Hey! Sorry for the delay; even though I wrote this chapter a long time ago I haven't been myself lately and I neglected my duties as an author. So…well…sorry… and thanks for your amazing reviews and incredible support!

And… Chapter 18 will be dedicated to reviewer 100, so… Review!

Well…here it is; chapter 17… enjoy!

Chapter 17: Facing the world.

The storm has passed, the night had passed and their little honeymoon was soon to be over, sooner than what they have expected.

It was time for them to face the world, a world that had changed a lot since the last time they had been there. It was time to face the consequences of their actions, of their love.

"Good morning, sunshine," Hermione said. She was standing near the huge window pane of Severus's room with a cup of mint and ginger tea- his personal favourite- obviously brought upstairs by the obedient house- elves, much to Hermione's displeasure. She wasn't complaining, though. Greater things were on her mind, for the moment. Things that troubled her; that worried them.

"Good morning, dear," he said, half asleep. I know that Britons speak like that all the time but something about the word "dear" made Hermione think of the XIX Century; of red roses, of big fancy dresses, of beautiful hats and of curly hair.

"Today is the D day," she melancholically said, looking through the window gloomily and into the beautiful green fields that had witnessed their newborn love. It was time for them to wave goodbye this amazing paradise that had served them as a bubble from the rest of the world.

"Are you excited?" he asked, rubbing his eyes with his right hand; his naked torso was now uncovered by the black sheets and the fact was quite noticeable for Hermione.

"Excited, nervous, sick…" she said obviously joking. Reality was, however, that she was the edge of tears. What if things were different back at Hogwarts? What if he treated her like the meaningless student she used to be? And above all that, the pressure of being married to Hogwarts' most feared professor was breaking Hermione's back, "Are you excited?" she dared ask, sitting on his lap.

"As a matter of fact I am," he said, hugging his wife tightly around the waist. But that was all he said. A fact that didn't quite relaxed Hermione, but on the contrary… increased her nervousness.

"I love you," she whispered into his ear, while putting her arms around his neck, attempting to hug him.

"I love you too, dear," he sincerely answered with all the love he had in his heart.

Little did they know what their love would soon be proved strong, for a storm was growing near; it was coming slowly but surely, and things would never be the same.

----*----*----

It was dinnertime at Hogwarts when they arrived that night, hand in hand of course. Hermione's fears were still there, stronger than ever when part of the staff greeted them at the Entrance.

"Hello, Hermione, dear," Minerva McGonagall said, a wise smile plastered on her face, "Severus."

"Good evening, professor," Hermione answered, "Good evening everyone," she cordially said to Professor Trelawney, Professor Hagrid, Professor Flitwick and Professor Dumbledore, with a polite grin on her face.

"Good evening, Hermione," Dumbledore said, kissing her hand graciously, he then stood straight and shook hands with his Potion's Master, "Severus, old boy, how do you do? I see that your honeymoon," he said, winking, "did you both some good."

"Certainly, Headmaster," Severus said nodding, while letting Hermione's hand free, "Why are you all waiting us here in the Entrance Hall when we could easily be having his conversation in the warmth of the Great Hall?" Severus asked, rubbing his hands together trying to make them realize how cold it really was.

"Severus, I am afraid that things have changed a bit since your departure," Professor McGonagall said with her lips so tightly shut that her mouth was a bare line on her face.

"What's wrong, Headmaster?" Severus urgently asked, worried to the core of his being.

"Nothing for us to worry to much," Dumbledore said, trying to calm his very stressed staff down, "I am sure that you know that your union with Miss Granger came as a shock to most of us," Dumbledore confessed, winking again for only the couple to notice, "but the student body did not quite take the news as calmly as expected. Many owls arrived requesting information about the nature of your marriage and also requesting your resignation, Severus," Dumbledore said, looking straight into Severus's eyes.

"Oh, of course, Headmaster. I understand. I will owl my resignation first thing tomorrow morning as my presence here is no longer needed," he formally said, frowning at everybody.

"Why would you want to do that, my child?" Dumbledore asked, looking at the couple through his half moon spectacles, "I am not planning on sacking anybody for now. However, one of the parents has come here requesting some evidence of the legality of your marriage. Have you any idea who this person might be?" Dumbledore asked him.

"Lucius," Severus whispered.

"Mr. Malfoy has come to Hogwarts in behalf of many of the parents and of course, the school counseling. He is here to stay, Severus," he sentenced.

No one dared speak a word. No one, that is, except from Professor McGonagall who looked as tense as a person can possibly be. She said what everyone there was thinking:

"You know that your marriage with Miss Granger is vital for the Order now, don't you?"

"I am aware of the fact," was all he said, his nose up in the air.

"Even though Voldemort is gone many of his supporters are still free. Lucius Malfoy trusts you, somehow and we are a hundred percent sure that the remaining Death Eaters are up to something. Is up to you to find out about it," Minerva said, her eyes so widely opened that they looked like two golf balls.

Severus remained silent. His brain was like a sponge, absorbing as much information as he could for the moment because soon enough he would have to face his beloved friend, Lucius Malfoy, a person he hated as much as his father.

Hermione, all that time, dared not speak her mind. She was afraid, terribly afraid.

"Shall we go to our chambers, dear?" Severus coldly said, in Hermione's direction. His tone of voice was so icy that Hermione's eyes filled with tears of frustration. Why did things have to change?

"Of course," she said between tears.

"Good night, love birds," Professor Trelawney shouted, waving her left hand in their direction. But neither of them saw her, for their complete attention was now devoted to Lucius Malfoy and how they were going to act in front of him.

But soon enough their questions were answered when the blond haired man, father of Draco Malfoy appeared like a ghost from one of the corridors of Hogwarts.

"Good evening, Severus… what a pleasure to see you," he sarcastically said, smirking at him, "and what do we have here? A little Mudblood?" he whispered into Hermione's ear, immediately making her sick, "You sank so low, Severus. Would you care to explain?" he asked, facing Severus now.

"I hardly consider this the time or the place to discuss topics of such delicate nature. Meet me at my chambers at midnight for brandy," he said, shaking hands with a man he despised more than anything.

"I will see you there," he said, and then turning to where Hermione was he added, "And I certainly will see you there?"

And with that he was gone, leaving both Hermione and Severus trembling like mad. Hermione was shaking because she was afraid, but Severus was shaking because he was angry. How dared he call his wife a "Mudblood"? He needed to control himself; there were many things at risk now.

And there was certainly no room for romance now. Or so he thought.