Previously on Making The First Move: Chapter 20
"Nice going Granger. You've probably scarred Jules for life."
"Hmph. Like being your owl hasn't already scarred him for life. I've made vegetable beef soup. Would you care to join me for dinner?"
"Sounds great." Harry replied raising his glass to Hermione. "I'm famished."
"You're always famished Harry. Let me just go wake Severus."
"Severus? Shite Hermione. Why didn't you tell me Severus was here? You let me go on like some moron with your wizard lying within earshot. I could have been killed."
Harry could still hear Hermione laughing through the closed bedroom door.
/*/
Hermione sat back down on the couch telling Harry that Severus would be out shortly.
While they sat there waiting, Harry explained why he was really there. It seemed that Millicent Bullstrode had approached him in an unprofessional manner complaining about Hermione.
"Me?" Asked Hermione in complete surprise. "She's the bint who approached me spoiling for a fight. Severus had to give her a right, nice telling off. What was her complaint?"
Before Harry could respond, a frosty drawl interjected itself into the conversation. "Yes Mr. Potter. I'd like to hear the answer as well. Tell us. Just what has Hermione done to Millicent Bullstrode?"
/
Making The First Move: Chapter 21
Harry sighed knowing the Severus Snape who was engaged to his best friend wouldn't take kindly to what he had to say. No matter how he said it.
Turning so he faced both Severus and Hermione, Harry suggested they have some dinner before he got into the intricacies of what Millicent Bullstrode had relayed to him.
"Agreed," said Severus moving towards the kitchen. "I'm sure I will need a full stomach to digest what you have to say Harry. Shall we? I'd like to get it over sooner than later. Hermione and I have important matters to discuss this afternoon of which Millicent Bullstrode is not one."
"Well. If that's the case." Harry replied giving Hermione a questioning look. "I'm sure we can discuss this another time."
"You're here now Potter." Severus answered sourly. "Why prolong the matter? Sit. Eat."
As Hermione served the food, Severus and Harry chose to look away from each other. They were only joined together by their love for Hermione. Nothing more. Neither wizard felt the need to chat the other up.
However, as soon as Hermione sat down. The conversation picked up.
"So Harry. What's this about Millicent Bullstrode? Has she lodged a formal complaint against me for ordering Chinese takeout?"
Harry looked at Hermione in surprise. "I don't know anything about Chinese takeout and no. Bullstrode hasn't lodged a formal complaint. If I were to categorize our conversation, I would say it was more like jealous whining. But whining is not something Aurors are known to do. I would have to say Bullstrode had far too much to drink and was in a belligerent state of mind to say the least. Even after all has been said and done. She is still coming to Michael's defense. It seems she and Michael have had several conversations in which he has played the wronged wizard. Not to be indelicate, but knowing Michael. I'd say he has shown Bullstrode some affection and she hasn't forgotten it."
Hermione, who still felt a bit guilty about what went on with Michael Corner suddenly found the beef bits in her bowl very interesting.
However, at the mention of Michael's name. Severus had thrown down his spoon which landed in his bowl spilling the remains over onto the table. But, a quick twist of his left hand rectified the mess in a matter of seconds.
Realizing this entire conversation could go wrong, Harry had quickly held up his hand. "I'm not a simpleton Severus. While I respect your feelings on this matter. This is about Hermione. Not about you. I'm only here to let Hermione know Millicent Bullstrode has made certain comments. I've warned her away, but I felt Hermione should know what's what."
"Is that how you see it Potter?" Severus asked angrily. "Let me advise you I see it differently. Hermione is my fiancée. So whatever concerns her concerns me. You have warned us that Miss Bullstrode is upset. Neither Hermione nor myself gives a bloody shite. We will deal with it from here on out. Thank you." Staring directly into Harry's face, Severus made a statement which hung heavily in the air. "It would seem you made several poor choices when hiring the Aurors we hold out as our protectors. Perhaps you would do better hiring Muggles. At least they would know their place."
Hermione who hadn't wanted to get into all this finally spoke up. "Let's not get caught up in accusations and insinuations. Thanks for letting us know about Millicent Harry. She is upset. She'll get over it or she won't. The only thing I will add is that she would do well to stay away from me and Severus. As I've told Severus. This isn't Hogwarts. There's no Dolores Umbridge or Inquisitorial Squad protecting her arse. I will not fall back if she comes at me. So you see. There's really no problem. More soup?"
Harry gave a roll of the eyes at Severus' comment, but smiled at his unrelenting friend nodding his head in the affirmative for another bowl of soup. "I guess we can get back to enjoying our meal seeing how Severus has discovered it is my poor judgment that started all this." Harry remarked acidly as he sopped up the remainder of his soup with a bit of bread. "It must be bloody wonderful for you Hermione having a Master Seer in the family. The Wizarding World should sleep soundly tonight."
Then nodding first at Hermione then Severus, Harry thanked them for the meal before excusing himself to the bathroom.
/*/
While Harry was in the bathroom, Hermione told Severus he shouldn't be so hard on him because it wasn't his fault….
"Stop Hermione. Stop defending the man." Severus said gazing at Hermione in amazement. "He's a fool who allowed one of his underlings to run rampant over him almost ruining his own career. Potter labors under the impression that everyone is as righteous as himself. I respect what the man has done, but he needs to get a better grasp on the real world. However, that's his cross to bear. He can make all the bad decisions he likes. Unless they affect you. Then, he and I will have problems."
"Enough blustering Severus. I get it and I'm sure Harry does as well." Hermione snapped getting up from the table and clearing up with three waves of her wand. "Harry went out of his way to share a bit of information with me. With us. Stop making everything about Michael bloody Corner."
"Yes Severus," said Harry who had come back down the hall and was standing in the doorway. "Stop blaming the loveable Head Auror who has already had a heap of shite rained down on him about that very thing. Now, if you two will excuse me. I'll be on my way to ensure all is well in the Wizarding World. Thanks again for dinner Hermione."
Stretching out his hand to Severus, Harry added. "Contrary to what you think of me Severus. I do not take my responsibilities lightly. Sometimes shite just happens." And with a wave, Harry headed to the front door.
Severus shook Harry's hand without uttering a word or removing the dour look from his face.
Calling out to Harry, Hermione wished him a good night even as she sent a wicked glare in Severus' direction.
Glaring right back at Hermione, Severus lashed out as he left the room. "Fucking Aurors are getting on my nerves. Running slipshod over….."
Hermione didn't hear the rest because Severus had reached the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Letting out a loud sigh, Hermione put both feet on the living room table and leaned her head back against the couch. Twisting her engagement ring around on her finger, she thought, this is some way for us to start a discussion about our future.
/*/
At nearly the very same moment in the bathroom. Severus was thinking along the same lines. A discussion about our future is not going to go very well if we are both irritated and annoyed. Bollocks to that. I want this discussion, so I'll do whatever necessary to make it a fruitful one.
/*/
Severus entered the living room to find Hermione reclining on the couch, feet up and eyes closed. Sliding himself gently down on the couch, Severus reached over and took one of Hermione's hands and brought it to his lips. "Will you allow me to whisper a few words of love in your lovely ear? Which I hope will improve your mood."
A small smile broke out on Hermione's face as she turned to look at the wizard she loved. "Please do whisper your words of love, but be warned. If they are too sensuous, you may find you have another situation on your hands. And what will you do then?"
"I will do my duty." Severus whispered rubbing his freshly shaven face against Hermione's cheek.
"Mmm." Hermione sighed softly rubbing her hands across Severus' chest. "Anthony has done another splendid job. You smell delightful. I find my mood is rapidly improving." Resting one hand lightly in Severus' lap, Hermione pulled his face around with the other hand to kiss him passionately on the lips.
Severus wanted nothing more than to have sex with his beautiful witch. However, getting her to commit to a wedding plan was far more important. He wanted Hermione as his wife. He wanted her to get pregnant for him as well. The severe and reserved Severus Snape had found the witch who completed him. Now he wanted the rest.
Severus Snape with a family. Who knew?
Returning Hermione's kiss and feeling his body react to her hand between his legs, Severus tried to be diplomatic. "I want you my love and we will have each other, but first I'd like us to make our plans as we discussed."
A sexually aroused Hermione sighed as she straightened herself up on the couch giving Severus' dick one last pat. "I have made notes," she said summoning her wand then summoning a thin, brown folder from the bedroom. "Perhaps we will have each other sooner than you think."
Opening the folder with one hand and running her fingers through Severus' freshly barbered hair with the other, Hermione asked him to share his thoughts.
Hermione's request took Severus by surprise as he expected her to read off her notes and call it done. He did have thoughts. Several of them actually. So he shared them.
/*/
When Severus finished, Hermione handed him the folder with a look of amazement on her face. "Have a look at this love." She said watching his face closely as he read over the notes.
Hermione really hadn't written much in the way of notes, but what she had written could have fallen straight from Severus' lips. Severus actually beamed as he studied the information in the folder. Except for his requests that Hermione wear white robes for the wedding and they try to get pregnant as soon as possible after the wedding, his and Hermione's thoughts were almost perfectly aligned.
/Neither wanted a big, fussy wedding. Severus had suggested a private ceremony over a long weekend away while Hermione had written down she wanted a small ceremony possibly in the garden of the cottage explaining she wanted to have at least Harry, Neville, Luna and a few others there. Severus understood this would be Hermione's big day so he was agreeable to having her friends attend as long as the count was kept under twenty. Severus felt any number over twenty could not be considered a small ceremony.
Hermione had pinched him to press home the point this was her wedding. If she wanted twenty one people in attendance, that's what they would do. A grinning Severus leaned over to kiss her.
/Neither saw any reason to wait. Severus had suggested the ceremony be held during the Muggle Spring Bank Holiday weekend in late May seeing how Snape & Longbottom gave the same holiday to their employees. Hermione's opinion differed slightly. She didn't have any problem with the date, but made it clear she wanted more than a long weekend to celebrate their marriage. Severus had very quickly capitulated chiding himself for being so thoughtless. Of course they should have more than three or four days to celebrate. He left it up to Hermione to plan their honeymoon. Hermione was happy with that.
/They both agreed they would buy a new home where they could start their married life in fresh surroundings and make their own memories. Hermione decided she would sell her cottage as there really weren't any fond memories attached to it. It had been an easy decision for her. Severus, on the other hand, had worked hard over the years to upgrade Spinners End and did not want to sell. Hermione told him she could live with that as long as he wasn't keeping it as a hideaway to run to when they had a disagreement. That comment hadn't gone over well with Severus who replied crossly that he would never walk out on a disagreement and hoped neither would she. Hermione calmed her cranky wizard down with a kiss telling him she was joking. But, a still cranky Severus told her he didn't joke about such things. It took Hermione ten minutes of rubbing his chest and cuddling up next to him before Severus relaxed.
/Then they had ventured onto the two points Hermione hadn't considered. The white robes and the immediate pregnancy.
Hermione had no problem with Severus' request she be married in white. However, she chose to be married in a white, Muggle gown rather than robes. Severus was more than happy with Hermione's choice. His only stipulation was the gown, dress or robes be white. Severus was pleased with the outcome because even though they wouldn't be going into the marriage as virgins, he felt their ceremony should be virginal.
Hermione wanted to make another cheeky joke, but thought better of it. She didn't want her fiancé to lose his mind entirely.
/As far as them trying to get pregnant right away. Hermione had balked explaining how she had worked hard to get to where she was in her career and wanted a few more years before even thinking about motherhood.
A pensive Severus had taken Hermione's hands in his own before expressing how much he loved her and how thankful he was that she had accepted him back into her life. Then went on to say that having a child together would make the life he never expected perfect.
This was the side of Severus very few people had ever seen. A side that had helped Hermione fall for the older, dour wizard in the first place. Hermione leaned over to kiss the hands which were gripping hers then straightened up to look Severus in the eyes agreeing to meet him halfway. She would not purposely try to get pregnant, but neither would she cast the Contraceptive Charm after they got married.
Severus couldn't argue against Hermione's logic so he had agreed to her terms. They would simply let nature take it's course.
/With everything else settled, Hermione and Severus chose Sunday, May 28th, 2006 as their wedding date which gave them seven months to prepare.
As they sat there discussing incidentals, Hermione made it clear she was happy with the small ceremony, but would not sit still for a paltry honeymoon insisting they go somewhere grand.
Severus was all for giving Hermione the honeymoon she wanted no matter where she wanted to go. Then the wizard who never took a day away from the shop, suggested Hermione plan a three week honeymoon cheekily adding he would use those three weeks to make their son.
Hermione laughed out loud giving Severus a light slap on the arm. "Make a son is it? You sound as though you're setting up a cauldron. I'll assist with the recipe, but when the brew has set. I think you'll find we made a daughter."
Leaning in to leave soft kisses down Hermione's neck, Severus murmured in her ear. "A daughter would be fine my love. But a wizard most certainly wants a son to carry on his name. I would have to immediately start work on making a son. If you're fine with that, by all means let's have a daughter."
As simple as Severus' words were, they were sensual to Hermione causing chills throughout her body and a distinct moisture build up between her legs. "Well. We've gone as far as we can go on wedding related things for this evening." She quipped running her hand back and forth across Severus' lap. "How about we go work on something sex related?"
"You needn't ask twice," said Severus pulling Hermione up with him as he rose from the couch sporting an impressive erection. "I think it's fascinating the way our minds work as one. Your request only preceded mine by seconds. Let's hurry to the bedroom before Potter returns with more insignificant news."
Grabbing Severus by the hand, Hermione led her overly eager wizard to their bedroom.
/*/
Over on the West side of London in an upscale Wizarding Pub, Noah and Ethan were celebrating their very successful Saturday promotion and demonstration with a few friends. Ethan, who made no secret of his preference of wizards over witches (except at work) was accompanied by his boyfriend, but Noah's sometime witch was nowhere to be seen. However, Noah wasn't on his own. He was being well entertained by Ginny Weasley who had managed to insinuate herself between him and Ethan trying to keep Noah's attention on her.
Ginny had taken an immediate liking to Noah that morning and hadn't been shy about letting him know. Noah was very professional while at work, but on his own time he appreciated a shapely leg. And Ginny Weasley was shapely. Initially, Noah had remained professional in his conversation with Ginny. However, by the end of their conversation she had invited herself to the current gathering.
Several of Noah's friends seemed surprised to see Ginevra Weasley sitting next to Noah but said nothing knowing Noah didn't take kindly to anyone interfering in his private affairs. But silently his friends did think it strange that Harry Potter's well known, ex witch was suddenly interested in a shop manager. They meant no disrespect to their friend. A shop manager was an honorable position. They just didn't understand how Ginny had gone from dating a Wizarding World hero to a shop worker.
Ginny saw the looks, but didn't care one bit. Hermione had mentioned that Noah had a witch, but Ginny was going after what she wanted. Besides. If Noah didn't want her there, he would have already told her to push off. Since he hadn't, Ginny planned to make the most of it.
Ginny left Noah's side only once to use the loo and had ungraciously pushed her way between Noah and the witch he was speaking to when she returned. The witch continued to talk to Noah, but it was a very short conversation. She walked away, but not before giving Ginny, who pretended not to notice, a deadly glare.
Noah noticed, but refrained from speaking on it in front of the others.
/*/
At the end of the evening when the table was down to only Allen, who had come late and Ethan and his date, Ginny tried to give Noah directions for Apparating to her flat. To her surprise, he politely declined the information explaining as a man he preferred to make his own decisions, hold conversations with whomever he chose and most importantly pursue a witch instead of the other way around. Noah went on to tell Ginny it had been a pleasure meeting her and he hoped she would continue to shop at Snape, Longbottom and Granger.
For a full five seconds, a pink faced Ginny stood there gazing at Noah not believing her ears. No wizard had ever turned her advances down. Well excluding Harry of course. She knew she could be a bit aggressive at times, but most wizards liked for her to take charge. She had obviously made a mistake with Noah.
For a second, Ginny wanted to give in to her famous Weasley temper and tear this miserable excuse for a wizard a new arse. But she didn't. Instead, she stepped a bit closer to tell Noah she would be informing Hermione how crassly he had treated her and how he could expect to lose his position.
Noah smiled as he moved even closer to comment how Ginny didn't know Hermione at all if she thought his boss would sack him over the truth. Then he stepped back with an even wider smile and wished Ginny a goodnight.
Ginny had learned a few things over the years including temper didn't always win the battle. And this was one of those battles. So through pursed lips she wished him a good night as well before striding to the door.
/*/
By the time his conversation with Ginny was finished, the table was empty. His gracious friends had left him and Ginny to their private conversation.
Noah had put up a very firm front, but had to order a last brandy to fortify himself. As firm and confident as he had been speaking to Ginny, there was a small voice in the back of Noah's head whispering that Hermione might lend some credence to what her good friend had to say.
Noah had two more brandies before owling Miranda to ask if it was too late for him to come by her flat.
Miranda answered Noah's owl within ten minutes.
It wasn't too late.
/*/
Hermione and Severus were lying in bed content and exhausted after three lightning rounds of sex when Severus brought up the subject of Millicent Bullstrode.
"Not now Severus please." Hermione answered in a slightly annoyed tone pulling herself up so she was leaning against the back of the bed. "I do not want to discuss that bear of a witch. I meant what I told Harry. Auror or not. I will not step back if she tries anything. There's nothing more to be said. I'm going to make tea. Would you care for a cup?'
Severus who was lying on his side leaning on his elbow was nearly pushed over when Hermione sat up so abruptly. Reaching out before Hermione could leave the bed, Severus pulled her back down on the bed. "Suddenly tea? If you are irritated, I shall refrain from speaking about Miss Bullstrode. However, it was you who joked about this very thing earlier. We will not walk away from each other when we have a difference of opinions. Even for tea. On the other hand." He added lightly. "Perhaps we should have tea and discuss the double set of Contraceptive Charms I heard you cast before we made love."
Severus's attempt at humor made Hermione roar with laughter. "You git. I did not cast double Contraceptive Charms, but I did protect us from any little accident."
Severus grabbed Hermione by the back of the tee which landed her on her back. Pinning her with his arm, Severus reminded Hermione he was a well educated, responsible, fairly well off wizard who very much wanted whatever accident came their way and he wanted it before he dropped dead of old age.
Then Severus drove Hermione into another fit of hysterical laughter by asking if she would consider marrying him in the morning.
The tea never did get made and both Hermione and Severus were a bit sore when they awoke on Sunday morning.