The Serpent and the Lioness

Chapter 33

Breakfast was a most entertaining affair. The adults had taken seats in the chairs while all four children had been lined up along the bench.

They had kept the escape artists in the center; with Albus next to Hermione and Seraphina next to Severus. Neither one had looked pleased by the arrangement but had stayed. After the situation had been explained to Albus and Seraphina they had become most curious about the two former adults and had tried in vain to get them to talk.

Severus had just outright refused, especially when Seraphina commented on how nice and long his hair was and what a 'pretty' boy he made. While Hermione had attempted some signing before just giving up since Albus just didn't understand what she was trying to say.

When Albus had called Hermione Princess Severus had been a bit bewildered and a tad jealous, (if he was honest with himself) but when the boy had called him her Prince he had gotten a very perplexed look. Hermione had simply smiled and gave Severus' cherub cheek a small sticky kiss and giggled when he made a disgusted face and wiped at the jam she had left behind.

Ginny hadn't been able to contain herself on that one and had to hide her face in her arms on the table. Even Draco had to hide his smirk behind his napkin, a glance at Harry's disturbed face nearly undid him and he had to think of something quick to keep himself from losing it.

Umbridge in a teddy did the trick until the image quickly shifted to Hermione, in her adult form, wearing a deep green number that his wife owned. He hissed when a sharp kick came to his knee and looked over the table to Snape who was pushing himself back up and would have surely killed him if his arms had been long enough.

Severus turned his eyes very pointedly to Esmeralda who was occupied with helping Seraphina cut her pancake. Both Slytherin men shared a number of looks before Draco lowered himself down in his chair in shame.

Why did you kick him?

His mind was wandering to places it didn't belong.

Really?

He showed her the image he had pulled from Draco's mind and watched as she made a face.

Green is not my color, Hermione sent him a new image and couldn't help the giggle that came from her lips as he turned beet red.

You're...not offended by him?

Oh, I'm livid, but boys can't help themselves can they?

I...

That's why I found a man. A man that can do so much more than any boy.

You... wouldn't consider wearing something like that though... it's...

If it's something you would enjoy I'd definitely wear it for you.

That made him drop his fork for the third time and he had to take a breath to keep the images of forming in his mind.

I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable.

I'm not uncomfortable with you, a little shy maybe but that's because I'm still learning.

Still...learning... He dropped his fork again and snarled, Confound it, this fork!