I really love this chapter. I think is my favourite so far… but then again, do YOU like it? What do you think about the story? Review as always! Thanks for your support!

Anyhow… here it is; chapter 27… enjoy!

Chapter 27: Facing the evil

The clock striked six in Severus's living room, deep down in the very core of the dark dungeons that were his home at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was time for them to leave and yet, his wife was nowhere to be seen even if he had made it clear that her presence was essential and that punctuality would be most appreciated on her behalf.

"I suspect she is locked in her bedroom," he said out loud more to himself than to the ghostly figure that was Hermione who was spying him from the shadows. Spying did not even begin to explain Hermione's behaviour; she wanted to study him, to understand the nature of his actions which were complicated enough for her to lose track of very often.

"I am ready," she said minutes after in the softest voice she had ever used. In fact the voice was so smooth and she became present in such a tranquil and peaceful way that Severus Snape's hands started to sweat cold drops of fear.

"I said six O'clock, Miss Granger, not one minute past six," he reproached with his head up in the air.

While, apparently, Severus was searching for something in the ceiling Hermione realized how handsome her husband really was. In fact he was so handsome to her that she could barely contain her breath around him even though they spent much of their time together. He was perfect to her but above all the ideal things that composed his personality the fact that he was hers, that he belonged to her, that he was of her property and no one- not even Lucius Malfoy- would ever change that made him even more appealing. They had a contract with each other for life, even if the childish way in which they had gotten together in the first place would remain a lie for the rest of the world. Yes. They were together and there was little point in fighting it.

"I thought you would not mind me being late," she answered depositing her trunk on the stone floor next to the fireplace.

"The Floo Network opens every thirty minutes, Miss Granger. Two more minutes and we would have been too late," he started to say but suddenly he realized the boring routine he was displaying and stopped talking. After all he was speaking nonsense as he rarely meant all the mean things he said. He loved her; make no mistake. The icy surface surrounding him, however, prevented him from hurting her. And please do believe me when I say that his cruel words were just his butterfinger way of confessing his feelings, "Never mind, Miss Granger, never mind me. Are you set to go?," he asked raising the small trunk with HG on the front like the true gentleman he was.

"Thank you," was all she answered, stepping into the roaring green flames, "Malfoy Manor," she shouted at the top of her lungs in her clearest Queen's English.

And so when the flames had eaten her body entirely, Severus Snape stepped into the fireplace himself and surrounded by both their luggage he was devoured by the blaze that would take him to a house he had last visited in his Death Eater days when evil was something he had tattooed on his forearm.

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"Welcome, dear," Lucius Malfoy said, stretching his hand as far as he could for Hermione to take it and stand from the wooden floor in which she was now resting, "we are delighted to have you here," he said with a frosty smile on his face. His actions were so hypocritical that she could barely grin in front of a man she knew hated her for the heritage she possessed. But then again, her presence there was vital for the Order and if her performance could save lives then she would transform into the greatest actress the world had ever seen. After all, she was a performer all the time both in the depth of the dungeons when she acted as if she did not care for her Potion's Master and also in her life when her schoolmates looked at her with strange faces, wondering why on earth she had married such a terrible man, "Oh, Severus, my true old friend, how long has it been?," he asked above Hermione's shoulder at a very dusty Severus Snape.

"Good evening, Lucius," Severus dryly said, shaking hands with evil in the flesh; his companion in crime for so many years. There stood a man who fervently believed in the purity of blood that little people could claim to have. The rest simply needed to die. Furthermore, in his personal belief so many people that were pure bloods needed to die for they disgraced the name of wizarding kind. Yes, something needed to be done indeed and he would be the man behind the whole scheme, "I believe it has not been very long," he answered while handing his filthy robes to a house elf who stood near the fireplace with his arms stretched as far as he could in mild apprehension.

"Fair enough, Severus," Lucius said with a smile that secretly whispered evilness, "Narcissa is waiting for all of us in the dinning room. Would you be as kind as to join us for dinner in half an hour?," Lucius asked while Severus claimed Hermione's arm trying to make it apparent that she was his wife.

"Of course, Lucius. We would be more than delighted," he answered while the three of them walked towards the great stairs at Malfoy Manor.

"Goglin will show you to your rooms," Lucius commanded the little green creature that reminded Hermione of Dobby, "I will join Narcissa in the dinning room. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call Goblin," he said with a cruel smile on his face that told Goglin the consequences of a possible reckless act. And with one final glance at Severus and especially at Hermione's young body, he went out of sight.

"Goglin will show you to your rooms, sir," the house elf said bowing formally at his new Masters.

"How degrading," Hermione whispered as she tightly hold Severus's arm in wild indignation. They were now climbing up the stairs covered in red velvet of Malfoy Manor while Goglin led the way through a corridor where an enormous quantity of House elf heads were hanging on the wall.

"Please, do omit any judgements, Miss Granger," her husband answered as softly as he could for those were not the times to play childish games or defend silly postures about elf rights. Their whole scheme would be blown up if she misbehaved. 

"Of course," she answered once they were in front of the big oak doors of what would be their bedroom for the weekend.

Once inside, after dismissing Goglin, they sat on their four poster bed at either side of it, reflecting upon their actions, both in the past and in the future.

But all conjectures were put to an end when Hermione Granger started to undress.

"What do you think you are doing?," he asked, brusquely standing up from his previous resting spot.

"I am preparing for the greatest performance of my life," she whispered, "could you please lower your voice?,"

"Yes, of course," he simply answered unbuttoning his black chastely robes.

"We do need to focus, sir, if we want to make it believable," she explained in the simplest of ways.

"I understand what you are saying, Miss Granger," he said. His robes lay now motionless on the floor; his bare chest displayed for her to see at leisure, "Excuse me, Miss Granger, but do you think it proper to stare at a naked man if, as you well put it, need to fully concentrate on your role?," he asked jokily.

It was very unlike Severus to make jokes, especially if the situation in which they were situated at present was critical but something about his relaxed expressions and his bright smirk made her feel happy, stressless and completely confident in her abilities as a deceiver. And so she grinned back because two could play this game.

With one fast movement her robes were completely gone leaving Hermione only in her unspeakables.

"Very nice choice," he said once his eyes travelled from her naked curves to his own zipper.

"I am most grateful," she replied with a wide grin on her face, but the smile was soon erased when his strict black trousers joined his robes.

"Have you lost your ability to speak, Miss Granger?," he asked with both arms across his slightly haired chest.

"I am afraid I have not seen a naked body in a while," she spoke her mind freely without her own blood running frantically to her cheeks. No. There was no need to blush.

But unlike Hermione, Severus Snape's cheeks had suddenly turned bright red and his legs had turned to jelly without him being able to control their frantic shaking.

"Likewise," he softly answered; his voice barely a whisper.

"Do you want to feel a naked body?," she asked stepping closer to him who had now his back pressed against the hard mahogany wall, "there is no need to be afraid," she said.

"What kind of demon possessed you, Miss Granger?," he asked in a whisper as their mouths were now only inches apart.

"If I cannot flirt with my husband, who can I flirt with?," she asked with an innocent smile plastered on her face that revealed that behind the strong exterior she was still the same naïve girl inside; his Hermione Granger.

And only when he depicted the girl in her eyes was that he could take her jaw in his hands and slowly claim her mouth; a mouth he had wanted to caress his lips with for quite a while; a mouth he was now devouring slowly but passionately while his tongue danced with hers in the most exotic movements they had ever made for they lusted each others bodies and the repression of ones instincts is a very dangerous game to play indeed.

And so while softly embracing her; he cupped her breasts with both hands while a kind of joy he had never felt filled his heart with the most amazing feeling of pleasure. He could surrender now for his animal instincts had given up under the soft influence of her rosy erected nipples in the chill of winter.

Because that's what we seek at the very end of the day; a nipple to suck, a neck to kiss, a tongue to rustle with while exploring another person's body; the amazing human body that we possess as a motto of perfection. In the very end, my friends, the beastly nature that we own will take over and no rational explanation will be found to prevent the bodies of the sinners from colliding in the most fantastic earthly rhythm of satisfaction.

And thus while slowly laying on the purple covered bed; he penetrated her body while soft moans and smooth caresses complemented the whole scene.

As they lay awake, minutes later, admiring the ceiling he found her hand under the covers and squeezing it tightly he needn't say a single word for his actions spoke for themselves.

"Everything is going to be alright," his hand said.

And indeed if Severus Snape's body spoke, Hermione Granger could only listen carefully.