A/N: Hello. I hope you guys are still enjoying the story and I hope you enjoyed my little sweet moment with Severus. I found it quite important that there be something there, especially to show how accepting he is of what he must do. He knows Hermione is strong and the fact that she broke down in tears, did not help his guilty conscience, so he has taken it upon himself to at least gain some trust so she will believe that he won't hurt her. Here is just a small beginning. Also, the chapter will contain a letter you might find…weird. I blame my friends. We watched Phantom of the Opera and now all the music is in my head and FreshNewLily (an author whose story I am currently reading through again to help her fix up and reading as it's being written) put Sweeney Todd in hers, so now the idea of Hermione and singing is engraved in my head. Also, I am in need of a Beta, I have contacted several people, two responded, but after my break, I have not heard back. I also want to say thank you. I have never received more than one favorite, or more than two reviews. Now I have 17 favorites, 57 followers, and 20 reviews. You all have made my day and I hope that you continue to enjoy reading and continue to review. Anywhoo, onto the story, where Hermione ends her relationship and Severus tries to gain her trust, but doesn't get much of a chance.

Chapter 3

Hermione woke up in a room that was neither her room at home, Ginny's room, nor hers and Ginny's room at Grimmauld place. She removed the covers to find her clothing was the same as yesterday and realized she must have fallen asleep crying in front of Severus. The last time she had cried in front of him was when he made that nasty remark about her teeth after Malfoy charmed them to get bigger. And that made Hermione feel odd. She didn't trust Severus enough open up like that, especially not to feel safe enough to fall asleep crying so close to him. And even stranger she remembered feeling a hand gently smoothing her hair and vaguely thought she heard him whisper something in her ear, but at that point she couldn't remember anything.

Hermione, taking in her surroundings, noticed how elegant Severus' home was, or at least the room she was in. Given the robes sitting on the chair and the Slytherin scarf hiding under them, Hermione figured this was his room. And she couldn't understand why she was here. No part of her body hurt, but then again she never figured Severus would do anything like that any way. Slowly she got out from under the warm, black comforter, deciding it would be a good idea to get out of his room and change into some cleaner clothes. She wandered from his room and down the stairs, figuring that was probably where the kitchen or living room was, and Severus might be nearby.

She heard a muffled snore come from a semi closed door and walked over. Inside she found floor to ceiling bookshelves completely filled against the walls, a stone fireplace, a couple of arm chairs and a chez lounge. It was her idea of a perfect den. On the Chez lounge she saw the edge of a blanket and walked over to find Severus asleep spread out in such a way that Hermione wondered how he could be comfortable enough to sleep. Hermione figured he had to be tired, so instead of waking him, she walked around, exploring her new home until she found the kitchen.

Her stomach grumbled slightly so she walked forward and examined the contents of the fridge. It was very empty. A few eggs, a jug of milk, and what seemed to be a few leftovers. Hermione glanced at the clock, and saw it was only 8 o'clock. She walked over to the front door to find her box there waiting. It took her no time at all to change and grab her purse to go to the store.

Severus was roused by a unique aroma and sat up. He was so groggy that he had forgotten he had slept in the den. He looked at the clock and saw it was 9:30.

"Shite," He exclaimed. He had intended to be up before Hermione to do some shopping and cook breakfast for her, hoping it might make her feel a little more comfortable or at least at ease.

He got up and walked to the kitchen. Hermione's back was to him, and her bushy hair was in a ponytail and he couldn't help but wonder if the tie was charmed to not snap from the volume of her hair.

"Do you want to set the table? Or do you plan on broodingly watching me slave over this stove?" Hermione asked blatantly, not even bothering to turn around.

"I shall set the table," Severus responded, walking over to the cabinets to get the last two black dishes. "What on Earth are you making Miss Granger?"

"Just some Eggs Benedict with a side of bacon and I didn't know if you drank coffee, but I started some of that as well." And with that Hermione went back to cooking, humming quietly.

Severus had had Eggs Benedict a few times before in the past few years, and he didn't mind it. However he couldn't help but think that it wouldn't be as good as his mother's. She would make it after particularly loud and violent nights with his father. It was not necessarily a meal that brought back happy memories, but it did seem to be the only time his mother seemed happy.

"So Miss Granger, yesterday you said you needed to see your friends. May I inquire as to why?"

"Well, quite simply to break up with Ron. And I need to talk to him about something else as well. Harry and I need to discuss something," Hermione said, trying not to give away what they had been planning until this came up.

"Miss Granger, I suggest you tell me the whole thing, I assure you Harry is not in danger of having his summer plans ruined by me. I shall not tell The Dark Lord anything."

Hermione didn't believe him, but couldn't insult him by saying that. So instead she turned to breakfast and turned off the heat. "Breakfast is ready."

With that, she took the pan over to the plates and set the poached eggs over the English muffins and ham that Severus had placed before. Then she returned with the hollandaise sauce and slowly drizzled it over each plate and added a dash of paprika to finish it off. They took their plates and sat on opposite ends of the fairly long table. Hermione wondered how long he lived here. She wondered if maybe he had lived here since childhood, and imagined the incredibly silent dinners he must have endured.

"Miss Granger, I really must ask why you need to discuss things with your little friends Potter and Weasly. I only wish to ensure that you remain safe. Besides, I am fully aware that the boy is being moved tonight, and yes, the Dark Lord will know."

"And why tell me? I'll just tell Mad-eye and then they'll move him at another date."

"There are things I cannot explain to you girl. You must realize that it needs to be done. It is one of the only ways I can keep Harry safe."

"Because getting him killed will be helpful, right." Hermione responded, anger mixing with the sarcasm.

"Listen here, Miss Granger. I am not disclosing the full details to the man. I am not stupid, nor am I as evil or corrupt as you think me to be. You need to grow up and learn when to stop questioning everything."

Hermione remained quiet. She still didn't want to tell him about what was going on. She didn't want him to disclose any information about it. She couldn't help but wonder if he told her to gain some trust. "I simply don't trust you. You are merely the only option compared to the others. I will do my part and try to be a good house wife, I will cook and clean, and whatever else. I may have chosen a life punishment, but I'm sure when your precious lord loses the ministry will take pity on me and let me divorce you, or I could get lucky and die and not worry about any of it!"

And with that Hermione took her plate and walked out the back door. Severus was shocked. The strong know-it-all of Gryffindor would rather die than remain married to him. She stated out right that she didn't trust him. He had always done things that should gain trust. He tried to stop Quirrell from getting to the philosopher's stone when he let the troll in. He kept him from hexing Harry of the broom. Then again, he killed Albus, the only father figure he ever really had, but that was because he was only able to slow his death anyway and to make it so there was no longer a true owner of the elder wand so that it wouldn't be enough for he-who-must-not-be-named.

Maybe he should have been nicer, but the girl was so annoying with her incessant hand-raising and completely correct answers, when she wasn't making assumptions. That and he found her intellectualness to be-well quite frankly, he found it extremely attractive. Of course, he always gave himself a mental slap for thinking it, but he couldn't help noticing that it was as if she was Lily reincarnated in the wrong body. Their personalities and passion for knowledge were so identical. The boys they hung around were also too similar to James and his friends, or some of Lily's girlfriends.

He heard the door open as Hermione walked in and over to the sink to set her plate down. Then she looked at Severus, "I'm heading out now." Severus couldn't help but notice that she seemed even angrier now than she had been before, or at least more annoyed. She walked away, leaving an open letter on the table. He wondered if that was the source of her annoyance. He decided to read it, especially since he could see the Hogwarts school seal.

To all students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,

In respect to our previous head master's love of muggle things from food to musicals, we will be performing The Phantom of the Opera. All 7th years will be required to audition, and anyone in years 5 or 6 is more than welcome to as well. Anyone years 4 and up may help with the designing of set and helping run things. Auditions will be held at the three broom stick from July 1st to July 5th. I expect us all to try, as I know how dear Professor Dumbledor was to us.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Head Mistress of Hogwarts

Severus felt extremely confused. Minerva would never do something like that, but then again, the more he thought, the more he realized that Albus probably left something about it in his will. He pinched the bridge of his nose, mentally laughing at the fool. By the time school started, Minerva would no longer be headmistress, and there was no was Severus was watching a bunch of useless dunderheads perform a piece he admired much.

Hermione struggled to keep her balance after aparrating just outside of the town near the burrow. Once she had regained her composure she walked towards the burrow. She still had no clue how to tell Ron that she was getting married to Severus Snape, the man least trusted by anyone in the Order of the Phoenix. She knew she wasn't telling the whole truth. She might after the war was over, assuming she and he survived. Right now she just had to tell him.

Ron, I'm sorry, but we're over, she went over in her head. She was terrified, some Gryffindor she made, we can't be together. I'm-I'm marrying Severus on September 1st.

She could not begin to imagine the awful things he would say. He would be angry, no, not angry. He'd be furious. He would scream, everyone would hear. No one would trust her. On top of that she had to-no, she wasn't letting herself go there yet. No matter what she was telling him everything she could.

The burrow came in sight, and somehow, Ron saw and went running towards her.

"Merlin, 'Mione!" He exclaimed. "I didn't expect to see you this early in the morning."

"And I didn't expect to see you awake this early, Mister sleep-until-well-after-noon," She teased, "But I have to talk to you about something that will require your presence at the ministry."

Her breathe shook violently. He had taken the news a lot worse than she had expected. He called her a filthy mudblood, a whore, and told her that he never wanted to see her again. It was so much crueler than she thought he could ever be. Part of her thought she deserved it, but then she realized it wasn't her fault. Slowly she opened the door to her new home on Spinner's end. It was well after 12 am. She had been gone for so long, mostly crying. The conversation had at least an hour of yelling. She cried for most of it. Now she just wanted to curl up in bed, and cry herself to sleep.

"Miss Granger, Where have you been? I was worried-," Severus cut himself off. He was worried? No he was merely angry he had no clue what had happened, she could have been killed, "You could have been dead for all I knew."

"I'm sorry I couldn't die and make your life easier!" She spat, not wanting to deal with the dungeon bat.

He grabbed her arms and pinned them against the wall. "Do not act like this is your fault. It has nothing to do with you. You need to grow up Miss Granger and stop making careless assumptions about me. I do have feelings believe it or not, and I will not be held responsible for what happens when I cave to them. I suggest you think about how you will continue to speak to me, because right now you are making me very angry," and with that he released her arms and turned around. "Also, you will find your room across the hall from my own."

A/N: Sorry! I meant to finish this earlier, but I didn't have the chance. I promise to try and be better. I noticed i left out the whole Harry being moved. There will be a flashback later to explain what happened. my mistake. this is why i need a beta. also, i think i will give you a heads up, Severus might seem OOC to some people. I don't view him as heartless and cold the way the other fanfics do. I will not have Hermione be thinking how in love she is but afraid of it because of Severus being cold. I want Severus to be shown as the man he is, as i perceived him while reading the stories. I love Severus as a person (and Alan Rickman did a great job protraying him) I believe the only way to make someone completely out of character is to have their personality change completely. You will see the normal parts of Severus, but you will see his thoughts too.