Severus\'s Trip

Hermione woke the next morning in a good mood. She stretched out and looked about the room, memories of the previous night warmed her soul. She closed her eyes and smiled as she arched under the sheets.

“I trust you had a pleasant rest.” She looked to the voice and saw Severus leaning against the post with a mug in hand. Hermione bolted upright.

“Coffee?” He chuckled.

“Yes and breakfast too. Let’s go.” He took his shirt from the previous night and handed it to her. “I’m not a robe man so this will have to do.”

“This is fine.” She said standing and slipping it on. Severus reacted at the sight of her nude body but he behaved himself.

They left the bedroom and went to the kitchen, passing the main study. Hermione paused and looked at the floor.

“My bags?” She asked gesturing to the floor.

“I asked Draco to have them sent, they arrived earlier.” He told her as they entered the kitchen.

“What time is it?” She asked taking a seat at the small round table.

“About 9:30.” He answered settling himself opposite her.

As they ate Hermione asked him, “You spoke to Draco when you left last night didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

She looked up at him and asked, “Was he upset?”

“Draco?” She nodded. “No. Draco was calm and understanding.”

“He must have been embarrassed at what happened.”

Severus pulled a parchment from the cabinet behind him. “This came with your bags.” She smiled at the words on the letter.

Dearest Hermione,
Please accept my apologies for what happened at my home. I do not condone that form of treatment to women in any way and asked Ron to withdraw immediately. Quite a few of my lady guests voiced relief at him taking his leave. I have a strong feeling that if he stayed, they would have left. I didn’t speak to Ron about his behavior but I plan to this afternoon.
I do not know why he chose to react the way he did, but perhaps I will have something more to give you today. Severus mentioned tea, I think he would like to be filled in on the events that occurred after he gave his parting words. Until then,
Love always Draco


She smiled at Severus, setting the parchment aside. “We shall see him for tea?”

“Yes.”

“I should get my bags then.”

“Hermione,” he took her hand, “we agreed to spend the weekend together. I don’t see why you cannot enjoy the rest of it here. After what happened, you need a vacation of sorts. Stay here with me for the rest of the weekend.”

“You don’t mind Severus?”

“Not at all. I was looking forward to the rest of the weekend, this way, we can have it alone.”

She smiled and they finished eating, glancing at each other over eggs and toast. A house elf came and took their plates as they made their way back upstairs to dress.

They sat in the library, speaking of where they would go during the weekend, when the floo went off and Draco emerged. He saw Hermione and went straight to her.
She hugged him and he spoke, “I’m so sorry love, I really am.”

“Don’t worry Draco, you couldn’t have know he would act like that. I didn’t even see it coming.”

They sat down as a house elf poured tea.

“Draco, what happened when I left?” Severus asked.

Draco sighed and spoke calmly. “Ginny asked him what happened, and what you had meant by your words. Ron had no choice but to tell the truth only he tried to water it down.”

“What do you mean?” Hermione asked.

“He told Ginny that you had a big row.”

“What?! That’s all he claimed?!” Severus was outraged.

“Severus calm down.” Hermione tried hard to placate him.

“The man attacks a woman and then doesn’t even have the courage to admit to his actions?”

Draco took control again, “I said the same thing. I asked him to tell me exactly what happened. I knew Severus, that you would not have taken Hermione away if it was a case of a simple argument. Hermione’s state of being at the time let everyone know that it was more. He didn’t say exactly what he did but he admitted that he should have more restraint with his anger.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, but nodded asking him to continue.

“Several of the ladies were looking at me by this point, but Luna was the one who spoke. She said in front of everyone that if Ron remained she would be leaving. Harry kept his gaze averted, I knew he was going to keep out of it. No one challenged her word and I got looks from women and men alike. No one had to say a word but I knew they were agreeing. I asked Ron to come with me into the study.”
Hermione and Severus were sitting forward in their seats listening.

Draco pulled out a vial from his robes.

“I brought you a pensive. I think it will give you a clearer picture of what happened last night. I am meeting him today after lunch. I‘ve hired a play troop to entertain my guests this afternoon. That will give me more time to speak to him. I‘ll owl you how it went this evening if you wish.”

“Yes I would.” Hermione took the vial and thanked Draco for everything he’d done. After a few minutes Draco said his goodbyes and went back to attend his guests, he still had the rest of the weekend to enjoy. He didn’t ask Severus or Hermione to come back. He could tell from the looks on their faces and their body language that they would enjoy being alone rather than at the gathering. He would invite them next time.

He took his leave and Severus pulled out a pensive from a shelf behind his desk. Emptying the contents, they held hands and fell into Draco’s memory.

*** Draco walked into his study and held the door open for Ron. Ron walked in slowly. When the door shut, Draco’s calm demeanor vanished.

“What the fuck happened?”

“Calm down Draco….”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, Hermione never lets anyone carry her from anywhere and she was shaken beyond belief. Not to mention it takes a lot to get Severus to lose control. Now tell me what happened on my property Ron.”

Ron’s eyes glanced about. “I just lost my temper that’s all.”

“That can’t be all. Severus looked like he wanted to kill you.”

“I lost my temper and got a little rough with her, she’s shaken but I doubt she’s hurt.”

“You put your hands on her didn’t you Ron?” When he didn’t answer Draco knew it was true.

“Leave my home Ron. I will speak with you tomorrow after the luncheon, but not one moment before.”

“Draco, this is all just been made bigger than……”

“Don’t talk Ron. I’m in no mood. I will see you tomorrow.“ Draco left the room bringing the memory to the hall.

“Ladies, I know some of you are concerned and let me assure you that Mr. Weasley has indeed left the manor. I know you must be shaken up by the events so I wish you all a good night and will see you all for a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Goodnight”

As the guests began to move amongst themselves they spoke in hushed whispers.***


Hermione was shocked. “Wow, Draco sure took him to task.”

“He should have said a lot more, but I have no doubt that he will get to the bottom of the situation tomorrow.” Hermione looked at him frowning. She didn’t want to think about Ron and Draco fighting.

She felt Severus’s hand on her shoulder, “Come now I believe we have a town we wanted to see.”

She let herself get lost in the plans for the day. Severus was taking her to a nearby town for shopping and lunch, she planned on enjoying every moment of it.


They apparated back to the house, her bags shrunk in her hands, the day had been wonderful. She got a few new books, a dress she just couldn’t live without, and along with Severus, had made several purchases at the apothecary, both of them stocking up on potions ingredients. Lunch was a nice, light a small café on the strip they shopped at.
“Severus, I had so much fun. I never knew you were a shopper.”

“I’m not, I just don’t like typically female shopping, clothes makeup and jewelry really aren’t my style to be around, even the dress you bought was impulse, you never would have tried it on if it wasn’t in the window.

“But you went in with me anyway?”

“Its not like you tried on the whole store That‘s something I detest. When women just want to spend money and don’t know what they want.”

“True.”

“We just frequent the same stores.”

They dropped their bags and resized them asking the house elves to put them away.

“How about a swim?”

“You swim?”

“Yes, I do.”

He led her out to the back and she noticed a huge pool. If one could call it a pool. The garden had been gutted and smooth rocks lay everywhere creating steps and seats. It even had a mini waterfall against one side of the house. It was like stepping onto an island. Severus had created his own oasis in the backyard.

“Severus this is amazing.”

“Go change, I’ll meet you here in a few.” He told her with a peck on the cheek.

“Ok.” She took off and went to change. Her bikini was black with side ties on the hips. It had triangles over her breasts and a string back and halter. The amount of skin she was showing was scandalous.

Severus wore a pair of black loose trunks and dived into the pool. Hermione followed.

He moved as if raised in water. Hermione was astonished at how long he could keep himself submerged.

Before she knew it, the sun had begun to drop low in the sky. Wrapping herself in a huge towel, she followed Severus to an outside table. A house elf filled the table with a wonderful dinner. They tucked in to lobster, shrimp and fresh vegetables.

“Severus, this is just wonderful.” She said.

“You can’t say you would have had the opportunity to dine outside in your swimsuit at Malfoy’s now could you?” he said with a wink.

“No, I can’t say that at all.”

She giggled. “Although I would like a shower. I’m dying to get the feel of the outdoors off me.” He nodded. As they went upstairs, a house elf bid them goodnight and began cleaning up the pool and table.

As they made their way into the house, another house elf approached them. “Mater Snape, an owl just arrived for you and the miss.” he said holding up a scroll.

“Draco’s meeting with Ron.” Hermione giggled.

“No doubt.” He opened the scroll and a small vial dropped into his hands.

Hermione and Severus,
Here you are. I’m sorry once again Hermione, and hope to see you both soon. I’m so glad you two have found each other. Severus is much more a gentleman then Ron has proven to be.
Draco


“Shall we?” Severus held out an arm to her.

“Yes.” She took his arm and followed him into the study. She felt a little silly to be viewing a pensive in her swimsuit but Severus seemed anxious to see the confrontation.
They slipped into the memory.

***Draco sat in his study, behind a huge mahogany desk. A knock on the door interrupted his reading and brought a scowl to his face.

“Come in.” A house elf escorted Ron into the room. “Ron, have a seat.”

“Listen Draco…..” Ron began.

“Ron, Hermione was struggling to breathe and had to be carried out. Now I am not going to hear another ‘argument’ excuse. I want to know what happened in my gardens.”

“Fine. I wanted to know the truth from Hermione and she refused to tell me.”

Draco stopped him. “What truth?”

“You know about bringing Snape here to have a go at me.”

“You think they aren’t genuine?”

“Come on, her and Snape.”

“Severus is my godfather, so I can believe his qualities and if they weren’t a couple, then why would she have asked for one room for them this weekend?”

“I don’t know, I wanted to hear the reason from her and she refused to talk to me. She kept bringing up old rows we had. I must have lost my temper so I got a bit rough, that’s all.”

“What do you mean got a bit rough?” Draco was standing at this point, coming around the desk.

“Look it was only a moment and I didn’t even handle her that hard.”

“Handle her how? Did you hit her?” His famous control was slipping.

“No I didn’t hit her, I just grabbed her that’s all.”

“She was gasping when she left, did you grab her around her neck.”

Ron said nothing. “I see. Ron I don’t know what has happened to you but whatever it is I don’t like it. To attack a woman like that.”

“I didn’t have her for very long.”

“Yes, that’s true but what would have happened if Severus hadn’t come along? How long would you have had her in your hands Ron? How far would you have gone?”

“All she had to do was talk to me and………”

“And what?!?!? You would have allowed her to breath?!”

“Draco, that was uncalled for.”

“So is manhandling a woman Ron. How could you? She was your best friend for so long and even tried to put up with your rotten behavior when you dated. All those women and she tried to make it work. You didn’t care how she felt knowing you were off with other women.”

“I never had a relationship woman, those were just one nights. It’s not like I set another woman up in a flat or anything, she was the only one. Besides, I tried to apologize but she‘s not at her flat.”

“Yes, we all know how you held her in such high regard. You have no idea what kind of woman you had. What would be your reaction if I had cheated on your sister?”

“Have you?”

“No, I haven’t. I value her, Ron. I don’t need anyone else.” Ron merely stared at the blonde. “And she’s not at her flat, she’s staying with Severus for the rest of the weekend. She can’t take it anymore and neither can I. Leave Ron and don’t show your face to me again.”

Draco turned and walked back to the desk, without another glance at Ron. He heard only the door close.***


Hermione was shocked. Draco let loose like she’d never seen before. But she couldn’t help but think about what Draco said. What if Severus hadn’t come along? She knew Ron had a temper, but he’d never been violent before. After seeing what he was capable of, she didn’t know if she wanted to be alone with him again.

“Draco has taken care of him for now, we still have a weekend to enjoy.” His smile made it all go away. He was right, for now she would enjoy it her time with him. She took his arm again and let him lead her away.