Come Back To Me

Prologue

Their romance had been, through necessity, brief yet intense, infuriatingly unconsummated, but nevertheless significant for them both. Moments where grasped whenever possible: when he brought her notes about the Horcruxes when the boys were away. These moments acted as solace for the pair when they were apart, giving them a reason, if any were truly needed, to continue in the fight against Tom Riddle.

***SS/HG***

The man in black finally let the breath he had been holding escape his exhausted body. Potter had retrieved the sword from the lake. It had never occurred to him that Potter might struggle retrieving the sword from the bottom of the lake: Albus had been adamant that Potter needed to earn the sword. He had been moments away from revealing himself when the youngest Weasley boy had put in an appearance. Confident that the duo would know what to do, he left his hiding place and headed in the direction she had told him they were currently camping. It didn’t take him long to find the spot, the protective spells felt warm against his bare skin before they recognised him and allowed him entrance.

“Severus,” she sighed, as his arms caught her in a warming embrace. “Did Harry retrieve the sword?”

“Yes, my little nymph, he has the sword; although I was nearly forced to reveal myself. If Weasley hadn’t turned up, the blasted fool would have drowned, or I would have been exposed.”

He leaned in towards her neck placing small kisses on the exposed skin.

“I can’t stay long, my love, I do not know how long it will take them to deal with the Horcrux. I do, however, have something to give you.”

Reaching into his inner pocket Severus withdrew a small parcel wrapped in silvery-green paper embossed with tiny serpents.

“For your birthday,” Severus purred.

“But how...?” Hermione was confused.

“There are certain... privileges that come with being Headmaster,” he whispered, “that of course, I would exploit.” He pressed a kiss on the side of her face.

“Can I open it now?” Her question was greeted with a single nod, carefully she began to unwrapped the present. Opening the enclosed box she sighed when she saw what was contained within.

“Severus it’s beautiful, would you put it on me, please.” She turned slowly so her back faced him.

Fumbling Severus placed the necklace around her neck. Turning her to face him once more, he placed a gentle kiss upon her soft welcoming lips.

“Its beautiful my dear, just like you. I hope that it will be a talisman of sorts for us; a beautiful snake to remind my Gryffindor princess of me in the weeks ahead. After this war is over we will be together, I Promise.” Hearing a indistinct noise Severus pulled her closer, “I have to go now my love.” Severus placed a final kiss on her lips, before wiping the single tear from her face. With a single turn he Apparated away.

The final weeks in the build-up to the final battle passed quickly, the boys did not notice the silver serpent necklace that Hermione refused to remove. All too soon the final battle was upon the wizarding world, and the golden trio found themselves once more at Hogwarts.

Harry had led Hermione and Ron to the entrance of the Shrieking Shack. He hesitated before entering but Hermione was insistent that they would follow him in. Harry had expected to encounter protective spells as they approached the place from which Voldemort was conducting the battle, but there were no such barriers. As the trio arrived close to the room were Voldemort was hiding, they could hear him conversing with another. Hermione’s heart jumped when she heard the baritone voice of Severus Snape.

“My Lord?” said Snape.

Voldemort raised the Elder wand, holding it as delicately and precisely as a conductor’s baton.

“Why doesn’t it work for me, Severus?”

Hermione could feel her heart pounding in her chest, fear coursed through her veins. What was the maniac planning to do? Surely he would not discard Severus now, not when the end game was upon them. She was disturbed from her thoughts when Harry tightly squeezed her hand... Oh gods this couldn’t be good.

“Perhaps you already know it? You are a clever man, after all, Severus. You have been a good and faithful servant, and I regret what must happen.”

“My Lord –“

“The Elder wand cannot serve me properly, Severus, because I am not its true master.”

Hermione’s heart sank, this was it: Severus was as good as dead. Voldemort believed that Severus was the master of the wand since he had killed Dumbledore. Her heart ached, tears began to well, but she fought them back, Harry and Ron would want to know why she was crying for Snape, she didn’t want to discuss what they had meant to each other.

He turned away; there was no sadness in him, no remorse. It was time to leave the shack and take charge, with a wand that would now do his full bidding. He pointed it at the starry cage holding the snake, which drifted upwards, off Snape, who fell sideways onto the floor, blood gushing from the wounds in his neck. Voldemort swept from the room without a backwards glance and the great serpent floated after him in its large protective sphere.

Hermione helped Harry gather Severus’ memories into a flask as the silvery blue liquid gushed from his mouth, ears and eyes. She didn’t have time to grieve for the man she had come to love; she needed to fight to avenge his senseless death.

Harry defeated Voldemort early the next morning and whilst all the hubbub of celebration began, Hermione’s thoughts drifted back to the shack. Taking advantage of the distractions around her, she slipped out of the Great Hall and made her way to the shack to tend to her fallen lover. However, when she entered the room, she found his body had disappeared, all that remained was the pool of his spilt blood on the dusty wooden floor. Hermione finally let her grief grip her exhausted frame. Tears poured from her eyes and her body shook with the ferocity of her sobs, falling to the ground, she lost herself in her sorrow.

Parts of this chapter are lifted straight from Deathly Hallows - The Elder Wand.

Many Thanks to the wonderful Scoffy for looking this over for me.