AN: I'm back! Hopefully things will calm down soon, hopefully...

I apologize if there are more typos than usual. My internet is acting up so I have to post when I can.

Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!

Hermione couldn't stop watching her husband sleep. There was a peacefulness about him, one which she never believed he could possess. It was as if the war had never occurred. He wasn't terrified the woman in his bed would harm him, wasn't occluding every emotion away to protect himself, and wasn't afraid for her to know him in every way she could. Knowing him as she did was an honor she wasn't sure she deserved. Still, it was one which made her desire him all the more.

Despite the urge to press her lips against his and awaken him so she could show him how much she cared for him, she refrained from doing so. She forgot to ask him how late he usually slept. In school, she thought he was up with the dawn. Now that spying was over, he may want to sleep in. It would be rude to awaken him early, especially after their late night. Just because she could get by on four hours of sleep did not mean he could. Never awaken a sleeping man was a lesson she'd learned the hard way more times than she could count. Ron always screamed at her if she woke him up. Just last week he'd yelled at her for staying up too late and making too much noise while brewing tea. The next night, she was accused of staying up too late to do boring things like read. Sometimes she wasn't as good at learning her lessons as she thought.

She glanced at the closet. The last of her things had been unpacked an hour ago. Reading was an option, but there was a restlessness in her body which made focusing difficult. If she was wise, she would go outside and take a jog. It had been quite some time since she'd focused on her physical health. Her mum had said she needed to eat better. Little did her mother know that one could get by on a few morsels of food for days on end. She'd proven that to herself in the Forest.

The Forest of Dean. God, she never wanted to go to that horrendous place again. If she had her way, they'd demolish the whole thing for a shopping mall and a spa. She'd pay for it herself if she had the money. Did the Wizarding World have spas like the muggle world? She read about vacation spots for the rich, but had never been to one. Should she open one? If she asked Severus, he may let her buy a building where she could build a spa. She could transfigure a pool, put in some spells to make it hot, teach people yoga…

Yoga! Her mother had tried to get her into yoga. It looked too difficult to twist her body into all those positions for her to try it. So, she refused. Could she do it now? Perhaps if she had internet she could watch yoga videos. Did Severus have internet? How could she install it? Did the internet have any memory charms? What about websites on books? She could always use a new book. In fact, she could run to the bookstore right now! She wasn't hungry, and it wasn't like skipping a meal was deadly. No, she should run to the bookstore and collect as many books as she thought she needed.

Severus groaned and reached beside him. Hermione touched his arm. His lips curled into a half smile before he relaxed.

No, she couldn't leave Severus. He would think she abandoned him the way everyone else had. That would be really bad, which is something she couldn't have. She promised to make him happy. Somehow, she was going to make him as happy as she was at the moment. How to do that wasn't clear. Letting him sleep was one way, though he should know one didn't need anymore sleep. Four hours was plenty if he'd just believe her.

"Hermione?"

"Yes," she plopped onto her pillow.

He pried open one eye. "You're awake."

"I am," She grinned.

"What time is it?"

She glanced at the blue clock on the wall. "It's seven in the morning."

"Oh," he opened his other eye.

"Is this when you usually get up?"

"It is," he sat upright. "I didn't realize you woke up earlier than seven."

"I do."

"I apologize if somehow I woke you up."

"Don't be sorry. You didn't wake me up. I've already been up for a couple of hours because I didn't want to sleep anymore," she stretched.

"You have been up for hours?"

She hummed her assent. "I unpacked everything already too."

"You did?" He propped himself up.

"Yes, I was bored last night and I had a lot of energy I needed to get out, so I unpacked everything."

He blinked.

"I tried to be really quiet," Hermione began. "I learned to be very quiet during the war. I needed it to sneak around and do things like break into your potions cabinet."

"I know," he smirked. "You turned yourself into a half cat as I recall."

"I did," she clasped her hands together. "That wasn't fun. I think I got fleas at one point. It was embarrassing. I wonder how the school explained it to my parents."

"We told them you were studying for exams and that you requested not to be disturbed."

"Oh," she frowned for the first time all morning. "I wish I'd spent more time with my parents when they had their memories. Looking back, not being with them was dumb."

"It wasn't dumb," he answered. "You wanted to spend time with your friends."

"Except now my friends remember me, but my parents don't."

There was a flash of sympathy in Severus' eyes.

"That doesn't matter because I'll spend plenty of time with them soon," her smile returned. "We're going to cure them, and everything will be perfect again. I'll spend so much time with them they'll be sick of me! We're all going to be one big happy family, just like I always dreamed of."

"I doubt your dreams looked anything like this."

"No, this is better because you actually care about me."

"Yes, I do care about you," he answered.

"Anyway I'm not hungry, but you probably want breakfast. That's really unfortunate because I can't cook."

"You can't?"

"No, I fucking suck at cooking. Mum wanted to teach me but I lost interest," Hermione's voice grew faster with every word. "Molly wanted me to learn to cook so I could please Ron. I didn't want to do it. I think men should know how to cook. I mean, they have to take care of themselves alone at some point. They won't always have a woman around. I mean, I wanted to take a few trips on my own, like to Tahiti. You have to know how to cook if I go alone, not that I would! I'd want you there. Ron would've been annoying to travel with, but I can already tell you're going to be much more fun! Still, you need to know how to cook in case I get sick, but not sick in Tahiti! We'll just order out if I get sick in Tahiti."

"I agree that a man should know how to cook," Severus began.

"Glad you do. I'll bet you're very independent. I'm sure you appreciate that. If you want me to leave you alone I will. I'm sure I can find something to do, or go to work. It may be nice to have a day off though. I know you made me take the day off, so I respect that. Can't get too lazy though! I don't want to stop the momentum of my life. Hey! That sounded kinda fun! Anyway, I can take a jog or call Harry," her eyes grew. "Harry! I couldn't get a hold of him yesterday. I think I'll call him now and tell him that I'm Mrs. Snape."

"Are you sure it's advisable to call Harry this early in the morning to have such a tense conversation?" Severus asked.

"It's fine because nothing is going to be tense," Hermione leapt off the bed. "He's my friend. He said he always would be my friend several times. I'm sure he'll realize that being married to you means that you have someone on your side. You won't be so lonely anymore. Won't that be great? Unless," she gasped. "You still don't like Harry. You don't want him around, do you?"

"Not at the moment," Severus admitted. "The fewer Potters in my life, the happier I am."

"Fine, I'll go to his house if he wants to speak with me. I'm sure he won't mind. I should call him right now."

"That wouldn't be advisable."

"Why?" Hermione spun around.

"To begin with, you might want to brush your hair," his voice was gentle.

"Oh yeah," she chuckled. "I got so busy unpacking I forgot to brush it this morning. I probably sweated too. You think I'd remember to brush it because I'm always complaining about my hair. It is a mess most days."

"I think it looks lovely as it is."

"You don't need to flatter me," she blushed. "I know why I'm a bushy haired know-it-all."

"I'm not one to engage in flattery," he answered. "Your hair is lovely, though Mr. Potter may appreciate you running a comb through it."

"You're right," she rushed over and brushed her lips against his. "You are a good husband."

"Thank you," he gave her a half smile. "You are an adequate wife."

"From you, that's like anyone else saying I'm amazing," she darted into the bathroom, unsure whether her happiness was the same as that she'd awakened with, or if it had intensified from her surly husband giving her a compliment.

Hermione stood in front of Severus' fireplace. It had taken some time to pick out her black t-shirt with a pink heart in the center, and decide that blue shorts were an acceptable choice of clothing. Harry wouldn't care what she wore, and she planned to lounge around the house all day anyway. It was still unclear why Lucius had advised her to remain at home for the day. Perhaps he wanted her to enjoy the day after her wedding day. If this was the case she needed to thank him. There was plenty she could think to do, like hang out with Harry or buy books. She could do both if she wanted! Then, she'd have time for Severus.

She would have so much time for Severus come this evening!

"I will begin making the eggs now," Severus called from the kitchen.

"Okay, I'll be done in a minute," she threw in the floo powder, wondering how something as domestic as eggs could bring her such excitement. She'd always wanted a man to cook for her. It was so wonderful that she'd found him. God Severus was sexy, and he didn't know it, which made him all the more alluring. If she wasn't so set on speaking to Harry, she would show her husband exactly how much she wanted him.

"Harry Potter's house," she called.

The fireplace crackled as the flames shot up. Her heart raced as she stared at them. There was something awe-inspiring about fire, how it burned away both the good and bad. It was the great equalizer, giving warmth and taking life. Just further proof that life was odd and absurd all at once, yet beautiful all the same.

"Hello?"

"Harry," Hermione stuck her face inside the fireplace and grinned. "How are you doing?"

"Hermione?"

"Yes."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "You look happy."

"I am happy. I'm married!" She clasped her hands together.

"So Ron told me," he growled.

"Yeah, it's unfortunate that it isn't to Ron but I married Severus Snape. That's very fortunate for me!"

"It's very unfortunate for the rest of us," Harry snapped.

"How?"

"You shattered Ron's heart and all you can say is marrying Snape was fortunate?"

"Look, I'm not happy he got hurt. I wish Ron hadn't got hurt. That whole thing sucked. It just happened. It was an accident."

"How could it be an accident? You knew about the intercourse clause, so you slept with Severus Snape knowing it had taken effect," Harry's voice grew louder. "You cheated on Ron so you could marry another man."

"I didn't cheat on anyone. Ron and I were over."

"Not according to him."

"He can't be angry with me for moving on before he did."

"You slept with Snape!"

"And now we're married. Isn't that great?" Hermione's eyes glistened.

"It's anything but great, and you know it," Harry answered.

"I know it isn't great for Ron…"

"It isn't great for Ron?" Harry exclaimed. "He's stuck in his house crying his eyes out. He won't eat, he can barely sleep, and he doesn't want to get off his couch. He's no longer taking pleasure in life, and it's all your fault."

"Look, Ron and I were terrible together. I knew that, and deep down inside, he did too."

"Then break up with him properly and wait a week or two before going on the rebound."

"I didn't have a week. The marriage law was going to take place at the end of the month. I needed to find a husband right now."

"So you chose Severus Snape?"

"In my defense, I forgot about the clause when I slept with him."

Harry groaned.

"Look, I can't change anything now. All I can say is Severus is a good husband. I'm happy," her muscles tightened. Why the hell couldn't Harry just be happy for her for once? She was happy when he moved on to Luna. Why wasn't she granted the same courtesy?

"Well at least one person is happy."

"I wish Ron was happy too. It is terrible that I broke his heart. I'll admit I shouldn't have done that."

"Yet you don't feel a hint of remorse for it."

"I'm happy," she stomped her foot. "Why can't anyone be happy with me?"

"Maybe you should stop hurting people and people would feel a little happier for you," he snarled.

She gritted her teeth and made two fists.

"Damnit Hermione, what has gotten into you? You haven't been yourself these last two weeks."

"I'm happy!" She yelled. "For the first time after the war, I'm happy! Why can't anyone else be happy with me?"

"You're hurting people you claimed to love and are dragging an innocent person into it by marrying him and inflicting your chaos upon him."

"Wait," she tilted her head. "Did you just call Severus innocent?"

"In this case, he is innocent, and shouldn't be subjected to your selfishness."

She began giggling. "Trust me, Severus is anything but innocent. I should know."

"What does that mean?"

"Oh Harry," she giggled. "I won't kiss and tell."

"Fine," Harry snapped. "Tell Snape that I hope his little shag was worth it because now he's married to the most selfish bitch in Britain."

"Did you just call me a bitch?" She retorted.

"If the shoe fits, wear it."

"Y-you can't call me what Molly called Bellatrix!"

"If you don't want to be called a bitch, don't act like one."

"I am not acting like one!"

"If I may," Severus stepped beside Hermione and pushed her back. "Mr. Potter, I thank you for your concern over my well-being. As you can see, I am doing quite well."

"Oh I'd love to have a few words with you…" Harry began.

"Actually, you will not," Severus interrupted. "Hermione and I are preparing to eat breakfast. This floo call has concluded."

"But I wasn't finished yet," Hermione protested.

"I think we're all done here," Severus replied.

"But…"

"Hermione, your eggs are getting cold."

"Fine," she huffed. "Tell Harry goodbye and I'll call later."

"I'll send him your regards."

Hermione stomped away, though when she entered the kitchen she did not sit down. Instead, she remained where she could hear her husband.

"How could you Snape?" Harry hissed. "You broke up a loving home because you wanted a nice shag."

"I don't need to justify myself to you," he argued. "All I will say is that the next time you call, you need to be much more respectful to Hermione. I will not tolerate anyone abusing her in her own house."

"She broke Ron's heart and you want to protect her?"

"I'm simply ensuring she isn't insulted in her own home."

"Oh so it's her home now."

"Given that she's married to me, it seems only right that this is her home."

"And that's it? You're okay with the cheating so long as you have a bed warmer."

"First of all, Hermione is a wife, not a bedwarmer. I strongly suggest you begin showing the woman you claim to love as a sister some respect."

"Fine," Harry huffed. "It doesn't change the fact that your wife cheated on my best friend."

"Mr. Weasley and my wife were no more."

"Do you honestly believe that?"

"Is there a reason I should disbelieve that?"

"She lied to you."

"No, I believe she told me the truth. If Mr. Weasley sees it differently, that is his issue, not mine."

"So that's it? Hermione is the most trustworthy woman of all time?"

"Given that she hasn't lied to me yet, I'm inclined to believe her."

"Fine, you believe her," Harry huffed. "Aren't you even a little angry with her for getting you in this predicament?"

"What good will anger do me? The law has been passed, Hermione is my wife, and I need to provide a good home for her. My emotions are irrelevant. All that matters is that Hermione is living in a safe environment which is conducive for her well-being," Severus answered.

"It's because of your father," Harry's voice was softer. "You don't want to turn into him, so you're willing to overlook what Hermione's done so you don't treat her the way he treated your mother."

"Goodbye Mr. Potter," Severus pulled out his wand and flicked it. With that, the fire died.

Hermione scrambled to the table. She looked at the sunny side up eggs, waffles toast, and bacon on the table. She began serving himself.

"I take it you heard all of that," Severus stood across from her.

She swallowed and nodded.

"Good," he selected an egg and put it on his plate. "I won't allow anyone else to insult you while you are here, not in my presence anyway."

"You really will always stand up for me, won't you?"

"We're in this together," he took a piece of toast. "It only make sense for me to stand up for you."

"For the record, I'll stand up for you too," she relaxed.

"Indeed," he looked at her. "That being said, I will not always support your actions. You cannot lie to me or push me around. Understand that I will not tolerate abuse either."

"I feel the same," she answered. "I wouldn't be happy if you called me a dunderhead."

"You aren't a dunderhead," he replied. "I would never say otherwise."

"Thank you." She sat after selecting her bacon. "That being said, I really thought Ron and me were over. I didn't think I was cheating."

"I know."

"Why doesn't anyone else believe me?"

"That is for them to discern. What matters right now is that this is your safe space. You have a right to be treated well in your home. I cannot control how anyone outside of these walls views your drama with Weasley. I can silence people who try to bring it into our home though," he answered.

"Thank you," she answered.

"You are more than welcome."

"For the record." She picked up a slice of toast. "I won't let anyone insult you in here either. This is your safe space too."

"Thank you," there was a gleam in his eyes.

In companionable silence they ate, both relieved they had somewhere safe in the world.

It was already more than either of them had the day they got married.