Prologue

"Now really Miss Granger, I don't think this is the smartest thing for you to do." Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, exclaimed. "You are too smart to let your schooling go to waste like this."

"Professor I appreciate what you are trying to do. But I'm not letting my education go to waste. Nor am I giving up on it. I am simply taking it somewhere else. I can no longer stay here for my schooling." Hermione took a deep breath. Over the summer the war with Voldemort had been full-fledged. Too much blood was shed, and some of her best friends were killed. Walking around school now, without Harry, Ron or even Neville, it killed her inside. She needed to go somewhere else that didn't remind her of how much she had lost.

"Hermione," Minerva started, tears coming to her eyes, "We were all very much affected by the war, I don't think it fair that you are to leave when everyone needs each other the most."

But Hermione wasn't only leaving because she couldn't stand to be around those who had been fighting along side her while her friends died, although that was a big part of it. What Hermione couldn't deal with were the looks that everyone gave her. Not just the students, but the professors too. Even the few people she came across when on the school trips to Hogsmeade. Most of all the looks from Professor Snape.

He had never been nice to her, never truly cared for her or her feelings. But ever since the war, he had been throwing sympathetic glances her way. Glances that made her feel small and pathetic. She couldn't deal with it anymore.

"Maybe I will come back in a few years. When everything has settled down." She honestly doubted it, but never say never. She grabbed her small tote bag and without a backwards glance strode out of the office. She had already said goodbye to everyone she wanted to. Not that there had been many people.

"Miss Granger," She took a deep breath and sighed. She hadn't wanted to run into him on her way out. She hadn't wanted to, because she didn't think she would be able to hold herself together. "You're leaving." It wasn't a question. He was simply stating a fact.

She slowly turned around and made eye-contact. She nodded and bit her lip. "Yes." It was the only word she could manage that he wouldn't hear the shaking in her voice. She began to turn around and walk away. Possibly forever, but he grabbed her arm, taking her hand and kissing the knuckles. She chocked back a sob and looked away. "It was wonderful getting to know you throughout the years."

She wasn't able to stop herself from wrapping her arms around his neck and letting the tears flow into his shoulder. She couldn't say anything. Couldn't even think. All she wanted was some comfort. Something or someone to tell her that everything was going to be all right. To tell her that there was nothing anybody could do. That she had done everything possible. That it wasn't her fault.

"Shh." Professor Snape patted her back awkwardly. He had never been good at confrontation. It always worried him that he wasn't good enough for it. "I will miss you." He whispered. He couldn't think of anything that would actually calm her down. He had no idea how much she was hurting. Nobody did. Contrary to what they always told her. He was shocked that at those four simple words her racking sobs became quieter. He could tell she was trying to dry her eyes, not wanting anyone to see that she had lost control. He leaned back, looking into her face. "Good luck." He lightly kissed her lips and stepped back. His heart ached for the poor girl. He had to get away now before he took advantage of her weakened state.

Hermione stiffened her back and closed her eyes. She had never felt anything so soft or gentle. Not with Viktor, and certainly not with Ron. When he stepped away she staggered a little of balance. She got back the strength to walk away and smiled softly. "Thank you, Professor." She didn't know if she was thanking him for her education, for lending her a shoulder to cry on, or for the kiss that even now gave her butterflies. Either way, she walked away. Away from her Professor, away from the school, and more importantly, away from her old life.