Chapter 21

Disclaimer: It's all for fun, no money is being made, and etc.

Thanks go to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay!

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Hermione opened her eyes slowly and quickly closed them again as the brightness of the room stung and blinded her. She wanted to bring her hands up to her eyes, but she couldn't seem to move. What had happened? Where was she? Why did her body feel as though Grawp had squeezed her in one of his fists?

Things slowly came back to her...Ron had been captured, thanks to her treachery...and Voldemort had been there. But then... Harry and the Order had found them. The image of Severus trying to fling hexes at Hagrid came to mind. Nothing he'd done had helped, and Hagrid had slammed him against the wall like a rag doll.

There'd been a loud crunch, and he'd lost consciousness.

Severus!

"Se..." She opened her eyes again, this time more slowly, and found that the room was quite blurry, only bright light and a couple of shadows easily discerned.

"She's awake!"

McGonagall.

"Seve..." Hermione swallowed.

"Keep quiet for now. Let me get some water," the headmistress said, voice tired and excited at the same time. "We've been so worried about you, lass."

A hand slid behind Hermione's neck and helped her up while another pressed a cup to her lips. She closed her eyes and gratefully took a small sip of the cool liquid, soothing her parched throat. Turning her head to the side, she indicated she'd had enough before opening her eyes and gazing at McGonagall, amazed at how long it took for her to come into focus.

The smiling woman beamed down at her. "It's been nearly a week, Hermione. We're so happy to have you back with us."

"Severus?" she managed to ask.

"What about him?" another voice asked.

"Har-Harry," she said, lifting a hand...barely...in his direction. "You did it."

"We did it," he said, taking her hand in his. He gave her a warm smile. "Welcome back, Hermione."

Hermione returned his smile and then let it fade. "He's on our side," she said and swallowed. "Severus. Dumbledore's man."

"I know," Harry said, placing her hand back on the bed. "Don't worry about that just now."

"Where is he?"

McGonagall answered when Harry simply gazed down at his friend. "He's probably at his home. He was here for the first two days, preparing the potions for you and whatnot, but he's since gone home once we knew you'd be safe."

Hermione nodded, relieved that he wasn't hurt as badly as she'd feared, and then she realized that she hadn't asked about Ron. "Ron?"

"He's fine. He was here. Never left your side after he woke up."

"When did he wake?"

"Right about the time Severus left," McGonagall answered.

"He was out, too, for a bit. Part of your spell knocked him into some sort of coma...a little like yours but not as badly. Both of you will be all right," Harry added. "Things can finally be back to normal now, Hermione. You're free. Voldemort's dead."

She couldn't say anything in return, so she closed her eyes, feeling as though her throat was closing up and her chest was tightening. Hermione had the urge to cry but knew that nothing but dry heaves would be possible.

"Something's wrong," Harry said.

"It's all too much for her to take in. Give me the potion." A phial was placed at her lips and potion was forced down. "Sleep, lass. Sleep."

"Rabastan?" she asked, uncertain if they'd heard her.

"Azkaban," McGonagall replied.

"No, he..." And then darkness came for her.

Much later, Hermione felt her bed move but decided to keep her eyes closed. No matter how much she'd missed her friends in the past few months, she didn't feel like talking to any of them. Severus was gone. How would it feel lying in bed alone again? Could she truly go back to her life as it had been before he and she had been thrown together?

She thought of Ron's betrayed expression and knew that she'd have to try. If Harry's attitude was anything to go by, he wouldn't be pleased if she ended things with Ron either. He'd likely blame himself for the entire mess, and it would just cause too many problems for them all in the long run. Time would pass. She would learn to live again as she had before. Why should all of her goals change now? She still ultimately wanted the same things: a job with a good salary and benefits, security, a home, and, eventually, a family.

"Hello, love," Ron's voice whispered from beside her. "I know you're sleeping still, but I couldn't help slipping in. McGonagall is out today. Been a right side peskier than Madam Pomfrey, that woman. Won't let us in for long at all." He snorted. "They're both out today."

Ron sighed softly, and Hermione felt the bed dip as he sat next to her. He then pulled one of her hands into both of his, rubbing it gently. "So much has happened since you've been gone. Harry and me, we've been through a lot, and it was hard without you, I admit that. I guess the git's letters helped." He made a growling noise. "I hate him...his hands on you, his lips on you. Bastard."

His words brought forth several flashes of memories. Severus' head thrown back as he came, Severus restraining himself and not taking advantage of her, the way his mouth felt against hers.... How would she be able to do this? She'd fallen in love with him, hadn't she? While she loved Ron...a great deal...she couldn't deny that it was now Severus who held her heart.

"Of course, I wasn't better, was I? I didn't mean to do it, really I didn't. I thought it was real, and when I saw that, I just wanted to get back at you. You looked like you liked it...like you really wanted him. Harry found me out, mind, but he's not brought it up yet. Him and McGonagall both. I keep thinking I should tell you, but I know..." His lips pressed against each of her fingers. "I love you, Hermione. We're going to make this work. We'll be together just like we planned. Always."

And Hermione's heart dropped. He still wanted to make a go of things, still loved her and wanted her. She couldn't hurt him. Why should she anyway? Severus hadn't stayed around to make a claim on her heart, had he? Rabastan was wrong. It had all been a pretense for him, and now he could live his life in peace, putting what they'd shared behind him...where it belonged, exactly as she should do.

He's not pretending, Rabastan had said.

But what was Ron going on about, saying he'd done something as well. She hoped he'd elaborate, but she drew her own conclusions. He must have sought out someone else. But whom? Nobody really went to headquarters that would be available to him. Oddly enough, Hermione realized that the thought of Ron being with someone else didn't hurt as much as she might have thought. Where were the pain, the feeling of betrayal, and the jealousy?

"When you hexed me and took Snape's side, I really thought you'd picked him over me. Boy did I feel stupid. I even... I hated you for it, you know? And that keeps playing over in my mind. That and when you were over by Malfoy and the git went to you, kissing you. It seemed so natural."

He let her hand slip down next to her and moved off of the bed, obviously pacing. "You said you have feelings for him. That's just you being loyal, I expect, feeling thankful for him helping us and all. That'll pass. I mean, oi, I sometimes think about Lavender, you know? That just makes us even. It's probably normal. I'll bet Harry still thinks about Cho sometimes."

Lavender Brown. It had to be her that he'd turned to. That would be why McGonagall knew about it, aside from Harry. She thought back to their sixth year when Lavender and Ron had always been attached at the hip...er, at the lips rather. A small pang of jealousy invaded her mind. How dare he go to her?

Severus... a voice whispered.

Hermione pushed the thought away. He wouldn't want her now...not now that he had a real choice, would he?

Perhaps you should find out.

Opening her eyes, Hermione decided she'd had enough of feigning sleep. "Is she the one you turned to for sex when you thought I'd made love to Severus?"

Ron spun around to face her, mouth agape and eyes wide with horror. "Er... you're awake?"

"I am." She felt proud that her voice was steady, but without something to drink, she wouldn't be able to say much more. "Water please."

"Sure." He quickly went to the table beside her bed and promptly dropped the glass, his hands shaking terribly. "Sorry. A little nervous."

"About Lavender?"

"No," he said, surprisingly firm. "Just wanting to do this right." He poured water from a tall pitcher into another glass and hurried to help her drink from it.

"'S all right. I can hold it. Help me sit up a little."

He quickly did her bidding and gave her the glass while he repaired the other one. Without looking at her, he resumed his pacing and started talking. "Guess I'm glad you heard that. We can get things out in the open." He faced her then, a look of determination on his face. "I love you. You love me. We both want to get things back to normal. We'll do that. You and Snape, you might have been pretending, but it was still another man all over you. You even said you care about him. Well, that makes us even. All right?"

Angry, she said, "I wouldn't have ever gone to him for any of that. I had no choice!"

"I know that, love. I know that. I'm not holding it against you." He smiled shakily. "It's like I told that git when I woke up and saw him in here..."

"You told him something for being here? At Hogwarts? You have no right!"

"Damn right I did. Our future has no place for him in it."

"Ron, he's helped us win this war! He saved my life. How dare you speak for me!"

"I don't need him sniffing around and confusing you, do I? You don't have to feel sorry for him! The git's getting an Order of Merlin just like us. He'll go on with his life, and we'll go on with ours."

"What did you tell him?"

"Told him thanks for his potions, but he had no reason to hang around here, seeing as you're my girl and you told me you still wanted me."

"And... and what did he say?"

"Said he was only here to help because he'd been asked and didn't care what we did with our lives. I expect McGonagall paid him for all that he did." He smirked. "Harry ran after him, came back madder than a plucked owl, he did. Just said he was glad to see the arse go."

Hermione closed her eyes and tried to turn over, though her body ached immensely, causing her to moan. "Leave me be," she said through tears.

"Hermione... all right?"

"No, just leave." She began sobbing loudly, unable to stop, and again she felt as though her throat wanted to close up and as if her lungs had expelled the last of its breath and refused to expand again.

"Mr. Weasley! What have you done to her?" McGonagall demanded. "How long have you been here?"

"Not long at all. We were just talking, and she turned over. Sounded like it hurt, and she started crying."

Hermione gasped for air as more sobs wracked her body. Her hands clutched her chest tightly as she struggled to breathe. She desperately wanted the release tears would bring her, but it seemed her body wouldn't allow it.

"Good Lord, I think she's having a stress attack!"

"What's she stressed for? It's over."

"Are you daft? Hand me that phial." She leaned over and helped Hermione sit up, embracing her and rocking slightly. "There, there. Take your time, breathe and let it out."

"So tight... my chest." Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she'd never felt more bereft in her life. "Hurts so much." And she knew deep down that she was referring to more than her physical pains.

"Mr. Weasley, you should leave for now. I'll see to Miss Granger."

"Right then. If you need anything..."

"I won't hesitate to ask Poppy if I need anything," she said curtly.

"What did that inconsiderate boy say to make you so upset?" she asked, her voice kinder than Hermione had ever heard.

There was no honest answer she could give the woman, though, not without admitting her feelings out loud, and that simply wouldn't do. "The potion."

"Yes, it will make you sleep some more, and it's well past your dose time anyway." She gave Hermione the phial. "There's only one dose left. Take all of it." After Hermione gave the empty phial back to her, she added, "When you next wake, either Poppy or I will help you up and get you on your feet."

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"Harry! What took you so long? Professor McGonagall said you'd be here an hour ago!"

"Ah, you know how Mrs. Weasley is, always trying to make me eat and then asking loads of questions."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I had to pretend that I was tired last night just to get her to leave." She smiled at Harry. "I'm so happy for you and for Ginny."

"Eh?"

"Ah, to hear Mrs. Weasley tell it, there's going to be a wedding soon." She snickered as Harry's face paled. "Right proud to have Harry Potter as her son-in-law, I'd say."

Harry laughed. "Ginny and I decided it was time to resume our relationship, that's all." He shook his head. "What of you and Ron? She's not planning a double wedding for us all then?"

This caused Hermione to frown. "No."

"What's wrong?"

She turned away from his questioning eyes. "Things are different now, aren't they?"

Harry moved around the bed into her line of vision. Looking uncomfortable, he asked, "Do you love Snape?"

Her eyes widened for a moment. "H-Harry, why are you asking me that?"

"I saw some memories, Snape and my mum. He used to love her, did all this all these years because of that. The way he was with her..." Harry nodded towards her. "Those memories that Voldemort sent, I saw him with you that way."

"He was only acting, Harry. It was all an act."

"Do you love him?"

Tears came to her eyes. Hermione slid her legs over the side of her bed and put her bare feet on the cold stones of the floor. "I want to look out the window. It's nearly sunset."

Harry was at her side instantly to help her. "I... I talked to Snape after he left."

"Ron told me," she said, leaning against the windowsill with his support. "Did you tell him, too, that he wasn't welcome?"

"I... I asked him if he loved you."

Hermione snapped her head towards him so fast her neck cracked. "What? Why?"

"I had to know. I walked in while he and Ron were at it, and I just had to know."

"What did he say?" she blurted before she could help herself.

"He said no."

"Well, of course, he said no. I told you it was a farce."

"He's lying."

"Enough, Harry. I don't want to hear any more."

"He did the same thing to my mum. I saw it."

"And I don't want to hear about that either."

"He turned her away because he thought it was best, and that's what he's doing now."

"I thought you hated Snape?"

"That was before."

"Before what?"

"Before I knew there was so much more to him."

"Yes, well, it's done then."

"Hermione, you and Ron, you're my family, and I want you to be happy, but I have a feeling that... that maybe you won't be."

"This will all pass, Harry, and really, it's nothing like you think. Just don't worry about it, okay?"

"How can I not?"

"I... Ron mentioned that he'd gone to Lavender. He said you knew."

"He told you about that!"

"How did it happen? When?"

"I went to Hogwarts, left out the Pensieve I'd viewed some of Voldemort's memories in. Ron was at his parents' and supposed to be gone for a bit. When I came back, though, he'd seen them, and I went to Hogwarts to talk to McGonagall. I just had the idea to talk to Lavender, and I was right."

Hermione gazed at him steadily. "Why did you just happen to get that idea? Has he been talking to her while I've been gone?"

Harry ran his fingers through his hair and looked towards the door, a guilty expression on his face.

"Harry?"

"There have been owls, but I swear that he's not come here to see her. Not that I know of. And the only reason he went there and... did that...if anything more...is because he was hurt, had seen what he thought to be you and Snape together." He shrugged. "It's no excuse, but I don't think he'd have done it otherwise."

"It's something we'll have to work through," she said a little bitterly, though her mind was not on Ron or Lavender.

"What did he say?"

"He said no."

"All right? You just swayed on your feet."

"Harry, I want to talk to you about Rabastan Lestrange."

His brow furrowed. "What about him?"

"He isn't like the other Death Eaters. He took care of me, too, after we got to know each other. When I asked him to leave Ron alone, he did it for me. He is the reason we had the last Horcrux."

"There's something else."

"What?"

"Kingsley told me that last month he met with Rabastan Lestrange."

"Oh?"

"He was going to try to get you out of there in exchange for amnesty."

Hermione leaned heavily against the wall, her mouth hanging open slightly. "I... what?"

"He told Kingsley he wanted to help you and could deliver you safely if the Ministry promised to be lenient with him and gave him protection until the Dark Lord was defeated."

"Why, then, is he in Azkaban?"

"I guess it's because he didn't bring you like he said."

"Harry, talk for him. Please."

"All right. I'll see what I can do. Things are crazy at the Ministry right now."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, people are calling for Scrimgeour to resign, saying he did a rotten job of it, cocked things up as badly as Fudge." Harry smirked. "I wouldn't even go that far, but I think there'd be a better choice."

"Who?"

"Kingsley. He's fair, knows what he's doing, and is respected. People like him."

Hermione nodded, mind still awhirl at what she'd learned about Rabastan. He would have betrayed Severus for her! Or had that been something they'd planned together? She would have to ask Severus when he... I won't get the chance to ask him, will I? He won't be around anymore.

"Oh, I brought you some copies of the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler's last issue. We're in there a good bit. So's Snape."

"Thanks, Harry. I think I'll lie down for a while, but would it be all right if I borrowed Hedwig?"

"She's at the Burrow."

"Where are you staying for now?"

"Grimmauld Place, but I let her stay there with Pig. She deserves the rest."

"I'll just get a school owl."

"Is it odd staying here? At Hogwarts?"

"I... I rather like it. I have peace here."

"Mrs. Weasley would like to have you at the Burrow, and you're welcome back at Grimmauld Place."

"I think when I leave here, Harry, I'm going to go home for a while. I miss my mum and dad."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry. Should we tell them?"

"No, I told McGonagall that I'd rather not."

"I never thought about them at all. Some mate I am, eh?"

"No, it's all right. I try to keep them in the dark about things sometimes."

He nodded. "Come on then. Let me help you back to bed. I'll unshrink these and leave them by your bedside. You can look them over whenever. I expect it's time for your lunch anyway."

"Harry, thank you. For everything. You're a good friend to me."

"I just want you to be happy, Hermione."

"I will be."

He turned to leave, but he added, "Check out what Luna's dad wrote, all right?"

"Okay."

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Hermione smirked as she read over some of Rita Skeeter's comments about the war.

...and Severus Snape still won't return my owls for a meeting. The man has declined everyone, so I suppose I shouldn't be offended. Can you imagine being a ghastly professor and then thought of as a murderer only to suddenly be hailed a hero after the Boy Who Lived vouches for you? That's what this poor sod has endured. Albus Dumbledore knew what he was doing when he approached sly Snape for help, didn't he? For comments about Dumbledore and his sketchy past, please tune in to the wireless tonight at nine for an exclusive interview with me.

She'd have to see if there was a radio in the staff room that she could possibly listen to. Hermione was quite tired of lying about in the hospital wing. In fact, since Harry had visited her earlier in the day, she felt much better...physically anyway.

The Quibbler caught Hermione's attention, as there was a picture of Fawkes on the front page, his colorful wings flying as he moved towards a set of mountains. "This is what Harry wanted me to see." She flipped to the next page and began reading.

Fawkes the phoenix was the familiar of the late headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. The last anyone had seen of him was the night that the headmaster had been killed by Severus Snape, which we now know was part of an elaborate plot. The late headmaster had been dying already from a curse he'd endured the year before. If you would recall the state of his hand, you'll know this to be true. Severus Snape saved his life at that time and enabled him to live longer. The night Dumbledore died, however, he'd drank a poisonous potion, and witnesses now say that he'd been nearly at his last breath when Severus Snape used the Killing Curse on him.

Regardless, I don't think anyone can argue the fact that this would-be killer was truly Dumbledore's man when the phoenix song sounded just after Voldemort's death. Fawkes didn't fly to Potter's side. He went to Severus Snape's aid. It seemed that the man had taken heavy injuries during the battle, breaking bones for one thing, but he'd also had a nasty slicing hex sent his way, which nobody had noticed right away, what with all the confusion of the battle. The phoenix, however, knew and shed a few tears to heal the man's gaping, bleeding wound. After it was healed, he then flew to Potter, landed on his shoulder, and continued his song before flying off, which is the picture...taken by Colin Creevey...on the cover.

Phoenixes are very loyal animals. There is no way this one would have helped to save the man who'd killed his former owner if Potter's story wasn't the truth. Dumbledore's portrait has been questioned and has verified this new information. Other documentation has also been found. Hero Severus Snape will face no charges and will likely receive an Order of Merlin for his work in bettering our world. Earlier reports that he'd been sent to Azkaban were false.

Hermione couldn't stop the broad smile on her lips. This was very good news. She wished that Harry had simply told her though. That way she could have had a first account of exactly what had happened. There were so many questions she wanted to ask. So much she didn't know. There would be time to find out of course. Her thoughts drifted back to her dark-haired hero. Now everyone will appreciate you for the good you've done, Severus, and they won't dwell on the past. Hopefully, you won't either.

"Hello, Hermione," Madam Pomfrey greeted as she entered the curtained area around Hermione's bed. "You look happy this evening. I want to give you a check over. All right?"

"Sure." She folded the paper and tossed it on the chair next to her.

The woman used her wand and hands, muttering to herself the entire time as her wand's tip glowed this color and that. "Excellent. Severus really did a good job with things."

"I'll have to thank him for the potions," she said quietly.

"He was so worried. We had a makeshift hospital here for those at the battle...well, the less serious injuries anyway. I wanted to send you to St. Mungo's, but Severus came limping over and demanded that he be allowed to go to his old quarters to whip up what you needed." She smiled fondly. "I'd only just healed his ribs, and I know he had to have been in pain."

"That was really good of him."

"I doubt St. Mungo's would have known what Severus knows." She sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "He's very good in treating dark magic maladies. Why, look how long he was able to keep poor Albus alive before he... you know."

"Where does he live?" Hermione asked.

"I'm not certain of his exact address, but he lives in the North of England. Why?"

"I'd like to thank him."

"Shall I have an owl pop round?"

"Well, I thought maybe I might go in person. Do you know if he has an open Floo?"

"Maybe you should ask Minerva about that."

"When can I leave?"

"Physically, you are all right. I just think you need some rest." Someone across the room began moaning. "Oh, do excuse me."

"I think I'll just do that," Hermione mumbled after the matron had left. "McGonagall would know."

Bored, Hermione pulled another edition of the paper over to skim through. Both Carrows had been killed along with Dolohov, Bellatrix, Yaxley, and a number of other Death Eaters or supporters Hermione didn't know...including one she did: Fenrir Greyback. Lupin had done that himself. She was quite pleased to see that the Order had suffered much less devastation, losing Hestia Jones and Mundungus Fletcher (a sad accident) to death, and only a handful had suffered serious injuries (she and Ron were mentioned). Her eyes widened as she read a quote from Lucius Malfoy:

My family has been working with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for a while now, and it was our information that helped things along, enabling Potter to kill the man who's been blackmailing many of us to do his bidding. Yes, we've lost some friends, but we've gained many more. My son was nearly killed the day of the battle (Hermione smirked when she noticed he'd left out that Draco had been out of the entire thing altogether.), and my wife was attacked viciously by her own brother-in-law, Rodolphus Lestrange. I saw to it...with the help of Potter's friend, Hermione Granger...that Rodolphus was captured. (She made a scoffing noise that he would use her name to make himself look more credible...she'd been the one to handle Rodolphus!) So, yes, you ask if my family is happy with the outcome. I say, indeed, woman, what else would you have me say? Now if you'll excuse me, I've important business to attend to... with the Ministry.

"Unbelievable," she muttered, tossing that one aside and snatching up another. On the first page, she read about some of the Ministry problems Harry had alluded to. It seemed most of the people were angry that the Ministry didn't do more to help Harry, and the lot were outraged that Hermione's kidnapping had been covered up. Apparently, the Ministry had had information about certain things and had opted to keep it to themselves and not do anything about it.

"I hope they do sack his sorry arse," Hermione said, sneering at the picture of a flustered Scrimgeour as he spoke to a few reporters.

"So do I."

"Hello, Professor McGonagall, I'm glad you came back."

"Poppy tells me that you can leave whenever you'd like... so long as you rest a lot."

"Well, she certainly didn't outright tell me that. Likely hoping I'd stay a little longer."

"Likely."

"Professor, would you know where Severus' house is located?"

"Are you thinking of visiting him?" she asked quietly, pulling a chair closer to Hermione's bed.

"I want to... thank him for helping me."

"I see." She pursed her lips for a brief moment. "Hermione, if you intend to have a relationship with Mr. Weasley, which is what he claims you told him, I would suggest that you not visit Severus."

"What's that to do with thanking someone for helping me?" she snapped before blushing. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to sound so horrid."

"Severus is a man, Hermione, and he has feelings. I don't think you should go there just for the sake of going."

"You sound as if he has feelings for me," Hermione said, fishing for more.

"I think you and I both know that he does."

"He told Harry that he doesn't."

"As if he would tell him what he feels. Do you not know how much Severus loathed Harry's father? How much that has biased him against the boy?"

Hermione nodded, and to her horror, she felt her eyes mist up. "I'm so confused. I don't know what to do or what to think."

McGonagall leaned forward. "What does your heart tell you?"

"It tells me two different things."

"Then, Hermione, don't go see Severus until you're sure. I fear he wouldn't be able to..." She shook her head. "Shall I make a room for you here at the castle, or were you planning to go elsewhere? You're more than welcome to stay here for now."

"I want to go home."

"I would be happy to Apparate you there."

"First, I'd like it very much if I could use one of the school's owls."

"Of course. I'll send one here."

"Thank you. May I borrow a parchment, quill, and some ink?"

"Elsa, come."

A small house-elf popped into the room and bowed. "Yes, miss?"

"Could you please help Miss Granger here? She has a few things that needs packing, not much, mind, but after that, would you fetch her something to write with and some parchment?"

"I is happy to help."

"Thank you, Elsa," McGonagall said kindly. "I'll have an owl come along shortly."

"I appreciate this. Truly."

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Ron,

I've decided to leave Hogwarts and am going home to my mum and dad's. I miss them terribly, and after all that's happened, it's where I want to be. Sometimes a girl just wants her mum, you know? We'll talk soon. I just need some time to adjust, and Madam Pomfrey suggests that I get a great deal of rest, so I will let you know when I can accept visitors. Tell Harry for me.

Love from,

Hermione

Hermione folded the letter and gave it to the owl. "Ron Weasley." Just before it took off out the window, she called out, "Wait!"

It hooted, circled around her small room, and landed back on the table next to her bed.

"I have another one." Quickly taking another parchment, she began a second letter.

Severus,

Thank you so much for all that you've done for me. It's odd for me now, being here at Hogwarts without my friends. Not being with you. So much has happened, hasn't it?

I would like to talk to you. I'm going home to my parents' house. You would be welcome there, Severus. Anytime. Or if you'd like, you could let me know where you are so that I can come to you. That might be easier. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Love from always,

Hermione

"Severus Snape," she said softly, giving the second parchment to the owl. "Deliver his first please if it is easier for you, all right?"

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SW69's Notes: Yes, Snape will be back in the next chapter. Of course I had to let the girl heal a bit first.