Chapter 7
Hermione and Severus happily walked from her hospital ward that morning. Granted not as fast as she usually walked, but was walking normally nonetheless. After a final evaluation that morning after breakfast, she gathered her things and the couple left together. On the way out, Hermione was reprimanded, teasingly of course, by Adam,
"Remember young lady, you are not to return here unless it's to have your babies," he said.
"I'll keep that in mind," she said as an aside to Severus.
She said she wasn't ready to apparate, so they went to the community floo point and returned to her flat.
"This place never looked so good," Hermoine said.
"I know what you mean, it does not look right without you in it," Severus said.
"Just when I think I have you figured out, you go and say something like that," Hermione said. "Let me get settled, then we can discuss the big day. I don't want to wait too long. I need a hot bubble bath and to slip into something more comfortable," Hermione said.
Ten minutes later, Hermione was enjoying her hot bubble bath, with Severus washing her hair. She moaned as he massaged her head.
"You cannot imagine how good that feels," Hermione said. "I would like to get out of this tub, throw you on the bed and shag you senseless, but I doubt I could throw you or shag you right now," Hermione teased, sounding a bit wishful.
"My dear, do not concern yourself with me," Severus said. "Put your energies towards a complete and full recovery."
Severus helped her from the tub and dried her off. She didn't use drying spells, as she preferred Severus using a towel to dry her. He noticed the scar on her upper right chest and ran his fingers over it.
"I need to learn a better shield charm if this should happen again," Hermione muttered looking at the scar, taking his hand. "Let's go lay down and decide a date for our big day," Hermione said leading him into the bedroom. It was still before lunchtime, but Hermione was tired.
"Any ideas?" Severus asked.
"Yes. This Saturday, since hopefully everyone will be off work. And we'll have a week for the honeymoon since I have the time off," Hermione said yawning.
"Perfect. We'll notify everyone after you have taken a nap," Severus said.
They cuddled and Severus listened for the sound of her soft snores. When he finally heard them, he carefully got up from bed, retrieved a stack of parchment from her office and started the announcements. He wasactually giddyand had a hard time keeping his usually perfect writing straight. He would notify the important persons in person of course, but wanted to give them some kind of warning. It would be rude for Albus to suddenly get a letter to read, "Albus, this is Severus. Would you be my best man? Check yes or no." So he sent the following:
Albus,
Hermione and I have decided upon date for our nuptials. I will stop by to see you later today in your office. Don't tell Minerva, Hermione wants to. Until that time, Severus
He sent Pavel off to Hogwarts with the letter. He started the next one, Mr. Malfoy-.
An hour later Severus was still writing when he heard a moan and mumbling from the bedroom then the breaking of glass. He rushed to the room. Hermione was having some kind of fit. She had thrashed around and knocked a glass from her nightstand. She was curled into a ball, eyes scrunched shut, and muttering something he couldn't understand. She was having a nightmare. He went to her and rubbed her back to gently wake her up. Her eyes popped open and she sat up.
"I was having a nightmare," she said panting. "Thank you for waking me, the deatheater was about to kill Ron." She shivered.
Severus went into the bathroom and got a calming potion. He handed it to her and she sighed and relaxed.
"Thanks, I needed that," she said.
"I have something that will make you happy," Severus said. "We need to head to Hogwarts so you can see the look on Minerva's face when I ask Albus to be my best man Saturday."
"Oh, that will be priceless," Hermione said laughing. "Especially when I ask her to be a bridesmaid. Ginny will be my maid of honor, speaking of which, I think I'll floo there now to give her the news, then to Hogwarts if that's alright."
At the burrow, it went as expected. Ginny accepted the news with squeal, a hop then an exited hug. Severus valiantly kept a straight face while watching Ginny dance around a grinning Hermione.
"Wait! That only gives us four days! Herms, what were you thinking?" Ginny exclaimed.
"Ginerva, it's not going to be a royal coronation. I was thinking of marrying the love of my life as soon as possible," Hermione declared.
As direct as ever! Severus thought fondly.
"Yes, Hermione you are right. What do you have in mind?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"It's going to be more our style, simple but classy. I don't want to be drowning in flowers and doves. We want it in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, since that's technically where we first saw each other and where "we" blossomed. We will be have our closest family and friends there, and since we will already be there, the reception can be there as well. That's it I guess," Hermione said shrugging, Severus nodding in agreement.
"You're nuts Herms. I'm going to have the biggest wedding since Arthur and Gwenivere," Ginny said wishfully.
"God help us all," Mrs. Weasley said softly
"We have to go now. Minerva is about to have her day made," Hermione said.
Later at Hogwarts in Dumbledore's office, the announcement indeed did make Minerva's day. Not only seeing Hermione stroll healthy into the office make her day, but asking her to be a bridesmaid in four days caused a hoot of joy to escape her lips. Hermione had to laugh at the sight of a usually calm and reserved Professor McGonagall flutter about Hermione inquiring about the preparations.
"Meet me tomorrow at Wandwavers for breakfast tomorrow around eight am. All will be explained then," Hermione told her.
"I will be there with bells on," Minerva said.
"Now that's something I would like to see," quipped Severus.
Tuesday June 21
The next morning at Wandwavers, Hermione listened as her mum, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley and Minerva discuss the wedding preparations. She calmly ate her pancakes while listening the friendly fussing that was going on. The chatting women finally stopped and looked at Hermione. It had occurred to them that Hermione had said nothing except "good morning" to them.
"Herms dear, do you have something to say?" her mum asked.
Hermione finished chewing her bite and said, "Yes mum, but when I'm done eating. I'm famished."
"Yes, of course dear. You need to eat," Diane said.
Hermione watched the group continue to chat when she saw Ron enter the restaurant with a pretty young woman. Ron was so engrossed with the young woman that he did not notice the group of them. She had the urge to call out Ron's name, but decided not to intrude on the two. Hermione smiled and continued to eat. After breakfast, Hermione shocked the group by announcing that she was getting married in the traditional wizarding way, by wearing a robe. Ginny wailed in disappointment. Mrs. Weasley was pleased, and her mum wasn't quite sure what she was talking about.
"It better not be frumpy," Giny pouted.
"Ginny, I wouldn't dream of wearing anything frumpy," Hermione said.
They went into a several robe shops and Hermione looked around till she found the right one. In the fifth shop, she stepped out of a fitting room to the "oohs" of the group.
"My goodness," Minerva said.
"Herms, that's so pretty," Ginny said.
"Yes, it's beautiful Hermione," her mum proclaimed.
"Ginny, your matron of honor robe must be similar to this," Mrs. Weasley said softly.
"It's not too frumpy, is it Gin?" Hermione teased.
It was a shimmering ivory silk robe that tastefully accentuated her body and draped gracefully to the tops of her feet. It seemed to glow as she turned this way and that looking in the mirrors.
"I'll take it," Hermione said to the clerk. Then stopping she said,
"Mum, is this alright? Do you know what 800 galleons translates to in pounds?" Hermione asked looking at the pricetag. Mrs. Weasley gasped.
"Your father said 'Whatever Herms wants' as he walked out the door this morning. We will just cancel our holiday to Paris this year," Diane said.
"Oh Mum!" Hermione exclaimed.
"It's perfectly alright dear," Diane said, hugging Hermione. "Our only daughter is getting married. But out of curiosity sake, how much is that in pound sterling?"