A/N: Wow…over 200 reviews…(falls over backward and dies) I still cannot believe that I started this fic, going against everything, attempting the unheard of, defying criticism. I believe I can now say I am thoroughly obsessed with this fanfic. I check my email everyday for reviews, I write up new chapters in a frenzy the day after just posting another…

This is my little commemoration to all the readers out there…

Some reviewers have claimed this the "best HG/SS fic on the site", well that makes me blush profusely. Some hate what I have done to Draco, (too bad, he's not the main focus of the story, just a hilarious side note). Some can only gasp in fright and astonishment. Some reviewers die and rise up again after submitting to fits of uncontrollable laughter. Some have stumbled onto this fic randomly from where it is now. Others have followed it from the very beginning, when I thought it was going to rot for eternity. I love you all. This is probably the best success I will ever have on this site, and I thank you all for believing in me! (The furry black doggie you all know about bends a leg and gracefully bows to her readers, tail wagging, ears perked, and a insane smile showing all her teeth)

Chapter 17: Bitter Sweet

Hermione was probably the best thing that had ever happened to Severus. She reminded him of Lily Potter when they were at school, understanding him and accepting him for who he was, defending from the taunts of the Marauders. Except Hermione was in love with him, Severus Snape. He smiled, but quickly erased it; those smiles were reserved only for Hermione.

Dumbledore had informed him that the Ministry had stated most definitely that they were going to make this a legal case, and that it was well beyond the school's jurisdiction. He would have to get spokesperson (for us that would be a lawyer) to argue his case with him. Dumbledore suggested himself, and Severus knew that he would rather have Dumbledore help him than some nincompoop that couldn't tie his shoes or tell the time of day to help him. Cornelius himself wanted to be involved in the entire thing, which really made Dumbledore angry. They were going to make this into a high court case if they could.

Hermione was coping quite well considering the state they were in. The school, no surprise, had found out, and Draco blabbed that she was the student involved with Professor Snape, so now she was taunted and made fun of at every turn. Students in each and every year dropped snide comments about it in Potions loud enough for Severus to hear. The only ones that stood by Hermione and Severus were Harry, Ron, Ginny, Professor Remus Lupin, Dumbledore, and a few others. McGonagall had always favored Hermione above all her other students, now took the fact that she was with Snape as a personal insult. The rude comments, slurs and insults, Severus knew, deeply affected Hermione, but she held her head high regardless and outwardly shook off the comments and jokes. Severus was used to it, so it was not so hard; Hermione was not. She was now the target of the school; Harry Potter seemingly ceased to exist. Despite everything, he was proud of her, but always was there a tiny fear she would back out and leave him if it became too much for her.

%%%

He sat in his chambers one Friday evening in late March, with the rain battering endlessly outside, reading, of course. Then, he gave up trying to read and crawled into bed and attempted to fall asleep. He managed to doze lightly, not really entering the sphere of deep sleep.

Suddenly a warm body slipped under the covers with him. His eyes fluttered open and he absentmindedly put an arm around the warm petite body that unmistakably was Hermione Granger. She was mumbling incoherent words into his hair, her warm breath caressing his neck. He reached out to pull her close, and discovered her wearing nothing but a thin nightgown. The feeling of her flesh pressed against him sent his insides into a rage and his body began to ache as it had done so long ago that night they had slept together. Hermione snuggled up even closer, one arm stroking his hair while the other traveled slowly down his chest to his stomach, then resting on his navel. Severus's breath deepened as he fought to control himself, his lower body reacting to her very, very close hand on his navel.

Hermione sighed deeply as she brought her hand from his chest, lower and lower. She could feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest. She pressed herself as close as she dared to his muscular body, feeling an ache that racked her whole body that she had never felt before. She wanted so badly for him to kiss her. Anywhere, she didn't care. Her breathing became labored as Severus reached and put an arm around her waist. She rolled over until she was sprawled on top of him, pressing her body as close as she could, her hormones raging inside her, threatening to make her lose control of herself.

Severus stiffened when he felt her lower body come into contact with his. He fought hard with himself, fighting for self-control. He finally reached up and kissed her, working his tongue into her mouth immediately and kissing her passionately. They both were sweating feverishly, barely even stopping for air. Finally Hermione put her foot down.

"Severus." Severus looked at her for a moment and understood. Hermione rolled off of him and lay there next to him staring at the ceiling, Severus's arm around her holding her close.

"I just don't-"

"I understand." They both lay there silently, enjoying one another's comfort and closeness. Severus had his window open, and a cool breeze graced the room and rustled the papers sitting on Severus's desk, the essential quiet looming over them like a calm and comforting sleep. Soon their eyes became heavy and they rested peacefully and soon entered a soothing realm of deep sleep that welcomed them with open arms.

The next morning brought new purpose for Hermione and Severus. It was the day of the hearing, a Saturday, since Hermione had to be able to attend, at 11am at the Ministry of Magic. This hearing was to decide if the, uh, student-teacher relationship would be worthy of a higher court. Dumbledore seriously doubted they would find any actual good reasons to do so; there was no law or rule at the school, and probably nothing about it in the wizarding laws. Severus was not comforted though; he found little hope if Lucius Malfoy was in the jury, or if Cornelius Fudge was either. Hermione was hoping against hope that they would find nothing wrong and leave them alone and have everything go back to normal. But is it ever normal for a student to be romantically involved with a professor? If the jury thought this, then they would be dead. However, she tried not to think so negatively, said her goodbyes to Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and her, Severus, and Dumbledore began walking to the boundaries of the school grounds in order to get to a Portkey that had been made especially for them.

Once Dumbledore had located the Portkey, an abandoned tennis shoe, they waited until it was a minute to a quarter to 11am and all grasped the shoe. Hermione felt the all-to-familiar tug at her navel that was always unsettling and the world began to swirl forward as they were dragged to their next destination.

They walked through London until they reached the deserted phone booth that was the secret entrance. As they crammed into it, they heard a lady's voice begin to speak.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. What is your order of business?" said the woman's voice.

"This is Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Hermione Granger to attend a hearing at 11am on behalf of Miss Granger and Mr. Snape," Dumbledore replied easily.

"Thank you." A badge appeared on Severus's chest, as well as on the others. His said: Violation and Misdemeanor Hearing-Severus Snape, Accused. How comforting. Hermione's said the same thing; Dumbledore's was the same except he was "spokesperson" instead of "accused" like they were. They make us look like we're criminals…

Dumbledore led the way through the elevator the floor that their hearing was on. As Dumbledore opened the door and led them to the room, Hermione became uncomfortable. This reminded her of when Harry told her about his hearing when he had used magic to defend himself against two dementors, that, ironically, Umbridge had sent. Except for a single chair he had described, there was a table with three chairs for them. Severus and Hermione sat next to each other, waiting anxiously as the faces of the jury looked down on them from their seats, like vultures swooping in on dead carcasses. Then Cornelius Fudge, sitting in the judge's seat, took a piece of parchment and began to read. Dirty bastard, Severus thought angrily, and took Hermione's hand in his for comfort to both of them.

"The hearing to decide the future course of the case of Hermione Granger and Severus Snape vs. The Ministry of Magic, charged as such: Severus A. Snape, with fraternizations with an underage witch and an inappropriate relationship in a school environment, and Hermione Granger, with inappropriate contact with an older wizard and inexcusable and unacceptable visitations to his private chambers," Fudge said professionally. Hermione blanched and they both looked in horror at each other: how did they know about that? "It is to the discretion of the jury and the final decision of the judge as to if they shall be charged and the case taken to court."

"The defendant's spokesperson may now begin their testimony," said the Minister after a brief pause. Dumbledore stood and began.

"I would first like to begin with a description of these two people sitting next to me. I will start with Hermione Granger. She is a sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, sixteen years old. She is a bright young student with lots of determination and talent, a fairly sensible and intelligent young woman. Praised shamelessly by her teachers, she is a student with a wide range of capability and knowledge that is extremely responsible and agreeable. Severus Snape is the Potions Master and Professor of Potions at Hogwarts, teaching for over 13 years at the school. He is also an intelligent man who is extremely reserved and cautious, and strives to effectively teach his students the art of potion making. He is extremely experienced in his field and well adept to the environment the school brings. They are here because I wrote to the Ministry for advice as to what should be done about it. Knowing the rules of our school, there were none that they were breaking. However, the Ministry insisted on becoming involved," Dumbledore's eyes glittered dangerously, "and put charges on both the teacher and student. There is no law that forbids a student to be involved with a teacher, as there is no law that forbids candy to be eaten on Sunday, " (This brought several chuckles from the jury) "and as such it is pointless to charge them for something that is not an offense in the school jurisdiction or in the British Ministry of Magic wizarding laws," he finished, sitting down heavily. Hermione was impressed; surely they would find nothing wrong with that.

"How old are you, Severus Snape?" came a jury's voice.

"Thirty-seven," he said, realizing he had turned thirty-seven only a month or so ago.

"And the student, Hermione Granger, is sixteen, correct?" said the jurywoman.

"Yes," answered Dumbledore for Hermione.

"So that means that she, an underage witch, is involved romantically and sexually with a man twice her age?" the woman pressed.

"Objection! What does this have to do with anything?" Dumbledore asked.

"It has everything to do with it," Cornelius Fudge said, in a suave tone. Hermione glared at him.

"Can the girl, Miss Granger, be questioned?" said another juryman, a tall lanky fellow with a squarish profile and long fingers.

"Yes," Dumbledore replied, and sat down.

"Hermione, is that your name? Do you mind if I call you that?" said the juryman.

"Yes," Hermione said weakly.

"Now, Hermione. You are 16 years old, and will be a minor until you turn 18. As a minor, you have limitations, such as not being allowed to use magic outside of school, and other such forbiddances. It is also inappropriate for a girl your age to be involved with a teacher on such a serious scale. A student and teacher are to have a respecting relationship, a casual one, with no physical contact or romantic references. You are intimately involved with this man, Professor Snape, are you not?"

"Of course she is, and why do you give a damn?" Severus cut in angrily.

"Yes," Hermione said.

"Miss Granger, do you know anyone else your age that is romantically involved with a teacher or an adult over twice his or her age?" asked another.

"No."

"So you admit that it is unusual? Do you not?" Hermione was silent.

"Answer the question," snapped Fudge.

"Yes."

"Could we now ask questions of Severus Snape?" said the lanky man.

"Permission granted," Dumbledore said. Hermione noticed a look in his eye that said this was not going the way he wanted it to.

"Professor Snape, you are very skilled with Potions?" asked a portly older woman with graying hair.

"Yes, you could say that." Severus was clutching Hermione's hand tightly, both palms clammy.

"Then are you capable of brewing a very strong and long-lasting Love Potion to administer to innocent young female students that you fancy?" came a silky and over-confident voice on the far end. Severus cursed. Lucius. What a surprise.

"I would not do such a thing!" Severus said, his patience with these people wavering; Hermione squeezed his hand in reassurance.

"Could you though?" said another juryman, fired up by Lucius's question.

"Most likely."

"Tell me Severus, have you bedded with this student?" Lucius said coyly.

"WHY IS HE IN THIS HEARING! THE JURY IS SUPPOSED TO BE UNBIASED!" Snape roared.

"Professor Snape, Lucius Malfoy does not have a biased opinion towards you nor does anyone else. If you cannot calm yourself, you will be asked to leave," Fudge cut in brusquely, eyeing Severus with great disapproval. Severus fumed, glaring daggers at Lucius, who simply smiled back, looking pleased with himself.

"Ah, well, time passes quickly. It is the lunch break!" said Dumbledore amiably. Fudge had no choice but to recess the hearing until after the "lunch break", much to both Severus and Hermione's relief.

"They are certainly very bold," Hermione whispered to Severus.

"I'll kill Lucius, I'll kill him," Severus said, shaking.

"Severus, they'll think you're violent or something if you keep blowing up like that. It will only make things worse!" Hermione pleaded.

"I suppose your right." Shit. What are we going to do? Lucius will blackmail the jury just so he can get me into trouble. Damn him.

Hermione watched Severus, clearly worried. I don't want to lose him, but what if we lose the case? She shuddered. That was not something she wanted to think about, but it was haunting her as they walked back into the hearing, Hermione dreading every god-awful step she took toward what might be their doom.

A/N: Realllllly long chappie! Took me forever to get through! I know I am making things very evil for dear Severus and Hermione, but don't worry, it's all for a reason. The hearing will continue in the next chapter! Review please!