Chapter 59 ~ Preparations and a Rather Big Surprise
Now that the three words Hermione longed to hear from Severus were out in the open air, she felt complete. It had happened just like she believed it would. The dark wizard responded to love like any other human being. He had certainly put her through the wringer though. He treated her much better now, but secretly she hoped he wouldn’t lose his edge. She liked him dark, snarky and dominating. If he turned into a complete softie towards her, she wouldn’t be able to stand it.
“Severus?” she said to him as he lay sated beside her, both arms behind his head, his eyes closed.
He opened one eye.
“Yes, Hermione?” he responded.
“Now that you’ve admitted you love me, you aren’t going to change are you?” she asked him.
Severus rolled toward her now, his brow wrinkled.
“Change? Change how?” he asked her.
Hermione hesitated.
“Well…become…soft. Sweet,” she replied, her eyes fixed on his face.
Severus snorted.
“If you are worried I’ll start acting like a love-struck sixth year, it will never happen. I do feel tenderness toward you, Hermione…but my gentleness toward you in and out of bed lately is mostly due to your condition. I don’t want you blubbering every time I say something to you, so I am not as sharp as usual. I bite back my comments quite a bit, I assure you. And now that you are in your third trimester, I can’t fuck you like I want to…so I am ‘gentle’.”
His eyes swept up and down her body.
“Trust me, after you have the baby you will get your normal treatment,” he said, his eyes glittering. “You didn’t want a ‘sweet’ man, Hermione. You wanted me. I’m as far from sweet as you can get, witch.”
Hermione smiled at him.
“That’s good Severus. I want to keep the snarky wizard I fell in love with. I don’t want you to change,” she said softly.
Severus looked at her a long moment.
“There isn’t the slightest chance of that happening,” he said. Actually he could already feel the changes in him towards her. But if she wanted him snarky and hexable, then that’s what he would be for her. “Now go to sleep. Tomorrow we have to go see Albus and plan our wedding ceremony. I want you rested when you waddle into Hogwarts. That gait has to be tiring.”
Hermione frowned as Severus rolled to his back again, closing his eyes.
“Waddle? I don’t waddle,” she declared, scowling.
“Hermione, you do waddle. Ducks and penguins waddle less than you do,” the Potions Master replied sleepily.
Suddenly he got a pillow in the face, hard. Stunned, he scowled at the witch next to him.
“Bet ducks and penguins can’t do that,” she griped, replacing the pillow and falling back on it.
Severus’ nostrils flared. He was going to go to sleep…but she started it. He had something much better to hit her with than a pillow.
“They don’t do this either,” he growled, grabbing the witch.
So much for Hermione getting a good night’s rest.
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They next day they arrived at Hogwarts. They floo’d directly to Severus’ room. Raucous was on the rafters when they arrived, and squawked a greeting to his master, fluttering down to the armchair so he could get a few caresses from the wizard. Hermione stepped through after Severus. She rolled through the floo, and Raucous cocked a beady eye at her, then fell off the back of the armchair and into the seat, cawing with birdie laughter at the rotund witch. He writhed around on his back with his claws in the air. Oh, this was too good.
Hermione glared at the bird as he struggled to his feet, looking at her, his beak open in mirth.
“It’s not funny,” she said to the raven, frowning.
This only had the effect of sending Raucous into more birdie conniptions. Between squawks he sent an image to Severus of the wizard rolling Hermione like a huge ball down the corridors of Hogwarts. The Potions Master helplessly let out a snicker, tempted to laugh out loud at the outrageous image. Hermione caught it.
“What did he say to you, Severus?” she demanded.
Severus sobered quickly.
“Just a comment about how you’ve rounded out a bit,” the wizard replied, his lip quirking a bit as Raucous hopped on his shoulder and eyed the witch exaggeratedly as if looking at something extremely large, his beak still open.
“Stupid bird,” Hermione muttered bad-temperedly as Raucous preened Severus’ hair.
Severus walked over to his desk, opened the drawer and took out a couple of parchments, which he put in his pocket. He then returned to Hermione took her arm and said, “Albus is waiting for us.”
Severus took some floo powder out of the box on the mantle and threw it into the flames.
“The Headmaster’s office,” he said, and led Hermione through, Raucous still riding on his shoulder.
Albus was sitting at his desk looking over some paperwork when the fire suddenly turned green. He looked up expectantly, adjusting his glasses, a broad smile on his face. He rose when Severus and Hermione stepped through. His eyes darkened just a bit when he saw Raucous. The Headmaster still hadn’t gotten over their initial meeting. That familiar was trouble.
“Severus! Hermione!” Albus exclaimed, walking from around his desk to embrace Hermione.
He pulled her close, then hesitated as he felt her belly press against him. The old wizard looked down at the witch, his blue eyes twinkling kindly.
“I see things are developing nicely, my dear,” he said to her, stepping back to look at her. “You are radiant. Absolutely radiant.”
Hermione smiled at the Headmaster tersely. She didn’t feel radiant. She felt like a beached whale. But she accepted his compliment graciously. The Headmaster then shook Severus’ hand firmly, his eyes focused on the dark wizard’s face. There was some change there, something he couldn’t put his finger on…but it was definitely something for the better.
“Ah, Severus. How are you adjusting to approaching fatherhood?” Albus asked him.
“I must admit I am looking forward to it, Headmaster,” Severus said, helping Hermione to a seat in front of Albus’ desk. “It will be a pleasure to raise a child that is not an innate dunderhead.”
Albus returned to his desk as Severus sat down next to Hermione. The old wizard noted how Hermione reached over and clasped the Potions Master’s pale hand, and how Severus’ thumb gently caressed the back of it as they faced him. Hm. Oddly affectionate of the wizard. Could it be Hermione finally reached the wizard’s hardened heart? Albus hoped so. There were few wizards as deserving of a second chance at life as Severus was.
“So, I understand there is to be a wedding,” Albus said, beaming at the two.
“Yes, Headmaster,” Hermione said, blushing slightly, “and we were hoping you would conduct the ceremony here at Hogwarts. It would be a small affair. Just family and a few close friends.”
“I would be delighted,” the Headmaster replied. He looked at Hermione’s belly pointedly, “I gather the ceremony will be quite soon.”
“Very,” Severus replied, “We were hoping next weekend, sir. On Sunday.”
The Headmaster opened a large appointment book on his desk and flipped to the date in question. He smiled up at them.
“I’m free all that day,” he replied. “Would you like a morning, afternoon or evening ceremony?”
Severus and Hermione spoke quietly for a moment.
“The morning if you please, Headmaster,” Hermione replied. “I’m usually quite tired in the afternoons.”
“Is ten o’clock a good time?” Albus asked, picking up a quill and dipping it into the inkwell.
“Yes, that’s fine,” she replied. Albus marked it in the book. He looked up at the couple.
“Hogwarts will supply a light brunch to follow the ceremony,” he said. “I am very happy for both of you. This is a joyous occasion. Do you need help rounding up your guests, Hermione?”
She shook her head.
“I’ll owl the invitations tomorrow. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, Remus, my parents of course…I think I’ll skip Fred and George,” she said. She had found out that Fred and George had released a subtle lust draught in the Great Hall the night of the reunion that had the most unlikely people snogging each other for ten minutes. Hagrid and Professor McGonagall for one example and Trelawney and Filch for another.
Minerva had been appalled when she recovered. Hagrid was a bit green himself, and launched himself at the hysterically laughing twins, who beat a rather hasty retreat from the irate half-giant via the floo in the Main Hall. Lucky for them Hagrid was too big to fit into the fireplace or he would have followed them and beaten them within an inch of their lives.
“Do you have anyone you’d like to invite, Severus?” she asked him.
A strange expression crossed the Potions Master’s face.
“Yes,” he said slowly. “There is one person. She lives in Naples.”
“She?” Hermione asked looking perplexed.
He looked at her.
“Yes…she. My mother,” he replied. “For years I perpetuated the lie she was dead, to protect her from the Dark Lord. I moved her there, shortly after the death of my father.”
The Potions Master scowled at this. His father had been an abusive man, who beat him and his mother mercilessly. He died shortly before Severus joined the Dark Lord. When the wizard discovered how twisted and cruel the despot was, he convinced his mother to leave England. He knew Voldemort wouldn’t hesitate to use her to control him, or kill her to punish him.
When Severus told his mother he had joined Voldemort, she was very disappointed in him. She left England and worked in Naples for many years. As soon as Severus was employed at Hogwarts, he sent money to her every month to help her. He still provided support for her, his solicitor taking care of sending the payments. The dark wizard hadn’t laid eyes on his mother for a long, long time. Now that he was about to take a wife, and have a child, he wanted to see her. It would make her very happy to know he had started a family and she would be a grandmother. It was time for her to come back to England.
“Your mother,” Hermione whispered, her eyes wide. “I thought she was dead.”
He shook his head.
“She left the country to avoid being targeted by Voldemort,” Severus replied, “But he’s gone now, and it’s time she came back. I want my family together.”
Hermione looked up at her husband-to-be and blinked back tears.
“Oh Severus,” she said. “We’ll send her an owl this afternoon and make arrangements.”
“Better yet, we will send Fawkes,” Albus offered, looking at the Phoenix, who trilled excitedly. It had been a while since he had been on a journey.
Raucous squawked indignantly. What about him? It was HIS master’s mother after all. He should be the one to deliver the invitation. Severus petted him.
“Raucous, Naples is approximately 1615 kilometers from London. That is quite a distance, and there are predators that would love to have a raven for a light snack. I would rather you didn’t go. I’ve gotten used to you,” he said to the bird.
Raucous rubbed his head against the Potions Master’s hand. This was the first time the wizard had expressed any care for him vocally, and the bird appreciated it. He cawed acquiescence.
The couple and Albus hashed out the details of their upcoming nuptials. But Hermione was distracted. Severus’ mother? Alive? Returning to England?
Hermione could not help but wonder what the mother of Severus Snape would be like? Was she as disciplined and severe as the Potions Master? What did she look like? More importantly, would she be accepting of a muggle-born daughter-in-law? Suddenly, Hermione didn’t feel very well.
“Headmaster, may I use your bathroom?” she asked Albus.
“Certainly, my dear,” he said, looking concerned at her greenish tint. Severus helped her up, concern also on his pale face.
“Are you all right, Hermione?” the dark wizard asked, his brow creased.
“I’ll be fine,” Hermione said, holding down the bile rising inside her. She hurried to the bathroom and just managed to make it to the loo before she vomited. The two wizards heard her and looked at each other.
“I imagine Hermione has just come down with a case of ‘nerves’, Severus. Obviously you didn’t tell her about your mother,” the Headmaster said. “It must be quite a shock to her.”
Severus looked in the direction of the bathroom.
“Yes. There are many things Hermione doesn’t know about me,” he said, then looked at the Headmaster rather plaintively. “This is all so new to me, Albus. You know I am used to keeping details of my life a secret. It is difficult to open up and share them.”
Albus nodded. For years, Severus’ very survival depended on his ability to keep secrets from others. He had become quite adept at concealing his own history while learning that of others. It would take time for him to open up to Hermione.
“It will become easier, Severus. Give yourself time, my boy,” the Headmaster said, “though the witch may take you to task for concealing such a thing.”
Severus scowled.
“I wasn’t concealing it. My mother just never came up. Hermione believed her dead after all,” he replied.
“Well, she’s been admirably resurrected, my boy, and Hermione is going to have questions,” Albus said.
“When my mother arrives, those questions will all be answered,” the dark wizard replied.
Hermione returned from the bathroom, looking pale. Severus was on his feet in a moment, Raucous hopping down to the back of the chair. He strode over and grasped her arm to support her.
“I should get you back to the house,” he said, looking down at her.
Hermione nodded weakly. She felt lightheaded.
Albus rose.
“Yes, Severus. Get her home. I will see you both in two weeks. I take it I may invite the staff?” he asked.
“Of course,” Severus replied. “I imagine Minerva and the rest of that cackling brood will be overjoyed that I am finally getting a ring put through my…”
He stopped and looked at Hermione, who was glaring at him.
“…on my finger,” he amended, giving her a smirk.
Hermione hit him in the shoulder and he arched an eyebrow at this small attack.
“I’m adding that infraction to my ‘list'” he growled at her, “I won’t forget it either. It doesn’t take a witch as long to recover from delivering a child. You’ll be on your back in no time, witch.”
Even ill, Hermione flushed with a bit of desire. Severus was so delicious when he was threatening her.
Albus watched the couple, smiling. Ah, young love.
Suddenly Hermione remembered him and flushed even deeper, this time with embarrassment. She turned to face him with a small, embarrassed smile.
“Goodbye Headmaster,” she said as Severus nodded toward him.
“Goodbye Hermione, Severus. I will send Fawkes along in a bit.” Albus replied, still smiling as the pair stepped through the floo. Raucous squawked at the wizard from the back of the chair and flew into the fireplace behind them, Albus scowling after the raven.
The wizard sat back down at the desk and stared into space, his blue eyes misting up a bit.
Severus’ mother. It had been a very long time since he had seen her last. He hoped the years had been kind. She was quite a looker in her day. Actually, she would be going on sixty, so she was still relatively young…not even middle aged yet by wizarding standards. She was probably still a looker. The old wizard looked forward to seeing her again.
The Headmaster selected a quill, dipped it in the inkwell and set about writing a memo to the staff concerning the upcoming marriage of Severus Snape to Hermione Granger.
No doubt it would be the talk of Hogwarts.
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A/N: Severus’ MOM! Wow. What a surprise to spring on Hermione. I guess becoming a father has had the effect of making Severus miss his own mother. Kind of sweet. We’ll find out a bit more about her next chapter. Think she will like Hermione? Hmm. We’ll see. Please review.
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The Burning Pen
Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery
by Ruth Solomon
The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence. Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately. You are not welcome here. The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.
CHAPTER 60
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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