Chapter Three

Author's Note: Thanks to J. K. Rowling for allowing us to play with her characters. I don't profit in any way but creative satisfaction for my use of her characters and settings.

Thanks and {{hugs}} to Sunshine for beta-reading this; my stories are many, many times better for her help.

And JKR, you tell one heck of a story, but I can't accept a reality that includes Severus Snape being dead.

~OoO~

Pushing the memories into the back of her mind for now, Hermione was almost glowing with happiness and gratitude, not just for all that Snape had done, but because the burden of hating him was lifted from her shoulders. Her hands were gentle as she ministered to him.

"Are you in pain, sir?"

"No, Miss Granger." He looked around himself at the dusty floor, now awash with blood. Weak as he was, his face twisted in distaste. Severus had been prepared to die, but found that he was grateful that his life wasn't to be ended on the bloody floor of the Shrieking Shack. He had never allowed himself to hope that he was anything but expendable.

And now, the final battle was upon them, and Harry Potter had been given an impossible task. Severus wasn't sure he had ever believed in any god, but if there was one, he hoped God was guiding Potter now.

Though he had no idea what lay ahead for him, it was clear that Miss Granger knew what she was doing; the wounds in his neck were knitting together. They itched, which was annoying, but he was not going to complain. She had given him the anti-venom and Blood Replenishing Potion that he carried with him at all times and a strengthening potion that she'd brought with her. Snape hadn't seen where she'd hidden it, but it was the right color and he'd recognized it by its taste. It had been brewed correctly, wherever it had come from.

"I'll get this all cleaned up right away. I just wanted to make sure you were...safe before I did it." It was hard to tell from the expression on his face, but she thought he wasn't unhappy to be alive, at least. "Sir, isn't there something I can put on the wound to help it close and avoid scarring?"

Professor Snape nodded and tried to speak but couldn't. Hermione waved her wand and Conjured a glass and a straw. She murmured Aguamenti and watched as the glass filled. Ignoring the blood on his robes, she slid her arm under his shoulders and helped him sit up just a little, only enough so that he would not choke. Pulling him snugly against her body, she held the glass for him and had the satisfaction, a moment later, of seeing him take a few cautious sips of water. When nothing untoward happened, he drank more of it. When he had had enough, he weakly waved the glass away, and she Vanished it while easing him back down to the ground.

"I have a bottle of anti-scar serum...Dittany and Murtlap in a base of Vitamin E oil. It's in the left inside pocket of my coat." His voice was weak and rusty-sounding, but at least he could speak.

"I'll find it, sir." She slipped her hand into his coat, which still held the warmth of his body. She ignored the wet feeling of the heavy wool and got the little bottle out, then reached into her own beaded bag for Muggle hand sanitizer and used it to scrub her hands thoroughly.

"Well done, Miss Granger." His breath was coming more easily now and his strength was returning. He noticed her cleaning her hands and complimented her. Hermione smiled shyly, unused to praise from this man. She'd given careful thought at one point to becoming a Healer, so she knew about disinfectants. The last thing she wanted was for the wound in his neck to get infected. She opened the stopper on the little bottle of anti-scar serum and poured a small amount of the oily liquid onto a cotton ball she summoned from her beaded bag. Carefully, gingerly, she dabbed it onto to the healing wounds that Nagini's fangs had made in his neck, watching with delight as the wounds magically sealed themselves closed.

"There. With luck, you won't have much of a scar, sir."

"When the Dark Lord set his snake on me, I did not expect to survive, Miss Granger. A scar is small price to pay for my continuing existence."

It was getting easier and easier to speak, and he was truly happy to be alive, when all was said and done.

He was fascinated by her gentleness and the care that she took with him as she tended the wound in his neck. He was grateful for all that she had done but found himself wondering why she'd done it.

He'd heard Ron's explanation to Harry when the wards had fallen, but Hermione had pushed her way into the room and started casting one healing spell after another before they fell. She'd healed him of her own volition. She had no reason to help him, and yet she had done so. While Hermione fussed over him, he thought again of the year just past.

She had not come back to Hogwarts for her seventh year, choosing to go with Potter and Weasley instead. He'd been glad, frankly.

Being Potter's best friend made Miss Granger a target; the fact that she was Muggle-born, female, and the top student in her year would only have been further incentive to any Death Eater to put the Mudblood in her place.

Through the Dark Lord, of course, Severus had been aware of the exploits of the trio. They'd evaded or escaped from every trap set for them. Even when they'd been caught and held at Malfoy Manor, they hadn't given up.

He'd winced at the report of the torture Hermione had suffered at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. Mad Bella had cast the Cruciatus Curse ten or more times, if what Lucius had said was true, but Miss Granger was made of very stern stuff and clearly had come out of it all right. In fact, she'd gone from being tortured by Bellatrix to helping Harry break into the Lestrange vault in Gringotts to steal Hufflepuff's cup, which he knew contained a Horcrux.

He studied her from under his eyelashes. She was thin and pale, with unkempt hair and Muggle clothes that hung loose on her frame, but she was obviously as bright as ever, with a new maturity in her manner, a gentle, quiet strength that showed she'd suffered pain and loss and had overcome them.

"Has the wound closed entirely?"

This was not the question he was burning to ask. Why had she started helping him before the wards fell and before she could have seen the memory that Albus Dumbledore had placed in the minds of everyone in the order? His own mind had been very clear as death neared, and he remembered all that she'd said in her frantic rush to help him. It would be worthwhile to place those memories in a Pensieve for a second look, to verify what the witch had actually said.

"Yes, it has. I have a mirror, if you would like to see for yourself."

"That isn't necessary, Miss Granger."

"I'm going to make you as comfortable as I can, Professor." She patted his hand gently as she got to her feet, casting her eyes around the interior of the dim and dusty room. A moment later she darted into a dark corner and triumphantly dragged forth her find...an old fainting couch with only three legs. A wave of her wand, and the couch was longer and wider, the broken leg replaced.

With another flourish of her wand, some kind of bubble formed around the couch, and he saw dust and dirt fly from the cushions and get trapped in the bubble. Hermione Vanished the bubble and then moved the couch closer to where he lay. She summoned something out of her bag...something made of white cloth, though he could not tell what it was. A moment later it unfurled from her hands: a clean, soft, white sheet. It was the work of an instant to cover the couch with the sheet, and Hermione turned back to Professor Snape.

"Let me get the blood off the floor, Professor, and then I will clean up your robes, so you'll be more comfortable."

She was trying hard to be matter-of-fact about the 6 or 8 pints of blood making puddles on the floor, and he had to admit he appreciated her calm manner. Hermione whispered Tergeo and swept her wand along the floor, and the blood was gone. Then she pointed her wand at his clothes and murmured Scourgify Sartorius, and he felt his clothing dry out, smelling something fresh and lemony replacing the metallic tang of blood.

Another wave of her wand, and he felt something move over his skin and into his hair, carrying away all the caked blood. Not as good as a steaming hot shower; nevertheless, it felt marvelous to be clean.

He wondered where the Clothes-Freshening Charm had come from, but then reminded himself that this was Hermione Granger. No doubt she'd read about it sometime in her six years haunting the Hogwarts library. Or perhaps the spell was entirely new and her own creation. She had always excelled at Charms, and Professor Flitwick had, over the years, taught her some Magical Theory; combined with her impressive intelligence and formidable determination, she would be more than capable of creating her own spells.

He realized, as he watched her work, that he was feeling better now; his breathing was easier as his body replenished the red blood cells that carried oxygen to his tissues.

As he felt himself growing stronger, felt the spectre of death receding, his spirits lifted, as well. Dumbledore hadn't expected him to survive the end of the war, but being Dumbledore, he'd taken the time to prepare for it, just in case.

Severus had known for many years that Albus Dumbledore cared for him a great deal, but had never dreamed the old man would take the time to ensure that he would be protected if he did survive. He didn't even really know what Albus had done, but he would ask later. Riddle wasn't yet dead. They had to attend to that little detail before anyone could celebrate.

Still, here and now, Hermione Granger had saved his life. She deserved his thanks and his praise for a job well done.

"You have done exceptionally well, Miss Granger. I am extremely grateful to you." He owed this young woman a life debt, but, strangely enough, he felt no burden from this, perhaps because he knew she hadn't saved him to put him in her debt.

"Thank you, sir." She was leaning over him again, sliding her arm under his head, helping him to sit up. A moment later, she whispered Mobilicorpus and he felt himself rising off the ground, but she supported him and carefully guided him the few feet to the couch she had Transfigured, and he suffered no bumps or knocks at all. She set him down as gently as she would have a baby into its cradle and released the spell.

"There, sir. Are you comfortable?"

"Quite. Thank you, Miss Granger." He was comfortable, but the Shrieking Shack was cold, and Hermione had very sharp eyes. She saw the involuntary shiver he gave as he settled onto the couch.

"Are you cold, sir?"

He nodded his head. The Blood Replenishing Potion would have him back to normal in a short time, but he had lost so much blood that his body temperature was unstable.

She reached into her bag again and pulled out what appeared to be a Muggle child's sleeping bag. It was old and faded but very soft when she spread it out over him, tucking it in around his shoulders. The design printed on it appeared to be pastel-colored teddy bears, each with an emblem in the center of its belly...Professor Snape's first ever glimpse of the Care Bears.

"What else can I get you, Professor Snape?"

"Nothing, Miss Granger."

She hesitated, biting her bottom lip. Then, "I hate to leave you here alone, sir, but Harry and Ron will need my help." More mangling of that bottom lip.

"Should I Disillusion you, sir?"

He nodded his head.

"If you could also move my couch back into the shadows, I should be quite safe. I will come to the castle to help as soon as I am strong enough."

"Are you sure you want to stay here? I could take you to the hospital wing... "

"You may be attacked or accosted on your way back to the castle; you must have your hands free. As I don't have enough strength to help you, I would only be a liability. I shall be safe enough here."

He spoke matter-of-factly and Hermione nodded, but it was clear that she was unhappy to be leaving him by himself. She seemed to understand his reasoning and clearly was submitting to the logic of the situation. She wrinkled her nose and grimaced, then looked around the room again with a measuring eye.

"Let me move you back behind the curtains, Professor." And with a few sweeps of her wand, she had moved him, couch and all, back into the shadows of a curtained alcove, turning the couch so its high back was presented to the room and partially shielded by the curtains as well.

"This will do very well." He looked up at the witch again, noting that she was, once again, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

"Professor Snape, will you give me your word that you will stay here? Unless... something gets in here that poses a threat to you, of course."

"Miss Granger, I must do my part. Surely you understand that."

"I think you've done more than your share. And I don't want to see you hurt again. Ever."

Those amber-whiskey-sherry eyes were fixed on his face, wide and hopeful, and Severus Snape felt a little frisson of shock travel up and down his spine. Why did she care? It was obvious that she did, but why? He'd gone out of his way to discourage anyone caring whether he lived or died.

"I have no idea why you are concerned, Miss Granger, but I will be cautious." It was as gracious a reply as she was likely to get, Hermione realized. If the situation hadn't been so grim, she might have smiled.

"Okay, then." She hesitated, resting her wand lightly on the top of his head. He wondered if she remembered the incantation for the Disillusionment Charm and was about to prompt her when she suddenly put her other hand on his shoulder, leaned down and kissed his cheek. When she drew back, he could see tears in her bright eyes.

She saw only surprise in his dark eyes. Surprise...and did his hand rise to brush over his cheek as she drew back?

"Professor Snape, you are the best teacher I ever had, and you've been my hero since I found out about your work for the Order. There's more, which I don't have time to say right now, but you may take that as the reason I care."

There was so much more she wanted to say, but she had to get back to the castle.

And with that, she tapped her wand lightly on top of his head, and he felt an odd sensation, like someone had cracked an egg over his head. He knew that the spell would hide him. He leaned back and pulled the sleeping bag higher on his chest, determined to rest and gather his strength as fast as possible. Hermione Granger said nothing else, merely scrambled across the room and through the door.

~OoO~

As she raced through the underground tunnel back to Hogwarts, Hermione's thoughts were in complete turmoil. She had been horrified at the sight of Snape lying on the floor, bleeding out from the bite of the Dark Lord's pet. Snape had killed Dumbledore, but some part of her heart had refused to believe he could be completely evil. Dumbledore had trusted him and, think what she might about his manipulative ways, Dumbledore was smart. Hermione didn't think the old Headmaster could have been fooled by many. There had to be more of an explanation for his death. There had to be. She had never expressed this conviction to anyone, but she had never let go of the idea, either. She had nearly cried in relief when her mind filled with memories of Dumbledore telling her to save Severus if she could.

The memories were Hermione's vindication, but she couldn't have stopped herself from healing him if her own life had depended on it. Her heart told her to heal him, and that organ was stubborn enough to deny all the logical arguments that would have stayed her hand.

She chastised herself over and over for the kiss she had given him, though. Severus Snape was a very private man, and he had to be a very bewildered man just about now...if he's thinking about you at all, not that you could possibly be that important to him, you idiot!

It was to be hoped that he would not be a very angry man over her presumption.

She didn't know what she would say when he asked her why she'd healed him.

"I'll think about that tomorrow," she told herself. Right now, there were too many other things to worry about.

She needed to find Harry and Ron. They had gone to Dumbledore's office to use his Pensieve to view Snape's memories. She would look there first, and then search the castle if they weren't in the office.

She came to the Great Hall and decided to look there before going on.

The huge room was teeming with people. She didn't see Harry or Ron, but she nodded to Luna Lovegood and one of the Patil twins, who were sitting on a bench at the Ravenclaw table. Luna appeared to be comforting whichever twin it was. Hermione felt her heart sink within her at the thought that either Parvati or Padma had been hurt, but she needed to find Harry and Ron. She went up to the teachers' platform at the head of the room. It wasn't terribly high, but it would give her a better view than standing where she was.

"Miss Granger!" Hermione turned around when she heard Professor McGonagall sharply calling her name.

"Professor McGonagall!" Hermione went to her Head of House, who was standing just inside the door of the Great Hall.

"Are you hurt, child?"

"No, Professor McGonagall, I'm fine."

"And Mr. Potter...has he completed the mysterious task that Professor Dumbledore set for him?"

"Very nearly, Professor. There's only one left." She must be tired for that to slip out so easily. She bit her lip, wishing she could drag the words back into her mouth.

Professor McGonagall's eyebrows rose in surprise. "And may I know what the one thing is?"

Hermione hesitated, then decided to tell McGonagall some of the truth.

"The Dark Lord's snake. Anyone who sees the snake should kill it."

Professor McGonagall's eyes filled with questions, but she nodded her head. "I shall make sure everyone knows to kill the creature if they can. If it's even here. I would think even He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named might leave his pets at home on the day of a major battle."

"The snake is here, though. We saw it." Hermione hoped she didn't pale when she thought of the circumstances under which she had seen Riddle's pet.

McGonagall rolled her eyes, and Hermione nearly laughed. Surely McGonagall was right, though...a battlefield was not the place for a cherished pet.

Hermione hesitated for an instant, but then curiosity got the better of her.

"Professor McGonagall..."

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"When the wards fell...Did you..."

"Did I see the memories that Professor Dumbledore placed in our minds? Yes, I did. It's just like that man," Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes again, "to keep something this important secret from all of us, even though we could have helped Severus, had we known. He has some explaining to do, and, I might add, the explanation had better be a good one."

Despite the grimness of their situation, Hermione smiled. What wouldn't she give to be a mouse under a chair to witness Professor McGonagall confronting Professor Dumbledore over his treatment of Professor Snape? One thing was clear...there would surely be fireworks.

Professor McGonagall's face took on a distressed expression as she continued, "I haven't seen Professor Snape, though. And I am worried."

"Professor Snape is alive." Relief sang through Hermione's soul like fresh water in the Sahara Desert, and joy sparkled in her eyes. "I was just with him a few minutes ago."

Hermione was surprised to see Professor McGonagall's eyes fill with tears. "Where is he, Miss Granger?"

"I...he's safe. As safe as any of us, that is."

"I was so relieved to learn that Severus has been working for us all along. I even remember the evening Professor Dumbledore placed those memories in our minds. He was too clever by half."

She paused and her face grew sad. "I heard a dreadful rumor that Severus had been killed. I was heartbroken."

Professor McGonagall dabbed away her tears. Then her eyes lit up, and she smiled as she felt the full weight of Hermione's news. "He's safe, you say?"

Hermione was torn: did she explain to her Head of House what she'd done, or say nothing in order to protect Professor Snape's hiding place? Before she could decide what to do, she heard Professor Snape's voice.

"I am safe, Minerva." The voice came from behind the curtains at the side of the Great Hall, and Minerva whirled around, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.

"Severus?"

"Miss Granger Disillusioned me, but I wanted to let you know I am fine. I am so sorry for everything I was required to do. I know you were very close to Albus. I hope you can forgive me, Minerva."

"Oh, Severus! I shouldn't be surprised that you tell me this when I can't see you to hug you. Slytherin git!" There was a world of affection in her words. "There is nothing to forgive. You did what Albus required of you. He made that very clear. Do you need anything?"

"Miss Granger has taken care of me quite admirably, thank you. She's most conveniently failed to tell you that the Dark Lord set his snake on me and left me for dead. She thwarted that plan very neatly."

Hermione heard the gentle humor in his comment and nearly laughed out loud herself.

Before Professsor McGonagall could start on the topic of his own health or well-being, Professor Snape changed the subject.

"He has the Elder Wand, Minerva."

Professor McGonagall's brows knit together in confusion. "That's only a child's tale, Severus."

"No, it's considerably more."

"Did Albus plan for this? Mr. Potter...what does he know about the Elder Wand?"

"I don't know, Minerva. But Albus did."

"Where IS Mr. Potter? The...He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named...gave us an hour to give him up."

"Minerva, Albus charged me with giving Mr. Potter some memories. I would guess he is in either the headmaster's office, or perhaps my old office in the dungeons. He would need a Pensieve to view them."

Minerva frowned. "What memories, Severus, and why would Mr. Potter need your memories?"

Severus hesitated but then said softly, "They may...I hope they will...hold the key to Mr. Potter's overcoming the Elder Wand. Somehow."

Professor McGonagall sighed. "I can't see how the wand could be overcome, if it's as powerful as legend makes it." She looked off into the distance for an instant, then turned back in Professor Snape's direction.

"Severus, you say He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named set his snake on you. And Miss Granger says anyone who can do safely, should kill the beast. Is he using it as a weapon, then?"

"He set the snake on me. I don't know whether anyone else has been attacked by the creature today."

"How did you escape the snake?"

"I didn't. The beast almost tore my throat out. If not for Little-Miss-Know-It-All there, I would have died."

As pet names went, it was rather long, but Hermione was so happy at Snape's gentle teasing that she could have danced a jig right there in the Great Hall.

"Little-Miss-Know-It-All? Miss Granger? Severus, what did she do?"

"She healed the wound with her wand, and had the sense to realize I would be carrying anti-venin with me. She gave me that, and Blood Replenishing Potion, as well as a vial of Strengthening Solution. She cleaned up the mess and Transfigured a couch I could rest on, and Disillusioned me so I could remain hidden. She has obviously been observing Poppy Pomfrey. She even fusses like her."

Snape's voice carried a warmth Hermione had never heard before.

"She carries this small, elegant evening purse everywhere she goes, and I'm amazed at all the things she pulled out of that delicate little bag. I suspect it would probably hold everything in the headmaster's office. I doubt she had time to ask Filius to enchant it for her, and it's more than Arthur or Molly could do. Yet it's as tidy an example of an Expansion Charm as I have ever seen. You should be very proud of her."

Hermione's mouth dropped open as she heard Snape's low, silky voice enumerating all she had done. The man was keenly observant, no doubt about that.

McGonagall was beaming with pride. "Miss Granger has always been an exceptional student. You've heard me boast of her talents often enough over the years."

"Indeed. I have come to realize that, if anything, you understated her accomplishments, Minerva."

Professor McGonagall reached out and drew Hermione into a hug. "Dear child, I am so proud of you. And grateful."

"You should be proud of her, Minerva. Everything she did was at least NEWT level, and done as well as you could have done it yourself."

He paused, and both women could hear the amusement in his voice. "Ten points to Gryffindor, Miss Granger. For EACH correct action you took on my behalf."

It was too much. Hermione and Minerva both broke out in laughter. Their laughter abruptly stopped when Neville Longbottom stumbled through the great outer doors, covered in blood.

"Neville!"

"Mr. Longbottom!"

Hermione and Minerva both rushed to Neville, but when he looked up he was smiling.

"I'm all right, it's not my blood. I know I look terrible." He pulled out his wand and cast Scourgify on himself, and then favored them with the widest grin Hermione had ever seen him wear. "I killed the snake."

"Nagini?"

"Yeah, I saw Potter a little while ago. He told me to be on the lookout for it."

"Well done, Mr. Longbottom."

"Professor McGonagall? A funny thing happened when the wards fell. I saw a memory of Professor Dumbledore, explaining why Professor Snape had to...well, kill him, ma'am. Can that be a real memory?"

"Yes, Mr. Longbottom, it can, and it is."

Neville's face fell. "I only mention it because...I overheard two Death Eaters talking, and one of them said the Dark Lord had set the snake on Professor Snape."

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Don't worry, Mr. Longbottom. Professor Snape was attacked by the snake, but help was available, and Professor Snape is safe."

Severus felt that he had stumbled into an alternate universe, as he watched Neville Longbottom's face light up with the news of his safety.

"That's a big relief. I'm not really brainy like Hermione, here, but I never wanted to believe that Professor Snape was a traitor."

"None of us did, Mr. Longbottom. Now, are you very sure you're all right?"

Neville nodded. "I'm fine, Professor."

Hermione sagged back against the wall, closing her eyes in devout thankfulness. They had done it...the Horcruxes were all destroyed. But where was Harry?

Someone called Professor McGonagall's name, and she turned away. Neville patted Hermione awkwardly on the shoulder, and then hurried to Luna Lovegood, who was motioning for him, leaving Hermione standing with Professor Snape.

"Miss Granger, if you would step into the entrance hall with me?"

Professor Snape's low voice was barely discernible over the noise in the Great Hall, but Hermione heard him. Heart pounding way too fast all of a sudden, she nodded, and then made her way through the doors and around the corner into the nearly dark entrance hallway.

There was the small ante-chamber where the first-years waited for the Sorting ceremony to start, and Hermione forced herself to walk calmly towards that door. The whispering sound of fabric swishing against stone told her Professor Snape was following her.

Once inside the small room, with the door closed, she turned to look in the direction of the sound, just in time to see him end the Disillusionment spell. There he was...tall and spare and dressed all in black, as he always had been.

"Oh, Professor!" She hadn't planned to hug him, but when he became visible she launched herself at him, clutching the lapels of his coat, and crying onto his robes.

"Miss Granger." Awkwardly, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed her head to his chest, stroking her frizzy hair. "Shhhh, Miss Granger, no need to cry. We're safe at the moment."

"But the snake was the last one."

"The last Horcrux? You've found the others?" He backed away slightly and looked down at her, curiosity and something else filling those endless black eyes.

Hermione nodded. "We think so. The diary from the Chamber of Secrets was destroyed second year, and Dumbledore got the one from Marvolo Gaunt's ring. Ron stabbed the one in Slytherin's locket with the Sword of Gryffindor when we were camping in the forest. I killed the one in Hufflepuff's cup with the fang of a Basilisk. The diadem of Ravenclaw was destroyed by Fiendfyre. And now Neville has killed Nagini. That's all of them."

"That is a truly amazing feat, Miss Granger. But there is one more." There was a whole world of regret in Professor Snape's quiet words.

She searched his face with anxious eyes, and then began to murmur, ticking off items on her fingers as she spoke.

"Harry felt that he was the snake when Arthur Weasley was attacked. All the dreams. His ability to feel the Dark Lord's anger, his happiness. The pain in Harry's scar and being able to speak Parseltongue. Harry carries a Horcrux, doesn't he?" Somehow, the horrible truth crashed in on Hermione with the force of a pile-driver.

"Yes, Miss Granger. Professor Dumbledore was certain of that."

Hermione dropped her head back on Snape's chest, suddenly without strength to even hold herself up. His arms came around her again, and he held her tightly as she cried. Once again, he comforted her by stroking her hair and just holding her tight. His low, velvety voice was hoarse, but he spoke softly to her, meaningless words, because there were no words that would make the situation better. But he stayed with her and held her, and somehow that was enough.

"What will Harry do? The memories you gave him...they were of Dumbledore, weren't they?"

Snape nodded sadly. "Dumbledore didn't tell me about Harry until last September."

"The memories Dumbledore gave us suggested that there might be some way Harry could defeat the Dark Lord. But if Harry is a Horcrux, I don't see how that is possible."

"I don't either, Miss Granger."

He might as well tell her what he knew, now that they had nothing else to lose.

"The Headmaster told me that I must give Mr. Potter the information that he carries a Horcrux, but not till the final confrontation was imminent. I was uncomfortable with this, but Professor Dumbledore was adamant that Mr. Potter not know until the last minute. If the Dark Lord chanced upon a memory in Harry's mind, it would jeopardize everything. Albus told me the things Harry would need to know. He hoped there would be a way to tell Harry what I was doing, but Draco's attack made that impossible. I despaired of being able to give Harry the memories."

Those dark eyes were so serious and so sad. Hermione could feel his pain and anxiety for Harry, his sorrow for Dumbledore.

"So Harry... must die? Just like that?" Hermione's voice dropped to a thready whisper. "And someone has to come along after Harry and actually kill He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

"That seems to be the only available course, Miss Granger. But..." Snape hesitated. "Magic and logic don't always seem to go together."

She nodded her head, understanding his words but not really feeling the weight of them.

"I can't believe that Harry has to die. But that would fulfill the prophecy."

"Many times, prophecies can be fulfilled in more than one way, Miss Granger. I always thought that Professor Dumbledore saw a way for Harry to defeat the part of the Dark Lord that lives within him. I know he put great store on Harry being able to love, despite all he has gone through."

"Earlier, you told Professor McGonagall that He...the Dark Lord...has the Elder Wand. What does that mean?"

"If you read 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'..."

"I did."

"Then you know that the Elder Wand cannot be defeated."

"So if the Dark Lord has the Elder Wand, Harry will die." Her voice was only a whisper, and her eyes were bleak. Severus didn't want to encourage her to hope. He, himself, could not see what there was to be hopeful about. But he had to comfort this amazing young woman, somehow. Or distract her at least.

"Miss Granger, I know that Professor Dumbledore had faith in Harry. I don't know if he only believed that Harry would make the sacrifices that needed to be made, or there was something else he knew that he never told us. I know he wanted Harry to gain the Elder Wand. We don't know what the core of the wand is. Perhaps there is something Dumbledore knew about Harry's wand which will ensure his safety. You must remember that wand lore is a very inexact discipline, and hardly anything is known about wands of great power. For many centuries, the tale of the Elder Wand was only a child's bedtime story. I...don't want to believe that Professor Dumbledore knew there was no chance for Harry."

Harry Potter looked exactly like his father, James. But he had his mother's eyes. And Severus truly did not want Lily's son to die. He felt as though a great weight had lifted off his shoulders. Lily had chosen James over him, but it no longer mattered. Severus had protected Harry to the very best of his ability. For good or ill, he had done all he could, and now it was time to move on to whatever fate held in store for him. But he could do it, now, without the great weight of hatred on his soul.

Hermione seemed to sense the change in him. She looked up, a question in her eyes.

"You're calling him Harry. Not Potter. And you're not...not so angry now."

"No, I'm not, Miss Granger. I'm astonished at all Harry has accomplished, and, frankly, I'm amazed he has come back to Hogwarts. The Dark Lord recently wondered whether Harry would simply run away, perhaps leave the wizarding community behind. He called him a coward. And Harry has never been that."

"No, he never has," Hermione agreed.

"My changed demeanor is due to the fact that I have seen things from a different perspective recently."

"Sir?"

He hesitated, and then confessed, "Miss Granger...Hermione, if I may? My entire life has changed in the last two hours because of your actions."

She blushed and dropped her eyes, unable to look at him.

"You were casting spells to heal me before the wards fell, Hermione. As I laid there on the floor of the Shrieking Shack, feeling my life drain away, I could see things very clearly. I saw you casting the spells, and then I heard the wards fall. I was your enemy and you healed me, anyway. I...I implore you to explain your actions, Hermione. My curiosity has built up to the point that it is actually painful." He said the last with a rueful quirk of his lips that was almost a smile.

Hermione was surprised by the gentle tone of his voice. He looked down at her and raised his hand to brush her hair back from her face.

"You saved my life. And the things you said in the shack... about me being... your hero. They took my breath away. And then you said... it was only part of what you felt."

He was gazing intently into her eyes, and she felt her chest constrict, her breath grow short.

"You can't do the things you did, say the things you said, without providing more of an explanation." He hesitated, then said softly, but with great certainty, "There's more, isn't there?"

She dropped her eyes, and he was amazed to see her blushing. But she nodded her head.

"Please tell me."

When had she ever heard that voice so soft, so gentle?

"I care about you very much, Professor. You're so...you know so much, and when I used to see you at Order meetings, you always had something interesting to say. You fascinated me. And...you've been so brave. Your life can't have been easy. "

The flush on her cheeks deepened, and she hid her face in his chest again. He heard a few muffled words, including what sounded like "handsome" but surely he was imagining that.

"I have tried to ignore my feelings, because there's just no way that you would ever be... interested in me. I'm not nearly..." She hesitated, biting her lip while she tried to think of how to express her feelings. "I'm not nearly sophisticated enough to be worth your attention."

His arms tightened around her, and he had to stifle a laugh. She thought he would be attracted to sophisticated women? Sophisticated women were elegant, cold, and boring. The female Death Eaters were, nearly all of them, sophisticated women. Before her years in Azkaban, Bellatrix Lestrange had been almost as intelligent as Hermione, herself, but Bellatrix was the cruelest woman he'd ever met. He had to correct Miss Granger's mistaken impressions at once.

"You couldn't be farther from the truth, Little-Miss-Know-It-All. The attributes that I find attractive in a companion have nothing to do with sophistication. Warmth, kindness, a genuine concern for others, loyalty, and compassion are far more important than sophistication. I just haven't met a woman in whom those attributes abounded until you came back. You, Hermione, have all of those qualities in abundance."

She looked up at him in surprise, and he thought her expression was hopeful. Somehow that gave him the courage to reveal a cherished fantasy which had been abandoned when it seemed unlikely that he could survive the war.

"You've become a wonderful young woman, Miss Granger, and I think you would be a delightful companion. The war will be over very soon. If the Light triumphs, and I am cleared...as I now dare to hope I will be...I would very much like to...to court you. I enjoy your company and I think we might have many interests in common. You must understand that I never said anything of my growing feelings for you before now, first because you were too young and my student, but also because I did not expect to survive."

Neutral words. Severus Snape was still a spy, still hated by much of the wizarding world. He would not say more than he had, but his eyes searched her face for some indication of what she was feeling. He was not disappointed. She was staring up at him, her eyes wide, her lips half smiling, but parted as if in anticipation.

Why was her heart pounding so fast? It wasn't from fear...she had never felt more secure, leaning against him, feeling the strength of his arms around her and the warmth that radiated from him.

"Miss Granger... Hermione..." His voice caressed the syllables of her name. "I know this is hardly the time or the place for passionate declarations of undying devotion..." He had to hold her closer, had to experience, if only once, the sweetness of her kiss. Had to show her how precious she had become to him.

He was leaning down towards her now, and she tilted her head up so she could look into his eyes. "Hardly the place or the time..." she breathed, raising her hands to cradle his jaw, to twine in his hair.

"Just know...understand...that whatever else happens today in the midst of this impossible situation...to me, you are perfect."

He lowered his head the last few inches between them, and brushed his mouth over hers. His touch was as soft and light as a butterfly's wing, but Hermione was shaking when he drew back from that chaste, sweet kiss.

"Professor...?"

He put his finger against her lips. "Severus. My name is Severus. Say it...let me hear you say my name."

"Severus..." His name left her lips on a breathy sigh.

Just once more. He could not stop himself. He kissed her again. "Promise me you will be careful?"

She nodded her head, clinging to him as tightly as she could.

He hesitated, then with obvious reluctance, released her and moved back a step.

"I need to speak to Minerva, Miss Granger."

"And I need to find out what's happened to Harry." He raised his hand and swiftly stroked it over her cheek.

"Remember, be careful."

"And you."

Hermione watched until he disappeared into the Great Hall, and then she turned and stumbled out the doors of the castle. She had no idea how long they had been talking, but guessed that it had been at least twenty or thirty minutes since Neville had seen Harry. She had to find him. She had to find Ron.

End Note: Severus's "To me, you are perfect" comment to Hermione was inspired by a lovely scene in "Love Actually." Unfortunately, it wasn't one of Alan Rickman's scenes, but it's still one of my favorite parts of the movie.