Disclaimer:- I neither earn anything from nor own Harry Potter. The plot of this story is the only bit I can claim partial ownership of.

sSs

A/N:- My sincere apologies to everyone who reviewed last chapter, it is my usual practice to reply personally to every review, however this time I have not found the time to do this. Thank you en masse, I appreciate your reviews very much. So on with the story, this should have been the last chapter, but there was more to tie up than I wanted to cram into one chapter so I've split it in halves. The actual last chapter will be up soon.

hHh

Chapter Fourteen – Sorting out Issues

Afternoon tea on Tuesday afternoon, with Alyssa and her husband Hugh—who was English—turned into afternoon tea with the Fitzgibbons, the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy, Madame Olympe Maxime and Alyssa's almost completely trained current apprentice, Armand Du Pre, as well as Emily and Ricardo.

It was just after classes had finished for the day and the students were all in study hall. Hermione found she loved the palace that housed Beauxbatons Academy and this gave Severus' Slytherin mind an idea. He still wasn't happy with her being a Hogwarts, and he certainly wasn't planning to stay on as headmaster long term either.

He had already informed the board of Hogwarts governors when he took the position that while he was happy to guide the school past this hic-up. He was not about to sign his life away as headmaster, he and Hermione were both young and there were still many options. He only planned on staying for the term of the next academic year.

Severus was surprised however, when it was the headmistress of Beauxbatons who spoke up first, and she mirrored his own idea perfectly. "Mademoiselle, 'ave you ever considered working abroad?" she asked Hermione.

"No, madame," the young woman replied honestly. The thought had never actually crossed her mind. She glanced at Severus, and saw encouragement nestled deep in his eyes. The others only saw his normal public façade which was always in place.

"Alyssa 'as informed me of your brilliant grades," Olympe continued, "and the less than ideal circumzanzes you find youzelf in." She gave Severus a considered glance. "No offence intended, 'eadmaster, but Beauxbatons would love to 'ave 'er," the headmistress assured him.

Severus bowed his head gallantly, "No offense incurred, madame," he replied.

A smiling headmistress turned back to Hermione, "Would you consider it zen?"

Hermione's smile was radiant. "I would have to improve my French," she mused.

Madame Maxime's smile broadened, "Zat iz eazy," she looked from one Potions master to the other. "Gentlemen, zere iz a potion, non?"

"Indeed," they said at the same moment.

Hermione and Emily looked at one another and laughed before Hermione held up her little finger, and Emily entwined it with hers. "Snap," they said together, pulling them apart. Their men-folk gave them puzzled looks before it dawned on them what had happened, and they started laughing as well.

Hermione went on to explain it to the rest of their company, some of whom got it and some didn't.

This was when Armand spoke up in very broken English. "Oui mademoiselle, we could 'ow you say… 'elp… s'entraider az well. Zen per'ap I could teach at 'ogwarts an be clozer to ma, Julien."

Severus found himself breathing a sigh of relief, not that he didn't trust Hermione, but the idea of Armand helping Hermione brought out his possessive streak. He settled though, when he realised what was meant. Bella and Julien had ended things with an explosive row, the night before he and Hermione had left the house party. Julien had caught her with an additional guest she'd snuck into her bedroom, and all the dirty washing had come out like a game of charades after dinner.

Apparently not only had Bella never been—and Severus knew that fact—faithful to Julien, but Julien in turn had been seeing a wizard in France, it appeared he liked it both ways. The name Armand had been bantered around during the ensuing argument, and it was too much of a co-incidence to think it was a different Julien. Luckily for Severus, Bella had been Slytherin enough not to blurt out a comprehensive list of who she'd actually been unfaithful with during the time she and Julien were lovers. Severus suspected that list would be quite long, but it had been enough for him to make certain Hermione knew the truth, even if he hadn't told her who he'd tried to forget her with.

He turned back into the conversation when Olympe said to Hermione, "Per'aps you would conzider transferring your apprenticezip 'ere when Alyssa leaves 'ogwarts, oui?"

Severus knew that Madame Maxime, had only allowed her Transfiguration professor to come to Hogwarts to give the witch's current apprentice the opportunity to teach for the year at Beauxbatons before he was ready to go it alone, so to speak. Severus finding out about this arrangement was merely a happy set of circumstances. Emily and Ricardo had informed him, it had been a purely serendipitous event, which he had happily used to his advantage.

So it was all arranged and tied together quite well. Alyssa would leave Armand to teach next year a Beauxbatons, and Hermione could still spend the summer with them if she wished, but at the end of Severus' time at Hogwarts they were both going to move to France. Hermione would complete her mastery and teach, and Severus was finally going to take Lucius up on his offer to manage the French branch of Malfoy Enterprises, Potions division.

xox

That evening, Hermione and Severus were sitting by the fire in his private sitting room. Severus knew he had to warn her about what he'd heard that morning, as he knew Ricardo would be doing with Emily after his quiet word with him this afternoon. He'd also noticed that Hermione had been quiet ever since they'd returned from Beauxbatons and he wondered what that was about.

Severus stroked Hermione's hair as her head lay in his lap. "Kitten," he watched her eyes flick to his, and he read many things in their depths including pain and confusion.

He wondered if telling her was the best thing, no he had to, he wanted her to be prepared, but just as he was thinking about how to word it. Out of the blue she seemed to summon the courage to ask what was obviously troubling her. "Severus?" She already sounded apprehensive. "So much has changed for the better…" her voice drifted off as her eyes turned to the fire.

"I sense a 'but' there, kitten. Please tell me what's bothering you?" Severus turned her face gently back to his. He wasn't surprised to see her lip firmly grasped between her teeth and her eyes swimming in unshed tears.

Hermione pushed herself up so she was now sitting in his lap, and trying to hold his gaze, she swallowed, hoping her voice would be steady. "I need to know… I haven't asked, because I didn't want to put you on the spot…" but her voice cracked and disappeared again.

Severus wondered if it was the one subject they had never discussed. "You want to know what will happen to Potter, the Weasleys and Brown, don't you?" Hermione nodded quietly, and his thumb caressed her cheek. Drawing a deep breath, Severus filled her in on what he knew. "This issue was one of the first the board and I spent time discussing on Monday. Finally, it was decided that little could be done about Ginevra Weasley; she cannot be expelled just because she's a bitch, Hogwarts would have few witches in residence if we started doing that." However, when she couldn't even gather a smile for that, he merely kept going. "She did not cheat or benefit from your work, her only crime was covering up the fact that others were, and that will earn her a hefty lump of detentions with Filch. The others and their parents are meeting with the board of Governors and myself on Thursday morning." Hermione was watching his expression apprehensively. "It will be my recommendation that all three be expelled for knowingly cheating. Potter and Weasley will definitely be because they also attempted to hex both you and I. Miss Brown on the other hand will probably be advised to repeat seventh year next year after her suspension. Malcolm McGonagall has told the board that none of them will be eligible to sit their NEWT exams this year on another person work." When Severus finished telling her this, she actually looked worse than before he'd started. He took her face in both of his hands. "That obviously isn't the only thing that's troubling you," he asserted, but was surprised with what the problem actually was.

Her lip quivered and a tear trickled down her cheek between his fingers, "But won't I be just as guilty for supplying them with the means to cheat?" It was finally out; this was something that had been eating away at her for some time. "I still can't see how I didn't notice what they were doing," she paused and took a deep breath, "won't that be twisted against me tomorrow?"

This actually led into what he wanted to tell her. "There are mitigating circumstances, kitten," he stated, and at her puzzled expression he took a breath himself before continuing. "I started to tell you before you jumped in." He stroked her cheek. "I met with Amelia Bones before we left this afternoon. Do you remember her asking you for the quill you normally used to do your homework?"

Hermione nodded, "I thought it was strange that she asked for such a thing," and she cocked her head to one side as if considering it.

"Did you ever wonder that it was peculiar you always used the same quill for your homework tasks, but different quills throughout the day?"

"Come to think of it, I guess it was strange. It was the eagle feather quill I received at the end of last year for coming first in sixth year. To be used to excel at homework, Professor Dumbl… oh!" Hermione's recitation of what Dumbledore had said came to a grinding halt. "I've been an idiot, haven't I? He put a compulsion spell on it, didn't he?"

Severus drew her to him. "I'm afraid so, kitten. But don't worry, you are no idiot, he's a very sly old wizard. No one else saw it either."

Hermione sank into the warmth of his embrace. "I remember questioning why I would start to wonder if they were simply copying my work, and then when I sat down at my desk with that quill… oh Severus, I feel so used."

He knew she had every right to feel as she did, but he tried to tell her anyway. "Don't cry, kitten. You couldn't have known." Severus stroked her head as she buried it into his chest, her shoulders shaking with hurt and embarrassment. The Potions master was livid on her behalf. He's witch had been hurt, this time by finding out another part of the extent to which Albus Dumbledore had used her.

That old bastard! If only I'd known sooner, but no, you were too busy with you're your head up your arse, trying to deny you felt anything. Severus scolded himself as he seethed, quietly adjusting his grip to cradle her head more securely. "Come on, love, settle. Both Emily and the Potter woman are in the same situation."

He had not seen her crumble like this since the night in the hallway all those months ago. She had become so strong with his support. In a way, the fact that she trusted him enough to open up like this thrilled him. He thought about the wizard he had been at Christmas time, and the one he was now and it astounded him. There is no way that he would have done this for Lily, he had exploited her, but she'd deserved it. Even Emily, certainly he had kept her safe by sending her away, but it was little more than his sense of duty that had made him do it.

Then there was Hermione, he could feel her tracing her finger around one of the buttons on his frock coat. This had become a comfort routine for her, so he knew she was settling. Glancing down, he smiled, seeing her rather swollen and reddened—but still beautiful—eyes gazing up at him.

"I love you," she whispered hoarsely, finding a timid smile for him.

Her honest admission almost brought the normally stoic wizard completely undone. Severus leaned down and they shared a tender kiss. "I love you too," he replied, resting his forehead on hers. They both laughed when without warning Hermione's stomach rumbled plaintively. He spoke softly, "Now we've spent so much time talking it's past dinner time, come, we need some food." Severus rose, lifting her easily with him.

"Where are we going?" she asked, instinctively coiling her arms around his neck and giving him a kiss.

"We need food, and then we both need sleep." He looked her up and down and he gave her another, more lingering kiss.

"That's an excellent idea," she returned, "I really am very tired."

xox

They had to be in court by eight thirty Wednesday morning to attend the remainder of Dumbledore's trial, which would include his sentencing. Hermione was very jittery, but she was not the only one.

Severus was even showing a few nerves, Hermione was fairly certain that facing the wizard you replaced under such strained circumstances, would be more than a little daunting. Anyway the press gallery was packed today, but other than that they were arranged fairly the same as they had been the first time. There were a few notable families missing however. The Potters, Weasleys and Blacks were nowhere to be seen, and Remus Lupin was now sitting with the Slytherin group. Today Bella and Theo were not here, they were in France on business, so neither were Padma nor Pavarti.

Remus was speaking to Regulus and Daphne was sitting next to Hermione. Narcissa took the opportunity before they started to arrange a shopping trip with Hermione and Daphne even though she knew Severus had quashed the idea of a ball until Hermione's exams were over. There were enough interruptions to her study without the ball as well. He knew that Lucius and Narcissa only had their happiness in mind, but perhaps afterwards.

As it turned out none of them should have worried about being singled out, as it was mainly Madam Bones who spoke; only one other was called to the stand. There was the same atmosphere of suppression on the room that had irked Hermione the first time, but she understood why they had the wards reinforced. Albus Dumbledore was a powerful wizard, and nobody was taking any chances.

The whole trial turned into a cut and dry criminal hearing. The other person to give evidence was a Forensic Potioneer, he informed the court that when they had resumed Minerva's mother's body it was found that she had been killed by magic with Albus Dumbledore's magical signature still detectable on her remains.

So Albus Dumbledore was convicted on this fact and the death of Minerva's baby which had also been proven without a doubt to be his fault. Then there were the issues of manipulation of students, Hogwarts house selection process and also his treatment of Minerva McGonagall herself, add to that taking bribes, and the old wizard was never going to see freedom again.

In the end the Wizengamot decided on life in Azkaban. Some had pushed for the dementor's kiss, but he had narrowly escaped that. What did surprise the courtroom was the fact that Albus Dumbledore, the supposedly most powerful wizard of the century went out without a fight, accepting his sentence.

There were many opinions on the peculiarities of powerful wizards and their unexpected ways, but the evening Prophet explained why. It splashed the headline - Albus Dumbledore disappears. The story read, on his way to Azkaban this afternoon, the disgraced former headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was plucked from a boat travelling to the North Sea prison.

"It was a gigantic bird-like creature," one of the guards said, "it looked half eagle and half horse and was being ridden by a huge hairy man with an ugly dog, both of whom seemed resistant to stunning spells."

"That bloody fool, Hagrid," Severus threw the paper down in disgust.

"Hagrid… the Hogwarts grounds keeper?" Hermione asked, coming to look over his shoulder.

"Former grounds keeper," Severus seethed, getting up to glower towards the darkened hut from the window. "Bloody hell, I hope they ditched in the freezing water and both drowned. What an idiot. But he always was a fool where Dumbledore was concerned." Severus huffed, "No wonder the old man took his punishment this morning, he had this all cooked up with the giant hairy one." Walking back to his desk, he slapped the paper with his hand. "You can guarantee no one will see either of them again." He was pacing again. "Damn them both, I was hoping justice would finally prevail."

xox

After the storms of Wednesday, Thursday morning Hermione positioned a chair in front of the one way viewing area ie - the door to Severus' private quarters, and watched the ensuing fireworks as James Potter and Arthur and Molly Weasley were told by the board of Hogwarts Governors and its new headmaster that their son's could find another school to complete their educations.

"What?" James Potter said in an explosive outburst. "You've got to be kidding, Snivellus?"

"Calling the Headmaster of Hogwarts names, James Potter, is hardly going to endear him to your case," Augusta admonished, easily able to make the immature wizard feel like a teenager.

Potter spluttered, he looked at Arthur and Molly, who pointedly looked in the other direction.

"Thank you, Augusta, but don't trouble yourself," Severus smoothed. "I expect nothing better from the likes of him." He turned to James, "The fact remains Potter that even if you do not feel my welfare worthy of consideration, your son attempted to hex an unarmed student because she refused to complete his homework for him. That one its own is serious enough, without being coupled with his blatant cheating."

"So is tampering with students, Snape," James bit back.

Severus arched a brow, he had turned up alone, no Lily or Harry, Severus wondered what this meant, but didn't dwell on it for too long, it was none of his business. He easily rebuked the allegation made against him. "I agree, what Dumbledore did was also a serious offence. One that you are now caught up in." Severus knew that was not what his old tormentor was referring to, but he wasn't about try and explain what had happened between himself and Emily or Hermione. It would just be used in a flurry of words against him that would achieve nothing. He brought the conversation back on track. "The facts remain that your son Harry and Ronald Weasley are no longer welcome at this school. If you have any issues with that you are welcome to take it up with any board member," Severus flourished his arm around the room of silent observers, "or even the Minister," and the headmaster turned his attention to the remaining Molly and Arthur's questions. The Browns were not here today, they had agreed to Lavender's suspension easily, and thanked Severus for accepting her back to repeat seventh year in the next academic year.

xox

When the meeting was over and Hermione had watched the last of the occupants leave via the floo, she opened the door and walked to a smiling Severus. "I've waited years to be able to put that bastard in his place," he said, gathering her into his lap.

Hermione smiled at his happiness, Severus had told her many things about his time as a student here, and how that odious wizard and his best friend had made his life a misery. That was the start of his animosity towards Dumbledore, the blatant favouritism he'd shown towards thugs had been sickening.

Then when Dumbledore's current Potions professor had up and quit a few years later, Albus had been as nice as pie until he'd secured Severus' services as replacement. "Well," Severus said, suddenly pulling her out of her musings. "We better get to Longbottom Hall, I'm eager to meet your parents."

Hermione gave him a timid smile. "I hope you like them."

Severus squeezed her waist. He was not so sure that was going to be the case. He felt that they had treated their daughter with abysmal neglect, but he was willing to hold his tongue if they did.

Once resident at Longbottom Hall, the party had waited for a good hour passed one o'clock, before finally, Severus and Hermione apparated to the nearest phone booth. The answer Hermione received from her mother made her see red. "We couldn't contact you and we forgot we'd promised to be at the homeless shelter today," she said rather lamely.

"You're always at the homeless shelter. Would it have hurt to spend one hour with me instead? I've got someon…"

But her mother cut her off before she'd finished, they had a habit of doing that. "Oh, we couldn't possibly let them down," she informed her in her most righteous voice.

Hermione sighed, "Well, I know I've been a great disappointment to you, but I'm sorry because I can't change who I am. I can see there's no point in worrying you anymore. Goodbye," and Hermione hung up.

Severus had heard everything she'd said, and there were already tears threatening when she turned to face him. Placing an arm around her shoulders he walked them to where they could apparate away, and took her back to Longbottom Hall.

Predictably, Augusta Longbottom was not amused, nor was Cygnus. Once Severus had Hermione calmed down again, her aunt and uncle looked at her. "Where will we find your negligent parents, my dear?" Cygnus inquired.

"Yes, I am determined to give them a piece of my mind," Augusta added.

Hermione couldn't deny that she was happy for their support, ever she'd since she'd found out she was a witch, her parents had been very distant. They had never come out and told her they were disappointed, but she knew just from the fact that they'd changed in their attitude towards her that they were having trouble dealing with it. A big give away was the fact that they always encouraged her to stay at Hogwarts where possible during holidays.

So it was now, that the quartet of witches and wizards dressed in muggle clothes approached the Lyon Street Mission. Hermione was pleased to see that apart from their fashion sense being a little old fashion Augusta and Cygnus made perfectly passable muggles. Of course she already knew Severus made one sexy muggle in his black jeans, dark blue open necked shirt, black sports jacket, and polished black dragon-hide boots that fitted the ensemble perfectly.

Grasping his hand tightly, Hermione, wearing blue jeans, silver ballet flats and a lilac fitted blouse, led the way into the soup kitchen. An elderly woman who resembled Pomona Sprout smiled broadly. "Hermione dear, what a wonderful surprise," she enthused.

"Hello Martha, are my parents here?"

"No, 'fraid not. I haven't seen them for weeks; I think they've been away." Severus could see her mind wondering why Hermione didn't know this, and then her beady eyes were perusing Hermione's company. "So who have we here?"

Hermione was busy processing that fact that her mother had obviously blatantly lied to her. "Oh," she said distractedly, but then smiled at Severus. "I'm sorry, Martha Wiggins, this is my fiancée, Professor Severus Snape, my aunt, Lady Augusta Longbottom, and my uncle, Justice Cygnus Prewitt."

"Professor, ay?" They could see she was mentally tallying up the titles. "You certainly know some high people, dear." Moving on quickly, Martha waved her soup ladle at Severus. "You've got a fine girl 'ere," she informed him. "Her parents are salt of the earth."

"Indeed, that remains to be seen," Severus replied smoothly. "However, I do believe I realise exactly how fortunate I am to be Miss Hermione Granger's intended," and he lifted Hermione's hand to his lips.

Augusta smiled at the remark and the vague, 'ay' as it went straight over the cook's head. "Well, it's a pity your parents are not where you thought they'd be." her aunt said to her. "I was looking forward to meeting my long lost niece, well perhaps another time, Hermione?"

"Oh," Hermione said, realising she'd zoned out as Severus paid her such a grand compliment. "Yes," she smiled.

It was at that moment that something dawned in Hermione's mind, and she realised that she had come to live without her parents for so long that she didn't really feel very betrayed by their latest lie to her. It was only the next in a long line of lies, and feeling Severus' thumb caressing the knuckles of the hand he held and she realised she was upset, but also in a strange way content. As such she made a suggestion as they left. "I know a lovely café around here, how about we have lunch there?"

Contrary to popular belief, there are some pure-blood magical folk, who understand how the muggle world works. "Why don't you pair do so," Cygnus said. "Gussie and I have something to do."

Severus seeing the pair stop and glance back at the place they had just come from, had a fair idea what that would involve, so he just steered Hermione in the direction she indicated.

"I wonder what Uncle Cygnus meant?" Hermione asked thoughtfully while they waited for their lunch to arrive.

"I believe they are going to find out where your parents live, and introduce themselves to them," Severus replied wearily.

"Oh," Hermione looked pensive for a moment, and then continued, "Then I wish them luck," and she studied her drink pensively.

Severus picked up her hand. "You don't seem surprised that your parents didn't come and worse still they lied to you about where they would be," he said.

"I'm very upset, but no, I'm not surprised." She sighed, "I would welcome them into my life in an instant if they could just see that I can't be the daughter they want me to be."

"Exactly what do they want?" Even as he asked, Severus knew the answer to that question. He had seen it many times with the families of other muggle-born magical people.

"I think you already know that, Sev," she replied. "I'm never not going to be a witch," she whispered, "and that's what they want." She shrugged, "Just isn't possible." Hermione paused while the waiter placed their meals in front of them. "Let's just eat and go home." She loaded her fork with food as her eyes took on an impish gleam. "Are you busy tonight?"

"No, not especially, do you want me to quiz you again?" Hermione nodded while she chewed. "What's tonight's subject?"

"Potions," she returned with a cheeky grin.

"Same rules as last time?"

"Most definitely," her grin broadened.

"Well, then, I see you losing all your clothing within seven question, then I can have my wicked way with you."

"I wouldn't be so certain, professor darling, I might just fudge it," her shoeless toe ran up the inside of his thigh, "because I love your wicked way."

Severus slid slightly forward in his chair and allowed her continue to stimulate him, as he thought about how very far she had come. She wasn't even blushing after their innuendo filled discussion or the intimate territory her toes were now stroking.

When they returned to Hogwarts, there was an owl waiting for them. The attached message from Augusta, asked them to come again tomorrow to lunch. Severus answered it and they retreated to his sitting room. It had started raining outside and the room was warm and cosy. Settling back into the lounge with a smirk on his lips, Severus asked his first question.

On the seventh question Hermione—as predicted—was sitting on the lounge in just her knickers, but she was playfully protesting the questions. "You tell me where we learnt the melting point of an iron chondrite in NEWT level Potions?"

He chuckled, "Did you say NEWT level Potions," he bent forward and captured her lips in a languid kiss then worked his way around to her ear and whispered, "or just Potions, my delectable little kitten?"

"Ohhhh," her exclamation turned into a groan when his hand slithered up her thigh and stroked her through the silk of her knickers. "That's unfair, Sev," she protested halfheartedly.

"Indeed," his voice rumbled against her neck. "You know your NEWT Potions questions, and every brew you could be asked to make. Stop worrying, you'll do brilliantly. Do you know the answer to my question?" he asked hooking a finger under the elastic of her knickers.

"I have no idea," she breathed, grinning. Hermione giggled as she felt his finger removing the offending silk covering. She watched him as he sat back and happily gazed at her naked form. Hermione ran her hands over her body. "Touch me," she moaned, arranging herself against the arm of the lounge for his perusal, as she arched into the touch of her hands."I find I've had enough of questions."

Severus' eyes raked over her hungrily, and his mouth twitched. "I believe you do know," he asserted, leaning back in to nibble her neck. "However, who am I to disagree with my beautiful, naked witch," he whispered huskily against her skin.

Hermione giggled breathily again, her chest rising and falling rapidly as his talented tongue licked, curling around each hardened nubs of dusky flesh in turn.

Her moans and sighs of encouragement were making leaning forward to reach her, most uncomfortable, so Severus slipped onto his knees on the floor beside her, his tongue delving deeply into her delights, as she howled and squirmed in pleasure.

Finally, she got her breath back enough to pant between sighs and yells. "I love your tongue on me."

"Well, allow me to show you what the rest of me is capable of," he smoothed, and she heard the clink of his belt buckle hitting the floor and laughed joyously as he climbed on top of her to show her. For quite some time that afternoon the only sounds heard were the rain beating down on the windows, the crackle of the fire and the sounds of pleasure being produced by the couple on the lounge.

oOo

Notes:- There will be one more chapter after this to finish off our story. What will happen at lunch tomorrow? Hermione's exams are upon them, also bringing the end of the holidays. We then finish with a grand—and long awaited—celebration Malfoy style that could just be a special event for our favourite couple. See you soon.