A knock at the portrait hole had Hermione up from her perch by the fire, Severus's book from the night before in her lap. She'd retreated back to her chambers after escorting students to the train station but had been unable to get comfortable anywhere but her chair though she kept drifting back to how wonderful the morning had been in Severus's bed. So she welcomed the intrusion of whoever was at the door since everyone but a select few teachers and even fewer students decided to stay behind. Getting up, she set her borrowed book down and moved to the portrait to her rooms.
"Severus? I thought you'd be gone already."
"I brought your potions," he held them up awkwardly.
"I hadn't even thought about that, thank you." Taking them, she moved back into her rooms but stalled, noticing him still in the doorway. "Wait, why didn't you just come in? That's what we usually do."
A blush crept into his cheeks, "I was just leaving actually but wanted to make sure you got your potions, I thought about them this morning after you left. I als-" He stopped and coughed causing Hermione to tilt her head at him in confusion. He was acting odd, very unlike himself. "I also wanted to offer you an invitation to spend the holidays with me."
Trying to repress her smile, she smirked, "Really?"
"You said you wanted a quiet holiday, so I understand if you prefer to stay here like you had planned. But I don't have any plans for the holidays besides remodeling the downstairs bathroom, and you said you would like to see the house-"
She cut him off by stepping closer and putting her hand on his chest, "I'd love to, Severus. But are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Then come in, I won't take long to pack."
The pair moved into her chambers, and he stood in front of the fire while she walked into her room.
"Are you going to Drake's for Christmas Eve?" she called from her room.
"Yes, Cissy wouldn't let me out of it if I begged."
He heard her laugh from her room and smirked. "Drake wouldn't let me either. I've been told to arrive early so his mother can 'do me up' and get me ready." She reappeared with only her small beaded bag, a winter coat, a periwinkle blue jumper, and jeans instead of her robes. Her small belly was more pronounced in her muggle clothes and Severus liked it, she looked beautiful. "Apparently, she's already picked my gown," Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. "So, how are we going?"
"That's up to you. Apparation is safe, but if you'd prefer, we can use the floo."
"Apparation works, but I can't promise not to get sick. Floo might be safest for your shoes."
Severus chuckled and offered his arm, "We'll have to use Minerva's."
She let him guide her from her rooms toward the headmistress's office. When they reached the gargoyle, which moved to reveal the staircase, he gently pushed her ahead of him.
Minerva sat at her desk when Hermione entered. "Hermione, dear," Severus walked in behind her. Severus, do you need the floo?"
He nodded, "I'd like to save my shoes."
Hermione smacked his arm playfully.
"You're leaving together?" she asked, her eyes suddenly twinkling much like her predecessor.
"Yes," Severus answered suddenly stiffly.
"A nice, quiet holiday," Hermione supplied in a more gentle tone.
"Well," Minerva smirked, "enjoy yourselves." She waved them off before returning to the papers on her desk.
Severus replaced his hand on her lower back and collected a handful of powder. Hermione saw Minerva's smirk grow as he pulled her closer and dropped the powder calling out for his house in Spinners End.
When the green flames receded, she stepped out of the fireplace into a room she only partially recognized. In his memories, it had been grey and dingy with peeling wallpaper and frayed furniture. The room she stood in now was much softer, the furniture was well loved but still looked new and the walls were painted soft white with dark wood paneling halfway up the wall. It met the filled bookshelves, stained the same color, with a dark hardwood floor. The front door was different than his memories as well, and she could plainly see the stairs leading to the second floor. The room was devoid of any pictures, but it felt homey, and Hermione instantly loved the room.
Severus had stood back to watch her as she surveyed the room.
"It looks beautiful, Severus," she gushed, walking past him towards his shelves. "Gods, you have so many books. It will take me forever to get through all of them, provided," she turned to him with a smile, "that you aren't hiding anymore from me."
"There are more in the study upstairs and in my laboratories, both here and at school."
"Hold out," she muttered, and he chuckled.
"Through there is the kitchen," he pointed to the doorway on the right, "there's a bathroom down here too but that's what I was planning on working on. My lab is downstairs, but I'll ask that you don't go down there alone." Hermione nodded and followed him up the stairs. He stopped at the first door on the right and pushed it open, "This is the guest room," Hermione stepped in and recognized it as his childhood bedroom as she took off her coat and set it on the bed with her beaded bag, "the bathroom is across the hall right here." He guided her further down the hall, "My room," he pointed to a set of double doors but quickly pointed to another door opposite his room, "and this is the study."
Hermione perked her head to the side at his grin. Opening the door, she gasped, "Severus, you are in so much trouble."
It was the same dark wood from downstairs, but the walls were grey-blue. There was another fireplace surrounded by matching grey chairs and a couch. A small table with two chairs was by one of the only windows in the room, and wizarding chess was on it. She immediately walked over to the shelves and began surveying the contents while he smirked in the doorway.
"It's going to take me ages to get through all these," his smirk widened hearing her.
"I can live with that," he replied seriously.
She turned to him slowly and smiled. Her nostrils flared, and her eyes rolled back, "What is that smell?"
"Probably Dotty," Hermione said, lifting her eyebrows. She usually follows me when I leave. She keeps an eye on you throughout the day, so she probably knows you're here."
As if summoned by his words, Dotty appeared between them and rushed over to Hermione, "Mistress Mia, Dotty is happy you came! She made dinner for you and baby Snape."
"I'm chopped liver," Severus playfully grumbled from the doorway.
"For Master Severus, too," Dotty smiled at him. "His favorite."
"Thank you, Dotty, I appreciate it."
The elf disappeared, and Hermione walked up to him as he moved. He led her to another staircase that led to the kitchen.
"Oh, Severus..." she faltered in at the end of the stairs with just enough room for him to slip past her. It matched the living room, with hardwood floors continuing in, white walls with dark wood cabinets, the top shelves had glass allowing her to see the contents, and the counters were a light grey. The whole thing was completely modernized, with appliances that were all silver. The island was large, and Hermione immediately saw herself making cookies and cooking dinners in that kitchen. Shaking herself, she moved her attention to the small table that had a similar dark stain as the cabinets, with all four chairs and bench stained to match. Her mind wondered again to a wonderful scene with the two of them eating breakfast with two kids around them, a boy and a girl, raven curly hair, laughing as Severus played with them.
Gods.
She tried to breathe and noticed Severus watching her carefully while he plated dinner on two plates.
"You've done amazing. Are you almost done?"
He watched her carefully, his eyes swirling with emotions, but he nodded, "But for the bathroom," he absently pointed to a door near the stairs, "and the outside."
"I didn't even think about outside," she sighed, moving to the windows. "That is a large yard. You have plenty of room for a garden."
"You think," his breath tickled her ear, and she smiled.
"Yes," she pointed to the left side of the yard. "It'd be perfect. You have room for different sections, too: potions, ingredients, herbs, and food. What color are you planning on painting the house?"
She felt him shrug, "A soft green."
She leaned back against him, "And the shutters?"
"White or a soft grey."
"Ever the Slytherin," she chuckled. "I think it will look wonderful either way." Hermione felt his hands hover over her sides, but they disappeared, and she heard him move back to the island. It did nothing to help her heart race. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him again and walked over to the island, where there were two bar stools, like in his chambers. "Your favorite is roast?"
"It is," he chuckled. "It was the first meal I had at Hogwarts when I realized I wasn't restricted to a certain amount."
Hermione felt her chest ache. Despite being in his childhood home, she'd almost forgotten about his childhood. "Harry was the same. It took until the Halloween feast to stop sneaking rolls in his robes," she responded, taking the plate he offered her.
He came and sat beside her, "Yes, unfortunately, I did that too."
"How long did it take you to find the kitchens?"
"My third year," he chuckled.
"I found it our fourth. I should probably never have shared its location with the boys; they abused it." She took a bite," Mmm, my Gods, this is delicious."
Severus grinned, and they continued to talk even when Hermione stood up and started on the dishes, despite Severus's protests. When the dishes were done, she leaned across the island as they kept talking. When Dotty reappeared, she came bearing chocolate cake, and Hermione almost moaned at the sight, much to Severus's pleasure. Summoning two forks, she passed one to him and took a bite. She couldn't work to suppress her moan this time.
"Mistress Mia looks comfortable."
Hermione blushed, "I am comfortable, Dotty."
"Dotty draw Mistress a bath!"
"You don't-," her words were cut off by Dotty's disapparation, "She drives me nuts when she does that. But she uses the most heavenly bath oils."
Severus's lips quirked up, "Those would be mine."
"Well, they're amazing," Hermione grinned and tried to fight the blush creeping up her neck, "They always seem to relax me." They looked at one another for a moment before she broke the silence, "I should probably get up there before she comes and gets me. Thank you for inviting me to stay with you over the holidays. I really appreciate it, and it is absolutely beautiful." Walking around the island, she kissed his cheek and moved to the stairs, "Goodnight, Severus."
"Sleep well, Hermione."
She looked back at him, smiling. "I have no doubts I will."
Freshly bathed and dressed, Hermione lay in her perfectly soft bed. The room was just as well done as the rest of the house. The sheets and bedspread were a light grey, the furniture was stained dark brown, and the walls were a soft blue, much like in the study. She felt absolutely comfortable but was unable to fall asleep no matter the amount of pillows she conjured. So instead, she padded out of the room, tying her dressing robe above her slightly swollen belly, and quietly walked into the study.
The fire was glowing softly as she walked around the room, studying the books on the shelves. Finding one that piqued her interest, she settled into one of the chairs and conjured a small ottoman and blanket. She didn't realize she was dozing off until a tiny hand wrapped around her wrist, and she was suddenly back in her bed, her dressing gown vanished.
"Thank you, Dotty," she whispered.
"Hermione?" a husky voice beside her asked.
"Severus?" she opened her eyes and looked at him. In the darkness, she could see his outline as he rolled onto his side to face her. "I was falling asleep in the study, I thought Dotty took me to the guest room," She shifted to get up when his hand snaked out and wrapped around her wrist.
"If you're having trouble sleeping, you can stay here."
"Are you sure?"
He let out a small snort and pulled her closer. Hermione rolled into his hold and let her body rest against his with an audible sigh.
"Better?"
"You have no idea how much," she breathed as she arched her back slightly and relaxed fully into him.
Severus was lying on his back with his arm under her neck when she laid her head in the crook of his armpit, her hand coming to rest on his chest. She felt his hand on hers and sighed again.
"I think I do," he sealed it with a kiss on her hair, just like the night before. Taking a deep breath, he surrounded himself in her scent and let himself drift off with his witch in his arms.
The sun was coming in through the window, blinding Hermione, so she burrowed her head under the covers and into the body pressed against her. A smile stretched across her face when she remembered where she was.
I'm in Severus's house. His wonderful, cozy house. She stiffened. In his bed. Again.
His scent was surrounding her and she felt her body instinctively relax back against him as she took note of their current position. They were pressed close, facing one another like the morning before, but their legs were tangled together, and her hands were pressed against his chest, his own on her hips and under her neck. It felt wonderful. Dropping her head back down, she nuzzled into his neck. His arms tightened around her as she did.
The next time she woke up, she turned over, and Severus was at her back, his arms wrapped around her torso. She could feel his breath in her hair. Her legs were bent and lay between his, her own hands resting in his atop her belly.
Regretfully, she tried to peel herself away from him but found his arms tightening around her, making her smile.
"Severus.." she cooed to him. He groaned, and she rolled over just enough to lay on her back, "Severus..".
He didn't move and she took the opportunity to run her fingers through his hair again. She hadn't had the chance since her stay in the infirmary but it was just as silky as it was then.
"Severus, wake up," he stirred, and she kissed his nose, "Please, love, I need to use the loo."
"Hermione?" Her heart jumped.
"Well, I hope so," she giggled. "Can you let me go? I promise I'll be right back."
His arms released her, and she was able to escape the bed and tiptoe into the en suite bathroom. When she finished washing her hands, she took a moment to look at how he'd modeled the bathroom.
It was really no surprise that it fit perfectly with the rest of the house. The tile work was various greys with greens and blues here and there. There was a glass shower stall with silver fixtures. There was a large clawfoot tub under a window beside the shower, a shelf separating them with a variety of bath oils and salts on it. The sink she was at was a his-and-hers with dark grey granite counters and above-the-counter glass bowl sinks.
Shaking her head with a smile she left the bathroom and crawled back into bed, Severus immediately retook her into his arms and her smile grew.
"Morning sickness again?" he grumbled, his voice husky.
"Not yet, but it's still early."
Severus chuckled, "How'd you sleep?"
"Incredibly," she burrowed into his chest. "I'm sorry for waking you."
"Don't be," he kissed her forehead, and she shivered. "Do you have plans for today?"
She shook her head, "Besides reading, no. You?"
"I'm going to start working downstairs."
"Speaking of bathrooms," she pulled back and looked him in the eye, "Your bathroom is amazing." He chuckled, lips quirking up, "You have wonderful taste and this house.." she tried to find the right word but couldn't.
Instead, she sat up and looked around his room. Despite having slept there, she had no idea what it looked like. It did not disappoint. It matched the rest of the house: beautiful green-grey walls, dark wood furniture, a white rug over the hardwood floor, a bookcase with even more books, and a set of doors that led to what she presumed was the closet. The room was spacious, with a winged-back chair in one of the corners by the door.
"Severus Tobias Snape," she looked down at him, "You said the labs and the study." He grinned and shrugged from his elbows.
Sitting up, he yawned and stretched, his arms reaching high above him. "I'm glad you like it."
"It's completely transformed," she smiled at him, blush reaching her cheeks as she took in his bare torso up close, noting that she hadn't taken the chance to the prior evening. He was covered in scars but he was sculpted beneath them. The trail of black hair, starting under his belly button, made her wonder what was beneath his pajama pants.
Severus noticed her gaze, and she watched him pull up his occluding shields as he got out of bed. He hadn't done that with her in a while.
"I'll wear a shirt from now on," he mumbled, walking over to the dresser.
"What?"
"The scars, I know they're unappealing."
Frowning, she left the warmth of the bed and stopped behind him just as he slipped the shirt over his shoulders.
"I don't think that," her hands slipped under the shirt, tracing right over a scar she'd just seen on his back, "I'm scarred too, Severus."
Her hands left his shirt, and she put her forehead between his shoulder blades before placing a soft kiss there and moving to leave the room.
"And I wasn't looking at them," she bravely shot over her shoulder, leaving him gaping after her.