Ten Years

Disclaimer: I by no mean own the Harry Potter characters. I wish I did.

Summary: It’s been ten years since Hermione, Harry and the other have graduated from Hogwarts and defeated Voldemort. Hermione returns to her ten year reunion and finds that most things have changed, but one thing has stayed the same. What will happen? R/R

Ten Years- Part 1

Hermione Jane Granger climbed out of the carriage in front of the large wooden double doors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It had been ten years since she had seen the castle. Since then she had finished her education and was now a Potions Mistress and ran a successful apocrathy in the city of Rome.

‘Has it really been ten years? I wonder what has changed with everyone?’ she thought as she made her way inside the castle along with other former classmates of hers.

She made her way into the Great Hall. The school term had ended only a week earlier and it was still decorated for the end of year feast. She made her way toward a table when she heard someone calling her name. Looking behind her, she found who had called to her.

“Hermione!” yelled Lavender Brown.

“Lavender? Oh my god!” Hermione cried as Lavender walked to her.

The two hugged each other tightly for a second before pulling away.

“You look great Lavender. How are you?” Hermione asked.

“Can’t complain. Me, Padma and Parvati run a very successful clothing shop in Diagon Ally and are opening another store in Hogsmeade next summer. Also, I’m getting married in October.” Lavender answered as she held out her left hand.

“That’s wonderful! To who?” Hermione asked as she examined the beautiful diamond and platinum ring.

“To me.” a male voice said from behind Hermione.

Hermione turned and saw Draco Malfoy standing a foot or so behind the two women.

“Hello Draco. Congratulations to you both. I wish you the best of luck. How’s business going Drake?” Hermione said as she smiled and hugged Draco.

“Good. Been busy lately with many of the Death Eaters suddenly wanting appeals on their cases. Of course, we have to examine each case thoroughly before we can accept or decline them.” Draco replied.

Draco Malfoy had openly defied his father and family at the welcoming feast in their sixth year. He and Hermione had become very close and eventually he became close with Harry and Ron as well. He was now running a law firm which was doing extremely well. Hermione followed Lavender and Draco to a table and the three sat down with more of their friends. As she sat down Hermione looked around and noticed how few of them there were. During the final battle many of her fellow classmates and friends had died.

“How is Ginny doing?” Padma Patel asked.

“She’s doing good. She and Oliver are expecting their third child. The baby is due in December.” Hermione answered.

“You know, I always figured Ginny would have ended up with Harry. It shocked me when she and Oliver Wood started dating.” Parvati added.

“Speaking of Potter.” Draco said as he glanced at the entrance of the Great Hall.

Hermione turned and saw Harry. He had changed drastically after the final battle. She watched him sadly as she sauntered through the hall with his young bride at his side. After he defeated Voldemort, he suddenly changed. He went from being a shy quiet young man, to a wild, outgoing attention seeker.

Two weeks after the battle Harry had gone off to play Quidditch professionally. It was as if he suddenly couldn’t get enough attention. Hermione had seen the wedding announcement on the front page of the Daily Prophet. His wife was an American witch he had met while he was playing in the Quidditch World Cup five years earlier.

Hermione had attended the wedding, but soon realized that she really wasn’t welcomed. Harry had avoided her and Ron the whole time. Harry and Ron hadn’t spoken since and that was four years ago.

“Wonder how Ron’s going to react when he gets here?” Lavender asked.

“I don’t know. I just hope that the two of them can control themselves. The two started a brawl right in the middle of Harry and Kelly’s wedding reception.” Hermione asked.

“I remember. But Potter did start the fight. All Ron did was go over to say hi to him and that...HER. Potter was pissed because Ron interrupted him kissing that thing.” Draco said angrily.

“Drake, relax. I’m sure everything will be fine. When Ron gets here, he’ll just avoid Harry like he’s done for the past four years.” Hermione said.

Forty-five minutes later everyone was seated and waiting for the feast to begin. Albus Dumbledore had died in the final battle and Minerva McGonagall was now the Headmistress of Hogwarts. The hall fell silent as she rose to her feet.

“Welcome everyone. It’s a pleasure to see you all again after so many years. As some of you may have noticed, the staff here has changed somewhat. At the end of the term, I announced my retirement as Headmistress. Taking my place next year as Headmaster of Hogwarts, is none other than our Potions Master, Severus Snape. Taking up his position as Deputy Headmistress is Professor Vanessa Sinistra.” Minerva announced.

The hall broke out in to applause as Severus and Vanessa rose to their feet. Everyone except Harry that is. After the applause died down and Severus and Vanessa sat back down, Minerva continued.

“Now, before we begin, I would like to congratulate Our very own Draco Malfoy and Lavender Brown on their impending wedding. May you both have a wonderful and successful marriage.” Minerva said happily.

As everyone but Harry and his wife clapped and cheered for the happy couple, the food and drinks appeared. As the feast began, Hermione found herself staring up at the staff table. More precisely, she was staring at Severus Snape.

The years had been kind to him. After the war, he had changed as well. He wasn’t as angry or temperamental as he had been when she was a student. According to Ginny and the picture Ginny had taken of the staff during her last year, it was as if Severus Snape had transformed into a completely different person.

Hermione let her mind wander back to that fateful day when the battle between the light and dark had taken place.

*Begin Flashback*

Hermione made her way to Albus Dumbledore’s office. Thanks to Professor Snape, they had learned that Voldemort was to be attacking the night before graduation. Dumbledore had sent the fourth years and below home that morning and now Hermione, Ron and Harry were heading to find out what their duties during the battle would be. They reached the office and entered.

“Ahh, there you three are. Now, let’s get started. The Order, aurora’s, and our allies will be outside with myself, Harry and Minerva. We will be trying to give Harry the window of opportunity he will need. Ron, you will be with the D.A, Hagrid, and the other professors guarding the front doors. It will be your job to keep the Death Eaters out of the castle. Hermione, you will be with Severus guarding the Great hall where the rest of the students. Will be. If and Death Eaters get past Ron, Hagrid and the D.A, it will be up to you two to stop them.” Albus ordered.

Everyone nodded. Albus explained a few more things then everyone was ordered to report to their posts. Harry, Ron and Hermione shared a tight group hug before parting. Hermione followed Severus to the Great Hall. Hermione was silent as they reached the Great Hall and entered. Inside were at least three dozen or so students. Severus began to speak.

“The Headmaster has instructed me and Miss Granger to guard the door to the Great Hall. If any Death eaters get past us, it will be up to you to stop them at all costs. Is that understood?” Severus instructed.

The students all nodded.

“Good. Once Miss Granger and myself leave, the doors will close. Remember, keep your wands drawn and your eyes and ear open. Any sign of a Death Eater and you attack.” Severus ordered.

The students once more nodded in understanding. Hermione and Severus turned and left the hall. The doors slammed closed behind them. The corridor was completely deserted except for Hermione and Severus. Without warning, the distinct sounds of the final battle sounded through the castle.

“This is it.” Severus said.

“Sir, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for sometime now. Thank you. You’ve risked so much for the Wizarding World. I just wanted you to know that someone cares about and appreciates everything you’ve done for this world.” Hermione said.

Before she could stop herself, Hermione threw her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly on the lips.

*End Flashback*

“Hermione? Hello? Anyone there?” Draco asked as he waved his hand in front of Hermione.

“Huh? Oh sorry, must have spaced out.” Hermione said shyly.

“What were you thinking about?” Ron asked.

“That final battle. I still have a hard time believing it’s been ten years.” Hermione answered.

“I know. I sometimes have dreams about that day. All those we lost. But you know what they say, ‘Time heals all wounds’.” Lavender said.

The feast was lively. After dessert, the ball began. Ron asked Hermione for a dance. As Hermione and Ron moved across the floor, Severus sat at the staff table and watched.

‘Good god she’s beautiful. I still regret the things I said to her that day.’ Severus thought as he watched Hermione move gracefully across the floor with Ron Weasley.


*Begin Flashback*

Severus stood in the empty corridor, sounds of war echoing around him, and a certain Miss Hermione Granger hugging him as well as kissing him. Severus roughly grabbed her and shoved her away.

“Miss Granger control yourself! We are in the middle of a war! This is no time for your over active hormones to take over!” Severus yelled.

Hermione just stood there. Finally, she exploded.

“You fucking bastard! I didn’t mean to kiss you! All I wanted to do was thank you for all you’ve done! It was an accident, me kissing you!” Hermione yelled.

In a flash Severus’s hand flew toward her. SLAP!! Hermione staggered back a few steps holding her right hand to her left cheek. Severus froze. He couldn’t believe what he had just done.

*End Flashback*

After he had slapped her, Hermione stayed as far from him as possible and never said another thing to him. He knew from Minerva and the other professors that she had left England and gone to Italy. He was proud of all her success. His only regret was he never got to apologize for what he had done and said that day.

“Severus, here’s your chance.” Minerva said quietly as she sat beside him.

“What?” Severus asked.

“Hermione.” Minerva answered as she pointed to where Hermione sat alone in a nearby chair.

“You’re right Minerva.” Severus said.

He took a deep breath, got to his feet and made his way toward Hermione. Hermione sat in a corner watching everyone else dancing and reminiscing. She smiled sadly as she watched them. She was so lost in everything else that she didn’t notice as Severus sat down beside her.

T.B.C