An Unusual Solution

Severus took a much needed trip to Hogsmeade to the potion supply shop for some supplies. While he grew and maintains his own stores, he did find it easier to obtain dishes and vials in bulk from the store directly then to wait for deliveries.



He had his charmed basket filled, and was looking over several periodicals when he felt a hand on his shoulder. “Where’s the little woman today Sev?” Cathy purred at him, reaching up for a hug.



“That’s not appropriate Cathy,” he said backing away, “I’m married now.”



“Married men no longer hug an old friend?” She said dropping her arms.



“An old friend who used to be a lover?” He said.



“Is that her problem?” Cathy let out a laugh that used to amuse him. USED TO amuse him that is.



“No it’s not her problem. I don’t think it’s appropriate to embrace a former lover now that I am married Cathy.” He said firmly. He knew Hermione would agree and she hadn’t outright asked him not to do it, but he made the choice regardless.



“And I suppose she was the one who decided there was no longer a guest room? Sev, we have never had issues with my staying there before.” She said.



“I wasn’t married before,” he said firmly. “and as I recall, you rarely spent the whole night in that room.”



“Yes, but she doesn’t know that does she?” Cathy threw out as if obvious.



“Yes, she does know.” Severus said calmly.



“She may know that we used to date, but surely you didn’t tell her we carried on afterwards did you?” She asked. Severus rolled his eyes. Had he really dated her for months at a stretch.



“Yes, I told her.” He said.



“I doubt it.” She said but without conviction. “You never told the truth.”



“You only thought I lied, but I never did. I always told you the truth.” He was looking her in the eye, but he was done speaking. He had spent months of his life trying to convince this woman that he wasn’t lying and really didn’t want to do it again.



“Listen Severus, why don’t we go and have some lunch and talk about it.” She moved to take his arm.



“I can’t. Hermione doesn’t approve of lunches and dinners with ex’s.” He said. He smiled to himself. A year ago the thought of him obeying a woman’s request was absurd, but today, he took pride in saying he was refusing because of his wife.



Come to think of it, Hermione never asked him not to do it, she merely said she couldn’t handle it. She had only asked him to think of her first before making any decisions. We he did think of her, and he made his decision based on that. He had refused.



“What kind of woman did you end up stuck with?” Cathy asked with a disgusted look on her face.



Severus only smiled. “A good one.” He told her, and walked away to pay for his supplies. He left and apparated away. He felt good and hurried home where Hermione was waiting, going through old clothes she had placed in their guest room to go through later. The house elf stayed clear away, not wanting to accidentally be given clothes.



“Hello, did you get what you needed?” She asked, smiling at him from her seat.



“Yes, I did. We have plenty of vials and trays when we start working with the moss.” He said leaning down for a kiss. “Although I did see someone at the shop.” He dropped on the couch beside her. “Are you getting rid of this?” He held up a camisole Hermione had worn under her shirts her first year at Hogwarts before she had needed bras.



“I used that when I was a first year.” She said smiling.



“It will make lovely pocket squares.” He joked and pocketed it.



She laughed and tossed another article to another pile. “Who did you see?”



“Cathy.” He said without the slightest pause. “You were right, she thought I was lying about the guest room.”



“You were lying about the guest room.” She said still separating clothes. “Was she angry?”



“No, just annoyed that she couldn’t have her usual room. Whose are these?” He said holding up a pair of pink knickers.



“Mine, I don’t know why my mother saved those, but those were from when I was a little girl.” She said shaking her head at her mothers semi pack rat behavior.



“Did you have a thing for pigs?” He asked looking at the graphic on the bum side.



“That’s Piglet,” she said, “it’s a charact……..”



“I know who Piglet is. My father is muggle, I just haven’t seen any of the images in years.” He said leering at her.



“Well, pardon the fuck out of me.” She said with an exaggerated face and went back to folding with a smile. “What else did she say?”



“She wanted me to have lunch with her. I told her you didn’t like that sort of thing.” He said. Hermione lifted her eyebrows. “She was shocked that I told you about our past.”



“How did she know I was aware?” Hermione asked wondering what kind of conversation took place.



“She knew you were aware of us dating because you told her. When I said you didn’t think it was appropriate for former lovers to go out to lunch when one is married she was confused. She thought I didn’t tell you we had continued sleeping together on occasion and then she thought I was lying to her about telling you.” He rubbed his forehead, almost confusing himself with what he just said.



“This woman still thinks you are lying? Why didn’t you try and assure her you weren’t.” Severus looked at his wife with a straight face.



“Hermione, I spent several months of my life trying to convince that woman that I was not lying to her. I would rather chop of the left side of my nut sac then have to be subjected to that again.” His face had not changed expression from it’s staidness.



Hermione however burst out laughing. She leaned back in the chair holding her stomach while Severus just watched her. “Oh Severus, she can’t be that bad.” She finally said when she calmed down.



“May you never know.” He helped her go through the rest of the clothes and then quickly boxed up two of the three boxes. When she held out her hand he just stared at her.



“The cami and Piglet knickers go in this one, I’m giving it to the orphanage.” He pulled out his wand and sealed the box, calling for his house elf to take the boxes to the charity Hermione had picked out.



“What do you want those things for?” She asked, but he was already out of the room and on his way to change clothes.



For dinner Hermione had made baked lasagna while Severus was putting the supplies in the lap, she pull out a cheesecake from the cooler. She took out a bottle of his favorite champagne and two long flutes to the table. “Severus, come and eat.” he called when she had the table set. She handed him the bottle to open.



“Champagne tonight?” He asked, uncorking the bottle and pouring. “What’s the occasion.”



“I didn’t plan of the champagne until you came home. This is just my way of saying thank you for thinking of me today.” She told him when they sat.



“You mean by refusing lunch with Cathy?” She nodded.



“I know it was normal for you to have lunch or dinner with her and you didn’t because of how I would feel. I just want to show you that it’s appreciated.” She said.



He leaned over and kissed her. “So I get my favorite meal, my favorite desert, and my favorite wine?” He asked.



“Yes indeed.” She said.



“This marriage thing isn’t that bad now, is it?” He said tucking in while Hermione giggled.



While they ate, Hermione told him about an upcoming protest. “There is going to be a meeting at the Ministry about the proposed law. I’d like to go and lend my support to the demonstrators.” She said, watching him.



“You want me to go as well?” He said knowing what she would ask. She hated this proposed law.



“Yes, but only if you want to.” She said.



“I’ll go. Having married couples there would show they how the law is hated by everyone. Do you know other married couples who are going?” He asked.



“Yes.” She rattled off several couples and Severus was impressed. The Ministry was loosing ground every day.



The had gotten halfway through the small cheesecake when Severus stopped her. “Do you really want to thank me for what I did earlier?” He asked with a wicked grin.



“Oh yes.” She said, wondering what he has in mind.



“Come with me then.” He took the small plate with the remaining cheesecake on it and led her back to their bedroom. The house elf began cleaning up the kitchen and table.



He set down the plate and took out the cami and little knickers. Using his wand he enlarged them both to fit her. “Put these on.” He said while she giggled.



She took off in the bathroom and changed while he stripped down and reclined against the headboard naked. Hermione came jumping out of the bathroom with her hair in a ponytail high on her head. She had added bright pink socks that came up to her knees.



“Turn around.” He told her. He grounded as the piglet sitting with a big apple was right there on her bum. “Come here woman, and feed me my cheesecake.”



Hermione laughed out loud but climbed up and straddled his naked body, feeding him cheesecake with her fingers.









A/N: as to pstibbons review asked about their rules: Hermione will go to Severus anytime she is uncomfortable with some and not jump to conclusions, Severus will take into consideration Hermione feelings on anything and if she may think something is inappropriate. In other words, he will think before he acts.