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Unquestionable Love	By : CRMediaGal Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 3380 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyrighted to and belongs to JK Rowling. I own none of her associated characters. New characters belong to me. No money/profit is made from this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
A/N: A taste of what lies in store much later in this story awaits...

Many thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Brittny.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyrighted to and belongs to JK Rowling. I own none of her associated characters. New characters belong to me.

Chapter 15: Marked Change

"Mummy!" Jeannie whined as Hermione muddled about in the bedroom, putting on a pair of silver earrings. "Can we go now?"

"In a moment, Jeannie."

"But I want to see Lily!"

"You will soon enough, sweetie. Just give me a few more minutes."

Jeannie was seated on her parents' four-poster bed, watching in a huff as Hermione adjusted her chestnut waves, partly pulled back in a free-flowing ponytail. She adjusted her grey sweater and threw on a black belt to go with her dark, formfitting jeans. She hardly looked the thirty-something years that she was, her face evincing hardly any signs of age, except for a few attractive wrinkles around her eyes and the unmistakably wiser air with which she carried herself.

Noticing her daughter watching from the full-length mirror she was gazing into, Hermione smiled and turned around to face Jeannie. "How do I look, sweetie?" she asked encouragingly.

Jeannie's big, black curls swayed to one side along with her head. Then her scrutinizing features lit up. "You look pretty, Mummy!"

Hermione laughed softly and walked over to her littlest one, taking a strand of the girl's hair in her hand. "Well, thank you for helping me pick out my outfit!"

"I did, didn't I, Mummy?" Jeannie beamed proudly as she stared up at Hermione, who nodded back with enthusiasm.

I wish Severus were here, Hermione bemoaned as she gazed down at their handsome daughter, dressed up and ready to go have a good time with their friends. She mused how Severus would have adored Jeannie's outfit. The perfect toddler looked endearingly sweet.

As if reading her mother's thoughts, Jeannie's agreeable countenance darkened, and her lips formed into a sad pout. "I wish Daddy could come," she whined in a forlorn manner.

Hermione tried to offer her a reassuring smile. "I know, sweetie. Me too, but he has to work this weekend. He really wanted to come, though. He misses you terribly."

Jeannie grunted and hopped gracefully off the bed, staring up into Hermione's face with displeasure written on her round face. "He always has to work." Her grave tone surprised Hermione. She reached down and put her hands on Jeannie's delicate shoulders, squeezing her fingers against the fabric of her plush, emerald sweater.

"Come now, Jeannie, that isn't fair."

Jeannie eyed Hermione with her cross, black eyes, her pout still etched on her pink lips. "But I want Daddy here!"

"I know you do, sweetheart, but he can't be here. Daddy has responsibilities, including taking care of your sisters right now. You understand that, right?"

Hermione's eyes searched the strikingly handsome tot for some glimmer of understanding, but Jeannie's eyes shifted to the floor, her tiny body swaying back and forth in slow, silent protest. The little one looked quite melancholy, her demeanor entirely altered from a few moments prior when she had skipped about the room helping her mother dress.

"Jeannie," Hermione implored, taking the girl's chin and forcing her head up to meet her gaze, "you'll see him soon enough, I promise, and I'll tell you something else. In a couple weeks, we'll go see a Quidditch match, how about that? You'll get to see Surina and Lily play."

Jeannie suddenly livened up, her figure springing up and down as her crosshatched skirt floated along with her excitement. "Yes! Yes! Please!" she begged, her voice high-pitched and exhilarated.

Hermione beamed proudly, just as thrilled and excited as her youngest daughter. Surina had recently written to inform her that she had made the Slytherin team as a Chaser, and Lily was already a Gryffindor Keeper, having joined the team her second year.

That shall be an interesting game, she pondered nervously. That worrying thought had been lingering in her mind for days, ever since she received Surina's owl. Hermione secretly prayed that her husband would not have to intervene and could at least keep the girls' rivalry to a minimum. Quidditch, however, was a dangerous, physical sport, and Hermione hoped that her daughters would not get too hot-headed at the upcoming match between Slytherin and Gryffindor.

After Hermione managed to calm the youngest Snape down, the two headed for the sitting room. As they meandered into the fireplace, Hermione grabbed some Floo powder with one hand and clasped Jeannie's small hand in the other.

"The Burrow!" she commanded, before throwing the Floo powder down in a heap. Their bodies were immediately whisked away from the familiar comforts of home to another location which, for all of Hermione's youth, had been a second lovely home away from home.

Hermione and Jeannie emerged through a new fireplace, and, when their eyes adjusted, took in the welcoming, genial faces of a large group of ginger-haired wizards. Some of the Weasleys were sitting, and others were standing around the fireplace, munching on what undoubtedly had to be one of Molly's delicious, trademark recipes.

Hermione and Jeannie were instantly bombarded with hugs and loud clamors of greetings. Hermione felt herself being pushed and prodded from one person to the next, but it was all amiable and inviting. Harry and Ginny were the first to make their way over, followed by Lavender and the rest of the Weasleys. George scooped Jeannie up with ease, and the little girl began giggling incessantly. George reacted by tossing her high into the air, his usual method of saying hello to all the children he knew.

"George!" Molly slapped her son reproachfully on the shoulder, pushing her way towards Hermione. "For goodness' sake, be careful! She's not a quaffle!"

George sniggered along with Jeannie, who did not want to be put down and kept insisting on more from the lanky, comical man. Hermione watched her daughter disappear amongst a throng of redheads and a blonde, most likely Fleur Delacour. Hermione allowed herself a moment to soak in her surroundings and found Arthur Weasley at his wife's side. The pair of them were beaming down at her.

"All right there, Hermione?" he asked pleasantly.

"Mr. Weasley," she smiled, giving him a quick hug before turning to Harry and Ginny again, who were back at her side after giving everyone else a moment to greet their good friend.

"Hi, Aunt Hermione," came a sweet voice at her feet.

Hermione glanced down to find Lily Potter, the youngest of her siblings, staring up at her with a cheerful expression. She was several inches taller than Jeannie and possessed the infamous Weasley red hair, much like her mother Ginny, but her facial expressions were reminiscent of Harry. There was an unmistakable mischievousness about the girl that was all Harry, and the sight of it brought back old, familiar memories.

"Hi, Lily." Hermione planted a kiss on her forehead. "Jeannie has been so excited to see you."

"Me, too!" Lily exclaimed, before scurrying away to the swarm of people crowded around her little friend.

"Where's Neville? And Luna?" Hermione inquired, scanning the crowded room for the friendly couple they had grown up with at Hogwarts.

"Date night," Harry mused, a sly grin forming on his face. "Merlin only knows what that consists of, knowing Luna..."

Harry, Ginny and Hermione snickered, recalling their airy, dreamy friend with amusement and affection. But another person was missing from the fray, and Hermione's eyes darted about the room again, this time more concerned than before.

Hermione was about to inquire where Ron was when he suddenly appeared, as if out of nowhere. He had his hands in his pockets and was looking rather impish; or was it suspicious? Regardless, Hermione tried to ignore whatever uneasiness her friend was feeling and forced some normalcy between them.

"Ron!" she acknowledged, straining her enthusiasm but still giving him a warm smile. She threw her arms around him in a swift embrace.

"Hey, 'Mione," he replied as she pulled back, allowing them both to examine each other fully.

Molly wasted no time and began offering Hermione an assortment of food and drinks, most of which Hermione declined. She was not hungry at the moment and was simply too eager to chat and be amongst all her good friends that were more like family than confidants.

"Come, dear, you must have something!" Molly insisted, as Arthur faded into the background, trying to stay out of his wife's way. "How about some cider?"

Hermione finally gave in and agreed, watching the plump, hospitable witch hurry away towards the kitchen as everyone else continued to jabber and mosey about the snug living space. As Hermione took in the enticing scenery before her, she suddenly yearned for her dark husband, wishing he could be there to enjoy the warmth and comforts of being amongst their friends. Severus did not come to the Burrow often, but when he did make a rare appearance, he was welcomed and greeted in just as friendly a manner as Hermione. She instantly missed having him with her for such an occasion.

"So no Severus, eh?" Harry asked, causing Hermione's pretty eyes to flutter.

"No, I'm afraid not. Not this weekend, anyway."

"Well, tell him he needs to stop by next time he's in town," Ginny insisted, wrapping one arm more tightly around her husband. "We'll all have dinner."

"Oh, yes, that would be fantastic!" Hermione insisted with a broad grin.

Ginny understood the realities of Hermione's private pain at being separated so often from Severus, the two having had many lengthy discussions about her situation over the years. Even if he were their former professor, the Potters were the only couple, aside from Arthur and Molly, who seemed entirely at ease in Severus's company. A slight tension lingered with the others in their group, which normally did not bother Hermione, but she was relieved that her best friend knew the Severus that she did; at least, on a level that no one else was privy to or aware of, not even Ron.

"How is he?" Ron asked, catching her off guard.

Hermione surveyed the ginger-haired rogue before her cautiously, wanting to be as discrete as possible. "He's well enough, Ron, thank you."

"Enough?"

Hermione glanced over at Lavender seated on the couch a few feet away. The blonde woman with long curls and a round face had her arms crossed, with her weight shifted unequally, as if she were in a foul mood. Ron did not eye his wife when she spoke, and she did not appear remotely interested in their conversation, but, nevertheless, was choosing to participate.

"Erm, yes," Hermione answered, her suspicion mounting. "Just overworked is all."

Before anyone could comment further, Jeannie and Lily came barreling forward, squealing and cackling loudly as George rounded on them. His expression was one of sheer wickedness as he attempted to catch his niece and the peculiar little Severus lookalike with black curls.

"George!" Ginny huffed, as she reached out to snatch Lily but failed. "Stop getting them all rallied up!"

George simply winked at his sister and kept up the pursuit, trailing after the girls, who darted away, making a mad dash for the kitchen just as Molly was sauntering back in with a tray of drinks. She stopped and stared wide-eyed at the girls who only just scrambled around her without knocking her over.

"No running, ladies!" she squawked, narrowing her eyes at George as he scurried past her as well, grinning madly as he went. Molly rolled her eyes in defeat.

"Well, at least they'll sleep tonight," Harry baited Ginny with a chuckle, putting his arm around her waist.

Hermione laughed along with the others and glanced over at Ron, relieved to see him joining in on the good fun. Lavender, however, only smirked and turned away towards Fleur, who had taken a seat beside her.

After grabbing a cup of cider from Mrs. Weasley, Hermione reached for Harry's arm, prodding him lightly. "Harry, can we talk for a moment?" She paused to take in the sight of everyone else in the bustling room. "Perhaps not here?"

"Sure," he replied, as Ginny and Ron glanced at the pair of them with intrigue.

"Can't we come?" Ginny piped up, giving them both her alluring, curious grin.

Harry turned to Hermione, waiting for her to decide. "Of course you can, Ginny, Ron," she agreed.

The four of them drifted into the next room, which was practically just as noisy, and sat down next to one another. Jeannie and Lily could still be heard screeching happily in the kitchen nearby. Hermione suspected that George must have grabbed at least one of them and was tickling or tossing them around as usual. He always spent a great deal of time with everyone's children when they came by and was naturally a particular favorite amongst the youngsters, including the Snape children.

"So, what's up?" Harry asked, propping himself forward on the couch with keen interest.

"Well, I wanted to ask you about the letter you wrote Severus a few weeks back."

Ron unexpectedly groaned and spoke up, "Not again, 'Mione. He's told you already that it's just Potions inquiries."

Hermione shot him an irritated glare. "I just want to know the circumstances. I saw the article in The Daily Prophet this week and I asked Severus last weekend about your letter, but he wouldn't elaborate. I could tell that he didn't want to talk about it."

"Yeah, well," Harry shifted in his chair, ignoring the icy exchange between his best friends, "I'm still waiting for him to get back to me, you know."

"I know, and I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione offered apologetically, fidgeting with her glass. "I know he's just terribly swamped right now—"

"Don't mention it, 'Mione." Harry waved her apology away with his hand. "I understand, really. I just hope he is able to write back relatively soon is all. We're working on a couple leads and could really use Severus's expertise."

"Expertise for what exactly?"

Hermione scrutinized Harry, but he quickly glanced over at Ron. Hermione whipped her head back and forth between the pair of them while Ginny glanced from one to the next as well, her face just as befuddled as Hermione's.

"Why won't either of you tell me?" she whispered, clearly hurt.

Harry reached across the couch and took Hermione's hand, squeezing it tight. "No one's trying to keep anything from you, 'Mione. I guess we just figured you would worry unnecessarily. I'm sure that's how Severus feels, too."

Ron shifted in his comfy chair, visibly awkward in the middle of the conversation. Hermione turned back to Harry and locked eyes with him.

"What's going on, Harry?"

"Well, it's really everything that I told you before, which isn't much, I know, but I've managed to get a couple more details this week."

"Go on," she urged.

Harry continued to hold Hermione's hand and lowered his voice, causing everyone to lean in in order to hear above the clamorous talk in the next room. "I'm really not supposed to say anything, 'Mione, so this conversation cannot leave this room, all right?"

Hermione nodded in understanding, not realizing that she was clutching Harry's hand far too tightly. Harry tried not to flinch, focusing instead on trying to relieve some of her anxiety.

"Well, I told you before how there have been several elixirs popping up on the black market the past two months? Mainly in Knockturn Alley, but some have been spotted in Diagon Alley shops recently, too. The few samples we have are still being thoroughly examined. They look harmless at first glance and are properly labeled with the Potion-maker's signature, but closer scrutiny is proving them fraudulent.

"The elixirs in question have been marked as antidotes or basic healing draughts, but their effects are hardly innocent, 'Mione. Several people have gotten very ill, a few in my department actually, who have been investigating and tampering with the ingredients. And it's looking like these potions are not mere accidents. They certainly aren't the result of 'bad Potion-making.' They're poisoned, and deliberately so. Someone's behind this and we don't want it to escalate, so we're trying to track down some leads before anyone else gets sick."

"You mean," Hermione began, trying to sort through Harry's troubling information, "you think someone's trying to poison wizards? Why? Who are their targets?"

Harry shrugged and shook his head, furrowing his brow. "We aren't sure. We've been assuming up to this point that their target has been the Ministry, since the Aurors Office itself has been the most heavily hit, but we're the only ones working in close proximity with the draughts right now, and that was our initial belief until—"

"Gregory Clausson," Hermione finished, bowing her head. "I read that he worked for Gringotts as a wizard guard and that his wife was a homebody; she didn't work."

"Which blows our Ministry theory out the window," Ron added with a heavy sigh. "At least, for now."

"Well, whoever they are," Harry pressed on, "I can tell you one thing, 'Mione. They're very highly skilled at Potion-making..."

Hermione stared at her friend, her caramel eyes expanding as Harry unearthed the details to her. Ginny's face had also gone a shade lighter. She turned to her husband with a worried expression written on her fair face.

"Can't the Ministry halt all incoming and outgoing potion orders until you find out who's doing this?"

Harry shook his head, a glint of frustration present on his brow. "Unfortunately, no, Gin. Can you imagine what would happen at St. Mungo's, for instance, if we halted the thousands-upon-thousands of tonics they receive every week? It would be a logistical nightmare. Most of their patients rely on some kind of a healing draught, so people would just get sicker or worse. The Aurors Office would have a major lawsuit on its hands. It would just be impossible. We've alerted them on what to lookout for, which isn't much, I'm afraid. If they receive any questionable potions, they'll let us know so that we can follow up."

"How did I not hear about Ministry workers of yours becoming ill?" Hermione asked, more to herself than to anyone else in the room. Working for the Ministry normally meant having an advantage, an insight into things wizards outside the vicinity did not have, so this was news to the clever witch.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt," Ron replied.

Hermione eyebrows came together. "The Minister for Magic is keeping this quiet?"

Ron immediately shook his head. "There have only been a few incidents so far, 'Mione. No need to alarm everybody yet if we can track down the perpetrator quickly before any more damage is caused. Um, well, Harry can do that, anyway. I no longer have the privilege of running around like a mad ape looking for a bunch of loonies anymore."

Harry and Ron exchanged smirks, which lightened the mood considerably, but Hermione was still ruffled by the information she had just received. Her puzzled, fretful-looking expression did not go unnoticed by Harry either, who gently squeezed her hand to regain her attention.

"Don't worry, 'Mione. We'll catch whoever's behind this, and Severus's knowledge will be extremely helpful to our efforts. He's one of the few Potions Masters left, and his wealth of knowledge is unmatched, so we really need him on this one. I trust him completely, and he has the full support of the Aurors Office for that matter. I just need his expertise on this case and then I'll let him be, I promise."

Hermione glanced over at Harry, taken aback by the striking green eyes that gazed back at her with regret, and it touched her deeply to know how much Harry genuinely cared for their former professor in that moment. The revelations Harry had witnessed in the Pensieve all those years ago had a greater effect on the Boy Who Lived than anyone realized at the time, and he and Severus now shared a mutual respect that Hermione had always wished for. Although she suspected that her husband and best friend would never quite be on friendliest of terms, the mutual high regard they shared for one another was more than enough to satisfy her.

"It's all right, Harry," she voiced reassuringly, even though she was still quite alarmed. "I'm sure Severus wants to assist in any way he can. I'll try to see to it that he answers your letter in the next couple of days, if he hasn't already."

"Thanks, I appreciate that. The sooner, the better."

Hermione bit her lip and turned from Harry to Ron, then back again. "I'm sorry for pestering you for an answer. I've just been worried about Sev—"

Hermione halted, unable to finish her sentence. Her fearful sentiments were right on the edge, touching the surface and ready to tip over. She bit her lip more forcefully and shifted her eyes down to the friendly hand engulfing her own.

"We're here for you, Hermione," she heard Ginny whisper in her soft, endearing manner. "Whatever it is, we're here for both of you."

Hermione peered up at Harry and Ginny, her eyes now brimming with tears, and she forced a smile their way before turning to Ron as well. She could not quite make out the mysterious expression on his face, only that he was staring at her—unblinking—and swallowing hard at the sight of her wet eyes.

"Thank you," she breathed between quivering lips, "that means an awful lot to me... To both of us."

Harry squeezed her hand one final time before removing his grasp. He leaned back on the couch and studied his friend intently as Ginny and Ron looked on in silence. The cheerful banter coming from the next room now sounded alien to Hermione's ears, and yet, a deep part of her yearned to recover her happier disposition from moments before.

Before anyone could say anything else, however, Jeannie and Lily came trampling over to them, breathless and very flushed as a result of trying to unsuccessfully outrun Uncle George. Lily toppled into Ginny, taking a seat beside her mother on the couch, while Jeannie hopped up onto Harry's lap. Hermione watched as the infamous Boy Who Lived gathered Jeannie's tiny body into his arms, a wide grin forming across his gentle face at the dark-haired tot in his arms.

"Did Uncle George get you?" he teased in Jeannie's ear, being purposely quiet.

"No," Jeannie replied in a hushed voice and breathing hard, "because I'm really, really, really fast Uncle 'Arry."

"Oh! That's right! You're the little witch with all of the quick reflexes, eh?"

"Yep!" she squeaked, although Hermione and Harry mused that the child probably had no idea what he meant.

At that moment, Bill and Fleur, as well as Percy Weasley and a few others, strolled casually into their space, bringing Hermione back to her senses and out of her angst-ridden, desolate thoughts. Slowly but surely, Hermione began to relax and enjoy herself, soaking in the comforts and congenial faces of those surrounding her.

Only one inconvenient, lingering thought pressed on the attractive woman's mind, unceasing for the remainder of the night, and that was her desire to speak to Severus. And soon.
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Unquestionable Love