It happened quickly.
The moment Hermione's knees sank to the marble tiles of St Mungo's floor, Severus dove down to grab her head in his hands just before it dropped into the melting pile of snow and slush.
"Potter!" he barked and swung his head. The young man rushed over to the Floo portal and helped Severus hoist Miss Granger up by the arms. Her brown unruly curls draped over Severus' shoulder, her cheek falling on him and a loud belching scent front her lips emptied the contents of her mouth over his green, cotton Healer robes.
Not now Granger, he whispered to her in his mind as he and Harry Potter dragged her towards the medical point of the Ministry of Magic. Hold on.
Flicks of his black and grey hair caught is his lips as he swept through the halls.
"Hurry up," Harry cried, dragging Hermione and dropping her onto one of the closest available cots. Medi-witches parted, rushing out of the way while Head of the Department, Medi-witch Katie Bell, rushed over ushering the men out. The moment Bell checked her vitals and appeared from behind the curtain, she pulled Severus aside with a sneer. "Sir, you know the protocol," she warned.
"Tell me the facts," Harry cried over them.
"She's fine," Ms Bell said." We've conducted diagnostics and she appears to be under a haze due to the Imperius curse but she will not knocked out for long."
"As for her…condition?"
"Stable. Monitored."
Thank the Cauldron, Severus thought. If he lost another person he knew- if he lost Granger. He didn't teach her for seven long years to see her wither away in a hospital cot over a defensive spell she should have learned to protect herself in her final year of remedial Hogwarts.
With Potter looking over Hermione, Medi-witch Bell looked at Severus sternly. "Sir I really must insist you stop doing this."
Severus crossed his arms. "What exactly am I being accused of?
"-you know the rules. You cannot keep dragging others into the hospital wing without following proper protocol. There are others waiting for their turn and they have been waiting since the wee hours of night."
"Miss Bell if you classify a front-line support worker as an 'other', I hardly wonder whether priority healing is a subject you were taught well in your education," Severus said sternly.
"I was taught just fine. You would do best to show respect to your colleagues."
"You would do best not to make enemies with the man who taught you to properly hold your wand. Dismissed Miss Bell."
His Professor voice worked wonders during this time, and Medi-witch Bell muttered something about minding the dirt they dragged over the hospital floor before continuing onto her next patient. But if he cared more, which he did not, he would have done best to pay attention to Miss Bell saying that he would not get away with his behavior unscathed.
Harry rubbed the back of his head, exhaling deeply. "Thank you. For Hermione."
"My pleasure."
Severus contained a snarly comment. It was so like Potter to think Severus was doing him a favor by being so kind to Granger. In truth, he had other, more selfish inclinations for helping the brilliant, Know-It-All with her unruly hair and her bubbling laugh and her stickler attitude and brazen courage.
The truth was that Severus Snape was accustomed to Hermione Granger. Truly, madly, deeply.
And he had been accustomed to her for her for the past seventeen years.
And if something were to happen to her, Cauldron forbid, he'd find it deeply burdensome to find another witch whom he saw monthly for her check ins, every sixteenth of the month at 10:30 in the morning. Severus was reaching that ripe age where he did not want to be burdened with changing his accustomed schedule and the people tied to it.
The moment they had dragged Granger into St Mungo's for the first time was when she had been only two months into the Auror Training program offered by the Ministry of Magic. She and her two friends, Harry and Ron, had decided to sneak on a mission with their more experienced colleagues and had paid for it severely.
Granger had, in fact, paid the most significant price. As usual, she had used her knowledge as a shield to protect her friends from powerful dark magic. Fueled by her own desire to show off new spells she had learned, she was perhaps a tad too confident, although she was always a quick learner, duels required less knowledge and more stealth and cunning-a skill Granger had yet to acquire.
When Harry and Ron dragged her in that night, Severus had been on his rounds as a trainee Healer. He had spent the night brewing and tending to her wounds. And when she opened her large brown eyes, and muttered 'it's you sir' it was as though he were looking at her for the first time.
And when she gathered enough strength, her first question had been about how Severus managed to survive the war, namely the horrendous snake bite that she thought killed him, then listened with wide-eyed intent as he disclosed his long-composed plan of escape involving potions ingredients and a vial of fake blood.
It sent Severus into a mild state of shock. Not many people had wondered about how he had been faring, after all this time. It was, warm and comforting, two feelings Severus hadn't felt in a long time. But being Severus, he decided to push those feelings so deep into his subconscious that not even the Basilisk's Fang could release them if struck through his heart.
That must have been the moment he had started to care about Granger's presence. At least that is what he told himself after hours of rumination. He did not care for anybody. It made him an objective Healer, but frankly, a shitty person.
But it hadn't been just her interest. Over the years, they had grown to establish an understanding. One had to, after spending so many hours in a hospital cot getting her diagnostics read.
Severus saw her determination to pursue her career path in the Ministry and to learn how to duel and defend, honing in on her studies to achieve perfection. Despite all her infuriating flaws, he had to admit that Granger was an intelligent and committed witch. He admired those qualities.
But there was something more to her, something that stirred in his chest when he was near her. Severus was not a man of many words he knew a woman might like to hear. But if he were to choose a word for her, he would choose : curious. His was certainly piked.
Sadly Granger was practically betrothed to Mr Weasley, her companion and long-time friend. She would have to be a fool not to accept him. They had been linked at the hip since their first September here at Hogwarts. Everyone knew that they would be married as soon as Hermione Granger's ambitions and appetite for learning became more restrained.
But a part of Severus hoped that maybe, she would be not restrain herself ….if not for him, than for her own good. Granger could certainly attain great heights. And he was in it for the show.
But the alluring, social acceptable call of matrimony that had struck every young witch in the workplace would inevitably take its toll. It would take a miracle for Hermione Granger to stay single.
Or perhaps, a curse.
-x-x-x-
Hand squeezing out of Ron's underarm, Hermione pulled up her dress neckline the moment Professor Sprout was distracted by Professor Flitwick's joke about the Whomping Willow and the raven. Hers was an emerald green knit dress, floor length and glittering with a tad-too low scoop neck in the front that she desperate hoped would not reveal her brassiere as she was shaking hands with some important Ministry figure or a former classmate.
Just now, a middle-aged man with short dark hair neatly tucked back and brown and black suit robes was in deep conversation with Professor McGonagall.
"To my right, see? That's Headmaster Aurelius Blackwood…no, don't point at him Ronald Weasley that's rude."
"Relax Mione, he's not even looking," Ron mumbled, pushing her hand away. "McGonagall must have roped him into some complaint about the music or abundance of mistletoe."
"Still."
"Come on, relax. We're not students anymore."
"It's no excuse to act like trolls."
"Trolls have larger fingers," Ron said, wiggling his own freckled fingers.
Hermione nursed a smile that bubbled on the tip of her lips, but didn't quite make it out as a laugh. "They do."
Turning her head, she caught a splash of black, and darted her eyes away. Speaking of former professors, she still couldn't fathom Professor Snape's constant appearances at formal events. There he was, dressed in dark dress robes, still simply cut, but no longer bearing the neck-tight, figure covering, all encasing, bat-like qualities of his former teaching attire. She supposed the right word to describe him would be striking, catching even. But it didn't warrant her enough bravery to call him Mr Snape or even Severus in her mind-though she called him so many times in conversation. There, in the comfort of her head, he'd always be Professor Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House and likely one of the bravest men she'd ever met.
Not to mention, daringly intelligent and dangerously dry witted, both traits she enjoyed about him during their extended conversations at St Mungo's.
These days, he had taken up a decade long position at St Mungo's, specializing in potions and medical creation. He was a gifted brewer, so despite his former terrible reputation with the Dark Arts, the Ministry had no choice but to enlist him to help heal those who suffered during the Second Wizarding war. What had been community service, had become his new profession and even earned him a pardon from being sent to Azkaban (in exchange for names of former Death Eaters and sympathizers). Hermione had become used to seeing him in St Mungo's for her monthly checkups. It was comforting to see someone from her past still alive and well, knowing how precious human life was after the horrors of the war.
But there was something more to the man in the buttoned-up robes. Perhaps age had made Hermione crave someone with a bit more bite to him. It made her realize there were more fish in the sea.
When she was younger and in school, picking were rather slim in her year. But after becoming an Auror and serving for a decade, after meeting thousands of talented witches and wizards around the world, Hermione's tastes have become more acquired. She found herself annoyed with a complacent, kind and serving young man. She wanted to be challenged. She wanted someone who could believe she could do great things. And it made her feel selfish for thinking that way, because Ron Weasley was a nice man, but as she'd come to realize lately, not the right man.
Not that Severus Snape was the right man. If there was someone like him, but not him entirely.
"Mione you're staring at the bat again."
Hermione huffed. "It's Professor Snape." It earned her a rightful snort from Ron. "Mr Snape….oh, you know what I meant."
"I was teasing."
"Sure you were." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Anyways, if you don't want to talk to him, I'll go alone."
Ron gripped her arm tighter. "Who says I don't want to talk to him?"
"Come on-"
"I'd love to talk to him. In fact, I've been thinking about it since the moment we came here."
"Ronald."
"Hermione." He raised his brows. "You look beautiful tonight. Picturesque even."
Biting her lip to keep herself from setting him off into even more mockery, Hermione dragged him along with her to where the Professor was talking to Sanguini. The man was looking paler than usual, but his mouth curved into a sharp-fanged grin Professor Snape had sent his way. Hermione found herself grinning out of habit, despite knowing neither the topic of conversation nor the joke.
"Ah, Miss Granger," Sanguini said, wiping a tear from his eye and leaning down to kiss the top of her hand. "You look the image of elegance and grace tonight."
"Sanguini. Snape." Hermione bowed her head, and Professor Snape returned one back.
"Might I offer my, congratulations?" Snape said.
"Oh?" Hermione mumbled, meeting his dark eyes, that glazed over with a hint of…anticipation. He looked at her hand, and then back up.
"Not yet." Sanguini laughed. "My dear friend simply wished to congratulate you on your safe recovery."
Hermione grinned. "He was the integral part of it, unless he had forgotten."
"Indeed. I never forget a patient," Snape said. "Else you imply that since wizards live less than a vampire that their memory is shortened to that of a jackrabbit?"
"Jackrabbits do not wear such sensual gowns," Sanguini said.
"Jackrabbits remember one thing, but it is an important one," Snape said, his eyes gazing up Hermione's dress. "Very. Important."
Hermione blushed. "I sure would like to know."
"Oh no, Miss Granger, please ignore the insinuation," Sanguine bumbled. "Truly Severus, must young witches in our midst be subjected to such vulgar innuendos?"
"Perhaps the young witch in question can answer for herself if she wishes to be subject. Granger?"
"I'd not be opposed. Unless the vulgarity was intended in unfair play."
"Well I'm opposed," Ron interjected. "I have no bloody idea what you're talking about, but those finger sandwiches are calling my name. Hermione would you like one?"
"Maybe later," she said.
"That means yes in girl talk," Ron whispered to Sanguini before disappearing into the crowd.
Snape stood still for an endlessly long time, a comment clearly forming in his mind, before finally saying, "You look rather composed tonight. Emerald is a fitting color for the occasion."
"Thank you," Hermione said quickly, her palms suddenly sweating.
The three stared at each other in polite silence before Headmaster Blackwood chimed a silver spoon on the edge of the champagne glass, before raising his voice into a firm "Silence!" sending the onlookers into a wave of quiet.
"So, it's working," he said with a laugh, earning him a few heartfelt giggles from the Hogwarts staff. "I'd like to welcome all of you to the annual Hogwarts Yule Ball. This year marks the decade long anniversary of the defeat of the Dark Lord and the celebration of sacrifices made by the brave wizards and witches of the time."
The crowd once again applauded, as the Headmaster continued with his accolades and introductions and Hermione snuck a look at Snape's very long fingers and firm palms as he slowly joined in. it must have been a difficult time for him, having to endure the possibility of gossip about his former allegiance to Voldemort and questions regarding which side he was truly on. She wanted to reach over and do something, anything to show her support, but decided against it.
"It is my great honor to welcome to the stage two former alumni of our school, who now serve to protect and defend our Magical Kingdom. Recently returned from a mission, and looking not a scratch taken aback, Auror Hermione Granger and Auror Harry James Potter."
Everyone applauded louder than ever as Harry rushed through the crowd, made a beeline for Hermione and led her up with him to the stage as others patted their backs. Once on stage, flashes of cameras struck Hermione in the eyes and the blinding lights of candles and Christmas string lights had her blinking her lashes quickly. Harry squeezed her hand, murmuring, "all good?"
"All good," she mouthed back.
"Mr Potter, Miss Granger," Headmaster Blackwood began, "It is my greatest pleasure and honor to have you with us tonight. It means the absolute world to us to see alumni of our school taking on a wider community role and serving as a model example for all students of Hogwarts. Your years of service in the front lines, your dedication and commitment to the profession and your will inspires us all. It is mine, Minister Shacklebolt's and Deputy Headmistress McGonagall's great pleasure to present to you, The Order of Merlin, first class."
Hermione's mouth nearly fell open, chest swelling up as Minister Shacklebolt rose from his seat and brought over two floating cases containing the glorious medals and pinned them to their clothing. Mcgonagall was crying, wiping a tear from her eye and applauding louder than ever, Hagrid whopped in the distance, his voice roaring over the rest of the cheers and a spring of confetti and fireworks flew around them.
No wonder Ron told her to dress extra nice tonight, Hermione though with a bit of shame.
Harry came up to the podium and began a speech, thanking everyone, mentioning the Weasleys, his girlfriend Ginny, his amazing professors and the entire team of Aurors for their guidance and love. When the applause died down, Hermione walked over to the podium, only to be intercepted by the Headmaster.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. But that is not all," Headmaster Blackwood continued, "there is someone who would like a moment to take the center stage." He smiled at Hermione and guided her away from the podium.
Hermione stiffened. Her feet stuck firmly and stubbornly to the floor as the headmaster guided her away. And even when Ron had come up, met with cheers and whoops, she blanked in a sort of trance, not quite understanding what was happening. Her ears went mute with the sounds of applause, and her body floated, like she was to faint. Only when Ron got down on one knee, a velvet box containing something sparkly, did she snap back into reality.
"Wh-what?"
She scanned the room, horrified looks from Ginny and Mrs Weasley setting her into a stupor. Was she supposed to be saying something? Her eyes met Snape's, staring at her intently from the other side of the room. His lips moved slowly, mumbling something.
Ron squeezed her hands,
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you make me the luckiest wizard in the world or not?" he said, grinning.
"I-uh."
A faint chorus of 'say yes, say yes' grew louder from the crowd. Hermione looked at Snape, she looked at Ginny, she looked at Harry and then at Ron. She even looked at Draco bloody Malfoy who had become the newest Professor of Dark Arts at Hogwarts and who was at present shaking his head in utter disapproval. Ron stood on one knee, his balance wobbling slightly and his eyes hopeful.
There was a highly unpleasant taste in her mouth. She knew she shouldn't say the word on the tip of her tongue, in theory, but the trouble with Hermione is that she enjoyed practical application.
"No."
Everyone cheered, and Ron grabbed her by the hand and dragged her down through the crowd, stepping on heels and shoes, rounding the corner and dragging her into the snow of the courtyard. He cast a warming spell on them both as they hid behind a column far away from everyone sight.
When the crowd behind them burst into oohs and aahs, it was then when she understood how much she messed up.
Ron paced in the snow, rubbing his temples.
"Hermione, I need you to answer me, very slowly. Do you want to marry me?"
"Ron."
"I can't believe it," he croaked out. "We've been together for so long….and…it was supposed to be perfect. What did I do wrong this time?"
"You didn't."
"Come on, it's always something that doesn't please you."
"How could you be so selfish?" Hermione's cheeks burned hot. "Tonight was my night."
"I know!" Ron cried.
"Do you?"
"I wanted to make it a night you'd never forget."
"You don't even understand because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon," Hermione snapped.
"Oh bloody brilliant. Now we're going back there."
"For fuck's sake Ron!" Hermione slapped her hands down to her thighs. "I just got the Order of Merlin, First Class."
"Well good for bloody you!"
"I was supposed to make my speech. It was all I've been working on- what?"
"How could you not get the Order of Merlin, you're bloody brilliant."
"So?"
"I wanted this to be a moment that brings us together. For the rest of our lives," Ron said. "I love you."
"Well tonight was not the right night for that," Hermione whispered. "It was my night."
"Every night is Hermione Granger's night." Ron yelled. "Oh bloody hell, you're never going to say yes to me are you." His voice cracked and tears stung the corners of his eyes. "I'll bet the only way you ever would get married was if someone forced you into it, like a curse or something."
"Ron, that not fair."
"But it's true. Admit it."
"Why wouldn't you let me have my moment."
"All moments are your moments! Everything I did, I did to support you along in your work-"
"-I know-"
"-I'm still your best friend. I care for you. If I did something to hurt you, you need to tell me-"
Hermione swallowed back a hurt tear. "I'm sorry."
Ron crossed his arms, "I'm never going to be good enough for you to marry me."
"You're my best friend," Hermione whispered, Ron flinching away from her hand.
"I need to get some air." With that, Ron walked back to the castle and went down the corridor in solitude.
Taking a page from his book, Hermione cast a stronger warming charm over herself and walked the other way.
-x-x-x-
It was all anyone could talk about the following weekday morning at the Ministry. Did wizards truly have no greater topics to discuss than gossip? As Severus climbed the stairs, he shoved past a newsboy with a pile of Daily Prophets, Weasley's rejected proposal on the front page. Ironically enough, the title spoke of spoiled matrimony but the photo showed Blackwood and Potter shaking hands and smiling at the crowd. One would think that the Headmaster and Auror were the ones that had broken romantic ties.
Scoffing, Severus turned on heel, fished a heap of galleons from his pockets and bought off the entire stack of Prophets from the boy, snatching the last copy out of a passerby's hand and shooting him a 'fifty house point deduction' glare before heading to the elevator with his loot.
Only in the upstairs sitting room of Minister Shacklebolt did he come to the fireplace and toss the stack of papers into the flames, a dark smoke erupting from the pit.
"Really Severus, it's not good for the environment," Shacklebolt cried, coughing and evicting the entire bonfire. "But the title to photo mismatch is an atrocity in it of itself."
Severus smirked. "They had the sense not to publish the faces of the guilty."
Truly. Did if he were Granger, he would have cursed Weasley's head off its shoulders and made the front page, propriety be damned. Did the boy have no great wits to understand that two important events were not to be held on one day? Not to mention the fact that upstaging an awards ceremony and using it as an engagement venue was a tasteless, vulgar and cheap display. Not that he'd consider any Weasley below saving an extra Galleon here and there.
"Some sense of decorum must be kept," Kingsley said, "Besides, who doesn't love seeing Harry? Such a charmer. And that new Headmaster? I'll say."
"Is she here?"
As though on command, Granger stormed into the room with Potter in tow. Turning and sticking one finger into everyone's face, she barked, "I don't want to hear anything about it."
Potter shrugged, watching her disappearing figure. "If we could just, give her some space."
"Oh certainly," Shackle bolt said, " We have more important matters at hand to discuss."
The group moved to an intimate sitting room in the Ministry and sat around a small table. Kingsley turned down the lights, shut the curtains and cast a Silencing Charm over the windows and door.
"I suppose you're all curious as to why you are here." Kingsley looked at Potter, Granger and Severus. "It's not a good reason."
Potter crossed his hands and leaned in. "Voldemort is back?"
"Not quite so bad," Kingsley laughed. "But this is also no laughing matter." Sighing deeply, he continued. "A string of highly classified spells had gone missing from the Ministry's most secure vaults."
"And everyone in this room is a suspect," Granger concluded.
"Out of deep respect and our shared history as members of the Order, I am compelled to ask you before I proceed with any charges," Kingsley said sternly. "The spells stolen are those of a very secret kind."
"How secret are we talking?" Potter asked.
"Ancient Magic. The most powerful type of Magic at all."
"Love," Potter whispered. Severus felt a shiver crawl up his spin as everyone's eyes in the room fell on Harry.
"But that's impossible," Granger chimed in. "Love Magic is emotion-based and the most oldest type of magic to exist. It's spontaneous and nearly impossible to wield. The only known witches and wizards to have traces of it were Rackham and Morganach, and a student whose name was never mentioned in Hogwarts a History, but was said to have lived in the 1800s. There has been no evidence of it existing since." She laughed. "Never mind that anyone could ever contain or harness it, that would be…"
"-exactly why you are the number one suspect." Kingsley said.
"Me?"
"During your and Harry's last visit to the Ministry, Mrs Amelia Bones had taken you with her to the Goblin Vaults to procure a few things from the Ministry's personal reserves. Besides you two, her and the Goblin who stayed in the carriage, nobody had visited the vault with the stolen spell," Kingsley said. "Not to mention, your deep knowledge of the artifact's history is in itself concerning."
"We didn't steal it!" Granger cried.
"We didn't," Potter said.
"Besides. It doesn't exist," Granger continued. "Everyone knows that no spell in existence can make you fall in or out of love. Not forever."
"Magic can certainly fool death. Much like it can make those act against their own will," Severus hypothesized. "There is no backed reason why there cannot be a spell that can force feeling of amorousness in the recipient."
"Which is also why you are the third prime suspect," Kingsley noted.
"I beg your pardon?"
"It's come to the Ministry's attention that you have taken up a particularly strong interest with ancient forms of magic, particularly the love kind."
"These are speculations."
"There is paper evidence."
"You have no evidence."
"We have your journals."
Severus' lips pursed together. "I haven't the faintest idea what you are implying."
Kingsley sighed. "I am not implying anything. Merely warning you that if you three do not come up with the appropriate alibi in a few days time, you will be summoned to the Wizengamot, and tried for theft. This or the spell returns to its rightful place."
Hermione's mouth gaped open. "But if we are seen, hypothetically returning the spell to the Vaults, we will be suspected of having taken it in the first place. How is that logically a fair option for us?"
"If you do not have the artifact, which as you claim you do not, there will be no need to return anything. Your alibi will be sufficient."
"Alright," Harry raised his hands. "We did see the room with the spell."
"And I did touch it," Hermione said, blushing, "but only because I was curious as to what it was. But I did not take it."
"Then you say that Mrs Bones is lying?"
Potter slammed his fist on the table. "We're Aurors! How could the Ministry imply we are capable of robbery like simple pickpockets? We've been Aurors for the past decade and defended this Magical Kingdom against all sorts of enemies."
"Don't shoot the messenger. I am doing you a favor," Kingsley said. "I could have told you nothing at all. But out of respect, I am giving you a fair warning."
"But you believe us," Granger reasoned. "You believe we are innocent."
"My job as Minister is to investigate all claims. You do not have the reputation of innocents according to the goblins of Gringotts," Kingsley. "Might I remind you about a certain stolen cup."
"Alright," Potter said, fuming from ear to ear. "We will think of something, won't we Hermione?"
"Right." Granger rose up, shook Kingsley's hand with a quick "Thank you" and walked out after Potter. As she passed Severus by, Severus' head tickled exactly the way it did when someone was trying to magically make his way into his mind and read his thoughts.
Did Granger really think she could shamelessly Legillimens him in broad daylight? Not on his watch.
Quickly Occluding his mind, Severus took his time to rise from his seat, gather himself and excuse himself from the room. When he did leave, he sped through the hallway and out of the Ministry to his home in Spinner's End.
How dare Kingsley bring up his past? Of course, Severus had suffered the loss of the love of his life and of course he had spent years trying to find a way to bring her back from the dead. But to imply that Severus was sneaking about the Vaults, trying to find the ancient spells himself. Or perhaps Kingsley was implying that the night Granger and Potter returned to St Mungo's from their mission, worse for wear, they had given him the spells? Or that he had stolen them from Granger? It was absurd. The only person who even had access to Severus' personal belongings in his office was the head Medi-witch.
"Miss Bell," Severus growled, unable to contain himself.
If she had ratted him out because of her dislike of his rule breaking, he'd never forgive her.
Now Severus was stuck trying to once again prove himself innocent against crimes he had not committed. He didn't want to be sent to Azkaban. He was used to his work at St Mungo's and his quiet life. He'd have to think of something to prove his innocence.
-x-x-x-
It was a quarter to ten when a tentative knock woke Severus out of an accidental knock. Deeply inconvenienced by the sudden appearance of an unwanted visitor, he growled and protruded his wand out of his robe pockets (just in case).
"Who is it?"
"Prof- Mr Snape, its Hermione."
He let out a slow exhale and opened the door. "What exactly are you doing here?"
"Well." Granger squeezed into the house and took a seat on the edge of the guest chair. "Well- Is it okay that I came in just like this?"
"I'm not a vampire. And clearly, not in the right to stop you from doing something you've already done," Severus snarled, settling into his usual seat. "A restless night for our favorite Auror?"
"I've been thinking about what Kingsley said this morning and when I saw your-"
"You dared perform Legilimency on me?"
The young woman blushed. "It was an emergency."
"Did you really think you could use my own mastered skills against me without retribution?"
"I know that you know. But what I want to know is if you really had taken the spell," Granger began. "The night you almost passed away, you gave Harry a vial of your most precious memories and he and I saw Lily, I saw the woman you loved with all your heart and I perhaps thought you had been after the Love Spell to bring her back."
Severus lifted his brows. "My, my, my."
"And I wanted to say, if it is true and if you had done so because of your feelings for Lily Potter, I could help you return the artifact to the Vault. As a personal favor for everything you've done to protect us as students."
Severus lips hinted at a smile. Oh, this was delicious. Miss Granger did have a spot for him in her heart after all. The brave old professor who had shielded them from a werewolf, protected them from the Dark Lord in a stuttering man's turban, who had taught them to recognize evil and think for themselves sin the most dire of circumstances.
He should have resisted, but he really did not want to possibly got back to Azkaban. To boot, it was just so tempting to manipulate Granger. It was like handing a sock to a House Elf.
"You would help me?" he said softly.
"But of course! It would only be fair. After all, I would not want you to go to Azkaban for broken love."
"No. No you would not."
"Then it is settled. We will sneak into Gringotts. You take the spell with you and we will return it together and none of this will happen."
Severus thought this was the best possible outcome of events. The Minister would certainly forgive Hermione Granger, renowned Auror for stealing a spell (if they were even caught in Gringotts). And if not, he could continue his work as a Healer with absolutely no more interruptions.
-x-x-x-
Gringotts' Vaults were unpleasant in the best of times. Severus did not enjoy the cold nor the wetness nor the squeaking of the wheels as the cart rolled down into the depths below.
Armed with a wand, Hermione Granger and a fake parcel containing the 'Spell' (thank Merlin his old friend Lucius loved collecting Dark Arts trinkets), they had snuck into Gringotts Vaults in the dead of night (or perhaps morning). Severus was thankful Potter had not tagged along. Merlin only knew the boy had neither subtility nor stealth, his Invisibility Cloak not included.
The moment they had actually reached the Vault and Granger tapped out the combination with her wand, Severus could not help but feel a wave of silent anger roll of his back when the damned Love Spell was right there.
Sitting on the pedestal it was supposed to be sitting on, in the exact container it was supposed to be in, illuminated by a single stream of light….the Ancient Love Spell had invertedly made a fool of the both of them.
"Is that?" Granger pointed to the Spell. "And you?" She pointed to Severus. "You!"
"Yes."
"You fooled me," Granger said, a tight crow's foot forming between her brows. "You didn't have the Spell at all! And I believed you!"
"You have nobody to blame for your kindness but yourself." Severus crossed his arms. "Now then. I am certain the Minister will be pleased to see his favorite Auror had cracked the case and become the hero of the day yet again."
"Why would you do this?"
"What exactly?"
"Do not try and use backwards logic on me sir. If you did not have the Spell, there was no reason for us to risk our lives in the first place."
"And yet, you were just as surprised as I was to see the Spell in its rightful place. My, my Granger, you are certainly losing your touch. The best Auror in all of Magical England failed to realize that the real enemy here was the Minister, or perhaps Mrs Bones herself who want to see neither you nor Potter nor myself succeed," he said darkly.
"The Minister would never lie."
"Everybody lies, stupid girl. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
"And Mrs Bones….well-"
"-certainly has a bone to pick with you. Her daughter Susan has not been promoted in the Auror ranks for quite some time."
They would have gone on like this for quite some time had the light illuminating the scroll not gone red and a small team of Goblins on night watch not rushed in with their chatters and wands ablaze to seek out the intruders.
Severus whipped out his wand in the nick of time, flinging goblins aside to pave way for his and Granger's exit. The unfortunate thing about Goblins was that much like cockroaches, they were very difficult to aim at due to their size and stealth. At one point, he and Granger found themselves surrounded in the center of the Vault room with their backs to the pedestal.
The Spell began to whisper and light up, ancient tongues speaking words into Severus' ears as his back touched it. Not knowing how it happened, he and Granger toppled over and in a mix of magic, goblin spit and wands, he remembered his wand touching Granger's lips. After that, everything lit up as though it was on fire and Severus felt his heart grow so hot it might explode. Then the world went dark.