So cunning is Potter.

A month had passed and it was not getting any easier. The guilt of what he had done was still rearing it;s ugly head every minute of every hour of every day. His heart was broken, shattered and the remains were being stomped into ash. The students had come back, he spent a good portion of his day dealing with dishing out detentions, intervening between fights, mostly Slytherin and Gryffindor and talking to parents who were at the moment the bane of his existence. Prior to taking up the job he had no idea this many parents wandered in and demanded to talk to him to talk about little Johnny's grades.

Headmaster was not the glamorous job he thought it would be. Right now he would give it up if it meant she would come back. She had not shown hide nor hair of herself, sending Harry to collect her things. He could only shrug when he said he was there for her things for fear he might break down in tears.

The day he had walked back into his chambers to find her ring on the night stand was the day he died inside. He knew it would happen but he was clutching at straws the perhaps she would change her mind and forgive him, he was stupid to think such a thing.

He had been keeping his distance from Sinistra, he did not trust her and decided it was best to steer clear of the hussy.

His days were a haze, from the moment he woke up until the moment he tried to sleep. Nothing in life mattered right now. He would not of cared if he dropped dead right now, at least he would no longer be hurting.

He wanted to go to her, to talk to her, to try and sway her decision. But she was stubborn, there was no way she would take him back- ever. He was sure of that. She had probably moved on for all he knew.

HG/SS

"You're moping again." Harry pointed out to Hermione as she sat on the couch hugging her knees watching the rain spatter against the window, she felt as awful as the weather was.
"Am not." She stated pointedly. The truth was she was moping and she knew it but she did not want anyone else to see her hurt any more.

"Go talk to him?" Harry offered, eyeing her off wondering if he had hit a sore spot.
She only sighed and shook her head. He had been watching his friend hurt for the past month, he knew she still loved Severus but she was not going to let him win even if it meant her heart was broken and she was unhappy for the rest of her life.

"I cannot even look at him right now, Harry." She hugged her legs tighter to her chest. "He disappointed me, broke my trust and broke my heart."

"How do you know he wasn't under a lust potion? She could have hidden it in her perfume," Harry interjected.
He watched her shake her head. "Come on Harry, you expect me to believe a grown woman used a lust potion. I would've expected that when we were back at School, but a grown woman..." She trailed off... She guessed the logic to Harry's suggestion was there but found it highly unlikely.

"I just think you two should talk it over, it would be a shame for you to throw a relationship like that away?"

"Like what?"

"Like what you and him have...Had." He corrected himself. "He was so in love with you Hermione. Anyone could see that, he would've jumped off the astronomy tower for you Hermione. "

She only shrugged, signalling end of conversation. Harry walked from the room, shaking his head. He had to get the two of them together and he needed a cunning plan.

HG/SS

"You say she wants to see me?" He leant back on his desk, raising a single brow. He found it really hard to believe that after a month and a half of no contact, the girl would want to talk to him. The boy was having him on, surely?

"Oh yeah, she was too embarrassed to come and ask you herself. You know, not talking to you and all she feels a bit stupid."

"And you expect me to come with you now? No notice?"

Harry nodded "Yeah, pretty much."

He watched as the man pinched the bridge of his nose, did he want to see her? Would all the guilt that he had suppressed deep down inside of him come bubbling to the surface again?

"Fine Potter, you win, take me to her."

Harry grinned sheepishly, this was going to be way to easy.

HG/SS

"This better be good, Draco." Hermione huffed as he led her into Harry's sitting room.
"Tea." Draco pointed to the pot on the table, a large pile of scones with it.

"You dragged me away from what I was doing for tea?"

"You were lying on your bed feeling sorry for yourself...I thought maybe you had a few moments to spare."

"I need your wand." Draco held out his hand.

"My...My wand. Why?"

"Oh I want to read your tea leaves but need your want to do so. I read it in a book, gives the most accurate way."

She raised an eyebrow, was he having her on? Reluctantly she handed the polished piece of wood to Draco. Just at the moment Harry entered the Room, Severus following him.

"What is he doing here?" Hermione's heart dropped into her stomach, beating so hard she thought a hear attack was imminent.

Before anyone had a chance to talk Harry had Disarmed Severus. "No you two are going to stay in here and talk it out, I don't care if it takes all day." Harry grinned.

"Oh and no chance of getting out of this room, the whole place is charmed, you are pretty much stuck here until we see fit," Draco added.

The two left the room, shutting the two occupants in. "There, now they have no choice to talk." Harry pocketed Severus' wand, pressing his ear to the door, he wanted to know what was going to come of this.

"Hermione," his voice soft, his body trembling, he was in the same room as her, oh gods how he loved her.

Hermione turned her head away from him "I care not to talk to you, Severus Snape." A tear slid down her cheek. Her head telling her to ignore him her heart screaming at her to walk to him and fall into his embrace.

"Please?" Sadness ebbed into his voice, he tried to school his features into a neutral expression but failed. He was damn well miserable and he was sick of hiding it.

"No," she chocked out, sitting down on a couch, suddenly the sky outside had become very interesting, blue and clear, perfect weather.

"Please?" He was almost pleading with her now, he never pleaded with anyone but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"I am so sorry." A haughty sigh passed his lips as he sat down, staring at her. He took in every inch of her. From her Auburn locks, her brown eyes, her slender hands led to slender fingers.

His apology only landed upon deaf ears, she was choosing to ignore him. He was going to have to do it, he was going to have to get down on his knees and beg.

Walking over to where she sat he got on his knees in front of her, gently he took her hand, relishing in the feel of her skin against him. She did not pull away, instead he noticed a staggered breath from within her as she gently closed her eyes. She missed his touch. His other hand gently cupped her chin, her forced her to look at him.

They locked eyes, reaching into one another's soul. Hermione studied him, the lines in his face had deepened since she had last seen him. He looked tired and worn, his eyes blood shot and sad, so very sad.

He searched hers, hurt mixed in with trepidation, a hint of sadness within her shone through. She pulled her head away, her hand from his soon followed.

"I am sorry, I cant Severus," He voice soft, tears soon followed.
He bowed his head looking to the floor. "What is it you want?" He whispered, tears pricking his eyes. "What is it you want from me?" Sobs soon followed. "Please tell me woman, what is it you want to hear from me, Sorry? I am sorry," He stated, not looking to her, he felt weak and did not want her to see the true heart wrenching hurt.

"What do you need to know Hermione? I will never do it again, I did not mean it, it was like I was under some spell. I have gone over and over it in my head. I could not help it, Hermione. I felt myself being pulled to her, it was all so hazy."

Hermione snorted, eyes watery. "Only thing that pulled you towards her was you cock."

"I admit there is some history there between the two of us, however the past is just that, the past. "
"Oh come off it, I saw the way you looked at her, like a fifteen year old boy seeing his first set of tits, it was disgusting."

"I have told you, that wasn't me. Something over come me." A mild anger wound it's way into his voice. He wiped the tears from his cheeks. He hardly shed a tear and here he was shedding them for her, did she not know how much she meant to him?

"You expect me to believe that? And what the next time it happens you will use the same excuse or some up with a new one?" She cocked her head to the side and raised both brows.

"Oh for fuck sake Hermione. Will you just believe me, what do you want me to do? I said I am sorry, if you cannot see I am sincere well then there is no hope us." He got to his feet.

His words rang through Hermione's ears, no hope for us. She was not sure if those were the words she wanted to hear. She was not sure she was ready to throw it all away, to never wake up beside him again, to never love him.

She sat, pondering for a while. Could she take him back? Could she trust him ever again. Veritaserum, that is what she needed right now.

"Do you agree to take some Veritaserum?"

"Wait, what of course I am." Why had he not thought of that before. Truth was he was so heart broken he was not thinking so logical.

"Now if only we had some."

She no sooner finished her sentence when she heard harry call from the other side of the door.

"Veritaserum is in the tea!"

Hermione shook her head, cunning, so cunning that one, he should have been a Slytherin, it suited him to a T.

Leaning forward she grabbed the teapot in her hand, gentle she took a cup, pouring the tea into the cup shakily, she was worried about what the truth may really reveal.

Handing it to him he drank it without hesitation. Sitting down he leant back, hands behind his head, he felt good about this.

"Do you love me?" She had to know.
He rolled his eyes what a stupid question. "Yes." The answer was simple and to the point, much like he was.

"Do you have feeling for Sinistra."
"No, he almost blurted out, the feeling to bring the truth out compelled him."

"Did you have sex with her that night."

"No."

"Do you honestly think you were under the influence of a lust potion?"

"Honestly, yes."

"Would you ever set out to deliberately cheat on me?"

"Never."

"Do you still want to marry me?"

"Yes."

"You know I am not just going to jump back into your arms. You have royally fucked up Severus Snape, lust potion or not you broke my heart. Are you aware there is some major ass kissing to be had."

"Naturally." He drawled.

She sat thinking for a few moments longer, happy with all responses she called out to Harry.

"You can let us out now Harry."

The doors opened, "Glad to be of service." Draco offered a sweeping bow almost to the floor.

"I guess we have a wedding to plan?" Harry asked happily.

"Not quiet yet, Harry." Hermione interjected.

he was crest fallen, he wanted to plan a weeding but thought he would cease the opportunity of Severus under the truth potion.

"You have ruined my fun there Hermione, however I think I will have a little fun with Severus here."

Severus groaned, he did not have a good feeling about this at all.

"Severus Snape," he began, walking backwards and forwards in front of the man. "Do you find me likeable?"

Fuck him and his questions. "Highly likeable Potter."

Harry grinned "Do you love me?"

Severus cocked an eyebrow, what hell kind of question was that. "Like a son," came his reply, he had tried to keep it in but was unable.
Harry now grinning like the Cheshire cat had one last question."What do you think of me."

I think you are an annoying prat, was what his mind was screaming but his tongue told other wise.
"Harry Potter, I like you. Akin to what you may thing of what I think of you I think you are brave and courageous, however I also think you would have been a much better Slytherin. I have never come across quiet someone as cunning as yourself.

Also, I think you are a big sparkly fairy the way you carry on sometimes, I cannot believe I used to think you liked witches, the blatant proof that you were gay was there the whole time and I cannot believe it took until you come out of the closet for me to realise."

"Ah I love you too, big guy."

Severus could only shake his head, how the hell did he get into this situation, now Harry knew he did like him after all the boy would try to befriend him more then his prior effort.

"Can we go now before he asks if I fancy him?" He shot a pleading gaze at Hermione who nodded. He stood up and followed her out of the room. He was content, his life was going to be fine after all.
He was not going to die alone and be devoured by a hungry house cat. Yes, life was going to be perfect, for the first time in his life he could be truly happy.

A/N: A bit longer this time...Nearly 6 pages long :/ I was on a roll. I hope you all liked it. Now they may be back together it does not mean she is going to take it easy on him, oh no he has to prove he can be trusted again, first thing he has to do...Fire that slut Sinistra...That could be ….fun.

Thank you for all the reviews! They make me smile. Thank you for the favourites, both the story and me as an author, wow talk about humbling!

Aliasmel1