Chapter 33: Getting Ready

Severus picked up Sabrina after school and returned home. The little girl ran off to gather all her stuffed animals and returned to set up an elaborate game in the living room. Hermione returned home to find Severus making galloping noises.

"That is NOT how a unicorn runs, Daddy! Unicorns run quietly."

"And how many unicorns have you heard running, Sabrina?"

"None cause they run quietly, Daddy. You can't hear them. You can only see them with your eyes!"

Hermione stepped forward, "Am I interrupting?"

Sabrina and Severus looked up at her from the floor, simultaneously rolling their eyes at her in regards to the other. Hermione was struck by their identical expressions. Sabrina may look like her but she was all Severus when it came to personality.

"Mummy, can you tell Daddy that unicorns are not horses and they don't gallop. He knows NOTHING about unicorns."

Severus gracefully lifted his body from the floor and stood. "You have arrived just in time. Would you please inform our daughter that I do indeed have a comprehensive knowledge of unicorns?"

A shiver ran up Hermione's spine, she loved that he referred to Sabrina as our daughter.

Before she could reply, he kissed her cheek lightly. He walked away, calling over his shoulder,

"Pomona will be here at six. We are going to Muggle London for dinner."

"Does he, Mummy, does he know about unicorns?"

~~~~O-O~~~~

Hermione was trying on different outfits as Sabrina walked around in her high heeled shoes. Hermione decided against her dress pants and nicer shirts. She was trying to find the right look, dressy but not too dressy.

"Mummy, wear this necklace."

She turned around to find Sabrina had dumped out all of her jewelry onto her bed. Sabrina was wearing several necklaces and had bracelets going from her wrists to her elbows on both arms.

"Thanks, Little One."

Hermione took the simple necklace with a single black tear drop bead. She remembered buying it to match a simple casual dress. Rummaging through her clothes, she found the dress stuffed in between two coats. A quick anti wrinkle charm and Hermione was dressed.

She ran her fingers through her curls, loosening them a bit, and touched up her lipstick.

"Sabrina, which shoes should I wear?"

Ever helpful, Sabrina ducked into the wardrobe and pulled out the most ridiculous (but comfy) shoes ever made: pink furry slippers.

Hermione reached around the little girl to grab simple black heels. These would put her at chin level with Severus. She quickly added a cushioning charm in case they had to walk a bit.

"Time to clean up the jewelry." Hermione spent the next ten minutes trying remove the necklaces caught in Sabrina's hair and her bouncing on the bed did not help.

"Where are you going?"

"Daddy and I are going to dinner."

Pout alert! Hermione spotted the pout before it presented itself on Sabrina's face.

"It's a grown up dinner so it won't be very fun. And you get to visit with Miss Pomona."

Sabrina's bottom lip stopped quivering, "Does she know about unicorns?"

Grabbing a light coat, Hermione was ready. "Let's ask her."

~~~~O-O~~~~

Hermione and Sabrina entered the living room to find Severus standing in Muggle suit holding a two bouquets of daisies, a blue stationary bunch and a purple dancing bunch.

"Severus in a suit, oh my!" Hermione thought.

Severus bowed, "My ladies!"

Sabrina raced to him and he handed the purple flowers to her. He move fluidly across the room, stopped in front of Hermione and offered her the bouquet. His fingers brushed against the backs of her hands as she took the flowers.

"You look lovely."

Tingling and breathless, she simply stood in front of him, looking up into his intense gaze.

This was not like any other first date she had been on.

A knock at the door spurned them into action. Severus cross to the door with Sabrina leading the way. Hermione ducked into the kitchen to put her flowers in a vase. She returned with two vases, one empty and one full.

Placing her vase on the dining room table, she greeted their guest. "Madam Sprout, thank you for minding Sabrina tonight."

"Call me Pomona, dear," The little plump witch took the flowers from Sabrina and pointed to the coffee table, "Shall we set up your vase over there?"

Severus kissed Sabrina on the top her head. "Good night, Little One."

Hermione hugged and kissed her daughter and joined Severus at the door. He thanked Pomona and offered his arm to Hermione as they exited.