Chapter 69: Like Jekyll And Hyde

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

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

Hermione's Bedroom, 12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...

Morning caught Hermione off guard given her late night with her world weary husband. The episode he had when he returned from being summoned by the despot remained fresh in her mind as she sprang up in bed terrified of what he had in store for her now that she had let her guard down. Much to her shock, she found herself back in her room and in her bed as if it had all just been a very vivid yet horrible dream. There was no sign of Severus Snape anywhere, of course that had been for the best, given the number of people in the house whom had not been privy to their union. Taking a moment to catch her breath, Hermione examined her arm where Snape had grabbed her the night before and found no bruising of any kind and the pain from being slammed into the stone wall had gone. A sigh of relief left her as she saw her way to getting out of bed and spelling on her attire for the day. She didn't know which version of her husband had been awake that morning but she was determined to see if he'd been alright or at the very least if he had at last come to his senses.

As she exited her bedroom, she could hear the voices of Snape and Dumbledore, apparently having a short discussion before the remainder of the house's inhabitants awoke for the day. Hermione moved with a careful certainty that seemed to stem from there being no sign of her curious group of friends. Dumbledore made mention that everyone aside from Sirius Black had gone out for the day, while Sirius remained in his bedroom still asleep as it were. It was understandable with him being a wanted fugitive after all. While Voldemort's forces grew in power from the shadows, the Ministry of Magic was not without it's boogeyman in the form of an escaped prisoner.

Hermione continued down the stairs, unable to hide her delight in seeing that Severus had once more been in full control of his faculties and very much annoyed by Dumbledore's presence this morning. He'd gone over everything the night before and even did a follow up report as soon as they began to speak. He knew not why the old coot was trying to prod more information out of him as he had none to give at the moment. Snape's dark gaze focused on Hermione briefly before he was dismissed and ventured back toward the basement. He had anticipated his young wife following and had a few questions of his own in which to ask her.

As if right on cue, Hermione followed after Snape, careful in her movements not to allow Dumbledore to see her lest he disapprove and attempt to interfere with their interactions. Fortunately, the old man had pressing business at Hogwarts to see to before another errand took him elsewhere.

By the time Hermione made it down into the basement, Snape was sitting in the same chair as the night before with an expression on his sallow pale face that was similar to his usual expressions when teaching potions class.

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The Basement, 12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...

Snape sat in silence for a few moments, seemingly studying his young wife as she ventured into his makeshift quarters. She looked no worse for wear as she entered seeming to be studying him just as intently as he had her. He recalled very little of what happened between them the previous night but awakening to find her curled into the chair gripping her wand for dear life with slight bruising along her arm and back did not sit well with him.

"Severus." began Hermione relieved that he'd been in his right mind.

Snape sighed getting up from his chair and standing before her.

"I told you never to linger around me when I am in that state." he said at last getting an idea of what happened the previous night. "It is one of the few times where I lack control over my emotions and it is very difficult to suppress them as it is."

Hermione took no offense to his demeanor as she'd come to the conclusion the night before that he'd been right. She simply wished to see him and check to make sure he had been alright. It wasn't an out of place thing to worry over him, he'd returned many a night beaten and bloodied after dealing with the despot.

"I know." she said softly. "I'm so sorry."

Snape was caught off guard by her apology.

"Y-You are apologizing...to me?" he asked with an arched brow.

Hermione nodded.

"I should have heeded your warning before hand and now I've made you feel terrible about what happened last night." admitted Hermione with a sorrowful expression filed across her face.

She had not meant to make things worse for him, he already had enough to go though with teaching and his spy work as it was.

Snape's expression shifted to something unreadable before he approached her pulling her into his embrace as she clung to him.

"I'm sorry." he said attempting to find the right words to voice what he'd been feeling at that moment. "I didn't mean to...that is to say that I regret what I said to you...that word...I..."

Hermione noted his fear for the first time. This was indeed Her Severus.

"It's alright Severus." she said looking up at him for a few moments. "Have you recovered?"

Snape nodded unsure of where to go from here.

"Good." said Hermione with something of a small smile. "Now you can make it up to me."

Snape seemed caught off guard by this, but grateful that he had such an opportunity.

"Anything." he said not at all hiding his desperation.

Hermione seemed amused by this but realistically all she wanted was to spend some more time with him, possibly back at Spinner's End without all the prying eyes and waves of questions from those around them.

"I wish to return to Spinner's End before we are to be back at Hogwarts." she said.

Snape wondered what she had in mind but agreed just the same. He'd been determined to make up for his callous treatment of her the previous night and ensure she knew just how much she meant to him.

"As you wish." he replied before kissing his young wife atop the forehead. "Mrs. Snape."

As they stood there, Hermione reflected on how decidedly charming her naturally dour husband could be when he wanted to. A thought came to her mind encompassing her current situation within the pages of a Muggle book. Like Jekyll and Hyde, she found herself thinking. Severus Snape had two sides to him almost like he had been her very own Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde