Disclaimer, I don't own Harry Potter.
Writers Notes, Thanks to my beta Princess Moonie of the Moon.
Severus Snape's trial had lasted nearly an entire year. He was relieved that this entire tedious ordeal was finally over. The Wizengamot decided that to avoid any bad press and riots from the public (because they were still recovering from the aftermath of Voldemort's defeat) they would try and regain the public's trust back by placing Severus under house arrest for two years. In their mind it was the best decision for everyone. It would hopefully keep the public calm, and Severus wouldn't be thrown in Azkaban until he dies. He didn't expect this at all. There was no way Severus thought that he would be able to get through this without any consequences.
Since his house in Spinner's End was burnt down and destroyed during the summer after he killed Dumbledore, he was ordered to be placed under house arrest by being sent to live with someone 'brave' enough to accept this great responsibility. If no one volunteered to have Severus, he would be placed in Azkaban to serve his sentence or until he died.
Severus was sat in a small room with cuffs on his hands and ankles. He was guarded by two Aurors in case he tried to escape (not that he had anywhere to escape to). He had recently been told that someone had volunteered to have him in their home under house arrest. He only hoped whoever he was sent to live with was at least tolerable. He also thought about if it might be someone he used to teach, because who wouldn't jump to have their former potion masters as a personnel house elf?
He heard someone enter the room and he looked up blankly with an eyebrow raised, "Miss. Granger?"
"Professor," She let out a long sigh. She hadn't seen her former Professor up close since she watched him nearly bleed to death that night in the Shrieking Shack when Nagini attacked him. "I'm sorry for how long this ordeal has lasted. Also, I am probably the last person you expected to see."
"Indeed," Severus watched her as she sat down in a chair in front of him, while Minister Kingsley stood behind her.
"I hope they've been treating you well?" Hermione nervously smiled.
"Why are you here Miss. Granger?"
"Well as you know, instead of going to Azkaban, you are being placed house arrest." Hermione replied.
Severus scoffed, "That's obvious, considering I am no longer chained up like a rabid dog."
"Well, I have volunteered to have you placed with me until your sentence is served." Hermione kept her voice bland. Utter shock and disbelief appeared on Severus' face.
"Severus, are you willing to proceed with house arrest or would you rather forgo all of this and be sent to Azkaban?" Minister Kingsley asked. Severus looked between Minister Kingsley and Hermione, utterly lost. For years Severus had been a complete and utter ass to Hermione as her Potion's Master and Dark Arts professor. But here she was willing to offer her house to him to keep him out of Azkaban. He had to choose. Her, the annoying know it all, or the threat of Azkaban. He didn't know what life with Hermione would be like or what she wanted out of all of this. Did she want to make him suffer for everything he did to her and her friends during their time at Hogwarts? But then he wouldn't fare any better in Azkaban as most of the Death Eaters that were they're aware of where Severus' true loyalties lay.
"I'll accept her offer Minster Kingsley," Severus said, his eyes still locked on Hermione. They continued to stare at each other, as if they were trying to read each other's minds.
"Alright," said one of the Aurors as he placed a small tracking device on Severus' leg that also prevented him from using any magic as well.
"Would you like his cuffs removed?" Kingsley asked to Hermione, "The brace is a tracker that must be wore at all times, but it cancels out his magic to prevent him from using it."
"Yes, I would like you to remove his cuffs." Hermione said, Kingsley turned to Severus and with a flick of his wrist, the cuffs disappeared.
"If he causes you trouble, any at all, inform us immediately and we'll have him taken straight to Azkaban." The other Auror instructed as he turned to Hermione and then to Severus.
"There won't be any trouble at all Sir, but thankg you for your concern." Hermione said as she turned from the Auror, to Kingsley, and then back to Severus.