It seemed as if Severus was more than willing to return to Hogwarts earlier than expected, once Hermione had opened up to him completely. However, Hermione informed her new beau that such a thing would look suspicious. So, they decided to bide their time, while having Minerva spy on Professor Quirrell on their behalf. The last thing they wanted was for the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor to use the remainder of the Easter holidays to abscond from the castle and get Marvolo Gaunt's ring.

"You mentioned that Dumbledore deliberately keeps Potter at the Dursleys," Severus said quietly on their final night at the manor.

Hermione nodded; the interlude had been blissful, considering they had vanquished not one but two Horcruxes, and their hosts seemed to be none the wiser. She snuggled closer to Severus in his bed; they had decided to sleep in the same bed for the duration of their stay, and she wondered if Severus would want her and Sharma to stay in the dungeons with him upon their return to Hogwarts. "He did, yes," she replied. "Or, I suppose, does."

Severus gently caressed her bare arm, and pulled her closer. "Where does his treachery end, I wonder? I may not have liked Potter's parentage, but I am beginning to understand him more fully now, considering how you've informed me of his treatment at the hands of those dreadful Muggles meant to protect him..."

Hermione swallowed, and shifted away from him; she sat up, and drew her knees towards her chest, and was shaking. "There is something I haven't told you about Dumbledore."

Severus, too, sat up. "Tell me."

Hermione sighed. "Well, when you were killed, when Harry, Ron, and I witnessed it... Well, you were headmaster," she whispered.

Severus looked shocked at this. "You informed me that I would become Defense Against the Dark Arts professor your sixth-year..."

"You know as well as I do that no one lasts more than a year in that post. At least, not in the time I was at Hogwarts," she explained.

Severus considered that for a moment. "Did Dumbledore know that my elimination, or, rather, my execution, was on the horizon?"

"He could have possibly foreseen it," Hermione said, biting down hard on her lower lip. "Of course, he had to make the entire Wizarding World hate you first."

"Hate me?" Severus asked. "I know that I'm no one's favorite person, although most of my Slytherins seemed to like me, alongside the vast majority of the Hogwarts staff..." He reached forward in the darkness and gently took ahold of her hand. "Hermione, whatever it is, tell me now. I'll not hold it against you."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she forced herself to turn and face him, her vision blinded by unshed tears. "Severus, he uses your debt to him to make you kill him."

Severus visibly stiffened. "Kill him? I killed Dumbledore?"

Hermione nodded. "Harry was a witness, because Dumbledore stunned him from underneath his invisibility cloak. But, that's not all. You were doubly forced to do so."

Severus looked torn. "Doubly forced? I don't understand."

Hermione wanted nothing more than to move forward, to take him into her arms, but something was holding her back. "Not only did Dumbledore manipulate you into doing so, but Riddle makes the demand that Draco commit the murder to prove himself."

"And I saved him?" Severus asked.

"You saved him," Hermione confirmed, "because Narcissa Malfoy coerced you into an unbreakable vow, with Bellatrix Lestrange witnessing and performing the magic. Of course, Bellatrix didn't help matters by calling you a coward, which swayed your hand, most likely. I know it's not something you like to be called."

"No, it is not," Severus agreed. "Why did Dumbledore...?"

"He tried on the ring," Hermione whispered.

Severus's eyes flashed to hers. "Marvolo Gaunt's ring?"

"Yes," Hermione said softly. "He was swayed by its power... The stone within it is the Resurrection Stone, one third of the Deathly Hallows."

Severus looked shocked at the declaration. "Those are said to be myth."

"No, they're not," Hermione told him. "The cloak of invisibility, the actual one from the Peverell line, is in Harry's possession. The Elder Wand... That's Dumbledore's wand."

"Dumbledore... He likely wanted to see his sister one last time," Severus whispered.

"I don't doubt it," Hermione replied. "After all this time, he likely feels some guilt for her death, as he was legally responsible for her at the time, and we still don't yet know who was the one that did the spell."

"But why would Riddle wish to kill me?" Severus asked. "Did he discover that I was, in fact, a double agent since he marked Potter for death?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, as far as I know, Riddle never found out." She lowered her eyes, for she could not bear to look at him. "He killed you, Severus, because he believed you to be the master of the Elder Wand, because you were the one who killed Dumbledore. He believed that, as you had killed its former master, you would be unable to live."

"He stole the wand, then?"

"From Dumbledore's tomb," Hermione said into the darkness. "Harry insisted that he be buried upon the island on the outskirts of the Hogwarts grounds. That was before he knew the extent of all his deception, or, perhaps, he wished to ignore it."

"Typical Gryffindor," Severus growled. "But, I did kill Dumbledore. Wouldn't that, therefore, make me the wands' master?"

"No," Hermione replied, looking up at him. "Riddle didn't understand wandlore. Draco disarmed Dumbledore upon the astronomy tower—that was where he later died, by your hand. However, as Draco was the one to disarm him..."

"Draco became the wands' master," Severus concluded, running a hand down his face. "And Riddle never suspected that?"

"No, because the Death Eaters showed up after that, and then you came, taking Draco's place, because you could not bear to see his soul shattered." Hermione rubbed the tears out of her eyes, although it ultimately did no good. "Harry disarmed Draco when we were held captive here at the manor, making Harry its master. Riddle never suspected this, which is why Harry, once he received your pensive memories, willingly walked to his death, as it confirmed that he himself was a Horcrux. I suppose he figured that he would have to die, too, and that someone else would be the one to take Riddle down." Her voice shook as she continued, "I offered to go with him, but he ordered me and Ron to kill Nagini, so I couldn't... I couldn't..."

Severus reached out then and yanked Hermione into his arms. "Please tell me you remained at the castle," he begged.

"I did," Hermione whispered, clutching him tightly. "Ron and I lured Nagini into the courtyard, once Harry was revealed to be still alive, and Neville killed Nagini himself."

Severus stiffened. "Longbottom avenged me?"

Hermione chuckled lightly. "I suppose one could look at it that way, yes."

"How did Potter kill him?" Severus asked, gently pulling back and wiping away the last of Hermione's tears. "Did he use Avada?"

"No," Hermione whispered. "He used Expelliarmus."

Severus actually laughed aloud at that. "And because Potter was the wands' chosen..."

"He was able to kill him," Hermione confirmed.

Severus cupped Hermione's cheek softly. "We will find the ring, Hermione," he vowed. "We can leave early tomorrow and fetch it."

Hermione nodded. "We just need Minerva to corner Quirrell."

"I'll send her an owl in the morning," Severus told her. He swallowed then, and looked tentatively up at her. "Once it's destroyed, will you remain?"

"Well, I need to be sure that Riddle is eradicated once and for all, which includes the Horcrux that Harry is still afflicted with," she said quietly. "I suppose I can assist you with your research, if you'd allow me."

Severus nodded. "Of course," he replied. "And, will you say?"

Hermione blinked. "I could," she whispered back, "or you could come with me."

Severus gaped at her. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I'm in this, Severus, no matter how long you want me," she whispered, and gently took ahold of his face in her hands with a small smile. "I said I wanted to get it right the first time, after all. I meant it."

Severus gently reached out then, and caressed her lower lip. "The first time?"

Hermione's heartbeat stuttered for a moment, before she slowly stuck out her tongue, caressing the pad of his thumb with it. "I'm ready for mine," she whispered, and leaned backwards, easing him on top of her. "Make me yours, Severus Snape."

Severus's eyes widened in the darkness. "Are you being serious, Hermione?"

"I am," she told him, and gently eased his hands lower so that they were cupping the respective sides of her body. "Please. Please make love to me, Severus."

Severus eased his hands lower, and eased up the camisole she had been wearing to bed, up and over the paleness of her body. Gazing down at her breasts, he gently cupped them in his hands before he leaned down to kiss her. "Oh, Hermione," he whispered, teasing her nipples.

Hermione sighed in sexual exasperation, ending in a light giggle, and arched closer to him, her nipples hardening against his broad chest. "I've waited long enough," she whispered.

Severus shuddered against her. "Waiting for me?"

"I suppose I always was," she said.

Severus pulled back slightly then and regarded her. "That's fucking sinful."

Hermione smirked up at him. "At least I didn't realize it until recently. Although I was gutted when Riddle did what he did to you. I just didn't understand it then."

"At least you were eighteen," Severus said ruefully. "I don't know what I would do if I found out you wanted me, or even had an inkling, and had been younger."

Hermione smiled. "Perhaps you would have given me detention."

Severus shook his head. "I'm not into whips and chains, Hermione," he whispered. "We have seen enough pain in our lives without creating new situations, have we not?"

Hermione felt herself leaking into her knickers at his words. "Oh, thank Merlin," she whispered, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I... I don't think I'd be comfortable with anything like that, and I don't know what I'd do if you..."

Severus silenced her by pressing his lips to hers. "It's all right," he assured her. "It seems as if we are in accord."

"It seems we are," she whispered.

Severus bent down then, licked her nipple, and then blew upon it, smirking as Hermione let out a frustrated whine. He then took her nipple into his mouth, whilst palming the other one so as it wouldn't get neglected. He didn't stay long, but afforded her second nipple the same treatment, as his free hand dropped lower, dipping into the waistband of her sleep pants and gently moving lower and lower, until his fingertips found her clit. "Merlin," he whispered, pulling away from lavishing attention upon her breasts, which he believed were perfect.

"What?" she whispered.

Severus slowly looked up at her. "Surely you know how wet you are."

Hermione flushed, but never took her eyes from his. "Only for you," she said softly.

"I find it so hard to believe that someone as amazing and beautiful and intelligent as you would even consider me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Why else?" she asked. "I'm falling in love with you."

Severus gently pressed his finger into her clit, before pushing himself upwards and catching her lips with his, swallowing her moan of pleasure. "I'm falling in love with you, too," he whispered back to her.

"Please," Hermione begged. "Get our sleep pants off and make love to me."

"Hermione, it's your first time," Severus protested. "I'd like to take my time..."

"Please," Hermione whispered. "We'll have time enough, because no matter what happens, you and I will be together. Now, please... Please. I need you inside me, Severus Snape."

Severus shuddered, and Hermione could feel his hardness upon her leg growing at the desperation her voice held. Nevertheless, he reluctantly removed his finger from her clit, and took off both their sleep pants. He lit a candle beside the bed, and took in Hermione, sprawled out before him, panting lightly, and felt his heart thundering as she reached out to him. "Merlin, you're beautiful," he whispered.

"So are you," she whispered back. "Please. Hold me."

Severus gave her a small smirk, before he took his hand and pressed it gently into her folds, and Hermione squeaked in surprise. He took her wetness into his palm before drawing his hand back, and wiped it upon the entire length of his cock. He felt himself smiling broadly as Hermione stared hungrily up at him, before he positioned himself on top of her.

"I must apologize in advance..." He began.

Hermione gave him a small smile, and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I know it will hurt, but it cannot be helped," she said. "If it's the price I must pay to be yours, then I willingly give it. I want you to make love to me."

Severus nodded, before gently teasing at her folds for a moment, and finally slipped his cock inside the woman he was falling in love with. He gently held onto her as she grimaced in pain, and he pressed a kiss to her lips, holding her through her cries. He remained still, not wanting to bring her more pain, and was relieved when she relaxed beneath him.

"All right?" he asked.

"Yes," she confirmed. "Now, please. Move."

Severus did as Hermione asked, gently canting his hips back and forth, until she finally groaned in pleasure beneath him. He anchored himself in another direction, and that was when her toes curled against his back; she had made quick work of wrapping her legs around his torso, content to hold onto him like a limpet. Surprisingly, Severus found it endearing, and he rewarded her by plowing into her G-spot repeatedly.

"Severus!" she cried out.

"Yes, love, yes," Severus responded.

"Oh... Oh, Merlin! That's amazing!" Hermione yelled.

Severus felt her walls tightening around him, and her entire body was spasming beneath him. He shuddered and held her as close as he could. "Are you close?" he whispered.

"Yes!" she cried.

Severus reached back into her folds again, and made quick work of finding her clit. "Can I make you come like this?" he asked her.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, hurry! I want us to come at the same time!" she begged.

Severus nodded back at her, working her clit as fast as he could, and felt him balls growing heavy as she keened beneath him. Finally, she seemed to scream, and he growled, emptying himself within her, as she came onto his hand. Severus lowered his eyes and lifted his fingers as he grew limp inside her, and saw them glistening in the candlelight.

"I'm sorry."

Severus tore his eyes away from his fingers, and looked down at Hermione. "Why in Merlin's name are you sorry?"

Hermione worried her lower lip. "Don't you find it disgusting?"

Severus smiled down at her. "Hermione, love, lots of women are capable of having an orgasm that comes in liquid form."

She raised her eyebrows. "So, you're not disgusted?"

"Far from it," Severus told her, and licked his fingers dry, while Hermione stared up at him, wide-eyed. He gently eased himself from her, cleaning them up with a Cleaning Charm, and his eyes widened as she winced. "Did I hurt you?" he asked.

Hermione sighed. "It does hurt a bit, but that's to be expected, isn't it?"

Severus shook his head ,and summoned something from his belongings. "Here," he said, and gently handed a vial of potion to her.

"What?" she asked, looking over the nondescript vial.

"Pain potion," Severus told her with a small smile.

Hermione downed the potion, and threw her arms around him. "Thank you," she whispered. "It was utterly amazing."

"I concur," Severus replied, gently running his hands up and down her body. "Now, did you mean what you said? About staying together."

"I did," Hermione confirmed, snuggling into his side. "I don't expect us to come up with what we're going to do, once this is over, today, tomorrow, or next week. It all depends upon what happens, especially with those potions you've been brewing, and if we think the future would be better for us."

Severus looked uneasy for a moment. "Yes, I suppose you're right."

Hermione peered up at him. "Is something wrong?"

Severus immediately shook his head. "No, no. It's just all this uncertainty."

Hermione nodded. "Yes," she said softly, although she suspected he wasn't being entirely truthful with her.

~*~

The solution was not an easy one, and Hermione and Severus knew it could not be taken lightly, so they ultimately decided to work on finding the ring, and then doing all the research they could on the potions needed to eliminate the Horcrux from Harry, as well as potentially separating Quirrell from Riddle. They left the manor after breakfast the next morning, thanking Lucius and Narcissa for their generous hospitality. Hermione bade a special farewell to Eira Greengrass, and although the woman invited her around for tea, Hermione did not commit, unknowing if she would even be staying in 1992.

Severus, as promised, had contacted Minerva, deciding to do so by Floo so as there would be no waiting for a return owl. Minerva promised to keep Quirrell busy, and Hermione finished packing the rest of their belongings. Once they walked out the front gates of the manor, they Apparated directly to Little Hangleton. They stood at the outskirts of the cemetery, and Hermione visibly flinched, clutching tightly at Severus, who put a secure arm around her waist and held her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"That," she whispered, with a shaking hand, and pointed to the bones of Riddle's father. "Harry was pinned to that thing when he returned."

Severus followed her finger and stared up at it. "Riddle would call us here, and then we would walk up to the ancestral family home," he explained.

"Harry said you weren't there, when the Death Eaters were summoned, once he'd returned," she whispered to him. "He knows that because he remembered seeing you in the crowd of onlookers back at Hogwarts. He brought Cedric's body back, you know. Ron and I, plus the rest of the student body and spectators, saw it."

"Only very dark magic could cause him to return," Severus said softly.

"Pettigrew did it," Hermione snapped. "He'd been nursing Riddle back to health for months, ever since he escaped the Hogwarts grounds. Although Riddle initially was only a shell of his former self, he dropped him in a cauldron, while Pettigrew put a bone of Riddle's father, plus his own hand, and Harry's blood."

Severus stiffened at that. "Bone of the father, flesh of the servant, blood of the enemy," he said, and appeared sick to his stomach. "I am familiar with it. Riddle House has plenty of books on the Dark Arts. When Riddle took it over, he made sure of that."

Hermione swallowed, before turning and looking up at Severus. "Once we get the ring, let's destroy the house, Severus. Please. It doesn't need to be there."

Severus nodded. "You're right. The Muggles won't notice it. Riddle put plenty of wards around it. I'm sure the Ministry of Magic won't look there for quite a while."

Hermione was pleased that Severus kept an arm around her as they walked up the lane separating the cemetery from the house. Once they neared the wards, keyed to Riddle and his followers, she was pleased to see that, since she was with Severus, she was granted access. Stepping through, the ancient manor house came into view; it was gothic, and strange, and not at all welcoming. It didn't take long for Severus to dismantle the wards of the front door, and as they stepped inside, Hermione shivered against him.

"I have you," Severus vowed. "Don't worry. You're safe with me."

Hermione nodded shakily, looking around. "Homenum Revelio," she whispered, and was relieved to see that no other humans were in residence. "Let's go," she said, and they left the entrance hall to step deeper into the house.

"Where do you suppose he hid the ring?" Severus asked, peering into the first parlor, and into the next room, which appeared to be a lavish dining hall.

"I would guess the bedroom," Hermione said softly, and Severus looked down at her. "It's the most personal room in the house, Severus. Not only was he destroying their legacy by murdering both his father and grandfather, but the bedroom..." She shook her head. "It's where he would have been conceived, had his parents actually been in love with one another."

Severus inclined his head. "I believe you are correct."

Hermione found the ornately-carved staircase, carved from a black wood, and she and Severus hurried up it. There was a landing, which featured a table and a bouquet of dead flowers, and then the staircase tapered off in two directions. She turned and looked over at Severus, as he would likely know the house better than she would.

"The left goes to the north tower and the west wing," he explained. "The right goes to the east wing and south annex. The master bedroom is located in the north tower, which boasts a turret, so that the head of the household could always see the enemy coming."

Hermione blinked. "Like a medieval house."

"Exactly," Severus said, nodding.

Hermione and Severus quickly took off to the left, mounting the final dozen or so stairs, and it wasn't too difficult to allow Severus to guide her down the correct corridor. Finally, she knew they had reached their destination when they came to the elaborately-carved door, which Severus was quick to open. Stepping over the threshold, the floor creaked slightly beneath their feet; the floor itself was covered in Parisian carpets, and there was a four-poster bed with black curtains dominating one portion of the room. Two wardrobes took up another wall, and a further door beyond appeared to be an en suite.

The sun streamed through the window closest to the bed, as its black curtains hadn't been pulled closed; Hermione didn't even want to begin to consider how many decades of dust were lodged in the velvet pieces. Peering closer, she noticed that a corner of the carpet was not packed down correctly, and she seized upon it. Stepping closer, and walking away from Severus, she kicked up the portion of carpet, and stared at the hardwood of the floor. The plank directly below it appeared to have space between it, and, kneeling down, she pried it upwards, and gasped once it gave way.

"Severus, I've found it," she whispered, staring into the depths of the floor. "Could I have a fang, please?" she asked, looking up at him.

Severus quickly stepped closer, reaching into his robes and providing her with a fang. "Go ahead," he said, nodding with encouragement.

Hermione quickly bent down and stabbed the stone directly, and a gray mist appeared to leak from its surface. She drew back, and looked up at Severus, the fang still lodged within the ring, and found that she was shaking.

Severus casted a spell upon the ring, before he nodded in satisfaction. "It is no longer dangerous," he informed her.

Hermione nodded, bending down and picking up the ring, which she pocketed. "Let's set fire to this travesty of a house and get out of here," she whispered.

Severus held onto Hermione, and Apparated them out onto the grounds of Riddle House. He made haste, casting the spell for Fiendfyre, causing the centuries-old Riddle property to quickly burst into flames. "The wards will contain it," he reported. "No harm will come to anyone, and the house will be an ashy ruin by the time this is over."

Hermione nodded, holding tightly to Severus. "Let's get back to the castle."

Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione again, and Apparated them back to the gates of Hogwarts, putting a Disillusionment Charm onto Hermione. They made their way through the gates, and knew that Minerva would see them coming, as she was holding onto the map for them in their absence. They made their way directly to her rooms, and Hermione rushed forward, cancelling the charm upon her, and went directly towards Sharma who, upon seeing her mistress, launched herself into her arms.

"I'm sorry, love," she said quietly, stroking her fur. "Mama had to do some great and terrible things, but she's back now."

Severus was doing his best not to laugh. "You refer to yourself as her mother?"

Hermione turned to Severus, grinning. "Well, she is my first child, after all. I had a half-Kneazle before her, Crookshanks, but he was more of a companion. I was only thirteen when I got him, after all, hardly a suitable age to see him as my child."

Severus blinked. "You want children?"

Hermione felt her heart pounding within her. "Of course I do," she responded.

Severus appeared as if he wanted to speak further, but shut his mouth as the door opened behind them, and Minerva stepped inside. "Minerva," he greeted her.

"I hope Sharma wasn't too much trouble," Hermione said quickly.

Minerva smiled indulgently. "She was a delight, as always. We had a great many conversations, her and I," she reported, before turning to look at Severus. "It appears as if your Easter holiday at the manor was a success."

Severus shook his head. "What are you talking about, Minerva?"

Minerva held out her hand, and a copy of The Daily Prophet flew into it. Smirking at Severus, she proceeded to open it up and began to read. "'Master Severus Snape, potions master and professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was seen with his fiancée at the Easter holiday celebrations at Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire. His fiancée, Miss Dagmar Cork, is apparently an Unspeakable for the Ministry of Magic, and was educated at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Quite a gifted witch, she is trilingual and very intelligent, stating that her favorite classes were arithmancy and Ancient Runes. She seemed to make good friends with Mrs. Eira Greengrass, with the women keeping each other company throughout their stays at the Malfoy family home. Master and Madam Malfoy seemed equally charmed by their dear friends' choice in mate, as Madam Malfoy seemed to take the young Miss Cork under her wing. The pair shared a dance on the opening night of the celebrations, and all eyes were on them, although the couple only seemed to have eyes for one another. All this reporter can say is that she is surprised that Master Snape seemed to attract such a charming young witch, and eagerly awaits an invitation to their wedding.'"

"Who wrote that?" Severus asked through clenched teeth.

"Rita Skeeter, of course," Minerva replied, folding up the paper.

Hermione felt herself trembling, so much so that Sharma quickly hopped out of her arms. "Is there a photograph?"

"Of course," Minerva replied, handing over the paper.

Hermione practically snatched it from her former Head of House, and opened the paper between herself and Severus. There, in the featured article, were her and Severus, dancing around the ballroom at Malfoy Manor. Hermione swallowed. "It's over," she whispered, and turned to look over at Severus. "Dumbledore is bound to see this. What are we going to do?"

"What do you mean?" Severus asked.

Hermione wanted to scream at him. "I mean, despite all he's said and done, he's not a stupid man, Severus, nor is he not a brilliant sorcerer. He will see this, and come to the direct conclusion that I was Polyjuiced to appear older..." She shuddered. "Severus, he could have you branded as a pedophile and have you sent to Azkaban!"

Severus turned white. "But your child self was here the entire time," he protested.

Minerva nodded, finally seeing that the article wasn't as amusing as she'd originally anticipated it to be. "It's true," she confirmed. "Your mother and father had a dental convention to attend, and so you stayed here with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."

Hermione nodded. "I remember that conference. They had to go to Africa to help disadvantaged individuals who didn't have regular access to medical care."

"Selfless of them," Severus said quietly.

"Filius saw you, too. Your younger self, I mean," Minerva continued. "Alongside Professors Vector, Sprout, Babbling, as well as Madam Pince. They would all confirm in a heartbeat that you were well and truly here..."

"That won't stop Dumbledore from manipulating the truth, not if he wants to get rid of Severus ahead of schedule," Hermione said worriedly, before she turned and looked at him. "Severus, do you know how much longer you need on your potions?"

Severus sighed. "I finished them before we left for the manor," he said softly.

Hermione gritted her teeth. "Why didn't you tell me that? We could have..."

"What?" Severus snapped. "You could have left me as soon as the Easter festivities in Wiltshire had ended?!" he demanded.

Minerva looked back and forth between the two of them. "Did something happen at the manor that I should know about?" she asked.

"We didn't even know we truly had something until Wiltshire, and you know it!" Hermione fired back at him. "We didn't even have our first kiss until we'd arrived!"

"Although you were perfectly content to spread your legs and offer me up yourself with the promise of forever!" Severus yelled.

Hermione slapped him across the face. "I told you I wanted to get it right the first time!" she shouted at him, her eyes filling with tears. "I really hope to Merlin I wasn't wrong!"

"Oh, the insufferable know-it-all must be right a hundred-percent of the time!" Severus sneered back at her. "What a travesty if it turns out not to be true!"

"I'm not saying I have to be right all the time, you self-righteous bastard!" Hermione roared back, her voice trembling.

The door opened behind Minerva, and Hermione felt familiar magic washing over her. Turning, she spotted Dumbledore standing on the threshold, and felt a small gasp escape her lips. His eyes were twinkling, as always, but there was manipulation behind them. He stepped into the room and magically spelled the door behind him, ignoring Minerva, and came to stand directly in front of Hermione.

"Ah, so it is true," he said softly, looking her up and down. "I initially thought I would have to cart you off to Azkaban, Severus, for seducing a student. However, after Madam Pince informed me that Miss Granger was the last to leave the library, I deduced that she could have only been in two places at once with the aid of a time-turner. As such objects are regulated by the ministry, I checked to see if one had been taken out recently, and none had. So," he went on, and stared down at Hermione, "what do you have to say for yourself?"

Hermione blinked at him. "Excuse me?" she demanded.

"Why have you come here?" he asked.

Hermione scoffed. "Oh, please. For one thing, I didn't ask to come here, I was forced to come here by George and Ron Weasley. Secondly, I've been quite busy cleaning up your mess that my original timeline was still suffering from. Don't take it personally, headmaster, that people are still cleaning up your messes from beyond the grave."

"Ah, so I am dead in the future," Dumbledore said, and sounded bored. "Tell me, how far ahead are you from?"

Hermione crossed her arms. "Fifteen years."

"So you're around twenty-seven, twenty-eight?"

"Twenty-seven," she growled at him.

Dumbledore looked her up and down. "You appear different than you did during yours and Severus' dance in the paper," he murmured. "It appears as though you are no longer pure, Miss Granger. Tell me, did Professor Snape take advantage of you?"

"No!" Hermione shouted, as Severus sputtered from behind her. "I wanted it as much as he did, and I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions!"

"A pity Azkaban, the minister, and the Wizengamot won't see it that way," Dumbledore replied, and Hermione saw him reaching for his wand. "Perhaps, if I myself was to have a taste, all of this would be forgotten..."

However, Hermione was quicker, and got her own wand out of his pocket; there was no way in Merlin's name that she was going to let him touch her, especially because, if what she suspected about herself could be correct, only Severus would be allowed to do so. "Expelliarmus!" she shouted, pointing it directly at him, permitting all the unfiltered rage to burst out from within her, which directly caused Dumbledore to go crashing into Minerva's chamber door, and the Elder Wand to fly directly into her hands. Hermione gasped, seeing Dumbledore get knocked uncontentious immediately, and staggered backwards. "Dear Merlin," she whispered, as Minerva rushed over to him, checking for a pulse.

"Hermione!" Severus shouted, although he remained rooted to the spot in shock.

"His pulse is weak," Minerva said softly, as Severus looked torn between checking on the headmaster and Hermione. "We'd better get Madam Pomfrey to see to him, no matter how reluctant I am to have him get any medical care at all, given the atrocious things he just said to you... Hermione?" she asked, looking past Severus towards her, as the potions master stared at her. "Are you all right, dear? You've gone pale..."

"Yes, get Madam Pomfrey. I think we could all benefit from some healing right about now, Minerva," Hermione responded as she promptly doubled over, and vomited directly onto the floor of her former Head of Houses' chambers.