Ever a Snapely Dream
Chapter 33
Ever a Snapely Dream
Harry cajoled Hermione into stopping by his office. She was impressed with its lavishness. Harry returned the legs of the large mahogany desk and the rest of the furnishings to their normal size and brought out the large cushioned chair. He sat behind his desk, pulled Hermione into his lap and proceeded to spin the chair like a child.
"Harry! Stop this instant!" Hermione scolded. "You are going to harm yourself your first day walking!"
Harry couldn't control his laughter. "It was fun! I've wanted to do that since that chair was delivered. Ron and Luna already had a go on his. One more time, please?"
Hermione rolled her eyes mumbling under her breath. Harry didn't hear what she was saying, but distinctly heard "irresponsible" and "Ministry official" in the mix. She sat back down on his lap and held on; changing her mind, she kissed him soundly. He forgot what he had planned and melted into her.
"What was that for?" he asked bemused.
"The best way to get a child to stop doing something is to distract them with something else they'd enjoy," she lectured.
"Oi, Hermione, that hurt. Are you truly comparing me, The-so-called-savior-of-the-wizarding-world, to a tot?"
"If the maturity level fits…" she teased. At this, Harry pouted like he assumed a baby would and walked around the other side of the desk, leading her by the arm. He backed her up until she was almost sitting on it and leaned into her capturing her lips.
"Shall we test my power level by seeing how well the wards hold?" Harry asked breathily.
"Another time, Romeo. I need sleep," she said.
"Me thinks my Juliet is getting a mite cranky," teased Harry, "but you are right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept you. Let's go home."
Harry had only been sleeping a few minutes when the dream began.
"I see you've survived, Potter. Too bad I wasn't able to be there for your coronation." Severus Snape sneered.
"Coronation?" Harry replied. "I wasn't crowned anything. What are you talking about?"
"Surely the famous Harry Potter received his much needed adoration for ridding the world of Voldemort" hissed Snape." Your immense ego wouldn't allow the opportunity to go unnoticed. So, what did you get for you efforts? A Ministry office? Galleons by the bagful? A medal, perhaps? I see that the Know-it-all has finally found her way into your bed."
Harry glared at his former Professor, but did not answer. "It's just a dream. It's only a dream." he told himself.
"A dream, perhaps, or maybe a look into your conscience?"
"How do you know what I'm thinking?" Harry asked in disbelief. "You can't be talking to me. They told me you were dead."
"Ah, yes, the next great adventure. Of course I'm dead, you idiot! You were still questioning which side I was truly on, even after I had died. I'll be taking that as a compliment to my acting abilities." Snape said in his usual contemptuous voice.
"Where were you?" Harry asked. "During the Final Battle, I mean."
"I was already dead " Snape said. "Certainly you would have figured that out by now. The Dark Lord saw through you meager shields and figured out that I was aiding Dumbledore. And with that, you stupid boy, you signed my death warrant."
"He never got through!" charged Harry. "I would have known…"
"Oh, yes. I had forgotten. You've always overestimated your meager skills. You think that just because you showed a bit of ability in Occlumency, that you could block out the Dark Lord?"
"I was able to keep you out," Harry challenged. "You were supposed to be a master at it. In fact, if memory serves, I was able to reverse it on you, as well as Voldemort."
"Simple. You got lucky a time or two. Luck, Potter, has been following you. I'd like to warn you, however, that luck is much like a Gringotts bank account. You can't keep making withdrawals without making deposits. You'll find that Lady Luck can turn on you, anytime, any day."
"I believe I've had my share of luck of both sorts," Harry scoffed.
"Oh yes, your little injury. I'd forgotten. I found it hilarious that The-boy-who-lived was unable to wipe his own arse for over a year. I'm sure your parents would be proud."
"Have you seen my parents?" asked Harry hopefully.
"A time or two," Snape replied vaguely. "We don't exactly travel in the same circles."
"Have you seen Sirius?"
"I've seen Black. We haven't spoken. We've no need to." answered Snape. "As your list of victims grows ever longer, I get to meet up with many old acquaintances. Moody, Black, the Potters, Madam Vance, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, I hear soon Draco will be joining us as well. I must make plans to give him a welcoming party."
"You would…" said Harry with a sneer. "What is it like there? How is it that you and the Malfoys and my parents are all in the same place?"
"Do you think I would truly answer that?" replied Snape coldly. "Oh, that's right. You've always thought yourself above mere rules. Let me tell you what I've come to say and stop wasting my time with foolish questions. Before you start celebrating the end of evil, you should know that it isn't over. Why the Ministry put such an insipid maggot in a position of Intelligence," Snape laughed derisively, "is beyond comprehension."
"Look, what do you want from me? Why are you here?" asked Harry, tiring of being insulted.
"I wanted to warn you. You are still a target and not all of Voldemort's minions have been apprehended."
"I realize that. I'm not completely stupid."
"As much as I'd cherish the thought of that debate, there's no time to waste. There's soon to be a meeting at the graveyard that holds Senior Riddle's remains. A new Dark Lord is being sought. You need to send a strong message to those who choose to instigate this that it will not be tolerated. As much as I am loathe to admit it, you are very powerful. You, alone, can stop this before it starts. Put on a little display of your wandless abilities and I assure you that it will go far in preventing another war. I must leave now. Remember what I've told you."
"Wait! Professor, wait! I…"
"Harry, wake up!" cried a distressed Hermione. "You were having another nightmare."
"Sorry," said Harry. "I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep. I'm fine."
"Can you tell me what it was about?" she asked.
Harry relayed what he could remember of the dream. "It was so real, Hermione. It was as if he were here… in this room! He even mentioned you being here. I don't know what to make of it."
"It was just a dream, Harry, like you said. He knew I was here because you knew I was here."
"I know, but I'm still going to check out his warning, see if it corresponds to the other intelligence we've received. If someone is planning to become another Voldemort, then it would serve me well to put a stop to it. I can have a team stake out the graveyard on a regular basis for other reasons, and then if something does happen we'll be ready. I think I should bring the department in on this, though. I'll tell Ron the whole story."
Hermione rose. "Well, if you wanted to get your list done, you'd better move."
"Hermione," Harry pleaded. "You've only slept a couple of hours. You still look exhausted. Come back to bed."
Hermione looked around as if deciding. "No, I think I'll get up. I'm wide awake. We can just retire early this evening. Besides, I haven't the only claim in the 'exhausted looking' department. You couldn't have gotten much sleep last night."
"If you're sure…" Harry reluctantly agreed.
"I've been waiting very impatiently to show you your home. You've lived here for ages, yet haven't been able to see it fully. Let me show you around."
Harry followed Hermione around his house as she exclaimed over this or that. He was impressed. He knew he liked the parts of the house he'd seen, however as a whole, it was a wonderful house. It had rooms galore and little intricacies that made it a uniquely wizarding home. He liked the little bedrooms for the house elves, the dueling room, even the library was impressive. The house wasn't overly large; it just maximized the space it held. Harry was particularly awed by the attic. It was set up for astral observation, similar to the Astronomy Tower back at school. He'd enjoyed Astronomy in school and looked forward to star gazing in the future.
Harry couldn't resist going from the bottom of each staircase to the top and back again. Hermione laughed at his
child-like enthusiasm. She couldn't imagine how he thought this was fun. However, she'd not experienced
injuries such as he had. She wondered if there was any unforgivable or other horrible curse that he hadn't endured.
She didn't think so, but did not wish to ask. Not that he'd answer anyway.
"Don't run," she called after her fiancé as if she were scolding a youngster. "You'll fall and hurt yourself."
"Aw, crikey, mum, you spoil all my fun," he teased in return, stomping his feet in petulance.
"We'd best get ready to go to the Burrow, Harry," then dropped her tone to one used to explain to a toddler why they had to stop playing before continuing, "You can play outside later if we get back in time."
Harry gave her a look that was far from childish. "After dark, I still intend to 'play'."
They arrived at the Burrow and Hermione entered first. They had planned to surprise Ron's parents with Harry's mobility.
"Hermione!" greeted Mrs. Weasley. "It's so nice to see you dear. Where's Harry?"
"Oh, he'll be along shortly…" Hermione answered casually.
"Oh, dear," cried Mrs. Weasley, "won't be he needing help? I swear that contraption Luna and Ron fitted him up with has him zooming around like he's in a race and don't get me started on the broom riding in the house…"
"…It's simply disgraceful!" said Harry in a tone vaguely resembling Mrs. Weasley once she got going about something. "If he weren't already injured, I swear, I'd hex him. What on earth is that boy thinking...?" Harry walked up to her and tears sprang immediately to her eyes. Mr. Weasley seemed to about to implode with pent up laughter.
"You're walking! Look, Arthur, he's walking!"
"Yes, he certainly is," replied Mr. Weasley. Both adults pulled Harry into a combination hug-huddle.
"I wanted to let you know right off that I am better and on my feet, a little shaky, but I'm walking about on my own."
After much discussion of Harry's recovery, Mrs. Weasley, ("You can call me 'Molly', dear") prepared dinner with Hermione's assistance. Harry took the opportunity of asking Arthur for a word. Arthur showed Harry out to his shed. "If this is Ministry business, Harry, then I'd prefer it wait until later. I don't like to discuss business right before a meal. Indigestion, you know…" stated Arthur Weasley, rubbing his stomach.
"It's sort of Ministry business, but not the sort that would cause distress, I'm hoping. I need to ask about proper protocol. As you well know, Hermione ands I are getting married. I was wondering if I, as a Ministry official, am I required to have a large Ministry gala or would a private service be alright?" Harry asked the older man.
Arthur smiled. "Well, now that you mention it, Harry, a Ministry gala might be just the thing to introduce you to your counterparts on the continent and in the muggle world. I'm glad to hear that you are open to the idea. It is not required, however. The main thing is that you and Hermione have the wedding that you want. Is a gala what you want?" At Harry's scowling expression, Arthur continued, "Maybe a nice compromise is a private wedding, or elopement, if that is what you two truly want, then a public reception at the Ministry. That way, you could invite anyone you choose, plus Minister Bones and I would have the honor of recognizing you formally without adding another ball to our already overworked schedules. How would that be?"
"That sounds excellent, sir. I don't really relish turning something so special…so private…into a media circus, while I, also, recognize my duty to the public. I think it is a brilliant idea. Thank you. I'll speak to Hermione about it when we get home so if she agrees, plans can get underway."
They returned to the house to find dinner was being set on the table. The enticing odor of the stew and crusty bread filled the house with warmth. Hermione snickered to herself as Harry helped himself to thirds. Harry never was one to eat a lot and if something was bothering him, he'd eat very little, if at all. Hermione took a habit she'd picked up in school: determine Harry's state of mind by the amount he consumes. As Harry reached for seconds of blueberry crumble, Hermione reinforced her knowledge that he was indeed happy.
Harry stumbled as he crossed the threshold entering his house. Hermione gasped. "Are you alright?" she asked.
"I'm fine," he answered. "I just lost my footing, that's all. You know, I'm not going to break, but I may get a few bumps and bruises until I get used to this again. Don't worry so much."
"So says the man who got his leg shattered by Ginny Weasley…" Hermione mumbled under her breath.
"I heard that…" Harry replied as he headed up the stairs.
Hermione found him on the balcony as promised. He was nonchalantly looking at the stars.
"See anything interesting?" she asked.
"No, just trying to appear casual, so that you wouldn't know how badly I wanted you to join me."
"Casual, huh?" she purred as she began unbuttoning his shirt. "I always keep my promises."
"I do love that about you," he responded, as she trailed kisses across his bare chest. "I was just casually trying to avoid looking as eager as I'm feeling…"
"Ooooh, now you're eager, are you?"
"A bit too eager, I think," he said. He knew he wasn't allowed to lift her, though he wanted desperately to do just that and wrap her legs around his waist. He began working the clasp of her shirt. "Did you charm the door when you came in?" he whispered. She mumbled an affirmative never removing her lips from his skin. He urgently attempted to gain enough concentration to put up a silencing charm, as well as a repelling charm, so they wouldn't be interrupted. "I want you, Hermione," he said breathily. "Right here, right now."
She carefully slid her jeans and knickers to the floor as his eyes feasted on her body. "You have me, for now…for forever."
He carefully maneuvered them to the same chaise they'd occupied earlier, laid her down on it, leaning over her. "I finally get to do this right…" he said. He carefully parted her knees with his own allowing him to fit his hips between her thighs. She grasped the waistband of his jeans and pulled him closer. While he was raised above her, she slid down and undid his zipper with her teeth. Harry groaned his appreciation. "I've always wanted to do that…" she said huskily.
Saturday arrived dark and dreary as a steady drizzle pelted down. Hermione left Harry sleeping, or so she thought, as she prepared herself for work. She had the day shift, which he knew she preferred. She had fed Hedwig, who hooted happily at her company. Harry thought that it must be a sort of female bonding ritual between the two. That suited him. His owl tended to get snooty at him often before Hermione began sleeping over more.
Hermione left to have some breakfast, with the owl following her. Harry quickly threw on his dressing gown and apparated down to the kitchen. When Hermione entered, she saw Harry nonchalantly sipping his tea.
"Very funny, Harry." she said and greeted him with a peck on the cheek. "I thought you were still sleeping."
"That's what I wanted you to think." he replied smugly.
"You're good at that, then."
"I've found it a handy trick a time or two" he answered indistinctly. "Besides, what kind of Auror would I make if I sleep so soundly that I don't hear you get up?"
"I hate to be the one that points this out to you, but you aren't an Auror anymore." she teased.
Harry chuckled. "Thanks for that." he grinned. "What would I do without you?"
"You'd probably still be out partying every night with Fred and George, shagging every witch that wiggles her hips at you."
"You say that as if it were a bad thing..." replied Harry with a smirk.
"Honestly!" Hermione groaned. "If that's the way you feel, then I'd be happy to move out of your way. I'm sure I could get at least a galleon for this ring here…" she added in a mock serious tone.
"Of course not, love. I was just having you on. You are the one I love and I want to spend the rest of my life with. Is that better?" Harry continued to smirk, knowing she was teasing...mostly…or at least he hoped so.
"What are going to do today, Mr. Potter, other than walk around with a silly grin on your face?"
"I believe my grin might possibly permanent, after last night. Maybe I should come to St Mungo's and have that checked out. I hear their newly certified Healer is quite tidy. Think I've got a chance to chat her up?" he kidded, pulling her against him.
"Truthfully, no. I've heard she's got a big strong boyfriend who is the most powerful wizard alive. Maybe you shouldn't risk it."
"Boyfriend?" he asked. "Have I gotten a demotion since last night?"
"No, not yet, but keep up the rubbish and you just might." she said.
"I'll be good, I promise" he pouted.
"That's settled then. I should be home by half six, then we can have that picnic you promised."
"I'll find the perfect place and have it set up for when you get home." he responded.
"I'll look forward to it. Be careful, though, Harry. You can't do everything you once could yet and remember: No running!" she chided.
"Yes, love" he repeated in a weary voice.