Hello my dear reviewers! I tried to upload this chapter yesterday but my computer decided to have a nervous breakdown in a middle of it. Now it's working again so here it is. Hope you like it because my inspiration had a day of when I was writing it (not to worry its back again!) so don't expect much.

goodmorningstarshine- I hate that nickname too, that's why I gave it to Ginny. It gets on Ginny's nerves when Hermione calls her that.

ghzowy- yes, I will be explaining why they didn't believe her, later.

lovethelab- they visit the bank in next chapter.

KathrynPersephone-20- I think, lemon will be in chapter 19. I am currently working on it. (Why nobody told me that write lemons is so hard! It looks easy when I read itin the works of others.)

prin69- thanks for all your reviews. Keep it up!

I loved all the reviews! Keep reviewing people it helps me work faster!

In previous chapter:

"I asked Ann, how she can not let in the students in while they have a password and…"

Half an hour later.

"You are joking, right?"

Chapter 16

"No, I am not Severus."

"So you own the school?"

Hermione was getting frustrated. "Yes! I own the bloody school! I didn't plan it, I didn't want to, but I do! It's not fair!" Severus watched his wife lean back against the headboard and cover her face with the blanket.

"The Founder's apparently thought otherwise." He lay beside her and pulled the covers from her face.

"I don't get it Severus. What about Salazar Slytherin? I would have been sure that Mr. Purebloods are Superior would have done something to prevent muggleborns from owning Hogwarts."

"Well, maybe tomorrow you will get your answers. Meanwhile I shall escort you to Gringots."

"Thanks, but first I'll have to find the key that's in the library. Will you help me?"

"I have a staff meeting first thing tomorrow, maybe after that… "

"Well I don't know how long we will be at the bank so I will find it myself and we can meet by the main door after your meeting. Ok?"

"That suits me."

"Good let's get some sleep. I really had along day and need a rest." Hermione smiled to herself when she felt him wrapping himself around her. "Sweet dreams Severus."

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The next morning.

Severus was watching his wife brushing her wet hair.

"Are you going up for breakfast?"

"I am not in the mood to face them today. I will ask Winky to bring me something. Will you join me? I don't like eating alone." She smiled at him from the bed where she sat.

"Your friends will be worried."

"I send Dobby with a note to them last night. They will be fine. Does scrambled eggs and toast sound good to you?"

They ate in silence. After that Severus went to the non-bloody torture that was called a staff meeting and Hermione went to the library on a key hunt.

44444444444

Severus Snape needed a drink. Badly. It was only noon and he already wanted to kill somebody. That somebody had a long grey beard, wore half moon glasses and liked lemon drops above all other. 'Bloody old geezer.'

Flashback… … … … … … … … … ….

The Head of Slytherin made his way to the headmaster's office for the meeting.

"Good morning Severus, why don't you sit over here by me?"

"Good morning Filius. I guess I will." It was unspoken agreement but the little Charms Professor always saved a seat for the Potion's Master, a corner chair by the fireplace.

"We missed you at breakfast Severus."

"We ate in our chambers. Thank Merlin it's Saturday. By the way I am going to Diagon Alley. Do you need anything? "

"If you don't mind, Severus, can you check to see if the new charms book has arrived at Flourish and Blots yet? I would be most grateful." The little man lowered his squeaky voice. "So why are you going out, taking your lovely bride out for a romantic dinner are we?"

"That to. I will check for the book. What was it? Advanced Charms…"

They were interrupted as Dumbledore stepped into the room. "Sorry I am late, everyone. I was held up at the Ministry. So what is the topic of this meeting? Oh, yes, the new lessons schedule. But first we have a new development. Minerva? Would you be so kind?" the Transfiguration Professor stood and addressed her colleagues.

"Most of you probably heard what happened yesterday in front of the Gryffindor dormitory. The Fat Lady refused to let the students in after dinner, even, after they gave her the password."

Hyacinth Hooch looked shocked along with a few other professors. "But that is impossible! Maybe somebody changed the password and forgot to warn the rest. It sometimes happens."

Minerva looked offended. "Not in Gryffindor. Besides, she let a few of the students in with the password. Then a few hours later she left her portrait and when she returned she started letting the rest of the students in again."

"Did somebody curse her?" Jocelyn Adams, the Ancient ruins Professor asked. There was a murmur of agreement.

Severus noticed as few portraits rolled their eyes and smirked.

"Severus? Do you have anything to say in the matter?" he looked at Minerva.

"Like I said yesterday, Minerva. No."

"And your …wife?" she grimaced at the last word.

That got his full attention. "Pardon me? What Hermione have to do with this?" 'Oh yes my dear Minnie' Severus thought 'you see when Miss Weasly struck my wife yesterday Anne got very upset. The beautiful part is that when my wife cast the spell no one believes she did, the portraits, or anything else bound to the castle, no longer have to take anyone else's orders anymore.' Severus almost smiled as he pictured the look on McGonagall's face.

The rest of the staff was clueless what the witch was talking about.

"She could have done something to the Fat Lady."

Severus gritted his teeth. "Why would my wife want to do something like this? Pray tell me?"

"She is obviously not loyal to her house and probably has some unknown vendetta against Miss Weasley, the girl told me that your wife has been rude to her all the time lately for no reason at all."

Severus was ready to retort to this accusation when…

"Just because the former Miss Granger picked Severus as her husband doesn't automatically mean that she is evil Minerva, besides Miss Weasley is the one that seems to have a bone to pick against Lady Snape if you ask me. I heard her talking in the hall a bit ago, and I must say, she seems to have a very colorful vocabulary." The replied the squeaky voice belonging to no other but Filius Flitwick.

"I must agree with Filius here. I don't see a reason why Lady Snape should lock out her own housemates." Pamora Sprout smiled timidly at Severus.

The new Arithmancy (sp?) Professor Jon Jacobsen also joined in. "Besides she would have to be incredibly powerful to cast a spell to prevent a Hogwarts painting from recognizing the password. Personally I think that it was somebody's lame joke."

Severus watched Minerva with interest. The older witch looked like she would rather be tortured to death than admit that Hermione was a powerful witch, maybe smart, but just God forbid not powerful. The Slytherin sneered. The witch admitted defeat and the professors started discussing the new term's schedule.

Severus always believed that these meetings were meant for one and only purpose, to exchange the newest gossips. The most resent hot topic was his marriage so it was impossible to discus that in his presence. So the meeting didn't take long. He was about to take his leave…

"Oh, Severus! Would you mind staying?" the Headmaster was twinkling at him. 'What now?'

It took fifteen minutes till the others left. Severus glared at the Headmaster.

"What is it, Albus? I have plans for today."

"Severus, my boy…"

"Yes?" He already hated this conversation. Every time the old wizard addressed him in this manner was to ask to do something foolish and selfless. 'The war is over Albus, it won't work on me anymore.'

"Have you seen Lucius lately?"

"No."

"It seems he have been creating some racket in the Ministry…" usually about now in the conversation he would find himself saying 'I'll see what I can find out, Albus.' 'Choke on your lemon drops, Albus.' Was the younger wizard's thought this time however.

The Headmaster frowned at the silence. The expected answer wasn't coming.

"Do you know anything about this?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Contrary to popular belief Malfoy senior is not my friend and I don't know of his every move." 'If you expect me to offer to foolishly risk my neck again, take another guess.'

"I see. Could you… somehow find out what is he planning?"

"No." Dumbledore looked startled. Severus Snape for the first time in twenty years refused to snoop for him. The Headmaster wasn't happy about it.

"Severus, this is an important issue I am talking about."

"I have no doubts about that but let me remind you that the war is over and I have paid my debts." 'Plus some, you old fool!'

"Lucius Malfoy is a death eater that has escaped unpunished."

"So let the Ministry deal with him."

"You have never refused such a request before."

"I never had a wife who needed me before."

"I am sure Hermione will understand."

"Oh yes Albus, I am sure she will understand why I will be coming home in the middle of the night all bloody."

"You have responsibilities."

"Yes I do, and first and foremost responsibility is to my family. Right now it's just Hermione and I, but I am looking forward to having a child or two with my wife one day. To say the least it requires me to be alive and kicking."

The Headmaster sighed. "You never had been a family man before my boy."

"Because I didn't have a family before Albus, what do you want from me?"

"Nothing."

Severus laughed out right. "The last time you said that I was stuck spying on Voldemort for 20 years. So get to the point already Albus, because I am not going play your game today."

"You shouldn't have married her."

The Slytherin sighed. "In your opinion perhaps, but I did, get over it."

"You are twice her age, she would have been better off with Percy."

"Did you even listen to her when she told you that the little sod wouldn't let her stay in school?"

"Now, now Severus. Percy is a very nice young man."

"What about Hermione? What do you think about her?"

"Miss Gran…"

"That's Lady Snape now."

"Ah yes, of course, Lady Snape is a good girl, she just needs to be pushed in the right direction. We all know her Gryffindor bravery is some how lacking."

Severus gritted his teeth. "That's strange, Albus. I was under the impression that a witch who managed to cast Protecto on this school and her 'friends', would be brave enough to put even the Great Godric Gryffindor to shame."

The Headmaster rolled his eyes. "Really, Severus. There is no chance that Miss…that Lady Snape could have cast the Protecto. It's a myth. Everyone who has ever tried, they have all died."

"There is always a first time. She…"

"Betrayed us. She left us just before the final battle. We all expected her to help. Not that I blame her that she got scared but …" he plopped a lemon drop into his mouth.

Severus Snape was holding the chair's hands so hard that his knuckles were white. He took a deep breath.

"Let me guess. Mr. Weasley with his strong sense of loyalty would have been a good choice? The boy betrayed his own family for a promotion!"

"He did it because I asked him."

The Slytherin sneered 'like he wouldn't have done that on his own.' "Albus, I don't think that we will reach a compromise in this argument. My wife obviously didn't think that he was such a good choice and I happen to agree with her. So let me repeat myself. What do you want?"

Silence. 'I should have known.' "If I hear something useful I will let you know, but I want you to know that my spying career was over the second Potter defeated The Dark Lord. You probably wouldn't understand, but I found out that waking up beside my wife in the morning is much better than in the infirmary with half of my bones broken, Albus."

"If you are sure…"

"Have a good day, Albus." Severus took his leave before he succumbed to the temptation and cursed the old fool.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..

Hermione on the other hand was having a much better morning. After she parted with Severus went strait to the Library. It was almost deserted. After the fall of Voldemort fifth years and up were allowed to the Hogsmead on every weekend. So only the most dedicated to learning (two or three from the population of Ravenclaw) where in the Library instead of on their way to the village. Hermione suspected that those few who were left most likely forgot to do some essay or other assignment during the summer and were working in it now.

The Gryffindor slowly looked around. There were two Ravenclaws and one Huffelpuff who was scrubbing furiously on a parchment scroll. Hermione waited for him to finish putting away the book he had been using few minutes later. The ravenclaws also left soon after. 'Off to Hogsmead no doubt. Good for them.' Madam Pince was nowhere in sight.

She sat down at one of the tables deep in thought. Suddenly she felt somebody's hand on her shoulder.

"Eek!" she jumped and swirled around. "Neville! You scared the living daylights out of me! Don't do that!" she hissed at her housemate.

The boy grinned. "Sorry, couldn't resist. So anyway, we missed you at dinner yesterday. Is everything ok?"

Hermione smiled at him. "Fine. I ate in our rooms. Not to worry. What are you doing here?" only now she noticed a big book in his other hand. "Let me guess, Herbology?"

"Yeah, Professor Sprout gave me a project for some extra credit." He looked proud as he told her. "I just finished making some notes. I was going to put back the book when I noticed you. Going to read a bit?"

"You could say I'm looking for something."

"I'll be on my way. This thing is heavy." Neville smiled at her again. "Don't work too much."

"I won't. Promise." She watched his disappear between the shelves. Neville Longbottom had grown into a nice young man. He gained some muscles and had a dark tan from working all summer in the garden. Hermione smiled. He was a real Gryffindor. Nice and brave. Neville stood up for her more than once and was always on her side. Her word was enough for him to believe about the Protecto. 'One day some girl will get very lucky.'

While she was thinking she didn't noticed another friend coming from behind.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Aaah! Pansy! You scared me. I was thinking about what I should read if you want to know. The question would be what are you doing here? I though you were in Hogsmead already."

"Didn't feel like it."

"Everybody feels like it. It's the first weekend and the weather is great."

"What about you?"

"We are going to Diagon Alley later, why the long face?"

The raven haired girl sighed. "All the girls have dates or left already. I want to go but not on my own. You were my last hope."

Hermione smiled at her. "You could have gone and found them there. You still can go."

"Yes. On my own, by foot, all the way. I don't mind the walk but I definitely won't go all that way alone because the carriages left already."

Something clicked in Hermione's brain. "I have a friend that could keep you company."

Pansy brightened immediately. "Really? Who is she?"

"It's a he."

The slytherin narrowed her eyes. "Are you trying to set me up?"

"The fact that I am married, Pansy dear, doesn't mean I want you all to get married also, well.. anytime soon anyway. It won't be a date. I will just ask him to keep you company. As a friend. What do you say? I can guaranty he wont try to pull anything. Hmm?"

"I'll take your word for it. I really don't want to sit inside today. So where is my knight in a shining armor?"

"He should be coming… right about…now! Neville! Come here for a second!" luckily for Hermione the library was empty and Madam Pince was still at the staff meeting, so there was nobody to mind her shouts.

Pansy in the mean time was hissing at her. ""Longbottom! Are you mad? Granger, tell me you are joking…"

"That's Snape now, Pansy and no I don't joke… Hi Neville, I need to ask a major favor from you."

The boy looked puzzled. "Sure… What do you need?"

"It's not me. It's Pansy here." She indicated to now red Slytherin. "She needs an escort to Hogsmead. She doesn't want to go alone, and I have other plans already. Would you be a dear Neville and keep her safe for me?"

Neville looked at Pansy and smiled. "Any friend of Hermione's is a friend of mine. The name is Neville."

The Slytherin blushed even more. "Pleased to meet you. Call me Pansy." Neville kissed her hand with a bow.

"Off with you two! I want to read in peace." Neville offered Pansy a hand.

"Don't worry Hermione; she will be back safe and sound."

"I would hope so. Have fun!" which earned a glare from a certain Slytherin.

The two finally left. Hermione was left all alone in the spacious library.

'Okaayyy…if I was a key, where would I be?'

Hermione spent enough time in this part of the castle to know how big it was. The popular rumor that she had read all the books in here was obviously spread by people that hadn't put a foot in the library. To say it was big was an understatement. It was huge with lots of places to hide a small key in. Hermione sighed. 'What do I know? That the key is small and the library is big. Arrrggg! It's not helping. Ann said that I will know where it is.' Hermione stood up and took one better look around. Her sight fell upon one of the paintings, a werewolf and a full moon. It was her favorite one in here. She walked to it. The werewolf wiggled his tail. It was the first painting she befriended. For some reason everyone were afraid of it. It hanged between two shelves in one of the corners.

"Hello. Did you miss me? I've been away for the summer." She talked gently to the werewolf in the painting. Hermione smiled and petted him. She did it every time after her return from the holidays. Nobody came to this section so there was no chance of being seen. "I am in a bloody mess. I need to find a small key in a huge Library and have no idea where to start." 'The key has to have been here for at least a thousand years. It can't be hidden too deep or where the kids could reach it. If you want to hide something put it in a place where everybody could see it. Simplicity is the mother of genius. What has been here the longest in this Library? Books? No, that's not it, someone would have found it by now. Oh my god! I am blind!' "The portraits! Paintings! Wolfy who is the oldest portrait in this library?" Somehow she just knew that it was the answer to her question. The werewolf grinned at her. "You can't be… I always wondered what a werewolf painting was doing in a library. So …" the million galleons question, "where is the key? I know you have it. Don't know how but I do." 'Come on werewolf!' Hermione petted him again. Suddenly her fingers touched metal instead of fur. Her hand went into the painting and reappeared with a key. "Yes! I knew it! Thank you Wolfy!" she leaned and kissed his nose. The creature let out a loud howl and looked happy. "I have to run! It took longer than I expected. Be nice!" she ran from the library to meet her husband.

In the next chapter Hermione and Severus are going to Gringots!