Disclaimer: I own nothing, I bow down to JK and her awesomeness.

Note To The Reader: I have no idea how many parts this will end up being, I just got the idea while I was riding in the car this weekend. If it's hard to follow, let me know and I will work it out better, or try to anyway! Other than that read and enjoy :-)

*Present*

"I love you, you know that. I never thought I'd get a chance like this, an opportunity to love someone more than anything else on this earth. Loving you gives me that chance, so please marry me, make my life complete." It had been a rehearsed; they both knew it but would never admit it. His words had been carefully chosen, spoken from the heart and sincere. What more could a girl ask for?

Hermione lifted her eyes from the velvet box that housed her engagement ring. Her chocolate brown eyes caught his midnight black ones and she knew that he had put as much thought into this as he did one of his potions. She found herself nodding her head. "Yes Severus, I'll marry you."She saw the relief wash over his face and she knew in that moment that he hadn't been sure that she would answer in the affirmative.

He slipped the ring on her finger then pulled her to him catching her lips in a loving kiss. And in that moment it didn't matter that he was almost twice her age, or that she had just finished school, it didn't matter that almost everyone disapproved of their relationship. No the only thing that mattered was the connection she felt with him. That's all they needed, nothing else.

"I love you," the words slipped from his lips as he pulled away from their kiss. "I know it might seem fast but I've spent almost my entire adult life doing everything for other people and this, this is something I want."

"It is quick. I'll admit that, but it feels right. And since I don't jump into things, I know that this is what I want too. We've been through so much in the past year and I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without you."

Severus pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her against his chest. "I still have a hard time believing what you did for me. No one else would have done it."

"We don't have to talk about that again and I don't regret it."

"My brave little Lioness I know it took a while but I've never been more grateful for a Gryffindor before in my life." Hermione couldn't help but snort back a laugh. He said Gryffindor with such love that it reminded her of a different time, one where he spoke of the Gryffindor House with disdain.

"It certainly wasn't always that way…I remember how surprised and irritated you were when you found me in your office."

*Flashback*

"Miss Granger." Severus Snape's harsh voice laced with surprise made Hermione jump as she dropped the letter on his desk. "I would take away house points, but since its summer I'm not sure it would apply. Why don't we start with what you are doing in my office when you should be at home?"

He wasn't supposed to be here and all she could do was look at him with wide eyes. She was frozen on the spot really, absolutely no idea what to say, but she wasn't surprised at his calm demeanor.

"I'm waiting Miss Granger." Those black eyes were boring into hers with such intensity that she still stood there silent for a moment, still unsure of what to say.

"I'm sorry Professor. I think this was a mistake." She shrugged her shoulders lightly and moved away from his desk. Whether or not she would make it to the door or not was another story. How he got in front of her so fast she would never know.

"I don't think so Miss Granger. I want to know why you are in my office and where are Potter and Weasley?"

She raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I'm alone Professor and I was going to talk to you about something but as I said before it was a mistake. So if you'll excuse me." She spoke with a firm tone, her back straight and her eyes never left his. To this day she didn't know why but he shifted and let her walk past him. It wasn't until she was at the door that he spoke again.

"What's this?" When she turned around she saw him holding the letter she had left him. She smirked and shrugged her shoulders again.

"How should I know Professor?" She didn't wait for him to say anything; instead she just turned and walked away.

He waited for a moment, starring at the empty space where the resident Know-It-All had been standing. Questions were still streaming through his mind. He moved to sit at his desk twirling the letter in his long fingers for almost a full minute before he opened it.

Severus Snape

I write to you as a warning, your future is shorter than you might believe and losing you is not something that we can afford. Beware the snake and its toxic bite, one quick strike to the neck and you'll fade from this world. Finding a way to fight the venom will save a life, a crucial ingredient lies within the scales.

-A Trustworthy Friend

*Flashback*

In retrospect, the decision to go back and save his life was the easiest decision she had ever made. It was only hours after the final battle when she sprinted away from everyone, she needed time to think and plan.

The secrets about Severus Snape had come out and his death was an absolute shame, something that shouldn't have happened and truthfully Hermione thought it wasn't fair. He spent his whole life feeling guilty about Lily's death, and looking after his biggest school rival's son to make sure he lived a long full life. He had devoted his life to the cause and his death felt totally un-justified.

That's why it had been an easy decision it would only take a few days of research before she would gather the information she would need in order to help him.

"Got it" she said finally realizing what he would need in order to find a cure. "This is it."

"What's it?" She winced hearing Ron's voice before turning around to face him.

"Just a little research, nothing important." She hated lying to him but she knew that he wouldn't understand. Some opinions couldn't be erased and Ron's opinion of Snape would never change.

"You've kept to yourself the past couple of days. I thought, well I was hoping we could talk about what happened. Talk about the kiss." He looked so hopeful, that she couldn't tell him how complicated everything was for her right now, particularly with her self-charged mission to go back in time and save Snape. But she couldn't bring herself to quash his hope all together, not after having just fought in a war and losing a brother.

Hermione smiled at him and nodded. "What were you wondering about?" She was going to let him lead the conversation, so she could gauge her own reactions.

"It was brilliant, maybe not the best timing but I'm glad you did." He took a breath and Hermione steadied herself for the declaration of love she thought would follow. "I've had feelings for you for a while now Hermione and I know we are all still dealing with everything but I would really like for us to be together."

That was quite possibly the sweetest thing she had ever heard Ron say, besides his speech after he came back to them after running away, and she found herself smiling up at him. "I'd like that too Ron." He grinned at her then crossed the room and lowered his head to hers giving her a gentle kiss.

"Wicked" he said as he pulled away still grinning. "Want to go down to the Great Hall together?" She bit her lower lip and shook her head.

"I've got to put these away and go freshen up a bit. Why don't you go ahead and save me a seat." He nodded looking slightly disappointed but agreed. As he moved toward the door he looked back and said.

"Don't take too long and besides you already look beautiful."

When he had finally left Hermione let a tear fall. What she was about to do would change things and if she were caught, she'd likely face time in Azkaban.

But it's worth it, she thought to herself as she ran through hall ways, up and down stair cases and around corners muttering the last known password to the Headmaster's office when she reached the familiar staircase.

"You deserve a second chance at life Professor." She said as she quickly penned a note folding it carefully.

"It's a generous thing you are doing Miss Granger." The portrait of Albus Dumbledore spoke to her softly. "And I believe that you'll find what you are looking for in the bottom left drawer."

"Thank you Professor." She moved quickly finding it tucked away behind a stack of papers.

"He'll thank you for this in the end, but to sacrifice your time Miss Granger is a selfless deed. 12 turns should do it."

She didn't say anything just moved out of the office and into the nearest corridor. 12 turns later she found herself in the familiar still intact walls of Hogwarts. But it was a little less than a year ago, before she would have left for the Burrow. All she needed to do was get to Snape's office, leave the note and disappear…though the best laid plans never go right.

After her run in with Snape Hermione walked through the castle and across the grounds, once she was far enough she focused on a place where she could disappear, a small town in Australia that her parents would end up at in just a few short weeks. She couldn't think of a better place to spend a year. And this way she would be able to look after her parents. Yeah, she could wait for time to catch up to her.

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