Disclaimer: These are awesome characters, which I do not own.

Note: I want to give a shout out to those who have been following my weird stories and putting up with my grammar - thanks! It's great to see that you are enjoying and involving yourselves, it's an interesting way to connect with others. Your feedback is valuable to me. I read it, I consider it, and often take it.

If there is one thing I can get mushy about before we continue it's that I think I've finally found my style a bit more. I have been getting comments on other stories that my chapters are short but, in the end I realize that's kind of the point. I'm aiming to be as descriptive as I can be in a short space. Keep your attention but not wear on your nerves. Perhaps one day I will write a true long and interesting novel, but for now I'm making an effort to keep my stories contained to 10 chapters. Let's see!

Extra Note: This may be the last chapter I publish without beta help. . .perhaps my long search has come to an end. Let's see, either it will work out or it will be back to the drawing board. More news next time!

Discussing It

She chose her words carefully, not knowing how best to begin her case. "I tire of this war Severus. No headway is being made. . .we kill each other and nothing comes of it." Hermione paused, observing his facial expression but not able to discern anything. "So I'm retiring, getting out of this business."

This did not surprise Severus, she had always chosen her own way, always been focused on what she wanted. Though he was having trouble connecting the dots with what little information she had just given him. "So why are you here, to return to my original line of questioning?"

She leaned forward, closing the distance between them on the bed, "I want you to come with me." Her heart was thumping in her chest in anticipation. Why she wanted him or when the idea had popped in her head she could not say, just that she wanted it.

Severus had to admit that was the last thing he would have thought would come out of her mouth, though it pleased him. He ran a finger over her chest as he collected his thoughts. Had she told him this two years ago it would have been easier to walk away, he would have done it with ease and pleasure. Many things had changed in this time though, he was no longer in a position to walk away cleanly – and he also couldn't be 100% sure that her plan was viable. Deserting on either side was almost surly a death sentence. Certainly no one on the Death Eater side had been able to accomplish it, and he doubted it had happened on the Order's side. He needed to find out more, "And just how do you presume to do this Miss Granger?"

She grinned slyly and took another drink from her tumbler. What to tell you and what not to tell you? It is a dangerous game we begin to play Severus Snape.

"I have my ways Professor," she said in a playful tone, though she knew she had to offer substance as well, "I have a place, a house. It's not plottable, you are not able to apariate there. . . .it's safe and far away from all of . . .this."

"Well it seems you have it all figured out then," Severus paused, attempting to judge the expression on her face. "So you came all this way and sacrificed two boys to ask me to run away with you?" The tone of his voice implied disbelief.

"You needed to be tested as well. I had to know that you were as strong a wizard as the rumors would lead me to believe." She inhaled deeply, "Had it been up to me the boys would have been left at camp. As it is. . .I just have another reason to leave this all behind."

He snorted at her last comment, it seemed to be a petty excuse to justify signing her own death warrant, but who was he to judge. Hermione had turned into such a feral creature, perhaps she had always been that way but now it was more pronounced than ever. If only it was so easy for me, he sighed to himself.

"I find it rather presumptuous of you to think that you can walk away from all of this, from who you have become, with impunity. Dumbledore and Voldemort will search for you without question." He sat up so that he was square with her, their eyes locked. Both were locked in a silent battle of assessment, using every ounce of their beings to predict what the other was thinking, scheming, wanting. Severus' voice broke the short tense silence between them, "Also what would make you think Miss Granger, that I would let you slip through my fingers so easily?"

Hermione cocked her head to the side in a silent question. She was not intimidated by his words, nor was she afraid – cautiously curious was how she would have described it.

"As it stands Miss Granger I had rather hoped we would cross paths. One could say I even put myself in a position so that Dumbledore would send you to me." He let his words hang in the air between them. Her expression, usually so schooled in indifference, was one of surprise. Smirking he continued, "As it stands my dear it is very dangerous to be a Death Eater in my high position. Things are moving and changing – one cannot be too careful when it comes to protection."

Rising from her lounging position, Hermione sat up to face her former Potion's Master. His implications were clear, but she needed to see in his eyes if it was really the truth. "So you are in such dire need of a body guard, you schemed to capture and seduce me into agreeing?" her tone was haughty giving off the impression that she could not believe he would be so forward thinking.

"But of course." His voice had its usual confident tone as he eyed her beautiful body, tracing of blood still marking it. "No assassin has ever come so close before, it was a fantastic audition for the job."

"And what may I ask, makes you so sure I would not defect or leave as I am doing now?" She could not contain the pitch of her voice, which rose when she got angry. He'd gotten under her skin a bit with his presumptuous nature and air of confidence.

Severus moved closer to her, closing the gap between them. He kissed her gently along the jawline, moving his hand over her thigh. She tried hard not to give in, such was the intensity of his touch. "I would hope that we could forge a relationship differently from the one you and Albus have. One with more of a basis in loyalty." The truth of the matter was he could not trust any amongst the Death Eaters. Their camp was slowly disintegrating. It just wasn't visible to the outside. He required somebody to be with him at all times, and if he and the both dangerous and stunning Miss Granger could form an understanding, then he might just come out on top.

Hermione pushed away abruptly, seating herself on the edge of the bed with her back to Severus. It was an interesting offer to say the least, but it wasn't what she wanted. Working for him would not end this madness, disappearing would. She held the locket in her hand, clutching it to her chest. "I must reject your offer. I don't want to fight anymore." She paused, "So I take it you will not come with me?"

"I am afraid I cannot Miss Granger. So it would seem we are at an impasse and you are my prisoner." She was not surprised by his answer, she was not sad either. Hermione had known the odds had not stood in her favor. Now she needed to act.

Standing and taking a few steps from the bed, hoping he would interpret her actions as hurt at his response she began, "Well if that's how it's going to be." She turned, her hand on the locket opening it. "I guess this is goodbye then Professor." With that she touched the picture contained in the locket and in a quick pop she was gone, the locket falling to the ground.

"Bugger." Severus muttered under his breath as he watched her disappear from site. The port key would be one use and untraceable, that was for sure. He moved to the area of the room where she had stood and collected the locket from the floor. The picture was one of a small house surrounded by trees, it was so generic it could have been anywhere. He crossed the room to pour himself another glass of fire whiskey lost in thought.

She cannot hide forever. There must be a way to find her. He sat back on the bed, it was still warm where she had been, it still smelled like her there. If I do not find you first then who will? He mused.

There was a hair on the pillow where she had been laying down and he was sure the locket would contain some kind of skin cells belonging to her. He considered his options a moment, then nodded his head in affirmation. There was a ritual that could be performed, one that might be able to track her – it would take time though. He wrapped her locket up in this hand, downed the tumbler and lay back on the bed. You are indeed worth a good chase Miss Granger. It was with that thought that he drifted off into a well deserved, but all too short sleep.