Hermione woke late Saturday morning to the aroma of sausage. She shook her curls out and pulled her bed curtain back.
Her windows stood wide and light streamed into the bedroom. A full meal was resting on the lap table close to the bed. A scroll bound with a silver ribbon sat close to her breakfast.
Hermione levitated the service and Crookshanks sniffed at it before Hermione shooed him away. She had a drink of pumpkin juice and reached out for the scroll.
I am going to Hogsmeade today to restock supplies not available last night. Would you accompany me?
Severus
Hermione looked at a clock. Almost 10. She wondered when he planned on leaving. She tucked into her breakfast and went into her bathroom. Afterwards, her damp hair was twisted in a towel and she was picking her robes when a gentle tap at her door rang out.
"Emicoatus," she called out. Severus walked into her rooms and stared at her.
Her cheeks were rosy pink from her bath and her eyes sparkling; the white terry cloth robe stopped mid-shin and her legs and feet bare. Severus remembered young Weasleys' comment earlier, but thrust it from his memory.
"You received my scroll?" Severus asked.
"I'm not quite ready to leave," answered Hermione nervously. "I need to get dressed."
"I wasn't planning on leaving so soon," said Severus. "But it would be better."
Crookshanks jumped off the bed and wound his way around Severus' legs.
"I don't think so," Severus chided the cat. "You can stay here."
Crookshanks seemed to understand. He stalked off, annoyed.
"I'll be prepared shortly," Hermione said.
Severus gave her a quick nod and walked out of her chambers.
0
"It's not even a Hogsmeade weekend!" complained Ron.
"I know," said Hermione, struggling not to smirk.
"Bring us back sweets," suggested Harry.
"I will," promised Hermione.
"And the new book on Bulgarian Defense Strategies," added Ron, fishing in his robes for money.
"Never thought you'd ask me to pick up a book for you," Hermione said pocketing his coins.
"Pygmy Puff Treats for Arnold!" Ginny added excitedly. Hermione nodded.
"We'll need that book to win the cup from Ravenclaw," said Ron determinedly.
"Just have a good time," said Harry, looking at Ron doubtfully.
"I will."
0
Hermione walked through the door Severus was holding open for her and gazed at the contents of Flourish and Blotts bookstore. She immediately picked up the book Ron had ordered her to get from a display.
"Why?" Severus asked. Hermione told him. He snorted. "It will take more than that to beat Ravenclaw."
"What makes you say that?" Hermione asked huffilly.
"The Watkins girl had a grandfather that managed The Hornets," said Severus.
"Let them think they have a chance." shrugged Hermione. "Is that the replacement girl?"
"Yes," said Severus picking up a volume of Russian history. He tucked it under his arm. "I looked into her family after the game."
"Good day, Severus." A smooth voice spoke behind them. Hermione and Severus turned to see Lucius Malfoy standing behind them. "Madam Snape, what a lovely surprise."
"Lucius," said Severus through gritted teeth.
Hermione drew in a breath.
"Congratulations on your wedding," said Lucius silkily. "I would have congratulated you earlier had you remained at your own reception long enough to receive your guests. How like you Severus."
"I thought a couple was allowed privacy on their wedding night," Hermione snapped unexpectedly.
Both Severus and Lucius stared at Hermione with astonishment.
"I may have underestimated you," said Lucius to Severus. "It only makes sense you would leave early. It was a school night, after all."
Hermione silently burned with fury and she tasted copper as she bit her tongue.
"Arachne sprechen," said Snape with a shake of his wand.
Lucius opened his mouth, but an avalanche of spiders came out of his mouth instead. They scrabbled over his waistcoat and down the front of his trousers. He jumped back in shock.
"Mind your tongue when you're in the presence of a lady," said Severus in a low dangerous tone. Lucius glared at the pair of them before he stalked off.
"What was that?" Hermione asked, completely delighted.
"It will wear off in three or four hours," snorted Severus. "Until then, he won't be able to speak."
"That could be useful," Hermione mused to herself, struggling to remember the movements he made with his wand when he uttered the incantation.
"Don't even think about it," Severus warned.
0
"Wow," said Harry, impressed. He was resting in an armchair in the Gryffindor common room. Ron and Hermione were sitting on the carpet in front of the fire. There was an unusual combination of sweets spread in front of them on a small table.
"Do you remember how to do it?" Ron asked eagerly. He popped an Every-Flavor bean in his mouth and gagged.
"Yes, and I'm not teaching you, so don't ask." She handed Ron a Chocolate Frog and seized her new backpack. She reached into it, past where she should have stopped. "I picked up your book."
"Where'd you get the bag?" Ron asked suddenly.
"Severus," answered Hermione, giving Ron the Quidditch book he had asked for. "We got it at the bookshop—"
"Severus?" asked Ron, hotly. "Getting chummy, are we?"
"Ron," warned Harry.
"It's only a question," Ron said sharply.
"Whether we want it or not, this is going to last a while," replied Hermione as she rustled through her sack of candies. "We have to play nice, whether we want to or not."
Ron was quiet.
"Are you going to petition for a dissolution?" Ron asked hopefully.
"No," Hermione said.
Ron stared at her in shock.
"Oh, come on, Ron," Hermione said exasperatedly. "What if I was put in the hands of a Death Eater? I'll be in the Order!"
"One of us can appeal for you," replied Ron, indicating any of the Gryffindor boys.
"I already discussed this with Neville. It means nothing," said Hermione. "Percy pulled strings so I'd get an option this time, but there's no evidence I will next time, or that someone horrid hasn't already been chosen as a back-up. I'm not taking any chances."
"She's right, Ron," Harry agreed reluctantly.
Ron pushed the unopened Chocolate Frog back on the table and retreated up the stairs to the Boys Dorm without saying good night.
"It's tough for him," remarked Harry apologetically.
"I know," replied Hermione angrily. "But it's not easy on me either."
"I understand," said Harry, getting up and putting an arm around her. "He'll get over it."
"Snape's been generous," said Hermione, drying tears away before they fell. "I have the coolest bathroom in the world."
Harry grinned. "I'll have to look at it someday. Just make certain he's in class so I don't get punished for strolling through a professors' quarters."
"Deal." Hermione grinned.
0
When Hermione got back to her rooms, she found Severus asleep on the sofa under a mountain of scrolls and an orange mass of fur.
Hermione shook her head and whistled quietly. Crookshanks popped his head out of the pile and yawned.
"Bed, Crookshanks," Hermione sighed.
As he stood up a few scrolls fluttered to the carpet. She winced, but Severus didn't wake up. She waved her wand at him and the scrolls gathered themselves up and settled into a pile on the coffee table, then approached his rooms. Then she changed her mind. She had never seen the inside of his personal quarters and concluded she didn't wish to challenge any wards he had set.
Hermione slipped into her room and picked up a blanket slung over a chair in one corner. She slid back into her drawing room and covered Severus with her blanket. He shifted as the blanket settled on him.
A lock of dark hair lay across his brow, his head tilted back. His expression softened in sleep and Hermione stopped to consider him.
He was her husband. It could have been much worse. She had enjoyed their day together. They had browsed bookstores and potion ingredient shops and stopped for curry. That part hadn't been so bad.
She realized she was staring at him and tiptoed back into her rooms to go to bed with Crookshanks.
0
Hermione woke to a loud rapping at her window. She saw a huge eagle owl on her oversized ledge. He was resting on a massive package.
Hermione opened the window, looking at him puzzled.
"Are you lost, handsome boy?" she asked as she scratched him behind his ear tufts. He trilled as she reached out for the invoice:
To: Madam Snape
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Kethol's Book of Experimental Fungi
Hillard's Justification of Dark Arts in Modern Day
A Biography of Merlin
Ulf the Amazing Explains Advanced Rune Work
Percival's Examination of Titanium
1 Magical Never-Loose Bookmark
Paid In Full: Snape Estate
Hermione paled as she stared at the pile of books in front of her. The fungi book alone was fifty galleons. The Biography of Merlin was 'price upon request.'
She studied at the eagle owl, who was preening contentedly.
Did Severus buy these?" Hermione stared in confusion. The owl hooted and flew into her bedroom. He landed on a perch near the ceiling. "Well then," she said, taken aback.
Hermione glanced at Crookshanks who was staring at the owl.
"Crookshanks?" Hermione wavered.
Crookshanks didn't move. Hermione decided it was best to get help.
She went to Severus' door and knocked. When she got no answer, she knocked more firmly.
Hermione was about to knock a third time when it opened.
Severus rubbed his face with the sleeve of his black bathrobe. "It's early."
"Explain that to the enormous owl in my bedroom," answered Hermione.
"What?" asked Severus, instantly awake. Hermione moved out of his way and followed him into her rooms.
His eyes first settled on the open package on the dinner table. He picked up the invoice and groaned.
"There's been a misunderstanding. I would never order anything this expensive!" Hermione said insistently.
"There's been no error," said Severus resignedly. His eyes roamed the bedroom and fell on the owl. "Good morning, Father."