A blinding white light. That was all she could see when she woke up. Hermione figured death wouldn't look so empty. It wasn't until her eyes started to see shapes and color that the thought occurred to her that she might not have been dead. She realized she was in a hospital bed. Since she wasn't hooked up to any machines or IV drips she realized that she was in St. Mungo's instead of a muggle hospital. When taking stock of herself she felt pretty good. Sore and stiff but not in agonizing pain. Especially when she expected that the reason her stomach hurt was from being shot. Her hands could feel the smooth fabric of the bedsheet and when moving her wrists ached. Her mind flashed back to cold metal cuffs rubbing her wrists as she pulled at the restraints. Turning her head to the side she saw Harry Potter sitting beside her bed.

"Harry?" Hermione was surprised to see him. She almost expected Tobias to be sitting there.

"Hey, glad to see that you are finally awake," He said as he sat upright in the chair.

"What happened?" Hermione asked as her mind was still a little bit fuzzy.

"What do you remember?"

"I…" Hermione trailed off as she remembered going to Severus' house. The phone call then being strapped to a table. She remembered pain and the feeling of hope. She felt hope when she saw Severus. Severus! Quickly looking around the room she found him slumped over in a chair in the corner of the room. He was sleeping with his head propped up on his hand. He didn't seem to be injured. But with him, you couldn't tell half the time. He was very skilled at hiding it. Looking at him, she couldn't help but feel relieved. Even in this state, he had this effect on her in which she couldn't help but feel safe.

"He's asleep," Harry said, interrupting her thoughts. Hasn't left your side ever since he brought you here three days ago."

"Harry, I can explain," Hermione said as she tried to placate her friend. She knew that it must seem odd for Severus to be here and that he must have had hundreds of questions. Not only as an Auror but as a friend. She took a breath in order to prepare herself for the yelling and disappointment she was expecting to hear.

"You don't have to," He said calmly before she worked herself into a fit. "After we found out that you were admitted here, your parents, they explained everything." Of course, her parents must have been worried when they found out what happened to her. They might have been the only people Severus would have talked to. He was probably the one to get them in the first place. Merlin, Hermione thought, that must have been a headache for them. They weren't supposed to be the ones to reveal the fact that she is in a relationship with Severus Snape. She suddenly felt guilty for what she put them through, even though she couldn't help but feel relieved that she didn't have to be the one to come out and say it.

"I'm so sorry," Hermione began. Knowing how bad it must have been for him to find out about her and Severus. Especially from someone other than her.

"Don't be. I'm not angry," Harry said calmly.

"I kept this from you though."

"And I understand why. You had to make sure that Tobias didn't know about you." Tobias's cold dead eyes flashed into her head. She wondered who killed him? if he really was dead. Harry probably played the Auror card to get Severus to tell him about Tobias. She wondered if he even mentioned that he was his father or simply a serial killer with whom Severus crossed paths.

"Who else knows?" Hermione asked curiously. Wondering what kind of damage control she would have to do once she was hopefully out of here. She'd rather not have this conversation taking place while she is restricted to a Hospital bed on a Healer's order.

"Literally everyone," Harry said sheepishly.

"What?"

"Snape was the one who brought you in. The healers were shocked when he carried you in. His reputation is well known here. Apparently, he does some contract brewing here which I'm sure you already knew about." Hermione couldn't help but nod as she followed along with his story.

I came as soon as I found out, the head Auror correctly figured that I would want to work this case. Tonks came along with me. Obviously, Snape brought your parents here and that raised some questions when the others came." Hermione couldn't help but feel queasy as he began to list all of their friends. "The Weasley's showed up and Dumbledore came as well. Lupin and Teddy also stopped by as well at one point. In a few short hours, most of the order was here. When night came and we all went back to Grimmauld, Molly started asking questions on how this had happened and well Ron wanted to know why Snape was there and why your parents were fine with him staying with you for the night. And I guess you could say we were all quite shocked when your parents told us everything," Harry said calmly as recapped the hectic last few days.

"That's all you guys felt when you found out about my relationship with Severus?" Hermione asked. Worried about how well they took the news. This wasn't something her friends would have calmly accepted. Let alone that she was keeping secrets from them for months. They should have been furious at her. Especially Harry. He had enough people keeping secrets from him during his life, she didn't want to be another but Severus happened.

"Well, Ron and some of the Weasleys were about to go on a rampage and murder him. Lupin was surprised. Ginny was grinning like a Cheshire cat. And Dumbledore just had that twinkle in his eyes."

"And you?" Hermione asked hesitantly. Afraid of his answer.

"Well it was quite a shock when I found out about the two of you six months ago," Harry said brazenly with a grin on his face.

"Yea, I bet… wait what?" Hermione asked once she realized what he had said. He knew about her and Severus? How? For how long? And why in the blazes didn't he ever say anything. "You knew. How could you possibly have known?" She asked when she realized that she needed to vocalize her inner panic.

"I saw that something was up with you. I noticed that you seemed on edge more so than your usual stress. You were being cautious in what you said to us. So I got worried and I may have followed you one time," He said as his cheeks flushed pink.

"You followed me!" Hermione said in astonishment. She should have been more surprised but Harry always did have a nact of going to the extreme.

"As one of your best friends I was concerned," Harry defended. "But anyways I followed you and saw you meet up with Snape. And I saw how happy you were with him. I didn't hear any of what you guys were speaking about. I just saw how you smiled and your eyes lit up. I left as soon as I saw the two of you kiss. That was enough for one night. Or a lifetime." He said with a mock shiver.

"Why didn't you confront me?" Hermione asked

"I figured you would tell us when you were ready."

"I'm sorry," Hermione said after a moment of silence. This was a lot to process.

"Me too. I figured that Tobias wasn't the only reason why you didn't tell anyone else or at least me." Then Harry sighed in resignation. "Now I know why." Harry and Hermione were always close; they were the siblings they never had. Their relationship dynamic was different compared to their one's with Ron, but as equally needed. Just different circumstances called for different friends. Hemione and Harry always told each other everything. And those they didn't say they could always figure out from reading each other. Harry could see the hint of fear in her eyes when she asked how everyone reacted to her relationship. He simplified it for her benefit. In reality, there was a lot more yelling and screaming. Some restraining as well. It got out of hand to the point where some people drew wands to confront Snape. Harry and her parents had to talk everyone down. But right now she didn't need to worry about that. "Don't worry everything will be alright. Get some more sleep," Harry said leaving her to her thoughts.

"I think Potter has finally grown up," Severus said as he stood up and made his way to her.

"Severus," Hermione said in relief, as she tried to sit up. He was probably awake the whole time. Refusing to sleep until he could talk to her. He always was a stubborn man.

"Don't get up," He said, halting her process. He sat on the edge of her bed.

"How are you?" She asked.

"It amazes me that even when you are the one in the hospital bed you are worried about my well-being," He said with a drawl, a small smile formed as he mused at her antics.

"That didn't answer my question."

"You are the only one physically injured," Severus said honestly as he looked at her reassuringly. It didn't escape either of them that he neglected to mention his current mental state.

"I don't understand what happened," Hermione said as she tried to piece together parts of her memory. Some parts were as clear as day while others were blurry.

"What do you remember?" Severus asked seriously.

"Tobias is dead," Hermione stated.

"Yes, he is," Severus said in a monotone voice.

"How? You were right beside me the whole time. And he was shot," Hermione asked confused. When she fell after he shot her she briefly saw him on the ground in front of her before she passed out.

"Yes, it appears he was shot from a long distance with a sniper rifle on the roof of another building," Severus said calmly as if that explained everything.

"Who?"

"The Aurors aren't sure. And since you were the victim despite my father being a muggle this is an official Auror case. The muggles will not be looking into this. Unfortunately, I doubt that anyone is going to really look into this mysterious shooter. I certainly will not be pressing the issue," Severus said blazingly and refused to make eye contact with her when he said this. Hermione knew that him not looking at her meant he was keeping something from her. She just couldn't figure out what that could be. "I guess you could say that you got really lucky. Or perhaps a guardian angel out there somewhere. You should have seen your father when you were admitted here. He was quite relieved that you would be just fine." Severus said this with a gleam in his eyes. He didn't come out and say it but Hermione could read between the lines and knew exactly what he was omitting. Her father used to be a sniper in the military. It was probably best if he didn't come out and say that her father killed a man. It left her with plausible deniability if asked. "Remus took them home a few hours ago but they will be back in the morning."

"You amaze me sometimes," Hermione said in awe of Severus. Tobias set a trap for him, and he tripped it perfectly. The only thing Tobias didn't expect was for Severus to ask for help. Who knew Severus could be so cunning. Hopefully, this means her father has finally accepted Severus as a part of her life. He returned her smile before his face turned grim and he appeared hesitant.

"I'm…" Severus said as he searched for words. In the meantime, Hermione moved her hand to his and laced her fingers with his.

"It's okay. I knew what I was signing up for," Hermione said as she placated him.

"This shouldn't have happened," He stated.

"Maybe but then it would have happened to you. And that would have been far worse," Hermione said unwaveringly. "Just tell me what you said back in the warehouse. Did you mean it?" Hermione asked almost shyly.

"Every word," Severus said without any hesitation. His words were strong in their truth.

"Then I will be just fine," Hermione said as they held hands.


It only took a couple of weeks for things to be okay between Hermione and Severus. Hermione had to heal physically and mentally from her time held by Tobias. While Severus had to get over his guilt. He felt guilty over Hermione getting tortured and involving her in his mess. No matter how many times she said she didn't blame him. He still blamed himself. He also had to get over his fear of Tobias who was no longer a threat.

Luckily it didn't take him too long to sulk over his deceased father. He made his peace with what Tobias did to him decades ago. And celebrated his father's death with a drink and once Hermione was fully healed good sex. They also decided to move into a house together. The one Severus had, lost its appeal with the knowledge that it was broken into and Hermione was taken from what was supposed to be a safe place. Hermione ended her lease and moved out of her apartment. She only kept it for a front so her friends didn't know and for when she wanted some alone time. And Severus held no sentiment towards his house. He felt that like the house he involved Hermione in his life instead of working to build a life with her. So they decided to buy one together. Repairs didn't take long on their house in Dover and soon they moved in.

It laid on the edge of town and sat on a cliff overlooking the ocean. A winding stone path led to the three-story house. There was an indoor greenhouse on the main floor in opposition to the kitchen and living room. Hermione had her own private study while Severus' lab remained in the basement. Their library was built in what once was the attic of the house. Six bookshelves of the height of the roof were already completely filled. While two more awaited to be. Guests were rare at the house but not completely unwanted. But it was a given that anyone who came over had to send a message ahead. Ginny was the most frequent visitor with the Lupin-Tonks a close second. Even Harry and Ron have stopped by a few times while Severus was home.

They were in a good place now. But they had hit a few bumps along the way.

They had an awkward phase where their relationship transferred from a private atmosphere to a public one. Nothing was preventing them from walking hand in hand in Diagon Alley. But quite frankly that was quite uncharacteristic of both of them. In the last few months, they had made the effort to go out for a date on more than one occasion. They have gone to a few restaurants, the library, a museum or two and even stopped by Hogwarts together; where a curious Headmaster had some serious questions for them. They established a nice middle path that worked for them.

It took a while for her friends to be comfortable with her relationship but despite her fears, they accepted it even though they didn't fully approve of Severus. Harry was fully accepting of them, but it took Ron a little while to get around the idea of them together. As well as with some of the Weasleys. It was easier when they didn't see him. But they were at a point where they were comfortable with her bringing him up in conversation. Ginny didn't care in the slightest as long as she got all of the gritty details. The Lupin-Tonks were supportive. Dumbledore was attempting to become their biggest fan and was on the path of turning McGonagall onto their side. Hermione wasn't sure how the Malfoy's reacted. All she knew was that when Severus came home from meeting them the first thing he did was grab something to drink and headed outside to smoke.

But after a few months, life had settled into a routine. The only exceptions being tonight's Order Christmas party. The whole lot was gathered. Potter volunteered Grimmauld Place for the party, a yearly task he just couldn't resist. Molly was busy preparing a lovely feast. Ginny was seated somewhere complaining over not being able to fully participate due to her eight-month pregnant stomach getting in the way. Tonks was attempting to get Remus to dance with her to some awful Christmas music. The twins were doing the same with McGonagall. Hermione was discussing some new Goblin laws with Bill while Severus stood across the room. This was where Dumbledore approached him. Together they stood and watched as Hermione tilted her head back in laughter.

"You did well my boy," Albus said. He wasn't referring to him dating a wonderful woman like Hermione Granger. No, he was referring to him finding happiness. A task that she seemed near impossible over the past two decades.

"Did you ever doubt me?" Severus inquired with an arched brow.

"Yes, especially with you taking so long. But it seems to be worth the wait."

"Indeed it was," Severus said as he caught Hermione's eye from across the room. "Excuse me, there is another whose company I would like to attend to," Severus said as notice Bill Weasley leave to find his wife. Then he made his way over to her side. She smiled when he approached. The way her face still lit up in glee when she saw him made his heart pound in excitement.

"May I have this dance," He asked with his hand outstretched.

Hermione bit her lip while it was curled upwards before she said "I would love nothing more."


Author's Note:

Thank you so much for everyone who has followed this story. This was my first complete original story that wasn't a reading the books prompt. I unfortunately do not own the character or the magical world that credit goes to J.K Rowling.

Please comment and review.