Chapter 47

After dinner that evening Severus and Hermione Flooed to the Weasley's house. Hermione had sent a note earlier letting them know about Severus' state of mind and when they were coming.

Molly wrapped Hermione in a big bear hug the second she stepped from the Floo. She was laughing with happiness.

Severus stood back ready to hex the woman if she tried to touch him. Arthur stepped forward with his hand out, and Severus shook it.

"Severus, it's good to see you. Come to the parlor. I have some excellent elfin wine I thought you might like to sample. Let the women talk a minute."

Severus was all too happy to leave the hugging to the women. He saw that Hermione was clinging to the woman with a look of sadness on her face. No doubt she was missing her own mother again. He turned away and followed Arthur.

Arthur didn't speak until he had poured their drinks and they had seated themselves in chairs before the roaring fire.

Severus examined the wine. It was an icy blue color and smelled of a rare berry.

"Minerva wrote to me about what's happened. I never really understood the differences in your personality until now. I wasn't aware of the walls you built in your mind," Arthur said, taking a sip of the cool blue fluid.

"I didn't really think of them much; it was just a part of who I was before Hermione. In or out of the wall, I could not act much differently...more precisely, I didn't have a reason to act differently." The wine was sweet, but he found he liked it very much. "This is excellent, Arthur." He set his glass down to reposition his useless arm with his good hand and then picked it up again.

"Does the injury hurt?" Arthur asked, thinking it was better not to ignore Severus' obvious infirmity.

"No, it's numb. That is the only redeeming aspect of not having the use of it...at least there is no pain."

Arthur nodded, taking another sip of his wine then asked. "Why not wait until you are yourself again for the Bonding? It should be a joyous occasion," Arthur observed.

"With Hermione being pregnant, I need to assure her that I want her and the baby. She's vulnerable right now and doubts everything about us. She is my wife, and I want the wizarding world and her to know that. A Muggle wedding is one thing, but Muggle marriages are easily put aside."

Arthur observed Severus' face with a smile. Didn't this man know how much he loved his wife even now? What a complex man this Severus Snape was. Arthur was not envious of the pain this man had gone through to get to this place in his life, but he was envious of the fiery feelings Severus had for Hermione. Arthur's relationship with Molly was deep and abiding and forever, but they were happy and comfortable...fiery passion seldom touched them anymore.

"You're doing the right thing, then, of course. She does need to know that you are committed."

Severus heard the sound of the women talking excitedly, and their voices got closer. He placed his glass on the table and stood as his wife entered the room. He moved to the couch, and Hermione came to sit near him. He reached over and covered her hand with his. The warmth of her touch always calmed him.

Hermione smiled up at him. Pleased that he was showing some kind of affection in front their friends, she threaded her finger through his.

Molly sat in the chair Severus had vacated. "Well, Severus, you certainly didn't give us girls much time to plan this, but I think we can make it nice. I'm quite good with transfiguration. All I really need from you tonight is a list of guests, and I will get invitations sent out by owl tomorrow."

Hermione laughed. "That would kill Errol. Let's work on the list, and I will use the owlery to send them tomorrow."

Molly laughed. "You're right; it would be too much for him. The poor dear does the best he can. He's getting on in years now." Her eyes teared up over the owl.

Severus couldn't fathom getting emotional over an owl. He had known Molly many years and had never really understood her emotionalism.

Molly conjured up some paper, a quill, and some ink.

She added all the family's names first at Hermione's urging.

So, the list looked like this:

Arthur and Molly

Minister Kingsely: to officiate

Hermione sat back and then said to Molly, "You know, I thought there would be more. But there really isn't. That's the bare bones besides classmates who have gone on to their own lives, and I haven't seen most of them in years. I'm happy with this."

Severus sighed in relief. "Well, if you think of anyone else, we can just add them," he said, personally hoping she would not think of anyone else.

They talked a bit about the food and the ceremony requirements, and then he and Hermione took the Floo back to Hogwarts.

Hermione drew his cape off and then took hers and hung them up.

Hermione sighed. "I need a bath. Floos always leave me feeling gritty. Do you want to join me?"

He stared at her. He knew that he'd bathed with her before. He had all his memories of her. But they seemed to be like a mirror life, something that had happened to someone else.

"Please, Severus, I need my back washed, and you do such a good job." She pleaded, hoping that if she gave him a reason, he would accede to her wishes.

He swallowed, feeling physical desire for her and nodded.

Hermione smiled. "I'll call you when the bath is ready.

Severus nodded. Intellectually, he knew she would be more than willing to accept his advances. She was his wife. But he felt that it wasn't fair that he could not feel for her what he knew he had in the past. It made him nervous, and it felt wrong. But his desire outweighed the nagging thoughts in his head, and he went into the bathroom when she called.

He undressed and slid in behind her. She settled in between his legs and leaned back with a sigh against his chest. He left his arms up along the side of the tub. She lay against him for some time and finally pulled his injured arm around her.

"Why would you wish to hold on to this useless appendage?" he asked curiously.

"I know you feel uncomfortable holding me. But since you can't feel it, you really don't have to know you're holding me."

Severus rolled his eyes and snorted. "I have eyes," he said dryly.

"Close your eyes then," she said sleepily.

"If you are tired, perhaps a quick bath and bed would be wiser," he debated.

"Severus, just shut up and relax," she said with a pout.

He opened his mouth to protest her attitude but then remember Poppy's warning to be nice. So he shut it and let his other arm snake around her. She signed and relaxed further into the warm water.

"Severus?" she asked.

"Yes," he said after a moment, having slipped into thought.

"Do you find it distressing that you don't have family to invite to the Bonding?"

"No, I have never had many acquaintances. I suppose the Malfoys were the closest, beside Poppy, to family or friends."

"Would you have asked Lucius if he was free?" she asked, picking up the soap and starting to wash herself.

"Not the man who attacked you, no. But as he is now, I think he might be the man I knew years ago before we became involved with Voldemort. He was ambitious and ruthless in business, but he wasn't the pain-filled, heartless monster he became as a Death Eater and especially after Narcissa's death." No longer able to resist her, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her shoulder. His working hand slipped over the front of her body and cupped a breast. "Why do you ask?" His voice was low and sensuous with desire.

"No reason," she said, forgetting about Lucius as she let herself feel her husband slide his hand over her, bringing her pleasure, before she turned and sheathed herself over him. The buoyancy of the water aided in holding her up. She placed her hands on his shoulders, threw her head back, and rode him to completion.

*******

The next morning, Severus was up early. The boys had a free hour in the morning, and he needed their help with processing some ingredients for the potion he was working on.

Once he was gone, Hermione called Minerva through the Floo and, knowing Severus would not leave the lab for hours, explained what she needed.

Minerva tried to talk her out of her plans, worrying that she was making a mistake, but she finally gave in and helped Hermione with the arrangements.

****

It was midmorning by the time Hermione Apparated to Azkaban. She pulled her robes tightly around her to stave off the biting wind and salt air.

Grimmley Hinckernill was waiting for her, and another guard stood ready to take his place. After storing Hermione's wand and clearing her to enter, he escorted her to Lucius' cell and stood inside the door, per Headmistress McGonagall's orders.

Hermione felt her heart beat speed up when Lucius looked up from his writing to see who had come in. She saw his eyes widen in surprise, and he sat his quill down and stood. Surprising her, he bowed low.

"Madam Snape, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Is Severus alright?" Curiosity and concern played across his features.

Hermione didn't answer but studied his face. He was different. She had always been pretty good at reading people. She held out a small box of confections she had purchased in Hogsmead before coming here.

Lucius reached for them, and Hermione involuntarily cringed and pulled back.

Lucius said softly, "Perhaps you could sit them on the table." He drew back and sat on the end of the bed as far from the table as he could get and placed his hands in his lap.

Hermione took a deep breath and stepped over to the table and placed the box down. Grimmley moved beside her to pull the chair out and set it about six feet away in front of Lucius.

"Thank you, Mr. Hinckernill," she said, pulling her robes about her as she sat down.

Lucius was watching her, but he waited patiently for her to get to the purpose of her visit.

"Mr. Malfoy," she began, trying to figure out just what to say. Had this been a bad idea? Just seeing him again made her skin crawl. Yet she had come for Severus, and her love for her husband spurred her on. "Severus still considers you one of his best friends...more to the point, his only friend."

Lucius nodded, finding the information interesting. He'd felt closer to Severus more than anyone in the past. The mere fact that Severus had been kind to him had given him hope that they would recapture that friendship in the future. "I share the sentiment," he said, carefully smoothing out his new robe over his knees. He was finding it more difficult to look this woman in the face.

"We are getting bonded on Saturday. I know that Severus would be very pleased to have you there," she informed him.

"I am hardly in a position to attend a Bonding," he said, bitterness creeping into his voice. Then shame washed over him, and it made him look up at her. "I am sorry for what I did. I was mad with jealousy for Severus' happiness and my loss. It's hardly an excuse...after all, I was supposed to be a civilized man."

"Were you? Can a Death Eater who did not seek redemption be civilized?" Her words were harsh, and she expected a rise out of him. But he just sat there.

"Power is corrupting. I chose the wrong side, and I stuck with it. For that reason, and that one alone, I am where I belong. What I did to you has no excuse, nor should it garner forgiveness in any way." He lowered his eyes again.

"Nice words, but how can I believe you?" she asked.

"You cannot. Your husband feels I have changed. I gave him access to my thoughts. It is impossible to hide from his knowledge and abilities in Occlumency. It depends on whether you trust his word."

"I do," she said. "That is why I have come here. I can arrange for you to be released to house arrest and for one excursion to the Bonding. You will be under magical wards, wandless, and under guard at the Bonding. Will you attend as Severus' first?"

Lucius stood, holding his hands before him in a nonthreatening way. "Severus is a lucky man to have a wife such as you. You have his best interests at heart. Your kindness astounds me. I will gladly accept your offer."

"Know this, Lucius. If you step one toe out of line, you will be back here as fast as your guard can Apparate." She stood and turned toward the door.

"Madame Snape, I will not jeopardize this opportunity. Thank you." he said, bowing low to her again.

Hermione nodded, not seeing the bow. She did not turn back but went through the door that Grimmley held open for her. When the door clanged shut, she faltered, and the man placed a comforting hand under her elbow. "Are you alright, Madam Snape?" he asked kindly and conjured a cool glass of water for her.

She sipped at the water and found that it revived her somewhat. "I hope I am doing the right thing," she said.

"I think you are, ma'am. He would have been out in only a few weeks anyway, and your husband seems to care for him. Though I myself wonder about that. I guess they know their own history." He walked with her down the stairs and through the long corridor to the front gate.

"They knew each other as boys before taking the mark. Severus had few friends, and Lucius offered him friendship and belonging," she explained to him.

"Malfoy has changed a great deal since Professor Snape has been coming here. Have there been any changes in the professor's condition?" he asked with genuine concern.

"No, none yet. He still is hopeful." She took a deep breath of the fresh, salt air when they had cleared the gate. She was happy to be free of the oppression of the wards that shrouded the place. "Thank you, Mr. Grimmley," she said as she took her wand from his hand and tucked it back in her sleeve. "Sir, the Bonding is Saturday at 4:00 in the afternoon at the Weasley's house. You are welcome to attend."

Grimmley ducked his head in surprise. "Thank you, ma'am. I do have the day off. I would like that. I will attend Lucius myself, also. An extra eye will not do any harm."

"I would appreciate that. I would very much like to enjoy the day without thinking about Mr. Malfoy." She stepped away and Disapparated to the Ministry and then home to Hogwarts. She enjoyed the walk in the sun back to the castle and even stopped to wish Hagrid a good day.

Lisa, thank you for your beta work.