"I don't think this is necessary," Hermione said, annoyed.
Severus was holding out green winter robes and a brown fur cloak.
"You'll catch a chill in that," said Severus nodding at the brown and white striped dress she was wearing. It had no sleeves. It showed her knees. The neckline even revealed that fascinating little freckle just over her-
"They're used to clothing like this, Hermione," said Severus grasping at straws.
"Oh," replied Hermione remembering Pieter's attention. "I didn't think of that."
She moved behind her dressing screen. It reminded Hermione of something out of the Victorian era. It was pale yellow with pink roses painted on it. Anastasia insisted on the six-paneled obstruction because she said the area was too masculine and needed lightening up. Hermione slipped out of the dress her mother had given her and stepped into the robes Severus had presented her with.
They were light although thick and made of a soft material. She rubbed the material between her fingers and made a mental note to ask Severus about it later.
"Better?" asked Hermione. The garments had form to them, but had a high collar and the skirt fluttered to her feet.
"Very much," said Severus, holding out her cloak. She took it from him and caught it with a clasp in the shape of a silver teardrop.
"Thank you," answered Hermione. "Are we Apparating?"
"No," said Severus. "Floo." He pointed his wand at the fireplace and flames leaped in the hearth. He walked over to the fireplace and tossed in a handful of loose brown powder. The flames turned green and crackled.
Anna jumped as the flames rose in the hearth behind her. She smiled as her husband's cousin stepped through the flames and gave her a smile. She always liked it when he smiled; he was so handsome but managed it so seldom it was a tiny thrill when he did.
Severus saw Anna set a hand on her swollen stomach and wince. He went to her and held her arm.
"Is it time?" he exclaimed, his voice high.
Anna scowled at him. She had large brown eyes and black straight hair pulled back into a large bun. Kohl darkened her eyes and her lips rouged. Her light brown skin shone in the firelight.
"You are as bad as Pieter," Anna said in barely understandable English to Hermione's ear. "I have done this before, you remember." She whacked him with the wooden spoon she was holding.
The kitchen was small. Small brown tiles covered the walls floor and ceiling. Large wooden cabinets and bins lay above and below the counter that lined the walls. A large cast iron wood burning stove creaked and bubbling noises came from it. An assortment of pots rested on the top of it.
"Good," Anna said, reaching out to take Hermione's hand and pull her closer. "You brought someone useful, for a change. Can you stir a cauldron?"
"Yes," said Hermione receiving Anna's friendly hug.
"Good, then you can stir a pot," said Anna handing Hermione a wooden spoon, steering her to the stove and taking Hermione's cloak from her. "Severus, Pieter is into the vodka. Stop him before he sings."
"Does he?" Hermione laughed stirring a pot of deep red soup. Severus hurried out of the room.
"The children think it is amusing and encourage him," Anna said sitting on a wooden chair near the small wooden table. "They sound like werewolves in pain."
"I'm sorry," said Hermione chuckling.
"I would not normally mind," said Anna admittedly. "But I have been of short temper as of late."
"I can imagine," said Hermione nodding at Anna's midsection.
"This will be the last," said Anna firmly. "Any more and he will have his own army." She paused. "Thank you for helping."
"Not a problem," Hermione said handing Anna a biscuit from a basket hanging from a hook.
"Sometimes I get so busy I forget to eat," Anna admitted.
"Really?" Hermione asked, not surprised at all.
Anna smiled. She liked this girl. She would be good for Severus.
0
Severus shook his head as he walked into Pieter's den. He was doing the can-can by himself as he browsed a bookshelf with a small tumbler in one hand.
"SEV-EH-UH-EH-UH-EH-UH-EH-UH!" shrieked a Tarzan yell from a corner.
"Well goodness, young man," said Severus amused as he scooped up his young cousin. "How terrifying you are!"
"I am five," the small child said in perfect English. "And my name is Misha Titov."
"Your English is very good, Misha Titov," said Severus. "What did you get for your birthday this year?"
"A training broom," he began. Severus winced. "Books about the stars, Quidditch, and an Atlas."
"Exciting," said Severus, his eyebrows raised.
"Smatrets, Misha!" said a voice from a corner. "Bulgaria!" Misha squirmed to be put down.
"Severus!" boomed Pieter. Anna was right; he needed no more vodka. "How kind of you to join us for dinner!"
Severus embraced his cousin.
"Your little ones are growing," remarked Severus.
"They are five, three and two," said Pieter proudly looking at the dark-haired children piled in a corner pouring over an Atlas. "Misha, Nadja and Tatiana. So far only Misha speaks English, but the little ones are picking it up."
"I'm sorry to be a burden," said Severus embarrassedly.
"They would learn eventually," said Pieter dismissively. "We spoke English when you were young. There was no reason for you to learn."
"You're not much older than me," said Severus annoyed, taking Pieter's glass away from him and taking a drink.
"Half a decade," said Pieter walking over to a counter with bottles lines up on it. "Anna is almost two decades younger than me. Seventeen years."
"I keep forgetting," said Severus walking over to the bottles to monitor Pieter.
"It is better to wed them young," said Pieter with a gleam in his eye as he poured his cousin a drink. "They put up with more mischief. Then again, you know that, don't you Severus?"
"That was not why I wed Miss Granger, and you know it."
"So, she is 'Miss Granger' now," Pieter said laughed. "You are in denial, Severus."
0
Hermione sat at the dining room table between Nadja and Severus. Pieter led a prayer and they began to eat.
Nadja was set on telling Hermione the events of the day and wasn't one bit put off that Hermione didn't speak a word of Russian.
Tatiana stared at Hermione with wide green eyes and played with her spoon most of the meal. She was fascinated with Hermione's hair.
For desert, little fruitcakes were served by Misha, before he sat to play the grand piano.
Pieter was tired and content after dinner, sinking into a velvet couch with a pleasant smile on his face. Hermione held the glass of vodka in front of her, sipping infrequently. Anna put the girls to bed and told them she was going to bed herself.
Talk of Quidditch turned to fishing, and Misha retired to bed before long.
"Did you bring the documents?" asked Severus when it was just the three of them.
"Yes, yes," said Pieter waving a hand at him. "There are many, though. It will take you time to go through them."
Pieter walked over to his desk and opened a drawer. He pushed at the bottom of one drawer and the bottom swing up. He reached into the hidden compartment and brought out a large package wrapped in brown paper.
"Be careful with them," said Pieter warningly. "If they are lost—"
"Nothing will happen to them," assured Severus. "I will make sure of it." He tucked the package into his robes.
"I have something for you," said Pieter to Hermione. He handed her a blue envelope.
"What's this?" Hermione turned over the envelope. There was a green ivy seal. She broke it and the air around the envelope shimmered.
Madam Hermione Snape,
At the request of the English Ministry of Magic we invite you to partake in an information exchange between our countries. Your presence is welcomed at the Bibliothecha oo Amazon.
Sincerely yours,
Madam Inessa Ladislav
"The Amazons are even worse than the Brotherhood at guarding their information," Severus said warily.
"They took the Dark Lords invasion into what they see as their territory as a personal insult," said Pieter, his eyes darkening.
"Approximate Amazon army size?" Severus asked curiously, opening the top on the packet of papers and peeking in.
"Three hundred strong, and that is just their tower forces," said Pieter. "Could you imagine three hundred insulted women looking for you?"
Severus let out a snort. Hermione giggled to herself.
"I still do not feel sorry for him, mind you," said Pieter waving a finger at Severus as he poured more vodka in Hermione's glass. "I am just saying it is not a place where I would want to be."
"Indeed," said Severus closing the end of the packet. The Dark Lord may have bitten off more than he could chew. He was weakened and hiding, yet caught the attention of the original militant feminist organization. Not to mention the most respected elite forces unit in the world. A wild part of Severus imagined this may be fantastic to watch.
Severus and Hermione eventually Floo'd back to their kitchen, and Hermione set down the basket of leftovers Pieter had insisted on giving them. A house-elf hopped up on a chair opposite her and Hermione jumped back into Severus.
"Cherv will take that for you, Madam," he said, bowing.
"Thank you," said Hermione. The elf hopped down and trotted to the pantry with the basket.
Hermione lowered a look at Severus.
"We'll talk in the morning," he groaned sleepily.