

Poppy moved forward to interrupt the awkward conversation.

"I've invited Mr Malfoy to have tea with us today," she said smoothly, "As soon as you wake up Severus, of course."

"He really needs you?" Malfoy asked seriously. He appeared disturbed by the thought.

"Try not to sound so revolted, Malfoy," Hermione huffed as she moved forward.

"I'm horrified that he is trapped inside his own body!" Malfoy protested, "And you might as well call me Draco, if you're going to be hanging out with my Godfather."

Hermione hesitated next to Severus, "He really is your Godfather?"

"Yes."

"Why would your parents choose a half-blood as a Godparent?"

Draco sat back and folded his arms across his chest, "They had trouble having me. Uncle Severus invented a new type of Fertility potion and a weakened version of Felix Felicis which Mother had to take every day to prevent miscarriages. Severus was named my Godfather for his efforts."

Hermione pondered the revelation, "That makes sense. Exposure to that much luck potion could explain why you were always such a pompous git."

A deep blush appeared at Draco's collar and slowly spread upwards. Hermione waited for the explosion and was disappointed.

"Maybe," Draco agreed softly, "What's your excuse?"

Hermione laughed aloud, "There is hope for you yet, Draco. It's weird using your first name. Could I just refer to you as 'Ferret'?"

"Only if I can call you 'Beaver'," Draco replied smoothly, "I still remember those teeth."

"Fine then, Draco," Hermione replied, "I'm sure if I can help defeat Riddle, I can be civil with you."

Draco dropped his gaze to his Godfather, "If I can survive having that snake-nosed psycho in my house, I am sure I can refrain from insulting you."

"Now that your silly rivalry is over, let's have some tea," Poppy instructed briskly, "I'm sure Severus is quite impatient already."

"Of course, he is," Hermione agreed as she reached out to touch his hand, "It's a convenient excuse for him to be grouchy."

Draco's eyes widened in shock and apprehension at her words. The eyes of his godfather snapped open when their skin touched.

"You took your time, Miss Granger," Severus grumbled, "Which gives me yet another excuse to be 'grouchy'."

"You are supposed to call me 'Hermione'," the brunette pointed out cheekily, "Now, drink your tea without whining about the temperature for once."

Draco was stunned by their light-hearted bickering. He had witnessed Severus be polite to his parents, but never this relaxed.

Tea with Madam Pomphrey, Granger and Severus was distinctly odd. By the time Draco returned to Malfoy Manor, he was so distracted by his thoughts he nearly fell out of the Fireplace.

His mother found him hours later in the library, surrounded by books on Soul Bonds.