Love...War...What's the Difference *COMPLETE*

Love…War…What’s the Difference?

Talks, the Spell, and Confessions

Albus listened patiently as Lucius told his story. Severus was quite shocked when he heard that Draco was in fact Voldemort’s son and heir. After telling his tale, Lucius produced a pensieve for them as well.

“I will contact Arthur at once. If we can prove Draco is in fact Voldemort’s son, we might be able to get you some kind of deal,” Albus said.

“Thank you,” Lucius replied quietly.

Albus summoned a house elf and had Lucius sent to a set of guest rooms for the moment. He then called for Arthur. The story was then retold and the three of them viewed the pensieve. After viewing the pensieve, Arthur faced Severus.

“Severus, you know Lucius better than we do. Do you think he’s telling the truth?” Arthur asked.

“Yes. His story also explains a lot. True, Lucius can be quite ruthless, but there were things Voldemort had him do, that Lucius was reluctant to go through with. It was usually Narcissa who persuaded him to do it. Now I know why,” Severus sighed as he dropped into one of the chairs.

“What should we do?” Arthur questioned.

“I think I have the perfect solution to this problem,” Albus smiled.

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Hermione was sitting on her sofa drinking a cup of tea and going over her notes for her potion. She was so close to brewing it, she couldn’t afford any mistakes now. Just then, the door opened and Minerva entered the room.

“Something wrong Professor McGonagall?” Hermione asked a bit worriedly.

“I hate to disturb you my dear, but the Headmaster needs you in his office. He said it was important,” Minerva answered.

“Yes professor. I’ll be right there,” Hermione nodded.

As Minerva left, Hermione put away her notes. A few minutes later, she was standing at Albus’ office door. She knocked and a few seconds later, Albus yelled for her to enter.

“You wanted to see me Headmaster?” Hermione asked.

“Yes Miss Granger. Please, have a seat,” Albus replied.

Hermione saw Severus, Lucius, and Arthur seated around the office. Keeping her face neutral at the sight of Lucius, she sat down in one of the chairs in front of Albus’ desk.

“We need your help Miss Granger,” Arthur stated.

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Harry sat at the Quidditch pitch. He had been there for the past half hour thinking about what he had seen in potions the previous Monday between Hermione and Severus. He still hadn’t talked to her.

‘How do I talk to Hermione about this? It’s been four days and I still don’t know what to say,’ he sighed.

“Harry? You all right?” Ginny asked as she sat beside him.

“Hey Gin. I’ve got this problem. See, I have this friend. I think she likes this guy and it looks like he likes her too. It’s just that, well, I’m concerned about them being together,” Harry answered.

“You’re talking about Hermione and Professor Snape huh? Oh don’t look so shocked. I’ve seen them looking at each other when the other wasn’t looking for nearly a month now,” she smiled.

“Well, I think they would make a good couple. After all, both of them are smart as hell, but what about Voldemort?” he replied.

“Look, tomorrow we are getting together to study. Let’s just tell her we are fine with it, if there is anything between them, and that their secret is safe with us,” she suggested.

“That sounds like a plan. You’re the best Ginny,” he smiled as he kissed her.

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Hermione had just finished viewing Lucius’ pensieve and her head was spinning with all the new information she had just received. She sat there just looking at the blonde haired wizard seated next to Severus. The tense silence was broken by Albus.

“Miss Granger, I think you now know why I asked you here,” Albus said.

“I do. When…um…when do you want me to do this?” she questioned, still a bit in shock.

“Now would be preferable,” Albus answered. Hermione nodded. “Lucius, Severus, please raise your sleeve and show the Dark Mark to Miss Granger,” Albus instructed.

With confused looks, both men did as they were told. Hermione withdrew her wand, stood up, and walked over to them. She began with Severus. With a few intricate wand movements and whispered words, Severus let out a hiss of pain. The Dark Mark was ripped from his arm and placed on a glass Arthur had handed her. The skin where the mark had been, was healed instantly.

“Merlin’s beard!” Lucius gasped. He was so shocked, he never felt the pain of his own mark being removed.

“How…how did you do this?” Severus asked as he stared at Hermione in awe.

“I created it. I tested it last night in front of the Headmaster and Mr. Weasley,” Hermione answered happily.

“The rumors about you don’t do you justice Miss Granger. You are the brightest witch anyone has ever seen. I can never repay you for what you have just done for me,” Lucius said as he bowed to her, causing Hermione to blush slightly.

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Hermione sat with Ginny and Harry in her sitting room. It was a cloudy and cold Saturday afternoon. Their books were scattered on the table and some on the floor. The three friends were taking a break when Ginny nodded to Harry.

“Um…Hermione, do you like Professor Snape?” Harry blurted out.

“What?” Hermione replied in surprise.

“I saw the look you two shared in potions on Monday. I only recognized it because it was the same kind of look Ginny and I would give each other right before we started dating,” Harry said.

“If you two do like each other, Harry and I think it’s fine. We’re just worried about the whole Voldemort thing,” Ginny added.

Hermione sighed. “Guys, I’m not sure what’s going on between Professor Snape and I. I’ve always respected and admired him, you guys know that, but since we started working together on my project, those feelings have changed and grown,”

“Sounds like you may be falling for him,” Ginny pointed out.

“Mione, I think you and him need to talk about this. I love you like a sister and I don’t want to see you get hurt. If he cares about you the way you obviously care about him, then I…or rather Ginny and I will support you and keep this secret until the two of you say otherwise,” Harry said as Ginny nodded in agreement.

Hermione smiled and hugged her friends. The three then got back to work. Hermione didn’t tell them about the spell, because Albus had told her last night he would tell Harry in a few days. She just hoped Harry would keep an open mind about Lucius Malfoy.

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Severus looked down the hall making sure no one was around. It was passed curfew and all the students were suppose to be in their dorms, but he couldn’t take any chances of one of them sneaking out and seeing him. After Hermione had removed his mark, the words Albus had said the afternoon of the Welcoming Feast came rushing back.

“Don’t be afraid to take a chance. Even if that chance seems impossible,”

He was taking a big risk as he stopped outside Hermione’s door. After a calming breath he knocked. A few minutes later, the door opened and a very shocked Hermione stood there looking up at him.

“Professor Snape? Is something wrong? Was there a side effect to the spell?” she asked worriedly.

“No, no. I’m fine. Could I come in for a moment. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about,” he answered her, sounding a lot calmer than he felt.

“Of course,” she said, relief in her voice that there was no unforeseen side effects.

Hermione stepped aside and let him enter. Severus looked around the sitting room. It suited her perfectly. Hermione led him to the sofa, where she had been reading. After placing her book on the coffee table, she faced him.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

“Miss Granger…I mean Hermione, over the past few weeks our relationship has changed. You said last weekend that you weren’t sure what you were feeling towards me. I’ve been thinking a lot about my own feelings towards you and I’ve come to a realization,” he replied.

“Oh? What’s that…Severus?” she questioned nervously.

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” he said.

Hermione sat there in silence. She couldn’t believe what he just said. It was almost as if the fates were screaming at them that they needed to be together. She turned and met his eyes. All she could see was truth, admiration, and a hint of fear.

“Why are you scared?” she asked.

“Hermione, the last time I fell for a woman, I caught her in bed with another man. Since then, I’ve hardened my heart against love. Then you came barreling into my life and slowly began tearing down the walls I built around my heart. Now, I’m a bit vulnerable,” he said.

“You don’t have to be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I seem to be falling in love with you as well. It took Harry and Ginny blindsiding me about it this afternoon for me to see that,” she smiled.

“Potter and Miss Weasley know?” he inquired with a worried look.

“They saw the looks we would give each other. They said they think we go good together and that they won’t say a word to anyone until we say otherwise,” she reassured him.

Severus nodded in relief. He brought his hand up and cupped her cheek. Hermione sighed as his gentle touch and leaned into his hand. Severus leaned foreword and kissed her tenderly. Hermione slid her arms up his chest and around his neck. Neither moved to deepen the kiss, even though both wanted to.

“So…um…what now?” she asked breathlessly.

“For now, we keep us a secret. We can’t let Voldemort discover us. As we continue on your project, we will get to know each other better,” he answered as he rested his forehead against hers.

Hermione nodded. Ten minutes later, Hermione walked him to her door. They shared one last kiss then he left. Just as he reached the entrance to the dungeons, Albus stepped out of the shadows.

“Out for a stroll my boy?” Albus questioned.

“You could say that,” Severus replied.

“I see you finally followed my advise. How did it go?” Albus smiled.

“Nosey old codger. If you must know, we are in love. Of course this new development won’t affect our work,” Severus sighed.

“This is wonderful. Now that your Dark Mark is gone, you are a bit safer. Well, good night my boy. Oh, please be honest with Hermione. She deserves that, as do you,” Albus said, then headed off down the hall.

Severus just shook his head as he retreated to his rooms. Little did he know, his and Albus’ conversation had been overheard.

‘Well, the traitor and the mudblood. How fitting,’ Draco thought as he made his way back to the Slytherin common room. Luckily, he missed the part about the Dark Mark being removed because he had to cover a sneeze.

T.B.C