A/N: Hello again, everyone. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews you left me, I'm still a few behind on responses, but I'll finish them up soon. As always, I loved every single one. Thank you too for everyone still adding to their alerts/faves. I'm still blown away by the support. Here is day two of her arrival. If anyone is interested, I had a few minutes one day and tried my hand at making a banner for this story. You can find the link to it on my profile. Take care all and as always, Please Read and Review.
PS...Sancordia, please PM me. I really want to respond to you but I can't find you on here to do so. I'd like the chance to respond to your last review so please either log in, or PM me, either way. I'm not against people not liking a chapter or how I do things, everyone is entitled to their opinions or views, but I'd like a chance to say my peace concerning it too. I love a good debate, and I think your thoughts would inspire a very good one. =)
Special Thanks to my two very awesome beta's, Kristine Thorne and PandaHeart. You both have done great jobs on this story and I thank you dearly for it.
Chapter 36
Severus woke the next morning, feeling her pressed against him while she continued to sleep. Her hair tickling his face as it had so many years ago. He didn't know what time it was, but he felt no rush to get up and dress. He knew it was still early by the pale light coming in through his small windows.
He shifted them both slightly to look down at her face, relaxed in her sleep. When he had made love to her again last night, her hand had inadvertently ended up on his dark mark that unfortunately never disappeared. Unlike the times in his past when it happened, he didn't pull her hand away from it.
He didn't try to hide it from her, nor keep her from touching it for fear of her reacting badly from it. Or fear that the ugliness from it would touch her if she dared let it touch her silky skin.
He knew now that what it had represented had touched her anyway. Knew that she would not recoil from it. She didn't see it as a flaw in him. It was simply discolored skin to her. Like any normal tattoo might be.
His eyes roamed down over her uncovered body. She had kicked the bedding off of her in her sleep during the night. Using him for warmth instead like she had in the past. Not that he minded in the least, especially since it allowed him to survey her body without her knowledge.
Like the morning after the first time he made love to her in the Three Broomsticks, he examined her every inch of her form. Taking in all the smooth skin, lush hills and curves, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
Seeing every freckle, mole, or scar she owned. He knew why she had her scars now. He knew of her torture by Bellatrix. He understood now why she cautioned him to not interfere no matter what he learned of, though he desperately wished he could have. Had he known the details of her hunt that year he might have stepped in anyway.
Now seeing each and every scar she had, from her torture, from her fight during the war, it made him appreciate all she had lived through even more. He knew now how she had gotten the long one, running from just under her breast, to curve around her back.
It was small, thin really. But he knew just how much pain it had caused her. But she had gone on, even in pain to do what she had to do. The same with the odd star shaped one. He had seen the pain in her eyes from the damage to her chest. Had seen her push past it to continue on with the final battle. It still amazed him to know how courageous she had been during it all. His beautiful, strong, and brave witch.
She didn't think she was all that strong. Her letters had said she wasn't as strong as she looked at times, but she was. More than she even realized, it seemed. It had taken strength and courage to endure all that she had. It had taken that same strength to leave him in the end like she had as well. Especially knowing what awaited her upon her return, or at least what she thought had awaited her.
She moved her hand and it drew his gaze. He lifted it and looked at the scar from her fifth year detentions. He had wanted to kill the toad of a woman that had done this to her. But Minerva had restrained him. Explaining that it had to happen like it had before. Though Severus hadn't a clue how stopping it could change anything.
He set her hand back down. His eyes finding the ring he had given her so long ago, or long ago to him. He hadn't had much to spend then, it wasn't that valuable of a ring. But he had seen that it was to her, as much as it was, even now, to him.
He smiled as he remembered when he gave it to her. He hadn't understood back then why she wouldn't use his given name. But he did now. He had been her professor, and he had been extremely rude and mean to her on many occasions.
Even knowing who she was during her childhood, he had forced himself to keep up the pretenses of not really liking her. Though it was nothing like she would probably remember him being before. He hadn't been able to be that cruel to her with how much he loved her.
He had been unkind to her when he thought she was simply his Hermione's daughter. Seeing her, thinking that his Hermione had just left him, not cared enough to stay in his life had made him rather rude to her as a child.
However, after having seen Minerva's memories of Hermione's memories, the few that Minerva had allowed him to see at the time before the war, he had seen how he had treated her and was amazed that she had loved him at all. He had been horrible to her and her friends. He had told her the truth last night. He didn't want to be that man in her memories.
Severus knew he was not like that man fully. He wasn't the same odious and ruthless man she had known that had a cynical outlook on life. He could be when he had to be, but it wasn't second nature to him. He had to focus to be that man, to be as vicious and nasty as the one in her memories had been.
He did have his moments at times where it came out on its own. Usually it had been with a student that wasn't paying attention or showed their ineptitude at something. Or with a staff member who had vexed or badgered him constantly. But on a whole he was nothing like that other man.
Because of her. She had truly saved him and he would forever be grateful for it. She had shown him that the life he had known before her, could be different. Had demonstrated that not all people were out to get him personally. She had shown him kindness and love. Given him her loyalty and passion without demanding anything in return.
She had given him the one thing he needed most, a friend to believe in him for who he was. Someone to show him just how much he too was wanted and needed in the world.
The most amazing part of it all, was that she was his. He didn't doubt it anymore. He saw just how much she loved and wanted him too. How she needed him in her life as much as he needed her in his.
But knowing that, he still intended to give her time to get to know him again. Whether she realized it or believed it, he was different than what she knew.
He wasn't the same eighteen-year-old boy he had been, but he wasn't the abusively cruel bastard she remembered either. He was a bit of both and something else entirely too. No matter what he was though, he would show her just how much he did genuinely love and treasure her.
She shifted slightly in her sleep, stirring more as she slowly came awake. He shifted back to lie down beside her. Resting on his elbows as he watched her expression fluctuating as she shifted her position slightly, easing a bit closer to him, snuggling against him more.
His lips curving a little as he watched her. Unable to help himself, he brought his hand up to stroke her cheek gently. His fingers slipped along each delicate curve, memorizing them once again.
Severus saw her lips bend into a small smile as her eyes stayed closed, and her breathing stayed even. He wasn't sure if she was awake yet or not, but he slowly let his hand trail down her neck, around her breast, to stroke her soft belly and hip.
Her eyes fluttered open and she peered up at him. "Why do you always watch me, especially when I sleep?" She asked gently, more curious than anything else.
He thought about how best to answer her. "You have always fascinated me. The things you would do and say would puzzle me. I always thought that if I watched you enough, I would figure you out. I never really did. But you look so peaceful and lovely in your sleep, I can't look anywhere else but at you."
Her brow wrinkled a little in thought. "I haven't always been peaceful when I slept."
He stroked her chin with his thumb. "I know. Remus spoke to me about your nightmares. Told me of how he would simply hold you until you fell asleep again, talking to you about them to help ease them. I was so envious of him being able to do that for you. Of being able to hold you in his arms, like I wanted to."
Hermione reached up and kissed his lips softly. "You know, I scared the hell out of him when I showed up during your seventh year. I was in the hospital after I arrived in the past, but couldn't see him very well. But I knew it was him. I thought James and Lily were Harry and Ginny. But I recognized Remus's voice and heard his wolf name."
She smiled as she remembered. "I could hear the slight confusion in his voice when I asked him to stay with me. To lay with me like he used to. I know it startled him that I claimed to have done so, when he didn't know me at all. After Poppy healed me, I was ready to hex the hell out of him. Arguing that he wasn't Remus and confusing him even more."
She laughed softly. "You should have seen the look on his face when I jumped out of bed and called for my wand soundlessly. Threatening him like I did. Poor Remus."
Severus chuckled quietly. "You confused many people that day from what I understand. Minerva and Albus were totally flabbergasted at your knowledge and skills for being so young. I know I was at a loss when I met you and you asked if it was really me."
She opened her mouth but was interrupted by her stomach growling.
Hearing it Severus realized something. "I didn't even ask when you ate last, after you got here yesterday. I should have made sure you had eaten before locking you in here with me last night."
Hermione smirked. "Food was my last thought yesterday. Plus, I don't remember complaining that you locked me in here last night."
"I don't recall you complaining either. However, we should get dressed and get you some breakfast." He told her while moving to sit up.
After they were dressed, they went downstairs to the kitchen to find Fred and Sirius already up, with breakfast ready for them all. Hermione raised an eyebrow as she looked at everything on the table.
The Sirius she had known had never cooked before. Neither had Fred. He always ate at his mums and Molly was the only one that cooked in her kitchen.
Sitting down, she eyed a piece of bacon she picked up, wondering how edible it was.
"Kitten, if you look any more leery of eating my cooking, I might just hex you." Sirius told her while giving her his infamously cocky grin.
Hermione smiled. "Sorry. I just…didn't know you could cook anything. I don't remember having seen you do it before, ever."
Fred grinned. "His cooking has gotten better over the last several months or so. But before then…it was just awful."
Severus chuckled as he handed Hermione a cup of coffee, surprising her that he remembered how she took it. "You have no room to talk, Fred. You couldn't cook either. If I hadn't taken over in the kitchen, we would have all died of starvation, or some kind of food poisoning."
Hermione paused in making a plate from the platters of eggs, bacon, and sausage on the table. "You can cook?" She asked Severus.
Severus raised an eyebrow at her. He had thought she needed time to get to know him, and this just proved he was right. "Hermione, I am a Potion's Master. Of course I can cook."
Fred swallowed the eggs in his mouth before speaking, having better table manners than Ron did. "How in the hell does one have anything to do with the other?" He asked.
Severus sighed. He really did hate explaining himself. The only reason he was about to was for Hermione's benefit since she seemed curious as well. "It's essentially the same thing. You have to mix the right ingredients, while keeping your temperature settings correct to have a good meal or potion. You use not only your eyes to see if it looks right, but your sense of smell too. If you make a mistake you're bound to have an explosion, or at least a very inedible meal."
Hermione nodded. "I can see how potion making and cooking are the same. You have to know what ingredients go well together or you'll end up with a rather nasty outcome. You wouldn't want to mix the wrong herbs together while cooking or brewing."
Severus gave her a brief nod. "Exactly."
Hermione cocked her head as she studied him. "So…how good of a cook are you?"
Sirius bit his cheek to keep from tossing out a smart arsed remark. Fred looked like he was about to, but Sirius kicked him under the table to shut him up. He understood what Severus was trying to do. They'd had many discussions on how Hermione didn't really know the dark man as an adult.
Severus shrugged. "I'd like to think I'm a fairly decent cook. I'm not sure how gourmet I can be. I've never really tried to make anything overly complicated before. Why?"
"I was just curious. I…didn't know you could cook at all. I never really thought about it before." She told him, spreading some jam on her toast.
"What about you, Kitten? Can you cook?" Sirius asked.
Hermione smiled. "Well, Mrs. Weasley wont let anyone cook in her kitchen but herself, but I used to cook back home before my sixth year, during our breaks from school. Mum was a great cook and taught me. Plus, I always watched Mrs. Weasley when I was at the Burrow and picked up a few things from her too. Mostly how to use magic while doing so."
Fred and Sirius both decided that Hermione was cooking dinner for them all that night. Severus shook his head at both of them while Hermione smiled and said that was fine with her.
They finished breakfast and Fred quickly snagged Hermione before Severus could lock her away with him again. Much to the dark man's annoyance.
Fred showed her a few things he was working on for the joke shop. A shop that Minerva made sure only closed and was not sold this time. That way when it was time for them all to rejoin the world, they could go back to their lives like they never had left them.
He offered Hermione a bowl of candy, which she quickly declined. Remembering all the different kinds of candies for his shop that he made the last time she saw him. All were some kind of gag. Some of them made you vomit, or caused boils to pop out all over your face, some simply caused a small explosion in your mouth or stomach. Nothing dangerous of course.
With a shrug Fred took one that look like a small brown M&M and ate it. A few minutes passed but nothing happened. He looked to his table again and with a laugh said he grabbed the wrong one. That one had been plain old candy.
Grabbing another bowl, he popped one in his mouth, a blue one this time. A minute later his hair slowly darkened until it was the exact shade of blue on the shell of the candy.
"Interesting." Hermione said. "Is that all it does? How long does it last?"
"Yes, that's all it does. It lasts a few hours. They're great for a party or if you just want to look different." He told her, conjuring a mirror to look at his hair.
She picked up a dark green one and ate it. Watching her hair turn the exact shade of green. "What happens if you eat more than one color at once?"
Fred grinned. "I have no idea. Haven't tried it. But you should have seen when I gave a bright purple one to Snape."
Hermione frowned before snorting out a laugh. "Severus had purple hair? How did you even get him to try it?"
Fred smirked. "Remember the bowl of regular candy? I mixed a few purple ones in with the regular stuff. When he told me to eat one first, I simply ate a few plain candies. When he saw that nothing happened, he ate a few as well and got a purple one mixed in."
Hermione laughed a bit harder. She couldn't picture Severus with bright purple hair. Though she would have loved to have seen it.
Fred chuckled. "You should have seen Sirius. I gave him a bubblegum pink one. Got him to eat it the same way Snape did."
Both of them were laughing when a third voice spoke up. "Why don't you tell her what we did to you afterward."
Hermione jerked at the sound of the voice, not having heard anyone come in to join them. Glancing behind her, she saw Sirius leaning against the door jam.
Fred shrugged, still grinning. "They tied me up and shoved me in a closet. For a few hours."
Hermione giggled again. "Too bad I missed that. I would have loved to see Severus and Sirius with freaky hair."
Sirius smiled as he pushed off the door jam and moved into the room. "I'm sure you would have. Though I have to admit, Severus looked rather funny with his hair purple as he yelled at Fred here. I know I was having a hard time keeping a straight face."
"Straight face? You laughed your arse off before I sent a muffling charm to shut you up." Severus said, coming into the room himself. He had tried to stay away as long as he could, but after having been away from her for so long, he refused to miss even a moment with her.
Severus glanced at Hermione and sighed. "Tell me you didn't trick her like you did us." He said to Fred.
Fred held up both hands. "She ate it willingly and with full knowledge of what it would do."
Sirius winked at Hermione. "Nice hair, Kitten. Green suits you."
Hermione grinned. "I'm still curious what happens when you eat more than one color. Does it blend to a new color or just change to the second one a few hours later?"
Fred reached out and tickled Hermione suddenly. When she opened her mouth with her laugh, he popped a second colored candy in her mouth that she didn't mean to swallow. But did when he kept tickling her.
"You prat, I'm not your guinea pig." She growled at him, after she stopped laughing.
Since they were harmless and simply dyed your hair was the only reason Sirius or Severus didn't send a hex at the annoying redhead. They both merely sighed and shook their heads.
Not a minute later, Hermione's hair had diagonal stripes of the new color. Now it was green with purple stripes. It didn't look bad, but she was still annoyed. Fred found the whole thing funny and started to roar with laughter
Inspired, she sent a body-binding curse at Fred while his mouth was open. Then, proceeded to feed him two more colors. Followed by another three after he ended up with tri-colored hair, all in stripes.
His head looked like a rainbow had thrown up on it, sending her into another fit of giggles while he glared at her, still frozen. Adding in a red clown nose at the end with a flick of her wand.
The two older men smirked at what she did. They both decided she let Fred off easy considering she knew some nasty little hexes. When she let Fred free, he started to advance on her with revenge evident in his eyes, even as he still wore the red nose. But a single look from both Sirius and Severus had him quickly changing his mind on getting even with her. Instead he simply rolled his eyes as he pulled off the nose, she gave him a smug smirk when he looked at her again.
Later, she made dinner for them all. Her hair was still green and purple. Severus and Sirius both sat at the kitchen table while she cooked. The three of them chatting together like they did in the past. Though Hermione noticed they got along a lot better these days. She'd almost say they looked like friends. Then, Sirius went and messed it up by flirting with her while she sautéed some diced chicken.
It took Hermione finally saying she'd hex the utter hell out him if he didn't cut it out, for him to actually stop. Sirius, of course, said that he doubted he had much to worry about these days. He was a much more skilled wizard now, than when she knew him in the past.
Hermione turned from the stove, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Care to test that theory?" She asked him.
Sirius grinned and was about to tell her that he would indeed, when he paused. "Wait, how good are you, Kitten?"
Hermione laughed. "I dueled Severus and held my own."
Severus didn't bother pointing out that he had only been eighteen at the time.
Sirius, not knowing when she had done it, quickly stopped. Severus was a powerful wizard. He had been able to take Sirius when they had a friendly duel, after both moved into the house together, while they were both supposed to be dead.
They'd both been bored and decided to see who was really the better wizard. Severus had won and Sirius never asked to duel him again. Even though it had been harmless spells, more embarrassing than anything else. Sirius' pride still smarted a bit from what Severus had done to him.
They ate dinner, Fred and Sirius both claiming that Hermione now had permanent kitchen duty with how great it was. Hermione had laughed and said there was no way she was getting stuck doing all the cooking for them.
Afterward, Severus and Hermione sat in the library where he read to her like he used to. The big cushy chair transfigured into a sofa that Hermione ended up laying on with her feet in his lap just like in the Room of Requirement.
When she started to yawn, he led her back to his room where he took great pleasure in wearing her out even more before they both fell asleep.
A/N: Ha ha, Fred's hair looked like a rainbow threw up on it. Too funny. Hope you guys liked her second day back. More coming soon. Take care and please leave me your thoughts.