"Hermione! Severus! Happy Christmas!" Mohinder flung open the door to the Headmistress' quarters and beckoned them inside with a broad grin. "Min is opening a bottle of wine."
"Happy Christmas, Mohinder," Hermione replied with a smile and a kiss on his cheek. "Did you have a good morning?"
"We did! My first Christmas with Minerva. My first Christmas full stop, actually." He shot a fond glance over his shoulder at his wife as she levitated a tray and glasses onto the coffee table. "Can you stay for dinner?"
"Oh, thank you, but we can't," Severus replied. "We'll be visiting Hermione's parents this afternoon and will be staying through Boxing Day. After that, we are traveling to my estate until after the New Year. Though you should try some of these mince pies. They're Molly Weasley's, and they're very good." He set the plate on the table to share his bounty with his longtime friend and her new husband.
Minerva smiled as she poured wine for the younger couple and herself. "I"m glad that you're getting away for a bit, Severus. You've barely left the castle this semester, except to attend galas and events for the Ministry or the Malfoys. You both need a break." She paused to take an appreciative sip from her glass. "Though I'll admit, I'm terribly curious about your house, Severus. I've only ever seen Spinner's End."
"There's not much to report about the house at the moment, Min. It's mostly dust and Holland cloths. I do hope to open it up this summer, though. Perhaps you and Mohinder will pay me - us -" he corrected, glancing at Hermione, "a visit then."
"We'd be delighted," Mohinder said, sipping his sparkling water and placing his hand on his wife's knee.
Severus didn't miss the questioning look that Hermione sent him as she sipped her own drink. This was certainly the first time he'd mentioned spending time at Prince House over the summer hols. He hoped that Hermione didn't think him too high handed. He had plans for them and, if his luck held, they would be spending the summer together as an engaged pair and planning for their future together.
His ruminations were interrupted by the floo flaring to life and Arthur Weasley's voice coming through. "Minerva, are you there?" he shouted over the din - good God, was that Molly screeching in the background? - as his head and shoulders appeared in the fire.
Minerva scurried over to the hearth with a speed that belied her age. "Yes, Arthur. What is it? What is that racket?"
"Sorry. We're having a bit of a ruckus here today. Bad news from -" a crash and shouting sounded in the background "-from Ronald. He and Percy have gotten into and Molly has just waded in. Is it true? About Percy and Severus?"
Severus rose and moved toward the floo to kneel next to Minerva. "You'll need to be more specific than that, if you please Arthur."
"Oh, Severus. I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were there." The older wizard glanced over his shoulder as more voices joined the fray and another crash echoed through the room. "Severus, did Percy attack you?
He glanced at Minerva before nodding his head. "He did."
"Blimey. Right then. As deputy head of the Order, I'd like to request a meeting Minerva."
The Headmistress sighed. "I'm not sure this is really Order business, Arthur."
"I'm going to contradict you there, Min. This is one member attacking another." He glanced at Severus. "I realize you've sorted this on your own, but I think the rest of the Order should really have a voice as well."
Minerva signed again. "Very well, Arthur. Severus, can you and Hermione delay your trip for a day? I'm sorry to ask, but -"
"It's fine, Minerva," Hermione said from behind the kneeling duo. She tilted her head in acknowledgement of her almost father-in-law in greeting. "Hi Arthur. Sorry about all that," she said, gesturing toward the floo as more shouts came through.
Arthur winced. "I need to go help Molly sort this before they get to the tree. Tomorrow at headquarters? Noon?"
"Yes, that's fine Arthur. I'll let the rest of the group know. Er...Happy Christmas."
"Thanks!" the man shouted before the floo went quiet.
Severus stood and offered a hand to help Minerva to her feet. "I think it's safe to say that your former fiancé lost his temper."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Color me surprised."
Minerva returned to her seat on the couch and reclaimed her wine glass. "I'm awfully sorry, Moh, but I'll need to leave for a bit tomorrow morning. And I'm afraid I can't ask you to come with me as you're not an inducted member." She turned to face their guests with a tired look on her face. "I am sorry you'll have to delay your trip. Arthur is within his rights as deputy to request the meeting, though."
"As I well recall," Severus replied, rememberin the myriad meetings that took place not at the behest of Dumbledore, but because Moody requested the meeting as his deputy. At least a third of those meetings were to accuse Severus of some sort of wrongdoing. In silent understanding, Hermione reached over to squeeze his hand.
"Yes, well. Things have changed a bit, but not so much that you won't recognize how we proceed." Minerva shot a glance at her husband. "Love, we need to induct you soon, if only so I can speak freely in front of you."
"Ready and willing, love."
The finished their drinks quickly after that, the holiday mood somewhat broken by the news that they would need to attend an Order meeting the next day in order to continue dealing with the mess that Percy Fuckwit Weasley had created. Severus was seething throughout the evening, dreading the fact that he would have to go and openly acknowledge his condition (and his weakness) to the rest of the Order the next day. "Your ex needs to learn when to speak and when to shut his trap," he grumbled at Hermione as they prepared to go to her parents' house that evening.
Hermione shrugged philosophically. "Ronald has never been able to keep his mouth shut unless it was a matter of life or death. I think, in this case, he was too angry at how his life had been tampered with to consider the consequences of outing you to the entire Weasley clan at once." She paused, her eyes widening. "Oh, I hope that they didn't involve Penelope. That's the last thing she needs while recovering from childbirth!"
"If I remember the youngest Mr. Weasley as I think I do, we'll be lucky if half of wizarding Britain doesn't know by tomorrow."
"Hermione, love! Welcome home!" A small woman with wavy, mahogany hair opened the door to allow her daughter inside. "And you must be Severus. We've heard a lot about you. Come into the warm and let me take your coats."
"Mrs. Granger, a pleasure," Severus said, extending his hand.
"Oh, none of that!" she replied. "I'm Helen, and this is Norm," she said as Norm took the proffered hand. Helen, he noted, batted it aside in favor of a hug and kiss on the cheek in welcome.
Severus shot Hermione a glance, somewhat confused. She'd described her relationship with her parents as complicated, due to their own partially recovered memories. She shook her head at him slightly as if to say "I'll explain later."
"Hermione said you'll be staying until Boxing Day," Norm said with a nervous smile. "I can't tell you how happy we are to have you both."
"I'm happy we're staying too, Dad," Hermione replied, hugging her father tightly. The man looked slightly uncomfortable, but pleased with the affection.
"Well," he said, clearing his throat. "I'll just take your bags up to the guest room, shall I? Sit yourselves down and we'll have a drink before dinner."
He picked Hermione's purse and Severus' messenger bag with a perplexed look on his face, then trooped up the stairs with them in hand.
Helen kissed Hermione on the cheek before scuttling off into the kitchen. "I'm just going to check the goose, love. I'll be back in a tick."
"What was -" Severus began.
"They don't remember a lot. Dad's still working on adjusting to it and Mum makes up for it by pretending nothing is wrong. Just...go with it, please," she said, a pleading look in her eyes.
"Of course." He pressed a light kiss to her curls and rubbed his hand up and down her back. If there was one thing he understood, it was the frustration of gaps in his brain.
"They see a healer every week, but there's not much that can be done without forcibly unlocking the memories. They're worried about brain damage, so no one has tried," she replied in an undertone. "It's all uncharted waters with Muggles. Usually if someone is obliviated to the extent that I charmed Mum and Dad, it's with good reason...and with no intention of reversal."
She paused and wiped at her nose surreptitiously. "It's just strange that I seem to be fated to be surrounded by people who don't really remember me." She glanced up at him from beneath wet lashes.
"And who love you despite it all," Severus said in a whisper, pressing another kiss to her brow. "I think I could forget ever knowing you and I'd still fall in love with you, Hermione. Don't cry love."
"Well, what's all this then?" Norm said as he came back downstairs. "Why so blue, poppet?"
Hermione laughed at the endearment. "Oh, just tired, Dad. It's been a hard semester. I'm really glad to be home for a couple of days."
"I'm glad you've come. Your mother has been cleaning and rearranging for days. Driving me 'round the twist. I'm hoping she'll stop, now you're here. Whiskey Severus?" he asked, smiling when he saw Severus' nod of approval. "Good man."
Once they were settled with their drinks and Helen had rejoined them, they spent a pleasant evening around a delightful Christmas goose with all the trimmings, catching up. Helen seemed to want to know everything about what Hermione had been up to since August, but Norm seemed more interest in getting to know Severus.
"So you live and teach in that great drafty castle too, hm?" he said.
"Actually, Dad, we live together." Hermione replied. "We moved in together a few weeks ago."
"Well that's moving a bit fast, isn't it?" asked Helen, a look of concern on her face.
Severus tried a reassuring smile. "Yes and no. Hermione and I were involved briefly some years ago. Before your return from Australia, I believe. Unfortunately I was attacked a few months into our relationship and lost my memory of our time together. We've spent this fall reconnecting and trying to recover my memories," he said cautiously.
"You too, then?" Helen said sadly. "Just like us. Not that we were attacked, of course," Helen said quickly with a glance at her daughter. "But there are still gaps."
"I understand that very well," he replied, reaching for Hermione's hand and finding it chilled. "I know how painful it can be."
"Still, it's a small sacrifice," Norm said bracingly. "A few memories in exchange for our safety. And Hermione's."
"Thanks Dad," Hermione said with a watery smile.
"Enough of that. It's Christmas and we're to be happy today." Norm stood and raised his glass to Severus and Hermione. "Happy Christmas to my lovely wife, my wonderful daughter, and to our new friend," he said, toasting each in turn. "I hope this is the first of many celebrations."
They'd enjoyed a rousing game of Scrabble after dinner, which Hermione had won handily. Helen and Norm had expressed their joy at receiving Severus and Hermione's gift - a certificate for a weekend getaway at a spa - and had expressed only slight disappointment at the fact that the duo would have to take off for a few hours the next day. Severus and Hermione had promised to extend their visit another day to make up for it. Finally after hours of good food and music and camaraderie, they all retired to their respective rooms. Severus watched his lover as she prepared for bed in the small guest room they'd share for the next two nights. She'd been biting her lip since dessert had been served, worrying it raw while talking with her parents.
"Are you alright?" he asked, reaching out a hand to brush hers as she adjusted her night dress.
"Yeah. It's just...hard. Being around them, watching them age and not feeling like I really know them anymore. I feel so helpless around them," she sniffed.
"Come here," he said, tugging her down next to him on the bed. "You did the right thing. You know that. More importantly, they know that. In time, our work may help them recover the memories, but even that may not return your relationship to its former state. Time has passed and you've all changed...but you love them, and they love you. Take solace in that."
"You're right. I know you're right. It's just hard to watch. It's why I don't visit as often as I should."
"Well, there I'll tell you you're wrong. You have two living parents who, despite their own scars from the war, love the blazes out of you. Don't deny them your company out of guilt. You have nothing to feel guilty for." He kissed her on the head again, pulled back the covers. "Now get into bed. Your father had one thing very right tonight; it's Christmas and we're meant to be happy. So no sad thoughts, alright love?"
"You're awfully bossy all of a sudden," she said with a little smile.
"Because in this case I happen to know what's best for you. Go to sleep, love. Otherwise you'll be too exhausted to spar with Ronald at tomorrow's meeting."
Hermione giggled and ran her hand over Severus' chest, her smile broadening. "You know, suddenly I'm not feeling sleepy at all, Severus."
"Insatiable Minx. We're in your parents' house. Don't you want to hold off for a couple of days?"
"Where's the adventure in that? Silence the room and come to bed, love. I think we could both use a little comfort tonight."
After a full English and a rousing discussion of world events with Hermione's parents, Severus and Hermione set off for the Order meeting. They left with promises to return with tea tidbits from the local bakery - a trip Severus was particularly looking forward to.
"How is it you don't weigh twenty stone?" Hermione asked him as they walked to the little park that would serve as their apparition point. "You love your baked goods!"
"The Prince line has always been thin," he replied, "and I work out enough to stave off the worst of a paunch. Or I did. I'm afraid I've become lazy since returning to Hogwarts."
"Well we can't have a paunchy D.A.D.A. instructor. How about I start working out with you in the new year? That way we can eat all the pastries we want together."
He smiled and tightened his grip on her hand. "I don't think that's quite how it works, love."
"It should," she muttered. "Here we are."
"Shall I take us to number twelve?" he asked.
She laughed. "Not unless you want to miss the meeting," Hermione replied. "Harry and Ginny live at number 12 full time now. We use another location as headquarters now. Ready?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his torso.
Within moments they were standing in an empty field somewhere on the coast. Hermione rustled in her pocket and handed him a slip of paper. "Here."
The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is at Briarbank Cottage, Woolacombe.
"Woolacombe? We're in a bloody tourist spot!" Severus hissed, ignoring the cottage that came into view not ten yards away. "How is that good practice?"
"Look around you, love. What do you see?"
He glanced around. They were situated on a short cliff with a view of a beach, which was mercifully empty. The cottage was situated on the highest point for some miles. It would be impossible to see the comings and goings of anyone associated with the cottage, even if one could see the cottage.
"I still say the area is too high-traffic for headquarters," he grumbled.
"I'll be sure to let Kinglsey that you disapprove the location of his summer home," Hermione responded with a grin. "Come on. I'll bet you anything that Molly brought coffee cake, despite all the uproar yesterday."
"Miss One-track-mind. You've spent too much time around the Weasleys. All you think of is food these days!" he joked.
"Clearly you've never had Molly's coffee cake. Come on , before the hoard eats it all."
Hermione was right. The coffee cake was excellent. He even managed to snag a second slice as Ronald was too busy hissing in Percy's ear to bother scrabbling for half the cake as he normally would.
"Hermione, love, I'm so sorry," Molly said as she returned with Arthur from a brief chat outside. "And Severus. I don't even know where to begin." Severus quickly found himself trying to swallow his bite of cake without choking as Molly wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders.
"It's not your fault, Molly. You have nothing - no, I mean that - nothing to apologize for."
The older woman fluttered her hands helplessly. "He's our son."
"He's a man grown," Severus said quietly. Rising to wrap Molly in an awkward embrace. "Come on, sit down. You look like you haven't slept a wink." He pulled back the seat next to him and ushered Molly into the chair, summoning the teapot and a cup for her.
"Thank you, Severus." Arthur said quietly, clapping a hand on the younger wizard's shoulder.
"Of course, Arthur," he replied with a nod before taking his seat again.
He watched as the rest of the inner circle members arrived in ones and twos. Severus was unsurprised to see that the inner circle had changed considerably in his absence. Many members had died as a result of that final year of war, and it seemed that their places had been taken by the young heroes of the Battle of Hogwarts. Neville and Luna Longbottom took their places at the far end of the table with a little wave in his direction with the Potters next to them. Most of the Weasleys were also at the table, with the notable absence of Angelina, Prunella, and Penelope Weasley. Minerva, Arthur, and Kingsley sat at the head of the table and Filius and Pomona seemed to have taken up official membership as well. All in all, it was a surprisingly large group, considering that it was the day after Christmas.
Finally, Minerva stood and raised her hands in greeting. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. A few of the inner circle couldn't be here today, but we have enough for quorum. Our discussion today will focus on the event of one Order member attacking another. I would like to begin by clarifying that this is not a trial, but rather a recounting of events for all inner circle members, at which time a decision will be made as to whether additional recompense should be made to the injured parties.
Severus, Hermione, and Ronald - will you please explain the events surrounding the compulsion and obliviate spells placed on you?"