A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 72 ~ A Rather Serious Talk

Hermione and the children spent an enjoyable few days at the Burrow before returning to the worksite. Hugo was beside himself with excitement, particularly since he learned all the wards were down.

”Now Hugo,” Hermione said to him with a frown, “the professor doesn’t want you tramping all over his fields. The wards are down but the fields are still off limits. The soil is being treated.”

”Don’t worry mum. The fields will be fine,” Hugo replied grinning.

Rose looked at her brother, noticing immediately he didn’t promise not to explore the fields. Ah well. If mum didn’t catch it, then she certainly wasn’t going to say anything about it.

They apparated to the site, Hugo running up the path to the building. The door immediately opened.

“Mr. Hugo Weasley entering the premises. Authorized,” the female voice said as Hugo entered. He went straight to the apartment and waited for his mother and sister, bouncing on his toes.

”Hurry up, mum!” he called to Hermione.

”What’s the rush, Hugo?” Hermione asked him as she opened the apartment and Hugo went in.

”I want to put my things away,” he said, hurrying to his bedroom, taking his bags out of his pocket and enlarging them. Suddenly Eli winked in, smiling at the boy.

”I will puts those away, Master Hugo,” the elf said pleasantly.

Hugo stared at Eli. He was never a very friendly house elf. Then he shrugged.

”Thanks Eli,” he said, hurrying back into the living room, then into Rose’s room.

”You don’t have to put your stuff away. Eli will do it. Now come on, let’s go look around,” he said to his sister, catching her hand.

Rose scowled at him.

”Hugo, you better not be planning on doing anything that’s going to get us in trouble,” she warned him as she rewrapped her scarf.

”Of course I’m not,” he said to her with a broad smile.

Rose looked doubtful, but followed him out. Hermione was in the kitchen brewing a bit of tea. She peeked out.

”Are you two heading out already?” she called.

”Yes mum,” they both answered together.

”Well, remember what I told you about the fields,” she chided them.

”We will mum. We’re not dense,” Hugo replied, heading out the door, followed by Rose.

The mountainside was very pretty covered with snow, and they wandered down the path until they came to the first field. It didn’t look very interesting at all.

”Come on, Rose,” Hugo said, but Rose held back.

“Hugo, it doesn’t look very interesting. Let’s just keep walking,” she suggested.

Hugo scowled at her.

”Rose, it’s not that it’s interesting, it’s just that it’s off limits. That’s the fun of it. There aren’t any wards because there aren’t any plants. So come on. I just want to walk through it,” he argued, tugging on her sleeve.

”But mum said the soil’s being prepared. Walking on it might mess it up in some way, Hugo?” Rose responded.

”If several inches of freezing snow won’t hurt it, we won’t Rose. Stop being a killjoy,” he said to her.

Rose sighed.

”All right, Hugo . . . Just a quick walkthrough.”

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Hermione was sitting in the living room drinking her second cup of tea when she heard the female voice announce Hugo’s and Rose’s return.

“Hm. They weren’t gone very long,” she said to herself. “Maybe they got cold.”

She waited. It seemed to take a long time for them to come in. Maybe they went to the ROR. Suddenly, a heavy thump sounded on her apartment door. It didn’t quite sound like a knock

“What in the world?” Hermione said, putting down her tea and walking over to the apartment door and pulling it open. She stared out of it for a moment, then pinched her nose, shaking her head.

Both Rose and Hugo stood there, covered in pink bubble gum. But because it was so cold outside, it had hardened and they were completely encased in it, only eyeholes and nose holes apparent. They rocked oddly, shuffling forward.

”I don’t think the wards were really down, mum,” Hugo said as he shuffled past her.

Rose said nothing as she rocked her way inside as well.

In his house, Severus was trying to catch his breath, he was laughing so hard, doubled over in the armchair in front of the fireplace, the magic mirror dangling dangerously in one pale hand. That would show the little devils.

He suspected that despite Hermione’s assurances, Hugo and Rose would not be able to resist the fields, simply because they were told not to enter it. He watched from the moment they left the site, to when they approached the fields. For a moment, it seemed as if logic would win out as Rose and her brother talked. It was easy to see who the ringleader was as Hugo pulled Rose forward and she started walking with him.

Severus had set the wards far enough back so the pair were relatively confident they were safe before the gum hit them, Rose yelling at Hugo and Hugo laughing uproariously as they were covered from head to toe. Then the gum hardened and both of them fell over.

Severus had to wipe the tears from his eyes when that happened. Then they were both whooshed back to the site and were on their own once they were inside.

Hermione was probably going to be livid, but he told her he expected them to stay out of the fields. It wasn’t his fault they were natural-born rule breakers. It was a matter of genetics.

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Hermione was walking up the hall when the female voice announced Severus was entering the premises. Scowling she folded her arms and waited as the wizard billowed up to her, his eyes rather hot.

”Welcome back, Hermione,” he said silkily.

”Don’t ‘Welcome Back’ me, Severus Snape. You set up Rose and Hugo!” she snapped at him.

Severus looked shocked.

”What do you mean, I set them up? I did no such thing,” he said to the witch.

”Yes you did! You told me the fields weren’t warded,” Hermione replied, frowning.

”They weren’t at the time. They are now. Besides, didn’t you tell me they wouldn’t be visiting the fields?” he asked her, fighting back a smirk.

Hermione looked a bit taken aback by this statement. She had told him that.

“Yes. Yes I did, but still they . . .” she began.

”Apparently, they ignored your warnings. I imagine you did tell them to stay out,” he asked Hermione, knowing she did.

”Apparently,” she agreed, “But still, you put the wards back up . . .”

”I discovered there were creatures scratching at the soil,” the wizard lied, “I have to protect my interests.”

Hermione glared at the wizard, who looked at her soberly. Then she sighed.

”They should have listened,” she said, her shoulders slumping a bit in defeat.

”Yes, they should have. Where are they now?” he asked the witch.

”In the steam room. The gum hardened and has to soften up before they can wash it off,” she said.

Severus’ mouth worked a bit. It would be unseemly for him to burst out in laughter at Hermione’s offspring’s predicament.

“Maybe I can offer some assistance,” the wizard said, wanting to see them for himself.

“Fine. Come on,” Hermione snapped, still miffed at the wizard and stalking back toward the exercise room.

Severus followed her. She was dressed in jeans and a sweater. His eyes rested on her hips and he felt a bit of a pulse as he remembered the last time they were together. He sped up, catching her before she opened the door. He caught the knob and she turned to face him.

“Severus what are you . . .” she started to say before the wizard captured her mouth in a rather hungry kiss. She couldn’t help but respond as his passion rushed over her.

He pulled away from her mouth, his dark eyes glittering.

”I wanted to give you a proper greeting,” he said to her in a low voice, “I’ve missed you, witch.”

Hermione colored at the look in his eyes.

”I’ve missed you too,” she replied softly.

”How much?” he asked her, a deeper question in his eyes.

”Enough to be happy to see you,” Hermione replied, not about to even hint that she wanted to tangle with him again yet. That had been some night and every time she thought about it, she was overwhelmed.

Severus pursed his lips at her and straightened, understanding. He hadn’t expected her to return randy and ready. She wasn’t that kind of witch and he appreciated that. But there would be another time . . . and another . . .

“Let us check on your issue,” he said, opening the door and letting Hermione in, following behind her. He looked toward the glass encased steam room, unable to see anything for the steam.

”You have it up rather high,” he said to Hermione, walking over to the temperature control and turning it down a few notches.

”The gum was unbelievably hard,” she replied, looking at the steam filled room as it slowly cleared, revealing two very damp figures with melted pink gum dripping off them. Hugo waved as Rose looked disgusted.

Severus made a noise and Hermione looked at him sharply.

”You find this funny!” she accused him.

Severus didn’t speak, his Adam’s apple working up and down furiously.

”Admit it! You think this is hilarious!” Hermione said, stomping her foot just as Rose gave the wizard a sorrowful, rather hangdog look.

Severus burst out in rich laughter, guffawing as Hermione looked at him completely shocked. She didn’t know he could laugh like that. And goodness, did he laugh and laugh . . . Hugo laughing along with him as both witches scowled. After a good three minutes, wiping his eyes with his hand, Severus pulled out his wand and strode toward the steam room, muttering something and flicking his wand at the pair. Instantly they were not only cleaned of the bubble gum, but dry too.

Hugo was the first out of the steamroom.

”Thanks Professor,” he said, grinning up at the wizard, whose black eyes were still full of mirth.

”You’re welcome, Mr. Weasley,” he replied.

”Call me Hugo,” the boy said brightly.

”You’re welcome, Hugo,” the Potions master said with a slight nod, his mouth quirking.

Rose on the other hand, glared at the tall wizard.

”Mum said the wards were down,” she said to the Potions master accusingly.

”They were, Miss Weasley, at the time. However, the situation changed and I had to erect them again. I was assured that you and your brother would avoid the areas. This is quite . . . unfortunate,” he said in a tight voice.

Rose didn’t help any because she looked so pissed. In fact, she and Hermione wore almost identical expressions of aggravation.

Hugo studied Severus. He knew immediately that the wizard put the wards up just so they’d be covered in gum. And he thought it was cool that he had a sense of humor despite how severe he looked. The young wizard began to understand at least a little why his mum might like him. He decided to break the tension.

”Did you come for lunch, Professor?” he asked the wizard.

Severus looked at him soberly.

”Actually, I was . . . notified that the wards had been triggered and why, so I came to be of assistance. I would hate to intrude on family time . . .”

“But if you don’t intrude, how are we going to get to know you, Professor?” Hugo asked him earnestly, both Rose and Hermione looking at him a bit shocked at his forwardness.

Severus looked down his nose at the boy.

”Not many people have ever been that interested in ‘getting to know’ me, Hugo,” he replied silkily.

“Well I’m interested since my mum likes you,” he responded. “I want to know if you’re . . . you’re worthy of her.”

Worthy of her? Why the bold little scamp.

Hermione turned bright red at this.

”How about I just make lunch?” she said quickly, “Severus, you’re welcome to join us. It will only take a few minutes.”

Severus looked at Hugo, who met his gaze steadily.

”I believe I will, only if to find out if I am worthy of you, Mrs. Weasley,” he replied.

Hugo grinned as Rose scowled. She thought the Professor was quite mean, setting them up like that. She followed Hermione out the door, leaving Hugo and Severus in the exercise room.

“That was nice of you to buy Rod robes, Professor. He’s a nice guy, even if he is a Slytherin,” the boy said, trying to make conversation.

Severus arched an eyebrow at Hugo.

”Ah, I take it you don’t approve of Slytherin house then, Hugo,” he said to the young wizard in a low voice, trying to make him feel a bit threatened.

He might have tried threatening a snow bank. Hugo was completely unaffected.

”It’s not Slytherin house. It’s the Slytherins in it,” he replied with a shrug.

”The animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin dates back to the founders themselves, young man,” Severus said to him pointedly.

”But it’s stupid,” Hugo said. “I don’t see why we all have to fight with each other. I mean we’re all witches and wizards. We go to the same school and take the same classes. It doesn’t make sense.”

”Not much in life does, Hugo,” Severus said to the boy.

Hm. He really didn’t seem like a bad sort. He had a bit of his mother’s logic as well as both his father’s and mother’s recklessness. Maybe it would be tempered as he got older.

Hugo began to walk around the exercise room, looking at the machines.

”Do you work out, Professor?” the boy asked him suddenly.

”On occasion,” the wizard replied.

”What do you do?” Hugo asked him, pulling on one of the handles. It was set to Severus’ preferences and he couldn’t budge it.

“You know Hugo, you remind me very much of your mother at your age. She was chock full of questions too . . . annoyingly so,” Severus snapped at him.

“Yeah, but you never learn anything if you don’t ask questions,” Hugo replied, hopping up on the treadmill and starting to walk. “There’s nothing wrong with asking about something you want to know.”

Hugo looked at the imposing wizard calmly, blue eyes meeting black. He hopped off the treadmill and walked up to Severus, a sober look on his face.

”I’m the only man in my family, Professor. My dad is gone and there’s no one else to look out for my sister and my mum but me. I know I’m young, but I have to act older sometimes. I don’t do it much, but I know when I should and I think I should do it now so we can understand each other. I know my mum likes you. I don’t think Rose does though. Me, I don’t really know if I do or not, though I think you’re funny,” Hugo said earnestly.

Severus simply looked at the boy.

“But I want to try to get to know you and find out if you’ll be nice to mum. I mean really nice. You gave her this job and a place to stay and everything but she works for you. You’re getting something out of it. It doesn’t mean that you are really being nice. Just that you’re making money. What I really want to know is if you really like my mum back, or are . . . are taking advantage of her because she’s by herself. I know she has to get lonely without dad, and she’s not used to being by herself. If you don’t like her back, Professor and are just taking advantage of her, I’m not going to like it,” Hugo said, his eyes darkening.

Severus blinked at the boy. Would he threaten to duel him?

“I assure you, Hugo, I hold your mother in the highest esteem. She is one of a kind, a brilliant woman and I would never do anything to harm her in any way. Is that answer sufficient, or would you like me to take a Blood Oath?” he asked Hugo snarkily.

Hugo studied him. Then smiled.

”I believe you, Professor. I don’t think you’re a liar. And like mum told Grandmum, if you just wanted a witch there are plenty out here who would like you because you are a hero. And they are a lot younger and some prettier than mum,” Hugo said to him.

Severus nodded at this.

”You may find out, Hugo, if you become one of those rare wizards who look past the surface of a woman, that looks matter very little when you are looking for someone to share your life with. There are other aspects more important. Aspects that make a relationship secure. Looks fade as the years pass, and those other aspects are the glue that will keep a wizard happy for the rest of his days,” the wizard said to the boy.

“So, are you saying you want to marry my mum?” Hugo asked him.

Severus went a bit paler at this question, then caught himself.

”I don’t know what the future holds, Hugo,” he responded, then looked at the boy curiously, “But, a rhetorical question . . . if I did want to marry your mother, would you object to it?”

”I don’t know. That’s why I need to get to know you,” the young wizard replied.

Well, at least the boy didn’t say no right off the bat. Severus had a feeling Rose would have a very different response.

”Fair enough, Hugo. Then I imagine we both will have to get to know each other,” Severus replied, “I believe lunch should be ready by now. Shall we go?”

Hugo nodded and led the way, Severus following him, his eyes resting on the young wizard thoughtfully.

Not too bad a boy at all.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.