Hermione Riddle

Mornings

They both laid there for a few minutes, slowly allowing themselves to wake up properly. Severus held his breath as Hermione untangled herself from him and the blankets. Was this where she was going to realize what had transpired last night and in the early hours of the morning and want nothing more to do with him. Hermione leaned over and kissed his cheek before retreating into the bathroom.

"I just need the loo. I'll be back in a minute." She closed the door behind her and let her thoughts run wild. Fuck. What was she going to do? She had kissed a Professor, her Professor to be more accurate. But, fuck had she enjoyed it. She hoped he had enjoyed it as well. Maybe she should just go out there and play it off as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened? No that would go against what she had said last night, okay, she would go back out and act as if everything was fine and gauge Severus' reaction. Perfect, that was her best bet. She got up and went to the sink. She washed her face and added a little water to her hands to smooth her hair down, tying it up into a messy bun.

"Feel better?" Severus asked as he sat on the edge of the bed to put his trainers on. Hermione noticed he had on a pair of faded muggle jeans and a black button-down shirt. Surprisingly enough, the long sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Probably because they were at the Manor, and no one would care about his Dark Mark. She was surprised to see he had another tattoo on his other arm. She could only see part of it coming down his bicep. She would have to ask him about that later.

"Yes, much better. What are the plans for today?" She sat down next to him and Severus finished tying his shoes. Hermione kissed his cheek and stood back up. "I'm going to go to my room and hope there are some clean clothes in there." Severus stood and took her into his arms, he held her to him tightly and Hermione wrapped her arms around him. "Are you alright, Severus?" She looked up at him and Severus cupped her cheek. He leant down and Hermione felt her mouth dry. Severus kissed her slowly, it was almost sweet, but he quickly deepened the kiss. Hermione moaned and tangled her fingers in his hair. Severus pulled back and Hermione looked up at him with a pout.

"Later, dear." He pushed a strand of her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. "The elves should have put some clean clothes in your bedroom. Leave these on your bed and they will clean them for you." Hermione nodded and stepped back from him.

"You're a tease." She hmphed at him and left the room. She heard Severus laughing at him as she went to her room. She found a black dress laid out on the bed and black and green dress robes there as well. She took a closer look at the dress and noticed the bottom had green designs, the same color as the robes. She smiled and pulled the dress on. Shit, she would have to have help with the lacing on the back. She cursed under her breath as she tried to remember the name of the elf.

"Oh, that's it. Rook?" She called out hesitantly and the little elf popped in. She smiled to him and he bowed deeply before turning away.

"Does Missus need help with her laces?" The elf asked in a fearful sort of voice. "You should not call Rook Missus, you needs a lady elf. Missy!" Rook called as he pulled on his ears.

"I'm sorry Rook, I did not know any other elves names." She looked down at her feet and Missy popped into the room. "Oh, hello." Hermione smiled at Missy and Missy grinned at her.

"Hello, Mistress, Missy is to be your personal elf, to helps with dressings and things." Missy bowed deeply and Hermione blushed.

"Of course, thank you Missy, and thank you Rook. Your master will not be displeased with you. You did the right thing. You are a good elf." She looked over to Rook who gave her a little grin and an ear tug before popping away.

"Now, Mistress, turns around please?" Missy made her hand in a turning motion and Hermione followed her orders. The elf laced the back of her dress up and conjured her a pair of shoes to match. They were much like the boots she had on last night, but with the same green that matched her outfit. She thanked Missy and met Severus in the common room. That was what she was calling it for now, she didn't really know what else to call it.

"You look ravishing, my dear." He extended his arm and Hermione took it, ducking her head to hide her blush. "Shall we?" He lifted an eyebrow at her and Hermione fought a giggle. She nodded and Severus led her out of the room, towards the dining room. Severus sat Hermione at the table before taking a seat for himself.

"Severus, Miss Granger." Voldemort went back to reading his newspaper. Hermione was about to say something when Severus put his hand over hers, she looked up to him and he shook his head. Hermione nodded and Severus quietly ordered breakfast for them both via a house elf.

"Wait until he is Tom Riddle once again before speaking to him. If he asks you a question be respectful and call him 'My Lord'. Do not let anyone know of anything of last night." Severus whispered into her ear and Hermione nodded silently. She noticed a few other Death Eaters had come in and had breakfast. Voldemort had greeted no one else, but everyone had made sure to greet the man respectfully. Lucius Malfoy came in and saw Hermione and decided to make a rather shocking show of apologizing.

"Miss Granger, allow me to apologize for my actions last night. I was most unseemly and hope you will overlook my previous outburst." Lucius bowed and nodded to Severus who nodded back to him. It was rather odd but Hermione nodded her head in acceptance and went on eating her meal. Hermione and Severus left soon after and made their way to the gardens.

"Severus, would you mind too terribly if I shifted?" She looked up at him with a small pout and Severus could not say no to her. Hermione focused her magic and soon was a rather huge lioness standing before him. Severus attempted to not look shocked, but could not help it, his mouth hung open like a fish. He quickly closed it and shifted into his own form, a wolf, he was bigger than she was and a sleek black, in contrast to her honeyed cream color. They sniffed each other and began a merry chase around the garden before a large black panther joined them. The panther took on a green sheen when the sun hit it just right and Hermione was fascinated in trying to catch him.