Chapter Three - A Problem Shared

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"Stop. If we are going to play out this charade then we may as well do it properly," he said as he carefully lifted his new bride across the threshold of his room which caught Hermione off guard. Once he had walked through he promptly put her back on her feet and motioned for the door to close behind him.

She watched him walk over to his drinks cabinet and take out two glasses that were quickly filled with red wine. He handed one to her which she took and stood with two hands holding the glass. The silence was heavy with either one not knowing what to do or say.

"We should maybe get on with, you know, the...requirement," she said hesitantly and making the briefest of eye contact.

He looked at the bedroom door which opened on cue and gestured to it. Hermione took a deep breath and confidently walked towards it, she noticed that Crooks had settled on the bed and all her possessions were in boxes on the far side.

"Dobby wanted to unpack for you but I thought it would be better for you to do so," the deep silky tone said which made her turn around to face him. She put her wineglass on the night stand and looked back at him.

"You don't know what to do, do you Severus,"

Hearing her say his name sweetly sent shivers up his spine. She made it sound soft and light instead of severe and hard. She was right, he hadn't a clue how to begin things.

"Of course I do. You underestimate me," he lied moving closer to her.

The alcohol did give her more courage and without thinking she reached up and kissed the wizard who instinctively responded to her advances by placing his hands on her delicate waist. As their embrace continued to become deeper, he started to release the buttons on the back of her neck.

She could feel him struggling and turned around so he was behind her. Hermione felt his mouth on her now exposed neck and her hairs stood on end as new sensations coursed through her.

She felt him stop and linger at her neck. "Are you sure?"

"No Severus. To be honest I'd rather we courted like a regular couple but unless you wish to risk Azkaban we need to do what needs to be done," she said curtly and turned to face him.

She realised that her tone and words had made the situation worse so she put her hand to his face and felt the smooth skin of his cheek. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound like I was blaming you. I do want to make this work so we can have harmony but I just wish is wasn't this way,"

As he looked deeply into her big doe eyes he began to feel content. A few days ago the thought of marrying her caused him much anguish but seeing her now cast a new light on things. In a strange way he felt he could trust her which was something he had never felt before.

Severus leaned down to kiss her and she responded positively as their tongues entwined. Her hands began to loosen off his frock coat which dropped to the floor and nervously she opened his shirt revealing a broad chest with dark hair. Slowly he began to push her over to the bed as he slipped off his shirt.

Her dress dropped swiftly to the floor once the last button was unhooked and she stepped out of it.

His trousers began to feel tighter as she stood before him wearing the white bridle underwear that Ginny had helped her pick.

He immediately pulled her closer and slowly slipped off her bra, revealing her rounded breasts. Guiding her onto his bed, he began to gently cup her breasts and kiss her neck. Her breathing deepened and he could faintly hear her moan in pleasure.

Severus swiftly removed his trousers leaving only his boxer shorts which were now not hiding much from the imagination. Noticing that she was enjoying his touch, he placed a hand under the waistband of her knickers and was amazed by the heat between her legs. He slowly began to massage her heat and became more aroused on feeling how wet she was. Hermione's moaning increased with his touch and he knew he would soon be inside her.

"What the bloody hell!" He said as he noticed scarlet blood on his fingers causing her to sit upright.

"Oh no!" She proclaimed and ran to the bathroom leaving a half naked Severus in disbelief.

"Dobby!"

With a crack the dishevelled elf appeared. "Master Snape Sir, how can Dobby help?"

"Fetch Madam Pomfrey immediately," Severus instructed as he used a cleansing charm to clean his hand.

As the elf disappeared with a crack he put his head to his hands.

Just my damn luck she bleeds before the deal is sealed.

XxX

Hermione was sat in his lounge with her dressing gown on and was feeling mortified. Severus sat opposite her with a pained expression. Suddenly the fire turned green and Poppy Pomfrey was standing in the lounge carrying her medical bag.

"What seems to be the problem?" She asked looking at the two withdrawn faces.Severus raised his eyebrow at a still embarrassed Hermione.

"I need an exemption card filled in. Unfortunately, Severus and I cannot perform tonight due to the fact that my period has unexpectedly arrived," said Hermione as she watched Severus grimace at the word period.

Poppy placed her hand to her mouth before quickly running a wand over Hermione to confirm her diagnosis."Have you been stressed lately?" Asked the mediwitch as she filled in her form.

"Obviously," came the voice of Severus as he say with his arms folded.

Hermione glowered at him as the mild cramping began to worsen. Poppy handed her a copy of the form and smiled at her.

"There you are. I see no issues here and there's no need to be embarrassed. It's happened quite a lot and not much can be done. You have until midnight on Sunday to consummate the marriage. In the mean time you will just need to let it pass as usual,"

Hermione smiled at Poppy and folded the parchment up."Seeing as we are all sorted, I shall head off. I'm sure Severus can give you some pain relief if necessary," she said as she disappeared in the fire place.

Severus gave a sigh to break the awkward silence and looked at his hand.

"It's not going to kill you. Menstrual blood is sterile. I can assure you I have no disease,"

Upon realising he was looking at his hand in disgust he immediately changed his facial expression in order to show sympathy. "Hermione, I didn't mean to cause offence. I just wasn't expecting...well...that has never happened to me before," his voice trailed off as she she put her head down.

He rose up from his seat and cautiously perched next to the seasonal witch. He hesitated slightly as he put his arm around her and she snuggled in to his chest. Severus placed his head gently on hers and matched his breathing to her pace.

"It's a blessing in a way. Maybe we are meant to get to know each other first. Plus, I think I have eaten far too much," he said whilst stifling a bout of wind.

"Maybe, but for now I would rather just go to bed and start again in the morning. You don't mind me being in your bed do you? Hermione asked quietly.

"Just as long as you don't have anymore surprising leaks. Dobby would quake in his moth eaten socks," said Severus as she got up. His response was met with a mild slap to his arm and a devilish grin from his wife.

"Do you have to be such an arse?"

He raised both hands and gave a smirk. "That depends. I would like to think if I was an arse I would be a handsome one,"

She shook her head and made her way to his bedroom and took notice of her dress which was now neatly hanging up. What a day it had been and such an anti-climax but she was secretly glad that they both had a short while to try and build some sort of foundation.

She quickly slipped into her satin nightdress and crawled under the Slytherin green covers. His bed was soft and smelt of clean linen but there were fine traces of cat hair on his pillow.

Severus walked in and took off his dressing gown and crawled into bed, not noticing the cat hair or Crookshanks who had curled up at the bottom of the bed.

After the customary 'Goodnight' the couple turned so they faced away from each other and drifted into a much needed sleep.

XxX

Hermione awoke to an empty bed. Daylight was starting to break and upon looking out of the large window, she could see that it was going to be a pleasant day.

She quickly got up and hurriedly walked to the bathroom to avoid any leakage and to get herself washed. Once dressed and freshened up she walked into the lounge to see Severus perusing The Daily Prophet.

As he heard her light footsteps, he folded down his newspaper then looked at the clock. "Late this morning aren't we?" He said with an eyebrow raised.

"I must of overslept. You should have woken me up,"

"I am your husband Hermione, not an alarm clock. There is some tea in the pot, please help yourself," He said focusing on his newspaper article.

As she sat down on the sofa and poured some tea, Dobby appeared carrying a plate with steaming hot toast lashed with butter.

"Mrs Snape, for you from the Master," Dobby said with a sideways glance at Severus before disappearing with a crack."Thank you Severus. I wasn't expecting..."

The newspaper folded down again. "You were not expecting me to think of you. Well, just one of the many surprises about living with the most cantankerous man in Hogwarts,"

"No, I didn't mean it that way. Thank you. It was very thoughtful. Do we have much planned for today seeing as we are on honeymoon?"

"No. I do have to prepare some Wolfsbane for Lupin before he takes down a student but that is all,"

"Hmm, okay. I was thinking we could go for a walk?"

He looked at her over his newspaper. Her look was one that would melt even the iciest of hearts. He wanted to decline but he knew that he had to make things up to her.

"If that is what you wish. We could go at three this afternoon. I need to pick up some supplies by the loch anyway," he replied and swatted Crookshanks away from his tea which was met with a hiss.

Satisfied with his response, even though she thought it to be a touch cold, she went through to the bedroom to unpack her personal belongings.

An hour went by quickly and as she was unpacking the last box, she heard a clear knock at his door which followed with the door opening.

"Severus! How are you on this beautiful morning," Lucius bellowed followed by the tapping of his cane on the oak floor.

Hermione remained in the room not wanting to be the centre of his lecherous attention. Before Severus could give a reply the blonde wizard sat confidently on the sofa placing his feet on the coffee table. She watched Severus place a hand to the bridge of his nose accompanied by a deep sigh.

"So, where is she? Shagged her senseless did you? You randy Bastard! Tell me, did she do as you commanded?" He asked and tapped his cane to emphasis his self importance.

As Severus drew breath to give a reply, Minerva appeared in the fireplace.

"Sorry to bother you Severus. I've spoken to Poppy. The Ministry have accepted her exemption and have extended the rules till next Monday," she said in her Scottish tone before fading out again.

Hermione watched Severus raise a hand to his head as he prepared for a barrage of questions. She desperately wanted to send a stinging hex to Lucius in revenge for him being so crude.

"Well, well, Sev. What's wrong with your new toy? Exemption from The Ministry! Wait till the boys hear about this!"

The black haired wizard began to grow tired of the constant verbal drivel being cast in his direction and his hands gripped the arms of his wingback chair.

Hermione waited with baited breath as the atmosphere became extremely tense.

"Lucius, I am not at liberty to discuss my wife's health. Please retreat off this subject," Severus said calmly while staring at Lucius who promptly stood up and tapped his cane again.

"A bit tetchy today aren't we. For goodness sake man! Loosen up. This is why you have never been able to tame a woman. Whatever is wrong with that wench should not have stopped you. That's the problem - you are too damn weak!"

Severus stood up and walked the short distance to Lucius."Get out!" Said Severus through gritted teeth and one hand on his wand.

"You are a disgrace. Then again, you Mudbloods are all the same,"

In a split second Severus grabbed his wand but he went crashing to the ground as Lucius hit him round the face and kicked him in the ribs. The blonde wizard crouched down and observed a now bloody and pained Severus.

"Never raise your wand to me again," he whispered and stood back up adjusting his clothing in the process.

Hermione ran out of the bedroom to Severus who was trying to stem a bleeding nose.

"Ahh, here she is. The Virgin Bride of Hogwarts. You need to learn to obey your husband Mrs Snape," He jibed while Hermione fussed over Severus.

She could take no more and stood up to Lucius who's look became quite smug. He let her square up to him before placing a gloved hand to her throat.

"Mrs Snape, what a pretty neck you have. It would be a shame if something was to happen to it. If I were you I would keep my pretty mouth shut," He said angrily and pushed her back causing her to fall back on the sofa.

"I will be back Severus. Next time we will be on better terms I'm sure," he said and made his way out.

Hermione went back over to Severus who had stopped the nosebleed but was clutching his left side.

"Shall I get Poppy?" She asked and put her hand to his head which he batted away.

"No. You will leave me alone. I will be fine. Please just leave me alone," he said as he pulled himself up and made his way to the bedroom. The door shut behind him with a loud thud.

Hermione stayed on the floor in shock with what just happened and feeling hopeless as to what to do. She placed a hand to her neck and went to sit on the sofa.

Tears began to fall silently and Crookshanks instinctively curled up in her lap.

"Oh Crooks, what do I do?" She asked as tears began to drip onto his ginger fur.

To be continued...