Indeed, mid-morning he found her in the library of the headquarters. He had become fairly proficient in navigating the house on Grimmauld by himself, no longer quite so dependent on Hermione. Snape decided to force himself to be as open as he could be around Hermione, but no one else. He was still not a trusting soul, likely never would be.
"Hermione?"
She smiled happily up at him, taking in the deepest darkness of his still sightless eyes, "It's so good to have you back," she nestled into his chest.
For a brief moment, he held her then tilted her head toward his face and "saw" her with his fingertips, "I just don't know… You are such a beautiful young woman. I still don't know why you would want an old wreck like me."
"Well, I do," she snuggled herself back against his chest; she loved to hear his heart beating.
"Did you have something to do with the pleasant reception I got when I returned?" he asked.
She shook her head, "No, not at all. Maybe they were as happy to see you alive and still on our side. Has it ever occurred to you that people just might like you if you would give them a chance?"
"Afraid not," he mused. "Few have ever liked me. I'm not a very nice man. I'm rather cruel and mean."
"I attribute a terribly lot of that to self-protection. I've seen a side of you that I rather take pleasure in being around. I hope that Severus does not disappear just because the mean side of you can move about this house without me," she gave a heartfelt reply. "You don't need me as you did when we were marooned in Hogsmeade or the castle."
He was going to say something then thought better of it. While he did not know what to make of Hermione's affections, he most certainly was not about to do or say something to turn her against him. This experience of being wanted stimulated his senses in novel ways.
"Will you help me learn to trust, and yes, love?" he inquired. "For I do think I do still need you."
"I'll always give you my best, Severus. Always my best," Hermione reassured him.
He tilted her face back toward his. His eyes penetrated her very soul. Even sightless, those eyes no longer seemed so devoid of humanity to Hermione as they had ten years ago when she first encountered the feared teacher.
"I think that you are good for me," he whispered, drawing closer for a tender kiss. "Help me to stop playing the spy when we are together."
"I have not told anyone what you were brewing back at the school when they rescued us," Hermione told him in between kisses.
"It's time to let them know that we do have another ally, but we must make sure that the Dark Lord cannot find out," he started. "Now how to accomplish that…"
"You and I could go back," she mused.
"No. I will not risk you," he held her tenderly, pulling her ever closer.
"Severus, don't smother me," Hermione stood up for herself by pulling back just a little bit.
Then he pulled back and took her face into his hands. He searched her visage with sightless eyes but sighted fingers.
"It's all right," she gave him permission. "I'm not sure it will work if you still don't have sight, but I'll try. Legilimens," she mouthed.
Hermione took a quick breath as she moved into his mind with no resistance. She wanted to caress him tenderly as well as set the boundaries for her own life. He stroked her mind tenderly and wrapped his mind around hers. She felt an indescribable sense of desire, curiosity, admiration, and love emanating from him. She felt his unbounded joy at seeing her with his mind's eyes.
His hands continued to caress her face. Hermione returned to him all her respect, deepest love, and her own desire for him. She let him know that, for her, it was more than lust or fear in moments of sheer terror. He ended the spell with a kiss, sealing that moment in time forever for them both. It had begun tenderly but turned passionate quickly thereafter.
He found himself whispering in her ear, "Make no mistake, Hermione, I love you, no matter what comes our way. Always remember that I loved you fully from this moment onward until I breathe my last. I want to protect you and keep you as safe as I possibly can."
She moaned, "And I love you, Severus Snape. I will never let you go for as long as I live. I want you to be out of danger, or at least with me there, at your side when you face it."
He rested his chin on her head, "Ah, we both want the same thing – absolute protection for the other. Neither of us may get what we want, if the Dark Lord has his way."
Hermione's arms were wrapped tightly around him. She sighed softly against his chest.
"Maybe not, but I'm going to give it my Gryffindor best," she murmured. "Perhaps we should get married now, before the final battle. I would hate not to and things turn out badly for us."
"Are you sure, Hermione? If we survive, wizard marriages are for a lifetime, you know," he cautioned. "If we survive, you are stuck with me. I'm not an easy person to be around, let alone live with."
"You keep telling me that, but I'm young enough to still believe in fairy tales," she cooed.
"Harrumph. I guess it's 'Beauty and the Beast' then," he ran his hand sensually across her back. "The only thing is, I won't turn into a handsome, but vain, prince in the end, you know."
"I know what I'm in for. I sat for seven years in your classes and have already signed up to apprentice with you," Hermione retorted. "If I had no clue how harsh you can be…or how tender, I'd have to agree with you."
That evening, the Order gathered around the table for dinner and planning. Snape was included and sat next to Hermione. When dinner was finished, he planned to make his announcement.
"Arthur," he began, "I have two things I'd like to ask of you."
Arthur smiled, even as he knew Snape could not see it, "Go ahead, Severus. What can I do for you?"
"First, Hermione and I would be terribly grateful if you would perform the wedding bonding ceremony for us. The sooner, the better," he started.
Gasps and then cheers erupted around the table. Snape jumped as he felt slaps on the back coming from all around him. After a few, he could not stop a smile from making its presence known across his face. That raised the level of merriment and lightheartedness all around the Order. Even Moody rose to shake his hand and congratulate him. In a few minutes as things began to die down, Harry stepped forward.
"Professor, you know that Hermione is like a sister to me," Harry offered. "And if she accepts you, then I accept you," Harry took Snape's hand in his.
Snape rose and did the unexpected. He clasped Harry's right shoulder with his left hand. He nodded. Harry moved closer and clasped Snape on the back and then moved away. Before Snape could sit back down, Ron also took his hand.
"Looks like Hermione has made her choice, Professor," he cleared his throat. "I just hope that you will always treat her right. If you don't…"
Snape gave half a smile, "I know…the Weasley men will be after me with blodgers and bats."
Everyone present had a good laugh, including Ron. Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione on the cheek.
"You know I always figured that it would be you and me, Hermione," he said sadly. "And I'm kicking myself for not having made my move early enough."
"Ron, it's okay, really. I understand," Hermione replied. "You may not want me as a friend, but I'll be here if you do."
"Right," he mumbled in reply.
"Arthur," Snape reached out for Hermione, "we'd greatly appreciate this sooner rather than later."
"Understood. Will tomorrow be soon enough?" Arthur smiled. "And what was the other thing you needed?"
Hermione started, "Perfect. We would like to go back to Hogwarts for that potion we left behind."
Molly gave them a funny look, "I thought you said it was spoiled?"
Snape continued, "It is. I need two trusted men and" he gently squeezed Hermione's hand, "Hermione to finish the potion."
"Why?" Arthur was curious.
"I'd prefer not to say, other than it will help our cause," Snape gave the matter a sound of finality.
"I'll go with you," Bill volunteered.
"As will I, "Arthur finished the team.
The next morning, Snape was led to the garden in Grimmauld Place by Remus Lupin. Lupin was chosen to be the "Best Man" for his old classmate. Hermione was escorted by Harry, the closest thing she had to a real brother. Ron watched with sullen despair. Ginny stood with her. Molly cried tears of joy from her spot as the stand-in "Mother of the Bride." Arthur served as bonder. With a simple ceremony, in the midst of war, Severus Snape took a bride. It would not make the headlines of the Daily Prophet, but it was certainly surprising news about one of the chief curmudgeons of the Wizarding World. After the war, a formal announcement would appear in both the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler.
Molly had rearranged the sleeping arrangements one more time to accommodate a newlywed couple. She extended a corner overlooking the garden, off by itself for them. She added a functional, albeit Spartan, bath for them to share. Having been a Gryffindor herself, she chose red and gold for the principal colours. She added a few hints of Slytherin green and silver in the event Snape ever regained his sight. Hermione was very pleased with Molly's efforts.
Hermione led her new husband to their chamber after a short festive banquet that the twins helped to organize. Surprisingly, there were no gags. Either Molly had threatened them with pain worse than death if they pulled any pranks; or they decided that in order to honour Hermione, there would be no jokes. It was not that they did not respect their former Potions Master; it was that they were never quite sure how to take him. They respected him greatly for his skill in making potions, for it was, after all, potions that made many of their jokes work. They owed him that at the very least. And, yet, his personality was such that it was generally too much work to get to know him and thus feel a personal connection to the severe man. Fred and George loved Hermione, even if she had not chosen their brother for her husband.
Hermione dimmed the lights as they swiftly undressed each other. They picked up where they had left off in his quarters at Hogwarts weeks before. He waved the sheets back with his bare hand. Clothes were strewn about the room as the lovers fell across the welcoming bed.
"Severus," Hermione whispered as she ran her hands through his now filled-out beard, "I love your beard. Did you know that?"
"Um-hum," he purred as he ran his fingers through her hair. "I had a sense that you did, so I did not shave it off when they took me to St. Mungo's. It was one of many things I 'debated' with the healers while I was there."
She cooed, "You are really quite thoughtful when you try."
He shivered as she ran her fingernails across his scalp. He growled with pleasure to let her know.
"O woman, you have no idea what you do to me," he ran his nose behind her ear and lavished her neck with kisses. "I want you. I need you."
"Show me, Severus, show me what I do to you," Hermione cried. "I need and love you more than anyone else!"
It was pure music to his ears and the rest of him as she guided him to where he needed to be. It was a perfect fit for them both. Hours later, Hermione's mane splayed across his naked chest as he fiddled with the runaway curls. She raked her nails sensually across the wisps of hair she found between his nipples. His breathing and heartbeat indicated to her that there was more to this night yet to come. She raised herself on one elbow and began to initiate the lovemaking. After the lovemaking had subsided, Hermione wanted to begin a new conversation.
"Shhh. Hermione. When a man makes love to his woman, he does not want conversation as an after thought. He wants to just lie here next to her and get a good sleep," he hushed her with gentle fingers to her lips. "You would do well to remember that from here on."
That came out a bit more harshly than Snape had intended; however, Hermione shook her head with a slight smile playing across her lips, then she nestled herself into the crook of his arm and listened to his heart beating.
Morning came and went without a sign of the couple. Molly had ordered everyone away from the bride's chamber unless they called for Kreacher and food. Tea and biscuits were ordered in mid-afternoon. Finally, they came to dinner. Snape looked different. Bill was the one who figured it out – Snape's perpetual scowl was not in evidence. He actually looked as relaxed as Snape could look without looking happy. Snape was after all still Snape. On the other hand, Hermione was obviously madly in love with her husband of a few hours.
Bill and Arthur prepared the foursome for their trip to Hogwarts castle. He had portkeys prepared for them. Wands drawn, they took hold of the portkey and reappeared in the Great Hall, which stood just as empty as when Hermione and Snape had been there last. They threaded their way back to Snape's laboratory. Many hours later, the potion would be completed and ready to use.
"So Severus, what is this potion supposed to do," Arthur asked as he examined the sparkling wine coloured, viscous liquid.
"It will counteract the Draught of the Living Death and what spells the Headmaster and I performed on the Astronomy Tower," he took Hermione's hand. "Shall we restore the Headmaster now?"
Arthur's jaw dropped as did Bill's. Hermione beamed up at her husband.
"You knew, Hermione?" asked Bill.
She nodded, "I did. I could not say anything until Severus was able to finish the potion."
"Enough," Snape interjected. "We need to get this done and return to headquarters. There is much yet to do, if we are to be victorious."
They stole across the grounds to the mausoleum where Dumbledore had been resting. Arthur and Bill opened the tomb and sarcophagus. Snape gave Hermione the potion and his directions. He uttered the spell's counter as Hermione administered the potion they had just finished.
"Nothing's happening," exclaimed Bill sullenly.
"Be patient," Hermione added before Snape could make the same observation.
Arthur felt for a pulse and smiled, "I think he's alive…"
Dumbledore's eyes opened, "Of course, I am."
Dumbledore wanted to know as he stretched his hands upward, "Harry? Is Harry safe?"
"Yes, Headmaster," came the reply from Snape.
"Severus, and what of Draco?"
Snape's head drooped, "I do not know, Headmaster."
"The war is not over," Arthur remarked.
"Severus, you were to awaken me after the war," Dumbledore chided him.
"Headmaster, it is as you say, but…" Snape began.
"Things have changed," Bill interjected.
"How so?"
"Snape's blind for one," Bill remarked off-handedly.
"The 'final battle' was not as final as we had planned," Snape supplied.
Dumbledore rose from the crypt and looked straight at Snape, "You know that I am not to have a role in the final battle. It was why we staged the Astronomy Tower. Harry must stand on his own to defeat Voldemort once for all time. Explain your thinking, Severus."
"Yes, Headmaster, I understand," Snape's sightless eyes were downcast. "However, I have become incapacitated. I can no longer see." He lifted his head in the general direction of Dumbledore and continued, "I cannot help the boy as once I could. After it appeared that I had killed you, the boy's hatred for me knew no bounds. It was increasingly more and more difficult to assist him. His respect for you and Hermione was greater than his hatred for me or we would both have been lost."
He continued, "Moreover, we need you now more than having you remain hidden here if the boy is to overcome the Dark Lord. Neither could I afford to leave you in the power of the Draught of the Living Death any longer without risk to your life, Headmaster. The war has dragged about far longer than either of us anticipated. We were at the edge of safely reviving you, even today."
"Severus, what happened? How were you blinded?"
"Bellatrix blinded me in what should have been the final battle. I crawled off to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. We, Hermione and I, were isolated and knew not who won if anyone had," Snape began a disjointed recounting of the events. "I was completely debilitated for a fortnight before we were found by the Order. Then St. Mungo's held me for months. To leave you in the crypt any longer was to risk your life."
"Enough," Dumbledore started, "We must return to Headquarters before word gets out about my resuscitation. We will figure out what to do next."
Arthur extended the portkey, "In any event, Albus, it is good to have you back!"
Molly screamed and dropped the dishes in her hands when she saw Dumbledore. Harry and Lupin came running from different directions, wands outstretched, and stopped cold when they saw him standing with Arthur and the others. Harry unfroze and stretched out his free hand to touch Dumbledore's beard. Dumbledore looked kindly at Harry as Harry took hold of the Headmaster's right arm. He raised it to look upon the hand that had been nearly destroyed by the ring horcrux.
"Yes, Harry," Dumbledore said softly, "It's really me."
Harry's lower lip began to quiver as he looked from Dumbledore to Snape and back again. Harry's shoulders slumped forward as Dumbledore took the boy into his arms and held him as the boy cried.
"I'm sorry we had to deceive you, especially you, of all the students," Dumbledore began to explain.
"Buy why?" Harry was not sure of anything any more, much less his feelings.
"We had to put Voldemort off his game. He had to think he was facing you alone. Arrogance is his weakness. Professor Snape was always there to protect you in my absence," he added more to the story.
"But he hates me and I hate him. You knew I hated him. He let Sirius die. He killed you…" Harry's words stumbled forward.
"Harry, Professor Snape never hated you," Dumbledore offered.
"Headmaster…perhaps I could…" Snape requested.
"Go ahead, Severus."
"Potter, it's true I despised your father. As you know, he and I were to one another as you and Draco are to each other – mortal enemies. I made a horrible mistake about the prophecy. It got your mother and father killed. It also put the Dark Lord down for years," Snape began and stopped, thinking…lost in the past.
He shook his head, "Your mother's death especially hung heavily about my head for these years. It's true: your father's death did not bother me in the least as there was no love lost between us. But you, I never hated you. Hermione has helped me understand it has been resentment I feel for you," Snape continued.
"Resentment?!" Harry exploded. "You have never had the first nice thing to say to me – ever! You put Hermione and me down every chance you got when we were in school. You took up Draco's cause every chance you got – even when he betrayed us all! Your Slytherins could do no wrong, and Gryffindors could do no right! We all thought you were trying to get the Philosopher's Stone. You hated Sirius and you let him die in the Ministry. You killed Professor Dumbledore! You betrayed us all!"
Dumbledore stepped up, "Harry, you can see with your own eyes that I am quite alive. It is thanks to Severus that this is so. Had he not brewed the potions and placed me under the effects of the Draught of the Living Death, I would have died from the horcrux's dark magic. And Harry, Sirius' death was partly your fault. Had you remained at school as you had been told to do and not sought out Voldemort on his own terms, perhaps Sirius would have survived. Then again, perhaps Ministry aurors would have hunted him down. We do not know nor will we. Speculating on it is a waste of energy."
"Headmaster," Severus turned toward the voice, "Let the boy hate me if he wishes to. If it gives him the power to defeat the Dark Lord, so be it."
"No, Severus," Dumbledore spoke softly, "The truth and love are what Harry must learn to exercise to defeat Voldemort. Hate is Voldemort's weapon, not Harry's."
Snape bowed his head slightly.
"Now what has been done for your eyes?" Dumbledore asked.
Bill described the curse breaking aspects of the non-cure. Snape outlined the potions they had tried and failed. Arthur detailed the attempt on Snape's life at St. Mungo's. Then Hermione and Molly filled in the personal blanks, including the wedding in the garden. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled when he heard his friend had allowed himself to be found by love at long last.
The next day, Dumbledore began occlumency lessons with Harry whose opinion of Snape had moderated only the slightest bit since his school days. Thus, it took only the tiniest bit of prodding to reinvigorate his hatred for Snape. Snape and Lupin worked with Harry on non-verbal hexes and protection charms and spells. Snape was sent to brew potions for St.Mungo's as the war ground on and on.