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CHAPTER SIXTEEN – A DAY OUTSIDE
As soon as the double doors shut, Narcissa came forward to greet them, or rather Severus. She did offer Hermione a tight smile but nothing else. Considering, Hermione felt it was a very civil gesture and tried her best to return it. Narcissa motioned them to follow her and Hermione kept her place somewhat in Severus' shadow, trying to keep her head down, but there was so much to look at. She kept trying to imagine Draco growing up in a place like this. It would explain a lot.
"Let's get you settled," Narcissa said as they began to climb the main stairs, "Then once you're put up, lunch will be served. You have free reign, of course, Severus, but the Dark Lord wants you here until his plans move forward."
Narcissa opened a door for them on the third floor near the end of the hall, letting Severus then Hermione pass through. Narcissa nodded and smiled at Severus then left, shutting the door of the room. Hermione let out a long breath. The room was quite large, and it took Hermione a moment to adjust to the lavish simplicity of it. A huge four poster bed was planted in the middle of the room against the opposite wall, to their left a large window graced the room with afternoon light. Each side of the bed had a side table and a lamp atop it. To their right, a nook was set up with two chairs and a table, semi filled and decorated bookshelves surrounded the nook on three sides. Stepping deeper into the room, they could see the full bath in the corner adjacent to the window and two large closet doors in the corner by the nook. It was sparsely decorated but cozy enough; Hermione thought it was infinitely better than the dank room in the abandoned house.
"We're both staying in here?"
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"I see." Part of her had hoped that getting out of Bellatrix' grasp meant she might get her own private space again. But on the other hand, she was accustomed to sharing a much smaller space with Severus, and she'd rather be near him anyway in this house.
"You can unpack that infernal bag if you wish. Tomorrow we can go to Knockturn Alley for any necessities." Severus crossed over to the bathroom and shut the door; a moment later Hermione heard the shower running. That was an excellent idea.
She moved over to the closet and pulled out the single set of robes she had brought and her sleeping clothes and put them away. She would definitely like more clothes than what she had. She pulled out what was left of her potions, salves, her toothbrush and paste, and then tucked the bag into the bottom of the closet. She wouldn't need her muggle clothes or research books here. She sat with her handful of things in one of the chairs by the nook and waited. When Severus exited the shower, just in his slacks, boots, and white button down, Hermione smiled and went in after him. She put away the potions and salves and took her turn in the shower. It was luxurious. When she came back out, Severus was fully dressed, billowing robe included.
"I'm going to go down to the lunch. You'll have yours up here."
"For every meal?"
"For now, yes."
Hermione nodded and watched as Severus left the room. Hermione had been counting on company, even if it was the Malfoys, but eating three meals alone a day sounded excessive. She sighed and went back to the nook and looked at the few book titles on the shelves. None of them sounded particularly appealing or relaxing so Hermione just sat on one of the chairs and waited. Eventually, an elf popped into the room and eyed her cautiously, before placing the lunch on the little table and disappeared again. Well, at least the elf didn't mutter obscenities constantly like Kreacher did. Hermione ate alone in silence. It seemed like she waited forever after her dishes had been cleared for Severus to return but when he didn't, Hermione changed into her leggings and tank top and went to bed. She was more exhausted than she thought.
SHSHSH
Severus descended the many stairs and wandered into the dinning room, elegantly decorated but Severus noticed that Narcissa was losing some of her touch. He sat where he usually sat as a guest, across from Draco with Narcissa and Lucius at the ends of the table. To say it was uncomfortable would've been an understatement. Lucius was ragged, his long hair oily and tangled. He had dark shadows under his eyes and rough, unattractive stubble spreading across his jaw. There were two reasons Lucius never grew a beard, it wasn't elegant enough to replace his edgy jawline, and he couldn't grow one, as shown by his patchy stubble. Draco only looked a touch better, at least he looked like he still gave a damn about his appearance, but he too had dark circles and looked permanently nervous. Narcissa was the best of the three, and the most communicative. Lucius tried to be a part of the conversation too but most of what he said was nonsense, the tense ramblings of a mad man. Lucius had clearly lost his mind along with his status with the Dark Lord.
Once lunch was done and taken away by the elves, Severus took a drink in the sitting room with Narcissa. "Lucius does not look well."
"Our family has fallen from grace in the Dark Lord's eyes since Draco's failure and it has only declined with Lucius' failures and attitude."
"I am sorry, Narcissa."
She offered him a sad smile in return. "Don't worry Severus, some day we will fix this. The Malfoys are a strong family."
"With you clearly the strongest."
Narcissa had the grace to turn her head aside in embarrassment. "That's the thing about wives and mothers; they are strong in their silence since the must be the adhesive of the family."
They finished their afternoon drinks in relative silence before Severus retreated back up the stairs; he was getting tired and weary. When Severus entered the bedroom he was surprised to see the lights were off and he lit his wand, eternally grateful to have magic back; in the bed he could see a form huddled in the blankets. A strange feeling pulsed in his chest at the sight of the sleeping figure. Relief maybe? He wasn't sure. He sighed and put out the light from his wand and dressed down to his briefs and the borrowed t-shirt. Tomorrow when they went to the stores he would have to get real sleeping clothes, especially as they continued to share a space. He climbed into the bed and turned on his side to stare at Hermione's sleeping face. Before he knew it, he too was asleep.
SHSHSH
Hermione woke with the rising sun and stretched, bumping into Severus rather quickly. She retracted her hand and glanced over. He wasn't all the way near the opposite edge of the bed like usual, he was closer to the middle. She took a minute to look at him, laying on his side. His hair had fallen across his face. One elbow was tucked under his cheek and the other pale hand was splayed out on the pillow next to his head. He had long elegant fingers and she was transfixed by them for a moment. During all the summer Hermione had never seen him sleep on his side. Impulsively she reached out to brush the hair from his face but as soon as her fingertips touched his brow ridge his hand lashed out and gripped her wrist; relaxing only when his eyes opened and he saw her.
"What are you doing?"
"I- erm. I don't know."
"Kindly remove your hand."
Hermione gave her arm a little tug and when she was met with resistance, Severus released her hand like an afterthought.
"Are we going to the shops today?" Hermione asked to change the subject.
"Yes. Breakfast first and then we shall leave."
"Am I eating up here again?"
"Yes."
"Because they don't want a mudblood eating at their table."
"Don't call yourself that. That and nor can they have you. Imagine the Dark Lord appearing to see that."
"I suppose I prefer the privacy."
"Good girl." He said flatly and swung himself out of the bed to dress and preform his morning absolutions. He nodded at her before exiting the room and shutting the door.
Hermione rose slowly, stretching as she did so. The bed here was so comfortable she could stay in it all day, but she really did want a change of clothes; maybe restock some of her potions. She also wanted to be out in the world, to see something other than the four walls of a room. The elf cracked into the room before Hermione actually got out of the bed and gave her another strange look. Slowly, as if waiting for another command, the elf approached her, summoned a tray and placed the plates in front of her on the bed. Hermione thanked the elf who didn't respond and cracked away. Hermione sighed and dove into her breakfast. It would also be nice to talk to someone who wasn't Severus, but she really didn't think there was a good way that could happen. Once she finished eating, she got up and started to change into her only pair of robes.
Severus finished his breakfast quickly, trying not to get caught in another long discussion with Lucius or Narcissa. He spoke a little with Draco, who definitely needed a kick in the pants to get out of his dreary mood but he still made somewhat pleasant company. Once done, Severus went back up to the room to make sure Hermione was ready. He pushed open the door and heard a shout, he whipped out his wand and glanced around, looking for the danger but was only met with the sight of Hermione standing near the closet holding a robe up to her presumably naked form. Severus sighed heavily to mask his own surprise and turned away.
"Get dressed quickly, Miss Granger."
He heard the shuffles and scuffs of her dressing in a hurry and tried his damnedest to focus on the trees outside of the window instead of pulling the image of her standing there from his memory. But he was drawn to the ghostly outline of her bare shoulders and the curve of her hip dancing just inside his eyes. Bloody hell.
"I'm ready." She said quietly.
Severus spun on his heal and exited the room, Hermione scurrying after him. At the bottom of the stairs, Narcissa stopped them to ask Severus if Hermione was well, the elf had served her breakfast in bed. Severus snapped out that she was quite well and ushered Hermione outside to the apparition point. Hermione had never been so relieved to see Knockturn Alley in her life. She made to step out of the dark alleyway in which they apparated but Severus stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"You can't go out there looking like a member of the Golden Trio."
"What do you suggest?"
"I can do a glamour on your face and hair."
Hermione nodded and Severus pulled out his wand, and after a pause, waved it at her. He dipped his head once in satisfaction and they headed out of the alley and made their way through the main path and to a robe store; Monsieur DeLair's Robes for Intent. Hermione had really no idea what that meant but she caught her reflection in the dark windows, her hair had been turned an alarming shade of platinum blonde and the perfectly straight locks were fastened into a bun. Her nose was aquiline, her eyes a sharp shade of blue, her jawline sharper. Curious.
"Master Snape, it is a pleasure to see you in our shops again. What can I do for you and…?"
"Madam Carlyle. For me the usual, but I require new sleeping clothes."
"Of course, sir. I will have my son help Madam Carlyle."
The man, who Hermione assumed was Monsieur DeLair smiled and nodded at Hermione then followed Severus as he billowed toward the back of the shop. As if on cue, a younger man appeared from the shadows. Hermione guessed he was only a bit younger than Severus, dressed in well-tailored clothes, with fine, almost effeminate features and curly black hair combed back from his face. He also had shocking violet eyes that gave Hermione an uneasy feeling. He floated from around the corner and extended his hand which Hermione shook briefly and politely.
"I am Julian. This must be your first time here, or I would remember such a face." He smiled flirtatiously. "Come, I will show you what we have."
Julian showed Hermione the robes around the shop, gathering some in a floating line behind him before he ushered her behind a curtain to try everything on. She heard movement on the other side of the curtain and when she emerged, all three men were standing there around the mirrors. Hermione straightened her shoulders and turned to the mirror and looked at herself in the midnight blue robes. They looked marvelous. But the kinds of robes Julian had shown her were too expensive, robes that a pureblood with old money might buy. She shook her head and walked back towards the curtain, the moment her hand wrapped around it to pull it aside, she heard Severus' voice.
"Gentlemen, may I please have a moment alone with Madam Carlyle?"
The DeLairs slowly extracted themselves from the dressing area and regrouped at the counter out front. Hermione watched the unnerving way they moved then turned her eyes to Severus, who was approaching her.
"What is it?"
"Is what?"
"You shook your head, do you disapprove?"
Immediately Hermione's hands smoothed over the robes, "No they're wonderful but I don't have that kind of money." She blushed furiously at the confession.
"I see."
After a long pause where Severus simply stared at her, he swooped to the front of the shop and said something to the men then sat in a chair up front to wait. Hermione watched in confusion as Julian returned to her area. He had a strange smile on his lips, like he was pleased with himself. He motioned for Hermione to return to the platform in front of the mirrors and waved his wand at the tin box on the floor and Hermione watched as the tap measure and pins started to work themselves into fitting the robes to her.
"Master Snape said to fit you in anything you desired."
The rest of the trip went vaguely the same way, at the shoe shop, where Severus insisted she get at least one pair of work boots (neither said a word when she chose a dragon hide pair nearly exactly like his), and then again at Wizarding Supplies. Severus stopped at Mr Mulpepper's Apothecary then practically had to drag Hermione away from the shelves of dark potions ingredients not typically seen by Hogwarts' students. When they were done for the day, the stopped for lunch at The White Wyvern. As they ate their food, Hermione muttered a quiet and sincere thank you. Severus dipped his head in response.
…
The DeLair's are my own creation but every other shop named I borrowed from the Harry Potter Wikia site.