The Sound of Noise

Hermione woke the next morning before anyone in the house. She crawled out of bed, forgetting to pull on her house coat. She walked into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. She took the time before the first cup was ready to look out her window and over the city. She smiled. As much as she loved this city when she first came, she was looking forward to moving back to England. She poured herself a cup of coffee and walked back into the living room.

As soon as she stepped into the room, she stopped. There in her living room was Severus Snape. He had transfigured her sofa into a moderate bed, complete with black sheets and a deep green down comforter. He lay, the covers pooled around his waist. His dark hair fanned around him on the pillow. One hand was laying on his chest. His eyelashes formed perfect fans on his cheeks. Hermione gasped at the sight.

***

Severus has always been a light sleeper, especially when he wasn't in his own room. He had heard her start the coffee in the kitchen. After the week he had had, a lie in was just what he needed. He let the smell of coffee and her movements lull him back to sleep.

***

At the of of someone staring at him, his eyes fluttered open. He smiled sleepily and stretched his arms above his head. He sat up and looked at her. "Morning."

She blushed slightly at being caught staring at him and looked at the floor. That's when she realized what she was weari

He blinked to clear his vision and took the time to look at her. had had obviously forgotten that he was in the house. She had gotten out of bed and forgotten to pull on her house coat. She was standing, blushing, in an oversized T-shirt and very little else. He tried not to notice how the hem of the shirt stopped at the middle of her thighs. He tried not to notice how the shirt outlined her nipples. He also tried not to think thoughts of pulling her into the bed and ravishing her. He settled for coffee. "Is there a cup for me?" She nodded and went into the kitchen to get it for him. He used the time to calm his body's response to her.

Hermione leaned over the sink and tried to calm . He. He shouldn't effect her this way. She sighed, shook her head and poured another cup of coffee. He wasn't going to get to her; not that she was going to let him see anyway.

***

She fully expected him to have returned her sofa and was mildly surprised to find that he hadn't. She mentally shrugged as she handed him his coffee.

He sipped. "Good. This is just what I need after this week."

Hermione found her curiosity getting the better of her. She gently sat on the end of the bed. "Bad week?"

He nodded. "You have no idea. Students must become dumber and dumber as the years progress. You would think Neville Longbottom fathered each one of the children in my classes."

Hermione laughed as she made herself more comfortable on the bed. "How many melted cauldrons this week?"

Severus mentally calculated. "Among all the classes, six. To think, these children expect to move up a year into more complicated potions. Hogwarts as we know it may cease to exist."

She shook her head. "I'm sure you exaggerate. Surely there's one bright spot?"

He frowned. "Escaping from them for the next few days may be it."

Hermione laughed as she looked into her coffee. Severus studied her for a few moments. "Have you given much thought to the move?"

She looked up at him. "Of couI haI have. It's going to be a big change, for both of us. Steph is very excited."

He sipped his coffee. "And you?"

She sighed, "Well, while it is a bit...unnerving to be going back to a world that caused me so much pain and heartache, I am a little excited and happy to be around my friends again."

Severus looked up at her. "Have you found a place to live?"

Hermione frowned. "Well, Mum and Dad told me I could live with them, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley offered me a room at the Burrow, Harry and Ron told me I could live with them, so I have a number of options."

He nodded. "That's true, but what have you decided?"

She shook her head. "I haven't. All those places make me feel like I'm eleven again. There don't seem to be many other options open to me. I suppose I'll choose somewhere to stay while I look for my own place."

Severus fixed dar dark gaze on her. "I've never known you to settle, Hermione. What happened to you? Where did you lose your spirit?"

She glared at him. "Where did I lose my spirit? I'm settling? Forgive me Severus Snape for considering my options and trying to make the best choice. I have other considerations now incase you have forgotten. Now, if you'll excuse me." She stood from the bed and almost stomped up the stairs.

He smiled as he watch her leave. She was still sexy when she was angry.

***

Hermione quickly took her shower. It was Saturday, so she didn't have to go into the office this morning. She had planned on spending the day packing, but now she assumed she would have to help entertain Severus. She rinsed the conditioner out of her hair and stepped form the shower. Maybe he would want to stay in today.

***

She came down the stairs and smiled at the sight. Steph was laying on the bed her Father had transfigured, signing with him. He was actually smiling, a genuine one; one of the rare ones. She stopped to watch the interaction.

***

Steph was still in her pj's, her hair in a sloppy ponytail. She lay on her stomach, her ankles crossed in the air behind her as they talked. Severus hadn't moved since Hermione had been in the shower. He had pulled several pillows behind him and leaned against them. The bedcovers were pooled around his waist, his chest still bare to her eyes. She smiled as she stood on the bottom step and watched father and daughter.

***

Severus chuckled at the story that Stephanie was telling him. The look of pure excitement on her face was priceless. He couldn't help but be swept up in her wave of enthusiasm.

Steph heard a noise and turned to see her Mother on the stairs. She motioned for her to join them. Hermione moved to sit on the end of the bed. She smiled at the domestically of it all. She ruffled her daughters hair and tried not to look at Severus.

***

Severus looked at Hermione. She looked nice this morning. She had on what he knew to be muggle shorts and a T-shirt with her hair pulled away from her face. He tried to fight back the picture of her in just her night shirt and was surprise to see the image change to the Hermione he had been with. She really was beautiful; both then and now. He lost himself for a few moments in the memories of her mouth against his, her skin under his hands, her scent tickling his nose. He smiled in spite of himself, causing Hermione to ask what was so funny.

He shook his head, threw back the covers and stood. "Nothing. Just remembering something. I will get dressed, we can have breakfast, and then we can begin more packing."

Hermione nodded as she looked at the man in front of her. No shirt, a pair of muggle pajama bottoms, black of course, and bare feet. She approved of this relaxed version of the man she knew. She approved very much.

Steph grinned and snuggled into the warm space vacated by her Father. Hermione frowned at her. "Come on little girl. Time to get up. We have a lot of work to do today. Steph wrapped her arms around a pillow and shook her head. Hermione laughed as she tickled her daughter.

She finally pulled the girl into a hug and kissed her head. "I love you so much, you know that?" Steph nodded and kissed her cheek. Hermione grinned at her. "Go upstairs and get ready. I think after breakfast, we will work on your room."

Steph nodded and then asked her mother a question. Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. You'll have to ask him later. I expect he'll have to leave tonight." Steph frowned and jumped off the bed.

Hermione smiled as she watched the girl run upstairs. She stood and transfigured the bed back into a sofa. She sighed and went into the kitchen to start breakfast.

***

After a breakfast of pancakes and cereal, the small family began their packing. Hermione asked Steph to keep out the items she would need in the upcoming week. She began to pull books from her shelves, as well as notebooks and stuffed animals.

Severus stopped her. "Little One, you are only going to be without these things for a week. Surely all these things are not needed?"

She looked at the pile and nodded. She choose a few books and kept out a notebook. Severus gave her a look. Hermione smiled. "It's her journal Severus. She's going to be a writer like her Mother."

Steph looked at the boxes sitting in her bedroom floor. Hermione smiled. "Let's start with all these books. Pull them off the shelves and your Father and I will shrink them and you can put them in the boxes."

***

A couple of hours later, all Steph's toys and books were packed away. They had decided to take a break for lunch. Steph begged her parents to go out for lunch. Hermione sighed. "All right, we'll go out, but no fast food." Steph frowned and nodded. Severus frowned and raised an eyebrow at Hermione. She explained "Fast food is ghastly. It's greasy and very unhealthy."

He frowned again. "Then why do Muggles eat it?"

Hermione shrugged. "It's quick, easy and cheap. That's most of the reason. Children love it because most of the meals that are for them come with a toy of a sort." She looked at Steph. "Go and wash your face and hands and clean up a bit. We'll decide once everyone is ready."

Severus ran a hand over his face. "I suppose I should shave before we go out."

Hermione looked at him. "I don't think you should. I like how the beard makes you look." She bit her lip and walked out of the room. He smiled slightly as she walked away.

***

Soon, everyone was cleaned up and ready for lunch. Steph was dressed in a pair of shorts, a T-shirt and a pair of sandals with her hair in a ponytail. Hermione looked much the same, except she was wearing a pair of dark sunglasses. Severus has rid himself of his traditional frock coat and gathered his hair at his neck. Those were the only concessions he made for the heat.

They stepped out of the cool building and into the heat of the city. Hermione smiled at him. "There's a small deli a few blocks from here. We could get some sandwiches and have a picnic in the park."

Steph looked up at her parents and nodded. Severus saw the excitement on her face. "The park it is then."

***

With their orders in hand, they crossed the street to the park. Severus quickly transfigured a napkin into a blanket for them to sit on. He spread it out and helped to settle the food and drinks.

***

Lunch passed comfortably. Steph finished eating quickly and signed to her Mother. Hermione smiled. , bu, but don't go far. I want to be able to see you."

Steph nodded and ran off to the swing set. Severus leaned back on his elbows and watched his daughter. Hermione cleaned up their trash and stretched out on her stomach on the blanket. She sighed as the breeze ruffled her hair.

Severus spoke. "Will you miss this?"

She shook her head. "The heat? No. The lazy afternoons Steph and I go to the park? Yes. Hopefully I can find a home with a place for me to be outside."

Severus nodded as his brain worked.

Hermione had kicked off sandsandals as she lay on the blanket. She had her ankles crossed her feet in the air behind her. He let his eyes travel over her bare legs and her cloth covered rear end. The breeze was playing with some curls that had escaped her clip. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to bury his hands in her hair. He shook his head. Best to clear those thoughts right now.

He turned his attention back to his daughter. The thought never ceased to amaze him. His daughter. Finally, he had produced something wonderful. He moved back to lean against the tree trunk to watch her.

Hermione turned to look at him. He looked so relaxed. He had unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt. She didn't want to gape at him, but he just looked so....yummy. She smiled slightly at the childish word. It did describe him though.

She sat up and turned slowly towards him. She saw his eyebrow raise as she crawled to him. She settled herself on his lap, her legs wrapping around his waist. He groaned in appreciation and ran his hands up to bury in her hair. She smiled at him, one side of her mouth curling seductively. He smiled back before pulling her against him to kiss her. She ground her hips against his and was rewarded by his moan. She grinned against his mouth.

He gasped out her name. "Hermione". Just the sound of her name on his lips made her want more. She smiled as her hands caressed his shoulders. He spoke again, "Hermione."

She nodded. "Yes?"

He chuckled. "Lost in thought?"

She shook her head and looked at him. She was shaken from her thoughts and found herself still on her side of the blanket. She frowned. Another daydream. She shook her head again. She needed to get this under control.

***

Her attention was drawn to the children's laughter. She looked over to see Steph surrounded by a group of children. Hermione squinted so see what was happening. She couldn't hear the words the other kids were using, but she knew they were teasing Steph.

She stood and brushed off her clothing. She was slipping her shoes on when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Give her a moment. She can take care of herself." Hermione frowned as she watched.

Steph listened to another comment and signed. Hermione took a breath. "She's upset."

Severus tightened his hold on her. "Just wait."

They watched until finally Steph pushed one of the kids. Severus was the first to move. He walked to the group. "Is there a problem?"

Steph looked at her father and shook her head. He glared at the other children. They looked at Steph and then back to him. "No sir."

He nodded. "Good. Come along Stephanie. We need to get home."

Hermione watched as they made their way back to her. Steph was walking behind her Father, her eyes on the ground. Hermione pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head. "Steph, are you ok?"

The girl nodded and sat. She put her chin on one hand and used the other to pull at the grass along the edge of the blanket. Severus leaned against the tree. "Tell us about it?"

Steph looked up at the playground equipment and the children laughing. She frowned and pointed, then signed. "They just said the usual things."

Hermione sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. "Don't let them bother you. They just do not understand how special you are."

Severus sighed. "Hermione, please do not insult her." Hermione frowned as he sat next to them. "Stephanie, you are different than them. You know that, I know that and your Mother knows that. I applaud the way you were raised. Hermione protected you, but she has also allowed you to live as if you did have a voice. Very commendable but unrealistic. The truth is, you are different. In a more noticeable way than others. You are old enough to realize this and accept it. I don't say this to be mean. I say it to help you."

Steph looked up at him and signed. "But I don't want to be different."

He nodded. "Do you think that your Mother and I wanted to be different from other children? I didn't ask to enjoy reading more than other children. I didn't ask to look like I do. I didn't like that my name was "Snivellus" throughout school. Sadly, no one is immune to the jokes. Not even the great Harry Potter. It is a part of life. You can not fight everyone that says something about your disability. If you did, you would be fighting your whole life. Now is the time to accept the fact and deal with it."

Steph looked at her Father and then back to her Mother. She sighed and then nodded. Hermione kissed her head. "Great. Now, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?"

***

After a day spent at Coney Island, Hermione Steph and Severus found themselves back in the apartment. Steph was lying against Hermione on the couch. The TV was on, but no one was watching it.

Finally Severus looked at Stephanie. "I believe someone is ready for bed." Steph smiled sleepily at him.

Hermione nudged her. "Go on honey. It has been a very long day for you." Steph stood and made her way upstairs to her room.

Hermione looked at Severus. "Did you enjoy the rides today?"

He lifted an eyebrow. "Do all muggles find those things amusing?"

She shrugged. "Most, not all. I don't care one way or the other, but Steph loves them."

He nodded. "She did seem happy." He thought for a few moments, then looked at her. "I haven't found another route to take to restore her voice."

Hermione sighed. "I haven't had a chance to do anymore research either. All my attention has been focused on the move and finding a place to live." She looked at him. "During our visit, I think I may have found a possible area to explore."

Severus nodded. "I believed that you would. You mentioned that her throat may not be the problem."

She was about to speak when Stephanie came back down the steps. She signed a question to her Father. He shook his head. "Sadly, I must leave after you are in bed. I still have students to teach." She frowned and nodded. He stood and walked to her. He put a hand on her head and she looked at him. "Little One, next week, you will be living in Hogsmeade." She grinned and headed up the stairs.

After Steph was tucked into her bed, Severus and Hermione were in the living room talking. Severus leaned towards her. "I believe you were about to tell me your theory?"

Hermione nodded. "After I read through the file you gave me on Steph and her condition, I began to think about the necessary mechanisms used in speech. Madam Pomfrey and the Muggle specialists have all proven that the problem is not with her throat."

He frowned. "If the problem is not with her throat..." He trailed off as he thought. He looked up and saw her nodding.

She spoke. "What if the problem is something in her brain?"

He nodded slightly. "I can follow your way of thinking. I'll began my own research in that area." He stood and took his coat out of the closet. "For now, I must return to Hogwarts."

Hermione stood and looked at her watch. "Won't it be late there?"

He nodded. "Or early depending on your view. I have the day to recover from the time change." He raised an eyebrow. "If not, think of all the house points I can deduct."

She rolled her eyes. "I knew you enjoyed that a bit to mu

Severus shrugged. "I suppose I'll see you next week?"

Hermione nodded. "I'm having our things sent to Harry's. I'll bring Steph to visit you. I can use the afternoon to search for a home for us."

He nodded. "Until then" and was gone.
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Thanks for all who have responded. I was floored with the outpouring of love for this story. I can't believe so many wanted me to continue!