Chapter 71: The Silliest Of Notions

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

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

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

Following the events of Ginny telling her friends that she'd been married to Viktor Krum of all people, Hermione had been of the mind to find Severus before the supposed word got out. She had half expected him to be angry with her for allowing such a ridiculous lie to fester but much to her surprise and horror, he'd been greatly amused. His twisted brand of humor never ceased to amaze the formerly anxious young witch as she made her way over toward a nearby chair and made herself at home. The scent of herbs and fresh earth seemed to linger a good deal even, here in Sirius Black's ancestral home given that his less than savory mother was also fond of potion making. Snape continued to get a good laugh out of the ordeal she had with Ginny Weasley seeming almost relieved that she'd provided the excuse needed to spare Potter and her ill tempered brother the details of his arranged marriage to one of their own. Even more so, he'd been pleased due to the fact that Hermione as it were had been a terrible liar and having to come up with something on the spot would have proven quite difficult for her very Gryffindor sensibilities. Hermione seemed to pout in reaction to her husband's crude manner of humor.

"It's not funny Git!" she said annoyed.

Snape couldn't resist another chuckle or two before venturing toward her.

"Oh come now love, don't you see your friend Ginerva has provided us with the perfect means for escape." he reasoned. "If everyone believes you to be married to Mr. Krum then it would explain your various vanishings including the upcoming moment this afternoon."

While Hermione began to see the point, she had not much like him making fun of her being put on "the spot" as it were.

Snape's amusement had not waned as he attempted to charm his wife into seeing things his way.

With a wave of his hand, he pulled her toward him via wand-less magic and wrapped his arms around her waist. She insisted upon attempting to ignore his advances but it had been in vain. He was right after all, but the very idea of people believing her to be wed to her ex-boyfriend made her feel sick to her stomach. Viktor had chosen his career over what they had and the distance between them only intensified as the years progressed. She had in no way believed he'd been end game as far as relationships went.

"You're still a git for laughing." she added as found herself instinctively noting his amusement behind her.

"I am more than prepared to make it up to you Mrs. Snape." he replied casually in her ear. "Besides, this way we both get what we want, I can be your husband any time you'd like and keep my distance in terms of Potter's prying...The last thing he needs is to know the truth, the dark lord is counting on using this to his advantage in some way and should he ever lose trust in either one of us, that will be the end for him altogether."

Hermione sighed once more forcing herself to come to terms with her husband's way of thinking.

"Fine." she said. "But know this, I much prefer being called Mrs. Snape to Mrs. Krum git."

"I had no doubt that you did." he replied. "Besides, this little event gives me quite an idea."

Hermione arched a brow at this before he released her and ventured over toward his work station.

She recognized the ingredients almost immediately.

"Don't you dare." she said horrified by the idea that he'd do what she believed he would with this given situation.

"Well, at some point Mr. Krum will have to make an appearance if only to put Potter's mind at ease." said Snape with something of a smirk filed across his face.

Hermione rolled her eyes and made it a point to put as much distance between her self and that infernal potion as possible. This had been all Ginny's fault and Severus was going along with it. Only a Slytherin could see the advantages this idiotic silly notion brought with it but Hermione had not liked the idea of being linked with Viktor in the least. She'd been in love with Severus Snape and she didn't care whom had taken an issue with it, but they were at war and sacrifices had to be made even the sense of control that she or Severus had any say so in their respective lives when it came to what had been at stake.

Despite her annoyance, she knew Harry would be none too thrilled about the arrangement of her marriage to their Potions Professor and that the despot would see that as a means of getting into the already rattled young wizard's head. She had to go along with it, if only to protect Harry and Severus in the near future but that didn't mean she had to like it no matter how advantageous her husband thought it had been.

"Bloody git." she hissed before making her way back to her bedroom.

The events of the day and the planned trip to Cokeworth had taken their toll and she was badly in need of a good stress free slumber.

Snape returned to his project of sorts further amused by his wife's annoyance but rather firm in his idea being beneficial to them both. He knew she wanted to spend more time with him and given his status as a Professor and death eater spy, there was hardly any time for such things...let alone a means of doing so that did not arouse suspicion.