Disclaimer: Not mine, none of it. Well the plot is my little brainchild but that's it really!

A/N: So here is the next installment of our tale. I want to take the time to thank you all for the amazing response I have been receiving to this story. I know that the last chapter was not easy for everyone to read but I want to thank you for sticking with my and this story anyways. The last chapter also marked my 300th review! I can't believe it. You are all wonderful and maybe a little crazy! I love you all. Thank you so much for the reviews, and the alerts and favorites that this story (and me!) are getting. Love you all.

Kisses for the muse.

*fresh new lily*

Saturday morning Severus woke up in an empty bed. It wasn't something he was unaccustomed to but this was not his home, this was Hermione's and she should be there. He liked their mornings. It makes sense though, he thought to himself, after what I put her through last night I don't suppose I would want to roll around tangled in sheets kissing me this morning either.

Severus had not slept particularly well. In fact Severus couldn't remember a time when he'd had such a horrible night's sleep since before the battle at Hogwarts. Last night Severus had dreamt of Hermione, the woman he was falling further and further in love with, being brutalized and tortured over and over again by two long dead Death Eaters, and then by two people he knew were still very much a threat. Soon he knew he would have to do something about Weasley and his little puppet master girlfriend. Dolohov's supposed daughter would never get the chance to hurt Hermione, he would see to that.

He could only hope that it had worked. He couldn't begin to think what Hermione would be going through if he had forced her to relive that memory for nearly two hours when he had several times felt her trying to push him from her mind so that she could stop. He was worried that she wasn't in bed because she didn't want to see him. He wondered frantically if she was even home at all.

There was nothing else to do but look for her, so Severus headed out in search of Hermione. It didn't take long. Severus walked into the kitchen and was elated to see obvious signs that Hermione had been there. Her pump was clean and resting in the drying rack next to the sink, along with a plate and a tea cup. The most telling though was the plate of fluffy hotcakes that were covered with strawberries, sitting under a strong stasis charm at Severus normal seat, along with a glass of fresh orange juice, a yellow rose, and a note. Severus picked up the rose that he knew Hermione had cut from the back yard and went to find an empty bottle to put it in, not knowing where he might find a vase in the house. He found the empty bottle from the blood orange soda he had brought earlier in the week, and with a flick of his wand the label was gone leaving a clean clear bottle that he filled with water and placed the rose in, setting it on the windowsill to get light.

He knew he was avoiding what might be in her letter. Maybe she made him breakfast to let him down easy. But Severus decided that if it wasn't good news he at the very least wanted tea, which thankfully Hermione had not made for him. It didn't delay him for long and Severus soon found himself sitting at the table, afraid to read a note Hermione had left him.

It was complete and utter foolishness of course. Severus Snape was no stranger to dangerous situations and torment. He may not be a Gryffindor but he was no Hufflepuff and wasn't about to shy away from a piece of stationary. If she said something devastating after last night, like she no longer wanted to see him, well he would just have to show her that he wasn't going to give up easily. Hoping for the best, and fearing he wouldn't find it in the crisply folded stationary, Severus sat down and began to read.

Severus,

I really don't know where to start. What you did for me last night, it's beyond words. I, Hermione Granger am at a loss for words. Okay, well maybe not, but none of them seem quite good enough for the feelings that are bursting inside of me. I won't pretend that I know how hard that must have been for you, I lived it, and yet what you did was something else entirely. Thank you.

I woke this morning just before the dawn and felt like I was finally free. When you were locked in the memory I thought for certain it wasn't working, it was so painful. The memory was so vivid, so real. I hated you for putting me through that again, and for the things you said to me. Now, I only hope I can repay you for what you have done for me. You see, I woke up this morning and knew somehow that it had worked. Greyback holds no more power over me. I can put his memory in the bowels of my brain, to slowly fade away, just as surely as he is rotting in the bowels of some hell. I can't describe it, though I will go out on a limb and assume you can understand without me having to. Thank you Severus. Thank you.

I let you sleep, you looked so exhausted, and I know from my reading (I know, I know, what hasn't she read…) but I know that Legilimancy is draining on your magic when you do it for too long, and what you did was so much more, not to mention that I am certain it was…difficult to see. I wish I could say that you at least rested well after all that you did, but you looked so pained in your sleep. I really can't help but feel terrible for that. I know it was my fault that you found your sleep so restless. We can talk about it now, if you wish. I think I'm ready.

To thank you, and show you that I love you, I made breakfast. I know I am not a great cook, but hotcakes are something I can handle. It is almost like I am baking and at least that I can handle. Oh, did I mention, I can bake. You see, unlike cooking, an art form you excel in, baking is a science. My mother always told me that and I would have to agree. It is all precise measurements and weights, taking into account the altitude and relative humidity. Ah numbers, I do so love my numbers Severus. And so, especially for you, I have made hotcakes with fresh strawberries that I have macerated in a bit of sugar and perhaps more of my father's rum than was entirely necessary. I couldn't help it though. Daddy always did have top quality rum. I hope you enjoy your breakfast Severus. I will be in the garden, until ten that is. I still have tea planned with Minerva for eleven. And she is sorely mistaken if she thinks I won't give her a piece of my mind. Well, I will be gone most I the day I venture, and Luna and I will be back here tonight. I leave it to you to decide where you wish to stay tonight. I certainly have no problems if you want to stay here with us, but well, we both know how little patience you have for my friends.

I love you Severus. Enjoy your breakfast. Find me when you are done.

H

Severus refolded the piece of paper and breathed a sigh of relief. She loved him, and it worked. She was right though, he wanted to talk. He wasn't ready now though, funny that. Releasing the stasis charm and taking a bite of his breakfast Severus decided that she was also right about her ability to cook hotcakes.

After Severus had finished his breakfast he quickly washed up his dishes and set out to find the woman he loved.

Hermione had managed to find her mums old portable CD player that morning and had found an old Beatles CD and was happily swaying her hips and singing along with 'Eight Days A Week' as she worked to plant a few annuals she had picked up that morning when she had gone for a run. She wasn't sure Severus would be pleased that she had gone running without telling him, but she had left a note. Then he had still been asleep when she had returned she had decided that it was perhaps it was better kept to herself. It was just, that waking up that morning Hermione felt free and new. She was ready to take back her life, and that included her body. The boys may love to ogle her curves, but the fact that she still looked to be four or so months pregnant was not a happy reminder that she was not actually expecting a child in the coming month.

She had gotten up that morning and showered, and seeing how early it was decided to run. Then she came across the nursery she remembered her dad taking her to as a girl, where he would buy everything he needed for the garden, explaining to his overly inquisitive daughter why some flowers were best planted at different times in the season, why some needed more or less sunlight, and which were best for the butterfly garden where her mother liked to sip her tea in the early mornings. She had gone in, trying her best not to be saddened to be there without her father, and decided that her first step in making the house hers would be to finish what she had started in the garden. So she had stocked up on small annuals in various colors so she could fill in the holes and brighten up the yard. She finished her planting and stood to get the hose, her hips still swaying in time to the music, when she noticed Severus leaning against the doorframe watching her. He was only wearing a pair of grey sleep pants and Hermione had never seen a sexier sight. He was half smiling, half smirking at her, obviously amused by her gardening style. She wondered how long he had been there, watching her. Had he eaten his breakfast, had he read her note? All Hermione knew was that she needed him, needed to show him how much he meant to her. She wanted to show him that she wasn't afraid anymore. Hermione pulled off the headphones she had been wearing and put the portable compact disk player on the grass and broke into a run.

Severus was smart enough to change his stance and prepare to catch the woman bounding wildly his way. Severus barely stumbled as Hermione flung herself into his arms, wrapping her legs firmly around his waist and attacking him with kisses. She playfully sucked his bottom lip and gave it a slight nip before plundering his mouth with her tongue. Severus responded to her kiss with equal fervor. He moved his hands down the length of her back and under her arse to hold her steadily against him as he spun around to carry his burden inside.

Severus and Hermione kissed with fervor as Severus wound his way through the kitchen and into the living room where he sat on one of the armchairs, Hermione's legs unwrapping just a bit from his waist so that she was straddling him comfortably on the chair, her hands releasing from their lock around his neck to bury themselves in his hair. Hermione rocked her hips against Severus, feeling his hardened length growing against her heated core causing both of them to moan into each other's mouths. Hermione was reveling in the power she felt, and the hope that she would finally be able to enjoy the wizard, who was so maddeningly passionate and bucking his hips beneath her, the way she had been dreaming about.

Severus seemed to be thinking along the same lines as his movements became more frantic, and desperate, his hands gently but firmly kneading at the flesh of her arse, while his lips left hers to travel a path along her jaw to suckle on her neck. Hermione was panting, having finally caught her breath when she felt Severus' cool fingers work themselves under the stretchy material of her camisole. And then everything came to a sudden halt. Severus froze in his movements as soon as his fingers brushed over the scars on her back, the scars that the night before he watched as they were inflicted on her perfect skin.

Severus couldn't speak, or think, or register anything other than the hatred for dead monsters. He didn't notice the look of shame and sorrow that marred Hermione's beautiful face until it was too late. Before he had managed to form words or could begin to explain she was pushing away and jumping off his lap.

"I knew it," she cried as she turned and ran for the stairs, her tears already beginning to fall before she could manage to hide them from him.

Severus sat frozen for a moment as he wrapped his mind around what had just happened. Hermione had been so passionate and happy, and then he had managed to ruin all of it. She had always expected him to react with disgust to her body and he had proved her thinking correct, even if the disgust was aimed at the monsters responsible for the wounds she suffered, and most certainly not for her. He had to make her understand. He just couldn't stop the images from surfacing in his head when he felt the physical reminder of what he had seen in her mind the night before.

"Shite!" Severus exclaimed as he sprung out of his seat and began to bound for the stairs to follow after the woman he loved, who he had just hurt badly, no matter how unintentionally it had been. "Hermione!" he called as he ran up the stairs.

Hermione furiously stripped her soiled clothes from her body and threw them into the wicker hamper in the corner before throwing the shower curtain open and stepping into the shower, not bothering to set the temperature to her liking, just turning the taps when her body was already in the path of the spray. Cold water beat down on her as she sunk to the floor of the tub, unknowingly mirroring Severus from the night before, letting her tears fall as the water slowly heated. Hermione cried as her heart felt like it was shattering. Severus was disgusted by her. He had been swept away by her kisses for a few minutes, but as soon as he remembered the truth of her past, how filthy she had been, the sick things that had not only been done to her, but that she had done, he couldn't stand to touch her. She could see the sickened look on his face. She should have known he wouldn't be able to accept it. Who would? She had hoped Severus would understand, wouldn't judge her so harshly, but it was too much apparently. Hermione grabbed at her loofa and added a bit of her body wash before she began to scrub ferociously at her skin. She knew it wouldn't erase her past, but she so desperately wanted to feel clean, even if she felt deep down that she would always be filthy.

Severus had erased the pain and fear of what had happened to her, but the knowledge of what it made her remained. She felt she would never be able to escape it, she would always carry the scars of what had been done, and no one would be able to look past it to see her underneath. She almost wished she hadn't gone through with it. In the end she still couldn't have Severus. She felt she could finally give herself to him but now he wouldn't want her. Instead of her being too afraid to be intimate with him it was he who was put off at the thought of her. Hermione's tears continued to flow steadily as she scrubbed unthinkingly at her reddening flesh. She didn't notice the water was finally heated and starting to scald her skin. The build in temperature had been so gradual and her mind focused solely on her emotional turmoil. She never registered Severus' voice calling out to her, or the click of the lock as he cast an 'Alohamora' and slipped in to the bathroom.

Severus could hear the water running as he made his way down the hall. She hadn't been in her room, so it was no surprise that she would be in the bath. The door was locked, but a quick 'Alohamora' was all it took to get it open. He had told himself that morning before he read her letter, that if she wanted to run from him he wouldn't let her. Nothing about that had changed. He just had to make her understand why he froze, that it wasn't her that caused the reaction, not really. He knew that would be easier said than done.

Severus hated what he saw when he opened the door. Hermione was so lost in her sorrow that she didn't notice as he entered. Slowly he approached the tub, trying not to spook her. She hadn't even bothered to close the shower curtain and some water was spraying outside the tub onto the floor and bath mat. He could see the pink tint of her skin that was redder where she had rubbed so vigorously. "Hermione," he whispered.

It was enough to break the spell, her head snapped up and her eyes locked with his. Suddenly, seeing the pain in his eyes she snapped. "Don't you dare look at me like that Severus Snape! You don't get to be hurt. You were so desperate to know the truth and now you know. You took away my pain just to break me is that it? I told you it was too much, you wouldn't like what you saw. But no, we did it your way. And now…just go. We both know you don't want to be here. Leave. Go. I SAID GO!" she screamed, not noticing how much her words hurt him.

Severus had to fight not to snap at her for her attitude and tone. "Damn it Hermione! I am not going anywhere. I love you, you stubborn, frustrating, beautiful witch! I love you. That is not about to change because I am having trouble dealing with what I saw. What would you have me do? What I saw, what they did Hermione, I can't…Aggghhh!" he cried out, his words not coming as easily and fluidly as he was used to. This situation was difficult enough without him having to try to explain his feelings to her while her naked body, heaving from her tears, pink from the hot water pouring on it, was laid out before him. He was a man after all, and she was so beautiful to him. Why couldn't she just understand that?

Deciding that this was going nowhere with her in the shower Severus stepped forward and turned the tap off, hissing as his arm went under the scalding spray. Without a word he reached out and scooped Hermione from the tub, holding her to him, one arm secured under her arms and the other under her knees.

Hermione was too upset to fight him. She wanted him to love her, and to want her. Hermione buried her head into his neck as her tears continued to fall. He carried her down the hall to her room and laid her gently on the bed casting a drying spell at her, and then his own wet clothes. Hermione just sat there, slowly rocking back and forth in an attempt to calm herself, while Severus went through her closet searching for something for her to wear.

Severus looked through her closet for something for her to wear; he knew she still needed to go to Scotland to see Minerva and Longbottom. Then she would be in London with Lovegood for the rest of the day. He ended up pulling out a simple white sundress with wide straps and a square neckline. That decided on he went to her drawers and found a matching set of white lace knickers and a bra. Her back was to him as he approached her, her legs tucked up under her chin as she stared off at the wall. Severus set down the dress and undergarments on the edge of the bed and slowly crawled up behind her.

Hermione felt the mattress dip as Severus climbed on behind her. "Hermione," he whispered as he went to wrap his arms around her waist and draw her to him.

Hermione shied away from his touch and scooted forward on the bed, letting her feet drop to the floor. "I have to get ready. You should just go. You have a full day of brewing as it is. Stay at your flat, Luna's coming tonight anyhow. We both know you would be miserable. Thank you for your help Severus. I'll be in touch," she said quietly, working desperately to keep the pained emotions out of her voice.

Severus was not a man to give up that easily. He tried to place his hand on her arm to stop her from getting up but she shrugged it off and stood anyways. "Hermione listen to me, would you?" he pleaded, his voice strained.

Hermione turned to face him with fresh tears sliding down her cheeks. "Severus…" she started, shaking her head sadly, "I can't do this right now. I just need some time okay. I thought that it would all be better, that it wouldn't hurt anymore, but I guess the shame won't go away so easy." Hermione put her hand up to stop him from interrupting her as he seemed prepared to do. "Just go. Please just leave," she begged him as her voice waivered with her cries.

Severus stood his ground. "No. You are going to listen to me Hermione. I deserve that much at least. If after I have had my say you still want me to leave then I will do as you wish. This is after all your house. I'm just a guest in it," he told her, his voice sounding more bitter than he had truly intended, it had after all been merely a weeks time. He certainly couldn't expect either of them to truly feel he was the permanent Wizard of the house even if it was the life he so dreamed of sharing with her in a home he could easily see themselves making their own.

Hermione, who was still nude and feeling quite exposed, reached behind her a little impatiently. "Well, if I have no choice but to listen I am at least going to get dressed first. My dress please?" she asked, pulling the clothes to her chest snappishly as Severus handed them to her.

Severus decided to turn away from her to give her some privacy while she dressed and began trying to explain. "It is not you that caused me to pause. I am sorry I reacted at all, but I swear it was not revulsion to you. You are still beautiful to me. I can't quite fathom what it is you see in me but I am grateful for it none the less Hermione. I am sorry that you still feel shame. I hope that in time I can help you to overcome that. If you will let me I will spend forever reminding you of your worth. I know that I reacted badly, but I swear it was not to you. It is not you that I am disgusted with," he tried to explain.

Hermione was just pulling the white dress up her body and slipping her arms through the arm holes when Severus gave pause. "What is it then? If not me that you find so revolting, what? Because it was most certainly me that you were snogging, it was me that you were touching, and it was certainly me that you were so repulsed by. Tell me where I misunderstood that Severus," she practically screamed as she turned to face him.

Severus looked into the tear streaked face of the woman he loved and lost his words. Stepping forward he wasted no time and pulled her body to his. He kissed her softly on her lips and then pulled back to look into her eyes. He wiped the salty tears from her face with the work roughened pads of his thumbs and then continued to absentmindedly stroke her cheeks with his thumbs as he cradled her face in his hands. "I love you, deeply, irrevocably, and absolutely inexplicably. I am sorry if my actions earlier gave you a reason to doubt me Hermione. I felt the scars, and I couldn't help but remember what I saw those monsters do to you. They disgust me. They bring about murderous feelings inside of me Hermione. Not you. My hesitation was simply the effect of me remembering how you received each of those scars. I would kill them for what they have done to you if I could. But I in no way look at you as anything but a strong, brilliant, beautiful woman. You are not the sum of what has happened to you Hermione, but how you have handled it in life. Most women would have broken. It is proof that you were sorted appropriately. A Ravenclaw, even a Slytherin," the word Slytherin came out slightly pained, "would not have held up so well under those circumstances. And a Hufflepuff, well the absurdity of that likelihood is not worth thought." Severus leaned his head down and kissed her again, softly but he held the kiss longer this time. "You amaze me Hermione. You always have," he told her with all the emotion and honesty he could.

Hermione opened her eyes and saw the truth of his words shining in his dark purple orbs. "Alright, thank you. I suppose this is just still all a little much for me. I haven't ever really honestly given all of myself to anyone. The few times I did anything with Ronald it was wearing a glamour. I'm still so scared that now that you know…" she said, stopping midsentence knowing that he would know she was talking about what he had seen in her mind.

Severus just pulled her close and held her to him. "Nothing has changed for me Hermione. I still love you, even more, if not just as much as I have for months," he told her as he dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

Hermione who had finally calmed mostly stepped back a little and smiled up at Severus. She really did feel lucky to have a man like him in her life. "Okay. Zip me up please." She turned in his grasp exposing the open zipper of her dress to him.

Severus was momentarily thrown by her change of topic, and then by the expanse of soft scarred skin but quickly gathered his senses and slid the zip up the back of the dress. "You look lovely in that dress. It suits you," he purred into her ear before spinning her back around to face him.

That time his kiss was passionate and full of desire. His hands roamed over her back keeping her close to him as his lips parted and his tongue darted out to taste her. He could still taste the salt of her tears on her lips and hated that he was the reason she had cried them.

Hermione opened her mouth to him and let his kiss sweep away all of her fears and doubts. He left her breathless and flushed and she knew that if they had the time she would have gladly tried to giver herself to him fully then. But time was something that neither of them had any of.

Breathlessly Hermione pulled away from Severus. "I have to finish getting ready. And you have potions that need your attention. I love you," she panted.

Severus smiled down at her. "I love you too. More than I thought I could really. I don't know what you have done to me," he professed. "I will leave you to get ready. You are right, I have work to do. I would like to come back tonight though if you will let me."

Hermione just nodded happily at him. He still wanted her. It made sense really that he would have some negative reaction after everything that he had seen.

Severus looked at her lovingly. "If you are sure," he intoned.

"I am. I think Luna likes you, actually," she laughed.

His eyebrow darted into his hairline and his mouth twisted into a light grimace. "She is certainly less dunderheaded than the rest of your friends. And I suppose if I can entertain George Weasley over lunch I can certainly handle an evening with Lovegood. Although I certainly doubt that she likes me," he pronounced. "Enjoy tea with Minerva. Do send her my salutations." His smirk was most devious as he contemplated all the possible 'salutations' he would like to have passed along to the older witch.

Hermione suddenly had a smirk that matched his own. "Oh, don't you worry Severus. I have a few things I wish to tell her all on my own actually. I love you. Now go, brew potions to save the world," she told him as she leaned up to kiss him goodbye.

Severus just kissed her and whispered his love against her lips before turning to leave.

Hermione sat back on the edge of the bed and gathered all her strength. She knew that things wouldn't be magically perfect for her and Severus. There was no charm for perfect love and everlasting relationships. She was sure though that if she worked on listening to what he was truly trying to tell her and he worked on his communication skills then they stood a chance at finding whatever their version of happily ever after was.

Hermione knew that if nothing else she was ready to move forward with her life. Severus really had given her a wonderful gift by taking away her fear and she wasn't about to squander it. It was time for Hermione Granger to start fighting back and standing up for herself. Minerva McGonagall wouldn't know what had hit her.

Hermione pulled her hair back into a tight bun, letting just a few pieces of hair fall loose to frame her face, and applied a dab of lip gloss before turning on the spot and apparating away to the gates of Hogwarts, fully prepared to take back part of her life and her dignity.

A/N: Okay, so what do we think? A little drama there for a minute, but now we can really look forward to Hermione taking her life back. Next chapter we see Minerva! Thank you all again. You freaking rock people!

all my love

*lily*