Time Heals All Wounds

A/N: for those of you that forgot,

XXXXXXXXXXXXX is for a time change

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx is for a scene change.

……………………….is for the letter outline.

Chapter 3. realization, letters and shopping?

“Sir…we’re going to be brewing…gummy worms?”

Dumbledore smiled insanely. “Well I thought, I am almost out of candy, and I need another store. So why not brew them in potions class.”

He looked around the stunned classroom. “Well. Get to work please.” Instructed, Dumbledore waving his hand. A pile of ingredients appeared on the front desk. “You may work in pairs.” He allowed.

One half of the room stood and gathered the ingredients. While the other half chatted amongst themselves.

In the Gryffindor common room, around the fire, was Harry, Ron and Ginny. “Where could she have gone?” asked Ginny. “Dumbledore must be wrong. There is no way she is in the past. She would need a time-turner, wouldn’t she?”

“Well it is Hermione.” Said Ron, “Knowing her the way we do, are we even surprised?”

The trio laughed quietly. “I’m sure she is ok Ron.” Said Harry, comfortingly.

“That’s easy for you to say!” snapped Ron, angrily.

“Look Ron. It’s easy to see that you care about Hermione…we all do…but you gotta-“

“I can’t calm down Harry!! And I do NOT like Hermione.” He stormed out the common room.

Harry and Ginny stared after him. “He so does.” Said Ginny, laughing.

Hermione had a tough time explaining to Severus, who had overheard her and Dumbledore’s conversation, what had happened. She didn’t tell him anyone from her time. Just Harry and Ron, but she didn’t say their last names. Just in case he knew them. Which he did. The best part was that he didn’t hate her, and wasn’t rude to her in anyway. He did want to know, however. Who the teacher was that had called her names. He seemed to be a git, and Severus wanted to get him before he got Hermione.

“It is fine.” She said softly to him, her hand on his shoulder. “I have forgiven him. Why can’t you?”

“Because he hurt you…and no one stood up for you.”

“Harry and Ron did.” Hermione said to him, “They got him back too…” she laughed. “I remember, they used to go to his classroom in the middle of the night. And they would cover his and all the Slytherins’ desks in slime and they could never get it off for weeks.” She laughed, and Severus was mesmerized by it. “And the next day when Professor Snape-” she stopped abruptly, slapping her hands over her mouth. Looking horrified.

Severus stared at Hermione with his mouth open, his face more pale than it usually was. “It was me? I’m the one who calls you…”

“I didn’t want to tell you Severus…” said Hermione. “I forgave you.”

“But I…” he sputtered.

“You have done nothing.” She said sternly. “It is in the future…Severus. This is now…you have done nothing I didn’t want you to. Ok?” she started to walk past him. “Professor Dumbledore said for you to show me to my room for the night.”

Severus was silent for a second, before he spoke. “Okay.” He said. “It’s just this way.”

Severus started off at a brisk pace. Hermione had to jog to keep up with his long strides. They had to stop to wait for several ghosts to pass, and for the moving staircases. He led her up three flights of stairs, before turning down a long corridor. They stopped in front of a portrait of Merlin. Severus, at first, didn’t look at Hermione when he spoke. “The password’s what ever you want it to be…” he turned sharply, and stood very close to Hermione.

Hermione’s heart was pounding a million miles per second. “I’m sorry Hermione.” Severus whispered to her. “I know it hasn’t happened yet, but I am sorry. And just for the record…” he gulped silently, trying to work up the courage to say what he wanted. “I don’t think any of that stuff…as a matter of fact, you might just be the most beautiful girl, I have ever laid eyes on…”

Severus stared deeply into Hermione’s eyes. He leaned in closer. His lips were mere inches from hers. He paused to see whether or not she would reject him. She didn’t move. He slowly closed the gap. But seconds before they met, a loud crash from down the hall jerked them back to reality. They pulled apart, both blushing profusely. Severus once more gathered his courage, and leaned in and gave Hermione a quick peck on the cheek. He then turned and hurried down the stairs, at a fast run.

Hermione leaned back against the cool stone wall. He had kissed her. Professor Snape had kissed her…Severus had kissed her. And she quite found that she wanted him to do it again. “Merlin what am I getting myself into?” she asked the air. And jumped, when the portrait responded to her.

“My dear. If you like the lad, then by all means fight for him.”

“Thanks.” She said still red.

“Of course my dear.” The portrait said kindly to her. “Now what shall this password be?”

“……time traveler….” She decided on.

“Nice one.” Merlin said with a friendly smile, as he swung open for Hermione to enter.

The next few weeks seemed to drag on forever for Harry and the concerned Weasleys. Getting up in the morning was a chore, as each of them had been woken up by Hermione, for the past six years, and they had become used to it. Classes sucked royally. Without Hermione they actually had to study, and had been failing most of their assignments.

They couldn’t figure out where she had disappeared to. No one was telling them anything, even though they knew what was going on. It was infuriating. Once, while in detention, Professor Snape had gotten this pained look on his face. Like something had happened to someone close to him, but that couldn’t be true. Snape had no one close to him. When Harry had asked upon it, he had been kicked out of the detention with a threat to his ability to sit, if he spoke a word of it to anyone.

“Professor Dumbledore,” spoke Hermione softly knocking on his door, before it slowly slid open.

“Yes?” he answered her.

“It has been three and a half months. Surely you have come up with a way to send me home?”

“One would think.” Stated Dumbledore wisely. “But sadly, we have only found a way to send a message to the future.”

Hermione stared in wonder. “You can do that?” she asked. “I can send a letter to my friends?”

Professor Dumbledore smiled kindly. “Yes. I am going to send it to the present headmaster-” he said thoughtfully.

“That is you.” Hermione stated happily.

“OH!” said Dumbledore surprised. “Well then that makes it easier. For I know I will believe myself.” He pulled out a piece of parchment. He began to write. “I will send for you when I send this. You might want to write a separate letter to your friends. Letting them know all the details…just not too much.” He said smiling knowingly at Hermione and Severus, who had been lurking in the shadows, waiting for Hermione to be done here.

"Y-yes. I think I will leave SOME things out.” Hermione blushed brightly. She turned after saying goodbye to the professor. Severus walked at her side in silence.

“You seemed depressed.” His voice sounded sad. “That you couldn’t go back.”

Hermione started. “Severus…I just miss home is all.” She reached over and took his hand. “I have been thinking…that since it seems that I am unable to return to my time…if I can stay…I would like it very much…if I could stay with you…” she finished this all in one breath and very fast.

Severus stared in shock and confusion. “Repeat yourself.” He laughed. “Slower this time please.”

Hermione blushed a bright red. “I want to stay by your side…if you’ll let me?” she watched his emotions play over a pink face.

Severus seemed to be struggling to speak. “I would like that.” He stepped closer to Hermione. “I would like that very much.” He ran his hands up her arms, and buried them in her bushy hair. He tilted her face up toward his. “Very much…” he whispered as he brought his lips to hers. Caressing them in a loving manner, he held them there for a few, excruciatingly long seconds.

He pulled back to look into her chocolate eyes, as she did to him. Severus smiled, and as he pulled away he grasped her hand into his. He walked Hermione to her next class.

“Who does she think she is?” stated Sirius Black angrily. “Going out with that grease ball vermin?”

“Now, now Sirius.” Said Lily, consolingly. “Maybe she likes him…”

“Don’t see who could.” Said James, just as bitterly. “She is a Gryffindor; she should date her own kind. Not the enemy.”

Lily gave James a slight rap on the back of the head. “James!” she said angrily. “How rude you can be! Severus has done nothing to you that you have not done to him! And you ALWAYS start it!” she huffed. “I don’t want to hear another word of it!” Lily stood and walked over to where Hermione and Severus were sitting under a tree.

Stopping abruptly in front of the couple, smiling as she watched Severus feed Hermione a grape. “Do you two mind if I join you? The boys are being such pigs; I couldn’t stand it any longer.”

Severus looked at Hermione with a questioning look in his eyes. When Hermione nodded he said. “Not at all. Please sit.”

Lily smiled at them and did as he bid. “Thank you.” she said happily. “I don’t know if I could stand them another minute.”

“If you don’t like the way that they act, then why hang around them in the first place?” asked Severus, glaring at the two boys who were watching them with anger in their faces.

“Oh I have reasons.” Said lily, with a slight blush on her face. She stared at James out of the corner of her eyes.

Hermione smiled knowingly at Lily, while Severus stared confused.

“So…Lily?” Hermione asked, “Do you want to go over our homework together?”

“Sure.” Lily smiled. She pulled out her several rolls of parchment and laid it on the grass in front of them. “Arithmancy, or Potions?”

They finally decided on Potions, as Severus was not taking Arithmancy. They worked up to the bell, and then when it had rung, stood together and walked up to the school. Lily glancing behind them at the boys, while Hermione held Severus’ hand.

Lily began spending most of her time with Hermione and Severus. They walked to class together, ate lunch under the tree, and hung out in the library; and much to James’ and Sirius’ displeasure, Remus soon joined the trio.

Hermione finally finished her letter to Harry, Ron and Ginny. She was in the headmaster’s office, while he finished his letter. It was several yards long. He had spent most of the week writing to himself…also including the spell to which his future self could write back, finding it amusing to talk to himself. “I just want to know about what it is like being a headmaster.” He said when she asked him why.

“Uh…but…Headmaster…?” Hermione began. “You are a headmaster now…”

“You are right, of course, my dear girl, but I want to know what it is like to talk to myself and gain my twenty years of wisdom earlier than I would. Besides, it is fun. Gives me something to do besides make new rules.” He grinned cheekily at Hermione, who was staring, dumbstruck.

She snapped herself out of it, and handed her letter to the Headmaster. “Here. I finished my letter to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Please put it with yours so they get it.”

“Of course, Miss Granger. I will do as you ask.”

“Thank you sir.” Said Hermione, gratefully. “I appreciate it. Really I do.”

“I know my dear.” Dumbledore smiled kindly at her. “I will send it right away.”

He stood and with a wave of his wand, both were sealed, and with another flick of his wrist, they vanished.

Hermione stared for a second at the empty space where the parchment had been just moments before. She spoke. “Professor? Could I maybe have the incantation, so I can send them letters without having to bother you for it?”

Headmaster Dumbledore studied Hermione for a few seconds before answering her. “I don’t see why not, although,” he said sternly, “You are not to send more than letters. No objects, the spell is not made for them.”

“Yes Headmaster.” Said Hermione, obediently. “I promise.”

“Very well.” He took a slight breath. “The incantation is as follows, ‘Tabellae ut posterus recieve ex preteritus.” He said softly.

Hermione nodded, having memorized it already. “You will send for me when they write back?” she asked.

“Yes of course.” He replied. “Now off with you, you have Herbology about now, correct?” He waved his wand a third time, and a pink slip appeared. Give this to Professor Sprout.”

“Thank you sir.” Said Hermione as she left the room.

The candle light flickered a moment before going out completely. A startled Professor Dumbledore waved his hand and the lights flickered on again. There, on the desk. Where empty space had been several seconds before, was a large, and slightly larger scroll of parchment. On the largest, was the name, ‘To: ME.’ Dumbledore chuckled as he recognized his own script. And on the other, was what he recognized as his star student’s handwriting. It was addressed to Harry Potter, and Ron and Ginny Weasley.

He smiled. So…his past self had figured out the Transporto spell.

He raised his wand arm and several moments later the fireplace flamed green. Harry, Ron and Ginny stepped over the hearth. The youngest of the three seemed somewhat disgruntled. “Professor.” She grumped, “It is one in the morning. Surely what ever it was could have waited until the morning.”

Ginny glared at Harry, as he elbowed her in the ribs for her rudeness.

Dumbledore just smiled. “But, Miss Weasley, as you have already pointed out, it is already morning, one o’clock as you said.” He chuckled at her stunned acceptance.

“This just arrived. I assume you three would like it as soon as possible.” He handed them the parchment.

“Hermione!” screamed Ginny, knocking the two boys off their feet to get to the parchment first. She opened it and read aloud.

Dear Harry, Ron and Ginny,

Hi there. I bet you are all surprised to get a letter from me, seeing as how it has been almost four months since I disappeared. I am sorry. You must be so worried. I am fine, you will not believe where I am! I am, get this, TWENTY YEARS in the past!! I know right? I couldn’t believe it at first either. I am at Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore, he is still up to his old tricks and fun, he found this spell to let me send you all letters.

I am still in Gryffindor, so no worries there. Laughs. Harry, you won’t believe this! I met your mother! She is really nice! I haven’t told her about you…well I have, but she doesn’t know that you are her son. Your father, on the other hand…is just a bit annoying, but not as much as Sirius is. Ha Ha! He just doesn’t like the fact that Lily, Remus, and myself are friends with Severus. James even went as far as to tell Lily that she could not hang out with Severus and me.

It was amazing, Harry!! You should have seen your mother! She hexed his nose off. Ha! He had to go to Madam Pomfrey about getting it reattached!! He has pretty much left us alone after that. You defiantly get your casting talent from her. Well I can’t write anymore right now, because Severus, Lily and I are going to the hogshead for a butterbeer. I will write you later in the week.

All my love,

Hermione.

Ginny finished reading the letter with a laugh. “Harry.” She finally choked out. “I love your mum.”

Harry had taken the letter from Ginny, and was rereading it. He glanced at the Headmaster. “Professor, “he asked. “Why did Hermione say that it has been four months? It has only been a week."

“The flow of time must be different Harry.” Said Professor Dumbledore. “Hermione may very well have been there for four months.”

Ron looked furious. “She is hanging out with Snape?!” he said in disgust.

“Professor Snape, Ron.” Corrected Ginny before the headmaster could speak.

“Whatever.” Snarled Ron, “Why would she hang out with him!! After all the crap he put us through!”

“You mean all the crap he put YOU through. He was nice to me and Hermione…well nicer than you two anyway.” Said Ginny. “I am sure he was nicer when he was our age. Trust Hermione. Okay?”

They grumbled a bit more, after the Headmaster sent them on their way back to bed, after promising to send a letter to Hermione if they wrote her one.

Dumbledore read his letter. It was full of randomness. And also another teaching idea he, himself had long forgotten. He chuckled. ‘I have to use this one.’ He thought to himself.

Snape tossed and turned, before waking up in a cold sweat. “Not again.” He moaned to himself, before getting up and taking a cold shower. When he was done, he walked to the fireplace, and sunk into the armchair and summoned a Firewhiskey. He looked at the glass, before sending it back to the kitchens. He then upended the bottle of liquor into his waiting mouth. He closed his eyes in mental pain, and remembered.

It was Christmas. Severus Snape stared at the wall of books, in Flourish and Blotts, trying to decide what to get Hermione and Lily for Christmas. After a while, he decided on a book, Ghouls and Ghosts, how to tell the difference between them, for Lily.

But Hermione, she was different. He was sure she had already read all the books in the place. And besides, he wanted to get her something special. Something that was worthy of her owning. He spotted a limited edition copy of Hogwarts, a History. Sure she had already read it, and probably owned a copy. But this was a limited edition. With real dragonskin covers, and gold on the pages. And he could even get it inscribed. He decided to get it. He picked up both books and went to the checkout. He paid the man the 20 galleons, and 8 sickles; And when the books were gift-wrapped, left the shop.

On his way back to Hogwarts, he passed an Ice Cream Shoppe, a Potions Emporium, a jewelry store, and he stopped in the hogshead, for a drink to warm him for the long walk up to the school.

Lily had already done her shopping. She had gotten Hermione, a set of charmed combs for her unruly hair, and some special conditioner. It worked wonders on her own hair, which was much like Hermione’s, in the frizz area.

She had gotten a set of scales, silver, for Severus, whose old ones were broken, fixed with spell-o-tape. And a new pair of dragonhide gloves.

For James, she bought a broomstick servicing kit, and a new keeper’s glove.

For Remus, a new book on werewolves and werecats. He should find it rather interesting. She had thought to herself.

For Sirius, she bought a tape recorder, enchanted to record the teachers’ lectures, because he tended to fall asleep in class.

Hermione however was at a loss. She had already gotten Lily a new set of dress robes, emerald green, to match her eyes, and some flattering makeup.

She bought the boys Zonko’s joke products.

But…what to get Severus? They had been together for several months, 4 months since they had started seeing each other. She stood in the middle of the streets of Hogsmead. She walked into the owl shop. She looked around. She had noticed, after a few weeks of knowing him, that Severus did not have an owl. So this would make the perfect gift for him. She selected a black raven, whose name, she learned, was Lenore. After the lost lady in the poem by Edgar Allen Poe, who it turned out, was half wizard, and half muggle. Something she had never knew.

When she had paid for Lenore, she headed back toward the school. But before she was completely out of hogsmead, something else caught her eye. She stood still for a second, before going into the store.

A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. I tried to work on it as much as I could. And as always, reviews are most welcome.