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 21

Ever since they had broken through the sexual tension and had finally had sex again, the relationship between Severus and Hermione had shifted. No longer was there any awkwardness between them concerning that part of their relationship. Though, the morning after their coupling, Hermione had felt slightly embarrassed from her bold move of wearing lingerie and binding Severus's hands to the bed. But she really couldn't be too embarrassed about it, considering what followed had been absolutely pleasurable. And the way Severus had dominated her body…it made her clench her legs together just thinking about it.

They were definitely more comfortable around each other now, in and outside of the bedroom. Not to say that they had had sex again following that time—because they had—but there was no more awkward tension when it came to them in the vicinity of their large canopy bed. Hermione was pleased with where their relationship was now, and she felt she had to thank Daphne for helping her get the courage to do something about it. Deciding that was what she was going to do, Hermione went to pay Grimmauld Place a visit. Normally she'd travel via Floo, but Severus hadn't opened up the Floo Network in Prince Manor and wasn't going to any time soon. Prince Manor's location was unknown by the Ministry and no longer in the Pureblood Directory, and Severus preferred it that way so as not to be bothered by unwanted people, and that included keeping the Floo Network closed. It would be more convenient for Hermione to just use the Floo to travel to Harry's place, but she also understood her husband's need for privacy and wanting to not be bothered. And after all that he had been through, she didn't want to intrude on this little bit of private paradise for him.

Severus was currently in the Potions lab that the manor held and going through the vast number of potions ingredients, trying to see what had expired and what was still usable, so this was a good time for her to visit the Potters. As she walked towards the large front doors of Prince Manor, she called out, "Inka, I'm going out. If Severus asks for me, let him know I'm visiting the Potters."

"Yes, Lady Hermione. Inka informs Master Severus of Lady Hermione's whereabouts should he ask," Inka replied with a bow.

Thanking the House Elf, Hermione left the manor and walked out onto the grounds, following the path that seemed to stop suddenly when really it just met the edge of the wards surrounding the manor, keeping it from view. Because the wards only allowed in those of Prince blood, Severus had had to admit Hermione into them to allow passage, as the wards to allow those of the Prince family by marriage had worn off after years of no one entering or exiting the manor. Once she was past the manor, she walked a bit further before Diapparating away, her feet hitting the pavement in front 11 Grimmauld Place. Looking up at the building, she waited for 12 Grimmauld Place to slide into view before climbing the stairs, knocking on the door.

Hermione waited for the door to be answered, and soon it was opened by Harry. Smiling at her best friend, she greeted, "Hi Harry!"

"Hermione! It's so good to see you!" Harry replied, allowing the brunette entry before giving her a hug. Once he let go of her, he asked, "So what brings you here?"

"Well, I was wondering if Daphne was here. I want to talk to her about the help she gave me last week."

"Help? Oh, you mean her helping to improve yours and Snape's sex life?"

"She told you?!" Hermione squeaked incredulously, her face turning bright red.

Harry smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head, his own face red. "Well, not right away. But she had shown me the lingerie she had bought and mentioned that you bought some as well for Snape with her suggestion."

Nodding slowly, Hermione cleared her throat and looked off to the side before asking, "So is she here?"

"No, she's not. She's currently with her lawyer discussing how much to sue Ginny for from when she attacked her."

The two of them walked away from the front door and towards the parlor room, being careful to not disturb Walburga Black's sleeping portrait. Once they were in the parlor room, they settled on the sofa Hermione asked, "How is that going?"

Harry sighed before saying, "Well, Ginny is resistant to the charges and the fact that she's being sued. Daphne wants to settle this out of court as peacefully as possible, but with how Ginny is acting—not to mention Mrs. Weasley as well—this may end up being brought before the Wizengamot. And if it is, there is no chance Ginny won't be charged more than she already is. The Greengrass name holds a bit of power, not much but still some, and are a part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. And with Daphne being my wife now and my own name holding a good amount of power, the penalty slapped on Ginny won't be good. I'm thinking I should talk to the Weasleys and Ginny and make her see reason as to settle this out of court."

"And Daphne?"

"I've already spoken to her. What she was going to sue Ginny with, she's decided to reduce so long as Ginny agrees to settle out of court. If not, then it will be one hundred thousand Galleons for damages against Daphne."

"But that should be alright. We all got paid a good sum in Galleons for helping win the war. Ginny should have enough money to pay Daphne."

Harry gave her a sad smile. "You would think, but she's blown through almost all of it during the time we dated and even after. Expensive restaurants, entrées, and drinks quickly adds up, not to mention the many parties she would attend. And there were also the many expensive gifts she would buy for herself. You honestly should see her room at the Burrow."

Hermione nodded in understanding. It wasn't really a surprise that Ginny had become materialistic, unless she always had been. Considering the Weasleys had been poor and thus weren't able to provide their children with all that they wanted, it was understandable if they did become a bit materialistic. And while Ginny was spoiled with her being the only girl and had gotten almost all that she could want, it didn't surprise Hermione that she wanted more.

"But other than that, things are well between you and Daphne?" Hermione asked.

Harry smiled and nodded. "Yeah, things are great. Things with Daphne are very good. I think I really, really like her Hermione."

Hermione smiled, happy that Harry really seemed to be enjoying his new wife. Daphne was really such a sweet girl, rather delightful to be around. Hermione imagined they would have been friends sooner back in school if they were in the same House or ran in the same circles. But because they were in different Houses and thus her prone to prejudices against Slytherin House, it never happened. Funny how things worked out.

"Well, I hope she continues to make you happy, Harry. You deserve it and she's good for you."

"Thanks, Mione." Harry smiled at her. "And the same goes for you. I hope Snape makes you happy and that you do the same for him."

A light blush spread on the brunette's face, and she smiled and nodded. The two of them sat and talked for a while before Harry suddenly remembered something important. Sitting up straighter, he looked his best friend in her eye and said, "I saw the Daily Prophet that day, the one about Ron. You haven't heard from him lately, have you?"

Shaking her head Hermione answered, "No, I haven't. Have you?"

"Yeah, I have. But before I say anything, can you tell me what happened?"

"Severus and I bumped into Ron at the Ministry when we were going to meet Luna, and Ron said some horrible things in response to seeing me with Severus. Severus defended me, telling Ron to pretty much leave me be or he would report him to Kingsley and Ron attempted to curse him in retaliation. But by that point, Luna had stepped in and stopped him."

"And I suppose Snape told Kingsley anyway?"

"Yes, he did." Hermione paused for a moment. "I suppose Ron is spitting mad about it."

Harry looked off to the side before looking back at Hermione, a serious expression on his face. "He's pissed Hermione, royally pissed. He told me he'd get back at Snape for this, as well as you for "choosing" Snape over him. Hermione, I'm telling you this to be on your guard, and let Snape know this information too."

Hermione nodded. "I will, Harry. And we'll be careful, though I think Ron is just talking right now. His ego is bruised, but he won't do anything brash."

The bespectacled wizard didn't think so. The look he had seen in their redhaired friend's eyes didn't sit right with him, nor did what he had said. Perhaps the witch was right and Ron was just talking to blow smoke, but one could never be too sure. Even so, he told her to still be careful concerning Ron, especially since Ron still hadn't really let go of her.

The two of them continued to talk and enjoy each other's company, even more so when Daphne returned from her meeting with her lawyer. And as they did, Hermione slowly forgot about Ron, talking and laughing with the married couple, as well as them extracting a promise out of her to help them move from Grimmauld Place to Potter Manor. They planned on moving there by the end of the week and thus needed to start packing. Hermione promised to help them pack and move before deciding to take her leave, letting them know she'd see them later.

Severus was walking though the Ministry, having been called by the Minister to speak to some of the Ministry's Potion Masters, on his way towards the exit to go home. However, he stopped upon passing by the door that led to the Foreign Affairs and Sports Department. Looking at it, he had a moment of thinking before stepping through the door. Walking up to the front desk, he cleared his throat and said, "Excuse me, but I'd like to apply for an international Portkey for my wife and I."

The witch behind the desk looked up at him before nodding and began putting files together for him to fill out. As she did, she asked, "And where would you like this Portkey to take you and your spouse, Lord Prince?"

"Australia."

"And when would you like to have it ready?"

"A month from now."

The witch nodded and finished getting the appropriate files together before handing them to him along with a quill. "Alright, here you are. When you're done, just turn them in and I will have those filed away for you."

Severus nodded and took the proffered items, moving to sit at a little table with a chair. As he began filling out the paperwork, he let a small smile appear on his lips. Hermione would be ecstatic when she found out about this.