Author's Note: Written for...

Hogwarts Auction 2021 - Prompt: Severus/Hermione

bored in love

400 words

"Perhaps it's time to retire."

The words hung in the air between Hermione and Severus, both of them feeling the full weight of what they meant, uncertain if either really wanted to approach them.

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked timidly. She had just finished an hour-long tirade about the absurd behaviours and practices of some of her newer colleagues at the Ministry, but all of that was pushed out of her mind at the thought of retirement.

"I don't know," Severus admitted, falling into the armchair across from his wife's. They always sat in the chairs by the fire in Hermione's library after dinner, discussing their day. "I've been thinking about it a lot recently. You're always overworked at the Ministry. I have nothing more to offer on the subject of potioneering. The house feels… empty."

Hermione took a sip of wine, catching her reflection on the glass. A mess of greying curls, and more wrinkles than she could count. When had she gotten so old? She glanced over at Severus. His hair had gone white years ago, but he didn't seem as changed as she did.

"What would we even do?"

Severus shrugged. "Travel? You've always wanted to see the world."

"That's true, but I don't need to quit my job for that. I can take time off work." She sighed and stared into the crackling fire. "I work so hard to make it to the head of the department, to really make a difference. I don't want to do something drastic that I can't take back if I regret it later."

"I understand. I'm just… Work doesn't satisfy me anymore. I spend my days wandering the house, looking for something to do until you get home." He reached over, clasping their free hands together. "I love you, Hermione."

"I had no doubts about that."

"But I'm bored."

Hermione couldn't say she blamed him. She felt the same on her days off from work. She downed the rest of her wine, making up her mind, and stood up.

"Well, now you have a task to do. I'm going to claim all my vacation days tomorrow. Two months of you and me, traveling the world." She slid onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And you, my love, get to make all the plans. And if you still feel bored when we return, we'll deal with it then."