Last full chapter (there is a short epilogue after this)

And since this is fluff -though some of you have nicely been arguing this goes beyond fluff into someone new :) - everyone is alive. Except Dumbledore.

Enjoy!

Severus took her hand, enfolding it in both of his. The warmth, the strength in his hold eased the anxiety tightening her belly. The bond they shared now, how their strength wound thoughts to make them simply...more. It was incredible. Magical. Almost mystical. And yesterday, Hermione would've scoffed at such a thing. But not anymore.

His gold ring pressed against her skin, a line of smooth, welcomed metal. Her husband. She got a lovely little thrill from those two words. And suspected she would for a long time to come.

"Are you ready?"

Hermione's teeth tugged at her bottom lip and his gaze narrowed. Heat suffused her face. She let her lip go and gave him a short nod. "Ready."

They stood before the battered front of 12 Grimmauld Place. The sky was just losing the heavy haze of a late summer sky, the noise and bustle of London somehow smothered in the city heat. Lights flickered in the dirty windowpanes of the Georgian terrace. Almost four months and the fight continued with Kreacher at the removal of decades of grime. Any dirt they banished from the house, the contrary little elf slapped back on whilst they were all asleep.

Hermione had given up trying to clean weeks before. It wasn't her house, after all.

The little elf had fought for his favoured master in the Battle of Hogwarts…but he had little time or courtesy for the last remaining Black. He and Sirius still hated each other. Harry was their buffer. But only just.

"We have to go in." Severus' voice was a low rumble, a touch of a smile lifting his mouth. "I'm surprised they haven't sent out a search party already."

"I'm predicable." She huffed a laugh. "They'll simply assume I've been caught up in reading a book somewhere."

He brought her hand to his lips, pressing his clever mouth to her palm and a spiral of desire caught her breath. Severus smirked at her. "I doubt they want to learn of your exact location, Madam Snape." His mouth twitched. "Or position."

Her blush burned and she couldn't hold his gaze. What she had done. What they had done… In the protection of his –their— home, she'd felt secure in losing the whole afternoon to the detailed exploration of Severus Snape's rather delectable body. In their bed, several times, in fact. And the shower, little more than half an hour ago. And each time a sharing, a convergence of their magic and selves that bound them ever closer. It was beautiful and delicious.

But in what felt like the outside world, the real world, she faltered. Would it be obvious how Severus had wrung so many bone-melting orgasms from her?

"Hermione." He waited till she could look up at him again. His thumb stroked her cheek, her jaw. "I will never share anything, never tell anyone anything about you or about us. You are mine, my wife." He pulled in a heavy breath. "This law," he bit out the word, "may have pushed us together. But I will never regret it. Never. And I will –and do— take my vows seriously. I will defend my marriage and you with my last breath."

"I know. I know you keep your promises. All of them." She kissed his thumb tip. "I do trust you, Severus. And I do rather enjoy being your wife."

Satisfaction warmed his eyes and his fingers linked through hers. "I know you consider them family, but don't let them browbeat you."

She straightened her shoulders. "What's done cannot be undone."

"We made absolutely sure."

That smirk was there again. She was learning one thing about her husband of five hours, this new Severus. He had a sense of humour. A dirty one. Which fit with his avid interest –and skill— with sex. It was still a pleasant surprise. She did so look forward to going home again.

Her face was deepening to fuchsia, she was certain. Which probably wasn't a good sign when Severus was knocking at the door. She had to find her control. She'd made the very best decision for herself and for Severus. No contest. Or complaints.

A grumbling Kreacher opened the door. He bowed his head to Severus. The perverse little elf liked the Potions Master, as Sirius Black did not. "Welcome Master Snape." His aged yellowed eyes moved to her. "Miss Mudblood."

"Miss Granger, please, Kreacher. You will not insult my wife."

"No, no, I will not insult the honoured Potions Master's wife." He jerked several nods. "Miss Granger."

"Thank you," Severus murmured and they followed the little creature along the dingy hallway that spat out into the equally grimy kitchen.

The Weasley contingent massed around the table, arguing. Under lamp and candlelight, parchments still covered its length, dozens of names filling each piece. Individual names spread out in rows. There also seemed to be little stacks now, building between the single cards. But strangely none seemed to have been removed. Was the Pura Concursum working for any of them?

"Hermione, there you are, dear." Mrs Weasley bustled forward. "And Severus, this is a surprise." She frowned, but then latched onto Hermione and pulled her away. "Ron. Ron has said he's been seeing a Hufflepuff girl for months now. Gilly Something. News to all of us, I'm sure. But their names glowed. Which is more success than we've had all morning and afternoon. It's little wonder the Ministry is worried when power binding is so rare. Now, speaking of that."

She tapped her wand on a length of battered parchment that held Hermione's full name. It gleamed, but the black ink didn't change colour. She tapped Sirius' name and a hint of iron grey flared and faded. Siruis Black? What were they thinking? She'd have rather faced the Ministry's last resort.

"See, nothing for you. So strange. When earlier, you showed such promise. Bright flares, almost approaching gold." Her gaze darted to George. "For quite a few names, I must say."

Lies. Hermione knew it was lies. Her own test of the spell that morning had proven that only Severus brought out the gold in her name. The lack of reaction now was a witness to her bond being fulfilled. Her mouth thinned and anger stirred. How dare this witch think she could manipulate her future. Her happiness.

Mrs Weasley huffed out a breath, seemingly unaware that Hermione had yet to speak. "We're going back to the more tried and tested route. So here." She leaned across the table and picked up a stack of parchment. "We have a short-list for you. Sirius has said he's willing…"

Her words died away as she finally realised Hermione was silent. The witch gave her an encouraging smile. One that sparked too hard in her eyes. "Of course, there are other choices, Hermione dear."

Sirius was the stick. Someone so wholly unsuited that she'd obviously leap at the chance to marry one of the single Weasleys.

"I'm married already." Hermione held up her left hand, the thin gold band and blue jade betrothal ring catching the candlelight.

Molly blinked and her arm fell away. Her gaze darted to Severus and that disapproving frown was back. "Already? Please don't tell me you married him."

Hermione's lips thinned. Severus Snape had been instrumental in winning the war for them and members of the Order still treated him as some form of pariah. Had not even called him to this extraordinary meeting to work out his marital future.

Mrs Weasley glared at her. "Hermione?"

She gave the older woman a short smile. "You told me not to tell you."

"Less of your cheek. Arthur!" Her husband's head bobbed up between George and Percy. Fred had avoided the whole mess with his rather surprising engagement to Luna Lovegood the week before. "Tell her, Arthur. Tell her she can't do this."

"Hello, Hermione." Mr Weasley smiled and his brows drew together. "Do what?"

"She's already married. To him."

"Severus? He was caught by the law too, Molly. It's perfectly legal. I did wonder where you were, Severus. Molly was in charge of the notices. Obviously one got to you." Mr Weasley's smile deepened. "Congratulations, both of you."

"It can be annulled—"

"No. It can't." Hermione held the older woman's gaze, fighting the burn in her cheeks. The bloody woman had deliberately forgotten Severus. Was she truly saving all the women she had control over for her ridiculous amount of sons? Or completely cutting Severus out of their acquaintance for some other, personal reason? She'd failed on both counts. "All terms have been met." And she took a leaf from Severus. "A number of times."

A warm hand closed over her shoulder and she recognised it as the touch of her husband. A hint of their magic swirled between them. His voice was cool, smooth and holding that derisive edge that did strange things to insides. "This visit is a courtesy. A notice that we be taken off the lists." He paused and his words became quiet and hard. "Though I doubt my name was there to begin with, was it Molly?"

"I knew you'd find your own witch. You always come out...well." Mrs Weasley's face had mottled red, showing were Ron got his bluster from. She leant forward, drawing herself away from her husband's hearing. Her voice was little more than a hiss. "What you are, what you've done." She shook her head. "Albus' 'greater good' never justified how you treated my children. I wanted no one I knew with you."

Severus didn't try to justify how he'd behaved in the past, the man he'd been, and Hermione wouldn't want him too. He had fought the war on both sides and nearly died from it. She pulled her thoughts away from almost losing him before she had a chance to know him...

Was it also the Prince legacy? Severus was a wealthy man, now. And the Weasley's were still rebuilding the Burrow, living off Sirius' goodwill in the meantime. Mrs Weasley's action at excluding Severus was...petty. Childish. It seemed, like Ron, his mother couldn't get go of a grudge. Hermione pitied her.

Mrs Weasley drew back and her lips thinned. She fired her wand at the table. The little piece of parchment holding Hermione's name scorched and fell to ashes. "Enjoy the bed you've chosen."

Hermione couldn't stop her smirk. "I have. I do."

"Mione, really…" George winced and cast a furtive glance behind her to Severus. He held up his hands and his voice took on a Ron-level of whine. "Think about what you're saying… Please. I'm an impressionable, unmarried boy." He wiped his eyes free of false tears. "I shouldn't have to hear these things. I'm too young to be corrupted—"

"George!" his mother snapped. She'd turned to the sink and was clattering pans. She waved one at him.

Her son pressed the back of his hand to his forehead and slumped into his chair. "And you only know my name now, Mother, because I lack a…a wife." He gave a half-strangled sob.

Hermione bit back a grin and with his mother's back returned to angry pan washing, George winked at her. "Thank you." She mouthed the words to him, grateful for the distraction before Mrs Weasley went into full meltdown.

It was time to get of out the oppressive house. She just had to collect her things –everything she owned was stored in her school trunk in her room— and happily head back to Harrogate. The truth of her marriage would soon spread through the Order with no further help from her.

"I have to collect my things," she murmured to Severus.

Mrs Weasley struck, closing the space between them and pulling Hermione back with a soapy hand. "If you think you're going into that girl's bedroom, Severus Snape—"

"Molly…" Arthur sighed. He gave them both an apologetic smile. "Hermione has made her decision."

"She has? Excellent! Should we set a date?" Sirius stood in the kitchen doorway, a sharp grin cutting his face.

Hermione closed her eyes and held down a groan. Not Sirius. Not now.

Harry stood just behind him. He wasn't smiling. Had he realised whom she'd married? Or like her, was he horrified at the idea of his best friend being tied to his obnoxious godfather?

And how they were going to marry him off, she had no idea. It irritated her that they had thought so little of her to pair her with him, even as an incentive to find someone else. Something almost unforgiveable.

She pulled herself free of Molly's firm grip. Severus held out his hand and she took it. The strength of him bled into her, skin against skin, their magic spiralling in, making them stronger still. She smiled and let her head fall against his arm. It really was an incredible bond.

"Him?" Sirius barked a laugh, whilst Harry simply stared at her. The older wizard planted himself at the table and shifted through a pile of names, frowning and discarding them. "How did you put them up to his joke, George?"

"Hermione is my wife, Black. It's not a joke." Severus' calm tone belied the tension that Hermione felt in his frame. He might be striving to be a new man, but there was too much bad blood between the two wizards to let it easily wash away.

"Saw your chance with the law to fu—"

Severus lunged, stabbing his wand at Sirius' throat. It cut the wizard off. "She is my wife. She will be treated with respect. Any more of your…language and I am within my rights to demand a duel." Severus lifted his eyebrow. Silence shrouded the kitchen, no one daring to breathe, fearful of the cold rage in the dark wizard's voice. "Do you fancy your chances when there's only you? Alone. Or should we call for Lupin to hold your hand?"

Sirius swallowed and used his finger to ease the wand back. His grey eyes fixed on Severus and hatred glinted there. "The aurors should be informed. Coercion is still illegal."

"I'll do that now," Mrs Weasley declared, the silvered swirl of her patronus already forming.

"You'll do no such thing!" Hermione cast a finite at the cloud and it burst apart. "How dare you?"

She slipped her hand back into Severus' and power surged between them. Her hair sparked, the familiar metallic burn shrouding her, proof of magic bursting beyond her control. Severus brought her hand to his lips and tempered the wild rush. His dark eyes held her, hot and brimming with vitailty. He was utterly beautiful. She grinned at him.

They were both caught in a blistering arc of power. Their trained flesh in a sharp fighting stance, wands out, magic leashed but fierce and their fingers laced. Their bond. A perfect convergence of their souls. It couldn't be denied.

She knew it then. With Severus at her side, she was invincible.

George's jaw dropped. "What is that?"

Hermione lifted her chin, proud, sure. "Our bond. Our golden Pura Concursum bond."

Molly fell into a chair and simply stared. Sirius glared but wisely said nothing.

"Hermione?"

She looked to Harry and softened her smile. "Your opinion?"

His gaze moved between them, something almost thoughtful in his eyes. Her friend had calmed after the war. Not having the stain of Voldemort in his soul had lifted a great weight from him. "You're happy, aren't you?"

She gave a sharp nod. "Very."

Harry shrugged. "Good luck." He slid a wry glance to Severus. "You'll need it, sir."

"Harry…" Hermione all but growled at him.

Severus' mouth twitched and he gave a graceful incline of his head. "Thank you for the warning, Mr Potter. I shall heed it."

Hermione pursed her lips, wanting to be angry at her friend and...and her husband. But they were being cordial. It untwisted a knot she didn't know she had deep in her flesh. "I'll be in touch. Soon. I promise." She twitched a smile to Mr Weasley and Percy and ignored the other two people in the kitchen. "Goodbye."

Severus ushered her out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her bedroom. She pushed the door shut with a distinct click. Sagging back against the dark wood, she closed her eyes.

She jumped as Severus stroked her cheek. A smile tugged at his mouth and she threw herself into his arms, relishing his hold. His scent wrapped around her, parchment and fresh sweet grass, mixed with richer herbs. Right. Him. Home. "That could have been better."

He pressed a kiss to her wild hair. "It went very well. No one was hexed and our most ferocious detractors have been silenced." His hand slipped to the curve of her backside and she wriggled against him, unafraid to giggle. He had obviously put the unpleasantness in the kitchen behind him. She should too.

His voice turned soft, sure and deliciously wicked. "I'd ask you re-enact your fantasy of me in your bed, madam, but I want you in mine."

She smirked up him. "Your bed or your fantasy?"

He dropped a kiss on her lips. "Both, lovely girl."

Hermione stepped back from him and flicked her wand. Her belongings swirled in the air, whipping up from shelves, the mantelpiece from the under the bed to parade into her trunk. It snapped shut with a loud thunk, locked itself and she shrunk it to the size of her palm.

Severus took it and secreted it about his person. He lifted an eyebrow.

She smiled at him and her chest lifted, lightened.

He was her future. As she was his. It was only hours, but everything about them being together was…true. They hadn't said they loved each other. But they would. And soon. When they were ready and it would fall in the perfect moment. She accepted it. And she could hardly believe that she had such belief, but it wasn't blind. Magic was with them. And as that day had shown, magic knew everything…

"Overthinking?"

"Considering…" Hermione gave him an artfully innocent look from under her lashes. Whilst they were still in that awful house, there was one fantasy she knew he'd like. "Y'know, Severus I still have books littering the sitting room…"

They were out of her bedroom in a heartbeat.

As ever let me know what you think! :)

I wonder will this little fic get to 300 reviews in a week? *boggled* lol