Thank you all for your patience, my lovely readers. Life has been a world wind of excitement with my engagement and getting a house. Here is the next chapter!

We had to rush afterwards to get clean and get dressed, but I regretted nothing. It was nice to hold onto the closeness while we could. But as he put his robes on, I saw him mentally locking away our world here. He did not look at me once as I lagged in dressing. I figured if he got out of rooms first, it would be easier for me to adjust to the mood change as well. While still wrapped in a towel, I went up to him before he finished his cravat.

"I hope you have a good day, Severus. I'll try to be in at a decent time after classes." I kissed his cheek before leaving him be, walking back into the bathroom to allow him his compartmentalization of the situation. It was only fair.

I got ready myself, plaiting my wet hair and adding some mascara to my eyelashes. The house elves had put my lotions and personal items on the other side of the double sink from Severus' things. It surprised me that it made me feel comforted. I wondered how my husband felt about it. About ten minutes later I was dressed and flooing through to my room, unsurprised that my stuff lay on the bed where I had left it. Again, as I put my book bag on my shoulder, there was a knock on my door. I opened it up to find Ginevera on the other side, a wide grin on her face.

"You must have stayed up late last night so you could sneak out to see your new man." She stated, adding a wink.

"I stayed up late, studying, Ginny. Nothing more." Half truth, technically. I stayed up until ten, studying.

"Hermione," Ginny said patiently. "I know you better than the boys. I know that it isn't studying that got you to sleep in and miss breakfast this morning. Give me a little credit. I came by last night after seeing Harry." She waited a moment, seeing if she could get me to give something up.

"And?" I asked, impatiently as I moved by her.

"Hermione, I banged so loud, that there is no way you did not hear me. You weren't in your room last night." The red head kept up easily.

"I snuck into the library last night, Gin." I replied easily, knowing that it was plausible to anyone who knew me.

"Yeah, Hermione, I'm not the boys. I'm not buying it. You are wearing your stockings now, again, and you are flushed, and not just because I'm annoying you. You've been distracted more than usual, and a blush has been all over your face multiple times the last few days. I'm a girl. I know that it is male related. You did this in your fourth year with Krum." Merlin, help me! I did not need this. "Is it Draco?" Ginny suddenly asked, her face scrunching up. She looked around, making sure no one was paying attention to us.

"No!" I exclaimed. I had stopped in my tracks, adjusting my bag. People passed by us, rushing to their own classes and paying us no mind.

"Ok, ok...I'm just curious as to who you would hide from us." Exasperated, I stopped and looked her square in the eyes. It was time to change tactics. The truth and a little omission. That was what I could live with.

"Ginny, do you understand that I am preparing for the war that is coming?" She nodded, her lips pursing. "So you know that I am doing the things that your brother and Harry are not thinking about. Harry is too focused on Dumbledore and Malfoy, Ron is focused on anything but the war and school work. That leaves me. It leaves me to find a way to survive when things hit the fan. I am trying to ensure our win, Gin. It means having to study everything I can. It means having to downplay my sneaking around because we do not know who is watching us and what is being said." It was not a lie. The point of marrying my professor and being in the predicament I was in was for 'the greater good.'

By the end of my speech, Ginny looked abashed.

"I'm sorry. You're right. I just….I was hoping you were finding a little happiness in all the crazy going on, Hermione." She half smiled and looked down at her feet.

"I appreciate that Gin, I really do." I reached out and squeezed her arm. "I don't mean to bring down your fun. But I can't have you questioning things and bringing attention to what I'm doing. I need anonymity, as much as I can, anyways."

"Makes sense." She supplied. "I'll see you at lunch, Hermione. And let me...let me know if you need help." I beamed at her in response.

"Thanks Gin. I will." With one last smile from her, she turned and headed to class. I went the other way, towards Transfiguration. I just barely made it to class in time before Professor McGonagall started, her eyebrows slightly raised at my rushed manner. How can I stay below radar with so many bloody people watching me? I was exhausted and we were only on the second day! My exhaustion only became worse. Malfoy broke his usual behavior and sat by me, shocking me.

"Good morning, Madam Snape. I noticed you and my uncle were nowhere to be seen at breakfast. You must have been naughty." He chuckled quietly, his gray eyes not leaving my face. Taking a deep breath, not breaking eye contact, I thought of Severus and his impenetrable mask.

"Ferret," I started coldly, my voice so low he almost had to bend down to hear. "Let me remind you that my activities with my husband are between us and the dark lord, as you well know. And we both know that it isn't something that is supposed to be said in public. I wonder what the dark lord would make of your constant mention of it? Maybe you should check yourself before making comments to me if they are not something you would say to your uncle." I raised an eyebrow, not quite as high as Severus could, but the surprise on Malfoy's face was priceless. His jaw suddenly tightened and he controlled his features.

"Listen mudblood, I don't know what you are high on, but you will not speak to me like that. You are a puppet. Nothing more. A way in. A way for control. My uncle obviously seduced you into thinking you meant more. But let me guess, he makes you feel special? I can give you the list of the other women who have said the same thing." My blood froze in my veins but I said nothing. Instead I chose to stare right at him and reply.

"Oh, Draco, you make it sound like you are clued in on things. How sad for you." I turned to the front, ignoring him further while my mind raced.