A/N: Well this is it. Not quite, but pretty close to it. I have it figured out that there will be one more chapter after this and then an epilogue. So this is almost it. Thank you all sooooooooooooo very much for reading and reviewing. You have really helped me grow as a writer, and I hope, that though you'll miss this one, you might read my other one, Not So Black And White. Anyway, not a lot here, a very simple chapter. But the next one is going to have more going on and the epilogue too. So enjoy.

Chapter 48

Life did not stop moving for a second after they returned home. The wizarding world was in chaos as they ran around arresting death eaters. There became a routine of leaving the house early in the morning, helping clean up the castle and visiting the Weasleys and the Grangers and attending funerals. The weeks flew by, and Hermione and Severus were happy in their little family. Their girls grew quickly, and Hermione was happier than she thought would be possible. Severus felt blissfully content. He stayed awake longer than Hermione, watching her sleep, and often waking before her when the twins cried.

Everything was perfect, and Hermione felt comfortable, but then one day she received a letter from the ministry.

Hermione Granger,

It has come to our attention that you were married to a death eater and that the officiate was coerced and killed. The ministry has decided that your marriage is null and void. The spell binding you to Severus Snaps has been removed, and aurors will be coming by your residence later today to arrest the aforementioned death eater.

Sincerely,

Acting Minister of Magic
Kingsley Shacklebolt

"Severus," she called out, trying to hold back the fear.

He rushed down the stairs, wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist as he had been about to take a shower, and looked at her with worried eyes, "What's wrong, sweetie," using a recent term of endearment that she loved.

She was trying too hard to hold back her tears, and handed him the letter. She had foolishly stated to believe that they would be fine, that he would not be punished. He finished reading the letter and let out fall to the ground as he pulled her close. He felt his blood burn in anger.

"Hermione, it's okay, we knew to expect this. They only just got to us. We will be fine, I have a trial. We can make this work."

She only nodded into his chest, tears running down her face. She was scared that no matter how hard they tried to fight to, they would fail and she would lose him.

"I'm going to take a shower and get dressed, and assuming they don't come in that time, I have an errand to run, okay? You should still go see Tonks today."

"I want to be here if they-"

He hugged her tighter, "I understand, as much as I don't want you to see that, I understand. And you can come home early if it makes you happy. But I know how much you've been looking forward to spending time with her."

They for a moment longer and Severus returned upstairs to take his shower. Hermione thought about joining him, just in case they never got another chance, but she wasn't ready to give up. So she went upstairs and dressed her girls, Rose in a light pink dress and Dahlia in a light green.

She waited until Severus was out of the shower and dressed before leaving, to make sure that no one came for him. She even waited five minutes before leaving after he left to do his errands, just in case.

~~~*~~~

Hermione had beaten Severus home. Tonks knew exactly what was going on, Remus being good friends with Kingsley. She offered to watch the twins for however long Hermione and Severus needed, and returned home with her to pack some things. Now Hermione sat in the living room, a book in her hand, but she was unable to find the focus to read it. A million thoughts ran through her head. She wondered where Severus was and what he could possibly be doing. She wondered when the aurors would be there. What if they showed up while he was gone? Would they add charges for fleeing?

Her insides twisted as she tried to figure out what they would do. They were all prepared, Harry had Severus' memories safe guarded, the personal ones returned, the ones relating to his being a spy somewhere safe.

He walked through the door, his hand in his pocket, and she ran to him.

"Hermione," he whispered softly as he embraced her.

"Severus, I'm scared. I don't want to lose you."

He pulled away and kissed her forehead softly, before taking her hand and leading her into the den.

"Hermione, you won't lose me. I'm going to cooperate with them completely. Everything we've done since the battle ended, it will all help. And Pot-Harry said he would vouch for me. His word is gold, as much as I hate to admit it."

"Severus, you're missing the point, I'm no longer your wife, so unless I get summoned as a witness, I can't be there for you."

He took her hand in both of his, bringing it to his lips, kissing her softly, speaking in a gentle tone, "Hermione, I have no doubt that they will call you, trying to get you to speak against me. And even so, you're one of the golden trio, there's no way they'd kick you out if you demanded to be there."

"Severus, I won't speak against you."

"You don't have to; you simply answer their questions honestly. But don't worry about that now. For now we need to enjoy the time we have together," his hands still held hers, fingering the ring they had gotten almost a year ago. He moved one hand to cup her cheek and kissed her softly.

"Severus-"

He shushed her, "Hermione, we need to talk about something," he said, walking her over to the chez, and sat her down, kneeling in front of her. He remembered the few nights that he slept on it in the beginning of their marriage and he took a deep breathe, "Hermione, I love you. Very much. And ours has not been an easy path. Yet somehow, we found happiness. I want you to know, that no matter what happens, and no matter what the ministry says, you are my wife and always will be." He took off her ring, turned it in his hand, and threw it across the room. Hermione balked at him, holding back tears, as he reached into his pocket and continues his speech, "I want things done properly this time. I went and spoke with your parents and told them what was going on. And although they were glad you were free of your marriage, they kindly agreed to my request."

"Severus-"

"Hermione, I love you. With all of my heart, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our beautiful daughters," he opened a small box revealing a new ring. Its band was a vine of leaves in silver and gold and they swirled around to reveal a deep red gemstone with a black center, almost like a budding flower, "Hermione, when this is all over and done with, no matter the outcome, would you please be my wife again?"

She wiped the tears that were streaming down her face and threw her arms around his neck.

"Oh Severus, of course I will."

Some how they ended up in a tangle on the floor, Severus holding himself above her with one arm, leaning on his elbow, and caressing her side with his other hand. She had her hands wrapped around his neck, fingers pulling at his hair, one leg twisted over his. Her shirt had ridden up ever so slightly, and his thumb brushed her skin softly. She gasped and arched at the touch, tugging his hair and kissing him more fiercely. He was only happy to oblige, and began to slide his hand up her shirt, ever so softly. He was pleasantly surprised when he reached her breasts, finding no bra in the way. She moaned at his touch, as his thumb flicked over her nipple.

She moved her hands, undoing the buttons of his shirt, as he broke the kiss and nipped and kissed at her neck and collarbone, his hand gently caressing and squeezing her breast. She groaned in frustration when he removed his hand from her breast until it had found its way to her thigh, pushing her skirt up before hooking her underwear with his finger.

And then someone knocked at the front door. Hermione wanted to scream in frustration as they straightened themselves out. The person impatiently knocked again. Severus went to answer the door, as Hermione stood in the doorway of the den, knowing he didn't want her to be right there when they took him.

"Severus Snape, you are hereby under arrest for crimes against the wizarding world."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed, hoping to have a new update soon. Gosh, I can't believe that I am almost finished *cries tears of joy* this is awesome.