Chapter 12

The next morning Hermione woke up spooned against her husband who had been awake for the past thirty minutes. Hermione snuggled in closer enjoying the warmth that he was bringing to her.

"Have a good night sleep love?"

"Hmm yes." Hermione closed her eyes for a moment then snapped them open. "Let go!"

Severus did as told immediately, knowing that tone and knew where she was going. She hastily got out of bed and ran into the bathroom to the toilet. Severus followed to support his wife, 'gods' he thought 'what women have to go through just to give us men children.' Severus held a wet hand towel ready for Hermione. When she was done he wiped her mouth and gave her another damp hand towel to cool off her face. He helped her up and let her be for a few minutes while he went to go get a potion that would ease the morning sickness.

When he came back, she was in bed curled up under the covers. Severus went to sit by her side and offered her the potion, which she took readily. "Thank you, love." Hermione whispered.

Severus put the vial down and got into bed himself and pulled her to him. "Sleep. We have a few more hours before either of us needs to make an appearance." He was glad it was Sunday.

When they woke up a few hours later, it was still early morning. They actually slept in until 8 am. Hermione wanted to stay in bed longer with Severus. She didn't want to leave him that day, but she knew she would just have an argument with her friends she wasn't prepared for.

"Hermione it's time to get up," Severus whispered into her ear.

"Why?"

"Your friends will be expecting you," Severus reasoned.

"I don't really care right now. All we are going to do is fight and I'd rather spend the day with my husband," she smiled.

Severus pulled Hermione closer into a kiss, "All right love. What would you like to do today?"

Hermione thought for a moment, "Are we allowed to leave the castle?"

Severus nodded.

"We can't be seen in Diagon Alley and such, but what about muggle London?"

"You want to go to London?" Severus asked.

Hermione nodded now.

"Is there anything particular you want from there?" he questioned.

"No, just spend time with you and not worry about hiding about our marriage," she answered.

"Be a real couple then?" Severus smiled thinking about the idea.

"Yes, would you mind?" Hermione asked a bit nervous.

"Of course not, but how do you feel?" he asked concerned.

"Fine now. This morning was normal, but we can bring a potion with us just in case."

"Then my dear you better get into the shower while I go talk to Albus. I'll inform him of our plans."

Hermione smiled brilliantly, "Thank you Severus!" And she went to go take a shower.

Severus got his lounging robe on and went to Floo Dumbledore. "Albus!" Severus called after throwing in some Floo powder.

A few seconds later Dumbledore's head appeared floating in the fireplace. "Good morning Severus. What can I do for you?"

"Albus, I wanted to inform you that Hermione and I will be leaving the castle for the day."

Dumbledore smiled, "Where do you two plan on going?"

"London. Hermione would like to spend a day as a normal couple, which I agree with. Was there anything important that will need my immediate attention?"

"No, nothing at all. I will inform Gwen (Sinistra) that you wish for her to take charge of Slytherin."

"Thank you. Also, you might be asked about Hermione. She hasn't talked with Misters Potter or Weasley today. I believe they will inquire where she is. We'll owl Ms. Weasley so she knows at breakfast."

"I'm sure they will inquire about her. I'll inform them she is indisposed for the day," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Thank you Albus. Please tell Minerva."

"Of course. Anything for you my boy, have a good day," and Dumbledore's head disappeared.

Severus went to his desk and wrote a note to Ginny. He had taken a certain liking to the young girl for her being supportive of Hermione. She was a reasonable girl unlike most girls her age.

Ginny,

Hermione will not be seen today, as we will be in London. Misters Potter and Weasley know of the situation, but not of our destination today. If you have any questions please go to the Headmaster or Professor McGonagall.

S.S.


Severus put a charm on the letter so it would only be opened and seen by Ginny. He tied the letter to Aego and let the owl take off. He decided Hermione should have a little something to eat before they left and ordered a small breakfast for themselves while he went to go get ready himself.

......

"Ron have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked sitting down at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.

"No," Ron managed through a mouthful of eggs.

Harry kept looking around, keeping an eye on the entrance. He wanted to talk to Hermione. He still wasn't happy with her being involved with Severus. He was barely eating when the morning mail was delivered.

Ginny was sitting next to the boys when she received a letter from Aego. She knew whose owl it was and took the note and put it away not wanting others to read it. She fed the owl some bacon and toast before it took off again. The boys hardly even noticed, they were so preoccupied with Ron stuffing his face, Harry looking for Hermione.

After breakfast was over and still no Hermione, Harry dragged Ron with him to go see the Headmaster who was currently talking with Ginny.

"Headmaster, we need to talk," Harry requested.

Dumbledore smiled at the boy, "I assume this is about Hermione?"

Harry nodded.

"Certainly come with me. Ginny do you wish to accompany us?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes." Ginny answered.

Harry and Ron were confused but didn't question the Headmaster. The four went to Dumbledore's office and all sat down.

"Now Harry, what is this about?"

"Hermione didn't come back last night and she wasn't at breakfast," Harry started.

"She is with Professor Snape," Dumbledore said.

"But she should have been at breakfast!" Harry claimed.

"They have other plans for the day," Dumbledore tried to explain.

"What plans?"

"Hermione wanted to go out so they did," Dumbledore grinned.

"Go where?" Ron asked.

"They went to London."

"London!? But how? Students aren't allowed to leave the grounds I thought," Harry said.

"Ron, Harry will you two relax. Hermione's all right. She's just with Professor Snape," Ginny cut in.

"Just with Professor Snape?" Harry questioned.

"Yes, they went to London to spend some time together. What is so wrong with that?" Ginny asked.

"You know about them?" Harry exclaimed.

Ron watched. He really didn't know why Harry was getting so upset. Hermione told them last night she was all right, and Dumbledore seemed all right with it... now apparently Ginny also. Ron decided to stay out of it, since it was Hermione's choice and she could make her own. Even if it was Snape, Ron thought.

"Yes Harry I know about them."

"How long Ginny?" Harry was getting mad at his friend.

"Before they got married."

"Ginny!"

"What?"

"How could you!?" Harry yelped.

"Harry, this is why she didn't want to tell you about the wedding. She wanted you guys there but knew you would overreact," Ginny explained.

"You were at the wedding?" Harry asked.

"Yes and so were Hermione's parents."

"And everyone is okay with this? Hermione went and got knocked up by the Potions Master then was forced to marry him!" Harry bellowed.

"Mr. Potter, you will do well enough to calm down!"

Everyone turned to see McGonagall standing in the doorway.

"Professor McGonagall, do you know where Hermione is?" Harry practically sneered.

"Mr. Potter you will not take that attitude with me, and yes I do know where she is," McGonagall warned her student.

"And you're all right with this?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"Mr. Potter tell me exactly what your problem is with Professor Snape?"

"It's Snape! He's going to hurt Hermione!"

"Mr. Potter, do you remember what happened to Mr. Malfoy?" McGonagall asked trying a different approach.

"Yes, he attacked Hermione."

"Did Ms. Granger tell you what happened?"

"Yes, she said Snape pulled Malfoy off of her and defended her," Harry said thinking a little bit.

"That's not quite true." McGonagall started.

"What do you mean?" Harry interrupted.

"What happened was Professor Snape did pull Mr. Malfoy off and made sure Ms. Granger was all right."

"Then why was Malfoy beaten up?"

"Because he attacked Ms. Granger. Professor Snape enacted justice in his own way on Mr. Malfoy for hurting Ms. Granger. Mr. Malfoy was ready to strike her before the Professor arrived."

Harry was silent for a moment thinking, "You mean Snape didn't have to beat Malfoy? He did it only because of Hermione?"

"Yes. He did it for Ms. Granger, after making sure she was all right. In fact I think the only reason Mr. Malfoy is alive at this moment is because Ms. Granger would have stopped Professor Snape."

"Snape was going to kill Malfoy for attacking Hermione?" Ron asked in awe.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley he would have but his concern was dominated on Ms. Granger," McGonagall answered.

Harry kept quiet thinking.

Ron was surprised but now had a new respect for Severus. He thought the only reason Malfoy was in such bad shape because he fought against Severus, but learning Severus only beat up Malfoy because he threatened Hermione was quite a shock. Ron looked over to Harry who seemed to be taking longer to come to realization. Harry was the type to protect his friends and always had been. "Harry, if Snape is willing to beat the crap out of Malfoy for Hermione, he must really care for her."

Harry looked at Ron, "But it's Snape."

Ron shook his head. He was usually the thickheaded one but over the years he had finally grown up. "Harry, if Hermione didn't want to be with Snape she wouldn't have married him."

"But he could have used a spell or potion." Harry was still trying to disbelieve this.

"No Harry. You don't know about wizarding weddings. I know a couple can't get married unless they both do it willingly." Ron remembered hearing things over the years and he had conveniently forgotten this fact last night when he suggested it.

"Mr. Weasley is correct, Mr. Potter. In wizarding ceremonies, marriages only can be united if they both wish it to be. No spell or potion can be used to coerce such a proceeding," McGonagall confirmed.

Harry was left staring at his professors and friends.