Chapter 11
Saturday morning, Severus left for Hogwarts for an Order meeting with Albus. Hermione sent out owls inviting Harry, Ron and Ron's girlfriend to dinner that night. An hour later they were sent back with positive replies. Hermione prepared Harry and Ron's favorite meal of pork chops and picked up around the flat getting ready for their arrival. At seven pm she felt the wards shift that indicated their arrival.
"Come in!" Hermione called. Harry entered the flat followed by Ron and his girlfriend.
"Just a second!" Hermione called again from the bedroom. Ron poked around the kitchen while Harry sat on a sofa.
"Harry! Ron! How are you doing?" Hermione called walking from the bedroom. She greeted her two best friends with a peck on the cheek then greeted Ron's girlfriend with a handshake.
"Hi, Hermione Snape," she said.
"Kelly Freemantle, I know who you are Hermione, you were head girl last term," the girl replied.
And you saved Ronnie's life! she thought.
"That name sounds familiar," Hermione replied biting her lip.
"I graduated two years ahead of you lot," Kelly said.
"Oh that's right! You were a Hufflepuff prefect," Hermione said smiling.
"Dinner smells great Mione," Ron said.
"Ahh, Ron's stomach beckons, shall we?" Hermione motioned to the kitchen.
They talked so much dinner was almost forgotten. Kelly raved over Hermione's wedding and was enchanted over Hermione's description of Italy, her leaving out the gondola incident. After an hour, Severus came home.
"Severus! I'm glad you're home," Hermione said leaving the table to meet him with a hug. He had not entered the kitchen, so the three dinner guests resumed eating politely while Hermione greeted Severus. The two walked into the kitchen. At the sight of Severus wearing a dark green polo shirt, black slacks, pulled-back hair and sporting a neatly trimmed goatee, Harry dropped his fork. Ron and Kelly were speechless.
"Blimey," mumbled Ron. Kelly slapped his arm lightly.
"Hmmm, smells great, I'm famished. I thought Albus would never quit talking, " Severus said taking a plate and sitting down at the table. He placed some chops from the platter on the table on his plate. Hermione put some mashed potatoes on his plate and a glass of wine in front of him.
"Evening Potter, Weasley. And Miss Freemantle I believe?" Severus said nodding at the surprised three.
They had a hard time believing this man before them was Severus Snape. Kelly had him all the way to newt potions, so she too was aware of Professor Snark-a-lot, as he was called by Hufflepuffs. They didn't know what to say. They listened to the banter between Hermione and Severus.
"Sev, I fixed my potion problem," Hermione said lightly.
Sev? Ron mouthed to Harry.
"Glad to hear, sweet," Severus said.
"I found some biscotti at the market today, would you like some?" Hermione asked.
"Certainly," Severus replied. Hermione left the table to get the box of them.
Harry decided to break the silence of the three.
"Professor, Hermione told us about your trip. Was the Sistine chapel as nice as the books describe?" Harry asked.
"Yes, it was," Severus said. "Impressive."
"Earlier I heard Ron's sister laughing about a gondola, what was that all about?" Kelly asked.
A grin formed on Severus' face. He looked to Hermione with a twinkle in his eye.
"Will I be able to stop you?" Hermione asked.
"Afraid not love," Severus said.
Hermione rolled her eyes chomping into a biscotti while Severus told the gondola story. They were laughing to the point of tears as well. They looked to a silent Hermione who was looking at Severus.
"Are you quite through?" Hermione quipped.
"Aww, Mione come on. That's damn funny. Are you sure you haven't been hit with a bad luck curse or something?" Ron said red with laughter.
"Falling out of a boat into a canal of foul water on my honeymoon was not on my list of things to do with my life, Ron," Hermione said. "It was embrassing! Can we talk about something else?" Hermione asked.
"In the interest of keeping my wife happy, yes," Severus said. "Miss Freemantle, what occupies your time these days?"
"I work at the Department of Magical Games and Sports," Kelly replied.
"And by the way Mr. Weasley is looking at you, I assume you two are courting?" Severus asked.
"Yes," Kelly said, and gazed at a blushing Ron.
"Potter, how are things with the aurors?" Severus asked.
"Interesting and busy," Harry replied.
"Miss Freemantle, you were at our wedding as Mr. Weasley's guest?" Severus asked. "What did you think?"
"I thought it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, I want my wedding to be just like it," Kelly said. "My father wouldn't mind it either. You included some traditional elements that made it touching. He's a very traditional wizard."
"And how do you feel about tradition Miss Freemantle?" Severus asked genuinely interested.
"I recognize that our world revolves around it, but at the same time, some things must change for the sake of positive progress," Kelly replied.
"Quite right, change can be good," Severus said toasting Kelly with his glass.
He lifted Hermione's hand to his lips and kissed it. After a minute of silence, Hermione announced a chocolate cake for dessert. While they were eating cake, Hermione asked if anyone wanted to watch a movie.
"No thanks Mione, dinner was great, but we have to be going," Ron said.
"Yeah Hermione, this evening was fun, but I have to go in to work tomorrow," Harry said.
"On a Sunday?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, auror hours are a bit odd at times," Harry said.
"Thank you Hermione, Professor, for a wonderful evening. Hermione, if you ever have a free moment, drop by the department. If not, I'll see you at lunch," Kelly said.
Sunday morning, Hermione owled Draco and Ginny for dinner that evening. The invitations were accepted. They went to the market to decide what to make for dinner.
They decided on beef stew and strawberry shortcake. Around dinnertime, Hermione entertained Severus on the piano waiting on Draco and Ginny. The two arrived at the door and heard the sounds of the piano and Hermione's singing, then Severus laughed.
"Now Draco, I need to warn you. They have changed somewhat, but it's good. Hermione is softer somewhat, and you will have to just see for yourself regarding the professor," Ginny said.
Severus was in the loo when Draco knocked on the door.
"Hey you two! Glad you could make it," Hermione said ushering them in. "Sev, they're here," Hermione called.
Severus walked into the living room to Ginny grinning at a stunned Draco.
"Draco?" Hermione asked poking his arm.
"Sorry, I was just surprised, no offense intended sir," Draco said.
"Do not concern yourself Draco, I am getting used to the looks of shock and awe," Severus said wryly.
"I wish I could be there at the start of term when every one sees him," Hermione said. "Now that I think about it, I might ask for that day off," she pondered. "Although I don't know how I'd feel about dozens of girls ogling at my dashing husband."
Severus rolled his eyes. "Dinner is ready. Are you hungy?" he asked Ginny and Draco.
After dinner, Ginny and Draco stayed for a movie. Hermione and Severus were on one sofa, Hermione laid out with her head on Severus' lap. Ginny and Draco were cuddled together on the other sofa. Halfway during the movie Ginny got Hermione's attention and said softly,
"Herms? Can we talk? In the other room?" Ginny asked.
"Sure Gin, in my office," Hermione said getting up.
In her office, Hermione and Ginny took a seat.
Ginny cleared her throat. "My dad would get a kick out of this place. He would faint at the sight of your microwave and telly alone," Ginny said.
"Gin, are we here to talk about your Dad?" Hermione asked.
"The image of my Dad does not even belong in this conversation," Ginny answered. "It's about your potions," Ginny said blushing.
"My potions? My work interests you?" Hermione questioned.
"No Herms, your contraceptive potions," Ginny said blushing an even deeper shade of red.
"Oh," Hermione said. "Oh. Ginny hun, are you sure?" Hermione asked. "Is he asking?"
"No, on the contrary, I'm doing the asking," Ginny stammered.
"I'm not going to preach about right and wrong, Gin. Lord knows I have no right to do that. But I need to say this, Gin. You two need to sit down and have a serious talk about your relationship, because taking it to the next step will change everything. You will feel differently about him and you will see each other in a totally new way. Sex is a big step Ginny, and I know you have been with guys before, but…" Hermione said.
Ginny was shaking her head.
"Ginny, have you been with anyone?" Hermione almost whispered.
Ginny shook her head.
"But all the rumors, " Hermione started.
"Are just that, rumors. Despite what Terry Boot said, he did not get that far with me," Ginny said quietly. "And you, Hermione of all people should know better than to listen to rumors."
"I apologize Ginny, you're right. Does Draco know that you are a virgin?" Hermione gently asked.
"Yes. He's glad that no one else has been with me, and is flattered that I saved myself, and he wants to wait until I leave school. But I love him and want to show him how much I love him," Ginny said. "He said he's perfectly fine with thestuff we've been doing," Ginny blushed again, "but I know he wants more. Hell, I want more. He's trying to be a gentleman about it all, but.."
Ginny's lips were quivering.
"Say no more Gin. Just think about what I said. Make sure you are ready to take the step, because there's no undoing it once the deed is done. And on a personal note, if you two are in love like I think you are, you don't need to make love to have love," Hermione said putting her hand on Ginny's arm. "I will preach no more."
"Thanks Herms. Really. I just couldn't talk to my mum about this. She thinks courting couples should be holding hands, and that's it," Ginny said rolling her eyes. "She would lock me in the house with a chastity belt on if I asked her about contraceptive potions."
The two women laughed. Hermione handed her a vial.
"This is if you decide to go through with it. These doses last two weeks, so keep that in mind," Hermione said.
Ginny put it in her pocket. "Thanks again Herms. I was stuck there for a minute. The apothecaries won't sell these to underage witches, and my mum sure won't get me some. As for casting a spell, sometimes we get so caught up, that if the time comes, I won't be thinking to stop and cast an 'impregnato' spell," Ginny said.
"I know exactly what you mean," Hermione said. "Anything else you would like to talk about?"
"No, I want to finish the movie then get home. I have a curfew," Ginny complained.
Ginny and Hermione re-joined the men in the living room and Hermione resumed her position with Severus.
"Everything alright?" Severus asked softly. Hermione nodded.
On the other sofa, Draco hugged Ginny when she sat down.
"So love, did you two talk about it?" Draco asked gently.
"Yes," Ginny said quietly.
"And?" Draco inquired.
"You were right. She was the right one to talk to, I swear she's gotten about a hundred percent smarter in the past month," Ginny said.
When the movie was ending, the Ginny and Draco looked to see Hermione asleep with her head in Severus' lap. Severus put his finger to his lips.
"We'll show ourselves out," Draco whispered.
"Tell her thank you for us," Ginny whispered.
"I will, good night," Severus whispered stroking Hermione's hair.
Outside, Draco said, "Did you see the two of them?"
"I know, love can do that," Ginny said softly.