A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! They are amazing! As for Rosmerta/Severus, no relationship. As I was writing it, I thought about Rosmerta knowing James, Sirius and Peter and figured she knew Severus too. This was more of a motherly type of relationship. Anyways, thank you, debjunk, for all you do!

By the way, I haven't forgotten you all. It's been a crazy first week of school for the kids. Getting them started virtually learning (ages 6 and 11, plus my 3-year-old wants to 'help').

This story is AU, and I'm trying to keep it as close to the true story as I can. Next chapter should answer some questions you may have-I hope, lol.

Also, minor character death in this chapter.

Chapter 22

July 2, 1996

"Severus, hello, Severus!" Hermione waved a hand in front of his face.

He was sitting at the table in the kitchen. Hermione had fixed a small lunch for them. She stood beside him with the tea kettle in her hands.

"Hmm?" he questioned, looking up at her.

"I said, do you want anymore tea?" she asked as she lifted the tea kettle slightly.

He shook his head slowly.

"Um…no, I'm…finished," he said just as slowly.

She turned, set the kettle back on the stove and sat down at the table next to him.

"What's wrong? You've been distracted all day." She tried to coax him out of whatever this was.

He wrapped his hand around his mug and looked up at her. His lips twitched, as if he was thinking whether he should tell her or not. It was at least thirty seconds before he sighed and looked away from her.

"It's none of my business. It's nothing," he said.

"Obviously it's something bothering you. It may help to talk about it," she offered.

He took a deep breath.

"I just assumed you were a virgin," he said, still not looking at her.

Her mouth dropped open.

"Well, I am a virgin. But I don't understand what's gotten your wand in a knot to bring this up," she said in one breath.

He quickly turned his head to her, his hair swinging to cover his face.

"You did!" he snarled at her.

"I did?" she asked, a look of confusion her face.

"That bloody fake memory of yours! No virgin would know as much as you portrayed," he said in disbelief.

Her mouth dropped open, and she slowly nodded her head.

"You would think that, wouldn't you?" She stood up and started to walk out of the kitchen.

He stood abruptly and grabbed her wrist.

"What do you expect me to think?" he hissed as he spun her to face him.

She gave him a mischievous smile.

"I assure you, Severus Snape, I am a virgin. Do I have to show you my hymen intact for you to believe me?" she asked with an arched eyebrow.

Both of his eyebrows rose so far, she was sure they got lost in his hairline.

"I just don't understand why you would lie about something like that." He held a hand up to stop her from interrupting.

"And if you're not lying, then please explain to me how you know so much," he said quickly.

She giggled at him as she sat down at the table and pulled him over to sit down as well.

"Well, Severus, as you already know, I am quite the…what is it you called me? Oh! Know-It-All!" She paused as she watched his face turn a shade of pink.

She patted his hand.

"It's okay. I know that's what I am, and I'm proud to be one. Now, to clarify. I read…a lot, about everything. I also came across…Ashley's porn stash." She shuddered.

The corners of his mouth quirked a little, but he patiently waited for her to continue.

"A huge mistake by the way. I was looking for a video from when my mum and hers were little. So, I put in a tape and…well, I'm just thankful my parents weren't in the room." She smiled.

"How…" he cleared his throat, but it didn't help the thickness of his voice. "How long did you watch it?" he asked curiously.

She let go of his hand and turned her head away from him.

"That's neither here nor there, Severus." She could feel her cheeks burning-as if she was sitting outside in the smoldering sun.

He put his hand under her chin and turned her head to look at him.

"You watched the whole thing…didn't you?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Averting his gaze with all her might, she asked. "Why would you want to know?"

Letting go of her chin, he leaned back, studying her.

"You're right. None of my business. I was just…curious." He shook his head.

She shrugged and stood up.

"I hope you know by now, I don't lie." She walked out of the kitchen.

A Patronus in the shape of a phoenix burst into the cottage. It flew over to Severus.

"I need you at the castle, immediately," Albus Dumbledore's voice came from the phoenix.

Severus jumped up as the phoenix vanished. He strode to the door.

"I'll be back, soon, I hope," he said over his shoulder at her.

She snorted as she reached around him to open the door.

"I'm coming with you," she said with, determination.

He whipped his head around at her, but seeing the look in her eyes, he just nodded his head.

Shutting the door behind her, she had to jog to keep up with Severus's long strides.

XXXXXXXX

Severus flicked his wrist at the doors to the Entrance hall as they were coming up the steps. He stopped as soon as he entered the castle. Hermione ran right into him and stumbled back. He caught her by her hand before she went falling down the stairs behind them.

"Oh, Severus! Thank Merlin you're here!" Minerva called as she stood at the top of the stairs.

"What is it, Minerva?" He asked as he hurried up the stairs, Hermione on his heels.

"It's Argus. Something's happened. I don't know what, but he's in Albus's office," she said in a rush as the three of them hurried along the corridor.

In record time, they were at the Gargoyle statue on the third floor. It had already stepped to the side to allow entrance to the Headmaster's office.

Severus was first up the stairs, Hermione behind him, and Minerva behind her.

"Perhaps Miss Granger should wait downstairs?" Minerva said as they reached the door to the top.

"My wife, is with me," Severus said quickly and opened the door. "Albus, what's happened?"

The sight they walked into was alarming. Argus Filch was convulsing on the floor in front of Albus's desk. Albus was kneeling beside Argus, trying to hold his head, still to no avail.

Severus swept in quickly and was on his knees in seconds.

"Albus! What happened?!" he sternly repeated.

"I was foolish, Severus. Madam Snape, could you please hold his head?" he asked.

Hermione rushed over and quickly knelt down to hold Argus's head. She swallowed thickly, noting the small amount of white foam coming from the corners of his mouth.

Albus picked up Argus's right wrist and held the hand out to Severus.

"I dropped the pouch and it fell out. I didn't even realize it. Argus started convulsing and I couldn't understand why until I saw he had put it on," Albus said, looking at Severus.

From her angle, Hermione couldn't see what they were talking about. But was sure she heard a soft high-pitched ringing or squealing from their direction. Minerva stood by the door her hand over her mouth.

"Albus…is this what I think it is?" Severus asked quietly.

"I think so, and if it is, it's Tom's," Albus said.

Hermione glanced over at Professor McGonagall to see if she had any inkling what they were talking about, but if she did, she didn't show it. Severus's intake of breath made her turn her head back to the task at hand.

"Albus, is that, a Horcrux?" Minerva asked as she took a small step forward.

The high-pitched squealing sounded like it was getting louder.

"Yes, and we need to destroy it." Albus looked down at the ring.

Severus was already shaking his head.

"The killing curse is all I can think of. I haven't done any proper research. Unless you have Basilisk venom hidden somewhere…" Severus started to say before Hermione interrupted him.

"Why not use the Sword of Gryffindor?" she asked quickly. She was starting to struggle with Argus's head.

Severus gave her a confused look, so she continued.

"Second year, Harry killed the Basilisk with the sword," she explained.

Dumbledore stood and walked over to the sword on top of his cabinet, in its glass case.

"So, the sword may have absorbed the venom," he muttered to himself. "Let's hope it did," he said as he waved his wand over the glass case.

"Freeze him, Severus," Albus said and pulled down the sword.

Severus stood up, pulled out his wand and nodded for Hermione to move. As soon as she was out of the way, he pointed his wand at Argus's convulsing body.

"Immobulus!" Severus incanted.

Argus's body froze, his right hand laying over his stomach. Hermione was finally able to see the object the men were talking about. On Argus's third finger sat a gold ring with a black stone.

Tourmaline or onyx, she thought to herself, though she was no expert and wouldn't know the difference.

She stepped closer and saw a symbol inscribed into the stone. A triangle with a circle in the middle and a line going through both shapes.

"Severus, would you mind? I'm afraid I may hit anything but the ring," Albus said as he came over with the sword.

Nodding his head, Severus took the sword in his left hand. With his right hand he pushed Hermione towards the door to Minerva. Albus walked over to the other side of Argus.

Severus placed the sword over the ring and pulled it back. He repeated this a few times before he was ready. He lifted the sword high above his head and took a deep breath.

"Severus! No!" A woman's voice came from the ring.

A mist came from the ring and the shape of a women materialized. A thin woman, dressed in black robes, black hair-similar to Severus's and a rather pointy nose.

Severus paused as he stared at the woman, the sword still lifted high above his head.

"Your father killed me once, Severus. Don't murder your memory of me too," the woman pleaded with the man in front of her.

Hermione's eyes switched back and forth between the two of them.

"Severus, my boy," Albus said.

The woman in the mist turned to Albus.

"Quiet, you old fool!" Severus's mum-mist hissed, as she looked down at Albus.

Severus didn't waste another second and brought the blade down as fast as he could. As soon as the blade hit the ring, the stone cracked. There was a high-pitched scream, and the ring hit the floor with a clatter. Severus flew backwards hitting the cabinet behind him.

"Severus!" Hermione screamed as he ran over to him.

"I'm fine," he assured her. He tried getting up when he gasped and held his hand to the back of his head.

"What is it?" she asked as she put her hand to his head. She pulled his hand away and saw it had blood on it.

Albus was leaning over Argus, watching as his right hand blackened, and the blackness was quickly going up his arm.

"Severus," Albus croaked out.

Swatting Hermione's hand away, Severus slowly stood up and walked over to Albus. Kneeling down he pulled out his wand and carefully waved it over Argus's body.

"Finite Incantatem." Albus lifted the Immobulus spell and knelt down next to Severus.

Argus wasn't moving anymore. Albus opened the man's shirt and saw his chest had also blackened.

Hanging his head and shaking it, he grimly said, "Severus, he's gone."

Severus, determined to keep going, wouldn't stop. He didn't stop until Albus put his hand over Severus's, ceasing the movements from his wand.

Minerva stepped forward. "Should I call the Aurors, Albus?" she asked quietly.

Sighing, he said, "Yes, but as far as they will be concerned, we don't know what he touched," Albus looked over at Minerva.

Pursing her lips, she sniffed, turned and left the room.

Hermione, standing behind Severus, reached out a hand to brush back his hair, which was wet with blood.

"Perhaps Severus should go see Madam Pomfrey," she said as she looked at the gash on the back of his head.

Severus heavily leaned back on his heels. "I said, I was fine."

"You're bloody well not fine! You're bleeding all over the damn floor," she said crossly.

Of course, she was exaggerating but he didn't need to know that.

Albus nodded his head. Standing up, he walked over to the ring.

"I think it'll be a good idea if you weren't here when the Aurors arrive, Severus," Albus said.

Severus glared at the two of them before he swiftly turned on his heel and strode for the door.

Muttering under his breath, he grumbled, "Ordered around by my employer and now a wife. What else is new?"

He stopped at the door. Turning his head, he nodded to the ring on the floor.

"That should be safe to touch now, but I'd cast a revealment charm to ensure it is now, just a ring," he said.

He left the room without a glance at Hermione or Albus.

Albus waved his wand over the ring. When nothing happened, he sighed in relief. Bending down, he picked up the ring and pocketed it.

"I'm glad you were here, Madam Snape. Your insight about the sword was needed," he said with a smile.

Hermione nodded her head, a little shaken up about the dead body on the floor, but nevertheless, she was glad she could help.

"Thank you, Headmaster." She looked anywhere but at Argus Filch.

Walking with her to the door, Albus put a hand on her shoulder.

"Please make sure Severus makes it to Madam Pomfrey. He can be stubborn when it comes to his medical needs," Albus said.

Hermione forced a smile. "Of course, Headmaster." She descended the stairs.

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

After his head at been properly fixed by Madam Pomfrey, he allowed Hermione to fuss over him at the cottage. The only other person allowed to fuss over him was Madam Pomfrey. Oh, and Rosmerta clucked over him when he visited The Three Broomsticks-which wasn't very often.

Leaning back into the couch, he closed his eyes.

"Don't go to sleep," he heard Hermione say.

He opened his eyes slowly. She stood in front of him with a glass of ice water for him.

"I'd rather have firewhiskey," he said eyeing the glass.

"You heard Madam Pomfrey. No alcohol and no sleeping for the next six hours," she said sternly.

He sighed, sat up and took the glass from her.

"Thank you." He took a big sip. He wouldn't admit it, but the water seemed to help lessen the tension on the back of his head.

Sitting on her legs on the couch, she faced him, propping her arm on the back of the couch and resting her head on her hand.

"So, since I need to keep my eye on you, maybe you could answer something for me," she said, her eyes big with hope.

He pulled his left leg up onto the couch and turned to look at her.

"Yes?" he asked.

"What's a Horcrux?" she asked, intrigued.

This was a word she had never heard or even saw in her reading before.

Taking a sip of his water before he leaned forward and placed it on the table, he wiped his face and gazed at her.

"It's Dark magic, very, Dark. A Dark witch or wizard can put a part of their soul into any object they so choose. Making her or him immortal."

He paused here, letting it sink in for not just her, but for himself as well.

Swallowing hard she took a deep breath.

"So, we…no, you. You just destroyed a soul…" she said slowly.

He nodded his head just as slowly.

She grabbed his glass and drank half of it without stopping to breathe.

"Was that…was that You-Know-Who?" she asked, holding onto his glass so hard her knuckles were white.

He plucked the glass from her and set it back on the table. Taking her hand in his and squeezing it slightly.

"Yes," he whispered.

Her eyes immediately filled, and a few tears trickled down her cheeks. There was a sharp pain in his chest he couldn't make out. Ignoring it, he quickly pulled her to him and crushed her body against his. She relaxed against him after a couple of minutes. Pulling back, she looked up at him.

"I'm sorry. I'm not usually emotional," she said with a shy smile.

"It's fine, your emotions are running high right now," he said soothingly.

She smiled up at him as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

There was a knock on the door. Severus started to get up, but Hermione pushed him back down.

"You're supposed to be resting. I'll get it."

She stood and walked over to the door.

"There's only one person it could be," he said.

She smiled as she opened the door.

"Hello, Professor," Hermione said as she opened the door wider for the man to come in.

"Madam Snape," Albus said.

He nodded to her as he walked in. Albus walked over to Severus. Hermione shut the door and walked over to them.

"Can I get you something to drink, Professor?" she asked.

"No thank you, I won't be intruding too long," Albus said as he sat down on one of the armchairs.

"How much trouble are we in, Albus?" Severus asked.

Hermione sat down next to Severus, her hands folded in her lap.

Albus sighed. "The Aurors searched Argus's room to see if there was something in there. Of course, they didn't find anything. However, they do believe I don't know what the object was," he said.

"But they don't know we were there?" Hermione piqued up.

"No, and I think it best no one else knows about this…rare bit of magic…for the time being of course," Albus said, giving Hermione a pointed look.

Hermione opened her mouth to protest but Severus cut her off.

"Of course, Headmaster," Severus said quietly.

Albus stood up.

"I'd appreciate your discretion on the matter. Both of you," he said as he walked over to the door.

Severus stood up to show Albus out. Hermione didn't move or protest him getting up. Opening the door for himself, Albus turned to look at Severus.

"Please, Severus, be cautious of Miss Gr…oh blast…Hermione's emotions. As far as I can tell, she's in shock," Albus said and laid a hand on Severus's arm.

Severus simply nodded.

"Yes, thank you Albus," he said as Albus walked out the cottage.

Standing at the door for a few moments, Severus took a deep breath for what he was thinking about doing.

I really don't want to take her there, but I know she'll be distracted by all the books. Why I didn't get that book before, I don't know.

"Care to accompany me?" he asked her, facing the door.

"Where to?" she asked quietly.

"I need to retrieve some things from my house," he said softly.

She stood up.

"You have a house? Why didn't we stay there for the summer?" she asked him, intrigued.

He cleared his throat.

"It's not suitable for company. I don't entertain guest," he said, quirking an eyebrow at her.

Hermione chuckled.

"I'm sure it's not that bad!" she said as she made her way to the door.

XXXXXXX

Oh, good gods. Why did I bring her here? Severus thought to himself as they stood in his dusty living room.

There was so much dust that his brown hardwood floor looked like it snowed in there. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he saw her head slowly swivel, taking the room in. There were quite a few holes in the wall. He couldn't blame all of them on his father but she didn't need to know that.

Wallpaper peeling back, it almost looked like a demolition site. Though, that's exactly what it needed. And he planned on it too. If all went well with The Dark Lord's death and surprisingly if he—Severus—survived, he was having the place demolished. It would never sell as is, but if he was lucky, he'd get a little bit of money for the land.

He strode past her before she could give him any false comment about his home. He quickly climbed up the stairs, turned right at the landing and went straight to the door at the end of the hall.

"Accio lockbox!" he hissed, pointing his wand at the bed.

A muggle lockbox zoomed out from under the bed, and he levitated it to the bed. His wand swished, flicked and jabbed every which way for about thirty seconds when finally, the lid popped open. He rummaged through the miniaturized items until he found what he was looking for.

"Why don't you just take the box with you?" Hermione asked from the doorway.

"There are dangerous things in this box that I don't need a student rummaging through," he turned to look at her as the box locked itself.

"Accidently, of course." He smirked at her.

She blushed, recalling her time stealing ingredients from his personal store.

"What did you have to get?" she asked, curiously.

"A very important book," he said with a smile.

Glaring at him, she put her hands on her hips.

"Well, you dragged me here, don't you think it would be courteous to show me the book?" she asked.

Taking two strides, he looked down at her. He brought a hand to her cheek, stroking it softly. Her eyes fluttered.

"If I did that, my dear, I wouldn't have any fun." He chuckled as her eyes shot open to stare him down.

"Bastard," she cursed at him.

Which only made him laugh more.

"Just because my parents didn't get along, I'll have you know, that doesn't mean they weren't married," he said, and he walked past her out of the room.

A/N: For reference when I'm switching POV I will post SSHGSSHG… when I'm just skipping minor details or times I'll use XXXX. I was using the asterisk but came to find out they don't show up. Thanks!