Disclaimer: Ok, I don't own Harry Potter!! They are all the creations of the brilliant J.K Rowling!!! So...no with the sueing ok? thank youz...
Author's Note: I realize that many of my stories are left unfinished. Trust me though, I've already finished this story and I will post if people review enough and like it. Sooooo...you one of the people who likes this, better get people to review or else I won't post.
Anywayz..ON WITH THE STORY!!!
"Are you serious Professor?" Hermione exclaimed for what seemed like the thousandth time. Professor McGonagall, now Headmistress McGonagall since Dumbledore's untimely demise, chuckled to herself. "Yes Ms. Granger, for the umpteenth time, I want you to take my past position as the Transfiguration professor. It'd be wonderful for Hogwarts to have this century's brightest and most brilliant witch to teach here." Hermione blushed at her mentor's compliment. "I don't know about that Professor." The elder woman rolled her eyes and smiled.
Hermione Granger, now 18 years old and will be graduating from Hogwarts in less than two days. Hermione had received many applications for jobs at the Ministry and several spell and charm making companies. Hermione appreciated all of this, but could not bring herself to separate from Hogwarts. The castle just held too many memories for her to just leave behind. Granted, some were not as pleasant as the others, but she adored them anyway. Harry was off to be Auror with Mad-Eye Moody as his mentor and Ron went to help his father out in the Muggle district at the Ministry until he can find a real job.
However, the threat of Lord Voldemort was still at large and the "Golden Trio" was not happy about that at all.
Especially Harry.
Albus Dumbledore, Harry's father figure, was murdered in front of him by the man Dumbledore trusted the most.
Severus Snape.
At the memory of her old Potions teacher, Hermione felt a wave of sadness wash over her. True he was cold, vicious, and down right nasty…but Hermione had always respected him. He was strong, brilliant, and powerful. And on several occasions he had even protected her. Needless to say the betrayal he committed hurt Hermione very deeply. Of course, she never told her friends of her respect for their most hated Professor, she decided that it'd be better if she didn't.
Now she looked to her mentor with great excitement that she might not have to leave Hogwarts after all. "So," McGonagall said, "would you like to become the new Transfiguration professor?" Hermione nearly leapt out of her seat with all the excitement she had inside. For a moment, she couldn't even answer.
"Of course, I understand if there is something else out there that you would rather do." The Headmistress said, leaning back in her chair.
"N-no Headmistress, that's not it at all! I would LOVE to work here at Hogwarts. I'm honored that you would select me to do so." The elder woman smiled, "I'm very pleased to hear that Miss Granger. Of course, as you well know, you will need to study it for five years as my apprentice." Hermione nodded, "Yes yes, I understand. I look forward to it Headmistress. Again, thank you so much!" Professor McGonagall stood, "You are very welcome my dear. Now I believe you must go before your friends, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, start to worry."
"Yes, you're right. Merlin knows what kind of trouble those two could be getting into."
The both of them giggled as they walked towards the door. Hermione surprised the Professor by hugging her tight.
She stood there for a moment, shocked, and then smiled as she wrapped her arms around Hermione. After a minute or two, they separated and Hermione swore she saw a tear falling down the elder woman's cheek. Hermione smiled and turned to leave, but then stopped as she remembered something. "Professor, may I ask a favor?"
"Of course you may."
"May I have permission to leave the premises to go to Diagon Alley? There are a few books I would like to buy."
McGonagall raised a curious eyebrow at the young woman. "Why must you go there? You know we have plenty books here in our library."
"Yes, but I'm not able to keep them over the summer am I?"
The Professor chuckled, "No, I suppose not." She sighed, contemplating whether or not she should let her go. Coming to resolution she sighed, "Oh, why not?" She waved her wand in the air and small card appeared in Hermione's hand. "Show that to anyone who would stop you. Now go on." Hermione smiled and walked out the door.
As soon as she entered the Gryffindor common room, she was ambushed by Ron and Harry. "Hermione are you ok? What did Professor McGonagall want?" Ron asked. Harry shoved Ron slightly before putting a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Ignore the blubbering worry wart. Just tell us what happened." Harry said as he led Hermione to sit on the couch. Ron followed, grumbling angrily to himself.
Hermione told them all that had happened as was pleased to see the delighted look on both their faces. "Hermione that's wonderful!" Harry exclaimed as he pulled her into a hug. Ron laughed and the both of them looked to the red head. Hermione crossed her arms, "And just what is so funny Ronald?"
"I pity the students you'll be teaching. They're going to have to so much bloody homework, their brains will explode!" He said before laughing again, joined by Harry and even Hermione giggled a bit. "Alright, well I need to head out. I'll be back soon." Hermione said as she left the common room.
Now standing outside of Hogwarts gate, she smiled up at the blue sky and winced when she looked too close the bright sun, then she apparated to Diagon Alley.
Severus Snape stumbled down the dark road of Knockturn Alley, grasping the walls every now and then to balance himself. People walked by him, not caring to help him out at all. He chuckled to himself, Of course Severus. Who would want to help out a cretin like you? No one has but one person. And you murdered him.
Finally unable to take it anymore, he slammed his back against the wall and slid to the ground. His face was bloody from the large gash on the side of his head from Lucius, and his body aching from Voldemort inflicting the Cruciatus Curse on him. True, his Lord had welcomed him with open arms when he heard that it was him that murdered Albus Dumbledore, but cast the curse upon him when he learned that Severus had been spying on him for the deceased Headmaster by use of the Veritaserum. Apparently, Voldemort wanted to test whether or not Severus really was loyal to him. Severus did not see this coming, and needless to say, he failed miserably. Draco was safe, just like he promised his mother. Now Snape was on his own, now that Voldemort cast him out.
Once again he chuckled to himself and smiled sadly. It was amazing that he didn't kill him. Severus was rather hoping that he did, he would've welcomed death with open arms. Groaning painfully, he tried to stand but found it too tiresome and painful and fell again. He could hear the people walking past him, snickering as they went. He could feel them pointing at him and smiling as they took in his wounds.
His face once again contorted with pain as he brought his knees up to his chest. He wrapped his arms around them and, for the first time in a LONG time, Severus Snape began to cry.
Tears of frustrations, of sadness, of anger….of anguish.
He could still hear Dumbledore's last words: "Please Severus…please…"
Inside he could feel what was left of his heart shriveling and writhing in pain. His body shook as the sobs escaped him. Not caring who heard him he yelled to the sky, "Why! Why did you make me do this?!" Ironically, the sky darkened and it began to rain. Lightening flashed across the sky followed by the booming sound of thunder. "Why Albus?!" He yelled again, not noticing the person approaching him.
"Why…" his voice faded as he sank his head and let his legs fall painfully to the ground. The rain pounded on him and his hands fell to the ground as well. His head began to hurt like mad, and he became extremely dizzy. He looked up in time to see a rather shocked and drenched girl…with poofy brown hair, and then his world went black.