A/N:

Sorry this took so long! I had my 21st birthday and my home invaded by a family of seven since I last posted.

This one is a tad longer than usual hope that makes up for it!

Hope you all enjoy this chapter and remember there is a poll on my profile about this story so please check it out!

I would also like to say thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter I was totally surprised by the number of reviews I got!

And last but not least I'd like to say thanks to my new Beta IndigoChild1!

Chapter 18

The Party Part II

SPOV

The party had only just started when Severus arrived in the over heated and over stuffed office of Horace Slughorn. "Severus m'boy! I didn't know you were coming this evening. Couldn't stay away could ye'!"

"Yes I found myself in the celebrating mood." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Slughorn let out a booming laugh. "Oh Severus always making me laugh you are! How about some food or some mead? Hmm?"

"I'm quite alright really."

"If you say so m'boy. If you say so." He said patting him on the back. "Ahh Griselda! Do you know Severus?" He said pulling her out of the crowd.

"Only by name I'm afraid. Albus speaks very fondly of you Severus." She said extending a hand in greeting.

"Albus speaks highly of you as well, I was very disappointed to hear about your resignation last year. The Wizengamot hasn't been up to it's usual standards since." He wasn't sure why he was being so nice to this woman; it was probably because he was distracted with trying to spot Hermione in the crowd.

"Yes Griselda I too was very upset by the news. What are you up to these days hmm?" Slughorn said interestedly.

As Griselda started to talk to Horace about a new piece of legislation she was trying to get approved Severus started scanning the room for the familiar bushy head. But she was nowhere to be found. It still was quite early and they probably wouldn't arrive for a while. He inwardly groaned as he saw Kingsley Shacklebolt walk in with a few other aurors. Of course Kingsley was invited. He wasn't even really sure what it was about Kingsley that he didn't like; all he knew was that he didn't. There's another person to add to the list of people I'm avoiding tonight. He was sure that as soon as they started talking Kingsley would start badgering him for information as to where Dumbledore was going on all these secret trips. Even though Severus really didn't know, there was no way of making Kingsley believe him.

A few minutes later he excused himself from Griselda and Slughorn and moved over to back right corner of the room. It was the perfect place to observe without being seen on account of all the fabric strategically placed on the walls. After about fifteen minutes he saw her. She entered on the arm of that poor excuse for a human being, Mclaggen. She however looked stunning, even better than she had at the Yule ball. Severus scolded himself for even noting her appearance. That was not what him being here was about. He was there to make sure she stayed safe.

He watched as Slughorn came over to her and Cormac and gave her a warm greeting. He tried to control himself as he saw Kingsley whisper in her ear. And he inwardly fumed as he watched Kingsley lead her out onto the dance floor. Why was he advertising their friendship? Surely people would wonder how they knew each other. And it wasn't as if they could say "Oh we both work for the Order of the Phoenix." Kingsley was being careless and Severus didn't like it one bit. At one point Hermione threw her head back and laughed to the point of tears. This was his favorite laugh, the one where she lost control of her body and looked like the epitome of joy. He used to make her laugh like that, until he decided they could no longer be friends.

This train of thought was not good it was taking him down the path of weakness. If he kept thinking like this he would give in to what he really wanted. Luckily the song ended soon after that and she was again in the company of Cormac. After a few sips of punch she convinced him to go dance with her. He had to admit that she did seem to be having quite a nice time, and Mclaggen did seem to be harmless, maybe he was just all talk for his friends and wasn't actually planning anything.

After almost an hour Severus skirted around the room over towards the punch. By this point he had become quite thirsty and had decided to risk being seen by Hermione. If the past hour was any indication she wouldn't see him. He had however forgotten to watch out for Kingsley. He was then reminded when a large hand slapped him on the back causing the punch he had just poured to splash everywhere including his hand holding it.

"Severus it's good to see you. Slughorn told me you were around here somewhere." Came the booming voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Kingsley how nice to see you." He said obviously not meaning a word. "I saw you out there with Granger. Do you think that was wise to be so public about your friendship?" He said raising an eyebrow.

"Yes I know it was a bit of a risk but how could I pretend not to know her! She looks so beautiful tonight and I wanted to ask her to dance!" At the scathing look Severus gave him he just laughed and said, "Calm down Severus we came up with a story, I just told Horace that I was her body guard a few times. He believed it. Please don't worry so much! It's Christmas Severus, enjoy the holiday!"

"My holiday doesn't start until 12pm tomorrow when all the students will be gone from the castle."

"Well not all the students from what Miss Granger has told me. She said that she plans to stay at the castle this year."

"Really? I thought she would want to celebrate the holidays with her precious Potter?"

He knew that she had been planning to stay here this Christmas but he thought that in light of receiving his letter she might have changed her mind. This news that she had still decided to stay made him happy. Maybe she hadn't given up on their friendship yet and was simply biding her time.

"No she told me she was staying here. I thought that the two of you were working together? Wouldn't you know if she were staying or not?"

"Unlike you Kingsley I do not care about her personal life, she can do what she likes it makes no difference to me where she celebrates Christmas."

"Okay fine forget I even asked. So Severus there is something that I wanted to talk to you about." Kingsley said hesitantly.

"I don't know a thing about where he goes or what he does Kingsley so don't ask me." He ground out angrily. As he said this he looked out into the crowd to check that Hermione was still okay. But she wasn't anywhere to be seen. He suddenly started to panic. They had been there only moments ago. Where had they gone?

And without another word he left Kingsley at the punch bowl looking curiously after him. "You can't run away forever Severus! One day you will have to answer my questions!" Kingsley yelled after him. Severus quickly started scanning the room looking for her but couldn't see her anywhere. They had probably stepped out into the corridor to get some air. He quickly pushed his way through the crowd of people. Finally he was in the corridor but couldn't see her anywhere. Then suddenly he heard her. "Stop! Cormac Stop!" He looked to his right to see the door to one of the classrooms open. Without another thought he ran into the room to see Hermione sitting on a desk with Cormac in between her legs kissing her neck and groping her anywhere he could place his hands.

At seeing that he went into a fiery rage, nothing at that point could have stopped him. How dare this little insignificant person try to hurt her! He quickly stomped over to where they were, picking the boy up by his robes and slamming him into the nearest wall. He didn't care that this boy was his student he didn't care that he could get fired for this and he didn't care if this blew his cover with Voldemort. At that moment all he cared about was protecting Hermione and hurting the person that had hurt her. "What do you think you were doing Mr. Mclaggen? I believe I heard the lady say no. Do you know what the word NO means?" As he stared into the scared boys eyes he noticed the room getting lighter and then he heard a soft gasp behind him.

"Severus don't!" A moment later she was at his side. "Severus put him down. Please I don't want you to get in trouble." As she said this Cormac looked confusedly between the two of them.

Suddenly he felt her dainty hand on his arm, and just like that all the fight went out of him. He slowly started to slacken his grip and lowered Cormac to the ground. As soon as Cormac's feet hit the ground he began to flee. He hadn't taken more than two steps before Severus saw a spell hit him in the back and Cormac was on the ground. Severus whipped his head around to look at Hermione with question in his eyes. "I had to stun him he heard me call you Severus, he would have told people that you attacked him. I only stunned him so we could obliviate his memory. He's fine."

Severus just looked at her for a moment in wonderment. She had just been sexually assaulted and yet she seemed so calm and level headed.

"I couldn't care less about how this piece of filth is. How are you are you alright?"

"I'm fine. All thanks to you. How did you know where to find me? Or that I even needed your help? Were you at the party? I thought you said you weren't coming."

Of course she would ask all of the questions that he didn't want her to ask. He didn't want to lie to her, which meant he was going to have to tell her the truth. "There are a few reasons." He said quietly.

"And…? What are those reasons?"

"It's a very long explanation."

"Well I think I have some time to spare." She said crossing her arms and tapping her toe.

"Not here. Not now."

"Well then when Severus! When! This morning I got a letter from you saying that you wanted to cut off all contact with me! It broke my heart reading those words! I thought that you didn't care about me, or our friendship! And here you are the very same day rescuing me!" He made an indignant noise when he heard the last part. "Don't get me wrong Severus I am glad that you were there to save me. I am. I just don't know what to think anymore! Are we friends or do we go back to not speaking anymore?" He looked at her with a totally lost expression on his face. "I don't know myself." He said in almost a whisper.

"Well do you even want to be friends with me?" At the word friends Hermione's voice cracked. He looked up just in time to see her wipe away a tear. This wasn't right he didn't want to make her cry. He had done all of this to stop her from crying. "Answer me! Do you?"

Instead of answering her question he turned to Cormac and whispered the obliviate spell. When he turned back to Hermione tears were running down her face. "Meet me in my library at midnight. Your usual entrance will be open. I can't do this here and you and Cormac have to get back to the party before people notice your absence. Did you want me to report Mr. Mclaggen?"

"No." She said sniffling.

"Don't allow yourself to be alone with him again. I would also suggest cutting ties with the little wretch as soon as possible. But remember you have to act as though nothing happened otherwise it might look suspicious." He said looking down at the boy with disgust. He should remember up until you two went out into the hallway. I will stay with you until you both make it back to the party." He said as he lifted his wand to cast the rennervate spell.

"Wait!" Hermione said quickly. "Will you be staying at the party?"

"I intend to leave a few minutes after you. Do make sure to leave the same time as Potter or the Weasley girl."

"I promise." He nodded and then cast the spell.

"Rennervate."

Slowly Cormac started to come to. "Hermione? What happened?"

"Oh Cormac are you alright! I was so worried we came out here to get some fresh air and you fainted! I think it was due to too much dancing! Anyways I had Professor Snape come and check on you and he seems to think that you will be alright."

At hearing Professor Snape's name his head quickly snapped over to where Hermione had indicated. "Oh hello Sir."

Snape didn't respond, and instead continued giving him a withering look. "Miss Granger I suggest you get your date back to the party now I am sure everyone is starting to wonder where you both got to."

"Oh! You're probably right. Come on Cormac lets go back and enjoy the party!"

HPOV

It was exactly midnight when Hermione entered Severus' library she was surprised to see that he wasn't already there. She decided to sit in her usual chair by the fire; she smiled at seeing that he hadn't gotten rid of it. Even though her plan had gone horribly wrong it looked as if it might have actually worked anyways. As she sat there she went over everything that had happened only a few hours ago. She still couldn't believe how violently Severus had reacted to Cormac, to actually be angry enough to slam one of his student against a wall without thinking of the consequences gave her a little more confidence as she thought about their friendship. Her train of thought came to an abrupt halt when she saw the man of her thoughts sit down opposite her.

"Hello." He said in a deep rumbling voice. "I apologize for being late I had some things that needed my attention."

"Severus tell me what's going on." She said cutting to the point. "Why did you write me that letter when it's quite obvious that you want the opposite. And how did you know where to find me this evening?"

He sighed deeply as he began the first of many long explanations of the night.

"I had a few reasons for writing that letter. I will tell you all of them, but later, first let me explain about this evening and how I knew you would be in trouble. As I'm sure you know rumors were spreading around the castle of you crying in Minerva's class. I went to dinner expecting to see you looking like a total wreck. But when you came into the Great Hall you were….. happy. I suddenly became angry thinking that you didn't care about our friendship. And then, when I heard that you were going to the party with Cormac I had to physically control myself from walking over to you and yelling at you for being so daft." At this last sentence he got up out of his chair and leaned on the mantle staring into the fire. It was obvious he didn't want to look at her while admitting to any of this. "I had to leave the Great Hall I couldn't stand being around those gossiping children anymore. As I walked back to my quarters I bumped into Mr. Mclaggen." He spat the last word out. "I quickly disillusioned myself. He started talking about what he had planned for you tonight. I would have just punished him then and there, but there was no way to warn you. I had just given you that letter, I couldn't go back on all of the things I had said, even if I had warned you who's to say that you would believe me? No, I had to go to Slughorn's party and keep an eye on you and Mclaggen. As the night went on I thought that maybe the boy was completely harmless. I became distracted- only for a moment by Kingsley, but it was long enough for me to loose track of the two of you. As soon as I realized that you were gone I became worried, I started searching the room and couldn't find you. So I decided to go check out in the corridor, and while I was out there I heard you screaming. Thankfully I came just in time. You know the rest."

"Oh Severus." Hermione said in a loving tone. She quickly jumped out of her chair and flung herself at him enclosing him in an all-encompassing hug. "Thank you." She whispered into his chest. She looked up into his eyes and said, "You were worried about me?"

"Well of course I was! You're my only friend after all." He said pushing her away obviously uncomfortable with her display of affection. But Hermione couldn't care less about that, he had just told her that he had been worried about her. He admitted that he went out of his way to protect her! "Then why Severus? Why did you even write that letter?"

"I was preparing for the inevitable."

"What is that supposed to mean?" At her questioning look he gave her the most painful look she had ever seen him express. "Severus what's wrong?"

"EVERYTHING!" He yelled back at her. "My entire life is wrong! Can't you see that?"

Hermione started to cry, she had never seen him like this, after all the months of knowing him, he had never been so obviously in pain. Even after Karkaroff had been killed Severus hadn't been this upset.

"The inevitable Hermione is one of three things. The first being that I will finally do something so horrible that you will no longer want to be my friend or even know me. It was easier for me to cut ties with you now, on my terms rather than later on yours. The second was that being associated with me entails a certain amount of danger I was afraid for your safety, if anyone found out we were friends you would become even more of a target than you are now. And the third is in the case that I die, which frankly is the most likely out of the three."

"Oh Severus, sometimes you can be so…. So stupid! How could you think that just because we weren't friends anymore that I wouldn't be upset by your death? I would be devastated for Merlin's sake!"

"You would?" He said almost hopeful.

"Of course I would you fool! You are one of my closest friends! I love you dearly! Honestly how could you think that I wouldn't care? You are sooo important to me. And as for doing something that I don't approve of, well that's already happened and I'm still here."

"I'm not talking about making Potter cry I'm talking about much bigger things Hermione. Things that nobody could forgive."

"It sounds like you already know what those things are."

"Plans have been put into action Hermione and there is nothing I can do to stop it!"

"There has to be something-"

"Don't you think that I have taken the time to look at the options? Either I do the unforgivable things that I have vowed to do, or I don't and everything falls apart."

"Well then I think that it is quite obvious what you need to do." Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"And what would that be." He said in an annoyed tone.

"You have to follow through and do those unforgivable things."

"How can you choose when you do not know what you are choosing. You do not know of what you speak."

"Why did you agree to do it in the first place?"

"Dumbledore convinced me that it was the best option, that it was the only option." He said wearily.

"And have you spent time trying to think of a different plan only to find that there might not be a better option?"

"Yes."

"Then I think that you made the right choice. Trust your judgment Severus." Hermione said bringing her hand up to cup his cheek, she was surprised when he leaned into her touch instead of swatting it away. She tried hard to keep her heartbeat from speeding up, in fear that he would feel it.

"I think I will make some tea." Hermione said suddenly.

"Right now?" Severus asked disbelieving.

"Yes right now I think is the time for tea. While I'm in the kitchen you sit here and relax, I'll only be a moment."

When Hermione came back into the library she found Severus sitting on the couch looking at her curiously. As she handed him his tea he sniffed it. "Don't worry I haven't put anything in the tea."

One day you're going to have to tell me what you put in that tea. Whenever I drink it I end up sleeping ten hours of more even. It's starting to concern me that I haven't figured it out yet. I shouldn't be able to be outsmarted by a little know-it-all." He said jokingly.

"I will never reveal my secrets." She said devilishly as she sat down beside him on the couch. "But I will tell you that it's not something that you would think of. I may have put my own twist on the brew." At the look of alarm on his face she laughed and said, "Don't worry! Nothing that could be harmful, just something that you wouldn't think to add to a tea recipe."

"Somehow I am not totally mollified by your reassurance."

"So we're friends again?" She said hopefully.

"Yes, somehow I can't seem to get rid of you." At that she playfully slapped him.

They both sat in content silence thinking about everything that had been said tonight.

"Severus?"

"Mhm" He said in response.

"When you do that thing that I'm not going to like, don't assume that is what I want. Not to know you I mean"

"Hermione lets not talk about this right now-"

"Fine Severus if that's what you want but please just promise me that you will remember what I said."

Giving him a warm smile, she took another sip of her tea, as she slowly began to fall asleep with her head resting on his shoulder.

HPOV

Where am I? And why does it smell so good? She thought to herself. Hermione was bolt upright in bed, she was surprised to find that she was not however in her bed. At the moment she was wrapped up in a fluffy white duvet, which, she had to admit, she was quite comfortable in. Whomever this bed belonged to they had good taste in bed linens. Suddenly the previous night came back to her. She then realized that she must have fallen asleep in his quarters, on his couch! He must have carried her to bed. Her stomach did a bit of a flip as she pictured him tucking her in. She quietly made her way back into the library to find out where Severus had gone. At the sight that met her eyes when going into the library, she smiled. Never had she seen anything more adorable. There on the couch was the snoozing potions master. He had obviously done the gallant thing and let her have the bed, while he took the couch. She smiled as she sat down at the other end of the couch. She could get used to this.

She knew that she was probably one of the only people that he was ever at ease with. If only Ron could walk in on this, his face alone would make her burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" A deep rumbling voice asked. Hermione jumped in surprise.

"Oh Severus I hadn't realized you were awake."

"Yes I am a very light sleeper, that is unless I have had some of your tea." He said with a smirk, his eyes still closed.

"I'm sorry, I only came in to see where you were and then when I saw you sleeping I thought I might just read in here and wait for you to wake up."

"You didn't think it wise to return to your dormitory before everyone wakes up to see that you didn't come to bed last night?"

"Yes I thought about doing that but I don't really feel like leaving the warmth of your quarters. I was wondering if I could just ask a house elf to bring my things down here? Only until everyone leaves then they will go right back up to my dorm. It's just so that everyone will think that I just left really early this morning."

"Well aren't we imposing?" He said in a mocking tone, raising his eyebrows at her pleading looks.

"Please Severus. It's just so cold, it would only be until around noon."

"I suppose I could deal with it until mid-day." He said dryly, rolling his eyes.

"Oh Severus thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She said through a beaming smile.

"And by the way Severus that was very nice of you to carry me to bed last night." She said teasingly, she knew he hated people pointing out anything nice he did. She laughed when his face immediately went into a frown.

"What was I supposed to do let you sleep on my lap all night?"

"I was not sleeping in your lap!" Hermione said indignantly.

"I highly doubt that your memory is trustworthy for this particular moment due to the fact that you were unconscious." He said dryly.

"Oh Severus I'm so sorry I had no idea." She said giggling as she pictured his face while trying to decide what to do with her sleeping form.

After she bid good day to a very happy Dobby, Hermione collapsed onto the couch that she hadn't really left all morning. It was just past noon and they were due in the great hall for lunch.

"I have just sent a letter to the headmaster explaining that we have entirely too much work to do and cannot possibly leave it to come to lunch." Severus said smugly.

"Lovely." Hermione said, as she got comfortable on her side of the couch. "Should I ask Dobby to bring us lunch?"

"No need I do have a kitchen you know, I'll just make us something." He said getting up off the couch.

"That would be lovely. Would you like company?"

"It's alright you keep reading, it shouldn't take long."

"Okay." She said pleasantly as she watched him exit the room.

About fifteen minutes later Hermione was called into the kitchen for lunch. "Mhmm It smells amazing Severus what did you make?"

"Grilled cheese with thinly sliced tomato." He said simply.

"That sounds perfect! Exactly the thing to have on a cold day, thank you for making them!"

"Just eat. Otherwise it will get cold. Honestly it's as if you've never seen melted cheese on toasted bread before!"

"I was just being appreciative Severus, there is no need to be rude." She said teasingly.

"So how many Gryffindors are staying at the castle over the holidays?" He said changing the subject.

"None actually can you believe it? There is usually more than one person in a house that stays behind. It's just me this year."

"At least you will have the place to yourself, I'm sure you'll like that. Also it will be easier for you to work in the lab nobody will be around to notice your odd hours."

"Yes that will be very convenient."

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

"Why were you late meeting me here last night?" Hermione said curiously.

"After you left the festivities last night Malfoy made a bit of a scene. Filch caught him walking around the school last night, I spent the next hour pacifying that situation."

"I'm sorry Severus, that must be very frustrating." She said sympathetically.

"You have no idea. It was obvious that he wasn't trying to sneak into the party! He was working on whatever it is that he's planning! I took him aside and tried to reason with him. I tried to find out what he was planning, but he refused to tell me! Purely because of some stupid idea that I have replaced his father within the Dark Lord's inner circle and that I want to steal the glory for myself!"

"Well have you?" Hermione said in a calm voice.

"I suppose but it was not as if I did it on purpose! It just happened!"

"Well you have to try and see it from his point of view."

"He is acting like a child and it is going to get him killed! Do you know whom he is entrusting his most secret plan to? Crabbe and Goyle!"

"Severus you will just have to keep trying. But, not right now. Right now you just have to finish your lunch."

"Do not mother me woman I'm in no mood." He said in a warning tone.

"Oh hush Severus! You are being ridiculous! Now eat, your sandwich is getting cold."

He rolled his eyes and begrudgingly started the second half of his sandwich. "In effort to change subjects how was the rest of your evening with Mr. Mclaggen?" "Oh god! Don't remind me!" She said dramatically.

Severus began to chuckle slightly. "What that bad?"

"Worse. He wouldn't stop talking about Quidditch. Is that all boys talk about? I get enough of it with Harry and Ron, well I guess just Harry at the moment so it's not that bad." She said looking sad for a moment. "Anyways he was either talking about Quidditch or trying to get me under the mistletoe! I wasn't even able to say more than two words to Harry before he had sniffed me out again! I wouldn't go on another date with him in a million years!"

"If he ever starts to bother you just let me know."

"That wont be necessary. I think my feelings towards him were quite clear when we said goodnight yesterday." She said with an evil glint.

"What did you do?"

"I may have kicked him in a not so kind place." She said innocently not making eye contact with him.

"Yes I'd imagine that would get your feelings across quite effectively." He said chuckling.

A/N:

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