Hello my friends, I apologize for the eternity of waiting that you have had to do for this update, I don't know what has gotten into me, other than a lazy muse that wants to go outside and explore the sunshine than write some more chapters. Alas, here is one for you my dears. In the future there should be more updates, sooner, faster, it is summer, yay for me, and I have been brainstorming so hopefully the words will fall from my fingertips and light my computer screen, giving your eyes wonderful delicious treats to read. You should know that Severus is a little different in this chapter, as is Hermione, and I have given his dinner guest an attitude that I've always thought they've had, hopefully you don't feel as though I've screwed up the story by their behavior here. Have a lovely day and I hope that you enjoy this update. Happy reading and writing. –Sevy14
4:00pm Saturday
"What time is it?"
"It's four o'clock, I thought about waking you but I figured that you should sleep since you were tired."
"I'm not tired. I'm pregnant."
"Yes well, I've sent an owl to Narcissa Malfoy-"
"What why?!"
"So that she and Draco may come visit with us."
"…" No.
"I know that you are not pleased to hear that but she has agreed to meet for dinner tonight."
"I don't have time tonight, I have too much homework."
"That's interesting, I remember you finishing your homework last evening."
"Yes well, in any event, I'm much too busy for meeting with them tonight, perhaps another night."
"They will be here at six sharp."
"Hmmph."
Two hours later.
"Mother do I really need to be here?"
"Draco, why is this so hard for you? Severus is your godfather and-"
"And she is my arch nemesis."
"Draco I expect you to be polite and nice to her, she is his wife after all."
"Ew don't remind me."
"Draco! Fix your attitude and your face, I'll not have you looking like sulking boy, you're almost a grown man."
"…"
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Cissa how good of you to come. Draco." Hopefully she's nice to Cissa and at least polite to Draco.
"Severus."
"Uncle." And so my hell begins.
"Well dinner is ready so if you'd like to come in and sit at the table, I'll get Hermione." Merlin please let this night pass smoothly.
"Is she not here?"
"Oh she is not enthusiastic about this evening that is all."
"Oh. Well if it's any consolation neither is Draco."
"Probably because he's a ferret and ferrets don't have feelings you know."
"Hermione!"
"What? That's his name."
"No, his name is Draco."
"It's fine uncle."
"No, it isn't. You're family and she should be polite. Now, who would like to eat?"
"This smells lovely as usual Clinx has outdone himself." This is going to be harder than I thought.
"Yes thank you Cissa. How are things?"
"Oh you know, helping Cartier throw her annual New Years Bash, it is all such a chore while planning the Christmas Ball, I swear I don't know how she got hers off the past few years, it is all such a mess, but thankfully my planning is going fantastic. How are things with you, better I hope?"
"Things are going… Hermione?"
"What?" Stupid. This whole thing is stupid.
"Well Cissa asked how things are going, I thought that perhaps you would have something to add."
"No." Why would I want to add anything. This whole meeting is stupid. "Pass the juice please."
"…"
"Mother it is obvious that whatever you wish to accomplish won't be so, she doesn't want us here." And I can't blame her I don't want to be here anymore than she wants me to be here…
"Why Draco?! What I want accomplished? How dare you insinuate that I would want to get something out of this other than meeting with an old friend, your godfather, and his wife, is that so hard to believe?"
"Mrs. Malfoy, you're a Slytherin, of course you have an alterative motive." Duh!
"Why!" I never.
"Hermione, that wasn't nice. I demand you change your tone and attitude towards Cissa this instance."
"I don't feel like it, and you act like I said the worst thing in the world, which I didn't."
"Regardless of what you think, that was rude." Bloody Gryffendors! If only I could give her detention for that. "Apologize."
"No."
"Hermione…" She is trying my last nerve.
"Severus, really it's quite alright, your wife is entitled to her own opinions, it is no matter."
"Cissa, it does matter. You are my friend, of the very few that I have and since I think I've considerably nice to my wife's friends the very least she could do is be nice and courteous towards you."
"Nice? Do you mean this year only or-or the whole of our Hogwarts existence?"
"…"
"Well I-You have been alright this year, but before…" Well, no need to go into that. He's really mad at me and I feel kind of bad. It's just that things irritate me. Ferret irritates me and well, why would his mum have another reason for being here, she must. "Besides, is it that bad that I think that about Slytherins for the most part?"
"Hermione-"
"And I am aware that you are the Head of Slytherin, I know…." He's gonna definitely yell at me when they leave, I'm getting daggers from his eyes.
"Your tone and what you said to her this entire evening has been less the cordial and I would have expected you to at least have been civil and to not judge her, because of who she's related to, and see that she is my oldest friend." That's living.
That's rich! "Not judge her?! You are asking me to not judge a Malfoy?! Have you lost your bloody mind? If I want to judge a Malfoy or any other pureblooded supremest then I will-besides it isn't like she's helped herself out over the years and you know what no-NO! That is stupid that you think that I would just be civil to her like that just because she is your friend. That's-that's STUPID! If it had been last year she wouldn't even have spit in the spot I stood in because of my blood so don't you dare tell me not to judge her-I think for once people like them should know what it's like to be judged to the extent they've judged others!"
"Are you done?"
"Hmmph." Stupid bloody man. He doesn't know anything except how to protect his stupid Slytherins. Merlin forbid that he actually make an attempt to see where I'm coming from. I'm out of here, this is just ridiculous. He is ridiculous.
BANG!
Granger had been holding that in for a long time that was obvious. Why didn't mother or uncle Severus see something like this happening? She hates me, my family. "Now you know how she really feels about us mother."
"Draco, that comment was not necessary."
"Why? Because it's true?"
"Don't speak to your mother like that Draco."
"I-"
"I said don't." What is her deal? Why is she so defensive to them? Well Draco perhaps, but Narcissa, what has she ever done to her? "Cissa, I apologize, I thought that my wife would be mature enough to have a simple dinner."
"Oh Severus it is alright, I suppose I should've seen this coming. I mean, what did I think was going to happen? That she would be happy to see me, Draco? That doesn't make sense, especially with how Draco has treated her over the years."
"Yes but still Cissa, things were different and you are not the way she believes you to be. I only wanted her to see that."
"May I be excused?" This is boring.
"Go to your room and think about your actions and how they affect others, I expect an essay in the morning post on it."
"What?! Why? I did nothing."
"Tonight perhaps."
"Mum, that's stupid."
"Draco, go, listen to your mother and write the essay."
"I-"
"Or the rest of your time here before Christmas will be very uneventful for you."
"Why would it be uneventful?"
"Because every minute will be spent in detention and doing homework."
"I-That's not fair."
"Life isn't fair Mr. Malfoy, now go."
"I-yes sir. Mum." This is so bloody stupid. Granger had to bollocks everything up. Now I'm punished for what?! Being the way they raised me. Stupid.
"It is true Severus, while things were different during the war, does that make it better now? To her? To those that were hurt?"
"We were both hurt during the war Cissa."
"True, but to what extent? Compared to your young wife, were we?"
"I-"
"And think about it from her perspective. She's muggleborn, she lost her family didn't she? Because of what? People like me, Lucius, like-like Draco. She has every reason to resent me, to not want anything to do with me."
"But you aren't Lucius Cissa and even towards the end Lucius didn't believe in the cause anymore."
"Severus, my own sister murdered her family. My sister. You're right, I'm not him, nor Bella but I am like Remus."
"You-what?"
"Like you in school, when you were being picked on by the James and Sirius, Remus didn't really participate-yet he never said anything, stood up to the wrong he saw being done. And now, you know he feels guilt because of what happened to you, what it drove you to, I'm sure he does."
"Remus and you are nothing alike Cissa, never say that. He is-"
"We are, and your dislike, your hatred for him is as deep as your wife's appears to be for Draco and my family-for all of us who fought to oppress her and those that are like her."
"I don't know Cissa, she doesn't hate people."
"…"
"Really, she isn't like that, never has been."
"Severus, you speak as though you know her well."
"I've taught her for seven years, worked with her in the Order, and-and married her."
"That is true, but I doubt you truly know her."
"I-"
"Otherwise, you would've foreseen what was to happen when we came for dinner."
"Well I…"
"You had hope that it would just work out because you and I are close."
"Yes. You are my family and I-I want her to get along with you, Draco… But perhaps that is out of the cards."
"For now Severus, perhaps for now, I'm sure it'll improve as time goes on."
"…"
"One must always have hope."
"Hmmph. You sound like the old man."
"Who Dumbledore?"
"Yes."
"Haha well I'm a firm believer in hope-it got me through the war… Barely. And it's getting me through every day. Hope isn't instantaneous, it takes time, it took me years to learn that."
"Are you sure you're not trying to get a job?"
"Ah, your defenses have gone up. Relax old friend, relax."
For awhile, the two old friends sat and stared into the fire. Flickering and waving to them, the dancing of the flames putting them into a trance like state. The clock struck 8:00, startling the two silent thinkers back into reality.
"I suppose I should go find her. She's probably upset that I didn't follow after her the minute she left."
"Hmm probably."
"Thank you, that is terribly reassuring."
"Well, I've done that with Lucius, ran out when something upset me, when he didn't follow I-I was more upset. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Yes… How is Lucius, been to see him recently?"
"This morning. He is… Surviving. He has to."
"That is good. I've wanted to see him but I didn't think he'd want to see me-I'm part of the reason why he's in there. I'm sorry. I tried to limit what I knew about the part he played in the war, but I-"
"It is alright. He was bound to spend time in Azkaban, it was just a matter of time when it happened if he didn't, you know…"
"I am still sorry though, he was the only one that never really hurt me."
"He has forgiven you, he told me today, he understands why you did what you did."
"…"
"Did he tell you about his last meeting with Him?"
"No. He was going to but we didn't have the chance."
"He told Lucius that he knew of your treachery, he knew since he returned but he couldn't bring himself to hurt you. That-that if he won, he would have to because the truth would be revealed about you. He-he told Lucius that of all the things he created, you were his prize and most favorite and he regretted never being able to tell or show you."
"That-that is strangely nice of him… I wonder why he said that."
"He told Lucius he wouldn't hurt you, that was the last thing he promised your mother, the only woman he loved…"
"He-my mother?! She never said anything."
"Oh… Well in any event, Lucius went into battle knowing that He wasn't planning on beating the boy, because he would have to destroy you, he couldn't do that, not to the one thing that showed him light in this world."
"I-I don't know if I can believe this came from His mouth Cissa, it is-it is too fantastical, too nice. He doesn't speak like that."
"That's what I told Luc… He insisted that he wasn't making it up-how could he? He said. I didn't know, but it does seem odd and unlike Him to speak in such a way."
"Yes, quite. Perhaps I shall write a letter to Lucius… The guards though, they'll read it."
"Perhaps I can figure something out…"
"How? Do you have anyone that can help you?"
"I-No… But maybe, maybe my niece will."
"Your niece? You don't-Tonks?"
"Yes. I've never spoken to her though."
"I shall ask her to deliver a letter."
"Yes, I am visiting him tomorrow, it's his birthday you know. I should go and get some good sleep before though."
"Yes, you may floo."
"Thank you for the eventful visit. I-I enjoyed it and your wife, she is a good soul, I can tell… Try not to be too hard on her for tonight."
"…"
"Good night old friend."
"Evening."
WHOOSH!
And then there was one. Left to his own thoughts Severus sat contemplating all that had happened this evening and how he was to deal with the onslaught of information gained in the process of having a simple dinner. Standing he turned to go look for his wife but thought better after a minute, she needed to cool down and he didn't know what he thought of the night of her comments so he wrote her a note, posted it on the bedroom door and went to take a bath.
Why did he have to be on their side?! He's stupid, I don't even- "Oof."
"Watch where you going, you shouldn't be-Hermione?"
"I-Professor McGonnagal? I-I.."
"Oh dear what's wrong? Are you alright, the baby is ok? We must get you checked out right away. What were you doing running through the halls, you shouldn't be running in your state."
"Um we got in a fight or well rather I got mad and left. But I'm right, I am. I have every reason to be."
"I'm sure you do dear now come along, we're going to the infirmary."
"No. I'm fine, honest."
"We're going come alone, I don't want to remove points because you weren't listening to your head of house."
"Fine."
Five minutes later.
"Poppy, are you here?"
"Yes dear in the back, what can I help you with? Oh my Mrs. Snape what has happened? Nothing serious, let me check. Up on the bed, come on there you go. Hmm hum hmm mmm mmmhmmm of course, right mmhmm…"
"I'm fine Madam Pomfrey, Professor, really I am."
"Yes, you seem to be alright, a little excited, you need to rest your blood sugar is high."
"Poppy, they got in a fight and she left, we collided in the hallway."
"I have every right to be mad. I do!"
"Why don't you tell us dear, maybe we can help you out."
"Well he-I-he invited the Malfoy's over. I hate them. I hate them you see, Draco has been vile and cruel toward me for as long as I've known him and-and I don't care if they're his friends or family or whatever I hate them. She sat and did nothing while her husband murdered people and she raised Draco to-to think like that and that's just as wrong as what her husband has done. It is! I'm sorry I just can't-I can't you see I-"
"Poppy calming drought is in order I believe."
"Yes, I quite agree. Drink up. There you go. Very good. Just relax, breathe."
"Mrs. Snape, it is apparent that perhaps Severus doesn't know exactly how you feel about his friends, is that possible?"
"Yes… How do you tell someone that you despise the people that they consider family? It'd be like me telling Ginny that I hate Ronald-but I don't and-and that's cruel."
"Cruel Hermione or honest, perhaps a little brutal but honest none the less."
"Well I-he'd be mad at me professor."
"And that has bothered you before?
"No but I just… It's just mean. I know that he is very close with them and that-that makes me mad. He just sat there and agreed with her, took her side like-like I was wrong or something, like my outburst was uncalled for and-and stupid, that I don't have a right to hate them to judge them. Who is he or-or them to say I can't judge them? They're actions have spoken louder than words I've every said Professor and I-he… He just took her side over mine."
"Ahh and there Minerva is the crux of the problem."
"Yes quite, so you're really upset with him taking Mrs. Malfoy's side?"
"No…Yes."
"Why? If it is just opinions, why does that matter?"
"Well I-you see I'm his wife, isn't he supposed to be on my side? Isn't that how it works? And-and with anybody but them and I wouldn't have been so mad… Probably."
"Right, now perhaps Minerva you can take Mrs. Snape to see Albus, maybe he can shed some light on the situation?"
"Good idea. Come along dear, we'll take the back door."
"Back door?"
"Yes this way. Poppy I shall return in a minute."
"Of course, come visit again Mrs. Snape."
"Bye Madam Pomfrey."
"Albus are here?"
"Right here dear, oh Mrs. Snape. Watch your step, my rug is feeling moody. Why don't we sit over here on the couch's, I'm sure that'll be more comfortable for you Mrs. Snape."
"I'm not that big."
"Of course not, but plush cushions are always better than hard surfaces. Now what can I help you two with."
"She and Severus got into a fight, at dinner, with the Malfoy's."
"Ah I see…"
"But I must take my leave, Albus if you'll see her back?"
"Of course my dear. Now Mrs. Snape, why did you fight?"
"He agreed with her. That-that my judgment of them was wrong or-I don't even know. I hate them sir. I do. I don't know if I've ever hated anyone or anything more. I hate them."
"Hate? That is strong word, do you really have the time and energy to hate them?"
"I-no… I really dislike them though sir. I mean, she did nothing to help us win. She-ok well I mean she-you know. She raised Draco allowing him to be cruel towards people like me, animals, elves, and-and he just expects me to be nice and civil to her like that isn't just as bad as doing the evil deed. It is-it's worse. Why doesn't he see that? I don't understand…"
"A dilemma I'm sure my dear. But perhaps he doesn't know how you feel?"
"No… Well he does now."
"How come he didn't know your feelings before? I thought you two were being more open with each other."
"We are. I mean how can I tell him that I don't want to see, hear about, or have anything to do with anything Malfoy? That's mean. They're like his friends his closest ones and-and I can't stand the sight of them."
"Perhaps you can find a compromise within yourself, learn to be civil and around them for Severus? Has he not been accommodating to your friends?"
"He has… But they've never done him serious harm or anything-I mean, they never would want him dead, not seriously. I know that Draco has meant that I should be dead when he's said to me in the past. They aren't like that. And it's only been these past few months sir he's been horrid to us as long as we've known him."
"Has he?"
"Well for the most part. I mean he has been cruel and mean."
"During the war?"
"Well maybe not so much at headquarters. But still…"
"You are upset he took her side over yours?"
"Yes."
"Because you're his wife and he should be with you?"
"Yes!"
"And he is not and that hurts you?"
"Yes… Why can't he see that it hurts me to see him so friendly with people that have made my life miserable?"
"But hasn't he made your life miserable?"
"Yes and no. He gave me knowledge and-and taught me things, a price to pay."
"I see. You should speak to him."
"I know… I should've told him how I felt, honesty is always the best policy…"
"Very true my dear."
"But he is mad me, I know he is."
"How can you? You aren't even there right now."
"I know it. I'm going to the library. Thank you for speaking with me sir. Good evening."
"Good evening my dear."
9:15 pm
After returning from the library Hermione finds that the living and dining room are empty, as his office, the kitchen and a note on the kitchen table.
Hermione-
I suppose I did not think what affect having Cissa and Draco to dinner would have on you. I did not think that you felt so negatively about them, I shouldn't have assumed that you would view them as I do. I'm sorry it was slightly insensitive of me. I only want for you and them to get along because for me, it would be a great weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that I didn't have to divide and be with my families, separately. I've led the double life and I would feel horrible if I had to speak to Cissa or Draco privately because you would be upset that I was meeting with them. The Malfoy's have been my oldest and most trusted friends since Hogwarts and I understand that now, as my wife you should take precedent over them and I suppose, in retrospect, that was not the case this evening. Again, I apologize. I seem to forget that you don't know them the way I do, and I forget the road that you've dealt with in concern to the Malfoy's, for that, I apologize as well. I understand that you're upset and am willing to speak with you about the events that took place this evening whenever you want. It is with that, that my letter ends and if I shan't see you before I go to bed then good night.
-Severus
His note, while sweet, showed her yet another side of the man she's married to, only reassuring in her head that she knew absolutely nothing about him-making the guilt rise up in the back of her throat, touched with a shot of anger and the bedroom, she doesn't see him nor hears him and is about to bed when she hears a sound down the hallway. Stopping in front of the guest bathroom she knocks,
KNOCK. KNOCK.
"What is it?" Was that tone absolutely necessary? "I-uh yes?"
Hmmph. "I'm back, I uh, I just wanted to let you know."
"Um thank you. I'll be out in a bit."
"Okay." Sitting down outside the door for some reason she stares at the plane wood of it and thinks about what she's heard tonight, said, and can't think how she'll talk to him about her feelings towards his friends, his only family until his forced marriage to her. Putting her hands upon her stomach she sighs, realizing that she mustn't be a know it all because she can't figure out how to get through this or how she'll ever survive being married to him-let alone be a parent, she can't even take care of herself. Shifting so that she's laying on her side, she waits until she closes her eyes and thinks about what her life was like when she was just plain Hermione Granger at her primary school, where she was able to sit and do whatever she wanted just like the other kids.
And this is how Severus finds her when he opens up the door, his wife asleep in the middle of the hallway. "Bloody hell" She always falls asleep in the strangest of places. Why not just go to the bedroom and lay down? No, that would make sense, Gryffendors don't think logically. Hmmph. Kneeling, he puts his arms underneath her and lifts her and carries her into their room, placing her upon their bed. Changing her clothes so that she's wearing a nightgown he puts her under the covers in the middle of the bed, making sure to put up the magic walls so that she wouldn't be able to fall off in her sleep. He gathers up Cortes and Orpheus placing them on the bed and the leaves her a note:
Hermione-
You fell asleep in the hallway, why? Regardless of that, I put you to bed, changed you into your nightgown and have left the cats with you. I shall be on the couch until we speak, I do not wish to crowd you and I know that when you read this it shall be day.
Good morning,
Severus
Turning, he leaves the room, cleansing it of light to gather himself upon his old, bumpy couch, in disbelief that he put himself here out of respect for her space, since when does the great bat of the dungeons care others and their space? Because, lets be honest, what man wants to sleep on the couch? Closing his eyes, praying to Merlin that sleep will take him fast into the dream world.
Well my friends. That's that. I hope you liked the update. Review, let me know what you think and look forward to more reviews. Have a lovely day. –Sevy14
