Disclaimer: It's not mine, I don't own it, and if I did, do you really think I'd be writing fan fiction when we still need books six and seven? No, I don't think so!
A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed! I never dreamed that it would do this well! And thank you especially to Jen who gave me some good ideas for future chapters! This chapter's dedicated to you.
A/N: For a picture of what I kind of view the house as looking like, you can e-mail me for a link in an e-mail. Okay?
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Chapter Five
Waking early the next morning, Hermione slipped on some flip-flops and pulled on an over-sized orange Chudley Cannons sweater that she had 'borrowed' from Ron last year. Even though it was summer, mornings were cold, and she was only wearing grey knit shorts and a grey tank top with Princess written across it. Finding her way downstairs, she went outside to see what the house looked like in the daylight. Saying she was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. The house and view was breath taking!
First of all, the house was set in a clearing with tall trees around it, along with some wild flowers growing in patches near the trees. The house itself was a pale yellow colour, which was the first thing that surprised her since she couldn't see Snape liking it that much. He seemed like a rustic log cabin type of guy, but to be fair, she admitted that she didn't know him or much about him. A front balcony was supported by four white columns. There were five stairs that led up to the large oak front door that she had entered through last night. There was also a porch with a white railing lining the edge, and from what she could tell it extended the whole way around. The posts of the railing were intricately carved and painted white. The roof was done in dark grey shingles. Walking back up the stairs, she walked around the porch to the back of the house. From her vantage point, she could see a small lake stretching out before her with mountains in the distance beyond the lake. Off to the left she noticed a screened in gazebo with cushioned benches on five of the six sides. Walking back towards the front on the ground, she took in the beautiful gardening. Lilies, bleeding hearts, Queen Anne's lace, daffodils, pansies, irises, and tulips grew all around the house, weeds kept from coming in by the row of rocks lining the edge of the plots. Mixed among all the other flowers were Hermione's favourite: the rose. She loved roses, it didn't matter what kind or colour, she just thought they were beautiful.
"I see you're acquainting yourself with the house and grounds," Severus' voice came from behind her as she stood looking at the lake, having walked around the beautiful house in its entirety.
"Yes, it's beautiful," she said not turning to look at him, still feeling slightly embarrassed about the previous night.
"The house elves have prepared breakfast in the sun room if you're hungry. We have some things we need to discuss." He came to stand next to her.
"Of course," she said turning to look at him out of the corner of her eye. He was already dressed in his usual black robes with his hair pulled back with a piece of black cord. Seeing that he seemed indifferent about what had happened the night before, she decided also to forget about it and continue on as normal (not that she knew what normal around him was yet). Following him in through the screen door at the back of the house that led to the kitchen, he crossed through another door on the other side and emerged in a small, sun-lit room. The room had waist high walls, but from there to the ceiling was just screened. A small, round, white wicker table had been set up in the middle of the room, with a large chair on either side.
Severus sat down and motioned to the other chair across from him. Hermione tucked her legs under her as she sat down, the chair automatically scooting her in so that she could reach the food and drink on the table. Helping herself to some toast, she took a sip of her orange juice as Severus helped himself to some pancakes with strawberries and a glass of milk.
"First, I suppose I should express my gratitude to you," he said looking slightly pained at the thought of thanking her. "You've kept me from a painful death. And thank you for coming to my defence at your parent's home yesterday."
"You're welcome," she replied shocked. "I should thank you too, for agreeing to marry me when you could've had someone else and for keeping me from marrying some idiot."
"Even if we hadn't chosen each other, I don't think you would've ended up with an idiot as you put it. You're much too intelligent to be such a bad judge of character," he commented but continued on not noticing the surprise on her face at his off-handed compliment. "Coming up on August first is the annual high society summer ball. All of the old families with power and influence, the families with titles, families with money, and families with long, pure histories will be attending. My father is ailing, and after receiving the owl I sent him last night, he is now, as we speak, at the Magical Title and Heritage office, officially resigning as Lord Snape, so I will take his place in the Wizard's Council and the like from now on. Since we are the Lord and Lady Snape, we will be expected to attend."
"Okay, that sounds all right," Hermione said processing the information in her head. "Where is it at?"
"This year it will be held at Malfoy Manor," he said, trying to hold back a smirk at the look of disgust that came over face. "I didn't think you'd be happy to hear that. You and Draco are such good friends and all at school."
"Oh be quiet," Hermione glared. "And I suppose I will have to act as if I'm friends with him?"
"Yes, that's what I was about to tell you. The Malfoy family along with the Black family are both cousins, albeit several times removed. You will just have to be courteous to them. While they are rich and have power and influence, we are richer, more influential and powerful although we don't show it nearly as often as Lucius and Draco do, and we are titled while they aren't, so you can snub them, to a degree, but not too much. We don't want family conflict."
"That's a plus," Hermione said taking a bite of toast. "I assume that I'll have to wear something dressy?"
"Yes, this is a black-tie affair. And I would suggest something green or black, or another dark colour. No bright colours, they draw too much attention, and nothing horribly flashy. Also, no store-bought dresses, an original or custom designed only. Later today I have to go to Diagon Alley for some potions ingredients I've run low on. While I do that you should go to Madame Malkin's and have her help you design a dress. Another thing, you will be wearing the Snape jewels-"
"Snape jewels?" she interrupted.
"Yes, a diamond tiara, diamond and emerald necklace, you have the ring, and there is also a bracelet with emeralds and diamonds. Emeralds are popular among Slytherin families, hence the reason I said a green or black dress," he glanced at her smiling excited face. "It is a symbol of our wealth and power, since they were a gift from King Louis the fourteenth to the Snape family for their loyalty several centuries ago. These days there are not many events that require full society regalia, but when there are, everyone tries to 'best' the others. Since this is your first event, and the first event that a Lord Snape, let alone Lady Snape, has attended in decades, everyone will be watching."
"What do you mean the first event a Lord and Lady Snape have attended in decades?" Hermione asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
"My mother died when I was born. She had never been strong, and a few days after my birth she passed away. My father stopped going to the events, stopped doing anything except what was absolutely unavoidable, so upset was he. Even though his was an arranged marriage, he truly cared about her. Anyways, he is ill himself, since after my mother's passing he began entertaining and visiting whores and contracted AIDS. Don't let that get out, no one knows, and he plans to keep it that way. But as I was saying, you are the first Lady Snape in three and a half decades, so you need to watch your manners and decorum carefully. Do you know how to curtsy and ballroom dancing?" He asked abruptly..
"Yes, I know how to curtsy," she replied slowly, giving him a questioning look. "And my parents both loved to dance so they've taught me all they know, which was a good deal."
"Good," he sat back relieved. "The Minister of Magic and his wife will be there, and part of the ball is entering through a set of doors, being announced by someone, usually a house elf, and descending a grand carpeted staircase. This allows all the press to take pictures, for everyone to get a good look at clothing, jewels, and appearance, and it also gives the women a chance to evaluate the other women. They can be ruthless, and I'm sure you'll be tested somehow before being accepted, so to speak. Anyways, from the staircase we will have to proceed together across the ballroom to where a dais will be constructed for the Minister and his wife to sit on, and we will be expected to greet them properly, meaning a bow and curtsy. Also, all the families attending are expected to know how to ballroom dance and participate in some of the dances. The older families are all very good at it, while others give it less importance and simply know enough to participate in some of the simpler waltzes."
"Families like the Weasley's, perhaps?"
"Yes, along with the Bones and Longbottom's. Crabbe and Goyle even know a few very well, having been drilled in them I'm sure."
"Really? I never would have thought, what with the graceful way they carry themselves," Hermione said sarcastically.
"Neither did I, yet they do. I was afraid I would have to teach you all of them."
"Well rest assured, you're safe from teaching me another subject. I think potions is enough."
"Yes, I quite agree. At least you are competent, unlike Longbottom," he grimaced thinking of all the melted cauldrons.
"If you didn't scare him so badly, he might be better," Hermione lectured as she finished up her orange juice.
"Well then, maybe I'll try to give him a chance. I can't stand the thought of having him do more detentions because that's unnecessary time he would be spending in my presence," Severus said standing up. "If you're finished, then I suggest that you go dress and meet me back here in the entrance hall and we'll go to Diagon Alley."
Nodding, she un-tucked her legs from underneath of her and standing, made her way to her room to get dressed. Already she was thinking of what type of dress, what fabric, and what colour she wanted for her dress that she would get to help design.
A/N: Aw, how cute, their first breakfast together. I think they're growing on each other (note the sarcasm)! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed. This wasn't such an exciting chapter, but it covered some background info that I thought was necessary. Next chapter we'll get to see Hermione design her dress, and our couple will enjoy the day at Diagon Alley, and possibly receive an invitation to…something. Oh, I know, I'm so mean, leaving an author note cliffie. You'll just have to join in next time! If you want to, you can leave dress ideas for Hermione. I'm not making any promises that I'll use them, but I may mix and match things, or maybe use different parts of different ideas. So, review if you want, but it's cool if you don't!