Sorry for the late post and for it being a small chapter. School has been insane and I've been super busy. Love my reviewers/readers. Keep it coming!
"It is time to wake up." I was broken from sleep by the steely voice I knew from Potions classroom. I opened my eyes, allowing for adjustment to the light, to see Professor Snape before me. Gone was the ease of my husband from the night before. He was in full teaching robes, his hands behind his back, one eyebrow raised and a sneer in place. My face must have shown my disturbance at the picture because his sneer deepened. "Reality is upon us. I suggest you ready yourself for your new life." With nothing more, he stalked away, his robes flowing slightly. I sat up, feeling both desolate and irate. I had given my virginity to that. Not as if I didn't know he would be abrasive at times. But to wake up this, after our wedding night, left me unbalanced. My hands clenched the bedclothes for a moment or two. He had no reason to be intentionally cruel here, in our rooms. His Slytherins were not around to goad and pander to. I got up, gasping a little at the soreness between my thighs. I was not expecting that. I cast a time charm after not finding a clock and gasped. I only had thirty minutes to get dressed before breakfast with the boys.
Casting a strong cleansing charm, I grabbed my school uniform out of the shared armoire and dressed hurriedly. I was reaching for my uniform Hogwarts socks when my stockings caught my eye. While it was not technically in the rule book that we could not wear them, very few people ever wore anything besides the socks. But I was a married woman. And though the rest of the professors and students were unaware, Severus and the Slytherins knew. And I was going to do anything I could to remind them of who their Head of House was married to. I dropped the socks back into the drawer and grabbed my stockings, sliding them up my legs and reminding myself mentally to order more when I sent the post next week. I slipped my patent low pump heels on and ran to the bathroom mirror to brush my teeth and hair, barely looking at my surroundings. The last thing I needed was to make the boys wait and have them come looking for me.
I was just heading to the fireplace with my book bag when Severus grabbed my arm. His hold was vice-like. I looked up at him, instantly angered. "Remember Madame Snape," his voice was low and dangerous. "I will not show you leniency. I suggest you act as though nothing has changed between us."
"How could I forget Professor? It's not as if your attitude this morning has proven that." I pulled hard on my arm and was surprised he let it go. I did not spare another glance his way as I went through the floo. As if I could be so delusional after our wedding night to expect some change in the outside world...the nerve of him made my blood boil. Just as I had dusted the dust and ash off of me, there was a knock at the door. I took several calming breaths before walking over to see Harry and Ron.
"Good morning!" Harry said as he smiled and rolled his eyes over to Ron, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"We're starving." Ron supplied as he started walking down the staircase, not even waiting for me to shut the door.
"You mean your starving Ronald." I replied as I nodded to Harry and fell into step with him as we watched Ron bound ahead. Ginny was at the portrait hole, reading while she waited. "Good morning Ginny." I greeted easily.
"Morning Hermione." She smiled back. As we made our way to the great hall, the boys started fussing over their schedules while I struck up a conversation with Ginny about her summer. It wasn't until we were all seated that I noticed Harry and Ron had gone quiet. I glanced up from filling my plate to see them in a silent glare match with Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Ginny noticed it too and picked two pieces of toast off her plate and threw them at the back of their heads. Both turned back, breaking the spell, to exclaim at her. But before I could return to my own food, Draco sent a lascivious grin my way. Again, I had no appetite immediately. My eyes immediately went to the head table to see if Snape was even paying attention, nonplussed that his eyes were taking in Malfoy's display yet he had no expression.
I pushed my plate away after I noticed that Ginny and the boys were not paying attention and pulled out my arithmancy book, feeling the need to drown out the voices in my head that ranged from indignation and sadness. Before long, Harry was elbowing me and pulling me out for class.
"You alright Hermione?" Harry murmured as we followed an arguing Ginny and Ron.
"I'm good, thanks Harry. How are you?" I asked as I noticed a Ginny reach back as if to smack her brother for something.
"I'm ok. I'm nervous about Snape being the Defense teacher though."
"It's Professor Snape, Harry. And I'm sure it will not be that bad." I corrected cautiously, my skin tingling just at the mention of my husband.
"Come off it, Mione." Ron interjected, obviously aware he had overstepped with Ginny and left her alone. "Snape has been after us and he is a Death Eater. Evil is in his nature." His voice was as close to a whisper as Ron could ever get, but we all still looked around to see if anyone else was listening. Luckily no one was paying us any mind.
"After all these years of Professor Snape saving us, you would think you would stop accusing him of being evil." I snapped back irritably. "Without thanks, I might add." We had just entered the classroom in question and I separated myself from them, in no mood to hear them whine and grumble through every class. As I was getting out my materials, I felt someone's shoulder bump me.
"Oops," Draco's arrogant voice caught in my ear. "My apologies Madame Snape. Hope I didn't hurt you." I ignored him and took a seat, happy when he moved on to another table further from me. Dean Thomas sat next to me, a shy smile on his lips. Just as I began to relax, getting into my note taking mode, Severus came flying in from the door in the back of the room, waving his wand and slamming the shutters closed as he had done our third year. Dean gulped next to me, his eyes not leaving the professor's form.