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Chapter Text

Hermione made her way to Dumbledore’s office, her mind deep in thought. When Voldemort had finally been defeated, she thought that her life would be normal. Not that her life in the Wizarding world had ever been normal, but she had hope for the future. Normalcy was not to be, unfortunately. A couple of months after everything had smoothed out, when Voldemort had been long buried and his Death Eaters had almost all been gathered up and sent to Azkaban, Lucius Malfoy had decided to become power-hungry.

He had avoided punishment for his crimes simply because he and his family had turned at the last moment. In hindsight, Hermione knew it had all been an act, but at the time, his leaving Voldemort’s side had seemed genuine.

This, of course, opened the door for Malfoy to make powerful friends in the months that followed Voldemort’s defeat. Suddenly, without anyone realizing it, he had taken over the Ministry in a silent coup. He now sat as Minister of Magic, surrounded by loyal protectors, untouchable by anyone. He basked in his power and made a sweeping law that affected every Muggle-born in their world. He enacted an order to exterminate any Muggle-born witch or wizard on sight.

Hundreds had been slaughtered before they all had disappeared, forced into hiding. Hermione had not left the castle for over a year, staying within the safe walls of the school for protection. She had not even ventured to Hogsmeade in all of that time.

She remembered her last visit there. She had been accompanied by Severus Snape.

“You cannot go to Hogsmeade unaccompanied, it is too dangerous,” Severus had said.

They had just emerged from the Honeydukes when four of Malfoy’s men appeared out of nowhere. All four of them trained their wands on her and began to send spells her way. Severus and she shot spells back and eventually three of them Disapparated away, while the other was knocked out and eventually taken away by Aurors.

Hermione huffed. The Ministry had let the man go, saying they had no evidence, despite Severus’ and her testimonies. Sadly, after that little incident, it had been decided that she would be better off staying put in the castle.

Hiding was not her forte. She was going stir crazy, but she had no recourse. She knew if she stepped foot off school grounds, she would be killed immediately. She had no doubt they were watching the castle, knowing full well that she had sought sanctuary within its walls. Lucius Malfoy would gloat for an entire week if he managed to kill the ‘Mudblood’ member of the Golden Trio.

Of course, she had her job. She had taken over as the Arithmancy professor soon after the war had ended. She enjoyed teaching immensely and loved her subject. It was very satisfying; she just wished she had a bit more in her life than the drab stone walls that surrounded her. Harry and Ron would come to visit once a week, filling her in on stories about trying to get at Malfoy. The war never really ended for them; they just kept on fighting.

Harry had married Ginny about a year ago, and Ron was seriously involved with Luna Lovegood. Hermione wouldn’t be surprised if they announced wedding plans any day now. She and Ron had tried dating after the final battle but had decided to give up after one too many heated arguments. Hermione loved Ron dearly, but his intense jealousy that reared its head every time Hermione even looked at a member of the opposite sex had been too much for her to deal with. Eventually after the breakup, she had realized that they would never be compatible. When they weren’t arguing, she was explaining the most mundane thing to him. He was very obtuse sometimes and that ultimately drove Hermione mad. In the past she had thought it was endearing, but when threatened with having to live with it forever, it somehow had lost its charm.

No, if she were ever to settle down with someone, he would have to have some brains in his head. Her mind turned to Severus. Now there was a man with brains. She could have a decent conversation with him about almost anything. It was too bad he was such a loner. She marveled at the friendship she had with him. It had taken a long time to nurture. His wary ex-spy self had closed himself off for so long, it had taken what seemed like forever for him to even converse with her at the dinner table.

Slowly, their friendship had blossomed into something viable. She even went down to the Potions room once a week and helped him brew supplies for Poppy. He would definitely be someone she would consider dating. Oh, wait a minute, that would be impossible as we were talking about Severus Snape here. She was lucky she was even allowed to grace his presence, let alone think about dating him.

She smiled as she approached the gargoyle and gave him the password, Chocolate Truffles. She entered and soon found herself standing in front of Albus Dumbledore’s desk. He was smiling at her warmly.

“Ah, Hermione, it was so good of you to see me so quickly. Please have a seat.”

Hermione sat in the plush chair that was in front of Dumbledore’s desk.

“Lemon drop?” Dumbledore asked.

She shook her head and looked at Dumbledore expectantly.

“Hermione, I have asked you here because I have a job for you to do for me. I know how you hate feeling helpless. This opportunity will give you the chance to do something in this fight.”

Hermione looked at him curiously. “What can I do from in here, Headmaster?” she asked.

He smiled at her and his eyes twinkled. “The task I have for you will let you venture anywhere you wish.”

“Are you trying to kill me, Headmaster?” she asked dryly.

“No, no, my dear; I am sending you back into the past!” he said with a laugh.

“The past! What am I to do there?”

Dumbledore came forward in his chair and looked at Hermione seriously.

“As you know, Lucius Malfoy has always had a great hatred for Muggle-borns.”

“That’s an understatement,” Hermione said glibly.

“I think that if you go back in time to when Lucius was a student, you may be able to influence his feelings for Muggle-borns.”

“Albus, I’m 22 years old; how am I going to influence a student?”

“By teaching him, of course. If you could befriend him as a mentor, he may change his attitude towards Muggle-borns.”

“Albus, you’ve gone completely out of your head. Why would he ever consider me to be a mentor?”

“I will leave that in your capable hands. I am hopeful that if he can see how accomplished a witch you are, he will have second thoughts about all that he believes about Muggle-borns.”

“Well, I suppose it’s worth a try.”

“Hermione, I’m not even sure if this will change anything in the present. I know you have been climbing the walls here. I want you to know that you’re appreciated. I know your desire to feel useful. This is definitely the most useful thing you could do. Oh, and while you’re there, maybe you can get Severus to be on our side from the beginning.”

Hermione raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t even considered that Severus would be there, along with Harry’s mum and dad.

“I’ll do my best, Headmaster.”

“It’s Albus, you know,” he chastised her.

“Yes, Albus.”

Albus handed her a rolled parchment tied with a red ribbon. “For my counterpart in the past. Oh,” he exclaimed as he fished in the top drawer of his desk. “I don’t think you’ll be able to go anywhere without this.” He handed her a Time-Turner. “This turner is specifically for years. One turn for each year. Partial turns for half years. I think 25 and ¼ will get you back to the beginning of Malfoy’s and Snape’s seventh year.”

“You want me to start there? Shouldn’t I start earlier?”

“No, you need to be close with Malfoy. The older he is, the more accepting he will be of friendship from a professor.”

Hermione nodded her head. “What about a teaching position, Albus?”

“In the letter, I have suggested that you be a teacher’s assistant to the current Arithmancy professor. That way you can blend in as faculty without people wondering why the current instructor has been sacked.”

“Albus, how will I return?”

Dumbledore smiled at her.

“Always thinking ahead, Hermione, aren’t you? The Time-Turner is a prototype that I have created. If you spin the turner forwards one turn per year, you can return from whence you came.”

“Does that mean that I could feasibly travel to the future?” Hermione asked, her eyes wide.

“No, it will only go as far forward as you have gone back. If you were to spin it forward now, nothing would happen.”

She looked over the intriguing object. The only difference she noted in this Time-Turner was that the hourglasses were a bit bigger than the one she had used as a student.

“So how long should I stay in the past?”

“As long as is needed. If you feel like nothing is being accomplished, feel free to return. If things are going better than expected, by all means, stay as long as you wish.”

Hermione frowned. She liked more direction when it came to tasks she was to accomplish. Dumbledore chuckled at his friend. He knew that bit of information would make her slightly upset.

“Don’t worry, Hermione. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Use your best judgment and everything will be fine. Trust yourself. You have incredible instincts that don’t come from a book or list of objectives. You are perfectly suited for this mission.”

Hermione sighed. “If you think so, Headmaster.”

She rose from her seat and took the parchment. Placing the time turner necklace around her neck, she pulled out her wand and tapped the turner and watched it spin backward 25 and ¼ times. Suddenly Dumbledore’s office disappeared only to be replaced by the same office with a younger Dumbledore sitting at his desk, looking rather startled.

Hermione stood frozen, holding the Time-Turner as she looked over at Dumbledore. She noticed they weren’t alone in his office. There was a young man standing in front of the desk, looking at her oddly. Hermione looked over at him. He was tall and lanky. He had what seemed to be black eyes, and his hair was also black. It fell to his shoulders in straight, lanky tresses. He had a large hooked nose, but it fit well with his face. Hermione gasped.

“Severus!” she exclaimed.

Severus Snape narrowed his eyes at her. “Do I know you?” he asked suspiciously.

Hermione released the Time-Turner from her grasp and extended her hand.

“Sorry, I’m Hermione Granger. You don’t know me, but I know you.”

“Is that a Time-Turner?” he asked, glaring at the necklace.

She nodded.

“Then you’re from the future?” he surmised. “Is that where you know me from?”

Hermione nodded again.

“Mr. Snape, perhaps you should return to your common room. I should find out why Miss Granger is here. Speak to no one of what you saw here tonight. Please keep in mind what I said before, and report for detention with Mr. Filch tonight at seven p.m.”

Hermione looked at him curiously. He frowned but nodded goodbye to her and left the office.

“Already getting in trouble?” Hermione mused.

“Yes, and only the second day of school,” Dumbledore mumbled as he stared after the young man.

Hermione handed the parchment to Dumbledore. “I think this will explain everything.”

Dumbledore unrolled the scroll and read it. She saw his eyes return to the top of the letter as he read it again. Finally he lowered the paper and regarded Hermione over his glasses.

“You are aware of what is written here?”

Hermione nodded.

“Do you think it will work?”

Hermione sighed. “I honestly don’t know. It’s really the only option we have right now; Malfoy is in total control of the Ministry, and it is impossible to get near him. I have been in hiding at Hogwarts for over a year.”

Dumbledore folded his hands in front of him, deep in thought. Finally he looked up at her again.

“Do you know where the guest quarters next to the Arithmancy room is?” he asked her.

She nodded.

“You may room there while you are staying here. I like my counterpart’s idea to have you as a teaching assistant. It will give you the time you need to establish a relationship with Malfoy. Our current teacher is Mallory Rickta. She is very capable, but I’m sure she will appreciate having a helper to grade papers and take classes for her.”

Hermione smiled for the first time. “I’m looking forward to working with her.”

Dumbledore regarded the young woman in front of him. He motioned to the parchment.

“I have told myself that you are incredibly intelligent and a hard worker. I look forward to working with you, Professor Granger.”

“It’s Hermione.”

“I’ll see you at dinner then, Hermione?”

“What about Severus?” she asked. “He knows I’m from the future.”

Dumbledore rolled that around in his mind for a minute. “Perhaps you can steer him away from the path I see him following. What is he like in your time?”

“I’m not quite sure I should say, sir.”

Dumbledore nodded his head. “He is entrenching himself with Death Eaters, and I fear greatly for his future.”

Hermione sighed. “You have reason to be worried, Albus. That’s all I’ll say about the matter. Your future self asked me to see what I could do about him also.”

Dumbledore nodded. He sat deep in thought for a while. Hermione watched him as he concentrated on the problem before him. He was always a man who weighed every option before making a decision. She greatly admired this trait in her boss. Finally, Dumbledore looked back up at her.

“He already knows you’re from the future. Why don’t you be straight with him? If there’s something in his future that may deter him from falling in with Voldemort, use it.”

Hermione was looking at Dumbledore as if he’d lost his mind.

Albus smiled. “I know, that doesn’t sound like me, does it? I probably told you not to divulge anything of the timeline to anyone before you left, but these circumstances are a bit different.”

“Albus, you didn’t have to warn me about divulging the future. I’m well aware of the possible consequences. If I do tell him of his future, Severus will be privy to information that will change it.”

“Well, isn’t that what you’re trying to do, Hermione? Change the future?”

“Not quite as much as this may, sir. He will know even more than you do about our future. Is that wise? What if he cannot be deterred from joining the Death Eaters?”

“Do you know Severus well, Hermione?”

She nodded. “I consider him my friend.”

“Then something must have happened to change his mind about the Death Eaters. He will turn from them eventually, I would hazard to say. I can’t see someone like you involving yourself in a friendship with a murderer.”

Hermione looked hesitant to deny or confirm his guess. Dumbledore held up his hand, motioning for her not to worry about answering.

“If you know him, you know that he is trustworthy. Even if your plan doesn’t change his affiliation, if you ask him to keep all he knows a secret, that is what he will do.”

Hermione nodded in agreement. She was happy to know that that part of Severus Snape had been around for a long time. She stood to leave.

“I’ll keep an open mind as to what I tell him, sir,” she said with a smile.

Dumbledore nodded his head. “Good luck, Professor Granger.”

“Good night, Headmaster.” Hermione waved as she left the office.

                                                                                    oooOOOooo

Hermione stood in front of the guest quarters that were to be hers. There was a giant eagle portrait in front of the entry to the room. The eagle was flying towards her. He landed on a branch at the forefront of the painting and eyed her curiously.

“Password,” it demanded.

“I’m new. I would like my password to be . . . hope,” she told the eagle.

The eagle cried a shrill cry and flapped his wings, and the picture moved to let her into her room. She looked around. The room hadn’t really changed in 25 years. It still had a beautiful blue carpet in the living room. The sofa and lounge chair were black leather. The room was very modern, despite its age. She wandered to the bedroom. There was a four-poster bed with a blue comforter on it. The furnishings were a dark mahogany. She smiled. The room was very comfortable. She would feel at home here.

She would need to make a trip to Hogsmeade tomorrow. She had nothing with her. She wondered how she would possibly pay for anything here; she had no money and her account at Gringotts wouldn’t exist for another 16 or so years. She would need to beg off some money from the Headmaster. She cringed. She hated having to ask for anything. Oh well, nothing else could be done. She just needed a bit of an advance of her paycheck so she could buy some clothes. Everything else would be amply provided for her at the castle.

She decided to find Professor Rickta and introduce herself. She left her room and went to the Arithmancy classroom. She walked through the class to a door in the back of the room. She knocked on the door and waited.

“Come in,” a pleasant voice instructed her.

Plastering a smile on her face, Hermione turned the knob and was in her old rooms once again. These rooms, however, were quite different from what she remembered. Mallory Rickta had an Avante Garde taste, and the walls were lined with colors. The base color of the room was a royal blue, but not much of it was visible. Over the base, there was a wash of different colors. Lime green, forest green, a splash of orange, yellow stripes, and dark blue circles all ran across the wall in a haphazard pattern. One would think it would be an eyesore, but Hermione found calmness in the chaos. She liked it. It was a bit 70’s, but, of course, this was the seventies.

“Excuse me, Professor Rickta. I don’t mean to interrupt your evening, but I wanted to introduce myself.”

“Hermione Granger, I presume?” Mallory said, grinning at her.

Hermione gave her a curious look.

“I just spoke to Albus by Floo. He informed me of your arrival and that you will be working with me.” Mallory rose and extended her hand. “I’m very pleased to meet you,” she said enthusiastically.

Hermione smiled and shook the other woman’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Dumbledore said some very nice things about you. I’m eager to work with you.”

“Have a seat, Hermione.”

Hermione sat in an oversized easy chair. Mallory returned to the couch.

“He explained that you are the Arithmancy teacher in your time. He was very closed-mouthed about the reason for you being here, but he did mention you’re from about 25 years in the future.”

Hermione nodded.

“Well, let’s discuss our teaching approaches and we’ll work out a schedule.”

After about an hour of discussing what they wanted in their classes, Mallory decided to have Hermione observe for the next few days. They would eventually divide the classes each day, rotating schedules so the students would all have the opportunity to work with both teachers. She asked Hermione to take over the grading of papers, as it was Mallory’s least favorite part of her job. Hermione happily agreed. She loved grading papers. It was an opportunity to teach through correction.

“Our first class tomorrow is the seventh-years. As you can imagine, there are few who continue onto NEWT level Arithmancy, so we just combine everyone. The rest of the day consists of two sixth-year classes, and the last class of the day is a Hufflepuff third-year group.”

Hermione smiled at Mallory. She liked the woman, she was very efficient. She knew it would be a pleasure to work with her, and she was excited to get the chance to teach again. In her own time, it was all that she had to keep herself sane for over a year. With nothing else to do, she lived for each teaching day. It had been an opportunity to actually do something valuable.

Hermione rose and bid her new partner good night. She was excited for tomorrow to begin.

Chapter Text

Hermione sat at the teacher’s table and looked over at the students. As breakfast was served, Dumbledore had introduced her as the new Arithmancy Teaching Assistant and everyone had clapped absently as she had stood and waved quickly. They were now staring curiously at her as she sat and regarded them with the same curiosity. Glancing over at the Gryffindor table, she gasped. There was Harry staring at her with a broad grin on his face.

She corrected herself. That young man, of course, was not Harry Potter, but James Potter. The resemblance really was uncanny. She almost expected to see Ron shoveling food into his mouth next to him, but the redhead at his side was a woman, not a man. She realized it was Lily Evans. Lily was looking back at her also. The girl was beautiful. Hermione could make out her green eyes from all the way up at the High Table, they were so vibrant. She smiled at her and turned her attention elsewhere.

Looking toward the Slytherin table, she noticed Severus was watching her. She gave him a quick smile and continued looking down the table. She saw a man with long white-blonde hair. That must be Malfoy, she thought. His head was turned, and he was speaking to a young woman who also had platinum blonde hair. Could that be Narcissa? She was lovely. She didn’t have that scrunched up, annoyed look that she had in the future. She actually seemed to be somewhat pleasant. Hermione didn’t know if that was because she was speaking with Lucius or whether the roughness of the world hadn’t yet jaded her outlook on life.

Hermione took a bite of her muffin and looked around the room some more. She was eager to meet all of these people and get to know them. She smiled to herself a little later as she rose from the table and headed out of the Great Hall. She wanted to check out the classroom in more detail before the students started filing in.

                                                                                      oooOOOooo

Not too much later, Hermione and Mallory got ready for the influx of students that were about to enter the classroom. Hermione sat in a chair next to Mallory. They were both behind the desk today. The two of them smiled as students started filing in.

The seventh-years came in grouped in small clusters, chatting to one another. Lily walked in with two girls that Hermione recognized from the Gryffindor table. Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black came in together. They looked like they had just been snogging. Narcissa’s hair was a little unkempt and so was Lucius’. Hermione smiled to herself. Several other students filed in. Severus was the last to enter the classroom. He was alone and sat in the back of the room by himself. Hermione frowned. She hadn’t realized he was a loner even in his youth.

She studied him for a minute. He was wearing a scowl and looking down at his desk. His long hair covered his face so she couldn’t really get a good look at him. Finally, he looked up at her. His black eyes studied her in interest before he lowered them back to his desk. He looked so young. He had none of that careworn look that he had in the future. His eyes shone brightly as if he looked forward to what was to come instead of having been beaten by his past. The contour lines of his face were strong. He was actually quite handsome. She wasn’t sure why he was such an outcast now. He seemed like a normal teenager.

Mallory stood and addressed the class.

“Good morning, class! If you made it to breakfast, you will know that I have a new assistant. This is Professor Granger. She is a few months shy of receiving her teaching certificate, so she has opted to be a Teaching Assistant while she acquires the necessary credits to become fully certified. Please treat her with the same respect as you give to me.” She eyed Lucius Malfoy briefly before turning the time over to Hermione.

Hermione stood and smiled at the class. “Good morning. I am eager to get to know all of you and to help you with this fascinating subject.”

She saw Malfoy and several others roll their eyes.

Why take the class if you weren’t interested! she thought.

“Please don’t underestimate me.” Hermione continued. “Just because I do not have my accreditation, does not mean that I do not know my subject. I will be very demanding of all of you, but I will also be fair.” She sat back down.

“Thank you, Professor Granger,” Professor Rickta said as she smiled at Hermione.

She turned to the class and explained that Hermione would be observing for the rest of the week and would begin teaching the following week. She began the lesson. Hermione watched the students' reactions to Mallory’s teaching. They seemed to be interested enough. She was happy that they took their N.E.W.T.s seriously. This was an important year for all of them.

Hermione found her eyes wandering between Lucius and Severus. Severus took copious notes, while Lucius sat back and just listened to the lecture.

Before Hermione knew it, the class was finished. Mallory disappeared into her room for a quick break, and Hermione watched as the students filed out. Severus seemed to be hanging back, taking an incredibly long time packing away his things. As he finally finished, he looked up at Hermione and headed straight for her.

“I have a question, Professor Granger,” he said respectfully.

Hermione smiled at his politeness. Who was this nice young man in front of her? She would not have expected such respect from him, even if she was his professor.

“Is this about our meeting in the Headmaster’s office, Mr. Snape?”

He nodded.

Hermione lowered her voice a little.

“This isn’t really the place for such a discussion, Mr. Snape. Do you know where the Room of Requirement is located?”

Severus raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that she knew of its existence.

“I do,” he replied simply.

She looked at him for a minute. “Meet me in front of the room at six tonight. I think we can find the privacy we need for such a conversation up there.”

He nodded and turned to go. He turned back, about to ask her something, then decided to wait until later. He left the room. She frowned after him. She knew Albus had given her free rein as to what she could tell him, but she was nervous nonetheless. She hoped she could convince him not to join the Death Eaters. She knew if she could succeed in that, the Severus Snape she returned to would be an entirely different person.

Hermione got up and tapped on Mallory’s door. She heard the bid for her to enter, so she did, finding Mallory sitting with a cup of hot chocolate in the same chair she had been in the night before.

Hermione smiled at her. “Taking a little break?” she asked.

“This is my morning ritual. I grab some hot chocolate between classes and gather my thoughts.”

“What can you tell me about Severus Snape, Mallory?”

Mallory became serious. “He keeps to himself most of the time.”

“Why is that, do you think?”

“He’s a Slytherin, which pretty much excludes him from being friends with anyone in the other houses. The Slytherins either shun him or befriend him for ulterior motives.” She shrugged, at a loss for an explanation.

“He looks rather normal. What’s the problem?” Hermione asked.

“He’s quiet by nature and he’s very intelligent. I think most of the students are intimidated by him. He is a bit intolerant of others. He’s not one to be accepting of incompetence. Also, what little I know of his upbringing has been less than stellar. That sets most of the purebloods at odds with him. You know how it is,” she said to Hermione in a knowing way.

“Unless you have been to all the popular parties and have loads of money, you’re just not good enough to be spoken to. It makes me sad because when you get to know him, you find out he’s rather a pleasant sort. He’s got a great sense of humor. The problem is no one wants to get to know him. It has turned into a vicious cycle too. Now he goes out of his way to avoid people, or is just plain disagreeable to them.”

Hermione nodded her head, reflecting on all that Mallory had said. She suddenly felt an affinity to Severus Snape that she hadn’t before. She too had been an outcast because of her intelligence. She had been lucky to be friends with Harry and Ron because, for the first several years of her education at Hogwarts, most other students had turned their noses up at her. She answered too many questions and studied too hard for them to want to spend time with her or be her friend. She knew what it was like to have everyone be intimidated simply because you worked hard and had a knack for doing well in everything. Even in her later years, many students avoided her altogether, not wanting to associate with a girl who seemed to know everything.

“I’m sorry, I’m being rude,” Mallory said, nudging her out of her thoughts. “Would you like some hot chocolate?”

Hermione turned and grinned at her. “I’d love some,” she said.

Mallory handed her a cup and Hermione settled herself on the sofa. The two women chatted for quite a while until it was time for the third-period class to come in. They both got up and headed back into the classroom for another session with the students.

                                                                      oooOOOooo

Severus sat in front of the wall where the Room of Requirement door would appear. Hermione wandered up and gave him a quick smile as he scurried to a standing position. He only frowned at her. She stood in front of the wall, cradling her chin in her fingers and concentrating. She began to walk back and forth in front of the room.

A door appeared, and she went over and opened it. Peering in, she smiled and then laughed out loud. The Gryffindor common room had appeared before her eyes.

“Sorry, Severus, this probably isn’t your idea of a comfortable place to have a chat, but that’s what the room gave us.”

She pushed the door wide and walked in, closely followed by Severus, who was looking around the room. He grimaced at the use of red and gold.

“I assume this is the Gryffindor Common Room,” he said sharply.

“Right in one,” Hermione replied.

Hermione went over to the couch by the fire and sat down. She started up a fire with a flick of her wand and waited as Severus joined her. He studied her as he sat down on the other side of the couch facing her.

“I take it you’re a Gryffindor?” he asked blandly.

“Oh, don’t be so put out,” she chided him.

His eyes grew wide. She spoke to him as if they were friends, joking about his demeanor. He needed to find out about this enigma sitting next to him.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“I’m Hermione Granger, Arithmancy Professor at Hogwarts.” She smiled at him. “Granted, I come from 25 years in the future.”

Severus looked slightly shocked at her statement.

“Why are you here, and how do we know each other?” he continued with his drilling.

Hermione leaned back and folded her arms. “Before I say anything more, you need to agree that anything we discuss in this room stays here, no matter what happens or who asks you about it in the future. Can you do that?”

Severus nodded his head.

Hermione continued, “We know each other because we are colleagues here at Hogwarts.”

“I am a teacher at Hogwarts also?” he said in amazement.

“Yes, you are a Potions master.”

Severus raised an eyebrow. “I become a Potions master?” he asked in incredulity.

Hermione nodded.

Severus smiled to himself at the thought. Hermione grinned at him also.

“What type of relationship do we have? How long have we known each other?” He looked at her suspiciously as he drilled her, rattling off the questions quickly, impatient for answers.

“We have known each other since I entered Hogwarts at age eleven, so eleven years.”

“I was your teacher?” he exclaimed.

Hermione smiled. “Yes, and now I’m yours. You had better hope I don’t hold a grudge.”

“I was not a good teacher?” he asked in shock.

“Oh, you were an excellent teacher, Severus, but you were the most obnoxious, mean git anyone has ever seen. You chastised everyone and demeaned your students regularly. You once called me an insufferable know-it-all in front of the entire class.”

Severus frowned. “That was rude of me.” He looked at her again curiously. “So, I was a mean teacher,” he stated as his brows gathered together.

Hermione thought for a minute before continuing. “Let’s just say that you were very strict and had no patience for incompetence. Everyone was afraid of you. They would turn and run the other way if they saw you billowing down the halls.”

“Billowing?” he asked as his eyes narrowed at her.

“Oh, sorry, of course, you don’t know what I’m talking about. You have this knack of making your robes billow wildly behind you when you walk. It’s very intimidating, although I’ve grown to admire it in recent years.”

Severus gave her a caustic look. “If I’m such a horrible person, why are we friends?” he growled.

Hermione studied him for a while, and Severus wondered what she was thinking. She leaned forward and looked at Severus seriously.

“Severus, you are not a horrible person. You are actually a very good person; you just don’t like many people to know that about you.”

Severus looked Hermione up and down, trying to figure her out. “Why would you want to know that about me?” he asked curiously.

Hermione huffed. “Now that you ask, I haven’t the foggiest idea,” she mused.

Glancing back at Severus, she continued, “Look, Severus, I really don’t want to go into too much history today, but suffice it to say that I admire the person you will become and the things that you'll do. I know you don’t know anything about me, but I’m a bit of a bookworm. Scratch that, I’m nothing but a bookworm. And you, you’re just plain brilliant. You’re about the only person with who I can have a decent conversation. Everyone else just stares at me blankly half the time, not having the vaguest notion of what I’m talking about. I can honestly say that has never happened between the two of us.”

He stared at her blankly, not knowing what she was talking about.

“Until this minute,” she said blandly.

Severus cracked a smile at her. Hermione chuckled at him.

“Very funny,” she told him.

“You still haven’t said why you are here,” he stated.

“Oh, yeah, that. It’s about Lucius Malfoy.” She sat back again on the couch.

“Lucius? What do you want with him?” His eyes narrowed at her.

“He is a dangerous person in my time, Severus. Dumbledore thought that if I came here at this time I could help him somehow to not become the monster that he is. You see, he has taken over the Ministry and has an Extermination Order on all Muggle-born witches and wizards.”

Severus’ eyebrows knit together in anger. “Why would he do such a thing?”

“It’s simple pureblood bias. I’m Muggle-born, Severus. I’ve been in hiding at Hogwarts for over a year now, slowly going crazy. I think I drove Dumbledore crazy too and he wanted to get rid of me.” She chuckled. “He wants me to ‘mentor’ Malfoy, perhaps convince him that Muggle-borns aren’t the imbeciles he believes them to be.”

Severus frowned. “You will have a hard time convincing him of that.”

She nodded. “I know. We’re not even sure anything will come of this, but I guess it’s worth a try.”

“I can help you.”

She stared at Severus, regarding him curiously, as if she were startled that he’d offered help.

“How?” she asked.

“I am his friend. He is probably my only friend, actually. Everyone else I associate with just tolerates me.”

“Severus, you can consider me a friend if you would like. I’m not sure if you think it would be weird to have a professor for a friend.”

Severus stared at her for a long time. He felt a jolt deep within him. This woman who had just appeared out of nowhere was offering to be his friend. She didn’t even know him. Well, she did, but not him now, and she was eager to become his friend. Why would she do that?

“So what’s in this for you?” he asked caustically.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “You are always one to think that everyone has ulterior motives!” Hermione said grumpily. “We were friends before; I would enjoy having you for a friend in this time. That’s it. Nothing is in it for me except perhaps having someone to talk to now and again, but if you would rather not, I can understand that,” she said finally.

Severus looked sheepish. He hadn’t meant to upset her. After all, she had offered him her friendship, and he had just thrown it back into her face. He looked down.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I would very much like it if we were friends.”

Hermione beamed at him. Severus marveled that a simple admission that he would like to be her friend had made her so happy.

“Good!” Hermione said enthusiastically.

She checked her watch and frowned.

“It’s getting close to curfew. Why don’t we meet here again tomorrow at the same time? I’m sure you have lots more questions, but we don’t really have time, and you must have tons of homework.”

Severus nodded as they rose. Hermione glanced around again as they headed for the door.

“You can have the room create the Slytherin common room tomorrow if you’d like.”

He smirked at her. “Won’t that make you uncomfortable? We are arch enemies after all.”

“I think if I can have you as a friend, a little green and silver won’t hurt,” she said sarcastically.

Severus chuckled, and they left the room behind them.

Chapter Text

Good to his word, Severus introduced Lucius to Hermione formally the next day. Lucius smiled lustfully at her.

“Hi there,” he said seductively.

Hermione hid a frown.

“Good Morning, Mr. Malfoy. You seem to have a decent understanding of this class, but if you feel you’re falling behind, please don’t hesitate to consult me. I would be glad to help in any way.”

Lucius raised an eyebrow flirtatiously. “Perhaps I can help you learn a few things.”

Hermione was taken aback. Was he flirting with her? He had a perfectly fine witch for a girlfriend.

“Mr. Malfoy, did I not see you on the arm of Narcissa Black this morning?”

“Yes,” he said innocently.

“Well, she is a lovely lady, and I would expect that she wouldn’t want you flirting with me. Please keep your cool, Mr. Malfoy,” Hermione said haughtily.

Lucius only smiled at her. “What Cissy doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”

Hermione was furious.

“Well, I would know, Mr. Malfoy. I don’t fall all over men who are taken!”

“I could break up with her,” he said lustily.

She had had enough. She would not have this creep making passes at her, even if it meant he never spoke to her again.

“Well, if you’d like to be seen with a Muggle-born witch, then I suppose maybe I would consider it!” she snapped.

Lucius looked like he had swallowed a glass of vomit. His eyes grew wide and he stared at her.

“Well, um, well, I have to go,” he said and twirled away. He was gone in less than a second.

“He’s eloquent when he’s gobsmacked, isn’t he?” Hermione muttered to Severus.

Severus seemed awestruck. He grinned slyly at her.

“You were amazing,” he complimented. “You certainly can hold your own against him.”

She flashed him a smile, but it was gone quickly. “I guess I just blew my chances to be his friend,” she sighed.

“He’ll get over it. He doesn’t give up easily.”

Hermione grimaced. “You mean he’s going to repeat that performance?”

“Probably when he’s done licking his wounds,” Severus grunted.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “This is going to be a long assignment,” she muttered as Severus smiled at her, told her he’d see her later, and went off to his next class.

                                                               oooOOOooo

True to form, the elegance of the green and silver Slytherin common room welcomed them that night. Hermione pulled two miniaturized glasses and a bottle of pumpkin juice out of her pocket, making them their rightful size with a wave of her wand. She poured the juice and handed a glass to Severus. They both settled on the couch and sipped their drinks.

“I noticed James Potter and his cronies were following you around at lunchtime, saying stupid things. Does that happen a lot?” Hermione asked.

Severus scowled and his cheeks turned red in embarrassment.

Hermione thought about what she’d seen.

Sirius called out to Severus as he moved quickly down the hall.

“Hey, Snivellus, what does it feel like to be so stupid? You can’t even convince anyone to be your friend.”

Severus ignored them and walked faster. James lifted his wand and sent a hex at him. Almost in an omniscient way, Severus turned and ducked away from the hex. Before the other boys could react, he’d disappeared around a corner. Black and his friends rushed to the corner but couldn’t find him.

Hermione came back from her musing and looked at Severus.

“Yes,” he finally said testily.

“Why don’t you hex them back?” she asked.

He stifled a chuckle. “It would do no good. They wouldn’t stop anyway. It would just wind up in someone being hurt. Besides, all the other professors tell me to just grin and bear it… to not fight back.”

“They probably know the potential you have with a wand,” Hermione muttered to herself.

She hoped that Severus hadn’t heard, but by his widened eyes, it seemed that he had. She shook her head.

“Well, Harry’s father or not, I think James is a git. He should be ashamed of such crass behavior. He’s a seventh-year for heaven’s sake, he should act his age.”

Severus stared dumbly at her, seemingly shocked that she’d taken his side and not laughed at him. All of a sudden his eyes snapped to hers.

“Potter has a son?”

Hermione nodded. “He’s my best friend.”

Severus frowned at her. “You’re best friends with a Potter?” he spat.

She just nodded.

“Who is his mother?” he asked tentatively.

Hermione looked at Severus sadly. “Lily Evans. She and James Potter get married, Severus. I’m sorry.”

Severus sucked in his breath. “You know about Lily?” he asked in horror.

Hermione nodded.

“You must not know everything, or you wouldn’t be speaking to me now!” he cried.

Hermione looked puzzled. She thought about all she knew about his relationship with Lily Evans. Finally, it dawned on her.

“Oh, do you mean about the Mudblood thing?”

Severus reeled back. “How can you say such a word, especially when it is a slander against yourself?”

She shrugged. “I have heard it so much that I have become desensitized. I’ll admit that the first time it was hurled at me I was very upset. I still get upset sometimes.”

“Then you can understand why Lily doesn’t speak to me anymore. I find it hard to believe that you would even want to speak to me.”

“Severus, she overreacted. You told me about this incident a while ago and I told you the same thing. You guys were friends. You were in an awkward position. She overreacted.”

Severus sat quietly. After a bit, he spoke again.

“I can’t believe that you would come to my defense after knowing that I called Lily the worst expletive a person could call someone of her birth. Don’t you even care about that?”

“Severus, have you ever used that term since that day?” Hermione asked bluntly.

He looked up at her, startled by her question. “No,” he admitted and looked to the ground.

“Then you have repented. Stop blaming yourself. You can’t make Lily forgive you, but you can forgive yourself.”

Severus put his head in his hands. “What I did was unforgivable and I lost my best friend because of it.”

Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder. She was dismayed that Severus looked at her in shock that she was even touching him.

“Severus, you need to forgive yourself. I suspect that remorse about this incident will make you do something in the future that you will regret.”

Severus looked up at her. “What do you mean?”

“Severus, do you want to become a Death Eater?”

He looked away. “No,” he said.

“Then why do you associate with future Death Eaters?”

“Because they are the only people who will talk to me!” he cried.

Hermione could stand it no more. She pulled Severus to her and hugged him tightly. She couldn’t help herself. There was something vulnerable about this Severus Snape. He was not like his future self, hidden behind walls that were impregnable. He let his emotions show. All she wanted to do was soothe him and take away his pain.

“It would be better to associate with no one than to continue along the path you’re headed, Severus,” she said softly. “It will be nothing but a cause of regret and heartache for you.”

“No, they’re powerful. I could use that power,” he said with a glint in his eye. “I’m worthless now; I would have respect if I were to join them.”

“You, Severus Snape, are not worthless! Why would you want that type of respect anyway?” she asked, pulling away and looking into his dark eyes.

He looked confused. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because the only way to earn that respect is to torture and kill people. Do you want to spend the rest of your life doing that? Do you want to see fear in people’s eyes as you torture them? That’s not respect, Severus, surely you know that!”

Severus seemed unsure. “I have been having this argument with myself for the last four months,” he admitted. “It is the only reason I haven’t taken the Dark Mark already.”

Suddenly Hermione looked at his arm. She pulled it toward him and rubbed the place where the Dark Mark stood in the future.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen you without it,” she murmured as she caressed his arm.

He pulled his arm from her and stared down at it. “You mean I do become a Death Eater?” he asked, slightly horrified.

Hermione looked at him sincerely. “You’ve never spoken of the reasons why you decided to take the Mark, but yes, you do it.”

He grimaced at her. “Somehow, I thought my better side would win out.”

She smiled wanly at him. “It’s not too late for that to happen, Severus,” she said quietly.

“Why would I do it?” he snapped at her.

“Why would you choose to do it now?” Hermione countered.

“Lily. I would do it because of being ashamed about Lily.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t be ashamed anymore.”

Severus rose and started to pace. “What does it matter? I can have all of that power. I can be a force to be reckoned with.”

“That’s empty reasoning.”

He whirled around and looked at her crossly. “What do you know of it anyway? You weren’t here! Maybe there’s a good reason I get the Mark.”

She regarded him sadly. “There’s never a good reason to get that Mark, Severus.”

“Why are you my friend!” he bellowed. “How can you associate with a Death Eater?!”

Hermione closed her eyes. “You’re not a Death Eater anymore. You haven’t been for years. You’re a war hero.”

Severus stepped back in shock. He shook his head and went back to the couch to sit down.

“Explain,” he said.

“I will tomorrow. It’s too long of a story to go into tonight. Just don’t do anything stupid between now and then, okay?” She smiled at him.

“Hermione…”

“No, you’ve had enough for one night, Severus. Let it be. The story won’t change in twenty-four hours.”

He stared at her for a while and finally nodded in agreement.

They rose to leave. Hermione pulled him into another hug before they went out of the room.

“I’m sorry, Severus. I know all of this is upsetting. I wish there were something I could do to make the hearing of it easier.”

Severus returned her hug awkwardly. “No one ever really considers my feelings when they’re telling me unpleasant things. I appreciate you doing so.”

He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Thank you, Hermione, for not making it seem better than it is.”

Chapter Text

Lucius came up to Hermione after class the next day. He looked a bit self-conscious. Hermione thought this was a good look for him.

“Um, I’m sorry about my reaction the other day,” he told her.

Hermione smiled at him, although she would have rather hexed him into the wall.

“It’s okay. I know purebloods have a problem with Muggle-borns. I hope I can change your attitude.”

He scoffed at her.

She scowled at him.

He caught his breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Mr. Malfoy, I appreciate your trying.” She smiled genuinely as she said it.

“It’s just that, all of my life I have heard of the inferiority of Muggle-borns,” he stated.

“Does that statement ring true in Lily Evans?” Hermione asked.

Lucius thought long and hard about that. “She is actually a talented witch. I suppose it doesn’t.”

“You will find that I also am a talented witch, both with my mind and with a wand.”

He scoffed at her. “No one has beaten me in dueling in Defense class, ever!” he cried.

Hermione regarded him thoughtfully. “Is that a challenge, Mr. Malfoy?”

Lucius sneered at her. “If you’re brave enough to take it.”

She laughed at that remark. “When are you free, Mr. Malfoy?”

“Right now,” he responded.

Severus had been in the back of the room, hanging back at Lucius’ request.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing that,” Severus spoke up.

The other two looked over at him. Hermione stood.

“Come on. We’ll go to the Room of Requirement.”

She quickly left the classroom, followed by Lucius and Severus. They hurried to the Room of Requirement, and Hermione thought about what she wanted. When she opened the door, a room similar to the one they had used for DA meetings met her gaze.

“Perfect,” she said.

They got ready. Knowing Draco, she was prepared for Lucius’ early strike. She shielded it and cried, “Expelliarmus!”

Lucius’ wand flew into her hand.

“That was too easy, Mr. Malfoy. I expected more from a mighty pureblood,” she taunted, tossing him his wand back. She heard Severus snigger in the corner.

Lucius was enraged. He snapped his wand at her and threw a curse. Hermione blocked it easily. He was ready for her curse though, and the sparring began in earnest. They fought for a while, no one able to get the upper hand. He fought dirtily. It was no wonder he was undefeated in Defense class. But she was Hermione Granger, war hero and member of not only the Order of the Phoenix but of the Golden Trio. There would be no defeat for her today. With a loud cry, she sent Lucius crashing into the padded wall. She raced over to him and stuck her wand in his cheek.

“Do you concede that I am a better duelist than you, Mr. Malfoy?”

“Yes,” he groaned in pain.

“Do you also concede that you may be mistaken about what you know about Mudbloods?” she said pointedly, using his own terminology against him.

Severus winced at her remark, but Lucius narrowed his eyes at her.

“I may be convinced in time that my suppositions are erroneous,” he admitted slyly.

“If you’re trying to make me feel stupid with your large words,” Hermione countered, “you need not bother. I read the dictionary in my spare time. Muggle-born witches and wizards are not dullards.”

Severus laughed, earning a scowl from Lucius. Hermione let up and extended her hand to help Lucius up. He stood up proudly and removed his hand from hers.

“Good duel, Mr. Malfoy. You have some nasty tricks up your sleeve. I can see how you would be cocky about your skills. If you ever want to learn how to duel honestly, I’d be happy to instruct you.”

Before she knew anything, Lucius had closed the gap between them, and his mouth was on hers, kissing her wildly. She pushed him away roughly.

“I thought we discussed this aspect of our friendship,” she said haughtily.

He just smirked at her and left the room. Hermione wiped her mouth and grimaced.

“Yuck!” she exclaimed. “That was disgusting. I feel like I was just kissed by a drooling hyena.”

She glanced over and saw a smirk on Severus’ face.

“Just what’s so funny, Mr. Snape?” she demanded.

“You defeated him on every level. You killed him at the duel, proved that you were just as smart as he is, and then rejected his come on. Professor Granger, you’re my hero.”

Hermione laughed so hard she cried.

                                                                                       oooOOOooo

Hermione walked along the halls, headed back to her classroom after lunch. She was among a throng of students and quietly listened to their conversations, smiling to herself now and again about something someone would say. Some of the younger students were quite clueless about the world around them. She knew that their innocence would disappear eventually. She enjoyed it while she could. Breaking from the crowd of students, she turned the corner into a mostly deserted hallway and stopped in her tracks. Anger filled her face.

Severus had been backed against the wall by none other than James Potter and Sirius Black. His wand lay discarded on the ground beside him. They were taunting him, their wands pointed at him. He looked at them angrily, sneering at them, unable to defend himself.

“Snivellus, you need to learn respect. You shouldn’t talk that way to someone so much smarter than you,” Sirius Black commented.

James chortled. “Yeah, Snivellus. Learn your place.” He lifted his wand to throw a spell at Severus, but Hermione’s hand pulled his down.

“Just what do you think you’re doing, Mr. Potter?” she exclaimed in anger as she released James’ hand.

“Professor Granger, um…” James eloquently said.

“Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, you know the rules about magic in this school. It is not to be used against other students unless it is in a classroom environment, under the supervision of a teacher. How old are you two anyway?” she asked furiously.

Sirius and James looked down at the floor and mumbled that they were seventeen.

“You both act more like you were seven. As you know, the minimum age for students in this school is eleven.” She let her implication sink in. “Fifty points each from Gryffindor and detention for the next week with Mr. Filch for the both of you. If I ever catch actions like this directed at anyone again, gentlemen, you will be expelled from this school before you can say Dumbledore. Do I make myself clear?”

They nodded.

“Now get out of my sight before I take away more house points!” she demanded.

They turned and scurried away. Hermione turned to Severus, who was staring at the floor, looking extremely embarrassed. Hermione put a hand on his arm.

“Are you alright?” she asked gently.

Severus looked as if he was about to scream, but he just nodded his head.

“They’re stupid and jealous of your abilities, Severus. Don’t let them bother you.”

Severus didn’t reply. Hermione squeezed his arm.

“They’re idiots, nothing but cowards, having to attack you in groups,” she huffed. “They knew if they took you on alone, you’d destroy them. Don’t give them any mind.”

Severus glanced up at her. “Why do you care?” he asked simply.

Hermione regarded him for a moment. “I care because I hate seeing my friends in pain, that’s why.”

She released his arm. “I’ll see you tonight,” she said as she went on her way to her classroom.

                                                                                       _______________

She didn’t see Severus stare after her, waiting until she disappeared from sight before he picked up his wand and went on his way to his next class. He didn’t care if he was late; he couldn’t stop watching her. He had thought she had just been humoring him when she had said she was his friend, but her actions today had said much more than that. She truly was his friend, his first real friend in a while. He wasn’t sure why that fact made him feel so good inside; he didn’t care if he had friends or not. The altercation with Potter and Black fell away from his mind as he made his way down the hall. He thought of his new friend and his steps became lighter.

                                                                                          oooOOOooo

Severus and Hermione sat on the Ravenclaw sofa. Neither of them had been in this particular common room, but they were quite impressed. It was large and had a beautiful statue of Rowena Ravenclaw in the center of it. Hermione remembered Harry telling her about it. She was still admiring the statue when Severus cleared his throat.

She looked over at him. He looked very nervous.

“Have you thought much about what I told you last night?” she asked him.

He sighed. “I’ve thought about it a great deal, Professor Granger,” he said.

Hermione frowned. “Let’s just go by first names when we’re in this room, okay? After all, we’re friends, right?”

Severus nodded pensively. “You said I would regret my decision. What happens?”

Hermione sighed and put her legs up on the sofa. It was long enough that Severus still had plenty of space to stretch out himself if he wanted to. He preferred to sit still as a stone with his arms crossed in front of him facing Hermione. He stared expectantly at her as she gathered her thoughts.

Hermione looked at him evenly. “Not long after you join the ranks of the Death Eaters, you will hear a prophecy being told to Dumbledore. You will immediately go and tell Voldemort about it. The prophecy speaks of a child who is to be born at the end of the seventh month, who will defeat the ‘Dark Lord.’ Voldemort is worried, of course, and researches all of the women who are pregnant at the time. He finds two women who are due to give birth that coming July. One of them is Lily Potter. Voldemort decides that she must be the one bearing the child of the prophecy.”

Severus turned deathly pale. He looked like he was going to be sick right there.

“Realizing that you have put Lily in grave danger, you plead to Voldemort for her life, but you know him and do not believe that he will spare it. You decide to go to Dumbledore. You tell him of Voldemort’s plan to kill the Potters and beg him to protect them. He does. In return for the favor, you agree to be his spy among the Death Eaters.”

Severus’ face registered shock at his sudden turn from the Dark Lord.

Hermione continued, “He makes the Potter house unplottable, and they set up wards to protect the home. Unfortunately, James Potter trusts the wrong person. The man he chooses to be secret-keeper eventually rats him out to Voldemort. By this time, Lily has had her baby and he is one year old. Finally, one night, Voldemort strikes, cutting down James Potter first, who tried to hold him downstairs to give Lily a chance to escape with Harry. He couldn’t give her enough time. Voldemort enters the nursery, where Lily stands over Harry, protecting him.”

Tears were now running down Severus’ face, and Hermione was tearing up as well.

“He kills Lily first but does not realize that her love for Harry has given the baby magical protection. He sends the killing curse to Harry, but it shoots away from him and hits Voldemort instead. Voldemort disappears. Everyone assumes he is dead, except Dumbledore. He asks you to protect Harry from Voldemort’s imminent return, to keep him alive so he can fulfill the prophecy. You agree to do it for Lily, for the guilt you feel at being the one who brought the prophecy to Voldemort.”

Severus put his head in his hands and sobbed in grief. Hermione got up and moved next to him, putting an arm comfortingly around his shoulders as his body was wracked with sobs.

“No, no,” he murmured over and over again. His deep voice was filled with agony.

Hermione pulled him closer and finished the tale.

“Ten years later, Harry came to Hogwarts. Voldemort had found a way to return in spirit by then, and Harry, unbeknownst to him, was protected by you. You saved his life several times over the years. In his fourth year, Voldemort found a way to reclaim his body. He began to amass his Death Eaters, and you resumed your work officially as a spy for the Order of the Phoenix. You participated in raids and tortured and killed Muggles so you could keep your cover. I have seen you when you returned from those raids, Severus. You were always sullen and haunted, and I know you had terrible nightmares about the things you had to do while following Voldemort.”

She explained to Severus how Harry, Ron, and she hunted the Horcruxes and the final battle. She described the snake biting him.

“You nearly died,” Hermione said as her memories filled her mind. “But thanks to my copious supply of dittany that I poured over your wounds when we found you, and Madam Pomfrey and her supply of Phoenix tears, you were healed and survived. The truth came out about your double spy work, and you received an Order of Merlin for your work behind enemy lines. Since then, you have taught at Hogwarts like you always did.”

Hermione came out of her thoughts and looked at Severus.

“I’m not really sure what you would have been like had you never become a Death Eater or heard that prophecy, but I can tell you what you were like because of it. You pushed everyone away. You trusted no one. You had to participate in countless tortures and murders, each of which made you a bit more withdrawn. You were that mean teacher I described the other night. You were a loner. Your spy work made you distant from everyone, and many people hated you because they thought you had turned on us. You had to be especially mean to Harry because you couldn’t have anyone think that you were helping him in any way.

“On the other hand, you never wavered as a spy. You endured horrid tortures by Voldemort without ever thinking of betraying us. You are by far the bravest man I have ever met, Severus.”

Severus put his head in his hands. “How could I have been such a fool? I should just disappear from off the face of the Earth. It doesn’t seem like I did anything but ruin people’s lives from the time I got that bloody Mark.” He pulled at his hair in frustration.

Hermione pulled him in towards her, keeping her arm solidly around him.

“Don’t say things like that. You still have a choice, Severus. None of this has happened yet. You can change the future. You don’t have to take the Mark!”

“I killed her, Hermione, I killed her!”

“Severus, no, you didn’t kill her. You made a mistake and told Voldemort about the prophecy; you didn’t kill her. Voldemort did.”

He gasped, “It’s the same thing. I killed her for a stupid tattoo!”

She looked at him, shaking in misery, and just wanted him to be all right. “No, it’s very different.” She pulled his head up so he was looking at her. “I’m sorry, Severus; I knew this would be awful for you, but I want you to save yourself. Stay away from Voldemort and change your fate, please!” she begged him.

He quieted and looked at her.

“Why do you care, Hermione?” he asked for the second time that day.

Hermione frowned. “Because I’m your friend, Severus, that’s why. I have seen you in the future when you let your guard down. Deep down, you’re the same young man you are now. But your life decisions have destroyed you. They have convinced you that there is no love to be found in this world and have left you bitter and jaded. My greatest hope for you is that when I return to my time, I will find much more of this Severus in the future Severus.”

She pulled her arm out from around him and grasped his hands in hers.

“Please, Severus. Think about what I have told you tonight. Don’t do it again. Save yourself, maybe even Lily and James, I don’t know. Somehow I think Voldemort will kill them anyway, but at least you won’t have any part in it. You won’t live with that guilt every day of your life until it crushes your identity and makes you feel hollow and alone.”

With that, she rose and kissed the top of his head. She wasn’t quite sure why.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night, okay?”

He nodded but didn’t look at her. She withdrew and left him to his dark thoughts.

Chapter Text

Severus didn’t emerge from the Room of Requirement that night or the next day. He had mulled over everything Hermione had said. How could he have become such a horrible man? Because of him, Lily had died. He had destroyed her and then gone on to destroy his own life. He was disgusted with himself. His work for the Order later did not make up for the scumbag he had become soon after graduation. He couldn’t picture himself like that now. He wondered what had happened to send him to such an extreme. He wondered if it had been because of Lily and James getting married. That would certainly be disturbing. Would it be disturbing enough for him to ruin his life?

Severus thought back over the last year. He had become obsessed with Lily, more so than when they had been friends. He had blamed himself for ruining their friendship. Secretly, he had followed her around, hoping that she would see him and perhaps smile at him, but even when she had seen him, she never smiled.

Right now, though, it seemed that he didn’t obsess after her quite as much. It didn’t hurt him quite so much to think about her with Potter. Knowing that Potter and she would be together in the future didn’t sting quite as badly as he knew it would have several months prior. Perhaps he had the fortitude to not repeat the same mistakes again.

Then there was his nasty disposition. He knew he wasn’t the nicest person on the Earth, but he certainly didn’t consider himself frightening. He vowed not to be so nasty in the future. But could he really change? Was he destined to be that awful person Hermione had described?

“There has to be a way to become better,” he said to himself.

Obviously, not taking the Mark was the first step in that process. But if he didn’t take the Mark, he would never have the power he desired. For so long he dreamed of the abilities he would gain with taking that Mark. The knowledge of Dark Magic that could give him an edge against almost anybody would almost make up for the negative things he would have to do. But in reality, would it?

He had debated getting branded for a while now, going back and forth between thinking it was a good idea and that it was the worst idea he had ever had. He had weighed both sides of the decision. He really wanted the power that the Mark would bring.

“But am I a murderer?”

That was what he would become if he took that Mark. Whenever he thought about it before, the idea of killing others had been quite abstract. But when Hermione described what he had done, he could actually picture himself doing those horrid things. He saw himself torturing Muggles, eventually sending the killing curse and watching as their bodies flew into a lifeless heap. Those deaths hadn’t seemed so abstract then, but now he felt incredibly remorseful for things that hadn’t even occurred yet.

Trying to snap out of the funk he had settled into, he concentrated on something else.

“So, I’ll teach here. That is actually an exciting prospect.” He smiled slightly then. “I can become a professor of a subject I love. I won’t be the horrid teacher Hermione said I was. I’ll do better.”

He sat silently for a while, just staring into space. He had done so much agonizing that he was exhausted. How had his life become so difficult? He was just a student who shouldn’t be worrying about death and evil, but here he was, surrounded by it because of his choices. He had been foolish to become friends with the Slytherin Death Eater wannabes. They had slowly filled his head with lies that seemed incredibly attractive, but in the long run, they would ultimately bring misery.

“The power I seek will eventually be the thing that ruins my life.”

Hermione said he shut everyone out. He did that now too, but it was mostly because no one liked him. He had hoped that after he was finished with school he could find some people who respected his knowledge and saw him as more than a nerd, but that didn’t seem to happen in the future. It seemed that he had taken his distancing to the extreme, not trusting anyone. Perhaps it had to do with being a spy. He imagined it would be difficult to be open with anyone when so much had to be hidden. It would take some effort to open himself up; he was not the type to be outgoing or to be friendly to people he didn’t feel incredibly secure with. It would definitely be a challenge, but now that he had been warned of the possible negative outcome, he had a great incentive to try and push himself into being more outgoing and positive about life.

He spent the rest of the night berating himself; thinking about all of the negatives that would come in his future, trying to decide what to do to make himself a better person, debating whether he could even change at all. Finally, in the wee hours of the morning, he had drifted off to sleep, but his rest was short-lived. He spent most of the next day mulling over his awful future, wondering if he could truly escape it.

                                                                 oooOOOooo

Hermione had noticed Severus wasn’t at meals, but she didn’t have him in class that day, so she was unaware that he had skipped classes too. She went to the Room of Requirement and was surprised to see that the door was firmly in place.

Severus must have arrived ahead of me and gone in to wait, she thought.

She entered and took one look at Severus and knew he had not left last night. His hair was messy, and it looked like his robes had been slept upon. She wasn’t sure that Severus had actually gotten any sleep though because his eyes were rimmed with dark circles.

“Oh no,” she said under her breath.

Severus didn’t move. He sat stonily staring at the floor. Hermione went up to him and squatted before him, placing her hands on his knees. She bent low so she could look tentatively into his face.

“You all right?” she asked.

He frowned at her but said nothing.

“Are you hungry? I could summon a House-elf.”

He continued to stare at her but said nothing.

“Would you rather I just left?” she asked finally.

He said nothing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she said simply and rose to leave.

“Wait.”

She turned to him again. When he didn’t continue, she sat down next to him and gently pulled him over to her. He scooted back farther and lay down, resting his head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his hair and sat with him in silence. It wasn’t very long before his breathing became regular and she knew he had fallen asleep.

It hurt to see him like this, but she hoped that the outcome would result in a happier Severus in the future. Of course, he could still decide to get the Mark. Hermione’s insides tightened at the thought. Granted, she knew what that outcome would be. At least he would be alive in the end. But she so hoped he could have more than that.

Perhaps he could even have a life that would be considered normal. Maybe he could even have friends. She had been a bit surprised with herself for becoming so close to him so quickly. He really was more open in his younger form than he was as she had known him in the future. She chuckled to herself, not even being able to fathom the older Severus resting his head in her lap and falling asleep. She stifled a giggle so she wouldn’t wake him; she knew he needed the rest.

She was grateful that he had opened up to her like he had. She had been interacting with his older self for years now, and they still had yet to achieve this level of friendship between the two of them. She didn’t even think the future Severus trusted her with mundane thoughts, let alone his deepest fears. Maybe when she returned to the future, they could have a closer friendship. She knew she would like that, she had always wanted to be closer to Severus. He was an incredibly fascinating man, but he was reluctant to let anyone near him, even people he spent time with. She hoped that would now change.

She let him sleep on for a couple of hours, trying not to move or disturb him. Her mind was filled with possibilities and worries for the future while she cradled his head in her lap, absently pulling her fingers through his hair. Glancing at her watch after a long time, she realized it was nearing curfew. Gently she shook him awake.

“Severus, Severus, wake up.”

“Huh?” he said groggily.

“You need to go back to your dorm now. It’s almost curfew,” she told him.

Severus pushed himself up and shook his head to clear it. Realizing where he had fallen asleep, he looked over at her in embarrassment.

“Sorry,” he murmured, looking sheepish.

“Don’t worry about it,” she told him as he straightened himself up.

He looked at her again, this time solemnly. “I won’t do it, Hermione. I won’t take the Mark. I won’t ruin those lives. I won’t do it.”

Hermione sighed in relief. She once again had hope for the future. She pulled Severus to her and hugged him tightly.

“I’m glad Severus. I know that seems rather trite, but I am.”

She pulled back and gave him a quick smile.

“Thank you, Hermione, for being truthful with me. You saved my life, and it would seem that it hasn’t been the first time.”

She gave him a half-smile. “Aw, that was nothing,” she tried to make light of it.

They rose and made their way to the exit.

“Nonetheless, I won’t forget it, not either time.”

Hermione blushed and pushed the door open. They walked in silence until she came to the hall where her room was. She smiled at him and said good night. He murmured a good night back to her, and they separated for the evening.

Chapter Text

Lucius wandered up to Hermione’s desk, closely followed by Severus. Hermione noticed Severus rolling his eyes as he followed Lucius and bit her cheek so she wouldn’t burst out laughing. She was happy to see Severus acting like his old self again. Lucius sauntered up and winked at Hermione.

“So, Professor Granger, would you like to have another round at dueling?” he asked sultrily.

Hermione frowned, but before she could say anything, Severus beat her to it.

“She already embarrassed you once, Lucius. You surely are a glutton for punishment.”

“Oh, I just want another kiss, if I must admit it.”

Hermione looked crossly at Lucius, but again Severus beat her to a response. He came around the desk and put his arm lazily around her shoulders.

“I’ve got some bad news for you, Lucius. After that pathetic attempt at a kiss the other day, Hermione and I decided that we would like to see more of each other. And neither one of us is the type to share.”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open. She quickly snapped it shut before Lucius noticed. Luckily, he was too busy staring at Severus to even notice Hermione was in the room.

“You… and… her?” he said incredulously.

Severus stooped down even more so he was level with Hermione. He kept his eyes trained on Malfoy.

“Yep. Sorry to disappoint you,” he told his friend.

Lucius straightened himself and pulled his robes down. “Well then, okay. I guess you won this round,” he said.

“I’m not some bloody trophy, Mr. Malfoy,” Hermione said through clenched teeth.

Finally, Lucius looked at her. He arched an eyebrow at her anger.

“I shall take my leave of you then.” He turned, but she called him back.

“Mr. Malfoy!” she said.

Lucius stopped abruptly and turned to look at her.

“I fail to understand why, with such a lovely woman as Miss Black being your girlfriend, you insist on trying to flirt with me. If you would just look into your girlfriend’s eyes, you would see her devotion to you, but instead, you ignore her and chase after other women who could care less if you existed on this planet or not. Is it the chase that excites you, Mr. Malfoy? Well, I’ve got news for you. I wouldn’t give you a second glance even if you were single. You’re not my type! Why don’t you enjoy what you have and leave me alone?!” Her eyes were cold and hard. He smirked at her.

“Oh, you’ll come around eventually,” he countered with a grin.

She resisted the urge to pull him toward her and punch him in the face like she had done to his ferrety son.

“You’re excused, Mr. Malfoy.”

“Just give me a chance. You’ll tire of Severus here. He’s too… plain.”

“You’re excused, Mr. Malfoy!” she reiterated angrily. She cringed to herself. She could see the trouble she would be in if she attacked a student.

“Just wait,” he said again.

Hermione stood up and looked contemptuously at Lucius.

“I said you’re excused, Mr. Malfoy. That will be detention with Mr. Filch for disrespecting a teacher.”

Lucius put his arms out wide in surrender. He gave her a heartbroken look as he backed away. Giving her a low bow, he turned and left.

As soon as he had closed the door behind him, Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at a desk. Poof, it shattered into a million pieces. She destroyed two more desks in frustration. She cried Reparo and the desks came back together again.

“That man is just as infuriating in this time as he is in the future, if not more so!” she cried.

                                           _______________

Severus was regarding her proudly. The score was now Hermione-two, Lucius-zip. He suddenly thought of his arm around her. He had just done it to shut Lucius up, but when he touched her, he had felt… strange. It had felt comfortable, like his arm belonged around her shoulders. His insides had seemed to flip flop as he touched her. He wondered why he had felt that way. He hadn’t noticed anything those other times when she had embraced him in the Room of Requirement. Could he be attracted to her? No, he still loved Lily, didn’t he? Snapping out of it, he looked over at Hermione, who was still seething.

“I’m sorry I made it look like we were going out.” He saw her tense up. “I just wanted him to leave you alone.”

She relaxed and turned to him with a smile on her face. “I’ll admit that was a good one. I just about lost it when I saw the look on Lucius’ face.”

Hermione looked at Severus contemplatively. “Do you mind keeping up the pretense when he’s around? It might shut him up.”

“No, it won’t. He’ll just go on about how we will never last and I’m too plain and--” Severus stopped in mid-sentence as he saw Hermione’s face turn furious again.

“You are hardly plain, Severus Snape!” she spat angrily.

He smiled at her. “Thank you,” he said simply.

                                                     __________________

Hermione blushed furiously. She hadn’t meant it to sound like she thought he was good looking, although she did. She was, of course, making it worse by blushing so much.

Severus saved her further embarrassment by saying, “If you want to go along with it, I’m game. It’ll be fun.”

Hermione smiled at him and shooed him off to class. She watched as he left, following his slim build as he exited the door. When he had put his arm around her, she had felt a jolt run through her body. She wanted him to keep it there, but he had not left it there long. She shook her head. She was being ridiculous. She couldn’t have feelings for this Severus Snape. He wasn’t from her time, it wouldn’t be right.

                                                                  oooOOOooo

That evening she made her way to the Room of Requirement. She wasn’t sure if Severus would be there; after all, she had told him everything about the future that she could, and they really had no reason to meet anymore. She was pleased, however, when she saw him sitting there waiting for her. She gave him a big smile and he got up and smiled back at her.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” she asked him. “We’re pretty much done with twenty questions.”

He looked a little embarrassed but finally asked her, “I wonder if you could teach me how to duel like you did the other day?”

Hermione burst out laughing and then began pacing in front of the room. The D.A. room appeared as Severus asked her what was so funny.

“You taught me half of those moves I used on Lucius.”

He arched an eyebrow at her. She smiled back at him. She loved when he looked at her like that. She moved across the room and pulled out her wand.

“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got, Severus Snape,” she taunted.

Severus produced his wand and made a dueling stance. Soon they were sparring and moving around the room. He was really good but not as good as he would be. She would never be able to best him in his adult form, but she was sparring and diverting his spells with relative ease. She finally cried Expelliarmus and disarmed him. Catching his wand, she gave him a smile.

“You’re quite good,” she told him while tossing back his wand to him, “but I can anticipate your moves. You hesitate slightly before almost everything you throw. Think ahead this time. Come up with five hexes you want to throw at me, and throw them silently, in succession, without pausing.”

He nodded at her and they got ready. He cast the five spells quickly. She diverted all of them but the last one, which sent her flying across the room. She landed with a thud. Before she could catch her breath, Severus was at her side, offering a hand to help her up.

“I’m sorry!” he gasped at her.

She looked up at him slyly and smiled. “Now that’s the Severus I’m used to dueling!”

She grasped his hand and he pulled her to a standing position. He looked at her sourly.

“I can’t believe I used to hex a woman much younger than me across the room repeatedly.”

Hermione giggled. “How else would I learn, Severus? If you hadn’t been so unrelenting, I wouldn’t have survived the final battle with Voldemort. You worked with all of my classmates when you taught Defense Against the Dark Arts, and you never let us feel overconfident. You made sure that we were always on top of our game and always aware of our surroundings.”

He stared at her silently for a while before asking, “When exactly did I teach Defense?”

“You taught it in my sixth year.”

“I didn’t keep the position?” he asked.

Hermione sighed. “It was cursed by Voldemort. No one ever lasted in the position for longer than a year until after his death.”

“So I just went back to teaching Potions after that?” he asked curiously.

“Not exactly,” she said hesitantly.

“Well then, what happened?”

“I told you that you made it look like you betrayed the Order. Well, you did it at the end of that year.”

“What exactly did I do?”

She sighed. “You really don’t want to know,” she said absently.

“Oh, okay then, just forget it,” he snapped. “Hermione, what did I do?”

“You tried to kill Dumbledore,” she said hesitantly.

Severus’ eyes grew wide. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“Because it’s a huge convoluted story, and I didn’t want to go into the why’s and where’s of it.”

“I have all night. Tell me what happened,” he demanded as he folded his arms in front of him.

Hermione began to pace as she started telling the tale.

“You see, Voldemort demanded that . . .” she hesitated.

Should she tell him that Lucius has a son? What would it matter in the long run? Of course, Lucius would eventually marry and have children. She decided to continue.

“He told Lucius’ son to kill Dumbledore. Dumbledore became aware of the plot early on through your spy work. He devised a plan where you would attempt to take his life, thereby saving Malfoy from having to kill him. It would make it look like you had turned back to Voldemort’s side and become a traitor to the Order, giving you the opportunity to get even more information than you had been before.”

Severus narrowed his eyes at her in distaste.

“One night towards the end of the year, Harry and Dumbledore went in search of a Horcrux, but were unable to find it.”

“What’s a Horcrux?” Severus asked.

“It’s an object that is imbued with a piece of someone’s soul. Voldemort created seven of them to ensure that he would ‘live forever,’” Hermione explained. “Dumbledore had been injured during their quest for one of the Horcruxes, and they returned to find that the Dark Mark was flying over Hogwarts. Malfoy had picked that night to let the Death Eaters into the castle, and he stood poised to take Dumbledore’s life. Fortunately for Dumbledore, Malfoy’s heart wasn’t in it. You arrived moments later and shot Dumbledore with a spell that you and he had invented. To an onlooker, it would seem that the person had been killed, but it only sent them into a temporary coma. After cursing Dumbledore, you fled the castle. In all of the confusion, someone finally realized that Dumbledore was still alive and he was rushed to the infirmary, where he slowly recuperated. Unbeknownst to you, his injuries from searching for the Horcrux had weakened him considerably, so a curse that should have only taken a couple of hours to reverse itself completely wound up taking a full month.

“There was an all-out manhunt for you. The Order was up in arms, thinking that you were a traitor, and almost everyone in the Wizarding world hated you for trying to kill Dumbledore. Malfoy’s son was hidden away until the end of the war because he would have been killed for not being able to fulfill his mission. Then Voldemort made you his right-hand man because even though you didn’t accomplish the task in the end, you had tried and he was very ‘grateful.’”

Severus frowned. “What other horrible things haven’t you told me, Hermione?”

“Severus, first of all, I don’t know half of the things you did as a Death Eater. I’m sure there are lots of unpleasant stories about that. Secondly, it doesn’t matter. You have decided not to take the Mark; those things will not happen.”

He regarded her for a minute, thinking about what she had said. “Are you sure there’s nothing else I need to know?”

“Only that if you ever make fun of my teeth in the future, I will hex you into a wall when I return.”

Severus looked from Hermione’s eyes down to her perfect teeth and gave her a quizzical look.

“Suffice it to say my teeth weren’t always so normal looking,” she mused. “And thanks to the aforementioned Malfoy, they became even larger than usual for a short time, leaving the door open for you to make one of your caustic comments.”

Severus didn’t know whether to look appalled or to laugh. He stood there unsure of himself until Hermione cracked a smile.

“Obviously, I’ve forgiven you for that,” she retorted. “Come on, let’s continue our duel.”

Severus let himself grin for a moment before walking back to his position and taking his stance.

“All right,” she said. “No more easy stuff.”

His eyes grew wide as he realized she had been going lightly with him. She grinned and took advantage of his surprise, sending a hex his way. He barely had time to shield it when another one was coming for him. He fell to the ground and rolled away, pointing backwards and sending his own hex at her.

“Good one!” she cried as she dodged it and sent one directly at his prone body.

He scrambled to get out of the way but caught the hex anyway. Ignoring it, he shot one at her.

“That’s right, ignore what doesn’t incapacitate you,” she instructed.

Finally, after quite a few hexes and a lot of jumping around the room, Hermione caught him and sent him flying into the wall. He slumped to the floor, half dazed. She rushed over to him and extended her hand to help him up. He looked at her curiously, not knowing where he was for a moment.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured as she knelt and looked at him with concern. His eyes looked hazy still. Hermione blushed and fished in her pocket, pulling out a small vial.

“Here, take this,” she offered it to him.

He unstoppered the bottle and downed it. “Mmm, orangey,” he said. “What is it?”

“A strengthening solution. I always carry some with me just in case.”

His head seemed to clear instantly. “Why would you carry this around?” he asked her, staring at the empty vial.

She smiled ruefully. “Old war habit,” she murmured. “It’s an extra spurt of energy if I’ve been hit by a curse. It’s supposed to give me an extra edge.”

“Does it work?”

“Don’t know. I never used it. I was always too busy ducking and fighting to even think about it. It’s more of a ritual than anything.”

She helped him to a standing position. “I’m exhausted,” she told him.

Severus nodded his head in agreement. Hermione called a house-elf and asked him to bring them something to drink. He appeared in an instant with two tall glasses of iced water.

“Thank you, Nubby,” she told the elf. He bowed low and disappeared.

We need a sofa, she thought.

Suddenly one appeared and she made her way to it. They both sat down and sipped their water quietly.

“Hermione?” Severus asked, breaking the companionable silence.

“Mmm?” she said.

“Would you mind if we kept meeting up here? I could do with a little peace and quiet to get my homework done. It’s always as loud as a zoo in the common room, and I get tired of going to the library all the time.”

Hermione’s heart began to beat faster. He wanted to spend time with her. She tampered her excitement before replying.

“Sure, that would be great. I’ll bring the mountain of exams Mallory hands to me every day. I swear that woman gives more tests than any other teacher I have ever met!”

Severus sighed. “And I thought it was just me thinking that.”

“Don’t get me wrong; Professor Rickta is a great teacher, but talk about testing a subject to death! Once a week per class is more than enough, but she insists on a daily quiz and a bi-weekly exam. One thing is for sure, none of you will be failing your Arithmancy N.E.W.T.s.”

Severus got a gleam in his eye. “Do you think we could brew up here?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I suppose,” she said.

“Perhaps you could teach me a trick or two,” he mused.

Hermione choked on her water.

“What?” Severus asked caustically.

“Severus, you have been more advanced than me in Potions since, oh I don’t know, probably since you started here! There’s not a thing I could teach you. However, you could probably teach me a thing or two.”

“How do you know about my ability in Potions at this age?”

“Harry came across a sixth-year textbook that was owned by the Half Blood Prince.” She smiled knowingly at him. “Your additions to the text were incredibly insightful. Even at your age now, you have a flair that few have for that subject.”

“Have you ever brewed with me?”

She put her water down. “Actually I have brewed with you often. We would meet weekly to replenish the infirmary stores.”

“And you never picked anything up from me in those times.”

She scrunched up her face. “Well, yes I did, but . . .”

“So maybe you could teach me something I don’t know yet?”

“Perhaps, but I doubt it. You’re a genius when it comes to Potions, Severus. They should have just given you your N.E.W.T. last year without pretense.”

He stared at her looking confused. Hermione arched her eyebrow at him questioning his confusion.

“I don’t understand how you can say I’m more talented than you when I’m five years younger. I thought you said you were a know-it-all.”

“Oh, I am, and don’t you forget it,” she joked. “Believe me, Severus Snape, that’s the only subject you’ll ever outdo me in.” She smiled at him.

“Ouch,” he said.

She went on, “I hate to admit it, but you were right when you called me a know-it-all in my third year. I was very upset about it, but after that, I tried not to look so snobby. I still answered questions, but I didn’t try to answer all of them.”

“I’m sorry I was mean to you as a teacher,” Severus said quietly.

Hermione looked at Severus in shock. “Did you just apologize to me?” she said incredulously.

He nodded.

“Wow,” she said.

He looked at her quizzically.

“Thank you,” she said finally. “I know apologizing doesn’t come easily to you.”

He looked at her curiously. “I don’t have any problem saying I’m sorry when I need to.”

She looked over at him, trying to see if he was serious. He was.

“I’m sorry then. I guess I’m confusing the future Severus with you. He never apologizes. Sometimes he would gruffly say that he ‘hadn’t meant for something to happen the way it did,’” she mimicked, her voice lowering considerably, “but he never apologized.”

Severus scowled at her imitation of his future self and then looked at her meaningfully.

“I’ll try to never become that gruff man who can’t apologize, Hermione. That’s not the man I want to be.”

She smiled at him thinly. “I don’t think he wanted to be that man either.”

Chapter Text

Lucius approached the desk again. Over the past few weeks, this had become a ritual. Hermione didn’t mind, as long as he behaved himself. In any case, they had developed a friendship of sorts during that time. She was supposed to be his mentor after all.

“Professor Granger,” he drawled.

“Mr. Malfoy,” she greeted.

Severus stood at Lucius’ side. She nodded to him.

“I was wondering if you were going to Hogsmeade this weekend," Lucius asked.

“I’m scheduled to chaperone. Yes, I’ll be there.”

“Would you like to accompany me?” he asked seductively.

“She’s going with me,” Severus piped in.

Hermione smiled. “That’s right, Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Snape will be accompanying me this weekend. Why don’t you take your girlfriend?” she asked.

“Your loss,” he said with a toss of his hair. He quickly left the room.

“It’s a wonder they ever get married,” she mused after he was gone and immediately her eyes went wide. That was information that need not be shared.

“They get married?” Severus asked.

“Shh! Don’t say a word to anyone!”

Severus put his hand over his heart. “Your secret is safe with me, my lady.”

She giggled as he bowed and left the room. That man was absolutely charming.

                                                                                   oooOOOooo

Severus hurried through the halls after lunch on his Ancient Runes class. He was deep in thought, mulling over the potion they had just brewed in his last class. He had followed the directions exactly but was now wondering if perhaps he should have cut the flobberworms on the diagonal instead of straight across. It might have given the potion a little extra potency. He was concentrating so intensely, he failed to notice the three students who had appeared behind him. Sirius, James, and Peter stealthily snuck up to Severus. Sirius sent a jelly legs jinx from his wand. It struck Severus and he crashed to the ground, but not before extracting his own wand and sending a jinx behind him at his attackers.

The other three boys grasped their faces in their hands and sunk to the floor. Large welts began to form on each of the boys' faces, and they moaned in pain.

“What’s going on here, boys?”

It was Hermione. She had been coming up the hall behind all four of the students and had caught the whole exchange. She was once again enraged at the audacity of Black and his friends. They were out of control.

No one said a word.

“All right then, up with the lot of you and follow me,” she demanded.

Without a look back she started down the hallway. She heard some shuffling and knew that the students were following her. Glancing back eventually, she saw them, Severus staggering in the back, still recovering from the jelly legs jinx. Up the stairway and down the hall she went all the way to the Headmaster’s Office. She waited for the four boys to catch up with her before saying the password, ‘English Toffee.’ While the Gargoyle moved aside, she sent her Patronus to get Minerva. She assumed that she would be needed as the Head of House of the three troublemakers. When the Gargoyle had moved aside she haughtily ascended the stairs and knocked on the Headmaster’s door.

“Enter,” came Dumbledore’s voice from inside the room.

Hermione opened the door and let the four boys pass her before going into the room herself.

“Headmaster,” she exclaimed. “These four students were caught fighting in the halls.”

Dumbledore gave them an appraising look and asked what had happened.

Peter piped up, “We were just minding our own business when Severus turned around and hexed us.”

Hermione said nothing yet, but she fumed at the lie. Dumbledore turned to Severus.

“Is that what happened?”

Severus snarled, “They hit me with a jelly legs jinx first!”

“Nonsense!” cried Peter. The other two boys nodded, going along with the lie.

Albus turned to Hermione. “Professor Granger, did you happen to see what went on?”

Hermione sighed, “Mr. Black shot a jelly legs jinx at Mr. Snape, who was able to jinx the three of them back before falling to the ground.”

At that moment Minerva came through the door, looking on at her charges with concern.

“Oh, what happened to your faces?” she cried.

“Nothing they didn’t deserve,” Hermione mumbled under her breath.

Severus, who was standing closest to her, heard her and his eyes snapped toward her. She ignored him and stared straight ahead at Dumbledore. Albus repeated everything for Minerva, who was staring at the three Gryffindors in disgust.

“I believe,” Dumbledore went on, “that a month’s worth of detentions would be an appropriate punishment for such an infraction, especially since these boys lied about what really happened. Do you think that is fair, Professor McGonagall?”

She nodded.

“Headmaster,” Hermione chimed in. “I think that given their past history of tormenting Mr. Snape, these boys should be expelled.”

The three Gryffindors' eyes grew wide at the thought of being thrown out of the school.

Dumbledore regarded Hermione for a minute. “Perhaps they should all be expelled then, Professor Granger, after all, Mr. Snape has been told repeatedly not to hex back at these three students.”

Hermione bristled at the comment, upset that Severus was left with no recourse when he was clearly the one always being teased and attacked. She narrowed her eyes at Dumbledore.

“I’m afraid that his actions are partially my fault,” she confessed.

Severus whipped his head around and stared at her. Dumbledore regarded her curiously, and Minerva just waited for Hermione to explain her odd statement.

“You see,” Hermione explained, “several weeks ago when I first discovered the teasing that went on from these three and Mr. Lupin, I advised Mr. Snape to stand up for himself and hex them back. It is unfair for him to have to take such abuse without recourse.”

“Professor Granger,” Dumbledore said kindly, “I know you are new here and not aware of all of our rules but…”

“I am perfectly aware of the rules, Headmaster, don’t talk down to me. There’s no reason for Severus to take such abuse from these bullies and let them walk all over him.”

“Professor Granger, do you realize the possible outcome that could come of such a duel?” Minerva asked.

Hermione straightened herself up. “I believe we see some of the possible results in front of us, Professor McGonagall.”

“Enough!” Albus declared. “There will be no expulsions today. A month’s detention for the three of you,” he said to Sirius, Peter, and James. He then looked to Severus. “I will overlook your infraction because of Professor Granger’s advice to you, but be warned, you will not get off so easily the next time. You are all dismissed. Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Pettigrew, report to the infirmary.”

The four boys left the office, but Hermione and Minerva remained. Hermione turned to Albus after the students had gone and the door was closed. She looked at him in anger.

“How long are you going to let this go on, Albus? They have been tormenting him for seven years now while you turn a blind eye.” She turned to Minerva, “And you! When was the last time you sat those boys down and told them to act like seventh-years instead of babies?”

Minerva bristled at the comment. “I have spoken with them numerous times, Hermione, but I cannot control their actions any more than you can.”

“That’s why they should be expelled,” cried Hermione, “or suspended, or something other than a mountain of detentions. They don’t care if they spend the rest of their lives in detention. It’s worth it to them to see Severus humiliated.”

Minerva sighed and Albus regarded Hermione over his glasses.

“Hermione,” he said. “They have done much worse things in the past.”

“Are you talking about the incident with Lupin in the Shrieking Shack?” Hermione asked tersely.

Albus nodded. “Severus was nearly killed.”

“And what punishment was handed out then, sir? Did any of them even receive a detention?”

“Hermione, it was more important to keep Remus Lupin’s secret than to seek punishment for their infractions.”

“And if it had been the other way around? If three Slytherins had played a trick on a Gryffindor, what would have been the outcome then?”

“Hermione, I am not an unfair person, the circumstances . . .”

“I don’t care about the circumstances! What will have to happen before something more is done about this constant war that is going on between the five of them? Will you have to have five dead or dying students in the infirmary?”

Albus looked at her sternly. “This is the last time I will discuss this with you, Professor Granger. The students will stay in school. If they act up again, they will be punished, but this teasing is not an expellable offense. If it were, half of the student body would be sitting in their homes as we speak.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Albus. He would do nothing. Her admiration for him decreased several levels at that moment. She gave him a glaring look and stormed out of the office. Rushing down the stairs in a huff, she was surprised to find James Potter waiting for her by the Gargoyle. His face had puffed up considerably and he would need some help from Poppy soon to avoid skin damage.

“Professor Granger?” James asked tentatively.

Hermione stared at James in anger, but his voice reminded her so much of Harry at that moment that she felt some of her annoyance wash away.

“What is it, Mr. Potter?” she asked in resignation.

“I’m sorry if we got you in trouble in any way.”

Hermione stared at James, dumbfounded. “I am not in any trouble, Mr. Potter.”

James relaxed somewhat.

“Perhaps you should be apologizing to Mr. Snape instead of me,” she instructed.

James made a face, which, with his bloated features, was hard to distinguish.

“What do you have against him anyway?” Hermione asked out of curiosity.

“He’s a git.”

“Ah, and you are not a git when you curse him when his back is turned?”

To James’ credit, he looked embarrassed.

Thoughts of Harry flooded Hermione’s mind as she regarded his father. They were almost duplicates of one another, but how different they were in personality. Harry would never go around picking on someone because he thought they were inferior. He wouldn’t think anyone was inferior in the first place. He didn’t even provoke fights with people he disliked, like Malfoy. They were always the instigators, taunting Harry until he could bear no more and lashed back.

“Can I give you a word of advice, Mr. Potter?”

James looked at her curiously and nodded.

“One day, you will leave these hallowed halls and have a life of your own. I assume you will get married and have a family. I don’t think you will feel very proud of your actions toward Severus Snape when you have to explain to your children about how much of a bully you were in school. Grow up, Mr. Potter.”

With that, she turned and left him staring after her, deep in thought.

She continued down the hall keeping her head down so she wouldn’t have to interact with anyone passing her. Thoughts of Harry filled her. She had been gone for many weeks now and hadn’t realized how much she missed Ron and him. She felt herself begin to tear up. Interacting with James Potter had opened a gaping hole in her. She ached to see her friends again.

“Professor Granger?” a voice called from behind her.

She debated ignoring Severus’ call to her, but she didn’t. She wiped her eyes covertly before turning to him.

He caught up with her and looked at her tentatively.

“Are you upset with me?” he asked her.

She regarded him curiously. Why would she be upset with him?

“Come with me, Mr. Snape,” she ordered as she turned and made her way in between students toward an empty classroom. When they were both within its walls, she closed the door and turned to Severus.

“Why would you think I was upset with you? You weren’t at fault in any of this.”

“Didn’t you get in trouble for defending me?”

She looked at him curiously. “Why would I get in trouble for that?”

He shrugged. “Well, you took the blame for my hexing those prats.”

She raised an eyebrow at his use of the term ‘prats’. “I did not get into any trouble.”

Severus studied her for a minute. “Why are you so upset then?”

Hermione folded her arms in front of her and tapped her foot, unsure whether she should open up to Severus about her feeling homesick. She decided to go ahead. He was her friend after all.

“Several things, really; I’m upset about the conversation that went on after you left, which I will not go into. Then when I came down from the office, James Potter was waiting for me. He actually apologized for his actions. In that moment, he seemed so much like Harry that I realized just how much I missed him.”

Severus frowned. “You miss James’ son?”

“Of course, he’s my best friend. We spent practically every waking moment together for years. He’s someone I enjoy talking to and spending time with. Not a week went by this last year when he and Ron weren’t at Hogwarts visiting me, making sure I was okay.”

“I’m your friend too,” Severus said quietly.

Hermione looked quickly at him. “Severus, I didn’t mean to belittle our friendship. Please don’t be upset with me. I just… I just miss him. We fought Voldemort together, side by side. We worked together to figure out what Harry had to do to defeat him. We relied on one another when there was literally no one else to rely on. We formed a special bond, and I miss that bond, and I miss him. Can you understand what I’m saying?”

Severus looked at her for a long while. “You love him, don’t you?”

Hermione shot a glance at Severus and burst out laughing. “Love Harry Potter? Well, not in the way you’re getting on about. It’s never been like that. He’s like the brother I never had. He’s always been there for me when I’ve been upset; he teases me when I’m sad so I will perk up. So yes, I love Harry Potter, but only as a friend. He’s married anyway.” She smiled thinking of Harry and Ginny. “They’re perfect for each other, really. I don’t think I know of a couple that loves each other more.”

Severus relaxed a little.

“You will see him again soon,” he soothed her.

Hermione looked at the floor. “I know; I just wish he was here.”

“I’m here,” Severus said softly.

Hermione looked up at Severus and caught something in his eyes. It was only there for an instant. She wondered at it. She smiled at him gratefully.

“I know you are, and I appreciate that,” she told him finally.

                                                       oooOOOooo

That evening they were both absorbed in their own activities. Severus was reading a large Potions tome, and Hermione was carefully correcting papers. She made huge red marks on one paper, sighed, and put it on one pile. She then extracted a new exam from the other pile and began to correct it.

Severus was watching her over his book. He studied her as she bit her lower lip while she concentrated on grading. It was very cute. He liked the way she narrowed her eyes when one of the students had given an answer that was so far out of bounds it was silly. She was really beautiful. She had an inner beauty for one thing. Even if she had been awful to look at, her inner beauty would have overshadowed that. But she wasn’t awful to look at. Her curly hair framed her face nicely, and her bone structure was delicate and exceedingly pleasing. All in all, Hermione Granger was a lovely package, one he wished he could possess.

He had practically forgotten about Lily in the past few weeks. His friendship with Hermione had grown, and as it had, he found himself thinking less and less of Lily. That was a really good thing, for Potter and she displayed their feelings for each other everywhere. They walked arm in arm in the hallways, stealing kisses when they thought no one was looking. The whole thing was rather disgusting, but he found that he didn’t long for Lily to notice him anymore. He didn’t wish that she would see how much he loved her because, to tell the truth, he didn’t anymore. He wished they could still be friends, but he no longer loved her. In a way, he was happy that he was finally able to move away from her and go on with his life.

“So,” he said suddenly, “are we going to Hogsmeade together then?”

She looked over at him. “We probably should. It’s best to keep up appearances. We don’t want Lucius to think we broke up.”

He nodded.

“Maybe we could have a butterbeer with Narcissa and him,” she said absently.

He nodded again.

                                                                                   oooOOOooo

Hermione readied for bed. She thought about Severus’ plans to go with her to Hogsmeade. She frowned as she got into bed and climbed under the covers. Despite wanting to sleep, she was deep in thought.

She wished this were really a date, not a pretense of one. Over the past few weeks, her friendship with Severus had grown to something more on her part. She loved spending time with him and was incredibly fond of him. If she were to be honest with herself, she secretly was attracted to him. She loved the deep conversations they would have on just about any subject. She found her mind turning to him often throughout each day, and after the intense look he had given her in the empty classroom earlier, she had been unable to keep him out of her mind.

The look in his eyes had captivated her. Part of her wanted to see him look at her like that all the time, but another part of her was scared by what she had seen. He was brilliant and handsome, but ultimately unattainable. Even though she wanted to get involved with him, it was a really bad idea. The timeline would be in an upheaval at that, and she feared what would happen when she returned to her present. Better to leave it alone than face uncertain consequences in the future.

Chapter Text

The four of them sat at a table in the Three Broomsticks. Severus, Hermione, Lucius, and Narcissa nursed some butterbeers and laughed at random things. Hermione studied Narcissa. She seemed shy. Perhaps that was why Lucius felt he needed to flirt with Hermione. Hermione was anything but shy.

She caught Narcissa looking at her across the table. She looked over at the bathroom and flicked her head toward it. She then excused herself and went to the loo. Narcissa made the same excuse and followed suit. Lucius made some crack about women going to the bathroom in gaggles. Severus gave a low chuckle.

Hermione turned to Narcissa after they had entered the bathroom.

“Miss Black,” she began. “I know it’s none of my business, but are you serious about Mr. Malfoy?”

Narcissa looked at her irately. “He is my boyfriend, and I will not give him up. Do not even think to try and steal him away!”

“Miss Black, you don’t understand. I’m not trying to steal him from you.”

She tried to ease Narcissa’s mind, but Narcissa was still glaring at her.

“I don’t know what is wrong with Mr. Malfoy, but he seems to be unable to keep from flirting with me. I find it incredibly annoying and have told him so numerous times, but he keeps doing it. I just wanted you to know. I don’t think it is fair that he is flirting behind your back.”

She didn’t say it to upset her, but she saw Narcissa bristle at her comments.

“I don’t need the opinions of a Mudblood like you!” Narcissa bellowed at her. “He only looks at you to make me jealous! Don’t you think I see him eyeing you in class?” Narcissa’s face was twisted into an ugly snarl. “I know he would never truly have feelings for someone from your filthy background.”

Hermione seethed at Narcissa’s comments.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you with it then,” she replied coldly.

Hermione stalked out of the bathroom and went past their table. She ignored Lucius and Severus and stormed out of the bar. Severus looked after her worriedly. Excusing himself, he ran after her. She was quick in her anger and was almost halfway down the block when he finally caught up with her.

“Why the sudden departure?” he asked with a mix of concern and annoyance.

“That woman is the most insufferable person I have ever met!” She turned and pointed her finger into Severus’ chest. “You know what? They deserve each other! I have never seen two people better suited because of sheer annoyance factor than those two.”

Severus took her by the hand and led her to a bench. They sat down, and he looked at her with concern.

“What did she do?” he asked.

“I just wanted her to know that Lucius was flirting with me and that I didn’t think it was nice. Before I knew it, she was telling me she didn’t need advice from a Mudblood.”

Hermione felt tears threatening to fall. “Why does it always have to be about that?” she said quietly, looking down in her lap.

Severus pulled her into a hug. “Narcissa is a horrid woman. She looks down her nose at everybody. Don’t take it personally.”

Hermione tried to covertly wipe her eyes before straightening up and pulling away from Severus. “I suppose you’re right,” she admitted. “She really doesn’t change much in the future; she gets worse.”

“Hermione,” Severus said quietly, “it’s not always about your birth line. Anyone with half a brain can see how wonderful you are.”

She gave him a sidelong glance. “But there will always be some who look at me as an outsider. Sometimes I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. I was a misfit as a child in the Muggle world because of magic, and now I’m an outcast in the Magical world because of my bloodline. I’ve been going over that in my mind for the last year. None of my other friends had to hide—just me—because I am the one who is different.” She looked back down into her lap in resignation.

                                                          _________________
  
Severus watched her proud form as she spoke. She was incredibly strong to have to deal with such prejudice, yet still be the caring individual she was. He knew if it had been him in that situation, he would probably lash out at everyone.

“I can understand how you feel,” he told her. “I know I’m not Muggle-born, but I have felt like an outcast for as long as I can remember. The children in my neighborhood would make fun of me for the way I dressed; here I’m just made fun of for being weird.”

Forgetting her own frustration, she looked over at Severus. She flashed him a smile.

“You’re not weird,” she told him. “You’re just unique. There’s nothing wrong with unique.”

He looked back at her gratefully. “Just like there’s nothing wrong with being the child of Muggles.”

She smiled openly and stood up. “Come on, let’s enjoy our day instead of sulking on a bench.”

Severus gave her a shy smile and rose. They walked down the street, looking into shop windows. Suddenly Hermione stopped and gasped. In front of them stood an old book shop.

“That isn’t here in the future!” she whispered.

Severus regarded her with a smile. “Only you could get excited about a book store, Hermione.”

She narrowed her eyes at him and stood on tiptoe to get even with his face. “Don’t tell me the thought of going in there and poking around in the stacks doesn’t make your heart flutter, Severus Snape. You and I are not so different in that regard.”

She left him gaping after her and hurried into the shop. He composed himself and followed her in. She had been right of course. No trip to Hogsmeade for him had been complete without a visit to this particular shop. He would usually find a book he longed for and then go home and dream about owning it. His financial circumstances didn’t leave him room for splurging on unnecessary books.

He saw Hermione headed for his favorite area of the shop: The Ancient and Out of Print section. He hurried to join her. They spent at least half an hour there, perusing the titles and occasionally picking a book off the shelf to flip through it.

“Look at this, Severus,” Hermione finally called to him.

She showed him a book entitled Lost and Forgotten Spells. She flipped through the book carefully, and they saw spells for growing back limbs, freezing people (somewhat like the Petrificus Totalus spell), a flying spell, and one for changing hair color.

“I think I want this book,” Hermione mused.

“You have a desire to turn your hair green?” Severus asked drolly.

“I was thinking more along the lines of bleached blonde, but green might be a nice change,” Hermione mused as she thoughtfully tapped her finger on her chin.

Severus made a face. “Your hair is fine the way it is,” he said quickly.

Hermione sent a smile his way as she snapped the book shut and decided to buy it.

Turning to Severus, she asked, “Are you ready to go? We’ve been holed up here for quite a while, and I am supposed to be visible in case a student needs me.”

He replaced the book he was reading back onto the shelf and nodded to her.

“Aren’t you going to buy that?” she asked him. “You’ve had your nose in it almost the whole time we’ve been here.”

He gave her a quick grin. “Maybe next time.”

She pulled the book from the shelf and headed to the checkout.

“What are you doing?” he snapped at her.

“I’m buying some books,” she told him.

“I don’t need you to buy that for me,” he tersely whispered.

She looked over at him as she put the books on the counter and pulled some money from her pocket.

“I’m not buying it for you; I’m buying it as a gift for you.”

“Hermione,” he growled.

She paid for the books and left the store. Severus followed, looking at her sternly. When they had exited the shop, she handed the book to him and shrunk her book, placing it in her pocket.

Severus took the book but looked at her crossly. “I can’t accept this. I will pay you back when I can.”

Annoyance flashed in Hermione’s eyes. “Can’t I buy you a gift, Severus?” she asked in a brusque tone.

“There is no reason for you to get me any such gift,” he snapped.

She turned toward him. “I just wanted to thank you in some way.” She trailed off, giving him a pleading look.

“You have made me feel comfortable in a time that is not my own, you have been my friend, and have stuck up for me when Lucius and Narcissa have been intolerable. I just wanted to show you that I appreciate your friendship. Can’t you accept a simple gift from me?”

Severus softened considerably. “Thank you, then,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry I made a big deal out of it.”

Hermione beamed at him. He shrunk the book and it disappeared into his robes. They began walking down the street again.

“I have wanted that book for almost seven years now,” he told her quietly.

If it were possible, Hermione’s smile got wider. “Well, I’m glad that I found something you would treasure.”

Severus stopped walking and looked at her seriously. She turned and gave him a quizzical look.

“I treasure you,” he said softly before he slowly covered her lips with his and kissed her.

                                                          ______________

Hermione’s heart leapt. She had never felt such love directed at her. She became lost in him as his arms surrounded her and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with all of the pent up passion that had been mounting within her over the past few weeks. They stood there, enraptured with one another for a minute before Hermione came to her senses and broke the moment by pushing Severus away from her.

“No, Severus, we can’t do this.”

“Why not?” he asked as he searched her face.

“I don’t belong here! This isn’t my time. This isn’t supposed to happen.”

“Who cares what’s supposed to happen?” he said sultrily.

“I can’t, Severus. There’s no future in this. I can’t do it. Please, respect my wishes about this!”

He gazed at her sadly as she pulled away from him. She felt him release her as she smoothed out her robes. She could tell his mind was racing.

Looking at her solemnly, he said, “All right, I’ll respect your wishes, but you will not break off our friendship because of a little slip of the tongue.”

Hermione giggled at his pun. She continued to walk down the street, and he followed her, looking a bit concerned.

“I just told you before that I value our friendship, Severus. I wouldn’t throw it away so easily.”

His shoulders sagged in relief, and he relaxed considerably, smiling shyly at her. They continued to walk in silence until they reached the end of the street. There was a huge field that met the street here. Hermione recognized it as somewhere Harry, Ron, and she would have snowball fights in winter, but there was something different about it now, other than the lack of snow. There was a giant Willow tree in the center of the field. It was the most beautiful tree she had ever seen.

She wandered up to it and touched the trunk. “I wonder what happened to you,” she mused.

“Who are you talking to?” Severus asked.

She looked at him, a bit startled to have said what she did out loud.

“This tree,” she said, then looked at him slyly, “And no, I don’t make a habit of talking to inanimate objects.” Turning back to the tree and moving slowly around its trunk, she continued. “This isn’t here in the future. I wonder who would cut down such a beautiful tree.”

                                                     ___________________

Severus looked over the tree he had never really noticed before. Hermione had a way of seeing things differently than he, in always a more positive light. He admired her ability to get excited over a simple tree.

She looked back at him and shook her head. “I know I’m being silly, gushing about a tree. It’s just so beautiful.”

Severus wanted to compliment her beauty, but he didn’t dare after the fiasco that had happened a few minutes before. He’d thought she might be attracted to him, but after almost ruining their friendship, he wasn’t ready to go there again. He looked back up at the tree.

“It is filled out rather nicely.”

“Very diplomatic answer,” she joked.

His eyes grew wide as he looked at her, not sure what to say next to not have her make fun of him more.

“Come on, let’s go.” She said finally. It’s getting late.”

They turned to leave and were headed across the field when four large pops sounded, and they were surrounded by four Death Eaters. Severus and Hermione whipped their wands out and stood back to back, ready for a fight.

Chapter Text

“Come on, let’s go,” Hermione said finally. “It’s getting late.”

They turned to leave and were headed across the field when four large pops sounded and they were surrounded by four Death Eaters. Severus and Hermione whipped their wands out and stood back to back, ready for a fight.

“Voldemort has a warning for you, Mudblood!” one of the Death Eaters snarled.

Without waiting, Hermione blasted the man. At exactly the same time, Severus blasted one of the others and watched him fly backward with a satisfying thud. The other two were prepared by now and started throwing spells at Severus and Hermione. The two kept their backs to one another and threw spells at their attackers. Severus sent another one of them flying, but he was replaced by the man Hermione had knocked out.

Hermione shot a hex at one of the Death Eaters but barely noticed a spell coming for her. She barely had time to cast a Protego Charm to shield herself. Severus sent spell after spell at the Death Eaters, but nothing seemed to faze them. All four of the men had now regained their feet and were shooting spells so quickly that Hermione and Severus were having a hard time keeping up. Hermione sent a flock of birds soaring toward the two Death Eaters facing her. The two men stooped low and started waving about, trying to shoo away the attacking birds.

“Nice one,” Severus encouraged her.

“It works well on stupid boyfriends too,” Hermione divulged as she cast a Stupefy hex at another Death Eater.

“Stupid boyfriends?” Severus inquired.

“The ones that go snogging other girls to make you jealous,” Hermione said quickly as she shot more spells at the Death Eaters and ducked their own onslaught.

Severus grinned as he fought, but his grin soon disappeared as the two Death Eaters who weren’t fighting off the birds turned and destroyed all of the attacking blight. The crouching Death Eaters rose with evil grins on their faces.

Soon, all four of them were sending hexes almost simultaneously at Hermione and Severus. Before the two could do anything more, strong ropes surrounded them and they stood helplessly in the middle of the attackers.

Hermione struggled with her bonds and growled at the Death Eaters. “Let him go; he’s just a student. I’m the one you want.”

“Hermione!” Severus growled.

“He’s been seen with a Mudblood; he deserves what he gets!” came a voice to their left.

The first Death Eater came up to Hermione and put his masked face up to hers.

“The Dark Lord wants you to know he is not without compassion, even for someone as lowly as yourself. Leave your position at Hogwarts and discontinue your sullying of the purebloods that attend that school. If you do not leave, the next time we find you it will be your death.”

Hermione snarled at him. “You think you’re tough tying up a woman and a student?” She struggled to get at the Death Eater. “Does that make you feel like a man? Tell your stupid Dark Lord this: I will never give in to his demands. He will never make me cower in fright. He does not intimidate me in the least; he is nothing but a little man with little ideas.”

Severus closed his eyes. He knew the Death Eaters would not take kindly to her blatant disregard for Voldemort’s powers. As brave as she was, she was being incredibly stupid.

The Death Eater backed away and snarled, “How dare you speak against our Lord!”

He raised his wand and shouted some spells. The ropes fell away from them, and Severus was knocked to the ground, unable to stand. He heard Hermione scream and fall beside him. She continued to scream in agony as the Death Eaters disappeared and Severus struggled to get to a sitting position. He wasn’t in pain; he just was incapable of moving and bearing weight on his legs. Finally, he managed to sit up and looked over at Hermione. She was unconscious. He had to get her back to Hogwarts.

He struggled to stand and picked Hermione up. He fell back to the ground and began again, this time able to support himself and Hermione on his wobbly legs. Turning on the spot, he Apparated back to the gates. He fell to his knees as he appeared in front of the wrought-iron gates.

Thankful he hadn’t splinched either of them, he struggled to stand with her again and pushed the gates open, hurrying up the walk. Within a couple of minutes, and with much stumbling, he had entered the infirmary and placed Hermione on a bed. Severus sunk to the floor in relief and exhaustion. Madam Pomfrey rushed over and asked what happened as she waved her wand over the unconscious woman.

Severus told her quickly, and she exclaimed, “Her insides are like they’ve been set on fire. She’s got burns all over her organs!"

Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over Hermione once again.

"Augamenti interno,” she chanted to stop the spell’s progress. She then set to work repairing Hermione’s internal injuries.

Severus pulled himself up and collapsed on the bed next to her. He had barely made it to the infirmary, he was so weak. Finally, Poppy had finished with Hermione. She turned her attention to Severus and waved her wand over him. He immediately felt better. She went over to her supplies and procured a potion, which she had him drink.

“If you had brought her in five minutes later, Mr. Snape, I don’t think she would have survived,” she told him as she watched him drink down the potion. “She owes you her life,” Poppy continued. “Now, you need to rest here tonight. You can go in the morning. Professor Granger, however, will probably be here for a few days.” She rose and left the room.

Severus looked over at Hermione. She was still unconscious. He thanked Merlin that he had gotten her here in time. He wouldn’t have been able to forgive himself if she had perished. Scooting his bed a little closer to hers, he continued to watch her, hoping she would regain consciousness soon. If she could just open her eyes and speak to him, he would know that she would be all right.

He sighed in relief a little while later when Hermione’s eyes slowly opened. She looked over at Severus.

“Are you all right?” she asked him in a weak voice.

He smiled at her. “You’re the one who almost died.”

She grimaced. “I knew I was in too much pain to be dead.”

“Madam Pomfrey said you would be fine in a couple of days.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“I’m just a bit weak. I can leave in the morning.”

Hermione reached her hand out to Severus. He reached over and took it.

Looking at him with tears in her eyes, she whispered, “Thank you for saving my life.”

He gave her a tentative smile. “What else are knights in shining armor for?”

Hermione smiled back at him. She took her hand back and looked up at the ceiling.

“I’m sorry I endangered you, Severus,” she told him. “I was caught by surprise. I should have been ready for an attack. I wasn’t. It was stupid. I know better… I’ve been taught better. I just got comfortable here as nothing serious is going on.”

“Hermione, they popped out of nowhere. Even if you had been prepared, there were too many of them. They would have subdued us eventually.”

Hermione sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I’m still sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I would have felt terrible if you had been alone.”

She smiled ruefully. “That’s funny, I would have felt better.”

“So you think that being dead would have made you feel better?”

“Okay, you’re right, it’s better to be alive even if every part of my body feels like it’s on fire. I just wish you weren’t caught up in all of this.”

“You’ll recuperate, and I’m fine.”

“How did they find us, anyway?”

Severus looked at her for a moment. “I would assume one of my housemates told their parents that you were to chaperone today. They must have gotten back to You-Know-Who, and he gave the order to his men.”

Hermione nodded, deep in thought.

“Are you going to go back to your own time then?” Severus asked tentatively.

She huffed at him. “Hardly! I’m not nearly finished with Malfoy, and I won’t be intimidated by that despot.”

“Hermione, he won’t stop until he’s killed you.”

Hermione looked at Severus in determination. “He’ll have to catch me first.”

Severus regarded her in exasperation. He didn’t know whether to admire her bravado or think she was foolish for not returning to her own time and to safety.

Noticing his expression, she gave him a caustic look. “And what kind of message will I be sending if I just pack up and disappear? There are enough people in our world that turn a blind eye or hide themselves in the face of danger. I have never been one of them, and I’m not about to start now!”

He knew Hermione had been a war hero, but he had not realized just how brave she truly was. Here she was, willing to risk her life, just so she could make a better future for everyone. Could he ever do such a thing? He wasn’t sure. He was quite fond of his life and did not know if he would be so magnanimous as to risk it for others, especially those he didn’t even know. Of course, his future self had done just that, hadn’t he? Perhaps he did have that kind of bravery within himself.

“You’re incredibly brave, Hermione,” he said finally.

She scoffed at him. “I have always just done what I had to do. Bravery never had much to do with it.”

He looked at her skeptically but decided to drop the matter. They lapsed into a companionable silence, each filled with their own thoughts. Severus continued to marvel at Hermione’s lack of fear. She might make light of her bravery, but he knew it took an incredibly strong person to stand up to You-know-Who like she had. He truly admired her. She always spoke her mind, no matter the consequences. Her sharp tongue had been something he had appreciated about her from the beginning of their relationship. He did hope, however, that she could learn to keep it in check when faced with danger in the future. He sincerely doubted it though.

                                                           _______________

Hermione, however, gave no thought to her supposed bravery. She was thinking of the incident that preceded their attack. The memory of his kiss was seared into her mind. She had never felt like she had when he had kissed her. He had sent shivers throughout her entire body. Whenever she had kissed Ron, or Viktor for that matter, it had just been pleasant. This kiss had been all-consuming. She realized that she wanted him to kiss her like that all the time. But that couldn’t happen, could it?

Hermione felt a pang of guilt for pushing him off. She knew he was probably hurt and confused, but he had not shown any of that. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t fall in love with him; it would be too hard. He would be left alone when she needed to return to her time. She had seen what the absence of Lily had done to him. Vowing she would not be the source of him pushing everyone away or of him pining away for a woman who was unattainable, she concluded that any relationship with him would be impossible. Hermione turned away from Severus and tried to sleep. Before she knew it, she had drifted off, dreaming of his lips on hers and his arms encircling her.

A/N: Next up: Dumbledore's wicked proposal.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. As you might be able to tell, even though Hermione has sworn off Severus, she can't keep her feelings for him from growing.

Chapter Text

Hermione walked to her classroom. She had finally been set free from the infirmary the previous night and was anxious to get back to her normal routine. She entered the classroom and greeted several students who were already there. Mallory looked up from the desk, her black curls bobbing as she did, and smiled broadly at Hermione.

“It’s about time you got back! I have had to correct hundreds of papers while you took your little vacation, young lady.”

Hermione smiled at her. Mallory was a huge tease, but she was very caring. She had become a good friend.

They were team-teaching today, and they quickly began the lesson to the seventh-years. Mallory took the first half of the lesson while Hermione wandered around the classroom, checking on the students’ work. She stopped by Peter Jones’ desk and helped him figure out something that had been stumping him.

She liked Peter; he was a good student and a likable sort. He always tried very hard, but he had a difficult time with this subject. She had felt an affinity to him because he was Muggle-born also. She had seen him trying his hardest to compensate for the prejudices he received from some of his classmates. The truth was, he could best most of them in a duel, and he was very good at everything he set his mind to, except for Arithmancy, of course.

She wandered over and looked at Lucius’ paper. He wasn’t doing that well in the class either. He was probably too busy staring at her to learn anything. She gave him a suggestion as to how to finish the problem and then kept roaming the room. She gave Severus a quick smile as she passed. He never needed any help. She glanced at Lily Evans' paper. She too was doing fine. As she continued to roam, a plan formed in her mind that could help in her mission. It definitely would help her two struggling students, if nothing else.

She went to the front of the class and began her half of the lesson. Before long the time was done.

“Mr. Jones and Mr. Malfoy, may I see you both for a minute, please?” she asked as everyone got up and started to file out.

The two young men waited until the room was empty save for Severus, who was waiting for Lucius. They approached Hermione’s desk.

Hermione looked at both students. “I think you both would benefit from some tutoring sessions. I will meet you here tonight at six o’clock. We will work for an hour each week.”

The students nodded their heads at her and turned to leave. She could tell Lucius was not looking forward to spending an hour with two Muggle-borns. He would learn to adjust, she was sure. She also hoped it gave him a different view of Muggle-borns in general.

Severus had hung back still and now he came up to her desk.

She looked at him and said, “Can we reschedule for seven on Thursday nights?”

He visibly relaxed.

“I thought you were going to cancel permanently,” he said softly.

“Nonsense!” Hermione replied. “I think we both enjoy our evenings together and get a lot done.”

Severus brightened, then got a contemplative look on his face.

“Can I come and help you tutor?” he asked.

“Oh you are such a kiss-up!” she taunted him. He growled at her.

Hermione smiled back. “Yes, if you’d like, I could use a hand. We can work one on one with them and then combine for the last fifteen minutes or so.”

“Great!” he said. “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m not exactly feeling normal, but I am doing much better, thank you.”

Severus nodded. “I’ll see you tonight then.”

oooOOOooo

Mallory walked up to her after the last class.

“So, you were in Hogsmeade with Severus Snape when you were attacked?” she asked innocently.

Hermione looked up at her from the desk.

“Yes, and it’s a good thing too, he saved my life.”

“I’ve noticed you two are pretty friendly. What’s going on?” Mallory asked.

Hermione shrugged. “We’re just friends, Mallory. He’s a smart guy. I like chatting with him.”

Mallory smiled at her and leaned over the desk so she could look into Hermione’s eyes.

“I see the way you smile at him. You like that boy.”

Hermione’s eyes grew wide. “Mallory, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“I just want you to know that I think it’s great,” Mallory said without missing a beat. “Severus is a loner. It’s nice to see him hanging out with someone other than himself or the crowd he takes up with usually.”

“Really,” Hermione stammered, “there’s nothing going on. I…”

“Don’t tell me you don’t like him, Hermione, and I can tell he likes you.”

Hermione looked down. “I know he likes me,” she said ruefully.

“And you’re upset by that because… ?” Mallory insisted.

“It’s just not right.”

“Because you’re his teacher?”

“No, I’m just a teaching assistant, and besides, he’s of age. It’s because I’m from the future, Mallory, you know that. To be honest with you, I know Severus in the future, and I can’t see anything coming of a relationship with him now except for heartbreak.”

Mallory contemplated that for a moment. “I’m not sure of what you mean. You don’t know that things won’t work out for you two.”

Hermione gave her an exasperated look. “Mallory, if we do get together and stay together until I return to my real time, there will be a twenty-five-year gap between the time he tells me good-bye and the time he sees me again. That’s just not fair.”

Mallory smiled at Hermione. “I think it’s romantic!” she gushed.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Yes, on paper it’s incredibly romantic. Lovesick fool waits for true love for twenty-five years. It’s a romance novel waiting to happen, but this is real life. I have no right to put him through something like that! It will just lead to heartbreak.”

“I think you should go for it. You two are really cute together.”

“Mallory!” Hermione said and gave her a caustic look. “Drop it already!”

“All right, but when you two get together, I want to be the first to know.”

“You’ll have a long wait, my dear,” Hermione told her as Mallory left the room laughing.

oooOOOooo

The tutoring session went well. Hermione worked with Lucius and Severus worked with Peter. For the last part of the session, they grouped together. Hermione was impressed to see Peter explain something to Lucius. He had evidently grasped onto what Severus had taught him and was now helping the other student.

Looking at Lucius, she saw he was a bit astonished to be receiving good ideas from a Muggle-born. Smiling to herself, she was glad that the two seemed to be getting along and perhaps even finding some things they had in common. Hopefully, this plan would work, and Lucius would become a changed man.

The tutoring session was now finished. The two students seemed to both have a better grasp of the subject when they had left. She and Severus were now heading up to the seventh floor.

“I was surprised I only had to tell Malfoy to keep his hands off me once,” Hermione mused. “If it weren’t so annoying it would be comical.”

Severus didn’t say anything.

They got to their room and settled themselves in for their usual evening. Hermione had loads to correct. Even though Mallory had said she had graded papers, she had left most of them for Hermione. Her mountain of work was three times the size it usually was. She began grading and soon lost track of time and her surroundings. After a long while, she realized that it had been eerily silent. Severus hadn’t said a word all evening.

“You’re being unusually quiet,” she remarked to him.

He looked over at her with a worried look. “There’s something I need to tell you, and I’m not quite sure how to go about it.”

Hermione put down her quill and looked at him. “How about just saying it outright?” she suggested.

Severus sighed. “Dumbledore called me into his office the other day. Since the attack at Hogsmeade, he feels he would like to have some advanced warning to Voldemort’s doings. He asked me to join the Death Eaters and be a spy for him.”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open. She got up and raced to the couch.

“You told him no, right?” she asked as she settled in next to him.

He gave her a plaintive look.

Hermione felt hot tears brimming in her eyes. She grasped Severus’ hand.

“You can’t, Severus.”

“Hermione, it will be different this time. I’m going in as a spy already. Perhaps I can do just as much good as I did before without all of the guilt and shame.”

She hung her head. He was right of course; it would be different. But she couldn’t bear to see him live the way he had before… coming back from meetings having had the Cruciatus curse cast upon him so much that he could hardly walk.

“You should have told him no,” she whispered.

“What would you have done, Hermione? Would you have told him no?” he asked angrily.

She looked up at him. “No, I wouldn’t have either,” she said in a resigned tone. “It’s just that Dumbledore… he uses people. He cares for them, I know, but he uses them nonetheless. He used you before, and he’s going to do it again.”

“But if I can help defeat You-Know-Who, it will be worth it, don’t you think?”

She considered his words. “I’m not sure the end justifies the means all the time.” She turned back to him. “Severus, you will be risking your life every day. Can’t you just tell him to find someone else?”

“There is no one else. I’m the only one who has been involved with them but not joined them. All of the others who would make believable spies are already loyal to Voldemort.”

“Voldemort will hurt you. What if he kills you?”

                                                   ________________

With Hermione’s statement, Severus’ mind went to the conversation he’d had with Dumbledore.

“Now, my boy,” Dumbledore said, “I know if you accept this assignment, there will be times when you will be tortured. Your life will be in jeopardy every time you meet with Voldemort.”

Severus looked down and nodded. “It doesn’t seem that I have a choice.”

Dumbledore looked at him sharply. “Of course you have a choice, but you must realize that we need someone like you on the other side. Think of the things we could find out about the Death Eater organization with you in the middle of it.”

“Do you think that I’ll be able to fool him for long?”

“Have you heard of the art of Occlumency?”

Severus shook his head.

Dumbledore explained, “It is the ability to shield your mind from others. We will work together so you can learn this art. It will keep Voldemort from knowing your secrets.”

“When do we start?” Severus asked, finally making his decision to become the spy Dumbledore wanted him to be.

“Immediately. You need to be able to shield yourself when you take the Mark.”

“And you think this Occlumency will keep him from torturing me too? Perhaps keep him from killing me?”

Dumbledore gave him a fatherly look. “I can only hope, my boy. I can only hope.”

Severus came back to the present and looked into Hermione’s eyes seriously. “He won’t kill me. I will shield my thoughts from him, so he won’t know I’m a spy.”

“So you already know Occlumency?” Hermione asked.

Severus’ eyes widened. He kept forgetting she knew so much about the future.

“Dumbledore is teaching me. It seems to be going well so far.”

“Your ability as an Occlumens is legend among the Order, Severus. You still need to be careful.”

“I will be,” he assured her.

“When will you take the Mark?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“I’ll wait for you here. From what I understand, it is very painful.”

“You don’t need to wait for me. It will probably take a while. Lucius said to be prepared to be gone all night.”

“I’ll wait.”

He studied her determined expression. Why did she care about him so much? It made his heart race to think about it. She may not love him, but she cared about him. No one, except his Mother and maybe Lily had ever cared about his welfare. Nobody cared, and he hadn’t felt deserving of caring. But she cared, and it made him feel special. It made him feel loved, whether she felt that she loved him or not.

He smiled shyly at her. “I should get going,” he said. “It’s getting late.”

“Be careful tomorrow, Severus,” she warned him.

                                                      ________________

He got up and then stooped down and kissed her forehead. She smiled up at him as he turned and left. As he closed the door behind him, her smile faded from her lips and she put her head in her hands. Thoughts of Severus returning from being tortured flooded her mind. Over and over she relived the two times she had personally found him when he had returned from such torture sessions. She knew that these were hardly the only times he had endured such horrors.

The first time had been in the summer before her fifth year.

Hermione sat reading in the Grimmauld place library. It was quite late, but time never concerned her when she was reading. She was turning a page when the door opened and in burst Severus Snape.

He took two steps and collapsed on the floor.

“Oh Merlin!” she cried as she jumped up and hurried over to Severus.

She took his hands and dragged him over to the sofa. Realizing she was a witch, she pulled her wand out and levitated him onto the couch. She gave him a concerned look and ran to get Molly. Racing into the kitchen, she stopped short in front of the older witch.

“Mrs. Weasley, come quick. It’s Professor Snape!”

Both witches burst back into the library and Molly hurried over to Severus with her wand extended. She bustled around the man waving her wand and chanting spells to soothe his misery. All the while, he groaned and writhed under her wand work. She went over to a cabinet in the library and pulled out a couple of potions and motioned for Hermione to help him take them.

She gently helped him swallow the potions once he’d settled a little. He still moaned, but took them, which seemed to calm him some. Finally, he relaxed and fell asleep, looking somewhat peaceful after the agony he had endured.

The second time she had found him passed out in the hall at Hogwarts during her sixth year.

It had been getting late, and Hermione was returning to her rooms after a study session in the library. She was near the infirmary when she saw a crumpled figure only feet away from its entrance. Rushing to the body, she found Severus Snape unconscious on the floor. He had looked as if he’d been beaten to within an inch of his life.

Racing into the Infirmary she searched for the Mediwitch.

“Madam Pomfrey!” she cried.

The older witch came out of her office looking concerned.

“Professor Snape is unconscious in the hall. He’s hurt badly,” she explained hurriedly.

Madam Pomfrey rushed out and soon had Severus levitated and placed on a hospital bed.

“Miss Granger, thank you so much for alerting me,” she said as she waved her wand over the Potions Master.

Poppy glanced over at the student. “I’ve got it from here. You can return to your dormitory.”

“But…”

“Miss Granger… please go,” Poppy had said as she turned her attention back to Severus.

Hermione had left then. She’d not heard a word about the incident, and when Severus returned to classes several days later, he’d never mentioned the incident to her.

Hermione’s heart clenched within her as she thought of the night of the Final battle when Severus had almost died.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry emerged from their hiding place in the shack, startling Severus, who by then was almost completely paralyzed. Hermione stared sadly at Severus as he tried to convey to Harry that he was to take the memories that had been pouring out of his body.

She quickly conjured up a vial for Harry to secure the memories and handed it to him. Turning back to Severus, she looked at him regretfully. She thought he was an attempted murderer, but still felt a pang of sadness as she watched the life slowly ebbing out of the man.

Suddenly she felt an intense urge to help him. Hermione quickly rifled through her bag as Harry scooped up the last bits of memory. Grabbing the vial of Dittany, she poured the entire contents onto his gaping neck wound. It smoked and closed up somewhat, the strength of the Dittany making Severus pass out. She wondered if he actually had just died.

Harry stoppered up the vial with Severus’ memories in it and motioned for them to go. Hermione followed the two boys out, but she didn’t forget that Severus lay unconscious or dead on the floor of the Shrieking Shack.

When the battle finally ended, she quickly sought out Madam Pomfrey.

“Madam Pomfrey, Professor Snape is seriously injured in the Shrieking Shack. He was attacked by Voldemort’s giant snake. I poured some Dittany on his wound, but I’m not sure if he’s survived. Please, is there anything more we can do?”

Madam Pomfrey looked at her gravely. “Take me to him. The Dittany may have kept him stable.  Let’s see if we can save him.”

Poppy quickly ran to the infirmary and grabbed some potions. Soon Hermione and she were heading for the Shack again.

On her return to the Shack, she noticed something that she had blocked out the first time. Severus was lying in a large pool of his own blood. It was everywhere. His lifeless hands lay in it, and it surrounded him. Hermione felt her heart constrict.

‘There is no way anyone could have survived losing so much blood,’ she thought.

Severus hadn’t moved since her departure. His eyes were closed, his head lay limply against the pool of blood on the floor, and his body was eerily still. However, when they came close to him, and Hermione touched him, she felt his body was still warm.

‘Could he possibly still be alive?’

Poppy set to work. She unstopped a vial and asked Hermione to support Severus’ neck as she prepared to pour the liquid onto his wound. Hermione lifted Severus’ head slightly and placed her hands between it and the blood on the floor. She held his neck and waited.

Madam Pomfrey poured the entire vial onto the gashes in Severus' neck. The parts that had not been closed by the Dittany immediately closed over, and Severus’ neck began to look the way it had been before being mauled. Poppy had Hermione turn Severus’ head, and then she poured a Blood-Replenishing Potion gently into his mouth and helped him swallow it by massaging his throat.

“What was that you put on the wound?” Hermione asked curiously.

“Phoenix tears. They’re not as potent as when they’re fresh, but they’re the only hope he has.”

“Will he live?” Hermione asked fearfully.

Poppy nodded yes. She stood up. “There’s nothing else we can do. The phoenix tears need to go through his body. They should be able to rid his body of the venom, but it will take a bit of time since he has been here for so long without treatment.”

Poppy conjured up a stretcher and levitated Severus’ body onto it. The women made their way slowly back to the Great Hall, where Severus took his place among the wounded, his true role in the war having been revealed by Harry.

After many hours, Poppy decided to move him to somewhere more private. She placed him in a hidden recovery room in the back of the infirmary and settled him into it. He lay there unconscious for four days before he finally stirred. It took several weeks after that before he had the strength to leave the bed. He didn’t fully recover for six months.

Hermione balled up her fists in frustration at the possibility that he would have to relive that and every other torture he had undergone again. What was Dumbledore doing? First, he tells her to get Severus to change his ways, and then he tells him to become a spy anyway. She angrily rose. She needed to speak with Albus.

Chapter Text

Hermione gave the gargoyle the password and ascended the stairs to Dumbledore’s office. She rapped on the door and waited for admittance. After a few minutes, Albus opened the door and looked at Hermione, a large smile crossing his face as he opened the door wide to admit her. She glared at him as she stormed past and flung herself into the chair in front of his desk.

“Albus, how could you ask Severus to spy against Voldemort?” she demanded without preamble.

He smiled at her benevolently. “Hermione, after your attack I realized it would be beneficial to keep tabs on Voldemort from within his organization. Severus is perfect for that job.”

“Do you have any idea what can happen to him?”

“Of course I do.”

“But you’ll let him risk his life day in and day out anyway?”

“Hermione, it seems that you have a great affection for our Severus,” Dumbledore said kindly.

Hermione huffed. “That’s beside the point, Albus. You haven’t seen him coming back from Death Eater meetings barely able to stand, having been tortured beyond most people’s ability to bear. You didn’t see him lying on the floor of the Shrieking Shack, nearly dead, gushing blood from the attack of a giant snake! You can’t do this to him!”

She was standing now, pleading for Severus Snape, trying to spare him the world of hurt that he had endured before.

“Hermione,” he said softly, “I understand the risks and so does Severus. He has agreed to do this for the good of our world. Don’t deny him the ability to serve.”

“So why did I bother telling him anything about the future? You’ve consigned him to the same fate as before.”

“Hermione, do you really think Severus is the same person as he was when you came here?”

Hermione regarded Albus for a minute. “Of course not, Albus; but it all seems rather pointless when you are making him become a spy anyway.”

“I am not making him become anything. The choice was his. He is fully aware of the possible consequences, and he is willing to risk his life to help the Order’s cause.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you really care about anybody, Albus, or is this all just a game to you?”

“I assure you, Hermione, I take these assignments very seriously. I thought long and hard before asking Severus to do this. It is the only way.”

Hermione leaned forward on the desk until she was eye to eye with Dumbledore.

“I swear, Headmaster, if he dies, I will seek revenge on you, no matter what year it is.” Hermione straightened up and stalked out of the room. She didn’t sleep at all that night.

oooOOOooo

Lack of sleep and her trepidation about Severus proved to make Hermione a nasty person the next day. She had deducted dozens of points and given five detentions during the day. She now stormed toward the Great Hall and dinner with a great cloud of frustration hanging over her. She looked around crossly, feeling much like the Severus Snape of the future, glowering at students as they passed by. The few who looked up at her quickly gave her a wide berth as she looked at them crossly, daring them to do something stupid so she could deduct points from their houses. She turned the corner and without warning was knocked flat on her back by a student running in the hall.

Hermione sat up, looking livid. “What in Merlin’s name do you think you’re doing running in the halls?” she yelled before noticing the student who had knocked her down was Severus.

“I’m sorry, Professor!” he stammered as he helped her to a standing position. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine,” she commented as her gaze went past him.

Her eyes narrowed as she noticed her least favorite trouble makers, the Marauders, all standing in a group with their wands extended, panting as if they had just run a marathon. She stormed over to the four Gryffindors.

“What is the meaning of this? Why are you running in the halls with your wands extended?”

The boys put their wands away quickly and stared at the floor, looking as if they had been caught stealing.

“Mr. Lupin, would you mind explaining your behavior?” Hermione demanded lividly.

“Pro… Professor Granger… we… we were just…”

“Mr. Black, perhaps you can be a bit more eloquent than Mr. Lupin?”

Sirius flashed a brilliant smile at her. “We were just getting a little exercise, that’s all.”

“By playing hex the Slytherin, I presume?” Hermione grunted haughtily as she folded her arms.

“No, no, you misunderstand. Severus here was running of his own accord. He had nothing to do with us running. We were just playing a game amongst ourselves, to see who could get to the Great Hall the fastest.”

Severus stood to the side, glowering at them as Sirius gave his ‘explanation.’

Hermione’s eyes narrowed at Black. “Mr. Potter,” she spat, “if this was just a game, why were your wands extended.”

James thought furiously for a minute. “It was for a… a cushioning charm! In case we ran into somebody… like Snape there did to you.”

Hermione held back the desire to hex them all against a wall and watch them slowly slide down it.

She looked down at the floor. “Mr. Snape, what happened here?”

Severus scowled at the four young men as he began his tale. “I was out on the lawn studying when I heard these four laughing as they approached me. I quickly packed my things and stood to leave the area when Pettigrew urged Black to cast a jinx on me. Being warned by the Headmaster about defending myself, I chose to make a run for it before they had a chance to send the jinx at me. The four of them pursued me across the lawn and into the building. I was looking behind me when you came around the corner, and I did not see you. I am sorry to have knocked you down, Professor.”

Hermione had been staring at the floor the entire time that Severus had been talking. She now looked up with a murderous glare at Potter, Black, Pettigrew, and Lupin.

Her voice became dangerously soft. “Do you four boys have anything to add to your story?”

Sirius gave her another winning smile. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to say something stupid. Sirius’ smile faltered, and he said nothing.

“None of you have anything to add?”

The young men were silent.

“Fine. Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, Mr. Pettigrew, and Mr. Lupin, as it seems that none of you know how to tell the truth, I will expect a two-foot parchment from each of you about being truthful and on the consequences of lying. I expect them on my desk tomorrow morning. Fifty points from Gryffindor for each of you. You are all banned from Hogsmeade weekends until after the holidays, and you all have detentions for the next month. Keep it up boys and you’ll never have another free evening to yourselves.”

Peter Pettigrew decided to make a remark then. Pointing at Severus, he said, “Well what about him? He knocked you to the floor. Aren’t you going to take points away from him?”

Hermione closed the gap between herself and Pettigrew. She narrowed her eyes at him, wishing to wipe that rat-like smirk off his face.

“Twenty points from Gryffindor for talking back to a teacher, Mr. Pettigrew.” Without breaking her stare at Peter, she continued, “Twenty points to Slytherin, Mr. Snape, for not starting World War Three.”

Peter’s eyes widened as Hermione stepped back and regarded the four Marauders. “You will come with me to the Defense classroom now. Mr. Snape, you will accompany us.”

“But it’s dinner time!” James exclaimed.

“Perhaps you should have thought of that before you decided to torment Mr. Snape. You will have sufficient time to eat your dinner, Mr. Potter. Follow me please.”

They quickly made their way to the Defense classroom. Hermione entered, closely followed by the five students. She turned and looked with fury on the four Gryffindors.

“Seeing as you all have an insatiable desire to duel, I am giving you a chance to get it out of your system. You will each have a turn at Mr. Snape, to do with him as you wish, but be warned, he will not go lightly with any of you either. Mr. Black, you first.”

They all stared at Hermione incredulously. Had she just ordered them to duel each other? She must have gone mad!

“No low blows or dark magic from either of you,” she instructed as she backed away to give them room to duel. Severus pulled his wand out and started to circle Sirius. Sirius did the same. Severus was the first to cast a spell, which Sirius was barely able to block in time. Sending a Stupify hex of his own, he had Severus ducking before shooting one back. Sirius wasn’t quick enough and the hex shot him backwards and into the wall. Severus sneered in delight as he saw Black’s body crumple in a heap on the floor.

“Well,” Hermione mused after a moment, “Mr. Black, where’s all your macho bravado now? Why aren’t you teaching Mr. Snape a lesson for hexing you into the wall?”

Sirius didn’t look at her; he just got up and dusted himself off as he returned to his friends’ side, looking sheepish for being defeated so quickly.

Mr. Pettigrew, you’re up,” Hermione ordered.

Peter looked scared to death as he raised his wand, ready to battle. It quivered as he stood poised to duel. He sent his spell early, but Severus was ready for him anyway. He protected himself and then sent his hex flying toward Pettigrew. Another of the Marauders slammed against the wall.

“Mr. Snape, a word on your technique,” Hermione said as she moved next to him. “When you send your hex out, you should extend your arm straight like this.”

She took his hand in hers and shot another spell with him, stretching out his arm fully, pretending to better his flawless technique. The hex left his wand and slammed into Peter Pettigrew, who was still on the floor from the first hex.

“Whoops! Sorry about that, Mr. Pettigrew,” she cried, pretending that it had been a mistake. Finally, the rat wasn’t smiling, and he deserved what he got for leading Voldemort to the Potters in the future.

“So it’s more like that,” she continued to instruct Severus as she stretched his arm out again, sending another hex at Pettigrew.

Looking up into Severus’ eyes, she winked at him as she released his hand. He was looking at her in shock.

“Mr. Lupin, why don’t you take a shot at Mr. Snape?”

Remus looked determined as he set up his stance. They sparred for several minutes. Remus was actually a very good duelist. He shot a hex at Severus and knocked him to the floor, but not before Severus had the chance to send one of his own. Both men wound up on the floor, covered in scratches from their altercation.

“We’ll call that a tie,” Hermione broke in before either one could get up to resume fighting. “Nice job, Mr. Lupin,” she added.

“Mr. Potter, you’re the last one up,” she ordered.

James looked from Hermione to Severus as he got ready. They quickly bowed to one another. Severus looked at Potter grimly as he shot his first attack. James was quick. He blocked the hex and had one shooting at Severus almost in one motion. They fought furiously. Both young men had quick reflexes, and their hexes shot out with blinding speed. They circled each other and ducked each other’s spells for quite a while. James shot a hex directly at Severus’ head. He fell to the ground to avoid it and shot one of his own at James. James was caught off guard and was sent flying into the wall. Hermione smirked at him as he stood up.

She realized that her horrid mood had lifted some. She no longer had the urge to punch each of the Marauders in the face. She walked to the center of the room and glanced over at Severus.

“Nicely done, Mr. Snape,” she congratulated. “Now for the rest of you gentlemen, if you continue to act like little boys, you shall be treated as such. If I catch you tormenting Mr. Snape again, you will be marched right back here for more of the same treatment. Is that clear?”

The four looked at the ground and nodded.

“Good, now get out of here, before I have you all duel him again.”

She watched as the four boys turned and left. Pettigrew virtually ran out the door, but the other three kept their dignity and walked out with their heads held high.

After they had left, Hermione doubled over and began to laugh.

“Hermione, have you gone mad?” Severus asked her.

“I don’t think so, Severus, why?”

“Aren’t you going to get in trouble for all of this?”

She straightened up and looked at him, her eyes dancing in mirth. “No, it was simply a little dueling practice, monitored by a teacher. I think I followed the rules pretty strictly, don’t you? Well, except for that unfortunate incident with Pettigrew.” She doubled over and guffawed some more.

                                                ______________________

Severus stared at Hermione for a while. He was always surprised at the lengths she would go to defend him. He had never met anyone quite as protective as she was. Normally such behavior would anger him to no end, but he found her righteous indignation at his treatment to be refreshing. At least someone cared for his well being and was not afraid to stand up for him. He had found little of that in the treatment he received from others. It was a nice change to have that type of respect from someone.

“Thank you for letting me do that,” Severus said gratefully. “It was incredibly satisfying.”

Hermione straightened up but continued to laugh a bit. She nodded her head at Severus to acknowledge his comment as she wiped some tears from her eyes. The tears continued, but instead of being mirthful, they had turned sad.

“Hermione, are you alright?” Severus asked her with concern.

“No, I’m not,” Hermione blurted out. “I didn’t sleep at all last night, I’ve been a total bear all day, and I’m worried sick about you.”

Severus closed the distance between them and put his hands on her arms. “Don’t worry, Hermione, everything will be fine.”

Hermione sniffled. “Of course it will, Severus. Everything will be just peachy.”

He smiled at her impudence and wiped the tears from her face.

“I will not be found out. Voldemort will not know the truth about me.”

                                                               ______________

Hermione gazed into his eyes. She didn’t see a bit of fear in them, just determination. He was remarkably brave.

“Please, just be careful,” she told him finally.

“I will be,” he remarked.

She finally cracked a smile at him.

“I have to go,” Severus said regretfully. “Lucius said we needed to leave around now.”

Hermione’s eyes drifted to his mouth before she snapped them back up to his eyes where they belonged.

“Hang on a minute.”

She took out her wand and healed the scratches and cuts he had received from the duels. He smiled his thanks to her.

“I’ll wait for you like I said,” she assured him.

“Okay. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

She nodded to him and he turned and left the room. Tears ran down her face once again as she struggled to get a hold of herself. She prayed that everything would go as planned and that Voldemort wouldn’t find out about his duplicity. She hoped that inflicting the Mark was enough torture for Voldemort. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be tempted to throw a few Cruciatus curses along for the fun of it.

She wiped the tears from her eyes and was finally able to control her racing emotions. Realizing she wasn’t hungry in the slightest, she decided to skip dinner altogether and just go wait in the Room of Requirement. She stopped by her room and grabbed her papers that needed marking along with some potions that could help Severus when he returned. She settled in and began to grade. Her mind was so far away that she had to read the students' answers three and four times before she could determine whether they were correct or not, but she slowly made her way through the pile of parchments. She checked her watch frequently and studied the door. No one ever disturbed her.

oooOOOooo

Hermione woke with a start. Somehow, she had fallen asleep while grading. Her head had lolled forward as she slept. When she awoke, she found her neck was aching from the angle it had been in for so long. She curiously checked her watch. What was taking so long? They had been gone for almost three hours now. Hopefully, Severus wasn’t lying unconscious somewhere, left alone in the cold. Perhaps she should search for him. She decided against it. Even in her overexcited state, she knew a bad idea when she heard one. She went back to grading.

Some time later, the door flew open and Severus staggered in holding his arm gingerly. Hermione flew off the couch and was by his side within seconds, supporting his limp figure. She flicked her wand behind her, closing the door, then guided him to the couch and laid him down on it. Pulling a vial off the table, she told him to drink it. He downed it in a gulp and closed his eyes, letting the potion work. After a few minutes, he opened them again and thanked her.

He cradled his left arm in his other hand. Looking at him, she gingerly took his arm and rolled his sleeve up, exposing the Mark. It was still red from being tattooed on. Hermione grabbed a jar of salve and opened it. She gently dabbed the Mark with the healing salve, and Severus closed his eyes in relief as its coolness soothed the angry red tattoo. When she was done, she looked up at him.

“What else can I do?” she asked.

He shook his head. “You’ve already done enough.” He could barely make eye contact with her.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked tentatively.

“It is what it is. Voldemort was happy to get another follower. I was happy he wasn’t suspicious.”

He was still looking away from her. He was also shielding his arm, so she couldn’t see his Mark.

“Severus, look at me,” she demanded.

He wouldn’t turn to look at her. She could tell he was embarrassed by what he had done.

“Are you ashamed to look at me?” she asked quietly.

“I have degraded myself, Hermione. I have marked myself with a sign of evil.”

“You have bravely walked into the lion’s den and come out unscathed. I know this Mark usually signifies evil, Severus, but you should not be ashamed of it. It represents the opportunity to destroy that evil as long as it graces your arm.”

He closed his eyes. “Don’t make it into what it’s not,” he berated her.

“I’m only telling you what it is.”

He finally turned to her and searched her eyes. There was no pity, no lies there. He reached out and pulled her close, placing a kiss softly on her lips.

“Thank you, Hermione,” he whispered.

Hermione looked at him nervously and pulled away.

“I know you don’t feel the same way I do, Hermione, I just wanted to thank you.”

She smiled tentatively at him. She reached out and took another vial off the table.

“This is a dreamless sleep draught. I thought you might appreciate a night without any nightmares. Just stay here tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow in class, okay?”

He nodded to her, and she left the potion in his hand. She got up and stared at him. Without thinking too much about it—a tall order for her—she quickly leaned down and brushed her lips against his in a quick kiss. She turned and raced from the room yelling good night over her shoulder, leaving a shocked Severus Snape staring after her.

Hermione slammed the door and leaned against it, closing her eyes and putting her head in her hands. She had let her guard down and had kissed him. How could she have done that? It was all his fault! Why had he kissed her so wonderfully? Why had her stomach dropped to the floor when his lips touched hers?

Then he had said she didn’t feel the same way he did. Oh, how wrong he was! She thought about him day and night. She couldn’t get him out of her head. She loved him. She loved him. She mulled over those three little words. How they had changed her life. When she was with Severus, she was happier than she could ever remember. They didn’t even need to be doing anything, yet she was happy in his presence.

But what would be the cost of their love? How would things work out? She knew how they would work out. She would leave him and return to her time. He would resent her for it, and when she appeared in the future, he would have nothing to do with her. Then she would be crushed.

It was all so obvious. She needed to box up her heart and keep her emotions hidden away; they would just cause heartbreak. She pushed everything away from her. She was Hermione Granger, Assistant Professor at Hogwarts. She wasn’t in love with anybody and would never be during this time period. She would return to her real time and live her life happily without Severus Snape. Perhaps she could find some spell or something to keep her from thinking about him. She would have to do some research. She headed back to her room with the intention of doing just that, however, she never cracked a book open.

Instead, she sat on her chair with her legs pulled up to her chest, hugging them as Severus’ face invaded her mind. She didn’t want to stop thinking about him. She enjoyed thinking about him. Thinking about him made her happy. Being with him made her happy. Everything about him made her happy.

She had truly fallen in love with Severus Snape.

Chapter Text

Severus hurried toward the Owlery, a letter to his mother in his hand. He wrote her every week. He knew if he didn’t he would receive a howler exclaiming that she thought he was dead, and why hadn’t he written her? Every week Severus dutifully wrote a short note proclaiming he was still alive and telling her a little about school. Every week she wrote back saying that she hoped he was eating well and not studying too much. It had become a ritual between the two of them. He did enjoy hearing from her, and he knew that she loved receiving letters from him.

Severus quickly ascended the stairs and entered the small, circular room housing the Hogwarts owls. He stopped short when he saw who was there also. Lily turned and gave him a strained smile.

“Sev,” she said.

“Lily,” Severus greeted back with the same lack of enthusiasm.

They had not spoken all year. Whenever the two of them had passed in the hall, Severus had looked at her, but Lily had always averted her eyes. Severus knew that she wanted nothing to do with him. That was alright. If she were going to be involved with Potter, he really didn’t want anything to do with her either. Ignoring Lily, Severus went over to an owl and began to fasten his letter to its foot.

“James told me you beat him in a duel?” Lily asked curiously.

Severus only nodded.

“He wouldn’t say why the two of you were dueling. He passed it off as a class thing, but I know you don’t share any classes together.”

Severus pursed his lips. Should he even get into this with Lily? Obviously Potter did not want her to know that he had been caught in a fight. Severus scowled. If Potter couldn’t be truthful with his girlfriend, then he deserved whatever consequences came of that.

“He and his three friends were chasing me and I inadvertently knocked over Professor
Granger. She took us to the DADA room to duel it out.”

Lily looked at him in puzzlement. “I thought James didn’t bother you anymore.”

Severus spared a glance at her, giving her a pathetic look. “Is that what he told you?”

“Well, yes.”

“I wonder, Lily, if he can’t be truthful in that, what else does he hide from you?”

Lily looked at him angrily. “At least he doesn’t march around with Death Eaters while my back is turned!”

Severus turned to her in anger, his fists clenched. He looked into her eyes and saw her as he once had, as his love. Then he saw when he had called her ‘Mudblood’ and the horrified look that had crossed her face. He beat his anger down and turned back to the owl. Making sure that the letter was secure, he sent it flying out the window, telling it where it needed to go. Finally, he turned back to Lily, his temper calmed.

“Perhaps I was out of line,” he said quietly, “but I assure you, he has not stopped bothering me, no matter what he has told you.”

                                                              ________________________

Lily looked as if she was about to say something else when Severus bid her goodbye and stormed out of the Owlery. Lily stared after him in shock. Curiosity, then anger filled her face. She quickly fled the Owlery, headed for the castle and James. She needed to work this out with him.

Several minutes later she entered the Gryffindor common room. She was relieved to see James sitting there with Sirius, joking around as he usually did. She marched up to the two of them and looked at James angrily.

“Can I have a word with you, James,” she asked him, “in private?”

James looked up at Lily and smiled at her, but his smile quickly disappeared when he noticed that she wasn’t smiling back. In fact, she was glowering at him. He stood and motioned to the exit of the common room. They both went out and found a secluded place in the hall to talk.

Lily folded her arms. “I just had a little chat with Severus,” she said tersely.

“Did he call you another horrid name?” James asked.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “No, he told me the reason you two dueled the other day.”

James looked down.

“I thought you said,” Lily went on without preamble, “that you weren’t bothering him anymore. Now I find out that wasn’t the truth. How am I supposed to trust you, James, when you can’t even tell me the truth about something as simple as that?”

                                                             ____________________

James didn’t know what to say. How could he tell her that he couldn’t help himself? What would she say when she found out that whenever he passed Snivellus, he had this sudden urge to curse him into the wall? She would never understand that.

He needed her to love him. He needed her to forgive him. Ultimately, he knew he needed to stop what he was doing to Snivellus so she could trust him, but he wasn’t sure if he could control himself. The git was just too easy to torment. And Sirius certainly wasn’t any help at all. He was the worst of them all when it came to Snivellus.

James heaved a great sigh. “I can’t seem to help myself, Lily. Sirius goads me and I can’t help myself. When I told you I wouldn’t bother him anymore, I fully intended not to bother him again. I swear I wasn’t trying to lie to you.”

Lily gave him an exasperated look. “Why is it so tempting for you to constantly tease him? I thought you were better than that, James. I thought you had grown out of that childish behavior.”

“I swear, Lily, this is the last time it will happen.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “That’s what you said the last time we discussed this. How am I supposed to believe you?”

He smirked at her. “Because I love you.”

Lily scoffed. “That’s not a reason at all!”

He encircled her waist with his arms. “Of course it is. It won’t happen again because I love you too much to upset you again.”

Lily’s demeanor softened considerably. “All right,” she said, “just don’t lie to me anymore.”

“I won’t,” he said as his lips came down on hers, conveniently stopping any more of their argument from going forward.

oooOOOooo

At dinner that night, James kept an eye on Severus at the Slytherin table. He needed to straighten out Snivellus’ thinking. When Severus was finished and had risen to leave, James excused himself and followed him out. He raced to catch up with him as he descended the stairs to the dungeons.

“Snivellus!” he called after him.

Severus ignored James, but James caught up with him and grabbed his arm. Severus turned and narrowed his eyes at James.

“Keep your mouth shut with Lily, all right?” James said.

“Are your lies coming back to haunt you, Potter?” Severus said snidely.

“Just stay away from her. She’s happier without you.”

Severus sneered at him. “I don’t doubt it,” he shot back and pulled his arm from James’ grasp.

                                                                      _________________

Without another word, Severus descended the stairs, not giving James another glance. He fumed as he ran down the stairs. The nerve of that cretin! He should take care of his own business, and then he wouldn’t need to make excuses to Lily for his behavior. Why did Lily believe him? She never had before. Had Severus’ actions two years ago driven her into Potter’s arms? If they had, then he was even sorrier than he had been before. Lily, of course, could make her own decisions, but she deserved much better than Potter.

Potter’s words ran through Severus’ mind again.

“She’s happier without you.”

Severus grimaced. Of course she was happier without him. Everyone was happier without him. He was nothing but trouble. Now he was involved with something dangerous too.

His mind went to Hermione. She would be happier without him also. He knew that she understood that deep down. That was probably why she didn’t want to have any kind of relationship with him other than friendship. Who would want to be involved with him when his life had become so complicated?

“She’s happier without you.”

Undoubtedly, Hermione would be too.

oooOOOooo

Severus, Hermione, Lucius, and Peter all sat in the Arithmancy classroom. Severus and Peter were sharing a table. They were bent over a book and Severus was explaining something to Peter. Hermione sat across from Lucius at the next table. She was watching Lucius work through a problem on his own. The tutoring session was going well, except for the fact that Lucius was extremely quiet. One could say he was even sulky. They finished up, and Hermione asked him to stay behind while Severus and Peter made an exit. Hermione went over and sat at her desk, looking over at Lucius, who had settled into the chair across from her. He was sullen and staring at the floor. Something was up. It was as if someone else was sitting in front of her.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Malfoy? You’ve been extremely quiet tonight.”

“It’s nothing,” he said sullenly.

Hermione frowned. “Lucius, you can tell me what’s bothering you. I won’t tell a soul.”

Lucius studied her for a while and then decided to tell her what was wrong.

“It’s my father,” he said simply.

Abraxas Malfoy was a stern man. He had a strong sense of propriety and, being pureblood, hated everything about Muggles and their society. His father had exploded upon learning that his precious son was being taught by a Mudblood.

Hermione raised her eyebrows, signaling for Lucius to continue.

“He found out that you’re Muggle-born. He wants me to withdraw from your class. If he knew I was participating in tutoring sessions, he probably would withdraw me from the entire school.”

Hermione looked at Lucius with concern. She sat back and folded her arms in front of her.

“So how does that make you feel?”

“I’m angry. How dare he tell me what to study! And what a stupid reason to give up a class! You’re one of the best teachers in this school.”

Hermione beamed at his compliment. She really did take pride in her teaching.

“What are you going to do then?” she asked after a moment.

“Do I have a choice?” he spat.

Lucius’ father was stubborn, indeed. If he wanted to pull his son out of Hogwarts, that would be exactly what he would do, and no one would stop him. He was a very proud man, though. The thought of his son leaving Hogwarts might just be too much scandal for the proud Malfoy name. But Lucius didn’t take his father’s threat lightly.

Lucius was backed into a corner. He truly wanted to stay in Professor Granger’s class, but his father would definitely make that impossible. Lucius was surprised that his father hadn’t appealed to the governors to fire Professor Granger instantly. He hoped that she wouldn’t ultimately be sacked. Maybe just withdrawing from the class would keep his father quiet, and she could keep teaching.

“Well,” Hermione replied thoughtfully. “It seems to me you always have a choice, but are you willing to live with what consequences come with that choice?”

“What do you mean?”

“What would be the consequences of you dropping my class?”

“I wouldn’t get an Arithmancy N.E.W.T., I would miss out on your amazing teaching techniques,” he paused and smiled at her, “and I may lose out on some job opportunities because I lack the experience necessary.”

“Are any of your current job choices wanting an Arithmancy N.E.W.T.?”

He shook his head.

“Then don’t count that one. Anything else?”

He shook his head again.

“What would be the consequences of staying in my most amazing class?”

He smiled at her ruefully as he thought. “My father would be mad at me.”

“Take that thought to its farthest extent,” Hermione said with a movement of her had away from her. “What will your father do if you disobey him?”

Lucius leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs. “He could do many things. Ground me when I’m home, but that’s unlikely. He could pull me from the school, but that would probably embarrass our family more than me studying under a Muggle-born witch. I guess ultimately he could disown me as an embarrassment.”

“Is that a likely consequence?”

He thought about it. “No, I can’t see him doing that in this circumstance. I am an adult after all. He would be very angry with me though. He might not speak to me for a while.”

Hermione nodded and told him to go on.

“Well, I would get my N.E.W.T.; that would be a good thing.”

Hermione nodded again. “Anything else?”

Lucius thought and thought. He couldn’t think of anything else. Finally, he looked up at her and told her no.

“Okay, you now have a list of consequences for each of the choices that you have to decide between. Which list is easier for you to handle. In other words, what can you live with?”

“I suppose, ultimately I could live with either of those circumstances.”

“Which would you rather live with?” Hermione asked frankly.

Lucius thought. “I would rather have my N.E.W.T. in Arithmancy,” he finally said.

“You’re willing to deal with the wrath and possible silence of your father to receive your N.E.W.T.?”

He nodded.

“It seems to me, Mr. Malfoy, that you have an owl to send.” She smiled at him.

“Thank you, Professor. That was an easier decision than I thought it would be.”

“Lucius, I hope you understand your father’s point of view. I’m sure he grew up with the same notions you have, that all Muggle-borns are inferior in every way. I’ve tried to show you that Muggle-born witches and wizards are just like everyone else, but your father has never had the opportunity to see that for himself. I believe that your father would react better to a letter written keeping that in mind.”

“I’ll remember that, Professor.” Lucius stood to leave. “Thank you. Not just for this, but for showing me that you Muggle-borns aren’t that bad. Even Peter’s not that bad,” he remarked as he turned to leave.

Hermione smiled after him. “You’re welcome, Mr. Malfoy,” she said as he left the room.

She was surprised to see him pop his head back into the room. “Are you going to the Halloween ball tomorrow night?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m chaperoning. I believe all of the teachers will be there.”

He grinned at her. “Did you want to go with me?”

She grinned back at him. “No, Mr. Malfoy, I believe we’ve already broached this subject before.”

“Well, you’ll save me a dance, right?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ll think about it.”

He nodded to her and disappeared. She gathered up her things and headed out the door herself. That man was incorrigible. At least his flirting had turned into mostly an occasional thing like this. She had finally figured out he was the biggest tease on the entire Earth.

A few minutes later she was in the Room of Requirement. Severus had gone on ahead of her. He looked up as she entered and put her things on the table.

“What did the giant flirt want?”

Hermione laughed as she blushed. “I told him I wouldn’t discuss it with anyone. He did ask me to the dance tomorrow.”

Severus rolled his eyes. “You didn’t punch him, did you?” he asked. “Please say you did.”

She smiled, thinking of another Malfoy whom she had punched. “No, I’m used to his ridiculous flirting. I just joked along with him. He did commit me to a dance though.” She frowned, realizing what she had promised.

Severus raised an eyebrow at her.

“Well, I guess I told him I’d think about it. That’s really not a commitment, is it?”

“To Lucius Malfoy, you just told him you’d marry him with that statement.”

“Severus, you’re terrible.”

He nodded and went back to his Potions text.

“You were a bit quiet tonight during the session. Is something wrong?” Hermione asked.

Severus looked into his book crossly. “I was accosted by Potter after dinner.”

“What happened?”

Severus sighed. “I suppose I should start at the beginning.”

He quickly told Hermione about his encounter with Lily in the Owlery and then James’ words after dinner. Hermione pondered what he said.

“It sounds like Lily wasn’t too pleased with James.”

Severus smiled at that.

Hermione shook her head at Severus and stifled a giggle. He was so predictable sometimes. Then there were other times… well, she ought not to think about that!

“The thing that upset me the most,” Severus continued, “was when Potter said that Lily was happier without me. I'm sure she is, but it still bothers me.”

“Severus, I highly doubt that she’s happier without you.”

Severus scoffed. “Of course she is. She looks happy as a clam with Potter.”

“Well, that may be, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t miss your friendship! Severus, quit being so down on yourself. You realize James was just saying that to upset you, don’t you?”

“Yes, and he accomplished his goal,” he said bitterly. “I don’t know what she sees in him!”

Hermione thought about it. “Well, he’s good looking, witty, smart, a talented wizard…”

“Don’t!”

Hermione looked at Severus in surprise.

“Do not enumerate the good qualities of Potter to me!” he seethed.

Hermione looked duly chastised. “Sorry,” she said pathetically. “I wasn’t saying that I liked him or anything.” She frowned, cradling her head on her hand. “As a matter of fact, I don’t like him at all. He’s annoying as all get out. It’s hard for me to get around the fact that he’s Harry’s father. Harry is nothing like him.”

“So Harry is ugly, dumb, a terrible wizard, and a total killjoy?”

Hermione laughed. “No, he’s all of those other things I said before too. I just mean… he cares about people. I don’t see that trait in James Potter. James Potter cares about himself and how he appears to others.”

Severus pondered that, and he nodded his head at Hermione.

“I don’t know, Severus. I just can’t see Harry running around throwing hexes at people he doesn’t like the way that James does. I certainly wouldn’t be friends with him if he did.” Hermione was quiet for a minute. “Anyway, we weren’t talking about Harry, now were we? Lily seems to be the type of person who values her friendships, Severus. I’m sure some part of her misses the closeness the two of you had.”

Severus was quiet for a long while. He missed his relationship with Lily, but after all he had done, he found it hard to believe that Lily could ever miss him. He looked back up at Hermione and realized that she was giving him one of her knowing looks.

“Must you look at me like that?” he said tersely.

She blushed. “Yes, when I can see you berating yourself as you sit there.”

“Do I have to use Occlumency when I am in your presence from now on?”

“Severus,” Hermione laughed, “I am no Legilimens! It’s not my fault that you’re easy to read.”

“I am not easy to read!”

“So you weren’t just thinking that Lily would never miss you because of the way you treated her?”

“I… I… never mind.” Severus was blushing now too.

Hermione got up and looked at his face. “Are you blushing?” she asked incredulously.

“No!” Severus said indignantly.

“I never thought I would see the day that I would make you blush. I think this is the greatest day of my entire life!” Hermione gushed, playing it up as she sat down next to him on the couch.

“Hermione,” he growled, looking at her moodily.

“What?”

“Do not make fun of me.”

“Oh, I would never make fun of you, Severus!” she exclaimed as she put her hand to her chest. “You’re too serious to make fun of. I wouldn’t want to spoil your sullen, self-berating disposition.”

“I do not have a sullen, self-berating disposition.”

“Then you shouldn’t be beating yourself up over Lily.”

Severus knew she had gotten him, but he was not amused. Well, not very amused.

“Very clever, witch,” he said finally.

“I have work to do, if you’ll excuse me,” Hermione said as she went back over to her chair and picked up a quiz to grade.

“You mean that’s it? No more clever words or teasing comments?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Severus.”

“Uh-huh,” he said as he nodded at her distrustfully.

Hermione went to work on the quizzes she had to correct, smiling to herself. She finished them quickly and told Severus she was ready. They had planned to brew tonight.

“Are you sure you’re capable of brewing seriously?” Severus asked her.

“I always brew seriously,” she replied with a grin. “I studied under you.”

“Are you making fun of my future teaching techniques now?” Severus asked.

Hermione became serious. “Severus,” she said to him, “I have always admired your teaching and brewing abilities. I would never make fun of them. Honestly.”

Severus only stared at her. Finally, he nodded his head at her.

She smiled back at him and they headed for the cauldron. It was situated on a large table on the other side of the room. Hermione put a bag on the table and started getting out the things they would need for the potion. Severus had requested the Draught of Peace. She had eagerly agreed and gotten everything they would need. She pulled the ingredients out, along with a small silver knife, a stirrer, and a mortar and pestle.

Severus set out crushing the moonstone while Hermione prepared the cauldron. His voice startled her as he asked a question.

“I was wondering if it would be better to mash the moonstone into power instead of leaving it in crushed form. It might make the draught more potent.”

She looked up at him. He was holding the pestle above the mortar hesitantly. Hermione smiled.

“Go ahead and try it. You shouldn’t second guess your ideas, Severus. They’re always spot on.”

She had forgotten how she loved brewing with him. His older self always had some tidbit of information to share. He had divulged only recently that the secret to Draught of Peace was to make the moonstone into powder. He was brilliant in any time, it would seem.

He placed the now powdered moonstone next to the cauldron and picked up the bottle of Syrup of Hellebore. He added fifteen drops to the liquid that was in the cauldron and began to stir it. He stirred twenty times clockwise with two turns counterclockwise.

He was poised over the cauldron in much the same pose as she was used to seeing from him in his older form. He hunched over it slightly with one hand carefully guiding the stirrer in its circular pattern. His other arm was elevated and cautiously hung over the cauldron, as if ready to cast a spell over it at any moment. He concentrated as he stirred, and his brows furrowed as he stared into the cauldron. Hermione sat back and watched him work. He was an artist even at this age. She was enjoying herself immensely.

After ten minutes of stirring, he added the moonstone. The liquid turned blue and thickened considerably. He gave it five more stirs and set the stirrer down. Only then did he realize Hermione had been staring at him the whole time.

Hermione blushed. “Sorry, I just can’t help watching you work. It’s completely entrancing.”

Severus turned red and looked away. She smiled at him, choosing not to call him on blushing again, and helped him bottle up the potion.

“Madam Pomfrey will be happy we decided to brew tonight. I think her stores of Peace Draught were getting a little low,” Hermione remarked.

He nodded and finished filling the last bottle. They packed them into a carton, and Hermione shrunk it to be more manageable.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow at the dance then?” Severus asked.

“Yep.”

“What are you going as?”

Her eyes twinkled. “You’ll see,” she said, smiling.

He arched an eyebrow at her as they headed for the door.

Chapter Text

Hermione stood looking at her costume in the mirror. She had decided to be a fairy for the dance. She wore a long, form-fitting silver dress that went down to the floor. It had sleeves that clung to her arms and fell just above her elbows. The dress shimmered in the light and appeared to be made up of a million colors. Her hair was left down, and it flowed around her in soft curls.

Hermione paused and looked at the book that was open on her dresser. It was the one she had purchased in Hogsmeade several weeks ago: Lost and Forgotten Spells. The book lay open to the hair color spell. She stared into the mirror and wondered which color would be the best for her. She decided on a platinum blonde that almost appeared white, it was so bleached. She chanted the specific spell for that color, Cambio huerita, and waved her wand over her head. Immediately her brown curls turned into the platinum color.

Hermione took a wreath made of small purple roses and placed it on top of her head, crowning her new golden locks and adding color to the ensemble. Her face had some glimmering purple eye shadow and glimmering blush on it so she literally sparkled. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. It had taken her a bit of time to get the look perfect, but she was happy with the result. The whole outfit was topped off with a pair of wings that were soft and lacy. They covered her back, extending out to her shoulders. The wings fell flush against her and shimmered with the light. The whole look was rather spectacular, she had to admit. She truly felt beautiful. Touching up her light purple lipstick one last time, she turned and headed for the door.

She entered the Great Hall and looked around. Enchanted paper bats flew high above the guests’ heads. There were jack-o-lanterns on a table in the corner singing spooky songs. Hermione grinned at them. Tables lined the edge of the hall, each bedecked with a black table cloth and a small candelabra of black candles in the center. The dance floor had been decorated with a black cat motif. The painted cats were scattered all about the floor. They all had hunched backs, and they hissed when they were stepped on. Hermione carefully crossed the floor without stepping on them. She had to admit, the Hall looked great.

It seemed that every eye was on her as she entered. She smiled to herself and made her way to the other teachers, who were crowding around the drinks table. There would be no spiking of the punch this year.

Albus turned to her and said, “Hermione, you look completely ravishing tonight!”

Minerva McGonagall, who was standing next to him and attired like a black cat, added her compliments.

“Thank you, Minerva. Very creative costume you have there,” she said jokingly, thinking of Minerva’s Animagus form. Minerva smiled thinly at her.

“Albus, what are you supposed to be?”

“I am a lemon drop.”

Hermione glanced at his costume again. Sure enough, the man had dressed up as a lemon drop. He wore a bright yellow robe that went straight to the floor and gathered together at the bottom. Yellow patent leather shoes with yellow socks adorned his feet, and he had a little yellow cap on his head to finish off the ‘costume.’

“Very amusing, Albus,” Hermione said in between giggles. Getting serious, she lowered her voice so only he could hear her.

“I wanted to apologize for my outburst in your office a couple of weeks ago. You had every right to fire me on the spot. I thank you for not doing so. I was disrespectful, and I really didn’t mean any of it.”

Albus placed his hand on her shoulder. “It is fine, Hermione; I understood you were upset and didn’t take anything you said to heart, especially the part about hunting me down and killing me.”

Hermione felt her cheeks turn red.

“I’ll probably be dead by then anyway,” he joked and regarded her over his glasses.

She chuckled as he handed her a glass of punch. She slowly sipped it and glanced around the room. Her eyes fell on the young man entering the Hall, and she nearly dropped her drink. Severus was coming through the door, and he was simply gorgeous. His hair was slicked back and tied behind his neck. He wore a white dress shirt with a red cummerbund and bow tie. Black form-fitting pants and a black suitcoat finished the outfit. He had a long black cape over the entire ensemble, and—she couldn’t believe it—it billowed behind him as he walked. He caught sight of her, and his eyes lit up. He changed direction so he could meet up with her.

He came up to her and smiled, showing some pointy teeth. Hermione laughed into her glass, making Severus frown.

“You don’t like my outfit?”

Hermione giggled and pulled him away from everyone else so she could tell him what was so funny. She turned to him and laughed again.

“Umm,” she said eloquently. “You see… umm”

“Spit it out, woman!”

“No, I shouldn’t say. Really, it’s nothing. You look fine.”

“Hermione!”

She opened her mouth and closed it again. She started chuckling again, unable to control herself. Severus began to growl at her. She finally got up the courage to say it.

“Your future students think you’re a vampire and call you the bat of the dungeons,” she said rather quickly.

Severus looked at her in horror. Then he got a huge grin on his face, showing off his pointy teeth once again. “I can see where that would be an advantage.”

Hermione just shook her head. “Severus, you look amazing, really. I just couldn’t help but think of that whole bat of the dungeons thing. I swear I’ve never seen you dressed as a vampire before, and I’m sure that’s the reason.”

“What do I usually come as when I go to these things?”

“You don’t usually attend, and when you do, you come as yourself. Spooky, huh?” her voice lowered and she arched an eyebrow at him.

He frowned at her. “Am I to be the butt of your jokes all night?” he asked in a whiny voice.

Hermione became very serious. “No, Severus, I will only tease you once an hour.”

“You’ve already teased me twice, so I better not hear anything for another two hours.” He narrowed his eyes at her threateningly.

She laughed at him.

“You mean to tell me I’m not intimidating at all in this getup?”

She looked him up and down officially, secretly admiring every inch of him. “I can’t say that you are,” she said blandly.

“That’s three. You’re nearing your limit, woman.” He pointed his finger in her face. “There will be severe repercussions if your teasing goes past those three comments this evening.”

She saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

The band began to play, and the dance floor was soon populated with gyrating teens. Severus extended his hand to her.

“Would you care to dance?” he asked.

“I’d love to,” she gushed. She put her glass down and followed Severus out onto the dance floor. They gyrated with everyone else to the lively beat. Hermione glanced around and noticed a few teachers other than her dancing to the fast beat. Mallory was dancing nearby. She was dressed as a princess. Her pink, flowing gown swirled around her as she danced with a seventh-year Hufflepuff. A silver tiara graced the black curls atop her head. She looked over at Hermione and Severus and got a huge grin on her face. She winked at Hermione and brought her attention back to the student she was dancing with. Hermione rolled her eyes and finally looked back at Severus. She noticed his eyes were locked onto her. She smiled at him and continued to dance.

She noticed James Potter and Lily Evans in a tight embrace. They were dressed as a Healer and Mediwitch. Even with the fast beat of the dance, they were still glued to each other. It seemed that whatever annoyance Lily had felt towards James had disappeared.

Hermione really couldn’t understand Lily. She had broken up a friendship with Severus over a simple word, yet she still kept going out with James, even when he had evidently lied to her. Oh well, there was nothing she could do about it, and, after all, it wasn’t her relationship.

Hermione turned her attention from them to some of the others on the dance floor. She noticed two of her seventh-year students dancing with Marauders. Remus Lupin, dressed as King Arthur, was dancing with a Ravenclaw gypsy, Debra Garron. Her costume made Hermione think of the Disney movie Esmeralda. Of course, that movie hadn’t been created yet, and even if it had, few in this room would be aware of it.

Sirius Black, who was decked out as a hippie, his outfit splattered with purple paisleys and a giant peace sign necklace hanging around his neck, was dancing with Nat Kensington. She had lengthened her dark blonde hair considerably, and it went down to her waist. Every time she moved, her hair would swing around her. She had a lime green headband around her head which matched with the swirls in the pattern of her outfit. Hermione chuckled at her. Nat was totally getting into character by forming v’s with her fingers and waving them past her eyes as she danced.

Sirius was smiling wickedly at the young lady. Hermione had seen him following Miss Kensington around lately. He must have a crush on her. She hoped he would be a gentleman this evening as she watched him get closer and closer to Nat, putting his arms on her waist as they danced to the beat. Hermione rolled her eyes at his attempt at being a ladies’ man. She turned her attention back to Severus. She hadn’t noticed that he had been staring at her the entire time, watching her take in the other dancers.

The song ended after a minute or two, and a slow song began to play. She turned to leave the dance floor but was surprised to feel Severus grasp her and pull her close. Soon they were arm in arm, swaying to the music. Hermione caught her breath as she felt him so close. Her heart began to race within her. She looked up at Severus. He was looking directly into her eyes. Their gazes locked and he didn’t look away. She stared into his deep pools of black as they looked at her and through her. She felt utterly exposed. Hermione felt electricity shooting between the two of them.

She noticed Severus’ head getting closer and closer to hers. He was going to kiss her; she knew it and welcomed it. Why was he taking so long to reach her lips? She thought she would help him along by yanking his head down, but that would be unladylike.

Who really cared if it was unladylike? She took her hand and placed it on the back of his neck, getting ready to pull him towards her.

Suddenly the mood was completely shattered by a tapping on their shoulders. Both of their heads snapped around and stared at Lucius Malfoy, who was dressed as Robin Hood and was smiling at them like the Cheshire cat.

“I believe you promised me a dance. May I cut in?” he asked sultrily.

They both looked at him crossly, but Hermione took his hand and began to dance with him. Severus stared after them and headed toward the sidelines. He watched them for a few minutes. Finally, he scowled. Turning quickly, he left the dance.

Hermione twirled with Lucius and caught a glimpse of a bat glaring at her. She finally realized it was Narcissa.

“Lucius, why is Narcissa looking at me as if she is about to hex me into the wall?”

He shrugged innocently and then said, “It may be because I haven’t danced with her yet.”

Hermione’s eyes widened. “Lucius, you go dance with your girlfriend this instant!”

“I will, when our dance is over. I wanted to dance with the most beautiful woman here before turning my attention to Narcissa.”

Hermione looked taken aback. “Thank you, I think,” she said hesitantly. “You still should pay more attention to your date, Mr. Malfoy.”

“She will have my attention for the rest of the night,” he stated blandly.

Hermione looked crossly at Lucius.

“Please lighten up, Professor Granger, after all, you did promise me a dance.”

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him. “I did not promise it, Mr. Malfoy, at the cost of your relationship to Miss Black.”

“Narcissa can be a jealous cow. She’ll get over it as soon as I return to her side. Besides, I wanted to dance with you before all of the other gentlemen swarmed you. You really do look stunning.”

Hermione blushed and smiled at him. “Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. I know I give you a hard time, but I do appreciate your compliments.”

“Then perhaps I should give you more of them?”

“Don’t press your luck, Mr. Malfoy.”

He grinned at her. “You don’t realize how incredibly fun it is to tease you.”

“I have an inkling, as it seems to be one of your favorite pastimes.”

“I just like to get a rise out of you, Professor. Can you blame a guy for that?”

She tilted her head and regarded him curiously. “If I had known ignoring you would have stopped you weeks ago, I would have done it.”

“But you can’t ignore me, Professor Granger. My stunning good looks are impossible to resist.”

Hermione burst out laughing, and Lucius pretended to look hurt. “You are far too cocky for your own good, Mr. Malfoy!”

“It’s not being cocky if it’s the truth,” he remarked.

Hermione smiled and shook her head. “Truth or not, perhaps you should let others make that comment about you instead of proclaiming it yourself.”

“Perhaps, but where would the fun be in that?”

Hermione could only grin. This young man was truly exasperating at times.

The dance finally finished, but before Hermione had the chance to turn and walk away, she found Lucius’ lips on hers in a passionate kiss. She pushed away from him and looked at him incredulously.

“Mr. Malfoy, what do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

“I was just having a little fun, Professor,” he said slyly.

Hermione’s eyes narrowed at Lucius. “That will be detention tomorrow night Mr. Malfoy, for… for… kissing a teacher!”

With that, she stalked off. Lucius shrugged and smiled, setting out to find his true date.

Hermione went back to her place on the side, fuming. She looked for Severus, but he wasn’t there. Well, they hadn’t agreed to go with one another; he must be mingling. She looked around for him, but she couldn’t find him. Mallory wandered over to her with a wide grin on her face.

“It seems like you have all of the boys after you tonight!” she quipped.

“I don’t know where Malfoy gets the nerve,” Hermione huffed.

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind if he decided to kiss me!”

“Mallory! He’s got a girlfriend.”

“I was just kidding, Hermione. Handsome or not, he’s too young for me.”

“You can’t be much older than I am, Mallory,” Hermione stated. They had never spoken of their ages.

“How old are you again, Hermione?”

“I’m twenty-two,” Hermione told her.

“I’m forty,” Mallory confessed.

Hermione stared at her with wide eyes. She took in her smooth skin and beautiful figure. The woman looked no older than twenty-eight.

“Wow, I would have never guessed!”

“Evidently,” Mallory chuckled.

Hermione smiled at her.

“I saw you and Severus looking cozy during that last dance,” she remarked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Please, Mallory, it was just a dance!” She laughed at the absurdity, but she didn’t even convince herself about the simplicity of the matter.

“Sure it was, Hermione, and I’m well versed in Muggle literature. He almost kissed you!”

Hermione gazed at her thoughtfully. “Yes, until we were rudely interrupted,” she said regretfully. “It’s probably for the best that he didn’t anyway.”

Mallory looked at her in exasperation. “Why do you insist on pushing him away, Hermione? He’s obviously crazy about you.”

“I’ve already told you why, Mallory.”

“I think you are lying to yourself, Hermione. You wanted him to kiss you just as much as he wanted to, I could see it. Stop teasing him, and either tell him of your feelings or leave him alone.”

Hermione stared at Mallory in shock. The other teacher’s words hit her like a ton of bricks. For the first time, Hermione realized how cruel she was being. She was being so utterly selfish! She had been stringing him along.

But she loved him. How could she separate herself from him?

She needed to make up her mind about what she wanted.

But hadn’t she done that already? She didn’t want a relationship with him.

Of course, if that was the case, Mallory was right; she was taking advantage of him. Hermione looked at Mallory with a grimace.

“Oh, I’ve been awful, haven’t I? What am I going to do?” she asked Mallory.

“You’re going to tell him how you feel, of course. The other option is ridiculous and will only make the two of you miserable.”

Hermione frowned at her. “I’m not sure if I can do that, Mallory. I’m too much of a coward.”

Mallory laughed. “You can stand up to four Death Eaters trying to kill you, but you can’t confess a little crush to a young man?”

“It’s not that easy.” Hermione looked down in embarrassment. “It’s not just a crush, either.”

“I knew it!” Mallory cried as she pointed her finger at the younger witch. “You have to tell him, Hermione! You’d be foolish not to.”

Hermione hesitated again. “I’ll think about it,” she said.

Mallory was grabbed by Sirius Black. She turned back to Hermione as she was pulled onto the dance floor.

“Just tell him!” she yelled after Hermione.

Chapter Text

Severus stared over the edge of the Astronomy Tower. He looked down at the ground but saw nothing. His mind was filled with thoughts of Hermione Granger. His heart had nearly stopped when he had caught a glimpse of her in the Great Hall tonight. She had looked like an angel. Her hair had been transformed into spun silk, and her dress had accented her curves perfectly. It had sparkled and shimmered in different colors as the light hit it. She had been utterly beautiful.

She had laughed when she had seen him, which had made his heart both leap to hear and cringe to think that she did not find him attractive. Her ensuing explanation had eased his mind somewhat, but then she had continued to poke jibes at him. In truth, he loved when she was like this. Her teasing, coming from anyone else, would have sent him into a tirade, but he had known there was no malice behind her words. He had enjoyed the sparring that they did immensely.

Severus couldn’t understand her. Sometimes he felt as if she cared for him as much as he cared for her, but over and over again he had been proven wrong. He had felt her respond to him when they had kissed before, but ultimately she had pushed him away. She hadn’t cared for him like that and never would.

Of course, how could she? Look at what he had become. He had aligned himself with the Dark Lord and had become a symbol of evil. No one could look past that and see him for who he really was. Lily couldn’t. She had balked at his choice of friends from the beginning. It had been the thing that had made her distance herself from him, that and his derogatory comment to her.

No, no one would ever care for him now that he had become something so evil. Hermione Granger could never care for him because of it. She stood for everything good and right in the world. She could never align herself with him romantically. She was probably repulsed just thinking of it.

She also knew his future self, and he had been terrible to her. Probably when he had kissed her, all she could think of was the horrid professor who berated her at every turn; the git who loved no one. He was surprised she hadn’t run screaming from him.

No, there was no possibility that she would come to care for him like that. She had already made up her mind that he was not the one for her. She was incredibly stubborn. She would never change her mind. He usually found her tenacity to be meritable, but there were the times like this, when it would blind her from the truth, that frustrated him to no end.

Why was he torturing himself so? He clung to her side, even though he knew there could be nothing more than friendship between them. It was destroying him. He treasured every moment with her, but it caused him nothing but heartache. He was being foolish. He needed to stop this indulgence before he was hurt irreparably.

The only thing he could do was break off their friendship. Perhaps with distance he could somehow forget her. Somehow he could move on. She would move on. She would return to her time and live her life as before. He needed to move on, too. He felt his heart freeze within him as he resolved to end his relationship with Hermione Granger. It was all for the better in the long run. His heart would mend in time. It would have no choice.

oooOOOooo

Mallory is right, Hermione thought. This has gone on too long as it is. I need to be truthful to Severus.

Before she had a chance to search for him, Horace Slughorn asked her for a dance. After him, two consecutive sixth-year students—an American cowboy, and a giant grape—caught her and danced with her. Then James Potter asked for a dance before she had a chance to retreat to the sidelines. Hermione tried to be friendly to James, but his treatment of Severus had soured her view of the young man. She was happy when that dance was over. Finally, she staggered over to Dumbledore.

“Whew, that wore me out!” she cried.

Albus smiled at her.

“Did you see where Severus went?” she asked him as she scanned the room for the young man.

“He left during the second song,” Albus told her.

Hermione looked worried for a minute. Something was wrong. He wouldn’t just leave without saying anything.

“Do you mind if I go look for him, Headmaster?”

Albus looked around. “I think we have plenty of policemen here, Hermione. Take your time.”

She headed for the exit and went outside. He wasn’t there. She turned back to the castle and reentered through the doors. She went down to the dungeons and the Slytherin common room. She asked the picture if Severus was in there, but was told no. She climbed all the stairs up to the Room of Requirement, but he wasn’t there either. She stood outside the door and mulled over where she would look next. She got an idea.

I need to find Severus Snape, I need to find Severus Snape, I need to find Severus Snape, she repeated as she passed the door three times.

She opened the door and was surprised to see the roof of the Astronomy tower.

“Thank you,” she said as she closed the door and headed for the tower.

She had raced up the stairs so fast, she had to stop at the top and catch her breath. She took in a few deep gulps of air and calmed her breathing. Then she quietly opened the door. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she was able to make out the stone wall that served as a border for the roof.

There he was, leaning against the stone, looking over the side. She could see his profile as he looked down. Merlin, he was handsome. He seemed deep in thought. She wandered silently over to him and stood behind him for a few seconds. He didn’t notice her. She came up behind him and placed her hand on his arm. He looked over at her, scowled, and looked away.

Hermione was at a loss about his reaction.

“Are you all right, Severus? You disappeared without a word.”

“I’m fine,” he said blandly.

She drew up beside him and looked down. She could see every detail of the grounds from here. The grass looked grey in the moonlight, and far off in the distance, the lake shimmered. The view was as breathtaking as ever.

“Do you come here a lot?”

“Only when I want to think,” he snapped.

She sighed. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” he stated.

“Sounds productive,” she bantered, trying to lift his mood.

Silence.

“That was four,” she said, referring to the number of times she had teased him. She leaned in towards him conspiratorially. “What are you going to do about it?”

He looked at her solemnly. There was a great sadness in his eyes. Hermione’s heart clenched within her chest.

“I can’t do this anymore, Hermione.”

“Can’t do what?” she asked as she searched his face for a clue as to what he was speaking of.

He looked away again. “I can’t keep pretending we’re just friends. I can’t keep spending time with you but never being able to really be with you. I know you don’t care for me that way, but I care for you, and I can’t stop thinking about you. I need to stop seeing you in the evenings. It’s hard enough seeing you in class.”

Hermione stared at him for a long time. She was doing exactly what she had been afraid of… she was hurting him. But her fear had been for the future. She was hurting him in the here and now. It didn’t matter that she would leave this time and return to her own—eventually leaving him alone; he was in agony now. Why had she pushed him away for so long? She was denying the both of them happiness. What a fool she had been.

Hermione took her hand and caressed Severus’ cheek. He closed his eyes at her touch.

“No,” she said flatly, placing her hand on his shoulder.

He turned and looked at her. “You would torture me so? I’m sorry, Hermione, I cannot do this anymore. I can’t play at just being your friend any longer.”

With that, he turned and stalked toward the door. Hermione rushed up behind him and tugged at his arm.

“Wait, Severus, no! I’m sorry! I’ve been so foolish. You’re wrong about me. I do care for you that way.” She hesitated for a few seconds, looking at his stiff back. “Severus, I love you,” she confessed in a whisper.

He whipped around and looked at her in amazement.

“I’ve been afraid of what the future would bring,” Hermione confided as she wrung her hands. “I thought we would just wind up hurting each other. I knew I would have to go back to my time. I couldn’t see anything good coming from us being separated for so long.”

She looked at him worriedly. “I didn’t want to hurt you in the future, but I didn’t realize I was already hurting you. I’m sorry, please! It doesn’t matter about the future; it will happen no matter what we do about it. I don’t care anymore. I just want you. I don’t want to be without you for another minute.”

Severus stood silently in shock for a moment. “You mean you don’t find me repulsive?” he asked tentatively.

She studied him intently. “Why would I ever think that?”

“Because of how horrid I was in your past; because I am a Death Eater.”

“Severus,” she whispered, putting her hand on his arm. “I know who you are now, and I love that person. You must stop berating yourself for your choice to spy for the Order. You are not a bad man; you are an incredibly brave man. You’re caring and wonderful, and I find you incredibly attractive. I could never find you repulsive. I love you.”

Severus searched her face. “What deception is this?” he asked quietly.

“It’s the truth, Severus. You have to believe me.”

She looked at him with all the love she had for him, hoping to convince him she wasn’t trying to deceive him in any way. He continued to gaze at her, scrutinizing her with narrowed eyes. Finally, he seemed to come to a decision.

His arms went around her, and he pulled her close. His lips descended upon hers, and she was filled with the sweetness of his loving kiss. She entwined her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer, kissing him over and over. She couldn’t get enough of him now that she had confessed her love for him. He was her everything.

He pulled back and gazed into her eyes. “I thought… I thought our friendship was over. It hurt so much,” he admitted as he held his hand over his chest.

Hermione grasped his hand and pulled it from his chest and placing it over her heart as he continued.

“I thought we’d never spend time together again, but now… we’re just beginning.”

He fell back into her kisses and lost himself completely.

“Don’t stop,” Hermione sighed in between kisses. “Don’t ever stop.”

He smiled and pulled her even closer. “I won’t, because I love you, too,” he whispered as his lips once again descended on hers.

Her heart leapt at his words. She knew he cared for her, but had never dared to think that he could possibly love her already. But he did. Her heart soared as he kissed her passionately. She would never get enough of him and his all-consuming kisses. They sent shivers down her spine, filling her with a love that could not be expressed in words. His lips on hers and his loving embrace made her feel complete.

Finally, they broke apart again, and he held her close as they caught their breath.

“I’ve been so stupid,” Hermione confessed, “keeping away from you. I thought it would be for the best, but it just brought us both torment.”

“Foolish woman, don’t you know that you are the best thing for me?”

“I do now,” she murmured.

Hermione tightened her embrace, trying to bring him even closer to her than he already was. Severus looked down at her, smiling at her desire to be so close.

“Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?” he asked her.

“I think I was too busy making fun of your costume for you to get a word in edgewise,” she murmured.

He lifted her chin so she could look into his eyes.

“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

She smiled up at him. “I must admit,” she said, “you took my breath away when you entered the Hall tonight, you looked so gorgeous.”

                                                            ________________

He smiled at her before kissing her again. How could he be so lucky as to have her love him? She was beautiful, intelligent, witty, and his equal in every way. He knew he could search the whole world over and never find someone as amazing as she was. His heart swelled with love for Hermione as his lips found hers, and he kissed her fervently. He lost himself again in her passionate kisses.

After a while, they returned to the dance hand in hand. Albus looked at them and gave them a huge smile, his eyes twinkling furiously. Mallory glanced up from her current dance partner and gave Hermione a thumbs up. Hermione only smiled back at her. Severus glanced down at her quizzically.

“I’ll tell you about it later,” she explained.

There was a slow dance playing again, and they resumed the dance that Lucius had so rudely interrupted. Hermione laid her head on Severus' chest as they swayed together. She couldn’t imagine a better place to be than right here in his arms.

The students had murmured before when Professor Granger had been seen dancing with Snape, but now the chatter was constant.

Professor Granger has her head on Snape’s shoulder. Do you think he Imperiused her? What's wrong with her; is she blind? Does she really like that greaseball? How could she get near him?

“It looks like Snivellus has found himself a girl,” Sirius remarked to James as they stood on the sidelines. “No wonder she always gets so irate when she catches us having fun with him.”

James frowned as he watched Professor Granger and Snape dance. “It’s absolutely revolting that someone could get that close to him! She must be insane!” he said in disgust.

Severus and Hermione wandered too near the two gossiping Marauders, and Severus caught what they were saying. His body went rigid. Hermione pulled her head up and looked at him.

“What is it?” she asked with concern.

“Potter and Black are talking about us. They think you’ve lost your mind,” Severus spat.

“Oh, they’re right,” Hermione said as she put her head down again. “I’ve lost my mind and heart to you.”

He relaxed a little. “You don’t mind that everyone’s probably speaking badly about you?”

She shrugged. “I couldn’t care less. They’re just a bunch of jealous teenagers.”

He pulled her closer to him. “Are you worried about what the faculty will say?”

She looked up at him again. “You are of age aren’t you?” she asked slyly.

He nodded, “You know I am.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.” She returned her head to his chest.

“I will give those students a month of detentions if I hear them speaking badly of you again,” she said loudly enough for the closest gossipers to hear her.

Nat Kensington and Debra Garron had been nose to nose, exclaiming how horrid it was that Professor Granger was dancing with such a creep. Of course, they were just jealous of her. They actually wanted to dance with him themselves, but could never admit it to anyone because he was such an outcast. Their eyes went wide as they heard Hermione’s threat, and they scurried away.

“Hermione, you’re amazing,” Severus said with a huge grin on his face.

Hermione looked up at him lovingly as he watched the gossiping girls tell the rest of the room about Hermione’s detention threat. Severus didn’t care who saw them or what they said anymore. He bent low and kissed her tenderly as an audible gasp came from the crowd around them.

Lucius Malfoy looked on with interest, wondering why Severus didn’t earn himself a detention with that kiss the same way he had.

Chapter Text

Hermione sat grading papers while Severus read. It had been two months since they had finally confessed their love for one another, and the Christmas holidays were almost upon them. Hermione had never been so happy. Almost too happy, she had thought. She wasn’t used to things working out for her.

She marveled at how naturally Severus and she got along. This younger Severus was much more willing to show his feelings than his counterpart. He was always saying he loved her, which made her feel open enough to tell him the same as often as she could. She was enjoying every minute of their relationship, but she knew that it couldn’t last. She would eventually have to go back to her time, and she feared that Severus would eventually come to resent her for leaving him.

She felt his arms around her and looked over to see him sitting behind her on the floor, embracing her. She leaned back into him and put her quill down.

“Don’t you think you’ve been at that long enough for one night?” he asked her.

“I’m not finished until the pile is gone,” she said ruefully. “But I’m more than ready for a break.”

She turned sideways and hugged him, placing her head on his chest. He rubbed her back, enjoying her closeness.

“Hermione, do you know when you’re going back to your time?” he asked tentatively.

Hermione stiffened a little. Obviously he had been worrying about the same thing. She pulled back and looked at him.

“I’m not sure. Whenever I feel I’ve done all that I can with Malfoy, I guess.”

“Are you sure you just can’t stay here with me?”

She smiled, but it had a tinge of sadness to it.

“I want to, but I can’t. Eventually, there would be two of me around for a long time. I don’t think that can happen. I would need to go into hiding or leave the country. It’s quite impossible. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought lately.”

“I’ve no doubt that you have,” he murmured. “Have you spoken to Dumbledore about it?”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Of course. He thinks it would be enchanting—his word, not mine—if I stayed, but told me it’s completely impossible. First off, if anyone were to see me and my future self together, Dumbledore thinks that it might seriously affect the future. Secondly, if I spend too much time here, when I return I will appear older than I did when I left, opening the door for questions I won’t be able to answer.”

“What do you think about what he said?”

“Personally, I don’t care about questions I can’t answer, but I’ve messed with the future enough already. I’m not sure I want to risk having it implode in my face if I were to never return to my present.”

Severus caressed her cheek and pulled her close, kissing her gently.

“I wish you didn’t have to go,” he whispered to her when they finally pulled apart.

“Severus?”

“Yes,” he responded.

“When I leave, I don’t want you to wait for me.”

He looked at her gravely. “But what if I want to wait for you?”

She smiled thinly at him. “It’s not fair to you to wait so long. You deserve to be happy, not to be pining away for a woman you can’t have. It would be like Lily all over again.”

Severus took her hand in his. “No, it wouldn’t. I would know that you would come back to me.”

“It’s too long, Severus,” she admonished. “Twenty-five years is too long.”

Severus brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. “I would wait for eternity if I knew that you would be there at the end of it.”

Tears filled Hermione’s eyes as she pulled him to her.

“You don’t know what that means to me,” she confessed softly. “But I don’t want you to wait. I want you to be happy.”

“Hermione, you make me happy. I’ve never been this happy in my entire life.”

Hermione pulled back so she could look at him. She shook her head as she spoke. “But I won’t be here. You will grow to resent my absence. You should just move on. Find another woman you can be happy with. Get married and have a family.”

Severus looked into her eyes and put his hand on her neck. “I want to do all of those things with you.”

A shock went through her body at the thought that he wanted those things. That was exactly what she wanted with him. She pulled him to her and kissed him.

“And I want that too,” she murmured. “But it’s not fair to you, Severus. You shouldn’t have to wait so long to be happy.”

“What about you, Hermione? How would you feel going back to your time and finding me in the arms of another woman? How would I be hurting you if that happens? I won’t hurt you like that. I will wait for you forever if I have to.”

He pulled her into an embrace. “I won’t hurt you like that ever.”

“I could deal with it,” she said into his chest. “I would understand.”

“Perhaps, but it would hurt you deeply. I won’t do it. You’ll just have to accept that I will wait for you.”

She tightened her grip around him. “I know I can’t make you do anything, love. I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.”

“I would feel better if I knew you wouldn’t be lonely,” she said after a while.

“If I promise you I won’t be lonely, will you drop the matter?” he questioned.

Hermione looked at him quizzically. “How can you promise me that?”

“I promise not to live like the hermit you described to me before,” he said with determination.

She looked up into his eyes. “I will hold you to that, Severus Snape,” she charged.

“I’ve no doubt that you will,” he countered before he covered her in kisses.

oooOOOooo

Lucius paced back and forth in front of Hermione’s classroom. He needed to speak with her, but she wasn’t there. He knew she would come by sooner or later as her quarters were right next to the classroom. He didn’t need to wait long. Severus and Hermione wandered up about half an hour later. Hermione smiled at Lucius.

“Good evening, Mr. Malfoy,” she said to him.

“Can I speak with you privately, Professor Granger?” His eyes wandered over to Severus.

Hermione looked concerned. “Of course, Mr. Malfoy. Why don’t we head into my office?”

She turned and gave Severus a good night kiss and proceeded into her classroom. Lucius followed her. She headed to the back, where the office was, and opened the door. With a flick of her wand, the candles lit up the room. She frowned at the papers that covered the desk. Mallory had left a mess behind her in her rush to end her day. Hermione proceeded to the desk and sat down, leaving the papers strewn about. Lucius followed closely and sat in the chair that was strategically placed in front of the desk.

“What’s wrong?” Hermione asked him with concern.

“It’s my father.”

“What has he done?” Hermione asked.

“I was wrong in my assumption,” Lucius explained. “We have argued by owl about your class constantly. Now he is threatening to disown me if I don’t drop it.”

Hermione thinned her lips as she thought about Lucius’ statement. She finally looked back up at him.

“I think the time for making stands is over. It’s not worth it for you to continue in my class just to lose your family.”

“But his request is absurd!” Lucius said hotly.

“That may be, Mr. Malfoy,” Hermione said calmly. “He is your father, though. You don’t want to be separated from your family just to prove a point.”

Lucius balled his hands into fists. “Why can’t he just accept that you’re a teacher here? What is the big deal?”

“Mr. Malfoy, I suspect that I will always have this problem as a teacher simply because of my birth circumstances.”

“But that’s not fair. You are a good teacher. Isn’t that all that should count?”

“In a perfect world, that is all that would count,” Hermione said ruefully. “But our world is filled with prejudices. You deal with them all the time, Mr. Malfoy. Aren’t you a Death Eater?”

Lucius looked shocked that she had brought that up. He nodded curtly.

“Isn’t the whole mantra of Voldemort to get rid of the dirty blood in our race? How do you expect to do that without killing off Muggle-borns or even Half-bloods for that matter?”

Lucius looked down. “I’m not in it for the killing. I’m in it for the power. It doesn’t interest me so much to destroy Muggle-borns. Not anymore.”

“How can you serve your ‘Master’ with that attitude?”

“He doesn’t know I feel this way. I am loyal to him. I do what he asks. That’s all he cares about.”

“Lucius, you’re going to have to walk this line for the rest of your life. You will eventually need to make a decision as to where you stand. Right now, even though you are an adult, you’re under your father’s rules, but someday you will decide for yourself what you believe and how you will act about it.”

“I believe, thanks to you, that Muggle-born witches and wizards are no different from us.”

Hermione smiled at him. She had succeeded.

“Then you have learned all you can from me. Drop the class, Lucius. You don’t need the extra N.E.W.T., you already said so. Don’t separate yourself from your family. Ultimately, our families are all that we have.”

He looked down. “It just seems so unfair,” he muttered.

“Sometimes you have to do things that seem unfair for a better end. You can probably hear the same statement from Headmaster Dumbledore if you were to ask him.”

He looked at her for a long time. “Okay,” he said finally, “I’ll drop your class. I want you to know that it’s against my better judgment.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Malfoy, I won’t hold it against you." She smiled at him as he rose to leave.

He reached out to shake her hand. Hermione looked at it. Lucius Malfoy wanted to shake hands with her. Would wonders never cease? She reached out and grasped his hand. They shook hands with each other.

“Thank you for opening my eyes, Professor.”

“To be honest with you, I wasn’t sure it was possible, Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for proving me wrong.”

He gave her a grin. “Now you’re sure you’re doing okay with Severus? I’m always available you know.”

Hermione laughed. “I’m sure your father would love that development.”

Lucius laughed as well. He turned and left her office. Hermione leaned back in her chair. It seemed that her mission was over. She had actually succeeded in changing Lucius Malfoy’s ideas on Muggle-born wizards. She couldn’t believe it. Her musings were interrupted by Severus coming into her office. She looked up at him.

“I waited outside until Lucius left,” Severus explained. “Did he hit on you again? He and Narcissa are going through a tough time right now.”

“Of course he did! Are you jealous?”

He crossed the room to her and stooped down so he was eye level with her. “Of course I am,” he confessed with a grin.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I told you he’s not my type.” She looked into Severus’ dark eyes. “It worked, Severus. His views of Muggle-born wizards have changed. My mission is complete.”

Severus frowned at her while stroking her face. “When will you go then?”

“I’m not ready to leave you yet. Staying a little while longer won’t hurt anything in the future.”

“I’m glad you’re not going anywhere just yet,” he said.

She leaned in and kissed him. She felt melancholy as her lips came to his. These wonderful kisses would soon be over. She would miss this Severus. She threw her arms around him and kissed him more, trying to make him part of her, so she would always remember how he was now.

Chapter Text

Severus frowned as he entered the Arithmancy classroom looking for Hermione. She was at her desk, reading a text on Charms. He stood in front of the desk and cleared his throat. Hermione glanced up from her book and gave him a big smile.

“What brings you to my classroom at this time of the day, Mr. Snape?” she asked.

He scowled. “McGonagall gave me a detention tonight. I won’t be able to see you.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. “What did you do?”

“I turned Potter’s nose into a beak,” he said sharply.

Hermione tried to look stern. She tried not to laugh. She failed miserably. A stifled laugh finally escaped her closed lips. She looked at him with exasperation.

“Whatever did you do that for?” she asked finally.

“He called me a…” Severus looked crossly at the floor.

“What did he call you, Severus?” Hermione asked with concern.

“He called me a murdering Death Eater that had to Imperio you to get you to like me.”

Hermione sat back in her chair with her arms folded in front of her.

“Is what he said true?”

Severus gave her a toxic look. “Of course not!”

She shrugged then. “So, why didn’t you just let it go?”

“Hermione! He… he…” Severus looked down at the ground again. “I couldn’t. He just made me so furious!”

Hermione smiled benevolently at him. “My love,” she responded softly, “you need to learn to pick your battles. Don’t take Potter so seriously. He’s just a prat, and we all know it. Now you have to serve detention because you lost your temper. I suppose Professor McGonagall didn’t catch his nasty comments to you?”

“Of course not! She’s blind to the Gryffindors in the room. They can do no wrong!”

“Severus, calm down. She probably just didn’t hear him. She is very fair-minded, even when it comes to her Gryffindors. I’m sorry we won’t be able to spend the evening together.” She looked at him slyly. “And I’m sorry I didn’t see your trick myself.”

He smiled at her and told her he had to get to class. He quickly turned and left the room. Hermione put her chin in her hands. His detention certainly spoiled the evening she had planned. Today was Severus’ birthday, but he didn’t know that she knew. She had planned to take him to Hogsmeade to celebrate. She frowned. They would have to celebrate another night, she supposed. Suddenly she got an idea. She hurriedly got up and left the room in search of Minerva.

She knocked on her door a few minutes later.

“Come in!” she heard from back in the classroom.

Hermione was glad that Minerva had an off-hour now too, so she could speak with her right away.

“Hi, Minerva, how are you?” Hermione asked.

“I am well, and yourself, Hermione?”

Hermione smiled at her. “I’m fine.” She hesitated for a minute. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“Well, I suppose you could.”

Hermione pursed her lips. “Severus told me he received a detention from you for tonight?”

“That’s right,” Minerva said.

“Today is his birthday. I was wondering if he could do the official detention tomorrow, and I could take over the monitoring of his detention today.”

“Hermione, did he tell you what he did?”

“He said he gave James Potter a beak,” she said blandly.

Minerva looked at her crossly. “And why should I be lenient on such behavior?”

Hermione sighed. “You shouldn’t, Minerva. I fully understand his having to do a detention. But he told me that Potter had insulted him, and that’s why he reacted. I know that’s not an excuse for bad behavior, but he did have a reason.”

Minerva regarded Hermione curiously. “What exactly did Potter say to him?”

“He called him a murderous Death Eater and accused him of using an Imperius curse on me to get me to like him.”

Minerva raised an eyebrow at that. “I suppose I can’t blame the lad for reacting as he did.”

“Minerva, I’m only asking for a day’s postponement. I understand that he can’t go popping off on people like that, but it’s his birthday. Please?”

“I never would have believed I would hear you beg, Professor Granger!”

“Is that a yes?” Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

Minerva gave her a sympathetic look. “All right, but this gets out to nobody, is that understood? I don’t want my reputation as a hard nose to be destroyed!”

Hermione giggled at her. “Of course, Minerva! Thank you!”

“What are you planning, anyway?” Minerva asked curiously.

“Just a little surprise party,” Hermione said cryptically.

“Have fun then,” Minerva said to her as Hermione turned and left the room.

oooOOOooo

Severus scowled as he came up to the Transfiguration classroom. He was annoyed that he had to spend his birthday in detention. He had been looking forward to spending it with Hermione. She, of course, didn’t know it was his birthday, as he hadn’t told her, but he had hoped to spend a quiet evening with her in his arms. He could think of no better birthday present than that. Bother.

He approached the door and knocked loudly. The door swung open of its own accord. Peeking in, he saw that the classroom was empty. He went into the room tentatively, calling Professor McGonagall’s name, but received no welcome. Walking further into the room, he approached her desk. Perhaps she had left him a note.

What he saw there surprised him. There was a small wrapped package with his name on it sitting on the professor’s desk. He eyed it curiously and then picked it up. The tag said Happy Birthday.

Why would Professor McGonagall give me a birthday present? he wondered.

He put the box back down and pulled out his wand. After performing every spell he knew to detect traps, he deemed that the package was not harmful. He picked it up again and unwrapped the dark blue paper. He opened the box and peered into it curiously. He realized this present wasn’t from McGonagall at all but had no clue as to whom it was from. The gift was a pocket watch with the face smashed in. Was it a warning of some kind?

He lifted the pocket watch out of the box, and before he knew it, he felt a pull at his stomach. Severus disappeared from the room. The Portkey rematerialized him in a dark room which was ringed with thick candles. They lit the room dimly, just giving him a hint of what was there. He could see a comfortable looking couch in the middle of the room and a table and chairs off in the corner under a window. A couple of armchairs and a bureau were scattered around the room. Severus looked around suspiciously and withdrew his wand.

He felt two arms surround him from behind, and he stiffened.

“You won’t be needing your wand tonight,” he heard Hermione’s voice from behind him. “Happy Birthday, love,” Hermione whispered in his ear, standing on tiptoe.

Severus whipped around in shock.

“Hermione? What is all this?”

“It’s your birthday party, Severus. I didn’t think you would appreciate balloons, but I thought perhaps candles would be a nice touch.”

“How did you know it was my birthday?” he asked curiously.

“I knew in the future. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Severus shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t want to make a big deal of it.”

Hermione frowned at him. “I’m quite hurt.”

“Hermione, I didn’t mean…”

His excuse was cut off by her lips closing in on his. She kissed him with fervor, and he quickly responded, pulling her to him and kissing her until he felt her shudder.

She pulled back finally, catching her breath. “Okay, I’m not that hurt,” she confessed. “Happy Birthday!”

“Did you plan all of this with McGonagall from the beginning?” he asked with suspicion.

“No, but I did beg her to postpone your detention until tomorrow. She reluctantly agreed. I suppose I’ll owe her something in the future.”

Severus smiled at her. Hermione thought she would melt into him with that smile. He wrapped his arms around her and embraced her tightly.

“Thank you, Hermione,” Severus told her.

He pulled back and took a good look at her. She was wearing a midnight blue satin dress that had black netting over the skirt. The top was squared and had short sleeves. Her hair was pulled up and flowed around her head in a cascade of curls. She was a vision.

“You look beautiful,” Severus said appreciatively as he looked her up and down.

“Thank you,” Hermione beamed.

“I don’t seem to be dressed appropriately,” Severus murmured.

“That can be easily taken care of,” Hermione returned, and with a flick of her wand, his clothes had transformed themselves into a black suit.

Severus frowned down at himself and took his wand out, changing the suit to a charcoal gray. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him.

“What?” Severus demanded.

“I never thought I’d see you in any color other than black, Severus.”

“Black gets a bit drab after a while,” Severus admitted.

Hermione gaped at him. “Excuse me?” she asked.

“I said that black gets drab after a while,” Severus repeated.

Hermione reached up and felt his forehead. “Well, you don’t seem to have a fever… Has someone hexed you?”

Severus looked at Hermione crossly. “What are you going on about, woman?”

Despite his annoyance, Hermione’s laughter was music to his ears. “Severus, you always wear black!”

Severus rolled his eyes. “I’m sure it’s just a uniform, Hermione.”

“Yes, a uniform that you choose the color of. Now, don’t get me wrong, Severus, I think you look incredibly sexy in black.”

Severus tilted his head and regarded her thoughtfully. “Should I change this back then?” he asked curiously.

Hermione looked him over. “I wouldn’t have you change a thing. You look incredibly sexy in gray too.” She fiddled with the collar of his suit coat. “In fact, you’re incredibly sexy in anything you put on.”

“You flatter me, witch,” Severus whispered into her ear as he pulled her close.

Hermione pulled away and looked him over once again. “You know, you couldn’t have picked a color closer to black if you had tried.” She laughed after she had said that.

“It’s my birthday, do not tease me!”

Hermione gaped at him. “Me! Tease you on your birthday? I would shudder to think I would do such a horrible thing to you.”

Severus narrowed his eyes at her as she smiled innocently at him.

“Come on, I have a cake for you,” Hermione gushed as she grabbed his hand and led him to the table in the corner of the room.

“Where are we anyway?”

“This is one of the rooms above the Leaky Cauldron,” Hermione explained. “I’ve had this planned for weeks, and I was quite put out that Minerva had given you a detention tonight.”

“It seemed that you took care of that in any case, Hermione.”

Hermione smiled at him as they drew up to the table. In the center of the table there was a dark chocolate cake with a single candle on it. Hermione flicked her wand at the cake, and the candle lit.

“Now make a wish, and blow out the candle,” she instructed.

Severus glared at her.

“Surely you’ve had a birthday cake before, Severus. It’s tradition to make a wish.”

“My wish already came true,” he said huskily.

Hermione looked at him coyly. “And just what was your wish?”

“That you would be mine.”

Hermione’s eyes softened with her love for him.

“You are amazing, Severus.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “But it’s okay to have more than one wish in a lifetime, my love,” she told him.

Severus rolled his eyes and thought of a wish. Wishing that she would decide to stay with him in this time forever, he stooped over the cake and blew the candle out. Hermione clapped and gave him a hug.

“I’m sure you’ll kill me if I break into the Happy Birthday song,” she advised him, “so I’ll just skip it.”

“Wise choice,” he muttered as he hugged her tightly.

She pulled herself away from him and took a knife and cut two pieces of cake. She placed them on plates and handed one to Severus who seated himself at the table. He looked at the cake. It looked like it was made of solid chocolate.

“What kind of cake is this?” Severus asked Hermione as she took the seat across the table from him.

“It’s called a Chocolate Decadence Cake. It’s flourless and absolutely sinful.”

Severus took a small bite of it and savored it. He closed his eyes for a moment as the rich, smooth chocolate coated his mouth. He had to agree with Hermione on the sinfulness of this cake.

“It’s delicious,” he said finally. “How did you know I had a penchant for chocolate? Is that another thing I told you about in the future?”

Hermione laughed. “Hardly! As a matter of fact, if you had any idea that I knew about that, you’d probably have been angry that I knew so much about you. This discovery came from years of covert observation. I have found that you gravitate to the chocolate desserts whenever they are offered.” She flashed a smile at him as he regarded her slyly.

“How very Slytherin of you, my dear,” Severus said smoothly.

Hermione grinned broadly at him. They soon finished their cake, and Hermione stood and put her hand out to him. He took it, and she guided him over to the sofa. They settled into it, and she produced a package from behind it.

“Here’s your real present,” she said as she handed the box to him. It was long and thin and wrapped in blue paper that had Happy Birthday scrawled all over it. As Severus tore into the paper, it burst out into song. A chorus of elves sang Happy Birthday from the paper as he tore it off. He glared at Hermione, who looked a bit sheepish.

“I said I wouldn’t sing, not that nobody would sing for you,” Hermione exclaimed.

Severus narrowed his eyes at her playfully and then turned to his present. He crumpled up the paper so it would shut up and then turned his attention to the box itself. He lifted the lid off of it and pulled the paper aside to reveal a crystal potions stirring rod. His eyes widened in appreciation as he lifted it gingerly out of the box. The end of the stirrer had a cobra’s head carved into it. It seemed to stare at Severus, its head tilted down, and its neck flared out as if it were ready to strike.

“You have one of these in the future exactly like this one. I thought it would be kind of fun for you to have it now instead of whenever you’re supposed to get it. That way you can think of me when you’re creating your potions.” She smiled at him happily.

He smiled back at her as he moved the rod around and looked at it closely. It shimmered in the dim candlelight and sparkled like a diamond. He knew that the crystal had been enchanted to be as hard as diamond. These types of stirring rods were only used by advanced potioneers. They were shatterproof and resisted the absorption of the ingredients that would be used in the potions that were created. He placed it back into its box and set it down. He moved closer to Hermione.

“It’s perfect, Hermione. Thank you. I will always think of you whenever I use it.”

He closed in on her and began to kiss her lightly.

“I will think of your smile.”

He kissed her on the cheek.

“I will think of your beautiful eyes.”

He kissed her on both of her closed eyes.

“I will think of your hugs.”

He kissed her other cheek.

“I will think of your kisses.”

He finally came to her mouth and kissed her fully. She parted her lips, and his tongue slipped into her mouth and explored her. She groaned in pleasure at his passion. Hermione pulled him closer and wrapped her arms around him, basking in his love. She felt complete when he kissed her like this. All she wanted to do was stay wrapped in his arms, surrounded by his love and kisses. Her heart belonged to him.

“You’re amazing,” she said after they had separated.

“So are you,” Severus confessed to her.

Hermione took her hand and caressed his face with it. “Happy Birthday, my love. I hope this has been a nice birthday for you.”

Severus smiled at her. “It has been the nicest birthday I have ever had,” he told her before he kissed her again.

Chapter Text

“I have a meeting tonight, so I won’t be able to spend time with you, Hermione.”

Hermione looked at Severus from behind her desk. They were alone in the classroom as the class had just dismissed.

“This is the first time he’s requested a meeting in more than a month,” Hermione mused. “Do you think he’ll increase his activity now that spring is here?”

Severus shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’d imagine he probably will.”

Hermione looked at him with fear in her eyes. “Be careful, Severus,” she warned.

“I always am.”

“Come find me if you’re hurt.”

“Why would I be hurt?” he asked curiously.

Hermione looked down. “Voldemort likes to play with his followers. He liked to play with you a lot in my past. Besides, if he finds out you’re dating me, he will be livid.”

Severus stared at her in silence, processing what she had said. Had he consigned himself to a life of torture? When Dumbledore had explained his role as a spy, he knew there would be the chance that he would be tortured and perhaps even killed, but he wasn’t expecting to be at Voldemort’s wand tip consistently. Frowning, he hoped he would be able to take whatever was thrown at him without breaking his cover.

Dumbledore’s instruction in Occlumency had gone well. He had developed the talent quickly, and he was quite good at it. He had even become smug about his abilities, but if he were to be tortured, how strong would he be? Would he be able to keep the Dark Lord out of his thoughts? Would all of his secrets come tumbling out of his head and into Voldemort’s? He would need to redouble his efforts and strengthen his skills even more. If his cover was blown, it would not only mean his death, but the possible destruction of the Order as well. Of course, if Voldemort were ever to know anything about his relationship with Hermione, it would probably mean the death of the both of them.

“I will be careful, Hermione,” he said finally. “He will never know about us. I won’t let him find out. And if for some reason I am hurt, I will come to you.”

Hermione looked back up at him, then rose from her desk and came around to hug him. She placed a quick kiss on his lips.

“I suppose I won’t see you until tomorrow then,” she said after they parted.

“I will be fine, and I will see you tomorrow.”

She nodded, and he disappeared.

“Looks like I won’t be getting much rest tonight,” she mused before going back to her work. “Hopefully morning comes quickly so I can see him looking up at me from the Slytherin table at breakfast.”

oooOOOooo

There was a loud banging on Hermione’s door. She sat bolt upright in her bed. She had dozed off and had been startled awake by the pounding. She glanced at the clock while she got a robe on. It was midnight. Perhaps Severus had returned. She hurried to the door and pulled it open.

Sure enough, Severus was on the other side. He quickly entered the room, looking crazed. Before she even had a chance to close the door, he had pulled her to him and hugged her as if she were a lifeline.

“What is it?” Hermione asked.

Severus released her and closed the door. He turned back to Hermione and embraced her again.

“Voldemort told me to kill you,” he said finally.

Hermione stiffened.

“He said that you have ignored his warning to leave. You must be taken care of. It will send a message to all Muggle-borns that they must be obedient to him. He wants me to do it tonight.”

“Severus, what are we going to do?”

He pulled away from her. “You have to go back, Hermione… to your time.”

She crushed him in an embrace. “No! I’m not ready to leave! I can’t leave you, Severus.”

“You have to. If I refuse to kill you, I will be killed, and then they will send someone else to kill you. I will not have you murdered. You must go back.”

Hermione burst into tears. “I won’t leave you,” she cried. “We can fight him. I’ll go into hiding!”

He pushed her back and grabbed her shoulders. “Hermione, think! You have to do this.”

Hermione looked down and sniffled, trying to control her tears. “I know… I just don’t want to,” she finally said.

“You will see me again.”

“Everything will be different,” she said dismally.

“My love for you will never change.”

She looked at him searchingly. Of course, it would change. Everything would change. He would have twenty-five years to forget her. He would move on. But she had known that he would. She had prepared herself for their separation. She just wasn’t ready for it to be right now. Unfortunately, Voldemort had sealed her fate. She was so tired of him driving everyone’s lives. At least when she returned to her present, he would be gone.

“I’ll go get the Time-Turner,” she said in defeat.

She turned and went to her bedroom. She quickly changed her clothes and went over to her nightstand. She pulled the turner from the nightstand and put it around her neck. She went back out to Severus.

“I want to do this in Dumbledore’s office. I would rather appear there in the future. He will at least know what was going on.”

Severus nodded and took her hand. They left her room and headed for the Headmaster’s office. Still holding her hand, Severus glanced over at her. Teardrops fell silently down her face. He watched her for a few minutes and then stopped and turned to her. He reached out and cradled her face in his hands.

“Don’t cry, Hermione,” he said and kissed her tears.

“I’m all right, Severus,” she sniffled. “Let’s just go.”

They continued down the hall hand in hand.

“What will you tell Voldemort?” Hermione asked finally.

“I will tell him that when I got to your room, it was deserted. You had packed everything and must have left secretly in the night.”

“He will punish you.”

“Perhaps, but you will be safe,” Severus replied with determination.

“Does he suspect that you are in a relationship with me?”

“No, he has no idea.”

They had reached the Gargoyle, and Hermione murmured the password. As the Gargoyle moved aside, she pulled Severus into another embrace.

“You must forget about me,” she told him.

“I will never forget you,” he responded.

“Then forget that you love me.”

“No.”

“I just want you to be happy.”

“I will be knowing that you are safe.”

“Find someone who will care for you, Severus.”

“I already have.”

Hermione sobbed and buried her head into his shoulder. “I don’t want to leave,” she moaned.

“But you will go because that is what you have to do.”

“Please, Severus, move on with your life.”

“I will never move on unless you are by my side.”

Hermione fought to compose herself. She glared at Severus. “You, Severus Snape, are more stubborn than I am,” she said finally in exasperation.

He smiled. “You see, we are perfect for each other.”

                                                          ____________________

They turned, ascended the stairway, and knocked on the office door. It took a while, but finally, Albus opened the door and let them in, looking from one to the other curiously. They quickly explained everything, and he urged Hermione to get on with the time travel.

Severus had been staring at Hermione the entire time, trying to memorize every part of her. She turned to him and looked at him sadly. He rushed over, and she flung herself into his arms. Severus took her chin in his trembling hand. He lifted her face up so he could stare into her eyes. A million things were said without words in each of their looks. Severus bent down towards her, stopped, and looked at her again. He gazed at her beautiful face, knowing he would not see it again for twenty-five years. He slowly pulled in close to her lips. They kissed one last time as Dumbledore turned to give them some privacy. Tears streamed down Hermione’s face as Severus kissed her passionately. She returned his kiss lovingly, conveying all her feelings for him. Finally, they broke apart. Severus wiped her tears away.

“You will see me very soon,” he told her.

“You will not,” Hermione said sadly.

                                              ________________________

Hermione knew in her heart that this was the end of them. How could he wait for her? There was too much time between now and their future reunion. As determined as he may feel now, she knew that when she appeared in her time, their relationship would be over. She looked upon him again, hoping to sear his face into her memory. It would be the only thing that would console her when she returned.

Looking into his eyes, she saw such immense love in them that it took her breath away. Could it be possible that his love would last? A glimmer of hope flickered in her heart as a tear slid down her cheek. It was selfish, she knew, to want him to continue loving her, but she couldn’t help it. Her life seemed empty without him. She truly didn’t know how she would go on in the future without his love.

Severus touched her face again, memorizing everything about it. She broke out of her reverie as he caressed her and kissed her lightly once more.

“You’d better go,” he said finally and moved away.

She picked up the Time-Turner and took her wand. She readied herself to spin the turner and return to her present. She regretted not having more time with Severus, but thanks to Voldemort, they had no other choice. She glanced back up at the man she loved and gave him a brilliant smile.

“I love you,” she told him and tapped the Turner.

“I love you too,” he replied as he watched the small instrument begin to spin wildly. Before he had a chance to look back into her face, she had disappeared. His life was gone.

Dumbledore turned back to Severus.

“I’m sorry, Severus. I’m sure this is hard for you.”

Severus fought back tears and looked at Dumbledore. “I will be all right. She is safe. I need to report back to the Dark Lord,” he said and turned to leave.

“Good luck, Severus,” Dumbledore said as the younger man swept from the room.

oooOOOooo

Voldemort sat regally upon a throne in the largest room in his hideaway. The Dark Lord did nothing shabbily. The floor was made of marble, and the room was filled with expensive tapestries depicting great Wizards in history. The largest sat behind the throne. It was a depiction of Salazar Slytherin in front of a statue of a snake. The colorful tapestry covered the wall from floor to ceiling.

“Is she dead, Severus?” Voldemort demanded as he hissed out the words.

The Dark Lord’s eyes looked to his tool in expectation.

Severus bowed low on one knee and said, “My Lord, when I arrived at her rooms I found them empty. All of her belongings were gone. She has escaped.”

“What!” Voldemort screamed. “How could she know what we were planning? Someone tipped her off.”

“My Lord, it seemed that she had been gone for some time, probably before our meeting dispersed. I don’t know how, but she must have had some foreboding. I don’t think you have been betrayed.”

Voldemort narrowed his eyes at Severus. He swept into Severus’ mind and saw the same things that Severus had just explained.

“I’ll teach you to think, Severus,” he cried and extended his wand.

The Cruciatus curse hit Severus, and he crumpled to the floor. He had never felt such excruciating pain before. Voldemort held the curse for what seemed like forever, and Severus screamed. The tears he had been holding back since Hermione had left flowed down his face as he reacted to the pain and to her departure. He pulled himself into a ball and shivered as Voldemort lifted the curse.

“Next time, when I give you an assignment, I expect it to be done! Is that understood?”

“Yes, my Lord,” Severus groaned from the floor.

“Leave me,” Voldemort ordered.

Severus shakily got to his feet. He was unsure if he could Apparate properly but was even more sure that delaying his departure would cause more pain. He turned on the spot and disappeared. He collapsed in front of the gates of Hogwarts. Curling into a ball again, he screamed. He wasn’t sure if he was screaming from the pain of the curse or from his intense feeling of loss. Hermione was gone. He would not see her again for twenty-five years. It was as if she had died. Tears coursed down his cheeks as he screamed again. He wrapped his arms around his legs and sobbed.

He felt gentle hands pulling him to a standing position. Dumbledore was supporting his weakened form.

“We should get you to the infirmary, my boy,” he told Severus.

Dumbledore put his arms supportively around Severus’ shoulders and guided him up the walkway.

“It will get easier with time,” he muttered to Severus as they slowly made their way into the castle.

Severus frowned. Twenty-five years worth of time, he thought morosely.

oooOOOooo

Severus spent that night in the infirmary, recuperating from the Cruciatus curse that had been cast upon him for his inability to kill Hermione. Madam Pomfrey had given him the necessary potions to recover, but he found that he still ached all over. The ache was more of a feeling of loss than of pain. He sobbed in agony into his pillow for most of the night, feeling more alone than he ever had. Hermione was gone. She would no longer flash a quick smile at him in the middle of class. They would no longer share their evenings together in the Room of Requirement. He would no longer feel her loving embrace and have her wonderful kisses to encourage him. 

How could he go on without her? She had become essential to his life, like the beating of his heart. Now all he felt was an incredible emptiness. His heart felt like it would explode in grief. His chest physically ached from his sense of loss. When he thought of the months and years he would have to endure without her, his chest constricted so tightly he thought he would be unable to continue breathing. He was alone, utterly alone, and no one could help him ease the pain of his loss. No one could understand what he was feeling. He would have to endure this horrible agony alone for what seemed like forever. He punched his pillow in frustration.

“Hermione!” he sobbed. “I can’t do it. I can’t live without you for that long!”

He sunk into hopelessness. The years he had to wait stretched in front of him, mocking him. Would he ever feel happy again before she returned? Was he consigned to this bitter grief for what would seem to be the rest of his life? How could he live his life alone like this? He felt empty, drained of everything that made him feel good. There would be no happiness for him. He was to be nothing but a puppet of Voldemort, with no passion, no joy, just misery.

“Perhaps it would have been better had I never known her.”

He scoffed. “That was a stupid thing to say…”

If that had been the case, he would be consigned to a fate that seemed to him now to be worse than death. Becoming the monster that Hermione had described to him would be so much worse than living without her for the next twenty-five years. At least if he could change his life, when she reappeared in it, she would see him in a new light. Hopefully, it would be a light that she would find appealing.

Slowly, his sobs quieted and stopped completely. He had no more tears to shed. He finally slipped into a fitful sleep, tossing and turning on the bed. His dreams were filled with nightmares of Hermione coming toward him and then being pulled away into a vortex where she was crying his name over and over again until she disappeared from his sight.

oooOOOooo

The students muttered amongst themselves about Professor Granger’s disappearance. Even though it had been explained that she’d needed to return to her home because of an emergency and would finish her studies elsewhere, the students missed her. Many weeks had passed, and they still brought her up.

Severus listened to them and bitterly thought of his love, now gone. He headed to the Room of Requirement once again. He spent every evening and all of his weekends there. Pulling out his homework, he worked and worked, but his heart wasn’t in it. His usual preciseness was now just desire to get it all finished so he could think more about his missing Hermione.

Finally, he realized it was almost time for curfew. He looked to the door and sighed.

“I’m not leaving,” he said with determination. “I can’t take that pathetic dormitory with those cretins.” He sat there sullenly. “I miss her too much to leave.”

Rising from the floor, he curled up on the couch and tried to get some sleep. His dreams were filled with Hermione and him being together, but they all ended with her being ripped from his arms and disappearing before his eyes. He woke not even feeling rested and headed to class. This wasn’t the first time he’d looked like he hadn’t slept a wink, and he knew it wouldn’t be the last.

“How do I go on without her?” he thought to himself. Huffing he mused, “It would be easier to just end it all. Then I won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

He frowned deeply. That kind of thinking would not bring Hermione back to him, and it would ensure he’d never see her again.

He moved down the hall in a fog, barely noticing students giving him a wide berth. They’d been doing it for weeks now, and he’d become used to it. He passed by the Marauders, who looked at him caustically but did nothing. He’d found that ignoring them had succeeded in taking their fun out of attacking him. If only he’d know that years ago.

He entered the class and sat in the back, not even acknowledging Lucius, who’d taken to sitting away from him anyway. He looked up at Professor McGonagall, who gave him a concerned look. He quickly looked down. That look had been reflected on all his teacher’s faces recently, but he had no desire to indulge them in their pity parties.

                                                    ___________________

Slowly, he began to mourn less. He began concentrating on happy memories of the two of them and tried to look forward to their reunion, even if it seemed like it was so far in the future that it would never come. He tried to concentrate on other things.

“Professor Slughorn?”

“Yes, my boy! What can I do for you?” Slughorn asked him.

“I’d like to help you with your side brewing, if that’s okay?”

“Oh!” the professor exclaimed. “That would be lovely! I was just thinking I had so much to catch up on for the Infirmary. Yes, yes. You can come by every evening after dinner if you have the time.”

Severus mulled it over. “Can I come three nights a week? I’ve been working on catching up with my work, and I’ll need those other nights to study.”

“Of course, yes. I’ll look forward to seeing you tonight then,” Professor Slughorn said.

Weeks passed, and although Severus still felt they dragged by, they hadn’t dragged quite as slowly as when Hermione first returned to her time.

Professor Slughorn approached him as he stirred a potion vigorously.

“Mister Snape, given your interest in my subject, I’ve made a few inquiries. My friend Verdo Boltroyd said he’d be willing to take you on as an apprentice.”

Severus’ hand stilled and he looked up to his Potions Master.

“The Verdo Boltroyd? The foremost potioneer of our time?”

Slughorn smiled. “Ah, you’ve heard of him!” he said with a pleased smile on his face.

“Who hasn’t heard of him? I’d… I’d be honored to study with him.  Thank you so much, Professor. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Never you mind, Severus. I know talent when I see it, and I just told Verdo he’d be a fool not to take you under his wing.”

Severus beat down a desire to grin like a loon. He may have changed, but he still wasn’t happy-go-lucky. He did reach out his hand and shook Professor Slughorn’s hand vigorously.

“Thank you,” he said once more.

oooOOOooo

Severus stood in his Death Eater robes, glaring at the Dark Lord. The only good thing about the stupid masks was that no one could see his face, so he could grimace all he wanted. The distance between him and the others also kept them from seeing his eyes well, so he was able to glare without repercussions.

He’d been able to pass quite a bit of information to Dumbledore and some of his Lord’s plans had been thwarted. Sometimes they were too late, or they just ignored the issues so as not to make the Dark Lord suspicious that he had a spy within his ranks.

Tonight, the meeting was being held to ‘celebrate’ their success at attacking a wizarding family that had loudly protested Voldemort’s organization. He had not been involved, but now there was nothing left of the family’s home.

His eyes were drawn to the petrified family in the center of the circle. A man, woman, and two children no older than eight and ten were lined up next to one another within the circle. They’d been captured and now were the entertainment for the evening. The Dark Lord lifted the Petrificus spell off them, encasing them in magical ropes so they couldn’t escape their fate. He started with the father, letting his minions toy with him ad nauseum. He moved along to each family member, the Death Eaters making each one suffer painfully. Severus pretended to take part, but he never cast anything that would hurt the people who were suffering so.

Finally, it was Voldemort’s turn. The Dark Lord started with the children, watching their parents scream and cry as he used the Avada Kedavra on each of the children. He turned to the wife, ignoring the man’s pleas to spare her. In an instant, she’d fallen back, her vacant eyes trained on Severus. He shivered at her empty look.

Severus wanted to look away, but he couldn’t or he’d be called out and punished. What a waste. He stood by idly as the father gasped his last breath before the Dark Lord felled him. A ball of revulsion was deep in the pit of Severus’ stomach.

Finally, the night was over and he was able to leave. He appeared back at Hogwarts and promptly threw up next to the gates. He gasped deeply and let the tears that had been forming come. At long last, he dried his tears before making his way up the walk to the castle. He wished that this had been one of the nights that everyone had been scattered around. It was in those times that he sometimes was able to secretly set someone free. How he would have loved to save the little girl tonight. Her eyes had been so big and filled with fear.

He bent over and threw up again. Waving his wand, he got rid of the mess and cleaned his mouth. Thankfully, these parties didn’t happen often, but when they did, it always made him sick. Thankfully, he’d been able to escape killing anyone so far. He hoped his luck kept up.

oooOOOooo

Before Severus realized it, the school year had come to an end, and so had the summer. He was preparing to begin his apprenticeship. His Potions Master lived in London, so unfortunately he would still be tied to the Dark Lord. No matter… he was studying a subject he found fascinating.

His memories of Hermione had now turned bittersweet. He held his love for her deep within his heart and thought of her fondly. He no longer had the urge to destroy things when he thought of them being parted. He no longer wished he were dead. He looked forward to the future. A future far away, where she would be in his life again, and they would never be separated. The thoughts of that future helped him to deal with the harsh realities of his current life.

Chapter Text

Several years had passed, and Severus was now the Potions Master at Hogwarts. He sat in the dungeons worrying because Voldemort had found out about the prophecy several weeks before. Lucius Malfoy, of all people, had been the one to overhear it and had quickly reported it to the Dark Lord.

Things were turning out much the way Hermione had described them. Voldemort had decided that Lily was the bearer of the boy in the prophecy. Severus had tried to sway his opinion, stating that such prophecies were ridiculous and couldn’t be relied on, but the Dark Lord had put his trust in the words of a batty Seer.

Severus now sat in front of Dumbledore’s desk and looked at him gravely.

“The Dark Lord will not be swayed. There’s nothing more I can do or say to convince him that this prophecy is nonsense.”

Dumbledore returned his grave look. “I have done all I can. I set wards upon the Potter home and have made it unplottable. Voldemort will not be able to find them.”

Severus regarded Albus with concern. He knew it was only a matter of time before the Potters were betrayed.

“What if the Dark Lord finds them anyway?” he asked.

“Do you question my abilities, Severus?”

Severus huffed. “Of course not, but what if he somehow finds the secret keeper and finds the location of their home?”

“I can only hope that never happens,” Dumbledore said with resignation.

He wished he could speak of what he knew of the future with Dumbledore, but he had given his word to Hermione never to speak of what she had told him to anyone, no matter what the circumstances. He sighed to himself as he nodded to Dumbledore and rose, quickly leaving the Headmaster to whatever it was he did all day.

It seemed he was in this alone. He wondered who the traitor could be? Hermione had never said. She hadn’t even told him exactly when the accursed murders happened either. He was working at a great disadvantage.

Perhaps if he kept his eyes and ears open he could find out who the traitor was. He was determined to do all he could to prevent Lily from being killed. He no longer loved her, but he treasured the friendship they’d had in his youth.

oooOOOooo

Severus sat in the Leaky Cauldron staring at the woman across from him. He wondered what had possessed him to invite her here for drinks in the first place. She was pretty enough and had a pleasant disposition, but with every word that came out of her mouth, the differences between Hermione and this woman were becoming more evident. He listened to the woman chatter. Her name was Toni Miller. She was from America and had taken on the Defense teacher position this year. She and Severus had formed a decent friendship, and after almost the entire year, Severus had taken a chance and asked her out. He figured if it didn’t go well she would probably be gone in a few months anyway as the DADA position was cursed. Now he was just asking himself why he had not seen how incompatible they really were before he had asked her out.

“So, John Taylor took his wand and turned Silas Anderson’s head into a cockroach’s!” Toni cried.

Severus smiled at her. Perhaps he was expecting too much. They were friends, but why should he expect sparks on their first date? He watched her as she downed the rest of her butterbeer.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

She looked at him oddly. They had only been here twenty minutes.

“Well, if you’re ready to go,” she said hesitantly.

“I thought we could enjoy the walk back to Hogwarts. There’s hardly a moon, and the stars should be quite beautiful.”

Toni smiled at him. “That sounds lovely.”

They rose and left the bar. Heading out of town, they soon were on the dark path that connected the village to the school. Toni grabbed his hand as they walked. Severus had a hard time not pulling it away from her, but he eventually relaxed. After they had gotten away from the lights of Hogsmeade, they stopped and looked up into the sky.

The stars were magnificent. There seemed to be thousands of them. He could even see the edge of the Milky Way, making a thin cloud of stars streaking along the sky. Severus heard Toni gasp beside him and wished he were here with Hermione instead. He could just picture her face turned up in wonderment as she gazed upon the beautiful sky, basking in its loveliness. Hermione found beauty in everything and fully immersed herself in it when she did.

Who was he kidding? He should have never tried to date when his feelings for Hermione were still so raw within him. Sighing, he turned to Toni.

“Toni, I need to offer you an apology.”

Toni looked back at him in puzzlement.

“I consider you a good friend and like you quite well. I asked you out because I thought that perhaps we could be a little more to each other than we are already.”

Toni smiled at him as he explained himself.

“I’m sorry. This just isn’t working out,” he told her finally, not sure how else to say it.

Toni frowned. “What is it, Severus? Did I talk too much?”

Severus’ eyebrows furrowed, and he heaved a great sigh. “No, Toni, it’s not that at all. It’s just that I thought I was over my last relationship. Unfortunately, this evening has proven me completely wrong.”

“Is that where you’ve been all night? Thinking of some other girl?”

Severus looked down at the ground in embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” he told her. “I really thought it would be different, but I find I cannot get my mind off her. Just being with another woman brings her right back to the forefront of my mind.”

Toni smiled at him. “Well, she must be something special then. Perhaps you should go after her.”

“I would if I could,” Severus sighed.

“Why can’t you?” Toni asked.

“It’s a long story.”

Toni looked at him with interest. “I have all evening. Severus, I was happy when you asked me out, but I’m your friend first. It’s okay that things didn’t work out. I still hope we can be friends. You can tell me what happened with your girlfriend if you’d like.”

Severus gave her a smirk. “Now wouldn’t that be romantic?”

Toni laughed. “It’s okay, Severus. I wasn’t feeling anything either. I suppose we work better as friends than as a couple.”

Severus sighed. “You’re being incredibly understanding about all of this.”

Toni shrugged and smiled at him.

“She’s gone away,” Severus said finally with a scowl. “I don’t even know how to get a hold of her. I know she’ll come back eventually, but it won’t be for a long time. Years in fact.”

“Does she still love you?”

“Yes, I believe she does.”

“Wow, that’s really romantic. I hope things work out for you.”

Severus rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry. This has been a total disaster.”

“No, it hasn’t. I had a good time, despite the fact that we’ve decided not to pursue a relationship.”

“You’re quite understanding, Toni,” Severus said as they continued down the road and back to Hogwarts.

“Mmm, perhaps you can find someone who would appreciate that quality in me since you’re already taken.”

Severus smiled at that.

oooOOOooo

Severus sat in Dumbledore’s office looking deathly grim. He finally leaned forward and put his head in his hands. Everything he had tried had failed. He had not uncovered Voldemort’s mole until it was too late. Sirius Black had deceived James Potter and divulged his family’s location to Voldemort. Voldemort had told no one of his plan and had struck before Severus even had an inkling of what was happening. Lily and James Potter were dead once again, and the young baby, Harry, was now an orphan. Everything had come crashing down upon him, as he suspected it had in the past. He felt Dumbledore’s hand on his shoulder.

“Voldemort is not dead,” Albus said. “The baby is in danger. Voldemort will return. I need you to protect Harry from him.”

Severus just nodded, keeping his head in his hands. Some things just couldn’t be changed, he assumed.

“What has happened to the boy?” Severus asked grimly.

“He has been taken to his relative’s home. Through Lily’s sacrifice, there are protections over the house. He will be safe there as he grows and learns.”

Severus looked at Albus in horror. “You don’t mean to tell me you left him with the Dursleys?”

“You know them?” Albus asked with interest.

“I know the woman, Petunia. She is Lily’s sister. She is horrid. I am sure her husband would be much the same. How could you do that, Albus? He will have a horrible upbringing.”

“They are all he has. The protections on their household are real. It is the safest place for him until he is old enough to come to Hogwarts.”

“What if I were to raise him?” Severus asked.

“No, that will not do at all. He is better off with his own blood. Besides, even you might not be able to protect him as well as that household unknowingly will. You will leave them alone and let him grow at his own pace.”

Severus looked at Albus in anger. It was typical of the old man to make decisions that would influence someone for the rest of his or her life, especially detrimental decisions. However, Severus knew further argument was useless. Once Albus had made up his mind, nothing would change it. Of course, the Headmaster could not deny him one simple visit, could he?

“I am going to have a chat with Petunia,” Severus said tersely.

“Severus, I said you were to leave them alone.”

“I will not go near the boy,” Severus cried in exasperation. “I will just speak with Petunia—just this once.”

Albus gave him a knowing look. “All right, but don’t scare her! She needs to keep Harry. She has agreed to watch out for him, but if you anger her, everything will fall apart.”

Severus nodded his head to Albus as he rose. “I will not endanger the baby’s position within the household,” Severus said solemnly. He furrowed his eyebrows at Dumbledore. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Albus,” he said finally before exiting the Headmaster’s office.

Chapter Text

The next day, Severus Apparated to Privet Drive for his confrontation with Petunia Dursley. He had left his cloak at home but still wore his usual black button-down suit coat and pants. He hoped he looked plain enough to blend in while in this Muggle neighborhood. He walked up to number four and rapped on the door. A few minutes later the door opened, revealing a stern-looking woman.

“Petunia, how nice to see you again,” Severus said caustically.

“You! What gives you the right to show up on my doorstep, you incorrigible boy!”

“It might be hard for you to believe, Petunia, but I am no longer a boy,” Severus replied with a snort. “I need to speak with you for a few moments.”

“This is about the baby, isn’t it? I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to take him in!”

Severus pushed past her and stalked into the room. Not one, but two babies met his gaze. They both sat on the floor, playing with trucks. Both babies looked at Severus and smiled happily. The chubbier one raised a truck to his mouth and began to chew on it.

“Now just a minute, Severus!” Petunia barked at him. “You have no right barging in here like this!”

Severus extended his wand at Petunia. “This wand and that baby give me the right,” he stated coldly.

Petunia got a look of fear in her face and rushed to the chubby baby boy and picked him up, trying to shield him from Severus and his wand.

“You have a son?” Severus asked while lowering his wand.

“This is Dudley.”

“Fanciful name,” Severus said blandly.

Petunia looked at him crossly. Severus went to baby Harry and picked him up tentatively. He noticed the lightning bolt wound on his head. The baby smiled at him and giggled. He grabbed at Severus’ nose and laughed out loud. Severus wasn’t sure if he should be offended or amused by the baby’s behavior. He scowled at the boy before he finally turned to Petunia.

“I understand that having another baby put upon you is a burden, Petunia, but I have a favor to ask of you.” Severus’ tone had become soft and gentle.

Petunia looked at him in astonishment. Severus assumed it was because he had never spoken to her so gently. He had always had the utmost disdain for her and had taken every opportunity to insult her.

“What is it you want, Severus?”

The baby giggled more as he grabbed at Severus' nose again. Severus pulled his face out of the baby's grasp, giving him his finger to play with instead. He looked back at Petunia.

“I want you to treat him as if he is your own.”

“But you know what he represents! How can I have that in my home and act like everything is normal? How can I treat him like he’s mine when he’s a freak?”

Severus’ eyes narrowed at Petunia. She suddenly became frightened.

“He is no more a freak than that little chub in your arms is a freak. He just has abilities that others do not.”

Petunia became angry. “He is a disgrace! How can we live in this neighborhood with that thing? He’ll destroy our reputation!”

Severus closed the distance between them. Suddenly Harry wasn’t laughing.

“You will treat him like your own son or suffer the consequences. I will watch you, and if you do not treat him well, I will return. I’m sure having me on your doorstep will be much worse for your reputation than simply having a harmless baby here to take care of. Besides, Petunia, I know your little secret. Lily told me. Don’t think I don’t understand that you would die if it came out.”

Petunia looked at him in horror.

“Oh, yes, what would your dear husband say if he knew, Petunia?” Severus arched an eyebrow and looked at Petunia sternly. “How would he react if he knew that you also were a freak? That you too had magical powers? Undeveloped powers, yet there nonetheless. What would he say? Would he still love you? Would he run shrieking in horror?”

“They are just flukes!” Petunia shrieked. “They’re nothing! Odd coincidences! They just appear now and then. I don’t make them happen! They came to me too late for me to go to Hogwarts. She went to Hogwarts! She knew how to use them. But did she offer to help me? No! She knew I was terrified by them but did she help me? She laughed at me!”

Severus eyed Petunia menacingly. “You would not let her help you, Petunia!” he replied sternly.

“She tried, oh, yes, she did. During her fifth year, when she went home for Christmas break to find you could levitate things with your mind. Lily was ecstatic. She thought you two would finally be close because of your new-found bond. But you rejected her, just like you always did! You called her unnatural, of all things. If there ever was anything unnatural in that family, it was you! Constantly jealous of Lily because of the extra attention she got. You are so filled with jealousy and hate you cannot see past your own nose!”

If it were possible, Severus came even closer to Petunia. “And, of course, when you exhibited the same powers, you were afraid. You were so afraid that you shunned her help. You feared becoming like her. You hid your talents away and never developed them.”

Petunia was shrinking back now. “Stop! Please, just stop! I’ll do whatever you ask! Just don’t speak of my weakness again!”

Severus looked haughtily at her. “You speak of strength as weakness. You are truly pathetic.” He grimaced in disgust at her.

“How can something so horrid be a strength?” Petunia cried.

Severus' shoulders drooped in defeat. He would never get through to this woman. She was so wound up in her beliefs that she would not even entertain the thought that perhaps she was looking at this in the wrong way.

“It all depends on how you use those powers, Petunia,” he said softly. “They can be a great asset or a great curse. It is up to you to decide how you want to use them.”

Petunia stared at Severus curiously. His words had surprisingly seemed to have struck a chord in her.

“Just treat the baby fairly,” he continued. “You don’t have to shower him with gifts and spoil him. Just make him feel loved. Make him know that someone cares. Don’t take out your hatred of your sister on him.”

“I never hated Lily,” Petunia said quietly.

Severus huffed. “You had a strange way of showing that you didn’t.”

“I will do as you ask, but Vernon, my husband, will not treat him well, no matter what I say or do.”

“Have you no influence over your own husband, Petunia?”

“Of course I do, but he has very strong beliefs about this abomination, and he will not accept Harry, no matter what.”

“Abomination? Is that your word, or your husband’s?” Severus demanded.

“It is Vernon’s. He hates that I have agreed to take Harry in and doesn’t understand why I am doing it. He will go along with it though. He will just never like it.”

“Will he not soften as he gets to know the boy? He seems like a fine child.” Severus looked over at Harry, who was still in his arms. The boy had placed his head on Severus’ shoulder and was now fast asleep. Severus stared at him in wonder. He had never been around babies before and was unsure how to react with them, but this child seemed to take to him quite well. He wondered if all children were this easy to deal with. He turned back to Petunia for her answer.

She shook her head. “He will never come around. I know he won’t.”

Severus sighed. “Then will you make up for his arrogance?”

“What do you mean?” she asked curiously.

“Love this baby. Make him know that he is not alone in the world. Even if Vernon does not treat him well, the love of a mother can counteract much in a boy’s life. You know that my mother was the only one who loved me. My father was horrid, my upbringing intolerable, but I can look back at the love my mother gave me and have some peace at those memories.”

Petunia regarded him seriously. “Vernon would never beat Harry like you were beaten, Severus,” Petunia remarked. “He will be gruff and nasty, but he will never lay a hand on the boy.”

“All the better,” Severus sighed.

“I will do as you ask, Severus. Even I understand the importance of a mother in a young man’s life. He may not have the easiest upbringing, but I will try to treat him fairly.”

Severus stared at Petunia with surprise. “It seems that I have underestimated you, Petunia. You are more caring than I thought.”

Petunia picked her head up proudly at Severus. “I am not the devil, Severus.”

Severus looked at her for a long time. Finally, he decided that his visit was over. He asked Petunia what he should do with the baby, and she ushered him up to the babies’ bedroom. Powder blue assaulted Severus' eyes as he entered the small bedroom which held a white crib, a small baby basket that had evidently held Harry when he arrived, and an assortment of baby necessities.

“We haven’t had a chance to get another crib,” Petunia explained as she motioned for Severus to place Harry into the crib.

He laid the little boy down gently. The babe did not awaken in the slightest. Turning back to Petunia, Severus regarded her with interest.

“Thank you,” he said finally.

She nodded at him.

“If you ever want to learn more about your magic, contact me. I would be happy to help you buy a wand and work on some simple spells. Your sister was an incredibly powerful witch. Who knows what you are capable of?”

Petunia frowned at him. “Just go, Severus. I have been more than patient with you.”

Severus nodded at her. “Don’t forget what I said about the baby. As for your magic, I would be interested to teach you. I work at Hogwarts. You can get in touch with me there”

“Out!” Petunia cried.

“Okay, okay,” Severus chuckled as he backed out of the baby’s room and left the small home.

oooOOOooo

Severus was surprised two weeks later when an owl dropped an odd-looking letter into his oatmeal. After scowling at the owl for ruining his breakfast, he gave it a treat anyway. Hogwarts owls were known for their long memories, and he didn’t want his next delivery to be even messier than this one.

He looked over the letter, recognizing it as Muggle mail. He opened it, and his eyes grew wide. It was from Petunia. Evidently, she had thought about his offer and wanted to learn more about her powers now that she had a magical baby in the house. She wanted to meet with him during the day when Vernon was at work and see what she could learn from him. Severus lowered the letter and stared in amazement. Wonders never ceased, he supposed.

oooOOOooo

They met weekly for about a year. Petunia by that time had good control of her magic, being almost as powerful as Lily had been. She had been able to hide her new talent from Vernon easily, as he was not wont to see things unless they were right in front of his nose.

Severus and she spent most of their days together sparring and dueling. Severus was quite surprised that she actually gave him a good fight each and every time. She would never best him, but she always came close.

He now looked over at Petunia as she readied herself to shoot another spell at him. They had enlarged the living room and pushed all the furniture to the side, giving them enough room to spar effectively. Petunia pointed her wand at Severus and shouted Stupify. Severus shot back and landed on the floor.

“That was too easy,” Petunia cried. “You let me win!”

Severus pulled himself back to a standing position and smiled at Petunia. She had become a much nicer person in the year they had been working together. Severus could now see signs of Lily in her that had been invisible in all her pent up rage before.

“You deserved a good win,” he said finally.

“How am I to be of any use if you are constantly letting me win?” she asked angrily.

“You are a talented witch, Petunia.”

Petunia still winced at the title, but she gave him a smile eventually.

“Your training is over,” Severus commented.

Petunia looked at Severus in shock. “You mean I’m a full-fledged witch?”

“You always have been. You just never knew it.”

“What now?” she asked.

“You will be able to protect Harry if needed.”

“Perhaps I could Obliviate him so he won’t remember how awful Vernon is to him.”

Severus smiled. “Perhaps you could Obliviate Vernon, so he won’t be so nasty to Harry.”

Petunia smiled back. “Sorry, I can’t do that. No matter how enticing it sounds. I love my husband and would have him no other way.”

“You are a glutton for punishment, Petunia.”

She smiled again. “Will I see you again?” she asked him.

“Technically, I am not supposed to be interfering with your life, on Dumbledore’s orders. I have been coming here without his knowledge all of this time. I am sorry to say that I will be unable to return. I have kept this little secret for too long as it is. I don’t want Albus to become suspicious.”

She looked at him sadly. “Can’t you come by occasionally? Harry really enjoys your company.”

Severus frowned as he looked at the toddler, who was playing with some blocks on the floor.

“I am afraid not. I am fearful of being found out. Now that a year has passed, some of Voldemort’s loyal followers are coming out of the woodwork again, trying to organize. If they are to find that I have been coming here and continue to do so, they will suspect my motives. After all, I should have killed Harry the first time I stepped through the door. So, for the safety of all of you, I will not return. I will see Harry when he turns eleven and comes to Hogwarts. Perhaps we can renew our friendship then.”

He went over to Harry and hoisted him up into his arms. The toddler smiled at him and grabbed his nose. It was their little game.

“Sevvie, pway wif Harry?” the little boy asked.

Severus smiled at Harry. “I can’t today, Harry. I must be going.”

Harry frowned at him. “Sevvie, pway now!”

Severus pulled the toddler into a hug. “I will miss you, little one,” he said gently to Harry.

“Where go?” Harry asked as his chubby arms encircled Severus' neck.

“I must go back to work,” Severus explained. “I will not be able to visit you for a long time.”

Harry pouted. “Sevvie, no go,” he said simply.

Severus felt his heart constrict within him. The last thing he had ever expected was to have strong feelings for the son of James Potter, but here he was, quite fond of the boy.

“I will see you again, Harry,” he murmured into the little boy’s ear.

“See me now!” Harry exclaimed.

Severus laughed at the young boy’s persistence, but set him down and told him to find his cousin and play. Harry scampered off, forgetting his demands on Severus in the excitement of finding Dudley.

Petunia regarded Severus sadly. “I was hoping you could be a father figure to him,” she said softly.

“I regret that I cannot be so at this time.”

“I understand. Thank you, Severus, for seeing past my anger and helping me to become something more than I was.”

Severus looked at her curiously. He had not expected such kind words from her, even though they had formed a decent friendship.

“It was the least I could do,” he said finally.

Petunia stared at Severus as several emotions flitted across her face. Before Severus knew it, he was enveloped in a great bear hug. The woman was much stronger than her petite build revealed. Not quite knowing how to react, Severus slowly put his arms around Petunia and returned the hug.

“Thank you, Severus. I shall always be indebted to you.”

“Just care for Harry. That is the only thanks that I need.” With that, Severus pulled himself from Petunia and left the home, never to return.

Chapter Text

They were fighting again. Petunia and Vernon fought almost constantly about Harry Potter. He insisted that the boy sleep in the alcove under the stairs; she demanded that Vernon be reasonable and give Harry the spare bedroom, now occupied with all of Dudley’s possessions. It was a hopeless cause. They’d had this conversation weekly for Harry’s entire life, but Vernon refused to give in to Petunia’s demands. Harry would remain under the stairs. Petunia stomped down those very same stairs in a huff, going to the kitchen to make breakfast.

She winked at Harry as he emerged from his cubby. He gave her a quick smile and went to get the mail. Vernon plodded down the stairs, almost breaking through them he was so huge. He harrumphed as he sat down and opened his paper to read while awaiting his plentiful breakfast.

Harry came back with the mail, a peculiar look on his face. He handed all but one letter to Uncle Vernon. He stared at the letter, which was addressed to him.

Dudley, who had been sitting at the table the whole time, started shrieking, “He’s got mail!”

Vernon ripped the letter out of Harry’s hand and stared at it. “Hogwarts!” he exclaimed.

Harry looked curiously at the letter, and Petunia’s head snapped around. She stared at Vernon. She watched in dismay as he ripped the letter to shreds. He then proceeded to look through the rest of the mail as Harry complained that his mail had been destroyed. Suddenly a huge gasp rang from Vernon’s throat.

“What is the meaning of this?” he shouted.

Petunia moved over to the table quickly to see what the hubbub was about. There in Vernon’s hand was yet another letter from Hogwarts. This one was addressed to Dudley. Petunia pursed her lips and then pretended to be surprised by the sudden development. She had secretly been watching Dudley. He had shown a small amount of magical power, and she thought he might be a late bloomer as she had been. She was unsure, though, if he would be chosen to attend Hogwarts. Here was the proof that he had been.

“Why, what do you suppose it means, Vernon?” she said innocently.

Vernon glowered at her. “It means they think he’s one of them!” he yelled.

He took the second letter and shredded it in his hands as he had done the first.

“Perhaps you should have opened it, Vernon. We should know what it says.”

“I’ll tell you what it says! It says that our son is a monstrosity. I’ll have none of it, do you understand me? Neither of these boys will be responding to those letters!”

Dudley and Harry watched the argument curiously. Harry looked over at Dudley and shrugged his shoulders. Dudley did the same. The two boys got along well enough, except when Dudley tried to bully Harry. He was much bigger than Harry and used his size to get what he wanted. The boy was spoiled. Vernon gave him whatever he asked for, but Petunia tried to be equally fair to the two boys.

They both turned their attention back to the fight. They knew better than to interrupt. They would only be told what was going on if Vernon deemed it necessary.

Harry sighed. The way his aunt and uncle’s fight was going, he might never know what that letter was all about.

“Perhaps it would be good for them to go. If they have the ability, they should be trained so they can use it correctly,” Petunia argued.

Vernon’s face got beet red. “Since when have you become a sympathizer, Petunia? I thought we agreed on this matter. We decided together that it was best left alone.”

Petunia hesitated for a minute. “I’m not a sympathizer. I just want what’s best for the boys.”

“What’s best for the boys is that they stay where they are, learning normal things, not freakish abominations that will turn them into lunatics!”

Petunia had enough. She went back to her breakfast fixings, asking Harry to make the eggs while she got the toast and bacon going.

Vernon smirked to himself and thought, That’s that, then.

Little did he know the trouble that was coming.

oooOOOooo

After multiple attempts to deliver Harry and Dudley’s letters, the owls had sent an onslaught of letters barreling through the Dursley household. Petunia had screamed to Vernon to acknowledge the letters, but his fat, stubborn self had tut-tutted her, and they had fled the home.

They now were hiding out in a hut out at sea. Harry was unsure why his Uncle Vernon referred to this place as a hut. It was made of stone and looked like an old abandoned lighthouse. It was dark inside, the only light coming from a small lantern set in the middle of the room.

The room itself was circular with a great wooden door at its entry. A small staircase started at the doorway and wrapped itself around the interior of the building, rising through a hole in the ceiling as it made its way up to the top of the ‘hut.’

The family had strewn sleeping bags on the floor and were all settled down to sleeping. Harry found he could not sleep, however, and was listening to the waves hitting the shore of the small island where the hut was located.

Vernon had been smug in the fact that the owls could never get to them at such a hiding place. It was now late at night, and Harry listened to the even breathing of his family. He wondered how they could all sleep so soundly on the hard floor of the ‘hut.’ Harry stared at the ceiling, checking his watch occasionally. When the watch struck midnight, Harry quietly sat up and whispered, “Happy Birthday, Harry,” to himself.

Suddenly a small package appeared in his lap. He looked over to his aunt, who had thrown it over to him and was now propped up on an elbow. She had a finger up to her mouth and was making a ‘shh’ sound. He smiled at her and unwrapped the box. Inside was a new watch. He grinned at her again and mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to her. She smiled at him.

Their quiet moment was shattered with a loud crash at the hut’s door. Vernon, startled awake, reached for his gun just as the biggest man any of them had ever seen came crashing through the door. Vernon held his gun up and pointed it at the giant’s head.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” Vernon demanded.

“Sorry abou’ tha’,” came a voice. “My name is Hagrid. I’m here to collec’ Dudley and Harry to go to Hogwarts.”

“Over my dead body!” Vernon cried as he lifted the gun, aiming it and getting ready to fire.

“That’s it!” came an exasperated cry.

It was Petunia. She pulled her wand out, and with a flick, the gun sailed into her hands.

“I have had enough of your claptrap, Vernon Dursley. You must see that you can’t avoid this nor keep it from happening. I will not see you shed innocent blood just because you are too stubborn to let these boys know the truth about themselves!”

Vernon sputtered at her. “What… what… did you just do?”

She waved her wand at him. “I magically took your gun away. I have been hiding these powers from you for all our married life, afraid of how you would react, but I can do it no longer. I am a witch. I denied it for years but finally came to accept my magic. Severus Snape helped me to learn how to use my powers when Harry and Dudley were just babies.”

Hagrid chimed in at the mention of Snape’s name. “Oh, Professor Snape, he’s a great man, he is!”

Petunia gave him a small smile. Vernon did not. He glared at Petunia instead.

“You mean to tell me that you have these horrid powers too? I thought you were normal, like me, but you’re just as monstrous as the boy!” He glared at her. “And as much of an abomination as my own son! All of you! I’m surrounded by freaks! Get me out of here!”

“Vernon, calm down! You’ll give yourself a coronary,” Petunia said blandly.

“I’ll give myself a coronary?” he snarled as his double chins shook with his annoyance. Vernon got closer to Petunia and looked at her menacingly. “No, you will drive me to my death—the lot of you—with your magic and unnatural behaviors. I’ll have nothing to do with it. This relationship is over.”

Petunia looked at him sadly. “I wish you would reconsider, Vernon. Despite everything, I love you.”

“I could never love a misfit like you. You’re a monstrosity. I never want to see you again!”

Petunia regarded Vernon sadly. “I’m sorry you feel that way,” she murmured.

Everything she had feared had come to pass. Her husband no longer saw her as human. Well, she had denied her heritage long enough. She had hated her sister and ruined their relationship because of it. She would not let Vernon ruin her son’s or her nephew’s opportunity to learn and grow in their magical abilities. She ignored Vernon as he seethed and turned to Hagrid.

“What do they need to do to get ready for the school year?” she asked him.

“Why, it’s all in the letter.” He pulled two more copies out of his vest and handed them to her. “I’ll gladly take them to get their supplies if ye’d like, Madam.”

Petunia glanced once again at Vernon. He looked like his head was about to explode.

“Oh, I almost fergot,” Hagrid said suddenly.

He pulled a box out of his pocket and handed it to Harry.

“Happy Birthday, Harry!” he exclaimed.

Harry lifted the lid to find a small cake with ‘Happee Burthday, Harry’ scrawled on it.

“How did you know…?” Harry asked in amazement.

“We wizards know all about you, Harry,” Hagrid answered.

Harry glanced at his aunt. She had secretly told him about being a wizard since he was a small boy. He understood what had happened to his parents but had been told to go along with the lie that his Uncle had created. Part of him had not known whether to believe Aunt Petunia’s odd story, but now he could see that all she had said was true.

“What’s this Hogwarts?” he asked.

Dudley nodded his head furiously.

“Why, it’s the greatest school for wizards that ever was!” Hagrid said happily.

“A school for wizards?” Dudley asked.

“Tha’s right! And you two are wizards. You’ll be able to go there and learn all abou’ bein’ magical. It’s a wonderful place. You’ll love it there.”

Harry grinned at Hagrid and then at Dudley. “When do we leave?” he asked.

“Well, right now if you’d like?”

Petunia glanced at Vernon. He had moved into a corner of the small room, his back to the group. She heaved a sigh.

“Hagrid, would it be okay if I came along too? I don’t know that I have a home to go back to.”

Vernon piped in. “You can have the house. I want nothing to do with anything in it except for my personal belongings. I will not subject myself to such freakishness anymore.”

“You can come with us anyway, Mrs. Dursley,” Hagrid said benevolently. “It’ll give Mr. Dursley the chance to get out of yer life while yer with us.”

Petunia stiffened and gave Hagrid a short nod. She turned back to Vernon.

“Are you sure there’s no working this out?”

He turned and glared at her. “You’re dead to me, woman. As far as I’m concerned, the last fifteen years never happened.”

She looked at Vernon sadly, then hung her head and headed for the door. It was the last time she would ever see him. An enormous hand reached out and patted her on the back, causing her to stumble forward.

“Oops, sorry bout tha’. I don’ know my own strength sometimes,” Hagrid said sheepishly.

Petunia could not help but smile, even though she was miserable inside. They left Vernon to himself, to make his own way off the small island in the sea. As Hagrid rode to shore, Dudley and Harry both could not keep quiet about how brave Petunia had been to stand up to Vernon.

“You were great, Mum, especially when you pulled that gun out of his hand!” Dudley gushed.

“How did you do it, Aunt Petunia?” Harry asked curiously.

She pulled her wand out and showed it to them. She had never done magic in front of them, although she had secretly told them about being able to.

“This is a wand. I believe we will probably get one for each of you tomorrow. It helps a witch or wizard to direct their magic and use it to their best abilities.”

“Well said, Mrs. Dursley,” Hagrid piped in.

She gave him a wan smile.

Hagrid gave her an understanding look. “Mrs. Dursley, if yeh don’ mind me sayin’, I think in the long run, you’ll be much happier without yer husband. He seemed to be… well… sort of a jerk.”

Petunia couldn’t help laughing out loud at Hagrid’s dancing around the truth.

“That he is, Hagrid. It doesn’t negate the fact that I love him.”

Hagrid nodded. “I’m sorry fer that, Mrs. Dursley. It’s too bad he can’t see past the end of his nose to understand.”

She shrugged. “I knew this day would come eventually. I had just hoped that it wouldn’t.”

“Well, Harry, Dudley, and I will cheer you up. We’ll have a grand time tomorrow in Diagon Alley. Have you ever been?”

“Severus took me there to buy my wand, but that was years ago.”

“It hasn’t changed much. There are some new shops and the like, but it’s still swarming with people.”

She smiled at that. Perhaps a throng of people was what she needed to get her mind off her ruined marriage.

oooOOOooo

Hagrid had gotten rooms for them at the Leaky Cauldron.

“Oh, this is on Hogwarts, Mrs. Dursley. Don’t worry about a thing!” he’d told her as he paid for the rooms.

The boys had slept soundly until morning, but Petunia hadn’t slept a wink, tossing and turning, missing having her husband by her side, and mourning the end of a relationship she’d given her all to.

Harry and Dudley rose around nine, and they’d grabbed a bite to eat with Hagrid at the Leaky before heading out to shop. They thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Diagon Alley.

Hagrid had taken them everywhere they needed to go and saw that they purchased everything required. He presented the two boys with owls as belated birthday presents. Harry’s was a beautiful white snowy owl, and Dudley’s was a dark brown one. Too soon the day ended, and they found themselves once again at Privet Drive.

“Would you like to come in, Mr. Hagrid?” Petunia asked.

“No, no, thank you though. I have been gone long enough. I need ter get back ter my duties a’ Hogwarts.” He turned to the two boys. “I’ll see you both at the end of next month.”

They bid him goodbye and headed for the door. When Petunia entered, she was not surprised to see that everything that belonged to Vernon had disappeared. She went up to their bedroom and found his part of the closet and all of his drawers empty. She looked around bitterly. Fifteen years wasted. She knew she would never see him again. She sank down on the bed and began to cry, covering her face with her hands.

Harry and Dudley came in after a little while. Each of them put an arm around her.

“It’s all right, Mum,” Dudley said. “He was always mean to you anyway.”

“Yeah,” Harry piped in, “he didn’t know the meaning of the word nice.”

Petunia smiled despite herself. “Well, one good thing has come of Vernon’s departure,” she said calmly.

“What’s that?” the two boys said in unison.

“Harry gets his own bedroom finally.”

Harry’s grin was enough to make Petunia forget her own troubles.

“Come on,” she said, “we have some moving to do. Now that we can use magic, it’ll take no time at all.”

The three of them got up and went to move Harry’s stuff upstairs. Soon everything was as it should be, and he had a real room. It even had a window that looked out onto the street.

“I know you won’t be here long to enjoy it, Harry, but it’s yours nonetheless.”

“Thanks, Aunt Petunia,” he said and gave her a hug.

Chapter Text

Hermione’s first year:

Severus entered the Headmaster’s office with a puzzled look. The regular staff meeting before the feast had already been held and dismissed over an hour ago. He was unsure why he had been summoned again to Dumbledore’s office. He found Minerva McGonagall, Argus Filch, Poppy Pomfrey, and Irma Pince gathered around the desk. Severus wondered at this small group of faculty members. He stood next to Filch and looked at the Headmaster.

“I’ve called you all here for a short meeting about one of our new students,” Albus began.

“We know—Harry Potter is to be attending here,” Minerva said. “I do hope he is in my house!”

Albus looked at Minerva fondly. “No, Minerva, we have already discussed Mr. Potter in our meeting earlier. This is a different student. One whom you have all heard of before.”

Everyone stared at Dumbledore curiously. Severus had it figured out in an instant.

“You’re talking about Hermione,” he stated.

Albus nodded.

“Hermione who?” Poppy asked.

“Hermione Granger,” Albus offered.

The other faculty members’ eyes widened, and they began to murmur to each other.

Albus began the explanation. “Hermione Granger is to be a new first-year student here. In her future, she will travel back in time to become the teaching assistant that you all remember. When she disappeared those many years ago, she actually returned to her own time. Severus and I were the only ones who knew about her time travel, so it was voiced around that she had fled the country because of Voldemort.”

Everyone except for Severus stared incredulously at the Headmaster.

“I must implore you to not show any recognition of the girl and to treat her as you would any other student here. She is not to know about her future. The girl needs to concentrate on her studies, not the acts she will perform in her twenties. Are we all in agreement?”

Everyone agreed, and Albus adjourned the meeting. Severus stayed behind. He went up to the desk. Albus looked at him gravely.

“There is one other who knows of Hermione’s time travel,” Severus said quickly.

Albus raised his eyebrows.

“Lucius Malfoy is aware of her being from the future,” Severus told Albus.

“How did that come about?” Albus asked curiously.

“I told him.”

“Why would you do that? You compromised her position, Severus. What if Voldemort had found out?”

“Lucius considered Hermione a good friend. He would not divulge her secret.”

Albus put his head down and stroked his beard. “Well, that’s good to know,” he said absently. He then looked back at Severus. “Are you all right with her arrival, Severus?” he asked.

“I am,” Severus stated simply.

“This can’t be easy for you,” Albus commiserated.

“It will be easier than not seeing her at all.”

Albus nodded his head. “I see your point. Can you treat her like every other student?”

“Of course; that’s what you pay me for, isn’t it?”

Albus chuckled. “You are so very mercenary, my boy. You know the things that you do for me are invaluable to our cause.”

Severus rolled his eyes. “You would use another if I was not under your thumb. I can keep a secret, and you know it, Albus. You have nothing to fear.”

Albus smiled at Severus, his eyes twinkling. Severus rolled his eyes. “Must you twinkle at me like that, old man?”

“I’m just looking forward to the future,” Albus admitted.

“You and I both!” Severus replied in exasperation.

oooOOOooo

Severus sat in the Great Hall watching the new first-years. He arched an eyebrow at the young man who looked so much like his father. Harry Potter looked at him and rubbed his head. Severus noted the lightning bolt scar as the boy rubbed it. It hadn’t seemed very long ago that he had hoisted Harry up into his arms and allowed him to grab at his nose as if it were a squeak toy. He marveled at how quickly time had passed and how big Harry was now.

Although interested with the Boy Who Lived, he was more taken with the young girl who stood behind him. He studied Hermione covertly. He smiled thinly at her. Her beautiful hair was an unkempt mess. She had not quite learned how to tame the bush that sat atop her head. Her mouth showed off some prominent front teeth. He thought back to her promise to hex him if he ever said anything about her teeth. Now he understood her comment better. He would be sure to avoid that topic at all costs. He saw her chatting matter-of-factly to another child, and his heart constricted within him. He would make sure she never feared him like she had in his Hermione’s past.

He watched her covertly under a sheet of his hair. Although a remembrance of things lost, Hermione’s presence soothed him. It was a reminder that she would eventually return. Granted, that time would be many years into the future, and much would happen between now and then. But at least she was here. That meant the time was closer than it had been. Oh, how he wished he could go to sleep tonight and wake up in the morning having all of the coming years behind him and his love in his arms.

oooOOOooo

Severus rolled his eyes as the sorting went on. Potter was put in Gryffindor, Hermione, of course, Gryffindor, Weasley, Gryffindor, no surprise there. Malfoy, Slytherin, surprise, surprise. Dursley, whom he had almost forgotten about, had been put into Hufflepuff. Severus chuckled at that, thinking it had been a good match.

He eyed his new Slytherins. Many were sons and daughters of Death Eaters. They could never know of his true allegiances. He would have to be very careful now that Potter was at the school. He couldn’t be seen as favoring him in any way or things would be said, and parents would become suspicious. Even though the Dark Lord was no more, Severus needed to keep his spy work a secret. He knew he would become valuable once again when the Dark Lord returned.

oooOOOooo

“I can help you learn to stopper death,” Severus said in his deep, mysterious voice.

He looked around the room and noticed that Harry Potter seemed to be doodling. He frowned and walked over to the young man’s table, ready to chastise him for not paying attention. He looked down at what Potter was writing. He saw that the boy was taking notes. He arched an eyebrow at him as Harry looked up. The boy looked at him innocently, and Severus worked hard not to smile at him. He looked to Hermione, who was sitting beside Harry, and gave her his signature arched eyebrow as well.

“If you are to excel in this class, you will have to work hard,” he explained as he continued his walk around the classroom. “I do not accept fooling around in this room as the slightest discrepancy from your work can have explosive results.”

He turned and stared at the first-years, pulling his cloak around his folded arms, trying to convey the importance of being serious in his class. He gave them all an appraising look. He had learned that if he could instill respect in the first few weeks of the student’s lives, he would have it for their entire tenure at Hogwarts.

“Any foolish behavior will be rewarded with detentions. You will come to class prepared to work, and you will work efficiently. There will be no sharing of work unless you are assigned into teams. If you are not sure of an answer in my class, it is better to keep your mouth closed, as foolish comments are not tolerated.”

Severus looked around at the students. They seemed to be duly respectful of him. He decided his intimidation had worked and began the lesson in earnest. He instructed them in the tools of the Potioneer, and with a flick of his wand, a simple boil cure potion scrawled itself on the board.

“You should have everything needed for this potion in your kits. You may begin.”

Severus continued to wander the classroom, watching the progress of the students. He noticed one boy looking scared and tentative as he shakily picked up several porcupine quills and held them above his cauldron. The boy's hand continued to shake as he prepared to drop them in the cauldron to complete the Potion. Severus quickly went to the boy’s side.

“Mr. Longbottom,” he said. The boy looked up with a frightened look on his face.

“Please read the directions on the board once again,” Severus directed.

Neville stared at the board, and his eyes grew wide. He carefully took the cauldron off the fire and then dropped in the porcupine quills.

Severus nodded in approval.

“Mr. Longbottom, had you added those quills before taking the cauldron off the fire, you would have succeeded in melting your cauldron and possibly harming yourself.”

Neville looked down in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, sir,” he said sheepishly.

“Mr. Longbottom, if you carefully follow the directions to any potion assigned to you in this class, I assure you, you will succeed. There is no need for you to doubt your abilities. Is that understood?”

Neville looked up and gave Severus a slight nod. “I’ll pay closer attention next time, sir.”

Severus gave Neville a slight nod. “Attention to detail, Mr. Longbottom,” he said as he moved off to view another student's attempt.

“Yes, sir,” Neville replied with fervor.

Severus arched his brow at him as he moved away.

Soon enough, the class was over, and the young first-years filed out. Severus watched Hermione gather her books and leave all by herself. He hoped she would find some friends soon.

He snapped out of his musings as his seventh-year class came bustling in. They all smiled at him and greeted him, asking him about his summer. He smiled faintly and told them of a trip he had made to Germany to look for rare Potions ingredients. Soon it was time to start class, and he began once again to teach.

oooOOOooo

That night Severus dreamed the dream again. He hadn’t dreamed it in months, but seeing Hermione, even as a little girl, must have brought it back to him. It was a dream he longed to have every night. His Hermione was with him in the dream.

They were in their room in the Room of Requirement, cuddling on the couch. She was kissing him. It felt wonderful to have her in his arms again and to be kissing her.

She pulled away after a long while. “I will be with you soon, my love,” she told him.

“Don’t go, Hermione. I want you with me always,” Severus pleaded with her.

“I must,” she said as she stroked his cheek. “I am only here to help you through the hard times, but someday I will be with you forever.”

“You have been gone for so long. You will come back and not want to be with me.”

She smiled at him. “Of course I will want to be with you. I love you.”

“Please, Hermione, always love me,” he begged her.

She kissed him again. “I will, Severus. I will love you forever.”

Severus pulled her close but felt her evaporate in his embrace. He looked to where she was, but she was gone. His life had left once again.

Severus awoke, not feeling sad, but feeling comforted. The dream always made him feel this way, even though it ended in her disappearance. It was as if his subconscious knew when he needed to see her and obliged him with this dream.

He turned in the bed and repositioned himself into a more comfortable position. He felt contented, even though he would not see his Hermione for years to come. He knew that when he did, they would never part again, and he would be the happiest man alive.

oooOOOooo

“Mister Potter, a word please,” Severus said as the class was beginning to leave.

Harry looked up with concern and packed his things away. Soon the room was empty except for him, and he was standing in front of Severus, looking nervous.

“Mister Potter, I need to speak to you about a private matter.”

Harry looked interested.

Severus leaned forward. “I was good friends with your mother when I was a youth.”

Harry stared at Severus and then finally said, “What was she like?”

Severus smiled as he got a faraway look. “She was feisty, very pretty, and very smart. I thought you might like to learn a little more about her.” He looked at Potter expectantly.

Harry nodded eagerly. “Yes, sir!” he said.

“Come back here at seven tonight. We’ll have a… chat. If anyone asks, tell them I gave you detention.”

“Thank you, Professor Snape!” Harry cried and ran from the room, waving at him. Severus couldn’t help chuckle to himself at the boy’s exuberance.

oooOOOooo

There was a loud knock at the Potions classroom door.

“Enter,” Severus bellowed, so the visitor would hear him.

Harry Potter strode through the door, looking eager.

Severus smirked at him as he approached the desk and then motioned for him to have a seat.

“Are you adjusting to life at Hogwarts, Mr. Potter?” he asked the boy as he settled into the chair.

“I’m having a bit of a time finding my way around still, sir. Other than that, things are going all right.”

Severus nodded. “Yes, between the countless classrooms and moving stairs, it takes some getting used to.”

Harry nodded back.

“Do you have any specific questions about your mother?” Severus asked.

“Well, I just want to know everything. My Aunt Petunia doesn’t speak of her much. She says they didn’t get along as children and hardly spoke when they were adults. Do you know why that is?”

Severus looked at Harry thoughtfully. He had not expected the conversation to turn to Petunia so quickly.

“It is because your aunt was jealous of your mother and her magic for quite some time. You must not hold it against her. She has more than made up for her foolhardiness as a younger girl. I was witness to her change of attitude. I helped her accept the fact that she was a witch and trained her in her abilities.”

“You must be who Aunt Petunia was talking about. She mentioned your name, but with all of the other things going on with getting ready for school, I forgot it.”

“I spent quite some time at your home when you were just a toddler,” Severus divulged.

Harry was thoughtful for a minute. He studied Severus carefully and then his eyes grew wide.

“I remember you now! I thought you were a dream! I always dreamed of this man in black who would come to visit and play with me. For a while, I thought you were my father until Aunt Petunia showed me a picture of my mum and him. You never came to visit though, so I figured it was all in my imagination. You’re Sevvie!”

Severus turned red. It was one thing for a toddler to call him by that name, but another entirely for an eleven-year-old student to refer to him as ‘Sevvie’.

“Yes, I am,” he said distastefully. “We shall dispense with that nickname, please. I do have a reputation as a teacher to keep up.”

Harry grinned and then became thoughtful again. “How come you never came back?”

“I will explain that in due time. First, let us speak about your mother.”

Harry nodded. “So, what was she like? My mum, I mean.”

Severus sat back and began to tell Harry about his mother. He went into detail about their friendship in school and how Lily would always fight for the underdog. He avoided the more unpleasant memories that he held, not feeling it necessary for the boy to know such dark secrets. At least not at this time.

“Lily was incredibly smart. She rivaled me at Potions making. We would often work together to create new potions.”

“So, do you think she might have become a Potions mistress if she had lived?” Harry asked.

Severus thought about that. “I’m sure she could have been had she wanted to. However, she was more interested in Transfiguration. She did even better in that class. No one could best her. Not even me.”

Harry smiled at the thought of one of his professors admitting that someone other than themselves was better at something.

“What is the smirk for, Mr. Potter?” Severus asked.

“Oh, nothing, sir! I was just imagining my mother Transfiguring a troll into a house or something,” he explained quickly.

Severus regarded him dubiously. He didn’t need to be a Legilimens to see that the boy was keeping whatever he really thought to himself. He decided to let the affair slip and continue describing Harry’s mum to him.

Severus not only told him about his mother, he told him about his spy work for Dumbledore. He explained why he never returned to Privet Drive and made sure that Harry understood that even though Voldemort was not around, he could not treat him any differently in class and even at times, might be quite cruel, but he could not have anyone think that Harry and he had an alliance.

“That is, of course, if you choose to ally yourself with me,” Severus went on.

Harry’s eyes grew wide. “I… I would be honored, sir, if you chose to have me help you, even in a small way.”

Severus nodded at him. He knew that he was affecting the timeline with his admissions, but he wanted Harry to have a better opportunity to defeat Voldemort this time around. He had grown to care for him quite well when he was visiting Petunia to teach her about her magic. Although he knew that in Hermione’s time Harry had defeated the Dark Lord, he wanted to make sure that that would happen again no matter what.

Without giving too much away, he explained that the Dark Lord would not be in hiding for long, that Harry would have a great impact in his defeat as he got older, and that Severus wanted him to be as prepared as humanly possible.

“But what can I do?" Harry questioned. "I’m just an eleven-year-old boy.”

“You will not always remain eleven-years-old, Mr. Potter. The Dark Lord will not come back for a while, but he will return. I hope that you will be ready when the time comes. In fact, I would like to help you to prepare to defend yourself against Voldemort when he returns. I’m sure that you realize by that scar on your head that you will not be silent in the fight that is to come.”

“Are you telling me you want to teach me Defense?”

“If you are agreeable to it, yes. As a Death Eater spy, I have learned many skills that are not taught inside of these walls normally. I will not teach you Dark magic, but I can teach you defensive techniques that will help you in your fight against such magic in the future.”

Harry accepted eagerly. “Sir, I would love to learn whatever you would wish to teach me.”

Severus nodded. “You will meet me Saturday morning at nine a.m. up on the seventh floor. Wait in the corridor by the tapestry with the trolls trying to dance ballet. You must tell no one where you are going. Make up something that your friends will believe. We will meet there every week and train for one or two hours. I believe by the time Voldemort returns, you will be a formidable opponent.”

“But how can we train in a hallway, sir?”

“There is a secret room nearby that we will use.”

Harry nodded, eager for Saturday to come.

“If you have no more questions about your mother, you are free to go.”

Harry stood up and smiled gratefully at Severus. “Thank you, Professor. I really enjoyed our talk.”

“As did I, Mr. Potter. Have a good night.”

oooOOOooo

Harry excitedly met up with Severus on the seventh floor that Saturday. He smiled as he approached his professor. Severus gave him a nod of his head in greeting and turned to the empty wall. He paced in front of it three times, and a door appeared. Harry’s eyes grew wide.

“Wow!” he exclaimed.

Severus looked over at the youth. “Wow, indeed,” Severus agreed. He opened the door, and the two entered the room.

Harry’s eyes grew wide again. The room was large and open. The side wall was made up of mirrors, and there was a dummy sitting in the middle of the floor. It seemed to be staring Harry down, goading him to strike it with a curse. Harry wandered over to the dummy and looked up at it.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“It’s a dueling dummy,” Severus explained. “You won’t begin to duel until later this year in your Defense class, but the sooner you start, the better.”

Harry nodded his head and turned expectantly to Severus, awaiting instructions.

“Harry, we will be learning diverse ways to block attacks. We will also learn some defensive attack spells that you can use when in a fight. The first one I would like to work on with you is a disarmament spell.”

Harry straightened and gripped his wand, ready to learn. Severus couldn’t help but smile a bit at him.

“The spell is done by chanting the word Expelliarmus. You draw your wand up straight and flick it up and down like this.” Severus made the motion with his wrist. “You try the motion,” he directed.

Harry nodded and extended his wand. He flicked his wrist up and down quickly.

“That’s about right,” Severus coached. “What you want is a more determined stroke: Straight up and down, with determination.” He watched Harry do the maneuver a couple of times. “That’s right.”

Severus walked over to the dummy. He opened a small compartment in the back of the mannequin and extracted a toy wand. He placed it in the clamp-like hand of the dummy. He backed up and extended his wand at the wand-wielding mannequin.

“Now observe what happens when I cast the spell,” he told Harry.

Harry turned his attention to the dummy.

“Expelliarmus!”

The wand flew from the dummy’s hand and sailed into Severus’. Harry’s eyes grew wide yet again. It seemed that he would be amazed quite often in these teaching sessions.

“Wow!” he said.

Severus smirked at him.

“All right, you try it with the dummy.” Severus walked over and replaced the wand in the dummy’s hand.

Harry pointed his wand at the dummy and cried “Expellyamus!”

The wand shattered in the dummy’s hand. Severus chuckled as he went and retrieved a new wand from the back of the dummy.

“You mispronounced it, Harry. It’s Ex-pell-y-ar-mus. Don’t drop the ‘r’ or you’ll be exploding wands every time. Of course, if this had been a real wand, it would have just vibrated and stayed in the wizard’s hand. Try again.”

Harry repeated the exercise. This time the wand flew into his hands. Harry looked down at where it rested and then up at Severus, a huge grin on his face. Severus couldn’t help but smile too.

He performed the spell correctly on the dummy a few more times until Severus held his hand up for him to stop.

“Good, now let’s see how you do with a real wizard and wand. Try to disarm me.”

Severus took a stance, his wand held in his right hand, slightly pointing away from Harry. Harry chanted the spell, but nothing happened. He looked at Severus in puzzlement.

“As in most spells, Mr. Potter, intent determines the outcome. With a simple toy, the intent you had mattered little. The toy wand did your bidding. With a real wizard and wand, where there is an affinity between the two because of ownership, you need to truly intend to disarm me. Try again, this time seeing the outcome and desiring to obtain my wand.”

Harry tried again. The wand fell from Severus’ hand and to the floor.

“Almost,” Severus encouraged. “Try a little harder.”

Harry did it again, this time to perfection. Severus’ wand sailed into his hand. Severus stood up straight and nodded at Harry.

“Good. Accio wand.” Severus wand sailed back into his hand.

“How did you do that?” Harry asked.

“It’s a simple summoning charm. Has Professor Flitwick not taught that yet?”

Harry shook his head.

“I’m sure you’ll learn it within the next few weeks. It’s similar to summoning your broom into your hand when preparing for flight.”

Harry nodded.

“All right, Mr. Potter. Let’s have another go at it.”

Severus and Harry readied themselves. Harry threw the spell, but this time, Severus chanted Protego, effectively shielded himself and blocking it. His movement was so quick, Harry almost didn’t see it. He looked at Severus curiously.

“What did you do?” he asked his professor.

“That was a shielding charm. It is effective for blocking almost any spell. That is our task for our next lesson. You have done well today. When you can, find an empty room, or come up here, and practice this skill. It will be an important weapon in your arsenal. We will continue again next week.”

“Thank you, Professor,” Harry said. The two of them left the room together.

oooOOOooo

Harry worked hard with Severus that year. Severus went slowly, cognizant to the fact of Harry’s young age. He knew they had time to train properly and did not want to rush anything, but he still taught him several advanced spells and hexes.

Harry learned much more than he ever thought possible, but he knew there was still more for him to master before he could even begin to think about confronting Voldemort. He was just thankful for the extra tutelage that Professor Snape had offered him. He couldn’t imagine going against Voldemort without such preparation.

He was grateful for the friendship of his Potions professor. They had formed a strong bond during the year. When Harry and his friends realized that someone was trying to get to the Sorcerer’s Stone, it never crossed Harry’s mind once that Severus might be the culprit.

oooOOOooo

Severus rushed to the girl’s bathroom as best he could. That foul, three-headed, aptly named, Hellhound had made a huge gash in his leg. The fool dog had left the real culprit, Quirrell, alone and had chosen to attack him instead. At least he had been able to escape the foul beast with only an injured leg. He had also distracted Quirrell from his mission. Now Severus was headed for the girl’s bathroom, where the troll was rumored to be holed up. He was surprised to see Hermione, Harry, and Ron standing over the unconscious body of the troll. Minerva was giving them all a piece of her mind.

“It was my fault, Professor,” Hermione cried.

She explained that she wanted to take on the creature alone and that Harry and Ron had come in to save her when they realized what she was up to. Severus eyed her curiously. He knew many of Hermione’s mannerisms and was quite sure that the girl was lying. But what motive would she have to lie? Minerva chastised Hermione and dismissed all of them.

“Would you mind staying behind, Miss Granger?” Severus asked of her.

Hermione nodded her head and stared at the floor.

“Are you alright, Miss Granger?”

She nodded.

“Please be more careful in the future. Going after a troll by oneself is foolhardy for an adult, let alone for a first-year.”

Hermione nodded again.

“Would you care to tell me the real reason the three of you took on that troll?”

Hermione snapped her head up, her eyes wide.

“It’s just as I said, Professor.”

“Miss Granger, I find it hard to believe that you would be foolhardy enough to take on a troll by yourself. Your vast knowledge of everything magical would have alerted you to the dangers of such a folly.”

Hermione shifted nervously and looked away. She looked back, and her eyes were pleading with him.

“You mustn’t tell. Things have just gotten better, and if they find out I told, they’ll hate me again.”

“Who will hate you, Miss Granger?” Severus asked curiously.

“Ron and Harry! They locked the troll in here, but they didn’t realize I was in here. Then they came in and saved me.”

“Why were you in here when you should have been in the Great Hall with all of the other students?”

Hermione’s eyebrows knotted together. “I’d rather not say, Professor,” she replied.

“Whether you’d like to say, or not, Miss Granger, you must tell me if you wish for me to keep your secret.”

Hermione looked at Severus tentatively. “You won’t tell if I tell you?”

Severus kept the smile that was trying to emerge from filling his face. He looked at her sternly.

“Do I look like someone who goes back on my word?” he asked tersely.

“No! No, Sir. Of course not.”

“Then why were you in here?” he asked sharply.

Hermione folded her arms and turned from Severus.

“I was upset. I came in here to be alone.”

“What were you upset about?” Severus asked.

Hermione didn’t respond right away.

“Miss Granger?”

“I heard Ron and Harry talking after class. Ron said I was mental.” She turned and looked at Severus furiously. “I’m not mental!”

Severus raged inwardly at Weasley’s insensitivity. “Of course not, Miss Granger. I would never consider you to be mental.”

Hermione’s anger abated a bit. “I had thought they were my friends, but Ron’s remark was cruel, and I realized I had been kidding myself.”

“So, you came in here to have a good cry?”

Hermione’s eyes widened. She obviously did not want to admit to her professor that she had been bawling her eyes out in the bathroom. Severus decided to let her off the hook.

“I assume your shared experience felling the troll has patched things up between the three of you?”

Hermione looked at Severus and nodded her head.

Severus stood a bit straighter. “Good, then I can assume we will have no more unwanted heroics from you and your friends?”

“Of course not, sir.”

Severus gave Hermione a quick nod of his head. “You’re dismissed,” he said quietly.

Hermione made a beeline for the door and escaped without a look back. Severus smirked at her hasty departure. He too left the bathroom and went to take care of his wounded leg. He hoped that Weasley would not be foolish enough to badmouth Hermione again. He knew they were practically inseparable in the future, but he was unsure how long it took the three friends to become close. Severus shook his head. It was hard to believe that Hermione actually dated Weasley after their inauspicious beginnings.

Chapter Text

Hermione’s second year:

Severus threw the paper down and glared at the two second-years standing before him.

“You were seen by no less than seven Muggles. What were you thinking?”

Harry looked down sheepishly. “Sorry, sir.”

Severus eyed him in annoyance. “I expected more from the two of you.”

“But, sir!” Ron sputtered. “We were trapped! We couldn’t get to the platform. My parents had gone through without us. We had no choice.”

Severus sat back in his chair and thrummed his fingers on the desk.

“Mr. Weasley,” he said finally. “There are always choices. You could have waited for your parents at the car. You could have sent an owl here. There were numerous things that were much less stupid for you to choose from. Why did you decide to do the most foolish and dangerous thing that came to mind? I did not take the two of you for dunderheads!”

“Sir,” Harry piped in. “We didn’t think. We just acted.”

“I believe that’s obvious, Mr. Potter,” Severus stated evenly. “Not only were you seen, but you did considerable damage to a tree that has been on school property for longer than you’ve both been alive.”

“I think it did more damage to us,” Ron muttered.

Severus glared at Ron. “Do you not know when to shut it, Mr. Weasley?”

Ron looked sheepishly to the floor.

“I am not your head of house, so I will not be involved in your punishment, but I assure you, Professor McGonagall will not be lenient with you. You will both be lucky to be a part of this school when she is finished with you. You will stay here while I fetch her.”

Severus got up and rigidly stalked out of his office. A few minutes later he returned with Minerva.

She listened to the whole tale, frowning all the way. The Headmaster then made an appearance, and the tale was retold. More frowns were displayed by the Headmaster and the two Professors. Harry wished he could disappear into the floor he was so embarrassed. All three teachers were looking at Ron and him with such disdain. He was sure they would be expelled.

Harry almost fainted when he finally did hear the punishment. No expulsion, no house points taken, only a detention and a note to his Aunt Petunia and one to Ron’s parents. Although the latter disturbed him as he didn’t want to let his aunt down, he was thrilled that he wasn’t heading home this minute.

The three teachers regarded the students sternly. Minerva waved her wand, and a plate of sandwiches and two drinks appeared.

“Eat in here and then go straight to your rooms,” she ordered. “We must get back to the feast.”

Harry and Ron sputtered their thanks and watched the three teachers leave the room. Harry could have sworn he saw smirks on all their faces before they turned and left the two boys alone.

oooOOOooo

Harry watched as the bright red howler yelled ferociously at Ron. He looked down at the letter in his own hand and was thankful that his aunt had not chosen the same type of correspondence for him. He would have deserved it, of course, but he would rather not have the entire school know of her displeasure. Unfortunately, even though this wasn’t a howler, he knew it would be different from her other correspondence to him which he had received the previous year.

Ron’s howler destroyed itself after blowing a raspberry at him. Ron grimaced and looked like a lost puppy. Harry almost laughed, but then remembered the parchment in his hand. He opened it tentatively.

Dear Harry,

I received a startling owl last night describing your escapades with your friend Ron. While I’m sure it must have been entertaining to fly a car to Hogwarts, I assure you, your stunt is not appreciated. You and Dudley are to represent the Evans’ name while at Hogwarts. What would your mother have said if she knew what you did? Please, Harry, think before you act. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.

Love,

Aunt Petunia

It would have been better if she had sent the howler. Harry felt even worse with her kind words and inference about his mother. He folded the letter and stuffed it in his robes. Ron and he exchanged sad glances.

“Not happy, was she?” Ron asked Harry.

“No, but she didn’t say anything mean.”

“Lucky,” Ron mused.

“Yeah,” Harry said thoughtfully.

oooOOOooo

Lucius sat with Severus in the Three Broomsticks. The two were sipping butterbeers and were deep in conversation.

“Draco has been griping about her all summer,” Lucius drawled. “I think it’s more that she’s friends with Potter than anything. I finally saw her at Flourish and Botts before term started. Why didn’t you tell me last year that she had arrived at Hogwarts?”

Severus narrowed his eyes at Lucius.

“I didn’t know you were interested in the arrival of a child who would have no recollection of knowing you.”

Lucius rolled his eyes. “She was my friend too. I would have liked to know that she was here again.”

Severus leaned in to Lucius.

“Listen, Hermione is not who you remember and won’t be for years. She would be puzzled to have any interest from you. And what of the Dark Lord? He never met Hermione and didn’t know what she looked like. What happens if he is not truly dead? What if he returns? We would not even be able to think about her in his presence or he may figure out that this young girl is the same woman who bested him so long ago. If he ever found out, he would kill her before she even had a chance to travel back in time.”

Lucius’ smug look fell from his face, and he appeared to be concerned.

“Well,” he said pensively, “I wouldn’t want to endanger Professor Granger in any way.”

“Then say nothing of this again. When she returns, I’m sure she’ll make herself known to you.”

Lucius nodded his head at Severus.

“All right. I’ll keep quiet,” he acquiesced.

Severus gave him a terse smile.

oooOOOooo

Severus entered the classroom wearily. It had been a long day, and he was looking forward to curling up in his nice warm bed for a good night’s rest. He just needed to check the supplies for the classes in the morning before turning in. He stopped abruptly when he saw a light coming from beneath the doorway to his private stores. He wandered up silently and threw open the door. He was surprised to see Hermione… Miss Granger… taking some bottles down from the shelf.

Hermione jumped at his noisy entrance. She spun around, looking guilty. Severus narrowed his eyes at her and demanded an explanation. Anger coursed throughout his body. Love of his life or not, this young girl was stealing his stores. That was something he had no patience for.

“I’m sorry, Professor, I…” she looked down. She had no explanation for her actions whatsoever.

“Just what do you mean by pilfering my stores, Miss Granger,” he asked angrily.

“I’m sorry, sir, I should have just asked you,” she said remorsefully. “It’s just that I’m sure you’ll say no.”

“Say no to what?” he snapped

“Polyjuice potion, sir. I’m brewing some.”

“Why would a second-year student need to brew Polyjuice Potion? Besides, what makes you so sure you are capable of brewing it correctly?” he asked tersely.

She told him everything. Hermione explained how they suspected Draco Malfoy of being the Heir of Slytherin and how they wanted to get near him and see what he knew. She spoke of the plan to transform into his best friends so he would be open with them. Then she looked at him sheepishly and asked him not to be too mad at her. Her pathetically sorrowful face made his anger lessen a bit as he thought about what to do.

“Draco Malfoy may be a braggart, but I do not believe he has anything to do with the Chamber of Secrets,” Severus said finally.

“How can you be sure?” she threw back at him.

In reality, he couldn’t. However, that would not stop him from arguing his point with Hermione.

“He does not have any great hatred for Muggle-borns,” he said finally. Although Draco’s mother was prejudiced against everyone and everything not pureblood, his father had been able to instill in Draco a more even regard for those in the world around him.

Hermione huffed at him. “That doesn’t mean that he’s not involved. He hates Harry. Perhaps he’s trying to frame him or something.”

“Miss Granger, that’s absurd. Why would he go to such great lengths just to frame Mr. Potter?”

Hermione pursed her lips and looked to the ground. “I don’t know. But if he’s not the Heir of Slytherin, who is?”

Severus regarded her thoughtfully. “I don’t know, but you are just a student, Miss Granger, a second-year student at that. It is not your place to play detective.”

Hermione looked at him pleadingly. “Professor, please? We’ll bring anything we find straight to you.”

“You seem to think that you are invincible, Miss Granger. I know you are very smart, but you cannot do everything. I assure you; you are not invincible. It would be remiss of me as a teacher to allow you to dabble in things you are not prepared for.”

“Could you oversee my continuing with the potion, then, sir?”

“It is not the potion that is the problem. It is what you plan to do with said potion.”

Hermione studied him. “Perhaps you could look on it as a harmless prank?”

Severus’ eyes narrowed at her. “There are no harmless pranks, Miss Granger.”

“Well, do you have a better idea?” Hermione snapped.

“Mind your tongue, Miss Granger! Ten points from Gryffindor.”

Hermione softened her tone. “Please, sir. No harm will come of it. The worst that can happen is that Malfoy finds out we’re trying to get information from him. But if it works, we’ll know if he’s to be trusted or not.”

The direness of the situation, and the fact that Dumbledore was perplexed as to who may have opened the Chamber, drew heavily on Severus’ mind. If even the old, gray wizard who knew everything did not know who this particular culprit was, then they were at a serious disadvantage. He seriously doubted that the Malfoy child had anything to do with the Chamber, although he had been quite cheeky in his boastings as of late. Perhaps Hermione was right in wanting to question him. If he wasn’t the culprit, perhaps he knew who was. He shook his head as to the lengths to which he would let this girl go. He seriously had a soft spot in his heart for her.

“Miss Granger, I cannot allow you to proceed with this plan. I can neither condone your making of the Polyjuice Potion nor the use of it. You will vanish what you have so far and not attempt to brew it again. You have detention tomorrow night with Mr. Filch for breaking into my private stores. Turn off the light when you are done putting my ingredients away.”

With that, he turned and swept from the room, leaving a very curious Hermione staring after him. She wondered why he had left her to herself, knowing she had been trying to take what didn’t belong to her. She turned back to the shelves, pulled the bicorn horn and Boomslang skin off the shelves and stuffed them under her robes. She quickly escaped from the storeroom, making sure the light was off when she left.

From the shadows, Severus watched the young girl make a quick escape from his storeroom, her cloak bulging. He raised an eyebrow at her cheek. He was not surprised, however. He knew that the minute he left her she would take the Polyjuice ingredients. The girl was rash and headstrong, much like her older self.

oooOOOooo

Dudley came up to the Gryffindor table towards the end of dinner. He tapped Harry on the shoulder. Harry looked up at Dudley expectantly.

“Can I ask you a question?” Dudley asked.

“You just did,” Harry joked.

Dudley gave him a quick smile. “It’s a private question. Can we go somewhere and chat?”

Harry nodded to Hermione and Ron and got up. “Sure, Dud, let’s take a walk outside.”

The two boys headed for the door and soon found themselves walking down the pathway towards the lake.

Dudley looked uncomfortable. Harry turned to him and became worried.

“What’s wrong, Dudley?” he asked.

Dudley furrowed his brows. “I’ve heard some… things about you, Harry. Some things about this Chamber of Secrets too.”

Harry looked back at Dudley with concern.

“What have you heard, Dud?”

“That you’re the Heir of Slytherin.”

“I can assure you, I’m not.”

Dudley looked over at Harry, searching him for the truth.

“Don’t you believe me, Dudley?”

Dudley heaved a huge sigh. “I don’t know what to believe, especially after the dueling class! What was all that with talking with the snake? Why did you send it to attack Justin?”

“Dudley, I was telling that snake to be nice. I told it to leave Finch-Fletchley alone. I didn’t realize at the time that I was the only one who could understand what I was saying. I know it seems suspicious, but I was trying to help!”

Dudley watched Harry closely as he explained himself. His shoulders finally sagged in relief.

“I’m sorry I thought badly of you, Harry, it’s just that everyone is talking about you. Even Susan and Hannah are suspicious. Justin is scared to death that he’ll be petrified before the week is out.”

Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, and Justin Finch-Fletchley were Dudley’s best friends. Most of the time they were inseparable, but he also spent a bit of his spare time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

“Not much of what anyone is saying is flattering,” Dudley went on.

Harry shook his head. “You know how the rumor mill is here. The story now probably says I arm-wrestled the snake and then wrapped it around Fletchley’s body and told it to kill.”

Dudley thought about that for a moment. “Yup, that’s pretty much what I heard.”

The two boys chuckled and continued their walk, discussing the finer points of school gossip. After a long while, they had circled around and returned to the school.

“I still think you should have gone out for the Quidditch team, Dud,” Harry mused.

“Quidditch is your thing, Harry, not mine,” Dudley retorted.

“So, what is your thing?”

Dudley grinned from ear to ear. “I’m a ladies’ man,” he drawled.

Harry laughed at his pudgy cousin. He had to admit, though, Dudley didn’t have much fear when it came to talking to girls. Even though his body wasn’t perfect, he never let that stop him from flirting with the ladies of Hufflepuff. He especially spent a lot of time with Susan Bones. She seemed to enjoy his company and always had a smile for him. Maybe his cousin’s joke wasn’t as much of a joke as Harry had first thought. He pondered that as they went into the school together with Harry patting Dudley’s shoulder appreciatively.

oooOOOooo

Severus shot the spell and watched Harry crash into the wall. He lowered his wand.

“Whatever is wrong with you today?” he asked. “You have been distracted throughout our entire session.”

Harry got to his feet and furrowed his brows. “I’m sorry. I just have a lot going on.”

“Yes, and I don’t,” Severus shot back.

“You don’t understand. The entire school hates me,” Harry griped.

Severus raised an eyebrow at Harry’s comment. “And why, pray tell, do they hate you? Are you not the Golden Child?”

“Stop making fun of me!” Harry yelled.

Severus regarded Harry with concern. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be offensive, only to lighten the mood. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

“Everyone thinks that I’m the Heir of Slytherin! They all avoid me like I’m a pariah. When they do talk to me, they are nasty or afraid. I can’t take it anymore!”

Severus’ shoulders sagged. “Unfortunately, you will have to take it until this whole thing is solved. Your little Polyjuice incident uncovered nothing and only managed to send Miss Granger to the infirmary for weeks. Now, of course, she is trapped there again.”

“Everyone’s saying I’m the cause of her being petrified. Why would they think I would petrify my own friend?” Harry cried.

“The students don’t think things out like that, Harry. They just hear a rumor and believe it. You could be petrified yourself, and they’d still think you were the Heir of Slytherin.”

Harry chuckled at the stupidity in that.

Severus waved his wand, and two chairs appeared next to them. They both sat down.

“Harry, you said before that I didn’t understand what you were going through. You’re wrong. I understand all too well.”

Harry looked at Severus curiously.

“Unlike you, I was never liked at school, so the silence from the other students never bothered me much, as I was used to it. I was also used to the frightened glares and the avoidance from them.”

“You weren’t popular at school?” Harry asked.

“I just said that, didn’t I?” Severus asked back.

Harry looked embarrassed. “Sorry,” he muttered. “But didn’t you have any friends? I thought you were friends with my mum.”

“She was my only friend for most of my time at Hogwarts. I was also friends with Lucius Malfoy, but they were the only two people, save one professor my seventh year, who ever treated me like a real friend.”

“You just said you were friends with my mum most of the time you were at Hogwarts. What does that mean?”

“I said something offensive to her during an embarrassing incident in our fifth year. That ended our friendship.”

Harry looked startled. “What did you say to her?”

Severus looked down to the ground. “I called her a Mudblood.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Malfoy called Hermione that a few months ago. She was really upset when she found out what it meant.”

Severus looked livid. He wanted to go up to Malfoy this instant and have a stern talk with him. The boy had been taught better than that. Of course, if he did speak to Draco, the young man would wonder why he had come to Hermione’s defense. Lucius would find out, and questions would be asked. He sighed to himself. Being a spy had great disadvantages.

“I would expect more from Mr. Malfoy,” Severus commented. “His father has taught him better than to say such things.”

Harry shrugged. “He was just annoyed with something Hermione had said. He said it more to hurt her feelings than anything else, I think.”

“Nonetheless, it was a crass thing to say.” He got back to the topic at hand.

“I said what I did to your mother because I was angry and embarrassed about something very vulgar some other student had done to me. Lily had come to my aid. I was even more embarrassed that she had seen what had happened, so I lashed out at her. I was not what you would call a sociable person at the time. I didn’t know how to react to people, even when they were looking out for me.”

“What happened that made you so angry in the first place?” Harry asked.

Severus regarded Harry thoughtfully. He was uncertain whether to divulge the nastiness of Harry’s own father to him.

“There was a group of students who sought me out to tease me at school. I was not completely innocent in the matter, but they were usually the instigators.”

“What did they do?”

“On this particular occasion, one of them had strung me up in a tree and removed my trousers.”

Harry gaped at Severus. Even Malfoy wouldn’t be that cruel, would he?

“That’s awful,” Harry muttered.

Severus nodded. “So, as you can see, I can understand fully how it feels to be ostracized by an entire school. You just need to move forward and not let it bother you. Things will settle down eventually and be back to normal. You need to work on concentrating on the things at hand. Your dueling today has been abominable. If you were involved in a real duel with your current mindset, you would be dead ten times over.”

“I can’t believe someone would do that to you, Professor, it’s awful,” Harry said. He was still in shock at Severus’ revelation.

“Yes, well, life is not often fair,” Severus mumbled.

“Who did it, Professor?”

“No one you know, Harry,” Severus sighed.

“Is he a Death Eater now?”

Severus laughed. “No, he is not a Death Eater now. He is not alive now.”

“What happened to him?”

Severus looked at the young boy in front of him. He was so unlike his father. Severus couldn’t think of an instance where Harry would lash out at someone unprovoked like his father had. He knew Harry had an unusual protective feeling toward his father. He did not want to shatter that love and respect that he had for him.

“I would rather not go into it,” Severus said finally.

“Sir, please. I want to know.”

Severus again studied Harry. He was no longer a little boy. He would learn about this story eventually and then maybe resent Severus for not telling him about it right away. He could not shelter him. The boy had too much to do in his life to be sheltered.

“The man was your father, Harry. You know his story. He was killed by Voldemort.”

Harry’s eyes grew wide. “My… my father! But he was a great man!”

Severus sighed. “He may have been a great man, but he was a swine of a student.”

“He was part of that group you were speaking of, the ones that would torment you endlessly?”

Severus nodded.

“I can’t believe it,” Harry said angrily. “Why would he do that?”

“He did it because he was a smug, show-off.”

Harry cradled his head in his hands.

“I always thought he was a hero for standing up to Voldemort the way he did.”

Severus leaned forward in his chair. “Harry, he was a hero. He tried to protect both you and your mother. About the things he did as a youth; kids do horrid things to one another.” Severus swallowed hard, not believing that he was going to admit to what he was about to utter. “I’m sure if he were alive now, he would be the great man that you thought he was.”

Harry looked at Severus with incredulity. “How can you defend him? He was horrid to you.”

“I have found that hating those who have wronged me in the past is a waste of time. I probably would not be friends with your father were he alive now, but I do not hate him.”

Harry looked upon Severus for a long time. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Harry looked to the ground angrily. “I can’t believe that my father was so cruel to you. He’s worse than Malfoy! I’m sorry.”

“Your father’s sins are not on your head, Harry.”

“I know, but I feel horrible just the same,” Harry confided.

Severus smirked at him. “And there is the difference between you and your father. Your father never felt guilty about the things he did. He just did them and moved on. He felt justified in everything that he did.”

“There’s no justification for being so cruel,” Harry said with a grimace.

“I agree,” Severus said. He had a faraway look, as if he was reliving the past.

“Thank you for sharing that with me, Professor. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to talk about.”

“If it will help you to realize the importance of not letting things affect you to the brink of destruction, then I am glad to have done so. Are you ready to continue?”

Harry looked at Severus gratefully and nodded. “Thank you for not holding my father’s actions against me,” he said finally.

Severus smirked at Harry. “You are not him, Harry. You are kinder, like your mother was.” He stood, signaling the end of the conversation.

Harry stood also, and the two chairs disappeared. Before Harry even had a chance to get ready, a silent spell came at his head.

Harry cried, “Protego.” He barely got the shield up in time.

Severus smiled. “Nicely done, Mr. Potter. That’s more like it.”

oooOOOooo

Severus waited until past midnight to go to the infirmary. He certainly didn’t want to be seen here by anyone, including Poppy. He sneaked in and silently moved to the young girl’s bed. Hermione lay there petrified. She stared vacantly at nothing. He bent over her and caressed the young girl’s cheek, wishing there was something he could do for her. He supposed that she would be fine once the Mandrake Draught was made and administered, but he still was worried. It seemed like Hermione had spent half the year in the infirmary between the Polyjuice incident and this petrifying.

Foolish Gryffindor, he thought, always getting into trouble.

If she kept going like this, she would never live to travel back into the past. Severus put his hand on hers and squeezed it. How he wished the years would pass quickly, and this young girl would emerge as the beautiful woman he knew she would become. Having to watch her as she matured had been harder than he had expected. He enjoyed their encounters in and out of class, but they were constant reminders of what he couldn’t have. At least, what he couldn’t have now. His heart ached for her return to him. Sometimes it strained within him so tightly, he thought it would burst. Those were the times he would quickly escape to his room and hide away while pining for his lost love.

What he wouldn’t give to have her back in his arms again. What he wouldn’t give to see her smile at him with her eyes filled with love. What he wouldn’t give to be able to tell her how much he loved her. But none of those things were possible now. She was just a child, and her return to him was years in the future. At times, it felt like her return would never come. But looking down at Hermione now, he knew that it would. He knew that if he patiently held out, she would return to him. He would need to wait for her to grow up, but it would happen, just as surely as he was holding her hand right now. He gathered his thoughts and leaned over her, whispering in her ear.

“Just get better, and grow up, my love,” he murmured to her before he straightened and silently exited the infirmary.

Chapter Text

Hermione’s Third Year Part 1:

“Oh, dear!” cried Petunia as they stood on Platform nine and three-quarters. The Hogwarts Express was just rounding the bend and disappearing out of sight.

“This is not good,” she murmured to herself.

“Shall we use a flying car like Harry did last year?” cried Dudley.

Petunia frowned at him. “Of course not, Dudders, that would be silly. Where would we find another flying car anyway?”

“Maybe we can enchant one?” Harry piped in.

Petunia smiled at him. “No, Harry, there are other modes of transportation, but we’ll have to leave the train station.”

Petunia smiled and hurried along. “Come, children. I need to get to work.”

When Vernon had left, Petunia had sought employment outside of the home. She had worked in a bank for a year but found the job tedious. Now that she had embraced her magical side, she wanted to be involved in a magical career.

When she had dropped off Harry at the Burrow the summer before, Arthur Weasley had taken a quick liking to her. He had spirited her away to his garage to proudly show her his collection of all things Muggle. She had expressed an interest in helping wizards understand Muggle technology, and before she knew it, Arthur had suggested she take a job at the Ministry. He explained that most wizards had no interest in Muggle technology, but her expertise might be useful in other areas.

Petunia was now part of the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee. She helped the committee make up excuses for Wizarding catastrophes. She had been a great asset to the committee as she had helped them to see what would be believable excuses among Muggles. Sometimes the committee would come up with the most outlandish reasons for something happening. Petunia helped them to see their folly. Usually, it was a simple excuse that worked the best.

“All right, all right,” Gary Dillard said, looking around at the group of ten witches and wizards around the table.

“Agatha Benning was creating a potion and added too much wormwood.” He rifled through the papers explaining the situation and what had happened.

He eyed the group. “Sadly, her house exploded. As we are trying to avoid Obliviation when we can, what do you think we can use as an excuse for this accident?”

John Ranger, the newest member of the committee moved in his seat and looked at Dillard.

“What about a dragon flying overhead sneezed at an inopportune moment, lighting the house on fire.”

Immediately Petunia burst into laughter. A woman to her right looked at Ranger as if she’d swallowed vomit.

“John, dragons are magical beings, and Muggles are unaware of their existence. That won’t work!” she bit out.

The man deflated. “Oh… of course,” he said quietly.

Petunia continued to laugh, throwing her head back enthusiastically as she thought of the sight of a dragon flying around sneezing and setting things afire. Petunia looked at the department head.

“Gary, why don’t we just say it was a furnace explosion.”

She was met with blank stares.

“Doesn’t anyone know what a furnace is?” she asked incredulously. “I thought you all knew about electrical fires and gas leaks.”

They all nodded, but still looked at her curiously.

“Muggles use furnaces to heat their homes. Sometimes if something is wrong with them, they will explode and set the whole house on fire. This would be an easy explanation that the neighbors would accept without question.”

“Perfect,” Dillard said and moved on to the next issue.

The committee wasn’t always so obtuse. They understood more about Muggles than your average witch or wizard, but this incident would forever be cemented in her mind as an example of the great chasm between her two worlds.

Petunia was brought back to reality by her boys’ bickering. She listened to them as they emerged from the station and headed for the street.

“I told you, Harry, you shouldn’t have let Hedwig make that last hunt,” Dudley chided. “It’s her fault we’re late.”

“It’s not like she wears a watch, Dudley. It’s not her fault,” Harry said crossly.

Dudley harrumphed.

Soon they were on the curb beside the street. Petunia thought of what she needed and extended her wand hand. Suddenly a bright purple Double-Decker bus appeared out of nowhere. The door swung open, and a thin wizard with pimples all over his face smiled at them.

“Hi, I’m Stan. Stan Shunpike. Welcome to the Knight Bus.”

Harry and Dudley stared in amazement as Petunia stepped closer to the door of the bus.

“These two young wizards missed the Hogwarts Express and need a lift to Hogwarts.”

“Eleven sickles each, please,” Stan said by rote.

Petunia dug in her bag and brought out the money, placing it in Shunpike’s awaiting hand. She turned and gave a quick hug to each boy.

“Now you two be good and learn a lot.”

Dudley turned red at the show of affection, but Harry hugged Petunia back enthusiastically.

“Take care, Aunt Petunia. We’ll see you at Holiday,” he told her.

She watched as they got onto the bus and waved to them. The bus disappeared in an instant. Petunia looked around her to see if she was alone. She saw nothing but a big black dog sitting across the street, watching her. She gave the animal no further thought, turned, and Apparated to the Ministry.

oooOOOooo

After what only seemed like minutes, Dudley and Harry were dropped off at the Hogwarts gates. In the time that they had entered the bus until the time they had arrived at the gates of Hogwarts, they had discussed Sirius Black in full with Shunpike, the bus driver, and the shrunken head that had hung from the mirror. Harry and Dudley had been keeping up on the news about Black’s escape since it had happened.

Harry had asked Aunt Petunia about the things that the paper had written about Black, but she had not known what the truth was. She had informed Harry that all she knew about his parents’ deaths was that they occurred at the hands of Voldemort. She had not been involved in the Wizarding world at the time of their murders.

The three on the Knight Bus, however, had seemed to have all of the answers. They had confirmed the disgusting story of how Sirius Black had betrayed his friends to Voldemort and had been the cause of their deaths. Shunpike had even gone on to say that Black deserved nothing less than to receive the Dementor’s Kiss for what he had done.

The three explained what the Dementor’s Kiss was to Dudley and Harry and then told the boys that it was the best punishment for someone so evil. The two boys had mumbled agreements but had been relieved when the bus had pulled up at Hogwarts seconds later. They hadn’t wanted to hear any more about the crazed lunatic murderer or kisses that stole your soul.

Harry and Dudley dragged their chests and the rest of their belongings up to the door and dropped them inside of it. They vowed never to miss the train again, thinking of how the luggage usually just unloaded itself. As they set their trunks down, a voice interrupted them.

“You’re a little early, gentlemen.”

They wheeled around and saw Dumbledore standing there with his hands behind his back, his eyes twinkling.

Harry could have sworn that Dumbledore was not surprised to see them at all.

“We missed the train, sir,” Dudley explained. “My mum sent us on the Knight Bus.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Dumbledore. “A much better solution than last year, eh, Harry?”

Harry blushed. Would he never live down that incident?

“Yes, sir,” he finally said.

“Why don’t you boys go up to your rooms? The rest of the students won’t be here for several hours. Just don’t forget to come down for the feast.”

“Yes, sir,” the two boys chimed together.

“All right, off with you,” Dumbledore said, waving his hands to get them to move along.

He watched them ascend the stairs as Severus came up behind him.

“How do you know everything?” Severus asked.

“What do you mean, Severus?” Albus returned.

“You said we had guests and turned and left in the middle of our conversation. How did you know they were here?”

“Why, I just heard the door slam, Severus. Didn’t you?” Albus turned to Severus with a curious look on his face.

Severus just rolled his eyes. “Never mind,” he said in frustration. “You never give a straight answer anyway.”

Severus turned and went back into the Great Hall to finish the final preparations for the feast. He missed Albus’ Cheshire-cat-like grin.

oooOOOooo

Harry rifled through his belongings, searching for his overcoat. It was nowhere to be seen. Dudley and he had been hanging around in the Hufflepuff common room for the last couple of hours, but Harry had wanted to come up to his room before the feast. He was just about to go down to the Great Hall when he noticed his coat was missing. He must have dropped it on the way into the castle. He bounded out of his room and began the long descent to the grounds, hoping he would find it before it got trampled on by the students.

Harry finally made it out to the grounds and followed the path down to the gate. He was sure he would find his coat lying on the ground somewhere between here and there. Lighting his wand, he began to search. After a few minutes, he noticed the coat lying just outside of the Hogwarts gates. He sighed in frustration, as the coat was lying in a puddle of mud. He went beyond the gates and lifted the coat from the ground. It dripped with goo. Harry waved his wand, uttered Evanesco, and watched the mud disappear from the coat.

Harry looked over his surroundings. He could see the line of carriages off in the distance, heading for the school. They would be here in a matter of minutes. But something was not right. He felt a chill run down his spine. He noticed that things around him were beginning to be covered in frost. He shot a few glances around him but saw nothing out of the ordinary, save the frost. Then out of nowhere, a creature descended in front of him. It wore a large black cloak, and its face was invisible behind a great hood. Harry could not pull his eyes away from the creature as it floated in front of him. He felt a great despair sink over him as he looked to where the creature’s eyes should be. Harry could not move. He felt himself becoming more despondent as his knees buckled underneath him. The last thing he heard was a woman’s scream before he lost consciousness.

Not a second later there was a loud pop, and a man appeared out of nowhere. He saw a student passed out on the ground and a Dementor hovering over him.

Quickly the man extracted his wand and cried, “Expecto Patronum”

The Dementor shot away quickly, and the man rushed up to the wounded boy on the ground. He lifted him up and noticed the scar on his forehead. He looked over the boy carefully, making sure there were no visible injuries. After a minute, Harry began to stir. He opened his eyes and found a man he didn’t recognize staring down at him.

“What happened?” Harry asked weakly.

“You were attacked by a Dementor,” the man said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar as Harry sat up and rubbed his eyes.

“Eat this,” the man ordered, “it will help.”

Harry looked at the chocolate skeptically, then at the man.

“Who are you?” he asked suspiciously.

“I’m Remus Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Take the chocolate, Harry, as I said before, it will help.”

Harry took the chocolate and nibbled a piece off the bar. He looked at the man again. He appeared to be haggard. There were great long scars running down the side of his face, and his eyes looked like they had seen too much for a man his age.

“How do you know my name?” Harry asked him.

“The scar,” Lupin said as he pointed to Harry’s head.

Harry rubbed the scar and smirked. “It’s a dead giveaway, huh?”

Remus nodded.

“It’s a good thing I decided to Apparate to the gates instead of taking the carriages,” Lupin remarked as the first carriage pulled up to the gates. “You would certainly be nothing more than a shell by now had I not come along when I did.”

“What was that thing that attacked me, sir?”

“That, my boy, was a Dementor.”

Harry looked at Professor Lupin with fear. “Does that have anything to do with a Dementor’s Kiss?”

“Yes, Harry. Dementors are the beings who give the kiss. How did you hear about the Dementor’s Kiss?”

Harry explained his strange but brief ride on the Knight Bus. Professor Lupin helped Harry up, and they made their way to the school doors. Lupin explained more about Dementors and how they were the guards at Azkaban. The whole thing thoroughly gave Harry the creeps. Lupin quickly led Harry through the Great Hall and over to Madam Pomfrey, who took the boy into the Trophy room and examined him quickly. Declaring him fit, she released him, and he joined his friends, who were by now seated at the Gryffindor table. He quickly gave them a rundown of the events that had happened up until his arrival at their side.

“Those Dementors searched the train too!” Ron exclaimed.

“No one passed out, though,” Hermione said thoughtfully.

Harry’s eyebrows furrowed. Why had he collapsed if no one else had?

Dumbledore’s voice echoed in the Hall, and all eyes turned to him. He explained about the Dementors and how the children should give them a wide berth. He apologized for the one which attacked Harry, as the Dementors had been told to stay away from the gates that evening, but the one had not followed orders. He emphasized the need for caution, as Sirius Black was on the loose, and even though the school was quite safe, no one could be too careful. He then clapped his hands, and the feast appeared.

Harry ate in silence, turning over in his mind all of the things that had happened in the last hour. Black wouldn’t make an appearance here. There was no reason for him to come to Hogwarts. Or was there? Harry had visited the Weasleys for a week near the end of summer break. They had been excited about their recent trip to Egypt, and they had filled him with stories about the trip. The family had even made the front page of The Prophet.

At one point he had caught Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley talking about him secretly. They had said that Black would target him because he wanted revenge for what Harry had done to Voldemort. Hearing that had sent a shiver down Harry’s spine, but he was not one to cower in the face of danger. If Black sought him out, Harry would not be held responsible for what he did to the man who led Voldemort to his parents.

oooOOOooo

Harry knocked on the door to the Potions classroom. He heard a voice asking him to enter, so he swung the door open and walked in. He found the room to be empty.

“In the back!” the voice called again.

Harry walked to the door at the back of the classroom and peered into the private lab of Severus Snape. He had not seen it before, and his eyes widened as he surveyed it. It was just the right size for there to be two tables parallel to one another. On the back table was a cauldron being stirred by his Potions Professor. The other table was empty. Along the wall and in front of the table were shelves that held several different cauldrons, a few stirring rods, and many beakers and flasks. It looked like a Muggle chemistry room.

Harry turned his attention to Professor Snape, who was still stirring the cauldron with an unusual stirring rod. It looked like it was made of glass and had the head of a snake on it. The snake’s head seemed to be looking at Snape as he stirred the draught vigorously.

“You wanted to see me, Professor?” Harry asked.

Severus took a second to look up. “I’ll be with you in two minutes, Harry,” he said and went back to his work.

The two minutes having elapsed, Severus removed the rod from the mixture and set it beside the cauldron. He walked over to Harry and motioned him to a set of chairs in the corner that Harry had failed to notice before. He sat in one and watched his professor do the same.

“I didn’t get a chance to speak with you after the events that transpired at the end of last year. I take it you were able to recover fully?” Severus asked him.

Harry nodded his head.

“And you’re feeling better after the Dementor attack?”

Harry screwed his face up but nodded.

“What is it, Harry?”

“Hermione and Ron told me that Dementors searched the train too, but no one passed out. I was wondering why I was so weak that I couldn’t fight them off.”

Severus looked Harry directly in the eyes. “Collapsing from a Dementor attack is not a sign of weakness, Harry.”

“Then why am I the only one who fainted like a little girl?”

Severus smirked at his reference. “Harry, did Professor Lupin tell you what the Dementors feed on?”

Harry shook his head. “Yes, they suck all of the happiness out of a soul.”

“I would think that very few people in this school have worse memories than you do. When all the happy parts of your life are taken from you, the horrors that are left are much more than anyone else your age would have to deal with. The intensity of the memories increases the Dementor's control. It’s no wonder you collapsed.”

“I think I heard my mum screaming my name before I passed out.”

Severus’ jaw tightened as a picture of what that scene must have looked like was brought to the forefront of his mind.

“It seems that even at that young age, her death was horrible enough for you to have a memory of it.”

“I had never thought of it before then.”

Severus nodded his head. “The Dementors are artisans at bringing out memories that have been forgotten or repressed.”

Harry shrugged, not wanting to talk about it anymore. “You asked me after class to come by tonight. What’s up?”

Severus arched an eyebrow at his forwardness. “I was wondering why you chose to go to that buffoon Lockhart instead of coming to me when you realized the truth about the Chamber of Secrets.”

Harry watched Severus closely. Snape evidently had felt slighted by his oversight. That hadn’t been Harry’s intent at all.

“I would have come to you, but he was so adamant about knowing where the entry to the Chamber was when you were all gathered on the second floor. Ron and I thought that if we told him what we knew, he would be able to get Ginny out quicker.”

“I see.”

“By the time we realized he was just a big phony, it was too late. We had to take him with us. We were lucky Ron’s wand backfired, or we’d both be babbling idiots.”

“I hope you now realize the folly of your actions.”

Harry looked up at Severus. “Of course, sir.”

Severus sighed. “Harry, you have this tendency to go off half-cocked when you have an idea in your head. You will do yourself a grave disservice if you continue along this path. One day you will walk into a trap that you cannot extricate yourself from.”

Harry looked down, duly chastised. “I know, sir. I’ve been thinking about that a lot this summer.”

“I hope you have set some rules for yourself as to your conduct in the future,” Severus advised.

“I have, sir. I won’t let myself get so deeply involved in something that I don’t think about the possible repercussions.”

“You know, Harry, you can always come to me in such situations. I would be happy to help you sort things out if need be.”

Harry glanced up at Severus. His face was impassive, but Harry could tell that his words were heartfelt.

“Thank you, sir. I will do so in the future.”

Severus nodded and stood, signaling the end of their ‘talk’. He wandered back to his potion.

“What’s that you’re working on, Professor?” Harry asked with interest.

“It’s a Strengthening Solution,” Severus told him.

“Doesn’t that use snakeskin in it?” Harry asked.

Severus looked up at Harry as he picked up his stirring rod. “Yes, it does.”

Harry got a gleam in his eye. “Have you ever thought of substituting Basilisk skin?”

Severus harrumphed. “I would think that such an addition would make an incredibly potent potion. Unfortunately, because there are no Basilisks from which to get skin, it is a theory that shall remain untested.”

“I know where you can find a Basilisk skin, sir,” Harry said eagerly, trying to make up for not involving his Professor at the end of the last year.

Severus’ head popped up as what Harry was saying dawned on him. “The Basilisk in the Chamber!” he cried in amazement.

Harry nodded and smiled conspiratorially. “Do you want to get some?” he asked Severus.

Severus’ eyes lit up. Then he had second thoughts. Hadn’t he just admonished Harry for going off half-cocked? He was an adult. He couldn’t just go sliding down into the Chamber of Secrets just to prove a theory.

“Harry, it’s not safe to go down there again. Didn’t half of the Chamber collapse?”

“Oh, it’s nothing a little wand work won’t fix. Besides, the skin is located before the collapse. Come on. This could be an enormous breakthrough!”

“It’s only a temporary one. There’s only so much Basilisk skin available.”

“So, what? They’ll be talking about you for centuries to come, Professor!”

Severus groaned. “I am not in the potions business for fame.”

“Then what’s all that stuff you spout to the first-years on the first day of class every year?”

Severus gave Harry a caustic look. “Young man, I need not remind you who is the superior in this room.”

“At least I’m not afraid to try something new.”

Severus raised an eyebrow at that. The boy was an insufferable prat, trying to goad him into going down into the Chamber.

“I swear, sir. I killed the big, bad Basilisk already. There’s really nothing to fear.”

Severus harrumphed. “I am not fearful, Mr. Potter, just cautious. Remember, you try and get yourself killed at least once a year? That is the kind of thing I’m trying to avoid.”

Harry laughed finally. “Oh, come on! The skin is just sitting there. It’s near the entrance. It won’t take any time at all to get some.”

Severus thought about it and then chided himself for even giving the idea any credence. He then decided that he probably would never forgive himself if he didn’t at least try to get the skin.

“All right, we’ll go,” he said finally.

“I knew you’d see things my way, sir,” Harry beamed at him.

“Don’t press your luck, Potter.”

oooOOOooo

They were standing in the girls' bathroom, and Harry was fiddling with the sink. Finally, he muttered something, and the entire sink fixture split apart, revealing a deep hole that led how far down, Severus didn’t want to know.

“It’s down there,” Harry said.

Severus gave him a caustic look. “Really? I thought we’d have to go up into the ceiling and crawl through the rafters to get there.” His sarcastic remark was emphasized by a wave at the ceiling.

Not catching his sarcasm, Harry just went on. “No, it’s down there, all right.”

Severus muttered to himself as he extracted his wand and waved it over the hole. A rope ladder attached itself to the edge of the hole and dropped down silently into it. It would descend until it reached the bottom.

“Well, now you’ve taken all the fun out of it,” Harry murmured.

Severus looked at him in incredulity.

“No, really, you can’t imagine how much fun it was to fall down that hole blindly. I thought I would have a heart attack before I reached the bottom.”

Severus smiled at him. “After you, Mr. Potter.”

Harry swung his legs onto the ladder and began his descent, closely followed by Severus. Down, down they went for quite some time. At times the tunnel almost leveled out, which made ladder climbing a bit difficult, but it would eventually head downward again, and they would find the traveling easier. Finally, Harry felt the familiar crunch of a thousand skeletons under his feet. He left the ladder and made room for Severus to find a spot on the floor. Extracting his wand, he said “Lumos,” and a small part of the chamber was lit up so they could see.

By this time Severus had reached the ground and was surveying his surroundings with a grimace on his face. The skeletons of small animals were strewn about everywhere. There was no space left clean on the floor.

“The skin is this way,” Harry said as he pointed his wand and started for the Basilisk’s shed skin.

Severus followed closely behind, his own wand lit. They didn’t have to go far before they came upon the skin. Severus’ eyes widened as he examined it. He had known that the creature was huge, but actually seeing the size of the skin made him appreciate its grandeur even more.

“It’s gigantic,” he muttered.

“It even looks bigger when it’s on the Basilisk,” Harry quipped.

“It’s a miracle you survived, Harry.”

“I had a little help from a Phoenix.”

“Indeed,” Severus replied.

Severus took a tiny bag from his pocket and enlarged it. Going up to the Basilisk skin, he used his wand like a surgeon’s scalpel and sliced a two-foot part of the skin away from the rest of the remains. He levitated the sample into the bag and closed it up. He shrunk it back down to its original size and placed it into his pocket.

“All right,” he said, “I think that’s all I’ll need.”

“Did you want to take a look around?” Harry asked.

Severus regarded Harry with disdain. “Not really. What’s to see anyway, some huge, dead snake?”

“The stonework is rather intricate,” Harry mused.

“Ah… stonework… sounds fascinating.”

“You’re really a party pooper, you know that?” Harry told him blatantly.

“Yes, I’ve been known to destroy a party or two in my day. Let’s just go. I can feel the Dark Lord’s presence lingering, and I want to be nowhere near it.”

Harry’s eyes grew wide. “You can feel Voldemort? But Riddle was destroyed, and his spirit, or whatever, wasn’t even in this part of the Chamber.”

“Perhaps it’s not Voldemort, per se, just evil in general. Can you not feel it?”

Harry stood still for a moment and tried to get in touch with his inner self. He tried to feel the evil but only got a sense of fear.

“I’m just creeped out by this place. I don’t really feel any evil. It is somewhat frightening, I guess.”

Severus nodded. Perhaps it was the fact that he was older and more experienced with evil. Perhaps it was because he had made evil a close friend, but it was unmistakable to him, whether Harry could feel it or not.

“Maybe places like this just exude evil because of their very nature,” Severus mused as Harry looked at him curiously.

“Come,” Severus ordered. “We have gotten what we came for. Let us leave this place.”

Harry nodded and followed him back to the pipe that would lead to their freedom.

oooOOOooo

Back in his lab, Severus removed the bag from his pocket again and returned it to its original size. Donning gloves, he picked up the skin and examined it closely. It was very thick and leathery. He knew that on the Basilisk itself, the skin would be as hard as dragon hide, but this seemed quite a bit suppler. He could still see the scale pattern pressed into it. It was remarkably beautiful for something so hideous. He debated on how much to use in the potion. He knew Basilisk fangs were fatally poisonous, but the skin was not reputed to be dangerous to ingest. He used his wand and cut a tiny piece off of the skin. It was no bigger than a stick of gum. Taking his knife, he sliced it thinly as he would the snakeskin that was used in this potion. He gathered the slices and then diced them evenly. Harry sat in the chair in the corner and watched him work. Finally, Severus had scooped the diced skins up into his gloved hand and looked up to Harry.

“Here it goes. If the cauldron explodes, please see that I get a decent funeral.”

“I didn’t know bats got funerals when they died,” Harry quipped. A huge smirk covered his face.

Severus’ only response was a raised eyebrow. He was concentrating on the potion too seriously to continue the banter.

Harry smirked at him again as he watched Severus drop the skins into the cauldron, lift his rod, and begin the tedious task of stirring the potion. It would need to be stirred for fifteen minutes in a clockwise direction, then another fifteen minutes counterclockwise.

There was no immediate explosion, although quite a bit of smoke rose from the cauldron with the addition of the Basilisk skin. Severus seemed to stir forever, and Harry’s mind wandered as his gaze became blurry, and he began to think of other things. Finally, Severus stopped stirring and removed the rod from the cauldron. Harry rose and went up to him.

“Well, you’re still alive so far. Do you think it worked?”

“I’ll have to test it to be sure.”

“Do you really want to try it? What if the Basilisk skin is poisonous?”

Severus didn’t say anything but went into the main classroom. He took a cage off a shelf and brought it back into the lab. Harry saw that there were three white mice in the cage.

“Our test subjects,” Severus offered as he pulled one mouse from the cage and made it drink some of the potion from a spoon.

He placed the mouse back in the cage and watched it carefully for adverse reactions. The mouse seemed to be fine.

“How long will the potion take to work?” Harry asked.

“It should be effective within one minute, if not sooner.”

They watched together in rapt attention as the mouse wandered in the cage with its friends. Suddenly the mouse began to run. It ran circles around the edge of the cage. Every lap around it the mouse seemed to run faster. Soon it was almost a blur, ringing the cage speedily.

“Wow,” Harry muttered.

“Wow, indeed,” Severus repeated.

“Let’s see what else this little guy can do,” Severus said as he lifted the cage door and tried to catch the mouse.

It proved impossible as the mouse was too fast for him. But they really didn’t need to come up with a different solution as the mouse stopped for a minute and then made a mad dash for the cage wall. It burst through the metal bars as if they were made of paper and scurried away, breaking a hole through the door as it ran off.

“I think Dumbledore is going to be angry with you that you let Mighty Mouse off on his own.”

“It’s not like I had a choice!” Severus retorted.

Harry laughed at his professor’s clipped tone. “How long will the potion last?”

Severus sighed. “An hour. I hope that rat doesn’t destroy the whole castle by then.”

“Maybe it will just find a nice hole in the wall and fall asleep.”

“We can only hope.”

oooOOOooo

Of course, the mouse didn’t find a hole and fall asleep. It decided to torture the Slytherin girls’ dorm. Somehow it found its way in there, and Pansy Parkinson was the first to see it. She screamed like a banshee and jumped onto a chair. The mouse got skittery after the shriek and rushed at the chair, knocking a leg off of it and sending Pansy crashing to the floor. The other girls in the room began to scream too as they saw Pansy tumble to the ground. Pansy scurried off the floor in an instant, and they all jumped on their beds. It wasn’t until Severus came in almost half an hour later and caught the creature that they finally got down and stopped screaming.

“For Merlin’s sake, girls, it’s just a mouse! Quit screaming!” he bellowed as he entered the room, closely followed by Draco Malfoy, who had alerted Severus to where the mouse had gone.

“Have you seen where it went?” he asked the shrieking girls.

Lucinda Wright stopped screaming for a minute and pointed to a corner of the room behind one of the girl’s trunks. Severus slinked over and levitated the trunk out of the way. There sat the tiny mouse, looking scared. Severus had come prepared with a titanium box. He doubted that even Mighty Mouse, as Harry had dubbed him, would be able to break free from that trap.

Flicking his wand, he said, “Accio mouse.”

The mouse sailed through the air and landed in the box. Severus shut the lid with a clang. The four girls stopped screaming and gasped for air. Slowly, they each got off their beds.

“Now, I hope you all can have a quiet rest of the night,” Severus chided them. “I do not want to be bothered with reports of other four-legged creatures tormenting you. If they appear, ignore them!”

With that, Severus stalked out of the room, metal box and mouse in hand.

oooOOOooo

Severus was back in his lab, and Harry was eyeing the Titanium box with unease.

“Are you sure it can’t escape from there?”

Severus eyed him with contempt. “Of course not, it’s made of Titanium.”

The mouse had been still up until now, but it began to move again, making dents in the box as it rammed itself against the sides in an attempt to escape. Severus regarded it curiously, now wondering with Harry if the small creature was fully contained.

“I think we should forgo the experiments on the other two,” Harry mused. His eyes never left the box.

“Yes, I believe you’re right,” Severus muttered. “I suppose it is time for a human trial. Would you like to volunteer?”

Harry looked to Severus nervously. “Now wait a minute! I never said I was going to be your guinea pig, Professor. I just had the idea.”

Severus gave him a wicked smile. “All the more reason for you to be the test subject.”

Harry’s eyes grew wide, and he took a step back. “What if part of that potion makes me crazy like that mouse? What if it’s not just the mouse’s personality? What if the potion never wears off?”

“Harry,” Severus said more seriously. “I was just kidding about you trying it. I want to bring a sample to Albus first to get his feelings on having a human try it out.”

Harry visibly relaxed. “Oh, okay,” he said softly.

Severus laughed. “You are easily duped, Mr. Potter. I suppose that gets us even for you calling me a bat earlier.”

Harry laughed too.

oooOOOooo

Albus eyed the vial filled with greenish-yellow fluid. He then looked to the box on his desk, which held the mouse test subject. Small dents peppered the box, but the mouse had not escaped its prison. He looked up at Severus.

“So, you decided to go down into the Chamber of Secrets, take some Basilisk skin, make a potion with it, and administer it to a mouse. I suppose I should be happy you didn’t just go ahead and knock back a flask yourself.”

Severus raised an eyebrow at Albus.

“Headmaster, I’m sure you’ll agree that if this potion works, it could be a new era in Strengthening Solutions.”

“Yes, and will probably instill a great desire to illegally raise Basilisks by some less than honorable Potions masters, yourself excluded, of course.”

“Albus, do you think the potion is safe to be tried on a human subject?” Severus asked while ignoring Dumbledore’s comment.

“Has the potion worn off the mouse yet?” Albus questioned.

Severus checked his watch. “If it works like normal Strengthening Solution, it should have stopped working fifteen minutes ago.”

“Ah, then it should be safe to open the box?” Albus asked.

Severus nodded.

Albus took the box and unlocked and lifted the lid. The mouse was cowering in a corner but looked no worse for wear. Albus tentatively put his hand into the box and lifted the small creature out. He examined it fully and then placed the mouse on his desk. The little animal began to move slowly around the desk sniffing at its surroundings.

“It seems to be okay,” Harry said.

Albus took a lemon drop and placed it in front of the mouse. It began to lick at it. He studied the mouse for several minutes. There seemed to be no adverse reactions on the mouse’s part. He looked up to Severus.

“There’s no chance it will fall over dead in a few hours?” he asked him.

Severus arched an eyebrow. “There’s always a chance, but the possibility is slim.”

Albus crossed his arms in front of him. “So, who do you have in mind to test it?”

“Well, I was just going to…”

“No, Severus, you can’t test it on yourself. You’re the only one who can save whoever takes it if it winds up being harmful. I will try it.”

“Albus, I didn’t come here to force you to take an untested potion,” Severus said in exasperation.

“Nonsense! I am eager to see how it works. Now monitor my vitals in case something goes awry.”

With that, he unstoppered the bottle and downed the potion without further argument. Severus pulled his wand out and began to wave it to monitor Albus. Everything seemed to be alright when suddenly Albus’ face turned purple. There were no other signs of distress, but the odd color was worrisome enough.

“Are you all right, Professor?” Harry asked.

“It’s a strange feeling, but I feel that I am in no danger.” He looked around his office until his eyes fell on the titanium box. His face had finally returned to its original color.

“Perhaps a little test of strength?” he uttered.

Severus nodded as he looked to the box also. Dumbledore picked it up in both hands and looked at it for a minute. Then he crumpled it up into a ball as if it were a piece of paper. He looked down at the box in surprise.

“Well, well, well, it would seem that your new addition has worked wonders for this potion, Severus. I used little effort to crush that box.”

Severus’ only response was the lifting of his eyebrow.

“Let’s go to the Defense classroom and try some hand to hand fighting,” Albus suggested.

“Harry,” Severus looked to the boy. “Get Madam Pomfrey, and ask her to meet us in the Defense classroom. Have her bring any healing draughts, some Skele-gro, and anything else she might deem necessary to heal someone wounded in a fistfight.”

Harry gave a quick nod and left the room.

oooOOOooo

A little while later, Severus lay in a bed in the infirmary. Albus had gone lightly, but he still had broken three of Severus’ ribs. He had managed to blacken both of Severus’ eyes, and there had been bruises all over his body. Poppy had patched him up in the Defense classroom, and his face was now back to normal, but she insisted that he spend the night in the infirmary. It seemed that the potion had worked better than anyone had expected.

Severus pondered the meaning of that. With a few more experiments behind him, he would have a marketable potion. Of course, being the only one with access to the main ingredient of the potion, Severus could become a very rich man. With the small amount of Basilisk skin needed, Severus figured he could brew the potion far into the next century without the worry of running out of skin.

oooOOOooo

After a few more experiments, Severus had gotten the potion to a state that was safe for the person ingesting it. He had ultimately reduced the amount of Basilisk skin by half, which kept the subject from turning purple as the potion went into effect. The level of strength had diminished. No one would be crushing titanium boxes when under its influence, but it was still extremely potent. Someone ingesting it would never lose a fight. It did not increase magical ability, nor did it decrease it, but Severus found that taking it too often left him lightheaded for days afterward. Like the Felix Felicis Potion, it was a potion that could not be taken on a regular basis.

He had submitted his findings to the Ministry of Magic, and they had readily approved his request to market the potion. They, in fact, created a Contract of Exclusivity with him immediately, which meant that he would be distributing the potion to the Ministry and the Ministry alone. Minister Fudge thought it would be a great asset for his Aurors and didn’t want the stuff leaking out to the public. The fee they settled on had made Severus quite a rich man. Bottle fame, brew glory, and stopper death indeed!

Chapter Text

Hermione’s third year continued:

“Who can tell me the difference between an Animagus and a Werewolf?” Severus queried. He was filling in for Lupin, teaching his classes for him, as the Werewolf was ‘under the weather’ from his transformations.

Hermione’s hand shot up as he knew it would. He looked around at the rest of the class and saw nothing but blank faces. He sighed and called on Hermione who gave a perfect textbook answer to the question. He continued to lecture, and her hand was raised constantly, eager to answer every question he posed to the class.

“Miss Granger, a word after class,” he snapped while scowling at her, staying in his spy character.

When she approached his desk a little later, she looked apprehensive.

“Miss Granger, I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier, but I don’t wish for anyone to think that I tolerate you and your friends in the least.”

Hermione nodded. She knew about Severus being a spy because Harry had been given permission to divulge the fact to Ron and Hermione. She knew that sometimes he was harder on them because he didn’t want his cover blown. She greatly respected the man and was glad that his sourness was not truly heartfelt.

“I feel the need to give you some advice, Miss Granger,” he said.

She looked at him curiously, but said nothing.

“All of your teachers are well aware of how intelligent you are. We don’t need to be showered with your knowledge every minute of the day.” Severus hesitated. He didn’t want to sound so nasty. Softening his tone, he went on.

“I’m just trying to say that you don’t need to answer every question. The other students seem to resent your constant hand waving. I believe you might have an easier go of it if they didn’t think you were trying to show off.”

“I’m not trying to show off, sir,” she said as she looked to the ground.

Severus watched her for a moment. “I know that, Miss Granger, but your peers do not. Just consider what I’ve said. Your teachers will not think less of you if you are somewhat quieter in class than you usually are.”

Hermione looked up at him with sadness. “I just…”

He cut her off. “I know, Miss Granger. I too wanted the respect of my teachers as a youth. I didn’t go about it the same way you do, but I sought their attention as well. Believe me when I say you have that respect already.”

Hermione looked at him for a long time before finally saying anything. “Thank you, Professor, I appreciate the advice.”

She turned and left the room.

Severus sighed. He wished his Hermione was here. He had no idea how to relate to the child that had just left the room. He tripped over his words and found it very awkward to speak with her. He felt comfort from her presence but longed for the woman she would become. He knew it would be harder and harder to distance himself from her as the years went on and she grew into someone who resembled his Hermione more and more. Distance was the last thing he wanted anyway. The closer she was, the better he felt. Perhaps he could foster a friendship without having his heart shattered.

oooOOOooo

Severus sat in his room, thinking. He was sitting on one of two dark green couches that sat in front of the fireplace. He had a perfect view out of the enchanted window that made up the wall in front of him. It showed a view of the lake both above and below water. Every so often a few fish would swim by, or a Grindylow would peer out at him. Of course, there really was no window, the whole thing was made by a spell, but it was still quite mesmerizing.

Severus, however, was not paying attention to the sea life that swam by his window. His thoughts were on a much darker subject. Sirius Black had been wreaking havoc throughout the school. Severus secretly thought that Black’s old friend Remus Lupin was helping the murderer. He was furious that Lupin would endanger the students in such a way. Of course, he had no proof, and Dumbledore just dismissed his theory, so there was not much he could do but watch and wait.

The escaped prisoner had gotten into the school twice now, the last time right into Harry Potter’s room, almost killing Ron Weasley. Things had gotten out of hand. Someone was letting Black into the school. It had to be Lupin because no one else would be foolish enough to help the murderer. Severus would double his efforts in watching Lupin. He was sure that the werewolf would give himself away eventually, and Severus wanted to be the one who found Black. It would be sweet revenge for his treachery against Lily.

oooOOOooo

Severus rounded the corner and illuminated his wand. He found Harry Potter standing there in the pitch black.

“Harry, what are you doing prowling the halls in the middle of the night? Do you need to serve a detention to learn you are to stay in your dorm after curfew?”

Harry looked sheepish. “Sorry, Professor, I couldn’t sleep.”

Severus raised an eyebrow at him. The boy was no good at lying.

“Why are you really down here, Harry?”

Harry looked a bit shifty-eyed. “No reason, sir.”

Severus gave Harry a look of exasperation. “Turn out your pockets, Mr. Potter.”

Harry frowned and emptied his pockets, revealing the parchment that was the Marauder’s Map.

Severus took the parchment and examined it.

“What’s this?” he inquired.

“It’s parchment, sir.”

Severus leveled his gaze at Harry.

“I am well aware of that. Why do you have it?”

Harry shrugged.

Severus looked sternly at Harry and placed his wand on the Map. “I would expect you to be a little more forthcoming, Mr. Potter, but if this is how you want to be… Reveal your secrets,” he ordered.

Messers Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs congratulate Messer Snape in finding the secret to this parchment, the Map read.

It then began to spew insults at him, making fun of his nose, his hair, and his appearance in general. It wrote that Hogwarts must certainly be desperate if Messer Snape was a professor there. It then urged Severus to take a bath. It suggested he look into creating a potion that would shrink his nose to a suitable size.

That way, you wouldn’t be sticking it in other people’s business. Have you never heard of the word privacy? the map queried.

Severus shook with rage as he sneered down at Harry.

“Is this some kind of joke?” he bellowed.

Harry had been reading along with Severus and now looked at him in horror.

“No sir! I swear, sir. I didn’t know it could write stuff like that! I would never…”

At that moment, Remus Lupin wandered up.

“Ah, Severus, Harry, how are you both this evening?”

Severus chucked the parchment at Lupin. “What do you make of this?” he asked him suspiciously.

Lupin looked down at the parchment, and his eyes grew wide. “Well, it looks like a joke from Zonko’s if you ask me.”

Severus narrowed his eyes at him. “Those names up top, they mean nothing to you?”

Remus looked over the names and shrugged. “I’ve never heard of them before.”

Now Severus gave Remus a look of incredulity. “You don’t say?”

“I’ll tell you what, Severus, I’ll examine this more closely. Just to make sure it’s not dangerous.”

“Dangerous… but, Remus… you said it was just a simple joke.”

“Well,” Remus chuckled nervously, “one can never be too sure, now, can they?”

He turned to Harry. “Why don’t you come with me, Harry? I’d like to know where you got this.”

Harry nodded but said nothing. Severus looked over at him and pointed his wand into Harry’s chest.

“No more lurking about in the dark, Mr. Potter. Is that understood? We will discuss this in more depth later.”

Harry nodded vigorously and walked off with Lupin. Severus watched them as they walked out of sight. He wasn’t sure what Lupin was up to, but he knew that Remus knew exactly what that parchment was all about. He was Mooney after all.

oooOOOooo

Severus was standing in the Room of Requirement with his arms folded when Harry walked in. He appraised Harry for a moment before speaking.

“Did you come up with a better excuse for your wanderings the other night?” Severus asked caustically.

“Sir, I really don’t have an answer for you,” Harry said in defeat.

“Fine, what was that parchment?”

Harry looked to the ground.

“Why are you keeping secrets from me?” Severus demanded. “I thought we were allies.”

“We are, sir.”

“Then tell me what that bloody parchment was!” Severus snapped.

Harry’s eyes grew wide as he realized that Severus would not let him keep this secret from him. “It’s a map... a map of Hogwarts. It shows everyone in it and where they are in the castle. It even shows if they’re moving or not.”

“That’s very clever. How did you get a hold of such a map, Harry?”

“Fred and George gave it to me. They stole it from Filch’s desk in their first year. They thought I would have some protection if I could see everyone in the castle. They said I could tell if Sirius Black was there and be ready if he was going to attack me.”

Where’s the map now?” Severus asked.

“Professor Lupin has it. He said he needed to keep it. He said that the school was safe, and he was sure Black wouldn’t get into the school again. He did tell me not to underestimate Black though.” Harry scowled a bit. “If he felt Black shouldn’t be underestimated, why did he keep the map?”

Severus thought about what Lupin had told Harry. If he were helping Sirius, of course he wouldn’t want Harry to have the map. Lupin also would do his best to assure Harry that he was safe, giving him a false sense of security.

“I think you should still be on your guard, Harry. Black got in twice already, and the last time he was close enough to kill you. You should not think that everything is well when there is such danger about.”

Harry nodded. “I agree with you. I have kept my eyes and ears open for signs of Black, but it would be easier to look for him with that map.”

Severus nodded. “Perhaps we can get it back.”

Harry arched an eyebrow at him.

“You’re not suggesting stealing that map, are you, Professor?”

Severus arched an eyebrow back. “Why, of course not, Harry. Perhaps we could simply borrow it until all of this Black business is settled.”

“The map’s faulty anyway.”

“What makes you say that?” Severus asked.

“I saw a name on the map that couldn’t possibly be there,” Harry told him.

“Whose name?”

“Peter Pettigrew’s.”

Severus’ eyes widened.

“That’s why I was in the hall that night,” Harry admitted finally. “I had seen Pettigrew’s name on the map. When I went to Hogsmeade on the last trip, I overheard Professor McGonagall talking to Minister Fudge and Rosmerta about him and how Black had killed him. I knew Pettigrew was dead, but there was his name on the map. I had to investigate it. But as I was studying the map, he walked right by me on it. It was before you came along, and I didn’t see anyone in the hall but you. There must be something wrong with the map.”

“Did you tell Lupin all of this?”

Harry nodded.

“And what was his assessment.”

“He said I was right. The map was malfunctioning somehow.”

Severus only nodded, deep in thought.

“You say the map showed Pettigrew walking right by you, but you saw nothing?”

“That’s right.”

“It sounds pretty faulty to me. Maybe we should just leave it where it is. If it’s giving false names, it will be no use in tracking Black.”

Harry hated to admit it, but he had to agree.

Severus handed him a dark blue bag. Harry looked at it curiously.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“It’s a share of the profits from my Strengthening Solution.”

“But I didn’t brew it,” Harry cried in surprise.

“I know that, but if it hadn’t been for you, I would have never gotten my hands on the Basilisk skin. I appreciate your help. It has turned out to be a very lucrative discovery.”

“Professor, I can’t accept this.”

“Harry, it would be unfair for me to reap all of the rewards when you obviously had a good deal to do with the creation of this potion. Think of it as a finder’s fee.”

“Really, Professor, I don’t need this. I have more than enough money for what I need.”

“That’s beside the point. I would be remiss to not give this to you. Now don’t argue any more and accept it graciously.”

Harry smiled at Severus. “Okay, Professor, but its mine to do with as I wish, correct?”

Severus nodded.

Harry pocketed the bag and withdrew his wand. “Then thank you, Professor. I really appreciate it.”

Severus sent a hex at him silently, and Harry shielded it. They continued sparring for quite some time before Harry left with his new-found wealth.

oooOOOooo

Harry went straight up to Dumbledore’s office and told the Gargoyle that he needed to see the Headmaster. Soon the Gargoyle slid aside, and Dumbledore appeared in the hallway in front of Harry.

“Professor Dumbledore, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Harry, my boy, do come up! We’ll have a chat.”

They ascended the stairs, and soon Harry was seated across from the Headmaster. He put the bag of Galleons on Dumbledore’s desk.

“Professor Snape just gave these to me as recompense for helping him with his Strengthening Solution,” Harry explained.

Dumbledore looked at the bag of gold curiously.

“I appreciate his sentiment, but I have no need for the money.”

Harry hesitated a moment. “I was wondering if this could somehow wind up on the Weasleys' doorstep… anonymously, of course.”

Dumbledore gave a low chuckle. “My boy, that is a wonderful idea. I wish I had thought of it myself. I shall see that this gets delivered to a safe place in the Burrow, and they will have no clue where it came from. If you’d like, I’ll leave an anonymous note with it.”

Harry nodded. “That’s a great idea, Professor.”

“I’ll deliver it tonight after they have gone to bed.”

Harry rose. “Thank you, Professor. I can’t imagine a family that could benefit more from this.”

“Quite right, Harry, quite right.” Albus replied.

oooOOOooo

The next morning Arthur Weasley was awakened to his wife shrieking his name from downstairs in the kitchen. He shot out of bed and down the stairs only to be accosted by her throwing her arms around him.

“Oh! It’s a miracle, Arthur, it’s a miracle!” she cried.

Arthur hugged her back and asked, “Just what’s a miracle, Molly?”

“This!” she exclaimed as she handed the parchment to Arthur. He quickly read the note.

Dear Weasley Family,

I recently came into some money, and being comfortable in my status was not needful of it. I hope you will accept this gift as a token of my esteem for your wonderful family. Please use it any way you see fit.

Sincerely,

A friend

Arthur looked curiously at Molly. She held up a dark blue bag that jingled when she moved it. Arthur stared at it in amazement.

“How much is in there?” he asked, afraid to really find out.

“I don’t know,” Molly cried, “but it’s full of Galleons! There must be hundreds in there!

A quick counting spell confirmed Molly’s guess. There were in fact, 1,000 Galleons in the bag. Arthur and Molly exchanged glances, thinking of all the things 1,000 Galleons would provide for their family in the year to come. Molly looked to Arthur with tears in her eyes.

“Oh, Arthur, it’s a dream come true!”

Arthur hugged his wife lovingly. “It sure is, Molly, it sure is.”

oooOOOooo

Severus had gone to Lupin’s room with his Wolfsbane potion, but when he got there, he found the door ajar and the room empty. He decided to leave the potion on Lupin’s desk. He wandered over to the desk and was surprised to find the Map he had taken from Potter unfolded on it. The map showed all the grounds of Hogwarts. It showed everyone who was at the school in tiny lettering which floated to represent movement.

He quickly looked over the map after placing the potion down. He saw his name in Lupin’s room and quickly looked for Lupin. He found instead, the names of the Golden Trio out on the lawn heading for the Whomping Willow. There was another name with them. Peter Pettigrew. Severus wondered at that. If the map was faulty, then perhaps the three friends weren’t on the grounds at all but safely in their common room. Nonetheless, he knew that the three of them were constantly sneaking around trying to solve the world’s problems, so it was more likely that they were indeed roaming the school grounds. He watched the map as Ron Weasley and Peter Pettigrew’s names disappeared. Looking at the map curiously, he watched Harry and Hermione’s names disappear a minute later.

Unsure of the map’s veracity, he decided to investigate. Hoping he wasn’t too late, he rushed out of Lupin’s room. He needed to get to them quickly before they got themselves killed or a Dementor decided to kiss them. He quickly headed out of castle and out onto the grounds. Finding Harry’s invisibility cloak on the ground, he covered himself with it and entered the Willow’s secret passage. He quickly made his way to the shrieking shack to find where the trio had gone.

Meanwhile in the shack there was a heated discussion going on. Hermione was accusing Lupin of helping Black. Then Lupin was explaining. He told them of his dangerous transformations and of being friends with James, Sirius, and Pettigrew. He revealed that they were animagi and that Sirius had lured Snape into the Whomping Willow with the express purpose of trying to turn him into a werewolf. He explained his concern when Harry had seen Pettigrew’s name on the Marauders Map. He told them who the Marauders were and then gave some impossible theory that Pettigrew was actually the rat owned by Weasley.

All the while Harry was looking at Lupin strangely. When Lupin’s tale was done, Harry spoke.

“You were part of the group of four that tormented Professor Snape in school?”

The door banged open, and everyone jumped. None of them realized that Severus stood there under the invisibility cloak. Ron muttered something about ghosts and the Shack being haunted.

“Professor Lupin already explained that to us, Ron,” Hermione explained.

“Oh, yeah,” Ron muttered.

Harry looked back to Lupin. “You were saying?”

Lupin blanched and looked embarrassed. “Harry, the things I did were stupid. I went along with the group to keep my friends.”

Sirius scoffed at Lupin. “Oh, the bat deserved what he got! He was always dabbling in the Dark Arts and strutting around like he knew everything!”

Harry pointed his wand at Sirius. “You almost killed him! You wanted him to become a werewolf! He could have been killed had Professor Lupin attacked him.”

Sirius looked to the ground. “It was a foolish prank. I hadn’t realized the possibilities when I sent him to the Willow.”

Harry did not look appeased. “Why would you and my father torment him like that?”

Sirius sneered. “Because it was easy, all right? He was an easy target. He was odd and kept to himself. He became a Death Eater for heaven’s sake! He deserved everything he got!”

Lupin interrupted Sirius’ rant. “We could have been nicer, Sirius. We were horrible to him!”

Harry looked at Lupin but motioned to Sirius with his wand.

“Did my father feel the same way he did?”

Remus furrowed his brow. “Not to the same extent. I think he just had fun tormenting people. Like Sirius said, Severus was an easy target; he was disliked by everyone and so there were few repercussions.”

“Enough of this idle prattle!” Sirius roared crazily. “I came here to kill, and I want my revenge!”

“And you shall have it, my friend!” Remus replied.

Severus’ eyes widened. Lupin had been helping Black all this time, just as he had suspected. Severus threw the Invisibility cloak aside and drew his wand. Sending a flurry of ropes at Lupin, he bound him and turned his wand onto Black.

“Finally you shall receive your just punishment for all that you have done, Black, and I am happy to be the one who has finally caught you!”

“Snivellus, calm down. You have jumped to the wrong conclusion yet again,” Black grumbled.

Severus’ eyes narrowed at Black, and he moved his wand to point at the door.

“After you, murderer,” he said menacingly.

“Professor, wait!” Harry cried.

Severus’ head snapped to Harry.

“Professor Lupin is sure that Peter Pettigrew is alive and that he’s the rat. That’s why he came here, to make Peter take his human form. And that could be why I saw his name on the Map!”

“Potter… Pettigrew is dead at Black’s hand!” Severus growled.

“Please, Professor,” Hermione begged. “What if Professor Lupin is right? Then Sirius Black is innocent.”

“Severus, let me show you!” Lupin pleaded.

Severus looked between Potter, Hermione, Lupin, and Black. He was unsure of what to do. For all these years he had assumed that Black had been Voldemort’s puppet, leaking the location of the Potter home to him and then killing Pettigrew. Now it appeared that there was another possible explanation about the story. Should he believe these outrageous accusations or just take Black to his disturbing future?

Suddenly something Hermione said long ago came to his mind. She had said that Lily and James had been ‘ratted’ out by one of their friends. She had known the truth of the matter and whether Lupin’s crazy story was real or not. Had that ‘rat’ reference been a play on words? If that was so, then the outrageous story about Pettigrew could be true!

As he remembered back, he realized that she always was a bit aloof to Pettigrew. He remembered the incident where she allowed him to hex him repeatedly during their duel. Could she have been paying him back somehow without being able to reveal it?

Making his decision, he turned his wand onto Lupin and released him from his bonds. Taking careful aim with his wand, he pointed it back at Black.

“Make your case quickly, Lupin, or I will do the Dementor’s work myself!” Severus demanded.

Lupin turned to the rat and chanted the incantation to return him to his human form. Scabbers struggled in Ron’s hands and then started to grow. Before all of their eyes, he had turned into a rat-like man sniveling at Sirius’ feet. Severus shifted his wand so it pointed at the traitor.

“Sirius, Sirius, I had no choice!” Pettigrew groveled. “The Dark Lord, he scared me. I’m not brave like you. He forced me to do it! I swear! He was going to kill me! You have to believe me! I wouldn’t have done it, but he made me.”

Sirius looked to Pettigrew in disgust. ‘You’re disgusting. You betrayed them. You’re nothing but a coward!”

“All right,” Severus said. “Let’s get out of here. Pettigrew, perhaps it is you who will receive the Dementor’s kiss this night.”

Severus motioned for Pettigrew to lead the way and carefully followed him, never letting his wand stray from the man’s back. He was followed by Black and Lupin. Hermione and Harry supported Ron as he hobbled out of the shack.

The party emerged from the Willow and began the walk to the school. Suddenly Remus began to whimper. Sirius looked to the sky.

“It’s the full moon! It’s rising!” he cried.

Severus turned to Lupin, his eyes wide. “The Wolfsbane potion… I left it on your desk!”

Remus looked to the group in fear as he began to shake. They all watched in horror as he transformed into a werewolf, his nose became elongated, and his frame shot up and ripped his clothes off him. Hair sprouted out all over. Finally, the transformation was complete, and Lupin raised his head and howled at the moon.

Pettigrew saw his chance and took it. While everyone was mesmerized by Lupin’s transformation, the traitor shrunk himself back into his rat shape and scurried away, but not before Severus and Harry both shot spells at him to try to stop him. Unfortunately in the dark and with everything else that was going on, both missed their target, and the rat scurried away.

Severus turned back to the werewolf and motioned for the three students to get behind him as he shielded them from certain death. Sirius reverted to his dog form to try to distract the wolf, but Lupin came at the four humans instead. They backed away quickly. Becoming desperate, Sirius jumped on Lupin and bit him lightly on his shoulder. The wolf turned in agony and beat off the dog. He scurried into the night, closely followed by the Werewolf.

Harry cried Sirius’ name and bounded after him. Severus tried to grab Harry’s clothing, but the boy was too fast. Severus turned to Hermione and Ron.

“Can you get him back to the school?” he asked Hermione, his hand grasping her arm.

“But, Professor… Harry!” Hermione argued.

“I will find Harry. You need to get back to the school. If the wolf doubles back, he will attack you.”

“Okay, sir. I’ll get Ron back safely,” Hermione said solemnly.

Severus waved his wand, and a stretcher appeared. He helped Ron ease himself onto it. Looking back to Hermione, he gave her instructions.

“Go right back to the school. Do not play hero! Ron and you need to get to safety. I will look for Potter, and I will find him. I will keep him safe if I can.”

Hermione and Ron nodded to him and set off for the school. Severus watched them for a minute and then turned to search for the Boy-Who-Was-Too-Brave-For-His-Own-Good. He ran through the forest, searching everywhere, but found nothing. He stopped for a moment to listen to his surroundings. He didn’t hear anything. There were no werewolf cries, no footsteps… nothing. He ran on, knowing he would find them eventually.

After a while of constant searching, Severus saw a great light up ahead. He shielded his eyes and ran forward, knowing he had found something. He emerged from the forest to see Harry collapsed over Black’s body. Looking to the sky, he noticed the Dementors making a hasty retreat, being chased by a Stag Patronus. He arched an eyebrow and raced to Harry.

He turned Harry over and examined him, noting there were no serious injuries. Harry regained consciousness for a moment and looked up at Severus.

“Sirius… Dementors… the Patronus,” he stuttered.

“It’s okay,” Severus told him. “The Dementors are gone, you’re both safe.”

Harry fell back into unconsciousness. Severus placed him gently back on the ground, conjured up two stretchers, and levitated the two unconscious men onto them. He turned and headed them back to Hogwarts and the infirmary.

oooOOOooo

Some time later, Severus was in a heated discussion with Dumbledore.

“Why did they have to lock him up in the tower?” Severus raged. “He is innocent. I saw Pettigrew with my own eyes!”

“Severus,” Dumbledore said softly, “the Ministry does not believe you. They think that you were under a spell set by Black.”

Severus scoffed. “That’s the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard!”

Dumbledore continued. “The people want safety. If it came out that Black was innocent and the real culprit was still at large, there would be more panic. The Ministry wants to keep order. It’s much easier for them if the population just thinks that Black was the culprit and that he’s been taken care of with the Dementor’s Kiss. Of course, if you had been able to bring Pettigrew in, there would be no argument whatsoever about any of this, but the Ministry is set to give Black the Kiss within the hour.”

Severus frowned to himself. Despite his hatred for Black, he could not condone the punishment of an innocent man, especially such a permanent punishment.

“Is there nothing we can do?” he asked Albus hopefully.

“I have a plan that, if put in motion, will save two innocent souls,” Dumbledore said cryptically.

“And of course, you cannot tell me what that plan is,” Severus said caustically.

Dumbledore patted Severus’ shoulder. “I would rather not, my boy.”

With that, Dumbledore shooed Severus and all other nonessential persons out of the infirmary and turned to speak with Hermione Granger.

oooOOOooo

Severus entered the infirmary hurriedly. He looked around for Dumbledore, but he was nowhere to be seen. He went over to Harry’s bed.

“Have you seen Professor Dumbledore?” he asked Harry.

Harry gave him an innocent look. “Not since he left a few minutes ago.”

Severus could tell Harry was hiding something. His gaze strayed to Hermione, who was seated next to Harry’s bed. She was looking a bit nervous, as if she too were hiding something.

“Perhaps the answers I seek are contained in this room?” he said cryptically.

“What answers would that be, sir?” Harry asked.

Severus looked to Hermione. “It seems that Sirius Black has disappeared into thin air. He didn’t Disapparate. I am at a loss as to where he has gone, and Minister Fudge is up in arms that his prize prisoner has escaped.”

A flash of fear crossed Hermione’s face before she put the most nonchalant look upon it. Severus figured she would be the one to crack first. He sat at the edge of Harry’s bed and looked directly into her eyes.

“So, where do you suppose he got off to?” Severus asked softly. “He was secured in the West Tower; there was no escape unless someone let him out. Now, how could someone let him out without being seen?”

Hermione’s eyes widened, and her hand suddenly went to her neckline. Severus noticed a necklace chain around Hermione’s neck. He followed the line of the chain. It went beneath her robes. He could see her hand covering the faint outline of a circular object that was probably attached to the chain.

“Miss Granger, would you put your hand down for a minute?” he asked her.

She complied with his request, and the outline was clearer.

“What’s that underneath your robes?” he asked.

“It’s a necklace, sir.” She responded.

“What kind of necklace, Miss Granger? It looks like it has an unusual shape.”

“Um, it’s just an old family heirloom.”

“May I see it?”

“No, sir. It… It’s quite personal,” Hermione stammered.

“Come now, Miss Granger. It’s just a necklace.”

If Severus’ suspicions were right, Hermione’s trip back to his time was not her first experience with a Time-Turner.

“Um, I’m really tired from being chased by Lupin. I’m going to lie down and rest now,” Hermione said weakly.

Severus put his hand on Hermione’s shoulder.

“All right, Miss Granger, you just head over to a bed and lie down then.”

He quickly slid his hand from her shoulder to the chain and tugged at it. The pendant surfaced from underneath her robes and was visible.

Severus arched an eyebrow at the Time-Turner. Hermione grabbed at it and stuffed it back under her robes. Severus’ eyes slid over to Harry, who had been watching the whole exchange.

“It would seem that you have been experimenting with time, Miss Granger.”

Hermione pursed her lips and said nothing.

“Did you accompany her, Mr. Potter?”

“Yes, I did. We had to do something about Sirius! Dumbledore told us to do it.”

Severus marveled at the audacity of the Headmaster. Of course, Dumbledore had to involve the children in a life-threatening situation. The man never ceased to amaze Severus as to how far he would go to accomplish his goal.

“Miss Granger, how long have you been time traveling?”

“All year, sir. It’s how I’ve been taking so many classes,” she said softly.

“And who allowed such a thing?” Severus asked contemptuously.

“Professor McGonagall, sir.”

He would have to thank Minerva for introducing Hermione to Time-Turners later.

“So, you have been skipping through time all year?” he asked.

Hermione nodded her head.

Severus heaved a great sigh. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing you had that on you, or Sirius Black would have received the Dementor’s Kiss by now.”

Hermione snapped her head up to him. “You mean you’re not going to tell?” she whispered.

“Tell what, Miss Granger? That you have a lovely heirloom necklace around your neck? I don’t think anyone would care, personally. Besides, the Ministry hasn't believed a word I've said all night, why should they start now?”

Hermione beamed at him. “Thank you, sir!” she exclaimed.

“Yeah, thanks,” Harry piped in.

Severus stood to go. “The both of you get some rest. I’m sure the events of tonight were doubly taxing on the two of you.”

They both smirked at him and at that moment Ron awoke.

“Hey,” he said, “why’s Snape here?”

“Professor Snape,” Hermione chimed in.

Severus grinned at her and turned and left the Infirmary.

oooOOOooo

Harry entered Professor Lupin’s office. He noticed the man packing away his belongings.

“Sir,” he said quietly.

“Oh, Harry, come in, please!”

“It’s a shame you have to go, sir. You are a fine teacher.”

“Yes, but a teacher who is a werewolf is not one that parents will look kindly upon. Headmaster Dumbledore has done more than enough for me. With everything that happened last night, it will be impossible to keep my status a secret. He will be unable to shield me from the wrath of the parents when my true identity is told them by their children. It’s time for me to pack up and take my leave.”

“Where will you go?”

Lupin shrugged.

“I have a sudden urge to travel,” he mused.

He looked back fondly at Harry.

“Listen, Harry, I hope you don’t hold the foolishness of my youth against me.”

“What do you mean?” Harry asked blankly.

“The way I treated Professor Snape in my past. It’s not who I am now.”

Harry sighed. “I know that, Professor. If I learned anything this year, it is that you are a good friend and someone to be relied upon. I’m not happy about your doings as a student, but Professor Snape told me it’s a waste of time hating people. I wasn’t even there. I have no right to judge you.”

“I hope you don’t judge your godfather too harshly either. He may have been nasty to Snape in the past, but he has a good heart.”

Harry smiled at Lupin. “I know. I’m looking forward to learning more about him, if he ever can come out of hiding. It’s actually nice to have another living family member.”

Remus smiled at Harry and gave him a hug. “I will miss you, Harry. If you ever need anything, I’m just an owl away.”

“I’ll remember that,” Harry said as he returned the hug.

A/N: Next up: Shall we dance?

Chapter Text

You don’t remember me
But I remember you
I lie awake and try so hard
Not to think of you
But who can decide what they dream?
And dream I do…
--Taking Over Me by Evanescence

Hermione’s fourth year, part 1:

Severus’ eyes snapped open. He’d had ‘the dream’ again. This time he’d almost been able to feel Hermione in his arms before she had disappeared. He heaved a great sigh. At least this dream was better than the ones he had been having lately. They were dark dreams, filled with dark images. They were memories from his Death Eater days and nightmares of the return of Voldemort. Severus would bow before the evil despot and look up to see the green light of the killing curse coming at him and then everything would go black. He would usually wake up screaming at the end of those dreams.

But this dream was not of evil, it was of her. His heart ached within him for his Hermione. The school year had just started, and already the similarities between his Hermione and the girl who now attended Hogwarts were becoming more and more evident. With each year, the student Hermione was growing into the beautiful woman she would eventually become. Seeing her on a daily basis only drove home the fact that he could not have her now, nor for years to come.

Severus gritted his teeth together. He had known when she had left that he would watch her grow up. He had known it would be difficult, but he hadn’t had an inkling as to just how difficult it would be. Sometimes seeing Hermione had made his heart happy, but on other occasions it had seemed that time had just been dragging along, mocking him, and laughing at his heartache.

Severus tried to calm himself. He knew she would return. It was one of the few things that kept him going every day. The fact that she would be his eventually made up for a myriad of small heartaches he felt as he watched her be friends with Weasley and Potter, yet simply address him as an acquaintance, a teacher, or someone with whom she was not very familiar.

He wished he could snap his fingers and all of the next eight years would pass away and his Hermione would be back. Unfortunately, time didn’t work that way. He was stuck waiting—forever waiting—waiting for a time that never seemed to grow closer.

Sighing, he tossed around and got into a more comfortable position. Remembering Hermione’s promise to always love him, Severus slowly went back to sleep, eager for time to pass and her return to his arms.

oooOOOooo

There was a wild knocking on the Potions master’s door. Severus got up from the couch and went over to it. He opened it a crack and found an anxious-looking Harry Potter.

“Come in,” Severus said, and Harry rushed past him.

Severus motioned for him to take a seat on the couch. Harry lowered himself onto it.

“Do you know what the first trial is?” Harry asked.

Severus looked to Harry quizzically. “I do not,” he said simply.

“Hagrid showed me. It’s dragons! I have to take an egg away from a dragon. What am I supposed to do? I can’t use my wand. I’ll be burned to a crisp!”

Severus steepled his fingers and gave it some thought. After some time, he got up and went over to a picture of an old wizard stirring a cauldron. Pulling the picture away from the wall, he revealed a hidden cupboard. He extracted a vial from a small group and returned to Harry, sitting next to him on the sofa. He lifted the vial up so Harry could see its yellowish-green liquid.

Harry lifted a brow. “Is that Severus Snape’s Patented Strengthening Solution?” he asked.

Severus smirked and nodded.

“What are you suggesting? Are you insinuating that I should get into a fistfight with a dragon?”

Severus arched an eyebrow at him. “Only if you are left with no choice.”

Harry carefully took the vial from his professor. “Are you sure you don’t have some kind of Potion I could throw on the dragon to put it to sleep?”

“It would be hard to pry an egg from under a sleeping dragon, Harry.”

“Yes, but it will be impossible to get one away from a dragon that is awake.”

“Harry, you will find a way to do it, I’m sure. The Strengthening Solution gives you extra speed, don’t forget. Perhaps you could just run up and run away with the egg.”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to think of something.” Harry got up and went to the door. “Thank you for the potion, Professor. I’m sure it will help.”

“Harry, these trials, although difficult, are not impossible. You will prevail.”

Harry nodded and left the room.

oooOOOooo

The day of the first task had arrived. Harry felt fear grip him, but he shoved it away. It would do no good for him to dwell on such things when he needed to concentrate. He had taken the Potion that Professor Snape had given him just before his turn with the dragon. Taking Professor Moody’s advice that he should do what he did best, Hermione and he had worked on summoning charms almost all night. Harry was tired, but he had his plan well formed in his head. He had listened to the other three champions perform each of their challenges, each receiving cheers when it had been accomplished. He feared that he would be the only one to fail. Quickly putting that depressing thought out of his mind, he left the tent to emerge near the Hungarian Horntail and her nest.

He ran over to a rock and hid behind it as the dragon turned and shot some flame his way.

“Accio broom!” he chanted and waited while his broom sped out of his room and raced toward him.

Finally the broom reached his hand, and he climbed aboard it and took off, just missing a spray of fire that the dragon had let loose. He shot into the air and circled the dragon’s head, luring it off its nest. Getting his bearings, he found the best angle to see the egg. He spied it, glimmering in the sunlight. Stopping and hovering for a minute, he extended his hand and cried the summoning spell once again. The egg sailed out of the nest and flew at him. He grabbed at it and shot away, just as a plume of fire shot at the spot where he had been hovering.

Harry sped away from the dragon on his broom, but the dragon raced around him and stopped right in front of him. Harry felt his stomach clench as the beast hovered, blocking his path. It seemed his joke to Snape about fist fighting with the dragon was about to come true. He secured the egg within his robe, holding it with one arm to protect it. Harry scooted forward and bent low so that his hand could still grip the broom while his arm protected the egg. Extending the other hand, he made a fist. Aiming for the dragon’s underbelly, he shot quickly toward the snarling beast.

Harry felt intense heat at his back as the dragon shot streams of fire toward him. He was traveling so quickly that the flames overshot him and heated his backside. Within seconds he had made contact with the fleshy stomach. His fist crashed into it, sending the dragon flying backwards. It crashed to the ground and slid for some time before coming to a rest. Harry thought he heard it whimper.

Harry examined his hand. He thought the hand and entire arm should have been shattered, but the potion had done its job, and he had come away unscathed. He turned his broom around and raced back to the podium, landing lightly and gracefully. He lifted the egg above his head and was rewarded with the crowd going crazy. He smiled in relief, thankful that the harrowing experience was now behind him.

oooOOOooo

It was the night of the Yule Ball. Students danced together to lively music in the Great Hall. It was decorated in a winter theme; the Hall having been transformed into an ice palace. Snow and ice bedecked everything. There were three giant Christmas trees at the head of the Hall which were covered in snow. Of course, the enchanted ceiling had snow falling from it, which disappeared a few feet above everyone’s head. The Hall did look nice, even Severus had to admit it. He stood off to the side bedecked in midnight blue dress robes.

The robes were similar to the ones he wore daily, except they were of a finer material. There was just something about the button-down look that he loved, so most of his wardrobe consisted of suit coats that had many buttons. The fabric of these particular robes was a fine silk. The whole ensemble was incredibly comfortable but looked well-tailored and fit his build perfectly.

He stood in between Karkaroff and Minerva. Severus watched the students twirl about happily. They did not understand the great danger that was soon to be upon them. His mark had been darkening over the past few months, and he feared that the Dark Lord would resurrect himself soon.

“Would you care to dance, Severus?” Minerva asked him.

He raised an eyebrow to her.

“Well, I know that if I didn’t ask, you never would ask me,” she said with a smile.

Severus’ aversion to dancing was well known among the faculty. Of course, he didn’t really have an aversion to dancing, it was just that there was only one woman he wanted to dance with, and she was currently dancing with Viktor Krum.

He took Minerva’s hand and led her to the dance floor. They soon were twirling with everyone else.

“Severus, you really dance divinely. I don’t know why you don’t do it more often,” Minerva commented.

He gave her a small smile. “I just would rather watch everyone else dance, to be honest with you.”

Minerva clicked her tongue at him. “You’re impossible, Severus. Don’t think that I don’t know you’d rather be dancing with a different Gryffindor tonight.”

Severus’ eyes wandered over to Hermione. She appeared more like her future self than she normally did. He didn’t know what she had done to her hair, but it was beautiful, as was her dress and everything else about her. She literally flowed on the dance floor, the soft layers of her fuchsia dress swaying around her. She was looking raptly into Krum’s eyes. She beamed at the young man as he twirled her around in the dance. Severus felt a pang of jealousy but quickly smothered it. He would have his chance with her in the future.

“Minerva, she is not the person who I fell in love with.”

“Oh, of course she is, she just doesn’t know it yet!”

“And she will not know it for several years. Let her enjoy her youth. She is too young for me now anyway. She seems quite taken with Mr. Krum at any rate.”

Minerva patted his shoulder. “She will come to her senses once she returns from the past.”

Severus rolled his eyes at Minerva as they continued to twirl on the dance floor. The song ended finally, and Severus made his way back to the sidelines, taking his place next to Karkaroff. Minerva found another dance partner in Albus. Severus watched them twirl about for a few minutes.

After a while, the dance ended, and many couples left the floor and either headed to tables or to the refreshment table where Severus was standing. Severus heard a familiar laugh and turned his head to see Krum and Hermione behind him. Krum was handing her a glass of punch, and she was beaming at him. Severus felt his stomach begin to be tied in knots. He hadn’t realized how painful it would be to see Hermione looking lovingly to someone other than him. He really needed to forget about her, but he couldn’t. The young couple stood there making small talk, and Severus tried hard not to listen.

Then the MC took the microphone to make an announcement.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Professor Dumbledore has requested that we have a special student-teacher dance at this time. He invites any student to ask a faculty member to dance with them for this next dance.”

Severus closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, hoping against hope that no one would ask him to dance. His thoughts went to all the possibilities. Luna Lovegood? He shuddered. He could never make small talk with her; she had the strangest things to say. Pansy Parkinson? She would yabber on endlessly about nothing. He couldn’t think of a single student he would want to dance with. Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and about gasped.

Merlin, no, he thought to himself.

There before him was none other than Hermione Granger, smiling at him.

“Would you care to dance, Professor?” she asked.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her. He should say no… that’s what she would be expecting. He opened his mouth to decline.

“Of course, Miss Granger,” he uttered.

Umm, that wasn’t what he was going to say. Now he was leading her to the dance floor, and they were beginning to dance. Of course, it was a waltz. What had possessed his mouth to utter those words? Now she was holding one of his hands, and his arm was around her waist. He felt his heart begin to hammer in his chest. She was just a girl, for heaven's sake, he needed to control himself.

He bravely looked down at her. She was looking up at him with a small smile on her face.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Granger?” he managed to mutter without his voice squeaking.

“Oh, yes. I’m having a wonderful time,” she gushed.

He couldn’t help but smile at her, simply because she was so overjoyed with everything.

“I’m glad, Miss Granger. You look very nice tonight.”

It was the best compliment he could give her, given their circumstances. She would have probably given him a very curious look to say the least if he had said she looked stunning, or beautiful, or ravishing for that matter. Why, oh, why, had she asked him to dance?

Hermione beamed at his compliment and added one of her own.

“You are a wonderful dancer, Professor,” she commented.

“Thank you,” Severus answered.

I dance even better with your head on my shoulder and your arms around my waist, he thought and quickly put that out of his mind.

Perhaps he should just excuse himself and return to the sidelines. No, he couldn’t do that. Then she would think that she had done something to offend him.

Her closeness was driving him crazy. She may be just a girl, but she was the younger self of the girl he loved. His heart was exploding in his chest at her closeness, yet he wanted her closer still. This situation was impossible! How could he have such feelings for a mere teenager? Why, oh, why, had she asked him to dance, of all people?

“Why, of all people, did you ask me to dance, Miss Granger?”

“I like a challenge, sir,” she said plainly.

“A challenge, Miss Granger?”

“Sir, it is widely known throughout the school that you don’t dance… ever. I was startled to see you with Professor McGonagall on the dance floor earlier. I wondered if you’d give it a go a second time in—how long has it been since you danced before tonight?”

Severus’ breath caught in his throat. “Many years,” he whispered. And only ever with you.

She was the one to raise an eyebrow this time. “Well, if I were you, I would do it more often. You’re quite good at it.”

If I could dance with you, I would do it every day, Severus thought.

“Luckily for me, these dances only occur once or twice a year,” he stated blandly. “I only have to subject myself to such trials on those occasions.”

Hermione laughed at him, and he thought of her laugh in his past. Would this bloody dance never end? He wasn’t sure how much longer he could take her closeness. Finally, the last chords of the waltz were played, and they were separating.

“Thank you, Professor, for breaking your long-standing no-dancing rule for me,” she joked to him.

Severus mumbled something under his breath and wandered back to his place on the sidelines. Mr. Krum was readily by Hermione’s side again, twirling her at the start of the next dance. She gave him a broad grin. Albus wandered over to Severus as he watched the students dancing.

“I hope you enjoyed your dance, Severus. I just couldn’t keep myself from having that special dance just for you.”

Severus eyed his boss. “How did you know she would ask me?”

Albus shrugged his shoulders, but his eyes twinkled furiously. “Just a hunch,” he said and walked away.

Severus stared after the meddlesome, old coot. The old wizard was always sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. Of course, Severus had enjoyed himself with Hermione. Perhaps he should give Albus his thanks after all.

He glared at the retreating form and then glanced out at the merrymakers. All the students seemed to be having a good time except for Harry, Ron, and their poor dates, the Patil twins. For some reason, neither boy was dancing, nor did they look like they were going to any time soon. The two girls were huffing at each other. He expected they would probably get up and find other young men to dance with if things didn’t change soon. Severus shook his head at the stupidity of youth.

At least everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves. Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley were dancing together, as was Dudley Dursley and Susan Bones. Fred Weasley and Angelina Johnson twirled by when he noticed Draco and Pansy Parkinson doing elaborate movements to call attention to themselves. No matter how showy their display was, however, Severus found his eye drifting away from them and to a different couple.

Severus watched Hermione covertly under a curtain of his hair as she danced. She certainly looked radiant. He sighed to himself as he watched her look up at Krum. That was the look she usually reserved for him alone. He found it unsettling for her to be showering it on someone else.

She twirled with Krum over and over again. All at once, her glance went to Severus. She gave him a smile as she danced with Krum. Severus’ heart melted in his chest.

Severus chided himself. He knew that this was not his Hermione. How could he let himself moon over the young girl? She was only fifteen, for heaven’s sake. He shook his head and berated himself for being such a lovesick fool. He thought of his lovely Hermione. It seemed like he still had to wait forever until he could see her again.

Rolling his eyes at his absurd behavior, he decided to go do something productive, like searching the halls and coaches for snogging students or something. Getting a little smile on his face at the thought, he turned to head out to the courtyard.

oooOOOooo

Severus had been on the prowl for a while now. He had gone out to the courtyard and had found several couples in the middle of a good snog. He had deducted points and had sent them on their way.

He didn’t know why enforcing the ‘No public displays of affection’ rule was one of his favorite pastimes, but it was. He assumed it was probably the stunned looks on the student’s faces that made him so giddy. The last couple he had broken up had almost jumped out of their skins. Severus smirked as he recalled their horrified looks. It had been hilarious.

Sadly, he had given up on the courtyard, as Karkaroff had been out there badgering him about his Dark Mark growing darker. The man was a pest. He had been loyal to Voldemort to a point but had betrayed him by turning in his compatriots to avoid a lengthy stint in Azkaban. Severus knew that when the Dark Lord returned, Karkaroff was as good as dead.

Severus was now stalking the halls, looking for more fun. He noticed a couple behind a curtain. Snatching it aside, he found two Hufflepuffs going at it. They looked up in shock as the curtain was pulled away.

Mr. Dursley, Miss Bones, ten points each from Hufflepuff. Now get back to the dance or return to your Common Room!”

He turned and smirked as he stalked away. Severus rounded the corner and walked silently down the hall, listening for telltale shuffling. He wandered past a suit of arms and thought he heard some movement behind it. Aha! Another chance to scare some students senseless! He quietly snuck up to the suit of arms and shot his head around it. The person behind the knight didn’t even flinch. She was sitting against the wall, her head buried in her knees, and she was sobbing. Severus’ eyes grew wide as he assessed the situation.

“Miss Granger, are you alright?” he asked.

Hermione’s head shot up. “Oh!” she cried.

Severus extended his hand to offer her a help up. She accepted his hand and stood quickly, coming out from behind the knight.

“Miss Granger?”

Hermione quickly wiped her tears away. “Sorry, sir.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, Miss Granger. You have done nothing wrong. Why are you hiding behind a suit of arms? Has Mr. Krum behaved badly?”

Hermione shook her head. “No, no. It’s nothing like that. He has been a perfect gentleman.”

Severus looked at Hermione curiously. “Then why are you not enjoying yourself with him?”

Hermione’s shoulders sagged. “It’s Ron! He’s a total prat!”

“What did he do?” Severus asked with concern.

Hermione looked up at him with her tear-stained face. If Ron had hurt her, Severus would see that he never got out of detention.

“You don’t want to hear my silly problems, sir. I’ll just go to bed.”

She turned to leave but felt his hand on her forearm stopping her.

“Tell me what happened, Miss Granger.”

Hermione looked sadly at Severus. His heart broke within him.

“He said some horrid things to me. That’s all.”

“What did he say?”

She shook her head. “Nothing important.”

“What did he say?”

Anger suddenly gripped her. “He said that I was fraternizing with the enemy by going to the ball with Viktor. He had the nerve to say that after he mooned over him at the Quidditch cup and followed him around half of the semester! Can you believe the nerve of that? He’s nothing but a jealous prat! He thought I would just wait around for him to ask me to the dance! Then he got upset because he asked me after I already had a date! You should have heard him, telling Harry that I was lying, and no one could possibly want to go to the ball with me. So, when no one would go with him, he asked me as a last resort! He treats me like an afterthought and then gets angry when I’ve already made plans! I should have punched him in the face for what he said!”

Hermione seethed for a minute, then looked at her professor in horror.

“Oh! I shouldn’t have said all of that!” she exclaimed.

Severus smirked at her.

“Nonsense. It’s better to be angry about other’s foolish behavior than to cry about it. He doesn’t deserve your tears, Hermione. He’s just being a jerk. Don’t let him ruin your evening. You should go back to the ball. Mr. Krum probably is wondering where you got off to.”

Hermione looked at Severus in wonder at his words. Had he just called her Hermione? And he had called Ron a jerk. She couldn’t help but grin at him for his comments.

“You’re right, Professor. I’ll do that. I won’t let that git spoil my night. Thanks.” With that, she was off.

Severus stared after her. All he wanted to do was envelop her in a hug and comfort her, but this was for the best. He debated whether to go do something about Weasley, he was so infuriated with him, but he decided against it. It was one thing to encourage the girl in an empty corridor, but quite another to give a detention to Weasley for his actions in the middle of a party. Nonetheless, he was furious at the boy’s idiocy. He hated to see Hermione upset like that, especially since she deserved nothing but happiness. How could that prat treat her so poorly? His actions had made her feel insignificant and unwanted. He wanted to string Weasley up by his toes and throw curses at him he was so angry. The next few class days for Weasley would not be pleasant ones.

oooOOOooo

Harry entered the Room of Requirement for his weekly session with Severus, closely followed by Hermione. Harry’s mind was obviously not on dueling. He held the golden egg that he had taken from the dragon during the first task. He had been unable to figure out how to understand it and was seeking help. He and Hermione had been sitting in the Common Room all day yesterday and this morning poring over books. Well, at least Hermione had been pouring over books, looking for some sort of answer. Harry had looked at some books but spent most of his time staring at the egg, trying to will it to spill its secrets. Nothing had been forthcoming.

Harry noticed his Professor standing off in the corner eyeing a dueling dummy. He cleared his throat, and Severus turned and flashed him a brief smile, which fell away quickly when he saw Hermione standing next to Harry.

“Harry, these sessions are supposed to be secret. That doesn’t mean you are to bring your friends along with you whenever you feel like it.”

“I need your help, and besides, Hermione figured out what I was doing two years ago. She won’t tell anyone, she never has. She hasn’t even told Ron.” Harry said quickly, cutting to the chase.

Severus glanced at Hermione who was looking hopeful that he would let her stay. Her baleful eyes about pierced his heart.

“At least you brought the friend who can think on her feet,” he muttered.

Severus eyed the golden egg in Harry’s hand. “You still haven’t been able to get the message from it?”

“No,” Harry scowled.

“Have you opened it at all?”

“It screeches when I open it.”

“Let me hear it,” Severus demanded.

“You won’t like it,” Harry muttered as he set the egg down on a table and cracked it open.

A shrill shrieking sound emerged from the egg, and Severus immediately clapped his hands over his ears. Harry snapped the egg closed again.

“Ow,” Severus grimaced.

Severus looked to Hermione. “What have you found out about it?”

Hermione smiled to herself, glad that her professor recognized her ability to research a topic.

“I have found nothing, sir. There is no reference to such a thing in any textbook that I have searched.”

Severus gave her a quick smirk, knowing that if she had said she had gone through textbooks, there was no point in researching more. She had probably checked every possible text in the library.

“I’m sure you did a thorough job, Miss Granger,” he remarked.

He went over to the egg and picked it up. It felt heavier than a normal dragon’s egg felt. It had no distinguishing features. He cracked it open, and it screeched at him again. He snapped it shut quickly. The sound from the egg sounded somewhat familiar. Severus wracked his brain to think of where he had heard it before.

He looked up at the two students. “Does that sound familiar to either of you at all?”

They both shook their heads.

“I think I have heard something like this before, but I don’t know where,” he mused.

He cracked it open again, bracing himself for the onslaught of sound. Yes, it sounded familiar, but where had he heard it?

Snapping the egg shut, it suddenly came to him. He had heard it from his enchanted window. It mirrored what was truly passing by in the lake. Occasionally one of the Mer-people would swim by. Even rarer were the times he would catch one surfacing. On those occasions the Mer-person would make this very same sound as he shot into the air. The sound would continue until the being went back below the surface. Then a beautiful song would come from the creature.

Severus looked up to Harry. “It’s Mermish; the language of the Mer-people in the lake.”

He handed the egg back to Harry. “You must submerge the egg to understand the message.”

Harry looked at the egg curiously and then up to his Professor. “Thanks, sir. I would have never figured that out.”

“You will have to submerge yourself with it to understand the message, I think.”

Harry turned to Hermione. “That must have been what Cedric meant by taking a bath with the egg.”

She nodded at him.

‘Then that is what you should do, Harry,” Severus advised. “However, we have our own work to do right now.” He turned to Hermione. “Miss Granger, since you are here already, would you like to duel with us?”

Hermione’s eyes grew wide. “Yes, sir!” she gushed.

Severus hid his smile. He nodded and waved his wand at the dummy he had been staring at when Harry and Hermione had entered the room. It moved closer, centering itself within the four walls. Harry placed the egg on a low table near the door and turned back to Severus.

“This dummy,” Severus explained, “is for training purposes. You can cast spells on it, and it can cast spells back. You will pretend it is a Death Eater, and it will duel with you. Why don’t you both attack it at the same time to start?”

Hermione and Harry raised their wands and awaited the dummy’s move.

“Stop!” Severus cried. “If this were really an attack, Miss Granger, what is the first thing you would do when you realized a Death Eater was approaching you?”

Hermione thought for a moment and then replied, “I would make a preemptive strike, sir.”

“Good. So, what are you waiting for with the dummy?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

“Treat the dummy like a real opponent. Make a strike before it has a chance to incapacitate you. Once a Death Eater strikes, it is difficult to escape from him. You must take the upper hand and keep the enemy from taking control of the situation.”

Hermione and Harry both nodded and got ready again. This time, Hermione shot a stunning spell at the dummy even before Harry had made his stance. The dummy shot back and hit the wall.

“Good, Miss Granger. Let’s let Mr. Potter have a chance now.”

Harry did much the same thing to the dummy on his turn.

“All right,” Severus said. “Hermione, duel with the dummy. Harry, critique her performance.”

Harry looked to Severus in incredulity. “You want me to tell her what she does wrong?”

“That’s part of a critique, is it not, Harry? I expect you to also tell her what she does right.”

“You’ve never seen Hermione when she’s told she’s done something wrong, have you?” Harry murmured.

Severus cracked a smile, thinking of some interesting interactions with Hermione in his past when she had been proven wrong.

“This is a teaching situation, Harry. I’m sure Miss Granger will take everything you tell her with grace as long as you are not rude to her.”

“Um, I’m standing right here!” Hermione cried. “I think I can answer for myself.”

“By all means, Miss Granger, I meant no offense,” Severus told her.

“Professor Snape is right, Harry. I know I’m not perfect.”

“Could have fooled me,” Harry said under his breath.

“What did you say?” Hermione demanded.

“Nothing!” Harry said a little too quickly.

Hermione’s eyebrows furrowed. “You think that I think I’m perfect?”

“I didn’t say that, Hermione!” Harry retorted.

“You implied it!” she said, a bit miffed with him.

Severus calmly watched the two students fight before him, folding his arms and taking everything in.

“No, I didn’t. And it’s not my fault that you get your nose out-of-whack whenever somebody gives you some advice!”

“I do not get my nose out-of-whack, Harry Potter. Why on earth would you say such a thing?”

“Look, I didn’t come here to argue with you!” Harry cried. He stalked over to his egg. “I’m just going to go listen to this message. I don’t have time for all of this.”

With that he took the egg and stormed out of the room, leaving Hermione glaring after him and Severus looking a tad amused.

“You really are quite feisty, Miss Granger,” Severus stated.

She turned to him and narrowed her eyes. Remembering he was a professor, she softened her look.

“I’m sick of him implying that I’m a know-it-all. It’s perfectly fine when he needs an essay written or needs someone to pore over books to find an answer to his Golden Egg question!”

“Hermione, calm down. You know you have a hard time with criticism.”

Hermione’s eyes grew wide.

“Just because you’re Muggle-born doesn’t mean you have to prove anything to anyone. It’s okay to be wrong.”

Severus conjured up two chairs, and he motioned her to sit down in one, settling himself in the other. It seemed that he was to play counselor again to one of his students.

Hermione folded her arms in front of her. “I know it’s okay to be wrong!”

He smirked at her. Little did she realize he knew her so well.

“Then why do you have such a hard time when someone lets you know that you are wrong?”

“What do you do, follow me around in your spare time? How do you know I act like that?”

Severus rolled his eyes. “The paintings have both eyes and ears, and they use their mouths very often. How do you think the teachers know so much about the students’ doings? It’s like having a thousand spies working for us.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow at his admission. Although his statement was partially true, Severus wished he could tell her the real reason he knew her so well, but he didn’t dare. He didn’t want to scare her into fearing her future.

“Now would you mind answering my question?” he demanded.

Hermione sighed. “I don’t know why I do that. I know I don’t know everything, but it just irks me when somebody figures out something before I do. Maybe you’re right about it being because I’m Muggle-born. I feel like I came here at a disadvantage, and I constantly have to struggle to keep up.”

Severus thought of the time that Narcissa Black had insulted her in Hogsmeade.

“Why does it always come down to that?” she had asked, referring to her birth circumstances.

Severus sighed. He assumed it would always come down to that with some people. But that did not mean that Hermione had to feel inferior for her entire life.

“Miss Granger, when was the last time you ever struggled in a class?”

Hermione lowered her eyes. “I can’t say that I ever have, sir.”

“And why is that?”

Hermione shrugged.

“Could it be, Miss Granger, because you’re brilliant?”

Hermione looked up at him in shock.

“Professor Snape, I’m not brilliant.”

Severus narrowed his eyes at her. “I’m not asking you to become a conceited wench, Hermione. There’s nothing wrong with recognizing your talents.”

Hermione looked to her hands that were in her lap.

“I really don’t have many talents, sir.”

It was worse than he thought. The girl thought nothing of herself.

“Get up,” he commanded.

She rose from her seat, and he vanished the chairs.

“Let’s duel,” he said simply.

She readied herself, and he shot a spell at her. Hermione easily deflected it and shot one of her own. They moved about quickly, each shooting and deflecting spells. Severus had a great sense of déjà vu with them bounding about the Room of Requirement shooting hexes at each other. After a while, Severus got the upper hand and knocked her against the wall. He rushed over and helped her stand.

“Do you know how long my first duel with Harry was?”

Hermione shrugged.

“Thirty seconds,” Severus answered.

“He was a first-year.”

“He wouldn’t have lasted nearly as long as you did in this particular situation without the extra help I have been giving him. You far outclass him, Miss Granger.”

Hermione nodded but looked unconvinced.

Severus blew a piece of hair out of his face. “Who figured out the logic puzzle I created to get to the Sorcerer’s Stone in your first year?”

Hermione blushed. “I did, sir.”

“Who has never received less than an E on any assignment, ever?”

“That would be me, sir.”

“Who will probably receive straight O’s on their OWLs next year?”

“I don’t think…”

“You will, Miss Granger. Who figured out there was a Basilisk hiding in the Chamber of Secrets before she got herself petrified?”

“I did, sir.”

“Who was the only one of my students to understand my clues about Remus Lupin being a Werewolf last year?”

“Me again, sir.”

“Who taught Harry the summoning charm so he could escape the dragon for the first task?”

“I did, sir.”

“And you say you have no talents, Miss Granger? You are by far the most remarkable witch of your age.”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open at his statement. She had never heard him compliment anyone like that, not even Draco Malfoy, who was quite bright in his own right, and a fellow Slytherin with a father who was Professor Snape’s friend.

“Professor,” she finally murmured. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Just believe in yourself and your abilities, Miss Granger. It will help you to be less offended when someone gives you advice. Your birth status has nothing to do with your abilities. There is no pureblood, half-blood, or any other blooded student in this entire school who could best you at anything.”

Before Severus knew it, Hermione had thrown herself at him and given him a great bear hug. Severus stiffened, and his eyes grew wide at the display of affection coming from the younger counterpart to the woman he loved so dearly. He kept his cool and patted her on the back. She pulled away sheepishly.

“I’m sorry, Professor,” she said as her cheeks turned red. “I just really needed to hear all of that, and I’m thankful that you were frank with me.”

“Let’s keep your exuberance down to a handshake from now on, Miss Granger,” Severus said as he smiled at her.

“Yes, sir!” Hermione said nervously. “Um, I should be going.”

                                                           ________________

With that, she turned and fled the Room of Requirement, not even looking back to say goodbye. She couldn’t believe she had just hugged her teacher. What had she been thinking? It wasn’t like he was the cuddly type either. She could see herself hugging Hagrid, or maybe Professor Flitwick, but Professor Snape? He had obviously been incredibly embarrassed too, the way his cheeks had flushed.

________________

Severus watched Hermione as she made her getaway. She was going to be the death of him, he knew it. How he would contain his feelings for her was beyond him. He knew he would do anything to just see her smile.

Chapter Text

Hermione’s fourth year continued:

Hermione entered the common room and was surprised to find Harry already sitting down on the couch by the fire. She wandered over to him, unsure of whether to be friendly or to be cold. Her curiosity got the better of her, so she was friendly.

“Did you decipher the message?” she asked hurriedly.

Harry looked up and scowled at her. “Yes.”

She sat down next to him with excitement. “What did it say?”

“I’m not sure it’s any of your business after the things that we said to each other earlier.”

Hermione looked at her hands in her lap. “Harry,” she began, “you’re right about me, and I’m sorry I got so mad at you. I realize I have an insecurity problem, and I assure you, I will work hard not to act so angrily when I receive criticism from now on.”

Harry looked at her as she stared at her hands. “I’m sorry too, Hermione. I shouldn’t make fun of something I know is a sore spot for you.”

Hermione looked up at Harry finally and grinned at him. “Now will you tell me what that egg was on about?”

Harry laughed. “It says that something important to me will be held under the water and that I have an hour to retrieve it.”

“It didn’t say what the thing would be?”

Harry shook his head.

“Well, at least you know what the task is. How will you accomplish it?”

“I suppose I’ll swim to the object and bring it to the surface,” Harry said simply.

“But you have to be under water for an hour, Harry. How can you do that?”

Harry’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. I was just relieved to know what the task was.”

Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry. “It looks like our studying isn’t over,” she sighed. Getting off the couch, she motioned to Harry. “Let’s go back to the library. I’m sure we can find something there.”

Harry rolled his eyes then but got up nonetheless. “You and your books, Hermione. This time, though, I think you’re on to something.”

Hermione punched him playfully on the arm. “Where’s Ron, anyway?”

“Professor Snape’s given him detention,” Harry explained.

“This is the third time this week!” Hermione exclaimed.

Harry nodded his head. “It seems that Professor Snape has it in for him lately. He’s been watching him like a hawk and takes off points for even the simplest of mistakes in class.”

“I think Ron’s been more nervous because of it, too,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “So, when he turned his potion green today, and Professor Snape told him to stay after class, he gave him a detention?”

Harry nodded again.

Hermione thought of the talk she’d had with Professor Snape during the Yule Ball when she had been so upset by Ron. He had looked livid when she had told him what Ron had said and did to her. He couldn’t be punishing Ron for that, could he? Hermione shook her head. No, of course not. Professor Snape would have no reason to do such a thing. He wasn’t interested in silly teenage relationships. Pushing her musings out of her head, she turned her attention back to Harry.

“Let’s go, we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Hermione informed him. They both headed out of the common room, bound for the library.

oooOOOooo

“Miss Granger, a word please,” Severus requested as the class was filing out.

Oh, no! I hope he’s not going to say anything about that hug the other day! Hermione thought as she went up to his desk.

“Yes, sir?”

“Miss Granger, since you are aware of Mr. Potter’s lessons with me, I was wondering if you would like to join us from now on… that is if you and he are on speaking terms.”

“We managed to patch things up, Professor. I would be honored to join the two of you.”

Severus nodded. “I’ll look forward to our Saturdays together then,” he said before the next class of students began to file in.

Hermione nodded and left the classroom. Severus chided himself for his stupidity. He was asking for trouble including her in his lessons with Harry. It would only lead to him feeling sorry for himself, but he could not pass up the opportunity to spend time with her, even if it was only on a platonic level.

oooOOOooo

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the library again, searching books for a way for Harry to hold his breath for an hour. The trio hadn’t come up with anything yet. They were so entrenched in their work they didn’t notice Dudley wander up.

“Hermione, Ron, the Headmaster asked me to tell you to report up to his office,” Dudley told them.

Harry furrowed his brow. “What could he want from you two? I need your help, hurry back.”

“We will, Harry,” Ron said. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

With that, the two turned and left. Dudley eyed the stack of books.

“What exactly are you doing, Harry?” Dudley asked.

Harry sighed. “I’m trying to find a way to be able to breathe under water for an hour.”

Dudley’s eyebrows rose at that. “Have you found anything yet?”

“No! I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

Dudley sat down and started flipping through the books. The two became silent as they searched every book on the table. After a long while, Harry sat back in his chair in discouragement. He looked over at Dudley.

“So, what’s up with you and Susan Bones?” Harry asked him.

Dudley’s face flushed a bit. “Nothing,” he told Harry.

“Come on, Dud. You guys have been inseparable since the Yule Ball.”

“We’ve always been inseparable, Harry,” Dudley argued.

“I saw you two arm in arm when you thought no one was looking.”

Dudley pretended to be absorbed in a book.

“Why are you guys being so secretive? I think it’s great!”

Dudley shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s been kind of fun sneaking around,” he said, admitting to it finally. “We don’t want Jason and Hannah to feel like the odd men out. The four of us spend most of our free time together.”

“Maybe you can set those two up?”

Dudley rolled his eyes. “I don’t play matchmaker, Harry. I don’t think they’re interested in each other that way anyway.”

“Dudley, they probably know about the two of you already. You should just tell them and stop all of this sneaking around. They’ll be happy for you.”

Dudley looked at Harry. “I know they will. I just don’t want things to be different between the four of us.”

“It already is, Dud. You just have to acknowledge it.”

Dudley thought about that. “I suppose you’re right. Susan tells me much the same thing. She’s really smart about things like that.”

“She’s a great girl, Dudley. I’m glad the two of you finally got together. You make a great pair.”

“Thanks,” Dudley muttered.

He put the book he was reading down and lifted up another one. The boys continued their search silently into the wee hours of the night. Come morning the two were hunched over their books, fast asleep. Neither had found any solution to Harry’s breathing problem. Luckily for them, Dobby appeared, giving Harry Gillyweed and instructing him to take it before plunging into the lake. Harry did as he was instructed and not only completed the task but saved Fleur Delacour’s sister too.

oooOOOooo

“Albus, what were you thinking, submerging four students in the depths of the lake for who knows how long?”

“Oh, Severus, they were perfectly safe!” Albus chided.

“They could have drowned!” Severus growled.

“Barty assured me that the task would be harmless to the students. I explained every detail to them, and they all readily agreed to take part in it. You have nothing to gripe about.”

“Nonetheless, something could have gone wrong.”

“Are you questioning my spell casting abilities?” Albus asked with narrowed eyes.

“Of course not, Albus, it just was an unnecessary risk. The contestants could have gone after some inanimate object. Poor Fleur Delacour almost had a heart attack at the thought that her sister would perish at the bottom of the lake.”

“I don’t think it’s Fleur Delacour’s sister you were concerned about, Severus. Rather, I think it was the young Gryffindor that you were worried about, and I’m not referring to the red-headed one.”

Severus grimaced at Albus. “I cannot help being concerned when you placed all of them in danger like that.”

“Severus, Severus, she is fine. Nothing went awry, and they are all fine. Calm yourself down, for heaven’s sake.”

Severus narrowed his eyes at Albus. “Do you care for anyone, Albus?”

“I believe that Miss Granger posed that same question to me when you were about to receive your Dark Mark.”

Severus looked at him quizzically.

“You mean she didn’t tell you how she stormed in here and gave me a piece of her mind for coercing you into being my spy?”

“She never told me about that.”

“She even threatened to kill me if any harm came to you.”

Severus gave Albus a smirk. His memory of her being so protective of him had faded over the years. It was nice to remember how often she stuck up for him to others.

“You are very lucky to have her affections, Severus, as she is lucky to have yours.”

“Neither of us has either one’s affections at this time!”

“You know what I mean. There are only a few short years before she returns to you.”

“Short for you, perhaps,” Severus huffed.

Albus gave Severus a fatherly look. “She will be back before you know it,” he assured him.

Severus rolled his eyes. “That’s what you’ve been saying for the past seventeen years. It hasn’t gone by any faster because you say it will.”

Albus chuckled at him. “It will pass, nonetheless, my boy.”

oooOOOooo

Harry and Hermione walked into the Room of Requirement, but Professor Snape wasn’t there yet. They didn’t have long to wait until the man came through the doors himself with a smirk on his face and a copy of Witch Weekly under his arms. He sauntered over to Hermione and held it out to her.

“It would seem, Miss Granger, that you have turned into quite the hussy,” he commented as she took the magazine from him.

It was open to an article that had her name emblazoned on the top of it. Hermione Granger: Two-Timing Witch! cried the headline. Hermione raised her eyebrows and skimmed the article. She burst out laughing and tossed it over to Harry.

Harry skimmed it too. “Hermione, how could you play me like this? I thought I was the only one you cared for.”

Hermione threw her hand to her forehead. “I’m sorry, Harry! I’m not the type to be happy with only one man! Viktor and I never broke up, even though I told you we did.”

“Oh, I’ll kill that overrated Quidditch player. He can’t even speak English.”

“Of course he can!” Hermione retorted.

“Hermione, he calls you Hermioninny,” Harry said blandly. “Emphasis on the ninny part.”

Severus burst out laughing.

“He can’t help it if my name is hard to pronounce!” Hermione countered.

“I can say it!” Harry cried.

“So can I,” Severus remarked.

“You both are impossible!” Hermione laughed.

Harry went up to her. “That’s why you love me! Give up on that foreigner. I’m the one for you!”

“Harry!” Hermione cried, “Cut it out already.”

“It’s a shame Miss Skeeter isn’t here to see you both bickering like this,” Severus murmured with a smirk.

Hermione looked puzzled. “I wonder how she knew I had spoken to Viktor about visiting him in Bulgaria.”

“Who knows?” Harry cried.

“It does seem that Miss Skeeter has some unnamed source for her information,” Severus mused. “Perhaps she employs a fly on the wall?”

“Oh, well, I suppose we’ll never know,” Harry said.

“Are you two ready to concentrate, or shall I give you another few minutes of bickering time?” Severus queried.

“You’re the one who brought in that awful magazine, Professor!” Hermione exclaimed.

“Yeah, Professor, you just wanted us to have a lovers' quarrel!” Harry quipped.

“Mmm-hmm, and now I’m sorry I brought the bloody thing to you both.”

“You’re just sorry Skeeter hasn’t written anything about you in here!” Harry told him as he tapped the magazine with his hand.

“Oh, yes,” Severus said dryly. “I long for the day I see my name in one of her articles. She’s always so spot on with her reporting.”

“She’ll probably accuse you of having a torrid love affair with Professor Trelawney,” Hermione said slyly.

All the color drained from Severus’ face. Hermione took one look at him and doubled over laughing. Harry looked over too and began to giggle.

“What’s the matter, Professor?” Harry asked. “Did we figure out where you spend your weekends?”

Severus looked at him crossly. “Shudder the thought. That woman has been after me since the day she started here.”

Harry and Hermione gave each other dubious looks, hardly believing they had come across this well-kept secret.

Harry couldn’t help himself. “So, what’s keeping you from going after her, Professor?”

Hermione laughed again, receiving a scowl from Severus. He stared at Hermione for a minute before snapping out of it and turning to Harry.

“She’s not my type,” was all that he said.

“I’m sure her ‘Inner Eye’ says differently!” Hermione laughed. “Are you in the beyond? I think you are!” she mimicked.

Severus couldn’t help himself and snickered at her imitation.

“Hermione hates her, if you haven’t gathered that already,” Harry explained.

Severus raised an eyebrow at that.

“Oh, she’s awful! You do not possess the spirit for the noble art of divination!” Hermione imitated. “Shriveled soul my foot!” she said while stamping that very foot.

Severus looked at her quizzically.

“Professor Trelawney told her last year that she doesn’t have Divination in her,” Harry explained. “She made some remark about her shriveled soul and clinging to the pages of a book or something.”

Severus walked over to Hermione and looked her up and down.

“Oh, yes, I can see it now,” Severus joked. “Her shriveled soul is practically leaking out of her ears.”

Hermione just rolled her eyes.

Harry laughed. “You should have seen Hermione. She glared at Trelawney, stomped out of the class, and never came back.”

“As I have said before, Miss Granger, you are quite feisty.”

“I don’t even know why they offer Divination as a class, it’s worthless,” Hermione muttered.

“Perhaps you should have a meeting with Professor Trelawney,” Severus drawled. “I’m sure she’d be willing to drop the class simply because you feel it is worthless.”

“All right, Professor, you’ve had your fun,” Hermione countered with a roll of her eyes.

“Oh, I assure you, Miss Granger,” Severus retorted, “the fun has just begun.”

With that he pulled his wand out and sent two hexes at Harry and Hermione, sending them flying into the wall. They both sat up and glared at him.

“Well, get up!” Severus demanded. “Death Eaters aren’t going to let you rub your bruises and recuperate after they hex you.”

Hermione and Harry jumped up and started sending spells at Severus. It was quite fun for both parties. Harry and Hermione got more shots off than they normally would, and Severus felt he was actually challenged in their sparring. They had fought each other for quite a while when Harry and Hermione both shot stunners at Severus simultaneously. He flew into the wall and was knocked out cold.

The two students rushed over to Severus in fear. They looked at each other and then back down at their Professor, afraid that he was hurt badly and even more afraid of what he’d say when he awoke.

After a minute, Severus moaned and opened his eyes. His first vision was of Hermione looking at him worriedly, and he almost reached up and caressed her face. Luckily, he came to his senses quickly and realized why he was staring up at her from the floor. He suppressed the urge to pull her to him and just blinked at her.

“Are you all right, Professor?” she asked with concern.

His heart constricted within him once again at the look of concern that crossed her face. He pushed the feelings aside and cracked a smile at both Hermione and Harry.

“Now that was a duel!” he remarked, making his students grin back at him.

oooOOOooo

Severus stalked quickly through the halls. He pondered the recent events that had occurred during the final challenge of the Triwizard Tournament. The death of Cedric Diggory had shocked them all. The burning in Severus’ arm, signaling the return of the Dark Lord had not been as shocking to Severus. He had seen the signs. Both his and Karkaroff’s Dark Marks had been becoming more defined as the months had gone on.

He rushed to the Headmaster’s office. He had stayed behind to ensure the Aurors had secured and taken Barty Crouch Jr. away. Severus found Harry a crumpled mess in the chair in front of Dumbledore’s desk. The Headmaster gave Severus an understanding look as he looked worriedly at Harry.

“Ah, Severus, I’m glad you have arrived. I need to attend to Cedric’s father. You wouldn’t mind staying with Harry until I return, would you?”

Severus nodded his assent, and Dumbledore rushed out of his office. Severus pulled another chair near Harry and looked at the boy. It seemed he had gone to Hades and back in the short time since he had started the third task.

“Harry, are you all right?”

Harry looked at Severus with fear in his eyes. “He’s back! He killed Cedric. I couldn’t do anything! I’m useless. After everything we have worked on, I couldn’t save anyone!”

Severus moved to the front of his chair and gripped Harry by his arms.

“Harry, stop this. It isn’t your fault. None of us could have imagined that the cup was a Portkey. You were taken by surprise. Even the most powerful wizard would probably not have been able to do anything more than you did.”

“He’s dead. I should have saved him!”

Severus’ hands tightened around Harry’s arms.

“No, you’re wrong. Diggory was dead the minute he touched that Portkey. Harry, you must pull yourself together. All is not lost. The Dark Lord has just returned, and it will take him time to build his armies. We can use that time to further prepare.”

“What’s the use? I’m worthless!”

Severus shook him slightly.

“You are not worthless. You are essential in our victory because you are connected with the Dark Lord. He will seek you out to destroy you. You must continue to prepare! Leave this useless guilt behind you, and continue with your training. The next time you meet Voldemort, you will be victorious.”

“I can’t do this, Professor. I can’t fight him. He’ll win, just like he won tonight.”

Severus’ demeanor softened. “Harry, he just won one battle, not the war. Take the time you need to mourn, but you cannot think that you will be useless in this battle. Ultimately you will be the key to his defeat.”

Harry studied him curiously. “How do you know that?”

Severus pulled back. He had said too much. “I cannot say. I just know it,” Severus muttered.

Harry looked down in his lap and said nothing for a long time. Finally, he looked back at Severus with determination.

“I’ll work twice as hard, Professor. I will never let myself be taken by surprise again.”

Severus nodded to Harry. “That’s the young man whom I know can defeat the Dark Lord.”

Severus looked Harry over. “Will you be all right?” he asked finally.

Harry nodded his head.

“Dumbledore will return soon. I fear if I postpone meeting with the Dark Lord any longer, I will not survive the night.”

Harry looked to Severus with shock, then anger in his eyes. “You’re going back to him?” he cried furiously.

Severus placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder.

“I explained all of this to you already, Harry. I must resume my position as a spy. It is imperative that the Dark Lord think that I’m loyal to him.”

Harry relaxed with Severus’ words before looking up to him worriedly.

“What if he hurts you? What if he kills you?”

Severus sighed. “That is a chance I have to take. It is part of my work to put myself at the mercy of the Dark Lord and his wand.”

Harry could control himself no longer and threw his arms around Severus.

“Be careful, Professor. I don’t think I could take another death tonight.”

Severus patted him on the back and pulled away.

“Don’t worry, Harry. The Dark Lord will find me more useful alive than dead, I assure you.”

Harry nodded to him, and Severus rose. He nodded back to Harry and turned and swept from the room. He only hoped that his assurance to Harry wound up being the truth. This first meeting would be the most dangerous one for a while. The Dark Lord would be furious at Severus’ late arrival and his clinging to Dumbledore for all of these years. He hoped he would be able to coerce his ‘master’ into sparing his life.