Chapter Eight*

Tampa.

It was … nice here. A little warmer than she preferred, but come winter she could see the appeal for people tired of winters. She'd been to Walt Disney World once when she was about seven, but remembered very little of anything away from the parks.

Except palm trees.

She remembered the palm trees.

Thursday was kind of slow, but evidently by Friday word had gotten out to parents and teens that Serena's creator was here.

A bouquet of flowers had been delivered to her room at some point yesterday. She didn't know when exactly. They weren't there when she left, but were there when she came back last night.

No card, but she couldn't imagine who else would send her flowers, so assumed Severus sent them. She would thank him when she got back.

Severus.

She spent more time than was probably acceptable thinking of their night together in her bedroom.

He'd behaved as a gentleman should. She'd woken up during the night, clutching his forearm with her hand as she was nestled against his shoulder. She'd been utterly embarrassed and started to move away.

"You are fine, Hermione," he had whispered. As if he knew what she was thinking. She'd smiled with a deep sigh, nestling closer to his arm and shoulder.

She'd only ever slept with Harry before, and it was totally different. There were no feelings involved. Not romantic feelings anyway. It was after the war and they both had problems sleeping. Together, they were able to keep the nightmares at bay.

She knew she woke Crookshanks, Glinda, and Maynord more than occasionally, so assumed she still had nightmares.

She smiled at the girl approaching her table. She was probably ten, maybe eleven. No more than twelve. She was dressed as a witch. A pretty witch. A muggle's perception of a witch.

"Hi, Mrs. Granger."

"Hello," she said. "What's your name?"

"Cecily."

"Oh, that is a pretty name."

"I get made fun of a lot," she said, scrunching her nose with a slight pout. Her mum was off to the side so hadn't heard this.

Hermione leaned toward the girl a bit. "I got made fun of for my name a lot, too, Cecily. Your name is lovely, and distinguished. Don't let anyone ever make you think it's not."

She signed the book she held.

"Thank you, Mrs. Granger."

"You're welcome, Miss Cecily. Have fun," she said.

XvXvX

Draco hoped he was wrong. He was more than just fairly sure that he wasn't wrong, though. He knew what Hermione's letters looked like. This one, the wax seal had obviously been tampered with and reaffixed. Hermione was too … precise to allow it to look as sloppy as this one did. In a hurry to pack for a trip or not, didn't matter. She was precise and meticulous.

He went to his fireplace, initiating a floo call with Severus. This wasn't something he did frequently. In fact, he couldn't recall doing it before tonight. An owl wouldn't be fast enough.

"Headmaster Dumbledore?" he called when it was apparent that Severus was not in his office. "Headmaster Black? Dippet? Can anyone grant me permission to come through? It's Draco Malfoy, and I believe that it's important I find Severus."

It was the late Headmistress Derwent who granted him permission.

"Thank you, Madam," he said with a polite bow. "Does anyone know where he might be?"

"Oh, he'll be here very quickly, Draco." This was from his ancestor, Phineas Black.

"Oh?" Draco asked.

"He will know the wards have been breached."

"I suppose," he said.

That made sense. Of course he would, permission granted by someone else or not. So he stood near the fireplace. He didn't want to risk venturing any further into the room. He wouldn't put it past his godfather to have a trap or something waiting for someone who came in here unannounced.

He'd never really seen his godfather on the offensive. When he apparated into the headmaster's office, his wand was drawn and it was pointed directly at Draco's chest. Draco swallowed, eyes widening a smidge. Toned down or not in these non-war days, the look in those dark eyes was scary. He held up his hands as if surrendering, resulting in Severus lowering his wand when he saw who it was.

"What is wrong?"

"Father."

Severus rolled his eyes. Obviously, this wasn't a surprise. It was always his father.

"No, Godfather. I think he's done something, or is going to do something, bad."

"And I'm to run interference why, Draco?"

"Because I think he's gone to Tampa."

That got Severus' attention. Draco smirked a bit at that.

"May I?" he asked, gesturing to the room.

"Of course, Draco."

He walked toward him then, handing him the letter. "I don't know how many letters you've been on the receiving end of from Hermione, but her wax seal is very precise."

"I have noticed that to be true."

"I know she was in a hurry," he said, gesturing to the envelope. "She said as much in the letter, but I have never gotten a letter from her with a seal that looks like that."

Severus turned the envelope over so the flap was now visible and the wax seal.

"It's not even her G," he said.

"I know. I mean, she could have gotten a new one, I suppose, so I didn't want to assume that, but it's so sloppily done."

"You really think that your father would portkey off to Tampa…"

"I think he is attracted to her, has been for some time, and might think that because she has given you…"

"Permission to court her!"

"I know that. You know that. I'm not so sure Father sees it that way."

"He thinks I'm lying to her to get her into my bed," Severus said.

"You wouldn't be the first man, magical or muggle, to go to those extremes for sex."

"No. Hermione would not…"

"I know," he said.

Severus looked at the letter's flap again, running his index finger along the outline of the sloppily done seal that had held it closed.

"Are you coming with me?" Severus asked.

Draco swallowed, nodding. Glad Severus had the same instinct he did. He considered himself lucky Hermione thought of him as a friend these days. He would not let his father ruin that. Was that wrong? He hoped not. Even while at Hogwarts he could admit, now, that he'd felt some jealousy at the friendship Ron, Harry, and Hermione had forged. Genuine. Draco never experienced that. The fact that it had lasted after school and the war was impressive, too.

"Give me five minutes to get some muggle clothes." He cast a patronus before heading to his quarters.

"Kingsley, Draco and I will need a portkey to Tampa, Florida. The same location Hermione went to earlier this week. We'll be there in about fifteen minutes. Please ensure it's ready for us. Thank you."

His pronghorn galloped off and Severus was apparently confident that Kingsley would ensure the portkey was waiting for them.

His godfather no doubt noticed the look in Draco's eyes. He wasn't able to cast a patronus. Whether it was that he had no sufficient happy memories to call up, or that his soul was too dark and scarred for the charm to work. He didn't know, and had stopped trying, not wanting to be depressed about that, too.

"I will return shortly. Do not touch anything."

Draco smirked. "I will stand right here."

"Thank you."

XvXvX

Draco and Severus arrived in Tampa and made their way to the hotel Hermione was staying in. Severus scowled at the crowd as they made their way through the hotel lobby area.

He had no idea there'd be so many … people.

"Do you know her room number?" Draco asked.

"I do happen to have that information," he said, approaching the front desk.

"Elevators," he asked and was pointed in the direction to go. They found their way to them and Severus pushed the button for floor fourteen.

"They skipped thirteen?" Draco asked.

"Yes, muggles are superstitious," he said. "The number thirteen is thought to be bad luck."

"Huh," Draco said.

They got off on the fourteenth floor and Severus glanced at the signs on the wall, and followed the one indicating the way to Hermione's grouping of rooms. The hall was empty as they got to her door.

Severus cast a notice-me-not before casting a wandless Homenum Revelio. He nodded simply at Draco. He knew Hermione was not in her room. She had shown him her itinerary. She was essentially at the convention until about midnight. There should be no human presence detected in her room.

She could have someone else in there, but he did not think that was the case. She hadn't mentioned knowing anyone who was going to be here, or that she would be required to share a room with someone. There were some people he would think could have another man with her. Not Hermione. She just wasn't built that way, and he believed she thought enough of him not to do such a thing.

With that nod, Draco cast his own notice-me-not and drew his wand as Severus cast a wandless Alohomora, letting himself in.

"Incarcerous," Draco said as soon as he stepped into the room. He hadn't even given Severus the chance.

Severus noticed the flowers on the desk on the other side of the television and frowned. They weren't something Hermione would've bought for her own room. They were also far too … expensive to be something the hotel provided.

"Your doing, Lucius?" he asked.

"Of course," he said simply.

"What are you doing here?" Severus asked. He was trying very hard to stay calm. To not attack his long-time friend without provocation. His being in Hermione's room was provocation to his mind.

"I wasn't expecting to be found."

"You're lucky that it was a magical letter you opened, Lucius."

"Why is that, Severus?"

"If it had been a muggle letter, it could land you in jail."

Lucius scoffed.

"You think I am lying, but I assure you that I am not. As it is," he said. "You have sneaked into my witch's room."

"She could have invited me."

"No," Severus said. "I think hell would freeze over first."

"What makes you think you're so special? If she spread her legs for someone like you…"

"Enough," Severus said, retrieving his wand from the holster on his forearm. He cast the spell to summon an auror. "Draco. Please go to the convention downstairs and find Hermione. She will need to speak to the aurors about her unexpected visitor."

"Yes, Godfather," Draco said.

"I'll see you get nothing, Draco."

Lucius was clearly not at all pleased with Draco taking Severus', well really Hermione's, side in this. Severus couldn't blame him, to some degree. Severus, though, knew firsthand that familial blood was not thick enough sometimes. Or in some circumstances.

This was Draco's line.

As it should be.

"That would be a good threat if there was anything for you to cut me off from. You have virtually nothing left to leave me, Father, aside from our home."

"I don't have the monetary means that comes with being a Malfoy, but he is always welcome with me," Severus offered. He'd never been called upon to act as godfather, and perhaps it was odd that he would do so now when his godson was an adult. He didn't know.

Lucius scoffed then as Draco left to find Hermione.

"You would really rape a woman to spite me, Lucius?"

"You should talk, traitor," he murmured.

Severus scowled, stepping a little closer to Lucius. He noticed now the glassy and bloodshot look in the wizard's eyes, the flushing of his face, and the unkempt look of him.

He was drunk.

"It's your word…"

"You're drunk and are a known death eater, Lucius."

"So are you."

"Not for over twenty years. She is my witch, Lucius. You knew that I was courting her."

"No one is as pure or good as she comes across as being, Severus. She's tricking you…"

"She is not, Lucius, and even if she was. That would be up to me to figure out. You coming here to do this…"

Eventually, Draco and Hermione arrived at the room shortly after an American auror showed.

Hermione had assured them that she had not invited anyone to her room. The aurors were able to cast spells to trace the three wizards' steps.

It was clear, Lucius had been in the room for some time, and had an unregistered wand on his person. They were also able to verify that no portkey had been registered to him. (Not surprising since he wasn't supposed to leave Britain. No one would be stupid enough to issue him one.)

"I will not forgive your betrayal, Draco," Lucius spat.

"She's my friend, Father. She is giving me work when others in the wizarding world won't!"

"I'm your father!"

"I had no choice in that. I do have a choice in who I call friend."

"That mudblood…"

The aurors slapped a magical gag over his mouth and his eyes widened as he tried to breathe through the magical impediment.

Soon, it was just the three of them.

Hermione hugged Draco first.

"Thank you, Draco."

"I," he shrugged, and Severus noticed the blush on his godson's cheeks. "I couldn't let him hurt you, and I knew you wouldn't expect him to show up here."

She had thrown the flowers away immediately once she realized they had come from Lucius and not him. He felt … bad he hadn't thought of doing it. Would flowers forever be tainted by Lucius' ruse?

"You really knew he'd opened my letter because of the seal?" She sounded so surprised. Severus wasn't sure why. She was a particular person. In this case, that was a very good thing.

"I did," he said.

"He's going to disown you," Hermione said.

She would be aware, for all the airs he put on, that Draco was afraid of that very thing. It was better than during the war, but it still scared him. And Severus just now realized that the two truly were friends. Not just polite to one another at gatherings. He wasn't sure why it hadn't been driven home to him before now.

"He might," Severus interjected. "Or when he sobers up and realizes that he acted like an ass to the only person who still gives him the time of day, he'll backtrack."

"I hope so," she said. She sounded sincere, too.

"Besides, Godfather said I have a place with him."

"Did you?" she asked. Was she surprised by that? Amused? He couldn't quite tell.

"It is part of the godfather role, so of course."

"Now, when you two get married, I'll just stay at Hogwarts so you two can have your privacy."

"Draco!" Hermione said.

"That implies I won't be at Hogwarts," Severus said.

"No, just as an adult I won't have to be in your rooms with you. I'm sure you can arrange for me to get my own room. Then you two can have all the privacy you need."

"We'll see."

"I'm sorry. Did I miss the part where I'm living at Hogwarts with you?"

"If you're my godfather and you two have a child, does that make me a god cousin?"

"Get out," Hermione said. Clearly she wasn't in the mood for Draco's humor today. Understandable. "Both of you. I appreciate you coming here and doing this. Really, I do. I would never have expected him to be here. As I only told a few I was going anywhere, checking my room before going in wasn't foremost on my mind. I'm working here, though, and, last I checked, am neither married nor pregnant."

"It's just a joke, Hermione." Draco said.

"Have your father waiting in your room to do lord knows what to you, and tell me how much of a joking mood you're in."

"Draco," Severus said.

"Yeah, yeah. I can find my own way back. It was my joke, Granger, not Severus'. Don't punish him." He walked to the door. "There are women here, right?"

"Yes, Draco, there are. Ask for Gretchen at the door. Tell her you're my guest."

"Awesome. See you later, Godfather."

He left then, leaving them alone.

"I apologize if your association with me led to this occurring tonight. If it's too much."

She set her hand over his forearm, squeezing gently.

"You are no more responsible for Lucius Malfoy's behavior tonight than you are the fact he raised his son to be a hateful bigot."

"Yes, but it's me you strayed from your friend group to allow to court you."

"Did you tell him where I was, Severus?"

"Of course not!"

"Then this isn't on you anymore than my being asked to do this weekend's convention is my fault."

"It's not the same thing. I knew I would see you when you returned."

She reached up, kissing him. "Unless this is your indirect way of telling me you don't want to deal with this anymore, then we're fine."

"It is not!" That was a ridiculous notion. If she thought he would be affronted by this. She had another thing coming.

"This is all more than you bargained for. Magical or muggle, I'd have attention either way. At least here we're not followed by Daily Prophet reporters."

"There is that."

"Thank goodness."

"As to Draco's comments about accommodations and a family. It is a logical presumption since I have formally asked to court you, Hermione." This he said as he grazed a thumb over the bracelet he'd given her.

"Do you even want children?"

"What kind of a question is that?" What exactly was she … asking?

"It's just you're over forty, I would assume if you really wanted any, you would have them by now."

"That would require a wife, and as there was no one until recently I wanted to court. Well, it wasn't a consideration. I assumed I would not have any."

"But you want them? Or not?"

"That would be up to you. Clearly, I've lived this long without offspring. If the idea of having them is not appealing to you, then we would not."

"Well, that's not very fair, is it?"

He shrugged. "I wouldn't make you have a child."

"I think in the proper amount of time, assuming we're both on the same page, one or two would be appealing."

"Then we will have such a conversation when you feel it is the proper time."

"He's not really going to live with us, is he?" she asked.

He snorted. He'd never turn Draco out, but no, he wouldn't want his godson living with him as a newlywed.

"No, Lucius wouldn't cut him off completely. He's too proud to let the Malfoy name die out over something he did." He slid his arms around her, assured that she wasn't mad. Or at least feeling fairly confident in drawing that conclusion. "Now what can I do for you?"

She smiled, looking both shy and sexy at the same time. How she pulled it off, he wasn't sure. Something about her eyes, though, and the way she looked at him.

"You're going to stay?" This was asked almost shyly, her teeth grazing over her lower lip. As if she wasn't sure she should have asked the question.

"I could be persuaded ."

"Mm, sleeping in my bed gave you a taste, huh?"

"My thoughts do that quite well on their own."

"Do they?"

"I think it's safe to say I look forward to spending a night with you without various articles of clothing in the equation."

"Severus," she said. She didn't sound mad. Embarrassed maybe?

"I'm not rushing or pushing, merely stating facts."

She sighed softly. Her eyes … grew sad. Why? Should he not have said that? Shouldn't she want to know he desired her? He had no idea on the particulars of courtship, and neither of them were the common witch or wizard.

"You're going to get so tired of waiting, aren't you?"

That was the conclusion she'd drawn? Why? What about him suggested he was an impatient man?

"I knew of your stance, Hermione. I did not enter into this to get you out of your knickers. You asked me to spend the night. If you did that because you think I expect or need …"

"No, that wasn't why. I really wanted you to. And I know you're not going to go tell anyone."

He frowned a bit. He wasn't exactly sure that was the bar he wanted to be compared and held to. He was glad that she wanted to sleep with him, and didn't initiate that step out of some sense of obligation.

"Is that the only reason?"

"No, of course not. I wanted to sleep with you. I just worry, I guess."

"About?"

"You say now that you don't mind waiting."

He scowled now. "What part of my history leads you to believe that I would be … unfaithful? I have spoken to your parents, Hermione. I'm not built that way."

She hugged him, resting her head against his chest. He slid his arms around her. These moments probably meant more to him than she realized. Hugs were not something people did who didn't care. She had doubts. He had them, too.

Young, attractive, successful, and intelligent witches went for the Draco Malfoys of the world. Not the Severus Snapes.

Of course he'd never met another witch like Hermione Granger.

He drew away slightly, cupping her cheeks with his hands so he could kiss her. She gave a soft gasp, deepening it almost at the same time he did.

"I do want you, Hermione. Very much, but it's you I want, not just sex. You trust me. I'd never violate that. You can say you wouldn't know, I'd know. I admit I'd never slept with someone before the other night, and I look forward to doing so again. If that's tonight, fantastic. If it's not until you're ready for that step again, that's fine."

"I think that was the first night I slept soundly."

He knew what she meant. He had twenty years' worth of bad memories to dream about. In truth, it was part of the reason he ensured he slept alone, whatever the circumstances.

"I am glad I gave you some peace, and that I wasn't cause for waking you."

"Come downstairs with me?"

"Am I dressed acceptably?"

She stepped back a bit, scrunched her nose. "You'll do."

She was … teasing. The darkening of her eyes told him that she liked what she saw. And that made parts of him he was unfamiliar with doing so get warm in response. He'd always believed he was … immune to such reactions.

"One condition," he said.

"Okay?" She sounded concerned. As if he'd truly request something abhorrent.

"I get your hand," he said, offering her his. Her eyes brightened and she slid her hand into his.

"I hope Draco isn't getting into too much trouble."

Severus snorted. "Him I would bail out. Tomorrow."

"Oh?"

"I have plans to be with my witch tonight. I have to ensure she is safe, after all."

"It's a good thing she wants you to help keep her safe."

He chuckled with a nod. Yes, this was definitely one witch he wouldn't want to presume such a thing with. "You are correct."

"One more question," she murmured. He could tell by her eyes that she didn't want to ask whatever it was on her mind. She wouldn't be her, though, if she didn't ask.

"Yes?"

"Did you and Lucius… I, um, he implied at the ball, that you and he …"

"I have done a number of things I am not proud of as both a death eater and a spy. I do not enjoy sex for sex's sake. I learned that very early on. It is another reason why I know I can wait. I have never made love with someone and looked forward to it. With you, I do. In answer to your question, his implication the night of the ball was not wrong. Embellished, perhaps, because he chooses to forget that I did not." He shook his head. "I did as little as necessary, so it would seem I was participating. It was always a willing witch."

Silence.

"You asked the question. I will not lie to you, Hermione."

"No, I know." She ran the back of her hand along his cheek. "I was actually just picturing." She blushed here, and Severus couldn't help but chuckle. "I could see in my mind why a witch would be with you two."

"Oh?"

"You are quite the contrasts in the male species. Both very distinguished and rather exotic looking."

"Please tell me we are not freeing Lucius from the aurors."

"No, I would never. I was just saying that I could see it. I'm not going to hate you for answering my question. You're forty-three years old, I presume you've done things."

"It has been years …"

"Oh?"

"Mm hmm."

"I'll try not to make you wait too much longer."

"Again, I look forward to it. Whenever it happens."

"Me, too," she whispered. She kissed his jaw. "Thank you for answering honestly."

Note: I'm sorry for the delay. I haven't had a lot of downtime while visiting BFF in Boston until today. Next chapter should be on time on Wednesday.

My granddaughter finally made an appearance at 2:16am Saturday via C-section. Both are doing well.

I also want to apologize for what may seem like a lack of comment acknowledgment. I'm a rather shy and introverted person, contrary to posting fics I guess, and I literally get anxious at the thought of replying personally. I do appreciate y'all who read very much.