A/N: Hello my dear sweet readers. For those of you concerned about Hermione dating Lee, try to think of this story as a marathon not a sprint. It won't be 100 chapters until the finish line but it is a journey with some ups and downs...
And to Bri892, thank you for your help editing. Punctuation is over-rated, isn't it?
Chapter 22: Game Night
"Severus, my parents mentioned game night. Is this something you have done before?"
He didn't glance up from his reading as he answered, "Yes, a few times a year."
Hermione watched his face as he turned the pages of the research paper. "I've never been. I can't imagine you playing poker despite your ability to keep emotions off your face. Are you a gambler?"
"Hmm, gambling, no." Severus continued reading as he absentmindedly answered her.
She gave up on trying to start a conversation with him; pulling out her own folders and marking items with Post It note flags. They worked in relative silence until he groaned; rubbing his eyes.
He leaned back in his chair and watched her work - mesmerized by the numerous flags dotting her papers. "You were asking me about game night."
"Yes, my parents said it's coming up next weekend." She tidied her work papers and stacked them neatly. "What is involved? It's not poker?"
"A friend of your parents, a history professor, started bringing games from different periods of time from across the world. It's become a theme and I am responsible for the game for next week. I found a version of Parcheesi from the Ottoman Empire."
"Wow! I should have known not to expect something more than a lively game of cards when it involves you and my dad. I am sorry to miss it. Will you show me the game?"
Severus headed for the study while Hermione started the tea. They sat around the dining table as he taught her the simple game of strategy. The game board was a square piece of hand embroidered fabric and the dice were sea shells. Unable to remember the rules and the Turkish numbers, Hermione jotted down notes as she played.
She couldn't control her giggles when she knocked out his pieces, stating "Sorry!" in an obnoxious voice. After the third time, Severus asked why she was being so annoying.
"Oh, this game has a children's Muggle version called 'Sorry' and the player is supposed to apologize insincerely when they eliminate another player's piece."
She was quite surprised a bit later when Severus said "Sorry!" as he smirked and won the game.
~~~~O-O~~~~
A few days later, Filius was ushering Hermione out of his office as Minerva patiently waited for her to pack up her paperwork.
"Filius, have you considered having Hermione review the safety records with her muggle computers? Severus said the computations on his potion were quickly analyzed."
The tiny man bobbed his head up and down, "Hermione - would you join us for the first part of the administration meeting?"
Not waiting for an answer, he pushed her back into her chair as Minerva settled in another chair.
Hermione found herself immersed in the Ministry and Hogwarts policies. In order to renew the insurance for the school, the ministry needed accurate calculations of accidents and/or injuries by school year.
"This is why our potions budget is much higher than other schools" Filius announced, "The Ministry is impressed with our safety record."
"Unlike Care of Magical Creatures' budget." Minerva murmured quietly in an aside to Hermione.
Filius continued "In fact, Beaubaxtons is only offering Potions as an elective."
"Has the safety record continued since we have two potion instructors now?" Hermione asked them.
Blaise Zabini had taught Year 1 - 4 Potions for the past year so Snape could focus on preparing Owl and Newt students with a speciality course for advanced students.
Minerva replied, "There haven't been any more incidents than when only Severus taught. Blaise insisted that students be taught to throw a shield charm before they try any explosive potions. Of course that doesn't always work."
Hermione offered to calculate the accidents with her computer and present the results to them by the end of the week. She stepped out of the meeting as they moved on to discuss expected enrollment numbers for the new school year.
~~~~O-O~~~~
The weekend had arrived. The family of three flooed to the Grangers; finding Anna and Mark slow dancing in the living room to Open Arms by Journey. Mark placed Sabrina on his hip as he continued dancing with his wife. Hermione smiled at the sight before her. She glanced at Severus wondering if this show of intimacy would make him uncomfortable.
He sidestepped dancers and headed into the dining room, calling over his shoulder, "I hope this is not the soundtrack for the evening ahead."
He busied himself with setting up the game. Hermione followed him, "There is a soundtrack to game night?"
Mark entered the room and began rearranging the table and chairs. "It seems your baby daddy prefers alternative rock, Hermione."
"Dad, that is just awful! Baby Daddy! What are you? 15?"
Laughing, Mark kissed his daughter's forehead. Using the doorbell as an escape, he headed to answer the front door.
After hugging family acquaintances and being introduced to two new friends; the group separated with the women (and Sabrina) flooing to the Weasley's for dinner and the men staying behind for game night.
~~~~O-O~~~~
The Burrow hosted large family dinners on Sunday so this gathering was much smaller. Other than Arthur and Molly, the only other Weasley in attendance was Ron. Despite the smaller crowd, the volume of the gathering was quite loud.
"Lee Jordan, you cannot be serious! Mione!"
Anna laughed, "What's wrong with Lee? He's only made Hermione giggle like a schoolgirl and sneak out of work!"
Hermione, blushing, covered Sabrina's ears as she sternly asked the family to stop teasing. "This is not up for discussion!"
Ron reached out and grabbed Sabrina away from her mother, "Come on, squirt! We are not welcome here! Let's go play in the garden."
Arthur quickly cleared the table before heading to the garden. He knew the Lee Jordan discussion wasn't over.
Molly shared a few stories about this young man (who is like a son) with Anna.
"I haven't even gone out with him yet. There is nothing to talk about!" Hermione seethed.
Placing a kiss on the top her Hermione's head. Anna wrapped up the conversation, "We'll chat after you go out on a date."
Hermione thought there would be more upcoming chats with everyone and their mother, literally. She giggled at her own pun. Literally.