Chapter 4:
The first day of break had finally come, Hermione had said her good-byes to her friends and wished them all a happy holiday. Now she and Severus were on their way to her parent's house. Even though she had her apparation license, Severus still thought it would be best if he held on to her and apparated them both.
Moments after their departure, they were standing outside of her childhood home, but from Hermione's perspective, it was the rotating house of her younger years. She stumbled a bit and almost fell, but thankfully, Severus had caught her.
"Thank you," she said.
"I thought you said that you had your license?"
"I do! It's just different with two people, that's all."
Severus nodded and grabbed his hand in hers. She took it one step further and entwined their fingers. She looked up at him and smiled, and they continued on the way up to the door. They walked so slow that they weren't even halfway up the walk when a yellow lab jumped over the five foot fence.
"Charlie!" Hermione exclaimed.
The dog instantly recognized her and bolted toward her. The dog leaped up and knocked her down to the ground. Severus noted that the lean animal looked very athletic. He knelt down to pet the creature as she continued to drown Hermione with her thick drool.
"Charlie, get in here Now!" an athoritive voice boomed from the house.
The dog immediately stopped her enthusiastic greeting and cowered to the door, where a young man stood with an angry look upon his face. In the meantime, Severus was helping Hermione to her feet.
"Hello Lional!" Hermione called the moment she regained her balance.
"Hey you," he called back, "come on in."
They hustled up the walk way and stepped inside the door. There she began the introductions; "Severus, this is my twin brother, Lional Granger, Lional, this is my future husband Severus Snape." They shook hands politely and then dropped them.
"Where's Mum and Dad, Li?" Hermione asked.
"Mum's at the store and Dad's at the air port picking up the rest of the jolly clan."
"Nice."
They walked into the family room where they were greeted by the most disgusting sight. A very young couple, both no more than sixteen, were making out on the couch. Hermione quietly walked up behind the couch and slapped the boy upside the head.
"Get a ROOM!" she ordered, with a smile on her face.
The boy looked up and had a look upon his face that said retaliation, but instead, his face turned to one of delight.
"Hermione!" the young man jumped up and hugged her tightly, "It's is great to see ya. How is school going?"
"It's going good, Who is this young lady?" Hermione asked.
"This is Annie, we go to school together."
"Hello, I am Hermione, I am Peter's older sister."
"So how have you been, it feels like we haven't' seen you in ages."
"I know, I actually brought some news this time,"
"What?" the boys asked.
"I am getting married, again."
"You're going to have TWO husbands?! Damn girl, you must be popular."
"Very funny; No I got a divorce, he got a bit physical." Both boys looked at her in shock, "Don't worry, you don't' have to kill him, he was banned from our world," she motioned between herself and Severus.
"That's good, and who is this gentlemen?" The boy called Peter asked.
"Oh, silly me, Peter, this is my fiancé Severus Snape. Severus, this is by little brother, Peter."
"You take good care of our girl, alright Mr. Snape?"
"Understood, Mr. Granger."
Just as they dropped hands, a man Severus assumed was Hermione's father came through the door.
"Daddy!" Hermione cried with excitement.
"Hi there my princess," He greeted, scooping her up in his arms. "Did you bring my future son in law with you?"
"Of course, what type of girl do you think that I am?" She replied with a hint of challenge, "Severus, come on over here please. Daddy, this is Severus Snape, the closest to a new addition to this family. Severus this is my father, George Granger."
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir," Severus said politely.
"Don't be silly my boy, call me George. At least until you have married my little girl."
As if on cue, four children came bustling through the door, closely followed by four adults and a baby.
"Hello everyone!" Hermione said. She hugged them all and began the introductions of the parents and children; Tabitha and Rob belonged to Aunt Jean and Uncle Tom, while Tony, Christine and baby Heather belonged to Simon and Leanne.
As if they were in a play and someone was behind the curtains cueing each character into the scene, another woman came through the door with an armful of store sacs. "Hermione dear, it's so nice to see that you made it alright. Could you and your brothers go out and get the rest of the groceries?" The Granger children did as they were told and the job was done quickly. Severus was surprised at how well they all listened.
While the adult children put away the items in the bags the woman approached Severus, "I don't believe that we were introduced, sir." She said in a cheerful, but exhausted voice.
"I am sorry ma'am, I am Severus Snape, Hermione's future husband."
Her eyes filled with tears, "I.. Well I'm Jane, Hermione's mother. It's is nice to finally meet you. Please take care of her, she is my only little girl."
Hermione came through the door looking at her mom, "Mom, what's the plan for dinner on Christmas, I know that you and Molly were discussing plans but I didn't hear anything past that."
"I am not sure dear, if she calls within the next few days you two talk it out and we will figure everything out as we go." Hermione hugged her mother and the group spent the day talking of school and other things.
The day before Christmas, the house was full of people running around in complete madness. The women were in the kitchen cooking, the children were scattered everywhere playing games while the men were busy going from room to room decorating and straitening up for the next day. Severus remembered having this much fun during the holidays the year before he went off to attend Hogwarts, but not after that.
At around two o'clock in the afternoon, there was a timid rapping at the door. Peter got up to answer the door while Annie, Peter's girlfriend stopped what she was doing, smiled, and then turned her attention to Jane, they started up a conversation about different cooking techniques.
"Hey Mum, you finally have someone that you can talk to about recipes, and you can leave me ALONE." Hermione joked from the kitchen sink. Everyone laughed, but it instantly stopped when Peter came back with an older couple.
"Hermione, do you know this couple?" he asked.
"No I don't believe that I do. Are you here for Severus?"
"Why, yes, he invited us." The woman said.
"Hang on for one second please and I will go get him," she said as she dried her hands to leave, "Pete, where were the men working last?"
"Tree."
She nodded and left the room. She later returned with Severus in front of her.
"Mother, Father, I am so thankful that you have come." Severus greeted.
"Oh Severus sweet heart, there is no need for that, you know that we have nothing better to do over the holidays." The woman said, "Now get over here and greet us properly."
Severus did as he was told, but instead of hugging his father, he graciously shook his hand.
"So, Severus, which of these young ladies is our future daughter-in-law?" the man asked as soon as they dropped hands.
"Mother, Father, this is Hermione Granger," he said wrapping an arm around her waist. "Hermione, this is my mother Odessa Snape, and my father, Ryon Snape."
"It's a wonderful pleasure to meet you both, and again, thank you so much for coming."
"Oh, my darling child, you are as bad a Sevy. It truly is not an issue, we were glad when you asked." Odessa cried.
The rest of the greetings and introductions went peacefully; but the second they were over, there was a burst of green flames from the fire place.
"Ello Mione," Ron's face greeted.
"Ron, how are things at the burrow?"
"Noisy. Mum wants to know if you will be joining us for Christmas Dinner. Harry will be here."
"Ron…. I…I can't, my family is here and so is Professor Snape's family."
"What in the hell is Sn… Oh Hermione, I am so sorry that you are being forced to marry him!" Ron gritted through his teeth.
"For your information, Ronald, I chose him. Second of all, I wanted to ask if you and your family wanted to join us here."
Ron's head disappeared for a second before returning again, "She said sure. But she won't make your mom do all the cooking; she will bring some delicious desserts."
"Good, now if you don't mind, I would like to go visit with my family." And Hermione got up to leave.
"But, Mione," Ron pleaded.
"No Ronald, now go away. I will see you tomorrow."
Ron looked slightly hurt but left anyway.