"Severus, let's go down to the Spells lab and experiment a bit with your Harper magic. Find out what else you can do," Hermione suggested, her eyes bright with excitement, the wizard's previous transgressions all but forgotten.

Still a bit stunned at what he witnessed, Severus nodded, then followed the witch to the door leading to the labs and entered behind her. Hermione unwarded and opened the spells lab, then entered, Severus following.

"I think that your Harper magic works based on your intent while you are playing. Try to get it to do something else to me," Hermione said, walking to the middle of the room.

Severus stared at her for a moment, then a rather wicked grin flickered across his face, and he lifted the violin into position, focusing his thoughts. Then he began to play a slow, sensuous melody. Immediately the golden notes sprang out from where his bow connected with the strings and surrounded Hermione at first, shimmering. Suddenly they converged on her, covering her body.

Hermione gasped.

"Oh…oh shit," the witch breathed, writhing in pleasure as her core was stimulated as if someone were giving her oral sex. "Stop! Stop Severus!' Hermione clamped her legs together but it didn't help as the notes clung to her body. The Potions Master played several more bars, his black eyes glittering and a smirk on his face. Suddenly the witch let out a shriek and orgasmed.

"Yesssss," the Potions Master breathed, lowering the bow, the notes fading away as Hermione stood there shuddering, her knickers soaked with her release. Severus looked at his violin appreciatively. Now this was a handy magic.

"Severus Snape…I told you to stop," Hermione said, trying to sound angry as she drew her wand and scourgified herself.

"I did stop," the wizard replied, his lip quirking.

"But not soon enough," Hermione said, scowling at him.

Severus shrugged his shoulders.

"That's a matter of opinion. Actually, I wanted to see how far the notes could go. It seems they go 'all the way,'" the wizard said, trying looking innocent as he said the pun…as if that were possible. Severus always looked as if he were up to no good.

"I see I am going to have to tell you what to try," Hermione said evenly, thinking the wizard might think about having sex with her next time he played. That's all she needed, to be penetrated by proxy with golden notes.

The witch looked at Severus who had a rather wicked gleam in his eyes. She'd fix that.

"Think about the notes protecting you," the witch said with a nasty smirk, pulling out her wand. She'd only throw a stunner…but if it connected…oh well.

Severus scowled at her, knowing the witch was trying to get him back for the note-inspired orgasm. Shit, she should be pleased. But, at least she was talking to him. The wizard raised the violin again and began to play. The notes once again appeared, this time whirling around the wizard, forming a cylinder around his lean body as he played.

Hermione focused and cast a stunner at him. The hex bounced off, Hermione leaping aside to keep from being hit. Severus grinned from within the cylinder. Hermione frowned at him.

"Maybe I should try something stronger," she suggested.

The wizard gave her a challenging look, playing a slow, taunting strain now.

Hermione frowned and cast the "Expelliamus" hex, careful to move aside as she did so. That hex was also cast aside. Hermione began to feel very excited.

"Severus, stop playing and cast a repelling spell around yourself. I want to try stronger hexes," the witch said.

Severus stopped playing and the circling notes disappeared.

"I don't think that would be a proper test, Hermione. We wouldn't know if the spell was turned by the notes or the repelling spell. I can take a bit of pain for research," the wizard replied.

Hermione nodded. He was right of course. Severus began to play again, the notes circling his body.

"Reducto!" Hermione cried, sending a powerful blast toward the wizard that should have blasted him off his feet. The hex bounced harmlessly off the spinning notes. Severus continued playing, a small smirk on his face.

"Amazing," Hermione breathed. Again she pointed her wand.

"Incarceous!" she shouted, chains flying out of her wand tip. Several notes sprang out of the cylinder and blocked the chains before they could reach the wizard. The lengths of chain dropped harmlessly to the floor.

"Locomotor Mortis! Densaugeo! Diffindo! Incendio! Furnunculus! Impedimenta!"

Hermione fired spell after spell at the wizard. Not one got through. Finally, Hermione stopped, her chest heaving from her efforts. Severus stopped playing and the notes faded away. Once again he studied his violin and bow.

"Impressive," he said shortly, looking up at Hermione who had a wild look in her eyes.

"Wait here," she said, hurrying from the Spells lab. Presently she returned with a niffler. She placed it on the floor and cast a containment spell around the lab so the magical signatures of the spells cast wouldn't be picked up by the Ministry. She looked at Severus, her eyes glittering.

"I want you to focus on protecting this niffler's life," she said to the wizard, drawing her wand.

Severus looked at the witch, who seemed overly-animated. He looked at the small furry creature standing on its hind legs and sniffing the air and focused on protecting it, bringing his instrument up and drawing his bow across it. Once again the golden notes flew out, surrounding the startled niffler, which began to squeak in fear. It couldn't move from the cylinder swirling around it.

Hermione eyed the niffler, her eyes going dark. Her face contorted.

"Avada Kedavra!" she hissed, pointing the wand at the niffler. Both the animal and notes were bathed in the dread green light as Severus continued to play. After several seconds, Hermione stopped the curse, peering at the cylinder.

The niffler was unharmed, though pressed again the back of the cylinder greatly frightened.

Hermione turned to stare at Severus who stopped playing as the enormity of what just happened sank in. He could be protected and protect others from the Killing Curse…something considered impossible. The notes faded and Hermione scooped up the niffler, examining the animal closely. Not a hair was out of place.

"You can stop the Killing Curse," Hermione said to the wizard in a low voice. "You can stop a curse that up to this point in time was considered unstoppable. You can protect others from an Unforgivable, Severus. The most deadly Unforgivable. This makes you one of the most powerful wizards that ever existed."

Hermione and Severus stared at each other, the niffler wriggling in Hermione's arms, recovered now.

"I don't know about that," Severus replied, lowering his violin and bow.

"I do, Severus," Hermione said, awe in her voice as she looked at her Patron. "And this is only the beginning. We need to find out what else you can do," the witch said, her eyes glittering hungrily as she looked at him.

Severus scowled at her.

"You're looking at me like a lab project, Hermione…as if I am one huge niffler. I have no intentions on letting you poke and prod me, trying to find the source of my magic, witch. Though I do admit being interested in finding out the limits of this magic, we will not focus on this until we have dealt with the Dementors. That is my final word on this," the wizard said firmly.

Hermione deflated a bit. Yes, she already had a very important project…but gods…Severus' Harper powers were amazing and needed to be explored and documented. She had a thought.

"All right Severus…just one more test. One more. Then I will back off," the witch said.

"What do you want me to do?" Severus asked her frowning.

Hermione put the niffler down. It began to scamper around the room, sniffing about.

"See if you can bind the niffler so it can't move," she said.

Severus looked at the hairy little rodent, then raised his instrument and bow. He began to play and the golden notes soared out and surrounded the niffler, who couldn't move. Hermione looked extremely thoughtful.

"That's enough," she said.

Severus stopped playing and looked at the witch quizzically. What was going on in that brilliant little mind?

"I may need you to help me further with my project," the witch said to him.

Severus sighed. As her patron he was bound to assist her if she needed assistance.

"I will make myself available," he said.

Hermione picked up the niffler and exited the Spells lab. She walked into the Potions Lab and put the animal back in its cage. It chattered at her as she lowered the torches and exited. Severus was already on his way up the stairs. Hermione followed him, her mind going a thousand kilometers a second.

Severus walked into the living room and put his violin back in its case. Hermione watched him. The wizard straightened and looked at the witch. Her awe was visible. Severus looked at her.

"I've impressed you," he said silkily.

Hermione blinked and started.

"You've always impressed me, Severus…but this…my gods," she said.

Severus' eyes swept over the witch and suddenly he wanted her under him. Normally he would just walk up to her, catch her by the arm and drag her to his bedroom…but after the slap, he was hesitant. He did manhandle her quite often. This meant he would have to ask her to come to his bed. He had done it before, but not under these circumstances. He really wasn't sure if she had forgiven him.

But Hermione was completely taken by the wizard again. Gods, he was so powerful. Like many women, Hermione was attracted to power, though with her it wasn't that obvious. But the idea of a wizard of Severus' caliber being attracted to her was quite arousing, and her amber eyes were a bit hot as she looked at him. She wanted to engage the wizard.

Severus saw the look in her eyes and realized immediately she wanted him, despite what happened earlier. She looked a little star-struck actually. The wizard went for it, walking up to the witch and taking her gently by the arm.

"Would you mind indulging a Harper, Miss Granger?" he asked her silkily, "I would like to make another kind of music with you. I know what strings to pluck."

Hermione felt a strong pulse of desire in her lower belly. The hell with maintaining an attitude. The wizard was delicious and she wanted him. She gave Severus a smile of consent, and the wizard escorted her to his bedroom, opening the door for her and letting her walk through, rather than pushing her in.

He was learning.

888888888888888888888

Four days later, Hermione moved about the Potions lab excitedly as she prepared to feed the first niffler the Dementor elixir. She picked up the cage containing the unfortunate creature, a dropper, her journal and her wand, then moved to her spells lab, where there was more room. She sat the cage on the counter, then closed the door.

She picked up the dropper which was filled with the proper dosage to turn the niffler, took a deep breath and thrust it into the cage. One thing about nifflers, they would drink anything, no matter how bad it tasted. This one was familiar with droppers and walked right up to it and drank down the elixir as Hermione squeezed the dropper until every bit was downed.

The witch sat down on a stool and watched the niffler intently.

At first nothing happened. Hermione began to wonder if she had miscalculated the dosage. Then the niffler let out a terrible squeal and began shuddering. Its fur began to fall out in patches and its flesh took on a gray, mottled pallor. Hermione watched with horror as the little creature's eyes dropped back, leaving hollows, its teeth retracted and its mouth grew larger vertically. Suddenly it rose from the floor, dangling. Its paws were larger and the claws long and black. It turned its face toward her and hissed, drifting mid-air. It looked frightening. Suddenly it began to keen loudly, bumping against the bars.

Hermione quickly ran back to the Potions lab and removed another niffler from its cage. She petted it as she brought it back to the Spells lab.

"I'm sorry," she said as she placed it in the cage with the Dementor niffler, which turned toward it, hissing with excitement.

The niffler's eyes widened and it squealed with fear, backing up against the bar on its hind legs. The Dementor niffler drifted closer slowly. Hermione could see tendrils of spirit being drawn from the sacrificial niffler, and the creature slumping a bit, its eyes glazing.

Suddenly the Dementor niffler darted forward, locking its long mouth over the niffler's muzzle. The stricken animal twitched as its spirit was drawn out of it. After a few minutes, the niffler Dement released it and it fell, eyes open and empty, but breathing shallowly.

The niffler Dementor drifted away, breathing heavily, and settled in a corner, seeming sated. Hermione stared at it for several moments, then began to write in her journal. She had succeeded in creating a Dementor. Now she needed to find out if she could get the spirit back out of it and restore the fallen one.

She would start on that tomorrow.

---

For the next three months, sex was non-existent between Severus and Hermione, the witch was so caught up in her experiments with the Dementor-nifflers, the stricken nifflers and finding the proper balance of Agistani flower to Basilisk heart and blood.

Hermione had ten niffler Dementors now, and ten stricken nifflers which had the spirit sucked out of them. Eli cared for these animals for her, forcing a nutritious fluid down each throat with an eyedropper three times a day, working their limbs so they didn't atrophy and turning their bodies periodically so no sores developed. They were quite labor-intensive and the elf loved the extra work.

The first nifflers she tried the adapted elixir on turned into rather altered Dementors which died within ten hours. They couldn't absorb spirits and showed no interest in attacking the other Dementors, only living nifflers. Hermione continued adapting the potion. The nifflers lost less hair during the transformation and kept their eyes, but still showed no desire to kiss other Dementors.

Then Hermione began to use the Imperious curse on the newly changed nifflers, after carefully adding a sustained containment spell around her lab so no Aurors would catch the signature of the Unforgivable. The Dementor-nifflers would suck out what was left of the spirits of the altered nifflers, since the elixir still released part of the soul.

Hermione worked furiously, even getting up in the middle of the night when an idea hit her and running down to the lab to implement it.

Severus would arrive on the weekends to try and get the witch to take a break, but he was hard put for it. She didn't sleep with him because she was in such a disagreeable condition and temper. One Saturday evening she slipped down to the lab, and Severus busted her. The witch tried to hex him so she could continue working. Severus grabbed her, twisted her arm and walked her screaming and yelling back up the stairs, took her wand and locked her in her bedroom.

For the most part when he was there, Hermione paced constantly, scribbling notes and talking to herself, preparing for Monday morning when she could get back to the Work. There was no sex between them, but it wasn't that hard on the wizard considering how bad Hermione looked. One Sunday morning he was so disgusted at her appearance at breakfast that he wrestled her into his bedroom, stripped her and forced her into the shower with him. He was fully clothed and scrubbed the fighting witch thoroughly. It was like dealing with a wild child.

But not all Severus' time was spent babysitting Hermione. He utilized the Spells lab to practice and hone his Harper magic. He found he could move objects with the notes as well as…pulverize them. He crushed several large stones Eli moved to the basement for him with the power of the notes. He even managed to practice a bit on an unwilling Hermione, strapping her to a chair and manipulating her emotions. Too bad it only worked when he was playing. He might have sweetened the witch's disposition. As she was, she was snarkier than Severus.

He even had to spank Hermione once, when she bad-temperedly threw a bowl of soup at him when he wouldn't let her go down to the lab for an hour. He spanked her with her jeans on however, but Hermione was hardly contrite despite the spanking.

Finally the wizard gave up and let Hermione work every day. This improved her temper but not her appearance. Her libido had all but disappeared. Severus patiently waited, sitting in on her experiments after scourgifying her several times so it was bearable to be in her presence. He watched as she tried elixir after elixir…the results varying. Finally she created one that didn't seem to physically affect the test animal at all. When she put the niffler in the cage with the niffler-Dementors, and used the Imperious curse to make it kiss one, the animal didn't pull out the Dementor's spirit, but neither could the Dementor pull out the spirit of the altered niffler. That was a big success.

Severus watched as the rat-haired witch danced about wildly, thrusting her fist in the air. Hermione attempted to hug him, but he extended his pale hand and shook his head as he eyed her absolutely filthy lab coat.

"Not on your life, witch," he said to her, frowning.

Hermione didn't care. She had a breakthrough…finally. She had reached a median. Now she applied herself even more to the work, sleeping only four hours a night. Once again Eli had to hide the pepper-up potion, and Severus himself had to come to the house several times during the week and make Hermione eat, binding her to the kitchen chair and sitting down at the table and actually feeding her himself, using his wand to shock her when she wouldn't cooperate.

"If you would just eat, I wouldn't have to torment you," the wizard said, a blatant smile on his face as he gave Hermione shock after shock to make her open her mouth. He enjoyed that part.

A month and a half later, Severus was in the Spells lab strengthening his Harper abilities when a loud shriek came from the Potions lab. Hastily he put his instrument down and drew his wand, running to the lab thinking something awful had happened. He found Hermione staring at the Dementor-niffler cage. One of the Dementors was on the floor of the cage twitching, as an altered niffler stood over it. The rest of the Dementors were backed into a corner of the cage, hissing in fear…and in the large cage that held the stricken nifflers, one was sitting up, sniffing about…its spirit restored.

"It worked," Hermione said in a low voice. She turned her hollow, baggy eyes toward Severus. "Severus…it worked. The niffler got its spirit back. I've found the antidote…I've…finally…found it."

Severus rushed forward and caught the exhausted witch before she hit the lab floor. When Hermione realized she had found the proper elixir, all the wear and tear she had put on her body caught up with her. The witch was nearly dead on her feet. Severus looked down at her and shook his head.

Slowly he carried the witch upstairs and tended to her, putting her in the bath and bathing her thoroughly, washing the semi-conscious witch's hair and adding replenishing potion to the water. Severus dried her, dressed her in a nightgown and put her in his own bed. He then undressed down to his boxers and slid in beside her, drawing her warm body into his and listening to her breathe.

"Sleep witch. You've done it. Now sleep," he said softly, kissing her mouth lightly and closing his eyes with a satisfied sigh.

---

After testing and retesting the anti-Dementor elixir, Hermione was satisfied she had the answer. Now, the next question was how to administer it to free range Dementors. They weren't caged after all, and could fly. When they realized what was happening, they would attempt escape. Then there was the question of who would do the kissing.

Hermione asked Severus to come to the Spells lab with his violin. She had created five more Dementor nifflers. It seemed only five could be kissed before more potion had to be imbibed. So the kisser was vulnerable to being kissed himself if he wasn't fast when taking the next dosage. Hermione needed to design a delivery system for drinking the potion quickly between Dementors. Luckily only about a cup of the elixir was necessary to be effective.

Severus entered the lab with his violin and bow. Hermione was looking much better now that she had the elixir, but was still focused on the project. Severus hoped she could wrap it up within the next two weeks. He wasn't used to being celibate anymore, and was having very erotic dreams about the witch. His black eyes glittered when he looked at her, but Hermione didn't even notice. The five Dementors floated hissing in their cage and another cage held five stricken nifflers whose spirits were in the others.

Hermione dosed a normal niffler to turn it into a Kisser and placed it on the floor, then released the five Dementor-nifflers which drifted hissing about the room, out of range of the altered creature that was supposed to kiss them.

Hermione addressed Severus.

"You see, Severus. This is the problem. The Dementors can evade the Kisser. We can count on the same problem when we go for the real ones. I want you to try and bind the Dementor-nifflers and bring them down to where they can be reached. I don't know if you can bind all of them…but it would be ideal if you could," she said, looking at the wizard hopefully.

Severus had discovered he could make the notes do several things at once. He had no doubt he could bind the little horrors. He nodded at the witch, lifted his instrument and began to play. Immediately the golden notes emerged and converged on the hissing nifflers, wrapping around them and bringing them to floor level. Using the Imperious curse, Hermione had the dosed niffler kiss all five of them. The Dementors fell to the floor and the stricken creatures woke up, sniffing and staring about as if to say, "What are we doing here?"

Hermione smiled.

"We've done it," she said, looking at Severus. "You are going to have to bind the Dementors while I kiss them."

Severus looked at her incredulously.

"You?" he said, "Why you, Hermione?"

"Because it makes sense for me to agree to do it, then spend time trying to find a volunteer who won't trust the potion. I'm not afraid to do it, Severus and I am the best choice," the witch said. "I know the elixir inside and out."

The Professor's face contorted as he thought of those lips he had kissed so many times locking on to a Dementor's mouth. The creatures were absolutely fetid. But then again, it had to be done…and her Gryffindorness was in full force. Besides, he would be there to help her and protect her. Yes…it could be done.

Severus invited Albus to his house to give a demonstration of the elixir using the nifflers. The Headmaster watched as Hermione administered the elixir to a niffler, and Severus played music on a violin that emitted golden notes which bound the Dementor-niffler and brought it within reach of the Kisser. Using the Imperious curse, Hermione made the niffler kiss the Dementor, which fell to the floor shuddering, and suddenly the stricken niffler squealed and stood up, looking bewildered.

Albus jumped up and ran over to the restored niffler, who wriggled its nose at him. He examined it thoroughly, then turned to Hermione with tears in his eyes.

"How soon?" he croaked, "How soon until we can use this miraculous restorative?"

"As soon as you can arrange passage to India, Headmaster. I will be doing the kissing myself," Hermione said as tears rolled down Albus' face. "Severus will do the binding."

Albus looked at the Potions Master, who cleared his throat at the old wizard's great emotion.

"We already have a plan to contain the creatures utilizing Order members distributed around the temple with Patronuses to keep them from exiting the ruin. Both of you can enter and dispose of them. A contingent of Order members will go with you as backup," Albus said, wiping at his eyes. He looked at Hermione and opened his arms.

The witch walked up to him and Albus embraced her.

"Thank you. Thank you my dear for making it possible for Minerva to come back to me," he said, his voice hoarse. "Thank you Hermione. Thank you."

Hermione's eyes glistened.

"You're welcome, Headmaster," she said softly, kissing his cheek.

Albus released the witch and sniffed, then held out his hand to Severus, who took it firmly in his own.

"And thank you Severus, for making this possible. Without your patronage, none of this could have been accomplished," the Headmaster said.

The wizard nodded but didn't respond.

Albus drew a deep breath.

"I must go," he said, sounding stronger, "There are souls to recover!"

---

Strange occurrences had been happening around Hogwarts for the past several months. Several Slytherin students walking down the dungeon corridor suddenly disappeared and reappeared in the astronomy tower. It was found that some kind of magical wormhole had been created in the middle of the corridor. No one had ever seen anything like this, and the spell was placed inside of a containment spell and transferred to Professor Flitwick's lab for further study.

There were also incidents of random magic happening all over the school. For example, windows were appearing and disappearing in the strangest places. The windows wouldn't be that extraordinary except that they gave views of the Hogwarts landscape from great heights, and it was found that an object dropped out of them would actually fall. The windows were no illusion and quite dangerous since they could appear suddenly in walls, floors or even mid-air, suspended by nothing. All students were directed to be vigilant when moving through the castle lest they inadvertently fall out of one.

Strange doors were appearing too. When opened, they contained whirling, multi-colored vortexes which would try and suck a person in. So far, no one had been taken, but there were several close calls. Everyone was admonished not to open strange doors.

Every manifestation seemed to bend space. Flitwick was stumped but quite excited. If the secret of these spells could be divined, another mode of travel might be possible. If a window could be opened on a particular landscape, a witch or wizard could simply climb through it and instantly be transported to that area. For example, a window could be opened on Diagon Alley or another town, city or country. Flitwick suspected that the doors opened on active port activity…with Port keys one was drawn through a wormhole specifically created to take one to a specified destination. The wormholes behind these doors could take one anywhere…most likely. But there was no way to test the wormholes because it was likely the witch or wizard who went through might not be able to come back.

Albus was quite distracted by the upcoming quest to retrieve the taken souls from the Dementors in India. Then again, distracted was an understatement. Consumed was a better word. He decided that he would not go himself. The Dementors feared him and could feel him approaching. There had to be some element of surprise. Bara was to accompany a recon team of two Order members to India. Their purpose was to inspect the ruins for any and all potential escape routes and to distribute several port key destinations surrounding the ruins, so their forces would automatically be placed in position rather than having to spread out on foot and risking tipping off the creatures. Since Bara knew the area well and the danger was minimal since it would be done during the day, it was felt the boy could be of assistance. Of course he was excited.

Ideally the Order members would arrive directly to their positions and generate their Patronuses to guard the temple and drive back any Dementors that attempted to escape. Then Hermione, Severus and several Order members would enter the ruin, the Order members setting up Patronuses to guard the entrance as well as Hermione and Severus.

Personally, Severus felt the extra Order members would be in the way and a distraction, but Albus wouldn't budge on it. He wanted Severus and Hermione protected at all costs.

Professor Flitwick was quite pleased with Bara's progress both academically and magically. The boy could read now and his vocabulary increased dramatically. He could hold a full conversation now, and other than having a little problem with his tenses, was doing quite well. And his spells development…well now. It seemed the boy was learning a spell a week, his focus was so strong. Flitwick was quite amazed. It seemed Bara was a prodigy.

But the Professor didn't know that Bara was sneaking into the Room of Requirement with his ill-gotten wand and practicing the new spells until he was exhausted. He was also running about Hogwarts making up pretend spells and swishing and flicking his wand all over the place. Since Flitwick didn't know Bara had a wand, he had not yet told him about the dangers of randomly coming up with an intent and flicking his wand about. Magic was magic and could be easily and dangerously distorted by an unthinking wizard or witch…and strange things could happen.

Like magical doors and windows appearing out of nowhere.

---

Finally, the day of departure arrived. There was some consternation initially. Severus pointed out that no one knew how many Dementors there actually were, but Hermione quickly solved that problem. Count the stricken Untouchables being cared for in the disillusioned aid camp, and add a few on for good measure. This was as good an estimation measure as any.

When Albus first sent aid, the medi-witches soon found themselves deluged by healthy Untouchables who wanted food that was for the upkeep of the stricken. Eventually they had to move the camp, ward it and keep it invisible so they could care for the stricken. It was difficult because the Untouchables had hungry children…but they couldn't provide for everyone. There were just too many of them. The walls of the camp from the inside were opaque, so the tender-hearted medi-witches wouldn't see the Untouchables and feel guilty.

Hermione had created a kind of harness that held over four liters of elixir that was strapped to her chest. It had a straw. Eight gulps provided enough elixir to kiss the Dementors, according to her calculations. Severus was a bit nervous about this. She hadn't actually tested it…and the results could be disastrous if she were wrong. Hermione pointed out that the Dementor would be unable to extract her soul even if her calculations were slightly off and she would only have to consume more elixir until she got it right. They would be bound by his music and unable to escape as she did this.

Severus sighed. The witch had an answer for everything.

The couple still had not engaged in intercourse, and Severus was chomping at the bit to get to the Dementors and be rid of them. All they were to the wizard at this point were floating cockblockers. The sooner they were destroyed, the sooner Hermione would turn her attentions on him again.

Harry had sent several owls to Hermione over the months, which Severus had Eli intercept. Hermione was in no state to deal with the wizard while working on the project. Harry still had not come out of hiding, though Ginny did her best to get him to do so. He said he wasn't ready yet. Actually, he wanted Hermione with him when he made himself public. He loved Ginny but Hermione was more of a steadying influence. Whenever he had to face a difficult situation, Hermione's presence always made facing it easier. He missed her desperately and couldn't understand why she hadn't contacted him yet. Maybe she was angry. Well, he'd keep trying.

Severus, Hermione and one hundred Order members stood on the grounds of Hogwarts, port keys in hand, ready to make the synchronized journey to India. Hermione and Severus were to follow exactly ten minutes after the Order members, to give them time to set up the Patronuses. Bara and the recon team had done their jobs without disturbing the dark creatures, the port key destinations surrounding the ruined temple. Some of the Order members would be arriving in dense jungle. The vines and trees had been cut back so they wouldn't have too much difficulty.

They timed their arrival to be shortly after sunrise, when the Dementors would be least active. Albus gave the Order members their final directives and wished them success. The Headmaster would be at St. Mungos with Minerva as they faced the creatures. If she awoke, he would know they had been successful.

Hermione and Severus watched as the Order members all said "Portis" and disappeared. It had begun. Severus was dressed in a white shirt, black trousers and black trainers so he could navigate the rubble of the temple. He held his violin and bow tightly. Hermione was in jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt, her hair braided in a French braid, the end rolled up and pinned. The harness containing the elixir was strapped to her chest, the retractable straw capped and ready to be accessed. She also held a magical torch that looked very much like a muggle hurricane lamp. She looked at Severus.

"Are you ready?" she asked the wizard. The witch had butterflies in her stomach.

Severus' dark eyes washed over her.

"Yes, I am ready," he replied, "But I want no Gryffindor heroics, Hermione. You wait until I have bound all the Dementors before you act. A mistake can be costly."

"Don't worry Severus. I know what to do," the witch replied.

Severus looked at her. He was worried but didn't show it. If anything were to happen to the witch…he would destroy every Dementor there…souls or no souls. Hopefully that wouldn't happen.

Albus walked up to both of them.

"It is time," he said, his blue eyes somber. "Good luck to both of you."

Hermione and Severus activated their port keys, and were gone.

---

When they arrived on the edge of the jungle facing the ruined temple, the witch and wizard were met by an Order member who told them the amount of stricken in the camp. Thirty-two. Hermione estimated there might be forty Dementors if they had absorbed more souls recently. The Untouchables let the stricken die if they weren't taken by the medi-witches, so the Dementors had to replace the lost souls when that occurred.

Hermione looked about. There were Order members spaced evenly around the perimeter of the temple, silver Patronuses of all shapes and sizes pacing back and forth before them. It was quite impressive.

Severus eyed the crumbling opening that led to the temple depths. Hermione took several sips of the elixir through the straw and capped it, then took a deep breath, her eyes resting on the ruins.

"Let's go, Severus," she said, walking purposely toward the entrance, Severus following silently. But he was on point, one hundred and ten percent. They climbed over fallen stones and statues, entering the ruins. The first thing they heard was hissing. Hermione held up the lamp and saw several snakes fleeing the light.

"Maybe we should have brought Bara," Severus mused. A lot of the snakes in India were poisonous. "He could have told them to all go away."

"Snakes are the least of our problem," Hermione said, pointing upward. There were hundreds of points of lights. "Bats. Bats mean guano. Cover your nose and walk quickly."

Sure enough the strong odor of ammonia rose as they picked their way past the bats clinging to the ragged temple ceiling. The couple appeared to be in a huge corridor, stone pillars on either side of them in various states of erosion. Ahead of them was a large door leading into darkness.

Hermione heard a hiss, and spun, holding up her lantern. She thought she saw a motion. Severus drew his wand, clutching his violin and bow in one hand. Both backed up until their backs collided.

"We're surrounded," the wizard hissed.

Sure enough, the Dementors appeared from behind the pillars. hissing, drifting toward them in a terrifyingly unhurried manner as if absolutely sure the humans had no way to escape. None of the creatures were particularly hungry for souls but this was an infringement on their territory. Humans were not welcome here. The creatures had waited until Severus and Hermione were in the middle of the long corridor before cutting off their escape and their advance. The creatures were all around them.

Hermione could feel her courage being drained out of her slowly as they approached, feeding off her strength. Robed in black and hooded, their large mottled hands and black fingernails dangling as they drifted three feet off the ground, the Dementors were visually terrifying.

Her heart pounding, Hermione took an extra sip of elixir and set the torch down, opening the blinder wide to let out more light, light slowing the creatures somewhat…but they still drifted closer. They weren't deterred. Hermione could hear their ragged breathing as she and Severus stood back to back.

"Now would be a good time to start playing," Hermione said nervously as the noose of Dementors drew tighter.

"I want them close so none can flee the notes," Severus breathed. He had his instrument in position, ready to play. He could feel the Dementors pulling at his spirit, but the wizard didn't have that much happiness to steal in the first place, so he was only mildly affected by them.

"Not too damn close," Hermione hissed as the creatures drew closer, their slowness making their approach all the more horrible.

Severus waited until the Dementors were about fifteen feet away, then started to play.

---

Suddenly a shout went up, and Severus hesitated. Several Order members were charging the Dementors along with their Patronuses. This was their backup which was sidetracked by last minute planning. The wizards had been horrified to learn Severus and Hermione entered the temple alone and quickly followed. When they saw the pair surrounded by Dementors, they charged.

"No!" Hermione cried as the Dementors hissed and flew away from them toward the Order members and the Patronuses. They were badly outnumbered though. Only twelve wizards to the thirty-odd creatures. The Patronuses drove back several, but the majority of the creatures closed over the Order members.

"Severus, help them!" Hermione cried.

Severus began playing and the golden notes streaked toward the mass of Dementors attacking the Order members, wrapping around them and binding the creatures, pulling them away from the wizards.

"Stay back! We have them!" Hermione cried running forward, Severus following, still playing.

The Dementors were struggling and hissing as the notes bound them and held them low to the ground. Try as they might, the creatures couldn't break free.

"Destroy them now!" one rather crazed Order member cried, pulling out his wand to send a destructive blast developed for the Final Battle.

"No!" Hermione screamed, pulling her own wand and quickly stunning the Order member. The others all stared at her…not knowing what to do.

"Get out!" Hermione screamed at them. The wizards were too frightened and volatile. "We have it under control. You're not needed."

"Albus said to protect you," one wizard cried out stubbornly, his eyes on the writhing Dementors.

"But who's going to protect you? Now get out. I'll take responsibility for what happens," the witch cried, stopping a few feet from the closest Dementor, who hissed at her.

The wizards milled about a bit, then reluctantly withdrew. Hermione sighed with relief then studied the Dementors. The notes were surrounding them completely. How was she to kiss them?

"Severus, I can't access their mouths," the witch said, looking back at the wizard, who changed the melody he was playing slightly. Suddenly the notes parted around the Dementors' hoods, leaving an opening. Hermione swallowed.

All right. She was going to kiss a Dementor.

As she approached the first one, a stench like that of a rotting corpse washed over her. She nearly brought up the elixir.

"Gods, they stink," she said to herself, her eyes watering. She walked up to the Dementor, who was resting on the floor, its hood directly before her. Another pulse of stench washed over her…presumably the creature's breath.

Severus watched, his face twisted in disgust as the witch closed in on the Dementor. Hermione leaned forward, and the Dementor did also, intending to kiss the witch. Hermione's face disappeared into the hood. The Dementor and witch seemed to freeze for a moment. Then the Dementor keened long and loud before dropping to the floor. Hermione stood there with a look of disgust on her glistening face. Apparently kissing a Dementor was slimy business.

"Oh my gods," Hermione grimaced, "That was disgusting."

"Keep kissing!" Severus shouted at her.

In the aid camp, a medi-witch was gently washing a stricken Untouchable, when the woman suddenly opened her eyes, looked up at the witch and said, "Who are you?" in her native language. The medi-witch didn't understand what the woman said, but understood one thing.

She had her soul back.

"It's started!" the excited witch called out to the other members of the camp, pointing at the woman who was attempting to sit up, wondering what this place was. A cheer went up. They were doing it. Hermione Granger and Severus Snape were releasing souls.

All the Dementors started keening with fear as they looked at their fallen comrade and realized it had been stricken by the human. They struggled more fiercely, but the notes held them tightly.

Inside her Dementor, Minerva felt a cold wash of fear from her captor.

"What's going on?" she wondered, then looked to the right when a trapped Indian woman suddenly began to glow brightly, holding out her arms and looking at herself then at Minerva with wide eyes before disappearing completely.

That wasn't death. Minerva had seen many deaths and replacements over eight years. The soul would grow dark, then crumple in on itself, screaming. This was something else.

"She's been freed, hasn't she?" Minerva called to her captor, who was keening in fear. "They're setting us free, aren't they?"

The witch did a little dance of joy.

"I told you! I told you!" she taunted the creature, "Now you'll see. You'll go back to the darkness that spawned you!"

The Dementor continued to keen…too afraid to respond to Minerva.

"Albus…oh Albus. Will I really see you again?" the witch breathed as another soul glowed and disappeared.

Hermione was on her third kiss. She'd almost vomited kissing the last Dementor. She knew it was going to be horrible…but damn.

The Dementors were all screaming and keening in horror as Hermione moved through them, sipping more elixir then stoically pressing her face into their hoods. She had to scourgify their putrid saliva from her face several times. The hooded bodies were piling up…but Severus kept the notes on the fallen…just in case. She was through almost half of them.

Suddenly Severus caught a cramp in his shoulder and his playing stopped for a moment, the notes dissipating. The Dementors began to scatter.

"Severus!" Hermione screamed at him. "They're getting away!"

The wizard grimaced and began playing again, the golden notes racing toward the Dementors and binding the keening creatures again, dragging them back towards Hermione.

The Dementors firmly in place, Hermione continued kissing them.

"She is going to have to be purified, scourgified and scrubbed until she's raw," Severus thought as a long string of saliva stuck to the witch's face issued from inside the hood of a fallen Dementor. Completely squicked, Hermione slapped it off and wiped her hands on her jeans, her face twisted with disgust before she scourgified herself yet again.

In St. Mungos, medi-witches were flocking to a room in answer to a weak call from a wizard who had been there over eight years, stricken by a Dementor's kiss.

"Water," the wizard said weakly, holding up his hand as they stared at him in disbelief. Not one moved. The wizard scowled.

"What's a man have to do to get some water around here? Die?" he groused, his voice cracking.

In Minerva's room, Albus heard the commotion.

"He's awake! Tom Cummings is awake!" the shouts went up. The old wizard could hear rushing footsteps and exclamations of disbelief. He looked down at Minerva intently, holding her thin hand in his.

"Come back, Minerva," he said, caressing the back of the witch's hand with his thumb. "Come back to me. I've missed you terribly."

Minerva heard Albus and watched as another soul disappeared in a burst of white light.

"I'm coming Albus. I will be there, my love," she called back, then shouted at the Dementor.

"You hear that you cursed thing? I am going to be free! Free! And you will be no more!" the witch gloated, "Eight long years I've been with you but finally I can leave this horrible prison and get on with my life. Go back to the ones I love. Love, you hideous creature…the strongest power on earth. It is love that has defeated you!"

Suddenly Minerva felt her prison quake horribly, and this was followed by a deep, hollow sigh. She pressed her hands forward but there was no resistance…no invisible barrier. Suddenly she felt extremely light and white light began to glow around her.

"I'm free!" she cried as suddenly she transformed into a ball of light and shot away at an amazing speed, colors flashing past her, a great roaring wind around her. The witch felt she had left her stomach behind as she traveled at the speed of light…back…back…back to where she belonged.

Suddenly she was in a white room, hovering above Albus and a thin, drawn, white-haired body lying on a cot.

"Is that…me?" she said, frowning as she looked down. "I look one-hundred and fifty years old! I'm going to definitely have to get some work done."

Suddenly Minerva screamed as she dropped down into the frail body.

Albus was sitting with the back of her hand pressed against his lips, his eyes closed, waiting. Suddenly, the hand flexed. Albus opened his eyes. Minerva's body often spasmed. He looked down at her, then his eyes widened.

The witch's body might spasm, but she hadn't opened her eyes in over eight years.

Yet they were open now, and looking right at him, the green irises shining brightly from within the wizened form.

"Minerva?" Albus whispered, afraid this was some kind of waking dream…he'd had them before.

The witch nodded slightly.

Her mouth moved several times before she managed to croak out, "I've come back, Albus."

Albus kissed the witch's hand passionately, then leaned down and kissed her dry lips gently.

"Ah, my Minerva…I've waited so long for you to return to me. Some said I should let you go, but I couldn't. I was too selfish," he said softly, staring at the witch with love.

"Thank the stars for selfishness then,' the witch replied hoarsely, then, "Water please, Albus. Though I could use a good belt of firewhiskey after eight years."

Minerva loved her firewhiskey. Albus smiled at her.

"Let's just get you up to par first, my dear. Then I will pour the first shot for you myself," he said fondly, kissing her hand again, his heart swelling.

He had her back. His Minerva.

The world was right again.

---

Hermione kissed the final Dementor, grimacing as it keened and fell, then spitting, shaking her head.

"Dear gods. Nothing, and I mean nothing can be as disgusting as this," she complained, turning to Severus.

The wizard looked at her, then at the fallen Dementors. His black eyes glittered. These were the things that kept him from getting any for the past few months.

Payback time.

"Move away from them, Hermione," he said darkly.

Hermione walked over to the wizard and stood behind him as the music he played changed, becoming dark and violent. The notes began to spin around the stricken creatures, their bodies beginning to shudder, then bulge.

"Oh no, Severus," Hermione breathed.

The wizard continued to play passionately, his face contorted murderously. The notes tightened vise-like around the bodies, crushing them. Hermione turned her face away as they burst, black goo and stench everywhere, the robes covered in gore. Severus stopped playing and the notes faded away.

Severus looked at his handiwork.

"That's that," he said with finality.

"Damn Severus, that was disgusting," Hermione said, scowling at the wizard as they began to walk toward the temple entrance.

"No more disgusting than watching you French kiss them," the wizard retorted. "You are going to have to undergo a series of cleansing treatments before coming anywhere near me, witch."

"Oh really?" Hermione said, making a grab for the wizard, who leapt aside and began running for the entrance, Hermione laughing and right on his heels.

888888888888888888888

Hermione and Severus returned to Hogwarts a few hours later after visiting the camp and seeing all the recovered Untouchables. The medi-witches were already breaking it down when they arrived, all of their charges now awakened. They crowded around Severus and Hermione shaking their hands…or trying to. Severus didn't want anyone touching him. There were all kinds of diseases in India.

Albus immediately moved Minerva from St. Mungos to the Hogwarts infirmary, and Severus and Hermione found him seated by Minerva's bedside, feeding her some chicken broth. It smelled delicious.

Severus scowled at a beaming Poppy.

"Why does Minerva get chicken broth when all you ever gave me was gray gruel?" he demanded.

"Because Minerva has a better disposition than you did," the medi-witch replied with a wicked grin.

"That slop didn't help it any," the wizard groused as Hermione hugged her former Head of House and kissed her on the cheek. Severus grimaced.

"Really Hermione, I'd think you'd had enough kissing after today," he commented, "Besides…you might give Minerva something. You haven't been properly scoured yet."

"Shut up, Severus," Hermione hissed.

Albus' eyes twinkled as Severus didn't take the witch to task for her comment. Something definitely was going on here. Something decidedly good.

Minerva looked at Severus.

"You look a lot more composed than you did last time I saw you," Minerva said with a grin. "Your robes were billowing around your head. Very undignified."

Severus stalked up to Minerva bedside, then kissed her hand, surprising Hermione with the gesture.

"Everyone has a bad day, Minerva" he replied, "Just be glad I wasn't 'swinging free.'"

Minerva chortled as Hermione looked scandalized. Was he flirting with Professor McGonagall? Severus?

He was, but just to make the old bird laugh. She needed a good laugh after eight years of powering a Dementor.

Albus rose.

"Hermione, Severus…I just want to thank you again for restoring Minerva to me," the old wizard said, tears in his eyes.

"It was our pleasure," Hermione said, looking at the former Transfiguration teacher fondly, "We missed her too."

They stood about chatting for several minutes before Poppy shooed them all out, saying Minerva had to get her rest. Hermione and Severus returned to the wizard's rooms, the wizard putting away his beloved violin and bow. Hermione stood looking at him.

"You were wonderful, Severus," she said softly.

"As were you," he said gruffly. "But it is time for you to head back to the house. I have paperwork to catch up on."

Hermione blinked at him. He wasn't coming?

"I will be there this weekend as usual," the wizard said, taking her arm.

They disapparated, appearing in the living room of the house. Severus released her, bowed and returned to Hogwarts with a crack of thunder.

Hermione had hoped he would spend the night. But then again, he appeared to still be disturbed about her kissing the Dementors. It had been rather disgusting. Well, in four more days it would be Friday.

She'd be all cleaned up by then and Severus should be sufficiently recovered.

They had some catching up to do.

---

While most of the Hogwarts staff and students were at supper, Bara was on the third floor looking out the window at the Hogwarts grounds wistfully. He was not allowed outside without an escort ever since he purposely visited the Forbidden forest when specifically warned not to by Albus. Although the Headmaster could see him clearly on the Marauder's map, for some strange reason he could not transport the boy to him, and the forest had to be searched for him. They found Bara near the cave of the Acromantulas just before nightfall.

Albus had been supremely angry with the boy, restricting him to the castle unless in the company of an escort. Unfortunately none of the staff had time to take him out, and Bara was naughty with students and headstrong…running off at the first opportunity, shouting "I am not a baby!" as he fled. No amount of scolding could break Bara of this habit and as a result, no students could escort him any longer.

The boy sighed.

He didn't mean to be bad, but he was used to doing as he wished to do. He had survived on his own in India for months. He didn't understand why he couldn't wander where he wished. Albus tried to explain to him that there were dangerous magical creatures in the Forbidden forest that wouldn't mind having a young wizard for a quick meal. Bara quickly responded there were tigers, leopards and red dogs in the jungles of India and he managed to survive them.

"This isn't India," Albus said to the stubborn young wizard.

"India is much more dangerous," the boy replied, frowning.

Albus sighed. It was as if there were no talking to the boy on this matter. He was extremely stubborn. Severus suggested throwing Bara into the Acromantula cave for about five minutes, with a repelling charm on him of course and let the spiders correct him. But Albus refused.

Severus was now on his way to the infirmary to see Poppy and look in on Minerva and riding the shifting stairwell when he saw Bara leaning out of the third floor window wistfully. The Potions Master was about to mount the next landing when he saw the boy pull something out of his pocket. The wizard's eyes narrowed.

The little wizard had a wand, and was waving it about.

Severus stalled and disillusioned himself, then entered the corridor. Bara moved away from the window and strolled down the hall, chanting something and waving his wand around, the Potions Master following him. Suddenly a door materialized on Severus' left. The wizard's eyes widened.

Bara was the one creating the doors, windows and floating transports. Most likely the boy had no idea he was doing it. He was inadvertently producing random magic. But why doors and windows?

Severus thought about it for a moment, then realized that probably the magic was reflecting his urge to escape the castle. Windows and doors were exits.

Silently the Potions Master walked up behind Bara and plucked the wand out of the startled boy's hand. Bara spun and saw his wand floating in a shimmer.

"Who is there?" he asked, shivering a little. Severus removed the disillusionment spell and stared down at the little wizard.

"Uh oh," Bara said as Severus eyed him.

"Where did you get this wand, Bara?" Severus asked him, his voice severe.

Bara swallowed. He knew he was in trouble.

"From Professor Flitwick's class. I took it so I could practice spells," the boy said, "Professor Flitwick was teaching me too slow."

Severus arched an eyebrow at him.

"So you stole it," the Potions Master said.

"No. I was going to give it back. Sometime," the boy said.

Severus folded his arms. So Bara had taken the wand because he wanted to learn magic faster. The Potions Master remembered Flitwick bragging on how quickly the boy was catching on to doing spells…and was able to work them after only one lesson. Albus had been quite proud, claiming he was a chip off the old Gryffindor block.

The Potions Master smirked.

Bara was more like a scale off the old Slytherin serpent.

"Well Bara, you have been causing a lot of problems around the castle with this wand. You have not been taught how to properly handle one. What were you chanting?" the wizard asked the boy.

"I want to be free," Bara replied. "I always say it."

Severus looked at the boy thoughtfully. Yes, that would be enough intent to cause the magical windows and doors.

"Well we are going to return this wand to Professor Flitwick and you are going to apologize. Then we are going to see the Headmaster and decide your punishment. Now come with me," Severus said, turning and striding away.

Bara hung his head and followed the tall, pale wizard. Things were bad before, but now they were infinitely worse.

Albus restricted Bara to his room for a month, and all his meals would be served there. In addition, he had to write lines daily. "I will not steal." Flitwick would send his work up to him and it would be collected at the end of the day. The little Professor had been quite surprised Bara had taken the wand. He hadn't even missed it.

"And I thought he was a prodigy," the wizard said, pulling at his beard and shaking his head.

He, Severus and Albus were sitting in the Headmaster's office discussing the boy.

"No, he's not a prodigy, Filius. But he is resourceful," Severus replied. Albus looked up at the dark wizard. He knew what Severus was implying.

Slytherin tendencies.

"Perhaps if more emphasis was placed on teaching the boy the difference between right and wrong," the Headmaster suggested, "He might improve."

Severus looked at the Headmaster evenly.

"Albus, Bara already knows what's right and wrong, but he measures it against what he wants and needs. He is willing to break the rules to acquire what he wants…he just doesn't know how to do it properly," Severus said, "He got caught."

Albus shook his head.

"I'm afraid the boy is a Slytherin," the wizard said despairingly.

"It seems so…but there is one way to be absolutely sure," Severus said, looking up at the top shelf behind Albus' desk, where the Sorting Hat rested.

Albus looked at Severus then turned to where his gaze rested.

"But he is too young to be sorted, Severus," Albus said, turning back to the Potions Master. Filius listened to the conversation but didn't say anything. He was sure Bara was a Slytherin as well.

"We will not be sorting him, Albus, but the Sorting Hat can tell us his tendencies for certain. Then we will know how to deal with him. If he is indeed a Slytherin, then he should be taught the Slytherin philosophy as soon as possible so as not to repeat his error," the Potions Master said silkily.

Albus eyed him. Did Severus mean the error of stealing the wand, or the error of being caught with it? He suspected the latter. But what the wizard said made sense. The Headmaster stood up, walked around his desk and up the hallway to Bara's bedroom. He removed the ward. Bara was lying on his back in his bed. He looked so tiny in the four-poster. He was staring up at the ceiling. When he heard the ward come down he looked toward Albus.

"Bara, come with me," Albus said, looking at the boy sternly.

Bara rolled out of the bed, wondering what he did now. He exited the bedroom and followed Albus to his office. He greeted Severus and Filius politely. Albus removed the Sorting Hat from the top shelf and looked at Bara, who was standing in front of his desk.

"Bara, this is the Sorting Hat. Usually it is used to sort students into one of the four houses by identifying their tendencies," the wizard said.

"Tendencies?" Bara repeated, not understanding the word.

"The way they are inside," Albus amended.

Bara nodded.

"But it will be three years before you can be sorted into a house. However, we want to know what house you will be sorted into. The hat will tell us when I put it on your head," the old wizard said, walking around the desk and positioning the hat over Bara's head.

Severus and Filius watched as Albus placed the hat on Bara. It was so large his whole head disappeared into the old pointed chapeau.

The hat immediately became animated.

"This one is too young!" it declared, wriggling on Bara's head a bit. The boy jumped at the voice. He hadn't expected the hat to talk.

"He is not being sorted. But we do need to know where he will be going when it is time for him to be sorted," Albus said to the hat.

"Ah," the hat said, "A pre-sort. I've done this type of thing before…but it's been many years. Let's see I think it was in…"

"Just tell us," Severus snarked, not interested in the hat's reminiscing.

"Fine," the hat spat indignantly, the slit of its mouth turning down at the wizard. Then it focused on Bara.

"Very smart this one. Inquisitive and a fast learner. He wants to know everything. Not a bad candidate for Ravenclaw," the hat began.

Flitwick sat up straighter. He was the head of Ravenclaw. Bara could come to him.

"Hm. Extremely brave and courageous. Definitely some Gryffindor traits…and doesn't mind hard work. He could be a Hufflepuff if not for the sharp mind. Hmmm…." The hat continued. It fell silent for a moment.

"Oh my," the hat said, "This boy is definitely a Slytherin. He has a strong sense of self-preservation, is willful, believes in himself and will do what he feels he must to get his own way despite the consequences. He is also ambitious. When it comes time to sort him, he will definitely be placed in Slytherin."

The hat fell silent and Albus removed it, looking down at Bara sadly.

"What is wrong, Father Albus?" the boy asked the Headmaster.

"I wanted you to be a Gryffindor," the old wizard admitted. "That was my house."

Bara felt very sad about this. He watched as Albus returned the hat to the top shelf behind his desk and sat down heavily.

"I can still go to Gryffindor, Father Albus. I will learn to be one if that would make you happy," he said to the white-haired wizard. "I do not have to go to Slytherin."

Albus smiled at the boy tenderly, some of the twinkle coming back into his eyes at the boy's desire to make him happy. .

"I'm afraid you can't learn to be a Gryffindor, Bara. You are who you are, and I would not have you change for me or anyone," the wizard said. "I will get used to the idea. But as a potential Slytherin, you will have to be in contact with Professor Snape more often. He will teach you what you need to know as a Slytherin."

Bara turned and looked at Severus, who arched an eyebrow at him. The young wizard's eyes washed over the pale wizard. Then he turned back to Albus.

"But…but you will still be my Father Albus, won't you?" he asked the Headmaster anxiously. "I do not want to leave you."

Albus gave him an affectionate smile.

"I will always be your Father Albus, Bara," he replied. The little wizard walked around the desk and embraced the wizard. Severus looked on and Flitwick wiped a tear from his eye at the display.

"Good," the boy said, kissing Albus on his cheek. Kissing was common in India, and Bara didn't feel ashamed to do it.

Albus looked at him fondly, then tried to glower.

"All right Bara, return to your room. You are still on punishment," the Headmaster said gruffly, trying to show the Professors he wasn't a soft touch. He failed miserably, but neither Severus nor Filius called him on it.

"Yes, sir," Bara replied obediently. He said goodbye to Severus and Filius then returned to his room.

Severus looked after him, then at Albus.

"I believe you'd better ward Bara's door, Headmaster, or he will be wandering the halls of Hogwarts within the hour," the wizard said with a small smirk.

Albus started. Yes, he'd better do that. Sweet as Bara was…he was a Slytherin. The Headmaster would have to be on point with the boy from now on. He had not yet told Minerva about his charge, but was sure once the witch was up to par, she would provide a very strict but loving influence on Bara. Minerva was sharp as a whip and wouldn't be taken in by him one bit, even if she doted on him…which she most likely would, particularly once she heard his history. If Bara acted up too badly, the boy might find himself transfigured into something quite uncomfortable.

Albus excused himself and walked down the hall to ward Bara's bedroom.

Flitwick looked at Severus.

"You're going to have your hands full with that one, Severus," the wizard commented.

Severus looked at the diminutive wizard, his dark eyes glittering.

"I can handle it," he said shortly. "Troublemakers are my specialty."

---

After Severus left so abruptly, Hermione was greeted by a very happy Eli, who knew exactly what had happened in India. His claws were gnawed almost to stumps, the elf had been biting them so hard as he watched his Master and Miss face the Dementors via his bond to the dark wizard. He prepared Hermione a nice Iberico ham sandwich and sparkling pumpkin juice. He knew the Master wouldn't mind now that he felt he had introduced the witch to the delicacy. Hermione thanked Eli, ate and retired to her bedroom to shower and scrub.

The witch was absolutely pink by the time she finished showering, using a very gritty soap and rough loofah to shear off the first layer of skin cells. She had been under the spray forty-five minutes at least. Then she spent a half hour brushing her teeth and gargling, trying to get the imagined taste of Dementor slobber out of her mouth. Finally Hermione exited the bathroom and found a stack of sealed parchments on her bed, topped by a note from Severus. She read the note.

These are letters from Harry Potter that I withheld until you finished the project. You were too deeply immersed in your work to respond to the idiot properly. Now you are free to pursue this insane friendship to its deplorable end.

Hermione scowled at Severus' assessment of her friendship with Harry. Yes, they were on the outs, but she was more than willing to patch things up with the wizard. She and Harry went a long way back…and really were more than friends. They were like family. You didn't turn your back on family, even when they act like assholes.

Hermione opened the first parchment.

I am sorry to send a letter rather than come to see you in person, but Professor Snape has forbidden me to come to the house. I want to see you, talk to you and apologize to you. Please come to the beach house when you can.

Hermione opened the next parchment and read it:

Since you haven't responded, I presume you are still mad at me. Please don't be…I've realized my mistake and I desperately need to talk to you. I would come to see you but as I said, Professor Snape has barred me from the premises, and most likely I would have to duel him to see you. I don't want to do that. The first duel didn't go very well for me. Please come to the beach house so I can apologize properly.

Hermione frowned. First duel? What first duel? Severus didn't say anything about dueling Harry. Hermione's frown turned into a dark scowl. No, Severus wouldn't say anything about it because he knew how she would react, the sneaky bastard. He must have beaten Harry and barred him from the house. But what caused them to duel in the first place? She'd find out from Harry.

Hermione continued to open the parchments, which became more and more desperate, the final one saying that Harry knew she hated him and would never speak to him again, because he was the lowest form of scum on the earth, things of that nature. Hermione's heart went out to the wizard and she intended to visit him tomorrow.

---

Hermione arrived at the beach house the next day. Dobby was sweeping the porch when she appeared and the elf was ecstatic to see her.

"The Miss comes…oh thanks you Miss. Thanks you. The Master has not been himself and pines for his best friend. He wills be so happy to see you!" the elf said, opening the door and letting Hermione in.

She walked right into Ginny, who was leaving. The two witches looked at each other.

"Harry needs you," Ginny said shortly, "He's in the study."

Then the witch walked past her and through the screen door, Hermione looking after her. Well, that had been rather icy…but what could she expect after what Ginny heard her say? She walked through the house into the study. Harry was sitting on the sofa. He looked up when he heard someone enter.

"Hermione?" he said as if he couldn't believe she were here in the flesh.

"Harry," Hermione said, her voice catching.

The wizard looked horrible, as if he hadn't bathed or showered for weeks. There was heavy stubble around his chin, dark circles under his eyes and his hair had grown out and was tangled. He wore a wrinkled t-shirt and crumpled jeans. He was barefoot, even his toenails overgrown.

Harry's eyes filled with tears. "Are you really here? Or are you another dream?" he asked her, his voice no more than a whisper.

"I'm really here, Harry," the witch replied, her own eyes filling with tears as she looked at the wizard. Was he like this because of her?

Harry swallowed and stood up, walking over to Hermione and looking down at her as if he couldn't believe she were truly present. Slowly, carefully, he reached out and touched her shoulder lightly. His eyes widened as he came in contact with solid skin. He clutched her shoulder…then tears began to run down his face.

"I'm so, so sorry Hermione," he said brokenly. "I was an idiot, an ass, a selfish, uncaring bastard. All I cared about was shagging Ginny. I was thinking with my wand, not my head. You were only trying to protect me and being honest with me. You've always been honest with me. I see now you weren't trying to hurt me or Ginny," he said taking both her hands in his. "You know, you were right. Ginny and I get along, but she's a different witch now than the one I remember. We're more like shag buddies than real lovers. I don't think we'll ever marry…"

He gripped Hermione's hands even tighter.

"You were there the entire time, Hermione…and never gave up on me. You worked at my recovery for years and finally brought me back…and what did I do? Turn away from you. I haven't even thanked you properly for bringing me back, for saving me. Hermione, I know I've been a terrible friend, and don't deserve having someone as loyal and dedicated as you in my life…but…but I don't know what I'd do without you. It's as if my entire life has stopped. I haven't touched Ginny for weeks…I can't think straight I'm so wracked with guilt. It's like nothing will ever matter again if you don't forgive me," Harry said his eyes glistening.

"You know I've always been an idiot Hermione…always acted before I thought, flying off the handle. I haven't had a chance to mature like you have. I'm starting to, but I was still…still at Hogwarts. I was still eighteen in my head when I said those things to you. Nothing had sunk in yet really. It's not an excuse though…there is no excuse for how horribly I've treated you. Hermione, you're the only real friend I have…the only one other than Ron who saw me for who I am behind the boy who survived Voldemort. I don't want to lose you…you mean too much to me."

Harry sank down to his knees, looking up at Hermione, still clasping her hands.

"Please…please say you'll forgive me, Hermione. Please say you'll remain my friend. I will do anything you ask to make it up to you…just don't turn away from me," the wizard said, his voice cracking with emotion.

Hermione had intended to take Harry to task, but the wizard had said everything she would have said. Seeing Harry on his knees begging her to forgive him made her heart catch. She looked down at Harry.

"Get up you big sod," she said softly, drawing Harry up and embracing him. "Of course I forgive you."

"Thank you, thank you Hermione," the wizard breathed. "I don't deserve it."

Severus would heartily agree.

Hermione pulled back from him and looked him over.

"You need a shower, a shave, a haircut and your toes trimmed," she said, frowning slightly as she appraised his condition. The wizard was an utter mess. He stunk too.

Harry looked down at himself and rubbed the stubble on his chin.

"Yeah, I do," he agreed.

Hermione wrinkled her nose.

"You're a bit ripe, Harry. Why don't you go shower and I will wait for you in the kitchen. Then we can chat. I want to know about the duel between you and Severus," the witch said.

Harry frowned at the memory of the Potions Master royally kicking his ass.

"All right," he said, then he shouted, "Dobby, make Hermione some coffee!"

Dobby instantly appeared.

"Yes sir, Harry Potter sir," the elf said, delighted his master was up and about again, "Right away."

The elf winked out and Harry headed for his bedroom.

Dobby served Hermione coffee and some thin crispy cookies which were delicious. Harry reappeared looking and smelling much better. His long hair was still damp. He sat down at the table and Dobby brought him a sandwich.

"You must eats now, Harry Potter," the elf said.

Harry picked up the sandwich and lit into it, Dobby smiling in approval.

A pile of unread Daily Prophets were on the table and Harry dragged the top one over, glancing at the headline.

"Wizards and Witches Awake From Dementor's Kiss"

Harry's eyes widened and he looked at Hermione.

"You did it!" he breathed.

"Severus and I did it," Hermione corrected. "Professor McGonagall is back."

Harry smiled at Hermione broadly.

"You are a bloody wonder," he said, Hermione blushing furiously.

At Harry's urging she told him all about her work, the niffler-Dementors and going to the temple. Harry's eyes widened when she told him about the Potions Master's Harper magic.

"My gods, that's amazing…and kind of frightening knowing that git has that much power. He could be another Dark Lord," Harry said.

Hermione glowered at him.

"Trust me, Severus doesn't want to rule over anyone. He hardly wants to talk to people as it is. And speaking of Severus…why did you two duel?" she asked Harry.

Harry told Hermione how he had asked Severus to end the patronage now that Hermione had awakened him, and how Severus refused and made obscene comments concerning her that pissed him off. He wouldn't tell her what Severus said about fucking her every night if he wanted to, but Hermione knew it was something along those lines. The wizard had obviously wanted to make Harry angry and succeeded.

"But Harry, he can't end the patronage. It dissolves itself once all the conditions are met," Hermione said.

"Well, the least he could do is stay off of you then," Harry said, his eyes dark. "It must be terrible to have to let him…be intimate with you any time he wants. I bet he's always after you."

Hermione looked at Harry and colored.

"It's not so terrible," she said, feeling a little rush of desire in her belly as she thought of the Potions Master on top of her, his dark eyes full of pleasure. If anything, he wasn't after her enough. The man could wait forever for sex.

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Hermione…you can't possible like it? He's ugly as hell to start with," the wizard said in disbelief.

Hermione frowned at him. Severus was not ugly…not to her.

"Harry, I think it best we agree not to talk about each other's sex lives. I can deal with the Professor. I don't want you trying to interfere anymore. Besides, he helped to bring you back. You could be more appreciative," Hermione said.

"I was appreciative. I paid him," Harry said, "Quite a lot too."

"You what? You paid him?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Yes. He charged me for bringing me back. For his services," Harry replied, "Didn't you know?"

"No I didn't. Why that sneaky, greedy, conniving…ooh. Wait until I see him," Hermione fumed.

"Well, don't be too upset. I'd rather pay him than feel like I owed him for the rest of my life," Harry said to the witch. "I can't think of anything worse than being indebted to Severus Snape."

Harry shuddered.

Hermione almost smirked. To Harry, that was true. Maybe it was better he had paid the snarky wizard off. Still, Severus could have said something instead of letting her think he had done a good, selfless act.

But then again, the Potions Master was a Slytherin…so it really wasn't surprising he didn't say anything about it…just like he didn't say anything about dueling Harry. Harry didn't give her any details except to say it was a very short duel and he got the worst of it.

Hermione and Harry discussed him "coming out" and living a normal life. The wizard was hesitant. He liked being left alone. Hermione pointed out that now that Minerva and the others woke up from a full kiss, he wasn't so amazing anymore.

"There will still be the awards and hullabaloo," Harry said, frowning.

"You can make it plain you don't want that, Harry. People will respect your wishes. You have to get back out in the world. You can't spend your life hiding out here. I didn't bring you back for that. I want you to live and live well," Hermione said softly. "For the first time in your life, you're free Harry. Free to do what you want. Take advantage of it."

Harry nodded.

"You're right Hermione. I think I will go to Hogwarts and visit Professor McGonagall," the wizard said.

"You should get the Headmaster to arrange a press conference for you too, to get the reporters off your back," Hermione suggested. "He will be a good support for you."

"If I do that…will you come?" Harry asked.

Hermione thought about it. The reporters were after her too. It might be a good idea to attend the press conference and make some statements. She looked at Harry.

"Yes, I think I will," she replied smiling at him.

"Good show," the wizard said, returning her smile.

Hermione spent another hour chatting with her restored friend, then returned to the house. The witch took out a large pensieve and began to remove her memories of destroying the Dementors. She wasn't going to do any work on the docu-pensieve yet, but at least she'd have everything prepared.

The witch thought about Severus coming this weekend. He'd have a lot to explain.

Then she'd shag his sneaky, greedy, conniving head off.

---

Harry owled the Headmaster that night, and Albus quickly arranged a press conference for two o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Great Hall. He wrote down the wards for the main gate for Harry and suggested he and Hermione arrive disillusioned and remain that way until they made it inside the castle. The paparazzi were on the prowl.

Albus then informed Severus of the press conference and asked him if he wanted to sit in.

"I will sit in, only to promote the release of the upcoming docu-pensieves," the Potions Master said. "The press may contact my solicitor's for a free preview copy of "The Return of Harry Potter" which is completed and almost ready for the open market."

Severus knew that the papers would review the docu-pensieve, which would generate interest and therefore sales. The wizard was quite a shrewd businessman. More than likely they would cease to pursue him for an interview about Harry's return…yet his Harper powers would be targeted next. They were quite rare. Possibly a history would be dug up about them. The Daily Prophet had excellent researchers and no doubt would put them on it as soon as possible. Less work for the wizard to do himself.

Since Hermione and Harry were both going to be interviewed, Severus assumed they had made up and were as disgustingly close as ever. No doubt the boy-who-lived had told Hermione about both the payment for his services and the duel. Hermione would have questions for him. Well, it was going to be a short interrogation at any rate. There was some serious, serious shagging to be done and he wasn't about to let the witch hold him up for long. He had waited too long as it was. The wizard planned to start out giving the witch what she needed, then fall into his preferred method of taking her…slow, easy and all night long.

Severus allowed himself to fantasize about Hermione shrieking his name for a moment, then pushed the thought out of his mind. No need to torment himself when in two more days he'd have the witch pinned to the mattress of his four-poster working off months of forced celibacy.

The wizard's two o'clock Potions class was cancelled so he could attend the press conference, much to his students' delight. However, he had double homework assignments for them tomorrow, so their joy would be very short-lived.

He arrived at the Great Hall through the teacher's entrance. The noise of the clamoring reporters could be heard throughout the castle. He billowed in, his black eyes scanning the room as the press jostled for seats and cameras flashed. He scowled at the mass of witches and wizards, then took a seat next to Hermione, who gave him a rather angry look.

Yes, Potter had spilled his guts all right.

Severus pointedly ignored the witch, which only worsened her attitude. Harry looked at the wizard with a small frown as well. Last time he had seen Severus, he was flinging him through the front gate by the scruff of his neck. The Potions Master gave him a nasty smirk in acknowledgement.

Albus stood up, and the room went relatively silent as the reporters looked at him with rapt attention.

"Welcome members of the press. This press conference will last half an hour, ten minutes of questioning will be allowed for each person. Those wishing to ask questions are to raise their hands, and I will select who will speak. You will identify yourself and the paper or magazine you are associated with. I retain the authority to cut questions short, and there will be only one question per selected person. Is this clear?" Albus said, looking around the room as flashbulbs popped. A murmur of assent went up from the crowd.

"Good," Albus said, "First up will be Mr. Harry Potter."

One hundred hands went up immediately. Albus selected a short wizard with brown hair and glasses.

"Siegfried Monston, Popular Wizarding Magazine. Mr. Potter, it's rumored you recovered several months ago. Where have you been all this time?

"Um, at my home," Harry responded…his voice cracking a bit.

Hands went up again. Albus selected another reporter. A witch this time.

"Abigail Husseltaven, Witch Weekly Magazine. Mr. Potter, why didn't you let the public know you had returned?"

"I needed to get myself together first. I knew that there would be a lot of excitement about my return, and I wasn't ready for all that. I've been famous all my life…and now that Voldemort is dead…all I want is to be left alone to live my life like anyone else," the wizard replied honestly.

A murmur went up as wizards and witches scribbled furiously on parchments. Hands went up again, and Albus chose another reporter.

"Wendy Witchell, the Daily Prophet. Mr. Potter, what was it like to be you all those years? You were barely cognizant of your surroundings according to early accounts of your condition."

Harry thought about this.

"It wasn't like anything," Harry replied, "One moment I was standing over Voldemort's body, the next moment I was waking up on the beach with Hermione and Professor Snape. It was as if no time had passed at all."

The witch sat down and more hands flew up.

Albus nodded to a wizard.

"Kyle Sommers, The Magical Enquirer. What happened on the beach, Mr. Potter?"

Harry shook his head.

"I don't know. Hermione told me she and Professor Snape had performed a ritual using music to restore my soul. And some house elves helped," Harry answered.

Another murmur went up. House elves? That was very interesting.

Several more reporters questioned Harry and his ten minutes were up.

"Next, Miss Granger," Albus said.

A flurry of waving hands went up. Everyone was curious about the elusive witch.

Albus selected one very animated witch, who wore a pointed black hat.

"Miss Granger, where have you been all this time?" the witch asked.

The entire room went silent.

"I was domiciled at the home of my patron, Professor Severus Snape, deeply involved in a project to restore the souls of persons that had been kissed by Dementors," the witch replied.

Murmurs of "I knew it" rose from the crowd.

Albus selected another wizard.

"Fredrick Hasseltome, Playwizard Magazine. How did you use music to restore Harry Potter? That is quite an unusual method, " the reporter asked.

"Well it was quite complicated really. It involved charting Harry's planets at the moment of his birth, which was the "pattern of his soul" and turning that pattern into music, which had to be played by a Harper…which is a witch or wizard that has the power to magically use music. Fortunately, we discovered Professor Snape is a Harper, and he played the score and Harry's soul was able to repair itself based on that magical pattern. The Professor also used his magic to bind the Dementors so the souls could be restored."

Albus chose another witch.

"Haley Gribbenstork, Wands Magazine. How exactly did you restore the souls of those stricken by the Dementor's kiss?"

"Professor Snape gave me a journal of the wizard that originally created the Dementors, Damius Altercare. It was very in-depth and gave the formula for the elixir he used. I altered this formula to have an opposite effect. Then I kissed the Dementors and drew out the souls they had taken, leaving them in a stricken state."

Loud murmurs rippled through the crowd at this information. The witch had actually kissed Dementors? Now this was news!

Excited hands went up again, and Albus selected another wizard.

"Leroy Foster, Black Wizarding Monthly. Miss Granger, what was it like to kiss a Dementor?"

Severus' eyes slid to Hermione as she grimaced visibly.

"It was very, very disgusting. They smelled like rotting corpses and their breath was worse. Since their mouths were larger than mine, they covered almost my entire face. I was covered in saliva and had to scourgify myself after each kiss," the witch said shuddering, "I had to kiss over thirty Dementors. It was horrible, but it had to be done."

Disgusted groans went around the room. Even Albus grimaced at her description.

Albus picked another witch.

"Griselda Figgensworth, Daily Prophet. How did you find out the souls of the kissed weren't destroyed?"

Hermione was about to answer, when Severus put his hand on her arm and shook his head, scowling slightly.

"You're going to have to ask Professor Snape, since he was the one who discovered this fact," the witch said to the disappointed reporter.

Hermione answered several more questions before it was Severus' turn. All the hands in the room seemed to go up. The Potions Master glared at everyone and stood up.

"I have made it very clear that I will not give an interview without being compensated. This hasn't changed. However, I would like to announce that docu-pensieves of both Harry's recovery and the return of the taken souls will be available to the press. In fact, the completed docu-pensive of Harry's recovery and the ritual is available free of charge to the press, one to a periodical. It shows the entire magical process from beginning to end. Those papers or magazines wishing to review the docu-pensieves need only have their editors contact my solicitor, Mr. Bartelby Baines, and he will supply one. That is all I have to say," the dark wizard said, sitting down and folding his arms.

Cries of disappointment went up from the reporters. They had hoped to get at least one statement from the Potions Master. But the news of the docu-pensieves was big. They would be sure to report to their editors immediately and try to get the assignment of reviewing it.

Albus brought the conference to a close, the members of the press hurrying from the castle grounds and disapparating quickly to write their articles. Hermione looked at Severus as they waited for the castle to clear.

"We need to talk," Hermione said to the wizard, her brow furrowed.

Severus let his eyes slowly wash over the witch. Hermione couldn't help but shudder deliciously as the wizard appraised her.

"I think we need to do more than talk, witch," he said in a low silky voice.

Harry still heard him however and rolled his eyes.

"Hermione, I'll see you later," Harry said, standing up, kissing her on the cheek while glowering at a smirking Severus. He exited the Great Hall, not about to listen to the Potions Master put the moves on his best friend.

"We won't be doing anything other than talking until I get answers," Hermione responded.

Severus leaned toward her, and the witch could almost feel the heat of his body waft over her. He was like a bloody magnet, and Hermione struggled not to lean in towards him.

"Do you really believe that witch? I can smell you from here," the Potions Master purred, licking his lips suggestively.

Hermione felt a gush. If he couldn't really smell her before, he probably could now. Her inner thighs were soaked. She discreetly pulled out her wand and pointed it at her thighs.

"Scourgify," she whispered, cleaning herself.

The Potions Master's eyes glittered with a mixture of mirth and lust as he witnessed the spell.

"Don't expect a tender beginning," he said to her darkly, "I'm going to shag the shit out of you."

"Damn you Severus," Hermione hissed as another gush rolled out of her.

Severus chuckled and stood up.

"Until Friday night, Miss Granger," he said with a bow…then billowed out the exit, leaving the witch staring after him hungrily.

"How does he manage to make me go from wanting to hex him to wanting to shag him to death?" the witch mused as she scourgified herself again.

Hermione knew how he managed it though. The wizard was dead sexy to her and he knew it. He also knew how to use her attraction to him to manipulate her into little more than a steaming puddle of lust.

But he was wrong. They would talk about the things he'd hidden from her. After that…well…

Another hot gush of fluid flooded Hermione's knickers.

"Damn it," she cursed, taking out her wand for the third time.

Friday couldn't get here soon enough.

---

The next morning at breakfast, the post owls arrived. Severus received a letter and his copy of the Daily Prophet and read the headline on the front page.

"Dedicated Witch Gives the Kiss of Life"

Severus skimmed the article which spoke mostly about Hermione's sensational act in saving those kissed by Dementors by actually kissing the creatures herself. It gave a bit of history as to how she created the elixir that reversed the Dementors kiss and how she faced the creatures in India. There was one small line about him.

"Miss Granger was assisted by Professor Severus Snape of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

The Potions Master snorted. So, he "helped." Bloody reporters.

Severus shuffled through the paper to the section he really wanted to see…the review section. Sure enough, there were several reviews about the docu-pensieve "The Return of Harry Potter" which was the name they finally decided on.

"Amazing Footage. Action-Packed. A Must See."
Terrance Hortles, Wizards Weekly

"A Moving Tale of Loyalty, Struggle and Triumph. "
Sharice Beetlegood, Magical Entertainment Monthly

"The Recovery of Harry Potter" Shines!"
Tony Galverton, Wands and Witches

"Sexy Severus Snape is a Witch's and Music Lover's Dream!"
Donna Goody, Playwitch Magazine

Severus could just hear the galleons tumbling in. Every single review was a rave. They were going to make a fortune. He folded up the newspaper and opened the letter.

Dear Professor Snape,

My name is Brenda Fitzworten, and I am editor and publisher of the popular magazine "Playwitch." We have a circulation of 1,200,000 readers in five countries. After reviewing your docu-pensieve, I would like to extend an invitation to you to pose for our magazine, which features tasteful nude and semi-nude photos of eligible wizards for the pleasure of our readers. Our layouts are quite sophisticated, focusing on the best features of our guest wizards. We pay quite well, particularly for full frontals, up to twenty thousand galleons depending on the results of the photo shoot.

There are numerous benefits to shooting a spread in our magazine, such as notoriety and face recognition. Many of our photo subjects are asked to promote products for large companies which pay a great deal of money for very little time. It is an excellent way to supplement your income.

If you are interested in becoming one of our Playwitch wizards, please contact me and we can arrange an interview. Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Brenda Fitzworten
Editor
Playwitch Magazine.

Severus arched an eyebrow. Twenty thousand galleons to have millions of randy witches gape at his goods? Not too shabby. Apparently starring in a docu-pensieve had other benefits besides just making history. The Potions Master imagined they would want him to bring his violin and hold it in some erotic position.

The wizard smirked, folded up the letter and put it in his robes pocket. He'd have to make sure to leave it where Hermione could find it. He'd love to know what she'd think about him posing for Playwitch.

Severus finished his breakfast and headed for the dungeons. Time to deal with the dunderheads.

---

Hermione read the various articles in the Daily Prophet about Harry and herself. There was very little mention of Severus in any of them. His lack of information had resulted in his being regulated to a kind of assistant in both matters. This made the witch a bit uncomfortable because without the Potions Master, nothing could have been accomplished at all. But then again, he wouldn't give any interviews so…that was what happened.

She then flipped through the reviews for the docu-pensieve. They were all very good, but Hermione noticed the review from Playwitch calling Severus "sexy." He was sexy but she had mixed feelings about it being announced in the newspapers. It was as if every witch that hadn't noticed it before, might start noticing now. And if they started noticing, then that meant a few might hit on the Professor.

Hermione scowled.

Severus wasn't the friendliest wizard, but he was still a man. True, he had her through the Patronage agreement, but when it ended…who's to say he wouldn't take up with another or even several witches. Yes, he had been celibate before her, and he seemed to have a lot of control over his sexual urges…but he still had needs. Needs other witches might be able to meet.

Hermione's scowl grew even darker. She had never imagined herself to be the jealous type, but she felt the distinct urge to hex…and hex hard as she thought about another witch putting the moves on Severus. She looked back at the review. This was going to be trouble and she knew it.

Hermione didn't want to end her physical relationship with the Potions Master. It was as if the wizard was tailor-made for her needs, and she felt that she would never find another man who moved her the way he did. She even enjoyed his snarkiness and sarcasm. And it made her feel special that he desired her as much as he did. Severus told her he didn't want to be intimate with any other witch and that he wasn't willing to share her, which meant he didn't want any other wizards to have her. Of course, he had made that a stipulation of the agreement between them under the guise of protecting himself from wizarding STDs, but Hermione suspected there was more to it, something that went beyond Patronage.

The witch sighed and folded up the paper. She had been dancing around this issue for too long and needed to know where she stood with the Professor as a woman, not a charge. And soon. While she was working on the second docu-pensieve and put the last strand into the bowl, she felt an unsettling shift of magic around her…as if something had subtly changed. True, she hadn't done a large amount of work under Severus specifically for the wizard, but the Sequentius spell was bringing in a large amount of residuals, and no doubt sales for "The Return of Harry Potter" were going to go through the roof, and the Dementor docu-pensieve would probably be even a bigger marketing success due to the additional draw of her actually kissing Dementors. Everyone would want to see that. In other words, she and Severus were both going to be quite rich.

Hermione's eyes went dark. That could mean she had fulfilled the requirements of the Patronage agreement satisfactorily in a short period of time. She had a sinking feeling that it would be dissolved soon. Already an official owl had come from the Ministry containing a parchment from one of the Ministry's headhunters, offering her a position in either the Potions or Spellmaking department for an obscene salary. She didn't intend to pass it up either. No more blue-collar private sector work for her.

It was hard to believe she had been under the Professor's protection for a little over a year now. The time had flown by. Most patronage agreements lasted about three years, but their association had been quite lucrative.

Hermione needed to talk to the wizard and find out where she stood. This was very important for a number of reasons…the most important reason being…she loved him.

Hermione had tried her best to ignore her feelings for the Professor, and at first tried to logically dissect her feelings, at first believing she was deeply infatuated with the wizard because of his sexual prowess. But there were other aspects of her feelings toward him that didn't quite jibe with that. She liked his presence, and missed him even when she wasn't particularly randy. He was also a good conversationalist as well as debater. Hermione never had anyone to really lock horns with intellectually and enjoyed their arguments, although Severus' cold logic and always calm demeanor drove her wild.

Hermione would pace back and forth animatedly, gesticulating and loudly making her points, while the wizard would calmly sit in the armchair with an eyebrow arched, refusing to respond in like manner, bringing up point after point in his smooth, silky voice. It would almost drive her mad, but was so, so stimulating. And then there were the quiet moments when each was involved in their own work, a companionable silence filling the room. It was almost…domestic. Hermione could imagine this happening every day of her life. Coming home to Severus' strong, comforting presence.

Then there were those moments when she would wake up in the middle of the night, tucked tightly against the sleeping wizard's pale body, Severus' arm wrapped around her possessively. Hermione would gaze on his face and see a rare look of contentment there as he slept. She knew Severus hadn't had much contentment in his life, and that she was partially if not totally responsible for that expression.

Hermione sighed.

She would have to talk to him…this weekend.

She had waited long enough.

The witch pushed away from the breakfast table and headed downstairs to her spells lab, where she had the next docu-pensieve stored, her memories already added. She walked over to the cabinet, opened it and carefully removed a small pensieve containing Minerva McGonagall's memories of being trapped inside the Dementor, and of Severus flying by her, as well as her return to her own body.

Poppy had been livid when Hermione asked for the memories, and didn't want Minerva over-extending herself, but the strong-willed witch told Poppy to stop being silly and that it required no effort to remove memories. Hermione offered Minerva part of the residuals, but the witch declined, saying she and Severus earned every galleon and she was happy to help.

Hermione then took out several smaller pensieves and separated Minerva's memories into separate episodes, then added them in the appropriate places between her own memories. Severus insisted that Hermione leave his memories out of it, stating her own memories were more than sufficient and covered his participation quite well. Actually Severus was planning to put out his own docu-pensieve later on, covering his Harper powers. He didn't want to give any previews.

As Hermione worked, she once again felt the disturbing subtle shift of magic around her.

Yes, something was changing.

---

Severus was gathering the student's homework parchments in his office when he felt a subtle shifting of magic around him…almost like a wizarding oath reacting to some stimulus. He paused, his brows drawing together.

He knew instinctively that the Patronage oath was changing. Hermione hadn't been with him long, but she had generated quite an income for him. It was quite likely the agreement was about to undergo dissolution, and the witch would be free of him.

Severus' face went black.

He had gotten used to the witch. He didn't want her to leave or become inaccessible. He could still be of help to her in some ways…couldn't he?

She'd have more than enough money to do as she liked, and no doubt would receive job offers more suitable for her intellect and talents. She wouldn't need him any longer as financial support. But how about sexually? Yes, she would need him that way…unless she decided to look for someone willing to have a committed, romantic relationship.

The wizard shuddered. Commitment. Romance. Brrrrr.

Severus never saw the need for romance. Witches and wizards knew what they wanted from each other. He saw no reason to dance around the obvious. Romance was simply the long road to shagging. He was a "short stroll" kind of wizard.

Still, Hermione was a witch and despite her logic probably still ascribed to the idiosyncrasies of her sex. Wining, dining, receiving gifts, etc all given in the hope that the doting wizard could get her knickers down around her ankles.

Well he was already at that point, and wasn't about to back up. They were compatible and had great sex together. They were also intellectually well matched and could be compatible outside of the bedroom. They shared similar interests and both liked adventure and discovery. It made sense the witch should want to continue with him.

But when did witches ever make sense?

Severus rubbed his temples. Some kind of understanding had to be forged between them before the agreement was dissolved. He preferred to broach the subject while Hermione was still under his protection, rather than wait until she could just storm out of his presence if she didn't agree. It gave him a bit of an advantage.

The wizard's belly grew uncomfortably tight. If the witch wasn't willing to continue with him, he would have to go back to his lonely, semi-celibate life. Sure, no doubt there would be witches coming out of the woodwork because of the docu-pensieve and the spread in Playwitch if he decided to accept the invitation to pose.

But none of them would be Hermione Granger. The witch seemed almost tailor-made for him. The idea of shagging brainless witches with no dreams or ambitions didn't appeal to the Potions Master. With Hermione sex was so much more because of who she was. Sex with Hermione Granger was so much more because…because of what she confessed to him that night on the beach when the waves were crashing over them.

That she loved him.

And as cynical as Severus Snape was, even he couldn't deny what he saw in the witch's eyes when he took her…in fact he worked to make her look at him that way. He needed that look. No other woman had ever made his heart clutch when he looked into her eyes.

Severus Snape was a man used to divining deceptions and lies. Hermione wasn't lying to him that night on the beach, though he tried to convince himself it was the sex that made her reveal her heart, but he could hear the conviction in her voice, see it in her eyes and feel it deep inside her as he buried himself in her over and over again. He never thought himself able to attract the love of a woman, or even deserving of it, considering the terrible things he had done in the service of both Voldemort and the Order. He was ugly, mean, sarcastic, acerbic, biting, and cold most of the time. He was well off…that was enough to attract the attentions of a woman set on spending his galleons, but not the love.

But Hermione had claimed to love him…and he believed her.

He would have to call her on it if she wouldn't see the logic of staying involved with him.

And by the way the patronage magic was weakening, he needed to do it this weekend.

---

Hermione was so caught up in working on the docu-pensieve, she worked far into the night, getting the sequences correct, adding the narration, captions and making the notations for musical embellishment, which Severus would finish off. The pensieve made for exiting viewing, especially when the Dementors were closing in and surrounding the couple. Hermione had to marvel at her own courage as she relived the scene as an observer.

Finally, she finished the docu-pensieve. Severus had to sign off on it after adding the musical scoring, but she had a feeling he would be pleased…as pleased as he would show, anyway.

Hermione yawned, stretched and retired to Severus' bedroom, undressing and sliding under the sheets. Her last thought before drifting off was that she wouldn't be sleeping alone tonight…if sleeping at all. Hugging Severus' pillow to her face tightly, the witch fell asleep.

---

After a bit of thought, Severus wrote Brenda Fitzworten to arrange an interview. He wasn't sure he would pose for the magazine, but it would be interesting to see what the witch had to say and what she would offer as incentive.

The next morning, Severus received a reply at breakfast. Miss Fitzworten certainly wasn't wasting anytime. The interview would be Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock. She requested he bring his violin and not take any extra care with his appearance. She wanted to see him as is. So be it.

He folded up the letter and placed it in his pocket, and focused on finishing his breakfast and his class topic for the day. The Potions Master would not allow Hermione to creep into his mind…if she did, the thought would also creep into his trousers and balloon. In a few hours he would be alone with the witch, and making up for lost time. He tried not to think of her soft, curvaceous body, or her voice breaking over the syllables of his name, or the wet, clutch and caress of her…

"Damn it," Severus breathed, looking down at the tent in his robes.

The day wouldn't pass quickly enough.

---

When class let out Friday afternoon, Severus didn't bother going to supper. He locked up the classroom tight, put a sign on his office that he would be away for the weekend, grabbed his Strad and bow and apparated directly for his home and Hermione.

The witch hadn't expected the wizard so early, and was in the process of dressing when he opened her bedroom door, his dark eyes glittering as they washed over her bra and knickers. Hermione attempted to cover herself with her hands and shrieked in surprise when Severus threw the door open. He stalked into the room and closed the door behind him.

"Have you become so unused to me witch that you try to hide yourself in my presence?" the wizard purred, his eyes hungry as they rested on her thighs, then flicked back up to her face. Her hair was still damp.

Hermione swallowed.

"No. You just…just surprised me the way you flew in here," she responded, reaching for her robes slowly. Severus' jaw tightened. He started to unbutton his robes.

Hermione's eyes widened.

"Wait. We have to talk about what happened with Harry," she said, slipping her robes over her arms. Severus didn't stop working on his robes.

"So talk," he said, his pale hands working on the lower fasteners.

"You dueled him," Hermione said, watching as Severus pulled off his robes and laid them on her chair. He started on his shirt.

"If that is what you want to call it. The duel lasted about five seconds. He drew his wand on me in my own house, Hermione. That is unforgivable," the wizard said, opening his shirt and revealing his taut, pale chest.

Hermione's eyes rested on it, and she lost her train of thought for a moment. Severus smirked at her as he worked on his cuffs.

"You provoked him," Hermione said accusingly.

"He provoked me by attempting to set the terms of my patronage. He had no right to make demands of me concerning you," the wizard said evenly, "And I was easier on him than I should have been…because of you. Now you wish to take me to task for it? This is my reward for showing restraint concerning the ungrateful pup? I could have easily killed him, Hermione…and he would have deserved it for challenging me. I am no young wizard that duels for fun. It is a deadly business. He wanted to duel, so I did."

Severus removed his shirt, Hermione staring at him. What was she to say to this? The wizard had shown restraint. She supposed she should be grateful. Instead, she changed the topic as the wizard walked over to her bed, sat down and began removing his boots.

"You charged him for performing the ritual," Hermione said to the wizard as he removed his socks.

"Yes I did. I performed a service and deserved compensation," Severus said, tucking his socks into his boots and sliding them under Hermione's bed.

"But we were helping him," Hermione argued.

Severus looked up at her.

"No, you were helping him, and I was helping you. I couldn't very well charge you. So I received payment from him. I expended a lot of energy bringing him back. I deserve recompense," the wizard said, standing up and working at the fasteners of his trousers, which were very tented.

Hermione licked her lips unconsciously, trying to remain focused.

"Besides, Hermione…if I did not charge Harry for my service, the wizard would have felt indebted to me for the rest of his life. I can hardly imagine anything worse than Harry Potter slinking about trying to repay me by acting like some kind of guard dog. I did us both a favor by accepting payment as closure. I know what it is like to be indebted to someone you hate," Severus said, thinking about James Potter.

James had saved him from being killed by Remus when he transformed into a werewolf. Sirius Black had set him up for death, and if it wasn't for James, he would have been torn to bits. Then James died and Severus spent years looking after Harry in an attempt to repay his father for saving his life. He had suffered greatly at the hands of Voldemort because of it. When Harry killed Voldemort, Severus had done his job by keeping the boy alive so he could complete his destiny. He wasn't about to have that debt turned around.

Severus slid his trousers down and stepped out of them and stood before Hermione in his tented boxers.

"Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me concerning Mr. Potter? I would rather not have him in the bed with us," the wizard said, striding toward the witch. He stopped mere inches from her. Severus started to slide her robes off her shoulders, his black eyes blazing into hers.

"No," Hermione said, her legs feeling like rubber as the Professor slowly slid her sleeves down her arms, "No…not about Harry but…"

"It can wait then," Severus said silkily, removing her robes and letting them drop to the floor. His eyes washed over her bra and knickers. "I can't. I've waited long enough witch. It's time I claim you again."

Hermione felt as if she'd never breathe again as the Potions Master lowered his head and kissed her, his lips moving against hers sensuously as he drew down one strap of her bra, then the other. She felt his hands caress the sides of her breasts, before sliding over her skin to her back and unclasping it, breaking the kiss and straightening, removing it, his eyes locked to hers.

Suddenly the wizard locked his arms around Hermione, who let out a gasp as Severus lifted her and crushed her body against his as he kissed her again, this time invading her mouth hungrily, his tongue wrapping around hers as he began walking towards the bed. Hermione instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, her core pressing against the wizard's erection. Severus growled in the back of his throat as he felt her heat through the thin fabrics separating their flesh. Damn, he was so hard, Hermione couldn't help grinding against him.

The wizard lowered Hermione to the bed, her body resting on the edge of it, and ground against her unmercifully as he continued to kiss her, the witch panting into his mouth as he slid his hardness against her. The witch's knickers were soaked, and the smell of her arousal filled the air. Severus moved to her throat, sucking, kissing and licking as Hermione arched against him helplessly, fire boiling over her at his contact. The combination of his hard body and soft mouth made her feel as if she would explode.

"Oh my gods," she moaned as the wizard moved lower resting on his knees, his hands caressing her sides as his mouth swept over the swell of her breasts, then latched on to her nipple, sucking gently, his hot wet tongue swirling over the hardened peak as he fondled the other. Then he switched, giving the other breast the same attention before sliding lower, over her belly, his fingers hooking the waistband of her knickers. Severus straightened and pulled them down as far as he could before moving aside and drawing them off completely, bringing them to his nose as Hermione looked up at him with molten eyes. The Potions Master inhaled deeply, his eyes going half-lidded.

"This is a scent I can live with," the wizard said to the witch, dropping her knickers and lifting her legs, then catching her calves and pushing them back as far as he could.

Severus looked at Hermione's slick inner thighs and the little droplets of lubrication glistening in her pubic hair. Letting go of one of her calves, he used two fingers to part her labia and stare down at her hard little clit and soft, pink core. The wizard's nostrils flared for a moment, then he looked up at Hermione.

The Potions Master breathed something unintelligible at her, then lowered his mouth and licked her inner thighs slowly, collecting her fluids on his tongue, inching his way towards her apex. Hermione buckled. Gods, he was moving too slow, dragging his lips on her skin before using them to pull at her pubic hair, collecting the jewels of her arousal. He held her steady as he moved toward his destination, the witch gasping and clutching at his head in an attempt to force his mouth down to relieve her of the intense yearning she felt.

"You're impatient," the wizard said, his voice muffled, "Very well."

Severus drew his tongue slowly between Hermione's desire-swollen labia and over her clit, the witch letting out a choked cry as the delicious sensation thrummed through her body. That cry made Severus throb hungrily, and he dove into the witch, lashing her with his tongue, teasing her with his lips, tormenting her lightly with his teeth and soothing her. The wizard licked, kissed and sucked on the witch's delicate flesh as if it were the most delicious banquet he had ever consumed, and for Severus at this moment…it was.

Hermione was breaking apart under his ministrations, crying out, tugging on his hair and bucking wildly as he held her down, drinking at her fountain. The balloon of bliss inside her was swelling, swelling and suddenly burst, the witch screaming his name as she came, the wizard sucking at her almost desperately, drinking down her release, his face glistening as he moved his head sensuously, his mouth pressed tight against Hermione's quaking body.

Severus stayed with her until he consumed every bit of her ambrosia, then lifted his head, licking his lips, his dark eyes taking in the sloe-eyed witch as she still gyrated.

"Yes, Hermione," he breathed, gently letting her legs down then tugging his boxers down and lifting each knee so he could remove them, his thick, dripping organ springing out in readiness.

"Are you ready to be taken witch?" he asked, pressing into her softness, not bothering to get in the bed properly. "Tell me you want me to shag you."

Hermione lifted her head, taking in the sight of the dark wizard nestled between her thighs, his rippled belly and lean muscular torso visible, his pale face slightly contorted with need, his dark eyes full of hunger.

"Yessss," she hissed, "Shag me Severus…it's been so long," she moaned, letting her head drop back. She felt the wizard grasp her waist with one hand.

Severus' belly tightened at the desire in the witch's voice.

"Far too long," he agreed, inserting his thick, pulsing head with a groan, then grasping the witch's waist with his other hand and yanking her down, throwing his head back and driving into her body hard and deep, slamming against her cervix

"Merlin," he hissed as Hermione's hot sheath wrapped around his shaft like a second skin and the witch buckled, crying out from his power. The Potions Master looked down on the witch, his lower lip slack with pleasure, meeting her wet eyes.

"Yessss," he hissed.

Then Severus began to shag...and shag hard.

---

Hermione cried out and arched as Severus speared her brutally with his huge tool, the thick head plowing into her softness, filling her with the wizards hot, hard girth and length. Gods, it felt so good to feel him take her with such hunger after all this time and the witch welcome his ache. She had missed it. Missed him.

Severus leaned back slightly, stroking the witch hard and deep, watching his glistening member disappear and reappear, the witch's cries goading him on as he possessed her delicious, petite body, winding his pelvis and adjusting his angle, trying to touch, caress and devour every part of her. He looked down on her jerking body, feeling strong, whole and wanted as he reclaimed his charge. Damn, Hermione felt exquisite…right. He needed more.

Severus stopped stroking Hermione long enough to push her up further in the bed, then he stood up, looking down at her for a moment before falling forward and trapping her legs under his arms, raising himself up on his hands. The wizard adjusted his hips, dragging the head of his organ over Hermione's buttocks and shifted until he was positioned at the entrance to her body once more, then drove in, hard, staring at the witch as she received him, marveling at how strong she was. Hermione clutched at his arms as he slammed into her over and over, his eyes focused on her face. She was beautiful in her passion, in her response to him.

"Say my name," he hissed at her, wanting to hear Hermione shriek his name again. The witch's mouth was slack and the wizard shifted his angle and plunged into her harder.

"Say it! Say my name, witch. I want to hear it!" he demanded, bouncing into her softness, sweat beginning to fly off his body. Hermione was covered in a wet sheen, and her eyes rolled up momentarily as she stiffened, then came.

"Severus! Severus!" the witch cried out, her nails digging into his forearms as she gushed over him, the wizard groaning at the heat and clutch of her sleeve clamping down on his shaft as he continued to ride her through her orgasm, her walls slick, her body quaking.

Suddenly he dropped, releasing her legs, covering her mouth and kissing the witch deeply, letting her tight wet sleeve pulse around him as he claimed her mouth, also soft, wet and accepting. Hermione's arms wrapped around his neck as her legs wrapped around his waist, their two bodies connected as one, locked together in passion. The wizard lost himself in the sweetness of the connection. He felt needed, wanted, as if…as if he belonged to someone other than himself. It was an eternal moment…and the wizard couldn't help what he said next as he pulled away from Hermione's mouth and stared down at her as she returned to herself, her amber eyes full of soft fire as she looked up at him, her lips swollen from the ardor of his kiss…her body shuddering, slick with his perspiration.

"Do you love me, witch?" Severus asked Hermione

Hermione's eyes went a bit wild, and her mouth moved, gaping like a fish. Severus pulled back slowly and entered her, gently this time, the witch's eyes closing in pleasure before opening again.

"Tell me, Hermione…do you love me?" he asked her again, stopping.

Severus knew he wasn't being remotely fair, asking the witch something like this when he had her in such a vulnerable position. But he was a Slytherin. Striking when others were vulnerable was par for the course. He felt this was the best time for negotiation with the witch.

"I…I don't know," Hermione lied, not wanting to put her heart out there without knowing how the wizard felt.

"Our patronage is coming to an end soon witch. I can feel it, and I suspect you have felt it as well. You will be free of me then," he said softly, though his eyes were hard.

"Free of you," Hermione repeated hollowly.

Severus began to stroke Hermione again, slowly and deliberately. He was in control now, his desire to manipulate her, to make her admit she wanted him…she loved him.

"Do you want to be free of me, Hermione? Free for other wizards?" he asked…his eyes growing darker and face contorting slightly as the very idea of her shagging someone else made his belly tighten with rage. When she didn't answer immediately, Severus gave her several hard, possessive strokes. This was his witch…patronage or no damn patronage. She wasn't going to leave him.

"Do you want to leave me?" he demanded, his voice harsh now.

"No," Hermione whispered, "I don't want to leave you."

The wizard sighed with relief, pressing into her deeply, savoring the feel of her body wrapped around him.

"But…do you want me, Severus?" she asked him softly.

The wizard looked down at her.

"You'll do for now," he replied.

Not the right thing to say.

Hermione began to struggle, anger giving her greater strength. She slapped the wizard and began flailing at him.

"Get off of me, you bastard! You're not going to use me that way…either there's some kind of commitment, or I'm gone!" she hissed at him as the wizard lowered his head to protect his face and wrestled with her a bit before he pinned her arms down by the wrist. He was grimacing as he did so because he was still embedded in her body and all Hermione's twisting about was stimulating him. It felt very good.

"Stop it witch!" he growled, but Hermione continued to struggle. He tried to kiss her but she bit his lip. The Potions Master pulled his head back quickly and licked his lip, tasting the blood. He snarled at Hermione, and holding her pinned arms down, began to slam into her viciously.

"I know…how to… make you listen," he grunted as Hermione shrieked under his pummeling.

Severus tore into her unmercifully for several minutes until the witch's mouth and body were slack, then slowed, both of them covered in sweat again. He looked down at Hermione with satisfaction.

"That's better," he panted, brushing her hair out of her face. Hermione looked at him with a dazed expression, lost to the sweet ache and burn inside her. Severus stroked her gently again, not letting her disconnect from him.

"The terms will be the same…we will see each other exclusively. No other wizards," he said to the witch. "You will keep yourself only for me, and I for you."

"Terms?" Hermione gasped, "This…this isn't a business arrangement we're talking about Severus. If I continue with you, then there are going to have to be some changes. You're going to have to show me affection, show me that you care."

Severus stopped possessing the witch and cocked his head at her.

"I take you…doesn't that show I have some feelings toward you?" he asked her.

Hermione stared at the wizard in disbelief as she returned more fully to herself.

"No. That only shows your dick gets hard and you use me to relieve it," the witch replied. "I want to know that what I feel and think matters to you. I want to know it isn't all about shagging me."

Severus looked at her for a long moment, not saying anything.

"I guess it is all about shagging me," the witch said, her heart sinking. "I want more than that Severus. I don't think you can give it to me."

"You love me," he said to her, "You told me that night at the beach. That you loved everything about me…my sarcasm, my discipline…my sharpness. The way I take you. You weren't lying to me witch. I've dealt with enough liars to know when I am hearing the truth."

Hermione felt her heart race for a moment. She had already told him she loved him, and he never said a word about it. Severus knew all this time, and now he was trying to use her love to manipulate her.

"All right. All right Severus…I do love you. I didn't want to, but this is how it came out. But just because I love you doesn't mean I will just forget about my own needs…what I want from a wizard. I know you won't bring me flowers and candy…that's all right. I think those acts are very juvenile. But I want to know that you will be there for me. I want you to care for me…I want you to love me back, Severus Snape."

Severus stared at her.

"I've never loved any witch, Hermione," he said quietly. "I don't think I can love that way."

"So why be with me, Severus? If there's no love involved, then any witch will do," the witch said.

"Any witch will NOT do!" the wizard snarled, startling himself and the witch.

Severus' heart was pounding in an alarming manner, and he felt his palms getting sweaty. He recognized this as a distinct fear reaction.

Hermione smirked slightly. The wizard was losing it.

"And why won't any witch do, Severus?" she asked him rather sweetly.

Severus fought the urge to start riding her insanely. That wasn't the answer, though it would be satisfying to wipe the rather smug look on her face off. It was hard to look smug when screaming at the top of one's lungs.

"I'm waiting," Hermione pressed.

"Because…because any witch is not you, Hermione. You are one of a kind…like I am," he replied stiffly. "You are brilliant, courageous and a sexual dynamo. You can hold a conversation…you can understand my points of logic…and…and…"

"And what, Severus," she asked, curious at his hesitance.

"You can put up with me," the wizard admitted. He looked more vulnerable than Hermione ever remembered seeing him.

Severus had never admitted he was hard to get along with before. He always placed the blame on other people, claiming they were idiots or dolts and deserved such snarky treatment. But the truth was he was a real bastard to others, and purposely so to keep them away. But Hermione didn't run from him. She stood up to him.

He looked down at the witch, waiting to see what scathing reply she'd have for him. He had opened himself up for pain with that statement. She could say any number of things to cut him up.

But the witch didn't. She simply gave him a very soft and tender smile.

"Yes, I can do that," she replied. Then she pulled him down, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him tenderly.

Severus began to move again, making love to the witch in earnest now, his heart full as she received him, whispering his name and moaning with pleasure as the wizard slaked his hunger for the witch. He wanted her to feel him, him, not just his hardness. The wizard immersed himself in Hermione, not just her body, but her very soul…feeling himself being drawn in deeper than he ever remembered, his pleasure swelling inside him, a pleasure more than sexual as they came together, not an explosion, but more of a melding, a slipping together to form one body, falling into each other and feeling the pulse of another heart as if it were their own.

Severus held the witch close to him as he shuddered, emptying his essence into her warm quaking body, spiraling back to his separate existence but still close, still part of her. Gasping, he looked into her eyes.

They hadn't yet hashed out what would be between them, but the wizard was sure it would be something good, something they would both benefit from. At least it was established that neither of them wanted to separate from the other. That was half the war.

---

The next morning over breakfast, Severus decided to drop the bombshell.

"I've been contacted by a prestigious and well-established magazine that wants to do a spread on me, for a considerable amount of money," the wizard said, cutting into his sausage.

Hermione, who had been perusing the Daily Prophet, looked up at him.

"Oh, that's wonderful Severus. It's just what you've been holding out for," Hermione said, smiling at the wizard. Good for him.

"Yes, it is," he agreed. "I've been offered twenty thousand galleons."

Hermione's brows lifted.

"Twenty thousand galleons for an interview? That's a lot of money. What magazine is it?" she asked curiously.

"Playwitch," the wizard said, taking a sip of his coffee.

Hermione's jaw dropped.

"Did you say Playwitch?" the witch asked in a low voice.

Severus nodded.

"You mean 'wizards swinging free for the entire world to see' Playwitch?" Hermione asked him.

"It's more than that Hermione. Playwitch has its finger on the pulse of all the issues today's witch faces. It is a magazine of quality," the Potions Master said.

"And chock full of naked wizards," the witch seethed, "Severus, you aren't really thinking about posing for them are you?"

Severus arched an eyebrow.

"I haven't decided yet. However, I do have an appointment to speak to the editor on Tuesday afternoon to hear what she has to say," the wizard replied calmly.

"But Severus, that means millions of witches will be seeing your body, seeing your…your attributes," the witch began.

"I imagine I am not built that much differently than any other wizard who has posed for the magazine. They've seen male body parts before, Hermione," he said silkily.

"But not my wizard's body parts!" the witch hissed, then blushed furiously. She had never referred to Severus as her wizard before.

Severus smirked at her.

"Your wizard, Hermione?" he asked her, "Am I to assume you believe I belong to you?"

"Well, we're in the process of working that out. If we are going to be exclusive, Severus, then yes…for all intents and purposes you are for me and no other witch," Hermione said, frowning at him.

"Posing for a nude picture or two is not infidelity, Hermione," the Potions Master said. "I will be on parchment."

"It could be an introduction to infidelity Severus. Once those randy readers get a gander at your goods, they'll be flocking to your door wanting a closer examination," Hermione said jealously.

"I highly doubt that, Hermione. My disposition wouldn't have changed…and as I told you witch…I prefer you to any other witch. Even if I am approached, that will mean nothing. I will have you to meet my needs. And you meet more than my sexual needs. No other witch can compete with you," the wizard replied sincerely, trying to ease the witch's fears. "The truth of the matter is there are other benefits to posing for Playwitch, benefits which can be quite lucrative."

Severus was thinking about possible endorsement contracts.

"I still don't like it, Severus. I want to be the only witch seeking you out," the witch replied. "You will be tempted. All those witches are bound to swell your head."

Severus leaned toward her, his voice dropping to sex timbre.

"The only one who swells my head witch, is you," he breathed, his eyes glittering at her. They were both in bathrobes and naked underneath them. The Potions Master felt a little throb.

"I don't want you to do it," Hermione said firmly.

"Are you attempting to give me orders, Hermione?" Severus asked her darkly.

"No. I am only telling you my feelings, Severus," the witch said.

"Your feelings are duly noted," the wizard replied, taking a sip of coffee. "But I am only going to the interview to hear Miss Fitzworten out. I will not make any decision before…before…"

Hermione stared at him.

"Before what?" she snapped.

"Before discussing it with you," the wizard managed to get out, looking as if he had sucked on a particularly sour lemon drop.

Both of Hermione's eyebrows rose. Severus was actually going to talk to her before making a decision? This was a huge concession. It seemed as if the wizard was willing to take her feelings into consideration, which translated to: He did care. Still he was going to the interview…but that was his independent streak…his last stronghold of self-direction. Hermione could understand that and didn't feel so apprehensive now that she knew he wouldn't just arbitrarily accept. Of course, when they "discussed" it, Hermione intended to bring down the boom. Millions of witches would not be ogling her wizard's love-wand, galleons be damned.

"All right," she said, beaming at the wizard.

Severus saw the look of happiness in the witch's eyes. Apparently, he had said the right thing. He had a feeling sex was going to be very, very good after breakfast.

---

Severus and Hermione spent another weekend in bed, once again alternating between tender lovemaking and wild, passionate fucking. They took a few hours break so Severus could view the completed docu-pensieve and add the musical score, but they ended up having sex in the Spells Lab too, Hermione bent over her desk, Severus taking her so hard it slid back, crushing her swivel chair against the wall. An argument about a particular strain of music which Severus believed should reflect "tension" rather than "fear" was what set it off, the witch continuing to argue with him until the wizard put down his violin and bow, then set about giving Hermione "a reason to shout."

When Severus left Monday morning, they still hadn't settled their relationship, but both witch and wizard felt a stronger connection. The Potions Master didn't scowl when Hermione kissed him goodbye this time. He almost smiled.

Almost.

Instead he rested his dark eyes on her.

"Until next weekend, Miss Granger," he said silkily, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it gently. Hermione felt as if a huge stone dropped to the bottom of her belly as the wizard released her hand, arched an eyebrow at her, stepped back and disapparated with a crack of thunder.

Hermione pressed her hand to her belly and let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding as she stared at the empty space before her.

"Gods, what a wizard," she breathed.

---

Tuesday afternoon Severus arrived at the Playwitch Ltd. Building. It was quite a modern structure, five stories tall, with green glass windows all around and steel separators. He could barely make out employees going about their business.

The wizard walked up the steps and into the lobby which was spacious, airy and tastefully set up, a large round information desk in the middle, cushy leather armchairs arranged for conversation, a complimentary coffee and bun stand and not a single picture of a naked wizard in sight. Severus strode up to the information booth.

A little blonde witch with big blue eyes looked up at the wizard.

"May I help you sir?" she asked politely.

"I have a two o'clock appointment with Miss Brenda Fitzworten," Severus said, glowering at the witch, who appeared unaffected and smiled brightly at him.

She opened a large book and drew her finger down the parchment.

"Ah yes, here you are…Mr. Severus Snape. Miss Fitzworten's office is on the fifth floor. If you take the elevator on the far left it will take you directly to her floor. Hers is the only office on that floor so you won't have difficulty finding it."

Severus walked toward the elevator, which automatically opened. He examined the small cubicle before entering, then stepped through and turned around to face the door. It slid shut. Suddenly the elevator soared straight up, Severus clutching at the handhold bar attached to the walls and bracing his legs. It came to a teeth-clenching halt, and the doors opened. Severus hurried out of the elevator. He'd ask if there were any stairs on his way out.

Sure enough there was a single door with a plaque on it that read, "Brenda Fitzworten, Editor. Severus opened the door and entered. The office was all white with several plants scattered about. There were no windows. Several doors were set in the walls and in the center of the room was a desk with two chairs in front of it. Behind the desk sat a matronly woman with shining gray-white hair and sharp green eyes. The witch was dressed in stylish royal blue robes and looked to be about one hundred. She looked up at the tall, dour wizard and the violin case in his hand.

"May I help you?" she asked him politely, her eyes washing over him.

"My name is Severus Snape. I have a two o'clock appointment with the editor," he said.

The witch smiled, and looked years younger.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Snape. I am Brenda Fitzworten," the witch said, gesturing toward the chair.

Severus looked surprised. He had expected some youngish vixen of a witch to run Playwitch…not a woman who looked like a kindly grandmother. He sat down.

"Thank you for coming to the interview, Mr. Snape. You are currently one of the hottest wizards in the wizarding world at this moment," Brenda said, quietly appraising Severus' lank hair and dour demeanor. He had beautiful dark eyes, a large, very promising nose and a rather cruel sensuous mouth.

"Bad boy. Not classic looks, but dark…dangerous. The witches will go gah-gah for him," she thought.

"That was quite an adventure you had in India," the witch continued, "You were something to see, Mr. Snape. A true dark hero. The kind of wizard that witches fantasize about. And that's why I want you…for my magazine of course."

Brenda smirked a little.

Severus considered the witch before he spoke.

"I must be frank with you, Miss Fitzworten," the wizard began.

"Damn, if only we could get that voice in the magazine. There'd be wet knickers for days," the witch thought to herself, then said out loud, "Of course, Mr. Snape. Frankness is always appreciated."

"I have not yet decided if I will pose for this magazine. I just came here to hear what you have to say," the Potions Master said. "Based on that, I will depart and let you know my decision."

"Fair enough. It is always good to take time to consider before you act," Brenda said, "Becoming a fantasy man for millions of witches is quite the burden."

Again the witch smirked as she pulled a folder out of her desk. She opened it.

"One Severus Snape. Professor of Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, former Spy for the Order of the Phoenix, currently the only known Harper in the Wizarding World, Repairer and Retriever of Souls. If you don't mind me saying, Mr. Snape…you are the kind of wizard that catches a witch's imagination."

Severus merely listened to the witch.

"Mr. Snape, would you describe your body to me?" the witch asked, "I mean its overall condition…I don't need any 'personal' details."

Severus looked at her a moment.

"I am six foot three, one hundred and eighty-nine pounds. My skin is pale, my physical condition excellent. I do however have a number of scars on my back from being tortured numerous times by the Dark Lord, and I still retain my Dark Mark from being in his service," the wizard said, thinking that would be enough for Miss Fitzworten to withdraw her offer.

"All icing on the rock cake, Mr. Snape. We are portraying you as a dark, intense and powerful wizard who has seen much of the dark side of life. In other words, as a bad boy, someone sensual and dangerous. Our readers will adore you. And considering your visibility already, I am prepared to offer you thirty thousand galleons to pose for us nude. Four photos. All this rests on the approval of our photographer as well," the witch said.

"Your photographer?" Severus repeated, arching an eyebrow at the witch.

"Yes, we have a very talented photographer who has an eye for those wizards whose attributes will transfer to film. No wizard poses for our magazine without his approval. He has never been wrong yet," she said, pressing a button on a box on her desk.

"You can come in now," she said to the box, then looked at Severus.

"He only shoots part-time, exclusively for Playwitch. He has his own business that does quite well and comes in handy because he can prep his subjects as well as photograph them."

"So, your photographer is male?" Severus asked for confirmation. He was a bit surprised. He assumed since the subjects were male, a female photographer would be in order. Witches knew what they wanted to see after all.

Brenda looked decidedly shifty.

"In a manner of speaking…yes," she replied.

For some reason, Severus didn't like the sound of this.

Suddenly a door on their right was flung open, and a very pale, chubby wizard with spiked brown hair dressed in multi-colored robes walked in. Well, walked wasn't quite the right word. More like sashayed.

"Brenda! Darling! Tell me, what do we have yummy on the meat wagon today?" the wizard exclaimed, mincing up to Brenda and giving her faux kisses on each cheek before turning to stare at Severus. He brought one delicate, long-nailed hand to his heart and looked as if he would faint.

"Oh my stiffening wand," he breathed, looking the pale wizard up and down. "Ooh, Brenda…you've really outdone yourself with this delicious bit of beefcake. He is just…bitable," the wizard gushed, his blue eyes drinking Severus in rather lustfully.

Severus scowled at the wizard as Brenda grinned.

"Mr. Snape, I would like to introduce you to Adam Sweetmeats, our photographer," the witch said.

Adam swooped around the desk and walked toward Severus, his hand extended, smiling. The Potion Master got a good look at the fruity little wizard's teeth and jumped up in shock, drawing his wand.

"He's a vampire," Severus said darkly.

"Vampires are people too, tall, dark and yummy," Adam replied. "But I am a relatively tame vampire. I don't bite…unless requested."

Adam looked at Severus suggestively.

"Adam is the Queen of our local clutch of vampires," Brenda explained, "At Playwitch, we do not discriminate. Just because Mr. Sweetmeats is Life-Challenged, doesn't mean he can't do an excellent job as a photographer."

Severus looked at him. A Queen? Yes, he could see that. The wizard slowly put away his wand and sat back down, eyeing Adam. Suddenly another tall, pale man walked through the door Adam just came through. He had blonde hair and hazel eyes. He was quite handsome. He walked over to the Queen and looked down at Severus. There was an unpleasant glint in his eyes.

Adam placed a hand on his shoulder familiarly.

"This is my death partner, Victor. He accompanies me everywhere. Unfortunately he has to keep out of sunlight, or he'll turn into a pile of ash…and I don't want that, do I Victor?" Adam said to the vampire, fondness in his voice.

Victor's eyes shifted to Adam for a moment.

"No my Queen," he agreed, then he looked back at Severus a bit territorially. Severus didn't understand why. Adam was safe as a female troll in his presence.

Victor was extremely jealous of his Queen. Adam worked with sensual mortals all the time, and as a Queen vampire had the power to make a mortal do whatever he wished. Victor worried that Adam would engage them sexually, and so was very protective. He wished his Queen would just stick to the beauty shop. Mostly witches came there. Adam wasn't interested in witches beyond making them beautiful.

Brenda recounted to Adam what Severus said about his body. The vampire looked thoughtful.

"When I photograph him, the scars will seem beautiful. They're a testament to his selfless service for the wizarding world. I was human when Voldemort fell and read about Mr. Snape. They passed him over when giving out medals. We'll make sure he gets recognition when we write his blurbs. It's the least we can do," the Queen said.

Severus was beginning to think the Queen wasn't half bad. He had nothing against gays, as long as they knew he wasn't interested, and nothing against vampires as long as they weren't after his blood. But his opinion was suddenly and brutally changed as the undead wizard walked up to him and boldly looked at his loins, eyelashes aflutter.

"So Mr. Snape, let's get down to the crux of the matter…how many inches are we working with?" the vampire asked gleefully, licking his lips. Severus noticed his tongue was black.

"I hope it outshines the length of that beautiful nose of yours. We don't want the rod to be…odd," the Queen added, smiling broadly.

It took all of the dark wizard's discipline to keep his wand in his pocket.

His real wand, that is.

---

During his lunch break on Wednesday, Severus took the completed docu-pensieve to his solicitor for patenting and to be put on the market. Hermione had already signed off on the paperwork, and when Severus signed his own signature, he felt a sudden, wrenching tug inside…then a breaking or feeling of separation.

He immediately knew his patronage to Hermione Granger had ended. The docu-pensieve would bring in enough galleons to cover his expenditures while the witch was under his protection as well as a lofty profit. For all intents and purposes, the conditions of the agreement had been met satisfactorily, and the witch was no longer his charge.

The wizard sat there, looking rather stunned. He had known it was coming but not so soon. Bartleby looked up at him.

"Are you all right, Severus?" the solicitor asked the Potions Master. He had been in Severus' employ for years and they were on a first name basis.

Severus blinked at him.

"Yes. Yes I am fine, Bartleby," he replied, rising. "Please file those papers as soon as possible for me. I will contact you in a few days to check on your progress."

Bartleby nodded and watched the wizard depart with his brow furrowed. He had become familiar with the Potions Master concerning how he handled his business. The wizard was definitely out of sorts.

---

Hermione had been working on filling Severus' healing potion quota for Poppy when she felt a powerful surge of magic around her, pulling at her insides. She felt a kind of "pop" and then a sense of losing something. She knew immediately that her patronage to the Professor was over and she was free to pursue whatever she wanted now. Her brow furrowed, she finished the potions thoughtfully.

---

Friday evening, Hermione was chomping at the bit to find out how the interview went and what the Potions Master wanted to do as far as posing for Playwitch.

When he arrived, Hermione was sitting at his desk, looking over a few parchments. She looked up at him and smiled a welcome, then went back to her perusing. Curious, Severus walked over to the desk and stood behind the witch, looking over her shoulder. He frowned darkly. She was looking at ads for flats.

"What is this?" he demanded.

Hermione looked up at him.

"I'm looking for a flat, Severus. I am sure you know that our agreement has been fulfilled. I have to find my own place to live now," the witch said.

Severus scowled.

"You can continue to stay here," he said shortly. "I have plenty of room."

Hermione shook her head.

"I don't want to live with a wizard that's not my husband, Severus. I still have some sense of what's right. When I move in with a man, I want it to be my first and last time. I want it to be forever," she said.

"A very skewed sense of right," the wizard snorted, "You've lived here…slept in my bed and I am not your husband."

Hermione's eyes narrowed.

"That was because of the patronage, Severus. I would have done neither if not for that," the witch said evenly.

"I don't see why you won't stay here. You love me," the wizard said, his dark eyes glittering at the witch. "You want to continue with me…"

Hermione turned completely in the swivel chair to face him.

"I can continue with you and still have my own flat, Severus. You can visit me or I could visit you. We could alternate," she said, her amber eyes meeting his.

Severus fell silent. He didn't want her to leave his home…but marriage?

"Are you trying to rope me into marrying you witch?" he demanded, angry now.

"What?" Hermione responded, outraged. "No, I'm not trying to make you marry me! But I do want to get married someday, Severus and have a family like normal witches."

Severus' eyes widened. He hadn't even considered that Hermione would want a husband and family. He thought that they would continue as they were.

"I'm not the marrying kind," he said in a low voice.

"I know, Severus," Hermione said, sadness in her voice, "You're also not the kind of wizard to love a witch either or…at least the kind of wizard to admit to it. I figured we could continue together for a while and then, when the time comes…and if nothing more has developed between us, we can part amicably. I do love you, Severus and will hold on to the hope that you can one day love me…but I won't do it forever. If I see there is no growth…I will have to move on. It's better you know that now."

"What kind of love is that, witch?" Severus demanded, "If you can walk away from me?"

"A sensible love, Severus. As it is, our relationship is one-sided. I love you. By your own admission, you don't love me. I believe you feel more for me than you are admitting and that's why I'm willing to keep our relationship going…but if I find I am wrong about you…then it will make no sense to go on, because there will never be anything more between us. I don't want to die childless and a spinster. I want to leave more behind than spells, potions and docu-pensieves. What good is my intelligence if I don't pass it on?" she asked the wizard who stared down at her.

"But that means, witch…that while we are together you will be…at least subconsciously, comparing me to other wizards…others you might find more suitable to your…your dreams," he said quietly.

Severus felt his stomach clutch as he realized this. His sexual prowess wouldn't help him in this matter. He could shag Hermione into conniptions every night and while she might be physically satisfied, she would still have a hunger for more.

Hermione sighed.

"You may be right, Severus. I might do that, subconsciously…but I will be true to you. My love will make sure of that," she said softly, rising from the chair and moving close to the wizard. "Until you show me without a doubt my love will never be returned. Right now, I am hopeful."

Severus looked at the witch for a moment, then walked away, Hermione looking after him. She knew he was torn by what she said, but it had to be said. She was a young witch and wanted a full life. She wasn't going to give all that up for him, no matter how much she loved him.

The wizard silently walked down to his bedroom, entered it and closed the door. Hermione returned to the desk and the advertisements, her heart heavy.

"Marriage. She wants a husband and a family. I've never even thought about the possibility of a family," the wizard said to himself as he paced back and forth in his room, his hands clasped behind his back, scowling.

He didn't like the idea that the witch's subtext throughout their relationship would be focused on such a commitment, or on finding a wizard who had the same goal in mind. Married to Hermione Granger. Having a wife. Children.

Severus snorted. He never believed such a thing would be possible for him. He was an outcast, a pariah. He wasn't heir to the kind of life normal wizards were. So he never entertained how he felt about it. It would have been dwelling on a cruel, unattainable dream at best.

Children?

If he had children, they would be brilliant. Especially with Hermione as a mother. She'd stuff them full of knowledge until it dribbled out of their ears.

Severus caught himself. What the fuck was he thinking? He wasn't husband material, at least not in his estimation. What if they married and found that they couldn't get along? They would be stuck with each other until death. He didn't want an unhappy marriage. His parents' marriage ended tragically because they were unsuitable for each other…though there had to be a time they were in love.

Severus considered. Maybe they still did love each other, but situations arose that changed both of them. His father was abusive and would beat his mother when she didn't meet his approval. But after he killed her in a fit of rage, he apparently killed himself because of grief and remorse. The Potions Master didn't know for sure. But Severus did know he had a terrible temper of his own, though he managed to keep it under control for the most part, his aggression emerging as sarcasm and cruel words rather than physical blows.

But was he like his father? Would he ever turn violent towards Hermione? He hated to think that it was possible, but muggles believed that such things ran in the family, and they appeared to be quite sharp in divining motivations. He wouldn't want to subject the witch to abuse. On the other hand, his father never struck him, and would send him to his room before violating his mother…but Severus still heard her screams. Neither of them would talk about it the next day. For the most part, his mother and father pretended nothing had happened at all, though the bruises were apparent through the makeup his mother wore.

Severus blinked back the water that filled his eyes. His mother had been a beautiful woman, petite and curvaceous like Hermione, with dark brown hair and light brown eyes…not quite amber. Severus was almost the spitting image of his father. Tall, pale, and lank-haired.

His mother had been the last kind influence in his life, other than Albus. Her death sealed his fate as a cold, anti-social pariah. He didn't have her comfort any longer, and was beset upon by his peers. Without love…he sought power. Power would protect and fulfill him. Or so he thought.

The wizard sat on the side of the bed and rested his head in his hands.

He had never told Hermione his history or background. Now he felt it important to do so. Hermione didn't need to provide such information to Severus…he had known her since a child. The wizard took a deep breath, opened the door and returned to the living room. He looked at Hermione who was still poring over flat ads.

"Hermione, could I talk to you a moment?" he asked her.

The witch looked up at the wizard. There was something in his eyes that compelled her to get up immediately as the wizard moved to the armchairs in front of the fireplace.

"Please sit down," he said softly.

Hermione did so, looking at him curiously.

"What do you want to talk about Severus?" she asked him.

The wizard met her eyes.

"Me. I want to tell you about me, Hermione. My background, my parentage, my past. You only know me as a teacher at Hogwarts and a member of the Order. You know nothing about my upbringing, the kind of life I come from. You've said you want the "happily ever after" scenario. I've never considered it for many reasons. My past is most likely part of the reason why, though I haven't thought about it for a while. I've never told anyone my life story witch. You will be the first to hear it. Maybe if you do, you will understand me better…my hesitation and my fears," he said softly, his rich voice washing over Hermione.

"Tell me, Severus," she said softly. "Tell me everything."

Severus looked at her, then rose and prepared himself a nice, stiff firewhiskey. He told himself it was because he had a taste for it, but in reality, he needed a bit of liquid courage. He had never bared his soul before.

The wizard sat down in the armchair and took a sip of the drink, his black eyes resting on the flames in the fireplace.

"My life began on January ninth…" he began, Hermione glued to his every word. This was his life story.

And what a story it was.

---

Hermione stared at Severus as he fell silent. He had talked for about two hours…often hesitating and having to stop as he told her about his upbringing and his parents' deaths. He also went into detail about just how cruel and hurtful Harry's father and his friends had been, but they weren't the only ones who harassed him.

He told her about his father's abuse of his mother, and her subsequent death at his hands and the suicide. Hermione's heart went out to the wizard…how horrible for him. He was a lonely child without playmates and he had to find his own entertainment, which was collecting and growing herbs and making simple potions from books. He became quite proficient, even as a youngster, and pored over ever Potions book he could find. He was a very intelligent and self-motivated child. He liked to make perfumes for his mother. He stopped liking to smell any kind of scent on a woman when she died. It made him think of her.

The first words anyone had ever said to Severus when he arrived at Hogwarts were, "What's the matter with your nose? It's enormous!"

A first year witch had said this and made all the other students laugh at him. Then they began to tease him about his pale skin and his greasy hair. From his first night at the school, Severus was a target for cruelty. He was a sensitive child too, one who would never insult anyone purposely. But he soon learned to fight back verbally with scathing comments of his own. He was quite well-spoken which only added to the acid of his replies. He could make other students cry or want to fight with his words. The little wizard learned how to go right to the heart of their shortcomings and twist the knife. He was soon left alone by the others.

On several occasions he had made friends, or thought he had…only to find them talking and laughing about him behind his back. After a couple of experiences like this, he started cutting them off, focusing on his studies to the exclusion of all else. But when he went home on holiday, his mother lavished him with love, and so restored him somewhat. He had her to fall back on until his third year, when she was killed by his father, whom he also lost.

Then the harassment from the Marauders began in earnest, starting when Severus was walking up the stairs and Sirius cast a tripping spell on him. The young wizard's nose was broken for the first time as a result, and his face badly bruised. They didn't use glamours in those days and for over a week he was laughed at and teased because of the condition of his face…which Sirius claimed was an improvement.

For the first time, Severus used magic to get someone back. He cast an antler spell on all four of the Marauders as they entered the Great Hall. They found out what it was to be laughed at. Then the war began, with James and Sirius the main antagonists. Peter was too afraid of Severus to actually hex him or torment him, but he was always ready to laugh at him. Remus didn't participate either, or laugh…but he was still with the others and to Severus that made him one of them. Alone, without friends or family, Severus became cold, bitter and downright mean. Students called him the blackest wizard at Hogwarts…and he lived up to that name. He was a true wizard at Potions, and caught the eye of Tom Riddle who had heard about his talents as well as his situation. Tom figured that he might be able to draw the wizard in with promises of support and power. After a few meetings, and a lot of praise and false understanding, Severus joined his ranks. Everyone wanted to "belong" and Severus…despite his coldness…was no different. And the rest…well that was history.

He also told Hermione about his contact with witches. Until he joined the Dark Lord, his sex life was non-existent. That changed when witches who wanted access to Tom Riddle began to come to him and offer him favors in exchange for introductions to the wizard. Severus obliged them. But not one wanted him for him. He became bitter toward witches too, and saw them as being devious and plotting, willing to do anything to get their way. They were only good for one thing. Climax. His opinion didn't change when he got older. Sex was something he engaged in for release and nothing more. Who he shagged didn't matter, long as she was wet, tight and without STDs.

Still, he caught one once…a horrible wizarding version of the clap that literally set him on fire when he pissed. Poppy was able to cure it with a simple spell, but the wizard began to practice celibacy after that…only indulging on very rare occasions after checking the witch out thoroughly with a number of spells he had learned for just that purpose. When Hermione came to him, he didn't do all of the spells because he was aware of the witch's overall nature.

Both witch and wizard sat silently in front of the fireplace. Hermione didn't comment on what he told her, other than to say, "Thank you, Severus."

The wizard nodded, and they sat together that way for another two hours before Hermione suggested they retire.

Severus rose and together they went to his bedroom and prepared for bed. Hermione put on a nightgown and climbed in. Severus slid in beneath the cover next to her, dressed in his boxers. They lay there for a while, looking up at the ceiling.

Finally Severus turned his face toward the witch.

"Would you mind terribly if we did not engage tonight?" Severus asked her.

Hermione looked at him.

"No, Severus…I don't mind. We don't have to have sex every time we're in a bed together. We can just sleep," she said softly, placing her hand on his arm comfortingly.

Severus' black eyes flicked down to where her small hand rested on his pale arm, then back to her face. Suddenly, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled the witch in tight against him, his lips resting lightly against her temple.

"Thank you," he said softly, pressing his lips against her skin and settling in with a sigh. Presently, he was asleep.

Hermione lay within the Potions Master's embrace, looking at his profile as he slept. He never once released her…in fact, every time she moved, he would frown in his sleep and hold her tighter. This wasn't the reaction of a man who didn't care. The fact that he was asleep and still so possessive told the witch he did find her important, and did need her presence.

Also, this was the first time he didn't take her when he had her in his bed. Something had changed tonight. Hermione could feel it.

And something had changed. When Hermione told the wizard what she wanted out of life, where she wanted a relationship with a wizard to go…it was sobering and eye-opening. She was well within her rights to want more than a stiff member and a man that wouldn't commit to her. Hermione became in that moment, more than an intoxicating pleasure and sexual partner. She became a complete woman who deserved more than he was offering her.

Severus felt that a physical relationship with Hermione had greater connotations now. Whether or not he realized this on a conscious level was a matter of conjecture. He only knew when he looked down at her in his bed, he didn't want to do the usual. He needed to show her something different about him. That it wasn't all sex…even if he couldn't say it or admit it to himself. So he decided to sleep with her in a conventional sense. And that simple act seemed even more intimate than sex to the witch.

Hermione's eyes grew heavy, and Severus' profile blurred. She yawned and his arm tightened around her, his face turning toward the witch, though he didn't wake. Hermione smiled sleepily, kissed him on the tip of his big nose and contentedly fell asleep.

---

The next morning at breakfast, Hermione decided to broach the topic of Playwitch.

"So Severus," she said brightly as the wizard took a bite of his toast and jam, "How did the interview with Playwitch go?"

Severus looked up at her for a moment before answering.

"It was…quite different from what I expected. Miss Fitzworten offered me thirty thousand galleons flat for four nude photos," the wizard said.

Hermione's heart dropped. Thirty Thousand galleons for four pictures? That was a lot of money, and Severus loved making money. He was good at it…it almost seemed a game for him. He didn't spend much of it…just liked to let it grow.

"That's a lot of money, Severus," Hermione said slowly. He could hear the disappointment in her voice.

"Yes, it is," he replied, cutting into his sausage, "but not enough for what I would have to go through. I told Miss Fitzworten I wasn't interested."

Hermione's eyes widened. He turned them down?

"Why? What would you have to go through?" Hermione asked curiously, "A room full of people watching?"

Severus shook his head.

"No. The opposite. It would have just been me and the photographer," he said with a slight shudder.

"That doesn't sound so bad," Hermione said, feeling she could talk freely now that Severus said he wouldn't pose nude. She was very happy about that.

Severus made a face.

"It would have been bad, Hermione. Extremely bad, believe me," he said, not wanting to tell her about Adam Sweetmeats.

"But it would have been better, wouldn't it? I mean, you could be more comfortable that way," she pressed.

"Hardly. Even when I spoke to the photographer I was extremely uncomfortable," the wizard said, taking a sip of coffee and shuddering again.

Hermione caught the shudder. Not many things made Severus Snape shudder. She just had to know more.

"What was wrong with the photographer?" she asked him, enthralled, leaning forward eagerly over the kitchen table. Severus looked at her.

"I would rather not talk about it," Severus said.

Hermione scowled at him.

"Severus, you told me you would discuss this with me. Even though you've decided not to pose, I still want to know what happened," the witch said.

Severus looked at her for a moment. Hermione's jaw was thrust out determinedly.

Severus sighed.

"All right. The photographer was a gay and very flamboyant Vampire Queen named Adam Sweetmeats."

Hermione sucked her lips in to keep from laughing at Severus' stricken expression. Finally after she thought she had a bit of control, she repeated, "Adam Sweetmeats? Severus…you HAVE to be joking."

"Trust me, Hermione this is no joking matter. The vampire's name is Sweetmeats. He is a part time photographer. Apparently he runs a beauty shop called "Love Bites," the wizard said darkly. "He appears to be a civilized vampire. He has a death partner named Victor. A very jealous fellow I might add. He looked as if he wanted to tear my throat out the entire time I was there," the Potions Master replied, grimacing.

"Why Severus, I never took you for a homophobe," Hermione said.

Severus scowled.

"I assure you, I am not a homophobe. I am more of a…Sweetmeatsphobe. The vampire was out to do more than shoot me. I think he wanted me to do the shooting. As a Queen, he has the power to compel humans to do what he wants, Hermione. I refused to be alone with him, but he claimed that was the only way he could "focus." Well, I didn't want his focus on me. So I declined. End of story," the wizard said blackly. "I don't care if they offered me one hundred thousand galleons. It's not worth shagging a male vampire."

Hermione stared at Severus for a long moment, then burst out into hysterical laughter as Severus looked on, scowling. He didn't find anything remotely funny about the situation at all. He could have been severely compromised.

Hermione gasped, trying to breathe.

Gods, she'd have to send this Adam Sweetmeats a thank you note.

The vampire had really saved the day.

---

Hermione picked out several possible flats and spent the day checking them out, accompanied by a scowling Severus.

The first flat they visited was a two-bedroom with a kitchen, living room and bathroom in the hallway. Severus snorted.

"Too inconvenient. If I have to piss in the middle of the night, I will have to stumble out of the bedroom and up the hall," he complained. You need a flat with a bathroom in the master bedroom. Besides, the rooms are too small. Where will you set up a lab?"

Hermione tried several more flats, all of which Severus had complaints about. Finally they came to the last flat on her list. This flat was part of a large number of flats. As they waited for the landlady to let them in, Severus noticed a handsome young wizard exit the flat next door and looked at them with interest before checking the post. The Potions Master then looked up and down the street and noticed there were quite a few young wizards gadding about.

"Are there nothing but young wizards here?" he asked the landlady as she let them in.

The rotund blue-haired woman looked up at the wizard. She recognized both Hermione and Severus from the Daily Prophet, but was a shrewd enough woman not to let on. She might lose the rental. The young witch had informed her she would be living here alone and the landlady wanted Hermione to feel she could live here without being harassed. It was clear that the pale, tall wizard was more than a friend to the witch and didn't like the neighborhood. Well, that was just too bad. He seemed too old for Hermione anyway. She needed to be around wizards her own age.

"Well, yes. Most of my tenants are young and single. They like to live in groups, you know. A nice sober bunch really. All hard-working. Usually they move on when they marry," she replied.

Severus scowled at this. This was definitely not the kind of neighborhood he wanted Hermione in. The flat was much like the others they visited, but the rooms were larger and the master bedroom had its own bathroom.

Hermione walked from room to room.

"Now this is nice," she said to Severus.

"I don't like the neighborhood," the wizard growled, his black eyes shifting about the flat trying to find something wrong with it.

"And it's still much too small," he griped.

"It's large enough for me, Severus, and the price is right. It's not too far from the Ministry either. I'll have a short commute if I take this," Hermione said, looking around and smiling. Severus' scowl grew blacker as Hermione and the landlady, Agatha Peabody discussed the rental fee.

"Hermione, you don't have to work," Severus said, "You are bringing in enough residuals to do your own research now. Hell, I'll rent you my house. The labs are already set up for your work and I live at Hogwarts for the most part."

"No, Severus," Hermione said as she paid the landlady a month's security and the first month's rent. "I need someplace of my own. And I want to get some experience working for the Ministry. It will be interesting."

Hermione signed a month to month lease and told Agatha she would be moving in during the week. Severus let out a growl of exasperation. As they left the flat, the handsome young wizard was again outside, sweeping off his walkway. He waved at Hermione, who smiled and waved back.

Severus scowled darkly. No. No. She couldn't stay in this neighborhood. That wizard next door…more than likely he'd bring her some kind of flat-warming present, stay to chat a bit, then start dropping by for coffee. Then, he'd start telling Hermione he wanted to find a nice witch and settle down…and next thing…she'd be breaking it off with him and telling him she's found someone whose dragons are all in a row…

"Severus, are you all right?" Hermione asked him as they walked up the street. His face was contorted and his eyes distant.

The wizard started.

"I'm fine," he snapped, "Are you ready to return home?"

"No. I want to go to Hogsmeade and pick out some furniture for my flat," she responded, "But if you're tired, you can go on ahead. I'll be along later."

Severus said he was tired and disapparated home, leaving Hermione to her "shopping." But the wizard wasn't tired. He was highly disturbed and upset. Hermione had chosen a flat surrounded by eligible young bachelors. When they realized a young, single witch lived in their neighborhood…no doubt they would start zeroing in, even if she were involved with someone. They'd move in under the guise of "friendly neighbors."

"I'm not the marrying type," the wizard said haltingly.

Then he thought what his life would be like without Hermione. He would return to Hogwarts, completely alone again with nothing to look forward to except loneliness. The witch's absence would be a great hole in his life now. He was used to her. She was good to him and for him. She was the first witch to occupy his bed untouched, and he found when he woke up beside her, he felt as satisfied as if they had spent the night engaged. It was pleasant waking up beside her, something he could imagine doing day after day…

Severus paused.

"Do I love the witch? I don't know what love is," he thought, "I want her for my own. I don't want her to leave or to be with any other wizard. I enjoy being with her sexually and non-sexually. Is this love? And if it is love, is it the kind of love that will last a lifetime? Or is it a love that will fade over time?"

The wizard sat down in the armchair and pondered his situation. Hermione had said she would continue with him, but she wanted more. That would always be in the back of his mind now.

"I want you to love me back, Severus Snape."

Hermione's words echoed in his head, the wizard blinking quickly. That was the crux of the matter…the witch wanted his love. He didn't know if he loved her. Severus Snape was the kind of wizard that liked to know what a situation was for certain. But love for a woman was something beyond his experience, something he wasn't familiar with. The only woman he had ever loved was his mother.

The wizard sighed. He needed help…he needed to know if he and Hermione were meant to be together. If they were…then he would marry her if she would accept him. He would care for her and father her children. He would be a better husband than his father was. But first, he had to know for certain. There was one way to do that…but it could be costly. But losing Hermione would be costly too. It was worth the risk.

The wizard stood up and headed out the back door, across the yard and to the invisible door that led to his dark library.

He pulled it open and disappeared.

---

When Hermione returned, she found Severus seated in front of the fireplace staring into the flames. She walked over to him.

"Did you take a nap?" she asked the wizard.

Severus looked up at the witch. His dark eyes washed over her.

"No, I didn't. Something else occupied my time. Sit down, Hermione," he said, gesturing toward the seat next to him.

Hermione sat down and Severus leaned forward in the chair, turning towards her.

"I know what you want, Hermione…but I don't know that I can give it to you," he said quietly, his eyes intense, "But inversely, I don't know if I can't give it to you either. Since you've come into my life, witch…there has been a vast improvement. I prefer not to lose you. I am willing to become part of your dreams."

Hermione looked at him, her heart swelling then sinking.

"Severus…I don't want…" she began, but the wizard held up his hand.

"You don't want to marry a man who doesn't love you or can't admit he loves you. I know that. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what I don't know for certain, witch. If I said I loved you at this moment, it could be a lie, something said to keep you with me. I feel certain things toward you, protective, possessive, but also kindly. I would not hurt you for anything in this world and would give you anything you asked of me freely. I don't know if that amounts to love…"

Hermione stared at him, her eyes glistening as he continued.

"I need you to come with me…to the library. I need to find out if this is love, Hermione. If it is, then we will move forward together…if you want me, but if it isn't…I will have to let you go. I refuse to keep you from your dreams of happiness and fulfillment. I am a selfish man, Hermione…in my heart I would keep you close to me forever even if I didn't love you. But my conscience has sharpened and I find I cannot do that. You deserve a happy life. So I need to know the truth about us. Will you come?"

"To the library?" Hermione asked, lacewing flies beginning to swirl in her stomach. If they were going to the library, more than likely that meant Severus was going to use Dark Magic to find out if he loved her.

"Yes," he said softly, "to the library."

"You're going to use Dark Magic, Severus. There is a price when you use Dark Magic," the witch said.

"You will be in no danger, Hermione. I promise you," the wizard said, taking her hand.

"But what about you, Severus? Will you be in danger?" the witch asked.

Severus didn't answer. Hermione pulled her hand out of his.

"No. No. I won't do it," Hermione declared, "I won't have you risking your soul for me."

"I need to know this, Hermione. I've taken risks before. If all goes well, I will be in no danger. Our offering will be accepted and there will be no other requirements for the use of this magic," he replied.

"Offering? What kind of offering?" Hermione asked him.

"Blood. And passion," the wizard replied, "A very small amount of blood from each of us…mingled."

"And the passion?" Hermione asked him.

Severus' dark eyes went hot, and Hermione immediately knew this Dark Magic required sex to be invoked.

"Sex? In the library?" she asked, her voice low now. Despite her worry, the witch found herself growing quite aroused.

Severus nodded.

"Please, Hermione. Help me. Help me to find out what I feel…to find out if you are my destiny," the wizard said to her, lifting her hand and bringing it to his lips. "Help me to find out if you are my deliverer, my savior, the one who will bring me up out of the darkness that is my world into the light. Hermione, I need to know," he said sincerely, his eyes glistening. "I need to know if you are the woman I was meant to love."

Hermione looked at Severus, his plea touching her heart. She was afraid for him, but knew he wanted to take the risk…he wanted to know for certain if he loved her. To the witch, just his willingness to imperil his soul was proof enough he did. But she also knew Severus wouldn't accept that.

"All right, Severus. I will go with you to the library," she said softly.

Severus leaned in and kissed her softly.

"Thank you," he said rising and helping Hermione to her feet. "The library has already been prepared. Let us go."

Severus tucked Hermione's arm in his and led her out of the house, across the yard and to the invisible door. The sun was setting. The wizard pulled open the door and Hermione saw all the torches leading down the stairs were already lit as if expecting them. She entered, followed by the Potions Master.

Silently they walked down the stairs, the only sound the spluttering of the torches. They reached the final landing and Severus opened the door to the library and let Hermione through, following her closely.

The library was dark, but the large protective circle was encircled by red candles. In the middle of the floor the desk had been replaced by a huge four-poster bed, covered in red silk sheets. Next to the bed was a small table, also draped in red fabric. An unlit red candle, a large open book, a knife and a pewter bowl rested on it. Hermione felt magic wash over her as she entered the library. It must be the protection.

The witch stopped and stared at the candles and the bed, then turned toward Severus.

"Red?" she asked.

The wizard nodded.

"Apparently the powers of darkness prefer red and black. Black for darkness…red for blood. Understandable really," he said, placing his hand on Hermione's back and guiding her forward toward the table. He showed her the book.

"This is what I must say before our blood is mingled in the pewter bowl," he said, drawing one long pale finger under some text. "And this is what I must say before I take you. When we have finished, then the truth will be revealed. Do you have any questions?"

Hermione looked up at Severus.

"What will happen to you if our offering isn't accepted," Hermione asked him.

"Nothing that would matter, Hermione. If our offering is not accepted…it will mean I am going to lose you. That is the most painful punishment I can imagine," he said softly, "Nothing will be worse than losing you."

"You won't lose me, Severus. I believe you love me, or you wouldn't be willing to go through all this to prove it," the witch replied softly.

"I wish I could 'believe' as you do, witch. But I need concrete proof," he said drawing his wand. He pointed it at Hermione.

"Divesto," he breathed, leaving the witch nude in the candlelight, shadows flickering over her body, which was bathed in reddish light. Sounds came from all the books. Hermione felt the urge to cover herself from the tomes for a moment.

Severus then pointed the wand at himself, removing his own clothing. Both sets of clothes appeared outside the circle, neatly folded. Severus tossed his wand toward them. It landed neatly on top of his robes. He turned to Hermione and picked up the knife.

He held out his hand, looking into her eyes. Hermione slowly took it, and Severus stretched out her arm over the bowl.

"With Love comes Pain, with Pain Opened Eyes. We give Blood for Love and Pain," the wizard intoned, slicing a small gash in Hermione's arm, letting the rich red blood drain into the bowl. The witch gasped from the pain, her eyes watering as her blood flowed freely.

Suddenly, the gash healed and the pain was gone.

She looked up at Severus, amazed.

The wizard held his own arm over the bowl, repeating the invocation and slicing his arm, letting his blood fill it until his own gash healed. He turned to Hermione.

"It has begun," he said softly, drawing the witch close and kissing her tenderly before lifting her and carrying her towards the bed. "I need you to feel me, Hermione. All that I am when I take you."

Hermione looked up at the pale wizard and caressed his cheek.

"I always feel you, Severus," she replied as he gently laid her on the bed's red silk sheets.

---

Hermione felt magic move over her as Severus laid her down on top of the silk sheets. The wizard looked down on the witch, erect and ready. Without a word he entered the bed and rolled on top of her.

"Severus…the invocation," the witch breathed as his long, lean body rested against hers.

"Not yet," he replied, lowering his head and kissing the witch.

Hermione was blown away by the gentleness of his initial kiss, and returned it, but soon the wizard began to show more ardor, slipping his tongue into her mouth and possessing it fully, his hands beginning to caress her body slowly, following her curves. Hermione was beginning to lose herself in the Potions Master's kiss, practically purring as his hands moved over her, his mouth never breaking contact. Suddenly, the wizard rolled over, pulling Hermione on top of him, holding her head securely and continuing his kiss, Hermione beginning to work her body over his, pressing her pelvis against him hungrily. Her mouth slipped from his lips to his throat, the wizard sighing with pleasure as the witch kissed, licked and suckled his throat, his large hands smoothing over her back and ass, slipping between them to fondle her breasts, causing Hermione to moan and move lower, kissing his chest now.

Severus raised himself up on his elbows so he could watch the witch's descent as well as feel it, his dark eyes full of desire as she moved over his abdomen. He closed his eyes momentarily as she dipped her tongue into his navel and moved lower. Suddenly he fell back and caught Hermione under her arms and drew her back up, the witch protesting, her eyes hot with passion.

"No," he said hoarsely, "We have to come in the traditional manner, Hermione…though the gods know I would love to feel your mouth wrapped around me, witch.

Hermione stared down at him, still undulating. Severus drew her in for another kiss, rolling back on top of her, then giving her body the same attention with his mouth as she did his, suckling her breasts, licking and sliding his lips over her moist skin, moving downward and looking longingly at her apex, his mouth watering. But the magic required sex in the traditional manner. Only Hermione's sex could engulf him.

Hermione was writhing with need now. Dark Magic or no Dark Magic…she wanted the wizard inside her. She was burning up and needed to feel his possession.

"Severus," she said brokenly, "I need you now."

The wizard took one more longing look at her chestnut bush then slid back up, looking down at her.

"Immersing myself in you and you surrounding me will testify to the world what shall be…shall be," he said softly, invoking the Dark Magic.

Immediately a mist of blood rose from the pewter bowl, floated towards the bed as one long tendril and surrounded the couple, Severus entering Hermione slowly and gently, his dark eyes locked to hers, oblivious to the swirling crimson cloud around them as her heat surrounded him. He bit his lip. Gods, she felt like home.

Hermione let out a moan of pleasure as Severus' huge member parted her flesh, his hot, hard shaft sliding inside her like a sword into its sheathe.

"Yesssss," the witch sighed, her eyes full of fire as she looked up at him.

"Feel me," Severus groaned, beginning to move, possessing the witch tenderly, drawing back and sliding forward, shuddering as her inner flesh caressed him over and over. He fell to her mouth, riding her body, his back and ass flexing as he took the witch with all the passion he contained, Hermione sighing and moaning with pleasure, meeting him stroke for stroke.

Above them, two entities shimmered into view, red and translucent. They looked like two old men with lascivious leers, except they each had a set of short straight horns, scales on their lower halves, and short tails.

"He fucks her like he loves her," one of the demons said, frowning.

"Yes. But still, that means nothing. It is what comes after that will tell," the other demon said, its red eyes glittering. "But we might as well enjoy it. It's been a few millennia since we've had a chance to "watch."

Both demons reached between their legs and pulled out a dual set of scaly, studded penises and began wanking off.

Below them, Severus had turned Hermione over to her hands and knees and was taking her from behind, hunched over her body kissing her neck and shoulders, caressing her breasts and sides as he continued stroking her, the witch crying out from pleasure.

"Yes," he purred, speeding up and giving her more power, but still tender…still taking her the way he loved. "You are so good for me, witch. So good."

The wizard felt Hermione begin to shudder and stopped moving.

"Severus!" Hermione hissed, pushing back on him, ache in her voice.

Severus pulled out of the witch, and Hermione let out a cry of disappointment. She was ready to orgasm and was right on the edge.

Severus sat down on the bed, and caught Hermione by her waist, turning her.

"Come here," he said, his voice raw with desire.

He positioned Hermione on his lap facing her.

"I want to watch you come," he breathed, lifting her and sliding the witch over him with a groan, then wrapping his arms around her and kissing her deeply. After a minute or two he stopped the kiss and looked at the witch. Hermione's lips were swollen and she looked thoroughly intoxicated as she gazed at him with half-lidded eyes.

"We have to come together," he said softly, "Wait for me."

Severus' comment dimly registered.

"I'll try," she breathed.

"You have to do more than try, witch," Severus responded as he began to move her body back and forth over his slightly bent legs, throwing his head back and closing his eyes as Hermione slid over him at a delicious angle. It wouldn't take him long at this rate.

"He's kissing too much," complained one of the demons, speeding up, his clawed hand sliding over both appendages simultaneously.

"Kissing is a part of loving," the other demon said grimacing. "It's still good. Look at them."

Both Hermione and Severus had their heads flung back, eyes closed, faces contorted with pleasure as they shared their bodies, moving faster now, sweat flying from their jerking bodies, Hermione crying out as Severus plunged into her, lost in passion. The bubble inside was growing to an immense size and the witch trembled as she tried to hold back the eruption.

"Severus…Severus I…I can't hold it in…you're too …" she gasped at the wizard.

Severus quickly pushed Hermione to her back and climbed on top of her, lifting his hips high, ramming deep inside her and becoming a human jackhammer, riding the witch for all he was worth so he could climax with her.

"Hot damn! Now he's on top of things!" one demon said, grimacing as he approached his pinnacle. The other demon couldn't say a word…he was coming, red spray flying out of both organs and dissipating in the air as he grunted. He was truly a horrible sight.

"Now Hermione! Now, sweetness…let go! Let go!" Severus gasped at her as he climaxed with a groan, slamming deep inside the witch, who exploded around him with a shriek. Severus dropped down on Hermione and wrapped his arms around her, locking his mouth to hers as they soared, one pulsing body of bliss, tumbling together then falling back to earth, shuddering against each other, hearts pounding.

Severus released Hermione's mouth and let his head fall next to hers, panting heavily, feeling the witch's heart pounding against his chest. He tried to slow his own heartbeat. He had to be prepared for what was going to happen next.

"No matter what you are asked, don't agree," he breathed to the witch. "Say no. Remember, you must say no."

Hermione felt her heart go cold.

"What do you mean?" she gasped.

Who was going to question her?

Suddenly, Severus was ripped from her embrace and floated about ten feet above her. Hermione tried to sit up but found she couldn't move.

"Severus!" she screamed as the wizard rolled over in mid-air, his arms and legs outstretched. It was then she saw the demons.

"Let him go!" she shouted at them. They ignored her as they looked at the wizard evilly.

"So…you want to test your love, wizard. Mortals are such fools," one of the demons chuckled. "If you do not love the witch…you are ours at your life's end."

"Just do what you're going to do," Severus said through clenched teeth. He felt as if he had ropes tied to his wrists and ankles and was being stretched to his limits.

"We intend to," the other demon said. Suddenly both of them fired bolts of black light at Severus, who began to scream hoarsely as pain wracked his body. It was twice as horrible as the Cruciatus curse.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Hermione screamed as the wizard continued to scream as if he were being ripped apart.

"This is the kind of pain you will experience for all eternity, wizard. But we will stop it if you let us torment the witch…just for a single minute," one demon said.

"No!" Severus screamed.

"Half a minute," the other demon said as the wizard continued suffering.

"No!" Severus cried out again.

"He's strong. Most men can't get a word out when they are in this much pain," the other demon observed. "Maybe we should turn it up."

The other demon nodded and they both fired another blast at Severus, whose screams became even more tormented.

"That's better. Now, nod your head if we can have her for ten seconds," the demon crooned.

Severus again screamed no, the eyes of both demons widening in disbelief.

"All right. One second. Relief for giving her just one quick second of pain," the demon said.

"Nooooo!" the wizard cried.

Hermione heard everything, but she couldn't keep silent with Severus in so much pain.

"I'll do it! I'll do it! Let him go!" she cried. Both demons turned to look at the witch and drifted down towards her, Severus still screaming with pain…but what Hermione said registered. No…she couldn't do it. It would mean the loss of her soul as well.

"NOOOOOO!" the wizard screamed, his voice echoing with power as a golden light exploded from his body, the demons blown to shimmering red particles as the light hit them. All was silent. The pain was gone.

Severus continued to float in mid-air. Another form materialized. This one was white and winged like an angel. He was white-haired, handsome, wore a quiver of arrows and carried a bow. He looked quite stern.

"How foolish you mortals are," Eros said, flicking a finger at Severus and lowering him back to the bed. "Using a method so evil to divine something so pure."

He shook his head.

"I still say the gods were crazy to have created your race, particularly with magic. But you have proven you love the witch, mortal, and if you meet the final requirement within forty-eight of your earth hours, your soul will remain yours. If you don't meet it, your soul is forfeit," the god of love said warningly. "Now if you are finished disturbing my repose, I will go."

Eros began to fade, but then gave them a beautiful smile.

"Long life and eternal love to you both," he said, giving them his blessing before disappearing.

Hermione quickly rolled Severus to his back and examined him.

"Are you all right?" she asked, her eyes full of worry.

Severus looked up at her, his lips quirking.

"I am fine, witch," he replied softly.

Hermione slapped him painfully in the chest. The wizard started.

"What the hell was that for?" Severus growled.

"For not telling me what was going to happen to you. I would have never agreed to this if I had known you would be tormented," the witch seethed.

"That's why I didn't tell you," the wizard said, quickly rolling over and pinning the witch under him. "But now we know for certain that I love you, witch. It was worth being tormented to know we belong together."

Hermione's angry eyes softened at this statement. She wanted to hear it again, more directly.

"You love me Severus?" she asked him.

The wizard scowled.

"I just said that," he responded. Now that he knew for sure, he didn't plan to go around telling Hermione he loved her all day long. The witch knew he did.

"I just want to hear you say it," she said, smiling at him.

Severus sighed.

"I love you. Satisfied?" he asked her snarkily.

"Yes," Hermione said, pulling Severs down into a sweet, soft kiss that mollified him immediately. She broke the kiss and stared up at him.

"Um, Severus…what is the final requirement?" she asked him curiously.

Suddenly the wizard looked quite shifty. Hermione frowned.

"What is it, Severus?" she demanded. "What do you have to do within the next forty-eight hours to save your soul?"

Severus blinked down at her, his dark eyes intense.

"Marry you," he replied.

---

After the shock of learning that Severus had to marry her within forty-eight hours and getting into a huge row with him that lasted through their getting dressed, exiting the library, returning to the house and having dinner, Hermione managed to rein herself in…somewhat.

"Severus," she said, "When I said I wanted to get married and have children, I meant five or ten years down the line for marriage, and maybe twenty years before having children."

The wizard scowled at her.

"Well, you didn't exactly give me a timeline, Hermione. All I knew was that every time I would be with you, it would be in the back of my mind you wanted a husband and children and were looking for a wizard to fulfill that wish. I didn't want to lose you, witch," Severus said frowning at her blackly, his expression a definite counterpoint to the words he spoke.

He fell silent for a moment. Hermione could see the light going out in the wizard's eyes.

"You don't have to marry me. I won't force you into a marriage you don't want," the Potions Master said quietly. "As I told you before, Hermione, I've always been an observer in these matters of human interaction. Now you can understand why. My heart has been taken by you…now the pain begins. You're free to do as you wish, witch."

Severus turned and began to walk out of the living room. Hermione jumped out of the armchair and ran after him, pulling at his shoulder to stop him. The wizard shrugged her hand off of him and spun on her quickly, his eyes empty and cold.

"Don't touch me," he hissed, stalking off into his bedroom and slamming the door.

Hermione stood there a moment, stunned. The wizard had sounded as if he hated her. He had never told her not to touch him before. Gods, what had she done? Severus was new to all this and he had taken a chance on love, only to find that he had jumped the gun. Now he felt Hermione had rejected him.

She had given him the pain he had expected all along.

Hermione walked swiftly down the hallway and began to bang on the wizard's door.

"Severus, open the door. I never said I wouldn't marry you. I was just…just shocked. I didn't expect it," she said to the door.

Severus sat on his bed with his head in his hands, listening to the witch. Now she was making excuses. He pulled out his wand and cast a silencing spell on the door so he couldn't hear her. He didn't want to hear her. He had only been in love for an hour, and already Hermione had broken his heart.

He sat there for about fifteen minutes, then suddenly disapparated.

After about forty-five minutes of trying to talk to Severus through the door and hoping he would open it himself, Hermione used her wand to gain entry. She looked around the bedroom, then checked the bathroom. The Potions Master was gone.

"Oh no," Hermione breathed, sitting on the edge of his bed. "No, Severus. No."

From his citadel in the heavens, Eros looked down, shaking his head. He had seen everything.

"Foolish, foolish mortals," he sighed.

---

Two days went by without the Potions Master returning. Severus wasn't at Hogwarts or his home. The time to fulfill the requirement had passed and the wizard's soul belonged to the demons now.

Hermione was beside herself with worry and guilt. She should have known to be more understanding with the wizard. He had given her his heart, something he had never done before. The man was fragile and more than likely a bit frightened at his situation. It was hard to imagine Severus Snape frightened of anything, but this had been different. He was in love with Hermione, which meant he was invested and at her mercy. When she said she didn't intend to marry right away, he took her words as a rejection. His love had cost him his soul.

She was still at his house, hoping he would return. Suddenly Eli appeared with a note in his hand. He held it out to Hermione.

"From Hogwarts," he said sadly. The elf was also very worried about his master, though he knew he was fine and didn't want to be contacted. His mood was blacker than the elf could ever remember. Eli couldn't tell Hermione where he was because she was no longer his Mistress and besides…it was his Master's secret.

Hermione took the note from Eli and opened it. It was from Albus. She had gone to Hogwarts in search of Severus, and when she didn't find him, went to the Headmaster explained what happened. He was very sober.

"Severus has never been in love, Hermione. When you told him what you did, he took it to mean he had made a mistake. He did what he did because he wanted to give you what you needed. He thought he knew what that was. He didn't understand it wasn't an immediate need. He is too proud a man to marry you to save himself. I'm afraid his soul is lost now. A man cannot love without a soul, Hermione," the wizard said sadly.

"No. No," the witch said miserably, beginning to cry. "They said they wouldn't take him until the end of his life."

"No. He will not be tormented, but they do have his soul. When he dies, that will be when his torment begins. But now, he cannot feel love…it is a feeling that wells up from the soul. Without a soul, he feels nothing. Dealing with the powers of Darkness is a dangerous business, Hermione. Severus took a great risk, and so has to pay for it," Albus said gently.

Hermione's eyes watered. The note said two words.

"He's back."

Hermione grabbed her cloak and apparated to Hogwarts immediately.

---

Severus was in his office when Hermione knocked on his door.

"Come in," he said as he shuffled through some parchments. Hermione opened the door and entered, her eyes glistening. Severus looked up at her and his face contorted.

"What do you want?" he asked her coldly, "I thought you would have moved into your flat by now."

Hermione walked up to the desk.

"Severus…Severus why did you leave? Why didn't you come back?" she asked him.

The wizard looked at her, his black eyes hard.

"You didn't want to marry me. Why should I have tormented myself by remaining in your presence, Hermione? I did what I felt I had to do. I didn't feel like listening to you play the Gryffindor and sacrifice your dreams to save me," he said.

A tear fell from the witch's eye.

"Severus, I never said I didn't want to marry you," the witch began.

"You might as well have!" the wizard snarled. "It doesn't matter now. I'm lost. As I feared, love has destroyed me. I want you out of my house by the end of this week. When I return Friday, if you are there, I will cast you out myself. Now leave me to my misery witch," he said.

"Severus…I don't want to leave you. I still love you," Hermione said in a pleading voice. Severus laughed, a cold, harsh laugh.

"Well, I do not love you witch. There is nothing in my heart for you or anyone. But if it is any consolation…I don't blame you. It was my own fault I believed that you could bring me happiness. I was never meant to be happy…to live a normal life. Have a wife or children. It was a madness that came over me because…because I allowed myself to be caught up in your charms. I should have treated you as a plaything. I would have been better off. You have made me a richer man, witch…but the price was steep. Now, leave my sight. Our association is ended."

When Hermione didn't move, Severus stood up, walked around his desk and opened the door.

"Get out witch," he hissed, his eyes narrowed.

Hermione could see nothing in his eyes but emptiness. Not even pain.

"Severus…" she began.

"OUT!" he roared at her.

Several students who had been passing his office, started in surprise as Hermione came flying out of the Potions Master's office and the door slammed shut behind her. The students looked at her as she wiped her eyes and straightened her robes.

She began to walk up the hall, fighting her tears.

Severus no longer loved her and wanted nothing more to do with her. How had things gone so terribly wrong? Now his soul was lost, and it was her fault. Her fault.

She had to do something.

Albus was standing in the main hall when Hermione appeared. He looked at her sadly. He knew what was going to happen when she met the Potions Master.

"I'm so sorry, my dear," Albus said.

Hermione looked at him, her eyes flashing.

"Don't be sorry, Headmaster. I'm not done fighting yet," she said, "I'm not going to let him be damned for eternity because of a misunderstanding. I still love him, even though he no longer is capable of loving me. I'm not going to let them have him."

Hermione walked swiftly to the main doors and out on to the Hogwarts grounds, the Headmaster looking after her.

"Oh Hermione, I hope you don't do anything foolish," he said to himself, shaking his head.

In his citadel, eating some peeled grapes, Eros watched the witch walk across the school grounds, shaking his head. Like all mortals, she was going to do something even more asinine than the first time. He lay on the duvet, pondering the situation. The gods rarely involved themselves in the lives of mortals any longer. They were avenues of entertainment for the most part. Most in the magical world didn't even believe in them any longer, though demons were well recognized.

But Eros had been aware of Severus Snape for quite some time, and considered it quite a coup for love when the wizard began falling for Hermione. The dark wizard was practically a poster child for "Love Conquers All." The god of love hadn't expected Severus to use Dark Magic to divine his love for the witch. He thought the mortal would recognize it when it hit him. It hadn't worked out that way. He was just too thick, too mistrusting of his own heart.

The god sighed.

More than likely the witch was going to end up losing her own soul. He watched as Hermione apparated to Severus' home and made a beeline straight outside to the entrance to Severus' dark library. Yes, she was just as much an idiot as the wizard.

But it was love that motivated her, and that was Eros' department. Stupid acts done in his name meant technically he was responsible for them. But he hadn't interceded on a mortal's behalf in over a millennia.

Yet, things were pretty boring in the heavens with nothing to do but watch mortals. Besides, he couldn't stand those two perverted demons that had the Potions Master's soul. He'd love to give them a bad time. The god smirked evilly.

Eros sat up and stretched, adjusted his toga, then picked up his quiver and slipped it on. Next he picked up his bow. He wasn't sure if he were going to help the witch, but he could at least be present when she did whatever insane ritual she chose to try and get the Potions Master's soul back. More than likely it would be a sacrifice play.

Eros shook his head again at the insanity of mortals, walked to the edge of his cloud and leaped off, heading for earth.

---

Hermione was leafing through the catalogue, looking for the first book Severus showed her, the one that listed demons who would assist witches and wizards. She finally found the card listing the protective spell.

Eros watched as she cast the protective circle and said the incantation that made the book remove itself from the shelf and float down to her. She carried the book over to the table, and stepping back, opened it. The boar-faced demon emerged roaring and breathing fire. It didn't scare the witch this time. She was expecting it.

Disappointed, the boar demon returned to the book, muttering.

Hermione sat down and began studying the names of demons and their attributes.

Hm. Necromenon, raises the dead. No. Severus wasn't dead, just soulless.

Castratus.

Hermione grimaced. No…she definitely didn't want that demon anywhere near Severus.

Vulvatia. Oh gods, no. Female demon no less.

Hermione continued leafing through the names.

Finder. Returns lost or stolen items to their proper place.

Hermione paused over this name. Hm. Well, Severus' soul wasn't exactly stolen, but it was lost to the demons. She wondered if demons split hairs over such distinctions. Finder sounded like the best bet so far. She flipped to the page that told more about him. There was a picture of a demon with an elephant head, and two sets of tusks, one set in the normal place, and another set like a boars. He had large red eyes, a scaled body and a dragon-like tail with spikes on the end. He carried a wicked looking sword and a sack in which to place the items he recovered. What he would accept in payment could be negotiated. He didn't deal strictly in souls.

Hermione looked at the protective pentacle that would have to be drawn to contain him, and the invocation. She was a bit frightened to summon the demon, but she had to help Severus. He was all that mattered right now.

Hermione quickly drew the pentacle, careful to focus on what it was meant for…to contain a vicious demon. The pentacle remained where she drew it. It was not absorbed into the larger circle. She stepped back and said the incantation.

Nothing happened at first, then a cloud of noxious black smoke funneled up, and disappeared, leaving the demon in the circle, his back to the witch.

"Oh, what the fuck is it now?" the creature griped. Finder's voice was like a chorus of voices of all different timbres.

"Um, excuse me…I'm behind you," Hermione said timidly.

The demon spun, its trunk raised threateningly and brandishing its sword. Finder's red eyes rested on the witch, and his trunk lowered, his sword dropping to his side.

"Well, now. You're not gnarled or grizzled," the demon said appreciatively. Hermione felt cold as ice under its gaze. Obviously the creature had an appreciation of human females.

"I want to know if you can return a soul," the witch said.

"Whose soul?" the demon asked.

"A wizard's soul that I love," the witch said.

"Ah, love. Yes, that'll make you mortals do ridiculous things like this. Yes, I can return a soul, though it is complicated…and expensive," the demon said, whirling his red eyes at her. "I have to face down other demons. Try to negotiate with them first, and if that doesn't work, then fight them. They are usually very protective of their souls."

"What would it cost?" Hermione asked him.

The demon looked thoughtful, his eyes washing over the witch slowly. Then he smiled lasciviously.

"A go at you," he replied, his trunk writhing sensuously. "You look like you're worth fighting a demon or two for."

Hermione blanched. That would be bestiality at the least and horribly revolting at the most.

"Couldn't you take something else?" Hermione asked him. "I'm not enthusiastic about shagging a demon."

Finder frowned at the witch.

"Then you're not too enthusiastic about getting your wizard back," he growled. "I want trim and nothing less."

"Will it hurt?" she asked the demon, who laughed.

"I'm a demon, of course it will hurt," the creature said as two, snake-like appendages with little spikes on the heads emerged from between his legs. Hermione brought her hand to her mouth as they wriggled about, then pointed straight at her.

Eros had enough. He materialized.

"Finder, put those things away," the god said, grimacing at the sight. Hermione looked up at the handsome winged man. She recognized him immediately.

"Eros?" she said as the god floated down, landing on his feet lightly and approaching the witch. Hermione immediately felt as if she would swoon at his closeness. She wobbled.

"Oops. Let me turn off the juice," Eros said, snapping his fingers, "Mortal women go bonkers over me at full power."

Hermione felt she could breath again.

"What are you doing here, Eros? What I want to do to this mortal has nothing to do with love," Finder said in his chorus of voices.

"No, but what she wants you to do does concern love, so falls under my domain, Finder," the god said.

Finder looked surprised.

"Don't tell me after millennia of sitting on your ass and wanking off to the lives of mortals, you're going to actually do something?" the demon asked in disbelief.

"Possibly," the god replied, looking at Hermione appraisingly. "It all depends on her. She's been walking quite the gray line here, trying to use dark magic to bring about good. I need to decide whether she is worthy of being helped."

Hermione's eyes went wide. There was hope.

"How can I show I'm worthy?" Hermione asked.

"I need to review your life," he replied, looking into the witch's eyes. Hermione went stiff, unable to move.

Finder watched with his red eyes. He'd like to fuck the witch…but damn, if Eros got involved, he could get something much, much better.

---

Eros saw Hermione's childhood, her focus on things intellectual rather than romantic. How she had never loved a wizard before Severus. He also saw the witch was full of love…Harry the prime example. Her love for her friend never faded and she never gave up on him. He looked further. Hm. The witch was so dedicated she was willing to kiss…ugh…were those Dementors? Diana's crooked bow. That was the nastiest thing he had ever seen. The god shuddered.

Eros pulled out of Hermione's mind and looked at her.

"You certainly are a brave mortal. Rather twisted, but definitely brave. I find you worthy of love," the god said.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief. Eros was going to help her.

"Oh thank you, Eros, thank you so much," she said to the god who looked at Finder.

"What would you have of me to retrieve the mortal's soul?" Eros asked him.

Finder didn't even have to think about it. He had a dream for many millennia.

"I want to be free of the Summons," the demon said, "I'm tired of battling for mortals. Even though I reap some benefit, it is still hard, painful work…not to mention such service alienates me from other demons. I want to be beholden to no other than myself," the demon said in his chorus of voices.

"Ah, an independent demon. Yes, I can see that, Finder. Very well. Retrieve the wizard's soul and bring it to this witch and I will free you from the Summons for all eternity," Eros replied. Finder grinned horrendously. He would hack those two old geezers into tiny bits for this reward.

"I go," Finder said.

The demon disappeared in a flash of flame and black smoke.

"Drama king," Eros snorted as he turned to Hermione and looked her up and down.

"What do we do now?" she asked the handsome god.

Eros arched an eyebrow at her.

"If not for the nature of our acquaintance, I would make love to you several times while we waited. But, that would ruin your faithful love for the wizard. Plus, once you've made love with an immortal, you can never go back to mortal men," the gods said, his golden eyes glittering at the witch. Then he asked, "Do you play Snap?"

Hermione nodded and Eros summoned up a deck of cards and they sat down at the table.

"I haven't lost a game of Snap in over a thousand years," Eros said, matter-of-factly as he dealt the card. "Losing displeases me very much."

A little crack of thunder accompanied this remark. Hermione understood immediately. Gods hated to be bested by mortals in anything. It brought out their jealousy.

"I have a feeling your skills are much greater than mine," the witch replied, "I have no hope of beating you."

Eros gave her a benevolent smile. The mortal wasn't so stupid after all.

They began to play.

---

The two old demons sat in a small cave, a bonfire before them, souls shackled to the stone walls surrounding them dejectedly. Screaming on the floor beside them was a soul whose eye sockets were empty and bleeding. The demons had her eyeballs on sticks and were roasting them in the fire. Cries could be heard outside the cave.

Behind them, a tall pole was inserted in the ground. At the top of it was Severus' soul, tied like flag and flapping. It was like a two dimensional painting of the wizard on vellum, the eyes closed and pale hands crossed over his chest.

"I thought for sure he'd gotten away from us, Barth," one demon said, turning his eyeball carefully so it would be equally browned.

"I know Garth, but you know mortals. They are complete idiots," Barth replied, looking up at Severus' soul. "He's going to be a lot of fun to torment. I'm going to keep him in the fire."

Garth nodded, smiling wickedly.

"Maybe we can speed up his demise," he said.

Barth frowned at him.

"Now Garth, you know that's against the rules of the Ministry of Demonic Affairs," the demon said, taking his eyeball out of the fire and examining it before returning it to the flame. He liked his eyeballs crisp, the juicy middle slightly congealed.

Garth gave an evil grin, which showed some missing fangs.

"They're so wrapped up in red tape, they'd never notice. They haven't even completed the paperwork for "The Fall" yet," the demon said.

Barth cackled. "You're right you know."

Garth nodded and pulled his eyeball out the flame. It was perfect.

The demon was about to take a bite when suddenly a great roaring filled the cave. He dropped his eyeball.

"Damn it," the demon hissed, rising to his feet along with Barth, both facing the cave entrance.

"Who is it?" Barth demanded.

"Finder," a chorus of voices replied as the elephant-headed demon strode into the cave, brandishing his sword. "I've come for the wizard's soul."

"What?" both demons cried, taking up defensive positions around the flagpole. "We just got him. We aren't about to give him up."

"Listen, there's a lot at stake for this wizard. I'm not going to try to negotiate this. I'd rather hack you little bastards into a thousand pieces and take him. It would be faster. You know how painful that is," Finder replied, taking a threatening step forward.

Barth looked at Garth, who nodded his head.

"Very well Finder, take him then," Barth said, he and Garth stepping aside.

Finder strode up to the flagpole and was about to hack it down when both Barth and Garth hit him with blasts of black light, the demon roaring in pain.

"That'll teach you to pick on demons half your size," Garth cackled as the demon writhed. But Finder was stronger than they thought and threw off the black light, which enveloped both demons, who screamed in pain.

"Why you little…" Finder hissed, striding forward, his sword raised high.

A few minutes later, Finder and Severus' soul were gone. Pieces of the hacked and diced demons wriggled all around the cave floor. A little piece of flesh with a mouth attached spoke.

"Maybe we should have let him just take the soul, Garth. It's going to be days before we reform," Barth's mouth said.

Garth couldn't answer him. His tongue was separated from his mouth, and writhed helplessly. All around them, the shackled souls were smiling. The woman whose eyes were ripped out was sitting up, new eyeballs already starting to form.

At least they'd have a few days of respite. And to the lost souls, that was like a bit of heaven.

---

Hermione and Eros played Snap for about two hours before Finder returned to his pentacle. Eros was in an excellent mood, having soundly trounced Hermione game after game, boasting of his skill and how a mortal could never best him. Hermione found the god of love handsome, but a braggart and extremely vain.

Finder shook the bag at them.

"I've got the soul, Eros," Finder announced.

"Let's see it," the god of love said, rising from the table and walking up to the pentacle, followed by Hermione.

Finder reached into the bag and removed what looked like a rolled parchment. He shook it out and Severus' image appeared, eyes closed and arms crossing his chest as if in repose.

Hermione stared at it.

"It looks like a photo," she breathed.

"It's not," Eros said, reaching for the soul. Finder jerked it back.

"First, my reward," Finder demanded, his red eyes glittering at the god.

Eros scowled at him.

"What do you think I am? Some reneging demon?" the god asked him severely.

"Just better safe than sorry, Eros," Finder replied, still holding Severus' soul protectively.

The god frowned, but thrust forward his hands, bathing the demon in golden light, smirking as Finder screamed horribly. Finally he stopped, the demon dropping to his knees, panting.

"You're free," Eros said, "Now hand the soul to the witch."

Still panting, Finder thrust Severus' soul outside the circle.

"Don't touch the demon. Grab the soul from the bottom and yank it away," Eros instructed the witch.

Obviously, Finder was not to be trusted. Hermione did as the god directed, Severus' soul dangling from her hands, lighter than parchment. Suddenly, it glowed golden, and Hermione felt a comforting warmth wash over her. Severus' love.

The light faded.

"Roll it up and put it in your pocket, then banish Finder. Otherwise he will be let loose on the earth," Eros said.

Hermione gingerly rolled Severus' soul up until it resembled a scroll, then stuck it in her robes pocket. Then she did the banishing spell on Finder, who was still on his knees when the black smoke rolled over him. He disappeared with a chorus of roars.

"Now, we must go to your wizard, and you must reinsert his soul. It won't be hard. The moment it is unrolled in his presence, it will be sucked back into his body," Eros said, grabbing the witch and lifting her in his arms.

"My, you're curvaceous," he purred into her ear.

"We need to go to Hogwarts castle," she said. "But there are wards…"

"No mortal ward can keep out a god. We aren't demons," Eros said disdainfully.

He and Hermione became insubstantial, and the god winged upward, through the ceiling, out of the ground and soared at an amazing speed up into the clouds, holding the witch securely as they flew.

"Better than a broom," the god said, "Much more cozy."

Hermione added "flirt" to the god's shortcomings. Obviously, men weren't the only sentient beings created imperfect. Still the god had done her and Severus a great kindness.

"Thank you for helping us, Eros," she said to the god.

"It was done in the name of love, or in other words, my name. I want to see that wizard of yours in a loving relationship. He was one of the most unlikely mortals to ever know love. His succumbing to it is quite a coup," Eros replied as Hogwarts came into view.

They soared down through the castle walls and into the dungeons. Hermione directed Eros to Severus' private rooms. The god set her down and looked around.

"Another library?" he said, eyeing all the books in Severus' study, "He seems as much a bookworm as you are."

"He likes books," Hermione agreed. She was nervous being in the wizard's rooms after the way he had received her.

Eros looked at her.

"Be brave. Love will find a way," he said to the witch. "Now, I've already blessed you two once. Don't fuck it up this time."

With that, Eros faded out and returned to his citadel to watch the rest of the show.

Severus was in Potions class. It might be some time before the wizard actually came to his rooms. Hermione sat down in one of his armchairs facing the fire, staring into the flames. Presently, she fell asleep.

---

"What the hell are you doing in my rooms!" Severus roared.

Hermione woke up with a start to find the pale wizard hovering over her in the armchair, his face contorted with anger and his fists clenched against his sides. His black eyes were filled with rage.

"I made it clear I want nothing to do with you witch! You have violated my space and my privacy. Now, how did you get in here?" he snarled at her.

Hermione looked up at Severus not knowing what to say. Suddenly the wizard's hand shot out and caught her by the wrist, yanking her out of the chair.

"As you know, Miss Granger, trespassing on Hogwarts grounds is a punishable offense. Since you do not understand what 'leave me alone' means, I will have to report this violation to Albus and insist you be prosecuted," the dark wizard said, his eyes glinting with malice. "Maybe then you'll understand I mean business."

He began to drag Hermione toward the study wall. The witch fumbled in her pocket with her free hand and pulled out the rolled up soul. It glowed golden again. Severus stopped and looked at her.

"What is that?" he snarled.

Hermione shook the soul out so Severus could see his own image. Startled, the wizard let her go.

"What is that?" he asked her again.

"Your soul," the witch said in a low voice, "I got it back for you."

Severus stared at her a moment. Suddenly a powerful wind and thunder sounded as the soul tore from Hermione's hand and plastered itself to Severus body, the wizard clawing at it as it covered his face and frame a moment, then sunk in, disappearing. Severus' body began to shudder powerfully, the wizard's eyes rolling up into his head as his head snapped back.

Hermione watched as Severus continued to shudder for several minutes. Finally, his trembling stopped and his head dropped forward, the Potions Master panting, his eyes closed.

Hermione stood there, her heart pounding. Was he still going to throw her out?

Severus' eyes opened, the hardness gone from his face. He looked at Hermione, blinking. He caught her hand roughly.

"How?" he demanded, "How did you do this?"

"I…I used the library. I summoned a demon to retrieve it," Hermione began.

Severus blinked at her.

"No. No, Hermione…tell me you didn't sacrifice your soul for mine, you crazy Gryffindor," his eyes beginning to glisten. "I'm not worth that…"

"I was willing to, but I didn't. The demon wanted a go at me to retrieve it," the witch said.

Severus went several shades whiter. He spun the witch, looking her all over then spun her back. Demons were monsters in more ways than one…had Hermione gave herself to one of those cursed creatures for him?

"You…you didn't," he asked her, clutching her other hand now.

"No. The god of love intervened. He said you falling in love was a coup. He promised the demon something else he wanted, and the demon retrieved your soul and gave it to me. Then Eros brought me here to put your soul back," the witch said softly, "I couldn't let you be damned for eternity, Severus. I love you too much. If I had to be damned to save you, I was willing. You had to be restored. You just had to be."

Severus stared down at the witch for a moment, then suddenly crushed her to him so tightly Hermione felt she couldn't breathe. Yet, if she were going to die, there was no better place to meet her demise than the wizard's arms.

"Dear gods I thought I had lost you forever witch," he breathed, relaxing his hold on her and looking down at her.

"No, Severus. I was always here. I'm so sorry you thought I didn't want to marry you. I do. I was just in shock," she said.

Severus stared at her.

"Now we have time, witch. There's no rush for our nuptials. As long as I know you will keep yourself for me, then I am willing to wait until you are ready. But I need to know, Hermione…will you marry me? Tell me witch," the wizard breathed.

He wanted no more misunderstandings.

"Yes, Severus. I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else," the witch replied.

Severus eyes glittered down at her for a moment, then he swooped Hermione up into his arms and strode toward his bedroom.

"Let's just seal this deal," he purred, kicking the door open with his foot and sliding through, Hermione pushing it closed behind them.

Several hours later, an exhausted Hermione lay in a sleeping Severus' arms, tired but unable to sleep as the wizard held her tightly against him.

She had almost lost the wizard. Almost.

From his citadel, Eros watched the couple with satisfaction. They had several vigorous and very entertaining rounds of make-up sex which Eros had enjoyed immensely. He'd be looking in on them again during the honeymoon. The god waved his hand toward Hermione and the witch immediately dropped off to sleep.

Eros lay back on his duvet with a satisfied smile.

"Who says Love doesn't conquer all?" the god said to himself as he closed his eyes, "It sure whipped that mortal. Severus Snape in love. What a coup."

He'd have plenty to brag about at the consortium of the gods tomorrow. The Potions Master was quite well known to most of them. Until now, it was the Fates who talked about him the most, since they had twisted his life to be utterly miserable. He was deemed to be the most miserable example of a mortal in the wizarding world.

Well, this would put a little snag in their tapestry. They wouldn't be allowed to interfere with his happiness any longer. Once love took over, they had to respect it. Oh, that one eye the old crones passed around was going to be very, very narrow.

Eros chuckled at the thought of it. The couple's life together was assured. As far as Eros was concerned, this was as happy an ending as Severus Snape could get.

He was one lucky, lucky wizard to have found a witch like Hermione Granger to love.

---

The moment Severus slipped the engagement ring on Hermione's finger and kissed her, he began to arbitrarily shrink every item in her flat to storable size, helped by Eli as Hermione fruitlessly tried to stop him.

It took two weeks for him to get the platinum band with tiny diamonds encircling it. The jeweler had to rework it several times before the wizard was satisfied with it. Hermione had moved out during that time. But now, Severus had concrete proof she would be his wife and wasted no time imposing his will.

"I will not have my fiancée neck deep in single wizards," the Potions Master said as he strode through the flat, wand extended. "I don't trust their motives. You will move back to my home and remain there until we marry."

Hermione didn't fight as hard as she could have. The truth of the matter was, several wizards had been dropping by to chat and for coffee, and were being quite aggressive trying to get her to go out or have dinner with her. She hid this from Severus as best she could, but had been in a constant state of fear the wizard would pop up and catch a wizard there. No doubt some serious hexing would have followed.

The witch discovered Severus was extremely jealous, though he never directed his jealousy toward her verbally. He simply confronted whoever he felt was eyeing his witch and warned them off in no uncertain terms. Hermione usually felt his jealousy in another more intimate way. Severus seemed to need constant reassurance that she was truly his, and often demanded she tell him she was when he shagged her.

It kind of turned her on.

Severus applied himself to Bara's Slytherin education, and also told him it was believed that he was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, and his gift of speaking parseltongue was passed down from the founder.

Bara was completely gassed about this, and inhaled everything he could about the wizard and subsequently about Tom Riddle as well, another famous descendent. The boy soon became quite a history buff, his interest centered on despots and tyrants throughout history. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and others.

When the time came, he was sorted into Slytherin house, and proved to be a perfect fit. He became quite proficient with spell casting as well as Potions. He had the highest grades in the school. Minerva and Albus did their best with the boy, but Severus seemed to hold the most sway over him, though the Potions Master worried a bit about the boy's fascination with dark rulers.

"They are so much more interesting than those who give people choice," Bara would say, "They had much more power. Fear seems to work much stronger than love when it comes to being in charge."

Severus would do his best to explain to the boy that these tyrants were no one to admire, but couldn't seem to get through to the boy. And although Bara seemed to be enthralled with dark wizards and despots, his conduct toward others was fine. Severus finally wrote it off as a quirk in the boy.

Severus and Hermione married four years later in a small ceremony in Albus' office. Only Albus, Severus, Hermione, her parents and Harry Potter were to be present, but the Headmaster enlarged his office so the entire staff of Hogwarts could attend.

Severus was furious.

"This is a private matter," he snarked, glaring at all the staff as he ran his finger around the uncomfortably stiff high collar of his marriage robes. "I don't need all these hangers-ons gawking at me, Hermione."

Hermione, who was dressed in a light blue dress, garland and spray of light blue flowers did her best to calm her angry groom down. When Albus asked the important question…Severus practically spat "I do." At the pronunciation they were man and wife, Severus kissed Hermione stiffly and led her from the office without accepting any congratulations, apparating with her to his rooms as soon as they were safely out of sight of the others.

"But Severus, the cake!" Hermione exclaimed as he dragged her alongside him, his jaw thrust out determinedly. "Our guests!"

"Those were not guests. They were wedding crashers. As for the cake, let that crowd eat it," he muttered, apparating. "I'll apologize to your parents later."

Severus then grabbed her overnight bag and apparated with her to what appeared to be a meadow.

"What is this?" Hermione asked.

Severus didn't answer as he led her through the meadow to a small construction. It was a bower, covered in white and blue flowers. In the center of the bower was a huge four poster bed, draped in blue and white, the ground completely covered in flowers as well. A white wicker table stood beside the bed, and on the table was a bucket containing a bottle of wine. Two crystal glasses glitter next to it. Beams of sunlight shone directly down on the bed as if someone had told them where to shine. Hermione looked at the arrangement in wonder.

"What is this?" she asked again.

"Our honeymoon bed. Here is where we will consummate our marriage, Hermione…under the open sky for all the world to see. We have a cottage as well, but I wanted to take you here first before we retire," Severus said softly, wrapping his arms around the witch and drawing her back against him. His voice sounded a bit apprehensive as he asked her if she liked it. He had taken a big chance setting this up.

Hermione turned in his arms.

"It's absolutely beautiful, Severus…and so romantic," she replied.

A look of relief washed across the Potions Master's face before he guided her to the bed and helped her sit down. He debonairly opened the wine, let it breathed then poured them both a glass. He handed one to Hermione.

"To you, Mrs. Snape. May you never rue the day you married me," Severus said, lifting his glass to her.

"And to you, Mr. Snape. May you never lose the snarky ways I love," she replied, smiling at him.

Severus stared down at his wife, his heart tightening. She didn't want him to change, and that was something he had been privately wrestling with for a very long time. What would she expect of him as a husband…it had to be different than what she expected of him as a lover. But with those simple words, she had soothed his fears. Severus quickly downed his wine and set the glass on the table, his eyes glittering at Hermione. He wanted to see her spread out, beautiful and naked, bathed in sunlight and ready for love.

He sat down on the bed beside her, watching her drink her wine. Impatient, he reached over and took the glass out of Hermione's hand and set it on the table.

"You've taken long enough with that wine, witch," Severus breathed, moving her hair away from her neck and pressing his lips gently against the pulse, making Hermione shudder deliciously. He then turned her face toward his and covered her mouth in a searing kiss, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close, the warmth of her body burning through both her dress and his robes. He broke the kiss.

"Wife," he said, his voice raw. "I must have you now."

The wizard pulled out his wand and pointed it at Hermione.

"Divesto," he breathed.

Immediately, Hermione's wedding dress disappeared. However, Severus left the garland. It made her look like a lovely nymph, and he was randy as a satyr. The wizard stood up and pointed the wand at himself.

"Divesto," he breathed.

Hermione stared up at her husband, his body bathed in sunlight, his alabaster skin glowing as if he were some black-haired god come to earth. No longer a dismal dungeon dweller, Severus had become a god of fire and light.

The witch swallowed and automatically shifted back into the bed, lying down, her arms extended toward Severus, whose black eyes washed over her sunbathed body. The songs of birds rang about them, and a cool breeze rushed through the bower, caressing them both. Severus climbed into the bed, and shifted over Hermione's body, swollen with desire as he held his body over hers. He lowered his head and kissed her, allowing no other part of him to touch her.

"So beautiful," he breathed against her cheek before moving to her throat.

Hermione moaned and reached up, trying to pull the wizard down, to feel his long, taut body against her own, but he resisted, moving lower, his mouth running over her shoulders and breasts, licking and tasting, his wife arching under him.

"Are you going to tease me, Severus?" she gasped at him.

"No," he said, moving his mouth over her belly, his hair dragging across her skin. "I am going to love you, Mrs. Snape. Like a husband."

Hermione's knees automatically drew up as Severus approached her core, lowering himself to the bed. He breathed the scent of her arousal in deeply.

"I never tire of the taste of you," he said softly, his eyes hot as he looked up at Hermione. She felt her belly flip-flop as she drank in the expression on his face. It was so intense. Severus pushed her thighs apart and dipped his tongue into her wellspring, the witch arching up and crying out with pleasure as he began to eat her out hungrily, his face glistening with her juices as he lapped at her lovingly, leaving no part of her tender flesh untouched, tonguing her clit, slipping it inside her and twisting, driving the witch insane as she locked her fingers in his hair and orgasmed with a shriek.

This is what Severus loved, making the witch give up her flow for him. He drank her down greedily, savoring Hermione's sweet musky taste before pulling up and sliding his body over her undulating form and kissing her, sharing her ambrosia as he positioned himself against her, the thick head pressed into her folds and nestled against the heat of her entrance, her pelvis rocking expectantly.

"Accept me, wife," Severus said hoarsely, drinking in Hermione's beauty as the sunlight hit her. Her skin was glowing with moisture, her hair in ringlets, the garland lost and lying crumpled on the pillow above her.

"I accept you, husband," the witch whispered, her amber eyes full of love and desire. The Potions Master's heart tightened as he slid into her welcoming heat, her flesh surrounding him, bathing him in warmth and pleasure.

"Dear gods," he groaned, dropping on Hermione and kissing her, his body flexing and thrusting as he took his wife for the first time, groaning, hissing and sighing with delight, vocally expressing his pleasure as Hermione flowed under him in counterpoint, her moans mixing with his.

Above, Eros watched.

"Beautiful," he thought, directing the sunbeams to fall on their rippling bodies.

Severus rolled, pulling Hermione on top of him, pushing her up. The witch never missed a beat, rising and falling on him rhythmically, her mouth slack, her eyes fixed to his face.

"I love you," she breathed, and Severus couldn't help grasping her waist and plunging into her deeper in response, Hermione shrieking and falling forward to his mouth as the wizard took over, driving into Hermione hungrily.

"You're mine…mine for all eternity," he groaned against her lips.

"Yes," Hermione gasped, "Eternity."

Severus rolled her back over and rose to his knees, catching Hermione under her buttocks and lifting her, thrusting into her passionately, his eyes on her sun-kissed body, her breasts bouncing, her body jerking at his ardor, the witch crying out his name. It was too good, too sweet, and he fell forward on his hands, driving her up the bed now, unable to stop slamming into her body. He wanted all of her, more than all of her.

"Damn," Eros breathed, "Have some mercy, mortal."

But the wizard wasn't being merciless…he was caught up in his delicious wife, too lost in her body…too lost in her love. It was only when she began to slide over the edge of the top of the bed (there was no headboard), that he was able to stop and pull Hermione back down, whispering endearments as he returned to his hungry possession of her body.

The witch was dimly aware of the words "Beautiful. Delicious. Angel. Love," as well as a smattering of obscenities as Severus' hard, hot tool scoured every inch of her. Her body was full as well as her heart, and she shrieked as the wizard wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pistoned into her desperately, his back locked…his climax approaching.

"Come with me," Severus hissed, a low groan rising in his throat as his balls began to tighten.

Hermione was already bursting forth in a torrent as Severus stiffened and let go with a cry, his body shuddering as he climaxed, his heat mingling with hers as they both clutched each other, the world fading away and leaving only them joined in body and spirit to spin through the bliss of one another and fall back to earth, exhausted and exhilarated. Severus kissed Hermione over and over as his pulsing slowed, and the tightening of her body around his deflating member eased.

Panting they lay against each other, their love palpable, their marriage consummated beneath the open sky, before all the world. They had been together over five years now and their passion for each other had not diminished in all that time.

Both doubted that it ever would.

True love was like that.

---

Bara graduated Hogwarts with high honors. The young wizard received many awards for his accomplishments in Potions, Charms and Arithmancy. He had perfect marks in Magical history as well. He also won Most Valuable Player for his final year of Quidditch. He was a marvelous seeker and could do things on a broom people had trouble doing on solid ground. He was quite competitive in the air, and most tried to stay out of his way.

Despite his aggression on the Quidditch court, Bara was quite even-tempered for a Slytherin. Never once was he caught doing anything untoward…a testament to how well Severus had schooled him.

Albus and Minerva fairly burst with pride that their son had done so well for himself. They had high hopes for him after Hogwarts.

"Have you decided what university you will be attending, Bara? Any one of them would be excited to have you," Minerva gushed, kissing the wizard on both cheeks and hugging him tightly.

"No, mother Minerva," Bara said, "I haven't yet. I've decided to go back to my homeland for a while. Find my roots again."

Minerva and Albus looked at each other sadly. Bara leaving? They hadn't imagined the wizard would do that. But it made sense. He hadn't seen India for a long, long time.

---

Severus and Hermione had been married for several years now. There had been a few clashes, but overall they suited each other just fine. They were still childless, Hermione wrapped up in private research and Severus continuing to teach at Hogwarts. It would be several years before they started a family. Right now they were quite satisfied and fulfilled with each other.

Harry had become an Auror for the Ministry. Initially he caused quite a stir when he appeared, but soon the furor died down and he lived a nice quiet life. He was quite the eligible bachelor and was dating frequently. He hadn't found anyone he could be serious with yet, but he still wasn't ready for that. He still saw Ginny on occasion. Gail had found herself a nice wizard and broke it off with the redhead, and now was married with two children, a girl and a boy. Her husband never found out about her wild lifestyle. Gail thought it better that way.

Ginny still played the field and had other lovers besides Harry. The witch believed she would never settle down. Her brothers all married and had children, so Molly wasn't after her to bear grandchildren, something Ginny was extremely happy about.

Eli found himself a mate at well. Her name was Bottleblue. She was a cute little elf with big blue eyes. He also had a son, Leafear, who was a chip off the old elf. He was anxious to render service whenever he could, Eli instructing him how to serve a master properly. He hoped to bind his son to Severus' offspring letting the generations grow together.

Eros began to help mortals more. Severus and Hermione had whet his wings, and the god found it quite rewarding…though he was still vain. Finder made a nice living finding things for other demons. Barth and Garth continued tormenting their souls and roasting eyeballs, and on occasion, tongues. They gave Finder a wide berth.

---

The Untouchable were in their small camps, cooking what meager food they could find when there was a flash of blinding blue light. They all looked up, frightened as a man emerged from the light.

Bara walked into the middle of the camp.

"My name is Bharadwaj. I am a mighty wizard and I have come to help you. You will all follow me…every Untouchable will follow me. We will rise up against those who oppress us and demand our rightful place in India," the wizard said, looking around the camp.

A man stood up. He had a shirt wrapped around his head and wore ragged red pants. He was dirty and barefoot. He glared at Bara.

"Pah. A mighty wizard. Tricks with light do not make you mighty or a wizard. Who are you to come here and tell us we will follow you? Many have led us to our deaths with such foolish talk of fighting our oppressors. This others may follow you, false magician, but I and my family will not!" the man said, sitting back down and spitting as a sign of disrespect with his wife, young son and daughter.

Bara frowned.

"I see a demonstration is needed," the wizard said, pointing his wand at the man. "Crucio!"

The man let out a horrible scream and began to writhe in pain, as the others watched, their eyes round as the man vomited, urinated and defecated on himself.

Bara released him.

"First you see the pain I can cause," Bara said evenly, "Now bear witness to my other power. Avada Kedavra!"

Bara cast the killing curse on the untouchable. He lie there dead, his wife and daughter screaming and shaking him.

"I will not tolerate rebelliousness in any form," Bara said, "If you all do as I say, I will treat you well and reward you. If you do not, then you will die. There is nothing between. Me or death. Am I understood?"

The untouchables looked at the dead man and all nodded, daring not to speak to this killer of men. Bara smiled.

"Good. Now line up to take my Mark so I will always know where you are."

Slowly the Untouchables stood up and formed a line in front of Bara. The first man approached him.

"Open your shirt," Bara ordered.

The man did so, his brown eyes wide with fear. Bara touched the tip of his wand directly over his heart.

"Morphus Morsmordre," he intoned. The man let out a cry as the Dark Mark burned into his chest.

Bara smiled darkly at the skull and snake insignia.

"It begins again, cousin," he said to the night sky. "But I, cousin…I will be greater than you."

Above the wizard, the stars twinkled, then grew dark.

THE END

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A/N: And that is the end(?) of "Walking the Gray Line." I hoped you enjoyed it.