-1Author note: This is a short one. More to come, I promise.
Two cracks in the midday sun announced their arrival. The snow was much deeper in this area of the country, and Hermione found it difficult to stride through the drifts. Severus sensed her trouble and reached out to lend support. His movement did not go unnoticed by Remus.
Hermione began to take the front steps two at a time. Remus and Severus followed her. Once inside, Remus fell back and motioned for Severus to do the same.
Hermione stopped when the two men stopped. "Well, thank you for coming for us, Remus."
"You're welcome, Hermione."
She turned to her Potions Master. "And thank you."
He didn't say anything but nodded slightly as she turned and went to Gryffindor tower.
"What in the name of Merlin's bloody blue balls are you doing, Severus?"
Severus wasn't about to get into this here, so he began to head to his quarters. Remus swiftly tugged on his arm and held him at bay. "I asked you a question. Why were you and Hermione cuddled up like that? Do you not have any scruples left in your head? You were almost sent to Azkaban for killing Albus, and now you want to be shipped off there for having relations with an underage student? Have you gone mad?"
Severus turned slowly to face him. "She is not underage. And regardless of what it looked like to you, body heat is the best way to stay warm when stranded in the frigid cold of winter. We were, as you say, cuddled together to keep from falling deathly ill or incapacitated by frostbite. Now, if you would be so kind to unhand me." And then Severus jerked his arm out of Remus's grip. He turned away from him so fast that he barely caught himself before plowing straight into the Headmistress.
"Severus, I am glad to see you have made it back safely. I met Miss Granger in the hall. I see the two of you are no worse for wear."
It wasn't the relieved concern in her voice that threw him; more like something familiar in her eyes. One of those knowing looks that he's seen before was plastered on her face. "She inherited his damn twinkle," Severus realized.
The next morning, Severus found himself at breakfast staring at Miss Granger. She was flanked by not only Potter and Weasley, but her parents were sitting nearby also.
"That would make for an interesting introduction. Hello, I'm Professor Severus Snape, your daughter's Potions Master. I was to escort her home last night, but instead I took it upon myself to rip her virginity in two. It's so wonderful to have you here at Hogwarts."
"Professor?" Hermione had been standing there for just a moment. "I've never seen him daydream before."
Severus broke from his inner tirade. "Miss Granger."
"These are my parents. Mum, Dad, this is Professor Snape, my potions teacher."
Severus stood from the table and shook hands with both Mr. and Mrs. Granger. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Mr. and Mrs. Granger." He then promptly sat back down.
Hermione went down the table introducing her parents to the teachers. Mrs. Granger jumped back, but smiled gob smacked when Professor Flitwick conjured a carnation out of thin air and presented it to her.
"Oh, Professor, I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you. My parents are muggles. They don't know a lot about magic."
The pint sized professor looked up at Mrs. Granger. "My apologies, madam. I didn't mean to startle you." He bowed slightly for as much as a man his size can.
"Oh, that's quite alright, Professor. I enjoy watching Hermione practice charms and transfigurations. It just took me by surprise is all. She has even become quite a cook. She said that cooking isn't all that different from potions."
Minerva thought Severus was going to fall out of his chair when she stole a glance at the look on his face. Hermione, of course, blushed but dared to look his direction as well.
"Mum, I think that's enough. Let's go finish breakfast and then I'll show you around the castle."
"Don't you have homework to do?" Mr. Granger asked his daughter.
Hermione was closest to Severus so she alone heard him mutter, "That's where she gets it." He knew she heard him. He looked up to catch her scowling at him for all she could muster and walk back to the Gryffindor table.
"She scowled at me! She used one of my tricks on me!." He smirked. "There's that fire I love so much."
Severus dropped his fork.
"What did I just say?"
Minerva looked over at him. "I didn't hear you say anything, Severus. Talking to yourself, perhaps?"
Severus frowned at the Headmistress and stood abruptly. "Minerva, if you would excuse me, I need to check on some potions downstairs. Have a pleasant day." And he strode out of the Great Hall through the side door he often used when wanting to make an unnoticed exit.