Chapter 36

January 9, 2000

Severus glowered at the students sitting at their workstations. Several of them were fidgeting in their seats. His glower intensified and he exhaled deeply out of his nose. "Class dismissed," he finally drawled. Instantly, the scrape of chairs across the stone floor pervaded the space and he turned to erase the day's instruction from the board.

"Have a fantastic evening!" called the voice of one Ginevra Weasley across the classroom. He whirled back around, quirking an eyebrow at the girl, and was almost positive he caught her winking at him.

There was no way she could possibly know. No one knew. His own wife didn't even know. He frowned. He had worked hard nearly all of his life – and certainly all of his adult life – to be certain that no one ever found out. He never intended to tell anyone, ever, save on legally binding paperwork, and even then it was like pulling teeth, having to be assured numerous times that it was, in fact, required information.

He huffed loudly at the now-empty classroom, waving his hand to it at large. Instantly, the room straightened and he breezed past the benches toward the door. NEWT level seventh years was his last class of the day, for which he was grateful. Today of all days, he did not think he could handle another lot of first years. Today was a landmark. A changing point. He was unbelievably thankful that no one knew.

The hallways were full of students bustling either to their common rooms or toward the Great Hall for dinner. He was among the latter group, hoping to get there early and fulfill his duty before retiring to his rooms for the evening, where he hoped to have a few quiet hours reading the most recent issue of Potions Daily – preferably wrapped comfortably around his wife. He stalked past the students, gliding directly down the middle of the corridor, and was pleased to note that they seemed to sense his dark mood and edge away from him, hugging the heavy stone walls while giving him a wide berth. There was something so satisfying about being able to part a crowd just with his presence. It put to rest his concerns that Hermione and the baby were softening him.

The Great Hall was mostly empty when he swept through the staff entrance. Hermione, who was seated in her usual chair, looked up at him with a beaming smile as he entered and he felt his glare soften a fraction. He knew that the students would not notice – save perhaps the She-Weasel, whose presence he was learning to endure outside of class – but that she would notice and recognize the gesture. He sank into his seat beside her and she passed him the bowl of mashed potatoes before he could ask for them.

He inclined his head. "Thank you," he said softly enough that only she would hear.

"You're welcome," she answered brightly.

"You seem cheerful today," he remarked as he loaded his plate with a surprising number of his favorite foods. Odd that the elves would string so many of them together.

She shrugged, smiling at him. "It's a good day."

He grunted noncommittally.

"I think that you will find when we return to our chambers, that it is."

He took in her small smile and cleared his throat, feeling a particular tightening in his trousers. He quirked an eyebrow at her, certain that she knew exactly what she was doing. "I look forward to finding out what a good day it is."

She smiled and patted his knee. "I'm certain that you are."

Fueled as he was by the thought of what was potentially to come, Severus could not bring himself to shovel his food down without tasting it. The elves had really outdone themselves tonight and he enjoyed every bite. He could feel Hermione watching him throughout the meal and he had to reassure himself that she didn't know. No one knew. He was being paranoid. Ginny was just being her usual self by winking at him, and he was perfectly aware that his wife was quite often eager to get him in bed – not that he would complain about this at any time. There was nothing going on, there was no conspiracy, and they did not know.

When she had finished with her own meal, Hermione leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek. "I'm going ahead. I'll see you at home in a while, yeah?"

"I'll be there," he replied smoothly.

She smiled at him and pushed her chair back from the table. He only watched for a moment as she walked to the staff door, one hand over her bump. As he returned to his meal, his eyes swept out over the students. Ginny was openly watching him and gave him a big grin when he met her gaze. He glowered and looked away from her, scanning the rest of the hall. Radley Lestrange was also watching him. The boy quirked an eyebrow at him when he noticed the professor had caught him looking. The hair rose on the back of Severus's neck and he suddenly felt cold. Lestrange was the first to break contact, looking down at his plate. Severus left to follow her, overwhelmed by a strong urge to be sure that she arrived safely, leaving his plate unfinished.

"Hermione," he called to her retreating form. She was nearly to the stairs leading down to the dungeons. She paused and turned to wait for him.

"Couldn't wait any longer, I see," she hummed.

His brow furrowed. "The Lestrange boy was watching me watching you."

Her face darkened. "Not this again. Severus, we are a couple of a large amount of interest. I'm sure he wasn't the only one watching."

He sighed and passed a hand over his face. "I do hope that you are correct."

She put her hand on his elbow as they descended the stairs. "I'm the Gryffindor know-it-all. Insufferable, some have called me. I know everything," she teased.

"Not everything," he countered under his breath.

She smiled and said nothing in return.

"Good evening," greeted the door knocker as they came into view. "Hermione, you are positively glowing today."

"Why thank you, Richard. Essence of merlock," she returned obligingly. The lock clicked audibly at the password and Severus stepped forward to open the door for her.

"Richard?" he asked as they stepped through. He ignored the lion head's questioning and swung the door shut on him.

"All these years here and you never bothered to ask his name," she said simply. She reached for his hands and pulled him toward her. "Come over here and kiss me," she requested bluntly.

He obliged, cradling her face in one hand as the other made its way to her hip. She licked his lip and he opened his mouth to grant her entrance. She smiled and pulled away.

"I take it that we will not be going to speak with Minerva tonight."

She bit her lip and shook her head. Taking one of his hand in hers, she led him into the kitchen. A large cake sat in the middle of the table. Across the top of the tombstone was written "Severus Tobias Snape" in black lettering. The number "40" was plastered in large red icing across the middle. He groaned loudly. Of course she had found out.

"I didn't think you should have to do it on your birthday," she offered with a smile.

He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I was not aware that you knew my birthday."

"Molly told me."

"I was not aware that Molly knew my birthday."

"Minerva told her."

"I was not aware that Minerva knew my birthday."

Hermione shrugged. "She has access to the staff files. Molly wanted to throw you a party, but I talked her out of it."

He looked at her wearily. "Thank Merlin for you."

She felt warmth blossom through her chest and she blushed. "She did insist on sending a gift for you, though."

He sighed again. "Pushy woman. Alright then, let's have it and be done with it." A lumpy package wrapped in deep blue paper was pushed into his hands.

"She wanted to apologize that it's late. She hadn't known that things were going so well between us or you'd have gotten it at Christmas," she explained.

Severus had a sinking feeling that he knew the contents of the lumpy package, but he obligingly ripped the paper from it to reveal a Slytherin green knitted sweater. A large silver S adorned the front and he grimaced. Hermione stifled a laugh at his expression.

"I told her that you probably wouldn't wear it, but she insisted on making one anyway. Here." She reached for it, taking it from his very willing hands. Reaching for the hem of her blouse, she peeled it over her head, ignoring his stare as she did so. She donned his sweater, pulling the extra length of the sleeves into her hands and rubbing them together. "It's warm," she informed him, smiling. She turned to the cabinets and pulled out two plates, two forks, and a knife. "Cake?"

He nodded, taking the knife from her fingers and cutting two moderately sized slices. They took their plates into the living room. Severus waved his hand at the grate and a fire burst into life. He settled into the corner of their couch and gestured for her to sit beside him. She did so, nestling into his side. They were silent as they each took a bite of his cake. She felt him hum in appreciation.

"I know that you love German chocolate cake."

He nodded. "Thank you. I… have never had a birthday cake before," he admitted.

She shook her head. "Never again will you go without. I vow it."

His heart skipped a beat at the implication. In order for him not to go without, she would have to be with him. Was she saying that she planned to stay with him always? He could not imagine a better present from her. They finished their cake in silence. He snuck an arm around her shoulders and her head dropped against his shoulder. Gingerly, he maneuvered them so that he was lying on the couch with his back propped partially against the arm, while she rested against him, her body between his legs. His arms went around her and he closed his eyes, content to listen to the crackle of the fire.

"Did you enjoy your dinner?" she questioned.

"I did."

She could feel the rumble in his chest against her back as he spoke. She smiled. "Good. I called in a few favors with the elves to get your favorites tonight."

He said nothing, but moved his hand to run his fingers through her curls.

"I meant to ask, but I never got around to it. On New Year's, you seemed to know your way around the manor quite well." It wasn't quite a question, but she knew he would understand what she was asking.

"Lucius was a year ahead of me in school. We never spoke of my home life, but I believe that he knew that it was less than satisfactory. He took to inviting me to their home for holidays." He paused and she could feel his hesitation. "I first met the Dark Lord at their home the summer before seventh year. Lucius was to take the mark that evening." He absently stroked her hair, his mind caught up in the memories of times long gone. "When my parents died, I was invited to move into the manor until I could get onto my own feet."

Hermione was silent a moment. "What happened to your parents?"

He sighed. "He got drunk at the local pub one night and decided it would be prudent to drive the car through the living room. They were both killed. Thankfully, I was… out… that night, else I would likely have been in the living room with my mother at the time."

"I'm so sorry," she said gently. She felt him shrug.

"She might as well have been dead already. Her spirit died long before her body. As for him…" He trailed off, not finishing the thought. He didn't have to. Odds were that if Tobias Snape had not killed himself, Severus would have done it on the orders of the madman he had just signed up to serve. He could admit to himself that it would not have been a difficult thing for him to do, father or not.

"I'm glad you had someone who was there for you, even if maybe he didn't lead you in the best directions in life."

He nodded, not answering.

oOo

Severus awoke to one glowing yellow eye staring at him, nose to nose, in the darkness. He started, jarring Hermione, who awakened with a groan. As his eyes adjusted to the lighting and his brain kick started, he realized that it was just Ares, sitting on the back of the couch watching him – probably hoping for a very belated dinner. His wife yawned, attempting to sit up, but was largely unsuccessful due to her belly in the way. He obligingly pushed her forward, allowing her to perch on the edge of the cushion.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her voice roughened by sleep. "What time is it?"

He cast a tempus charm and glowing red letters appeared in the air, announcing that it was 1:37 in the morning. He glanced around the room, noting that the fire had burned out while they were asleep. The cake plates were both on the floor. Teeth prints in the sides of the plates testified to the cats' curiosity about the paper. He could deal with the mess later.

"Let's go to bed," he suggested.

"M'kay," she agreed. She allowed him to help her off the couch and lead her into their bedroom. She didn't bother changing into sleeping attire, just stripped down to her undergarments and slipped underneath the blankets. The mattress dipped as he joined her in bed. He slid over to her and wrapped his arms tightly around her frame.

"Thank you for my cake," he murmured in her ear.

"You're welcome," she answered sleepily.

He could tell she was already drifting back off and allowed himself a smile. He took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of her hair, which was threatening to engulf his face. Seeking out her hand, he entwined their fingers and closed his eyes to follow her to sleep.

A/N: Well at this point I had might as well just quit saying that it didn't turn out as I planned and admit that the thing has got a mind of its own. Reviews motivate me best.