AN: Thanks so much for all the reviews, putting this on alert, favoriting, and of course, reading! I appreciate it all. Special thanks to my editor Heartmom88 and my Britpick Marianne Le Fey as well for all their help.
Also, a special Happy Birthday to our beloved snarky potions master!
If you recognize it, I don't own it.
"P-professor Snape?"
"It's been 'Headmaster Snape' for the past year," Snape rasped.
"I'm happy to see you're awake," Hermione smiled.
"You would be one of a very few…"
Hermione eased into the bedside chair and leaned forward earnestly. "I-I'm sorry about the way we treated you. We had no idea. If we'd known… oh Merlin, if we'd known your true affiliation we never would have treated you so poorly, especially towards the end."
Snape rolled his eyes. "That would have rather shattered the illusion I was trying to create, now wouldn't it?"
"I'll summon a Healer to let them know you're awake." There was much to say, but he obviously wasn't ready to hear it even if her words had been up to the task. She stood up from her chair and walked out into the hall to see whom she could flag down.
"Healer Jones!" she called.
"Yes?"
"Professor Snape is awake."
"Why do you insist upon calling me professor?"
Hermione did not answer, although he could sense that she wanted to say something. Instead of speaking, Hermione bit her tongue.
"I'll be right there." Jones finished making notations in another patient's chart, then strode into Snape's room.
Snape exhaled in annoyance. He usually avoided St. Mungo's at all costs, but it seemed he had no choice in the matter this time around.
"Good afternoon, Professor Snape," the Healer smiled.
Snape turned to meet his gaze. "Is it?" he whispered.
The Healer's brows shot up into his hairline. Snape quirked an eyebrow in response. "You can speak," the Healer remarked, more a question than a statement.
"Obviously." Snape answered. "But that's hardly new."
"We just thought it might take a bit longer, given the location of your wounds. I'm surprised you aren't in more pain."
"My neck aches a little," Snape admitted. "And I can't seem to speak above a whisper, but other than that I feel fine."
"I see," the Healer answered. "Well, let's run a few diagnostics and see just where we are. Miss Granger, would you mind stepping out into the hall?"
"Certainly."
The Healer pulled out a wand Snape recognized as his own. "Can you lift your wand arm?"
"I think so."
"I'm going to hold your wand over you like so. Try to lift your arm and grasp it."
Snape complied, retrieving the wand from the Healer on the second try. "Excellent," Healer Jones commented. "Now, try to cast a Lumos. Nothing else, just a Lumos."
"Lumos" Snape whispered, eliciting a faint glow from the tip. Snape glared at the weakness of the light, but the Healer seemed pleased.
"Beautiful," Healer Jones muttered.
"I can barely see it," Snape complained.
"Considering the amount of magic depletion you underwent it's amazing that you can cast this spell at all."
"Magic depletion?"
The Healer took a deep breath. "How much do you remember about the Final Battle?"
Snape paused, then shook his head. "Not much. I remember seeing Nagini come out of her orb. The Dark Lord was saying something…."
Snape stopped, as though he was trying to discern what was real from what was just a dream. Finally, the Healer stated, "It's not a surprise that you remember so little. Patients often block out traumatic events, especially after waking up from a coma."
Coma? Snape wondered. How long had he been in a coma?
"Hermione Granger found you in the Shrieking Shack and brought you to St. Mungo's. That's where you are now."
"Why would Granger do such a thing?"
"According to her, Harry Potter claims you were a double agent who did invaluable work for the Order."
Snape glared at the Healer. "So now my life is an open book?"
Healer Jones smiled back in response. "You're lucky it is or you would have died. No one would have treated you if Miss Granger and Mr. Potter hadn't insisted."
"Get me Granger," Snape demanded, wincing a bit in pain.
"I think you need to rest."
"There will be plenty of time for that after I've seen Granger."
"Don't overexert yourself, Sir. You need some peace and quiet."
"I need privacy, but it appears that's been blown to hell."
Healer Jones sighed and stepped into the hall. "Miss Granger, Professor Snape would like a word with you."
"I'll be right there," her muffled voice replied.
Hermione stepped inside as the Healer scurried out.
"How many people know?"
"Know you're alive?"
"Know about my memories, Granger."
Hermione swallowed. "Harry and I had to tell the Healers at St. Mungo's or they would not have treated you. We also had to show your memories to the Ministry of Magic in order to clear your name."
Silence fell between them. "And?"
"That's it."
Snape relaxed. "At least you spared me the front page of the Daily Prophet."
"Professor, you should probably get some rest…"
"Why did you rescue me?" Snape cut in.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked.
"You knew that I deserved to die for the things I'd done as a Death Eater. You don't even like me, and for good reason. Why go back and rescue me?"
"Because I couldn't live with your blood on my hands," Hermione answered. "Harry told me about your memories. You deserved another chance at life, a chance to live as you pleased… a chance for some peace."
"Bloody Gryffindors always playing the hero."
"Professor Snape I'm sorry for all the times I doubted you… for the times I did not treat you as I should have. I hope perhaps now that the war is over you will let me make amends."
"I have no interest in apologies or restitution. I deserved everything I got."
"I'd still like to visit you if you'll allow it," Hermione replied.
"I can't imagine why," Snape answered. "But I know there's no stopping you once you've made up your mind. Just do me a favour, Granger."
"What's that, Sir?"
"Don't tell Potter or anyone else that I am awake. I'd like a few more hours of peace before all hell breaks loose."
"I think I can do that," Hermione replied with a grin.
Snape closed his eyes in apparent benediction. Hermione took a deep breath and turned to leave. "Granger!" Snape rasped.
Hermione spun around in alarm. "Yes?"
"Potter did win the war? The Dark Lord is dead?"
"Yes, we won," Hermione smiled.
Snape's eyes softened. "Then it was worth it." He leaned his head back onto the pillow and soon began to breathe more deeply. With a twitch of her lips, Hermione eased open the door and let herself out.