I've deleted the chapter two preview because, well... now you're finally getting the real deal with this one. :) Enjoy, folks!

Chapter 2

One week earlier...

"You are certain?" The Headmaster asked. His normally cheery countenance grim with apprehension.

"Quite." Snape stood in front of his employer's desk, holding out a picture.

"These informants of yours," Dumbledore accepted the photograph, his eyes narrowing. "Can they be trusted?"

"They've yet to fail me thus far."

"We'll need to alert the Order, of course." Dumbledore handed the picture back. "There's no telling when, or where, they will strike again."

"All the more reason to end their master once and for all." There was no mistaking the venom in the Potions Master's deep voice.

"We don't even know where he is, Severus." Dumbledore sighed, leaning back against his chair. "For all we know, he could be a thousand miles away."

"With all due respect, Headmaster, we have spent too much time pursuing and analyzing his followers." Snape began to pace about the room in an agitated manner. "The Battle of Hogwarts was but a taste of what the Dark Lord will truly bring should we fail to act. If we are to avoid another catastrophic war, we need to eliminate him, and fast."

"Not yet." The Headmaster arose from his seat and stood near the fireplace. "Not until we figure out how to relieve young Harry Potter as a Horcrux."

With a tired sigh, Snape massaged his temples. "To remove such a powerful placement on the boy...," he grimaced. "You're asking for the impossible."

"Perhaps," Dumbledore grinned at the Potions Master. "Yet I happen to have the two most brilliant individuals on my side of the war. Tell me," he beckoned the other man forward. "How is your new assistant fairing to such a task?"

"She's... quite astonishing, really." Snape stood next to him. "Brilliant, even."

The Headmaster's eyes twinkled. "Interesting."

"What is?"

"I've been around for a long time, Severus." said Dumbledore, his hands clasping behind his back. "Yet never have I imagined that you would glorify Miss Granger in such a flattering way."

Snape scowled, crossing his arms. "Believe it or not, even the worst of us can change." His expression softened as he stared into the burning embers below. "Were it not for her, I wouldn't be here today."

Dumbledore stared at his solemn colleague with a thoughtful expression, then chuckled. "Oh, my dear boy." He patted Snape cheerfully on the shoulder. "This is going to be a lot easier than I had thought."

"What are you talking about?"

"Take a seat." Dumbledore gestured to one of the wing chairs in front of the fireplace before proceeding over to one of his cabinets from across the room, and with a small smile, pulled out a bottle of Firewhiskey. Pouring a couple of glasses, he handed one of them over to the befuddled Potions Master. "I've a proposition for you... and Miss Granger."

~xXx~

Present day

Hermione had been penning yet another parchment when a soft knock sounded from her door. She bade the person to enter, her eyes widening at the sight of her visitor. "Harry."

The Boy Who Lived gazed back at her with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. "Just heard the big news from Dumbledore."

"Oh..." Hermione said, looking down. Damn that insufferable old man.

"You were going to tell me, right?" Harry closed the door behind him and faced her. "About your... upcoming matrimony?"

"Of course," she replied, setting aside her work. She folded her hands atop of her desk. "I was going to tell you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," Harry echoed faintly then chuckled.

Oh, dear, Hermione swallowed. He is definitely not happy.

"I can't...," Harry coughed out the last of his humor before taking a seat in front of her desk. "I can't understand why you would agree to something like this, Hermione."

She raised a brow. "Didn't Dumbledore explain the situation to you?"

"Yes, but even so!" he exclaimed. "This is insane!"

"Harry," Hermione began in a patient voice. "You have every right to be disconcerted, but believe me when I say this - I know what I'm getting myself into."

With a tired sigh, Harry covered his face with his hands.. "Just... just tell me the truth. Is this... is this your way of getting back at... him?"

Hermione stiffened. "How dare you." There was no mistaking the frost in her tone.

"I'm serious, Hermione!" insisted her friend, looking concerned. "He hasn't been the same since you two broke up. I... I know his quidditch career was a lot to handle, but he did plan on proposing... eventually."

Hermione's laugh was harsh. "He never wanted to marry me."

It was true. Ronald Weasley was not above putting Hermione's feelings above his own needs. For years he had asked her to be patient with him, that he wanted to earn enough savings to buy her a nice engagement ring and house. It didn't take her long to catch up on his empty promises, as he was clearly more attached to his work.

"That's not true." Harry argued, sitting up straight. "He always talked about it."

"That's all it ever was - talk." Hermione stood. She was too tired to argue and in need of sustenance. "You're my best friend, Harry, and you always will be. But nothing you say or do will change my mind about this marriage to Snape. We're both doing this for the good of our worlds, which means that personal feelings have very little, name nothing to do with our decision."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Harry quietly murmured, watching as she gathered her stuff together.

Hermione paused. "What do you mean?"

"I've seen the way he looks at you," he told her, and stood up as well. He shoved his hands inside his pockets. "At first, I didn't want to believe it, but now I know for certain."

"What are you talking about?"

"Seriously?" He frowned. "The brightest witch of our age, yet you can't see the truth right in front of you?" His green eyes flashed. "That man is in love with you, Hermione."

For a split second the witch couldn't think, couldn't breathe. "You're... delusional!"

There was no way Severus Snape, the feared Potions Master of Hogwarts, had feelings for her. It was impossible, laughable even. And yet...

For a silent moment Harry stared at her, then scoffed. "I was wrong," he headed towards the door. "You're definitely not the brightest."

And then he was gone.

~xXx~

Dinner in the Great Hall had been another tedious affair, Hermione noticed. She quietly picked at her half-eaten food of chicken, potatoes and greens. Her lack of appetite not going unnoticed by her closest dinner partners.

"Are you feeling alright?" Professor McGonagall frowned at her. "You've barely touched your plate."

"Just not feeling very hungry at the moment," Hermione said.

It was true. Whatever appetite she would've stomached had dissolved due to her earlier conversation with Harry. With a sigh, she glanced up at Snape, who sat several seats down from her. As if sensing her eyes upon him he slowly looked her way, his slender mouth flashing an almost imperceptible grin. Without warning he stood, and exited the Great Hall.

Hermione quickly stood as well. "If you'll excuse me," she smiled down at Minerva before quickly hurrying towards the same side door Snape had left through.

From behind the rim his chalice, Dumbledore watched.

Hermione silently followed the Potions Master through the halls and up the stairs to the southern parapet, watching as he stood in front of the battlement, his hands clasped behind his back. "We missed you at dinner last night," she said, coming to stand next to him.

"I was busy."

She shivered against the cold October breeze that drifted through them, and began rubbing her arms.

"Here," Snape slid off his robe and placed it around her shoulders.

"Thank you," Hermione hugged the soft material close.

He nodded, his gaze searching her face. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "For what?"

"For everything," said the professor quietly. "I antagonized you for years. Surely that fact alone would be enough to dissuade your intention of marrying me."

"You're not the same man as you were once before, Severus." Hermione told him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You've changed. I've changed."

"Even so," he took a step back. "I never should have said those horrible things to you. They were cruel and unnecessary." He clenched his fists. "I can't tell you how sorry I am, Hermione."

"You've nothing to apologize for," she assured. "I've already forgiven you."

He stared down at her soft features, and sighed. "This isn't fair," he said quietly. "You deserve to be happy."

"Who says I'm not?" she challenged playfully.

The curve of his lips twitched. "I hope you know - I'm not an easy person to live with."

"That makes two of us."

"And I don't make much money."

"You're preaching to the choir, Severus."

"But if I could, I would give you the world."

Hermione blushed under his intense gaze.

"But for now," he grasped her hand, pressing something small into her palm. "I shall give you this."

He released her fingers, and Hermione opened them, gasping at the sight of the ring within her palm. "Oh, Severus...," she breathed, her eyes admiring the garnet stone surrounded by tiny sparkling diamonds.

"Hermione Granger," the Potions Master grabbed her gently by the elbows. "There is nothing I wouldn't do to bring you peace and happiness. Marry me, and we'll face Voldemort together."

Hermione couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. She could only stare at the ring once more, touched by his little proposal. In spite of their strange circumstances, Severus was confident to make this marriage work, but what about her? Was she truly brave enough to still go through with it?

That man is in love with you.

"Yes," she whispered, and slipped the ring onto her finger. Her brown eyes shining as she gazed up into his stern face. "Yes."

Severus hugged her then, inhaling the addicting scent of his soon-to-be bride. With a tender look, he caressed the side of her face, and Hermione blushed as he leaned forward, his intention clear.

"Ahem."

Severus pulled back quickly, glaring at their intruder. From out of the darkness, Dumbledore stepped out onto the parapet. His cerulean eyes twinkling in amusement. "My apologies," he told the couple. "But I was wondering if I could speak to Professor Snape... alone?"

"Yes, of course!" Hermione answered before Severus could say anything. Flashing him a shy smile, she touched the professor's arm. "Goodnight."

Severus grabbed her hand, pressing a lingering kiss to the back of her fingers. "Goodnight," he whispered, meeting her eyes.

The witch left him then, ignoring the Headmaster's more-than-pleased grin as she headed down the stairs that would take her to her room.

~xXx~

Awww.

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