Chapter 10
Friday July 7
They returned home that morning. They flopped down on a sofa and sighed. They sent a quick note to Dumbledore that they had returned. They told no one else. They wanted as much privacy for as long as possible.
"As much as I enjoyed all that delicious Italian food, all I want is a cheeseburger," Hermione said.
"Wandwavers for lunch then?" Severus asked.
She nodded and the two left the flat. It was a Friday so they figured everyone would be at work and that they would remain relatively undisturbed. As Hermione was munching on a cheeseburger, that theory was dispelled at the shout of Ginny and the shrill happy greeting of Mrs. Weasley when they spotted Severus and Hermione.
"Here they come," Hermione mumbled. "Not a word about the gondola."
The Weasley women got to the table and looked in surprise at the sight of Severus. He was dressed nicely in black slacks and black polo shirt, but no one had really seen him in such casual clothing. To top off the shock of the surprised women, Severus was true to his word of keeping his hair pulled back and was trying to grow a mustache and goatee.
"Have a seat you two," Hermione gestured.
Ginny and her mother continued to stare at Severus.
"I realize that that my appearance is somewhat different, but the staring is making me a tad uncomfortable," Severus said.
"Severus, I'm sorry. Really, that look is good on you," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Yeah Professor, sort of….dashing," Ginny said. That earned a snort from Severus and a laugh from Hermione.
"I felt the need for a change," Severus said.
"Good for you!" Mrs. Weasley said.
"So, how was Italy?" Ginny asked.
"We had a wonderful time for the most part," Severus declared grinning.
"Yes, Italy was lovely," Hermione said.
"Wait, for the most part?" Ginny inquired.
"Now Ginny, don't be nosey," Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes Ginny, listen to your mother," Hermione quipped.
"Aww, come on Herms. I'm so bored, I need some entertainment," Ginny wailed.
Severus looked to Hermione but she shook her head.
"I'm sorry sweet, but I must," Severus said.
Hemione said nothing as Severus told them of their honeymoon in general terms, (not going into too much detail of course) then started on the gondola incident. At the end of the story, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were wiping away tears of laughter. They looked to a silent Hermione who said,
"If you had taken a dip in that foul water, you wouldn't be laughing. I'm surprised I didn't catch something," Hemione said pointedly.
Hermione continued with the story, telling them of the food they had eaten, the romantic hotels they stayed in, the tours they went on and the Tuscan countryside they had explored. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny looked wistful when Hermione finished her story.
"One day I'll go on a trip like that," Ginny said sighing.
The four continued to chat over cheeseburgers then departed. Draco and Ginny (who were quite the couple now) were invited for dinner some night the next week so Ginny could bring Hermione the wedding pictures. Hermione and Severus went back to their flat. Severus sat down on the sofa to continue a movie that he started before the honeymoon. Hermione had dozens of movies called "D-V-D" and Severus was learning to work the remote control. He flicked on the television and started the movie that was about the adventures of some short fellows called halflings and had a wizard in it that reminded Severus of Albus. In a scene of the heroic group fighting large elephant-like creatures, he heard Hermione exclaim,
"How could I have been sooo stupid?"
Intrigued, Severus appeared at the office doorway. "May I be of some assistance?" Severus asked.
"Sev, look!" Hermione said pointing to the vials of contraceptive potion she had made previously and had been taking.
"Yes, I know what they are," Severus said.
"They.are.the. Hermione stated. "They are wrong, hence useless," Hermione said softly putting her head in her hands.
"Mione, do you know what you did incorrectly?" Severus asked in his teaching voice.
She held up a small measuring spoon and nodded.
"Yes, I used the wrong spoon. This one and the one I was supposed to use are so similar in size and I didn't pay close enough attention," Hermione started.
"How much have you taken?" Severus aksed.
"Just two vials, which is one months worth," Hermione said softly.
"What's done is done. You know what you did wrong, and will not repeat the mistake. That's one of the most important parts of mastering your craft. Now, do you think you are pregnant?" Severus asked.
"I don't think so," Hermione said.
"As that was neither a yes or no, we can get you tested to see if you are. If not, then no harm done. If so, then we start thinking of baby names," Severus said holding her hand.
"You're not mad Sev?" Hermione asked.
"Merlin's robe Mione, of course not," Severus said. "While I am ready to start having children right away, you are not. I realize that you are just getting started in your career and children would not be the best option right now."
"You're right Sev," Hermione said. "I do want them, just not now. Which brings me to think that when the time comes, our technique for conception should be perfect. Shall we retire to the bedroom and practice?" Hermione asked wiggling her eyebrows.
"Practice makes perfect my dear," Severus said. Hermione cast 'impregnato' on herself and they went into the bedroom.
Harry and Ron heard about the couple's return from Ginny and wanted to pay them a visit, ask about Italy and to hear the gondola story from Severus. Outside the door to the flat, Harry had his hand on the knocker when he heard something he wish he hadn't heard.
"Ron, we need to come back later," Harry said.
"Huh?" Ron was silent for a moment then grimaced upon hearing Hermione's cries of passion.
"Shagging again? At least they could remember to cast a silencing spell, isn't she supposed to be smart?" Ron said covering his ears at the sound of moans from Severus.
"Come on, let's go," Harry said. The last thing they tried not to hear was the sound of Hermione's happy release.
That evening over dinner at the flat, an owl with a letter addressed to The Snapes arrived. Severus opened it.
"It appears that we are invited to lunch tomorrow at Hogwarts. To set your mind at ease, we will ask Madame Pomfrey to perform a quick pregnancy test while we are there," Severus said. Seeing Hermione a bit glum over her potion mistake, he knew his wry humor usually lifted her spirits.
"No doubt my fellow staff members have heard of my change in appearance and want to gaze upon me first hand," Severus said with a smirk.
"Ginny was right, you do look dashing in a way," Hermione said.
Friday July 8
The next afternoon, Severus and Hermione were met at the Hogwarts gates by Albus and Minerva. Minerva greeted Hermione, noted her bright shining eyes, with a quick hug asked,
"How was the honeymoon?"
"It was lovely," Hermione replied gazing at Severus.
Yes, we had a wonderful time," Severus said.
"And I must say Severus, this new look of yours is…dashing…in a way," Minerva said.
"So I've been told," Severus quipped. They looked to Hermione.
"I had nothing to do with it. Our second day in Rome he announced that he would start doing this with his hair and chin," Hermione said.
"We can talk over lunch. I hear a nice beef stew has been prepared," Albus said.
As they approached the great hall doors, Hermione touched Severus' elbow and said softly,
"Sev?" and nodded towards the direction of the infirmary.
"Oh, yes Mione," Severus said. "Albus, we will join all of you momentarily. We have a matter to look into first," Severus said.
"Very well," Albus said going into the hall.
When Albus and Minerva sat down with the other professors, Minerva started.
"Goodness Albus, did you see them?"
"How could I have missed? If I remember correctly, Severus wore his hair in that manner when he was Hermione's age. She probably reminds him of his youth and is wanting to reclaim a bit of it," Dumbledore said. "I've been trying to tell Severus that in our world he's still considered a young wizard. Maybe now he's realized it."
"Good for him," Minerva said.
"And I've never seen two people more in love with each other than perhaps the Weasleys," Minerva said. "Albus, they went to see Poppy, you don't think Hermione is…" Minerva wondered.
"If she is, it wouldn't surprise me a bit," Albus said chuckling.
The great hall doors opened and a smiling Hermione and Severus walked through. Approaching the tables, the staff heard parts of a conversation,
"Sev, I'm so relieved….." Hermione looked to the ceiling.
"I imagine you are my dear," Severus said kissing her hand.
Severus pulled out a seat for Hermione and they sat down.
"Lunch is served," Albus said and food appeared.
"What happened to the beef stew?" Hermione asked looking down at a plate of spaghetti.
Hermione wasn't surprised at the end of lunch to hear Severus telling the group the gondola tale. They looked to Hermione, silent, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed glaring at Severus. The staff was laughing hard, especially Minerva who was wiping away tears of laughter with a napkin.
"Oh Hermione, you poor dear, falling from a boat on your honeymoon!" Minerva sputtered while giggling.
"I'm so glad you all find it so amusing," Hermione quipped. "You won't be so amused to find yourself sleeping on the sofa Mr. Snape."
"Now Hermione my girl, don't be angry. We all needed a good laugh so thank you for providing one, it's so quiet here during the summer," Albus said smiling.
That night Hermione and Severus lounged on the sofa eating popcorn, finishing the movie Severus had been watching earlier. He actually appreciated the ending, the heroes defeating the force of evil, the main character being crowned king and marrying the woman of his dreams.
"Glad you enjoyed the movie," Hermione said.
"Are you looking forward to going back to work Monday?" Severus asked.
"Yes actually I am, I'm making real progress on a difficult potion," Hermione said.
"I'll be busy Sev, but what are you going to do?" Hermione asked.
"I have no idea," Severus said. "But I'm sure Albus does."
"I'll spend the weekend catching up with my friends. Between the hospital and honeymoon, I've feel like I have fallen out of the loop. I won't have a lot of time when work starts," Hermione said.
"Mione, were you serious about me sleeping on the sofa?" Severus asked.
"What? Oh Sev, I was just being snippy. If you were to sleep on the couch, I would join you," Hermione said.