Chapter 60: A Rather Reckless Endeavor

{A/N: Here's Another Update...Late Post}

My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

(I'm an ever rollin' wheel, without a destination real,...I'm an ever spinning top, whirling around till I drop...Oh but what am I to do, my mind is in a whirlpool...Give me a little hope, one small thing to cling to...You got me going in circles (oh round and round I go)...You got me going in circles...(Oh round and round I go, I'm spun out over you)...I'm a faceless clock, with timeless hopes that never stop...Lord but I feel that way, of my soul, my soul is stay...Oh but what am I to do, my mind is in a whirlpool...Give me a little hope, one small thing to cling to...} Going In Circles, The Friends Of Distinction

Hogsmeade Villiage, Wizarding World...

The biting chill of a ill wind had not been of any consequence to the lone figure standing beneath the large rows of trees that began the decent into the eerie forest that lined the outside of Hogsmeade Villiage. It had been a rather fortunate turn of events as Hermione Granger found herself waiting alone in the cold, far from the prying eyes of her well meaning but overly protective friends. It was especially fortunate that Harry's blasted map could not get in the way here. She had intended to do some shopping, a routine trip by now since her first year. The Gryffindor and Slytherin classes were due a trip to the villiage after steller test scores and both Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape had to accompany them. It had been quite some time since she'd gotten a moment alone with the dour man, whom had been quite preoccupied due to his respective duties as Head of Slytherin, the resident Potions Professor and the side errands for Dumbledore pertaining to his little known yet extremely vital role at Hogwarts.

For her part, Hermione had been clever enough to arrange this "meeting" of sorts in a bid to spend a little time with him. He had been reluctant as always but saw no harm in merely being around her given his current level of duties. He had made it a point to avoid her up until then, knowing all too well that Dumbledore was keen on watching them. As she waited, a familiar sense of comfort and warmth enveloped her as she found herself being pulled into the arms of her rather clever invisible love. Despite the effects of the well brewed potion, she'd know him anywhere.

"Severus." she whispered feeling his grip around her waist.

"Now what is a beautiful young witch like you doing out here all by yourself?" asked a familiar baritone voice that seemed do tease at her ears. "Don't you know there are death eaters lurking about in the shadows?"

Hermione swiftly pulled her wand and flicked it in the direction of where she felt a certian dour wizard had been standing.

In an instant, he had appeared, his trademark ebony attire with his eyes keen in their direction as they were fixated upon her.

"Not fair." he said disappointed if only briefly that she had ruined his little game. Yet he remained impressed via her quick reflexes and the sudden measure of attaction between them.

Hermione smiled briefly before rushing into his arms. She could hardly believe it when he pulled her in close as their respective lips crashed together like battered ships along a rocky coast.

She had been looking forward to this day for quite some time, so much so that she had nearly forgotten just how close they had been to Hogsmeade villiage.

"I've missed you." said Hermione pulling back at last, her amber eyes had been alight with unspoken happiness at the sight of him.

It was a strange sight to behold for Severus Snape, most of the time dread had been the only reaction his very presence had gotten out of anyone in his company. Yet here she was, his young wife eager to be near him despite the ramifications and dangerous elements pertaining to their new found relationship.

"I wish for you to..." he began only to be silenced via a kiss from his still very eager young wife.

It appeared she had been in no mood to waste any aspect of the brief moments they shared together.

Being in close proximity after being apart for so long had awoken a kind of unnammed hunger within them and saw to their fast progression of repeated passion filled kisses. Snape did his best to attempt to compose himself after a while, knowing full well that McGongagall could come searching for the girl at any moment.

"Hermione." he said in something of a reluctant tone. "We mustn't become too careless...there are boundries to preserve."

Hermione kissed him once more before pulling away. She hated when he brought up anything resembling boundries, especially when they had so little time together.

"I find myself unable to deny you very much of anything." he confessed. "Be it a few moments more or what have you...witch I believe you are having some sort of effect on me."

His confession was rather shocking as well as welcome, truth be told she'd been dealing with their mutual boundries with great difficulty.

"You look tired." she said observing him in this moment. "Have you been getting any rest as of late?"

Snape still found it amusing that she had been concerned for him. It wasn't unsual of course, she'd been obsessed with his wellbeing aside from the day she set his favortie cloak on fire as if the guilt of the inccident had plauged her from that moment on. He had been quite annoyed after the ordeal and managed to get some sembelance of payback following the flaming encounter after purposely adding cat hair to her unsanctioned polyjuice potion.

"Everything is as it always had been." he replied not wishing to speak of his various tasks. "There is no use in changing it now."

Hermione sighed.

She had been afraid that he'd say something along those lines, but what could she do? Severus Snape had been a spy for the Order of Phoenix for longer than she'd been alive.

"We should be getting back." said Snape noting the time.

"I want to see you again, and not after another long week." insisted Hermione. "We could meet up before we go to Headquarters, perhaps stop by Spinner's End...anything really...I just want to be with you."

Snape sighed this time his mind racing to find the needed window of opportunity. Dumbledore was keeping him quite busy in a bid to put some distance between himself and Hermione for a while, his ploy had been to ensure they did not further become romantically attached, despite his best efforts however, Snape had been quite attached to the young Gryffindor witch. Almost as much as she had been to him in the recent weeks.

Hermione watched him attentively knowing full well that he had been unable to deny her, even with the factor of risk being the way it was.

"Alright." he concluded despite his better judgement. "We'll go to Spinner's End following school letting out for the upcoming holiday."

Hermione had been so thrilled about their plans that she rushed over toward him kissing him in a frenzy before backing away again.

Snape then "escorted" her back to Hogsmeade Villiage, they were enjoying the rather peaceful walk and neared the entrance to the villiage when the Potions Master felt the inevitable burning of the dark mark on his left forearm.

Hermione's eyes widened briefly out of concern as Snape scrambled to hide his agony and make it to the villiage. He said not a word as he took off leaving his young wife behind to question just how badly he'd be injured upon his latest return from the despot Voldemort's summons.