A/N: Chugging right along….and oh, this also contains a flashback, hopefully it won't be confusing. As you know, I do not own Harry Potter...okay...Enjoy!

"Finally, you're back! Geez, 'mione you were gone all morning and afternoon. We were beginning to get worried!" Ron expressed somewhere between relief and exasperation.

"Sorry. They invited me to stay for lunch and I agreed," she answered simply.

"Well, Miss Granger. What's the deal with Severus?" McGonagall pressed.

Hermione smiled. "It's true. He is in fact alive. The Malfoy's are the ones who found him and nursed him back to health. Amazingly, no real damage was done to his vocal chords. The only real issue is he's weak right now. It's why they're being really careful about having visitors."

The Headmistress nodded. "I see. Is there anything else? What do they require from the Order?"

"Severus just wants our support for when he finally returns to the public. Actually," here Hermione fidgeted, "We want your support."

"We?" the two said in unison.

"You both know, he's the father of my child. But there's more…." Hermione held up her left hand, showing the ring. "We're married and as soon as Severus comes out of hiding we will reveal this. We know we're likely to get some flak from the wizarding world in general; however, if the Order is on our side it'll make things easier."

McGonagall was the first to recover. "No matter how awed I am by these revelations, I won't let that cloud my judgment. Severus was invaluable to the cause, and his loyalty unparalleled. It would be wrong if we did not stand with him now."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you."

The Headmistress returned said smile with one of her own. "I'll call a meeting here tonight and inform the Order."

"Feel free to tell them about everything, except the baby."

Ron sighed. "That seems fair. Besides, finding out you and the greasy git are married will be hard enough to stomach."

"Ron-"

"Mr. Weasley! That's very immature," Minerva scolded causing Ron to sink in his seat. "Apologize at once."

"Sorry, 'mione," the redhead grumbled. Hermione smirked.

"Thanks again, Headmistress. If that's all, I'd like to go to my room and take a nap. I should rest before the meeting."

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Severus sat across his smug faced friend, wishing he could get back to his book. "I thought I told you everything at lunch," he let out wearily.

"Yes, yes I know, but I still can't quite believe it. I mean, Severus Snape-the hopeless romantic. Who knew?" Lucius mused. "Although, I suppose after seeing you moon after Potter's mom…."

"That's enough," He sneered, snapping his book shut.

Lucius raised his arms up in a defensive manner. "I get it, sore subject."

"Seriously, are you just trying to accomplish what Nagini failed and annoy me to death?" Snape asked looking at his old friend sharply.

Malfoy shook his head. "Truthfully, I mean no offense. In fact, I would like to congratulate you on finding a partner who compliments you so well. I know it took a lot for Miss Gran-uh, Mrs. Snape, to come here today. That shows real courage and most of all, devotion to you. And that's what you need most Severus. It's what you deserve."

It wasn't often that the aristocrat spoke so genuinely. Because of that, Severus took his words to heart. "Thank you, Lucius."

"Don't mention it."

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"Alright, now that I have everyone's attention, I suppose we can get started. I assume everyone is wondering why I've asked you to be here. Well I have some news..." McGonagall addressed the host of Order and DA members that had congregated to Hogwarts. It was quite a good turnout given the short notice. It included all of the rebuilders, the rest of the Weasley's, Kingsley, Seamus Finnegan, Hannah Abbott, Lavender Brown, and the Lupin's. They all sat in the Great Hall, the small cluster of folks surrounding the Gryffindor house table. Only Hermione and McGonagall were standing.

Kingsley, the interim Minister of Magic, shifted in his chair. "Only good news I hope," he commented warily.

McGonagall gave a faint smile. "I'd like to think it is. Now, the information I'm about to divulge will be shocking to most, I only ask that you hold all questions until I'm done, understood?" Her hawk like eyes scanned the crowd before her and when she knew she had everyone's cooperation, she continued. "Earlier this morning, it was confirmed that Severus Snape is in fact, alive." A hush fell over the crowd as everyone digested what they just heard. "Now, there's more to the story," Minerva said turning to Hermione. "And it has to do with the reason why Hermione is standing next to me." She cleared her throat, "Well….you see…."

Hermione placed a hand on her arm. "I think I can take it from here Headmistress." She gave a faint smile to the people in front of her, her eyes landed on Harry and she wondered how he'd react to this news. "You see, it was the Malfoy's that alerted us to Severus's survival. And well, they wrote the letter to me."

"But why you and not Minerva?" Remus queried.

Hermione bit her lip before answering, "It's because Severus and I are married." Instead of quiet, there was a cacophony of sound. Some faces looked puzzled, others were horrified. Molly was clutching her heart and Harry was staring at the ground. Minerva begged for silence and once the murmurings began to die down, Arthur Weasley stood up.

"But Hermione, you're just a child," Arthur said with knotted brows, "And marriage in the wizarding world is very different than it is in the muggle one."

Hermione sighed, "I know that Mr. Weasley. Trust me, I don't regret it at all." She made eyes with everyone in the audience. "Please, despite all of your reservations, or personal opinions I ask for your support. Regardless of his personality, Severus is a good man. We all know this. His bravery and loyalty to the Light has been proven time and time again. I'm not asking for you to like him, but our relationship is bound to cause a stir. It'll be good to know that the Order and the D.A. has our back."

She was surprised, and a little bit nervous when Harry stood up. "Well, you've got my support 'mione."

She let her lips curl into a bigger smile, "Thanks Harry."

When the meeting was over Hermione found herself sitting alone, staring at her ring. While most people still had questions it seemed for the moment, majority of them chose to talk about her and not to her. She supposed she was a little miffed, but it was along the lines of what she expected. She just didn't think it would hurt that much. Everyone was still in the Great Hall, but had broken up into small groups as they ate and chatted among themselves.

In truth, she missed Severus. Now that she knew he was alive, she need to see him. To touch him. To feel his presence. So when everyone wanted to talk and reminisce Hermione had separated herself. And given everything that just happened, no one questioned it. Spooning another serving of mushy peas into her mouth. The house elves had served fish and chips, Hermione was especially grateful for this comfort food. Her fries were crispy and gold, the fish was fresh and her peas had a hint of smokiness, which Hermione guessed might have been bacon. She was already on her second helping, and Hermione couldn't tell if it was due to her condition or because it tasted so good.

"It makes sense now," Harry's voice interrupted her thoughts. She arched her brow at this, and he explained, "The white dress at the funeral."

She nodded. "If I remember correctly, you wanted me to change."

Harry grimaced. "Well, can you blame me? I had no idea that you were Mrs. Snape, I just thought my friend had gone a bit barmy with grief."

"Well, you weren't too far off track. Losing Severus was a huge blow and I will remember that pain for the rest of my life. But I am beyond relieved to know that my husband is alive."

Harry looked at his friend in awe. "I still can't believe it. You really married Professor Snape? What brought this on? I mean seriously-he may be a good man, but he's certainly not nice."

Hermione just gave her best friend a sly grin. "You'd be surprised. There was this one time..."

.Most of the time Hermione would be having a great time with the boys. But today was not one of those times. Mother Nature had decided to visit and Hermione didn't feel like being around them. Which was why she was currently curled up on the couch in the library at Grimmauld. And she was crying. It was over something stupid that Ron said, but she couldn't seem to shrug it off. His words had brought a multitude of insecurities to the surface and Hermione was overwhelmed.

"You know, there are other rooms to cry in, Miss Granger-for instance, your own," came the deriding tone of her surly professor. Hermione wiped her face quickly feeling it heat with embarrassment and anger. She shouldn't have been shocked, but for a time Hermione thought they had developed an understanding. She stood up with a huff, preparing to storm right past her teacher lest she say something rude. It was not to be, for when she passed by him he suddenly grabbed her arm wheeling her to stand in front of him. "No words of anger? No swotty retort? I'm surprised Miss Granger."

Their close proximity was doing strange things to Hermione's stomach and she didn't think it was cramps. "Not today, Professor Snape," she replied wearily, just wishing he'd leave her alone. "I'm not feeling well."

Her answer seemed to affect him because his expression softened a bit. Incredibly, his hand came up to cup her cheek and Hermione found herself leaning into his touch. "You know," He began in a low voice, "I find that a good cup of tea, goes a long way. What do you say?"

Somehow she found her voice, "I'd say that sounds lovely." He released her from his grasp and swept out of the room, presumably to get their tea. Hermione just stumbled back to her chair wondering at the man who just left. When he came back carrying the tea things, she just watched dumbly as he prepared it for her. Taking the cup gingerly she took a sip and smiled. "Jasmine."

"Were you expecting anything else?" He purred from his spot on the couch. He turned and gave her a level gaze. "Care to explain the tears?"

Hermione frowned. "Its multiple things really, I just….I need…" she paused searching for words, "I wish I could feel whole." She felt the warmth of his hand on her knee and she froze. She hadn't been expecting the contact, but worse it didn't bother her as much as it should have.

His dark eyes peered into her own, and she wondered when he had gotten so close. "I know what you mean. I too, suffer from that feeling from time to time." Hermione was shocked by his admission, and it made her feel closer to him. She covered his hand with her own, fingers twining of their own volition. It felt so natural, so right, and gazing up into her professor's eyes, she could tell he thought so too. He cleared his throat, "Well, I really must be going." He extricated his hand and Hermione whimpered at the loss, he gave her a pained look and then stalked out of the library…...