07 Unlovable
A/N- I apologise for not properly expressing myself at the end of the last chapter. I didn't mean for it to sound as though I was going to leave the story there, just that final scene. I was so flattered, though, by the number of people begging me to continue. So, for all those who reviewed last time, and you know who you are, this one's for you. And, er, don't be too cranky with me for...well...what I've done here at the beginning, will you? ((Wicked Grin))
Oh, and to a small portion of the American audience, following an anonymous review posted for Escapology, I really have to emphasise the fact that I spell the British way wherever possible. Hence 'realisation' was spelt correctly…WITHOUT the BLOODY 'Z'. If I were writing fanfic for Buffy or Angel (as I was once known to do), I'd force myself to conform to the American way of spelling things (where, yes, the 'z' features a fair bit), but, as Harry Potter is a British series, set in the UK (for the majority of the time), I will continue to use the rules of traditional ENGLISH spelling.
Sorry for the rant, guys, I just hate being told that I –a teacher of English- can't spell properly. I was very flattered by the rest of that particular review; I'd just like to point out that there are other ways of spelling words in other countries; particularly those in which the stories are set.
"Daddy!" Sophia's panicked voice, amplified by the monitoring charm, echoed through their room. "Daddy!"
Hermione's eyes sprang open and she groaned. "The world is against me."
From his position between her thighs, Severus lifted his head. "You've waited this long, I'm certain you'll survive a few minutes more."
"No," she replied petulantly, "I won't."
He rolled his eyes and made his way off the bed as the sobs from the charm grew in volume. "I'll return as soon as possible."
Hermione sighed and flopped back against her pillows. This was just her luck. She finally had him right where she wanted him and then BAM, a fake toddler ruins the moment! It was the sort of thing that could only happen to her. (Or, she mused, possibly the entire seventh year class at Hogwarts.)
In a vain attempt to cheer herself up, she supposed she should be pleased that Severus was no longer going to restrain himself...But, Merlin, she needed release now! The brat hadn't even given her enough time for proper foreplay!
Oh, how she loathed the Headmaster for his decision to age the infants! His timing was as bad as Sophia's was now! Worse, even! But it couldn't be changed. No, now she would just have to be patient.
She sighed.
Come on, Severus! She glared at the door. Nothing. She sighed again.
Hopefully he wouldn't be too much longer.
-?-
Severus slipped back under the covers with a sigh. Hermione was fast asleep. Unfortunately, he couldn't claim to be responsible for her exhaustion. The Sandman had claimed her long before he'd re-entered the bedroom. And all because the not-entirely-real little girl in the next room had been too afraid to let him go until after she'd fallen asleep again (something she'd also refused to do).
He could only hope that Hermione would forgive him and offer him a chance -or three- to redeem himself.
-?-
When the Gryffindor woke the next morning, she yawned and snuggled against the warm body accompanying her in bed, before remembering that she'd succumbed to sleep alone.
"When did you get in?" She asked coldly, pulling away from his warmth.
"Good morning to you, too." Severus replied sarcastically, regretting the action almost immediately when she tossed the blankets off and stomped into the bathroom, mumbling about 'inconsiderate men'. He sighed; they'd officially been together for less than twelve hours and already they were arguing. "Hermione," he eventually tried, dragging himself from the bed and knocking cautiously on the en suite door. "Hermione," he repeated, "I apologise for not returning as soon as I'd hoped last night." Silence. "She wouldn't allow me to leave." He winced at his own admission. A faux three year-old had been holding him back? He'd become such a ponce! "Hermione?"
She sat on the floor, her back to the other side of the door, tears of frustration marring her cheeks. Thankfully she'd had the sense to erect a silencing charm when she'd entered, as he would have most likely stormed the door down at the first sign of her emotional distress. Emotional distress which she knew was silly and uncalled for; hence the silencing charm. It would be humiliating for him to see her like this. Especially when she couldn't explain why she was so upset.
She rarely ever let her emotions gain control, aside from during the span of time when she'd been under the influence of the faux-pregnancy charm, or when her menstrual cycle got the better of her...
Merlin, no!
Suddenly she knew what was wrong, and she cursed her body. Within a few days her period would begin and the rest of the holiday would be utterly ruined.
If she and Severus were to consummate their relationship, she deduced that they would have to do so by the close of the next day, as she was certain her period would begin the following morning.
She sighed. This wasn't exactly a concept she could envision discussing with him.
That wasn't to say she was ashamed of her body; she'd decided years earlier that people who couldn't discuss the topics associated with sex and so forth shouldn't be participating in carnal activities, and it would be hypocritical if she were embarrassed about it all. However, she'd only just promised herself to him. How sadistic would she seem when she put an expiry date on the offer?
But it really couldn't be helped, she supposed. Not unless the Wizarding world had means for a witch to conveniently 'skip' a period. She knew Muggle women could occasionally do so with The Pill, but she'd never really wondered whether there was a magical alternative. Yes, she was rather up-to-date with her studies, and she knew a number of contraceptive charms -though she had relied on the potion when she'd been with Jackson for the obvious reason that he'd been Muggle and waving a wand before penetration might have put him off somewhat- but she'd never had cause to ponder this.
With the logical side of her brain finally regaining control, the Gryffindor felt herself calming down and rubbed her eyes in a vain attempt to hide the evidence of her tears.
Perhaps there was a charm to postpone the body's process? Or a potion, even? St Mungo's used Stasis Charms and so forth on tumours; would it be so different to do the same on one's menstrual cycle? There had to be a way to research this.
Then a thought struck her:
Severus did have an extensive library (which had, thankfully, been the only room warded against dilapidation)...She'd be certain to find something of use...
But was she really willing to tamper with the laws of nature for a few extra rolls in the hay?
"Hermione," Severus' voice -now tinged with self-righteous anger- interrupted her thoughts. "So help me, Girl, if you don't respond within the next thirty seconds, I will break this door down..."
She sighed and disarmed her silencing charm. "I'm fine, Severus. I just needed a little time to calm down." She hoped he could hear the attempted smile in her voice as she added, "'You know what my temper's like."
On the other side of the door, the Slytherin frowned; she'd never attempted to hide her anger before. In fact, she was usually quite content to rant and rave at any apparent injustices. However, he forced himself to set the issue aside for the time being. There would be no use questioning her about it with a heavy slab of wood separating them.
"Typical Gryffindor," he eventually teased by way of reply. "You wouldn't do your House justice if you weren't so hot-headed and impulsive."
Hermione couldn't help but grin at the comment. Where (once upon time) she would have taken offence, she now realised that it was his twisted brand of humour to taunt others, and that, really, there was no malice intended.
"At least it's a step up from being selfish and cowardly." She informed him as she opened the door, barely refraining from adding the phrase 'So there' and poking out her tongue.
Though her eyes sparkled with mirth, Severus could still see that she'd been crying. He wondered why, but dared not ask just yet. It was better to see her smiling and joining him in banter. They would discuss it in good time, though. He wasn't one to let such things go completely.
"Ah, but the selfish and cowardly get so much more out of the world."
"Physically, perhaps." She agreed, inclining her head. "But you wouldn't know the satisfaction of an impulsive act gone right."
"Nor would I know the humiliation of an impulsive act gone wrong."
Touché. Hermione thought. Shrugging, she brushed past him. "If you can't live in the moment," she told him over her shoulder, "there's not much point in living at all."
"To a Gryffindor that may be true," the Potions Master countered, following her as she bustled about the room, "However, we Slytherins believe in savouring each second and utilising every moment for...maximum enjoyment."
The innuendo only served to infuriate the young woman, and she spun around angrily, all traces of her previous amusement gone. "Maximum enjoyment, you say?"
Realising he'd gone wrong -though not entirely sure how- Severus reached out an arm to placate her. She slapped it away and continued on her rant.
"Then why, Professor, did you disappear last night? Didn't I present the best option for your enjoyment?" With a violent swipe of her wand she was dressed for the day, but was too cranky to admire her own handiwork. "If you hadn't really wanted me, you might have been man enough to tell me!"
Dear Merlin, was that really what she believed? Even now, after their discussion the previous night?
"Hermione, we've discussed this..."
"And I find it hard to believe that you, of all people, couldn't tell an imaginary toddler that her behaviour was in appropriate and that you had your own bed to go to."
He blinked. "I was actually referring to this notion that you have of me not wanting you, which, I assure you, is completely unfounded."
"Oh." She was momentarily taken by surprise, before finding her voice once more. "Then why didn't you come back?"
She suddenly looked so vulnerable and he sighed, drawing her into his arms. "It's rather difficult to deny her." He admitted, adding, "Even though she's not entirely real."
"Because she looks real?"
"Because she looks like you."
His words were spoken so quietly that she almost missed them. Pulling away, she looked up at him questioningly. "Me?" She echoed.
"You." He nodded.
The Gryffindor didn't know how to respond. As far as she could see, little Sophia was the spitting image of her 'father'.
As if he had read her mind, Severus extrapolated. "She has your eyes, though my hue, and your lips. And, despite the high cheekbones, her pout and myriad of other facial expressions are very much 'inherited' from you."
"I don't see it."
The corners of his lips quirked slightly. "Of course not. You've been fixated on my traits instead." She could see amusement in his eyes as he added, "Most likely interested in the merits of my breeding."
Despite herself, she felt her cheeks burn. "Merlin, Severus, you make it sound as though I'm looking for a dog!"
The sound of little feet running towards them interrupted Snape's response, and he turned to find an out of breath -but nonetheless petulant- toddler. She planted her hands on her hips and glowered up at him.
"You said you was gonna stay." She accused, her lower lip trembling.
Severus pointedly arched an eyebrow at Hermione -a look that said 'she certainly didn't get that from me'- before crouching down to the toddler's level. "Until you went to sleep." The reminder was stern, but gentle. "That was the deal."
She shook her bushy head. "No. Wasn'."
"Yes, it was." His tone was somewhat more forceful.
The little girl's expression darkened. "Not!" She cried, stamping her foot. "Not! Not! NOT!"
Severus was losing patience rapidly. "Sophia!" he snapped. "Stop it at once. You are no longer a baby and shouldn't behave as such."
"Daddy-" She whined plaintively.
"And I do not take kindly to being called a liar."
That was all she could take. "Sorry Daddy," she hiccoughed between sobs, pronouncing her 'R's as 'W's.
Hermione thought it was rather adorable, even with the snot dribbling down her chin. However, she kept out of the matter, preferring to see how Severus handled it.
He sighed and summoned a handkerchief, then, gently wiping the toddler's face, proceeded to reassure her that he didn't hate her. "...But you're a big girl now, Sophia, and mustn't yell and throw a tantrum to get your way-"
"You still loves me?" She asked, this time it was the 'L's warping into a 'W' sound.
Hermione damn near had a heart-attack when Severus nodded and reassured her tenderly.
Who was this man and what had he done with the real Severus Snape?
Yes, Severus had always been a good person somewhere deep down inside, but this...This was just not right.
He glanced up at her and furrowed his brow at the look on her face. "Dare I ask?"
She shook her head. "I'm wondering who you are and what you've done with Severus Snape."
He rolled his eyes. "You don't believe I have the capacity to love?"
"Don't be stupid," she sighed, waving his comment away, "I just find it difficult to accept that you can act like that with an imaginary child."
"Oh?" He couldn't help being mildly affronted.
"It's just...I feel silly doing it...How is it that you do it so easily?"
Severus took a moment to ponder over the question. "After a number of years in-" he took a side-long glance at the little girl clutching his neck, and forced himself to modify his response should she mimic him back at the school, "-a megalomaniac's presence, I feel I have honed my, shall we say, theatrical skills to a relatively impressive degree."
"Ah." Now Hermione was forced to wonder whether he'd been genuine with her, or whether she'd really just been another instrument in his games with the Headmaster. After all, it really did seem strange that someone like him would fancy a know-it all like her. And here he was, telling her that he was quite adept at fooling people! Plastering a smile upon her face, she nodded. "I see." She forced a nonchalant shrug. "Anyhow, I was wondering whether you'd mind looking after her for a few hours. I've still got a few feet to write for Herbology, and was hoping to duck into your library…"
The Slytherin cocked his head to the side; she was lying to him. He knew for a fact that every single one of her holiday essays had been completed before they'd left Hogwarts. He wouldn't have allowed her to join him in the task of remodelling if they hadn't been.
So the question arose: why was she lying? What did she really hope to achieve in that library of his? He knew that she wasn't going to be able to resist the call of the books forever –in fact he was rather surprised that she'd lasted this long- but she was telling untruths about her intentions, which worried him. Had she thought to tell him that she simply wanted to poke around in his books he wouldn't have been suspicious at all.
What is she trying to hide?
Eyeing her sceptically, he nodded. "Of course." He eventually replied smoothly. "I'll collect you for lunch, shall I?"
She released the breath that she'd been holding and smiled weakly in return. "Thank you, Severus."
He pressed his lips to her forehead, then watched her leave the room…without her Herbology notes.
-?-
Hermione leafed through the book in her lap, barely taking in the words. Her mind was focussed, instead, on Snape's intentions.
Was she merely a pawn to him? One with benefits?
After all the time spent in his company, a little voice in her head told her that she was being extremely silly jumping to conclusions. Severus genuinely seemed to care for her; his vaguely vulnerable reaction to Jackson's presence had proven as much.
Then why did he avoid me last night? She mused.
The voice of reason stamped its foot. He'd explained that! And, again, his admission that Sophia reminded him of her enough to manipulate him against his will could only demonstrate just how much he really felt for her. Particularly considering the way he'd approached the assignment before they'd attempted to know each other properly…
With a sigh, the Gryffindor slammed the book in her hands shut.
She was getting nowhere.
In fact, she couldn't even decide whether it was important to her that she research a means to postpone or skip her period anyway.
Which, naturally, took her back to pondering Severus' intentions once more.
It was frustrating and upsetting, and really quite fruitless, she knew.
And as much as she knew she loved him, could she even consider taking such a large step when she wasn't even certain that he loved her in return?
"This is ridiculous." She grumbled, massaging her temples.
She'd been so certain the previous night. So willing to promise herself to him for an indeterminate future…
And now? Now she was afraid that she'd opened herself up to him for nothing.
Should she be glad, then, that they hadn't yet consummated their relationship?
The voice of reason and logic flared up again. Of course not! She was being stupid. He loved her; couldn't she see it? Why was she suddenly so insecure? She was a head-strong, intelligent witch. And he'd all-but-hit her over the head with the way he'd felt about her. And still she questioned it.
Perhaps she needed a little more sleep. A bit of a rest to clear her head. To make her see sense.
Yes, she decided, yawning. That sounded like a plan.
-?-
Severus tentatively opened the door to the library, only to find the Gryffindor fast asleep in his favourite armchair, a closed book nestled carefully in her embrace.
He smirked, imagining the myriad of lewd comments her friends would have made, had they spied her in the same position.
"Daddy?" Sophia tugged at his arm. "Mummy sleeping?" Again, the 'L' sound was mispronounced.
He fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes," he told her, "But it's lunch time, so you'd best wake her."
He wasn't foolish enough to do it himself.
The little girl beamed up at him, "Okay!"
As he watched her boldly race forward, he decided that, for all her manipulation tactics, the girl was still quite Gryffindorish.
"Mummy…" Sophia tugged at Hermione's hand. "Get up…lunch time."
For all intents and purposes, all Hermione caught as her brain kick-started, was 'wunch', which she was relatively certain was not a word. "Wunch?" she echoed lazily.
From his position at the doorway, Severus smirked. "I believe she meant 'lunch'." He advised her. "I do recall informing you that I'd collect you when it was time to eat."
"Oh, is it midday already?" The young woman stretched and glanced at her watch, "Wow…I slept longer than I'd planned to…"
Severus gave her a fond smile. "Yesterday was somewhat draining," he said, "And you seem to have taxed yourself with a lot of reading…" He gestured towards the pile of books next to the chair.
She blushed. "Sorry…I'll put them all back just as I found them."
"There's no need," he replied, "Are you done with them?"
Nodding, Hermione watched as he muttered a charm and the books returned to their rightful positions on the shelves. "Well," she said, impressed. "That was handy."
"Quite." Severus made a mental note to return to those books when next he had the chance.
"Lunch?" the little girl at his side asked, tugging at his sleeve.
Hermione made her way towards them, "Lunch." she agreed.
-?-
Following the light meal, Severus excused himself on the premise of collecting some research notes for an ongoing Potions Project. Hermione, distracted by Sophia's antics, nodded and allowed him leave without any of her usual onslaught of questions. He was glad for this, though knew he could have provided appropriate answers if required. After all, his years of spying had relied upon his ability to manipulate the truth.
But that was neither here nor there, now. He'd survived the war and had, surprisingly, found someone that wasn't repulsed by him. What had surprised him even more, however, were his own emotions. He had never loved easily; not even his own mother had received the fullest extent of his affection. Then she came along with her amusingly bushy hair and her enquiring hazel eyes and -for some unfathomable reason- he'd gone completely loopy.
Loopy?
Dear Merlin, even his internal monologue had gone soft!
Arriving in the library, he waved his wand and muttered the counter-charm for the one he'd performed earlier. The books flew back to their previous positions on the table and floor, open at the pages Hermione had left them. He felt vaguely guilty for invading her privacy, but reasoned that it was his library and that she had broken his trust by lying to him in the first place.
"Now, Miss Granger," he muttered to himself, "What are you scheming, hmm?"
Severus picked up the top book, Medicinal Potions and Charms by Louis Tiddlewick, and frowned. "Stasis charms?" he asked aloud, "Whatever for?"
He reached for the next book, What's That Ailment:1001 Simple Solutions for Everyday Medical Queries by Brunhilda Mugglewort, and damn near had a heart attack. "Queries of a Sexual Nature: Name that Rash?"
Dear Merlin, he wasn't certain he wanted to know any more...but still he forged on.
Jeremy Merton's Heal Thyself did little to alleviate his concern, and he most certainly didn't need to know why Martin Jesson's Magical Guide to the Male Anatomy had been open to the charms that dealt with erectile dysfunction...
"Daddy!" Sophia raced towards him as he was reaching for the next tome, causing him to drop the heavy text, narrowly missing his toes.
"Damn it!" he cursed vehemently, stooping to retrieve the text, stopping the toddler in her tracks.
Her lower lip started to quiver and her eyes filled with tears. "Mummy!" she wailed. Hermione came running.
"What?" she panted, panicking over any number of possible problems that might result in her failure of the class. "What's happened?"
Sophia ran into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She looked to Severus for an explanation.
"She startled me," he admitted, "and I'm afraid I lost my temper-"
"You yelled at her?" she pulled the girl closer protectively.
"No," his tone was deceptively calm, "I cursed at my own clumsiness and it quite clearly upset her."
"And you've made no attempt to apologise?" She gave him little time to respond before sarcastically huffing, "What a surprise!"
"Now see here, Girl. I didn't even have the chance before you came barrelling in, wand at the ready."
She moved her month to continue the argument but froze when she recognised the book in his hands. It might have easily been put down to coincidence, had she not glanced at the other titles littering the area. Cheeks burning, she demanded an explanation. "Y-you're spying on me!" she cried, "Why? Why would you do something so vile?"
"I was curious as to why you would lie to me..." The Potions Master replied simply. "After professing your undying affections, as well. And now I find that you have done nothing but lie to me." He narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice to little above a hiss, "Was it fun to play with me, Granger? Did you enjoy seeing me vulnerable?"
Hermione stared back, incensed. How dare he accuse her of the things he was guilty of? "I have never lied to you." She fought the waver in her voice. "Perhaps you're misplacing your own guilt. You all-but-admitted your game with me this morning. Do you remember, Severus?" Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them spill. "You're such a good actor! It's easy for you to convince others of your adoration. Even when it's not there." Despite herself, she was crying. "Did you enjoy playing with me, Professor?" she spat, throwing his own words back at him. "Do you like to see me vulnerable?"
He stared, dumbfounded, as she turned and fled, Sophia cradled in her arms.
What, in Merlin's name, had just happened?
-?-
"Mummy, why you sad?"
Hermione looked down into imploring dark eyes. "Because I'm being silly."
"Why?"
How does one explain separation to a fictional toddler without breaking her heart? Hermione sighed.
"Mummy and Daddy had a fight…"
"Go kiss 'n make better."
If only it were that simple…
"Sweetheart, perhaps you should go play with your toys."
Such a cop out.
Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Don' wanna."
The Gryffindor was too emotionally exhausted to argue and flopped down on the bed. "Fine."
"Sophia," Severus' voice came from the doorway, firm but far from cruel, "Go do as your mother says, please."
The little girl pouted, but made her way towards the corner of the room that held her play things. Hopefully her Mummy and Daddy would cuddle and be happy again.
Hermione rolled to her side, avoiding his gaze. "Come to gloat?" She murmured.
She felt the bed sag with his weight. "Hermione," he sighed, touching her shoulder gently, "I don't quite understand what's happened today, though you must know; it's never been my intention to hurt you."
Fighting tears, she sniffled, still not turning to face him. "How do I know I can believe you?"
"There are many ways I could have chosen to hurt and humiliate you," he replied, honestly. "None of which would have involved humiliating myself or making myself vulnerable in the process."
Well, she considered, that makes sense…
Rolling over, she blinked up at him. "I…" She sighed. "I'm sorry."
Severus nodded. "Apology accepted."
An awkward silence fell between them, then Hermione spoke; "Those books…Merlin knows what you must think…I…I've been researching ways to, er, to postpone my, er, my monthly visitor."
Monthly visitor? How juvenile! She cringed.
He blinked once. Then twice. Then laughed; a rich warm sound that lit up the room.
She was far from impressed. Folding her arms over her chest, she frowned petulantly. "It's hardly a laughing matter," she blushed.
He attempted to sober himself up somewhat. "Merlin, Hermione…you can't begin to comprehend just how relieved I am…" He sighed and kissed her forehead. "I was beginning to suspect a large number of preposterous things…"
She giggled, remembering some of the titles she'd read. "I'm sorry. I know I should have just asked, but I was still so inexplicably angry with you…"
He rolled his eyes playfully. "Foolish Gryffindor."
"Insufferable Slytherin."
-?-
They put Sophia to bed together that night, leaving her with a magical nightlight and an assortment of fluffy toys that were guaranteed to ward off nightmares (Hermione had cast the specific charms herself). There was absolutely no chance that she'd wake up in a similar state to the previous night.
The two adults closed the door to her room and wasted no time reacquainting themselves with the feel of the other's body. Hermione kissed Severus with a passion he'd never imagined possible, and he returned the embrace with equal fervour. Her hands slid beneath his shirt and his mimicked her actions upon her own body. She moaned appreciatively as his thumb brushed across her nipple.
"Merlin, Severus, we won't make it back to bed at this rate…" She breathed, pulling away.
He responded by grinding his aching erection against her. "The problem being?"
"I want you to make love to me, Severus…" She moaned again as he began to suckle her neck, guiding her towards their room. "You can fuck me with wild abandon afterwards."
Her unexpected obscenity took him by surprise and almost caused him to lose control right then and there. "Merlin, woman," he hissed, lifting her up so that her legs wrapped around his abdomen, "You've no idea what you do to me…"
She grinned wickedly and wriggled against him, positioning him at her entrance, separated only by their clothing. "I think I have a fair idea…"
He groaned and took her to their room as quickly as he could, laying her on the bed and following suit mere moments later.
They undressed each other with haste, both silently agreeing that there'd been enough subtle foreplay between them this night.
He hesitated momentarily, perched between her thighs, and she demanded that he take her. Of course it was what she wanted! She was more than certain!
He didn't need to be told twice.
Sheathed inside her, he lost himself to a myriad of sensations. She was so utterly perfect, writhing beneath him, murmuring his name. He bathed in the warmth of her, memorising every detail of this event.
Hermione bucked her hips, subtly demanding that he speed up. His languor was driving her crazy with the need for release. But he refused to be rushed. Dipping his head, he captured her lips in a kiss that almost sent her over the edge on its own.
"Patience, Love." He muttered, pulling out then sliding back in. "Let me love you."
She mumbled incoherently.
He grinned and nibbled her earlobe. "The wanton fucking comes later."
As predicted, that was all it took to send her over the edge. She cried out and he felt her walls clamp down around him.
Satisfied with the results, Severus repeated the procedure, slowly picking up pace.
She'd come another two times that evening before he succumbed to his own need.
Basking in the afterglow, the lovers snuggled against one another, spent and sated.
"I love you, Severus." Hermione admitted, pressing a kiss to his bare chest.
He felt his breath hitch, and he nodded. "And I you, Hermione."
-?-
At The Burrow, Ron Weasley sighed and rolled over in his bed, the old wood creaking under his weight. A sliver of moonlight slipped through the window and landed on the makeshift cot in the corner that held his 'son'. The miniature redhead was really quite cute in his sleep. The picture of innocence. Ron sighed again.
He, like the rest of his family (discounting Percy, of course), couldn't wait to start his own brood. However, unlike most of the other Weasleys, he hadn't yet met the spouse of his dreams. Certainly, Hannah was a lovely girl, and they got along well enough…but, naturally, she had a partner of her own. Some bloke from Durmstrang. It figured.
His two best friends seemed to have found absolute romantic bliss, and he was still stuck on the outside looking in. That was, perhaps, the real reason he'd pushed them away. He'd been jealous of their happiness. Vaguely disturbed by their choice of partners, but namely jealous that they were so clearly placed with the people that would be their lovers for a large portion of their lives. Even though, initially, he'd assumed Hermione was closer to Malfoy than Snape, simply by the way they'd become so close so soon. But that was neither here nor there, now.
Was there something so wrong with him that he was bound to be alone? Was he really so unlovable? Hannah had, of course, let him down gently…But it hurt to watch the people he'd been so close to wind up in the arms of others. Not that he was at all romantically attached to either of his two best friends, but he'd always assumed that they'd progress through life at the same speed.
Now, though, it was clear that this was not the case. In fact, he was almost certain that Harry and Hermione would be parents numerous times over before he ever managed to tie some unsuspecting girl down.
He shook his head. It wouldn't do to get jealous again. In fact, he would be better off embracing this new twist, and immersing himself in his friends' lives, particularly when they did have children. At least that way he'd get plenty of practice before it was his turn. And, really, any of Harry and Hermione's children would be honorary Weasleys anyway…so, in effect, his family would be expanding, and he'd be there to see it happen.
That thought calmed him. He wasn't entirely unlovable, then. Not if his friends could reconcile with him after how awful he'd been…
A muffled "Daddy?" roused him from his musings and he sat up in bed, welcoming the toddler in next to him. He smoothed the child's hair gently and smiled to himself. No, he couldn't be all that unlovable after all…And life would shape up. He was certain of it.
A/N- Right, well, I hope it was worth the wait. This was the prac from hell. I HATE the school I was sent to, and the mentor teacher I was assigned to. But, it's over now, and I've survived. Relatively unscathed, too. Though, I swear, if one more person says "whatever doesn't kill you can only make you stronger", I WILL hurt them.
Anywho, please review. I miss you guys so much. (Grin)
On a side note, I hadn't actually planned on letting Hermione and Severus get it on at all in this chapter. But, fortunately for them, they took over. So much for building tension, hey? LOL. At least they finally did. I can't tell you how irritating it is to be so close to it, to be so completely and totally overwhelmedby lust,and then having an inconsiderate housemate knock on your door. My partner still finds my frustration from those instances amusing. The prat.