Disclaimer: J.K.ROWLING! Weeee...

A/N: Thanks alot to those who has read up to here and loved it. Thank you!!

Chapter 8 : The Love

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(Present Day)

The spell that Lucius Malfoy, also known as Blonde Monkey courtesy of Severus Snape, had cast was a powerful one. It requires the Darkest of all Magic to summon it but with a cost. And that is he whoever cast the spell shall lose a part of his soul to Hell. And that is what Lucius Malfoy deserved but he didn't care. He was feeling fulfilled for casting the curse to Severus Snape, the traitor! The Dark Memory Curse acts like a Killing Curse, but it was banned to the Wizarding World due to sudden rise in death tolls caused by it. It erases your memory, and day by day it sucks out a part of your life, a part of your mind, a part of your logic and sense of control, torturing you and leave you in pain. Then at last, you will beg for death yourself.

Unfortunately, Lucius Malfoy was never good in strategy. Ask him to play Wizards Chess with Hermione and he will lose even if she wasn't that good either. And that is exactly what is happening. The Dark Memory Curse can be countered off by a reversal spell which includes its own set of impossible incatation. It also requires that the Witch or Wizard, who wishes to reverse the spell, to be of pure blood, pure mind and pure soul. If tainted by darkness, the spell won't work on the person you are trying to save. And saving Severus is what Hermione is set on doing.

Hermione was in the library during the afternoon. She was sitting sideways on the armchair with her feet over the other arm, going through the book of Dark Magic, which she snucked from a vist to Knockturn Alley a few days ago, and found information about the curse. It was a small section of the book and took nearly two days to go through it, without sleep, but she knew it was worth it.

"Ex pectus pectoris , Lux lucis moris fundo,Restituo suus vita , firmus suus mens , Planto fio quis est Is. Ex meus pectus pectoris , meus mens quod meus animus, Vadum impero illa suus Vita reverto medicor. Hermione read out loud. She closed the book and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Man, thats a long spell..." Hermione said, jotting it down in another parchment.

"I know, I don't understand anything that you have just said..." Hermione turned over and saw Sirius leaning on the doorjamb, a drink on his right hand. He was smilling at her.

"Hey Sirius, I didn't hear you there. Come on in!" Hermione said, straightening up on her chair. Sirius chuckled and walked in and sat on the sofa opposite hers.

"Last time I remember that this was my house..." Sirius said, grinning over the rim of his glass, sipping a drink. Hermione widened her eyes and chuckled along.

"I'm sorry, Sirius..forgive me." Hermione smiled. Sirius just shrugged and wink at her.

"Not a problem... So whats' that you got there?" Sirius asked, gesturing with a nod towards the book she was holding. She smiled and closed it.

"Just some research to help Severus gets his memory back..." She said, looking down at the book with a faint smile. Sirius saw this and he shook his head.

"You really do.. have.. you know.. feelings for him?" Hermione merely frowned at his question.

"Yes.. why?"

"Nothing.. its just that..."

"What??"

"Do you think he appreciates it? I mean... Do you think.. he has feelings for you?" Hermione glared at Sirius with an arched eyebrow.

"Sirius Orion Black.. Just exactly what are you trying to say?" He gave a defeated sigh and straightened up.

"I know Severus very well.. and I know you well too. I just don't want you to get hurt..."

"I know he loves me, Sirius, now don't you dare put words into his mouth, You hear me!" Hermione said, pointingly at Sirius. Sirius nodded lightly.

"I'm sorry. Its just that I can't see you being like this... All grown up and in love with the worlds top five most hated wizard..." Sirius took a sip of his drink again," .. last time I remember you were only in your third year, trying to save me from Severus. Now, you are bound to him.." Hermione sighed.

"I know what you are trying to say Sirius... Am no longer a child. Am grown up now and I know how to handle my life. The only thing I can't control is who I fell in love with. Even at first I thought that it was only a schoolgirls crush.. but it turned out more than it seems."

"Didn't you guys ever think about.. you know.." Sirius shrugged lightly, ".. when you guys end up together, what people might say or think about it?" Hermione gave a chuckle before nodding.

"We did, but we didn't think much about the people out there. Its all about me and him, baby..." Hermione said and winked at Sirius, who started to laugh out loud.

"I know.. I know.. I still remember that time you guys came clean about your "love" to us a few months ago.. Shocked the hell out of us but.. you guys seem unfazed about it. You know, at first i really doubted you two, but it was after what Dumbledore did, did my doubts start to waver a little. We didn't really know whose feelings it was that overpowered us..." Sirius said, sipping again.

Hermione nodded and she remembered that day.. man it was the weirdest day for them...

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Three Months Ago In the Burrow

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There was another Order meeting at The Burrow that night. Though Voldermort is gone and there should be no other reason for the Order to stay, Dumbledore wants them to still stick together and fight against the remaining Death Eaters who weren't captured in Azkaban. That night, They had a discussion on which Death Eaters were still running amock in the kitchen. The discussion, not the Death Eaters...

The Order members were sitting around the kitchen table while Molly was fluttering about in the background, cooking up some feast for them. The important members were there such as Lupin, Tonks, Shaklebolt, Black, Moody, McGonagall, Potter, Weasleys and Dumbledore.

Hermione, however, was in a room. She had to change her blouse since Ron had accidentally poured gravy on it while trying to pass the bowl towards Dumbledore. She was halfway buttoning up her blouse when she heard the door to her room closed shut. She quickly whirled around only to find herslef covered in darkness and fell back on the bed. She tried to struggle but was pinned down hard.

"Let go of me!! Geroff!!!" She screamed, trying to kick the intruder but she heard him gave a low chuckle. She stop stuggling and tried to get her breathing back into place when she suddenly realised who it was. She gasped.

"Sev-!!" Her lips were suddenly attacked but his for a passionate kiss. Hermione was too stunned to react back and Snape lean back on both his arms to give her a smirk.

"Hello there, witch..." He said, smilling genuinely this time. Hermione giggled and hugged him back down on the bed.

"How did you get here?? I mean.. in here! Without anybody seeing you??"

"I have my ways.. Anyways I was busy focussing on you rather than think about being caught." He smirked. Hermione remembered what she doing and look down to see that her blouse was still half undone. She blushed. When she looked up, she saw Snape wasn't looking at her face, instead was looking at her chest, which was bare except for her red lace bra. She saw his breathing becoming shallow and his gaze rise from her chest to her face, seeing desire and lust in his eyes. Hermione felt something hard poking on her thigh and gasped again. He arched and eyebrow and gave a wide smile.

"Obviously someone is happy to see me too..." she giggled and pull Snape in for a kiss. It was light at first. Hermione licked Snapes' bottom lips and he gave a low growl and his mouth slacked a little. Hermione took advantage of this and thrust her tongue in, tasting him and sucking on his tongue. Snape moaned and attacked her tongue with same ferocity. His hands gripped on her hips and he humped into her, his lips still tasting hers. Hermione giggled and pushed him back.

"We have a meeting going on down there... we need to be there!"

"Well the one down here can't be bothered much." Snape said and kissed her again. Hermione pushed him back and got out of her bed, leaving Snape face down on the pillow, groaning in protest.

"Come on, we better go.. Otherwise Dumbledore will be knocking on the door, asking whether I'm ready for the meeting." She said, buttoning the rest on her blouse and swiping them off for hairs and dust. Snape sat up on his bed and sneered at Hermione.

"That meddlesome old man knows all about us, why should we care? I don't care about anything..." Snape said and rolled his head round. Hermione smirked.

"Well, for starters, we almost shagged in Ronald Weasleys' Room on Ronald Weasleys' Bed.. who knows what he did on that bed...?" Hermione laughed when she saw Snapes mortified face and shot up from the bed, pushing her out the door and down the stairs.

When everybody looked up to see what all the commotion was about, they saw a giggling Hermione being pushed forward by a mortified Severus Snape through the kitchen door. When they saw the Order members were looking at them, Severus snapped his hands by his side and stood behind Hermione, while she tried to stiffen her giggling.

"Albus, Minerva...Arthur.." Severus inclined his head for greeting to those who were nearer to him. Hermione merely shifted from one leg to the other, still smilling at Snape. Ron and Harry stood up, looking angry.

"Whats going on here?" Ron said, looking at Snape.

"What do you mean, Mr Weasley. Please be specific in your statement." drawled Snape.

"Hermione, are you hurt? What did he do to you? Why was he touching you, pushing you???" Harry said, drawing his wand to point at Snape. Snape didn't take it too well and drew his wand, pointing at Harry. Ron did the same and pointed towards Snape, face livid. Snape rolled his eyes at him and shook his head.

"Mr Weasley! Mr Potter! Put your wands down this instance!" McGonagall shrieked, standing up from her chair, facing them both.

"Not until Snape tells us why he was doing what he just did..." Harry said. Sirius Black merely raised his eyebrows is amusement, a faint smile on his lips, looking at the two men. Remus got up to stand by Severus, just in case anything were to happen, a wolf instinct is quick and effective. Hermione merely rolled her eyes.

"Oh stop it now! Severus did nothing wrong to me, okay? Now put you wands down this minute!"

"Severus? Blimey 'Mione have you gone completely mental? You just called him Severus!" Ron said, wide eyed.

"So? It is his name, isn't it? Would you like it if everyone keeps calling you MR WEASLEY instead of Ron?"

"Or Weaselhead..." Snape whispered behind Hermione, which earned him an elbow in the guts.

"No, but this is different! This is Snape we are talking about!"

"Severus is NOT a stranger, Ron, neither is he to be treated differently and unjust. He is human just like anyone of us and I really do appreaciate it if you guys just accept that."

Harry and Ron stared blankly at Hermione and then to each other. Then.. Harry pointed his wand to Snape again.

"What did you do to her!!! Tell me!! What spell did you cast on her!!!"

"HARRY!!"

"Potter, I did not cast any spell on your beloved friend.." Snape spat.

"Liar! Expellia - ..."

"Protego!!" Remus boomed, his wand in his hand, "Harry control yourself!"

"He did something to her I know!!"

"He didn't, Harry!!"

"Mr Potter!! Sit down at once!!"

"Not until he tells me!"

"I didn't do anything, Potter!!"

"Mr Potter, I insist that you and Mr Weasley settle down this instance." Dumbledore said calmly, but there was a hint in his voice that he need no defiance in obeying his words. Not only did Ron and Harry, but everybody took a seat at the table, clearly not wanting to be in Dumbledores' book of Bad Heads. When they settled down, Dumbledore smiled and rose from his seat. He flicked his robes a little before walking round the table.

"Now, Harry, I assure you that Severus did do nothing as to harm Hermione, nor will he cast a spell on her. Now I believe that both Severus and Hermione didn't say anything to you all?" Dumbeldore said, gazing at Snape and Hermione over his moon specs. Both of them shifted in their chair, looking down. Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head.

"Tell us what, Professor?" Harry asked.

"Now, I won't say it.. I will let these two make the choice whether to tell or not. I just hope all of you accept it well and not.." he glanced at Ron and Harry, ".. over react. Now... let them do the talking. I need my lemon drops..." He sat down on his chair, popped one drop into his mouth and glanced innocentky at the two of them. Basically by now, everyone was staring at them. Hermione looked up at Severus and saw him slouching on his chair, hair falling forward, covering his face. It was the first time Hermione saw Snape being not on his guard and she thought he looked cute. Merlin, Snape will kill her if she said that out loud. She gave a long sigh before standing up.

"Severus and I are a couple. We love each other very dearly and we didn't cast any spell nor potion on each other unlike those of you who are sooo desperate for it. We just hope that you all will accept it as it is." She said, folding her arms across her chest, looking haughty. Snape looked up at her in wide eyed but there was pride flickering in his eyes. By now, everyone was in utter shock. A few of them including Ron, Harry and Sirius were wide mouthed, a few of the adults like Arthur, Molly and Remus merely seemed understanding while Dumbledore and McGonagall, who already knew about their love, smiled wide. Then...

"How could You, Hermione? Amongst all of us, You chose Snape??" Harry spat. Hermione was taken aback at his tone of voice and looked wide eyed.

"Yeah, 'mione. What were you thinking? How could you be in love with him? Ron said, confused.

"Ah, Forget about her trying to answer that. I just can't believe she did this to us. And to think we called her our friend!" Harry spat again. Hermione swallowed a sob and grabbed on Snapes' forearm, who by now was livid with anger.

"Watch it... I'd hold back that tongue of yours, Potter, 'less I want it to be hexed off!" Snape spat back.

"Oh, bugger off! I don't trust you, nor do I trust Hermione now. Love, indeed. How can we be sure its Love and not a spell you.. - you both did or potion wise? I know what you are. You are a traitor, Snape, and I never will accept that you turned to the Good side... A Traitor... And now, You just joined being a Traitor too, Hermione.." Harry said, glaring at Hermione. She sat down on her chair ungracefully and started to sob. Snape banged his fist on the table and stood up.

"I said watch it, Potter!"

"Severus, Harry... please settle down." Dumbledore said, standing up. Both men turn to look at him before sitting down back on the chair. Snape turn to Hermione and pulled her closer to hug her. He just needed to comfort her at that time, and ignored the slashing, livid looks given off by Harry and Ron. Dumbledore walked behind Hermione and patted on her shoulder.

"There, there now... Don't cry. Lemon drops?" He said, handing one out to her. Severus arched an eyebrow, giving him the "what-are-you-crazy?" look..Dumbledore chuckled and put it in his pocket.

"Now, I know its a little unnerving for some of you, and a little romantic to the rest. I assure you that there is no spell casted on or potion being placed on them. Though Love is magic too, if cast on two couple..." he said, eyes twinkling, "... but there is nothing we can do to stop it. Hermione loves Severus and So does Severus, Hermione. Its true that for the fact that how can Hermione fall in love with Severus? Now, Love can happen anytime, anywhere. You could even fall in love.. or might be in love with the person sitting right next to you!" he said.

Remus turn to his right and smiled at Tonks, who blushed. Arthur patted his hand on Molly, nodding at Dumbledore. Sirius turned to his left and right, seeing Shaklebolt and Moody, felt uncomfortable after seeing Moodys' magical eye eyeing him from top to bottom, and shivered. He shook his head before concentrating on Dumbledore again. Dumbledore chuckled and nodded.

"It can happen to anyone, anywhere. Love don't care if you are rich or poor..." he inclined his head to Molly and Arthur, who beamed at him, nodding. ".. Love don't care whether you are of different age, ranks or types..." he inclined his head to Remus and Tonks, who smiled at each other before looking up at him. "... Love don't care about what you become or what you do... Its what you are and your heart truly is." He said, putting both hands on Severus and Hermione's shoulder.

"Now, I expect that whatever I had just said to be accepted by all of you, just as you will accept Hermione and Severus's relationship. Unless there is still any doubt?" he asked, looking about. Harry and Ron raised their hands, stiff and rigid. Sirius looked at them both before raising his. Ginny was next, before Fred and George. Dumbledore counted and nodded.

"Fine then, we just have to prove it to them, won't we children?" He asked at both Severus and Hermione, who looked up at him in confusement. How do they prove it?

"Albus, you don't - .. I mean.. We don't.. kissing is not a way to prove things, You know that, don't you... Albus??" Snape asked, from the crack of his voice indicated that he wasn't sure what Dumbledore will be doing to them. Dumbledore shook his head and inclined his head towards the door and went out. Snape and Hermione looked at each other before getting up and following Dumbledore out the door. Soon Remus and Tonks, Arthur and Molly followed before the rest slugged out of the kitchen as well. They went out towards the backyard, in the dark. Dumbledore stood in the middle of the yard and Snape stood on his right, while Hermione stood by his left. The rest merely stood in a line in front of them. After gaining enough space, Dumbledore turned to the line.

"Now, what I'm going to do is just like Leglimency. The difference is that we only feel their feelings, and not look through their mind. Unless we wish to see their.. intimate moments." Dumbledore turned to Snape at the last sentence. Snape feigned coughing and looked away. The older wizard chuckled and held out his arm.

"Now, Just get ready to feel some magic!" He said. The rest looked at him as if he had lost his marbles... or Lemon Drops... "Sorry, I have always wanted to say that.." He said, and resume positioned.

He raised his arms and boomed out a few words in Latin that neither the youngsters nor adults understood. And then, the weirdest thing happened to them.

A pale blue light emerged from around Snape, while a pale yellow light emerged from Hermione. It flew around them for a while before reaching in the middle, where Dumbledore stood. The yellow and blue light seemed to be absorbing each others energy before it jerked about wildly and burst into a bright reddish-pink ball of light that covered the whole backyard.

When that happened, Snape and Hermione felt as if their hearts were ripped out of their chest. Not quite yet painful, but it was a sweet feeling. They let their head fall back, mouth open slack and reveled in the feeling. Not only did they feel it, but the rest who were in line, felt it too. The overpowering feeling that clutched on their chest left them gasping for air. The ball of light lingered around the whole yard, the strong force of love possessing them all.

Snape turned to Hermione, gasping for air and saw her doing the same towards him. He felt his heart lurched with the thought of how beautiful she was, the light illuminating her features and smile. That was all it took for the ball to strengthen again and the feeling became stronger and stronger. It burst into a bigger ball of light, enveloping everyone even more, making them feel lightheaded with the feeling. Snape began to moan in pleasure before falling back down on his knees. The ball of light dissappeared, leaving everyone gasping for air, except for Dumbledore of course. Hermione fell back on her bum and sat there, still smilling. Snape had to balance himself on his hands as he unbalanced forward, gasping for air. He felt light headed and he smiled. It was a lovely feeling. Lovely indeed.

Dumbledore clapped his hands together when he felt that everyone had finally gotten hold of themselves. He chuckled.

"What just happened?" Sirius said, clutching his chest, gasping for air.

"Am - .. Am not too sure. What was that Albus?" McGonagall asked, looking at him.

"That, my children, is Love. The love that both Severus and Hermione have for each other. I believe everyone felt their strength in it? No potion, no spell, nothing.. am I right?" Dumbledore asked. The rest of them were all rendered speechless. That was it? That was what they felt for each other? Nobody knew what to do or say. They just stood there, speechless. Snape staggered to get up on his feet and straightened his robes. Hermione did the same and smiled. She looked up at Snape and saw him closing his eyes and leaning his head back, mouth slack, breathing deep and hard.

After a few silent moments, the whole group went back into the house, no conversations, no nothing. It was just silent.

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