Chapter 9
Chapter 9 of 9
irishredlassSeverus Snape has been named the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. Before he can assume his new duties with a clear conscience, he must first bury his wife and child. How does Hermione help him?
ReviewedA/N: This marks the end of the journey for Letting Go, and I want to thank all those who have made this the story I am most proud of: my lovely betas, my cheerleaders, the mods of the sshg exchange and Droxy for creating the prompt to begin with. She said to make him suffer, and I hope in the end he was rewarded for his suffering.
Hermione checked her appearance in the mirror one last time before leaving—it was silly, but she was nervous. It had been three months since she’d seen Severus.
She had suggested no contact at all, but he wouldn’t hear of it. At first she had tried ignoring his owls.
Then he’d sent flowers.
When she had ignored those, he had surprised her by calling her home. Hearing his voice—even a phone line could not distort the deep, rich baritone she’d longed to hear—she had finally relented. For the last two months, they had enjoyed weekly phone calls. He would go to his London home on Saturday—a good thing, because their conversations would go on long into the night—to make that evening’s call.
They had shared stories of their childhoods, his time as a Death Eater, and the years following the war. Sharing their secrets over the phone had been both easier and more difficult—on more than one occasion Hermione had had to talk herself out of Apparating to his house. The nights he had told her of Lily’s death, and when he had broken down as he described the pain of having to kill his mentor in cold blood, she had wanted nothing more than to comfort him, but they had both agreed they would wait.
Until today.
Today would mark the end of their professional contract. And she had something else she wished to share with him—she hoped he would understand the significance.
Severus was nervous as well.
It had been difficult this last month, especially since school had let out, to not just go to her. He had not felt a bone-deep connection with anyone since the early years of his marriage, since before Harry Potter had entered Hogwarts and his life spiraled out of control.
There were so many things he wished he could have done differently.
He still felt guilt over how he had neglected Bee and Helena during those years, but he realized that, had he had it to do over again, nothing would have—could have—changed. Helena was a defenseless Muggle—he had done what was necessary to keep her and their child safe… He understood that now.
He planned to continue visiting the gravesite—but to honor them, not because he couldn’t live without them. He’d lived without them for ten years—it had been past time to admit that a year ago—and would continue to do so.
He had finally forgiven himself and was ready to move on with his life—he was ready to let go.
Two soft pops of Apparation echoed through the quiet of the cemetery as Hermione and Severus appeared almost simultaneously.
They were both dressed formally for the conclusion of the rite. The laments were sung one last time, and Severus laid holly and heather on the graves. Both grass-covered mounds were now marked with a stone of obsidian marble with wreaths of holly and heather etched into the surface above the names.
When Hermione sensed he was ready to go, she took his hand. “I have something I want to show you. Do you trust me?”
He nodded his assent and put his arm about her.
She Apparated them to another cemetery not far from her home; taking his hand is hers, she led him to the far corner.
The stone resting there looked very much like those they had just visited save for the inscription:
Jeffery and Jane Granger
May You Live in Peace
1955 – 1997
“Hermione,” Severus whispered as he read the inscription. “Does this mean…?”
She turned to him and took both of his hands in hers. “Yes, Severus, this does mean…”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m ready to let go of the past and look to the future. I’m truly free.”
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Latest 25 Reviews for Letting Go
71 Reviews | 7.75/10 Average
Dear irishredlass,
I am writing to inform you that you've been nominated for the following category for the Fall-Winter 2013 Round of The HP Fanfic Fan Poll Awards (hpfanficfanpoll . livejournal . com):
SHIP: SNAPE X HERMIONE
CATEGORY: BEST DRAMA-ANGST for "Letting Go"
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The nominations period ends on October 28, 2013.
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Our awards ceremony is open to the public to vote, and we encourage you to ask your friends/family to participate. We will tally up all votes and announce winners on or before January 10, 2014. Please check back then to see if your stories placed, or add us as a FRIEND on Livejournal so you can get emails when that list is broadcast on our blog. Banners for your nominations/placements will be available at that time, too.
Congratulations on your nomination!
Sincerely,
Melissa, The HP Fanfic Fan Poll Awards Moderator
Thank you for this beautiful story, full of pain yes, but also healing, love and hope. 
So good to see a little bit of happiness , at last. 
I understand why Hermione had to do as she did, there was no other way for her to protect her parents. It would have been worse if she had left on the quest with Harry and Ron, and her family had been killed as Severus' family was. Hopefuly she can now move on as well.
It is so painful to watch Severus' journey back to life, Victor Hugo was very appropriate.
Traditions evolved because they were found to help Severus may be kicking and screaming, but he's moving forward.
There is no greater pain than putting your baby in the ground, and walking away. I'm not surprised Severus couldn't do it.
Hermione is right, grieving is more than feeling the pain of loss, and everyone has their own path to walk.
I'm really feeling for Severus in this, for such a private man this must be torture. Having lived for so long unable to show his grief must have been hell
This is the first story that I've read, that made me cry for the whole first chapter.
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
and that is a beautiful compliment. Thank you
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
and that is a beautiful compliment. Thank you
Thank you for sharing! Such a beautiful and hopeful ending!
Is this truly the end or will there be an epilogue? Please, please, please, let there be an epilogue! ^_^
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
LOL sorry to say, but this is truly the end. I have thought about a part two where they would have a Bee of their own, but alas time is a hard mistress.
Response from MsTree (Reviewer)
Okay, I wondered about that because it was still marked as unfinished earlier. A Part 2 would be nice whenever the Muse strikes, though. ^_^
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Yeah I fixed the marking when I got home
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
LOL sorry to say, but this is truly the end. I have thought about a part two where they would have a Bee of their own, but alas time is a hard mistress.
Response from MsTree (Reviewer)
Okay, I wondered about that because it was still marked as unfinished earlier. A Part 2 would be nice whenever the Muse strikes, though. ^_^
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Yeah I fixed the marking when I got home
Oh thank goodness you updated, I was getting anxious that it would never happen. Keep 'em coming!
I'm reading this story for the second time and love it just as much if not more.
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Awe thank you so much
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Awe thank you so much
Thank you for the update! This is such a unique story and I'm so happy iy hasn't been abandoned.
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Far from being abandoned it is complete with one chapter in the hopper and one more to go. Thanks for reading
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Far from being abandoned it is complete with one chapter in the hopper and one more to go. Thanks for reading
I want greek food now. Hermione is getting a bit of angst now. Heeeeee. 
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
You always want Greek food ;)
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
You always want Greek food ;)
The part with his daughter slayed me. =)
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
You said to make you cry
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
You said to make you cry
I liked this!
So sad... Beautifully written excellent development of the characters and great prospects for thing to come. Thank you for sharing.
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Thank you! Just two more chapters to go
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Thank you! Just two more chapters to go
This story is so well written!! I love learning about other cultures. I hope they are able to make a love connection!! I always think Severus deserves a happy ending. Why is Melissa's nick name "Bumble Bee"? Can not wait for more!!!
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
I had to go back and look because I thought I had explained this in the story, but Melissa means Bumble Bee. Thank you for your kind words.
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
I had to go back and look because I thought I had explained this in the story, but Melissa means Bumble Bee. Thank you for your kind words.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOhhh... is Severus now going to help her along her journey? Hm... Interesting chapter. Seems they're moving along and are now comfortable with each other. :)
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Grief is a journey and it is best traveled in company
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Grief is a journey and it is best traveled in company
So lovely to see Hermione both remind Severus he's still alive (and that it's ok), yet allow him to let go at the same time. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
More over she reminds him he is human. Thank you for reading
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
More over she reminds him he is human. Thank you for reading
Glad to see Severus going through the stages of grief and Hermione not explaining the process to him...
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Though they say there are the 5 stages to grief I believe it is unique for everyone. He is not a textbook
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Though they say there are the 5 stages to grief I believe it is unique for everyone. He is not a textbook
Such a heartbreaking chapter, with a side of Snape we so rarely get to see. Well handled!
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Thank you! The old saying is still waters run deep, but I see Severus as more of a valve under pressure
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Thank you! The old saying is still waters run deep, but I see Severus as more of a valve under pressure
You seriously touch on some deep and poignant emotions with this story. This was very well done.
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Thank you so much. There are still about 3 chapters to post. I hope you continue to read. When I got Droxy's prompt she said she wanted him to be run through the ringer. Grief is a painful and hard thing to handle I am glad you approve of how I have handled it.
Response from irishredlass (Author of Letting Go)
Thank you so much. There are still about 3 chapters to post. I hope you continue to read. When I got Droxy's prompt she said she wanted him to be run through the ringer. Grief is a painful and hard thing to handle I am glad you approve of how I have handled it.