I don't own Harry Potter

Thank you for the feedback. Please read and review

Chapter 72

Severus would have to say that things were calmer by Christmas break. He was back on speaking terms with Tom. They were to go to London for Christmas. Minerva would stay in Scotland with her family. Tom offered to go with her. Minerva however said that it would make no sense since Tom was expected to work except for Christmas and Boxing day. He would have Christmas lunch with Minerva and then have Christmas dinner with them. Severus and Hermione decided to stay in Hammersmith. They would not occupy Notting Hill. Severus agreed and looked forward to spending Christmas with Minerva and Tom only.

He packed his things and waved at Mulciber who chose to stay at Hogwarts this year. He joined the rest of the students in Hogsmeade. Hermione and Crookshanks waited for him at the station. "Where is Lily?"

Hermione smiled, "she's staying with James. He is sick." Severus rolled his eyes. "probably faking it." He muttered as she kissed him. Hermione then rolled her eyes at him. They had a quiet ride back to London. They walked hand in hand through the barrier. Hermione gasped and Severus turned to look at her. He stiffened. There, by one of the entrances was his father and wife. Severus was almost knocked to the side when Lizzie ran with her cart to meet her parents. Severus looked at his father once again. Tobias looked back at him for a brief second before focusing on Lizzie.

Hermione and him walked to an alley and then apparated home.

She opened her mouth, "I don't want to talk about it." Severus pulled her to their bedroom and warded the door. Severus kissed her deeply. It was the first time they were together, fully together since it her birthday. Hermione established a study regimen that drove him and Lily to exhaustion. He also had it on good authority that she studied with Remus. She also included Black and Potter. She outright refused to speak to the rat as did Lily. She relented on Black and Potter because they begged her. Everyone shunned them. He also knew that Hermione let them have her notes and share them with Pettigrew.

Severus was sure that she would not let him inside the common room because of Albus' words, one more toe out of line and he would pack for London. So he had to content himself with make out sessions in hidden classrooms. The room of requirement was off limits. It appeared to be broken. Hermione, Lily and Severus tried to access it at different times and it would not show up. There was not enough time but for the stolen hours at night. Remus was now Head Boy and let Hermione easy when he found her during patrols. Severus disliked that but remained quiet. He knew he was on very thin ice after everything that happened during Hermione's birthday weekend. He wanted to forget that he saw Tobias and that soon, he would know that they shared a last name.

They undressed quickly. Hermione finally shared his enthusiasm. "I've missed you." She groaned when he pulled down her jeans. Severus smirked, "you could let me into your common room. I would just need to have that stupid cloak at all times and go with you and Lily after dinner."

Hermione shook her head and kissed him until he was under her. It was wonderful, the way she made him feel. Hermione ground on him while he tried to reach whatever of her was closest to him. He tried to turn them but Hermione shook her head.

"No, I get to be on top." She bit his lips and rubbed alongside him. Severus moaned when she licked his nipple.

Hermione sat back and pointed her wand at her belly. It was a force of habit by now. He did not expect her to stroke him and then impale herself on him. It was almost too much too soon. "Fuck me."

Hermione smiled and began to move her hips in a maddingly slow pace. She looked into his eyes and then moved her hand to touch her clit. Severus knew there was nothing sexier than her. She contracted around him in time for him to help her pick up the pace to something he liked. Hermione gasped and was out of breath once more, her thighs trembled around him and her belly shook. Severus growled and spilled into her quickly. He felt her breathing go back to normal after a few minutes.

"I will find a way to go inside your common room. I am not going without sex any longer." He said sleepily.

Hermione nodded and moved her hair out of her face, "yeah."

They woke up hours later to Tom's voice. "I made dinner." He yelled out.

Hermione grabbed a towel. She wanted a bath before eating. Severus felt he could eat a horse.

Tom served him some roast beef, "quite an appetite you got. Why are you so hungry?"

Severus smirked and was about to reply when the older man turned green, "don't tell me. I've just deduced it."

The younger man shrugged and continued eating. Hermione joined them ten minutes later. Severus was going for his second helping.

"I don't know where it all goes. You are all skin and bone." She said and ate some mashed potatoes.

"I am a growing boy." Severus replied.

Tom laughed. "So how was term?"

"Hermione insists on draconian study sessions. She is forcing me to review coursework that will not come up on the NEWTS." Severus sneered at his wife.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him hard. "It will come up. I know it. He is of course exaggerating. Lily and Remus have not complained."

Severus smirked and looked at Tom, "Lily didn't have any good female friendships before Hermione came along. She doesn't want to hurt her and the werewolf is in love with her."

Hermione glared at him and then scolded Tom for chuckling, "you'll thank me when you get all of your Outstandings."

Severus grinned impishly, "I already sat for them. I aced them."

Tom laughed once more. "How many NEWTS did you get last time?"

"All seven Outstandings." Severus said quickly.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "you still need to study."

Tom smiled and continued eating. They finished dinner and talked about the Christmas plans. "Minnie will spend my birthday and new year's with us. I briefly thought of going away with you three but it is impossible."

Hermione waved him away. "We'll have Christmas together just like old times." Severus smiled at her.

Tom looked away, "about that. I've accepted a Christmas invitation to Arthur's. I would not ask you to cook a Christmas feast Severus." They all knew Hermione's cooking abilities were not that well developed. She just did not care for it.

Severus looked at Hermione, expecting to see a downcast expression, or at least a small grimace. He however saw a big smile on his wife's face. "How wonderful, I suppose we are all invited."

Tom grinned, "we are. You are going to love Molly. She's expecting."

"The twins are on the way?" Severus asked and Hermione laughed happily.

Tom frowned, "you two know the Weasleys?"

Hermione grinned, "of course we do. They are wonderful people. They always welcomed me and Harry."

Severus smiled, "Molly is such a wonderful cook." He remembered her and Arthur very kindly. Molly always cooked his favorites when he was in headquarters. She made wonderful Lancashire hotpot every time he gave his reports and he took his to go. Molly never complained. She just smiled and sent him off with a discreet parcel.

"How do you know them?" Tom asked, it was Hermione who surprisingly gave an answer.

"Her youngest son, Ronald was my best friend." Hermione's eyes sparkled with happiness. He never understood her alliance with Ronald. He would have pegged her to go for Potter.

Severus smiled, "more like boyfriend."

Hermione chuckled, "in another life, Ron and I would have married. I would have been a Weasley. Could you imagine?" She addressed Severus.

He smiled, "he would have been very lucky to have you."

Hermione pecked his lips. Tom cleared his throat. "You never told me one of your best friends was a Weasley.

"I didn't think it mattered. I loved going to the Burrow. I loved all the magic around it." She said happily.

Tom smiled, "Arthur's little family is very welcoming. I was there for Percy's first birthday. Those kids are fun. Never tell Minnie this, but our nieces and nephews are too well behaved."

Severus laughed. Tom retired to his office. He had some letters to write. "I bought a thing to put films in. Arthur said it worked wonderfully. He also bought me some films. I thought you would like them."

Hermione and Severus stayed in the living room. Hermione smiled and put on something called "Star Wars." She frowned at him.

"You've never watched them?" She asked him.

"No, Lily was the one who liked films. I just went along with her." He said quickly.

Hermione grinned. "You are in for a treat. You will love it."

Severus rolled his eyes, "why would I love it?" Severus found that he bored too easily with films.

"Trust me." She said and so they sat down to watch it.

Severus found himself absorbed in the story. It was truly a feat in part of the muggles to devise such artistry. The technology depicted was impressive. "Are you sure they are all muggles?"

Hermione nodded. "They all are and there are more films coming. The next one will come out in 1980 and the following in 1983."

Severus blinked, "there will be more?"

"Oh yes and there will be a generation of boys playing with lightsabers and thinking they can control the force." Hermione said. "You are going to laugh." She giggled. They were both in bed by then. They faced each other.

"Why?" He asked.

"I used to think that I was a Jedi. I thought my magic was surely a sign that I was a Jedi like Luke." Hermione's eyes were light with laughter.

Severus chuckled. "Young Jedi mistress." He said formally.

Hermione hugged him and they slept easily.

They were opening presents while drinking coffee and cocoa. Hermione smiled at his gift. "I love them." He got her an emerald bracelet to match her necklace.

Severus received a nice set of muggle books from her. He was very happy with them.

Tom smiled when he opened his gifts and thanked them happily. They readied to floo to the Burrow. Tom went in first. He carried a bottle of Ogden's finest. He wore a Weasley sweater. It was deep green. Hermione misted over the fact that Molly knit her one when she was in her sixth year, even after Ron and her were fighting. Severus went after Tom.

He'd never been. He was filled with warmth. The living room had a very homely quality to it. He smiled softly when Hermione joined him. "It's just like I remember it."

"Dear Molly, I hope we are not too early." Tom said as he kissed a younger Molly.

"Mr. Snape." She said and blushed when Tom refused to let her call him that. "You have to call me Tom. We've talked about this. Arthur will tell you. I will not rest until you get used to it."

She chuckled and then looked at them, "My nephew and his girlfriend."

"Severus Snape." Severus offered his hand. Molly shook it and smiled.

"Hermione Granger." Hermione beamed at Molly.

Molly smiled at her. "You are glowing Mrs. Weasley. How far along are you?" Hermione began conversation easily.

"I'm due by the end of April. This baby is sure a big one." Molly began.

Hermione grinned, "boy or girl."

"I want a girl. I so long for a daughter. I love my boys but I want a little girl." She said quickly.

"Where are the boys?" Tom asked as he sat down to eat some sweets.

"Out with Arthur. They should be back in a minute. Percy, the poor dear is sleeping. He had a very bad morning. He had a nasty shock with the new owl. Bill thought it would be nice for him to pet it. Errol did not think so and bit Percy on the hand." Molly explained.

Severus listened to the small conversation and looked outside to Arthur hand in hand with William and Charles. He remembered the oldest Weasley as an apt potioneer.

"There they are." Molly said and got up. Severus noticed that the two boys wore new clothes. He was used to seeing those Weasleys with second hand clothing. These Weasleys were doing better for themselves.

"Shall I serve lunch?" She asked.

Tom shook his head, "not quite yet Molly dear. Let me play with these hellions." Tom said with a smile.

"Boys." He said. The young Weasleys ran upstairs and brought back exploding snaps, gobstones and magic card tricks.

"Make them blow up." The youngest yelled. Severus watched as Tom played tricks. Hermione helped and played with the kids too.

He excused himself after a frenzied Charlie decided that he wanted to explode the couch and pretend he was a dragon. He went up to the loo.

Severus was about to go down the stairs when he heard Percy cry. He followed the noise and found Percy crying in his crib. Severus went and looked at him. He was soiled. Severus waved his wand and cleaned his nappy. "You'll have to wait until your mum cleans you properly." He said and picked him up. Percy looked at him carefully and then waved his hand to catch a teddy bear.

Severus went downstairs with the child. "I cleaned his nappy magically." He said once Molly picked Percy from him.

"Thank you." She said and giggled at Percy who grabbed her face and giggled too.

Hermione grabbed his hand, "Come you have to play with Bill and Charlie too."

Severus found that Bill could listen to instructions but Charlie was self-driven but compellingly adorable. He once ran a toy truck over his jeans' leg. He looked up at him and let out a maniacal laughter. Severus tried his best to glare at him but Charlie was undeterred and continued to play with the truck.

Soon it was time for lunch. The two Weasleys were much better behaved then. They looked at their mother who smiled brightly when they cut their food and ate without making much messes. Bill was very successful while young Charlie tried his best. Percy had his meal spoon fed by Arthur.

They talked about Hogwarts, the ministry and future plans. "What are you bright minds thinking of?" Arthur asked.

"Now, now Arthur, we are not working to recruit today." Tom said jokingly.

Hermione smiled, "I don't know really. I would like to do something useful. I don't think the ministry may be the best fit."

Arthur chuckled, "you have to admit Tom has effected change."

"Certainly, I however do not know if it is enough just yet. A lot of what you two do is theoretical and so regimented. There is a lot of waiting in politics." Hermione said honestly.

Tom and Arthur looked at each other, "you would be more than welcome to work with us Hermione." Tom said warmly. "I would love for that to happen."

"What about you Severus? Would you like to follow your uncle's footsteps?" Molly asked genially.

"Not at all." Severus replied just as honestly, "the ministry life isn't for me."

"What will you do Severus?" Tom asked curiously.

"I don't know. It depends on Hermione really. If she wants to stay in England, we'll stay. If not, we'll travel. Maybe go to New York." Severus said while eating his hotpot.

"So, you two are very serious." Molly said.

Severus replied, "yes, we are, I'd marry her tonight but Hermione wants to wait until after our NEWTS."

Molly smiled, "Arthur and I were the same way. We just knew."

Hermione grinned, "Sev and I think we'll stay in London. He seems uninterested but I just know he'll do something with potions."

Severus shrugged, "we'll see."

The Weasleys were wonderful hosts. Arthur and Tom talked about the Ministry with Hermione after lunch. Severus listened but did not join in the discussion. He talked to Molly about the clock she made. "It was complicated charmwork."

"You are formidable." He said and observed as each of the hands held a picture of each of the Weasleys.

Severus asked her some questions and found that she was an excellent duelist. "Molly, have you thought of working privately?"

"Whatever do you mean?" She asked him.

"I mean research, charms to be exact, inventing them. You may have a gift." Molly blushed.

"Well, not really, the kids are very young, maybe in a few years." She said. Severus continued to ask her about the clock.

Charlie fell asleep on the couch. Bill played with a muggle puzzle by the rug. Arthur took Charlie to his room. Percy toddled around the living room and took an extreme liking to Hermione.

"You are very handsome." She said and tickled his fat belly.

Severus smiled at them. Tom and Molly had a cup of tea. He joined Bill with the puzzle. It was of Star Wars. "I saw it a few days ago."

Bill grinned. "Charlie and I dressed as Jedis last Hallow's Eve." Bill then proceeded to tell him all about that day and the movie and what he thought would happen after Luke and Han received their medals. Severus smiled. It was like having a young Tom once more. Bill talked until it was time for them to leave.

"Bye Sev. I'll have let me borrow Errol and write to you." He yelled before going to his room.

"Don't worry. He will not." Arthur said behind his glasses.

Severus tried to appear not too relieved. "It was a lovely time." He said. Hermione hugged Molly. "Thank you so much. Good luck with the baby." She said and they left.

Tom decided to accompany to a late drink. "Arthur has a nice idea about making muggle studies mandatory for students in the Hogwarts curriculum. He believes there should be literature courses assigned as well."

"That is a wonderful idea." Hermione said.

"Will not happen." Severus said simply. "Don't you two look at me in such a way. You need more time."

Tom sighed, "maybe it will not happen now but maybe when Arthur becomes Minister of Magic."

Severus looked at him, "and when will this happen?"

Tom shrugged, "in a few years. Oh, I plan to be minister for a few more years maybe four or five more. Albus and I agreed that it would be too ghastly if I stayed for more than ten years."

"Since when are you and the headmaster such confidantes?" Hermione asked the man.

"I wouldn't say we are confidantes but our alliance has definitely improved this year. He is a wise man and helpful when placed in check." Toms added, "I am quite happy to be Minister now but I want Arthur to be my successor. One always has to think about the succession."

"How very Slytherin of you." Hermione said but smiled a bit.

Tom's birthday was a quiet affair. Minerva joined them, she tried to be cheery but the loss of her father affected her quite a bit. Tom was attentive and very emphatic. They spent the morning with them and then went away to celebrate the birthday privately. Hermione was a little jealous but Severus scolded her. "That's his wife. You know better." He told her.

Soon it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Tom took them to the station. Severus entered the platform last. Tom drew quite a crowd. "Minister, minister." He heard. Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the people.

"Goodbye." Hermione hugged Tom.

Severus nodded at Tom, "behave." Tom placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Yes, I will and I am not a child." Severus said with a raised eyebrow.

"Your young face will grow into that look." Tom said and shook his hand. He apparated away.

Severus and Hermione were about to board the train when Tobias addressed them.

"Excuse me you are that boy." The older man said and looked at him. Severus frowned.

"The boy that almost got ran over by the lorry." Tobias said.

Lizzie did not let him speak back. "This is the boy dad. I told you about him. He looks like you and he has your last name. Maybe we are related." Lizzie said excitedly.

Tobias arched an eyebrow, the same way he did, "I had no brothers or sisters."

Hermione saved him, "I don't think you two are related then you would be related to the minister of magic. Severus is his nephew. Surely you are not."

Tobias smiled, "Tom Snape. I met him years ago. He thought we could be but we compared notes. We are not. See Lizzie, he's not related to us."

Lizzie looked disappointed, "I thought it would be nice to have someone else be related to us that is magical."

"We have to go." Hermione dragged Severus not before he listened to Tobias, "Do go on and write to mummy. You know she loves to hear from you."

"How I wished mummy could not go in to work today. She would have loved to see the Express. She always does." Lizzie parroted. Her disappointment forgotten.

Severus was extremely quiet when they found a compartment. "I don't want to talk about it. Tobias and Eileen, my parents are dead. I will not have to see them or Lizzy after June." He hissed.

Hermione frowned at him, "you said that before and then you were almost expelled."

Severus frowned back, "I want to forget he exists. I swear, I am fine. Can we just do something else? Say something else."

Hermione sighed, "very well. I have planned something small for your birthday."

Severus looked at her and smirked. He trailed his fingers over her skirt, "what have you in mind?"

She kissed him, "you'll see."