Disclaimer: none of this belongs to me, except Selina, who is a completely original character!
Author's Note: hey guys, sorry it took so long to get this one up, I was visiting my dad in the states earlier in the week, so I couldn't update (total surprise, I had no idea!) hope you enjoy this chapter, and please review!
As Hermione and his mother disappeared into the sitting room, Severus was glad the attention was off him, although he did feel a bit guilty that Hermione now had to bare the brunt of his mother's questions. Still though, Hermione was a woman, surely she would enjoy indulging in some gossip talk with a fellow female? From her horrified expression a minute ago, he doubted it somehow. Putting his mother's suitcase down in a corner of the hall, he pushed open the door to the sitting room. His mother was sat in one of the comfortable armchairs by the empty fireplace, whereas Hermione was seated on the edge of the sofa. She looked up as he entered and gratefulness flashed in her eyes as he took up the seat next to her on the sofa. She seemed glad of his presence, and sat back a little in her seat.
"So, Hermione, how are you and Severus getting along? I trust he is behaving himself?" Selina said with a doting smile at her son. Hermione blushed furiously and turned to Severus for support.
"We are getting along fine, thank you mother," he said, coming to her rescue. Selina watched as Hermione smiled up Severus, and she was surprised when her usually harsh and cruel faced son smiled openly back down at her. A small smile was creeping onto her own face at this interesting development.
"And how is everything at Hogwarts?" she questioned.
"Everything is fine. The pupils are still thick skulled dunderheads, but apart from that, I suppose things are going quite well." Both Hermione and Selina chuckled at this, and Severus looked down at Hermione as he heard her light, tinkling laugh. She smiled apologetically up at him, unable to stop giggling.
"And what year are you in, Hermione?" Selina continued, smiling.
"I will be going into my final year in September," Hermione replied, sitting up straight and replacing her smile with an expression of remorse. Selina nodded appreciatively.
"Severus tells me you are quite the little Potions star," Selina carried on with a mischievous glint in her bright green eyes. Severus shot a venomous glare to her at that – he realised immediately that she was deliberately trying to stir things up, as she always did. Hermione turned to her, surprise and confusion written all over her face. He realised that this opposed everything he had ever said or done in Potions classes. He shrugged nonchalantly at her, but then, sensing her disappointment, nodded tersely at her, showing her that it was indeed true. He was all too aware that his mother was watching them like a hawk.
"Well Severus," Selina started again. "Are you going to show me what you've done with this place since my last visit, or not?" She clasped her hands together and stood. Severus and Hermione jumped to their feet also, and Severus led them both out of the room, his tall form looking as dominating as it did in the Hogwarts' corridors and classrooms.
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The three of them spent the day quite happily walking around the magnificent house and gardens. The immense beauty of Severus' gardens amazed Hermione. Sloping green grasses slipped effortlessly into a large, perfect blue lake, and huge old trees were situated everywhere. Hermione also learned from conversation that Severus' house was near to the coast of Robin Hood's Bay, near Whitby.
Later on in the evening, the three of them were walking down the corridor of Hermione's bedroom, Severus having just shown his mother to her old bedroom, which was just along the corridor from Hermione's. Suddenly, there was a loud sound of a bell ringing far off, which made Hermione jump. Selina immediately headed for the stairs, but Hermione stood where she was for a minute, wondering what it was. Severus saw this, and came over to her. He put a hand on her back and leant close to her.
"It means Dinner's ready," he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear. He was so close to her Hermione could feel the warmth radiating off his body, and her knees felt as if they would buckle if he removed his hand. Hermione realised with a jolt that she had been staring into Severus' eyes like a puppy dog for the last minute, and despite the fact he had not removed his penetrating gaze, she forced her legs to move, and started to walk down the corridor, Severus close behind her.
"There you are!" Selina called in a severe voice as they reached the landing. The effect, however, was ruined by the fact she had a sneaky smile on her face. "I thought you had got lost!" Severus snorted at that, and rolled his eyes and stormed off in the direction of the dining room.
Dinner passed uneventfully, until Selina began cooing over Cosy, as the elf brought in the desert. She was just patting Cosy on the head and saying how much she missed her, when there was a huge,
*BANG!* and all the lights went out, plunging them into darkness. Hermione had to bite down on her tongue to stop herself screaming, as she was sure it would not help the situation. Selina, however, let out a loud shriek. Then, there was silence for a few long moments before,
"Eh-Oh," from Severus' side of the table. It was such an abnormal sound from Severus, Hermione nearly laughed out loud.
"Severus!" said Selina suspiciously, her voice raising in volume and pitch.
"Yes, mother?" he replied confidently, faking innocence. "Something wrong?"
"Severus!" she exclaimed again. There was suddenly a loud scraping and Hermione guessed Selina had pushed back her chair and stood. "You are so like your father! What on earth have you been fiddling around with now?" There was another scrape, followed by a few heavy, clicking footsteps.
"Mother," Severus said as he stood behind where he thought she was, and reached out his hand to rest comfortingly on her shoulder.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Hermione screamed as a hand was pressed into her shoulder. She leapt up from the table, as the hand retreated as if afraid of being burnt.
"Hermione?" Severus exclaimed incredulously. "Are you ok? Merlin, I'm so sorry, Hermione! Hermione? Hermione!" He cursed under his breath. "Where are you, are you ok? Shit," he swore under his breath again as he fumbled in the dark for his wand. What the hell was the matter with Hermione? Suddenly, he heard it. A soft, low whimpering sound coming from the corner. "Hermione?" he whispered gently, as his fingers closed around his wand and he whipped it out. "Lumos," he muttered quietly. The floor a few metres around him was bathed in bright yellow light and as he raised his wand over his shoulder to get a better view, he caught sight of Hermione curled up, shaking in a far corner of the room. He hurried over to her, completely forgetting about his mother. Her knees were drawn up to her chest; her arms wrapped tightly around them. Silent tears were coursing down her cheeks and she was whimpering like an injured animal. Severus sighed and crouched down beside her. She was clearly still a lot more distraught than she had anticipated she would be. He slowly extended a hand and tenderly stroked her hair back from her face.
At this point, Hermione gazed up at him with nervous eyes, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. She flinched when he touched her, but when he flashed her an honest smile, she collapsed into him. He wrapped his arms around her, cocooning her in warmth and comfort Hermione never thought she would find in his arms. Her head rested on Severus' shoulder, and as her tears flowed like wine, a wet patch appeared on his black robes. After a few minutes, Severus became aware that Hermione had cried herself to sleep. Exhaling heavily, Severus kept one arm around her shoulders, and tucked the other under her knees. Her arms went automatically around his neck as he easily lifted her.
"Severus," Selina began, touched by her son's unusual caring display of affection.
"Not now, mother," he snapped, side stepping her and exiting the room, Hermione still in his arms. She snuggled unconsciously into his chest and Severus' breathing hitched as one small hand slipped from his neck and rested on his chest. He walked up the stairs and when he reached Hermione's door, he kicked it open. Hermione stirred in his arms, and Severus gently laid her on her bed, removed her shoes and pulled the covers over her. He looked at her peacefully sleeping form, and gently lowered his lips to plant a chaste kiss on her check. Her pale pink lips crept into a sleepy smile at this, and she rolled onto her side, clutching at the blankets. Severus sighed slightly, and tore himself away from her, shutting the door with a click.
As he walked back down the stairs, Severus pressed a hand to his forehead and rubbed, trying to clear his muddled thoughts. He would have to keep a closer eye on her than he thought over the next few weeks, he decided. His thoughts were interrupted as his mother entered the hall holding a burning candle in one hand, which she placed on the hall table, and her lit wand in the other.
"Severus," she said softly. "My dear boy." Selina walked forward and took her thirty-six year old son by the elbow and led him to the sitting room. She sat him down on the sofa next to her and took his long, elegant fingers in her wrinkled ones. She smiled fondly at him. "Now, what just happened?" Severus explained quickly and briefly about his Potions experiments.
"I'll sort it out in the morning," he said, looking ashamed that he had failed, but waiting for a torrent of insults and telling-offs, that he had not received since he was a young boy.
"And what about Hermione?" Selina questioned carefully. Severus merely looked forlorn, hardly remembering to be amazed that the lecture had never come. He stood from the sofa, and moved to stare out of the large window into the pitch-black night.
"I don't know mother, I just don't know. I thought she had, well, not gotten over it exactly, but accepted that her parents were dead! But if she reacted like that to me, she is obviously in a lot more grief than I had presumed." Selina stood from the couch, and moved to stand behind him at the window.
"Son," she spoke softly. "Of course she is still distressed. She just lost her parents, the most important people in her life! Severus, my dear, allowances must be made! She is only, what, 17?"
"18," he corrected her immediately. Selina looked at her son in confusion. Turning to her, Severus sighed.
"But how can she be 18 already if she is only just going into her 7th year?"
"In her 3rd year, Hermione used a time turner so extensively she added a year to her life." Selina gasped.
"But Severus, that it so unheard of!"
"I know, mother. The stupid girl worked herself to the bone that year." He said gruffly, but with an edge of emotion in his voice. "Not that she doesn't always," he muttered. "But she doesn't know yet mother, so do not let it slip out. I believe Albus intends to tell her when she returns to Hogwarts." Selina nodded knowledgeably.
"Severus, I believe what Hermione needs is something to take her mind off her present condition. Why don't you take her out tomorrow? It's the perfect opportunity – I have some old friends I wish to visit." Severus looked at her as if she was crazy. Selina laughed out loud. "Don't look at me like that Severus! I'm sure she would appreciate it. No one likes being cooped up in a house when they have things on their mind. Excepting you, of course, Severus!" she added, a note of amusement in her voice. Severus snorted, but looked at her seriously.
"You really think it would be good for her?" he asked sincerely.
"I think it would be excellent for the both of you," she replied, putting a hand on Severus' arm. She couldn't help but notice how skinny he felt. She decided immediately that she would have to see that he ate properly whilst she was here. Severus nodded reluctantly. "Now, my dear, I think I will go to my room and get myself settled in." Severus nodded again in return and absentmindedly kissed his mother on her soft, made up cheek, and wished her goodnight.
Severus stood by the window gazing up at the stars and the bright full moon for a long time after she left.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter sorry it's a bit short. Did everyone have a happy Halloween? I went to the best party ever with my boyf, what did you guys do? Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Also thanks to everyone who said they like the description!
Ladyofseverus, I know, I prefer to think of him in robes not muggle clothes – it's so sexy! And yeah, I think we do all pretty much forget those facts when we think of him! Glad you liked the chapter, and the description, and thanks for your email.
Cherry7-up, thanks for saying everything about the description, that was so sweet!
Tracy, glad you like snape's mum, I tried to write her different from how other people have.
Flyeagle, oh dear, hope ur probs sort themselves out! Thanks for your review, it was way nice!
Darkfire, wow, you did amazing if English isn't your first language! Glad you like sev, but I couldn'y understand what you sed about his mother, I'm afraid!
Marisa Raven, thanks for saying you like the description, your story is great!
Jinni, glad you like it!
Elvenfaerie, thanks for the review, glad you like the description and sev!
Strega Brava, *blushes* thanks that's sweet. Glad you like sev's mum.
Notquitefamous, hiya! I'm glad you like the description, and yes, within the next few chapters and beyond, she will be a prominent character, although she will disappear for a while!
Lea, cool, thanks for saying you like it!
Kaira, yeah, after the response I got from saying that, I think I will ignore anyone who sez it in future! I will so not stop describing now! Thanks for saying that, I certainly don't give a shove if sev is out of character, I like him like that! Hehe, don't worry, selina will be stirring up lots during her stay (and yeah, I guessed you were hinting at something, lol!) glad you like it, thanks again, for all your reviews.
Silvermoon, teehee, I won't tell you what will happen, all I'm saying is that you're on the right track!
Amberlovesfaith, aw, thank you honey, that was sweet – I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Serpentina, thanks, glad you like the descriptions also! I will post again as soon as poss, and I look forward to reading more of your fics!
Honey666, hey! Thanks for reviewing, glad you like sev a bit ooc.
Thanks again to everyone, please REVIEW!!!!!!!