Chapter 35

They returned to Hogwarts early the next morning and resumed their duties. Hermione went to check the potion, and Severus went to his classes. He knew he could practice the song and spell at night. His research had ended, so he immersed himself in his work and realized he loved teaching Potions.

In the next few weeks, he made changes in his classroom. He no longer kept the room in darkness unless the potions his student's were brewing called for it, and he gave more points than he took. The students seemed to respond to his newfound pleasure. They seemed to actually enjoy the work and turned in high-quality essays.

Hermione continued to monitor the potion every day, although it needed fewer and fewer ingredients.

A few evenings a week, they would meet in a corner of the library and talk or wrap themselves in heavy cloaks and walked down to the lake. They tried not to show any physical closeness when students or staff members were around. Christmas was looming closer, and decorations had started to pop up here and there. Severus had always quoted his favorite Muggle holiday book when faced with holiday merriment: Bah Humbug. But this year he found himself looking at the decorations with enjoyment. He had to stop himself from singing carols a time or two when he passed the choir practicing for the holiday program.

Hermione and he had agreed they wouldn't sleep together at Hogwarts again until the potion was done and the results were known. At that time, they would decide what their future would be. They did slip away to Spinner's End once or twice.

On evenings when Hermione was busy with her own classwork or checking the potion, Severus would sit by his fire and think about his life.

He felt lighter and less burdened than he had in years. He knew it was because he had Hermione in his life. His only frustration was Raven. He wished he could remember his life as Raven; he knew Raven and Hermione had loved each other. And he knew she cared deeply for him now. Was he ready for real, true, heart-stopping love? Or, more logically, was he truly capable of it? He didn't believe he was worthy of her love. He feared she would look within him and see the monster he had been, and it would repel her. He had felt love the night they had visited the Gypsy camp. But Severus Snape didn't love; he'd now convinced himself that it had been Raven in charge.

Severus Snape, retired spy extraordinaire, was scared of his past catching up with a future he'd never dreamed of. Once Harry was saved, would she really still need him? Would she realize he was just an old grumpy Potions master living in a drafty old castle? She was young; she might want children. The idea of children had never occurred to him, at least not in many years. His thoughts where interrupted as Hermione swept into the room and plopped herself on his couch.

"Two more days," she announced.

"I'm aware of that," he said, putting the book he'd been holding on the table next to his chair.

"I know. I'm just making conversation. Would you rather I leave?" Her exhaustion was making her grumpy, and she'd hoped for a bit of snuggling with him, but he didn't seem to be in the mood.

He sighed, got up from his chair and sat next to her, slipping an arm around her shoulders and drawing her close. "No, I do not want you to leave."

"I'm sorry, Severus. I should have knocked. Just because your wards allow me in doesn't mean I should assume I can come anytime."

"Hermione, you may come anytime. Just do not always expect me to be in a great mood. I am the grumpy Potions master after all."

She giggled a bit and slipped an arm around his waist. "But you are my grumpy old Potions master." She placed a kiss on his chin.

He sighed and kissed her forehead. "I do not deserve this contentedness."

Hermione turned to look into his face. "Severus, you more than most deserve happiness."

"I think a lot of Voldemort's victims might disagree with you."

"As you have reminded me, it was war. We all did things we aren't proud of. The end justified the means. Why are you having a pity party?"

"You did know me well before I regained my memory, but now you may not realize I spend a lot of my time regretting my past. If you want to be a part of my life, you're going to have to get used to it."

Hermione turned a beautiful smile his way and slid into his lap, "Well, we will just have to make your future so good you have no time to dwell in the past." Her kiss made him forget even the present.

They'd spent a bit of time kissing and then talked about the end of the war. Hermione told Severus about last moments of the war and Neville killing Nagini. She had told the story to Raven, but since Severus didn't know, she explained again.

"I guess I owe that young man a debt of gratitude for killing my near murderer. That snake was a monster," he said, shuddering.

*****

The next night Hermione was working late in her classroom and Severus had walked out to the gate of the castle. He stood for a moment and looked back at the magnificent castle, his home. He let himself out the gates and Disapparated.

Severus stepped up to the doors of the magical St. Mungo's. His wand signature allowed him to enter the hospital. He made his way to a desk and asked for a room number. He then went down the hall and up several floors to the Spell Damaged ward. He scanned the names on the doors as he went down the hall and finally came to his destination.

He slipped into the room. Because this was not a Muggle hospital, there were no machines humming and clicking away. There was a soft glow of a ward over each patient. The wards would alert the Healers and nurses on the floor if anything would go wrong with the patients.

He stood in Harry's room and looked down at the "boy." He looked more like a man now. He was relieved that he didn't have to look into Lily's eyes. He reached out with his thoughts and found a dark, impenetrable barrier. Having learned what he wanted to know, he left the room as silently as he had entered.

He followed the hallway down to the Longbottoms' room. The pair lay sleeping in their beds. He reached out with his thoughts and found Frank's mind impenetrable, black, and silent. Alice's mind seemed only partially impaired. He knew that she had some motion and ability to do simple things like eat and sit up. Her mind was only partially eclipsed by the spell. Bellatrix, probably having learned this spell from Voldemort, had only partially impaired the woman. Yes, he was certain that it was the same spell. Neville had played an important role in the war, killing the snake that had nearly killed him. He ran his fingers over the faint scars on his neck. Another young boy had been robbed of his parents because of that monster. Severus felt a sense of kinship with them...for their loss and sacrifices, which had led to the life he had now. He hoped he could restore them, but they had been under the curse for many years. Would they be mentally challenged? Would Neville want them restored? He heard a noise behind him and turned to behold the man that Neville Longbottom had grown into.

"Professor... Snape?"

Severus turned and extended his hand. "Mr. Longbottom."

Neville suddenly looked a bit like the scared young man he'd intimidated in class. But he extended his hand and shook Snape's. "I heard you had returned to Hogwarts, sir."

"Yes, it's a long story. Suffice it to say, Miss Granger found me and brought me back. I understand I have you to thank for Nagini's demise."

Neville swallowed and ducked his head. "Yes... It was a lucky swing."

"I doubt that. You were an accomplished DA member." He smiled.

Neville stared at him as if he'd grown two heads, and Snape laughed.

Neville stared and choked.

"I'm sorry, Neville, for making your Potions class so miserable. I was quite a miserable excuse for a teacher back then. I really have not lost my mind; I've regained it. Much has happened to me in the last six months."

Neville nodded, not sure if he could believe him. "Why are you here, sir?"

"Neville, I have a question to ask you, and I need you to really consider it. There may be long-lasting ramifications. I also need you to keep it to yourself for now."

Neville swallowed and nodded. What could Snape want of him?

"Hermione Granger and I have discovered a spell and potion that might return Harry to his life."

Neville nodded and a confused smile broke out on his face. "That would be great, sir. But why are you here?" He waved his hands to indicate his parents' room.

"It may be possible to wake your parents, as well, with the same spell," Severus informed him.

"What?" Neville paled and might have fallen had Snape not grabbed his arm and pushed him down into the chair between his parents' beds.

"I'm sorry to spring this on you, but since your parents have been like this so many years, there may be more risks. I need you to tell me if you want me to try."

"What risks?"

"I can only guess. There may be some brain damage, physical handicaps, or memory loss. Voldemort had a very specific spell book in his possession. He likely shared it with Bellatrix, who was his most loyal servant. I now have that book. Hermione Granger and I have been preparing a potion and studying the spell. We are confident that we can revive those affected. Would you rather they stay this way, or should we try to free them and then work with what we get?" He stopped a moment to let the young man think. "Neville, be sure this is what you want. I have no guarantees for you. I cannot say this won't be an experiment. It will be. It's a spell that hasn't been used in centuries. It may seem cruel to you that we try your parents first. Harry Potter does not deserve a life free from the curse any more than they do."

Neville looked at his parents and then said, feeling hope for them the first time in his life, "Do it. I trust you to do your best, Professor Snape. I understand about Harry. After all, he saved our world with your help."

Severus was grateful for his understanding and a bit surprised to get some credit. It made him feel warm inside. The feeling was odd, and he frowned. Then covering, when he saw Neville grimace, he said, "Severus. You're an adult now, Neville. Call me Severus."

Neville turned pink but stammered out, "Sev... er... us."

Severus smiled and squeezed his shoulder as he passed by. "I will let you know when we are ready. Please do not tell any one at this time."

"Luna..." he protested.

"Okay, you can tell Miss Lovegood. I can understand that, but no one else Neville," he instructed firmly.

"I want to be able to conduct the spells in private. I'm sure you would not want the likes of Rita Skeeter hovering anywhere near."

"Oh no, sir. That woman gives me the creeps," Neville agreed.

"As she does all of us," he said with a laugh. "I will contact you tomorrow, and we can make the arrangements with the hospital. The potion will be ready tomorrow."

Neville stared at the door after Snape left and then turned with tears in his eyes. Would it be possible to get his parents back? He'd just been telling Luna the other day that he would have loved to have his parents at their wedding, which was only a month away.

He put his head on his knees and cried.

Thank you, all, so much for the many wonderful reviews.

I want to thank Lisa, my Beta; she's wonderful. Many thanks also go out to beaweasley2 and Becky for all their hours of help and their helpful suggestions.