Chapter 71: The Talk Of The Town

The Burrows, Wizarding World...

It had been loud and chaotic at home of Ginny and Harry Potter. Albus Severus and James were running a muck with Harry and Ron egging them on while Hermione and Ginny chatted in the kitchen. It had been such a long time since the two witches had a chance to take a moment to converse with Ginny's busy family life and Hermione's new teaching position at Hogwarts. It was nice to have some time to chat about the old days and do silly girl stuff once in a while.

"So." said Ginny sipping on her tea with a wide grin. "How are things?"

"Everything is going well." said Hermione sipping her own tea. "The students keep me busy."

"I'm not talking about your job Mione." said Ginny still with a grin.

Hermione arched an eyebrow at her friend.

"Then what are you talking about?" she asked slightly confused.

"How's Sebastian?" asked Ginny still grinning.

Hermione had nearly noticed the look her friend gave her as she was more focused on her tea.

"He's fine." she replied casually.

"Still teaching dunderheads?" asked Ginny. "No doubt Snape would be in a better mood now that you're back at Hogwarts."

Hermione spat out a mouthful of tea.

This caused Ginny to burst out laughing.

"I have no idea of what you are talking about." said Hermione upon recovery.

"Oh come on Mione." she said. "I already know that you two have been shagging like rabbits since you've returned to Hogwarts."

Hermione folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes at Ginny.

"You're starting to sound like Draco." she said almost bitterly.

Ginny laughed again.

"Well, I for one am happy you two finally decided to stop dancing around each other." she said. "It was utterly painful watching you both try hard to pretend that 7th year meant nothing to you...and Snape was honestly a nice bloke when he was Sebastian I never saw any reason why you wouldn't want to be with him."

Hermione shook her head.

"Let me guess Pansy's been gossiping again." she said.

"Oh it's more than Pansy." replied Ginny. "Haven't you heard?...you two love birds are the talk of the town."

"What do you mean by that?" asked the bushy haired witch.

Ginny got up from the table and walked over toward the counter. She pulled out a copy of The Daily Prophet and sat it on the table in front of Hermione. The bushy haired witch's amber eyes widened when she saw the cover.

LOCAL WIZARDING WORLD WAR VET, AND INFAMOUS HOGWARTS POTIONS MASTER SEVERUS SNAPE STARTS FAMILY WITH "LITTLE MISS PRISS" HERSELF HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER!

It has come to the attention of the public that Hermione Jean Granger, age 28 was last seen on a public family outing with her young son of approximately 11 years of age and her lover ex-death eater Severus Sebastian Snape, age 44. A source very close to the couple says that their relation ship has been ongoing for the past 11 years and with their son as proof it's hard to argue the facts. What's more is that a second source close to the couple claims that the young witch is indeed pregnant a second time. So just what has our infamous couple been up to these past few years. And why have they suddenly decided to go public with their relationship? does this mean that wedding bells are on the horizon? Will they be willing to give an interview? time will tell... -Rita Skeeter, Journalist.

Hermione suddenly jumped up out of her seat.

"I-I have to get back to the school." she said with her eyes wide with terror.

She knew that if she had seen this paper and gotten upset that it was only a matter of time before Severus saw it or worse, Minerva McGonagall.

The determined and slightly enraged young witch made her way through the floo as fast as she could.

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The Corridors, Hogwarts Castle....

Severus Snape had just rounded the corner as he made his way toward his office. He had just gotten around the corner when suddenly he heard the faint humming of magic near him. With reflexes as quick as a cat he dodged whatever it had been and whirled around in time to see a fuming Minerva McGonagall hastily making her way over toward him. He could tell by her demeanor that she was not in a pleasant mood. He had not been either with the mess the first years made of his classroom due to their lack of discipline.

"Minerva, this may come as an inconvenience due to your current mood, but would you mind telling me what the hell has gotten into you?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.

"You should be a shamed of yourself." said Minerva fuming.

"For what reason would I have to be ashamed?" asked Snape.

"Like you don't know." replied Minerva.

Snape rolled his eyes.

"Minerva talking in riddles isn't going to get us anywhere." he said annoyed. "I have no idea what your are talking about let alone why you felt it necessary to set loose hazardous magic upon my person."

"I'll set more than hazardous magic loose upon you for what you did to Miss Granger." said Minerva angrily.

Snape had no idea who to approach this situation. He had been fairly certain that she knew nothing of his and Hermione's intimate relationship and at the same time she seemed to have something on him pertaining to the witch in question. He decided to play it as with Slytherin rules. He would admit to nothing if she had nothing to openly accuse him with.

"Can you define what it is that I supposedly DID to Miss Granger?" asked Snape with an arched eyebrow.

Minerva appeared flustered at the very suggestion.

"Do you have any proof of my so-called act?" asked Snape coolly.

"No, I don't." replied Minerva brandishing a copy of The Daily Prophet "But this is incriminating in itself."

Exercising caution, Snape took it from her and had a look at the headline.

A surge of anger radiated through him. He thought about Austin and Hermione having to deal with the backlash from this paper.

"Well haven't you gotten anything to say for yourself?" asked Minerva testily.

Snape balled up the paper and threw it onto the floor.

"Ignis." he said.

The paper burst into flames and he glared at the Transfigurations Professor.

"You shouldn't believe everything you read in that rag they call a news paper." he said.

Minerva put her hands on her hips. Her expression was hard and stern. Her green eyes focused intently on him as if she were willing an a hidden ability to make him cower before her as if he had been a student.

"I don't." she replied. "Albus has told me of your so-called relationship...you're the reason the poor girl has been so exhausted as of late."

Snape opened his mouth to say something in reply but Hermione showed up getting both his and Minerva's attention.

"Severus." said the bushy haired witch who's apparent focus had been so much on her boyfriend that she had not noticed her former Head of House.

Before he could reply she threw her self into his arms and on instinct he pulled her into a heated kiss. For a moment it appeared that both had forgotten about the older witch standing there.

"It appears Miss Granger, that the cat is out of the bag as the Muggle's say." said Snape with a wicked smirk in Minerva's direction as he pulled away from Hermione.

The old witch scoffed and rolled her eyes. It was like that 7th year all over again except they were both Professors.

Hermione suddenly realized that she had been there and immediately turned red with embarrassment after the heated display of affection.

"Good evening Miss Granger." said Minerva glaring at Snape.

"Good evening Profess-Minerva." said Hermione feeling every bit like a school girl beneath the older witch's stern gaze.

"I'm surprised you still have a tongue in which to speak." said Minerva snidely. "At the rate Severus is going it won't be for very long."

Snape surprised them both by letting out a hardly chuckle.

"I take it you've both seen the paper to day?" said Hermione.

"Who hasn't." replied Minerva. "Apparently, you two Lovebirds are the talk of the town."

"So I've heard." said Hermione with a sigh.

Snape arched an eyebrow at this.

"Rita Skeeter." he grumbled. "Blasted hack...always printing lies and gossip."

Hermione and Minerva both found themselves in agreement with him.

"I'd better help Albus do damage control." said Minerva. "Severus this is not over."

"I quiver with fear." replied Snape shooting her a glare.

The older witch took her leave of the couple. Hermione turned her attention to Snape.

"Are you okay with all of this?" she asked.

"I should be asking you that." said Snape. "I for one am use to negative publicity...a the left over sentiment from my days as a death eater leave much to be desired in the ways of the press."

Hermione leaned against him.

"Well every one knows about us." she said. "It's a good thing we told everyone before hand or this would have been a disaster."

Snape smirked.

"Apparently you are to be pregnant with my second child." he said. "I would like to remember when we agreed to have a first."

"About the time that you blood adopted Austin." she replied.

Snape grinned wickedly and pulled her into yet another passionate kiss. A thought came to him and he pulled back in a bid to ask her a very serious question.

"Does Rita Skeeter know that you've reconnected with your parents?"

Hermione's eyes widened.

Snape had not liked the look of terror that filed across her face.

"Hermione." he said. "Do tell me that there is no way that they could obtain a copy of The Daily Prophet."

Hermione stayed silent not wishing to tell him that she had subscribed to the paper when she was at home to keep up on events of the wizarding world and that she had not had a chance to cancel the subscription.

Snape's eyes suddenly widened.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

"What is it?" asked Hermione.

"Mother." he replied in annoyance. "No doubt she's reading this article as we speak."

Hermione and Snape looked at each other knowing that this was only going to get worse.