Thank you, Marriage1988 and Huffpride for your reviews! This is the longest fic I've written to date and it means a lot for it to be enjoyed!
Chapter 15: A Whiter Shade of Pale
Their vacation in Skye righted all that had been troublesome before coming home to England. Hermione went back to work with the creatures division and though she had more paperwork, no one trying to kill her on the regular. As spring gave way to summer, Ron and Hermione found themselves at King's Cross to pick up their children.
"Mum you look so thin!" Rose exclaimed as they weaved through people to get to their car. After giving each of them a huge hug, Hermione loaded their luggage in the trunk and put Bertie, Hugo's owl, between their seats.
"How were the OWLS?" Ron asked, starting the car and starting their journey back to their home.
"I feel confidant about Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, but not so much in Potions or Muggle Studies." Hugo snickered.
"Our Mum is muggleborn, how hard could it be?"
"Be that as it may, Hugo, but it's still a tough OWL test. I'm sure you did very well, Rose, we're so proud of you." Hermione patted Rose's leg from the front seat as they rounded a corner into a roundabout. The rest of the drive was all concerned on Bath and their annual Granger-Weasley vacation. She wanted them to have a bit of normal before she told them about Severus.
"Tomorrow, Meme and Papa Granger will be here and we'll leave for Bath around noon, then Granny and Gramps will come as usual, but Dad and I are also bringing someone for one day at the beach in Lyme." Hermione explained, as she did every year, just expecting more questions.
"No great surprises this year, like we're moving to Spain or anything?" Rose asked sarcastically.
"No, dear, just Dad and I have both started dating new people, important people that we feel you both should meet. They will only be with us one day, though." Rose rolled her eyes, but Hugo seemed neutral, as he usually was when it came to things that signaled change, willing to wait to make an opinion until all the facts were available.
"Fun." Rose remarked, taking her things up the stairs. Hermione followed her this time, unable to let Rose be too angry.
"Can I help you unpack?" Hermione asked, looking at Rose's rarely clean room.
"If you want." Hermione forced another hug on her daughter, seemingly getting taller by the minute. She felt Rose soften in her arms and the soft sniffle of tears.
"What's wrong, poppet?"
"I just...I'm so glad you're home, you're here. I thought you were going to die and you had so much medicine, you weren't you when we were here, you didn't even snip at me about my new ear piercing." Rose said, pointing to her upper ear. Hermione grabbed a tissue and wiped Rose's eyes.
"You have no idea how much I missed you, Rose. I was so worried I would never see you again and that you and Hugo would eat processed pasta for the rest of your lives. There've been so many changes, I know that, but it'll be smooth sailing from here, I promise." They hugged again and Hermione helped Rose unpack all her school things, replacing robes and school uniforms for muggle clothes and sneakers. She cherished moments when she could connect with her lovely girl.
Helen and Jack Granger arrived promptly at twelve to gather the children in their car while Hermione and Ron rode in Hermione's car, making the annual trip to Bath. It was the least talking Hermione and Ron had done on any car trip they'd ever taken, but it was a nice break for Hermione, who wanted the sleep. The last year and a half has tried her body and soul and she wanted the vacation more than she realized up till they'd gotten on the road. She also looked forward to Severus being around Rose and Hugo in a different way; they'd of course been around him numerous times, but knowing that their mum loved him would be a new concept for all of. Having Joanna around would be a good buffer as well.
"You've slobbered on your my seat belt, Hermione. " Ron said, putting the car in park and rousing Hermione from sleep. Looking around, she immediately felt the calm of their vacation home. Helen and Jack pulled up beside them with the kids before they all ran inside, claiming their bedrooms and getting ready for a walk to their favorite gelato place.
Later that evening, Hermione and Helen took wine to the portico and watched as the sun set.
"I wish you could stay until Thursday, Mum, Severus has so wanted a rematch in chess."
"I'm sure he does, but he'll have to wait until August since your father and I will be in India all summer. You're still going?" Hermione nodded, she needed to center again and to find her silence.
" We should've gone there instead of Skye, but it was so lovely to be in Scotland again." Helen finished her wine and poured another, refilling Hermione's glass as well. Obviously working up to ask her a question, but instead she let the silence spread between them, choosing instead to let her daughter make her own decisions.
After the children, Helen, and Jack departed for Stonehenge and left Hermione and Ron to their own devices, Hermione decided on a leisurely stroll through Bath. With a free day, Hermione decided to go to the Jane Austen Center and then to get her hair trimmed before having to be on the beach for several days. It was the first day in a while where in her solitude she was completely comfortable. Returning again to the gelato place, she savored a sweet pistachio and watched as people walked by, enjoying their own vacations in Bath. Before returning to their vacation house, Hermione went to the baths and drank the restorative water. Sometimes she wondered how much good it did her, especially when the taste was so awful. Her walk back was lovely, each step reminding her of vacations past and the joy of watching her family grow. But, true to the weather of Bath, it started to rain before she made it home, soaking her through in no time.
"Forget your umbrella?" Ron quipped as she walked through the door, drenched. Hermione cast a drying spell once inside, which served to dry everything but her hair.
"Did Mum call?" She asked, dropping her shopping totes on the table.
"Yeah, an hour ago. Rose and Hugo are helping restore some new village exhibit by moving hay. They'll be back in the morning." Hermione remembered trips like that with her parents, always a task. And though it had frustrated her as a kid, she knew it gave her a servant's heart. Running up to her room, she penned a quick letter to Severus about the trip thus far and also told him how much she was looking forward to seeing him on Thursday. Harlow flew off in her typical speed,'perhaps I should've sent Bertie', Hermione thought.
Joanna arrived first bright and early Thursday morning as they packed the car for Lyme. Suddenly, Hermione was glad they'd borrowed her parents van to fit everyone and their beach necessities. It was easy for Hermione to welcome Joanna, though they only worked together briefly, they still had more in common than most women she pictured Ron dating, and for that she was thankful. When Severus arrived, wearing the first non-dark outfit she'd ever seen him in, Hermione nearly lost it in a giggling fit. His khaki pants looked nice on him, but it was the orange seersucker shirt that had caught her most off-guard. It surprised Ron as well, as he came down the stairs with the last of the suitcases.
"Woah, Snape!" He coasted by him before saying anything else, but Hermione tried to counter any possible embarrassment on Snape's part by giving him a big hug.
"The kids are already in the car. Did you see Joanna on your way in?" He nodded no and then followed her out as they scrambled to the car.
"Alright, folks, we have an hour before we stop. Anyone need the loo?" No hands went up so Ron started the van and started off towards Lyme. Rose and Hugo were silent at first, though it was obvious that Rose wanted to ask both Severus and Joanna some questions.
"Mum, when do OWL scores usually come? Professor Longbottom said he couldn't remember." Hermione, Snape, and Ron all notably sighed before Hermione turned around to her daughter.
"Usually the first of August honey, but if Professor Longbottom submitted them, it might be September." Laughing, she patted her daughter's leg.
" I don't want to wait that long, it's impossible. What if I got troll for all of them?"
"Maybe she's more like you than I thought." Severus whispered, still sitting as though at any moment he might self-combust.
"Maybe Professor Snape can help you with potions, Rose. Remember he showed me how to make the pepperup potion when Mum came home." Hugo advised, Hermione's eyes snapping to Snape's in question.
"He was curious and quite helpful."
"He was barely twelve." She countered.
"Professor Hornbuckle says I should be a healer someday or a potions master, do you think I could do that, Mum?" Hugo asked, being far more talkative than Hermione ever dreamed he would be.
"Of course, Hugo, you can be whatever you set your mind to. I'm glad Professor Hornbuckle thinks you have potential." She heard Rose audibly snort and then silence herself.
"So, Joanna, how are Seamus and Denis? Seamus has been so busy he hasn't answers my owl."
"He really is busy, we're working on some blunder of Mundungus Fletcher's son, Paolo. I'll make sure to remind him to write back." Hermione smiled thinking of Seamus. She missed the old team, but she definitely didn't miss having to possibly risk her life through their missions.
The remainder of the ride was smooth, Hermione and Snape talked about his reassignment to strictly providing potions and the kids quietly read, in Hugo's case, or drew pictures, in Rose's case. Once the reached the shore, Ron and Snape immediately put up the tent while the kids and ladies helped bring supplies to the waterfront. It was going so smoothly, Hermione kept waiting for the breakdown or problem to arise. After casting repeated skin protection spells on the kids, Hermione watched as Rose and Hugo ran to water, as cold as it was. She knew they'd wait about an hour before making any snacks, so she set up chairs for the four adults and poured lemonade into swirly fun glasses. Handing Severus's his, she instinctively leaned down to kiss him.
"Thank you for coming." She said quietly to Snape as they drank lemonade and enjoyed the shoreline. "I know this wouldn't be considered your favorite vacation spot."
"It's a nice day, nothing to complain about here." He replied, taking her hand in his. Joanna and Ron were talking quietly as well. Through her dark sunglasses, she watched how they interacted and it was clear that Joanna truly fancied Ron.
"I think you're Hugo's hero now."
"He reminds of myself at that age, capable and curious, and he listens, so much more than some people I taught. I do wish he wouldn't refer to me as 'Professor Snape' though, I haven't been a professor for twenty years."
"I'm sure he'll think of something else to call you, he loves giving people nicknames." With that Snape made a face she knew all too well.
"Perhaps 'Professor Snape' isn't so bad, then." Their tent was a perfect shaded spot and also shield from muggles around if they needed to use magic. As they day continued, the kids built sand castles with Ron and Joanna as Hermione and Severus made a late lunch of ham and cucumber sandwiches and crisps Ron had picked up; the children devoured their's and went back to their sand castles, trying to win an unofficial competition with their father. Before dinner, Snape showed Hugo how to properly fly a kite, thankful the sun had dipped behind the clouds for long enough so they weren't blinded trying to see it take flight. As usual, Hugo was a quick study and it made Hermione happy to see Hugo absorbed in so many activities that didn't involve studying.
"Now you're really his hero." She whispered to Snape, her hand resting on his arm. If anyone had asked her years before if she could ever see Snape having a pleasant day with two children, she would've thought they were crazy. Of course, she knew the effort was for her and that he would never be one of those people who doted over children.
"I play to my strengths and his. It's Rose who might take longer convincing." Snape remarked, pointing to her sitting with Joanna and looking through the Quibbler and laughing. They had already slipped into an easy understanding, but finding a connection with someone so much older than her and also associated with school.
After dinner they walked to the boardwalk for treats to round a pretty fantastic day, knowing it would feel like a long drive home. Rose and Hugo opted for fairy floss and the rest for caramel apples, which proved messier than they'd thought.
"Perhaps we should've thought this one through, Ron. Didn't we get these a couple years back and you lost half of your tooth." Hermione remembered, trying to slice her apple with the knife they'd brought for their chicken dinner.
"I bit right into a seed, it was bitter. I forgot all about that."
"I've never had one of these before." Snape added, his hands covered in sticky caramel.
"You've never had a caramel apple?" Rose teased, finishing off her fairy floss and getting napkins for the adults.
"Not even close."
"Well we're lucky Meme and Papa aren't here because they wouldn't let us have any of it, even if it's your first. You should try the candy one next year, with maltesers, that one is the best." Hermione nodded in agreement, thankful Rose was warming slightly to Severus, even though she knew it would take a while before her children really understood the magnitude of their parents dating other people and possibly making them permanent family members.
Walking back to the car, Hermione took Snape's hand, her other arm around Hugo. It really had been a fabulous day and she was so thankful to have Snape with her. That he would endure a Weasley vacation for her assured her how much he cared.
"Enjoy the rest of your vacation, Rose and Hugo, I'll see you in a couple weeks, Ron." Joanna waved to Hermione and Snape before getting into her car, which surprised Hermione who hadn't known Joanna was a muggleborn, and left. Snape said goodbye to the children and Ron, but walked with Hermione to the side of the vacation home so he could apparate out of the view of the other vacationers. Taking her in his arms, he bent down to give her kiss her before going.
"Tell me today wasn't horrible." Hermione begged, kissing him again.
"It could've been worse, the entire Weasley clan wasn't here and the sun was kind." He replied, holding her tightly against him. "It's not going to happen in a day, but this was a nice easing in, I'd say." He added before kissing her once again and preparing to leave. She was suddenly overcome with emotions, wanting him to be able to stay, wanting her children to accept him as her spouse, and wanting so much more to never have to say goodbye to him again. In a crack, he was gone and she sojourned into the house, cuddled with her children to settle for the evening, and hoped when Molly and Arthur arrived, the vacation continued as smoothly.
