I intended to have the whole winter holidays in this chapter, but I opted for the quicker update. Let me know what you think!

-SnapeSage

A few mornings later, Severus and Hermione were again in the Room of Requirement together. Severus had not moved to do anything but hold her, so she knew something was coming. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, he finally spoke.

"Unfortunately, Hermione," Severus said, stroking her hair as she curled up against him on the couch, "there must still be some secrets between us."

She lifted her head from his shoulder, frowning and looking at him. "What do you mean? Why should we have secrets from each other?"

"I cannot tell you about… my obligations, as I'm sure you would be personally compelled to share anything of importance with your friends."

"That isn't fair, Severus," Hermione said, becoming a bit miffed. "I apologized for that. I thought you'd forgiven me."

"Hermione." His tone was warning, and he held her hand, meeting her eyes with his dark ones. "I cannot be known to share any information with you unless it is innocuous or untrue."

"But it doesn't mean you actually can't tell me anything!" She protested. "Trust me with what to disclose and what not to! I'll give them all innocuous and untrue information, then!"

His face was stoic, and she slowly widened her eyes in realization. "They were right, weren't they?" She said quietly. "You have been feeding me false information."

"Not false, no," he said in a low tone. "Yet I have… withheld much."

"Severus!" Her voice and face showed how hurt she was.

Severus gave her a disbelieving look. "And you would tell me any information I asked for, Hermione? Haven't you reciprocated in withholding?"

"Any information? I… I suppose… well, it depends on what kind." Severus rolled his eyes at her deflection but continued the debate.

"I saw James Potter walk you to class the other morning."

"I didn't ask him to, but I was grateful he could get me out of detention for being late."

"In exchange for something?" Severus said innocently.

"In exchange for something? He wanted to talk to me for a minute if that's what you mean," she replied hotly.

"And what did you discuss?"

Severus smirked at her when she hesitated, having proven his point about secret information.

It wouldn't be wise to let him know what James suspects about his parents surviving, would it? Besides… it's probably nothing anyway. He's imagining things in his grief.

Hermione still had a sour, frustrated look on her face, but she knew Severus was right. It wasn't even a matter of intentions. It was about consequences. Hadn't she unintentionally trusted those she shouldn't have trusted before? Wouldn't Severus be fated to work as hard as he could for the Dark Lord to the unintentional detriment of the Potters? She couldn't tell him everything.

This bothered her a lot. She already was lying and fabricating to cover up the time travel, which made her feel guilty enough as it was.

"Fine, there are some things we can't talk about," she relented. "I just… I don't like the idea of secrets between us." Hermione sighed. "What sort of relationship is this if we have no trust at all? Even the relationship itself is a secret. Does it even exist if it has none of the hallmarks of a relationship?"

Severus grasped her hand. "Exactly the kind of thinking I want to avoid. We shall set up some boundaries- parameters to what we can ask and what we can rely on the other to aid in."

"Severus…" Hermione said quietly. "We have to address the sides we find ourselves on-"

"This shall work for now," he said firmly. "I have no intention of harming you or betraying you and I want the same assurances."

"Of course!"

"Harm and betrayal can come in many forms, Hermione," Severus said cryptically. After a moment's hesitation, he pulled her onto his lap on the couch. "You are… my girlfriend. Yet, as far as my housemates are concerned, you are only my consort. As far as your friends are concerned, you are making friendly with me, perhaps flirting with me, in order to get information." He swallowed. "I understand if… if for appearances' sake, you would have to…" He trailed off, scowling.

Hermione wrinkled her nose, seeing something was upsetting him. She reached up to him and kissed him gently, cupping his face. As she pulled away, he exhaled deeply.

"If you need to take a date to the Slug Club on Thursday evening, I understand," he said in a voice that did not sound understanding at all.

Hermione laughed lightly in surprise and Severus glared daggers at her. "What? Oh stop, Severus, I would go with you if I could. I don't see what you're so upset about. You're taking Callie, after all."

"I told her I would consider it and I discussed it with you first," he replied through gritted teeth.

"I don't see the proble-"

"You are my girlfriend. If there is some reason you need to flirt with James Potter, I want to know about it first. If he has to talk to you, there are better ways to do it than in an alcove off the stairwell. Those are known for meetings of a particular kind-"

"We certainly weren't discussing anything like that," Hermione said, aghast.

"Think of how it looks then," he countered. "Not just to me, but to anyone who could have seen. You had just come from- from here…"

Ah yes, she probably still looked out of breath and disheveled and then she exited the alcove with James and could have still looked out of breath and disheveled.

"Nothing happened. I… I do care about James, but more… more in a brotherly sort of way." That was the best way to explain it for now.

Severus remained silent.

Hermione turned in his lap, lifting her leg over him and and straddling him, gripping his shoulders and meeting his eyes intently. "I would never do that to you, Severus. I swear it."

"You are mine," he said in quiet, velvety voice as he moved his hands to her hips. "There is only me." This was said flatly, but the way his eyes met hers made it still seem like a question.

"Si, Severo mio." She flushed shyly, eyes meeting his dark ones and darting to his lips.

Severus used his long hands to press her down into his lap, ensuring she wouldn't wriggle out of the position. Hermione felt herself get redder. She kept her hands on his shoulders, and leaned forward, giving him an optimal view of her breasts. He smirked, arching an eyebrow and shamelessly looking his fill before she pulled his head upward for a kiss. After some heated kissing and muffled groaning on his part, Hermione pulled away.

"And the rest?" She asked, a bit breathlessly.

"The rest?" He rasped, caught off guard.

"You may trust me not to have any sort of relationship… or the appearance of one without your approval," Hermione rattled off, eyes shining. Her eyes darted from his lips to his eyes to his already mussed hair. "The same for you," she said firmly, having taken in his passionate look and kiss-swollen lips and becoming more possessive over what was hers. "Now, what about the rest? When should we tell each other…" she trailed off, not knowing how to say what she meant. When should we cross enemy lines? Ignore loyalties for the sake of the other? Betray their own cause to pass information to a lover?

Severus seemed to understand what she was getting at. "If we can explain the immediate problem," he said slowly, "and the potential solution, then that should be enough for the other party to make a decision."

Hermione gave him a pointed look. "It probably won't be."

"It was enough to know only that I had been exchanging schoolwork for guard duty. You decided to help after that." He reached up and stroked her arms soothingly.

Hermione's face still had a hesitant, disbelieving look to it, but Severus pulled her down for a gentle kiss that soon grew more fervent. The sinking feeling in her stomach grew, but she tried to let Severus kiss it away, knowing she should take advantage of her time with him while she had it.

End-of-semester exams and essays were the following week and Hermione and Severus both performed well. 'Well' was strange for Hermione, but all of her academics had been odd in the 70s.

In this time, Hermione felt detached from any intellectual pursuits. It was almost as if she really was becoming another person. She didn't feel she could work to her full learning potential, becoming oddly disconnected from schoolwork as she'd never been before. Spare time was spent writing less brilliant essays for the Slytherins, focusing on learning intel from the girls instead of studying, and kissing Severus into oblivion. All other energy was devoted to plotting, maneuvering the social ladder, and trying to interpret people's motives outside of the available evidence.

It made her miss Harry and Ron desperately. Ron was the strategist, Harry the genuine friend. Hermione was just the bookworm. With Severus, she had a fellow intellectual, but… he far surpassed her in strategy. Even in social climbing, he at least understood the Slytherin methods of exchanging favours. She was completely out of her element here.

Defense Against the Dark Arts class was truly just an exercise in examining Karkaroff rather than the material, and Potions was spent trying to walk a delicate line between competent and brilliant. She had been successful so far, as Slughorn had called her Miss Pastor and Miss Parkinson the most recent times he'd noticed her at all.

She had a cursory visit with Dumbledore the last week of term. It was uneventful.

Hermione could tell that the headmaster was stretched thin. If there were Order, school board, and Wizengamot meetings he was attending regularly, it would make sense. There must be much going on with the Order behind the scenes to undermine the Death Eaters that would keep him busy.

As for her reports to him, she was unimpressed. She felt on the one hand that he was too hands-off with his approach to her in certain areas (they spoke very little about Karkaroff, nothing on the Potters' deaths, or any important events) and far too involved in others (he was quite curious about the students she and Severus associated with and any gossip she had to share).

"Have any of the students taken an interest in working against Voldemort?"

Hermione blinked. It had been a while since she'd actually heard the name. "Yes, of course, most of them- really, all of them apart from the Slytherins- oppose what he stands for."

"Yes, but… I had the impression that many of the students are not content with mere talk." He raised an eyebrow.

Hermione cocked her head. "Are you recruiting, sir?"

"Not yet." Albus Dumbledore smiled knowingly at her. "Those who wish to fight usually present themselves without even being asked. No, I am asking if anyone has moved to do something now. That… that would prove concerning to me."

Hermione frowned, narrowing her eyes. After a pause she said finally, "We are still in school, sir. There isn't much we could do at the moment."

Dumbledore stared at her, stroking his beard.

Hermione realized that she had the same problem with Dumbledore as she had with Severus. They didn't quite trust each other enough.

"Your occlumency is quite good," the headmaster finally replied.

"Enough to fool you, sir?"

"No," he said. "But enough to keep some things hidden."

When Hermione arrived at the Room of Requirement the next morning, Severus was already waiting for her. He had jumped up as soon as she entered, half sprinting to the door and picking her up as she shut it. She squealed as he spun her around, a wide grin on his face.

"Wh- what's this?" She asked with a startled laugh as Severus set her down.

"I've had an early Christmas present. Actually, a combined birthday and Christmas present." Severus' grin started to fade, and he looked a little nervous, yet he kept talking. "I have been a ward of the school since last April. I have been stuck in limbo- of age in our world, but not yet 18 in the Muggle world and having no parents."

Hermione nodded. "You couldn't go home."

"That's been solved now. The Muggle authorities have been taken care of and I have the deed to the house. The headmaster has released me as a ward- it was only a few more weeks until my birthday anyway."

Hermione kept her face neutral but was miffed Dumbledore had told her nothing of it.

Severus lifted his hand and ran it through his loose black hair. "I have never… I have never truly thought of that house as a home, but… it is a place to get away to."

She smiled gently at him, reaching over to squeeze his free hand. "I'll miss your company, Severus. You deserve a holiday. I can see you after Christmas."

"No! No, I…" He swallowed. "Will you come with me?"

"Come… come with you?"

"Spend the holidays with me." He looked at her earnestly, clearly afraid of rejection for moving too quickly. "The break starts Friday. I would apparate back Thursday night after Slughorn's party and spend the next day preparing the house. I could pick you up Friday afternoon."

Lily and James are going away together. I can't keep an eye on them anyway.

Hermione's face lit up and she beamed at him. Severus' eyes widened in pleasure as she nodded enthusiastically. He picked her up and spun her again as she shrieked with laughter.

"You are the best present," he whispered before kissing her.

The Slug Club party came quickly enough, and it was enough of a déjà vu for Hermione to almost feel back in her own time. The differences in getting ready were drastic, as she had a whole gaggle of girlfriends to help her with hair and makeup.

Arabella took great pleasure in brushing Hermione's hair out so it poofed out almost in semblance of an afro. Hermione insisted on putting in some Sleakeezy's ("That's how James' family got their fortune, you know"), which took a lot of perseverance on her part. "Big hair is all the rage, now Anna!" Arabella chided, and Hermione almost barreled over in giggles at being reminded what decade she was in. In the end Hermione won out, and the easy soft curls she wore were grudgingly accepted as quite nice by the other girls.

The Marauders had done their own work to buy Peter an invite to the party by linking him up with Marlene, who was a good enough sport to agree to a friendly escort. It became apparent almost immediately, however, that they should have roped her sister Marina into doing the task, as she flirted shamelessly with Pettigrew. She made eyes at him, laughed at his not-funny-at-all comments, and put her hand on his arm enough times to make Hermione gag. This was much worse than James and Lily, she decided.

As soon as she entered with her group, she sought out Severus from across the room. He looked striking and handsome in his dark green dress robes. He had his hair tied back in a queue, emphasizing his sharp jaw and angular cheekbones. His dark eyes flashed appreciatively at her when he spotted her, but he could only spare a brief glance at her for appearances' sake.

Calliope wore conservatively cut midnight blue dress robes, which complimented Severus' outfit well. Her petite frame was further emphasized in the clothes, but rather than make her appear childlike, the robes flattered her figure and gave her a sophisticated, delicate look. Their similar dark hair and pale skin made the two a striking couple. Callie was at Severus' side within a group of Slytherins, making polite small talk with Rosier and Avery. Hermione's jealousy surged when she saw them together. They looked like the perfect high-society couple.

"Good," Lily whispered to the other Gryffindor girls when the men had wandered away. She indicated the couple across the room. "Maybe Callie will find something out tonight." She winked at them before taking Arabella to talk to a few handsome Hufflepuffs.

Marina made a pretense of going to get a plate of food, but Hermione was sure she would find Pettigrew and try to snog him under the mistletoe. This left Hermione standing alone.

She sighed. This was better than beating off McLaggen, she supposed.

"Hey Anna," Elpida appeared at her side, handing her a drink. "Cheers." Ellie raised her own glass after handing the one to Hermione. "To the benefits of not bringing a date."

Hermione laughed and raised her glass in agreement before taking a long sip.

"Everything alright on your end?" she asked the other girl afterwards. It had been a few days since they'd spoken. She hoped Ellie wasn't still sore about her 'keeping back information'.

"Fine," Ellie replied. "Classes finished up well for the semester. I'm still on track for my ministry job." The blonde hesitated a moment before lowering her voice. "I thought we had more of an understanding, Annie. Haven't I had your back? You can at least be honest with me."

Then she was still upset about the other day.

"We… I'm sorry." Hermione whispered back, averting her eyes. "I do feel like I can trust you Ellie, but…"

"But nothing. You can." Ellie's stance hardened, reminding Hermione she was a tough Quidditch beater. Bulldog, the players called her.

"You don't trust Sev- Snape. And I… I care for him," she whispered even more quietly. "It makes it more difficult."

"You don't trust him either, Anna. Even if you care for him." Ellie replied flatly.

Hermione's heart clenched. Involuntarily, her eyes sought out Severus. He was still speaking to the Slytherins, Calliope dutifully looking on.

"Annie," Elpida's tone softened, and she put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Believe me, you can trust me. With everything. I know all about…" Ellie pulled away and shook her head. "Nevermind- It's not the time. Enjoy the party." The taller girl turned to go.

"Wait, Ellie."

She turned back and waited.

"I'm going with him for the holidays," Hermione said, biting her lip.

Ellie's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she nodded. "I'll expect you back in one piece then, or Snape gets it."

Hermione couldn't help but shoot her a small smile.

Hermione and Elpida rejoined the Gryffindors. The party meandered on, and everyone laughed loudly and got a bit silly. James and Lily ended up kissing under some enchanted mistletoe, causing Sirius to stand under another bunch and close his eyes, loudly declaring he would take his chances on whoever wanted him. To his shock, Marlene McKinnon stalked over and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek, bowling over in laughter when he had nothing to say upon opening his eyes. Hermione was surprised to see him blush and fidget awkwardly around her afterwards.

"Sirius is such a flirt," Arabella commented to Hermione mirthfully, rolling her eyes. "It's all a game for him, so he doesn't know what to do when others don't play it the same way."

A few professors apart from Slughorn were in attendance, including Flitwick, Hooch, and Karkaroff. After a few drinks, Karkaroff was beginning to sing loudly in a foreign tongue and Slughorn was subtly trying to usher him away. Slughorn was being far too diplomatic, it was made clear, as Karkaroff only grabbed him around the shoulder and swayed, urging Slughorn to join in the song. Finally, Hooch screamed at him to get his 'big drunken arse to bed' as the room cheered and laughed. This worked and he wasn't seen for the rest of the party.

Severus moved to speak to Flitwick on his own as Hermione feigned interest in Marina's lovesick gushing about Peter. Thankfully, Remus came to stand directly next to her, and she was able to converse with him briefly about a few academic subjects. He smiled at her kindly and she was reminded so much of the Remus Lupin she had known. This in turn gave her a sudden, fierce ache of homesickness for the future- her past.

"Everything alright, Anna?" He asked, seeing her face falter.

"I- I just miss home," she said honestly. "It's almost Christmas too."

"Christmas is a good time to be with loved ones. Do you need somewhere to go for the holidays? If so-"

"Hey Moony!" Remus winced and reluctantly turned his head to see Sirius gesturing for him to stand under the mistletoe. Remus turned a bright shade of red and wasn't able to turn back and meet Hermione's eyes.

"I… that is to say…" He faltered.

Hermione began to get another ill feeling in her stomach that she wasn't sure was homesickness.

"Actually," chimed in a voice from her left, "Anna will be coming with me over break." She turned to see Ellie smiling at her. "Last minute change of plans, actually. My cousin Nadine has offered to let us stay with her."

Oh, thank goodness, I have an alibi! No one even needs to know I'm with Severus at all!

Remus mumbled a thank you to Ellie's hospitality to a homeless transfer student, before excusing himself to have a stern, low-voiced conversation with a sighing Sirius.

Hermione thanked Ellie silently with her eyes, while she returned a 'you owe me one' glance. There was no time to acknowledge anything further, as James quickly pulled Ellie into a conversation about Quidditch for the next semester.

Hermione found her eyes wandering around the room, not satisfied with the new topic of conversation.

Where is Severus? Where is… Callie?

She did her best performance in keeping her body language calm and not swiveling around frantically.

Even if they are off together somewhere, she reasoned. He's just convincing her of his Death Eater loyalties. She's just probing him for information. They're just playing each other. They wouldn't… they wouldn't snog or touch to do that… Severus wouldn't do that…

After yet another faux languid sweep of the room with her eyes, she finally spotted Calliope speaking to Mateo Reneiro, the other Ravenclaw prefect of their year.

There, she thought, relieved. Now, Severus…

The boys refilled everyone's punch glasses and brought back new rounds. As James handed Hermione a fresh cup, she saw Severus practically billowing towards the group.

"Don't drink that," He snarled at her. "It's been spiked."

"Of course it's been spiked, Snivellus!" Sirius roared. "Lighten up, will you? It's Christmas time!"

"Yeah," Peter chuckled. "Lighten up Sever-arse!"

Marina and James joined in laughing, but Arabella shrieked.

"He's right!" She cried. "Smell it, don't drink!"

Hermione frowned and sniffed her glass. Earthy warmth and lush green grass, crisp and crinkly parchment, mint and sage-

"Amortentia," she said quietly.

Severus nodded sharply before quickly moving over to Professor Slughorn.

The next half an hour involved corralling the students, giving everyone an antidote, and beginning a paltry attempt at interrogation by encouraging the culprit to come forward. Dumbledore and McGonagall were there to witness, and neither looked pleased. Slughorn, Hooch, and Flitwick were all far too tipsy themselves to lend credence to there having been any legitimate chaperoning.

Finally, the partygoers trudged off to bed. She caught Severus' eyes for a brief moment on their way out and nearly shivered.

Yes, she thought, a warm glow spreading throughout her body. Tomorrow.

A few minutes earlier…

Severus had just finished speaking to Professor Flitwick about charm-enhanced potions before he noticed an important absence from the party. He silently slipped out into the corridor.

Pausing momentarily, he took out his wand before turning to his right. He opened the first classroom door to his left with a bang.

The tableau he found in the room was frozen in perfect horror.

A taller figure had been mid-moan, mid-thrust, head arched back, trousers at his ankles, and holding the head of another figure at waist level.

"Mr. Snape! No… no no no no…." The taller figure removed his hands from the head of the kneeling one and frantically pulled up his trousers. "You saw nothing! You- fuck!"

"Calm down, Igoryok," The kneeling figure scoffed, wiping their mouth on their sleeve, rising from the knees, and brushing dirt off their robes.

Severus laughed as he flicked the door closed and locked it with his wand. "So, this was your assignment? I suppose I should count myself lucky."

"Don't be ridiculous. This isn't an assignment… per se. Igoryok knows I appreciate him on my own."

Severus shook his head disbelievingly, still wearing a wide smirk as the man who had been moaning in pleasure a few moments earlier now moaned in frightened realization on the floor, head in his hands.

"And how do you propose to keep me quiet about this?" Severus asked calmly, arching an eyebrow.

"What do you mean? I don't care."

"Not from telling the other initiates. From telling the school. I am a highly concerned student, after all…"

The figure hesitated.

"Easy solution. Leave Perri alone," Severus said. "Leave Perri and I alone, and don't worry about anything you may overhear."

"So, it is true," the other said slowly. "You plan to turn her to our cause."

"I do," Severus said firmly. "And I appreciate your assistance in promoting the match to the Dark Lord. As the Hogwarts handler, you will have some sway."

After a few beats, the reply came. "Well, if it works out, I'm happy for you, though I sincerely have my doubts."

Severus scoffed, eyes darting between the other two, as if to say 'and I don't have my own doubts?' He turned fully to the blubbering man on the floor. "As for you, Professor, you still have to buy my silence."

The dark-haired man looked up in terror, clearly too drunk to protest.

"I'll be wanting that Firebird feather of yours." He grinned in triumph. "Hand it over in exchange for a wand oath of secrecy." The other man hung his head in shame and reluctantly reached into the inner pocket of his robes.

The handler spoke then, hand on the door handle to leave, having just finished straightening up their robes. "By the way, you may want to check on Perri. The punch had a bit of an extra kick to it, if you can't tell by Igor's… enthusiasm." The door swung shut behind the exiting student.

Severus hurriedly got the feather from the defeated, blubbering man, gave him a quick wand oath, and rushed from the room and back to the party, fury building within him.

If anyone has done anything to her… I will kill anyone who has touched her.

It was almost an hour before he breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn't drunk the punch after the Amortentia was added.

He knew it was Amortentia.

It smelled exactly like her.