Chapter 7: The Minister and the Potion Master's Secret

'Arrrghh, that man!'

Hermione clenched her fist in a tight ball and stumped her way out of Severus' office before slamming the door shut behind her as forceful as she could, receiving glances from the people who passed her, wondering what happened between the two. The young witch thought that Snape had finally found a way to show courtesy or even a slightest kindness towards her after he had shown that he was capable of doing such yesterday.

She thought that they were starting to feel something for each other after what happened in the lift-or so she thought-perhaps it was only she who was starting to feel something.

'He called me by my name for Heaven's sake! The lift, his touch, what was that to him then?' The very thing that was bugging her was Snape's change of attitude towards her in which she has no idea what she had done to anger him as if his life depends on it.

"Stupid git!" she cried once she entered her office caring not if the git himself heard her though she hoped he did. Pacing back and forth as if she was about to cause a fire on the carpet, she wondered what might have triggered his sulkiness towards her this time though she knew she did nothing wrong. 'Maybe it's the weather, or maybe it's just his thing. Yeah, that's it. It's him, not me.' she told herself. She thought she should be getting used to his mood swings since she had been his student for sixteen years but again she was wrong and realized that there was really no way of reading that man.

"No wonder he's such a good spy." she muttered.

Dwelling back to the event that happened a moment ago, Hermione felt sorry remembering when she saw in his eyes, the way he looked at her, it was not all anger. She thought there was pain in it, the way he looked at her, yelled at her as if she had hurt him in so many levels. A sudden pang in her stomach began to throb and she had no idea why she was feeling that way. 'Wait, no idea? I thought you're starting to have feelings for that man?' asked the voice inside her.

'I don't know. Maybe I don't, but-why do I feel sorry for him? Damn it Severus! What have you done to me!' She realized that she was not only bothered by Severus' regards towards her but also she was beginning to get confused with her feelings towards the Potions Master. She slumped into her chair, placed her arms on top of the desk and laid her head on top of her arms, feeling defeated and exhausted from thinking too much, thinking too much of-him.

A knock from the door relieved her from her misery and she lifted her head to see her secretary peeking through the door asking if it was okay for her to enter. Hermione nodded and what she saw ignited her fury that was almost vanished before the secretary entered. Her secretary holding a stack of parchments in which no doubt contains newly invented 'miracle' potions that she was surely, thanks to certain Potions Master, was assigned for her to test their potencies.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Snape requested you..."

"Requested?" Hermione interrupted, arching her eyebrow in the process. Knowing Snape, the word 'request' was not in his vocabulary.

"Err-ordered...you to test these Potions." Gingerly, her secretary placed the parchments on her desk and slowly stepped back as she waited for her boss' response. After what she had witnessed a while ago, she knew her boss and Mr. Snape was in a heated warfare in which only the two of them knew what it was all about. ' A lover's quarrel ' the secretary had told her colleague who also witnessed Hermione's dramatic exit from Snape's office.

"But he had given me my assignments just the other day? I haven't even passed a report." Hermione said in a tone that was no doubt cries irritation in her part. It was clear to her that Severus was making her work life more miserable than it already was, and to think that she had agreed to work in his lab, in his house, with him. She was beginning to think that she may have made a mistake on that one.

"That's what I told him Miss Granger."

"And what did he say?"

"He ignored me and just went back to his office." the secretary said with a shrug. Burning anger was starting to build up inside her, she was then determined to face him and end whatever it is they were having. She began to create images inside her mind; Her tearing his body apart, shooting hexes at him, laughing her lungs out as she watch him cry in agony, hearing him beg for her. 'Severus begging, hmmm...now that's kinky-Oh Hermione, there you go again!' scolded by the voice inside her.

As Griffindor character flowed within the entirety of her system, Hermione stood and began to stride out of her office, her mind unclear of what to say to the man yet still determined to face him while her secretary followed her with slight trepidation.

Hermione immediately arrived in front of his office without any hindrance from his staff, as a matter of fact, he doesn't have any, not even a secretary which did not surprised Hermione for as long as she knew Snape, the man trusts no one probably not even his shadow with the exception of Dumbledore of course. The man surely has some issues that must be addressed and Hermione thought that someday it will be resolved, though she doubt if that day will ever happen if the man himself does not cooperate or even admit that he has a problem.

Surprised at what she saw when she swung the door open and entered his office without knocking, she absentmindedly shut the door behind her not noticing her secretary still outside and probably hit the door when she slammed it shut. Hermione saw Severus with his eyes closed, jaw dropping , his left hand on the table while the other, was doing something under the desk and by the look on his face, he was pleasuring himself.

'Was he-Did he just?' She tried to look away but remained still, frozen in her position as she swallowed her saliva and felt that her lips began to dry.

Upon hearing the door shut Severus jerked and opened his eyes and met the shocked stare of Hermione, her face was blushing and she was sweating. Severus was as shocked as her as he began to sweat profusely, his face and lips became paler, his eyes widened in horror and his heart beat paced faster than before Hermione caught him.

'Oh Shit!' he thought.

He felt embarrassed for being caught, embarrassed that she of all people caught him, too damn well embarrassed that the woman that had been occupying his mind caught him while doing the deed. He wanted to disappear and vanish into the oblivion; or perhaps who could find a way to melt him from top to bottom until his whole being will be vaporized and be soon long forgotten from this dark cruel world. He knew these are not possible and that's why we must think of away to turn the situation around.

"Miss Granger!" he shouted at the top of his lungs waking Hermione from her wandering mind. Hermione remained still and silent, feeling the fury rising inside the man in front of her as his face turned from pale to red, much redder than she had ever seen him before. Though he never did have a color that accentuates his feature.

"Does knocking at the door before entering not appeal to you greatly? Or perhaps you thought too highly of yourself that you find the courtesy of knocking at the door is too low for you?" he was mad, clearly mad for the embarrassment that he had undergone.

Anger and contempt are his best weapons in hiding his true emotions and thanks to those two he was still alive and kicking. He does not know when will this facade of his end but he guessed that they will always be a part of him, though at that moment he wasn't pretending, he was angry, embarrassed, offended and hurt by the young witch before him.

Of all the people who could have done this to him, Hermione Granger was never on his mind, which he hated himself for feeling such. Sure, Lily Evans was much worthy of hurting him, for she was everything to him, the only existence that kept him alive and breathing, and the very thing that kept him from crossing the thin line to insanity. Yes, she had hurt him, and he had forgiven her but still the pain of what he had done to her, to her family still stings like it was only yesterday.

Hermione had no idea how to approach the situation. She admitted that she was wrong and he had every right to be angry with her but she also has the right to be mad at him, right? Masturbating, in his office and need not bother to lock the door, wherein she was just few feet away from him. 'Horny bastard!' she thought.

Though for a few seconds when she saw his expression while jerking himself like a mad man entering an eternal bliss, she felt hotness radiating inside her as if the sight of him pleasuring himself triggered something within her that had been sleeping in a long period of time.

"I'm sorry." she said softly trying not to meet his gaze, those were the only words that she was capable of saying after what she had just witnessed. Try as she might, the image of him upon her entrance to his office cannot be vanished from her mind and she was afraid that it will stay with her for the rest of her life.

Her determination to confront him seemed to escape into her intelligent mind, for now she had no idea why she was in there and even regretted for not knocking. She knew she was angry at him but forgot the reason because at that moment all she felt was shame for barging in unannounced and a little bit...horny?

"What do you want?" he asked maintaining a rigid posture, trying not to move in hopes that the young witch did not notice what he was doing though he doubt it. Straightening herself up, she moved a few steps closer to his desk and stopped when she saw Severus moved closer to the barrier that hides half of his body, feeling uneased by her attempt to motion towards him. She cleared her throat and looked away but failed to suppress the blush in her face.

"Well, I just received new assigned Potions to test."

"I know that Miss Granger since I was the one who assigned it to you."

"Have you forgotten MISTER SNAPE, that you have already given me assignments just the other day?"

"Yes, actually I do Miss Granger."

"Then why the hell did you assign it to me then?" Hermione's voice raised as her knuckles began to turn pale as she tightens her wrist into a ball and her face was as red as an apple. Severus thought he can see smoke coming out of her ears and nostrils. This image of Hermione he found to be quite alluring as he tried to hide his amusement towards the witch.

"Because everyone is so busy with their work." he said calmly looked down at his parchment and fixing it with his hand while his other remained under the desk holding his hard, swelling member. She knew that he did not care what she might think and feel, disregarding her like a some stupid child which aggravated her emotion even more.

"And I'm not? Mr. Snape..." Severus widened his eyes in sheer terror when he noticed Hermione advancing towards him. He raised his hand signaling Hermione to a halt.

"Stay where you are Granger!" his voice was beginning to show fear. Hermione smirked at his reaction and remained still although inside her was an urging feeling to mess with the wizard and make a fool of himself. The goodness inside her, on the other hand, prevailed and decided not to go about with her scheme...for now.

"Snape, I'm not even finished with my work how can you expect me to pass my reports on time when you keep on giving me additional assignments."

"My, my, Miss Granger I always thought that you were up to any challenge presented before you. Are you admitting that you are incapable of doing your responsibility as a committee member?" he said mocking her capabilities though he himself painfully admit that he admired her when it comes to her work ethics, he found that she was one in a million when it comes to her brilliance in potion making. Even during her Hogwarts days when she flawlessly recalled certain ingredients that Snape had asked the class was he sure she will succeed in any career she will choose; even though he showed his admiration through ignoring her efforts and regarding her as an insufferable Know-It-All.

Hermione lowered her head and felt slightly ashamed of herself for complaining before even contemplating on trying because that has never been her attitude. She would usually ignore the possible obstacles she might encounter and disregards the limitations and delimitations before her because likes new challenges and never a fan of predictabilities and consistencies with her work. She prefers to juggle theories after theories, inventing new approach with grace and flexibility and she was damn proud of it.

But now, she admittedly agreed with Snape.

"I'm just-stating a fact. I, I don't want to disappoint you...that's all." she said softly daring not to gaze upon Severus' eyes. Unconsciously, Snape's approval of her had always been one of the very things she wanted to achieve yet failed to accomplish for she has high regards to the man, most especially now that he was not just her former professor and colleague for her, she considered him as the man she adored, the man she wanted to know more, the man she wanted to have a keen interest in her, the man that is more to her than she ever realized.

Severus shifted uncomfortably as he began to digest every word the witch uttered. He was surprised that his opinion of her mattered although he knew even before that she wanted to impress him which vexed him greatly but the fact that he mattered to her made his heart leapt at the same time melted as he watched the woman look down, feeling ashamed. Between the both of them, it should be him who should feel ashamed. Ashamed for treating her badly, ashamed of belittling her and ashamed for cowardly hiding his true feelings for her.

"I doubt that." Severus said with softly and full of sincerity behind his tone. Hermione looked up at him with a confused face and noticed a twitch at the side of his lips.

"Miss Granger, I assigned them to you because I know for a fact that you are capable of finishing it before the deadline most especially now that you have the freedom to access my laboratory. Need I remind you that my laboratory has all the equipments you need and you can test no more than five potions at a time. And besides, knowing that I'll be working with you, surely an extra hand from yours truly will be enough for you to finish your work in time."

"You will help me?"

"If you ask me and I see fit to be of service, why not?" Still silent, Hermione wondered if she would give him the benefit of the doubt. Severus helping her never entered her mind though for what He had done for the Order surely she should have considered him to give a helping hand. Severus waited for Hermione to speak, but when he did not hear any, he snorted and muttered. "Gryffindor foolishness. You think you can do everything without any help, eh?"

"What! I will never refuse a hand especially when I need one!" she protested

"Well?"

"Well, What?"

"What are you waiting for? Go back to work!" he shooed her and Hermione turned on her heels as she began to walk towards the door then suddenly she stopped and looked over her shoulder.

"Before I forget, if you can't fight the urge, then do please have the courtesy of locking your door or even better, raising your wards when you're doing your...your...'.' You're still in the office you know." she said as she opened the door wide with a triumphant smirk in her face but before she was able to exit the office Snape began to call for her.

"Miss Granger!" he shouted and cleared his throat after he received a sharp glare from the witch. "Please lock the door." he said softly turning away from her gaze. Locking the door up, Hermione widened her eyes and dropped her jaw but did not utter a word as she left the premise.

Snape leaned back on his chair and sighed deeply wiping the sweat that was all over his face. 'That went well.' he thought. Realizing the placement of his hand on his manhood, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back. 'Now where was I? Oh yes.'

So he began to slowly stroke his hand up and down against his swelling member as he continued his imagination with Hermione naked, spreading her legs before him and touching herself with great pleasure, screaming his name then her mouth licking his head, playing it with her soft and smooth hand, pleading him to touch her, ravishing her skin-to-skin, imagining her asking for him to enter his hard swollen cock inside her tight entrance. His slow hand-movement began to pace faster and he started to scream her name.

"Oh..Yes..Arrgh...Hermione!" he shuddered as he finally came with delight.

As expected, Draco was waiting outside the Ministry with the same glowing smile that he had every time they meet looking like a young child who was waiting for a long time until Christmas finally arrived and he can finally open his presents. Hermione forgot to mention that she was going straight to the Burrow for the party and surely, Draco was not invited. Biting her lower lip, she walked towards the young wizard while thinking on how to tell Draco that she wouldn't be needing his...what do you call it...service?

"All set?" Draco said offering his arm for her to clutch her hand. Hermione liked this new Draco, the gentleman that he was no doubt any girl will definitely fall for him.

"Well, I...Draco...I have something to tell you." Draco's face turned with an expression of concern as he moved closer to Hermione and put his hands on her shoulder which made Hermione felt guiltier for Draco not being invited. Though she tried to consider bringing him with her to the party to serve as her chaperone but she doubt that the Weasleys will be thrilled to see him especially Ron and Harry.

"What's the problem, 'Mione?"

"Draco...its Arthur Weasley's birthday today and I'm invited to his birthday party at the Burrow, so I figured..."

"You figured it would best for me not to come along with you." Draco interrupted. He was hurt but he did not why. He knew he wasn't invited , and he had no reason to go at the Burrow yet inside him felt he was being left out. Perhaps for the first time, he felt lonely, he wanted to have what Harry Potter have: friends and family. He pretended not to care and give Hermione a reassuring smile and hoping she won't feel guilty of him not being invited. For the last couple of days she had been his only friend and companion and he doesn't want to make her feel uncomfortable around him.

"Don't worry, I understand. But I will still go with you just to be sure that you arrive inside the Burrow safely." Hermione was touched for thinking of her safety despite what she intended him to do.

"Oh Draco, don't bother, I don't think it would be a good idea if they see you."

"We'll just apparate outside the house, and I'll be staying there until I see you enter Weasley's house."

"But Draco it wouldn't be fair to you..."

"I insist."

"Giving Miss Granger a hard time, I see." said the familiar voice which startled Hermione and Draco. Hermione spun around and saw Severus Snape standing behind her with a smug on his face and immediately the image of him pleasuring himself enveloped her mind. She shrugs it off and tried to put her mind on the scene in front of her. Severus turned to her and immediately she turned her back on him as to prevent herself from gazing into his hypnotic dark eyes.

"Snape, nice to see you again." Draco said with a smirk. Snape ignored the young man and walked in front of Hermione and turned to her with his back facing Draco. 'Being territorial are you, Severus?' Draco thought with a wider smirk.

"Miss Granger, Are you ready?" Hermione looked up at the man in front of her with a confusion written all over her face. She noticed how closer their bodies with each other and she can smell Snape's scent which she had gotten used to and liked. She didn't like him blocking Draco out of her sight and wondered why he had been doing that for several times acting like a knot that disconnects the straight line of thread between her and her friend, Draco. 'But why would he do that?' she asked herself.

When he did not receive any response from the young witch, Severus grabbed her hand and locks it with his and Hermione looked at their intertwined hands as she felt a rush of blood flowing into her face. She looked back at him with a furrow eyebrows and more perplexed reaction. She looked at his eyes intensely to see where he was getting at and saw an unreadable expression which pissed her off a little bit.

"It's Arthur Weasley's birthday, remember? We are...invited." He glanced at Draco after saying the last word trying to rub it on his face which quite worked but being Severus' favored student, he also learned the art of hiding his true emotions when he was still under the Potions Master's wing. Hermione, on the other hand, did not bother to suppress her irritation at Severus' gesture. She brushed away her hand from Severus as she moved away from him and went beside Draco.

"Let's go Draco." Severus saw the soft hands of Hermione that he just held awhile ago was not resting on the young Malfoy's smooth hands. This angered him, but he had no idea who should he be angry with, Hermione? Draco? Or to himself? He did not already like the way Hermione removed herself from his grip adding the gesture that Hermione made was definitely a sucker punch to him. Draco, on the other hand, was surprised at Hermione but feeling lightly triumphant for being chosen by the young witch to accompany her instead of the man in front of him.

"I thought you don't want me to come."

"Well I changed my mind."

"Oh..."

"Don't bother, I'll come with her." Severus interrupted advancing towards Hermione.

"But..." Before Hermione could further protest, Severus pulled her closer to him with her head landing on his chest feeling his arms around her holding her very tight as if she was his, and then she suddenly felt like her body was stretching as she was being apparated. That was the second time she experience the Side-Along apparation with her colleague; usually she would hate the feeling of side-along apparition for not having a control but with him she felt comfortable having his body pressed against her smelling her favorite scent. 'Hmm..Sandalwood.'

Hermione knew that they have already arrived at the Burrow hearing the loud chatters and the lively music playing from the house yet she remained still, closing her eyes and savoring the closeness of her body with the man she hated yet adored. Unfortunately, her little heavenly feeling was cut short when she felt Severus pushed her aside surprising her and almost lost her balance.

Severus walked in his usual stride forgetting his companion after he pushed her aside until he realized what he had done and came into a halt. He turned and saw Hermione standing at the same spot where they arrived, red faced, teary-eyed with her wand on her grip ready to hex. "Oh great." he muttered under his breath. He knew she was furious at him and he did not mean to hurt her or infuriate her it was just that he, himself, was angry at her and Draco.

"Miss Granger, if you're going to do what I think you're about to, bear in mind the consequence that comes with it." He wanted to apologize to her for hurting her but he was hurt also and thought it would be fair for the both of them to feel that way. He knew she wouldn't dare to hex him or so he thought; as he was about to turn his back on her a yellow light almost hit the side of his head and was shocked to see Hermione with her wand pointed at him. He was about to protest when Hermione cut him.

"Manhandle me again and I'll make sure I won't miss." Hermione walked past the baffled Severus and wiped the tears of her face as she braced herself with a smile and entered the Weasleys domain.

Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose closing his eyes so tight. 'This will surely be a long night.' he thought.

As if being hexed by Hermione wasn't bad enough, Severus endured the sharp look and disdains expressions as he entered Arthur's house and met with every member of the Order from Madeye's suspicious stares from Mudungus' snorts which Severus returned with a glare.

Mrs. Weasley welcomed him with a smile though not as warm as before after what he did (accidentally) with George, though she knew Severus was making up for what he had done to her son and as for George, well, nothing has change as he muttered 'greasy git' every time he passed by. He was quite relieved though showed no concern as some (very few actually) expressed their glee for appearing at the Minister's birthday. Remus Lupin gave him a formal hand shake and a sincerest smile with his wife Tonks and their son Teddy.

Arthur Weasley was probably the most pleased person to see him as he was greeted with a cheerful handshake and a strong pat on his back.

"Ah, Severus! So glad that you could come. Hermione just arrived before you. Please help yourself, Molly made all of these."

"Thank you Arthur. Have you seen Miss Granger?"

"Oh, I think I saw her with Ron." Arthur's face shifted suddenly into a frown and stared at Severus. He looked around to make sure no one was busy with their own business and dare not to listen to their conversation. After making sure that no one is listening, the Minister leaned closer to Severus and whispered.

"I have something to discuss with you Severus." the Potions Master knew what the Minister was implying and gave a nod in reply. Mr. Weasley left him in the kitchen to entertain other guests and helped himself with the seemingly palatable delicacies that Molly had prepared.

The dining table was filled with few Ministry officers some he recognized as his colleagues, some Order members who were busy conversing and tried to ignore him, at the far side of the table was Tonks feeding her 3 year old son with Remus delightfully admiring his wife, in which Severus gave a snort.

Madeye was conversing with Charlie but his other eye was staring at him intently, Bill and Fleur was busy feeding each other while the other Weasleys were scattered in the house along with the other guests.

Severus' concentrated with his dining and admitted that Molly's cooking was the best he had tasted so far, well, not as delicious at Hogwarts but still, though he'd rather keep it to himself. He suddenly heard a familiar voice calling him and he turned to see Shacklebolt and Minerva with a glow of smile drawn on their faces.

"Severus." Minerva said, a little bit cold towards the younger man. Though she knew what had happened between him and Albus she couldn't still bare the fact that it was him who cast the Killing Curse at her long time friend. She had regarded him with respect though quite annoyed sometimes but still she considered him as her child. She knew that hating the man would be unreasonable as stated by Albu's portrait at Hogwarts, but she also knew that all wounds will eventually heal in time. It may not be soon, but someday it will.

"Severus we finally meet again." Shacklebolt said placing a hand on Severus' shoulder. Severus did not move from his sit and gave them a nod then placed his plate on the table hoping that they would leave him be though he knew it will not happen for he was sensing that they want something from and waited for them to speak.

The Headmistress elbowed the Head of the Aurors asking him to do the first move, and Shacklebolt cleared his throat. Shacklebolt has always been few of the very people Severus admired and respected. He finds the Auror to be intelligent, disciplined, well-mannered and skillful; an all in one package that only few possessed. He was always all ears every time the man opens his mouth to speak for he never heard him utter words that never made sense.

Albus, Minerva, Ollivander, Arthur, Narcissa and surprisingly, Alastor are also few of the people he esteemed, though Lucius was once included in his list. But because of the choices that Malfoy made, Severus' respect towards his friend vanished and he hoped that he can help Draco not to make the same mistake as his father. The young Malfoy will surely go far, as long as he knew the right path and Severus made sure that he did. Everyone knew how he like Draco, and admittingly he already considered him as his family though at times, especially around Hermione, that the young lad may get into Severus' nerves.

"Severus, may we have a word with you?" the Auror asked. Some of the guests heard and glanced at him, including Alastor who remained in his corner. Severus stood from his sit and extended his arms.

"After you." he said. Minerva took the lead and walked out of the kitchen followed by Shacklebolt then Severus who was still scanning the entire area looking for Hermione. Something suddenly caught his eyes and stopped walking, standing at the doorframe of one of the rooms as he watched Hermione gave Ron a soft, gentle kiss on his forehead. He narrowed his eyes and his lip thinned while his fist was on a tight ball.

Hermione sat beside Ron with her arms wrapped around the young wizard's neck while Ron was seated on a wheelchair that Hermione had brought with her that she previously shrunk and placed in her pocket. Severus did not like what Hermione did and wished that he did not witness it as his jealousy enveloped him. He can feel the warmth of his face as he was filled with surge of fury and jealousy that he wanted to rush inside and grab Hermione.

The former couple noticed the dark haired man standing at the door and unconsciously Hermione removed herself from Ron feeling guilty of something she had no idea. Ron glared at Severus with his hand grabbing his wand from his pockets and was about to raise it when Hermione held his hand and pushed it down. Ron gave her an angry yet confused face and saw her shook her head as she whispered.

"He's not worth it."

"But 'Mione..." Hermione interrupted and placed her finger on his lips. 'Okay that's it!' Severus said to himself as he began to reach for his wand when Minerva called for him and suddenly he was back into his senses.

'What are you doing? Fighting against an ill young wizard, how low can you get Severus?' asked the voice inside him. Severus sighed and as he turned he glanced at Hermione and saw him looking at her with intensity as if she was piercing his heart with her sharp eyes.

"Albus told me about your plan." Minerva said after they had entered an empty and casted a Silencing Charm.

"I see." Severus said with an unreadable expression.

"Should we call for the Order meeting?" Shacklebolt inquired Minerva.

"Maybe it's time that we should. After what had happened to Scrimgeour, Riverpool, five Aurors and two other Ministry officials, I think it's high time we should alert the people." Minerva said with disgust.

"Minerva, I think it is not wise to that. Alerting them would only cause further panic. Unless we do not know Lucius' exact motive, I suggest we keep it within the Order. Albus actually thought that it would be for the best and so did Arthur. " Snape said folding his arms over his chest ignoring the snort given by Minerva.

"But what bothers me is that Lucius was able to attack them without being noticed. I know he is good at Dark Arts but I doubt he is THAT good. Four people from the Ministry and five Aurors and still he was able to get away. Any leads to his whereabouts?"

Shacklebolt gave a sigh.

"Potter reported that he was last seen near Malfoy's Manor...again. And when we raid the place, he was not in there...again. I'm afraid that one more mistake and surely our arses will definitely be on the line."

"And I have a feeling that Lucius is planning to victimize another from the Ministry. By the looks of it, he is trying to convey a message." Shacklebolt continued.

"And that is?" Minerva looked at the Auror.

"That he has the Ministry under his nose." Severus replied before Shacklebolt could answer and just nodded in agreement while Minerva gasped, her hand on her chest .

"So I guess we should provide the Minister a much tighter security, surely, his life is in danger." she said with a hint of concern on her tone.

" I tried to convinced Arthur that he needed to add another Auror unfortunately he refused saying he is satisfied with his two Aurors."

"I thought Harry was assigned to him?" Severus listened as the Minerva and Shacklebolt conversed grasping the new information that surely only the two of them, excluding Arthur, knew.

"He was but he wanted to continue his mission to locate Lucius." 'Foolish Gryffindor.' Snape thought.

"Where's Potter anyway?" Severus broke his silent and asked.

"I think she's with Hermione." Minerva answered and was puzzled when Severus snorted. "Unfortunately, he's not with her." Severus said with a thinned lip and image of what had happened between Ron and Hermione emerged in his head.

" I'll tell the other members that we'll have a meeting right after the party. Severus, I expect you will be staying here for the meeting." Minerva turned to Severus. The Potions Master scowled and shrugged.

"That depends." he said and left the room.

While he was walking in the hallway he saw Harry talking with Ron but Hermione was not with them. 'She's probably with the youngest Weasley.' he thought.

"Potter, may I have a word with you?" Severus called. To Severus' surprise, Ron quickly turned at him and immediately he wheeled himself towards the Potions Master, for someone who was expected to have a weak muscle he showed no weakness when he used his upper limbs to stir the wheels beside the chair. Harry was also surprised at his friend but dare not to utter a word.

The young Potter knew that his friend was having a hard time, feeling useless at most that is why he just let his friend do anything he wants as long as he is capable of doing it.

"You! How dare you do that to her, you greasy git!" He shouted at Severus pointing his finger at him.

"I don't know what you're talking about and neither should I care." Severus responded maintaining his stance not backing away from Ron.

"Ron, what is wrong with you?" Harry asked with concern.

"Stop lying! I don't like you manhandling Hermione!"

"I did no such thing." 'Yes you did.' said the voice inside Snape. Ron was ready to throw a jab at Severus with his fist in a tight ball, his face was all read and he was breathing heavily. He glared at the man in front of him but the man seemed not to be intimidated. Severus ignored Ron and glanced at Harry who was confused at what was happening.

"Potter, a word?" Snape was about to turn his back when Ron plunged at him and was about to punch him unfortunately for him, Snape's reflexes did not failed him and Ron landed n the floor with his arms hitting the floor first followed by the rest of his body. A loud crash was heard with his feet tripped the wheelchair and the side of it crashed onto the floor.

"Ron!" Harry yelled running to the aide of his friend while Severus was standing looking down at Ron with surprise. He tried to grab the wheelchair to let it stand while Harry tried to offer Ron a hand but his friend whisked him away. Footsteps from the stairs were her descending and every guest went out to take a peek at what happened.

"Geruff' me Harry!" Ron said. Harry backed away as Arthur tried to ask the guests who went out from the kitchen to go back and assured them that everything was alright. Remus wanted to know what happened and he instructed the Weasley twins and his wife to entertain the other guests.

"Ronald! What happened?" Molly said rushing to her son. Minerva and Kingsley looked at Severus as if inquiring what had happened. Severus noticed Hermione with Ginny standing at the end of the staircase looking at Ron with a worried look then glared at him. 'What did you do this time, Severus?' Hermione thought.

"Stay away from her!" Ron yelled as he tried to lift himself up but failed. Molly used her wand to levitate him and put him to his wheelchair ignoring Ron's protest to not help him.

"Ron! Don't talk to him like that!" Arthur walked towards his son while Molly asked the confused Harry what happened.

"I..I...I don't know why, he just attacked Snape." Hermione and Ginny gasped both covering their mouths with their hands while Molly shook her head in disbelief.

"Yeah, well he deserved it!" Ron spat. Although he desired to hex the young Weasley, he decided not for he respected Arthur so much. He just stood with an unreadable expression and sensed that Hermione was still looking at him but with less anger.

"Ronald! Don't say that!" Arthur shouted, it was one of the very few moments Harry and Hermione saw Arthur get furious.

"Why not? Just because he volunteered to find a way to make a potion that can cure this bloody illness of mine, that doesn't make him any less of a git! Who knows if he was really sincere with what he said or maybe he just wanted to have a position in the Ministry..."

"Ron! Stop that!" Molly cried shaking her son back into his senses while the others were starting to digest every word the young lad said. Ron ignored his mother's plea and continued with his rant.

"...has he ever once mentioned to you the progress of this...this stupid project of his? Dad, has he ever mentioned to you that he was close to find a breath through to counter this curse!" Ron looked at his father as tears began to fill his eyes and began to tremble in anger and in shame. Arthur remained silent daring not to look at his son ashamed for promising Ron that he'll find a cure with the help of Severus which was so far nowhere near to success.

"Of course he didn't, because there's no bloody way to cure me! He was taking advantage of you, of my condition. He never cared about me before, why would he care now. Look at him, he's miserable, that is why he enjoyed sucking the misery out of everyone..."

"That's enough!" Arthur yelled at the top of his lungs and finally Ron stopped yelling although his face was still red and was breathing heavily. Hermione was sad for what Ron has been going through at the same time felt angry towards her ex lover for all the awful things he said about Severus.

She glanced at Severus who was staring at the floor red faced probably of anger, slightly trembling and staring at an empty space. As if her feet have a life of their own, she began to walk towards him and placed a hand on his forearm. "Severus." she said quietly with a note of concern from her tone. She was hurt seeing him like that for she knew he was affected by Ron's words and yet managed to suppress his emotions. At that she moment it was Severus whom she wanted to comfort more, wrap her arms around him and assure him that she believed that he was genuine with his word.

Hermione was caught off guard when Severus grabbed her hand and pulled her with him as he walked towards the door. They were about to exit the Burrow when Hermione heard Minerva called for her. Minerva was about to chase after them when Shacklebolt stopped her and shook his head while Harry was pulled by Ginny telling him to leave them be in which Harry hesitantly obliged.

When they reached outside the Burrow, Severus stopped and turned to Hermione meeting her eye with his and then they both apparated. Next thing Hermione saw was an unfamiliar place with a sense of coldness enveloping the entire room. She saw a study table filled with parchments and quills, beside them was a bookshelf stacked with books. Adjacent to them was a long sofa and a long armchair beside it while a fireplace was found not so far from the study table.

"Miss Granger." Snape finally said after a long period of silence. Hermione looked at him and did not receive a glance from the man speaking yet remained their bodies closer to each other. "I remember that you agreed that you will have the liberty to use my lab in exchange for..." Hermione knew where he was going so she interrupted.

"In exchange for me to help you make a Potion that can cure Ron's curse, is that it?" Snape nodded, still no eye contact. She moved closer to him and was about to cup his face with her left hand when he stepped away looking down on the floor as if she has some contagious disease. This gesture hurt Hermione's feelings. 'Why do you keep pushing me away?' she asked silently.

"I'm afraid that the time to repay my generosity is now. Come Miss Granger, I'll take you to the lab so that I can show you my recent developments." Severus strode until he was out of Hermione's vision. Hermione made a last scan inside the room before she walked faster to keep up with him.

As she was about to leave the room, she saw an empty portrait with a golden backdrop and she thought that it was odd of Severus to even hang the empty portrait to his study. She knew it was not the right to be curious over an empty portrait so she shrugged it off and walked faster as she saw Snape entered a room.