Realization

Disclaimer: All characters are for J.K.R. of course. Plot thought of by Betz. The other stuff belongs to me!

As always, a big thanks to the brilliant Charmed Nay for being my beta!

"It feels so different here in Scotland," Hermione said softly, not releasing his hand. They'd opted to have a walk around the lake before going back into the castle. "It was beautiful there, but the air feels better here. I suppose it's good to be home."

Severus nodded. "It's nearly time for the noon meal, are you hungry?" he asked.

"Not really. I want to unpack and get things straight in my chambers. I left things all over. I'm sure the House Elves didn't touch my clothing," she said with a laugh. "Will you come up this afternoon, or have you other plans for today?"

"I need to store my ingredients that I brought back. That is a job in itself. I'll likely be tied up all afternoon," he said softly.

"Well, Severus, I can come down to help you after I'm done," she said quickly, then added, "if you'd like. I don't want to wear out my welcome."

"You won't," he said immediately. "I wanted to ask, but I was unsure if you would want to." He shrugged and looked almost shy about it.

"We are being ridiculous!" She laughed loudly, pulling him to her for a kiss. "We agreed that nothing need change since we are here. Let's stick to it. We are working on falling in love here! Walk with me inside, and then I'll be down to see you this afternoon."

Immediately after Severus had kissed her and left her at the entrance to her chambers, Ron showed up looking worried. "Quick, let me in," he said.

Hermione wondered what he was about, but she let him follow her in. He immediately looked her over and checked her neck and wrists. "Ron? Er...what the hell...?"

"Charlie said that Snape was a Vampire...really. All that bat stuff is based on the truth. Did he not try to bite you?" Ron asked, eyes wide.

Hermione couldn't believe this. She started laughing loudly. "Don't be so thick, Ron. You, of all people, should know how to detect a Vampire." Hermione crinkled her nose. "What the bloody hell is that smell?"

Ron's face and ears went pink. "Garlic," he said, pulling a handful from his pocket. "Sorry. Wanted to be sure."

"Get out, Ronald," she said impatiently. "If you want to know if I had a good time, just ask. There is no need to lie and bring Charlie into this."

"I'm not telling a lie. He did say it," Ron said, pleading his case. "Er...did you?"

"Did I what?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Have a good time?"

"Yes," she said, smiling inanely. Her mind wondered off, and Ron was about to question her glazed over eyes when she finally spoke again. "I'll try to see you and Harry at the evening meal. I have things to do, and then I have to get down to help Severus with something."

"But, you just got back. Don't you want to take a break from him?" he asked in disbelief.

"No," she said curtly. "Go find Harry to pester."

"Oi, kicking me out, eh? I see how you are. Guess you aren't interested in coming with the rest of us then," he said sulkily.

"Coming where?"

"We're going to The Leaky Cauldron tomorrow night. The staff. Well, most of us. Then we're going to pubhop from place to place after that. Just a bit of fun to celebrate our own end of term freedom." He smiled. "The entire family got together yesterday for dinner to celebrate Draco and Ginny's little one. It was nice."

"Oh, right. Sorry I missed that," she said, escorting him out.

"Mum asked after you," he said, buying more time. His eyes kept darting around the room as if he thought Severus would jump out at him. "Told her you were off with Snape. That's how Charlie found out."

"What did your mum say about that?"

"Said it was nice to see you two find each other. Charlie blew a thatched roof! He said he couldn't believe that you'd choose someone like Snape over him. So, he said that the Vampire in Snape must have hypnotized you," Ron said. "It does seem a bit dumb now, doesn't it?"

Hermione nodded. "I will see if Severus wants to go tomorrow night. No promises," she said. "Off with you!"

"All right. Good grief. No time for your mates anymore, eh?"

"Goodbye."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Poppy? May I have a private word?" Hermione asked sweetly.

"Sure; follow me," she said, moving towards her office.

Hermione was quite to the point. "Listen, I meant to come to you last week to get a dose of Pregnancy Potion for the month. I forgot about it, and well, I got a bit carried away. In others words, is there some way that I can check to be sure that...nothing occurred," she asked nervously.

The witch would likely realize that it was Severus that she'd coupled with, but surely, she would be discreet. "Here, let me run a quick check on you," she said, pulling out her wand. Her face crinkled. "I can't detect anything, but it's likely to be too soon anyway. When is your cycle due to start?"

"In just a couple of days, if I marked correctly," she said.

"Ah, well, that's not too long then. If there is nothing in a week, come to see me, but this close to cycle, I would say that you are fine. Let me give you a dose anyway. It won't harm anything that's been done, mind."

"Thanks," she said, cheeks reddened. She took the dose, hoping that she hadn't conceived, but she was sure that Poppy knew what she was talking about. Hermione decided to let Severus know what she'd learned. She would tell him after they finished their work together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It wasn't until much later that Hermione had a chance to actually talk to Severus. There was some small talk, but each just wanted to laze about. They had been reading in his bed for a couple of hours. All afternoon they had worked in his lab properly storing his purchases. After their baths and dinner, they decided to stay in for the evening. He had timidly asked her to stay the night so that they might get up early the next morning for a walk around the lake and breakfast. She'd known that it was just an excuse to have her near, but she hadn't cared. She'd wanted to find some reason to stay as well.

She closed her book and placed it on the nightstand. Not missing a thing, he held open his arm to pull her next to him while he read. Hermione rested her head on his chest and snaked an arm around his waist. His hand rested on her back, rubbing her soothingly every now and then. Being with him in his bedchambers felt so natural to her. She was so engrossed in thoughts about love and Severus that she never realized she drifted off to sleep.

Severus was growing tired. He put down his book and eyed the witch sleeping on his chest. He hated to disturb her, but his arm had fallen asleep. "Hermione, move over just a bit," he said. She sat up suddenly and crouched in the middle of the bed. She crawled near the foot of the bed holding her hand out in front of her. "Are you...all right?" He was shocked. What was she playing at?

"Ssshh," she said in an irritated voice, waving him off. She was looking towards the fireplace.

"Hermione, you are asleep!" He began laughing loudly. He'd never seen someone do such things in their sleep. Of course, he'd not been around many people as they slept since his days at school, and even then he'd put Silencing Charms around his bed. He wondered if he did this sort of thing.

She blinked at him and sleepily crawled to lie down next to him in the bed. What the bloody hell was she dreaming about? She must have thought she had her wand drawn. He put his book on his nightstand before turning down the lamp. He'd hoped to be able to make love to her, but it didn't take long to realize that they were both too tired. He couldn't complain. He'd had more sex in the past weekend than he had in the past year combined, clients included. Smiling, he snuggled with his lover and fell asleep.

The next morning, Hermione pulled him by the hand all the way out of the castle. On the way, Ron called out to them. Blast! She'd not asked Severus about having a pubhop yet. "Oi!" Ron called. She felt Severus try to pull his hand away, but she kept a tight hold on his. She would prove to him that she was not ashamed of being in a relationship with him. "What the bloody hell are you two up to at this time of the morning?"

"Going for a walk," Hermione said cheerfully.

"None of your business," Severus replied.

Both looked at him. Hermione shook her head and giggled, but Ron looked put out. "I see what's going on here," Ron said, nodding.

"And, what would that be, Weasley?" Severus asked, narrowing his eyes.

"She used to do the same to us, mate." Ron threw a harsh glance at Hermione. "A man needs his rest, Mione. We've told you that. If you want to go off on one of your nature walks, go on then, but let the men sleep in when they can." Ron looked back to Severus. "Be glad she hasn't started nagging about your work yet. I can see it now." He used a high-pitched voice to imitate Hermione. "Severus, I've created a list for you that will allow you a certain amount of time to grade, read, eat and sleep. Sorry if it doesn't look like any fun, but you have to make sacrifices." Ron laughed at Severus' gaping mouth. "Oh no! She's not done it already?"

Hermione huffed and made a rude gesture with her finger, pulling Severus away. "Mind your own business," she called over her shoulder.

"Well, all right then. I'm going to eat, and then I'll be off. Meet us at The Leaky Cauldron around seven," he yelled.

"Meet them?" Severus questioned.

She smiled sheepishly. "I was going to tell you last night, but I sort of fell asleep."

"Speaking of last night, do you know that you move about and talk in your sleep?"

"I do?" She thought for a minute. "I didn't realize that I still did that. The girls in my old dorm said a few times I had talked, but I didn't get up. Now when I was little my mum said she had to keep all the doors locked tightly. I would try to go all over in my sleep, mumbling the entire while."

He smiled, imagining a small Hermione sleepwalking like some zombie. "Now, back to Weasley...er... you won't be making out a daily to do list for me, will you?"

She returned his grin and wriggled her eyebrows. "Perhaps. If I feel I'm not getting enough loving, that is."

"Oh, don't worry on that. You'll always have everything you need. I guarantee it," he said huskily. "Why does he want you to meet them?"

"Not me. Us. He wants us to go out for a few rounds of drinks. What say you? He says the staff is invited?" She looked to him hopefully, but she could see he was considering declining. "I would really like it, Severus. I know you don't like my friends, but I wouldn't feel comfortable going without you. It's not like you have to really talk to them. I'm sure Draco will tag along. You like him, don't you?"

Severus could see that his little witch wanted him to agree to go. Could he put up with the group of berks that she ran about with? Some of the staff would be there as well, so it didn't seem like it would be too bad. She did have a point about Draco going. He'd do it for her. "Yes, I don't see why we couldn't go. Are you sure?"

She glared at him. "Don't start that again."

He held up his hands in surrender. "Yes, Madame. I shall be on my best behavior."

"Oh," she said remembering her conversation with Poppy. "Poppy seems to think that all will be well even though we acted like berks and skived off taking the Pregnancy Potion this past weekend."

"You told Poppy?"

"Well, I had to talk to her. I didn't say us, per say, but I'm sure she will put it together once she sees us. She may know already if someone has told her that we went to the conference," Hermione said, wondering if he was angry.

"It's fine," he said, looking out across the lake. "Looks like the squid is having a bit of fun out there."

She squinted and could see some splashing in the middle of the lake. "Wonder what he's about?"

"Are you nervous?" he asked after a bit of silence.

"About?"

"Poppy's conversation," he said, not wanting to voice it.

Her cheeks pinked. "I'm supposed to start my cycle tomorrow. I guess we shall see. She said to come to her in a week if nothing has happened, but she doubts it since it is past my time to conceive for this month. I'm not all that nervous, no."

"Very well," he said with a nod. "What do you think we should wear tonight?" he asked, trying to change the subject. "We will only remain in the Wizarding pubs?"

"Yes, regular robes should be fine. Nothing fancy.

"Damn," Severus said, sounding annoyed.

"What?" she asked, stopping suddenly.

"I just realized that I let Weasley get away with calling me Severus. I should have had a go at him for checking you for Vampire bites, the berk!" Severus shook his head. "How did you ever befriend those two?"

"They saved my life, back in first year," she said with a smile, remembering her two friends coming to her rescue.

"What? Here at school? Oh, I remember," he said with a nod. "The Troll?"

"Yes. I'd overheard something rude that Ron had said about me, and I went to the bathroom to cry for a bit. This Troll came in, they realized I was in trouble, and you remember the rest," she said fondly. "We were mostly inseparable since."

"Well, I must say that I am glad that they did what they did, or I'd not have you," he admitted. "I think you and I will get along just fine, Hermione. Just fine indeed."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus slid into the large circular booth next to Hermione. Potter, Weasley, Hooch, Sprout, Hermione, and he were the only staff members present so far. Minerva and Albus wouldn't be able to come, according to Potter. "Is nobody else coming then?" Hermione asked.

"We've not asked anyone else," Rolanda answered. "Only a couple of others are still about anyway, and some had to remain behind."

"Oh no. What the bloody hell are they doing here? Nobody invited them!" Ron said crossly. Hermione turned around and groaned. Charlie and Bill. "Bet Ginny let something slip that they were coming over."

"Oi!" Bill called with a grin. "Looks like we missed our invites."

"Staff gathering," Harry said quickly as way of explanation.

"Is that right?" Charlie asked sarcastically. "Then, why would Draco and Ginny be heading this way?" His eyes roamed over to Hermione for a moment, but when Severus put a hand over hers, he looked away.

"It's all right. We're just stopping in," Bill said smiling kindly. "Have a good evening."

"Oh, come on then," Pomona said. "You two can have a sit with us."

"Sure?" Bill asked.

"Come on," Rolanda said. Everyone pushed in, and the two newcomers were now sitting across from Severus and Hermione. Things progressed nicely for a while. Draco and Ginny finally showed up. Draco and Severus talked while Hermione and Ginny talked about the upcoming Malfoy wedding. The more drinks that Charlie had, the more he'd look over at Hermione. Eventually, he began making comments to Bill. They were rather loud. Severus had about had enough.

"Can't believe she let that have a piece of her when she could have had me." He downed his drink. "S'all right though. I'll be waiting for her when he throws her out. Then, she will see what a real man can do for her."

Severus noticed that Hermione had heard. Her eyes narrowed dangerously for a moment before she pulled her wand and shouted a curse that Severus had never heard before. Charlie's nose began to grow each time he tried to talk. Hermione said scornfully. "I'd keep that mouth shut, Charlie. The spell will last for three hours. Each sound you utter will cause it grow. Why? Because nothing but filth comes out of your mouth. This is my own personal little Pinocchio Curse that your brilliant little sister helped me create." Hermione looked to Severus. "Let's go please."

He nodded and smirked at the boy. The idiot was still muttering a bit, and the nose was growing longer with each syllable. Finally, Bill had to clap his hand over his brother's mouth. "Good night, all," Hermione said jovially, winking at Ginny.

Severus escorted her out, and he Apparated them back to the gates of Hogwarts. As they walked to her chambers, he asked, "Would you like to...come down with me again? You could grab a couple of things here."

"All right," she agreed. "I do feel odd though. Maybe I shouldn't have had that foul tasting liquor. I'll just get something to sleep in and something for tomorrow." She pulled him inside. "You don't think I should have let Charlie get away with that, do you?"

"No, I found it quite original and amusing," he said with a smirk.

Hermione smiled. "Listen, I like this odd pink nightgown. You don't mind, do you? It's so soft, and I feel the need for comfort tonight. Something isn't right with my stomach."

Severus smiled. No sex again this night. It was likely that her cycle was about to start if she was feeling down. He didn't see how so small of an amount of liquor could hurt someone. "Hermione, I told you already. You need to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. I, personally, don't care if you wear absolutely nothing, but it's you that needs to be relaxed. Trust me, love. Anything you wear will be perfection. Just like you."

She paused and looked at him oddly. It was like déjà vu. Hadn't he said that to her already? "You've told me that already, haven't you?"

"Oh, right. The other night down in Cardiff. I was going on about you looking...comfortable wearing nothing at all, and I told you that you were perfect no matter what you chose to wear." He furrowed his brow. "Hermione, I thought you were sleeping when I told you that. You must have heard me on some subconscious level." He tried to act nonchalant, but he knew that she'd just caught him in a lie. Severus prayed that she bought it. She seemed to believe him. She merely shrugged and grabbed a few more things.

"Ready?"

"Yes," she said, taking his hand. They walked down to his chambers quickly. The castle was so peaceful without the stomping feet of students and raised voices. She wondered what his home was like. When would they make arrangements to go there? She hoped it would be soon. She wanted more time alone with him. Really alone. It was a pity she didn't feel a little better, or she would initiate lovemaking. If it passed, she would definitely give it a go.

"Hermione, I still feel a bit sticky from that drink you spilled on me earlier even after the Cleaning Charm. I'll go have a quick shower. Make yourself comfortable." He kissed her softly. "Would you like a potion?"

"No, it'll probably pass," she said. "You go on and hurry back."

He smiled. "I will."

When he left she changed her clothes and made her way to the bed. She did feel like lying down for a while. "Ouch!" she yelped after she stubbed her toe on his nightstand. She turned on the lamp to have a look, but there was no bleeding. It just hurt like hell. She spotted something black under a parchment in the open top drawer of his nightstand. It looked familiar. Oh! "My elastic," she said, smiling brightly. He had saved it. Hang on! She hadn't seen this elastic since her meeting with Libertine, right? Didn't she lose it there? Her brow crinkled. Maybe it was twisted up in her things and had fallen out on the grounds. He probably recognized it and being that he fancied her, he kept it for himself as a little keepsake. She put it back as she had found it, not wanting him to think she'd been digging in his things. She pulled back the duvet and slid in bed.

She wondered idly if that Lonnie bitch had ever been here with him. No. She doubted that. He'd never bring a woman to his personal chambers. No woman except herself of course, she thought proudly. Hermione wondered how they met. An old friend maybe? Couldn't be. From the way the letter sounded, they'd just decided to have a sudden affair, and he wanted to end it when he realized that Hermione was interested in him. Ruddy harlot! She shouldn't be going around with other men whilst married and expect them to remain faithful! Hermione shook her head. Who was she to judge? This woman was probably some lonely lady that needed a lover to tend to needs that her husband neglected. Ha! She should have called Libertine.

Poor Libertine. She wondered if he'd started thinking of her less. It was flattering that he fancied her so much that he'd quit accepting clients. She smiled fondly, remembering his kindness. If Severus hadn't fallen for her, maybe the mysterious Libertine might have taken her heart. Wow! Another coincidence between the pair just presented itself. They'd both fallen for her. One cancelled his clients, and the other ended an affair. For her. Her eyes drifted back to the open drawer. What the fuck? She was quite certain that she couldn't find that elastic when she left Libertine in haste. Why would it really be in Severus' drawer?

The scar on his leg. The mark on Libertine's leg. Coincidence or the same mark only tampered with to appear differently? The thing he'd said earlier about her nightgown! She knew something seemed off about it. She had heard it before, from Libertine, but he'd led her to believe that he'd said it as well to keep her from realizing that he was the gigolo. Bloody hell! Libertine! Severus...was...Libertine. Tears of righteous anger made their way to her eyes. She heard the water shut off in the bathroom, so she knew she would only have a couple of minutes to compose herself. She needed to think. She needed to place everything together, but she wouldn't let him know that she knew.

Was this his idea of some kind of joke? Did he enjoy muddling her brain? Taking advantage of her? Using her? Were his words of love nothing but lies? Apparently so. He was all about lies, wasn't he? She would get him for this. He would pay for making a fool out of her. Hermione was trembling with anger by the time Severus slipped into bed beside her.

"Love, are you all right?" he asked softly. "I could stoke the fire a bit more."

"I'm not feeling well. I just need some sleep," she said, keeping her voice deliberately low. She didn't turn to kiss him when he placed a few small kisses on her head nor did she respond when he pulled her back against his chest. He didn't deserve anything else from her. He could never know how truly hurt she was. Not even after he found out that she'd caught him. A wicked plan began to formulate in her mind.

Severus raised an eyebrow. It must be that wretched premenstrual syndrome stuff that he'd heard about. She was in a very bad mood. He should have forced her to take some potion to take her discomfort away. No matter. If she felt that sleep was the best remedy, so be it. He loved her terribly, and he wished he could take some of this pain from her.

A/N: Goodness...I wonder what she's planning. It's in the works, and I love writing it. I am sure you will all agree that it is a very fitting punishment. Heehee. Any guesses as to what she's going to do? :) And, What about that tosser, Charlie? He's such an idiot. I don't think he'll ever mess with them again.