Chapter 93: Mysticism Incarnate

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

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

{"Well just look at that girl with the lights coming up in her eyes...She's got to be somebody's baby...She must be somebody's baby...All the guys on the corner stand back and let her walk on by...She's got to be somebody's baby...She must be somebody's baby...She's got to be somebody's baby 'cause she's so fine...She's probably somebody's only light, gonna shine tonight...Yeah, she's probably somebody's baby alright..."} Somebody's Baby, Jackson Browne

Elegant Room, Hotel, Unknown Location, Unknown World...

Blaring sunlight from the pulled back drapes greeted Severus Snape as he found himself attempting to roll over in bed in a bid to block the offending light source via his half of the covers. He found he had not been alone, and no where near the dungeons of Hogwarts castle when he heard the slightly amused giggles of his wife as she watched him tormenting him in a way with light kisses in a bid to get him to open his eyes. Snape growled in his attempt to continue his slumber only for her to pull away the covers and weasel her way into his arms. Of course she'd been a morning person. The bright sun beaming through Gryffindor tower every morning probably never bothered her, but a dungeon dweller like Snape was none too pleased by this forced awakening. He would pay her back in kind at a later instance of course, already making a mental note to do so. He was not keen on mornings, least of all mornings without a couple cups of coffee. Her fascination with this place was evident as she apparently made plans for them after merely taking a walk the previous night. For a moment, Snape found himself having pity for the likes of Potter and Weasley and the apparent morning torment they suffered when faced with Hermione's plans for their day from the moment she caught up to them in the Great Hall. Truth be told he'd run out of ideas after the list Lucius and Arthur complied for him the previous day and was quite satisfied with her taking the institutive, still he wasn't obliged to in form her of this as he pretended to ignore her persistent attempts to awaken him.

"Come on Severus." urged Hermione happily as she struggled to get him out of bed. "We've only got a day left."

Snape groaned and rolled out of bed, much to his wife's delight. He muttered something and headed toward the loo.

The dour wizard shuffled into the shower knowing from the moment he got to his feet that his wife had already showered and been dressed before she bothered to wake him. As the water hit his back and he leaned his hands against the tile in a bid to catch his breath, Snape had a passing thought of just how fun the morning would have been had she chosen to awaken him while she showered. Of course the fact that she left him asleep spoke volumes about how well she knew him as he'd have never let her shower properly. The encroaching thoughts of the future once more attempted to plague the Potions Professor as he let the water run down his back and soak his raven locks with minimal effort.

The apparent soreness from the night before caused him to smile, finally pushing back those vile thoughts as he turned his attention toward the anticipation of what this new day would bring and just how they were going to top the pervious one. He had to admit that Lucius and Arthur had been on to something when they suggested this little venture. He'd been less receptive of the idea in the beginning annoyed that they'd even bother poking their collective noses in his personal affairs concerning Miss Granger but when the old fool confessed his folly, it was all he could do in a bid to right a grievous wrong he had committed against the lass in the beginning of their marriage.

This was of course the perfect opportunity to not only showcase his love for the witch without the prying of those around them but to attempt to erase his less than savory approach to how he viewed her in the beginning. She never gave an indication that she held any of that against him but he never forgot. The more he found himself falling in love with her, the more his guilt at his initial treatment of her remained.

Not even he could fathom the hold the young witch had on him although she might have been inclined to suggest that she'd been right all along. He smiled bitterly at the memory of her impulsive need to make her presence known even before they were wed. His drunken sulking did little to dissuade her pursuit of him, although he had tried.

The less than civil banter between them in the darkened corridor came to mind.

{"Fuck you," he had told her embittered by the whole ordeal.}

{"Not until our wedding night, Dear." she replied.}

Snape shook his head as the water continued to soak him from head to toe.

He should have noticed it then that she'd be mysticism incarnate.

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Elegant Bedroom, Hotel, Unknown Location, Unknown World...

Lying back on the bed, Hermione stared up at the ceiling as she listened to the rushing sound of the shower and noted the steam that began to fill the bedroom. She was quite impressed by the amount of effort Severus put into making her feel like she was the only woman in the world. He paid little to no attention to the numerous women that shamelessly flirted with him as they danced and traveled about the charming little town. She still had no earthy idea where he'd managed to arrange their trip and she supposed it made sense. His position as a spy and Professor had been quite a curious one. There was no telling whom would have been tempted into spilling the beans. From what she could recall, not even Dumbledore had known their location as Snape assured her that they wouldn't be interrupted by the Headmaster nor the despot. When she inquired about whither or not the despot would summon him, Snape informed her that as long as he was listed as "on assignment for Dumbledore" the despot would keep his distance in a bid to allow him to obtain information before summoning him.

While she had not liked the idea of the despot prying into her vacation, she was quite concerned about what he'd to to her husband should there not be adequate information to present to him when the time came. Hermione sighed thinking back to the pervious night, while she still felt a bit of residual soreness from their extended romp she couldn't help but smile. It had taken her a mere hour to concoct a plan for the continued festivities after recalling certain locations that caught her eye that they had not gotten the chance to visit the previous night. She had even taken the liberty of planning her husband's wardrobe. It was as fun a little exercise as it was anything she set her mind to once her plans got rolling. She'd never seen her husband in a casual setting of his own accord and this was the perfect opportunity to see what a difference decent attire made. She decided on keeping with the Muggle theme they were going for finding him much more appealing when not reminded of their impending return to Hogwarts and his dress robes.

She wondered briefly what Ginny would say about everything. She'd been whisked away via Dumbledore in the middle of Transfiguration class and off with their Potions Professor for Merlin's sake. Looking back on it, Hermione was glad that at least Ginny knew of her relationship and she could confide in her whenever there was something she needed advice on. Ginny had been more experienced in the dating department and even advised her on how to handle Viktor Krum. Sadly, that experience only lasted that year as Viktor went off to become Qudditch champion and eventually a death eater himself.

Getting up off the bed, Hermione set to work readying her husband's attire for the day all the while knowing Ginny would most definitely get a kick out of her choices if she had the chance to see them.

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Open Street, Unknown Location, Unknown World...

Being led by the hand on a bright and sunny morning via his excited young wife while she made her way toward a café she'd picked out due to a pervious walk was not how Severus Snape imagined his morning going. He had been especially annoyed that she had taken the liberty of planning his style of dress for the evening, turnabout had been fair play after all, but his annoyance at having to wear Muggle jeans and a navy blue dress shirt remained. Hermione pulled him toward the café door and smiled feeling warmth and enjoying the scent of freshly baked sweets and coffee that filled the place. There were eyes on them as always but Hermione had been more interested in the pursuit of breakfast. Snape was more than pleased when they secured a window seat far from the view of most of the other guests.

Hermione paid no mind to the fact that Snape was still very much a grouch this morning, but quickly had a waiter bring him some coffee. She knew that if he didn't get a cup soon his biting wit was going to put an end to the rather pleasant visit in a hurry. Snape seemed to settle down once he got his coffee passing the time scanning the menu and peering out the window with his arms folded across his chest. Hermione smiled watching him. He didn't know for the life of him what she found to be so fascinating about staring at him and it annoyed him further.

"There he is." she said still smiling as she watched him picking up her newly arrived tea and taking a sip. "My Severus."

"Silly girl." remarked Snape before turning back up his coffee.

Breakfast had not been a fanciful affair, but it had done wonders to end the rumbling that indicated just how much energy both of them expended the previous night. Once they finished the left the café and ended up sight seeing all over again. Once more Snape took note of the passersby having an interest in his wife. Hermione was more interested in another much older bookstore that had gotten her attention and pulled her husband into another spontaneous shopping spree. It was a rather pleasant morning all things considered and she'd gotten her fair share of souvenirs of their trip to last a life time.

By the time she'd finished shopping lunch was fast approaching and Snape briefly stepped away to do a little shopping of his own. His attention had been on a rather expensive yet old jewelry store that caught his eye just as they exited the bookstore. He made a rather sly excuse about needing to use the loo and ducked inside. He could see Hermione patiently awaiting his return while thumbing through one of her books she'd yet to shrink via magic and stuff into her pockets.

Snape managed to get a ring that got his attention, a delicate little thing of pure silver in the shape of a rose with emeralds that lined the vines and a bright red ruby in the center. He paid the jeweler whom had annoyed him to no end about questions pertaining to a ring for a mistress or for a wife and took his absolutely slow time getting everything together. The Potions Master resisted the urge to hex the meddlesome Muggle man and rolled his eyes. He had barely managed to get outside and stuff the small black box into his pocket before Hermione had taken notice of his long absence.

She smiled when she saw him ready to continue on with the rest of their day and inquiring as to where he wished to have lunch. He instructed her that he'd be happy to continue walking until they came to the perfect place. Even hinted at something with outdoor dining if she saw anything. He'd been much too annoyed to spend the remainder of such a beautiful sunny afternoon indoors before night fall.

The jeweler watched them take their leave from the window with a wide smile filed across his face. In addition to selling jewelry, he was more than pleased to be aiding in the unification of people whom where truly in love.