A/N: Since my mother in law is officially in town. I thought I'd post chapter two a bit early. Just to clarify this is the summer before her seventh year, and Snape didn't kill Dumbledore. So we're very AU here. I probably won't post again until July 1st once she's back in California. Your reviews have been amazing and thank you so much.


Two:

They had talked amicably after he had told her the news of her parents murders. He had held her while she sobbed. Finally after a few hours Severus cast the final diagnostic spells on Hermione as she sipped from a cup of broth. "How are you feeling?"

"To be honest Professor I'm terrified," she whispered.

"Miss Granger I'm so sorry for your losses," he apologized.

"I've asked you to stop with that. I don't want apologies. I want to know what's wrong with me." She sat the mug down. "What happened?"

"You had a burst of accidental magic that nearly drained your magical core. The only way to save your life was to bind you to the person whom your magic is the most compatible with," he said.

"What does that mean?"

"Miss Granger you're technically a married woman," he said.

Hermione blinked. "No I had plans. The continent, world travels, French lovers, a career. I wanted my own apothecary. I wanted a career in potions." She rubbed her eyes as the tears flooded down her cheeks.

He squeezed her hand. "Miss Granger you haven't asked who your spouse is."

"I'm a coward. I don't belong in Gryffindor. I don't want to know," she said.

He nodded. "I wouldn't either. What if you still got to do those things?"

"I highly doubt it," she said.

"Miss Granger I happen to know your new spouse quite well, I doubt he'll hold you down," he said.

"What's my new sur name Professor?"she asked.

Severus took a deep breath. "Snape. Miss Granger. Your new sur name is Snape."

Hermione spit out her broth. "Excuse me."

"Miss Granger-"

"Hermione please. Call me Hermione," she said.

"Hermione, then. I know this is the last thing you want," he said.

"It's your magic I feel. That warmth. It's you," she said, "You won't hold me back."

"I might object to the French lovers, eventually," he said, "The potions career that I can help you with." He handed her an envelope. "I had planned on sending this out later in the week."

She took the envelope opening it slowly. She scanned the missive. "I accept."

"Miss Gra- Hermione you don't have to," he stated.

"This is what I've wanted since I came here. Yes my life isn't mine anymore. I need to make this decision. I need this control." She sighed.

Severus nodded. "Understood."

Hermione exhaled. "So we're married?"

"We are. Hermione this bond is irreversible. It can't be dissolved," he said, "I couldn't let you die."

"Because I'm valuable to Harry. To the Order," she said, "I understand. No misconceptions."

He nodded. Letting her think what she must.

"How does our bond work? Do we need to-"

"Touching is fine. Nearness, hand holding. Sex is off the table," he stated.

She nodded. "I don't think I could. Not after what was done to my mother. I don't think I'll ever be able to trust again. I'm terrified you'll hurt me."

Severus held out his hand. She took it hers shaking as she reached for it. "I swear on my life Hermione Granger-Snape I will never force you into anything. I will do anything I can to protect you."

She smiled at him, the light never touched her eyes. "I swear to be your confidante. Your friend."

He nodded. "I'll be able to take you back to our quarters tomorrow. Well, today."

She nodded. "Can I rest now?"

"Yes. I'll be here."

"Okay." She laced her fingers through his. "This is the start of a beautiful friendship Professor."

"Call me Severus."

"Good night Severus," she yawned.

...

Severus settled her into his sitting room. She was still too weak to walk, so he had carried her to the dungeons. She tucked a blanket around her legs.

"Severus, thank you, for saving me," she whispered.

He nodded. "Get some rest, and ignore the giant white menace to society. She's temperamental."

"You have a cat?"

He nodded. "She'll show herself eventually."

"Is Crooks?"

"Your burst of magic, killed everything in the house," he stated.

Her eyes welled up, he put a hand on her shoulder. "Hermione it will be okay."

She nodded, "Why did you do this? Bind yourself to me. Haven't you done enough?"

"Miss Granger you're too young to die because of this war," he said simply, conjuring them a pot of tea with a wave of his hand.

"And what happens to me if you die?" she questioned.

He exhaled. "If your core hasn't healed, you'll die. I'm going to do my very best to keep us alive until the end of this. Then we'll get old. Or in my case older." He held a cup out to her.

Hermione took it. "Thank you. Will we be able to live together?"

"Miss Granger- Hermione we have no choice." He sipped his tea.

She nodded, "French lovers are out. Big tick off my bucket list."

He chuckled. "I'm sorry Hermione."

She shook her head. "It's kind of an impossible list anyways."

"Whats on it?"

"Stupid stuff. It doesn't matter. The big one was my own apothecary. That was the most important. I wanted to stand on my own, away from Harry and Ronald," she took a deep breath, "Again stupid."

He sighed, "It's not stupid to want a life. Wanting your own way is never stupid."

"The past twenty-four hours you've been the most encouraging, and supportive than you have in the last six years I've sat in your classroom." She finished off her tea wincing as she tried to get comfortable.

"Pain?"

"Some. I'll be fine." She rested her head on the back of the leather couch. "Why are you being kind?"

"Because I'm not a bad man. Despite popular belief," he sighed.

"Why do this job? Why spy?" She closed her eyes waiting for his response.

"I failed someone I cared about, and atoned," he said.

"Honesty I like it."

"Only way we're going to survive the rest of our lives." He poured them another cup of tea.

"Promise to always be honest with me, and I'll be honest with you," she said.

"I'll do my best," he promised.

The pair sipped their tea in silence. She looked over at him, studying the man she was bound to. His black hair was tied back, with a leather cord, charcol eyes staring off into the fire. She wanted to say he wasn't handsome. The more she watched him the more he sparked her interest.

She sipped her tea, eyes trailing his masculine jawline, and nose. He wasn't borishly handsome, cookie cutter. He was interesting. Different.

"Can I touch you?" she asked.

He gave a curt nod. She sat up straight ignoring the pain she was in. She reached out, tucking a strand of silky black hair behind his ear. He turned facing her. Heat creeped up her cheeks, "Sorry that was inexcusable."

She went to sit back in her spot, he grabbed her hand. "Hermione you're okay. You'll ache to touch me, because of the bond. It's okay. If you need to touch me, or me to touch you. It's okay," he murmured, "You need to heal."

She nodded once. "Thank you."

"Anything you need just ask," he said.