Part III: Returning to You: Chapter 35

Part Three: Returning to You: Chapter 35

Hermione appeared out of nowhere in the Headmaster's office.

"Gah!" cried Dumbledore as he jumped in his seat, visibly shaken.

He looked over and saw Hermione Granger with a Time-Turner in her fingers.

"I'm getting too old for these surprise visits," he muttered under his breath.

Hermione calmed her own nerves and spoke to Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, it's good to see you again. What have I missed?"

"It depends upon where you've been, my dear," he answered.

She looked at him curiously. "You sent me back to 1977, remember?"

Dumbledore looked her over. "Technically, I didn't send you anywhere. It would seem that the mission you spoke to me about at that time was a success. There was no need for that mission in this timeline."

Hermione stared at Dumbledore in shock. She sunk into the nearby chair, trying to grasp the difficult subject of time travel and its results.

"So, you never sent me away?"

"No," he said.

"Then there are two of me now?"

"Well... no," he said.

She narrowed her eyes and gave him a puzzled look.

"Your counterpart disappeared two days ago without a word to anyone," Dumbledore explained. "We have all been worried about her. It would seem when she reached the time when you left in your reality, she simply ceased to exist. I think the two of you could not exist together, being from the exact same time."

Hermione frowned, not pleased that she had killed herself off in the process of trying to change time. That was certainly something she hadn't planned on before.

"I feel like my head is about to explode," Hermione muttered as she rubbed her temples.

Albus rose from his desk and went over to his book shelf. He perused the titles for a while, passing over large, old tomes and thin, ragged texts. His fingers touched every one until they paused over a medium-sized one with a dark green binding. He pulled the book off the shelf. Hermione saw that the title was simply Time Travel. Albus sat back down and started looking through it while Hermione sat and pondered what she had learned so far.

"Ah!" Dumbledore cried finally.

"Ah?" Hermione repeated.

"Yes, here it is."

He began to read from the book.

"In cases where the subject has changed time drastically, there might be created two of the same subject. Theoretically, the two cannot exist at the same time, or in other words, two of the same subject, from the same time period, cannot exist together. The traveler, when returning to the present, would cause his other self to cease to exist. Some theorists claim that this phenomenon would occur at the time corresponding to the departure of the traveler into the past. Others argue that it would not be until the exact time that the traveler returns to the present that the other subject would disappear."

Dumbledore paused and looked to Hermione. "Well, it would seem that we've answered that mystery, hmm?" He smiled benevolently at her as he watched her sort everything out in her mind.

"So, that would mean I've only missed two days in my present?" she asked him finally.

"Well, it's not your present anymore, I would suspect. As there was no need to send you to the past, the present has obviously changed."

Hermione chewed on that for a minute. "Professor, I'm really confused."

Albus took a piece of parchment and a quill, placing the paper in front of him on the desk. He drew a straight line across the page.

"Pretend this is your timeline," he told Hermione. "You were happily traveling along it until my counterpart sent you back in time." He drew a small circle toward the right end of the line, then an arching line going backwards. He finally placed another circle farther back on the timeline.

"When you traveled back, your future was left up to chance. It's like you erased it."

He took the quill again and scribbled out the line that went forward from the small circle representing Hermione before time travel.

Hermione frowned. "So, not only did I destroy myself, but my entire future?"

Albus looked at her thoughtfully. "You could look at it that way, I suppose, but I'd rather see it as giving yourself and everyone else new possibilities." He went back to his drawing. "So, when you traveled back, it was like you were in a bubble of your own timeline, remembering everything that happened in it. But when you arrived in the past, it started a different time line." Dumbledore drew another line, jutting from her small circle in the past, running diagonally down from the original line. "You began to follow the new timeline."

Hermione watched him closely as he drew, trying to absorb everything he was explaining to her.

"Of course, we are all on this timeline now and are oblivious to anything that happened in your past. You, however, remember everything from your past, having taken that 'bubble' with you."

Hermione nodded.

"When you went back and started the new timeline, this other timeline ceased to exist." He drew a wavy line through the straight line between the two circles. You remember it, but no one else does. In this new timeline, there was no reason to send you back in time, however, in your original timeline there was, so you went back, effectively erasing your original timeline. It's a paradox."

Hermione shook her head vigorously, trying to take it all in.

"Yes, my head is going to explode," she muttered as she listened to Dumbledore continue.

"So, the time between when you left the past," Dumbledore went on, "and appeared in this present has all been rewritten. What happened seems natural to us, but may come as quite a shock to you."

Her brain was quick enough to understand all that Dumbledore said, but it was still a lot to take in all at once.

Hermione stared at the drawing for a while before speaking again. "Well, why don't you tell me what's going on now. Am I still a teacher here?"

"Yes, you are the Arithmancy Professor, which was the same position you held when you arrived in the past, I believe."

She nodded.

"How long have I worked here?"

"Since you graduated, three years ago."

"That hasn't changed either. Is Malfoy still on a rampage to destroy Muggle-borns?"

"No. He is currently the Minister of Magic. As in your past, he usurped his power, taking control secretly. He is a power-hungry zealot, but he has made no mention of Muggle-borns. He wants to control the entire Wizarding population instead."

"So, he's still dangerous."

Dumbledore nodded, "Didn't you tell me, all of those years ago, that you had to confine yourself here in the castle for safety reasons?" he asked.

She nodded.

"You don't need to worry about that now. There are no orders for your death currently on the books."

"So, the plan only partially worked."

"It would seem so."

"Start from the beginning, please. I'm curious as to how things came about."

Dumbledore explained much to her. He told how Voldemort had been defeated by Harry. Hermione sat, listening incredulously, as he explained how Severus had taken part in the battle on their side and had not been attacked by Nagini. She sighed in relief to know that he had survived the war.

He then explained that almost a year before her reappearance, Lucius had taken over the Ministry. He had carefully cultivated friends there, so when Kingsley Shacklebolt had mysteriously disappeared, Lucius had been elected as Minister unanimously. Since then, he had enacted increasingly stricter laws. Regulations on the use of magic were not uncommon. It was now illegal to Apparate anywhere without Ministry approval first, and the Floo network was closely monitored.

The Ministry had become all powerful and had taxed the Wizarding world severely. Those who couldn't pay were subject to work colonies until their debt was paid. Unfortunately, they received no wages at the labor colonies, so unless a relative bailed them out, they could technically remain in the camps forever. Some of the prisoners had died from abuse and poor conditions already.

Anyone who broke even the smallest law had also been sentenced to the labor colonies. Sometimes false charges had been put upon a person because they had spoken against the Minister.

People had to be very careful to whom they spoke these days. They didn't want to disappear in the middle of the night. Supplies and groceries were not always readily available. Some of the poorer families were slowly starving. The Ministry turned a blind eye on this grave problem.

There was an underground resistance, led by the Order. There were small branches in all of Britain which had attempted to assassinate Malfoy several times, but all attempts had failed. Those who had been caught had been executed in the streets.

Hermione listened gravely to everything Albus described. She wasn't sure if she had changed anything for the better. At least in the history she remembered, everyone had enough food, and only the Muggle-borns lived in fear. Now it seemed like Lucius Malfoy had destroyed the Wizarding world completely.

She thought back to the young Lucius Malfoy, who had been upset by his father. He seemed to be a far cry from the megalomaniac that now ran their world. She looked down and sighed.

"Hermione, you did your best," Albus comforted. "Nothing can be predicted when you're messing with time."

She sat silently, feeling responsible for everything.

"It's not your fault. Besides, everyone is not affected. Most people go about their lives normally. It's only those who cannot pay their bills or complain about the leadership that have problems."

"But we have lost our freedoms," Hermione said simply.

"That's quite true, but it seems that there is always someone in our world trying to take away our freedoms. Fret not, Hermione, things will work out. The Order has a plan. Hopefully, this time it will work."

"What is it?"

"I will not discuss it with you today. Get yourself reacquainted with being in this time. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss strategies."

Hermione mulled everything over and nodded at Albus. She hesitated before she spoke again.

"Is Severus still alive?" she asked with fear.

"Oh, yes," Albus said. "He has been the most worried about you of anybody. He thought perhaps you had been abducted and taken to a labor camp."

Hermione frowned. "Is that a possibility?"

"Yes, you have been quite vocal against Mr. Malfoy, but it is very unlikely. As I said, it is not unsafe for you to leave the school. In any case, you had no plans to leave before you disappeared."

"Does Severus hate me?" she asked with trepidation.

Albus gave her a fatherly look. "Of course not, Hermione. Go talk to him, see for yourself how he feels."

Hermione looked at Albus uncertainly. "Is he married?"

"No, he isn't married."

Hermione visibly exhaled.

"Go to him. As I said, he has been worried about you. He will be relieved to see that you are all right."

She rose from her chair and turned to go.

"Oh, and, Hermione?" Dumbledore continued.

She looked back at him.

"It's nice to have you back, finally."

She smiled at him and left. As she descended the many stairs to the dungeons, her heart fluttered. Classes were just dismissing, and the halls were filled with students. Some of them waved and said hi to her. She smiled and greeted them as she went.

The closer she got to Severus' classroom, the more she wanted to run in the opposite direction. She had just seen him a few minutes ago, but he had not seen her for twenty-five years. She feared he would react badly. She desperately hoped that he would not close himself off to her, like he did to everybody else.

Their parting moments before her return flashed through her mind.

"You will see me very soon," Severus whispered.

"You will not," Hermione said sadly.

She'd known in her heart that this was the end of them. How could he wait for her? There was too much time between then and their future reunion. As determined as he may have felt, she'd known that when she appeared in her time, their relationship would be over.

Hermione 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. 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, seeming to memorize 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 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.

Hermione watched as everything faded to black. Her heart broke as Severus disappeared from her sight. As she sped through time, she desperately wished that he could still love her when she returned. She fiercely hoped that their reunion would be sweet and filled with the love they'd had for each other prior to her departure.

She came back to herself as she continued down, down, down to the dungeons. What if he didn't love her anymore? What would she do? Other than throwing herself off the top of the Astronomy Tower, she had no idea. So many things could have happened in the long stretch of time since their separation.

Snap out of it Hermione, she told herself. Even if he doesn't love you anymore, you'll be all right. You'll get over him eventually.

She steeled herself for whatever was to come and continued to his classroom. Finally, she approached the Potions room. The door stood open, and some students were trickling out of it. She waited on the side of the door, her heart pounding in her chest, until it seemed that everyone was gone. She peeked into the classroom and saw Severus speaking with a first-year student. Her heart leapt into her throat at the sight of him.

He looked so handsome in his usual black attire. He always looked so crisp and well put together. His cape couldn't hide how his robes fit his form so nicely. The hint of white from his collar and sleeve cuffs made him look so amazingly dashing. A great desire to run up to him and throw herself into his arms filled her.

She smiled to herself as she admired him. His moves were as graceful as ever. He put some of the ingredients the students had been using back on the shelves as he spoke to his student. She listened in on the conversation.

"Miss Clemmons, you are doing fine. Just because you exploded a cauldron last week does not mean you are a failure at Potions. Lots of people explode cauldrons."

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him. He was being nice to a student who had exploded a cauldron. Had the world suddenly come to an end and she'd missed it?

"But, Professor Snape, it seems that no matter what I do, I can't brew anything right."

Severus put down the bottle he was going to put away and turned to the student.

"Portia, how long have you been studying Potions?"

"For a couple of months, sir."

"Do you think you can learn to do something as complex as potions in a few months."

"No, sir, but everyone else seems to be getting it, why can't I?"

"You lack confidence, Miss Clemmons. If you would just believe in yourself, you would have no problems brewing whatsoever."

"No, I'm just not cut out for it, sir."

"You know Professor Granger, right?"

Hermione's eyes widened. Portia nodded.

"Believe it or not, she lacked confidence in herself as a student also. It wasn't until she realized she had the instinct to create things from her own head that she really began to excel in potions making."

Hermione listened as Severus comforted the girl and complimented her at the same time.

Portia looked at him skeptically. "I can't imagine Professor Granger ever lacking confidence, Professor Snape. She knows everything about everything."

"Yes, it's hard to believe," he said dryly. "But, Portia, I see the same abilities in you. You are young and inexperienced. Give yourself time, and have some confidence in yourself. Things will become easier."

"But what if they don't?"

"I'll tell you what, if things are still difficult in a month, we'll set up some tutoring sessions, hmm? How does that sound."

Portia beamed at him. "Thank you, Professor. I really appreciate it."

She turned and headed for the door. She noticed Hermione standing there and turned red as she passed by.

"Hello, Professor Granger," she mumbled as she quickly exited the classroom.

"Hello, Miss Clemmons," Hermione said.

oooOOOooo

Severus whipped around and stared at Hermione before walking to her. He came up close to her and looked her up and down. Hermione felt like cowering before him.

"Hermione, thank Merlin! Why did you leave without telling anybody where you were going? We were worried!"

"I... um..." she said.

Severus' hand reached out and grasped her arm. "You could have been attacked by Lucius' men. You need to be more careful!"

Hermione looked up at him and flashed a smile.

"Severus..."

Severus' grasp tightened on her arm. The way she looked at him and smiled, the way she said his name. It was as if his Hermione was standing there in front of him. He felt his heart break once again at her absence. He couldn't help but look to this Hermione with disappointment before he turned around and headed for his private brewing lab.

oooOOOooo

Hermione caught her breath. Why had he looked at her like that? Did he know it was her? Was he sorry she had returned? He had moved on, she just knew it. Twenty-five years was too long. How could he still love her after all of that time?

Hermione felt her heart clench in her chest and tears well up in her eyes. She had known all along that Severus and she could never be. But Hermione had been the one who had encouraged him to move on. Why did it hurt so much now to realize that he had? She mentally shook herself. Hermione Granger would not fall apart in front of this man whom she adored. She would take the truth and move on. Trying to be brave, she unobtrusively wiped her tears and put on a happy face.

"Well, come," Severus said hurriedly over his shoulder. "We don't have much time, and you need to start the Wolfsbane Potion so it will be ready for the end of the month."

"Oh, I can't do that by myself," she muttered.

Severus stopped and turned back around from the direction of the lab.

"Hermione, how many times have we had this conversation? You are a Potions mistress now. You are more than capable of brewing Wolfsbane by yourself for heaven's sake."

A Potions mistress? That was news.

Hermione realized that Severus had no idea it was her. Her hopes for their future together grew again. She tried to tell him who she was, but he hurried away before she could say a word. Following him into his lab, Hermione watched as Severus turned and regarded her slyly.

"You didn't go talk to Ron, did you? Whenever you do, you come back doubting your abilities."

"I do?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, you do," he said to her in exasperation. "He invariably says something that belittles you, and you spend days wondering if it's true. I assure you, whatever he told you is a bunch of bunk. Hermione, it's been six months since you broke up with him. When are you going to fully realize that he has treated you shabbily from the beginning and he's nothing but a prat?"

"Six months?" Hermione gasped. She hadn't been seeing Ron for years in the past she remembered.

"Yes, I know you were together for three years. I know you loved him at some point, but he is too much of a dullard to stimulate you. You need someone in your life that will appreciate you and not be jealous of every man who looks at you. I was happy to see you finally get some backbone and tell him where to go."

"Three years! How could I be so stupid?"

He looked over at her and smiled. "That's what I kept thinking."

Her eyes snapped to his. He was grinning at her slyly.

"I guess time travel took away some of my brain cells," she murmured, waiting for his reaction.

She saw shock in his face. "Did you just say time travel?" he asked warily.

"Yes."

"Time travel... as in 1977?" he asked, looking anxious.

"Yes, time travel, as in I told you not to wait for me."

oooOOOooo

Severus' eyes grew wide. Everything fell into place. The beautiful smile, the way she said his name, it was his Hermione. She had returned... finally! He looked her up and down and rushed over to her. "Hermione? My Hermione?"

"Yes, your Hermione," she said with a little laugh.

He tentatively reached out and touched her face. He swept over it with his eyes, unable to believe that she truly stood before him... His Hermione. Looking and looking at her, feeling the soft skin of her cheek on his fingertips, he remembered how he'd reveled in touching her when they'd been together in the past. He'd longed for this moment for what seemed to be a lifetime, and now it was finally here.

"But you never left," he whispered.

"It was a time paradox," she explained. "Evidently, I changed the past enough to bypass a time loop altogether."

"I'd wondered if that would happen," Severus mused quietly while continuing to caress her face.

Coming back to the matter at hand, he stared intensely into Hermione's eyes. His hands settled on her waist, pulling her close. Lifting her up, he twirled her around in the air before setting her down again. His mouth came down upon hers, and he kissed her passionately. Severus felt a shiver run through her body as he pulled her closer and cradled her head in his hands while pressing his mouth against her lips. She slinked her arms around him and kissed him back.

Having Hermione pressed against him once again, Severus felt as if he were in heaven. His life was back. He kissed her with everything he had. Twenty-five years of longing was poured into that one kiss. Feeling her mouth pressing against his, shockwaves coursed throughout his body. She was here, and she was his again.

He kissed her as if she had never left. He kissed her as if she was the most precious thing on the Earth. He kissed her until he needed to breathe. Finally pulling away from her, he rested his forehead on hers.

"I have dreamt of this moment for twenty-five years," he whispered.

She smiled at him. "I was just hoping you didn't hate me after all of this time."

He pulled her close to him again. "I could never hate you, my love. It was thoughts of you that kept me going throughout the war."

She pulled his head to hers and kissed him again. He pressed against her, trying to take her into himself. He never wanted to let her go again. At long last, Severus drew away and looked at her. His hand shook as he caressed her cheek once more. His eyes were filled with rapture at her return. He looked at her and drank in the features he hadn't been able to touch for twenty-five years. His hand explored her face as if he had never seen it before.

Here she was, standing in front of him again, her eyes mirroring his image in them. He looked into those eyes and saw her adoration. She still wanted him, even though he was much older now. She still loved him. He could see it in her eyes.

"I was so scared you had moved on, Severus," Hermione muttered.

"Never... It seems that I have lived only for this day." Running his fingers through her hair, he continued. "How I have longed to have you with me, my love. These years have been torture without you."

Hermione closed her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Severus. I wish you had never had to go through that."

"Don't say that, Hermione. Look at who I would be now without you. You have given me everything."

"As have you, my love," Hermione agreed.

They kissed again, and it was as passionate as it had been twenty-five years before. Severus held her, never wanting to release her. He worshiped her mouth and tasted her sweet kisses. He had waited a lifetime for this moment, and he was not going to rush anything with her. He savored every second as their lips pressed against each other and their tongues danced together. Too soon, they were interrupted.

oooOOOooo

"Hey, Severus, I wonder if I could ask..."

Severus and Hermione pulled apart and turned to the intruder. Harry Potter stood there gaping.

"Oy, were you two just kissing?" he asked stupidly.

Hermione smiled widely at him. She hadn't seen him in so long, and of course, the first thing out of his mouth was something dumb. She ran over and hugged him.

"Oh, Harry! I've missed you so much!" she cried.

"Hermione, you see me every day," he mumbled. "Stop trying to change the subject. When did you and Severus become an item?"

She pulled back and looked at Severus.

"Two minutes ago, so I would like it if you left us in peace for a minute," Severus snapped at him.

Harry laughed. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry I interrupted you. This is a school you know, and the door was open. Anybody could have walked in here and saw the two of you snogging. What kind of teacher conduct is that?" He chuckled at the two of them.

Hermione looked at him curiously. "You're not upset?"

Harry looked at her strangely. "Why would I be upset that my two best friends hooked up finally? I've been hoping you guys would do this for years now."

Hermione felt like she was going to faint. Had he said Severus was his best friend? She felt two strong arms supporting her as she swayed. Severus looked down at her with concern. She looked back at him and mouthed the words, Best friends? He gave her a thin smile and looked at Harry.

"I think Hermione is tired from her trip. She just got back. Perhaps we can continue this lovely conversation later?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure, I've got a Defense class to teach in a few minutes anyway. I'll see you around, Severus, Hermione." Looking at Hermione, he continued, "I'm glad you're back, Hermione, we were all worried. You shouldn't run off like that without telling anyone where you're going." He turned and walked off.

Hermione turned to Severus. "You two are best friends? How on Earth did that happen? And what happened to Ron and him? Harry teaches Defense against the Dark Arts now?"

"Those are all stories for later. I have a class to teach, and you are tired. You should go to your room and get some rest. I have a free period after that, I will see you then."

Hermione threw her arms around him. "Can I observe your class? Please? Then you won't have to hunt me down when it's over."

He kissed her, and then he kissed her again. "All right, but if you start to feel lightheaded again, you'll need to go lie down."

"Yes, sir," she said smiling.

They headed back into the classroom, which was still empty. "So, when did I become a Potions mistress?"

"You finished your studies almost a year ago." He answered.

She frowned. "How am I going to pull that one off?"

"I will teach you again."

She got closer to him as students started trickling into the room.

"Severus, I can't be a Potions mistress, I don't have that in me," she whispered anxiously.

"You were an amazing student the first time, I have no doubt you will exceed yourself this time."

"You taught me before?"

He nodded his head.

"I thought you never took apprentices."

He got close to her and whispered in her ear. "That was a different Severus Snape."

Shivers went down her spine as he whispered to her. She looked up at him searchingly and found him smiling at her openly. She raised an eyebrow at him and turned and took her place in the back of the class.

Soon the period began, and the third years set to work brewing their potions. She watched as Severus wandered around the classroom and gave hints and ideas here and there. There was no anger or malice in his tone. He was helpful to everyone, even to the children who seemed to be having the most difficulty.

Severus glanced back at Hermione often, as if he couldn't believe that she was really sitting in his classroom, waiting for him to finish so they could be together again. Hermione's heart leapt at his glances. He had waited for her, and she couldn't be more thrilled about that.

Hermione looked to the side and noticed two students in the back of the room, their heads together, whispering furiously. Severus had noticed too, and snuck up behind them. He took their heads and pushed them forward, almost dipping them into their cauldrons.

"This is a Potions class, not study hall," he griped at them.

Hermione smirked, remembering a similar situation between Severus, Ron, and Harry in her past. It seemed he still had no patience for disruption in his class. She thought back to his conversation with Portia Clemmons. He had been calm and encouraging. All things considered, this was certainly not the Severus Snape she had left behind. This was a caring teacher who wanted to see his students succeed. She marveled at him. He was more of the man she remembered from 1977 than he was of the man she remembered from the present. That excited her to no end.

---

A/N: Next up: Getting to know you... again.

I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sorry to have killed off Hermione, but she will not be forgotten, nor will her experiences. That will be addressed in a future chapter. Were you surprised at Lucius' outcome?

I really appreciate all of your wonderful comments and the excitement you have shown for this story. And to those of you who don't review, I see you're out there and appreciate you just clicking and reading. Please enjoy this segment and don't forget to review.