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CHAPTER TWENY – HOGWARTS

The month at Malfoy Manor passed quickly. Hermione spent her days walking the grounds or in the Malfoy's library once Severus convinced Narcissa to let her have access. Hermione managed to avoid several Death Eater meetings that, according to Severus, were dreadfully boring for the moment. They took a few more trips to Knockturn Alley for potions ingredients and Severus brewed in the Malfoy's basement. They took a daring trip to Diagon Alley, what was left of it, both disguised in glamours to purchase Hermione's school things. Once again, Severus paid for everything and Hermione thanked him awkwardly and meaningfully. By the grace of Merlin there were no more uncomfortable incidents regarding their sleeping arrangement but neither had forgotten that morning.

When the month was up, they took a final trip to Knockturn Alley to get Hermione a few more sets of robes; in private, Hermione politely informed Julian that he had been correct, and that Severus was quite enamored with her. The lie was thrilling. Hermione packed her things in her beaded bag, graciously offering to pack in Severus' as well. Severus accepted her offer. Their things tucked away in the bag Hermione hid under her cloak, they descended the stairs. Severus spoke in low tones with the Malfoys and headed out the door. Impulsively, Hermione thanked Mrs. Malfoy for her hospitality and told Draco she hoped to see him around school. Narcissa had smiled tightly and Draco had nodded politely.

Down at the apparition point, Hermione linked arms with Severus and closed her eyes against the sharp pull of apparation. When she opened her eyes, the grandeur of the castle splayed out before them, the air only just started warm with the morning sunlight. They walked up to the castle side-by-side, it felt strange for Hermione to see the place empty, no sounds and no people emanating from the ancient stone.

"I'm going to disillusion you. Having you by my side at the opening feast is the shock value we need."

Hermione nodded and shivered as Severus' magic enveloped her and hummed along her body. She followed closely behind him to the Headmaster's office, through a door she had never noticed before to the Headmaster's quarters. Hermione was under the impression the rooms had changed to Severus' preference, all dark, neutral tones with splashes of silver. She thought it was rather tasteful, despite its darkness. He removed his spell from her, her body thrummed at the absence of his magic. They unpacked their things and Severus went about convincing the castle to give him a private lab off of the living room. It seemed, after a solid two hours, the castle finally gave in.

SHSHSH

"Look mate, I don't think your plan is going to work." Ron said as they packed their things for Hogwarts.

"For once, I agree with my brother." Ginny gave Ron a pinched look.

"Well, you guys can do whatever you think is better then. I'm sticking with my plan."

Ron and Ginny rolled their eyes simultaneously. "Then we are sticking with you." Ron shoved the rest of his things in his trunk to make his point. "We might think trying to escape Hogwarts is bloody bonkers but you aren't getting rid of us."

Harry smiled at his two friends. "I need to know what's happening there before we hunt down more you-know-whats, besides we don't even know what or where they are."

"It's going to be hard. Voldemort will like having you at Hogwarts because he will think you're cornered." Ginny explained, packing a few more of her own things.

"I know." There was a pause before Harry said what they were all thinking. "I wish we had Hermione to help us."

Hermione's hand on Mrs. Weasley's clock had flip flopped between lost and mortal peril for the first month she was gone and since then had simple been stuck on lost. Luna had been visiting last week and had mentioned Hermione's hand had spent some time on in transit, but no one had believed her. Tomorrow they all were heading back to Hogwarts, with a few exceptions. Harry had planned that after they had determined no one was in too much danger, or they finally found the first Horcrux, he, Ron, and Ginny would leave Hogwarts to begin their search. They weren't really sure how they would escape the castle, but Harry knew he would figure it out. He had to.

SHSHSH

Neither Severus nor Hermione could sleep the night before students arrived. They stayed up the whole time, Severus mostly pacing the same track along the bedroom floor and Hermione was certain he would wear a rut into the wood if he kept going. Hermione tried to read some of her textbooks because she felt certain no real learning would happen this year, but she was too distracted. In the morning, Severus left to make sure everything was prepared and to give the Carrows a strict talking-to about what he expected of them. That evening he came back for her, and instructed her to get dressed. Hermione knew which robes to wear; she had bought them with an event like this in mind. They were sleek silver, and nearly touched the floor, with a wide neckline that spread from shoulder to shoulder. The cloak was sheer, but still offered warmth, and was Slytherin green and matched the heeled boots she wore. They were a bit much for her taste, but apparently purebloods didn't wear anything that wasn't fashionable and fancy, even for regular day wear. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek chignon, with the help of the spell Severus taught her.

When she emerged from the bathroom Severus paused his pacing, his eyes travelling down her form then flicking back up. "A good choice, Miss Granger."

"Thank you, sir."

"I'm assuming you consciously made the choice to purchase robes made of Slytherin colors as well as the black ones."

"Naturally, it wouldn't do to be Gryffindor proud when I am your pet."

She smiled cheekily but he flinched at the last word. She stuck her wand up her sleeve as a final touch and approached Severus, awaiting his disillusionment spell. After he cast it, once again the hum of his magic sent shivers down her spine. She followed him through the corridors to the staff entrance for the Great Hall. They paused there a while before he removed his spell, from here they could hear the low chatter in the Great Hall.

"Follow me to the podium up front, then to the staff table. You shall sit with me from now on. I already had a chair put there for you."

Hermione nodded. They waited a moment more before Severus exploded through the staff door. Hermione had to stifle her smile at the act, and the equally profound impact it had on the hall; everyone fell silent. Severus billowed to the podium of candles and the owl with the raised wings, Hermione following his beckoning cloak. When he stopped, she did, just slightly to his side and behind him, her hands latched delicately in front of her.

Severus glared down at everyone before he began. "Welcome Amycus and Alecto Carrow. Mr. Carrow will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and Miss. Carrow will take over the post of Muggle Studies. Corporeal punishment will be reinstated and executed through Mr. Filch."

He did not acknowledge Hermione, but by the end of his speech, everyone had finally recognized her and whispers rushed through the hall. He waved his hand at the owl podium which slid rather violently across the floor to the wall and turned on his heel to take his spot as headmaster at the table. Right beside the high-backed chair was another, only slightly smaller, where Hermione sat. Hermione glanced down both sides of the table under her lashes and noticed the glares the other professors gave Severus. She suddenly feared for his life. After eating some, she looked back down at the Gryffindor table, at Harry, Ron and Ginny. She watched them with a neutral expression as they whispered to each other furiously and kept looking back at her.

"Where you watching Potter's face when he recognized you?" Severus muttered, casting a silencing charm around them as well.

"Yes, were you?"

"Yes, the Dark Lord will be pleased with his reaction. But what do you think?"

"He's more confused than I thought he would be but he's appropriately furious and he hasn't stopped gossiping with Ron and Ginny. I think I was right."

"Good."

Their hushed conversation ended and Severus lifted the charm, returning to his meal with a glower. Hermione finished her meal in silence and doubled up on dessert when it magically appeared in front of her. She saw Severus cock his eyebrow at her out of the corner of her eye and she turned her head slightly so only he could see her smile.

"Miss Granger, how are you?" Minerva leaned across the small space between her chair and Hermione's shooting another glare at Severus.

Hermione turned to look at the dour man who, after a pause, nodded once. Hermione returned her attention to Minerva. "I'm doing quite splendid, Professor McGonagall, thank you. How was your summer?"

Minerva looked rightly suspicious. "Spent fighting the good fight. We were worried we might not see you again."

Hermione smiled. "I was fine, Professor, and I'm quite healthy."

Hermione waited patiently while McGonagall scrutinized her. She was still thinner than she used to be, but she had gained back a healthy amount of weight living at the Malfoy's. She had no bruises or scars, except the one of her forearm which no one but Severus had seen, and her eyes were clear and sharp, no sign of the Imperius curse or any other meddling with her faculties. And she was wearing fancy new robes. Finally Minerva nodded once.

"I am pleased to see that's true." Minerva's scowl loosened into an almost smile. "It's good to have my star pupil back."

"She is no longer your cub, Minerva."

Minerva's face turned dark again. "She is still a Gryffindor, no matter what nonsense you have done to her."

"Professor, Master Snape has done nothing dark or evil to me, I am here of my own free will."

Severus wondered if Hermione had practiced calling him that, it slipped off her tongue so easily.

Minerva's eyebrows jumped at master, "I know you think so, my dear."

Hermione was suddenly furious at her condescending tone. "I know so, after all I am the brightest witch of my age."

Severus couldn't help his smirk.

"I apologize, Miss Granger, but I have no trust in this murderer. You would be safer staying in the Gryffindor dormitories…"

Severus did not miss the flash in Hermione's eyes when Minerva said murderer, even though he knew that was exactly what he was, he sensed Hermione would defend him, even against her own head of house. It pleased him. "Like I said, Minerva, she is no longer your cub." He said rather proudly this time.

"She is still a Gryffindor and has every right—"

"As headmaster, I say she does not."

"A title you stole!"

"I dare say I earned it."

"I am still her head of house—"

"And I claimed her." Severus said calmly, sipping on the last of his tea.

There was a deathly silent pause between the trio before-

"YOU CLAIMED HER?!" Minerva screeched loud enough, the whole staff table and a few of the students this end of the hall looked up towards them. She lowered her voice, "Just when I thought you could not get any viler, you disgusting man."

"Don't call him—" but Hermione stopped when she felt his grip on her arm.

"Come, Miss Granger, I'll have the elves bring you a second dessert and more tea."

For a moment she looked like she was going to argue, then her form relaxed and she followed Severus out of the hall, student heads turning to watch them as they left out of the large doors. The only acknowledgement Hermione gave to this was a brief flicker of her eyes towards her friends. When they reached the Headmaster's quarters, Severus did as he promised and ordered them tea and her another dessert.

"Honestly, you two bickering over me like some prize."

"Minerva is proud of you and takes your loss personally."

"She's right though, I am still a Gryffindor."

"Yes, but you are not here under her wing, you are under mine."

"Speaking of, why was she so put out about the claim?"

Severus sighed. He had known the one consequence of telling Minerva would be Hermione's curiosity. "Claims were very popular during the first war; this time around, I think my claim over you is only the second or third one." He pinched the bridge of his nose before sipping his tea. "Our claim is very different from a traditional one because you are very much here by your own will, but Minerva doesn't know or believe that."

"Did other, what – pets? – used to be imperioused?"

Severus shook his head. "Thralls were always broken down, completely destroyed and built back up into whatever the master wanted."

"So that's what Professor McGonagall thinks you did to me?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"And what?" He snapped.

"What else does she think?"

He inhaled loudly through his nose. "Thralls were also used to… relieve the master's needs."

"Ah." Hermione took a large swallow of tea. "Is that why you… you know, last month?"

Severus cleared his throat. "No." But there was no way in hell he was going to explain why he did.

"Will we have to?"

"Not unless the Dark Lord goes routing around in my head and expects a show."

It was Hermione's turn to swallow. "I see." She wasn't repulsed by the idea of sleeping with Severus, in fact the idea of having sex with him thrilled her and she had had other dreams like the first one. What did repulse her was the thought of Voldemort seeing that. "So McGonagall also probably thinks we had sex."

"She wouldn't see it that way but yes, that's what she thinks."

Hermione nodded. "Well, I'm going to bed," she said, finishing the last of her dessert. "You should too, but no funny business, Master Snape." She waggled her finger at him and winked, sashaying off to change into her flannels.

Severus found himself partially amused by her jest but his insides churned sickeningly. Even if they got along well enough, he doubted Hermione would willingly have sex with him. Their morning mishap more than a month ago appeared to be a fluke. He sighed and went into his own bathroom to change, he had managed to persuade the castle to give them each a full bathroom to themselves, it was easier for privacy and now neither had to wait for the other to shower, et cetera. After changing and using the facilities, Severus emerged to Hermione already sitting in the bed, a book propped up on her knees.

"Am I supposed to go to classes?"

"We will figure it out in the morning."

"Yes, Master." She said grinning, putting the book down on the bedside table.

"Stop your jokes."

"Fine, only because you commanded it."

Severus rolled his eyes before waving his hand to extinguish the candles, the only light coming from the fire across the room and the moonlight trickling in from the window and making Hermione's skin glow. Severus had a passing thought that she looked quite lovely before dozing off.