My fourth Chappie today!
~*~Back with Severus and Minerva~*~
"All right, you kissed her. You got called to the revel, you helped her stir, you felt her up. What else happens next?" Minerva said as Severus deftly tried to pick the muggle lock.
"Well, eventually she talked me into my senses. Of course, I couldn't resist her. So, on Halloween I took her to meet the rest of my family."
"There are other ones of you?"
"Yes, Minerva. I have three sisters and a brother."
"What are their names?"
"Vivia is the youngest, she's only 20. Then there is Contessa, she's 25, Wynne is 31, and Julien is 34. And I am thirty six. An old man."
"I don't remember any other Snapes at Hogwarts. Except, of course you and Julien."
"Yes, Vivia, Contessa and Wynne went to Beauxbatons. Good god, my baby brother. Perfect Julien. Hermione got along with him very well."
"They were both heads. He was such a good boy. I remember his wedding."
"Fuck." He said, accidentally cutting his hand with the lock pick.
"No, thank you."
"His wedding, with the perfect everything. Including his new wife."
"What is her name?" Minerva asked, sitting down against the door.
"I know just the spell for this! Oh, Fiona is her name. Aloemohoreomorea." He commanded.
"Ahh, the time released lock picker. Far more practical than a simple Alohamora."
"Yes. Now we have time to just sit here."
"Good." she said, patting the marble floor beside her. "Sit down and tell me more."
~*~in the potion's lab~*~
"Are you ready to go, Hermione?" Severus asked, knocking on the office door lightly.
"I will be in a moment!" she called. Severus retreated to a stool by one of the work tables. He leaned back and crossed his long lean legs. They were again clad in his black leather pants, this time topped with a burgundy silk shirt.
"We're almost late!" he called a few minutes later.
"I'm ready." she said, opening the door lightly. She stood in front of the door, looking down slightly, like she was embarrassed about how good she looked.
"Wow, Hermione." He said, rising. He took in her black long sleeved shirt that clung to her body, to the black tulip hemmed skirt that ended just below her knees to reveal slender calves covered in dainty knee high leather boots. Her hair was the most amazing thing though. It was the smooth color of dark honey, a rich acorn top brown. She had straightened it, the usual rambunctiously curly locks smoothed straight to her hips. Her lips were lined and colored in a deep blood red that put her flawless complection to the best. Her cinnamon and amber eyes glowed under just a little bit of brown mascara.
"Thank you. You look amazing too." she replied walking to him and hugging him around the waist.
"I am sure that all my brothers and sisters will be in love with you by the end of the night."
"I hope not any of the married ones." she giggled as he put the ash repellent charm on her, preparing them for the floo journey.
"Are you ready?" he asked, leaning down and putting his head in the crook of her neck.
"Yes."
"Let's go." he said as he lead her over to the massive fireplace.
"Snape Manor!" she cried after he vanished from the fire. The same whirling feeling came into the pit of her stomach as she flew through the dimensions. She landed with a thud in the fireplace of Snape Manor.
"There we go, Hermione." Severus said, giving her a hand out of the fireplace.
"Thank you, darling." she said, noting the curious flush in his face and light in his eyes she hadn't ever seen.
"I want you to meet my family." he said, leading her over to a table of women. "Girls, this is Hermione. Hermione, I want you to meet Vivia, Contessa and Wynne."
"Hello Hermione." what looked like the youngest said. She had the same black locks, although her's were cut short and streaked through with purple. "I'm Vivia."
"And I'm Wynne." She looked to be the middle one, with brown hair, Severus' hooked nose and the same dark eyes.
"Contessa." the third said. Her resemblance to Severus was fascinating. Her face was lined as much as Severus' was and she looked worn out, tired.
"Contessa is a double spy, like I am. She's really very young. She's 25."
"Then let me tell you, I already love you." Hermione said, taking her hand warmly.
"No, I am the old maid. I'm just turned 31."
"You're younger than Severus, though."
"I can't let them steal you. I have more to let you meet." Severus said after several questions were exchanged.
"Fine, Sevvie. Whatever you say." Wynne said
"Good. You can meet Mother and Julien."
"Whatever you say." she said as he lead her into the kitchen.
"Mother!" Severus called as they made their way through the labyrinthian hall to the kitchen.
"Yes, darling?" a tall stately woman called from the counter. She had the same nose as Contessa, Wynne and Severus. On her it looked dignified. Her black hair hung straight to her shoulders and it was streaked with silver. She looked over her shoulder at Hermione and Severus.
"This is Hermione." he said, pushing her forward
"Hello, Mrs. Snape." she said tentatively.
"It's been years since anyone ever called my Mrs. Snape. Isabella will do."
"Well, Isabella, it's very nice to meet you. Severus talks about your wonderful cooking all the time. I can't wait to try some."
"Does he? Well, that's wonderful. I hope you like it. If not, you can always charm it to taste how you wish. Sevvie says you are very good at charms." the older woman said, waving her wand over the simmering pot of soup chanting an incantation.
"Does he?"
"Yes, he talks about you quite frequently. I am so glad to finally meet the famous, or infamous, whichever you choose, Hermione Granger." the women beamed at each other.
"Let's find Julien." Severus said, a moment later. He gently prodded a button on the wall. Speaking into the tiny microphone he proclaimed, "Julien!"
"Yes, Sevvie?" the reply came as quickly as he spoke.
"Come down here. I have someone for you to meet."
"Where are you?"
"Kitchen."
"All right." he said. With a pop he materialized in front of Hermione's eyes.
"Hello then." Severus said, sweeping his little brother into a hug.
"Who is this?" Julien asked as soon as the hug was over.
"I'm Hermione." she said, offering her hand to him.
"Pleasure."
