Here it is an edited version. Thanks Caeruleussum!

On with the story!

Chapter 18

"What do you mean? You stepped inside with me…"

Severus shook his head. "Some kind of force field held me back before I could follow you, then the door closed. What happened here?" He frowned at her.

Hermione stretched her hand and shoved the medallion. "That's the grand prize, Severus."

"A medallion? A bloody medallion! I almost went mad at the door for a piece of jewelry!" Hermione took a step backwards from surprise. Severus Snape looked murderess. The young woman went pale a little. The man in front of her looked scary. She clutched the medallion to her chest.

"It's not my fault! I didn't know what was inside!" she glared at him through the tears then quickly walked out of the vault. 'How dare he!'

Suddenly the Gryffindor came to sudden stop when a hand grabbed hold of hers.

"I didn't mean it like that…" Hermione tried to break free from him.

"Let go of me Severus…" she avoided his eyes when he stood in front of her.

"No." his hand cupped her face and their eyes met. Amber was glaring at the bottomless abyss.

Severus stood so close to her that they were almost touching. She could feel his body heat radiating in waves from the Slytherin. Her gaze softened. A few moments ago, she was scared half to death at the prospect of loosing him. It was hard to admit for Hermione even to herself but she cared for the dark-haired man. She would have missed his dark sarcasm and black robes, the feeling of being safe in his arms. Hermione leaned into him and buried her face in his robes breathing in his scent. For a moment, she held onto him. Rain and sandalwood. All his robes smelled like this. Hermione found it comforting.

He held her in his embrace. There were only a few things in this world that scared him and loosing the woman in his arms was one of them. If Severus was truthful with himself it pretty much topped the list. He didn't know how long he stood outside that damned door trying to get inside. What if she had been hurt? He remembered the feeling when he woke up this morning by her side. Her mere presence seemed to keep all the nightmares that plagued his dreams at bay. When she came back after the summer, he was carrying a hope that maybe one day she would care for him the way he wanted her. It was probably what living in hell looked like, when the most important thing in your life is in danger and you can't do a thing about it. 'I will not loose her.'

They stood like this for a while. Hermione pulled away and smiled weakly at him.

"I am sorry Hermione…" Severus whispered into her hair.

"I forgive you. Let's get out of here; this place gives me the creeps. Sauryhook!" in a second the long nosed goblin was at their side.

"Are Masters done already?" Hermione nodded weakly. "Good, the Head Goblin is waiting for you Mistress, please follow me."

The Gryffindor mentally groaned. 'What now?' but never the less fallowed.

Severus was just as puzzled about what was going on. He hooked Hermione's arm in his. 'Just in case.'

The walk was very long, again. They stepped into a small room full of papers and parchments. By a big table, which looked too big for such a small space sat a goblin. He was scribbling furiously on something not even noticing the guests. Souryhook coughed politely and the Head Goblin jumped in his seat from surprise and was about to chastise the younger goblin when his eyes fell on Hermione. Head Goblin smiled at her politely.

"Ah, Mistress, do sit down. Can I offer you a drink, My Lords?"

The Slytherin was shocked, never in his life had he witnessed a polite goblin. It was unheard of. Words polite and goblin weren't used in the same sentence. The man had a solid sum in the wizard's bank but was always treated like a beggar. Severus had listened to enough complains from other purebloods to know that 'Treat everyone like dirt and don't be polite' was the goblin motto, and now…the head goblin was practically sucking up to his wife. It was a disturbing image to say the least.

Hermione sat in a comfortable chair that the Head Goblin conjured and tried to understand why in the name of Merlin Mr. Cremnock was bragging about the good social relationship between goblins and wizards. Twenty minutes later she had enough.

"Mr. Cremnock I don't want to be rude but can you skip this part and get to the point already?"

Cremnock looked worried but collected himself. "Yes, yes the point of course. Do you have the medallion?" Hermione showed it to him. "Good, can Mistress put it on, please?"

With the help of Severus she put the medallion on. It hung between her breasts. She gently traced a finger over the animals on the cool surface when it started glowing gentle neon blue and suddenly disappeared into her body. The young lioness sat paralyzed from shock but got over it when Severus shook her by the shoulders.

"I'm fine Severus. Where did it go?" she was wide eyed looking at the gobbling.

"That's what I want to know. What you did to her?" Severus was standing if front of the goblins desk pointing his wand at the little creature.

"Master Snape, I did nothing to the Mistress. The Medallion of the Great Four had been left there by the Founders themselves. Why don't you sit down and I will explain it to you."

The Slytherin took a seat but was still glaring daggers at the Head Goblin. Hermione gently put her hand on his and smiled.

"It's ok Severus. I am sure there is an explanation for what happened." 'At least I hope there is.' She turned her attention to Cremnock.

"Yes Mistress, there is. In the vault you met the guardian of the vault."

"Mellor…"

"Yes. You see his main task was to test you."

Severus looked sharply at her but Hermione ignored him.

"Nothing happened. I did it, but nothing happened. I mean I have cast that darn spell enough times to know that I failed. How come I am still alive?" Severus went a little white but kept silent; he just squeezed her hand. Strongly.

"That was the main idea, my dear. You were ready to cast it."

Hermione felt offended. "But I did cast it!"

The goblin for the first time smirked at the two. "That's what you think, Mistress. But it was only an illusion. From the second you stepped into the vault till the moment the guardian gave you Medallion it was nothing but an illusion. One more task for you, which you completed brilliantly."

Hermione's right eye started to twitch. "I hope this test was the last one."

The goblin saw the anger radiating from the witch and gulped. "Yes Mistress. It was the last one."

Severus Snape couldn't keep quiet any more. "What is the meaning of this? What do you mean still alive, Hermione? "

"Nothing Severus, it was just an illusion, remember?"

"But you didn't know that."

"It doesn't matter now. I passed the test and now I just want to forget about it." Hermione looked pleadingly at her husband. He didn't seem to be happy but bit his tongue mentally storing a note in his memory to ask about it later.

The lioness turned her attention to the Head Goblin. "I still don't understand why you want to talk to us, Mr. Cremnock."

Goblin cleared his throat. "Well, you see…The Founders of Hogwarts left quite I large amount of galleons for the next person that is going to own the School."

Severus and Hermione looked puzzled. "But the vault was empty."

"Yes, the vault is empty. You see the Great Four allowed us to use the money to support and stabilize Gringotts, as they were one of our first customers. So you can say they invested into it. We have been paying the teachers salaries, as it was instructed by the Founders, from that share."

The Slytherin frowned. "I thought the Ministry pays the salaries. The Board of Governors is in charge of it, isn't it?"

The goblin snorted. "The Ministry tried more than once to get their hands on the records to find out where the money was coming from, but failed. As for the Board, they have no right to be in charge of anything that concerns Hogwarts."

"Mr. Cremnock. When you said that the Founders invested in Gringotts, what exactly did you mean?" Hermione felt a headache creeping up.

"Thanks to the money of the founders Gringotts was created. Of course, a few other wizards also invested. There is no specific vault where the money is stored, but if you need any simply tell that to any goblin in here and we will give it to you, Mistress."

"So if I tell you that I need five millions galleons you are just going to give it to me?" Hermione tried to joke but the smile on her lips froze when the Head Goblin started scribing something on a parchment.

"Does Mistress wants to take it now or should we send it to Hogwarts? In what currency that would be? Muggle or wizardry?"

"Just how big are the Founders, now mine, share in this bank?" 'Please tell me it's just a joke!'

"Big enough for Gringotts to bankrupt the same day if you take it all, a lions share as the muggles say."

Severus and Hermione were gaping at the Head Goblin.

"Please, tell me you are joking. I already own the school and don't have any idea what to do. The last thing I need is a bank!"

"I am sorry Mistress, but the school and Gringotts is a package deal."

Hermione was standing and breathing heavily. 'Someone up there really hates me.' The room started spinning and everything went black.

55555

Her head was breaking in two. She slowly opened her eyes.

"How do you feel Hermione?" Severus looked worried.

"What happened?" memories like from an old black and white movie flashed before her eyes. "Shit. Gringotts." She looked around. The Head Goblin probably transfigured her armchair into a single bed, which Hermione currently was laying on. She sat up with Severus help. "Ok Mr. Cremnock. What now?"

Goblin returned to his seat behind the desk. "It all depends on you Mistress; if you want we will give the management of the bank to the Ministry of Magic…"

Hermione looked at him like he was stupid. "To whom precisely? Mr. Fudge the Fish Head with brains in a size of a pea? Or the unofficial Minister Mr. Malfoy, which only purpose in life is to make others a living hell? Besides what is wrong with the current management?"

"We are goblins."

Hermione visibly rolled her eyes. "You obviously didn't get the question, let me repeat it. What is wrong with the current management?"

"Well, we thought…"

"You were wrong. You are doing a great job for a long time and I don't see a reason to change anything."

Goblin's chest seemed to swell at the compliment. "Mistress wont be sorry for this decision. All goblins will be happy to serve you Mistress Hermione. Now we can start with the papers…"

Hermione paled and looked pleadingly at Severus.

"Tomorrow."

"Master Snape?" Cremnock gazed questioningly at him.

"My wife is tired."

"Yes, yes of course. If Mistress wishes we could floo to Hogwarts, tomorrow and she would not have to come here. "

"There is only local floo in our chambers, the only places in Hogwarts that has floo network connection is the Headmaster's office and the common rooms."

Goblin coughed diplomatically. "Lady Snape is the Mistress if she wishes a connection through floo with Gringotts I am sure it can be arranged. All you have to do is to choose a password to prevent unwanted visitors. So when would Mistress like us to come?"

Hermione thought for a second. "At noon will be fine. I will open the floo connection then for you. If that's all we will be going I guess, till tomorrow Mr. Cremnock."

"Have a good evening Mistress, My Lord."

The bank was already closed and the Head Goblin himself escorted them out through the empty corridors.

When they stepped outside Hermione took a deep breath. "Severus I know what I am going to devote my life to."

Her husband gazed at her curiously. "Do share."

"I am going to invent a potion that brings back the dead."

"An interesting choice…"

"Than I am going bring back the Fucking Four and break every bone in their bodies in alphabetical order than slowly torture them with Crucio and finally strangle them with my bare hands just so I can bring them back again…"

Severus snickered under his breath. "Not very happy about the recent development I see."

"Geez, how did you ever guess, Severus?" the man chuckled and Hermione finally smiled.

"Can we take a walk? I don't feel like seeing Hogwarts right now."

"How about a dinner? I booked a table for us in a restaurant." He offered her a hand to walk down the stairs.

"Really?" Hermione smiled brightly. 'A dinner with Severus? Just like a date.' She giggled to herself.

"What's so funny?"

"Our first date." She froze and clapped a hand on her mouth. 'I didn't just say that out loud. No!' She was whining mentally and cursing herself. Hermione was sure that her cheeks could light torches.

Severus studied her silently for a minute. "Do you want it to be a date?" his voice was low. It sounded silly as they were already married. But Severus wanted to know.

Hermione was looked at his and smiled shyly. "Yes… I … just …well…" she took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "I know our marriage is what can be called arranged but… I know it sounds silly but I want to go out on a date with you. It feels wrong to snog you without even going out…" Hermione was sure she wasn't making any sense but could not find the words to explain what she was thinking. The lioness snorted mentally 'I guess there is a first for everything.'

The Slytherin's expression was unreadable. "Then it is a date." 'Will you let me get closer to you after it?'

"Great… Let's go?"

He smiled at her. "Yes, my dear wife."

They were walking the dimly lit Diagon Alley and the passers by looked at them. They made a strange pair: a sour looking man in his thirties and a young smiling woman not older than twenty. They didn't seem to have anything in common if you weren't counting the wedding bands on their fingers.

The pair stepped in what looked like an expensive restaurant. The clerk was by their side in a second. Ready to lick Severus shoes as Hermione noted. 'Disgusting.'

"Mater Snape! What a pleasure to see you again. The table for you and your Lady friend is ready." The foolish man acted as if Hermione was only a piece of furniture. Big mistake.

Severus sent such a deadly glare to the smiling man that he one took a step backwards. "This Lady is my wife. Disrespect her again and I you will not live long enough to regret it. Is that clear?"

"Yess…sssirr. I am very sorry My Lady, my most since…"

"The table. You are wasting our time." Severus cut him of. Hermione didn't feel sorry even a bit for the scared man. 'Serves him right' she thought and sent a bright smile to her husband as they went to their table.

The table was another surprise. It was in a corner and looked secluded. There was a single red rose in a small crystal vase in the middle of the table. Enchanted candles floated around. Snow white tablecloth and silverware were tasteful. It all looked, dare she say…romantic. Hermione looked at Severus. 'Is that a blush on his cheeks?' it was faint but it was still there.

"Wow…What I mean is… wow…"

The slytherin smirked at her. "I have done something right, my wife is speechless. It should be put in books."

"Only if it will be noted why I was speechless, my dear husband." She winked playfully at him. Severus mock scowled in return. Then they both chuckled in union.

They studied their menu in silence. Hermione couldn't understand half of the names. 'Honestly. Medusa's Hair with Nectar of Olympus? What is that? Mermaid's ankle with Heavenly apples? I need a mythology book just to order.' She glanced at Severus over the top of her menu. He looked like the fancy names weren't a problem for him. Hermione gently put her hand on his. Severus lowered his menu to look at her. The lioness felt her cheeks flaming. Again.

"Severus…hmm…well …I don't quite understand what all these titles mean…" but he wasn't looking at her face but at the small hand on his own. He slowly looked up.

She gently squeezed his hand. "Is there something wrong?" than she blushed even more. 'Maybe he doesn't like to hold hands in public!' Hermione quickly tried to take her hand back but was stopped as this time Severus covered her hand with his and smiled. She was lost as to what to do. The moment felt intimate despite the fact that they were in public. They were looking in each other's eyes and Hermione felt a shiver run down her spine as Severus gently caressed her hand. She wanted to purr at the sensation. She probably did because her husband smirked at her, lifted her hand, and softly kissed her knuckles never breaking their eye contact.

"Ahem…" Hermione almost fell from her chair from surprise. She didn't notice as a young waiter came to their table. She felt embarrassed but didn't take her hand from Severus's.

Severus on the other hand was mentally sending a long string of curses at the young man and reluctantly released his wife's hand.

"Did Ms and Mr. …." The waiter suddenly paled as he got a good look at the beautiful woman's, he was busy ogling earlier, companion. "Professsorrr Snape…" for Hermione the waiter looked like Neville used to just before the cauldrons explosions. His face clearly stated that he would prefer to be anywhere but there. After few seconds of shock he was able to finish his sentence. "…have you decided what you will have?"

"Yes I have, but my wife is still thinking."

It seemed that waiter's eyeballs were going to jump out from their sockets and he did a big mistake by voicing out his surprise.

"Your wife!" he was gapping or rather drooling at Hermione.

"Yes, my wife. Is there problem about that?" Hermione hid a smile as the poor guy looked ready to faint.

"Nooo sssiirr…"

Severus wasn't pleased at the attention his wife was getting. "Mr. Downrinse, I must compliment you, you didn't wet yourself at the sight of me as you did during your Newt's exam. Quite an improvement over five years. I hope you also ditched the habit to mix crystallized werewolf's blood with powdered phoenix feathers. It took me a month to repair the classroom after the explosion it was a miracle no one was hurt."

Downrinse hoped the ground would open up and swallow him.

Hermione decided to take a pity at him and put a hand on his fist. "Severus, why don't you order something for me?" her touch seemed to calm the angry Slytherin. 'A gentle touch can calm the savage beast.' Hermione snickered to herself. 'Too true.'

Severus glared at the waiter and turned his attention to his wife. "What do you say about casserole? What do you want for dessert?"

"Chocolate pie would be nice."

"For me will be a stake with blood, and a bottle of your best red wine Mr. Downrinse. I do hope you are able to understand these simple instructions."

"Yes, sir. Right away." The waiter was gone so fast that it could have been magic.

Hermione laughed out loud. "Severus, honestly. Was that necessary?"

Her only answer was a scowl.

Soon the food arrived. Hermione loved dessert. She even convinced Severus to have a bite. They talked about history and goblin revolutions. It was a pleasant dinner. The wine was also nice. Hermione felt a bit light headed at the end of the meal. On their way out the clerk was too afraid to even come close to Severus so there was no sucking up for which Hermione was sincerely grateful.