Story: Harry Potter

Pairings: Severus/ Hermione

Rating: M

Genre: Romance/ Drama/ Self Discovery

Author's Notes: Slightly AU. Seven years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Severus Snape survived.

The Marriage Bed

Chapter 1: The Mind's Eye

Hermione held her breath as she looked up at the imposing two story marble building that was Gringotts Wizarding Bank. She had not entered the goblin stronghold since her attempted break-in eight years ago aided by Harry, Ron and Griphook in an attempt to locate the Sword of Gryffindor. She had long since been exonerated for her part in the crime, but returning to such a formidable magical building bound with dark secrets and angry, miserly goblins, her heart now raced.

Releasing a long exhale, she climbed the steps and reminder herself that she was now an employee of the Ministry- she had every right to be here on Ministry business- even if she was personally banned from housing accounts with the firm.

Silver doors opened to a vast white marble hallway flanked with goblins. Some counting stacks of gold, others scratching sums over parchment. Hermione held her head high as the dark eyes turned up from their work and followed her down the central corridor. No longer the little girl dressed up in costume, the adult witch still trembled on the inside as felt the goblins' dislike of the her in each dark, snarling glare.

"Hermione Granger, Department for the Care of Magical Creatures." She said evenly as she flashed her id card to the trio of goblins at the high front desk. "I'm here to take out the..."

"We know why you're here Ms. Granger." The older of the goblins snapped as he adjusted his glasses and narrowed his eyes from his perch. "I hope this time you heed the words on our doors."

Hermione swallowed, "Yes. I have special permission from the Minister, I don't think we'll have any problems."

The white haired gremlin struggled down from his roost, "Let's hope not, Ms. Granger. Let's hope not."

Before he could lead her to the elevator shaft, a younger goblin rushed up to him, whispering in his ear frantically.

"Yes, yes, send him too. Might as well kill two birds with one stone."

Hermione was sure he put emphasis on the word kill or was it just her imagination? The little man looked pointedly past her shoulder and spoke, "Professor Snape, you'll go down with us."

Professor Snape? Hermione spun on her heel and gasped, as the man she'd last seen seven years ago at the trial for his freedom and before that, dying on the floor of the Shrieking Shack not but three feet from her. Slightly older, less intimidating, but just as powerful.

Dark, hooded eyes greeted hers, "Miss Granger". He acknowledged her gapping stare with a nod. Immediately, she noticed that his voice was rougher than in her school days, the once ringing spite in his tone, absent. Other than those aspects, nothing about the potion master seemed changed. He stood before her in his same black flowing robes, high collared buttoned frock coat; eyes shielded, but as always sharp and unapologetic.

Her emotions were thrown into hysterics. There was so much she had wanted to say to him at the trials, so much conflicted and unresolved feelings regarding his role in their lives... In her life. Would she get the chance to speak to him today? To tell him she was sorry, to thank him and to ask him...why? Her voice held a touch of awe as she acknowledge his presence, "Professor Snape... It's been a long time."

"Come along then," the old goblin huffed, turning towards the elevators. "Professor Snape also needs to access Floor 8, and as the trolly sustained quite a bit of damage a few years ago," the goblin paused to shoot Hermione a meaningful look, "The transportation system is slower and we're having to take all waiting customers at one time."

"Oh." Hermione blushed, remembering vividly the night they had unleashed the dragon on Gringotts. Not that she felt bad about releasing the abused creature, but she did feel slightly embarrassed about their childish antics that night. Desperate situations called from desperate measures, Hermione, she reminded herself.

"Get in," commanded the goblin from the front of the small iron trolly cart. They had ridden in the elevator in silence. Now Snape stood besides the cart, holding the door open for her.

"Thank you," she whispered as she gripped the edge of the cart to balance herself. Damn it! Why did I wear heels to forage through the vaults, she cursed her poor choice of foot ware as she suddenly tottered at the edge of the step.

A warm hand grasped hers to steady her, another at her waist. She could feel the trace of his buttons press against her arm as she fell into him and tightening her grip instinctually on his offered hand. As she pushed herself from his chest, she inhaled strong scents of fire-whiskey and peat. Her breathing quickened, as did his.

Surprised, she looked up suddenly, finding herself only inches from his face, his black eyes reflected his own bewilderment at their sudden closeness. Then the old potions master was back, lips pressed together in stern reprisal as he forcibly pushed her upright and away from him. His repulsion at her physical nearness clear.

"Granger!" He chided quietly.

Regaining her footing, she entered the cart, now only her thoughts off balance. "Sorry, sir. I'm afraid heels were not a good choice today."

"Agreed." He replied firmly, entering the small trolly, shutting the door and taking a seat besides her. Wrapping his robes around himself as he sat, his long legs still pressed against hers. It's just a small cart and he's a large man, she stated the obvious in her own mind, folding her hands together in her lap, trying to make herself smaller. Frantically wondering why his physical presence was causing her to body to feel an unwanted comfort.

The goblin let go the hand-break and the cart began to heave and creak forward. Grasping the side of the cart with her left hand, she tried to enjoy the ride. Hermione attempted to quiet her mind by imagining it was just a muggle roller-coaster at a fun park, but neither brooms nor amusement rides had ever been her forte. As the trolley curved and rattled, dipped and dropped, Hermione pinched her eyes closed, faced turned away from the side of the cart and towards her companion.

With her eyes tightly shut, she once again inhaled the scents of whiskey and peat, the cool air of the caves displaced as she felt radiating warmth across her back and side. The cart made a sharp turn, but instead of bumping against the cold metal of the cart, she came in contact with Snape's arm, which was now behind her, shielding her as he gripped the other side of the cart.

In silence, she moved closer to him, her shoulder and back pressing against his chest, seeking shelter and stability when suddenly, there was another deep dip in the rail line.

"Ahh!" Hermione yelped and felt her former teacher's hand grip her forearm, holding her tight and pulling her closer. The little goblin steered on at full steam, completely oblivious to his passengers.

"Calm yourself." His dark eyes caught hers as the cool cave air whistle by them. "They haven't lost anyone from the carts in several years." His lips held a slight smile.

"That's not comforting in the least." She replied amused.

The little goblin now turned to the pair, his white hair blowing in the wind created by the speed of the cart. "This next part of the line is a bit bumpy. Had some dragon damage, we made some repairs. Didn't come out as smooth as we'd hoped." She swore his little dark eyes glittered with retribution, taking pleasure at her unmasked fear.

"How much longer?!" She asked exasperated.

The goblin just smirked and turned back to his driving though the cold black, hell of the caves.

The cart jerked left, right and then left again on the tracks. "Bloody hell!" Swore Hermione as she clutched unabashedly to Snape's frock coat and yelped.

Looking down at the young woman by his side, Severus Snape could honestly swear that he did not recognize the attractive brunette flashing a ministry badge at the head desk when she's first entered the bank. He did take pleasurable account of her black patent stilettos, her solid firm calves held captive by delicate hosiery, her black crepe skirt that hugged a petite rounded bottom and hips, her long swan-like neck supporting an entirely too-tight coiffeur. It was not until she tipped her chin up and her profile was revealed that he felt the slightest revulsion at his early stirrings. The woman was his former student, Hermione Granger and she was all grown up.

Not that it mattered to him other than his own surprise. He'd been nothing more than a voyeur for nearly a decade. So although an attractive woman would catch his eye from time to time and cause him to think on dainty, sensual pleasures, he knew it could never be more. Not with him.

The little, bushy hair 'know-it-all' has finally embraced her womanhood, he chuckled as he passively caught a glimpse of snowy-white breast beneath the parting of her shirt collar.

Again the cart bounced and lunged forward, her right hang grabbed at his arm, her left clutched his thigh tightly. Her breathing heaved with fear. She could hear the goblin laughing, disengaging from the parked trolly.

Severus cleared his throat, giving her hands a slight tug from his person.

Suddenly Hermione's eyes widened as she realized she was clinging to her former teacher. One hand at his bicep, the other at his... Oh no... Flushing a deep shade of red as realization overcame her fear-clouded mind. Her left hand had been throughly clasping his upper leg. Now, his long fingers were tightly wrapped around her writs, tugging for their removal.

"Granger, we've stopped!" He gritted between his teeth.

Uncurling her fingers, she leapt up and bounded over him in a very undignified escape from the small cart and the uncomfortable closeness. Damn, she'd felt safe in his arms of Severus Snape, a bit too personal, but safe. What a brave new world this is!

Standing, Severus dusted off his robes and stepped from the cart, rubbing his thigh. "Goeblin Izakle Fert-." He said firmly as his feet hit the ground.

The old goblin spun around faster than Hermione would have thought possible. "Don't!" The little demon hissed.

Snape's eyes narrowed and he stepped closer to the goblin. What his voice had lost in strength, it retained in threat and conviction. "You may not care for Miss Granger. We are all aware of her 'antics' and the damage she caused this bank. However, I do not appreciate the game you are playing... Especially when I am involved... Are we clear?"

The goblin didn't flinch, but his beady eyes narrowed. "Crystal."

Hermione hurried behind the goblin as he walked remarkably fast for such a small creature. At some level, she was eager to leave the awkwardness of the trolley ride. So Snape thought the little demon had been trying to scare her as he was still bitter about her little charade nearly a decade past? She couldn't really hold it against him, they'd caused the bank large scale damage and lost them a guard dragon. What was the muggle saying, turn-a-bout is fair play. Still to say a goblin's name was to hold it captive. Professor Snape must have been madder than he was letting on to make such a threat. And how did he know the goblins name? The man was a puzzle wrapped an an enigma.

As they stopped at a warded door, Hermione turned back to the professor, who she found was leaning against the side of the cave wall rubbing his thigh.

"I hope I didn't leave a mark." She offered a concerned smile.

To her amazement, his lips twitched and returned the smile slowly. "I'll live, Miss Granger."

It was awkward and endearing all at once. Suddenly, as if she had just been smacked upside the head, she had an major, earth- shattering realization. Severus Snape was beautiful. Not handsome or sporting. Certainly not 'cute' on any level. But he was darkly beautiful, tragically beautiful and yet when he smiled there was a stoke of boyish innocence about him.

"Granger?" He raised a dark eyebrow.

She awakened from her day-dream. Eyes widened and she turned from him suddenly, hurrying to follow the goblin through the enchanted archway. Oh my god, why didn't I see it before? She asked herself. Because he was my teacher, came the answer from within her. Now he was just a man and a wizard - older, but her equal in all social ways. Could it really be so simple? Was it something changed in him or was he always attractive - only her perspective that had changed. Her mind was spinning. When did Professor Snape become...attractive?

"Well, it's going to be somewhere up there." Said the goblin, holding his lantern high and pointing to a tower of crates.

The trio had entered a second large cavern. The space was filled with crates of all sizes stacked four and five stories high. All kinds of goods and materials littered the crates and the floor - baroque chairs, silvered mirrors, crystal chandeliers, golden bird cages.

Snape put his hands on his hips. "Is this a joke, Goeblin? This is an absolute mess. Please tell me the crates are labeled."

The little goblin lowered the lantern to his own eye level. His black eyes blazed with reflection of the flame. "As I said earlier, Professor. Someone unleashed a dragon on the premises. Gringott's has not been able to rebuild overnight. The crates are labeled and I have specific instruction that your item is in crate tower 116."

Hermione just huffed, her jaw tightening. This little foray was going to take much longer than she expected. Sometimes the wizarding worlds antiquated systems couldn't keep up with the speed of her 21st century expectations.

"Lumos." Lighting his wand, Severus Snape turned his former pupil. His black clothes and hair played a sharp contrast to his pale skin in the iridescent light of his wand.

"I hope I don't need to remind you where we are, Miss Granger." His black eyes bore into her.

Turning up her chin, she answered. "Floor 8 of Gringott's. The Cavern of Mysterious Objects. Mysterious most likely meaning cursed."

"Correct as always. So don't touch anything." He said emphatically.

Put out by his attitude, Hermione replied, "Thank you for your concern, but I really don't need a professor any more, Professor."

Snape took a step back, his eyes widening only a fraction. "I'll remember than on the trolly ride back."

Shaking her head, "I only meant to imply that I'm not a student anymore. I'm quite aware of the dangers in this room." Her voice faltering, "I want to-"

Suddenly, her eyes traveled from his black irises to neck, where pink scars crepping from under his high collar caught her attention. It was the first time she'd noticed the blemish to his otherwise pale skin.

Was there more? There must be, she saw him attacked by Nagini - she knew the truth. She served as witness as he was assaulted again and again by the Dark Lord's beast. While she, Harry and Ron watched impotent with fear. Suddenly, his long, pale fingers were at his neck adjusting the collar upward.

She raised her eyes to his, pushing the words from her mouth, "Thank you." She said breathlessly and blushed.

The air was suddenly thick between them as they looked at one another with quickened breath. They both knew she'd been looking at his body. Was there a flush to cheeks? His shields slipped for just a moment, she saw the boyish awkwardness about him- he was embarrassed.

Inhaling sharply, Hermione broke their eye contact and added, "I'll not touch anything, sir."

He turned from her abruptly, pausing only once to run his hand to his collar before following the goblin into the darkness of the cave.

Alone with distressing thoughts- first finding her former professor attractive and then gawking at his scars- Hermione spun her little diamond engagement ring around and around on her finger deep in thought.

Twenty minutes later, Severus Snape's wand light broke through the darkness. Unabashed fear on his face, he was running towards her. "Run, Granger!"

Hermione, surprised, questioned. "Run?"

There was no time to answer. Instead he grabbed her hand, pulling off balance, she followed his lead as he ran deeper into the engulfing blackness of the cavern. Somewhere she could hear the pounding of wings as a large beast swooped and screeched above them...

Authors Note: Well, we'll get to the literal marriage bed in the next chapter. Reviews are greatly appreciated and I'd love a beta if you like this story. It's my first Snape/ Hermione. Thanks!

Just at little hint for Chapter 2: To these, whom Death again did wed, This grave's the second Marriage-bed...