Always

Chapter 6

The sun sat high in the morning sky. Wind rustled softly through the trees. The air smelt of dew and freshly fallen rain. Hermione breathed it in as rays of sunlight sparkled on the water's calm surface.

In the distance she could hear the sounds of the magical, and somewhat mystical, creatures of the Forbidden Forest. Further on she could see smoke rising from Hagrid's cottage.

Hermione sighed. She missed him terribly.

Perhaps I should go see him, she thought.

"What, may I ask, is going through that brilliant mind of yours?" Severus asked as het sat next to his wife.

"I was just thinking about Hagrid and how I haven't seen him in a while," Hermione said with a sigh.

Severus nodded,"Perhaps you should go see him?"

"That's what I was thinking when you interrupted my thoughts," Hermione answered with a smile.

"Terribly sorry, wife. We could go now if you'd like?" He offered.

Hermione smiled.

"Sounds great! Come, Bree," she said to the little toddler playing just a few feet away,"we're going to Hagrid's!"

***

Hagrid went about his business as usual that day. He tended to his rather enormous pumpkins with extreme care. Checked on his cabbages, carrots and the large variety of other fruits and vegetables taking over his garden.

He had just sat with a cup of tea when he heard laughing. He stopped and focused to hear better. He probably had just imagined it.

The laughter sounded again. This time closer. Hagrid stood. It sounded like a young child. That can't be right. It was weekend. Children weren't at school. Young children didn't even go to school here!

He moved over to his door, swinging it open. The heavy wood moaned, sounding ready to splinter from the effort.

Hagrid noticed three figures moving toward him. He smiled. Of course. It was Hermione, Snape and their daughter.

The giant man walked down the stairs, walking on to meet them. Bree sped up when she saw him.

"Hagwid, Hagwid!" She screamed in delight, running as fast as her little feet would carry her.

"Hello, Bree!" He said as she bounced up into his waiting hands.

Bree giggled as she pulled his hair lightly, trying to find any hidden treasures.

"Oh, yer be looking for this, then hey?" Hagrid said, pulling a sweet from his pocket.

Bree bounced up and down as she clapped her hands.

"Sweetie, sweetie!" She said, looking at him with pleading eyes.

"Oh, alright,"Hagrid said, giving in to the little girl's pleas.

"Hi, Hagrid," Hermione said as she hugged the large man.

"Hello, there. Haven't seen yer in a while," Hagrid with a smile.

"I apologise, Hagrid," Severus said,"we've been through a trying time."

Hagrid nodded in understanding.

"What yer say we have some tea?"

***

The school day was in full swing when Hermione walked into the Potions classroom.

The seventh years were attempting to perfect their brews as their task counted for a quarter of their yearly scores.

Hermione smiled a greeting at her red haired friend. Ginny smiled nervously as she slowly stirred her potion.

"You do not want to look like you have favorites," Severus warned softly as Hermione joined him.

"I assure you, husband. That was not my intention," she answered as she crossed her arms over her chest.

The potions master nodded.

"If these dimwits can follow instructions, we will have a rather pleasant period," Severus said, lowering his voice,"and my stores will be filled for a good while longer."

Hermione giggled softly, covering her mouth as she did.

"Is something amusing?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Actually," Hermione said with a smile,"yes. I believe it is a relief that Neville is no longer in your class?"

Severus groaned. His wife was correct.

"You make a good point. If he were, the class would surely have exploded by now. Mister Finnegan would no doubt have made up for it if Longbottom had managed to succeed in a successful brew," he said as he covered his face.

Hermione smiled as she turned to check on the students for the rest if the class.

That evening Dumbledore reminded the students to get partners for the dance which was only two nights away.

"You don't actually think the boys will make an effort to find partners, do you?" Hermione asked as the headmaster sat back down.

"I have a doubt that they will," Dumbledore said,"though perhaps the amount of them without partners by tomorrow evening will be less than we expect."

Hermione looked out at the students, and judging by the expressions on most of the boys faces, she guessed Dumbledore was a long ways off.

***

Hermione stood, looking at her reflection. She sighed. It had been a while since she had been to a dance.

Her hair had been done up in a twist, resting at the back, held in place with pearls. Two strands of curls hung on either side of her face. Her dress had a rounded neckline and followed her curves very closely, putting emphasis on her lean body.

"There," Ginny said, pleased at her work.

Hermione looked at her dearest friend.

"I'm not sure about the colour," Hermione said doubtfully.

"Nonsense," Ginny said,"Red looks great on you."

"And the side?" Hermione said, gesturing to the slit in the dress that showed half her thigh.

"You have the body to rock the dress, so you might as well wear it," Ginny said with a smile.

Hermione turned back to the mirror. She had white pearl earrings, a simple necklace with a single pearl and a matching bracelet that she had received as a gift from her friend.

"I don't know, Ginny," Hermione argued.

"You look beautiful."

Hermione spun to see Severus standing in the doorway.

"You're my husband," she said,"you're expected to say things like that."

Severus moved closed and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Expected or not, it's true," Severus said softly as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

Ginny cleared her throat nervously.

"I-I'll see you at the dance," she said as she backed out of the room, rushing to the door.

When the door closed Hermione giggled.

"What amuses you so much?" Severus asked his wife.

"I think Ginny is still a bit fearful of you," Hermione said as she pulled him towards the door.

"Nonsense," Severus answered,"why would anyone be fearful of me?"