Time lost. ...EPILOGUE UP!

Sureves - Yes, I have written all of my chapters with POV from Snape recognizing that Hermione met him in the future.

The reason this was not addressed directly with her was because Dumbledore felt that to do that would obviously create a rift, since technically… Hermione had NOT gone to the future yet. Thus the changes she made could/would be lost.

Dumbledore received a pensieve detailing why confronting Hermione at this stage is a bad idea and convinced Snape to go along. Albeit, grudgingly.

Also, I personally felt that Remus AND even Crouch did a great job,

However, since I was writing from the Arrogant Snape’s POV of the situation, I could completely see him discounting all the other DADA’s, especially Remus Lupin (Since he is a Marauder and an enemy in Snape’s eyes.) after all, who knows the Dark arts better then himself? Therefore, Snape simply put his own nasty spin on the events based on his perception of why Dumbledore needed him. A very SNAPE thing to do, if I say so myself. :P

Also, thank you Lennonluvr. Worry not, I shall reveal all in time. I hope that it is a short time.


Also, thank you everyone who reviewed! I love writing for you guys.

Now, back to the story…




Winky screamed back.....

Snape looked wearily at the House Elf that was screaming at him and he fell silent, from exhaustion.

Neville Longbottom crept into the room, hearing the screams he immediately ran down the tunnel.

Winky stared across at Neville and looked on worriedly.

Neville saw his most hated Professor. The bane of his existence for all those multitude of years was weakly lying on the ground in a pool of blood. Probably made up of his own.

Neville inched closer and glared at the Death Eater. Lowering his wand at the wizard. “You killed Dumbledore. You betrayed everyone! How could you? What demented monster gave birth to you?”

Severus was grouchy and hurt. This is probably what accounted for the utter nonsense that fell out of his mouth antagonistically.

“Come on Longbottom. We both know you don’t have the guts… or the skill necessary.” Snape rolled over wearily and Winky jumped up and down in anxiety.

Neville felt an unbelievable rage pour through him. All year, Snape had watched children being tortured and had done nothing. The sadistic git. He hated him.

Neville pointed his wand. “Confringo!”

A jet of blue energy sparked out of the wand and hit Snape on the side of the head. Snape looks stunned and falls unconscious back into the pool of blood.

Winky screeched and stepped in front of Snape.

“Listen you loopy House Elf, that’s a Death Eater you’re protecting!” Neville said heatedly.

“No! You musten.” Winky grabs Snape’s body and snaps her fingers, suddenly Winky side apparates. Snape’s body is gone.

Neville ran out of there to find Harry. Someone should know what happened to Snape.

Three years later…

The wizard lay on a yellow bedspread with white flowers. It looked out of place with the dark wizards sinister and pale looks. The bed was pushed up against a window that provided a backdrop for County Clare. The sky was a wet gray color and fat drops of rainwater already clung to the windowpane from the outside.

An old woman was sitting in a rocking chair, humming to herself as she knit comfortably. A fire was crackling across the room and it was a cozy and pleasurable enough environment. The woman put down her knitting and checked on the wizard.

The wizard’s color was pale but not sickly. Black hair fell to long lengths about his shoulders and at least three days of beard growth was evident. An interestingly long nose and dark brows suggested that he was a handsome man in his youth once. His expression had been one of peace for the last three years as he slept comatose.

The front door received a knock and the old woman came to open the door. After checking whom it was, the old woman smiled and hugged the newcomer.

“Mr. Potter!” She closed the door behind him. “Please come in.”

Harry stared down at the unconscious wizard with a look of grim intensity. “How is he?”

The older woman smiled slightly. “Same as ever. Just as you requested. He is very comfortable and seems to be at peace.”

Harry Potter had grown into a man in the last three years. Now a father of one, with another on the way. His beautiful wife Ginny was constantly making him laugh and life was good. Harry wished he could say that for his friend, Hermione Granger.

Harry saw in the memories that Snape left him when he died exactly what had happened.

Snape was in love with Hermione. From his time as a student. The minute Neville revealed that Winky kept Snape alive; he knew what Hermione had done. Even if Hermione did not know it yet. Hermione still had not returned from her travels to the Marauders time.

Harry knew that he could not keep Snape like this forever, but it had been important that Hermione think he was dead. According to the memories, Hermione made Snape swear an oath to carry the Bezoar. Hermione knew that Snape died and she was trying to change it. The pitfalls and confusions involving this situation was mind-boggling.

Recently when Harry got sick, Hermione was sent on a mission by the Order. She still has not returned from her mission. When Harry and Neville recovered from their illness, Harry knew that Hermione had succeeded.
Unfortunately, according to Snape’s memory, Hermione died in his time.

Harry had been keeping Snape unconscious on the orders of the Ministry. Now that Hermione was missing. Harry needed answers. Was Hermione dead? What happened to her body. Who buried her and where?

Harry looked across at the old woman. “We need to wake Professor Snape up. We need his help.”

“I can do that but he will be weak from lack of movement. Maybe a little surly.” The woman raised her wand and it glowed slightly for a moment.

Severus Snape opened his eyes from what felt like the longest dreamless sleep he ever had. One moment he was antagonizing Neville Longbottom lying in a pool of his own blood and the next, he was sitting across from a kind old woman in a surprisingly cheerful bedspread.

“Where am I?” His voice sounded rough, as if it had not used it in a while. Severus felt his face and to his horror, he had facial hair there. “How long have I been here?”

“Now, now, just rest for a moment.” The old woman checked his pulse and scanned him with her wand.

“You have been unconscious, Professor Snape.” The woman clucked her tongue and turned to a figure that was still blurry to the left of her.

“Physically he is fine. His eyesight and voice may be off for a bit. His limbs were regularly exercised in this state to prevent atrophy.” The old woman cackled appreciatively. “ He has quite a body under all those robes of his. Very surprising really.”

Severus Snape felt the first spark of annoyance. “I beg your pardon that is hardly neither here nor there. Now who are you, Madam?” Snape snapped icily at her before drawing the cheerful bedspread up to his shoulders.

The old woman laughed hoarsely and then coughed. “I am Mrs. Wainscot. Your caretaker. And I believe you know Potter…?”

Snape snapped his gaze over to Potter in shock. “ Potter?”

Harry Potter stepped forward from the shadows and Snape could feel his vision blur slightly. Shaking his head, he looked again. Potter was definitely in his twenties, early twenties. He had grown completely into his adulthood and he reminded him far to much of James.

“What year is it?” Snape whispered.

“2002, sir.” Potter moved forward and sat on the edge of the bed.

Snape scowled at the personal invasion of space. Potter edged slowly off the bed. “Oh, I suppose you’re a big hero now.”

Potter grinned slightly at Snape’s affronted sneering tone. “Here I was worried you might be different.”

Snape narrowed his eyes. “I hardly find it amusing that I have been comatose for 3 years.”

Potter nodded. “Actually, I am an Auror now. I’m married, with two kids. You’re the Hero. Well, actually we both are.”

Snape struggled to sit up. “You didn’t make Auror on my Potions grades.” Snape spat and looked at Potter with a smirk. Snape felt bloody great. Alive, Voldemort…

A shadow fell over Snape’s face suddenly. “Voldemort is dead? Finally dead.”

Potter nodded somberly across at him. Harry watched Snape argue with himself as to whether to inquire after Hermione. Potter bided his time. Eventually everything would spill out.

Snape looked nonchalant. “Your idiotic little Trio of Gryffindor’s survived?”

Potter nodded grimly. “Oh yes, Ron married a Romanian girl and works with Dragons with his brother.” Harry fell silent and looked across at Snape.

Snape clucked his tongue thoughtfully and sneered… “And the know-it-all…? Off at the library still?”

Harry shook his head, his green eyes darkening slightly. “Oh no. Hermione works for the Ministry. Actually she is currently on assignment.”

Snape quirked an eyebrow. “ Where?”

“ Back in time. I think you are familiar with the idea.” Harry says flatly, staring at him.

Snape felt the world tilt on its axis and come crashing down on his head. “What was the little witch’s objective?”

“To ensure my parents get together. Someone is altering the timeline structure. Someone from our time who knows my parents history. Hermione has to stop them and prevent me from being erased. I was sick for a while, as was Neville. Then suddenly, we both were fine. Hermione had done it obviously. Except, she never came back. She has a timeturner. She still hasn’t returned.”

Snape looked ill and he fell quiet staring out the window.

“The funny thing is, I know in your memories that she died. Voldemort killed her. Is Hermione dead?!?”

“Hermione had no pulse Harry. I felt her body myself. She was dead. Cruico’ed to death. She saved your mother’s life. She knew that she would die but she did it anyway.” Snape murmured quietly, but he could feel fresh pain ripping through him at the memory.

“The bezoar. Hermione saved my life. She must have told Dumbledore about what happens to me. He sent Winky. I remember that. Then… then.. NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM hexed me. Is he the reason that I was in a coma all these years? I’m going to kill him!” Snape slowly grew red from anger as he replayed the events.

Harry stood up and put out his hands. “ No, no… Neville just knocked you unconscious. I did this too you. When you showed me the memories I knew that I had to keep your survival a secret. Hermione thought you were dead. The whole world thinks your dead. IT was too protect Hermione! You understand of course.”

Snape looked almost purple. “ I understand…” Snape collapsed weakly back on the bed. “ Why now? I mean, why bother?”

Harry knew what he meant. Everything Snape cared about was dead or gone now.

Harry blinked back the sadness from his eyes and he glared at Snape. “Because, I need your help to find out what happened to Hermione.”

Snape nodded slowly. “ Her body was gone. I never saw her again. I confess, I hoped for something. I even had a dream I died and saw your mother. I asked where Hermione was but Lily said she was never dead.”

Harry jumped up excitedly. “Incredible! Hermione survived.”

Snape closes his fist slightly in thought. “I said Dream Potter. Not reality.”

Harry shook his head. “Dreams are just as real as everything else. First, you need to get your strength up. Your going to need it.”

Severus Snape had to know the truth.

Even if it killed him, a second time.




TBC – Will post later today.