Disclaimer: Borrowing. Alright, I told you this would be sad. You were warned. Multiple times. And I know many of you will be upset by this chapter because you were looking for a happy ending. But please stick with me, because I think you'll like how this story ends. It won't be what you were hoping for, but it will give poor Severus the closure he needs.

--

"Severus!" Molly Weasley exclaimed, causing the rest of the clan to glance up as I walked into the room. "How is she?"

"She's dying! How the hell do you think she's doing?" Ginny Weasley erupted, bursting into tears at her young friend's miserable fate.

"If you wish to go and speak with her…do so now," I said, wanting nothing more than for them to just leave, and allow me my time alone with her. Alas, my wishes were not to be met, as they all rushed to her room. I followed.

Hermione was sitting in bed, teary eyed, when we came in. Molly and Arthur Weasley each walked to the side of her bed, and Molly enveloped her in a hug not nearly as tight as was her particular style, as though she was about to break. Hermione wore a flustered look as she saw all her friends in her room, about to bid her goodbye for good. Tears strolled lazily down her cheeks, and all I wanted was to be alone with her. Molly and Arthur stepped aside to let Minerva at her, who broke out in tears at her ex-student's fate. Dumbledore approached her next.

"Do not think of death as a negative event, but as a start to something where the fear of death is non-existent. Death may turn out to be a place in which one is able to fulfill their deepest fantasies, Hermione," Dumbledore spoke softly, reassuringly, the twinkle in his eyes firmly in place. "Do not be afraid."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione whispered back. Ginny stepped up to her, and hugged her as she rambled on about how she changed her life and how amazing she was as a person. Then it was Harry's turn.

"Hey 'Mione," he said quietly through tears, capturing her hand.

"Hi Harry," she smiled slightly at him.

"I don't know if I can do this," Harry admitted. "I can't imagine a life without you. You've always been there…I need you to maintain that. I need you to be there, always…"

"Harry, you have Ginny now. You have Ron, and I will still be in your head. I don't think you will be able to get my bossy voice out of it," she laughed. "You will have the memories." Harry's tears never ceased.

"I love you, 'Mione," Harry said as he embraced her.

"I love you too Harry," she said. Harry pulled away, and Ron approached the bed. He was now sober, and took full responsibility of what happened.

"Hey 'Mione," he said cautiously, for he had no clue as to her current disposition towards him. "Oh Merlin, 'Mione, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have gone out tonight. Every time I go out, you come and get me. I know I need to stop, and I will. I'm so sorry, it should be me," he said brokenly.

"Ron, I don't blame you. It wasn't you that cursed me. As far as always picking you up; that's what friends are for. Just promise me that you will get help; you can't keep living like this," she said.

"I promise. God, how are you so calm?!" Ron cried.

"I can't change it now…why bother becoming upset?" she asked.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I love you, and I'm sorry," he stuttered.

"I love you too Ron. And it's okay. Forgive yourself." With one last look at their friend, everyone filed out of the room, teary-eyed and unsettled, leaving Hermione and I alone.

She pushed over in her bed as much as her weakening body would let her, and I climbed into the bed with her. I took her in my arms, and she lay against me for the last time.

"Severus?"

"Hmm?"

"…How much time is left?"

I looked reluctantly to the clock. "Fifteen minutes," I whispered. I felt her upper body slump against mine. I held on tighter. Only fifteen minutes left to be with the love of my life, the most important thing in my world. Suddenly, I had the overwhelming urge to forget that she was dying, forget that this would be the last time I would ever be with her… just forget.

I realized that my mind was not all with me, that I wasn't thinking logically, but I needed to ask her what I had planned to ask after dinner. I needed to. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring. "Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"Hermione, marry me," I said bluntly, taking the ring from its safe encasement, and holding it up for her inspection. She looked up at me, extremely confused, presumably to see if I had lost my sanity. Well on my way, my dear.

"Severus…" she whispered, tears starting up once again.

"Hermione please, I need this. I have to pretend that everything is okay. I don't even think I can do this…" I whispered back. "Please."

"Yes. Yes, of course I'll marry you, Severus," she cried, smiling through her tears.

I slid the ring onto her finger, and she admired it as she lay her head back down on my chest. I ran my fingers through her hair and sighed. It was almost time.

"Severus…I think it's coming. I'm tired," she said. Her tears were gone, and she looked up at me. I could see in her eyes that she had accepted her fate.

"H-hold on, just a little while," I pleaded, clutching her tighter to me. "Just a little…"

"I want you to move on Severus. Don't revert back to your old ways. Don't be upset that it's over, but glad that it happened," she said as a sob escaped me. Death was so near, I could feel it.

"I can't live without you Hermione, not when I know what life is like with you," I cried.

"You can, Severus. I love you," she whispered weakly. My lips met hers, and I kissed her for the last time.

"I love you, Hermione," I whispered back, holding her gaze for as long as I could. After a few more seconds, I saw the last light burning in her eyes, flicker out, and then her eyes slowly close. That was it, she was gone. I felt my heart plummet. On my own, once again, but this time I knew I couldn't do it.

The machine she was hooked up to went flat line, and the healers entered.

"We're very sorry for your loss, Sir," one healer said. I didn't acknowledge him. I was then forced to stand from her bed. I looked down, to see her face once more, although it was blurry due to my tears, before I was shooed out of the room.

"Oh, Severus," Minerva was blubbering in the waiting room when I walked in.

"Go home, my boy. Go home; we'll take care of the funeral arrangements. The ceremony will be held tomorrow afternoon, on Hogwarts' grounds," Albus said gently. I spoke to no one as I made my way miserably to the exit of the hospital.