Never Piss Off a House-Elf

Severus and Hermione woke up in the same bed, but neither remembered how they'd gotten there. Hermione woke first, and immediately her head felt as if it would split. The events of the reception and afterwards came flooding back to her, and she felt monumental embarrassment and guilt. She gently shook Severus awake.


"What? Hermione, stop shaking me. What's the matter? Didn't kick me enough last night?" Severus groused, dropping his hands over his face to block the light that was streaming into the room.


Hermione pressed a kiss to Severus's mouth as she carefully pried his hands from his face. She deepened the kiss, and a few tears dropped from her face to his.


"I'm so sorry, Severus. I never should have said such things about you, or me, or our arrangement. I was drunk, and that's no excuse. Please, forgive me," Hermione said. Severus gave her a strange look, unaccustomed to such contrite behaviour from Hermione.


"Stop apologizing. I don't want to hear it," Severus said gruffly. He looked around. "How'd we get up here? You ran out and I was left with Albus, the meddler."


"I ~-- I don't know. I didn't mean to leave you like that, Severus."


"Yes, you did. You've been acting strangely ever since we were packing to leave for Grimmauld Place. We should hope that was the last outburst, at least for the time being. And for Merlin's sake, next time, speak to me before things get out of hand again," Severus said, sitting up. His shirt was gone, but his trousers were intact, which he took as a good sign. He spied a piece of parchment. "What have we here?"


Good, you're awake. Halain and I put you two to bed when we finally found both of you. Hermione, no more going to the forest when you're upset. Severus, no more Icebrandy when you're feeling awful. We decided not to stay because Halain had to help out at Salazar's again, but we want to hear from you when you arrive at the school.


And yes, we. I'm sure I'll spill to Hermione and Halain will spill to Severus, so I won't put it in writing.


~~Raina


The parchment disintegrated after it was read. Severus look at Hermione, who blushed and stared at her hands.


"You're not angry?" she asked softly.


"No. Here, anger does no good. But I meant what I said: you should speak with me about these things, instead of letting them fester. We should speak with Albus, but I think we should leave sooner rather than later for Hogwart's," Severus said, levering himself out of the bed and stretching. The sunlight caught his scars, and Hermione felt a thrill course through her at the sight. "Apparently, physical compatibility still ranks high."


Hermione nodded. She got off the bed and noticed that someone had helpfully changed her clothes for her ~-- obviously Raina, because Hermione's nightclothes were silk, a camisole and very short shorts. She grabbed a robe and stepped out the door, but apparently she and Severus weren't the only ones up early and sneaking around.


"Ronald? She's your sister-in-law!" Hermione whispered, seeing Ron sneaking out of Gabrielle's room. Gabrielle poked her head out into the hall and smiled coquettishly. Ron was caught between the two women, blushing furiously. "And how old is she? Twelve?"


"Ah am zix-teen, 'Ermione," Gabrielle said, stepping out into the hall and draping herself on Ron. "Well, newly zix-teen, but zen I remembered 'ow Ron 'elped 'Arry to rescue me. After ze ceremony, I asked Ron eef 'e would like to spend time wis me, and 'e accepted. One zing led to anozzer, and . . . voila."


"I'm sorry, Hermione, but she's right. And you're engaged. You can't get mad at me, 'cause you couldn't help me," Ron said, but he wasn't angry, or trying to be mean. Hermione could see he was trying to be what she'd been all those years for him and Harry: the voice of reason, the pragmatic one.


"This is quite laughable, but I don't think I have the energy after last night," Severus said. He'd crept up behind Hermione silently, and he slipped his arms around her small waist. He hadn't bothered with a robe or shirt, and Hermione could feel his heat through her thin camisole. The robe she'd grabbed seemed to have disappeared.


Ron sighed in disgust, but Gabrielle's presence seemed to have a calming effect on him. Instead, he rolled his eyes and turned around.


"I think I'd rather work off my energy in a more pleasant way. See you later, Hermione, Professor," Ron said, scooping Gabrielle up in his arms and going back whence they came.


"That was strange," Hermione said, looking up at Severus. "And can I have my robe back? After yesterday, I think I'd feel better with a bit more coverage when we speak with the Headmaster."


Handing the robe back, Severus regarded Hermione. "What was so strange? Ron had to find a bride, and the fact that Gabrielle is part Veela makes her within the correct scope."


"No, I'm well aware of that fact. But he was so. . . matter of fact about the whole thing. The way I used to be, you know, the voice of reason for Harry and Ron."


"We all grow up sometime, Hermione. Ron had to as well, sooner or later."


"I know you're right. But it's still strange."


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Albus was waiting for Severus and Hermione in the kitchen. Tea and coffee had been made, and Satchel and Miki were speaking with Albus while they prepared food. Miki kept taking spoonfuls of what she was making over to Albus, who was more than happy to taste-test each and every bite.


"Himeko and the Master," Miki chirped, dropping a curtsy to Hermione and Severus. Satchel bowed and hurried to make chairs available to them. "Sit, eat, drink. Satchel and Miki will take good care of the Himeko, the Master, and the Master's Master."


Hermione smiled and sat, watching how Severus reacted to the title Miki had given Albus. Satchel knew Albus and addressed him simply as 'sir', but Miki was new. Hermione couldn't wait to see how Severus would deal with it.


"Albus, I was planning on going back early, as I typically do, and I was wondering if you had any objection to me taking Hermione with me. Head students also arrive early, and this way Hermione could get a head start, as it were, on her duties for the upcoming school year," Severus began, but Albus raised a hand to silence him.


"You don't have to convince me, Severus. I was thinking it might be a good idea already. Hermione would be more comfortable in familiar surroundings without the stresses of her peers. And you'd also have access to your regular labs," Albus said, raising his eyebrows at Severus.


"Headmaster, what is Severus working on?" Hermione blurted. Two sets of eyes stared at her drolly. "Well, you wouldn't tell me, and it is obvious from the time you've spent in the lab while I wasn't in there with you that you need another mind working with you."


"Hermione, I told you that I would deal with you and my project~--"


"No, Severus, she's right. Besides, she'll miss working on potions with you, as you can no longer be her instructor. Hermione, Severus is working on a potion that changes the Dark Mark, destroys it, in a way. But there is another part to it," Albus said, and he sent Severus a look that was meant to shut him up. "You are well aware that the Deatheaters are not gone. There are still witches and wizards alive who are loyal to Voldemort, and they would like nothing better than to be undetected so they could harm Harry, Ron, or you, or anyone involved in the Final Battle, perhaps so they could set up a new Dark Lord.


"The other side of the project is that the potion would remove the mark from reformed Deatheaters and reveal the true intentions of those who would deceive us. The trick is that this makes the project quite difficult, as the potion must see the truth of a person. Veritaserum would be easier, but its use is not sanctioned unless the person is accused of a heinous crime. Once Severus has finished the potion, we will be all the safer for it."


"That's ridiculous! You can't use a potion to see someone's soul like that," Hermione said. "Can you?"


"Our Severus here doesn't have a choice. As a young, brash man, Severus made a Wizard's Oath without thinking. He can't stop working on it; only death may stop him, and even that might not work," Albus said, his eyes twinkling. "Severus, you are every bit your mother's so in that regard. Do you know she demanded the gobstones team? I let her form it just to get her out of my hair. Alas, Eileen is another story."


Hermione looked from Albus to Severus and back again. Severus pursed his lips briefly, but her said nothing.


"Feel free to go on ahead, and enjoy yourselves. Once the school year starts, Hermione will have to live in the Head Girl's room until your wedding night. Incidentally, I'll want to discuss my curriculum with you, Hermione. I wouldn't want to waste time on things Severus has already taught you."


With that, Albus left and Hermione was torn between staring at her Headmaster and her fiancée.


"I can't just study on my own?" Hermione said, more to herself than to Severus.


"Only if you don't want your NEWT in Potions," Severus said in a saccharine-sweet tone. "I thought you knew, that we'd discussed this."


"It will be interesting working with the Headmaster, that's all. Besides, he has a certificate in Potions, doesn't he? He must be quite good; maybe he'll teach me a thing or two you haven't," Hermione teased, enjoying the looks that danced across Severus's face.


"I can think of a few he wouldn't dare," Severus said, placing his hand on Hermione's knee and caressing it gently.


Hermione smiled sweetly and put her hand over Severus's rubbing it before she pinched him. Hard.


"Ow! Hermione," Severus said, but Hermione was already laughing at him.


"Not in Mrs. Weasley's kitchen, Severus. Besides, we're supposed to eat and then leave. Can't do that if we're. . . incapacitated."


"Bloody Know-it-all."


"Tuck in. It'll be a while before we're settled at school."


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AN: Yeah, I made Gabrielle older.