Honesty

Big, big THANKS to Nakhash Mekashefah, super-beta extrodinare! *applause*

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They sat across from each other Friday evening in the living room. Hermione hadn't been able to concentrate on her classwork all day and had even lost points in Transfiguration class, earning a rather concerned look from Professor McGonagall who had asked after class if she was feeling well.

After receiving the letter, she knew right away that certain aspects of their relationship might easily seem suspect as abuse to an outsider. Severus had received a letter as well. Apparently, they were both to be questioned under Veritaserum.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered. "Ministry regulations are clear that Veritaserum is not to be used unless during investigation of a crime."

"Well, in some cases it might be ridiculous, but can't you see why they're doing it?" Hermione asked.

Severus scowled. "A simple medical examination should be sufficient. Veritaserum questioning is going too far."

"I wonder what a medical examination would make of bruises left from a paddle on someone's bum?" Hermione asked pointedly.

"A healing potion would take care of that quite easily," Severus said, and then scowled at her...he'd been too distracted to realise she'd made the point. "Yes, of course, I see your point," he said angrily. "And I'm sure you see the problem here, don't you?"

Hermione looked back down to her letter. "Well, it depends on what they ask, I suppose...and what kind of follow-up investigation they might do. Perhaps we could simply explain that we're a little...um, exuberant in bed, if something comes out that seems...well, a little odd to them?"

Severus snorted and stood hastily from his chair, wadding the parchment and tossing it on his desk. He paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, running a hand through his greasy hair. "And of course the Ministry doesn't do anything with any sense, so you can just imagine the questions they'll be asking," he ranted.

"Well, isn't it possible to get around Veritaserum questioning...depending on how you phrase it?"

"Yes, certainly!" he spun around and advanced on her, leaning over and bracing himself on the arms of the chair she sat in. His face was only inches from hers. "Tell me, Mrs Snape, has your husband ever struck you in any way?" he asked, glaring at her. "Just how will you answer that under Veritaserum, hmm?"

"Um..." Hermione frowned as she thought. It was not a good predicament to be in. He was quite right. If she was asked that question under the Truth Potion, there was no way she could phrase an answer to fit and not get Severus in trouble.

"There is no way either of us would be able to get around that question," he finally said, letting out a frustrated sigh as he stood fully. He took a few steps and sat heavily in his chair.

"Severus, you're giving up a bit too easily here. Why not simply tell them up front that we like certain sexual role-playing games that might seem a bit extreme to some? After all, there's that book, and then there's that shop in Knockturn Alley where..."

"Hermione...the person in charge of this committee, from what I've heard from the Headmaster, has lost someone he was apparently going to marry."

"Yes, Treva mentioned that to me at the last meeting...she'd been working with him, too." He scowled at her at the mention of Treva.

"He is in that position for personal reasons, and he will be highly biased. He will look for anything out of the norm, anything that is the slightest bit unusual, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he were to deem our sexual relationship as abusive, no matter what either of us say to the contrary." His fingers came together, elbows resting on the arms of his chair. She noted how the pads of his fingertips rubbed against one another.

They sat quietly a moment, and then a knock sounded on the door to Hermione's room. Severus glanced in the direction of her room, clearly irritated with the interruption.

"Just a minute," Hermione said, rising and quickly going to open her door. Harry was there.

"Hey, Hermione, I was wondering if you were okay? You seemed a little off today." He stepped forward as if he was expecting to enter, but Hermione didn't open the door any wider.

"Um, fine...just, now isn't a really good time, okay?"

"Anything I can help with?" he asked, brows knitting together with concern, looking over her shoulder, trying to see inside.

"No, no...it's hard to explain. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Yeah, okay, Hermione. Are you sure it's all right? Is Snape..." he trailed off, lowering his voice. His lips pursed together tightly as he waited for her answer.

"No Harry, it's something else, don't worry. I'll see you tomorrow at lunch."

He nodded, still looking worried, and Hermione closed the door and went back to sit across from Severus.

"Well, Severus, I think that depending on what questions come up, we should just tell them the truth. Why are you so afraid of the truth?"

"I am not afraid; I am simply cautious. I am well aware that many would view my desires as extreme, even brutal. Why do you think I was so careful to explain things to you before we married? At the time, I actually thought it would scare you off. But it didn't."

"No, it didn't," Hermione confirmed. "And there's another thing, if they have a problem with anything, I can tell them that you told me ahead of time what you like and that I agreed to go along with it. I actually do enjoy those things, you know."

"Yes, I'm aware you do; I made sure you would. That doesn't change the fact that they will not have unusual sexual practices in mind in their questioning. It won't matter that you agreed to anything, because just like everything else, they will presume to take rights from the Muggle-born women here, making decisions for them. If they had simply sent a questionnaire to the women asking if they were being abused and then followed up the problem cases with investigation, there would be no problem. But by requiring Veritaserum questioning, even of those for whom there have been no suspicions or complaints, it is obvious that your opinion of the situation will mean nothing to them."

There wasn't much to say after that. They sat in brooding silence together for a while before Hermione decided to try to study, but she wasn't able to keep her mind on her work. She gave up, deciding on a bath to try and relax. Severus joined her just as she was stepping into the tub, offering her a generous serving of the blackberry cordial. They bathed in silence, neither feeling the need to talk anymore, and then went to bed.

"What might they do if they decide you're abusing me?" Hermione asked, as they lay spooned together in bed in the darkness.

"It is possible that they will insist we separate. After that, I might be taken into custody, but since there are no more dementors at Azkaban, it wouldn't be too difficult. If that happens...you are to remain at Hogwarts. Malfoy has not been stopped. The Headmaster will be sure to offer you a position here; you will be protected if you remain after you graduate."

"Dementors or not, I wouldn't want you in Azkaban."

"Do not concern yourself with that. I will make provisions to be sure you remain protected from Malfoy, if he might still be a problem. At this point, we must prepare for the possibility. Now, this has been a trying day, get some sleep."

Hermione gripped his forearm, which lay across her stomach, wishing she knew more about what would happen. If this had come up five or six months ago, she wondered if she would have felt any differently about it. Probably so, she finally decided. She might have seen it as a way out, even if it would be wrongly imprisoning Severus. She couldn't just look at the upcoming questioning as something to just allow happen, but at the same time, she couldn't see anything she could do to stop it. She decided that, depending on how it went, even if Severus protested her doing so, she would explain the situation to them. It might be a little embarrassing, but a little embarrassment would be a small price to pay for making sure they didn't make a decision based on a few minor facts that would only give them a skewed picture of the reality of the situation.

*****

Hermione woke before Severus for a change, having slept restlessly. She sat up, scooting to the side of the bed, remembering only snatches of images from fitful dreams...standing naked in the Great Hall atop the High Table, everyone pointing at her, and trying to find some clothes to put on, but every time she turned around, Draco Malfoy had been there, poking at her with his wand, while Lucius Malfoy stood in the background, watching her leeringly.

She shuddered at the image and went into her room. She decided while dressing that maybe it would be better to put her wardrobe in their bedroom; it would be easier that way. She liked having her own space, but still, it was inconvenient to go to a different room to dress.

She went to her bookshelf and pulled the leather-bound title-free book from the shelf where it had sat for the last six months. She still looked at it occasionally. She had accused him, when he'd shown it to her the second time, of showing her something abusive...perverted. She'd thrown the book, then, and well remembered what had followed, being turned over his knee right there in the living room. Of course, she'd been spanked much more soundly on a number of times since then.

Looking through the pictures, she tried to examine how she felt about it now and how someone else might view the situation. She'd gotten used to it...she enjoyed it, actually. She remembered, though, while looking at the pictures, what she had thought when she first saw them. She'd been horrified at the prospect that he would do that for fun, for sexual gratification. But she was starting to think maybe there was more to it for him than just pain and obedience. Maybe there was a deeper reason for his desires.

"Up early looking at picture books, I see," Severus said from the doorway to her room

Hermione looked up. He'd just woken, his hair was a mess, and he wore only a bathrobe. "Just thinking," Hermione said, looking back down at the picture of herself and Severus. In this picture, there was a bullwhip in his hand, and she was tied to a wall as he her struck with the whip, causing red streaks to blossom on her back.

Severus entered her room and took a seat on the couch beside her. "A rather...arousing picture, don't you think?" he murmured.

Hermione pondered his question, realising that she did, in fact, find it arousing. "Yes," she answered simply. "I was just thinking about how different it seems now. How other people might think it seems. Before, when you first gave me the book, I thought it was abusive."

"Yes, you were quite vocal and abusive of my books, regarding that opinion," he said, reaching out and turning a page of the book, displaying the next two pictures. In one, Severus was spanking her while she lay across his thighs, and in the other, he was pulling on her nipples, stretching her breasts to conical shapes. "And what do you think now?"

"Now...well...no, I don't think so...it depends." Hermione shrugged, her shoulder moving against Severus's.

"I see. On what, precisely?" he asked.

"Well," Hermione began, biting her lip as she focused on the problem as if it were in the distance, out the window of her room over the lake somewhere. "If...if you'd just, let's say, grabbed me and started in with it one day without ever saying anything about it before...or if you'd gone and used that sort of thing whenever you just...well, wanted to take out your anger on me or something, it would be."

"Agreed," Severus said, turning another page of the book in Hermione' lap.

"I'm curious, though, when did you learn about this...the whole...sadomasochism thing?"

"The sadomasochism thing?" he echoed her. "Yes, the Muggle term for it...and by the way, I did read some of those articles of yours...quite the complicated mess they've made of it. I was introduced to it early on in my sexual learning, younger than you are now, actually."

"What, you had some girlfriend who wanted you to spank her?" Hermione asked jokingly.

"Not quite," he said elusively.

"Um...I've heard rumours...about things...um, well, this sort of thing going on at Death Eater gatherings...is that...?" Hermione trailed off, not sure how to put into words the things she'd heard snippets of rumours of over the last several years. She hoped he wasn't re-living some horrid atrocities through his activities with her and enjoying those sorts of memories.

Severus laughed for a moment, making Hermione feel a little ridiculous. "Ahh, the infamous 'Dark Revel'? Yes, I've heard the rumours as well, and most Death Eaters did little to dispel such rumours, finding them rather entertaining. But no, while some Death Eaters may enjoy this sort of thing, the Dark Lord would hardly have had anything to do with sex at a Death Eater gathering...his 'rejuvenation' never completely took hold, and he was rather sensitive about certain issues. Besides, even the Dark Lord, as insane as he may have been, knew one didn't achieve world domination by raping one or even ten Muggles or Muggle-borns at a time. I thought you were smart enough to know better than that, Hermione," he scoffed. "How I was introduced is of no matter at this time. And sitting around brooding about what might happen is of no use. We should eat breakfast."

"I'm not really hungry," Hermione stated.

"Eat anyway, else they'll have charges of starving you to add to the list of things I've inflicted upon you," he said, scowling. Hermione wasn't sure if he was joking or not.

*****

Hermione was preparing for the support group meeting, later that day, in the upper room of the Three Broomsticks. Treva seemed to be running late, and so Hermione went ahead with setting out the refreshments they kept available. Treva arrived after several other women had, looking rushed.

"Running late today," she said as she quickly took a seat in the mostly empty room. "Had to go meet with the new head of the clean-up committee, looks like they're on the ball and are going to try to be effective."

"Yes, I got a letter Friday," Hermione said.

"You're not the only one; they're going out to everybody, even me. Gregory is insistent that everyone goes through Veritaserum questioning. I did try to tell him we can probably eliminate most of the women in the support group from worry, but he overruled me on that one."

Hermione was about to ask more, but one of their regulars who had been absent from the previous meeting entered, looking as if she'd been crying. "Chris...are you okay?" Hermione asked.

Christina Haulden raised her hand to her mouth, stifling a sob. Hermione stood and walked over to her quickly, putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her to a seat. Christina then broke out in fresh sobbing, and Hermione patted her ineffectually on the shoulder, giving Treva a 'help me' glance. "I'll get you some tea," Hermione said quickly and went to prepare some. She came back and sat on the other side of the woman, who took the tea while dabbing at her tears.

"Now, has something happened?" Treva asked.

"I...Oh, I..." she broke off, crying some more.

"Is it something to do with Anthony?" Treva asked. "Has he done something?"

"N-n-no," she sobbed. "It wasn't him...it was me..."

"Just tell us what happened," Treva urged her softly.

"I-I r-ran into an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time, actually; I was shopping a bit before I came to the last meeting two weeks ago," she informed them in a shaky voice. "Well, 'friend' is probably an understatement...but, well...oh, I can't believe I did it!" she wailed, burying her hands in her face once more.

"Chris, whatever it was, I'm sure we can talk about it, and it might not be that bad. Now, please...take a deep breath, that's good," Treva encouraged her. "Now, take a bit of tea, and another deep breath. Let's just put it into perspective; you're going to be just fine. So you ran into this old friend, and then...?"

"Well, it started out with lunch...you know, we were just catching up. And I told him about what had happened with the Marriage Law; I would have contacted him, but he's a half-blood...and Anthony...and well, you know, Anthony really isn't all that bad...but he's never...ohhh!"

Treva said nothing, giving her shoulder an encouraging squeeze.

"W-well, anyway...I'd missed this...friend of mine, and then...well, one thing led to another, and next thing I knew we were both back at his place...it was just down the street from where we had lunch together. And then, well...oh, it's obvious isn't it?"

"Yes, but it's fine. None of us are exactly in an ideal situation; I can certainly more than understand the desire to take up with an old friend in that way," Treva assured Christina with sincerity. "What's done is done. Now, did you tell Anthony about this?"

"Well, I kind of had to...you see, do you remember the Fidelity Charm put on all our marriages?" she asked. Treva nodded. "Well, I-I had...b-boils," she said, crying more. She pulled herself together more quickly that time, however, sniffled, took another sip of tea, and continued. "Boils in a rather...um, sensitive area...I had to go to St Mungo's...and then Anthony met me there, and then the Healer was asking about what happened...and he heard me. He was upset...I mean I can see why, honestly. He's been really understanding about helping me out in this and all. B-but...they're a little better now, but they still won't go away...and the Healer said that the curse is too powerful to use a counter-jinx on, and I'd just have to wait, and they should be gone in a few weeks." She broke into quiet sobbing after that, Treva rubbing her back in sympathy.

Hermione was horrified. She knew about the Fidelity Charm, of course...but didn't know just how bad it was. The only thing mentioned about it in the law was that the Fidelity Charm would prevent extra-marital sexual relations; she should have known. She wasn't sure if it was worse than the jinx she'd used on the 'Dumbledore's Army' DADA group in fifth year...at least it wasn't visible, but it would certainly be painful. And weeks? That was just awful.

Christina shared her experience with the group, who met the news with understanding and support. Hermione was surprised to discover that two others had also had to learn the hard way not to try to flout the Fidelity Charm. She felt rather agitated about the fact that they hadn't warned anyone, but she soon replaced her agitation at the others in the predicament with the Ministry and those who had specifically designed this jinx...it was hardly a 'charm'. She wondered why there hadn't been any more information given about it and if, perhaps, Severus had known what it would entail. Maybe this was why he had been so insistent that they remain together?

They also discussed the upcoming questioning. Everyone had received a scheduled meeting time, and Treva shared the fact that the Ministry was now serious about stopping cases of abuse and that as they would be under Veritaserum, they wouldn't be able to lie concerning things such as physical abuse or if they had been hit by their spouses. Hermione's stomach sank as she realised what would likely result. Would they be able to recognise a difference between a sexually oriented spanking and outright battery?

When the meeting came to a close and Hermione and Treva left the Three Broomsticks together, she asked, once they were on the street. "I wonder about the questioning...what if something might be interpreted as abuse when it isn't really?"

"What do you mean by that?" Treva asked, looking at Hermione thoughtfully.

"Oh...well...never mind, it's nothing. I need to be getting back to Hogwarts now...lots of studying to do and all, you know...NEWT's and all that." Hermione gave her a smile to cover up her nervousness. She wished she could just come out and say it. Treva seemed like the kind of person who might understand, who might not jump to conclusions and think Severus was some kind of monster or weirdo.

"Hermione, is there anything you might want to talk about?" Treva asked, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"No...it's fine. I'll see you for the next meeting," Hermione answered uncomfortably. She turned and left, not seeing the concerned expression that crossed Treva's face as she walked away.

*****

Monday, Hermione was excused from her afternoon classes by Professor McGonagall. Severus continued teaching, but arrived back in their quarters after dismissing his two o'clock class early. They waited in tense silence for the Ministry-appointed counsellor to arrive. Saturday after her return from Hogsmeade, she had tried to study with her friends in Gryffindor Tower, but her worry over the upcoming Veritaserum interview made it difficult to concentrate.

When the knock came at the door, Severus rose, stiffly crossing the room, and opened the door.

"Mrs Bulstrode," he said stiffly. "Am I to assume you are the Ministry-appointed counsellor?" he asked, clearly displeased.

"Yes, Professor Snape, that is correct. This shouldn't take too long; we have a long list of couples to interview today. This is Auror Billingsly, and he will be here to supervise the administration of the Veritaserum. May we come in?"

Severus stood aside, scowling at the two as they entered. Hermione noticed he had gone a shade pale, and she looked to Treva in surprise. Treva gave her a smile and a wink when the short, stocky-looking Auror was busy looking around the living room, and then took a seat on the couch. Severus walked around to his usual chair, eying her suspiciously as he sat down. His pallor still hadn't quite returned to normal.

"Now, Hermione...Professor Snape, as I said, this shouldn't take too long. I have a list of five questions to ask initially of each of you, and depending on your answers, there may be follow-up questions to clarify any concerns. It is the goal of the Ministry to immediately identify any abuse that might be taking place and to take immediate action to prevent further abuse should questioning raise any suspicions. Now, for the Veritaserum," Treva said, reaching into her robes and removing a phial of clear liquid.

"Mrs Bulstrode," the Auror interrupted, "I thought we were doing questioning of the spouses separately."

"Yes, for most of them. But I've been working closely with Hermione for nearly five months now, and if I had any suspicions of abuse, I would have done something about it already. Please remember that not everyone is suspect here. I know what your instructions are, but I am the appointed counsellor, and it is my judgement to make. Is that understood, Auror Billingsly?" she asked, looking at him pointedly.

"Very well, then," he conceded. He remained standing behind the couch, arms crossed as he looked between Severus and Hermione. She thought it was quite odd that, only months before, the Ministry had been supporting the Marriage Law, and now anyone who had entered into such marriages was seen as suspect. It was just another case of government being hypocritical.

"Now, let us get on with this. Unless either of you would prefer to be questioned separately, that is?" Treva looked between them and, receiving no negative response, removed a small figurine from her pocket, transfiguring it into a water goblet. Hermione thought it was an interesting design, actually. It looked to be made of blackened glass and was in the shape of a rose; the stem of the glass resembled the stem of a rose, and the bowl resembled the petals. She then muttered a water spell, filling the goblet with the stream of water from her wand. She carefully measured three drops of Veritaserum into the water. "Professor Snape, if you would drink this please."

Hermione noticed that his eyes seemed fixed on the goblet; his lips were drawn in a tight line. "I want it noted that questioning under Veritaserum has always been reserved for people already suspected of a crime, as I'm sure you know. Do you have any reason to suspect either of us of a crime?"

"No, I don't. And yes, I agree that this isn't ideal, but neither have many things been. However, you are required to follow through with this, and Auror Billingsly is here to be sure you comply. If you don't, you may be detained, pending investigation, until the committee is able to make time to get to you. Also, the Veritaserum given to both of you will prevent false charges of abuse being levelled against you. So drink," she said firmly.

Hermione observed the tension between Severus and Treva; something about the way she looked at him made her wonder, and then she saw Treva wink at Severus, just as Treva had earlier to her when they entered. Severus took the goblet from her, staring at it a moment; then into Treva's eyes, and drank the contents.

"Thank you, and now we will wait for one minute for the Potion to take effect." Severus frowned and resettled in his chair. His jaws were clenching rhythmically, and Hermione wondered if he was just as worried about the possibilities as she was, or more so.

"Now, Professor Snape, have you ever struck your wife in anger?" Treva asked.

"No, I have not," Severus answered.

"Have you ever threatened her with bodily injury or death?"

"No, I have not," he answered without hesitation, though his eyes narrowed at her. Hermione looked between them, and Treva glanced over towards Hermione a moment, a slight smile on her lips.

"Have you ever taken money from your wife without her knowledge or consent?" she asked next, focusing her attention back to Severus.

"No, I have not."

"And regarding your wife's relationship with her family and friends, have you intercepted letters from her family or friends or prevented her from communicating with them?"

"No, I have not." Hermione looked between Treva and Severus; the questions weren't at all what she was expecting. They were specific, very specific. Had they been phrased in a broader way, especially about striking her, he wouldn't have been able to answer in the negative. But she had specifically added the qualifier to ask if he'd ever struck her in anger.

"Finally, have you ever purposely withheld food or water from your wife?"

"No, I have not."

"Very well, I am finished with your questioning. As you know, Veritaserum will remain active in your system for approximately an hour, and I will ask you no more questions while we are here. You may leave the room if you wish to at this time, or if Hermione would prefer to be questioned alone. Hermione?" Treva turned towards her.

"No, I'm fine, he can stay," she said, glancing over to Severus, who seemed to be sitting much less stiffly. His colour had returned to normal. She noticed a slight flaring of his nostrils, but then he looked to her and gave her a nearly imperceptible nod; his mouth didn't seem to be set in such a hard line, either. Treva refilled the water goblet and measured another three drops of Veritaserum. Hermione took the goblet from her and drank. They waited the proscribed minute, and then Treva questioned Hermione.

"Hermione Snape, do you fear for your life or safety while with your husband?" Treva asked.

Still thinking that was awfully specific, Hermione answered truthfully: "No, I don't."

"Have you been threatened in such a way that you fear you might ever be in danger of serious injury or death with him?"

"No, I haven't." Hermione spoke before she even thought much about the question, the Truth Potion causing the answer to leave her before she could think on it at any length.

"Regarding the questions asked of Severus Snape and his answers, do you believe he was in error?"

"No, I don't."

"Are relations between the two of you such that you feel free to visit with friends or relatives without being chastised or denied to do so in the future?"

"Yes, they are." While he occasionally made disparaging remarks about Harry, he'd never given any indication that would make her think he would try to stop her from seeing her friends.

"And finally, do you believe your situation warrants further investigation for abuse?"

"No, I don't."

"Auror Billingsly," Treva said, pulling a parchment from her satchel, "if you would sign here, confirming the questions were administered under Veritaserum, we can get going." The Auror signed the parchment; Treva put it back in her bag. "Thank you both for cooperating, now we will get on with investigating cases that do actually need our help. I'll see you in two weeks, Hermione," Treva said, smiling.

"Okay, I'll see you then, Treva."

"Just remember, you will be under the effects of the Veritaserum for another hour approximately, so you might not want to wander about where people might ask you difficult questions. We'll just let ourselves out now, thanks."

Hermione frowned at the door after it closed...there was something very odd about the way Treva had questioned them both. She felt relieved that Treva had been able to do that, but the fact that she would have known to ask in that way concerned her. "Severus, do you know why she was so specific in her questions?" Hermione asked, knowing he would have to answer.

"Yes, I've a pretty good idea," he answered through gritted teeth. "I suggest you not ask questions you don't really want the answers to now, Hermione."

"Would you like to tell me?" Hermione asked, carefully phrasing it so as not to raise his ire. It could be answered or not.

"Not particularly, but I suppose I will tell you at any rate. Mrs Bulstrode knows quite well my particular desires, having had extensive personal experience to learn them, and I believe she asked us both such pointed questions in order to protect us from further investigation."

"You mean...you two used to be..."

"We were sexually involved," he said, his face blank.

"For how long?"

"Four years. Our last encounter of a physically intimate sort was nearly six years ago."

Hermione's mind whirled, connecting timelines; he would have seen her last when Hermione was in her first or second year at Hogwarts, then Treva's comments about her crush on him...she felt a surge of anger at Treva for saying something like that...the various questions Treva had asked, comments meant to brook a response from Hermione at various points during the times they'd worked together in the support group. Hermione had never said anything that would seem like too much information, but if Treva already knew what Severus was like, it was enough information to come to accurate conclusions. She thought Treva had truly been her friend, someone she could trust, but now she wasn't at all sure.

And Severus, she looked over to him, he was sitting stiffly, his face was still blank. They were both still under the influence of the Truth Potion, though...she could ask him anything and get the answers she wanted, if she asked in the right way, but she knew Severus would probably resent having the truth forced from him like that. "Well," she began, "I'm surprised...kind of...but it makes sense, now."

"Yes, I would imagine that she couldn't resist saying certain things that would seem to fit in hindsight," he said with a snort.

"You don't like her, do you?" Hermione asked, already realising the truth.

"No, I don't. I have my reasons for that."

"Well...I guess it wouldn't be fair to try to get you to tell me everything about that now."

"Fair or not, I suppose you should know certain things, just so you won't be overly trusting with her. I've never intentionally had sexual relations with a student or former student for many reasons, before you," he stated.

"But Treva..."

"Yes, she was a student. However, when we began our...affair, I was unaware of her identity. She lied to me, used a few charms to change her appearance enough that I didn't recognise her. When I first began seeing her intimately, it had been nearly seven years since she had graduated. In her seventh year, she approached me once, expressing a desire to have relations with me, and I turned her away. I occasionally have students who approach me in this way, every few years or so."

"Really?" Hermione blurted out before she could stop herself. It was surprising; she never would have thought to do something like that...she didn't think anyone would at all.

Severus smirked. "Yes, believe it or not, I do have women who approach me, infrequently admittedly, but still, it happens. Perhaps I'm not your type, but there are certain young women who find someone like me to be attractive for whatever reason...usually because they want attention, and I don't give it to them. At any rate, when she approached me it had been a number of years since her graduation; there wasn't enough about her that I made the connection at first, especially since she changed certain aspects of her appearance. Since we only met for sexual congress, nothing more, it wasn't until she accidentally revealed her identity that I realised who she was. She seemed to be under the impression that she had done nothing wrong; I disagreed.

"Our relationship, such as it was, ended then, and the next time I saw her was in the Three Broomsticks after that first support group meeting of yours. When I saw her come in today, I thought she'd finally found her chance at getting back at me for the way I turned her away. However, she seems to have gained some sense since I last saw her."

"You could have said something sooner," Hermione said quietly.

"I considered it. I wasn't sure if Treva would do anything to reveal our former relationship or if you might discover it on your own. And I didn't believe knowing about it would actually be of help to you as it would simply have made it difficult for you to work with her. Of course, I would still prefer that she not be someone you would choose to share intimate details with. She may have helped us today, but I still don't trust her."

"I can see why," she said. "Thanks for telling me, though. While we're here, is there anything you're just dying to know about me?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Which do you prefer, my cock or the anal plug in your arse?" he asked.

Hermione laughed but, as she was under Veritaserum, she had to answer...

*****

"So do you still want her?" Hermione asked. It had been nearly a week since the questioning. Neither of them had said anything more about Treva, but it had been gnawing at her all week.

"Hermione, are you still on about that?" Severus growled. "No, I don't want her."

"She's prettier than I am."

"The fact that she is prettier is of no consequence."

"So, you do think she's prettier than..."

"Hermione," Severus growled, rolling over her and glaring down at her. "Don't start this. You've been quite enjoyable to be around these past two months. Will you look at me, Hermione? Really look at me. Do you see a handsome man before you?"

Hermione looked at him, as he'd asked...but she wasn't sure if he wanted an answer. He wasn't a handsome man...though she'd grown accustomed to his appearance; he hadn't ever been repulsive to her, at least. He wasn't like Bill Weasley or some of the handsomer young men in sixth and seventh year.

"You think me so shallow that I would look only to surface beauty? I find you quite attractive, Hermione. So Treva is prettier than you are; I would never have anything to do with a woman who would lie to me, even were she Helen of Troy." Severus sighed and rolled off of her, lying on his back to her side. "Besides, you have no need to fear I would be unfaithful to you, what with the Fidelity Charm in place."

"Maybe not Treva...but without the Fidelity Charm, would you ever want to have anyone else?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Yes, I probably would. Before you, I never limited myself to one partner at a time. I didn't always have time to keep up any relations of that sort, but I never held with monogamy. In fact, if you really want to learn all about Treva," he added, sounding agitated, "why don't you ask her about the time I told her to bring a friend along with her to one of our meetings? Would you like to hear about that? After all, you seem so interested in my past dealings with her. Or would you like to hear about our first time together, in the trees just off the road between here and Hogsmeade...you pass it every time you walk that road. Or perhaps the time..."

"Never mind, Severus...just stop it," Hermione said angrily, rolling to her side, away from him.

"Jealousy over my past is pointless," he said. "And honestly, I haven't a clue as to why you would waste your time on it."

"Maybe, Severus...it's because the only thing we have is sex," Hermione replied.

"Hermione, were you aware that before you, I'd never shared a bed overnight with another woman, much less shared living space? Or that I've never put up with so much aggravation over another woman? The fact that I've done so, and continue to want you around, should tell you that I'm actually quite comfortable with you, when you aren't jumping to ridiculous conclusions based on sketchy evidence."

"Oh wonderful, I share your bed and give you aggravation; I feel so pleased," Hermione scoffed.

"You should. It would be well in your interest to do so as we're rather stuck with each other."

Stuck with each other was certainly the correct term for it, Hermione realised.

"Do stop sulking over there, Hermione," he said, reaching over to her, urging her to move back to where he lay. "I won't fall into the trap of having to constantly comfort absurd insecurities of yours."

"Absurd insecurities? Absurd? Why is it absurd? Hardly anyone notices me like that!" she exclaimed, pushing his hand away.

"If you'd take a bit more time to fix yourself up, they would. And yes, it's absurd. Hermione," he sighed her name in exasperation, "just because I'm not going to spend all my time devoting sonnets to your beauty, doesn't mean I find you unattractive. And just because some idiot boys don't seem to notice you, it doesn't mean you're ugly. Now, I will say no more on this. Get over here and calm yourself and go to sleep."

Hermione stubbornly crossed her arms as she continued to sit in bed. How could he say something like that? But after a moment, she realised that she really didn't take much time to focus on fixing herself up. She didn't even wear make up like most of the other girls did and hardly bothered with her troublesome hair beyond occasionally pulling it back in a braid or a pony tail. But with the knowledge that he had been with Treva, it had sparked some insecurity. Treva was pretty...beautiful, if she really wanted to be honest about it. She was tall; her figure thinner than Hermione's, and her hair always seemed perfect. Though clearly, that fact didn't mean much to Severus at all.

"Hermione, come here. I've grown rather accustomed to sleeping with you, at any rate," he said in a softer tone. Hermione sighed and scooted back over to him, fitting her body against his in their customary sleeping position. It really was comfortable. His cock jutted against her thigh, quite hard, yet he only settled his arm around her waist, then was quiet.

Maybe she was being ridiculous. After all, he must have learned all that somewhere, and yes, vast experience was a great way to learn. So he'd been with Treva, and apparently Treva had a pretty good idea of what they were up to...and had even chosen to help them both out of a difficult situation that she couldn't have without that knowledge. Hermione wondered how she would face Treva at the next support group meeting...and couldn't help but wonder where along the road to Hogsmeade had been the spot of their first sexual encounter. Maybe it was better not to know who all he'd been with before. She decided it didn't matter; the past was the past. It might help her to figure him out but there might be more time for that, anyway. And besides, she remembered the reaction they'd both had upon seeing each other again; it wouldn't be that hard to spot that sort of thing now that she knew what to look for.

She tried to go to sleep, but his cock throbbing fairly near the junction of her thighs was distracting her, arousing her. It had been a few days...well, nearly a week, actually, since they'd last had sex. She wanted to. Hermione shifted her thigh slightly, and his erect cock moved into position between her thighs; she closed her legs around his erection, flexing her muscles against it, and rocked her hips back against him.

"Hermione, do you want something?" Severus asked sleepily.

"Well, I thought you might want something...at least, it seems like it." She moved her leg slightly to rub against his erect length.

"It has a mind of its own sometimes," he mumbled back to her. "I'm actually rather tired."

Hermione stilled, scowling. A mind of its own? Did it really? She grinned in the darkness, and then reached between her legs, parting them slightly, and grasped his penis, guiding it upward as she tilted her hips back.

"Hermione, what do you think you're doing?"

"Did you know it's been nearly a week?" she asked, rather than answer him. He rolled away onto his back; she thought he was refusing her and felt perturbed for a moment.

"You do know we aren't obligated to keep up the requirements of the law now, don't you?" he asked.

"Yes...I know...I just wanted to," she said, a bit hurt that he would turn her away like that.

"Get up here. If you want it, you can be the one putting forth the effort," he declared.

Hermione rose and straddled his hips, grasped his cock and held it firmly as she lowered herself onto him. She let out a sigh of pleasure as he filled her and simply sat a moment, flexing her muscles around him. When she began moving, he did nothing more than place his hands on her thighs, occasionally letting out a slight moan or a sigh. Hermione took her time, experimenting with different angles and rhythms. She rested her palms on his chest for support and found a good pace, steadily building until she climaxed. Just as her climax was fading, Severus grabbed her hips, pushing her down on him as his hips tilted up, and gasped her name as he came.

Hermione lowered herself over his torso, running her fingers up his arms to his neck as she did.

"Better now?" Severus asked with a chuckle.

"Yes," Hermione answered. She rolled off to his side, resting her head on his shoulder and pulling the covers back over them both.

*****

May passed in a whirlwind of revising, classes, and dreams of failing NEWT's. She'd even woken from one dream with Severus telling her he was about to get her some Dreamless Sleep and make her drink it if she didn't stop disturbing him by answering test questions in her sleep. She lectured Harry, Ron, Seamus, Neville, and any other classmate who would stand still long enough, about how important their NEWT's were. Head Girl duties seemed to fall by the wayside, and Professor McGonagall had reminded her once that she needed to keep a better eye out on things.

Hermione had also sent a letter by owl to her parents, asking them to send her some housing catalogues as she couldn't get Muggle post at Hogwarts, and they would likely be looking for a Muggle house. Her mother had written back with a case of catalogues and a letter, which expressed that her parents were quite happy that she would probably be living in a place easier for them to get to. Wizarding villages were closed off to Muggles, of course, and the only place accessible to them was Diagon Alley for the benefit of the parents of Muggle-born witches or wizards to do their shopping for school.

She had left the catalogues on the coffee table, and Severus had looked through them, as well, immediately tossing out the suburban and urban catalogues that were too close to towns, though he did circle a number of rural possibilities he thought would be acceptable. Hermione noticed that most of his choices were fairly far out in the country and tended to be on the lesser end of the expense spectrum, focusing mostly on two bedroom homes, but all with basements, and all with at least three or four acres of land. She saw a number of them had 'fixer-upper' in the advert. She started to wonder about his financial security about that time, but decided that a 'fixer-upper' would be easy enough to repair with spells.

There was the next support group meeting May 16, which Hermione walked to with some trepidation. She couldn't help but wonder on the walk to Hogsmeade, this time without Severus, just where on the road would be ideal for a hiding place but shook her head. It would be silly to go about trying to figure out where it was. She could probably ask Severus if she really wanted to know, but didn't.

Treva was already in the upper room when she arrived, and Hermione smiled awkwardly at her. "Very, um...specific questions you asked there two weeks ago," she said, deciding to go ahead and let out that she knew. "Severus explained why, after you left."

"Yes, I supposed you would have noticed. I figured that's what you were worried about at the last meeting and simply made sure I got your file on my list of interviewees."

"I suppose I should thank you," Hermione said awkwardly.

"No need. Let's just say I owed Severus a good turn, and it was more than high time I did something about it. I wouldn't want to see either of you having more troubles over the Marriage Law. Hermione?" Treva crossed the room to where Hermione had turned her back, trying to busy herself with the refreshment table. "Hermione, listen...I know, well, if Severus told you about me, he probably didn't have entirely kind things to say. But everyone makes mistakes...does things they shouldn't. You can trust me, okay?"

"How could you keep up a lie like that for four years?" Hermione blurted out.

"Ahh, he told you quite a bit, then," Treva said, shifting uncomfortably. "When I started it, I just thought it would be fun, you know...I'd had a crush on him in school and actually revealed that to him at one point. He wasn't very...um, nice about it, let's say. Honestly, I wanted to get back at him for the way he'd treated me and thought it would be a good way to get the last word in. Petty, I know. But once I started...well, it just went on, and even after I felt bad about it, I didn't want to tell him because I knew he would be mad...and so..." she shrugged as she trailed off. "Let's just say my plan didn't work as I thought it would. Take it from me, never lie to Severus," she said wryly.

Hermione pondered that as she went about the preparations. Several moments later, she sat next to Treva, who was preparing notes for the day's session. "So did he punish you for that, then?" she asked hesitantly.

"Not physically." Treva turned to look at Hermione. "He never saw me again and refused my attempts to tell him I was sorry. In retrospect, I wasn't completely sincere at the time...but it still hurt. Severus won't punish someone with spankings or floggings if he is truly angry with them. And that's why I knew to ask the questions the way I did, while still making sure it was an adequate screening for legitimate abuse."

The door to the room opened and a few women entered, so Hermione couldn't ask any more. But she did have a lot to think about afterwards.

*****

The next day, Hermione, worried desperately about her NEWT's, asked Severus for another testing session and was quite please when she managed to earn the rewards for excellent scores in each subject he tested her on. She missed no more than two questions for each subject and in Arithmancy received a perfect score, even earning an extra reward.

The history with Treva she left alone after that, as well. She wasn't sure if she might want to ask Treva more about it in the future, but in a way it was actually nice to know another woman who experienced and enjoyed that sort of thing. She thought it might be nice to talk about it with someone who would really understand, too.

She'd missed reading the paper on a number of occasions, but decided to do so one morning when her delivery came and found a note of a murder, this time on the front page of the May 23 issue of theDaily Prophet.

Three Murders in Two Months

This morning, another man was found dead. The body of Darryl Gillequest was found in Knockturn Alley, his throat slit. Just as with the previous two murders, no trace of magic was found. Darryl Gillequest was married under the terms of the short-lived Marriage Law, just as were the previous two murder victims. His wife Felicity, who he married in November of 97, wishes for his murderer to be found and brought to justice. Magical Law Enforcement investigators on the scene stated that they are doing all they can to discover the identity of the killer and bring him to justice. They have said that anyone who was married under the terms of the Marriage Law should take care to employ extra security precautions. The MLE suggests hiring a professional ward setter, even if you are fairly knowledgeable with charms.

*****

"Severus, have you heard about these murders?" Hermione asked when he finally came in late that evening.

"Yes, I have. The Order is also investigating them, though at this time I'm not involved with it," he said as he helped himself to a glass of brandy.

"Do they have any idea who it is?"

"No, they don't. But do not concern yourself with it. The person, probably some sort of vigilante, is likely only after the men of the marriages."

"Like you?" she asked, irritated by his lack of concern.

Severus turned to her, giving her a smirk. "I find your concern quite touching, Hermione. But it's not needed. I am well able to protect myself."

*****

The weather heated up as May turned to June, and the seventh and fifth years were teeming with nervousness over the approaching NEWT's and OWL's. Nearly everyone became irritable as they slept less and studied more; Hermione was still having to confiscate 'study aids' from other students.

Severus and Hermione had made two outings to look at two houses, but both had been too near a major Muggle thoroughfare for Severus, and the second Hermione had thought was too low-ceilinged, making her feel a bit claustrophobic. Hermione had felt as if they were trespassing when they'd gone to look at the houses as they hadn't made an appointment, rather had merely Apparated directly to the locations after casting Disillusionment spells on each other, let themselves into the empty houses with an 'Alohomora', and looked around. Severus didn't see the need to make an appointment if they were just looking and said if they found one they both liked, they could then go through the trouble of getting a message through the Muggle post, probably having to use her parents as a contact. She supposed it was a lot of trouble to go through, but it still didn't feel quite right to trespass.

The June 6 meeting of the support group was a sombre occasion. Felicity came to the meeting and lamented her loss. Even though she hadn't wanted to marry him to begin with and had complained of his faults constantly, she hadn't wanted to see him killed. She was also upset that she had refused to stop taking the contraceptive potion and tearfully lamented that now there was nothing left of him...that she could have at least done that for him. Hermione was more grateful than ever for Treva's expertise as she wasn't sure she would ever get used to handling all the issues and personal anguish people went through. Other people's tears just set her off, made her feel nervous and awkward no matter how much she wished she could put forth a comforting demeanour and say the right thing to help someone feel better.

She wondered how it was that Treva could be so good at that and yet could have been so wrong when it came to dealing with Severus. Perhaps she had been right, everyone makes mistakes. But she couldn't really feel angry with her too long.

Finally, the day of the start of the NEWT and OWL testing arrived. The fifth and seventh years stayed in the Great Hall after breakfast. Hermione stood and fidgeted nervously near the Entrance Hall, not noticing when Severus came to stand right by her on his way to morning Potions class.

"Stop fidgeting," he growled. "You did quite well the last time I questioned you, and I was very thorough," he said in a low whisper, leaning over close to her ear so the other students around wouldn't hear. "If it helps, just picture me standing before you with a paddle in hand, ready to spank you if you get something wrong." He stood to his full height; his lips were pulled upward in a facsimile of a smile.

Hermione laughed as he turned and walked away, causing a few nearby students, including Harry and Ron, to look at her as if she were crazy. She did feel slightly less nervous, at least. It took her a moment to realise that, in a slight way, he was 'displaying their relationship' in front of others. Maybe he would settle down about things after all.

*****

Severus Snape walked away from Hermione on his way to the dungeon Potions classroom. Hermione had been driving herself relentlessly in her studies for NEWT's, spending late nights studying, sometimes with classmates, sometimes alone, though often with Potter in her room. Severus had observed him in class and other times they were together for meals in the Great Hall and had come to the conclusion that Potter had feelings for her. It only made sense; he was the sort to fall in love with a woman, investing his time and feelings in someone who could not return his affections. His look inside Harry's mind during the ill-fated Occlumency lessons showed Severus all he needed to know; the boy would forever be looking for love. He knew trying to tell Hermione about it would not help, would likely only cause stress for her, but he wondered if warning Potter, or at least displaying a reminder that Hermione was his and that there was nothing Potter could do to change that, would.

When it came to his dealings with Hermione, things were going well, he thought. He was pleased that she had finally come around to seeing things his way. He also had certainly enjoyed the times she'd wanted to have his brand of testing, and he knew that it would help her. He hoped she would do well and was sure that she would. Hermione had enjoyed the rewards she'd earned, and those times she missed a question, she hadn't protested, she'd simply set her jaw, lowered her trousers, and accepted her punishment. After each missed question, he had gone over the points at which she had gone wrong and made her perform it correctly. She never made the same mistake twice. Even with the extensive testing he'd done, attempting to use harder and more obscure questions to be able to punish her, she'd done very well. He thought it too bad that he wouldn't be at Hogwarts to watch how Minerva would gloat over her prize Gryffindor student's performance on her NEWT's. He wouldn't say anything about why she had done so well, but he thought it would be very satisfying to watch her gloat and to at least imagine what she might think had she known just how Hermione had been preparing for her tests.

It was a new experience, too, looking for a home with someone, planning a future. There were marked differences in being with Hermione as opposed to his previous relationships. It was true when he told her he'd never put up with so much aggravation over another woman before. He'd lost his position as Head of Slytherin; he'd lost the privacy and easier life he'd been looking forward to experiencing alone after the fall of the Dark Lord.

He'd never given up so much control in a relationship, either. His worries that Hermione would take advantage of his compromises had, thus far, proved to be untrue to his relief and delight. Only once had she refused him, and then, he realised he should have been paying more attention. Had he taken a few moments to observe her, he would have noticed she wasn't feeling well and wouldn't have pressed her. He'd been a bit perturbed but not at Hermione, rather at his own lack of forethought brought on by a bad day and a desire to quench his bad mood through a good sexual release.

In his previous relationships, he'd only met women specifically for sexual relations...they'd known what to expect and had known it ahead of time, and if they weren't in the 'mood' at a particular moment, they had ample warning to get themselves in the appropriate mindset to please him. But he couldn't expect Hermione to be ready at a moment's notice all the time. She had pleased him well and was willing the vast majority of the time, which he decided was enough.

Now, in preparation for the future with his wife, he had been taking inventory of his personal potions stores and equipment, preparing a list of other supplies he would need. Over the years, he'd come to rely on Hogwarts equipment for some things and once on his own, would need his own supplies.

He also realised the furniture he'd been using for his nearly eighteen years at Hogwarts wasn't actually his. It had come with the Head of Slytherin job. He'd had very little of his own things when he started. So furniture was another thing to add to the list of starting out. Furniture, potions supplies and equipment, a house to lease, Muggle utilities, food...the list kept growing and the tabulation of expected expenses with it. It was essential that he start out his business on a good foot. With that in mind, he began another mental checklist of any and all contacts that might want to purchase his potions.

He walked through his office, gathering the day's lesson plan, and then on to his classroom, thinking that the future might hold more possibility for contentment, despite some stresses. As he opened the door for his first years class to enter, he looked down at them in confusion. They were all staring at him. With a surge of self-consciousness, he realised he'd been...well, smiling.

"Don't stand there gaping like idiots!" he bellowed. "In! Now! Time to put those weak minds of yours to the task at hand, if you're able..." Yes, that was more like it. He would need to terrorise a few more classes to make up for whatever damage his reputation had suffered from that moment of inattention.