Love Doesn't Ask why
Chapter 32 - New Year
Severus and Hermione spent the rest of the Christmas Holidays wrapped around one another. The two hardly left each other's side knowing that soon enough Hermione would be returning to New York. Neither spoke of her returning; both pretending the time wouldn't come.
After some persuasion Severus had managed to get Hermione to agree to come to the Malfoy's New Years Ball. Severus usually attended but this year he wanted to celebrate with Hermione by his side. Their first New Years as a couple and the last one as a couple before their baby girl joined them.
Ginny had come over to Spinners End to help Hermione get ready. A few days previously Hermione had managed to untangle herself from Severus and go shopping for an appropriate dress.
'What are you and Harry doing tonight?' Hermione asked as Ginny concentrated on doing Hermione's make up.
'We're staying in a Grimmauld. Just us two.' Ginny said smiling.
'You're staying over?' Hermione asked her friend.
'Mum thinks I'm staying over at Luna's' Ginny said with a smirk.
'I wish Harry would just hurry up and make you his wife.' Hermione said smiling up at her friend.
'He will.' Ginny replied smiling. 'He's already got the ring in his top draw.'
'Oh Gin!' Hermione said brightly. 'That's amazing.'
'He will do it when he's ready.' Ginny said smiling.
A knock on the door of the spare bedroom stopped their conversation in its tracks.
'Can I come in?' A deep voice asked.
'Come in.' Ginny called back as she stepped back from Hermione.
'Hello.' Severus said as he opened the door, his eyes stopping on his beautiful woman.
'Hi.' Hermione said smiling at Severus.
'Well my work here is done.' Ginny said feeling slightly awkward.
'Thanks Ginny.' Hermione said standing up. 'I hope you have a good night.'
"I will.' Ginny said winking as she walked out.
Hermione giggled as her friend left knowing what she had planned for her friend.
Severus walked towards Hermione wrapping his arms around her.
'You look beautiful.' Severus said as he placed a kiss on her cheek minding her lipstick.
'Thank you.' She replied. 'I just need to get my dress on and we can leave.'
Severus and Hermione arrived at Malfoy Manor and made their way to the ballroom. Although Hermione had attended Draco's recent wedding she stopped outside the doors of the Ballroom making Severus worried.
'Alright?' he asked as he held her hand.
Hermione nodded and took a deep breath. 'It's just the nightmares.'
'She can't hurt you anymore.' Severus said pulling her to him. 'She'd dead.'
'Very dead.' She replied looking up at him.
'Exactly.' He replied kissing her lips.
Severus and Hermione entered the ballroom and made their way down the staircase. Severus was aware of the looks they were receiving and was sure it was because of Hermione in that tight fitting white dress she had chosen to wear.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs Severus offered his arm to Hermione who placed her hand upon it.
'I hope you know all these looks are because of you.' He muttered to Hermione.
'I think the woman are looking at you Severus.' Hermione said smirking.
'I'm pretty sure there are women looking at you Hermione.' He replied as he led them over to the bar. 'Virginal white dress my dear, what made you decide on white?'
Hermione giggled. 'It's the only one I liked.' She replied smiling.
'You are no virgin.' He replied as he smirked at her.
'Well no.' Hermione replied.
'It's quite revealing.' Severus said looking at her exposed cleavage.
'I can't help it.' She said smiling as she learned up to him and placed a kiss on his lips.
'I hope we're not interrupting.' Lucius drawled from behind them.
'Good evening Lucius….Narcissa.' Severus said as he turned to see his oldest friend.
'Good Evening Severus…Hermione.' Narcissa replied. 'You're glowing dear.'
'Thank you.' Hermione replied.
'How are you feeling now?' Narcissa asked as Lucius took Severus over to the bar.
'Better.' Hermione replied as she held her clutch bag to her stomach.
'Are you still suffering with sickness? I was terrible with my pregnancies.' Narcissa advised.
'Most mornings.' Hermione replied taking note of Narcissa's comments about pregnancies.
'It normally gets better by 16 weeks.' She replied. 'How far are you now?'
'10 weeks.' Hermione replied looking down at her still flat stomach.
'Do you know what you're having?' Narcissa asked.
'Severus hasn't told you?' Hermione asked.
'Told who what?' Severus asked as he returned to Hermione with a soft drink for her.
'I asked Hermione if you two knew what you were having?' Narcissa asked as Lucius joined her side.
'You haven't said?' Hermione said looking at Severus.
'Haven't had the chance.' Severs replied. 'Well you will be delighted Narcissa, as we are having a girl.'
'Oh wonderful!' Narcissa squealed. 'Oh I can't wait to buy lots of pink for you!'
'Pink and Severus in the same home…I never thought I'd see the day' Lucius smirked.
'Yes well it looks like I will need to embrace it.' Severus replied.
'Any names yet?' Narcissa asked excitedly.
'Give us a chance Narcissa.' Severus replied.
'We haven't even thought of that yet.' Hermione replied. 'She's just baby Snape at the moment.'
'Well you must come over for tea when you're back from New York next for us to talk about baby names! It took Lucius and I months to decide on Draco's name.' Narcissa said.
'That would be nice.' Hermione said feeling slightly awkward at the thought of having tea with Mrs. Malfoy.