The First Date

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 17 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The First Date

~S~

They arrived beside a potted palm between a building, a bush, and the support beams of a rollercoaster. The crack of their Apparation was covered over by the whoosh of the rollercoaster car overhead and the noisy uproar of families and young people. Perfect timing, he thought with a smirk. He made a quick assessment of the Muggles walking by and smiled. No one had taken notice. Excellent. Severus grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her along with him before the Ministry recognized the use of magic in the Muggle amusement park and came to investigate.

"What – where? This is Adventure Island...? Is that – the Barnburner?" Hermione stammered as she turned her head, making a quick assessment of her surroundings, although her expression clearly told Severus she did not believe what she was seeing. He led her out into the sun next to the Adventure Island Food Bar. "Are we eating here?" she asked as Severus maneuvered his way between the people milling around with Hermione in tow. The smells of popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, fish and chips, and cotton candy filled the air.

He started walking for the exit. "Certainly not," he replied, knowing he sounded insulted. The audacity of her to think I'd eat here. No, I have other plans for this evening. He grasped her hand tighter, making her follow him as he quickly wove through the crowds past the Zamba ride, avoiding the little brats who were running around barely supervised by their parents. "As you have no doubt ascertained, we are in Southend-on-Sea in Essex," he replied, tugging Hermione's hand to make her keep up with him.

"Wait, where are we going? What are we doing here?" she asked as they hurried past another concession vender. "Oh, I used to love the Dodgems bumper cars... and Formula AI Karting go carts," Hermione exclaimed, still following him compliantly.

He looked at her with a smirk without breaking stride. Of course she loved these contraptions as a child. "We are going somewhere where we can talk," he said, tugging on her hand again to make her follow him out of the park. "Would you trust me, please?"

"Trust you?" she asked, hurrying to keep up with him. "When have I ever not trusted you? I have always trusted you."

He ignored her persistent questions as they crossed the street, careful to avoid the cars, and walked down the pavement. He walked more leisurely than they had before, he looking straight ahead or at her, she at the passersby, the buildings, the theme park and the ocean. In fact, Hermione's gaze seemed to take in everything. More than once he caught her eye, and she returned his look with a small smile. "So, where are we going? What made you pick Southend of all places?"

"I wanted to bring you somewhere we could talk – somewhere neutral," he admitted, knowing that their last encounter hadn't gone as he'd planned. "There won't be any wizards here, and no chance of accidentally running into anyone we know. It's public – but no one will pay us any mind. And I like the ocean."

"Do you know that is the first bit of personal information you've ever told me?" she asked, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder.

Severus stopped at the curb to wait for a break in the traffic. "I'm a private man," he said simply, looking out at the water before checking again to see if it was safe to cross the street. "I've had no reason to be personal with you before."

"No kidding," she mumbled just as Severus entered the crosswalk.

He led her to a fairly large seafront pub with a warm yellow and natural brick façade and red awnings. The sign over the awnings read 'The Borough Hotel.' "This was originally called The Liberty Belle, but after the renovations, it was renamed," he said softly. Hermione gave Severus a quizzical look. He took her look to mean that apparently she didn't understand how he knew about the place or was wondering why he knew that bit of history. "My father would sit in here and get drunk while my mum would take me walking on the pier." He looked at her, waiting for her to comment. She didn't. He sighed. I always had good memories of this place, he thought, although he just couldn't voice it. "They have decent food."

"You came here as a child?" she asked, apparently surprised that his parents would take him anywhere.

Severus nodded once and led her to the back to get their food.

"My family did, too," she added, before Severus could answer her. "When my relatives would come for a visit, my mum would bring me and my cousins here to play and have fish and chips."

He had assumed as much. The boy behind the counter took their order, and soon they were sitting at one of the outside tables. Severus sipped his ale, watching Hermione as she began to eat. "My mother would Apparate us here. It was one of the few times my father allowed her to use magic."

"Which ride was your favorite?" she asked between bites. "I loved Blackbeard's Pirate Adventure, Mr. Smee's Boat Ride, the Fantasy Dome, Jungle Safari, and Beelzee Bob's Trail..."

He'd assumed, knowing Potter, that the brat would have told her all about what he'd seen of his parents when Potter had invaded his mind during those failed Occlumency lessons and the memories that he had passed on to him in the Shack. Now, he was beginning to wonder if Potter had actually kept that information to himself. Is it possible that Hermione doesn't know a thing about my childhood, after all? "There weren't any rides when I was a child. The amusement park wasn't added until the redevelopment in the eighties, I believe. I had joined the Dark Lord by the time all of the rides were added."

Hermione pursed her lips, her gaze becoming unfocused and thoughtful as she apparently considered his words, and resumed eating.

After eating a while in silence, he tried again at starting up a conversation. "Your parents are dentists."

Hermione had just taken a bit of her food, nearly choking at his statement. She quickly forced the food down, then raised her hand to hide her teeth before she responded, "Yes, they were."

"Were?" he asked, confused. He knew that Dolohov and Travers had gone to her parents' house looking for her and that they'd been unsuccessful at locating either Hermione or her parents.

"They, er, sold their practice the summer after my sixth year," she finally said, after setting down her drink.

"And what do they do now?" he asked, between bites, more for conversation than for curiosity.

"They, um, moved."

For a girl who is usually quite talkative, she is being unusually brief in her comments, he thought annoyed. Of course, Severus wasn't well gifted in small talk either, preferring the quiet corners and small gatherings of friends to the larger formal parties. "They moved?"

She set down her fork and looked at him pointedly. "I'm Harry's friend. I was terrified that the Death Eaters would attack my parents because of me, so I helped them go into hiding. I haven't had a chance to go and get them. But there are still Death Eaters out there at large, so I'm still waiting."

"Wise move," he admitted, taking another bite of his own food. "They would have been. When do you plan on telling them it's safe to return?"

"It isn't yet," she said, setting down her fork as she chewed. "Dolohov is still out there somewhere. I know he has a personal grudge against me, and Harry told me the Aurors haven't caught Rowle yet, either."

"Yes, they are. I don't know where," he said, although it was a half-truth. He had a vague idea, but not enough to alert Kingsley.

She nodded at his statement, and they ate in silence awhile.

"If you did know where any of the Death Eaters are hiding, would you tell the Ministry?" she asked, then took a sip of her drink.

Severus had to admit, she had very nice table manners. Either that or she was putting on airs for him. "No, I wouldn't." She gaped at him, and he smirked at her. "I am not trusted by very many in the Ministry, and if I did know the whereabouts of where one was hiding, I don't know where they all are. Considering all the publicity and my trial, I doubt I would be trusted enough to be given such information. Those in hiding are keeping a low profile and are living rough. If I'm lucky to know when they will be somewhere, it's not always with enough advanced notice or it's after the fact. Besides, for them it's generally a short excursion – get what you need and get out – not a leisurely day of shopping... or stealing."

"But if you're not trusted... they would avoid you. You're on their retaliations list as well, aren't you? It's not likely they will ever trust you."

"No, they don't," he said, smirking at the concerned expression in her eyes. "I, like you and your friends, have to watch my back."

Once again, there was an awkward silence between them. "Do you like living at Grimmauld Place?" he asked, changing the subject.

Hermione looked up, covering her mouth again as she swallowed. "It's a place to live. It's convenient, and I don't really have another option. I was staying at the Burrow until, well, us."

He wasn't surprised. He knew she had spent a good deal of her summers with the Weasleys, but with the current circumstances, that arrangement would seem awkward.

A moment later, she looked up at him. "How long are you going to stay at the Malfoys'?"

"Until I can either fix up my father's house to be livable or relocate," he stated. He knew he'd have to talk about his house and her moving in with him, but at the same time, he didn't really want to know her answer. "What did you really think about my father's house? Don't lie to me."

Hermione took a sip of her drink and looked away. "It wasn't what I expected your house to be like," she said, turning to look at him as if hoping she hadn't offended him.

"What did you expect?" he asked, curious.

"A stone house with a basement for your lab. Some cottage in a remote area," she replied with a shrug. "I don't know. I suppose I never thought too much about it before."

He wasn't at all surprised. "Most students don't think their professor have lives outside of the castle."

"I'd assumed that since you were a Death Eater, you moved around a lot. Living where Vol..." she started to say then was cut short when he glared at her for using the Dark Lord's name. It was purely a reaction at this point, but he loathed hearing anyone say it. "You-Know-Who lived," she amended smoothly enough.

He was pleased at her tact. "No. Even Death Eaters have homes. Some had very nice homes. The Dark Lord lived in the best of his followers' houses," Severus stated, remembering how housing the Dark Lord had grated on Narcissa's nerves. But he was straying from the question he needed answered. "Could you live in the house?"

She looked at him momentarily as if he'd confused her, then the corner of her mouth twitched almost as if making half a smile. "It needs some work done to the place, a thorough cleaning, new paint, the floor stripped and waxed, new drapes..."

Once again her expression told him volumes; she hadn't liked the house and had expected more.

"It's been neglected. I'd have to inspect it for Doxies, Bundimuns, and Weremiftens," she stated.

He set his glass down a little too firmly on the table, insulted. How dare she think he'd let his house become infested with... "Weremiftens?" he asked, confused by her nonsense. "There is no such creature."

She laughed before taking a sip of her drink. "Not according to Luna." She set down her cup, and the smile faded. "Is that really where you want to live? You never call it home – except when you were dragging me through the place before you took me upstairs to fu – shag me."

Severus nearly choked on his ale. She had considered their last copulation as merely a shag, and that realization stung him. He didn't need to probe her mind; her expression said it all. It wasn't one of repulsion, but close, and her tone suggested she hadn't liked it either. The tables around them were starting to fill up as they finished their food. A man and a woman led a noisy party of six kids over to the table next to them. "Eat up," he said. When Hermione set down her fork and placed her napkin on the table, he rose. "Okay, let's go."

"Go where?" she asked, getting up to follow him. He held her hand as he strode back along the pavement, more to make her keep up with him than anything affectionate.

"For a walk on the pier," he stated. He let her hand go as they neared the Southend Pier entrance. Hermione was looking around, walking at his side. He slowed his pace to accompany her stride.

"What do you want out of life?" he asked as a way to learn more about her. Well, more than he already knew.

"To make a difference," she replied.

He looked at her and smirked. "You and Potter already did that."

She looked up at him and a soft flush colored her cheeks. "Harry did. There were a lot of people who made it happen, you included."

"Potter wouldn't have survived the year without your help," he stated, remembering the difficulty he had in trying to find Potter to give him Gryffindor's sword. Even when Phineas knew where they were, the wards around their tent made it impossible to find them. It had been pure luck when he'd spotted Potter in the Forest of Dean.

They walked in silence, stopping at the rail near the breakwater. Severus watched the waves roll in with a sad smile, remembering the times his mother and father had brought him to the shore. Hermione walked over and stood quietly beside him, staring at the water, lost in her own thoughts.

He studied her profile from the corner of his eye and the way her hair moved in the breeze. Thick strands of curly hair rolled on her back and shoulders, and long fly-aways danced against her cheek. She reached up to grasp her hair, twisting it and holding it to one side of her neck. "If I'd known we were coming here, I'd have braided my hair. It'll be all tangled."

Severus looked at her thoughtfully. She has a point. He watched a pair of girls walk by, taking note of what held their hair as he slipped his wand out of his sleeve and conjured a hair band similar to the girls', being sure to make it stretchy. He handed it to Hermione, and she took it from him with a stunned look. He turned to stared out at the water. "I am capable of being considerate, Hermione."

"I never said you couldn't be," she replied, turning to face into the wind as she made a hasty braid. "Thank you."

"You are welcome. Shall we?" he said, turning his hand over as he held it up in the direction of the pier. "To reiterate my previous question... I meant to ask what you expect to do with your life."

"You mean home, kids, and a career?" she asked.

"Yes, that is what I meant," he replied, trying not to sound exasperated. He was trying to find the answers he wanted while making it seem like small talk, and the effort it took was daunting.

She watched a family pass them, walking in the other direction. "Yes, I want a home. I would possibly like to have a kid and, of course, I intend to work. I don't plan on being a housewife, barefoot and pregnant every other year."

"Thank Merlin," he said. He knew that she was an only child, but since she had spent her summers with the Weasleys, he didn't know how she felt about large families or if she ever regretted being an only child. He, on the other hand, was glad that he was an only child. Well, he'd had a sister, but she had died in her crib, and his mum had lost the child after that one because of a miscarriage. Still, with his dad's temper, it had been for the best.

"You?" she asked, interrupting his woolgathering.

"I never thought I'd survive the war, so I never considered having a family," he stated firmly, lest she think he wanted a large family. He didn't. "I'm not really the marrying type."

Hermione nodded, walking by his side but watching the other people on the pier. Severus likewise surveyed the ocean, watching Hermione from the corner of his eye, all the while being very aware of the strangers around them and what they were doing. It was a beautiful day on the coast, the wind not too strong and the sun warm but not scorching. A sailboat was making a turn and held Severus' attention for a spell.

He turned to look at Hermione and realized she'd been watching the boat as well. "What career do you think you'll pursue?"

"I don't know. I never really thought past finding the Horcruxes, defeating You-Know-Who, and surviving," she said, brushing an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

She has cute ears, he thought. Not like mine. And a nice nose, unlike my large protuberance. In fact, she's grown up to be rather pleasant to look at. He was actually quite fortunate. This spell could have Bonded him with some unattractive dunderhead or someone far more annoying than she was.

"I had thought about joining the Ministry, but they seem so corrupt and inept at times," she continued, apparently unaware of his mental assessment of her face. "I was asked once if I'd considered pursuing a career in law. I suppose I just want to finish school, get my N.E.W.T.s, and see what opens up for me. See what offers I get."

So we are both facing the same uncertainty. She didn't map out her life after the war either. He let the comment slide. They walked in silence as they strolled down the pier. He knew that the pier closed at dusk, but he planned on Confounding anyone who tried to make him leave before seeing the sunset.

"What about you?" she asked. He'd been distracted by a woman who was fishing as she cast her line into the water, and he turned to look at her again as she added, "What do you want out of life?"

"To be left alone. Paece, solitude, and a few good books," he stated firmly.

Hermione looked up at him, smiling. "And no one dictating what you should do, no masters, overlords, or hundreds of kids melting your cauldrons and exploding potions in your classroom?"

He smiled slightly at her assessment. "Precisely."

"What about family or kids?" she persisted.

"Never thought I'd marry. I never planned on having children. I've raised enough adolescents while teaching to last me a lifetime." He hated being asked, but this was something she needed to know if they were to decide to remain together.

"It's not the same as having your own," she replied.

Severus cringed. Yes, she definitely wants kids. Still, her children have the potential of being bright and talented. Added with my abilities, they would be exceptional – possibly – if genetics worked in my favor for a change. Of course, they'd have to be if they got my nose and her hair and teeth. Maybe genetics might take our best attributes... But the fates were seldom that kind where he was concerned. "I never considered siring any children. I'd hate to bestow this nose on anyone, least of all a child."

"It's not a bad nose," Hermione stated defiantly. "It's Romanesque. It's rather a classic nose."

He looked at her and smirked. "You don't think I know how other's see my features? I've been teased about my nose my entire life. I have my father's nose – and his ears."

"I have my father's nose and his eyes, the rest is my mom's or more acutely, my grandmother's. I have the Wellington hair and teeth. Well, that was until Draco helped me get my teeth fixed."

"You could have fixed your teeth at any point," Severus stated. "You are a capable witch."

Hermione blushed. "This way I didn't break a promise to my parents or lie to them. They wanted me to have braces. I was able to tell them about the hex and getting my teeth fixed, and they didn't get as mad."

"Hogwarts sends owls to parents when their children are injured or in need medical attention. They would have known about the curse Draco used and that it was corrected," he explained, unaware if she knew that fact.

"I know," she said, laughing softly. "My parents were really upset about my being Petrified in my second year, and not too thrilled that I was nearly attacked by a werewolf my third. So, I stopped telling them everything that went on in school after that, only explaining anything they'd already heard about. I hated not telling them everything, all the exciting stuff I did, but it was so much easier considering the events during my scholastic years. I'm hoping my last year will be quiet and normal. My parents are already concerned about what career I might choose. I think they feel I'll want an active, dangerous job."

"I would think you've had enough excitement to last you a lifetime. Unless you enjoy the accolades and crave adventure?" he scoffed at her statement.

"No. Like you, I like being effective and useful, but I think I've done enough saving to last me a long time," she replied, her tone slightly sarcastic, and turned her head.

He wasn't sure if she was being cheeky with him or if she was being sincere. He really didn't know how to read her expression, since she had a look of serenity on her face as she stared out at the ocean.

But she remained silent. They continued to walk. Hermione watched the people fishing or walking past them and the seagulls. Severus was well aware of the other Muggles, but he was watching her, the way she walked and the casual way her hands swung. She was at ease with him and comfortable in her surroundings. He wondered where she had tucked her wand. It was not in her trousers or down her blouse. The pale yellow fabric of her blouse was lightweight and looked soft, and it would have been loose enough to be modest if the wind wasn't plastering it to her body. That and it had numerous tiny buttons. Probably to deter me from taking it off, he thought amused. Too bad she doesn't know I'm well versed in a nonverbal spell that undoes buttons.

He looked out at the ocean before his imagination could take the better of him and he Apparated them somewhere to undo her buttons and touch her silky-soft skin. "I noticed that Potter had the Advanced Applied Applications of Arithmancy sitting next to him in the drawing room. Are you teaching him Arithmancy?" he asked.

"I was reading the book earlier," she admitted. "Before I went up to get ready for our... dinner. I suppose he left it there for me." She stopped and turned to face him. "You know we are avoiding the one question you and I need to talk about."

He sighed, taking her arm and walking to a spot currently devoid of people. "I have not been avoiding it."

Hermione leaned her back to the rail. "I suppose not, but I still want to know if you want out or if you wish to remain in this relationship with me."

He put his forearms on the rail and leaned forward as he stared out at the ocean. It looked so peaceful and calm, although he knew the currents could be strong here. "I have not been avoiding this – you have. I have shown you what I have in the way of providing for you. You know my nature. Apparently, you have yet to decide. And you are the one who picked up the annulment parchments."

"Considering how things are going, I thought it best," she said, staring at the boards under her feet. "But you keep coming to get me. That needs to stop if you – if we aren't staying together." She turned her head to look at him. She was biting on her lower lip, which he knew meant that she was nervous, apparently no longer comfortable with him. "I don't like how things are."

She is right. No woman in her right mind would have tolerated me this long. He turned to look at the water again, clenching his teeth to fight back the ire he felt at her declaration.

"We don't spend any time together," she added.

"We are now," he stated, refusing to look at her. Merlin, he hated feeling cornered.

"I don't know what you intend to do. You keep pushing me away. You haven't given me anything... except to use me," she said, shifting her feet and crossing her arms. "You keep telling me to file for the annulment, but I know you are mad that I picked up the forms. And I assume you're going to accept the Headmaster's position, but you've not said either way," she said, finally looking at his profile.

He didn't know what to say. He fought the instinct to snarl at her for her audacity to speak to him like this, but it was why he brought her here – to discuss this with her. "I have yet to decide if I want to return to Hogwarts as Headmaster," he said, breaking the silence.

"What's stopping you?" she asked.

"You," Severus said, turning to look at her. "Us."

"You're holding off your decision because of me?" she asked, her eyebrows rising. She turned around, facing the water. "Don't bother; I'll be returning to the castle in the fall. But, as far as I'm concerned, you can accept the Headmaster's position or not; it's up to you."

"The decision is whether I want to or not. My first year as Headmaster was not as I hoped – but not unexpected." In fact, his first year as Headmaster had been a nightmare. The Carrows always making demands, the Dark Lord wanting constant reports, and then there was Mr. Longbottom, Miss Weasley, Miss Lovegood and their friends causing havoc and carrying on a mutiny. He did not want another year like the previous one. He was certain he'd be considered the most hated Headmaster ever, even beating old Phineas for the title. Better not think on that right now. "So you want the annulment?" he asked, returning to the safer question.

Hermione leaned forward, resting her arms on the rail next to him with her hands clasped together. "You have said numerous times that I should file the annulment papers, even demanded to know why I haven't," she said flatly.

He stared out at the sea, finally having to decide on that question. Do I really want the annulment? He had to admit he'd been furious when he read she'd procured the papers, which told him that he really didn't. As much as he hated being in this Bonding, he was. The silence stretched as he warred with his decision.

"Did you change your mind?" Hermione asked, looking at his profile.

He looked at her, trying to reason out her delay in filing. "What I can't fathom is why you haven't."

"Because I thought we should discuss it first," she stated, turning slightly to face him. "Because everything I've read about this spell says that it is a very strong bonding spell. That it picks your soul mate, and it picked you. Because I thought..."

"What?" he interrupted.

He saw her bristle and knew he'd made her mad.

"That when you got over your tantrum about being forced into this union and started thinking about this, you might decide to give a relationship with me, your apparent soul mate, a try."

"I did not have a tantrum," he snarled, straightening.

"No you've been using me like a..." She stopped and looked away. She stared out at the sea, her elbows on the railing, and her hands gripped tightly in front of her face. He could see the clenching of her jaw by the tick in her cheek.

"Like a what, exactly?" he asked with a sneer, urging her to speak her mind with his cold demeanor. Angry, she would speak the truth; she couldn't help herself.

"Like a whore!" She turned on him, her hands clenched in tight fists. "The least you could have done was give me the going rate..."

"I did not cast this spell," he cut her off again, turning to face her, ignoring the looks from the passersby. "I was trapped into a Bonding. A magical Bonding – for life!"

"But Marvin Maretbell in the Accidental Magical Reversal Office said that he could reverse it," she started to say as he faced her, standing at his full height, "and that it would be like just getting an annulment."

Time to set her straight, he thought with a sneer. "It would be on paper only," he said coolly. "Even if you got the annulment, you can never Bond in matrimony to another." Her look of shock was priceless. "Yes, you and I are Bonded for life. It's not a matter if I want you, Hermione. I have you. You are mine. And neither Mrs. Whitmire nor Mr. Maretbell can change it."

"But I – we've never signed the Bonding certificate, which Mrs. Whitmire says we have to sign in order to be Bonded," she argued lamely. "Either we sign the Bonding certificate or the annulment forms. If we sign the annulment forms, then Mr. Maretbell in the Accidental Magic Reversal Office reverses the Bonding..."

"It's all just bureaucratic parchmentwork, Hermione. He cannot revoke the Bonding." Her mouth opened to argue and he continued. "The Bonding confirmation form is just that: a registration form – that's all it is. There is nothing binding about it, except to file acknowledgement of our Bonding and to receive our license. It's all just parchmentwork so you can receive a piece of gilded parchment with a fancy seal. Likewise, the annulment forms are just an acknowledgement that we are separated, not that the Bond has been dissolved, because it can't be dissolved or reversed." He watched as she staggered a step as his words hit home. "Our magical cores are Bonded to each other. Our children would have a blending of our power, our strengths. We are united. The spell was consummated and the magic sealed on the elemental level. No vows, no ceremony necessary. We are man and wife, or more truthfully, Bonded mates. What part of that don't you understand?"

"But that means that they lied," she said, aghast.

"They appeased your Muggle sensibilities," he replied, knowing she'd understood him fully.

"Same thing!" she exclaimed, turning her head away then looking at him again. "I'm not some child to coddle. I expected to be told the truth."

"So far, you have not been accepting the truth. You have been listening to the wrong people and not believing me when I have explained this to you. And you claim that you trust me. You of all witches should believe that some magic is final, permanent, binding," he said, looking around and then holding out his hand. "Give me your hand."

"Why?" she asked, looking at his offered hand suspiciously.

"We are causing a scene and should go somewhere more private," he said, flicking his wand to cast a Distraction Charm, making the Muggles around them suddenly interested in something on the other side of the pier.

"Where to?" she asked stubbornly, keeping her hands at her sides.

He wanted to leave, go somewhere they could yell at each other if they wanted. "My place," he suggested.

"No," she stated, shaking her head and making a sweep with her arm, "and not Malfoy Manor either."

This was not going well. "Why not?" he snapped.

"I don't want to go there," she stated adamantly. "Grimmauld Place."

"I hate that house. It's the house of my nemesis," he snarled. Merlin's balls, she's being difficult.

"It's Harry's house," she said as if he was unaware who owned it.

Regardless, he thought of it as the Black house. "This is ridiculous," he said, grabbing her arm and Apparating away. They arrived unsplinched, thankfully, under a huge tree next to the river not far from his house. "This is private enough. Sit down."

Hermione crossed her arms, aiming a furious glare at him as he paced. "Look, we are not getting an annulment. It's pointless, and that's final," he spat.

"And I will not be used like a convenient personal call girl," she snapped.

"But we are going to live together," he stated firmly, standing in front of her and looking down at her, annoyed.

Her eyebrows rose with a look of pure incredulousness, but she did not back down. "I'm not ready for that," she declared.

"Then we are going to spend every night together," he snapped, his eyes narrowed into a scowl. He was irate with her. She was purposely making this difficult.

"In a neutral and public place. I will not be taken to Malfoy Manor, and your house is currently uninhabitable," she stated firmly, still standing with her arms crossed.

"You will come with me wherever I choose to take us," he snarled, furious that she was dictating where he could take her.

"I will have a say in where we go and where I will allow you to take me," she snapped.

"And I will have a say in where my wife is living and with whom," he spat, crossing his arms to avoid making his hands into fists.

"I'm not moving out of Harry's house," she added defiantly, "unless you start treating me right, and we sign the confirmation forms."

"I'll sign the forms when we are living together," he snarled, looking down at her with a hard stare, "and not before."

"Deal."

"Fine."

She had her wand out, and with a nod, she Apparated away.

Severus stood staring at the place where she'd been standing, not believing she'd had the audacity to disappear on him.

~H~

Hermione stood on the front step of Grimmauld Place with her wand aimed at the pavement and her heart thumping wildly. That was not how she had envisioned the evening going. They were supposed to sit somewhere and casually decide to sign the annulment forms and go their separate ways. She quickly entered the house and ran for her bedroom. The pounding of feet behind her told her that she was not going to be alone. Harry was the first to her door, followed by Ron and Ginny.

"So how did it go?" Harry asked.

"Not good," Hermione stated, sitting down on the bed.

"You broke up?" Ron asked, leaning around Harry as Harry stepped into the room.

She wanted to wipe the look of hopefulness off his freckled face. "No. I can't. We are magically Bonded for life," Hermione stated flatly, leaning forward with her arms on her legs. I'm going to have to look into that. There has to be a way out.

Ginny pushed her way past the boys to get inside the room. "So, when you say not good, could you be any more specific?" she asked, walking over to the bed, and sitting down next to her.

Hermione didn't look up from her wand lying in her hands. "He told me we are not getting an annulment. I told him I'm not ready to live with him, and he won't sign the forms until we do." She looked up at Ginny and continued, "Oh, and apparently neither of us wants a big family, and I told him I don't like his house. And that there will be no more shagging."

"So, in other words, you sorted out quite a bit," Ginny stated, putting her hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"Gin, she's still Bonded to the greasy git!" Ron admonished, and Ginny gave him a murderous look. "Why can't you get an annulment?"

"It's the magic of the spell," Hermione said, looking at him and wishing he'd stayed at home. "Even if I file for the annulment, it's not real. The Bonding can't be broken."

"Who said?" Ron asked, sounding petulant.

"Severus," Hermione stated, turning to look at Harry.

"Ron, this isn't helping," Harry said, walking across the room to sit down next to her. "Are you sure?"

Hermione nodded, looking at his trainers.

"So, what do you want to do now?" Harry asked, brushing back a strand of her hair that had fallen in her face.

"Drink a bottle of Firewhisky, Levitate a book, and drown in a bath." Hermione shrugged, looking back up at Harry. Hermione laughed at Harry's grimace over their shared joke. "Nothing's changed. He insists that he wants to see me every night."

Ron leaned against the doorframe, sulking. "Of course he does."

"But at least this time you talked," Ginny said, trying to sound hopeful. "You know what? Let's play a Muggle game in the kitchen. That word puzzle one – Scabble. Kreacher can make us tea and biscuits. It'll be fun."

Ron stood up and put his hands in his pockets. "No thanks. I'm going home." He turned and Apparated before anyone would stop him.

"You know, a game of Scrabble might be fun," Hermione said, smiling as she caught Harry's sour expression. "I'll even allow you to use the Scrabble dictionary, if you like, Harry."

"Sure, why not," he said, standing up and offering her a hand.

~S~

How dare she simply Apparate away when we were still talking?! He wanted to hex something – blow something up. The audacity of that witch to dictate where I'm allowed to take my wife! Or whom she is going to live with. She is my wife, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let such impertinence go unanswered!

He paced the clearing by the stream. He was certain that she had returned to Grimmauld Place, but he was not going to go running after the chit. Not after all the careful planning he'd done to make this evening enjoyable. He'd chosen the pier because it held favorable memories, and she hadn't appreciated it at all.

She'd accused him of treating her like a whore, called his house unlivable, and refused to move in with him, choosing to live with Potter instead. At least I know that Potter isn't interested in a sexual relationship with my wife. But that Weasley boy is. Who knows how often he is at the house. Severus walked the short way to his house, stopping to stare at the weatherworn brick, darkly draped window, and black door. It wasn't much to look at from the front, just another brick house at the end of a row of identical industrial-style houses of the mill-town. There wasn't a front garden except for a narrow strip of weeds along the pavement and on either side of the front steps.

He turned and looked at his neighborhood. Although there was a rumor that a developer was interested in the town, the place still looked bleak and, in some places, deserted. If not for his wards, his house might have fallen victim to vandals long ago. Many of the street lamps were out, not having worked for years, and most of the neighboring houses were generally in a poor state of repair, with boarded-up windows and rubbish in the curb. Severus turned, not really wanting to go inside, and walked around the side of the house to Apparate. He hated his father's house. Hermione was right, but it galled him to admit that.

Severus arrived at the Manor, his temper satiated, but his mood dark. He stormed into the manor and headed for the library. If he was going to have to remain Bonded to that witch, he'd make damn sure she didn't just vanish on him again. There was a way to strengthen the Bond, creating a tie between them. He remembered seeing it while researching which spell Hermione had used. He stopped short, seeing Draco exit the library, letting the boy pass him unseen before entering the library himself. Unfortunately, Lucius was standing in front of a bookshelf, looking up at him and then turning his gaze back to the book in his hand.

"Judging by that look, I suppose it would be best if I didn't offer you a drink," Lucius said, still flipping pages as if there was nothing amiss. "I take it your time with Mrs. Snape didn't go well."

"You could say that," Severus growled.

Lucius turned the page as if scanning for a particular spell. "Do you want to tell me or should I guess?"

Severus opted to walk in, stopping in the middle of the room. "We are not getting the annulment," he said, realizing Lucius was standing at the very shelf he desired.

"Wouldn't matter if she did." Lucius set the book on the shelf, selecting another. "Is that all that was decided?"

Severus' eyes narrowed. "Not that this is any of your business, but she refuses to move into my house, and she will not come here."

"Oh my, that does create a dilemma," Lucius stated, turning slightly. "What will you do?"

"I'm going to have to sell the place," Severus stated, "and I'm going to accept the Headmaster position."

Lucius smiled and backed up closer to the window. "No surprise on either account."

Severus had moved forward, stopping at the section of books next to the preferred shelves. "What does that mean?"

Lucius didn't look up at him. "You hate that house – you always have. And you earned the position of Headmaster, regardless of the previous year. You will make an admirable Headmaster."

Severus turned his back on the books. "My first year was an unmitigated disaster."

"You won't be dealing with the same annoyances and conflicts." Lucius turned to face him. "I assume she will be returning to the castle as well?"

"Yes," Severus replied.

"Should be a very interesting year." Lucius closed the book and turned to leave. "I'll have my solicitor come by to assist you with the arrangements on selling the house."

"I'm not in any hurry," Severus stated, not sure why.

"Feel free to utilize his services when you are. You know how to reach him." Lucius stopped at the doorway and turned his head in Severus' direction. "Good night, Severus. Oh, and please refrain from damaging Narcissa's new furnishings."

"New?" Severus asked surprised.

"She redecorated a bedroom, the small parlor, and the tea room," Lucius explained, "as well as replaced a few other furnishings. Apparently, she wanted to redecorate."

"I'll refrain," Severus said with a smirk.

"Thank you."

~ T B C ~>

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