Title: Admission of Guilt
Rating: K
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't have Snape tied to my bed. Dang.
"Erm…hullo Professor."
She couldn't bring herself to look up, but she could well imagine his eyebrow climbing.
"I, um…I'm sorry to just sort of show up," she finally said. "Especially after all this time."
Fifteen years had come and gone before she'd finally worked up the nerve to see him. It had been a long and hard trip, but there she was before him. Any second now, she expected to hear him call her a silly little girl, and to get to the bloody point.
She took a deep breath; this was harder than she'd thought. "I know it's a bit late for it…more than a bit, to be honest. But…well, I wanted to apologize." The words were coming now, a torrent that had been held back far too long.
"We left you behind that night, in the Shack. I haven't stopped thinking about it since. I know it's probably ridiculous, but I still have nightmares about it. I should have gone back, should have told Harry and Ron something…anything…to let me go check on you but…"
She didn't receive a response from him, but she hadn't really expected one. She wished he would yell, fly into a rage and hex her. Well, maybe not the last bit, but even the most vicious, vitriolic attack would bring a smile to her face just then.
Hermione sighed. "You should know, I suppose, that you're a hero. After you gave Harry your memories and he defeated Voldemort, he let everyone know the truth. You were even awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class." She snorted. "I'm sure you're just as impressed with that as I was…mine's currently got a lovely bit of slime growing on it; I used it as part of the decoration for my fish tank. I've got a blue arrowana, you know…two feet long now, and he's only five years old. I keep the tank in my classroom, and threaten to feed students to it if they misbehave."
She chuckled for a moment at the images of the terrified first-years, but her mirth quickly faded.
"I suppose you're sick of me by now, so I'll be going. I just wanted to make sure you knew how very sorry I am…and that you're missed."
Reaching out her hand, she caressed the black marble of Severus Snape's headstone before Apparating away.
~SS~ ~SS~ ~SS~ ~SS~ ~SS~ ~SS~
It was pure chance that he was there that day. Something, he wasn't sure what, had compelled him to visit Albus's tomb. When he heard the crack of an Apparation nearby, he'd quickly disillusioned himself and hidden behind a tree.
He was shocked when he recognized none other than Hermione Granger climbing the hill. He was even more shocked when she stopped in front of his headstone and began to talk.
He listened to her words, scoffing at first. And yet, the more she talked, the more he wanted to believe her. His mouth twisted in distaste when she told him about his Order of Merlin, and he had to stifle a chuckle when she told him about using her oversized fish as a means of keeping her students in line.
When she finally left, he stared at the spot where she had stood for a long time.
Maybe, just maybe, he had a reason to let the Wizarding world know he was alive after all.
A/N: I wouldn't be surprised if Rickmanlover24601 passed out from shock, seeing as how it has been a ridiculously long time since I've posted something despite her pestering. I honestly can't remember if this was officially beta'd or not, so if there's something screwy (I have a habit of skipping words, apparently) let's just say it's my fault and I apologize. Reviews = Love.