Ensnaring The Senses

Hermione stood nervously at the entrance to the Great Hall as she waited for Severus there as he had requested. She felt as if the words 'we just did it' were imprinted on her forehead for the world to see. Their late arrival coupled with arriving together was sure to bring the staff's tongues a-wagging.

Hermione couldn't help as she placed her hand on her stomach, still feeling Severus's there even though he hadn't arrived yet. Her lips smiled as she remember that he had declared very passionately that he loved her. A delicious shiver of longing went through her as she felt his hand touch her shoulder.

“Ready to face the lions, my dear?” Severus whispered softly in a husky tone.

“A table full of Gryffindors mores the like,” She laughed shakily at the thought as if she could Remus's eyes burn through her as the walked to the table.

“Stop,” Severus requested as they neared the Slytherin table, and saw Cissa once again on her own.

“Mum, Professor Snape... good morning,” She stuttered out, but a big smile plastered on her face.

“Hello there daughter, how goes the morning?” Severus asked to the gasps of those surrounding them. Severus smiled as Cissa jumped up and wrapped her arms around him for a brief moment. He stared at them as if waiting for comments.

“Dad, it's been okay.” Her coal black eyes looked between both parents, happy to see them together.

“I think for today as it is Sunday, I'll join you here.” Severus squeezed Hermione's hand as she nodded and they took seats near Cissa. Jamie slipped into a seat by Hermione, further breaking the school's firm hold on protocol.

“Morning, Aunt Hermione, Professor.” Jamie nodded to both. He hated how the Slytherins had been treating Cissa, first ignoring her then fawning over then back to ignoring her. It had been her choice to beg the Hat for this placement, but he still loved her.

The four ate in a companionable silence as the breakfast quickly disappeared from their plates.


~*~


Minerva smiled at Remus as she nodded in approval. “Operation Snape seems to have gone well.” She laughed.

“Smashingly so there, Minnie.” He nodded as he watched as Snape wrapped an arm around Hermione for a brief second. Too well, he thought. He hurts her again and he'll have me to answer to! His brain shouted. Severus turned to look at Remus that precise second and nodded as if he had heard Remus's thoughts.

“Tonks lying in today?” Minerva asked, breaking into his thoughts.

“She said something about the flu.” Remus replied.

Flu my arse! Minerva thought as she smiled secretly.

Severus and Hermione stood up from the Slytherin table, gave Cissa and Jamie their goodbyes and headed to the staff table. It was no use avoiding the inevitable.

“Morning,” They said in unison, and laughed.

“Cissa has been informed as per your request, Minerva. She took it well.” Severus said as the old witch seemed to stare through him.

“Very good. Anything else you need to tell us?” Minerva's eyes twinkled, as if she knew a secret or three.

“No, you nosy old witch.” Severus smirked to soften his words. But there will soon be, he thought as he met Remus' eye. “Well, I have a few things to fetch in Hogsmeade.” He nodded as he turned to walk out.

“Things go all right at the Burrow, deary?” Minerva asked as Hermione settled down and told them the tale.


~*~


Severus walked quickly as made his way down the path to Hogsmeade. The jewelry store was on High Street if he remembered correctly, nestled between Honeydukes sweet shop and Zonkos joke shop. Luckily his Gringott's account was overflowing, for this little trip would probably break him.

The door set off a jingle as he opened it and walked to the counter. Severus looked at the rings displayed in the cabinet while he waited for Madame Cherie to appear to help him. None of these peaked his interest, none of them good enough for Hermione. He did see a smaller ring, with a narcissus and snake twined together and thought it perfect for Cissa. Hopefully tonight his girls would agree to marry him.

“Ello, Profezor Snape.” Said the small French witch as she stepped from behind a curtain. “Ow may I 'elp you?”

“Well, that ring for one.” Severus pointed to the small ring he had sighted earlier.

“And?” Madame Cherie prodded.

“I need an engagement ring that means forever.” Severus said. “And I'd like to order matching wedding rings to go with them.”

“I have zee perfect one in zee back room, let me bring itz out.” Madame Cherie disappeared behind her curtain once more.

Severus waited in eager anticipation. He had waited twelve years to do this and could kick himself. He smiled as she popped from behind the curtain, a small box in hand.

“Bien, Profezer. Zis is tres perfect.” Cherie smiled brightly. Opening she revealed a delicate platinum ring with an emerald surrounded by a row of alternating garnets, sapphires and topazes. Merlin's beard, they were their birthstones. How fitting. Severus thought happily.

“Very perfect, Madame. I also have an inscription.” He said as he leaned over the counter to whisper it. The jeweler smiled and nodded. A few moments later Severus left the shop with both small boxes tucked safely in his pocket.

Severus made his way back into the castle and almost whistled as he went to his rooms. “Hello, Remus.” He said as he unwarded and unlocked his door and went in, the brown haired wizard following.

“Hermione told us how well it went yesterday. I'm glad you are finally taking control of the situation you abandoned years ago.” Remus began the speech he'd been planning all morning. Severus responded by pulling the bigger of the two small boxes from his pocket and handing it to Remus.

“You approve?” He sneered as the Gryffindor opened the box and whistled. “I am playing for keeps, old friend.” Remus took the ring from the box and smiled at the inscription.

“Very appropriate, Severus.” Remus said as he placed the ring back in the box. “For if you hurt them, walk away from them or do anything to make Hermione cry again, you'll wish you had never been born.”

Severus nodded his head in acknowledgement of Remus's words. “Warning taken, and meaning understood.” He then pulled the other box out and showed the contents to Remus. “For Cissa, can't leave her out.” He smiled. “Tonight I beard the lioness in her den and claim her and my cub.” He looked uncertainly at Remus. “What if she says no?” He asked, feeling a pain in his heart. “What if acknowledging Cissa was enough for her?”

“Well, Severus, you're just going to have to pluck up that Slytherin cunning and do it.” Remus winked as he walked towards the door. “Now, I have a sick wife to see to.”

“See you, Remus. Hopefully Tonks is better soon. I'll brew your potion tonight. Full moon is Tuesday.” Severus reminded Remus as the door closed.

Severus sighed as he pocketed the boxes once after. What if she thinks this is all because of what we did last night? He pondered worriedly. Well of course last night had a lot to do with it, you dunderhead! Severus smacked himself as he thought that. Waiting is going to drive me crazy! He headed for the Slytherin common room to get Cissa. No time like the present! He decided with determination. If I could face Voldemort all those years, I can do this!

“Damn!” Severus exclaimed out loud as his footfalls increased, hoping Cissa was there. He mumbled out the password and the portrait flew open for him to enter. The black headed witch in question stood gazing out the window, staring as the fish floated by in the Lake.

“Narcissa?” Severus said softly.

“Oh, hello Professor! Look, that's a drindocree!” She pointed to the odd looking purple-gold fish staring back at her.

“That's nice, Cissa. We are needed in the infirmary. Now.” Severus said impatiently.

“Mum okay?” Narcissa asked worriedly, jumping from her chair.

“Yes, dear. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” Severus said as he breathed deeply. He was feeling idiotic now, in his hurry he had scared the child. “I just want to see your mum, that's all.”

“I'm ready.” she said as she looked up at him.

Severus matched his steps to her smaller ones, all the while feeling like picking her up and running through the hallways. The scene it would have caused was the only thing that stopped him. He cleared his mind to calm himself, a master at Occlumency, he needed the calming influence it afforded.

“Mum!” Narcissa called as they entered the infirmary.

“Well, hello you two. It's lunch time already?” Hermione gazed at them, thinking Severus was playing the gentleman and walking her and Cissa to the Great Hall.

“Yes, well maybe a few minutes early. I got something for Cissa.” Severus said softly as he fingered both rings in his pocket. For Hermione's he would be cunning and give in the Great Hall. Maybe that would forestall her no.

Severus bent to one knee before Cissa and offered his hand to her. She took it and he pulled the child-size ring from his pocket. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my daughter in name as well blood?” He heard Hermione's gasp as Cissa squealed with happiness over the ring.

“Yes, Daddy! Look mum! It's so pretty.” Hermione wiped the tear from her cheek as Cissa held her hand up proudly to her mum.

“It's beautiful, dear.” It's perfect! Hermione mouthed over Cissa's head at Severus.


~*~


The student body was still talking about this morning's revelation as the trio walked into the dining room. Severus stopped for a second and held onto Cissa's hand for a second. “Hermione you go up to the table and I'll met you there in a second. I need to talk to Cissa.” Hermione gave him a puzzled look before nodding. Severus pulled Cissa back into the hallway.

“I got this for your mum.” He said as he pulled the ring from his pocket. Cissa took the delicate band in her hand and turned it, the gems gleaming in the pale candlelight.

“It's beautiful, Dad.” She smiled up at him and her eyes caught sight of the inscription and giggled. “Oh, so that's how!”

Severus smiled, confident now that Cissa approved. “Can I stay with you while you do it?” Cissa asked.

“Yes,” Severus took her small hand in his and advance towards the staff table. He gripped the ring tight in his other hand as it bit into the flesh of his fingers.

“Breath, Dad.” The small witch whispered beside him.

Severus Snape almost turned and ran as they reached the table and Cissa crooked her finger for her mother to come close to them. Merlin's beard! He thought as she stepped close, and dropped to one knee in a perfect simulation of the one he had done for Cissa. The sounds in dining room came to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned to them.

Severus silently pleaded with his eyes as he offered his hand to Hermione, and sighed as she took it. “Will you, Hermione Jane Granger, do me the esteemed honor of becoming my wife?” With his other hand he reached out with the ring.

Hermione placed one finger on her cheek as if in deep in thought, before smiling and saying “Yes.”

“Read the inscription, Mum.” Cissa prompted.

“Oh, Severus.” Hermione said. “You have my senses ensnared.” She read out loud and let Severus slip it on her finger.

“That you have, my love.” Severus stood up slowly and gathered his witches in his arms.