Validation and Rediscovery/Congratulations

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 60 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Validation and Rediscovery/Congratulations

Hermione had Harvey Rosenbury's Cultivating and Harvesting Semi-Sentient Botanicals, vol II, Botanicals Specifically Used In Potions propped up against the pumpkin juice pitcher so she could read it while eating. She had woken early, a habit she seemed to be picking up from Severus, and found herself once again alone in the big bed, another almost-daily occurrence she was getting used to. So she'd dressed, packed her school bag for the day and came to the Great Hall, finding herself one of the first to sit at the Gryffindor table. She hated this new morning routine, wishing that she could be getting ready for the day with her friends, laughing and talking as they dressed, since it seemed she wasn't spending her morning with Severus. But she now lived with Severus, her Bonded mate and fiancée. She wondered if things would remain the same as his wife. Time would tell.

She had no idea where Severus was; he'd not been in his office, nor was he here at the staff table. Her intuition told her she might find him in the dungeons, but she didn't want to go down there and disturb him if he was working on the formulations for the potion. She'd knew that he could be quite irritable when anyone, herself included, disturbed him when he was intently focused on something.

She wanted to ask him about the Médousa Potion and whether she was right about the seeds. So far he was avoiding answering her, simply saying that he and Reginald had yet to finish their formulations and calculations to complete the potion's directions, and he'd let her know when they were done. It was maddening. She knew that this part of the process should be left to him and Master Reynolds, but she hated the waiting. In her heart, she knew she and Ginny were right – the one thousand seeds were ten Rudbeckia flower seed heads. She simply wanted confirmation from him.

She saw Baltazar enter with several members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, all carrying their brooms. Hermione smiled at Baltazar's appearance: his school robe was open, his hair was tousled, rivaling Harry's on a good day, and looking as if he'd slept in his shirt and trousers. "Good morning, Baltazar," she said with a warm smile as he approached down the aisle on the other side of the table. He stopped and looked at her at the sound of his name. "You're up early."

"I'm always up early," he replied, looking down the table then back at her.

She flipped her hand palm up to indicate he sit down as Ginny climbed in next to her. "Always reading. We missed you this morning," Ginny said as Baltazar looked back at Hermione as if considering, then sat down across from her, setting his tablet and slide rule on top of his copy of Spore's One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi next to his plate. Jack, Ernie and Leland slid onto the bench next to Baltazar as Ginny asked Hermione if Severus had said anything.

"Not yet," Hermione admitted. "I'll try asking him again this afternoon."

Ginny looked up at Baltazar and reminded him about the Quidditch practice on Thursday evening. "I love the passing plays you suggested, today. Oh, and Amy Hollingham asked her parents for a Nimbus 3000 – and they're sending her one!"

Hermione shook her head and went back to her reading as the conversation across from her centered on Quidditch. When the mail arrived, the school owl Hermione had used to send a letter to Talfryn landed next to her and held out his leg proudly. She untied the letter and gave the owl a piece of bacon before carefully breaking the wax seal.

Hermione,

No need to keep asking, I'm the same as I was last week. I'm sorry that your experiments in Transfiguration aren't going well, but sometimes things just cannot be done. Even magic has its limits. Take the credit for what you've accomplished and move on. Are you going to pursue a career in Transfiguration instead of Potions or Charms? I know a witch in the field who will accept an apprentice. If my great-grandson won't write you a letter of reference, I can provide you with a letter of introduction if you want.

Talfryn

Hermione smiled and tucked his letter in her pocket. She loved the gruff forthrightness of his letters and how he never minced words. His offer to introduce her to a Transfiguration master was heartwarming, and she wondered who the witch was since it obviously wasn't Professor McGonagall.

She looked up at the staff table and sighed. Most of the staff had sauntered in by now, taking their seats, but the Headmaster's chair remained empty. Hermione finished her breakfast while she read. By the time Alestra, Veronica and Wendlynne came down, Hermione had finished her breakfast as well as her book. She said good-bye to her friends and went to the library to exchange a few books before lessons began.

~S~

Severus and Reginald faced two blackboards; one with the copies showing their most current possibilities for the directions of the Médousa Potion which stood next to the one with their notations and Alchemic and Arithmancy calculations. Even though they had finally broken the curse on the directions from three sources, there were still inconsistencies among the three versions which were written in layered colors on the blackboard, with numerous circles, sections or words underlined and various arrows going in all directions. Several sheets of parchment, on which they had written the failures so they wouldn't be repeated, had been tacked to the frame.

From what Severus could determine, the development of the potion's base would take four hours to create, and it would have to simmer for at least six hours to blend properly.

"Arnicin is a volatile oil, and it will react poorly with the stewed Mandrake," Reginald pointed out. Severus fully concurred. "And the common European limpets and Jack Jumpers heads will do little to quiet the brew – however, the ground gotu kola leaves and Bungles Banes should settle the potion."

"Three hours later," Severus stated, indicating the timing sequence. "The fire will have to be low or we'll melt the cauldron. The preparation for the whelk is time consuming, that will take a good hour on its own, and will have to be done while the potions simmer since they are most potent when fresh." Unfortunately, they still hadn't determined when to add the Cajanus. It was still listed both before and after the one thousand Rudbeckia seeds, so that needed to be worked out. So far he and Reginald were disagreeing on that point.

"And we've yet to decide on the bicorn horn in the third phase – we still can't confirm if it's best to add it before or after the Leguminosae roots..." Reginald stated. "Either way the potion will be volatile again – possibly gaseous, so we should tell the girls to be cautious."

Severus flicked his wand and made the chalk write 'Use the Bubblehead Charm' as a warning in the margin. "The phoenix tears will have to be added while stirring because of the toxic nature of the potion at this point. My guess is to divide it evenly, one drop after each seventh circular movement. Once in, it should stabilize the potion. We still have yet to determine the size of the pipette." He looked at the parchments in his hands. His potions kit had fifteen standard pipette sizes, varying in capacity, graduations and tip style, each delivering a different milliliter measure – not to mention that the the temperature and the specific gravity of the reagent had to be considered as well.

He read his initial assessment. It was accepted in potions that with phoenix tears, each tear was a measurement, but the directions said 'six drops of Aquila's tears' not 'six phoenix tears,' and based on his collection techniques, twelve of Fawkes' tears made one milliliter. However, Aideen was a juvenile phoenix, her tears, although potent, were smaller in size than Fawkes' tears had been – he'd noticed that when she'd healed Hermione's arm. So he had to determine which pipette would deliver the right amount of tears for the potion to stabilize.

"The use of the poisonous fly agaric fungus will increase in toxicity when combined with the shredded Astragalus roots. The potion would be temperamental at that point, and arsenic and Bluepike crab roe might react, as will the carambola juice, but the crushed mangoes and moon sugar should halt the reaction."

Severus closed his eyes. They were so close and yet had so much to resolve before he would let Hermione attempt to brew the potion, and she was itching to get started. "I'll work on whether the Cajanus should be added before or after the Rudbeckia seeds," he stated, and Reginald nodded.

"All right, and I'll begin three cauldrons of potion base," Reginald said, reaching for the pewter cauldrons.

Without a word, Severus sat down at his desk and pulled out his Trigonometric scale slide rule and Wrentlock free dish-double cursor circular slide rule to work on his mathematical calculations, while Reginald set up a cauldron to begin the creation of the base.

~H~

Narcissa's letter had said a small dinner party, and Hermione knew that Victoria and Sidney Burke would be bringing their daughter, Evelyn Ashby, but she didn't know who else might be coming or how formal the dinner party would be. Hermione had chosen to wear her color-changing silk gown that transitioned between blue and green hues as she moved. She had no idea if the gown was proper or not since the neckline hinted at more cleavage than it actually showed and a good portion of her back was bare, but so far she hadn't had any occasion to wear the lovely gown. She put on the black heels that Narcissa had given her and Delphinia's pearls. When she entered their sitting room, to her surprise, Severus had only removed his teaching robe and changed his trousers and boots, and even though he still wore his frockcoat and nicer trousers, she wondered if maybe she'd overdressed for the occasion.

But his gaze had swept over her, darkening appreciatively, and she relaxed. His eyes narrowed questioningly at her question, "Are you ready?"

"Of course. I've only been waiting on you."

"I hope I haven't kept you waiting for long," she said as she accepted her cloak from Dezzy.

He simply shook his head and led the way to his office, opening the door for her and following her out of the tower. Severus was very quiet as they left the castle, his dark eyes distant.

"How are things going with your calculations?" she asked as they rode in the carriage to the gates.

His eyes snapped to hers. "Hermione..." he growled.

"I'm only asking," she sighed. "I hate it that we can't even talk about what you're doing."

He closed his eyes briefly, then said, "It's going slowly" as he turned to the window. "There are two points in the potion where the instructions disagree, and until we work out in which order to add those two ingredients, I am unable to determine the exact amount of tears needed."

"So it's not the seeds – it's the order of the ingredients and the tears," she repeated, more to affirm it to herself.

"No, it was not the seeds" he said with a quirk of his lips.

She smiled at the confirmation. "How close are you?" she asked, carefully keeping her tone conversational.

"As you know, the directions simply stated three ounces of Cajanus. We've narrowed it down to the legumes of the Cajanus cajan," he said, and she caught herself before she added, also known as pigeon pea or tropical green pea, quoting her books. "Once we know whether it should be added before or after the Rudbeckia seeds, then we will be able to determine when to add the bicorn horn, and that will tell me how which size pipette dropper is needed for the tears," he continued uninterrupted.

The actual amount of the liquid in each drop depends on the size of the opening in the end of the pipette, and the temperature and the specific gravity of the reagent, she quoted softly to herself from her Magical Drafts and Potions book. "So it's still trial and error."

"Developing new potions is time consuming, even under the best of conditions," he said evenly.

She knew that he'd created several potions that saved many lives, including Mr. Weasley's, during the war. "I can't imagine how stressful it must be when you're under a time constraint or have someone's life on the line," she said with a sense of awe, remembering her week trying to find a way to revive Severus.

"That's when it's exciting," he stated with a crooked smile. He turned thoughtful. "I wasn't always so fortunate; there were times when I was unsuccessful." She understood what he meant; he hadn't been able to save Dumbledore's cursed arm, and she let the subject drop.

The carriage came to a stop, and he exited first, offering her his hand to disembark. She faced him, expecting to be whisked away to their destination, but he cupped her face gently and kissed her tenderly. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment. One of his hands pressed on the small of her back, holding her firmly, the other still on her cheek, yet he seeming to be restraining himself, even though she reciprocated in the dance of tongues and lips. He stopped, gently nipped her lip and then kissed her cheek.

He held her, and she relaxed in his arms, giving him as much time as he needed.

The way he was delaying their departure, she wondered if he wasn't looking forward to the dinner party. It couldn't be the Malfoys, he enjoyed their company, unless his reluctance had something to do with the Burkes. She thought back over the few times they'd seen the Burkes and tried to bring to mind any indication of unease in their interaction but she came up short. The Burkes were not at all indifferent toward him, as far as Hermione could recall. But come to think on it, the few times she remembered seeing Severus with Mr. Burke had been in Lucius' company or with other men and Severus had been befittingly polite in their company, but not always at ease. Could it be they were possibly one of the families he'd betrayed, or worse, failed in some way when he'd been a Death Eater?

She began to shiver and realized they'd been standing there a while. "Is everything all right?" she asked softly.

She felt his chest rise and then fall as he exhaled against her hair. "Yes," he replied finally. They stood like that for a while longer until he let her go.

"Ready?" she asked, tucking her arm firmly in his with an encouraging smile, hoping that whatever made him pensive wouldn't make tonight too uncomfortable for him.

He Apparated them without comment. They arrived in an open vestibule and walked into a large hallway. He led her away from the drawing room with purple walls to a room decorated in peach with white trimmings and wainscoting. There, in the delicate French baroque chairs, Narcissa sat with Mrs. Victoria Burke, Katherine Dietrich and to Hermione's delight Fanny Gabnold. The men, standing by the heavily ornate marble fireplace, turned to face them, and Lucius lifted his glass slightly in greeting. Astoria, who was sitting next to a woman Hermione recognized as the one who played the harp at the Burke's party, turned to look in her direction. Astoria rose and came up to Hermione and Severus, smiling warmly. "I'm so glad you came," she said, and Hermione smiled back. "Hermione, I want to introduce you to Evelyn Ashby."

Hermione was swept away to join the ladies as Severus walked stately toward the men. "Hermione, good to see you," Fanny said, turning in her seat to face her as she approached.

Hermione quickly greeted each woman, then sat on the settee next to Miss Ashby as Astoria suggested. "Evelyn, this is Hermione Granger, fiancée and Bonded mate to Headmaster Snape," she said, taking Hermione's hand and placing it in Miss Ashby's before sitting herself as the older women reengaged in their conversation, leaving the younger girls to talk.

"I am so glad to make your acquaintance. I've heard so much about you," Miss Ashby said, her fingers gently caressing Hermione's hand as if reading it. "I loved reading about all the things you've done and the adventures you've had – you've really had an exciting life." The curiosity evident in her voice reminded Hermione of the first impression the girls in Ginny's dorm had had of her.

"Believe me, it is not at all how it sounds in books," Hermione said.

"But you've fought Death Eaters, rode a dragon to break out of Gringotts, invented cures and validated potions – you're a real life heroine," Evelyn said, still holding Hermione's hand as if she didn't want to let her go.

"Well, when you put it that way," Hermione said, making Astoria and Evelyn laugh. Evelyn, it turned out, was a lovely lady, soft spoken and shy. However, since Evelyn sometimes stared past her, Hermione was reminded of a blind patient of her father's, Mr. Donnelley, who had requested to touch her face, and her mother's, when they'd met. "Did you – would you like to touch my face?" she asked.

"You don't mind?" Miss Ashby asked, smiling. "Few allow me; I have to go by magical impression alone." Hermione turned toward her fully and took Miss Ashby's hand, gently placing it on her cheek. Miss Ashby agilely touched her face and gingerly touched her hair. "You've very soft curls. I don't know why I thought your hair would be straight, but your curls are nice." She dropped her hands. "Thank you." She dropped her hands to her lap. "I have a tutor who helps me get around when I'm at home, but I feel lost without him when I go out anywhere," she explained.

"Have you ever thought of acquiring a Guide dog?" Hermione asked, wondering why the tutor didn't travel with her.

"A what dear?" Mrs. Burke asked.

"They are dogs specifically trained to lead blind people around safely. Muggles use them," Hermione said, then bit her lip, not sure how it would be received. But both Evelyn and Mrs. Burke were intrigued, so Hermione told her what she knew. "My parents – they are dentists – they have a patient who uses one, a golden lab. The dog is exceptionally well trained and very patient."

"Sidney," Mrs. Burke called over to her husband. "You must come and hear Hermione talk about Guiding dogs!"

Her husband walked up, followed by the other men. "What's this about guiding dogs?" Mr. Burke asked, and Hermione quickly repeated her explanation as he listened intently, glancing lovingly at his daughter and back. She could tell he'd do anything for his daughter, even consider buying her a Muggle assistance dog. "How does one obtain a Guiding dog?"

Hermione felt stumped. "I think that they are provided by a Muggle charity that supplies the dogs for registered blind people – and I don't think that the new owner has to pay anything apart from vet's bills and food... I could make a few inquiries, if you like." She looked at Severus. "Could the Healers at St. Mungo's register Evelyn with the proper Muggle authorities?"

"I can assist you with that process," Mr. Malfoy stated to everybody's surprise, and Hermione along with everyone else, turned to stare at him. He raised a quick eyebrow at their response and his lips quirked. "Contrary to popular assumption, I am capable of interaction with Muggle bureaucracy...." He looked at the Burkes. "Sidney, Victoria, I'm sure that with Hermione's help, I can find you a suitable dog."

The rest of the evening went well. Hermione fully enjoyed herself. Dinner had been delicious, the conversation warm and friendly. Afterwards the men retired to the Gentleman's parlor for cigars and brandy, and the women gathered in the salon for after dinner cordials and mints. Evelyn offered to play the Malfoy's harp, and Narcissa summoned for Draco to come accompany her on the grand piano in the Malfoy's music room. The music was lovely. Hermione had no idea Draco was so accomplished a musician, but according to Astoria, he'd had lessons for years.

At the end of the evening, Hermione said good-bye to the women and thanked both Lucius and Narcissa for including her and Severus. Evelyn even asked Hermione to write to her. "Although, I have to send back my missives in a sonant letter," Evelyn said wistfully.

"A sonant letter? Is that a version of the Howler?" Hermione asked her curiosity aroused.

"I'm not sure. I could have my tutor write it out for you," Evelyn said.

Hermione gave Evelyn's hand resting on her arm a light squeeze. "I look forward to knowing how to do it. Then we can talk to each other."

Severus took Hermione's arm and Apparated them to the school gates, and they climbed into the waiting carriage. When the Thestral began walking up the path, she could see the tension leave his body, but there were minute lines in his forehead and he was staring out the window, deep in thought. She shifted to his side of the carriage and snuggled up to him. "Are you cold?" he asked as he raised his arm and settled it across her shoulders.

"Not particularly," she said, snuggling closer, feeling a little tired after the long evening. "I like sitting like this with you."

His arm tightened, drawing her closer, and he kissed the side of her head. She turned, and placed a kiss on his jaw. "Severus, is everything all right?" she asked softly. "Don't just say it's fine, you've been... quiet, somewhat distant. Is it the Burkes? Don't you like them?"

"I admire the Burkes very much; they are fine people," he replied, but his voice sounded flat. "I noticed you made friends with their daughter."

She nodded, saying, "Yes, she's lovely." Something though bothered him. "Did something happen to the Burkes?" she asked tentatively. "I mean during the war?"

She felt him stiffen and quickly added, "Not that I am asking what it was, but was there? Because from what I can tell, apparently they like you."

"Victoria does not," he replied. "Let it go, Hermione, please."

"Enough said." I was right, it's some regret from his past involving the Burkes. She knew that Severus carried many regrets and plenty of guilt about things in his past. She looked up at him. She naturally wondered what it was, but knew he wouldn't talk about it. "Should I not pursue a friendship with Evelyn?"

He sighed heavily. "No, as far as I know, she doesn't have many friends, and you seemed to get on well." He turned to look at her. "It would be good for her to get to know you. I was amused by your suggestion of the Guide dog."

"I was more amused by Mr. Malfoy's suggestion that I help him find her one – I mean, I will. I just have to go to a Muggle library to get the name of the organization and how to apply."

"I will be in London next week; I could probably find it for you," he stated, and he made a rueful grimace when she gaped at him. "I know how to use the phone book and can look things up in registries." He paused, then continued, "It made me valuable."

She realized what he meant. "I would appreciate it," she said and let the subject, and subsequent questions that came to mind, drop. She settled back, enjoying the presence of his company.

They walked up to the tower quietly, his boots making hardly a sound on the stone corridors. She smiled, knowing he used a spell on them so as to move about quietly, allowing him to catch misbehaving students unawares. She stifled a yawn as she rode the stairs up to his office. "Tired?" he asked softly.

"A little," she admitted.

Once in the room he turned to the wardrobe and began to undress. Hermione carefully removed her robes and pulled out the night slip he'd given her for Valentine's Day, but when she turned to face him, he was climbing into his side of the bed. She joined him and scooted over to his side. He wrapped his arms about her, pulling her close, and exhaled heavily as he relaxed, still holding her tightly. "Are you sure you're all right?" she asked, hoping for more of a reaction.

He kissed her head and said, "Yes, everything is fine," softly, almost drowsily.

I hope that whatever had happened could be forgiven or at best put away in the past. She settled in comfortably and relaxed, but she could tell he was not asleep. She listened to his breathing, wondering what had happened that Victoria Burke hadn't forgiven Severus for as she lay in the dark. Her mind came up with horrible scenarios, but she realized that this was part of his past he wanted to forget and leave behind. Whatever it was, she decided it best to let it go and leave in the past. Besides, there were so many things to look forward to, she didn't need to dwell on it any further, unless it harmed her new budding friendship with Evelyn.

Those were her last conscious thoughts before Hermione fell into a peaceful sleep.

*

Unbeknownst to her, Severus lay quietly, taking comfort from Hermione's warmth and her very presence in his bed, deeply grateful that she hadn't hounded him for his melancholy, taciturn mood. He liked the Burkes; he especially liked and admired Sidney. But Victoria's occasional piercing stare and cool dismissal, all because of that thrice damned fouled up raid that happened eighteen years ago this very month, vexed his thoughts and had affected his mood.

Sidney's oldest boy, Anthony, had refused to join the Dark Lord, and thus he and his new wife had been killed and Evelyn had lost her sight. It still bothered Severus, especially since only four months later – eight weeks after Draco had been born – Lucius and Narcissa had introduced him to them formally during his induction into the social elite for his potions and Dark Arts expertise. No, Severus hadn't been present when it happened, but following his trail and the evidence given by Dumbledore, Victoria blamed Severus for not giving warning of the raid.

Trying not to disturb her, Severus looked at the witch lying in his arms and inhaled her scent. He didn't deserve the good fortune he had been bestowed and silently thanked Hermione for it. Severus closed his eyes and tried to sleep, focusing his thoughts on more pleasant memories, in hopes of staving off nightmares of his old life and his dark years.

~o0o~

Hermione felt she needed a break from revision.

Before, when residing in the Gryffindor Tower, her friends gave her enough distraction that she had to hide herself at times to get her schoolwork done, or remind them to do theirs. However, since moving in the Headmaster's Tower with Severus, all she did it seemed was to revise or work on her essays. She missed the playful interaction she'd had with her friends. Lately, when Ginny sought her out it was to work on their coursework or projects, and Luna always came up at least once or twice a week, bringing her own schoolwork with her, but the visits from the other girls were becoming fewer and fewer.

Severus too was very preoccupied as of late. When not busy at his desk, he would be down in the lab, either with Reginald or alone, and she was tired of being by herself so much of the time.

So, she decided that she could either seek out her friends in the Gryffindor Tower or possibly go to see Hagrid, or go find Severus. At the mere thought of him, she knew he'd be in the lab, working, and had a yearning desire to see him. She wondered what stage of the process he'd be working on as she walked down to his office and exited the tower, running quickly down the revolving stairs instead of riding them as she'd normally do.

As she made her way through the castle, she hoped he'd not mind the intrusion. Lately, the only time they had together had been after curfew or their few infrequent weekend lie-ins, and she really missed being with him. The thought of being with him made her heart race, and she quickened her step. He was alone and for some reason she knew he would be. She had to refrain from running down the stairs to the dungeons and forced herself to walk, not run, to his lab. The more she thought about being with him, really physically being with him, the stronger the urge to do so became.

She opened the door and slipped inside.

There he was; he'd turned to acknowledge her briefly before turning his attention back to his work. He looked so handsome; his hair was tied back, although a few strands had escaped and framed his face, and he wore his collarless, three-quarter sleeve brewing coat with his shirt sleeves rolled up, showing the tiny dark hairs on his forearms. He had a light sheen to his face, and he looked pleased, his lips drawn back in contented look of completion and achievement. Her mind immediately recalled how he looked after making love to her, exactly how he looked at this moment, and she wanted nothing more than to be the cause of that look.

He set down his stirring rod and watched the potion for a while, then checked his directions. She started unfastening her cravat and her buttons as she approached him, because she was feeling stifling due to the steamy heat in the room. "How is it going?" she tried to ask casually, but her throat was surprisingly dry. Merlin, she hoped he had reached a stopping point in his work. With a mischievous grin, she brazenly unfastened the button between her breasts.

"As soon as I add the Ashwinder eggs, it has to simmer for two hours, then I can begin," was all Hermione heard. I have two hours! Two full hours! she thought, watching him carefully lay the three eggs on the surface of the potion with perfect precision and stirring them in slowly. He turned to face her, and she flung herself at him. "Hermione, what the..." he tried to say, but her mouth claimed his, and she kissed him, passionately attempting to deepen the kiss as his hands landed on her waist. He stood to his full height and drew his head back, and she mewed in protest, trying to pull his head down to hers.

Severus grabbed her arms and held her at arm's length, making her drop from being on her toes to flat-footed. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I would think it was pretty obvious," she snapped, frowning at his reluctance. "But if you don't want me, I'll..."

"Not want you? Merlin, I would happily oblige, but this is not the place to be fooling about," he snapped. "There are volatile ingredients," his arm made a wide sweep, "dangerous ingredients and bubbling potions in hot pewter cauldrons in here." His arm dropped. "Not to mention sharp knives and instruments... You could be scalded, burnt or blown up! What are you thinking?"

"That you looked unbelievably sexy with your shirt sleeves rolled up, your hair tied back and sweaty while you were brewing..." He started to back her toward the door. "Fine, I'll leave, you don't have to..." she was cut off when her back hit the edge of the sink, not the door. "Sever...?"

She was silenced as his mouth crashed into hers and he wrapped his arms around her, pinning them to her sides. He was relentless, demanding and practically bent her backwards over the sink.

When he came up for air, she opened her mouth to speak but he placed a finger across her lips. "I am not tired of you. How in the world could you think I'd ever be tired of you?"

"I just thought," she started to say, but he laughed at her, a deep hearty laugh.

"You are the smartest, most idiotic person I know," he rumbled. She tried to protest, but his fingers pinched her lips closed. "No, I know you're clever – very clever indeed – but sometimes you don't think," he stated. "It is one of the most frustrating things about you." He let his hand drop. He leaned forward, looking her in the eyes. "So, you think I'm sexy, do you?" he asked.

Her eyes widened at his sudden change of demeanor. "Well..." She gave him a mischievous grin. "If you want to find out, then we have to take this someplace more appropriate, apparently. Or... I can leave you to your chemistry and dangerous and volatile ingredients and sharp implements." She made to leave but he blocked her exit. "Which shall it be?"

"I can't leave right now, I'll ruin – it will explode," he replied as she fastened the button between her breasts, his gaze riveted to her hands. "I have to add the stewed Mandrake and Ashwinder eggs – then I can set the base aside."

"Fine, I'll be in my room," she said as sultry as she could, teasingly toying at fastening her buttons. "Come and find me."

"All right, as soon as I'm finished here," he said with a slight hitch to his voice. He lowered his hands to his sides to let her go.

"Don't make me wait too long." She slipped away and stopped at the door to wink at him. "I may even let you take a bath with me."

She heard his loud "Uggh!" as she closed the door behind her. She fastened her blouse up properly and then hurried up the tower, knowing that he'd be up as soon as he could.

However, Hermione decided to finish her runes translations in her study until Severus came up for the night, then they could bathe together.

She was trying to find the translation of a rune she hadn't seen used before when the touch of a small hand on her arm startled her. She turned in her chair and smiled at the small house-elf standing behind her.

"Pepper is sorry, Miss. Pepper was told to gives you this letter, Miss."

"Hello, Pepper," Hermione said, taking the letter. "What a nice surprise."

"Pepper is sorry to disturbs you, Miss, but can Miss tells Pepper where to takes a missive to master, Headmaster Snape?" she asked nervously.

"He is in the dungeons," Hermione said as she opened her letter. "He doesn't like being disturbed while brewing." She knew that having a house-elf pop in on him at an inopportune moment could be disastrous. "If you want, I can see that he gets the missive." Hermione looked at her watch and inwardly smiled at the time. "Or if you prefer, you can sit with me until he returns. He should be here in a few minutes."

"Sits? You invite Pepper to sits?" Pepper looked about the room as if confused, her ears quivering, wringing her hands and her eyes wide. "Miss lets Pepper sit... like a-a... equal?"

"It will make me nervous to have you just stand there, so yes, have a seat in one of the chairs," Hermione suggested. "Or I could make you a toy to play with."

"Play...?" Pepper asked as if the concept was utterly foreign to her.

Hermione smiled and read her letter while Pepper considered the chair Ginny frequently used with some trepidation before climbing up and sitting there, looking as if expecting chastisement any minute for her audacity.

Hermione,

Unlike you, my great-grandson hasn't given me leave to use his given name. If he wants me to call him Severus, he can tell me himself. But you can relay my gratitude to him for the potions he continues to send me. His Rheumatoid Potion tastes better than the one Miss Alden makes, and I like his purple Restorative Sleeping Elixir. Not that I need help sleeping.

In regards to Miss Alden, she's working out fine. Not that I need her meddling in my drawers or trying to dress or bathe me. Pepper manages that well enough, and I don't want some young witch gaping at my privates.

Now, about Easter, why in tarnation would you want to come here? I told you we don't celebrate Easter. Don't you want to swap eggs at school and have the Easter feast with your friends?

And don't send any chocolate to my house-elves – they are excited enough as it is, the buggers. By the way, what did you tell Pepper? She's acting conspiratorially again.

Pepper's ears perked up and she announced, "Pepper hears Headmaster Snape!"

Hermione thought that she felt Severus in his office the same time that Pepper jumped from the chair and ran from the room. She rose and followed, finding Severus in his office reading a letter. "What does Talfryn want?" she asked, approaching him.

He shook his head. "It's from Miss Alden," he said, setting the letter on his desk. "She wants to know why my potions taste different than hers do. Apparently my great-grandfather refuses to take his potions, insisting they are foul."

Hermione smiled. "Because yours are made from your improved versions, aren't they?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Not all of them; the purple Rejuvenating Elixir is Madam Pomfrey's creation." He looked at Pepper. "Tell Miss Alden I'll send her more Rejuvenating Elixir. The directions for the other one she wants is in last months' Potions and Draughts Today."

"Yes, master, Headmaster Snape, sir," Pepper said as she bowed, then she vanished with a pop

Hermione smiled knowing that Severus' Burn Paste and two pain potions as well as several of her and Ginny's validations had been published in the journal.

"And when my Magical Potions and Draughts, A Guide to the Art of Potion Making is published and I rewrite Advanced Magical Potions and Draughts, she can buy a copy of both of those, too."

"Severus?" Hermione gasped in surprise. "Does that mean you're...?"

He smiled proudly. "Considering all the validations you and Ginny have done, and the quality of the work you have both put forth, Whizz Hard Books and Dust and Mildewe have contacted me for the publication rights to my revision of the Potions textbooks. I even have an offer from Brookomore-Wordsworth Publishing and Wilder Wizarding Press."

She rushed forward, exclaiming, "Severus, that's wonderful" and hugged him.

His arms closed loosely about her waist. "I may even have your friend Luna Longbottom illustrate my books."

"Luna?" she asked, recoiling slightly to look him in the eye.

His lips curved into a grin. "Didn't you know she is an exceptional artist?"

Of course, she knew; she had seen the mural in Luna's bedroom last year. The portraits of her, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville had been really life like, and they had been painted strictly from memory.

"Every essay and test I received from her for six years had border decorations or had been elaborately illustrated," Severus was saying. "The ones she turned in for Defense were quite amusing."

No, she hadn't known that Luna had decorated her school papers, but she wouldn't put it past her friend. "We have to celebrate!" she exclaimed and called for Mispy. The elf appeared immediately and bowed. "Please set up our room in the East Tower for a special occasion. Severus and I have something to celebrate."

"No," Severus said, startling both Hermione and Mispy. "I would prefer to eat here," he said, brushing her hair off her shoulder to bare her neck.

"Are you sure?" she asked, blushing as he kissed her neck. "I..."

"I'm certain," he purred seductively in her ear.

"I'm so proud of you, Severus," Hermione gushed and he blushed slightly, although he began to unbutton her blouse. "Severus – the portraits!"

"Fine," he said, but whispered in her ear, "Why don't we go upstairs, and you can show me how proud you are," making Hermione flush in anticipation.

She led the way up the sitting room, but pulled on his hand, stopping him from proceeding upstairs. "I have a better idea," she said cryptically leading him to her bathroom instead. Only last week Hermione had made mention to Dezzy that she wished she had a shower in her bathroom as she climbed into the tub. Dezzy had been utterly confused and tried to make the water rain down on Hermione, creating a horrible mess. Hermione had tried to explain a shower stall and shower heads, "It cascades down your body and rinses you...," but the young elf hadn't understood her. Kirch asked Hermione to explain it to him, and the results were amazing.

She led him to the glass fronted, smooth granite 'cavern' the elves had made, complete with hand-held massager shower heads, side spray sprouts and of course, a button that literally made rain fall from the ceiling. "I did promise you a bath," she said, starting on his buttons.

He gaped at her. "That is not a bathtub," he said, and she giggled.

"Nooo," she drew out slowly as she took a step back, adding, "it's better" as she unfastened her buttons. She unfastened her jeans, turned and pulled them down, along with her underwear, giving him a full view of her bottom as she removed her shoes and socks as well.

He tore out of his clothes as she walked forward and turned the knob for the shower head and rain feature. His arms wrapped around her, and he propelled them in under the water. He ran his hands over her body as the water poured down over them. "I have no idea why you'd pull that stunt in my lab, Hermione, but it took all my effort not to dash out the flame under my cauldron and run up here," he purred, his lips against the shell of her ear. His long lean body pressed into hers, and she could feel his arousal along her lower back.

She turned her head, the water cascading down, making her hair hang heavily. "I wanted to be with you," she said as his hand gripped her face, angling her head slightly as he kissed her neck.

"But timing is everything, Hermione. Like everything I do, carefully planned preparations," he pinned her to the wall, "to yield maximum results, take full concentration of the task at hand." His hand slid down her chest as his lips trailed warm kisses down her neck and his other hand deftly found her groin. "Having to focus on my brewing, at a very sensitive," he flicked her clitoris, "spot, could have had disastrous results."

She inhaled sharply at the contact. "I know that," she said, placing a hand on the wall to keep from falling as her knees suddenly became weakened. He knew her so well, knew just how to touch and tease her to invoke the most wondrous feelings inside her. She reached around behind her and grasped him, wanting to feel his cock in her hand.

"I should punish you, for the intrusion," he drawled out slowly in her ear, his rich voice, made louder and more melodic in the shower, exciting her even more. He slid two fingers in her as he bucked into her hand. "Bend you over, right here and pound your behind."

"Oh gods, yes," she said, surprising herself, clasping his penis harder as she tried to stroke him in rhythm with his fingers. "Oh, please," she begged as little quivers trickled in her core. She wanted more; oh Merlin, she wanted more.

"Bend forward," he intoned in a firm, softly spoken demand that sent shivers down her spine. She let go of him and obediently placed her hands on the wall, but he laid a hand on her back. "Lower," he said, making her bend even more, "and open up for me," he added, widening her legs with one of his feet.

She braced her forearms on the wet stone, waiting with anticipation as he teased her opening from behind. His tip slid forward and back before slipping in to her, making her gasp in pure desire, and he held her hips as he pushed forward, burying himself in her. Ecstasy. That was the only word that described the feeling of his filling her, pure perfect sensation of bliss. She pushed back wanting more and he laughed.

"Eager, aren't you?"

"I need you," she said, almost pleading. He moved, and she tried to match each of his thrusts. She could hear the sound of wet skin slapping wet skin over the patter of the water, and her soft moans filled the chamber. His movements sped up; she could feel his sac slapping her with each forward drive, its impact tantalizing her clitoris. She was close herself, so close. His arm came down and circled her, "Come with me," he said, and she could tell by the thickness of his voice he was close.

"Touch me," she breathed, trying to let the tightening sensations in her build faster.

She nearly gasped at the first flick of his fingers, and her knees practically gave as he circled her clit. She reached down, her fingers tangling with his as she tried to get him to flick it again. "Oh, gods. Oh, here, please," she cried, frigging herself with his hand, feeling the ripples began to spread. He pounded into her relentlessly, and her fingertips grazed his sac when it hit her fingers. She loved this, the feel of him behind her, moving in her, the water cascading down, dripping off her nipples. She arched her back, the angle increasing contact of his sac with each thrust, and she became lost in the overflow of stimulations.

Her orgasm ripped through her, making her collapse on the wall, but his arm tightened around her, holding her firmly. His free hand landed on the wall over her head, and he snarled his orgasm as he leaned over her, filling her with his hot come.

They stayed like that for a few seconds as her heart rate slowed down. She sighed with regret when she felt his penis leave her, feeling a small ping of discomfort. She stood, turning and smiled at him, and he cupped her face, pressing his forehead to hers as the water ran down their faces. Leaning back, she reached for the soap and flannel, but when she started to wash him, he grabbed her wrist. "Too sensitive yet," he said, taking it from her. "So you first."

She smiled. "If you want to." They washed each other, slowly, thoroughly, and tantalizingly, and by the time he allowed her to wash his groin, he was rock hard again. "Humm, looks like you're ready again," she said with an appreciative grin.

He grasped her leg and pushed her up against the wall as he leaned into her. "That I am," he said and kissed her.

By the time they left the shower, their skin was crinkled like prunes, but they both felt fully satiated and ready for bed.

~o0o~

When Severus and Reginald finally announced to Hermione and Ginny that they had worked out the correct order of the ingredients and calculated out the precise measurement of the tears, both girls were extremely excited to begin the brewing trials. Hermione and Ginny had immediately pulled out their revision guides and rearranged their schedules to free up their weekends, and they had been bouncing with enthusiastic expectation, itching all week for the weekend to come so they could begin.

But somehow the final phase of brewing the Médousa Potions had been very anticlimactic, much to Hermione's dismay. The built-up anticipation of brewing the potion for the first time had been greater than the actual task. In actuality, it had been just like brewing any other complicated potion she'd produced. Naturally, she'd paired with Severus on the first batch while Ginny had worked with Reginald. The first brewing had been exhilarating only because the potion was complicated and had several tricky steps. The second, third and fourth trials had been used to write their validation reports and had been as fun as following any intricately involved and potentially dangerous potion could be, but it had also been exactly the same as validating any of Severus' potions had been. The potions turned out perfect each time.

It was after Reginald and Severus completed the presentation packet with their samples to be delivered to a panel consisting of the Master of Potions at St. Mungo's, representatives of the Department of Education, the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers and the Academe of Potion Masters and Brewers, did the full weight of the accomplishment hit Hermione.

Potions and Draughts Today, The Montpellier Academies of Potions, and the Journal of Analytical and Applied Potions, sent out photographers the next morning to take their picture for the journals, and each received a copy of the Potions and Draughts Today journal two days later. Severus gave Hermione his copy to send to a friend since he'd received another when the journal sent out their regular subscriptions. He did at least, although rather bemusedly, sign the both of her copies, as did Reginald and Ginny.

In a special ceremony in the St. Mungo's auditorium, Master Severus Snape and Master Reginald Reynolds were given a considerable honorarium and specified annuity for their achievement of the rediscovery and successful recreation of the Médousa Potion. As faculty of Hogwarts, they both received a substantial endowment for the school. Hermione and Ginny received full recognition for the development research and validation for the rediscovery and successful recreation of the Médousa Potion as well as a respectable financial annuity. Not only was their work to be published, they also received achievement honors from the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers and the Academe of Potion Masters and Brewers. Had Hermione's parents' memories been intact, enabling them to attend, they'd have been exceedingly proud of her. As it was, Harry, Luna, Neville and Mrs. Longbottom and the entire Weasley family were present to see them get their rewards. Even Kingsley came to congratulate her.

Hermione likewise received full recognition for the creation of the Inferi Curse cure as well as a respectable honorarium and payment of a financial annuity, plus compensation for the previous seven months. The Master of Potions of St. Mungo's, Gerard Brauen-Wellsby, gave Hermione a plaque, a copy of the one that now hung on the wall next to the room in which Severus had been revived.

Still, for Hermione, the one thing that would have made her evening perfect would have been to have her family present. She laughed at the idea of sending a letter to her Aunt Julianne since her memories were still blocked, and her Grandmother Merle might not even recognize her name, let alone realize they were related unless it was a day she had her mental acuity back. She wrote letters to her Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Marciel and to her Uncle Christian and Aunt Maureen, merely giving mention of her accomplishments, honors and awards (since explaining fully would violate the Statute of Secrecy) and informing them of her engagement to Severus, but she had second thoughts about sending them.

Nevertheless, she wanted at least one person she could call family, real family, to know of her accomplishments and honors. So she wrote a long letter to Talfryn. True, he isn't technically family yet – Severus and I aren't even married yet – although magically speaking he sort of is family through the Bonding... she rationalized as she attached the letter to the leg of a school owl. So that makes him the only family I have beside Severus... well, of the people who recognize me as family. She dropped her other two letters off in the post box that would instantly deposit them magically in the Hogsmeade Post office for Muggle delivery.

Talfryn's reply came the next morning at breakfast by the same owl that delivered her letter to him.

Hermione,

Congratulations on working out the ingredients for a potion. What does this potion do? I did get the copy of the journal you sent me. It's quite impressive that you and your friend have validated thirty-two of my great-grandson's potion improvements. Never knew he was so adept in the field. Knew he taught the subject, but not that he had such an intrinsic knowledge of the art. Congratulate him for me.

How many more does he need to have validated? And can't you wait until after you leave Hogwarts to do this?

Don't you have lessons to attend? Do not let your marks fall by taking on so much extra work. It's ridiculous to do an N.E.W.T. level project in each subject – you've your N.E.W.T.s to revise for. They are important, so you should strive to do well on them.

I had a visit from a young whipper-snapper named Longbottom this week. He came to work on my front garden. He said he knew you. I can assume you hired him to fix up the grounds for the wedding, not that I blame you. I don't tend to the plants, Diedre used to after Delphinia passed away. I'm too old to be squatting on my knees in the dirt anymore.

Are there any other renovations you want made on the house or grounds?

I expect you to leave my bedroom as it is. I finally have it sorted out the way I like it.

If you really feel that you need to see me on the Sun, the 4th of April then fine, come. Don't expect much, I'm too old for all the nonsense. Dustin will cook the traditional foods. If you have any particular dishes you want, let me know. Pepper has threatened to decorate, the bloody elf. If you and my great-grandson want to sleep over, I'll have Pepper make up the guest suite.

Talfryn

~ T B C ~>

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Author's notes:

I want to thank Arabellabloodgood, my alpha-reader, Proulxes for adding a bit of British flare to my chapter, and my beta, FrankQ, for giving this a read and helping me clean up all my mistakes. I really appreciate it very much.

Thank you also to Jay for my beautiful banner. I really love it!