Chapter 56: Operation Seduction

The club was crowded that night but they were ushered up to the VIP lounge as soon as they were through the door. Harry was stared at, as well as the rest of them as they were all war heroes. This was the first time Harry was able to go out as himself and was having a great time openly being out with Ginny. They were joined by the twins, Lee and the girls as well as by a few other Hogwarts graduates they saw on their way in who wanted access to the VIP areas. Hermione rolled her eyes when she saw Lavender Brown and the Patil twins approaching her. "I thought leaving school I would have escaped them," she whispered to Severus.

"I shall do my utmost to scare them away for you." He told her with a smirk. He had always thought the other Gryffindor girls in Hermione's class were worthless. They had done an admirable job in the war but their penchant for gossip and love of Divination wasted any real talent they ever possessed.

"Hermione!" Lavender said with a smile as she rushed over, not having recognized Snape yet. "You look wonderful tonight are you here with someone or just trying to find a man?"

"Hello Lavender," Hermione told her and then greeted the other two girls as well. "We all decided to go out tonight this is our favorite club and they reserve the VIP room for us, how did you get up here?" Hermione asked with fake curiosity but enjoyed the look of envy that quickly shot over the other girls face.

"Oh, Neville put us on the list when he saw we were here," she told her trying to act like she belonged. "Have you seen Oliver yet?"

"We passed him on our way up," Hermione told her. "He is not on the list."

"I don't know how you expect to win a man if you don't put any single men on the list!" Pavarti chimed in flipping her hair haughtily.

"I guarantee you that all Hermione would have to do is smile and every man in this club would walk through fire for her. She has no need to try and win anyone; they are breaking down her door trying to win her." Severus told them, joining the conversation and startling the three gossips.

"Professor Snape?" Padma asked with wide eyes.

"You're on the list?" Lavender asked shocked. She couldn't believe their mean professor was on the VIP list and she had to beg her way on! She did notice he looked much better without his teaching robes on. He almost passed for decent in her book but she would never lower herself to a mere teacher. She had plans to marry some rich man and live off his money.

"Of course Severus is on the list, he is part of our group and he knows the owner." Hermione told them with a nasty smile. "Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be getting back to our friends now."

Severus had to work hard to hide the chuckle that wanted to escape when she blew off her old housemates. They had always believed they were better than her until she became popular in her 6th year. He though it amusing they still thought so highly of themselves after their dismal scores and lack of husband prospects. "Shall we dance?" He asked her to take her mind off hexing the annoying witches.

"I would love to," she told him sweetly and pushed Lavender and her cronies out of her mind. She loved how he pulled her close to dance even though the song wasn't necessarily a slow song. They danced closely for the next few songs before taking a break to get a drink.

"Good evening Hermione," Charlie said from behind her. She turned around and was glad to see he was with the witch he had taken to the ministry gala.

"Hello Charlie," she told him with a smile. "How are you tonight? I haven't seen you around the house; I thought you were staying for the summer?"

"I moved into the flat that Percy left to Bill to get it ready for them as a wedding present. It needs a lot of work so that Fleur won't hate it. Percy never changed anything and the previous owner liked dark woods and deep brown colors for everything!" Charlie told her with a laugh. "I want to introduce you to my girlfriend Jasmine," he told her indicating the pretty brunette that was standing next to him. The girl's face lit up at being introduced as his girlfriend and Hermione was glad to see that she liked him.

"Nice to meet you Jasmine, I'm Hermione and have been friends with Charlie and all the Weasley's for years." She told the girl with a smile. She was spared further pleasantries when Severus reappeared with their drinks.

Good evening, I am Severus Snape Potions Master at Hogwarts," he said to Jasmine after handing Hermione her drink. He noticed that Charlie didn't look nearly as jealous as usual and hoped this girl would keep him away from Hermione permanently.

"Jasmine Lane," she told him with a smile and shook his hand. "Charlie was going to show me around the castle this summer but I hear it is closed."

"There are necessary repairs that must be completed now that the war is over," Severus told her quietly. He remembered what had happened to the Lane's during Voldemort's first reign and was glad to see the young girl was alright.

"Yes, the war has left scars everywhere," she told him sadly. "But now is the time to heal all those wounds and move on with life. I only regret I was not able to attend Hogwarts."

"Where did you go to school then?" Hermione asked, unable to hold her curious nature in check.

"It was a small country day school in Northern Ireland. It focused mostly on household and everyday magic. Not as grand as Hogwarts but I had been afraid that I would miss school altogether." She told them. "I will be helping my aunt run the Three Broomsticks so she can spend more time with Tom."

"That's wonderful," Hermione told her. "You'll be close to Charlie as well."

"It was nice to meet you both," Jasmine said as Charlie led her off to meet more of the group.

"Well they looked to be well suited," Severus told her. "I expect they will raise the next brood of Weasley children."

"They have just begun dating! I doubt they have even thought of marriage," Hermione laughed.

"When one finds the right woman they think of little else than to make her their bride," he told her softly looking deeply into her eyes.

"Let's dance!" She said pulling him to the floor again to break the intensity of the moment. As much as she wanted to believe that he was speaking of her she knew he was just preparing her for when he successfully wooed the woman he loved. But she would not go down without a fight. It was time to turn up the intensity of 'Operation Seduction'.

"There is almost negative space between them and yet she can't seem to believe that he is interested in her." Ginny pointed out, "There is no doubt in my mind that Severus knows she is interested. He hasn't left her side all night and the snake jewelry had to spell it out for him after her game answers. She is the one we have to convince or get him to confess his feelings!"

"Maybe we should just see how the next couple weeks play out. Draco's wedding is in a week and that lasts for another whole week. They will be there together so maybe things will take their natural course." Harry told her with a smile. "Besides, they seem to be getting on rather well without our interference."

"I know, it's just so silly that they love each other and won't admit it to each other," She told him. "I can barely contain myself from yelling out how much I love you and they hide it from each other!"

"You hid your love from me for years," he told her honestly.

"I did nothing to hide that I loved you Harry, you just weren't ready to see it yet," she told him with a fond smile. "I mean I still can't believe I sent you a singing valentine but hey I was only 11!"

"I guess it doesn't matter how long it takes for them to get together as long as they are as happy as we are once they do," Harry told her and kissed her tenderly.

"When do you think Harry will propose to Ginny?" Susan asked Ron as they had a drink. "I know she has another year of school but I figured he'd pop the question as soon as the war was over."

"I think he's waiting since everyone expects him to ask soon. He will want to make it extremely special and a surprise." Ron told his fiancé. "So tell me about this letter you received today."

"It was the strangest thing," Susan told him. "Apparently the royal family can access all financial records of those with titles and they have opened an official investigation into my mother's finances. They had heard that I was cut off from my inheritance and want an official statement of why I am not receiving my rightful stipend."

"How did the royal family find out you were not getting your stipend and how did we not know you were entitled to one?" Ron asked her in shock, she had told him it was good news but he hadn't imagined it would be good news about more money!

"My mother hid that from me as well," Susan told him. "I just hope that they find something linking her as a supporter of the dark arts and then maybe we will finally be rid of her in our lives."

"Wouldn't you loose all your money then?" Ron asked her confused.

"No, only money gained by dark means. But our family fortune would be secure since it was never tainted by anything my mother may have done." Susan told him with a smile. "I hope this works out as it could solve our money problems and allow you to focus on Quidditch."

"As long as we are together I don't care how little money we have," he told her before leading her back out to the dance floor.

Severus was enjoying having Hermione in his arms for the night. She had made no attempts to dance with anyone else and he was taking full advantage of that by holding her as close as physically possible. She had been openly flirting with him as well and he couldn't remember having as much fun in a group of people before. He was still debating with himself over if he should try and initiate a kiss between them when they were interrupted. "Hello Hermione, Professor Snape," Victor Krum greeted them.

"Victor!" Hermione said happily turning around as she recognized the voice. She gave him a quick hug. "Annie, it's wonderful to see both of you!" She said smiling at the girl she had met last summer. "Severus you remember Victor Krum from the Tri-Wizard Tournament and this is his girlfriend Anastasia." Severus just nodded in greeting as he was trying to hide his disappointment that Hermione would want to spend time with her friend instead of him. He knew he was being unfair as she hadn't seen him in almost a year so she should enjoy the time she had with him.

"Are you Severus Snape?" Annie asked him recognizing the Snape surname for its place in the royal court.

"Yes I am madam," he told her politely. "May I inquire as to how you know my name?"

"My family has long been in the service of the royal family and I recognized your surname. I also read about your awards in the paper." She told him.

"Have you come to work for the queen?" Hermione asked her excited that she may see more of her friend.

"Yes, I have an interview on Monday and we will be here for a few weeks as we were invited to the Malfoy wedding." She told her.

"That's great, we'll be able to get to know each other better at the wedding," Hermione told Annie.

"That may be difficult as at pureblood wedding feasts you are seated according to social standing." Annie told her, "Even with your amazing achievements I doubt Madame Malfoy will allow you to sit with us. We will have to get together this week instead."

"It will not be a problem dining together," Severus told the woman. "I am able to sit next to whomever I choose and if Hermione wishes to dine with you then we shall."

"I was not aware the two of you were together," Victor said with wide eyes while Annie couldn't decide how to take news that the highest single male of the royal court seemed to be courting a muggleborn.

"Severus has offered to escort me to the event," Hermione told them, making sure to keep her answer neutral. She didn't want to read anything else in to their going together.

"As my apprentice it is only natural," he told them with a sneer. "Besides I wouldn't want you stuck entertaining the Weasley's all week," He purred to her.

"Excellent, then we shall see you next week," Victor told them. "Enjoy your evening."

"Can you believe that they are going to the wedding together?" Annie asked Victor as they made their way to a table. "I mean he is the highest ranking lord of the royal court and if the queen chooses she could take his title for dating a muggleborn."

"Maybe he doesn't care. We know he doesn't believe in all the purebloods are superior propaganda that Voldemort spouted." Victor reminded her. She was dwelling on social status again now that the royal family was back; she wanted to make a good impression. She was worried that he wouldn't receive his tile though and he worried her family would disapprove of their match if he wasn't titled.

"I know but he could be the next king if the rumors of a princess are true and instead he may loose his title." Annie told him still in shock that someone would risk the throne and their title. She had been brought up to value her title and her place in the royal court.

"Sev my feet are killing me can we just sit and talk for a while," Hermione finally said even though she was enjoying being in his arms. He led her to a small secluded table in the corner so they would be away from prying eyes. "I'm so glad you could come with us tonight, it would have been lonely without you not to mention boring."

"I am glad you enjoy my company so," he told her as he sat as close to her as was respectable. It was getting harder and harder to resist her charms and not just ravage her with his mouth. He wanted to properly court her so that her parents would have nothing against his treatment of her. He bought them drinks and they sat discussing their research plans for the summer. As the night wore on they moved closer and closer together to where their sides were toughing and their heads were together.

"There is no one whose company I enjoy better," she told him softly as they stared into each other's eyes. Their lips were being drawn together and had almost kissed again when Ron yelled out for her that they were leaving.

"I guess that is our cue to head home," He told her sadly as he offered his arm to her. "Shall I apparate us?"

"Yes," she said and then once they were back she kissed his cheek and wished him a good night before hurrying off to her room before she gave into her desires and snogged him senseless. She crawled into her bed to meet him in her dreams.

Severus dreamed of his soul mate again that night. He had not had a dream in years due to the stress of the war. He had almost put his dream woman out of his mind until he saw her in his dream. "Severus," she whispered quietly as she reached out to him, "Do you still love me Severus?"

He had almost answered yes when an image of Hermione entered his mind as well. "Mia," he breathed out slowly trying to determine his feelings. "I have always been drawn to you but I am afraid my heart has chosen another."

"Has it?" She said as she stepped into the light. Never before had he seen her face other than in shadow. As his dream stepped into the light he saw her face.

"Hermione!" He gasped in awe and thanks. "It's been you all the time."

"Yes my love," dream Hermione told him before capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. "I have always been for you." Severus woke in the morning with his soul refreshed and ready to do whatever necessary to win Hermione's heart and the approval of her family.

"There was a letter for you this morning Hermione," Harry told her as she appeared for a late breakfast.

Hermione opened it and her eyes went wide. "The Queen wishes an audience with me," she told them all. "It doesn't say what she wishes to speak of but that I should arrive whenever suits me."

"We better go get you ready then," Ginny told her as she started pulling her back to her room. "It's a good thing we already went shopping for nicer wizarding clothes or you wouldn't have anything appropriate to wear."

Hermione arrived at the royal estate with trepidation. She didn't know what to expect but she did know better than to keep the queen waiting. She was led into an anti-chamber by a butler. The castle was quite large and it looked like they were still getting it back to it's splendor from it standing empty for over 20 years. She had read in the paper that the King and Queen had only moved back in last week.

"Thank you for meeting with me Hermione," Queen Amelia said as she entered the room.

"It is my honor my lady," Hermione told her with a curtsey.

"Come sit so we may talk," Amelia said. She knew it was dangerous to spend too much time with Hermione but she really wanted to have a chance to get to know her granddaughter more. They had used to be so close before she left for Hogwarts. They spoke of many things that morning from their favorite types of books to the different uses of magic to Hermione's plans for university.

"I think you will make an excellent head of research for my potions labs." Amelia told her. "I hear you will be available to take the position in two years."

"Yes my lady," Hermione responded with eyes bright with joy. "I have one year of University and then a year of apprentice then I will have both my masteries."

"Good, I hope you will consider the position when that time comes," the queen said with a smile. "I think we should talk more often this summer. Perhaps we can luncheon every few weeks."

"I would enjoy that immensely your highness," Hermione told her still shocked that the queen wanted to befriend her as she had no title.

The week leading up to Draco's wedding feast was uneventful. The group didn't go out again but spent their days organizing their futures. Susan and Ron started to renovate the house Percy had left them with the money from their portion of his estate. Ron was also practicing for Quidditch and going to tryouts. He had auditioned for the Wasps, Falcons and the Arrows so far and would finish his tryouts the week after the wedding with the Wanderers and the Cannons. Draco and Gabrielle were scarce trying to get ready for their wedding. Bill and Fleur were working, Luna was staying with the Longbottoms, Hermione and Severus were researching and Ginny was studying for NEWTs while Harry began his auror work, he was working 2 days a week for the summer. Everyone was too busy to notice they hadn't spent as much time as a group.

Annie and Victor wrote to tell them that Victor's title had been granted and that Annie was to begin work at the ministry after the wedding feast. The papers were already full of gossip about who was attending the wedding and what they would be wearing. "I can't believe all the rubbish this paper prints," Hermione told Severus in disgust over breakfast. She had started spending almost the entire day in his company from taking her breakfast with him in his sitting room to leaving back to her room just before bed.

"I have errands to run in Diagon Alley today," He told her with a smile when she seemed sad to not be able to see him. "I trust you will be able to finish packing for the trip to Malfoy Manor while I am away."

"I shall endeavor to finish my packing while I am parted from your company," She told him with a smirk.

"Shush woman," he told her affectionately and kissed her forehead goodbye.

Hermione spent the afternoon packing as Severus had suggested. She actually packed her new valise with all her new clothing as well as a large assortment of lingerie and her cosmetic potions. As she was finishing her packing she realized she didn't have a dress cloak. The only cloak she had that was even dressy enough to attempt wearing was her black and silver one that matched Ginny's purple one but it just wouldn't do for the entire week.

"Oh Fleur, good you're here." Hermione said relieved as she entered the kitchen. "I forgot to purchase a dress cloak and need to know where to go to buy one."

"You could try Madame Malkin's but her cloaks are not very stylish and very expensive. There is one other place but they only sell to purebloods. You're best bet would be to go to Paris and the store I buy my clothes at." Fleur told her with a shrug.

"I haven't apparated that far yet and don't want to try it when I'm in a hurry," Hermione sad sadly. "I guess my less dressy one will have to do."

"Why don't you see if you can find something you like in the vault? I know you women love playing dress up with all the old clothes, maybe there are some dress cloaks." Harry told her and opened the vault for her.

Hermione had forgotten about the wardrobes full of beautiful old clothing and immediately started digging through them for any cloaks. She was having such fun that she forgot the time and missed dinner. She had found several cloaks and was trying to determine which one was her favorite as they were all so great. There was a beautiful gold cloak that as much as she loved she knew would look even better on Ginny with her red hair. She was torn between three, a beautiful black silk brocade with a gold embroidery of dragons and phoenixes, a deep green chenille and a beautiful royal blue satin that felt like heaven to touch. She finally decided to borrow all three for the wedding and decide then which one to wear. She was going to wear the green one when they arrived. She left the gold one in Ginny's room before returning to her own to pick out an outfit to wear to meet Mrs. Malfoy in.

Dinner was a short affair after Remus told them all he had misplaced a boggart and needed help finding it in the large house before it scared someone. "I had it in a spare trunk but the latch must have been broken. I really am very sorry," The group split up and started searching the house.

"What's all the searching for?" Severus asked when he returned. "Someone lose an appendage?" He joked.

"A boggart has escaped confinement and is loose in the house," Tonks told him cheerfully. "We're all trying to find it before it terrifies someone."

"Surely everyone in this house can deal with a boggart," Severus sneered.

"I know they can but what if they don't realize it's a boggart. Besides I would doubt anyone wants to be confronted with their greatest fear now that the war is over." Remus reminded him. "That and there are muggles in the house in case you forgot."

Severus was saved having to comment by a terrified scream coming from the girl's wing. "Hermione!" He yelled and joined Harry, Ron and Remus as they raced to her room.

"She wasn't at dinner," Harry told them as they climbed the stairs, "She doesn't know it's a boggart."

"She never was very good with them," Remus said and they quickened their pace. When they got to her room they we all shocked to see what her greatest fear was.

Hermione wanted to finish packing and went to her wardrobe to check if she had forgotten anything. She opened the door and screamed as a body fell out on top of her. She screamed even louder when she realized it was the dead body of Severus. He had obviously been stabbed as there was a pool of blood and his black eyes were cool and lifeless. She had never felt so bereft in her life. She was holding the body of the man she loved and she had never told him how she felt. She wasn't thinking straight or she would have wondered why someone stabbed him in her closet of all places.

She was sobbing and shaking and didn't even hear her door bang open or notice the 4 men run in. She felt like her heart had stopped beating and could never remember feeling such pain. Severus' heart constricted at the sight of her grief and his breath caught at the sight of his own dead body. He was the first to recover as the others were still standing in shock at the scene. He ran to her side and pulled her away, not even noticing what his boggart turned into. "It's a boggart Hermione," he told her as he gathered her in his arms. "I'm fine; everything is fine it was just a boggart."

"Severus," she sobbed into him still feeling the grief but realizing that it wasn't real. "Oh gods Severus I though I'd never see you again. I thought you left me," she bawled. "You promised you wouldn't leave me." She clung to him and wept. Severus motioned to the others to take care of the boggart and he would take care of her.

Severus picked her up in his arms and carried her to her bed. "Shhh, it's alright now. Everything is fine," he repeated trying to calm her.

"You promised," she kept saying over and over until she finally started to calm as her brain processed that he was alive and holding her.

He was surprised she remembered the promise he made. He thought she had drank too much but she obviously meant her words that night. "I promised and I haven't left. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere." He settled down onto the bed next to her and was pleased to see that she had fallen asleep. He kissed her forehead and pulled the duvet over them. "Sleep well my love, I promise I'll be here when you wake."

"She really does love him," Ron stated in shock as they left the room after destroying the boggart. "I heard her say it on the train but thought she was just confused. Did you see how she looked when she thought she lost him? You don't look like that without loosing your other half."

"They are a good match," Harry told him glad his friend seemed to be coming around now. "He treats her unlike any of us. I've never seem him as gentle as he is around her."

"He loves her too," Ron commented in shock. "The greasy bat of the dungeons is in love, in love with our best friend. And he doesn't even act like a git anymore!"

"Why do you say he loves her too?" Remus asked curiously.

"His boggart," Ron told them. "It turned into Hermione, dead just like her's was. They bloody love each other enough that their greatest fear is to loose each other. They don't fear Voldemort returning or vampires but the other one dying. I mean even my greatest fear isn't loosing Susan, does that mean I love her less than Snape loves Hermione?"

"Ron, I think you're reading too much into this," Harry told him although he secretly believed that Ron was right. "Severus doesn't have much to be scared of anymore. He has never had good friends before so I am sure that is why it turned into Hermione."

Ron wasn't listening, "This means I am going to actually have to try and be nice to the git! I mean if they are in love they will be together forever and if I want to stay friends with Hermione I'll have to put up with Snape! Oh gods, what if they get married!" Harry was finally able to calm his friend down, without the help of Remus who thought the situation was funny, and get him to bed. They were all leaving for Malfoy Manor in the morning and he hoped Ron would be over his shock. "Did you see her cling to him? She hadn't even realized we were there, he was all that mattered to her!"

"Go to sleep Ron," Harry told him. "I'm sure everything will look less scary in the morning. If you like you can image that was your boggart and that's why you're so upset. Maybe you imagined the whole thing. Just sleep!"

"This is going to be one interesting wedding feast," Harry thought to himself as he headed to his own room.