Thanks for viewing, reviewing, faving, and following.

Here is chapter 4 for you! I hope you will enjoy it :)

I hope to have the next chapter up within a week but I have exams in Uni coming up, so I am uncertain as to when the next chapter actually will be posted.

Many thanks to Luna de Papel for all the help :)

Chapter 4

August 1998

Knowing Voldemort and his Death Eaters were just on the other side of the Hogwarts gate was a very scary thought. Dumbledore had known of the attack beforehand and had gotten word out to his allies. Hermione and Severus had arrived at Hogwarts earlier in the day and now Hermione stood with Harry and Ron and surprisingly enough Dumbledore too, and looked out the windows of Hogwarts Castle. Order members, Aurors, students, parents, wizards, witches, everyone who could and would come, were placed throughout Hogwarts castle and grounds. Dumbledore had called to arms and many had answered. It was the end of August and the autumn semester should have started just the following Tuesday.

Hermione had last seen Severus when he left with Professor Flitwick a while earlier. As she saw Severus disappear down a hallway, she knew there was a chance she would never see him again, and she realized then that she did very much wish to see him again. She wanted to spend more time with him, but the strangest though was probably that she actually liked him; quite a bit! When they had been alone in Grimmauld Place Severus had been nice; at least he had been somewhat pleasant to be around. They had had stimulating conversations and debates, and he had helped her with dueling. He had answered her questions. His sarcasm was still there but it was not mean-spirited as it had been at Hogwarts. Could it possibly be that she was the one, who had changed? That seeing him in a different light and knowing without a doubt, he was on the side of the Order, had changed her view of him?

Dumbledore took Harry aside, and Ron and Hermione were left alone. Though this was the first time they were alone together, since Voldemort had kidnapped them almost three months ago, there was no awkwardness between them. It was like they both had just fallen back into their roles as friends, which had also been their roles for the best part of six and a half years at Hogwarts. It was the roles they were most comfortable with.

When Harry arrived back he looked ashen. He was dragging the Sword of Gryffindor with him. Dumbledore was behind him, waiting.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, mate. You look really shaken."

"I… Do you remember we had to destroy those horcruxes?" he was speaking to Ron, as Hermione had no idea what a Horcrux was. "Apparently there are two more."

"What? So Voldemort still can't die?" Ron exclaimed shocked.

"No." Harry admitted. "But we will deal with the last two horcruxes tonight."

"Do you know where they are?" Ron asked.

"Yes, one is close to Voldemort; his snake Nagini. The other is a bit trickier and I can't tell you yet."

"So what's the plan?" Ron asked.

"I need you two to deal with Nagini, and Dumbledore and I will deal with the other." Harry said.

"You want us to split up?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah." Harry said and scratched the back of his head.

.

Voldemort and his merry men had made their way to the Great Hall, where they were met by a large group ready to attack. This attack was lead by Severus and Professor Flitwick. Hermione and Ron were able to make their way inside and join the battle. They had decided that Ron would try for the snake and Hermione would keep him safe. They were lucky when Voldemort and Snape dueled, because it meant the snake was not protected. The kids struck, and the snake died. There was a loud hissing noise from the snake, which sounded almost human. It was loud enough to make Voldemort turn from his duel to face them. It was then Harry and Dumbledore entered the great hall too.

"My my, it looks like all your horcruxes are destroyed, Tom." Dumbledore said.

Voldemort turned in rage to attack Dumbledore and Harry. But Hermione was unable to follow the attack, as she and Ron were being attacked themselves. There were still many Death Eaters in the great hall and though they were outnumbered they did not give up.

Bellatrix had turned towards Hermione and Ron. "Potter's itsy bitsy friends!" she smiled and raised her wand toward them. Hermione remembered all Severus had taught her, and she was able to block Bellatrix' hexes both the verbals and the nonverbals. Ron was doing his best to fire hexes at Bellatrix too but he simply was not fast enough. Bellatrix had his hexes blocked easily and seemed to concentrate solely on Hermione. Hermione was able to hold her own, until she stumbled over a broken piece of furniture on the floor. Was it part of one of the student tables? The distraction was enough to make her loose her focus and though she quickly had her wand pointed at Bellatrix, Bellatrix was just faster. Expillarmus. And Hermione's wand flew out of her own hands and was caught by Bellatrix. Without her wand Hermione was sure this would be the end of her. Bellatrix had her wand pointed directly at her and smiled wickedly. "Cru..!" But before she was finished with the incantation she staggered backwards, Hermione looked on in horrified fascination as blood splattered from Bellatrix' mouth and body. Bellatrix collapsed onto the ground and dropped the wands. She didn't have time to think or look to who had saved her because the battle was still going.

Hermione glimpsed Harry, Dumbledore, and Severus fighting Voldemort but turned to help Luna fight a Death Eater, who resemblance Vincent Crabbe a great deal. It didn't take long, and in the end Crabbe Senior went down in a body bind.

Hermione had thought, the final duel against Voldemort would be this spectacular battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore that would draw the eyes of everyone, so she was surprised to discover that while she had been fighting Crabbe, Voldemort had been killed. It seemed a little anticlimactic for her..

The Great Hall was made into an impromptu hospital wing, as the hospital wing itself, was too small to hold anyone but the worst cases. Healers arrived from St Mungo's and helped. There were deaths on both sides but not as many as could have been. Some Death Eaters were dead, some were caught alive, but many had escaped. Even Bellatrix was alive when someone checked on her later. No one that Hermione knew very well had so far been found dead but some of her friends had serious injuries and Neville was still in danger. He had been fighting the Lestrange brothers, and had been hit by some nasty hexes.

One of the healer from St Mungo's ran a Diagnostic charm on Hermione, and gave her a few potions. She sat by herself in the Great Hall, and just looked at the other people. Many seemed confused, and she did feel confused herself. Was this really the end of Voldemort? She trusted both Harry and Dumbledore, when they said Voldemort had been mortal once again, but there was a nagging suspicion that he might have had more of these horcruxes. She had made Ron explain what the horcruxes were after Dumbledore and Harry had left them. He had explained how he and Harry had been traveling with Dumbledore during most of the summer to find and destroy these horcruxes. What she really didn't understand was why anyone would split their soul to make a horcrux? It would mean to lose one's humanity, and is not our humanity the best part? Especially the ability to love and to be loved in return.

She looked around but she could not see Severus. She was certain he was still alive and eventually she would approach him.

.

Neville Longbottom survived the battle and was the last of the war casualties to be released from the hospital. Neville's recovery had been on the front page of the Prophet, as it marked the end of the war. Neville had been made a personification of wizarding Britain in the Prophet. He was a hero and his recovery was celebrated in every wizarding home.

Harry admitted that the final horcrux, the one he and Dumbledore had to take care of, had been Harry himself. Apparently Dumbledore had known for years about the horcruxes, and had tried to find a way to destroy one without destroying the host. Dumbledore was brilliant and had done exactly that. It had not been easy but he had found a way to destroy the piece of Voldemort inside Harry. As Harry explained it, Dumbledore had used a kind of legilimency to enter Harry's mind more fully than during normal legilimency, and he had been able to destroy Voldemort from inside of Harry's head. It had been extremely difficult and dangerous. Any mistake could have cost Harry his life or his mind. And no one knew what would happen to Dumbledore if Harry died with him in his mind. They were too closely connected for comfort, but it had been the only way. Either that or outright kill Harry, and no one really considered that an option.

Shortly after Neville's recovery there was a party at Hogwarts to celebrate the future! Everyone was invited and most everyone showed up, some for longer periods of time than others.

Hermione decided tonight would be the night she approached Severus, and it made her nervous. She had a drink, then another. She was still nervous. She danced a few dances with her friends, and she enjoyed it. But her eyes kept searching out Severus. He was talking in depth with Professor Flitwick. She danced some more and had another drink.

Eventually as the party died down, Hermione made up her mind. Now was the time! She saw Severus stand by himself to one side and made her way over.

"Good evening." She said hoping her nervousness could not be heard in her voice.

He said nothing just greeted her with a nod of his head and a small smile.

"Are you going back to Grimmauld Place?"

She could hear the laugh in his voice when he replied, even if his expression did not convey it. "Why?"

"I forgot how to apparate." She scolded herself for such a lame excuse but it was all her intoxicated brain could come up with. Maybe she shouldn't have had the last couple of drinks anyway?

He eyed her skeptically. "Are you perhaps too drunk to apparate?"

"Maybe."

"Do you trust my ability to apparate while intoxicated?" At least Severus was drunk too.

"Always." And she smiled widely at him.

They left shortly after. During the apparition she flung her arms around him more forcefully that she would normally do.

"You smell nice." She said making him chuckle. She didn't let go of him even after the travel was over. And she didn't let go as they entered 12 Grimmauld Place. She didn't let go when they reached her rooms. Instead she rose to her toes and quickly placed her lips upon his.

"Hermione, you are drunk." He did not push her away.

"Not much. Just drunk enough to dare approach you." she whispered.

"You can't possibly want this."

"Yes, I can."

"I don't what you to regret this in the morning." It was not really a rejection.

She smiled, "I won't," and she kissed him again but lingered longer. Waiting for him to kiss her back, waiting for him to make up his mind. When she finally felt him kiss her back, she slowly dragged him into her room.

.

Hermione woke the next morning feeling a bit disorientated. But she was very aware that she was naked and that she was not alone in her bed. She slowly turned her head to look at him. His eyes were alert and focused on her. He seemed to be holding his breath as if in fear. Slowly a smile formed on her lips, which seemed to make him relax.

"Morning." She said grinning from ear to ear making very sure he knew she did not regret the night.

"I don't think you can still call it morning." He replied after a while.

"Oh?"

"It's past one in the afternoon."

"That explains why I'm feeling hungry." She commentated making him chuckle.

"Hermione, what happens now? What is this?"

"I don't know honestly. I like you, and I am attracted to you. I wouldn't mind seeing where it could go." She was a bit surprised by her own frankness.

"I'd like that very much. I find myself not objecting to this thing." He indicated the space between them.

"Not objecting? High praise indeed…" She teased.

"I find my vocabulary has deserted me this morning."

"I thought it wasn't morning anymore."

The next days were spent in bed together. They spent the most of that time familiarizing themselves with each other's bodies. They only left to get food or use the bathroom.

.

"Severus?" A thought had reached her.

"Yes?"

"Were you the one to save me from Bellatrix?" At the time she had not worried about who had saved her, but now she wondered about it.

"No, but I know who did." he admitted.

"Who?" She asked. "How?" Whoever it was the person had saved her life. She knew Bellatrix Lestrange would have killed her.

"I know the spell used on Bellatrix. It was of my creation. Only one person present knew it."

"Who?"

"Lucius Malfoy."

"…" Her mind went black. She tried to speak, gave up, and then tried again. Part of her knew she looked like a fool; the other part of her just kept staring at him.

"You should close your mouth, you look like a ninny." He laughed at her.

"Lucius? Lucius Malfoy?" She squeaked. "But why? I thought he was part of the inner circle of Death Eaters. Part of Snake-face's favorites'?"

"He used to be, yes. But after the battle at the ministry in your fifth year, he lost his position." He explained. "Do you know what Lucius treasures about all else?"

"Money, power, his position?" She offered.

"His family. You might think Lucius is a hateful man but you haven't seen him with his family. They are the light of his life and everything he does is to try and make the world better for them. The Dark Lord threatened Narcissa's life if Draco did not take the mark. Draco having realized what a crackpot the Dark Lord actually was, had no interest in joining his little group, but would do it to save his mother. Lucius wanted to save his family but knew not how. He was desperate and he knew the only way to save his family was to ask Dumbledore for help, but how to approach Dumbledore? Then you three go and get yourself caught. I show my true colours and Lucius acts. After my cover was blown Lucius fled with my dying body and went to Dumbledore. He offered everything he had if Dumbledore would save his family. Lucius turned spy that day. He is the reason Dumbledore knew when and where the Dark Lord would attack."

"How do you know?"

"When Lucius turned spy for the order I was tasked with finding out if he spoke the truth and what his motives were."

"Legilimency."

"Yes."

"When did you have the time?"

"All those Order meetings I had to go to after we were stranded here. Not all of them were Order meetings per se."

"But why did he save me? He could easily have said later that he hadn't noticed me."

"Maybe he just wanted Bellatrix to die. He's never liked her, and she was threatening his family daily to the Dark Lord. Or maybe he realized saving Potter and his friends might actually give extra points in the long run?"

.

The first couple of months after the battle were spent trying to rebuild Hogwarts castle, heal the wizarding population, and fix the country. Severus was busy making potions. St Mungo's had enlisted his help with some of the more difficult potions. Hermione helped him, but she also spent a lot of time at Hogwarts. They both spent their nights together at Grimmauld Place. It was during one of the nights that Hermione found all the courage she possessed and asked him:

"Severus, what are your plans?" She was lying with her head on his chest. She could feel his heart beat and it somewhat calmed her.

"For what?"

"The future."

"Oh?" He sounded confused.

"Yes, I'm just wondering."

"Why are you contemplating the future?"

"I'm just wondering if I might… you know, have a place in those plans…" She spoke quietly as her courage was leaving her. She could feel him move underneath her head. He changed his position, so that he could see her face. She was unable to read his expression.

"I like you very much and I do enjoy this thing we have…" He started.

"But?" She asked already dreading his answer and her head dropped.

He placed his hand under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Do you really want to be part of my future?" He asked looking into her eyes.

"Yes." She replied and he leaned in to kiss her.

They eventually did discuss the future. Severus wanted to leave the country and go some place where no one knew his name. He wanted to get away from Britain. Hermione was ready to follow him to the end of the world. All she really wanted was to be able to educate herself more, but that was possible in most corners of the world.

Their departure was delayed by Severus' trail. The Ministry had decided to try him for his actions during the war. It was understood to be quite a simple case. The evidence was ready, and most of the Order members were going to witness on his behalf. Severus and Hermione both still stayed at Grimmauld Place and no one seemed to wonder about it. They had decided to keep their relationship secret mostly because they didn't want to answer questions from the press or from their friends. It would raise questions that neither of them really wanted to answer or deal with.

.

Beginning of August 2006

Hermione had to go back to London as her vacation was ending. Remus had promised to write often to let her know about Tonks recovery. Tonks was still at St Mungo's and Remus had promised to check up on her every day. First it had been because he had nothing better to do, but soon he was actually meeting healers to discuss the possibility of working as a dark arts specialist. It had been a chance encounter in the hospital canteen that led to a meeting for Remus. In his letter he had explained that one of the doctors in the children's ward, where Tonks had volunteered, had approached him about her health. This had lead to an hour long talk about both their lives.

Arriving back in her own little flat she felt a bit deflated. She could honestly say that she didn't want to go back to work, and that was when she realized, she should look for employment elsewhere. She remembered something her father had once said. "When you've worked the same place for enough years you have nothing more to offer the workplace, and the workplace has nothing more to offer you." She might have worked in the ministry for only seven years, but she felt certain she had been there for 'enough years' now. It was time to move on.

When she arrived at work she made a beeline for Kingsley's office. At her knock he looked up and smiled.

"Hermione, my dear, I have news for you."

"And I have news for you." she replied.

"At the end of this week I'll be heading over to the Auror Office!"

"What? What about this office?" She couldn't actually say, if she really cared or if it was just a reflex on her part to ask.

"Honestly, I have no idea and I really don't care. I never liked this department and I'm glad to finally be leaving!" She had never before heard Kingsley speak so frankly, and was completely surprised by it.

"Why are you telling me?" she asked. Not really sure what was going on.

"I want you to come with me!"

"What?" It seemed like every sentence he uttered just made her more confused.

"Come with me to the Auror Office! Your talents are wasted here anyway."

"Why me?"

"You're the only one with any brains in the department!"

"I actually came in here to render my resignation." She watched in fascination as the smile froze on Kingsley's lips and he paled.

"My dear, please reconsider!"

"Why?" she asked, "you've been my boss in this department for a year but you've never treated me with respect." It was actually very interested to see Kingsley pale even more.

"I… I know and I'm sorry."

"You know? Then why did you do it?" She told herself to not get mad. It never helps to get mad; stay calm.

"I have no excuse. I never liked this department to begin with, and I resented you all for it. I was placed here when your former boss quit. I never choose it and I never liked it."

"How can you promise it will be better in another department?"

"I can't but I'll be honest with you, Hermione. Come with me to the Auror Office, and if you still want to resign at the end of the month, I will do all in my power to help you on your way. But if you change your mind, you would be welcome to stay on."

"What about the election?" She asked after a while.

"See, this is the talent I need on my side!" He laughed. "That was supposed to be a secret. But you are right. At the next election I plan to run for Minister."

"Then why go to the Auror Office in the first place?"

"Because I need my popularity to rise in the public's eye. This office is neither popular nor respected but the Auror Office is. And in case my campaign does not work, then I'd rather stay in the Auror Office than stay here anyway."

"If I don't like the new job, then I will still be gone by the end of the month." she stated.

"Yes, yes. Of course." He quickly replied. Then a thoughtful expression crossed his face. "New job…? Does that mean you are coming with me?"

"Yes, I'm coming with you."

.

Kingsley had to finish up in the old office before he could move, so it would take a few days extra for him. But he sent Hermione along pretty early. She had the chance to talk to the secretary of the old head of the Auror Office, Tracey Davis, and some of the staff. The Auror Office had a staff of many hundreds but only a fraction of them were in the office, since most of them were out in the field. When Kingsley finally did arrive in the office Hermione had collected a lot of information for him; the staff, the current cases, the daily life, and much more.

Kingsley had been the head of the Auror Office for one day, when he came back from a meeting with the Minister. He called her into his office to share his news.

"Hermione dear, the Minister just informed me about some infernal problems in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. The magical ambassador in France is returning to Britain, and we've been asked to take care of him." His smile really confused her.

"And this makes you happy? Why?"

"If I can show everyone that this office is strong it will raise my popularity!"

"Oh, right! So what do you need from me?"

"I need you to welcome the ambassador and show him around the office."

"Right! Will this take priority over my other work?"

"Yes, make this your top priority."

"Yes, sir!"

As she left Kingsley's office she was smiling widely. The wizarding ambassador in France was none other than Draco Malfoy. It would make her promise to Lucius so much easier to keep.

.

As Hermione stood in the ministry atrium and waited for Draco Malfoy to show up she saw witches and wizards pass her by. It was the morning rush hour, and there were people everywhere. Some she recognized, some she did not. But looking over the heads of the witches she thought she saw Severus Snape. It was just a quick flash, and when she looked for him, she could not see him.

But suddenly he was there again; talking to another man she did not recognize. She walked towards him and when he noticed her, she could easily read his expression as surprised and confused. He quickly greeted her, and then turned away. As he left her, she thought about his behavior. His was neither friendly nor unfriendly.

After a few minutes he came towards her again.

"I didn't know you would be in the Ministry." She said.

"I have been on the Ministry payroll for years," he replied, "as a field agent for the Auror Office."

"Yes, of course…" The surprise of seeing him at the Ministry left her lost for words. She wanted to say something witty but ended up saying, "The weather has been very nice this summer."

"Yes, it has." he replied, "I hope you were able to enjoy the rest of your vacation?"

"Yes, thank you." The conversation died down again and the silence stretched between them. She was surprised to notice that his expression was not as unreadable as she remembered him from her vacation. What had caused this change in him? Could it be due to Tonks? Before she had a chance to consider it more, she spotted Draco over his shoulder. Back to work!

"I was good to see you again."

"Likewise, Hermione."

She hurried over to Draco who hugged her closely and swung her around, "Hermione! It's good to see you!" He laughed.

"Draco! Put me down." She tried to sound stern but it came out mostly as a laugh. When both her feet were planted on the ground again, she looked at him seriously. "I am here to welcome you, so behave!"

"You are?" he asked looking at her skeptically. "Aren't you in the beast division?"

"Well…"

"Is it a hint about how valued my work is?" He interrupted laughing.

"None at all." She smiled. "Now come with me…"

Hermione took Draco to Kingsley first so he could explain the situation. When Draco emerged from the office she took him on a tour of the ministry. As they walked they talked a lot. They had never been really close, but they had been friends before he left. He had been in France for four years, and during that time she had seen him only around Christmastime at the Burrow.

"So does anyone we know from Hogwarts work at the ministry?" Draco asked.

"Anyone in particular you want to know about." she asked and paid close attention to his every move.

"No." The top most part of his ears turned a shade of pink.

"I can't really remember every single person we attended Hogwarts with…" Hermione said. "Just people from our year?"

"I know most of what our year is doing."

"I can't say much for the people from the other houses."

"That's fine."

"I must admit to not knowing so much about the people who started after us…"

"I don't care about them." So someone older from Gryffindor was of special interest to Draco, and Hermione was curious to discover who.

"Alicia Spinnet works in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Percy Weasley is working in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, the department you actually belong to… Oliver Wood is somewhere in the Department of Magical Transportation. Lee Jordan is in the Auror Office with me."

Hermione noticed that Draco's ears went a bit pink by the mention of Lee Jordan. That was very interesting indeed.

As they sat down to have lunch in a pub a few streets down from the ministry in Muggle London, Hermione asked, "So what's the story with you and Lee Jorden?"

"What?" He almost spilled his drink in surprise.

"I know he was in France a few years back on a mission. Did you meet?" Draco froze but after a short pause he leaned forward in his chair to speak very quietly with her.

"I did meet him in France and we got on nicely. Actually more than nicely if you know what I mean. But we made no promises and then he left. I've been thinking about him a lot lately."

Hermione didn't know what to say. She had not imagined Draco to be gay but it would change nothing in their friendship. Draco asked her to help him get back in contact with Lee.

Back at the Auror Office Hermione quickly introduced Draco to everyone. She noticed Draco and Lee talking for a while among themselves.

"Hermione, I'm so happy!" Draco said laughingly and swung her around. "Lee agreed to meet me tonight for drinks!"

"That's great Draco, but put me down!"

Originally Draco's desk was not near Hermione's at all. But in just two days Draco had somehow succeeded in claiming the desk next to hers.

Hermione saw Severus quite a few times at the ministry but she didn't get to talk to him. Unfortunately he was always in company. Severus seemed to have business with Kingsley quite often. Even if she were able to talk to him, she didn't know what to say. How do you tell someone that you never stopped loving them?