A/N: Once again thanks for all the reviews. I realize that the ending to the last chapter was a bit lame. So in the near future I am planning on going through the entire story and fixing small errors and improving certain scenes which turned out lame or out of sync with the rest. Please be patient with me on that score.

June W: I have finally got the story in a one document form. Look on my website on the My Fanfiction link. Please read the instructions for downloading carefully as do it incorrectly may cause my site to shut down for the rest of the day. It is only going to contain the story up until the currently posted chapter. So look for updates as I post.

Stephme: I am sorry to hear that you got a virus. If it was indeed from my website, I apologize. I did not purposely put it there. If it happens again tell me. I am not an expert on viruses but I will get help if my site is truly spreading one. It comes from lack of security, but what can you expect with a free website.

To anyone interested: My website now includes a downloadable version of "Hello" by Evanescence, featured in Ch. 20. I highly recommend this song to anyone, even if it is a little depressing. The site also includes an up-to-date downloadable copy of this story in one word document. It currently is 171 pages long (not including this chap) and is 628 KB. So please be patient in the downloading process. Please read downloading instructions carefully before clicking the link. The site address is : www(dot)geocities(dot)com(slash)barqhorse(slash)fanfic(dot)html

Thanks as always to my beta BadBugz.

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Chapter 28: Questions

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Hermione hugged herself in an attempt to ward off the chill. The waiting room for the couples gathered to have the Marriage Bond removed was freezing despite all the warm bodies. Severus noticed her shivering in the seat next to him and deftly conjured up an extra fur-lined cloak. She smiled up at him in thanks as he wrapped it around her shoulders.

Warmer, she let her attention wander to the couples surrounding her. She noticed that many of the women had a look of relieved happiness, while their partners looked a bit disgruntled. She recognized several of them as students she had seen a few years ahead of her at Hogwarts. Some of the pairs she knew to be together were not sitting together and were instead several rows apart on opposite sides of the room.

Slowly, one by one, the couples were called in, though the room never seemed to empty. They passed the time discussing the students and how this school year was turning out so far. After a while they lapsed back into silence. After an hour or so had passed, a ministry witch dressed in the official deep scarlet robes of the newly created Marriage and Family Regulation Department stepped out of the office and raised a long parchment list. She studied it for a moment and called out, "Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape."

Together they rose and headed up the aisle towards the witch. She gestured at the open door behind her and they proceeded through. The room seemed to be filled to the brim with stacks of files and large trash bins filled with what looked like torn up marriage contracts. One basket stood to the left of the witch's oak desk. It was noticeably emptier. The label on the outside read, RENEWED MARRIAGES.

Another red garbed wizard sat behind a large mahogany desk cluttered with parchment. He looked a bit frazzled as he shuffled through a stack of files, muttering to himself, "Where...no...that's not it...where is...ah... here we go! Yes, ah, Mr. and Mrs. Snape, is it?" He looked up at them and smiled kindly. He gestured at the two chintz chairs in front of the desk as he said, "Please be seated and we get to business."

Once they had seated themselves, he flipped open the file and after reading a bit, looked back up and said, "So first things first, do you want to dissolve this marriage?" He was looking at Hermione pointedly, expecting that, as the muggleborn party and female, she would not wish to continue being married to a pureblood man twice her age, especially one that looked like he would bite your head off just for breathing.

She flitted an ironic smile at Severus, before saying, "No, we wish to stay married." The wizard looked shocked for a moment and she distinctly heard the witch's quill and parchment hit the floor behind them. The wizard cleared his throat a few times as he composed himself and drew out a blank sheet of parchment. He pointed his wand at it and muttered an incantation. Instantly, glittering black ink appeared on the page. Reading the heading upside down, Hermione realized that it was another marriage contract.

He looked at them and cleared his throat one more time before saying, "Well then, let's see. That will require a new contract being signed by both parties. Is the marriage continuance consented on both sides?"

Severus gave him the patented Slytherin sneer and said, "Of course. What are the parameters of this contract?"

The wizard gulped at the severe look on the professor's face, and hastily said, "Um...unlike the contract signed previously, this is just the generic marriage agreement, saying that both parties consent to the marriage, and swear to up hold their duties to each other and to any future offspring that may result,providing shelter, food and education, if the child should prove magical, etc. Children are not required in this contract, nor is...ah...physical contact. This contract also doesn't stop you from ever absolving the marriage should you wish to do so."

When he finished, Hermione asked, "What happens with the old contract? Do we still have to follow any of the rules set by Severus' father?"

He shook his head and replied, "No. The old contract is null and void. Speaking of which..." He pointed his wand at the file containing what Hermione assumed was the old contract. He muttered an incantation and parchment lifted itself into the air where it proceeded to tear itself into tiny shreds before floating to the nearest trash bin. He smiled at them and said, "There that's taken care of. Now, to remove the Bond. Hold still please. One...two...three...irradicus attaché."

As he finished the spell and wand movement, Hermione and Severus felt a release of tension, as if a string tied tightly had been severed. Hermione realized that she no longer felt as if she were fighting against a tow that led to Severus. She hadn't even realized the feeling was there. They shook themselves, slightly uncomfortable in their own skins.

The wizard smiled at them again reassuringly, and said, "The feeling wears off in a few minutes. Now all that's left is to sign the new contract." He flipped the paper around to face them and handed them both a quill and a bottle of ink. Severus leaned forward to read it first and saw Hermione do the same. The contract was just as the wizard had said, nothing more, nothing less. He leaned back slightly and dipped the quill tip in the ink. Hermione watched him as he signed the contract with economy of movement that comes from years in potions making. Finished he laid down the quill and turned to her. When she did not instantly begin to sign, Severus felt a pang of fear. She's having second thoughts. She doesn't really want to stay married. Why isn't she signing? All this rushed through his mind in the split second before she dipped her quill and wrote her name. When she had finished, Severus let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.

The red-robed official congratulated them and told them they were officially remarried. As he said the words, the contract glowed brightly and neatly folded itself in thirds before flying to the half empty basket and settling itself in the bottom. The wizard smiled at them both and wished them happiness in their marriage, though he did not look at Severus while he said this.

The witch escorted them to a door opposite the one they had entered by, which opened to reveal a stairway. She instructed them on how to get to the lifts to the atrium before returning to the office. As the door closed behind her, Severus and Hermione looked at each other for one silent moment before embracing each other in a passionate kiss to rival their wedding day. When they came up for air, they separated but still held eachother's hands and headed up the stairs.

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Number 12, Grimauld Place had changed quite a bit in the last three years. The railings and floors glowed with polish. The walls were painted in bright welcoming colors. The kitchen was lit cozily, magical light globes hanging near the ceiling. After Sirius' death in the Department of Mysteries, Number 12 had gone to Harry. He had made it his goal to make the place a home that Sirius would have enjoyed. Over the summer between their sixth and seventh year, they had managed to pry Mrs. Black's portrait and the Black family tree off the wall. They were currently stored in a double locked cabinet in the attic, along with the old house elf heads. To Hermione's grief and everyone else's relief, Kreacher had died when a shelf loaded with boxes collapsed on him.

The gathered crowd in the kitchen showed improvement as well. The Order of the Phoenix had expanded. All the Weasleys, including Ginny, were now members along with Harry and Hermione. They had been successful in recruiting several other ministry workers, aurors and the like, as well as a few others who were trusted by Dumbledore.

Fred and George had been decidedly disappointed that most of the Order's work was, as they put it, boring. But they continued to help in anyway they could. Most of it was listening for news and some illegal experimenting that Severus suspected may have had to do with some of their newest practical jokes, which when used improperly could be lethal weapons.

Severus came out of his contemplation, to his wife saying, "Do we know who they are talking about? Or are we just going on hearsay?"

Draco, the newest member of the Order and spy on Voldemort, shook his head and replied, "No names were mentioned in what I heard. I am definitely sure that the Avery and MacNair were planning a kidnapping though. It's supposed to happen sometime around Hogwarts' Christmas break. That made me suspect that is was someone at the school. If they are waiting until break, then that means the person is going to be busy and enclosed in the school until then."

Lupin looked at Severus from the other end of the table and asked, "Have you heard anything about this kidnapping, Snape?" The death of Sirius and a few wise words from Dumbledore had calmed much of the hatred between the old enemies. While Severus still despised and feared the werewolf half of the other wizard, he no longer blamed the childhood prank on the human part.

So it was with less venom that had ventured into previous conversations that he responded, "Vague rumors only. A few of the underling informants, who are not of the inner circle of Death Eaters, have mentioned possible plans, but no one higher has confirmed anything to me. Either I am not trusted as I once was, or I am to have nothing to do with the actual kidnapping. If Draco's information is correct then there is indeed going to be one and by the upper levels of Death Eaters, which means the Dark Lord himself gives it great import."

McGonagall, sitting between Molly Weasley and Remus, said, "Without a name we can't very well protect this person. We need confirmation before a plan of action can be put in place. Let's not forget the disaster with the Rothchilds. We had the wrong information so instead of protecting the one we thought they wanted, we lost an entire family."

"A point to be considered," inserted Albus. "So we must all keep our eyes and ears open for any information that can identify the kidnap-to-be. Remember to confirm all sources. No half-bits of information. We need solid evidence on this one. Unfortunately, with Cornelius still being stubborn on mass protection, we can only do so much without being arrested. So keep low and if you hear anything, you know who to contact. Understood? Alright, meeting adjourned. Now Molly has a wonderful smelling stew going, if anyone wishes to stay for dinner. Is that fresh bread I smell?"

Half the people in the room filtered out into the hall, careful to leave the house in a manner not to alert the muggles on the street outside. Harry stayed of course, since he lived there, along with Ron, and was talking to Mad-Eye Moody. The rest of the Weasleys stayed, the twins and Ginny promptly sat down to play a game of Bat-Bludgers, a game invented by the twins involving two miniature bludgers and a number of enchanted miniature rubber bats flying around a chess board with attached obstacles. Lupin gratefully accepted a steaming bowl of stew as he launched into a conversation with Arthur Weasley. Mundungus Fletcher was sleeping at one end of the table while Kingsley and Minerva were discussing something, futily trying to hear eachother over Mundungus' snores.

Severus gave Molly a slight nod of thanks as she set a bowl of stew and a chunk of crusty bread in front of him. He had stayed for meals at Grimauld Place ever since he married Hermione. She always insisted on staying and in the beginning he had felt obliged to stay with her. Now he stayed because he liked the food as well.

Hermione was about to reach for her spoon as well when Mrs. Weasley tapped her on the shoulder and asked to speak to her. Surprised, Hermione stood up and followed her out into the hall. As the door to the kitchen cutting off the sound of talking and laughter, Hermione looked at the red-headed mother of her friends. She looked the same as she always had, but for once she wasn't smiling. She was frowning concernedly and before Hermione could ask what was wrong, she said, "How are you doing, dear? Is everything going all right?"

Hermione had the feeling that she wasn't necessarily asking about life in general. She had a hunch that it had something to do with Severus, or rather her being married to him. Mrs. Weasley had been one of the loudest protestor of the Marriage Act. She smiled reassuringly at the older woman and replied, "I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley. I couldn't be happier."

A disbelieving look passed over Molly's face, as she said, "Are you quite sure? I don't mean to pry, but how could you be happy with that man?"

Hermione's smile widened as she asked, "What do you know about Severus' past, Mrs. Weasley? About his school life I mean."

The witch looked surprised at this question, but answered, "Not much, beyond that he went to school with James, Sirius, Remus and Lily. He doesn't talk about himself much. Why do you ask?

"There was another that he went to school with. Her name was Elizabeth Gordon and they were sweethearts in their seventh year. They were both very much in love. They even got engaged. Unfortunately, she appeared to have died shortly before school ended." Mrs. Weasley gasped in sympathy. Hermione continued, "I say appeared because she didn't really die. You see, she was from a different time. A future time. She had to go back. So she faked her death with Dumbledore's help. Up until this last Halloween, Severus believed Elizabeth to be dead."

Molly looked at her curiously, "What do you mean until Halloween? Did she come back? How? Who is she?" Hermione looked her straight in the eyes, her entire expression saying that she already knew. She looked confused for a moment, then it suddenly hit her, "YOU! You were Elizabeth? He loved you?"

"Yes, and still does, as I love him. We both chose to stay married. I was not forced or tricked into it. It is purely a marriage of love at this point," said Hermione matter-of-factly.

Molly looked relieved and after a moment gave the younger witch a hug and a smile saying, "Well, I don't quite see the attraction, but ...if you are happy and he is happy then I guess I can't complain. I had always kind of hoped you would marry Ron."

Hermione laughed and said, "I know, but we tried dating and it was a disaster. We were always fighting about one thing or another. I got the feeling that he resented my higher school marks and study habits more as a couple than as friends."

Molly ruefully shook her head, "I see the point. He may not have gotten the top marks but you can't help but love him. You know...there is always Harry." Hermione just rolled her eyes as they headed back to the kitchen.

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The room was surprisingly brightly lit for the person who sat in the chair by the fireplace. Most would associate him with dark, damp places full of dead and rotting things. But like everyone else, he was still a man, if not fully human. He liked his creature comforts as much as the next person. After all, only the best could go to Lord Voldemort.

There was another man in the room. Surrounded as he was by the rich green brocaded and black furniture, he seemed out of place in his coal-black hooded robe and terror-inducing silver mask. Though no feature but height could be distinguished, the Dark Lord knew very well who was under the hood.

This particular Death Eater had once been accused of conspiring with Lord Voldemort, but had pleaded innocent and released for lack of evidence. On the Dark Lord's return, he was caught red-handed in the Department of Mysteries and this time sent to prison without trial. But the guards of Azkaban had their loyalties straight and all the accused Death Eaters, past and present, were released. This one went underground, plotting with the Dark Lord and silently working on black-mailing and threatening others into supporting his master.

Some considered Lucius Malfoy to be his second in command. In truth, he was simply the highest ranked Death Eater of the inner circle. The Dark Lord had no second in command. Voldemort trusted few and even those he did could easily have his suspicion turned upon them. Only this man kneeling in front of him, did he trust completely. "There is a problem, Lucius," he hissed.

"A problem, my Lord?" Malfoy asked. Though powerful in the outside world, here he was just insignificant, he was just a tool to be used for the Dark Lord's purpose.

"Yes, Lucius, a problem. The plans to kidnap the girl have leaked to the Outer Circle. Too many know of the details. That fool Dumbledore and his precious Potter most likely know about it already. Avery talks too much for his own good. He has been notified of his mistake." Behind the mask, Lucius' mouth tightened grimly. He knew that any 'mistakes' were punished severely. Avery was probably lucky to still be alive.

"What can I do to help, my Lord?" he asked sycophantically.

The wizard formerly called Tom Riddle, answered, "The damage may be too great to continue on with the current plan. But, there may be another way. It will still involve kidnapping the girl, but by different means. We will go the direct approach. In two weeks I will summon you and Severus Snape to me. We will discuss the plan more then."

Malfoy decided that it would be worth the risk to ask, "Snape, Master. Is it wise to involve him? I do not believe him to be as trustworthy as he once was."

For a moment if seemed that he had overstepped his ground, but his master replied, "What you say may be true? I too have doubted his excuses when I returned to my body. But if my plan succeeds, it will give me what I want and prove his loyalty. Yes, the fate of Severus Snape depends on this. Now go."

Lucius stood quickly and bowed as he backed his way out of the room. You never turn your back to the Dark Lord. As the ebony door closed behind him, he smiled and thought, Severus will never know what hit him, as he apparated to his mansion.

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As November came to a close, winter took a firm hold on Hogwarts. It was snowing every other day and chilly drafts found its way into the castle despite large amounts of warming charms. To attempt to ward off the chill, every fireplace was filled to the brim with a blazing fire 24 hours a day. So it was with much relief that Hermione and Severus retreated to their quarters after a day spent in their chilly classrooms.

They sat in comfortable silence as they worked on their separate grading and planning. After a while, Severus looked up from a phenomenally dismal third year's essay on poisons and their antidotes, to see that Hermione was not grading but rather staring into the fire in thought. When she did not move for several minutes, except to blink slowly, he said, "What are you thinking about?" She blinked twice and suddenly was looking at him. She took a moment to register his question as she shook her head, clearing her mind.

She gave him a weak smile, and replied, "Just stuff. Mostly about the Order. Okay, mostly about you."

He raised an eyebrow and quirked a smile and asked, "What about me?" He got up and sat next her on the couch, moving over a stack of graded papers.

"I was wondering...why did you became a Death Eater, and what made you want to quit?" she watched his face for signs of anger.

Finally after a long moment, he broke the silence, his voice clipped with suppressed memories and emotion, "You."

She looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean me? To which question? How did I cause you to be a Death Eater?"

He looked at her for a moment, before looking away. It was easier if he didn't look at her. Voice tight he began, "It wasn't you personally. It was more your death. When you died...when I thought you were dead, I swore to myself never to let another get attached. There was too much danger of getting hurt. I felt lost after school. My home was not exactly welcoming and I didn't have many friends. My future was supposed to involve you, but with you gone, I had nothing. Malfoy once mentioned an opportunity to join a group. It was ideal for what I wanted at the time. They needed a potions maker, someone who was skilled and liked the Dark Arts, willing to do experiments on the side. Later I found out what it really was, but by then I was in too deep to get out alive."

"Instead of thinking about who I was working for, I just focused on my potions. I had quickly raised my status to the Inner Circle. It was then that I overheard Lucius talking about you and how you died. He claimed to be responsible. He mentioned telling you something that might have made you suicide. I laid the blame on him for my problems, starting with losing you. Everything seemed to come back to him. By then I had realized what a mistake it had been to follow Malfoy in anything. I had seen and committed horrors that would haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. I was desperate for a way out, but I had blocked out all clear thought, lost in my hatred for Lucius and the charade of being his friend. When I heard that the Dark Lord was planning to murder the Potters, I was reminded of you and how much you were friends with them. It would also resolve my debt to James Potter for him helping rescue me from Lupin. I resolved that the only thing to do was to honor your friendship with them and to warn them. I went to Dumbledore and confessed to everything. He swore to protect me and the Potters went into hiding. But that damned Pettigrew revealed their hiding place and a week later the Potters were dead and the Dark Lord was gone. I was free of him, if not from my conscience. I blamed myself for my youthful stupidity and blindness. But you were truly the one responsible. By dying, you doomed me, and by your memory, saved me." Finished, he stared into the fire, unable to look at the revulsion and hate he expected to see on her face, for what he had become.

He was surprised when she reached forward and gently touched his face. Startled, he looked at her and found only love shining in her eyes. She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. Looking him straight in the eyes, she whispered, "Thank you."

"For what?" he snapped mournfully, his voice thick with self-loathing and regret.

"For telling me. And being strong enough to go on. For remembering my friends in a time of crisis. For loving me enough to wait for me. It may have hurt over the years, but the experience has made you who you are. Without it, you would not be the man I love. For that, I say thank you."

He searched her face for hidden signs of taunting, but found only compassion. Slowly the anger at himself left him, and he felt a peace that had evaded him for 20 years. Eyes gleaming, he asked, "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

A slow mischievous smile played across her lips as she said, "You could show me." So he did.

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The next evening, their private dinner was interrupted as Severus grasped his left arm, hissing in pain. As the pain receded to a sharp prickling, he got up and went to the bedroom. They both knew that he must go. It was unusual for Severus to be summoned on a weeknight. This may be the opportunity for him to discover more of the kidnapping. He had been carefully asking questions, but suddenly no one seemed to know anything or was no longer talking about it.

He came back out wearing the long dark robes that were the Death Eaters' uniform. The silver mask was in his hand. He never wore it in her presence, knowing that it disturbed her to see him that way.

He paused by her for a moment and swiftly gave her a kiss that she returned wholeheartedly. As he pulled back she said, "Be careful. I don't want to you to come back like you did the last time you were summoned."

His lips tightened grimly in remembrance. He too did not wish to end up half dead in the Hospital Wing, with only Hermione to bring him back. He smiled slightly at her and replied, "I won't if can help it. I love you and will never leave you willingly."

She smiled, though her eyes were sad, as she said, "I will hold you to that. I love you too." After a last brief kiss, he strode out the door. Sighing, she settled herself for a long night of waiting up for him. She could never sleep knowing he was out there. She reached for a large tome on advances in transfiguration as she absently finished her plate of shepherd's pie, for the moment pushing back her worries.

On the edge of the Hogwarts grounds, a black shrouded figure raised his hood and disappeared into thin air.

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Severus steeled his mind, as he entered the room containing his former Master. He approached the horrifying figure cautiously, kneeling about four feet away before crawling forward and mock kissing the hem of the plush grey velvet robes. For a second he felt like throwing up, but controlled the urge as he backed up and stood, bowing. "Master, you summoned me?" he said, no hint of the revulsion for this creature in his voice.

"Indeed, Severus," hissed Voldemort, red eyes flashing with some amusement. "I am in need of your services, though not the usual one. It is not a potion I need, but a person. Surely you have heard the rumors that someone was to be kidnapped to help me gain power. While these rumors have ruined the original plans, I have been able to salvage some of it. This is to be your task."

This was it. The information the Order had been waiting for. Keeping the expectancy out of his voice he asked, "Which task is it you wish from me, Master?"

The pasty white faced revealed nothing of the shock about to be delivered as he said, "Bring me..."

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Remus Lupin and Harry Potter were happily sharing a glass of brandy with the Headmaster, when their conversation was interrupted by the office door suddenly swinging open. Both wizards relaxed as the door revealed Professor Snape. It was obvious why he was there, as he was still clad in his dark robes, though the silver mask was clutched in his hand.

Dumbledore instantly stood, much to Harry and Lupin's surprise. But Albus had noticed what the others had not. Severus was pale, even more that usual. He also looked like he had been badly shocked by something. In a calming voice, he asked, "Severus, did you have something to tell me?"

Severus blinked rapidly, not seeing where he was. Suddenly his eyes refocused and he seemed to come to himself. His voice was steady as he replied, "I know who they want to kidnap."

At this Lupin and Harry snapped their attention to Snape. Still calm, Dumbledore asked, "Who is it, Severus?"

Snape hesitated for a moment, as he looked from Lupin to Harry and back to Dumbledore. Softly, as if it pained him to say it, he whispered, "Hermione."

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A/N: Okay. So that was predictable. But remember its supposed to be a cliché, which is by nature predictable. Ten points to the one who can guess the next predictable cliché. Sorry this took so long. I kept getting interrupted and the computer wouldn't let me in to use Word. Plus my internet kept shutting down every time I tried to attach the file to email my beta. shakes fist angrily at computer Anyway, hope you liked it. It may be a bit before ch. 29. I need to brainstorm some more. As always feel free to review and recommend any good reads. For a listing check out my two C2 communities. (See bio page)