A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews. I'm so glad you guys are enjoying the story thus far! Thank you, debjunk, for all your help! No profit is being made from this.

Chapter 18

"Are we sharing the bed?" she asked.

He looked down at her. He hadn't even thought about sleeping arrangements.

"Um…" he looked behind him to the couch, "…I can take the couch."

She looked at him to the couch and back again. She shook her head.

"You can't sleep on that. You're too tall. I'm sure we can both be adults and share the bed, Severus." She shrugged.

He opened his mouth but closed it as she walked past him, heading for the bedroom.

Following her into the bedroom he stopped at the foot of the bed. She was pulling the thin comforter down along with the sheets.

"Hermione…" he tried.

She shrugged.

"It's fine, Severus. We can manage," she said as she fluffed up her pillows.

He took a deep breath.

"Hermione!" he said a sharply, getting her attention.

She looked up at him, her mouth open, ready to retort something back at him.

"I sleep naked," he mumbled so low she didn't hear him.

"I'm sorry?" she asked, taking a step towards him.

He looked her straight in the face and took a deep breath.

"I sleep naked," he said a little louder.

There it was, she was a tomato again.

Her face a bright shade of red, she stuttered.

"Oh…well…I…," she tried, lost at what to say.

He walked over to the closet and took a blanket from the top shelf.

"Like I said, I'll take the couch. It's not a problem," he headed for the door.

Hermione put her hand on his arm, stopping him. He turned to look at her.

"You can sleep on top of those covers…" she pointed to the bed. "…and cover with that one." She pointed to the blanket he was holding.

"If your sure?" he asked her.

She took a deep breath and nodded her head.

"Yes, just let me get in first," she said. She put her wand on the nightstand and climbed into the bed.

Once she was situated, she laid back on the pillow and closed her eyes.

"Ok," she said quietly.

He walked over to the other side of the bed. He pushed the comforter she was using off his side, and threw his over top the sheets. He took his trousers off along with his under garments folded them and placed them on his nightstand.

He got into the bed and made sure everything was covered before he turned his head to her. "All done."

She opened her eyes and looked over at him.

He nodded towards her blanket. "I gave you the rest of the comforter, in case you get cold in the middle of the night," he said.

She smiled. "In the middle of June? If anything, I'll be too hot."

She smiled and then her smile faded as she looked over to him and his blanket.

He chuckled at her, "I'm a light sleeper. If I throw off the blanket, I'm sure I'll wake up. Remembering you're here with me might be a different story." He shrugged.

She looked at his face curiously.

"Go on and ask," he said.

She smiled. "Ask what?"

He gave her a knowing look. "I know what your face looks like when you want to ask a question."

She sighed, "It's probably too personal."

It was his turn to sigh. "We're married now. If it's too personal, I won't answer," he said with a shrug.

She searched his face. "You've never slept in the same bed with someone?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Just to sleep? No," he told her, thinking about his times being with a woman. They were only at the brothel. He never needed anything more from them.

She looked away from him.

"It's ok, Hermione. You know nothing about me as your husband. If you want to know something, just ask. The worse I could do is refuse to answer." He said placing a hand on her shoulder.

She turned over on her side and propped her head on her hand, looking at him.

"You can ask me something personal if you'd like," she said with a little smile.

He shook his head, "I'm sure I know everything I need to know about you," he said.

She shook her head.

"No, you didn't know I've drank before," she said trying to goad him.

He chuckled. "Ok, how far did you go with Viktor Krum?" he asked with mischievous smirk on his face.

She smiled. "If you must know, we only kissed. He actually taught me how."

He nodded. "Well then, I have Mr. Krum to thank; and here I thought you were a fast learner," he teased her.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Good night, Severus," she said and closed her eyes.

He smiled. "Good night, Hermione." He rolled over on his side facing away from her and closed his eyes.

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

June 23, 1996

Hermione was the first to wake. She opened her eyes.

What the hell?

Her left arm and leg were wrapped around something soft and warm. She lifted her head slightly. Yup, her limbs were tangled with Severus's. She looked up at his face. He looked so peaceful sleeping. There were no worry-lines on his face. She had never seen him look so relaxed before.

Her eyes roamed down his body. His torso was exposed. His skin was so pale you would think he never saw the sun, which he didn't, she supposed…always in the dungeons.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with his skin color. It suited him.

She looked at the small amount of black hair on his chest and followed the path down past his navel. His blanket was slightly tented.

Of course, all men woke up with a stiff one…didn't they?

She looked up at his face-still sleeping peacefully. She looked back down to the blanket.

It wouldn't hurt to peak…right?

She lifted the blanket slowly over his manhood.

HOLY SHIT!

She had never seen one before but were they supposed to be that big?! A thin patch of black curls covered the sides. Just as she was memorized with it, it twitched!

She dropped the blanket quickly and hurried out of bed. She quickly made her way into the bathroom and shut the door. However, she didn't notice Severus watching her from hooded eyes.

She came out of the bathroom ten minutes later and thanked Merlin that Severus wasn't still in the bedroom. She saw his trousers were no longer on the nightstand. She also thanked Merlin for that.

She quickly changed into a pair of white shorts and a blue t-shirt, opting on going barefoot. As she walked into the kitchen, she smelled bacon. She leaned against the door frame watching him work.

"Good morning," he purred, his back still to her.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked him, surprised.

He turned to give her an amused look.

"Hermione, I wouldn't be a very good spy if I didn't pay attention. I know, hear, and see all." He smirked as he turned back to the stove.

Her mouth dropped open.

Surely, he didn't know about her curiosity this morning?

As if reading her thoughts, he turned around and chuckled at her.

"Yes, I was awake for that." He placed a plate of bacon on the table.

She glared at him. "Are you reading my thoughts?" she asked, annoyed.

He shrugged. "They're literally screaming out Hermione. You need Occlumency lessons if you don't want people in there." He poured them both a mug of tea.

She bit the side of her cheek. She hated when he was right. She sat down and tapped her foot on the floor. She gave a half smile in thanks as he set her mug in front her, already with cream and sugar. She didn't even bother asking him how he knew.

"Would you mind finishing the eggs? You were in the restroom quite a bit longer then I'd have liked," he asked as he made his way out of the kitchen.

She stood up.

"Sorry," she said and made her way over to the skillet on the stove.

She stirred the scrambled eggs, and added some cheese that he had on the counter.

Severus came back into the kitchen as she was setting two plates with eggs on the table. She took two forks from out of the drawer and brought them over to the table.

They ate silently for a few minutes before Severus spoke.

"Do you have any plans today?" he asked her.

She shook her head.

"I should write a letter to Ashley, before she goes crazy," she said around a mouthful of eggs.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her.

She blushed. "She noticed my hair yesterday."

He smirked. "Ah."

"Why? Did you have something planned for us?" she asked, eyeing him over her mug.

He shook his head. "Nothing. We can't very well venture out. Our marriage won't be public knowledge until the law has passed."

She nodded her head. "Oh, yeah," she murmured.

TAP TAP TAP

They both looked up to see one of the school's owls at the window.

"That can't be good," Severus muttered as he stood up.

He opened the window and the owl dropped a letter and the newspaper into Severus's hands before flying away.

Hermione stood behind him, peering over his arm. He opened the letter first.

"Thought you should see this before you hear it from someone else," he read aloud.

Hermione took the paper and unrolled it. She gasped. There was a picture of Severus carrying Hermione into the cottage.

POTIONS MASTER MARRIES STUDENT!

Rita Skeeter

Severus Snape (36) has married Hermione Granger (16). It seems Severus Snape decided to get a jump on the upcoming Marriage Law. Given that Hermione Granger will not be 17 until September 19th, it looks to me that Severus decided to be the first in line to marry one thirds of the Golden Trio, before anyone else had the opportunity. And how does Miss Granger…excuse me Madam Snape feel about this. From the looks of this picture, she looks terrified to have such a mean man for a husband. If my readers remember, Severus Snape was a follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…

It continued on from there, though Hermione threw it in the rubbish bin.

"I can't believe that woman!" she growled.

Severus shook his head as he stared out the window, pensive.

Hermione turned to watch him. "What do we do?" she asked, quietly.

"There's nothing we can do. It was going to come out next month. I just wished the owls wouldn't be coming so soon." He sighed.

"Owls?" she looked questioningly up at him.

He turned to face her. "The letters will be coming. Letters calling me all sorts of names, letters accusing you of how you got such magnificent grades all this time." He sat down at the table and put his head in his hands.

She dropped down in the chair.

"I didn't even think about all that," she sighed.

He looked up and pushed his hair back out of his face.

"Dobby can sort through the mail. Make sure there's nothing…SHIT!" he shouted grabbing his left arm.

"What's wrong?!" She jumped up from her chair, heading over to him.

He shook his head and hurried into the bedroom, and into the closet. She hurried after him. She didn't realize where he was going until she saw he was wearing black velvet robes with the mask in his hand.

Her eyes widened. "He knows?" she asked.

"He does read the paper," he snapped at her.

His features softened as he looked at her. "If I'm not back by nightfall, contact Albus." He quickly strode out of the room.

"Be careful," she whispered as she heard the door shut and a crack of Apparition.

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

Severus appeared in a stone room and quickly dropped to his knees.

"Rise, Severus." Voldemort waited for Severus to rise. "Thank you for joining me. Take the mask off," he hissed.

Severus removed his mask but kept his eyes on the floor. "My Lord," he murmured.

"Care you tell me anything?" Voldemort asked.

Severus nodded slightly. "I got married yesterday," he said quietly.

"Yes, I saw." He pointed his wand to the paper on the floor. "I didn't know you were looking to marry, Severus. Had I known you were in such a hurry, I would have found someone more suitable, then her," he said as if disgusted.

Severus didn't say anything. He'd rather die than marry any 'woman' the Dark Lord would pick.

"Why would you decide to marry such a person, Severus? Not only the best friend of Harry Bloody Potter, but a Mudblood, Severus? I really thought you had better taste then that." Voldemort tsked as he circled Severus, his wand twirling between two fingers.

"It wasn't exactly my idea, My Lord," he said, which really wasn't a lie.

"Oh?" Voldemort inquired.

"The old fool seems to think I can protect her, My Lord," Severus said with amusement in his voice.

Voldemort smiled evilly. "Protect her from what?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

Severus lifted his head slightly and smirked. "From you, My Lord."

Voldemort laughed, high and loud for a few seconds. He sobered and stopped in front of Severus.

"We really have him fooled, don't we?" Voldemort rasped.

Severus merely nodded his head.

Voldemort peered at Severus.

"You have no intention protecting her from me, do you?" he asked Severus.

Severus shook his head. "Of course not, My Lord," he said confidently.

"Let me see it…" Voldemort hissed.

Severus quickly threw his walls up and forced the memory of Hermione walking towards him, in her living yesterday. Voldemort pulled out when Severus kiss her.

"I have to say, Severus, she is a beauty. I might just accept her into our ranks if you could ever persuade her to switch sides," he said thoughtfully.

Severus simply nodded his head. Voldemort tapped his finger on his lip, he nodded his head.

"Yesssss, Severus, work on that, will you?" he asked, but they both knew it wasn't really a question.

"Yes, My Lord." He nodded his head.

"You may go. Do enjoy that delectable girl while you can, Severus." He licked his lips.

Severus nodded and bowed his head, shuddering internally at the look the Dark Lord had on his face.

"Yes, My Lord. Thank you." He quickly Apparated out of there.

He appeared in front of the cottage and took a deep breath. He was so revolted by that man he couldn't bear to be in the same room as him.

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

Hermione was in the kitchen wiping down the counter. She couldn't just sit and do nothing but worry. What did she do when she was worried? She baked.

She decided to make her favorite; caramel shortbread. Who didn't love some good caramel and chocolate? She hoped Severus would appreciate it.

She had finished putting the chocolate sauce on top when the door opened.

"Hermione?" Severus called.

"I'm in the kitchen," she replied.

She took the bowl with the remnants of the chocolate over to the sink before she turned around to look at him. He stood in the doorway, watching her. She looked over at him, her eyes moved up and down and back to his eyes, making sure he was ok.

"What smells so good?" he asked crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe.

"I made caramel shortbread." She smiled and turned her attention back to the sink.

She turned on the faucet and added some soap as the steamy water filled the basin.

"I bake when I worry."

He came up behind her, resting his hands on either side of her arms.

"No need to worry. I'm fully intact, as you can see."

His warm breath caressed the shell of her ear. She visibly shuttered.

What was it about this man that turned her insides to mush?

She smiled and shrugged off her thoughts. "Well I'm glad. I wouldn't want to eat so much sugar by myself."

He chuckled. "I'm sure Albus would have been glad to help you out. That man sure does have a sweet tooth."

She cleared her throat as she started washing the dishes she had used.

"So how did Vol…" she started but he hissed at her not to use the name. "…he take the news?" she asked.

He stepped back from her and leaned against the counter next to her.

"He was amused actually." He crossed his arms across his chest.

She dropped the bowl she was holding back into the water. She looked at him in surprise.

"What do you mean he was amused?" she asked.

"He seems to think I can persuade you to switch sides," he shrugged.

She scoffed and went back to cleaning the dishes.

"He wishes," she muttered.

"Why are you doing that?" he nodded towards the basin.

She rinsed the soap off the bowl. "I don't need to use magic for every little thing, you know," she said softly.

He flicked his wand and the dishes were cleaned and put away. He took a small step to stand next to her.

"Don't get cheeky with me, witch," he growled into her ear.

Heat flooded through her and she smiled.

"You don't scare me, Severus Snape."

He smirked. "Gryffindor courage will get you nowhere with me," he said silkily.

Swiftly turning away from her, he walked over to the stove, eyeing the shortbread.

"You need to let it cool before you go cutting into it," she warned.

He smiled and looked over at her. "Did you write to Ashley?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No, I really should though." She headed out of the kitchen. "And don't touch that!" she said as she walked out.

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

"Don't touch that…" he muttered to himself.

He cut a small piece of the shortbread. "She's my wife, not my mother."

He took a bite and his eyes rolled back in his head. The chocolate and caramel just melted in his mouth along with the shortbread. He popped the tiny piece in his mouth and chewed quickly before he made his way to the door.

She was sitting at the desk in the corner, quill flying across the page. He sat down on the couch and watched her. She didn't even look up.

"I told you to let it cool," she said.

He stared at her.

"How did you know I took a piece?" he asked.

She set her quill in the holder and turned to look at him over her shoulder. She smirked.

"You just told me you did." She picked the quill back up.

Did she just catch me with my hand in the cookie jar?

"How very Slytherin of you." He smirked at her.

She chuckled, she put her letter in an envelope and turned to him.

"Is it alright to go to the Owl Post?" she asked him.

He eyed her bare feet before replying. "If you wish. Dobby could send it for you though," he said with a shrug.

She inhaled, thinking. "Yes, I think I'll ask Dobby," she mumbled.

As if on cue Dobby popped in.

"Hello, Master and Mistress Snape," Dobby nodded to both Severus and Hermione. "Dobby has come across a letter he thought you would want to sees Mistress." He handed her the letter.

She nodded. "Oh, thank you, Dobby, and could you send this to my cousin Ashley?" She handed him her letter.

"Oh, yes! Is there anything else Dobby can do?" he asked them both.

Severus shook his head. "No, thank you, Dobby" he said.

Dobby nodded and winked out.

Hermione opened the envelope and a pulled out two slips of parchment.

She read aloud for Severus's sake:

Hermione,

Why didn't you mention your impending marriage when we saw you?! I would have liked to be there, even if I don't agree with your choice in a groom. I was hoping you and Ronald would finally see the two of you were meant to be. Ronald wouldn't say a word to me about your secret marriage either, said it wasn't his place. Well I guess I can grill you and Severus at the wedding. See you soon.

Molly

Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. Severus had walked over to stand beside her as she was reading. He picked up the other parchment and looked down at it. A wedding invitation.

He shook his head. "I suggest you write you your cousin and ask if she'll be your plus one for this." He sat back down on the couch.

She looked up at him, she looked at the paper he was holding.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weasley

Request the honor of your presence

At the wedding of their sons

Fred Weasley to Angelina Johnson

George Weasley to Katie Bell

Thursday, the fourth of July

Nineteen ninety-six

At three o'clock in the afternoon

The Burrow

This invitation will act as a portkey on that day, simply say "wedding" to activate it while holding it.

"You're not coming with me?" she asked after reading the invite.

He scoffed at her. "You really think I'd be welcome there?" he asked her with a slight bitterness in his tone.

She looked over at him sadly before lowering her head.

"It's fine Hermione. I'm sure Ashley would love to see part of our world." He leaned back on the couch.

Hermione laughed and walked over to him, hands on her hips.

"Well, that's just too bad. If you're not going, then neither am I," she said determinedly.

Severus sighed. "Hermione, they're your friends, you should go." He encouraged her.

She sighed and sat down next to him, she took his hands in hers.

"Severus, we're a team now, and if you don't feel welcome at a party I'm invited too, then we'll do something else that day," she looked up at him.

He looked into her eyes and he could see the caring in them. He sighed and bowed his head.

"Fine I'll go," he looked back up to her. "But do invite Ashley, she might serve as a nice distraction for me," he smirked.

Hermione smiled, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"You're can be sweet when you want to be," she stood up and went back to the desk.

She scribbled a small note and placed it in another envelope before calling Dobby back to see if he could send it with the other one.