Back to Good: Part 2

Disclaimer: These characters belong to J.K.R. I've borrowed them, but I promise to Scourgify them before sending them home. No Galleons are being sent my way for this.

I'd like to thank my beta, Charmed Nay, for putting up with my crazy tales.

Hermione was watering her mother's flowers when she heard the sound of someone Apparating. She flicked her wand to stop the spray of water and went around to the front of their house. The tall, blond-haired man was making his way to the front door, walking with his back stiff and shoulders straight. He was the epitome of arrogant perfection.

"Mr. Malfoy?" she greeted, putting her wand away. "What are you doing here?"

She wondered if it had anything to do with what she'd said at the Weasleys'. Was he angry with her? Were they able to right Narcissa? She hadn't talked to anyone since the previous night to find out.

"Ah, hello," he greeted, pausing until she reached his side. "I had hoped you would be in on this fine afternoon." The front door opened. "Hello, Mrs. Granger," he said with a nod.

"Oh, Mr. Malfoy. Hello! I thought I heard voices." She smiled kindly. "Hermione, I wanted to go back down by the river to pick more of those berries. I shouldn't be long."

"All right." Hermione watched her go, basket swaying happily. "She loves it here."

"Will she be staying on after Severus wakes?"

Surprised, Hermione said, "You do believe it will work, don't you?"

"Of course." He looked around impatiently. "Aren't you going to ask me in?"

"Oh, right." She didn't say anything but led the way to the small sitting room. Once there, she spun around and blurted, "Why are you so nice to my mother? I remember the way you looked at her back on the day I first met you." At his puzzled look, he added, "When you fought with Mr. Weasley. You looked at us with distaste, and I know how you feel about Muggles."

"I am kind because she is your mother and living in Severus' home." He sat down and casually crossed one leg over the other, cane dangling from the hand resting on the armrest of the couch. "Although, I suppose I do have my selfish reasons. I do know that if I'd be rude to her, you'd not speak with me, and then, where would Severus be?" He flashed her a small mocking smile.

"Well, at least you're an honest, arrogant arsehole then."

His smile faded. "That's exactly why I wanted to speak with you."

"Because you're an arsehole?" she questioned cheekily.

"Because of your words, girl," he said, losing some of his polished patience. He waved her next words away. "After you left yesterday, the Weasleys and I came to a new understanding and have mutually agreed that until she is of age, Draco and Ginevra can live together...in separate rooms...in my home and theirs alternatively. Both Mrs. Weasley and a Healer that I have hired will see to the pregnancy."

"Well, that's good I suppose. What's this got to do with me?" she asked, sitting on the other end of the couch. Despite the awkwardness of visiting with Malfoy, she found that she was intrigued.

"We'll never see eye to eye, Arthur and I. We are complete opposites in nearly everything. While we can come to a truce and try to understand the choices each of us have made, we will never completely approve or like each other." He grinned unapologetically. "That's just the way of things. The gap between my kind and his will be filled and changed with Draco. He will be the Malfoy that is most accepting of their family and will marry into them, ending past hostilities and beginning a new alliance."

Though his tone was kind, she knew he truly believed in what he said about never approving of the Weasleys, and if he didn't approve of them, being purebloods, she had no chance of gaining his acceptance, as she was a Muggle-born witch. "Is this your roundabout way of telling me that you think I'm not good enough for Severus?"

He snorted incredulously. "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"You said..."

"Never mind," he interrupted. "I am uncertain if I want to know your process of deduction."

"The Weasleys are good people, and they love each other!"

"Do you think that I do not love my family, Miss Granger, just because I go about things in a different way to protect them and give them a good life? My family is the reason I went to the Dark Lord in the first place, aside from the impressive ability the man had."

Hermione snorted.

"Think what you must. I've never cared much for what... It's never bothered me how others see me," he said indignantly. "It was only recent times when I'd realized that things were not as they'd seemed and never had been, but that is another story. And one, I'm afraid, I will not divulge to you." He sighed. "The reason I am here is because your words made sense to me, but on a completely different level than what you'd intended."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked curiously. She'd never seen him speak so candidly, though his actions still reeked of superciliousness.

"Will you be accepting of me and my family in Severus' life?" he asked suddenly, shocking her.

"You're his friend, aren't you? Of course I will." What sort of stupid question was that?

"There are things that people like Arthur Weasley will never understand. People like Severus and I are different. We have a completely different code that we live by. He and I have a very strong bond of friendship and deep understanding. Your words," he pointed to her, "made me wonder if perhaps you might do one better than Arthur Weasley and actually be able to understand us... and join our way of living."

"I'm not sure what you mean," she said honestly. Hell, it nearly sounded like he was recruiting her to be a Death Eater. He was just as smooth as Voldemort himself. No, she thought sourly, nobody is that smooth... except maybe Severus.

"We've always been loyal and have protected what's ours. Severus would never harm my family, and I..."

"But he was angry with Narcissa when she and Rodolphus took me! He killed your brother-in-law with his bare hands!" Hermione said, wanting to point out that Severus was not like Malfoy and would punish those who did wrong...not just cover up for them.

"Yes, I know that he nearly killed her... or at least entertained the idea."

Hermione felt lightheaded suddenly. "And that is all right? You don't care?"

"Oh, I care," he reiterated, "but Narcissa went too far, as did Rodolphus. The line was crossed, and once that is breached, punishment must be mete out." When she simply stared at him, he added, "Did you not hear me? We never hurt our own. Narcissa thought that Severus had killed me, and she believed the same of Draco. She thought she was getting revenge, though she couldn't go through with it. She thought that he'd crossed the line first. Her actions are very understandable, and his are as well."

"Murder is never understandable," she bit out. She would never be like him or want any part of their bonding and code. He could talk until he was blue in the face, and she'd never accept his words.

"Rodolphus deserved death, did he not?" Lucius asked, sliding his silvery gaze over her face, elegant brow raised while awaiting her response.

"No, not death. Azkaban maybe." She shivered.

"Your eyes tell me that you're lying to me," he said matter-of-factly. "Do you know that Severus would have killed my wife, me, and the others who were imprisoned at Hogwarts had the Dark Lord been victorious?"

Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "No, he wouldn't have. Why would he go through all that trouble of saving you only to kill you?"

"He told me that he would, and I expected nothing less, as I would have done the same." He smiled in amusement when she shook her head again. "It's called self preservation, you see. The true reason that he'd have done it is to stay alive, yes, but also to save your life...no matter the cost. I would have done the same in his situation for my own."

"How would murdering his friends save my life?"

"Because he'd reported to the Dark Lord that we were dead, and if our Master would have found him to be lying, he would have done things to Severus and to you that you could never imagine." He looked away.

"You still want to save his life?" Hermione asked suspiciously. If Lucius knew all of this, what did he truly have planned? It was a lot to grasp when stated so bluntly and in such a manner. She'd thought of this before and always chose to ignore her ponderings. They were hard to ignore when spoken of so openly.

He gazed back at her, eyes alight with fierce determination. "I owe him for my life...more than once. He also came through for Cissy and Draco. I would have done the same had the roles been reversed. In fact, when Rabastan and the others tried to out him as someone who would betray our Lord, I sent him an owl in warning. We have always looked out for each other."

"I am not sure what you are talking about."

"That will be for Severus to explain," he said curtly. "I am just saying that people like Weasley will never understand the need to do what we must...whatever we must...to keep our own safe and alive." He gazed at her again and smiled knowingly. "But you understand, don't you?"

"It's wrong," she said again, though she had a feeling that she did understand Lucius. And by understanding him, she had a clearer picture of the type of man that Severus was. The interesting part was that it didn't bother her, not really. If anything, she felt comforted somehow.

"What would you do, Hermione Granger? Would you die for Severus? Would you kill for him? Would you work yourself to death in an attempt to save his life, knowing the type of man that he is and not caring?"

Hermione looked down and was lost in thought. If her death meant his life, would she do it? She thought of the way he'd jumped in front of the curse so that she'd be safe. Yes, she would do the same and not care of the consequences whether they were death or otherwise. Would she kill for him? She'd wanted to kill Voldemort herself when she'd thought Severus to be lost to her. And she had been working herself ragged to bring him back, never giving up on him. He would have done the same for her.

"I do understand," she said. She wondered if Lucius might not be wrong. Surely others felt the same about their loved ones. Wouldn't Mr. Weasley kill Bellatrix himself if he could since she killed Ron? Hermione realized immediately that he wouldn't. He'd see her thrown into Azkaban instead. What does that say about me and the person I've become?

"Now, what I want to know is if you will forgive me of the list that you made about my actions on my last visit. Shall we begin anew for Severus? He and I will always be friends. It would be a shame to let our past come between us." He seemed wistful for a moment. "I think that Severus is the only man left alive and free who can truly understand me."

"For Severus, will you cease to think of me as a Mudblood and continue to treat my mother with respect even though she's a Muggle?" This was the most important thing to her...that her mother be treated with respect.

"I will consider you as Severus' family, Hermione...if I may call you that...and as one of our own and will always extend the same allegiance that Severus gets to you. In the event that he can't, I will see to it that you are protected, as he did with my family." He looked at her expectantly.

She was shocked that this man would truly see her as an equal and forget about her bloodlines. Well, Severus is only a half-blood, and they are obviously close. He didn't hold Severus' Muggle father against him. Hermione knew she may never completely be able to understand some of their past deeds, but she would never dwell on them. The future was all that mattered.

"I will never be rude to you or your family and will treat you as... as one of our own," she said, feeling a sudden odd bonding and a burst of confidence. "Does your wife feel the same?" she wondered.

"She does." He rose. "And how much longer until my old friend awakens?"

"Friday evening is when I'm set to give him the dose." She grinned and stood. "But I'll ask that no visitors come by. I want him all to myself." She hoped that everything went all right with the potion and that she would indeed have her time with him.

"Good luck."

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Hermione placed the phial on the nightstand and sat next to Severus, eagerly anticipating his awakening. She was afraid that something would go wrong, but everything seemed the same so far. There were so many things that she was bursting to say, and yet she was unsure of what she'd say first.

After minutes passed with no noticeable change, she went to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of tea. A watched potion never begins to brew, she thought ironically. Perhaps that should be watching for a potion's reaction never happens. She was glad that her mother was at the Burrow for the night. She wouldn't want her to witness her breakdown if the potion didn't work. Part of her, though, longed for the comfort that her mother gave her.

She looked at the worn parchment that Severus had written his final letter to her on. How many times had she read it? She knew it by heart, yet she still carried it with her in her pockets each day. A line caught her attention.

You will never know how much of an impact you had on me and my life, Hermione, and I am grateful for the times we had even if they now must end.

"No," she whispered sadly. "I'm not ready for them to end." Her skin prickled as if being watched. She looked around but saw nothing amiss. The illogical part of her mind began playing tricks on her. What if he's gone, Hermione? What if his spirit is here watching you? What if you've read that part of the letter...not by mere chance...and it's a sign to let him go?

"Stop!" she said aloud. She had to have faith that she would go back into the room and find him sitting up in bed, looking around in puzzlement, not knowing why he was there or what had transpired. Another line of his letter caught her attention.

I love you enough to let you go because I feel that is what would make you the happiest, and I can only hope that you will understand why I've chosen to end things and forgive me.

She felt the wetness sliding along her cheeks before she realized that she was crying in disappointment. The potion was not working. "Are we not meant to be?" she asked no one in particular. "Should I let him go?" She knew that she was too selfish and could truly never do this. She would try to bring him back even if it killed her.

If I should die, which would be why you are reading this, I want you to know that I regret nothing, aside from not appreciating you sooner and only wishing we'd had a little more time. Be strong for me.

Hermione left her untouched teacup on the counter, pocketed her letter, and made her way back to their bed. He hadn't moved a muscle that she could see. "Severus," she said through tears of disappointment, "I am so sorry. I've failed you this time. I promise that I'll find out what I did wrong, and I will fix things. I swear it."

She went to the bath and undressed, needing to soak in hot water to mull over what she could have possibly done wrong. "Maybe we should have taken his weight into account instead of doubling things like I said," she mumbled. "And I'll get all the ingredients from different sources this time. Maybe that had something to do with it."

One thing she didn't look forward to was telling Dumbledore and the others that the potion had failed...that she'd failed. "I've failed Severus." Those words would likely be what a Boggart would scream at her if she came across one. It was her worst nightmare come true. The worst part was that now she was reading things into his letter and wondering if she was making the right decisions. Surely she was, but there was the little niggling voice of doubt trying to be heard.

After her bath, she pulled on a nightshirt and made her way to bed, kissing Severus and holding him as she always did, whispering promises of love and more attempts to make things right, silently crying herself to sleep, drifting into an uncomfortable dream.

Hermione was running as quickly as she could, tripping occasionally on a root or branch. Something was after her! She could hear its pounding steps. Finally, she saw a clearing with light and ran to it, stopping in shock. Severus stood in its center in all his glory...dark hair framing his face, black robes billowing about him in the light breeze. His expression was serious as he opened his arms.

The last kiss we'll ever share, her mind screamed.

She gazed into his eyes when he pulled back, and she could see the open adoration in his eyes, the love and the pride. She lifted up to press her lips back to his for another kiss, this time passionate.

It was then that she realized that she was no longer dreaming. She was kissing Severus, and he was alive and well and kissing her back. Their kiss continued as he lowered himself back down to lie beside her. When they pulled away for air, she could say nothing. All of her planned greetings were lost to her. She could only hold him and weep with joy, mumbling happy words of love.

Minutes later, he finally spoke. "I'm thirsty."

She quickly summoned a glass of water and helped him sit up to drink it. Some of the liquid dribbled down his chin.

"Too much," he rasped.

"I thought I lost you," Hermione blurted.

"For a while, so did I."

"What do you mean? Were you... aware?" she asked, placing the glass aside and scooting to hold him.

"Of everything. Yes, I was." He smoothed back her rumpled hair as he talked. "One minute I was at the battle with you holding me, and then, I awoke to hear a Healer at St. Mungo's telling you to leave me there. I'd hoped that you wouldn't, but I wouldn't have blamed you if you would have." His lips curved in a small smile. "You didn't leave me."

"Never. I knew that there had to be something that I could do," she replied.

The intensity of his silent gaze surprised her. She'd forgotten that about him, the way his eyes seemed to penetrate hers and projected his passion and power her way, making her feel as if he were a part of her and could read all of her feelings and thoughts.

"So much has happened. I don't know where to start. It's been the longest few months of my life. I can't imagine how long it felt to you." She leaned into the hand on the side of her face. "It feels so good to have you touch me again."

"You are forgetting that you've talked to me each day, never leaving anything out. I don't think there is much that you could tell me that I don't already know," he said reassuringly. "Don't worry about it."

"I hoped that you could hear me and feel me. They thought that you probably couldn't, but I never stopped hoping," she said softly.

"The only true comforts that I had were your voice and your touch. If I hadn't had those, I believe that I would have given up and faded into nothingness." He kissed her again. "Most days while you worked, I would sleep, only waking if your mother visited me, but at night, I would mostly remain awake, enjoying the sound of your breathing as you slept at my side, enjoying the touch of your cold feet against me, enjoying your incoherent sleep talking." He smiled genuinely. "I take it your mother approves."

"Oh, yes," Hermione said immediately. "She's been very supportive and has been helping me. Neither of us really wanted to be alone, so we decided to stay together. It worked out perfectly actually."

"She may stay as long as she'd like," he said, embracing her again, not able to get enough or be close enough.

"Thank you. I am glad to hear you say that. We thought that maybe she could live on this street near us eventually, what with all the empty homes. Someone is bound to want to sell one. It will give us all a bit of privacy, and when she's ready, she'll open a new practice. Someplace near."

He became very still and said nothing.

"Severus?" she asked uneasily. "You do want that, right? Or at least... you do want me?"

"More than anything," he said fervently, pulling her to him for an aggressive kiss. It was as if he was trying to convey his feelings through his lips.

When she felt his hand squeezing her breast, she pulled back to giggle. "Behave. You need to build up your strength before we go any further."

He made no comment about that and continued to touch her breasts and body. "Before the battle, I never thought I'd have the chance to be with you again, and here you are with me once more. I thought I'd be killed by the Dark Lord for my treachery or by some jumped up Auror who didn't realize I was on the right side... for once."

In a hushed voice, Hermione said, "He died and never knew that you'd betrayed him. I expect that he only thought that you'd made a bad judgment to spare me. He probably would have changed you back as soon as he could with some countercurse that we couldn't find." She shrugged. "We only found the potion. I'm so thankful that it worked."

Severus closed his eyes, and his hand fell away from her.

She wondered if he was taking a moment to mourn the loss of his old Master. Would that bother her? No, she supposed that even though the man was bad, they'd been close and that Severus must have felt some pang at his loss, though he helped to bring it on. She didn't have to even think that her lover regretted his decision. She knew better.

His voice broke into her thoughts. "You are more beautiful than I remembered, but you are much thinner." His hand ran down her bare thigh. "Did you not eat?"

"Mum cooks often, so yes, I ate dinner each night." She shrugged. "I didn't have time for much eating or resting. Not when I had work to do" She smiled. "And something much more important to figure out."

"We'll need to fix that," he said with a smirk.

"Are you hungry?" she asked, suddenly hungry herself.

"I could use something light," he said. "Besides, I want to get out of bed. I've been here long enough, I think."

"Well, the leg and arm exercises that I did for you should help," she said, scooting over and off the bed to help him up.

Once he was standing and had taken a few unsteady steps, he was able to walk on his own, though he kept her close to his side. She didn't mind. It was almost as if they were afraid to wake and find their reunion a dream.

After tea had been made and bread had been toasted, they sat at their kitchen table with the window open, enjoying the fresh breeze and the sounds of the night creatures that were out frolicking in the foggy darkness.

"You know," he began, "something else gave me great pleasure."

"Oh?" she asked curiously, but she reddened immediately upon seeing his expression. "How embarrassing! I had to do that for the potion."

Severus laughed for the first time. "I certainly didn't mind, and might I just say that you were certainly dedicated to your duty. Why, I've never known you to continue on for such a long period of time."

She threw her napkin in his direction. "My wrists hurt for two days, thanks!"

"Well, the feeling would come and then go. I do apologize for taking so long," he said. "But I enjoyed it."

Despite herself, she smiled. "If I would have known that you could feel it and liked it, I might have been inclined to seek further pleasure." She laughed loudly as the images came to mind. "No, perhaps not."

"I am glad that your job is working out for you," he said after a silence.

"So am I. I really thought that I would have to find another. My boss, though, has changed his attitude. I just think he needed to see that I can handle myself and what he throws at me." She wriggled her eyebrows. "I would have hexed him next."

"I imagine so," he said. He leaned back and stretched. "So, Slughorn is back at Hogwarts then, is he? I never thought he'd get out of retirement."

"The headmaster had to tempt him, I think, but I don't know with what," she said, reaching over to take his hand in hers. "Did you like him much?"

"He was a good professor, though his priorities were usually in the wrong place," Severus said. "Let's not talk about him. Let's talk about something I've been thinking of. I didn't doubt that you would find a way to right my curse once you put your mind to it, so I've been thinking about my career. I don't detest working at Hogwarts so much that I would never go back. It's been a comfortable job for me these past years."

"So...? You want to teach again?" she asked uncertainly.

"I am thinking about it, but I wondered if maybe I shouldn't try my hand at something else first. An Apothecary shop perhaps? Developing my own potions to market? Slughorn has a few years left in him. I could always go back later," he said, gazing at her thoughtfully. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to be happy and do what you'd like." She scooted her chair closer. "Severus, you've given up much of your adult life to do the work of others. Why not try something that you want to do now? I know you've saved your money, and I have a job making a good salary. We can manage just fine while you get things together."

"Never did I think that life could be this way," he said quietly.

"But it is," she said happily. "We'll be good together, and I will never leave your side. Nor did I ever want to. Surely you must realize that now."

He nodded. "I thought you'd be happier with Potter and the others. You'd... I... You were unhappy with me."

"No, never with you. I just didn't like the situation, but even so, once I thought you'd truly severed ties with me, I would have given anything to be back with you. That's why I went with the others to the battle. I couldn't help it. I'd planned to Stun you and bring you away before anyone could harm you."

"Yes, and I was angry that you were there."

Hermione looked away. "My mum warned me that going might make things worse, and I've been hearing her say that over and over these past few months." She looked up again, eyes shining with tears. "Severus, what if I hadn't gone and what if someone had hexed you, killing you then? I could not have gone on. I know it."

"Perhaps all things worked out for the best." He took another drink from his cup. In words that were so softly spoken she nearly missed them, he said, "You are not the same now. You've changed, and I like the woman you've become."

She nodded and welcomed the feeling of peace that settled over her. He accepted her and would keep her with him always. "What now?" she asked.

"Marriage? Children?" he asked, eyeing her guardedly.

"There is definitely no rush on that. We still have time, and I'm completely happy with you like this." She felt a little relieved when he smiled. "We made plans long ago. Remember? We'd live together, each working at our careers, and just go from there. No need to change that now."

"I agree," he said. "I am content with things as they are, though I imagine one day..."

She smiled. "What now?" she asked again, hoping he'd get the meaning this time.

"I think a bath is in order...a real one. I appreciated your daily washings, but I think the spray of a shower would do me well."

Hermione led him to their chambers and paused. "Severus, this room..."

"It's all right," he said, knowing that she was about to make excuses as to why she'd thought to use the locked room as their chambers. "It's time that the ghosts of the past be released."

"Will you one day share your past with me?" she asked.

After a short deliberation, he nodded. "I will." He quickly added, "In my own time."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," she said, getting him a fresh nightshirt and underpants.

He took her hand and kissed it. "My mother's ring never looked better. It means a lot to me to see you wearing it. At headquarters, when I saw it cast aside and still in the box, I thought maybe you didn't want it at first. I didn't want you to know how disappointed I'd been, but after you'd seen it..." His voice trailed away, sounding a bit choked.

"All right?"

"I am."

She followed him into the bathroom and unconsciously began to help him pull off his nightshirt. "Do you feel any differently?" She gazed at his naked body and looked away. Realizing that there was no reason to, she faced him again. "Physically? Mentally? The potion didn't do anything to you, did it?"

He turned on the water and felt the spray change to the temperature he wanted. "I admit that I feel a little weaker than normal, but that is to be expected. I've been abed for nearly four months." He stepped into the shower. "And mentally? Well, it feels good to be free, I suppose, if that makes sense to you. It makes me appreciate life as I never have before." He quickly ducked his head under the falling water, ending their conversation.

Hermione could tell that he was uncomfortable voicing that, but there would come a time that words would come to him easily. Until then, she'd not push him. He deserved to accept life's changes at his own pace.

She brushed her teeth, washed up, and made her way back to bed, intent on waiting up for him. However, when her head hit the pillow, she drifted off into the most peaceful sleep she'd had in months.

Severus came out of the bathroom to find his witch sleeping soundly and hadn't the heart to wake her. She was more beautiful than he'd remembered, and she belonged to him. "And me to her," he whispered.

For the first time in months, he was able to lie beside her, prop himself up on one elbow, and watch her sleep while holding her. He couldn't express the elation he felt about being given a chance to start a new life. As soon as he could, he would show her. He stayed like this until sleep finally took him.

When he woke again, she was stirring beside him but had not yet roused fully. The first day of the rest of our lives... Feeling much stronger than he had the night before, he tossed aside his nightshirt before moving to lower his head to her throat and begin his slow seduction, hoping to stir her from sleep.

"Mmmm," she moaned in a playful, sleepy haze. "What do you think you are doing?"

"I am going to make love to you, my little enchantress," he said decisively.

"Enchantress, eh?"

"Indeed." Their lips met in a single kiss. He pulled back to eye her, seeing things in a different light. "And all this time I thought that I was luring you to me... enticing you to be to mine...."

"Instead, I, being the enchantress, was the one that was doing the luring."

He did not reply, as his lips were traveling down to her breasts, patiently nipping at her skin until each button of her nightshirt was loosened from its imprisoning hole.

She sighed contently. This was what she'd been dreaming of for a long time...having him back and with her. "Or... maybe you did lure me in."

Southern's Notes: And there we have it, the end to my long, twisty tale. I really hope you've all enjoyed it and that this last chapter was not a let down. I just don't feel like they have to rush off into marriage or anything. Taking things slowly will likely be the best course of action. I may add an epilogue in, but I sort of feel good about the ending and may leave it as is. I am thinking of a different type of epilogue and may do that. We'll see.

Thanks go to everyone who left reviews for me and talked me through the story. I really appreciate each and every one that I get, always replying to them. Sometimes we tend to forget about something, and when it's questioned, we are able to tie it in and close it up. It's just encouraging. Thanks!

I'm quite sad to see this end, but I really need to get back to revising the original novel that I wrote. My beta also edits that for me, and she's been wondering when I'm going to get to work. Hehe! Unfortunately for her and me, I've already got other things in the works for the HP world. I've started a post-HBP story that I will be posting soon. The updates will not be fast, though, as I do have to work on what pays before what's free...if you know what I mean. I'll write when I have time left. Anyway, be on the lookout for it. The title is "The Flight of the Prince" and the prologue will be up soon.

I'd like to know your thoughts on the story if you've not let me know before or even if you did.

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And here I will post a few notes about Hermione's character. I've gotten some people saying she's not very in character here or that they'd wanted to slap her a few times. Yes, that was purposely done (the frustrated feelings towards her anyway). As far as in character, this is how I perceive her. Before HBP came out, I enjoyed a different type of Hermione, but once I read that, I realized she's still only a kid and wouldn't be as some portray her. Not while she's still in school and that age. Therefore, I adapted some of that and brought it here in this story. If you disagree, that's fine, but this is my opinion. I'll post here what I told a reviewer just to clarify the reasoning behind her character.

Response:

Hermione was 17--nearly 18 at the end--in HBP, and she acted much like this one (immature at times, bad decisions, emotional, etc), so that's how I portrayed her. And I do believe that most 18 year olds are still childish in some ways and tend to do things that older adults wouldn't. That's not even factoring in what love does to a person sometimes.

Being too easily manipulated? I think she would be, especially by Snape--a master of hoodwinking. She never stood up to him in canon. She tried to, but the moment he yelled, told her to shut up, or whatever, she stopped, allowing him to go on. Even after all he'd said to her and done to her friends, she respected him and took him at his word.

I'm of the mind that she is already manipulated in canon. Dumbledore has been orchestrating things for a long time, leaving enough clues for Harry to catch on, and Hermione is right there going down the same path.

If I write an older Hermione, then, yes, I do try to give her a bit more "umph" (what's the dang word I'm looking for?) than this. She's quite clever, but she not the savior to the Wizarding world. I don't like a Hermione that has all the answers. After HBP, I realized that. Like her having to work hard in Potions and not being able to figure out the Prince thing and so on.... It just made me rethink things where she's concerned. That's why I had her working so hard at this potion, fearing she would fail (which is what her bogart is: failure). I don't think she would get it perfect the first time without help or really working at it.

Anyway, if I write her as a kid (18, I mean), then she'll likely be just like this--not perfect like I see in many other stories. Snape, on the other hand, is a master manipulator, and if he can't fool/manipulate an 18-year old girl, then he's not very good is he? I'm betting that he could do so very easily. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lasted long with Voldemort or Dumbledore. I think Hermione has a bit more growing to do before she's comparable with either of them--talent, cleverness, experience, and knowledge.