Chapter 2

Once inside his personal chambers, she was relieved. She needed to sit down. Her thoughts were closing in on her once again. She glanced around his living quarters. They were not much different from Professor McGonagall's. His were decorated in Slytherin green and silver though. Very nice, she thought. She watched as he sat across from her and summoned a glass and a liquor bottle to him. He drank deeply before looking at her.

"I would like some," she blurted, knowing she had never had any in her life. The most she had ever had to drink was butterbeer...and that wasn't even an alcoholic beverage.

"You are too young," he sneered.

"I am eighteen, Professor, and I only have my N.E.W.T.s left. I am about to go into the past to try to talk to you." She sighed. "I think I deserve some."

He nodded once and summoned a glass for her. She took a sip and choked. He smirked. "Not as good as you thought, is it?"

She patted her chest wildly. "No, I suppose not." Then she giggled.

It warmed him. This was familiar to him as well. He watched as she kicked off her shoes and curled her legs under her.

"So, where do we start?"

He got up and went to his bed. He reached down and pulled out a chest. He brought the chest back to where she was. Opening it slowly with an incantation, he pulled out a box and a letter. "I had almost forgotten about this." His voice was different. She'd never heard him sound so... normal. Nice. "Is this from you?"

She looked at the writing on the letter. "Yes."

"I can see that it is your writing now that I think of it. Part of me always wondered what happened to that girl. I can barely make out her face in my memories. I can hear her though. She sounded a bit French to me. She told me that I had to wait until a certain date to open this and that it would all make sense to me then. She told me that we had agreed it was best not to remember." His expression was priceless. He looked human. There was no scowl, no sneer, no sarcasm.

She moved forward in her chair and placed a hand on side of his cheek. He closed his eyes and brought up his hand to cover hers. "Mione..." he whispered. Emotion filled her. Had he fallen in love with her when she'd gone back to the past? It couldn't be. Suddenly, he released her hand and jumped back as if he'd been burned. "I... I am sorry."

"Don't be. Now, tell me what I need to do to get close you," she said softly.

He looked at her oddly. A young, beautiful woman asking how she could get close to him? Some days he would have loved to hear that fall from someone's lips, but he knew better than to hope or to love. Everyone he'd ever cared about that way had died.

"Let me just tell you about myself," he said, able to pierce her with his eyes. He was glad that his voice had once again returned to normal state. "I liked no one. I trusted no one. You will not be able to just waltz up to me and think to become my friend. I am a Slytherin through and through. Don't forget that."

He went on to talk about Marilyn. She was his cousin who had returned home near the end of his seventh year. Her parents had been killed, and he was her only living relative. She had been a year older than him, and she'd been able to visit him at Hogsmeade on his weekend passes. He remembered her most fondly and trusted her with all his heart. The Dark Lord had killed her just before Severus had graduated, which ironically led to his joining him. He was not afraid to be killed. He just felt that he had nobody. His parents were dead, though he could honestly say he only missed his mother. His father had been a very hard man. He hadn't minded beating or hexing his own family to ensure his will was filled.

He had loved one woman. It was not as Hermione had suspected. He'd been in love with Lily. They had become friends, but he could never have dated her openly because of his father. His father had been a firm believer that only purebloods should wed. Lily had told him she would not wait for him forever. And she hadn't. By the time his father had died, she was dating James Potter, whom he hated above all others: Potter had always made him look like a fool, Potter who'd married, bedded, and created a child with Lily.

It was why he disliked Harry. He looked like his father, even acted like his father sometimes. Harry should have been his child. He could have made Lily happy. She might still be alive. Harry's eyes were so much like hers. He could barely stand to see them because it spelled out betrayal to him. She should have waited. She should have loved him enough.

Hermione let him ramble on without interrupting him. He seemed to need to get this off his chest. They had moved from their chairs to the couch while he talked. She poured him another glass of whiskey and sipped on her own. He'd joined the Dark Lord and was his potions brewer, though he did participate in things that other Death Eaters did. When he'd found out about the Prophecy and the Dark Lord's plans, he'd gone to Dumbledore. He had already been hired as Potions master at Hogwarts, which the Dark Lord had requested of him, but he'd turned sides and worked as a double agent.

He'd not been able to save his beloved Lily. She'd been betrayed by that damn Wormtail. They'd thought the Potters would be safe. His heart hardened after that, for his Lily was gone. Only her son remained. And though he owed a life debt to Potter, he owed it to Lily to look after her son. So, that is why no matter what, he would always give all of himself to protect Harry. Even if he didn't like him.

"You must think me an old fool," he said softly. Hermione was now sitting close to him in the middle of the couch. They had somehow scooted closer together. He felt oddly comfortable. He'd never allowed anyone to get close to him... since Lily. He'd never told so much of himself to anyone... aside from Dumbledore of course. He'd bedded many women, but those times of sex were not intimate. This was intimate.

"No, Professor. I think you are lonely. I can understand completely why you are the way you are. I have always found you fascinating. Such a brain, always trying to get us to better ourselves. Though you are a bit hard on everyone, I'd say it is your own way of dealing with your lot in life." She patted his hand softly.

He didn't feel as though she pitied him. He felt as though she truly understood. Her eyes gave away so much of what she was feeling. He had the urge to kiss her, but he didn't. "We've been talking for hours. Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I am. Whatever you would like to eat is fine with me," she said softly. She watched as he went to his fireplace. He Flooed in an order. He seemed softer. She watched as he peeled off his robes. He was left in only his black trousers and a crisp black button up shirt. Out of his robes, she was able to appreciate him for what he was. He was a large man: tall and broad with strong arms (that carried her all the way from the forest to the castle earlier). The best thing was his sharp mind. She could see herself talking to him for hours on worthwhile subjects. He would not make fun of her for her ideas or for going to the library for research. They had more in common than she had ever imagined.

She and Ron had dated for a couple of months, but they'd realized that friendship was better. Ah, friends. Harry, Ron, and Hermione: the Golden Trio as most called them. Ron had to go off without them though, and he was killed. She didn't know if she could ever forgive him for that. He should have listened to Dumbledore.

"Are you all right?" Snape asked, interrupting her thoughts. He wiped tears off her cheek gently.

When had he become so... attractive?

"I was thinking that I would have liked to have been able to save Ron. We were only best friends, but I feel his loss deeply."

"What of Harry?" Snape questioned.

"Harry is my other best friend. He's all I have left anymore. Soon, he and Ginny will marry once this is over. Then, I will be alone. Much as you were," she whispered, mostly to herself. Severus kneeled down in front of her.

"You'll never be alone, Mione. Ever." He leaned in closely. He had to kiss her. To let her know everything was fine. A loud pop broke them apart.

"Dobby is here. Dobby is bringing you dinner. Harry Potter's friend, an honor it is to see you again." Dobby gave her a warm grin.

"Hi, Dobby!" she said and went to take the tray from him.

"No, Dobby will be placing this on the table and be back later to takes it away." With a pop, he was gone. Hermione grinned.

Damn! Snape thought. Meddling house-elf came and ruined the moment. The moment? She was a student for Merlin's sake! He'd have to be sure that never happened. He mentally distanced himself from her. "Let's eat, Miss Granger."

They ate nearly all that Dobby had brought them before she spoke. "Professor...?"

"Yes?"

"I need to use the loo." She smiled sheepishly.

"It's just there beyond that door." He pointed. It was nearly three in the morning. How had timed passed so quickly? She would have to leave tomorrow no doubt. It must be why she had dated their letters and his package to a specific time. Voldemort must have his potion brewing. He blinked when she came out. She had transfigured her shirt and jeans to a nightshirt and shorts.

"Sorry, I wanted to be comfortable."

"It's quite all right. We have so much to go over, but I fear a bit of rest is what we need. We can rest for a couple of hours and get back to it," he said, softer than he would have liked. He watched as her eyes went to his bed. "I'll sleep on the couch."

She nodded.

Damn! He liked to sleep in the buff. He would have to settle for his boxers though. And, yes, it was inappropriate, but he needed comfort as well. He watched as she tucked herself in, and he went to the bathroom to change. When he came out, she was sleeping already, breathing lightly. He pushed back a strand of hair from her face.

"Professor?" she called sleepily as he turned away.

He looked back to her.

"Would you... Could you stay with me? I... You make me feel safe." He nodded, and she smiled.

He would just lie with her a few moments until she was sleeping again. Then he would make his way to the couch. He slid in next to her, careful not to get too close.

"Nox," he said. The last of the lights went out. Many things were going through his mind. A student was in his bed! Damn! No, a woman was in his bed! No, a much too young woman with a brilliant mind and her whole life ahead of her was in his bed. He was definitely too old for her. But he'd not cross the line. He wouldn't. This was innocent, and as the Headmaster had pointed out, she was of age. She could make her own decisions. Nobody knew what the next few days would bring. He deserved to feel at least one night of comfort himself. She, this girl, had saved his life by writing that letter to Dumbledore. The button Portkey had been her idea. He froze as she moved closer, putting her head on his shoulder, an arm around his waist, and a leg over his. He had to bite back emotions to ensure an erection would not take place. Soon he drifted off with her.

Hermione awoke some time later. She felt a warm chest pressed to her back, a strong arm encircling her, and a muscular leg tangled between hers. So, this is what it felt like to wake up with a man. She had never before done that. Well, she had slept in the same place as Ron and Harry, but it was more like camping out with friends. They had never held her. Just as she was deciding that she could become used to this, he woke up. He quickly pulled away from her, and she felt him get out of the bed. She couldn't see him, as there were no windows in the dungeons, but once he got to the loo a light came on.

She watched him through half-opened eyes. He had on boxer shorts only. She could see his body clearly. Very impressive. He had a sexy mass of dark hair on his chest, and a dark line of it disappeared into his boxers. What would it be like to trace that path with her fingers? Nice arse as well, she thought. The door closed and the vision was gone. She heard the water running a moment later and decided it was time to get up. She could still smell him on her clothes. Male soap and spice. So manly.

Did she have feelings for him suddenly? Was he what she had been searching for all this time? Don't be ridiculous! This is Snape. He's just being nice so that I can go back in time and meet him. Together they would fix this. Somehow. She was very curious to see what she had written to him and placed in that package. She got up and found her wand at the bedside table.

"Lumos," she said softly. His lamps lit the room. She made her way to a mirror. She didn't look too bad considering they'd not had too much sleep. The bathroom door opened. Severus was once again in his forbidding stance, dark robes around his body billowing as he moved forward. He raised an eyebrow at her appraisal.

"I'll just be a moment," she said, blushing terribly, as she moved past him to the bathroom. He had caught her staring at him! Openly staring. And the bad part was... he was in full professor mode. The sarcastic, cold Snape was back. Had she only dreamed that they had bonded last night? As quickly as she could, she washed up and Transfigured her clothes into fresh ones. When she came out, he had the table set up with breakfast. Toast and juice only.

"We have a lot to discuss today, Miss Granger," he said, his mood dark as ever. "Let's eat and get started, shall we?"

She nodded and sat across from him. She decided to act as normally as possible. If he wouldn't mention that she had slept in his arms, then neither would she. After she drank the last of her juice, he made eye contact with her.

"Ready?" He smirked.

"Yes. Tell me what I need to do."

He nodded appreciatively, noticing that she would not let anything come between her and her duty. "When I was in school here, I hated show offs." He cocked an eyebrow at her.

She knew he was thinking that she was qualified as one.

"But I admired intelligence. Miss Granger, you need to not try so how to show me how intelligent you are. Let me find out on my own. I spent much of my time in the library, not unlike yourself. I was a very private person. I won't take to prying. I think it would be better if you accidentally bumped into me. Start off slow and befriend me. I can't have you rushing up to me and blurting all of this. I would hex you."

She smiled. "I understand, sir. I will do this no matter how long it takes. I won't disappoint you. In fact, I must do something right if I was able to write letters, right?"

He conceded. "Perhaps you are correct. Just please, don't be a show off to me. Be brave, be smart, be a friend to me as you are to Potter, and you will fill every desire I had concerning friendship, though I would never have voiced it aloud."

She nodded.

"Once you have my trust, then you will set me down and tell me everything that will come. Do not mention Lily's death to me under any circumstances. It would ruin everything. Just tell me that I devised something, and we have to work together to add a magic depreciating formula to it. Try not to give away too much. Then you will give... me a letter from me. I will tell myself that it is imperative to do the mind charms. One to forget you. One to forget what I have created."

"Professor, why don't I just tell you not to write it in the diary?" she queried.

"We cannot alter what has happened up until now, Miss Granger. Do not try to change anything... please. We are counting on you," he implored.

"What do you suggest we add to your potion to make someone's magic depreciate?" she asked.

"Now you are speaking my language." He gave her a grin and brought her to his office. "Here are some variations that I have made. I do not know what type of potion I have made in the past to get through Apparation wards as strong as Hogwarts has, but not just any thing will mix with it I am sure. You will show these to me, and together I think we will come up with something that works."

That was a compliment to her. He felt that she was smart enough to help him with this. "And once we complete this, I make sure that he does the charms. Then I come home?"

"Yes. Look at this," he said, pulling a timepiece from his pocket.

"It's a pocket watch."

"Not just any pocket watch. The Headmaster nicked it from the Ministry back in your fifth year when your lot went to take on Lucius. It was damaged somehow, but through research, Albus and I were able to fix it. Hoping that we would never need it yet knowing that we probably would. Of course, I realize now that he knew we would need it. He remembered you from my days, though he says he pushed thoughts of you aside. He knew." Snape smiled triumphantly.

Hermione loved his smile. He did it so rarely that she felt blessed to witness it. He went on explaining how it worked, and he showed her how to set it to the exact date and time she would need to return. It was fairly simple. Almost like setting a Muggle alarm clock with a calendar of sorts built in.

"I can do this," she reassured him hours later. He had written a letter to himself for her to bring. She gathered all of her notes and his papers that she was to take with her.

"Let's go up to the Headmaster. He'll have instructions of course," he said, his professor persona returning. On the way to see Dumbledore, they paused near the Great Hall. Harry was there dueling with a fully recovered Flitwick. She remembered that Flitwick used to be a dueling champion. Harry was not giving an inch, though both looked tired. She saw that other wizards had come. They were practicing duels as well.

Hermione smiled proudly at Harry. He had come so far in these years that she had known him. How she wished that Ron would be there as well. She'd not let Harry down. They would live for Ron. For all who died in this horrible war.

"Are you... are you in love with him?" Snape asked. His voice had reverted back to the one he had used the night before, and there was something odd in his eyes.

"I told you. He is my best friend. I love him, but only as a brother. We just need each other's support now more than ever. I am proud of him," she said honestly, looking into Snape's eyes.

"As am I," he said softly. Then he jumped as if caught doing something illegal.

"Miss Granger, how are you?" Minerva asked, glancing between Severus and Hermione uneasily. Did she think that Snape would have killed her? Seduced her?

Hermione smiled warmly. "I feel prepared, thanks to Professor Snape. I can do this."

Minerva seemed reassured and followed them to the Headmaster's office.

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AN: I know I promised a chapter each day, but a darn hurricane is headed this way. So I've been preparing for that.

And thanks go to the lovely ladyinthecloak for reading over this. Any mistakes and cheese you see belongs to me.