Previously on Making The First Move: Chapter 24
Hermione smiled as she wrapped her arms around Severus' waist. "David completely overstepped by repeating what was discussed at lunch. My comments were a bit of humor. Nothing more. When have you known me to want to interact with insects, bugs and foul smelling plants? If I hadn't been so troubled by David's behavior, I would have called you on your bullshite then and there. As if you would sit still for me going into the field with two wizards. No matter who those two wizards were. I think Neville had to hold himself up when you said you hoped we brought back something remarkable. Neville and I know you better than you know yourself Severus."
Severus pulled Hermione closer and kissed the top of her head. "Believe me love. There was no way I'd let you leave me to scour some Merlin forsaken fields and valleys for shite Neville and David could easily find on their own. If you hadn't rectified it, I would have. Can you imagine me sitting still knowing you were sleeping beside another wizard. You don't even sleep beside me every night. But that will be corrected when we marry and move into our permanent home. Which brings us to a discussion of our wedding and honeymoon. I'd like to hear what you have planned. We will discuss it over dinner as I have some sexually explicit plans for us after dinner."
"Ah Mr. Snape." Hermione countered placing her arms around Severus' neck and running her tongue across his lips. "It has been two days since we last rubbed privates. I can only hope your plans are extra sexually explicit as I am in need."
"Good." Severus responded huskily. "I believe this will be a double contraceptive night. As for dinner. A simple meal will suffice. I can eat my fill when I get you naked." Using both hands to grab Hermione's arse, Severus tried to hurry his witch along. "Now go please before I forego dinner altogether."
Hermione hurried towards the kitchen with thoughts of preparing two bowls of cereal and a piece of toast. In the face of hot sex with her wizard. Cereal was meal enough.
/
Warning: I went way out into left field this chapter in an effort to explain what Michael Corner has gotten himself into. We will be back to our regularly scheduled characters next chapter. Thank you.
A/N: SMLE is Scotland Magical Law Enforcement (the department)
SBMLEis Scotland Branch Magical Law Enforcement (the building)
Making The First Move: Chapter 25
A quick dinner became a slightly longer dinner as Hermione disclosed her plans for their wedding and honeymoon.
All Severus had to do was sit there nodding. Anything Hermione put together was fine with him as long as they ended up man and wife spending their honeymoon in some exotic locale.
Hermione rattled off the guest list, the need to have magical gardeners come in to set the garden with the colors she had chosen, a wedding planner who would take care of all details and her need to find a white wedding dress. Hermione also reminded Severus she planned to sell the cottage as soon as possible after the wedding. In fact, it was her intention to have a real estate witch or wizard try to sell the cottage while they were on their honeymoon.
Severus was agreeable to all Hermione had disclosed. His only questions were in regard to their honeymoon location and if there was a possibility of moving the wedding up by six months.
Hermione smiled at Severus as she cleared away then plopped herself down on his lap. "If you must know Mr. Snape." She jokingly replied. "We will be honeymooning at the amazing Kavumanis Jimbaran Private Estate & Spa in Bali, Indonesia. Not only will we be immersed in luxury, we will have the chance to observe some of the most exotic and rare plant life and foliage. If I'm not mistaken, you have allowed two weeks for our honeymoon. I'd like to suggest we make it three weeks. The shop will survive. As far as moving the wedding up six months. I'd rather we keep the date right where it is. With all that has to be done, time will fly by."
Leaning in close to Severus' ear, Hermione whispered softly. "I am not unaware of your fondest wish my love. I know a child would make you the happiest wizard in the world. I intend to grant that wish Severus. But first, let's enjoy a little time together as man and wife. Now kiss me then take me to our bedroom to ravish me."
"That I can do." Severus replied lifting Hermione from his lap pulling her to him. "I do not mean to be aggressive about our marriage and having a child love, but I have found the love I never thought I would be allowed. All I can do is envision our life together with the child we made. It is within my grasp. And as unlikely as it seems, I am frightened it will all slip away from me if I make one false move. I do not want to take that chance again."
They knew each other's secrets. Hermione knew how much Severus had cared for Lily Evans and how that had turned out. The truth be told. Hermione was ecstatic Severus had chosen her. She had learned a lot about the man after the war and in the time they'd been together. And she had fallen for him. He was not one to take love lightly. If he said he loved her and wanted to spend his life with her, she believed him.
"There's no false move to be made here Severus. I love and trust you as you love and trust me. There isn't anyone who will come between us. You are too intelligent to think a piece of parchment will solidify us any more than we are."
Turning Severus' head, Hermione kissed him softly on the lips before taking him by the hand. "Come on love. Let your fiancée help your release some of that tension."
/*/
Hermione had helped Severus relieve his tension and her own as well, but she couldn't fall asleep. She was sitting with her back against the bed gazing at her most unlikely choice in wizards. Be that as it may. She loved him and wanted to make him happy.
Right now, Hermione was in a quandary. She wasn't worried about what would be said if she turned up pregnant before marriage. People could think what they wanted. Say what they wanted. The question was. Did she want motherhood before everything else?
With a deep sigh, Hermione slipped quietly out of bed to make herself a cup of tea. She drank the tea in the kitchen so she wouldn't wake Severus, but it didn't help. The question was still foremost in her mind. Slipping back into bed as quietly as she had left, Hermione slid down next to Severus wrapping her arm around his waist.
"I've upset you with my requests. Haven't I?" Severus asked in a low voice turning to face Hermione. "Worrying causes frown lines Hermione. Please forget what I said. We will proceed as planned. If a child is in our futures, so be it. If not, we will have each other. We love each other and that is all that counts. I've waited most of my life to have a love like ours. I can wait a year for the rest."
Hermione smiled as she snuggled closer to Severus thinking how much she loved this man. Getting pregnant before marriage was an idea that could wait until another day.
/*/
Neville had reached home a short few minutes after Luna still shaking from what he considered a near miss. After greeting Luna with a kiss on the forehead, Neville went straight through to the bathroom. Neville used the bathroom then stood at the sink washing his hands. Looking in the mirror, Neville told himself it might be time for him to look around for premises of his own. For as much as he respected Severus. The time had come for him not to have to walk on eggshells in a shop where he was a partner. And Luna. He didn't want her to have to walk on eggshells either. It was true she had her ways, but she wasn't a demon. He wouldn't stand by to watch the witch he planned to marry someday be treated like a pariah.
There it was. Out in the open. He wanted to Leave S L & G. As harsh as it sounded, it might turn out well. Severus and Hermione were getting married. They might not even care if he left the partnership. Newly married couples didn't notice much except for each other. There was obviously a discussion he and Luna should have. They'd make the decision together.
It wasn't long before Luna called Neville to dinner. As he sat down, Neville mentioned that he was thinking about leaving S L & G. Luna stopped in her tracks nearly dropping the beef roast she was carrying to the table.
"What's all this? You're thinking about leaving Hermione and Severus? When did all of this come about?" Luna asked with undisguised rancor. "Severus and Hermione have given me an entire department to run. I'm being allowed to pick my own staff as well as set everything up to my liking. I'm even being allowed a grand opening. Why now? Up until now you've been happy with everything. Has this anything to do with me? Speak up because I want to know."
This hadn't come about the way Neville wanted. Luna had put him on the spot. "To answer your questions Luna. I started thinking about this today, but I haven't liked the way you are treated all along. Noah and Ethan seem to have a problem with you. Severus has been rude and disrespectful to you. It's enough. I will not stand by….."
Luna slammed her fork down on her plate. "You won't stand by and what" Luna shouted turning red in the face. "I have been blessed with the uncanny ability to say what I think. Sometimes people smile and say Luna is at it again. Sometimes they get angry. If I ran away every time someone spoke rudely or hid my belongings or left me out of a party, I'd be running away all my life. Whomever is angry with me will get over it….or they won't. I'm not running away. I'm not leaving S L & G and neither are you."
Then she started to sob.
Neville was by Luna's side in seconds flat. Taking her in his arms, he wiped the tears away apologizing for upsetting her. "I'm sorry love. I was just looking out for you. I didn't want it to seem as though I was leaving you to the wolves. I don't want to leave, but I wasn't going to stay and watch you get taken over the coals every other day. I love you Luna and only want the best for you."
When Neville said he really didn't want to leave, Luna's sobs dried up in a nanosecond. Suddenly she was back to her sunny self ordering Neville to sit down and eat before everything got cold.
Neville walked dazedly back to his chair realizing his witch had just put him in his place. There wouldn't be any more talk of him leaving the shop. Shrugging his shoulders, Neville tucked into his beef and mashed thinking he really hadn't wanted to leave anyway.
Neville chanced to look up from his plate to find Luna staring at him with a loving smile.
"You're beautiful when you smile."
"Thank you love. You are beautiful when you smile as well." Luna remarked before daintily bringing a small bit of peas to her mouth. "We are just two beautiful people together. Our children will be gorgeous."
Neville nearly choked on his beef. Children? He hadn't gotten up the nerve to ask her to marry him and she was already onto children. Luna was so right. She had the uncanny ability to speak without any type of filter whatsoever.
Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Neville joked that before they thought about having children they would themselves have to grow up.
Luna simply cocked her head to one side giving her wizard quizzical look.
/*/
Harry spent most of Monday away from the Ministry. He had received an emergency owl early that morning to go to Scotland and had been there the entire day. He had put it down in the books as a call to check out reports of dark magic. Which, while not completely true, was somewhat true. The owl had been from Millicent Bulstrode telling him that Michael Corner had fallen in with an unsavory group she thought might be planning some kind of attacks on the witches of rural Scotland. Harry first thought to ask Randy to accompany him, but realized the less people who knew about Michael's current status the better. As a precaution, Harry did tell Randy and JFF some of what was going on. Both wizards demanded to accompany him, but Harry pulled rank telling them to stay put and take care of the team.
/*/
The first two places Harry had gone looking for Michael were rat holes. Harry couldn't believe Michael would even step foot into places like these. No one wanted to speak with an Auror let alone divulge any information about anything. Harry didn't have the authority to correct the things he saw in the two hovels he visited, but he did send a message to SMLE regarding the illegal activities.
Harry's third stop at a pub called The Sallow Hag Pub wasn't much better than the first two, but it was cleaner. If there were illegal activities going on, the wizards in this pub were smart enough to hide them.
The bar wizard looked Harry up and down. "What can I get for you friend?"
Harry decided a change in tactics was in order. This time, he would not show himself as a law enforcement officer. "I'm looking for a mate. His name is Michael Corner. I understand he may have taken a room here."
"He's taken a room here alright." The bar wizard replied with a crude wink. "More like he's the starring attraction. That wizard has brought more business to my place than I've seen in the last year."
Harry hunched his shoulders and turned palms up to the bar wizard. "I don't understand what you mean sir. Have you hired Michael?"
The bar wizard gave Harry a look that suggested he thought the man in front of him to be dense. "You English blokes. Sex shows Mukker. Sex shows. Your mate brings in three different witches three times a week. Ten Galleons to get in for a show which lasts anywhere from ten to thirty minutes depending on the witch. Twenty five Galleons if you want to stay for all three shows. MC as he is called rarely goes soft. If you know what I mean. I've never seen anything like it. There's a show tonight. Ten Galleons to MC's manager over there in the booth by the window will get you in."
"His manager?" Harry asked in surprise. Michael had gone mad. That's the only thing Harry could think. Doing Sex Shows for money. Managers. Michael was troubled, but this. This was bullshite.
"Actually," said the bar wizard wiping the bar with a soiled rag. "MC has three different managers. Two of which always escort him to a show. I found that strange at first, but now I just go with it. What can I get you? You can't just sit around. This is a pub."
Harry ordered a sour tasting brew which after one sip he sat on the bar. All the while keeping a steady eye on Michael's manager. When the man's features were burned into his brain. Harry went to the Men's where he sent an Auror-to-Auror message to Randy with specific instructions.
Harry wasn't sure there were only three wizards involved in this scheme so he wasn't taking any chances. If it came down to a duel, he wanted his team to have his back.
According to the wizard behind the bar, the show started at 9:00. Which gave Harry a few hours to get things done. First things first though. Harry walked over to the manager and plunked down ten Galleons.
Looking Harry up and down, the burly wizard spoke in an acid tone. "Hasn't anyone told you the rules?" He asked speaking from the side of his mouth without looking at Harry. "Money does not exchange hands until fifteen minutes before time. Now move along. You're beginning to irritate me."
Harry wanted to hex this smug bastard so badly, but knew he would have to play along if he wanted to get to the bottom of this thing. With the bloody, sour drink sloshing around in his stomach, Harry walked away.
/*/
Harry left the pub Apparating directly to the Scotland Branch of Magical Law Enforcement where he would wait for Randy, Anthony and Justin to arrive.
As loathe as Harry was to get outsiders involved in another of Michael's schemes. He had to involve Scottish Magical Law Enforcement. He wasn't going to make another faux pas like the one in Ireland. Harry spoke to the Head of SBMLE explaining what he believed was happening.
"Sex Shows? Gasped the head man. "Are you sure of this Potter? I've heard what this Corner pulled in Ireland. I don't want anyone from my teams getting sacked trying to help out a bloody wanker."
Here was another bloody arsehole Harry wanted to throttle. Instead, he just nodded his head promising nothing of the sort would ever happen again.
After a bit more desultory conversation, the Head of the SBMLE gave Harry an impromptu tour of the building stopping at Food Services so Harry could have a tea and sandwich. By the time they returned to the office, Justin, Randy Anthony and Millicent had arrived and were waiting quietly in the hall.
Before Harry could ask why she was there, Millicent told him he would have to measures later because there was no way she was staying in London with all this going on.
Harry decided he would see to Millicent later. He wasn't going to give the appearance he couldn't handle any of his team. Anyway, it was Millicent's tip, after all, which had brought him to Scotland.
Although SMLE was onboard, only two of the younger officers were authorized to accompany the Brits. If the Head could have gotten out of sending those two, he probably would have. However, the law was the law. Scottish Officers had to be there for any arrests that might have to be made.
After formulating a plan, Harry gave Millicent watch duty explaining a witch would be dead out of place in a scheme such as this.
Millicent who was one of Michael's staunchest supporters didn't take kindly to being left on the outside, but understood the nature of the case called for her to remain away from the pub.
They were set
/*/
It was 8:30 when Harry returned to The Sallow Hag. Nodding to the bar wizard, Harry ordered one of the foul brews he'd had earlier.
"So. The show has peaked your interest." Remarked the same bar wizard. "I took you for one of those goody guys who wouldn't look at any woman other than your wife."
This whole of bloody Scotland is full of arseholes, thought Harry. To the man behind the bar, Harry gruffly replied. "I'm not married. Besides, how do you know I'm not interested in seeing my mate's never ceasing erection?"
"N-never thought of that." The man stammered looking at Harry with a queer eye. "To each his own." He added moving farther away as though he might catch something if he remained close.
"Arsehole." Harry mumbled taking a sip of his disgusting drink.
From 8:40 to 8:45, Justin, Randy, Anthony and the two SMLE Officers sauntered into the pub one by one. Evidently the rule about buying something was in full effect as all the men who came through purchased a drink, walked over to the manager, a different one this time, to pay his entry fee.
Harry's group waited around before paying their entry fees as it was obvious once you paid you had to head straight through a pair of curtains to wherever the show was being held.
Randy and Justin were starting to get antsy when three men entered from a door Harry hadn't even realized was there and marched straight across the room to the curtained doorway. Harry went stiff. The middle man sandwiched between the other two was Michael. A person didn't have to be in law enforcement to recognize the slack look on Michael's face. He had been Imperiused.
Harry gave a quick shake of the head as Randy made a move towards Michael and the two wizards. Michael had gotten himself into some shite. Harry gave the signal and one by one they gave the manager ten galleons for which they received a stamp on the back of their hand.
Harry walked through the curtain, took two steps and found himself in some type of arena. True to the description. It was a Sex Show. The naked witch made all the right moves and took all the right positions, but without showing any emotion. As did Michael. Michael and the witch were having sex and sexual intimacy in front of at least thirty people while the managers stood off to the side making crude comments for the benefit of the audience.
Harry was disgusted. With a shout of, "Do it now." Harry cast an Anti-Apparition Spell over the room as the SMLE and his team began shouting for everyone to stay where they were.
Randy and Anthony had orders to see to Michael and any witch or witches. Which they did. Randy had to remove the Anti-Apparition Spell in order to get Michael and the witches away. When the spectators realized the spell had been removed. There were pops of Disapparition all over the arena.
Harry didn't care. He wasn't interested in the spectators. He wanted to get his hands on the managers. But neither he nor SMLE had the chance. Millicent had appeared seemingly out of nowhere and had the managers stunned, bound and bleeding from the ears before anyone could react.
/*/
One SBMLE officer took the prisoners from Millicent while the other took the man behind the bar into custody sealing the pub doors shut.
It was done. Time to get back to the SBMLE.
With the Imperius Curse lifted, Michael Corner was back to himself with no memory of what had transpired over the previous weeks. Because he was more or less a victim, SMLE released Michael into Harry's custody with the stipulation he leave Scotland when Harry left.
Harry spoke quietly to Michael before setting orders that his team accompany Michael back to London and leave him at Grimmauld Place.
/*/
Because they had no memory of being kidnapped or forced to participate in sex shows. The victims were no help to SMLE. The three witches plus six more who were located in a hovel behind the pub were given a quick check up by a healer and sent on their way with a caution to mind who they chose to pal around with.
As far as the three managers and the bar wizard went, they were detained for conspiracy, kidnapping witches, unlawful confinement and charging money for illegal activities. The three managers were also charged with using the Imperius Curse on a person or persons which carried a sentence of up to five years for each count.
"Thank you for your cooperation sir." Harry offered breathing a sigh of relief that this entire farce was over. Extending his hand, Harry assured the Head of SMLE he wouldn't be hearing from Michael anytime soon.
"Well we can thank Merlin for that. Can't we? If he's trying to ruin the reputation of your Auror Department, he's had a good head start. You'll need to keep that man on a short leash."
Although he had a curt retort on the tip of his tongue, Harry said nothing more to the Head than it had been a pleasure working with him. It was important to Harry he leave even the tiniest line of communication open between him and SBMLE for the future.
Harry was more than glad to get outside and activate his automatic portkey. Fifteen minutes later he was walking into his office. After a quick shuffling of the documents on his desk and finding nothing that couldn't wait. Harry caught a lift down to the main floor where he stepped outside and Apparated directly to Grimmauld Place.
Mate or not. It was time he laid Michael Corner out in lavender.
/**/
Tuesday morning, Hermione and Severus had a quick breakfast together before he left for the shop. They'd had a short discussion in which Hermione explained her plans for the day.
Severus had been quite agreeable as everything Hermione planned moved them closer to his goal of a wedding and a pregnancy. Severus had stepped into the floo in the best of spirits.
/*/
Hermione had decided to take the day to get some of her affairs in order. It was her intention to confirm their reservations for Bali, confirm the services of the wedding planner, visit several bridal shops in Muggle London and discuss her plans to sell the cottage with someone in the real estate office in Diagon Alley. It would be a full, but productive day.
Hermione's first two errands hadn't taken any time. At 10:30. Hermione found herself being seated in the office of a Bridal Consultant to explain what type of wedding dress she preferred.
Hermione explained the type of dress she wanted. A fitted bodice with a full skirt. The clerk brought Hermione three huge books telling her to take her time browsing.
Hermione looked at the books with a resigned sigh as she opened the first book. She just wanted a white wedding dress. This process would take her all day.
Hermione was halfway through the second book when she saw it. She saw the dress. Simple yet magnificent. Best of all. It was white.
The clerk had disappeared so Hermione went to find her. Now that she had found the dress. Hermione was excited to try it on. Thirty minutes later, Hermione was staring at herself in a full length mirror in the fitting room. She looked so gorgeous her eyes began to burn with unshed tears.
Hermione was emotional. This was a time she should have been sharing with her mother and father and girlfriends. But life didn't always turn out as planned. A few tears rolled down Hermione's cheeks which she hastily wiped away. A war had changed the entire course of her life, but grieving for what had been lost had no place in her life now. What was gone was gone. She had a wizard who loved her and wanted to marry her. They would start a brand new life path. A brand new beginning. And it would start with her lovely, white wedding dress.