A/N: Okay, I have been corrected. In chapter 24 I told a review that Lily and James were not Head Boy and Girl. That was incorrect. Several other reviewers have told me where to find this and having looked it up in Chapter four of Sorcerer's Stone, have found that Hagrid did tell Harry that they were in fact Head Boy and Girl. Prefect is apparently not required of the position. Going towards the trend of not having the Heads be from the same house this means Lily is most likely not in Gryffindor but there is no proof of that either. Despite this new knowledge I will not be changing the fact that Severus was Head Boy in my story. Too many scenes relied on his having HB privileges. I will keep it in mind for future stories.

A/N2: To the many of you who have commented that I sent Little Elizabeth to the day she was born, be assure that I didn't. I actually said that Hermione reset the timeporter to the appropriate date and time, but did not give that date and time in actuality. I have corrected that to eliminated future confusion. Thanks to those of you who brought it to my attention.

A/N3: On a final note: to those of you worrying that 'Elizabeth's' true identity will forever be a secret. It will be revealed in due time. She has her reasons, as I have mine. So be patient.

To June W: I will eventually have a complete document of it. But I need a place to post it first. If you want it sooner, try highlighting each chapter, copying and pasting into a word document on your own. Until I get myself a personal website, will have to do.

To Stargazerstarluver: I may at one point write a HGDM fic but I have this thing about multitasking when writing. I get overloaded and both would end up as crap or confused. So let me just finish this one then maybe I'll write one. Thanks for the support though.

To the reviewer who commented on the fact that in chapter 2 I said Elizabeth was killed by death eaters but then faked a potions accident: I did a little editing and while he still blames death eaters it not for the original reason I mentioned. I will be telling how the death eater thing comes in a later chapter.

Thanks as always to my beta BadBugz.

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Chapter 25: Shall We Dance

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A slightly embarrassed Severus carefully guided a stunned Hermione down the aisle of cheering and crying guests to the relative quiet of the Entrance Hall, Ginny and Remus in toe. The four silently entered a small rarely used antechamber off the main hall. Hermione sank into an overstuffed chintz chair as the others moved to copy her.

Remus was darting glances back and forth between Hermione and Severus, a questioning smile on his lips. Ginny was fighting to hide her amusement. Severus wore his usually surly expression. Hermione was staring at her hands in her lap idly twisting her wedding ring, a small smile on her lips and a blush in her cheeks.

Remus finally broke the silence by saying, "Well, that went better than expected. This day was certainly full of surprises. For a while there, I thought it wasn't going to happen at all."

"Yes," Ginny inserted. "When Hermione disappeared with Malfoy, I thought it was all over. Everyone thought Death Eaters had abducted you to stop the marriage. In a way, one did, I guess. To think, all this time Malfoy had a crush on you, but never told."

"It is rather hard to believe," commented Remus. "But what I find harder to believe is that you actually went through with the ceremony," he said looking at Snape.

Snape scowled, glaring at the other wizard. In a clipped tone he said, "I did what I had to. There was no way around it, save abdicating to Mr. Malfoy, which my wife seems to have refused, for some unknown reason."

They all turned to look at Hermione, as Ginny asked, "Why did you refuse Malfoy, Hermione?"

The brunette turned an odd shade of pale while blushing at the same time and, steadying her voice, said, "He was not the one I chose." She said no more and stuck out her chin stubbornly. Ginny looked confused. Severus raised an eyebrow questioningly while Remus gave her a thoughtful look.

They all turned at the knock on the door. It opened to reveal Molly Weasley who said, "They are ready for you now, my dears." They stood and Severus reluctantly offered his arm to his wife, while Remus offered his to Ginny. Together they left the room to join the panoply of the reception.

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The moment Severus and Hermione came into sight, the gathered crowd broke into cheers. For a few seconds, Hermione was overwhelmed by the sights and sounds. The room was completely transformed. There were no longer rows of chairs, but clusters of round tables as it had been for the Yule Ball in her fourth year. Streamers of silver, white and blue floated across the blue summer sky bewitched ceiling. The tables were covered in sapphire blue and silver tablecloths with vase after vase of unnaturally large white roses. The head table was in its usual place on the dais, also dressed in this style with swags of streamers and garlands of roses across the front.

Severus and Hermione were led to the two center seats at the long table. Ginny was on Hermione's left and Remus was on Severus' right. Harry, Ron, Minerva, Dumbledore and the rest of those who planned the wedding seated themselves at the table also. The guests took their seats and soon a rumble of conversation was all that could be heard. With a smile to the new couple, Dumbledore stood and when all was quiet, clapped his hands twice. Suddenly a veritable feast was on the tables, perfectly portioned to fit the silver china.

Looking around, Hermione thought that the house elves had really outdone themselves. There was every kind of food you could think of. No two plates contained the same thing. The only possible explanation was that the guest had been asked what they preferred ahead of time and were each given individual meals. The wine, champagne, and cider were universal, though she saw the occasional bottle of other alcohol on the tables. The meal passed quickly with only innocent conversation with Harry and Ginny to pass the time. Severus never once spoke a word, beyond, "Pass the wine."

Sometime later she was surprised to notice that the sun had set and the scene was now lit by a multitude of floating candles. Once more Dumbledore, ever the master of ceremonies, stood and said, "Honored guests, now that we have weighed ourselves down with fine food and fine wine, it is time to lighten the mood. So it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you Severus and Hermione Snape in the first dance. Music, please."

Startled, it was a moment before the couple rose from there seats. A bit awkward, they proceeded to the cleared square of dance floor. A strangely haunting yet beautiful waltz started playing and they began to dance. Despite the awkward start, together they were as graceful a pair as anyone could hope for. If anyone noticed, they ignored the fact that, while close enough to look comfortable, they were not touching except for where their hands rested on his shoulder, her waist and their palms. It seemed almost as if they were ignoring each other while being intimate at the same time.

This was not true. Severus was very aware of his partner. He could smell the honey and roses scent of her shampoo and perfume. He was very aware of her hand on his shoulder and how it felt so right. He noticed the glow of her skin above the cream expanse of the dress. He caught the flicker of candlelight in the sapphires at throat and ears. He wondered about those jewels.

Once again, he sensed that he knew those earrings and necklace. They were exactly like the ones he had given Elizabeth on that special Christmas twenty years ago. Resolutely, he banished that thought. She was dead and the jewels were lost with her. No one had found them when they searched her things. Not even the ring he gave her was found. He had always assumed they had been burned when she was. These could not be the same sapphires. It was just not possible. A small niggling thought pushed its way to the surface unheeded, She does look good in them though.

Hermione also was all too aware of her husband. She could not think of anything better than dancing with the man she loved, except maybe to have him love her back. But she was content. She loved the way he smelled of herbs and spices. She never minded that he always wore black. It looked good on him. She had noticed that he was looking at her, particularly focused on her jewelry. Internally she hoped that he would recognize them and make the connection without being told. But knowing the way he thought, he would totally deny any possibility that she was Elizabeth. She would have to tell him, she knew. But, she hastily reassured herself, it need not be tonight.

It was with some relief and regret on both of their parts that the song ended as other couples joined them on the dance floor. Hermione was instantly asked to dance by none other than Dumbledore. To everyone's surprise, Ginny braved the scorn and asked Severus to partner her for the next one. Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Harry and Ron giving Ginny incredulous looks of horror.

As the band struck up the next chords, Hermione was swept gracefully around the floor by the Headmaster. He smiled cheerily at her, eyes twinkling, and asked, "How are you doing, my dear?"

She smiled back at him and replied, "Wonderful, Professor. Everything is beautiful. I hadn't actually thought that I would get this kind of wedding. It surpasses even what I had hoped for in a muggle wedding. Thank you."

"It was nothing, my dear, but what you deserve. Both of you. And while the decorations are beautiful, I must say nothing surpasses you on this day. But how are things with Severus?" he said, a hinting tone to his voice.

She blushed at the compliment and gave a grim smile to the question and replied, "It is as it could be expected. He ignores me except to perform the required movements that society demands. He still does not know. I am hoping he will figure it out on his own."

"Ah, but is that wise? To let him linger in ignorance, to then become fond of you in your own right, then have it revealed that you were lying, may be worse than just telling him while he hides behind diffidence. He must know sooner or later. I hope for both your sakes, that it is sooner," he advised.

She looked thoughtful for a moment then said, "I see what you mean." She sighed and as the song ended they stopped dancing. Before they parted she said, "Thank you, Headmaster."

He smiled grandly and said, "My dear Hermione, you are no longer my student, but colleague and friend. I insist you call me Albus."

She just smiled as he left to join the other staff at a nearby table. She turned at the tap on her shoulder. To her surprise it was Remus, looking fine in robes of pale blue. He smiled kindly at her and asked, "May I have this dance?"

She smiled and said, "Of course." He took up her hand and placing one hand on her waist, proceeded to guide her in a fast two step.

Once they got into the rhythm, they had breath to talk. Remus spoke first and caught her by surprise when he said, "You were Elizabeth Gordon."

She looked at him in shock and finally managed to stammer, "I am...er...was."

He looked at her, not in anger or sadness, but in thoughtfulness. After a moment he asked, "How did you do it? How many knew?"

Caught in his frankness, she looked him straight in the eye as she responded, "There was an accident with a timeturner I was using. It got hit by some spells that caused a malfunction. It sent me back. I only missed about three weeks here. Back then only Dumbledore, Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall knew. In this time the staff and Harry and Ron knew where I really went."

He looked at her piercingly for a second and said, "Snape?"

She shook her head, "Dumbledore didn't tell him. He thought it would do too much damage. He thought I should be the one to tell him. Until now, I saw no real point in revealing it to him."

His next look was filled with consternation as he asked, "You didn't sign the contract purely to get him back in any form, did you?"

She was quick to answer, "Absolutely not. At the time, he truly was the best choice out of the lot. It did help to know what was really under all the sarcasm and cruelty, though. I truly feel safe with him, where I would not with any of the others. I may have chosen Draco, if he had told me about his feelings before my little sojourn to the past. But it is too late. While it is not the only reason, it is part of my choice to as you said, have him in any form I can. I love him and hopefully he can learn to love me."

Remus looked at her in a way she had not seen in many months. It was the look he had given her the day they had come to an agreement to just stay friends instead of a couple. The look that conveyed a million feelings of love, regret and respect, all rolled into one. As the song ended, he returned her to the side of the floor and released her with a sad smile to the care of her friends.

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance before Harry stepped forward smiling. "May I dance with you, Mione?" he asked offering his hand. She smiled and let her friend lead her out to the floor once again. The next song was a fast one. Harry proved to be a mediocre dancer, though not as bad as some of the other guests.

They danced to one more before Ron made an appearance and cut in. Harry relinquished his place and moved to cut in on Ginny and her unknown partner. As the band struck up anther waltz, Ron and Hermione moved across the floor. Despite his awkward height compared to hers, he was more graceful than Harry. For the first stanza they remained silent. Out of the blue Ron said, "It could have been me."

Hermione looked up at him in confusion. "What could have?" she asked.

"You could have married me," he explained. "I was actually planning on it. I couldn't stand the thought of you being snatched up by some moron who just wanted a plaything or a slave. As soon as the law passed, I started to think about it. I realized we didn't do so well as a couple in sixth year. But I was younger then and kind of stupid when it came to girls. I realize we fought all the time, but I thought maybe we could work it out somehow. I was going to suggest it next year if the law was still around. You know, so you could have time to get used to the idea. You weren't gonna be twenty for two years. If I had known the timeturner stuff would count, I would have had a contract right there next to Malfoy's and Snape's."

She could only stare at him in silence for a long moment. Finally she said, "Oh. Thank you, I think. It was a good plan. I never expected to get any contracts let alone from you or Severus or anybody. But I am happy with my choice, law or no."

He looked confused, "How can you be happy with him? He's a greasy old bat. He was your professor!"

She smiled wanly at him and said, "I love him."

For a long moment shock kept him speechless. Finally he spluttered, "Love!"

"I fell in love with him...in the past. When I was then, I got into a relationship with teenage Severus. He thinks I'm dead, but I still love him."

He still looked stunned and slightly worried. He shook his head and said, "I ...I can't believe this. I mean, I believe that you're telling me the truth, but...I'm gonna need some time to let it ...sink in." The song stopped and they moved to the side to rest their feet. Still in a daze, Ron sat. Suddenly he looked around and said, "Do you want something to drink? I'm thirsty. I'll be right back."

Hermione watched him go, hoping that he would be able to come to grips with the fact that she really did love Severus Snape. Except for the occasional dance by Ron or Remus and various other guest who just wanted to dance with the bride, she was content to sit and watch the others dance.

There was another who sat and watched the dancers. He had mixed feelings as he watched his wife being partnered by everyone under the sun. Hermione dancing with Dumbledore was expected. He found Potter's attempt to dance humorous and he was vastly surprised at the grace of Weasley. He ignored the strangers altogether as unimportant, but none the less focused his attention on Her. To his own surprise, he felt a disquieting kind of rage at seeing her dance with Lupin. After the second time this happened, he identified the feeling as jealousy. He was jealous of the werewolf. It was almost like when they were students and he had felt the rage at seeing the Gryffindor parading around with Elizabeth.

But she is NOT Elizabeth, he told himself. She is not, but it feels as if she is and he is stealing her away from me. For a moment he fought with the urge to go rip the other man to shreds and reclaim his wife, but soon calm won out. Get a hold of yourself, Severus. It's not as if he really was stealing her. It is just a dance. Besides, you don't even love the girl.

Out of nowhere a little voice said, Yet, as he continued to watch her being twirled around the floor, in flashes of white, honey and sapphire blue.

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It was over. The guests had gone home. The Hall was restored to pristine condition. Everyone, tired from rich food and much dancing, retired to their rooms as they shooed the couple to leave, with not so subtle hints as to what must come next.

With an eye roll to the heavens at his colleague's stupidity, Severus led the way to his private quarters. He led her down several corridors into the dungeons. She noted the turns and made a count of the doorways in each hall so she would be able to find her way back in the future. They came to a halt in front of a picture of a lone cauldron bubbling an acidic green over a roaring flame.

Severus studied the portrait for several moments before saying, "Lacewings and shrivelfigs." Hermione then noticed a small mouse sitting on the tabletop in the picture. It gave a squeak and waved its tail before suddenly blowing out the flame under the cauldron. Severus then waved his wand and said an incantation to lower the secondary wards as the portrait swung open to reveal a dark passageway. He turned to her sharply and said, "It will recognize you from the inside only, so to find out all new passwords, which I change every two days, you must ask from the inside. Remember the ward release. It will set off alarms and refuse entrance if you do not use it. When the flames are out, the primary ward and entrance is open. If the portrait is closed, the wards automatically go back up. Don't forget."

As they entered his mail living quarters, she was not much surprised to find it decorated in black, green and silver. Upon observation during the quick tour he have given her, it was all very much like what she remembered his rooms at the mansion as a teenager had been. She resolved, at some future point, to exert some prerogative as his wife to redecorate, but not now.

As the tour was over, Hermione began to get nervous. She knew was supposed to come next, she was just unsure of how that was supposed to happen. It was one thing for to teenagers in love to get carried away while making out in the heat of the moment, but it was quite another for two people forced into a marriage to breakdown and have sex because the law told them they had to.

She looked up to find Severus regarding her. Suddenly they seemed to reach a silent agreement and headed to the bedroom. He had apparently anticipated what was needed because once they had entered the room he handed her two vials of potion, one purple and one red. She glanced at the potions and said, "Ones a contraceptive that much I know, but what is the red one for?"

He looked at her resentfully for a moment then said, "It is a lust potion. Due to the ...unfavorable circumstances, I felt that ...we ... may need some ...help. It will cause a natural sexual reaction, no matter the true feelings of the person. Under normal circumstances, I find it a crude and wasteful practice, but I find that I ...we will find it useful for the time being. After tonight, four hours of touch while sleeping will suffice to fill the requirement. The contraceptive is obvious. There is no need to be producing children just yet. If you wish to change, the washroom is that direction." This last was said, not as a suggestion, but an outright statement that she had better go.

She found that her things had been moved to his quarters while they had partied. She removed a blue satin nightgown and gathered her toothbrush before closing herself in the indicated room. For several moments, she contemplated her image absently in the mirror. As she carefully extracted herself from her gown and removed the sapphires and roses in her hair, she thought about the potions sitting on the edge of the sink. She donned the nightgown and brushed her teeth. Finished with her absolutions, she picked up the vials. She uncapped the purple contraceptive and in a rush, tipped the contents down her throat. For a second, her mouth was filled with the strong taste of apples and a warm tingling settled in her abdomen before fading. She looked at the red vial and hesitated. She stared at it for a long moment before uncapping it. She took a deep breath and settled her mind before dumping it down the sink and running water to wash it away.

If she was going to be in this marriage she was going to do it of free will and clear mind. She wanted no taint to their precarious relationship. Besides she did not need a potion to be attracted to her husband, though she did allow that he may need some help to get over his ... fear of physical contact. Stealing herself, she opened the door and joined the dark figure in the large bed.

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Sun warmed her face, playing across her features as it peaked through the enchanted window. She found she was comfortable in a way she had never known before. She felt like she had never truly slept before. She was warm despite the coolness of the morning in the dungeons. Suddenly she realized this was due to the fact that she was curled up next to a warm body. Without moving she studied her position. She was facing the wall with the window and armoire. Severus was at her back cupping her in the curve of his stomach. He had both arms wrapped around her waist and stomach. His head was cushioned on her hair as his breath warmed her ear in a slightly arousing way. She could feel everywhere their bodies touched, on her back and legs to his stomach and thighs. She was a little surprised to find them both completely naked.

For many long moments, she reveled in his comfortable touch and remembered the night of tender love making that had preceded sleep. She felt as if she could stay this way forever and be content. Her only regret was that his reaction had been only that of a potion working in his blood.

She felt him suddenly stiffen and experienced a loss of heat as he rolled away. She watched his back as he entered the washroom, regretting his quick retreat and wishing that the moment had not been broken.

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Severus smelled roses and honey. He had had a dream that he had made love to a beautiful woman with honey and chocolate colored hair and cinnamon eyes. She had kissed him and told him she loved him, and he believed her. It was such a respite from his usual nightmares. He wished he was still holding her instead of waking to the same old evil and boredom filled world.

As he came to a fuller consciousness, he was a bit surprised to find that he was warm and ...still holding the woman from his dream. Suddenly he realized that it had not been a dream, but a reality. He had slept with Hermione, his wife, and they were still together. For a moment he was confused. Why had she not run away screaming at the horror of his touch? If his memory was correct, she had encouraged his embrace and kisses. He had liked those kisses. Part of his brain was saying that had just been the potion but he knew that once he had gotten in the mood he had enjoyed it purely of his own will, not a potion induced one. His only regret was that her reaction had been from the potion, not her own will.

Noticing her wake he stiffened suddenly, and rolled away. He missed the look of regret and longing on her face as he retreated through the washroom door.

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Over the following weeks, they remained distant. Hermione was busy in her apprenticeship to Professor McGonagall and learning her duties as a Librarian. She had been promoted to a Professor-in-training, after the news that she had broken the record of highest N.E.W.T.s scores in history, with an astounding 14.

When they were together, Severus seemed to ignore her unless necessary which seemed to only be when they were sleeping. They started out every evening sleeping board straight next to each other with only their hands touching. But come morning, they always found themselves curled together, bodies entwined. But each morning, Severus reacted the same way, with stiffness and avoidance. They rarely spoke unless required by conversations with Dumbledore.

Only once did they say anything that was not prompted by another. It had begun as a complaint about cat hair all over the place, and had turned into a raging row about the stupidity of pets and their owners and people in general. Finally Severus had to leave the room as Hermione refused to leave and would not give up her cat.

One night about a week before the new school term started, they were silently sitting in the living room of his quarters. She read a book on advanced transfiguration and how to teach it while Severus worked on his lesson plan. Hermione looked up from her tome as Severus hissed in pain and gripped his left arm.

Suddenly Hermione knew what was happening as he relaxed and stood up. He had been summoned. He must go before Voldemort. She was worried. What if they hurt him? What if they made him torture, rape or kill some muggle? She couldn't bear the thought, but she couldn't think of a reason to make him stay. She felt bad just by thinking about him going, so how must he feel. Before she could come up with a reasonable argument for him to stay, he had left their quarters and was out in the corridor.

She sighed and resigned herself to a long night awake. She mentally kicked her worries to a back corner and tried to concentrate on her book, but occasionally her thoughts would resurface now and then.

Several hours passed. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Dumbledore's head in the fire saying, "Hermione, I need you to come up to the Hospital Wing. Severus has been injured. It's bad. Be prepared." With that cryptic message, he was gone and Hermione was instantly up and leaving the room.

She practically flew through the corridors and up the stairs. She skidded to a halt and entered the ward with more decorum than she had arrived. She approached the curtain enclosed bed cautiously. Dumbledore was sitting on a chair patiently watching the curtain, though nothing could be seen. Seeing her, he conjured another chair and motioned for her to sit.

Gesturing to the curtain, he said, "Poppy has not yet finished assessing his condition. You know as much as I." She just nodded and waited, perched on the edge of her chair, unaware of the Headmaster's scrutiny.

After what seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes, Madame Pomfrey emerged. She looked grim and when Dumbledore conjured up another chair she sank on to it gratefully. Sighing she said, "He took quite a bit of punishment. I'm not entirely sure what all was done to him. He was hexed with quite a few things, including a bone breaker curse. Both his legs and one arm were broken. He had several large bruises on his back and sides like he had been kicked. He had several small lacerations to his arms and face. All those I can and have fixed. What I don't understand is the deliriousness and swelling of his hand. There are also to large puncture type marks on his palm. For some reason none of my healing charms or potions are working. I just don't understand it. If he does not get better on his own within the next 24 hours he must go to St. Mungo's."

Hermione shuddered at the thought of him being put through such torture. What had he done to deserve this kind of treatment? But then again what had Harry, the Potters, or the Weasleys done to deserve any of it. At the thought of the Weasleys, Hermione had an idea of what might be wrong with Severus. "Nagini," she said suddenly.

The two elder witch and wizard looked at her a bit strangely, so she continued, "Nagini, is Vol...sorry, You-Know-Who's snake. Her bites are highly poisonous and hard to remedy. Mr. Weasley was bitten once in fifth year; it took him weeks at St. Mungo's before he recovered. I can't explain the delirium, but perhaps it may have to do with the number of spells combined with the venom." She saw the mediwitch's face brighten slightly at having found the source of the problem and knowing that it was not necessarily a failure on her part to not be able to heal him.

Suddenly Hermione jumped up saying, "I know where he keeps some anti-venom and a bezoar. Maybe they will help. You may have to get more healers up here. I don't think he should be moved." Before either of the others could reply, she was off to fetch the ingredients from Severus' storeroom. They were her lifeline in what could easily be the death of her husband and love.

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Over the next several days Hermione kept vigil at his bedside. The anti-venom and bezoar seemed to be helping. He was less fitful in his sleep and the swelling went down. A couple of unknown Healers from St. Mungo's had come and gone saying that they could do no more that had already been done. On the third day Madame Pomfrey was able to heal the puncture wounds, though they left scars. Little by little his delirium lessoned. He began to recognize people and his surroundings for short periods of time. For the most part he slept.

On the fifth day, Dumbledore ordered Hermione to their quarters to get some real rest rather than the two or three hours a night she had been getting. It was while she was sleeping soundly in the dungeons that Severus came out of his venom induced stupor. He woke to find Dumbledore sitting at the end of his cot apparently knitting a purple scarf.

He rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair, and scowling snapped, "What happened?"

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Ah, Severus, you're awake and with us finally. We were hoping you could tell us what had happened. From the looks of it, it was pleasant."

For a moment the younger man looked confused, then said, "I went to the meeting as usual. But this time there was no real meeting. I was instantly called to stand before him. He knew about my marriage of course. Apparently Lucius had told him of his plan of marry Hermione to Draco as an in to Potter. My marrying her, ruined that plan. To say the least he was not pleased. He said he would forgive me my trespass since, she was still accessible to the inner circle. But for not informing him of it before the actual marriage, I was to be punished. As the thwarted he gave Lucius control of my ...punishment. My old friend has a penchant for extreme revenge. The last thing I remember is the Dark Lord's snake circling me. How bad was I?"

Dumbledore explained, "You have been having a rough go of it my friend. First that horrible beating and so many curses not even your own mother would have recognized you in the street. Then there was the snake venom problem. Luckily, young Hermione knew a solution. Seems that you have taught her well. Even Poppy didn't think to use anti-venom and a bezoar. We were so glad when it had started to work. We almost lost you there for a while."

It took Severus' illness befuddled brain a few minutes to follow this rambling. He finally settled on one thing. "Hermione found my cure?" he asked.

The headmaster nodded and said, "Yes, made the diagnosis, too. We never thought about Nagini. She remembered Mr. Weasley getting bitten back when we were guarding the prophecy globe. She sat here for days and nights on end. I finally had to force her back to your rooms to get a proper bit of sleep. She's exhausted from looking after you."

Severus snorted and with a self deprecating smirk, intoned, "I don't believe you. She wouldn't even care. Why would she ever want to look after me?"

Dumbledore just gave him a quelling look and said, "Because she loves you." He stood and exited the ward, leaving a stupefied potions master in his wake.

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A/N: Hehehe! There he's been told, sort of. Now I realize you've all been patient so in the next chapter I am finally going to do the big reveal. It will have lots of little surprises for Sev along the way. Enjoy and review!