CHAPTER FORTY-THREE—Twined

People who have read HP: DH recently will recognize some paraphrased quotes taken from the source.

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Ginny braided Hermione's hair. Er, she tried to.

Ginny picked up her wand to cast the door open. "Bill! I need help!"

Hermione groaned. Bill stuck his head around the corner. Then he laughed.

"I don't want to use magic," Ginny said, "because, erm, well—"

"I get it, Ginny, there's a lot of hair," Hermione said.

"Yes, that."

"Okay, let's start over," Bill chuckled. "Start at the top instead of trying to braid it all at once."

Ginny maneuvered a small section of hair into three bits.

Then Bill pulled two of the strands around the middle one. "Now make a new one."

One of the twins walked past the door. When they came back, she could tell it was George with a camera as he took a photo. Hermione blushed.

"I don't need it advertised that it takes two people to deal with my hair!" she called after him.

Bill held his stomach to laugh. "Ginny only had my hair to practice on. It's not her fault she's not very good."

"Rude!" Ginny said.

"I think you have the hang of it now," Bill said. He leaned over to fake a whisper to Hermione. "If it gets stuck, I have a charm for that."

"Go on, get out of here," Ginny chided.

Hermione liked being here with the Weasleys. There were a lot of them, and they were happy, for the most part. As happy as one can be in these times. Hermione tried to be happy with them.

Ginny stopped braiding, but Hermione felt something poke her on the scalp.

"Bill didn't say anything about stabbing."

Ginny snorted. "I'm just making you more festive, is all."

Hermione flicked her wand at a hand mirror until it floated over.

Ginny had stuck tiny flowers throughout her braid. It was a tight plait in places but loose in others. Hermione vowed to not touch it lest it fall apart.

"Guess you're stuck wearing that jumper, now," Ginny said.

Hermione shrugged. "Who am I getting dressed up for? I'm already off the market, as Dad used to say."

"Your husband," Ginny said with a few more vowels in 'husband' added in.

Hermione turned up her nose. "Yeah, right. He is not interested." She drew a circle above Ginny's remaining flowers and spun them into a crown. She dropped it on Ginny's head, fingers erupting in pain.

Ginny waved her hand. "Sure. Because he's a saint, right?"

Hermione flushed and crossed her arms. "As much as one can be with a witch in the bed with them."

Ginny tapped a finger to her chin. "Maybe we should ditch the jumper."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

The boys stuck their heads into the room.

"Nice flowers," Ron snickered.

George came back with Fred this time.

George pouted. "Aw, I wanted another photo."

.

Severus met Minerva and Albus at the Three Broomsticks. Though the Carrows appeared incapacitated, Severus took all precautions to ensure he was not followed. Minerva and Albus had finished their Butterbeers just before he arrived.

Madam Rosmerta concluded her story with, "It seems to me less students come in here every weekend."

"It has nothing to do with the Butterbeer," Minerva assured her. "We did not receive the usual amount of permission slips."

Rosmerta frowned. "That's too bad."

Albus noticed Severus standing a table away. He hid the strain well when he stood. His purple and silver robes attracted all the lamplight in the tavern.

The three went outside to Apparate, Albus leaning on Minerva for most of the walk..

Severus was…not confident he could Apparate without a Splinching.

Minerva Disillusioned the three of them, then she and Albus Disapparated together. Severus imagined the front door. Then he imagined Yaxley and Rowle, who had been tasked with monitoring Grimmuald Place this night.

He refocused on the front door. He had expressly not used any magic but the Banishing and Sticking spells today to conserve his energy.

He Apparated into the street. He doubled over when every muscle in his abdomen clenched.

Someone grabbed his shoulder. He nearly hexed Minerva. He held up his hand.

Neither could talk lest Yaxley hear. Albus walked up to the front door even as it was forming between the houses.

Minerva and Severus followed. Minerva removed her charm when they were all safely behind the closed door of Grimmauld Place.

"How do you feel?" Minerva asked.

The curtain flew open to reveal the silent screaming of Walburga Black.

"Fine."

Minerva did not believe him nor approve of his blatant lie. But she did not chastise him.

Severus took a moment to steady his breathing; Minerva escorted Albus down the stairs to the kitchen. Severus heard Hermione's voice tell them they were 'right on time for supper.'

Hermione exited the stairwell but did not see him. He followed her to the back door.

She stood on her toes to peer out the window then went outside. Severus paused to look out the window as well. A group stood outside smoking cigars or pipes. From the house, Severus could see Fletcher and a few Aurors, possibly Podmore and Mad-Eye among them.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Supper is ready," she told them.

She had tiny white specks in her hair.

Fletcher tossed his cigarette into the snow. "'Ermione, wait a tick."

She wrapped her arms around her torso to stay warm. Severus stayed in the door's shadow.

"I feel bad, about the marriage thing," Fletcher said. "Assumin' you 'aven't found anybody, I am still amenable to marriage."

Severus felt his front teeth with his tongue.

Nobody said anything until Podmore could not contain his snort any longer. "She's out of your league, mate."

"I am right here!" Hermione snapped.

"She's already married," Mad-Eye growled.

"What?" Fletcher turned back to Hermione. "Even w'that bounty? Who?"

Even from here Severus could see the stiff bend to her back and shoulders. "That is my personal business," she sniffed. "Supper is ready," she said again before turning with such force Fletcher had to back off lest her braid whip his nose.

Severus stepped away before she flung open the backdoor. She was surprised to see him but didn't stop her stride.

She put her hands on her hips. "With you here, I suppose I can't lock them out for a few minutes."

"Shall I hex them, dear?" he asked.

Her eyes widened at the uncharacteristic pet-name before she started laughing. "No. Not yet. Perhaps if Mundungus Fletcher approaches me again."

Hermione looked over her shoulder then back at him. "Moody is out there, so we should not be here when he comes in."

He stepped out of the way to let her pass. Hermione led the way. He needed to snap out of his sociable Death Eater mode before they reached the kitchen.

Minerva and Albus sat across from Arthur at the head of the table. Severus sat behind his colleagues. Molly tried to foist a plate onto him but he refused. The two agreed on tea. She seemed to be twice as demanding of him than usual.

Molly, Fleur and Ginny Weasley, and Hermione took charge of distributing plates as people walked in. He found that a bit odd. Not for Hermione to be in charge of anything, but that she would do something so…domestic, perhaps?

When Moody walked into the room she ignored him. Fleur had to take a plate to his seat. Severus reasoned that if the four of them controlled the flow of food, there would not be a crush of people around the stove.

The Aurors toasted something or other in their corner. Dumbledore and Minerva bid Severus a happy Christmas. The twins sat near Minerva's elbow but scooted over when Hermione came with her plate. Severus crossed his legs. His joints hurt but his head calmed with her proximity.

Dumbledore asked Hermione if she had queried any other potions masters.

"Not yet, sir."

"You have time," he assured her.

"Certainly Professor Snape will write a recommendation," Minerva said. She pushed away her plate.

"Doubt it," he said.

"He's joking, of course," she reassured Hermione.

"The professor jokes now?" Tonks asked as she picked up people's plates. "Times, they are a-changing."

Hermione insisted she take her own plate to the sink, the large, precarious number in Tonks' hand notwithstanding. "I will work harder to get the recommendation. Clearly I am slacking," she said as she walked around the three teachers.

Minerva squinted her eyes at Severus over her shoulder. "You're joking." It was a warning.

"Perhaps." He drank his tea.

Minerva shook his head. "Now you find the time to joke."

Dumbledore chuckled.

As dinner plates were emptied and taken to the sink, Potter and Weasley reviewed some of the twins' prank products. The flash and pop from George's camera aggravated Severus's headache.

Potter scrunched his eyes closed as his face turned red from the neck up to his forehead. "Needs—less cinnamon," he coughed.

Weasley shivered, his skin fading to blue. He stuttered, "I think this one's on the mark."

Kingsley came in late. Molly used her wand to guide his plate to the end of the table.

"Kept warm for you," she said.

Tonks stood behind Remus's chair to grab one of the prank sweets at random.

"Dora, maybe you shouldn't," Remus said.

"Are these safe for expecting witches?" Tonks asked with the sweetie halfway to her mouth.

Hermione stood behind Weasley's chair. "Expecting!"

Remus took the sweetie from Tonks.

The twins shrugged at one another. "We haven't tried."

"Can we get back to the expecting part of the conversation!" Hermione insisted. Miss Weasley seconded the sentiment.

Tonks laughed. "A boy."

Miss Weasley shook her head. "Too many boys if you ask me."

"I insist that I hold this baby," Hermione pressed, pointing her finger into the table. "And you will have to fight me to get him back."

"You don't even know if he's cute, yet," Ginny said.

Still emphatic, Hermione explained, "All babies are cute. That's what they do: Be cute."

Minerva looked at Severus and laughed. "Your face," she snickered behind her hand.

"Not. Another. Word," he said. The heat had drained from his body and left him cold.

Albus peered over his spectacles, his eyebrows rising towards the ceiling. Then he belted out the first full-throated laugh Severus had heard since he first returned with that curse on his hand.

"I may have grandchildren after all," Minerva muttered to Albus.

"That is enough," Severus hissed through grit teeth.

Molly and some others congratulated the Lupins.

"Hope you're ready for a tiny Remus and Tonks hybrid at Hogwarts, Professors," Tonks said with a mischievous grin.

Minerva tapped her napkin to her lips. "I believe I shall retire."

Severus agreed in his head.

Near the stove, Arthur explained to Fleur how cars worked. "We lost our car in an unfortunate accident," Arthur laughed.

Severus supposed there was nothing left to do but laugh, when you found your child had crashed the car into a very violent tree. And then the car had absconded into the nearest forest.

Arthur had a diagram of an engine. Bill would squint when something sounded off about the explanation.

The kitchen bounced everyone's voices around. Severus was thankful the headache dulled.

Molly had been in charge of the dinner, so a few others insisted they bring some pudding.

"We set it up in the library," Hestia stood up to announce.

The Aurors wasted no time getting upstairs.

Severus did not want to be in an even tinier space with the same amount of people. He pretended not to see the suspicious glares sent his way and he ignored Moody entirely.

Albus, with regret, told Minerva he thought he should rest a minute here.

Potter tried to convince Hermione to go upstairs.

"I had way too many Chocolate Frogs last night with Ginny. I don't think I should eat any more sweets this year."

Miss Weasley and George scrubbed down the long table from the far end. She said, "Would I eat them all again? Yes, yes I would."

Fred set out more sweets for Potter and their younger brother to try. "Ah, to be young again."

"You have no room to complain," Arthur assured him. He put his arm around Molly's shoulders.

"Stop cleaning," she commanded. "It's only Christmas once a year."

Ginny and George flung their rags behind them without a moment's pause.

"You can clean it tomorrow," Molly added.

The red-haired people in the room groaned.

While they talked about injustices and house-elf labor, Severus overheard Lupin bid Potter closer.

"Harry, this may be, I mean to say—" He took in a deep breath through his nose and let it out through his mouth. "Dora and I would like for you to be the baby's godfather, Harry."

"M-me?"

"No one better," Lupin said with a warm smile. "Dora quite agrees."

Potter rubbed the back of his neck. His green eyes were wide. "I—yeah—blimey—of course I will."

Tonks approached the pair and wrapped Lupin in a hug. She set her chin on his shoulder. "I think we'll name him Teddy."

"I've never been a godfather before," Potter chuckled, clearly nervous though the baby wasn't even here yet. "I'll do my best."

"You'll be fine," Tonks said with a wink. Her eyes slanted up to Lupin's scarred face. "I think Remus here's a bit nervous about the whole thing, but I have a good feeling about this baby."

Remus looked chagrined. "Nothing would make me happier than this baby coming out healthy and whole and—not cursed."

So he was worried the baby would be a werewolf. Severus didn't think that was how lycanthropy worked but he hadn't done any research in quite some time.

Charlie and Miss Weasley flung her flower crown like a frisbee, tiny flowers popping off each circuit. The twins convinced Ron to try a sweetie: "It won't make your hands swell up this time, promise."

George took several photos of Ron's ears and nose twitching while Fred took notes by hand.

Severus detested their abundance of energy. Particularly when he was nearby.

Minerva helped Albus to his feet. They made slow but steady progress to the door.

Severus did not want to stay in here alone. Not with prank sweets and troublemakers and no Minerva to chide them. He stood up but felt a tiny tug on his sleeve.

Hermione was behind him gathering the rest of the plates. "How do you feel? Hopefully as awful as I do."

"I've felt worse."

"There are spare rooms. You could stay here."

"I have inflicted my presence enough."

She stacked the plates with his teacup on top. "It's just—we've decided to Apparate back to school. I don't think I can, at this rate."

Severus let his eyes wander over to Potter then to Weasley. He noticed Lupin watching him as Dora and Potter conversed next to him.

"You don't trust those two to help?"

Hermione frowned at his implication. "We've not had much practice. I would rather just do it myself."

Severus rubbed one of his temples and turned to face his wife once more. "I will come back tomorrow."

"But—" She stopped. "Alright, if you're sure. Don't go Splinching yourself on my account."

Severus felt someone more sinister than Lupin eye him up. He didn't turn.

"Alastor," Albus said, somewhat friendly.

The chatter died off.

"Here we go," Hermione muttered. She hauled the dishes to the sink.

Severus turned. Both of Moody's eyes were on his face.

Severus realized that he had been calm—not quite content, but even-keeled all day, with no children tramping about the school, methodically cleaning his lab. He realized it because he was now, without a doubt, foully irritated just looking at the man.

Podmore, Fletcher and Diggle filed into the room after Moody. They stood before the door like an imperious triangle. Diggle was off to the side and huffy about having been dragged in here. Podmore kept an eye on Diggle as if he might flee.

"So, you really did marry Granger," Moody said. "I can't imagine there's any other way to get you to an Order party."

"I said he had, didn't I?" Diggle normally was not a snippy man.

Tonks and Lupin turned wide eyes to Hermione. Of the present group, they were the only two that didn't know, it seemed.

Severus didn't say anything. He found it helped people arrive at their point faster if he just watched them.

"When did you two get married?" Tonks asked with wonder. "I am a little miffed I was not invited."

"It was a beautiful ceremony," Miss Weasley said with a straight face. "Particularly the part where the bride kicked out Mad-Eye for being rude."

Potter and the other Weasley children stifled their laughs, some better than others, the twins outright laughing at Moody with glee. Moody's visage darkened but he did not give them any other attention.

"Are you quite finished with this nonsense?" Minerva asked, voice edged with annoyance. "He did as you demanded."

Moody raised his hand in acquiescence. "That he did."

Fletcher snorted. "Yeah, must've twisted 'is arm."

Severus moved his eyes to Fletcher. Fletcher flinched and looked down.

Moody approached Severus. His wooden foot had been replaced.

Hermione continued to stack plates as if the conversation was a bore. Severus thought she purposely put herself between Severus and Moody, each at the other end of the table. Potter scooted out of his chair and stood up, already tense, on the other side of the table with Ron and the twins.

When Moody came to a stop before Hermione and put both his hands on his walking stick, Severus was reminded of the clandestine meetings with the Dark Lord, peering down at those he felt beneath him.

"Let's hear what your wife has to say about you, eh, Snape?"

His regular eye landed on Hermione.

The girl was bewildered. "What?" she asked, leaving the remaining plates on the table.

"What's he been doing?" Moody asked as if his train of thought made sense to everyone else in the room. His scarred face looked gleeful. "That's why you married him, if you recall."

Hermione wiped her hands on her jeans. "Well, I must admit, I left all my notes at home."

Severus clenched his jaw so tight he thought his teeth would shatter. How she dared? And how did she manage to pull one over on him?

"That's fine, lass—what have you learned?"

"I've learned that he spends more time in his lab than anywhere else. He does not permit house-elves to tidy his office." She counted with her fingers. "He gets up early on Saturdays and Sundays which is admirable but it is annoying when he wakes me from an occasional lie-in. He has a set of Shakespeare's plays but it doesn't look like he's ever read them—"

"That's not what I meant," Moody growled as Potter and Weasley snickered.

Minerva had on a smirk and even Dumbledore gave a grin.

Severus was stunned.

"You asked what I learned," Hermione replied with cheek.

"About his Death Eater habits, you twit. Does he sneak out?"

"Of course, he sneaks out, how else is he supposed to get to Death Eater meetings? Should he just announce to the whole school he's going now?" She left her stack of plates and backed away from Moody until she was at Severus's side, arms crossed as if she'd caught a student out of bed.

"Such impudence," Podmore murmured to Fletcher.

Moody would not be stopped. He pointed one jagged finger at her face. "What is that scar from?"

She touched her cheek, a bit offended he would point out a disfigurement in front of everyone. "Rodolphus Lestrange."

Diggle and Podmore began to murmur. Diggle's face vacillated between pity, suspicion, and concern.

Did people often imagine Severus as a wife beater? His hands began to shake.

Moody jerked his chin at Severus. "Imperius?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, I've Imperiussed her to tell you that I have an unread collection of Shakespeare instead of whisking her away to Malfoy Manor. I would have no use for an extra fifty-thousand galleons."

A few others came in, pudding polished off, and stopped at the tense atmosphere.

They whispered What's going on and got a hissed He's Imperriused her, he has, probably gave her that scar there.

Hermione clenched her fists. "I am myself, thank you!"

"You got what you wanted," Ron said. "Someone watched him—and they turned up nothing."

Potter chimed in next. "Can I ask when your job changed from catching dark wizards to harassing married couples? Did your job description change too, Tonks?"

Tonks kept her mouth shut, her eyes on Moody's wand hand.

Moody stared down Hermione. Hermione didn't flinch.

"Are you people blind? He helped two other professors be killed," Podmore said from the entryway.

Hermione opened her mouth. Severus's chin flicked the barest amount, warning her to remain silent.

"It must be convenient—why apply for a job when you just take the one you want?" someone in the crowd asked.

Fletcher said, "'E obviously 'as no compunctions about Imperiussing—or doin' 'oo knows what else—to Granger."

Severus held out his arm so Hermione would not draw on Fletcher. They didn't have enough energy left as it was. Her hand was already on her wand and she was squared up to duel.

"Perhaps one of you lot ought to have married him if you dwell on him so often," Hermione remarked, voice tight.

Several Weasley's snickered around the room.

Moody turned to backhand Hermione. She shut her eyes and braced herself. Weasley's and Potter's wand sprang towards Moody's chest. Severus grabbed Moody's hand midair before the three of them had reacted.

"Really, Alastor!" Minerva exclaimed.

Arthur rushed around the table to pull Hermione away from the altercation.

Moody's sycophants each had a wand drawn on Severus. Neither he nor Moody moved save to breathe and exhale, Moody still in position to slap the Imperius Curse off of Hermione.

Dumbledore finally deigned to step in. "I realize we are all scared. But this discord will not lead to our victory. We already face so much opposition from without, we cannot last if there are problems within our own ranks."

Dumbledore's blue eyes cut through each person in the room. "I cannot afford to lose a single person here," he said. "Even if you do not have faith in Severus himself, have faith in me. Have faith that what Hermione said is true."

A few lowered their wands, led by Fletcher. The others hesitated and followed suit. Diggle's top hat was nearly crushed in his tense fists.

Severus felt Moody's pulse throbbing beneath his fingers.

Moody ripped his arm away.

Tonks broke from the ranks and insisted Moody let her buy him a drink at the Leaky Cauldron. Remus and Kingsley were roped in. Moody kept his blue eye on Hermione until he left the room. Or, more likely, until he left the house.

Weasleys swarmed around Hermione.

"Crikey, that was bloody brilliant," one of the twins said.

"You and Snape really gave him the one-two hex," the other said. Severus felt some regret when he realized it was George. Despite Severus's careful aim, he had cut off his ear when they moved Potter from Petunia's house to the Burrow.

"He was going to bloody slap her!" Ginny raged.

Bill explained that Aurors would slap people to either break the Imperius Curse or see whether it had any effect—for the victims would feel no pain until the curse ended.

Mr and Mrs Weasley had an energetic, but quiet, argument about whether to invite Moody to meetings with Hermione present. Dumbledore indicated Severus should follow him to another room.

This is why Severus did not attend parties.

Molly put her hand on his elbow as he passed. "Severus."

He was glad she did not turn that stony face on him often. He would admit it was intimidating, more so because she normally was convivial.

"Thank you." She meant it.

Severus didn't have anything to say. He intended to follow behind Dumbledore but sped up to help the headmaster up the rest of the stairs.

"I want to apologize, Severus," he began.

Severus had not expected the conversation to go this way.

Dumbledore led him into the drawing room. A bedraggled Christmas tree stood in one corner.

Dumbledore found the nearest armchair. "I had hoped Alastor would be assuaged with your forced marriage. I, perhaps, was naïve."

Severus pushed the door mostly closed but it wouldn't latch without force he wasn't willing to expend. "It doesn't matter."

"No, I suppose not. You have continued on despite the inconveniences."

An ache appeared between Severus's shoulder blades.

Albus examined Severus like a diagram. Like he knew where the information was hidden if only he found the correct place to poke.

"Have you written Hermione a letter of recommendation for anybody?" he asked.

Severus noticed the headmaster would not call her Miss Granger anymore. "No."

"I wouldn't tarry."

"It's December," Severus reminded him, shorter than usual.

Albus took off his spectacles to polish them on his purple robe. "We can never know when Tom will strike. I doubt he will give you much warning, Severus."

Severus did not love these talks. They happened with more frequency the longer Dumbledore ailed.

"Was the shop out of Christmas cards?" Severus asked as he crossed his arms. "I suppose they don't have any regarding my impending death."

Albus sighed through his crooked nose. "I worry about you."

"Don't."

"How are you faring as a married man?"

"There isn't a discernable difference. Except now I have a cat."

Albus chuckled at that. "You were quick to her defence today."

"Next time I'll let him knock a few teeth out." Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. He should sit, soon.

"You've grown to care for her," Albus said.

Severus lowered his hand to glare at the headmaster.

Albus didn't wait for Severus to retort. "I know last time I accused you of caring for someone, you made quite the fuss. Allow me my observation, just this once. And allow me to give some advice."

The muscles in Severus's lower back ached though he had not been standing long.

"You have not been kind to any Gryffindor for many years. Now is not the time to start."

Severus lifted his chin so his defiance would not be mistaken. "You spend so much time telling me I'm an honourable man, but when I act it, I'm reprimanded. When I don't act it, I'm reprimanded. If you would have an easier time parading as me, please, do."

Dumbledore, normally stoic in the face of Severus' rages, frowned. "No Patronus this time, to prove me wrong?"

"Is my continued participation in your Order contingent on what you see?" Severus challenged.

Dumbledore's eyes cut through Severus as easily as a hex. "No."

Severus pulled out his wand. He was not sure he could produce a Patronus in this state. He wasn't sure what it would look like, either. He hadn't thought about Lily in months.

There was a sharp rap on the door. Both men turned to see Ginny Weasley in the crack Severus had left it open.

Miss Weasley seemed to make her eyes bigger, the picture of innocence, as she opened the door wider. "Sorry, sirs. Erm, Mum…cleans when she's stressed."

She paused. The three of them heard Molly ordering people out of the kitchen so she might clean it.

"She wants to know if you two will be staying the night. So she can clean the rooms."

Severus and Albus each waited for the other to decide.

"I will not be staying, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said.

Severus turned to her. "I will be, thank you."

Albus attempted to stare him down again. Severus was not interested in being harangued any further this evening. If he had to sleep amidst Weasleys to avoid any further conversation with Dumbledore about caring, he would.

.

Hermione grabbed the first open washroom she could find. She was appalled at—at Moody—at Mundungus—that her business was put on display for the whole of the Order. She was here to help defeat Voldemort, not discuss her love life.

Hermione splashed water on her face. Tonks and Fleur didn't deal with this nonsense upon their nuptials. Hermione began to pull the flowers from her braid. She was not ready to go back to whatever remained of the party. The atmosphere hadn't been very festive after the tête-à-tête.

Someone knocked on the door. "Mione, you in there?"

She opened the door. Ginny swooped in and closed the door behind her. The room wasn't big enough for both of them, in Hermione's opinion, especially not with how Ginny bounced on her feet.

"Hermione!" She tried to keep her voice down though it thrummed with mischief. "Your husband is staying here tonight. Do I need to find another room?"

"He is?" Not fifteen minutes ago he made an unpleasant face at the suggestion.

"He was arguing with Professor Dumbledore," Ginny whispered. "About honour. Is there something you're not telling me?" She jabbed Hermione in the ribs.

Hermione tugged on the end of her braid. "He's staying here?" she repeated. "He must be in more pain than I am to risk you lot harassing him."

"I'll leave him be, Wizard Scout's honor," Ginny promised. "Oh—Professor Dumbledore wanted to see Snape's Patronus—does that mean anything to you?"

Hermione shook her head. "As like a test?"

"Something like that. I should've waited til he did it but Mum was antsy."

"He shouldn't be doing any magic like that," Hermione reproved.

Ginny's eyebrows went up and her smile got somehow wider. She would have bent over with laughter if they'd been in a larger room. "You are such a nagging wife!"

"I—I only nag about important things." Hermione felt her face heat up. "I've done the barest magic all day and feel terrible. He had to Apparate here. Maybe he physically can't leave."

That shut Ginny up. "Sorry, Mione, I didn't realize. Are you two like this even when you're apart for a day?"

Hermione shook her head. "It takes a few days."

"Well, let's get you two in the same room," Ginny said. They squeezed out of the washroom.

The twins brought the leftover pudding to the kitchen. Hermione decided she had earned some pudding.

The three professors returned, also in search of pudding.

Severus met her eye before he averted his gaze.

Hermione quickly turned back to her pudding. Heat crept into her face.

His eyes were so dark. Hermione had a weakness for that. And now was not the time to ruminate on his elegant hands.

Bugger, she thought. She had a crush on her husband.