Chapter 43

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I had far too many errors to sort through. Much thanks to luvsev, WriterMerrin, and notsosaintly for all their patience and diligence. This fic would be a garbled mess without them!

***

Hermione went down to Severus' quarters and waited for him. Just before she'd left, Harry had grabbed her arm and said in a sleepy haze, "Voldemort said one was too cowardly to return... he will pay. But don't worry...he won't die. Karkaroff...he'll be killed." Then he fell asleep.

Hermione went and took off her clothes and put on one of Severus' shirts. She readied his potions. She thought of everything he might need...Calming Draught, Sleep Potion, Blood-Replenishing, Pain-Relief, Wit-Sharpening, Boil remover, Skelegrow, Draught of Peace...she had them all in a row, along with some books she found on healing. She remembered some of the healing spells Severus' mother had taught her years ago. So, she waited and waited. She slept on his bed and woke around eight in the morning to discover he hadn't returned.

Though she was afraid, she summoned Dobby and asked for some breakfast, a comb, and a toothbrush. She had to keep her mind calm and focused. She had just finished breakfast when Severus came stumbling in, shaking and twitching in spasms. She got him on the bed and gave him a Calming Draught and a spoon of the Draught of Peace. Soon, the jerking and spasms ended. He was shivering cold, and his clothes were soaked with perspiration and caked with blood. She levitated him and stripped him down, then laid him prone so she could tend to his back. She worked hard tending him, and by lunchtime she was finished and exhausted; she slept next to him in bed and woke up later in the afternoon.

"How are you?" she asked him.

"I've been better," he replied.

"How was work?" she asked with a smirk. "Rough day at the office?"

"Mmm," he replied. "My boss is a real taskmaster."

She smiled ruefully as she kissed his lips lightly.

They spent the rest of the day together, talking and resting. Severus didn't want to talk about what had happened with Voldemort, but he did inform her that she had indeed been correct in her hunch about Barty Crouch Jr. He told her the whole story about how Barty Jr.'s old and dying mother had switched places with him using Polyjuice Potion, and that was how he got out of prison. He had gained strength and overpowered his father as Moody and transfigured him into a bone, which he'd buried on Hogwarts grounds.

Hermione was very sober. As they curled up for the night, she asked him, "What do we do now?"

"Well, we go to the Memorial service for Mr. Diggory, and then you shall go back with the Weasleys. I don't want you going back to your parents' house. The Dark Lord knows know about you, Hermione, thanks to Lucius Malfoy and others like Avery, who knew you from our school days. Dumbledore isn't happy about it, neither am I, but what can we do? Are you ready to rejoin the Order now and be under their protection?"

"Yes," she said. "I am so ready for us to be married and stop some of this charade. It will be good to know we can be ourselves in front of some people."

He stroked her hair. "Well, we planned to marry on your birthday. Can you wait until September?"

"Two and a half months. I can just wank off until then, I suppose," she said offhandedly.

Severus laughed. "Ouch, don't make me laugh just yet," he pleaded.

Hermione's face sobered, and she whispered softly, "You paid for hiding me from him, didn't you?"

Severus looked at her tenderly and replied, "I did what I had to in order to keep us both safe."

Hermione's eyes began to water. "It's never going to end, is it? We won't ever really be free. Only behind these walls will we be able to be ourselves. Even then, only in these rooms in the dungeons."

Severus pulled her close to himself. "One day, Hermione. One day, we will free. Until then, we just have to keep our love alive." They snuggled under the covers and rested up in order to begin a new chapter in what had already been an epic romance.

***

In the morning, as she dressed, Severus placed her ring on her finger. "Wear it, Hermione. Wear it, and let the Order know you are my fiancée. Wear mine as well. Just don't start wearing it until you leave Hogwarts with the Weasleys. All right?" he asked.

"Okay," she replied as she slipped it back on her chain.

***

After the Memorial service for Cedric, all the students prepared to leave for the Hogwarts Express back to London. Hermione was alone; Lavender and Parvati had already left to go see the Durmstrang boys off. Hermione had already spoken to Viktor earlier that morning. She had waited after his early-morning swim and broke the news to him that there could never be anything between them, but that she had appreciated how sweet and kind he had been and that she hoped they could be friends.

He hadn't taken it well, and Hermione was now feeling pretty low. Her life was now becoming so complicated and troubled. She was facing another war where she couldn't know for sure if she or Severus would live to see the end.

***

Hermione was just closing the lid of her trunk when Mrs. Weasley and Minerva walked into the dorm room. She stood up sharply and said, "Hello, Mrs. Weasley, Professor McGonagall."

"Please, call me Minerva, Hermione. Molly knows," she said as she sat down on one of the beds.

Hermione sat down in her chair, breathless and confused.

Molly looked at her curiously. "I always thought there was something different about you, Hermione," she replied. "Then there was this assistant of Professor Snape's that Bill said looked exactly like you when he was at Hogwarts: Jessica Irving. Oh, my, he was so smitten back in those days! When Minerva told me the story, I thought it was a joke! But you were the girl the Order talked about in the old days. The girl who trained with Moody, the girl Remus had loved but had instead loved a Death Eater. I can't even begin to imagine how strange it must be for you. How old are you? Thirty-five? Thirty-six?" she asked.

"I'm almost thirty-six," Hermione replied. "My sixteenth birthday will be in September."

"At which time, she and Severus shall be married, and she will be a part of the Order. Hermione will be officially inducted once we get settled in at headquarters," Minerva added.

"Hermione," she continued. "Your orders are to be Molly's right hand. There are meals to cook, people to care for, and then when Harry joins us in August, there will be all his questions to handle. You will, on top of your household duties, be assisting Albus with some scheduling for the Order members. We'll talk more about that when we get all settled in. So, are you ready?"

"I am," Hermione replied.

She took one last look around before she went and left Gryffindor tower for the last time. Severus had promised her that she would not live anywhere else but with him after their marriage. Besides, she didn't need to complete her schooling; it had already been finished years ago.

***

Dumbledore was the Secret-Keeper, so it was his note in his own script that she read before the building appeared before her. She looked at Molly, and the older witch smiled in return whilst taking her arm and bringing her in the house.

"Oh, Merlin!" she exclaimed as she coughed.

"Yes, it's bit rancid. But we'll get this place tidy soon enough. Let's start with the kitchen. I cannot bear having a kitchen that is not put to rights," Molly said importantly.

There were a fair number of horrid bugs and dust so thick Hermione thought she was going to cough to death. She placed a Bubble-Head Charm over herself while she worked. Molly looked at her in shock and a bit of humor as she watched Hermione in her short-shorts and tank top scrubbing the kitchen floor.

"Hermione," she said. "Where on earth did you get that outfit?" she exclaimed.

"Muggles," she said. "It's very cooling, but don't worry. As long as it's just you and I, then I'll wear what I please, but as soon as the boys arrive, I'll be dressed appropriately."

She and Molly worked like house-elves all day long. The kitchen was a putrid mess, and Kreacher was absolutely no help, whatsoever. He snarled and growled at Hermione every chance he could, calling her "Mudblood" and "Filth." Hermione largely ignored him. At the end of the day, they sat in the sparkling new kitchen with some pumpkin juice.

"I feel I've used muscles I've not used in years," claimed Molly.

"I feel wrung out," replied Hermione. "I'll say, it will be good to get more hands in here to clean if this place will be fit for human living. I shudder to think what the bedrooms look like up there."

"Well, don't worry. We'll pack up and get to the Burrow. Ginny should have dinner ready for us, and we can shower and sleep well tonight. Tomorrow, we're all coming back and getting to work!" she said importantly.

"Ah, the whole Weasley clan is coming to set up housekeeping for the Order, eh?" Hermione teased.

"That's right. And they'd best pull their weight or answer to me!" she said sharply.

They Apparated back to the Burrow. Hermione was so tired she threw on an old Hogwarts robe over her indecent work clothes and practically collapsed when Ron came to hug her. He brought her trunk inside, and she and Molly ate heartily, then retired to bed.

***

The next few days were all the same. Everybody worked hard at cleaning and pitching in. Order Members were going in and out; however, Hermione was still under wraps. Sirius and Buckbeak were still hiding out in the cave on that hardscrabble hill on the mount. There was still so much that had to be done before Headquarters could become habitable.

Molly was a good person to talk to in the evening when all the others were in bed. As far as the rest knew, Hermione was reading late. In reality, Molly was filling Hermione in on the progress of the Order and passing along any and all information she could about Severus.

One night, she told her the biggest news of all.

She poured them a cup of tea and said, "This of course is in the strictest of confidences. It is imperative when Harry comes that he not find out about this. We'll have to reign in Sirius...Merlin knows he thinks Harry should be in the Order. Sometimes, I think he forgets Harry isn't James."

"Did you know James and Lily?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," she said as she smiled. "Not as well as I would have liked. We were in a lower echelon of the Order. Arthur's job at the Ministry made things dangerous. We had babies to watch out for! I had all seven children born by the time You-Know-Who fell. It was so terrifying. But of course, you knew. I heard about you sometimes. Lily and Sirius weren't nice about your leaving. But James said he always liked you. He told me it had been a shame that Severus went over to You-Know-Who. He thought you and Severus would have made a fine couple. I only wish he had lived to see how right he had been."

Hermione took another sip and said, "I can't say I'm glad to be a part of a war; however, I am glad to finally do my part. I can use my expertise and help Severus."

Her eyes glazed over. It was the beginning of July, and in two months, she and Severus would be married. There would be a lot to explain...and a lot to consider...but one thing was for certain: she finally was going to marry the man she had loved nearly her whole life. Or two lifetimes, if one wanted to see it that way. She looked at her engagement ring, and Molly took her hand and admired it.

"When will you tell everyone?" she asked.

"I don't know. Not now. I'll just wear it on my right hand in the daytime. Molly, will Severus and I be able to live here? Like a proper married couple during holidays and vacations once everyone knows?" she asked.

"Oh, I would like that," she answered. "After all, you've waited long enough, and you are not a child! We'll see when the Order meets officially."

"So," Hermione said as she munched on a biscuit. "Tell me the story."

"Well, it all started after you left. Severus was spying for You-Know-Who, and he knew that Dumbledore was meeting Professor Trelawney at the Hog's Head. You should remember her from the days when you came back, right?"

"Yes," Hermione answered. "I was Jessica Irving at the time," she said.

Molly laughed. "Bill will faint dead away when he sees you, Hermione!"

"Oh, dear," Hermione said nervously. "Well, don't tell Severus. He has enough insecurities about my De-Aging," she informed the older witch.

Molly got back on track. "Well, that night, Sybil made a prediction to Albus. Aberforth, Albus' brother, found Severus eavesdropping and threw him out on his ear. He only heard a part of the conversation...that is called 'the prophecy.' Basically, it says that one will be born as the seventh month dies, and the Dark Lord shall mark him as an equal, and neither one can live while the other survives.

"Severus only heard the first part and reported back to You-Know-Who. Well, he decided to mark the Potters for death. Lily had just given birth, as had Alice Longbottom. However, You-Know-Who chose the Potters. They went into hiding as soon as Severus defected. For a year, Severus worked with Dumbledore as a spy. No one knew, no one in the Order knew. According to Albus, Severus was terrified that You-Know-Who was going to slaughter them all...James, Lily, and Harry...and he couldn't live with the guilt. It was then he came to Albus with the plan to work at Hogwarts to pretend to be a spy around the start of the fall term of 1981. September, I believe.

"I think Severus always wanted to make amends with Lily, but no one knew Severus could be trusted, and Sirius...Merlin! He went mad. He was frantic that Severus was going to get them all killed. He and Albus had the most terrible rows that first month. It couldn't be hidden that Severus Snape was a teacher at Hogwarts. I suppose that was what led him to get James and Lily to switch from him being the Secret-Keeper to Peter without telling Albus. Sirius was so afraid, but we had all been in those days.

"Well, according to Severus, You-Know-Who is desperate to get his hands on that prophecy. It's hidden in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry. We have to make a schedule for there to be someone on point at all hours. That will be your major task, to get all the Order members down for their rotation. One thing in our favor is that only You-know-Who or Harry can get the prophecy. No one else can touch it. Even so, You-Know-Who might try anything to get around it. So, at night, it is imperative that someone stands guard at the Ministry so He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named can't get in."

"It sounds simple enough," agreed Hermione. "Why not let Harry retrieve it and get it to Dumbledore?" she asked. "Doesn't Harry have a right to this prophecy?"

"Well, that's where the other problem comes in," Molly whispered. "Remember the vision and the dream Harry had? His scar hurting him?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well, we think that You-Know-Who has some sort of link into Harry's mind. That scar is some sort of conduit or a way to invade his mind and plant information, even retrieve information. If Harry knows that prophecy, then You-Know-Who could access it. Harry must be, in a way, kept in the dark about this. Do you understand?"

Hermione furrowed her brows as she mulled it over in her head. "For the most part. I think I'll have a better idea when we start meetings and I can hear more from Severus on the matter."

Molly nodded. "Hermione, he's not been well," she said softly. "He refuses to eat here with us, and I don't think he is eating regularly. These past three weeks since the term ended, after Cedric Diggory died, he's been summoned to You-Know-Who far too many times. He suffers, from what Poppy tells me, from shocks and convulsions."

"The Cruciatus," Hermione whispered.

Molly gasped. "How did you know?"

Hermione looked at her darkly. "Molly, I trained under Alastor Moody for an entire summer after my sixth year. He taught me how to fight off the Imperius Curse and also had me undergo a few rounds of the Cruciatus to feel what it was like. Moody's heart wasn't into it. He doesn't like doing those things. It was bad enough. Oh, poor Severus!" she whispered. "Doesn't he ask for me?"

Molly grasped her hand. "I think he needs to focus now on his work, and you would be a huge distraction. He knows that when the school year starts, he won't be summoned so often, and then you'll be married and you can care for him, all right?"

"Okay," she whispered.

***

It was the middle of July when a part of the Order convened. Hermione slipped her ring on her left hand and walked proudly into the kitchen to be introduced and inducted.

Kingsley and Moody were the only ones who had worked with her as Hermione Granger. Bill and Charlie were gobsmacked. She was the young Jessica Irving from their early years at Hogwarts. Now she was standing there, looking even younger than they had remembered.

Albus neatly explained the truth of the matter of Hermione's true life and identity and age. Then announced she and Severus were to be married on her sixteenth birthday at Headquarters. As he spoke, Sirius sat quietly, not taking his eyes off the bride-to-be.

Moody looked at Hermione, and she returned his stare. He had, of course, not seen her since her De-Aging. He had listened to Dumbledore carefully and then come forward to look at her closely.

"Albus, I need to make sure it's her," he said gruffly. Severus made to respond, and Albus placed his hand on the wizard's shoulder. Moody walked right up to her, his claw foot thumping on the floor as he walked. He stood and looked directly into her eyes. "Merlin's Beard, girl," he growled as his eyes raked over her. Hermione remained silent.

"Tell me how you finally threw off the Imperius Curse?" he whispered.

Hermione felt her face grow red. She leaned in and hissed quietly, "I chose between modesty and the protection of my mind. I can't believe you, Moody; I'll have to tell Severus now!"

Moody guffawed and said, "It's her!" and hobbled to the back of the room. Hermione glanced at Remus, and he was trying hard not to look embarrassed and failing miserably at it. Kingsley was fighting back a chuckle. She looked at Severus, and he glared at her angrily. She was going to answer for that later.

***

She officially took her Oath, even though she had been one of the first members back in the seventies; it just made sense and unruffled a few feathers.

She sat by Severus' side, proudly as his intended for the next two months, and listened as Albus spoke about the latest developments.

"Keeping an eye on Potter will be a must. Miss Granger will be undercover as a student, although she has already passed her N.E.W.Ts in 1978. Her records were pulled some time ago, so no one will be the wiser. In the meantime, for the duration of the summer, due to her undercover status, she cannot join the rotation. She can't even Apparate for another year yet. So, Hermione will be working on our rotation schedules for watching Harry and also for guarding the Department of Mysteries.

"Hagrid and Madame Maxime have gone to speak with the giants. I know this may seem like a lost cause since so many sided with Voldemort during the last war; however, I do not wish to leave any stone unturned. I do not hope for a reply any time soon. We must wait.

"Now, Severus has returned to Voldemort's side as a spy for the Order. He will be reporting to us all regarding the movements of Voldemort and of course any new recruits into the Death Eaters. Severus, do you want to give your report?"

Severus drew in a breath. "Mr. Potter will continue to be marked as an unstable, mad individual who belongs in St. Mungo's. Already, many in the Ministry have turned against not only him but Dumbledore as well," he replied. "Lucius Malfoy has been courting favor with Fudge and other members of the Ministry. Since the Prophet has also been pressured by Fudge's camp to discredit Potter's story, the Dark Lord has taken the opportunity to keep a low profile and allow his more socially acceptable followers to keep the public disbelieving his return until he can execute his plan."

Lupin spoke up. "Do you know what he's planning?"

"No, he's keeping it to himself just now. I will of course report anything that comes to light," he replied coolly.

Hermione spoke up. "Has Fudge told Malfoy about the argument you all had with him in the Hogwarts infirmary?" she asked.

"No idea," he replied in an irritated voice. "If he has, no one has said anything about it."

"Perhaps Tom might be interested to know one of his Death Eaters exposed himself to the Minister of Magic?" mused Dumbledore as he leaned back in his chair. "You may have to answer for your choice, Severus."

"No doubt, as I have already answered for a great many choices, Headmaster," he replied blandly.

Hermione was amazed at the emotionless man before her. He was capable of great deception, she knew. He had honed his talent over the years, and she could see just how detached he could be from a potentially sensitive exchange. She decided to think on it later. Dumbledore officially ended the meeting, and her thoughts turned to Harry.

"What should I do to assist Harry?" Hermione asked Albus.

Albus smiled. "You be there as a voice of reason and strength. Don't allow his anger over my distancing myself from him be counterproductive. He may try to turn inward and become depressed or lash out towards those he loves best. Keep loving him and showing him the care and the faith you have always shown. It will be love, Miss Granger, that will defeat Voldemort in the end," he said with his eyes twinkling.

At the end of the meeting, there were a few questions about Hermione and Severus. Albus said, "Voldemort knows about Hermione. Thanks to Lucius Malfoy, Hermione's identity has been revealed. Hermione will marry Severus and live with him as his wife in secret. She will attend school; however, no grading will be taking place. She will live with Severus in his quarters as any other married couple, albeit under the radar of the students." he said.

"You know you can back out, Hermione," Sirius said gravely as his eyes pierced Severus'. "You don't have to marry him."

Hermione was aghast. Severus wrapped an arm around her waist and said to Sirius, "She wants me. And how it burns you to know that you will never again have that kind of love..."

"Severus," whispered Lupin as he looked at him pleadingly. "Don't."

Hermione watched as Sirius glowered at them. His left eye twitched as he focused on Hermione. She felt he didn't like seeing Severus' arm around her waist. She felt strangely aware of her body as Sirius kept his eyes focused on her.

Dumbledore turned to Hermione and said, "How I wish things could be different, but not now. At least you will have each other to cling to." He looked at her engagement ring. "What shall you do with it?" he asked.

Hermione shook herself out of her confusion over Sirius' outburst. "I will wear it around my neck as I did last year and also will keep Severus' after our wedding night. We can't have anyone seeing a ring on him, can we?" she said regretfully.

"When's the big day?" asked Kingsley.

Dumbledore turned to the Order. "Tuesday, September nineteenth," he replied. "On Miss Granger's sixteenth birthday."

***

Hermione went to her room that she was working on to be her bedroom to stay for the summer and as a bedroom for her and Severus for their wedding night. It would have to take place here, under the safety of the Fidelius Spell. She went to her bureau and took out a glass jar. She smirked at the tiny beetle inside, who was looking quite put out. With a wave of her wand, Rita Skeeter came out and stood in her bedroom.

"You evil, conniving, little bitch!" she screamed.

Hermione sat, unconcerned about her ravings. She had Rita's wand and had her under so many jinxes and spells, there was no way she could be harmed.

"Now, Rita," Hermione tutted. "I thought you would be happy that I've let you out for a bit of airing."

The witch glared at her. "What do you want?" she snarled.

"I want a Wizard's Oath that you will never speak or write about me, Harry Potter, or anyone that has anything to do with Harry Potter or myself for one year. If you break this Oath, I will be notified immediately, and you will be outed to the Ministry as an Unregistered Animagus and reported for spying on private property at Hogwarts when Dumbledore had ordered you to stay away!" Hermione retorted angrily.

"Fine!" she spat bitterly.

Hermione produced the witch's wand and gave it to her. She wasn't afraid. She had rendered it useless until Rita made her oath. Their wands touched, and the magic swirled around them as Rita repeated the oath.

Hermione quickly took the wand back from the reporter. The witch began to scream and fume. Hermione calmly changed her back into her Animagus form and placed her in her jar.

'Don't fret, Rita. You'll be free very soon. Just not right now." She placed the jar back into the bureau, and then a soft knocking came from her door.

"Come in?" she whispered timidly. It was Severus.

Hermione threw herself into his arms. "Oh, I love you!" she said desperately. "Do you like the room?" she asked as she pulled him in further by the hand. He strode over to the bed and sat on it. He bounced a little, testing the springs as Hermione blushed.

"My, Hermione," he said silkily as he stood up to take her face in his hand. "Blushing Bride? Don't you recall the very naughty things we did at Spinner's End? Not to mention our first night when you came back to me after three long years."

Hermione nuzzled into his hand. "It's just that you are still so much larger than I am. I don't remember you being so intimidating," she replied as she ran her hands up his woolen coat.

"Well, Hermione," he said as he placed his hands gently over hers. "I am also not teenager anymore. I was a young man then, and we were the same age: equal in our mutual virginity and subsequent explorations of sex. I'm a decade older, and although I have been celibate these years, I have seen quite a bit and have learned a great deal about the art of lovemaking. I did explore and was fortunate to have seen some couples perform true lovemaking on a scale we hadn't achieved. I know my body better, but it unfortunately is losing some of its buoyancy of youth.

"You, on the other hand, are a mature woman trapped in a young woman's body; you haven't been able to experience or exercise your sexuality as I have. You are young, Hermione. Even then, the Hermione I remember returning to me was more mature and womanly."

Hermione stepped away. "My body is still undesirable, isn't it?" she whispered sadly.

"No, I didn't say that," he said softly. "Let's just not make any promises about the wedding night. There's no rush to intercourse. There are many ways we can pleasure one another, remember?"

"Of course," she said as he skimmed his thumb across her lower lip. "Do you want to fool around?"

"As tempting as the offer is, I cannot. I still have a promise to keep," he said. "I would like to discuss what happened during the meeting. Why were you and Lupin blushing, and why were Kingsley and Moody smiling?"

Hermione sighed. She knew this was coming. "Look, Severus, I had a lot of problems with the Imperius Curse. Moody had finally had enough and reminded me of the humiliating things I might be forced to do if I didn't apply myself more and really fight it. He ordered me to give Remus oral sex."

She winced, waiting for the fallout. Severus turned his back to her, and she covered her mouth.

"What happened?" he said angrily.

Hermione spoke low and softly about that night. When she told him about being naked, he turned around, his eyes pitch black with murder in them. Hermione then told him about how she used Remus' wand to disarm Moody and sent him flying into a water trough.

Severus' mouth twitched at that point, and Hermione let out a nervous giggle, although she stifled herself and forced her face to be serious looking.

"I ought to kill them," he said softly. "Especially Moody. He's no fool. Lupin's so bloody transparent, his mind is practically shouting the lust he has for you in his eyes!" His voice raged at the end, and he grabbed her shoulders. "You know he wants you, right?" he asked. "I can see it. He sees you as the girl he wanted all those years ago when he thought he had a chance..."

"...But now that is over, and I am marrying you," Hermione interrupted in a firm voice. "I love you."

Severus palmed her face and leaned in to kiss her.

She wrapped her arms under his arms and around his shoulders as he continued to passionately kiss her.

He broke it off abruptly and said, "I need to go before this goes further." He quickly removed himself from Hermione's embrace and left the room.

Hermione wrapped her arms around herself. It was July fifteenth, just another two months until the big day. She felt on fire all the time. She knew she would be ready. She yearned for Severus' touch. The days had better fly by, or she was going to die from want!