Life and Its Mysteries

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Chapter 7



Hermione stood not far from the entrance doors at the Ministry lobby. She was wearing a cap and a jacket so as to keep a low profile. Her eyes mostly were focused at the crowd at the center.



The press all were crowded in front of Lucius as he addressed them, and the people about Biff. Their quills were writing, cameras shooting and rolling, and their mouths asking non-stop questions.



If they knew that it was Hermione Granger herself who was in charge of the case, it would surely just make things worse. Hermione could just imagine the bombarding of the press on her, most especially Rita Skeeter. She learned her lesson in the fourth year, and didn’t want another false story to come out of the crazy witch’s column.



“What do you want, Potter?” Hermione hissed softly as she saw Harry stand next to her at the corner of her eye.



“Hermione, I know that no matter how much I will say sorry to you, I can never make up for it, but there’s something that I need to tell you. I just hope that you’ll listen,” Harry spoke.



Hermione didn’t say a word, but she tightly gripped the head of her cane, imagining hitting Harry with it. How she really hated him.



“Snape… even though you said he was the one that broke your relationship, he still loves you,” Harry said softly. “Believe it or not, he was broken when you left.”



Harry’s words slowly registered with Hermione, who didn’t believe it. She looked across the lobby and saw Severus himself, who had his arms crossed, standing next to Bill. His eyes had caught hers, and gave her a nod.



“Anyways,” Harry sighed as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a thick piece of paper that had been folded a few times. He gave it to Hermione, who looked oddly at the object and then at him. “It’s the Marauder’s Map. I think it would be very helpful with the case.”



Hermione stared at the map in surprise. Why didn’t she think about it before? If Biff stepped into the Hogwarts castle, he couldn’t hide from anything or anyone.



“Snape would’ve probably given us detention for the entire year if he knew we had that when we were still attending Hogwarts.” Harry looked at Hermione and wasn’t surprised when she didn’t respond and talk to him. “Take care,” he said and turned away.



“I have a son,” Hermione suddenly said, not really knowing why she just blurted it out.



Harry stopped midstride in his step. He wasn’t deaf and heard Hermione clearly. He slowly turned back to face her. His eyes met hers for the first time, and he read them, knowing what she had meant.



“His name is Tobias,” she said softly.



“Then he has every right to know,” Harry told her. “He won’t push you away a second time, and he isn’t the type of man to reject his own son.” With those words, Harry walked away, leaving Hermione to ponder at them.



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"Professor Snape," Bill said as he walked to stand next to Severus.



"Mr. Hicks," Severus greeted flatly not taking his eyes off Hermione. He stood tall and stiffly, with his hands behind him.



Bill followed Severus’s glance and saw Hermione. “I do not know what happened with you and Hermione five years ago, but I don’t want to see her hurting.”



“Pardon,” Severus sneered as he arched a brow, looking at the man he knew nothing of. “You don’t know me.”



“I know just about enough. Whatever your intentions maybe towards her, they better all be good.”



“I have no ill intentions towards Hermione.”



“You still have feelings for her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she still has the same feelings for you. Honestly, she hasn’t been with another guy come to think of it. There was even a time that I tried to ask her out, but she turned me down.”



Severus frowned at Bill. How could a stranger read him so well? Were his feelings towards Hermione still that transparent s they were in the past? “She can’t have feelings for me. It’s Ethan that she’s with now, if I remember.”



“Ethan?” Bill asked. “Who?- Oh!” he then started to chuckle when he realized who he was talking about. “Ethan is a special guy that Hermione loves very much and same goes the other way around. They aren’t an item though, if that’s what you think. Not in love. I’m sure you’ll meet him one day.”



“And why would I be interested in meeting him?” Severus asked.



Bill waved at Dean who gestured to him that they needed to talk. “Because you would,” he replied with a smile, before heading to Dean.



Severus grouched as he watched Bill walk away. The man was as meddlesome as Albus himself, reminding him of the days when the old wizard would push him towards Hermione. He was given hope—hope that he didn’t need, but yet wanted. Hope for him and Hermione to be together again.



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The stars blinked brightly as the moon glowed above in the blackened sky. Hermione stared at them as she stood behind the window.



She was in the highest room in the old Astronomy Tower. It was one place in which she would find some peace and solitude for herself during her Hogwarts days. Ever since her arrival at Hogwarts, she felt very stressed. Ron, Severus, the case.



Just after the press meeting, she had given the Marauder’s Map to her teammates and explained to them how it was used. She placed a special alarm on the map so as to indicate when Biff was on it. Hermione was pleased that Bill took the responsibility to hold the map for the time being.



Hermione sighed and turned on her feet slowly making it to the old couch, which was not far from an old mattress that lay on the stone floor. Both were in front of a dusty, old fireplace, which, had a small fire that Hermione made with her wand so that there would be little light and warmth. As she sat herself down, she looked around. The room had a lot of memories between her and Severus—the best of them.



This was the place in which they had admitted their love to one another, and also where she had given herself to him. Severus was her first and only lover. She reached into her pocket and pulled out his letter. She eyed it for a moment before looking at the mattress. It was where it all happened—the first time they made love to each other.



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Hermione and Severus were lying side by side on the mattress. Both their limbs intertwined, as they held each other closely. The light from the fireplace slightly glowed on the sweat of their skin.



“Alright?” Severus asked brushing away the hair curls from Hermione’s face.



“I’m more than fine Severus,” Hermione answered with a small smile. She was still a little out of breath.



“You probably might be sore tomorrow. I think I was a little rough on you. I have never been with a… virgin.”



Hermione smiled and then kissed him. “That is the most orgasmic experience I had in my life,” she murmured against his lips.



Severus could only laugh at what she said. It did have a double meaning. He pulled her along with him as he rolled on his back, making her lie on top of him. The laugh then faded when he looked into her whiskey colored eyes. “I know I don’t say it as much or as often as I should, but I do love you,” he said softly.



“I know. I love you too,” Hermione said as she placed her head on his shoulder.



Severus kissed her brow softly and held Hermione tighter against him. His left forearm was exposed right in front of Hermione, allowing her to trace the shape of the Dark Mark with her finger. “I will love you over and over when the war is over.”



“I can’t wait for it to be over. I want to spend the rest of my life with you?”



Hermione’s words slightly shocked Severus. He pulled back and frowned at her. “You want to spend the rest of your life with me?”



“I do,” Hermione replied firmly. “Even raise a family with you if… you want.”



“There is nothing more in the world I want than to be with you forever, and spend the rest of my life with you,” Severus said as he brushed his finger on her cheek. He then moved his lips slightly forward, kissing her.



Hermione melted into the kiss, and soon enough, she was grinding herself against Severus. Her pelvis against his.



“I am an old man Hermione,” Severus groaned as she nibbled down to his neck. He could feel his own cock twitch in response, not believing that he could get erect so soon. The witch truly did turn him on and always would.



“We have to practice making love Sev, otherwise how can we make babies?” Hermione purred into his ear.



Severus growled and turned Hermione onto her back with him lying above her, resting between her thighs. “Is this what you want witch?” he asked as he rubbed his growing erection right on her pussy.



“Only you,” Hermione moaned is response.



“Gods, I love you,” Severus said right before he captured her lips roughly with his, passionately kissing her.



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Hermione’s eyes let the tears flow out. She closed her eyes as she wiped her tears with one hand. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice talk to her.



“I thought you said you threw the letter away?” Severus asked as he stood in front of Hermione, seeing it in her hand.



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AN – Oh my… Cliffy! What’s going to happen next? Review!