Heeeeyyyyyy guys. So a lot happens in this chapter. Therefore I didn't get quite as far as I would have liked. (Translation; she didn't get to the tour...yet) But I quite enjoyed writing this one although it was quite a beast and took several days to complete. Stupid work and sleep. Anyway my terrible sense of humor will be ever present here. Hopefully you'll enjoy it anyway. Also the first part of this chapter is on the M side of things. Don't say I didn't warn you.

For your curiosity the following songs were violated to complete this chapter. "Over the love" - Florence and the Machine and "Casey's Song" - City and Colour


"What's he like?" Severus asked out of the calm silence between them. The rain and light thunder had them coming in and out of sleep for the past few hours, but at the present they were both awake. It was sometime in the early morning, the static light darkness after midnight yet before dawn.

"Who?" She repositioned herself, her right leg thrown around his waist, half laying on him. Her head rested on the center of his sternum while her fingers wrapped themselves in his hair. "The minister of magic?"

"Well I certainly wasn't inquiring about any previous lovers."

"Certainly not." she said in her best Severus impersonation. He shook his head, it was such a terrible impression that it turned back into being amusing. "What would you like to know? Like I said I haven't spent that much time with him. Just a few meetings."

"Do you think he's handsome?"

"What sort of question is that?" She asked looking up at him.

"It isn't for me to determine how you should interpret my questions."

"Indeed." She said with the same mocking tone as before. Hermione laughed softly and returned to her own voice. "Do I think he's handsome? No, not particularly." She caught his raised eyebrow, as she hadn't denounced the minister completely and cut him off before he could argue. "I'm just saying that yes, some women, some people may find him attractive. I suppose he's conventionally attractive."

"Meaning?"

"Oh Severus! Why do you care what he looks like anyway?"

"Because dearest, men like him, are under the strenuous disillusion that they are privy to any woman they want, furthermore, that they are entitled to them."

"And this concerns you?" She tilted her head up to him and imitated his infamous brow raise.

"Not on your part no. And if you are to suggest otherwise I will be thoroughly insulted." He brought his arms up from his side to entrap her.

"So you want to know if we're dealing with a pompous arse is that it?"

"In a manner of speaking."

Hermione laughed and began kissing his neck. "I can tell he's trying to be charming." She said moving over his throat. "To what ends I cannot say. But what I can say, hmmm." she moaned out, lost in the taste of his soft flesh. "Is that I am thoroughly unmoved by him." She shifted onto him, both legs on either side, squeezing slightly as her mouth traveled to his jaw line. "He's not my type." She said lowly.

"Oh?" he placed his hands on her hips, his thumbs circled the protruding bone. He felt her smile as the thin sheet between them did nothing to hide his erection. Pitiful he thought to himself how little she has to do to get me this way. Hermione sighed pleasantly, sucking and biting at the tender spot behind his earlobe. "Interested in enlightening me on your type?" He barely got the words out before loosing his thoughts to her movements.

"Well…" she reached down, coiled the sheet in her fingers and ripped it away from them. Discarding it to some dark corner of the room. Surprised, Severus's breath hitched in his throat. She came to capture his lips, holding his face securely as she ravaged his mouth. Hermione lowered herself on him, pressed against his cock, she smiled as he begged for entrance. For now she teased him with the wet warmth sliding against him. "I like men who are mysterious."

"Typical." He sighed with gritted teeth, holding back his need to be inside her. His hands moved up her body to distract himself, if she was going to taunt him like that, he would do the same.

"Hmm and tall." She breathed out in between their kissing. "And-"

"Handsome?" he interrupted.

"Hmm." She cooed "with dexterous hands. A very underrated talent, less favored for- AH!" He plucked at her nipple with the other hand held the back of her head. "For hmmm" she had to refocus. "For being well endowed."

"Are you implying-" she took his lower lip, biting almost too hard for him not to enjoy it. "That I'm not meeting your expectations of phallic proportion?"

"Ooooh sensitive are we?" He twisted her nipple which made her release him to let out her own moan. "I'm just saying, men think about it too much. There are other things that go into sex. The difference between a good lover and a fantastic lover."

"This I know." Severus planted his thumb under her chin and tilted it so that his mouth could roam over her neck.

"Uh huh." she exhaled and grazed over his cock with the slightest pressure. He pulsed against her center pushing back against Hermione to alleviate his torment. Her hands raked through his hair, eliciting a subtle pleasure with his roots being tugged at. "Nothing turns me on more, than an intelligent man." The heat between her legs slithered up her spine to the back of her neck taking over her thoughts. Panting she pushed him back onto the bed and positioned herself to take him in.

"Nothing eh?" He mused.

Severus laid back fully and arched to where only the very back head touched their bed. Hermione still very controlled, took him inside at a pace that was blissful agony to him. Half of him wanted to suspend in the sensation the other was on the verge of plunging into her. It took a great deal to restrain himself, promising that patience would be rewarded. His fierce hold on her hips channeled his inner savagery. This woman is mine. I am hers. I am a servant to her as she is to me. I love her, I want her. I want to consume her as I want to be consumed.

"That's it." She breathed out when all of him was inside her. Hermione rocked her hips forward, while her hands groped her breasts.

"Gods." Severus groaned from the bottom of his throat. "You're so wet, tight…" He lost the words, only taking in Hermione. His hands directed her moving hips, holding tight to keep them both in control. He loved watching her body roll, from her waist to her shoulders. Lithely sinking and rising to his thrusts. One hand slid down her front and stopped at her clit. He watched as she used the pads of her fingers in small rotations. Her opposite hand stayed at her chest, plucking and twisting her nipple. If it was possible he hardened even more. His voyeuristic devil coaxing her exhibitionist seraph. Its dark whispers admiring her delicate work.

"What a display you're giving me." His thumbs traced the inside of her thighs. Her hand picked up faster. His eyes strayed from her palm grinding against her clit, taking the slow visual journey up her bouncing chest to her face twisted in pleasure and faint torture. "Oh how I do love to watch you. Touching yourself, so knowingly."

"I want you to-" Her body jerked, her head wilting forward. Overcome with her muscles clamping and spasm around his cock, her arousal leaking all over him. Through her ragged breath she finished her thought. "Touch me, please! Severus!"

Severus sat up, arms wrapped around the lower half of her torso. His calloused hands massaged her lower back with deep pressure. He barely had to lift his head to reach her breast with his mouth. Hermione dropped her arms to her side and for the moment relished in his worship. Only focusing on keeping their pace. From her waist up she went limp in his arms and mouth. Eyes closed, immersed in the delightful sounds he made.

"Hermione…" he mumbled against her breast, his quick tongue ran over her nipple sending a shiver to the base of her neck. She held his head to her chest, encouraging him with kisses to his temple and forehead. He braced himself at her hips, curling his fingers into an anchor. She slowed down, feeling he wanted more control, he was close. His left hand came around to tease the entrance of her arse. The tips of his fingers just barely inside. Her nails raked down his back while she buried her mouth into the crook of his neck. She bit harder than she meant to as his other hand pressed down on her clit. He didn't protest.

"Severus…I…ah!" She forced him backwards and begged him to keep his hands where they were. They worked in synchrony with each other. The one on her clit rotated with firm pressure while the other lightly circled her rear entrance. Her knees bared down her weight, pushing forward erratically reaching for her finish. Her mouth stayed at his neck, alternating between biting and then sucking. Lost in her gyrating hips and tight walls.

His fingers moved easily against her, soaked in her juices. The strong aroma broke his focus. It was wonderful. She dropped her weight completely on him, her mouth tore away from his neck but no sound came forth. A silent scream as Hermione's walls released and from her spilled more of that sweet smell. Her arms shook as she came to rest on her elbows. Severus beheld his wet fingers to her and pressed them to her lips. She suckled on his finger tips. Tasting her own salty and thick texture. She watched with hooded eyes as his mouth dropped open. Enthralled at her increasing enthusiasm. Her lips tight as she drew back the whole length of his finger.

"How do you taste?"

"Hmmm almost as good as you." She ran her tongue from base to tip and took his two fingers into her mouth fully. Sucking and moaning as though it were his cock.

"Ah, roll your hips more." She obeyed. The minimal friction coupled with watching her lap at his fingers, eagerly consuming herself sent him to his climax. He held her still as he thrust, his seed jetting up inside of her. "Fuck!" he cried with a hoarse groan as the last bit shot out in a hard twitch. Hermione released his fingers and hovered just above him. Her fingers deep in his hair.

"Dirty boy." She leaned down and kissed him. Sharing her taste into his mouth.

"Says the vixen." He moaned, delighting in her subtle combined flavor of her mouth and come. "I was under the impression that you enjoyed that sort of talk during sex."

"Still doesn't change that you're dirty." She pulled on his lower lip with a sharp bite and soothed it immediately afterwards with her suckling. Without having to look, Severus wandlessly summoned a glass vial from the bedside drawer. Once it was safe in his hand he presented it to Hermione.

"Here. Don't want to forget, that's how we ended up with Julia." He gave a crooked smile as she took it from him. She automatically uncorked it and held it to her lips, but then stopped as a thought crept in her head. Hermione beheld her contraceptive potion and stared with deep contemplation. "Hermione?"

"I- Hmmm-" she frowned, frustrated and looked as though she would swallow without further thought until Severus captured her wrist.

"Its up to you." he said flatly.

"You mean to tell me you'd be alright with another child? Another little one crying all hours of the night? Another mouth to feed, another mind for us to fill?" She smiled at the last part.

"Hermione." He took her other hand and guided it to his cheek where he turned his kiss to the inside of her palm. "I don't care if we have a hundred children. As long as I'm with you and as long as you are happy and healthy."

She leaned down to him, her smile growing as they kissed. "Have I ever told you, what a wonderful person you are?"

"It has been brought to my attention, but the repeating sentiment never wavers on me."

"I'll think about it." She pecked his cheek. "I know I don't have long to decide." She gently placed the vial back in the drawer.

"You should sleep." He rolled Hermione onto her back, placing ginger kisses on her neck and collarbone.

"And what about you headmaster?" she was already half asleep by his caress. "Too good for sleep?"

"I'll follow you momentary. I'd like to evaluate the wards over the castle. See if they're still holding as strong."

"You had a hard enough time apparating through them…" She sighed with her eyes fluttering closed. Severus sat at the edge of the bed and watched as her breathing slowed into a lulled rhythm. Her expression serene in slumber. His goddess wrapped in their ivory sheets. He swept a few curls off her forehead and placed a kiss there before setting to his task.


When Hermione woke Severus was back in bed. The dousing rain of the night had become nothing more than light drizzle in the gray morning. She rubbed the waking tears out of her eyes, refocusing on her Severus. The summer ended early in Scotland, but Severus had an unusually high body temperature (which may explain how he could stand the dungeons) that left the sheets only to his waist. His back was left exposed for her to examine.

Enduring two wars in the majority of his fifty years, left many reminders on his body. While the darkest of them confined to his left arm, most were collected at his back. Their first encounters kept Severus clothed as much as he could allow. Not only shy about his physique, but also not wanting to be reminded of the grisly gashes dominating his flesh. He had told her about them before she had seen them, to warn her. He was so sure she would be horrified. In typical fashion she had surprised him. Instead she reached to touch them with curiosity. The wonderful sensation of her soft fingers tracing his marred skin.

How it calmed him when she kissed the largest one. It began at the base of his neck, round and about the size of her fist, it dripped into a singular slash ending midway down his spine. It was the only one that retained any red pigment. The others had faded into slightly darker tint than his own skin. Centering underneath his collarbone on either side he had circular marks that translated to the backside as exit wounds. She had once asked about the curious placement of these four scars.

Those he had gotten after Voldemort's final revival, in her fourth year. When Harry had escaped, the dark lord was very much displeased with his followers. That aggression was extended to mostly to Severus. Who received a direct puncture of Voldemort's wand to his chest and through his shoulders. Not just his wand though, the dark lord was also invoking the crucio curse during his lancing. At the time, Voldemort had given meaning to this particular torture but Severus made it a point to forget it. To dwell on his dribbling insanity gave more memory to the marks than he deemed worthy.

In a way she loved his scars. It was a pure expression of his redemption and sacrifice. Physical evidence to his dedication to the order and his promise to a love he no longer had true obligation to. Every scar represented a time he had succeeded in fooling the dark lord. Another day of survival reached with only bodily harm as the price. And yet he hid them. Save for the one on his neck, no one had seen his effort to the war. No one else in the order shared his burdens. The agony and exhaustion of playing both sides. How he found the will to persevere when almost everyone continued to doubt his loyalty amazed Hermione. What strength that must have took, and to do it virtually alone. It was a wonder he had turned out so well.

They were apart of him and his body and so she loved them. Oh how she wished he didn't have to have them, or the pain of receiving them. But her admiration of him solidified when she realized that he tended to his own wounds in silence and without complaint. Which only sparked her anger when anyone brought his motives into question. If they only knew what he had done for them.

Her arm reached out on its own accord and traced the largest scar down the center. After a few rotations she leaned in and placed a kiss at the top of his spine. She draped her arm over his shoulder and with a flat palm lazily stroked his chest.

"Hmmm." he groaned and moved to lay on his back. His eyes still closed with his head turned so that his neck was exposed to her.

"Good morning." She said through a series of kisses along his chest. "Did you sleep well?" She stopped at the vicious mark she left the night before. The core of it was a deep purple that spread out into a lighter red. It looked sore just at the sight of it.

"Don't be sorry." She couldn't tell if his intuition was that spot on or if he invoked legitimacy on her. "I enjoy the marks you give, just as you marvel at the ones I leave behind." He kissed the top of her head and ran his hand through her messy curls. "As for your first concern, I slept well enough. And you?"

Hermione turned so her back arched into his chest as she stretched, arms raised above her head. Instead of complaining about her hair in his face, Severus took in her natural scent with no small pleasure. "I always sleep well after sex. Its like going into a coma." She situated herself so that her head rested in the space between his neck and right shoulder. While the rest of her body lay diagonally across his own. "I suspect the wards were in order."

"Save for some minor corrections, yes." His hands found their way to her breasts while his mouth kissed lightly at the top of her shoulder.

"So then whats on the agenda for today? We have a whole day before we need to take the kids to mum an dad's."

"I'm open to suggestions." His words slithered on the outside of her ear, coated in seduction. His right hand traveled down in between her legs. The tips of his fingers grazing her inner thigh. She arched into his touch, her neck presented to him. His unoccupied hand followed the path of her pulse, followed by his hot mouth.

"Fantastic…" she breathed out.

The fireplace downstairs roared and flashed a blinding green light before spitting out deputy headmistress Minerva McGonagall. Severus groaned with frustration as Hermione had heard it too and began removing herself from their embrace.

"Severus?" Minerva coughed out and smoothed her robes free of ash. "Are you there? Oh-" She turned away when Hermione leaned over the railing in nothing but a white sheet. "Uh- Hermione, I didn't-"

Hermione frowned back at Severus who was half way into his pants. "Did you forget that you told her to come today? Via floo?"

"Damnit woman don't look so vexed. It may have…slipped my mind."

Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. "Wait there Minerva, I'll be down in a moment." McGonagall took a seat facing away from their balcony-bedroom. On her way to dress Hermione tossed the sheet at Severus who reached out to grab it just in time before it hit his face. "Honestly, your memory is terrible these days."

"I beg your pardon?" He snapped as his hands hurriedly buttoned up his black coat.

"First the tea and now…" her voice drifted as she entered the bathroom.

"That incident was days ago and by the by, both times I was seduced by you!" He said it louder than he meant to. Surly the old witch downstairs heard their bickering. He sneered at the thought of her giggling amusement. "I can't possibly be held responsible." He said seriously, arms crossed over his chest. Hermione poked her head out of the bathroom, now in proper undergarments. Not those sultry lace ones that pummeled his brain into mush.

"Master of the mind arts being reduced to a one tracked mindless dog by a chit nearly twenty years his junior? Is that what I'm hearing?" He grumbled in response and finished lacing his boots. Before he could look up Hermione was already whisking out of the bathroom, fully dressed now and heading downstairs. "Sorry for the wait Minerva, tea?"

"Oh that would be lovely." Said the older witch who then began exchanging whispers (insults regarding the headmaster no doubt) with Hermione.

"I'm not bloody deaf." He called from upstairs.

"Hush you and come join us for breakfast and tea."

Despite their rough start, they had a pleasant morning with Minerva. After he'd concluded his pouting, Severus made sausage, eggs, toast and garnished their plates with fresh fruit. He sat quietly reading the daily prophet while Hermione and her former professor gabbed on about everything from her work at the ministry to their children.

"Where are the little ones?"

"At the burrow." Hermione said after popping a grape in her mouth. "We're taking them to my parents tomorrow."

"Probably best. Is uh…" she trailed off and after a sip of tea continued. "Is the minister aware of your relationship?" Severus allowed his paper to dip so that he could glare at Hermione.

"What?!"

"I told you."

"Told me what?"

"That treating our marital status as a secret is more trouble than its worth. Honestly Hermione, I think more people are aware than not."

"I never said it was a secret." She pouted and chewed on her last grape. "I just didn't think announcing it would do well either. The minister is…a curious fellow and I know that any questions regarding our marriage and children will annoy Severus into insulting the him." She slid her glare over to him.

"Perhaps the minister should mind his own business." Severus straightened his paper and continued reading in silence.

"I agree with Severus, Hermione. I admit when we first heard of you two together it was a wee bit of a shock. But since then it hardly seems strange at all. Well, Severus is a bit older of course but I should hope it wouldn't change the minister's perspective only in that you two are dedicated to the magical world. What with your work at the ministry and Severus being here at Hogwarts."

Hermione blew a chuck of her still frizzy hair out of her face. "I just don't want it to be gossip, again." Severus peaked around his paper and gave her a slight smile.

"I assure you it will not be a dinner topic." She smiled back and mouthed a 'thanks' silently to him. Just when he thought he would be able to continue reading in peace, his office door rumbled in a series of bangs. "Merlin's sake." Severus grumbled and got to his feet to answer the door. He ripped the door opened and held back a sigh of annoyance, he had after all asked Hagrid to give his report as soon as he was able. "Hagrid."

"Headmaster." He gave light bow of his head. "Be ready to give my report to ya soon as yer ready." Severus nodded.

"I'll see you and Filch in the great hall." As he was about to shut the door Hagrid reached out to stop it.

"Mister Filch be besides himself with grief. Mrs. Norris passed away night afore last." Severus raised his brow and then dropped it once he remembered that Mrs. Norris was Filch's wandering feline. "I says this because he's still a bit weepy sir."

"Very well. Think you can get him to come down in half an hour?" Hagrid looked a bit surprised at the gesture but nodded. "Oh and Hagrid, keep him and you away from the whiskey, at least until the minister has gone." With a wave of his hand the door shut.

"Everything alright?" Hermione asked.

"Filch is a mess. His bloody cat died." He droned on as he ducked his head down to place a kiss to Hermione's cheek, who blushed in the presence of Minerva. "I'm going to do some inventory. Afterwards I have to meet with the half wit and half giant. Perhaps we can reconvene for lunch?"

"I'm afraid I can't. I'm dreadfully behind with work. Dinner would be lovely though."

"As you wish." He said, not hiding his disappointment. He stood upright and nodded towards his deputy. "It may be beneficial for you to join me on this."


The sun was barely noticeable through the overcast of gray clouds. The trip to Hagrid's hut took more conscious steps than normal. Being that the ground was still largely soaked from last night's downpour. Severus held his arm out for Minerva as she trotted down the last bit of the slope. She latched on with labored breath until they were on flat ground once more.

"Thank you Severus." He waited until her breath returned and pressed on.

"Good morning professor McGonagall!" Hagrid greeted warmly and nudged Filch who was still sulking behind red eyes.

"Mornin'" he mumbled and sniffed his nose clear.

"Good morning Hagrid, Mr. Filch." Minerva waved, now breaking from Severus' support. "How was your summer?"

"Oh fine fine. How'd you fare professors?"

"Bit of traveling, went to see some family." Said Minerva with a smile. "Hermione is well, you'll be happy to know."

"Glad to hear it. Well then we best get started. I'll start with the most pressing. The arachnids are breeding more than usual. Their new king, Aratoth, is letting them run rampart. Crawling into centaur territory. Which don't make the centaur queen Silstra, much happy."

"Threatening war are they?" Severus rolled his eyes not the least bit interested in the politics of magical creatures roaming the dark forest.

"Somethin' like that. I got the spiders to back off but then Silstra starts sending in her troops. Slaughtering them in raids she is. Now Aratoth wants to breed more of his folk to run over the rest of the forest."

"That's just what we need."

"Hasn't been a battle in three days but I donno how much longer that'll last." Hagrid said shaking his head. "Silstra won't speak to no one but you sir."

"Fine. Send a message to her saying I'll speak go her and the damn spider."

"I donno if she'll talk with him around, she's not-"

"She will or I'll hex the lot of them. Whats next?"

Hagrid went through his list. Compared to the impending war in the forest, it was a small feat to remedy them. Most of the issues came from marinating the plant life on the grounds due to the absence of a herbology professor. Severus assured his gamekeeper that a new one would be arriving with the rest of the staff in two days. Next was Mr. Filch whose only main concern was that the telescope in the astronomy tower needed a new lens. He had taken the liberty of ordering it already and when Severus heard the astronomical price for it he snapped.

"Filch you idiot! Who gave you the authority to purchase anything with the school's gold?!" Filch, who thought his headmaster would be pleased with his initiative began sniveling his apology. Minerva glared at Severus and patted Filch's shoulder. Severus sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Oh come off it man. Its done already. In the future send an owl before you go buying anything over a hundred galleons."

"Yes headmaster." Filch wiped his face free of tears.

"Minerva." Severus turned to his deputy. "When the remaining staff arrives gather them in great hall for a meeting. We'll have much to discuss. Hagrid, notify me as soon as the centaur is ready for her peace treaty." Severus turned, his cloak flaring in his stride.

Thankfully the rest of the castle was in much better shape. He inquired with the house ghosts and all of them confirmed the dormitories were in order and ready for students. The paintings were talkative as usual but all in good health and had no complaints outside of wanting to be moved around a bit. By late afternoon, Hagrid found him wandering the corridors near Slytherin house.

"They're ready for ya sir."

Even in daylight the dark forest held an aura of dread. As though humans weren't welcomed through tightly packed trees and cold air. Hagrid escorted the headmaster to a neutral clearing where both creatures agreed to meet. Aratoth, the spider king, sat perched on a fallen trunk. His pincers twitching and hissing at the dignified centaur. Silstra stood at least twenty feet away from her adversary. Her coat, a rich silver and her skin pale as snow. She stood facing the headmaster and away from her enemy as he spat at her in a language she wouldn't degrade herself to learn. She held her spear firm in the ground and removed her helmet when Severus and Hagrid approached.

"Headmaster Snape." She bowed her head slightly and held her helmet at her side. "I trust Hagrid has informed you of our…" she took a quick look at Aratoth "Quarrel."

"He has. As I'm told it started with his over breeding." he tilted his head toward Aratoth who had ceased his hissing.

"My children have a right to this forest, just as much as this deformed pony!" Considering his unruly interactions with the centaur, Severus was surprised that the spider's voice came in the form of a smooth baritone.

"You and your children came here with that oaf." Silstra pointed to Hagrid. "We centaurs have been here for centuries and will be for centuries more. After your kind eats each other into extinction."

"I'll have know, you half baked donkey! That my species is thriving and you're threatened by our numbers."

"The whole forest is threatened, most of them are too scared to confront your kind. Though I don't blame them, Your appearance is unsightly."

"Do you see this headmaster!?" Aratoth raised his front legs in frustration. "She wants to be queen of the whole damn forest! Perhaps its time her kind found somewhere else to live!'

"At least we centaurs do more than eat!"

"Say that when the forest is infested with elephant beetles and wood worms!" He shook his front leg in anger at her.

"Enough!" Severus barked and both of them reluctantly stopped their bantering. "Now." he began quietly, not entirely sure how to approach the beasts. "You." He pointed to Aratoth. "Will keep to your side of the forest. If you find your land can no longer accommodate your massive numbers I suggest you stop breeding so much." Silstra folded her arms in victory until Severus looked to her next. "And you won't go hunting for his kind. If they cross into your territory fine, otherwise you will do well to follow the same."

"Headmaster." Silstra began with a light chuckle at his ignorance. "His kind will not stop breeding and will eventually overrun the forest."

"Don't argue or I'll turn you over to the giants. Far as I can remember they don't do well with negotiating and will crush the both of you. Now then." He turned to Hagrid. "Once the minister has left the grounds you and Filch will assist in extending their hollow further underground. Until then, will you both agree to staying out of each other's way?"

Aratoth scratched his pincers with his front leg and thought for a moment. "How long til the minister leaves?"

"He'll be here in four days and intends to stay four more. Just over a week from now."

The centaur queen stayed quiet, contemplating the arrangement. After some time she nodded in agreement. "Assuming they don't extend their webs we will hold down."

"Are we still not allowed to eat students who get lost in the forest?" Aratoth quipped, a bit hopeful in his request.

"No! You're not allowed to eat any-" Severus stopped and grit his teeth to continue. "Do you agree to the terms?"

"I will confine my children in the hollow until Hagrid returns with the squib." Without another word Severus stalked back to the castle with Hagrid apologizing for his abruptness.

The next two days blurred into one headache after the next. Hermione, blessed Hermione took the children to their grandparents and left him to work. Upon return she had informed him that of all people Alex had begged to stay with Albus and hardly missed Severus' absence. There was a twinge in his heart when he heard that. He told himself that it was better that Alex was becoming less clingy to his parents. He had found a friend and as much as Severus didn't want to admit it, it would be good for his shy son. Even if it was with Potter's offspring. It could be worse he thought he could have befriended those wretched Weasley twins.

Save for McGonagall and Filius, it was an entirely new staff at Hogwarts. Most of them had retired or left from all the painful memories of the war. Yet Severus remained. Because he was asked to, because it was all he knew. It was one of the irritatingly valid points Hermione had brought to him when convincing him to stay. Horace had stayed for a year or two after the school reopened but then returned to his quiet retirement. His replacement had not come easy and so for half a school year Severus played headmaster, potions professor and head of Slytherin house.

Upon Horace's recommendation, Severus hired a fellow by the name of Sebastian Pirimus. He had just graduated with his potions mastery at the age of twenty six, not much older than himself when he took the same post. Pirimus exuded his smug superiority in a drawling monotone complete with backhanded compliments and sarcastic observations. Although he wasn't a complete reflection of the headmaster. Pirimus had come from a well to do family with pure blood. The war tore his family apart and to protect himself he changed his last name.

Hermione commented on how curiously fond he was of this new professor. Denying such affection on his part and dismissed Pirimus' as nothing beyond admiration. That is of course until one day the young professor confessed the odd crush he had on Severus during his school days but assured him that since then has moved to men his own age. Severus hadn't meant for her to find out but of course she did and teased him endlessly about it.

He burst through the doors of the great hall, silencing the mindless chatter between professors. They watched and waited until he made the long journey to the head of the hall. His boots echoing off the empty walls with his long strides billowing his robes behind him. Minerva stood off to the side, allowing him take his place front and center. He surveyed them quietly. Clearly they weren't happy with the early summoning.

"I trust you all received my letter regarding the minister's visit." They groaned in agreement. "Very well. Thoughts?" Silence. Most of them on the edge of comment but couldn't form the words out of their conflicted thoughts. Neville shifted in his seat and did his best to keep his eye on the dark wizard. So far it had still been difficult to speak to him. Years of torment and bulling did not fade easily, even with his true loyalties revealed. Finally Pirimus raised his hand. Severus rolled his eyes. "Professor Pirimus…"

"Are you asking for our real opinion or the one that will end this meeting faster?"

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know, unlike you I do not waste time with useless questions. Anyone else?"

"Well…" Filius stood up. "I guess what we all want to know is if this will disrupt our jobs."

"I assure you the minister has only seen fit to disturb my job. Insisting I escort him at every waking moment until his curiosity is satisfied. I have devised the schedule so that his presence in classrooms will be limited to one day."

"And the interviews?" Pirimus inquired.

"Another unfortunate necessity. You'll meet him briefly on the first day and then for your interviews."

"This is sounding suspiciously like Umbridge's uninvited-"

"I know how you feel Filius." Severus interrupted. "As you recall I was here for that scrutiny as well. However the minister is only here temporarily. Where as Umbridge's presence was as far as we knew at the time, indefinite. Much more favorable don't you think?" The head of Ravenclaw silently agreed and took his seat. After one of their shortest meetings in the history of him being headmaster, Severus dismissed them to prepare for the student's arrival.


"I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning." Hermione stood behind him and rubbed his neck and shoulders. He dropped his book into his lap and leaned back into her touch. "After all, I have to make the journey with the rest of the cabinet."

"Will you be sleeping in our bed or the visitors quarters?" He kissed her hand as it slid down his chest.

"You're joking right?"

"I suppose you're well acquainted with sneaking around the castle at night."

"You and the rest of the magical world should be rather grateful for all that sneaking around."

"Yes, how did your fellow housemates not murder the three of you for all the subtracted points?"

"Mostly because I made up for them with correct answers in other classes. You of course were no help to that." Hermione murmured as she nuzzled into his neck. "In fact, did you ever give out points?"

"If it was a good day I simply didn't take any away."

"Severus, you git."

"Five points from Gryffindor." He snickered and watched her face turn into an irritated huff. She was about to stand up and move away from him but Severus was too quick and pulled her down into his lap. She feigned protest while he laid on top of her, pinning her arms with one hand while the other skimmed the length of her torso.

"So petty." She mumbled through their kiss. "I should deny you the pleasure."

"And then deny yourself?" he whispered darkly.

"Hmmm you're too clever for your own good."

As promised, Hermione was not in bed with him when he woke. Although he was sure he could still feel her faint kiss on his lips. She must not have been gone long. September the first had a much brighter sun than the previous days past. It looked later than it was, eyeing his clock carefully to assure himself that it was only seven. He dressed and had a quick breakfast of tea and toast. Not a minute after he'd finished Minerva was gliding through his door with the password of Virgo-Capricorn.

"The minister's train will be here in fifteen minutes." She said quietly. Severus waved his hand dismissively and sent his cup and saucer back to the kitchen.

"The sooner he gets here, the sooner he can leave." Severus said sharply and led Minerva out of his office to meet them at the station.


This is by far the longest chapter I've written so yeah...theres that. I'm interested in hearing all of your thoughts! Personally I really enjoyed writing Hermione's reflection on his scars. Its part of why I feel he is such a tragic character in cannon. He wasn't by any means innocent in fact much of what happens in his adult life is his own fault but he was also a young man in a dark place. It doesn't excuse his actions but it does give reason and meaning for them. Which brings me to the Snarmione fandom in the first place. I love seeing his shield come down even if its just to one person. I could go on about how they're perfect for each other but ya know I wont...

"Cause you're a hard soul to save, with an ocean in the way but I'll get around it. I'll get around it."