"To Change Your Life"

Hermione and Severus entered Dumbledore's office and found him sitting at his desk, staring down at a familiar ring. Hermione surveyed it closely, letting out a relieved sigh.

"Good. You listened." she smiled at Albus who nodded.

"Yes, Miss Granger. I did, indeed, not put it on." he smiled warmly at her as Severus bent to inspect the ring as well. "But how did you come by this so quickly?" Hermione asked, glancing down at it.

"I did just as you said, Miss Granger. I ventured to Little Hangleton, entered the shack of Marvolo Gaunt, and found it beneath the floorboards where you said it would be."

Hermione stared at the ring; an eerie feeling washing up over her as it's evil seemed to radiate through the office.

"Let's do it, then. No use in staring at it much longer." Severus stated as he straightened back up. He stepped over to Hermione who was pulling the Sword from her bag once more. He grabbed hold of it, unsheathing it the rest of the way. Albus stood from his desk, going to stand near the window. "Are you sure, Severus? You can do this?" he asked.

"I can." Severus said. Hermione nodded. "We've just destroyed the Diadem. They don't affect him." she told Albus, feeling such a relief to know that it would go a lot smoother thanks to Severus and his fascination with skill improvement. God, he was brilliant.

Hermione jumped with surprise as Severus brought the blade down on the ring without warning, mangling the ugly gold band in the process. He handed the Sword back to her casually, as if he'd just borrowed a quill from her during class. The three of them bent over the desk, watching as the familiar wisps of black 'smoke' emitted from the thing; the piece of Voldemort's soul being forced from it.

"He never was able to get inside of your head." Hermione mused quietly, still staring at the thing.

"Miss Granger,-" Albus cut in, "If you don't mind... Do you think I could have some of your memories for the Penseive? I'd very much like to see what happened in your time with my own eyes. If it isn't too much hassle."

Hermione shook her head as she reached into her bag for a vial. "Of course not." she said as she uncorked the glass piece. Holding the tip of her wand to her temple, she closed her eyes in concentration and soon began to pull out a shimmering-white wisp that she placed in the tube, corking it once again. She handed it to Albus who nodded thankfully.

"Much appreciated. Perhaps with your memories of the events, I can figure out where the remaining three are hidden in this time, since you say, they could very well not be in the same places.-"

"Actually, sir... I know where the locket is... But, Severus and I are going to be researching a way to concoct an antidote for Drink of Despair. To my knowledge, no such antidote exists. Hopefully with Severus' skills in Potions, we'll be able to do it together." Hermione smiled at Severus who had gone paler than usual as he stood by listening.

Albus nodded. "Okay then. Very well. Though, in the mean time, rules must be followed, I'm afraid. You two ought to get back to your house. If anyone stops you in the corridor, just let them know you're going back to your dormitory from my office."

Severus and Hermione nodded and turned to leave the office, but stopped hearing Albus speak again. "Oh, Miss Granger, how are you enjoying Slytherin? It isn't often one gets to experience the delights of a different house." he smiled at her.

Hermione smiled thoughtfully and sighed, "Well... It's a lot different being in Slytherin, but... It isn't horrible. Severus makes it bearable." she said.

"Good to hear." Albus told her, tone full of his familiar cheer. "Go on then. Eight a.m. comes early."

"Goodnight, sir." Hermione bade before the two of them finally took their leave.

Severus and Hermione walked through the corridors in silence for a few minutes. She could almost feel his discontent radiating from him like heat from a furnace.

"Please, Severus," Hermione began, gently grabbing his arm to stop him. Her own expression fell as she took in his. He was scared. "What's wrong?" she asked, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair from his face. He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed.

"What if I'm not able to figue out an antidote for that Elixir?" he dropped his gaze to the floor for a moment before looking back up at her. "What if I fail at it, Hermione? What happens then?"

Hermione smiled sadly, placing her hands gently on either side of his face. "You're so cute when you're worried.-" Severus scoffed, rolled his eyes, but smiled. "We'll figure it out, Severus... I promise you. You and I will do wonders together." she whispered, standing on her toes to kiss him. She just couldn't get enough. Her heart fluttered, feeling him relax as he placed his arms around her.

"Come on then." she whispered as she grudgingly broke apart from him. "Let's get to bed."

They continued down to the Dungeons in a comfortable silence and entered the dormitory, ready to go their separate ways. "I wish we could stay together. I rather enjoyed sleeping beside you over the summer." Severus told her as he readied to ascend the stairs to the boys' dormitory.

"My thoughts exactly." she smiled at him, receiving one in return. "Goodnight then, Hermione. See you tomorrow morning." he said with a slight wave of his hand, ignoring the urge to touch her and get them both into trouble.

"Tomorrow morning then." Hermione agreed before turning to go up the stairs, also letting her willpower dominate her own urges.

-----

The next morning, Severus woke early, as usual. He showered, dressed, and waited around for Hermione down in the common room, but she was taking forever. He figured she was having a bit of a lie-in, considering the mental exhaustion from the Horcrux the night before, and decided he would just meet up with her when she decided to rouse herself for breakfast. It was still early, so there was time.

Upon emerging from the entrance to Slytherin House, he was greeted by a rather unpleasant surprise. Lily was standing there, leaning against the stone wall, seemingly waiting for him. He sighed heavily noticing her presence. Not saying a word, he turned sharply, and began striding away. He couldn't help the smirk that came to his face, hearing her walking quickly to catch up to him.

"Severus, please..." she called for him, but he didn't stop.

"Why are you doing this, Lily? Aren't you very well 'engaged' to Potter?" Severus replied icily as he kept walking, ascending the stairs, making his way to the Great Hall. All he wanted to do was sit there at his house table in peace, and read the Daily Prophet, and wait for Hermione.

"Severus," he felt Lily's hand on his shoulder. He stopped just short of the double oak doors and turned around with a very unamused look on his face. "What? Speak already so I can get on with my day."

"I just miss you, is all." she told him with a sad look in her eyes that he couldn't lie to himself, that he still loved very much. But then, an image of Hermione's flashed through his mind, and he knew then, that Lily Evans would not sway his emotions for the new girl in his life.

"Lily, you haven't spoken to me in over a year. Now, all of a sudden when you see me with someone else, you strangely begin to want something to do with me?" he crossed his arms over his chest, pursing his lips as he raised a dark brow in a most scrutinizing manner. "This act of yours is very... unpalatable."

"Severus, your words were hurtful. Calling me that name,-"

"Oh, one word to marr the ego of Lily Evans, built by James Potter and his posse of ignorant followers. I have been called much worse. Get over it." he spat, unsympathetically, turning on his heel to disappear into the Great Hall. Much to his dismay, she followed him.

"Don't you still feel something for me, Severus? Anything at all?" she asked, still with the sadness in her eyes. She looked like she hadn't slept. 'Good' Severus thought. 'It's her turn to lose some damn sleep over me, for a change.'

He sighed as he sat down at the table. The hall was barren except for the two of them. He looked up at her, still with no sympathy in his eyes. "I will always love you, Lily, but I am not in love with you. Now please, leave me to my quiet morning, and let me get on as a nobody in your eyes."

Lily looked as though she was going to burst into tears as she hurriedly left the Hall. Severus sighed again, shaking his head. No, he was not in love with Lily Evans. He looked up to see Hermione entering the Hall with a rather puzzled expression on her face. Yet, she smiled warmly at him as she strolled over to take a seat next to him.

"I just saw Lily. What was that all about?" she asked. "She looked as though someone shot her owl."

"I've just... rejected her." Severus said slowly, almost unable to believe he'd just said he rejected her.

"Severus!" Hermione exclaimed, startling him as her voice echoed throughout the empty Hall. "That's brilliant!"

"Why is that?"

"Because... In the future, you mope over her for years. It doesn't seem you're doing that now. It's just another step in the progression." she smiled, clasping his hand in hers. Severus had to admit, it felt good, despite knowing he'd just crushed her feelings to tiny bits.

Lily was already dating James anyway. For her to do this to Severus was, in the highest sense of the word, so very unacceptable. He decided, she would get on with her life, just as he was now getting on with his. He was happy for the first time in his life, and feeling rather content, despite the trials ahead of him and Hermione.