The Heiress: Chapter 10
Authors note: To answer a burning question; No, Snape is not stuck in Hermione's home. In order for that you do have to be announced as a suitor, and then invited to stay as long as you like. Hermione did allow him into the house, but he had not announced suitorhood. Harry and Ron are also free to go as they please, as they are only Hermione's housemates, and would never think of offering themselves as prospective husbands.
Severus fully expected to be sore as the dickens when the morning light hit his eyes. Surprisingly enough, he could flex his legs, and cover his head with a comforter. It then occurred to him that he was lying on a bed. He opened his eyes and looked around. He had been placed in one of Hermione's guest rooms, and she was standing at the foot of his head, looking very happy.
"What is the meaning of this? Did I ask you to remove me from my daughter's bedside?"
"No, but I didn't want you to regret it in the morning, so Hélène and I put you in the nearest room, and we took turns observing Justine. Neither of us was ready to go to bed."
"She's alive, isn't she?" He asked, referring to his daughter.
"Oh yes, very much so. Her fever went down a bit, and she's still a touch delirious...but she's alive and that's what we wanted."
Without a word, he got out of bed, finding that Hermione had thankfully left his clothing in tact, but had taken off his boots, and made his way to Justine's bedroom.
To his surprise, Mr. Ronald Weasley was reading to her, and Mr. Harry Potter was trying to get her to drink from a glass of water. It unnerved him to see Potter and his sidekick taking care of his daughter, and he intervened.
"You're attentions to Justine are no longer needed," he announced coldly.
"Oh, good morning, Professor," Ron greeted, closing the book and setting it down on the nightstand. Harry nodded in acknowledgement, and the two of them vacated the room.
Severus dutifully touched Justine's forehead. Still quite warm and feverish, as Hermione had said, but alive nonetheless. Any lesser child her age would've been in the grave by now. Not Justine though, he thought proudly, she was a Snape, and when as Snape wasn't ready to throw in the towel, they fought like the very devil.
"Still not out of the woods yet, my dear," he told her, taking the seat he had fully expected to wake up in. He picked up where Harry had left off, trying to get her to drink. She appeared to be complying, but then quite suddenly, heaved the meager contents of her stomach unto his robes. She then started crying.
"No, none of that..." Severus sternly commanded, quickly performing a cleansing spell. After Justine's sobbing subsided, Hermione appeared, Severus was very much relieved that she did not appear earlier when he was covered in vomit.
"Your sister went to fetch her fiancée, I told her it was alright, as she said you both had left him rather abruptly without so much as a farewell."
"There are more important things in life than that vile Teddy."
"I understand, she wasn't going to...but she had casually mentioned what confusion he must be going through, seeing two people disappear into thin air, and I told her it was best to explain herself."
"Very well, Miss Granger."
Another one of their wonderfully awkward silences followed. He was the first to break it.
"I want to...to thank you, Miss Granger. I very much appreciate what you have done for Justine, and despite former appearances, I trust now I can produce enough proof of possessing a heart."
"I never doubted you did."
"Yes...well, Justine is important to me...and it's damned good luck that she has none of her mother's qualities."
"Mr. Snape, are you...having a conversation with me?" Hermione asked, feigning astonishment.
"Well...yes, I suppose I am. It never occurred to me to discuss these things with anyone else but you...except for maybe Hélène."
"I'm flattered, Mr. Snape."
"I think...I think after this it would be appropriate to be on a first name basis."
"I'm flattered, Severus." The name felt wonderful on her tongue, Hermione realized, blushing. This was the beginning of something almost warm.
"Don't be...it's only me saying this."
"So, we are friends then?"
Severus rose from his chair, and Hermione felt once again amazed at the power that his stance and full height brought. He extended his hand.
"So it would seem." She took his hand, but they did not shake on this newfound friendship. It appeared that they were both content to be joining hands, and studying each other. A whimper from Justine broke the spell, and Severus released Hermione to tend to his child.
Hélène returned with Teddy later in the afternoon. He was of medium height, almost a bit shorter than the tall and willowy Hélène. He had a kind, almost round face, and a regular sort of build that one would almost call chubby. His eyes were a lighter brown than Hermione's, and they matched the color of his hair. He seemed a very jolly sort of person, and was even cordial with Severus, who wouldn't even give him the slightest bit of a welcoming smile.
"My daughter is very ill, Theodore," Severus explained when Teddy commented on the heavy mood everyone seemed to be in.
"Oh." Teddy seemed to be at a loss for words.
"Here, Mr. Larkin, let me introduce you to the boys," Hermione announced, taking his hand and leading him to the dining room, where an impromptu poker game was being held. Hélène stayed with her brother, who was heading back to Justine's room, where they would attempt to feed her broth.
None of the boys seemed interested in the new arrival, Ashley had just won five hands in a row in his group and suspicions of cheating was running high at the moment.
"Boys, this is Theodore Larkin.... Mr. Larkin, this is Nicholas Foxworth Hartley, Ashley Jenkins, Walter Higgins, Atticus Liversmooter, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, and Ronald Weasley."
The boys all grunted a faint acknowledgement without so much as stealing a glance at Teddy.
"They are all very worried about Justine, and since Severus has taken over the sickroom, they've decided to entertain themselves with some harmless gambling," Hermione explained.
"Why are they all here?" Teddy asked, confusedly.
"Oh, well all but Harry and Ron are trying to marry me, and they can't leave, you see."
"Oh."
"It's a magic thing...they couldn't leave if they wanted to...at least not until I pick a husband."
"How's that going for you?" He asked as they headed upstairs so he could be with Hélène.
"Well, I haven't met anyone I've wanted to consider yet."
Teddy thought about this.
"Well there is the wedding, perhaps you will meet your Mr. Right during it."
"Like a reverse Cinderella, where I get to play Prince Charming?"
"Absolutely."
"I'm very much convinced that will not be the case," she replied pessimistically.
End of Chapter.
