The doors closed behind them, echoing ever so slightly within the Great Hall, and Severus turned around to face Harry and Hermione. The three stood in the empty hall, the only light being the silver orb that rose in the night sky, reflecting off of the marble floor of the Great Hall. While Severus placed a silencing charm upon the room, Hermione looked up at the windows on the side of the Hall, and noticed how the snow was still falling quite a bit outside the castle. Harry looked at Severus and stated matter-of-factly, 'You sure about this? I mean…what if he finds out that you did this? This could go really bad, but…but how about we…' but before Harry could utter another word, Severus spoke:

'Potter, please stop blabbering of which you know nothing about,' he boldly stated with a slight frown etched on his face. 'Sometimes it isn't all about you. Your blessed Father had no idea placing his secret in the wrong hands would bring his destruction. I suggest you be quiet and let me concentrate...' Severus stated with conviction, as he peered down at Harry.

At this, Hermione tore her gaze from the window and looked at Severus. In a soft voice, she spoke to him:

…'I can't tell you how much I…we…appreciate this. I know you don't have to help us, but…' Hermione was cut off by Severus' hand.

'Ms. Granger, I assure you that I am not choosing to do this based upon my own accord, but none-the-less, it is something that…obviously needs to be done. It will not solve any immediate problems, but…it is better than the alternative,' stated Severus.

'…And what is the alternative?' Asked Harry.

'Doing nothing, Potter. Watching and waiting are things that the Dark Lord desires. A plan not in motion is no plan at all…' stated Severus, and with an annoyed look, said to Harry, '…now if you don't have any more impertinent questions, Potter, may we continue to attend to the matter at hand?'

Harry swallowed, a lump formed in his throat, and nodded to the Potions Master.

Severus took hold of his wand. He looked at the single, shabby piece of wood, regarding it for a moment before looking up at the pair. He looked up, and locked eyes with Hermione, and she in turn gave him a silent nod of approval, a signal that he may begin the incantation.

The Fidelius Charm was, in a sort of ways, complex. The charm itself was not too complex, no…but the circumstances that were at bay made the entire situation…well…rather complex. Should anything, anything happen that required both of them to be hidden, Severus was their source. The Potions Master began to speak the words that would allow him to become the couple's secret keeper:

'Do you, Hermione Granger, accept I, Severus Snape to protect you and provide means for your safety as your Secret Keeper?'… And Hermione, with tears brimming in her eyes, stared at the tip of Severus' wand and whispered, 'I do.'

At that, a silvery wisp spurted forth through the tip of Severus' wand, and snaked itself around the clasped hands of Harry and Hermione. Severus' eyes then focused on Harry. Severus inhaled, and exhaled briefly. At that moment, he never…not in a million years, thought that in his miserable life he would ever…ever have to perform this spell with the boy he had grown to despise. But even at this point, this very moment... he felt no hate for Harry. None-the-less, he focused on the task at hand, and keeping his wand steady, looked Harry straight in the eye and spoke the next set of words:

'Do you , Harry Potter, accept I, Severus Snape, to protect you and provide means for your safety as your Secret Keeper?' …And Harry, with a look of severe conviction, stared Severus squarely in the eye and stated, 'I do.'

At that point, another wisp of silver surrounded the pair of hands, and it then it outstretched to grasp the wrist of Severus Snape's hand that held the wand. The light turned from silver to a golden color, and then faded away into darkness.

Severus, Harry, and Hermione stood looking at one another, even after the promise was made, and after the light had disappeared. They stood completely still in the moonlit shadows, breathing inaudibly, perhaps not knowing just what to say to one another. It was several moments before Harry looked up at the aged-face of his Potions Professor, and uttered two words that Severus never thought he would hear from the Boy Who Lived:

'Thank you…'

Severus nodded and looked at Harry and Hermione.

'I suggest the two of you be off to bed,' Severus spoke matter-of-factly. 'We will speak later. If anything arises that is critical to your knowledge, I will contact you. It the mean time, it would be wise if the two of you got some rest…particularly you, Ms. Granger.' He said, taking a final look at the young witch.

With a slight smile, silent nod, and a sad look in her eyes, Hermione led Harry out of the Great Hall, leaving a tired and worn out Potions Master in the middle of the Great Hall, with only his thoughts as company.