Chapter 1:
She needed to go. She had to help Harry and Ron. She could not stay there no matter how much she wanted to. She had to move and she had to help end this battle, this war. She looked into his eyes one last time before they closed and she finally stood up and left the Shrieking Shack. Hermione knew that she had done everything she could for him. She felt in her heart that it was the right thing to do, with one more lingering look Hermione left the Shrieking Shack. Praying to the gods that, with what little healing skills she had, it was enough.
Two months later, after the war was over, although they had won the war it was still hard to feel victorious with all the losses. Hermione glanced around the hospital wing. All but one would be leaving that day. She had vowed to stay for however long it took for him to recover. Snape had been hanging on by a thread when they finally reached the Shrieking Shack at the end of the battle, slowly but surely he had been getting stronger but he still hadn't woken up yet. Madam Pomfrey had given over complete care to Hermione the last two weeks. Hermione, being the brightest witch of her age and all, learned everything there was to know into caring for the survivors. They weren't victims and Hermione would never, ever refer to them as such. Although, Hermione was tired and weary she felt deep down that she needed to do everything she could to help him. The nightmares hadn't ceased, but who would expect them too? She just remained busy until finally she would pass out at the end of the night. Hermione refused the dreamless sleep that Madam Pomfrey would offer, she had taken enough throughout the first couple weeks after the battle and she didn't want to become addicted to the potion. Hermione's thoughts turned to Snape, so much has happened the last couple weeks, including him being cleared of all charges surrounding his part in the war. Harry stood up for him after receiving the memories that Severus had given him that night during the battle, not only Harry, but just about every person in the Order. Hermione knew the truth, she had known since that night when Severus looked into her eyes, his shields down and she looked into his mind. There was plenty there she now knew and for the most part understood.
Breaking from her reverie, Hermione heard some moaning coming from the bed where Severus lay. She ran over. Severus sat up abruptly and grabbed his wand, then looking around he understood where he was and slowly lay back down. Hermione crept around the curtain, slowly peeking towards Severus, not making any sudden movements. She stood there for a second pondering if she should say anything when Severus spoke up first.
"How long have I been here" he asked without looking at her.
She looked at him and slowly said "Two months," then as slowly as she said those first two words even more cautiously asked "how are you feeling?"
He whipped his head about to say what was on his mind and she cowered expecting the worse. He looked at her and realized who was standing above him. It was Hermione. Then it all came back to him: the Shrieking Shack, the snake bite, Hermione. His hand flew up to his throat. He softly touched the bandage.
He finally spoke, "I am tired but alive."
She went to say more but stopped herself. Severus then looked over at her again and his eyes moved to the chair next to his bed. Hermione took that as an invitation to sit. Severus looked up at the ceiling contemplating his next question.
"So, will I be gracing Azkaban with my presence anytime soon?"
Hermione looked up at him and replied with a simple no.
He turned and looked at her, "Witch, I know you have more than a one word answer for me" he sneered.
He hasn't lost his charm I see, she thought to herself. "What more would you like to know, Professor?"
Severus sighed and took a minute to contemplate before he answered, "everything, please."
Hermione inhaled and exhaled slowly before she began.
While she finally finished rehashing the entire story from the time she left him in the Shrieking Shack to the past day, his eyes never left hers. He must be getting stronger, Hermione thought; his shields are back in full force. I wonder if he remembers them being down in the shack? Should I tell him? No, I don't think that it's the right time. Besides, I can wait until another time for him to berate me about being an insufferable know-it-all. Severus rolled over and closed his eyes, the conversation was over. Hermione slowly got up to finish her paperwork. She had paperwork and brewing left to do. Hermione sighed and without a sound left the room.