Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter universe. It was created by J K Rowling. Any characters/places you recognise are just being borrowed. No profit is being made from this.

A/N As usual thanks for the reviews, favourites and follows.

This is the last of the chapters that was published previously. I've got more drafted, so hopefully can keep up a weekly update schedule.

Chapter 7 – Insights and Realisations

Remus stared at the spot that Severus had inhabited seconds ago.

"What died and crawled up his arse?" Hermione mumbled. She turned to Remus, "I thought you two made up?'

"As did I," Remus said, obviously still distracted. He shook his head to clear it, "I must contact the Ministry and Dumbledore. Will you be fine?"

"Of course," she replied. "Go," she said as she flapped her hands at him, "before the Ministry end up on my doorstep as well."

It was only as he prepared to apparate away that he realised he would be leaving her completely unprotected. With a flick of his wand he set some temporary wards. He did not have time to set anything more complicated at the moment. These would not stop anyone getting in, and would not last long, but at least he would know if she had any further visitors before his return.

Hermione looked at him curiously and he could see that she wanted to know what he had just done, however he did not have the time at the moment. He smiled gently, trying to hide his fear for her and had a sudden insight into Severus' behaviour. "I'll be back soon, Hermione" he said, and moved swiftly forward to give her a hug, taking in her scent. "Take care," and with that he left.

After he had gone, Hermione began to clear up after all her visitors, her anger beginning to fade. She suddenly paled. At first she had been incensed at Severus' actions, but now the content of his rant was filtering through to her. She sat down heavily. She had not considered that she might be a target.

Remus visited the Ministry first and then returned home so he could floo-call Dumbledore. He also hoped to find Severus there. The room was in darkness when he arrived back. He had not opened the blinds before he had left this morning. It matched his mood, so he left them closed as he sat down heavily into his chair, flicking his wand to light the fire, considering what to say to the Headmaster.

"I'm not sure I can do it, Remus," a voice interrupted his thoughts from the darkness beyond the firelight. "I'm not sure I can be the person you deserve." A glass holding a dram of firewhisky came into his eyeline, tipped towards him by Severus' slender fingers. Remus took it, brushing his fingers across his lover's as he took it, but Severus flinched at the touch.

"I've taken advice from worse people than Hermione Granger," Severus continued. "She told me to be honest," he paused. "I wish I could tell you everything, but I cannot. In my role I have to do so many..." he seemed to struggle for the word, "horrid things. Do you know what I imagined when I realised our little know-it-all was alone? Her, captured by Death Eaters, being raped, tortured," his voice choked slightly "and I didn't just watch, Remus. I took part."

Severus swallowed his dram in one gulp, wheezing as the strong spirit hit his palate. It seemed to give him the courage to continue. "That's why I have to hide behind my walls. Can you be with someone who does that? Someone who can not show his love for you, for fear of what else his mind will show him?"

"That is not true, Severus," Remus responded. "You are opening up now, you have before. I have felt loved by you."

Severus snorted, as he took the seat across from Remus. "Yes, but until today there was always a low level barrier, hiding things best not thought about. Ready to rise immediately should I be called. For the first time, in a very long time, I dropped everything and look what happened."

"Is Severus right?" Remus thought. His lover looked so dejected, shoulders slumped. "He is waiting for me to tell him to leave." He mentally prepared himself for the conversation ahead. "Severus," he began gently, moving to kneel in front of him. The dark-haired man flinched as Remus' hand touched his shoulder. "Severus, don't do this, don't push me away. Please. Earlier today you said you could be yourself with me. I promised you that I would be your anchor. Don't make liars of us both. You aren't hiding now, are you?"

Severus shifted in the seat. "Yes, I am," he replied simply. "I can't afford to lose control, especially when I could be called at any time." He grabbed Remus' hand. "Understand, please, I am as open with you as I can, more than with anyone else. More like I really am. Is it enough?" Severus looked at Remus sharply, awaiting the decision.

Remus took a deep breath, returning the gaze. As he looked into his lover's eyes, he knew there was only one answer. "It is, Severus. I understand these are difficult times for you, for us all. You have told me you love me. I would rather you are alive, if slightly distant, than dead. But," he said, reinforcing his words by pointing his finger, "when it is over they go, and we deal with the repercussions. It can not be good to bury it all."

Severus reached out with his hand, to gently caress the face he knew almost as well as his own now. "I promise. I can't lie to you and say that I won't be more closed than this, but I will try and be as open as I can. I can not tell you everything, may not be able to explain, but I will not lie."

Taking the hand caressing his face into his own, Remus squeezed it gently. "That is all I can ask, and promise in return." He gazed at their joined hands. "It has been a very emotional day. I wish I could take you to bed and try to finish this trip creating happier memories, but," he paused, "Hermione. I told her I would return after speaking with Dumbledore."

"Of course," Severus replied, pulling away. "I owe her an apology. I do not think she appreciates the danger she is in, but it is no excuse for my actions. I will return with you."

"Is she..?" Remus began.

Severus shrugged. "I am not aware of anything, but then I am not always kept informed. I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to our little know-it-all."

Hermione sat, thoughts racing. How could she protect her parents? She could leave the magical world, but would that be enough? Was she already too much of a target? How would that work? Would they take her wand away? Then she would not be able to protect her parents if Death Eaters did come. Maybe if she just stopped being Harry's friend? The idea of that hurt, but if it would protect her parents... Professor Snape had mentioned Dumbledore, perhaps the headmaster could protect them somehow? Perhaps she could convince her parents to go away? Her head was reeling, as scenario after scenario rushed through her mind, weighing up the pros and cons.

She was not sure how long she had been sitting there, but jumped as she heard the sound of Apparation in front of her. As she fumbled with her clothes, she realised that she did not have her wand. She was not allowed to use it over the summer, so why carry it?

She had not realised she had been crying until she raised her head, vision blurring through the tears. She recognised the shapes in front of her and threw herself into their arms. "I'm sorry, so sorry," she apologised. She was not even sure what it was she was apologising for.

Severus and Remus were surprised, as they ended up with their arms full of a visibly upset Hermione Granger. She had an arm around both, and buried her head into where their bodies met, as they stood side by side. Exchanging a glance they both pulled her in tighter.

Dumbledore had been seemingly unconcerned by Hermione's time alone, when Remus contacted him through the Floo. "Severus will tell us if there is any immediate danger to Miss Granger."

"Is that not a little blasé?" Remus had said through gritted teeth. "What if he does not tell Severus, or Severus does not have time to report?" He resisted the urge to turn and look at his lover, who was standing in the far corner of the room, out of sight, but within hearing range.

Dumbledore had waved off the concerns, "I'm sure Voldemort is too busy building his power base to be concerned with such a little thing at this time."

"What about wards, to warn us if her home is attacked?" he pressed.

"My dear boy," the older man had responded, "if you wish to set some you may. However they must remain subtle. If Death Eaters are searching a muggle neighbourhood and detect them it will be like a beacon." He paused, "I know you began corresponding with Miss Granger last year and you seem very preoccupied with her safety..." deliberately leaving the sentence open.

"I feel I owe her after what she did in her third year, for what I nearly did to her," Remus explained shortly. After all there was some truth to that.

Dumbledore gave him a sharp gaze. "Very well, I will leave the protection of Miss Granger in your hands then," he said as he closed the connection.

That was when they had decided to return to Hermione. "Never tell her I said this," Severus had said, "but, she is a bright girl. By now she has probably processed what I said to her. She will realise the danger she may be in."

On reflection, they both decided, perhaps it was not such a surprise to find Hermione upset.

"Hush, Hermione," Severus said as her sobs began to slow. Juggling her in his arms, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. "Here," he said offering it to her.

Hermione could not help smiling, as she stepped back from them both. She shook her head, and reached into her pocket. "I will not relieve you of another one," she choked out around her tears, using the handkerchief he had given her the night of the Yule Ball.

"Hermione, please allow me to apologise," Severus said. "I overreacted, I did not mean to upset you. Please, say you will forgive me?" In his mind, memories of another muggle-born witch he had upset, played out. She had chosen not to forgive him, would Hermione?

"No," she replied, her voice, muffled by the handkerchief. His heart fell, and he began to step back further. "No," she said again, stronger this time. She reached out and attempted to pull him back towards her. "It is I who owe you the apology. I was the," a sardonic smile pulled at her lips, "dunderhead. It never occurred to me that I might be a target, that I was putting myself," her voice caught in her throat, "putting my parents in danger. Please help me protect them," she finished throwing herself into their arms again.

"Hermione, hush," Remus said. "You were not to know. Childr..." he felt her begin to stiffen, "people your age," he amended, "should not have to consider such things.

"Of course we will help you, but please," Severus said, needing to hear the words. "Do you forgive me?"

"Of course you are forgiven, Severus, but only if I am forgiven too, by you both."

Remus nodded and exchanged a glance with Severus, who rolled his eyes. He pushed Hermione to arms length, so she could see them. "Just this once," he said, "we will forgive you for being a dunderhead. Just this once." And he smiled gently as he pulled her into the embrace of Remus and himself again.