10 Years After
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
22
Views:
7,067
Reviews:
114
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
22
Views:
7,067
Reviews:
114
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 22
10 Years After
Chapter 22
Disclaimer: I own nothing of what you’re about to read, with the possible exception of the plot, alth I’h I’m sure it’s been done before. The places, characters, etc. belong to JK Rowling. Thanks.
Hogwarts: September 1, 2008, evening; The Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Hermione Granger and Severus Snape sat next to one another at the staff table watching as the students entered the Great Hall. In a few short moments, the first years would enter and be sorted. The summer had flown by, bolstered by the discovery of the potential cure for lycanthropy and vampirism. The C factor potion was still being tested on werewolf subjects and testing had not yet started on vampire subjects. Hermione’s D factor potion was still undergoing preliminary tests on human blood samples and the progress was not as great as she had expected or hoped. Still, Hermione understood that research rarely progressed according to one’s projected timetable.
Severus was concerned about the werewolf subjects that St Mungo’s was using. He didn’t mention anything to Hermione, but when he was running standard tests on all the previous blood samples, he noticed that one sample appeared vaguely familiar to him. There was one sample that contained a rare blood type as well as some distinct genetic markers. Severus had an idea where he had seen the genetic markers before, but it was impossible. If the recent blood samples sent over to Hogwarts from St Mungo’s were indeed fresh samples, something was clearly amiss. The potions master intended to sneak into the labs while Hermione was meeting with Poppy Pomfrey and do some blood detective work. Severus felt Hermione’s eyes on him and he turned to look at her, giving her a scowl.
“Prepping for the new school year, Severus?” whispered Hermione with a grin. Severus responded by deepening his scowl into a glare, “turn that on the students, dear, the first years are entering.”
The first years came in, led by Minerva McGonagall. They looked nervous and intimidated by the immense size of the room and by the professors sitting at the head table, especially the dark forbidding potions master. Many gazed up at the charmed ceiling in awe. One by one the first years were called and sorted into their houses followed by Professor Dumbledore standing up for his customary announcements and introductions. First came regular staff introductions, then came the new staff introductions.
“This year, we have two mediwitch interns who will be working closely with Madam Pomfrey. Professor Hermione Granger comes to us from St Damian’s and is a Hogwarts graduate,” he motioned to Hermione who stood briefly and smiled. Our other intern seems to not be here yet…”
The doors to the Great Hall opened with a bang and a pretty redhead burst through, pulling on her dress robes as she rushed to the head table, apologizing profusely. Albus smiled as he asked her to remain standing.
“Our second mediwitch intern is Miss Virginia Weasley, recent graduate of Essex New University for Wizardry and another graduate of Hogwarts. I trust she has excellent reasons for her lateness.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” said Ginny, looking straight at Albus, “I missed the Hogwarts Express and had to take the Knight Bus and you know how reliable THAT mode of transportation is.”
Ginny sat next to Hermione, grinning at her, “That bus NEVER gets any better. How are you, Hermione?”
“Fine,” whispered Hermione back to her old friend, “so you don’t consider me a pariah?”
“Because of Harry? No. You were never meant to be married, and you and Professor Snape have always seemed a good match. Now pay attention, Professor Dumbledore is about to give the Forbidden Forest speech and it’s always so riveting. One never tires of it.”
Hermione stifled a giggle as Severus glared at her and Ginny. It was all Severus could do to keep a straight face himself. Year after year Albus made the exact same speech. They could all recite it from memory, much like his customary speech to the first years about foolish wand waving. He thought for a moment of changing that speech, then though better of it. Like Albus’ welcoming speech, it was tradition.
“Now, before we tuck in to this delightful feast,” said Albus, ignoring the looks of confusion on the faces of the first years, who saw empty tables in front of them, “I would like to welcome a visitor to the school this evening. He was vital to the defeat of Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort, and he’s currently on tour with the English National Quidditch Team. Tonight after the feast, he will be answering questions about Quidditch and the national team right here in the Great Hall for anyone interested. Without further ado, allow me to introduce Mr. Harry Potter.\"
Hermione stared as her ex husband entered the Great Hall. He nodded at the students and shook hands with Albus. He took the only empty seat, next to Ginny, and flashed a sheepish grin at Hermione. They all remained silent until Albus’ usual “tuck in”, then conversation began to flow about the Great Hall.
“Hello ‘Mione,” said Harry, “Severus, Ginny.”
Ginny greeted Harry with a hug, while Hermione curtly nodded at her former husband. Severus just glared.
“Severus, Hermione, if you have a chance later, I’d like to speak with you both.”
“I think we’ve said all there is to say, Potter.”
“I don’t think so, Severus. These past few months have been eye opening for me.”
“Severus,” said Hermione, looking at him with earnest brown eyes, “all we have to do is listen for a moment.”
Severus scowled again, then nodded in agreement, “Fine. Very well. Why don’t we talk now and get it over with. Staff room?”
Harry nodded and the three made their excuses to Ginny and headed for the staff room. Severus sighed. The last thing he wanted was to have more words with the ever heroic and overall shitty husband Harry Potter. Truth be told, there was still a small part of him that feared that Hermione would go back to Potter. He knew it wasn’t bloody likely, but that didn’t stop the niggling little fear he always had when things were good and when he dared to be happy. They entered the staff room, Harry putting a silencing spell on the room. He turned and looked at Hermione and Severus, an undecipherable emotion crossing his green eyes.
“I only have one real thing to say to both of you. I’m sorry. Hermione, I’m sorry for not being what you needed me to be yet expecting you to be exactly what I needed you to be. Severus, I’m sorry for making total fool of myself at Hermione’s a few months ago. I said some things that weren’t fair. Regardless of whether or not you were in the picture, Hermione and I would not have remained married,” he said.
Hermione looked at her former husband and felt tears well up in her eyes, “I’m sorry, Harry, for not being honest with you from the beginning about our marriage. And I’m sorry for straying while wee ste still married.”
“I’m only sorry that I’m in this room at all,” stated Severus, as he opened the door to the staff room, “you two enjoy the apology fest. I have things to do.”
Severus strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Harry glanced at Hermione.
“Are you two having problems?”
“Not until just now,” said Hermione, “if you’ll excuse me, Harry, I need to find out what that was all about.”
Hermione quickly headed towards the dungeons, expecting to find Severus there. Instead, she found the place deserted from his quarters to his private labs. Hermione cast a quick locator spell which came up empty. She sighed and walked iSeveSeverus’ office, opening his filing cabinet and pulling out a scroll. Opening the scroll, she placed her hand on the parchment.
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” she said, exposing the old Marauder’s Map that was still in Severus’ possession after all these years. She peered at the little dots until she found the one labeled “Severus Snape”. He was in the Astronomy Tower. Hermione hurried up what felt like a million steps until she reached the tower. She stood in the doorway, watching Severus as he looked out the window at the night sky.
“Are you sorry you strayed, Hermione, or are you sorry that you strayed with me?” he said quietly, not turning around.
“Oh Severus,” she said, her voice catching, “you are the one good thing to come out of this whole mess, the one thing I’m not sorry about. I’m sorry for the act of adultery, but I am NOT sorry for the person I chose to be with. I love you and I truly believe that you are the person I was meant for. No one else makes me feel the way you do. No one else loves me the way you do. And I could never, nor have ever, loved anyone the way that I love you.”
Severus turned around, his face alabaster in the moonlight. ioneione gasped at how beautiful he was. His eyes were deep pools and in those pools collected the pain, suffering, and need of his past, the love of his present, and the hope for the future. Hermione stared into his eyes until she felt herself unable to breathe. With a sob she ran to Severus and wrapped him in her arms. She wanted to hold on and never let go. This stoic man was her lifeline and he didn’t even realize it. He was what got her through so much. He got her through the death of her parents just by being himself, just by being the one stable thing in the world. All could be falling apart around her, but his dark looks, brusque manner, and perpetual scowl were always there. When she was studying potions at University, she would rely on the things he taught her and the memory of the graceful way he moved as he blended ingredients. When she was teaching and the students grated on her nerves, she would fall back on some of his expressions and mannerisms. Through the majority of her life, Professor Severus Snape was a constant. And now he was her lover. No, he was more than that. Much more.
“You are my life, my hope, my future. I need you, Severus Snape. You are as vital to me as oxygen,” she whispered.
“I love you, Hermione. I’ve rarely loved in my life, but I know that I love now. If I didn’t, my heart wouldn’t hurt at the thought of losing you.”
“My tin man,” she said, smiling.
“Pardon me?” he said, puzzlement crossing his face.
“’The Wizard of Oz’”, explained Hermione, “it\'s a movie. the Tin Man tells Dorothy, ‘Now I know I have a heart because it’s breaking.’ That’s how you sounded.”
“Must you equate everything to a muggle film?”
“Only because I know it grates on your nerves,” she answered, brushing his lips with hers.
“You are an impossible woman.”
“Pot, meet kettle.”
“Do hush, Miss Granger,” he admonished, pulling her into epereper kiss.
From the shadows of the Astronomy Tower doorway, Harry stood watching Hermione and Severus. He smiled as he turned away from the door. Hermione would be all right. She loved Severus, and it was clear how much Severus loved and cherished her. He knew in his heart that she was right. They were never meant to be and it was time to move on. Time for Harry Potter to find happiness. Time for him to find a woman who loved him the way he was meant to be loved, the way Hermione loved Severus. Time for him to love a woman the way she deserved to be loved, he way Severus loved Hermione. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he would be comparing what he needed to what Severus Snape had and what he should be to what Severus Snape was. But life was full of the unexpected. He passed Ginny Weasley in the corridor.
“Is everything all right, Harry?” she asked.
“Yes, Ginny. All is the way it should be,” he said, smiling wistfully, “all is the way it should be.”
~The End for now~
A/N: Thank you SO much for the lovely reviews. I will be back after the holidays to pick up on the small little plot bunnies that I’ve sown throughout this final chapter in a sequel to this fiction. Drop me a review and let me know if you picked up on any of them! I am SO excited for the sequel, I have some (what I think are) very cool ideas to kick around. And of course, the main plot running through the sequel will be Severus and Hermione. My alter ego, celticwitch, the avowed “No Severus and Hermione” author is appalled, but since we live in the same body and mind, she’ll have to get over it! Thanks to my friend Vegas, who spurred me on to try to write a PWP about my least favorite pairing in fanficdom as an experiment and look what happened – 22 chapters later I’m planning the sequel!
Chapter 22
Disclaimer: I own nothing of what you’re about to read, with the possible exception of the plot, alth I’h I’m sure it’s been done before. The places, characters, etc. belong to JK Rowling. Thanks.
Hogwarts: September 1, 2008, evening; The Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Hermione Granger and Severus Snape sat next to one another at the staff table watching as the students entered the Great Hall. In a few short moments, the first years would enter and be sorted. The summer had flown by, bolstered by the discovery of the potential cure for lycanthropy and vampirism. The C factor potion was still being tested on werewolf subjects and testing had not yet started on vampire subjects. Hermione’s D factor potion was still undergoing preliminary tests on human blood samples and the progress was not as great as she had expected or hoped. Still, Hermione understood that research rarely progressed according to one’s projected timetable.
Severus was concerned about the werewolf subjects that St Mungo’s was using. He didn’t mention anything to Hermione, but when he was running standard tests on all the previous blood samples, he noticed that one sample appeared vaguely familiar to him. There was one sample that contained a rare blood type as well as some distinct genetic markers. Severus had an idea where he had seen the genetic markers before, but it was impossible. If the recent blood samples sent over to Hogwarts from St Mungo’s were indeed fresh samples, something was clearly amiss. The potions master intended to sneak into the labs while Hermione was meeting with Poppy Pomfrey and do some blood detective work. Severus felt Hermione’s eyes on him and he turned to look at her, giving her a scowl.
“Prepping for the new school year, Severus?” whispered Hermione with a grin. Severus responded by deepening his scowl into a glare, “turn that on the students, dear, the first years are entering.”
The first years came in, led by Minerva McGonagall. They looked nervous and intimidated by the immense size of the room and by the professors sitting at the head table, especially the dark forbidding potions master. Many gazed up at the charmed ceiling in awe. One by one the first years were called and sorted into their houses followed by Professor Dumbledore standing up for his customary announcements and introductions. First came regular staff introductions, then came the new staff introductions.
“This year, we have two mediwitch interns who will be working closely with Madam Pomfrey. Professor Hermione Granger comes to us from St Damian’s and is a Hogwarts graduate,” he motioned to Hermione who stood briefly and smiled. Our other intern seems to not be here yet…”
The doors to the Great Hall opened with a bang and a pretty redhead burst through, pulling on her dress robes as she rushed to the head table, apologizing profusely. Albus smiled as he asked her to remain standing.
“Our second mediwitch intern is Miss Virginia Weasley, recent graduate of Essex New University for Wizardry and another graduate of Hogwarts. I trust she has excellent reasons for her lateness.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” said Ginny, looking straight at Albus, “I missed the Hogwarts Express and had to take the Knight Bus and you know how reliable THAT mode of transportation is.”
Ginny sat next to Hermione, grinning at her, “That bus NEVER gets any better. How are you, Hermione?”
“Fine,” whispered Hermione back to her old friend, “so you don’t consider me a pariah?”
“Because of Harry? No. You were never meant to be married, and you and Professor Snape have always seemed a good match. Now pay attention, Professor Dumbledore is about to give the Forbidden Forest speech and it’s always so riveting. One never tires of it.”
Hermione stifled a giggle as Severus glared at her and Ginny. It was all Severus could do to keep a straight face himself. Year after year Albus made the exact same speech. They could all recite it from memory, much like his customary speech to the first years about foolish wand waving. He thought for a moment of changing that speech, then though better of it. Like Albus’ welcoming speech, it was tradition.
“Now, before we tuck in to this delightful feast,” said Albus, ignoring the looks of confusion on the faces of the first years, who saw empty tables in front of them, “I would like to welcome a visitor to the school this evening. He was vital to the defeat of Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort, and he’s currently on tour with the English National Quidditch Team. Tonight after the feast, he will be answering questions about Quidditch and the national team right here in the Great Hall for anyone interested. Without further ado, allow me to introduce Mr. Harry Potter.\"
Hermione stared as her ex husband entered the Great Hall. He nodded at the students and shook hands with Albus. He took the only empty seat, next to Ginny, and flashed a sheepish grin at Hermione. They all remained silent until Albus’ usual “tuck in”, then conversation began to flow about the Great Hall.
“Hello ‘Mione,” said Harry, “Severus, Ginny.”
Ginny greeted Harry with a hug, while Hermione curtly nodded at her former husband. Severus just glared.
“Severus, Hermione, if you have a chance later, I’d like to speak with you both.”
“I think we’ve said all there is to say, Potter.”
“I don’t think so, Severus. These past few months have been eye opening for me.”
“Severus,” said Hermione, looking at him with earnest brown eyes, “all we have to do is listen for a moment.”
Severus scowled again, then nodded in agreement, “Fine. Very well. Why don’t we talk now and get it over with. Staff room?”
Harry nodded and the three made their excuses to Ginny and headed for the staff room. Severus sighed. The last thing he wanted was to have more words with the ever heroic and overall shitty husband Harry Potter. Truth be told, there was still a small part of him that feared that Hermione would go back to Potter. He knew it wasn’t bloody likely, but that didn’t stop the niggling little fear he always had when things were good and when he dared to be happy. They entered the staff room, Harry putting a silencing spell on the room. He turned and looked at Hermione and Severus, an undecipherable emotion crossing his green eyes.
“I only have one real thing to say to both of you. I’m sorry. Hermione, I’m sorry for not being what you needed me to be yet expecting you to be exactly what I needed you to be. Severus, I’m sorry for making total fool of myself at Hermione’s a few months ago. I said some things that weren’t fair. Regardless of whether or not you were in the picture, Hermione and I would not have remained married,” he said.
Hermione looked at her former husband and felt tears well up in her eyes, “I’m sorry, Harry, for not being honest with you from the beginning about our marriage. And I’m sorry for straying while wee ste still married.”
“I’m only sorry that I’m in this room at all,” stated Severus, as he opened the door to the staff room, “you two enjoy the apology fest. I have things to do.”
Severus strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Harry glanced at Hermione.
“Are you two having problems?”
“Not until just now,” said Hermione, “if you’ll excuse me, Harry, I need to find out what that was all about.”
Hermione quickly headed towards the dungeons, expecting to find Severus there. Instead, she found the place deserted from his quarters to his private labs. Hermione cast a quick locator spell which came up empty. She sighed and walked iSeveSeverus’ office, opening his filing cabinet and pulling out a scroll. Opening the scroll, she placed her hand on the parchment.
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” she said, exposing the old Marauder’s Map that was still in Severus’ possession after all these years. She peered at the little dots until she found the one labeled “Severus Snape”. He was in the Astronomy Tower. Hermione hurried up what felt like a million steps until she reached the tower. She stood in the doorway, watching Severus as he looked out the window at the night sky.
“Are you sorry you strayed, Hermione, or are you sorry that you strayed with me?” he said quietly, not turning around.
“Oh Severus,” she said, her voice catching, “you are the one good thing to come out of this whole mess, the one thing I’m not sorry about. I’m sorry for the act of adultery, but I am NOT sorry for the person I chose to be with. I love you and I truly believe that you are the person I was meant for. No one else makes me feel the way you do. No one else loves me the way you do. And I could never, nor have ever, loved anyone the way that I love you.”
Severus turned around, his face alabaster in the moonlight. ioneione gasped at how beautiful he was. His eyes were deep pools and in those pools collected the pain, suffering, and need of his past, the love of his present, and the hope for the future. Hermione stared into his eyes until she felt herself unable to breathe. With a sob she ran to Severus and wrapped him in her arms. She wanted to hold on and never let go. This stoic man was her lifeline and he didn’t even realize it. He was what got her through so much. He got her through the death of her parents just by being himself, just by being the one stable thing in the world. All could be falling apart around her, but his dark looks, brusque manner, and perpetual scowl were always there. When she was studying potions at University, she would rely on the things he taught her and the memory of the graceful way he moved as he blended ingredients. When she was teaching and the students grated on her nerves, she would fall back on some of his expressions and mannerisms. Through the majority of her life, Professor Severus Snape was a constant. And now he was her lover. No, he was more than that. Much more.
“You are my life, my hope, my future. I need you, Severus Snape. You are as vital to me as oxygen,” she whispered.
“I love you, Hermione. I’ve rarely loved in my life, but I know that I love now. If I didn’t, my heart wouldn’t hurt at the thought of losing you.”
“My tin man,” she said, smiling.
“Pardon me?” he said, puzzlement crossing his face.
“’The Wizard of Oz’”, explained Hermione, “it\'s a movie. the Tin Man tells Dorothy, ‘Now I know I have a heart because it’s breaking.’ That’s how you sounded.”
“Must you equate everything to a muggle film?”
“Only because I know it grates on your nerves,” she answered, brushing his lips with hers.
“You are an impossible woman.”
“Pot, meet kettle.”
“Do hush, Miss Granger,” he admonished, pulling her into epereper kiss.
From the shadows of the Astronomy Tower doorway, Harry stood watching Hermione and Severus. He smiled as he turned away from the door. Hermione would be all right. She loved Severus, and it was clear how much Severus loved and cherished her. He knew in his heart that she was right. They were never meant to be and it was time to move on. Time for Harry Potter to find happiness. Time for him to find a woman who loved him the way he was meant to be loved, the way Hermione loved Severus. Time for him to love a woman the way she deserved to be loved, he way Severus loved Hermione. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he would be comparing what he needed to what Severus Snape had and what he should be to what Severus Snape was. But life was full of the unexpected. He passed Ginny Weasley in the corridor.
“Is everything all right, Harry?” she asked.
“Yes, Ginny. All is the way it should be,” he said, smiling wistfully, “all is the way it should be.”
~The End for now~
A/N: Thank you SO much for the lovely reviews. I will be back after the holidays to pick up on the small little plot bunnies that I’ve sown throughout this final chapter in a sequel to this fiction. Drop me a review and let me know if you picked up on any of them! I am SO excited for the sequel, I have some (what I think are) very cool ideas to kick around. And of course, the main plot running through the sequel will be Severus and Hermione. My alter ego, celticwitch, the avowed “No Severus and Hermione” author is appalled, but since we live in the same body and mind, she’ll have to get over it! Thanks to my friend Vegas, who spurred me on to try to write a PWP about my least favorite pairing in fanficdom as an experiment and look what happened – 22 chapters later I’m planning the sequel!