Chapter 11:
Hermione and Severus saw off their families two days later, milking their wedding night/day after for all it was worth. Hermione was a tad teary eyed as she saw off her parents but she recovered when Severus pulled her back into their quarters and distract her. She didn't protest, in fact, when they look back on it, she initiated most of the movement. Most of the week, they spent in bed, they only got up to eat together. Hermione found rare occasions when she would awaken before her husband and in attempt not to wake him, she would go to his private library and read until he awoke; which would either be an hour later or five minutes, depending on how they fell asleep. This was one of those mornings where she was by herself; she was so engrossed in her book about charms that she didn't hear him enter so when he spoke she jumped out of her skin.
"Good morning my love," he said silkily.
"Oh my, Severus, you scared the living daylights out of me."
"You know, this is the third time I have caught you with a book in your hands on our honeymoon; I could have sworn that Albus told us no studying."
"I'm not studying I am relaxing waiting for you to get up, that doesn't count as studying."
"Hmm, if that's what you want to call it…" he kissed her lovingly, "So what would you like for breakfast?"
"I would love some eggs please."
"Eggs it is." He ordered the eggs and when they arrived, they sat down to dinner.
"Severus?"
"Yes?"
"Is it alright if I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"I don't want you to…"
"I can't freak out if you don't ask."
"I know it's just…"
"Hermione just ask."
"Ok, well I remember that story you told me in the hospital wing after the incident with Crabbe…"
"Yes..."
"Well, the interaction with your father doesn't seem to show it."
"Yes, what about it?"
"I am just wondering why that is, if you have such a hate for him…"
"Hermione, my father and I have had our differences; I am not going to deny that. What I am going to say is that we are best friends now, because we aren't. My father and I had a blow out during one of his rages; I ended up putting him in the hospital for a week, threatening that if he ever came after me or my mother in a physical manner again, he would be in the basement of the hospital rather than a patient. Ever since, he has sobered up and kept his nose clean."
"Oh, so he hasn't…"
"No, not once."
The conversation ended there and wasn't brought up again. Little did they know that there was a problem in another part of the castle.
Harry awoke in a cold sweat panting close to tears, but boys didn't cry. He quickly threw on his robe and ran to the headmaster's office. He knocked impatiently until the door opened to a very dazed headmaster.
"Headmaster, there is something big going on."
"Harry, it is six in the morning…" McGonagall started.
"I realize that professor, but this could mean life or death!" That got their attention; Albus stepped aside while Minerva started water for tea. Harry made his way to the couch and waited for them, his fingers drumming on the arm of the chair. When the headmaster sat down, he spoke.
"So what is it Harry."
"Sir, Voldemort knows that Goyle has been banned but he is attempting to get him back, Crabbe is now a spy on Hermione and Professor Snape…"
"Harry, not even Tom can bring Mr. Goyle back to our world…"
"Sir you are not listening to me! He is going to use Goyle as a messenger between him and Hogwarts with Crabbe. Voldemort said that if the opportunity arises he is to capture Hermione so that Goyle can finish what he started!"
"Harry…"
"No Minerva, he's right, this is serious, we are not to say anything to Hermione, Severus maybe but we do not need Mrs. Snape all worked up over this when all we have evidence of is your dreams, no offense Harry but I do not want a repeat of your fifth year."
"Yes sir." They sat down and discussed the dream in more detail as they drank their tea.