Hermione hummed softly as she finished making the changes to her last chapter before adding the 'Author's Note' and finally, signing her name with a flourish.
It was done.
There would be no rush to get it to a publisher, no final editing or arguments over content or layout ... and no worry if it would be well received. She already knew the answer to that.
There would be just enough copies for every member of the Ministry, the Hogwarts staff, the Wizangamot, and one each for her friends and a few extra ... although she highly doubted there would much interest in her newest literary creation. It was too contradictory.
Both the Quibbler and the Daily Prophet had their articles written to coincide with the release of her book and the delivery of her ... blackmail material (she winced every time she used that word, but it was the most fitting). Everything was scheduled to happen at the same time so no one had any warning. The plan wouldn't work unless the wizards and witches in question were caught with their pants down (both literally and figuratively).
Kingsley was quietly pushing through the bill mandating harsher penalties for those proven to have participated in subversive groups or knowingly participated in and/or supported, financially or otherwise, said groups. So far there had been no problems, but to obtain the quorum needed before the bill could be passed, he still had to rally a few more supporters to the cause.
After his initial shock and disbelief had worn off, Kingsley had embraced her proposed changes (with a few addendums and provisos ... bloody nitpicking politicians) and was pushing hard for her to come work with him. Hermione was violently opposed to working full-time for the government, but grudgingly admitted she would consider a position as a short-term solution until he found someone else. She had seen first hand how bureaucracy worked and she truly wanted no part of it.
In the end, it came down to 'put up or shut up.' She didn't have to like it, but understood the necessity.
Minerva had also been trying to woo Severus and Hermione back to Hogwarts. Severus for either Potions or D.A.D.A and Hermione for Charms (Flitwick wanted to retire) or History of Magic (Binns needed to be retired).
Severus, however, was adamant about never teaching again. He had found his niche and was happy, and Hermione was pretty comfortable with researching and writing books and had no wish to bury herself in obscurity at Hogwarts. She would rather bury herself in obscurity with Severus and her ten acres in Canada.
Hogwarts held many cherished memories for Hermione, but they were so intermixed with some of her worst that it made it hard to separate the two, and to this day she still had a hard time even walking through the front doors. She knew in time that may change, but for now she was in no hurry to teach there.
As idyllic (or nearly anyway) as her time with Severus had been, the real world would not be kept at bay forever. After putting it off as long as he could, Severus was forced back to London to handle a few business issues that needed his presence. And even though she missed him terribly, she took advantage of his absence to finish the surprise she had planned for his return.
In the hope that Severus might someday consider her home his home, she knew a few alterations would have to be made to accommodate him. Namely, a potion's lab and a greenhouse needed to be added to the layout. Instead of converting one of the existing areas of her house, she opted to have both built in her massive back garden.
Canadian winters were too harsh to sustain many of the magical herbs and other potion's ingredients without a protective environment, so a magical greenhouse was a must, and Neville was instrumental in helping her fill it. The potion's lab was connected to the house via a walkway due to the frequency of inclement weather, and was as state of the art as money could buy. Getting builders to finish it in three days had been atrociously expensive, but the result had been well worth every galleon.
She had planned it as a surprise (and a bit of a bribe, truth be told), so that he might consider moving in with her after evrything was resolved (or at least their part was done), but even if he declined, she could always use it for her own research; she missed working in the lab and getting her hands 'dirty' so to speak. And while she understood he had a business he needed to oversee and a life he probably needed to get back to once his hiatus was over, she couldn't help but wish he chose to relocate.
Now that she'd finally found the love of her life, she wasn't keen on letting him go.
While things in the bedroom had gotten much more ... interesting, after their confrontation in her office two weeks ago, they had yet to formalize or even define their relationship. She knew, without a doubt, that she was in love with him, but hadn't worked up the courage to tell him so. She was sure he cared for her as well, but the 'L' word had never once been mentioned and she couldn't help but wonder if (despite his words to the contrary) he didn't still hold a small torch for Lily (the other 'L' word).
Severus had made it very clear (loudly and often) that he found her incredibly attractive and was very satisfied with her sexually, and for reasons she still couldn't fathom, he seemed fascinated with her body (extra weight and all). They got along very well, had the most evocative discussions and even intellectual arguments with him were stimulating … but she needed to know where they were going.
Yes. The dreaded five words: where is this relationship going?
Luckily, she had yet to voice her concerns, but she knew it was only a matter of time before she blurted it out accidentally after sex, or before sex, or even (Merlin help her) during sex, because that man could make her lose all reason when he was touching her.
And she could hardly be held responsible for words uttered under duress, right?
Except …
Once uttered, there would be no going back. Just like her relationship with Ron. She had suspected him of cheating and had simply brushed it under the rug, afraid to investigate the empirical evidence too closely; knowing if she did she would find absolute proof of his infidelity. That, coupled with his continual pressure to consummate their relationship, had the opposite effect and pushed her even farther away.
At the time, Hermione never understood why she withheld sex from Ron, but now she knew that her heart hadn't been engaged with him. That was something she needed in order to feel secure enough to get naked … both figuratively and literally. Looking back, she knew she shouldn't blame him for wanting to satisfy his needs elsewhere, but an irrational part of her still did. They had since resolved most of their issues well enough to sustain a relatively easy friendship, but they would never be close again.
She accepted that she was equally to blame for their relationship falling apart. Aside from the lack of intimacy, she had a tendency to bury herself in her work to the exclusion of all else. She knew Severus found her habit of shutting out the world while she wrote bothersome as well, but at least with him in stemmed from concern for her well-being. With Ron it had been just another example of their incompatibility; he needed to be mothered and she refused to put his desires above her own.
Looking back, her perceived selfishness and his infidelity were simply symptoms of the larger issue ... they were not in love with each other and no amount of compromise could change that fact.
She knew her feelings were different with Severus, because if she ever got even a whiff that he was sniffing around another woman ... she would hex first and ask questions later ... much, much later.
Hermione shoved aside her introspection and stretched. She was waiting to hear back from Harry and Severus who had teamed up to try to pin down where the new Death Eater (or whatever they were calling themselves these days) gatherings were being held.
A team of Aurors was on standby to assist, but without the meeting place (and evidence more concrete than hearsay, recorded or otherwise) they were at a standstill.
Hermione had finally met with Tung Sheng and passed over the information she had on existing members of the ICW, and her fears over their affiliations and political leanings. He had surprised her by admitting to having similar files of his own. She had been correct; he was planning his own coup, and she spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying a delicious lunch with a kindred spirit. After promising to send along autographed copies of her books, including the newest one, she had left with his assurances that the ICW would not interfere in her plan, but would be standing by if needed.
It wasn't until she was sitting down to a late dinner later that evening, that a package arrived from Rita. She had been very secretive the past week about what she was up to, but Hermione knew better than to try to pin the cagey witch down. She had signed on to work with them, but she was still, first and foremost, an investigative reporter (even if the majority of what she wrote was pure, unadulterated crap that was better suited to the Op-Ed section). There was no question that she had a knack for getting the juicy dirt on everyone.
Of course, the ability to turn into a beetle at will might have had something to do with her success.
The cover letter was pretty cryptic and said simply 'Got these, but when I went back they were gone.'
It wasn't until Hermione turned the page and saw the glossy photographs that she understood what that meant, and her stomach clenched in horror at the scenes depicted in the photos.
Rita had somehow found the location of the meetings, or at least 'a' location, as the building they were in looked pretty dodgy and she just couldn't see Lucius and his pureblood cronies spending an inordinate amount of time in a place that filthy. But as far as evidence went, it was unequivocal.
There were two dozen photographs, each depicting a different pair of men defiling, torturing and beating young girls and boys, none who looked over sixteen.
Hermione pushed back from the table and ran to the toilet, her dinner refusing to stay in her stomach after viewing those revolting photos. Once she was steady enough to stand, she washed her hands and face and brushed her teeth to get rid of the sour taste in her mouth, but nothing could alleviate the sick feeling in her gut.
They were monsters and needed to be stopped.
She made two copies of each print before shoving the pictures back into the envelope. She had mixed feelings about Rita's information. That they now had indisputable evidence was good, great even, but at what cost? Rita had taken the pictures, but not told anyone where she was. She had obviously gone back later and found them gone, but if she had only shared her knowledge while it was happening, they would be behind bars now, not still free to commit such heinous acts.
She understood Rita's primary goal was to exact revenge against Lucius, but there were bigger issues at play than simple revenge.
Hermione sighed heavily and wished Severus were there. He always seemed to have a clearer perspective on these things than she did. She tended to think with her emotions when a cooler head was needed. She knew she couldn't really blame Rita, they were lucky she had even agreed to work with them at all, but she still needed to get the location to Harry so he and Ron could check it out.
Sending off a quick note thanking Rita and asking her to share what she discovered with Harry, she locked the originals and the two copies in her warded safe. One would got to Kingsley, one to the ICW and a select few would even go to the paper to go with the story being printed.
Two hours later Hermione was still tossing and turning in bed; images of the helpless muggles haunting her and making it impossible to sleep. It didn't help that she was missing Severus more than ever.
She had known that Voldemort and his band of merry men killed muggles for sport, but knowing it had happened and seeing it with one's own eyes was completely different, and she wasn't sure if those images would ever be erased from her mind.
In desperation, she finally gave in and took a full dose of Dreamless Sleep. If she was going to bring down these men, she needed sleep so she could think properly. As the potion started to take effect, her last thought before succumbing to the blissful darkness, was of Severus.
She couldn't have stopped the tears that streamed endlessly down her face even if she had been aware they were there.
oOoOoOo
Severus signed his name on the last invoice and put it with the others his assistant would process the following day, and it was with more than a little relief when he finally stood and stretched his cramped muscles.
Four days he had been away from Hermione and he felt the same ache every time he thought of her.
He missed her.
Unbearably.
The fact that he never wanted to ever feel this way again mattered little. He did and there was nothing to be done about it except finish what he had come to do and get back to her as soon as possible. That his feelings for Lily had never even approached the intensity of what he felt for Hermione no longer made him feel guilty, all it did was highlight that what he felt for Lily Evans had been nothing more than a school boy crush turned obsession.
Severus liked his solitary life, and while women were a very enjoyable distraction, he had never imagined wanting to spend every single day with one … much less the same one. But somehow Hermione had wormed her way into the deepest recesses of his heart and he wanted nothing more than to make her his in every way possible.
Mind, body, heart and soul.
He wanted to own her like she owned him. He wanted her to wear his ring and watch her bloom with his child growing inside her ... because apparently, he was a possessive sop.
He opened the small black box he had purchased two days ago. The platinum band was woven into a three-ring circular design and sported a three carat emerald cut sapphire set sideways and surrounded by a diamond halo. The ring was unique and he had known immediately he wanted it for Hermione. The cost had made him hesitate, but only briefly. It would look beautiful on her, and she was worth every knut. Now he only had to dredge up the courage to ask her.
He finished straightening his desk; he had no plans to return for at least another few weeks. He made his way to the bedroom after a quick glance at the clock. He was meeting Potter and Weasley at ten, and he wanted a quick shower and something to eat beforehand.
He no longer hated the boy … man, who had arrived at Hogwarts like a beacon highlighting his greatest pain and subsequent loss, and in all fairness, Harry had never been as bad as he believed him to be. But there was simply too much history for either to ever be close or even friends.
He no longer hated him, but neither did he want to pop round to the pub for a weekly pint with the man.
Tonight they were scouting out three different areas of heavily concentrated magic in the hopes one would be what they were looking for. If not, Harry would just have to continue without him because he had a portkey to catch in the morning and he was not going to miss it.
Four days and it felt like a month since he had last seen her or held her. Four days since he had kissed her or made love to her.
Sweet Merlin, he had become such a sap since he had starting seeing Hermione.
But as he washed away the stress of the day under the hot spray, he found he didn't care. A sap he may be, but he was also something else.
For the very first time in his life, he was happy.
oOoOoOo
Hermione thought she was dreaming when she felt strong hands sliding along her skin and teasing her nipples awake. Her body arched into the sensation before her mind recognized that it was real.
And that could only mean …
"You're back!" she cried out eagerly as she engulfed him in a tight hug before quickly pulling back just as he was leaning forward to kiss her. She jumped out of bed, completely mindless of her state of undress, and yelled back at him. "Hold that thought," before rushing to the bathroom. Dreamless sleep was wonderful, but it left a very bad taste in the mouth and after four days apart, she planned to use her mouth on him.
Everywhere.
In only two minutes she was back in his arms, thankful that he had taken the time to remove his own clothes before joining her. She kissed him as if her life depended on it; she had so many pent-up emotions after their days apart.
"I missed you," she panted a few minutes later after reluctantly dragging her mouths from his. "Don't go away for that long again, okay?"
His chuckle told her he was pleased with her enthusiastic greeting, but his eyes were serious and she automatically started to panic.
"What's wrong?" she asked, pulling away from him, "What is it?"
He sighed and sat up, his hands reaching up to frame her face as he looked deeply into her worried eyes; his lips curved into a soft smile. "Why is it you always assume the worst?"
Experience, she wanted to say, but held her tongue. Experience had taught her to expect the worst when it came to men.
"I missed you terribly while I was away, but it gave me some time to think, and I've come to some realizations," he leaned in and kissed away the crinkle between her eyebrows. "You're doing it again," he said with a hint of humor.
"Doing what exactly?" she knew she sounded curt, but the fear she felt at his words could not be denied. Was this it? Were they going to have one last shag before ending things? She unconsciously steeled herself for whatever it was he was going to say.
She could have sworn he chuckled.
Was he laughing at her?
The bastard.
"Hermione," he grabbed the hands that were clenched tightly at her side and lifted them to his lips for a kiss. "Please let me finish before you jump to the conclusion that I'm about to tell you something horrible."
She took a deep breath and nodded, afraid to speak for fear of how her voice would sound.
"As I said, the time away allowed me to do a lot of thinking and I realized that I've never told you how I really feel, nor have we ever talked about what we have here or where we want it to go," he paused, his eyes roaming her face for signs that she was truly listening.
"The thing is Hermione. I have only loved one woman in my life, and …" his words were cut off by a sharp knock on her bedroom door.
Hermione jumped to her feet and grabbed for her dressing gown, hiding her face so he couldn't see the tears that filled her eyes. She was sure she knew what he had been about to say and she was also fairly certain she didn't want to hear about his great love for Lily friggen Potter. Nothing he added after that last sentence could be good for her.
She opened the door to find Mindy standing there looking miffed (as miffed as an elf with huge eyes and a large bulbous nose could look).
"Miss, there is a man calling himself Harry Potter standing outside the wards and yelling for you. He seems very insistent."
Harry? Here?
Hermione threw a quick glance back at Severus who looked angry at the interruption but was putting his clothes on all the same, before making her way out front to talk to Harry. He looked harried and anxious and Hermione was startled when he grabbed her in a huge hug that nearly lifted her off her feet.
"Merlin Hermione, it's good to see you," he said affectionately, "Are these tears for me? It's nice to know you miss me too," he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Hermione didn't correct his assumption that the tears were for him, and tried to swallow back her heartache to give him what she hoped was a genuine smile. The last thing she needed was Harry getting in the middle of her situation with Severus.
"What are you …" she started to ask before Harry's next words stopped her cold.
"We found them."
A/N: Things are coming to a close. I have just one more chapter and an epilogue left. They will be posted after a final edit. This story could be another twenty chapters, but since it was originally only supposed to be five or six, I've already drawn it out far enough.
Thanks to all my loyal reviewers. Your praise and support have meant a lot.