Chapter Twenty Eight - The Rising World of Waters Dark and Deep

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to JKR and/or Daniel Knauf. I do not profit from writing this story.

Author's Notes: Should I even bother anymore with content warnings?

-Melusin beta'ed this very quickly. I am in awe of my gratitude for her.

---

Snape briefly closed his eyes at the feel of her chaste kiss. "Not here..."

Before Snape could completely extract Hermione from his person, the kitchen door he had been attentively monitoring seconds before flew open.

Snape's neck snapped violently. He wished, more than ever, that looks could truly kill.

Sirius Black stilled in the doorway, disbelief and mortification emanating from his body.

"What the FUCK?" The three of them had been dumbly staring at each other for a few agonizing seconds before Sirius had finally exploded.

This isn't happening. Hermione's heart pounded in her throat. She'd allowed too much time to pass before saying or doing something that could've salvaged the situation. Only wanting to thank Severus for his gift, Hermione had foolishly taken their intimate moment for granted.

"Hermione!" Face scarlet red, Sirius' mouth opened and closed awkwardly. He attempted to phrase the appalling questions racing through his mind. "Did you... did I just see you kiss...?" His face twisted in revulsion, unable to finish that sentence.

Please... don't let this be happening.... Hermione had never felt so at a loss for action. Sirius was still standing in the doorway. Upon his careless release of the knob, the door swung inward, knocking him on his backside. Sirius was too mortified to notice. When he'd started shaking his head slowly, Hermione had become conscious of her continued frozen stance...a stance that was still very close to Severus.

Severus.... Her face snapped towards his when she realized he had yet to say or do anything. He was still staring at Black, but his expression no longer possessed the viciousness it had when Sirius had stumbled into the kitchen moments before. Eyebrows slightly furrowed, Snape seemed to be carefully contemplating something.

He's calculating, Hermione told herself. This wasn't good.

Feeling Severus' arm move slightly, Hermione realized he'd just finished saturating the room with silencing and locking wards. Hermione needed to take control of this before Severus did. She clumsily took a step forward; her mannerisms and tone of voice cowed in apology. "Sirius, I... please try to understand...."

Severus' anger returned when she stepped away from him. He didn't yank Hermione back; instead, he took two large steps to insinuate himself between her and Black. "Don't explain yourself to him."

Sirius yanked at the hair at his temples, pulling long, wild strands loose from his plait. "I thought I was going crazy!" Sirius refused to acknowledge Snape, instead directing all of his resentment at her. "Did you know that? Do you have any idea how conflicted you've made me?"

Hermione flinched at the quavering in Sirius' voice. She didn't want to hear this.

Sirius took another step forward, which was countered by Snape taking one back. Hermione was virtually wrapped in the folds of Severus' robes.

"I thought...I knew something wasn't right between you two... but I never imagined...." The sadness seemed to explode out of him, top lip pulling over gnashed teeth. "Get away from him, Hermione! The bastard must have slipped something into your drink...no, the Imperius!"

It all happened so fast. Sirius hurled himself from the door. With his arms reaching to yank Hermione out from behind Snape, his slim body lunging around the counter. Sirius missed her shoulder, his fingers curling into her hair. But before Hermione's pained scream had died off, Snape had grabbed Sirius by the arm, twisting it behind his back.

"That was insanely stupid." Severus' expression was a disconcerting mixture of fury at Sirius' accusations and amusement at the madman's anguished groan.

"Get your filthy hands off me! I won't let you do this. Not her! Not Hermione." He refused to submit, lunging for Hermione, but Sirius wasn't strong enough to throw Snape off.

Severus viciously twisted Black's arm harder behind him. "You're a bloody idiot if you think I'd let you touch her in my presence... Especially now. If you'd managed to hurt her..."

He wasn't able to finish his threat. Severus snarled at the thought of Black's hands on Hermione and decided to show the man what he had in mind. Snape quickly dipped his hand into Black's cloak pocket.

Hermione's heart had been racing for so long, she didn't know what to do or say. She'd jumped back when Severus had pulled Sirius off her. Hermione was grateful that Snape would do anything to protect her, but she couldn't bear just standing on the sidelines, watching his vicious taunting while restraining Sirius face down against the counter.

"You perverted bastard!" Sirius snarled at Snape. "She's your student, for fuck's sake!"

Severus chuckled sadistically. "If I'm perverted, then that would make you a criminal. At least I wanted her consent before I attempted to put my hands on her."

Extending his arm, Snape dangled the black pocket watch in front of Sirius. The cool metal spun on its chain, centimeters above the water-filled sink.

"NO! SWEET MERLIN, DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING DROP IT!"

Severus laughed openly.

Hermione paled. She'd never heard such a sound come out of his mouth.

"You wouldn't! Dumbledore'd have your balls for that!"

"He wouldn't ever learn of it."

"ENOUGH!" Both men started, turning in surprise at Hermione's unexpected outburst. "Knock it off, both of you! I'm so sick of this! When are the two of you going to grow up?"

"Don't even think about it, Hermione." Severus scowled at her, knowing what she was intending to do. His hands were still holding Sirius' face down on the counter, even though the man was too distracted to resume his struggling.

"Wha...why the FUCK is Snivellus calling you 'Hermione'?"

"BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SEEING HIM!"

"God dammit!" Severus cursed at the ceiling. This was all pointless to him. She was only giving him more work in the end.

"No, Severus. I can't do this anymore! I'm exhausted from trying to fend off...I am not in love with you, Sirius. What's more, you have no hope... no hope at all of changing that." Hermione leaned against the counter, aligning her face with his. "And for as long as I'll be... with Severus, I can't imagine ever feeling such emotions for anyone else."

"How touching," Severus drawled blankly. "Feel better now you've got that out?"

Hermione shot him filthy look.

"No..." It took a moment for the two of them to comprehend that Sirius had been repeatedly mumbling to himself. Snape had finally let go of him, but Sirius was still crouched against the counter, his face scrunched in mortification. "Of all...not him."

"Sirius," Hermione called soothingly. Severus removed himself from the protective position he had maintained between them, quietly edging himself behind Hermione. She exhaled, relieved that he was allowing her to speak like this to Sirius. "Please, stand up. Now, look at me. It's important you hear this..."

"Indeed it is... OBLIVIATE!"

"Severus, no!"

It was too late. Sirius stared back at them, face and mind blanker than a fresh piece of parchment.

He didn't... Severus didn't just do that.... Hermione stared at Sirius, shaking her head in incredulity.

"You never listen to me when you should."

Hermione whirled around, her eyes narrowed accusingly. "What have you done?" All Hermione could feel was anger at Severus and an increasing sense of dread. For reasons unknown, Hermione sensed that they had just made things much worse. "I can't believe... you didn't just do that...."

Snape emotionlessly looked down at her. "You only have thirty seconds left to implant new memories. Take care of it." Spinning on his heel, he headed straight for the door.

"Me?"

Snape paused in the doorway, squaring his shoulders before he slowly turned around.

"Don't you remember, Miss Granger?" Snape spoke in mock casualness, but his eyes were wild. "Before Black entered the kitchen... I'd already left." Severus pointed his wand at Black's back, prompting her to continue the fake memory from there.

***

"Pansy...."

The young woman who'd just been summoned jumped, the excited pitch of her mother's voice pulling Pansy out of her reverie. She'd been chewing madly at her nails, enduring the tedious holiday at home. Today, like every other day and night, she was sitting by herself in the drawing-room of Parkinson Manor, aloofly staring at the portraits, waiting until her parents decided to trouble themselves with her.

It was very early Christmas morning. The traditional decorations had been put up by the house-elves, and piles of gifts awaited her under the tree. In years past, Pansy had always been eager to distract herself from the coldness of her family by the opulent number of jewels and fur-lined cloaks she'd received.

Not this Christmas, however. There was only one thing...one person...she wanted, and he....

Pansy straightened her back at the sound of high heels clicking across the marble floor of the entrance hall. "Yes, mother?"

"Turn around when you're speaking to me, girl!"

She did as instructed. "I'm...I apologize."

Mrs. Parkinson sniffed in acceptance. Beckoning her daughter with a sumptuous curl of her fingers, the severe woman threw her chin in the air before declaring, "We've had some news."

And I should care? "Really? Pleasing news, I should hope?"

"In a manner of speaking... yes." When her daughter failed to jump in anticipation, Mrs. Parkinson waved the letter with an impatient flip of the hand.

"Oh?" Pansy wearily accepted the parchment. She didn't want to read it. Her heart plummeted at the skull and snake emblem on the seal.

"Our beloved Theodore has been promoted."

Pansy swallowed back the desire to retch. She kept her gaze trained on the letter in her hands, eyes moving to give the appearance of reading. Knowing she needed to meet her mother's level of excitement, Pansy exclaimed, "Marvelous!"

"Indeed! We're been invited to a celebra...memorial dinner at Nott Manor this very evening. We cannot celebrate, yet... considering."

"Considering what, mother?"

"Don't act daft! It's all right there in front of you. There is reason to celebrate Theodore's good fortune, of course, but we cannot say such things to anyone else outside the family considering the... circumstances... in which he's been promoted. The death of our soldiers should never be celebrated! No matter who might benefit from it. Naturally, the Nott family would think it fitting to host the memorial dinner."

"Who was killed...?"

Pansy's mother sharply turned away with a snort of disgust as she screamed for the house-elves to prepare her breakfast. Left alone, Pansy retreated back to her seat by the fire, daring to read the letter still clutched in her hands.

"... his death will surely be met with proper retaliation. Our cause to purify the wizarding race must continue uninterrupted. All Muggle putridity of known Mudbloods will be eradicated in time! Therefore, Mr. Theodore Nott will take over Mr. Walden Macnair's post and also be bestowed the honor of a seat within the Dark Lord's inner circle. Mr. Macnair's position wasn't an easy one, but if anyone can take over in monitoring Greyback's efforts within the Werewolf infantry, certainly our Theodore can rise to the...."

Why? Angry, frustrated tears smeared Pansy's make-up. It's not fair! Why him? Willing her emotions to calm, Pansy ripped the letter and threw it into the fire.

Never... never had Pansy said or done anything in the last year that would have benefited Nott or the Dark Lord's agenda.

And yet, her life kept spiraling further from her control, all the while growing more intolerable. Pansy didn't deserve this... right?

She needed to speak to Remus. He needed to know. But Pansy hadn't spoken to him in nearly two weeks. Other than the Black family home, she had no idea where to reach him... nor did she know if it was even safe to reach him.

Pansy cringed from the idea of spending the evening with her fiancé and his family.

As if her relationship with Remus wasn't precarious enough.

***

"I just don't like it, Harry," Sirius snapped in a counter-argument. Wincing, his fingers glided across his forehead in an effort to soothe the strange, dull headache he'd been suffering since speaking to Hermione that morning.

She'd been so... kind and soothing to him. The remembrance of it almost tapered his mood, but then Sirius recalled the episode that had angered him in the first place. Leaning forward in his seat, he glared at Harry, willing his godson to put down the quill and give him his full attention. Sirius had been surprised to find Harry in the Black family library, seated at his old writing desk with an array of wizarding history texts stacked around him. When had the boy taken such an interest in schoolwork? "She's too... natural... with him," Sirius continued the argument they'd been having for the last twenty minutes. "And I know he enjoys it."

Harry sighed, conceding the point. "I'm sure if I thought I saw what you did, then I wouldn't like it, either."

"Thought? Hermione was practically sitting in the greasy bastard's lap! She held the git's face close to her own, blowing at his wound." Sirius spoke about the incident like it was the most disgusting thing in the world, but he failed to admit to Harry that he would've given anything to have Hermione demonstrate such intimacy with him.

"Oh, come on, Sirius." Harry finally pushed his writing material to the side. "This is Hermione we're talking about. Her snapping at you while she was trying to focus on healing an injury sounds pretty in character. I'm surprised she didn't hex you."

"I'm telling you, there is something...funny...about those two."

"She would've shown the same concern for any of us, and you know it."

Sirius' eyes flashed. "Snape is not one of us."

Shaking his head in disappointment, Harry turned away and took up his quill once more. "If you're going to turn this into another conversation about the evilness of 'Snape-The-Death-Eater' then you can stop right now. I won't listen to it."

"Turning into a Snape lover, too, eh?"

"He did save her life." A wispy, flat voice descended on the two men, her tone matter-of-fact.

Perplexed, Harry and Sirius glanced around, but there were no other occupants visible in the library.

The entire house vibrated as rushed footsteps thundered down the stairs. Trainers squeaked against the tiled floor of the entrance hall seconds before Ron burst into the room. Holding the door open, he worriedly searched the walls until finally acknowledging Harry and Sirius' presence.

"I heard her," Ron insisted, brows furrowed.

"In the very least, I'm certain Hermione and Professor Snape have developed a friendship by now." Luna spoke with surprising politeness, as if she'd just been asked the question she was now answering. "I know I would feel overwhelming esteem if such a man spent his time nursing me back to life."

Ron relaxed slightly before yelling, "Get out of the paneling, Luna!"

A few seconds of silence passed before she answered him. "Just a sec!" she yelled, her voice muffled as she spoke through wood and wallpaper. "Found it!"

All three men displayed very different reactions to the scene before them. The wall beside the fireplace separated seamlessly along the patterned outlines of the wallpaper, swinging open as if on hinges. Sirius was appalled; Harry smiled indulgently, and Ron continued fidgeting with an unusual combination of relief and nervousness as a dust-covered Luna Lovegood stepped into the room.

Sprinting to her side, Ron extended his arm for leverage as she stepped down from the ledge. He stiffened, stifling a whimper while she took her time plucking spiders out of her disheveled hair.

"I never gave you permission to go nosing about my house!"

Luna turned her back to Sirius as she put all her weight into closing the trap door. "Don't be angry with me because it never told you its secrets... maybe, if you'd address the house with a little respect for once... and Hermione will eventually resent you if you target Professor Snape."

"No one asked for your opinion!"

"Don't yell at her!" Ron snapped.

"Quiet!" Harry wasn't in the mood for interruptions. He had work to get done. Whipping around in his seat, Harry regarded Luna pointedly through narrowed eyes.

She nodded once. "Right. I think we've been dismissed."

Still glaring daggers at Sirius, Ron extended the hand at his side without thinking, which Luna quickly filled with her own. "Since Snape isn't here, it might be safe to go upstairs. I'll show you the attic," Ron grumbled.

Luna brightened, grinning shyly as if she'd just been gifted a box of chocolates.

"At least warn me before you disappear..."

Sirius continued staring at the door the strange couple had just exited from. "When did those two happen?"

Harry laughed. "I don't think they have. Not yet, at least. Luna has a... er... knack for getting herself into trouble. She's oblivious to the wrong things. Ron's become protective, that's all."

Sirius turned to face Harry, who'd picked up an old ceramic paperweight from the desk. "I always loved James' sense of humor."

Harry snorted through his nose. "I never knew you could buy a statue of a dog taking a shit."

Sirius smiled while he watched his godson twirl the paperweight in his hands. Eyes hazing over, he suddenly remembered the greeting Harry had given him when he'd entered the library earlier. 'Hello, stranger'. "Regardless of the... tension as of late, I do see and speak to you almost every day."

Harry immediately picked up on the issue his godfather was skirting around. "I see a man called Sirius Black... but I don't see you."

Sirius could feel Harry analyzing his reactions, so he turned his face towards the window.

"How long have you been... disconnected from Dumbledore?"

Sirius growled. "I see he still fills you in on the latest gossip."

"No," Harry answered calmly. "He didn't say anything. I just...can tell."

"The old man hasn't always treated me this way."

"I know. Overnight, the Headmaster's entire perception of you changed. And he's stubbornly maintained his resentment ever since."

"It's not polite to lie to your godfather, Harry." Sirius stood up so suddenly his chair upturned.

"What?" Harry couldn't understand this sudden anger.

"The Headmaster's perception of me, as you say... yes, it changed overnight. He went from indulgent to..." He suddenly started hating me in the middle of my seventh year. And he allowed me to rot in Azkaban for twelve years... for a crime he knew I never committed. "That happened almost twenty years ago... so don't pretend that the senile old man isn't gossiping about my past!"

Harry didn't attempt to stop Sirius from fleeing the library in an infuriated frenzy. He'd slipped up. In just wanting to share... to get Sirius to open up... Harry'd mistakenly brought up instances that he had viewed in Dumbledore's Pensieve.

***

"Look at the time! I cannot believe I'd arrive here so late...."

"Happy Christmas, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione and Luna sang in unison upon the woman's entrance into the kitchen.

"Hello, girls. Happy Christmas...merciful heavens!" Mrs. Weasley gaped at the spread of various dishes lining the counter and kitchen table. "You didn't have to go to the trouble, Hermione! I could've whipped something up in time."

Hermione laughed. "Me? Cook all this? Not likely." Hermione turned to the distracted blonde at her side. "This is Luna's doing."

Dusting icing sugar on an angel cake, Luna didn't react in either gratitude or embarrassment to Hermione's compliment.

"Luna?"

"Yes?" Luna answered politely, misinterpreting Mrs. Weasley's disbelieving gasp.

"I...didn't know... Well, it looks wonderful. Thank you, my dear."

Luna's mouth twitched into an awkward smile. "It's a plain menu, I know. My mother hadn't taught me much before she died, but my father never complained about the meals I was able to put together."

"Oh, that's right... just you and your father. I had forgotten... That must have been a lot of responsibility for such a young girl."

"It wasn't so bad. There was an unfortunate three-tongued-Acarina infestation in Britain's wheat supply that year, so...." Luna shrugged.

Mrs. Weasley blankly regarded the Ravenclaw before opening her mouth. But at the feel of a restraining hand on her forearm, Molly turned to Hermione instead.

"Remember what I told you?" Hermione prompted with a smirk.

Rolling her eyes, Molly muttered in recollection, "Right, right. 'Don't bother asking'."

Hermione nodded once and winked. Sometimes, it was just best to let Luna talk and not ask for detailed explanations once she'd finished.

Molly and Hermione helped Luna arrange the platters to make room for place settings. Not long after Mrs. Weasley's arrival, Ginny and Ron announced their entrance into the kitchen by the incredible amount of noise, typical of quarreling siblings.

"Hi, Mum," they both sang meekly under their mother's disciplinary glare.

"When's the party?" Ron asked his mother absently, heading straight for a huge platter of fried sausages.

"We'll have the Order meeting in here first then move everyone into the library for some music and drinks... DON'T touch the food yet, Ron! We've just arranged it!"

Ron snapped his hands back. He groaned, disappointed, until an arm extended in front of him holding a small plate of food. Luna'd apparently expected this scene and had put some sausages aside for him.

"Excellent!" Eagerly taking the offered plate, Ron quickly bent down without thinking and kissed Luna on the cheek.

Luna quietly looked up at him. Ears and face turning scarlet, Ron distracted himself by swallowing the food.

The other women in the room tactfully turned their backs to hide knowing smiles and pretended nothing had just happened.

***

Within an hour, the kitchen was brimming with Order members, each of them talking excitedly as they caught up since the last meeting in August. Despite the reproachful glares from Molly and Minerva, many failed to see the harm in drinking before the meeting began since there'd be a Christmas celebration, regardless.

Hermione stood guard behind the kitchen counter to avoid the Weasley ruckus at the dinner table. Despite Fred and George's enduring efforts, Hermione was unwilling to imbibe alcohol before all of the important business had been covered.

She tensed every time the kitchen door swung open. This instance, Hermione relaxed once she'd realized that only the Aurors had arrived. Hermione had yet to encounter either Sirius or Severus since that horrid argument this morning, and her anticipation of their inevitable meeting was agonizing.

We Obliviated him... Even though Severus had technically been the one to cast the spell, Hermione recognized she'd had an equal hand in this unlawfulness. She'd altered his memories. For one blessed moment, right before Severus had acted rashly, Hermione'd believed her cautious rapport with Sirius had finally come to an end.

She muttered to herself, thoroughly conflicted. Hermione was infuriated with Severus for doing such a thing without consulting her beforehand. Worst of all, her better senses grudgingly admitted that a small portion of her ego had been... flattered. Flattered that Severus believed her capable enough to finish the mind alteration on her own.

"Hermione," a pleasant voice hummed in greeting just as a body slid next to her behind the counter.

She turned casually but started once the identity of this individual hit her. "Remus!" Hermione practically jumped into his arms.

The wizard stilled before returning the hug with equal warmth. Chuckling softly, he patted her back and pushed her at arm's length to get a good look.

"I didn't think you'd attend today." There was so much Hermione wanted to say to him, it was overwhelming. "We've been expecting you, but you never came, and then we were told that you couldn't get away! How have you been faring with...oh, my god! You look terrible. Who's been tending your wounds?"

Remus sent a wary glance to the dinner table then gently shushed her. "So many questions! But I should expect that from you, shouldn't I? I've been faring tolerable well, considering...well, there's a time and a place to speak of such things. But you! Oh, Hermione when I'd heard about your cap..."

"You're right," Hermione interrupted. "There is a time and place to speak of such things. Not..."

"...here. Of course." Remus' gentle smile faded. He looked straight into her eyes and insisted, "We'll discuss it later."

"Of course."

"Tonight."

Hermione nodded eagerly. Yes, they did have much to discuss. Not only the true story behind Hermione's captivity by Death Eaters but also his illicit relationship with one of their daughters.

"And what is so secretive that it must be talked about in private?" Sirius was trying to speak playfully and teasingly to his best friend but couldn't abstain from sending Hermione a critical glare.

She'd been so distracted in greeting Remus, Hermione hadn't noticed Sirius' entrance.

Insulted at the insinuation and fed up with the roller-coaster ride of the last twenty-four hours, Hermione glared at Sirius and hissed, "Many things, as the word 'private' implies...and which you should certainly know. Shall we ask you details of your personal life so everyone can hear?"

"I didn't mean..."

"Enough nonsense. I'm starving." Remus led Sirius away from Hermione's ire and towards the food. Hermione caught Remus' apprehensive gaze across the room, accidentally meeting the condemnatory eyes of Tonks. Recognizing Hermione's detection, the Auror sharply turned away.

Oh, for goodness sake!

She sighed. With a set up like this, Hermione expected tonight would have a much more fascinating end. Right as that thought crossed her mind, her co-conspirator finally arrived. Severus plowed into the kitchen in all of his surly grandeur, sending the door crashing against the adjacent wall.

Moody's wobbling eye had been fixed in his direction sometime before the expected ruckus. He growled at the very sight of the black-robed man. "Always the dramatic entrance. One of these days, you're going to kill an innocent bystander with the door knob!"

"I'm counting on it," Severus sneered through his greasy hair.

Hermione bit her cheek to keep from laughing.

Snape sensed her presence beside the stove, which was one of many reasons he'd headed in that direction. Detecting Hermione's stifled snort of laughter, he carefully regarded her with the intention of spitting a snide remark...until unexpectedly diverted. Severus' eyes trailed the length of her figure, indicating his approval of her new dress with the cocking of his brow.

Hermione's cheeks burned red. "Good evening, Professor Snape."

Severus pulled his cloak over his shoulders, elegantly resuming his route behind the counter. Taking advantage of the disorderly environment, Snape passed behind Hermione, his fingers skimming the small of her back. "Miss Granger."

She raised a cup of tea to her lips to conceal the slight hitch in her breathing.

As much as she didn't want to, Hermione forced herself to ignore Severus' search of the cupboards for his favorite drink.

"Honestly, Severus!" Minerva scolded after detecting the hollow sound of a cork popping loose from a bottle. "You promised me you wouldn't indulge tonight."

Severus smirked nastily and poured himself a glass of wine. "I promised you I wouldn't indulge in Firewhisky. You should have had the sense to be more specific."

Professor McGonagall glared.

"When is this ridiculous charade to begin?"

Ignoring his jibe, Minerva answered, "Now, actually, seeing as everyone's arrived."

Severus stilled. Slowing pulling the wine glass away from his mouth, he turned to the Deputy Headmistress, his scowl heavy with accusation.

McGonagall swallowed under his gaze and immediately changed the subject. "Good work, Hermione. With one more coat of healing salve, the scar will fade further, and he'll be back to the dreary wizard we know and love."

Hermione wasn't completely used to the newfound straightforwardness Minerva had been showing her as of late, especially when it was at Severus' expense. Nodding, Hermione softly murmured her thanks, unintentionally speaking over Severus as he muttered 'cow' to her Head of House's back.

Hermione turned to her professor and spoke with concern. "Everything has been so... so much has happened, and I'm ashamed to say I'd forgotten your injury. May I?"

After a brief moment of contemplation, he rested his wine glass on the counter. Without glancing around the kitchen for prying eyes, he surprisingly kept silent and slowly bent down to her.

Hermione raised her hand to his face, completely free of hesitation. Pushing his hair out of the way, she gently probed the slightly raised flesh along his cheek bone.

They both detected a few scandalized whispers coming from the direction of the dinner table.

Catching her eye, Severus ominously stared down at her. "We're being... discussed."

"I know."

"Doesn't it bother you to be gossiped about, especially in relation to me?"

"No," Hermione responded confidently, ignoring his attempts at sarcasm. She lowered her hand once she was satisfied with how his wound had healed. "Minerva's correct. I need to apply a bit more salve...later. If you'll let me?"

Snape nodded.

"Does it bother you?" Hermione asked, pursuing the subject.

He smirked. "So long as we're not displaying anything inappropriate, I quite enjoy it."

Hermione turned to hide her frown. She could sense her friends...and Sirius...watching the two of them intently, but they all knew not to intervene or comment. Hermione had heard the rumors, and after the enlightening conversation with Luna a few hours ago, Hermione was going to take advantage of it.

No one criticized her casual friendship with Minerva. If it wasn't improper for Hermione to have one with her Head of House, and if it wasn't unacceptable for Sirius to openly pursue her with amorous aspirations, then Professor Snape was fair game as well.

Busying herself with serving a plate of food, Hermione tried to draw Severus' comment out of her head.

"... I quite enjoy it."

The weighty dread she'd been carrying since their confrontation with Sirius this morning deepened. The majority of Severus' actions and motivations seemed to center on what amused him in the moment; what pleased him in the moment; what angered him in the moment. Even though the incident with Sirius had enraged Snape, she knew he'd enjoyed it all the same, if only for the opportunity to enact a bit of revenge.

Hermione wasn't willing to be tolerant...nor act as an accomplice...to such actions any longer.

Food in hand, she returned to his side and stilled at the feel of his breath against her neck as Snape observed her intently.

She caught the quick dart of his eyes in the direction of Sirius before he spoke. "Your efforts appear to have been... satisfactory."

"Is that your way of saying, 'good work'?"

"Don't get insolent with me. But yes, that is my way of saying that...what's this?" Severus glared down at the plate Hermione'd just positioned in front of him.

"Dinner. You do tend to forget to eat once you start drinking," Hermione jeered before making a move to walk away.

"I have not finished speaking to you, Miss Granger," Snape barked at her back.

Whereas the majority of their whispered conversation had drawn eye after curious eye, the irate voice of the dreaded Potions master naturally compelled everyone to snap out of their snooping.

Hermione turned with a sigh, arms crossed over her chest. "Yes?"

"Yes, sir," Snape corrected viciously, pointing at the floor directly by his feet.

Scowling, Hermione returned to her previous position at his side.

"Mind your tongue in front of others, do you hear me?" Severus snarled very low so only she could hear.

"Is that all you wanted to say to me... sir?" Hermione asked coolly.

"No, it is not." Snape sent an uneasy glance around the room before fixing his eyes on the plate of food she'd prepared. It took a bit longer than expected, but once Severus' expression schooled into his mask of impassivity, he finally returned her steady gaze. "As I was saying... your work appears satisfactory, so I doubt we need to worry on that score. But I would also like to enquire as to how you are faring from the... encounter?"

"You would?"

His eyes narrowed at the uncertainty in her voice. "Yes. I would."

"It still... worries me. But I think I'll get over it. Thank you... for asking, I mean."

He grunted in acceptance.

At the sound of Minerva tapping a fork against her glass, Order members ceased their conversations and turned their full attention to Dumbledore's second in command.

"Quiet, please. Enough... shut your mouths, for heaven's sake! I'm calling this meeting to order."

Minerva was undisturbed by the worried glances sent her way and actually anticipated Remus' question. "What is this? Aren't we waiting for Albus?"

McGonagall tidied her bun before looking at everyone sternly. "No, we're not... QUIET PLEASE, I'll explain." Once there was silence, she continued, "As most of you know, the Headmaster has been... unwell. He's not young anymore, not even by wizarding standards. Albus is too ill to attend, and under his advice and judgment, I'll be chairing the meeting tonight...no, I'm not getting into this, and I swear to Merlin if any of you ask me one more question regarding the matter, you'll be hexed within an inch of your life!"

The livid, frightened, and confused glares sent in her direction didn't trouble Minerva in the least so long as she received the silence that was expected. "First, and foremost...reports. Moody, if you please...?"

All of the Order members dutifully adjusted their seated and standing positions to face the Auror.

For one fleeting second, Hermione could have sworn Moody had fixed his roaming eye on Snape before he started speaking.

"I'm not getting into a discussion over the raids. Despite the unavoidable losses, everything on that front is looking as... promising as such vile acts could possibly be. If you want gory details, purchase a blasted paper!" Pausing for effect, that nauseating eye swiveled round the room before Moody continued, "But there is one... very recent... incident that you might not read about tomorrow morning. We've just received some news from the Ministry. The body of a notorious Death Eater has been recovered at a Muggle-owned cottage just outside Lincoln as well as the body of an Auror."

"A poor excuse of an Auror," Severus added.

"He was an Auror, nonetheless!" Moody spat. "Our informants suspect that Joseph Savage received an anonymous tip off to Macnair's location and went to apprehend the Death Eater. A duel ensued, and both died from their injuries."

"Macnair?" Hermione barked without thinking. Catching Severus' attention, his silent, reproachful glare chastised her into emotionless quiet.

"Ah... yes," Moody answered awkwardly after a silent exchange with Minerva, which reminded the Auror that Macnair was the Death Eater who'd kidnapped Hermione. He continued, now even more suspicious as to these deaths. "It's still under investigation, but nothing will come of it, either way. Savage had been under scrutiny for some time and was never very... popular."

Severus snorted knowingly. "Numerous allegations of rape must've become tedious to cover-up."

"Allegations made by the dregs of Knockturn Alley! Their testimonies are as reliable as... a revel-loving Death Eater, I should say," Moody growled.

"That's enough!" Minerva screeched, revolted at the subject matter of their insults.

Duly chastised, Moody began explaining the tedious process of recovering the vast amounts of stolen Muggle treasures found in Macnair's dwelling, followed by the Ministry's attempts at returning it all to surviving family members, if any.

Hours from now, Hermione wouldn't be able to remember everything that had been said during the meeting.

Macnair is dead. She kept repeating to herself.

Macnair was killed in a duel last night... which Moody seemed highly suspicious of. And Severus had arrived covered in blood... like he'd been in a duel.

Covered in blood... with a Muggle necklace as a gift.

A flash of light, reflecting off the surface of metal....

Hermione's hands fisted against the counter as some forgotten memory assaulted her. Her eyes glazed over in her attempt to follow the memory before it pulled away from her consciousness.

A flash of light, reflecting off the surface of metal.... She had been lying on her back, freezing in muddy snow while Macnair had repeatedly sent Slicing Hex after Slicing Hex down at her flailing body. Hermione remembered the continuous flashes of orange light blasting from his wand. She had known to anticipate more pain when the orange light reflected off something silver... a silver chain... wrapped around his neck.

... What?

Should she feel relieved or insulted? Was she glad Macnair was dead?

Hermione mindlessly fingered the silver chain around her neck. No... she couldn't imagine wishing death on anyone unless she was willing to complete the task herself. Would she have had the nerve to kill Macnair, if given the chance?

It was a question Hermione didn't have an easy answer for. And she refused to judge Severus' actions until she'd gathered all the facts first.

Before Hermione was fully prepared, it was her turn to report.

Hermione cleared the itchy dryness from the back of her throat, unable to meet the expectant stare of the roomful of Order members.

Her real mission had been given to her in the privacy of Headmaster Dumbledore's office days after the last Order meeting; therefore, only Dumbledore would receive that report. Hermione sighed, suddenly feeling more ashamed as to how she and Severus had been handling Sirius.

Today, the Order would get the watered down version.

"So tell us," Moody asked, voice rasping with skepticism. "What information have you gleaned from your spying at Hogwarts?"

Hermione glowered. Very well, then. "I've had a bit of contact with an... informant... from Slytherin House. What many of us have feared has taken place: a vast majority of the sixth and seventh years have received the Mark."

The kitchen was in an uproar.

Hermione could sense Severus, motionless in reaction to what would seem like betrayal, but she was determined to smooth this over for him.

"Why haven't you told us before about this?" Moody demanded, spitting his accusation at not only Hermione, but the Slytherin Head of House as well.

"I didn't think I was obliged to," Hermione responded calmly. "It is required that the identity of the new recruits remains anonymous, even from the inner circle and each other... unless given explicit permission, otherwise. Many of them would be killed if it was known that they discuss their Death Eater involvement amongst one another."

"We should have received their names long before tonight!"

"Well... I apologize if you're under the impression that I'll be handing over their names at all. I don't have specifics... just a general idea of how things are faring within Slytherin. According to my informant, even a number of those who have taken the Mark are still on the fence as to where their loyalties lie."

"You are duty-bound to at least tell us the name if this supposed informant."

"No, I am not. Not only is the name inconsequential, but this person has trusted..."

"INSOLENCE! Complete, irresponsible disobedience!" Moody thundered. Speaking over a number of voices, many which were in agreement with him, he bellowed at the Head Girl, "If I have to pour Veritaserum down your throat myself..."

A booming, ferocious voice pierced through the havoc. "I BELIEVE," Snape basked in the stunned silence before continuing, "that Miss Granger was speaking before she was so rudely interrupted."

The kitchen froze, saturated in deafening silence. A few still possessed the desire to argue. Hermione could see it in their faces. But not one of them dared to match themselves against Snape.

Flushing, Hermione cleared her throat before speaking again. "Ah... thank you, Professor. As I was trying to explain...."

Hermione could have sworn she detected a voice whispering somewhere in the vicinity of the dinner table, ripe with accusation. "See!" the voiced insisted. "What did I tell you?"

***

"I think... that was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed!"

"Ginny," Hermione scolded.

The redhead leaned forward in her chair, eyeing the numerous occupants of the library before rushing on. "I know this sounds mad... but for the briefest of moments...and I mean brief...Professor Snape seemed almost a bit...."

"Dashing," Luna finished.

Hermione violently shushed them. "Knock it off. None of the professors enjoy being gossiped about, least of all Professor Snape."

Ginny leaned back into her seat, a knowing smirk on her lips.

Hermione rolled her eyes with a shake of her head.

Professor Snape's... outburst... in her defense was only going to splatter fuel onto the already existing rumors surrounding their friendship. Hermione had a strong suspicion he'd been fully aware of that, too, before he'd screamed at Moody.

This party is getting out of hand, Hermione said to herself with a frown. She wanted to have a good time, and thanks to Mrs. Weasley's extravagant Christmas decorations, it was almost easy to forget she was trapped inside number twelve... however....

The timing for celebrations felt disturbingly inappropriate. Macnair... Mindlessly fingering the chain around her neck, Hermione shook away the swarm of distressing facts her mind was eager to analyze.

She'd give it a rest, for a few hours at least.

Hermione had been sitting at one of the many Conjured tables. The one closest to the exit, and for the past hour, only accompanied by Ginny and Luna until Tonks was inebriated enough to forget the little scene between Remus and Hermione. It was only a matter of time before the feisty Auror sought out the company of her favorite girls.

Hermione sparingly sipped at her cup of spiked punch, fully aware that the numerous empty glasses on the table belonged to Tonks and Ginny.

She cringed as their jokes rose in volume and vulgarity. At least they blended easily with the rest of the crowd.

Tonks made a blurry-eyed remark about her cravings for stronger poison but acknowledged that she was clumsy enough sober. She didn't need to accelerate her tendency towards destruction with the use of alcohol.

Sitting by himself in a dark corner, Snape was the only one who dared to sample all the alcohol available, figuring it was his due for being forced to attend this ridiculousness. Alternating between a tall wineglass and a heavy, crystal tumbler on the end table beside his armchair, Severus was also the only wizard who was making the act of drinking appear almost elegant.

"How many more drams of whisky will it take for the lot of you to start dancing?" Fred griped, jumping up from his seat. He turned to George, dipping into a low bow and holding out his hand.

The party amused themselves with the sight of the Weasley twins awkwardly waltzing around the Conjured dance floor, both struggling to lead.

"You won't persuade anyone if they need to match that rubbish," Tonks chided with a loud laugh. "Admit it! You both intentionally act the fool to cover up your fear of approaching a girl!"

"Did I hear a challenge, George?"

"That was a challenge laced with a hint, mate, if ever I heard one...."

Fred and George gawkily waltzed next to the table containing the only available...and reasonably aged...women in the room, excluding their sister, of course.

George stylishly bowed between Tonks' and Luna's chairs with an exaggerated flip of his hand. "May I?"

"I think you boys have definitely surpassed your limit." Tonks sniggered good naturedly, rising from her seat.

"Pardon me, madam," George said in mock misunderstanding, "I'd fear for my life, knowing your reputation for grace. This dance is for Luna."

Luna rose from her seat without a word and led a disorientated George back to the dance floor.

Hermione and Ginny had been laughing so hard, Hermione wasn't aware that Fred had taken advantage of the opening to grab her hand without protest.

Looking down at his bowed head, Hermione willed her laughter to cease in her attempt to speak sternly. "I'm not one for dancing."

"Nonsense!" Fred sang.

With a quickness of wit that originated in mischief rather than books, Fred and Ginny wickedly glanced at each other over Hermione's shoulder. Ginny leaned over the table to pluck Hermione's cup out of her hand at just the precise moment Fred yanked Hermione to her feet.

Fred smiled devilishly, smoothly edging his hand onto Hermione's waist.

"I must disagree, Hermione. You see, I think you possess quite... the figure... for dancing. Have I told you how splendidly you've grown... up?"

"Fred!" Hermione was far too amused to scold him seriously. "You can't speak to me like that!"

Fred gracefully spun her around and pulled her flush against him. "Why not? You may be a family friend, but you are most certainly not my sister."

"Here, here," George sang as he mirrored his brother's movements and pulled Luna closer as well.

"Oy!" Ron yelled a bit sloppily. "Watch it!"

"Don't pretend to be jealous, little brother. We all know that ship has sailed."

"Fred!" Hermione gasped again.

"Relax, Hermione," Tonks jeered good naturedly. "You know he's playing. Besides, it's not like you can't have a bit of fun and flirt a little. You're not in a relationship or anything...."

Relationship....

At just the right moment, which in some way also happened to be a moment too late, Hermione slyly stepped to the side to glance around Fred's shoulder. She focused on the darkened corner of the room where Snape was sitting alone.

She caught the sharp movement of him sitting back quickly, effectively hiding his face in the shadows.

Sensing her distraction, Fred slid his hand further down into the small of her back. Hermione had not noticed his forwardness until Ron yelled again.

"If you don't want to watch, we could always take this upstairs!"

Grinning widely, Fred grabbed Hermione's wrist and turned in the direction of the door. Whether or not he had been joking the entire time would have finally been determined if he had continued in his attempt to pull Hermione out of the library.

Not that Hermione would have allowed it, of course.

Fred had only managed to drag Hermione two steps when he flinched in pain. He spun around, clutching the back of his neck as he turned to glare at Ron.

"That was low, you prat! Who'd hex a wizard with his back turned?"

"What are you on about?" Ron appeared sincerely confused.

Frowning, Hermione had a hunch as to the identity of Fred's attacker. Just as she yanked her hand out of Fred's grasp, while the two brothers argued loudly over what had just taken place, a shrill voice rose over the music and stilled all conversation in the room.

"Fred Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley screamed from the kitchen. "Do not make me come in there! Where'd you learn to speak to witches in such a way? You're not too old to have your mouth washed out with soap!"

Fred paled.

Despite the seriousness of Mrs. Weasley's threat and Fred's crimson face, the entire party couldn't help ending the uncomfortable silence by bursting out in laughter.

***

At around half past midnight, the majority of the partygoers in the library were thoroughly sloshed.

Even Luna's protruding grey eyes seemed a bit glossier than usual.

Hermione had carefully monitored her intake of the punch. This may've been a party, and like everyone else, she was here to have a good time, but the idea of losing control of her mind and senses did not present the slightest appeal.

She was only willing to admit that she may have been a teensy bit tipsy.

Hermione had to confess, though, she was grateful that all of her friends were too pissed to pay much attention to her. When the opportunity presented itself, she stood up from the table, stretching her back with her arms raised high above her head. Giving the impression of needing to walk sleep off her legs, Hermione casually slipped out into the Entrance hall.

Hermione hadn't intended it, but for the last half-hour she'd caught herself staring at Remus. It wasn't an appreciative stare, more of a searching one. His typically shabby appearance was so extreme now that he looked completely homeless. From her conversation with Pansy, Hermione'd gathered a few basics as to Remus' current duties. He'd been working and living with the Werewolves out in the Forbidden Forest, persuading them to fight for the Order rather than the Dark Lord. Hermione had been analyzing all this while the man in question had been sitting on the receiving end of her vacant stare.

It wasn't until Tonks displayed an obvious prickle of testiness that Hermione finally excused herself from the party.

To top it off, she still couldn't believe that Remus was having an affair with Pansy. It was almost... surreal.

She hadn't known it, but Remus had spent a good portion of the night working up his courage to speak to Hermione about the very same subjects she'd been assessing.

Noticing Hermione's flight from the intoxicated brouhaha, Remus quietly followed her into the kitchen.

"Um... Hermione...?"

She wasn't the least bit surprised.

"Yes, Remus?"

"Can I... speak to you... please?" Remus nervously glanced at her.

"Of course." Hermione sighed, at a loss where to begin. "So, Pansy told you...?"

Remus started and sent a Silencing Charm at the door.

"Yes, when she discovered me in the forest. I didn't know about your... attack... right away. Even if I'd been completely aware of where they'd taken you... it would have been almost impossible to follow. Oh, Hermione... I should have contacted the Order."

Hermione softly shushed him. It was disheartening to learn that Remus had known she'd been captured and had decided to do nothing. But in many ways, he was right. "It would have complicated things for Professor Snape. As you can see, it's worked out fine in the end."

Remus narrowed his eyes. "Apparently. The two of you do seem to be getting along just fine. More than fine..."

Hermione cut him off. "I hope you didn't intend trying to intimidate me into keeping your seventeen-year-old, black-haired secret?"

"I-I would never do that."

"But you obviously need some type of reassurance. What do you want, Remus? A wand oath?"

"You would do that...?"

"Actually, I had hoped that you would know me well enough to realize that I wouldn't needlessly spread damaging rumors. I haven't...wouldn't...even tell any of this to Ron or Harry. It isn't only your secret that I'd be revealing."

Remus leaned against the counter, exhaling a sigh of relief. "That it, then?"

Hermione nodded, sending him a reassuring smile and exited the kitchen.

Her head hurt.

It had taken all of her energy to refrain from admonishing Remus' poor decision in fraternizing with the very young daughter of a murderous Death Eater.

She wished them a 'happy ending', but....

"I am not a hypocrite," Hermione muttered, forcing herself to let the matter go.

Hermione's ears prickled. She groaned, acknowledging that this night was far from over as recognizable footsteps followed her up the stairs.

***

Hermione entered the bathroom, stepping back knowingly as the slim frame of a black-robed wizard slipped in right behind her.

Snape pressed his back against the door, closing it with his body weight.

"I take it you would like to have a word, Professor Snape," Hermione drawled irritably.

Snape didn't respond. Clenching his jaw, he quietly sent a series of Silencing spells over his shoulder. "What," he finally snapped, "was that?"

"First Remus, now you! Doesn't anyone trust me anymore?" she whined.

"You are misinterpreting my question. Do not scream at me again." He pushed himself away from the door. In only a few steps, he loomed over Hermione until her bum was pressed against the sink. "I'm beginning to notice that you are keeping an obscene amount of secrets from me, and I don't think I like it."

"You're one to talk! I do not regret what I said during the meeting. If you wanted to know who in Slytherin I've been speaking to, I would have told you. All you had to do was ask."

Severus crossed his arms. "Very well. Now I'm asking."

"Pansy."

"Ah... how can I forget? You two must have had quite a chat during your little hike through that blasted forest!"

"In a sense... yes."

"And what of Lupin?"

"That... also had to do with... Pansy."

Severus' eyes widened. When his mouth opened, Hermione cut him off. "No, I don't think so! Now, it's my turn to enquire about a few things you might have been keeping from me. Where were you last night when you received that injury?"

Severus didn't answer her. His stance relaxed a bit as he sent her an amused smirk.

Hermione had the dreadful intuition that his amusement was answer enough.

"Please tell me. D-did you duel against Macnair, Severus?"

"I'd hardly call it a duel."

Hermione nodded in acknowledgment and shakily asked, "And what of the Auror? Shall I assume that wasn't a duel either?"

Severus' smile grew wider. He braced his palm on the sink and leaned into her. "What do you think?"

Hermione cringed and closed her eyes. You knew, her own voice insisted. Don't pretend that you didn't know.

"You... you killed them." This was... sick. He'd... murdered two wizards. If it was self-defense, Hermione wouldn't think twice about it. But murder?

Severus could see the dozens of questions and accusations warring behind her expression.

"Don't rationalize it into anything more or less than what is obvious." Severus' voice was grave. "Yes, I killed them, Hermione."

"Why?"

"It was only a matter of time... for either of them. Two men who deserved death received it. Regardless, Macnair knew far too much about certain activities of mine. He was watching me far too closely for my own comfort."

"What...I mean... Was there an argument... a struggle? It was self-defense," she insisted matter-of-factly.

Snape calmly raised a hand to her face, twirling one of her curls between his fingers. "No," he whispered. "I sneaked into Macnair's house while he was asleep, bound his limbs before he awoke, and snapped his neck..."

"I can't..." Hermione really didn't need to know the details. She looked up into his face, searching for the answers he wasn't giving her. His pleasure only increased at the sight of her curiously appalled expression.

"Can't you see how... difficult it is for me to rationalize the man you are with me with..." Just saying those words made her realize how much she wanted him, nevertheless. Hermione covered her face with her hands and leaned her forehead against his chest before continuing. "...with the Death Eater."

"I told you not to rationalize it."

Hermione was wildly shaking her head now.

"Whatever is the matter, my dear?" Snape's arms tenderly wrapped around her waist, but his words were mocking. "Were you coddling the assumption that I have never murdered before?"

"Don't call it that! I knew you might need to kill out of necessity... but, ultimately, that's not who you are anymore."

Snape chuckled darkly. Gently cradling her chin in his palm, he raised her face so she'd see his ridicule. "Are those tears for me?" He softly slid his thumb across her damp cheek.

Hermione socked his hand away. "You are a monster."

"Ah, but I'm your monster."

Hermione pushed away from him, but Snape only drew her closer by the waist. Finally managing to capture her flailing arms by the wrists, Snape jerked Hermione up to sit her on top of the sink.

"Deny me," he commanded ominously, sliding his hand under her dress.

Hermione didn't want to hear that. "What are you saying?" Kicking away from him, she pushed her back flush against the mirror. Severus grasped her inner thighs and yanked her back to the edge of the sink, insinuating himself between her legs.

"Deny me, Hermione," Snape whispered in a soft mock whisper, eyes feral. "Shove me, punch me, hex me for all I care... it won't stop me."

And she did. With a pained cry in response to his callousness, Hermione slapped him hard across his healing wound.

Hair in disarray against his face, Severus' eyes closed as he waited for the peak of pain to subside. At the feel of Hermione snapping out of her shock, he grasped her wrists before she'd managed to dislodge herself from his hold.

He looked the same as before. Not angrier. And certainly not subdued.

"Severus...."

He clamped his hand around her jaw, pulling her face very close to his.

"Yes, punch me," he continued with a smirk. "But you only need to tell me to go away... you only need to command me leave you alone... and I will."

Hermione finally stopped fighting against him. Comprehension was visible in her eyes.

Severus' arms drew tighter around her. His expression was still wild, but it also held no anger. Excruciatingly slowly, his fingers trailed up her thigh. Hermione's knees clenched against his hip-bones as his arousal pressed hard between her legs.

"Deny me," Severus demanded again, mouth and breath skimming down her neck. He carefully slid his middle finger under the elastic of her knickers so she'd be aware of his every move and intention. Feet curling around his arse, her shoes fell to the floor once he began tugging her knickers down her thighs. The unfastening of his trousers was completed much more quickly.

Overwhelming heat pressed between her inner thighs. Snape lowered his forehead onto Hermione's shoulder as he waited for her to answer him.

"I can't...I don't want to." The last word escaped her throat in a high pitched gasp as Severus finally pushed the tip of his cock into her.

Snape's throaty chuckle rumbled into a long, drawn out groan. Grasping her by the bum, he yanked her closer, forcing himself even deeper into her wetness. His hand slid over the buttons, trailing down the front of her dress before ultimately ripping the garment open. Overwhelmed by his slow and steady thrusting, Hermione threw her head back against the mirror.

Snape reveled at the sight of her exposed flesh. Curling his hand around her necklace, he pounded into Hermione with a new energy. Eyes hooded, Severus spoke through gasping breaths. "I hope... you weren't under the impression... that this was your Christmas g-gift."

Hermione's eyes flew open.

He tugged at the silver chain, silently instructing her to raise her head. Hermione wrapped her arms around his shoulders to steady herself against his vigorous movements. In the midst of heavy pants and growls, Severus whispered into her ear, "I'd do it again... for you."

***

He only needed to speak to Harry.

That was the reason he was inside his room. After everything that had taken place at the meeting and the Christmas party, Sirius felt an even greater need to discuss Hermione's... involvement... with Snivellus.

That was the reason he was inside his godson's room.

And he most certainly wasn't snooping.

At least, Sirius tried to convince himself of that.

Harry had excused himself from the party early, and Sirius was expecting the boy to be in bed. But Sirius had easily detected his absence from the doorway and had entered regardless.

Sirius didn't know what he was looking for. But he hated being in the dark, especially in his own home. He just knew that his godson was hiding something from him.

That was when Sirius saw it. The Pensieve sitting on the desk. Dumbledore's Pensieve had been in his own house all week, and he'd never known.

The thought made him very angry. His godson should have told him.

His racing heart warred with his breathing. When both began to grow irregular, he clutched at the watch through layers of robes. He didn't have much time... frozen in the middle of the room, Sirius hesitated until a noise in the hallway sent him into action.

Quickly descending on the desk, he threw open various drawers until he finally located a brown box filled with small glass vials. Hand shaking, Sirius raised his wand around the swirling surface, drawing any and all memories that might relate to him in any way.

Finally, he'd have his answers.

---

Author's Notes: Smell that? It's DOOM! I know this was a lengthy delay... again... but look how long this chapter is, so cut me a little slack! (Expect the same for the next.) And it is SO awesome that some of you had predicted a few details that were uncovered this chapter. As an author, it makes writing a mystery/suspense very exciting.

-Chapter title taken from John Milton's Paradise Lost, Book iii. Line 686.

Next Up: Hermione's sneaking about leads her to Sirius' room, where she discovers the unthinkable. Hermione fails to follow Severus' advice and finds herself in the clutches of a Death Eater... Severus visits the Headmaster's office to investigate the man's declining health, only to realize things are not what they seem.