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Sell This House	By : elsbeth Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 3532 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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
- 5
- 6
- 7
ch. 6 Early Possession
When Hermione came out of the bathroom Severus was watching her cat, Shadow, with a bemused expression. Shadow was doing her usual 'tracking thin air' thing. Hermione laughed and Severus quirked his eyebrow at her.

"I've seen cats stare over a shoulder, or at blank walls, but I've never seen one chase air before."

"Watch." Hermione made a complicated pass with her wand and murmured a few words. Suddenly there were tiny lights moving around Shadow.

"She did that for a few months before I finally figured out that there WAS something there, I just couldn't see it. They're insects, sort of a magical firefly. The local witches and wizards call them 'magic lanterns'."

"She's magical, then?"

"I got her from the Humane Society shelter and thought she was purely Muggle. As far as I know all she can do that is magical is to see these things. My other cat can't see them unless I make them visible, so it's not just a 'cat' thing."

The snow had fallen most of the day and they had spent the time in bed. Finally, in the late afternoon, at least temporarily sated, they had been propped up on pillows, talking, when her Uncle called.
"Yes, the sellers accepted. They are so pleased with the deal Professor Snape is offering that they suggested he go ahead and move in early. After all, the deal will close very soon. If he is agreeable make sure you draw up the appropriate papers. I'm assuming you know how to reach the Professor?" Her Uncle was teasing her gently. Hermione was sure he knew that Severus had been staying with her. It WAS a small town, after all. She could tell her Uncle approved of Severus.
Severus was delighted. "I'll need to move my things from the Inn in Pinyon."

Hermione turned in surprise. "You WEREN'T so sure of yourself, were you? You weren't sure I would let you stay. You took a room at the Inn!"

She regarded him with delight as he drew himself up and said in his most haughty, cold, 'Professor' tone "It is wise to be prepared for all possibilities." But his eyes were laughing.

"I have to arrange for the money for the house to be transferred, as well."

"How ARE you going to pay for the house? I don't think the Title Company takes gold galleons."

He smirked at her. "Gringott's can handle Wizard to Muggle as well as English to American. I already looked into it. How do you think I rented a car? I knew I couldn't go apparating all over a muggle town."

"I didn't know you could drive."

Another smirk. "I can do many things you don't know about." How could he manage with his look and his tone to make innocent words sound so suggestive? It made her weak in the knees, and his expression said he knew it perfectly well.

"I also need a furniture store," he added thoughtfully.
The image of Professor Snape buying furniture was mind-boggling, but the reality was remarkably enjoyable. At a furniture store they located a matching sofa, love seat, and arm chair with ottoman in a botanical print in soft sage, terracotta, and brown. Various other pieces completed the living room selections.

The saleslady eyed this tall, dark, intriguing stranger shopping for furniture with Hermione with open interest, and Hermione knew that their 'picking out furniture together' would be all around town in no time. Especially after Severus turned to her with several customers and salespersons in hearing range and said "Your antique table and chairs should fit perfectly in our dining room. Don't you think so, Dear?" The mischief in his eyes dared her to argue with him in public. Dear indeed! A domestic Severus interested in home decorating was more than she could take.

Trying not to laugh or hex him or both at the same time, she finally suggested he go and retrieve his belongings and she would join him at the Inn for a late lunch.

"Why, my dear,if I didn't know how much you love my company I would think you were trying to get rid of me."

"Go," she laughed."before you totally ruin my reputation. Anyway, you need to arrange for the money for the sale to be sent to the Title Co. Go by the realty office, too, and sign the papers. The sellers like you so much sight unseen that they are letting you move right in, but you still need to sign things for liability sake. Go, I'll finish up."

"Do make you get all the essentials."

"Oh, I will. I know just the place."

He refused to rise to the bait, but kissed her hand with a worldly flare and departed. She could almost see the robes swirling after him, even though he wore muggle clothing. Gods, she DID love that man! It was a good thing she did, since he was ready to move her and her furniture right into his house.

Let's see. What would he consider essential?
She joined him in Pinyon in the early afternoon. She just walked out into the national forest behind her house, and when she was far enough to be past prying eyes she apparated to the town.
It was as different from Hogsmeade as could be. This was a modern town, even though magical. Many of the people on the streets wore some variety of muggle clothing, though robes were also to be seen. There were shops similar to some in Hogsmeade, but American style. There were several coffee houses, one with a large sign out front proclaiming a 'Magic-Shielded Computer Room'. On the edge of town was the computer shop Hermione had mentioned to Severus. Many of the buildings were log-built or wood-sided, giving the whole town a somewhat rustic look at odds with the large display windows, packed with modern merchandise.
Pine trees (Ponderosa and the namesake Pinyon) and other evergreen trees grew everywhere. Above the town loomed a section of the Mogollan Rim. The town was nestled into a valley right below the Rim, actually the edge of the Colorado Plateau, an impressive geological feature stretching across most of the middle of Arizona. Here the Rim rose several hundred feet above the valley floor. It was a beautiful setting.
The Inn where Severus had taken a room, named 'Meson de las Fresas' for the wild strawberries which grew along the nearby creek, was one of the more rustic of the buildings. It was one of the oldest buildings in town, built from massive logs. It had an air of having settled into place, or 'hunkered down', as the locals would say it. Inside was a large room with a huge fireplace. On this Spring afternoon the crackling fire was welcome. Much of the recent snow had already melted, but the air here was chill.
Severus stood at a window overlooking the creek flowing next to the Inn. He turned as Hermione walked in as though he sensed her presence. His expression oddly serious, he walked over to her and took her face in his hands.

"What? Is something wrong?."

He smiled then. "Not to worry. I was just thinking how life sometimes takes an unexpected sharp turn. I looked for you all over England. I never expected to find you in a place like this. It's a long ways from Hogwarts, from England, even. But I like it." His hand caressed her face.

"Good. I've grown to like it a great deal myself." She could get lost in his eyes.

"Do you mind if my Aunt and Uncle join us here? They asked again if you could come to dinner and I told them we were eating here, and then moving you into your new house."

"Not at all."
The meal was quite enjoyable. The Inn was well known for its carne asada, with tortillas made locally. To Hermione's surprise Severus knew and liked Mexican food, as well as Mexican beer.
Hermione's Aunt had been a public school teacher for many years, and she and Severus discussed educational systems. Her Uncle knew a great deal about local plants, which led to a promise of a hiking trip to identify several plants Severus thought might be useful in potions. Conversation ranged over many topics. Hermione was content to watch her Aunt and Uncle and Severus interacting, only putting in a comment once in awhile. She was thinking how dear her relatives had become to her, and how they were what she wanted to be when she reached their life stage. Their sons were grown and gone, but far from being lonely they enjoyed each other's company as much as she and Severus enjoyed being together.

Her Uncle was talking about the snow. "I got a call from a tenant whose furnace wouldn't come on. I went out to see, sometimes they just don't know to check the reset button or the pilot light, but I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I called our 'heating guy' to come see, and he told me the snow was too high around some pipe on the roof and we'd have to get it off. So I found myself ON the roof IN a snowstorm. It was COLD. My Dad would have said 'cold as a witch's tit in a brass bra'... Don't mean to offend you, Severus,"

The last was said as Severus choked on the Pacifico he had just put to his lips.

Her Uncle put his bottle down. "I think I've had enough beer as is good for me.I don't usually quote my Dad unless I know the people I'm talking to very well."

"No offense taken, I was just surprised. Your Father was very...colorful...I take it?"

"That he was. He had a saying for everything."

Severus raised an eyebrow, "Indeed, and what did he say when something was hot?"

This time Hermione choked, and her Aunt punched her Husband's arm before he could answer, and said serenely, "Ask Hermione that one some time when you're alone."
One more chapter to write. Thanks so much for the nice reviews. I know this is a quirky story, but it's been fun to write.

Shadow is really my cat, and she really does chase air. And I really DO wonder if she sees things I don't (but maybe ALL cats do).
- 5
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- 7
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Sell This House