AN. Back on days and hope to update frequently now. I make no monies and JK owns the realm of Harry Potter. I write for enjoyment.
Chapter 26 Revelation
Hermione woke with a start finding the left side of the bed empty and felt eyes upon her. Turning over she found Severus sitting in a chair, dressed in his usual black robes watching her.
"Good Morning Husband." She greeted him rising from the bed and walked over and sat on his lap.
He wrapped his arms around her. "Good Morning Wife. I trust you slept well?"
"I did Severus. Nothing feels different though."
Severus chuckled. "Our wedding wasn't exactly normal. When the school breaks for the Holidays I plan on a proper Honeymoon. Still it does not change things for our Bond is complete now."
Hermione looked into his black Onyx eyes and jumped when she heard his voice in her head. "See?"
She looked away and concentrated for a moment and pushed some thoughts to him.
Severus chuckled. "I should have woken you earlier if I would have known what you were thinking. Alas we have no time for breakfast is in fifteen minutes and that gives you enough time to take a shower and get ready for the day. I took the liberty of fetching your teaching robes from your chambers for you." Pushing her off his lap. "Get ready for I have an important announcement to make and it involves you."
Hermione leaned down and pecked him on the cheek. "I love you Severus."
He watched her go to his bath chambers, leaving the door open and heard the shower turn on. She came back in with a towel wrapped around her lithe body and watched her drop the towel and dressed into her teaching robes before going back to the bathroom. Soon she came back in hair dried and placed into a bun as normal and looked to him. "Like what you see?"
Severus stood up and moved to her. "Not as much as when you sat in my lap earlier in your nightgown but I suppose it will do for now. We will talk about your living arrangements later Professor Snape." Holding his arm out to her and smiled to her when she took it. "I took the liberty of placing a marriage announcement in the Daily Prophet. I'm sure it will cause a stir."
"Let's face the day then Headmaster Snape. I suggest entering through the main entrance to the hall for full effect."
"You know me too well Professor Snape." Severus replied and led her out of his bed chambers missing the shouts of congratulations from the portraits as he led her out and down the moved down the hall hand in hand.
The noise in the Great Hall fell to silence as the students noticed Headmaster Snape walking down the main aisle separating the houses to two on a side, Professor Granger's hand on his arm. Everyone watch him lead her to her place at the Head table, seating her before moving to the winged podium.
"Another week of learning begins once again at this esteemed school. The Daily Prophet has not been delivered so I will tell you what is in it. In the marriage announcements you will find that I have married Professor Hermione Granger who will be known as Professor Snape from this moment forward . I expect you to treat her according to her status of my wife. Now eat up and enjoy your breakfast and your lessons for the day."
Severus moved to his chair pausing to shake the hands of his staff as the students politely clapped out at the news before tucking in.
Hermione glanced to her table and watched the Slytherins looking to her in approval. At least one benefit would be had from her marriage to Severus.
The day went on with nothing new except her House was as respectful to her as they were last year.
She held her open classroom time for students as she always did and was pleased that none should up tonight, realizing that was the unspoken gesture to her. She waited a few minutes and then left her classroom and entered her chambers finding her husband sitting at her desk reading parchments, watching him turn to her placing the parchment in his hand down.
"No students for your open hour?" He enquired.
Hermione smiled. "I think the students planned it. First night that I had no students show up. I wonder what I will do with my free time since I do not have patrol?"
Severus stood up and moved to her. "I have a few thoughts in mind since we only slept last night. We can start with what you revealed to me this morning." He whispered in a silky voice.
Hermione fell into his arms and kissed him deeply before breaking the kiss. "I'd like that." Leading him to her bed chamber.
Once in she removed his outer cloak and began to un-button the many buttons on his tunic, growling out there was far too many and felt him pull away from her.
She watched Severus clutch his arm. "He calls Hermione." Growling out and looked to her in sadness for a moment before he turned his heal and Apparated away.
Hermione sat on her bed and thought to herself. "Be well Severus."
Severus arrived and found Voldemort standing alone in a deserted room. "Curious timing Lord Malfoy passing to the Veil and your marriage don't you think?"
Severus stood still. "My Lord, I swear that I have sent him the potions. I have not seen him in months."
"I know he was taking the antidote Severus. With his death I do not have a check and balance over you now."
"I think my Lord is enough check and balance. Have I given you any reason to doubt my loyalty since you came back. I have done everything you requested. I killed all of the children as you commanded and the Phoenix was not warned despite a member of that group being with me. What more can I do to prove my loyalty?"
"What more indeed?" Eyes glittering. "Sacrifice Severus that is what I require. Come with me and I will tell you my plan. Lucius's death has sped up my time table. I was sure he could have held out longer before killing himself." Wrapping a long arm around Severus's shoulder and guiding him out of the room.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Severus Apparated to the gates of Hogwarts and opened them up and closed them behind him. He gazed up to the castle that he called home. Things would be changing based on Voldemort's plan.
He walked up the path towards the castle. He could have Apparated straight to his office but he needed time to think, time to plan.
Passing past Hagrid's hut he found the large form of the half-giant standing in front of him. "Severus! The most amazin thing is happening an thank Gods yer here. Come with me! I don know what to do!"
Severus followed Hagrid catching mumbled words Centuar and baby, allowing the wizard to drag him toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest and stopped. The entire Centuar herd stood with one on the ground moaning out in pain.
One snorted and stamped forward. "Riona is with foal and having trouble. The stars have told us that she is not to live or the foal and she insisted on being brought here. She is my Queen and forced a Dying Wish on me."
Severus recognized Bane the king of the Centuars living in the forest. "What do you require of wizards Bane? You barely recognize us and insist on classifying you as a magical beast. Your herd only joined in the Final Battle to protect you grounds."
Bane leaned in and whispered. "She insists of it and I love her Headmaster. Her foolish belief that those lesser of us can help her. It is foolish and I have brought my herd to watch her predicted death so they can learn that YOU are weak and lesser of us."
He looked down to the blonde haired female Centuar on the ground quietly snorting. Despite the Centuar's words he did not miss the hope in them.
"A moment Bane." Pulling Hagrid away and spat a stream of words to him before leading him to the queen and both knelt down.
Severus knelt down and whispered. "Riona we will try but the stars? Your people believe in them and you defy what your Seers find?"
Riona panted. "I know but I do not want to travel to the green meadow without Bane. I love him."
Severus pushed the hair away from her and whispered. "My wife feels the same for me and I understand you Bond even if your king ignores the value of us."
Severus pulled Hagrid to him. "You foal Unicorns and Threstals Hagrid. Do what you always do."
Hagrid moved behind the queen. "Lady I need to find what is going on."
"Hold a moment Hagrid before you do what I think." Flicking his wand and watched the runes that appeared. "Her foal is turned the wrong way. I can fix this." Placing his wand on Riona and whispered a spell. He could have done it silently but the herd needed to hear it.
Firenze moved to his King. "Bane look to the stars and tell me what you see!" He shouted out in excitement.
Bane looked up to the stars and snorted in disbelief and called the Seers to him.
"Mars aligns my King! And Venus whispers! The wizard people are meant to be here! A warrior before us and yet there is more. Love lost and another found to mettle the hardened heart. Your love for our Queen shines through from one tainted to assist."
Bane snorted as his Seers left him excitedly.
Severus stood up and pulled Hagrid up with him. "Watch Hagrid. All will go as nature has always intended it to be."
Everyone stood in silence and watched Riona birth her son, watching one female centaur approach to assist. Soon mother and son stood.
Bane moved to the wizard. "You do the impossible for the stars last night said they would be lost to me and yet the stars changed their mind at your arrival. Name my son Headmaster Snape one now worthy to be part of my herd!"
Severus looked to the son. He knew next to nothing of Centuars and their naming and thought for a long moment. He looked to the stars and found the Moon shining bright.
"A worthy name for him and I know you look to the stars and the planets and honored Bane. The moon shines bright for us tonight Bane, full of hope. I think Munir would be appropriate for your son. The name is of human Arabic origin and means it means shinning, luminous. Look at your newborn son glowing in the moonlight." He spoke softly for only the father and Hagrid to hear.
Bane looked to the full moon shining bright and looked to his son and found him shining in the moonlight as his queen attended their son.
Bane moved away and rose up with a happy shout. "This wizard is my brother as he has saved my Queen and my son! Munir is my son's name and it means shining and luminous in their words. Look to my son and the Moon for the name is perfect!"
Shouts of joy sounded out in the still edge of the forest from the herd. Severus watched the Seers rush to their king, hooves pointed at the stars while Bane nodded and walked back to Severus.
Bane walked back to the wizard and leaned to him. "You walk the line of Dark and Light and my Seers cannot see your future Severus Snape, brother to me now. You have one that you love and she will be tested but not more than you. The future is unsure for your Wizarding world and you can always rely on my herd and hoof."
"You have your future in your son. My destiny is mine to control and remember you can control yours as well. I thank you for your warning for your Seers are always right. Fate brought me here to you tonight and it was the stars that made it so."
Bane snorted pleased. The tall, pale wizard understood their beliefs unlike others, but still believed he could control his own.
"Rubius Hagrid and Severus Snape are of our heard along with all of the stallions and mares that issue from their loins. So mote it and remembered." Bane shouted out.
"So mote it." The herd murmured before melting into the forest.
The wizards watched the herd depart with Hagrid turning to him, amazement on his face and exclaimed. "A herd pact Severus! Never has it been done in the history of centaurs and wizards." Wiping a tear away and looked to his Headmaster.
Severus allowed a smile. "It is wonderful to see new life spill forth when it was predicted not to be so. I need to go to my witch and I will have Poppy teach you what I did tonight in case they visit you again."
Hagrid looked to him. "I did not care fer the words of the future Severus I will always stand by you and Hermione." Leaving as he knew his words would make the Headmaster uncomfortable and moved to his hut.
Severus waited feeling joy at giving life given despite the expected rejection of prophecy. It proved that things could change. A new life because of his intervention and it was so long that he gave life compared to snuffing it out. Never, he reflected after thinking a moment. If he was allowed a son Munir would be his name.
He made his way up the darkened path to the castle reflecting on his life to this point in time. He had changed and he loved a witch with all of his heart once again. He hoped she would be strong for the future.
The bright woman smiled watching the wizard leave. He did have the right mettle after all.