Chapter 9: Headmaster Snape

September 19, 1997

Hermione confidently strode in the castle grounds to the Headmaster's Office, not minding the students around. However, most Slytherins cleared their path and nodded to show respect.

"Headmaster," they all greeted politely.

She returned the greetings with a curt nod. She caught sight of Gryffindors on their way to the greenhouses. Sixth years, she recognized. She was met by the angry stare of Ginny Weasley.

It's been more than a decade since I last spoke to her, she thought. Are we still going to be friends once things return to normal?

For sixteen years, the only friends she could rely on were Alona and Kingsley. She might have been born in 1979, but physically, emotionally, and mentally, she was now 36 years old. She would be 38 when her younger self would go back in time. Sometimes she was worried she would no longer be friends with Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She was worried how they would feel.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally reached the gargoyle to the Headmaster's Office. "Nineteen seventy-nine," she whispered, and it accommodated her. She entered the circular office. Since Severus was named the new Headmaster a month ago, the Headmaster's office decorations had been altered. Gone were Dumbledore's trinkets and other ornaments. The cabinets were not filled with leather-bound books. Only the portraits of the previous headmasters were hanging on the walls.

Dumbledore's portrait met her eyes, but she ignored him. She went farther into the room until she reached the entrance to the headmaster's private quarters. She warded the door and went to the bedroom, just in time for the Polyjuice Potion to wear off. She removed her husband's clothes, changed into a more comfortable witch's day robe, and walked towards the bed. She found her husband stirring; just waking up.

Severus grabbed his wand to check the time and sat up.

"I missed breakfast," he groaned. "Why did you give me a sleeping draught?"

Hermione sat on the edge of the bed and kissed her husband's cheek. "Because you need rest," she replied fondly. "Don't worry about breakfast. As far as the staff members and students are concerned, the headmaster made a brief appearance at breakfast in the Great Hall and inspected the boats after. Then, he passed by Hagrid's hut to check on the Thestrals."

Severus's facial expression softened. He reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles. "What would I do without you? Happy birthday, my darling angel."

She faked a scowl. "I'm too old for that pet name, Severus."

"I don't care. You are still that angelic witch that captured my heart and soul sixteen years ago. My darling… my partner in life. You're the only one for me and no one else… You're the reason I'm surviving this kind of life and one of the reasons I'm happy. I am so grateful to have you in my life, my love."

She answered him with a kiss not because she was lost for words, but because of the effect of Severus's words on her physically. He had this ability to drive her body crazy with his words. She found it sexy when he said things like that – that she was the only one and she was one of his sources of happiness.

She loved this man – her man. Her husband. Her soulmate.

She kissed him senselessly, pinning him to the bed. She hovered over him and moved to straddle his body. Her hands were quick — reaching for his body under his sleep clothes. She broke their kiss to be able to nuzzle the side of his neck and kiss her favourite spot there, making Severus squirm. She smirked, knowing she still had that effect on him.

Who would know that the headmaster and Voldemort's best Death Eater is ticklish?

Even though Severus had told her many times already that she was his weakness and he tended to lose his focus when she was around – when she was driving him crazy – she still could not believe it sometimes. Sometimes, she would still find it amusing and surprising at the same time.

"I love you, Sev," she whispered against the side of his neck.

"I love you, witch," he groaned and gripped her waist to roll them. He pinned her to the bed, opened her robe, and started worshipping her body.

They had been married for almost fifteen years, but her body was still on fire every time he kissed, touched, and made love to her.

She moaned wantonly when he started licking and sucking her nipple. "I love you so much, Hermione," he said before moving to the other breast. "You're so perfect. Your body is so angelic, and I am such a lucky man." Sev's hand found her core under her robes. "Divesto," he whispered and just like that, their clothes were gone.

"Nngggh," she muttered incoherently as she started feeling his mouth on her, making her squirm even more on the bed, but her husband held her thighs firmly to keep her from closing her legs. Soon, she was in heaven. She felt the best feeling in the world. She felt satisfied.

But her husband wasn't done with her.

He kissed her again fully on the mouth and joined their bodies. He moved in and out of her while whispering words of love.

"Can I come inside you, darling?" Severus asked gently.

She nodded without breaking their eye contact. "Come inside me, Sev… Nngghhh…"

They came together, and Sev rested his forehead on hers. "I love you forever, Hermione."

She pulled him to her. "Forever, Sev."

"You can't leave me," he said, sounding vulnerable.

She laughed and smacked his chest playfully. "I won't leave you."

Severus smiled contentedly and gave her a chaste kiss. "Happy birthday, wife."

.

Two hours later, they had brunch in the headmaster's quarters. The house elves brought them food and set up the table. When it was time for dessert, Severus got up from his seat.

"I have to leave the castle for a few minutes to collect your birthday cake and present," he announced.

She frowned slightly. "You don't have to leave the castle. I'm fine without a birthday cake. And the present… You're my present."

Severus walked around the table to stand beside her and drop a kiss on her crown. "I'm glad to hear that, darling, but I insist. I apologize for not leaving early to collect them."

"It's fine. You needed more sleep… I'll just go with you."

"Ah, but darling, it will ruin the surprise. Stay here, and that's an order from the headmaster," he smirked. "I won't be long, I promise."

"Fine," she surrendered. "I have to go to the loo, and you should already be here by the time I finish my business in there."

Sev looked at her amusedly. "Is that an order?"

"It is. From the headmaster's wife."

Severus dropped one last kiss to her head Disapparated. As Hogwarts' Headmaster, he was the only one who could Apparate from inside and on the school grounds.

Hermione went to the loo and took her time. When she was about to finish, she heard Severus's faint pop of Apparition.

"Darling, I'm back," he called from the other side of the door.

"Coming," she said, washing her hands before exiting the loo. She found her husband in the dining area where they had brunch, but he wasn't alone.

Hermione's heart warmed upon the sight of her two other favourite people in the world.

"Happy birthday, Mummy."