I have reviewer, "notwritten" requesting "No M"; I have to respect it for I started this fic as "T", so I will keep it sans M...

Thank you so much for your reviews!

CHAPTER 12

He felt Hermione's hold tighten, as she forced a smile looking at him, "Are you sure, honey?" glaring at him before forcing a smile again.

He smirked yet again and said, "Never been more sure."

Everyone made way to the dining table. Everyone feeling a little irked on seeing Snape and Hermione hand – in – hand.

Everyone was seated and dinner was served.

"Hermione, start," said Snape.

She glared at him and said, "No, I'm not quite hungry. You guys start."

The Crispy Chilly Chicken with Caesar salad and boiled vegetables teased her. Damn it, she loved Molly's cooking.

In all the years she had known, she couldn't help but notice that this was the first time, he was actually enjoying his dinner. Probably, just to annoy her.

"Hermione, the dinner is delicious. You should really try some," said Snape, smirking.

She leaned closer to him and whispered, "If these people aren't there, I will hex you."

He choked on his pumpkin juice and glared at her, before leaning to whisper back, "I would love to see you try."

Ron rolled his eyes at them and couldn't take more of their "lovely" exchange and took his dinner to his room, followed by Luna. Arthur had already taken his dinner to Molly's room. Harry and Ginny looked at each-other awkwardly.

"So Potter? What's new?"

Wait! Was he making small talk? Why was he making small talk? Why was he making small talk with her friend? Why was he making small talk with Potter?

Harry shrugged and said, "Nothing much. My Auror training is over. Ginny and I are getting married this summer. We are already betrothed."

"Congratulations! You should come to the manor sometime for dinner."

Hermione almost choked on her juice, which she managed to have with her free left hand. She stared at him in surprise.

Ginny leaned over to Hermione and whispered, "What did you do to Professor Snape and who is this man? You know what, this is creepy; I think I will have dinner in my room."

She left. Harry sat there in awkward silence.

"Just go!" said Hermione and he rushed away following Ginny.

Once they were alone in the room, Hermione started having her dinner.

"I think we should leave now," said Snape, getting up, tugging at Hermione, surprisingly she didn't nudge.

She just glared at him and with a tug he was back in his chair. She continued with her dinner.

Since was she stronger than him?

"Don't over think. I used the Stronthanclose Spell, the spell to make oneself stronger, before coming here."

Grumbling, he continued watching her have her dinner, his dinner turning cold.

PRINCE MANOR – LIBRARY

"Why don't you have one book on marriage?" asked Hermione, frustrated.

"Why should I, woman? I never wanted to get married," he grumbled, visibly annoyed that Hermione was stronger and dragging him along.

"What are we going to do? I need books for research."

"Who would have thought Miss. Know-It-All, had any book unread?" he spat.

She glared at him. She didn't know if it was frustration, anger, confusion or pity for herself, she found herself crying.

"I know you didn't want all of this. I know I didn't want it either. So I'm sorry if we are stuck together. Just deal with it!" she spat back, tears running down her cheeks.

She wanted to run away from him, lie in her bed and cry herself to sleep. But here she was bound to man, who despised her. She knew she couldn't run away now. Taking a deep breath and brushing of her tears, she made way to the couch on the side of the library. She slumped on one side of the couch as her husband sat next to her, trying to be as far from her as possible with their hands bound. She had to say, she really liked the library. There was row after row of neatly lined up books with their spines facing outward, all books arranged in alphabetical order, floor cushions, comfortable leather arm chairs, tables with quills, a couch. All in all she loved the place. She had never thought she would live in a house with a personal library.

She turned to look at her husband, who hadn't said anything since her outburst. In the past two hours she had seen a side of him, she never thought she would know. He had been compassionate to let their house-elf free. He had been cordial enough to help Mrs. Weasley, in spite of his hatred for the family. She had known that in the War against Voldemort, it was he who had risked his life as a spy to keep Harry safe. He had been successful in giving a death eater, polyjuice potion with Dumbledore's essence in it and made everyone believe that Dumbledore was dead. He had almost given up his life when Nagini bit him, but Dumbledore had been there to save him. At least they didn't owe each other a life debt.

Breaking into her thoughts, she heard him say slowly, "It isn't advanced potions."

"Huh? Sorry?"

Looking at her, he held their bound hands up and said, "In muggle terms, this isn't rocket science."

She sighed, "Unfortunately, I know. I…I just wanted to know if there was a loop hole."

"I will get some books from Hogwarts library tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"I think we should get some sleep," he said before getting up.

"Severus," he didn't turn, "I...I'm sorry. Professor."

He nodded in approval urging her to go on.

"I think we are going to be bound for a way too long period. So, can we start of as friends?" she asked cautiously, getting up.

"I have a class tomorrow, Miss. Granger. It's getting late."

This was it. She had made an effort to civil. If he wasn't going to make it halfway, she was going to make life as horrible as possible for him. She knew he had been calling her Miss. Granger for a long time now. Maybe it was time to make amendments.

He jerked when he felt her breath on his cheek. He froze when he heard her whisper, "It's Mrs. Snape or Hermione, Severus. What do you like?"

He turned to look at her.

She was too close.

Face inches apart.

Noses touching.

Eyes full of sarcastic challenge.

(TO BE CONTINUED)