Chapter Fourteen

Disclaimer: Not mine! Belongs to a most brilliant woman.

A round of thanks goes to Charmed Nay for being my original beta and also to GinnyW for going through it with me a second time in search of funkies.

"I don't like this, Lucius. Not at all. They are planning something more. Why else would they need Bella?" Severus asked suspiciously.

Lucius had been pacing the entire time. "Do you know what the last thing she said to me was?" His cool eyes met dark ones. "She said if it was the last thing she did, she would see to it that I watched as she ripped Draco's heart out of his chest. They must know."

"When was this?"

"Right after the fighting began. I was trying to work my way over near Draco, and I saw her. She disarmed me and laughed. I thought she was going to kill me. She said that to me, threw my wand down, and ran towards my son." Lucius shuddered. "She happened upon Ginny Weasley, and you know the rest."

"If they are successful in returning her mind to her, then I'm afraid that she may indeed try to complete the task. She'll also go after Harry for revenge." Severus stood to pace along with his friend. "I've looked over the antidote potion for her problem. There is a series of things that have to be done along with it. If my calculations are correct, by as early as tomorrow night, she could be revived."

"That long? What did Potter do to her?" Lucius asked in amazement.

"A Mind-Bewitching Confundus Charm."

"What has that old man been teaching him? How could he manage that? He's only a boy," Lucius said incredulously.

"He's more than he seems, and I don't think he has been a boy for many years now. He has learnt a few things on his own, and he has been guided by Albus. Hell, we even trained him."

"Potter always was a right little ball-ache! Each time I met him, he'd look at me as if he could see right through me. When we got together on those training sessions, I always wondered where he got the bollocks to stand up to us, time and again." Lucius grinned. "It was that determination that cemented what I had already known. The Dark Lord was going to lose. Some of him lives on in Potter even now. How do we know..."

"Don't even think it," Severus said. "I am personally seeing to Harry's training. I will guide him."

Lucius waved a hand, not wanting to hear anymore about Potter. "Fudge has done this. I just know it. Umbridge has had a hand in it as well. No doubt she's been having a go at his beaver lever all this time! I wonder if she knows he was always ready for a little back scuttle with anyone our berk of a Lord sent his way."

"Enough, Lucius. You need to prepare your house. We've both been slack as of late where our own protection is concerned. You need to start by screening your Floo. Set your Apparition wards farther back from the house." Severus grinned. "Put some of your old traps in place. The brilliant Ministry of Magic hasn't been sniffing about lately, and if they do, I'd say this is a just cause."

"Severus, this has to be the end, once and for all. Bella must be taken down. I'll not spend the rest of my life wondering if she will come for my only son," Lucius spat venomously.

"It shall be done," Severus said with a nod. "If... if one of us is unable, then the other shall see it done. Agreed?"

"Indeed," Lucius said. "What of the school's security?"

"Albus had Filius charm the doors to recognize Bellatrix on sight. The wards are impregnable as ever. More patrols have been set up. The house-elves and portraits have been told to be on the look out as well." Severus stopped his friend's nervous pacing. "Lucius, Draco will be safe. I will look out for him."

"But, Severus, you are not always there. Even at this moment, he is off to Hogsmeade with your girl," Lucius said accusingly.

"It should be safe! He's had no instructions as of late. Bellatrix is still under as far as we know, and he is keeping with good company," Severus defended. "Had I thought they were in danger, I would have followed them myself."

"Oh, yes, the good company is a plus," he said sarcastically. "Three other youngsters!"

"It would do well to remind you that Harry could hold his own against damn near anyone. He is quite formidable. Have you forgotten that even when he hated your son, he rushed to his defense? He'll not let anything go amiss. Hermione is no slacker either. Hell, even Weasley can fight his way out of a brawl if need be." Severus watched as Lucius accepted this information.

"You are right, of course. I think it is time for a visit to Fudge. He's always been interested in deals on the sly. I'll throw out some crumbs to see if he is biting. Perhaps if he thinks I have more galleons to throw out, he'll be inclined to talk," Lucius said, sneering at the thought of the great lug.

"Don't ruin this," Severus said quietly. "We don't want him to think that we suspect his involvement in this."

"He will suspect nothing. I'll give you my findings."

"Fair enough. I'll see myself out," Severus said.

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

"Come on, Malfoy, budge up," Ron complained.

Hermione looked at Harry as their two friends bickered over the seating arrangement. "Harry," she said softly. "Let's have a walk." He nodded. She turned to the others. "We won't be long."

"Sure," Ron said sarcastically. "Just leave me with the blag artist!"

Harry shook his head, showing that he too had had enough of the bantering. Once they made their way out of the pub, she pulled him to the nearest alley. "Out with it. You've been just too quiet!"

He seemed to be studying her. "Stand still," he said, suddenly pointing his wand at her. "Ssssyyethhssss Ssykasheesssss." Stiff with fright, Hermione watched as a serpent like smoke emanated from the tip of his wand and swirled around her eerily from head to toe before resting at her feet. "Sssythkasss Ssssyyethhssss."

"Harry," she said, swallowing back her fear. This was Harry after all. "What did you just do to me? I felt as if part of that... that snake seeped into my skin."

"It did," he said simply. "You will never be any place that I can't find you. I've been thinking on it, and I feel as if I have just made a good choice."

She smiled slightly at his proud expression. Apparently he felt like he had accomplished a great task. "What kind of spell was that? I mean, it's odd that you are using Parseltongue on a tracking spell."

"It's no tracking spell, Mione," he said. "Now, I feel much better. For some reason, I just feel uneasy about things, what with Bellatrix vanishing and all. If somehow we are ever separated, hang on as long as you can, and I'll be right there."

This made sense to Hermione, but she wondered where he had studied such things. She would have to mention this to Severus later. He would likely give her answers where apparently Harry wouldn't. "Thanks, Harry. Let's go back in before those two kill each other."

"I've about had enough of them both. It's hard to think with them going at it every few minutes. Did you get what you needed at the last stop?"

"Yes, we can head back to the castle after we've eaten," she said with a smile.

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

A knock on his door brought Severus out of his reverie. "Enter," he bellowed. Who would be about on a Saturday needing to speak with him? Harry entered and seemed uncertain.

"What is it, Harry?"

"I just wanted to tell you... I just wanted to say Happy Birthday, sir." The boy placed a small package on his desk and began backing away. Severus was momentarily stunned.

"What is this?" He gestured to the small box.

"It's for you."

"Why?" he asked incredulously.

Harry shrugged. "Bin it then." He immediately left, even though Severus had called for him to come back. It wasn't that he wanted to turn the boy away, but he had taken him by surprise. A birthday gift. Looking down at the offending package with reluctance, he smiled faintly. What would Harry have gotten for him? He unwrapped it slowly and saw that it was a plain, brown book. He opened the cover.

Severus sucked in a breath when he turned the page. There smiling up at him with her dazzling green, almond-shaped eyes was Lily. Underneath Harry had scrawled, Lily Evans Potter 1960-1981. The picture waved a few times before he closed the book. How could the boy give this to him? Didn't he know the types of feelings it would evoke? Regret. Lots of it. He had failed her. He had given information to Albus that enabled her and James to get away from the Dark Lord's clutches on three separate occasions, and yet he had still failed her. He'd thought her safe and whilst out on a raid, the Dark Lord made his way to Godric's Hollow. He had found out too late of what was happening, and by the time he could alert Albus, the deed had been done. She was gone from the world forever. Lost. When she died, he believed he'd never have anyone that would have faith in him again. The world had been robbed of a kind heart, a brilliant witch, and a good woman when she sacrificed herself for Harry.

He hadn't been able to recall her face since he'd been with Hermione. Only her eyes came to mind, but he knew that was because he had been staring at their likeness for the past seven years. Severus had never had a picture of her before. He had never thought about trying to get one. He opened the book again, sucking in another sharp breath. She was laughing at him. Quickly he turned the page only to see the same green eyes. This time it was Harry looking up at him uncertainly. Severus vowed, "I will not fail you too."

Once more he turned the page, and his heart melted. It was a picture that had been taken of Hermione at the Christmas party. He had forever burned that image of her in his mind, but in this picture she was walking around with her head held high, smiling at him shyly every now and then. Severus lowered his lips to kiss the picture. Picture Hermione didn't seem to notice. He turned the page and smirked. Draco and Weasley were in that photo. They were bickering back and forth, trying to hex each other. He turned the page again. It was blank, as was the rest of the book. You and Mione can fill those.

Severus had to talk to Harry. He strode out of his class and made his way towards Gryffindor Tower. On his way there, he was nearly toppled over by Professor Steward. "Good God, man. What are you scurrying about so quickly for?"

"Pardon me, good sir," the man replied. "I'm just out for a stroll." Severus glared at the man until he was out of sight. He shouldn't be in this section of the castle unless he had business here. He filed that information away for later use. "Open," he said to the Fat Lady.

"Yes, fine," she said through a yawn.

Severus entered the common room and looked around for the boy. He saw a thick patch of red hair near the fire and ventured that way. Sure enough, Harry was sitting just next to him on the floor. "A word, Harry," he said smoothly.

Harry stood up. "All right."

Severus made his way back out of the portrait, not bothering to look at the other students. It was likely that they believed Harry to be in trouble. As soon as they made a little progress down the corridor, Severus stopped. "I wanted to say... that I appreciated the gift. That was very thoughtful of you."

"You aren't mad?"

"No. I am not. You just caught me off guard." Severus saw the boy's eyes light up.

"I'm glad. I thought maybe I overstepped my bounds," he admitted. "I didn't tell anyone that I gave it to you if you're wondering. Not even Ron."

"That's fine. I just wanted you to know that I shall enjoy making use of the gift. Have a good day," he said curtly.

"You also, Severus," the boy called after him.

Severus went to Hermione's chambers. It was dark inside. Only the fire from her study's grate allowed him any perceptive visual. "Lumos," he said softly, walking to her bedchamber. "Nox," he said upon entering. The windows were wide open and the sunlight was pouring in. A cold breeze was filing in from the chilly outdoors.

Hermione walked out of her bathroom at that moment. "Oh! You startled me!"

"Did you have a nice morning?" he asked, watching her adjust the towel in her hair. Her bathrobe was partially opened, and he found himself trying to see her flesh through it.

"Yes, it was very nice," she said with a grin. She strode forward and kissed him. "Happy birthday, love," she whispered as her lips were released.

"I... thank you," he said softly, touched that she had remembered. This was the first birthday that he'd ever had a woman at his side. So many firsts were shared with her. "Is that why you wished to go into town without me?" He knew the answer, but he wanted her to admit it.

"Of course, it is. Just there on the bed I have a bag with something in it. I'll go spell my hair and be back in a moment," she said exiting quickly. When she came back out again, she paused at the look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"What the hell is this?" he asked, holding up a pair of lacy panties. "You expect me to wear this?" She wanted to laugh at the incredulous expression on his face.

"Severus, that bag contains my shreddies! Sorry! Your bag is just here," she said, grinning openly. She supposed they were his in way, as she had bought them in hopes that he would like them.

He nearly sighed in relief. Severus would never put on such... feminine apparel! He raised an eyebrow. "You intend to wear those for me?"

"Yes, at some point. Do you like them?" she asked, pulling her hair up as she spoke.

"I approve immensely, though it is a pity."

"What is?" she asked, noting the sorrowful expression that passed through his face.

"You won't have them on long enough to get much usage out of them." He took a step to her. "Much like anything else you have on, I can only imagine myself ripping any under things off of your body."

She shivered with delight as a lone finger traced a path from her cheek down to her cleavage. "I..." she stammered, sucking in a breath as the finger traced a circle around her nipple through her blouse.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" he mocked, using his lecture voice. "Words have not often failed you. Is there a problem?"

"No, Professor," she answered in what she hoped to be a nervous schoolgirl's voice.

"For your lack of ability to comment on your current situation, I see fit to give you a punishment, Miss Granger." He pretended to think things over for a moment. "This will do quite nicely." He leaned forward and brought his mouth to her hardened nipple that was trying desperately to poke its way through her blouse. She closed her eyes as jolts of desire swept through her body.

Hermione whimpered in frustration. She could feel the movements through the fabric, but she yearned to feel his lips on her bare skin. His mouth pulled away quickly. She opened her eyes and saw the wet spot on her shirt where his mouth had been. Bringing her eyes to his, she said, "Sir, I don't think I have learned my lesson."

"Impertinence," he hissed. "That has earned you another punishment, little girl. You will serve detention with me tonight in the dungeons directly after the evening meal. Do not be late."

She swallowed for a moment, nearly believing he was serious. There was no smile, no softness in his eyes. Was he joking? She decided to go on with it to be safe. One could never tell where Severus' thoughts were at times. "Yes, Professor."

He smirked and backed away from her. She watched as he opened the gift bag and extracted the first of his two gifts. It was a book. "I've never read this," he commented, opening the book quickly to skim the table of contents. "Sonnets of a Sorcerer second edition? Where did you get the Galleons for this, Hermione?"

Her cheeks reddened slightly. "I didn't use yours, Severus. I gave that back to you after I bought those things for your house."

Severus nearly growled. "Our house."

"All right! I borrowed the money from Harry. I didn't have leave to go to Diagon Alley to Gringott's for my own. Please don't be upset. I'll pay him back as soon as I can," she said quickly, not wanting him to think the gift was more from Harry than from her.

He perused the book further without comment purposely to let her wonder if he was angry with her. Severus didn't mind that Harry had loaned her the Galleons, but he hated that she had spent so much on him. Again. "This is a very valuable book. I thank you. I shall enjoy reading through it."

"I am glad." She smiled brightly. "There is something else in the bag also." She hoped he would be pleased and nearly crossed her fingers as she had done as a child when hoping for luck.

"I haven't seen one of these in a long time," he commented with a smile. She noted that his eyes looked suspiciously bright. "Where... how did you come by this?" His voice had taken a rough edge.

"We were walking by a second hand place. Ron buys things there sometimes. We decided to have a look. While Ron was looking over some items with Draco, Harry pointed this out," she said quickly. "He met with a Sphinx in the maze back in fourth year."

"My mother," Severus said softly, "used to always try to find a way to make up for my father's rages and binges. She used to come in with a miniature Sphinx. We would sit together for hours sometimes trying to solve her riddles. My father began to hate our private time together. He said she was softening me up with foolhardy games when I should be studying more important things, such as Dark Arts. He took to yelling each time we would have a sit to solve a riddle."

"Severus, I am sorry. I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories. I just thought it to be something that we might like to do together," Hermione said softly. Severus didn't comment for a while. He seemed to be lost in memories. She dared not move lest she upset him more.

Finally, he said, "My father, near the end before we lost most of our possessions, took our Sphinx. He went into town and traded it for a few bottles of Ogden's Old Firewhisky. I was an older student by then, and things had changed considerably. My mother and I hadn't used it that much once I was older. I took my studies very seriously even whilst on holiday." Severus flipped the Sphinx over and smiled ruefully. "I felt as though I lost a piece of my mother that day. We were both upset when we'd found out what he'd done. He laughed at us. He said he had hoped it would be worth more, but it wasn't. It was as worthless as she was... and as I was."

"You are not worthless," Hermione said emotionally. "You are everything to me."

Severus strode forward and cupped her cheek. He opened his mouth to say something, but decided to bring his lips to hers instead. When he pulled away he placed the small Sphinx in her hands. "Flip it over."

She did so and gasped. How could she not have noticed this before? Carved on the belly of the Sphinx were the initials S.S.S. "You mean to say... that this...?"

"Is the very same Sphinx," he finished for her. "You've brought a piece of her back to me, Hermione. I don't know how you managed it, but you've found a part of me that was lost. I feel... fulfilled." He held up a hand when she moved to hold him. "I'll be a moment." She watched through tears in her eyes as Severus went into the loo, closing the door tightly behind him. Was he going to cry? Think? She didn't like that she had brought painful memories back to him, but she loved that a part of his past that he obviously remembered fondly was given back to him. She gave it back to him.

He was likely dealing with the bad memories as well. His wretched father had obviously harmed him more than he'd previously let on. What type of monster would taunt his only child for finding a bit of joy in his mother's presence? What type of father would Severus be? Hermione knew he was not the same man that his father was, but sometimes people only acted on what they knew. She'd read about it. It was like a vicious cycle that some had to work hard to break. One parent abused a child; later, that child would become the abusing parent and so on. Severus has changed since she had come to him. Surely everyone could see it.

Well, all right. So, he had tried to attack Draco in front of the entire school, but, well, he was provoked into it. He had made amends with Harry. There. That was a start. Another thing was the way he treated her. He loved her. Love? He never said it exactly, but he showed her his feelings on so many levels. The warmth of his kiss, the gentleness of his touch, the possessiveness in his eyes... just everything. She knew he loved her. Right? Yes, Hermione. You know he loves you. Right, then. But, why couldn't he say it? They were merely three simple words. I. Love. You. Why the bloody hell was it so hard for a thirty-eight year old man to say? She frowned. Had he heard those words at home? His mother must have told him, but it was highly unlikely his father had ever said those words to him. Hermione was pondering if she told him enough when he came out of the bathroom.

"Hermione?"

"I love you," she said fiercely, practically jumping into his arms. She showered his face with eager kisses. "I promise to you, Severus, that we will be together for always. Our children will never know a day of sadness in our home." His lips possessed hers brutally in return.

Their children. Their home. His future wife. He pulled away to look at her. "This gift," he pointed to her, "is the best gift that I could have ever gotten. You are my light at the end of the tunnel, Hermione. I... I hope you know that." He kissed her again, less harshly. Pulling away, "I thank you also for the Sphinx. I can't believe it's been so near all this time, and I never knew it."

"What's done is done, love. You have it now, and one day, perhaps, you and I will be able to share time with our son or daughter. We can spend hours trying to solve whatever riddles she has for us," she said softly. He swallowed and nodded.

It was like a dream, wasn't it? A real family. Father and mother both doting on their offspring. He could envision himself in the living area of their home contentedly spending time near the fire. Hermione's belly swollen with child. He could see himself sitting next to her reading with their firstborn on his lap. This was what he wanted. He would have it. He'd not dared to hope in so long. Now there was more than hope. The odds were most definitely in their favor. No harm shall befall you whilst I still breathe. He kissed his future wife passionately again, releasing all he felt into the kiss, leaving her breathless. He inhaled her jasmine scented hair and smiled... only for a moment.

"What is different about you?" he asked curiously. There was jasmine, but also a touch of... something. What the hell was it?

"Nothing that I know of," she said, wondering what he was playing at.

"Your scent has changed."

"Er... is this... bad?" she asked, feeling suddenly self-conscious. She had used the same shampoo and soap in her bath. She sniffed her hand slightly, not noticing anything other than a clean fragrance.

"No, not bad. Just... different. It reminds me a little of... my God!" He stepped away from her and eyed her warily. "Where all did you go today? Did you drink or eat anything? Did someone spill something on you?"

"Severus? What is it?" Her eyes widened in fright. "We ate at The Three Broomsticks. All of us. No one spilled anything on me. What do you notice on me?" She was extremely worried now. He had a look of horror upon his face.

"Hermione, your scent is one I can recall all too well. It's as if someone doused you with a Dark potion or spell. The... Dark Lord... he reeked of this at times. Mostly after he had to bond with Nagini to be able to access her or find her from great lengths. I can't exactly name it, but it reminds me of Dark Arts and reptiles." He pulled her closer and narrowed his eyes. "Tell me everything, girl! Quickly!"

"A Dark spell?" She groaned. "Oh, no! I was going to tell you, but it slipped my mind with all of this happening." Severus shook her roughly when she paused.

"Speak!"

"Harry... he said something in Parseltongue. He said that if I found myself lost that I should just hold on, and he would come for me. I asked if it was a tracking spell, but he said that it wasn't. He didn't say exactly what, but I thought I would talk to you abo..."

"This is no tracking spell! He has marked you. Scented you, if you will." Severus' eyes flashed dangerously. Just what was that boy thinking! "You carry Potter's scent! How dare he think to mark my woman and get away with it?"

"Severus, wait," she said, grasping at the back of his cloak as he made to leave. "He didn't mean any harm by it. He said something about making the right choice. Stop!"

He turned on her and pulled her roughly to him. "You are MINE! I will not have a POTTER marking what is MINE! You are not to leave these rooms until I return," he growled angrily.

"You can't lock me in here!" she yelled. "Severus, what are you going to do?" Oh this was horrible. Why hadn't she told him when she first saw him? She doubted he would have taken it well anyway. Blast! Just as he and Harry had been friendlier with each other. The use of the word Potter was not lost on her. He'd been calling Harry by his given name. It seemed they had taken a step back.

"I am going to him to fight for what is mine. How dare he stake a claim on you?" Severus was pulling from her grasp, and when she refused to let go, he picked her up roughly and threw her onto the bed. He felt only a moment of regret as she began crying. "Stop your whinging! It's your honor I am defending!"

"Severus," she said through sobs. "You can't hurt Harry. He is only thinking about if I get snatched. I can't let you go like this." She was scooting up again to get off of the bed.

"Stay there, Hermione. I am warning you." He had never been angrier. He could feel his body trembling with rage. After all he had done for Harry, no Potter Junior, the boy dared to go behind his back on this. Hermione belonged to him.

"Warning me? Are... you going to hurt me?" she asked, recoiling in fear to the other side of the bed.

"Never!" he bellowed, backing towards the door. "You will be warded to remain here. I will collect you once I have done what I aim to do."

"NO!" She ran to him. "Severus, you can't hurt Harry. Please stop. Stay with me."

"It's for you that I go," he whispered fiercely, pushing her away. He slammed out of her door and warded it expertly. She'd not be able to get out of there. He could still hear her sobbing, but he fought the urge to go to her. There would be time to soothe her fears later. After he dealt with Potter. His vision of his future family was now tainted! If the boy didn't remove it, there would always be the smell of Potter about her. His fist grasped his wand in anger.

"Ah, Sev, old boy! Just the man I wanted to see," Hooch said, striding to meet him. "I need to know which hours Slytherin needs for the rest of the month on the field. I've just been with Minerva, and..." She eyed him warily, reaching a hand to halt him.

He shrugged away from her and tried to continue on. "Out of my way, Rolanda."

"Severus? What's going on? Who are you about to kill? Has something happened? It's not Malfoy, is it?" She fired questions continuously until he finally heard the last one. "You've not hurt Hermione, have you?"

"I would never hurt her. I'll never lay a hand on her," he said angrily.

"There are other ways to hurt a woman, Severus," she chided, equally angry. "What have you done? What are you about?"

"I have someone to deal with, Rolanda," he said curtly.

"Severus! If it's a row you want, then have one right here with me." She pulled her wand. "I can't let you carry on as you are. You are a professor here, and you shan't be allowed to harm a student. No matter if the little bastard tried to kiss her."

"This is not about Malfoy!" he barked. "It's about Potter."

"What? He's done nothing. He's been out on the field with me since he came back from Hogsmeade with Herm..." She gulped. Good Lord. Had Potter been stupid enough to try something? "I'll go to the Headmaster, Severus."

"I don't care," he growled. He stared at the floor for a moment. The headmaster. Albus. Albus' trust. Hermione. Hermione was sobbing. He put away his wand and made his way back to her chambers ignoring Rolanda's attempts to talk to him. As quickly as he could, he unwarded her door, and he stood in the doorway looking at the crumbled form on the floor. Still sobbing. "Hermione... I'm sorry."

He kneeled down next to her when she hadn't responded to his words. Severus' heart broke. What had he done? He was no better than his father after all. Words hurt just as much as fists. Rolanda was right. There were other ways to hurt a woman. A lone tear streaked down his face. "Hermione." He reached out to touch her shoulder, and he felt her flinch. Another tear found its way out. He'd not lose her now. Not after all she had come to mean to him. Severus picked her up, and he made his way to the bed with her. She immediately curled away from him, but her sobbing had stopped. He slid in behind her and pulled her body to his to hold her.

Hermione felt her lover's body shuddering as if he was crying or attempting to stop a flow of tears. Good! He deserved to be upset as well, after what he'd done. He'd been so angry, and he'd taken it out on her. No matter how she had pleaded he'd left to go maim Harry, and he had warded her in like a child. He had yelled, grabbed her roughly, threw her on her bed, and pushed her away. How could she be sure he wouldn't do that again? To her? To their children? No, this is Severus. Indeed. That was what made it so scary. One minute he had been on the verge of saying he loved her, and the next minute he was shouting about something that she really didn't know anything about.

She hadn't asked Harry to do this to her, and she believed deeply that Harry had meant no harm. She thought back to his proud smile. There was no ulterior motive there. He had done it for her protection. How dare Severus not see that? What had stopped him? What had brought him back to her? She felt something wet glide down her neck and realized it was a tear. His. Hermione turned to face him, and his hold tightened on her as if he feared she was trying to get away. She took in his broken expression and new tears sprung to her eyes. His cheeks were wet, his eyes were filled with sorrow and horror, and his lower lip was trembling slightly.

Hermione wiped his cheeks softly and snuggled closer to him, burying her head under his. She felt his body rock with tremors again. She could feel a slight dampness in her hair. If not for those two things, she would never have known that he was crying. How could someone be so silent with such pain? She tightened her free arm around him. After a few moments, he began to speak. "I thought I would never hurt you. The thought of another man... daring to place his scent on you. I just... lost it. Can we work through this?"

"I think that you should try harder to contain your anger. You didn't even try to see my point before you were rushing off to hurt him for something he only meant as a way to help us," she said softly.

"You didn't answer me, Hermione. Can we work through this? I can't be without you. I would be... lost." Severus shuddered. What had he done? He had been having a good day. The first birthday that had ever meant something to him, and he had ruined it. "I need you," he whispered.

"I'm not going any place. You still have me. I just think that... I worry that it may happen again," she admitted.

"It won't. I assure you. I will do what I have to do to be sure of it." He kissed her head softly. "I need your forgiveness, Hermione. I just... I'm protective. You belong to me. I felt that my happiness was threatened. My future family was threatened."

This softened Hermione more than anything. So, he thought about their future family as well. This only proved how insecure he truly was. "Severus, what could I do to make you believe in me? To trust me unconditionally?"

"I do trust you."

"No, that's not what I intended. I mean to say, what would make you feel more secure about our future? What can I do or say? Please tell me, and it shall be done," she whispered.

"Consent to be my wife," he said after a moment. She felt his arms tighten for a moment. Wife? Wife! So soon?

She chose her words carefully. "Severus, there is nothing I want more than to eventually become your wife, but are you sure about this? We've not been together all that long."

"I don't care," he said firmly. "We can have a long betrothal if you'd like, but I want the world to know you belong to me. I want you to wear my mother's ring. You are the only one worthy of it."

She pulled away to search for the truth in his eyes. It was there. She had never seen his expression so open, so readable. "Severus, please don't feel that you have to go this far to keep my love for you alive. I've not stopped loving you. Don't do this because you feel you have to."

"I want to."

She knew it to be true. This was certainly a turn of events. "And, the outburst?"

"We will deal with it together. I will never allow you to see that side of me again." He smiled uncertainly. "At least not directed at you. Hermione, I... I adore you. I would die before I saw anything or anyone harm you or our family. I would kill for you." He sighed. "I just associated it with the Dark Lord. I was brought back to a time in the past that I didn't want to be in. Then, the thought of someone else marking you as if he desired you to be his. Well, it was just too much. I shall still talk to the boy about this matter. He should have talked to me first or explained to you, at least, what he was about."

"Yes, I know that, Severus, but this is Harry we are talking about. We've never been involved. Never even thought about it. He loves Ginny, as far as I know. He's the brother that I've never had." She swallowed at his odd expression. "Severus, listen to me, and don't you dare misunderstand what I am about to say. We love each other as strongly as any siblings could. We would also fight to the end for each other. He's my family, Severus. You should have seen how proud he was. He was going on about finally making a right choice on something. I think he did it to ease his worry and yours. He... he wants to prove something to you, Severus. I'm sure of it. He said he felt uneasy about that witch getting out of Azkaban."

Severus nodded. He'd still have a word with him about this. He'd find out exactly what he had done, why, and how it could be removed. And, he would definitely let him know that he didn't appreciate it one bit.

"Severus, I was so happy when I saw that you had finally taken a liking to Harry. Do you know that I think it's exactly what he needs. He has no one else aside from Albus. What with Albus retiring, I think you two need to be here for each other," she said softly.

"I have the need to get something. I will be back shortly," he said kissing her forehead.

"Severus? Where are you going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, raising his eyebrow in challenge. Hadn't she done much of the same to him?

She smiled softly. "Understood. Am I commanded to stay in my rooms? Should I search out Harry to be sure he is still breathing?"

He smirked. "I never made it to the boy. I came back before. Go where you would like, love. I shan't be long."

"I'll stay here and read in your book then. Is that all right?"

"Yes," he said, kissing her lips softly before standing. At that moment, a wild-eyed Professor McGonagall came storming in, followed by Madame Hooch.

"What has been going on here?" she demanded stormily.

"Everything is fine," Severus said immediately. Hermione caught the glare he sent to Rolanda, but also noticed that Rolanda glared back. She'd have to ask him about that.

"Hermione?" Minerva asked, brushing past Severus.

"It's fine," she said with a small smile. "Just a little disagreement."

Minerva turned around to eye Rolanda for a moment, but then said, "Very well."

"I assure you, the both of you, that all is well here," Severus said, taking on an annoyed tone. How dare Rolanda run off for Minerva when she saw he hadn't gone after Harry. He supposed she meant well, but that was being a tad interfering.

"Sorry for the disruption," she said curtly. "Hermione, I will be in my office for a few hours. I would like you to come down to go over a few things for Monday."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll be right over," she said quickly. Minerva nodded and left.

"Sorry, old boy, but I had to," Rolanda said unflinchingly. Severus nodded.

"She stopped you from going after Harry, didn't she?" Hermione asked when they were alone.

"Yes, in a way. I'd like to think I stopped myself," he said softly. "I shall return shortly. You can find me in my chambers once you and Minerva have finished up."

"I'll be down to you as soon as she allows it," she vowed. He kissed her once more and was gone.

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

Ron looked at his sister with an expression of horror on his face. "What is it?" Luna asked worriedly, dropping her dreamy-eyed act.

"This just doesn't sound right," Ron said. "Oi! Harry! Come here. Read this. The prat is at it again."

Harry put his broomstick down and took the parchment from Ron's hand.

"Prat," Harry muttered. "We'll be in town as well. Maybe. I don't know if Dumbledore will be canceling our visit or not. You know, since Bellatrix is out."

"Bloody hell! Why do things always have to ruin our fun?" Ron grumbled.

"I think I should meet with him. Maybe I can find out some more," Ginny offered, looking to Harry for approval.

"Maybe. He won't talk in front of us though," Ron said thoughtfully. "Would you mind if Luna went with you? He'd not mind so much."

"I'll go with you, Ginny," Luna said, kissing Ron's cheek. "Ron knows I'd do anything for him. He's my Weasley King after all." Ron's face and ears turned red, but Harry could see he was pleased.

"It's settled then. We'll wait for you in town while you meet with the dolt! I'll have to let Se-Snape know about this," Harry said. "Mind if I keep it?"

"No," Ginny said, squeezing his hand. "Would you like a walk first maybe?"

Harry gave her a lopsided grin. "I would like that."

Southern's Notes: Ok. Hope I didn't freak anyone out with Sev's actions, but I think that turned out well in the end. He and Harry will have 'words' in the next chapter, but it won't be too bad. Also, we'll see what SEV went to get, and Bella will be up.