A Matter of Honor
by Amy McWilliams (McAmy)

Book 3: Love and Honor

Chapter 27: Home Again

Snape sighed, letting himself relax into the hard, straight-backed chair as much as possible. It had been several hours--time for Madam Pomfrey to heal all of his cuts and Hermione's broken arm--since they'd arrived back at Hogwarts. Lucius Malfoy was safely in Ministry hands, and they had all come out unscathed--for the most part.

Poppy had assured them repeatedly that Remus would be fine, but he still hadn't regained consciousness, and there was a look in her eye that Severus had seen before. It held out hope, but not conviction.

He had not admitted this to Hermione, and had insisted that she go to their rooms to get some rest. "Our rooms"--he realized his turn of phrase once she was gone. She had wanted him to come with her, but there was a chance that Poppy would still need his help, and so he promised that he would follow shortly. Sirius was asleep in a nearby bed, having dropped from exhaustion.

He watched the still form intently, hoping for some sign--any sign--that Lupin was waking up.

A short time later, Severus imagined that he saw Lupin's eyelids flutter. Or…wait, was he imagining? Then Lupin's breath caught, his jaw twitched, and Snape thought he seemed to be trying to speak. As Snape motioned to Madam Pomfrey, Lupin sucked in a gulp of air and softly called out, "Hermione…"

Severus's eyes returned to Lupin's face. He placed his hand on the back of Remus's wrist, and spoke to him in comforting tones. "She's all right, Lupin. She's safe. Can you hear me?"

Remus's eyes floated open. "Hermione, I…" His eyes went wide as he focused on Snape.

Severus paused before repeating his reassurances, "She's all right. She's safe."

Lupin still seemed upset. "I'm…sorry, Severus…I didn't realize…"

Beginning to understand, Severus moved his hand away, not wanting to make him more uncomfortable. "There's nothing to be sorry about, Remus. She is safe. That is what matters. And it is you who had us worried."

Remus said nothing more, but the awkward moment passed as Madam Pomfrey came into view. "Oh, thank the Gods. Professor Snape, if you'll let me have a minute with my patient?"

"Of course," he replied, and left to tell Dumbledore and Hermione the good news.

It was late indeed when Madam Pomfrey declared that visiting hours were definitely over. Dumbledore acquiesced, guiding Sirius and Harry towards the door, but Hermione lingered to plant a kiss on Lupin's forehead.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

He smiled, a bit crookedly, and she beamed at him in return. As she moved away, Remus's eyes met Severus's for a moment before the latter turned to follow Hermione.

"Severus, can I…have a minute?"

"Of course."

Hermione looked confused, but left without comment to join the others in the hallway.

Remus seemed exceedingly nervous. "Severus, I…I don't know…what to say."

"It's all right," Severus interrupted. "How could I fault any man for loving her? Especially you, who have been such a friend to her."

Remus let out a breath, and nodded. "I'm sorry. I would never…"

"I know."

"You won't tell her?"

"No."

"Thank you."

"Thank you, Remus, for everything."

As he joined the others, Hermione asked, "What was that about?" as she took his arm.

"Nothing." He smiled. "It was nothing."

Taking her seat at breakfast the next morning, Hermione decided that yes, things were definitely getting back to normal. Snape stalked into the Great Hall and down the aisle, stopping to speak sharply to Jeremy Crump about the altercation in Slytherin House that morning and managing to send two Hufflepuffs shrinking to their seats with the glare he cast at them when he found them unwittingly blocking his path. The way that man's robes billowed…. She stifled a smile as he came to sit next to her.

Dumbledore's announcements about Lucius Malfoy being taken into custody and Professor Lupin's stay in the hospital wing were greeted with the usual surprised chatter, but when he explained that Professor Snape would be taking Professor Lupin's classes for a few days, it died out quickly.

Once the mail had arrived with that day's issue of The Daily Prophet, the rumors spread like wildfire. Hermione heard a student in the hallway tell another that Professor Granger had defeated Lucius Malfoy with her bare hands. In the library, she overheard a discussion as to whether Harry Potter or Professor Snape should have the credit for the arrest. And one plucky fifth year asked her after class whether it was true that Professor Lupin had been hurt when he had pulled her out of a burning building.

At least this was the kind of gossip she was used to, she thought to herself after the girl had left.

Deciding to catch up on some grading before dinner, rather than make yet another visit to the hospital wing, she dipped her quill in the red ink and began reading one of several stacks of homework.

She was interrupted a few minutes later by a knock at her office door.

"Professor Granger, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you for a moment," McGonagall announced. She looked upset, Hermione thought.

"Is everything all right, Minerva?"

"I believe Albus should be the one to tell you. Can you come now?" She gestured towards the classroom door.

Severus was there before her, as was Sirius. Minerva hadn't joined them. Hermione took a seat.

Dumbledore looked grim. "I have some…news," he said, "from Azkaban."

Sirius shifted in his chair, but Snape, who was standing by the fire, didn't move.

Dumbledore sighed. "Lucius Malfoy has received the Dementor's Kiss."

"What?!" At this, Snape exploded. "Those imbeciles! Don't they realize that Malfoy may know something about the other Death Eaters for which they claim to be searching? Have they decided to do away with the formality of a trial for everyone, now, or just their prize catch? What the hell is Fudge thinking?!"

Dumbledore held up his hand. "I know, Severus. I know. And I agree with you on all counts--especially that last bit. But it is done. And with popular opinion as it is now…"

"They'll get away with it," Snape said flatly.

Hermione ventured, "Does…has anyone told Draco?" Severus flinched.

"You read my mind, Miss Granger. I have convinced Fudge to let me send Severus…if he wants to go."

Severus's eyes closed, his brow furrowed. After a deep breath, he said, "Of course I'll go."

Sirius spoke after a moment's silence. "If you don't mind, Sir, I'd like to check in with Harry…and Remus."

"Of course, Sirius," the Headmaster answered. "By all means."

When he was gone, Severus sunk into the chair he had occupied. Dumbledore watched him for a moment, and then said gently, "The two of you have been through quite a bit this school year. And the worst of it has come this past week. I thank you for your help. Should you need anything from me, you have only to ask."

"Thank you, Headmaster," Hermione said, and rose to leave.

As Severus stood, Dumbledore began to say something more. "Severus…"

"Thank you, Headmaster."

Dumbledore nodded. He watched until the door closed behind them.

The Leaving Feast was, perhaps, more somber than in other years. Slytherin had won, but the arrests of Lucius Malfoy and his son had brought back thoughts of another time, still too close for comfort, and of the shadow that still lay over their house. Pride was mixed with a hesitant hope that things could be better, and the glory of the House Cup seemed a little less bright than might be expected.

Still, the Head of Slytherin House was pleased, and under his stern but approving gaze the Slytherins managed to celebrate quite enough for anyone.

Their Head of House was less pleased when, as the seriousness of the evening faded into the frivolity of a party moved from the Great Hall to the Slytherin common room, he had to go not once, but three times to order them all to be quiet. Only the threat of their beginning the next school year with a deficit of one hundred points could ensure the peace, which frustrated their Head to no end.

He was still fuming when he got back into bed for the third time. And the soft chuckle that greeted him a moment later did nothing for his temper.

"What?" he demanded.

"I never knew that winning a House Cup was so stressful," she teased. When he gave no response, she shifted closer. "I would have thought you'd be so pleased that I'd never hear the end of it." Still no answer.

She laid an arm across him, and closed her eyes. After a minute he slipped his own underneath her to draw her close, and her head came to rest on his shoulder.

"I hate parties," he noted.

"Mmm." Her fingers moved across the soft flannel of his nightshirt to rest on the warm skin at the juncture of neck and collarbone.

Softly, he added, "But I love you."

"I love you, too," she said, as a large ginger cat leapt onto the bed and began making his way across them to his usual spot next to Severus's pillow.

On to Chapter 28