Chapter Nine: Winter break and the Yule Ball
After seeing the students off for the break, Hermione decided to plan her holiday visits. While her parents were to be away for the duration, she did want to see them off on their cruise. Which left her very little down time from the commencement of the term. She scheduled her port key and made it to Australia the next morning. And while she enjoyed spending the small time with her parents. She felt greatly distracted. Her thoughts of Severus and a potential relationship. Watching her daughter with keen interest, Hermione's mom decided to find out what was troubling her.
"Sweet pea. I can't help but notice you are here but your mind is not." Hermione's mom pondered.
"It's nothing. I just happen to find myself in a complicated relationship at work and unsure how to continue." Hermione tried to explain without too much detail.
"As long as you aren't getting back together with Ronald. I will rally for your happiness." The witch's mother said with a crooked smile.
"No, mother that bridge is better left burnt. It has been brought to my attention that I have feelings for a co-worker and there is some debate if it's mutual. There is also the matter of us having a rather nice friendship that I would endanger if things turned sideways." She explained.
"Hermione, love is a complicated journey. Filled with lots of gambles. But if it is truly meant to be, then every obstacle you currently see will no longer be so."
"And what if his age becomes an issue? His hang up, not mine." Hermione asked, sadly.
"Well if he has the stamina to teach magical students then he can't be that old." She said with a smirk.
"Mother for my entire schooling career there, there was a ghost teaching our history class."
Her mother laughed heartily at that imagery. "Well I suspect the man you have your eye on is not a spiritual entity. And if he means so much to you a little thing like age shouldn't even make a difference."
"I would hope not. But the history between us is complicated and I'm just not sure if I should pursue it. And the thought of that makes my heart hurt. I don't know how to explain it." Hermione sighed, dejectedly.
"Hermione, the best things in life are garnered by strife. If this man is worth the fight, then I say fight! Don't give him a reason to turn away. For all that you do, you deserve to find happiness. And after Ronald, I wasn't sure if you'd ever want to settle down again. So to see the spark in your eyes, is more than I could ever have hoped for you.
It would do your mother proud to see you all dolled up and get married to a good man who, not only appreciates your beauty."This comment made Hermione blush. "But can handle all your intelligence and habits. And maybe that does lie within a more seasoned man. Not a boy."
Hermione appreciated her mother and her encouragement. Somehow it made the long journey to a possible relationship between them seem more probable, she knew it would be a lengthy process. The next morning she saw her parents off and her mother gave her a hug and wished her luck with her beau. Which made Hermione shake her head at her.
~Soar~
After returning back to Hogwarts she went on a search for said professor. They hadn't spoke at any length since the evening at the greenhouse. What with him slightly avoiding her and the busy schedule that came with final exams. She went down to the lab first. Where she could smell the scent of a freshly disinfectant lab. She wandered to his office but found it empty. He could either be in his suite or somewhere on the grounds. She decided he would be out, and went searching. Then she thought of what Neville told her about him having his own greenhouse. She went looking for it. She walked along the path where the current ones were. She stared into each of them and saw nothing.
Hermione was all but done searching when she felt a shielding type charm she was surprised that a simple Revelio made the hidden greenhouse visible. She could see Severus' dark form through the frosted glass. He was tending to something, she took a brave gulp and entered his sanctuary. She walked over to his side and noticed he was watering a row of herbs. Hermione found a second watering can and casually filled it with water. She looked up at him, noticing that he hadn't looked over at her yet.
"Does this side need watering?" He simply grunted and she began to water the other side. Working silently for a while, she finally broke it and said. "I hope you are still willing to attend the ball with me."
This finally made him look at her. "I'm not sure if it's wise." He said grimly.
Hermione's heart ached. But she remembered something Minerva had told her about not being a doormat. "Whatever for? Because we had a slight misunderstanding. Well let me clear things up. I have never been in nor ever plan to be in a relationship with Neville Longbottom." She stopped trying to water plants and touched Severus' arm. He turned toward her and she said with her surest of tones. "I have very much liked the progression of our relationship recently. You haven't tried to shut me out in months and I don't want to regress. You have come to mean so much to me and I don't know if I could handle you cutting me out."
She knew she wouldn't be able to read an expression from him. But she truly hoped she managed to convey her feelings well enough.
"It's not my intent to cut you out. But maybe things are getting too familiar between us. Maybe we should take a…"
"No!" Hermione interrupted him. "I won't allow that. Do you hear me, you stubborn man? You chose to befriend me, now you are stuck with me. I am tired of people I care about abandoning me. So I'm sinking my claws into you."
Something about her conviction made him smirk at her. She felt a renewed feeling of their previous closeness. She casually nudged his arm with her shoulder and without prompting he pulled her close and embraced her in a only slightly awkward side hug. She could almost feel his breath in her hair. He may not have said the words. But his message was simple. Please don't give up on me.
"Now for the reason I came to find you this fine frigid evening. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to Diagon Alley and look for Christmas gifts. And since I believe you were going to find any reason to back out of being my escort, I'm sure you'll be in need of proper robes for the evening." She looked up and caught his eyes. "Come out shopping with me?"
He let out a long dramatic sigh. "I don't feel like I have much choice."
Hermione grinned happily. "Good! You are learning quickly."
"Learning what? How to be a good hostage?" His normal straight voice made the comment even more amusing to her.
"Precisely!" She beamed.
~Soar~
The shopping trip was exactly what they needed to get over the hump. He would tease her endlessly over her gift choices. She would purposely suggest items for him to purchase that she knew he would despise. They split up only once to procure a gift for each other and then met up for lunch.
"So where do you want to go to find your robes?" Hermione asked as she pinched one of his chips from the basket. He gave her a withering glare, then another dramatic sigh.
"Why do you assume I don't have dress robes? And if you wanted chips, then perhaps you should have ordered your own."
"Because you are a self proclaimed homebody and besides this is an event that requires a new item of clothing." She smiled as she pinched another and gestured with it. "There is something about other people's chips that makes them so much more enticing. I'm not going to eat them all."
He rolled his eyes and got up. "You're right." And made his way to leave the table.
"Where are you going?" She asked, worried.
"To buy you your own chips." At that, Hermione cracked up.
Hermione was thinking about their fun day while she went through the long process of getting ready for the ball. Over the years she had perfected her formal styling. While in her everyday life makeup wasn't a huge deal, she would use charms that attempt to tame her mane. But when she would have to make these public appearances, she wanted to be awed at. Severus during the past week made only one request, that she not completely tie up her hair. The thought that he wanted some of her hair down, made her feel all gooey inside. So, she pulled it up and then allowed some to cascade down to her shoulders. She played with her curls, making them more uniform and aesthetically appealing. She made her makeup look natural and then added lots of silvery shimmer to her eyes, to match her dress. And for a bold look she went with a dark red lip stain. She wanted to look stunning for the ball, but mostly for Severus.
After putting on her jewelry, a pair of diamond studs and tennis bracelet she had splurged on a few years ago. She felt perfect for the evening. She had just put on her charmed heels when her signal wards alerted her of her visitor. She smiled and went to her door. Opening it she could see Severus in black dress robes. He had tied his hair back, which admittedly was very alluring to her. She admired the way the silver embossed design would every so often catch the light. Her personal assessment of him she missed the complete stunned expression he was showing.
"I'm speechless." He said in a awed tone. She blushed at his compliment.
"Thank you, Severus. You look wonderful as well." He snorted at her compliment as she turned around to pick up her coat and purse. Before they left her suite. He presented her with a sweet bouquet of Chrysanthemums. She smiled because they were perfectly shaped that they reminded her of snowballs. And she was familiar with the meanings of this flower. While it generally had a purely friendly intentions. There was a line of utter loyalty and devotion. Which she wonder if they were chosen deliberately. "These are lovely." She went into the kitchen and summoned a small vase and quickly filled it with water.
"I'm glad you like them. Whenever I see this particular coloring I always think of snow. Which I guess is fitting." He sounded so unsure, which was foreign to her to hear from him.
"I was thinking like perfectly formed snowballs. Which are delightful." She smiled at him and that seemed to bring him out of the awkward state he was in.
"Ready?"
"Yes, let us be off." They strolled over to her floo and made there way to the destination of the ball.
~Soar~
Hermione entered the giant hall that housed the event, it was absolutely immaculate. It felt like they were inside an ice palace; with all the hanging icicles and fluttering enchanted snow, there was a slight blue tint to everything that made it seem otherworldly. While she was in awe. Severus scoffed.
"Seems a little over done if you ask me." Hermione's eyes shot up to him. She relaxed a bit at the smirk that played across his features.
"You are truly terrible, Severus." She said with a smile as she walked toward the event planner to find out where her assigned party was sitting. And to no surprise she was sitting with Ron and his guest, Harry and Ginny. She knew she would have a great deal to explain, with Severus as her escort. But she was determined not to let judgmental people put a downer on her evening with her…. well she didn't know what he was to her yet. "So I have the misfortune to tell you we are of course sitting with Ron, Harry and Ginny. She giggled at the grimace he made.
Soon they were mixing with others in attendance. When she felt a slight touch to her elbow. Turning to see her friends.
"Hermione you look amazing as always." Ginny said.
"Wow 'Mione." Harry said that caused Ginny to smack in the arm for his open gawking. "Sorry." He said as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through his hair.
"Thanks, you two. You both look great." She always thought Harry cut a rather dashing figure in dress robes and Ginny was wearing a slivery blue dress and despite just having a baby, the clingy nature of the dress still looked amazing on her. "As expected, we are all sitting together. Have you seen Ron?" The two looked at each other then back at her.
"Yes, and he's brought a date." Harry said, reluctantly.
"I hope you don't feel too uncomfortable." Ginny added.
"It's alright I'm here with someone as well." She turned and grabbed Severus' wrist and guided him to face her friends. There were two completely different expressions on there faces. Harry's was of utter bewilderment. Ginny's was amusement.
"Well tonight is going to be very entertaining. Evening, Professor." Ginny nudged the still shell shocked Harry into greeting him.
"Ouff. Oh, yes. Hello, sir." He said while glaring at his wife for the assault.
"I was about to get some thing to drink for myself and Hermione would either of you be interested?"
"Nothing for me." Ginny said looking forlorn.
"I'll come with you. Gin, I'll find you something ok?"
Ginny nodded and as soon as the men were gone. "Breastfeeding sucks." Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "So Snape, huh? I thought you said you weren't involved."
"He's here as a friend." Although even Hermione, herself didn't believe her words.
"Yeah 'friend'. So are you at least friends with benefits?" The red head asked while wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Ginny!" Then she cast Muffliato, which caused Ginny to look at her suspiciously. "If you must know, I've become quite fond of him and well I don't know where things are going. So I'm just trying to enjoy the time together. Satisfied?"
"Not entirely. But know I will be keeping a very close eye on the situation."
"Oh Ginny." She lifted the charm as the wizards returned.
"Here Ginny I got you a soda water."
"Delightful. Oh how I miss butterbeer and whiskey." The group giggled at her outburst. "Laugh it up, Granger. Remember you are still in prime age for child rearing. You'll be in my spot soon enough."
Hermione felt Severus stiffen beside her as Hermione began to flush. "I can guarantee that it won't be any time soon. Sorry to disappoint."
But she noticed that Ginny wasn't looking at her but up at Severus with a knowing smirk on her face. When she made eye contact with Hermione, her expression read later.
There was a signal announcing the beginning of the festivities so the group went to find their seats. They came across Ron, already seated with some blond woman who was hanging off of him like a cheap coat. Severus walked up, took out Hermione's seat and signaled for her to sit. She thanked him with a gentle smile and took her seat. Harry feeling rather uncouth decided to do the same for Ginny who laughed at him as she sat. Hermione pulled her napkin into her lap, to give herself something to do with her hands as she waited for Ron to make a scene. Then Severus put his arm over the back of her seat and leaned in to whisper.
"You are looking rather tense. If you don't calm yourself, I will be forced to break the tension. And it will be very interesting." She looked up at him, he had a playful crooked smile but a serious gleam in his eyes.
"What are you going to do?" She asked
"Keep wringing that napkin and you'll come to regret it." She gulped after he sat up straight again. But felt a deep shiver to her bones as she felt his fingers graze the open part of her dress. She almost couldn't contain the moan that wanted to escaped her mouth. Then her eyes widen when she realized what Severus was intending to do. And she wasn't going to like it or really like it depending on her perspective. She calmed herself immediately. And she heard a slight muffled "coward" come from her escort.
There was the standard announcements and congratulations and of course the obligatory embarrassing moment of thanks for the "Golden Trio." While Severus sat there chuckling at her dismay. It was her turn when the attention was thrusted at him and all his accomplishments. He looked thoroughly annoyed by the attention which made her laugh quietly. Then it was an interlude between that and supper for more mingling and dancing. Hermione gasped loudly when Severus stood and extended his hand. She took it and they made their way to the dance floor. Her heart was racing she tried to will it back to a normal state.
"Let's see how 'delightful' a dancer you are." He said playfully as he took his lead and guided her around the floor. She was amazed at how graceful he was. And she found him even more attractive with the manly confidence that showed in his features as he lead her in dance.
"I never imagined you to be such an excellent dancer." She said with a coy smile.
"I've been forced into more unfortunate situations then I care to mention. That it demanded me to become a proficient lead." He said, proudly.
"I think you are more then proficient. You are wonderful." She felt herself melting into his embrace. She was blissful. Then she felt his hand, the one on her waist move moreover to her back and she could feel his dexterous fingers draws small delightful circles on her back. She stumbled a bit when the sensation caused her legs to give out. She was about to apologize when she noticed it was done intentionally.
"I thought you said you were a good dancer, Granger. Jelly legs are most definitely not graceful."
"Why you." She murmured. If this was the game, then she needed to find away to disable him as well. Sadly, he kept his mask affixed most of the time so she had no idea what would distract him most. All she could work with was her womanly wilds and she wasn't even remotely confident in those. But she had to try. She let her hand gracefully drop from his upper arm and slide down then back up his arm with each pass going a little lower and a little higher until her fingers grazed the small exposed spot of his neck and she swore she felt him swallow hard at her touch. She found that she wanted to explore that sensation more and let her fingers begin to explore his jaw line. A few moments in she noticed he wasn't breathing. And she felt victorious. That was until he pulled her close and leaned forward just enough to feel his breath at her exposed neck. And the sensation alone caused her legs to completely give out and she fell unceremoniously on her bottom. There were a few gasps around her as Severus helped her up.
"Excuse me." she said as she ran out of the hall and into a washroom. Her heart was beating so much she couldn't focus. She vaguely heard the door open.
"'Mione. Are you alright?" It was Ginny.
"I… don't… know." She replied breathlessly.
"That was quite a show you two put on out there. What was going on?" The redhead, asked.
"Severus noticed that I was a wee bit tense over Ron's presence that he told me that if I didn't relax, he would do something to force me to. He had casually touched me and well it was… electric. I guess he must have noticed and while we were dancing, he started toying with me again. I tried to fight fire with fire and definitely got burned." While speaking Hermione sat on the in-room sofa staring at her gown. Then looked up at her friend. "Oh Ginny, I thought he was going to kiss me. His lips were so close to me and the thought alone made me weak kneed and I collapsed. And I feel like a complete tosser."
"Hermione let me shine a little light on things for you. The way the two of you looked out there on the floor, you looked the part of a very much "in love" couple. Like madly so. In the fun stage where you can't keep your hands to yourselves and damn whom ever notices. It was actually quite hot. This is not a one sided thing. I can't believe I'm going to say this. But I think Severus Snape is completely bonkers for you. Now are you going to sit in this bathroom all night or are you going to come back out there and show that damn snake that we lions like a good fight?"
For some reason Ginny's motivational speech got Hermione on her feet. "Your right. I came here with him to explore my feelings. I need to conclude my research." Ginny rolled her eyes at her friend. And they returned to the table. Severus stood and so did Harry and helped the witches take their seats. Ginny and Hermione giggled at Harry, and he was none the wiser.
"Are you feeling alright, Hermione." Snape said with a knowing satisfying smirk.
"Oh yes. I think I over did it. I haven't eaten since lunch time and have had a few glasses of champagne. You know how much of a light weight I am." The whole table murmured in agreement, minus the mysterious blond still staring at Ron with lovesick eyes.
"Well it's a good thing dinner is being served. We won't attempt any more dancing until you have had your fill." She wanted to either smack or kiss that obnoxious grin off his face, but refrained.
The meal was delicious and filled with fun chatter by almost all the occupants of the table. The biggest faux pas was Ron never introducing his date to the table. He also didn't commit more than three words to any part of the lively conversation. Once the dinner plates were cleared. Severus excused himself. And that was when Ron made his move. He went and asked Hermione to dance which she reluctantly agreed to. As they left the table she noticed the unnamed blond grabbed her things and left. While on the dance floor, Ron being Ron started in.
"I thought you said you weren't dating anyone?" annoyance clear in his voice.
"I did. And nothing has changed." she replied, evenly. Trying to de-escalate.
"That's bullshit, Hermione. I've been watching and you two look like your fuc….."
"Ronald Weasley! Don't you dare finish that thought, especially if you ever had any respect for me. Now listen to me. I am not currently dating anyone. But I am interested in Severus and if things work out then my status will change. But you will keep your opinions to yourself." She broke their hold and she stormed off. It brought back terrible memories of the Yule Ball from Fourth year. He was such an inconsiderate jerk. She walked out of the ballroom and out into the hallway near the washrooms. Where she ran into Severus, literally. "Oh, sorry." She only looked up when he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"What's wrong, Miss Granger." And for some reason this unleashed the torrent of tears.
"Why can't you call me by my first name?" She said through her blubbering and ended the question with a hiccough.
"Because it would make things very personal between us. And I don't know if you are able to handle that. But I know that this isn't the reason for the outburst."
"Ron." Was all she had to say. He made his way to the coat check and grabbed their things.
"We are leaving now." He said as he wrapped her coat over her shoulders and held her purse.
"But we can't just leave." She said trying to compose herself.
"Yes we can." He said authoritatively. Instead of leading them to the floo they came in on, they went outside. The weather was nice. Not too windy but cold enough for the small flurry. Once they were away from the hall he stop them and asked her again. "What happened?"
"Nothing that I didn't anticipate. It's just in some cases I hate being right." She didn't want to ask. She felt that if things would progress between them, it would happen organically, but the next words out of her mouth were definitely not organic. "What is going on between us?" She in her whole life would never have thought she could render the wizard in front of her shocked or speechless. But she had succeeded in both. "Because I can't be the only one that feels the intense attraction between us. The fact that when we are together, it feels right." She had said it, laying all her cards out. And she had to take the risk of rejection. She was too keyed up to worry. She couldn't dance around the subject anymore. Ron's outburst just put that into very clear perspective.
His reply took far longer than she was comfortable with. He then went to step closer to her, looming over her. He leaned down and said softly. "You are not." And then he held her face in his hands and kissed her. It was a deep, affectionate kiss. For self-preservation she threw her arms around his neck so that if her body turned to jelly, she wouldn't collapse like before.
While her dream had the mind blowing kiss set at the ball. She found that this was better alone and in the snow. She could feel that things were intensifying and she knew they needed to be somewhere warm. She slowly pulled away. And she swore she saw a pout form. "I think before we get too carried away, we should maybe be somewhere warmer." She said breathlessly. He let out a possessive growl and wrapped her up into his arms and Apparated them away. She didn't even notice that he didn't take them to Hogwarts until he was pushing her down on to the bed. Then while he was lovingly kissing her neck she caught a glimpse of where they were. The flat in Hogsmead, she figured. And while her body was responding to all of Severus' ministrations. Her mind was screaming to slow down. She needed to talk and figure out things. She let out a moan when Severus' hand slipped under her skirt. He was working on erasing all thought from her mind. But she managed to overpower the sensations. "Severus, we need to slow down." she said in breathless, lusty tone.
And apparently, he took that as come to a complete stop. She could see the hungry look in his eyes. He was flushed from the exertion and his lips were definitely kiss swollen. She could only imagine what she looked like. He got up and adjusted himself. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have presumed." She grabbed his wrist.
"Don't. You didn't. I just want to talk. Please. These feelings are not new but have increased very rapidly. And you reciprocating is something I truly hadn't expected."
"I should have known you would spoil the mood with talking." He said with sad humor.
She pulled him back to sit next to her on the bed. "I know, I'm so predictable. But you only said three words before we were in bed together. Is that all you want from me?" She felt very vulnerable.
He let out a sigh. "Of course not." He had long pause almost uncomfortably so. "Hermione, I have been laboring under very intense feelings for you for over a year maybe longer, I am unsure when I stopped dismissing the feels and accepted them. However, I was perfectly content with being a co-worker, friend and with an occasional flirty exchange. What I never expected was you to say what you did. And maybe I progressed things as such just in case you'd change your mind." His entire monologue was said without making eye contact. In fact, one would have thought he was saying it to his boots.
Her heart ached to hear him see so little value in himself. "Severus. I don't expect myself to change my mind anytime soon. You have managed to carve out a little spot in my mind and heart that I can't just fill."
"So I guess I quick shag isn't really going to work out tonight in my favor?" He said and Hermione couldn't help giggling at his phrase choice.
"Oh no, if I'm going to allow you to take me. It will be anything but quick." She said with a flirtatious smirk. Severus gave her a wolffish grin that made her insides quiver with need.
"I would rather go back to the castle so I can change."
"You could be nude now, if you wouldn't have stopped me." His tone was sultry and she shivered in delight.
"Stop it." She replied with a quiver in her voice. "I would still have to put it back on after."
"Crispy!" Severus called out, unexpectantly.
"Yes, master?" The little elf asked dutifully.
"Will you get with Miss Granger's elf Squeaky and procure her a change of clothings. Something more comfortable and warm all pieces. And fetch them for me as well."
"Yes, sir." And the elf popped away
"Thank you. I don't know what Squeaky would say to see me mussed up like this."
"Judgmental one, isn't she?" He asked with a smirk.
"Yes actually. She's also been hounding me about my Singleton status. She had said that she would like to try her hand at being a nanny elf. To which I simply rolled my eyes."
Before he could speak again Crispy returned with the procured clothing.
"Squeaky tolds me that Missy should expect a talking to for nots coming back after ball." Severus began belly laughing. Which made Hermione blush.
"Crispy, will you fetch us some evening refreshments?"
"Yes, sir." He said as he popped away.
"That Squeaky is quite a handful. But amusing." His voice was still filled with amusement.
"She's trouble, but I've grown fond of her. I'm actually surprised she didn't pop here with Crispy to just scold me." She said with a chuckle. Hermione gathered her clothing and went to the bathroom. And stopped before closing the door. "Would you mind helping me with my zipper?"
His eyes grew wide as he stood and took three long strides to her and slowly lowered the zipper but elicited a wanton gasp from Hermione when Severus let his lips trail down her back as the zipper exposed her skin. Once the garment slipped down Hermione's body. She turned to face Severus. Watching him as he took in the sight of her in her lingerie. She never felt so sexy or so desired. Then to satisfy her own longing to undoing all those enticing buttons. She felt like a child at Christmas unwrapping a present.
The shirt fell away and Hermione ran her hands over his chest. He all but purred at her touch. He picked her up and sat her on the bed. The kissing began immediately. Wild hands roamed each other's body. If she thought his little touches lit something in her. His roaming hands and the weight of his body against hers caused a raging inferno.
Severus would growl sensually every time his hands would touch the silky lace of her bodice. Hermione had to tell her annoying conscious, which was reminding her that they needed to slow things down, to sod off. But her body was alit with a fiery passion that she could no longer fight the need for this wizard.
"Please." She said with husky tone. Which was all that was needed for Severus who picked her up and put her back on the bed. He settled himself between her legs and began kissing her deeply. As he sat up on his knees and began caressing her thighs. There was shining blue light hat entered the room. A form of cat jumped up on to the night stand and Minerva's voice relaid the message.
"Severus, I'm not sure if you are still in attendance or have ventured off. But it is required of you to return. There has been a situation that requires your return to the castle. And do give Hermione my regards." The message was benign but there was a tone of amused judgement in it.
Severus collapsed forward and rested his forehead to Hermione's. Their labored breathing was all that was heard for a long moment. "Well that was a buzz kill." He sat up and began to dismount the bed. He turned to look at Hermione, she must have been quite a sight. She could feel her hair had some what escaped it's careful styling and her makeup was probably mussed. "Will you join me back to the castle? You are more than welcomed to stay here. Depending on the issue, I may be able to return."
Hermione smiled at his eagerness. She sat up, "I think I'll just come back with you. Maybe I will make some tea and wait for you… in your quarters." She said with uncertainty in her voice. She quickly turned her head away.
He tilted her head back up to his gaze. "That sounds, agreeable." Hermione reached up and gave him a sweet, short kiss and got up to dress in the clothes that were brought for her.
A/N: Hi all. First off, I wanted to say that I have had this written for a while, but I couldn't decide if it should be two chapters or one long one. There was a lot to unpack, and I wasn't sure if it needed to be broken up. However, the time between the updates has made me feel like I needed to gift you with a nice long one for you. Secondly, Yay! They have made some progress. But it won't be the easiest road, since I am evil. Sorry. Thanks for your continued support of my story.