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Chapter 36

Hermione hated the manor. She tried to not make it so obvious but of course Severus could read through her. They had been in the manor for two weeks before Tom decided to invite Minerva over. Hermione went to the hospital that day and found the children playing gobstones. They were playing by the main drawing room near the staircases.

"Hello Mrs. Snape." Minerva smiled her way. Tom smiled. She kissed his forehead. "Where is your father?"

"His study. Someone is there with him." Tom said carelessly.

She was surprised that they were not listening behind the door. She then realized that Severus must have muffliatoed the room.

Hermione decided to not meddle and sat down to look at the children play. Hermione would furtively glance at the staircase. It was about to be an hour before Severus emerged with another man. He was not as tall as Severus and looked familiar. Hermione could not place him.

Severus looked at her. "Hermione, this is Mr. Longbottom."

"Harfang. You must call me Harfang." He said and smiled at her.

"These must be your children. May I say, you are too young to have such grown children." Neville's relative said with a short laugh.

Hermione shook her head, "This one is mine. Minerva is a friend of Tom's."

"Minerva McGonagall." The girl said and offered a brilliant smile.

"You are the famous Minerva. Leo has told me much about you." The man said.

"Are you Leo's father?" She asked.

"I am." The man replied. "I am forever grateful that you took him to the hospital wing that night. He is too stubborn for his own good. Takes after his mama." The man said amiably.

"Lionel Longbottom. The big bloke that plays quidditch." Tom commented.

"That same one. He's a fifth year. He has not told me much about you." The older man said.

"Well, I am in Slytherin. He probably does not know me. I only know of him through Minnie." Tom said with a smirk.

Minerva blushed a little. Hermione intervened, "it's nice to meet you."

"I must get going. Think about my offer Severus." The man stepped walked out to the front door. "I know the way."

"How about lunch?" Severus asked.

Hermione nodded, "I hope Winky made those kidney pies I like." Tom said with a grin.

It was delicious lunch. Hermione had to say that it was easy for her to get used to this type of service. She did not have to worry about cooking, cleaning or doing anything house related really. She felt horrible for feeling that way. The young woman tried to excuse herself with the knowledge that at least, these house elves were paid decently.

Minerva left around early evening. "I will see you in a month." She said to Tom. "Owl me your potions assignments. I want to check mine."

"No." Tom replied honestly.

Minerva frowned, "you will." She said and was engulfed by the Floo powder.

"I will be in the garden." Tom then left them.

Severus rubbed his forehead. Hermione sat by him, "what did he want?"

"Him and Potter want me to take a more active role in Hogwarts' Board of Directors." Severus replied.

"Do not make that face. I will not take it." Severus said with a scowl.

Hermione refused to feel like a scolded child. She remained quiet. "I have had a long day Severus."

"So have I." He replied matching her tone.

Hermione looked at Severus and noticed to rings under his eyes. He did not sleep. He was closed off. She also did not sleep well. They had not touched each other since they came to the manor. She missed him.

The young witch grabbed his hand and kissed it, "you can tell me." She said softly.

Severus nodded, "Longbottom wants to push Abraxas Malfoy out of the board. Potter is far too busy trying to have a baby. Longbottom wants me to be his partner in all of it. Crouch is still trying to appeal the will and get us out of here. Gringotts of course will not hear any of it. Octavius sent a letter today. They are fine and happy but need an advance on their allowance, something about traveling from Egypt to China. He requires me to deal with the goblins from branch to branch. I now have to go back to Diagon Alley and do that." Hermione listened and smiled.

"I'll have a surprise when you come back." She said and smiled at him. Hermione kissed his lips gently.

She saw him apparate. Hermione went up the stairs. She looked into the master bedroom and the adjacent bathroom. It had a wonderful bathtub. Severus and her needed relaxing. She knew that they did. Hermione could not stop thinking that everything would go wrong. She thought about the past two weeks and how focused she was on her fears and insecurities about Tom becoming a bigoted wizard. Hermione tried to push those thoughts away and focus on what her and Severus needed.

She filled up the tub and placed a sound proofing and locking charm around the room just in case Tom decided to nose around. Tom actually stopped knocking on their door when they moved to the manor. She understood that, although she hated the place; Prince manor was beautiful and intriguing. Tom spent most of his time exploring. He was now into the gardens and the greenhouses. All of it was safe, Severus separated all the dangerous plants and catalogued them in his lab. She did not change her clothes but began to read a book. Hermione immersed herself in it. The charm alerted her of Tom trying to open the bedroom door.

Hermione saw her son walking away to his room. "Tom."

The boy turned and walked to her, "I wanted to say good night." He said and kissed her cheek.

"I am going to Dolohov's tomorrow." He said in passing.

"I don't recall you asking for permission." Hermione frowned.

Tom scowled, "well, you agreed before the move. I do not see why you would change your mind."

Hermione sighed, "I expect you back before supper."

"Yes mum." He said with a smile.

She went back to the room. She could confront Severus about what a stupid idea it was to let Tom go to Dolohov's. Hermione stopped pacing the room and tried to go back to her room. It would not do well to ruminate anymore. It was done, Tom had permission and would go.

Hermione heard the door in their bedroom open after about another thirty minutes. Severus came in and sat on the bed. He hunched. "Come." She said and kissed his cheek.

Severus followed her to the bathroom silently. "I had to fill out a bloody application and three forms before they agreed to start the process. It is our bloody money. Why do I need to do so much to divert some of it?"

Hermione needed things to be perfect and he was in a bad mood. "I've been thinking."

Severus sighed. Hermione decided to be the bigger person and not respond to the exasperated sigh. "I've been thinking that we need to relax."

Severus arched an eyebrow. "What do you propose?"

"Well, a bubble bath for starters." She said and began undressing him. "A massage would be nice too." She ran her fingers over chest. Severus smirked, "I like the sound of that."

Hermione pecked his lips. "I would like for you to be wearing considerably less." He said and kissed her a little more. Severus undid her blouse and tried to take off her bra.

"Don't you want the bath and the massage?" She feebly asked when he kissed her neck and turned her to the bedroom.

"Later, maybe." He unsnapped her bra and caressed one of her breasts. Hermione walked to the bedroom and shimmied out of her skirt. Severus had his pants on, Hermione unbuckled him. "I've missed this." She thought aloud.

Severus hardened and kissed her deeply. "I've missed you." He kissed her earlobe and took her to bed. They were naked and rubbing against each other. He played with her and continued to kiss her lips and neck.

Hermione wrapped her hand around him. Severus growled. He pushed her hand out and entered her. Hermione moaned and tightened around him. "Look at me." She said and smiled when he smiled at her.

"Fuck, you feel wonderful." He whispered.

"Severus." She moaned and moved to kiss him some more. "Fuck, I'm close." He picked up the pace and touched her clit. Hermione's eyes rolled. "So fucking good inside me."

Severus lost control and spilled inside her. "I love you." He said breathlessly.

Hermione's eyes opened. She turned to look at him. He had a huge smile on his face and was sweaty. The woman felt her heart explode. She sat up. "Do you mean it?"

"Mean what?" He sounded a little sleepy. Hermione moved to straddle him.

"I appreciate the leap of faith but I don't think I can go again. Give me a little time." He said.

"Severus, do you love me?" She asked him seriously.

He opened his eyes. "Of course I love you."

Hermione smiled and kissed him. "You have never said it before." She then frowned, "Is this because I just helped you get off?"

He did not let her finish and kissed her deeply.

"I love you." He said and continued kissing her. Hermione smiled and grabbed his face. "Show me how much."

Severus looked into her eyes and showed her his memories of her. Hermione saw herself through his eyes but this time Severus held nothing back.

The witch saw the first time they made love. He saw herself through his eyes. She looked beautiful and sensual. Hermione felt immense love and happiness when she saw herself and Tom laughing. She saw a picture of her and his smile. Severus kissed her softly, "how could I not fall in love with you?" He offered her a small smile. His eyes crinkled a little.

She wiped tears from her eyes and attacked his face with kisses, "I love you. I love you, I love you." She kissed every inch of his face and then his chest until she went lower and lower. He was up and ready for her. The witch smirked and began licking him.

Hermione sucked and licked at him until he was spent in her mouth. Severus then kissed her neck and lowered his fingers. He moaned softly when his fingers met her wetness. Hermione let him play with her and orgasmed when he used his mouth on her.

She blessed his nose and pulled at his hair until he made her squirm. "Fuck." He entered her and bucked into her. Hermione moved with him and saw stars when he kissed her jerked inside of her.

She smiled and kissed his ear. "I wish we could stay like this all day.

He rumbled and moved to her side, "perverted woman." He rested his hand on her belly.

Hermione slept calmly for the first time since they moved to the manor. Severus held her all night and kissed her neck to wake her up. His hands were moving lower when they heard the knocks on the door.

"blasted child." Severus grumbled and stood up. He walked to the bathroom. Hermione sighed and stood up as well. She put on her robe and opened the door.

Tom sported a huge grin, "I've been invited to go with professor Slughorn to Transylvania."

Hermione rubbed the sleep away from her eyes, "Let me see." She asked for the parchment.

Professor Slughorn invited him and eleven other students to an excursion. It would take place the last three weeks of August. The potions master would take the boy back to Hogwarts. Hermione did not like it but noted that there was no Dolohov, Rosier, or Montagues. She saw Minerva's name on the roster too. "Why is dad still here?"

"Showering. I assume it is quite early." Hermione said yawning.

"No it isn't. Mum, it is past eleven." Tom frowned.

Hermione looked away, "well, your father got home very late yesterday."

Tom nodded, "will you show him? He has to say yes." Hermione sighed.

"You can talk to him when he comes home." She said and walked into the bathroom.

"I'm going to the gardens." Tom called out.

Severus showered. He made one for the manor. Hermione used the loo and then joined him inside the shower. Severus was quite taller than her and made these encounters a little difficult but fun. "Did you know that it is past eleven?"

Severus lathered her hair, "Well, it is Saturday. I am not expected to show up for work and neither are you."

Hermione kissed his chin. Severus grabbed her buttocks and hoisted her. She shrieked and snaked her legs around his hips. "I like you like this. All wet and ready for me." He walked them back to the bed. "I want to ride you." She said and smirked when his eyes became deep pitch black.

"By all means." He laid on the bed and stroked himself. Hermione kissed his nose and began to rub herself on top of him.

"Tom wants to go to an excursion to Transylvania." She said and took him inside of her.

"Tom is the last thing I want to think about right now." Severus hissed and grabbed her hips to set a pace. Hermione gyrated over him and stopped talking of Tom. She concentrated on Severus and his eyes filled with desire.

She collapsed and was sweaty on top of him. He moved her hair from his face. "When is his excursion?"

"Last three weeks in August." Hermione said, almost sleepily.

"What do you think?" Severus asked her while twirling her hair.

"He'll hate us if he does not go. He's capable to take care of himself and I want him away from Dolohov and Rosier." She explained quickly.

Severus sighed, "We would have whole weekends in bed without him." Severus persuaded.

Hermione laughed, "that is not a good enough reason to let him go."

"We could always put a trace on him." Severus said off handedly.

Hermione frowned, "can you do that?"

Severus smirked, "of course I can. How did you think I tracked Potter during summer breaks?"

Hermione gaped at him, "you cared for him."

Severus frowned, "of course not. I had to keep him safe. I made sure he was where he was supposed to be while he was underage. As you know, there is no trace after one is seventeen years old."

"Teach me." Hermione said and stood up to grab her wand and hand him his.

Severus sat up and showed her the wand movement and the words. "Think of Tom and say "persequor." He stated clearly.

The wand revealed a parchment with Tom's location, "East Gardens, Prince Manor."

Hermione smiled, "I don't see why he should not go by himself."

Severus nodded, "Let see what he offers first."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked him.

Severus took her hand and went to the shower with her. This time they both cleaned each other, "The last time he wanted to go to Slughorn he lied but was willing to do manual labor in exchange of permission. I wish to see the lengths of his desire to go to this trip."

Hermione shook her head, "fine but do not be so cruel. Let him know by tomorrow night."

As it happened, Tom was driven to go. He pleaded his case and offered his best behaviors, high marks in all subjects and to give his birthday and Christmas gift. Hermione gave Severus a look after this tidbit.

"You may go and yes you will have your gifts." Severus said before Tom went to bed that night.

Hermione smiled when Tom kissed her cheek, "thank you mum." Tom always thought that it was Severus who refused him things.