Disclaimer: I still don't own it.

Ending a Term

The library table was litter with textbooks and parchments. It was the last week of term and Hermione was making double certain she didn't fail her end of term exams. Much to her chagrin, lately the more she tried to concentrate on her schoolwork the more her mind dwelt on the former potions professor. In fact almost everything these days made her think of him. Pouring over her final Arithmancy essay, Hermione found herself wondering what sort of corrections Snape would have made.

She sighed. Since her mind was back on Severus Snape and not on her exams there was no need for flipping through her texts. Sudden inspiration hit and Hermione sifted through her bag for a blank parchment and grabbed her quill. A quick spell insured that anyone else who looked at her writing would see nothing but nonsense scribbles. Setting quill to parchment Hermione went to work.

The more equations Hermione jotted down the more she was certain that there was more to her one night stand than just the joining of two bodies. As she worked the numbers further and further, she began to realize that there was something twisting her and Severus and bringing them together. Certainly her first interaction with Severus would not be her last. There was more to their story. That much was clear.

An hour or so later Hermione felt a hand gently rubbing her back. With a yawn Hermione stretched and straightened up. "Ginny! What are you doing here?"

Before she even answered Ginny started laughing, which made Hermione lower her eyebrows. "Ginerva Weasley I don't see what is so funny."

"No you wouldn't. Not yet anyway." The younger girl turned to her own bag and produced a compact mirror. "Here, have a look."

Hermione took the small mirror, none too gently, and peered in. Before long, Hermione was laughing too. She had fallen asleep on her parchment and had nonsense words written all over her face. A muttered spell later and her face was clean and both girls were able to control their giggles.

"I came to make sure you didn't miss dinner again." Ginny informed her friend.

Hermione gave a small groan in protest, "Oh Gin, I can't even think about dinner. These exams are so stressful that even the thought of food makes me feel sick."

"Is that so?" Ginny asked, quirking one light eyebrow at Hermione.

"Yeah. I know I'm doing it to myself, but I really want to do well Gin."

Ginny nodded and began to speak hesitantly. "You know… if you carry some crackers around with you and some water, you probably won't feel so bad. When your… stressed out… keeping a little something in your stomach can help."

"Crackers and water…" that didn't sound so bad, "Yeah. Thanks Gin! That sounds like it might work."

"Anytime. Now lets clean up this mess. I'm sure there will be something bland at dinner that you'll find tolerable." With a smile the girls set to putting the textbooks, essays and notes away in Hermione's bag.

Lifting the bag, Ginny let out a curse. "Merlin! Hermione you carry this around all day?" The older girl nodded. "Brigid save us! No wonder you're exhausted. Here." She put a feather-light charm on the bag. "Don't forget to add that charm daily or I will have to invest in Howler stock!"

The girls laughed their way out of the library and to dinner. Hermione did eat but continued to be a bit withdrawn and absent minded. Ron and Harry would probably just assume that Hermione was preoccupied with her NEWTs. She even heard Ron mutter to Harry, "Just think how much worse she'll be next term when they start getting really close!"

Huffing, Hermione bit into a roll. "You know Ron, I'm sure you would do well to be at least a little concerned about the exams yourself."

Ron sat up importantly, "Who needs exam scores when you've got charm like mine?" He nodded at a passing fifth year causing his weight to shift just enough to topple him backwards off the bench.

All the Gryffindors around burst into laughter and the fifth year hid her giggles as she walked off. Harry said rather loudly, reaching an arm across to help his friend up, "If that's the sort of charm you have, then Hermione's right… You need to focus on your Charms exam instead."

Another roar of laughter erupted as Ron got up, his face the same shade as his hair. "That's right laugh it up. I'll be the one laughing when I sign on with the Cannons."

"Ron!" Ginny hissed but it was too late to stop it.

"Really Ron, are we back to this again?" Hermione started. "Even the Cannons won't take you if you don't pass your exams. And the end of term exams are great practice for your NEWTs."

"NEWTs, NEWTs, NEWTs. Is that all you think about Hermione? Surely you have time for other things? Most girls in our year at least want to have a little fun too." He wagged his eyebrows at her suggestively. "How 'bout going to the Yule Ball with me, Mione?"

Ron's sister slapped his arm, "Ron, you're being gross!"

"And what you do with Harry is beautiful I suppose?" His comment caused Ginny to blush. "But seriously Hermione." Ron's teasing grin was replaced with a concerned face and the difference made Hermione realize that he did have a rather charming smile. "Your end of term exams will be over Friday and we're all leaving Saturday. You can take one night off, can't you? And I only mean to go as friends, I won't put any moves on you or anything."

Ginny muttered "Yeah right" quietly making Harry snickered.

"Well…" Hermione trailed off. She hadn't thought much about the Yule Ball this year. It wasn't like fourth year when it had been a big deal because of the TriWizard Tournament. The only reason Hogwarts was having a ball on the last day of term was because the Ministry had decided that in the wake of the terrible events last year, the coming years should seem even more jovial. Hermione had been nearby when Minister Shackelbolt strongly suggested Hogwarts have some major celebrations throughout the year. Overhearing the conversation had made Hermione think less of the actual celebration itself. But she probably could use a night off. "I suppose it's just for one night."

"Great!" he exclaimed, his boyish grin back in place. "I promise it will be fun Mione. You just watch."

Hermione smiled despite herself, she really had been a little too serious lately.

*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*

That night on rounds, Hermione heard a strange noise and thinking someone must have been out of bed, she followed it. A classroom door stood slightly ajar so Hermione pushed it open and walked in.

"Hello?" she called out softly looking around the room. It struck her as a little strange as this classroom lead out into a forest! Soon she noticed the room's occupant and it all began to make sense. "Firenze! I'm sorry. Didn't mean to intrude."

"Do not worry. Miss Granger, isn't it? I haven't had the pleasure of teaching you."

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, "Divination isn't exactly my strong suit."

"Yet Professor Vector goes on and on about your skills in Arithmancy, which in itself a form of divining the future. You might learn a thing or two from the stars, you know."

It was easy to see why the students liked this professor so much, aside form him being a centaur. "I suppose that's possible. But when I took divination we were looking for the future in tea cups!"

Firenze chuckled at this. "Do you know, Miss Granger, that Hogwarts is filled with it's own magic. It's a deep mysterious magic. Many centaurs would not enter into someplace walled in, but I can feel the soul of Hogwarts just as I can feel the soul of my forest."

Hermione took a moment to ponder this. "I do wonder, if you should submit something to the editors of 'Hogwarts: A History' I've read it several times and they never quite explain the part about the mysterious forces of Hogwarts."

A smile graced the centaurs features, "I do not think she would like me to write it down. Like any good woman, she likes her secrets after all."

It was a moment before Hermione realized that 'she' was Hogwarts. "That's too bad, I think it's terribly interesting."

"Do you want to know what she has been telling me tonight?" Firenze waved Hermione over to a tree stump that functioned as a stool. Not one to turn down a good puzzle, Hermione nodded in affirmation and took her seat.

"She's telling me about Champions." There was a pause, and it struck Hermione that the centaur was going for dramatic effect. "Every generation needs a Champion and she's seen to it that one appears. Ever since she was built, Hogwarts has been molding the strongest wizards to take their place protecting wizarding society. I believe you are friends with the latest Champion."

"Harry…"

A dip of the centaur's head and she knew they were on the same page. "But times change, New Champions are needed to guard the light of the world. And it is her job to ensure these Champions are made. Sometimes things need a little push. Other times, she just has to sit back and watch it happen. But it is not uncommon to feel her hand moving young students toward their futures. Tell me Hermione, have you ever felt yourself compelled beyond reason or logic?"

More times than she could count would have been her best answer and she thought back to a few weeks ago when she had without any questions or uncertainty taken Severus Snape as a lover. These things, she couldn't mention and she tried to hide her blush behind her unruly mane of hair. "Sometimes when I was working on a very tricky problem… like when I was trying to figure out what was in the Chamber of Secrets second year, I often felt drawn to the book where I found the answer."

Firenze nodded. "Perhaps she guided you to the answer then. It is her job to ensure the future and the youth of the wizarding world. Your intellect would not have gone unnoticed. I imagine she had a mark on you even in your first year."

Silence fell between the two and it took Hermione a considerable time to find a reply. "It must be hard to be so far reaching. We've only just experienced devastation and renewal but Hogwarts had seen it time and again." Hermione borrowed the pronoun her professor used for the building and realized that this indeed did make Hogwarts feel like a living entity. "She is already thinking about the future and what mistakes made now will effect generations to come."

"I imagine that she'd enjoy a respite from the dark arts for a while." Firenze informed Hermione. "Her next Champion, she hopes, will be a guardian and not a hero. But of that she is never sure until time passes." She is never certain which it will be until events come to pass."

Hermione didn't mean to yawn, but she was so tired that she couldn't help herself. There was something in this conversation that she should note. If only she weren't so tired.

"Ah," said the centaur, "I forget how taxing school is on you human folk. You must be utterly exhausted at this hour. Sorry for detaining you, Miss Granger. You should get back to your dormitory and rest now."

"Yes. Thank you, Sir. The conversation was most enlightening." She turned to leave but something stopped her. "How can you hear Hogwarts, Professor?"

Firenze smiled, this was one secret he didn't mind sharing. "You only have to learn to listen. Centaurs are always listening to the voice of magic, but humans have stopped listening to the world around them. So much can be achieved when you accept the magic within you and work together. The magic exists both within and outside of your being. When you can tap into such power you can hear the magic of any living thing, be it forest or an old enchanted building. Sometimes I think humans hear but don't even realize they are listening."

The young girl nodded sleepily and pondered this all the way back to her dorm. Applying what she had just learned meant that humans could reach further with their magic if they only remembered how to connect to the world. Perhaps wandless magic was one such jump in the right direction. Hermione made a mental note to check out a book from the library on wandless magic before break. It might be a worthwhile pursuit even if it wouldn't be on the NEWTs.

*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*

Friday came around all too soon and Hermione was thoroughly exhausted from all her exams. When Ginny ushered her up to the dorms right after the Transfiguration final, Hermione was hoping for a bit to rest. Unfortunately for her, Ginny had no intention of resting. The Ball was in a few hours and they'd need a considerable amount of time to get Hermione's hair under control.

"What are you going to wear?" Ginny asked from inside her own wardrobe.

"I haven't thought about it, I have that pink dress from last year. That will work I guess."

"You guess? Good thing Lavender and Parvati aren't back yet. They'd never let you hear the end of it! Especially since you are going to the Ball with 'Won-Won!'"

Ginny had already laid out her own dress and made her way over to Hermione's wardrobe.

"You know Gin, I really could care less what I wear tonight." Hermione objected as her friend dug through her outfits. In the end Ginny emerged with the pink dress and an old purple jacket. This caused Hermione to laugh, "Okay I'm not the fashion expert, but I know that won't look right."

Ginny seemed pleased that Hermione was relaxing a bit and put on a smug grin. "It doesn't yet, but you will see. Put on the dress first."

Hermione slid the silk fabric over her head and pulled it down. She frowned. It was noticeably tighter than the last time she'd worn it. Well, doing too much bookwork and not enough practical applications would explain a little extra weight. If she added practice to her NEWTs studying maybe she wouldn't gain any more weight before the exams.

"When did you get those?" Ginny exclaimed causing Hermione to look at the scooping neckline of her dress. The dress was tightest across the bust and Hermione felt a little bare.

"Well I guess they had to fill out sometime!" Hermione snapped.

"You sure you didn't get one of those muggle surgeries done?"

"Ginny!"

The red head was having fits of laughter. "Just as well for you I am a good hand at transfiguring clothing. Now hold still." Ginny waved her wand and the dress began to change even as Hermione was wearing it. The scoop neck in the front turned into a sweetheart-cut top, which modestly showed her now fuller bust without exposing them. The fabric at her waist was pulled in which accented hips that Hermione didn't remember having. After the hips, the dress began to get looser and fall to the floor gracefully. Feeling a draft on her back Hermione turned and looked backward into a mirror. The back of the dress came to a 'V' just above the small of her back.

"Now this," Ginny instructed handing her the purple jacket. No sooner did Hermione shrug it on, than it began to shrink. It now only came down to her shoulder blades and down over her arms. The long sleeves hugged her elegantly. It complimented the dress perfectly.

"The final touches," Ginny informed as she changed the fabric of the jacket—well shrug now—to something softer and slightly see-through. Then she changed the color of both shrug and dress to a deep crimson. With a declaration of "Perfect." Ginny set to work on her own dress leaving Hermione to look the mirror over. She was pleased to see that while her body seemed a little heavier she appeared to have gained the weight in good places. Her figure was still youthful and lean.

Ginny made her own dress in a shimmering gold color. Two straps came up over the shoulders and crisscrossed in the back branching out into a woven pattern before connecting with the back fabric of the dress. The dress clung to her loosely and Hermione didn't notice the slit over the left leg until she had looked at the dress a few times.

"Now for the hair."

By the time they were done, Ginny's straight locks were bouncing curls and Hermione's bushy mass of hair was done in a neat French Twist. Other girls had come into the dorm to get ready and started bragging about their new dresses. Suddenly, Hermione was glad that Ginny pressed them to get ready early. A wink from the younger girl confirmed that this had been the plan all along.

"Hermione!" Lavender called from across the room. "Where did you get that dress? It's beautiful."

Feigning a haughty air Hermione said, "I had it custom made." At the look of shock on Lavender's face, Ginny gave Hermione a knowing smirk. How had Hermione survived all this time without a close girl friend?

All their efforts of getting ready were not wasted as the boys were floored when Hermione and Ginny finally appeared in the common room. Harry crossed quickly to Ginny and whispered something in her ear, which made the red head laugh. With a quick kiss, Harry put a magical corsage on Ginny's wrist and it turned the same gold shade as her dress.

"You look lovely Hermione," Ron said a bit awkwardly as he pulled out his own magical corsage for Hermione. When fastened to her wrist it turned a sparkling shade of silver. This got a curious look from Ginny but the girl said nothing.

"Shall we?" Ron asked offering her his arm. Hermione took his arm with a smile and they walked toward the Great Hall.

In the Great Hall they were greeted by Neville and Luna. The Ball was bigger than Hermione had imagined. Elaborate decorations were hung about the Great Hall, many bounced in time with the music that was playing. Above them, the enchanted ceiling dropped snowflakes that disappeared before falling to the floor. Mistletoe was hung about the room with other evergreen branches. Luna nodded to this and warned them to be careful of the nargles. It was a shock to see the Minister himself and other important members of his cabinet present. There were also members of the press floating around and Hermione imagined that the papers would make a big fuss about the celebration.

The six friends made their way over to one of the many round tables that filled the hall. At some point the music began to get louder and Ron pulled Hermione to the dance floor. All thoughts of studying and professors finally were thrown from her head as she twirled about on the dance floor. Looking over a few shoulders, she caught Ginny's eye and gave a big grin.

After a few songs, Hermione began fanning herself and Ron asked if they should get some air. Nodding, Hermione followed Ron off the dance floor. He brought her a glass of water and put a steadying hand on her back. "Never knew you could dance like that. When did you find the time to learn with all that studying?"

She smiled, "Just comes naturally, I guess."

"Lucky you. I would have been lost without those lessons fourth year."

They chatted on pleasantly for some time when an urgent feeling suddenly invaded Hermione. Tonight. She blinked not quite sure where it had come from. Shaking off the weird sensation she turned back to Ron who was taking her hand.

"Anyway Hermione, there's something I've wanted to talk to you about…"

There it was again, that strange feeling and it was telling her now. She missed the serious look on Ron's face as he said her name and reached a hand to brush her arm.

Before his hand had even grazed her skin she had dropped his other hand and was moving away. "Sorry Ron, I have… I have to go…We'll talk tomorrow, alright?" And she rushed out of the Great Hall leaving a distraught Ron behind her.

Outside the Great Hall, Hermione paused. "Now where?" Before her whispered words were out she knew: the Room of Requirement.

Her feet had never flown so fast and she had to catch her breath outside the room. With vast anticipation she pushed open the door.

A man stood in the middle of the room—a tall thin man with shoulder length black hair. He turned to face her and Hermione took in the sad dark eyes, the large hooked nose and severe mouth. No man had ever looked so lovely to her. A moment of hesitation passed before the man let out a shallow breath, "Hermione."

And then she was rushing forward and enveloped in his arms. Tears of relief sprung to her eyes, but she held them back. She nuzzled further into his arms and buried her face in his chest. A small pained noise came from her companion. Quickly, she pulled back and looked up at him. "You're hurt!"

"It's nothing," he tried brushing it off, but Hermione could see the strain in his eyes.

"Here sit down," she led him to a large couch in the room and had him lean back against the arm. Facing him, and using all the restraint she could muster, she unbuttoned his shirt and examined his chest. Evidence of a large gash crossed his chest but that was mostly healed, but Hermione noticed that a couple of his ribs were still broken.

With one hand on his chest and another on her wand, she healed his ribs. Though they weren't usually taught to students, her time volunteering in the hospital had taught her a wealth of important healing spells as well as the little variations needed to heal certain areas of the body. Her companion breathed easier and she smiled with tears in her eyes.

This time, holding back her tears was harder than expected. "What you're doing… it's too dangerous. You're already hurt, Severus."

He was caressing her face and brushing her tears away with his thumb. "I like when you say my name," he whispered before pulling her down into a kiss. Their kiss was different this time. If their last kisses were full of desperate hunger, this kiss was filled with sweet longing. To Hermione this kiss felt like coming home.

When they finally broke apart Severus wore a mischievous smirk, "You're quite the dancer."

She could feel the blush rising in her cheeks. "You saw me?"

"I was disillusioned. For a moment…" he paused as if he didn't want to divulge anymore but after a breath he continued. "For a moment I thought you had forgotten me."

"Never," her hands were running over his chest seemingly of their own accord. "My friends dragged me to the Ball, I wasn't even planning on going. Apparently I've been distracted lately. They think I've been studying too much and forced me to take a night off."

A thin eyebrow quirked at this, "Have you been studying too much?"

"Probably," Hermione laughed and laid her head down on his chest, "But mostly, I was worried about you." Even if he wasn't always open, Hermione had no problem opening herself to this man.

His arms came around her and held her fast to him. "So I don't need to worry about Mister Weasley then?"

Hermione pushed herself up and looked into Snape's charcoal eyes, "No, Ron is just a friend. He could never… there was never anything between us like this." And this made Hermione contemplate her own words. She had known Ron since they were children. They had grown up together and knew each other very well. But in all their time together, she had never felt as connected to Ron as she did to Severus. She could feel the potions master in every fiber of her being. Even when they were apart she felt him there within her. Now that they were reunited nothing had ever been so clear to her. Though she had spent less time with this man, she couldn't deny what she felt in her very soul. And her soul clung to this man fiercely and held on resolutely. There was something shared between the two of them that neither could deny. Somehow their very souls had gotten twisted and twined together. It had happened very suddenly, and though all logical thought told Hermione that it was ridiculous to fall so hard and so fast, her heart knew that this was it.

His arms crushed her into him once more as he captured her lips in a fierce display of raw emotion. A few years ago, she and her friends would have snickered at the idea of their Potions Professor having feelings and a year ago they were all certain the man was made of stone. Now, pressed up against him, Hermione knew the depth of Severus's feeling were akin to her own.

As their kiss turned more passionate, Hermione broke the contact to make sure he was well enough to continue. "Nothing short of a full body bind could stop me from having you," he breathed hotly into her ear. With one deft pluck he pilled out Hermione's hairpin and her hair tumbled down around them. He had stopped to admire the effect for just a moment before pulling her to him and tangling his hands in her hair.

When their bodies came together at last, the dull ache that had been growing within Hermione finally subsided. She screamed Severus's name at the height of her climax and fell panting on top of him. Severus pressed a kiss to her sweaty forehead and whispered, "You're mine, Hermione."

More than anything she wished that she could stay here with him, but she knew morning would come and they'd both be leaving the castle. Hermione pushed herself up so she was once more looking down on her lover as he lay on the sofa. There was a blanket thrown over the back of the couch and she pulled it around her shoulders and let it drape across Severus's body. Severus stopped her from pulling the blanket closed in front of her. Instead, he slipped his hand under the cover to gently caress her side and cup her breast. "I've missed you."

His words echoed through her mind and she knew she was nodding. "Me too." Her own hand was running over his stomach and chest. "I had no idea how much I was used to visiting you until you were gone."

"The highlight of many dull days," he agreed, surprising Hermione. It made her wonder how long Severus had harbored feelings for her and how long he knew she had feelings for him. There was no doubt in her mind that he knew of her feelings long before she had recognized them herself. Though their emotional connection had plenty of time to strengthen, conversations were a somewhat new development for them. Hermione was uncertain how far she could push. "How long will you be gone this time?"

He shook his head. "I've no idea. This new fellow is tricky and it is getting harder to tail him. If I don't move soon he may escape my grasp."

"Are there many?" He needed to do this; that much was clear. But she had no idea how far this project took him.

A nod. "At least five. Six if I am careful enough to catch him. That last one will be a problem. But all six have the ability to pick up a group of followers. They are dangerous loose cannons. I cannot allow them to move freely and spread their influence. It is…" He trailed off as if uncertain whether to continue. After a pause he went on, "I still have that much of myself promised to Dumbledore. I will not allow the Death Eaters to gain hold even after their master was defeated."

Hermione took in the pained expression on his face. "You cared for him deeply didn't you. It must have been so hard for you."

Though he neither spoke nor made any gestures, Hermione could tell she was right on the mark. After a long while he offered just a little—a tip of a feeling—to pass through. "Albus Dumbledore offered me a second chance. That in itself is worth more than all the galleons in Gringotts."

She understood, or at least she thought she did. "It seems to me," she began weakly not quite certain of the tenuous spoken trust they were building, "that if anyone understood the need for a second chance it was Albus Dumbledore."

Something restricted lingered in his dark eyes as he fixed Hermione with an amazed expression. "Come here," it was a whisper as he pulled her to him. "I've no idea what great force had seen fit to give to me such an amazing gift as your affection, but unworthy as I am I shall cherish it indefinitely."

Snuggled against the naked man who was much more than just a former potions professor, Hermione recalled a certain conversation about Hogwarts choosing Champions. If anyone was a Champion of the previous generation, it was this man who, even after the war, would not let the world fall into chaos. If Harry was a Champion and a Hero, perhaps Severus was a Guardian like Firenze had mentioned. A hope found it's way through Hermione: Harry would graduate this year and become an Auror. Maybe when Harry was out protecting the world again, Severus could finally retire his long vigil.

Severus and Hermione clung to each other in silence for a while longer both unwilling to let the other go. But the time for dressing and saying goodbye came and Hermione understood that this was how it had to be.

"I'll be waiting for you, Severus."

Pulling her into his arms, Severus kissed her thoroughly and whispered one word of farewell. "Hermione."

With that Hermione left the Room of Requirement refusing to let her tears fall. She would see Severus again even if she had no idea when. Tomorrow she would get on the train with her friends and travel to the Burrow and Severus would slink off into the night to hunt down the threats to their world. Something about it was unfair, but Hermione realized that Champions always did the hardest jobs alone.

*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*Y*

Author's note: I think I only have one note for this chapter, the "pink dress" is not Hermione's dress from the previous Yule Ball in fourth year. It is just a lovely pink dress she had from the previous year. I can't remember the color of her gown for the Yule Ball in book four but I do know in the movie it was a purplely pink. Maybe that's why I have the idea of Hermione wearing pink dressed in my mind. That and I like the soft feminine pink turned to a womanly crimson. Anyway I often find myself buying dresses in the same light blue color and I notice other people often have a "color" in dresses too.

Also I hope I made it clear that the Yule Ball was the last day of term and not on Christmas. Christmas will come soon and the Yule Ball is Christmas-themed, but not Christmas itself.

Thank you for the reviews! And Thanks for reading! I am loving the response to this story so far. It will probably be long and I will go into detail about things that I am briefly touching on here in later chapters. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! The next one is written but must undergo a major re-write as I need to correct the weather throughout. More to come soon! Now off to make dinner!