Dumbledore wouldn't have left trouble magnet Harry Potter defenseless for years at Hogwarts. At thirteen Hermione becomes his protector, working and training with Severus, giving up her childhood to ensure Harry's safety. As times passes, Severus becomes teacher, mentor, friend, and eventually lover. A story of spies, plots, and love. M in Part Three. Winner of SSHG Best WIP Award.

The marriage law trope with a twist: SSHG involved in a would-be scandalous relationship kept secret for decades, only to be exposed with the enactment of a marriage law. (An experiment in non-linear storytelling.) Rated for a bit of smut and some foul language.