AN: I don't own Harry Potter.
Thanks so much for the reviews, follows, and faves.
Well...in honor of my birthday (today - Dec. 24!) I'm giving you guys an early Christmas present. And, before anyone grows the stones to ask, I'm less than 30 but more than 25.
Anyone who guesses the big announcement that Molly and Arthur make in the next chapter will get a special mention in the AN. So, get to thinkin', guys!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or just Happy Friday, if you don't celebrate.
Alrighty, you beautiful people...Go! Read and enjoy!
Ron Weasley spent quite a bit of time getting ready the morning he was to be introduced by Hermione to Mallory. He took an extra long shower, he made sure he shaved cleaner than ever, he put on the new cologne he had bought last week in London, he ran a comb through his hair, which he had his mum trim for him the night before. He also dressed nicer than he would if he were just going for an everyday normal lunch with friends, wearing a pair of dark bootcut jeans, his beige boots, and a white undershirt paired with a white button up long sleeved shirt.
He knew he was probably going a bit overboard, but who could blame him? Today was the day he was to meet the girl he'd been thinking about since he saw her in the wedding memory. For all he knew, Mallory Woods could go on to be the future Mrs. Ronald Weasley. Grabbing his wand from the dresser, he took a deep breath and apparated to Hermione's.
"Knock-knock." Ron said, knocking on the open door as he arrived at Hermione's house. "Hermione?" Hearing voices coming from the kitchen, he slowly walked in that direction, not wanting to interrupt.
"Severus, would you just think about it before you say it's a silly idea?" Hermione asked, arms crossed as she glared at her husband.
"Why? It is a silly idea." Severus said, not looking up from the paper he was reading.
"No, it's not." Hermione said. "I think this is something that should be done. You're..."
"No, Hermione." he said in his teacher voice, slapping the paper down on the table and giving her a stern look. "Let it go."
"I will not! People want to know..."
"I know what people want to know, Hermione," he said with a sneer, "and the answer is no."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I don't mean to push, Severus." Hermione said. She walked over to stand behind him, wrapping her arms around him as she leant into him. "What if I wrote it? I'm not Rita Skeeter, and you know I'd write nothing more than the truth. No exaggerations, no lies, just the facts."
"Hermione," Severus sighed.
"You tell the publisher you want the book done, but you also tell him that you get to pick the writer. We can work on it at night, after Nicholas is asleep." she said. "This would be the right time, anyway. I'm still taking time away from everything else to be with Nicholas, and we need something to fill up the next three weeks until we can resume normal activities." she added, smiling when she heard him groan as she ran her hands over his shirt clad chest.
Severus sighed again, dropping his head. "Very well." he said, making Hermione squeal as she walked around and sat on his lap. "But, if this backfires..."
"I'll let you punish me however you see fit, love." she said, giving him a look.
"You little minx." Severus said, giving her a little bite on the neck, making her giggle.
Ron walked into the kitchen just then, and his eyes widened seeing them like that. He had seen them together since he'd been back, but not as loving as they were being now.
"Uh...excuse me?"
Hermione turned her head and smiled at Ron, while Severus opted for glaring at him.
"Hey, Ron." Hermione said, getting off Severus' lap.
"Hi." he said. "Sorry to interrupt. I knocked, but..."
"That's alright." Hermione said. Nudging Severus, she nodded in Ron's direction, indicating for him to say something to Ron.
Severus cleared his throat, sitting up straighter in his chair. "Weasley." he said.
"Snape." Ron said.
"What brings you here?" Severus asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Did I forget to tell you?" Hermione said, handing Ron a cup of tea. "I'm introducing Ron to Mallory." she said, smiling at her husband's raised eyebrow.
"Indeed?" he asked.
Ron nodded, holding onto his tea cup. "Yeah. Well...except Mallory doesn't know it's a setup."
"Right. I also promised to introduce her to Nicholas." Hermione said.
"Trying your matchmaking skills again, hmmm?" Severus asked, turning his head to look at his wife.
Hermione flushed. The last time she tried to set up one of her friends, it ended very badly. To this day, Shelley, the friend she set up, still barely spoke to her.
"Yes. But, I know Ron is exactly the kind of guy Mallory goes for." she said, shrugging. "Besides, I've set her up before, and every time it went kaput, she never held it against me."
"Uh...do I wanna know?" Ron asked.
"Trust me, you do not." Severus said.
"Alright, alright." she said, smacking Severus on the arm as he chuckled. "I'll go get Nicholas, Ron you finish your tea. Don't ask, just do it." she said, holding her hand up. Winking at Severus, she went upstairs to get their son.
"There's a calming draught in there." Severus said after a few moments of awkward silence.
"Huh?" Ron asked.
"Hermione slipped you a calming draught, Weasley." he said.
"Oh." Ron said, surprised. Shrugging, he downed what little bit he had left, just as Hermione came back downstairs carrying Nicholas.
"Would you hold him while I get his bag ready, love?" she asked, handing him off to Severus.
Ron watched as Severus began talking quietly to Nicholas. Even after all this time, and finding out that the Professor Snape he knew was just an act, it was still weird for him to see him being just 'Severus Snape: Loving husband and devoted father'. Ron was also still having a hard time seeing Snape in anything but his billowing robes, which he hardly wore anymore. This new Snape preferred going without his robes, usually being seen wearing his black pants and white button up shirt.
"Okay." Hermione said from the counter. "I think I have everything this time. Plenty of diapers, a couple of bottles, wipes, binky, a change of clothes..."
"Pram?" Severus asked.
"No, I'm bringing the carrier. It's easier to get through the floo." she said, holding out her wand.
"Whoa." Ron said, ducking his head down to the table as the baby carrier came flying by him.
"Sorry, Ron. My magic's been a bit wonky since having Nicholas." Hermione said, wincing as she caught it.
"S'alright, Mione." Ron said, slowly lifting his head.
Severus stood and carried Nicholas over to place him in the carrier. After Nicholas was all belted in, and covered with his blanket, Severus gently tapped his nose as he leaned in.
"You be good for your mum." he said. "And you," he said, turning to Hermione, "send your patronus if you need me." he said, kissing her.
"Severus, I'll only be at the Leaky. I should be back before one, though." Hermione smiled, putting her jacket on and grabbing Nicholas' bag.
"Still." Severus said.
"I'll also be popping into Jake's. I plan on making eggplant lasagna for dinner, by the way." she said. "Ron, carry this for a second." she said, handing him the diaper bag.
"Sure, Mione." Ron said, knowing he didn't really have a choice.
Hermione put the cover over Nicholas, and picked up the carrier. "I'll see you soon, love." she said, kissing Severus once more as Ron turned to walk to the floo.
"Okay, give me the diaper bag." Hermione said as they stepped out of the floo at the Leakey. "I don't see her yet, so here's what you're gonna do. Go out to Diagon Alley, and walk around for a bit. Then, come back here, and I'll act surprised to see you, and we'll go from there." she said, putting the diaper bag over her shoulder and smiling at him.
"What?" Ron asked, confused.
"Go to Diagon Alley, and come back in about fifteen minutes." she said, glaring at him.
Ron shrugged and went to the wall, tapping his wand in the pattern to enter Diagon Alley. "See you soon, I guess." he said over his shoulder, walking out.
Just then, Hermione heard her name being called. Turning around, she saw Mallory entering. Waving as best as she could, she made her way to the table Mallory went to.
"Hey, sweetie." Mallory greeted, taking off her scarf and gloves.
"Hi, love." Hermione smiled, setting Nicholas' carrier on the bench by the wall and dropping the diaper bag on the floor.
"Oh, my goodness." Mallory smiled. "Is this Nicholas?" she asked.
"Yes." Hermione nodded, opening the cover. "Would you like to hold him?"
"Oh, can I?" Mallory asked, wide eyed.
Hermione just gave her a little smile as she lifted Nicholas out of his carrier. She placed him in her friend's arms, and watched as she lit up. "Just tell me when you've had enough. Nicholas gets heavy after a bit." she said.
"Oh, I just want to eat you up. What a little darling!" Mallory exclaimed, staring at Nicholas in fascination. "You look just like your daddy, yes you do." she cooed.
Hermione laughed and sat down, removing her jacket and placing it over the carrier. "He does, doesn't he?" she laughed. She had been careful to sit where she could see the entrance to Diagon Alley, keeping an eye out for Ron.
Mallory slowly slid into the booth, being mindful of the precious baby in her arms. "Jesus, Hermione, it's like looking at a mini-Severus. Look at this little guy!" she said, smiling as she grabbed one of Nicholas' hands. "I love babies. Look how small your nails are. And your itty bitty baby nose." she cooed. "How much..."
"My son is not for sale!" Hermione laughed, knowing Mallory was joking. "You'll just have to get your own."
"Believe me, I'm working on it." Mallory said with a smirk. "He's beautiful, hon."
Hermione smiled as she looked at her son. "I know. There's some days when it's just me and him, I'll just sit and stare at him."
"How old is he, again?"
"Almost three weeks." Hermione said. "Little stinker decided to come early." she said, telling the story of when she went into labor.
"Well, what a great Christmas present." Mallory laughed.
A flash of red caught Hermione's eye, and she turned, seeing Ron coming back in. Lifting her hand, she waved as she called his name.
"Hey, Ron. What brings you here?" she smiled as he stepped up to the table.
"Oh, uh..." Ron stammered, glancing at Mallory. "I was visiting George." he said.
"Well, would you like to join us?" she asked, an overly sweet smile on her face.
"Uh...if it's alright with your friend, sure." he said, looking back to Mallory.
"I don't mind." Mallory said. "Here, you can sit by me." she said, scooting over.
"Mallory, this is Ron Weasley. Ron, Mallory Woods." Hermione said.
"Hi, Ron." Mallory said.
"Hello." he said, sitting down.
"I'd shake your hand, but..." she said, glancing down at Nicholas.
Ron shook his head. "That's alright."
"You know, Mal, if you really want to know more about quidditch, Ron here is the one to talk to." Hermione said, giving Ron a little wink.
"Oh, do you know a lot about it?" she asked.
Ron shrugged. "A bit, yeah." he said, making Hermione snort.
"A bit, he says. He knows absolutely everything about it. Trust me, he's a real expert on the subject." she said, smiling.
"Oh, well, I always did wonder..."
Forty five minutes later, Hermione had finished her lunch, fed Nicholas when he got fussy, and put him down for a nap in his carrier, all in silence. Once Ron and Mallory started talking about quidditch, there was no stopping them.
"Well, I think I'm going to get going." Hermione said, standing up and putting her jacket on.
"Oh, Hermione, I'm sorry. I guess all this quidditch talk is kinda boring for you, huh?" Mallory asked apologetically.
Hermione waved off her concern as she slid the diaper bag onto her shoulder. "It's fine. I need to get Nicholas home, anyway." she said, slowly easing his carrier off the bench. "I'll call you tomorrow, and Ron, I'll see you Sunday for dinner."
"Yeah." Ron nodded. "Mum and dad have some big announcement to make, so they want everyone there." he said.
Hermione backed up a bit, and smiled at the two. "Bye, you guys." she said, turning to head for the floos. As she entered, she couldn't help the giggle that bubbled up as she looked back at her friends. They were both sitting and staring at one another, off in their own little world. Theirs would either be a very slow moving romance, or go off like a rocket.
"I thought you wouldn't be back until one?" Severus asked, seeing her and Nicholas come out of the floo.
"Yeah, well, plans change. Nicholas is asleep, and I'd rather not take him to a noisy grocery store, anyway." she said, setting the carrier down on the sofa. "Is it alright to leave him with you, or are you busy?" she asked.
"Hermione, love, I am never too busy for my son." Severus said. "How long has he been asleep?"
"About twenty minutes, I think." she said. "And when he wakes up, he'll probably need a diaper change."
"Alright." he said. "How'd the spontaneous meet go?"
"Great! For one, Mallory absolutely adores Nicholas, and for two, I think she and Ron really hit it off." she smiled, telling him how she introduced them. "I stayed for a bit after that, but they started talking about quidditch, and never stopped." she said.
Severus pulled her to him, kissing her temple. "I'm sorry, love. I know quidditch bores you to tears." he said.
"Oh, it's fine." she said, pulling away from him. "Alright, I'm off to Jake's. Is there anything special you want? Crisps? Fizzy drink? Orange slices?" she asked.
"That black licorice I like." Severus said.
"Okay. I'll see you in a bit." she said, heading toward the kitchen to get to the garage.
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Til next time!
XOXO - Onyx Obsidian