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As everyone knows Snape is not a touchy feely person and Hermione's sobbing totally blew his mind. He quickly sent a death eater to find Lavender and pawned Hermione off on her. When he arrived back in his quarters an hour later and Hermione was still quietly sobbing and Severus totally lost it.
"ENOUGH, you have cried for over an hour over nothing. Either dry your tears and act as an adult or go to your room I can't deal with this."
Lavender glared at Severus and handed Hermione another tissue. "Lord Prince, Hermione has had her whole world turned upside down. The least you can do is allow her some time to grieve it. She has lost her parents, her Head of House who she thought of as a mother, the mother and father that she lived with after she lost her parents and her two best friends.
I know that you don't become close to people and feel but Hermione does that's what makes her who she is."
Severus looked at Lavender like she had grown a second head. "I realize that she has had several upsets but, howling like a banshee is not going to make it better."
Lavender started to tear into Severus when Hermione put her hand on Lavender arm, "its ok Lavender, Severus is right I need to pull myself together."
Lavender looked at Hermione tears were still flowing down her face but she seemed to be pulling herself together.
"Severus I apologize for my break down, I have no excuse except that I think the finality of everything finally caught up with me. I would ask that I be able to visit Minerva, Molly, Arthur, Harry and Ron's grave sometime in the near future. I would like to have a chance to say my final goodbyes."
Lavender couldn't believe that Hermione could control herself like that, it made Lavender respect Hermione even more. "Hermione you deserved a good cry and anytime you want to have one come find me I'll sit with you."
Hermione smiled at Lavender a watery smile but a smile, "Thank you, now if you will excuse us I think we need to have a talk."
Lavender nodded and gave Hermione one last hug before she said goodbye to Severus and left.
Once Lavender left Hermione stood up and faced off with Severus, "I cannot believe that you talked to me that way."
"Someone needed to talk to you that way to stop your blubbering."
Hermione's face was getting very red and the ends of her hair were standing up and sparking. "I had every right to blubber as you called it, my whole life has changed. I'm a prisoner in a house with no way to leave. I've not seen my wand in a week, everything I do I have to do as a muggle including my hair. I've lost almost everyone I loved; and I live with you!"
Not only was Hermione's temper up so was Severus's and he was dealing with his last string of control. The greasy git of the dungeon never lost control but today might just be the day. "I'll have you know that I realize you have had a rough time of it. I'm the one that had to watch for a year to make sure those fools you ran around with didn't get you killed. I had to watch you kiss that Weasley Brat when I knew you were my soul mate. I've slept in the other room when all I've wanted to do was take you to my bed. Don't know what you have gone through hell I've went through every bit of it with you and all of my own problems along with it.
I've had to lie to my co-works, act like I approved of what the Order was doing when I knew in my heart it was wrong. And on top of that stay away from my close friends and support so that Minerva wouldn't know that I was actually working for the Dark Lord. Try living with all of that."
With Severus's last word the sparks flew from his hair and his fingers; the pictures and other items in the living room flew around the room. The candles that were sitting on the table flew past Hermione's head as she ducked.
Of course this made Hermione even madder and she joined her power with Severus's and before long everything in the room was flying. Severus grabbed Hermione and pulled her to the floor and covered her with his body just before the large wingback chair hit her square in the back. Realizing that he had to get his temper under control Severus took several deep breaths and started reining in his temper. Hermione's was still blazing he could feel the sparks flying off of her where he touched her.
"Hermione please take a couple of deep breaths, we both need to control this before we blow the top floor off of the manor."
Hermione knew he was right so she tried very hard to calm down; she had not lost her control like this since she was five years old. Of course she had always had her wand in recent years and would have hexed something or someone instead of losing control. Slowly the items in the room began to fall from the air, a silver candle holder missed Hermione's head by inches. The wingback chair landed on the floor just inches from Severus's right foot; and the kitchen table legs straddled the two of them. When everything finally settled down the two of them had to crawl out from under the table.
Severus looked around the room, and then started laughing not a chuckle but a deep booming belly laugh. Hermione looked at him for a minute and then looked around and joined him by the time they both got control Hermione had tears running down her face and was leaning against Severus's chest with his arms around her shoulders and hers around his waist.
Hermione was finally able to talk, "I think we might have made just a little bit of a mess. And you get to clean it up because I don't have a wand." Of course this struck Hermione as really funny and she started to giggle.
Severus looked down at the young woman in his arms and lowered his head; he captured her lips with his in what he planned on being a gentle kiss. But, when their lips met all thoughts left his head; he was soon nibbling on her lower lip asking Hermione to open her mouth. When Hermione sighed Severus quickly stroked his tongue around her teeth and to the roof of her mouth. Soon their tongues were in a duel and the two of them were lost in the taste and scent of each other. But, as all good things need to come to an end eventually Severus had to pull back the need to breathe over came even the incredible feeling of kissing.
Hermione leaned her head on Severus's chest and let him continue to support her since she knew her own legs wouldn't do it. Severus reached down and turned Hermione's face so he could see her eyes; "Hermione I'm sorry I yelled at you but I somehow knew you needed pulled out of your despair."
Hermione nodded, "I hope you know that I truly am overwhelmed I've lost almost everyone I was close to."
Severus nodded, "I truly did try to protect Minerva and the Weasley's. But, as I was putting you behind me for safety someone hit Arthur with the killing curse and Molly went ballistic before I could stun her someone hit her. Minerva was stunned and I thought safe when she managed to cast a spell and between the stunning spell and whatever else was thrown at her she was killed."
"Severus what of Harry and Ron; I love them as brothers nothing more but they are my brothers."
"I honestly don't know Hermione; I've not been told what has happened to them and it's not my place to ask. I'm sorry if I hear something I will let you know but that's all I can promise."
Hermione nodded, thinking to herself I guess he doesn't know that they are in the dungeon. Sighing Hermione looked around, "I wish I had my wand, but I guess it's just as well; you get to start cleaning up." Hermione smiled an evil smile and pulled away, "I'll just go take a shower!"
Severus growled and pulled Hermione back, "Not so fast little one you aren't getting out of this that easy." Severus reached into his robe pocket and pulled out Hermione's wand, "You can use it to help me clean up this mess and to do your hair. I will sit here and wait for you to get out of the shower and then you will give it back to me. I have orders not to let you have it back."
Hermione nodded and reached for her wand, the feel of having it back in her hand was indescribable; she would do just about anything to have her wand back full time. But, she knew that wouldn't happen soon and might never happen if she got caught doing what she had done earlier.
Severus pulled is wand out and began repairing furniture and replacing it where it belonged, Hermione did the same she restored some portraits and placed them back on the walls. A crystal vase that was in a million pieces repaired its self and moved back to the table that Severus had returned to its place. Slowly the room righted its self and Hermione and Severus looked around, "I think that fixed everything; go get your shower and then bring your wand back to me. I don't need to remind you that there is no way you can apparate or escape from here even with your wand do I?"
Hermione shook her head, "No I know I'm still a prisoner here, but I appreciate having my wand for my hair I won't look like a porcupine."
Hermione turned and headed to her room, Severus summoned the papers that he had on his desk and started to work on them. He understood how Hermione felt but she had been on the wrong side in the war she was lucky that she was alive and living in luxury; if not for him and Ginny she would be in the dungeon being slowly tortured to death.
Severus quickly turned his mind away from the brats in the dungeon and went to work on the changes that needed made at the school. Yaxley was going to be the new Dark Arts instructor, Slughorn would be potions, and he still needed a transfiguration teacher. He wished that Hermione was finished with school she would be good at any of the classes; he also needed a new charms instructor. Considering that Cissy was very good at Charms he started wondering.
Hermione finally came out of the shower and returned her wand, "I need to meet with the Dark Lord would you like to accompany me?"
Hermione nodded and took the arm Severus offered her. Severus knocked on the door leading to the Dark Lord's Chamber and heard enter. He told Hermione to wait and entered the door and knelt.
"Severus rise, what can I do for you today?"
"My Lord Hermione is with me may she enter also? "
From where Hermione was standing she could see Severus nod to her to enter, she immediately knelt as soon as she entered. When Severus gripped her elbow she stood back up and smiled at Ginny.
Voldermort looked at Severus, "So what did you need to talk with me about?"
"As you know I'm still in the need for two Professor's one for transfiguration and one for charms. I was thinking that perhaps Narcissi could fill the position of charms until we can find a trained Professor."
The Dark Lord thought for a few minutes, "I think that Lady Malfoy would be an excellent choice; perhaps the prior Professor left his notes so that she could follow them. Have you thought of whom you might fill the other spot with?"
"No my Lord that will be the hardest spot to fill; I thought perhaps we might get a list of transfiguration Professor's from the Ministry?"
The Dark Lord wasn't happy and Hermione could see that, "I approve, you would think with the number of servants we have at least one could teach a class."
Hermione looked at Ginny, and she finally spoke up, "Hermione have you thought of what you will do after you sit your NEWT's?"
"I would like to teach but I would need at least a year of apprenticeship for most positions."
The Dark Lord turned to her, "And what would you like to teach?"
"Potions or aritmancy would be my first choice. After that it would be Charms or Transfiguration. I've always liked math based classes."
"Well Severus it seems you will be not only being the headmaster it sounds like you will also have your wife as an apprentice. Speaking of wife have you decided when your wedding will be?"
Severus looked at Hermione they really hadn't talked about it. "Well my Lord to be honest I haven't even asked Hermione to become my wife. I was giving her time to settle in to her new life; I believe we settled some of the problems this afternoon but there are still more to work out."
The Dark Lord looked from Severus to Hermione and then to Ginny, "Ginevra why don't you and Lady Malfoy plan on taking Lady McGonagall to Paris on Saturday for her wedding gown. We will plan on her wedding to take place over the winter break. Perhaps we can celebrate her NEWT's and wedding at the same time."
Severus and Hermione both nodded, Hermione knew that she had to turn a new leaf and accept the changes. There was no way she could help Ron and Harry; she had to take on her new life and grow with it.
Ginny was excited to go to Paris, standing behind her husband with her arms resting on his shoulders she asked, "Who will be escorting us? And can we take Lavender and Pansy with us? They both need gowns also."
Once again Hermione was surprised to see a smile appear on the Dark Lords face. "Who would you like to escort you? Paris is a very safe city and especially the wizarding area; I will make arrangements for you to floo directly into the ministry. It's just a short walk from there to the courtier shops that you prefer. And you may invite whoever you and Lady McGonagall wish to invite."
Hermione was having trouble being called Lady McGonagall she knew that she had inherited the title from Minerva but it made her very sad. Ginny noticing that Hermione was close to tears whispered in her husband's ear. The Dark Lord looked at Hermione and she felt him in her mind; he nodded as he pulled out.
"Miss Granger I apologize for upsetting you using your new title. I guess we need to get your married to our Severus so that I can call you Lady Prince."
Hermione nodded, "I thank you my Lord for your understanding. Minerva had been my surrogate mother for several years her lose has left me with no mother figure in my life."
The Dark Lord actually smiled at Hermione, "Severus I believe your betrothed deserves to have her wand back. I believe that she is one of us now."
Hermione gasped, "Thank you my Lord." Then she curtsied to him.
The Dark Lord threw his head back and laughed as Hermione took her wand from Severus. "I think Miss Hermione that you will make a strong Potion Mistress and a wonderful addition to our family."
Severus thanked the Dark Lord and asked if they could take their leave. When permission was granted Severus lead Hermione out of the room and out the front entrance.
He continued to stride around the side of the house with Hermione trotting to keep up, finally Hermione just stopped. When Severus realized that Hermione was no longer beside him he stopped and turned around. "Hermione what are you doing?"
"Severus I cannot keep up with you when you are walking so quickly if you wish me to accompany you, you must slow down."
Severus bowed his head and walked back to Hermione he once again offered her his arm and lead her towards the rose garden she could see in the distance.
