Doppelganger

A/N Did Hermione take his advice and find a new future for herself? Thanks to all who have been reading and reviewing.

Chapter 46 Graduation

Five years passed as Severus enjoyed his solitude at the farmhouse in Wales as he had no one to answer to except himself and it was a refreshing feeling being his own wizard for the first time in his life. He made a huge profit from the Ministry for his altered Polyjuice potion as the Ministry locked him into an exclusive contract that he would reveal it to no one and brew it as needed for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Combined with other creations he was a wizard that could live in comfort and not worry about money as the residuals came in monthly.

He finished writing out a directive to place money in the account that he had created for Hermione after he left Hogwarts. Albus kept him informed of her progress and was pleased that she decided to pursue Potions. The old wizard agreed to reveal the account upon her graduation and make her realize that the money was intended for whatever education she decided to pursue after her graduation from Hogwarts.

He sent his owl off and noticed that a snowy white owl took the place of it his at the counter. Sighing out he took the letter from her beak as he recognized the owl that belonged to Harry Potter as he opened it as the owl waited.

I am not sure how to address you now and I asked the Headmaster to task Hedwig to deliver this to you. Find enclosed the graduation announcement that Hermione gave me. It would mean the world to her if you could attend. She has never forgotten you. Harry.

Severus looked at the letter for a moment he took out quill. So she never forgot him. He quashed down a feeling of hope as he took parchment and ink and responded.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. As for how to address me it is Severus. You all have earned the right of my given name after everything that we went through together. Albus told me that you, Hermione, Ron, and Neville have some of the highest marks in Hogwarts history. Not surprising as you knew what to do the second time around and Neville actually grew a backbone. I have quite a few long term potions brewing but I will attend if I can. Severus.

Severus handed his response to the owl and watched as she flew off. He was frightened and thrilled at the same time to meet with her once again.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione sat feeling excited and nervous at the same time wondering how their meeting would go. Did he forget her? She kept turning her head back to look for Severus. Despite what he said in the letter she was sure that he would attend.

"Stop it Hermione. I'm sure you'll meet up with him after the ceremony." Harry admonished.

Hermione sighed and settled down and remembered the past five years. She was angry with him for breaking the Bounding. And she was hurt when he never returned after Christmas holiday of their second year and never contacted her. That is what hurt her most, the fact that he left without saying good bye.

So when she came back for her third year she decided to take his words to heart and lived as though she had never been involved with him. She was thankful that his replacement had decided to continue the independent Potions study as that kept her challenged. And she dated a few of her classmates and that had never worked out at all as her thoughts were always drawn to Severus.

Headmaster Dumbledore looked down to the gathered wizards, witches, and muggles. "Welcome all to the graduation ceremony of the class of 1998. I have watched these young wizards and witches over the years and I am sure that they will be successful in the future."

He looked over the podium and noticed that Severus was standing at the far end of the group.

"I see that Professor Snape who has been on sabbatical is in attendance of this ceremony. Can you please come up and help us recognize this class as you have taught them in the past?"

Severus glared at the old goat. Damn him for putting him in the spotlight as he walked up and shook Dumbledore's hand before stepping to the end of the line of his fellow staff.

Hermione watched as Severus walked to the stage and admired the robes that he wore. They were emerald green with silver embroidered snakes running up the edges of his sleeves of his robes. He looked well and the hard lines on his face of the future did not exist with his black hair tied back with a simple black ribbon. She felt a thrill as she watched him take his place on the stage.

"It pleases me to announce that Head Girl Hermione Granger of Gryffindor house is this year's Valedictorian." Albus stated as he watched the witch approach the podium as her fellow students clapped their hands. All except Slytherin. Whatever headway Professor Snape started with Slytherin was lost as the years of his absence continued.

"I suppose I could give you flowery words about how wonderful Hogwarts has been for us but that would be pointless as we all know that." Hermione paused as she looked to her fellow students as she continued. "Follow your heart Class of '98. Do not be afraid to obtain what you think is impossible and above all follow your heart. I intend to follow mine." She finished as she left the stage.

Severus turned her words over as he thought about them as he felt a slight thrill. Oh Merlin could it be? His eyes followed her as she sat back down next to her friends. It had torn him to leave her with no warning.

Hermione looked to her ex-husband as he looked back to her noticing the hope in his eyes.

Severus shook all of the student's hands speaking words of encouragement as they passed by. There was only one that he waited for.

And then she was there looking to him with a smile as she shook his hand. "Professor Snape, a pleasant surprise to see you again."

Her hands were warm as he looked down to her. "Congratulations on your many achievements Miss Granger. The Headmaster has kept me informed of your progress throughout the years and I am pleased that you have decided to continue in the subtle art of Potions."

"May I speak to you after the ceremony Professor?"

"Of course Miss Granger." Releasing her hand as he continued to shake hands of the passing students thinking that she was as beautiful as he remembered.

Albus looked down to the Class of 1998. "You are now fully trained wizards and witches. We have given you the tools to succeed in this world but it is up to you as to how to use them. Go forth into the world and make your unique mark upon it and realize your dreams. Seventh years your time at this school is officially over and I do hope that you will attend the ball tonight."

Loud cheers erupted from the group of graduates as they began to break up and go to their families.

Harry and Ron pulled her aside and crushed her into a hug. "What's next Hermione?"

She laughed. "Ron you will go and marry Melody right away. Harry you will find your place in the Wizarding world and wait for Ginny to graduate and then marry her on the beach. I expect an invite."

Ron laughed as he took her into his arms and twirled her around and put her down. "You will be able to do anything that you want considering your achievements at school. What are you going to do?"

"Exactly what I said in my speech Ron. I am going to follow my heart." Looking to Severus standing in the distance talking to Lucius Malfoy.

Harry noticed the look in her eyes. "Come on Ron. Hermione, we'll see you at the dance."

HGSSHGSSHGSS

"No Lucius!" Severus snarled out. "Voldemort is not coming back and you should realize that as five years have passed. My Mark has disappeared and I know yours has as well. You have title and influence with the Ministry. Do you wish to risk all of that in a foolish endeavor? Or do you plan on taking his place? I doubt that you will have many followers if you do as many of our comrades that managed to escape the purge after the last war are now unblemished, a confirmation that our Lord has indeed passed to the Veil and whatever hell that he deserves. I am done with it all! And yes Lucius, Albus stood up for me with reason all those years ago. I turned to the Light after he murdered Lily Potter. Voldemort assured me that he would only murder the baby and Potter. But he killed the parents and failed at killing the whelp. It was then that I realized who would win in the end and I was right. Harry Potter fulfilled the prophecy and rescued the world."

He placed his hand on the shoulder of his friend as he continued in a low voice. "I only became a professor because there was no other place that would accept me after the trial and Albus took me in. I have missed our visits Lucius but you have to change and fit into this new era. I refuse to be a puppet to anyone again as I have my life back and there is nothing that will ever persuade me to ever go back to what I was before and I suggest you do the same."

Lucius watched as his friend left him and reflected on his friend's words and realized the ringing truth in them.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione stood waiting for her wizard and smiled as he walked up to her.

"So Miss Granger what are your plans for the future?" Severus asked as he looked into her warm brown eyes.

"I'm glad that you asked Professor Snape. I am going to follow my heart and that belongs to you. I hope that you will not be difficult to pursue like the last time. I find that I wish to be stirred rather than brewed by a certain Potions master." She looked to him knowingly as her parents joined them.

Her father looked to him. "So we finally get to meet the man that captured my daughter's heart and rescued us from a horrible future. You better be good to her Severus Snape or magic or no I will come after you."

Severus looked to Hermione in shock as her mother spoke. "Hush Henry as it is obvious that Severus does not know about the talks that Hermione had with us."

She turned to the tall man and continued. "When she came back home after the Second year she changed dramatically from when we dropped her off at the train station. She was not happy. We chalked it up to puberty and did not think any more of it as she came back to us the summer of her Third year in much better spirit and back to normal."

Henry interrupted. "Is there a place more private that we can talk Professor Snape?"

"Please follow me Mr. Granger." Wondering what in Merlin Hermione told her parents. By all rights they should be angry at him.

Albus greeted them at the castle. "Henry, Monica, welcome back to Hogwarts again and I will miss Hermione. She has a bright future in store for her. Severus your old chambers are as you left them as no one wanted to reside in them. The house elves have freshened it up and you are welcome to use them any time that you visit though I hope that you will come back here as our resident Potions Master some day. I'll see everyone at the ball tonight."

They followed him down the stairs and into the dungeons as Monica commented. "This place is so dreary Professor. How could you stand to live down here?"

"The potions classroom is located here as potions ingredients are sensitive to heat and this is the coolest place in the castle. So it was a matter of convenience to reside here as I could quickly brew anything required in an emergency."

They stood in front of a heavy door as Henry and Monica read the framed notice:

Residence of Potions Master S. Snape Head of Slytherin House

If you are a student give thought to the following before knocking:

Have you talked with your Prefects? If not go do it.

If your Prefects could not help you, did you talk to the Head Boy or Girl? If not go do it.

If this is a problem that the Prefects or Heads could not help you with, keep in mind that I will deduct points if you are wasting my time. This goes for any student despite House.

Remember you have been warned so go ahead and knock.

"I bet you didn't get bothered much." Monica laughed as she read it.

"Only for the important matters Monica. It taught the students to solve problems on their own or solve them together." Severus replied as he opened the door and allowed them entrance following behind them and then sat down waiting for the conversation to continue that was started outside.

Henry looked to the man and spoke. "Things went along and Hermione kept focus and achieved high scores and her friends Harry and Ron would visit during the summer. When we helped her pack for her Seventh year we found this." Henry bent down to the briefcase that he had been carrying and pulled out a thick sketch book and handed it to the professor. "Keep a note of the dates as you review the sketches and tell me what you think."

Severus flipped through the pages as there were drawings of the castle and her friends. There was even a sketch of him sitting at the Head Table looking to her as the rest of the picture revealed the rest of the professors talking to one another. There were water drops that smeared some of the sketch and he realized that this was drawn the day after that he broke their marriage. He glanced up and looked to the young witch.

"Your sketches are very accurate Miss Granger." Watching for a reaction and seeing none and continued to flip through the pages.

Henry spoke out. "I'm glad that I did not know that for you will see why in a few moments."

The sketches changed to that of the muggle battle and lead up to the Final battle in her Fifth year. Some of the images were horrifying and even included his death. He paused at that one for a moment noticing the look of pain and despair on his face at the moment the snake struck. It was her Sixth year that they changed to drawing exclusively of him and her. There were various sketches of them kissing and making love and she was accurate in every detail of their bodies. She was so beautiful in the sketches. He closed the book and handed it back to the father, a slight flush showing on his pale face. "I assure you Mr. Granger that I have not touched your daughter."

Henry sighed. "I know Professor Snape but you did in the future that did not happen and I know that she was an adult when it happened and she pursued you."

Monica spoke. "Henry was enraged and threatened to prevent her from going to Hogwarts and get some mental health help as he was alarmed at the violence of some of those sketches. Hermione pleaded with him to listen to her. We calmed down and listened to her entire story."

"And you believed her?" Severus asked in surprise.

"Not at first as you know why. It was an outrageous story. Who could ever believe such a thing? But after listening to her and looking through the sketches a second time we understood more. We skipped the ones at the end obviously. We then started to check out the facts and the doppelgangers are real. Hermione told us about her relationship to you after that and while we are nervous about it, we see that she truly loves you as her letters home close to graduation spoke of nothing else other that your return to the castle. Please give us a chance to get used to you before rushing into something more permanent and make sure you both still feel the same as you did in the non-existent future."

Hermione watched as her parents stood up. "Come Henry let them catch up on old times."

Hermione chuckled at her father's dry comment as they left. "That is exactly what I am afraid of Monica dear. The catching up bit. I'm her father after all."

Severus watched the door close and walked to his liquor cabinet hoping that there was something left and noticed a bottle of wine and two glasses and a note from the Headmaster saying that he figured he would need a drink or two. He mentally shook his head. Was there anything the old wizard did not sense or know?

He filled the glasses and handed one to Hermione and sat down beside her and sipped his wine. "I have missed you Hermione. You were always in my thoughts through the years and I hope you understood why I broke the Bounding."

Hermione sipped her wine. "The Headmaster left you a fine wine." Suddenly giggling as she remembered her stay with Voldemort.

Severus looked to her. "And why the giggling Hermione? Surely the few sips you have taken has not addled you."

"No Severus. When the Deatheaters came to take me to Voldemort one went to hit me as another stopped his partner saying I could not be damaged before being taken up and I said something like I am like I am a fine wine and not to be opened until it is time." Noticing his look of confusion. "I suppose you would have to be there to understand it."

She placed her glass on the table and turned to look at him as she placed her hands into his. "I was angry, hurt, and confused Severus. And when you left and never came back it was the nail on the coffin. I'm surprised that my grades did not fall but they were the only thing I had to focus on. When I came home I was sullen and depressed and Harry and Ron tried their best to lift my spirits but I was not willing to listen to them. I then remembered that I hit puberty and it was blasted hormones driving me crazy. Thirteen year old girls are quite emotional and I was too busy trying to keep the three of us alive and out of trouble to even notice it in the future. With the threat gone I had plenty of time to dwell on them and realized that it was silly. I borrowed the Headmaster's pensieve to view the night you broke everything off. The fact that he let me borrow it, not questioning how a Third year would know how to extract a memory and view one made me realize that you told him of what happened. I viewed everything that I could remember of you up until I left for the holidays and I saw the sadness in your eyes and never realized that you truly believed that the best thing was to let me go despite the fact that you did not want to."

She picked up her drink and sipped at it and continued. "I took your advice and lived as though I was never involved with you. I dated a few and avoided Victor Krum during the Tri-Wizard Tournament like the plague. I think the Headmaster put a word into the Ministry's ear as I know the only reason it was held before was to get Harry to Voldemort the first time around. But my thoughts, my dreams, my desires were only for you. The others could not compare to what we had Severus."

She picked up the sketch pad that her father left behind. "Drawing these helped me to heal throughout the years and as I grew older my needs changed and the sketches changed. Imagine my horror when my parents discovered it and viewed these." Stopping at the one where she was kissing him passionately from their dreamworld of the future and then flipped the page to where he was making love to her.

"Dad freaked out and almost put me in a mental institution. Thank Merlin my parents are older than most with children and willing to listen. A quick owl to the Headmaster and he came to the house immediately and confirmed my suspicion that you told him everything before you left. And that catches you up to the present." She finished as she yawned.

He placed her head onto his lap and played with her hair. "Sleep Hermione. I will wake you up in a couple of hours so you can get ready for tonight's activities."

"Sev, you do not know how right it feels to finally be next to you again. It has made all of my suffering worth it." Enjoying the feel of his fingers running though her hair as she fell asleep.

"It has made my suffering worth it as well Hermione." He whispered to her as the turmoil of waiting and wondering for years vanished.

A/N: What happens next?