Severus was immediately transported into Hermione's mind. He watched the first memory play out. Hermione looked no older than she would have been in her second or third year at Hogwarts.

Hermione was studying at a table in the library. Her potions book was open before her and she was taking notes vigorously. Ronald Weasley appeared next to her. "Hermione, I don't know why you're even bothering to study. Snape hates everyone. Especially, people who think they know everything." Hermione was frustrated. "Ronald, I don't think that's true! I think he's just waiting for someone to finally take an interest in it. I don't think he's really that bad." "You're mental, Hermione! Why do you think he lives in a dungeon? No one wants to see him more than they need to." The sadness Hermione felt at this comment was lost on Ron as he shrugged and walked away.

Severus blinked. The memory in front of him changed almost simultaneously.

The decor in the Great Hall had just changed from Halloween. Everyone was chattering excitedly, waiting for the feast to begin. Hermione was staring at the empty seat that was normally occupied by Severus. She frowned.

Severus remembered this occasion. He had met with Dumbledore to discuss Harry's participation in the Triwizard Tournament. He continued watching the scene.

Harry sat down next to Hermione. "Harry, where do you think Professor Snape is?" Harry shrugged, "I have no idea. Why?" "Well, it just seems odd that he's not here. He's always here on time." Harry chuckled, "I didn't know you cared so much about Snape's whereabouts, 'Mione." She stuttered, "I, well, I mean I don't. It's just an observation."

Severus could feel her concern and disappointment through the memory.

Darkness fell on him as the next memory began. He could immediately feel Hermione's anxiety.

Hermione was in her bathroom pacing. 'Get ahold of yourself, Hermione. It's just sex.' Viktor Krum was waiting for her, and she was grappling with the choice whether to lose her virginity or not.

Severus silently hoped he wouldn't have to watch this memory play out in full, especially knowing Hermione was currently drunk.

'It's bound to happen sooner or later, Hermione. And it's not like he's not attractive, he's just not that bright. Not like Snape.' She brought her hands to her face, feeling frustrated at her own thoughts. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time, and walked back into her dormitory bedroom.

Severus was relieved when the memory went black again. When the scene changed, he had a hard time determining how old Hermione was.

Hermione was nervous. She was sitting in her dormitory room with Ginny Weasley. She was mentally debating whether or not to tell Ginny a secret. "Ginny," she started, "how do you know that Harry is someone you want to be with?" Ginny giggled. "I don't know. I think it's just something that you- you know- know." Hermione rolled her eyes. She was annoyed at this unhelpful comment. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I know that sounds cliché, but I don't really know how to explain it. Why?" she whispered excitedly, "who has caught your eye?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Hermione's anxiety was extreme. She wanted to scream and cry, but instead she burst out, "Ginny, I think I love Professor Snape." Ginny's eyes grew wide. Hermione wanted to bury herself in a hole. "Hermione, I-uh, have you…," her voice trailed off, "you know…with Snape?" Hermione was startled by the accusation, angered that the physical aspects were all Ginny cared about. "Of course, not Ginny! I mean, I wish, but that's another thing entirely."

Again, his surroundings went black. When the scene in front of him cleared, Severus saw Hermione sitting at a kitchen table with who he assumed was her mother.

"I can't believe you're already nineteen years old. You know Hermione, Mrs. Cartway has a lovely young, son. He's studying medicine now and he's very smart," Mrs. Granger spoke through a mouthful of cake. Hermione instantly became annoyed. "Mum, you know very well I have no interest in boys right now. All they want to do is fool around and believe a woman's position belongs in the kitchen only." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Oh child, you mustn't think like that. Don't you want to find someone to love and take care of you? I know things work differently in the magic world, but love is universal, isn't it?" Her mother was frowning.Hermione's anger was begging to bubble. "I don't want to find someone because I have to, I want to find someone because I want to. I just don't think I could possibly bear the thought of spending forever with someone who I would have to be different around." Hermione looked down, saddened at her words, "I don't think guys want someone smart like me." Mrs. Granger reached for her daughter's hand, "You might do well with someone older then. Love has no age limit." Her mother smiled at her.

He was able to determine that memory must have taken place just before her last year at Hogwarts and the War.

Darkness surrounded Severus again. He was transported to a scene that looked eerily family. It took him a split second to recognize it as the scene of Hermione's boggart from the start of the term. Only this time, Hermione was not immobilized.

"No, no, no." Hermione was frantically going over every incantation and spell that would help the dying man in front of her. Blood poured through her hands as she used wandless magic to carefully siphon the snake venom from his neck. 'You will not die here. Not if I have a say in it. There is so much you haven't taught me. There is so much I haven't had the chance to say.' She poured a blood replenishing potion down his throat. Severus' eyes bore into hers.

Considering the fact that he was near unconscious during these events, Severus did not recall how the rest of the scene in front of him played out.

"Hermione. Go. Not safe." Hermione's mind seemed to want to explode with frustration and fear. "Sir, absolutely do not talk right now. You need to save your strength. Let me work." Hermione was mentally pleading with the gods to help her. Severus blinked and murmured a clear, "I don't deserve you."

Black again. Severus was now in a room full of Weasleys.

Hermione was distraught. She was thinking about how alone she felt, and how badly she wanted Severus with her. 'He's not your family,' she scoffed to herself. Her eyes grew glossy watching the Weasley clan congratulate Harry and Ginny on their engagement. George walked over to her and sat down. Hermione's head began to spin. George's hand was on hers. "Listen, secrets hardly ever stay a secret when you know the right people." Hermione's heart began to race. She wanted so badly to scream at the top of her lungs that she wanted Severus forever.

"Listen," George continued, "All I'm saying is don't make a big deal out of something that most people won't care about." Hermione was now panicking and retorted in a hushed whisper. "And how exactly do you know that they won't care?" George shrugged. "Because it's you. And him. Think of what you two did. Who would dare to say anything?"

Hermione's confusion was palpable. She began to feel a headache brewing. "George, how on earth do you have any idea," she paused carefully, "about the umm situation that I will neither uhh confirm nor deny." He laughed. "I saw your ring this afternoon. I also know a certain potions master had that ring especially made." Hermione's eyes grew wide. Her mind was telling her she could never tell Severus this because of how much he already hated the Weasleys. "How?" She sputtered. "I went with Harry to get Ginny's. A friend of my buddy, Tom, he makes great pieces. He served the Dark Lord, so you know he's brilliantly good."

'Severus still keeps in touch with Death Eaters?' Hermione thoughts made her feel a sense of uneasiness at this revelation. She wanted to ask him about it.

In an instant, Severus was back in his own home, staring at an obviously exhausted Hermione. He could tell she was weak. He closed the distance between them and sat her on the couch. He knelt on the floor in front of her.

"See," she started softly, "I told you I wasn't lying."

Severus was lost for words. He was certain there were more memories that told the story of Hermione's long-standing desire for him, but those select few were all he needed to see.

While he had been concerned that their relationship was moving too fast, he had not actually considered the fact that Hermione had been mentally preparing for a life with him without his knowledge. He did feel badly for the way he had been acting, but at the same time, he was unwilling to be forced into a life of uncertainty. He had dealt with that all his life, and he was tired of it.

He took her hands. "Hermione, I wish I could sit here and tell you that I believed you when you said those words to me, but I do not want to lie." He watched her face fall.

"You have to understand that my trust for people was almost non-existent for the past twenty something years. And then when I discovered the protective charm, I couldn't help myself but think of the worst. You have to imagine what it's like to be me. The one person no one wanted to be around. The person everyone made fun of for being alone. The one they said would never find love." His voice hitched just a bit at the last sentence.

"And then you come around. Probably one of the most desirable witches of your time, and you want me. It was hard to believe. It still is some days, but that's because I'm not used to having anyone want and care for me so willingly, so openly."

Hermione, still drunk, put her finger to his lips. "Shhh," she mumbled. "Can we just move on from this? I just wanted you to know that this is real to me."

Severus looked into her eyes, and down at her glowing ring. He closed his eyes.

"Oh, for fuck's sake." He pinched the bridge of his nose and stood up. He grabbed her hands and helped her up. He looked at the clock: one forty-five in the morning.

"Come on, Hermione. We have something to do." Hermione looked at him questioningly.

"Sev," she uttered, "we going somewhere?" He had never heard her use that nickname before, and he found himself not bothered by it.

"Yes, love. We're going to pay some friends a visit." Hermione smiled.

"I like going places with you." Her eyes twinkled back at him.

He wanted to laugh at her ridiculousness, but he was too nervous over what he was about to do. He held on to her tightly, and with a loud *CRACK* they were gone.

Severus and Hermione landed just outside the Weasley's small cottage.

Severus, you have actually gone mad. This is it. Once you do this, there is no returning from this.

He noticed a movement from his right, and turned instantly, wand drawn. It was George.

"Ah, Headmaster. I was wondering how long it would be before you showed up here. Luckily, mostly everyone is still up." He gave a devilish smile.

Hermione waved, "Hi George! Why are you here?" Severus rolled his eyes. George laughed.

"Hermione, we're at the Weasley's. We've come for a little visit." Severus drawled. He was slowly starting to think this was his worst idea yet.

Hermione's eyes went wide. "What? We can't be here, someone will see!"

"Someone already has." George joked. He had caught up with the pair and met them at front door. He was about to open the door when Severus stopped him.

"Who's here?" Severus drawled.

"Mum and dad, Harry, Ginny, and Ron. Everyone else had to get back." George replied.

Severus nodded.

George reached for the door handle and pushed it open. "After you," he motioned to Severus and Hermione.

Severus was prepared for a weird exchange, but he was not prepared for the awkward silence that plagued them once they were inside of the house.

Everyone had stopped what they were doing and stared at the couple who had just entered the home.

Molly tried to break the silence, "Err, Severus. My goodness, it's been a while. Do come in. Is Hermione unwell? We should have made her stay, but she was insistent on going back to Hogwarts." She made her way across the kitchen and instantly took Hermione into her arms.

"Dear," she muttered, "are you alright?"

Hermione started giggling uncontrollably, which visibly unnerved everyone watching.

Severus broke the awkwardness. "If everyone could just take a seat, I will explain our presence."

Harry crossed the room and took Hermione's hands. "'Mione, what's wrong? You can tell me." His voice was at a whisper.

Through fits of giggles, Hermione was able to get out a 'go sit down, Harry.' He took his seat next to a concerned looking Ginny.

Once everyone was seated, Severus began to talk.

"I apologize for the late visit, but a situation has arisen of which I felt the need to apprise Hermione's closest confidants. As I'm sure you know, she has not yet found her parents, and considers you all as family." Severus patted Hermione's back softly.

"Oh gods. Hermione, are you pregnant?" Ron declared loudly. Molly shot him a murderous glare. "What?" he started, "you can't tell me that this isn't the most random thing ever. You saw how Ginny just acted before she told you her news!" Ron's inability to hold in his thoughts never changed throughout the years. His words struck a nerve with Hermione, who spoke suddenly.

"No, Ron. I'm not pregnant, but even if I was, Severus would be the best father in the entire world." Severus flinched at her word choice. He would not have been that direct. He was about to interject, but Hermione was faster.

"This here is Severus Snape. Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Hermione drunkenly grabbed his hand and raised it in the air. Severus uttered no sound.

"Well, yes, dear," Molly started, "but what is he doing here with you?"

With his hand still raised, Hermione let out a proud, "He's here because he's my boyfriend." She stopped and looked at Severus with her brow furrowed. "Wait, that's what you are, right?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, that's what I am."

No one said a word. Severus knew he had to be careful with his next course of action.

"If I could just explain this situation, I think I could do so the best given Hermione's current state." He carefully led Hermione to the nearest empty chair and took a seat next to her.

"It is true. Hermione and I have been involved in a relationship for the past few months. We both discovered through the course of her studies that we had more in common than we could have imagined." Nervous that he would give the wrong impression, he added, "Everything between us has been consensual, and Hermione has indicated she would like to be in this relationship." He stopped and swallowed hard. "My feelings toward Hermione have surpassed those of mere infatuation. I love her, and I intend to do so for the foreseeable future."

No one knew what to say. Everyone at that table had experienced a cold, calculating Severus. While Arthur and Molly had some knowledge about his double agent days, they didn't know everything. The only people in the room who really had full knowledge of Severus' dedication to the Light were Harry, Ron, and Ginny.

Arthur spoke plainly, "That's all very well, Severus. How does Hermione feel?"

Ginny rose from her chair, "She feels the same. She has for some time now."

Severus gave the red head a knowing look. I definitely misjudged the youngest Weasley.

"I do," Hermione squeaked softly. "Severus and I have debated sharing anything before I graduated for fear of what the media will do with this revelation. But being here tonight and watching you all share such happiness for Ginny and Harry, well, it saddened me. Why can't I share the same? I don't care what you think of me, but please, don't think poorly of Severus. The relationship was really my idea. And he's expressed the concerns that I'm sure you all are thinking right now." She stopped and looked up at Severus. He looked down at her and brought one of her hands to his lips, kissing it gently.

"Hermione, we would never think ill of either you or Severus. You've always been family to us. And Severus- well our time together goes back much further than many would think." Molly turned to Arthur. "Isn't that right, Arthur?" He nodded furiously.

"And," Molly continued, "if Severus is a part of your life, then he's also like family to us."

"He is?" Ron croaked. "Yes, Ronald, he is." Molly spat back.

Severus chuckled deeply. "Mr. Weasley, I assure that I am unconcerned with whatever it is you do outside of Hogwarts and outside of my classroom."

Ron seemed to ease at that statement, and the room fell silent again.

Hermione, still a bit drunk, but not quite as bad as she was earlier, added to the conversation.

"Severus is helping me find my parents. And when we find them, I'm going to tell them that this is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with." She smiled at the faces glaring at her.

"I daresay we may be planning a double wedding," George piped in with a wink.

Severus shot George one of his signature glares, "Mr. Weasley, let's not get overexcited."

Severus had no idea where to go with this conversation. It was as painful as he imagined, but a part of him was glad he got it out of the way.

"I think it's wonderful," Harry spoke plainly. Everyone looked at him. "Hermione deserves all the love in the world. And I don't know a better man for the job than Severus. If he cares for and protects her the same way he did for me all those years, then we're fortunate we'll never have to worry about her."

For the first time Severus was speechless. It was no secret that his relationship with Harry was always strained, but he believed that he could put his past with Harry's parents' behind him. Especially given his relationship with Hermione.

Ginny placed her hand on Harry's and smiled.

"Mr. Potter- Harry," Severus started, "your words are much appreciated. I do believe you know I am truthful when I say I will do all in my power to protect Hermione."

"We all know that." Harry replied thoughtfully. Severus looked over at Hermione. Her head was resting against his arm and her eyes were closed.

"I think we should be going," Severus gently squeezed Hermione's hand. "I, again, apologize for the intrusion this evening, but when Hermione returned from her visit, I felt it necessary to make this call." He looked at Harry and Ginny, "My congratulations on your engagement." He rose from the chair and helped Hermione up. She smiled at him sleepily.

"Wait!" Arthur interjected. "Why did you feel the need to do this now?"

Severus paused, stringing his response carefully in his head.

"As you are well aware, I spent the greater part of my life working towards the goals of others. And while I will not complain because my job was able to produce the desired outcome," he motioned to Harry, "it is time for me to put that Darkness to rest. Hermione wants, and deserves to have a life where she can feel safe and free. She has been bound by the effects of the Dark Lord for so long. I will not be a similar burden to her. If sharing our relationship is what she needs to truly be happy, I can only be so willing to oblige."

Arthur looked at Molly and clapped his hands together. "Well, that seems as good an answer as any for me, I daresay."

Goodbyes were said and Severus led Hermione to the door. Harry caught them just as they were leaving. He held out his hand to Severus, who took it.

"Sir, I know we've never seen eye to eye." Severus smirked at Harry's words. "In fact, I'm pretty sure you've hated me since the day you met me, but anyone who Hermione cares about is someone I care about too." He gave Severus a firm shake, a nod, and went back to where Ginny was watching with a smile.

"Come along, love." Severus whispered to the chestnut-haired witch clinging to his robes.

Just as quickly as they had arrived at the Weasleys, in an instant Severus had apparated them back to his home. Knowing just how exhausted she was, Severus scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. He placed her in the large bed and walked to his potions' lab. He scanned the shelves, and grabbed a small vial: anti-nausea remedy. He walked back to the bedroom and found Hermione already under the covers.

"My love, I know you're tired. I need you to take this." Severus helped her sit up and poured the contents of the unstoppered vial into her mouth. She made a face at the taste.

Severus chuckled. "I'm sorry, but you'll thank me tomorrow." He placed the empty vial on the dresser next to the bed and walked out of the room towards the bathroom.

He only made it a few steps when he heard a faint noise coming from downstairs. He grabbed his wand and carefully walked down the stairs. "Homenum Revelio," he muttered. Sensing nothing, he made it to the kitchen.

Instantly, he realized the noise was tapping coming from the front door. Not sensing any dark magic, he opened the door and found a small grey owl. Its size indicated it was young, and likely had been lost. Severus bent down and took a small piece of parchment off the owl's leg. It immediately flew off, not waiting for a reply.

Severus closed the door and opened the parchment.

Severus-

I hope this note finds you well. I have found what you seek.

Bill