Chapter 6:
The day with her future parents-in-law had gone surprisingly well, the four went to Paris. While the men went off to do whatever it is they do, Odessa took Hermione to the boutique where Pansy and Milly gotten Hermione the gift certificate. The two bought Hermione a set of full-length silk black dress robes with a 'V' neck, and thick straps that just came to the top of the arms. They also bought a few everyday outfits and to Hermione's surprise, a very thin, silk green nightgown, it looked great on her, but looked like a onetime thing.
When Hermione asked what it was for, Odessa simply said, "You will want it for the wedding night dear."
The met back up at the restaurant and ate some lunch. After that, they appeared in front of one of Severus' relative's mansions. They all mingled for a bit, but then they went to different levels and got ready for an evening of romance in Paris.
While Hermione and Odessa had planned on buying a nice set of dress robes that day, Hermione still brought the ones she had been given for Christmas. Odessa and sister, Opal, helped get into them.
When they were all done, Hermione took a glance in the mirror and was gawking at herself. The deep purple was perfect with her complexion. The sleeves hung of her shoulders in just the right place. She added the diamond set and ring Severus had given her for Christmas, along with the shoes and handbag. Minus the daily rat's nest that she had for hair, she looked like a princess in one of her favorite childhood fairytales.
To complete Hermione's perfect look, Opal sat her down and took care of the frizzy mess on top of her head. When Hermione saw the finished project, she was absolutely dumbstruck. Her hair was in an elegant twist with scattered roses the same color as her dress. Magic really does come in handy. She thought to herself.
They walked down the marble staircase enchantingly, starting with Opal then Odessa and ending with Hermione. When Severus first glanced at his future bride, he thought that he was looking at a goddess; his aunt had done it again. He finally got control of himself and went to give her his arm. The men were gentlemen and help the women with their over cloaks, and they were off.
They didn't get very far down the road when a man came running to meet them. "Severus!" the man called in a very heavy French accent.
Severus groaned as he unhooked his arm from Hermione's. He didn't' remove contact for long though, he stepped closer to her so that her arm was touching his side. Severus then took his arm up to her shoulder and traced the way down to her hip, admiring the curves as he went.
"Severus my boy, how are you? You didn't tell me that you were going to be in town," the man said breathlessly.
"Yes my friend, I am fine, but I wanted some time with my family and bride to be," Severus responded testily.
The man responded to Hermione's presence but took the hint, he made some excuse about a dog and left.
Before she could ask who he was, Severus answered, "My friend, I guess you could call him. His name is Gaston; we grew up together spending summers at each other's houses, mail exchanges, and so on. We usually go out for a drink, but I thought I would stick with you and my family on this one day trip."
"Why not go, Mum and Dad will understand if we are one day late," she suggested.
"We don't get in till three in the morning."
"So what's the problem?"
Severus sighed and gave in, "I'll owl him later."
Hermione smiled, and every one (but Severus) laughed. Once again the family was on their way. They ate at this fancy restaurant with an unpronounceable name, and then they went out to the play Les Misérables. It was absolutely amazing, except the fact that women went into tears at the end, and the men panicked, Oh well.
Later that night, Severus went out with his friend and apparently had a blast. He came stumbling in at about 3:30 AM and collapsed into bed with Hermione.
"Did you have a good time?" She mumbled when she felt his weight on the bed. "Yes." And all was silent. Hermione smiled, but got up to go to his bed, after all they weren't married yet and it was still awkward to sleep next to him. In time she reminded herself. Hermione awoke to the smell of bacon. She was a little fuzzy on last night's events, but when she woke up in Severus' bed she suddenly remembered. She got out of bed and went to join the others. Everyone greeted her with a smile and as she said good morning. She sat down opposite Odessa and asked where Severus was.
"He's not up yet. He will probubly need this though, why don't you go give it to him," Ryon said handing her a vial.
"What's this?"
"Hangover potion."
She nodded in understanding and excused herself. She walked upstairs to her designated room. She opened the door and walked quietly over to the bed. "Severus, it's time to get up." He mumbles something that sounded like 'Not now,' But Hermione was stubborn. "Severus I have a Hangover Potion for you. So sit up and take it or I am going to get some ice and stick it down your shirt." That got his attention, he was up and grabbed the potion from her and chugged it. "What time is it?" "Almost ten-thirty. My parents will be expecting us back soon."
He nodded and decided to get up. They went down for breakfast and then up to pack. After that, they left back for the Granger's via floo powder. When they arrived, everyone was waiting.
"Hermione, where have you been? We have been worried." Jane exclaimed.
"Sorry Mum, I told Severus to go out with a friend last night and they got in at around three in the morning. But don't be mad, I told him to go."
They told about their trip in Paris; the play, dinner, and shopping. Everything was so fascinating. But Lional had to ruin everything, or at least that's how it began.
"Herms, Pete, Dave and I got us all passes into your favorite night club-restaurant place,"
"PAXS? That place is impossible to get into. How?" Their mom asked.
"Dave has connections." Peter said.
"So you all are on talking terms again?" Hermione asked smuggly.
The boys nodded sheepishly and told Hermione the rest of the details. They had to be there by eight and dress appropriately. So by seven o'clock, Hermione was downstairs in a bright red top that was held on to here by a thread of string in the back and a halter neckline. To match her shirt was a pair of skintight black pants. Severus, to no one's surprise was dressed in all black. But it wasn't like his usual teaching robe fabric, he was in a silk top that had a slight 'V' for the neckline and had a string at the top.
"Wow, who knew that you could dress like that," Hermione said, "You look good."
"Well if you are surprised how I look, have you looked at yourself? Do your parents even let you out of the house like that?"
"Only when we go out to places that have dance floors."
"Is that often?"
"No, not since I started school."
He nodded, helped her with her leather jacket and escorted her out to the car. They arrived at the club five minutes before their deadline. They entered and Li, Pete, Dave and Hermione were off to the dance floor. After what seemed like twenty songs, they decided to come join Jane, George and Severus back at their designated booth and get something to drink. Then just as the kids finished off their drinks, another one of Hermione's favorite songs came blaring from the speakers.
"Oh you guys, come on, this song is amazing." Hermione said.
Peter and Lionel declined, and Dave jumped up to give into his sister's request.
"That Dave, he is the reason Hermione has always gotten her way," George sighed, "After he started, we couldn't stop. Severus my boy, you have your work cut out for you." He nodded in reply.
The two were out on the floor dancing away until the song ended. They came back breathless and needed to rest again. They all sat down for three or four songs, then the announcer said, "This is for all the couples out there tonight, so let's take it down a notch for the love birds." And a very slow song came over the sound system and couples made their way to the floor.
Severus realized that it was now his chance, "Hermione, would you care to dance?" He held out his hand to her, she smiled and gladly took it.
They made their way to the dance floor and slowly swayed to the music. They danced for a long time and Hermione laid her head on his chest, he pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. They danced the rest of the song just like that; little did they know that the entire party that they had come with was watching them. The song finally ended and David approached them. "Severus, do you mind if I borrow my sister for a moment?" Severus pulled away and traded places. He headed back to the table while Dave and Hermione talked.
"Hermione, Do you know what today is?" David asked.
"Yes, it's Mum and Dad's annivers…. ery. Damn. How could we forget?"
"WE didn't, YOU did. That's why we got these tickets."
"Let's do a dedication," she suggested.
"Good idea. How about the song that they used for their first dance?" Dave suggested.
Hermione said yes and David went off to ask for the dedication. She on the other hand went to the table. "Where did David go Hermione?" Jane asked when she returned.
"You know boys, he saw some girl and when off to go catch her eye." She lied.
Suddenly the announcer's voice came back booming from his spot on the stage, "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a wonderful dedication this evening, this is to a lovely couple from their kids. Could we have Jane and George Granger come to the floor please, and could we also have everyone else clear the floor please. Jane and George, this is from your kids, Lional, Hermione, Peter, David and Severus to wish you a happy anniversary. Have a good one you guys."
The two adults looked at their kids and George escorted Jane to the floor when the song started up. The four looked at them in amazement.
"Awe, look at them, they are so cute. I can't believe that I forgot their anniversary was today." Hermione said.
"Wait, you forgot their anniversary was today?" Lional asked in shock.
"Yep."
"Dork," Li and Pete said at the same time.
They watched their parents in amazement until the song ended, and then they got up and cheered their heads off.
"You all are so sweet, but don't ever do that again," Jane said when she returned.
"No we will save that for you big 5-0." David joked.
A Latin song came up and once again Severus and Hermione were out on the dance floor spicing it up. When they finished, they were breathless and Hermione was leaning of Severus for support. Their faces were so close together that Severus took the time to kiss her. She didn't pull away either, she just kissed him back; they pulled away and walked to the table to join everyone else.
They laughed and joked over a few drinks, ok like a lot of drinks. Hermione ate tones of chips with hers and by the time the group decided to go home, she was leaning on Severus for support. She was worn out from the drinking and dancing. By the time they got home, she was out cold and Severus had to carry her to her room.
He gently laid her down on the bed and kissed her forehead, just as he was about to leave he heard a weak voice, "Severus?"
He smiled "Good night Hermione."
The next morning, Hermione had awakened with a headache. Damn hangovers, she thought. But the thought turned to instant pain.
She went downstairs for some coffee and aspirin. She arrived at the table to see a similar vial to the one she gave Severus the previous morning. She downed it, it had a bitter taste, and so she quickly drank coffee to get rid of it. Almost instantly, her headache was gone. She went out to the patio to find the rest of her family. She was amazed to see them all around on the rocking seats.
"Did it help," Severus asked.
"Yes, thank you."
"Well, I hate to rush you, but we need to get back to school today," he said sincerely. Hermione nodded in agreement and sat down next to him to finish her breakfast. While they sat down and talked, she laid her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and that's how they sat for the remainder of the conversation.
AFTER A WHILE…
"I hate to rush off like this, but we really must go," Severus said standing. He helped Hermione to her feet.
Everyone understood and let them go pack the rest of their things. As soon as that was done, they went and said their farewells and left back for the school, after all, Hermione had to study for classes. They returned to the school at around two and went their separate ways. Severus would have walked her to her quarters but Filch demanded his assistance in the Slytherin common room.
Hermione returned to her rooms and unpacked. Christmas had been everything she could have hoped for, but right now she was too tired to even think. She lay down and drifted off to sleep.
Stupid dunderheads. Don't they understand that I have a life too? Severus thought bitterly. I am not a damn babysitter. He reentered his quarters and felt a headache coming on. He drank some of his headache relief potion and also drifted off to sleep.
Hermione awoke to a knocking at her door. "Who is it?"
"'Mione, it's me," Harry's voice said.
She grumbled and went to let him in. To her surprise, Ron and Ginny were with him too. She allowed them access and let them go on about stupid things about Christmas. "So Mione, what else happened over Christmas for you? Was Snape ok?" Ron asked. She relived every moment (except the partying that Severus had done.) They seemed impressed and then talked about other things. Hermione was only half in it. They couldn't stop talking about Fred and George's new inventions, or at least that's what Hermione thought they were talking about.
Severus awoke to Albus shaking him, "Severus, it's time to get up, we do have a meeting after all."
"Go away old man, I just want to sleep."
"I think someone got away with too much over the break Albus," Minerva chuckled.
He had already lost, and he knew it; he got up, straitened his cloths and fallowed the two out.
The staff meeting dragged on for eternity. They talked about the holidays and plans for detentions (if needed.) Oh they will be, especially if a student crosses my path right now. He thought. The second it was over, Severus went down to the dungeons and started working on potions. That's where he was until dinner began.
At dinner, Hermione sat with Harry, Ron, Ginny, Millie and Pansy. Thankfully there weren't many students there so that they could sit together. But she wasn't the only one grateful for the low number of students. Severus came in and was smirking so much that he was almost smiling. The first thing he looked for was Hermione, he knew that she had hardly eaten anything all day, after partying last night, she wasn't in the mood for food, he was glad to see that her plate did have something on it.
She noticed him looked at him and smiled. She couldn't help but turn red and she looked down at her plate.
"She looks good my boy," Albus said.
"Yes I must agree, you two must have had an eventful break," Minerva hinted.
"Even if we did, it's none of your two old timer's business." He snapped.
Dinner was in silence as they all watched Hermione and her friends.