Summary: "Do you love me?" Hermione asked. "I do. Since 1970," he replied.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's another story to keep me busy and stop myself from worrying about the Corona Virus Outbreak. I don't want to think of negative things, so I came up with this one.

This story was inspired by the following fanfics:

1. Bewitch, Ensnare by Kittenshift17

2. Aurelian by BittyBlueEyes

3. The Dark Lord's Daughter by AmandahLeigh

Chapter 1:

July 15, 1995

(present time)

Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place was a creepy place, Hermione Jean Granger decided. The dark walls, narrow hallways, and serpent-decorated furniture sent shivers down her spine and despite the hot summer weather, she felt chills.

This place was probably creepier than Azkaban, she thought while brushing the stains on the wall of the drawing-room. Upon arriving this morning with Remus who fetched her after a couple of weeks with her parents, Hermione was quick to offer Mrs. Weasley help in cleaning and making Sirius's childhood home 'habitable'. The house was currently being used as the headquarters of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret society founded by Headmaster Dumbledore to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

"Hermione, dear," called Mrs. Weasley gently from the doorway.

She turned around and before she could say something, the older witch continued. "Take some rest and start in the library whenever you're ready. The Order needs the drawing-room."

"All right, Mrs. Weasley," she nodded politely and she spotted some Order members as she was leaving the drawing-room. Among them were Aurors Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, and Hestia Jones. Of course, there was Remus who looked more haggard than ever. She gave him a sad smile, but her former D.A.D.A. professor smiled genuinely and patted her on the shoulder. Behind him was Sirius who looked healthier now that he wasn't on the run with Buckbeak.

"Hello, Kitten," Sirius brotherly greeted her.

"Oh, stop calling me that, Sirius," she said with a roll of her eyes, but not in an unfriendly way. She learned that Ron accidentally told Remus and Sirius about Hermione's Polyjuice incident sometime last week when the Weasleys first arrived at the Grimmauld Place.

"Move, Black," came a familiar bored, silky voice behind. "Unlike you, I do not have all day for this slow and uninteresting meeting."

When Sirius moved, Hermione saw one of the teachers she respected at Hogwarts. Tall, lean with a black curtain of hair, sallow skin, and a hooked nose. Professor Severus Snape was not, by most witches' standards, handsome. But Hermione was not someone who would instantly fall for a wizard because of his physical appearance. Of course, it would be the first thing she'd notice, but it wasn't important. Brains and attitude appeal more to Hermione and despite Professor Snape's cruel words, she admired his intelligence and being veracious. Now, she admired him even more because he was back to being a spy; back to Voldemort's side. He was risking his life every single day for all of them, Hermione thought.

"Hello, Professor," she greeted politely when they were both at the doorway.

She was expecting him to sneer, but to her surprise, he gave way and nodded politely. "Miss Granger."

CRASH!

Hermione and Professor Snape turned around and saw Auror Nymphadora Tonks (who was the youngest member, only seven years older than Hermione) knocked over at the umbrella stand made from the severed leg of a troll near the stairs.

"Sorry, Professor," the Auror mumbled to Professor Snape and sent Hermione a friendly smile. "I wasn't watching my steps."

Professor Snape raised an eyebrow. "When have you, Miss Tonks? How you became an Auror is still a mystery to me."

Tonks laughed and winked at Hermione as she walked past them.

"Good day, Miss Granger," said Professor Snape before entering the drawing-room.

Hermione felt her heart skipped a bit and she had to duck her head when she passed by him to hide her smile. "You too, Professor." She ran upstairs to the library.

She could, or would never understand why it was always the effect of Professor Snape to her when he wasn't being harsh. She remembered when not with Harry or Ron, she would greet the Potions Master in the hallways and he would give her a polite nod. That alone could make her heart jump. And she would feel her cheeks blush whenever their eyes would lock during the polite greetings. Furthermore, she would never understand why he always intrigued her, ever since the moment she saw him looking at her during the Start-of-Term Feast in her first year. She remembered being very excited for her first ever Potions class and wanted to cry when he snapped at her. Even now, she would still smile remembering the day she woke up in the infirmary after being Petrified.

"Good girl. You quickly finished the potion," Madam Pomfrey praised her, but with a shocked face. "All of them said that the Restorative Draught tastes awful. I don't know, I haven't tried, but, amazingly, you finished it so fast."

Hermione gave the Hogwarts Matron a questioning look. "But it didn't taste awful, Madam Pomfrey. It tasted like Peppermint."

The old witch froze and took a good look at her empty vial. "But the others didn't taste like peppermint. I'll have to ask Professor Snape to make sure that you were given the proper dosage," she said with a sigh.

"Professor Snape, Madam Pomfrey?" she asked softly.

"Yes, dear. He brewed the Restorative Draught for all of you. The man worked for forty-eight hours just to finish the potion."

She felt somewhat happy and touched at the thought. Professor Snape brewed the potion for her - for them. She made a mental note to thank him.

Hermione could also remember when she was in her third year; when she and Harry discovered the Shrieking Shack and Petter Pettigrew. Remus transformed without taking his dose of Wolfsbane Potion and they passed out after Harry cast his Patronus to keep the Dementors away. She saw him, Professor Snape. He Conjured stretchers and brought them back to the castle.

She sighed heavily upon reaching the library. It was dirty and dusty, but she started cleaning again, her thoughts still on a particular dark-haired, cold and aloof wizard.

Am I harboring feelings for Professor Snape?

.

"When's Harry coming, Mum?" asked Ron while they were setting the dining table.

"I don't know, Ronald," replied Mrs. Weasley sternly. "But you should not contact him. The letter might be intercepted."

Ron nodded and did not say a word. The door of the drawing-room burst open and Order members started to gather in the dining room. Hermione felt someone behind her. She didn't have to turn her head to know who it was. The scent gave it away. Sandalwood and a bit of cayenne pepper.

"Severus! Stay for dinner?" asked Mrs. Weasley in her motherly tone.

"No offense, but I prefer Hogwarts food, Molly," came his clipped tone. Hermione couldn't move, knowing that he was still standing directly behind her, near the fireplace. She felt the billowing of his cloak as it brushed her denim trousers when he went to Floo away.

"Good thing Snivellus never eats here," they heard Sirius say to Remus. "Or else, I might lose my appetite."

"Padfoot," Remus chided.

"Whoever likes Snape?" asked Ron with annoyance. He was standing beside her. "Greasy bat of the dungeons."

This made Hermione angry. She placed down the plate she was holding and turned to face Ron. "Ronald Weasley," she said sternly; so stern that it would probably make Professor McGonagall proud, "that man you just insulted is risking his life every. Single. Day to protect Harry and everyone, including you!"

Ron's face turned as red as his hair. "Whoa... Mione, calm down," he managed to say and turned to look at his mother.

"She's right, Ronald," said Mrs. Weasley. "And you, Sirius, grow up! You're not in Hogwarts anymore!"

No one dared to speak again until they all settled to eat dinner, but it seemed that Ron could not move on. "You're acting like you have a crush on Snape, Mione."

She felt her cheeks flush and her heart jumped. She swallowed, ready to hear waves of laughter, especially from Sirius, but nothing came. She saw Sirius and Remus glance at each other and they both gulped their drinks.

.

July 22, 1995

(present time)

One week later, Hermione woke up alone in the dark Black family library after hearing a banging on the door. She moved to sit up on the couch where she was lying, but when she recognized the two figures in the dark, she decided to keep herself unnoticed.

"What the hell, Padfoot?" It was Remus and she could tell by the tone of his voice that he was angry.

"It's not a big deal, Moony," said Sirius nonchalantly.

"You spoke about Severus Snape's love life in front of the entire Order!" Remus said loudly that Sirius backed away a bit. "That man, as Hermione said, is risking his life every day for Harry - for your godson! You can repay him by showing respect instead of acting like a jealous schoolboy, thank you very much!"

"I wasn't- I'm not jealous," muttered Sirius. Hermione noticed that Sirius dared to look down.

"Fine! But stop babbling about how Severus Snape's fiancee left him! We didn't know what happened and as far as Snape is concerned, it is none of your business!"

Professor Snape had a fiancee... Wait, what? When? Hermione swallowed and felt a pang of jealousy in her chest.

"Has it ever occurred to your thick brain that seeing a particular child at Hogwarts for ten months in a year breaks his heart?" Remus continued. "He's just a man like you, Padfoot! Capable of feelings."

"Moony, I get it. You can stop now," muttered Sirius.

"Did you? Get it now? I hope so, Padfoot." Then, Remus shook his head and left.

She heard Sirius sigh heavily before leaving the library as well.

.

"Hey, Tonks!"

Hermione looked up at Ginny's voice and saw the older witch in her and Ginny's doorway. Nymphadora Tonks was a Metamorphmagus and that was the coolest and most amazing thing Hermione has ever heard. Having the ability to change your appearance without Charms and potions was just amazing. Right now, as Tonks entered the room and closed the door, she was sporting pink hair, green eyes, and a heart-shaped face. She looked like a Hogwarts seventh year student, especially with her Weird Sisters shirt.

"How are you, ladies?" she asked cheerfully.

"Fine," she replied.

"Tired," said Ginny with a yawn. "Order meeting done?"

Tonks nodded, but her smile faltered as she sat on Ginny's bed. "Sirius got a telling-off."

Hermione straightened her sitting position and looked at Tonks with interest. It was only thirty minutes ago when she heard Remus and Sirius's conversation in the library.

"Why?" she and Ginny asked at the same time.

Tonks shook her head. "Don't tell Molly I told you. Sirius brought up Professor Snape's ex-fiancee."

"What?" shrieked Ginny. "Professor Snape had a girlfriend?"

Tonks shrugged. "That's what Sirius said. I never knew. But he, Snape, really looked hurt and ready to kill Sirius."

"What exactly did Sirius say?" Hermione managed to ask conversationally.

"He just said, it must be very hard for Snape to see his former fiancee's niece every day at Hogwarts, that's why he's grumpy all the time."

"What?" It was from Ginny again.

"Who was the niece of his ex?" she asked curiously.

Tonks shrugged again. "They never mentioned and Albus didn't want us to know."

"Do you think he also treats the student the way he treats Harry?" asked Ginny.

"Harry? Why?" asked Tonks.

Instead of answering Tonks's question, Ginny turned to Hermione for help. "Professor Snape loathed Harry's father, that's according to Remus," she explained. "He would always compare Harry to his father."

"Well, he loved his ex and he's still obviously hurt; affected by what happened. Maybe he dislikes his ex's niece as much as he dislikes Harry," replied Tonks. "Anyway, I came here because..."

Hermione wasn't listening anymore. She was too busy thinking who was her professor's ex might be. Was she the reason why Professor Snape was bitter and harsh? Was losing her pushed him to be a Death Eater? A spy? What House was the child in? Slytherin?

Hermione never took Professor Snape as someone who would go on dates and propose to a witch. She couldn't picture an image of him being married - a wife on his arm and watching over a little child running on Hogwarts grounds. Whoever he might've been with was surely a brilliant witch; as brilliant as him.

Hermione drifted to sleep, dreaming of Professor Snape, walking hand-in-hand with a faceless witch, while carrying a small boy in his arms.