Authors Note: Hello lovelies! Here is a new chapter. Sorry for taking so long, I recently started a new job and that's been cutting into my writing time. Please enjoy!

~ C.B

We sit side-by-side on the couch together, the noise of the television dull in the background. The air is tense. We've been like this for some time now, in silence. I refuse to speak first. I want answers. The constant torrent of emotions pulsing through me are both confusing and terrifying. I want the truth about everything, but despite every horrible thing that has happened in my life I've never been this unsure of my own feelings. Though even in my heart I know the real reason my mind is reluctant to admit I am so afraid is because I do not want to lose her; this beautiful woman who has saved my life. This woman who I had watched grow up and thought I knew. I want the truth, but I want her more.

Hermione sighs, finally turning to me, "I'm so sorry Severus. I never meant to lie to you."

Intent on not letting my emotions get the best of me, all I can do is shrug. Though I've already forgiven her, the angry heat of jealousy in my heart has not yet subsided. She reaches out and takes my hand in hers, fingers squeezing tightly, "I should have been truthful from the start; about everything. I truly was looking for Hansel, but I knew that he, in turn, was looking for you as well and I thought-"

Despite my best efforts to keep my mouth shut, I blurt, "I'm not angry about that," it comes out almost a hiss, and I finally turn to face her "that is understandable. What I am angry about is Weasley."

She looks genuinely perplexed for a moment, "What? Why? I've already told you Ron and I are not together,"

"Be that as it may," I snap, "there was obviously some sort of attraction. He treats you like you are his possession. It is unacceptable. Not only that, he laid his hands on you. Why you insist on being friends with that ginger-maned Cro-Magnon I haven't the faintest clue. Being close with Potter is bad enough. Weasley acted like a jilted lover and I refuse to be some fool who is overstepping boundaries that have no need to be crossed. Now, tell me the truth, what is your relationship with him?"

Hermione's large eyes blink owlishly, "Severus, are you jealous?"

I feel the heat rush into my face. I've said to much and I know I need to backtrack, "No. I just refuse to repeat terrible old habits. If you insist on insulting me I will leave." With that I stand and glare down at her, "I will be nobodies fool, especially some insolent girl."

Her fingers reach out again, grasping my shirt sleeve, "Severus," she says gently, seeming to ignore my anger "please, sit down. You can't threaten to leave every time you feel cornered or upset. I promised I would tell you anything you wanted to know, remember? How can I tell you the truth if you are refusing to hear it?"

"I-will-stand." I growl through clenched teeth, "Now tell me."

Hermione sighs, shifting uncomfortably, "Ron and I did have a mutual attraction in school. Though that attraction was very brief, and may I stress BRIEF. We kissed on one occasion, but it was in the heat of the moment and after that there was nothing else. That was ten years ago. Ronald was a bit of a womanizer and I most certainly did not appreciate it. He is a good man, but not the man for me."

"Then why did he react the way he did?" I realize my voice sounds sulky.

"On top of being a womanizer, Ronald is also jealous. Normally he hides it, but I think seeing us like we were…" her face flushes, "It was probably a bit of a shock. Harry and he really had no idea you were here. They know me well, and must have realized something was off because it is rare that they come to my home unannounced."

I stare hard at her, but her eyes are unwavering. She is telling the truth. Shaking my head I sit back down beside her, "Forgive me," I mutter.

She takes my chin in her hand and turns my face to meet hers; the corner of her mouth is turned up, "I have nothing to forgive you for. You have every right to ask questions. I was only trying to protect you until I could figure out what is going on and why you are involved. But, I do find it strange that out of any question you have, it is that one you were most upset about."

My eyes narrow, "I simply didn't appreciate Mr. Weasley's actions. That is all."

"Oh really?"

"Really." My voice is harsher than I intend it and she frowns, leaning away from me.

"My mistake then,"she says quietly. I feel her closing off and I inwardly chide myself for being so angry, "Any how," she continues, as though nothing has happened, "I had gotten some information through my contacts in the Underground that a small faction of Death Eaters had been congregating in the Muggle world. In particular Scotland, and they were attempting to recruit new members and somehow your name came up. I'm not positive how they or who discovered you initially, but they figured out you were living among Muggles and considered you a threat. Once they realized you were abstaining from magic, they knew it would be their only chance to take care of you. When I realized that you were truly alive, I knew I had to find you."

I snort, "That was very stupid of you. You put yourself in great danger for my sake. Why not let nature take its course? It's not like anyone would have known any different; as far as the normal wizarding population is concerned I'm dead. Why did you do it?"

There is a pause. When Hermione speaks again her voice is quiet, "Because I would have known. I just…I couldn't let them…" she trails off, hands fidgeting in her lap, "I couldn't stand the thought of you losing everything, especially your life. And I-" her voice cracks, "I had to see you for myself."

My heart suddenly begins pounding, "Why?" my voice is a whisper.

Hermione's shoulders begin to tremble, "I, I'm not to sure of that myself. I just felt pulled to you. You were such a large part of my life and I-"

The fireplace across the room suddenly crackles to life, startling us both. Within the red flames is the face of Potter, "Hermione," his voice sounds urgent, "we have a problem. You need to get to the ministry."

All traces of the building emotions from our conversation disappear from her face and voice as she stands, "Harry, whats wrong?"

"There's been a murder, in the ministry. You need to get here quickly."

"All right," she says, rushing to her room to retrieve her wand. I quickly rise and head towards my own room, ready to grab my own wand and follow her but we meet in the hallway and the look on her face causes me to pause.

"Severus," she says gently, "you can't-"

"Don't be daft woman, I'm going with you."

Hermione takes a deep inhale through her nose and sighs, "How do you expect me to explain why you're there?"

"Not my problem," I growl, "now move before I-"

Before I can finish my sentence Hermione has wrapped her arms around my waist and holds me tight, "Severus," she murmurs, "please, I need you to stay here. I'll be back in no time. I need you to guard the house, all right?"

I gently push her back, my eyebrows knitting together, "Who are you expecting to come?"

"Hermione!" Harry's voice calls from the living room, "Hurry! I'll meet you at the front entrance!" The sound of the fireplace quiets suddenly, and now we both know we are alone.

I look hard into her eyes, "You promised me you would tell me everything, what is going on?"

"Truthfully," Hermione squeezes me again, "I have no clue. I have a hunch this is retaliation for Hansel. I've gotten some rather distasteful hate mail recently, so I'm suspecting this killing is supposed to send a message. Don't worry,"

My hands grip her shoulders tightly, "Don't tell me not to worry when your life is at stake! Hermione-"

I fully intend to tell her how I feel in that moment: how I would follow her anywhere, how I want to kiss her mouth and make love to her, but she places her hand over my lips with a knowing, sad smile, "Severus, we'll continue this conversation. I promise, but I need to go." with that she steps away from me and brushes against my arm on her way down the hallway leaving my heart aching. I hear the pop of her apparating away in the front room and helplessly lean against the wall.

Useless.

I am useless.

'Guard the house,' she said. Did she say this to sooth my ego?

A small yowl near my feet catches my attention and I look down to see Crookshanks squinting at me. It is long past his supper time. I sniff and stare back at him, "I am not your butler you know."

He swishes his tail at me in response and waddles down the hallway, not bothering to look back because he already knows I'm following.

It is late.

She has been gone for eight hours. It is already near four o'clock in the morning.

I have not heard from her at all.

I've been sitting on this damn couch waiting, trying hard to stay awake. The television is still on and despite my best efforts Crookshanks has splayed himself on my lap and is wheezing in his sleep. I've considered just grabbing my wand and flooing to the ministry, but decided Hermione already had enough to deal with and that my presence would only cause here more trouble. I can feel my eyelids slowly drifting shut again, the lure of sleep almost to strong to resist.

But that is when I hear the sound outside the front door. It is only a small noise, one that could be written off as the wind pushing the leaves across the doorstep or the house settling.

I know better though.

Quickly, I stand. Crookshanks falls off my lap in an undignified heap, but he too pauses and looks at the front door before running off down the hallway.

Even he realizes things are wrong.

Cautiously, I grab my wand from the table and creep towards the entryway, pausing between each step to listen. All is quiet.

That is when the front door is blown off of its hinges.