They weren't even dating the first time Hermione and Severus woke up together. They were searching for a lost artifact that supposedly had been the cause of an earthquake that had happened. They were brewing a potion that would be able to trace the energy signature they found off of some rubble. It appeared to have a plasmic energy signature, they had never seen before in any type of magic. The artifact appears to have been dormant for centuries until the unexplained earthquake occurred two weeks ago. The artifact belonged to King James the second. It was believed that he was a muggle-born wizard and hid his magical abilities by transferring them into a dagger he was given by the Vicomte de Turenne when he served in the military. The dagger was described to have a blackened steel hilt featuring asymmetrical shell guards, pas d'ane, and heart-shaped pommel, all decorated ensuite with inlaid silver floral and geometric design. The blade was simple in design and was a standard length. When he died in 1701 one of his King's guards and trusted male counterparts was supposedly ordered to hide the dagger, so that no man could wield the King's greatness. However, hidden texts revealed that by removing his magic the King grew very sick not only physically but mentally as well. His mind succumbed to darkness and rage. His lover, recognizing the danger that the dagger possessed stole it in the dead of night and tried to destroy it. When he tried to destroy the blade it emitted an energy that caused a huge earthquake that destroyed the surrounding village. He hid it leaving behind a series of clues so that one day it could properly be destroyed. Scholars have searched for centuries for this dagger. Clues revealed that the King's soldier found a series of underground tunnels and in his grief planned to poison himself and be laid to rest in a secret cavern. His body was never found nor was the dagger. It is believed that he died with the dagger in his hands. Many have sought this dagger both in the muggle and magical world. The tale has been lost to history. Most people believe this story to be a myth. But most myths have a basis in fact.

When the earthquake happened most people just ignored it and passed it off as nature being nature. But not Hermione and Severus Snape. Severus was suspicious of the seismic power of the earthquake and approached Hermione to see if her abilities in arithmancy could be of any assistance to locate its origins. It was funny, Hermione introduced the King James' theory as a joke, reminiscing about the old folk tale. She had not expected Severus to understand what she was referring to. However, as luck would have it he was as well read as she was and was able to match up some coincidences between the two instances. At first, it was just a silly idea that humoured the pair but it slowly transformed into a search for an incredible archeological find.

It took all night to brew and had to be stirred every two hours for three rotations and left to simmer for four. The two sat on the couch discussing new academic theories for hours until their topic of discussion turned to philosophical debates. They even talked about the hardships of reentering society after the war. His travels around the world and her conflicting thoughts of Harry getting married. This led into the early hours of the morning. Only stopping to review the potion. Once midday hit and the light shone through the windows, the glare woke the pair who somehow found themselves awakening next to one another as they laid on the couch side by side. Severus laid stretched out along the couch and Hermione found herself curled up to his side. She would have probably fallen off at some point if it wasn't for Severus' arm wrapped securely around her.

When they both were properly awake they quickly disentangled their limbs and separated. Severus stalked off mumbling about checking the potion while Hermione composed her flustered state while she ran a hand through her hair. Her fingers getting caught in her curls. It was strange how the two quickly fell asleep in the other's embrace. Sleep had always been a struggle for the two individuals. Which left the two so unnerved.

But it wasn't unpleasant.

They never discussed the implications that day. Or for any of the subsequent days either.

It was awkward as they danced around each other in the kitchen that morning. Bumping into one another as one of them reached for a cup of coffee as the other made a fresh batch of white tea. There was tension between them as they tried to decipher how to act around the other. The two individuals were very private and had not yet allowed many if not anyone to see their morning routine. But now they had to incorporate the other. The two were very adaptable and were able to compensate, that wasn't the problem. In a way they found the other to be more so distracting than anything else. The way Severus grew distracted as he watched Hermione stretch as she reached for a mug on one of the top shelves. How her shirt slid up only an inch or two but revealed some of the smooth skin of her stomach. The way Severus moved behind her. The feeling of his chest brushing against her back as he reached behind her and grabbed the mug himself. Causing Hermione to lose her train of thought. The two should have recognized the signs of sexual tension between them but they chose to ignore it. Which in hindsight was probably not the greatest idea the two ever had. It slowly crept up on the pair and of course would boil over to a great capacity. And of course, it would occur at the most ill-timed moment.

Those days were long gone. They settled into a routine with one another. Severus was usually the first to wake when they shared a bed. Hermione still had a separate apartment but the days she would stay there instead of staying at Severus' home grew far and too few. Even Crookshanks marked his own territory at the house. He coveted a leather chair in his library as his own. Severus would make a pot of coffee while Hermione showered. Sometimes if he already had the pot going before Hermione awakened then he would join her in the shower. Hermione was the first to leave most days. She normally had meetings and had an office at the Ministry of Magic while Severus preferred to work from home at his personal lab in the basement. Most evenings they would spend together as Severus cooked and Hermione did the dishes. Or if it grew too late, one would pick up takeout. They would read novels or go over research with the other before retiring to bed. It was a simple life but for two people who spent much of their life fighting for their lives, simplicity was much appreciated.

Today was no different. They woke up and had coffee, dressed and read the prophet. The only difference was that today was Saturday and instead of heading to the Ministry, Hermione made her way over to the Potter house to meet up with Harry and Ron. Severus had to meet with a local apothecary to order some rare ingredients and then was being forced to attend a mandatory summons by the Malfoys.

Which leaves her with her present company. After graduation, Harry and Ron joined the Aurors. Harry quickly made his way up the ranks and was currently paired with Tonks for fieldwork. Ron decided after two years that the Auror program wasn't for him. He did however returned to his love for strategy and became a coach for the Chudley Cannons. With Ron leading them, they made a vast improvement over the last year. They may actually stand a chance to make it to the finals.

"Please no more, nor more quidditch talk," Hermione begged from her spot on the floor. Even though there were couches in the living room the three opted to sit on the ground. A habit they developed in their early years at Hogwarts. One that has stuck with them even years after they graduated. Harry was leaning back against the couch, his form still lean and scrawny. Even with age Harry hasn't been able to manage his messy and unruly hair. Ron on the other hand had cut his hair short which somehow made his body structure appear larger from years of quidditch training. Hermione was seated across from the pair. Wearing an elbow-length shirt, her mudblood scar was prominent. Hermione wasn't self-conscious of her scar but she was aware that it caused people to focus on her arm rather than her words so she covers it when she is in public.

"What?" Ron asked, confused.

"Not everyone is as quidditch crazy as you," Hermione explained. With Harry nodding in agreeance beside her.

"You are," Ron protested at Harry's betrayal.

"Not like I used to. I grew up," Harry said proudly with a smug grin on his face as if trying to prove his point.

"You mean you are busy with work," Hermione guessed.

"I am swamped," Harry admitted, rubbing his old lightning scar in stress. "Wanna do it for me?"

"Not a chance I've got my own problems right now," Hermione said half-heartedly. In reality, her schedule wasn't as hectic as it normally was. Most of her time was spent with Severus.

"How's Gin doing?" Ron asked. With being in the middle of training season he hadn't had a chance to visit the family as often as the others. The last time he saw his sister, it was at the Weasley family brunch a month ago. She and Harry just announced that she was expecting. There was a lot of celebrating and crying, mostly by his mother.

"I swear with the pregnancy hormones, I fear her more than I ever did of Voldemort," Harry said jokingly.

"Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?" Ron asked.

"Not yet, we are planning on having it be a surprise. But Ginny's convinced that it is a boy. And who am I to tell the woman she is wrong."

"Smart man," Hermione commended.

"Speaking of being smart. I was wondering if you two would be the godparents," Harry asked nonchalantly as if what he was asking wasn't that big of a deal or honour.

"Of course," Hermione exclaimed, reaching over to pull Harry in for a hug as he laughed at her antics. With her arms wrapped around him, they both held on for a long while as they sought out each other's comfort.

"It's about time that you asked mate," Ron said clapping Harry on the shoulder. Resulting in the pair giving him an odd look. "What?" Ron asked, "We are the only friends the bloke has."

"I am expecting this kid to have the entire Hogwarts of History to be memorized before they grace the halls of Hogwarts," Harry said, expressing his hopes that if something ever happened to him and Ginny that his child would have a better childhood than he did.

"Don't worry if they ain't smart then they will have a place on the Cannons if I am still coaching," Ron said trying to be reassuring.

"Ya that is such a relief," Harry said, expressing that it wasn't working.

Well, who would have thought that Harry who couldn't figure out his first kiss would be a father," Ron laughed, with Hermione joining in.

"What about you Mione? Anyone catch your eye lately?" Harry asked.

"Me?" Hermione asked, surprised. It took her a moment before she replied with as little stuttering as she possibly could on such short notice. "No. No. I don't have time for dating," Hermione said lying through her teeth. "What about you Ron? How was that date with Haley?" Hermione asked, trying to draw the attention away from herself.

"It wasn't half bad. We are actually planning on going out again on Thursday for dinner."

"Does this mean that the infamous bachelor Ron Weasley is thinking about settling down?" Hermione asked teasingly.

"Possibly."

"So are we going to need an extra seat at the Burrow for biweekly lunch?" Harry asked joining in the fun.

"Maybe one day. I'm not planning on telling mom until I know It's serious. You know how she gets. If I tell her anything she will start planning my wedding by the end of the day.

"You mean like she did with me and you?" Hermione asked jokingly.

"Yes and we only went on two dates before we called it quits," Ron said seriously.

"Wait she actually planned our wedding?" Hermione asked shocked.

"Are you really surprised?" Ron asked inquisitively.

"No, I shouldn't be. It's just I never really gave a thought to ever getting married. I guess I always figured that I would elope or just sign the paperwork at the Ministry if it ever happened," Hermione said trying to suppress the urge to think about her relationship with Severus. They have been together for some time now. Long enough for Hermione to be positive that she does wish to spend the rest of her life in a romantic relationship with him. However, she never really considered the titles they would use for their relationship once it was made public. Boyfriend didn't seem very appropriate to define their relationship. Plus the term boy certainly did not apply to Severus. Lover was probably the closest, but it seemed to lack the emotional aspect that they share. Partner was what they referred to when they first worked together. It seems like that title would suit the pair just fine. Husband and wife wasn't a title that she thought about especially one that would one day apply to her. She wasn't even sure what Severus' views on marriage were. Obviously, he didn't receive a great impression from his parents as a child. And most people he was close to that were married were a part of an arrangement.

"That would have been a lot easier than mine. It would have been a lot easier if work had eased up at the time too," Harry said. At the time, Harry was attempting to plan his wedding when he was given a new assignment. It was supposed to be a simple assignment involving a protective detail for a foreign diplomat. Things didn't go as plan and the next thing he knew was that a one-hour decision on seating arrangements became a two-month debacle.

"Got a new case?" Ron asked.

"Ya, it's pretty rough. The department is keeping it under wrap. Don't want to cause a panic," Harry explained, removing his glasses to clean them on his shirt.

"What is it? A rogue Death Eater?" Ron asked curiously, giving his undivided attention.

"We don't know who it is," Harry sighed. "There's been a string of murders. All of the victims were young, single females. Witches mind you, not muggles. All found here in London. They were all tortured pretty badly before they were killed. We don't even know if it is a wizard or muggle killing them. It's hard to figure out how they were tortured."

"How did they die?" Ron asked. As Hermione suppressed the urge to shift in her spot in uncomfortableness. As soon as Harry started describing the case a sense of unease and nausea swept over her.

"Strangulation. Looks to be some kind of rope or maybe a chain. It's some kind of flexible band that was able to wrap about their entire neck.

"A belt?" Hermione choked out. Her throat, tight with anxiety.

"That could be it exactly," Harry said snapping his fingers. "I wished you would come work for the Aurors. It would make my life so much easier."

"Then you would be out of a job, Potter," Hermione joked trying to remain calm.

"Not if there are monsters like this guy out in the world," Ron said.

"There will always be men like him," Hermione said hoping the others didn't see the grave expression on her face.


Hermione quickly made her way home after making an excuse to hide her haste exit. The boys were none the wiser that she was leaving for a reason other than the one she gave them.

She apparated into the house. With no lights on or any noises, she quickly went to the potion's lab to discover it empty. Suddenly remembering that Severus was out with the Malfoys. She quickly made it back up to the main level and stopped in the living room. She pulled out her phone. Thanking the heavens that Severus wasn't like most wizards who were ignorant of the technological advances in the muggle world. He had his own cell phone which made it easier for the pair to communicate when they were on opposite sides of the country.

"Severus it's me," Hermione said into her phone as she passed back and forth. "Contact me as soon as you can, I just got back to your house." Hermione sighed as she stopped passing. The anxiety was obvious in her voice. "He's here. Tobias is here in London."

Pain suddenly exploded at the back of her head. The force caused her to collapse on the ground. Her vision blurred on the edges as her mind faded to darkness. Not before she could see a pair of black shoes walked towards her as she fell unconscious.