Disclaimer: None of these wonderful characters is mine; they are J.K. Rowling's.
Summary: Hermione graduated from Hogwarts 2 years ago and is now twenty. War rages on and she builds barriers around her heart.
Genre: Angst/Romance Rating: Mature/Lemon Warnings: This is very OOC. If you want the characters just the way they are in the book, stop now and click on the back button. This is also AU. If you do not like it, do not read it! Now for those who want to, enjoy!

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I Don't Believe In Love

Chapter Seventeen: Tired

'How could I have done that?' This was the thought that plagued Severus for days after that incident. 'Wait. Why should I care? Nothing has been going on.' He strengthened his will. 'She accepted it.'

He continued going on everyday, as if it did not matter. He was less strict now. He treated Hermione with distanced respect. They were polite with each other. During meals, they would not talk to each other. All of the staff members noticed it. Their work was still excellent as ever. No one paid the least bit of attention except for two.

"Albus, this is horrible. If this goes on, you-know-who is going to notice it." Minerva was once again pacing in the headmaster's office.

"Minerva, they have to work things out by themselves." Minerva gave up...for now.

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Hermione still went to the courtyard every night. She would wait for him, but he would never show up. She would still gaze at the night sky, and every night, she would return to her rooms, even lonelier than the night before.

This night, she sat down on the rock, looking up at the stars; she recalled the nights they would spend here together. Hoping again, that he would appear. She gave him a chance. She told him she understood. And she did. She could not provide him some of his needs, and she accepted that. She never really expected him to severe their ties. 'I really must be repulsive.' She felt disgusted with herself. The only one that really wanted her was Tom, and she could never return his affections because he was evil. She felt so tired. Tired of this war, tired of her spy job, tired of being lonely, tired of seeing Severus reject her everyday by not showing up, and tired of her life. 'Beauty is nothing...' She laughed sourly. 'Tell 'him' that.' Apparently, beauty was a big thing for him. Auriga was a dark haired, pale faced barbie doll. Auriga was the beauty. 'Am I that ugly?' She laughed sourly again. 'I can't even hold the heart of the ugliest man I know. Once again, I let down my defenses, and I get hurt again. When will this end?' She was so tired.

As she stood up, she gasped. 'Tom.' A general meeting!

She sprinted up to the Headmaster's office, without bothering to get her death eater clothes.

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"Albus--" She saw Severus. Apparently there was no need to explain, seeing as he was here. She felt a jab at her heart again. 'He wouldn't even look at me...'

They both placed a finger on the portkey, and were transported to Hogsmeade again.

Almost at once, Severus apparated, without a word. She did not bother trying to hide her emotions anymore. She just apparated, without the usual words of comfort, and feeling of hope.

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Hermione walked towards Tom, and kneeled. "Hermione, what are you doing?" Voldemort hated seeing Hermione like this. He did not want her to fear him. He did not wish for her to kneel like a common minion. "Stand. There is no need to kneel."

But she refused to do so. Still kneeling, she said, "Forgive me, Tom. I have failed you. There was no curse. It was just a rumor, nothing more." She lifted her face towards him. Her face looked so dejected, so sad. "I am sorry." She lowered her head again.

"Stand." Voldemort ordered. She stood, but kept her head bowed. He lifted her chin, and looked straight into her eyes. "It doesn't matter. It was just a rumor." He made up that curse, to separate Hermione from Severus. He never expected her to find it.

All the death eaters were now present. They watched their lord comfort his right hand. It was clear to them that their lord wanted the girl for his own. "Take your place beside me." She smiled slightly, and took her place. To the others, she looked so old. She has grown on some of them. She was always up for a duel, entertainment. She was never proud. She never proclaimed to be the Dark Lord's most loyal. She was friendly to anyone who would try to befriend her.

Nagini seemed to have felt her feelings, and slithered over to her, while Voldemort spoke. "I have decided that we will end this, once and for all, at the beginning of the sixth month. A source has informed me of several ways in the castle through Hogsmeade. We will attack them y surprise, and they will never realize it. When the time comes, the outer circle shall join us, and the dementors and other creatures will be an asset as well. I shall summon you all, at the sixth month. Be prepared."

Hermione set Nagini back on the ground. She heard Lucius hiss behind her. "What's the matter Mudblood? Are we heartbroken?" He taunted her. Severus felt his anger slowly boil.

"Go away Lucius, I'm not in the mood." Hermione said softly. Severus felt extremely guilty. He had brought this upon her.

Lucius pressed himself at her back, and squeezed her hips. Severus snapped. He almost throttled the man, but something stopped him. "Crucio."

The other death eaters watched as Voldemort punished Lucius. They had never seen the man in such a rage. His young face contorted in pure evil, and his eyes were blood red. "You dare touch what will be mine! How dare you! Avada-"

"NO! Tom please, do not. If we lose him, it will be another wizard less from our side." Hermione held Voldemort's arm. "Remove it. Please." Voldemort watched her, and finally removed the curse.

"Get out of my sight." He said in a low, bone-chillingly cold voice. Lucius scrambled to apparate at once. Voldemort held Hermione's hand and kissed it, in front of the death eaters. "No one will harm her, or face my wrath." He pulled her softly by her waist, and kissed her slowly, savoring her softness. Severus felt his heart tear. Tom licked her lips, asking for permission. She opened her mouth a bit, and he slid in easily. Severus felt his legs weaken. 'No.' He felt his world crash down on him. Voldemort ended the kiss, and dismissed the remaining death eaters. Severus cast a disillusionment spell on himself and waited.

(Nobody notices the two snakes. They buried their heads under ground. "Hey Snark, is it done?" Smirks ask. "I think so." "Ok one, two, three!" "Whew" Snarks let out a relieved breath. "Pass the popcorn please Smirk." Smirks wraps her tail around the popcorn, and hands it to Snarks.)

Voldemort stroked Hermione's cheek. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"I am tired Tom, so tired, of this war, of hiding, and of my life." Hermione held his hand on her cheek, and tears spilled forth. Guilt came crashing down on Severus. He hurt her. Again. She seeked comfort from Tom. "I am tired of being hurt Tom." Voldemort hugged her firmly as she cried on his robes. Severus panicked. He hoped that Hermione would not turn to the dark completely. 'What have I done?'

"Shhh. Hermione, everything will be all right. I will win, and you can rest." Hermione lifted her head, and smiled at him.

"Thank you." Voldemort nodded, before gesturing for her to leave. She apparated, at the same time Severus did so only one crack seem to sound.

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Hermione walked to the courtyard once more. The meeting took away some of her remaining strength.

On her way there, she retched. Voldemort kissed her again. She was desperately fighting against the part of her that seeked comfort in Tom.

Severus watched Hermione. She cleaned up the mess, before continued her walk. Finally, she reached her destination. She looked up to the sky before promptly fainting. Severus just had enough time to catch her before she hit the ground. He held her close to him. "I am so sorry Hermione." He felt a sob rise. "I am so stupid. I hurt you again. You who I care about more than anything in this world." He buried his face in her short hair, and felt her weakly hug him.

"You came back."

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I GOT SO MANY REVIEWS! WOOHOO! (Jumps up and down on the bed.) I love you people so much. Mwah. I'm so happy.

Fairy of Fire and Fury: Lol. It actually worked! Rofl. I can't believe it. Your review really cracked me up. Thanks. (Still laughing)

Kimi kimz: Great...I feel so guilty now...No worries, revenge is Hermione's!

Varcolaci: We should put Slithers in this story...Lol.

jekyllhyde: Totally right! Thanks... Oh no, don't slack off! Thanks again.

Maeri San: Hehe...Ah when will it end?...

JTBJAB: Yup. Why do you always know what happens before I post it?

Aliasmel: Thank you! Oh no...now I really feel guilty...I must fix this!

mugglemomof3: Thanks. (The snakes say thank you too.)

westorkan: Thank you! There are! Yay!

Mish Michelle: Yeah I love them too! Do you like dragons too? I love 'em.

lovethelab: It did...sigh...No worries. Everything will be fine.

TheWolfInTheShadows: Lol. When I read that I was like, huh? Then I burst to laughter! Don't worry, I shall.

deadlyabyss12: Thanks!

BeckiSoup: They do, don't they? I love 'em so much.

SuperMuggle: Thanks for cheering me up...Thank you!

Angelbabe385: I know. Sigh. Cheer up, It will in the next chappie.

MsPadfootVerona: Reavenge! Cackles madly. Great idea!

aniamifan1988: Aw...(cries along) Yeah poor Herms.

lydia: She does. But she expected so much from him, she lat her defenses down...sobs...

sexiprincess1228: Lol...Thanks...You really made me laugh there.

Aleatha515: I know! It wasn't even two weeks! It was the original name that JK planned but I dont know now...

Dances around the house. They're back together...mmhmm...Next Chappie: Sweetness. I hope you guys liked this chappie. Thanks for reading. Review. Please. - Darque.