Home for Christmas

Thanks to my wonderful beta Nakhash Mekashefah. She said this chapter was really unusual, and I hope it carries across my intended meaning and the progression of the relationship as I imagine it.

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It was just like every Christmas she could remember, Hermione thought, when they Apparated into the back garden of her childhood home. Snow covered the ground in a thick blanket - except for the back - where the large fir tree stood next to the brick garden wall. The sounds of automobiles could be heard, along with several dogs in the suburban neighborhood. The swing still hung from the now bare ash tree, snow piled on the seat.

The back kitchen door opened as Hermione stepped onto the porch and her mother stood there, smiling broadly. "Hermione, dear," she exclaimed, stepping outside to give her daughter a welcoming hug. "Oh, and Severus, I'm glad you could come as well," Jane said in a friendly, but uncertain tone.

"Mrs. Granger," Severus greeted.

"Please, I told you already to call me Jane. We're not too formal here," she explained, smiling.

"We'll just take our stuff upstairs," Hermione said, and started for the stairs. "I need to show Severus where things are, as well."

"Come back down when you have things settled," Jane called as Hermione and Severus walked through the kitchen, into the living room, which had a large Christmas tree along the side of the stairs, and up the stairs.

"Well, the decoration isn't your style, I'm sure," Hermione said, as they entered her old bedroom. Severus looked around at the room, which seemed rather anachronistic for Hermione, a child's bedroom, really. There was white wainscoting along the walls and subtle floral wallpaper above it. Children's books and a set of encyclopedias were in the bookshelf on one wall, the top of which was lined with various trophies and award ribbons. Severus placed his bag on the nightstand, one piece of a matched set of whitewashed pine furniture.

"I had thought your parents might see fit to give us separate rooms," he commented, as he opened his bag and began unpacking his few items into the nightstand. His clothing remained in his bag, which he placed neatly under the bed.

"Well, actually...mum wrote me about that last week to ask what our arrangements were. I told her there wasn't a need for a separate room for you, that is...unless you'd rather have the guest room...sir?" Hermione said...almost forgetting to address him correctly in her childhood environment.

"No, I would not. I prefer this arrangement," he said, giving her a smirk. Hermione nodded and moved to unpack her things, now a swift and simple undertaking with a few swishes and flicks of her wand.

"One moment, Hermione. Since we will have little privacy while here, I will not be holding you to the usual standard. Speak freely with me while we are alone in here. Once we get back to Hogwarts the standard will return to normal."

Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise. However, it did make sense; they wouldn't have a chance to talk alone anywhere but in the bedroom. "Okay, Severus. Well, mum has tea ready."

Once the three were seated in the living room, Hermione asked, "So, where's dad?"

"Oh, he had to go take care of some things at the office, but it looks like we should both be home for the next three weeks."

Severus sipped his tea, not wanting to think about what on earth these Muggles did to their teeth. What little he knew, was more than enough, that he didn't want to know any more.

"Mum, you got my owl about the new project we're working on?"

"You mean about the genetics project? Yes, and it sounds wonderful. I do hope they can put an end to that outrageous law," Jane said with vehemence. "Have there been many more Muggle-borns who had to marry so quickly like you? What could they be going through now?"

"That's the next step we're working on," Hermione interjected. "I've already been able to get a hold of the records of all the marriages performed within the Muggle-born law so far. We'll be starting a letter-writing campaign next to contact each of the Muggle-born brides and also to keep up with them."

"Oh yes, that sounds like a good start," Jane said, nodding.

"The only other problem is; I'd like to find some way to help anyone having problems. Did you know there aren't any Wizarding marriage counselors? I'm thinking a support group would be a good start, but it would also be good to have some help that could handle a bit more."

Severus sat in silence listening to his wife and mother-in-law brainstorming about ideas to help the unfortunate Muggle bride victims of the Marriage Law. They seemed content to leave him out of the conversation, for which he was relieved. From what he could tell, it seemed Hermione planned to be quite busy with this new battle. At least she was putting her efforts to something worthy, unlike her fight for the house-elves in years previous.

*****

Monday morning found Severus sitting in the Grangers' living room, fully dressed in his typical black robes, his quill scratching furiously as he graded. The stack of finished essays was small and it would likely take the rest of the week to get through them. He had managed the weekend with the Grangers so far, having little trouble with sharing polite small talk, despite a bit of awkwardness. They were just as casual as he had feared, but so far there was little television watching and no board games. However, he discovered his wife had an affinity for a computer, a contraption quite similar to a television, though it did at least seem to have some practical merit. She had mentioned that this was one of the things she missed at Hogwarts, where electronics would not work in the presence of so much magical energy.

He hadn't thought much of how her Muggle heritage would affect their future. But, he now thought it likely that she would want to live in a home with electricity when they did move from Hogwarts. Perhaps they would find a place in the country. He didn't want to live closely amongst Muggles in a neighborhood such as the Grangers lived in, but he could be content with a home in the country where it was quiet. He would speak to her when the time came, and that time would likely be sooner than he had originally told her. Each day of teaching seemed to grow worse. The large amount of red ink across the essays he was grading was testament to his futile attempt to teach students who, for the most part, had no desire to learn from him. If a large enough portion had Hermione's dedication to studies, he doubted teaching would be such a chore. But, as it was, he didn't see the point in continuing much longer, especially considering his services as a spy were done.

He looked up as Frank Granger entered the living room with his tea and newspaper. "Good morning," he said, offering a polite nod and going back to his grading. Thus far, they had exchanged little more than polite small talk, Hermione having done well at engaging her parents' attention.

"Morning, Severus," Frank answered. He began reading his paper, but cast occasional glances towards his son-in-law. After several moments, he placed his paper down on the couch. "So, Severus. Hermione told us you were a spy during the war."

"Yes, I was," Severus answered, looking up from his grading. "Fortunately, that time has passed."

"So, is that part of the reason Dumbledore seemed to think you were a good choice for our daughter?"

"My experience does give me some qualifications when dealing with dangerous people. You need not worry for Hermione's safety."

"Yes," Frank said, running a hand over the sparse hairs of his cranium and frowning as he thought. "There's a lot more to safety when it comes to marriage, you know. I would hope that you and Hermione are getting along well. After all, she's not going to have anyone else."

"Yes, that is true. I am confident that Hermione and I are adjusting well to life together. Your daughter is studious and dedicated. I'm sure that we will be content," Severus said with confidence.

They sat in silence several moments longer, Frank Granger continuing to scowl at his book and glance intermittently at his son-in-law, and Severus scratching away at the essays with his quill, hoping his father-in-law would decide not to speak on whatever was apparently troubling him. However, his hopes proved to be unfulfilled.

"How well did you know Hermione before you became engaged?" Frank finally asked.

"Only slightly better than I knew most of my students, but only then because of her involvement with the Order. I have never made it a habit to speak with my students about anything other than what pertains directly to their studies."

"And how well would you say you know her now?" he pried further.

Severus paused, looking over to the man. "We have only been married for two months and for much of that time we have both been busy with school business. However, I do not find her company objectionable. She is tidy enough that cohabitation hasn't been a strain."

Granger nodded, pursing his lips slightly. "I don't think you see what I'm getting at, Severus. I want Hermione to be happy. Before the Ministry passed that inane law, that meant that she would have probably met a nice man close to her age in another three to five years...or more. She would have married someone she knew she was compatible with," he explained, gaining momentum and volume as he spoke. "But now she's married to you, and she's stuck with you. I want to know that you are going to do what it takes to make her happy," Frank finished firmly, with an edge to his voice.

"I am not going to do anything to purposely make her unhappy," Severus replied slowly, evenly.

"Since you are her husband, as much as I hate it, her happiness is your responsibility and I intend to hold you to that," Frank countered.

Severus thought for a moment, carefully weighing his words before speaking. He didn't want to anger Hermione's father, but he did want to be clear about certain things. "I am afraid I must disagree; Hermione is responsible for her own happiness. There is no reason marriage to me should interfere with her life beyond a few inconveniences, inconveniences which I also share in being married to her. As I said, I believe we can be content together; but her happiness, or the lack thereof, is her own concern."

Frank looked taken aback by his words. "I don't know where you wizards learn your ideas on marriage, but that has to be the most despicable approach to a relationship I've ever heard!" he exclaimed, rising from his chair in anger.

"Mr. Granger," Severus began in a soft, yet firm tone. "Please consider that many wizards and witches are accustomed to arranged marriages. One does not enter into such a union with dreams of true love...or romance; unrealistic hopes can be just as damaging as intentionally being difficult to your spouse. From what I have observed thus far, it seems Muggles often view marriage as a union of souls. You should try to see it from the perspective of an alliance of two people whose purpose is to further their goals. Contentment in such an alliance is reasonable to expect."

*****

Hermione checked herself in the mirror before heading down the stairs, still not quite satisfied with her hair but it was neat enough. She and her mother would be shopping to pick up some items from the grocer and to look for some last minute Christmas gifts. If it weren't for the secrecy restrictions, she would have purchased something magical for her parents, but would have to brave the crowded shopping centers instead. She tucked her wand into the sleeve pocket of her woolen jumper and then headed down the stairs swiftly. Severus and her father both looked at her as she entered, she sensed the tension there. Severus had parchments and his red grading quill balanced on a large book in his lap, while her father stood, frowning.

"Good morning," Hermione said, hoping they weren't about to fight or something. While Severus had seemed quite the composed entertainer while in his own territory the first time he had interacted with her parents, the weekend had seemed awkward so far.

"Morning Hermione," Frank said tightly. "You and your mother off to shop now?"

"Yes, she's still getting ready, I think."

"You do have the amulet?" Severus asked, referring to the amulet he'd given her just after their engagement.

"Yes, I'm wearing it."

"And your wand?"

"Of course, Severus. I never go anywhere without it," she answered, trying not to feel affronted. How could he think she would forget something so essential?

Severus scowled. "Perhaps I should accompany you," he said. Frank turned and narrowed his eyes at Severus.

"No, we'll be fine. I can't spend the rest of my life hiding from Malfoy. Besides, I don't think he would be running around looking for me in Muggle shops."

"Who's this Malfoy?" Jane said, entering the living room from the stairs.

"Oh, no one important...just someone who might hold a grudge against me."

"Are you safe?" Jane asked.

"I'm sure we'll be fine, he doesn't like Muggles and wouldn't be out around them over the holiday," she reassured her mother.

"You would be wise not to underestimate an adversary, Hermione," Severus advised, standing to walk over to her. "Remain wary. Your amulet will give me some indication of your location should you run into any danger," he said, giving her a stern look which did not go unnoticed by Hermione's parents.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out," Hermione replied, trying to lighten his intense mood.

Once Hermione and her mother were in the car, Jane asked "What was all that about? I thought you said you didn't have to worry about that man anymore?"

"Lucius Malfoy I don't have to worry about...Severus is worried that Draco Malfoy, his son, is out to do something. His dad is still in St. Mungo's after his duel with Severus and will be there for a long time."

"That is just so barbaric, dueling in the streets."

"It's not done much, but it's a traditional way to solve issues. I'm so glad Severus won...if he hadn't..." Hermione trailed off with a shudder. She then fastened her seatbelt as the car started and her mother pulled out into the road.

"They would have made you marry that other man?"

"Yes...which is why Severus wouldn't let me go anywhere alone. He even gave Harry and Ron passes to stay with me if I get out of Gryffindor Tower late from studying. I'm sure I'm safe now, but he also gave me something that will let him know if I'm in danger."

"And then he comes to the rescue if you are?"

"Yeah, something like that," Hermione said, her thoughts drifting back to the horrid fight between him and Malfoy in Diagon Alley.

"So, are you really doing as well with Severus as you've said in your letters?" Jane asked after a few moments. "He just seems...distant."

"Yes, he is. But, I think we're getting along fine, all things considered," Hermione answered.

"I've been worried about you, love. He may have been the practical choice in your situation but I wanted for you to find someone who would care for you...and who you could enjoy being with." Jane paused a moment, and then said, "I know according to the law you're required to, well, have sex once a week. Can I assume that you're getting along with him on that well enough since you're sharing a room?"

"Mum!" Hermione exclaimed, blushing.

"Well, he just seems so restrained...I'd hate to think you're not at least enjoying one aspect of marriage. I know, talking about your sex life with your mum may seem strange, but I really hope you're not looking at it as a chore or something, or that he doesn't make it seem like a chore. He doesn't, does he?" Jane asked, concerned.

"No...he doesn't make it seem like a chore," Hermione stammered, looking out the window. It was the truth, really.

"I've got some books on the subject, if you'd like to borrow them, Hermione," Jane offered gently.

"Um...I've got some too...that's okay." Hermione thought a moment, trying to realize her mum just wanted to help and was probably hoping for some assurance that he was treating her well. "Actually...um...that's about the only time he's not restrained," she managed to admit, blushing furiously.

"Just a little advice, Hermione; most men are very amiable after sex. I know it may seem wrong to use sex like that but, honestly, it works. And really, if you're enjoying it, there's no reason not to."

"Mum!" Hermione exclaimed again, groaning and covering her face with her hands, trying not to think about the fact that if she was getting this advice from her mum, then that obviously meant she had experience on the subject...which brought up images she -- really -- didn't want to think about.

"No, I'm absolutely serious...you'll need to use every advantage you can being married to a near stranger. And if that's the only time he doesn't act like he's got a stick up his bum, use it."

Hermione grimaced...it was strange hearing her mum talk like that. "Yeah, he kind of does act like that," she agreed.

"That was one of the best things my mother told me, among other things. I should have had a chance to have this talk with you before all this but it happened so fast and it was so troubling at the time I wasn't thinking straight. And since we're on the subject, there are a few more things you need to know..."

*****

Severus watched Hermione and her mother drive away, frowning. The amulet he'd given her would give him some idea of her location if she was in danger and he would be alerted automatically, with no need for her to activate it. He couldn't trail after her everywhere, true. Her mother, being a Muggle, would be unable to protect her in the case of Draco waiting to ambush them but that was highly unlikely. Draco would probably be visiting his father and taking care of other concerns over the holiday. Hermione should be safe. At least once they were back at Hogwarts, he could entrust her care partially to Potter. Although he loathed the boy, he did know he would do whatever it took to protect Hermione, and Potter was quite a bit more powerful than Draco and several of his sycophants put together.

"You really are worried for her, aren't you?" Frank asked, observing the black-clad man.

"Of course I am concerned for her safety," Severus replied as if it should be obvious.

"Just moments ago you acted as if she was a burden to you and now you act as if you care more for her than just some 'alliance'," Frank said.

"Is my duty as her husband to protect her."

Frank watched Severus for several tense moments before asking in an accusing tone: "And just what do you think her duties to you are? Sharing a room now, you two are, when you don't have to."

Severus glared at the other man. Several crude remarks went through his head but, no, he wouldn't say them. "Mr. Granger," he began, giving his voice a hard edge, "It seems I was mistaken in thinking that we had an understanding when Hermione and I first became betrothed. I thought you were a reasonable man, then. Hermione may be your daughter but she is my wife and what goes on between my wife and I is no one else's concern. Perhaps, you have been looking at her and seeing the little girl you sent away to school seven years ago. She is not that little girl; she is a capable adult witch and does not need your interference."

They stared at one another for several moments before Frank turned and pulled his jacket off the coat rack and walked out the door. Hermione had mentioned her father's tendency to take a long walk when troubled. Severus observed him through the window as he hastily stalked along the roadside path. He scowled for a moment, gritting his teeth, before returning to his grading. There was only so far he would go to create a good impression for Hermione and seeming to give in to her parents in surrender was one thing he would not do. The man would simply have to get used to the idea of having him as a son-in-law, and all that entailed.

*****

The rest of the week and a half before Christmas passed quickly for Hermione and the small pile of presents under the tree grew to a respectably moderate pile. Hermione had pulled her list of the contracted unions of the Marriage Law out and had magically copied a form letter she was planning on sending out to all the Muggle-born brides. She filled in the name for each woman on her list and was going to turn it over to the Order to divide the workload of organizing a possible support group. The fliers that had been spread about were having an effect; there had even been a large article in the Daily Prophet about the Marriage Law and the public outcry against it. So far, so good. The Ministry of Magic continued to insist that the Marriage Law was the only way to solve their problems but, as they were unable to bring up facts that this particular method was the best way, their arguments were weak.

When she wasn't working on homework, she spent a lot of time with her mother in the kitchen making candies and cakes. She was aware of the tension between Severus and her father but figured it was just that they didn't know each other well. Her mother seemed to take to him much better, though Hermione still blushed when thinking about their conversation the previous Monday. She had to wonder how her mother would react to exactly what her sex life was like but it seemed she was reasonable about the fact that yes, she was having sex with Severus. She still thought he acted like he had a stick up his bum.

The night after her talk with her mum, as she ran her fingers through Severus's oily locks while he kissed her following their heated coupling, she had thought about her mother's admonition "You're going to have to do something about that hair of his, Hermione." It had nearly caused her to laugh right there. It had certainly been interesting to hear her mother's ideas on how a wife should care for her husband; first and foremost was that a wife should never let her husband go out with nose and ear hair sticking out. Fortunately, Severus didn't have nose and ear hair sticking out. He had greasy hair instead, but she still couldn't imagine forcing shampoo upon him. It might be interesting to try next time they shared a bath back at Hogwarts, though.

Hermione was also thinking about all the other little nuggets of advice her mother had imparted. She had never realized that so much effort and thought would go into settling differences; her parents had always just seemed to get along so well and she had previously figured they didn't have differences or arguments. They had differences but didn't fight about them...that was the key. That sounded reasonable, just like what Severus had said about discussing differences as adults. She wondered what it would have been like had she married Ron instead of Severus. They still fought, not frequently, but she could imagine that it would have been worse if they were married. Ron had become much more reasonable, over the last two years, about things and hadn't been volatile about her marriage to Snape; he had even calmed Harry down about his concerns. She was glad to have him as a friend.

Hermione took the opportunity, while her parents were away shopping, to get online. It seemed everywhere she looked on the Internet there was something about sex, maybe she could find something about Severus's particular tastes. However, most of her searches only came up with a few pornography websites. She put her search off for later. She wished she had more time for it but her parents had only gotten a computer and Internet access a year before. And so, she had found many interesting things online during the summer before her seventh year.

"Are you going to want to have one of those when we leave Hogwarts?" Severus asked as she stood and started for the stairs.

Hermione turned to see him setting his papers aside and standing from the couch. "It would be good...but Wizarding villages don't have electricity."

"I wouldn't want to live in a village of either the Wizarding or Muggle sort. A home in the country could have electricity, if you would like that."

"Oh," Hermione said, blinking. "Yes...that would be very nice, Severus."

Severus nodded briskly and continued to the kitchen, leaving a puzzled Hermione to turn and go upstairs.

*****

Christmas morning, Hermione awoke to the sound of music playing loudly enough to be heard upstairs. It was the Manheim Steamroller Christmas music collection, one of her favorites. Aside from the fact that she woke nude, with Severus's arm tucked around her waist, it was just like every Christmas morning she had spent at home from the time she was a small child. The smell of cookies wafted upstairs and she pulled out from Severus's grip as he woke, pulling on her clothes quickly.

"Come on, time for presents," she prodded, smiling brightly. Something about his dark, rumpled head scowling at her in her flowery bed seemed funny. He'd enjoyed a respite from rising early over the holiday.

"I'll be down after a shower," he declared. Hermione shrugged and left the bedroom.

Severus sighed and pulled himself from the bed, which had become increasingly uncomfortable. It was an old mattress, lumpy in all the wrong places. He pulled on one of his outer robes as a covering, gathered his full set of clothing, and went to the bathroom...a dismal bathroom. He stood under the nearly inadequate shower-spray and washed, wondering how this would go. His own family Christmases hadn't been much to speak of; a drab tree his mother insisted on putting up and decorating with a few scraps of charmed ribbon, transfigured to appear more glamorous than they actually were. Gifts were few...and then, following the gifts, an equally dismal Christmas dinner awaited.

He gritted his teeth as he pulled his clothes on. He didn't want to think about that and had succeeded, for the most part, in forgetting over the last twenty-some odd years. So Hermione had a happy time at Christmas. He found them all in the living room, Hermione kneeling before the tree, smiling up at him brightly. She looked so...young.

"I was starting to wonder how long it would take...here," she said, picking up a box, "this one's for you. Happy Christmas, Severus."

Gift opening passed fairly quickly. The Grangers didn't seem too extravagant on gifts, favoring the simpler, more practical, choices. From her parents, Hermione received several books on genetics and the history of Eugenics. Snape had given her father a bottle of Old Ogden's and her mother a figurine. He thought it was appropriate; impersonal and generic enough not to assume more of a familial relationship than actually existed. She'd placed the crystal figurine on a shelf, complimenting the gift. Severus had been surprised that Hermione's parents had both bought him gifts, as well. He'd raised an eyebrow at the irony of receiving a bottle of Glen Livet single-malt from Frank and a packet of linen handkerchiefs from Jane. Hermione had showed some thought in her gift and had purchased for him a recent Potions publication he hadn't yet added to his large library.

Hermione had given him an amused look at his first gift to her, several casual robes in muted natural colors, which would complement her skin tone. He had responded with a slight smirk, knowing she would pick up on the hint but unsure if she would actually take it and stop wearing her Muggle loungewear in favor of the more attractive alternative he'd provided. She seemed genuinely pleased with his second gift, a recent advanced publication on Arithmancy.

Frank and Jane withdrew to the kitchen following the gifting to prepare the Christmas dinner, leaving Hermione and Severus to gather their gifts and take them upstairs.

"Thank you, Severus," Hermione said as she placed the books on the top of her bookshelf. "I didn't expect anything from you...and for my parents, too."

"It would be inappropriate to not bring gifts. The book is nice, thank you," he said, surprising Hermione.

Hermione turned to him, smiling. "Maybe we're a better match than I had thought..." she trailed off, turning away. "Well, you know...I hope we are," she muttered, hoping she hadn't been too forward.

"I must agree. Being coerced into marriage with some of your fellow students could have been much worse. For the most part, I've found you acceptable."

"Acceptable, that's all?" she asked, crossing her arms and smirking.

Severus smirked and walked up to her, running a finger along her jaw line. "In some ways, quite acceptable." He looked down into her eyes. "You aren't too wearisome and your obedience has been very...satisfying."

Hermione blushed and smiled, chewing her lip nervously at the compliment. "Thanks..." she muttered. She supposed that was the best she could hope for...from anyone else it wouldn't have seemed a compliment, but from him – it was generous. She was surprised when his hand moved around to the nape of her neck and he pulled her close, nipping at, and driving his tongue between, her parted lips. She surrendered herself to him, relishing the feelings he could elicit from her.

"Attend me, wife," he whispered heatedly as he drew away slightly, giving her a slight nudge to kneel before him. Hermione knelt and swiftly unbuttoned his trousers, releasing his length and taking it quickly in her mouth. She held fast to his hips, thumbs rubbing lightly over his hipbones as his hands rested on the top of her head.

Severus watched her, arousal quickly building to a crescendo by the sight of her lips stretched around his cock and the way she so expertly took his entire length, burying her nose in his dark thatch of hair on the deeper strokes. Yes, Hermione was quite an acceptable wife, despite a few of her annoying habits. She brought him quickly to completion; the sight of her throat working as she swallowed his seed was exquisite. Her open, vulnerable expression as she looked up to him when she pulled away, cheeks slightly flushed and lips swollen, pleased him. He hoped she would always retain that slight innocence, that touch of purity, which made her all the more desirable. Most of his previous sexual partners had been beyond jaded...often approaching vulgar. While they had been accomplished sexually, their attitudes had been unappealing. After tucking himself back into his trousers, he squatted down and kissed her again, thoroughly.

"I believe we should go downstairs, now," he said softly, pulling back and giving her a slight smile.

"Yeah...probably," Hermione answered, regaining her breath as she smiled back at him.

*****

Boxing Day came next and, just after noon, the Grangers' home was inundated with Weasleys, along with Harry. Hermione was happy to see her friends and greeted them with hugs and kisses before they started exchanging thanks for their gifts. Arthur and Molly Weasley smiled at him and greeted him but the children all tried to keep their distance, after a brief 'Happy Christmas, Professor'.

The noise level in the living room was high and Severus retreated to the back porch to get some air and solitude. He was counting down the days...and it was with no small amount of relief that he realized they would return to Hogwarts in only five days. Of course that would mean a return of the students as well, but staying at his wife's parents' home was quickly becoming monotonous. He had passed his mornings grading papers and had even begun working on another project unrelated to grading, just to have something with which to busy himself. Perhaps next Christmas, Hermione wouldn't want such a long visit with her parents. The idea of having several uninterrupted days to enjoy her was something he'd been hoping for. But, Easter break might provide that opportunity.

He looked over as the back door squeaked slightly on its hinges and Frank Granger walked out. He nodded stiffly to the man and then resumed his observation of the wrens in the bare ash tree. If he had something to say, he would say it, Severus presumed. They hadn't spoken a word other than a few stiff greetings since their discussion nearly two weeks previous. His presumption proved correct, after a moment, as Frank cleared his throat.

"It seems," he began hesitantly; "I owe you an apology. Hermione does seem to be doing well. If you'd been unkind to her, I don't think she would be so happy."

"Apology accepted. I understand that this may be a difficult transition for you."

"Yes...yes, it has been," Frank sighed. Another moment of silence passed while the sounds of laughing and talking filtered through to the backyard and he spoke again. "It's good to see her so happy around all her friends. Jane and I have been so proud of her, especially since she started at Hogwarts. The Magical world all seemed so wonderful and perfect before this Marriage Law business came up."

"The Wizarding world has its share of evil amongst the good. Magic, in and of itself, does not make a perfect world."

"Too true. But, for the longest time, we were so happy for Hermione. She wrote us all the time about all her friends and the things she was learning. You may not have known this, but when Hermione was in primary school, she had a very hard time making friends. Jane and I worried for her and we were so relieved that she had finally found a place she could fit in..."

Severus raised his eyebrows in surprise, wondering how long Hermione had been misleading her parents this way. They still had only a vague idea of the serious nature of the dangers in the Wizarding world and apparently believed Hermione to be a popular student. He wasn't going to shatter their image and tell them that Hermione had alienated herself quickly at Hogwarts by acting the biggest know-it-all ever to walk its halls. Had it not been for her arrogance as a first-year, thinking she could take on a Mountain Troll alone, and had Potter and Weasley not gone to the rescue, she probably wouldn't have ever made any friends...and would quite likely have died. That incident had given her a firm place as a friend of the two boys but she still had few other friends to speak of.

"...but what's done is done. We're trying not to see it as a tragedy."

"But, it is a tragedy. However, the blame should lie firmly at the feet of the Ministry of Magic and Cornelius Fudge."

"Yes, it should. I can only imagine...every pureblood wizard must be sending out contracts right and left, now..."

"Actually, there have been far fewer contracted unions than you might think."

"Is that so?"

"The few who are taking advantage of the law are likely men who cannot find wives the usual way," Snape muttered in disgust. "Additionally, if the Ministry of Magic is willing to restrict the freedom of purebloods to marry one another and then to force Muggle-borns into marriage, what might they do to everyone else? The populace is at least perceptive enough to see the implications. The law is weak, poorly planned, and widely disliked. It won't hold for long. Hermione's life probably wouldn't have been disrupted at all had it not been for Malfoy. There haven't been any other Muggle-born students of age to receive a contract, she was the only one."

"Our Hermione..." Frank sighed.

Snape waited several moments more before speaking again. "You might not think me ideal but, I assure you, I am far more desirable than Malfoy. The man was a monster."

"Was? I thought he was still alive."

"Alive...yes. But, he has been relieved of his permanent memory. He might be able to live as a functional person again but he won't ever be the same as he was. In effect, Lucius Malfoy is dead and will trouble Hermione no longer."

The silence stretched out again but this time it contained less strain. "Thank you, Severus," Frank said, extending a hand. Severus looked down and then took it, accepting the handshake. "You're doing a good job protecting Hermione. I'll try to see that, even if you aren't quite who I'd imagined Hermione ending up with."

Frank stepped back again, looking inside. "So, I'll be getting back inside then."

Severus nodded his acknowledgement and resumed watching the wrens in the tree. At least the holiday hadn't been a complete waste.

*****

"Severus...looks like you've had a lot of grading to do," Jane Granger observed over dinner the Tuesday evening after Christmas. They had chosen to take a break from all the cooking, and then the Christmas Dinner leftovers, and had ordered curry.

"Yes, mid-year essays. While the students receive a vacation, teachers spend the duration of most vacations working," Severus answered, hiding a scowl as he bit into a large cardamom seed.

"Did you grade the seventh years yet?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I have," he answered distractedly, delicately removing the remaining cardamom seeds from his rice.

"So...what did I make?" Hermione asked, between bites of curry.

Severus paused a moment, pursing his lips and considering his answer. "You will discover your grade along with the rest of your class, Hermione," he said, hoping she would drop the subject. He wasn't about to start giving her information like that and he resented her asking at the dinner table with her parents present.

"But, you already know my grade...would it really hurt to tell me now?" Hermione persisted.

Severus clenched his jaw and shot her a stern glance. The Grangers noticed his tension and an awkward silence descended around the table. "It would be...inappropriate...for me to show you favoritism. After all, you wouldn't want Mr. Zabini's allegations to be given any merit, would you?" he said carefully, evenly, following his statement with a slight smile, though his eyes remained cold as he glared at Hermione across the table. She returned his stare for a moment and then nodded and returned his stiff smile, which didn't reach her eyes.

"Of course...you're right, Severus," she said stiffly and went back to her dinner.

"Well," Jane Granger began, "I think it would be a good idea after dinner to break out a game...don't you think, Hermione? We haven't played a game together in such a long time...how about Scrabble? I think Severus might enjoy that as well, no Muggle trivia involved...what do you think, Severus?" She smiled brightly around the table, hoping to dissolve the tension.

Severus inwardly cringed...board games...they played board games. Next he would be watching football on the television. This holiday couldn't end soon enough for him. "Yes, I would enjoy that, Jane. Thank you. Perhaps after dinner Hermione would be able to give me some brief instruction as to the rules of the game. Hermione?"

"Oh...yes, yes. I'll do that then."

When everyone had finished dinner ten minutes later, Hermione and Severus excused themselves and headed for the living room to pull out the Scrabble game and go over the rules. Jane and Frank looked at each other sadly. "I wish I knew what to do to help her," Jane sighed.

"I know," Frank agreed. "But, I think Severus is a reasonable man, even if he seems a bit harsh."

"Well, I've had a long talk with Hermione, too, on how to handle things...I hope it will be enough."

*****

"You will not attempt to use me to gain premature knowledge of your grade like that again," Severus hissed venomously, as they approached the shelves in the living room where the board games were kept. "Especially not in front of your parents. I will make no exceptions regarding schoolwork with you just because you are my wife. You knew that was wrong and, the fact that you would ask over dinner, hiding behind your parents, shows you knew it."

"I wasn't hiding behind my parents," Hermione disagreed. "I really didn't think it would hurt to know what my grade was."

"When it comes to addressing me in the capacity as your Potions Professor, don't think of me as your husband. Would you have asked for your grade early at the beginning of term, when I was nothing more than Professor Snape to you?"

"Well...no. But, you are my husband now...I just thought..."

"No, you didn't think. From now on, I suggest you do think about things before you open your mouth. Understood?" He was angry that she'd done that and had thought she would have known better. He wanted to make it clear that he wouldn't tolerate her trying anything of the sort again.

"Severus, I asked a little question that was maybe just a little out of line," Hermione retorted in a hiss nearly equal in venom to his. "There is really no need to act like this about it. I didn't mean it as a personal affront, I was just curious. I'm sorry if you thought I wanted you to play favorites but you could stand to at least try to be a little nice once in a while."

"I have restrained myself quite well over our stay here, or hadn't you noticed?"

"Yes, I do find that curious, how you can act like such a nice guy around my parents," Hermione stated hotly, still keeping her voice down as she opened the lower cabinet of she shelves and pulled out the Scrabble box.

"I am trying to be considerate of your relationship with them. But, you know very well that I'm not nice and I have never made claim to be so. I thought you would appreciate my efforts to help your parents adjust to the situation."

"So, you're misleading them to make them think I'm married to a considerate person?"

"Hermione," Severus growled, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "I think I've been very considerate of you throughout all this. But, this is not the time to discuss it. We should get on with this...game" he spat, gesturing to the box she held, "...and we will speak of it later."

"Fine," Hermione hissed, pulling out the game rules and preparing to read them to Severus, but he grabbed the booklet from her.

"I am perfectly capable of reading, and understanding, simple directions. It's a Muggle game, how complicated could it be?"

Two hours later, they had a board covered with letter tiles. Severus had proven adept in the game, so far. Jane was in the lead, followed closely by Severus, and then Hermione, and then Frank.

"And just what is that?" Frank asked, as Severus placed the last letter of his word on the 'triple word score' square at the top right corner of the board.

"It's a bezoar...a stone which is found in the stomach of a goat and is most often used in antidotes for poisoning," Severus answered curtly.

"You're not making words up, are you now?" Frank asked in mock seriousness. "Hermione, is he making that up?"

Severus clenched his jaw and bit back a retort. That was the third time he'd been asked about making words up...and every time, they had asked Hermione to confirm the validity of a word. Playing a Muggle board game was bad enough but to be teased, it was...undignified. He and Frank had come to a truce but, if being at truce meant the man was going to act like this, he would prefer to go back to stony silence.

"No, Dad, he's not making it up," Hermione answered, scratching his score down on the pad of paper. Severus was now in the lead...with only a few tiles left, the game was quickly coming to a close.

"That's all well and good, Severus, but I'm afraid it can't beat this..." Jane said, as she began laying tiles out, her word began at the opposite 'triple word score' square.

*****

"Does he always do that?" Severus sighed, after placing a silencing charm on the bedroom. After the game had finally ended, they had all shared a bottle of wine and Severus had attempted to engage in small talk. Or, at the very least, not insult Hermione's father, who he found increasingly annoying.

"Do what, play Scrabble?" Hermione asked.

"No...does he always accuse guests of making up words?" he clarified, and began unbuttoning his frock coat, which he still insisted on wearing, even amongst Muggles.

"Yeah, most of the time," Hermione answered, amused. "He doesn't mean anything by it...really. He's just teasing a bit, Severus. That's a good sign, it means he likes you."

"I see," he growled, though he obviously didn't. He pulled off his shirt and then sat on the bed and began removing his boots.

"Um, Severus...about what we were discussing earlier," Hermione began, crossing her arms and knitting her brows. "I suppose you are trying to be nice. But, I really don't like the way you jump to conclusions about my intentions. It wouldn't hurt to take a moment to ask me about something, rather than just yelling at me. You said we could discuss possible disagreements like adults but you're not acting like that all the time."

Severus froze with his pants around his knees, one leg poised in the air, and glared at her. "You're accusing me of not acting like an adult?" he demanded.

"See? There you go, jumping to conclusions and getting mad at me. We're married; you can't keep treating me like I'm your student, all the time. I've tried very hard to get along with you and I think I've accepted quite a lot in being married to you. It is not unreasonable to expect a husband to treat his wife like an equal person," Hermione declared firmly. She'd been rehearsing her speech throughout the game. She could handle doing what he told her when it came to sex but she wasn't going to stand for being trodden on the rest of the time, any longer. She waited for an answer as he finished undressing. He laid his pants across the chair in the corner of the room and turned around to face her again.

Severus crossed his arms and stood before her, giving her a light smirk as she pulled her eyes back up to meet his. "I haven't been treating you like a student, Hermione. I put up with quite a bit more from you than I would a student."

"But that's the thing," Hermione answered; she'd known that retort would be coming. "It's not about 'putting up with' me. I'm your wife; I shouldn't be a burden to 'put up with'. We're going to be together a long time; if you're thinking of just putting up with me, we aren't going to get along very well at all."

"I see, then how do you suggest we approach it?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

Hermione thought quickly...she hadn't expected him to turn it back around on her so soon. "Well, for starters, you could take a moment to ask about something before jumping to conclusions. And for another thing, you shouldn't try to decide things for me. You've been doing that a lot, and I don't appreciate it. I can make up my own mind about things and I can decide for myself how long I need to study," she stated firmly, watching him as he considered her words.

"Hermione, I am not accustomed to consulting another person regarding decisions. Perhaps, you are correct. However, there are things in which I am more experienced than you. It would behoove you to acknowledge that fact and accept that I will know better how to handle some things," he reasoned.

"That may be true, but the way you say it makes a big difference. You don't say it like it's a suggestion, you say it like it's an order. Like, when we went to the bookstore...you told me no more than twenty minutes, like I was a student or a child or something. If you would have said 'Hermione, I'm tired and I would appreciate it if you were to shop quickly', then that would have been different. But, you made it an order. I've agreed to take your orders in the bedroom, not to take them everywhere and at every time. I think you forget that sometimes."

Severus scowled at her. "Hermione, you would do well to grow a thicker skin. I am not in the habit of curbing my comments and, if you would pay attention, you would realize that I am not insulting or controlling you at every turn." He got into bed as he spoke and pulled the covers up to his chest as he lay back. He closed his eyes in exhaustion and then looked back at Hermione when he didn't hear anything for a short while. She was standing by the bed, still dressed and crossing her arms at him. "Are you going to stand there all night gaping at me or are you going to get some sleep?"

She turned around and began undressing, slipping between the sheets and up against him in the bed, which was rather smaller than what they shared at Hogwarts. He quickly assumed his normal position of tucking her closely against his body. The irritation she'd been feeling was waning with the physical contact...why was it harder to stay mad when his half-erect cock was nestled so comfortably between the tops of her thighs and his nose rested, just touching the base of her neck? Her tension at their argument subsided mostly, after several minutes.

"Severus?" Hermione asked, after it became clear that Severus was planning to simply go to sleep.

"Hmm?" he intoned

"I did the Fundemundic charm earlier today..." she said quietly, figuring this might be a good time to see if he became more amiable after sex, especially if it was a little out of the ordinary. And she had enjoyed it last time, despite the fact that she thought it would be gross, prior to trying it out. He hadn't asked her to do the charm again since that night, so she figured it would be a good time to give him a little hint. "I thought, maybe..."

"Liked that, did you?" he asked in a low voice in her ear. He turned away from her and leaned over to the nightstand, opening the top drawer, where he had a small bottle of oil put away. He'd planned to just go to sleep but the fact that Hermione had dealt with something rather uncomfortable of her own volition, to please him, tended to make him inclined to favor her.

*****

Friday, two days after New Years, Hermione waved goodbye to her parents as they rushed out the door. They had received a call from a patient who had apparently not followed the aftercare instructions after having a wisdom tooth pulled and had eaten some fruitcake Christmas day, causing a terrible infection. It was their last day and Hermione had already packed her things and reduced them. They would be Apparating back to Hogwarts that evening.

Watching her parents over the holiday, Hermione had paid closer attention to their interactions together. Of course, she had always known her parents loved each other but had never really thought about it much before. It was simply a fact, married people were in love and she would someday marry someone she loved. But, that hadn't happened. She and Severus got along fairly well enough – for roommates who had nothing to do with each other besides sex - that is. Hoping for more than that seemed unrealistic but she wished she could have something like what her parents had. They were a team in many things together: their dentistry practice, keeping a home, the cooking and housework were fairly equally divided between them and, through everything, they shared smiles and light touches, a hand on a shoulder here, a look and a smile there, which spoke volumes to Hermione, now.

Severus was distant and cold much of the time. He easily showed annoyance more than any other emotion. She had to wonder if he had an emotional range of more than lust, anger, and annoyance. However, she knew there was something more there than that. She'd seen it several times, a glimmer of something more in his eyes, even if it was only infrequently. He'd been right; expecting him to suddenly change would be unrealistic. Still, she couldn't imagine someone could be completely incapable of love.

Hermione went to the computer and signed online again. Once the connection was established, she searched again for information. Perhaps she could learn something more about Severus...he seemed to take sex very seriously, perhaps learning more about his particular tastes could give her some information about him as a person. Nearly an hour passed as she finally began to find articles, and not just pornography, on the subject. The more she read, the more troubled she became. She came across one article in particular, which was very alarming...he'd been doing it all wrong! She hit the print button and went in search of more articles.

Severus looked up from his book as Hermione rose suddenly from the computer desk, glared at him, and then pulled a stack of papers out of the machine which had been disturbing him with racket for the last half hour. She crossed the living room to stand before him, holding the stack of papers, before she slapped them down firmly atop his open book.

"You've lied to me!" she declared, crossing her arms.

Severus frowned at her in irritation and some confusion, and then looked down at the stack of papers, on the top of which was the title: "Safewords: The why's and wherefores of their absolute necessity in BDSM."

"And just what is this?" he asked, glaring up at her.

"Articles, I found them on the Internet. You've been doing it all wrong."

Severus looked back down at the papers, eyes narrowing as he read the first paragraph...safewords...oh, really. "Whatever it is you think you've found, you are quite mistaken in thinking I've been doing it wrong," he said lowly. "This nonsense has nothing to do with us."

"Yes it does, I've read the descriptions...punishments, sadomasochism, bondage...it's all there; you've just been doing it wrong. I'm actually supposed to be the one in charge, according to that," Hermione insisted. She stepped back as Severus stood, placing his book and her freshly printed articles on the end table by the couch. "I didn't know what I was agreeing to...I didn't know about all this and you haven't told me about it," she continued, growing nervous and backing away slowly as he stalked towards her, an indiscernible look on his face.

"I have told you exactly what you needed to know," he intoned firmly. "You would do well to forget whatever you have read. There are certain things which I will not compromise on, this is one of them."

"Severus, I think..."

"I have not lied to you," he hissed. Hermione caught herself unconsciously backing away and stood firm as Severus came to stand just before her, looking down his long nose at her. "I told you I expected complete obedience and submission. I gave you information about what I expected and I've been very patient with you, as you've learned. I did not lie."

"Then why would I find those articles?" she retorted.

"Those articles have nothing to do with me, or our agreement. I have heard of these safewords; and I will not accept using them. You can trust that you will never need to use them."

"But what if you do something dangerous...something that can really hurt me? I should be able..."

"Stop...stop it now," he growled and swiftly shot his hand around, grabbing her by the thick pony tail her hair was pulled into, wrenching her head back. "Think, Hermione. You have a brain, use it. Think...have you ever been in real danger with me?" he asked, pulling Hermione up against his body firmly.

Hermione thought...trying to come up with something, and stay focused with her head wrenched back to look up at him. "The whip you used was dangerous..." she finally stammered.

"In the hands of an unskilled person, yes, it could be very dangerous," he purred, now grazing his lips over her ear, "Have you ever suffered lingering affects from my attentions, beyond a few sore muscles or minor bruises?"

He waited several moments for her answer, pulling away to watch her face as she tried to remember something - anything - to use in her case. "The answer would be no, you have not. I have been exceedingly careful with you and exceedingly patient. But, this I will not tolerate. If you have any questions regarding the nature of our sexual relationship, you will ask me, and you will accept my answers. Dubious outside sources will not have any bearing on this. Do you understand me?" He waited several moments longer as Hermione chewed her lip. Thinking she had decided to drop the subject he pulled away, releasing her, and turned to go back to his seat. Perhaps her articles would prove entertaining at least.

"No," Hermione said, firmly. Incredulous, he turned around and saw she had her chin lifted in defiance, her eyes daring him to do something about it. "No," she repeated. "I don't understand that at all. I've read some of those articles I gave you and they have a lot of things that make sense to me. I can agree to make some compromises on it."

"Compromise? You have nothing with which to compromise; you are mine to do with as I please, I've been very clear on that."

Hermione gaped at him, stunned a moment, before regaining her bearings. "I didn't know about these things before...now that I know about it, you can't keep doing it wrong," she reasoned.

He regarded her for a moment, thinking about the best way to punish her for this outburst and defiance. However, noting her stance, the tension she held in her body, her fists clenched at her sides, he decided another form of punishment would work best. "I see you are not ready to submit fully. Very well then," he said simply, and turned back to his chair, ignoring her as he sat, setting the papers aside and resuming his reading.

Hermione stood, somewhat bewildered at his sudden capitulation. It wasn't what she'd expected at all. "Um...there's a contract in there," she said, crossing the room and picking up the papers, riffling through them. "Here," she said, handing him one of the two copies she had made. It was a list of various acts - she could check off those things she was willing to do, or try, and then he could look them over. He looked over at the contract...a glance to scan it was all he needed before he turned away. Hermione, upon seeing this, had the suspicion that he hadn't actually given in, and it left her with a twisted feeling in her stomach. Still, she wasn't going to back down, and she wasn't going to let him intimidate her.

"Do what you will with it," he said, turning back to his reading. She could do what she would with it but he would have nothing to do with it. She would discover that soon enough. He was angry -- and rather disappointed -- that her record of obedience should take such a turn now. He watched peripherally as she went back to the noisy machine, pulling another stack of papers from it, glancing nervously in his direction. Perhaps these computers weren't such a beneficial thing after all.

---

A/N: Manheim Steamroller is an instrumental group that does wonderful music of all kinds, and their Christmas collections are beautiful.