Freeing the Kept

Disclaimer: Same as always. I've snatched some of J.K.R.'s characters and am having a bit of fun with them...making no Galleons at all.

Many thanks to my beta, Charmed_Nay, who is always there for me and simply brilliant.

Thanks also go to CocoaChristy for listening to my ramblings about the plot.

Severus let his lips linger against hers, although their kiss had ended. He wanted to simply take pleasure in the soft feel of her mouth while he still could and wished that the firewhisky he'd drank with the Dark Lord wasn't overpowering his sense of taste, rendering him unable to taste her. Slowly rubbing his mouth against hers, he whispered her name quietly.

"What's wrong?" Hermione questioned, pulling back slightly and ruining the moment.

"Nothing," he lied. Everything is wrong.

"You sound so desolate," she said, running her knuckles along the sides of his jaws. "I'll make these past couple of weeks up to you. I promise. I know that I wasn't the only one hurting." She leaned forward and kissed his lips chastely once more. "We'll be all right."

No, we won't, he thought ironically. It was quite interesting that she chose to have a change of heart on this night after he'd made the decision to end things with her. He'd have to ask her what had aided in her decision to make amends. He'd made the right choice and would stick by it, no matter what transpired. He'd not let her waste away. Her words sounded good, but he couldn't trust that she wouldn't return to wallowing in misery after only a few days of attempting to be happy. "I love you, Hermione," he said in a hushed voice, clearly surprising her.

"And I love you," she replied, her lips finding his again.

He was pleased that her hands moved up to unfasten his robes. She'd come such a long way since their first times together. Hermione suited him perfectly and knew exactly what he liked. Sliding into her heat was an experience unlike any other. Perhaps it was the fact that he had been her only lover, and no other had had her before him, enabling her to fit around him so perfectly. Knowing that she'd given herself only to him was a potent feeling. No other lover would ever be like her. How can I think of other lovers? How can I be without her? Pushing away those thoughts, he shrugged out of his robes for her.

Smiling, she said, "It's been so long it seems."

Severus nodded. "Sixteen days, ten hours, and about five minutes," he replied seriously. Bringing his hands up to the ties on the back of her nightgown, he began unfastening it. Once the ties were unbound, he paused to pull off his shirt, as she'd unbuttoned it for him. After, he placed his hands upon her shoulders and gently pulled down, easing the garment away from her, taking care to memorize the way the candlelight hit her bare skin and the feel of his hands moving down her body. Once the gown reached her waist, he moved his hands up her arms slowly, over her shoulders, across her collarbone, and down to her breasts, caressing them softly. Unable to resist, he leaned forward and placed small kisses on each breast, latching onto one of her nipples for a moment.

When he paused to simply rest his head against her chest, eyes closed, she stroked his hair with one hand and his back with the other. "Are you certain that you are all right, Severus?" she asked hesitantly. "You seem so restrained."

He pulled back to look at her and said honestly, "When you were younger, I used to just look at you and be annoyed." He traced the line of her jaw with a long, pale index finger. "This past summer, I noticed that you'd changed, becoming somewhat attractive. I remembered thinking it was a pity that you had picked Weasley as a mate." He shook his head and closed his eyes. "I saw you with him, you know, and I lusted for you." Opening his eyes to gaze into hers, he added, "I was glad that he and Pansy had taken to each other. I knew what I was doing even the first time I took you from headquarters to protect you. I wanted you."

"The night we slept together on that mattress in that shack?" she asked.

"The very same," he admitted, bringing his finger down to trace her collarbone back and forth. "Each time I was near you, I wanted to have you, but I weaved a tangled little web, luring you in, making you want me, too. I wanted to possess you so badly."

"Are you feeling guilty? Please, Severus, don't. I wanted you, too," Hermione said, smiling and attempting to touch his face.

He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed its palm. "I do not feel guilty. Nor do I regret anything that has transpired between us." He kissed her index finger, circling it with his tongue. "The more time I spent with you, the more I wanted from you. I wanted a life with you just as we were in my home. It became more than just the need to have your body. I wanted all of you."

"Wanted? As in... the past?" she asked, pulling her hand back.

"Want," he said, placing his hands upon her shoulders again, kneading them lightly. "You stopped being attractive to me and became... beautiful."

"Oh, Severus," she said with a sigh of contentment, leaning into him and putting her arms around him. "You needn't say it. I know exactly how you feel. I gradually fell in love with you, and the harsh Snape that I knew faded away as I did so, leaving only the attractive man before me. The past is where it should be... finished."

He nodded, not trusting his voice to say anything. Severus rose from the bed and pushed down his trousers and underpants, revealing his stiff erection. He crawled back onto the bed, finding her lips for a long kiss, slowly lowering her down as he did so. She pushed the gown and her knickers down, kicking them away with her feet. Breaking away from her mouth, he moved to his side and propped himself up on one elbow to look at her, taking in her flushed cheeks, the rise and fall of her breasts as she breathed, her soft stomach, the neatly trimmed and partially shaved patch of hair at the junction of her thighs, and her shapely legs.

"Beautiful," he complimented again, reaching out to pull her flush against him. He held her for a moment, slipping a knee between her thighs, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. One of her hands slid around to grab his arse, causing him to mutter his approval. He moved down slightly and took a hardened nipple into his mouth, laving at it with his practiced tongue and giving her cause to moan and press against him in need. Deciding he'd not put things off any longer, he pulled her leg up over him and moved against her, angling himself in a way that enabled him to enter her while they both stayed on their sides, gazing into each other's eyes.

Ever so slowly, he pushed in. With her not being as wet as he'd have liked, he made certain to not shove in completely, pulling back out and moving back in gently a few times, never completely filling her, simply teasing her body into accepting his girth. He was attempting to savor the feel of her, wanting to forever brand her into his mind.

Hermione, however, had other ideas. In frustration, she pulled him roughly against her, causing him to impale her. Both gasped in delight. She ground against him eagerly, trying to pull him over her.

"Patience," he said. "Like this," he demonstrated by thrusting into her easily. He used a steady, unhurried rhythm. When she moved with him, somewhat awkwardly at first, and tightened her leg's grip on his thighs, he began a slow languid kiss, not closing his eyes, afraid to miss something. She opened her eyes the moment their kiss ended, and they simply looked into each other's eyes while they moved.

"Oh," she murmured when he gripped her arse tightly.

Her little exclamation brought his mouth back to hers. Losing himself in her kiss and their bodies' movements, he felt his emotions peak and deepened his strokes, speeding up a little. A sudden orgasm found him, and he grunted with his release.

He continued moving within her, though he was becoming flaccid, not wanting their coupling to end. Even after she ended their kiss and smiled, he didn't stop moving, enjoying the feel of her. Their last coupling would not end with her being unable to reach culmination. He'd not leave her with that disappointment. Pushing her onto her back, he renewed his strokes with vigor, shaft hardening with each arousing thrust.

Soon her legs had wound around his body, one hugging his thigh and the other his waist. Each time he pounded into her with his deep, sharp thrusts, she grunted and mumbled incoherently, fingernails scraping along his back. Before long she was calling for him to not stop and gyrating against him wildly for further stimulation.

"Harder! Faster! God, yes!" With that, she cried out as climax washed over her.

He didn't stop slamming into her, however, until he'd found release a second time. This time his movements ceased nearly immediately, and he rolled off of her onto his back, panting and feeling completely spent. Sometime later, he felt the whisper of magic sweep across his body as she cast a Cleansing Charm on the both of them. Gathering her into his arms, he held his witch for the last time, not looking forward to their parting the next day. While sleeping, she tilted her head up in attempt to snuggle closer to him. When her face was in such a way, looking so vulnerable, he wanted nothing more than to protect her from harm. It bothered him that he would be the one to harm her. She would be hurt that he'd decided to end things, but he was certain she would get over that sooner than he would. But it's for the best. She will be happy. You may not live anyway.

And that was the truth, for he didn't plan to join the Order in their fight when the time came. No, he would remain at the Dark Lord's side until the bitter end. It wouldn't be loyalty that would keep him there. It was to make certain that Potter got the job done and that nothing went wrong. If something did go wrong, he couldn't afford to be outed as a spy. Dumbledore and he had talked about that already. He was to keep up his façade as long as necessary. The Order members would likely recognize him, but if they opted to bring Aurors, some of them might only see him as a Death Eater. There was also the chance that a stray hex could find him.

Severus tightened his hold on his sleeping lover. He would write a letter to her, explaining things... just in case. He didn't want to die and have her doubting his loyalties once again. Nothing he did any longer was for him only. It was also for her. Never Dumbledore. Never the Dark Lord. He would make certain that the headmaster didn't allow her to be involved either. He couldn't keep his wits about him while worrying for her. It had been hard to do at the small battle outside of Hogwarts, and the Death Eaters had had a great number on their side that day. They'd been instructed to not harm her, but if she showed up at Potter's side, that would all change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Severusss," the Dark Lord greeted. He pointed to the space on the bench next to him. Once Severus was seated, his Master spoke again. "I have just left a meeting with Bane. The visions will be viewable in five days. We will see if anything has changed." He looked pensive for a moment. "I would like to have the Weasley girl. We shall double our efforts."

"I have looked, my Lord," Severus said ashamedly, mentally digesting the information about Bane. "I shall not stop until either she, young Malfoy, or Potter are found."

Speaking to Nagini, the Dark Lord ignored Severus for a few minutes. He looked to the short, young man that walked in. "I trust you remember your instructions, Montague?" The man nervously nodded. "See to it." When the snake slithered to the man, he placed his hands upon her, jumping nervously when she turned to hiss at him, but he put his hands back and used a Portkey to leave.

"An errand, my Lord?" Severus asked curiously. If he was sending Nagini out to do something, it didn't bode well. He tried to seem unconcerned, but he was truly worried.

The Dark Lord looked to his favorite and continued their previous conversation without answering his question. "I believe that Potter is dead. I reach out to him and feel nothing. However, why does his body elude us? How fares Dumbledore? Do you think him to be hiding the boy? Are you keeping him weak as instructed?"

"I am, Master. Dumbledore doesn't realize that the potion I slip to him each week keeps him in a weakened state. I don't think he's strong enough to Occlude the boy in his position." He thought for a moment. "I wonder if someone else is helping him somehow...if he still lives? Surely nobody supporting the brat, aside from Dumbledore, would be that powerful."

"That is the question on my mind, Severusss," the Dark Lord replied. Suddenly, he turned to face his follower. "What is it? Something is troubling you." He eyed him closely.

Severus shrugged as he felt the familiar mental intrusion. "I fear that I am doing you a disservice, my Lord."

"Interesting. Continue."

"It's as if I am allowing myself to be distracted by my concubine and not doing things to the best of my ability." He hoped that he sounded disturbed. "When I discovered that the castle's protection had been upped, it bothered me. How could I have not heard something about a spy? Who is keeping this from me?"

"What do your propose, Severus?"

He sighed. "Perhaps I should be rid of her... for now only."

"Explain."

"I wonder if we could Obliviate her and place false memories in her mind. I could dump her off in Diagon Alley where many would see her. Surely it would make the papers and flush Potter out of hiding." He waited quietly as his Lord mulled this over.

"I find it noteworthy that you would be rid of her, Severusss." There was suspicion in his words.

"Only temporarily. She is quite satisfying," he added. "And I still choose her."

"She has been on your mind a great deal lately," the Dark Lord commented. "Her unwillingness to obey you completely is lingering and taking its toll on you. I was thinking of having another word with her about it, among other things, but maybe this could work." He stood and moved to sit on the fountain's edge.

"I am finding it a time-consuming task to bend her to my will. She's been more docile of late, and my coldness has taught her that she must keep me content if she is to be happy." He smirked. "I firmly believe that once Potter's body is found or that once Potter is truly killed, she will come around to my way of thinking. I can easily snatch her back, remove the Memory Charm, and show her that it was for her own good."

"So we use her as bait." One pale hand came up to rub his chin.

"Yes."

"And if they damage her mind to break the charm...on the assumption that they would notice something that you've hidden?"

"Once they see or hear of her false memories, they will believe her and leave it at that. Nobody would dare harm Potter's friend," Snape said, trying to sound bitter. "Before long, they will all forget about Potter. There will only be the Dark Lord, and she will only be Snape's witch."

Nodding his approval, the Dark Lord said, "Bring her to me for a talk."

"Yes, sir," Snape said. He rose. "I don't want her to know of the Memory Charm, Master. I do not know that I feel up to having an argument. I'm sure her loyalty will have her begging to stay here. I'd just like to do it and be done quickly, saving that argument for a time when our victory is complete."

"I shall keep silent on it," his Master replied thoughtfully. "I just want to speak with her before you leave. You will tell her that you are going visiting?"

"Perhaps I can say that we need to check on things at my home, maybe make a potion. I can take her there to alter her memory. I have an excellent potion that will make her feel intoxicated when I release her. She'll think she escaped those holding her hostage after a drinking binge."

"Who will you blame for snatching her from Hogwarts?"

"Well, they've never found Rodolphus' body. I'll make it look as though he and another had her in retaliation for Bella's demise. The Wizarding world will eagerly eat up the news, as will Potter." Severus chuckled in amusement. "Oh, he'll be wanting to defend her and will come running."

"Very good, Severusss. Get her ready. Once you return, we will discuss another way of flushing out our spy."

"Yes, my Lord," Severus said, bowing slightly. "I shall return with her shortly."

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Hermione had been ecstatic when Severus had informed her that they needed to spend the day at his home so that he could work on a potion for the Dark Lord in private. Oddly enough, he told her to bring her things. She didn't argue, figuring he would allow her to swap items and gather other things she needed. She hadn't been expecting to have to meet with the Dark Lord first.

"Severusss, if you would give us a moment, I would like to speak to her alone."

"Certainly," Severus said, nodding and leaving without even glancing at her.

She swallowed uneasily. What could he possibly want to speak with her about? "Yes, sir?" she asked cautiously.

"Have you been enjoying your stay here?"

"Yes."

"Do not lie to me. Do you not know that I can always tell when someone is lying?"

"All right," she relented. "I've not been overjoyed about staying here, but it's not all been unpleasant. I've met... I've met some nice people."

The Dark Lord nodded. "I am pleased that you think so. Some are quite sociable, but I'm afraid that not all of my followers are very pleasant." He flashed an eerie smile at her. "Do you remember our conversation? What I warned you about? Severusss doesn't know of course."

Hermione panicked. "But, sir, you mustn't!"

He raised his brow in surprise. "Indeed?"

"I love my parents and don't want to see them killed." She stilled her trembling. "Severus and I are fine. For a short amount of time, I allowed myself to fall into a pit of despair, but I've worked through that."

"I believe that I also told you to always address me with respect. You don't want Lord Voldemort to get angry with you, girl." He rose and towered over her and thrust a wagging finger in her face. "There are spells I could put on you that would render you helpless to be nothing other than a vessel for... Well, you can imagine. Needless to say, I do always follow through with my warnings."

"No, s-sir, I don't want to anger you, but I wanted to speak freely on behalf of my parents. I meant no real disrespect." She bowed her head in what she hoped was submission, mentally chiding herself for not remembering her place. This was not Severus, whom she could stand up to at will. This man would kill her or those she loved for stating her own opinions.

"You know, I'm not always ruthless. Why, even though your parents are Muggles, I still accept you into my home and allow you to live with my most trusted advisor. Your accomplishments speak for you, not your parentage. Do you know how many women would like to be in your place?"

She shook her head. She'd never thought of that before. She'd always thought of Severus as Professor Snape before and had never imagined him with any women.

"Yes, his position of power in our world is quite intriguing to a large number of witches, and I am certain that they are disappointed that he's chosen you as his concubine, bypassing them without so much as a glance." His red eyes glowed as they narrowed. "It would be easy for him to find someone else."

Hermione bit her lip, keeping her retort locked within. She wanted to tell him to shove those witches up his arse, but she feared him and could not. It wasn't truly the punishment she feared, but the thought of the man forcing Severus to be with another witch just to prove a point to her. She knew she would go mad and try to maim any witch that neared her wizard.

Suddenly, Voldemort's high-pitched cackled filled the air. "You are quite spirited, aren't you? Why, it's no wonder Severusss is having such a hard time breaking you." He sat down again. "Things will change for us all eventually. You'll have to accept life as it is or suffer the consequences. It would bode well for you to remember that. If you love and care for him as he so believes and justly deserves, prudence is required. Have a care to not anger me again, and make certain to not distract him from his work. Agreed?"

"Yes," she bit out, adding a belated, "sir."

"Excellent. Before Wormtail's demise, he gathered all the books that a few choice followers and I have on certain subjects that not even the restricted section of Hogwarts has. The number is quite extensive. Once you are back here, I will allow you to start getting familiar with them. We will add those to the library once I take over."

She nodded in agreement. She hated that her future might very well be spent as his librarian, but the thought of learning new things and having all of that knowledge at her disposal was intoxicating.

"I am pleased that you approve." He waved her away. "Severusss awaits outside the door."

"Thank you, sir," she said, fleeing the room and finding her tense lover waiting. She wrapped her arms around him for a moment before she pulled away, forgetting herself.

"It's all right," he said quietly.

She remained silent as he led her outside along the mountainside until they reached the spot they'd Apparated to the first time. Severus' jaw was clenched, and his body was rigid. "Do you truly not want to go today?" she asked. "We can wait."

He shook his head. "I would like nothing more than to keep you here with me, but we must go. I've already told the Dark Lord of my plans and will stick by them."

"Perhaps while the potion is brewing...?" she hinted, wriggling her eyebrows.

A small, tight smile was her reply before his arms encircled her. In the next instant, they were at his home on Spinner's End. She smiled. "It feels like I've come home." She plopped down on the couch in their small sitting room.

"We will not be here long. There are things that I must tell you," he said, sitting next to her.

She noted the seriousness of his tone. "I knew something was wrong."

"I've been lying to you."

"I know," she said quietly. "You told me that."

"It's about Potter."

Hermione's eyes began to tear up. "He's dead," she said with a nod.

"I found Potter and brought him to headquarters."

She jumped up, squealing loudly. "HARRY'S ALIVE? How long? When?"

"After the battle... the next evening. Dobby was caring for him until I got there. I was instructed to bring him to headquarters and found that Fawkes had already brought the headmaster there," he said, voice low.

"So all this time... I've been doubting you, and you've been keeping this from me? But you should have told me!" she said heatedly, tears sliding down her cheeks. "It made me think..." She sobbed, partly because of joy but also because of regret. She'd been miserable most days and had lost hope. She'd doubted the one man that she loved and likely made him miserable in turn. Why, it was no wonder the Dark Lord wanted to seek retribution. He must have sensed Severus' despair.

"I could not tell you," he said listlessly. "You know as well as I that your skills at Occlumency are lacking, and I had too much to hide on my own without having to worry about Occluding you as well."

"Severus... I'm sorry. I should never have doubted you." All of those horrid thoughts she had of him came rushing back. What must he truly think of her? She must have wounded him so deeply by showing that she hadn't the faith in him that he deserved.

"Yes, well, you did." He shook his head. "None of that matters now."

"It does to me." She silently vowed to make it up to him somehow.

"Listen to me, Hermione. You are not coming back to the castle with me."

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"I am going to send you to Diagon Alley to be found. We want the papers to alert the public that you are alive and well." He sighed. "I told the Dark Lord that I would Obliviate you so that you couldn't tell anyone our location, where you've been, or what's been going on." He held up his hand to stave her questions. "I will not do so. Your story, however, will be that after seeing his wife's death, Rodolphus snatched you and kept you as prisoner out in the Forbidden Forrest."

"But I truly don't know the location anyway."

He lifted his wand and whispered something she didn't catch. About ten false memories flashed through her mind in quick succession.

"What the hell?"

"If you are asked for evidence, use one of those. I created them."

She nodded. "Won't you be staying with me?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I must go back to the Dark Lord. He thinks that we are using you as bait to draw Potter out of hiding. He knows that Dumbledore is alive, but he thinks I've kept him in a weakened state. He has no idea about your friend's preparations."

Hermione noticed the bitterness in his voice. "But when will we be together? Are you going to come to headquarters often?"

Rubbing his temples with his fingers, he said, "I told him that you distract me and that I'll restore your memory after our complete victory. There will be none of this of course. You are going back to headquarters where you'll stay, even when Potter comes for the Dark Lord. I don't want you there."

"What are you keeping from me now?"

"I am going to propose a surprise attack on the Dark Lord," he said simply. "You will use your parchment to find my location at a specific time in a couple of days, showing the Order precisely where the Dark Lord is located. I'm going to wait until I know there is a meeting where most can be captured... or destroyed, but I can only hope that is before he sees Bane's visions in a few days. I fear he may see a change in the prior predictions Bane has given us." He looked away. "I thought that Potter needed more practice, but if he has the element of surprise and backup, he'll do fine."

"I... I don't have the parchment."

"Yes, I know. I will bring it to you when I go by later to meet with Dumbledore to finalize things. You may tell him, Potter, and the Weasleys everything that has gone on at the castle, but to the Ministry and Aurors, you will stick to the Lestrange story."

"All right."

He reached out to touch her face, slowly tracing the curve of her cheek. "There will be no changing things, Hermione. When I take you to Diagon Alley today, you will go to headquarters for good. No matter what."

Not realizing what he was saying, she smiled and nodded. "All right. The Dark Lord was saying when I returned he'd give me some books. I wonder why he said that if he thought I was going to Diagon Alley to be bait."

"He meant when you returned to his service... eventually."

"Oh, well, what a surprise he'll have! I'll never be his ruddy librarian!" She giggled happily. "I am so happy, Severus. Everything is finally falling into place. Harry is alive! Dumbledore lives to guide him to victory! We finally have the upper hand thanks to you and the parchment you created for me."

"Yes," he said dryly. "Things are just great."

"You sound so... upset."

"Indeed?" he asked sarcastically.

She swallowed nervously. "You think that something might go wrong."

"It's already gone wrong."

"Severus, you are not making sense." She could have slapped herself in the forehead. Of course! He's not looking forward to being without me for those couple of days. "Once this is over, we can fix things between us. I swear that I'll make it up to you. I've no excuse for the accusations I made."

He pulled her hands from his chest and pulled her down to sit on his lap. He quietly held her for a few minutes, stroking her back. Finally, he pulled back to look at her face, slowly lowering his mouth to capture hers in a final chaste kiss. "I will miss you," he whispered. When she tried to deepen their kiss, he sat her next to him. "One moment." He quickly went to the grate and Flooed Hogwarts. "Minerva? May I come through?"

In the next instant, he was gone with a whoosh of emerald green flames. She sat still and waited for his return. I can't believe I am finally going to see Harry again after all this time! And the Weasleys! Oh, I wonder how Ron's service went? This last thought made her uncomfortable. Ron's last words to her came back to haunt her. Would Mrs. Weasley be as accepting of her? Did the woman know that he died trying to save Hermione and in her arms? She shuddered slightly.

Another whoosh signaled Severus's return. "That was fast."

"I've got it set up. Minerva will find you and bring you to headquarters. I've given her a quick breakdown of things. Remember to tell Albus I will be by as soon as I can. I want to wait until the Prophet prints your return. Then, I can tell the Dark Lord that I am going to nose around and see if Potter has surfaced. I'll bring the parchment to you when I go."

"I love you and will miss you, even though it's for just a short time. I hate leaving so suddenly like this," she said, an odd feeling of unease filling her. Her stomach cramped slightly.

He nodded, not repeating her words of love. "This is for the best," he said.

"You sound like this is the end."

"For us, it is," he said quietly.

She laughed nervously, her stomach constricting. "Only for a couple of days."

He pulled a small, square box from his robes. It resembled the box he'd given her before when he'd given her the gift. "It is time that we redefine the nature of our association."

"Sorry?"

"I am afraid that it's just not working between us. I can see that now," he said firmly, not taking his eyes from hers. Lifting the small box, he dolefully said, "However, I would like you to have..."

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" she asked loudly. "You are trying to end things?"

"Yes."

"But... you love me."

"Yes," he agreed. "That does not mean that I can make you happy, and I want that for you...with or without me."

"You make me happy!" she exclaimed, panicking. His jaw was set, and she knew in her heart that there would be no changing his mind. He'd decided to end things, and she would have no say in the matter. "You can't do this, Severus. I need you."

He shook his head. "You had me, and look at how you were," he said hotly. "I will not have you living that way."

"That's unfair, and you know it!" she yelled.

"It may be," he said simply.

"How can you just stand there and be so cold, you bastard? Don't you care that I love you and that you are breaking my heart?" she cried.

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT I DON'T CARE!" he bellowed, face contorted as if in pain, frightening her and causing her to take a step back.

He purposefully stepped forward and thrust the box into her hands, whispering the activation.

"No, Severus, wait," she said.

Shaking his head, he said, "Good bye, my Hermione. You are free."

A sharp tug behind her navel pulled her away from him and sent her through a timeless passageway towards Diagon Alley. Once her feet were on solid ground again, she leaned back against the building and bawled, not caring that people were stopping and gawping. He'd broken things off between them. She'd driven him away by her actions over the past couple of months, and now, just when things were nearly perfect, he felt that he wasn't enough for her.

What happened to never letting me go? He loves me, and he's making me leave him. Thin, firm arms wrapped around her. She looked up into the unreadable expression on McGonagall's face.

"You are safe," the woman whispered.

Hermione held onto her as if her life depended on it. A few flashing lights signaled that pictures were being taken. For some reason, this made her cry harder. He was getting what he wanted. His ruddy plan was working. What about what I want? she thought bitterly. Another voice chided, But how many times have you said that you'd do anything to have Harry found and alive? This is what you want. "Oh, no," she moaned, not caring that people were trying to ask her where she'd been and if she'd seen Harry Potter. I didn't mean this. I swear.

But what did she mean? If Harry's life meant saving the Wizarding world, she should make whatever sacrifice needed to see it done. Of course she wanted Harry alive, but she wanted a life with Severus, too. How could Severus just push her away? How could you have acted like a child around him? When he first wanted you, Hermione, you and he were discussing adult topics, literature, life... All of your childish blubbering has turned him away, made him think himself not enough to make you happy.

"Miss Granger, I am going to Disapparate us to another place," McGonagall said, attempting to shield her from those around them.

Hermione nodded.

Rita Skeeter's face flashed in front of her. "A valuable source tells me that you've been away having an extended rendezvous with a follower of..."

Four hexes hit the woman in quick succession, and she turned into a bright, pink parrot. McGonagall, who was normally so composed, snarled, "And if you print such tripe, I'll be back."

Grateful that her Head of House had taken care of the horrible woman, she leaned into her for support and let the horror of reality wash over her. He was gone. For good. Why? Did he fear that he would die? Why could they not rekindle things after the Dark Lord was killed? What was missing? She'd have to find a way to reach him when he came to bring her the parchment. She could explain how she hadn't truly meant all those things she'd said and accused him of.

But you did, and he knows it. You've lost him.

McGonagall Apparated them outside of number twelve, Grimmauld Place, pulling her to the front door. The moment they entered, there was such a ruckus from Mrs. Weasley that the painting began yelling, causing everyone to come down and see what was happening. She was pulled into Mrs. Weasley's embrace nearly immediately.

"I'm so sorry about Ron," she said meekly, finally finding her voice.

"Shhh... later, Hermione. Welcome back," the woman said, holding her tightly.

"Hermione!"

She turned around and saw Harry in the doorway. "I'm back," she said, stating the obvious, voice breaking. He came to her and hugged her tightly, pulling her away form Mrs. Weasley's grasp. "Oh, Harry, there is so much to say."

Southern's Notes: This chapter was very hard for me to write. I felt quite sad for them and was listening to sad music to help me along. Hehe! I'm in the writing mood lately. Thank goodness! I've already started the next chapter and will have it to my beta soon. Thanks, all

Oh. If something sounded familiar about the line "...redefine the nature of our association..." I've wanted to use that forever, and it finally worked out for me. I adore the movie, Tombstone, and that's a line of Doc Holliday's...bows down to the sexy Val Kilmer.

While I am at it, I'd like to say that the story that Pansy was reading a couple of chapters back, "Vanity," will make an appearance again. I mentioned the author was a warty witch. Well, it's a true story right here at Aswhinder by my dear mate, Warty. Give it a read. She's brilliant!