The Bond

CHAPTER FOUR

“I still don’t see why we have to do this today.” Severus groused as he watched Hermione fasten her cloak. “I mean, we only have one weekend a month where we aren’t required to attend to school business in one way or another, and you want to spend ours visiting the Weasley’s!”
“Severus, I told you, I need to tell them. I haven’t told anyone yet, and I don’t want them hearing it by owl or from someone else. Now do you want to apparate or do you want to travel by floo?” She asked.
“Floo, I don’t particularly feel like walking across the grounds, as the last time I attempted such I ended up in the hospital wing and married.” He felt the moment his words registered, and he was instantly sorry. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It seemed he was destined to hurt his wife, regardless of his intentions. He placed his hands on her shoulders as she faced the fireplace. He pressed into her back and kissed the top of her head.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.” He told her.
“I know Severus. Neither of us wanted this, but what is done is done. Besides, even in the wizarding world it’s against the law to have more than one wife.” She said looking back over her shoulder with a small smile.
“Yes, but I’m also afraid some idiot Hufflepuff could hit me with a broom and make me their father…. You never know with magic.” He muttered.

With a small laugh and a shake of her head, she filled her hand with floo powder.
“Okay, are you ready Mr. Snape?” She asked.
“Is one ever ready to visit the Weasley’s?” He asked, stepping into the fireplace with her. “Let’s get this over with….Mrs. Snape.” Hermione smiled, would she ever get used to being called that? She tossed the powder and called out for the Burrow. In a flash of green they were pulled down and then dumped, unceremoniously into the living room of the Weasley family’s home.

Hermione stood and dusted her self off. She looked down at Severus still laying on the floor, his robes tangled around his body and covering his head.
“Are you alright?” She asked with a laugh. He pushed the robes off of his face and glared at her.
“You would think that after all these years, these bloody people would have upgraded so a person could enter with some dignity.” He snarled. He took the hand she offered and helped him to his feet, laughing when he gave an indignant toss of his head and began to dust his robes off.
“Hermione!” Ginny came running in from the kitchen, her obscenely round tummy bouncing beneath a Chudley Cannons t-shirt.
“Oh Ginny! Look at you!” Hermione cried, wrapping her arms around her friend.
“I haven’t seen you in so long!” Ginny said as she stepped back to look at her. “You look wonderful.”
“Who’s here?” Molly’s voice called from the kitchen.
“Hermione is here mom!” She answered. Her eyes flitted to the other side of the room and landed on Severus. “Professor Snape is with her.” She called incredulously, staring at the dark man who stood, arms crossed, glowering at them.

It sounded like a stampede as the living room suddenly filled with people. Several Weasley children, Pottter, Fleur, Tonks and little Teddy, Lavender, and Neville Longbottom all stood there, staring at him as though he were the boogie man, come to eat their young.
“Boo!” he snapped, annoyed.
“Severus, don’t be contrary.” Hermione said, moving to stand beside him.
“Severus?” Ron stepped forward. “Since when do you call him by his given name?”
“Since she became my wife three days ago.” Severus had never cared much for Ron Weasley, he was lazy and an idiot at best. Hermione groaned, and rolled her eyes.
“Severus, did you have to just blurt it out like that?” She asked.
“What? It’s the truth.” He said, still glowering at the group of people staring at them with their mouths open. “Close your mouths, you’ll catch flies.” He sneered.
“Hermione?” Ron looked pale as he addressed her. “Did you really marry that …..him?” He asked as he pointed at Severus.
“Yes, we are married.” She admitted. She had hoped to make the announcement more gently, with a bit more tact after they had at least been able to remove their cloaks, and perhaps have a drink, but Severus wasn’t exactly cooperating.
“Why?” he asked, his face scrunched up as though he were looking at something distasteful. “Why would you marry him?”
“We didn’t exactly mean for it to happen.” She said.
“Oh dear, he seduced you and now your pregnant aren’t you?” Molly fussed.
“Ha! Like that would happen.” Severus said, rolling his eyes.
“Well if you didn’t mean to marry him, have it annulled.” Harry said.
“Ah yes Potter, always the one with the answers. Do you think we haven’t looked into it?” Severus asked. Hermione sighed, she had known this wouldn’t be easy, despite his vindication, she knew that there was still a lot of tension between Severus and the order.
“We can’t have it annulled.” Hermione said, trying to maintain her patience, but it was quickly wearing thin. She began to shake slightly; Severus noticed at once and took her hand. Everyone noticed the gesture and was amazed to see that Severus was even capable of anything resembling affection.
“Divorce then.” Ron said.
“No, we can not divorce either.” Severus answered, trying to keep the sarcasm from his voice, trying to be civil, for her.
“What is going on here?” Arthur Weasley asked, though it was obvious that he had his suspicions.
“We are blood bonded.” Severus said softly. Arthur and Molly gasped in shock.
“How in the world…..oh my goodness!” said Molly as she fanned herself with a dish towel.
“There hasn’t been a blood bond in ages! Witches and wizards have steered clear of binding themselves so completely for a reason Severus! Why on earth would you do something so drastic?” Arthur asked.
“It was accidental I assure you.” Severus said as he reached to remove Hermione’s cloak. “I was attacked by a rogue band of death eaters…”
“Where?” Harry, who was now an auror for the ministry asked.
“Hogwarts, they came from the forest.” Severus told him before turning back to Arthur and removing his own cloak. “Hermione found me, tripped over me actually and injured her hand, when she attempted to ease a cut on my face, our blood mixed, and the bond took.” He lifted her hand and turned her wrist up for them to see.
“So it’s done then?” Arthur said, shocked as he stared at the entwined letters.
“So it is.” Severus said, his gaze drifting to his wife.
“Well then, congratulations?” Molly said, unsure what else to say.
“Thank you. It’s really not so bad everyone, we actually get along fairly well.” Hermione said, hoping to ease the worry she saw on their faces. She smiled, slightly, the imp inside her beginning stir. “Quite well in many ways.” She watched as faces reddened all around them. From the corner of her eye she could see Severus’s black eyes glitter, she could tell he was amused by her, but wouldn’t dare show it in front of the others.

Hermione found herself being dragged into the kitchen with the woman, while Severus was left in the living room with the men. She climbed atop a stool, and gratefully accepted a glass of wine from Fleur.
“So, you’re shagging him then?” Ginny asked. Hermione almost choked on her wine.
“Ginny!” Molly chastised, swatting her backside with a towel.
“What? Oh you know you want to know too.” Ginny turned to look at Hermione, her eyes twinkling in a manner that was anything but wholesome. “Is he kinky?”
“None of your business!” Hermione said with a laugh, leave it to Ginny.
“He is! I always thought he was secretly playing kinky games in the dungeons.” Ginny smiled evilly
“You are demented! They should lock you up at St. Mungo’s and throw away the key.” Hermione laughed.
“Does he tie you up? Spank you? Come on, I need details! I’m pregnant, Harry stays as far away as he can get from me because the baby moves when he gets close and it freaks him out.” Ginny pleaded.
“Oh goodness, no, he hasn’t done any of that, we haven’t…..done that yet.” Hermione said.
“What? Your married, why on earth not?”
“We didn’t intend to get married Ginny, we are taking our time.”
“How are you dealing with the binding affects?” Molly asked, pulling a roasted pig from the oven.
“Oh, Dumbledore has adjusted our schedules so that we don’t have to spend too much time apart, we are able to touch regularly, and he kisses me often.” She said with a slight blush.
“Is he a good kisser then?” Ginny asked.
“Oh yes, he is definitely well skilled in that area.” She said almost dreamily.
“Oh, you are going to be so much fun to watch.” Ginny replied, shaking her head.

It was then that Hermione began to feel the overwhelming sadness wash over her. Ginny’s eyes narrowed when she saw the abrupt change come over her.
“Mione?” She reached for her, clasping her shoulders. “Honey, what’s wrong, what did I say?” Hermione’s eyes filled, tears began spilling over and streaming down her cheeks as she began to tremble.
“Oh, dear.” Molly said reaching for a tissue. “It’s still so fresh.”
“What? I don’t understand…”Ginny said, looking from her mother to her friend and back again.
“It’s the blood bond Ginny dear, she can’t go long without him, or she will begin to grieve. She is so young; it is particularly intense for her, especially in the beginning. This is why the practice is so rarely done.” Molly turned, intending to go to the living room and retrieve Severus, but he was already stalking through the house.

He had been sitting there in the living room, talking about ministry affairs and the like, when he felt her. He had stopped, mid-sentence, his eyes locked on the kitchen doorway. He knew the others were confused, wondering what in the hell was going on. He had simply stood and headed in the direction of his wife, her need of him overshadowing the need for proper manners. He felt the others following him as he crossed into the kitchen, but he couldn’t be bothered to pay them any mind. He saw her look up, her amber eyes filled with tears. He didn’t stop, just made his way around the table and to where she sat.
He said nothing, simply bent his head and captured her lips with his. He could taste the salty tang of her tears as his lips moved over hers, his tongue drifting into her mouth to toy with hers. He kissed her for several moments, thinking that as far things he was forced to do went, this was no hardship. He pulled back slowly, his hair falling forward, creating a small, private space for the two of them.
“Okay now?” He asked, using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. She smiled, and nodded slightly.
“Yes, I’m okay.” She said.
“Don’t wait so long Hermione, when you need me, come to me.” He said, his voice low, and husky, causing her to shiver. She saw the smirk cross his lips when he felt her reaction. “It’s a shame we aren’t alone, we could begin the next phase of your education.” He said with a low laugh.

“Did you see that?” Ron asked Harry.
“Yes.” Harry said, oddly detatched as he watched the scene unfolding in front of him.
“He actually kissed her. And she seemed to like it.” Ron said.
“Appears so.” Harry answered.
“I didn’t think he liked women.” Ron added.
“What, did you think he liked men?” Harry asked.
“No, I didn’t think he liked anyone.” Ron answered. “I didn’t think he actually had a knob, much less any interest in using it.”
“Never thought he’d be using it with Hermione though.” Harry said, finding the turn of events interesting.
“It’s bloody scary is what it is.” Ron said, watching as Severus smoothed his hand over her hair. “Can you imagine it?”
“Don’t want to.” Harry replied. “I think I would rather battle Voldemort everyday for the rest of my life than to imagine Snape naked.”
“Good point, mate.”

“Did you see that?” Ginny said to her mother.
“Yes dear, I never thought I’d see him with a woman in his arms.” Molly said, wiping away a tear.
“It’s so romantic, the way he stalked in here and swept her into a kiss…” Ginny sighed as she watched the couple sharing a kiss.
“It’s the bond, he can feel when she needs him, when she is sad.” Molly said.
“Oh, I wish Harry could tell when I need him. He sees me crying and he runs the other direction.”
“I’m with you there, your father never notices either dear.” Molly sighed wistfully.
“Do you think they will fall in love.” Ginny asked softly.
“Oh, yes, I think they will.” Molly said with a smile. “I think that maybe, they were meant for each other.” She took a deep breath and stepped aside to finish the dinner.


“Severus, everyone is staring at us.” Hermione said with a smile, reaching up to clasp his wrists where he held her face in his hands.
“Id bet anything Potter and Weasley are debating weather or not to curse me, while Molly and Ginerva are waxing poetic about how romantic it all is.” He said with a slight laugh.
“I’m sure you’re probably right.” She said. “Thank you….I know that your not comfortable with public displays.”
“My comfort matters little to me Hermione, whatever it takes to ease this for you I will do, audience or not.” He said, smirking slightly before adding, “Well, anything short of shagging, I doubt I could keep it up with Potter and Weasley watching. Though they might learn a thing or two.” She couldn’t help it, she burst into a fit of laughter, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him. Everyone else in the room stood staring at them. Wondering what he could have said that was so funny. Everyone knew Severus Snape was devoid of a sense of humor.

A/N: Okay, I know, another fluffy chapter, but I really felt it important to build a base relationship between them. Now, brace yourselves as I intend to explore the limits of sexual tension………(yes, I am smiling evilly LOL)