Disclaimer: Belong to someone else, as in JK Rowling, not me.

A/N: Hi all, sorry for the delay, but school and stuff had me busy so I couldn't really put as much time into this as I'd have liked until now. However, since it's summer, you can look for more frequent updates. Exciting, I know. Thanks for your patience. And I would like to remind you to PLEASE REVIEW ; )

Severus loomed over her, unsure how exactly to approach her. Being only the third time he had woken up with her, some things were still completely foreign to him. Quietly, he said, "Hermione." No response. "Hermione," a little louder this time. Still nothing. Finally, he barked in his teacher voice, "Granger, twenty points from Gryffindor!" This obviously worked as her eyes sprung open and she quickly sat up in bed.

Glaring at her husband, Hermione slapped him on the shoulder saying, "What'd you do that for?"

He smiled. "And twenty-five points to Gryffindor for having a morning disposition that matches my own. Now get up unless you wish to completely miss breakfast, Hermione. It would not bode well for either of us if you failed to show up in the Great Hall this morning while I did." He turned to leave her so that she could get ready.

"Thanks, Severus," she smiled to him.

"You're welcome," he responded, closing the door.

Hermione quickly took a shower and got dressed for the school day. She gathered all her necessary schoolbooks and hurried to breakfast. No doubt her friends would be looking for her by the time she got there, especially since Professor Snape would already be there. She found Ron and Harry seated across from Ginny and Lavender. She squeezed between the two boys who were busy stuffing their faces. She rolled her eyes at the two who greeted her with muffled hellos. Lavender was grinning madly until Hermione sent a Snape-like glare at Lavender that forced the other girl to get up and move to the other end of the table.

"Good morning, Hermione," said Ginny. "How was your weekend?"

"Good morning, Ginny. My weekend was certainly interesting. At the moment, I'm not going to say any more than that."

"You mean no sordid details, Hermione? Come on! We know you two did it," Ron replied.

Harry made a face before saying, "I'd rather not know, thank you very much."

"Ron, do you really want to know everything that goes on between me and Severus?"

He realized what he had said and thought better of it. "You know what, never mind that, Hermione. Harry's right. I don't think I want to know. I really, really don't want to know."

"You sure you don't want to know how Severus and I shagged like rabbits all weekend and that he is a sex god. I mean, that man's hands alone can do wonders for a woman!" she responded teasingly. Ron looked like he was going to be sick. Ginny laughed as he obviously got himself into that one. Harry could not quite hold back his smile at Hermione's jest. After several moments, she said, "Well, that wasn't how we spent the weekend anyway, so you don't have to worry about it." They left it at that and finished breakfast in silence. Hermione realized that her friends were not going to force anything from her that she did not want to tell them, something she greatly appreciated. It seemed that all would be well between them despite her new status as Professor Snape's wife.

: P

Hermione, Ron, and Harry met Neville on their way down to Potions.

"I hate Double Potions on Monday mornings. I'm not at my best," Neville said.

"When are you at your best?" Ron asked.

"Good point. How are you doing, Hermione?" The clumsy lad inquired.

"I've been better, Neville, but I've got my health . . ."

"Snape's been okay toward you?"

"Yes, he's been a perfect gentleman."

"If there's any trouble . . ."

"I know Neville. Thank you. I've got you guys to take care of me," she responded, pulling them all toward her as they entered the classroom.

They smiled and found their seats. Professor Snape had not yet arrived for whatever reason known only to him. Draco Malfoy entered and noticed the Head of Slytherin was not there. He stormed over to the front tables where the Gryffindor group conversed quietly.

"What did you do to him, Granger?" he demanded, not acknowledging her new name despite his alliance with the Order. "Snape's never late for class, or are you infesting him with your mud blood ways?"

Harry, not Hermione, responded to Draco's comment. "Shut up, Malfoy! What happened to you? Going back to the Voldemort's side? He's dead! It's a losing battle!"

"Stay out of it, Potter! Everything would be fine if that little know-it-all friend of yours hadn't poisoned my Godfather's mind and stolen him from me. He wouldn't willingly marry her and you know it." Draco pulled out his wand.

Harry responded in kind. "You're the one who doesn't know, Malfoy!"

Through the whole ordeal, Ron was silently backing up Harry. Neville was in shock and had knocked his ingredients on the floor. Hermione listened to the whole thing as she helped clean up Neville's mess. The remainder of the class stayed far away from it all.

Harry and Draco were in a dead lock, wands pointed at each other when Professor Snape strode in, slamming the door behind him.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. Harry and Draco quickly put their wands away. "Twenty points from both Slytherin and Gryffindor for foolish wand waving in my class," he hissed. "Mr. Malfoy," Snape said, voice suddenly threatening, "another fifty points from Slytherin for verbally attacking my wife, one hundred for insulting my integrity, and detention tonight, eight o'clock. Don't be late!" He turned, walked to his desk and said, "Mr. Potter."

"Yes, sir?" he asked nervously.

"Thirty points to Gryffindor for trying to protect Lady Snape's reputation," he replied in an off-hand manner before beginning his lecture for the day.

In any other professor's class, the room would have been filled with murmurs of surprise and amusement. However, this was still Professor Snape's class, and he had made that quite clear. The only acknowledgement he made to Hermione was a slight nod in her direction. Class started before anyone could really process the whole event, exactly what the Professor wanted.

News of the incident in Potions that morning traveled quickly around the castle. By lunchtime, the whole school was buzzing about the incident. Fortunately, it assured Headmaster Dumbledore as well as Professor McGonagall that Severus and Hermione's relationship would be a forbidden topic of discussion. If Professor Snape had been irked enough to remove points from his own house as well as punish his "golden boy," anyone could be punished for just thinking the wrong thought if Snape were to find out.

: P

Shortly before dinner, Severus sought out Hermione in the library. She was studying for her NEWTs. He cleared his throat after several moments, finally getting her attention. She looked up at him as he stood across the table from her.

"Sorry, Professor. I didn't notice you there. What can I do for you?"

"Would it be too much of an imposition upon you to attend Mr. Malfoy's detention tonight?" he inquired.

She thought for a moment. "No, but might I ask why?"

"I wish to explain the situation to him. He is more involved than either of us, I am sure, wishes to admit."

"All right. I suppose I could be there. We should discuss what we are going to tell him though. There are certain things I wish to leave out."

Severus was aware that Madam Pince was eyeing the two suspiciously. Placing his elbows on the table and leaning to meet Hermione's level, he replied, "That would be wise. Now, Lady Snape, I do believe it is time for dinner. Would you accompany me?" he asked with a small smile. He was unsure how she felt "being seen with him" so to speak, but she was his wife and he would do her certain courtesies.

She returned his smile and said, "I would love to, Lord Snape."

Severus walked around the table as Hermione packed her books into her schoolbag. He offered his hand, which she gladly took. He then bowed cordially and gently kissed her hand causing Hermione to smile partly out of embarrassment and partly out of amusement. She was sure he would never cease to amaze her. Hermione grabbed her bag and threw it over her free shoulder. Arm in arm, the couple made their way to the Great Hall, Madam Pince still eying them curiously as they left the library.

End Chapter 15