Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. It all belongs to JK Rowling.

Author's Note: Second fan fic... This is quite dramatic and I enjoyed writing the first chapter. I have great plans for this story. Please tell me what you think about it. In short, please review!

Will You Wait For Me?

Chapter 1

Leaving Behind

Rain was lashing against the windows. The wind was howling. The sky was dark. Everything was gloomy. It reflected the mood of one person. Severus Snape was looking outside the window feeling very lonely although he should have been happy. The war was over. The most evil and feared wizard of all time was finished by Harry Potter with the help of the Order of the Phoenix, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger.

His heart wrenched at the thought of her name. He should have been happy because the war was over. He should have been happy because at long last, he would be able to give himself fully to the woman he loved most. But he was not. He had to tell her about everything that has happened between them.

He rose from his seat and paced his room. How will I tell her? He thought. He stopped pacing when he heard a knock on his door. He opened it and saw Hermione Granger standing in front of him.

She did not give him a chance to speak. She immediately hugged him. "Oh Severus, I never thought that the war would finally be over! I'm so happy!" she exclaimed and then she smiled.

Snape smiled a little. "Come in Hermione," said Snape. Hermione entered his room and sat at a couch near the fireplace. He noticed that she looked happy but tired.

"Why didn't you come in the festivities Severus? You should be happy because he's gone forever! Aren't you glad?" asked Hermione, her face frowning with concern.

"Yes I am but there's something troubling me," mumbled Snape.

"Well, what is it? You can tell me everything. Voldemort is gone. He'll never rise from the dead. Half of his death eaters are dead and the rest are serving heavy sentences at Azkaban. Don't worry about it. It's really over."

"It's not about that. It's about us," said Snape not meeting her eyes.

"Us?" asked Hermione warily.

"Please listen to me carefully. I have loved you since you were in your sixth year, during the war. I was and still am amazed at your brilliance. You are kind-hearted, brave, and beautiful. Everything I could ever want in a woman is in you. I never thought I could love again," said Snape looking deeply in her brown eyes.

"That's what's troubling you? You want me to know how and why you loved me?" said Hermione smirking. "Although you didn't say it to me before, I felt it. I knew you were sincere. I loved you for it," she said passionately. She stood from the couch and kissed him. Snape let her kiss him for this may be the last time….

When they pulled apart, Snape took Hermione by the hand and led her to the couch. They sat facing each other. She was about to kiss him again when he held her shoulders quite roughly. She was startled and she frowned.

"Don't! It will only make it more difficult!" growled Snape.

"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione.

"I have to tell you but I just can't!"

"You can tell me everything, Severus after all we've been through in the war. You should have learned to trust me," said Hermione irritably.

He dropped his hands from her shoulder and sighed deeply. He needed a deep breath before telling her.

"I have to leave," said Snape.

"Leave? Where?" asked Hermione sounding confused.

"From Hogwarts. From the Wizarding World."

"What? I don't understand," she shook her head. "Everything is all right now. Voldemort's dead! Dumbledore's alive! It's peaceful now, so why?" she exclaimed, her voice rising in every word.

"I have to!" spat Snape. He stood up. Hermione stood up too.

"Why?" she demanded.

He turned his back on her. "Because I don't know myself anymore. Being a double agent stripped me off of my identity. I have to find myself again."

"But you were on our side!"

"Yes, I know!" He whirled around to face her. He spoke in a low voice: "Imagine playing for two sides, Hermione. I betrayed Voldemort and his Death Eaters. It's difficult to answer him in an obscure way so that I won't give out information on our side on purpose. He tortures me when he's not satisfied with my answers. You don't know what it feels like being tortured almost to death. I confess, I was confused. I am a spy for Dumbledore but in the meantime I am a Death Eater. The power of the darkness was seducing me every time I'm being summoned! At some point, I wanted to return fully to Voldemort. I felt really powerful when I'm his most trusted servant but there was still good in my heart. I was sick of him treating us like animals because we are human beings. I know I could get back at him by helping Dumbledore. But still, the good and bad were battling inside me. I finally let the good instinct wash over me. I helped kill him and his followers.

"I really can't believe that it is all over now. I can finally live my life. But I don't have a life. I don't know who I am. I-I have to get away from all these horrible memories."

"Horrible memories? Am I included in those horrible memories, Severus? Don't you realize that you're leaving me?" asked Hermione.

"I do realize that I'm leaving you but my memories of you are beautiful," mumbled Snape.

"Don't you love me anymore?" asked Hermione, her voice cracking.

"To tell you the truth Hermione, I don't know."

She slapped Snape in the face and burst into tears. "How dare you say that to me! After all we've been through, how could you throw it all away?" shrieked Hermione.

"I'm sorry Hermione but I have to leave!" pleaded Snape.

"You're so selfish Severus! Haven't you ever thought of the people around you especially me? I don't care about your past; I just care about what you have become!"

"I don't want to talk about this anymore! Get out now!" snapped Snape.

Hermione felt tears running down her cheeks. She wanted to hit him again but she just glared at him. She went out of the room and banged the door as hard as she could.

Snape, looking livid was left standing in the room. Doesn't she realize that she'll only hurt herself by loving me: a traitor and a bastard? It hurts me more than it hurts her. I'm destroying her life. She's so young, she needs someone better. He thought.

"I've made up my mind. I have to leave the Wizarding World even though I'm leaving my love behind," he said to himself.

He took a deep breath and went to Dumbledore's office to tell him about his plan.