The next five weeks passed quickly, a steady cadence of existence punctuated by pulses of interesting variations, and all leading to the crescendo that was to come.
Their daily pattern was comfortable, Monly was excellent at serving delicious breakfast pastries minutes before the Snapes woke up – allowing the scent to mingle with coffee and drift into the two bedrooms. Severus' greatest concern was trying to figure out what was inside Hermione's bedroom, no matter how early he got up, he always seemed to miss being able to see inside the door. Between the two, they had finished all of Madam Pomfrey's medicinal needs and Severus had even found himself helping Hermione work on the Cruor Victus, which she had been asked to prepare and sell in the main apothecaries in Paris and Transylvania. He had even followed her out to the garden upon occasion, sitting on the terrace reading while she muddled in the dirt. Evenings were the best time of the day, in both their opinions (not that either shared that with the other). Dinner in the small family dining room, then hours of either talking or working, side by side on the settee, Sebastian curled between them.
Remus had come and gone twice, Severus had made himself scarce both times. While logically he knew that the werewolf was most likely the only person to truly understand what it had cost him do Albus' bidding, he just couldn't bring himself to look the man in the eye. Both times, Hermione had relayed that Remus was thankful to have the potion, and wished to partake of dinner with Severus. Each time, Severus declined.
Neville had come three times, once to check on the gnome fence, and twice to bring new plants that Hermione had requested from Asia. All three times he was shocked to see a huge ocelot sunning on the terrace, but was assured by Hermione that it was just another one of her magical creatures that she let wander about the grounds. He even went so far as to try and pet it the third time, but was frightened when the cat bared its teeth. Neville always did fare better with plants than animals.
Four owls had arrived from Hogwarts, bringing texts and the old syllabi for both Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Two letters were tied atop the books, both from the Headmistress, welcoming Hermione as a new Professor and welcoming Severus back. He was pleased to note that the Slytherin Head of House position was given to him without question (Professor Slughorn had left Hogwarts, opening the way for Hermione to teach). Evenings were now spent preparing lesson plans – new and necessary skills for the world post-Voldemort. Hermione was surprised that Severus didn't give suggestions (or criticisms) about her Potions classes unless asked. They did avoid the topic of what would actually happen to them when they moved into the school – together.
Ginny finally gave birth – and Blaise made sure Malfoy Enterprises gave a large enough contribution to the new Minister's campaign – so that Severus was allowed to leave Snape Manor for 3 hours to be present at the child's naming ceremony. Lyra Ginevra Malfoy was presented at a huge Sunday champagne brunch to a host of family and friends (named after a star like her father and given her mother's name as was Weasley tradition). Hermione was the godmother, with Severus standing proudly by Draco's side as a surrogate grandparent. The darling had her father's regal face, lines, and grey eyes, but her mother's red hair, tempered a bit lighter than most Weasley's due to the pure blonde of her father. Molly and Arthur were pleasant to Severus, chatting about Hogwarts, and Severus spoke civilly to his old Slytherins that were present, but couldn't bring himself to speak more than a few words to Ron and Harry.
In fact, he was rather galled to see that Draco making nice with the famous Potter – much less smiling at the tiny orange Chudley Cannon robe that the professional seeker had brought the little girl. At least when Ron was near, Severus could speak to Pansy and simply assume he was included in the conversation, no such luck with his wife's other friend.
It only took Ginny a week to recover (ie: get so dreadfully bored) and wish to leave the house, so the twice weekly dinners at Snape Manor were resumed. Severus refrained from anything but the obligatory kiss on Lyra's forehead and the rote praises her parents wanted to hear, before Eakey would whisk the child off to another room to play nursemaid with another house elf.
He grew fond of watching Hermione, though, after dinner when the baby girl would be returned to the adults. His wife would hold the child up on her shoulder, gently patting her little back and wiping up the tiny bubbles that formed at the corner of her mouth.
Would she look like that with my child? A tiny raven-haired girl, with just enough curl from her mother to be beautiful? A cute little nose, if we are blessed, straight from her mother's face. With the mix of brains, she would be brilliant – I could handle a Ravenclaw, even if I desire a Slytherin to follow in my footsteps. Since when did I desire a child?
Hermione would notice his glances and ignore them, feeling it would be easier to just let him see how comfortable she was with a child. So many people assumed she never wanted kids, apparently smart working witches weren't allowed to desire a family. Yet another standard Ginny would be breaking, as full founding and operating partner with Draco in Malfoy Enterprises.
Not that I want a brood like Ginny and Draco – oh, no, they've already decided to give Molly a run for her money, but one or two little Snapes would be perfect. No, let him see my actions, not my words.
The whole baby thing went well, as far as Severus was concerned, he was only expected to give a couple of glances and words. In that regard, Ginny was much like Narcissa had been when Draco was born – maybe it was just a woman thing.
Then came the crescendo – the culmination – the climax of all that practically perfect time.
And Draco was to blame.
They had gathered back in the drawing room, even though the manor was huge they always seemed to gravitate to this room, the room that was situated between Severus and Hermione and represented the fragile bond of friendship that they had formed.
Ginny and Hermione were seated in the middle, on the settee, Lyra laying with her head on her godmother's lap, and her mother rubbing her tiny feet. Severus was seated in his armchair, across from Draco, and everyone was sipping a dry white wine that Eakey had found down in the wine cellar. The conversation drifted from old classmates to current work to future ventures between Malfoy Enterprises and Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Severus still couldn't quite figure out what Draco and Ginny did, but it was profitable and apparently useful to the ministry. His thoughts were interrupted by what would later be known as "the bombshell".
"So, Hermione, when will you be making your next trip to the Scotland to gather unicorn ingredients? I have a couple of buyers who are needing tail hair, if you think you can find enough this year." Draco asked.
Such a seemingly innocent question.
"Hermione? You travel that far to purchase ingredients? It can't be that much more expensive to get them from Diagon Alley," Severus said.
"Purchase? Oh, no, our Hermione tracks the unicorn herd and harvests them herself. Worked with the same herd for almost four years now," Draco answered, oblivious to the fact that Hermione was growing red and Severus' eyes were growing larger by the second.
"But how?" Severus questioned, his voice thankfully not betraying the waver in his brain.
"Huh? How? OH – that, you got yourself a virgin wife, there Severus, unlike me, although I kinda enjoy the experience witch if you know what I mean." Draco said with a wink.
The shitith hath hitith the fan.
"Draco, how could you?" Hermione, who had been under the impression that only Ginny knew how Malfoy Enterprises acquired the unicorn parts. Embarrassment swept over her, this was exactly the way she wanted her new husband to find out that somehow she had made it to her twenties and was still a virgin. She shifted the baby and fled to her room.
"DRACO – YOU SODDING BASTARD!" yelled Ginny, scooping up Lyra. "You SWORE to me you would never mention that in front of her!"
Severus watched the flame haired Malfoy follow her best friend, after placing the now wailing infant in her husband's arms.
"And I'm NOT a SLUT!" she hollered, before slamming the door behind her.
Draco seemed to be taking the outburst in stride, curling Lyra into his chest and standing up to pace and gently rock her.
"She'll come down, eventually."
"Which one," Severus questioned.
"Both. Ginny takes a bit longer than most women, but I figure she'll let me have it when we get home. Mione takes everything in stride, really didn't think it would embarrass her so much, not like it's that big a deal, right?"
"Right." Except it IS a huge deal – he was supposed to be her first? How could she save herself for marriage and then marry HIM? Shackled forever to a greasy bastard of a husband? What was she THINKING?
Silence reigned in the drawing room for a half an hour, after Draco got Lyra quiet.
"You're good with her."
"You wouldn't believe who I use as a role model," Draco answered softly, so as not to wake the sleeping angel in his arms.
"It's not your father, and your mother loved you, but was a bit smothering and overindulgent – may her soul rest in peace."
"Bill Weasley."
"The one who married Fleur?"
"He's got three kids, all boys. None as cute as Lyra, but as redheads go – well, they got that. He's amazing with them. And when Ginny tells Lyra stories at night, it's always about Bill, he was like a second dad, the one who always had time to play and love her."
"Is it hard?"
Draco looked at his godfather, and even without magical means could see the longing in his eyes.
"You want children? Are you sure? Ginny and I always assumed that would be one of Hermione's challenges, I know she wanted kids, but you hate children."
"No, I hate idiots. Most children just happen to fall into that category. Somehow, I doubt any child that is half-Hermione would be an idiot."
"Or half-Severus."
"Or half-Severus," he whispered, almost as one whispers a wish on an eyelash.
A pop from Hermione's bedroom occurred almost simultaneously as an owl began tapping at the window.
"Shit," said Draco. "He's got a howler. Here, take Lyra so I can deal with this."
Severus awkwardly took the sleeping infant in his arms, and moved away from the red envelope that was now hovering in front of his fireplace.
"Draco Malfoy – when you get back to the house you best get your sorry ass into the nursery and put that precious baby to bed then haul your arse to the bedroom where you will fall on your knees to beg my forgiveness. Then when I'm sufficiently placated we'll discuss exactly how you'll make it up to me."
"That's about the loudest, angriest, whisper I've ever heard," said Severus. "And why in God's name are you smiling?"
Draco took back his daughter, a stupid grin plastered on his face. "That's Ginny-talk for I'm going to say I'm sorry and we're going to shag like bunnies."
Bunny-shagging…oh dear…now we're back to Hermione and sex.
"Well, then…have an enjoyable evening, Draco."
"Talk to her, Severus. She's embarrassed, and Hermione hates to be embarrassed about not knowing how to do something."
Draco popped away with a wink and Severus was left in the drawing room, seriously desiring a firewhiskey.
A/N: I know I promised some of you kissing by Chapter Eight - bear with me, I can't rush theminto this, but I promise, they'll figure each other out sooner rather than later. I would suspect 2-3 more chapters, then the epilogue. Then we say goodbye for this story, and I try to write it all over again from our furry friend's point of view. THANKS to my beta and to the reviewers. Ya'll rock. It's amazing how fun it is to write and have it read. THANKS again!