Chapter 14

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

I'd like to thank Charmed_Nay and ladyinthecloak for the beta work and reading they do for this story. You are gems!

Hermione smiled tightly and squeezed Severus' hand. "I really appreciate that you're doing this, but I don't know that I could tell them about us on my own."

"But must we tell them everything?"

"I don't think I should lie about anything. Only the truth will make them accept this...or nearly the whole truth. I don't know if the whole he-was-dead part would go over well. I mean, while I've left things out in the past, I don't want to do that any longer. All right?"

"They're your parents, so you should know best what to do."

She felt his hesitation as she stepped forward. "Look, we can wait one more day."

He shook his head. "No, you want to see for yourself that your father is fine."

"Thank you, Severus."

"Lead the way."

She pulled him forward and knocked lightly on the back door of her home. When nobody answered, she tried the doorknob. "Locked." She knocked again, a little harder.

Quick steps neared the door, and a moment later, it opened to reveal her mother. "Hermione!" The woman scooped her daughter into her arms. "Oh, we were so worried after your friends left. We didn't know what to make of things! Come in, come in." She paused, her smile faltering. "Who's this?"

"This, Mum, is Severus Snape." To make a public show of affection and to give her mother a clue as to her relationship with Severus, Hermione reached out and took his hand in hers.

He nodded. "Mrs. Granger."

"Hello," Jane replied. "Come in then, the both of you."

They were ushered into the living room where Hermione's father lay on the couch. "Sorry I can't get up," he said by way of greeting. "Come here, poppet."

"Dad! Thank God you're all right!" She went to her father and hugged him tightly. "Mum says that my friends were here. Who?"

"Harry, Ginny, and Ron," he said, still holding her hand as she knelt in front of him. "They seemed right worried after I told them about that bloke and his part in my accident."

"You told them!" She looked to Severus with wide eyes and then blinked. "Wait, what? Ron? What was he doing with them?"

"So Weasley has finally returned, has he?" Severus said, a sneer gracing his face.

"I didn't appreciate that he showed up here after the way he treated you," her mother said, joining them with cups of tea on a tray. "He did seem worried though."

Hermione let go of her father's hand to accept a cup of tea from her mother, which she, in turn, gave to her father. Instead, she moved to Severus' side and took his hand. "There's something I have to tell you, and I want to tell you the truth. I only ask that you let me explain before saying anything. I'll... We'll answer any questions you have after."

"Oh, no... don't tell me..." Her mother gave her father a worried look.

"No, I'm not pregnant."

"Thank God," Jane whispered.

"You look so serious, Hermione," John added.

Severus cleared his throat and spoke. "What your daughter is trying to say is that she and the man who walked in front of your vehicle were working together on an important project."

"Right. We know that much."

"What you don't know," Severus continued, "is that the project concerned me." He gazed at Hermione and gave her a reassuring smile. "Your brilliant daughter helped to return me from a grave state. I was... injured in the battle at Hogwarts well over a year ago..."

"Oi, you're the bloke who'd spied to help them! You were killed by a snake," her father blurted.

"I wasn't killed, per se. No, I think you might understand it better if I say that I was in a coma of sorts."

"And our girl found a way to bring you out of it?" Jane asked.

"That she did."

"How proud of you we are," Jane said.

"Why do I sense something more?" John asked, looking worried.

"Because there is," Hermione said, taking over. "Dad, Mum, there was magic that needed to be involved to help coerce his, uh, soul back into his body so that he could awaken."

"What sort of magic?"

"It's quite complicated," Severus offered when Hermione didn't reply right away.

"Last I checked, we're not berks," John pointed out.

"Dad, Mum, the spells and potion called for some things and a bit of a sacrifice needed to be made."

"Blimey! You didn't kill anyone, did you?"

Hermione smiled. "Of course not, Dad, but the end result was that Severus and I needed to be bonded together."

"Meaning?" her mother asked.

"Meaning," she said nervously, "he's my husband now."

Severus drew in a deep breath before speaking. "I want you to know that I fully intend to honor your daughter for all my years in thanks for..."

"Married?"

"Yes, Mum."

"But... I know you were upset with young Ronald, but I thought deep down that you might work things out. Suddenly you've up and married someone else?"

"I know it seems sudden, and I... I didn't make my decision lightly."

"Hang on," her father said. "I don't buy this."

"Sorry?"

"That's why that fellow caused my accident. It was a warning to you that if you didn't go through with it, something worse would happen."

Hermione was speechless. How her father had come to the right conclusion with so little information was a mystery to her! One look at Severus told her that he was quite surprised as well. Finally, after a long and awkward silence, she said, "That's the gist of it, yes."

"You there, Severus, can't you release her from this bonding, what with you being well and all."

"I'm sorry, sir, but I cannot. It doesn't work that way I'm afraid."

"That's preposterous!" her mother said, slamming the tray she'd still held in her lap aside. "Our girl won't be forced into some sham of a marriage! There's got to be something she can do."

"Mum, really, it's fine. Severus and I... we've come to an understanding, and we both agree that staying together is the best option." She went to her mother and placed her hands on her shoulders. "He wouldn't force me to stay with him if I didn't want to." She smiled slightly. "There are magical properties involved and what Ron did to me? I'll never have to worry about that with Severus. It's disallowed as part of the bonding. There are other positive points."

"Those are?" her father demanded.

This time, Severus spoke. "We've found that we're quite compatible in many things."

"It's true," Hermione added. "I'm not just trying to ease your burden. There are many things in the past for both of us that needed to be addressed, and we've done so."

"But to marry without love...?"

"Many people have had arranged marriages in the past," Hermione replied. "A good number of the time, love matches were made. I don't see why Severus and I might not find that one day."

"Severus?" her father asked.

"She is already quite... dear to me," he said quietly.

"I don't like it," the man replied.

"Nor I," her mother agreed.

"Maybe you'll just need time then?" Hermione asked hopefully.

"Definitely."

"Poppet, I just can't agree with your reasoning. I know you mean well, but to be tied to someone you don't know, for all the wrong reasons..."

"It's a rebound, isn't it?" her mother asked. "You're getting back at Ron for what he's done to you."

Part of Hermione knew that it had much to do with her decision ultimately, but she felt the need to speak the truth. "I'm drawn to Severus, Mum. I do want this, and in time if things should not work out, then he and I will decide where to go from there. Can't you respect my decision enough to at least think upon this with an open mind?" She pointed to Severus. "I've saved a man's life!"

"By giving him your own in return!"

She shook her head. "Dad, I'm sorry you feel that way, and I'll admit that when pondering things, I felt that way, but I've made up my mind." While she said this, her mind strayed to Ron and what had happened. Why had he chosen now to come back into her life and even have the audacity to look worried for her? She'd certainly give him a piece of her mind when she saw him, and... God, what will he say about me? I'm married! Not wanting to dwell on that at the moment, she focused on her parents.

"Very well," her mother said, cutting off John's reply. "But know that we are here for you should you need us... or a home to return to."

"Thank you!" Hermione felt tears of joy gather in her eyes. Her parents weren't pleased, but they wouldn't disown her at least. And Severus had held himself well throughout it all.

"I appreciate that," Severus said with a nod, extending a hand towards her father.

She watched her father as he looked at Severus' hand for a long moment before finally reaching out to accept it. It felt as though butterflies had taken flight in her stomach. It was official.

Her mother spoke again. "Now, let's have a cup of tea and talk about it all...where you will live, what will happen to that Malfoy man... Will he go to prison for his deed?"

"Tea sounds nice, Mum. Severus, let's sit."

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Severus Snape Alive!!

By Rita Skeeter

By putting in many hours of research, I have learnt that a man whom we'd all believed to be dead is in fact alive! Severus Snape, former Hogwarts Headmaster, former Potions professor, former Head of Slytherin, has been living in Malfoy Manor since his supposed demise. But the question is, dear readers, why has he been hiding from the public? I think there's more to this than I've been told, but I shall find out everything and pass it all on to you. A hero would normally want his just rewards! Why is this man hiding?

More late breaking news to come!

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The Evening Prophet fell from Hermione's fingers after she read Skeeter's article. "Severus! You've been found out!"

"What do you mean?" he asked, bending down to scoop up the paper. "Fuck!" he exclaimed. "I need to see Lucius."

"What for?"

"We'll need to get a story together before we go public about my return."

"I'm coming with you then," she said, not wanting to be left out.

He shook his head. "I think it would be best if I do this alone. I don't want any distractions, and if I can feel the loathing you hold for him radiating from you here, imagine what it will be like there. Besides," he continued with an eyebrow arched, "I want to discuss other things with him, things he'll not speak of if you are present."

She relented, remembering their plan. "Okay. You're right. I just..." A loud bang and the shaking of his home stemmed her flow of words. "What the hell was that?"

Severus strode over to the window and pulled the curtain aside. "Fucking hell! Have a look. They've certainly wasted no time at all!"

Hermione quickly joined him, and her jaw dropped. "Can they not see us?"

"No, my home is Secret-Kept. However, that obviously won't stop them from trying to oust us."

"It's not safe here then for either of us. We don't know if they mean you harm... or not."

"I doubt they are up for a friendly chat. Probably a band of anti-Death Eater extremists or something." He shook his head in annoyance. "I shall take Skeeter and ply her with the best poison I have."

"Where can we go?"

"The manor is probably experiencing much the same...idiots lining the grounds and attempting to get in or see something. So," he sighed, "we'll have to go to the home my grandfather left to me."

Trying not to let on that she was pleased with that, she asked, "And does nobody know where it is?"

"Not a chance. We'll have privacy there. Quickly, let's pack what we need and leave."

"I don't have much to pack. Most of my things are at Grimmauld Place."

"My mother's things are still here. Would you care to go through them and choose what you might want to use? I'd not object to having her things altered in any way." He shrugged. "We'll procure your personal items and clothes as soon as we can."

"Thank you, Severus. I'll do that. What else shall I gather? I know you'll not want to leave certain things behind."

"It's not like we won't be returning, Hermione."

"What if something happens to your house? Those berks might set the entire neighborhood on fire or something worse!"

"I see your point, but hopefully the wards will keep the home safe. I simply want to flee as a precaution for you... and to give us both peace of mind." He lifted a shoulder in surrender. "But we can pack some of the books, among other things."

"All right."

He reached out and touched her face softly. "I thank you for understanding."

She smiled. "I could do nothing but, Severus."

"There's a house-elf there. She can come back and get what we want to bring. Fair enough?"

Hermione nodded. "Okay." She hoped that the house-elf wouldn't mind having someone who appreciated the help in the Prince home. Kreacher hadn't taken well to the new people that had invaded Grimmauld Place at first. Would this elf be like him... or more like Dobby? She prayed it would be the latter.

And then the world stopped moving.

"What is it? You've gone pale."

"The paper..."

"Hermione?"

"It says that Ron is married...to that French woman. Lucius didn't fake those pictures, Severus. He truly was there, going round with her." She plopped down heavily in the nearest chair. "I'd thought that maybe it had all been lies Lucius had generated to get me to do this." A few tears escaped her eyes. "And I've been here beating myself up and feeling rotten because I'd married someone else without talking to him."

The future she'd planned for herself was well and truly gone. She'd known it, of course, but the full impact of that hit her like a ton of stones. Ron was married. And then the anger came.

She jumped up, sending Severus back a few paces, and began pacing the room furiously. "So! He went there, saw a woman he wanted, started ignoring my letters altogether, and married her! Without so much as a letter to say something to me! I'm going to hex his arse off when I see him! He..."

"Calm yourself," Severus said firmly. "We've more important matters to tend to at the moment."

Hermione rounded on him. "You can't know how this feels!"

"Can't I?" he snapped.

With narrowed eyes, she left the room to gather the things she wanted to pack, feeling that Severus couldn't fully understand what she was feeling at the moment. How could he really? She felt so many things that she thought she might explode: betrayed, guilty, saddened, relieved...

Hang on, she thought in surprise. Why do I feel relieved?

This puzzled her only momentarily, and then she knew the reasoning behind the emotion. He'd done it, too, married someone. He wouldn't be able to criticize her without admitting he'd done the same thing. And that wasn't all either. She was relieved that there was no baggage left to deal with. She could truly try to give her new marriage a chance and explore her new life now that she'd not have to deal with anyone throwing what she'd done to poor ickle Ronniekins in her face.

What would Harry say?

She knew that Harry wouldn't be angry with her. He might be shocked and disappointed, but he'd come around. He always had in the past. His support was a given. Besides, he'd want Snape to live. There were many things that she knew he'd like to talk to Snape about. With a smile, she opened the door to the small bedroom she'd been sleeping in. While putting all the things she wanted to bring with her near the door, she noticed, for the first time, a trunk in the corner. She'd thought it to be a table, as it had a cloth draped over it and had a few items on top. However, seeing the latches at the bottom near the floor from her new angle, there was no mistaking what it was.

Disguised purposely? Or just a lack of real furniture? she wondered.

Being the curious type of person that she was, she quickly went to investigate. It was locked and quite heavy. Pulling it towards the door with the other items was clearly out of the question, so she did the next best thing. She brought the things she'd placed there over to sit atop the trunk. She'd instruct the house-elf to bring it.

There was something about the trunk that intrigued her. Perhaps it was simply because it was hidden in plain sight or because she thought that Severus might have locked away much of his brilliance and past findings in there, but she wanted to open it and view the contents. Severus had been sleeping in a separate room, wanting to give her space for a couple of days while they adapted to married life, so she doubted that he'd have to get anything from the room, as he's moved the few things he used already. Therefore, he'd not know that she'd decided to bring the trunk.

"Good grief. Snooping in my husband's things? What's become of me?" she muttered aloud, feeling slightly nervous about the idea. Perhaps she shouldn't pry.

After a moment of indecision, she said, nodding firmly, "As far as I know, it's something important that he might need." Feeling better about her decision, she went to find Severus and help in the other parts of the house.

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Harry hugged Ginny tightly. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll only be gone for a few days...practice and the game. After we're done, I'll come straight back."

He nodded and smiled, wanting to say something that had been on his mind. "Ginny, about us..."

"I don't like that look in your eyes." The nervousness in her voice was unmistakable.

"No, it's nothing like that," he reassured her. "Your mum might be onto something. Maybe we shouldn't wait so long before the wedding."

"Look, you don't have to rush into something just because you're afraid something might change before then. We're not Ron and Hermione." She smiled softly. "There's no way I'll not show up to marry you."

"Same here." He kissed her then, ardently and lovingly. "But I want this, all right? As soon as we find Hermione and get this sorted out, I want to think about us and get things moving."

Ginny's hold on him tightened considerably. "You've just made me the happiest woman alive." With another kiss and a quick farewell, she entered the Floo and left him alone.

His smile immediately faded. Where the hell was Hermione? Kingsley had someone searching for Narcissa and Draco Malfoy in France, but if they were in a Secret-Kept home, they'd never be found. If it were up to Harry, he'd barge into Malfoy Manor again and force Malfoy to tell the truth. In the pit of his stomach, he feared that his friend had been killed for her silence. Had something gone wrong when they'd tried to bring Snape back to life?

Snape. Was he really alive? Excitement warred with dread. There was so much he wanted to ask the man, and yet, would their past hamper any attempt on Harry's part to make peace? What sort of man was Snape now that he was back from the dead...if it were true?

"It has to be true," he said to himself. "Malfoy wouldn't be stupid enough to lie about this, and Hermione took that bloody vow, so he wouldn't do anything to her. She can't say anything anyway."

In the onslaught of Kingsley's questions, he'd not been able to say much, for he truly wasn't in the know. He'd told the man what he could, but ultimately, it hadn't been much. On a whim, he decided to Apparate to Malfoy Manor once again...hidden beneath his Invisibility Cloak of course. Once there, he was shocked to find that groups of people were camped out in front of the gates and along the walls, all hoping for a chance to speak to Malfoy or see a glimpse of Snape.

He hated Rita Skeeter and had been appalled with the Prophet's edition the night before. Someone had leaked the information to the woman, and he'd make it his business to find out where she'd got her information. Or had she transformed into her Animagus form and spied? Either way, he'd learn the truth.

Stealthily, he made his way away from the crowds, following a well kempt path that followed the winding stone wall surrounding the estate. Tired of walking minutes later, he stopped to catch his breath, thinking, Whatever gave me the idea that I might find a way in is beyond me, when suddenly a portion of the wall seemed to move away from itself in the shape of a man, immediately changing to resemble the green grass and shrubbery.

Someone's Disillusioned and leaving the manor! He remained as still as possible, not wanting to alert the person to his presence. Who was it? A Malfoy? A family friend? And then he had his answer. When the crack of Disapparation sounded, the Disillusionment faltered momentarily, giving him a view of the back of Severus Snape.

Quickly whipping out his wand, he flicked it, muttering the new spell he'd learned that could enable him to trace the Disapparation, he took a deep breath. He had his answer then. Snape was alive, and wherever he was going, if Malfoy had told the truth, Hermione would be there as well. He followed the trace, trying to concentrate on Apparating as silently as possible. When he opened his eyes, he found himself alone on a deeply sloping hillside of green and yellow. Flowers and shrubs littered most of the landscape, aside from a dusty path.

This was definitely not Spinner's End. Snape and Hermione had to have moved to another place. Harry smirked, assuming they'd fled the noisy crowds trying to find Snape's home...unless Snape had another home and had been there all along, not knowing people had found out that he'd beaten death.

"Shite," he murmured, following the worn path, noting the fresh set of bootprints along the way. After he made his way up to the top of the hill, he saw a large home sprawled out in the valley below, smoke coming from the chimneys. Just as he took a step closer, the scene shimmered and disappeared completely, leaving nothing but endless trees and plant life for him to see.

"Fuck! Wards." He shook his head. Would it pay to try snooping about? Perhaps he should go get Ron. He'd promised to keep him informed of anything he found out. "No," he said, realizing he shouldn't include Ron in this. Things would be heated enough as it was. And to be perfectly honest, he didn't care that Ron had been tricked into feeling something for his wife. It seemed to Harry that he should have fought the curse harder. They'd practiced it many times. Part of Harry knew he was being unreasonable, but he supposed he was just biased where Hermione was concerned.

Decision made, he moved forward. He'd walk about and see if he could figure out the wards. If the place was Secret-Kept, he shouldn't have been able to see it at all. He'd have to figure that out as he went along. For now, just getting down to the point he'd seen the home was what he'd worry about.

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Lucius Malfoy bolted up from his bed and spun around, searching his room for something that wasn't there. His long locks were sweaty and matted. "Who's there?" he asked, voice cracking, the sound of his beating heart seemingly louder than his words.

The sun was shining through the open drapes, as it was still only late afternoon. He can't have been napping for all that long. He sighed in relief. A dream. That was all it had been.

"A bloody nightmare more like," he said, lifting his wand from the nightstand with trembling fingers. "Bozzy!"

Snap. "Yes, master?"

"Ready my dinner and make certain a bottle of port is open. I shall be down after a shower."

"Master is showering again?"

He glared at the elf until it disappeared to do his bidding. How dare he question me? Shaking his head, he made his way towards his adjoining bath, only to stop and gasp as he looked in the mirror. His Dark Mark was black and quite visible once again. Since the Dark Lord had been defeated by Potter, it had been quite faint, much like it had been during the quiet years when the boy had nearly destroyed him the first time. Worst of all, the snake moved slightly and hissed before... it began to burn.

"No... no... no... He's dead," he said in panic.

Horrified, he watched his other hand rise and inch ever closer to the Mark...wanting to answer the Summons with a mind of its own. He tried to force his arm away, but he'd lost control of his limbs. His heart renewed its pounding with fervent vigor. The sweat that had plastered his hair to his forehead and face began pouring from his pale skin. The mirror plainly showed the horror in his eyes.

How would he answer his Lord's questions about his lack of help in the final battle?

And then he heard the low hiss of a snake, looked down to see what the tightening feeling around his legs was, and screamed in terror. Nagini was sliding around his body with excruciating pressure, cracking the bones in his legs as she did so, winding her way up, eyes glinting and mouth open. It looked as though someone had sewed her head back onto her body.

"How is this possible?" he shouted to the darkness surrounding him.

"Luciusssss...."

For the second time in a matter of minutes, Lucius Malfoy woke up, panting and frightened. "What the...?" Frantically, he tore away the buttons from the wrist of his shirt and jerked his sleeve up to view his forearm. The Mark was still as faint as it had been before he'd decided to take a nap.

Swallowing thickly, he summoned his house-elf and asked for a stiff drink of scotch.

A/N: Sorry this took so long. I had a bit of trouble with this one. I know where the story is going, it's getting there that's taking a while. :)