Chapter 78: The Perks Of A Substantial Marriage

{A/N: Here's Another Update...}

My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

Spare Bedroom, 12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...

Hermione awoke to find that she'd been once more placed back into her spare bedroom at 12 Grimmauld Place and that Severus Snape was no where to be found. She supposed it was for the best, not wishing to have to explain to her friends why she'd spent the night in their Potions Professor's given bedroom. With a sigh, she managed to shake of the remaining fog of sleep and climbed out of bed. While she missed his presence beside her in the morning she knew he was once more back in Dumbledore's service and possibly filling him in on the massacre that occurred that night. If she had not hated Voldemort before for all of the cruel things he had done especially where Harry Potter and his family had been concerned, but she found herself hating him even more for what he'd not only done to Severus but to those innocent people whom had not even the faintest bit of knowledge about the wizarding world and were simply going about their lives. By the time Hermione had brushed her teeth and gotten dressed for the day, she noticed that most of the household adults were already up and gathered in the dining hall. Sirius Black glared from his perch at the top of the stairs as Severus Snape and Dumbledore spoke in private.

"Morning Kitten." called Sirius with a wicked smirk filed across his face.

As much as Hermione wished to hex Harry's godfather for his antics the previous night, she refrained. If only to ensure that Severus didn't hear and promptly hex him as well. She turned her attention to the door where Sirius had been staring.

"They've been in there for hours." said Sirius attempting to make conversation. "Dumbledore is possibly reprimanding him for being lousy at reconnaissance."

"You don't know what Dumbledore is doing and it's best not to speculate." replied Hermione speaking to the charming yet cynical former Gryffindor wizard.

No sooner had she said this did Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore step out into the hall.

Dumbledore greeted her as cheerfully as ever despite her not trusting him the way she use to before her marriage began.

"Well, hello there Miss Granger." he said with a smile.

"Headmaster." said Hermione before making her way toward the kitchen.

She knew that Dumbledore was sending her husband off to do something dangerous for him again and didn't feel the need to exchange pleasantries when she wanted so badly to hex him. Snape had entered the kitchen behind her, more interested in pouring himself a glass of orange juice than speaking. Of course it was for the benefit of the prying eyes that had been already inside, in the form of Ginerva and Molly Weasley.

"Hi Mione." said Ginny happily. "Long night?"

"Something like that." replied Hermione sitting at the table.

Molly Weasley sat a plate in front of her filled with toast, eggs, sausage, and what looked to be fruit on the side. Hermione had not been much for food at the moment but she didn't want to upset Mrs. Weasley or offend her.

"Eat up Dearie." she said pleasantly. "We'll be headed in our separate directions in a few hours."

Snape poured his orange juice and finished it off. He had pressing business with Arthur Weasley, but wished to see Hermione before hand. With Arthur's wife and daughter in the kitchen it would be quite difficult to spend time with her in secret.

Hermione seemed a bit disappointed when Snape walked out of the kitchen and back out into the hall. It took ever once of will not to get to her feet and follow after him.

In a bid to keep up appearances, she settled for sighing and picking at a piece of fruit via her fork.

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The Hallway, 12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...

Snape had merely stepped out of the kitchen when he found himself face to face with Arthur Weasley. The cheerful red head wizard seemed as pleased about the start of a new day as his wife had been while cooking in the kitchen. The whole family had seemed to have a sunny out look that secretly made Snape want to vomit before he'd even had breakfast. As if the war and dealing with being summoned had not been enough, he had to be trapped in house with not only the mongrel dog, and a werewolf but a family of Pollyannas as well.

"Good Morning Severus, wonderful day isn't it?" asked Arthur.

"Depends on whom you ask." replied Snape bitterly.

"I've been meaning to speak with you about..." replied Arthur only to be cut off.

"I've already made my report to the Headmaster, you can get the details from him." said Snape quickly.

"Good...everything alright with you and The Mrs. I take it?" said Arthur with something of a smile filed across his face.

Snape rolled his eyes. He had no intention of discussing his relationship with anyone, let alone Arthur Weasley.

"Arthur." he began.

"Oh right you prefer to keep to yourself, sorry." said Arthur Weasley with a smile. "My mistake, it's just so brilliant witnessing young love."

Before Snape could escape into any direction other than near the chattering Weasley, his better half burst from the kitchen and ushered them both in to have breakfast.

"Arthur, Severus I think it's high time you two had a proper meal...we haven't got long before it's departure time you know." she said in a cheery tone that mirrored her husband's.

Snape had not gotten a word in before he was shoved into the kitchen via well meaning Arthur and a plate pushed into his hands via Molly. Hermione had not made much headway with her own meal as she noted the utter distress her husband had been in and did her best not to giggle. He looked positively helpless amid the Weasley's miserable due to their meddling and annoyed that he couldn't out right hex them.

Realizing that it wasn't worth the headache of putting up a fight, he sat down on the opposite end of the table where his young wife had been watching him and stared down at his plate. The older woman went on and on about him needing to keep his strength up via a proper meal and Hermione seemed to agree.

Looking about the room, Snape noticed that Ginerva Weasley had already made off for the day finishing her food and putting distance between herself and her mother. Arthur joined Molly by the sink, wrapping his arms around her as they exchanged a few pleasantries and she giggled from the sheer amusement of his company. Snape had been on the verge of bolting right then but found that Hermione's attention had been on him. It wasn't as if he lacked the ability to be himself when in the presence of others, he simply had been out of practice.

"They seem to be getting alone quite famously." said Hermione making conversation as she too observed the Weasleys.

"The perks of a substantial marriage no doubt." replied Snape looking from the older witch and wizard back to his own young wife.

Before she had even gotten the question out, he knew what she'd ask as she continued to watched the interaction between Arthur and Molly. It seemed as if the two had not a care in the world despite all the years together and the numerous children they shared. Neither were wealthy nor appreciated via the rest of the wizarding world as far as social graces had been concerned but they were so in love that they didn't care.

"Do you think we'll ever get to be that happy?" asked Hermione so that only Snape could hear her.

"I don't know." replied Snape honestly before reaching out and taking her free hand into his. "But we are damn well going to try."

With one last glance at the Weasleys before turning their attention to their respective meals, something of a silent promise was made between them and they had both been determined to keep it.