Defining Sexuality

A/N I do write this on the fly and the last chapter would be too long. So I broke it up and promise next one will be the end. Everything will come together and explain a lot of questions that arise from this chapter. Sorry to keep misleading you, but I follow my muse. I hope that you continue to follow and enjoy the story.

Chpt 15

Hermione arrived at Malfoy Manor at the appointed time and approached Astoria and Draco. "I'm puzzled Draco as we usually talk at Neville's flat." She noticed Astoria. "Lady Malfoy, a pleasure to see you."

"And you as well Aurour Granger." Greeting her husband's friend. "Draco, everyone is here and I have fulfilled the duties required of me and I wish to go to my chambers."

Draco looked to his wife and kissed her hand. "I told you that you did not have to do this, but I appreciate the effort. Enjoy your evening Astoria." Watching her leave and addressed Hermione. "If I have guest she normally greets them to keep the façade up."

They watched her leave. "Finnegan is waiting for her. Her current beau and the wizard try me as I never cared for him in school."

"But Finnegan was one of the biggest blabbermouths in school Draco." Hermione exclaimed. "He could never keep a secret at school!"

Draco led her to his study and opened the door. "This is one secret he will keep because I told him that not all of the Deatheaters were captured and that I happen to keep in contact with a few. Besides Astoria Obliviates her men when she is done with them so my secret is safe enough. I called you here Hermione because I have heard that an assassin has been paid to kill you. The wards on my Manor will prevent anyone knowing of our meeting. I've called Harry and Ron as well."

"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed as he rushed up to hug her as Harry joined them.

"Please say that you'll come back." Harry begged. "Things have not been the same without you with us."

Hermione chuckled. "It's only been a week. Care to remind me why I became an Aurour in the first place?"

Harry and Ron chanted out. "You suspected a conspiracy within the Ministry at the half- assed investigation they held into Master Snape's death. You became an Aurour to find out the truth. You found nothing. No leads or anything other than St. Mungo's taking him in. This fueled your obsession of a conspiracy and we are together once again to ferret out the evil in our world."

"Exactly and it got me nowhere. I am ready to move on as I will never find out the truth over Severus's death." Thinking of John Watson's touch on her body and how willingly she wanted to pursue him.

"I'm glad ta hear that you are taking a safer trail because no filly of mine will be placed in danger. It ain't right." A voice called out as the group looked up and noticed that a wizard that suddenly appeared standing next to a shelf of books.

"Master Watson I don't remember inviting you." Draco snarled out. "How did you get past my wards?"

"Easily yer Lordship, as riding the trail with the Dark Lord teaches ya a thing or two. Rounding ya up into one place was easy. All I had ta do was mention a danger to Hermione and word got back to ya."

Harry, Ron, Draco, Hermione, and Neville pulled out their wands and pointed to the American wizard.

"Explain yourself!" Harry shouted out, watching the wizard who held a phial in one hand while his other hand was hooked around his belt buckle. The wizard held up the phial for a moment as he muttered "To yer health!" Drinking the contents down

The group backed up as they pointed their wands downward as the man fell, moaning out in pain and began to morph, brown hair changing into long black strands as his faced formed into sharp, hawkish features.

"What kind of sick joke is this?" Neville stuttered out as pushed Hermione behind Harry and Ron to protect her. He stood over the prone from on the floor and used his free hand to turn the wizard over, keeping his wand pointed out with the other and watched the man open his eyes.

"I assure you that this is not a joke Neville." Standing up and looked to the group.

They looked to the tall, pale wizard, clothes hanging off of him.

"That can't be him Hermione. We buried Master Snape two years ago. Besides remember Watson's words about Voldemort?" Ron spoke out as Harry agreed with his friend.

"Seven years out of Hogwart's and you are still a dunderhead Weasley. And you Harry have not improved much as well." The wizard growled out. "I WAS in league with the Dark Lord after all and spied on him for Dumbledore." He growled out as he looked to Hermione.

"It's him." Hermione softly spoke as she looked into her lover's black, obsidian eyes and knew that she was right.

"Don't be so quick to accept him Hermione." Harry spoke as he continued to point his wand at the wizard that had taken the form of Severus Snape. "A question for you "Master Snape" that only three of us know the answer to. What were your last words to me in the Shrieking Shack?"

"Look at me…" Severus spoke out in a silky voice. "And I looked into your eyes as I "died". You three then left to do what you were destined to do in the Final Battle and that was to defeat Voldemort. And Hermione took me into her home to heal me after a few assassination attempts and allowed me into her life."

Draco and Neville watched as Hermione, Harry, and Ron immediately lower their wands and heard Harry's voice. "He is Master Snape. Draco, Neville, put away your wands."

Severus pulled out his wand and transfigured his clothes into the teaching robes that he wore during their time in school and pointed his wand to the cowboy hat on the floor and snarled out. "Reducto!" The charm burning the hat until all that remained of it was a pile of ash. "I hated wearing that thing." He muttered as he put his wand back into his robes and stood waiting for their reaction.

Everyone watched as Hermione slowly approached Severus and placed her small hand upon his chest. "Severus…" She sighed out and then swung her fist and hit his jaw hard as he toppled to the floor as she angrily shouted out. "How could you do this to me Severus?" Storming out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

"Draco lower your wards now!" Severus commanded.

Draco nodded after a moment and they watched the previously "dead" wizard turn his heel and Apparated away.

Harry pulled out his wand. "We need to go after her."

Ron grabbed him. "Are you barking mad Harry? Did you see the look he gave Draco when he commanded the wards be lowered?"

Draco looked thoughtful for a moment. "He's right Harry. We'll visit her tomorrow afternoon. Besides we should worry about what she will do to my Godfather. I was a victim of her right cross in the past after all."

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione entered her house and turned on the light and saw Severus sitting in his leather chair. "I should have known you would be here Severus. How did you get in here anyway?" She crossed her arms and waited for him to reply.

He watched her. "You never changed your wards Hermione and they allowed me in."

"I never thought about it as you were dead. Even one polyjuiced like you would not make it beyond them."

She went over to the liquor cabinet that had not been opened since his death and poured a hefty measure of Firewhiskey in a glass and drank it down, coughing slightly as it burned down her throat. Pouring out another measure, she walked to him and placed the glass in his hand and sat down on the loveseat opposite of him.

"I saw you at St. Mungo's Severus." She whispered. "Your body was blue and undeniably dead. You are one of the most accomplished Potions Masters in the Wizarding world and no potion would have brought you back to life."

"I know Hermione and I heard you cry over me and felt your tears splash on my face." He spoke in a soft voice. "I am not sure how to explain the last two years."

"Starting at the beginning would be helpful Severus."

"Logical as always Hermione. Two years ago I was at the Potions Conference held at the Ministry of Magic….."

A loud incessant knock sounded out as they both looked to the door.

"Excuse me for a moment Severus. I wasn't expecting any company. I'll get rid of them." Walking over to the door and opened it up and exclaimed. "Artamis! What in Merlin are you doing here?" Recognizing the horse from Hogwarts and watched the horse go directly to Severus with a letter held in his mouth.

Severus took the letter from the horse and quickly read it and turned to Hermione. "Do you trust me Hermione? It all ends now and you will learn the truth. Bribery and graft is still present in the Ministry despite the defeat of the Dark Lord." He snarled out.

She saw anger reflected in his black obsidian eyes. "Merlin help me but I do Severus."

Severus pulled out his wand and changed the living room into a corral with hay. "I will bring John back to you Artamis. Stay here and do not worry any longer." Patting the horse in reassurance as he held out his hand to Hermione. "We must go now to save one who is innocent in this mess."

She grabbed his hand and looked to him. "Where are we going Severus?"

Severus pulled her to him. "To the Ministry Hermione where all of this began two years ago and it ends now. Despite your resignation from the Aurours are you in an inactive status and still retain your badge?"

Hermione pulled her badge out of her robes and showed it to him. "Yes Severus and required to keep it on me and stop anything illegal that I witness for the next two years."

He took the badge from her hand and pinned it on her robes. "Your service may be required once again Aurour First Class Granger. We need to visit the Minister now." Turning his heel and Apparating them to the public Apparation point within the Ministry.

She whispered in his ear as they made their way through the check point. "Let me take the lead or you will never get next to him." Hearing the remarks "Severus Snape alive!" From wizards and witches that moved away they passed as the Atrium went completely silent.

"First time this place is completely silent. I'll have to bring you round more often Severus."

Hermione led Severus to the Minister's office and found two Aurours holding their wands out, guarding the entrance. "The Minister is not to be disturbed."

"Stoddard, Wright back down. Believe me the Minister will want to be disturbed considering who I found while out and about. Notice my badge? I am here on Aurour business."

Stoddard and Wright noticed the tall wizard standing next to her glaring down at them. "Pro-Pro-Professor..."They stuttered out in union.

"Snape." Severus growled out, finishing their statement.

Hermione watched Stoddard and Wright move away from the door. "Anyone I know with Minister Kingsley right now?"

Wright shrugged his shoulders. "Just some Yank and Headmistress McGonagall Aurour Granger."

Hermione opened the door and watched everyone in the office stand up as Kingsley shouted. "I told you that I am not to be disturbed."

"Minister as a reserve Aurour I am bound to use my authority when I find people breaking the law. Faking one's death breaks a law somewhere I am sure."

Everyone looked to Severus who looked back to them with a smirk on his face.

"The evil filly dragged me down here after graduation Master Snape. Kingsley forced Veritaserum down ma throat and then corralled me when the filly did not believe that I am really Master Watson."

"I apologize for their behavior Master Watson and the Minister will allow you to go now that I am here."

"Ma wand Minister." John commanded and held out his hand.

Kingsley handed the wand to John. "I told Minerva that I believed you. I apologize for our treatment to you."

John looked to the older witch and wizard. "If I do not hear from Master Snape in six hours I will go to my Ministry and read ta them from the book. They'll send a posse fer the both of ya cause of agreements ta get varmints that break the law. I bid ya good day."

Kingsley watched John leave and addressed Hermione. "Thank you for bringing Severus here Hermione and I release you from your duties. I will take care of any charges if required."

"I think not Minister. A visitor from abroad has stated that he was forced against his will to take Veriteserum and interrogated illegally and forced to stay here against his will and I will not abandon my duty." Hermione spoke as her eyes narrowed. "I have reason to believe that Master Snape was forced against his will into something. I'm not sure what it is but I will find out. Master Snape, do you wish to press any charges that may result from my inquiry?"

Severus enjoyed the look on Kingsley's face as Hermione asked her question. "I do Aurour Granger."

Minerva spoke. "I will be on my way back to Hogwart's as I am not involved in any of this." Walking to the door.

Hermione moved to block her. "I think that you are involved with this because you are here and participated in a crime against a foreign visitor."

Minerva spoke out in anger. "You are biased in this Aurour Granger based on your previous relationship with Master Snape."

Hermione smiled. "I'm glad that you mention it Headmistress. You are correct and I will contact the Head of Magical Law Enforcement to assign unbiased Aurours to interrogate you both and take Master Snape's statement."

"I don't think we need to do that Hermione. Think of a way to keep this in house and out of the papers." Kingsley begged her.

"You told me for two years that I was barking mad thinking a conspiracy was involved in Master Snape's death Kingsley. But I'll do what you request out of respect I held for you during the Final Battle if you agree that I choose the two Aurours required for the inquiry."

"I agree Hermione." Slumping down at his desk. He was going to Azkaban.

Hermione left the office and came back a few minutes later. "My fellow Aurours will be here shortly."

Twenty minutes later Harry and Ron arrived. "Hermione what's going on?" Relieved that she was safe and noticed her badge pinned on her robes.

She told them what she found when she entered the Minister's office.

Harry looked to Severus for a moment and then walked out of the office and came back with a sealed penseive. "Master Snape this is a sealed penseive and it will flare out orange if you present altered memories into it. Please sign the parchment stating that you understand the penalties involving submitting a false memory."

"Certainly Aurour Potter." He replied in a silky voice, signing it and watched the three Aurours added their signatures as well and then placed his memories of the last two years in the stone bowl.

Ron looked to the group. "Wards are in place that will not allow anyone to leave while we are viewing so don't attempt it."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the pensieve together.

"Minerva, I should have never agreed to this." Kingsley muttered. He pulled a bottle of Firewhiskey out of his desk and poured himself a hefty drink.

"Enjoy the drink while you can Kingsley as whiskey is lacking at Azkaban. You would have never been charged with murder you know, as it was consensual. Hopefully you two will have adjoining cells so that you can remain sane."

Minerva gasped out in shock. "How long have you known?"

Severus smiled to Minerva enjoying her reaction. "About a month after I arrived at Hogwarts Minerva. I am an accomplished Legilimens after all." He turned to Kingsley. "And you "Old Friend" defended me vigorously at my trial risking your reputation, yet you allowed an old, pathetic witch manipulate you. You should have turned yourself in immediately when Minerva bribed you Kingsley. I doubt that you would have lost your position as you are loved by all."

"I was young then Severus." Kingsley soft replied.

"I know Kingsley." He replied. "I remember the bad decisions that I made when I was young resulting in the deaths of ones that I loved as well." Speaking with a soft voice as he remembered the deaths of Lily Potter and Albus Dumbledore.

His voice barked out no nonsense. "I owe you Kingsley. I would let Minerva go down in flames but I remember my debts. I'll not press charges if you both agree to this." Continuing to talk and watched as they nodded their acceptance at his proposal.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

They fell into Snape's memory and saw Professor Watson wake up at St. Mungo's as the Minister passed a coin bag to a Healer. "What in tarnation is goin on here!" He demanded.

Minerva threw down a copy of the Prophet and watched as he picked it up and read it. "You're dead Severus."

Severus read the article and looked to the pictures. Oh Merlin Hermione! Seeing a photo of her bowed down and touching the headstone as she wept.

"Why?" He demanded.

Minerva handed him a mirror. "Hermione can do so much better than you Severus. Merlin, you are twenty years her senior and God's know how you would treat her. I wonder what you did to break her and Ron up."

He looked into the mirror, reflecting back a handsome face. "I did nothin Minerva. The filly chose me on her own as Weasley rides a different brand. Fer fuck's sake I do not talk like this." He snarled and sat up in his bed. "What's ta stop me from reading the book to the Aurours?"

Kingsley looked to the transformed man. "I'll trump up some charges that a visiting Yank killed a prostitute in Diagon Alley. You'll be in Azkaban for life. I'm sorry Severus but it has to be this way."

He handed him a thick book with notes. "I decided to allow Professor Watson to try his potion here as it will benefit the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

Harry, Hermione, and Ron watched as the wizard flicked through the book and closed it. "Yer wrong in this Kingsley and what ta filly has on ya I'll never know. But I have no choice but ta ride ta trail ya set me on." They saw the look of submission and sadness on his face as they continued to observe the memories and then found themselves outside the penseive.

Harry looked to the Headmistress and Minister in anger. "You took two years of this wizard's life away. You forced him to take the potion again at wand point at the one year mark. After all that he did for us before. And you Headmistress. How could you?"

"I only wanted the best for her and Severus was not it, considering his baggage." Minerva snarled out in anger.

Everyone jumped as the penseive exploded and turned to dust and turned to Severus, who held his wand in his hand. "I am vindicated Aurour Potter and do not wish to press charges."

"Why? You said that I will learn the truth. I think that I should have a say in this as I was a victim as well." Hermione shrilled out and looked to the witch she once respected. "You had no right Headmistress to dictate what is and what is not best for me."

"And you did Hermione. You are vindicated because my death was a conspiracy and learned the truth just I promised. I need to speak to Aurours Potter and Weasley in private to discuss an alternate form of punishment. You are biased when it comes to our relationship and I must ensure that everything is done correctly."

"Fine Severus.' She huffed out. "Harry, Ron I'll be waiting for you at the Leaky Cauldron." Leaving the Minister's office and was immediately assaulted by the press as they shouted out "Aurour Granger, is it true that Severus Snape lives?"

She made her way through the crowd as she shouted out over the questions yelled out to her. "Talk to the Minister or the wizard yourself as I can't discuss anything." She shouted and finally found herself outside the Ministry and turned her heel and Apparated away.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione stood outside her house and drew her wand out. She would have to be quick.

She opened her door and quickly jumped to the side and waited for a few moments and heard no sounds of movement and then walked into her living room and noticed Severus sitting in his chair once again.

"What a grand entrance Hermione. Do you always enter your home like this?"

"Only when I expect to be Obliviated like my friends." Hermione snarled to him as she continued to point her wand to him and watched as he stood up. Hers eyes noticed his arms move and followed them and suddenly found herself pressed hard against the door as Severus easily plucked her wand of her hand and tossed it across the room as he pressed his wand against her neck.

Severus looked into her brown eyes. "The oldest trick in the book Hermione. I was a master spy after all." He chuckled as Hermione tightly shut her eyes and pulled his wand away from her neck and dropped it to the floor as he continued to press her hard against the door. "Do you really think your Beau would Imperio and Obliviate you? I think that I need to address your trust issues. Open your eyes Hermione."

Severus felt her body relax against him as she looked to him, her eyes drawing him in. He missed her.

They looked to one another in silence, the minutes ticking by.

He suddenly pulled her to him and captured her lips in a deep passionate kiss and then pulled away as he spoke in a strangled voice. "I've missed you Hermione and we are together once again."