A/N: 200 reviews already?! Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. I'm so glad you all like the story! :)

Also, please forgive me for only updating once today. It has been super busy and I haven't been home much. Even though you only get one chapter today, I hope you enjoy it!

Warning: This chapter is where major differences start to happen from the books. My story is NOT based on canon and pretty much ignores Deathly Hallows and majorly tweaks things that happen in Half-Blood Prince. Please do not flame me or complain about it. This is, after all, fanfiction, and it is my right to change it up as I see fit for my story!

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Hermione POV

Hermione was losing her mind. Once again, they were all back together at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. The reason for their cramped living arrangements: the final stages of the Second Wizarding War had officially begun. Between herself, Harry, all of the Weasley's, and all of the other Order members, they were lucky to breathe their own air. As if there weren't enough people, the Order had gained three new members. As unbelievable as it was to hear, the Malfoy's had now joined their cause.

No one really knew if they could trust that the Malfoy's were sincere. Hermione wasn't so sure about Lucius anyway. However, when Voldemort entrusted Draco with the task of murdering the Headmaster, his mother, Narcissa, couldn't take it anymore. Hermione still assumed Lucius believed in the Dark Lord's cause, but he wasn't willing to sacrifice his son's soul to achieve their goals. Hermione was surprised when Draco reached out to her first. He had apologized, quite sincerely, for all the problems he had caused her. He told her he was sorry for all the times he had called her a Mudblood. It was difficult for her at first, but eventually Hermione accepted his apology, as well as his friendship. She came to the realization that Draco didn't really believe in all that pure-blood nonsense. He was more a victim of circumstance. Draco had even made amends with Harry. Harry had been the most outspoken about his doubts about the Malfoy's sincerity. However, he had been mollified when they had voluntarily taken Veritaserum to prove their loyalty. Then, there was Ron...

Hermione was not comfortable with Ron's close proximity at all. Severus was even less thrilled about it than she was. However, there was no way to avoid it. So, given the circumstances, Ron had been ordered to stay away from Hermione unless there was a third party present at all times and there were wards barring him passage into her room. Then, there was the bond, of course. With all of these things in place, she was a lot more comfortable, but it still wasn't ideal. Not much had changed between the two. Ron was still a prat. He had been ordered to keep his mouth shut about the bond between Severus and herself, but still shot his mouth off to her every chance he got. Ron even ran his mouth to Severus if he was feeling particularly brave.

Hermione had recently divulged the events of the Slug Club Christmas party to Mrs. Weasley. The motherly woman had come to her and told her what had happened in Dumbledore's office the night Ron had accosted her. Mrs. Weasley had been outraged to learn about McLaggen when she asked about the bond and the reason it had called to Severus the first time. Hermione had not planned on telling anyone else what had happened, but she couldn't hold it in. After all, she didn't have her own mother to confide in at the moment.

Hermione had gone home at the end of term in June. She had only been home for two weeks when Death Eaters had started attacking and killing families of Muggleborn witches and wizards. Hermione had been extremely torn, but came to a very difficult decision. After packing everything she would need, Hermione obliviate her parents, making arrangements for them to think they were planning a vacation to Australia. Directly afterwards, she made her way to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. After telling Dumbledore what had happened, he insisted that the Order members would be safer there, together. So here they were, huddled together under one roof.

It had been two months since Hermione had arrived at Grimmauld Place. She was currently sitting in the library, filling her brain with as many books as she could from the vast selection. Hermione was so absorbed in the tome she held in front of her face that she didn't hear the door open. She protested when she felt the book being pulled out of her hands. Ready to give them a piece of her mind, Hermione looked up, eyes narrowed. They softened immediately when she saw the black eyes of one Severus Snape. He smirked down at her.

Severus POV

"Hello, love," Severus whispered. He chuckled as she launched herself into his arms. Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.

"Hello, Severus" Hermione whispered in his ear. "I've missed you."

"As I have missed you, my dear," Severus replied. Pulling back, he pushed her hair back behind her ear. Cupping her face, he leaned down and kissed her nose, moving on to kiss her forehead, then both her cheeks. Taking one last time to memorize her face, he dipped his head and placed a lingering kiss on her lips.

Severus had not seen Hermione for the better part of a month. For the first month of summer break, they had all been living together there at Grimmauld. Much to Severus' displeasure. However, after that month, he had gone off with Potter on Dumbledore's "request". In other words, he had no choice.

They had spent the last month hunting horcruxes. The first one had, of course, been dealt with in Harry's second year, when he stabbed Tom Riddle's diary. The second one, Marvolo Gaunt's ring, had been destroyed by Dumbledore a few months ago. During their hunt, Severus and Harry had managed to find and destroy two more. A locket that had originally belonged to Salazar Slytherin, which they had the misfortune of finding out was in the possession of that cow, Delores Umbridge. In addition, they had found Helga Hufflepuff's cup in a vault at Hogwarts. That had not been an easy feat.

Severus knew they still needed to find Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem. They hadn't quite figured out how they would get to it, as it was hidden somewhere in the Room of Requirement inside the school. Hogwarts was no longer the home Severus knew. Death Eaters had taken over there as well as the ministry. Because of this, Hermione and the rest of the school age members of the order would not be returning at the start of term. Severus would be returning, but instead of taking up his previous post as Defense professor, Voldemort had given him the "honor" of becoming Hogwarts Headmaster. Since Severus was still posing as a Death Eater, he could easily walk in, but he wouldn't even know where to begin. Severus needed Harry. With his mysterious connection to the Dark Lord, Harry could sense the horcruxes when they were near him.

"How are you, Hermione? Has Mr. Weasley given you any problems?" Severus' eyes hardened at the thought of the red-headed weasel.

"Nothing more than his usual childish comments. I can handle that, Severus. No need to worry" Hermione gave him a small smile as she touched his cheek. Severus closed his eyes at the contact. Unable to contain himself, he bent down, once again capturing her lips in a more heated kiss. After getting lost in each other for several minutes, they came up for air. Breathing heavily, they stared at each other, desire burning in their eyes.

"I love you, Hermione. This past month has been miserable without you" Severus said, resting his forehead against her own. "All I could do was dream about being back here with you and holding you in my arms." His arms tightened around her waist even more.

Hermione smiled, tangling her hands in his hair. "It has been torture being apart from you for so long. Trapped in this house, unable to go anywhere. I'm just so glad you're here, standing in front of me. I'm afraid if I let you go, you'll disappear." Severus smiled warmly at his witch. "I love you so much, Sev-"

"What the hell?!" Two voices shouted simultaneously.

Pulling apart and turning around slowly, Severus and Hermione found two very confused wizards standing in the doorway.

Sighing heavily, Severus muttered to himself. "Well, fuck..."