A/N: I'm not gonna lie, I'm not 100% sure what plans I have with this story. I've just recently decided to embark on this journey, as I have a picture in my head and would love to share it in words with you all. This will be an SS/HG fic, little to no lemons (sorry to disappoint), mostly focusing on building an emotional bond and discovering this new life together. There may be some excitement along the way. We shall see ;)
Please Read & Review to feed my soul.
Chapter 1 - A Whole New World
There she was, in the middle of the rubble – her mind reeling, trying to catch up to the present. The war was over, they were no longer in danger. Voldemort IS dead. Shaking her head and dusting off her clothes, she made her way over to where Harry and Ron had been standing.
"So what now, mate?" Ron asked Harry, both of them just staring into the distance, looking nearly as lost as Hermione felt that moment.
"Honestly? I don't really now, we've spent the last 6 years preparing for this day… I'm not entirely sure I know how to live without being on guard 24/7."
"I suppose it will take some time to cope with it all." Hermione interjected, barely realizing she was speaking.
"Yeah, s'pose so." Ron replied, putting an arm around her shoulder.
Hermione thought back to the Room of Requirement, Ron calling her his girlfriend after their shared kiss in the Chamber of Secrets. The kiss was fueled by adrenaline from destroying the horcrux, while she may have harbored a crush on Ron – she was quickly meeting the new reality they were facing… one where she did not see herself as anything more than best friends with the Weasley in question.
Without a word, Hermione started making her way back to what was left of the castle. Making a beeline to the Great Hall, knowing she could be of assistance with those that were injured. So much loss, she thought to herself as she looked around at all of the mangled bodies that were spread across the floor. Her eyes scanning the room, trying to figure out who she could help most first – she landed on a dark figure in the corner.
"Professor Snape? You're alive?" She was astonished, last she saw him he was bleeding out in the Shrieking Shack.
A grunt was the only response she received. He turned to face her, exposing the poorly healed wound on his neck. She reached in her bag that was around her waist, pulling out some potions – trying to figure out which one would be best suited for his current state. After a moment of thinking, she figured who would know best than the potion master himself? She held out the vials in front of him.
"Which one?" She asked. He took a look at the options and lifted up his arm barely enough to point to the one in her left hand, between her pinky and ring finger.
She quickly uncapped the vial, tilted his head back and dumped the contents into his mouth. While the potion did its work, she threw a diagnostic spell – to find further damage.
"Did you take anti-venom?" She asked.
He managed to nod in return.
"Good, looks like your neck took most of the damage – after the healing potion sets in, you should be looking upwards." She spoke softly, not looking him in the eyes. After lingering a moment, she stood up and made her way to tend to others in need.
That night Hermione had trouble falling asleep. She didn't want to stay at the Burrow so she decided to go to her home in the Muggle World. Her parents were still in Australia – with no memory of her. It was lonely there, alone, but she was comforted by the simplicity. This world didn't just endure the War of the Century.
She snuggled in her bed, wishing she had a dreamless sleep potion, trying not to think about the last few months. Finally, she was able to succumb to sleep – however, filled with many horrid flashbacks, and an all too real replay of the happening at Malfoy Manor.
