Hermione's parents were not to arrive for a few more days, which left the pair to their own devices until then. Severus was obliged to give her a tour of the house and grounds, and Hermione was happy to learn all there was of the Snape estate.

They had both come to a sort of understanding-a happy medium-regarding their situation.

Technically they were husband and wife, but neither had acted the part. As far as she was concerned, Hermione thought of Severus as her older, more mature friend. Severus thought as much about her; to him Hermione was a young woman that had come into his life offering friendship and kindness.

The time they spent together was quiet-reading in the house's library or brewing a new potion in the small lab in the back of the house. It had come to be that they greatly enjoyed each other's company.

Severus had once mused to himself that their behavior was more befitting to an old married couple than to newlyweds.

Severus had been in his office, simply making preparations for the Yule holiday, when a large brown owl flapped through his window. Immediately, he recognized it as his sister Cassandra's owl.

He took the letter from the bird and allowed it some food and water-it was a very long journey to the Snape family estate from where Cassandra lived, and the bird needed a long rest.

Severus opened the envelope and quickly read the short message. He patted the brown owl as he rose from the desk in search of Hermione. He went downstairs and knew he'd find her in the library, poring over the ancient texts as had become the usual.

"Hermione?" he asked. Severus looked over and found her seated comfortably in one of the wingchairs before the fireplace. She looked up at him, puzzled.

"Yes Severus?"

"My sister and nieces will not be able to join us, one of the girls has fallen ill and Cassandra has decided that it would be best if they were to stay home." He said, the short letter still in his hand.

Severus watched as Hermione's eyes grew wide as saucers. "Then, we'll be alone for the next two weeks?" she asked, her voice taking on an odd tone.

Inwardly, Severus smiled. He knew that Hermione was nervous around him sometimes, but they had warmed to each other somewhat in the last few months. He had caught her watching him on occasion and knew that she was becoming more intrigued by him. It was amusing to him to watch her reactions whenever he toyed with her.

He dropped his voice a full octave and reached his hand out to stroke her face. Hermione stiffened at his touch, but she did not draw away. "Yes, Hermione, we will be alone."

It was simply amusing to him, though he never planned to take advantage of the state he knew he could put her in.

He watched with interest as her lips parted and she almost leaned into his hand. Then, he abruptly drew back from her, a single strand of her hair between his fingers. "Sorry, Hermione, but you had a loose hair on your face." He said.

He watched as she opened her eyes and shook off the effects of his voice and touch. "Ahem, well, there's always next year, I suppose." She said flippantly, trying to seem indifferent to what had just happened.

Severus gave her a half-smile before turning to leave.

XOXOXOXOX

The next day, Hermione's parents were to arrive-she dreaded their coming, as there was still the little matter of informing Severus that they might not be as grateful to him for his bravery as she had been. He'd most likely receive a broken nose, rather than a medal for his marrying her.

"Severus?" Hermione asked from across the library.

They had eaten a light lunch prepared by Dolly in the library-both of them too absorbed in their book to leave.

"Yes?"

"I think I should tell you…it's about my parents."

Severus put down his book and gave her his attention. "What about them?"

Hermione closed her book and moved to stand before him.

"You know they are Muggles-"

"And I have no problem with that-"

"No, listen to me. See, Muggles aren't used to this whole notion of arranged marriages."

Severus rubbed his eyes. "Don't tell me you never told them you were married. I gave you the specific order to inform them months ago! I even bought you the train ticket to London!"

Hermione reached forward and gently pulled his hands away from his face. "No, I already told them about you-it's just…well, they weren't happy when I explained it. Not happy at all, they were furious. When they get here and meet you, they might-I mean they will blame you."

Severus smirked a little and put his hands over hers. "Why would they blame me? I already told you that this was an accident, I never wanted to be paired with anyone."

"No, I know that, but my parents might think that you changed the list on purpose so that we'd, ahem, end up together." She explained, the embarrassment evident by her reddening face.

"They'll think I changed the list in my favor, you mean?"

Hermione nodded.

"I see. But that's alright, we can explain everything to them and then they'll understand." He said reassuringly.

"I don't think that's going to work-"

Hermione interrupted herself and turned her attention to the commotion she and Severus heard in the front foyer.

"My goodness that was a rush!" exclaimed a woman.

"Where are we?" asked a man.

"No idea, I-oh my goodness, look at those portraits! They're moving!"

"Master's guests! May I take your luggage?"

"Agh! What is it?!"

"I'm Jenny, a House Elf. I can take your coats if you want."

Severus stood and walked to the door, Hermione right behind him.

"I guess my parents decided to come a little earlier than we expected." She said nervously.

Severus pushed the door open and let Hermione walk out first. "Mum! Dad!" she cried.

He watched as the two Muggles turned and cried out, hugging their daughter. Hermione's mother was pretty, with a round face and soft blonde hair. Her father was tall, slender and stately; his bright blue eyes danced over Hermione's face.

Severus swallowed. He couldn't be younger than either one of them-not a good sign.

"Oh, Hermione dear, we've missed you so much!"

"How has school been? Still getting the top marks?"

"Of course dad, you know that will never change."

"That's my girl!"

The parents cooed over Hermione for a few more minutes before Jenny spoke up. "If you are hungry, we can set you with some tea and pastries."

Hermione's mother jumped. "Goodness, Hermione what is that?"

"Mum, don't be so insensitive! Jenny is a House Elf, a servant. There are about five of them in the house, so when you see one please don't be afraid. They're here to help."

"Oh, dear, I'm sorry," her mother turned to Jenny. "Jenny, wasn't it?"

"Oh yes ma'am, Jenny! And I can take you to your rooms, Master ordered us to make them up-"

"Master?" Hermione's father asked.

"Yes sir, Master Snape. He told us to prepare the blue room for you."

"Oh, yes, Hermione's husband-I'd almost forgotten." Her father said dryly.

Beside him, her mother seemed to stiffen slightly, "Yes, Hermione. You've barely mentioned him in your letters home; I'd like to talk to this husband of yours."

Severus decided to just come out of the library-there was no point in hiding any longer, and he couldn't let Hermione explain everything by herself.

He emerged from the library and saw the partly shocked, partly angry and partly disgusted look on her parents' faces. Not a great start. He walked quickly over to them and bowed his head. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I'm pleased to meet you. Hermione has told me so much about you."

Hermione's mother glared at her. "Yes, not nearly as much as she's told us about you."

Uh, oh.

Severus shifted his weight nervously and turned to Jenny. "Um, Jenny here, will show you to your room. Why don't you get comfortable and then we can have dinner in the Dining Hall." He suggested.

Hermione's mother followed the House Elf quickly, nearly running down the elf in her obvious haste to put as much distance between them and her as possible. Hermione's father, however, was rooted to the spot. His face had turned red, and he seemed to be considering the best way to kill Severus.

"Dad?" Hermione touched his arm lightly, breaking the spell. "Follow mom to the room and then we can all have dinner, alright?"

"Oh, erm, yes of course." He muttered before shuffling up the stairs after his wife.

After the tense moment had passed and both of her parents were out of sight, Hermione turned to Severus. "Well that wasn't too bad, was it?" she asked with a thin smile.

Snape rolled his eyes and went back to the library.

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Dinner that night was quite possibly the most awkward meal of Severus's life. The House Elves so far made the only conversation when they brought in the food.

"More wine for the guests?"

"Who would like another helping?"

"Are we ready for dessert and coffee?"

"Petra has made a lovely chocolate cake!"

The dinner was eaten, followed by a quick dessert. Severus had stolen quick glances at his in-laws, only to find their faces stony and cold-save for their eyes, which were fiery as a dragon's breath.

Hermione had tried to break the silence a few times, but her questions were met with clipped answers. It was disturbing, really, how cold her parents had become after witnessing their warmth in the foyer only an hour before.

"Um, school's going well…Severus and I have come up with a new potion that will-"

All of a sudden, Hermione's father threw down his fork. "Enough of this!"

"Dad, what-"

"Hermione, get your things, we're leaving!"

"And not a moment too soon, either." Her mother agreed.

"What are you talking about? I can't just leave, what about Severus?" Hermione asked them, surprised at her concern for him.

Her father rounded on her. "He can just go back to Hogwarts and boff some other schoolgirl!"

Hermione's jaw dropped at her father's language.

Severus didn't miss a beat. "Now see here, sir, I've done nothing of the sort and-"

"Don't give me that codswallop! Hermione had already told us months ago how you changed the list, you conniving bastard," her father raged as he stood up.

Severus also stood up and placed his hands palms down on the surface of the table. He was trying to remain calm, but Hermione could see that his whole body was bristling with anger. "No, I never changed it with the intention of having Hermione paired with me-"

"And you expect us to believe that?!" Hermione's mother was now joining the fray. "How convenient it was that our daughter-a 17 year old child, for God's sake- was selected for you!"

"It wasn't like that, it was a mistake-"

"Yes, one we are going to correct right now. Hermione. Get up, we're leaving." Her mother ordered.

"No, mum." Hermione said firmly.

"What?"

"I said no. I'm not leaving. Severus is a good man, and I'm not going to walk out just because you two would rather jump to the wrong conclusions." She said firmly.

Her father turned from angry to shocked. "Dear Lord. What have you done to her?!" He demanded of Severus.

"I have never done anything to Herm-"

Before anyone could blink, Severus was clutching his face and Hermione's father was cradling his hand.

"Dad!"

"Master!" Several House Elves ran to break up the fray, using their innate powers. With a wave of a tiny hand, Hermione and her parents disappeared from the room.

"Where did you send them?" Severus asked Dory, the elf that had cast the spell.

"I sent them all to the blue room sir. Dolly is up there already, she may be able to calm them. Is there anything else you need?"

Severus sighed heavily. "No, I'm fine. Just clean up and go on off to bed, and thank you."

Leaving the elves to their work, Severus carefully went up the stairs-fully intent on Apparating out of the way should her father come near him again. One black eye was enough, thank you very much!

The blue room was the closest one to the stairs, and as he passed by he could hear muffled arguing between Hermione and her parents.

"He's brainwashed you-"

"No he hasn't, mum! He hasn't done anything to me!"

"I find that hard to believe, how long has this marriage been on?"

"A few months, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Married for months and she thinks the man hasn't done anything to change her thoughts around!" her mother scoffed.

"What has he done to you? I'll kill him!" her father raged.

"No he hasn't touched me, we barely even see each other for gods' sake! He lives his life, I live mine! I don't even see him until it's time for bed."

Severus winced; he knew that last part wouldn't go over well.

"You what?!

"It's not how it sounds…" Hermione's voice was taking on a tired edge. They'd probably be at it all night. Severus stopped his eavesdropping and continued down the hall towards the master bedroom.

"So much for the family holiday," he muttered as he looked at the purple bruise that was already forming around his eye. Not bothering with any healing spells, he took off his shoes and sat down on his large bed; with a whispered word, his journal appeared before him, and Severus began to write.

It wasn't until two hours later that he heard a soft knocking on his door. "Come in," he called, expecting a House Elf. He had been sitting on top of the coverlet, one of his long legs folded underneath him.

The door opened and Hermione slunk in, completely shamefaced. Severus frowned at her.

"Severus, I am so sorry." She said.

He sighed and just leaned back into the stacked pillows. "Oh, it's alright."

"No it's not! You let me invite them over here and not only do you get insulted, but attacked. This is all my fault." She said, visibly upset.

"Oh, come here." He relented, offering her a handkerchief to dry her eyes. "In-laws or not, I've been accused of far worse than seducing students. I've been hit much harder too."

Hermione cracked a smile. "It's just…I was hoping to have a nice holiday with them." She said heavily as she sat down on the bed, facing him.

Severus smiled a bit sadly. "So was I. But don't fret, you can have a nice life in the Muggle world, our marriage isn't valid there, you'll be free."

Hermione frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're leaving aren't you?"

"No, they are."

"What?"

"Tomorrow, my parents are going to leave. This magical stuff…it's just more than they can handle right now."

"I'm sorry Hermione."

"No, it's alright. They said 'I'm still their daughter and nothing will change that' but it's not going to be the same."

"You're growing up without them; it can't be easy for either of you."

"My parents need to grow up more than I do," she scoffed. "I've never heard my father curse like that, let alone seen him hit anyone." Hermione said, carefully pushing back his hair to get a better look at the bruise circling his left eye.

Severus shivered slightly; it had been so long since anyone had touched him in that way-gently, caressing. He let his eyes slip closed.

She slowly traced her thumb over the darkened flesh, shameful that he had suffered because of her parents. Her hand ventured to his cheek and through his hair, and she heard Severus make a deep, quiet sound of pleasure at the back of his throat.

Hermione watched as his eyes closed under her hands and the thought crossed her mind that, should either of her parents walk in it would look very inappropriate. She was caressing Severus in his bed. They were both fully clothed sitting on top of the covers, but it was an intimate moment nonetheless-the first true moment of intimacy between them.

Hermione withdrew her hand. "Sorry." She said quietly.

Severus shook the moment away. It was almost as if…no, don't be anymore of a fool!

An awkward silence stretched.

Hermione broke it. "I suppose I should um…"

"Go to bed?" he supplied.

"Yes, brilliant idea. See you at breakfast!" the girl then bolted out of his room. Severus frowned after her, running his own hand over the bruise, where her hand had been.

"Accio journal." He called out.

There were a few more things he had to write about.