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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After	By : ElizabethStump Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 90306 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 103
- 104
- 105
"And They Didn't Live Happily Ever After"

Chapter One Hundred Three
"Christmas Crackers and the Third Degree"

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Stating Rowling owns it all.

============

Hermione couldn't help herself. Just seeing Severus in the outdoor shower again, water sluicing off his muscular tanned shoulders and back, the hollows of his buttocks, hair wet and trailing down his back. She should have been focused on washing her hair and getting the sweat and dirt rinsed off before Christmas dinner at the Finaus', as they were already running a bit late, but the moment of inspiration struck. On her knees, she decided to see if there was one more ejaculation she could milk from Severus, as it was close to the end of the time limit of the Sequoia potion, and he had already orgasmed about four times already while under its influence, not including their earlier morning activities.

Before both of them had taken their matching sexual potions dosage, there was also that half-hour of work they'd both put in on the garden. And before that, some brewing of a quick tanning potion for Hermione, so that she could have a base tan and avoid burning so easily with her pale English skin. It was a full day of Christmas presents, brewing, gardening and then a few hours of love-making. But now that Hermione was having her needs met, she found that her appetite was not quite sated, but further aroused and ravenous.

Recalling Severus' casual snipe at Hawaiian punctuality, she figured running a bit later than planned would be within the acceptable societal norms of Malu Palekaiko.

As one of her hands swept between Severus' legs, her other hand kept time with her mouth, stroking him as she licked and sucked and swallowed him whole into her hungry mouth, the water running down their bodies as she knelt. She found the soap and began lathering it between his cheeks. Hermione had already helped Severus wash that part of his body, but there was something else that needed taking care of.

Now that there was a lot of lather between his cheeks to act as lubrication, she pressed a finger to his anus and looked up at him as the water continued to spray down his chest. His eyes glanced down at her, his eyes already begging for her to continue. As her finger slipped in, his hips jerked slightly forward, thrusting into her mouth. She removed her hand from his cock and guided his hand from caressing her hair to grabbing a firmer hold of her hair. This was her way of giving him permission to grab hold and fuck her mouth, allowing him more control. As his hips moved back, Hermione pressed her finger deeper into Severus.

A low groan issued forth from Severus. He wasn't reaching orgasm yet, but he was overwhelmed by the sensation of her finger prodding him, stroking his prostate as she sucked him off, giving him permission to set the pace.

He moaned, not quite begging for more, but clearly willing to accept whatever Hermione was going to do to him.

Hermione was happy to oblige. With more soap and a little more lather, she then added a second finger, which changed the pitch of Severus' moans to something a little higher. It was almost a whimper.

Hermione could feel his sphincter tighten around her fingers. She sucked greedily, wantonly licking the head faster. Severus gently placed his hand on the back of her head and slowly pushed in.

Hot semen gushed into the back of her mouth, though not as much as usual. She tried to swallow around him as he throbbed and twitched with each spurt, her muscles constricting around him and adding more to his pleasure.

With a sigh, Severus collapsed forward, leaning against the walls of the shower for support.

Hermione gently and slowly removed her fingers from his anus. She finished soaping and rinsing herself off while Severus was barely able to stand there, panting, trying to catch his breath.

"You're going to kill me. But what a way to go," Severus finally said as he pushed himself away from the wall to stand once more. He rinsed off the last of the soap Hermione had left on him.

"Yes, if you don't kill me first. I've never heard of anyone pulling an abdominal muscle while orgasming, so imagine my surprise when that happened to me."

Severus rubbed her abdomen. "Did that ointment soothe and heal it?"

"Yes, though I think I should recuperate for the rest of the night in that respect." Hermione rolled her eyes, recalling the intense orgasm she had and how magnificent it had been, only to have it interrupted by a stabbing pain of pulling an abdominal muscle during mid multiple-orgasm.

"We can play gently tonight, after we come back," he said as she slipped a hand between her legs and gently stroked her clitoris.

Hermione winced, "Oh, I'll need another dose of that lubrication potion if we do that. I'm nearly raw. That beard of yours can be a little abrasive after prolonged exposure."

"Do you need some salve to soothe you there too?" he asked with concern.

"I can wait until we get back. Besides, we're running late, if there is such a thing as late here," Hermione noted.

They finished rinsing off and hurried while they dressed, barely drying their hair enough so it didn't look like it was still dripping from the tips and tendrils of their locks. Something about their lateness and rushing to shower reminded Severus of the time Ginny and Draco were late for a duck dinner at his flat once.

Severus decided to wear long linen trousers and a subdued green Hawaiian shirt. Hermione chose one of the muumuus Ginny had picked out for her, something in red with short capped sleeves and no ruffles that hugged her torso. They both gave a smile to each other, finally realizing the unconscious choices in their color selections in regards to House affiliation, but to be fair they were Christmas colors.

In a pair of red flip-flops to match her dress, Hermione tried to keep up with Severus' long strides as they rushed to the Finau house for Christmas dinner, the box of Christmas crackers tucked under her arm. They were late, even by Hawaiian standards. Hermione barely had a chance to look about the town in daylight as she made sure not to trip or stub a toe on the odd uneven patch of sidewalk where a tree root had lifted it from underneath.

At three thirty-eight, Severus knocked on the door.

When the door opened, Akela screamed as she lunged at and hugged Hermione with boundless enthusiasm. It was a shrill screech filled with the uncontainable excitement that only teenage girls could muster. Severus remembered that sound, not too fondly, from his years at Hogwarts.

In a nearby cave on the outskirts of town, a colony of sleeping bats was temporarily awakened, thinking that one of their own was calling out in distress before the sound eventually subsided and they went back to sleep.

The teenager jumped up and down, still holding Hermione in a death grip, shouting, "Omigawd, omigawd, omigawd, you're finally here!"

Hermione, not wanting to appear too standoffish or too cold, merely hugged Akela back and looked at Severus with a mixture of, "Help," and, "Who is this person?"

Severus merely smirked, feeling vindicated that his perception – that island folk could be a bit too familiar with strangers upon first meeting – was spot-on.

Eventually, the ebullient teenage witch let go of Hermione and reached over to give her Uncle Severus a quick peck on the cheek. "It's about time you guys showed up. But that's okay, because dinner won't be for another hour."

Leaning in and whispering in confidence, Akela warned them, "I think my mom wanted you guys over here early enough so that she could grill you before she got too busy getting dinner on the table." The teenager than ran off without another word.

"And that was Akela. Welcome to island hospitality. One day you may get used to it. One day, so may I," Severus added dryly.

Hermione laughed at Severus' comment, knowing that Hawaii had not stripped him of his snarky personality entirely, just merely mellowed it a bit.

The general noise of people conversing mixed with the sound of children came from off in another part of the two-story plantation-style home. It was a noise Hermione was very familiar with after her many holidays at the Burrow with Ron.

There was yet another round of joyful noise and cheers as the two entered the kitchen.

"It's about time you two showed up," Draco said with a knowing smile. He stood behind Ginny who sat at the kitchen table, a chilled beverage in her hand. Ginny made an attempt to stand up, but then gave up and merely waved at them. She was a whole lot larger than the last time Hermione saw her in October, and she looked to be more like nine months along than just six, as Hermione finally got a good look at her.

Rainbow stopped stirring a pot on the stove and set it to stir itself with her wand while she came over and greeted the couple.

"Severus, Hermione, I'm so glad you could make it," Rainbow exclaimed as her eyes roved over Hermione, shaking her hand. "It's so nice to meet you finally, Severus has hardly said a thing about you. Like pulling Potions secrets from him." Her eyes moved over Hermione some more, making Hermione feel like she was getting the once-over from future in-laws to see if she was good enough for their son, since Severus did mention he had been informally adopted into the Finau family. "My, you're so... young."

Severus wanted to groan and put his face in his hand, which exactly matched the reaction of what Mounga was doing over in the corner of the kitchen. Rainbow knew that Hermione was once married to Ginny's older brother, and Ginny and Hermione had gone to Hogwarts together for many years, but the way it came out, it sounded like Rainbow was surprised by Hermione's youth.

"Hermione, this is Rainbow Finau," Severus introduced the two witches. "You already met her oldest daughter, Akela, at the door." Just then, there was a flash that streaked across the room as Kaimi ran in and nearly knocked the wind out of Severus and jostled Hermione too.

"Mele Kalikimaka, Uncle Severus! Why didn't you come flying with us today?" Kaimi said, pouting a little.

"And this is Kaimi, Mounga and Rainbow's youngest," Severus introduced his favorite "niece" to Hermione.

Before Hermione could greet her, Kaimi's eyes went wide and she shouted, "I forgot something! I'll be right back!" as she ran away as fast as a Firebolt.

Hermione looked about the kitchen and saw the huge mass of a wizard that was only slightly smaller than Hagrid was. "And you must be Mounga. Pleased to finally meet you," Hermione said as she extended her hand.

Mounga ignored the hand and pulled her into a hug, careful not to crush her too much. "It's good to finally meet you too, Hermione."

The large wizard let go of Hermione and clapped Severus on the back, only bruising a couple ribs this time. "Glad you finally made it over here." Then – leaning in in confidence so he couldn't be heard by his wife, who had gone back to stirring the pot on the stove – he added, "Rainbow was about to send the kids over to fetch you at two-fifteen, but I told her to just wait." Mounga then gave Severus a subtle wink, knowing exactly why they were late.

Jerry, who had just come back from fetching a few oranges for Rainbow from the tree in the backyard, came into the room. "The prodigal son returns!" the former Auror exclaimed, which made Hermione blink in surprise.

Walking over to them, Jerry introduced himself. "You must be Hermione. You look just as lovely as that photo from India Severus keeps on his desk."

"Photo?" Hermione asked, turning to Severus.

Severus explained briefly how Ginny and Draco had presented him with the photo upon their return.

"Thanks for that great present you Floo'ed over to me this morning. Boy! Was I surprised! I didn't take you for a guy who got my sense of humor," Jerry said with frank surprise.

Severus knew exactly the type of humor Jerry appreciated. It was usually crude, vulgar, lewd, highly inappropriate for mixed company – especially children, and on a rare occasion scatological in nature. Pat, the office manager, has gently asked Severus if he had a policy in place regarding such humor and jokes told openly in the workplace and slightly offensive cartoons tacked up on his wall in his office, out of the earshot and view of children and their parents, of course. Severus did not, but gave Pat free license to write up a policy that he approved instantly.

He thought about telling Jerry that the alcohol-pissing and cookie-tossing Santa was Hermione's idea, but figured Hermione should not be subjected to Jerry taking such information as her implied appreciation of his sense of humor as well.

"Well, once I saw it, I figured you were the right person to appreciate such a novelty," Severus said. He spoke in a manner that Hermione, Draco, Ginny, and Mounga picked up on that was not outright a disparaging remark on the surface, but was one when you dug down to the root of its implied meaning.

Jerry was bright enough to catch the double meaning as well. "Touché!"

Kaimi came back into the kitchen, this time walking. "I made this for you, Hermione. Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka." She extended her arms, holding out a lei for Hermione.

"It's lovely," Hermione said in earnest, thrilled by the lei featuring red carnations, interspersed with white jasmine flowers and artfully folded green ti leaves. She took it from the child and placed it over her head. "Thank you, and Happy Christmas to you too," Hermione said, not attempting the Hawaiian Christmas greeting.

Severus looked about, and finally saw the last person to be introduced. Before he could say anything, Akela gave her brother an "accidental" shove, which dislodged him from his hiding spot from around the door frame where he had been discretely and discreetly observing introductions.

"Hey!" he shouted at his sister, and gave her a none-too-gentle elbow to the ribs that she mostly darted away from in time.

"And this is Iakona, the middle of three," Severus said, nodding for him to come out and meet Hermione. When he saw the boy, he could tell he was in the middle of yet another growth spurt, for he seemed a couple inches taller from when he saw him just the week before during a brewing class. His hormones were active as well, for he had also broken out in a case of acne, which was unusual for him.

"Hel-lo," Iakona said, his voice cracking mid-word.

Severus almost winced, now understanding why the boy was hiding. He felt a great pang of empathy, remembering how awkward 'd felt when his own skin broke out and his voice cracked at that age.

Hermione, hoping to smooth over the boy's awkwardness and embarrassment, gently shook his hand. "Hello, Iakona. Severus has mentioned you're quite the apt Potions student, a compliment I never received myself while under his tutelage at Hogwarts. That's quite the feat. You must be very talented."

Iakona tried not to blush as he muttered out a meek thanks, his voice not cracking this time.

"Still not as good as me," Akela butted into the conversation. "I was so good, Uncle Severus said I didn't need any tutoring."

Kaimi, who had also been earlier picked on by her big sister, felt the need to stand up for her big brother and came to his defense readily with a jab she knew would be even more embarrassing. "But that didn't stop you from wanting to be tutored by Uncle Severus so you could be close to him when you were mooning over him," she said in a taunting sing-song manner, meant to enrage Akela, which it did.

"Why you little..." Akela gritted from between her teeth as she chased after Kaimi.

Kaimi screeched and took off, trying to stay out of her sister's grasp while shouting out loud enough for Hermione to hear, "And then there was the time that you were writing all over your parchment 'Mrs. Sn–'"

Akela had whipped out her wand and cast a Silencing Charm on her little sister.

"Hey, no fair," Iakona said, standing up for his little sister, and ended the spell. "Papa said no spells on her until she gets her own wand and can defend herself." Iakona's words were backed up by a hum of agreement from their father, who decided to let the children sort this out themselves.

Severus was rather appalled at the behavior of the children in front of a guest, but the scene just reminded Hermione of summers spent at the Burrow during her Hogwarts years when Percy, the twins, Ron, and Ginny would go at it like these siblings did. It was comforting in a way, confirming that siblings were just like this all over the world. She could tell that Severus was becoming a bit unsettled by the cacophony of youthful mayhem, and she decided to distract them.

"Kaimi, you're not eleven yet? But you're so tall!" Hermione noted with a little dramatic flair. She had noted just how tall the whole Finau household was and felt like a midget by comparison.

"I'm only nine," Kaimi said, before pointing out her siblings. "Akela is sixteen and Iakona is thirteen. And we get our wands at ten here in the States."

"Thirteen?" Hermione said as she appraised the young wizard once more, a bit astonished, as Iakona was almost as tall as Severus. Looking at Mounga, she could tell that Iakona was going to be as tall as his father and still had another ten or twelve inches to grow yet to match him. Even Akela was as tall as Severus and her mother now.

Finding the kitchen a bit cramped to continue cooking unimpeded, Rainbow said, "Dear, why don't you take our guests to the living room and offer them a drink." Turning to her children, she said in a very sternly disapproving tone, "Oh, no you don't. You keep your little fannies right here, I have tasks for you all."

Hermione almost choked on her own spit when Rainbow used that term, but then remembered that "fannies" was an American term used to mean bottoms, and was not being used with the British slang meaning.

As they ambled out to the living room, Draco said in commentary to his wife regarding the family bickering that just played out, "Are you sure you want three or four? Maybe two will be plenty."

Hermione laughed to herself and turned to see Severus give her a look that maybe that wasn't such a bad idea.

"Hermione," Mounga said, distracting Hermione, "what would you care for? We have Wizard POG, which is a blend of pumpkin, orange, and guava juices. We also have eggnog, an aperitif, beer, wine. I make an awesome 'polar bear.'"

"The 'beer' is served ice cold," Severus warned Hermione under his breath.

"What's a 'polar bear'?" Hermione looked at the array of alcohol bottles scattered on the serving console.

"Ground-up Ice Mice, mixed with crème de menthe and dark chocolate liqueur, and topped with a splash of brandy and half-and-half," Mounga said, shivering at the thought of drinking one. Draco gave a shudder as well.

"I think I'll go with an aperitif, though you will have to teach me how to make a Polar Bear so I can mix some up at the next monthly Potions masters meeting."

"Certainly," his host assured her. "Severus? For you?"

"The same."

"Wise choice," Draco added.

"Another polar bear for you, Draco?" Mounga asked.

"No, thank you. I just finished thawing out my toes and fingertips."

Ginny sat next down to Draco and guided his hands towards her neck, sighing with relief when his cool hands met her overheated skin. She was still nursing her glass of iced POG.

"Jerry?"

"I'll try some of that POG with a splash of something stronger from the bar."

Drinks in hand, they sat about and chatted. Mounga kept the questions light and social. Severus figured Rainbow had ordered him, under threat of keeping his manhood intact, to leave the grilling questions for Hermione to her.

The Finau children were as silent as the Grey Lady Ghost, as they moved about in the dining room, setting up the table with their wands, looking a bit contrite. Even Kaimi was subdued and helped where she could, setting the silverware.

Hermione and Severus sat next to each other on the couch as the conversation meandered. Periodically, her hand would quietly seek out his, to give just a quick and subtle squeeze. She still couldn’t believe they were together, having a conversation with others, with no one thinking their relationship off or disgusting as the initial reaction had been by some of those close to her back in England.

A few times, Severus' hand sought out hers as his thumb gently stroked the back of her knuckles, also seeking to return a small affectionate gesture. Severus was not one for public displays of affection, but these were subtle and quiet, noticed only by his intended.

In time, Akela came into the living room and, looking much more subdued, announced Christmas dinner was ready.

Everyone was ushered into the dining room, which was laid out with the family's finest linens and china. The floral decorations and centerpiece were not made of tropical flowers, but of box, pine and holly, looking starkly English in contrast to the tropical-themed paintings and decor. There were Christmas crackers on the table, which piqued the curiosity of the children immensely.

"Do we open the Christmas cookies now?" Kaimi asked with excitement.

"No, the Christmas crackers are for at the end of the meal, but before dessert," Ginny informed the children.

"Don't make me read the stupid joke aloud or wear the paper hat," Severus grumbled under his breath.

"In for a Knut, in for a Galleon," Hermione said just loud enough for him alone to hear.

After the Finaus said grace, food was served. There was a clanking and jumbling of bowls, platters, spoons, tongs, and other serving items about the table, punctuated with the obligatory, "Please, pass the...", "Thank you," or, "May I have the..."

It was right after Hermione put some bread sauce on her plate that Rainbow launched into the grand inquisition of her captive.

"So, Hermione. Draco has told me that you'll be running the new commercial facility that is being built here in Malu Palekaiko. That's quite a lot of responsibility for someone so young, who, as I've heard, is still working on her apprenticeship."

It did not escape Hermione's notice there was a slightly pained look on Mounga's face. Severus had warned Hermione that Rainbow liked to know a lot about other people's business, talked a great deal, and often stuck her nose where it didn't belong. However, he also acknowledged that despite her unwelcomed over-inquisitiveness, the Healer was a good person who meant no harm, but must be dealt with tactfully when telling her to mind her own business.

"No more responsibility than it is for Lavender, who is about the same age as I, and founded the company. And I ran her company while she was away on maternity leave, while I was still working on my apprenticeship, and took my Spanish exam for my third language, and continued working on my year-long Herbology portion of my apprenticeship which is nearly at an end," Hermione replied, sounding very business-like, as it was merely fulfilling her regular duties.

"Hermione is almost a whole year older than me and two years more than Ginny," Draco added to the conversation to give Rainbow a bit of perspective on age.

Severus felt like stepping up to defend Hermione against Rainbow's less than tactful approach to the topic of Hermione's youth, and by association their age difference. Then he decided that if Hermione could debate in front of the Wizengamot and win him and Draco their freedom, she could parry a few questions from a nosy parker. He supposed that Hermione could be described as "so young" if you didn't know her background, but she was obviously holding back from telling Rainbow about her experiences in the war against Voldemort; killing evil wizards and watching friends die would make anyone older and sadder.

"And why did you wait so long before pursuing an apprenticeship?" Rainbow asked.

Given the age of the children around the table, Hermione gave the pared-down version of events regarding Dolores Umbridge and how Hermione ended the witch's short reign as Hogwarts High Inquisitor, Calpurnia Fudge's interference with Hermione's apprenticeship application, and the eventual help Severus gave her in securing an apprenticeship under Albert Dobmeir. Severus sat quietly eating, wondering when Rainbow's line of questioning would make Hermione snap at her. He knew it was only a matter of time.

Mounga decided that Rainbow's method of interrogation was a bit too confrontational, so he decided to take over and make it a bit more convivial and less personal. "So, as a town council member, I'm sort of curious as to when operations will be starting up. Draco mentioned you need to finish your apprenticeship first?"

Hermione and Severus exchanged quick glances at each other before she spoke. "Well, it may take a full year or two before I am a fully accredited Potions mistress," she began. She was interrupted by Rainbow giving a gasp in shock at the long "year or two" delay, but Hermione kept talking. "Erm, Severus and I think we may have found a way to have me complete my last language abroad, here in Hawaii instead of back in England. Once I take my Code of Ethics exam around March and finish taking my Japanese language exam, the only thing left is for me to learn Chinese, which I might be able to learn here, while getting everything up and running with the factory."

Mounga let out a huge sigh of relief, along with Draco.

"But," Hermione added, "that is only if my master, Albert, agrees to such an arrangement. Which he probably will, given this will benefit his employer and mine."

"So how long until you finish learning Japanese?" Draco asked. He was also very curious, since may of the townsfolk had been asking him when they might be able to start applying for jobs at the factory.

"I don't know. I only just started studying Japanese. I heard having to learn a non-Indo-European language, along with a character-based written language, can take longer," Hermione truthfully confessed.

"It's not that hard," Akela interjected, before launching into a few Japanese phrases.

"Then perhaps could I trouble you for some tutoring while I'm here, for starting tomorrow, it's back to work for me with my studies, checking up on construction, and writing up several scrolls on the local flora and fauna of this island for my master.” Hermione asked.

Severus cast a stern glance towards Mounga's oldest, answering for the witch, "Akela is not as fluent as she purports herself." He remembered reading her tutoring application scroll; he knew which languages she was fluent in, which was none, but she knew a smattering of a few.

"Gary Fujitani is a council member and a Nisei – that's a second-generation Japanese immigrant. He speaks, reads, and writes Japanese as fluently as a native since he grew up bi-lingual. I'm sure he can set aside some time this week to help get you started." Mounga smiled then frowned. "Pity you can't be here for more than a week. Gary could tutor you daily, instead of just for one week."

Hermione had thought it was a pity as well, for the only Potions master back in England she knew who was fluent in Japanese was Royston. She didn't want to spend more time in his company than necessary, given his previous interest in her as stated during a few drunken confessions about what he would like to do to her. A few of those times had resulted in Hermione dishing out a hex or a curse that kept his tongue in check until the next time Royston got so drunk he forgot about the last one.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. Hermione had been wishing that there was a way for her and Severus to communicate with each other more effectively than the current two- to three-week lag of correspondence via albatross, or the usual method of waiting for someone to make the Portkey trip half-way around the world, with Ginny and Draco playing courier. Later that night she would talk with Severus about her idea and then see if Jerry, with his talent in Charms, could assist them. But that was a discussion for another time.

"Gary's tutoring would be lovely. Any help is appreciated," Hermione replied.

Rainbow decided to take back charge of her interrogation. "So how long so you think it would take you to master Japanese in order for you to pass your language tests?"

"Perhaps six months? Maybe up to a year?" Turning to Severus, she asked, "How long did it take you to master Chinese?"

"About eight months, but Chuff was unwilling to tutor me so I had to learn entirely on my own."

"But your master will be able to tutor you, right" Rainbow asked.

"No. Unfortunately, Albert is not familiar with Japanese, but another Potions master I know is, and he might be willing to help."

"Who?" Severus asked.

"Royston," she ground out.

"I don't want you studying under Royston," Severus said, suddenly sounding very jealous, having heard Hermione's tales of Royston's behavior during the booze-ups.

"If I can handle him when we're both three sheets to the winds at the monthly meetings, I can handle him sober," Hermione countered. "I'd like to be able to move here in six months time, if I can get the tutoring."

Severus wanted Hermione to move in with him as soon as possible, but the idea of Hermione alone with Royston, who had said things in drunken moments like he wanted to, "Stir his potion in her cauldron," or, "See if she could make sparks fly out of his wand like New Year's Eve," made him debate against the idea of her prolonged absence from his arms.

Jumping upon that thread of conversation, Rainbow asked, "So, if you might be moving here in six months, will you be doing any house- or apartment-hunting while you're here this week? I'm sure Draco or Severus can recommend their real estate agents to help. Or will you just move into a hotel when you first move here and then hunt like Severus and Draco did?"

Hermione blinked at Rainbow and wondered what she was talking about, since she would be moving in with Severus, obviously. Then Hermione remembered that in the wizarding world co-habitation outside of marriage was looked down upon, unless you were already engaged or separated from your spouse and living as lovers. She had mistakenly assumed that with the laid-back island attitude such mores would have a bit more latitude here, especially since Severus told her about the stronger Muggle influence on the island.

"I have already made arrangements," Hermione said quietly, not wanting to put Severus on the spot.

Jerry, who had been watching the exchange with rapt attention, and glad to no longer be the victim of Rainbow's slew of personal questions for once, immediately picked up on the implications of her remark. "Ah, POSSLQs," he piped up knowingly, nodding his head with comprehension.

"What?" nearly everyone around the table asked in unison, except for Hermione and Severus. Hermione knew and she had even acquainted Severus with the POSSLQ phrase when they played house together during his last month in London.

Jerry then broke out into song, "Five foot two, eyes of blue. Would you be my POSSLQ? Has anybody seen my gal?" Nearly everyone around the table stared at him blankly. "POSSLQ: persons of opposite sex sharing living quarters."

"Oh," Rainbow said brightly, finally enlightened, "so you'll be moving in with Severus. That's wonderful. When's the wedding date?" The assumption was that unmarried witches and wizards only lived together if they were engaged and would be marrying in the very near future, the same as it was back in England.

The rest of the table erupted in joyous exclamations of congratulations over the assumption of the couple getting married in the immediate future.

"Can I be a flower girl?" Kaimi asked.

"Severus, you old dog! Congratulations," Mounga exclaimed.

"Do you need help planning the wedding?" Akela asked, looking a bit dreamily lost in the romantic notion of planning one.

"I know just the place where you can get a wedding gown, the same place where Ginny got hers," Rainbow added to the cacophony.

Draco and Ginny said nothing, but noticed how subdued both their friends were despite the assumed good news.

Hermione, overwrought once more at the idea of an engagement and the slew of questions, blurted out, "Severus and I are not engaged!" It came out a bit more hotly then she intended, but it made the whole table immediately quiet, no longer pestering her with questions she had neither the time nor patience to deal with currently.

Rainbow looked a bit aghast, almost as if she was about to place her hands over Kaimi's ears to prevent her from hearing about such notions as a witch and wizard living together with no intention of getting married.

Severus patted Hermione's hand under the table in order to soothe her and spoke this time. "Hermione has the pressure of finishing her apprenticeship in a manner that is also time-critical. In addition to her current duties as vice president of The Lovely Lavender Company and then moving here, uprooting from her familiar life in England, to then immediately work on getting the new facility up and running, setting up operations, purchasing, shipping, and distribution channels, the last thing she needs is the added pressure of a wedding and engagement on top of all that."

To clarify, Hermione said in a very formal and businesslike manner, "The topic of marriage has been tabled until a later time."

Severus enjoyed how Hermione had taken a lot of the emotional aspect out of the topic and made it sound like a dry and joyless business venture. It was something he would have done. If anything, it certainly put an end to Rainbow's curiosity on the matter for now.

To break the awkward silence that had now descended upon the table, Hermione turned to Jerry and said, "You seem to be quite musically talented. I heard you play the other night as we passed by. How long have you been playing piano?"

Jerry then took this opportunity to tell Hermione, and the rest of the guests, about his background growing up in New York, and being pegged as a child prodigy on the piano.

"I was on track to go to Juilliard, a very prestigious Muggle music academy, later on, but when I was ten I got my letter and wand, and then the rest is history." Jerry smiled, but it was tinged with a hint of sadness.

Severus could tell that there was more to Jerry's tale than that, as it was the same sad smile as when Jerry would mention his mother on a rare occasion. Severus knew that she had passed away during Jerry's first few years of his magical schooling; he never explained how she passed, only that her passing had inspired him to pursue a career as an Auror.

Ginny quietly asked, "Could you please pass the turkey?"

"Fourths?" Draco said a little louder than he intended, not wanting to bring attention to his wife's enormous appetite.

Ginny, feeling aggrieved at Draco's remark, said, "Well, I am eating for two!"

"Possibly three," Hermione added, noting how large Ginny had become and comparing her to when Lavender and her Aunt Christine were in their sixth month. "You know twins are genetic." When everyone around the table looked at her quizzically at her use of the Muggle term, she clarified by saying, "Hereditary. Tends to run in families."

"It is?" Draco asked, now looking a bit pale. "Having twins runs in families?"

"How far along are you, Ginny?" Rainbow asked.

"Six months, almost seven?"

Rainbow stood up and surveyed her patient. "Ginny, if I may?" she asked as she pulled out her wand and held it above Ginny's abdomen.

Ginny nodded, and Rainbow began casting a spell with a slow swirling motion. Her wand tip glowed until a shimmery thread of golden dust spilled out to hover in the air like dust motes. The dust began to congeal into a small cluster of three glowing and quickly pulsing orbs of light, orbiting around a larger and brighter golden orb of light that was beating in time, like a heartbeat.

Hermione watched, fascinated with the spell. She was transfixed by the bright glow of the light and the smaller pulsating orbs, like a miniature solar system made of golden dust.

"Not twins," Rainbow said, pausing for a moment, "triplets."

"What?" Draco and Ginny asked in unison, both equally shocked.

Hermione finally understood that each of the small orbs was the heartbeat of a child growing inside of Ginny, and the large central glowing and pulsing orb was Ginny's own heart.

Severus, though slightly surprised, was the first to congratulate the Malfoys. He knew that Draco would be the first Malfoy in nearly five generation to produce more than one child in the entirety of their marriage.

Hermione, noticing Ginny's look that bordered on dismay, asked, "Ginny? Are you all right?"

"I was hoping to finish pursuing my Healer apprenticeship after the baby was born, but how on earth can I do that with three?" The expecting mother began to cry, feeling quite overwhelmed with the news that she was not only to be a mother to one infant, a daunting task for a new mother, but three at once.

"I can help baby-sit," Akela offered, but Ginny seemed to barely acknowledge the offer.

"I'm going to be huger and fatter than ever before they're born!" Ginny wailed, her hormones now quite out of control.

Snapping out of his momentary lapse into shock, sensing his wife in distress, Draco gathered Ginny up in his arms as he got out of his chair and knelt next to her. Smoothing the hair out of her face and wiping away the tears, he tenderly assured her, "Ginny, you are even more beautiful to me now than ever. You're not fat, you're glorious!" It was a moment that should have been private, but given the situation and the place, Draco seemed not to care that Severus, Hermione, Jerry, and the entire Finau family were witness to this shared intimate moment. "I have faith that if anyone can handle triplets, it is you. I've seen you with your keiki class. If anyone can deal with a small rabble of urchins, it's you." Ginny gave a short laugh in response to the phrasing of Draco's praise. "I love you, and I will be there for you and our children to help any way I can."

This earnest declaration of Draco's promise to give his emotional and physical support seemed to have mollified Ginny. She smiled and gave Draco a quick peck on the lips, knowing the dinner table was not exactly the place to share a more passionate kiss in front of others.

Draco settled back into his chair and held her hand for reassurance they were together in this grand adventure called life.

Hermione sat there, absorbing the entire exchange, amazed at how Draco had turned from a petulant boy, quick to dish out a snarky remark, into a man stepping up to his responsibilities as a husband and expectant parent. He was giving Ginny his full love and support in a way that Ginny had always claimed he was capable of, but Hermione had only now finally witnessed first-hand. Even during the best moments of Harry and Ginny's marriage, Harry had not given Ginny the sort of emotional support and assurance that she had just witnessed. Any lingering doubts she may have had about helping Ginny leave Harry were finally erased.

Even back in London, Harry and his wife, Zhubanysh, were far closer emotionally and more well-suited to each other's temperaments than when Harry and Ginny were together. Harry had even admitted as such and reluctantly agreed that Ginny leaving him was the best thing that could have happened, in hind sight. Seeing how truly happy Ginny and Draco were together made Hermione's heart swell, bringing a tear to the corner of her eye.

She wiped it away hastily.

Severus noticed Hermione being affected by the moment, and gave her hand a squeeze of assurance.

Jerry, trying to lighten the mood, turned to Hermione and asked, "So, Hermione. Going into Potions. Is that something your mother or father did?"

"Oh, no. I'm Muggle-born. Both of my parents are dentists."

Hermione was somewhat stunned by the response of the Finau children, who responded with their own shouts of disbelief.

Severus noticed how Jerry merely choked on his wine while casting a quick glance to the Dark Mark on Severus' forearm. The former Auror gave Severus a quick look that conveyed a mixture of surprise and disbelief that an ex-Death Eater would be romantically involved with someone of no magical lineage.

"Really?" Iakona asked with great interest. "How gruesome!" He looked to be more delighted than horrified.

"Is it true they stick needles in your mouth?" Kaimi asked with morbid fascination.

"How do they drill holes in teeth?" Akela asked, drawn into the discussion.

Mounga laughed and interrupted his children's ongoing slew of questions. "Forgive my children. They're curious since dentists are a popular costume here for Halloween." The town judge went on to explain the custom in Malu Palekaiko of having children dress up as people in Muggle professions, then trick or treat around town.

"How did such a custom come into practice?" Hermione asked, intrigued as to the origins of that custom, a minor flip of the Muggle American one.

"Better to curb their curiosity than for them to engage in some of the stunts I did when I was a young teen," Mounga admitted. "Like the time I made Polyjuice Potion, then had Ragenstia, the hag who still lives on the north side of the island, give me some of her hair. I went trick or treating in Honolulu as her after making an illegal Portkey, and when I got back, I had all my candy taken away and my hide tanned by my father like no one's business." For effect, Mounga rubbed his hip in memory of that punishment.

"Wow, Papa," Kaimi said with amazement, "when you said you were sometimes a wicked boy, you meant it!"

Hermione was rather shocked herself that the town judge had such a disregard for the law in his youth. As for the rest of the table, they had already heard of many other misadventures of Mounga's youth that were far more transgressive.

Severus was tempted to offer up his own tale of Hermione using Polyjuice Potion and accidentally turning herself partially into a cat, but decided that was a tale for when Hermione was more well-acquainted with present company and was comfortable enough to share it herself. It had certainly taxed his own skills as a Potions Master to come up with a brew to counter the effects of using animal hair mixed with Polyjuice Potion. Maybe while Hermione was visiting, he could teach her the counter elixir, should she ever come across such an instance, rare as they were.

Hermione answered the children's questions about dentistry that seemed to take the terror-inducing mystique out of it, much to their disappointment. There were no gruesome tales they could share with their friends, now knowing some of the more mundane aspects about the dentistry field. As a healer, however, Rainbow was fascinated by the subject and asked if Hermione could tell her more about it at a later time.

"Hermione?" Akela prompted.

"Yes?"

"Would you say that you might be finishing your apprenticeship by say... summer, a year and a half from now?"

Hermione stopped and pondered the proposed timeline. Nodding in an unsure manner, she said, "Yes, that sound about right, should it take about nine months on average for me to learn my two remaining languages."

Akela suddenly blurted out with great eagerness, "Are you going to take an apprentice when you're done?"

Hermione was quite surprised by the question, now understanding the urgent tone in Akela's question. "You want to be a Potions mistress?"

"Oh, yes!"

"Akela," Rainbow began, "you shouldn't commit to an apprenticeship yet. You still have about a year and half in your studies left. You may find, as you continue maturing, your interests in a career are drawn elsewhere."

Severus remembered that Akela's keen interest in Potions had begun with her crush on him. She was still interested in Potions, since her heart had moved on, to be broken, healed and then won by the young Tristan. Akela said Tristan would come over that night after he was done with his own family Christmas dinner.

"Well, given Hermione's own difficulties and delays, isn't it wise that I, at least, begin researching my options, Mom?" Akela replied with a bit too much sass.

"As for taking on an apprentice so shortly after becoming a mistress, I'm not sure what the custom is." Turning to the resident expert on the subject, Hermione asked, "Severus? What is the usual time after one becomes a master or mistress that one takes an apprentice?"

"Having never had an apprentice, I can't say myself, but usually within the first five years of becoming one is standard. But given your previous experience, within the first year or so would not be amiss," he added, much to Akela's delight.

"Oh, that's great! My mom doesn't want me to study under any wizards, not unless they are like, you know, over a hundred years old already. And on the island, besides Uncle Severus, we only have Arnold and Ranjit, and neither of those two take apprentices. And on the other islands, we only have two other masters and no mistresses. Mom says that witches who study under masters, um..." Akela stopped and cast her eyes sideways at her little sister, who was too young to hear of such sexual matters. "Get too close, if you know what I mean."

Hermione knew all too well, having fallen into Severus' bed, even before they began working and experimenting on formulas together. Mixing learning and pleasure was a common occurrence in potions apprenticeships. Masters and female apprentices were a recipe for sexual dalliances that usually ended in marriage – or sticky affairs if the master was already married.

"I can certainly understand your mother's concern that you study under a Potions mistress instead of a master," Hermione admitted. "Were you my daughter, I would have the same concern. But in a year, if you are still interested, I will entertain the proposal. Perhaps for work experience you can take a part-time job at the equivalent of the Department of Standards & Regulations here in the States."

"They don't have a department like that," Severus informed her.

"What? How do they make sure ingredients are as they are advertised or sold? What about quality assurances?" Hermione asked, now wondering about the ingredients she would be buying in Hawaii and abroad.

"People tend to hire an in-house quality tester or go by reputation of the company selling the items," Severus said. He had to act as his own quality inspector, even when purchasing from the local apothecary.

Turning to Draco, Hermione said with a bit of exasperation, "Well, that's a position we'll have to hire for."

"I already have it written down on a scroll regarding employment positions to fill," Draco assured her. Leaning forward to speak to Akela down the table, he said, "I'll let you know when we start interviewing for the position."

The conversation continued during dinner, with more questions from Akela and Mounga about the facility, and Draco and Hermione fielding them equally. Occasionally, Severus was consulted, since he had extensive work experience with the company.

Eventually, Christmas crackers were opened. Severus only agreed to wear the paper hat because Hermione whispered in his ear a promise that erased any hesitation he had. Nearly everyone groaned at the terrible jokes, and the children begged and swapped for the more desirable trinkets that were included. It did not escape anyone of the British contingent that the crackers were the Treble W brand ones. All of Fred and George's usual and popular joke items filled the various crackers. Severus gladly gave Kaimi his fake wand, and Hermione gave her the joke cauldron she received. Jerry traded Iakona his Headless Hat for the Extendable Ears. Mounga was warned by Hermione about the punching telescope he received, based on her first-hand experience she relayed, and he narrowly avoided a black eye. Rainbow thought the quart jar of fake troll snot was a bit "tasteless," which was an ironic choice of words given that it was actually a tasty lime gelatin mixed with candies shaped like bugs and other disgusting things that might be found in troll snot.

Wishing to move along to more appropriate table conversation, Rainbow turned her focus on Jerry, asking if he had found a date for the New Year's Eve Ball.

Kaimi sat there quietly listening to the different conversations. She quickly grew bored and – with her belly full – eventually fell asleep, slumping sideways against Severus. Her paper hat slid over one eye.

Hermione watched silently as Severus let Kaimi, who was seated on his right, snuggle up and rest her head against his chest, as he wrapped his arm around her to cradle her and stop her from falling over. From the fact Severus reacted little to Kaimi readily clinging to his side as she drifted off, Hermione deduced this wasn't the first time the child had fallen asleep in the company of Severus. It warmed Hermione's heart, assuring her that Severus would indeed make a fine father some day, despite the nervousness he expressed about his own abilities to be an adequate one.

When Kaimi began drooling on Severus' shirt, Mounga came over and picked up his daughter and carried her off to bed. She was no doubt worn out by the excitement of the day and the couple nips of wine she was allowed to taste during dinner.

Akela and Iakona, still somewhat in the doghouse for the unseemly behavior in the kitchen in front of company, were ordered by their mother to clear the dishes and to wash them. Without magic. This amused Severus, since it was a new form of discipline Rainbow had adopted after hearing about how Severus disciplined his own unruly students during detentions.

The adults sat in the living room and conversed while dinner settled before dessert was to be served.

Just as Akela and Iakona finished washing dishes, there was a knock at the door. Akela ran to open the door.

Hermione could hear the young witch breathlessly greet the visitor. "Mele Kalikimaka, Tristan."

"Mele Kalikimaka, Akela," the young wizard replied, in a way that Hermione could tell that the two were quite smitten with one another. She remembered how Severus would greet her in a similarly warm and expectant manner during their courtship.

The visitor was ushered into the living room where he greeted each one in turn respectfully.

"Mr. Snape," Tristan said in greeting, waiting for him to introduce the witch Tristan recognized from the photo in his Potions tutor's office.

"This is Mrs. Weasley."

"Just call me Hermione, please," she amended Severus' introduction. She hated the use of her married last name in general, since it was often spoken with disdain back home.

Tristan bowed politely and shook her hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

After pleasantries, Akela and Tristan went off to exchange gifts in private.

Hermione sat back and squeezed Severus' hand yet again, reminded of the heady sensation of new love, or at least love during the early courtship phase of the relationship.

Eventually, it was time for dessert. Akela and Tristan came back out from her bedroom, the young wizard's hair looking a bit mussed after a proper snogging. The rum was warmed and poured on top of the pudding. Then the candles around the room were extinguished and the plum pudding was set ablaze by the tip of Rainbow's wand, as she said, "Incendio," setting the blue flames dancing gaily.

The cake was sliced and served with hard sauce, completing the authentic English Christmas dinner the Finau children wanted to experience. Everyone praised Severus on the plum pudding, with Jerry joking that if he didn't make it as a Potions master, he might make a fair living as a baker.

Hermione and Severus walked home Christmas night, a bag in Severus' hand holding plenty of leftovers Rainbow insisted on them taking home with them.

"Is Rainbow always asking questions and a bit too curious?" Hermione asked tactfully.

"You should have heard the questions she was trying to drag out of me about how our romance began."

Hermione laughed to herself. "Oh, dear."

"Of course, I spun a tale so outrageous that she couldn't believe me."

"Any truth to that tale," Hermione asked, wondering if he used the truth for the basis of a lie.

"Not unless there are any rings of any truth to my heroically diving into the Black Lake to save you from the reciprocated amorous advances of the giant squid after you had taken a love potion accidentally tainted with calamari ink," he admitted as if he was rather bored.

This further amused Hermione, wishing she could have seen the look on Rainbow's face when Severus laid that whopper of a tale on her.

"Janine asked me as well. She is the Muggle nurse who helped with the ice pox treatment, but she asked very nicely and tactfully. So I told Janine that you needed a friend to talk with, which is the truth."

Smiling, Hermione hummed in agreement. "Yes, that does seem to sum up nicely how it all began."

Once home, Hermione undressed, willing to fulfill her offer to Severus that convinced him to put the silly paper crown upon his head at the table for everyone to see.

As Severus walked in, holding the gold box he had set aside, he said, "You didn't have to promise to do this tonight."

Hermione placed her dirty clothes in the hamper with a flick of her wand, keeping her red knickers on. "Your fear is looking foolish. I thought if I could help you overcome that fear tonight, it would only be right for me to address my fear tonight as well."

Severus set the gold box on the bed and lifted the lid. Pulling out the purple and black corset, he heard Hermione breathe deeply, as she began her techniques to remain calm. He laid the corset upon her lap to look at, asking if there was anything else he could do to help her.

Hermione suggested brightening the lights, since it had been dark where Alan held her captive. She also asked him to set the music box to play something classical, soothing, a pleasant sound to focus on.

"I'm ready."

Severus loosened the laces as much as he could before wrapping the silk-and-lace undergarment about her. He let it hang open in the front, holding it loosely about her torso, to allow her to get used to the idea of it on her person.

Hermione knew she had nothing to fear from a piece of clothing, but it brought back the memories of feeling bound and trapped, the same as how it felt when Madam Mandel began to tighten and cinch it. All those recollections and images were close to rupturing through her mental focus of the moment.

With her hands slightly trembling, Hermione began to hook the front closed. She began breathing heavily while trying to control her emotions.

Severus wanted to say what a lovely color it was on her, but knew this was not the time.

They sat there on the bed as Hermione's breaths began to even out once more.

Hermione closed her eyes as she began to confess, "After the attack, I tried to visit the Pensieve memory of that one time you chained me up. I couldn't watch it. Just seeing myself unable to break free, it no longer aroused me, but only frightened me."

The corset was still very loose, and he would not tighten it until Hermione requested he do so.

Severus placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and began speaking in a low and comforting voice. "Do you remember that first time you bound me, when we were experimenting on the Irresistible Potion?"

Hermione licked her lips before breathing her reply. "Yes."

"I know the panic one can feel when one feels restrained," he admitted without further detail.

Hermione could only guess that he had been attacked while immobilized by some spell, hex, or jinx. "How did you get through it? How did you stop yourself from panicking?"

Severus' hand began slowly caressing her shoulder in a way that was meant to comfort, not seduce. "Because I was with someone I trusted completely. I knew you would not hurt me. I knew that while I was with you, unable to defend myself, you would keep me safe."

Hermione closed her eyes and let out a shuddering sigh as she leaned into his touch for support, taking relief in Severus' words and taking them to heart.

"One thing I think you failed to realize," he went on in the same gentle and assuring voice, "was that time I restrained you upon your request, it was not I who was in control, it was you. The slightest word by you and it all would have ended. You were the one in control, though I understand that you may have forgotten that." Severus leaned over and gave Hermione a chaste kiss upon her shoulder.

After a few moments, she sat up straight and glanced over her shoulder at the man she loved and trusted completely. "You can start slowly tightening the laces," Hermione said, her voice a little less shaky.

=============

A/N: And thank you to BleedingHeartWorks (http://bleedingheartworks.deviantart.com/) for the lovely commission of Severus in the shower, for the scene at the very top of the chapter. You can view it on my Tumblr page here. Rated soft R (mature) for naked butt, no bits showing, but still, NSFW. http://atdlhea-betz.tumblr.com/post/153292646125/sneak-peek-at-fan-art-for-and-they-didnt-live

Thank you to my ever talented, always glorious betas, JuneW and thegreyladies. Without my betas, this fic would be far less readable and coherent.

Regular Muggle POG is passion, orange, and guava juice, a favorite juice blend of kids that is available in stores in Hawaii. It is sold in cartons and cans.

Nisei is a person of Japanese descent (second generation), born and educated in the U.S. or Canada.

"Has Anybody Seen My Gal": Music by Ray Henderson, Lyrics by Sam M. Lewis & Joseph Widow Young.
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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After