A Room With a View

Deserving or Not

Dinner had been glorious. Severus was well used to the Malfoy's elf, Parsnip, and her cooking - and she was well aware of his favorites. They'd had arugula and apple salad, gorgeous hazelnut-crusted scallops (Ginny partook of those sparingly), and an English pea soup with balsamic reduction to start. For a main, Parsnip had served garlic and rosemary rubbed leg of lamb with roasted sprouts and creamy risotto with morels. Each course was served with an accompanying wine and dessert - oh, dessert - was a chocolate, pistachio, and hazelnut baklava that came with beautiful little cups of Greek coffee.

Conversation flowed around the table, but Severus was content to watch Hermione interact with her friends - and his - for most of the meal. She was almost effervescent, and upon reflection Severus realized that they'd largely kept to themselves or to Hogwarts in recent weeks. What time they'd spent out of the castle had been at balls or cloistered in his house. He wondered if she longed for broader society. It was a thought for later.

They'd just finished their coffee and dessert when he noticed Ginevra gasp and twitch in her seat. Potter's attention focused on her immediately. "Ginny? What is it?"

"Just a twinge," she breathed. "Been having them off and on for a couple of hours."

"Is it-"

"Yeah. Um, I think we'd better head to St. Mungo's."

Harry looked up at Severus in a panic. "Snape - I'm sorry we need to-"

Severus chuckled a bit and waved his hand. "Go, Potter! Take your wife to St. Mungo's. We will follow shortly." He nodded his head toward Ginny. "Good luck tonight, Ginevra."

"Thank you, Pr - Severus!" she said, a little short of breath. She batted at her husband's hands as he ushered her into the floor. "I'm in labor, Harry, not incapacitated. St. Mungo's!"

"Oh, shite. The Weasleys." Harry spun to look at Hermione helplessly. "Mione? Could you?"

"Don't worry, Harry," she replied soothingly, giving the younger man a tight hug. "I'll floo them right after you go. I'm sure they'll be there in a flash. Now go to your wife. Shoo!" A moment later, Potter's body whirled in a flash of green flames and he was gone.

"I suppose this puts rather a cap on the evening, Severus," Lucius said with a smirk. He patted his old friend on his arm. "I realize you'll be rushing off to sit with the Potter girl momentarily, but I wondered if I could have a word before you go?"

"Of course, Lucius," Severus said with a raised brow. He was curious what his old friend had to say and guided him over to a corner accordingly. A raised eyebrow indicated that Lucius should proceed.

"I wanted to congratulate you, Severus. You and Miss Granger, really, but she is otherwise occupied." He smirked a bit as Severus glanced over his shoulder to see Hermione's behind sticking out of the floo as she spoke to the Weasleys. "I'm glad you found your way back to each other. At Narcissa's suggestion, I wanted to offer you our chateau for your honeymoon whenever you'd like."

Severus's eyes widened slightly. He'd only been to the chateau once before, just before joining the Death Eaters. It was the only Western European Malfoy residence that had not been tainted by the presence of Voldemort in either the first or second wars.

"That's very generous, Lucius," he said, placing his palm on the older man's shoulder. "If I may, I'd like to discuss it with Hermione."

"Of course," he replied, bowing his head slightly. "There was another matter." He paused, paying close attention to Severus's face as he spoke again. "Percival Weasley."

Severus stilled. "Ah. I had wondered when you would hear about that."

Lucius snorted. "Please. My sources are varied and efficient. What do you intend to do?"