"Malfoy?" she asked incredulously.
Severus felt a headache coming on. "Yes. We need to find a way to uncover the identity of - "
"Draco, Malfoy?"
"Yes," he snapped. "Now I believe you were aquatinted with Victor Krum. Although he is no longer a student at Durmstrang, he regularly holds Quidditch seminars there, and - "
"The Slytherin Seeker?"
"Yes!" he snarled.
"Ferret boy?" she asked, her eyes widening in shocked amusement.
"Are you quite through?"
"Blonde prat, about so high?" she made a vague gesture.
"For the last time, yes, Draco Malfoy," he hissed.
"Should I be jealous?" Her eyes filled with tears of mirth.
Severus merely focused his best glare on her.
"Aren't you related to him? But, he couldn't have your children, and you didn't grow up together, so being related to him really wouldn't matter." She fell over clutching her sides and laughing uncontrollably.
Severus was strongly tempted to hex her.
"Hermione," he said menacingly.
She continued to laugh and was currently rolling from side to side, in real danger of falling off the bed. He saved her by pinning her with his torso, he held her hands in one of his extended above her head on the mattress. He kissed her laughing mouth and trailed butterfly kisses to her ear. "Do you laugh at this, insolent witch?" his deep voice resonated in her ear.
She pulled her hands free and wrapped her arms around him. Hermione took a deep breath, "Severus, I'm so sorry. I know it's serious, Lucius ended up dead, my parents were tortured and are now in hiding. It was just so unexpected to hear Draco has a thing for you."
"It is ... understandable. I suppose I might have reacted in the same way, were it not for the presence of Mr Zabini," he said. He didn't want her to dwell on what her parents had experienced.
"You were saying something about Victor?" she asked.
"Indeed. I wondered if you thought he might have connections with Bulgarian Death Eaters, or perhaps Bulgarians who wish to become Death Eaters? Mr Zabini indicated that it was someone from Durmstrang who cast the killing curse on Lucius."
"I don't think he has connections with Bulgarian Death Eaters. I mean Durmstrang teaches the Dark Arts to all it's students, but Victor was never particularly interested in anything except Quidditch. He didn't have any political convictions, or love of the Dark Arts. His friends are all Quidditch players. I'm sorry," she said regretfully.
"We will find another way to determine the identity of the one who murdered Lucius," he replied.
"Perhaps Draco?" she suggested.
"I do not think that Mr Malfoy will confess," Severus opined.
"No, of course not, unless..."
"Unless what?" he asked in a darkly suspicious tone.
"Well if you were to give him hope - "
"No."
"I don't mean encourage him per se," she said.
"Do you think that I would touch a student? Do you think that I would touch a male student? Do you want me to touch another?" he said in a cold vicious tone.
"I would not hesitate to kill anyone who touched you!..." she said, her voice held a lethal promise.
Severus was surprised by the deadly serious way in which she had issued that statement.
"...and then I would hex off whatever part of you touched them," she added with the same vehement sincerity.
"I do not doubt it. However, you need not worry that I will desire another. What precisely did you mean about Mr Malfoy?" he asked.
"I meant that you should talk to him, let him voice his feelings. Don't respond as you'll want to, but allow him to keep hope. Maybe if you continue to talk to him, let him think you would not disapprove of the abhorrent things he does, he will confess."
"I could perhaps lead him to that conclusion," Severus allowed.
"You will not allow him near you! Do not give him an opening to become physical. Just let him think you enjoy talking to him, let him believe his ideas have great value in your eyes. That his thoughts and opinions matter to you. He will lap it up believe me. I saw the way he looked at you during our first potions class in my first year. Oh my! He's had a crush on you since then. I had never seen such open worship as he showed for you in that first class. I thought it was hero worship. I never suspected it ran a different way. If his feelings for you have been building for all these years he may be dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt when you finally refuse him. I know he's no match for you, but still. Forget the whole thing. You should not lead him on. We all know what he's capable of, and I don't want that directed at you," she said firmly.
"He has already directed it at you," Severus growled.
"Technically at my parents. However, I will not have you endangered. What's done is done. We can't undo it. I would like to see the ones who hurt my parents punished as well, however, their punishment is not worth the potential cost," she said firmly.
"Do I have a say?" he asked sardonically.
"As long as your say doesn't endanger you. I can't-" she paused and looked at him in concern. "Severus?"
"He has returned," Severus said flatly, as he gripped his left forearm.
"You're being summoned by The Dark Lord." It wasn't a question.
"I have to go. Tell Dumbledore." He got up and gave a password to a painting. He pulled his Death Eater garb from a hidden niche that the painting had revealed when it moved aside.
Hermione threw on a robe. Her voice trembled as she called to his back, "Severus! Be careful, stay safe! Take care of yourself above everything!"
He was stunned. In all the times he had gone to The Dark Lord no one had shown him such concern. He turned swiftly back to her and kissed her. He touched her cheek with the back of his long fingers and breathed in awe, "Hermione, my wife."
"I love you, be safe," she said earnestly
He kissed her again, and swept from their chambers.
As soon as Hermione was dressed a knock came at the door. She opened it to find Harry there.
"Harry? I didn't expect to see you until morning," she said.
"It is morning."
"Okay, I didn't expect to see you until after dawn. I can't talk now Harry I have to - "
"Wait! Hermione I have to tell you about my dream. I came here to tell you first. I sensed Voldemort. He's angry. Very angry. He feels betrayed. I saw his plans. He plans to torture and kill a tall, thin, dark haired man wearing Death Eater robes. Hermione I think he knows Snape is a spy. I think he's going to call him, to torture him and then kill him. You've got to warn Snape."
"Harry! He's gone!"
"Well as long as we catch him before he's called by Voldemort - "
"No Harry! He was summoned by The Dark Lord, he's gone to him."
"Dumbledore!" they cried simultaneously and made for the Gargoyle at a full out run.
"Harry there's nothing we can do but wait," Dumbledore said dispassionately, after Harry had explained it all to him.
"But, sir, we need to find him. Voldemort's going to kill him, he's going to die," Harry said emphatically.
"I don't wish to lose our spy either, it will make the war last that much - "
Even the portraits cringed at the ear splitting primal scream that rent the air. Hermione glared at the Headmaster, energy crackling around her. "I'll do it on my own then!" she seethed. So saying she sped from of the office.
"Sir, why did you do that?" Harry asked. He was clearly confused and appalled by the Headmaster's words, and lack of action.
"Do what Harry?"
"Act as if you don't care about what happens to Professor Snape, when I know that you do care?"
"In my position I need to keep a balance. Right now I need Hermione's side of the scales tipping towards the realisation that her marriage is a mistake. Yes, Harry, I know that you already know of their marriage. I had hoped that I had already begun to discourage their devotion to one another."
"Why sir?"
"I think you are old enough to understand now Harry. I will tell you this, allowing Severus to care for someone, anyone, is a liability we can't afford in this war."
Harry thought for a few minutes and decided to respond honestly, "That's cold sir."
"So Minerva tells me. Now Harry, I think it's time you went to make sure that Hermione doesn't cause any more trouble."
"I'll go and make sure she's okay, sir."
Harry went in search of Hermione. He found her as she was leaving the dungeons. "Where are you going Hermione?"
"I've got to find Severus."
"No one can find where Voldemort is. What's that phial?"
Hermione was clutching a phial containing a clear potion. "I'm betting Malfoy knows where he is, and he's due in on the early express," She snorted in derision, "from his weekend with Narcissa. Honestly, did he think anyone believed he was spending his weekend with his mummy?"
"Hermione," Harry began warningly.
"I'm his welcome home committee, and I've brought a treat for him. I'll let him have three drops. Then he'll tell me all he knows, and I'll find Severus."
"I don't think Malfoy will know where Voldemort is."
"Can you think of a better plan Harry?"
Silence.
"I didn't think so. I'm going now."
"I'm coming with you."
"Let's go then!"
Harry and Hermione waited on the deserted platform in the chill morning mist. A spell unexpectedly rent the air and Hermione saw Harry go down. They hadn't been ready for anything. The wait should have been uneventful. Hermione spun around to face their attacker, attempting to cast a shielding spell at the same time. She didn't have time to complete the shield when she was hit with an unknown spell. She instantly cast, "Stupefy!" followed immediately by, "Incarcerous!" She realised she had been hit with the same spell Severus had been hit with in Diagon Alley. She didn't understand the incantation any better this time. She was astounded that she was still standing, still functional. She was not completely unaffected but she wasn't out either, and she should have been very bad off. However, she had understood the incantation for the spell Harry had just taken, it was a simple Stupefy. She went over to him and cast, "Ennervate."
"Hermione?"
"Harry, I've no time. That was a Death Eater, which must mean the meeting with Voldemort is over. I have to get up to the castle and see if Severus is back, if he's, if he's..." she was unable to finish that thought. "Harry I stunned and bound the Death Eater. Can you take him to the Three Broomsticks and floo for an Auror?"
"Sure Hermione, you go see ... Snape. I'll take care of it from here."
"Thanks Harry!" she said with relief. She took off as fast as she could in the direction of the castle.
The seventh year Care Of Magical Creatures class and the first year flying class with Madam Hootch were just coming out of the castle.
Ron's voice broke the quiet morning, "Oi! There's someone way down there, laying on the path to Hogsmeade!" He pointed in that direction.
He and Madam Hootch took off at a run to the fallen figure, with the classes following behind.
"Hermione!" Ron cried as he neared.
"Don't touch her Weasley!" Madam Hootch shouted the order. "You might make her worse. Someone run for Madam Pomfrey!"
Ron and Madam Hootch had reached Hermione. They knelt beside her, surrounded by students.
"Hermione?" Ron called urgently.
Her eyes opened and she saw Madam Hootch first. "Se- Se- rus?" she asked.
"What did you say?" the confused flying instructor queried.
"Severus," she managed. She had to know if he was safe.
"Dear, the only Severus I know of is Professor Snape. Is that what you are saying? Are you asking for Professor Snape?"
"Yes!" Hermione gasped.
"Weasley, take my broom and fly to the castle. It will be faster. She must know there's a potion to help her. Right before we came out I met Professor Snape, he was headed to the Headmaster's Office. Go get him."
Ron mounted the teacher's broom and took off to the castle.
"Thank you for your report Severus, now... Ah, Mr Weasley is trying to come up." Dumbledore called, "Come in Mr Weasley." The staircase admitted him, and the Headmaster's office door opened.
Ron came panting into the office clutching Madam Hootch's broom. "Professor Snape, something's wrong with Hermione. She's was passed out. We found her like that, we don't know what happened to her. Madam Hootch thinks she must need a potion or something, because she's asking for you."
"Where is she?" Snape snapped.
"The path to Hogsmeade, about half way down from the castle," Ron said holding a stitch in his side. Once he had reached the castle he had run full out to Dumbledore's office.
Professor Snape grabbed the broom from Ron. As he mounted it he waved his hand in the direction of the massive office window. His wandless magic blew it out. A spectacular explosion of glass erupted outwards. Severus flew out the window, he was a fast moving blur that disappeared from sight in seconds.
Ron stared after Professor Snape with a stunned expression on his face.
"Come Mr Weasley, let us go and see what is happening," the Headmaster said. Ron didn't notice that the Headmaster's eyes were devoid of their twinkle, and instead they had a shrewd, calculating look about them.
Professor Snape landed just outside the large circle of students around Hermione. The students parted as one to let him through. They were surprised to see the normally controlled wizard throw the broom aside and run to Hermione, his robes flowing behind him.
Madam Hootch thought his haste meant that he had a treatment for the injured witch. "Severus have you brought a potion for..."
Madam Hootch was speaking to him but he wasn't listening.
He threw himself to his knees by Hermione.
"Severus you're safe," Hermione cried. Her eyes filled with tears as she reached for him. He bent and pulled her to him, holding her to his chest.
Both were oblivious of their surprised audience.
"Hermione what happened to you?" he asked urgently.
"I'm fine. I just needed to know that you are safe, and you are. You're here, Severus, you're safe!"
"Yes, yes. What happened Hermione?" he asked tenderly as he stroked her face with one long hand. His world had narrowed to include only her. He didn't hear the gasps of shock around them.
"Nothing, really. I was in Hogsmeade, I had to find you, I thought you were going to be killed. It was the only way I could think of to find you. But it's okay, you're safe Severus!" she said.
"Yes, I'm safe, I'm here. Hermione, what happened to you?" he asked in such a gentle tone that some of the students began to wonder if he were an impostor.
"We were attacked. I was hit with the unknown curse, the one you took for me Diagon Alley."
"Hermione, NO!" He crushed her to him. "No that can't be, I - " his deep voice broke. His perpetually emotionless eyes held stark terror.
Silence now reigned as the onlookers watched the drama unfolding before them in shocked disbelief.
"Severus, it's okay I think. I'm not reacting very badly. I saw him hex Harry, and I had time to start casting a shield. It must have stopped some of the curse. I certainly don't feel like I'm dying, and I'm conscious. I just feel a bit drained, I - " She tried to reassure him.
"What is going on here?" The Headmaster's voice broke through.
In one fluid motion Professor Snape stood with Hermione cradled in his arms. He faced the Headmaster. "Albus drop the wards. Weasley, Apparate to St Mungo's. Bring back Healer Elliot or Healer Ballard, bring both if you can. Bring them to the Hospital Wing."
"Now Severus - " the Headmaster began.
"It is the only way Headmaster, Hermione is in no condition to travel," Snape snapped.
"Severus I don't think - " the Headmaster tried again.
"I do not need you to think!" he hissed. "I need you to drop the wards and let Weasley get the Healers."
"Please Headmaster," Ron implored. "Hermione should be looked after."
"I'm fine, really," Hermione huffed.
"You see Severus, she says..." the Headmaster actually trailed off at the look on Professor Snape's face.
Such power radiated around Professor Snape that it manifested in spontaneous bursts of light surrounding them, and electrifying the very air. He spoke in an intense whisper, "Drop. The. Wards. Now." The ground shook as he spoke, faults cracked in the surface around where he stood holding Hermione.
The Headmaster spoke an incantation, and without further instruction Ron Apparated away.
Professor Snape's long legs easily allowed him to leap over the fault in front of him, as he took off towards the Hospital Wing with Hermione.
Behind them the Headmaster headed for the castle at a leisurely pace.
The crowd continued to watch Professor Snape. They saw Madam Pomfrey meet him as she came down the castle steps. He stopped while Madam Pomfrey looked at Hermione, then she turned back into the castle with Professor Snape carrying Hermione after her.
A jumble of comments started.
Hootch smirked and mumbled, "The only one the Headmaster ever feared."
Various other voices were heard.
"Blimey."
"What was that?"
"What happened to Snape?"
"She called Snape 'Severus'."
"Did you see Snape's eyes?"
"He touched her."
"He touched her a lot."
"Was he being nice?"
"Scary."
"Weird."
"Ach!" Ron and two Healers appeared with three concurrent pops. They took of towards the castle at a run.
"Severus put me down, I'm fine," Hermione said in exasperation. "I was just running to see if you were safe and I fell. I must have been a little drained from forcing the casting of the shield through the onslaught of the curse. That's all. I just fell, I'm fine really."
By this time they were in the hospital wing and Severus laid her gently down on a cot.
"Did you hurt yourself when you fell?" he asked in concern.
"Have you ever known me to fall and not hit my head?" she asked laughingly. "I think I did black out for a bit when I hit my head, but it's nothing really."
"I'll be the judge of that," Madam Pomfrey interjected. "Severus you may leave now."
"I would like him to stay please," Hermione said.
The Matron looked puzzled but she acceded nonetheless.
After a few magical scans with her wand Madam Pomfrey announced, "You're head is bleeding, but there isn't any real damage. That's all that I can find wrong with you. I'll just go and get some potion to clean the wound."
Severus sat on the cot beside Hermione.
Hermione focused an excited gaze on Severus, "If I truely wasn't harmed by the curse, I think our potion may do more then just enhance powers. I hadn't finished casting my shield spell, but the curse didn't get through to me. I don't know if my half-shield was enhanced enough by the potion to withstand the curse, or if the potion gave me an immunity to the curse, in and of itself."
"In either instance it is indeed a most fortunate effect," he answered in his low mellifluous tones.
His voice superseded her enthusiasm and brought back in full force the reason she was in Hogsmeade. "Severus," her voice was filled with emotion, "I thought you had gone to your death."
"Why would you think that?" he asked.
"Harry's dream. He said he saw you, well a person who looks like you, being tortured and then killed by The Dark Lord. You know Harry's dreams are always spot on. I was so scared, I was utterly terrified. I thought I had lost you."
"Did Harry see the face of this wizard?"
"No, he only saw that he was a tall, thin, dark haired wizard, in Death Eater robes."
"Harry's dream was accurate as usual. A Bulgarian Death Eater, Desislav Gatchevska, was tortured and killed by the Dark Lord. I would not say that he looked at all like myself. However, if you could not see his face you might find there is some resemblance. Certainly the three features you describe do fit. He was the one who killed Lucius. It would seem that Gatchevska and a younger man from Durmstang, who has not been marked by The Dark Lord yet, were the Bulgarians who accompanied Mr Malfoy to your parents house. The younger man told everything to his father, who is a Death Eater, in order to save himself from the Dark Lord's wrath. He had sense enough to know how much faith The Dark Lord had in Lucius, and just how angry The Dark Lord would be at Lucius' murder."
Hermione reached out and took Severus' hand, "So now we know who killed Lucius, I - " She trailed off when the doors burst open and Ron rushed in accompanied by the two Healers from St Mungo's.
Ron stopped half way to Hermione's cot and stared at Professor Snape's hand in hers.
Healer Elliot, an elderly wizard, approached them smiling broadly. His eyes flashed in amusement as he addressed the pair on the cot, "Professor Snape, Mrs Snape, have we gotten ourselves cursed again?"
Hermione could see Ron's brow furrow behind the Healers. 'This is not how I would have told him,' she thought in frustration. He shrugged at Hermione and grinned, obviously thinking it was a funny mistake because she was holding Severus' hand. Hermione sighed in relief. Her relief didn't last long.
"Healer Elliot, Healer Ballard, my wife was hit with an unknown curse. She thinks it may be the same curse I took on the day our binding was legalised."
"Hermione seems to made of sterner stuff then her husband though," Healer Elliot said to his younger partner.
"Nial," Hermione teasingly reprimanded the old Healer. She and Severus had gotten to know the two Healers well after Severus' was cursed. "Seriously though, I had protection when I was cursed," she went on, "I think that's why my reaction to the curse is not," at the looks she received she changed her phraseology, "does not appear to be life threatening, as it was with Severus.
Ron had faded back into the shadows and remained silent and watchful.
The two healers examined Hermione with several diagnostic spells.
"We can't find a thing wrong with her," Healer Ballard said.
"I think maybe we should do a physical examination as well," Healer Ballard suggested.
"Prudent, prudent. Exhaust all avenues just in case," Healer Elliot agreed. "Shall we summon Madam Pomfrey to be with you, whilst I examine you my dear?"
"No, I'd rather my husband stayed if that's all right?" Hermione asked.
Ron saw her bring Severus' hand that she held up to her chest and cover it with her other hand.
"Of course, Severus, you can even hold her hand through it," the elderly Healer proclaimed happily. Severus' bristled. However, no one reminded the Healer to address Severus formally, he would just pretend to forget again anyway.
Hermione smiled to herself, Wizards did think a simple physical was a dreadful thing. It really insulted their dignity. Growing up with Muggle parents she was quite used to it.
"Now, we'll just step out while you undress," Healer Elliot said. "Let us know when you've got Hermione naked, Severus."
Healer Ballard shook his head at the older man's bad humour and addressed Severus, "Professor Snape, would you rather we called Madam Pomfrey so that you don't have to watch your wife suffer the indignity of this examination?"
"Thank you Healer Ballard, however, my wife wishes it, so I shall remain," Severus replied.
"Good man," the Healer said, as he left Hermione's bedside and drew the curtains around the area.
Unbeknownst to them, Hermione and Severus' hushed whispers carried in the empty hospital wing. "Severus, what exactly will they be doing? I assumed it would be like a Muggle physical, but they're acting like it's going to be something terrible."
"I do not know precisely what a Muggle physical entails. What the Healer will do is simply cast a charm on his hands and run them over your skin. He will be able to detect any residual magic in your body better then a wand diagnostic alone could," Severus said matter of factly.
"Severus, I don't think this is necessary," Hermione said.
"It's a medical procedure, that is all," he reassured them both.
"Can't Madam Pomfrey do it?"
"She is not a sensitive. Healer Elliot is a skilled sensitive, he will be able to feel if there is detrimental magic in your body," he answered simply.
"I don't want anyone but you to touch my naked body Severus," Hermione implored.
Still unnoticed, Ron made a noise of quiet disbelief upon hearing those words.
"It will be a clinical touch," Severus assured her.
"Then why have you gone so pale?"
"They did this to me at St Mungo's Hermione. After you healed me."
"I don't remember it."
"They waited until you had left the room to speak to Minerva over the floo. They didn't want you to witness the examination. We are much more accustomed to only using magic in medicine. I'm sure this will be no different then Muggle techniques."
"Well that's all right then. Especially if Healer Elliot did it to you," she smirked.
"Thank you for that."
"Severus, could you help me?"
"Of course."
"I guess I am really tired out after all."
"So it would seem, let me cover you. You can keep the sheet over you during the examination."
"That's better then a Muggle physical. Honestly you wizards can make such a big deal out of nothing. I'll just lie back and think of Heathrow Security then shall I?"
"What?"
"It's a Muggle thing. Let's get this over with."
No one had noticed Ron Weasley slide down the wall in the shadows by the door. Nor did they notice him rest his forehead on his knees.
Healer Elliot had pronounced Hermione to be free of Dark Magic. She had dressed, and the Healers were just seeing to her head wound, "There Mrs Snape that should do it," Healer Ballard said. "You just need to stay here and rest for a while. Casting that shield through an oncoming curse, took a lot out of you. Eat, drink, rest, and you should be right as rain soon enough."
At that moment the doors to the wing burst open. A jovial Nymphadora Tonks entered, "Wotcher Severus, Hermione, how's married life treating you two?" As she headed towards Severus and Hermione she tripped on a screen and fell to the floor taking it with her, causing a loud crash that echoed in the unusual acoustics of the hospital wing. She quickly regained her feet, Harry who was following her righted the screen and they made their way to the group.
Severus scowled and made the introductions.
"Severus, Hermione," Tonks began in an official tone, "Harry here brought in your attacker. He confessed to attacking you both. You in Hogsmeade this morning Hermione, and you Severus in Diagon Alley, only he was aiming for Hermione that time too."
"I know, Severus threw himself in front of me and took the curse. He nearly died," Hermione said seriously, as she squeezed Severus' hand.
"There's more - " Tonks continued.
"Let's discuss this in the privacy of the dungeons. I can get the Healers a sample of our potion as well," Severus said in a tone that was commanding rather then suggesting.
"What potion?" Tonks asked.
"The potion Hermione has in her system. We think that potion is the reason that Hermione survived the attack in Hogsmeade this morning," Severus explained.
"Where'd you get something like that?" Tonks asked in amazement.
"Why Severus and Hermione created it of course," Healer Elliot informed the Auror.
"We have company, let's talk about this downstairs, like Severus said," Tonks replied.
"Company?" Hermione asked.
Tonks gestured in the direction of Ron who was still seated against the wall. His head was no longer on his knees. Instead he was openly staring at the group, and silently shaking his head from side to side.
"Oh dear, I forgot he was here," Hermione said softly.
"I will go to the dungeons and get the sample for the Healers. I shall be back directly. You need to rest, as Healer Elliot instructed," Severus admonished.
Hermione stretched towards Severus, so that her mouth was mere inches from his ear. "Thank you Severus, for understanding," she whispered so that only he could hear.
"Of course," he replied tersely.
She drew back and smiled into Severus' eyes.
"Shall we?" Severus said, to the Healers and Tonks, and they left the trio alone.
"Ron, come over here, Hermione wants to talk to us," Harry called.
She almost, wished that the Headmaster hadn't taken away Ron's and Harry's memory of the time they saw her and Severus in bed together at Grimmauld Place. Since then Harry had managed to guess that she was married to Severus anyway, and that was a blessing. But now she still had to tell Ron. No, her friends seeing her with Severus in such an intimate moment felt wrong. She was glad the Headmaster had erased that from their memories, even if she did have to explain everything to Ron again.
Ron stood slowly and made his way to Hermione's cot.
"Sit you two," she bossed.
They sat, one on each side of her. She took one of Harry's hands in her right hand, and one of Ron's in her left. "So," she said.
"Yeah, so," Harry concurred.
"Harry we were going to talk tonight but it looks like I'm in bed for the day so now is as good a time as any."
"He knew?" Ron asked.
"She didn't tell me Ron, I guessed," Harry answered his question.
"Okay, first of all. Yes, I am married to Severus, er, Professor Snape. Severus and I were bound by the ancient rites twelve days ago, our binding was legalised, the next day."
"So wait, you're saying you're not just married to Snape you're bound to him? As in for ever?" Ron asked.
"Well it was you who pointed out my binding scar in The Great Hall," Hermione answered.
"Wow," Ron said.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Short version Harry?" she asked with a smile, "I love him."
"And the long version?" Harry asked.
"Why do I love him you mean?" she returned.
"Yeah that's what I mean. How did it happen?" Harry asked.
"I may not be able to answer all your questions. I was sworn by Dumbledore not to mention some details. It all began the day after you guys left Number Twelve Grimmauld Place to go to the Burrow, to complete your punishment with Molly. That was the first night Severus and I spent together."
"He - "
"You - "
"Stop! No, not like that. Severus and I never even really kissed until after our binding. That was just twelve days ago. However, Severus and I have spent twenty-four hours a day together, everyday, since that day back in June. It's been about four months now. The only time we've been apart is when he made the arrangements to legalise our binding, and when he was summoned by Voldemort last night, er, this morning, you know when I mean. We got to know each other really well. Anyway when our time together was coming to a close, I didn't want it to end. However, we both knew Dumbledore wouldn't allow us to continue living together. I initiated the one way Adstringo Connubialis Matrimonium Intemporaliterm, binding myself to Severus as his concubine."
"How could you do that?" Ron shouted. "How could that git allow you to debase yourself like that. You're essentially his property now. You've not rights of any kind, you're his sex slave, you - "
"Ron!" Hermione stopped his tirade. "If you would listen! He accepted me - "
"I'll kill him!"
"Ron! Let her finish. Didn't you hear the Healers call her Mrs Snape?"
"But if she's his - "
"May I continue?"
"Sorry," Ron mumbled.
"Severus accepted me but he turned around and bound himself to me as well. I didn't expect that. He really surprised me. He changed the binding spell from one of concubine to master, to a binding of husband and wife to each other. We are married. Severus made us equals Ron."
"Snape did that on his own?"
"Yes he did," she answered.
"I guess that's not so bad then. But, Hermione why would you want to live with him?" Ron asked.
Hermione ignored him, "Harry, you're being unusually quiet," Hermione said gently.
"I'm just trying to understand," Harry replied.
"I love him," she said simply. She noticed that didn't seem to be enough so she went on. "How could I not love him? We are so much alike, and so different. We compliment each other perfectly, you know. We love all the same things, both of us love to read and do research. We'd rather be in a book shop or library then just about anywhere, or finding new ways to combine ingredients that will have new and unheard of effects. We're different too, our different styles and way of looking at things blend together to make - Oh stop making faces you two, you asked!" She laughed at their antics.
"We get it, you like Snape," Ron began, "and someone has to say it: eeewww." He began laughing again.
"Besides, he's much more fun to fight with than you two," she said laughingly.
"You fight with Snape? Brave that," Ron said seriously.
"It's not brave. Our arguments are invigorating, although I really love making up." She smiled impishly. "Seriously though, he makes me feel happy, secure, appreciated."
"Well I'm... no I'm not, but I will be. Happy for you that is. If I can ever believe this isn't some cruel joke," Ron teased. "Snape?"
"Yes. Snape, Severus Snape."
Finally Harry laughed. "I can see him working for MI6, he is a spy for The Order after all so he's got experience. So tell me Hermione, does he like it shaken, not stirred?"
"What?" a befuddled Ron asked.
"Muggle thing, long story," Hermione managed to say through her giggles.
"He needs to learn to drive, and show up in a Vanquish next time he's summoned. That shock just might kill Voldemort for me."
"Severus is better then Bond though," Hermione said thoughtfully, "I wonder if - "
"No! Stop! Whatever it is you're thinking now, just don't go there. Not in front of me," Harry visibly shook himself.
"Don't worry Harry she can't be thinking about that, she hexed Snape's bits," Ron smiled.
Unbeknownst to the three, Severus had returned and stood silently inside the door listening.
"What!" Hermione said appalled, "I did no such thing. I would never hex Severus, in any way."
"I heard you 'Mione. Harry was asleep in here last night, and you hexed Snape just out there in the corridor."
"I didn't hex Severus."
"I saw you point your wand at his bits and hex him. It was bloody brilliant I tell you. What a way to keep him from touching you! Was it boils or something worse?" Ron enthused.
"Why would I ever want to keep him from touching me?" she asked horrified.
"You want Snape to touch you? He must have given you a potion or something," Ron said in all seriousness.
"Don't be an idiot. I do not need a spell or a potion to desire Severus, nor does Severus need one to desire me. What you saw was a fertility spell." She noticed Ron turn slightly green. "The spell was to ensure conception, so I wouldn't have to wait to get pregnant."
"You want to be pregnant by Snape?" Ron looked decidedly ill.
"That's right, I want to have Severus' child. Now. The spell we cast only effects conception conditions on a cellular level. Our enthusiasm for the... activity... is all our own. How dare you suggest anything else? I love him. I desire him. Although, it's none of your business even if we are good friends. However, if you persist with this attitude, if you make me choose, you will lose." Hermione said vehemently.
She crossed her arms and glared at Ron. Severus came gliding silently over to the cot that held the three.
"Weasley..." he began in his soft low voice. Ron yelped as both he and Harry jumped. Neither had realised that Professor Snape had returned.
Hermione, arms still crossed, now had a smirk on her tired face.
"If you would be so kind as to allow me access to my wife?"
Ron looked at Professor Snape as though he were a transfiguration gone wrong, terribly wrong.
Very slowly and deliberately Professor Snape hissed, "Go and sit beside Potter."
"Oh!" Ron jumped up and went around the cot where he sat beside Harry.
Severus sat against Hermione's side. She looked at him with such openness in her eyes. 'I need to do something for her. What does she need?' He got an instant headache when he realised exactly what she would want. His thoughts reeled, 'A gesture. An affectionate gesture. An affectionate gesture in front of those two. I think not. It would be a validation for her. Perhaps even vindication. But... I can not do it. Hermione, I simply can not. You do so much for me, but this... this is impossible,' he pled internally. He didn't seem to realise that he had done just that when he reached her as she lay on the road to Hogsmeade. 'If only they would go away. I could make them leave, but that might defeat my purpose. I have a purpose? I want to show her affection as she wishes? Yes, I do. Privately. Get out!' he thought. He fixed his narrowed eyes on Harry and Ron and spoke aloud. "Don't you need to... be somewhere?" he asked softly.
"Nope," Harry responded firmly. Ron blanched.
At that moment Tonks came in. "All right boys, Hermione?"
Harry and Ron held their breath, wondering if Snape would hex Tonks for calling him a boy.
"Ms Tonks, may I assume that you are ready to speak with us?" Severus asked evenly. His eyes darting to Harry and Ron.
"I am, but it's official business. Sorry Ron," she said.
Severus drew himself up in his most intimidating manner. "Mr Weasley," he began making an effort to keep the waspish tone out his voice while giving him a forced smile, "you need to be in your common room. Take yourself there immediately."
"Yes sir," Ron said a trace of resentment entering his tone. "Harry you coming?"
"Er, no Ron. I was the one who flooed Tonks, so I'm sort of involved. I already know everything, anyway."
Severus said nothing at Harry's proclamation, though his eyes glinted from under his curtains of hair.
When Ron was gone, Tonks cast an Imperturbable Charm on the room. She turned to Severus and Hermione. "Well, now we know that who has been throwing those unknown curses at you. He confessed, he's definitely been trying to kill Hermione. And we've got him, but it seems he's had an accomplice for today's attempt. We don't have them yet, because, well, it's a bit complicated."
Severus and Hermione spoke simultaneously,
"Who - " Hermione began at the same time Severus snarled, "And 'they' would be?"