Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I'm not JKR, though I do wish I had her money. Snerk.

Thanks go to amsev for the beta read!

Hermione Disapparated from her flat with Severus very early the next morning. Nervously, she knocked on the door of Grimmauld Place. It opened moments later.

"Good morning, Professor, Granger," Daphne said. "Everyone's in the kitchen already."

Both Severus and Hermione greeted the girl and followed her inside. Once in the kitchen, she asked, "How's Ginny?" The beaming smiles from both of her friends told he all she needed to know. "Oh, thank God!"

"Can't wait to get this over with so we can all go to the Burrow. Bloody Ministry," Ron grumbled before stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth.

"What has she said? How does she feel?" Hermione asked quickly, hugging Harry, who was closest, and then Ron. She noticed Pansy crossing her arms and looking away. "Oh, stuff it!" she blurted. "He'll always be my friend."

Severus broke the silence. "Well? How is she, Potter? Taking well to the potion?"

"Yeah, she's responding really well. Even trying to talk."

"Nothing coherent?"

"She's trying, but no, she can't say much."

"Miss Weasley will grow stronger with each hour that passes. I expect she'll make a full recovery." He sat in an empty seat and helped himself to a slice of toast.

Hermione smiled and had to stop herself from going to him to brush back the lock of hair that had fallen over his face. "We've got you to thank for this. So many people will be helped." She nodded to Daphne. "Your brother, he should be next. Do you agree?"

"Yes, please," the other girl nodded vigorously. "That would be wonderful."

Harry sat down next to Snape and gestured for Hermione to join them. "Let's go over things before we have to get to the Ministry. I want to be ready for whatever this lot throws at us."

"I've got all the notes that Severus and I have worked on. That will show that we've been doing work, and we'll get Ron's father to testify about Ginny's results. That should be enough for them."

"And I," Daphne added, "will tell them what I think of the way they treated my brother and me."

Harry smirked. "Kingsley, Mr. Weasley, and I have taken statements from over a hundred people, and we're positive that..."

"Yeah," Ron interrupted, "even Percy sees the sense in backing Harry this time."

"The git," Harry added with a smile, causing Hermione to snicker while their three Slytherin companions looked at them in confusion.

Hermione waved her hand dismissively. "Long story."

"Right. On with this then," Harry said, his laughter fading.

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A stunned Hermione made her way into her flat alone and didn't bother turning on any lights. The dark and cold that met her were the only company she needed. How could such a beautiful day have turned so sour? Things weren't supposed to be this way. Her gaze moved towards Severus' door, and she wished fervently that he'd be inside, sleeping peacefully.

"But he'll never sleep there again, will he?" she voiced to the empty room before numbly making her way to the shower, stripping away her clothing as she did so. Once she was under the hot spray and lathering her hair, she began to think over the events of the day. Harry had briefed them on the information he'd gathered and what he planned to question the Minister about. Although the hearing was closed to the public, it hadn't stopped wizards and witches from gathering inside and outside the Ministry. Many officials were disappointed that so many oddly clothed wizarding folk were out in Muggle London, causing a stir with passersby.

Hermione had immediately known that something was off when she and Severus entered the courtroom. Many of the Wizengamot turned to look at her appraisingly, some shaking their heads in disapproval. She then noticed a few familiar faces in the crowd...Severus' prostitute friend, the two old blokes from the shop across from the woman's home, and even the saleswitch who'd sold her the expensive nightgown. Her own boss, who'd been kind enough to give her time off to work with Snape on finding a cure, barely gave her a second glance.

Feeling uneasy, she'd looked at Severus to see if he'd noticed anything. However, his expression had been blank, and he'd simply stared straight ahead and at no one in particular. Not that she'd blamed him. After the way they'd treated him, they didn't deserve any recognition from him. However, she'd wanted him to at least spare her a glance.

"Tell me, Mr. Potter, if you will be honest, you are mainly concerned for your friend's welfare, are you not?" Scrimgeour asked, leveling him with a hard stare momentarily before looking over to smirk at Hermione.

"Hermione? This has nothing to do with her and everything to do with you treating people unfairly and not thoroughly examining all evidence brought forth." He directed an equally cold gaze at the Minister and then at other members of the Wizengamot. "And for basically offering favors to get what you need done."

"In due time, Potter. In due time."

Tears mingled with the water running down her cheeks. She'd been ruined. The Minister had planned to use her the entire time to make himself look better and to try to discredit Harry. He'd even attempted to drag Ron's name through the mud. She sighed and began rinsing away the soapy lather from her body, thinking of Ron's angry expression as the saleswitch from Nancy's Nightwear took a seat in the chair and claimed she'd overheard the two of them discussing sexual relationships with Pansy Parkinson and Severus Snape, who were supposed to be their protected charges and not exploited in any manner.

"I'd just sold her a nightgown minutes before when I heard the Parkinson lady telling her that she wouldn't be able to seduce Snape with something such as that, so I'm certain that was her intention," the smug woman had stated, causing everyone in the room to gaze at Hermione. "And right when she bought it, she told the red-haired man, Harry Potter's friend, that she wanted something comfortable for Snape."

Hermione had been outraged, of course, and had even made a couple of outbursts, but Harry had wisely urged her to wait until she'd be able to give her side of the story. Severus' expression had been indifferent nearly the entire time, aside from a couple of scowls.

"Hermione never said that!" Ron said angrily. "This dirty rotten snitch hasn't even got her story right! Pansy was just having a go at Hermione!"

"Ah, yes, our friend at the store said something to that effect in her statement, but I felt it unnecessary to bring up. However, now that you've brought it up, let's discuss this a bit further. Have you been trying to entice the young lady who's supposed to be under your care? Maybe you've given her the impression that a few sexual encounters would see her free quickly?"

"Go on then," the man said irritably.

Even though Ron had explained the entire situation, Hermione had seen that some people still looked upon her with disapproval. She smiled slightly as she recalled his flustered face when he'd tried to explain that the gown was long and nothing that looked seductive to him. Of course, the Minister then mentioned that it could be altered into something more provocative at the wearer's whim.

The next witness had been Rainie, the woman whose home she'd stormed into and snatched Severus from. That had painted her as a jealous lover and had landed her with a fine. Harry had done his best to discredit her, but when the two nosey blokes from the bookstore gave their statements, they'd claimed that Hermione had said Snape was her man before going blow the woman's door off its hinges.

Both Pansy and Daphne had given testimony about what had happened at Nancy's Nightwear and about the arrangements at Grimmauld Place. Hermione had been relieved that Pansy hadn't tried to sabotage her and had admitted she'd only been trying to rile up Hermione. The more people Harry had called for statements, the clearer it became that people were seeing Scrimgeour and his underhanded dealings in a new light...even after Hermione's disaster on the stand. By the end of the long day, many people held under suspicion had been released from custody as per the Wizengamot...Severus, Daphne, and Pansy among them. There would be another meeting scheduled, closed to the public, about Scrimgeour's future in the Ministry.

Severus had stood and nodded at Harry, stating that he would hold true to his word and help all the others that he could. He gave Hermione one glance and left without a word. Her heart had dropped.

It was painfully obvious that he'd been humiliated and held her responsible. She didn't have to look in his room to know that he'd returned to take his things and had gone home to Spinner's End. The dark and cold flat had made that apparent upon entering. Why couldn't he have waited and escorted her home so that they could talk? Hadn't he felt the strong connection that she had? How could he just walk away without a word?

Turning the water off, she decided to simply go to bed. There would be time to think about everything in the morning. She'd just have to take one day at a time and slowly rebuild her reputation. If she were honest with herself, she'd admit that she hadn't enjoyed her job at the Ministry very much anyway. "This might be time for me to take a long holiday and think of a new career," she said, glancing at the foggy mirror.

Instead of going to her own bed, she slipped into the room Severus had been staying in and slid beneath his sheets, hugging his pillow to her tightly and inhaling his scent as she did so. Feeling more at ease, she slipped into a fitful sleep where dreams replayed the events of the day, taunting her over and over.

Hermione looked at the Minister incredulously. "You can't seriously wish for me to talk about my private life. It's not your business!"

Scrimgeour stood angrily. "That'll do. We see how passionately you feel about this."

Hermione whimpered and vaguely realized she was having a horrid dream before drifting back off again. Her next dream was much more pleasant. In it, Severus had returned home and slid in next to her, holding her close and whispering that things would be fine, regardless of the horrid day she'd had.

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Minerva McGonagall woke early and made her way to her office to have a cup of tea to start off her day. As she seated herself, an owl flew in with an early edition of the Daily Prophet. Multiple headlines on the front page caught her attention immediately.

Rufus Scrimgeour steps down as Minister of Magic!

Only hours after yesterday's proceedings, which were initiated by Harry Potter – the Boy Who Lived, Scrimgeour felt it was in the best interest of the Wizarding world if he stepped down, though he still denies doing anything that he felt 'would harm anyone' he'd sworn to protect when taking over after Minister Fudge. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Head of the Aurory, will be stepping in until further notice...

"Good riddance," Minerva said, wishing she'd been able to give the sod a better tongue-lashing. "Poor Hermione," she murmured as she scanned the page a little lower.

Hermione Granger has romantic liaison with Severus Snape

Severus Snape, Death Eater spy for Albus Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix, has been living in Hermione Granger's flat as ordered by the Wizengamot so that she could oversee and help him create antidotes for some hexed patients. It appears she's been overseeing more than his potion-making abilities. Testimony given at the Ministry yesterday...

"Have they nothing better to write about? Is the release of so many innocent people not better news than Hermione's personal life?" She looked out the window and watched the sky as it brightened with many colors of a dawning day. "Maybe there is something I can do for Hermione."

She gazed back at the article once more and read aloud: "When pressured to answer if she'd had sex with her charge, Severus Snape, Granger nodded her head and admitted that she had before claiming that she'd not forced him to do that in return for his work or that she'd not offered herself to him as a bribe. Severus Snape refused to comment on anything and left before Granger could follow him out. It is doubtful that charges will be brought against her, but the question should be visited: How far are sponsors allowed to go without being reprimanded? Should there be more investigations into the criminals' treatment?" Minerva shook her head in annoyance as she remembered the hush that had passed through the room at her admittance. Harry had narrowed his eyes in Snape's direction, but he'd not seemed surprised. Ronald hadn't known anything, though shock evident in his expression as he gazed at Hermione incredulously. She hoped the friends would talk and work things out.

Hermione was more than capable of making her own decisions, though she might not have thought this through clearly. Tossing the paper to the side, Minerva brought her teacup to her lips once more, quickly draining its contents. She wanted to send an owl to Hermione before she read the morning edition... or at least right after. There were options that she could consider.

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Stretching and yawning, Hermione awoke to feel a warm body pressed against her back and an arm resting on her waist. Surprised, she turned over to face a sleeping Severus. It hadn't been a dream after all. He came back to me.

She snuggled closer, and suddenly, everything seemed all right. He would help her, and together, they would get through the mess they'd landed in. Feeling him shift, she gratefully said, "I didn't think you'd come back."

"I went to check on Miss Weasley and then made rounds at St. Mungo's to see exactly who needed what. There are some with symptoms that do not match this cure. We may need to alter it a little."

Hermione lifted up on her elbow to gaze into his eyes. "About yesterday, I'm sorry. I had no idea they would drag us into this."

"Scrimgeour and those of his ilk always try to bring others down with them when they know they're cornered." He shrugged. "I am not pleased, of course, but there is nothing we can do to change what's happened."

Relief swept through her. He didn't hate her. "Thank you."

"Whatever for?"

"For being here with me. I..." Her voice cracked. "I was afraid of facing this alone...the world, Harry, my friends."

"I've faced more formidable foes in my past and have landed on my feet. It would take more than this to change my mind."

"Change your mind?"

"You and I, there's something between us. I didn't want to admit it, but when I realized you'd felt it as well, I thought that maybe this might be a chance for a new beginning."

She laid her head on his chest once more and held him tightly. "I feel the same."

"Then you won't mind if I remain here during the rest of our brewing?" he asked quietly a few minutes later.

"Of course not. I really like you here. I hated coming home last night and thinking you wouldn't be here. I thought you were so humiliated about everything that you'd left for good."

"I don't always think of myself," he snapped slightly. "Must everyone...even you...think the worst of me?"

"You left without saying a word to me."

He turned slightly and looked at her for a moment. "I thought it would make things worse for you in their eyes, and I assumed you'd need to have a discussion with Potter and Weasley about what was revealed. I didn't want to be in the way."

"Still..."

"Not one of my better choices then," he said softly.

"I should have been prepared for something like this. After all, I did cause a scene in Knockturn Alley."

"Indeed you did, but perhaps if you hadn't acted the jealous witch, we might not have had the pleasure of exploring our newfound feelings."

Hermione snickered. "The look on your face and hers was worth it."

Severus chuckled slightly. "I wasn't amused... at first." He was silent, as if gauging his next words. "Hermione, I never should have used you that way."

"It's done now. All's well."

"Do you..." His voice trailed off, and he closed his eyes.

"Do I what?"

The hand he'd placed on her back slid down towards her arse and pressed her against his body more fully. "I would like to make love to you this morning."

Not wanting to ruin the moment with words, Hermione squeezed him tightly and began placing kisses along his bare chest, working her way up towards his mouth. Things had definitely turned out to be more than she'd ever hoped for.

SW69's Notes: I wanted to try a different way of relating a story (reflection / flashbacks), so I did it in this chapter. Thanks for bearing with me. It was an interesting and frustrating experience.