Chapter 11 – The Malfoys
It turned out that Lupin was only the first 'guest' Severus would have to endure. He had no idea how but a few days later the Malfoys had found out about his relationship with Hermione, too.
The first to arrive were Lucius and Draco, the father full of disgust and anger, the son more uncomfortable with being here at all.
"Severus, please, she is a Mudblood! You deserve so much better!"
"Do not call her that!" Severus was livid. "And just because Potter was kind enough to spare you more years in Azkaban doesn't mean that your ideas about purebloods are way out of line. The Dark Lord is gone and so should this whole idea about blood status."
"Please, Severus, think about it," Lucius tried again but Severus interrupted him.
"I have! Believe me, I have! For a long while. But in the end, it was my decision to be with her and no one except her can change that!" He was glad he had spoken with Hermione after Lupin's visit the other day, for now he had the strength to talk back to his oldest friend.
"You really want to be with her?" Draco spoke for the first time.
Severus looked at his godson. "I do."
Draco nodded. "As long as she makes you happy."
"Draco!" Lucius exclaimed. "You cannot be serious?!"
Draco shrugged. "I may have my differences with Granger, but she has always been very bright and loyal. I believe she can be the right one for Severus. Though just thinking about it makes me ill." And he made a face worthy of his father.
Severus was still grateful to him, for it made Lucius soon after drop the issue as well.
The second guest was Narcissa a few days later – drunk.
"Severus," she slurred. "You know that I always had a thing for you. And now that you finally show interest in women maybe now we can be together, run away, and start new somewhere." And she tried to hug and kiss him.
Severus gently pushed her away from him – he didn't want to hurt her, but this was too much. "Narcissa, you're drunk, so I'm not sure if you can understand me. I don't want to be with you. I want to be with Hermione."
She stared at him hurt, then spat: "You don't mean that!"
"I do." And he brought her to his fireplace, said clearly: "Malfoy Manor", made her go into the green flames, and put Floo powder around her so that she vanished home where Lucius would hopefully wait for her and make her forget this whole idea.
Severus sighed in exhaustion. Would this defending his relationship ever stop? At least it was worth it. He decided to write a letter to his dear Hermione to tell her of the recent events (though not that Narcissa tried to kiss him) and that he missed her.
And here comes a bonus scene for cloudshape to ennien.
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Hermione stormed to Lupin's apartment door and banged her fist against it.
Lupin opened the door a moment later, a faint smile on his face. "Hermione, how lovely to s-"
"Remus John Lupin, how dare you?!" she started, her hands on her hips.
Lupin looked at her dumbfounded.
"Is it true that you went to Severus and told him to break up with me?"
Lupin stepped back in sight of this furious Hermione and looked guiltily.
"How dare you?" she said again. "It is none of your business with whom I want to be. I don't need your protection. Especially not from Severus."
Lupin opened his mouth, but Hermione just continued.
"In case you have forgotten, I am an adult! Have been for two years actually. So I can make my own decisions. And you meddling behind my back is just condescending and not how I want my friends to behave. Are we clear?"
Lupin just nodded shyly.
"Good!" Hermione took a deep breath. "Give my regards to Dora and stay the hell out of my love life!" And with that she turned around and stormed away, leaving a clearly stunned werewolf behind.