The Sound of Noise

Severus was beside himself. That damn garter was a Portkey! How dare Harry Potter trick him like that. He would throttle the boy. He turned to find a way to leave this room and saw Hermione, fuming as well.

He raised an eyebrow. “The bouquet?”

She nodded. “I will throttle Harry and Ginny.”

Severus shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.” He stopped her before she spoke. “I reserve the right to Mr. Potter.”

He strode to the door and tried the handle. Nothing. He jerked harder. Again nothing. He turned and saw Hermione searching through the room.

She turned to him and held up two envelopes. “One has your name on it.”

***

Hermione finished reading her letter. She looked at Severus. “I guess we’re stuck here.”

Severus crumpled his letter and threw it against the wall. “I have things to do. School starts in two weeks. I need to be at Hogwarts.”

She frowned. “I have a newspaper to start. My first issue is set to come out soon.”

He looked at her. “The people you hired will take care of all that. You need this.”

She shrugged. “Maybe, but you need to rest as well.”

He frowned. “Damn them all.”

Hermione nodded. “Yes, but we’re going to take advantage of this. Besides, Harry is footing the bill.”

Severus smirked. “The icing on the cake.”

***

Steph was in a panic. Where did her parents go? She ran up to Harry and Ginny. She wasn’t going to let them see her cry though.

Harry put his arm around her. “Steph, don’t be upset. Your Mum and Dad are fine. We’ve sent them on a weekend vacation.”

She frowned and pointed to herself. Ginny knelt down beside her. “We wanted it to be a surprise. I’m sorry we upset you. We’re just trying to get them to realize they should be together.”

Steph started to sign, but Ginny stopped her. “I know they’re close, but this way, there’s nothing to interrupt them.”

She signed again, and Harry ruffled her hair. “You get to stay at the Burrow all weekend. With all the family there, you’re bound to have fun.” She nodded, but still looked upset.

Molly walked up and took her hand. “Come on dear. We’ll send your parents an owl.” She shook her head. “Imagine, not telling her her parents were leaving. The poor dear.” She led Steph away still mumbling.

Ginny looked at Harry. “Well, maybe Hermione and Professor Snape won’t hate us.”

He kissed her. “Come dance with me and don’t worry so much, Mrs. Potter.”

***

Severus walked out of the loo. “At least they didn’t let Albus pack.”

Hermione smiled. “Oh yes. Heaven forbid that you actually have to place colored clothing against your skin.” He frowned as she laughed. “Oh grow up Severus. We’re here to have fun. Let’s go see exactly where we are.”

***

Molly sat a cup of tea in front of Steph. “You’re staying with us and that’s final. I plan on having talk with Harry and Ginny. You should have been told about this scheme.”

Steph sipped her tea, thinking. Molly smiled and put a parchment in front of her. “Write them dear. Ease both our minds.”

***

Severus looked around. At least their quarters were not actually on the beach. Hermione loved it, of course. The smile on her face proved that. The weather wasn’t horrid either.

Hermione looked at him. “Isn’t it wonderful? It’s so beautiful!”

He raised an eyebrow. “I suppose it is not horrid. It could be worse.”

She shook her head. “You are horrible. Can’t you have a little fun?”

Severus was about to speak when a young man approached them. “Ms. Hermione Granger?” She nodded. He handed her a letter. “This just came for you.” She thanked him as he walked away.

She tore into the letter. “It’s from Steph.” She read and chuckled slightly. “She says she was scared when we disappeared but she’s ok now. Molly yelled at Harry and Ginny and took Steph to the Burrow to stay. She misses up and says to tell you she’ll be studying.”

He smiled slightly. “Ever the bookworm. She’ll be a know-it-all like her mother.”

She looked at him. "And as intelligent as her father.”

Severus nodded. “Like both of us.”

Hermione leaned up and kissed him. “True. Come on. Let’s send her an answer.”

***

The Headmaster smiled as he relaxed in his office. Minerva knocked and then joined him. “What are you smiling about?”

He looked at her. “It was a beautiful wedding. A very happy occasion.”

She shook her head. “That's your ‘I’m up to something smile.’ Did you have something to do with Severus and Hermione’s disappearance?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t have a thing to do with it, but I know about it.” He smiled. “Trust me. They’ll be fine.”

Minerva sighed. “The last time I trusted you, you hired Lockheart. Explain to me again why I should trust you?”

***

Severus looked at his dinner companion. She was beautiful. The light breeze ruffled her curls as they dined.

She smiled at him. “See, I told you this wouldn’t be horrible. Are you having fun?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Snape’s do not have fun.”

She laughed. “Steph does.”

Severus shrugged. “She must be the white sheep of the family.”

Hermione laughed delightfully and then turned serious. “I’ve decided something.” He frowned slightly as she looked at a point over his shoulder. “I would like for Steph to have your name. I mean, she is your daughter and it’s only natural...”

Severus held up his hand. “Hermione, you’re babbling. Of course, I would like my doughtier to have my name. I am honored that you have mentioned it. I believe we should talk with Stephanie and see what she wishes.” Hermione smiled at him. The thought occurred to him that he would love to make her do that more often. “Of course, the Snape name does not carry as much prestige as it once did.”

She shook her head. “I’m not looking for prestige or notoriety. I only want to make you part of her life.”

He put his hand over hers. “I am deeply honored. More so than any other time in my life.”

***

Steph read over the letter her parents had sent. She couldn’t imagine her daddy in swimming trunks. Her mom wasn’t much on bathing suits either. That would make for an interesting trip.

Daddy said he would find something interesting for her. She hoped it was a new book. She looked at the books she had brought from home. There was nothing in them that would make her talk again.

She thought back to her dream. It had been so easy then. And why was there a wolf? Could that be something important. Her dad had been researching dreams since then. He said he didn’t put much stock in them, but had decided to look into it.

Steph sighed. She wanted her parents.

***

Molly came into the room. “We’ve gotten an owl from Harry and Ginny. They’ve made it to the States safely. Are your Mum and Dad doing well?”

Steph nodded. She grabbed her parchment and wrote. Molly laughed. “I agree. Severus doesn’t strike me as a beach goer. Well, he won’t suffer long. Now, it’s bedtime for you. The little ones are already there. Come along dear.”

***

Hermione yawned as they walked. She held her shoes in her hand and was letting the water lap her bare feet.

Severus on the other hand was as unchanged as ever. He had charmed his shoes to repel sand and water and walked hand in hand with Hermione. He noticed her yawn. “You’re tired.”

She shook her head. “The excitement of the day is wearing off.”

He glanced around. “Come. Let’s get you some rest.” He pulled her into his arms and apperated them back to the hotel room.

Hermione laughed. “Very impressive.”

He nodded. “I do try. Now, I shall allow you to prepare for bed while I assess the sleeping situation.”

***

When Hermione came out of the loo, Severus looked ready to cast an Unforgivable. She frowned. “What’s wrong?”

He glared at the couch. “That thing refuses to transform into anything but a smaller version of itself.” He sighed. “I will be sleeping on the floor.” He turned and his breath caught.

Her nightclothes were not as revealing as some he had seen, but still she was beautiful. She shrugged. “There wasn’t a robe, and this was all I could find to sleep in.”

Severus tried not to notice how the tank top clung in all the right places. He tried not to see how abbreviated the shorts were. He cleared his throat. “I shall return.”

***

Hermione took a breath. She would kill Harry and Ginny. She would. She turned down the bed and sat. It was stupid. She and Severus could share the bed couldn’t they? Two adults, two intelligent people could share a large bed without things becoming awkward. She heard the door open and turned to tell him just that.

She couldn’t speak.

There stood Severus, barefooted, bare chested and clad only in black silk sleeping pants. He shrugged. “As you said, no robes.”

She nodded as he started to search for a blanket. Hermione stopped him. “Severus, it would be dumb for you to ruin your back tonight. We are adults. We can share this bed.”

He raised his eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

Hermione nodded. “We’re friends. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

Severus nodded. “Only if you are sure.” He turned down his side of the bed as Hermione lay down.

She felt the bed dip and the covers move. Silence loomed in the room.

They started to speak at the same time. Hermione laughed. "This is stupid." She turned to face him. "I had fun today, Severus. It was nice to spend time with you."

He nodded. "I enjoyed myself as well."

She yawned. "Well, I'm going to sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning." She leaned over to kiss his cheek.

The bed chose that moment to dip and Severus ended up with his arms full of Hermione.

She blushed. "Well, I was going to tell you goodnight.".

Severus chuckled. "I see." His hand moved to play with the ends of her hair. She smiled softly. His eyes were glued to her lips. He leaned up slightly and kissed her gently. She smiled at him. There was that feeling again. He decided to make her smile once more.

***

Harry pulled Ginny close to him. "Well, Mrs. Potter. Enjoying yourself?"

She kissed him. "Very happy. New York is a beautiful city."

He looked at her. "Hon, we haven't even been out yet."

Ginny laughed. "I know."

Harry shook his head. "I love you, you know that? More than anything."

She kissed him again. "Even me and my crazy schemes?"

He nodded. "Yes. Even those too." He frowned. "I wonder how much trouble we're in?"

Ginny shrugged. "I guess it depends on if they have fun or not."

Harry rolled over and pinned her underneath him. "True, but let's not think about that now."

***

Hermione was in heaven. Severus Snape was kissing her. She was pleasantly pressed to the mattress; his body warm and firm against hers. She wrapped her leg around his hip and pulled him closer. His back was smooth under her hands. He was perfect.

Severus pulled away from her. "Hermione....we need to stop."

She frowned and searched for his lips again. "I don't want too."

He kissed her. "I don't want to get carried away."

Hermione kissed his neck. "I do."

He pulled her close. "Are you sure?"

She nodded and leaned up to look into his eyes. "I want you Severus. Right now, more than anything in this world."

Severus shook his head. "Hermione, what about Stephanie?"

She looked around the room. "I don't see her, do you?"

He kissed her gently. "You know what I mean, you know it all. What if it makes it uncomfortable between us?"

Hermione caressed his face. "Severus, we are friends. We were lovers once. It was uncomfortable then."

He frowned. "Yes, but that was before. There are added dementions now."

She looked into his eyes. "True, but that only means what we have is much more now."

His eyes took in her beautiful face. He couldn't deny he wanted her. He wanted her very much. He wanted more than her body though, He wanted her in his life. He kissed her. "Only if you're sure."

She smiled that smile that tugged at his heart. "Of course Severus. I'm always sure about you."