I know this isn't as long as the others but I fear if I want to keep updating at all, they're going to have to be. I am back at work adn very busy currently. Your patience is appreciated as always.

Lu

Hermione sat in her room going over the things she had learned over the past two hours. As far as she could make out, there were three problems that needed to be solved. One was the fact that Severus was already married to a mentally ill and very sick woman whom he had kept secret from the rest of the wizarding community. This one required the poor woman to be looked after and cherished in her final days, rather than ignored and being left chained to the bed. She had no idea what had possessed a usually caring man to do such a callous and cold thing. Sure, it might have caused a gossip or two to start wagging their tongues but surely it didn't mean all that much to him? He didn't seem to be overly bothered by his reputation when she had known him. Then again, he had been forced to be so careful that he didn't have all that much time to dwell on it. She shook her head.

Then there was the problem of him being engaged to Fleur. Hermione was pretty sure that bigamy was against the law still and that by being engaged to her, Severus was putting himself at great risk. The last thing she wanted to do was see him in a cell for the crime, so admitting to it wasn't an option. She chewed the skin at the side of her nail thoughtfully trying to think of a solution to this issue. The glimmer of an idea fluttered into her mind but she rejected it instantly as being far too outrageous for this time period. The problem was, if Severus merely broke off the engagement, Fleur would always have the tarnish of that relationship following her around. Others would assume that it was because she wasn't good enough, or that there was something wrong with her and thus, she would be doomed to never marry. The role of a fallen woman was not one Hermione wanted for her so doing that wasn't an option. What she needed was someone to make Fleur realise that she didn't love her future husband and so have her call off the relationship. Nor could she envision Severus mistreating her to the point she rejected him. He was cold but he was far from a bastard!

The third problem was how they felt about one another. It was sweet, knowing that his affections mirrored hers and that there was potential for that to go somewhere. For a moment, the other problems fell away and she was lost in a daydream that involved just the two of them. Her cheeks coloured at the thought and although she was alone, she felt a little guilty for indulging herself. Shaking her head, she snapped out of it and returned to the thinking that needed to be done – there would be time for racy day-dreams later on!

A smile spread over her face; perhaps that was the key here – catching Severus in a compromising position might just prove to Fleur that her lover was less than sincere in his actions. Perhaps telling her the truth would drive her away and seek another with her affections. It might be too much to hope for, however it was something that could be considered. Hastily, she picked up a pen and a fresh piece of parchment, eager to set her ideas down and send them to Severus. She could feel the excitement of the idea pulsing through her as she set the pen on the paper. So much so that she didn't hear the door to her room open.

"Hermione?" came the voice of Molly.

Hermione jumped into the air and twisted her head around, "You startled me," she said placing her hand on her chest and the pen on the letter.

"Sorry love," Molly said kindly, "Just checking you're alright, you were very pale when you entered, did Mr Snape say anything to you?" she asked. The woman made her way over from the door and sank onto the bed, her knees creaking as she sat. Hermione shook her head and turned her chair around, keen for her to not see the letter she was writing. If Molly found out what they were planning, she would be in a whole world of trouble!

"It was a nice visit," she said shaking her head, "He has never been nasty to me, nor has he made any move otherwise," Hermione said.

"I know but the argument you had a month or so ago is fresh in my mind, even if it isn't in yours. We're just looking out for you," she said, giving her arm a small pat. Hermione could only nod. She knew Molly meant well but there was something more than a little overbearing about the way she did it. Hermione was more than capable of looking after herself and didn't need smothering in this manner. Of course, she could find herself somewhere to live on her own but she got the impression that such a thing would be looked down on here.

"It's fine," she said again making sure she smiled at the older woman. Molly nodded, seemingly satisfied before getting up and looking over her shoulder.

"What are you writing?" she asked, trying to see what was on the desk.

"I was thinking about writing a story," Hermione lied quickly. "I've just popped down a few ideas so far, nothing more and I doubt it will come to anything," she added. Molly's eyes narrowed a fraction but she just nodded

"Well, so long as it keeps you busy," she said, her tone a little flat. Hermione knew Molly didn't believe a word she had said but she kept her face still anyway. Molly turned to leave. The moment the door was shut, she let out a small sigh and made a mental note to hide these papers when she left the room. The problem was where. Looking around, she got up and began to search the room. It was terribly well maintained and as such, the search for little cubby holes was fruitless. About to give up, she glanced down and spotted what appeared to be a loose board at the back of the room. She bent down and gave it a little nudge. It moved! Not one to give up, she pushed it a little harder and it lifted up. The space below was tiny, not big enough for more than a small purse, but it would do for her papers.

Folding them up, she carefully tucked away the ones with her notes on before resuming writing her letter. That would never be discovered; it was going to be sent the moment it was finished. As soon as her other pages were safely stashed, she resumed writing the letter. It didn't take long to get it finished and the moment it was, it was sent with her owl. Then, she let out a sigh, purged her mind of the uncharitable thoughts she had been having, and headed down to the sitting room. It was about time she spent some hours down there with her friends, the last thing she wanted to do was arouse suspicion from anyone else in the household!

When she entered the sitting room, Lavender and Ron were already there, as well as Harry and Ginny. Her smile widened when she saw her friends and she joined them willingly. It would be good to spend some time with them relieving the stresses of the rest of the day.