Chapter Nine

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing here except the plot. This is for entertainment purposes only. Happy reading!

A big thanks goes to my original beta, Charmed Nay, and cheers go to the lovely GinnyW, who is kindly going through this for me to catch any stray funkies!

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"Harry?" Hermione called to her sleeping friend as she sat up wiping the sleep away from her eyes. He had one leg propped up on the bed near Severus, the other sprawled lazily on the floor, and his head was lying oddly on the back of the chair. "Harry," she whispered a little louder.

He sprung up with his wand drawn. "Where is he?" he asked, looking about wildly.

"Harry, calm down. I'm awake, but Severus is still sleeping. Are you all right? Did everything go on well here?" she asked, moving out of the bed. She glanced down at the hole in her jeans and looked up questioningly.

He stretched lazily before nodding to her leg. "You were bleeding from Snape's Slicing Hex. I cut your jeans so that Fawkes could heal you." He gave her a lopsided grin. "You did it, Hermione. It was brilliant!"

"Fawkes? Was Dumbledore here?" she questioned.

"No, but he sent Fawkes to keep me in...er...to keep me company. Good thing, as you needed him. How do you feel?" he asked, moving her shirt aside to get a view of one of her shoulders. No marks of any kind.

"I feel very tired. It's like last night really happened. I could really feel everything in the dream," she said regretfully. "I hadn't expected that part. Do you think he will be very upset with us?"

Harry looked over to Snape's sleeping form, now curled on his side. "I think, Hermione," he said with a sigh, "that Snape will have a few things to deal with before he'll see reason. I mean, we did ambush him, and I reckon there are a few things in that dream that he'll have to deal with. Don't push him too much."

"Harry!" she huffed. "I would never push him. I will let him ta...I would, wouldn't I?"

He hugged her. "It's only because you care, and it's in your nature to try to make things right. He loves you. He even told you. Remember? He'll come around."

"He told me in the dream, Harry. That doesn't mean he'll say that now. I've only been here with him for five nights, but it feels like a lot longer than that. So much has happened in the past week, I don't know what I'll do if he chooses to hate me over this." She cast a worried glance towards her lover. "I need him."

"Was I the only one paying attention? He told you that no matter what happens when you both wake to remember that he fell in love with you. I think it would do well for you to think on that. Besides..."

A loud crash from the next room startled them. Harry quickly had his wand drawn and placed himself in front of Hermione. They heard a muttered, "Bloody hell." Harry put away his wand and threw a grin back to Hermione before walking forward. She followed him with a grin of her own.

"Ronald Weasley," she said, laughing at the sight before her. "Just what are you doing here?" Ron had apparently tumbled from the grate and tripped over the chair, toppling it and Severus' lamp table as well.

"Right stupid place to put a chair. I'm telling you," he said cheekily as he stood up. He had soot in his hair, on his face, and all over his robes. He made no move to wipe it off. "Couldn't wait another minute. Thought I'd come to see if you all needed some help."

Harry said, "We're all done here, mate. Snape's still sleeping." He nodded towards the bedchamber. "He might be waking up now though with all this ruckus."

Laughing, Hermione said, "Thanks for coming, I suppose. You two might need to clear off. I expect he'll be getting up soon."

Ron nodded and made his way back to the grate. "Just wanted to be sure you were all right, Mione." He looked along the mantle for a moment before making rude gestures with his hands. "Where is the ruddy Floo powder?"

"Just there," Harry said, pointing to the floor where he'd left it. "My fault, that."

"Never puts anything where it goes," Ron mumbled as he threw a bit in. "The Burrow."

"Right then. I'll be off as well. Come see us if you need us." Harry said, hugging her tightly. "Owl me either way, if you don't mind. If all goes well, I guess I'll see you in a week when we're back for classes."

"Harry, I really appreciate what you've done for us. Thanks."

"Any time," he said, throwing a handful of powder into the fireplace. "Albus Dumbledore's Office." In a flash of brilliant green flames, he was gone. She fixed the table and chair back as they were before Ron had his visit. Noticing Harry's robes in the opposite chair, she sat down. She pulled the robes into her lap and smiled. Dark green to match his eyes. This had been a Christmas present from Ginny. She'd saved all year to get it. Harry seemed to think that everything would be all right, but she had a niggling feeling that things wouldn't be.

She thought back to the things Severus had said before he was forced to drink the potion. He said there would be no together if she forced him to follow through with it. Get away from me, he had said. There will be no together, Hermione, if you go through with this, he had said. The only thing that made her feel better was the last look he had given her before they'd fallen asleep, and the soft words he'd said. I know. Well, that was a start, wasn't it? If he understood that she meant well, then they were already on the road to recovery.

Hermione got up to check on him. He was still sleeping. Pulling the covers up over him, she noticed that he was smiling in his sleep. She bent down to kiss his cheek softly. "I love you," she whispered. "I hope those are good dreams you're having." She went to the bathroom for a bath.

Severus opened one eye as she closed the door behind her. How could she love him still after what she had seen? After all that he had said and done to her? Merlin, he had bit her, cut her, hit her, verbally abused her... This was just too much! He had seen her honest fear, the repulsion, and the desperation in her face. Why couldn't he control it? It wasn't like he'd remembered anything about the past week they had shared together either. He'd thought of her, and he'd thought of her in the most horrible way. How could he ever get those thoughts out of his mind? How could he forgive himself as easily as she had forgiven him? It wasn't just how he'd treated her, but how he had treated so many in the past.

And, Good Lord, Potter! Potter a Dark Lord? Preposterous! Then he remembered the confident ability with which Harry had subdued him the night before. The powerful gleam in those green eyes. Lily's eyes. Dumbledore was right. The most vibrant part of her had lived on, and because of those eyes, he would eventually give Harry that which he had requested. If nobody was there to guide him, he might turn astray at some point. He was right. Albus wouldn't be alive forever, and then where would that leave the boy?

It was embarrassing though. Would they truly believe that he feared Potter? He smirked to himself. That would be the day. Hermione and Harry had both now seen him at his truly worst. Before he could deal with either of them, he needed to deal with himself. Sliding from the bed, he quickly put on his robes and boots. He made his way to the headmaster's office. He needed to tell him about what had happened. Maybe he could help him make some sense of things. He always had a way of explaining things.

Just as he was approaching the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the office, it opened. Out walked Harry Potter. He tried to dodge into a corridor, but the boy called out to him. "Professor! It's good to see that you are up."

He strode forward, wondering what to say first. "So it would seem, Potter." His words lacked his normal acid. He just hadn't the energy to compete in a row yet.

"I left just a bit ago myself. I came here to see the headmaster. I've forgotten my robes in your chambers, but I didn't want to Floo back down in case I'd wake you. I figured you'd need your sleep. I was just off to my own dorm for a spare set." Harry said with a slight smile. "Er...is Mione still awake?"

Choosing his words carefully, he said, "She is having a bath."

"I'm glad then. Rough night, you two had. Right glad it's done with. After a bit of time and some talk, I'm sure things will be well," Harry said, surprising Severus by clapping him affectionately on the shoulder. Severus looked down at the boy's hand as if it was tainted.

"What are you about, Potter? Haven't come to gloat?" he asked suspiciously.

"You know, that's just like you. No matter what someone tries to do for you, you just can't accept that there's nothing behind it," Harry said sternly. "Some people actually care, Snape. It would do well for you to remember that. And, before you go off and blame Hermione on all that's happened, I think you ought to at least try to think of this from her point."

Harry brushed past him, looking irritated. "Potter," Severus called. Harry turned back to face him. "I'd never blame her for that. It's hard, at times, to think of things from any point of view other than a Slytherin one. I...it was good of you to help her even though the method you used was not exactly appropriate."

Harry nodded. "Sir, I...just so you know, I won't tell anyone what I saw. Well, the headmaster knows a little, but those details are yours to share."

"That's...kind," Snape allowed, turning to go up the open entranceway.

"Professor?"

"Yes?"

"You won't ever have to worry about me, you know. It would take a rotten lot to turn me into an arse like that. I care too much about people to ever become...that." Harry smiled. "Just because you had a hand in training me, doesn't mean you have soiled me. I've learned a lot from you, from a lot of people. I appreciated the time you took to try. I just...maybe I never had the bollocks to say so. Good day, sir." Potter turned on his heel and made his way down the corridor.

Feeling slightly relieved, Severus allowed the staircase to raise him to the headmaster's door. So, Potter wasn't going to be an arrogant brat about this. For some reason, he trusted Potter to keep his word. It seemed that the boy had finally become a man. Those words of thanks and apparent respect made Severus feel like a better man. If there was hope that any part of the elder Potter could live to grow into what Harry had become, then perhaps there was something worth looking forward to in this world. There was hope.

"Severus, it is good to see you. Have a seat," Albus greeted.

"I trust Potter has told you the gist of what's happened then?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, Severus, I am well aware of what went on, but I am here if you would like to talk about things," he said kindly. "I think it's safe to say that you faced a lot of your inner fears last night. Would you want to discuss it? Maybe make sense of things?"

"I think so, Headmaster," Severus said with a resigned voice. He may as well tell him everything. It would be the only way to get a logical opinion from him. He began his tale from the exact moment he walked into the corridor, and he finished when Hermione spoke Lily's name. He even told the headmaster what he'd said to her.

After a thoughtful moment, Albus smiled. "If you don't mind my saying so, I think that you feared never being able to find redemption for mistakes you've made in the past. You survived this war for a reason, Severus. I think that if you were meant to be swept off to the afterlife to do an additional penance then that would have been the case." Albus handed him a cup of tea that he'd summoned. "Hermione's love and faith in you and her forgiveness of your past should enable you to put away this fear of the earlier period in which you lived in such confusion. Your realization that you love her is a form of release for you. If you can express that emotion, then you have already begun the process of rebuilding yourself."

"It has been so long since I have felt anything inside."

"Yes, I know. I was there for you, if you'll remember," Dumbledore said wisely. "Severus, everyone has a soul. You once said that you felt as if a dementor had sucked all emotions from you. You felt your only reason for living was to see Harry live to fulfill the prophecy as a final payment to his parents. You couldn't save them, my boy. I know you tried, and now you fear that you won't be able to save Harry from himself."

Severus smirked. "He's made of good stock...from Lily's side. I don't think I'll have to worry on that any longer. No need to give me the lecture of how I should try to befriend the boy, Albus. I think we are on some sort of path in that direction already. I accepted his mother's fate long ago. I harbor no ill feelings about his...about Potters' part in his parentage. It's not Harry's fault who his father was, nor who his father wasn't."

Dumbledore chuckled. "If you excuse her sister, then yes, Lily's family would be good stock, but I don't think it would bode well to speak ill of James to the boy. No matter your feelings, past or present, on the matter." Dumbledore smiled. "Now, on to other things, Hermione for one, she will be helping you fill what you claim to be an empty shell with happy memories. You still have things to deal with amongst yourselves, but I would hope that you wouldn't take too long to come to terms with what has happened."

"Thank you, Albus. I think I shall need to go have a talk with her now. She is probably wondering where I am," Severus said, extending a hand.

"I'm glad they decided to make you go through with it. I don't think it could have turned out any better. Don't think on the horrors of the nightmare, Severus. It would eat away at you and be the Succubus' last act of revenge. Your young woman deserves better than that. So do you." His mentor smiled. "Good luck."

He used the Floo to return to his chambers, not wanting to prolong his talk with Hermione. As soon as he stepped in, he knew something was wrong. Something just didn't feel right. He heard her small sobs coming from the bedchamber. He looked in without her noticing that he had returned. His heart ached at the sight. She was in a fetal position on the bed, hugging his pillow to her. He had no idea how long she had been crying, but he had to stop it. This was not her fault. She shouldn't have to pay for what had happened.

"Hermione," he said after he reached the bedside.

She picked up her head and stared at him. "You...you're back?"

"I am," he said, sitting down next to her. He soothed down her damp hair. "Don't cry because of me."

"Severus, I can't help it. I came out, and you'd left me. I thought...can you just hold me?" she pleaded. He held out his arms and scooped her to him. "I didn't know when you would be back. I thought you hated me for what I have done." She sniffed. "D-do you?"

"No," he said softly. Why could he feel so much, yet say so little? He knew it was soothing words that she needed to hear, but they wouldn't form on his lips. "I think you only did what you thought best though I didn't agree at the time."

"Do you think it was the right thing now?"

"Perhaps it was." He sighed. "Yes, I do."

Her hold on him tightened. "I just love you so much. How did I ever live without you before? It's unreal to me."

He smiled at that. He'd had the same thoughts. "Hermione, I...I know just what you mean," he said, wanting to kick himself for not giving her the words she needed to hear.

"Severus, would you make love to me? I need to feel you. I need you to show me that you forgive me," she asking, pulling back to look into his eyes.

"Hermione, I don't think that we should right now. I think we should take things slowly. We have only jus-"

His words were cut off by her kiss. She pressed him back onto the bed smoothly and rested her body over his, deepening their kiss. He closed his eyes and relaxed. Her hands were unfastening his robes, delving in to unbutton his shirt. His hands began stroking her back and bum in encouragement. If she could do this so soon, then so could he. Let the healing begin. He groaned as her lips began nipping at his neck. He sat up, forcing her to sit astride him. Severus pulled her shirt over her head and threw it to the side. As her lips found his neck again, his lips searched out her shoulders. He took the time to lick and sooth each with his tongue before bringing his lips to hers again. Hermione's fingers grazed his flat nipples, and her fingernails caressed the hair on his chest. Merlin, but he wanted her.

With great care he unfastened her bra, pulling it away from her body. He kissed her lips as his fingers found her already hardened peaks. Dipping his head a moment later, his mouth found and suckled a rosy bud. She moaned and he opened his eyes to try to look up into her face. He noticed a bruise. He pulled away in shock. "Hermione...what?" There were five perfectly rounded, bluish bruises on her left breast.

She looked at him with a confused expression. "Why did you stop?"

He nodded. A sinking feeling hit his gut soundly. Bloody hell "I...is that from...?"

"Oh, I forgot to spell them away. It's nothing. They don't hurt, Severus." She smiled and tried to kiss him again. He stilled her movements.

"I can't," he choked, pushing her off of him. He had marred her flesh. He had done that to her in his dreaming stupor. "I need some time."

"Wait," she panicked, as he put her to the side of him. "Please don't leave. It's all right. If you would just make love to me, everything would be okay. I need you, Severus."

"Hermione, just please...I need to deal with what I have done. It's too soon," he said as he began buttoning the few free buttons. He clasped his robes, kissed her cheek, and walked toward the door.

"Severus...please," she cried. "Don't do this."

"I'm not leaving you, Hermione," he said, after he paused, not turning back. "I just...if you love me, you will give me this time."

"I do," she said firmly. "Do what you must." He couldn't see her face, but he could imagine her determined expression.

"Do you remember the dream? The last bit...about no matter what happens after we woke?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, I remember everything."

"I meant what I said." He walked out the door. She stared after him in shock.

~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione was stunned. He'd just left her lying there in need. Yes, she understood that he needed time to deal with what had happened, but she needed him to show her that he wanted her still. She wasn't so thick that she didn't get the gist of what he had just told her. It was his way of saying that he did love her. Why could he not say the words aloud in reality that she desperately needed to hear? In many ways she felt like a burden to him. One day, he was alone, feeling empty, despising those who were happy, and never thinking about love. The next day, he was saddled with her, feeling crowded, still despising those who were happy, and beginning to feel tinges of love. How would she feel if the tables were turned?

She supposed it was a lot to deal with in such a short period of time. He was what? Thirty-seven years old? Going from being alone all of his life to having someone practically move themselves into his personal living space would be drastic. He had never been in love before. It must be hard for him to voice that, even if he wanted to. Hang on! He...he had been in love, hadn't he? What was it he had said? He had never said that he never loved anyone, but he did say that he had felt something again after years of feeling nothing. So, who was the woman that had captured his heart? Where was she? Had she died? Left him? Spurned any advances he had made? Good grief! Was she a damned Death Eater?

This was a lot to think about. Whose shoes do I have to fill? She supposed in comparison to Severus she was but a child. This woman was likely Severus' age or at least near it. Think. She gasped! Madame Hooch! That had to be it. She was a bit older than Severus, but he didn't really talk to anyone else, did he? And, just whom else did she know that could snap, poke fun, or fuss at Severus without so much as a blandly scathing retort? No one could! No matter what Severus would say to her, she would just laugh as if she knew he didn't mean it. That spoke volumes. Only a lover or loved one would get away with such things, and Hooch did take interest in Hermione's stay at Hogwarts from the beginning. Why, on Christmas morning she was going on about the Scottish chill and the dungeons being cold. How could I have been so blind? Hang the hell on just a minute! She couldn't even get away with some of the stuff that Hooch pulled. And, he supposedly loves me!

"Hmph!" Hermione grumbled. "We'll just see about this. I can be everything that woman is and more!" She dressed quickly and decided she'd start her day by owling Harry to let him know that all was well. Or, sort of well anyway. Harry! His parents went to school with Severus. Maybe Sirius or Remus had let something slip to him about Snape's past love life. It wouldn't be farfetched. They were all in the same year after all. Maybe she could make a quiet inquiry about it. Harry would understand, and he wouldn't think she was being daft by having curiosity of her lover's past.

Harry,

I just want to let you know that everything is as well as could be expected. So far. I am ready to get through this, and I would like to move on. Severus is having a bit of a rough go at it so far. He feels very guilty about it all, and I am not pressuring him as you warned me. Well, maybe I did push a bit far this morning. I needed something that he wasn't ready to give me just yet, but not that we should discuss that here. He's gone off now to who knows where to have some time to dwell on this.

Harry, I need to be prepared. When he comes back, he may tell me to just go. I certainly hope that isn't the case, but who knows? He is so damned stubborn. Have Remus or Sirius ever told you anything about his past? I mean to say, do you know if he had a lady friend at some point in the past? If you know anything, please let me know. I would very much like to know exactly who I should strive to be more like in order to become more appealing to him. Damn! I'm rattling again. A quick reply would be appreciated.

Love from,

Hermione

There. That sounded good. She briskly made her way up to the owlery to have a school owl dispatch her parchment. It shouldn't take long for a reply. Harry was great that way. As she rounded the corner near the bottom of the stairway, she ran smack into Madame Hooch. How bloody convenient!

"Watch it!" Hooch exclaimed with a laugh. "Where are you off to looking like a thunder cloud? Has the snake got you down?"

Hermione lost the glare in her eyes and pushed the swell of jealousy away. Why couldn't she be as comfortable with herself as this woman so clearly was? She reeked of confidence and was never afraid to say exactly what she meant. Not even at the risk of hurting one's feelings. "Just a bit. I don't exactly know where I am off to. Maybe the library."

Hooch scoffed. "The library! On a day such as this? Term will be starting next week. There's time for reading and studying then!"

"Damn! I've not been studying for my N.E.W.T.s! Sorry, Madame Hooch, but I have to go," she said, trying to glide past the woman.

"Hang on there," she replied, grabbing Hermione by the elbow. "I think you can call me Rolanda, Hermione. You're one of us now, what with being initiated with the game the other day. To hear Minerva tell it, you could have passed your exams months ago. Come along. I think I should spirit you off to Hogsmeade for a drink."

"Really, Mada...er...Rolanda. I'm not much of a drinker. It's nearly lunchtime as it is. I don't think this would be very responsible of me," Hermione said, hoping to be excluded from the yellow-eyed witch's plans.

Rolanda threw her head back in a loud chuckle. "I say! You've spent too much time with Minerva. That stern expression looked just like hers!"

Before Hermione could speak, someone cleared her throat. "I am glad you find my stern expression so amusing, Rolanda. I was just off to find Miss Granger to help her prepare her new rooms."

"New rooms?" Hermione and Rolanda asked in unison. Each witch looked at each other with surprised laughter.

"Well, of course, you should at least keep up the pretense of staying in your own chambers, Hermione. To be unmarried and staying with Severus would be inappropriate in the eyes of the students' parents," Minerva huffed.

"Oh, go on!" Rolanda exclaimed. "Everyone saw Severus going after her. They all read the papers! Think you that they won't know where she sleeps at night whether she has her own chambers or not?"

"Be that as it may, she will have her own chambers. I insist upon it." McGonagall's eyes softened. "Don't worry, Hermione. Albus and I have done this for years. It won't harm your relationship in the least, and sometimes a place of your own to retreat to isn't a bad thing to have."

"Well, you have time to get her rooms together tomorrow then," Hooch persisted. "She and Severus have had some sort of row. I am about to escort her to Hogsmeade and make a day of it. Of course, if you don't trust me with your new apprentice, you could always come along."

Hermione was about to protest, but she saw the faint glow of interest in McGonagall's eyes. Did her mentor want a day out as well? "Well, I am not sure. Perhaps a few tumblers in a private room at The Three Broomsticks wouldn't be an ill idea. Should we invite the others and make a go of it?" McGonagall smiled, losing years with the release of the stern expression.

"What say you, Hermione? This is your day after all. Should we include the others?" Hooch asked.

"I'm not sure. I suppose whatever you would like," Hermione said. How did she know who would be fun to have along? The only ones she truly had encounters with were Flitwick, Hooch, and Sprout. They were fun enough. Hagrid was always fun as well.

"Good deal! Sinistra is out. She's a boring biddy, that one. Vector's gone off to her own home for a bit. Sibyll has been into the sherry already today. I'm sure she's off prophesizing in her tower. I saw Hagrid off for the forest earlier." Hooch grinned. "Guess that leaves Pomona, Filius, and Albus. The others are right bland. No fun at all."

Minerva laughed. "Surely we can invite Poppy."

"What? And, hear all about the latest in mediwitching? I've enough of that at mealtime, thanks," Hooch said. "Jolly well then. What are you waiting for then? Go fetch her. Ask Albus along as well. I'll see for Filius and Pomona."

"Er...thanks," Hermione said after Minerva left hurriedly.

"Pah! All is well. I'm always in the mood for a row, a drink, or some fun. This is as good a reason as any. Say, where is Sevvie? Should we force him to come along? It would be great fun to harass him a bit."

"I...I am not sure. He's gone off for a bit," Hermione stammered, looking away. Why did she admit this to his...other lover?

"Well, sod him then. We don't need his snarking about to ruin our day. I tell you. He's great in the sack, but I've never wanted to spend more time than I needed to with him," Hooch said bluntly. "Meet us in the front entrance in about ten then."

Hermione watched through narrowed eyes as the woman happily made her way down the hall. She had just admitted to having been his lover! Hang on, though. If they never spent time together other than that, it couldn't be her that Severus had felt something for, could it? Who the bloody hell was it then? Hermione scoffed suddenly. That was quite rude! Just coming out and saying it like that! The woman should really mind her manners! Pulling her cloak around her, Hermione made her way to the entrance.

~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus was sitting in front of the fire in his personal study at his home. Zenka popped in. "Is master needing something?"

"No, thank you. I think I will have a walk." He made his way out towards the path behind his home. He looked around at the trees along the passageway. Most of them had lost their leaves, but some of them were still as green as they were in the summer. Each spring they would come back and bud to become just as vibrant as before. Before the deathly chill of winter had set in. Before life had nearly been extinguished from them forever. Dead or dying things, such as trees, had always held appeal to him. He mostly likened them to himself. He felt that his body was the trunk, ever present, always aging, but his soul was like the leaves.

He had once been alive with hope for the future. That had been when he was a very small child. He had hoped his father would change. He had hoped his mother would find a way to leave the man and take him with her. He had hoped to find a woman. He had hoped to find friends and find a place in the world. He had hoped to find respect. He supposed that could have been the summer of his life.

As he grew older, though, fall began to set in. His hopes began fading. His father would never be an honorable man. How often had he seen him yelling and hitting his mother? How often had he seen him with one of his mistresses? His mother had withered away and died. She had found an escape, but she hadn't taken him along for the journey. He found friends, but they were not the sort he had once hoped for. He had found a woman, but before he could accept her as she was, she had turned to someone else. He had found a place in the world at the side of a madman, and he was able to obtain respect, but that was only yielded through fear. Yes, his early years of manhood could be seen as the fall season of his life. The beginning of the decline, the descent to death.

For most of his adult life, he'd been alive but only just. He had been in his winter season for nearly the past twenty years. He'd always felt as if he belonged in the dark. He looked at his students and saw them mostly as pests. He loathed most of them for many reasons. He had never cared. He figured there was no reason. Why should he have cared? Hell, he hated Potter merely because of who his father was. He never took the time to really notice them. He was mostly dead and any softness within, any life, had slowly began to decay long before he'd met any of the brats. The only times, as an adult, that he felt as if he belonged or was cared for was in the presence of a choice few. Albus, Minerva, Filius, even Hooch. He sighed. Bloody woman! She should have been born a wizard. He chuckled. Hermione was now added to that list.

This time with Hermione had been...wonderful. Mostly. From the moment he dared to hope for anything, it felt as if the winter winds had died down. The ice inside his veins began to melt away slowly. Was spring coming for him finally? Was it indeed time to live again? To let grow again the emotions that had been dampened out by the arctic blast of past experiences? Finding himself sitting on the hilltop, looking down at the grazing herd of Aethonons, he saw them through her excited eyes. He finally recaptured the beauty and wonder of the beasts that he had seen in his youth. Yes, it was time for spring to make its journey into his life. With Hermione's help, he would learn to live again, to be more...personable, to enjoy things.

He watched the group for a while as thoughts of the future flitted through his mind. He'd have to let go of the past. All of it. It was time to start over. He'd paid his penance for the wrongs he had committed. She was right. Why wallow in depression? Why wonder what could have been? And, this succubus business. He'd put that behind him as well. Her heart was big enough to forgive him. She loved him completely. He had fallen for her as well, but how to tell her? She had wanted him to show her earlier. Damn! Her hurt expression came to mind. He hoped he'd not done any damage. But, no, he hadn't. She had agreed to give him time about it all, and she obviously caught the gist of what he tried to tell her when he referred to what he'd said in the dream.

After he had returned to his house, he saw it through her eyes. It was cozy. Her own home was much like this one. It wasn't the size that mattered. It was the people that made the house. The house didn't make the people. He could have kept that large mausoleum of a manor, and it still would not have changed who he was on the inside. Severus walked through each room in the two-story home. The lower floors consisted of the kitchen, a bathroom, a small dinning room, the living area, his study, and a room he'd turned into a makeshift laboratory. He walked up the stairs. There were three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the small nursery. The attic space was refurbished and inhabited by his two house elves. They wouldn't accept rooms of their own. It would be cozy for a family. He looked in on the nursery with wistful eyes. Walking over to the small crib in the center of the room, he smiled. He imagined a dark-haired little one laying there, looking up at him with Hermione-like, inquisitive eyes.

His thoughts strayed from the possible future child to his little one waiting for him back at Hogwarts. How would she look with her belly swollen with his child? She would be beautiful of course. He quickly tidied up things, he'd broken a few glasses, and made his way back to Hogwarts. Back to her. Back to life.

He frowned at once when he entered his quarters. She was gone. The fire in the grate had long died out. The chill in his rooms was nearly unbearable. A quick perusal of her belongings showed that her things were still here. Had she gone off to the Weasleys'? Was she in the castle still? The library perhaps? He decided it would be in his best interest to find her. He went to the library first. He checked all the aisles, stacks, tables, and secluded spots before finally realizing she was not there. On his way out, Irma called to him.

"Good afternoon, Madame Pince," he said smoothly. "Slow day today?"

"Most definitely, Severus. No students about to muddle with things, now is there? Did you need something in particular?" she asked, eyeing him warily.

They'd never particularly gotten on well. The witch had been there in his days at Hogwarts, and she had shooed him away more than once. "No, I was searching for someone in particular. I see that she isn't here though. I bid you a good day," he said curtly, taking his leave.

"She's in Hogsmeade," the librarian said promptly.

"Whom?"

"Your wee little lass. Rolanda has taken her for a binge of drinking," she said, eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I see. Thank you," he said.

"The lot of them went. I'd wager things are well underway by now if you wanted to go on and catch up with them."

"Perhaps I shall," he said silkily, finally able to retreat.

So. What was Rolanda up to? His scowl darkened. It would not do to have Hermione under that woman's influence. She'd come back trying to order him about and have her way with him. Hmmm...his groin tingled. Why hadn't he taken her up on her offer at reconciliation this morning? He now regretted his hasty withdrawal from their bed. Surely Rolanda wouldn't give Hermione any tips about a relationship? Bloody hell! It was probably on her to do list to have Hermione sway her way. Hadn't she mentioned more than once that she would have liked some sort of ménage trios? He needed to get to Hogsmeade. Just who else had gone with them though? Smirking, he mentally listed them: Filius, Pomona, perhaps Sibyll, and Hagrid. No, she was definitely not in good hands. He showered and changed his clothes before venturing out.

~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What the hell do you mean Gryffindor won't take the cup this year?" Minerva thundered loudly. "We've had it for the past two years running and well on our way. What with Potter and the team he's built, it's a sure thing."

"I think it will be Hufflepuff, I say! Pah! My new keeper will show you," Pomona said heatedly. "Just because you barely beat us in the first game of the season, doesn't mean we are out yet! You'll see!"

Hooch laughed loudly. "Barely beat you? Why, they won by three hundred points. Have another one!"

"If I do say so myself, I think Ravenclaw has a fair chance. We held our own against Slytherin. If that Malfoy hadn't cheated, we would have won!" Filius said, joining the dispute.

"CHEATED?" Hooch roared. "Nobody cheats in my games, you little sot! They rolled over your team fair and square! It was a clean game!"

Hermione was grinning drunkenly at her fellow colleagues. She would never have known the lot could get so rowdy. Most seemed all prim and proper, especially Minerva. Good Lord, but the woman had a temper! She noticed that Albus just sat back and watched the proceedings with amusement. Poppy even got her digs in now and again.

"That's a load of hogwash!" Minerva was saying. "I think you let Slytherin get by with too much, you do! I've seen time and again where those thugs have flouted rules back to back, and you've flown the other way!"

"Yeah," Pomona spat. "Keen to turning a yellow eye to Severus' bunch, she is!"

"I am a fair referee, I tell you! If I see any of the little bastards doing something wrong, I give them a penalty. The bloody field is big you know! I'd like to see one of you able to do it better, I would!" Rolanda retorted testily. Suddenly she smiled. "Another round then?"

Everyone started laughing. Rosmerta wandered over as if on cue with another tray. "Having a good time, are we?"

"Jolly good."

"Certainly."

More mumbled affirmatives could be heard when Rosmerta added, "These are from Severus. He's gone to the loo and says he'll be out shortly." She placed an extra drink in the available seat next to Rolanda. Hermione tried not to get jealous, but she couldn't help it. Just knowing that they had been...in that way...well, it bothered her some. She'd not try to show it though. Pushing the roiling emotions in her stomach down, she sipped on her drink.

Her gaze drifted to the tall, dark figure making his way to the table. She sighed mentally at the sight of him. He seemed unsure for a moment, but then placed that damn expressionless mask upon his face. "Good evening," he said to everyone, eyeing each in turn. His eyes settled on Hermione. He seemed to be questioning if all was okay between them. She smiled to let him know she held no grudge. He nodded, picked up his drink from the table and made his way around to her. "Budge up, you lot."

"Bout time you carry your arse to join us, Severus. Why you've just missed what they've been saying!" Hooch said, feeling like she had an ally at the table. "They are accusing Slytherin of cheating at Quidditch, they are!"

Severus smirked as he took his seat next to his young lover. "Is that so?" He looked around to see the exasperating affirming nods. "Well, I'll have you know that we play no more underhandedly than any of the other teams," he roared suddenly. He looked pointedly at Minerva. "Especially Gryffindor."

That set her mentor going once again. Everything resumed to right where it had been before he had come. Hermione leaned closer to him, and whispered, "Welcome back."

He gave her a small smile and after a moment's hesitation, he brought his arm around the back of her chair possessively.

This did not go unnoticed by anyone at the table, but none spoke of it. Albus patted Minerva on the hand, and they shared a small smile. Two of their closest friends would find a way to work through the mischief as of late and share a life together.

~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pomona was now passed out and leaning more towards Filius with each passing minute. Hermione could detect alarm in the small man, as he kept edging away ever so often. Severus and Albus were talking quietly about something or other, but Hermione's eyes were watching Poppy, Minerva, and Rolanda. Poppy was dabbing tears from her eyes over something Rolanda had said, and Minerva all but went wild.

Hermione looked on in awe. Here was her stern Head of House. The proper Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. Here was a formidable foe. Scottish brogue in full force was flung at Rolanda. "You ridiculous tart! How dare you talk to Poppy that way? I'll have you know that she is not becoming a spinster! Just because she's not keen on inviting every witch and wizard about for a little ride on her broom doesn't mean she is a prude!"

"Ah, Minnie! She's only crying because she can't hold her cups! It's always the same every time. Poppy cries. Pomona passes out. Filius gets a right side quiet. Albus just watches. Severus gets either bored or angry." She took a long drink from her cup. "And, you, my dear, end up in some righteous rage or other. You'd do well to keep your wand lowered, I say," Rolanda goaded, yellow eyes shining.

Hermione heard Severus tell Albus to grab Minerva, and he would handle Rolanda. Before either made a move, her mentor sprung up, deftly pulling her wand on a still seated and a quite honestly stunned Hooch. With a most frightful expression on her face, she got off about five hexes before Albus lifted a hand to still her. Severus had come around to stop any retaliation on Hooch's part, but there was no need. The witch couldn't move. She'd been completely immobilized. Her spiky, frosty-colored hair was now vibrantly blue and resembled feathers. Her yellow eyes were now a deep red. Her robes and clothing had been transfigured into a bright pink, frilly dress. "Now you look the part!" Minerva said angrily. "I hope Poppy doesn't take the time to set you right either! I certainly won't be doing the deed!"

"Minerva!" Albus admonished. "Put her back."

"I will not! She deserved it, the rude witch. Why, I should have done that hours ago!" Minerva said, her face flushed in anger.

Albus sent a plea to Severus. "Will you clean this up? I need to have a word with Professor McGonagall." The headmaster's voice was frightfully serious. The few patrons that remained in the pub had all gathered round curiously. Hermione wondered why he had called her by her title, but she thought maybe he was trying to play his role due to the observing eyes of the public.

"Good show," someone said.

Severus spun in their direction and after casting a menacing glare, the crowd began to disperse. "Finite Incantatem," he said dryly, pointing his wand at Rolanda. She began moving and seemed on the verge of tears. She eyed her reflection with the shiny goblet in front of her.

"Minerva! How could you!" she yelled, jumping up. "A bloody PINK dress!"

"I think not," Severus said quietly as she made to run after the retreating forms of the headmaster and Minerva. She began struggling against him wildly. He took her wand niftily before looking over to the table. "Poppy? Filius? Can you see Pomona back?" The smirking charms professor and grinning mediwitch agreed. Severus began leading Rolanda out of the pub. Hermione just sat in a daze. What the hell? As if finally remembering she was there, he paused. "Well?" he asked in an annoyed voice. "Are you coming or not?"

Hermione's intoxicated state had slacked greatly when that scuffle had ensued, and now her anger ebbed it away completely. "Yes, I suppose so. Wouldn't do for me to stay here, would it? Unless you'd like time alone with your friend there!"

Hooch laughed loudly. "Feisty one, that. I say, that brings to mind-"

"Silencio," he said, pointing his wand at Rolanda, dragging her roughly behind him. Rolanda's lips were still moving, but no one would ever know what she was going on about. At Severus' nod to the door, Hermione strode out briskly. "We will be Apparating."

"I can't Apparate yet!" she said angrily. He had treated her abominably for no reason in front of everyone. This was not her fault.

"Stand here for a moment," he said through clenched teeth, as he pulled the other witch into his arms. CRACK! They vanished. Fighting back what she knew to be immature tears, she began running towards the path to Hogwarts on her own. She'd not be treated like a child. Everything had been fine all evening until Minerva went mental on Rolanda. Severus would touch her hair softly every so often, pat her leg beneath the table, and even kissed her palm once. She would not stand there in front of the pub in the snow like an idiot waiting to freeze to death while he went off to put Madame Hooch to bed.

She nodded a brisk hello to a well-cloaked wizard before venturing down the final path that turned towards the castle. She couldn't do this. She would always be wondering what Rolanda had up her sleeve. Hermione trusted Severus, but what if in anger he tried to punish her by going for a visit to the older witch? What...? No, he was respectable. That idea was ludicrous. It was just a lot to deal with. If she'd ever made love to anyone before, and they happened to live near, he would worry of the same thing. Blast! Even before he had made love to her, he was jealous about Ron. Harry had told her that.

Hermione paused. Where in the bloody hell was she? This didn't seem right. She pulled out her wand. "Point me." It swung in a direction to her left. She'd taken another wrong turn in the midst of her fuming thoughts. Feeling childish for running off into the cold night, she turned back and went down the correct trail. She heard a twig snap somewhere behind her. "Nox," she said calmly, extinguishing the light on her wand. Silently, she stepped off the path and hid behind a tree. Sure enough, moments later, a dark figure walked by at a hurried pace. A slight pang of fear gripped her heart. It could very well be that wizard that she had seen a good ways back. Why didn't I wait for Severus? Though she thought herself completely sober, she sensed that her mind was still muddled. She vowed to not go on a binge such as this again. Please just let me get home.

She was unsure if she should wait the person out or not. There was nothing in that direction except the castle and the train's platform. If she went along the path, she would meet up with him once he realized that she had gone off the path and doubled back. There was no train coming in for a while yet, so it was unlikely that he was awaiting the arrival of one. If she waited him out, he may come back with his wand lit and spy her anyway. Coming out from her hiding place, she started back the way she had come. She needed to slow her pace because she couldn't see and wasn't all that familiar with the path, but she needed to put space between them. Cursing to herself about the situation she was in, she tried to listen for sounds of footsteps behind her. The only thing she could hear, though, were the sounds of her own pounding steps, twigs breaking, and small rocks crunching about under her boots. Finally, she recognized the fork in the trail and broke out at a run for town.

"What's wrong there? All okay?" the same well-cloaked wizard asked her. He was standing at the same spot.

She halted suddenly. If it wasn't him that was following her, then who was it? She bent down for a moment to catch her breath. "I thought someone was following me. I...I was frightened," she said through breaths.

"Nothing to fear out here, Granger," he said easily.

"D-do I know you?" she asked, feeling uncertain. She couldn't see his face. He was bundled tightly against the elements.

"Went to Hogwarts a while back. I saw you pass. Someone passed right behind you. I didn't think it my business to interfere with a lover's brawl," he said sharply. "It was Professor Snape that was chasing you down. I had heard amongst the mill that you two were an item."

"Yes, he's my...!" What was the word? "We are an item. I should go back to talk to him. I don't want him to worry when he sees that I am not at Hogwarts. What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't," he said, taking a few steps forward. "You know, I could escort you if you'd like." He pulled back his hood, and she nearly fainted. Terence Higgs! He was the Slytherin seeker in their first year at Hogwarts. He'd always been quiet, but she remembered the glares he threw their way after Harry out maneuvered him. Draco Malfoy had taken over the position of seeker the following year. "I see you recognize me. Shall we?" he asked innocently, holding out his arm.

"She will not," came an angry voice.

"Hello there, Professor Snape," the man said easily, stepping back. "She seemed in such distress. I thought to be honorable and give assistance."

Severus was at her side in an instant and pulled her possessively to him. "I'll see to her," he said curtly. Hermione noticed that his eyes narrowed, and he took in every detail about the wizard. "What are you doing about at this time of night? Alone?"

"Waiting on a friend," came the simple reply.

"Indeed?" Severus cocked his head to the side. "I wonder, Higgs. If I didn't know any better I would think you are up to something."

"Oh, I am just that, but that's not really your concern now, is it?" The boy smiled sweetly while pulling his hood back up. When Severus stepped forward, he said, "Well, Professor Snape! I didn't know you bothered yourself with trivial matters. If I choose to meet a paid woman discreetly, it should be my business alone."

"Very well. Good evening," Severus said, putting his arms around her. Before they Apparated, she heard Higgs speak again.

"I'll give my father your regards."

Severus didn't reply. They Apparated near the front gates of the castle. She could feel the tension in him, and she felt suddenly afraid when he looked at her. "Hermione! What the bloody hell did you think you were doing just now? You could have been accosted! Any number of things could have gone wrong!"

He would not make her cry. None of this was her fault. Well, except for the fact that she acted immaturely and ran off. "What was I to do? Wait to freeze while you put her to bed? You were so worried about her that you only remembered that I was there at the last bloody minute, and you treated me horribly in front of those people. It wasn't my fault that Minerva put her in her place!"

"Damn Gryffindors! You are much like your Head of House, girl!" he thundered, stepping away from her. "And, what is it you keep alluding to? Why do you think that I didn't think of you when I was commanded to escort Rolanda home? Your place is with me! I was merely surprised that you hadn't followed when I made to leave!"

"She told me that you two sleep together at times!" Hermione blurted hotly. "How was I to know you wouldn't stay in her rooms for a nightcap!"

"WHAT?" he roared, looking angry and hurt at the same time. Then quietly, "I have eyes only for you. How could you think such a thing?"

"Severus, I'm sorry. It's just. I...I am jealous. This is something I have never felt before. I never cared enough about anyone to worry. I don't know much in the way of things, but I do know that she is apparently experienced, and I was afraid...that you would rather that," she said, wishing she could hex herself.

He looked away for a moment. She watched in fascination as the warm breath seeped out of his mouth to hit the cold air. She had to strain to hear his words. "It was once. Long ago after a night such as this. Minerva and she often come to dueling before the night is over for some reason or another. Usually it's over Quidditch, but that one time...I had found myself well into a number of cups. I tried to calm her down, and it just happened."

"You don't have to explain anything to me, Severus. It's the past. I am just being...childish."

"No, Hermione," he held up a hand. "It's not unreasonable to feel this way. I can understand that, but you should know that now that you belong to me, no others could ever coerce me to their beds."

"I do know that. I was just emotional."

He smiled tightly. "If you must know, it was horrible. That night. I vowed to never do that again. She's a strange witch, that Rolanda. Just don't ever think that you are lacking in any way. You are perfection. All of you."

Hermione snorted. "I could do to lose a few stones."

"No. I said perfection, and I meant it. I desire you as you are." He cupped her cheek softly for a moment before casting an icy glare at her. "However, this was no excuse to go running off into the night. I simply brought her here and dumped her down. She made her own way inside sans wand of course. I don't trust her to be able to withstand the urge to seek out Minerva. When I went back, the others were coming out. I just caught sight of you running off."

"I'm sorry, Severus." She didn't know what more she could say. It was ridiculous. She should have known better. Her own jealousy had gotten the better of her. She vowed to not let it happen again. His words were very reassuring, and from the distaste in his expression, it appeared that he hadn't liked his session with Rolanda.

His eyes softened for a moment. "Hermione, I...." His voice trailed off. She thought he would say it. The words of love. "I worry for your safety. There are still supporters of the Dark Lord who have not been brought to justice. Most see Lucius and I as the traitors we truly are, and they would not be above hurting anyone we cared for to get to us."

"Was he one? That Higgs?" She gasped when he nodded. "I didn't know. I've never heard of the family name as being followers of Voldemort."

"They were silent supporters. There are many of those. The Dark Lord's Death Eaters weren't always active, and they didn't always bear his mark, Hermione. The Higgs family was always eager to help out in the way of funds. It kept them safe in the end though. There wasn't enough evidence to do anything to any of them."

"I'll be more careful in the future, Severus. I'm sorry to have worried you," she said, hiding her disappointment. She felt that he had been very close to saying he loved her. She knew it was superficial, but she desperately wanted to hear the words.

"Come," he said, taking her hand. "We need to get in to thaw out. I think you could do for a snack as well. It'll help soak up the liquor."

She went obediently, thinking of his arms being around her. They still needed to have a talk about things, but it could wait until the morning. Should she try to initiate something? In all honesty, she was really tired, and it was likely best that she wait until he made the move. She didn't want a repeat of what had happened that morning. Even though he had done it for honorable reasons, the rejection still smarted just the same.

Try as he might, he could only get her to nibble on a roll of bread. He had hoped that she would eat something in the condition she was in. She stood up to make her way to the bedroom. "I'm just so tired," she said through a yawn. Severus quickly summoned a nightgown for her and began helping her slip out of her clothes. He checked the urge to pull her into a heated embrace once she was scantily attired. He remembered all to well the bruises that had been on her milky flesh. The bruises he had put on her.

Where he had a ferocious sexual appetite and enjoyed a bit of rough play, he doubted he would ever truly be able to feel comfortable doing that with her. It would only remind him of the thoughts he'd had, the intentions that were his while in the dream. Hermione leaned forward and placed the lightest of kisses on his lips. He opened his mouth to allow her soft tongue entrance and reveled in the light moan that rumbled in her throat. He lifted his hand to caress her breast, but he stopped it before it touched her skin. Pulling away from the kiss, he pressed her body against his in a tight embrace. It was still too soon for him.

As he pondered over this, she fell into a light sleep in his arms. As quietly as he could, he lifted her into his arms to place her on their bed. Their bed. That's what it was now, wasn't it? Their chambers. Their things. He'd never be rid of her, nor did he want to be. They would have to have a talk about everything. "I love you," he whispered softly. "You mean more to me than anything."

He was glad that he had been able to put her worries about Rolanda away. He could see her frustration on such a thing, and he intended to give that yellow-eyed, er...red-eyed witch a few harsh words. How dare she tell Hermione about their past? How dare she make it sound like it was something more than what it was? Severus smirked. He'd have to congratulate Minerva on a job well done.

Severus left the bedchamber to write a quick letter to Lucius. They would have to have a talk soon about Higgs. What had that wretch been up to? He could have hexed him for his insolence. If Hermione hadn't been there, he would have, and he would have said a lot more. Out of respect for her, he didn't, and there was no telling whom the boy was meeting. He had walked up on them and cringed at the sight. The boy was no innocent. After he'd left Hogwarts, he'd taken to doing a lot of 'clean' dirty work for his father and the Dark Lord. He could see it in his eyes that he was up to something indeed, and there was no way that he would believe the wizard was meeting a woman. It would do to start a little spying just to learn what he and his friends were about. He went into his classroom to fetch a fresh bottle of ink when Potter's owl swooped in. Hesitantly, she landed on his desk and put forth a leg that had a letter attached to it.

Severus took the roll from her leg. The owl hooted disdainfully. "She's asleep! I will see that she gets it," he told the bird. She seemed to dither a moment before flying off as if she intended to peck at his hand. "Impertinent bird! Just like Pott-" He caught himself. Old habits would die hard. Harry wasn't as arrogant and self-absorbed as he'd once believed. He had truly come a long way in the past couple of years. At the beginning of term when they had finally brought the fight to the Dark Lord, he'd begun to have a grudging respect for the boy. He'd seen the way he'd tried to get his two best mates to stay out of the thick of things. It was the first time that Severus realized that he wasn't trying to be a hero or take all the credit for something. It was genuine worry for his friends' lives.

When Potter, no, Harry, had seen Ginevra cornered by Bellatrix, he'd gone mad. For a moment, Severus had paused to watch the fury unleash in the boy. He'd banished the youngest Weasley away with a flick of his wand while beginning to engage the offensive witch in a duel. It lasted only a few moments before Bella was in a heap, writhing in pain. Severus had come up on Harry at that moment. The boy had spun around, wild-eyed, looking to maim whoever approached.

"I'll handle this, Potter," Severus had told him. "The fight is that way." The boy nodded and ran off in search of the Dark Lord. Why did I never question what magic he had used? He'd done something so harsh to Bellatrix that she was even now, barely alive, in a muddled state over at Azkaban's mental ward. He should have sensed that it was Dark Magic then, but he simply bound the woman before sprinting off to help Lucius. He'd not call Harry by the name of Potter any longer. It made him think of James Potter too much. Lily's son was no longer in that man's category, nor would he be again.

Severus looked down at the parchment in his hands. He smirked at the messy writing. What could Harry want with Hermione at this hour? It was tied loosely, only with a slight ribbon in fact. He supposed he could easily give it a once over before fastening it back. No. He couldn't do that. If he wanted Hermione to have faith in him, he would have to do things the right way, but it was hard to resist his instincts. Years of spying had done many things. It was like part of him. Grabbing a bottle of ink and holding the offending parchment away from him, he made his way back to his study to write his own letter.

After a quick walk up to the Owlery, he was ready for bed. He glanced at her letter once more before forcing himself to go to bed. While he changed into his nightshirt, he wondered again about the letter. Why did it intrigue him so? Well, he would simply ask her about it when she read it. Surely there was nothing to hide. Was there? He smiled as he slid in next to the sleeping witch that had captured his heart. He drifted off to sleep feeling more content than he had in years.

---

Southern's Notes: Ok, hope that cleared up the Hooch questions. I love her! Too funny, I say. I've made a little mini movie as a companion to this story. It's just over six minutes long and has mainly clips and pictures of SS/HG together. They are set to Randy Edelman's Promontory.

The quality isn't the best, and I've noticed that on some of my transfigured pix I can see where I've messed with them. I'll be happy to email it to anyone. It may take a while to load depending on your net connection, but I think it's worth the wait. I'm biased though! Lol