Disclaimer: See pervious.

Chapter 13: Playing Psychiatrist *Part 2*

          Severus walked up to Hermione and held out his arm for her to take. They walked into his office, and then through the secret passageway to his chambers. After the long walk, they finally reached his chambers. He let go of Hermiones' arm and went to undo the clasp to her cloak. As he grabbed for the clasp he realized it was a serpent.

"Slytherin touch?" He asked almost innocently.

"I thought you might like it." She replied with yet another smile. Gods how those smiles could melt Severus entirely. He undid the clasp of her cloak and pulled off the cloak. He let out a gasp of surprise and want all in one. He reached for the coat hanger.

"Wow, that is an amazing dress. You look magnificent." Severus was in awe of how she looked. He could swear right then and there that he had never seen anyone so beautiful.

"Thank you." Hermione said as she led herself to the overstuffed couch.

"Ms. Granger, I think…"

"Please call me Hermione, I don't know how much more of that 'Ms. Granger' stuff I can take."

"All right then, please call me Severus."

"Deal. Now sorry for interrupting, what where you saying?"

"I was saying we should eat before we talk."

"Before we talk?"

"Yes, I have some matters I wish to discuss with you."

"Sounds great to me." Hermione smiled at that. She got up and sat down at the dinner table. "What do we have the pleasure of eating tonight?"

"Ham, corn, potatoes, melon bowls, rolls, and cheesecake for dessert."

"Oh wow Severus. You are incredible!"

"Your welcome Hermione." Severus shuddered at the combination of first names. He rolled out the dinner tray and set everything at the table, and poured them each a glass of apple cider and water. They both dug is as if they haven't ate all day. After a bit of eating Hermione broke the silence.

"Severus," Severus nodded, "have you found if we are close to a cure?"

"Not yet. I don't expect this so be something that is finished quickly. I want to mostly work on wolfsbane and dragon mixtures, and wolfsbane and unicorn mixtures."

"Because the strong properties of wolfsbane can kill, but adding the healing properties of Dragon and or unicorn could work. I see now."

"Very good Ms. Granger." Hermione glared at Severus for that. He shuddered at the glare. Gods he couldn't take that. "Sorry, very good Hermione." She smiled at that.

"Thank you Severus." He smiled at the sound of his name coming from Hermione, a big almost toothy smile. Her eyes went wide and she dropped her fork in shock.

"What?" Severus asked sounding irritated.

"You smiled. I mean you have a great smile. I … I mean." Severus cut off Hermione. 

"Thank you." Was all he said with another slight smile. Hermione cursed herself silently for being so blunt once again. They both finished their dinner in silence. Hermione left the table to go sit on the couch. Severus soon sat across from her. He had a serious look in his eyes, which Hermione couldn't quite pin down.

"Hermione I have something I need to get out. So lets play a bit of psychiatrist, okay?"

"Yes Severus, of course."

"Now, please just listen. Hold all of everything you have to say until I'm finished, okay?"

"Yes."

"I had a pretty good childhood, but mother had eight kids to look after. And father was working a lot. They spent lots of time together, but I was left taking care of Gwendolyn, Donovan, Genevieve, Sheridan, Alexis, Kristi, and Emerson. I was five when Gwendolyn Victoria was born. Then a year later there was Donovan Septimus. When Gwen was two there was Genevieve Emma. A year later there was Sheridan Avery. Two years later there was a nasty shock when Mum gave birth to Alexis Renee, Kristi Beth, and Emerson Tanner. I was nine when those three where born. I took care of them until I went to Hogwarts. Poor Gwen was six when she got left to play mum. I felt bad for her."

"I wanted something for myself at Hogwarts. So I became friends with Lucius." Severus got a glint of hatred in his eye as he said that. "Lucius was a bad influence on me. I did what he did. So when he told me he had become a death eater, I naturally wanted to be one too. Voldemort promised me that my family would be well taken care of. He did too; he made sure they had everything through me. I did everything only thinking of how much better of a life he was providing for everyone. Of course Father brought in a lot of money, but I was able to give Gwen, Donny, Gen, Dan, Lexi, Kris, and Em even more than they could. I always had something for them. And seeing as I was in the inner circle there was not a single Slytherin that mistreated them. They always got looked up too. I wanted that for them."

"But I soon realized after my dad died. I needed to be there for them and provide for them in a more respectable way. It wasn't until after the Potters were killed that my father died and I became a spy for Albus. You see Albus is my godfather. So I confided in him and told him everything. He forgave me. I still to this day don't believe that I deserve it. I am very ashamed of everything I did." Hermiones' eyes had been welling up with tears for sometime.

"Because of what I did. I believed that nobody could ever love me, and that I did not deserve to have anyone love me. I have kept everyone shut out. I only talk to Gwen, Donny, Gen, Dan, Lexi, Kris, Em, and my mum. But Hermione last year, I noticed someone. I knew that I shouldn't notice her though. I mean there are so many differences. And the relationship would be hard. It would not be acceptable to a lot of people, but I think I love her. Really love her." With that Hermione let more tears fall down. 'There is no way he likes me at all.'

"Hermione, I love you." Severus stopped there. He was totally winded from telling his life story. Even though he left out many details. For the first time in his life he was totally afraid of what Hermione might say.

"Severus, I love you too. I have for a while now." She then got up from the couch and closed the distance between them. She sat down on Severus' lap and gave him the sweetest kiss she could muster up between the tears. "I love you Severus S. Snape."

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Authors Note: I hope you all enjoyed the super long chapter. I always have pictured the Snape family as a huge one, so I made it a huge one. Thanks to everyone :0)