AN: Alright so now we get to go shopping. And I need a little help. I need a baby boy's name that begins with an "S" I have the girls name that I like, but I can't think of a boy's name that I like. So send me your suggestions and I will pick my favorite and you will be mentioned in my next AN. Anyway back to the story.
Hermione was in awe when she walked into Lil' Wizards and Me. There were so many different sets to choose from. This is going to be hard. I don't know what the baby is so how can I pick a set. They are all so cute.
"Can I help you Madam…" a young woman came up to her.
"Snape, Madam Snape." Hermione turned and looked up at the girl. "Cho Chang is that you?"
Cho looked at Hermione oddly, "Do I know you from somewhere?"
Hermione mentally kicked herself, "Umm.. probably not. My husband works at Hogwarts and when we were courting I was invited to some of the games. You were the seeker for Ravenclaw correct? You were amazing."
Cho thought for a moment, " Are you Professor Snape's wife?"
"Yes I am, we are expecting our first child. I am so excited."
"I never thought the Professor would want children, he was always so mean to us in class."
"The Professor you know is someone completely different then the man that I married."
"Alright, lets get started. Now what's the sex of the baby?"
"We want it to be a surprise, what if we do reds and greens?"
"Slytherin and Gryffindor? Were you a Gryffindor?"
"Yes I was, I was four years behind Severus. Sometimes I still can't believe I married a Slytherin."
"I bet the Professor thinks the same thing, not to change the subject but what colour wood, would you like?"
"I love dark woods, and that would go with both a girl and a boy so how about a medium oak?"
"Alright, now lets look at styles, anyone you like I can charm to be oak you just have to tell me if you want it darker or lighter the first time. I can remember it after that."
"I was thinking that the fabrics be a crème colour, reds and greens would be too dark I think. Maybe accents but not for bedding."
"Alright lets start, from cribs we will move to changing tables, to rockers, to dressers then off to clothes for both baby and mummy."
Hermione looked down at the amount she just spent. How she could spend so much money in one place at one time was beyond her. Remind me not to let Cho design any other room in my house… My house when did I start calling it that? Looking at her watch she noticed she had a good hour and a half before dinner. Mentally she began a list of presents she needed to get.
Harry would like something Quidditch and maybe a new scarf set, something not Gryffindor. Dumbledore was always fun and easy, she would be able to get his almost anywhere. Severus was the problem, she had no idea what to get him.
Walking past the Christmas store she decided to go in. She had a tree to decorate for which meant new everything for it. She decided on an angel, at home she always had a star on the tree and she never thought it was special enough. Walking down where the ornaments were she stopped in front of two ornaments that screamed out at her.
They were a flask with some kind of green potion in it and a caldron with the same potions. Picking them up she put them in the basket, she would have Severus name printed on them a little later. She saw another one that she really liked, it was two snakes in the shape of a heart and it said "First Christmas Together". Picking it up she looked at it again. There wasn't any thing that said "With Love" or "Love You" on it So it was alright.
"OMG that's perfect for Dumbledore." Hermione stopped in front of a Willy Wonka ornament she found in the muggle section of the store. It was the process of making Lemon Drops. From picking the lemons to one of the workers eating a finished product. It was larger then normal and didn't seem like it would look good on a tree, but this was Dumbledore he probably would keep it on his desk or something. Picking it up she headed to the front of the store to have them inscribed and to pay for them.
Walking out of the store Hermione checked her watch again. She had a good solid half hour before she had to be at Lady Medusa's. Severus and Harry were still on her list of presents she needed to buy. Looking around she walked into Artifacts and Magic. Hoping that she would find something for either of them.
Hermione reached Lady Medusa's almost a half hour after she was supposed to meet Severus. Luckily he made sure they were going to meet up before they needed to be in the restaurant or they would have lost their table. "I am so sorry, Cho works at Lil' Wizards and Me and she made me try on a ton of clothes before she let me go."
Severus let out the breath he had been holding. "You should have given me a message. I was starting to get worried." Severus held out his arm, "Shall we eat, I'm starting to get hungry."
"Yes, I am afraid if I don't eat soon the glamour will drop and I don't need that right now." Accepting his arm she was led into the front door.
"Welcome to Lady Medusa's my name is Penelope Clearwater may I have your name please?" Penelope welcomed them to the restaurant. "It's about an hour wait. Would you like to be put on the hold list."
"No Ms. Clearwater, I have a 5:30 reservation. Look under greasy dungeon bat." Severus rolled his eyes, how could she not know who he was.
"Professor, I am sorry I didn't recognize you. I'm working a double shift today. I don't really pay that much attention to who comes in. Please follow me I will show you to your table. Katie will be your waitress, she will be around in a few minutes to take a drink order for you." Penny put the menu's down and turned towards the couple. "Would you like me to take your cloaks? I'll put them in the back so that no one can take them."
Hermione began to take hers off, "I would like to hold on to mine, I get cold really easily."
"How about yours Professor? I'll put it near mine so no one will bother it." Penny looked at her ex Professor, for some reason he still scared her. "I promise nothing will happen to it."
Severus sighed, "Alright, I won't be needing it but I better get it back when I leave or I will put up a problem."
Penny nodded, "I promise sir you will get it back. I will bring it back personally if you would like." Taking Severus' cloaks she began to make her way back to the front of the restaurant to as Severus put it harass more customers.
"Is it 'Lets annoy Professor Snape Day', all I keep seeing is ex students. It's like they all knew today was the day I was going out."
"I am sure it was just by sheer luck that they get you as their customer. I don't think any of them would be to trilled if you came out every night. You scare them, I am almost positive that they are all back there fighting about who wants to come out and take our order. Oh look shrimp cocktail, can I get that first?"
Severus laughed, "You change subjects almost as quickly as Albus changes passwords."
Hermione stopped looking at her menu and looked up to see Severus smiling. "How come there aren't any prices on this menu?"
"It's because they know that the people who come here will pay what ever price they set for them when they get the bill. Now pick what you want so that when Ms. Bell gets here she can take our order."
"Welcome to Lady Medusa's, My name is Katie and I will be your server for tonight. Can I get your drink order or do you need more time… Oh hello Professor." Katie walked up to the table pulling out a pen out of one of the many pockets of her apron.
"I will have a glass of your best red wine, and my wife will have…"
"Can I get a tall glass of water, and a tall glass of lemonade please. Oh and an order of Shrimp Cocktail." Hermione answered never looking up from the menu. "And an order of biscuits."
"Alright so it's a glass of red wine, a tall lemonade and a tall water. As for starters you want an order of Shrimp Cocktail and biscuits. Anything else." Katie repeated back, "I would also like to congratulate you on your wedding sir. I didn't know you were even seeing anyone."
"It was a fast courtship, we haven't been married that long." Severus answered looking over at Hermione who finally put her menu done.
"Katie where would the ladies room be?" Hermione asked standing up, putting her hand on her stomach she waited for Katie to answer.
"OH congratulations on that too Professor. One fire whiskey coming up… it's on the house sir so don't argue with me. The ladies room is going to be done this walk way and your first door on you left." Katie smiled at the couple. "Wow Professor that was fast, wanted to make sure you could keep her I see."
Hermione smiled and left the table, leaving Katie and Severus to their own devices.
"Yes, we were married before we found out she was pregnant. We just recently found out."
"Well I'll have your drinks out in a few minutes, and it's free fire whiskey for you sir all night. Just let me know when you need another one." Katie walked away talking to herself happily.
"You left me alone with her," Severus looked up from the menu just as Hermione made her way back to the table. "Why?"
"Because I had to pee, it wasn't my fault. Ever since I found out I was pregnant I have to use the bathroom all the time." Hermione sat down. "So have you decided what you are going to get?"
"I was thinking the shrimp and lobster fettuccini, with a side order of fried oysters. How about you?"
"I was thinking about the crab and lobster ravioli, or the shrimp tortellini. They both sound good."
"Get them both, you can always take it home for later. All you have to do is ask Pop or Krispie to reheat it for you and you'll have it in a flash. By the way where is all the stuff you brought at the baby store?"
"Oh I had them floo it all over, don't worry I wrote down the address and threw it into the floo before the stuff went through. No one knows the actual address of your house. I think Pop and Krispie have a lot to do now, since they have a nursery to do."
Katie walked by with a try of drinks. In front of Severus she put down the shot of fire whiskey and the red wine. In front of Hermione she put her glass of lemonade and a wine glass full of water with a red rose on the bottom. The glass it's self had the same symbol as the menus. "The glass is for you along with the rose, think of it as a late wedding gift. Oh please don't cry."
Hermione couldn't hold it in anymore, it was the nicest thing anyone had done for her since she got pregnant. Well besides Severus marrying her. "Thank you so much, it was so nice of you. I don't' think anyone has been this nice to me since I have found out, except Severus." Hermione grabbed her napkin and wiped her eyes. "Thank you Katie."
"Don't mention it, now why don't we get some food into you. I'm sure all three of you are hungry. I'll start with you madam, what can I get you?" Katie pulled out her pen and paper again.
"I want an order of the crab and lobster ravioli and an order of shrimp tortellini please."
"Alright, and for you sir?" Katie quickly wrote down Hermione's order.
"I want the shrimp and lobster fettuccini and a side order of fried oysters. Could I also get an order of raw oysters?"
"Would you like the plate or the tray?" Katie asked looking down at him.
"I will take the plate, that has how many on it?" Severus closed his menu.
"Six sir," Katie answered turning around to see another one of the servers bring out the biscuits and Hermione's starter. Katie quickly took it from the male server and placed them on the table in front of Hermione. Who got all excited as soon as it was down. "So you want the plate sir?"
"Yes, and could I have a glass of water also." Severus grabbed a shrimp from the glass.
"Yes sir, I'll put this in right away. If there is anything I can get for you please let me know." Katie picked up the menu's and walked back to the front to drop them off for Penny.
"Your eating my shrimp Severus," Hermione whined as she grabbed another one before he did. "If you wanted some you should have ordered some of your own."
"Hermione believe me you will be full, we will most likely have to have the rest of dinner sent home. Believe me I'm not eating them so you can't, and I didn't think you were going to hog them all." Severus grabbed another one right from under Hermione's hand. After depositing it in his mouth he picked up his shot glass, "To the baby" he said as he finished it quickly. "I think one will be enough, we still have a tree to pick out."
"Oh before I forget, I went to that Christmas store and brought a few things to put on the tree. Oh before I forget and wrap it I want to show you want I got Dumbledore, if you want I can put your name on it too." Hermione went for her cloak, putting her hand in one of the inside pockets she pulled out the red tissue paper wrapped ornament. "It just screamed Dumbledore when I saw it." Unwrapping it she handed it to Severus so he could get a better look.
Severus looked down at the weird shaped ornament, "For some reason I get the point of it yet I don't."
"Its from a muggle book, which was later made into two movies. They are making lemon drops."
Severus looked at it again, finally as if the whole thing just clicked on in his head he started laughing. "He will enjoy this, yes put my name on it too. I want to actually see him open this one usually we just get each other crazy socks."
"But you only wear black socks, what did you do with all the other ones he gives you?"
"I re-gift them, he never remembers which ones he gives me the year before, so when Christmas comes along again, he gets the pair he give me. I actually have the ones from last year ready to be wrapped."
"Speaking of wrapping, I picked up some more paper. It's just plain red, green and gold. Nothing fancy. I also picked up bows and ribbon to finish them. I have quite a few things to wrap."
"That's fine by me, I might use some later on. I still have a couple of gifts left to get. Potter, I am not sure what to get for him."
"I am sure Harry isn't expecting a gift from you, so if you were to get him one I am sure he will like it anyway. I got him a Quidditch ornament, it has his number and everything."
"I am sure he will enjoy that when he gets his own tree." Severus picked up his fork and began to eat his pasta. "I got something for the baby, it was hard since I wasn't sure if I should get something for a boy or a girl so I picked the one I thought would be fine for either sex."
Hermione put her fork down and looked over at her husband, "You didn't need to get the baby anything. It won't see this Christmas anyway."
"I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to. But by next Christmas I am sure it will be used up well. Now lets finish, I want to get the tree before it gets dark."
Hermione nodded her agreement and went back to her raviolis, which were a lot better then she thought they were going to be. After she finished those and began to move onto her tortalinii Katie came by to check on everything.
"How are we doing here? Are we going to need a few boxes to take home?" She asked looking over at Severus.
"Could you put another order of the raviolis on the bill, but I want it as a to go order. Other then that I am ready for the check, and yes we will need two boxes." Severus checked his pocket watch it was almost 7:30 already. By the time he got everything paid for and flooed both home and Hogwarts it was going to be late when they got there. As long as they both had their wands getting their tree wouldn't be a problem. Neither would be getting Potter outside, he was trying to get along with him for Hermione's sake.
"Severus I am done, I am going to run to the restroom again before we leave. Can you put this in a box for me please." Hermione's voice broke him out of his thought process.
"Yes, I'll make sure it's all taken care of and sent home. I am going to floo Hogwarts and let Dumbledore know of our arrival, and see if he will let Potter outside for a little while. Remember how big my house is when picking a tree. Nothing huge, it won't fit."
Hermione nodded before getting up from her chair, "I know severus, how can I forget this is the first time I have really been out of there for four months." Placing her napkin on the back of her chair she walked over to the restroom.
"Here you go Professor, I boxed up the ravioli for you. Would you like me to box the rest for you?" Katie put the to go boxes on the table, picking up Hermione's plate she scraped it into the box. Putting both boxes into a bag she handed Severus the bill, "If you just stamp your seal here, total it here and sign it there I will take care of the rest. Have a wonderful night, and I hope your holiday is a good one." Katie smiled and walked off towards the kitchen. She had other tables to serve and could afford to be extra special to only one of them.
Severus opened the folded parchment and looked at the total, it wasn't as bad as he thought. Signing his name he added a quite generous tip to it. Laying it down he picked up the bag and walked towards the floo. "Snape Manor" picking up some floo powder he sent the bag through. Waiting a minute before adding a little less powder to it he flooed the Headmaster, who like he thought was happy to let Harry out in the woods at night. Getting up off the floor he walked back to the table, where Hermione was standing looking around for him.
"Oh there you are, I wasn't sure where you went. Silly me I knew you had to floo the Headmaster." Picking up her cloak she began to put it on, only to be stopped by Severus.
"Let me help you, I am not used to this but I want it to be more like a normal couple. The whole helping the lady into her seat or cloak. Speaking of cloak I have to get mine from Ms. Clearwater." Grabbing Hermione's hand he walked up to the where Penny was standing. "Ms. Clearwater I need my cloak please."
Penny nodded and walked into the back room, returning quickly with Severus' cloak. "By the way it's Mrs. Weasley now, Percy and I got married this summer. Have a pleasant night, and a Happy Christmas." Penny handed Severus' cloak and bid Hermione a goodbye.
"Shall we leave for Hogwarts now?" Severus was stopped when Hermione stopped walking in front of him. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know, but for some reason I feel odd. Why wouldn't Percy tell his family he had gotten married? And why did Penny seem darker then normal, like she was hiding something? It might have just been me. Sorry lets go." Hermione reached for Severus' hand only to be pulled into his embrace.
"Remember side apperation, do keep your eyes closed this time? Hogwarts gates alright? Unless you want to walk for Hogsmeade." Severus leaned down and kissed Hermione right before apperating out.
AN: I'm sorry, I made that chapter probably much longer then I needed too. But it was so much fun to write. Anyway so Hogwarts first thing next chapter.