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I felt several pairs of eyes on me but did my best to keep my focus on Professor Snape, very much aware that I was going to have to separate him from the man I was married to no matter how difficult that may be. Suddenly, his behaviour this morning clicked in my head. The epiphany caught me so off guard, I missed the entire first twenty minutes of his opening term speech. He hadn't been negating what we had done. Severus had compartmentalized our wedding night, my new existence into his world along with it.
"Miss Granger," his serpentine words skimmed my brain, knocking me from the revelation. "I see that instead of waving your incessant hand in the air, you have completely stopped functioning all together. Maybe you feel you are so much of a know-it-all, you do not need my class." My eyes met him and I could feel the heated blush from the top of my head down to my toes.
"Not at all Professor. I apologize." My head bent down when I heard the snickers from the Slytherins in the classroom. I grabbed my quill and straightened my posture, waiting for him to begin again. Mercilly he did so without further comment. Behind me, I could practically feel Ron and Harry's indignation and rage but prayed for them to use what self control they had to let it go. The last thing either Severus or I needed was more attention to the situation. I did not acknowledge anyone or anything else the rest of the class. I took my notes and watched Snape while he showed certain motions, but nothing else. Even the hisses to get my attention from various parts of the room were ignored. It wasn't until the end of class when I was packing up my things and Malfoy walked by that I heard something other than Severus' voice.
"Well, it looks like sex truly does shut a woman up. Who would have thought, huh Madame Snape. Let me guess, he spanked you into submission?" His and Pansy's snicker caused my face to heat up but I was happy my hair hid that from them.
"Though sex with you didn't seem to do much for him." Pansy added.
"Get out. I do not have all day to wait for you to pack your things up." Snape's bark made all of us jump and I watched as the two snakes fled. I sighed with relief but didn't look at Severus before I left. This was going to be a long school year.
Harry and Ron were waiting outside the classroom, practically boiling.
"What a git!" Ronald's outburst made me cringe.
"Ron-," I began but was interrupted by Harry.
"What in the bloody hell is his problem? For five years he has humiliated you for raising your hand and answering questions and the one time you are leaving it alone, he can't help himself." Again, I opened my mouth to respond, to stop them, but they kept steamrolling on. They began cataloging every slight since the first year and I finally just gave up. I let them rant as we went our separate ways, me to arithmancy and them to their free period.
The rest of the day was spent in quiet misery as I tried my hardest to ignore Slytherins as well as my best friend's constant groaning about every little thing. Already it was only the first day of school and I was off kilter. Even in potions I was distracted. Watching Professor Slughorn practically fall all over Harry with admiration irked me into silence. Unable to stand Ron's gloating on Harry's behalf, I skipped dinner and went to my room in Gryffindor tower, happy to finally get some peace and quiet. I immediately brought out my potions book and began reading, determined to do better next class. I don't know how long I was there but I didn't take my head out of my notes until the fireplace flashed green and Severus' head poked out, scaring me from my concentration.
"Hermione, it is almost ten. What are you doing?" His usual sneer and edge in his voice brought me into reality and I scrambled to put my things back in my bag, leaving it on my bed as I hurried to the fireplace.
"Sorry. I was doing research." I explained hastily, smoothing my hair and finding the quill I had lost earlier. He pulled his head out, allowing me to come through. Tumbling out, I was surprised when he caught me. "Thank you." I said as I righted myself. "How was your day?"
He looked me up and down, almost cautiously, before answering. "It was calmer than I expected." I raised my eyebrow in a poor mockery of his in question. "My Slytherins did not step one toe out of line with me. I was not expecting that."
I snorted. "What imbecile would dare give you a hard time for our situation? I doubt any of them want to be flayed alive." He smirked at that and went to sit in his black wing back chair, watching as I plopped myself unceremoniously onto the couch. I had already removed my tie and robes when studying and could tell that he was eased by that a little.
"How was your day?" His question threw me off balance a bit.
"Other than your class and Harry and Ron's constant complaining, it was fine." I responded. "Malfoy and his cohorts did not have much to say after your class."
"What were he and Miss Parkinson saying to you after class, before I dismissed you?" He waved his hand while he watched my face for my response. Seconds later, a house elf popped in. "Please bring Madame Snape a plate and pumpkin juice. Thank you." The little elf was gone and back in another little pop, a steaming plate of shepherd's pie wafting my way.
"Thank you." I placated before sitting on the edge of the seat to tuck in. I felt him watching me intently. Sighing, I put my fork down.
"He and Pansy were commenting on how our arrangement had...affected my behaviour in class but did not seem to do anything for you." I tried to word it as delicately as I could, barely looking up to see his reaction. I did feel him lean forward a bit, obviously not happy with my answer. "The exact words used were; 'Well, it looks like sex truly does shut a woman up. Who would have thought, huh Madame Snape. Let me guess, he spanked you into submission?' and Pansy's less than clever follow up was 'Though sex with you didn't seem to do much for him.'" I looked right at him this time, watching to see how he would react. He did not flinch as I had, but his jaw tightened and I saw that his carotid pulsed. "We knew that the match would not be popular, Severus. But they could have been far worse." Picking up my fork, I began to determinedly eat, knowing that soon I would be tired.
"What were you researching that caught your attention so avidly?" He finally asked when I had eaten the last of my potatoes.
"Potions. Somehow Harry was able to beat me in class which was both frustrating and suspicious." I sat back and began to replay the timeframe in question.
"And how was Potter able to be in the class at all? I distinctly remember I had not given him the type of grade to make it to such an advanced class."
"Professor Slughorn is not as selective as you are in who is in his class apparently. Not that that surprises you, I'm sure. He seems to be more interested in notoriety rather than actual talent. The boys said that Professor McGonagall had let them know of the change in requirements."
"Of course she did. Never would she allow her cubs to not take advantage." He sneered.
"The same could be said about you with you precious snakes." I shot back, not able to let it go. He pursed his lips but did not comment further. "I'm going to take a shower. Thank you for reminding me that I had forgotten dinner." I stood, about to leave, when he pursed his lips. "Was there something else?"
"Have you had any physical pain today?" His voice was quiet yet it held a distinct tone of worry. I was confused at first until I remembered that he was alluding to our night activities. I moved closer to him and took his hand in mine. It startled him slightly but he did not pull away.
"No Severus, I had no pain today. You took excellent care of me last night, but I never expected any different of you. Thank you." I bent down and kissed his cheek, squeezed his hand, and left to the lavatory.