Return

******

Today was the day...no matter how it happened...today was the last day of Hermione Granger's life. So to speak.

He closed his eyes, kissing his wife's cold lips before he slipped a syringe into his robes, the excitement of today thrilling him.

"Off to work, my sweet."

He glanced once more at his wife, who lay comfortably on the couch. She would come back to him soon. Depending upon how... accommodating Hermione would be. He couldn't help but think that she wouldn't succumb easily, and he felt his heartbeat accelerate at the thought of her struggling against him, crying out in fear.

Yes, today would be a very exciting day.

******

The spray of the hot water jetting out of the tap, pounding against Hermione's back and neck, had been enough to occupy her mind, keeping her dreaded thoughts at bay and masking the warm tears that fell down her cheeks.

But when the water turned cold, Hermione couldn't hide any longer. She stepped reluctantly from the shower, wrapping a towel around her body. She muttered a quick drying charm for her hair, pausing to gaze at her reflection in the foggy mirror. The condensation on the glass distorted her face. She hardly recognized herself.

Slowly, she trailed a finger across the mirror, etching an unsteady line across the moist surface.

What am I doing? she thought. What am I going to do?

A quiet knock on the door brought her back to reality.

"Hermione?" Severus opened the door and entered the small bathroom, dressed only in his black cotton bottoms, his hair still damp from his earlier shower. He was trembling slightly.

"Morning," she said with a rueful smile.

"Morning," he replied, and he bent down and placed a chaste kiss upon the tip of her nose.

"Last night was lovely," he continued. "Wouldn't mind a repeat, actually."

She smiled and managed a laugh. "Severus! Solomon is going to be here in less than an hour!"

"I'll be quick," he promised, and his eyes gleamed as he gently loosened her towel.

"So beautiful," he whispered hoarsely, lifting her onto the sink top, settling his hips between her legs. Hermione reached into his trousers, gripping his erection, and guided him into her, filling her.

Their lovemaking was slow, passionate, and she savoured each gasp and each tremble. An overwhelming sadness permeated the air; Hermione didn't even know she was crying until Severus wiped the tears from her face.

"Don't cry," he said into her ear. "Don't cry."

She looked at him then, committing to memory the way he opened his mouth slightly in pleasure and the way his voice wavered unsteadily when he told her he loved her.

I love him obsessively, she thought, and she gasped when he slightly quickened his pace.

"Hermione," he said brokenly. "Don't leave me."

"Hermione," he said as he thrusts became more uneven and erratic. "I love you."

"Oh!" she cried as she came. He followed her with a groan.

He leaned his head against her chest, breathing heavily. Hermione stroked his hair, the strands still silky with water. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. Would this be the last time they made love?

"Hermione," he said, smiling when she felt his mouth on her breast. "Come away with me."

She stilled. Come away with him?

"But... but you would still be Bound to me," she stuttered.

Raising his head, Severus considered her. "At least I would be with you, Hermione, and not in Azkaban."

She opened her mouth to speak, but she didn't know what to say. Words seemed inadequate for what she wanted to convey. She had previously considered running away with him, but part of her, the part that still yearned for public recognition and approval, shied away from the suggestion. She could see the tabloids now. Forget the tabloids, Rita Skeeter would have a heyday with the story. War Hero Runs Away With Mass Murderer. Love or Seduction? The Tale of Hermione Granger and Severus Snape.

And who would read these headlines? Solomon, who had lost his wife to Severus. Ron, who had tried to reach out to her. Henry, a good man who loved her and promised a life of contentment, if not happiness. What would they think?

Because when it came down to it, Hermione would lose everything...her friends, her job, her life...and Severus would lose nothing.

She tried to imagine living a life on the run with him, but she couldn't. Auror Hermione Granger, hiding from the law with glamour charms and hasty Apparations? No, she could not imagine it.

And yet, she couldn't imagine her life without him either.

What was this, then? Why was she doing this? Why was she hurting them both when she had always intended that he go back to Azkaban and she continue leading her harmless, dull, and empty life?

Severus must have seen the answer to his question in her eyes because he chuckled and kissed her lips.

"Don't worry, you foolish girl. I never thought you would."

She widened her eyes, surprised. "You're... you're not mad?"

He kissed her again. "Hermione, I know you would never run away with me because of who you are you...a good, kind, loyal, bloody Gryffindor," he snarled, though a smile played on his lips. "And that is why I love you, Hermione. So no, I am not mad."

She kissed him back. "I'm going to miss you, Severus. I'm going to miss this."

He smiled wryly. "I'm only an Apparation away, Hermione."

She nodded. "It won't be the same though."

"I know," he agreed, his eyes glinting. "I doubt that I'll be able to make love to you through the bars. We can always try, though."

She laughed and placed her hands upon his shoulders, squeezing gently. "Come on," she said. "We should probably be dressed when Solomon arrives."

"Indeed," he said silkily as his eyes roved her body. "This sight is for my eyes only."

They both dressed in silence, unwilling to speak lest their words somehow jolt them from the fantasy they had created.

******

Hermione took the whistling kettle from the fire and poured herself and Severus two mugs of steaming water. She watched him as he added the tea leaves and took a sip of the drink.

They were both on edge, tense with what was to come.

"What time is he going to be here?" he asked, his voice tight.

Hermione glanced at the clock on her kitchen wall. "Five minutes ago," she said. "And quit acting so nervous, Severus. I can barely take it as it is."

"Hermione?" he said quietly as he resolutely stared into his tea.

"Yes?" She placed a hand on his arm.

"You will come and visit me, yes?"

"Oh, Severus," she said. She closed her eyes and wished things were different. "Of course I will."

He visibly relaxed. "Good. I..."

A sharp knock on her front door interrupted him, and they both jumped in their chairs.

"I... I'll just go get the door," she said uncertainly. She stood and made her way to the door.

"Hermione?" Severus said gently. She turned to look at him, the pain in his eyes so tangible that she wanted to take him in her arms and Apparate somewhere far away.

"I... I'm sorry."

She sighed. "So am I.... So am I."

Hermione reluctantly left him seated in the kitchen and went to open the door.

Solomon and Henry stood before her, each with matching glares upon their faces.

"Granger," Solomon greeted her roughly. "Let's get this over with."

Henry nodded and smiled wistfully. "Hermione."

She nodded back, her face grim.

"He's in the kitchen," she whispered; somehow, she felt like she was betraying Severus.

Solomon pushed past her, and Henry grasped her hand with his own, stroking her fingers tentatively.

"It'll be alright, Hermione. It'll be over before you know it."

She nodded her head in dumb acquiescence and allowed Henry to lead her into the kitchen. Solomon had his wand trained on Severus. Severus glanced quickly at her, scowling at the sight of Henry. In response, Henry put an arm possessively around her waist. Hermione glared at him and pulled free from his embrace.

"This is not the time, Henry," she mumbled under her breath.

"Come on, Snape," demanded Solomon.

Severus stood, his face devoid of fear and anger, and Hermione felt a sudden, strong flash of affection for him...bravery did run through the veins of Slytherins.

"I'll only Apparate with Miss Granger," he said, his eyes glinting.

Solomon nodded at Hermione, and she stepped forward and placed her arms around Severus. Her heart fluttered nervously.

"You can Apparate with me, Severus. I give you my permission." Her voice was sad.

He wrapped his long arms around her shoulders, and smirked at Henry whilst he lightly caressed her arms.

With a sigh, Hermione Apparated them to Azkaban.

******

Despite himself, Severus felt an unwelcome chill at the sight of the imposing structure before him. He grimaced. He grimaced again once Henry and Solomon arrived with matching pops next to them. Hermione released him, and he reluctantly let go of her, of the warmth he had felt with her in his arms.

"Come on, Severus. You can walk."

Solomon, with a determined whirl of his wand, quickly undid the Constrictus Binding before heading towards the checkpoint. Severus shivered slightly, stretching his arms and grinning at the feeling of unbelievable freedom. He looked at Hermione, and she nodded her head at him.

He stood patiently while the three Aurors checked their wands at the front desk. Isaac...the rather chubby, fish-faced guard...logged them into the system. Severus noticed that Isaac seemed rather excited to see them. His bulging eyes gleamed, and his hand shook slightly as he took Hermione's wand. Odd. Perhaps Isaac had a bit of a crush, he thought with a smirk.

"This way," Isaac's voice squeaked, and Solomon roughly grabbed Severus by the collar and shoved him into the prison.

Severus allowed the man his anger, and controlled his desire to retaliate. He still remembered Solomon's wife and how small she looked before she died.

They reached his cell, and Severus felt an uncontrolled spasm of fear. He would really rather be dead than return to his cell, knowing as he now did that Hermione loved him.

Ahhh, my life, he thought bitterly. A never-ending charade of false hopes and empty promises.

Solomon tightened his grip on Severus' clothes and turned to face the others.

"I'll put him in his cell. Hermione, Henry, wait out here for me."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Solomon's determined glare silenced her. Severus wondered what the older wizard wanted from him. Justice? Some form of closure? An explanation, perhaps?

Intrigued, Severus allowed Solomon to push him roughly into the cell. The door closed behind them with an ominous thunk.

"So," Solomon said as he casually rolled up the sleeves of his robes. "What did you do to Hermione?"

Severus blanched. He had expected their confrontation to concern Solomon's late wife; he had not expected the sharp, menacing look in the Auror's eyes at the mention of Hermione's name. Interesting.

Severus crossed his arms. "I did nothing that she didn't beg me to do." He knew he was baiting the man, and he also knew that if there was one man who deserved his respect, it was Solomon Rochester. But Severus didn't care. Judging by the incensed look upon Solomon's face, the man felt a little too much for his curly-haired employee.

Solomon lurched forward, grabbing Severus by the cusp of his uniform and slamming him hard against the concrete wall.

"Snape, you fucking creep," he growled. "I should have you Kissed, you fucking bastard!"

"What did you do to her?" Solomon asked again.

Severus looked down at Hermione's boss, wondering what the man wanted to hear.Well, I fucked her, he thought viciously. And she liked it. I loved her, and she liked that too.

"I did nothing to her, Rochester."

Solomon loosened his grip slightly, finally stepping away from Severus. Severus straightened the collar of his prison garb.

Solomon turned to look at him, and Severus saw a touch of madness in the man's gray eyes.

Solomon clenched his hand into a fist and fiercely punched Severus hard in the face, his knuckles cracking against an already crooked nose.

"Fucking bastard," he spat. "That was for my wife." He turned and headed for the door. "Just stay in here and die, Snape."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to stop the blood as the bars lowered around him, once again trapping him inside a small cage. He gingerly touched his right eye, hoping the swelling wouldn't be too horrendous. There would be a bruise there, come tomorrow. He wondered if Hermione would bring him some Bruise Salve.

******

Hermione entered the cell alone, telling Solomon and Henry that she needed to ask Severus something about the potion. Really, she just wanted a private farewell.

He was pacing in his cell, holding his face.

"Severus?"

"Hermione," he said, grinning.

She gasped. A black-blue bruise was blossoming on his face, blood smeared across his lips and chin.

"Severus! What happened?"

He wiped the blood on the back of his sleeve. "Oh, nothing. I'm afraid your boss doesn't approve of us, Hermione."

Panic washed over her. "Does.. does he know?"

"Not for sure. But he suspects something. And he's understandably upset."

"So he punched you? How unprofessional!" Hermione couldn't help the tiny surge of anger she felt towards her boss. He had hurt the man she loved.

Severus laughed in his cell. "Hermione. I killed his wife. He is entitled to hate me, I think."

She flushed. "I know. I... I just wish it wasn't like this, Severus."

"So do I."

"You could have told him the truth, you know. About that night," she whispered. "He would perhaps... hate you less."

"Oh, Hermione," Severus said as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Sometimes you are so... innocent."

She bristled. "We could tell everyone, Severus. Get the story out. Maybe... maybe they would let you out of here. Maybe." Even as she said the words, Hermione didn't believe them. Who would believe her? Especially since she was currently sleeping with Severus, a fact that would undoubtedly come to light.

Severus shook his head. "Now, Miss Granger, you are certainly more intelligent than to believe that."

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "I know. This is just so damn unfair."

"It is. Now, come here and kiss me goodbye."

She smiled, wrapping her fingers around his through the bars. She opened her mouth and kissed him until they were both breathless.

"You should leave now," he whispered. "Before we arouse anymore... suspicions."

She kissed him again, softly. "I'll come see you every day," she promised.

"I'll hold you to that," he whispered, nuzzling her cheek. "Now, go live your life, Hermione."

Furiously blinking back tears, Hermione left his cell and joined Solomon and Henry. They were talking quietly but stopped once they saw her.

"Hermione," said Solomon. "Let's go."

She nodded and didn't protest when Henry again looped his arm around her waist as they followed the guard outside.

"So," she said. "I haven't heard anything. Do you have a list of possible suspects based on Severus' report?" she asked Solomon.

Though his eyes darkened slightly at Severus' name, her boss nodded. "We do. It's not a long list, luckily. I've sent agents to question everyone, and so far we've got nothing. I'll let you know when we catch him. And we will catch him."

"Can I help? I mean, I'll question some people."

Solomon shook his head. "Absolutely not. You need to take some time off, Granger. I don't want you around any more of this... darkness. And that's an order."

Hermione frowned. "Fine," she finally said as they reached the front desk and the guard returned their wands. "I'll just be at home, then."

Solomon nodded. "Good. And stay there, Granger," he demanded before Disapparating.

Henry was rubbing small circles on her back. "Can I accompany you home, Hermione?" he asked,

She sighed. She might as well tell him now. As sweet and endearing as she found Henry, she knew that there could never be more than friendship between them.

She really ought to tell him.

"Of course," she said quietly, ignoring her screaming conscience and the chubby prison guard who was avidly listening to their conversation.

******

Hermione placed a mug of tea uncertainly before Henry. He accepted the cup with a murmur of thanks, and she sat down in the chair next to him.

"So," she said. "What's up?"

He placed his hand over hers. "Hermione. I... I just need to know. I thought I could wait for you, but... Is there a chance at all? For us, I mean?"

The look in his eyes was so desperate and so hopeful that Hermione wished she could lie to him.

"Henry..."

He nodded his head and leaned forward to brush his lips against hers. The kiss was sweet, tender, and Hermione reluctantly withdrew from him.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I wish..." She trailed off.

He shrugged and smiled wistfully. "So do I, Hermione." He tightened his hand on hers. "I should go," he added.

"Yes," she said. "I'll see you at work?"

"Of course you will." As he turned to leave, he abruptly stopped in the doorway.

"Hermione... is it Snape?" He was studying the floor and shifting nervously.

"I..." She swallowed heavily. "Yes. It is."

Henry laughed cynically. "I thought as much. It's hard, you know, to be second to Severus fucking Snape. He's a murderer, Hermione. Gods."

She blinked. "He's a better man than you think, Henry."

Her partner shrugged again. "I really don't want to hear it, Granger. I'll just let myself out."

"I'm sorry, Henry. Really."

"Just forget I ever mentioned anything. I'll see you later, I suppose. I need... I need some air."

She followed him to the door and watched him walk away, his shoulders hunched and his hands in his pockets.

Hermione knew she had done the right thing, but it still hurt. Distraught, she walked resignedly back into the kitchen, feeling acutely like she did something wrong. Distracted by her thoughts, she didn't notice that she had failed to reset her wards.

******

A/N: Thanks to my beta, the brilliant shellsnapeluver, for her hard work on this chapter, and to reets67 and the admins at TPP. Thanks and apologies to readers and reviewers- I promise to regularly update this until the end.