77- Cohabitation

All recognizable characters and settings are property of the wonderful JKR. I'm just having a bit of fun playing with her toys.

Author's Note: It's been a long time coming again, I know. But, what with graduation and then bureaucratic red tape bullshite followed by my dreams and plans crashing down around me like a meteor shower, writing didn't come easy. This chapter got so long that it was decided that it would be better off as two, so here's the first one. Deep gratitude as always to Ladyofthemasque for beta skills and to SnivellusSnape for feedback. Rest assured, the next chapter should be up soon (as in, NOT months from now). Thanks as always to all you lovely people for reading and reviewing and emailing and keeping up with me via LJ. You rock. A lot. *nods* Enjoy!

Chapter 77- Cohabitation

Snape and Hermione exchanged a weary look, then they both grimaced as they spun, hastening through the dining room and kitchen and down to the lab.

"Mercy, I thought we'd never be alone! It's not too late for the potion to work, is it?" Hermione peered anxiously up at Snape.

"No. It's within 24 hours. We've several hours yet." At that, Snape's sober expression melted into a mischievous grin.

Hermione smirked back, but gestured impatiently for the potion just the same. "Yes, well, let me take care of this and then we can address more entertaining matters."

Snape obediently poured a dose into a cup and handed it to her. Hermione took it and resolutely knocked it back like a shot. Making a face at the bitter taste, she gasped, coughed, and said, "Does the longer lasting version taste this bad too?"

Snape snorted and said, "It tastes different, but quite likely not much better. I've certainly not tried it."

Hermione chuckled. "I guess not. So, how long does it take to brew the preventive version?"

"Without constant interruption?" They rolled their eyes. "The initial stage takes a couple of hours, but it has to sit for a few days. And once taken, it's good for three months. I can start it tonight, if you like."

Hermione nodded vehemently. "Please! As glad as I am that I have this..." and she tilted her head at the potion "...I'd rather not have to taste this every time we..." She trailed off, slanting a wicked glance at Snape, who sucked in a breath at the vivid desire in her eyes.

His voice was raspy as he said, "Understood."

Hermione darted forward and hugged him, laughing in delight. Stretching up, she kissed him soundly, pulling back and wrinkling her nose at Snape's gurgle of protest at the taste of the potion still on her tongue. "Told you!" Smiling fondly at him, she said, "Now, how about you start the new potion for me, and I'll go start putting our things away. And, when you're done here, we can finally take a shower!"

Snape snorted and backed out of her embrace. "Indeed. Sounds like an excellent plan, love. Go on; I'll come right up as soon as I'm done."

Hermione bounded toward the stairs, beaming at him. "I can't wait to make this home."

Blowing a kiss, she went upstairs, and Snape turned his focus on brewing.

Hermione stopped in the kitchen and opened all the cabinets and drawers, noting where things were located. In her head, she began a list of items she wanted to get to add to their utensils and staples. When she finished in the kitchen, she went through the dining room and into the living room, where she realized that her father must have been looking at the photo of her and Snape before dinner.

Smiling wistfully, she decided that she looked forward to being able to add to the room, making it more personal and less sterile. It was decorated comfortably enough, with nice furniture and colours, but except for that photo, it could have been anybody's living room. Peeking out the front windows, she also realized that they'd have to keep the curtains drawn on a regular basis, so no one could see the fireplace in use to Floo.

Adding to the mental list, she headed upstairs to sort through their baggage and put things where they belonged. Her lips spread in a smile when she entered the...their...bedroom. Humming softly to herself, she bent to the task of collecting the remaining clothing they had discarded the night before. Peeking into the bathroom, she saw a hamper in the nearest corner and deposited the clothes in it.

Looking back at the bedroom, she noticed the boxes and trunks stacked against the walls. Using a combination of wand work and plain, old-fashioned drudgery, she sorted clothes, hanging them in the closet or folding them and placing them in the bureau drawers. Personal toiletry items were whisked into the bathroom with a murmured spell and a smile, as Hermione recalled previous shower escapades that she very much looked forward to redoing.

When she was finished in the bedroom, she visited the other rooms upstairs, noting which one would be the study/office...she paused long enough to scribble her half-formed list...and which would be the guest room, and ended up beneath the entrance to the attic. Flashing another tender smile at her memories, she pulled the stairs down and climbed into the darkened space that still smelt of dust and times gone by. Body half-in and half-out, she lit her wand and gazed down at the cushions she had transfigured, still lying on the floor where she and Snape had loved each other, creating new associations to bury his past.

Her activities had whiled away the hours, and when Snape trekked up from the lab, he wondered at the quiet stillness pervading the house. A busy Hermione should leave a trailing buzz of energy, so Snape climbed the stairs with a puzzled frown, until he saw her half-swallowed by the attic entrance.

With a gentle touch, he slid his hands over her calves, travelling up her legs as he stepped onto the stairs below her.

Hermione jumped, startled from her reverie, and smiled down at Snape. "You're done?"

Snape nodded, backing away to let her descend. "Yes. Now, didn't you say something about a long-awaited shower?"

Hermione hopped off the third step, beaming at him. "Indeed!" Then, slanting an impish glance up at him, she said, "Last one there has to wash the other!"

With a shriek of laughter, she tore off down the hallway, Snape hot on her heels. However, she went straight to the bedroom and into the bathroom from there, only to stop short at seeing Snape leaning against a door, eyeing her with a smug smirk.

Her mouth dropped open and she said, "That's not fair! You Apparated, didn't you?"

Her accusing glare made Snape snort. "I did nothing of the sort. I simply used the closest entrance..." He stepped aside and gestured to the door that led from the bathroom to the hallway. "You may not have noticed it yet, but there are two doors. This one allows others to use the facilities without having to enter our bedroom."

Hermione scowled, pursing her lips in pique. If I had put the toiletries in here myself, I might have noticed that. That door was always closed when he gave the tour through the house. I thought it was a closet or something...

Snape's smirk spread into a predatory grin and he said, "So, what was that you said? Last one here has to wash the other? That, my dear, sounds like a prize, not a punishment."

With that, he crossed to her, one hand moving to cup her cheek as he bent to kiss her and the other flicking his wand at the taps to start the water running. Laying his wand on the counter, he brought that hand to join the other as it slid along the base of her skull and up through her hair. Her appreciative noises were muffled by his mouth.

Trailing back to her ear, he murmured, "I daresay bathing each other is hardly a chore. If I recall correctly, we quite enjoyed it before."

Hermione's response was a breathy moan and a burst of activity as she began pulling at his clothes.

Chuckling, Snape backed away and took over, letting her take her own clothes off while he undressed. Steam wafted along the ceiling as they stripped, and Snape crossed to the bath to test the water. A sigh of satisfaction echoed off the tiles and he turned the lever to go from tub to shower spray. Beckoning to Hermione, he stepped in.

Hermione watched him hungrily, gaze roving over his lean body, pausing again and again at his partial erection. A tingle chased through her and she thought, Thank the gods for that potion...

She joined him, noting that the tub was smaller than the one she had at Hogwarts. I wonder if we could enlarge it with magic. Unless we have Muggles over who don't know about the wizarding world, it shouldn't be a problem.

Snape edged to one side, moving back as she moved forward under the water. Hermione soaked her hair and body, wiping water from her eyes as she turned around. Snape was simply standing there, dripping wet, watching her with an air of expectation.

Blinking, she said, "What?"

With a smirk, he retorted, "I'm just waiting to be bathed, as per your stipulation."

Rolling her eyes and grimacing at him, she reached for the gel and net sponge, sudsing it before stepping forward to wash him. She started out in a perfunctory manner, but the crackling heat in his eyes as he watched her every move, coupled with his blissful sighs, soon changed her ministrations from businesslike to gentle and sensual.

Once his torso and arms were thoroughly foamed, she discarded the sponge in favour of rubbing her hands over his skin. His low rumble of approval made her smile, and she stepped even closer, pressing her body against his and sliding around, her nipples hardening as they dragged over his chest. When she felt his erection bouncing against her belly, her grin widened, and she backed away, slipping her sudsy hands down to his groin and stroking along his cock.

Snape's head rolled back and his eyes closed, a guttural moan bubbling up from his throat. His hands clenched into fists and he fought against thrusting into her grip. Hermione continued squeezing and stroking, watching his expressions of pleasure. She could feel his legs begin to tremble, and she didn't want him to collapse, so she slowly released his cock and guided him to turn around.

Snape had steadied himself with a hand on the wall, wishing the curtain were just as sturdy on the other side. At her direction, he spun in front of her, trying to steady his breathing too as she once again picked up the sponge and washed his back. This time, when she pressed herself against him, he leant back, welcoming the support.

Hermione backed away, quickly rinsing before tugging him back under the spray and ducking around in front of him. His eyes were half-closed, and she grinned at his dazed expression.

Snape saw her triumphant grin and snorted faintly. "Hmm, yes, I definitely won, didn't I?"

Hermione giggled. "So shall I wash myself, then?"

Snape shook his head vehemently. "Indeed not. I claim part of the prize to be not that I have to bathe you, but that I get to!"

With that, he grabbed the shampoo and closed the distance between them, his hands massaging the suds through her sodden curls as he leant down and kissed her. When her hair was completely coated, he poured the shower gel into his palm and slowly glided over her breasts, circling her nipples before smoothing down her belly and out over her hips. He avoided her mound for the moment, turning her to face away from him so he could continue his slippery caresses over her back, squeezing her arse cheeks as he dipped lower.

Lifting first one hand, then the other, to rinse them, he pulled her against his body, his cock sliding along her soapy back. Then, he reached around and cupped her mound with one hand, eliciting a gasp and a moan. Tracing his fingertips along her cleft, he felt the slickness that wasn't from shower gel, and dipped in, circling her clit.

Suddenly, Hermione wanted nothing more than to be rinsed, so she could drag Snape to bed and climb him like a tree, but his grip was firm, and the delicious sensations he was inciting kept her melted against him.

Snape's cock gave another decided throb, and he spun, taking Hermione with him so he could rinse her hair and body. When all the bubbles were gone, and her hair squeaked beneath his fingers, he leant back and grabbed the conditioner, massaging it through her hair to the accompaniment of her contented coos. He remembered that she left the conditioner in for a while, so he urged her back to the middle of the tub and turned her back to the wall, pressing her to lean against it. Snaking a hand up, he angled the spray further away from them and dropped to his knees, guiding her to lift one foot and prop it on the tub edge under the curtain.

Hermione, floating along on a blissful cloud, peered down at Snape and gasped at the lascivious intent in his eyes, spreading his lips in a wicked grin. Snape leant forward, his hands sliding along her thighs, then angled himself so his shoulder was under her lifted leg. Dragging his fingers along her slick lips, he spread her open, ducking in and flicking his tongue over her clit.

Hermione nearly choked on her hastily indrawn breath, one hand scrabbling against the tiles and the other tangling in his drenched hair. Her quavering moans echoed in her ears as Snape laved and suckled, periodically surfacing enough to wipe water from his eyes. After a few minutes, he backed away, carefully helping her set her foot back in the tub before shoving to his feet.

Blinking at him, incredulous, Hermione submitted to more of his manhandling as he manoeuvred her under the adjusted spray again, allowing him to rinse the conditioner from her hair. When she was clean, she finally turned to Snape and murmured, "Are you quite done yet? I definitely have other ideas about what we could be doing..."

Snape sucked in a breath and a deep rumble sounded in his throat. Pulling her against him, he lowered his lips to her ear and whispered, "Let me guess, you want me... inside you."

Hermione purred back and breathed, "More than anything."

Snape spun them again, guiding her to stretch her arms forward and support herself against the back wall. Again, he lifted her leg, propping her foot on the tub, sliding his hand up her thigh and caressing her swollen pussy lips. Then, creeping forward, he bent his knees and tilted his hips, dragging his erection along her cleft.

Hermione gasped in comprehension, and her voice was ragged with need as she said, "Yes, Severus..."

Snape pressed forward, delving a couple of inches on the first stroke, a fierce groan pouring from him at the exquisite heat of her around his cock. Hermione keened, shoving backward, urging him deeper.

The fact that he needed to keep his knees bent kept him from thrusting so deeply that Hermione was uncomfortable, and he wrapped one arm around her middle, the other hand splayed against the side wall. Hermione kept one hand on the back wall but dropped the other to play with her clit while Snape plunged into her, bringing her to her tiptoes.

It didn't take long for her to reach her peak when she began touching herself, and she shrieked with pleasure, shuddering in Snape's grasp. His legs were shaking with the strain, but when he felt her squeezing around his cock, he thrust savagely, panting as his orgasm gripped him, leaving him convulsing around Hermione.

In the moment after their climax, Snape staggered back, disengaging from her and collapsing into the tub, breathing heavily. Hermione dropped her foot to the tub and let her knees buckle, sliding down the side wall to crouch in front of Snape, gasping for air. It was then that they realized that the water was no longer hot, but had run cold, having used up all that was in the Muggle hot water heater.

Shivering under the spray, Snape reached out and turned off the taps. A muttered "Accio wand" had his wand sailing from the counter to his hand, and he quickly cast a few warming charms over their goose-pimpled skin.

Hermione squirmed around in the cramped space and met Snape's dazed look with her own. "Well. That was unexpected."

Snape nodded slowly. "Very." Then, after a beat, he added, "We need a bigger water heater."

A bark of laughter escaped Hermione, and she added, "And a bigger tub!"

Snape blinked at their awkward positions and nodded again. "I'll look into it." Then, taking a deep breath, he exhaled gustily and said, "Think you can stand?"

Hermione tilted her head in consideration and said, "I think so. Can you?"

Snape rolled his eyes and snorted. "I'm about to find out. I've had enough of sitting in cold water." With that, he gripped the edge of the tub, curled his legs under him, and shoved to his feet, bracing his other hand against the wall. After a pause, he shot a faintly surprised look at Hermione and said, "And we have our answer."

Hermione sniggered and followed suit, pushing the curtain open and reaching for a towel. She handed it to Snape, then grabbed another, drying her face before wrapping it around her body. Snape half-heartedly buffed his towel over his hair before giving up and leaning against the wall as he passed it over his torso, ending by slinging it around his waist and casting a drying spell at his tousled locks.

When Hermione entered the bedroom, she saw the potion bottle on the nightstand. Smirking, she crossed to it, flopped on the edge of the bed, and eyed Snape with a mischievous grin. "So, shall I take this now, or have you anything else in mind before turning in?"

Snape, still trying to mask the residual trembling in his legs, shot her a quelling look as he rounded the foot of the bed, dropping onto the opposite side. "I'm not 18, Miss Impudence..."

Hermione laughed, pleased to have bested him, and stripped off her towel to shroud her hair in it instead. Snape, in the meantime, had doffed his towel and stretched out on the bed beside her. His relieved sigh of satisfaction was closely followed by a yawn.

Hermione twisted to look at him. "Tired?"

Sighing again, Snape said, "It's been a trying day. We may have slept late today, but the roller coaster of events was rather wearying. Besides, that latest antic made me want to simply curl up behind you and bask, thank you very much."

Hermione couldn't help but smile at his patent compliment. Climbing into bed beside him, she shoved her head-towel back more securely and snuggled along his side, resting her chin on his chest to beam at him.

Snape eyed the towering bundle of terry-cloth above her head warily but immediately wrapped one arm around her shoulders, caressing her.

"Then I daresay I should take my dose of potion and settle in..." She trailed off, and Snape nodded sheepishly in confirmation. Chuckling, she squirmed off him and strode into the bathroom with the potion.

Snape heard her disgusted gurgle followed by the tap running as she filled a cup with water to chase the potion down. Then, unmistakable sounds of her brushing her teeth ensued. When she came back out again, she had discarded the towel, and she crossed to the bed with a tender smile.

Joining Snape again and lying beside him with her head on his bicep and one leg flung over his, she murmured, "I know what you mean about it being a trying day. I don't think I've ever been so mortified in my life! Coming down in just your shirt and finding Minerva of all people sitting there with you..."

Snape snorted, squeezing her in sympathy. "How do you think I felt when I opened the door with my trousers half-off?"

Hermione's head shot up and she stared at him in shock. "What?"

Snape rolled his eyes and muttered, "I woke up to the knocking and thought it was just a busybody neighbour, so I pulled on my trousers, but I hadn't buttoned them all the way. I thought the shock might put them off disturbing us...I had no idea it was Minerva!"

Hermione was bug-eyed with surprise, but after a beat, she collapsed into laughter. At Snape's acid look, she said, "Oh, dear heart, surely you can see how funny it all is?"

Her giggles continued, and finally Snape allowed them to crack his disapproving demeanour. One corner of his mouth quirked up and a devilish gleam surfaced in his eyes as he said, "Well, she did laugh after you had gone back up and I told her that if she didn't want to be privy to our private details, she should have bloody well stayed home!"

Snorting, Hermione said, "Indeed!" Then, she settled alongside him again, her laughter fading away. In the silence that followed, she whispered, "I'm kind of glad she came...and my parents...since it means we have more people on our side for Monday."

Snape's amused expression slid off his face, to be replaced by one of trepidation. Although he kept reassuring Hermione, realizing that, in less than 36 hours, he'd be facing the Wizengamot did have him worried. He expected a fine, and didn't really think he'd be sent to Azkaban, but what if they fined him more than he could afford? It certainly wouldn't be an auspicious start to their life together if he couldn't support them and lost the very house he had just spent so much on improving!

"I'm more interested in what your plans are for Monday, since you insist on coming to the inquest, and your father has offered to shop with you. Where are you supposed to be Monday, and will you be setting people on their ears if you skive off?"

Hermione huffed and squirmed up enough to douse the lights. "According to the contract and letter I got from Audrey, I will have an office on the same level as International Magical Cooperation offices. They've supposedly cleared out a wing for me to fill with my own staff once I get everything set up." She settled again, cuddling with him in the dark. "And I say that part of getting my new department set up requires me to go get a computer! So, if anyone has a problem with me going to the inquest, they can sod off! And, if they take issue with me going out and about that afternoon, I'll be quite happy to tell them that they have no authority over me and to please keep their noses in their own business!"

Snape snorted at her vehemence. "Well, you certainly don't seem to care about being popular while you're there!"

Hermione shrugged and said, "I've never been popular, so why start now? If they think I'm the best one for this job, then I'll bloody well do it on my terms or not at all."

Snape grinned, squeezing her close and kissing her damp hair. "Mmm, I'm glad you're on my side, my dear."

Chuckling, Hermione hugged him back and said, "Always, love." She was ambushed by a yawn. "Oh! Excuse me. Reckon you're not the only one worn out..."

Sighing in contentment, and in an attempt to rid himself of his building anxiety, Snape murmured, "Sleep, dear heart. And sweet dreams."

Hermione cooed happily and whispered, "I'll dream of us then, since nothing could be sweeter."

Snape rumbled agreement, and they quieted enough to drift off.

****** ******

Snape woke the next morning, disconcerted enough by his dreams that he didn't immediately open his eyes or stir, taking time instead to review his dreams and compare them with his memories.

His worries had plainly informed his nightmares, and he had seen varying scenarios play out in the Wizengamot in which Hermione was taken from him and he was sentenced to Azkaban...sometimes involving the actual Wizengamot and his colleagues, sometimes involving the Dark Lord and Death Eaters, and sometimes involving his dead parents and Hermione's friends.

It had been almost two decades since he had last been tried by the wizarding authority, and Dumbledore had been his sole saviour then. He had the same ally this time, and Albus was even more formidable and venerated by this point, so that could only be to the good. Plus, he had others on his side this time, which should be even more positive, right? At least this time, he didn't expect the chains in the centre chair to activate. Those were for violent criminals now that the war was over...he quailed inwardly at the memory of those cold links slithering around his wrists.

The haunting sensation made him want to run. Finally opening his eyes, he turned his head to see Hermione asleep beside him, and his panicked pulse slowed.

Glancing about the room, he saw sunlight filtering in past the curtains, and heard nothing untoward in the house this morning. Even though he had dreamt some bothersome things, at least he wasn't waking up to the sound of someone insisting on intruding upon their privacy!

Easing away from Hermione, he carefully got out of bed and crossed to the bathroom. After using the facilities, he peered at his reflection and noticed that his hair was quite lank after not washing the pomade out of it from two days ago. At his recollection of why he hadn't got around to washing his hair in the shower the night before, a smug smirk quirked his lips.

Peeking back out at Hermione still asleep, he decided to go ahead and shower again, this time without delightful distractions!

The sound of the water running filtered out to Hermione, drawing her from her slumber. Lazily opening her eyes, she stretched and yawned, smiling at the twinges in her muscles from their romp in the shower. However, the involuntary clenching in her core made her realize that she had to use the loo. Rolling out of bed, she dithered for a moment, grimacing at the thought of using the toilet while Snape was showering. Then she remembered the W.C. under the stairs. Glancing about for something to wear, she noticed that the sound of the water wasn't helping matters, and she rolled her eyes in disgust.

Who cares if you're wearing anything or not? No one else is here! Get used to being able to run around starkers in your own house...

Giggling at herself, and feeling greatly daring, she dashed down the stairs to the toilet. Sighing in relief, she automatically flushed before gasping in horror that she had done so while Snape was still bathing. Bursting out of the loo, she heard Snape's strangled oath from above. She pelted up the stairs and into the bathroom, crying, "Severus, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to..."

Snape, plastered against the back wall while he waited for the scalding water to return to a reasonable temperature, opened the curtain and glared at Hermione with a mixture of annoyance and rueful amusement. That she was completely naked registered after a moment, turning his expression to one more appreciative.

"Are you all right? I'm so sorry. I know better than to do that, but it just happened out of habit. Did you get burned?"

Snape snorted, tossing his dripping hair out of his face. "Not really. I heard and felt the pressure change and ducked away just as it went straight hot. Fortunately, I remember how the plumbing works." He looked back at the spray as the pressure shifted again, and reached out to test the water temperature. "There. Did you hear it? It's back to normal now."

Blushing with mortification and repentance, Hermione nodded. "Yes. Sorry."

Snape slanted a half-smile at her and said, "No harm done, love. Just another bump on our path to togetherness." She responded with a sheepish smile and he continued, "I won't be much longer. Shall I meet you downstairs for breakfast?"

Hermione nodded again. "I'll start the tea."

Snape closed the curtain again as Hermione crossed to the closet to retrieve her bathrobe before heading down to the kitchen.

They were enjoying a peaceful repast when they heard a commotion at the kitchen window. Jumping up, they saw that it was Pigwidgeon again and hurried to let the owl in. Arrowing to the dining table, he knocked over the closed jar of marmalade with the Prophet secured around his neck.

Hermione steadied the tiny owl while Snape removed the paper, opening the note tied onto it. While Hermione offered Pig some toast, Snape read the note aloud.

"It's from Ginny...

Hermione and Professor Snape,

Ginny"

Snape and Hermione exchanged a dark look and whipped open the paper, staring at the garish headline Scandal at Hogwarts: Are Your Children Safe from Predator Professors?

Snape's lip curled in a snarl and Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth as she gasped in horrified indignation.

"Colour me not surprised." Snape's eyes narrowed as he read through the article denouncing him and painting Hermione as a victim, complete with lurid assumptions and righteous condemnation.

Hermione's eyes were bright with unshed tears of shock and anger. When she came to the end of the article, she burst out with, "For Merlin's sake! You'd think I was a bloody infant, the way they go on about me. Clearly, I am not a little girl, or a victim, or I wouldn't be leading the Ministry's newest department!"

Snape pulled her to him, soothing her as he flung the offending paper across the table. "We'll make sure the truth comes out, love. I promise."

Pigwidgeon was tottering along the dining table, waiting for instructions. Snape picked up the note and scrawled a simple, "Thanks" on the back, tying it back on the owl and sending him on his way.

Hermione was in her chair again, fuming over the biased piece. Snape dropped to his seat and covered her clenched fist with his hand. "Well, considering what we're likely to encounter if we go to Diagon Alley or any other wizarding establishment, I daresay it would be better to go to a Muggle market for groceries."

Hermione nodded at him with a mournful look, then reverted to her seething scowl. "No doubt." Huffing, she pushed to her feet and said, "Let's get going then. The longer we stay here, the more I want to storm off to set those ignorant wankers straight."

Snape quirked an eyebrow at her vehemence but joined her in her trek upstairs.

They spent the day meandering through various markets and retail stores, picking up not only foodstuffs, but also utensils and decorative items for the house, trying to keep their minds off the coming ordeal. Hermione made note of a few computer places to go back to with her father the next afternoon, but didn't bother with looking just yet.

That evening, being Sunday, Hermione attempted to cook Snape's favourite meal of baked chicken, fried potatoes, and green beans...which was moderately successful. Although her mother had been quite willing to give Hermione instructions on how to cook the meal, the old gas oven in Spinner's End clearly had its own personality, and it would take a bit of trial and error to suss out its quirks.

When Hermione had Flooed to her parents' house and asked for recipes and instructions, she apprised her father of her preliminary reconnaissance and explained how they were to Floo to the Ministry the next morning. After dinner, they were surprised to see a letter shoot out of the Floo, skittering across the living room floor.

Frowning in suspicion, Snape Summoned the letter and kept it floating before him while he examined it. "It's from Fern."

Quickly snatching the hovering missive, he opened it and skimmed it at top speed. Once through, he exhaled in relief and returned to the top, reading aloud to Hermione.

"Dear Severus,

But, I also want you to know that I really felt good vibes from you when we met...call it a 'sixth sense' if you like...so I have faith that you are being unjustly maligned. In the meantime, I am still expecting your first stock of potions as ordered. Vial and Vessel may be new on the scene, but I'm sure the quality of our products will be high enough that people won't care to delve into who made them.

Fern"

Hermione blinked several times. In the silence that followed Snape's recital of the letter, they exchanged anxious looks. Finally, Hermione said, "Well, at least she thinks you're a good guy..."

Snape snorted and tossed his head, folding the letter again. "Regardless of whether I'm found guilty or not, society will still look down on me. I've got that whole unsavoury Death Eater history, remember? I told Fern that it would be best to keep my name as secret as possible in relation to Vial and Vessel. This just adds another reason why that's a good idea."

Hermione nodded, her expression morose. Trying vainly to keep the tremor out of her voice, she said, "Well, if you have stock to get to Fern, do you need to do any work tonight?"

Snape heaved a disgruntled sigh and said, "I should." He reached over to cover her hand with his and continued, "But I don't want to leave you alone."

Hermione smiled and snorted. "I have plenty to keep myself busy, dear heart. I start my new job tomorrow, remember?"

Snape cast a half-smile at her and patted her hand. "Fair enough. Then let's both get working on our futures, right?"

They stood, and Hermione kissed him before she headed upstairs to the office and he went down to his lab.

Later that night, when they finally crawled into bed together, they found themselves clinging to each other like lifeboats, hoping to stay afloat in the sea of uncertainty before them. Their lovemaking was more about tenderness, comfort, and reassurance than anything else. Hearts heavy with trepidation, they set the alarm and fell asleep wrapped in each other's embrace.

The next morning was rife with tension and futile attempts to ignore said tension. Just as they were finishing breakfast...well, a pretence of breakfast, as neither could eat much...the Floo flashed green and Dumbledore's voice was heard calling, "Severus?"

Snape shot to his feet and sped into the living room to see Dumbledore's head floating in the green flames. "Albus?"

"Good morning, Severus. Are you almost ready?"

Hermione sidled into the room and gripped Snape's arm. "Hello, Professor."

"Ah, Hermione, good morning. I was just asking if Severus was ready to head to the Ministry."

Snape looked down at Hermione and she said, "I just need to get my bag."

As she hastened up the stairs, Dumbledore said in a low voice, "I've already been to the Ministry. There's quite a crowd gathered already, what with that Prophet article yesterday." He wrinkled his nose in distaste. "I've also already spoken with Arthur Weasley, and he has agreed to accompany me in escorting you through the mob." He paused again and then coughed delicately. "Are you sure it's a good idea for Hermione to come with you?"

Snape rolled his eyes and snorted, "You try and stop her. I'd rather stay unhexed." Dumbledore chuckled and Snape said, "She's determined to show a united front, Albus. Besides, we're not about to hide from the world."

Dumbledore nodded, and Hermione came trotting back downstairs, her new briefcase under her arm as she straightened her work robes. "I'm ready. Are we Flooing straight to the Ministry then?"

"Yes. If you'll wait just a moment, I'll go from here and just wait for you there."

"Thank you, Albus." Snape nodded and Dumbledore flashed them an encouraging smile before disappearing from the flames. Turning to Hermione, Snape said, "He said there was a crowd already gathered. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Hermione pinned him with a fierce look and muttered through clenched teeth, "I'm going with you."

Snape recoiled at her vehemence and murmured, "All right, all right. Let's go, then." He tossed a pinch of powder into the Floo and said, "Ministry of Magic."

Hermione squeezed his hand before they stepped up to the hearth and he looked down at her. Locking eyes with him, she said, "I love you, Severus."

Snape's chest tightened with warmth and he smiled faintly. "I love you, Hermione."

Then, one after another, they stepped into the flames and spun their way to the Ministry.

When they emerged in the Ministry, they saw a sea of bodies milling about, and as soon as one of the crowd saw Snape, a roar went up and the throng pressed toward them ominously. Immediately, Snape and Hermione had their wands up and Shield Charms cast, keeping the mob at bay.

Snape scrabbled to push Hermione behind him for protection, but Hermione fought her way to his side, glaring defiantly at the noisy mass of wizards and witches. They looked around vainly, trying to see anyone they knew, and finally they were rewarded with the sight of the crowd parting to allow Dumbledore and Arthur through.

When the two men reached them, they dropped their Shield Charms and let the older men shepherd them through to join the rest of their group. Near the lifts, looking overwhelmed yet determined, stood the Grangers, McGonagall, Ron, Ginny, Molly, Fred, George, Harry, and, to their surprise, Neville, Augusta Longbottom, Parvati, and Millicent Bulstrode.

Pausing by them, Dumbledore said, "Arthur and I must take Severus to the courtroom. You may follow later; I'm sure they'll open it to the public soon."

Snape barely had time to nod at everyone in greeting and thanks before Dumbledore and Arthur gripped one arm each and marched him into a waiting lift. Hermione watched them go with anxious eyes, clutching her briefcase in a white-knuckled grip.

The Grangers stepped behind her and offered supportive arms around her back. Sagging into her parents' comforting embrace, Hermione closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. After a beat, she spun and flashed them a watery smile. "Thanks, Mum, Dad. I daresay I should put in an appearance in my new office before it's time to go down for the inquest."

She stepped past her parents and nodded gratefully to the rest of the group assembled on their side. "I just want to thank you all for coming. Severus and I appreciate you being here."

There was a general murmur in response, and she noticed that Molly was looking extremely agitated, Harry was sullenly staring off to one side, and Millicent was shifting her weight, her arms wrapped around herself as she awkwardly stood apart from the others. Hermione directed an appealing look at Molly, sighed as she tried to catch Harry's eye, and then crossed to Millicent, who looked up at her with a morose expression.

"It's such a pleasant surprise to see you here, Millicent. Severus would be proud and pleased. Thank you." She extended her hand and Millicent gingerly shook it, shrugging even as her cheeks flushed.

"People aren't always what they seem. People change." She ducked her head and hugged herself again, flicking a glance at the others.

Neville, one corner of his mouth quirking up in approval, said, "Well said, Millicent."

Millicent flushed and offered a tight smile, then looked down again as Hermione stepped away.

"I have to go to my office, but I'll be back to join you for the inquest. Not much longer, now." Hermione backed toward the lifts, darkly eyeing the gawking crowd that shuffled and shifted like a many-footed entity. Relieved to be rid of them, she took a lift to the floor of her new department.

As the hour drew nearer, the waiting crowd pushed forward to the lifts, cramming into them in their zeal to get down to the trial. The motley group on Snape's side sidled into a lift of their own and huddled closer as they waited outside the courtroom for the doors to open.

Finally, a Ministry official threw the doors wide, and the mob surged forward. Following close on their heels, Ginny realized that Ron wasn't moving, so she paused and spun to look at him.

"Ron, come on! You don't want to get shut out, do you?"

Ron frowned and waved a hand at her. "Go on. Save me a seat. I'm not going in until Hermione gets here."

Chewing her lip while she dithered, Ginny said, "Fine. But don't be long. I don't know how well we can fend off this rabid horde."

Ron flashed her a lopsided smile. "I'm sure the Weasley clan can manage to hold a seat or two. I'm not sure where Hermione will sit, so grab one for her too."

Ginny nodded and dashed into the courtroom.

Barely a minute remained when Hermione burst out of a lift, pelting toward Ron. "Don't let them shut the doors yet!"

Ron sprinted forward and bodily held the door open until she got through, glaring at the official who was scowling at him, waiting for him to move so he could shut the doors and begin the proceedings. They paused just inside the threshold and peered around, finally seeing Ginny waving frantically at them from a section near the floor. Ron and Hermione jogged down the steps and hurriedly pressed through the row to take their seats between Ginny and the twins.

As soon as she was seated, Hermione looked at the courtroom. Her heart pounded when she saw Snape standing by the single chair in the centre of the floor. His expression was one of calm disdain, but she could tell by the tightness of his muscles and the twitching of his jaw that he was nervous. His eyes kept flicking down to the chains wrapped around the arms of the chair.

The members of the Wizengamot, all bearing the plum robes of their station, were arrayed in one section of the inclined seating. Dumbledore was standing near the Interrogator, and he and the cross-looking man were having an intense whispered conversation. Finally, Dumbledore backed away to stand on the other side of the central chair, and the Interrogator scowled at Snape before banging his gavel.

"Severus Snape, be seated. You have been called here to answer to the charges of inappropriate fraternization with a student, lewd and lascivious behaviour, and breaching the trust given unto you by the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Snape sat in the chair, limbs coiled as if ready to spring up immediately, but after a moment in which the chains did not move, he relaxed and turned his attention to the Interrogator, who spoke again.

"Let the record show that I, Eustace Ross Conroy, am serving as Interrogator of the accused, one Severus Donovan Snape, who shall be defended by Chief Warlock Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

The Court Scribe further down the row was writing furiously. During the pause after his statement, a murmur rippled over the assembled spectators, and Hermione glanced around at the mass of people. Her gaze stopped on a witch with unnaturally bright red finger waves who was also scribbling intently. Unbelievable! I get rid of that horrid Skeeter woman only to have Orly Yarly from Witch Weekly's gossip column show up? Who knows how she'll twist all this?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Conroy's voice, dripping with ill-concealed frustration and ire.

"I have just been informed that the court's planned use of Veritaserum would be of little use, as Mr. Dumbledore has explained that your mastery of Occlumency would render the potion meaningless."

Snape's brow furrowed even as he shot a glance at Dumbledore, who merely nodded serenely at the Interrogator's summation. Then, to everyone's surprise, Dumbledore said, "If it would please the court, I volunteer to submit to Veritaserum, as I, while an accomplished Legilimens, am nowhere near as expert an Occlumens as Mr. Snape. Considering that I shall be assisting in his defence, and I am privy to pertinent details, if the Wizengamot feels that Veritaserum is desirable, I offer to be the subject."

Gasps and shocked mutterings eddied around the assembled court, and Hermione felt Ginny gripping her hand in acknowledgement of the momentous nature of Dumbledore's offer. Up on the front bench, several Wizengamot officials exchanged furtive murmurs, ending with a brusque whispered conference with Conroy, who glared daggers at both Snape and Dumbledore.

Speaking through a jaw tight with suppressed anger, Conroy said, "At this time, that will not be necessary. However, the court reserves the right to take such action if it deems fit."

Dumbledore inclined his head again, smiling pleasantly. Snape remained silent, back straight and chin up, both hands resting on the arms of the chair, watching Conroy and the rest of the Wizengamot. He studiously avoided searching for Hermione, even though their connection buzzed, informing him of where she was seated.

Conroy cleared his throat and began, "Severus Snape, due to your actions during the performance at Hogwarts' Leaving Feast, it has come to the court's attention that you are intimately involved with one of your students. How do you plead?"

Snape levelled a sharp glare at the Interrogator and uttered a clipped, "Not guilty."

A burst of scandalized chatter surged forth at his reply, quickly subdued by a crack of the gavel.

Eyes narrowed, Conroy said, "Did you or did you not propose marriage to Miss Hermione Jane Granger Friday night during the performance of 'Point of No Return'?"

Snape smiled with pride. "Yes, I did." Another rumble of shock followed, after which Snape added, a smug smirk quirking his lips, "Which she accepted."

Every spectator, and most of the Wizengamot, turned to look at Hermione, who nearly cringed at the weight of such avid interest. Ginny squeezed her hand again, and Ron leant forward, glaring fiercely around at the gawking crowd.

Conroy barked, "If Miss Granger accepted your proposal, then surely it was not a complete surprise."

Snape chuckled and said, "Oh, I daresay it was surprise enough for everyone, including her."

Volume rising in exasperation, Conroy said, "I meant that you two had clearly been in a relationship of the sort that you felt you could propose!"

At that, Snape's smile disappeared and he looked straight at Conroy, all seriousness as he said, "It was the most logical next step in expressing how much I love her. I am merely fortunate enough that she accepted."

"Which is evidenced by the ring with which Severus proposed to her," added Dumbledore.

Conroy frowned in puzzlement. "What?"

Dumbledore stepped forward and said, "Severus had the ring made with multiple enchantments, including a betrothal charm and an anti-theft charm woven in with the standard sizing spells. The very fact that the ring fits is a testimony to the fact that Miss Granger fully and knowingly accepted all ramifications of his proposal."

Conroy was speechless for a beat, then he burst out with, "You say you love her, and yet you plead not guilty to being intimately involved with her?"

Snape shook his head and lifted a finger. "I said I was not guilty of being intimately involved with a student. Miss Granger is no longer a student, nor was she at the time I proposed. For that matter, I was not a professor at that time either. If one part of a statement is untrue then the whole is untrue."

Conroy pursed his lips and exhaled heavily through his nose, his face reddening. "Very well then, Mr. Snape, if you wish to play this game... When did your relationship with Miss Granger begin?"

"September first, 1991."

Conroy wasn't the only one to squint at Snape in confusion. Dumbledore, twinkling maddeningly, added, "That was the first day of term of Miss Granger's first year at Hogwarts."

Conroy clenched his hands into fists as he bit out, "I meant when did your intimate relationship begin!"

Snape looked at Dumbledore thoughtfully and said, "When was that first meeting you set for us, Albus?"

Dumbledore tapped his lips with his finger and said, "I do believe it was early November, since the casting was at the start of that month."

Snape turned back to Conroy and said, "There you have it."

"What do you mean, 'that first meeting you set for us'?" He looked at Snape and then at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore nodded cheerfully. "Oh, once they had been cast, I knew they needed to form a trusting relationship to be able to work together and perform. So, I set them a meeting to discuss the play and their roles."

Snape piped up, "We really should thank the Ministry for forcing us to perform in this competition. Without it, Miss Granger and I would never have had the chance to get to know each other outside of the classroom."

The hubbub that followed that cheeky pronouncement took several moments to subside.

Conroy looked nearly apoplectic, and his voice sounded strangled as he said, "I see that we shall get no straight answers from you..."

Dumbledore interceded, saying, "On the contrary, ask direct questions and you'll get direct answers." Conroy glared at him, but didn't speak immediately, so Dumbledore continued, "All right then. Seeing that I, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, wish to clear this matter as much as anyone else, and prove that parents have nothing to fear in sending their children to my school, I will demonstrate."

Snape flicked a glance between the purpling Conroy and his puppet-master former mentor, wondering whether he would really benefit from Dumbledore's line of questioning.

"I believe the crux of the outrage boils down to this: Severus Snape, did you have sexual intercourse with Miss Granger when she was your student at Hogwarts?"

Hermione felt a rush of heat speeding up from her gut to her face, leaving her feeling dizzy and faint at the startled gasps and blatant curiosity swelling in the room.

Snape deliberately and clearly said, "No."

Conroy barked, "How can we believe him?"

Dumbledore whirled to pin Conroy with a quelling look and said, "I can verify the truth of that statement, as I asked that very same question during our interview in which Severus allowed me to use Legilimency to understand the situation."

Hermione's throat went dry, and Snape couldn't resist casting a fleeting glance at her as they both realized just how fine a line Dumbledore was treading between truth and deception. Everything he said was technically true, but he hadn't verified that statement with Legilimency. It had only come up after his trip into Snape's mind. Hermione marvelled at the slipperiness of Dumbledore's ploy...and he was supposed to be a Gryffindor?

Dumbledore added, "I can take that Veritaserum now if you'd like."

Conroy shook his head in frustration. "Fine! Answer me this then: did you engage in carnal activities of any sort with Miss Granger while still employed at Hogwarts?"

Snape snorted, his voice scathing as he retorted, "Of course! And scores of people witnessed it onstage at rehearsals and performances."

Dumbledore jumped in saying, "Oh, yes, I was rather adamant that you two perform that kiss so passionately. But, it was to win the competition, and it was part of your roles..."

Shocked rumblings rippled through the court again. Snape huffed and sat forward in the chair, rolling his eyes. Then, as the noise faded, he spoke.

"I understand the court's concern over the nature of my relationship with Miss Granger. Allow me to state, for the record, that at no time did I ever take advantage of her, nor did my feelings for her affect her academic achievement. The Wizarding Examination Authority can vouch for her stellar accomplishments in her N.E.W.T.s. And, while we did fall in love in the course of performing, we did not consummate that love while beholden to Hogwarts. As soon as possible, I went to great lengths to publicly declare my honourable intentions with a proposal. I have also already resigned from my teaching position, nor would I ever wish to teach in the future. Therefore, I have broken no laws, and no one will have to worry about me teaching their precious darlings ever again. In light of all this, I submit that this inquest should be finished, so that I may return to my home and fiancée, where we can plan the details of our pending nuptials."

The pandemonium that followed his brash declarations lasted longer than any previous furore. In the midst of it, Ginny squeezed Hermione's hand again and leant close to whisper in her ear, "I call dibs on bridesmaid!"

The absurdity of everything crashed down on Hermione at once, and the nervous tension within her broke in a burst of laughter. She quickly squelched it as Conroy hammered the bench with his gavel.

"Mr. Snape, you are far too glib for a man defending his honour."

Dumbledore stopped whatever heated retort was about to spill from Snape's lips with a hand on his shoulder. "As he has stated, he has gone to great lengths...and expense by the look of that ring...to demonstrate his honour. However, even though both parties involved were of legal adult age, and their relationship is clearly one of deep love, they were in Hogwarts at the time, which would logically have led to terminating Severus's employment. Before that could happen, he resigned. Therefore, seeing as how he did not break any written laws, I, too, submit that this inquest be closed."

Conroy shook his head again, pointing at Dumbledore. "Oh, no you don't. He may have resigned and says he has no desire to teach again, but it is our bounden duty to make sure that he cannot do so. It is hereby declared that Severus Snape is banned from working in any establishment that caters to the education or upbringing of minors...for life!"

A smattering of applause followed his words. Snape pushed to his feet. "Then if we're done..."

Conroy cut him off. "We are not done! Be quiet!" He pinned Snape with a glare of pure malice and snapped, "Sit down, Mr. Snape."