Chapter Twelve: The Spy Comes in From the Cold

Disclaimer: The characters and settings within belong to J.K.Rowling. I am just giving them a little outing.

Chapter 12: The Spy Comes in From the Cold

A soft knock on the door interrupts the story.

But he settles down to listen anyway.

"I'm what?" Snape stood dumbfounded at her words.

"You're a hero. Cleared of all charges, Order of Merlin, and all. Posthumous, of course, unless you want to step forward and announce yourself. That's up to you, but personally I'd prefer to have a friend who is alive rather than technically dead." She laughed at his still bemused expression.

Suddenly, she found herself picked up and whirled around in a circle by an exuberant wizard.

"I'm cleared! I'm free! You perfect, adorable, magnificent girl!"

"Enough with the compliments and the spinning. I'm getting dizzy," she complained, grinning despite herself. "So, I take it you will come out of hiding?"

"Not just yet. First, I need a wand. Then we go to Australia to find your parents. Then I will reveal I am still alive."

Hermione sobered instantly. "Oh, Severus. Do you think they will forgive me? I'm so worried they will hate me for doing it."

"I cannot say, but you have to give them the opportunity to return to their old life," he replied.

A fortnight later, the Grangers had had their memories restored and were none the worse for it. After the initial shock at re-discovering their daughter, and that she was a witch, they had sat down for a long conversation and agreed she'd had no choice. They had been enjoying the more relaxed lifestyle in Australia so much they had decided to stay, even keeping their new identities, so as not to disrupt their life there. With many tearful hugs and kisses, even for a slightly overwhelmed Severus, they'd said their goodbyes and promised to visit regularly.

Despite Harry's suggestion, Hermione had been too stressed to talk to Severus about their relationship. The funerals of the fallen followed by the trip to Australia had left her clinging to him as her source of strength. Fearful of scaring him away and losing him completely kept her quiet on the topic of her feelings. She had simply enjoyed his company while they were in Australia, a brief holiday of sorts far from the fear and anxiety of war. They had walked on the beach, read books, and spent hours talking with her parents on every topic imaginable, except magic. Muscles that had been tense for months had relaxed, frown lines had diminished, and unhealthy pallor had fled to make way for a light golden glow from the Southern hemisphere sunshine.

But now they were back, and she and Harry had to find a way to reveal Severus's survival.

"He won't want a big public announcement. You do that, and he will hide away in that cottage forever!" Hermione was adamant.

"But he can't just appear out of the blue; it would cause far more publicity." Harry thought a moment, then suggested, "How about we call an Order meeting to announce he is still alive and has been exonerated. Then, the Order members can gradually disseminate the information amongst their friends and colleagues. Soon enough, it will get to the Daily Prophet, but by then it will be old news."

The idea was sound. Severus would not even need to be present initially, but perhaps waiting upstairs until the initial reaction was over. "Okay. I'll see what he thinks. Thanks, Harry, you're the best!"

Harry followed her out to the hall and caught her arm as she was about to leave. "What about... you know... you and him? Have you talked?" Genuine concern radiated from his green eyes and worried frown.

"No. Not yet." She shrugged.

"Don't leave it too long," he advised.

"I won't. I promise."

After sharing a hug, Hermione turned to leave.

"Hang on there, Hermione." A quiet voice issued from the shadows. Ron stepped forward, a frown darkening his features. "Who is it, Hermione?"

"Who is what?" She prevaricated.

"Who was Harry referring to? I know it wasn't me. You've been different lately. Your mind is elsewhere. I know I was a prat leaving you and Harry alone out there, but after I returned things had changed. You used to look at me as if..." He sighed at lost opportunities. "But not now, even after that kiss back at Hogwarts. There's someone else, isn't there?" His blue eyes were moist as he soundlessly pleaded with her not to confirm his fears.

"I'm sorry, Ron. You and I – it wasn't meant to be. Yes, there is someone else, but at the moment he just seems to see me as a friend." Her sigh was as heartfelt as his had been.

"Know the feeling," he replied, a rueful quirk to his lips. "I don't know about you, but I need a hug." He held out his arms.

Hugging him back ferociously, Hermione kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for understanding, Ron. I just hope you feel as generous when you find out who it is."

"Who?" he frowned. "Not... Malfoy?"

She laughed. "No. Not Malfoy. I can't tell you yet. But soon," she promised.

"It can't be that bad, then," he replied.

As she opened the front door, she turned with a wistful smile. "I hope not."

***

Harry stood and cleared his throat. The hum of voices in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place gradually settled as curious faces turned to the young man standing before them. A month had passed since the final battle, and although those left behind were still at times tearful, they had begun the long, slow healing process. Relationships had returned to near normal, and plans had begun for the future.

"I have asked you all here tonight to announce some very important news," he started.

"About time," jeered Ron.

George joined in. "Time he stopped her moping around the place..."

"... looking like her favourite toy was missing," finished Fred's portrait, which had been brought into the kitchen for the occasion.

"Now, now, boys. Ginny is far to young to be considering..."

Harry's upraised hands interrupted Molly as she was about to get into full mother hen mode. "Did I say it was about me? Or Ginny?" He looked around the room, meeting each person's eyes briefly. Molly Weasley, feathers still a little ruffled. George, sitting alone beside his brother's portrait, both sets of eyes still sparkling with mischief. Ron, who had so much to lose. Ginny, his dear, sweet Ginny, waiting patiently to hear what he had to say.

"Firstly, Kingsley has something to say. Kingsley?" He stepped aside as the tall, dark Minister of Magic stood.

"Good evening, everyone. I would like to start by thanking you all personally for your valiant efforts during the war. We lost many good witches and wizards," he nodded his acknowledgement to Arthur and Molly, "but their sacrifice was not in vain. The wizarding world is once again safe. And it is no small thanks to one man, whose courage and determination under extreme duress over many years set an example to us all. He suffered social isolation, physical torture, and severe emotional distress to bring us to where we are today. The burden of his solitude was born without complaint, right to the bitter end. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to stand and offer a moment's silence for Severus Snape, one of the unsung heroes of the war."

After a little confused murmuring, those in the room shuffled to their feet, casting curious glances at the Minister, who then went on to explain the contents of the letter from Albus Dumbledore.

"Dammit, Fred, you owe me ten Galleons! I knew he was on our side!" George shouted across the room.

"Come and get it, then!" his late twin replied with a grin. After the initial shock of his death, Fred had returned as cheeky as ever in his portrait form, much to his twin's delight.

A loud cough interrupted their hijinks.

"There's more," Harry said quietly. "Hermione?"

She stood and swallowed her apprehension. Fixing her gaze on the rear wall of the room, she started speaking.

"I have known Severus Snape as a teacher since I was eleven and as an Order member for the last few years, but today I stand here as his friend."

"Friend. I didn't think the old git had any friends," George joked. Hermione's glare silenced his laughter.

"Through circumstances I don't need to go into here, he and I became friends when I was a sixth year. Friends, George! By necessity, we did not broadcast the fact; his position as spy for the Order was too precarious to allow any hint of an alliance with a Muggle-born Gryffindor to become commonly known. I had good reason to believe in his loyalty then, and even after Albus Dumbledore's death I did not doubt him. As Kingsley has explained, my faith was justified. I have remained in contact with him since. Yes, Ronald, even while we were hunting for Horcruxes."

"But..." The redhead's expression was mutinous.

"We were not foolish enough to discuss our missions with each other, Ron. Too much was at stake. He berated me often enough after he had found out we had put ourselves in danger. It was Severus who helped me get my parents to safety and who suffered the consequences. The damned madman almost killed him when they could not find my parents. It was he who provided provisions on those few occasions I managed to sneak away. Did you really think local farmers had just given me their food? It was Severus who brought the Sword of Gryffindor, or don't you remember Harry telling you that?"

"Severus? You called him Severus, and he didn't hex you?" Arthur chuckled at the thought.

"Don't be daft. I said we were friends. But I never called him that while I was still at school. He was my professor, for goodness sake!" Hermione scowled at Harry's amused snort.

"You must have had some way of communicating, then." Bill Weasley was thinking aloud.

"Yes. We used a charmed chocolate wrapper," Hermione replied.

"Merde! Zat was the one I burned?" Fleur paled as she realised what she had done.

"Yes, Fleur, you weren't to know. Severus had heard we had been captured and held at Malfoy Manor. He was worried sick without means to contact me," she explained.

"Hang on. How did you know he was worried? You can't have seen him after that; I know you never left Shell Cottage until we went to Gringotts, and we were together until the time he..." Ron's voice faded to silence as he started putting two and two together. "You've talked to him since. That's why you went back to the Shack. Snape's alive, isn't he? And that's where you keep disappearing to." Four finally reached Ron's calculation. "It's him! He's..."

"Not now, Ron," Harry hissed, elbowing the irate Weasley in the ribs.

Hermione continued. "Yes. Severus is alive. I treated him in the Shrieking Shack and took him to a Secret-Kept location. I have been staying there since we returned from Australia where we restored my parents' memories."

"Two weeks, Harry. It took two weeks," Ron whispered, five having reared its unwelcome head.

"And she has been staying with him for a month," Harry murmured in reply. "Nothing has happened... yet." He couldn't resist smirking at his friend's discomfort.

"She wants something to happen?"

"I strongly suspect so. So far, he has only treated her as a cherished friend, but..."

"She loves him?" Ron stated, hope finally having expired as five was discarded and cruel, hard four returned.

"She does, mate. She does."

While the two young men were quietly conversing in the corner, Hermione had slipped out of the room. Order members were congregating in small clusters, discussing the astounding news they had been given. Kingsley was circulating the room, his calm presence allaying any residual disbelief regarding Snape's motives.

Suddenly, voices stilled across the room as all eyes turned to the door. There stood Severus Snape, looking healthier than he had for years – hair tied back off his previously gaunt face, skin no longer dungeon pale, expression curiously diffident. At his side stood a fierce young witch, clasping his hand and daring anyone to comment.

"Severus, good to see you looking so well," boomed the Minister of Magic from across the room, breaking the awkward silence. The room burst into life as those present sought to greet the returning hero.

"Oh, dear, come in and have something to eat," fussed Molly Weasley, ever the mother figure.

"Hey, look, George, perhaps he has your ear in his pocket," quipped Fred from his frame.

Ron stared sullenly at his shoes as Harry moved to shake hands with the bemused ex-spy.

"Congratulations on your Order of Merlin, sir." Harry's respectful tone rendered Snape speechless for a moment.

"Er... Thank you, Potter." He clasped the younger wizard's hand and discovered a pleasantly firm grip. Hermione's glow of pleasure inspired him to add, "And I believe thanks are in order for your support."

"Oh, I didn't really do anything, Professor. The letter from Dumbledore and your own memories convinced the Wizengamot of your real role in the war." He paused briefly, then went on. "I'm sorry I was such a prat all those years when you were only trying to protect us. I guess we all owe you a huge apology."

"You discharged any debt when you killed that madman who ruled my life," Snape replied, gratitude softening his expression into something almost pleasant.

"Well, perhaps we're even then." Harry noticed Ron leaving the room, carrying a shroud of dejection heavily upon his shoulders. "Excuse me; there is something I need to attend to."

With Harry's departure, Snape was surrounded by enthusiastic well-wishers for the rest of the evening. Noticing his strained features, Hermione took his hand and gradually eased him towards the door.

"Come on. Let's get you back to the cottage. All that friendliness and goodwill must be very wearying." She chuckled at his patented professorial glare. "You know that hasn't worked on me for over a year, Sev, so save it for those for whom it does." With a quick twist, she Disapparated.

"You're no fun anymore, girl," he growled as he followed. "And don't call me Sev!"

***

A/N: This story was written for the Hermione Big Bang on Live Journal to celebrate her thirtieth birthday. Many thanks to ladyinthecloak, my beta. Thanks also to quaffswinegaily, who gave this a preliminary reading, and Michelle, my cheerleader.