Chapter 5

Thursday June 10th

Hermione and Severus were eating dinner at Wandwavers, which was now their favorite place to eat out. Hermione had worked late and didn't feel like cooking anything. For Hermione, it was the best place for fish-and-chips. For Severus, it was the first time he heard Hermione say that she wanted him, remembering that day before Christmas when he overheard the conversation between Hermione and Minerva. His life changed that day. He was still happily shocked that she chose him, and he intended to spend the rest of his life to ensure she didn't regret her decision.

Severuswatched Hermione look over a booklet from work and sip her Ogden's. She frowned at a page, then bit her bottom lip. Severus reached across the table and removed the booklet from her hand.

"This can wait until tomorrow, sweet," Severus said.

"You're right, I'm being a bad date this evening," Hermione said. "So how was your day?"

"I recieved an invitation to attend a potions conference in France," Severus said.

"Wow! Are you going?" Hermione asked.

"I am considering it," Severus said. "A few acquaintances will be attending that I haven't seen for a few years," Severus said.

"Catching up with some old buddies?" Hermione teased.

"I wouldn't quite put it that way," Severus said.

"You should go, I know I would if given the opportunity. I'm going to miss going to France this summer with my parents," Hermione sighed. "Oh well, let's finish up here and head back home."

A half hour later, forgetting about everything outside of the walls of the bedroom, Severus and Hermione lost themselves in each other. Severus again felt like he was in alternate universe as he felt Hermione above him. With her hips grinding against his, her breasts brushing his, her soft lips caressing his neck, he shivered and moaned in anticipation. That brought a lusty chuckle from Hermione who lowered herself onto him, emitting a moan.

"I love this," she whispered.

Ten minutes later, (a remarkable amount of time for the two) they lay cuddling in a sexual afterglow.

"My dear, you never say much during our lovemaking," Severus said with his Professor's voice.

"No need for words, they waste energy," Hermione said.

Lady, thy name is direct! Severus thought with some amusement.

"As I was told recently, the thirst for knowledge is never-ending. That's even true sexually." Hermione stated.

Snape raised his eyebrows. "Enlighten me."

"Gladly. You see love, every time we are together, it is a learning experience. I enjoy watching you, listening to you, feeling you, tasting you, so I know what to do better the next time," Hermione replied huskily. "So how did I do?"

"Well Miss Granger, you have just earned an 'O+ ' on this particular test."

"Thank you Professor."

At eight am sharp the nest morning, Ron and Draco floo-ed in the flat. Hermione was setting a platter of pancakes on the table.

"Good morning you two," Hermione said.

"Pancakes!" Ron said.

"Thanks again for breakfast Hermione," Draco said.

Severus then walked into the kitchen in a maroon houserobe, reading today's edition of The Daily Prophet. Ron and Draco looked to each other.

"Gentlemen," he nodded in acknowledgement of Draco and Ron.

He sat down at the table, accepted a cup of coffee from Hermione then felt her kiss the top of his head. She put a few pancakes on the plate in front of him.

"Are you sure you two aren't married yet?" Ron smiling asked the two. "You sure act like it."

"Soon enough Ron," Hermione said lightly. Severus was grinning behind the paper.

After breakfast, Severus watched the three walk down the street towards the ministry. He noticed how Draco and Ron casually moved to either side of Hermione as the three walked. When they were out of sight, he took out his quill and answered the conference invitation in the affirmative.

Paris is nice in the summer I guess.

That morning was Hermione's first department meeting. She walked through the lab doors and her medallion warmed up. Casually she looked around the room of 16 people.

What am I supposed to do? Ask everyone to roll up their sleeves so I can check for a deatheater mark? That would go over well. Hermione thought wryly.

The meeting started. Everyone had to give a summary of the work they had done that week. After an hour, Hermione had to wonder if her medallion was working correctly. It was hard to even comprehend that anyone from this department was a deatheater. Then her memory drifted to Ayden Foote. No one would have thought it of him either.

"Hermione?" Matthias asked her waking her from her musings. Everyone was looking at her. "Welcome back Hermione. Did you hear me? Are you quite alright? I asked if you had any questions?"

Embarrassed, Hermione replied, "No sir."

"Okay, let's get to work. If I don't see you before the end of the day, have a nice weekend," Matthias said.

Hermione worked until lunchtime. She walked briskly to the cafeteria hoping either Ron or Draco was there. Thankfully, they both were. She took a seat and accepted a cup of coffee from Ron.

"I have some news. When I walked into our department meeting, my you-know-what warmed up," Hermione said softly.

"I think that's more than we needed to know Mione," Ron teased.

"Ronald, I'm serious! We have sixteen people in the department, so again I have no idea who. And on a personal note, it's just hard to believe, they are all so decent," Hermione said.

"That about sums up everything about the side of dark, it's just hard to believe," Draco said glumly thinking about his father.

Hermione continued her work after lunch. Her medallion was warm the rest of the afternoon. To Hermione's frustration, no one left the lab. Maybe if someone left the lab, and if they were the deatheater, or worse, more than one, the medallion would quit warming. That would be the easy way to tell who it was.

But that would be the easy way, so of course it's not going to happen! Hermione thought.

Ron and Draco walked with Hermione back to her flat. Severus was sitting on a sofa and had a couple of bags packed.

"I decided to go to France after all," he said. "I leave in few minutes, I just wanted to say goodbye to you first."

"I'm glad you did. I would have been disappointed to get no good-bye kiss," Hermione mockingly pouted.

Around eight p.m. that night, Hermione was in herlab when the the floo sounded.

"Hermione?" she heard Harry's voice.

"Back here Harry," she called.

He came to the office. He looked around with surprised eyes.

"Wow! I haven't seen this. You have a little lab right here!" Harry said.

"Well Harry if you were around more, you would know," Hermione teased. "Don't worry Harry, I'm joking. I know about the auror training schedule."

"Anyway I was sent to fetch you. There is an order meeting, so grab your robe," Harry said. Hermione put down her booklet and retrieved her Order robe from the bedroom and together they floo-ed to Grimmauld Place.

Dumbledore called the meeting to order and started.

"Good evening everyone. I see everyone is here except for Severus. He went to a conference in France this weekend. I understand you have some news Miss Granger," Dumbledore said.

"Yes sir. My medallion warmed up in my department meeting this morning. The problem is that we have sixteen people in my department. I couldn't exactly stand up and say, 'Could everyone roll up their sleeves? I need to see if any of you have a deatheater mark'. That would not go over well," Hermione said.

"Quite right Hermione," Minerva quipped.

"Patience Miss Granger. If there's one thing we know about them is that they panic. Their over-confidence is their undoing," Dumbledore said.

"As to the purpose of tonight's meeting, there is a mission. Nothing too dangerous, just some reconnaissance on a suspected deatheater hideout. This would be the perfect time for some training for our newest members. Auror Tonks will accompany Granger, Malfoy, Potter and Weasley. Any objections?" Dumbledore asked. There were none.

"Good, let's get started."