Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

Chapter 40

The following day, Alaisdair, Éliane and Robert bid farewell to Dumbledore and the rest of the staff and made their way down to the train station. They were accompanied by Molly, Arthur, Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione. It would be strange for them to have the train all to themselves. It was normally filled with noisy, boisterous students. Draco and Hermione were looking forward to having a little more time alone together. The young couple would be apart for the whole two months of summer vacation.

"I can't risk my father finding out, Hermione. It would be too dangerous," Draco had said.

Hermione understood. They both hated the thought of being apart for that long a period, but they knew it was necessary. Lucius Malfoy was not to be taken lightly. Hermione did not want either Draco or herself in danger.

The train pulled away and began its trip to London. Everyone was gathered together in the same compartment, reliving the wedding.

"It was simply lovely. I suppose the next wedding I'll be attending will be yours, Hermione," said Molly.

Hermione was taken aback. She looked at Draco and wondered if Mrs. Weasley had figured out their secret.

"Um, I don't think so Mrs. Weasley. I don't even have a steady boyfriend. Maybe Ginny will be next."

Harry and Draco exchanged looks when Hermione said she didn't have a boyfriend. They both knew she was lying to cover up. No comment was made. They wondered as well if Ron's Mum had seen something more than she should have.

"Heaven's no, Hermione! She's still a baby. I said you'd be next because you're the oldest girl here. I guess it'll be one of my sons marrying first. Eh, Ron?"

"Mum!" cried Ron, turning his usual shade of red. Everyone laughed.

After awhile, Draco excused himself, saying he was going to stretch his legs. Hermione waited for what she felt was an appropriate length of time before excusing herself as well. They met in the last car of the train and locked the door. They remained there for the rest of the trip. They talked; they held one another; they kissed. Hermione cried at the thought of being without him for the summer. Draco did his best to reassure her by saying the summer would fly by so fast they wouldn't even have time to miss one another. They both knew he was lying. They missed each other already.

When they realized they were pulling into London, they kissed one last time and Draco sent Hermione up ahead to join the others. She told them she had been reading the whole trip. Draco showed up a little while later, saying he had fallen asleep in back of the train. Hermione and Draco stood in the doorway of the train as it pulled into the station.

"Fuck! My parents are here. Hermione, I want you to go tell everyone to wait until we are gone before they get off the train. Okay?" The train came to a halt.

"I love you, Hermione," said Draco as he opened the door and stepped down. She ran back to warn the others, trying very hard to keep her tears from falling.

They stood in the doorway, waiting until it was safe for them to leave. Hermione saw Draco greet his father. He hugged his mother, looking back wistfully to Hermione. He raised two fingers to say goodbye and then they left.

"Malfoy's gone. We can go now, everyone," said Arthur.

Arthur knew full well how dangerous the man could be. He had explained to Alaisdair, Éliane and Robert about the elder Malfoy's views on racial purity. He had not told them about his connection to Voldemort, however. The Medwins seized the gravity of the situation nonetheless. Arthur was glad not to have to explain his presence on the Hogwarts Express to Malfoy. It would have led to too many questions. The last thing he wanted to do was to expose Severus by revealing he had just married a woman who was half Muggle. That would not have gone over well with his fellow Death Eater.

Everyone bid farewell to the Medwins and wished them a good trip back to Canada.

"Please come and visit us sometime soon. We'd love to have you, wouldn't we dear?" said Alaisdair.

"Yes, you are welcome any time," Éliane replied.

Molly said that they might just take them up on the offer.

"Wouldn't that be grand, Arthur?" she said. He agreed. Any opportunity to spend time with Muggles was good for him.

The three friends said goodbye as well, each wishing the others a great vacation.

"I hope you can come to the Burrow at the end of summer like usual, Harry," said Ron. "See ya, mate."

"Hope so too, Ron. See you soon," called Harry after his friend.

He hugged Hermione and said, "Don't be sad, 'Mione. You'll see him soon enough." He smiled at her, trying to cheer her up.

"Oh, Harry," she said holding onto him tightly. "It's going to be a long summer."

"Yeah, for both of us. Let's go." They left Platform 9 ¾ and entered the Muggle part of the train station.

Hermione ran to meet her parents. She waved back at Harry and said goodbye one last time. Harry looked around and saw his uncle come lumbering towards him, puffing and red faced as usual.

"What's taking you so long boy?" he asked gruffly. "Get a move on."

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," replied Harry, gathering up his belongings and following behind his uncle, trying to be as quick as he could.

"Yes, it's going to be a long summer," he thought wearily to himself.

The two weeks that Severus and Jolicia had set aside for their honeymoon went by very quickly, but they put the time to good use. They did indeed do 'the Muggle tourist thing' as Jo had put it. They saw everything there was to see. Severus had surprised his bride with his knowledge of art and history. It seemed no matter where they went, he was able to act as tour guide. They ate very well and enjoyed the finest wines Italy had to offer. Jo had even managed to get Severus into the Mediterranean! It had taken quite an effort on her part, but after much coaxing and a quick spell to cover the Dark mark on his arm, she got him into a pair of swim trunks. As it turned out, he loved it.

"I knew you would, Sev. When are you going to stop resisting me? Remember the skating? You didn't want to do that either and you liked it? Listen to your wife next time, will you?" she had said.

He smirked at her and said, "Perhaps." He stood up and pulled her into the surf with him.

They spent the last night in a gondola on the canals of Venice. They sipped wine and listened to the rich voice of the gondolier as he serenaded them with romantic Italian songs. It was a perfect way to end a perfect honeymoon.

The next day when they arrived in Hogsmeade, both felt an odd mixture of emotions. It felt good to be back home and yet there was a slight sadness leaving behind idyllic, romantic Italy.

As they made their way through the entrance of Hogwarts, they were greeted by Albus and Minerva, who came running down to meet them.

"Welcome back my children," said Albus enthusiastically. "The place hasn't been the same without you. I can see that you had a wonderful time."

"Yes, you two look fantastic! Italy certainly agreed with the both of you," exclaimed Minerva. She caught them both up in a hug.

They had never seen Severus like this – he was tanned! He also had a different air about him; he was relaxed. So far, marriage was agreeing with him.

"Thank you, it is good to be home. We did have a wonderful time, didn't we Jolicia?" answered Severus.

Jo put her arms about his waist and said, "That we did, love, that we did." She was beaming.

"Minerva and I have a little surprise for you," declared Albus. "Follow me, please."

Severus and Jo looked at Minerva for a clue, but none was given. They had no choice but to follow their friends. It soon became evident that they were headed towards their rooms. Jolicia was a most curious person and the suspense was killing her. She had little patience for surprises.

Albus stopped at the door to Severus' rooms, turned and said, "We hope you will like your surprise, but remember, if you don't, it can be undone with quick wave of my wand."

Curiosity got the better of Jo and she pushed her way passed the others and opened the door. She gasped. Severus stepped in behind her to see what had caused such a reaction.

"Merlin!" he exclaimed.

Both ventured further into the room, followed closely by Minerva and Albus.

"This is amazing!" cried Jo.

Their quarters had been completely transformed. The two separate sets of rooms had been combined into one! What had once been Jolicia's lodgings was now the living area, and what had belonged to Severus was now the private sleeping area. Their respective work spaces had been combined into one, each retaining its original furnishings and accoutrements, except now their desks were placed face to face in a large alcove. There was plenty of space for each teacher to work independently. The sitting area was huge and well appointed. Each still had their favorite chair in front of the fireplace, except now the chairs were side by side. The small dining room tables had been replaced by one large enough to seat a small army. All of Jo's and Sev's private knick knacks and doodads had been incorporated into the décor. Jo was quite surprised to see how well everything fit together.

The bathroom was essentially the same as it had been, except now there were his and hers sinks in the vanity. The room itself seemed to be slightly larger as well.

Moving into the sleeping area, they were surprised to find three bedrooms – the huge master bedroom as well as two much smaller ones.

"You never know when you'll have company. You'll need those rooms one day, I'm sure," replied Albus when Severus questioned the need for extra rooms. Albus' eyes were twinkling madly as he winked at Minerva. Neither Jo nor Severus saw the wink.

The master bedroom was spectacular – it now had a king -sized bed that seemed large enough to sleep that proverbial small army once they had finished eating! The room was tastefully decorated in earth tones that were neither too masculine nor too feminine. In other words, it was perfect for a couple.

"Well, what do you think? Shall I get my wand out?" inquired Albus.

Jo hastily replied, "No way! Leave things just as they are, Albus. We couldn't have done a better job if we had done it ourselves, could we, Severus?"

"No. This is so kind of you to have thought of this for us, Albus, Minerva. We can't thank you enough," answered Severus. He hugged both of his elders, as did Jo.

"Shall we have some tea to inaugurate our new home?" asked Jo. "While I see to that, why don't you find the presents we brought back for Albus and Minerva, Sev?"

Albus eyes lit up once again, "Oh goody, I love presents."

Minerva laughed and said, "You'd think he was still a child the way he carries on sometimes."

"You know very well, my dear, that under this old man's gear beats the heart of a ten year old boy," he said earnestly.

Just to prove the point, he squealed with delight at the assortment of Italian candies and sweets that was his gift. The way to Dumbledore's heart was through his sweet tooth, so no finer gift could be offered.

Minerva was just as pleased with her new set of robes bought from the finest shop in Milan. She couldn't wait to try them on. Four very contented friends enjoyed tea and cakes on a fine afternoon in July.