Summary: Trust questioned.

A/N: Only 2 more chapters after this one. I always get kind of melancholy when I finish a story. I've enjoyed playing with these guys once again. Happy reading!

You guys, I'm so sorry! I loaded this chapter into the Doc Manager here at FFN and then totally forgot to upload it! :( The positive is you get two chapters today.

Chapter 19

Hermione entered the Common Room. Both Ron and Harry rushed up to her.

"Hermione, where have you been?" Harry asked. "Snape stopped by here and sure was mad when he found out we didn't know where you were."

Hermione smiled wistfully. "He found me," she said simply.

"And…?" Ron asked.

"We're good."

"And…?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Come on, Hermione," Ron said. "Last time we talked to you, you thought there was no chance for the two of you. What happened?"

"Yeah, he said you were at your house, but he hadn't been there for days. Tell us everything." Harry chimed in.

Hermione motioned for them to settle on the sofa as she explained how despondent she had been to find Severus gone.

"He must have come right to the house after he talked to you, Harry. We talked everything out. The reason he'd gone was so he could buy a new home. He quit his job at Hogwarts. He wants to start fresh… with me! He asked me to move in with him."

"Blimey, Hermione. Did you tell him how that's not going to happen?" Ron asked.

Hermione just looked at him. Ron's eyes got big.

"You can't, Hermione!" he cried.

She arched an eyebrow at him. "Oh, really? And why do you think you have the right to tell me what I can and can't do? I thought you'd come to some understanding about my interest in Severus."

"Yeah, well, that was before you were shacking up with him!"

"You never change, do you, Ron? Harry, are you going to give me grief too?" She asked caustically as she glared at her other friend.

Harry shrugged. "Where you live is up to you, Hermione. Just… be careful, okay? You say he's different, but you've only interacted with him in dreams. I don't want you to get hurt."

Hermione hugged him. "Thanks, Harry." She pulled away and looked at him thoughtfully. "I think what I saw of Severus in my dreams is the real him, but you're right… I haven't been with him outside of my dreams. I'll be careful."

Ron raised his hands in resignation. "You get a hug, but I get yelled at. I give up."

"Ron!" Hermione said crossly. "Harry isn't belittling me or Severus."

Ron stared at her for a minute. "Sorry," he offered. "I care about what happens to you too, Hermione."

"Well, there's a way to show that that's not toxic, Ron," Hermione said as she folded her arms in front of her.

Ron nodded.

Hermione went up to him and gave him a serious look. "If you want to stay friends, Ron, you're going to need to accept that I'm with Severus. If I have my way, that's not going away any time soon."

"Yeah, I know. I'll try, Hermione. Be patient with me, okay? I'll be careful not to say horrid things anymore."

Hermione hugged him. "Thanks, Ron."

She pulled back from him and looked between Harry and him.

"I came to get my things. Severus' cottage…"

She was interrupted. "He lives in a cottage?" Ron cried. "Whoa, that was unexpected."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him but grinned. "It's in Hogsmeade. It's Secret Kept, so I'll be in touch."

"Paranoid prat," Ron mumbled, causing Hermione's eyes to widen at him and give him a look.

"Sorry," he said as he cleared his throat.

Hermione shook her head at him. "I'll let that one slide, but Ron… please?"

He nodded, looking sheepish.

"Okay," she said to both of them. "I'm going to get my stuff. Like I said, I'll be in touch."

"Be safe, Hermione," Harry said.

She nodded at him and rushed upstairs to get her things. Most of her possessions were still packed away in her beaded bag. She gathered the other items and put everything into her bag. She took one more look around, making sure she hadn't missed anything. Bounding down the stairs, she stopped short as she saw Harry and Ron on the couch. It hit her suddenly that she might not be seeing them much in the future.

Running to them, she threw her arms around both of them and hugged them tightly.

"I'm going to miss you guys."

"Don't be a stranger, Hermione. Come visit us," Harry said. "I think we're going to move to Grimmauld Place. It's mine. Might as well live there now that it's not going to be stampeded by Death Eaters."

Hermione pulled back. "Still, put some wards around it, and you should probably reset the Fidelius charm. Not all the Death Eaters have been apprehended. That's one of the reasons Severus did it to his home."

"You're right, Hermione. I'll take care of that before we move out of here."

She stood up. Smiling at her friends, she gave them a little wave. "I'll see you soon."

"Bye, Hermione," both boys said in unison.

oooOOOooo

The day for the Malfoy trial had come upon them. Severus sat in the courtroom with Hermione by his side. His hand was in hers, hidden behind his voluminous robes. She squeezed his hand covertly but didn't look at him. They both watched as Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were brought in, both bound in chains.

Hermione's mouth dropped open at the sight of the pair. They looked awful. Narcissa's perfect hair was a ratted mess, as was Lucius'. They were in grey jumpsuits and the irons they were bound in clanked and jangled as they struggled to move to the double chairs set in front of the jurors.

She felt Severus stiffen, and she squeezed his hand again. They settled in to view the proceedings. As things went along, it was clear that the Wizengamot was after Lucius. There were hardly any questions directed at Narcissa, but the interrogation of Lucius was constant.

"I don't know what you mean! I was a pawn of the Dark Lord. I saved Harry Potter!"

"I believe that was your wife, Mr. Malfoy," Eustace Dodge said with a frown.

"But… but… I…"

Kingsley Shacklebolt hammered his gavel.

"Enough of this drivel. Wizengamot, what find you? Are the defendants guilty or not?"

There were murmurings for a minute before Dodge stood.

"We the Wizengamot find Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy guilty of being Death Eaters. As Mrs. Malfoy did turn at the last minute and had a hand in helping the Boy Who Lived, we sentence her to home incarceration for two years. She will have a magical trace placed upon her and will only be able to leave the Manor with permission from the Ministry." He looked at Lucius. "Lucius Malfoy, you are sentenced to ten years in Azkaban."

The gavel pounded again, and the couple was led out of the room. Narcissa was wailing at the loss of her husband. Lucius was struggling in his chains, despite knowing that it was a futile endeavor.

"I'm innocent!" he cried as they led him out. "Please, have mercy!"

The courtroom emptied quickly, but Severus didn't move. Hermione looked at him but said nothing. She knew he was processing everything.

"We were friends for a long time," he said after a while. "Of course, these last couple of years we had grown apart for obvious reasons." Severus sighed heavily. "I still feel bad."

Hermione huffed. "I doubt he'd feel the same if the roles were reversed."

Severus snapped his head towards her. "You know nothing!" he snarled.

He stood quickly and stormed out of the courtroom without her. Hermione stared after him with a puzzled look on her face. Harry's comment about her not really knowing Severus passed through her mind. Maybe Harry wasn't far off?

She got up and made her way out of the courtroom. Looking in the hallway, Severus was nowhere to be seen. She shook her head as she made her way to the fireplaces so she could Floo back to their home.

In a burst of green light, she'd disappeared and come out of the fireplace in the Three Broomsticks. She walked to their home, worrying her lip all the way and wondering what Severus would say when she got home.

Soon she reached the cottage and entered their sitting room. She found Severus on the sofa with his arms crossed.

"Why did you just leave?" she said crossly.

He ignored her, which made her even more upset. She stomped over to the sofa and sat down next to him.

"Severus? Why won't you answer me?"

"Leave me alone, Hermione."

She huffed and looked straight ahead. Tapping her foot, she seethed internally.

"You know, when I visited Harry the other day, he said something that I didn't take very seriously, but now I wonder."

"And what wisdom did Potter impart to you?" Severus asked caustically.

She turned herself so she was facing him. "He warned me to be careful because I really didn't know you."

Severus' eyes grew wide as he looked at Hermione. He snarled at her as his eyes trailed up and down her form.

"Pardon me for not wanting to hear you harping on about how awful Lucius Malfoy is! I'm sorry I didn't live up to your unyielding standards!"

He stood and glowered at her, while she stared, gaping at him. She watched several emotions cross over Severus' face before he spoke again so softly, she had to strain to hear him.

"I knew it was too good to be true that you would trust me," Severus said.

He then stormed out of the cottage, leaving Hermione alone.

She stared after him for a long while before she shook her head to clear it. There was a giant knot in the pit of her stomach and her throat had a great lump in it. What had she done?

Her hands came up and covered her face. She tried to hold herself together, but her nerves were now taking over. She'd messed up, and now Severus had lost his fragile trust in her. Yes, he had been wrong as well, but she had said something that caused him to question her trust in him. She didn't know how to make it better. She just hoped that he would come back soon so she could apologize to him.

oooOOOooo

It was late when Severus came home and eased himself into their bed. Hermione pretended to be asleep for a minute so she could gauge his mood. He lay down rigidly on his back with his arms crossed in front of him. He simply stared at the ceiling.

Lighting the lantern on her side of the bed, she turned towards him, unable to wait another minute to confront him.

"Severus, I'm sorry."

He ignored her, continuing to stare at the ceiling.

"I was flip about Malfoy. I could have been more understanding of your feelings."

He said nothing.

"I was angry about you leaving me at the Ministry. I shouldn't have brought what Harry said into our conversation."

He still was silent.

"Severus, please… you have to know that I trust you."

His eyes moved to hers.

"You said you didn't know the real me," he said, his voice measured.

"It was a foolish thing to say. I felt hurt that you'd left me, and angry that you didn't seem to care that you had. I spoke without thinking."

"Did you mean it?" Severus asked as he turned toward her.

"No!" Hermione cried. "Severus, please, I'm so sorry I caused you to doubt me."

He looked into her eyes, and some of the chill left him. "I understand saying things in anger when you're hurting. I am sorry that I left you at the Ministry. Although I was upset, I should have escorted you home. I was being thoughtless."

"I shouldn't have been so flip about Malfoy. You were opening up about your feelings with me, and I just ignored you and made it about me. I'm so sorry."

He nodded slightly, acknowledging her apology.

"You were traumatized at his home," Severus acknowledged, " and I simply ignored that. You had good reason to say what you did. Yes, you made it about you, but I did too, not considering your feelings towards Lucius. I apologize." He paused for a minute. "I'm sorry I was sharp with you. I need to think before I speak. I've been so used to just letting anything spew from my mouth without consequence… I'm sorry."

Hermione flew at him and hugged him fiercely. She tried to control her emotions and not cry. Her eyes stung as she clung to him.

"When you left, I felt so awful. If I had a Time-Turner I would have used it to erase the whole thing."

His arms were around her, and he kissed the top of her head. They stayed within each other's arms for a while, not saying a word.

"Hermione?" he said tentatively.

Hermione pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Yes?"

"Do you truly think you don't know me?"

His eyes mirrored an internal pain that he was trying to hide from her.

She leaned in and kissed him softly.

"No, of course not. I was angry and spoke without thinking. Harry had been concerned for me because he doesn't know what we've been through. He said that you may be different awake than you were in your dreams. I knew he wasn't right, but I told him I'd be careful so he wouldn't worry about me."

She took in a breath and continued.

"I was so upset with your indifference, Severus, and just said the first thing that came to my mind. I'm sorry. It was juvenile, and I will think before I speak in the future when I'm upset."

"Hermione, you know that I was genuine in my dreams. Merlin, I thought you were a part of them. I honestly hid nothing from you."

She reached out and caressed his cheek. "I know…. I know. And I knew that when we were arguing. I know you are an honorable man who loves deeply and is eternally loyal. You are cautious with showing your feelings because you've been hurt before. I don't ever want to hurt you like that. I know you love me, and I love you. Please, don't think that I'm suspicious of you; I'm not."

His eyes studied hers. "I thought you and I were just a dream," Severus told her. "That I had awakened, and you really didn't care for me even though you said that you did. Our relationship in our dream state had let me hope, Hermione. And then… this happened, and I knew I had been foolish to hope that we could be anything to each other."

"Severus, hope is never foolish."

"Why would you ever truly love and trust me? I am a horrid person." He turned from her, facing the ceiling, and waved his hand around. "I mean, look at how I snapped at you at the Ministry. A good person wouldn't blow up at the woman they love like that."

"Severus, stop it… You are a marvelous person, and I know that. Please don't give up on us."

He stared at the ceiling, not making eye contact with her. "Us… The thing is, Hermione, I actually liked that hope I got from my dreams. It felt good to hope for something wonderful for once." He turned back to face her. "Was I wrong? Is there nothing that can come of this relationship because neither of us trusts the other?"

"I trust you, Severus. More than anything. Can you trust me again?"

His eyes moved back and forth as he looked into hers. "Deep down I don't think I ever stopped trusting you. I was just hurt and upset at your actions. You're sure about this?"

"Yes, Severus. I trust you," she said with determination. "You're amazing, how could I not?"

He pulled her to him and buried his head in her shoulder. He held her like that for a long time before pulling away and caressing her face. His lips sought hers, and he kissed her lovingly.

"I was… fearful that I would come home, and you would be gone."

"Severus!" she said as she pulled back. "I will never leave you no matter what! I love you, and that doesn't mean we give up when things are hard. We can work through anything if we remember that we love each other and are dedicated to staying together."

"I swear to you, Hermione, I want this to work."

Me too," she said.

"I love you," he said before his lips covered hers, and she was unable to say anything more.

She reveled in his passion and thanked her lucky stars that they'd worked out this disagreement. She loved him, and she knew he loved her. They would make this last because they both were invested in each other. She kissed Severus passionately and reveled in his love.

"Hermione," Severus groaned. "I love you."

His lips seared hers and his tongue entered her mouth and plunder her thoroughly. His hand moved up and teased her breast, rubbing her nipple and eliciting a moan from her.

Before she knew it, all their clothes had disappeared. She pushed Severus back and reveled in his body. Admiring his slim, well-defined chest, she caressed the enticing black hair dotting it, moving down his torso.

"You are breathtaking, Severus," Hermione gasped.

She saw his admiring gaze and blushed.

"You are beautiful… so very beautiful," he murmured before leaning in and capturing her mouth again.

Easing her around on the bed, he moved over her, his lips never leaving hers. His hand reached under her and pulled her even closer. Her hand laced into his hair as she worshipped his lips.

They gasped together before returning to each other's mouths. Hermione's hands caressed her lover's chest. She whispered his name between his kisses, making him groan into her as he fondled her breast. She arched into him as his lips left hers and descended to her other breast, suckling it within his mouth.

She gazed at him with longing as he intensified his motions. He extricated himself from her nipple and gazed passionately into her eyes. Reaching down, he fondled her, and she moaned and arched her head back. He made her feel so wanted and desired.

"Severus," she gasped as he continued his ministrations on her core. He watched her as she writhed in pleasure at his touch. He kept at it as she grew closer and closer to climax, not wanting to cut anything short. Finally, he was removing his hand and thrusting within her.

"Mmmh," she moaned.

He moved slowly as she lazily opened her eyes and looked into his. They held each other's gaze as they moved together. Hermione gasped as they began to move more urgently. Severus smirked at her before leaning in and capturing her lips.

Releasing her and throwing his head back, he gasped as he neared his own climax. She gave him a sultry look as she came close as well.

"Mine," she murmured, which sent him over the edge.

Yelling out, he thrust into her once again and held there as she began to call out as well.

"Sev… Severus!"

She tensed around him as they both were enraptured and came together. They stayed there a few moments… an eternity… as the euphoria washed over them. After a bit, she relaxed, limp from their lovemaking. Severus smiled down at her as they both came down from their high.

Leaning back into her, his lips came close to her ear. "Mine," he whispered.

"Mine," she agreed.