Song for this chapter: Play Crack the Sky by Brand New


"What am I supposed to wear to something like this?" I asked awkwardly from inside the closet. "I hardly think this floral dress of your mothers, that you let me borrow, is going to be appropriate."

"First, you can keep them. You need clothes," Severus sighed from where he was leaning against the doorframe. "And secondly, you're a witch aren't you? Transfigure the floral dress into something you actually like."

"That still doesn't tell me what is appropriate for this thing you are taking me to," I said, peeking my head out of the closet to stick my tongue out at him. "And thank you Severus."

"It's a casual dinner, only a few death eaters will be in attendance," he shrugged. "The last time I went to one of these Narcissa wore a strapless summer dress, and if you ever tell anyone I noticed that I will gladly kill you."

"I doubt that," I sighed as I took the dress out of the closet and went to sit on the foot of the bed. "You've already put too much effort into keeping me alive."

"Touche," he said. "What are you going to do to it?"

"Not much," I shrugged. "I'm alright with transfiguration, but I was never great shakes at domestic spells. Darning is completely beyond me by the way, in case you had any ideas about old socks."

I was pleased to hear him laugh, if quietly at my half joke. I was rapidly forgetting professor Snape as he was replaced with this young Severus who smiled and laughed, and could actually speak rather kindly when he wanted to. I was very intrigued by him, and surprisingly he seemed fascinated with me. Perhaps after how he had grown up he was surprised to have made a new friend? I wouldn't begrudge him the surprise, so long as he continued to bestow me with his friendship as well. I was afraid to admit how much I needed it.

"I think I will get rid of the flowers," I mumbled as I moved my wand over the dress.

I had learned to master nonverbal spells from the man who was watching me now, and it was a bit disconcerting to have him watch me work on a spell I was not so accomplished with. I almost expected him to give me a grade on how quickly I could make the faded pink flowers recede into the green fabric. He however remained completely silent as he watched me work, and when I looked up to him for some sort of remark his face was passively pleased as he took in the dress without the flowers.

"That's actually not a bad dress." He said as he looked up to meet my gaze. "A bit Victorian, but it could work."

"I thought I'd change the neckline as well," I said looking for the right answer. "But how 'young' should I make it? I don't want to look frigid, but I don't want to look like a tart either."

"How about lowering it like this?" he said, and then he very lightly drew his pointer finger from one of my shoulders to the other brushing the skin just under my collar bone as he went.

Another thing to adjust to was the way he was almost casual with touch. I was trying to stop comparing him to 'my time' as this was my time now, but it was very different from what I had known. I couldn't be sure if it was because he hadn't been hardened by the life of spying yet, or if the physical intimacy created between us when he saved my life made him feel welcome to do so, or if his touching meant something else entirely. I wasn't even sure how I felt about it, sometimes it gave me shivers, and other times it was as natural as breathing.

"That seems good." I said with a smile. "I'll make it off the shoulder, and shorten it to the knees. With a belt it will look really cute."

"Yes, I think that is what the other death eaters will be most concerned with," he said, his eyes darkening just slightly with his frown. "Whether or not you are cute."

"Well, you're trying to stay in their good graces…. And if I am supposed to go to this dinner on your arm, I should look… presentable," I shrugged. "I just prefer the word cute."

"What do you want me to call you when we are there?" he asked, banishing his frown as quickly as it had come.

"Hermione," I said blandly.

"Obviously I will use your name," he scoffed. "What I meant to say was, when they ask what you are to me, what shall I say?"

"Uhm… well…" I floundered. "I mean, what would I have to be in order to be allowed entrance to something like this."

"You would either be affianced to me or you would already be my spouse," he said very quietly, and I knew he was afraid I would be upset.

"That is what I had expected." I told him quickly and with a smile, so as to relieve his worry. "Would it be pushing believability for us to have already wed?"

"They would want to know how and when it had happened," he said, his gaze wandering to the wall as he pondered it. "But we are saying your family is from Italy, and I did actually go there shortly after leaving Hogwarts for the beginning of my apprenticeship under Slughorn. I could plausibly have met your family there, in fact I could have been introduced by Slughorn as the Italian Grangers are well to do."

"And what would we tell them for why you have kept it secret?" I asked. "Lucius Malfoy was you friend before wasn't he? You would have told him wouldn't you?"

"No. He knows I no longer speak of my love life after what happened with Lily," Severus answered, his face filtering from a frown back to a smile as his gaze returned to mine. "It would be plausible that I would keep my cards close to the chest until I was sure that we would be wed. In fact, I shall write him to tell him I have something to share with him at this dinner party."

"So it will be our coming out party as a married couple then," I said with a smile, though inside my mind was racing to try and understand how I even felt about this.

When I had dreamt about being married, and frankly with the war on it hadn't happened often, it had been with pictures of Ron Weasley in my head. And now here I was concocting a story to share with death eaters about how I was married to Severus Snape. What had become of my life? And why wasn't I more upset with it? I did miss Ron, and Harry, but I was finding a way to settle into my new life. And in this new life, I found I actually rather liked Severus Snape, he was a good man.


"You asked my father for permission to court me," I recited to Severus as I laced up the front of my peep toe shoes. "Horace Slughorn had spoken highly of you, so my father gave his permission."

"In pureblood society it is frowns upon for a married witch to speak to a wizard alone," he responded while he fretted with the hem of his grey oxford. "Following this custom establishes that you know it exists, and gives you a reason to stay by my side, or avoid conversation when you cannot."

"My mother was hesitant about being unable to meet your parents, but she was won over by your dedication to your apprenticeship," I went on as I worked on the other shoe. "And um, I guess she liked that your opinion on mu-udbloods match that of our family."

"You can't keep stuttering on that word," he said quietly. "I know it's repulsive, but it's a dead giveaway that you are lying. Say it again please."

"Mudblood," I said firmly even though it made my stomach turn, and then I met his gaze again.

"Now say it in a sentence that you would use in relation to our back story," he prompted.

"My mother was finally convinced to give her consent to our betrothal when you revealed you hatred for mudbloods," I said as smoothly as I could manage. "She couldn't stand the thought of me married to a muggle-lover."

"You blushed, but that was better," he said with a tight smile. "Should I wear a vest? Or perhaps a tie?"

"No, I like this," I said, casually flicking open the top most button on his shirt so it wasn't closed around his neck. "It makes you look more relaxed, and you're supposed to be happy to be in this group right? You should in theory be relaxed about attending this dinner."

"True," he said before offering me a soft smile. "No one will expect a big display of affection from us as I have a certain reputation for a distaste of…"

"Got it," I smiled when he trailed off with a distant look in his eyes. "We were married in the neighborhood church—"

"No," he interrupted me. "Pureblooded families never marry in churches. We married on your family's estate."

"Okay," I shrugged. "We married on my family's estate a few days before you took the mark, and after your meeting with Lucius we have been honeymooning in Greece."

"We shouldn't add details now," he said, fidgeting nervously with his shirt collar. "The dinner starts in 30 minutes, and we don't want to slip up on a detail that we just decided on."

"What if they ask where we honeymooned though?" I asked him. "Or if they ask for more than my parents' names? I have the family tree memorized, but what if they ask about a third cousin or something? Or what if someone there knows the Italian Grangers, and is aware that there is no Hermione in that family."

"There is now, I had you added to the family tree," Severus shrugged. "And no one there knows them; it will be fine I promise."

"And if someone asks about the honeymoon?" I asked tugging at my loose curls in agitation.

"Then we will say we went to Greece," he said softly. "Okay?"

"Okay," I sighed, trying to calm myself.

"So if you don't mind me asking," he said as he moved one of stray curls into place. "Why did you want to say we were already married?"

"We'd have to eventually have a wedding if we did it the other way," I said, meeting his gaze in the mirror. "I don't think it's possible to fake a wizarding wedding is it?"

"No it isn't," he said, looking away from my gaze to fuss with the back of my hair. "I suppose I found it a bit odd that a woman would even want to pretend to be married to me."

"Don't talk about my husband like that," I chided in an effort to keep myself from tearing up at how terribly sad he sounded. "I don't think you see yourself very clearly Severus."

"I think I see myself very clearly," he said, tugging gently at my hair and still refusing to meet my gaze. "I am Severus Snape, I left Hogwarts with no real friends, unless you count Lucius Malfoy which I do not. I have never had a girlfriend, though I tried many times with Lily Evans, excuse me Potter. I have greasy hair, a hooked nose, and a propensity for wearing unfashionable clothing."

"Yes, you are Severus Snape," I said, spinning around so that he was forced to look at my face, even if it did end in my hair getting pulled a bit. "But that's about all I am willing to agree with."

He turned his head away from me and I found myself falling into the old bossy role of my childhood. I stood up, and I grabbed his chin so that he would have to look at me. When his dark eyes were meeting mine, even if they did look sad, I went on.

"First of all, being hazed by the marauders doesn't mean you were not capable of making friends, just that you were mistreated by your peers," I pointed out. "And maybe you haven't had a girlfriend, but that is not the end all be all of a person's worth. And you know what, you're too good for Lily. If she had appreciated your friendship, let alone how much you clearly love her, then she would not have thrown your friendship away over one word."

I took a moment to breathe when I felt my face heating up and my anger growing. I was trying to cheer Severus up, and it wouldn't do to fly off the handle about how he was treated during his childhood. Especially since we had to leave for dinner with people form his childhood in just a few minutes.

"And your hair isn't actually greasy," I pointed out with a smile. "Either that shampoo is very affective, or your hair is just naturally silky, and this outfit is fashionable Severus. I should know, I picked it out."

"It is still a bit disconcerting when you recite facts about my life that I haven't actually told you," he said quietly when I finally released his chin. "For a moment I had forgotten you were from a different time."

"That's good right?" I asked nervously.

"I think so," he said, digging in his pocket for something as his face grew nervous once more. "So we didn't talk about this, but it occurred to me that we needed rings. These belonged to my parents, but we could say they came from you grandparents or something like that. I think that would give them more value."

"No, I like that they belonged to your parents," I shook him off looking at the rings in the palm of his hand. "And it makes sense; because Angela and Michaelo Granger are still alive and happily married so I assume they are still wearing their wedding rings."

"It's weird though, I get that," he said awkwardly. "We can take them off as soon as we leave."

"You don't have to be so nervous. It's just me," I laughed. "We'll wear the rings, and we won't be nervous about it. We'll go to this dinner with a bunch of death eaters, and yeah we will probably be nervous about it, but we will pretend that we aren't. Deal?"

"Deal," he said with a smirk as he handed over the small diamond ring and slid the corresponding silver band onto his own finger. "I enchanted them to portkey us back to my house in the case of an emergency. To activate yours you just swivel the stone in a circle."

"Okay," I said as I slid it into place. "Should we go?"

"We should," he said offering me his arm for slide-along apparition.


"Severus," Lucius said grandly as he opened the door for us. "And his surprise. What is your name dear?"

"Hermione Snape," I said in what I hope sounded like an aristocratic voice as I offered him my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's lovely to meet you as well," he said smoothly as he grabbed my hand and quickly placed a kiss on the top of my knuckles before leaning in to Severus. "Oh you are in trouble my friend. Didn't Narcissa tell you what this dinner is for?"

"She did not," Severus said, sliding his hand behind my back and pulling me just a bit closer to him. "I assumed it was a belated Spring Solstice party of some nature."

"Oh now my dear friend," Lucius said with a wicked smile. "This is an engagement party for Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, but you are about to steal the stage my friend."

"We could just wait to say anything," I suggested quietly, deferring to Severus as was custom with pureblooded couples. "Today is supposed to be about the happy couple after all."

"Oh no, this will be fun," Lucius laughed as he stepped back to finally allow us entrance into the house. "Because everyone will want to know why you are with our dear Severus here, yes we will have to tell everyone that you've wed. There must be a wonderful story there."

He led us into the house and I saw that it was apparently a very select dinner party. I saw a much younger looking Bellatrix hanging off of the arm of who must be Rodolphus, and a couple other couples sprinkled about. Down a side corridor off the room I saw Narcissa handing a fussing baby over to a house elf, but Lucius quickly swept us past where that was visible. My blood ran cold in my veins when I saw a man sitting at the table watching everyone in the room.

He was disturbing in a way that was hard to describe. He was attractive, but there was a cold aura about it. He didn't have red eyes with slits, or terribly white skin, but there was something about him that just screamed Voldemort to me. When I felt the muscle in Severus's arm tighten under my hand I knew my assumption was right. I also realized that he was rapidly hiding his surprise, and that he hadn't know Voldemort was going to be here either.

"Ladies and gentlemen, might I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Snape," Lucius said with a sweeping gesture toward us.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me," Bellatrix snapped, the smile falling off of her face as she turned to glare at me, and Severus pulled me just a tiny bit closer.

"My apologies Bellatrix," Severus said stiffly. "Unfortunately due to your desire for secrecy I had no idea I would be stealing your thunder this evening."

He didn't sound sorry at all, but that seemed to me to be the right tone to take with Bellatrix. Her fiancé certainly seemed to find it funny if his smile was any indicator. My eye was drawn away from them however when Voldemort stood from the table.

"Severus, why don't you introduce me to your friend," he said elegantly as he swept forward, without nearly as much grace as Severus.

"This is my wife," Severus said with a deferent bow of the head. "Her name is Hermione Snape, nee Granger."

"Granger, I am not familiar with that name," He said as he reached for my hand.

"My family is mainly from Italy," I said as evenly as I could while trying not to cringe at the cool touch of his skin. "My parents raised me abroad however, so I'm from a little bit of everywhere I suppose."

"Are the Grangers a respectable family?" Bellatrix asked icily as she swept up behind Voldemort.

"Don't be crude Bella," Severus chided.

"He is correct Bella," Voldemort said with a nod. "But the question has been asked, you may as well answer Mrs. Snape."

"I assume you are asking about my lineage?" I said, turning to look at Severus as if I were confused, to which he nodded. "My bloodline has never been muddied by muggle filth."

"Very good," Voldemort nodded. "And how did your parents feel about you marrying a half blood?"

"My parents were far more interested in his stance on wizarding supremacy," I answered quickly. "And as you know there are not quite so many eligible purebloods in Italy. I had no interest in marrying the old man name Elijah who was interested in my hand."

"Jolly good," Lucius said cheerfully. "Narcissa says the first course is ready, if you would all follow me into the drawing room."

And just like that the investigation in to my bloodline ended and we all filed out of the room. My heart beat a little more quickly in my chest as I walked toward a room I hadn't been in so long ago, and yet I had not technically been in at all. Severus subtly ran his thumb over my knuckles as he walked me over to the large wooden table with the rest of the group. He pulled out the chair for me, and carefully pushed it back in for me once I was seated. I couldn't help but smile a tiny bit when I saw Lucius doing the same for Narcissa on my left and Rodolphus doing the same for Bellatrix on my right. My smile dropped a bit when I realized that there was now no open chair beside me for Severus to sit in.

I did my best to keep the smile on my face as Severus went to sit on the other side of the table and house eves appeared to deliver food. I mimicked the aloof nature of everyone else, and pretended that the I didn't even see them. Conversation was light during dinner and I followed the general rule of only speaking when spoken to, and as I was rarely spoken to I mostly just sat quietly at the table enjoying a very nice meal with the most evil witches and wizards I had ever known.


"Gentleman, shall we retire for a brandy?" Voldemort suggested when the last plate had been cleared.

The men murmured their agreement and began saying quick goodbyes to their dates before filing out of the room. Severus swept over to me and pulled out my chair for me before helping me up. He pulled me into a gentle hug, and though it surprised me it wasn't all that unpleasant. He tucked my head into his shoulder so he could whisper to me.

"I wasn't expecting this, but apparently there is business to be taken care of before we can depart," he whispered quickly. "I will be as quick as I can, be careful around Bellatrix."

"Enjoy yourself," I said with a beaming smile when he pulled back.

"I certainly will," he lied smoothly and he swept away from me.

I was left standing alone at the table for a second, and then the space beside me was filled by Narcissa and Bellatrix. The former seemed excited by my presence, but the latter looked like she wanted to curse me. I offered them each a smile while I tried to think about what I should say. Narcissa beat me to the punch however.

"So what do you think of our Severus?" she asked brightly, leaning in conspiratorially.

"My husband is a wonderful man," I said with perhaps a little too much possessiveness in my voice. "He makes me very happy."

"Cut the crap," Bellatrix snapped. "What are you getting from this? The Prince family fortune was gone a long time ago."

"Are English marriages based predominately on finances?" I asked as if I were actually confused. "My family was more concerned with making a long term match in marriage. We have compatible personalities, similar interests, and you know Severus has a bright future as a pioneer."

"See Bella, I told you, she actually likes him," Narcissa said with a smile. "I think you two look very nice together."

"Thank you Mrs. Malfoy," I said, bowing my head.

"Please, call me Narcissa," she said kindly. "Hermione is a beautiful name by the way."

"Really Cissy? Why are you fawning all over her," Bellatrix whined. "She ruined my engagement party, and she's only here with Snivelus, hardly worth attention."

"I wasn't aware that Severus was fond of nicknames," I said tersely at the same time that Narcissa said, "Bella, I already told you that Severus is being given an important assignment tonight. His status is changing."

"Teaching is hardly prestigious," Bellatrix scoffed.

"What?" I blurted out before I realized how unrefined that sounded.

"We aren't supposed to know until the boys tell us of course," Narcissa explained with a smile. "But I heard Lucius and the Dark Lord speaking about it before the other guests arrived. Severus is to be tasked with obtaining a teaching position at Hogwarts so he might spy on Dumbledore."

"Cissy, are you sure we can even trust her?" Bellatrix snapped.

"I'm sorry, but shouldn't I be asking if you should be privy to such sensitive information about my husband," I said blandly to Bellatrix, as if she didn't make me want to cower in the corner. "I wonder how Severus feels about this though. I know he is not fond of children."

"I'm sure he's honored," Narcissa said a little stiffly before she plastered a smile back on her face. "And I imagine you will move to Hogwarts with him. It is a very nice castle."

"Yes, I've heard of Hogwarts," I said grasping on to the lifeline she was throwing me. "Severus said that is where he made such good friends with all of you. He did tell me that the admittance policy is a bit lenient. Maybe once he is teaching there he can effect change there."

"One can only hope," Narcissa smiled.

"I'm sorry though Bellatrix, this conversation sort of wandered away from us didn't it," I said with as much sincerity as I could fake. "I'd really love to hear about you and Rodolphus. Have the two of you picked a date yet?"

"Our mothers have decided on a summer wedding," Bellatrix said, a smile appearing on her face, and yet somehow making her scarier. "The first of July will be the date. I'm hoping the Dark Lord will honor us with his presence."

"Well he seems very fond of you," I offered lightly. "Surely that means he'd be receptive to an invitation?"

Bellatrix offered me another of her disturbing smiles at that, but I was saved from having to hear whatever response she was going to come up with when everyone emerged from the room they had closeted themselves in. I stepped to the side and waited a surprisingly short amount of time for Severus to sweep over to me. He wrapped his arm around me and quickly pulled me away from the other girls.

"We'd both like to wish a hearty congratulations to Bellatrix and Rodolphus," Severus said to the group. "But we really must be going. Thank you for having us."

"Yes thank you," I added with a smile, and then Severus directed me out of the house so he could apparate us home.


I sat awkwardly in the kitchen while Severus put a floo all through to Dumbledore. It was an obvious move, but he could easily cover it with the excuse of needing to set up an interview so he did it. The conversation had gone on longer than I had expected though. He was still talking to him, and I had long ago finished making coffee. My cup was empty and his was rapidly growing cold on the table while I waited. I was considering just going up to bed when he finally came into the kitchen.

"I've made arrangements to go for an interview tomorrow evening," he sighed as he sat down at the table. "Slughorn is planning to go into retirement, which is news to me as his apprentice, so there are a total of three positions opening in the coming year. Unfortunately my chances of employment are high."

"Well, it would make it easier to pass information to Dumbledore," I said delicately.

"Yes, but there are children there," he groaned.

"I'll come as well," I said, hoping to cheer him up.

"Thank you," he sighed, rubbing at his eyes. "And thank you for coming tonight. That was tenser than I expected it to be. I wish Lucius had been more forthcoming about what the party was for."

"It's okay, it wasn't horrible," I shrugged. "I am still apparently just as hated by Bellatrix when she thinks I am a pureblood as well. So that's fun."

"Well she is insane," Severus pointed out as he cast a silent warming charm on his cup of coffee. "I'm sure Rodolphus is incredibly pleased to be marrying her when she's in love with the Dark Lord."

"She is rather obvious isn't she?" I chuckled. "Maybe she's hoping for an open marriage."

"I'm sure Rodolphus is as well," Severus said with a dark laugh before cringing. "He is inclined in the other direction anyway."

"Really?" I gasped. "How do you know?"

He froze and that haunted look returned to his eyes, and I found suddenly that I had never asked why he had been considering leaving the death eaters before I arrived. My stomach turned uncomfortably when I remembered just how fresh the mark had been on his skin.

"How do you know Severus?" I asked quietly.

"I think I am going to go to bed," he said as he backed away from the table. "I will likely be gone when you awake in the morning. I will be brewing with Slughorn for most of the day before I go for my interview. I will let you know what happens when I come home."

"Okay," I said quietly, dropping my gaze down to the table feeling properly chastised for trying to invade his privacy. "Goodnight."


I wasn't scheduled to work the next day, so I spent all of it pacing in the living room waiting for Severus to come back. I attempted to distract myself with reading and dusting respectively but neither of those activities kept me from being nervous. I couldn't explain it, but I had woken up very worried about Severus, and the longer that he stayed away the more worried I got.

Afternoon turned into evening, and still Severus hadn't returned. I stood in front of the fire listening to the thunderstorm that was raging on outside wondering how long Severus would be. Maybe it was the day itself making me so wary. It was cold and dreary out, and the rain certainly wasn't brightening my mood. I resolved to try and turn my mood around and went back to trying to read.

Moments after I settled on the couch with the book Severus appeared with a pop by the fire. He looked as pale as a ghost and seemed frozen in place. I quickly drew my wand and cast a drying spell on him so his sopping robes would no longer be dripping on the floor. I stood, unsure of if I should cross over to him or not.

"Are you okay?" I asked carefully.

"Do you remember when you talked to me about how I came to be a spy?" he asked me in a distant voice, still not looking in my eyes.

"Yes," I said carefully, not sure where he was going.

"Didn't you say I only heard part of the prophecy?" he asked.

"Yes, you heard half, but you were discovered by Aberforth and thrown out of the pub," I explained. "You ten passed on half of the prophecy to Voldemort, and from that he made the decision to go after the Potters."

"No, that isn't how it happened at all," he said very quietly, finally looking at me. "I was standing outside the room when I heard Sybil begin the prophecy. I entered the room and listened to the entire prophecy. Dumbledore did not address my presence until after she had come out of the prophecy. He left the room with me under the assumption that he was throwing me out, but in reality he gave me the instruction to give only half of the prophecy to the Dark Lord, and to inform him that I am welcome to take the potions post this fall."

"He told you to what?" I gasped, falling back on the couch when my legs gave out beneath me.

"He insisted that I give half, not that I remain silent," Severus whispered. "He is basically telling me to have the Potter's killed. Why would he do that?"

"I don't…" I trailed off my mind racing for the answer. "I mean, I guess he could understand the implications that quickly… he's quite smart. But would he do something like that? Surely not."

"I don't understand what you are talking about," Severus interjected, crossing over to me and grasping my face with both hands and turning me so I had to meet his gaze. "What are you trying to say?"

"It doesn't make sense, but it seems like he's trying to create a chosen one," I explained. "But that would mean he's choosing to murder a family, and slate and infant for death. Of course Harry won't die, but then he's locked into a life of torturous battles. And he's fated for… oh no. No he couldn't be doing that. He wouldn't."

"You need to use more words," Severus spoke harshly, shaking my head just a bit.

"I told you I was on a mission before I came here," I started, embarrassed by how tears immediately sprung to my eyes. "We were destroying horcruxes Severus."

"What?" he gasped.

"And I discovered something while we were working on that, but I didn't tell anyone." I went on. "And if I am right, which I am sure I am, then Dumbledore is knowingly sending you to essentially force Voldemort into making a living horcrux."

"No," Severus whispered.

"Oh Severus, you can't pass on half of that prophecy. You can't pass on any of it," I demanded, the tears falling freely now. "And we can't work with Dumbledore. If that's what he wants you to do, then he is just as evil as Voldemort."

"What are we supposed to do then?" he asked, brushing my tears from my cheeks but looking just as upset as I was."

"I don't know…" I moaned. "I need to think. There's gotta be another way. Oh God Severus. This can't be right."

"Shhh," he said softly as he pulled me into his arms and tried to sooth my tears to no avail.