A/N: We learn more about the mansion in this chapter. Thanks for reading! Amortentia in my Veins, you're awesome.

Chapter 24

The evening at the opera had been wonderful. The whole trip to Vienna had been wonderful. They had walked the city, made love to each other over and over again in their hotel room, and feasted on the wonderful offerings Vienna had in store for them. Sadly, they were home now and getting ready to meet with Dumbledore. Hermione went over to Severus and hugged him from behind.

"If only we could have stayed in Vienna forever. Coming home just got me nervous about everything again."

Severus turned within her embrace. His arms came up, and he pulled her close. "I think this will be over soon, Maia. Then we can live without being slaves to the Dark Lord."

"The sooner the better."

He hugged her tighter. "I swear to you, Maia, it will all be worth it."

She sighed. "I know, my love. I'm just so tired of being at war and fearing for those I love. It seems like it's all I've been doing my entire life."

He kissed her forehead. "I daresay, you have. Longer than I have, even. I didn't really get involved with the wrong crowd until my second year at Hogwarts."

He smirked at her as she batted him on the arm.

"Come on, we should be going," he told her.

She hugged him again before separating.

"Okay, let's get this over with," she said with a huff.

Severus went over to the fireplace. Within a minute, they had Floo'd to Dumbledore's office. Hermione exited the fireplace and nodded at Dumbledore.

"Thanks for opening the Floo to us, Headmaster," she said as she settled in a chair in front of his desk.

Severus settled into the chair next to her and folded his hands across his chest. "What is your plan, Albus?" he said without preamble.

"It's time to introduce you both to the Order and plan an attack against Voldemort."

Hermione looked at Dumbledore. "That's it?"

"That's all you need to know for now," he said.

Hermione got up from her chair and leaned over the desk and into Dumbledore's space. "You're kidding, right? Your inability to let one hand know what the other was doing almost lost us the war in my time. Severus had vital information about defeating the Dark Lord and almost wasn't able to pass it on. How about you stop covering everything up and tell us what you have planned?"

Albus gave her a level glance but said nothing.

"Do you understand what I'm saying, Albus?" she demanded.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I believe I do, Maia. You must understand, I am not used to laying everything out on the table for everyone to see."

Hermione moved back and returned to her seat. "I know. Believe me, I know."

"Can you be more specific as to how my keeping information almost lost us the war effort? I find that hard to believe."

Hermione huffed in exasperation. "Of course you do." She eyed him caustically before continuing. "You never told Severus about the Horcruxes. You never told Harry Potter that he was a Horcrux. You entrusted Severus to relay to Harry that he had to die for the Dark Lord to be defeated, but didn't explain why. The Dark Lord attacked Severus, and if we hadn't been hiding right there, he would not have been able to pass on your instructions through his memories before he died. Harry would have gone into battle not knowing he'd needed to die, and had he lived, the Dark Lord would have been able to come back."

Albus looked at Hermione. "I thought you said your friend survived."

"He did, but he died first. It's a long story."

Dumbledore brought his hands up to his face and steepled his fingers. "I'll consider what you said."

Severus broke in then. "I have seen her memories, Albus. She is right. Had Potter not been nearby, he would never have known what his task was and what he needed to do."

Albus gave Severus a quick nod. "I'll let you know at the Order meeting what my decision is," he advised. "We are meeting in two weeks at seven o'clock at the Potter residence."

Severus rose and acknowledged Albus with a tilt of his head. "We will see you then," he said as he took Hermione's arm and led her to the fireplace. In a flash, they had returned to their home.

Hermione sighed. "Do you think anything I said had any effect on him?"

"I do," Severus said. "I'm just not sure it will make a difference."

She threw her hands up. "I don't know what else I could have said."

Severus gathered her in his arms. "You said all you could. He'll either heed your warning or he won't. He, of course, always thinks he's right about everything."

Hermione smirked at him. "That's so true."

"Forget about him," Severus advised. "Whatever he decides, we will do what he asks. I would like to work on the house if you are all right with that?"

"Of course, love. I would like that too."

They Disapparated into the grand entryway, and Severus let her go. He looked around.

"To be honest, the more time we spend here, the more I want to make this our long-term home."

Hermione eyed him.

"You don't agree?" he asked.

"It's not that. We just weren't sure that we wanted to keep this home after the Dark Lord is dead. What's made you decide to keep it?"

He wandered over to a wall and ran his hand down it. Looking back at her, he explained. "Of course, the fact that it's been in the family for centuries is something that weighs heavily on me. I don't know that I'm ready to get rid of it just because it's huge. I'm not sure that sealing off half of it is the answer either."

Moving a bit along the wall, he examined a painting of a mountain with a beautiful waterfall gliding down it. Hermione realized he was still trying to formulate his opinion and waited patiently for him to speak again. Finally, he cleared his throat.

"I also feel that the house's sentience is very important. I think it will be a great ally and protector of us and our family if we choose to stay here. I find it hard to want to give this estate up because of that. I doubt we will ever find a location that has sentience, let alone allegiance to us like this home."

Hermione neared him. "You're referring to it as a home," she said simply.

He turned to her. "It can be if we choose it to be." Sighing he looked her in the eyes. "What are your thoughts on the matter?"

Hermione turned and surveyed the entryway. She went over to the marble stairway and sat down on the stair motioning for Severus to join her with a pat next to her. He walked over and sat down as well. They admired the chandelier above them for a minute. The upside-down triangular shape was made from teardrop crystals which flowed down to a point. The fixture was massive and beautiful. Hermione broke her gaze from the chandelier and looked at Severus.

"I've been thinking as well. It's truly a beautiful house. I agree with everything you said, Severus. It would be a shame to see it lost to the Snape family, and I have felt an affinity to it since it helped us with the Horcrux. I've come to think of it as a dear friend in only a short while."

She got up and wandered in the direction of the west wing. Staring down the hall toward the library she sighed. "I think we should keep it as well."

Severus got up and moved behind her. His hands rested on her shoulders. "Are you sure?"

She turned and looked toward the east wing. "I think our original idea to make that wing our main home is what I'd like, but I don't know if I want to close off this other part of the house either."

"You didn't answer my question," Severus said softly.

She smiled at him as her arms went around him. "I want this to be our home, Severus. I want us to raise our family here. I want our first child and any child after that to grow up here and feel loved. Yes, my love, I think we should keep it."

He smiled at her and pulled her close. "Thank you. You know this is a joint venture, and I want us both to be happy and in agreement with our decisions."

The lights blinked on and off three times. Hermione and Severus pulled back and smiled at one another.

"It seems the house is happy with our decision as well," Severus said.

Hermione thought to herself for a moment.

"I know that look," Severus said. "What are you thinking?"

"I wonder if we could use the house's protections to help with the fight against the Dark Lord?"

"I'm sure we could, but we don't even know what the house can do."

"It would be a good lure to battle," Hermione said. "We could use the Horcrux as a reason for him to come. Maybe attack him here and set up an ambush for the rest of the Death Eaters afterward."

Severus frowned. "I don't think we could get the other Death Eaters to group together without our Lord being involved."

"Hmm, good point. We'd have to have all of them come at once. I don't know that amassing all of the Death Eaters here would be wise, though."

Severus mulled it over for a minute. "We could claim that the Order has found out about our having something valuable of the Dark Lord's. We could say they're going to attack the house to try and find it, and that we'll need help defending it."

Hermione nodded. "That could work. We could have some Order members hiding in the house, and some come to the gates to try and attack."

"Maybe the house could keep the Death Eaters from entering it?"

"We should do some research on sentient houses to find out how to communicate and what possible things it can help us with," Hermione said.

Severus smirked. "Maia, always wanting to research."

Hermione huffed. "Well, how else would we find out what the house can do?"

Severus arched an eyebrow at her. "Have you thought to ask it?"

"I…"

Severus quickly gazed around the room. "How do we communicate with you?" he asked aloud.

A house-elf appeared in front of them, bowing low. As he straightened, he looked directly at Severus.

"I am Miffy, master elf of the great House of Prince. I am a descendant of the first master elf and have served the House of Prince for fifty years. How may I be of service?"

"Miffy, this is my wife, Maia. You will serve us equally."

"Of course, Master Snape."

"Why didn't you appear when we first came to the house?" Severus asked sharply.

"You didn't ask for me," the elf said brusquely.

Severus nodded quickly. "Am I to assume you are in communication with the house and know its capabilities?"

"Of course, sir."

"Are there more staff?" Hermione asked.

"Of course, mistress."

Hermione chuckled. "How many are you?"

The elf straightened. "There are seven of us, mistress."

"I'm sure you serve the House of Prince well," she said.

"Of course, mistress."

Severus continued. "What can we expect of this house?"

"It is your home. It is loyal to the descendants of the House of Prince. It will honor and protect you," the elf explained.

"Miffy, we may need to ask the house for extra protection. How would we do that?"

"You need only discuss it with me, Master Snape. I am in direct communication with the house, and I can tell you if what you need is possible."

Severus smirked at the house-elf. "Here's what we need. We are involved with some evil people. We want to trap them here so we can take them down. Is it possible to have certain people only be able to access the grounds, but not the house?"

"Yes, sir."

"What other protections can the house supply in that sort of encounter?"

The elf put his hand up to his chin. "It can enhance the magic of allies. It can put a forcefield around the entire house and the grounds. It can also set repelling charms automatically so no one will come near it."

Severus tilted his head slightly. "Useful," he muttered. "Thank you, Miffy." Turning to Hermione, he continued. "We'll have to discuss this with Dumbledore at the meeting. This may change his plans."

"Yes, hopefully, it will."

Severus chuckled. "You don't even know what he is planning."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm sure it's awful." She looked down the hallway. "Miffy," she said.

"Yes, mistress."

"Could you help us out?"

"It's Miffy's pleasure to serve, mistress."

"First of all, call me Maia."

The house-elf sputtered. "But mistress!"

"Maia."

"Mistress Maia."

She shook her head. "I guess that will do. Severus and I were discussing what we want to do with the house. It's very big, and we really don't need to use all of it. What can we do with the west wing?"

"When Master Orpheus and Mistress Heloise passed, all the rooms reverted back to the way they were originally configured. Every new family can arrange the rooms as they'd like."

Hermione's eyes lit up. "Then let's take a look and see what we can do. I have some ideas."

The trio set off down the hall. Hermione led the way and opened the first door on the left.

"Severus, I think we should remove the dividing walls on this entire side of the house and make this into a Potions lab."

Severus' eyes lit up, but he schooled his features. "That would be acceptable," he agreed without emotion.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him before looking at the house-elf who snapped his fingers, making the room stretch the length of that part of the house. Tables and shelving appeared in the room, making it ready for them to fill it with what they needed to brew.

"Perfect, we can move our supplies into here tomorrow. Let's move across the hall," Hermione directed.

"Yes ma'am," Severus said while smirking at her. "Miffy, something to be aware of: don't get in Mrs. Snape's way when she's thinking."

The elf nodded soberly as they moved into the next room.

"Playroom?" Severus suggested.

Hermione shook her head. "No, I'd like that closer to us in the other wing."

"How about some sort of gathering room?" Severus suggested.

"Yes, I like that idea. Miffy, please make this room a little bigger. Maybe push that far wall back a bit."

With a snap of his fingers, the far wall had moved back several feet, enlarging the room into a spacious sitting room.

Hermione eyed the current furniture in the room. She took her wand and waved it quickly. Some of the furniture slid to one side of the room, and the rest was transformed into a piano which was set in the far corner by the windows. She took the remaining furniture and arranged it in a circular pattern alternating sofas and chaise lounges to make an intimate look.

"Miffy, can you change the upholstery of these to brown leather?"

Miffy snapped his fingers, and all the furniture became a beautiful dark brown leather. Several small tables appeared around the circle, and a large round coffee table appeared in the center. They were made of stone tile with a black iron rim and legs.

"Nice touch," Hermione told the elf.

"Thank you, Mistress Maia."

"Do you play?" Severus said, motioning to the piano.

"Not very well, but I've always wanted a piano," Hermione explained.

They moved to the library. Severus looked around.

"I don't want to change anything with this room. It's perfect as it is," he said.

Hermione nodded. "I agree, but I'd like some different draperies on the windows. Something not as thick to let in more light."

Miffy snapped his fingers and some thin green drapes appeared with sheer green curtains underneath. The light in the room immediately brightened it.

"Perfect," Hermione said. "I think that works well for the ground floor," she remarked, looking at Severus.

Severus looked around as well. "I agree. What about the upstairs?"

Hermione's eyebrows knit together. "Guest rooms?" she asked with a shrug.

"There are six bedrooms up there," Severus mused.

"And six in the east wing as well."

Miffy broke in then. "Mistress Maia, Master Severus, it's no problem for staff to keep all the bedrooms clean and kept up. That's our job. Besides, you can fill the house with children."

Hermione gaped at the elf. "I don't think we'll be having that many children!" she cried.

"Well, the one coming will need siblings," Miffy said with a huff.

"You know that I'm having a baby?" Hermione asked while placing a hand on her abdomen.

"Mistress Maia, you and Master Severus have been talking about a nursery. The house hears you."

Severus looked at the elf. "I know you will keep the secrets of the House of Prince, Miffy. As of right now, I ask you to keep this knowledge of our pregnancy to yourself. Please inform the other House-elves as well."

"Of course, sir." Miffy bowed low. "Please know we all is excited to have a child in the house, sir."

Hermione reached out and took the elf's hand. "Thank you, Miffy. We are excited too." She smiled at the elf, who nodded.

Hermione turned to Severus. "I suppose we could leave the upstairs for now. There's no hurry to update the rooms."

Severus nodded. "So, the ground floor in the east wing houses the kitchens, a grand dining room, a smaller dining room, a guest bath, and a main sitting room. Is there anything you want to change over there?" he asked Hermione.

"No, I think the main floor over there is perfect."

Miffy held his finger up tentatively. The couple looked at him.

"I have a suggestion for where the nursery could go upstairs," he said shyly.

Severus arched an eyebrow at the elf, but Hermione only smiled. "Why don't you show us?" she said.

They made their way through the house, listening to Miffy gush about how the staff was excited to have new life in the home as Severus and Maia were so young. Finally, they were on the second floor. Miffy led them to the end of the hall to the bedroom across from the master and snapped his fingers. The door opened for them, and they stepped in. The house-elf snapped his fingers again, and the room was transformed into a nursery. A white crib was on the far side of the room along the wall. A bay window had white sheer curtains that were drawn back. A green rocking chair was in the other corner of the room and along the wall was a changing stand and dresser. The walls were a calm, pale yellow.

Hermione smiled. "This is lovely, Miffy."

The elf nodded solemnly.

"You've picked the nicest room up here aside from the master," Severus acknowledged.

"As the babies grow, you can moves them into the other rooms, making this room available for siblings."

"Miffy!" Hermione cried. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves!"

"I just loves children, Mistress Maia. The more the better."

Hermione laughed as Severus scowled. He finally huffed. "Maia and I shall decide how many children fill this household, Miffy," he said sternly.

"Yes, Master Severus."

Severus noted that the elf looked like he was about to iron his hands or something worse. He held his finger out. "Oh no, no punishments. You said nothing that deserved a punishment."

Hermione looked at the elf as well. "Miffy, can you call the rest of the staff up here, please?"

Miffy bowed and disappeared. He was back with the other six House-elves in no time. Introductions were made, and Hermione regarded them with a smile.

Severus addressed them collectively. "Elves of the House of Prince, we are honored to be served by you. We shall never do anything to sully the greatness of this house, and we expect the same of you. Know that we expect your dedication and fealty. What we don't expect is for you to feel the need to punish yourselves if you think you have failed us in any way. Please talk to one of us first if you feel you have erred in anything."

All the elves nodded at Severus. "Thank you, you are dismissed."

They all disappeared at that point. Hermione threw her arms around Severus. "My love, thank you for telling them that!"

He kissed her then. Pulling back, he looked into her eyes.

"I know your sense of fairness about the House-elves. I want you to be comfortable with them, and I want you to know they will be treated fairly."

She grinned at him. "Severus, you always think about my feelings. I love you so much."

His kiss was reverent then. His lips came down on hers, and she felt his love for her. Electricity went through her at his touch. He was everything. She returned the kiss, tangling her tongue with his. Her heart swelled as she felt his love for her.

"You're so perfect," she whispered before taking his lips with hers again.