FOUR: GOLD
He told her the next morning he wanted to court her properly, being the gentleman he was. It didn't help that it wouldn't matter, but he wanted to for principles. He cared deeply for her, and he knew it. Now he wanted to prove it to her, by doing what he would have had they not been in this situation. Harry and Luna went out with them on New Year's Eve for a discount, since Harry had decided courting Luna before the wedding would help him get to know her first. Hermione hoped that would be the case with her and Severus, but it didn't start out too well. Right after dinner, they arrived at the staff New Year's party to find everyone already out from too much drinking and early partying. At least it gave them time to talk. And did they ever talk. They told one another of their dreams, their theories, and their wishes for the future with one another, talking till late after midnight and into the morning. There was no such thing as divorce in the Wizarding world, and they were stuck together. At least they were making the best out of it.
Winter left and spring came. The Dark Lord was quiet all this time, but his Death Eaters were not. Some decided to raid a small muggle town about 200 miles from Hogwarts. The Dark Mark could be seen for miles, farmland all around the massacre. No one survived. Severus was called two hours after the mutiny, and watched the Dark Lord punish everyone involved. He knew who they were, for they brought back muggle-born witches and wizards that were in the town. Each one had a captive, thinking this would please their Lord. It only made him angry, because he wanted as many Death Eaters for the final battle that he anticipated would happen soon. Even though no one was caught by the Ministry, he killed them all. He had order no raids by anyone under his Inner Circle. The group was lead by Marcus Flint. Severus wasn't surprised he had disregarded orders. He never was a very bright young man, and often got into fights at Hogwarts because people didn't do as he said. The Order was told all information.
When Severus got back to his chamber, Hermione was asleep by the fire, her stomach showing signs of growth, and a book on her chest. She looked so peaceful. Her face was glowing with the light from the flames, the shadows upon her moving with the crackling of the fire. She looked so peaceful that he didn't want to disrupt her, so he placed a blanket over her and kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight Hermione." He whispered softly, walking away to their bedroom. He didn't notice that she started to stretch, yawning.
"Severus?" Her voice was hoarse from misuse that day, and it startled him. Turning to face her, he watched as she rose from the chair, set her book down, and walked over to him. "What happened?"
"A mutiny. We were ordered to do nothing until further notice and a group lead by Marcus Flint went without orders to a muggle town not far from here. They were all killed, and we were warned not to follow their lead."
"Why is he not doing anything?" They both undressed and got into bed.
"He is waiting for many things, including the arrival of wizards from all over the world to aid his cause. He wants to start his world domination in Great Britain, and then move to all of Europe. His biggest problem, he believes, is the United States."
"So he's waiting for reinforcements? How interesting. I wonder if that gives us an advantage." Hermione's head was snuggled under Severus' chin, his arms around her protectively.
"I don't want you thinking about it. You have more to think about than that. Harry and Ron have it under control at the moment. Draco is a better spy because he is allowed to visit the Dark Lord on will, unlike me."
"Draco is a Death Eater?"
"He became one just to spy. Or else he wouldn't be one at all. Do not worry Hermione. If you want to do all of us a favour, please research the Dark Mark."
"Why?"
"So that once this is over, anyone who is redeemed, like Draco and myself, can lose the Dark Mark forever." There was silence for a moment. Then Hermione moved out of his arms and kissed him. Not a little girl's kiss, but a woman's kiss; one that held emotions like lust and passion. Hermione told a story with this kiss, and when she finished it, she left both of them breathless. It didn't last long, for before he could say anything to her, she was asleep again, her head resting on his chest.
Valentine's Day 1998…
The Great Hall, Severus told her, was filled with hearts and red roses. He had brought one back for her, a white rose that was magicked to bloom when the holder handed it to their beloved. Severus only got her one because it seemed fitting, but he really was not one for all the love and happiness going on in the school. He was lucky that this horrid holiday was on a Saturday, or else every student coming through his class would be given detentions. And he could spend it with Hermione. Poppy said she was nearing her due date, and her stomach was so large for twins that he was afraid that maybe she had triples. But his fears were assuaged when Poppy showed him a picture of the twins. Fraternal, they were, and beautiful at that. They couldn't be happier, unless of course the Dark Lord dropped dead from a heart attack.
Hermione continued to get the chambers ready for twins, and Severus didn't mind much, since a new edition of Moste Potente Potions had come out and he wanted to see if it had any new potions. Three were by him, the Wolfsbane included. He knew that the school wouldn't get a version, so he got one of his own. Reading this new edition reminded him of Hermione's second year when she successfully brewed the Polyjuice Potion. It was amazing that she could, but he knew she was also going to be a bright. Unfortunately for her, she accidentally used cat hair and was stuck as a cat for some time. And she didn't look too bad feline.
"Severus!" She walked into the room and over to the couch.
"Yes Hermione?" He put his book down and patted the seat beside him for her to sit.
"Are you hungry yet?" She smiled, sitting beside him and snuggling into his body.
"Why?"
"Because I'm having another craving."
"What is it this time?"
"Sushi and teriyaki chicken." He looked down at her.
"Whatever is 'sushi'?"
"Its raw fish wrapped up in dried seaweed and rice; Japan's national dish."
"You want Japanese food?"
"Its just a craving." He sighed.
"What Hermione wants, Hermione gets." He rose from his seat, threw a handful of Floo powder into the fire, and called the kitchen. He was surprised that the house-elves knew how to make sushi and teriyaki chicken, so he ordered two plates. He was open to trying new things, and Poppy had said that she would be craving things that she had eating before.
"So when did you have sushi before?"
"My parents took me to Japan when I was eight. It was my favourite thing. I've never tried sake, but I hear it is wonderful."
"What is sake?"
"Japanese rice wine. It can be served cold or hot, but I've never had it."
"Maybe we should try some?"
"Once the twins are born. I'm not drinking until then." The sushi arrived a moment later. Surprisingly, Severus enjoyed it thoroughly.
That night, while they were beginning to drift off to sleep, Severus got the surprise of his life. He was holding Hermione, his body spooning hers, when he felt something move under his hand, and it wasn't her. One of the babies kicked, and he felt it. It made him realize that these really were his children, and that he did love them, just as he loved Hermione. Severus fell asleep with a smile on his lips and his arms around her tighter.
Hermione's craving got worse, since she had been to so many countries over the years. But Severus complied to everything, never questioning and never complaining. By the end of March, Hermione was eating more than three meals a day, each from different countries, and each with a glass of chocolate milk. He couldn't understand it, but she wasn't gaining a pound, save for what the twins added to her weight. By the end of April, with the due date coming up, Hermione's cravings dropped dramatically. The twins were preparing for their birth, and the natural course of time would soon show.