Can't Help Who You Love, Vol. 2

Okay folks, the sequel starts. I hope you enjoy it as much as the first tale.

Chapter 1

Hermione and Severus watched with amusement at the small crowd around them. The Weasleys, Harry, Ron, Draco, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, McGonagall, and Dumbledore were standing around the couple talking and fussing about them. Hermione had just about enough.

"HEY!" she yelled.

Everyone stopped.

"Thank you. Now Severus and I would appreciate that you talk to us and not about us," she said.

Now no one knew what to say. Harry spoke first.

"Hermione, this is all just hard to believe," Harry said.

"Well believe it because it is true," Hermione said.

"Do you realize how weird this is?" Ron asked.

"No Ron I don't," Hermione stated.

"It just seems impossible," Harry said.

"Huh? Impossible?" Hermione declared. She pulled Draco forward.

"Didn't we once think that it would be impossible for us to even consider becoming friends with Draco?" Hermione asked. "Now look at us. I love Draco as a friend as much as I love you two," she told Harry and Ron. "So how impossible does it sound for me to love Severus?"

Good point my dear. Severus thought.

Hermione's parents were standing there quietly. Severus noticed that they hadn't spoken yet.

"Mr. and Mrs.Granger? Would you care to speak? Besides Hermione's opinion, yours is the only one we need to concern ourselves with," Severus said.

"Thank you," Mrs. Granger said.

"Yes, we have some things to say, but to Hermione and yourself only, professor," Mr. Granger said.

"Mum, my things are packed. Can we discuss this at home? I don't feel like talking about this in the middle of a quidditch pitch," Hermione asked.

"Certainly Herms. Professor, you are invited as well seeing as this concerns you," Mr. Granger said.

An hour later, Severus was looking about the kitchen of the Granger's house. Hermione and her mother were making tea and Mr. Granger returned with two small glasses of brandy, handing one to Severus.

"Shall we adjourn to the den?" Mr. Granger asked gesturing to another room.

They moved to a larger room that was furnished with two plush leather chairs and matching sofa opposite. Henry and Severus sat in the plush leather chairs. The telephone rang and Henry Granger answered it, looking at Severus apologetically. While Henry was talking, Severus looked about the room. There was a piano in front of a large bay window. One wall was covered with bookshelves, the other wall had shelves with knick knacks and souvenirs from various trips. A third wall was covered with pictures. Hermione was in most of them. The room was relaxing and inviting with its brown and beige tones. Hermione and her mother strolled into the room with tea and cookies.

"Oh Henry, that call can't be as important as this, whoever it is you can call them back," Diane Granger said as both women sat on the couch.

"Yes dear," Henry replied hanging up.

"Now, where were we," Henry stated sipping his brandy.

"Excellent brandy, Mr. Granger," Severus said.

"Tut tut, call me Henry. So it seems you want to marry my daughter," Henry said.

"That I do," Severus replied.

"And Herms, you want to marry him?" Henry asked.

"Yes Dad," she replied.

"Good, now that we have that settled, why was everyone at that school so up in arms about it?" Henry asked.

Now Severus knew where Hermione got her directness from.

"Yes, that was curious. I almost had to laugh when Ronald and Harry stood up and swore," Diane said.

"Umm, well Mum, it's like this. Everyone sees Severus as this snarky, difficult professor who takes pleasure in torturing students, I admit I was one of them. Then one day I didn't feel like that anymore. What started out as grudging respect grew into fondness. Believe me, no one was more surprised than me when I woke up one morning and realized I loved him," Hermione said.

"And you Severus, when did you start to notice our Herms?" Henry asked. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"She assisted me with a matter last year that caused me to reconsider my view of her," Severus said.

"I see, I think," Henry said.

"Don't worry Severus, we are not going to interrogate you. It does our heart good to see Hermione so happy after what's happened to her this term," Diane said.

"We just want to get to know you better. So, do you like pot roast? It's on the menu for this evening," Diane said.

"Yes please Severus, stay for dinner," Hermione asked putting her hand on his thigh.

"I would enjoy that," Severus replied.

"Yay! Now let me get my stuff settled, and I'll give you a tour of the house," Hermione told Severus.

The phone rang again and Henry answered it. Diane went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. After the tour of the home, Hermione and Severus joined the Diane in the kitchen.

"Drat! Out of onions," Diane remarked.

"Mum! I'll go to the market and get some, I'd love to take Severus for a drive," Hermione said.

"That sounds fine, hurry back" Diane said. "Take the Benz."

Taking Severus' hand and dragging him through the kitchen, she snatched the keys from a hook by the door and went into the garage. She opened the passenger door and ushered him in. She hopped in the driver's seat and took off.

"I'll make this outing quick. I know you can handle only so much muggleness in one day," Hermione teased.

"On the contrary, I am enjoying myself," Severus said.

"Thank you Severus, that means alot," Hermione said.

Hermione noticed that Severus was tense and gripped the armrest on the door.

"Severus, how many times have you been in a car?" Hermione asked.

"Twice," Severus replied. She slowed down.

Twenty minutes later, Hermione and Severus walked through the kitchen door to the sight of her parents kissing.

"Ugh," Hermione muttered.

"Welcome back you two. As it turns out, I found an onion. Sorry dear," Diane said. "Dinner is almost ready. Hermione, could you set the table?"

Henry called from the other room. "Severus, could you join me in here? I have something I'd like to show you," Henry said.

Hermione set the table and heard Henry and Severus' bellowing laughs.

"I think Severus is getting a look at the photo albums," Diane quipped.

"DAD!" Hermione yelled and ran to the room where her father and Severus were.

After a pleasant dinner with lively conversation, Severus stood up.

"Henry and Diane, thank you for your hospitality and the delicious dinner. I have things to attend to back at Hogwarts," Severus said.

"Of course, Severus. I'm sure Hermione will see you out," Henry said with a wink.

So that's where she gets it from! Severus thought with a smile.

Back at a quiet student-free Hogwarts, Severus swept into his room to find Dumbledore waiting.

"How did it go?" Dumbledore asked.

"Quite well Albus, it was a pleasant visit. To make a long story short, the Grangers approve of our relationship," Severus said.

"I see," Dumbledore said.

"The visit this evening was enlightening to say the least. I was apprehensive at first about meeting her parents and interacting up close. As you know, I haven't been impressed with most of the few muggles I've met. However, the Grangers were hospitable and accomodating . Henry has good taste in brandy I must say. They are a charming, intelligent, attractive couple. It's no small wonder that Hermione turned out that way as well," Severus said.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that things went well for you," Dumbledore said. "So what's on the happy couple's agenda tomorrow?"

"I'm assisting her search "for a pad" as she calls it," Severus said.

Pavel, Hermione's owl, arrived with a letter for Severus.

"Good evening Severus," Dumbledore said leaving the room.

Severus

Thank you so much for this evening. My parents really like you! We sat down after you left and talked for hours. Dad said if you ever feel like dropping by, feel free to do so. The brandy will be waiting. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow around nine for breakfast (I'm making pancakes) and we can hit the pavement on my hunt for a flat. You can apparate to the den. Have a good night and remember how much I love you!

Herms a.k.a. Hermione