A/N: Thank you for reading and the reviews! Many, many, thanks go out to my beta, debjunk! On a bright note, I believe we are half-way through the story. Can't be too sure though. Also, I want to apologize, I'm not very good at describing things or their surroundings.
Chapter 20
Hermione opened her eyes and gasped. She stepped out of Severus's arms and gaped, open mouthed at the manor before her eyes.
"It's a sight, isn't it?" Severus asked quietly from behind her.
She merely nodded her head. He slipped his arm through hers and walked up the path towards the house. The gates opened for them as they approached and closed behind them with a snap. Before she realized it, they were stepping up to the door. The door opened and a house-elf welcomed them in.
"Welcome to the House of Malfoy. My name is Polky. Please come in," he said.
Hermione bit the insides of her cheek to keep from saying anything.
"Thank you, Polky," Severus said and stepped into the foyer.
The door shut behind them as they cleared it.
"May, Polky take your cloaks?" Polky asked.
"That would be lovely," Severus said, shrugging out of his cloak.
He turned to Hermione who was still standing there as if frozen. He unbuttoned her top button and took the cloak off her shoulders. He handed the cloak to Polky, who bowed and hung up the cloaks on the rack by the door.
"Are you ok?" Severus murmured in her ear.
She jumped slightly out of her daze.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry. I…" She cleared her throat. "I don't approve of House-elves," she whispered to him.
He chucked, "I know."
"Ah! Severus, welcome!" Lucius came in from another room.
Lucius walked over and shook Severus's hand, then his eyes turned to Hermione's.
"Well, Miss... excuse me…Madam Snape. You look quite lovely this evening." He held out his hand.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she put her hand in his. He bowed and brought her hand to his lips and very lightly touched them to her hand. He straightened up and looked at Severus.
"Shall we go in the sitting room for drinks?" Lucius asked smoothly.
Severus nodded his head, but before he could reply Hermione spoke up.
"That would be wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."
She placed what she hoped was a pleasant smile on her face. Lucius smiled at her as they walked into the room on their left.
"You are a married woman now-please call me Lucius." his bright smile distracted her.
She hated to admit it but Lucius's teeth were perfect. Her parents would have been proud.
"Severus, darling! My, you look so handsome! Married life must be doing you good," Narcissa exclaimed as she came into the room.
Narcissa kissed Severus on both cheeks and pulled him into a tight hug. It was a little too long for Hermione's liking, but she held her tongue.
Draco came in the room a second later and just stared at Hermione. Hermione nodded her head to him.
"Hello Draco." Hermione smiled.
Draco nodded his head as he stopped in front of her.
"Granger…hmm, I guess I can't call you that anymore." He forced a smile.
"Draco, come say hello to your godfather while I chat with Madam Snape," Narcissa said, moving away from Severus.
Narcissa stepped in front of Hermione.
"We've never had the pleasure. I'm Narcissa," she said holding out her hand, a duplicitous smile on her face.
Hermione forced a small smile and took a hold of Narcissa's hand to shake.
"I'm Hermione, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione said.
"Oh dear, do call me Narcissa." She turned to walk over to the couch. "Let's sit and get acquainted," she said.
As the ladies sat down, Polky popped in and brought over drinks. They both picked up a glass of white wine.
"So, from what I understand, Severus and you were…forced into marrying?" Narcissa feigned interest as she sipped her wine.
Hermione took a little too big of a gulp of the wine. Her eyes watered. Narcissa got the wrong impression.
"Oh, dear. It's nothing to cry about." Narcissa said insincerely.
She turned to look at Hermione fully.
"I'm sure you know this already, but you've lucked out in the sex department." She sighed dreamily.
Hermione nearly chocked on her wine a second time.
"What?" she asked, shocked.
Narcissa shrugged as she took another sip of her wine.
"Severus is wonders in bed, but don't worry about not getting your fair share, of course." Narcissa said a little too smugly.
Hermione looked over at Severus who looked like to be having a laugh with Lucius and Draco. She looked back at Narcissa.
"You mean, you've been with Severus?" she asked her.
Narcissa smiled and nodded her head, "Oh, it's something you'll get used to. Death Eaters…well, they share their wives with their brethren."
Hermione's mouth dropped. Surely, she wouldn't have to sleep with Lucius or anyone else for that matter.
Hell, I haven't even slept with my own husband.
Polky popped back in to announce dinner was ready.
They all went into the dining room. Hermione admired the chandelier hanging above the table. The men waited for the ladies to sit before they took their seats.
Lucius and Narcissa each sat at either ends of the table. Hermione sat down to the left of Narcissa, Severus sat next to Hermione, Lucius was on his left. Draco sat to the left of Lucius.
"You have such a beautiful home," Hermione said, trying to ease the apprehension she was feeling in her stomach.
"Yes, it is, isn't it?" Narcissa smiled and looked around as if she'd never seen the place before.
The food appeared on their plates just like at Hogwarts. Hermione looked down at her steak, mixed vegetables and roasted potatoes. She waited until the hosts started before she started on hers.
"How has your honeymoon been, Severus?" Narcissa asked quietly.
Hermione saw Draco stiffen from across the table.
"Oh, you know how honeymoons are. Hermione and I are still getting to know one another, isn't that right, Darling?" he smiled at Hermione.
Hermione stifled a giggle. "Yes, yes we are."
She smiled and took a hold of Severus's right hand and squeezed it.
Lucius chuckled and looked over at Narcissa. "Maybe we should go on a third honeymoon. We might be just a nauseating when we get back." He smiled into his glass.
Narcissa huffed, "I don't think I could stand it. It's nauseating enough now." She had a look of disgust on her face before she turned her head to her plate.
Hermione acted surprised. "Oh, I'm sorry." She tried to pull her hand from Severus's but he held on.
She looked over at him questioningly, but he was laughing along with Lucius. Draco looked horrified at their interaction.
As dinner progressed, Hermione couldn't help but think about the previous conversation. Her mind raced as she looked from Severus to Lucius.
Would Severus really share her, and if that was the case, why hadn't he informed her before? Surely, Dumbledore didn't know about this, or he wouldn't have made them marry, right?
"Are you all right, dear?" Narcissa broke into her thoughts.
Hermione looked up to see everyone looking at her. Severus and Draco looked concerned, Lucius looked curious, and Narcissa looked smug; like she knew what Hermione was thinking.
"Oh, I'm ok. I think the wine is getting to my head though." Hermione smiled reassuringly.
Narcissa rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath that sounded like 'children,' but Hermione wasn't sure.
Lucius chuckled. He poured a glass of water and passed it to Severus.
"Perhaps water will be best," he said, amusement evident in his voice.
Severus handed her the glass, which she took politely.
"Thank you." She nodded to Lucius.
Once dinner was over, they retired back into the sitting room. Severus sat in the middle of the couch with Hermione to his left and Draco on his right.
"So," Lucius drawled. "I presume you both will be sharing quarters once school is back?" he asked, smirking into this glass.
Severus nodded his head, placing a hand on Hermione's knee.
"Yes, of course, Dumbledore insisted on separate bedrooms." Severus smirked to Lucius.
"Ah, to keep his school's reputation, I'm sure," Lucius commented.
Narcissa crossed her arms. "Of course, can't have all the teachers marrying…students." She glared at Hermione as she said this.
Hermione snapped back at the woman.
"Excuse me, but I didn't ask for this." She stood up abruptly.
"And if you're so worried about me taking your man-toy, then I suggest you get a divorce if you can't settle to be a one-man woman!" she snarled at Narcissa.
"Well, I never!" Narcissa snapped. She stood up out of her chair and pushed past Hermione and out the room.
Hermione didn't realize she had even walked over to where Narcissa was sitting until she'd been pushed back. Her head snapped back to look at Lucius, who was clapping.
"Well, Severus, you really chose a feisty one," he said as he was smiling at Hermione.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for," she tried to apologize.
"On the contrary, I think she needed it." Lucius smiled.
Severus stood up and walked over to Hermione.
"We probably should go." Severus said placing a hand around Hermione's waist.
Lucius and Draco both stood up. Draco looked, dare she think it, impressed at her outburst towards his mother.
"We'll definitely have to do this again." Lucius said as he looked at Hermione.
She took a deep breath but just nodded her head.
"Draco, do show our guests to the door. I should see to your mother. Goodnight." He inclined his head to them both.
They went to the door. Severus turned to get their cloaks off the rack.
"You look really nice tonight, Hermione," Draco said quietly.
Hermione smiled, though it didn't have the same effect as when Severus complimented her.
"Thank you, Draco," she said just as softly.
Severus helped her into her cloak as he looked at Draco.
"We'll see you soon," Severus said and shook Draco's hand.
Draco nodded and opened the door for them.
"Yes, have a nice rest of your night," Draco said and shut the door.
They walked down the path to the gate, which opened for them. Hermione didn't realize she was trembling until she wrapped her arms around Severus's lower back. He quickly Apparated them to the cottage door.
Once they got into the cottage, Hermione headed for the bedroom. She looked over her shoulder at him.
"I'm beat, I'm going to change and go to bed. Good night," she said quickly and disappeared to the back of the house.
SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG
Severus followed her to the bedroom, he stood at the door.
"Don't you think we should talk about it?" he asked quietly.
Hermione pulled out a nightgown from a drawer. She wouldn't look at him.
"It's nothing. I shouldn't have been so rude. I'm sorry," she apologized, though they both knew she didn't mean it.
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made you go to dinner. I thought it would be…helpful, seeing a different side of…my friends," he said softly.
He quietly walked up behind her. She laughed softly.
"Friends…I didn't know you were Draco's godfather," she said.
She turned to look at him. They were merely inches apart.
"And you didn't force me to go. It's not the dinner…well, it is, but isn't." She tried to elaborate but faltered.
"You've lost me," he said quietly.
She sighed and stared at the floor for a few seconds.
"Do you plan to share me?" she whispered.
He whipped his head to look at her.
"What?" he snapped.
Hermione cringed at his sharp tone.
"Do you plan to share me?" she asked again. She looked up at him. "With Lucius?" she asked.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Narcissa," he hissed quietly.
She had called me man-toy to Narcissa. Now it makes sense.
"Look, Severus, if that's what you do with your brethren, I want no parts in it. I'm not some candy stash that you can share!" she said harshly, jabbing a finger into his chest.
Severus grabbed her by her wrists and pulled her against him. He looked down at her.
He spoke so quietly Hermione had to strain to hear him.
"I will not share you with anyone! You're mine and if any damned fool thinks they can lay a finger on you, they will hear from me. Do you understand me?" his face inches from hers.
Her eyes teared up some; her face white.
"Severus?" she asked, clearly frightened.
He let go her wrists and stepped back. He rubbed his hands over his face.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to hurt or scare you." He looked at her.
"You've inched your way into my life. These weeks with you…I've come to care for you, and the thought of that scum putting his hands on you in such a manner…I lost my control, I'm sorry," he said with pleading eyes.
Hermione sat down on the edge of the bed. Rubbing her wrists, she nodded at him.
"It's all right," she said softly.
He turned around, facing the door and took a deep breath.
"The night before Lucius and Narcissa's wedding, they invited me to share an…experience…with them," he started slowly.
"You…had…sex," she said, softly.
He nodded.
"Lucius told me it was something that he and Narcissa both wanted, and if I agreed, the same should be done…when I married." He sighed shaking his head.
She sat there, shocked and quiet, waiting for him to continue.
"I never envisioned getting married, so I agreed. I forgot all about it, really. It should have dawned on me when Lucius was being…nice to you. But Narcissa was so blatantly rude, I should have seen it," he growled in frustration.
Hermione swallowed, she slowly stood up and took a tentative step towards him.
"So, where does that leave us?" she asked quietly.
Severus turned to her. He stepped forward and cupped her cheek.
"Hermione," he said softly caressing her cheek.
"How can I share something…something I've never even had the opportunity to have?" he ran his thumb over her bottom lip.
Hermione's eyes lowered to the floor.
"Severus…" Hermione started.
"It's all right," he interrupted her. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm not sharing you." He let his hand drop from her cheek.
He turned from her and strode to the door into the sitting room. She followed him out and saw he was opening the door to the cottage.
"Where are you going?" she asked him.
"There's something I need to take care of."
"Severus, you don't have to…" she started.
He shook his head and turned to look at her for a few seconds before walking out and closing the door behind him.
He Apparated back to Malfoy Manor and strode past the open gate up to the house.
Polky lead him into the Lucius's study, where the man in question stood in front of the window, overlooking the front lawn.
"Back so soon? I suppose you're here to tell me bad news," Lucius said before Severus could even say anything.
Severus sighed and shut the door.
"You know, she's not that kind of girl," Severus said quietly.
"Hmph, I didn't want to do it either," Lucius hissed as he spun to glared at Severus.
A look of hatred on his usually handsome face, he took a step towards Severus.
"I didn't want to invite you to my bed that night. It was all her idea. Of course, wanting to appease my soon-to-be-wife, I agreed," Lucius snarled, nearly spitting in Severus's face.
Severus swallowed but didn't say anything.
"You ruined her, Severus. Since that night, our sex life was never the same. She craves your touch, Severus. Your hands, your cock! As if I'm inadequate!" He faced Severus.
"Oh, but I promise, I'll take care of your wife. I'll torture her so bad, she'll never want sex again…from you, or anyone else," Lucius said, a wind of magic swirled around them.
"Over my dead body," Severus whispered to him.
"Fair is fair, Severus. You can taste mine but I can't taste yours? Don't be stingy, old friend," Lucius chuckled.
Severus stepped up to Lucius.
"She's not willing, and that is what's fair. What you're talking about is nothing more than rape. But you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" Severus said quietly.
Lucius laughed loudly.
"I don't need to rape to get what I want. Remember that. Now get out," he hissed at Severus.
Severus gave Lucius a deathly glare for a few seconds before he turned swiftly on his heel and strode out the door. He left Malfoy Manor and Apparated to the cottage.
Hermione stopped pacing as the door opened. He looked over at her, still in her dress. She ran over to him and flung her arms around his neck.
"Oh, Severus! I thought you ran off and did something stupid," she cried as she held onto him.
He wrapped his left arm around her waist and hoisted her up so he could fully walk in and close the door.
"I'm not Potter or Weasley. I don't just go galloping off into danger, Hermione." He pulled back from her.
She laughed a little at his joke.
"I thought you were tired?" he asked.
"I was until I got worried about you. I can only assume where you went," she said inquisitive.
He chuckled and led her down the hall into the bedroom.
"It's all been worked out. Now, can we go to sleep? I really am tired," he said, pretending to yawn.
She sighed and picked up her forgotten nightgown off the bed.
"Fine." She turned and headed into the bathroom to change.
When she came out, he was already in bed, his eyes closed but was sure he wasn't asleep that quickly.
She got into bed and laid down on her side facing him.
"Goodnight, Severus." She closed her eyes and was out in mere minutes.
June 28, 1996
Severus woke before the sun had even risen. He slipped quietly out bed, picked up his clothes and took them into the sitting room to get dressed. He left the cottage quietly so he didn't wake up Hermione and walked up to Hogwarts.
As much as he didn't want to, he should inform Albus. Hermione would have to watch out for Lucius for other reasons aside from Voldemort.
Severus sat in an armchair facing Albus across the desk. Of course, Albus wasn't too surprised as Severus informed him of this dilemma.
"I'm sure she'll be safe within Hogwarts, Severus. But, if you're so worried, maybe you should enlist her help with my 'ring' problem," Albus said, eyes twinkling.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ring…Albus, I apologize, I haven't even looked into it," Severus said.
Albus waved him off. "It can wait until you return to school."
"I understand Hagrid is getting married in France?" Severus asked changing the subject.
"Yes, unfortunately, he'll be staying there. Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank will take over Care of Magical Creatures," Albus said, a little sad to see Hagrid go.
"Oh," Severus said softly. He always had a soft spot for the half-giant.
Severus stood up, "I suppose I'll see you in a couple days?" He asked Albus.
"The wedding, yes, I'll be there. I'm a little surprised you'll be there though," Albus said.
"I didn't want to, but Hermione wasn't going unless I was." Severus said with a shrug.
"Hermione, you say?" Albus commented.
Severus rolled his eyes, "I have to go."
He reached for the door.
"Give my best to…Hermione," Albus said, amusement in his voice.
SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG
Hermione was on the couch curled up with The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 in her lap. Her wand in her hand she silently moved her wand in the air looking down at the book.
The door opened, she looked up.
"Out for a morning run?" she asked with a smirk, looking him up and down in his teaching robes.
He looked over to her and smiled.
"Doing homework, already?" he inquired with an arched eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes, closed her book and grinned.
"To be the top of my class, I actually do my work," she said smugly to him.
He snorted. "Not according to Rita Skeeter," he mumbled and sat down next to her on the couch.
She slapped him on his arm.
"That's not funny! That woman is nothing but a meddlesome, uncaring beetle!" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
Severus rubbed his arm in mock hurt.
"A beetle?" he asked.
Her eyes widened. She hadn't meant for that bit of dirt to come out.
She stammered, "Well…I…I…didn't mean, beetle per se…" she tried to come up with a reason.
He sat up straight and peered into her eyes. She turned her head in case he tried to use Legilimency on her.
"Hermione…are you saying Rita Skeeter is an unregistered Animagus? Her form is a beetle?" he asked quietly.
She looked at him and sighed. "I thought I had gotten through to her about writing such stories. I guess not," she whispered.
He raised both eyebrows at her.
"What did you do?" he asked curiously.
Hermione blushed and ducked her head, she mumbled something while shaking her head.
He placed a hand under her chin and pulled it to look at him.
"Say that again," he said.
"I said, I placed her in a jar at the end of my fourth year. I didn't release her until we got back into London. She promised she wouldn't write anything horrible for a full year." She shrugged. "I thought she wouldn't write anymore lies after that," she said.
Severus laughed, a full belly laugh.
Wiping tears from his eyes, still laughing, he said, "You're…you're….are you sure you weren't supposed to be in Slytherin?" He leaned back on the couch holding his stomach.
Hermione sat there shocked. She stood up quickly and marched into the kitchen.
"It's not that bloody funny!" she huffed.
Severus didn't follow her, he was too busy laughing.
SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG
Hermione fixed dinner for the night. They have been taking turns making their meals together, though they both seemed to always skip lunch.
She brought over their plates to the table and sat down.
"When did you get your books?" he asked her.
Hermione's eyes lit up. "Oh, Professor McGonagall gave me the list before we left for the summer. I ordered them with the help of Hedwig on the train." She chewed on her potatoes.
Severus chuckled and shook his head.
"What?" she asked.
"Do try and refrain yourself with my books, will you?" he joked with her.
"I can use your books?" she asked incredulously.
Severus looked up from his plate, stone-faced for a few seconds, before he broke out in a grin.
"How could I say no to that face?" he said silkily.
She didn't even think twice before she flung herself into Severus's arms and kissed him full on the mouth. He placed his hands on her waist.
He reluctantly pulled his mouth away from hers. "Hermione," he groaned.
Her hands moved to hold his face, and she put her forehead against his. "Shit, I'm sorry, Severus," she said, breathlessly.
Severus chuckled at her profanity. "I should have thought about your reaction before I spoke," he murmured.
She pulled back from him and sat back down in her chair. "I get excited about books," she said with a shrug.
She pushed a piece of hair off of her forehead.
"I know," he said with a smirk.
They finished dinner quietly.
A/N: I hope this chapter was ok; I've had a major writer's block on this chapter.