Chapter 34

Severus and Hermione apparated together, with Sylvester in tow, back to Hermione's rooms. Once there, Sylvester shrieked through the house and sent up sparklers from his finger tips. He was proud of his mistress. He was proud of himself too.

Hermione laughed at his antics and Severus scowled.

"Can't you get control over your employees?" Hermione arched an eyebrow at him and smirked.

"I don't know, can I? I didn't do a bad job with you." She smiled at his hard look.

"I am no longer your employee Ms. Granger." Hermione stopped for a moment and looked up at him. He stood still before her, unsmiling and his eyes were hard. For a single moment, she was scared. She worried that it had all been a farce. That it wasn't real and that the real Severus was coming back…

"Why would you think that?" his voice broke into her thoughts just as his mind had read her feelings. She looked down at her feet and then back up at him.

"I was just…why were you in my head?" she scowled back at him. His mouth lifted on one side, in a half smile at the beautiful creature before him, challenging him.

He reached to her and cupped her face in his hands. He slowly traced his lips over hers, barely touching her. He felt her quake and he loved it. Her hands groped for him and he obliged her by pulling her closer. Their lips met with fervor.

Sylvester stood in the doorway snickering to himself.

Severus released Hermione, partially, to address Sylvester.

"Sylvester, you have done well." Sylvester looked as if he would cry from the praise.

"Yes Syl, thank you." Sylvester had huge tears in his eyes and Severus rolled his black eyes to the ceiling. They were interrupted by the floo springing to life.

Hermione turned at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Hermione? Hermione? Are you there?" It was Ron. Hermione pulled herself from Severus' arms and stepped into view of the fire. Severus stayed back from Ron's view.

"Ron! What are you doing?" Hermione bent low so she could look her friend in the eyes.

"Hermione, thank Merlin I found you. Listen, what the bloody hell is going on?" she glanced over her shoulder at Severus, who stood in the shadows.

"What do you mean Ron?" she frowned. She hoped she was wrong, but she had a pretty good idea what he was talking about.

"Harry has gone mad. Ginny won't come out of her room. The last I heard, Ginny came back from your house and then went to see Harry. But then she came back from there and she was a mess! Then I went to see Harry and he chucked me right out of his house!" Severus snorted. "What was that?" Ron asked.

"Nothing. Listen Ron, is Ginny alright?" Hermione said, shooting a very quick and very deadly look at Severus.

"No, like I said, she won't come out of her room. Mom and Dad have both tried. But she has warded the doors and no one can get in. She is really upset. What happened the other day? Did Harry come to see you?" There was something in his voice that made Hermione afraid.

"Why Ron? What did he tell you?"

"Oh, well, I…I sort of heard him saying something about coming to see you the other day. He was all excited saying he was going to…you know…see if you two wanted-"

"Yes, yes he was here." she didn't even want to look over her shoulder and see Severus' face. She could only imagine. Severus, was listening closely and was piecing things together very quickly.

"What happened 'Mione?"

"I said no to him Ron." Severus understood now, faster than the Weasley boy did apparently.

"What? You said no to Harry? But why Hermione? Is it Ginny? Do you think that's why she's upset? Did she find out?" Severus snorted again and chuckled at the stupidity of Ron. "What was that? Who's there with you?" Ron was frowning and Hermione was almost in hysterics.

"Um…Ron, why I said no isn't the issue. You need to talk to Harry and I'll talk to Ginny. I'll…owl her or something."

"Hermione, you're not alone, are you?" It was the most astute thing Severus had ever heard the boy say. Hermione glanced from Ron to Severus and then at the floor. She shook her head no and Ron seemed to understand.

"Oh…sorry. Erm…could you just talk to Ginny. I'll do what you said and try and talk to Harry. But he's seriously messed up Hermione." Hermione was nodding her head, praying that Ron wouldn't say anything more and that he would just go.

"Yeah Ron. Listen, it will be alright. Ginny has a horrible temper and all, but she'll calm down after a bit." Severus frowned. He was the only one who could see the whole problem. Not that he was happy about it, being stuck in the love triangle with Potter and a Weasley.

"Hermione, you alright?" Ron was more curious than ever now. He wanted to know who it was that was standing right out of sight.

"Yes Ron. I'm…I'm very alright. I couldn't be better," her eyes found Severus' and she smiled a quick smile to him.

"Yeah, alright. Hey, owl me when you have more…time." Hermione smiled at him and Ron disappeared from the fireplace.

"It looks as though you have a problem Ms. Granger." Severus said silkily. Hermone dusted off her hands and faced him.

"What's that?" she said innocently, as if the entire past five minutes hadn't happened.

"I wouldn't trust Ms. Weasley in the future, if you want our…arrangement to stay a secret."

"Oh Severus, it doesn't matter. And I don't think Ginny would ever do that. What does matter is that it's none of their business anyway. I can do whatever I want. I don't need Harry or Ron's approval." Severus smirked at her and they entered the sitting room together.

Hermione was almost certain Ginny wouldn't deceive them that way. She didn't have a reason to worry anyhow. The threat from Voldemort was gone. Severus had been cleared of all charges and she was no longer his pupil. So even if people found out, it wouldn't be that bad.

Severus stayed with Hermione for three days. Three days and three nights they were happy behind closed doors and happy reading her beloved books together without a care in the world.

Severus, had no idea that life could be this way. Hermione, felt complete and finally a whole person. Together, they completed each other perfectly and didn't leave each others side the entire time.

Messages piled up. Owls were intercepted by Hermione's staff. They were under strict orders to not disturb the Misses and the Potions Master. So they didn't.

But Sylvester wrung his hands in worry and fear.

If the Misses and the Potions Master weren't reading the papers and the messages, he was. They were oblivious to the storm that was raging all around them. He had tried to keep them immune to it all, hoping it would calm down. But it had only gotten worse with each passing day.

Sylvester read the latest headline in the Daily Prophet, owled to his mistress from London:

Known Death Eater and Harry Potter's Best Friend Engaged!

A/N: Only one chapter today folks...I am teasing you for the...erm...climax of the story. So consider yourselves teased. Thanks for the wonderful reviews guys! I am so happy you all have liked this one so much.