Chapter 3

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

"Come in. Have a seat."

Dumbledore sat as well. He ruffled through some papers. "This is an envelope to myself. I am instructing myself to not ask questions, to let you do your job, and to be sure you are placed in Slytherin with your own dorm. You are to be known as Mione Dorset. The Dorsets are purebloods who moved to France once things started happening. They are also long distance cousins of mine. No one will question that you were sent home to me for safety. No one will know if they had a daughter your age or not."

"Thank you, sir. I do speak French fluently. I liked how Fleur sounded and decided to learn it for myself."

Dumbledore smiled indulgently. "Miss Granger, you will see and hear many things. As I am sure Severus instructed, you are not to change anything. Do what you are there for. You will be in Slytherin. Therefore, you need to act like one. Try not to mingle with Gryffindors, though you may be compelled to do so. Think like a pureblood. Other than a misplaced affection for me, you are to act accordingly."

"I understand. Should I pretend to be Malfoy then?" She giggled. "Just kidding, sir. I understand." She saw that Snape narrowed his eyes at her.

"I am giving you money, and we will transfigure your robes to be those of Slytherin. You will keep them in your trunk of course until you are settled in-"

"Albus!" Minerva interrupted. "I remember your cousin! She was... indeed a Slytherin." Her cheeks turned pink. "Sorry, Hermione, but I do remember you now. It's been over twenty years, but I always thought Albus sent you back to France to keep you from joining Voldemort! I wondered why Severus never spoke of you again. Why, I remember the two of you together now clear as day. You used to-"

"Minerva," Dumbledore said, cutting her off. "I am afraid that I put a slight spell on you when I knew that Miss Granger would start school here. It changed your memory of her features until you would discover her true purpose. It is why you can now see her in your mind so well."

"But, Severus," Minerva continued, "do you not... Can you not remember her now?"

Snape sneered. "I bloody well cannot. I can only vaguely remember a girl instructing me about that damn box and letter in my chambers. I barely remember doing a few potions with her. Nothing more."

"But you and she..."

"Enough, Minerva. Remember she must go into the past without any true knowledge of what she actually did there. We don't want Severus here to be uncomfortable about knowing a student in his youth." He looked at her sternly.

Minerva sat back as if she had been slapped. She then looked from Hermione to Severus oddly.

"Merlin...." she whispered.

Dumbledore grinned.

Hermione looked horrified.

Snape snorted. Was she implying that he and Granger had been lovers? No way. He would have remembered. When he thought of the past, he thought of Lily. "Really, Minerva. Is it so bad that a Gryffindor would befriend a Slytherin, namely me? Or is it the thought that she played a Slytherin so well?"

She sat forward as if she would hex him for his cheek, but then she thought against it. She looked to Hermione sadly. "Are you sure that you... are prepared for this?"

Hermione nodded. Why was her mentor acting so oddly? Had she been that bad? She grinned. "Indeed a Slytherin, eh?"

They all chuckled.

"You will need to leave this evening, Miss Granger. Severus and I will open our letters tonight to see what you have to say to us. Hopefully, it will be good news. I have trusted wizards, Aurors, and some older students Flooing in today. We will be ready for Voldemort regardless. I think it will be he who is surprised when he comes."

"All right. I think I will go to Harry for a bit." She stood up and nodded to her professors. She caught Snape's eyes before she left. He was looking at her with longing. What was that about? Did he wish that maybe they could have had a chance to become closer before now? They did work well together. She put up with his snide remarks and snarky demeanor better than anyone else. Apart from the staff, that was. She left to find Harry.

Severus looked at McGonagall as soon as Granger was gone. "Out with it!"

Dumbledore laughed deeply, and Minerva went red. "I couldn't," she said, looking weak.

"What do you know, Minerva?" he asked in a deadly voice.

"Severus, I can't believe that a charm would keep you from remembering her. You were lovers. I walked in on you two snogging more times than not, and I will say that I was on the receiving end of a sharp tongue from her," she said softly, still in shock. "This Mione Dorset was, I would say, your perfect mate."

He jumped up from his chair. "Unbelievable! You can't send her back there! I can't... bed... a student!"

Minerva and Dumbledore both began laughing heartily. "She's not a student of yours in the past, Severus. And it is she who must go back."

Severus sat back down. Hermione Granger. She would come back knowing him personally, sexually. Merlin! "How can I face her when she comes back?"

Dumbledore spoke. "That is for the two of you to work out. She will be the only one with the memories of it, of course, and I am sure she will not ask you for anything, Severus. I will give her the choice of remembering or forgetting as you have."

Snape nodded. He had to get out of here. He bolted from the office, leaving their laughter in his wake. Damn! He didn't know for sure or not, but he thought she was a virgin since she had as much as told him she'd not slept with Harry or Weasley. It was he who would take her virginity. And he couldn't even remember it! He almost slapped himself. Some part of him did remember her now. Seeing her as she was these days, it was how she'd looked in his past. He could almost see her face. Almost. Suddenly a flash went through his memories.

Her lips just grazing his. Her lying under him. Her hair drenched with sweat, as was his. 'I love you,' the younger version of himself whispered to her.

Snape jumped. What the fuck? No. That couldn't be a memory. Just some... some fantasy brought on by damn Albus and Minerva!! Something felt right about it though. He had been in love with Hermione Granger over twenty years ago. How could he have forgotten her? How could he face her once she came back after all the things he had done to her and her friends in this time? Would she want to remember, or would she want to have herself charmed to forget as he had been? Damn!

He rounded the corner and saw her and Potter walking down the corridor: her arm around his waist, his around her shoulders. If this wouldn't have come about, maybe Potter would have broken things off with Ginny Weasley and ended up with Hermione. Unless...

Severus saw the way she'd looked at him earlier, how she'd snuggled into his arms. Could she have feelings for him now as well? Is that what prompted her to be with the younger version of him? Was it possible to be as friendly as she and Potter were without having those kinds of feelings? Damn! He would give anything to remember her better from his youth. He went to his dungeon to ponder this over some whisky.

He concentrated on his 'memory' of her earlier. Her soft brown eyes looking into his, half dreamy. Her lips moving an inch closer to find his for a soft kiss. His hands on either side of her head, holding the bulk of his weight off her, though he knew they were still connected intimately. He could almost feel the sweat sliding down his back. He could see it dampening her hairline. I love you he'd told her.

She smiled like no woman had ever smiled at him. 'I will always love you, Severus. No matter where I am or who we are to each other,' she said.

The memory was gone. Tears sprang to his eyes. He had not cried since Lily had died. They had indeed been lovers. He must have loved her then. He had trusted her fully and completely. Those words of love had never left his lips--so he'd thought anyway. Not even for Lily's ears to hear. From the expression on her face and the sound of her voice, he knew she would come back through time in love with him. But it wouldn't be him. It would be who he used to be. He was an old enough to be her father.

He would not allow her to waste her youth on him. She had many years ahead of her. Many men who would gladly have her. His hand closed tightly on his tumbler, and it shattered. His mind seemed to not want to see her with anyone else. He was strong. He would fight this. Hell, all he had was that one memory. It would be Hermione he would have to convince. She would need to take that memory charm to put that portion of her life in the past.

Severus. The way she'd said his name. It rolled off her lips as if it belonged there. Merlin! What would he say to her? How could he face her?

"Professor!"

It was her.

"Your hand is bleeding." She ran to him and pulled his hand into hers. He snatched it away, not meeting her eyes. "Let me help you."

Reluctantly, he allowed her to hold his hand while she did healing and cleaning charms on him. He looked at her, her face full on concentration, inspecting his hand. She looked into his eyes then, and he saw it. The expression. The beautiful smile. She cared for him. He would never be rid of her. Hell, he was having trouble pulling Lily's face into view. Lily who? He chuckled and cupped her cheek with his free hand. He then realized that he was seated all the way back in his chair. She was kneeling on the floor between his legs, holding his hand. He wanted to move, but couldn't.

"I won't let you down, Professor." She moved closer as if she wanted to say something else.

He met her half way. His lips barely pressed against hers. He felt her tremble under his hand, and when he tried to pull away, her hand pulled him back, and she kissed him. This time he opened his mouth, and they kissed deeply. The intensity of that kiss undid him. She wanted him as he was. Before she met him as a young man. Before she knew anything. Unknowingly, he gathered her onto his lap. Both of her arms had snaked around him and were holding him prisoner. His mouth left hers, and he trailed kisses to her neck.

She smelled good. She smelled like his favorite fragrance--a potion that he'd created many years ago. His eyes flew open. She was why he'd made that potion. Part of him remembered her scent. He pushed her back roughly, but didn't let her fall onto the floor.

"I'm sorry," he said, voice hoarse, full of emotion. He helped her to her feet and sprang up. "Tell no one." He hurried to the loo to hide from her.

Hermione watched him enter the bathroom. They had just shared the most amazing kiss. She had never felt that way when she'd snogged anyone before. Professor Snape! She wanted more. How could he just take off that way!??? Then she realized that she was a student. He felt that he had crossed over the line. Well, once she was back from the past, they would have to explore this more thoroughly. She had never felt this way. Ever. Even Ron's kisses hadn't made her... want sex. She wouldn't pressure him. She would finish her N.E.W.T.s, and in a few weeks, she would no longer be a student. In fact, Dumbledore had already asked her if she would fill poor Professor Sinistra's vacancy. She had no place else to go. She was an orphan. This was her home. She would see Severus Snape in this light again.

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Dinner was pleasant. They ate in the Great Hall. More and more wizards had come. Voldemort would have a surprise indeed. He would not catch anyone off guard. And, if they were lucky, none of these people would give their lives up. She and Severus, the younger, would see to it to add something to the potion formula that would drain their magic. Professor Snape hadn't talked to her since their kiss, and he was paying close attention to his plate. She could see that he was embarrassed about it. She wondered why he had broken his glass in the first place, which had started everything.

Ginny and Molly came in then. Ginny was worriedly searching for Harry. She gave a cry of relief when she saw him and Hermione sitting at the staff table with the professors that were present. Ginny nearly barreled Harry over. Hermione had to scoot out of the way or Harry would have knocked her over.

"I was so worried, Harry!"

Molly embraced Hermione. "Are you all right, dear?" she asked in her motherly tone.

Hermione's eyes watered. Ron's mum. She had lost two sons within the last couple of weeks. How could she handle it? The look of concern, pain, and understanding she saw in Molly's eyes broke her down. She began sobbing. The tears she hadn't rightly wept for Ron came in droves. Molly didn't cry; she just held her tighter and said soothing words.

"I know, Hermione. I know. Let it out. It's the only way to get started again."

Harry and Ginny threw their arms around her as well.

Severus took in the scene awkwardly. He'd always liked Molly Weasley. No matter what, she'd tried to make him feel welcome at headquarters. He felt badly for the loss of her sons, even though he'd never seen eye to eye with one of them. And Mione... Hermione. He had heard that she had never cried over Ron since his death. The current situation and what they were facing had no doubt brought it out. For her lost friend.

The Golden Trio was now down to two. She had wept for her parents, and it had exhausted her. Just seeing Molly must have brought this out in her. He wished that he could go wipe her tears away. Damn! He sat back realizing what he was thinking. Dumbledore was looking at him, his eyes twinkling. It took all his will power not to bolt out of the door.

Suddenly, something else happened. Harry pulled away from them, holding his scar. Though he had long learned to control the pain it brought when Voldemort murdered or was happy, he still felt it. He looked to Dumbledore quickly and made his way to the back room behind the staff table. Dumbledore followed, as did McGonagall. Severus felt compelled to go as well with one last glimpse of his weeping Mione.

He closed the door, and Harry started talking. "He's happy. It's done. He will come tomorrow... very early in the morning. He is confident that he will finally kill us all. He knows that not many of us are here. Well, he thinks that anyway."

"Harry, thank you. We have to get Miss Granger out of here, and we have to prepare. He'll not find a sleeping castle as he so believes once he comes. We just need to hope that Severus and Hermione have worked the potion out," Dumbledore said.

He had more energy than Severus had seen him with in years. His face had taken on an expression of a man about to help win a war. It gave Severus confidence. Then a thought struck him. What if he was killed? What if Hermione came back in love with him and found he was murdered? Damn! This is why he didn't like any emotional involvements.

"Severus?"

"Ready as ever Headmaster. I will bring her down to the dungeons and prepare her. She will have to leave and come back there though. I will ward it and be sure that no one will get in, sir, in case we will not be here upon her return. We have a war to win," Snape said, feeling adrenaline running through his veins. He looked at Harry then. For no reason at all, he pulled Harry into a tight embrace. "We're counting on you, boy. Make us proud."

Harry's eyes shimmered with respect, determination, and relief. Severus' few words and actions had meant the world to him.

Lily's boy. Lily's eyes. They would defeat Voldemort.

Minerva then pulled Harry into an embrace. "Your parents would be proud, Harry."

He simply nodded.

They followed Albus back into the hall where he made an announcement. "It's time to get ready."

Severus saw that Hermione had composed herself but was still being coddled by Molly. He approached her and held out his hand. Her wet eyes looked up into his. He smiled. She took his hand. With one last nod to Harry and the others, she followed him out of the hall and down to the dungeons. Many wizards and witches were eyeing them oddly, wondering what Severus Snape was doing holding hands with Hogwarts' Head Girl. With Harry Potter's best friend. He smirked at some of them, but they continued to stare. Only when Dumbledore spoke again did they stop ogling.

Once inside his chambers, he led her to a chair and knelt in front of her. "Hermione, are you all right?"

She nodded.

"Are you sure that you can do this?"

She nodded.

He hugged her and whispered into her ear, "Please take care. Do not do anything rash... or anything that you don't want to do. Promise me that."

"I promise."

He could have kissed her again, and he could see that she wanted him to do it. But he wouldn't. He couldn't. The less they did anything now, the easier it would be for her to walk away from him when she returned.

"As soon as you leave, I will open my package and the letter. Albus will open his as well. We'll know if it's successful or not. Please take care," he said. He walked to his desk and picked up the time piece. "Do not lose this, Hermione. Keep it safe at all times, or you'll be lost in the past." He scribbled down a time thirty minutes from then. "This is the exact time and day I want you to return."

He clicked it back nineteen years to the date just after he remembered meeting his cousin. "You will appear in front of the castle. I have taken the liberty of putting everything you need in your trunk and have shrunk it so that you can carry it in your pocket. Get dressed."

He watched as she put went into the bathroom where he knew her dress robes were waiting for her. Hermione Granger. Know-it-all. Show off. Potter friend. Woman. Intelligent woman. Beautiful. Haunted by grief. Afraid to be alone. She was his, and she didn't even know it. His eyes closed, and he could see her in his arms, looking up at him adoringly. He could smell her. He would never forget that again as long as he lived.

Hermione came out of the bathroom and saw him standing there. He was in deep thought. Had it something to do with her?

"I'm ready." Her voice was steady, though she did feel nervous. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She went straight to his arms. They held each other tightly. Feeling suddenly very Gryffindor, she said, "I want to finish that conversation after I graduate, Professor."

"Which one is that?" he asked, not sure what she was getting at.

"This one," she said, pulling his face down to meet hers. She timidly kissed his lips, and he gave in.

He lifted her up in his arms, and her legs instinctively straddled his waist. Her arms went around his neck while he had one hand firmly planted on her arse while the other was lost in her hair.

He broke the kiss reluctantly after a few minutes to look into her eyes. Damn those eyes! "Perhaps we shall," he said, his voice sounding silky. She smiled then. His smile. "For now, you have to go. Remember what I said."

She slid down his body until her feet hit the floor. He heard her gasp as she realized his desire for her was most peaked. She blushed softly. "I'll not forget." She held on to the time piece and clicked down at the time. She waved her wand and said the incantation he had taught her. The last thing she heard before she left was his voice.

"I love you, Hermione," he said. His eyes were full of worry.

She wanted to say something, but she couldn't. The room, his face, everything was swirling away and fading into black. He loved her! Wow! But how? When? She felt an unfamiliar tug at her entire body.

The next thing she knew, she was looking at Hogwarts from the front gate. It was much like it had been in her own time. She was surprised that the gate opened for her. She walked in and made her way to the front entrance. It was very early in the morning. Most students wouldn't even be up yet. She walked through the front door, her stomach flipping wildly. This was very odd.

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AN: Next chapter will be up tomorrow. :)