Chapter Thirty-Seven: Surprise

(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of the marvelous J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.

(ii) Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with me through the writing of this tale. Please do continue to review and tell me what you think of the story. It is wonderful to hear your thoughts and comments.

(iii) Finally, much gratitude to my gracious beta, Queen_of_Stars. Thank you for agreeing to help me work on, polish and present this story.

All errors that ultimately remain are my own.

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When Hermione had first moved to Malfoy Manor, she had laughed quietly at the ostentatious display of white peacocks on the grounds. Reading the book of Malfoy matriarchal magic had revealed that the white peacocks had originally been brought over during the Crusades when Constantine Malfoy had fought as one of the Barons of Richard the Lionheart. It seemed that the magical world and the Muggle world had worked much more closely together in those days. However, Constantine Malfoy had not merely been a Knight of the Crusades, but also a mediator and negotiator for Saladin, working closely with wizards from the Holy Land. It seemed that there had always been wizards and witches working quietly in the background of most of the ruling houses of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It made sense, mused Hermione, as she researched magical history more closely. She wondered why Professor Binns had spent so much time on the witch burnings and the Goblin wars when there was so much more interesting history to learn and explore. Shaking her head at the sometimes inexplicable curriculum choices of Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, Hermione just read further.

More information from her book revealed that the peacocks had been brought because white peacock blood was used in fertility potions and some healing potions. That made more sense, for it could not be denied that Constantine Malfoy probably needed the potions for his recuperation following the bloody years of war. She wondered if Severus had these supposedly potent potion recipes. She knew he would be interested in reading this section of the book closely. Constantine had not only brought peacocks, but he had also come home with a Saracen bride, a witch by the name of Zarina. She had, however, not managed to produce any male heirs and had died in childbirth. Saddened, Hermione found herself falling more and more into the Malfoy family story. It seemed to mirror the rise and fall of British history closely, and it also explained why Lucius and Narcissa still retained the title of Lord and Lady.

The most interesting sections for Hermione, however, were the notes on the construction of the various gardens of the manor. Each garden had been crafted by one of the mistresses of the manor, Narcissa being the one who had introduced the Japanese garden to the property. She wondered how that affected the women and their magic, and if Herbology and gardening were, as she had thought, not only a way in which to counter the use of Dark magic, but also a way in which to boost fertility. She had been told by Draco of his conversation with Theo concerning Ginny, and as she continued to research what was one of her many ongoing projects, she was sure that she had come across something that had been known instinctively by the larger families. She wondered if she could get Severus to speak to Kingsley about getting Molly to do more to the garden of the Burrow. They didn't really have a garden, just a lawn and some trees and flowers. Although Hermione had already mentioned this to Minerva and Severus, she knew that Molly had said she would start planting in spring.

Perhaps there was no point in waiting for the new planting season to come around. Surely, if the Order encouraged Molly, she could get to work improving the landscape of the Burrow now. Hermione knew there was enough to do in the gardens all year around.

At their now tri-weekly meetings, Hermione brought up her reading. "Severus, Minerva, you know I've been reading my Malfoy legacy."

At nods from both the Headmaster and the Deputy Headmistress, Hermione continued. "Well, besides there being a really interesting section on potions for health and fertility dating from the time of the Crusades, there are lots of discussions and notes about the work done to the gardens of the manor by each generation of Malfoy wives. Given that we've been talking about how to help Molly and Ginny better control their Dark Magic residue, I've been coming to the conclusion that older families knew the importance of magical gardening for fertility and magical control reasons instinctively. The task of designing and planting her own garden on arrival was entrusted to each wife by her mother-in-law. Most women, interestingly, also fell pregnant while working on the planting or on completion of the garden. Doesn't that suggest that there is some connection? I may be wrong and it may only be a coincidence, but I don't believe in coincidences. There must be some kind of connection."

Minerva sipped her tea as Hermione explained her hypothesis. Once the young woman was done with her passionate presentation, the deputy Headmistress nodded her head thoughtfully. "It can't hurt, and the Order needs to do whatever it can to stop Molly from sliding further into Darkness. Poor Arthur is at the end of his tether. It might even help Percy, who is still very depressed and has done nothing but bury himself utterly in sorting out the mess that is the Ministry. Turning into a workaholic is not the answer to his own Darkness. I've seen what happens to Severus when he can't work, brew or research. We shouldn't use any one activity as a crutch."

Severus harrumphed but could not disagree. As the past few years had progressed, he had learned how detrimental it could be to only have one way of dealing with his own Darkness. In a way, he was grateful to his Dark Veela curse since it had allowed him to use his tongue to wound and thus satisfy his Darker tendencies.

Hermione's eyes shone with enthusiasm. She really did love the Weasleys, and she hated seeing people she had considered her own become too impossible to bear.

Severus, who had been standing by the fireplace, suggested thoughtfully, "Perhaps we could get Pomona and Neville to devise, together with Molly, a new back garden layout for the Burrow, one that is in keeping with Arthur's status. A knot garden for kitchen herbs, for example, should please her culinary skills, but also provide plenty of space for year round gardening. That, perhaps coupled with a more formal layout for the front of the house, should give them plenty of variety. Magical roses, for example, or even fruit trees would also provide the right blend of practicality and stature to suit Molly's nature."

Hermione agreed energetically.

Severus smirked. "Given that Molly is keen to gain recognition for Arthur, having her house reflect her husband's increased position in the Ministry and the Order should be welcomed without too much persuasion. And I agree, there's no point letting her ignore our advice about the landscaping until spring arrives. Too much could go wrong between now and then."

Hermione beamed.

Minerva continued, "And if what you've shared concerning young Theo and Ginny is to be believed, then having Molly speak of the benefits and importance of having an adequately designed garden should encourage Ginny to take an interest in Herbology, too."

Severus laughed. "Perhaps if someone were to mention the orchids in my own manor, it would encourage the Weasley ladies in their mission further."

Hermione looked enquiringly at Severus, but Minerva chuckled. "Saw that did you? I thought you might have."

"What?" asked Hermione. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing very important, my dear," said Severus.

"Come on, you must tell me; now I really want to know," pleaded the young woman.

Minerva laughed and Severus grinned evilly.

"Don't be difficult, Severus, you know how I hate not knowing stuff," said Hermione with a huff.

Severus continued to grin, but he finally relented at the look on his beloved's face. "We were simply thinking about young Ginny's predatory look when she learned of what we got from Lucius as a dowry. I think that when she began seeing who Theo really was. Oh, she saw his position within the purebloods and his rank as the Baron of Inverness, but I don't think she really, clearly understood what it meant beyond the fact that he owns a castle. I think it wasn't until after hearing of the list of our own future possessions that she truly grasped what Theo represented."

"Poor Theo," said the tender-hearted Hermione.

At Severus' quizzical look, she explained further. "I want to marry you because I adore you and want you, the man you are, not Severus Snape the hero and spy. It would be sad if Theo only had Ginny after him for what he had and represented, not for himself alone. You know I'd want to marry you if you didn't have a penny to your name and lived in a shack. That's not what matters to me."

Severus' eyes burned with tightly leashed control and passion. If he were anywhere else but in the Headmaster's Office, with Minerva sitting so politely, sipping her tea as if she had not heard Hermione bear her soul and proclaim her attraction to all the former Heads of Hogwarts, he would have ravished her to within an inch of her strength. For so long Severus had yearned to be wanted, needed for himself alone. Now, finally, this treasure, this wonderful, brilliant young woman wanted him. All of his suffering, all of his years of being unwanted, of being rejected because of the Dark Veela curse were suddenly behind him. He knew now that it was only a technicality that remained from the total banishment of his family's long curse. When he married his beloved, when he made her his in every possible sense, then the curse would dissipate, and he would have, share and feel the power of true love. He hoped and prayed silently to all the goddesses and gods that nothing happened to prevent the event. He couldn't wait. He wanted her, now, this very minute, and he knew that he would want her every day for the rest of his life.

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Astoria and Draco had finally decided on having a Mid-Summer's Eve wedding. Narcissa was over the moon since it symbolised extremely good luck for the bonding couple. Hermione knew that her adopted parents assumed that she and Severus would have their nuptials at the same time. It was what Astoria definitely was planning if her sly grins and nudges indicated anything.

But the many conversations that Severus had had with Hermione had convinced the dark Slytherin that waiting until the Summer Solstice was folly. He was terrified that the Dark Veela curse would do something to destroy the happiness he had found. He was convinced that the curse needed to be broken, and the sooner it could be done, the better. Thus, now that he knew she wanted him truly, it seemed ridiculous to suffer alone. Impatient, Severus decided he really needed to talk to Hermione in private, away from the listening walls of Hogwarts.

Plotting once more, he sent her a note towards the end of November. In it, he asked his young bride-to-be if she cared to venture into Muggle Manchester, his old home town, for a supremely sumptuous curry.

Hermione, who adored exotic cuisine, readily agreed. They'd not been on a date since her birthday, and she wanted more than anything to spend time with her fiancé. They had not kissed or been physically affectionate since September, and it was driving her crazy with suppressed desire. The thought of being alone with him in the Muggle world, to be able to touch him and feel his passion, was something that sounded divine.

Once Hermione had agreed, Severus had only one request. Dress casually. It wasn't the best part of town to go to, but the food was worth the surroundings. Hermione was now totally curious. She'd never really been to Manchester.

So, on a cold, wet December evening, Hermione met Severus by the front doors. She had dressed warmly but casually in a pair of pale blue jeans with her brown knee-high leather boots. She'd worn a long-sleeved t-shirt, a jumper and a nice warm over-coat on top with her cream woollen hat, gloves and scarf to complete the look.

Severus inclined his head in greeting as he let his eyes smoulder over her form. Finally, nodding his head in approval of her attire, he murmured, "You'll do."

Hermione smiled at his greeting. She knew he was doing his best to hold his passionate words in check, but the look in his eyes was so intense that words didn't really matter between them anymore. He could have told her she looked completely inappropriate or that the sky was green, and she would have still understood his meaning.

Severus himself was dressed, as always, in black. But his black trousers and white shirt were topped by a black cashmere jumper and a long black trench coat with the collar turned up against the cold. He looked different without his robes, but still utterly delicious to Hermione. In fact, now that she thought of it, he looked even sexier in his Muggle outfit.

Smiling, she quickly did her best to control herself and follow the Headmaster as he began to make his way rapidly to the front gates. They didn't speak. They both knew that what they wanted to say could not be said while on Hogwarts' grounds.

Once they reached the Apparition point, Severus pulled her roughly into his arms and sped away. Like before, once they reached their destination, he didn't waste a moment before casting strong notice-me-not and silencing spells. Once that was done, he pulled her into his arms once more and kissed her ravenously.

Unlike the last time, Hermione knew what to expect. She didn't waste a moment either; she was ready for him, and she met his passion with her own. For long, long moments, they kissed and re-affirmed their love and desire for each other. When they finally broke apart, they were both panting.

Severus pressed his flushed forehead against that of his beloved and sighed. "God, I've missed you, woman. You have no idea how much. But I just couldn't organise the time away until now. First, the Order nonsense with Molly and Ginny, then getting the betrothal contract sorted, and then making sure that all the administrative work was done for the upcoming Yule Ball and the holidays. It's been a really mad few weeks."

Hermione allowed her hands to caress his back and hair. "It's alright, my love," she said softly. "I do understand. I knew you wanted to be with me, and I knew that you would have made time for me if you could. Each time you looked at me while we ate together in the Great Hall, or when we met for tea at our chaperoned meetings, I could feel your passion, your need."

He groaned softly as he felt her caress him. "I still need to apologise, Hermione. I don't want you to feel that I find you less important than Hogwarts, but the Yule Ball is critical for the Order and Hogwarts, and I suppose also for the Ministry's public face, since now all three institutions are so closely linked. And since I'm playing a part in all three places..."

"Sh...," interrupted Hermione. "It really is okay, my love. Please, don't worry. I know. I know. I speak to Minerva and she has explained your different responsibilities. And I've been working hard, too, so I don't blame you. I'm just glad you found time tonight."

"I think I would have gone mad with want," he said gruffly, "if I couldn't have managed to have time alone with you tonight. I'm like a half-starved beast; all I can do is think of you and salivate at the thought of devouring you."

"Oh, Severus," she moaned, reaching up to pull his mouth down for another long and passionate series of kisses.

Severus felt as though his head was spinning. He could feel the curse lifting, changing. He realised that it was on its last legs. He realised he would have to be ever so careful now. Like all Dark Magic, it would now fight its hardest since it could sense that the end was nigh.

"Come, my own heart," he murmured tenderly, once they had broken apart for breath once more. "Let us get something to eat. There is much that I want to discuss with you. And you know we can't be away for too long. It would not do to give the castle the suspicion that we are breaking rules away from its watchful eye. A couple of hours, at the most, are all we have."

Hermione looked at him in puzzlement. "What do you mean?"

Severus shrugged. Then, taking hold of her small hand in his, he said in explanation, "Well, since we've left together, and the castle knows that we are now formally engaged, it is going to be ever watchful of our behaviour upon our return. It would not do for it to suspect that we have gone for some clandestine sex, now would it?" he asked with slight irritation.

Hermione squeezed his hand and laughed. "Clandestine sex, if only, Severus. I'd be more than willing, you know." She giggled at his expression. He looked like a man who was clearly considering saying to hell with everything and taking her right then and there.

"Come, you cheeky, sexy minx," he said in a tone of utmost tenderness. Tightening his grip on her hand, he led her out of the alley and into the teaming hub of Levenshulme.

Once they were seated at the Indian take-away restaurant with dishes of lamb nahari, chicken khorma, chicken makhani, pillau rice and Peshwari naan, they got down to the important business of eating. Both of them, although they adored Hogwarts' cuisine, were delighted to enjoy something totally different. This was heaven. Once Severus' initial hunger for food had been sated, he leaned back and smiled at Hermione, who was still going strong.

"Good, isn't it?" he asked with a knowing smirk. He took a long drink from his tall glass of mango lassi and watched his treasure as she mopped up some curry with her naan. She looked so erotic when she licked the curry off her fingers. He really and truly hoped she would agree to his suggestion. He so wanted to marry her and marry her quickly. He had promised himself that he would not ravish her until their wedding night. He wanted to perform High Magic and bind them together as securely as possible and ensure that all possible rituals were adhered to. He knew this would ensure that she was protected by all of his magic and the powers possessed in his blood-line.

"Fabulous," she replied. "You wouldn't think so," she continued, looking around the tiny shop. It was nothing special to look at. In fact, compared to some of its neighbouring restaurants, it looked quite run-down.

Severus nodded. "They make enough without having to draw in the tourists," he said knowingly. "Regulars still come and buy the food because it is so good. And you'll always find this place full on weekends. That's why I thought tonight was a good day to come. Tuesdays are generally quiet."

Hermione nodded. She could understand. She supposed that Wednesday would be another busy night for places like this since the mid-week crowd would turn up.

As the silence settled around them she admired her fiancé's dark masculinity. Especially in the bright florescent light of the tiny shop, he looked like hero of old come back to battle for king and country. In spite of how good he looked in Muggle clothing, she could imagine him in pirate garb or even that of a knight going on Crusade. But even as she admired his proud Roman nose and his piercing eyes, she could see that despite his relaxed aura, there was something on Severus' mind. Extending her hand, she took a hold of his.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Severus. I can see that you have something to say. Small talk was never your forte."

He sighed before nodding his head. "Especially not with you," he said quietly. "Hermione, I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say what I think. Stop me if you disagree."

Sensing the seriousness, she nodded her head. "Of course."

He took a deep breath and began. "I know Cissy expects us to wed along with Draco and Astoria, and I know they are probably planning a big celebration. But I don't want to wait. I can't wait. I want you. Now. And I was thinking, since we need to keep our engagement quiet anyway, why don't we get married and just keep that quiet instead? You could move into my quarters. You could take some of your NEWTs early and perhaps begin a kind of special project or apprenticeship or something. I know Minerva, Filius or even Septima would be delighted to teach you. I just don't want to wait anymore. I want you, in my life and in my bed."

He looked so worried after he had bared his heart that Hermione felt like weeping. She looked thoughtfully at her love. She could see how sincere he was. She didn't want to hurt him. She could see how vulnerable he had made himself.

Severus steeled himself for disappointment and nodded his head.

Seeing him prepare himself for rejection brought tears into Hermione's eyes. "I want to marry you, I really do," she said softly. "How could you doubt that, my love? And I think getting married at Christmas sounds lovely." She smiled into his eyes.

Severus relaxed and a broad smile transformed the countenance of his face. This didn't sound like a rejection.

"But I'm not really sure about taking my NEWTs early. You know I could have sat for them with Draco; we did study together over the summer. But I also came back because I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. If I had taken my NEWTs with Draco, I wouldn't have learned to hear the castle. Besides, this first term has allowed me to discover where my strengths really lie. As Minerva has said, it is in research, in collecting, in cataloguing information."

Severus was not really listening. All he could think was, she said, yes, yes to marrying me and marrying me soon. But as Hermione continued to speak, he brought his attention back to what she was saying.

"If I did complete my NEWTs early, I think I'd like to work with Madam Pince and sort out some kind of archival traineeship. Perhaps I could make some volumes of women's magic or even do more to bring old forgotten traditions into the mainstream? All the books were written by Slytherins, for Slytherins. If only by having me organise the material and have them re-printed, it would help bring it into discussion once more. Besides, I was thinking it might be prudent to produce a how-to guidebook for Muggle-borns. We are never taught how to mingle in pureblood society. We learn nothing of pureblood etiquette. Since joining the Malfoys, I have learned so much. No wonder Pansy always called me an ill-mannered know-it-all. I thought I knew how to be polite, but every time I tried to make friends with them, I would commit some faux-pas and alienate them even further."

"Hermione," Severus said gently, "I just made those suggestions because I didn't want you to think that I didn't wanted you to further your education. Do whatever you want; you know I shall support you. If you want to go to Cissy's old finishing school, you can do that too. I think they are fine with setting up a Floo connection. Cissy said many of the princesses who came were already married, and they did have facilities set up for such situations."

Hermione smiled brightly. "Perhaps once I finish my NEWTs and these projects then," she said enthusiastically.

Severus smirked. "If you want, you could just drop out of your classes and take on your special projects, and then sit for the NEWTs with the rest of the students. Then, no one could say that you had special privileges granted to you, but you could avoid the brats. And then, once you officially graduate, we could reveal our marriage. We could even retake our vows at a more public ceremony with Astoria and Draco."

"Gosh, no," said Hermione immediately. "You know me; I hate big functions. I'd much rather have a quiet, private wedding at Christmas. And with this short amount of notice, we won't be giving Cissy enough time to organise anything too dreadfully ostentatious. I think its perfect."

In fact, now that Hermione thought of it, given the old customs she had been researching, she realised that a binding done on the eve of the winter solstice as a symbol of the returning fertility of Father Sun could be extremely auspicious.

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A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.