If you prefer A03, I have also posted this story there.
After they showered (separately, on Hermione's insistence that they'd never get ready otherwise) and dressed, there was little time left before Christmas Eve dinner. Hermione spent the rest of the time tying her stomach in knots, nervous about saying or doing the wrong thing. She found herself both angry and suspicious of Lucius Malfoy but also desperate to look her best and not embarrass Severus in front of him.
She dressed in the same dark green dress, long-sleeved and very low-backed, and accompanying gold sash that she had worn for Slughorn's Christmas party in 1996. The same party after which Professor Snape had threaded his hands in her hair, sensually rubbed his face on her neck, and turned her into a puddle of need with his enticing words.
It wasn't wrong to miss Professor Snape, was it? She had this Severus here and now, but… there was a difference. Sometimes it even felt like betrayal. Sometimes Hermione would look at the Severus in 1977 questioningly and wonder how he became the Severus in 20 years. Not that she didn't adore the subtle nuances of this one, but… she frequently saw beyond him towards the potential man he would become. She missed that man as much as she drank in her good fortune at being able to meet this one.
Hermione looked at herself in the bathroom mirror, checking to see if everything was in place. As the Time-Turner carefully stowed in her beaded bag, the only other accessory she wore was her sapphire pendant. Her hair was tucked up in a high bun, a few tendrils of hair escaping effortlessly. Simple, but elegant enough.
Looking at her face, she could see her natural blush shown through the light layer of makeup. She was glowing with happiness. It was difficult to keep the wide grin off her face. Every few minutes over the last few hours she would cover her cheeks with her hands and try to will the heat away.
She had already known she was falling in love with Severus Snape, but now… it was exceedingly difficult to deny that she loved him, even to her own strict, self-compartmentalizing nature. She loved the 17-year-old man and the 37-year-old man, despite their differences. Madly.
It was quite mad, wasn't it?
The thought helped sober her quickly. Yes, it is quite mad to spend Christmas Eve with the Malfoys, especially when their future son will despise me. All of this is quite mad. Severus… your love for him…
And there it was. The sickly fear and disbelief that rose in her throat, counteracting the ridiculous, giddy lovesickness. It was almost strange that this sensation is what comforted her. It made her acknowledge the absurdity of her entire journey through time, made her heart feel heavy in her chest, made her want to sob and retch and scream all at once, but still, it made her feel real. This was real, this was really happening, it wasn't all some bizarre dream that had gone on too long, gone on for months, pulled her away from everyone and everything she had known in her lifetime. It had already been five months nearly since-
"Hermione?"
"I- I'm ready." She opened the bathroom door before she could allow the feeling to completely overwhelm her with panic. Severus backed away from the door so she could step out. After closing the door behind her, she turned to face Severus.
He was dressed in black dress robes adorned with subtle embroidery at the neck and sleeves. His dark hair was loose, not tied back as it often was.
They matched well. Simple, but elegant.
Severus' dark eyes were wide, sweeping over her outfit, making her a bit self-conscious.
"Is it alright?" She asked nervously.
"Beautiful," he said finally. He took her hand. "Come. We shouldn't be late."
Malfoy Manor was every bit as regal as Draco Malfoy's manner implied it would be. The long hedgerows and peacocks wandering the enchanted lawns would have been clue enough, but the 12-foot-high, brass double entrance doors merely magnified the projection to a visitor that this was old, old money and you should prepare to feel miniature in comparison.
As a house-elf ushered the couple quickly and quietly inside (and Hermione wondered how an elf would even begin to navigate those heavy doors), Hermione had to physically force herself not to tilt her head backwards and gape at the ceiling height or stop and take in the large baroque paintings in the entrance hall and around the grand staircase. Thankfully, Severus placed a hand on her lower back and gently guided her behind the elf toward the correct destination. As they moved, he leaned his head to her ear.
"All for show," he whispered with a sardonic smirk in his tone. "Act like the Gryffindor I know you are and don't let the disgusting opulence shake you."
She took a breath and nodded, schooling her features before they were shown into the drawing room.
Apart from the massive scale of the room, it was much more welcoming. The high cathedral ceilings and long windows were contrasted with the comfortable furniture adorned in warm reds and browns. Couches, chairs, and small tables for lounging were arched around a gigantic hearth (again, to ridiculous scale) which spread a familial glow around the rest of the room. A 20-foot-tall Christmas tree decorated to elegant perfection stood in the corner near the fireplace, not in any danger of scraping the ceiling.
Four figures sat in the seating round the great fire, one rising upon Severus and Hermione's entry to the room.
"So glad you could come." Lucius walked over to the two, shaking Severus' hand firmly and grasping his forearm. He had a smile somewhere between a smirk and an outright grin, which was probably as happy as his face could look. Another Slytherin thing, perhaps? Not to show any teeth? Hermione thought, hiding her own grin. "And you brought Miss Perri, as well. How delightful."
He gave her a slight bow and a polite kiss to the air above her hand when she held it out to him. Then Severus held out his arm for her to take and Lucius gestured them toward the open seating by the fire. Lucius had been seated in a dark-red, velvet armchair and two other women were seated next to each other on a similarly coloured loveseat. The final figure sat in a high-backed chair closer to the fire, almost fully turned away from the group. A cane rested on the side of the chair, one she thought she had seen Lucius Malfoy carry in the far future.
Hermione recognized the women on the loveseat instantly, even though they were much younger. The one on the right could have been Lucius's sister, with her similar elegant features and light blonde hair, however Hermione knew it to be his wife, having seen her at the Quidditch World Cup with Draco Malfoy. Mrs. Malfoy sat regally, waiflike on the seat in a pale blue dress with flowing sleeves and skirt.
The woman on the left made a stark contrast to the thin society lady beside her. She was voluptuous, emphasized by her almost scandalously short red dress that was cut to draw attention to her cleavage. Her dark hair fell in curled ringlets around her, only serving to make her look more wanton and disheveled. Her lips were a deep red, matching her dress, and they were currently formed in a sulking pout. She slouched on the arm of the loveseat, leaning forward and exposing more of her breasts.
"Miss Anna Perri, my wife Narcissa and… her sister, Bellatrix Black." Narcissa stood to greet Hermione, while Bellatrix gave a half-hearted snort and wave, still slumped over the arm of the loveseat in apparent boredom. Narcissa greeted Hermione with a quiet, "lovely to meet you" and a fragile smile, but Hermione felt the coldness of the look was not directed at her, but at embarrassment of her own sister's attitude.
"My father, Abraxas…" Lucius gestured toward the lone figure by the fire, "…likes to sleep by the fire. He will perhaps join us for dinner." Hermione realized that the man by the fire was asleep, a blanket on his lap to add additional warmth. Lucius could only be in his mid-twenties at most, but his father must have been much older.
They all sat and called for tea service as Severus and Hermione settled on a nearby loveseat. Severus placed his arm behind her on the seat, lightly stroking the small of her back. At first, the gesture helped calm her, but then she started to overthink how it would look.
"So, Miss Perri, I assume you are a seventh year like Severus? What are your plans after graduation and N.E.W.T.s?" Narcissa sipped at her tea after asking. Hermione held her teacup and saucer calmly on her lap, focusing on her breathing exercises to keep it from shaking.
"My post-graduation plans are still forming. I intend to stay in Britain, definitely, and I enjoy research. My best subjects are Transfiguration, Charms, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes, though I find I'm quite preferable to Charms and Arithmancy. I was thinking about a research position at the Ministry, or possibly St. Mungo's. I do have an interest in healing magic, though little formal training."
"She is being unnecessarily modest," Severus said. "She is quite adept at healing magic, evidenced by my presence tonight."
"Oh ho!" Lucius looked surprised but pleased. "So, this is the transfer student you mentioned. You never mentioned before it was a woman who had assisted you with your little Russian problem."
"What's that?" Bellatrix started to perk up finally, sitting up and turning her head fully toward the visitors. She really was gorgeous when she wasn't frowning and hunched over. "You had a run-in with one of the Soviets transferred to Hogwarts this year, Snapey?"
Hermione turned her head slightly to look at Severus, whose cheeks had turned a bit pink. "Yes," he said stiffly. "I have been attacked more than once this year, a few times quite seriously. Miss Perri has healed me and been my protector and advocate against some of my rivals," he continued seriously. "I owe her a great deal."
Narcissa's face took on a smile that was almost warm. "I am glad Severus invited you here, so we can thank you properly."
"What did you say your name was again?" Bellatrix was fully invested now.
"Anna Perri," Hermione replied politely. She raised her teacup to her lips to drink as Severus stroked her lower back again. He seemed more nervous than she expected him to be. Perhaps he hadn't expected Bellatrix to be there.
"Never heard of you. Or your family." Bellatrix said, looking Hermione up and down in evaluation. "Not a Wizarding name, is it? Perri?"
There was an audible intake of air.
Lucius' smile stuck plastically on his face and his eyes twitched slightly, while Narcissa turned her head and hissed, "Bella!" under her breath. Severus stopped stroking her back and pressed the palm of his hand flat against her. Hermione could feel his arm muscles were taught.
"No," Hermione said calmly, lowering the teacup. "My father is a muggle."
"But you are a half-blood, then? Well of course, you'd have to be or Snapey wouldn't dare bring you here, would he?" Lucius fully turned his head toward Bellatrix as she snorted. "Well, better than another option, I suppose. My cousin Regulus told me you were obsessed with a mudblood Gryffindor chit, but I suppose he was mistaken." Bella sipped her own tea, as if this back and forth were part of a regular polite conversation.
Hermione felt herself tense further at the word, wondering if it was in reference to Lily or not. She could feel Severus's hand trembling behind her back with what she suspected was rage, but the rest of his body and face remained composed.
"Bella," Lucius called out, still wearing his thinly held smile and trying to hold her back in the politest way possible.
"So does that mean you're in Slytherin or Ravenclaw at least?" Bella looked over at Hermione, quirking her head presumptuously.
"No," Hermione said quietly. She was able to keep her composure better than she had expected. "I was sorted into Gryffindor this year."
Bellatrix burst out laughing. Narcissa blanched even further, closing her eyes, and Lucius clenched his fists and uncrossed his leg, placing two feet firmly on the floor.
"I mistakenly thought you were moving up the world, Snapey," she said as she finally slowed her laugh to a cackle.
"I see no reason to believe I have not. I consider her company to have elevated me substantially," Severus replied through gritted teeth.
"But it's only one Gryffindor for another, and only a mudblood up to a half-blood! Can't even manage to bag a full witch then?"
Severus snarled and clenched the back of Hermione's dress where his hand lay. "She's twice the witch you'll ever be, Trixie."
Bellatrix gasped and jumped to her feet, furious. "Want to put that to the test?" Her eyes darted back and forth between Severus and Hermione.
"No!" Lucius barked out, standing and holding an arm out towards her. "Bellatrix," he said coldly. "Do you need to be sent to your room like an errant toddler, or can I convince you to behave for our guests?"
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes further, but remained standing, hand at the ready to draw her wand.
"Bella," Narcissa said quietly. "It's Christmas."
There was a momentary pause Bellatrix used to glare daggers at Snape before finally lowering herself back onto the loveseat.
Hermione chanced a glance over at the fire. It didn't appear the outburst had disturbed Abraxas' nap.
"Fine," Bellatrix spat out after she slumped back down. "But I don't ever want to hear that… name again."
"Oh please," Lucius said in a bored tone, resuming his seat as well. "You did start with the name calling. You can call him Snape or Severus if you want to be civil. As for Miss Perri-"
"Please, Anna is fine," Hermione interjected.
Lucius smirked, Narcissa gave a small smile and a polite head nod. "You may call me Narcissa, or Cissy, as well."
Severus had slowly relaxed his hand so it was no longer gripping the fabric of her dress. He was back to stroking her back by smoothing out the cloth he had just wrinkled.
Bellatrix snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Very well, a first name basis for everyone then," Lucius said abruptly, trying to move on from the awkward moment.
Bella didn't take the hint. "Such niceties. I don't know why you bother, Cissy. I can't stand all the aggrandizing through etiquette."
"And how would you suggest aggrandizing then, Bellatrix?" Severus said stiltedly.
"I thought the foundation of our political action was done to uphold our Wizarding traditions?" Lucius drawled.
"Wizarding traditions are upheld by making sure there are no other kinds. This can be done in a few ways…" Bellatrix gave a malicious grin. "If there are only wizards left, all the traditions are wizarding. Doesn't matter how high-brow they are."
"Wouldn't that defeat the purpose?" Hermione added, frowning in thought.
They all turned to look at her. Severus' hand ceased its stroking momentarily.
She knew it was her know-it-all nature struggling to break free, as it had been so subdued during this school year, but she just couldn't stop talking once she started.
"I just mean… if the only thing that makes a wizarding tradition worth preserving is that wizards practice it, it becomes meaningless. All you would need to do is have enough wizards adopt a muggle practice and it would become 'wizarding' simply because wizards do it. That's a surer way to make sure anything you want to preserve dies out, as it would be no more distinctly 'wizarding' than any other practice. Rather, traditions should be evaluated on their own merits. If they stand the test of time and contribute positively to society, then they should be upheld."
She was met with more silence, and she felt the eyes of everyone in the room boring into her. She didn't dare look over at Severus. Bellatrix even looked more astounded than offended.
In for a penny… "I… I mean… some of the paintings in the foyer. They're baroque. They're beautiful pieces, but they don't move. They're muggle masterpieces. You've displayed them because of their beauty, not based on their origins."
Lucius' countenance changed. He frowned in thought, almost as if his face was saying, 'ah yes, that's right, they are'.
Bellatrix sneered. "Quite a mudborn attitude, wouldn't you say-"
"Oh, do be quiet, Bellatrix!" A voice barked from chair by the fireplace. Hermione startled slightly and spilled a little of the tea from the teacup on her lap.
They all turned to see the figure remove the blanket from his lap, rise and grab his cane before turning to face the group. He was indeed a Malfoy, with long white-blond hair tied back behind his head. His age was denoted by some wrinkles on his forehead and a not-overly-pronounced receding hairline. Unlike Lucius, Abraxas had a goatee containing streaks of grey and silver mixed among the blonde.
"Miss Perri is quite right about the paintings. There are some Carravaggios and a Rembrandt, among others. As much as I enjoy it, wizarding art tends to be rather uninventive and has missed quite a few of the movements the muggles have gone through. When you have the gimmick of a moving and talking painting, you tend to stick too often to realistic portraiture." Abraxas looked over at Bellatrix, haughtily. "I also enjoy the Impressionists. In the corridor outside your room there are Monets and Van Goghs, or had you forgotten?"
Bellatrix looked away, pouting and mumbling something.
"Well then," the family patriarch directed, "Let's go on to dinner, it should be ready by now."
Hermione was guided out of the room on Severus' arm. Abraxas led the party with his daughter-in-law on his arm, leaving Lucius to stiffly escort Bellatrix, as Severus and Hermione brought up the rear. As they walked, Severus leaned his head over to whisper softly in Hermione's ear.
"Do you know how much I desire you? I wish I could strip you now, you fearless minx." Hermione continued looking straight ahead but blushed in pride.
They made their way down the darkened hallway into a large dining room containing a massive table set with a feast fit for triple the people. There were all the holiday trappings to rival a Christmas at Hogwarts Castle and, despite the place they were, Hermione did feel slightly cheered by the warmth of the room and the delicious smells wafting up around her.
Dinner conversation was quiet and seldom, but not as stilted as previous, as the food seemed to help everyone's disposition. Hermione had some roast duck, green beans, mushrooms, mash, and a few bites of many other good things besides. She didn't want to overeat, but she tried a little of everything to be polite and ended up quite stuffed.
Over dinner, she learned that Bellatrix Black was engaged and would be married over the summer to Rodolphus Lestrange. The elder Blacks had died almost two years ago, and Bellatrix had been staying with the Malfoys since. Hermione had no idea why she would choose to, as there was still a Black estate somewhere (supposedly) and she didn't seem to enjoy their company. Hermione figured that it was expected of her, some sort of pureblood standard of staying with family until marriage perhaps. Bellatrix seemed proud of the fact she was marrying into an established old blood family, even if she mentioned nothing particular about her fiancé.
When the topic turned to the pureblood lines, Severus was able to get a few mentions of the Dagworth-Grangers in (a line which had been presumed to have died out) and linked them, albeit distantly, to Hermione through her mother. Bellatrix had sniffed begrudgingly but seemed to allow that Miss Perri was enough of a half-blood to have a seat at the table, quite literally. After dessert, everyone was in a much better mood, and retiring back to the drawing room was no longer such a terrible notion. There had been elf-made wine at the table, after all, so there were a few more smiles and happier looks around the group members.
Abraxas bid the others good night, leaving the younger five to enter the drawing room again. Lucius suggested they split by gender for a little, pulling Severus with him to the parlor, presumably for a pipe and some firewhiskey.
Hermione was left with the other two then, Bellatrix flushed and a little too talkative from the wine. Narcissa and Hermione weren't doing too badly at more polite conversation, especially since they shared a fondness of charmwork, when Bella seemed to have had enough.
"What I really want to know is if you're Snape's consort or we're to expect a formal declaration anytime soon."
Narcissa and Hermione turned to stare at her, and she laughed loudly, seemingly pleased with how many ways she could trample on the polite society setting.
"I…" Hermione didn't know what she was supposed to say here. Severus had told her he was letting the other Slytherins believe she was only a consort to him, yet here he was bringing her to Christmas Eve dinner at the Malfoys. She didn't know the way this all worked, hadn't even known what a consort was til a month or so ago.
"Well, it has to be one or the other. Though I wouldn't think it'd be very proper of him to bring a girl he's practically shagging-"
"Bella," Narcissa snapped, clearly having reached the limit for the evening. "You can open your present from me early. It's on your bed." She gave her an icy look.
Bellatrix gave a giggle and a sing-songy, "Yes, Cissy," standing up and sashaying a little tipsily out of the room.
When the door was closed, both women breathed an audible sigh of relief. Noticing the mutual sign, they both looked at each other and smiled. Narcissa gestured for Hermione to join her on the loveseat and she did so, feeling somewhat drawn into the other woman's confidence. They were both annoyed and offended by Bellatrix, a strong enough bond for the moment.
"You sure about this?" Lucius met him with an appraising look as he leaned back against the liquor cabinet.
"I already told you before I don't drink."
"Not that, Severus. Don't be obtuse."
Severus rolled his eyes and answered the question. "She is one of the most incredible women- perhaps the most incredible woman I have ever met. She's secretly brilliant, I can see in class she knows all the answers and it's difficult for her not to shout them all out, but she's not a braggart like most of the other Gryffindors. I told you about the healing magic, too. She saved my life when she didn't even know me, and she stepped in front of a Cruciatus for me when she did. I couldn't… Lucius, I couldn't… I have to at least try."
"Oh Severus," he chuckled, raising the glass to his lips and drinking a sip. "You do have it bad."
Severus grimaced and turned away, his dark hair swinging. He couldn't help but let the side of his mouth tick upward. He wasn't too embarrassed then.
"What about… her political leanings?" His tone seemed casual, but Severus knew it to be anything but.
"I'm surprised you didn't ask her directly."
"Ah, well, you know what they say about religion and politics in polite society."
"Fair enough," Severus said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Well?"
"Undecided. I am trying to help on that end."
"I see. How goes it?"
Severus shifted slightly and sighed. "You heard she has her own opinions about wizarding traditions, but certainly isn't of a muggle attitude to eradicate what she deems 'beneficial'. As for rallies, demonstrations… she has similar objections as Cissy, not wanting any involvement in violence. However, it has been good to see first-hand that our political opponents are not above using violence to get what they want, so she may see the necessity."
Lucius nodded, taking another sip of his drink.
"Also, she's deathly curious."
Lucius smirked, understanding immediately. "You mean to introduce her to the dark arts then?"
"They are what intrigued me."
Lucius did not speak for a while before finally asking the most important question. "And what does the Dark Lord say to all of this?"
"He… has yet to find out. I have the handler in agreement to support me when it comes time."
"Well, no more to say on it for now then. Hopefully, I will be congratulating you when he does learn of her."
"Thank you."
"Come, let's rejoin the ladies."
They entered the drawing room together to find Bellatrix had gone to bed, and Hermione and Narcissa were sitting quite close. They were huddled together, Narcissa's hands both clasped in Hermione's. Narcissa was sniffling and trying to hide her face. Once they heard the other two enter, Narcissa quickly pulled her hands away and used them to rub tears away from her eyes and compose herself. Hermione stood, partially blocking Narcissa from view.
"Severus, I have a bit of a headache. If it's alright to go now…"
"Of course." Severus nodded, hiding his worry at the scene. "Cissy…"
"Yes," Narcissa stood, composed now. "Yes, well, thank you so much for a lovely evening. Please bring Anna back to us again another time, Severus," she said with a shaky smile.
Lucius bid his goodbyes as well, ushering Narcissa out the drawing room behind the leaving pair.
As Severus walked Hermione to the large double entrance doors, already held open for them, Lucius and his wife ascended the grand staircase. His hand on the small of her back again, Severus walked Hermione swiftly out of the manor, down the entry path, and apparated away.
"What happened?" Severus said worriedly as they entered Spinner's End. Hermione smiled up at him, a little sad, but not at all worried.
"Oh nothing," she said as they ascended the stairs. She held his hand as she walked up, leading him to the bedroom.
"Nothing?" He said after they'd entered the bedroom and closed the door. "It didn't look like nothing! I've never seen Cissy cry before."
Hermione snorted, removing the clip holding her hair up and shaking it out. "It's fine. She needed a good cry, that's all."
Severus still looked somewhat horrified, and Hermione sighed, coming over to him and starting to undress him gently.
"You already knew they had trouble conceiving, Severus. What do you think that entails?" She said this patiently as she pushed his dress robes off his shoulders and moved to the buttons on his shirt.
"She was upset there wasn't a child yet?"
Hermione's fingers stilled on the second button down. "No… she was upset that there was a child."
"Oh." Severus' brow furrowed.
Hermione bit her lip and cleared her throat, trying to prevent herself from becoming teary-eyed. She looked up at him, still smiling slightly, but shakily. "I'm surprised she opened up to me, but I'm glad she got it off her chest. She miscarried recently and it was still fairly raw for her. I don't know how many there have been, but it wasn't the first." Hermione's voice had lowered to a whisper.
"Why does it affect you so?" He whispered back, raising a hand to her chin and holding it gently.
"My mother had a lot of them herself. She would always tell me I was her miracle child." Hermione had her hands on Severus' chest and leaned into him even more. "She told me about how difficult it was to conceive when I was old enough to hear it. I think as a bit of a warning, that it might run in the family."
Severus nodded blankly and moved his arms to encompass her and press her into his chest. It was unfamiliar territory for him. He hadn't known anything about being wanted even after he was born, let alone before. It was a little difficult to wrap his mind around, but he had felt somewhat distressed at only seeing Narcissa's tears, so he could understand this subject might be… uncomfortable.
"How… how did it come up?" He tried to keep the incredulity out of his voice.
How did she get Narcissa Malfoy to be so vulnerable? Does she have everyone under her spell?
Hermione choked out a little laugh, pulling away from his chest and looking up at him. "I don't even know. We were talking about having and raising children. We were talking about that because we had just been talking about marriage and we were talking about that because…" Hermione trailed off, looking away. She pushed back from him and crossed her arms over her chest, walking away to look for her night clothes.
"Tell me, Hermione, please."
"Because," Hermione said, back turned to him, "Bellatrix asked if I was there because I was your consort or if there was… some other reason…" She rifled through her clothes, becoming frustrated she wasn't finding what she was looking for immediately.
"Hermione," he moved toward her, reaching her and holding her from behind. He rested his chin on her shoulder as she stood stiffly in his arms. "Hermione, you know you are more than a consort to me. I told you why I was bringing you tonight-"
"No," she said quietly. "You didn't."
"I did! I wanted you to meet my family-"
"You wanted them to approve of me." Her tone was hard to interpret. Almost accusatory.
"Yes!" He swiveled her around to face him, holding her shoulders and forcing her to look in his dark, black eyes. "Yes, I wanted them to approve of you, as I do. Lucius and Narcissa do approve of you and even Abraxas seems to like your taste in art." He didn't mention Bella because he didn't care about her opinion at all.
Hermione looked at him doubtfully.
"What must I say to convince you?"
"That's the thing, Severus. I don't know what you're trying to convince me of. I'm not a consort according to you, but it hasn't escaped my notice that you… that you haven't…" She blushed and looked away. "That we've only done the things consorts do with each other."
Yes, virgin's blood was a powerful connection between two people. He couldn't ask for it unless she was sure… He had wanted to adopt the pureblood tradition in this matter. Yet, he didn't want to quite tell her that yet. He was sure he would scare her away to talk about the joining of familial lines. That he was planning in such a long-term way so fast… She needed time to be wooed, she made that clear. He couldn't overstep yet.
"Hermione…"
"But I don't know what being your girlfriend entails. Publicly, we hide our relationship, privately you bring me to meet your… somewhat adopted family, but… but there's no way we can continue on… because there's no way they can approve of me, because of our differences…"
"No, no, Hermione, please listen to me-"
"It… it seems…" She swallowed and started shaking, tears falling down her cheeks. "It seems like I'm just a consort with a few romantic gestures and empty promises to keep me from leaving."
Severus backed away as if she had struck him. "What?! How could you say that?"
"Be- because I have to! I have to- to be logical about-" She swallowed, clearly trying to keep her composure before finally cracking, though the tears were coming faster. "I told you not to- to make me promises!"
Hermione was sobbing now, tears running freely down her face, hiccupping and quite hysterical. This unnerving display is what kept Severus from storming out in anger, swallowing the bile that had formed in his throat.
She's angry, upset, hearing about the miscarriage made her oddly emotional… she is a woman, they can be really fucking weird sometimes.
"I- I told you not to break my heart!" She sobbed, head in her hands.
Severus' eyes widened and he rushed back to her, grabbing her tightly and backing her up toward the bed. He enfolded her in his arms and scooted backwards til they were resting on the pillows.
Her head was against his chest as she tried to slow down her sobs. He kissed the crown of her head, grabbing both sides of her head in his hands and kissing all around her face until he could get her to lift her head up to look at him. Once her face was raised, he kissed her cheeks one by one, down to her lips. Then, he spent a long time kissing her lips languidly until the crying turned into sniffles.
"Am I in danger of breaking your heart Hermione?" he murmured in a low voice, lips only a touch away from her face.
She whimpered, but didn't open her eyes, still afraid to look at him.
"Oh, please say I am darling," he rumbled, kissing her again and trying not to smile in happiness when she was so distraught. "I so want to be."
Her eyes opened at that, and he finally did smile at her before kissing her lips again, still holding her head between his palms. When they finally came up for air, she had ceased crying for a while and was gazing up at him, enraptured.
He rested his forehead on hers as he spoke in a low, melodious tone. "I told you my intentions were to win your heart, to make you mine, and those have not changed. I would give you the world if I had but the world to give."
Hermione blushed and gave him a small smile, her eyes shining.
Who else had ever, ever looked at him like that? Like he was… beautiful, even?
Still, she looked unsure. Hesitant. Worried about something.
"Wait here." He kissed her lips quickly. "Don't go anywhere." Kiss. "I mean it." He kissed her again before disentangling from her gently, leaving the room, and thumping quickly down the stairs. He was back from the basement within a minute, finding Hermione wiping her eyes and sitting up on the bed.
He came back to the bed and sat in front of her so that she had no choice but to face him.
"I give you my most prized possession, Hermione. The most valuable thing I own." He placed something in her hands as he met her eyes fiercely. "This is proof of my intentions. Do not question my motives any longer."
She looked down at her hands and saw the shining golden-yellow, orange, and red of the Firebird feather.
"You have been my protector, a sweet blessing to me," he said softly, moving closer to her.
She looked up at him in wonder, meeting his dark eyes with her lighter ones.
"You are my Firebird," he rumbled before kissing her heatedly.