Chapter 38: A Few Announcements
Hermione stood outside McGonagall's office silently, steeling herself for Sunday tea with the Headmistress. The corridor was empty and quiet. She took a breath and knocked.
The door swung open and she heard McGonagall call out, "Come in, dear!"
Hermione smiled as she entered and saw McGonagall sitting with the tea already prepared.
"It's good to see you again," she said.
"Yes, it has been too long since we had a nice chat," said McGonagall, handing her a cup of tea.
Hermione sipped it gratefully – the castle air was cold and damp. She wrapped her fingers around the cup to warm them.
"It's nearly the holidays," said Hermione. "I imagine you are more than ready to send the students home for the break."
"Indeed, I am," said McGonagall. "Do you plan to travel for the holidays, Hermione?"
"No, I'll be here," said Hermione, smiling.
"Surely you won't be working over the holiday?" asked McGonagall. "Severus must plan to close the shop for at least a few days."
"Oh, he does," said Hermione. "I thought you must have heard already... I moved to Hogsmeade when Severus offered me a room above the Apothecary."
It had been weeks since McGonagall spoke to Hermione or Severus, but it seemed unlikely the gossip around town had not yet reached her ears.
"Did you really?" McGonagall asked. "I see..."
Hermione cleared her throat and said, "Yes. It's been highly convenient."
"I imagine so," McGonagall said.
"After our last tea together, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that Severus and I have been involved in a relationship for some time."
Brow raised, McGonagall nodded curtly.
"I see," she said.
"However, it may come as a bit of a shock to hear what I'm about to tell you," Hermione continued, smiling despite the unpleasant look on McGonagall's face. She held up her hand and waited until McGonagall's eyes fell on the ring.
"We plan to marry in February."
A long, chilly silence filled the air between them. Finally, McGonagall set her cup down on the saucer and folded her hands in her lap.
"My dear, I cannot honestly say I'm thrilled to hear the news. However, I will not repeat my concerns from our last meeting. I do believe you may know Severus far better than I or anyone else ever has, and so I trust that your love for one another is true and will overcome the scars of the past."
Hermione stared at her, unsure of how to respond.
"February is very soon," McGonagall continued.
"It is," said Hermione. "I'm sure it seems crazy to everyone else, but I know this is right."
McGonagall was silent for a moment.
"I wish the two of you the best," she said at last. "It might be better left unsaid, but I want you to know that I was relieved that you did not marry Ronald Weasley."
Hermione tried to look appropriately surprised by McGonagall's confession.
"Were you?" she asked. "I thought you liked Ron."
"Oh, my dear, I do," McGonagall assured her. "I have a strong affection for the entire Weasley family, despite the number of grey hairs they've collectively put on my head as Hogwarts students. However, I always felt that your relationship with Ronald held you back. You are destined for great things, Hermione. I have no doubt that Severus will support you to reach your full potential and to pursue your loftiest goals. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that you and Severus will easily overcome the difficulties of your age difference and the past."
Hermione smiled, thinking McGonagall was slowly talking herself into being the biggest supporter of her relationship with Severus yet. She left the castle with McGonagall's blessing – which she had not been seeking, but was happy to have it all the same.
"Thank Merlin she's given her blessing, now the wedding can go on," Severus said sarcastically, when Hermione told him the news.
Christmas arrived in the blink of an eye. Severus and Hermione were invited up to the castle for the Christmas Day meal. They spent Christmas Eve in front of a cozy fire with a bottle of wine and the company of Toffee and Crookshanks. Enid preferred her chilly spot by the window in the far corner and watched them from there, cooing happily now and then.
The gifts they exchanged were their wedding bands, which they had designed for one another with the help of a goblin jeweler. The rings would be ready by the beginning of February, the jeweler had promised.
Even though Hermione had told Severus not to get her anything else, there was still a package lying beneath the modest Christmas tree Hermione had decorated and set up in front of the shop window. After they had settled into the sofa with their second glasses of wine, Severus summoned the gift to Hermione's lap.
She gave him a knowing look and said, "I told you not to!"
He smirked and said, "I know you've squirreled something away in that beaded bag of yours as well."
Hermione smiled guiltily and replied, "Mine's nothing really, just something small."
"Open it," he said, prodding the package wrapped in plain brown paper.
Hermione placed her hands over the package, which was soft and heavy. Severus made an impatient noise and shifted on the sofa cushions.
She tugged gently at the strings, tempted to use wandless magic to peel back the wrapping, but it felt wrong at such a moment. Christmas presents deserved a proper unwrapping. The knot fell apart and Hermione pulled back the paper to reveal dark red heavy wool fabric. Smiling in anticipation, she gingerly lifted the garment and stood to hold the long winter cloak up in front of her.
"Oh, how lovely!" she said. "It's gorgeous, Severus."
"And warm," he said. "You'll need it to cover that wisp of a dress you'll be wearing."
She beamed at him and said, "I suppose I will."
Hermione tried on the cloak and twirled a bit in the yards of heavy fabric before sending it off to hang itself in her closet.
"Now, yours," she said, summoning her beaded bag. She reached her arm deep inside and pulled out a neatly wrapped box in green foil with a prettily tied silver ribbon around it.
He took it without a word from her hands and stared at the wrapping for a moment.
"Well, open it," Hermione said impatiently.
He slowly undid the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box, holding the bottom in both hands as he stared at the delicate embossed silver design on a black leather journal, which featured an 'S' in intricate calligraphy, surrounded by swirling arabesque designs in which hidden serpents slithered.
"It's a charmed journal," she said. "Any ink put on the pages will by visible only to your eyes."
"Your handiwork, I assume?" he asked, running his fingertips over the design before opening the book to stare at the thick, cream-colored pages inside.
"Yes," Hermione said, smiling. "You'll have to activate the charm each time you write in it if you want what you write to be hidden."
"How?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hermione grinned and said, "Just kiss the page first... or, I suppose you could also lick it, but that's far less romantic."
He stared at her and asked, "I suppose you're the only one who can see through the spell?"
She grinned more broadly and replied, "I thought we could use it to write notes to one another – things we might not was others to see. You can still use it as a personal or work journal, too. In fact, that would be best, to hide its true purpose."
Severus held her gaze as he lifted the book to his face, licked his lips, and kissed the first page. He then summoned a quill and ink and turned away from Hermione to write on the page.
"What must I do to seal the charm?" he asked, when he was done.
"Just shut the book," Hermione said. He closed the book, then opened it again and wrote something else, after which he handed it back to her, his face giving away nothing as to what he had written. She opened the book and peered at the page on which he'd scrawled a few sentences.
Dearest wife-to-be,
On this last Christmas Eve before we wed, I ask for nothing – let that be your attire for the rest of the evening.
Underneath, for anyone to see, it read:
With love,
24 December 2001
Hermione raised a brow and stared back at Severus, who was watching her. She kissed the page and summoned his quill to her hand.
My love, I request nothing but the same from you tonight and for every year to come.
She closed the book, then quickly opened it again and wrote above his inscription:
Happy Christmas, Severus.
He took the book from her when she offered it back to him and glanced at the page with a smirk. The book was soon set aside and forgotten for the evening, as Hermione shed her robe and pulled her shirt over her head. In a rare show of helpfulness, Enid swept about the room until Toffee and Crookshanks ran off into the bedroom, whining and hissing respectively in protest. Then, she disappeared with in a flash of light.
Hermione laughed as Severus held his palm toward the fire, causing it to flare up and warm the room more thoroughly.
"Perhaps Enid is more useful than we thought," she said, as Severus returned his attention to her, his bare chest pressing into hers as they snogged on the sofa.
"Every now and then," he murmured, his hand finding its way behind her head, fingertips pressing into her scalp, causing tingles to radiate from her neck down to her abdomen. She reached down to place her hands on his arse and vanished his trousers.
They arrived at the castle early the next morning for Christmas breakfast, despite staying up late the night before.
There were very few students left at the castle over the holiday, just a few sixth or seventh year girls and a pair of younger boys, perhaps only in their third year. Hermione recognized one of the girls, Bethany Walker, who had been a cherub-faced third year Gryffindor the last time Hermione saw her. She was now a tall, beautiful young witch with curious dark eyes that followed Hermione and Severus as they joined the faculty at the head table that morning.
"I know some of the students," Hermione whispered to Severus. "Do you remember those girls? They would have been first or second years when you were still here. The one with the long, dark hair is a Gryffindor."
"And her friend is a Slytherin," said Severus, his eyes flicking briefly to the curly-haired girl beside her, who was now also staring at the head table curiously. Hermione twisted her ring anxiously.
"They'll all find out the truth soon enough," Severus murmured. "Let them gossip."
Hermione blushed a bit under her mass of hair, which had refused to be tamed that morning.
"It's so good to see you, Hermione!" exclaimed Professor Vector in greeting as they took their seats. She glanced at Severus and cleared her throat.
"And you've convinced Severus to join us, I see," she said.
"We were beginning to think Minerva was playing an elaborate trick on us, claiming you were living in Hogsmeade," said Flitwick.
"An assertion easily proven true, if only you had bothered to come down to the Apothecary yourself," Severus said.
The table was silent for a moment. Flitwick coughed and said, "Yes, I suppose that would have easily cleared it up. I shall come by the shop the next time I bring the students down to the village."
"I heard the students saying you'd been up to the castle, Severus, but you know how they are," said Professor Sprout, chuckling. "Rumors fly faster than Golden Snitches around here. Charlie Otts was telling the first years you were really a ghost pretending to be alive with the help of the Death Eaters still in hiding."
"That's nothing," said Horace, laughing merrily. "I heard that Severus has been turned into a vampire and is selling black market blood potions to the rest of his kind out of the back room of his Apothecary!"
"Have you done anything to dispel the rumors?" Hermione asked McGonagall.
"My dear, I think the best thing to be done in this case is for Severus to occasionally make an appearance at the castle, looking alive and well and not at all as if he's acquired a taste for blood."
McGonagall looked vaguely amused and pressed her lips together.
"It won't matter what I say on the subject, students are wont to spread rumors when there is even a hint of mystery about someone."
Hermione shook her head and glanced at Severus, who seemed to be enduring the conversation better than she expected. Her heart beat faster as she spoke again.
"Well, I'm sure those of you who have been to the village in recent months have already heard the rumors there, so let us dispel them with an announcement..."
She entwined her fingers through Severus' hand resting on the table.
"We are engaged to be married."
Shock seemed to be the universal response of everyone at the table, except for McGonagall, who looked calm and serious.
"Oh, my dear, girl..." said Slughorn, looking perplexed as he tried to form a response. "It seems it was just yesterday you left Hogwarts... indeed, it was just a couple of years ago I signed off on your exam! An absolutely perfect score! Now, here you are... getting married."
Hermione smiled blandly at him and nodded.
"Have you completed your Apprenticeship already?" asked Madam Hooch, her piercing eyes resting on Hermione for just a moment before settling on Severus.
"Hermione's skill in Potions surpasses that of any fully-licensed Apprentice," said Severus. "However, the approval process cannot be completed without at least eighteen months of supervised work under a Potions Master. She will have to wait to be recognized as a Potions Mistress."
"So, she's still your student," Madam Hooch said pointedly.
"I'm an Apprentice, not a student," Hermione said.
"He is in charge of your education," Hooch replied firmly. "Obviously it hasn't stopped anyone in the past, but I think it's high time we magical folk stopped living in the past. The future of the magical world depends on – "
"Rolanda, if I may," interrupted McGonagall. "I have come to know both Severus and Hermione a great deal better since Severus returned this year. While your concerns are valid, I must ask you withhold your judgment. Love does not always go about things in the proper manner."
Madam Hooch stared at McGonagall and snapped her mouth shut in surprise.
"Perhaps you might consider seeking a new Potions Master to supervise your Apprenticeship after your marriage?" McGonagall asked Hermione. "After all, we do have another Potions Master available here at the school. I'm sure Horace would be happy to help."
Slughorn blinked in surprise and stuttered, "Oh! Ah... yes. Yes, of course I would... be willing. Miss Granger is brilliant, of course... it would be an honor to sign off on her work. Indeed... a true honor to supervise her Apprenticeship."
He chuckled and said, "If what you say is true, Severus, it will be the easiest job I ever had! Of course, if you need any further instruction or practice, Miss Granger, you are welcome to come up to the castle and use my personal labs. I'll set you up a nice corner all your own and we'll get a storeroom with your name on it..."
"I thank you, Horace, but nobody shall be certifying Hermione's work but myself," said Severus sharply. "The paperwork is already completed and awaiting the day it can be sent with her application for her title."
"Severus, how is it possible that she has met all the requirements of eighteen months of training so quickly?" asked McGonagall. "Won't it appear suspect for you to claim such a thing?"
"Through her work in my lab as an Apothecary's assistant, Hermione has easily found opportunities to practice and fully demonstrate the skills and knowledge required of a Potions Mistress," he replied smoothly. "We brew every day during and after shop hours. So no, it will not appear suspect to anyone who understands the requirements."
He glanced at the shocked and skeptical faces around the table and continued, "Hermione has the documents in her possession. In the unimaginable event – and it is, even though it's obvious the rest of you have no problem imagining it – that we dissolve our vow before she has been certified, the paperwork still remains signed, dated, and approved. Her career is safe. She will not need Horace to salvage it for her."
"I thought it took two years to become a Potions Mistress," said Madam Hooch after a sober silence. "That's what we tell our students, is it not?"
"It normally does," Hermione said. "Eighteen months as an Apprentice, then at least six months of independent work on a thesis project. Since I've completed the requirements of the Apprenticeship early, I'll be starting my thesis work early as well."
"Independent work... while you're married to a Potions Master?" asked Hooch skeptically.
"Rolanda, that's enough," said McGonagall icily. "They're aren't going to lock her in a lab and refuse to allow her to speak to her colleagues in the field. It seems that Severus and Hermione have sufficiently addressed your concerns."
"Does it?" Hooch asked quietly, but looked away and said no more.
"Well, I'm happy for you," said a sweet, feathery voice. It came from the Muggle Studies teacher, Olivia Dunn. She was a friend of Luna's, a Muggleborn witch who had been a year ahead of Hermione in Hufflepuff.
Hermione smiled at her and said, "Thank you. We are very happy."
"Luna says she's never seen a more well-suited couple," Olivia continued, smiling at Severus nervously. She had not been a good student in Potions and probably had more than a few unpleasant memories of Severus as a professor. Hermione decided to invite Olivia to Hogsmeade for lunch later that week.
Hermione looked around the table and asked nonchalantly, "Where's Hagrid?"
McGonagall gave her a strange look and said, "He said he was visiting family this morning."
Hermione held back a smile and nodded.
"I see. Well, I suppose I'll have to pay him a visit this week to tell him the news."
They finished eating. Severus and Hermione listened to the rest of the faculty make small talk and reminisce about the Christmases of their childhoods. Their goodbyes were as chilly as the air outside the castle on the way down to the gate.
"That went well," Hermione said sarcastically, breaking the silence after a few minutes.
"About as well as I expected," Severus replied.
"I don't care what they think," Hermione said, sighing. "I just want the truth out, instead of all manner of rumors."
"The truth is not much better to the minds of most," Severus said.
"Well, at least they heard it from us and not the locals the day after our wedding," Hermione said, taking his hand.
"Hermione? Severus? Yer not leavin' already are yeh?!" Hagrid bellowed, standing at the edge of the Forbidden Forrest in the distance. He was wearing his heavy fur coat and his hair and beard were glistening with melted snow that must have fallen on his head as he made his way out of the forrest. Harry had told Hermione some time ago that Hagrid had finally trained Grawp to stay deep within the forrest on his own, safely hidden away from the outside world.
"Hello, Hagrid!" shouted Hermione, cupping her hands around her mouth. She waited until they were closer to explain.
"We just went up for breakfast," said Hermione. "I thought you would be there... but I forgot about, ah, your family tradition."
"What's that?" asked Hagrid, looking confused for a moment.
"You know – ah – where you spend Christmas morning alone contemplating the beauty of nature," said Hermione, smiling.
"Contemp... oh! Right you are, Hermione!" he said. "Jus' me and the forrest this morning, it was. Contemplatin' and such. Well, where are yeh off to? I imagine you'll be visitin' the Potters an' the Weasleys later on?"
"Harry's invited everyone over to Grimmauld Place. We'll be there for dinner," said Hermione. "Surely he told you?"
"Indeed, he did," said Hagrid happily. "I'll be stoppin' by jus' as soon as I finish up here for the evening. I got a lot o' creatures to look after at the moment. They'll be needin' a nice dinner before I go anywhere."
Unsure of whether she wanted to know just what sort of creatures Hagrid was currently keeping on the grounds, Hermione changed the subject.
"Well, Hagrid, I'm glad we caught you before tonight. I wanted to tell you along with the rest of the professors..."
"Tell me what?" he asked curiously.
"Severus and I are getting married," said Hermione, holding their entwined hands up to show him.
Hagrid was uncharacteristically at a loss for words for a moment. He cocked his head like a confused puppy at Severus for a few seconds.
"Huh," he said. "Well, if that in't a surprise... I haven't seen yeh for so long... knew yeh were gettin' along good and all..."
He held out his hand to Severus and cleared his throat.
"Congratulations, sir. Hermione..."
He shook Severus' hand, then clapped an enormous, heavy hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"We'll celebrate tonigh', won't we? Yeh both must be real excited to tell the rest of 'em," he said kindly.
Hermione smiled at Hagrid.
"We'll see you tonight, Hagrid," she said.
They left Hagrid tromping up to the castle, leaving baby-seal-sized footprints in the snow behind him.
"Must we go for dinner?" Severus asked tiredly. He'd already told Harry he'd be there himself.
"We'll go late, but we must go," she said. "Let's go home and relax until then."
"Hmmm, and just how do you wish to relax?" he asked.
"First? With a nap," she said, yawning. "Then, perhaps some tea and a good book. Later, a bath... you can join me, if you like."
Severus joined her for a nap, distracted her from her book for a good, long while, and then took a walk with Toffee when Hermione finally settled down with a cup of tea beside the crackling fire.
"Don't be too long," she called as they disappeared down the stairs.
Hermione had just sunk into a hot, bubbly, luxurious bath when Severus returned. She heard Toffee shake her coat out and turn a few circles in front of the fire before settling onto her bed. Severus walked so quietly she could barely make out his footsteps as he went to the bedroom. Minutes later, he opened the door to the bathroom, stark naked.
"Why, hello," Hermione said, giving him an appreciative look. He slid into the deep, small pool and waded across to where Hermione lounged against a dip in the side wall, gathering mounds of bubbles around his waist as he went.
"This bath was the best idea," she said, reaching out to touch his chest. "I'm so glad I thought of it."
"It is unnecessarily elaborate," he said. "I'd never wished for more than a hot shower in my life."
"Ah, but now that you've experienced this," she said, looking around them. "You have to admit it's rather nice."
"It's rather nice to find you in here for a naked swim every day," he said, smirking.
"I'm not swimming, I'm bathing," she said. "It's impossible to bathe oneself while clothed."
He kissed her and said, "Very little is impossible with magic."
"Difficult man," she murmured.
"You've always known that," he replied.
They took their time readying themselves to visit Grimmauld Place. Hermione had another go at taming her hair down to a third of its usual volume, painstakingly coaxing small sections into obedient waves. It was an effort she rarely made, but it was the holidays and one of the rare times she would see all of her friends and their families together. She also hoped to wrangle Severus into taking a photo with her at some point, since George had recently gotten into magical photography and was eager to practice his portrait skills.
"What are you wearing, Severus?" she asked, finally exiting the bathroom after spending over an hour charming her hair into submission.
"Is this not acceptable?" he asked, stepping into the hallway. He was still wearing his favorite black trousers and white button-up, his usual uniform at the shop. He held his black winter cloak in his hand.
"Why don't you put on a jumper?" she asked. "Grimmauld Place is always freezing inside – Harry thinks it's cursed to be drafty and uninviting, actually."
He went to the bedroom without a word and she heard him open the drawer to his dresser where he kept many a rarely-worn jumper. They were not a necessity as they had once been while living and working in the dungeons of Hogwarts.
Hermione walked into the bedroom to find him pulling on a dark grey cable-knit jumper and smiled.
"That suits you well," she said. "You should wear it more often."
"I look like a Muggle grandfather," he said. "I'd rather keep my cloak on all evening. I only own these jumpers because Pomona and Poppy decided I needed them to live in the dungeons when I was hired at Hogwarts."
"Nonsense. You look like a Muggle professor who should be wearing peering through a pair of sexy spectacles and drinking a mug of coffee whilst reading over essays," she said, studying him. "All you need is a scarf."
"Merlin, witch," he said in exasperation, as Hermione summoned his green Slytherin scarf and wrapped it jauntily around his neck.
"Perfect," she said. "Now, promise you won't wear your robe inside all evening. You look nothing like a grandfather, of any variety. It will be all I can do to keep my hands off you, love."
"Shall I put on a pair of spectacles to complete your fantasy?" he asked.
"Do you have any?" Hermione asked, straight-faced.
"There is no such thing as a sexy pair of spectacles," he said, shaking his head slightly at her.
"Clearly, you've never seen modern Muggle eyewear," Hermione said seriously, but a grin began to creep across her face. "They craft them into fashion pieces which can be incredibly attractive on the right face."
"On the right face," he echoed. "Which is not my face... and unfortunately for you, I possess perfect vision."
"Never mind the spectacles," Hermione said, tugging at his jumper and smoothing it before pulling his head down for a kiss.
He pulled back and looked down at her, his slow smile creating the faintest of laugh lines on a face that had rarely laughed over the years.
"What are you wearing? Surely not a bathrobe," he said, sneaking a hand inside and causing her to shriek and writhe away from his cold fingertips.
"I shall wear... something warm and cozy," she said. "Now get out and stop touching me with your freezing hands!"
Severus went to sit by the fire with a glass of spirits, and Hermione contemplated her wardrobe. She finally decided on a deep cranberry jumper and a pair of nice grey wool trousers that she rarely wore. Her warm socks on, she padded out to pull on her boots, which sat by the door. She wrapped her favorite oversized scarf around her neck and threw on her cloak.
"Shall we go?" she asked Severus, who was still staring into the fire, his empty glass in his hand. Shaken from his reverie, he sat the glass down heavily and stood up.
"If we must," he said ruefully.
It was snowing again when they left, and Hermione's heart felt light. One more announcement to make, and it would be done, the true extent of their relationship out in the open at last.
They arrived at Grimmauld Place perhaps just a tad more than fashionably late, but just in time to join the rest of the guests at the long table for the meal. Hermione slid into the seat beside Luna. Gallus and Irene were beside Luna, and Ron's seat was still empty as he was outside taking turns on Ginny's new broom with George. Ginny had just gone to fetch them. Arthur Weasley sat down beside Severus and shook his hand. Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen, apparently checking to make sure Ginny had not forgotten any crucial elements of the feast.
"Mum, I've got it! Go on and sit down with Dad," protested Ginny, as Molly sent a few extra plates to the table.
Ron and George rushed in, and Ginny was on their heels with her wand poised.
"All right, you lot, pay attention," she said. "I think I've got the spell down..."
She flourished her wand with a look of intense concentration and suddenly the serving dishes on the table were filled with mounds of food – buttered rolls, sliced ham and roast beef, roasted vegetables and potatoes, and all manner of side dishes, a few of which Hermione recognized as Molly Weasley's handiwork.
The whole table applauded and cheered as Ginny took a bow.
"Happy Christmas to all! Let's eat!" she said, taking her seat.
Severus spoke little during the meal, and Hermione found herself anxiously listening to the conversations of the others, waiting for the meal and end and the right moment to make her announcement.
After dinner, Ginny produced another bountiful spread of desserts and candy and served warm cider and mulled wine. Hermione and Severus found a corner of the living room to claim for themselves, and were soon joined the rest of the party, who crammed themselves merrily into the room until there was barely space to walk through.
Luna, who had been in the kitchen teaching Ginny the best warming charm to put under stasis, squeezed her way through the crowd and plopped down on the sofa beside Gallus. It quickly dawned on Hermione that the two, who had met the first time Luna came to a Friday night at The Fanged Pixie, were already more than friends.
Gallus smiled at Luna and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her even closer as she giggled at something he said. They shared a long look at each other before turning their attention to the middle of the room, where Ginny was trying to get everyone's attention. Finally, Irene whistled loudly and the room got quiet.
"Thanks, Irene," said Ginny. "All right, everyone, the time has come to air our grievances and share our good news."
Ginny was following a time-honored Weasley tradition. The airing of grievances was always led by the Weasley children, and included detailed accounts of ridiculous arguments between siblings over the course of the year. The sharing of good news was taken more seriously – everyone was supposed to name one good thing that had happened to them that year. Hermione had been hoping for this moment, and was bursting and ready to make her announcement.
"I'll start," Ginny said. "The first grievance I have is with Harry, for refusing to throw away his old, holey socks for an entire four months, even though I bought him an entire drawer full of new ones. You'll all be happy to hear that the nasty old socks have finally been relegated to cleaning rags."
Ron and George clapped Harry on the back and offered him heartfelt apologies over the loss of his beloved socks.
"My second grievance is with Ron," Ginny said. "For stealing my best friend and asking her to marry him."
The room cheered and this time Irene was the recipient of back pats and apologies from George, who then offered to marry her instead.
"And my third grievance – yes, I know it's my last one – is with Hermione, for moving away from London to study Potions, of all things."
"Terribly sorry," said George, who had materialized beside her. "Studying Potions with Snape... you must be off your rocker. Apologies, Mr. Snape, I don't mean to offend, but you must admit she's a bit cracked to enjoy such a challenge."
George patted both of them on the arm and disappeared before either of them could speak.
The rest of the Weasleys aired their grievances, each one more absurd than the next, ending with George, who claimed that Molly had come into his shop dressed as an addled old hag and shoplifted from his "adult toy" section.
"You don't even have an adult toy section!" Ron shouted.
"Or do I?" George asked, waggling his eyebrows.
"Now, for the sharing of good news," said Ginny, after the laughter had died down. "For those of you who are new to our family Christmas – everyone is supposed to participate as a way to reflect on our blessings this year. I'll give you a moment – "
The door banged open and a voice came from the hall.
"Have I missed ev'rything? Where is ev'ryone?" called Hagrid.
"In here, Hagrid," yelled Harry.
Hagrid appeared in the archway, bent over to peer into the room.
"Ah, well... don't yeh all look cozy," he said, squeezing into the room and sitting down on the floor, making it shake under their feet.
"What'd I miss?" Hagrid asked.
"We're about to commence the sharing of good news," said Ginny.
"I reckon Hermione and Severus ought'ta go first, then," said Hagrid, grinning. His cheeks were rosy and Hermione wondered if it was from the cold or something he'd drank before arriving. Everyone's head snapped to the corner where Hermione sat with Severus on a pair of stools by the fireplace.
"What do you say that, Hagrid?" asked George curiously, considering the couple perhaps for the first time that evening. "What news from Hogsmeade, Hermione?"
Hermione glanced at Severus, then back at the room of curious and expectant faces. Ginny was hiding a grin unsuccessfully, Ron was looking carefully at the floor, and Irene was smiling warmly at them.
"Well, for some of you this will be an incredible shock to hear, and for some of you perhaps less surprising... but Severus and I are engaged."
Hagrid beamed and clapped, and the mouths of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, George, and Charlie (who was seated in the opposite corner of the room with a glass of whiskey) fell open.
"To be married?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "You mean to marry?"
"What else could she mean, dear?" asked Mr. Weasley faintly. He glanced at Severus warily.
Ginny went over to hug Hermione and whisper, "I was hoping you'd go ahead and tell everyone tonight... I'm so happy for you both."
Murmurs and whispers filled the room, presumably as various members of the Weasley clan and the rest of their friends gathered there asked one another if they had known about Hermione and Severus.
"To Hermione and Severus," called out an airy voice. Luna raised her mug of cider and clinked it against Gallus' mug happily.
"Hermione and Severus," echoed Harry, Ron, Irene, and Ginny loudly. The rest of the guests mumbled along with them and for a moment the only sound was the clinking of mugs and the crackling fire.
Hermione knew her relationship with Severus would be heavily criticized as soon as she and Severus left for the evening, but she was glad to have the truth out at last. Severus looked extremely uncomfortable at that moment, sitting straight and still in his seat, his hands clasped around his mug far tighter than was necessary.
The rest of those gathered took turns sharing their good news from the year, but Hermione's thoughts were elsewhere and she heard nothing that was said.
"When's the wedding? Am I invited?"
George's voice startled Hermione from her thoughts. He was standing directly in front of the fire by her side, drinking deeply from his mug.
"It's going to be a small wedding," she said.
"Oh, I see!" he said in a dramatically offended tone, downing the rest of his drink. "I suppose ickle Ronnykins is coming, though, isn't he?"
"Actually, George, I was hoping you would agree to come as our photographer," Hermione said.
George looked genuinely surprised and said, "Really?"
"Yes, really," she said. "I'd love a few photos to document the day. We'll need a proper wizard portrait, at the very least."
"Would you be open to a bit of experimental wizarding portraiture?" George asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ah... perhaps," said Hermione, wondering what he was planning. "What do you plan to do?"
"I have a few ideas floating around in the brain," said George, tapping his temple. "I'll fill you in when I have something more... concrete."
He cleared his throat and asked again, "So, when is this wedding?"
"The twenty-fourth of February," Hermione said, glancing at Severus, who was staring at George.
"This February?" asked George in astonishment. "Erm – I suppose I have a lot of work to do, then."
"If you can't do it on such short notice, I understand," said Hermione.
"Oh, I'll be ready," said George. "What do you say we meet mid-January to discuss the portraiture?"
"What is there to discuss?" Severus asked.
"Where you'll want it hanging, for one," replied George. "That will... make a difference."
Severus continued to stare at George blankly, until he said, "Ah, well, congratulations, Hermione... Severus. I do believe my drink needs refilling. Excuse me."
George disappeared into the kitchen, and Severus leaned over to speak into Hermione's ear.
"Are you sure you trust George Weasley to document your wedding day?" he asked.
"I only want a few simple portraits," said Hermione. "It will be fine. I'm going to get some more mulled wine... do you care for another mug?"
"I'll come with you," he said darkly, standing up and straightening his scarf.
Severus followed her into the kitchen, where George was standing talking to Bill Weasley. Hermione ladled another mug of warm, spiced wine into her mug and went to stand near George.
"Do you happen to have you camera with you this evening, George?" she asked sweetly.
"It just so happens that I do," he said. "Why do you ask?"
"If you don't mind, I'd really love to have a photograph with Severus to remember this evening," she said.
George peered at her for a moment, seemed to make a decision, then said, "Sure. Why not?"
Severus did not look pleased with his answer and glared at Hermione.
"A photograph?" he asked sourly.
"We've just gotten engaged," she reminded him with a smile. "And it's our first Christmas together."
He gave her a tired look and watched George leave to fetch his equipment. In a few minutes' time they were posing in front of the tall Christmas tree Ginny had decorated in the entryway, a bright orb of light from George's wand hovering in front of them just above their heads.
"All right, I don't have enough film for more than two shots," George said. "So let's look cheery and besotted in love... Severus, move just a bit closer to Hermione. Good, now go ahead and put your arms around one another, you've just announced your impending nuptials, have you not? There. Much better."
George held his camera to his face and studied them for a moment.
"This just needs a moment to warm up," he said. "Give him a kiss while you're waiting, Hermione."
Hermione smiled self-consciously and looked at Severus, who smirked at her. She lifted a hand to his face and leaned up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips. She could not help grinning at him afterward.
"Okay, brilliant. We're ready to go," said George. "Look at me and smile on three. One... two... three!"
The camera whined and then the loud click of the shutter announced that he had taken the photo.
"All right, now Severus why don't you sweep her off her feet?" asked George. Before Hermione could react, Severus obeyed and bent her backward with a kiss before hoisting her into his arms as George's camera clicked loudly again.
"Wonderful!" he exclaimed, and Hermione heard the sound of clapping and whistling. Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Irene were peeking around the door frame into the front hall and had obviously seen the entire thing. They dispersed quickly as Hermione noticed them, and soon George was also gone, climbing back up the stairs to his guest room with his camera.
"I didn't know we had an audience, did you?" asked Hermione.
Severus simply smirked at her and said, "Are you ready to go? I've reached my limit of socializing with current company."
"Yes, just let me go say my goodbyes," she said.
Hermione did not get very far before she was ambushed by Fleur in the dining room.
"'Ermione!" she said. "Congratulations! 'Ow 'appy you seem tonight!"
"Er – thanks, Fleur," she replied. "I am very happy."
"I was noticing earlier when Severus was in zee kitchen with Bill, zat they both possess scars from zee war. We 'ave brave men, zee two of us."
Hermione nodded and said, "Yes. We certainly do."
Fleur hugged her suddenly and said, "'Appy Christmas, 'Ermione!"
"Happy Christmas, Fleur," Hermione replied, patting her shoulder lightly. She had never hugged Fleur before.
"Molly vill come to love Severus, I know," said Fleur. "She still theenks of you as family, you know. Eet must be a shock to see you with 'im... but she vill see 'ee is a good man and zat 'ee loves you."
"Erm – yes. Thank you, Fleur. I hope you are right."
Fleur seemed satisfied with their chat and went merrily back to the living room to sit on Bill's lap where he'd found a vacant chair. Hermione found Severus listening uncomfortably to Hagrid regale him with stories from Hermione's school days, in particular one of the many times she and the boys had tried to convince Hagrid that Severus was trying to kill Harry.
They walked out into the cold, snow-covered street, and stood watching their breath float up and away in white clouds on the air.
"Well, that's it," said Hermione, feeling strange. "They all know."
"Indeed," he replied.
"It's an odd feeling," she said.
"The feeling of freedom?" he asked.
"Yes, I suppose," she said.
"In my experience, it often is," he said, taking her warm hand in his cold fingers and placing it through his arm.
"Let's go home," he said, before Apparating them back to Hogsmeade.