Insufferable Attraction
SeverusxHermione
Rated NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling
Insufferable Attraction
Chapter 28
Before Hermione knew it, the Yule season was upon her. Yes, she had noticed that it the weather had been getting colder, even surprised yet happy to wake up one morning and see snow falling from a white sky. But she hadn't realized it was the Yule season until she had gone into London and saw all the red bows, garland, and Christmas trees up and about in shops and on the street. Upon realizing this, Hermione realized that this would be the first Christmas she would spend as a married woman, and somehow that excited her more than it probably should have. Also, she was curious as to how her husband acted during the holidays.
It as almost hard to believe, but she and Severus had been married for five months now, and while it had started out rocky, they were in a good place. They cared and respected each other, they were able to have in depth conversations and laugh together and were able to be the true versions of themselves. Funnily enough, the things that irked them before about each other was now endearing, and just hearing Severus be snarky and sarcastic made her smile rather than feel put off. Not to say that they didn't argue—because they did, a lot depending on the subject—but marriage between them was very good, better than either of them had expected. And the attraction between them was palpable. Of course, they made it known whenever they physically expressed it, but it was still there and growing. It wasn't just physical either, it was mental and emotional, and their relationship was thriving.
Ever since realizing she was in love with Severus, Hermione had been trying to find a way to let him know or just tell him. But every time she thought she was about to, the courage that she was sorted into Gryffindor for would elude her and she wouldn't. She knew Severus knew she wanted to tell him something, but she just couldn't, at least not yet. She also knew he could just use Legilimency to see into her mind to find out what she wanted to say and had asked him why he hadn't when he easily could have done so already. His response had been that he was respecting her privacy and that whatever it was that she wanted to tell him, he'd wait to hear it when she was ready to tell him. Her heart had swelled in her chest and she hadn't been able to stop herself from throwing herself at him in a hug, knocking him out of the chair he had been seated in. As annoyed as he had been from being knocked over, Severus had also laughed and returned her hug.
Because it was the Yule season and Christmas would soon be upon them, Hermione had made it a point she wanted to decorate the manor festively. Severus had thought she meant just the parlor, as that was where they were going to put the Christmas tree. But no, she meant the entire manor. The House Elves had been happy to help their Mistress, even decorating when she no longer could. And while somewhat reluctant to, Severus had helped decorate as well. They had decorated the tree together, listening to Christmas carols as they did from a record player. Hermione had asked Severus how he had usual spent his Christmases, only to feel sad when he said he didn't celebrate it and hadn't since his school days. The brunette knew what he meant when he had said that—he hadn't celebrated Christmas since he friendship with Lily had ended. Even though the Hogwarts staff celebrated, and though he would be present for Christmas dinner, he hadn't really been celebrating and only showing up because he was obligated. Severus did however share with her the best Christmas memory he had, and that had been the last Christmas he had spent with his mother where she had gifted him advanced Potion books, as well as his favorite Christmas story, Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol in mint condition. However, after her death, his father had taken his potions books and burned them in their fireplace while he had been out of the house, claiming that now that his mother was gone, she couldn't stop him from getting rid of all things magic, even books which he treasured. Hermione cried for her husband that evening, Severus comforting her as she cried over him. He had remembered Lily being angry for him on his behalf following the incident when she found out, but it didn't reach him at the time because he had been slipping away. But it was different with Hermione this time. His wife wasn't angry, but sad, and she wept the tears he hadn't been able to produce at the time. Though he still couldn't shed those tears, it had been cathartic because his inner pain was being seen, felt, and shared with him. And because of this, it made him feel lighter and in a way like he was healing.
After decorating their home, Severus had made a suggestion that both surprised and excited his wife. One day while baking together in the kitchen (much to some of the House Elves' horror)—Hermione baking gingerbread men and Severus taking a trial run at making plum pudding—he suggested that they invite the Grangers to spend Christmas with them at Prince Manor. The brunette had been surprised that her husband had willingly considered it, but was happy that Severus was being completely genuine about it. He wanted to invite her parents to spend Christmas with them.
"It will be nice to have them around for the holiday. That, and it will be the first Christmas you will get to spend with them since restoring their memories. I don't want you to miss out on that," Severus had told her.
Hermione had happily agreed and had written her parents to invite them to spend Christmas with her and her husband, and had been thrilled when she received a letter in response saying that they would love to and would be able to come two days before Christmas; Severus promised he'd go and pick them up for his wife. Severus, being curious, had asked Hermione what she and her parents would usually do for Christmas, to which she replied that they would bake more than enough Christmas cookies, go about the neighborhood and look at the decorations and lights, and wear ugly Christmas sweaters. Severus had wrinkled his nose at that and stated he refused to partake in wearing horrid sweaters; Hermione simply laughed.
One thing that Hermione wanted to do was kiss her husband under the mistletoe. She had hung some in the Prince library and had coaxed Severus in there with her. Once he was standing underneath it with her, she had gotten him to look up at it, only to be asked why she would hang the parasitic plant that sprouted from bird droppings on a tree branch. She had been so baffled by his response, she couldn't think of anything to say at first. However, she had frowned and retorted that it was because she wanted to kiss him. Severus had replied that she could kiss him any time she wanted but was met with the rebuttal of her wanting to do it under the mistletoe as the tradition states. His apathetic attitude had hurt her feelings, but only briefly because he had kissed her under the mistletoe like she wanted, and quite passionately at that, too. He had then apologized for his less than stellar response, but once again told her she could kiss him whenever he wanted, no mistletoe needed. She couldn't help but feel giddy about that, and had told Daphne and Luna—who had returned from her honeymoon a week prior—about it. Daphne had been happy for her, stating Severus had to like her more than he had let her know. Luna had smiled and agreed with the other blonde, only to then inform the brunette that mistletoe was a symbol of fertility and life, so she and Severus had to have possibly instilled some good fortune for themselves for future children; she had then followed that up with asking had they been safe from Nargles.
So far, Yule seemed like it was going to be a great time for the Snapes, and Hermione couldn't wait to spend Christmas with not only her parents again, but her husband for the first time.
Harry and Daphne left St. Mungo's with smiles on their faces, bidding 'goodbye' to passing Mediwitches and Mediwizards. Daphne had had a prenatal appointment and they had attended it together. The blonde had told Harry that he didn't have to accompany her, but Harry insisted. And luckily, everything was well, though they still needed to be cautious since Daphne was still within in first trimester of her pregnancy. They ignored the few Daily Prophet reporters that were questioning them about the appointment before going to a secluded alleyway. Without giving them a chance to ask anymore questions, and out of the eyes of any Muggles, they Disapparated away and ended up in Diagon Alley.
Heading into the Leaky Cauldron, they were greeted by Hannah before Harry asked, "Do you want to have lunch here?"
"Actually, I think I'd like to have lunch in Hogsmeade," Daphne answered.
"The Three Broomsticks?"
"Yes."
Nodding, Harry took his wife's hand and led her over to the fireplace, grabbing some Floo Powder and throwing it into the burning fire. The flames turned green and they stepped into them, Daphne calling out their destination a few seconds later. Soon they were whisked away in the green flames and passed by several fireplaces before finally ending up in the one inside of the Three Broomsticks Inn. Stepping out of the fireplace, Daphne spelled the soot from their clothes before she and her husband went and found a table for two. Not long after they sat down, Madame Rosmerta walked up and greeted them.
"Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass, welcome back," Madame Rosmerta greeted with a kind smile. "And congratulations on your marriage and pregnancy."
"Thanks, Rosmerta," Daphne replied with a smile.
Harry nodded and said, "Yes, thank you."
"Of course. Now, what would you like to have?"
"I'd like Shephard's pie, please," Daphne said.
Madame Rosmerta nodded and turned to Harry. "And you, Mr. Potter?"
"Bangers and mash."
"Alright. And for drinks? Butterbeer perhaps?"
The couple smiled and nodded, causing the madame to laugh before leaving to prepare their orders. When she left, Daphne turned back to her husband only to see him staring at her. Or rather, staring at her midsection. Smiling, she said, "Harry."
Blinking, Harry smiled and said, "Sorry. It's just, I still can't believe that you're pregnant with my baby, that we're going to be parents."
"I know, it seems so surreal. You know because we will have to visit my family soon. They've already written that while they're happy, they aren't pleased they heard the news in the Prophet rather than from us first."
"That's fine, we'll go whenever you want."
Daphne smiled and thanked Madame Rosmerta when she returned with their drinks before leaving. She took a sip of hers, pleased at the sweet taste of it. Setting her glass back down, she noticed the troubled expression on Harry's face. Well, it wasn't really present on his face, but she could see it in his eyes. Frowning in concern, she asked, "What's the matter, Harry?"
Harry looked into her blue-green eyes for a moment before answering, "It's just that…well, I'm excited for parenthood, you know. I'm happy that I'm going to be a dad, but I'm also afraid. I didn't grow up with my parents, and my Muggle uncle was not the example of a father and husband I'd like to emulate. Sure, I also have Mr. Weasley as an example, but fatherhood is different for every man, isn't it? I guess, I'm afraid I'll screw up and be a terrible dad or be the perfect role model for our child when he or she arrives."
Soft, gentle hands took hold of his own and squeezed them, his wife giving him a reassuring smile. "It's okay that you are scared, Harry; I'm scared too. Motherhood is both scary and endearing to me, and I think from time to time that I might not be the mother our baby needs me to be. But like you said, parenthood is different for everyone. All that matters is that despite our fears, we will love our child and work together to raise him or her. One day at a time, right?"
"Yeah, one day at a time."
Harry smiled at the blonde and kissed her knuckles, Daphne blushing yet grinning from the action. A dreamy sigh met their ears and they turned to see Madame Rosmerta standing next to their table with their orders in her hands. Smiling down at them she said, "I love to see couples young and in love; it warms my heart immensely, especially when it's obvious they love each other."
Both Harry and Daphne blushed at her words before looking at each other. Harry hadn't told Daphne he was in love with her yet, but he figured he needed to soon. However, before he could think on it more, Daphne said, "Yes, I love him a lot, and he loves me."
"Lovely. Here are your meals; enjoy!"
The madame placed their meals in front of them before leaving their table. Once she was gone, Harry stared at the blonde in shock before asking, "You love me?"
Daphne smiled with a small blush and nodded. "Yes, I love you. I've been in love with you for a while now, I just haven't told you. And I know you feel the same way about me, at least I hope so."
"I do. I love you, Daphne."
"I love you too, Harry."
The Potters smiled at each other lovingly before tucking into their lunch. As they ate, they talked about this and that. However, as Harry glanced out the window while saying something, his eyes widened in shock at who he saw. Blinking he asked, "Is that Ginny with Zabini?"
The blonde witch turned her head to look, instantly recognizing the redhaired witch and dark-skinned wizard together. Nodding she said, "Yes, and it appears they are going into Madame Puddifoot's."
"They're on a date?"
"I think so, and they look comfortable together. He's even got his arm wrapped around her shoulder."
Harry frowned in concern. Not that he wanted to be with Ginny—not at all, he had Daphne—but he still cared about her and didn't know if Zabini's intentions with her were pure or not. Seeing her husband's concern, Daphne looked at him reassuringly and said, "Weaslette will be fine, Harry. I know Blaise and he's a good guy. We dated back at Hogwarts and I can definitely say that he'll be nothing but a gentleman to her."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Besides, maybe she needs her own Slytherin lover to balance out her life."
The wizard wrinkled his nose at the word 'lover' but nodded, nonetheless. Maybe Daphne was right, and he was worried over nothing. And he had to admit that when he saw them, they looked happy together. He hoped Ginny was happy now, and if she was happy, then he was happy for her.
It was two days before Christmas, and Hermione's parents would be arriving soon. She had woken excited that morning, knowing that her parents would be spending the holidays with her and her husband. Severus had simply smiled in amusement at her excitement before they got out of bed to start the day. About noon, Severus had left for the Ministry so he could get a temporary Portkey to go and retrieve the Grangers, leaving Hermione a few hours to herself. Once her husband had left, Hermione herself had left to go shopping in Diagon Alley. She had been Christmas shopping and had gotten presents for her parents, Harry, Daphne, Luna, even Rabastan, but she had yet to get one for Severus. She honestly didn't know what to get him, but she hoped she'd find something that he would like.
Walking along the cobblestone road, Hermione smiled and greeted people as she walked by, even stopping to speak with George when she passed by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Hermione was so focused on finding something for Severus for Christmas, that she didn't notice she was nearing the edge of Diagon Alley. When she did finally realize it, she stopped and turned to head back, thinking she should go into Flourish and Blotts to try and get an idea.
Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind and pulled away, a hand slamming over her mouth as she tried to release a scream. A strong arm wrapped around her and held her arms to her body, making it impossible for her to get her wand. As she was dragged back, Hermione realized her attacker was dragging her into Knockturn Alley. Terrified, Hermione struggled to get away from not only the person, but the place as well. Jerking her head, she was able to get her mouth free and scream, "Help!"
The hand closed over her mouth again and soon pushed her into a hidden alcove in the dodgy alley, their large form blocking her from getting out. Gasping in fear, Hermione looked up at her attacker, only to see a flash of familiar red that caught the bit of light that came into Knockturn Alley. And as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, blue eyes and a freckled face came into view.
Bewildered, Hermione shouted, "Ron?!"
