Hermione was barely able to sleep that night. After the Professor's unprovoked explosion, his subsequent meltdown and the way they kissed again it was impossible to even try. After making sure that he was asleep she closed his door and walked along the corridor until she founds hers. There she stopped and her eyes got lost in thought. Their 'situation' was anything but common or easy, she was aware of that.

Fate threw them in the same cauldron so unexpectedly. Two such different people, coming from so different backgrounds. She was not disillusioned…whatever was happening between them was difficult.

He was undoubtedly a man who had a heavily-stained past. He had worked closely next to both the best wizard and also the most dangerous one of all times. He was a master in Potions and a master of the Dark Arts, outside learning lately that he was probably a master of Dark Runes also. His everyday work included treks inside the most dangerous magical worlds anyone had ever seen.

And she…?

She had been his student for seven years. First deeply afraid of him and then trying to earn his respect, which she thought she never managed. Most of the times misunderstanding him, much like everyone else did. They were years apart, experiences chaotically diverse if you excluded their common enemy and their efforts to bring him down. Their life paths never overlapped unless it was inside a classroom. Even after she had seen his memories and understood all the sacrifices that he had done for them….he felt too detached from her part of the world. He was unreachable, cold, dry humored, sometimes nasty and downright dangerous if he wished.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply….

Yet…despite all that whenever his lips touched hers, she felt an incomparable desire waking up in the pit of her stomach which was eating her up even at this moment. She envisioned his tongue sliding through her lips and tasting her hungrily. Once again the welcoming heat spread like a star in her lower regions, melting her very ability to think. How dirty was it to picture her hand sliding past the band of his trousers in order to find him? She would never admit that to anyone, but herself.

She exhaled annoyed and opened her eyes. Those thoughts were leading her nowhere. Fate brought them together and bound them under a Law that she found despicable. He was her former Professor whom petrified her when she was younger, but she couldn't deny that she was fascinated by him.

-Fascinated is an understatement- Her mind interfered.

She grumped annoyed that now she was all hot and bothered, besides worried about him. She turned around and walked back to his door. One doubtful second later she opened it slowly and tiptoed inside. She came next to his bed and leaned over. He seemed to be sleeping so peacefully.

Her fingers touched his temple lightly

She remembered how last night he came apart in front of her very eyes. When he came in from work, looking so disarranged, she should have realized that something was wrong. However she was too engrossed to see past her personal hell. Witnessing this stony man displaying such intense emotions both outside when they fought and in his office later was enough to make her reassess the situation. She didn't know as much about him as she thought she did.

Since they had become re-acquainted he was always composed. A pillar of strength keeping her from totally breaking apart in her trials. Yesterday though she understood that he had limits that if pushed she'd come face to face with a terrifying Wizard. The power he had presented her with had rendered her helpless from the first moment. She tried not to feel too bad about it. Reason commanded that he had double her experience and knowledge in magic to say the least. However she was not certain that she wanted to face this kind of roughness from him again and that meant that she had to devote herself in learning more about him. What saddened him, what angered him…what made him tick…

She sat carefully next to him and looked at his drawn features. Her finger twisted around a tendril near his temple and she inhaled deeply. What happened last night had shaken her. Not just the intensity of his outburst, but also that he allowed her to see part of the pain he hid behind those usually composed eyes. She couldn't but admit that she wished to see more of that part of her Professor.

Likewise the thought that Severus might possibly one day need care and attention had never crossed her mind before and that flooded her with guilt. It was her turn to help him as he had done so many times in the past and present. She was going to go back to the hospital and find Madame Strout, one of the Healers of the Janus Thickey Ward . Many thoughts were trying to form in her mind about finding a way to help this man and Miriam needed to hear about them.

Her fingers circled around his bicep and she felt a thread of cordiality spreading inside her as she leaned her forehead against his temple.

"I will do everything I can to help Conroy Professor." She murmured and suddenly her eyes felt warm and wet.

Ginny had been right when she was begging Hermione to return to work. Spending her time sitting in the house contemplating her bad luck was helping no one. Not Severus, nor his comatose friend or even herself. She had vast knowledge in the medical field and it could be used for the benefit of his friend and in extension for Severus.

"Sleep…you need to rest." She whispered and then with unexpected difficulty she tore herself away from him and went back to her rooms in order to dress.

After a long bath, she conjured him some fresh coffee and charmed it to remain warm. Then a floating magical note appeared next to it that read: "I have some things to take care off. Don't worry, I shall be back later." She checked the living room and after making sure that everything was in place a loud woos turned her body into a thin grey mist that sucked itself in.

She reappeared in Ginny's living room and looked towards the kitchen. Her friend was there making tea. She looked above her shoulder with a smirk.

"If you apparate without warning you might find me and your best friend in a compromising situation one day or another." Ginny teased.

Hermione cringed. "If you are in such a mood then I am sure one of you will put a repelling ward against apparition around the house, right?"

Ginny looked at her with a raised brow. "Maybe we will be too caught up in the moment to remember."

Hermione sat heavily on a stool and pulled her thick curls away from her face. "Fine, I promise to apparate outside the door from now on." She sounded peeved.

Ginny frowned and leaned over. She touched Hermione's shoulder. "That was meant as a joke. Are you alright?"

Hermione looked at her fleetingly. "To tell you the truth I don't know …."

Ginny pulled over the tea-pot without removing her hand from Hermione. She sat close. "You looked absolutely flustered."

Hermione pulled over a cup and served her friend first. "That I am."

Ginny pressed her lips. "Did you sleep at all last night? Your bloodshot eyes confess the opposite."

Hermione smirked. "On point."

Ginny scowled. "What happened?"

Hermione's expressive brows swayed as they tried to settle in one emotion. "Where shall I begin?"

Ginny pressed her lips and added one sugar to her tea. "From the top darling….from the top." She smirked and begun stirring.

Hermione took a deep breath, closed her eyes and opened her mouth. The torrent that came out pinned Ginny to her seat and made her tea go cold. In the end both women sat in silence looking at each other for a rather long time.

Ginny inhaled and shook her head slightly. "Well that was…I mean…"

Hermione humphed and looked at her empty tea-cup. "I know."

"So the kiss at the Ministry was not staged." Ginny seemed stupefied.

Hermione raised her brows. "The kiss at the Ministry was so real it took my damn breath away..."

"And that was not the only one..." Ginny was mostly talking to herself.

"We kissed passionately, we kissed timidly, we fought, then we kissed sensually and the damned Law has nothing to do with all of it." Hermione shrugged with a smile.

"A lot of kissing going on with the most impropable person possible." Ginny said.

Hermione tilted her head. "What if I told you that I want more? Much much more?" Her cheeks flushed at that admittance.

Ginny's brows reached the top of her hairline. "Oh, this is serious."

Hermione was silent.

"Considering that you only had two encounters with men before this..."

Hermione scowled. "So what?"

Ginny shrugged. "You my friend are not easily swooned...that is why I am worried."

Hermione felt an overwhelming sense of fatigue. She didn't want to have to explain how she felt. She just wanted Ginny to accept it. "With Ron and Victor it was different."

"Different how?"

"Victor was just a fleeting aquiantance. Just an empowerment of my growing feminity. With Ron it was much more serious I admit it. A youthful love that developed over a long period of time...yet...it was still..." Hermione was trying to find the words.

Ginny didn't interupt her.

"Childish." Hermione finally settled.

"I won't get offended by that, because Ron is always childish." Ginny's mouth formed a playful smirk.

Hermione felt the tension diffusing and sighed in relief. She reached out and grasped Ginny's hand. "Thank you." She whispered.

Ginny closed her hand tightly in hers. "Darling, you understand that all this is highly perilous?"

She offered a quiet nod.

"People will talk...they might talk trash for both of you. The past that is burdening his shoulders is terrifying...he was your Professor..." Ginny continued.

"I don't care." Hermione's comeback was unexpectedly strong.

"You didn't allow me to finish. Hermione I believe that you should follow your heart wherever it leads you, but it won't be easy." Ginny's smile blossomed.

"Even if it is straight to destruction?" Hermione's gaze was burning.

Another comforting touch. "Even there." Ginny was dead serious.

Hermione looked at her deep in the eyes. "You won't try to make me rethink this? Change my mind?"

"Why would I do that? This is the first time after Ron that I am seeing you so focused upon someone. I would never ruin that for you. Even if the man in question is Hogwarts's resident overgrown bat."

Hermione snorted and pulled Ginny in a tight embrace that was reciprocated instantly. "Thank you."

"I love you." Ginny said quietly and that brought tears to Hermione's eyes.

"Me too."

"Do you wish me to keep this from the boys? Especially Ron?" Ginny pulled back and caressed Hermione's temple tenderly.

Hermione's smile was shaded. "No…I won't lie about this as I didn't lie about anything else in my life. I will stand by my own decisions."

"That's the Hermione I know." Ginny said proudly.

Hermione's smile opened up like a flower and echoed in her eyes.

"I will dare say that I haven't seen you this happy in many years…" -Ginny's features plunged- "I am sad my brother failed to make you smile like this, but I am happy someone else is doing it."

"Let us not get ahead of ourselves Ginny. Our situation is rather complicated and we both know it. However I will not deny though that I feel well and also very motivated to return to my duties."

"What do you mean?" Ginny frowned.

"I am going to the hospital the moment I leave here." Hermione's mouth formed a waiting smile.

"I thought they gave you a leave of absence for your impending marriage." Ginny raised her brows.

"I want to return. I have allowed myself to drift away from my job, which I really love with all that's been going on. Now it is time for me to go back and in the process maybe also help his wounded comrade."

Ginny's face lit up. "I really don't know what the overgrown bat is doing for you darling, but this is the first time I am seeing you willing to rise above the dark shadow that's been looming over you all these years."

"I want to help him in any way I can Ginny. He helped all of us so much...as for me …he has done so much for me without asking for anything in return. Contradictory as it may sound I believe that Professor Snape right now needs my support and I am willing to give it whole-heartedly. I am actually looking forward to work again." Hermione rejoined.

After a few contemplative moments Ginny pressed her hand. "Hermione…" She left her thought unfinished.

"What?" she looked up.

"Maybe I am reading too much into this…but maybe things are more serious than you think. I mean with the Professor…" Ginny said quietly.

Hermione felt her heart jumping in response, but outside she remained calm. "Let us not rush into anything headforemost please."

Ginny nodded. "As you wish my dear."

"Thanks." Hermione pulled her in for an embrace which was quickly reciprocated.

"Just be careful…" Ginny whispered.

Hermione closed her eyes. "I will."

-.-

She partially lied at Ginny, because the moment she went out of the door of 12 Grimaud place she made her way quickly towards the British Library. The Wizarding Section was accessed by pulling Jeffrey Burton's Witchcraft in the Middle Ages.

A book which was ironically found at the Medieval studies, which was shared by Muggles and Wizards alike. The moment she opened the book the floor disappeared under her feet and the platform moved slowly towards the lower levels. A similar chamber as the Library's Muggle Study Hall with the exception that books, ladders and lanterns were moving on their own accord down here. Hermione smiled at the woman who sat behind the reception. "Hello Aretha."

The blonde middle aged witch lifted her yellow cat eyes towards Hermione. "Well, Miss Granger. Long time no see. What do we owe the honor?"

Hermione observed a group of ancient looking books floating near her musingly. She had been so caught up in her struggles against the Marriage Law that she had forsaken her love for books as well. She leaned her elbow to the counter and raised her brow. "I need access to the restricted section."

The face of the other witch shadowed. "You need a pass from the Chief for that."

Hermione stooped closer. "I really don't have time for that Aretha. Shall we make a deal?"

Aretha frowned. "Like?"

"I give you one of the most potent love potions to have ever been created and you pretend you never saw me." Hermione said cheekily.

Aretha's cheeks blushed instantly and she seemed to hesitate. "Not that I need such a concoction of course. Love potions are so common nowadays. Even a mediocre wizard can create one. That gives you no leverage darling."

Hermione pulled back with a smile. "Indeed, but this is no simple love potion that you can find in a window in Diagon Alley. I am talking about a work of art, the likes of which you won't be able to find anywhere else. I know how appreciative you can be for the detailed work of a Master Potioneer. If the potion is of no use to you, think about how much money you can ask for it instead."

"Who will make it?" Aretha's eyes shown bright.

"Professor Snape." Hermione whispered.

Aretha gasped and her palm covered her mouth. "Snape…?"

Hermione hushed her. "I will ask him to make a love potion for you…and you know that this concoction will be as rare as a pure-blood Phoenix. Exceptionally invaluable considering that Professor Snape hates making love-potions..."

Aretha nodded musingly. "And he'd do it for me?"

"For you perhaps not, but for his future wife he would." Hermione raised her brow.

The corners of Aretha's mouth tilted up. "Of course…how could have I forgotten this. He claimed you under the Marriage Law and you accepted."

Hermione tilted her head silently.

"Damn you might be the luckiest witch alive..." Aretha's eyes became dreamy.

"I will tell you everything I can about him and also give you the rare potion, if you get up from your seat and escort me to the Restricted Section." Hermione said enticingly.

Aretha nibbled her bottom lip for several moments before deciding. She stood up, picked her keys and walked around the desk. "Which part of the Restricted Section do you want?"

Hermione's features shadowed. "Necromancy and Death Magic."

Aretha paused.

"Remember…a special love Potion by the hands of the best Potions Master the world has seen in many ages." Hermione nudged her.

Aretha cleared her throat and nodded softly. "Alright…come." She said and led Hermione to the darkest corners of the British Magical Library.

-.-

It was much later that Hermione entered St. Mungo. She took care to go through the third floor first, where her colleagues worked in order to inform them that she was back. Everyone was beyond pleased because Hermione's brilliant mind had saved many lives all these years. Her absence didn't go unnoticed. However much she wished to remain in order to catch up with everyone, Hermione made her way up to the fourth floor and the Janus Thickey Ward. The long-term resident ward. The place where sometimes patients didn't recover. The moment she opened the old wooden swinging doors she heard the nightingale chirping above her head happily. She stopped and crossed her hands, as Madame Strout lifted her head from the patient she was taking care of in order to check the entrance.

The smile on Miriam's face was so bright that Hermione quickly reciprocated with an additional wave of the hand. Then she waited patiently until the Healer finished with her patient and walked over to her with open arms. Before Hermione had the time to say anything she found herself locked tight in the tiny witch's embrace.

"Hermione Granger my heavens! I haven't seen you in ages! Where have you been my brilliant girl! I have been reading about your rather rebellious attitude towards the Wizengamot and that despicable Marriage Law! How much you must have suffered. How much you must still be suffering. Your colleagues informed me that you have decided to withdraw from your position next to Healer Jinx in the Third Floor temporarily. I found that to be such an idiotic idea! What prompted you to give up your work honey?! You have thrice the brain of that idiot Jinx and everyone knows it. Hadn't it been for you the Potion and Poison Ward would have claimed the lives of many victims. Ah…the fire of youth that still burns in your veins makes you blind to your true abilities. I felt that your professionalism and knowledge were never appreciated by Jinx! Maybe he was afraid of you taking his place. Yes, yes I know…"

Hermione raised her hand trying to stop Miriam's torrent. "Wait…"

The Healer didn't listen. "…I know you are still a Nurse, but again you are stupid and I hate calling you that. You should have asked for an apprenticeship under a good Healer in order to become a Trainee, but you don't listen do you? I have been telling you so since you came in St. Mungo. Your abilities are underestimated…lost in a sea of mediocracy under Jinx…foolish girl!"

Hermione rubbed her forehead. "Nice to see you too Miriam."

The Healer punched her shoulder. "Don't nice me…Missy! You are letting your brilliant mind get wasted…it will wither and die and I will never forgive you about that!"

Hermione exhaled patiently. "I love you too Miriam…but calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down you silly girl! Messing around with all those riots and forgetting your true vocation!" Miriam reproached.

Hermione grasped her hand tightly. "Hey listen…it is never too late to change things, is it? I won't regret fighting against this law even if I lost several years of my life. Now that I am trapped by it, maybe I can fight it in another way."

"What way?" Miriam frowned.

"By doing my job better than ever, by helping people who fight against it and maybe by learning even more as I go along."

"Under Jinx? Ha ha…forget it." Miriam scoffed.

"How about under you?" Hermione raised her brows.

Miriam froze. "What?"

"What if I applied for an apprenticeship under you here in Ward 49?" Hermione's smile was bright.

Miriam paled and grasped Hermione's hand back. "Are you serious?"

Hermione nodded. "I'd try for an application if you are willing to take another trainee under you. I know you have your hands full already."

"What in the name of heaven are you talking about? I have my hands full of incompetent idiots in here!" She yelled and three of the nurses turned to her with pale faces.

Hermione laughed. "Keep it down…"

Miriam pulled her closer. "If I can get my hands on your exceptional mind I'd die happy. Are you seriously thinking about coming here to work under me?"

"If the Chief allows me to change Wards, then yes."

"If he doesn't agree I will make sure his face turns into a Salamander for the rest of his life!" Miriam grumbled.

"I might even try to extend my apprenticeship until I manage to become a Healer. Will that be okay with you?" Hermione looked at her happily.

Miriam drew her in for a fierce embrace. "Yes my darling! Yes! You are making me so so happy!"

Hermione reciprocated and then pulled back. "Now before I go to the Chief in order to apply for the job I need you to help me."

"Help you how?" Miriam frowned.

Hermione sobered up ans explained quickly and thoroughly the reason of her visit and what she wanted to do with Master Conroy. As she spoke Miriam was silent, expressing no emotions. When Hermione finished, Miriam led her to Conroy's private room. His family was outside and Hermione gazed gravely at the desolate countenance of the woman who was sitting there and her heart fell at the sadness in the boy's eyes. She remained next to Miriam as the Healer sent myriads of spells on Conroy that proved he had no brain activity. Something that made her stomach drop. She took Miriam aside and then spoke about her visit on the Restricted Section of the British Wizarding Library and her idea of how to help this man. That was the only time that Miriam's face expressed some emotion and that was plain fear.

-.-

It took Hermione a rather lengthy discussion with Miriam in order to come to some form of conclusion. When she finished, she hugged the Healer and walked out. Instead of leaving the premises, she paused close to the door and observed Master Conroy's family. The mother was barely able to sit upright and the son was standing by her side, a silent sentinel with ghostly features. She was looking at her crossed palms mutely, while the boy was observing the wall with empty eyes. Hermione flared her shoulders and walked to them. As they turned she extended her hand. "Mrs. Ackerman?"

The woman shook out of her reverie and tilted her head up lost. Her hand levitated towards Hermione. "It's Jody. How…how is he?" She muttered.

Hermione's countenance fell. "Madame Miriam has informed you of how serious his condition is I believe."

Jody's fingers slipped out of Hermione's hand and she looked back at the floor. "Yes…" She exhaled defeated.

Hermione pressed her lips and steadied her heart. "My name is Hermione Granger and I am Head Nurse of the Poison and Potion Unit of the Hospital. It is an honor to meet you, despite the grim circumstances. You must be Ebras?" She offered her hand to the young boy.

The young man squeezed her hand fleetingly before leaning back against the wall. He remained silent.

"Madame Miriam told me how brave you have been through this hardship. How much you are supporting both your father and your mother." Hermione's smile was careful.

He turned to her with a dry smile, opened his mouth to speak, his eyes watered and he looked away quickly.

Hermione's heart pinched hard. "May I sit with you for a moment?" She asked quietly.

The son removed his coat from the chair next to his mother and made way politely.

Hermione sat carefully and turn to Jody. "I was on leave of absence, but the grim circumstances under which your husband was wounded, brought me back to work. This is not the Ward that I am employed, however I hold Madame Miriam in great esteem and I always search to find ways to help her whenever that is possible."

"He is not waking up …" -Jody whispered and Hermione turned to her with a frown- "They say his mind has no activity. He was such a strong and vibrant man before this happened Miss Granger. When I kissed him goodbye the fateful day he entered the Underworld for the last time, I asked him to be careful. I always send him off with that wish, but I never believed something would happen to him. It was just a simple wish…that everyone gives, you know. Don't you do it?"

"Yes of course." Hermione rejoined quietly.

"You never expect this wish might fail one day…" Jody choked and her son wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Hermione averted her eyes.

"Have you lost anyone you love?" Jody's question was hushed.

Hermione's stomach twisted and she instantly felt nauseated. She closed her eyes. "Many people."

"Then you know how it feels. He is not dead yet, but that is what it feels like to me. Soon enough his heart will stop too, right? The Healers are not telling us everything. I know it…." Jody reached out and grasped Hermione's hand.

"Mrs. Ackerman, this is one of the reasons that I decided to talk to you today. Master Conroy's life is hanging by a thread but there is a way to save him." Hermione braced herself.

Jody turned to her fully and for the first time her eyes became alive. "What do you mean?"

Hermione drew a deep breath and gave a look at Conroy's son who was gazing at her with a painful expectancy. Then she explained everything she could about Necromancy or else Death Magic without getting into any details that would create problems to the people who would be involved. When she finished she squeezed Jody's hand with a smile.

"Why didn't Madame Miriam give us that option before?" Jody's frown was formidable.

Hermione nibbled her bottom lip. "The magic we are going to use is not ….approved."

"It's illegal…" The young man whispered.

Hermione tilted her head and felt the weight of what she had undertaken falling heavily on her. " More or less."

"It's Dark Magic." Jody murmured.

Hermione gave a soft nod, silently.

"You need us to agree on using the Dark Arts….." Sweat broke on Jody's forehead.

"Madame Miriam will not try this without your consent. It is highly risky for all of us."

A long silence ensued which was broken only by the ticking of a magical clock and Hermione felt as if the seconds were rolling by as slowly as if they were centuries. When she felt Jody's fingers tightening around her hand she got ready for the denial.

Jody's voice was low was decisive. "Do it."

Hermione's mouth formed a small smile. "There is still a risk in this. We might not be able to wake him up, or we might bring him back disabled."

"What chances does he have now? None…" Jody's eyes filled with tears.

"The risk of using illegal magic…" Hermione begun, but Jody stopped her.

"I don't care. I will take it upon me! Just do it. Try to bring my Conroy back please…" Teary streams run on Jody's broken face.

Hermione shook her head with a deep scowl. "No, this is only on me and Madame Miriam. If we end up failing and they catch us you will pretend that you know nothing."

Jody didn't reply.

"Either you accept this condition or I cast an oblivion on you and your boy. The responsibility of breaking the law will be upon us. Is that clear?" Hermione schooled her voice to sound firm.

Jody wiped the tears with the back of her hand. "Do you believe this will work?"

"I am sure it will give him more chances and so does Madame Miriam." Hermione smiled.

Jody closed her eyes and exhaled hard. "Merlin bless your and Madame Miriam's heart...Thank you for putting your reputation on the line in order to help us. Thank you both!"

"Don't thank us yet Mrs. Ackerman. We have a hard fight ahead of us." Hermione's smile lingered.

"Then fight we shall...like you have fought all your life. Don't think I don't know who you are. The Army Nurse...yes..." Jody muttered.

"I am a simple nurse and nothing more. All I ever wanted to do was help people and that is what I wish to do with your husband." Hermione rejoined calmly.

"You are engaged with Conroy's Commander. Master Snape." A shadowed smile broke out of Jody's lips.

Hermione tilted her head. "I wouldn't call us engaged, but we are registered as future husband and wife under the new Marriage Law."

Jody noticed. "That sounded bitter."

Hermione's smile was musing. "I fought this Law for many years. How can I not be bitter that I got entangled by it in the end?"

Jody pressed Hermione's hand. "Then don't accept a husband through it…no matter who that is."

How could Hermione explain to this woman the complicated situation between her and the Professor? It was hard enough trying to comfort her about Conroy and taking on the responsibility of using Necromancy in the most prestigious Hospital of Magical London without any authorization. She smiled and pressed Jody's hand. "I will never marry someone I don't love Madame Ackerman, you can be sure of that."

Jody nodded. "Did the commander tell you to come help my husband?" Came the inevitable question.

"Yes." Hermione lied.

The woman's eyes surged with tears again. "Bless his heart…" she muttered.

Hermione stood up. "Madame Ackerman have courage please. We will do the best we can to help Conroy. Madame Miriam will keep your informed, but I pray you shall not speak about this to anyone inside or outside of this hospital. Our careers being destroyed will be the least of our problems if this gets out. Azkaban will be our final destination."

Jody stood up and pulled Hermione in a tight embrace. "I would rather die than speak of it."

Hermione hugged her back and then shook the young man's hand once more. "Have faith...we are going to do the best we can for him. All of us."

"Thank you Madame." The boy's voice was broken.

Jody embraced her son as her face streamed with tears. "Bless you...bless all of you."

-.-

When Hermione return to the ground floor with the intention of going to the Chief's office, she was met with a buzzing crowd of reporters behind the doors that led to the reception. She stopped with a deep frown. What was all this now? She grasped the hand of a passing fellow nurse and pulled her close. "What in the name of heaven is all this Lizzi?" She asked.

"Those damned reporters are always flying around him like a mosquito cloud. He is the one who brought them inside unwillingly. I am not blaming the man...but heavens...we could have done without this menagerie today." The fellow nurse pointed and Hermione's heart froze a mere moment before it erupted in a crazy pace.

Between the gathered wizards and witches Severus made an appearance. Like a dark dissonance inside the bright surroundings. With his long hair falling on his cheeks and covering his brow. She saw him turning towards the door that she was hiding behind and felt the silly need to duck out of sight.

"That is your husband, correct?" The other Nurse smiled.

"My possible future husband." Hermione corrected.

"So what are you doing here? Hiding from him?" Her coworker frowned.

"I am not hiding…" Hermione glared angrily at the realization that this is what she was doing indeed. She humphed against her need to remain hidden from the press and then grasped the handle and braced for the impact. She turned the handle and walked out as proudly as she could.

It seemed that everyone turned simultaneously towards and she felt the need to stop. Yet she didn't...she searched for his eyes, which instantly gave her courage..

He turned to her and pushed everyone until he reached her.

"Hermione?" He scowled.

"In the flesh." She tried a smile.

"What in the name of Merlin are you doing here?" He asked darkly.

"If you haven't noticed, I work here." She opted for humor.

"Don't jest young lady. You are in a leave of absence as I recall." He rejoined.

"I decided to return earlier."

His scowl deepened. "You said you left in order to take care of something. What was that?" He raised his brow.

Hermione saw the cameras flashing like mad around them and the buzz growing to a wild roar demanding their attention. She felt overwhelmed and wished to get inside his protective circle. Her hands planed up his chest and held the lapels of his leather coat. "Listen I couldn't sleep after what happened between us last night. Some interesting ideas that might help your friend popped into my head and I couldn't rest until I researched them more. So I decided to visited the British Library and then come here to speak with Miriam."

His face lines broke as his hands came up to cover hers tightly. "You came here to help Conroy?"

She nodded softly and her forefingers caressed the material of his coat. "I am sorry I left without telling you."

He leaned down until his lips touched her forehead gently. "You came here to help my friend?" His whisper was trembling with emotion.

Hermione frowned and looked up to him. "Yes..." She murmured.

His eyes seared through her and he leaned down until their noses touched. He remained silently lingering there a mere breath away from kissing her.

Her whole body tensed and her hands turned into fists around his lapels. "Everyone is looking at us." She whispered.

His hands closed around her waist and drew her in. "Let them feast on this then…" He murmured and his lips brushed against hers.

She gasped and remained frozen in his arms. She expected him to pull away, yet he didn't. He cradled her head in his wide palm and opened his mouth in order to claim her in a very slow and sensual kiss that send a heat wave rushing towards her lower stomach. Her hands came around his nape to hold him close, as her mouth accepted his tender intrusion.

She quickly got engulfed in the playful sensations that his fingers were offering. She tumbled down a frothing river of longing as his mouth ignited a fire the similarities of which she had never experienced before and she allowed her body to find access to the whole of his without any embarrassment. She imagined him pulling her by the hand towards a broom closet. Closing the door behind and bulldozing her against the wall in order to have his filthy ways with her. Hermione had to admit in defeat that she got got entranced by his spell with an ease that would have made her angry in the past. However right now his overwhelming masculinity only helped to fuel the fire in her.

When he pulled away, Hermione's knees were weak and she knew her cheeks were burning. She didn't declaw her mails from his skin. She lifted her eyes to meet the powerful darkness of his. She swallowed heavily and lifted her hand to caress his cheek. "You want to see Conroy?"

His brows twisted into an uncertain expression. "I want to see him, I want to talk to you and I want to know everything you did this morning."

Her lips curled up and she reached down to clasp his hand tightly. "Follow me then."

Without a single word to the reporters who had truly feasted on this passionate kiss, she led him towards Ward 49 with the intention of telling him everything, but above all asking for his precious help in this dangerous endeavor.