Chaper 13: Tragedy and Hope

Author's Note: I am so excited to be working with my beta reader and XXX from the staff of The Petulant Poetess. These two wonderful women have given me help and guidance, inspiration and support. My story has benefited immensely from their care and expertise. I also tip my hat to my first beta reader, XXX. I feel as though she is cheering me on, and I am so grateful for her support and encouragement.

To my readers, it's all for you. Your generosity and kindness recognize no bounds, and I thank you.

Chapter Thirteen: Tragedy and Hope

Three Years Later

Office of the Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogsmeade, Scotland

"Hermione."

Hermione looked up from a Ministry form when Severus called her name. She was instantly concerned when she saw the drawn look to his sharp features.

"What's wrong, Severus? You look quite upset."

"I have just been at Malfoy Manor, Hermione. There's been a dreadful accident."

"Oh, no, what's happened?"

"Daphne Malfoy was thrown when her horse refused a jump. Draco fears she has broken her neck."

"Oh, no!"

Hermione dropped the form on her desk and jumped to her feet.

"My godson charged me with telling Scorpius about his mother. I would feel most comfortable if you summoned him here. Perhaps you could ask Professor Zabini to come with him?"

"I agree. Please excuse me. I'll get Blaise myself; this is not an errand for house-elves."

"Of course."

Hermione hurried out of the office in a flurry of swirling robes and tapping heels and returned within a very short time. It had been a passing period between classes, and she had found the Head of Slytherin House just outside the Great Hall.

"Blaise has gone to find Scorpius. They will be here shortly, Severus." She paced around in the clear space between the sofa and her desk, her lips trembling and chocolate brown eyes liquid with unshed tears. She had not been close friends with Daphne Greengrass in her student years at Hogwarts, but they had become friends through Draco. She stopped pacing to ask, "What were they doing for her? Surely they weren't going to try to get her to St. Mungo's?"

"No, Draco Flooed St. Mungo's for a Healer to come to Malfoy Manor. Daphne could not be moved."

The gargoyle announced, "Professor Zabini and Mr. Malfoy have entered the staircase, Madam Headmistress."

"Thank you."

A tense silence filled the spacious office as Hermione waited to usher in Professor Zabini and Scorpius Malfoy. She seated them on the sofa in front of the fireplace, anxiously studying the tall, thin, Malfoy heir. He looked so much like her memories of Draco at the same age. She didn't embarrass the boy by speaking of it, merely made sure her two guests were comfortable, and told the gargoyle to prevent anyone from entering her office till she told it otherwise.

"Madam Granger-Weasley, you said it was urgent?"

"Thank you for bringing Mr. Malfoy, Professor Zabini. Will you stay, please? Mr. Malfoy, Professor Snape needs to speak to you."

Scorpius looked up and broke into a smile. "Great-Uncle Severus." Clearly the boy was delighted to see Professor Snape.

"Scorpius, I have just come from your home." His voice faltered for a moment, then softened. "I have some very distressing news."

"What's happened?" The boy turned pale, and Hermione and Blaise Zabini each put a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

"Your mother was out riding this morning and was thrown from her horse. She has been very badly injured, Scorpius. They may not be able to help her. I am so sorry, son."

Hermione felt Scorpius begin to tremble under her hand, and she squeezed his shoulder, wishing she could comfort him. After a moment, he swallowed hard and asked,

"Do I need to go home? What's being done for Mother?"

"Your father has summoned the best Healers, Scorpius. He wants you to stay here at the school unless he comes to get you. I fear there is nothing you can do for your mother till the Healers have her condition stabilized."

Scorpius grew even paler and his lips quivered just a little. He drew in a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. When he spoke, the only outward evidence of his fear could be heard in the husky rasp of his voice.

"Great-Uncle Severus, will you go to your other portrait and check on her?"

"Yes, Scorpius, from time to time I will."

He turned to Hermione and Blaise. "What shall I do, Professor Zabini? Headmistress?"

"You'll stay here in my office, Mr. Malfoy. Your Great-Uncle won't want to chase through all the portraits in Hogwarts looking for you when he gets word of your mother's condition, and you might be needed on a moment's notice. Professor Zabini can excuse your absence to your teachers and get your assignments from them for you."

"I'll take care of notifying his teachers now, Headmistress." With a friendly hand on Scorpius's shoulder for a moment, Blaise Zabini left the room, and Hermione got Draco's son settled on the sofa by the fireplace in short order. She arranged for tea and took Winky aside to charge her with young Mr. Malfoy's comfort while he waited for news of his mother's condition.

She was happy to see that he seemed to have his own resources to rely on. He pulled a book out of his pack and began to study, looking up every few minutes to see whether his Great-Uncle had any news for him.

Hermione noticed that Severus watched over the boy, giving him a quiet word of reassurance each time he came back to his portrait from Malfoy Manor. Severus was pleased to see that Hermione didn't fuss over Scorpius. Her compassion for the boy was evident in her eyes, in her thoughtful comments and honest answers to his questions. Scorpius Malfoy was probably better off at school, Severus decided. Draco would be attending the Healers, and Scorpius would have been left to the company of already busy house-elves.

Hermione ordered dinner to be served in her dining room and, after a brief conference with Blaise Zabini, invited two of Scorpius's closest friends to join them, but it was a very quiet meal. Scorpius's two housemates returned to their normal activities again after dinner, and Scorpius went back to his books.

Severus had gone to Malfoy Manor right after dinner, and Hermione wondered what was happening, and whether the Healers had been able to do anything for Daphne.

The hour grew late and Scorpius fell asleep over his books. Hermione covered him with a soft blanket and dimmed the candles by the sofa, but did not leave her office. She was waiting when Severus returned silently to his portrait. She hurried over to the portrait as soon as he arrived and reached up to touch his painted hand on the canvas. His eyes were dark with pain and he shook his head.

"The Healers were not able to save her," he whispered. "Draco will be coming to Hogwarts tonight, as soon as the necessary arrangements have been made."

Hermione nodded. She would wait up for him. No, that was not entirely correct. She and Severus would wait for Draco. And they would stand by Scorpius together.

~0o0~

The months passed. Hermione gave Scorpius Malfoy the password to her office so he could come in and speak to his Great-Uncle's portrait when he had free time, and as she grew to know the young man, he became special to her. Her own two children, Rose and Hugo, had befriended him, and through them, he became friends with James, Albus and Lily Potter. Scorpius was awestruck that Harry Potter had given Albus the middle name of Severus, and that increased his respect for Professor Potter. Harry and Draco had long since become good friends, and now the friendship between their children was easing the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

Draco was lonely. He began spending quite a lot of free time at the school, at first visiting his son and chaperoning Hogsmeade weekends. Soon, he was spending as much time with the Headmistress as he spent with his son. Hermione enjoyed his company, and she grew accustomed to his dropping in after dinner for tea and conversation. For her that's all Draco's visits meant, and she completely unaware that Draco was interested in something more, until one night when he lingered after a dinner party.

They were sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace in her office, and for once Severus was not taking part in the conversation. He had moved his chair to the back of his picture and was sitting in the shadows. To any casual on-looker, he was asleep. Actually, he was watching through the curtain of his hair and straining to hear what was being said in the office.

"Draco, would you like more wine?"

Hermione held up the elegant decanter, but Draco shook his head. He leaned towards her and brushed his lips across her cheek, then took the decanter away from her and set it on the table. He caught hold of her shoulders and drew her into his arms, kissing her tenderly, but then with growing passion. For an instant, Hermione remained quiet in his arms. When he continued to kiss her, she drew away with a confused murmur of his name.

"Draco? What... " Her voice trailed off as she scooted back slightly from the handsome man sitting beside her on the couch.

"I wanted to kiss you. I have for a long time, Hermione."

She didn't say anything, but Draco continued, "You know how much I appreciate all you've done for my son... Somehow, I have been thinking about you more and more. You're really an extraordinary woman. I think I could be falling in love with you, Madam Headmistress."

His voice was soft and gentle as he spoke, and he looked at her steadily, trying to read her feelings from the expression on her face.

She drew in her breath and let it out in a shaky sigh. "Draco. Oh, Draco. You're very dear to me, and I have grown to love Scorpius as much as my own kids or my nephews and nieces. You're a wonderful father; Scorpius is growing into a fine young man. You should be very proud of him."

"But...?" His eyes were kind, his mouth curved in a rueful smile.

"Please don't be hurt, or angry? I love you the way I love Harry, Draco. You're one of my best friends, but you deserve so much more."

Draco smiled tenderly and kissed her again, this time on her forehead.

"I'm not angry, dear. I'm very fond of you, and if there were any sparks between us, I was going to steal you off to Malfoy Manor and ravish you. Since you're not so inclined, though, I will just look around and find another lady to shower with attention." His eyes lit with mischief, and an impish smile quirked up the corners of his mouth. "I'll have to think of some other way to make Father spin in his grave."

"What an incentive." She smiled back at him, relieved that he wasn't angry. This was just Draco, her dear friend, and they were talking and joking as they did after every dinner party at Hogwarts.

"Hermione, my dear... May I be honest?"

She nodded her head.

"Maybe it's the Slytherin coming out in me, but I wanted to find out if you were interested before I allowed myself to fall in love with you and make a fool of myself chasing you. It's been so long since I had to worry about dating and all the usual mating rituals." His grin was unrepentantly cheeky. "I suppose it's my ego that has to ask if there is someone else in your life."

Hermione glanced up at the portrait of Severus Snape and her cheeks flushed a soft rose, but she shook her head.

"I'm not dating anyone, Draco. You're very, very dear to me, but I don't think I shall ever marry again."

He nodded his head. He'd seen her fleeting glance up at the portrait of his godfather, and he understood what the look meant, even if she didn't.

"You're very dear to me, too, Granger." He got to his feet and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry you and I are a story destined to go unwritten."

She looked up at her friend and then wrapped her arm around his waist. "You really do understand, though."

"I think I do, yes."

"And you're not angry with me?"

"As rejections go, yours was the very nicest I have ever gotten." He pouted and dropped his eyes, trying to look heartbroken.

"Brat! Draco, I do love you very much, but not that way. I know I'm not saying this right..."

He turned her to face him and placed a finger over her lips.

"I do understand. Honest."

She hugged him tight and dropped her head onto his shoulder for a moment before releasing him.

"A part of me knows I am an idiot, to turn down the most eligible bachelor in Wizarding Britain, Draco."

"If you cared for that sort of thing, you would have seduced me long ago, Granger." He gave her a cheeky smile, and she laughed.

"Still as horrible as ever you were. Why do I put up with you?"

"Because I'm rich and good looking."

"Darn! Forgot about that. You are some woman's dream walking round on two legs."

"Just not your dream, eh? I guess that means there is still hope for me, though. If you happen to run across that particular woman, steer her in my direction, alright?"

She chuckled. "You bet."

With a jaunty salute he left the office, whistling as he walked down the hall. Hermione sat back down on the sofa, her eyes soft, and an amused smile on her face.

A cough drew her attention to the portrait over the fireplace.

"Severus, good evening." Her smile was warm and filled with genuine delight.

"Hermione." He smiled at her, but seemed uncomfortable. "I was trying not to eavesdrop, but I have always had exceptional hearing. Please forgive me, I couldn't help but hear your conversation with my godson."

"Severus, I have no secrets from you." Except that I love you with all my heart, but other than that... she thought with a mental shrug of her shoulders.

"How very Gryffindor of you."

"I trust you."

"I am honored." He sketched a bow and she shivered, imagining him kissing her hand.

She didn't think he had any idea how she felt about him, and it seemed so pointless to tell him, but part of her wanted to share her feelings with him and to learn how he felt about her.

"You shivered."

"Yes, I felt a draft."

"Hermione, honor demands that I tell you I believe you and Draco would be well matched. He is a very charming man and he would treat you well; he has the example of his father to follow. Whatever else he was and did, Lucius loved Narcissa very much and treated her like a queen."

Severus spoke in favor of Draco because he wanted, more than anything, for Hermione Granger to find happiness. His regard for her had grown past the point of friendship; he knew that he loved her very much. Honor kept him silent. He had nothing to offer her. He could not climb down out of his portrait to kiss her, to hold her when she cried, to stroke her hair and cuddle with her on the sofa and watch her eyes close in drowsy contentment. Harry Potter had thrown away the Resurrection Stone after the fall of Voldemort, but if it had been available Severus would have begged it from Potter on bended knee, if it meant he could be with Hermione. And that was not possible.

He was drawn out of his thoughts by her soft voice.

"Severus, Draco is all that is handsome and wealthy and charming, but he's not the right man for me. I'm not the right woman for him."

"I'm sure he cares deeply for you. He is proud of all you have accomplished."

"I love Draco very much, but only as a friend. And I will never feel more than friendship for him." She shook her curly head and smiled up at Severus. "It would have been wrong of me to let him think I care more than I do. I won't play those kinds of games with his heart. He needs to be free to find someone who will love him as he deserves to be loved."

Severus gave her a longing look from behind the curtain of his hair and thought to himself, What of you, Hermione? Do you not deserve to find someone who can love you as you deserve to be loved? But he didn't dare speak the words out loud.

"As it happens, I know Luna Lovegood adores Draco. I think I will give a little dinner party in the next few weeks and invite them both. See what happens."

And with that, she changed the subject.

The Library, First Floor, Malfoy Manor, Nottinghamshire, England

"So tell me what's going on at Hogwarts these days, Severus." Lucius Malfoy lounged elegantly in his portrait in the library of Malfoy Manor. The library was empty save for the two men in their portraits, but a bright fire burned on the hearth and a half glass of wine waited on the desk, along with a number of unanswered letters of Draco's.

"Surely you've heard about Hogwarts from Draco?"

"I've heard all the news from Draco. He rattles on and on about Quidditch and that museum of Dumbledore's, as if it were Dumbledore's idea, and not yours or Hermione Granger's. I want all the gossip, Severus. And I want to know why Draco isn't seeing nearly as much as Madam Granger-Weasley as he was this time last month."

Severus had spent the evening with Lucius and his godson and had been dreading this topic the entire time. Of all the ill luck, Draco had been called away by an unexpected visitor before Severus could make his farewells and get back to his portrait at Hogwarts, and Lucius had pounced as soon as the door closed behind Draco.

"I believe my son was going to propose to our dear Headmistress, Severus, and I should like to know why he suddenly stopped seeing her."

Severus was spared the agony of answering by Draco's return to the library. He entered in time to hear Lucius's last question and smiled as he sat down at his desk.

"Father, I would have answered that had I known you were so curious."

"I would very much like to know what you were thinking and planning."

"Father, I thought I was falling in love with Hermione Granger-Weasley. I had dinner with her several weeks ago and told her how I felt, and she very gently and nicely rejected me and told me I needed to look elsewhere to find the love of my life."

Severus had never seen Lucius put so neatly in his place. Malfoy senior sat back in his chair, started to say something, then decided against it and shook his head.

"She rejected you?" Severus almost laughed; from the stunned look on Lucius's face, one might have supposed the moon had moved backwards in its orbit.

"Yes, Father, she did. And I'm glad, too. There are a lot of women who would have lied, tried to convince me or themselves that they loved me, and it would have been a huge mess later on. Granger never pulls her punches, Merlin bless her."

"But you're a Malfoy."

"I don't think blood-lines mean a lot to Granger."

"Well, they damn well ought to."

Draco was leaning back in his chair, laughing heartily at his father's indignation.

"She doesn't love me, Father. That's hardly a crime."

"Were you in love with her?"

"I thought I might have been falling in love with her. But her honesty made me think about it more carefully, and I realized that I was really feeling a tremendous amount of gratitude to her for all she's done for Scorpius. Along with a healthy dose of attraction. She does clean up nicely. That dress she wore to the Memorial gala last winter was very nice, indeed."

"I saw her picture in the newspaper. I'll grant you, she did look quite lovely. But I am glad you're not marrying her."

Severus remembered how Hermione had looked the night of the gala, as well. He would never forget how beautiful she had looked that night, actually. She'd worn a gown of deep red velvet, cut on slender lines. The gown had a wide, low, sweetheart neckline that almost bared her shoulders, and the velvet clung faithfully to her slender form till it flared into a bell skirt that brushed the floor. The warm color was very flattering to her russet hair and fair complexion, and Severus had thought, looking at her, that Draco was incredibly lucky to be escorting her to the gala.

"She said there was no one else, but I have come to believe she wasn't entirely truthful about that."

"Oh?" It was Lucius who spoke, but both he and Severus leaned forward in their chairs and gave Draco their full attention.

"I think she cherishes tender feelings for someone other than me."

"Who, then?"

"Uncle Severus, actually."

Lucius chuckled, but Severus went pale.

"I sincerely hope you're wrong, Draco. It would be entirely inappropriate for her to waste her life on fantasies."

"First, Uncle Severus, I doubt she sees caring for you as wasting her life. She's choosy and wouldn't be happy with most wizards. I'm surprised she and Weasley stayed married to each other as long as they did."

"Ronald Weasley was an ignorant, inconsiderate dunderhead." Severus's criticism of Weasley brought chuckles from his companions.

"That's very true, Severus."

"He didn't know how to make her happy, Uncle, I'll grant you that. But there aren't many wizards who would. She intimidates most of them."

"That doesn't mean she... er... cares for me, particularly."

"No. I can't really explain why I believe she cares for you a great deal, Uncle Severus. But I think she does."

I would be the happiest and the most miserable wizard in Britain if she does care as much as Draco thinks she does. But of course, she can't possibly... Severus felt decidedly out of sorts as he made his farewells and traveled back to his portrait in Hermione's office at Hogwarts.

"Mark my words, Father, Hermione Granger does love him. He will never believe it, but it's true all the same."

And Lucius nodded his head. He, too, had seen the look in Snape's eyes when Hermione's name was mentioned.

The Albus Dumbledore Museum of Magical Devices, Ground Floor, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogsmeade, Scotland

With time, the exhibits in the Magical Devices Museum grew more elaborate, and now a portrait of Albus Dumbledore hung in the exhibit room. The venerable Headmaster spent many hours in his frame there, explaining to students and visitors what the devices were and how they worked.

Severus had a new portrait in the museum now, at Albus Dumbledore's request. Several of the gadgets in the Museum were used in making potions or preparing ingredients, and Albus occasionally requested his presence to explain the finer points of brewing potions to eager advanced students who understood how talented Snape had been.

One Saturday afternoon, at the end of a discussion on brewing Wolfsbane, Albus implored Severus to stay for a few moments so they could catch up. Severus realized it had been weeks since he had seen Dumbledore.

"Minnie is sleeping, and planned to visit with Dilys Derwent when she woke up, so I welcome the chance to speak with you, Severus. How are you getting on these days?"

"I am well, Headmaster. You're looking hale and hearty yourself."

"I thoroughly enjoy being down here where I can mingle with the students and visitors. It keeps my mind active. Don't know if you've noticed, but Salazar Slytherin's picture is in a very dim corner of the Founder's Gallery, and he doesn't bother to stay awake most days."

"In these days of new-found tolerance, perhaps he doesn't get many visitors." Snape lifted one eyebrow in silent eloquent question, and Dumbledore laughed.

"He didn't get many visitors when being a Pure-blood was fashionable, Severus. But perhaps it's for the best. We don't need anyone encouraging the students to regress in their attitudes."

Severus nodded his assent, and Albus shot his younger colleague a sharp look. "How is Madam Granger-Weasley these days? I do hear her voice out in the corridor nearly every day, and she pops in here about once a week to say hello and ask if I am comfortable, but she doesn't have much time to chat."

"Miss Granger is well. She is very pleased with the students and teachers here and very happy with the support received from the Ministry."

I'm glad." Dumbledore's bright blue eyes began to twinkle now. "When shall I have the chance to wish her happy? I'd heard that young Draco Malfoy offered for her?"

"Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger are not courting, Headmaster." Snape hoped his explanation would cause Dumbledore to drop the subject, but Dumbledore had a specific end in mind and wouldn't be distracted.

"A pity, in some ways. They would look handsome together on the front page of the Daily Prophet."

"Merlin's worm-riddled broom, what does that have to do with whether they would be happy?"

Snape's sharp rejoinder caused Dumbledore to chuckle. He'd guessed it would take more than a few comments to get Snape to speak of Hermione Granger.

"Why should they not be happy? She is a lovely, accomplished witch, he a handsome, wealthy wizard. They have similar values and work well together."

"Miss Granger rejected the relationship when it was offered to her. She does not feel they should suit as er... lovers or marriage partners."

A hint of red crept into Snape's cheeks as he spoke; a flush that Dumbledore was watching for and spotted even through the curtain of Snape's hair.

"How interesting. I know that Mr. Ronald Weasley is not around much... "

"Miss Granger's former husband and his second wife live in Ireland, and have several children now. I believe that keeps him rather busy."

"I hear they're very happy together, which is lovely. Don't you agree?"

Severus rolled his eyes.

"I'm ecstatically happy for them both, you may be sure."

"Hermione and Harry were always more like brother and sister; I never saw the two of them as a romantic pair." Dumbledore was musing now. "Does she not have a teacher with whom she socializes? Someone who makes her heart beat a little faster?"

"Headmaster, I am hardly privy to such information as that."

"But you're in the perfect position to observe her, my boy. Isn't there someone who is a regular visitor to her office out of hours, so to speak?"

Irritated by the questions, Severus snapped, "I am generally the only company Miss Granger has in her office of an evening, Headmaster."

"Does she have a tendresse for you? Is that why she refused Draco?"

"Good Merlin, I hope not. And it would hardly be appropriate for me to gossip about it, regardless."

"Well, of course that's true. One doesn't inquire too closely into a lady's feelings. What about you, Severus?"

"Me?"

"Have you developed a secret passion for Miss Granger?"

"Surely you jest, Headmaster. What have I to offer Miss Granger?" The flush in his cheeks deepened and Albus began to smile. "I hardly think it would be appropriate for me to cherish tender feelings towards her, nor to discuss it if I did, Headmaster."

"Now, now, don't get defensive. I didn't ask if it would be appropriate, Severus, I asked if you love her. She's a charming woman, and I have wondered from time to time whether the two of you might have been a good pair, had things gone differently."

"I agree that Miss Granger is very charming. Any reasonable man would be honored to have her care for him."

"As you have often described yourself as unreasonable, I gain no information regarding your feelings for Hermione Granger, Severus."

It's was like being on the rack, Severus thought desperately. I feel all the muscles stretch beyond endurance and the inquisitor loosens the wheel, only to tighten it once again. Even Cruciatus would be better than this. Snape was sure that Dumbledore would continue to pick at him until he revealed how he truly felt. And really... was it such an evil thing to admit his deep regard for Hermione Granger? Deep regard wasn't an accurate description. He loved her with his entire heart. His feelings for Hermione were so much stronger than anything he'd ever felt for Lily Potter that it seemed ridiculous to call both of them love.

"Severus? Have I pushed you too hard?"

"No." He shook his head and spoke very softly. "I... I love her. But I don't have anything to offer her."

"You can give her love and companionship and understanding, Severus. Those things are important."

He looked up at the aged Headmaster, his eyes widening in shock. "I... No, Headmaster, I can't ever allow her to know how I feel."

"You should more than allow her to know; you should tell her how you feel, Severus."

He shook his head.

"No. I can't interfere in her life. She's a very young woman, she's talented and beautiful and charming. I want her to find someone who makes her happy.

He hesitated. "Perhaps I should ask to have my portrait moved to the dungeons. The Potions classroom, perhaps."

"She is not likely to permit that, if she cares for you." That blasted twinkle was back in Dumbledore's eyes, and for a moment Severus wondered if he could hex the other portrait, given that he had been painted with his wand on the table beside him. Then his face softened. He knew he could not raise his wand against Albus Dumbledore. It had nearly killed him to do it once. Even in jest, he could not do it again.

"Albus, I can't ruin her life as I did Lily's. She won't have time to come to the dungeons every day to speak to me. In time, she would forget how she feels. Loneliness would drive her to associate with others, and she would find someone to care for, someone who would care for her in return."

"Severus, tell me one instant where Hermione Granger has ever forgotten anything important to her? This is nothing like the situation with Lily Evans. " The kindly Headmaster paused, then continued in a gentle voice, "Severus, you cared for Lily Evans more than you ever cared for anyone in your young life. Lily was a charming girl, and she was your first love. But, Severus had you won her from James Potter, had you never turned away from the Light... I do not believe you would have been happy with Lily. She had flaws that you were too entranced to see."

"Even if that were true, Headmaster, I should not allow Miss Granger to continue to care for me, not if that costs her a chance to form a relationship with someone more deserving of her."

"Severus, love isn't about deserving. I have worried for all of your adult life that you would feel as you do: unforgiven and unworthy. Let me tell you now, Severus, that the only forgiveness issue between us is the need for me to ask your forgiveness for all I asked of you. I put a burden on you that ten wizards should not be asked to carry, and you never once let me down. But my demands cost you your happiness. Will you forgive me?"

"Albus, you helped me right the wrongs I had done. You trusted me. If you need my forgiveness you have it, but I would say you have done nothing that requires my pardon."

The old wizard smiled a gentle smile that glowed softly in his eyes. "I thank you, Severus. But my counsel to you is this; you owe Hermione Granger the privilege of choosing for herself. You can't go running away."

"Dumbledore... I can't... What would I even say?"

"Well, you could compose a song in her honor, or write your feelings in verse, but probably I love you, Hermione would do." Severus felt cornered with nowhere to hide. Dumbledore almost made it sound sensible to tell Miss Granger how he felt about her. It was insanity, plain and simple; what would Miss Granger say? What COULD she say? He could imagine it now... He would tell her that he loved her, she would give him a pitying smile, and then there would be a thick black curtain thrown over his picture. When the curtain was opened again, he would find himself turned backwards and stuffed behind a wardrobe in the room of hidden things.

Severus shook his hair back over his face and bowed to Dumbledore.

"I beg you will excuse me. Perhaps I should go and... compose a sonnet in her honor." This conversation had left him completely off balance and horribly confused.

"A sonnet would melt a heart of ice, Severus. I applaud you, dear boy, and shall await the results with interest."

Severus made haste to return to his frame in Hermione's office. Compose a sonnet, indeed. The way he was feeling now, he would be lucky to come up with a limerick, but sarcasm was lost on Albus Dumbledore.

He seated himself at his table and picked up his quill to sketch a frame of nine squares on a sheet of parchment. Tic-Tac-Toe required very little in the way of creativity or even intelligence. It would be a safe enough pastime.

~OoO~

My modifications: The story is written about a portrait and not a ghost. I only borrowed Hermione being in love with Severus from prompt 8.