-=I own nothing.=-

A Talent for Death

Wizard's Oath

Snape shoe-horned himself back into life. Hermione had used the Hogsmeade trips to utilize the information Severus had given her with great success. Five more dead Deatheaters to the good. Hermione stoutly avoided the Professor. She spent most evenings in the Room of Requirement honing her skills and developing some new strategies.

On one such evening Hermione entered the ROR for some intense work. When she went for the customary weapons rack she saw Snape sitting in a comfy chair. "Professor," was her only greeting. She removed a bow staff from the rack and practised against the enemy post. Then moving onto something more entertaining she practised jumping off the springboard flipping forward and backward with the staff. She racked the staff and moved on to strength training. Handstand push ups and hanging sit-ups, being her primary focus.

Snape sat not saying anything. Hermione found this to be very distracting, she broke her set and walked over to him. She stood at a distance, Snape stood and walked over to her. "Have you changed your mind about the wizards oath?"

Hermione bit her lip unconsciously.

"Hermione if I were to say something you found objectionable, even without telling anyone I'm sure you could handle it in a way that pleased you." Severus drawled.

Obviously this must be very something very important, could be a bargaining tool. "How exactly do you want carry on?" Crossing her arms she gave Severus a long shrewd look. He knew what she meant.

"We can go back to how things were." He sighed knowing it had been inevitable. "So what about the oath woman?"

"Fine." Hermione was still wary.

"Do you Hermione take the Wizard's Oath to not repeat anything I'm about to tell you?" Severus took her hand and gazed at her steadily.

"I do," Hermione lost it in a spasms of laughter. Seeing Snape's stern expression she pulled it together.

She needs a place to sit. A small sofa popped up behind her. "Sit," Snape knelt as she sat still holding her hand. "As I had told you Professor Dumbledore doesn't have much time left, a couple of months at best. Likely less than that. Professor Dumbledore has made me take the Wizard's Oath." He bent his head at the horrifying idea. "The Professor has commanded me to end his life. He doesn't want to suffer or fall prey to any of the Deatheaters' twisted ideas of fun." Hermione wasn't listening, shaking her head in disbelief. "I don't want to do it." He wrapped his arms around her waist hugging her desperately sobbing. She pounded him on the back with her fists.

Hermione's shock was nothing to her anger. I need a switchblade. Snape sat up straight when she reached. He saw the blade flash.

"It's ok I understand." Snape still kneeling looking death in the face. There had been no condescension in his voice, he made no move to defend himself. "Can I have one last kiss?" When she didn't move Severus pulled his hair back, closed his eyes and lifted his chin.

She wanted to, she desperately wanted to, but she couldn't. "I think I'm going to be sick." Hermione knocked Severus over in the rush to get to the bucket that appeared. Resting her arms on the rim of the large bucket, she lost the contents of her stomach. Snape came up behind her and restrained her hair, and placed a cold cloth on the back of her neck. The room offered up a pitcher of cool water and a glass. Snape banished the vomit while Hermione drank. Much to Hermione's relief the room also provided a toothbrush and toothpaste. She brushed her teeth gratefully. "The Headmaster is making you kill him?" She almost couldn't believe it, there was something he wasn't saying.

"Yes, as I said he wants to avoid a slow painful death, and or being used as a Deatheater plaything. Since he knows he's dying he wants to use it to ensure that the Dark Lord trusts me. I don't want to do it, but he's going to hold me to my promise."

"Why would you promise such a thing?" Hermione accused.

"When the question of the necessity of it became clear it seemed like the most compassionate thing to do." Snape defended.

"This has to do with the unbreakable vow, doesn't it?" The connections clinked and engaged, she didn't have to see his brusque nod.

Hermione turned her attention back to Severus who looked like the most miserable person she ever saw. Yes it was indeed pity. Hermione reach out to touch Severus who looked like a mournful supplicant on his knees. Snape pulled her fingertips to his lips kissing each one tenderly. Her touch meant the world to him though he'd never be able to say so. Pulling him into an embrace he clung to her in turn. Snape applied affectionate attention to Hermione.

Offering him absolution for the crime he had yet to commit, they made love in a sorrowful passion. Severus quest for acceptance in each move he made. Hermione took all of his want and held it close, there was nothing else she could do for him.