AN: I have no words. We love you all. ~Lissa & Snow.

Chapter Twenty-Eight
BETA LOVE: thebeebeegun, ladysnape89, what_the_fawkes, & dracoswhore17

Hermione realized within twenty minutes of arriving at The Burrow that something wasn't right. It was more than Severus just being out of his comfort zone, something was wrong.

Currently, she was sitting next to him at the tables that were set up in the back garden, enchanted lanterns floating overhead that would be lit come supper time. Snacks that were geared to the younger generation littered the tables and she was sucking on a sugar quill, while conversing with George and Angelina, who were sitting across from them. She watched Severus out of the corner of her eye, she noticed he could hardly take his eyes off three-month old Lily, who was swaddled and asleep in Harry's arms while he watched over James on his toy broom.

Cautiously, she placed her hand on Severus' knee, only to have him stiffen slightly. A frown pulled at the corner of her lips when she noticed George and Angelina glance at each other, eyebrows slightly raised. So, it wasn't just her that noticed he was off. It was worse than she thought.

Angelina excused herself when eighteen-month-old Fred started fussing after taking a slight tumble where he and Albus were chasing James. George attempted to engage Severus in a bit of conversation, only to be rebuffed gruffly. The redhead glanced at Hermione and gave her an apologetic smile before he left to join Angelina.

"Severus," she whispered, once they were alone. "What's wrong?" Hermione lightly trailed her hand higher up on his thigh, only for him to stop her. He pulled her fingers to his lips and kissed them gently before setting her hand back into her own lap.

"Everything is fine, Hermione," he told her firmly. "I'm going to get us a refill, what do you want?"

"Just a Gilly Water," she whispered, her brow furrowed. What on Earth was wrong?

Severus knew he was being less that cordial, but he was struggling emotionally. He could not figure out why he had asked Hermione to submit to him when he was in this state of mind. She had tried to engage him a couple of times, even being purposefully sassy to get a rise out of him. He knew she was confused and frustrated, but he was determined not to lose control of himself. They just had to get through dinner, and then he could talk her into going home so they could discuss the journal he found.

Fuck.

Why had he even opened the damn thing? If he was being totally honest with himself, it hadn't told him anything he hadn't already known. But the confirmation of the half-acknowledged truth was eating at him.

He was definitely not proposing today.

In fact, Severus didn't know if he'd be ready to propose in the next year after this. Trust had been significantly tarnished. It took a lot for Severus Snape to trust, so to have that trust tested meant a lot of rebuilding. Not to mention, there was so much to discuss - and not just between Hermione and himself. They needed to talk with Lucius, as well.

It was all fine and dandy that Lucius had taken off to give them space, but when the witch he was trying to separate himself from was asking for his return...how well would the time apart work?

Most likely not well at all. Severus heaved a sigh and raised one hand to rub the crease between his brow.

"Professor?"

Severus whirled around, not even sure where he had wandered to, at this point. He was just trying to escape the noise and have a moment to think. "Miss Loveg - " he broke himself off and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley."

"Luna is fine, Professor," she said quietly, watching him with her wide eyes.

"Then you must remember to call me Severus, as I have pointed out before," he countered. "I haven't been a professor for years."

She watched him with her unsettling gaze for a moment before speaking. "I don't usually approach people this way, but you are giving me quite the headache tonight," she said after a moment.

"I…?" Severus was confused. "I'm sorry?" he asked.

"Oh, it's not your fault," she sighed. "Ever since Nova was born, I have been having increased potency with my visions." Luna wrinkled her nose and Severus felt one eyebrow go up - he wasn't sure if it was in interest or astonishment.

"Have you, now?" He shifted his stance and glanced down at Nova, who was in her mother's arms, staring at Severus with the same wide eyes her mother had. His heart constricted, the child was beautiful. Took after her mother - ethereal looking. Almost Elvish. I wonder if I could hold her.

He was slightly unsettled when Luna took a step forward, offering him the child with a knowing smile. "Would you like to hold her?" She tilted her head to the side.

"Er...?" He moved his eyes back to the willowy blonde, positive that astonishment had won out. Had she read his mind? He checked his Occlumency shields, which were very much still in place.

"Yes. You may hold her," Luna stated firmly while holding Nova out to Severus, who suddenly found himself quite nervous.

"I…?" Thinking it would probably be rude to refuse, Severus awkwardly grasped the infant under her bum and behind her back, cradling her into his chest. Immediately the babe began to squirm, but didn't make any noise.

"She wants to look at you," Luna informed him, as though it were obvious.

Severus repositioned the oddly quiet child until they were staring at each other, faces close. "She's lovely." He spoke quietly, the compliment directed at the child's mother, but the answering smile from the infant girl was breathtaking.

"She likes you, don't you, Nova?" Luna moved closer to them, laying one hand lightly across Severus' bicep. "She knows you're special to her."

"The feeling is mutual." Severus smirked back at his goddaughter, he felt positively sappy holding the girl.

"She does love you, too, you know." Severus was startled by the sincerity and firmness in Luna's tone and glanced away from the baby in his arms.

"Who?" The child barely knew him...but certainly she wasn't talking about -

"Hermione."

Silence.

"You have some thinking to do, I know," Luna continued after a moment, seeming undisturbed by the awkward pause. "But do try to remember that while you contemplate. Hermione loves you, deeply. Your connection is very strong, the tethers are thick. Severing them will cause tremendous pain for you both. Please don't, she's too fragile. She's been looking for you for so long."

"And Lucius?" Severus didn't even bother to pretend that he had no idea what the odd little woman was telling him. If he had learned anything about Luna in the last few months, it was that her clairvoyance was genuine, and that she always meant well.

Luna gave him a sad smile. "Ah yes, her blond mystery man that I've been Seeing for as long as you…" She trailed off for a moment, looking across the lawn at the topic of their conversation. Hermione had joined Harry, cradling Lily in her arms. His heart jumped, gods he wanted that with her. A child, a life, a chance to be happy.

Luna seemed to contemplate before adding, "There is a feeling of loss and pain that cannot be denied. The distance has done little to break their ties," Luna told him softly and Severus felt his heart sink. "You all have a lot to discuss."

"Indeed." He answered her quietly, but returned his focus to the child in his arms, who was blinking up at him. One tiny hand came up and grasped his nose, and he couldn't help but snort down at her. "It's hard to miss, isn't it my little Nova." The snort had made her smile again, and Severus couldn't deny the fierce swell of protectiveness that swept over him.

"The godparent ritual is next month," Luna informed him when the little girl turned her attention back to her mother, before reaching for her. Luna easily took Nova back from him. "You will be there?"

"Of course, I will," he told her. "I already feel bound to her."

Luna smiled at him warmly. "You are, but the ritual will solidify the bonds." He nodded his acquiescence. He remembered very well the same protectiveness he felt for Draco with his ritual all those years ago. The bond to the young man had never faded.

They stood for a few minutes in silence, Nova and Severus watching each other in comfortable silence. It wasn't long, though, until the child began to whimper a bit, clearly looking to return to the comfort of her mother's arms.

Before Luna went to rejoin the rest of the Weasley's, she told him, "Please don't forget what I told you today, Severus." She paused before adding, "The heart has a great capacity to love, and love for one does not diminish love for another."

"I will think on it," he assured her. He wasn't sure why, but their interaction left him more calm.

Severus had thwarted Hermione's every attempt to engage in any meaningful way all afternoon. While he was physically with her, she could tell that his mind was somewhere else, and it wasn't like him not to at least give her some small explanation. She was used to him retreating into his own mind on occasion, but those taciturn moments were much less frequent these days. Now that dinner was over and the tables cleared, her friends were setting up an area for dancing while Bill enchanted the wireless to play loud enough. She had to get him alone.

Silently, she took Severus' hand, refusing to take no for an answer when he tried to take it back after only a few seconds. The threat of tears made her nose burn. "Come with me for a minute," she requested, eyes watching his profile warily.

Severus glanced over at her, and Hermione could see that he was Occluding. Gods, she wished she knew what was going on! But every attempt at a quiet conversation had been rebuffed. She was relieved when he nodded, allowing Hermione to keep his hand.

She pulled Severus into the Quidditch shed, about fifteen yards behind where the outdoor family area was. Glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one had followed them, she was pleased to find that they were truly alone. Letting go of Severus' hand long enough, Hermione cast a silencing spell around the shed before entwining her fingers with her wizard's once more.

"Please spank me, Master," she whispered nervously, leading him by the hand to a small bench. She turned away from him, her gut heavy with worry. She hated not knowing what was wrong, hated that something was so obviously off. Perhaps this would help him snap out of it and talk to her.

Placing one hand on the bench, she used the other to flip up her skirt. The string thong she wore left her cheeks bare and, for the first time in hours, she felt a small smile grace her lips as her ears processed his quick inhalation.

Severus, on the other hand, was frantic. Hermione's arse - as delectable as it always was - was on full view. She had been driving him mad with all her little touches and kisses and pets. And Merlin, had she been a sassy brat today. Her smart mouth and purposeful sashays around the garden were driving him mad. She deserved a good hiding. Hermione was never one to play the brat, however, Severus was very aware that she was purposely trying to get a rise out of him; she knew that something was wrong.

"Please?" she whimpered when a few seconds went by with no reaction from him. Severus' eyes landed on hers. Confusion, hurt, determination, worry, sadness. So many emotions screamed at him from their tawny depths. He felt his eyes slide shut and raised his hand to rub the lids.

Ten swats with a paddle and then I ask her if we can leave. We need to talk. The intimacy will help us reconnect, and then we can discuss things when we get home. "You will count," he said aloud. Severus almost wanted to cry at the look of relief on her face, but looked away instead, reaching for a broken piece of broomstick on the floor near Hermione's feet.

A muttered spell later, and he had a small, but long, wooden paddle. "Ten, Hermione," he told her softly.

"Yes, Master," she whispered, and he could hear the tears in her voice.

Severus was surprised to find that his hands were shaking. He took a moment to take a couple of deep, calming breaths before stepping behind her, confirming with himself that he was in the right headspace to give her a mild punishment. "I am doing this because you requested," he began, placing a palm at her lower back. "You know something is wrong, I have not hidden that and you're not obtuse enough to not sense it. Because you're not getting what you want even though we are in a public place, you have been a sassy brat today. I won't tolerate that, Hermione. Patience is a virtue you need to work on."

Silence. He had obviously taken her off guard. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

There was another short pause before she spoke, "I'm sorry for my behavior and my impatience. I know it's not an excuse, but I'm worried and frightened. Can we go home after my punishment, sir?" Her voice was tearful.

He sighed, his voice tired. "I forgive you for your attitude. It is my wish we go home after this, as well." He waited while she took a deep breath, then lined up the paddle. A short, but firm swing made her squeal before gasping, and Severus was glad she had cast a silencing spell.

"One!"

Thump!

"Two!"

Thump!

"Unnn, three!" Her voice was tight with discomfort.

Thump!

"Four! Fuck!" She stamped her foot and dipped her bum, but quickly moved back into position.

Thump!

"Nnah! Five!"

Thump!

A sob left her before she shouted, "Six!"

Thump! Severus' heart was pounding. For the first time all day, his mind was clear, his body relaxing. If he had tried to do this any earlier, it would have most likely gone too far. But he was in total control of himself.

"Seven!" Though tears were evident, Hermione also seemed to be refocusing. They were reconnecting. They'd go home and talk everything through. He was confident they would work through this snafu.

Thump!

"Eight!"

Thump! Severus was totally engrossed, in the zone. He could tell his little submissive was also slipping into her own space.

"Nine!"

Thump!

A door crashing shut had Hermione gasping and shooting up right before she could shout out ten. She whirled around, eyes wide as Severus dropped the transfigured paddle, his eyes shuttering into obsidian crystals in milliseconds.

Standing with the door shut at their backs, were her two best and oldest friends. Their eyes were wide, faces darkening with rage. Hermione spoke before she even finished processing their expressions.

"This is not what you think it is!" she exclaimed, flinching when Harry scoffed angrily.

"Really? Because I think Snape was just hitting you - with a paddle!" Harry retorted hotly.

"Well, yes - but - "

"There are no buts!" Ron shouted. No one was prepared for Ron's flashing rage, and he was on Severus in second, his fist connecting with the older man's jaw.

"We always knew you were a bloody arsehole, Snape!" the redhead shouted, trying to connect another hit while Hermione shrieked her indignation. "You never deserved her! We didn't understand it, but she seemed so happy - so we let it go!"

Severus wasn't even blocking the blows. His lips were curled in a self-deprecating sneer as Hermione, and after a second, Harry, attempted to pull Ron away. "You belittle her, you treat her like shit!" Ron could not be silenced. "I saw her try to be caring and loving with you today, and you brushed her off every time! Turned away from her kiss, pushed away her affection! Walked away from her conversation!"

Hermione was holding onto Ron with every ounce of her strength as she made sounds of protest. "That's no-!"

"Shut up, Hermione! We all see it!" Ron snapped. "You're the same, old, evil, ugly git from our school days. I don't care if you're a bloody war hero - you are NO GOOD FOR OUR HERMIONE!"

"Stop it, Ron!" Hermione was able to get in front of her friend while Harry held him from behind. "You don't know what you're talking about! I ASKED him to spank me!"

Her exclamation was met with complete and utter silence.

Ron looked absolutely violent in his rage and Harry was staring at her, mouth open in shock. But it was Severus' slumped shoulders and defeated expression that caught her attention the most. "Severus!" she whispered, moving to cup his already bruising jaw. "Are yo-?"

"I'm fine," he muttered, taking a step away from her. "Don't worry about me." His cool gaze moved from Ron and Harry over her shoulder, to her. "I fear my presence will only hinder your conversation. Why don't I just see you at home? I'll leave you to talk this out with them."

"Yes," she agreed, though her stomach flipped at the thought of him being home alone. "All right." Her wizard said not another word as he spun on the spot and disappeared before their eyes.

It was silent for a moment before she lost the little cool she had been able to maintain. "How dare you!" Hermione shrieked, stalking Ron. "How could you?!" Her open palms connected with his chest and she shoved him.

Harry took a frightened step back as Ron stumbled from Hermione's shove. Their eyes were wide. Kill a basilik? Check. Take on human sized chess pieces? Check. Kill Voldemort? No problem. Face an angry Hermione…? Their instincts always said - Run!

"She's obviously lying," Ron, the more brave one when it came to her temper, muttered.

"Excuse me?!"

"Battered women do that, you know," he turned to his bespectacled friend seriously, ignoring the contemplative look on Harry's face. "They think it's their fault. That they asked for it."

"I don't thi-" Harry started, but Hermione broke him off.

"I am not a battered woman!" she screeched, making both boys flinch at the shrillness of her tone. "I am a submissive! And Severus - Severus is my Dominant!"

Harry's expression looked completely befuddled, and Ron's eyes clouded with confusion. "You mean - like sex?" His nose wrinkled in contemplation for a moment before his expression dismissed what she had just said. "You think you're sexually submissive?" A wry chuckle escaped him.

"That's exactly what I mean!" Harry glanced at Ron in incredulity while Hermione silently thanked Luna. Ron's understanding of the terminology had to be due to her blonde friend.

"That's ridiculous, Hermione," Ron disagreed. "I've never been with anyone more dominant in the bedroom. You always controlled everything!"

Knowing she was being hurtful, Hermione snapped, "And that couldn't be because you had no idea what you were doing, could it?!"

Ron's face flushed hotly, and his eyes dropped to the ground. Hermione wasn't dumb, she knew a huge part of the reason she and Ron hadn't worked was because - not only were they incompatible personality-wise - they had simply not met each others needs in the bedroom. She knew why now, but back then she thought it was all her fault. Looking back, though, right at this moment - she knew it was because they were both submissive in nature. "I'm sorry, Ron," Hermione calmed immediately. "That wasn't kind.

"I just - Ron. I am submissive. I like my partner to take control in the bedroom. It's how Snape and I reconnected, how I reconnected with Draco. At the Club."

"Club? The club in Knockturn? Is that why I found a business card in Luna's denims? Do you go there?" Ron was clever - and not unobservant. She would always be able to give him that. Poor Harry looked utterly lost, though.

"Snape and Lucius Malfoy own it," she answered in the affirmative.

"Wait a second...when Malfoy told us - a few months back? He wasn't kidding?" Hermione saw gears clicking into place at the realization in Harry's eyes.

"Well...not quite that explicit…" She wasn't about to divulge all, for Merlin's sake.

There was a pause, then, "I have no idea what's going on right now," Harry sighed, removing his glasses and using his tee-shirt to clean a spot. "One of you want to fill me in?"

"I will talk about this more later," Hermione told them, stopping the conversation before it even started. "I'm sorry I didn't before now - I didn't know how. Or if it was even necessary... I - I need to go home, Severus and I need to talk. Something was wrong even before you walked in on us."

"But Snape was not hitting you against your will?" Harry needed the confirmation. "You consented to that madness? That looked like it hurt!"

"It did hurt - does actually - but I did consent, Harry. And he's not really hitting me...I just, I needed...I don't know how to explain it…" She trailed off on a shrug.

"I can't say I like this," Harry answered. He glanced at Ron, who seemed totally gobsmacked, just staring at Hermione with wide, curious eyes. "But I trust you, Hermione, I always have. If you say we have no reason to go after Snape, I'll believe it."

"Thank you, Harry," Hermione gave him a small, watery smile. "I know this is confusing...it's been confusing for me, too. But...oh, it's also been very rewarding." She sniffled. "But I need to go."

"Okay," Harry nodded and Ron seemed to come out of his little daze.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Ron told her, seriously.

"I think you owe Severus the apology, Ron," Hermione responded, but she gave him a small smile. "That was a hell of a show, you're lucky he didn't strike back."

"Shit." Ron's face drained of color. "You're right. Snape not responding should have been a red flag."

I'm an idiot. Fucking Merlin! Severus slammed into his flat, knowing he had left many pairs of startled eyes in the barroom. He cranked the lock on his door and slammed it once more - shut this time. A wandless spell over his shoulder made the deadbolt click into place.

Old, evil, ugly…!

He shut down the connection to the floo.

You don't deserve OUR Hermione!

A roar left him as he spun in a circle, hands coming up to tug at his hair. His heart was shattering. He knew this already. Every fucking thing that redhead, snotty nose brat had thrown at him.

He knew he was too old for her - but so was Lucius, damnit!

But that was where their similarities ended.

He was ugly - Lucius Malfoy was beautiful.

Snape was irritable and became annoyed easily - Lucius was beyond patient.

He was emotionally closed - Lucius was obvious in his affections for her.

He was guarded and unlovable - Lucius was free in his affections and deserved her love.

Lucius could give her the world.

He had political connections to help with her career.

More money than the Queen.

He understood her submissive nature better.

Lucius was the better Dom.

Severus Snape was a hook-nosed loser from the wrong side of the tracks - he had nothing to offer her when compared to Lucius Malfoy.

She wanted Lucius Malfoy.

So, who was Snape to stand in her way?

Leaving now was the right move. Now, before he bared his soul and told her she was it for him. Now, before she told him she loved him – even though he knew she did. Severus knew if he didn't end things before she confessed her love for him, he'd be lost. He'd never be able to leave her after that because…he loved her, too. More than he had ever loved anyone in his entire life.

Severus sighed and reached for the sapphire and diamond ring. Taking one last, long look at the symbolism of what he really wanted, he steeled his courage and snapped it shut before sliding open the bottom drawer of his desk and chucking the box to the back of it. Slamming the drawer shut, he spun on his heel and slammed into his bedroom. It was time to end his relationship with her - it wasn't like he had ever deserved her in the first place. But first, sleep.

Sunday, September 2nd

Hermione had barely slept the night before. Returning to an empty flat had left her confused. Her confusion and panic only rose as she had tried to floo Severus, only to find it blocked. Not to be deterred, she went to the club, only to be stopped by a very apologetic bouncer who informed her that Severus had instructed them to send her home if they saw her.

Hermione returned to her flat, anger now lacing her panic. How dare he shut her out like this! She had sent him a strongly worded owl, telling him just how she felt about his infantile fit of pique, only to be woken by the owl when it returned in the wee hours of the morning - her note still tied to its leg.

She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes were tired and brow creased with worry. Sighing, she moved back into the kitchen when the whistle of the teapot sounded. She was just about to sit at the table when a firm knock sounded on her door. Her heart began to race as she stumbled through the piles of books she had started re-sorting the night before.

Wrenching open the door, she found him. Severus was looking as worn and haggard as she felt. "Severus!" Hermione whispered. It was both a plea and a caress. "My gods, where have you been?"

She pulled the door open wider and watched with growing trepidation as her dark-haired wizard skirted around her and into the flat. "Why did you come to the door?" she asked. "Why didn't you just take the floo?"

"Didn't think it would be appropriate," Severus muttered, still not meeting her gaze.

His heart was racing. There was a pit the size of the Grand Canyon in his stomach. How was he supposed to do this? The moment he looked at her - he would cave. He would give in. He wanted her so much, loved her.

"Why wouldn't it be appropriate for you to come home?" Snape was unprepared when she grasped his arm and tried to pull him around. He caught Hermione's eyes briefly and gently pulled away from her.

"It's not appropriate, because I'm here to collect my things." He could see her freeze in shock out of the corner of his eye as he pulled the canvas bag out of his pockets and shook it out. It took more than five second for her to react - he counted.

"Wh-what?" she whispered.

"I think it's time for us to stop kidding ourselves. This is never going to work."

"Severus - I…" Hermione trailed off and Snape knew she was at a loss for words. He started summoning his items from around the house, watching with a cool and calm demeanor as he heard drawers and cupboards open and shut from other rooms and his stuff came barrelling in. A bit of fancy wand work had the items sorting, shrinking, and packing themselves away into his bottomless bag.

"I don't understand!" Ah...his lioness prepared herself for a fight. Well, he knew this would happen. Snape knew how she felt - just as he did. At least she had another to take his place.

"I know there's something wrong! I understand that we obviously have something to talk about - but I don't want you to leave!" Hermione pushed her way through his self-packing things and moved to touch him, but Severus held his hands up - warning her away. She recoiled as though he had slapped her and the chasm in his stomach deepened. He steeled himself, though. He was prepared for the difficulty of what was about to happen.

"I know this isn't about what happened with Ron and Harry yesterday," she didn't pause in her attempts to talk, but she did wrap her arms around her middle, as though she were trying to keep herself from breaking. Severus' heart stuttered.

"You're right, it's not."

"If it helps at all, I talked with them a bit - and they understand. Sorta, anyway. Ron should be contacting you. He owes you a formal apology. I'm so sorry he hit you."

"It doesn't matter what they think." He watched as the rest of his things came zooming into the room and into his bag. "And that dunderheaded redhead didn't hurt me." His obsidian eyes had returned to the floor and Hermione tightened her arms around her torso.

"Good… I-I'm glad you're okay." He watched her covertly as he tied the bag shut and slung it over his shoulder - her eyes never left the canvas.

"I understand if you need some time to think, Severus," she said quietly. "But could you please tell me what's wrong? You - you're making me really nervous."

This was it. It took every ounce of effort he had to control the tremble in his voice. "I'm ending things." He forced himself to meet her eyes for the first time since coming through the front door.

"Y-you're what?" It would have been simpler if she had flown into a rage. The hushed, disbelieving whisper was much, much worse.

"I'm ending things. This relationship - it's over, Hermione."

He was going to vomit...literally...and the tear rolling down her left cheek made the nausea rise.

There was a pause, only a second, and then she had unwrapped her self-hug and was moving towards him, her arms outstretched. "Severus, I don't know what's wrong! Please!" she gasped, her voice breaking. "We can work through this! Whatever it is!"

"I've made my decision." He reached out and caught her wrists, letting her come into contact with him would be bad. Very bad. He'd never be able to leave. Severus' eyes burned as he watched more tears streak from her eyes, wetting her lashes. He didn't want to cause her pain, but it was for the best. She would get over him and Lucius would help her heal and then give her every single thing she wanted. Needed.

"Tell me why!" she demanded. Hermione was starting to cry in earnest now as she tried to tug her arms free from his grasp. "I thought you - I thought we -!" But she just couldn't catch her breath, and she had to pause.

Severus let her go and took a couple of steps back. Watching her face as she continued processing what he was telling her, figuring out what she wanted to say. He never thought he'd hear the words she said next.

"I love you!"

Severus felt like a statue of the people who were buried in the hell fires of Pompeii. He was petrified ash, frozen solid as her eyes burned him alive. He didn't know what to say while the intense desolation he was feeling began to permeate his entire being.

She loved him. And he really did love her, too. But Hermione loved Lucius and Lucius loved her and Lucius was so, so much better for her. It was becoming harder to Occlude. She was everything to Severus, everything. She had become his future. He couldn't imagine her not being in his life, not laying together as they read. Not cooking together at the end of a long day. The future of buying a home, raising dark, curly-haired little ones. Growing old together. Gone. Forever.

His thoughts took milliseconds, and were interrupted when she took another broken breath and said again. "Severus? I love you. Please, don't go."

Maybe she loved him. Maybe he loved her. But he had to let her go so she could have the best. Lucius Malfoy was the best. He would do right by her.

Severus was dying inside and he had to leave. Had to. First, she had to know, though. A little anger built up inside him as he reached into his oversized pocket. He wished he could have been enough for her. Why couldn't he have been enough?

"This." He watched with grim satisfaction as Hermione's hand flew to cover the gasp of shock that left her when he pulled out the leather bound journal. "I dropped your earrings yesterday, found this under the armoire. I shouldn't have - I know that - but I read it. And I'm glad I did."

Hermione's tears amped up again. "Severus - I..? Nothing happened with Lucius. Ever! I - I miss him, yes. But - ."

"You love him." He tossed the journal on the cushion of a chair absently as his gaze bore into hers. The tears there still streamed freely, but she didn't deny what he said. Severus waited. He needed to hear it. Finally, "Tell me the truth, Hermione."

She swallowed hard before giving a slight nod, her eyes dropping to the floor. Everything about her posture screamed defeat. "I love you both," she whispered.

"Then I will make your choice easy." Severus took a step towards her and reached out.

Hermione watched him warily, unable to believe this was happening. Her guilt and her shame and her confusion only became worse with each of Severus' actions, each word he said. But a small flame of hope erupted in her chest as he reached for her, and she sighed as his fingertips brushed her jaw.

She had missed him desperately the night before. It was okay that he hadn't said that he loved her, too. With how confusing everything was in this moment, it made sense he would guard his feelings.

What he did next was not what she expected. Shoving a white hot knife into her heart would have hurt less. His touch brushed down her jaw and around her neck. He didn't fumble at all as he released the catch on her collar. The collar only he or she could remove. The collar that marked her as his - his witch, his submissive, his other half.

Hermione didn't realize what he was doing until it was too late. Gasping as he stripped it away, her hand flew to cup her now bare throat. "No! Severus!" The words were horror struck, her voice unrecognizable even to herself. Agony coursed through her and her knees buckled. If she hadn't been gripping the back of the chair with one hand, she would have slumped to the floor. "Don't!" she begged him to reconsider. Her throat was thick with the sobs that wanted to escape. She wouldn't let them, she knew he wouldn't appreciate even more waterworks. "Please, d-don't!" The last word broke.

Snape's gaze had not left her face. His expression was hard, a mask. It was obvious that he was Occluding. There was nothing in his stare at all - just two black, empty pits. His deep baritone, which had always been a source of comfort and pleasure, shattered the air as he spoke the words. "I release you from your contract. You are no longer my submissive."

Hermione couldn't breathe. She couldn't breathe – and he didn't seem to care. The stunning silence of her grief, of her inability to even draw a breath because of the pain shredding her lungs, encompassed them both. But he just calmly turned back around, pocketing her collar.

Hers. That was hers. Her sob broke loudly.

Hermione stared at his back as a second, deeper cry left her. Her hands jerked to her face to cover her mouth as she tried to hold it back and her shoulders heaved with broken breaths. She tried to tell herself he wasn't really doing this. He had to be testing her. This was some kind of sick joke. They were a part of each other – that couldn't all end in a less than fifteen-minute conversation, could it?

It appeared that it was, though.

Ending.

Over.

Apparently, he didn't care enough about her. He didn't even flinch at the sounds of her continued grief. Severus didn't love her, if he did there was no way he'd be able to open that door and walk out of her flat without a word. If he had even cared for her a fraction of the way she cared for him, there was no way he could leave her there - not while she was making these awful, inhumane, animalistic sounds of heartache. Sounds that he had caused. Had he ever cared?

Her answer came in the form of a door swinging softly shut behind him as she crumpled to the ground. So deep was her grief, she didn't hear the devastation of the man on the other side of the door.