Author: Snapecake

Title: Till Death Do Us Part

Summary: The title is fluffier than the story is going to be. After Voldemorts defeat everything is restored to normal. But do Severus and Hermione want it to be restored?

Disclaimer: The whole Potter universe with all its inhabitants belong to the marvelous lady JK Rowling. (Though I would love to borrow Snape from her…*grin*…)

Rating: PG

A/N: Finally a somewhat longer chapter! Enjoy!!!!!!!!

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"It won't work!" he had snapped.

"Severus, my friend, I rather believe …it will" the headmaster had stated.

He had already opened his mouth for a sharp reprimand…

"Why?" her voice had interrupted.

"Because my dear, it would be great for Voldemort to have one of his followers break up the Famous Triad." Dumbledore had smiled patiently at her.

He had pressed his lips and glared at the man behind the desk.

"Yes, but I'm still one of Harry's friends. Why would he trust me? Wouldn't it be obvious that I would only be with professor Snape because I want to find the antidote?"

He had cocked his brow in anticipation and wondered how Dumbledore would answer this question.

But the old man had just nodded: "Good thinking Miss Granger. But what about the mind altering potion Severus has given you?"

For a moment her face was puzzled, but as realization dawned upon her a sly smile spread across her face.

He scoffed at the sight: "And why would I be interested to do so?"

"Oh! And then, why would I be interested in you?" she asked sharply.

If looks had been lethal, two death bodies would have to be removed from the headmaster's office.

But the owner of the office only chuckled at this silent duel.

"The reason may not be so very obvious. But let's pretend that Severus wants to get closer to the Dark Lord…"

"Voldemort." she had muttered under her breath.

"…and takes you as his bait. To succeed he gives you this mind-altering potion, and there you go, it's all very simple."

"He doesn't really have to give me the potion, does he?"

"You're not really considering this, aren't you?" he had hissed.

She had cocked her head to one side.

"Just to save Harry." she hissed back at him.

He had screwed his eyes and scowled: "I hope you're fully aware of the fact that if you would agree to this, I would not allow you to meet the Potter boy again, nor his side-kick. I'm sure they would loathe you for marrying me. So there you go, Miss Granger, either the Potter boy will die or he will live, but hate you. The choice is up to you."

He smirked as he saw the horror spread on her face.

"But of course you would be able to explain to Harry after you've found the antidote and Severus had set you free." Dumbledore had interrupted.

She had bitten her lip as her mind had obviously run over all possibilities.

"But why would my friends believe me?"

"You've been spending two month in the library, together with Severus. They have hardly spoken as much as a word to you all the time. Who knows what happened in that library…"

Both he and Hermione had jumped up and glared at the old headmaster.

"…not even Voldemort does."

The headmaster had peered over his half moon glasses: "So I take it you will agree?"

Severus Snape chuckled evilly as he recalled the meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore. Of course the old fool had gotten his way. He still couldn't remember why he had agreed. He was sure she could not either.

Carefully they had built up the façade. Dumbledore had delicately directed the whole show. Taking it step by step they had set the plan in motion.

First they had showed the world outside they enjoyed each other's company. Dumbledore had asked Hermione to stay over the holidays at Hogwarts in front of all the teachers. With a quick glance at him she had accepted.

Of course her looks had been noticed and had caused the other teachers to follow the pair with obvious interest.

This interest had been fed that same evening during dinner when he had asked her if she would like to help him with a difficult potion. Minerva almost tumbled from her chair upon hearing this, especially as Hermione answered with a whole-hearted "yes".

He remembered the evenings they had spend together. Usually they actually would be working on a potion. But sometimes they would find themselves just reading side by side in the library.

They had agreed to make themselves as comfortable as possible in their situation. No changes were to be made in their behavior. So they did what they liked best. Neither of them had been surprised their interests matched very well. They both shared a hunger for precise knowledge; they both liked bringing this knowledge into practice and they both loved books.

If it weren't for their characters it would have been an excellent match. But as soon as their conversation drifted off from their passion and into the personal sphere a war seemed to be provoked.

He detested her friendship with the Potter boy and his side kicks Weasley, and as she had pointed out, probably hated her for it as well.

She loathed his cruel behavior towards the students and the unfair treatment he gave them, and as he had pointed out, probably hated him for it as well.

The only two issues on a personal level they could relate to were the annoyance towards the headmaster for luring them into this and the dependence they had on the Potter boy for their future. But in the latter subject they even had different reasons. She needed him as her friend and therefor a part of her happiness. He needed the boy for his freedom.

A silent battle of wills had raged many times, but was always kept indoors. A few times he had actually enjoyed being in this situation.

Severus Snape smiled vaguely as he remembered the time the Potter boy had come over to Hogwarts for dinner.

"So really Herm, it was wonderful!" the boy had smiled up at her.

"I can imagine." She had answered somewhat dull.

The boy had noticed of course.

"Something wrong Hermione? I'm not boring you with all my quidditch talk, am I?"

He had snorted at this remark.

She had glanced shortly at him, and he had been sure he had seen a vague smile on her lips for a moment.

"Herm?"

"Yes?"

"Why don't you come to London with me? We could visit Diagon Alley! Let's go tomorrow!"

"I'm terribly sorry Harry, but I can't. I'll be brewing the Camcardius Potion tomorrow…"

"But Hermione!" the Potter boy had interrupted her.

"…together with professor Snape." She had finished her sentence.

For a second the boy had closely resembled a fish out of the water as he stared at his friend.

"Professor Snape?" the boy finally uttered while glaring at him.

She had nodded: "Yes, I promised him to do so."

"But, Hermione, couldn't you just…"

"No, Harry. I can't." she had stated quite matter of fact.

"Oh."

He had eyed the look of devastation on the boys' face and the shock on that of Minerva. If Hermione had been a student, he would have awarded her with House Points.

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A/N : Hmmm, the original chapter had gotten quite out of hand as I kept adding things to it, so I cut it up…therefor I shall call this chapter 3½. The reason it took so long to post it, is the fact I wasn't completely sure about it. So please feel free to tell me if you actually liked or think it….well whatever…*grins*.

I hope you enjoyed it anyway! Thx for reading!