3 Aug 1997 - Sunday just over a month later

Hogwarts was dealing with wizarding construction crews doing their best to restore the old castle. Professor Sprout, who had come out of the Final Battle with a broken leg, had hired a team of gardeners and herbalists to restore the grounds and the many greenhouses that had suffered damage from falling masonry.

Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa had returned to Malfoy Manor to effect repairs on the Manor.

Harry had recovered his energy and visited his friends at St. Mungo's each day. Ron, whose leg and arm had been damaged by a Bone Crushing Curse had been healed but he would walk with a very slight limp the rest of his life and his arm would remain weaker than the other.

Albus Dumbledore had retired from his St. Mungo's bed as soon as he was able to rise. His days were filled with visiting those that were recovering from their wounds until, near the end of July, he passed away in his sleep.

Minerva had nearly recovered from the Stunning Spells to her abdomen but they had affected her digestion. She changed her diet somewhat, and to everyone's absolute surprise she adopted her saviours Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe. Both had lost their fathers in the Final Battle, and those two Death Eaters were both young wizards only family. Gregory had gone into Magical Farming and kept a herd of Thestral that had been rescued from the "Riddle Compound". Vincent, an admittedly poor student, had become Minerva's apprentice in Transfiguration. It was a discipline he surprisingly had quite the aptitude for. Minerva expected Vincent to take over as a Transfiguration professor when his apprenticeship was finished.

Severus Snape's recovery was slow. What annoyed him most of all was that the bushy-haired heroine visited him everyday. Severus kept his sarcasm to himself since the girl had saved his life. To his surprise he learned she was not a bubbly, effusive girl who could only talk cosmetic spells and perfumes.

Hermione Granger read to the Potions Master from his periodicals, fed his daily guilty pleasure of The Daily Prophet (and she did not judge), or she simply discussed various topics having to do with things she read to him about.

Severus realised that more than just an obsessive reader Hermione Granger was a seeker of knowledge. She was disappointed in learning that the wizarding world had not caught up to the Muggle world, and thus they lacked colleges and universities. The Potions Master had told her of the magnificent Alexandrian Archives which was an underground, Fidelius'd library that stretched an unprecedented 40 stories into the Earth.

This Sunday Hermione arrived with a large book that was titled The Noble History of Apprenticeship. Hermione put her book down, fluffed Severus' pillows, made sure he had fresh water, and ordered him lunch.

"An intriguing book you have there, Miss Granger," Severus spoke softly. Neither of them said hello or good-bye these days. "Are you considering an apprenticeship?"

"I would like to, Sir, but I think Madame Pince is a bit busy restoring the Hogwarts library."

"Understandable," said the Potions Master as he sipped at his fresh water. "Have you spoken to Minerva? She is your Head of House and jobs counsellor."

Hermione shook her head sadly. "I would but since the passing of the Headmaster, her becoming Headmistress, and the restorations…" Hermione sighed. "Professor McGonagall is very busy."

"Madame Pince, hm? You are considering the Librarian Sciences, then," Severus easily surmised.

"I would like to be an Archivist at the Alexandrian Archive, Sir. They have a very high requirement for an archivist. I would need to qualify for the Librarians Guild then I could apply as an archivist." Hermione tapped her knees with her fingers. "I read a lot but I don't think I'd be good enough."

"Miss Granger do not underestimate yourself," chided Severus. "You are an intelligent witch. If you desire being an archivist I will write a letter of introduction for you to a friend of mine who has been looking for just the right witch or wizard to take on as his apprentice."

"You would do that?" Hermione asked hopefully.

"I believe you are just what he is looking for, Miss Granger."

"May I ask who he is, Professor?"

"Calleo Briciu the Archivist Superior of the UnSpeakables Library," replied Severus.

"Calleo Briciu? You know Calleo Briciu, Sir? He's practically a legend! He would really want to apprentice me?" Hermione was nearly bouncing out of her chair and her own stuffings.

Severus smirked lightly. "When I needed to do research into the Weakening Potion I was planning, Calleo's input was invaluable. It was he that thought of me using Mr. Potter's blood to create the vital bridge needed to link to Voldemort's magical core. Over time he has aided me in other potions and spellwork. I have no doubt that with him as your mentor the Librarians Guild will accept you, and in turn, so will the Alexandrian Archives."

Hermione, doing her best to contain a noisy outburst in St. Mungo's finally let out her exuberance by throwing her arms around the Potions Master's neck, and kissing his cheek.

"Thank you, Professor! Thank you!"


24 Aug 1997 - Sunday, Hermione's parents

Severus Snape learned that Hermione was to bring her parents out of hiding. He had not known that any sort of protection had been given to any Muggles.

"In my third year I began going to the Headmaster about my parents, Professor. I believed I was understandably worried for them. Professor Dumbledore agreed, and he charged Kingsley Shacklebolt with hiding them," Hermione beamed contentedly with the knowledge she would soon be reunited with her parents.

"Do you now know where they are, Miss Granger?" he asked.

"Not the exact location but it is somewhere in Australia," Hermione replied. "I wrote to my parents and received a letter from them this morning." She held out the letter.

Severus had no wish to read a letter meant from parent to child, but as Hermione was holding it out to him, he took the fine stationery, and skimmed it. Her parents were pleased to know she was safe, and they looked forward to their reunion. He handed the letter back to the girl. He knew he ought to be pleased for Hermione's good fortune but something pricked at his senses.

"Miss Granger," he asked with concern. "Is it wise to be doing this with so many of the Voldemort's followers still on the run?"

Voldemort had not had all of his Death Eaters follow him into battle. A number of them, twenty to be exact, had been sent away as a sort of back-up force. The Aurors, with their newest recruit, Harry Potter, had been helping to track down those twenty. Nearly all had been caught.

"Kingsley believes that it is safe for me to go, Professor. Remus and Harry and two other Aurors will be going with me just in case but they don't anticipate any problems." She smiled and patted his hand. "Really, Sir, it will all be fine."

"Hermione?" Harry Potter knocked on the open door of Severus' room at St. Mungo's. "Hello, Professor Snape." Severus nodded to the young man. Hermione jumped up and hugged him.

"How's Ron?" she asked.

"Doing well. Fred and George have employed him at Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes until the Quidditch tryouts begin," replied Harry. "May I join you both?"

Severus did not object to the young Gryffindor's presence. He may not have cared much for the student, and the student had cared little for him, but after having worked together to defeat Voldemort they had each gained a grudging respect for each other.

"Sit, Mr. Potter," Severus waved over a second chair. "Do you believe it wise to allow Miss Granger to retrieve her parents with Death Eaters still on the horizon?"

Harry chuckled, "Nobody allows or disallows Hermione from doing whatever she wants, Sir." Severus' face remained rather stone-like so Harry's own smile faded. "I'm sure Hermione will be fine, Professor. She's going to be escorted by myself and Remus, and two Aurors."

"Never let Miss Granger out of your sight, Mr. Potter," warned Severus.

"Oh stop it, you two!" Hermione laughed. "You make it sound like I can't even defend myself. I happen to be a very competent witch."

"Hermione!" protested Harry.

"On the contrary, Miss Granger," continued Severus. "I do not doubt your skill but if you come across Death Eaters you will fail." Both Gryffindors glared. Severus' voice hardened. "Neither of you have been taught to fight against Death Eaters," both Hermione and Harry started to remind him of the Final Battle. He stopped their voices. "You were fighting with the entire Order of the Phoenix, the Aurory, and other followers of the Light. Going up against Death Eaters on the run, who are desperate for their freedom, and retribution for the loss of their Master…" Severus shook his head. "If you must go then do not underestimate what you might encounter. They do not follow the rules of duelling or honourable magic. Death Eaters fight to kill. If you come across any, particularly Tomago and Gregon," he stared at Harry pointedly. "It was you, Mr. Potter, who told me they have evaded capture. I, and Lucius, both told you that those two were psychopathic with only the desire to torture and kill."

Harry's lips thinned, "Yes, Professor. Mr. Malfoy's memories revealed that those two were thought 'fondly of' by Voldemort."

"Be vigilant," whispered Severus. "They will not hesitate to kill."

Harry rose to his feet, and he smiled. "We won't forget, Professor. C'mon, Hermione. Remus was going to meet us in the lobby of St. Mungo's."

Hermione rose to her feet, and started to wave farewell to the Potions Master. With a speed she had not expected he smoothly caught her hand. He said nothing but tightened his hand over hers. The witch stepped closer, and smiled softly. "I'll be safe, Professor."

Severus had a dozen warnings on his lips but they were suddenly forgotten when Hermione leaned over and very lightly kissed his sallow cheek.

The Potions Master watched as his hospital door slowly closed itself in their wake. His fingertips feathered over the warmth that tingled on his cheek. Decision made he threw off the covers, pushed himself out of his bed, and began to dress himself.