Author's Note: All Glory to JK Rowling and her marvelous world!
Snape came out from behind the hospital curtain, buttoning his cuffs. He held out his hand - Hermione handed him his wand and wallet. Both Harry and Hermione were staring at him like they were seeing a ghost.
"I rather wish you would close your mouth Potter. Or are we sharing in some nostalgic moment?" There he stood, in all his black-clad glory. Hermione said, "We're sorry Professor, but as we explained - we saw you die five years ago. It's all a bit of a shock. Now, we need to figure out what to do with you." Both Harry and Snape stared at her.
"'What to do with me,' Miss Granger? I am quite capable of figuring that out. I don't need your help."
"You can't." Harry spoke quietly; he had been deep in thought since Snape woke up and, much to Severus' surprise, hadn't spoken a word. "You can't just vanish for five years and reenter wizarding society. Do you realize how many Death Eaters would love to kill the man who helped betray Voldemort? I think they've been waiting for something this delicious for years; one last hurrah. We can't let you out of our sight. And there are some good honest people out there who are still not completely convinced you're a hero."
Harry started to pace the length of the room. Hermione sat down on the bed, looking down at the card with her name and phone number. Severus observed his former students. There was a powerful sobriety about Potter that Severus would never have expected. Granger was just as she always was - serious and intelligent. He watched as her eyes narrowed. She looked up at him, "How did you get my mobile number? And why do you have this card?" He blinked, "Dumbledore gave me the information. We agreed that if anyone would be willing to hear me out should things go awry after the Headmaster's death, it would be you Miss Granger. You at least would stop Potter here from killing me. Consider it insurance." He smirked at Harry, who had stopped pacing.
"I think a much more important question is - how can you possibly be alive?" Harry walked up to Severus, within inches of him. They were about equal height - green eyes bored into black. Severus could feel Harry pressing his mind into his thoughts. Memories flooded in front of Severus' eyes, but they were blurred. Harry and Severus both staggered back.
"What's wrong?!" Hermione jumped between the two men. Severus rubbed the bridge of his nose; he compartmentalized his bewilderment, fear, and confusion in his mind for later reflection. Harry ran his hand through his hair, "I did Legilimency and he didn't fight back. I can't figure out what I saw; the images were…wrong. It was like they were out of focus." Harry whispered this to Hermione, but years of professorship had heightened Severus' hearing.
"You've become a Legilimens have you, Potter? Impressive. I'm amazed you can mentally survive the experience. But, well, a void must be filled." Harry sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. Hermione frowned at Severus, "We're trying to help you Professor. This is all very confusing. And," she turned to Harry, "we really ought to leave the hospital." "Shall I do Memory charms on the staff?" Harry stood up, brushing imaginary flecks of dust from his lapel. "I don't think it's really necessary, Harry. We'll just apparate. No harm, no foul." Harry nodded.
"And where exactly are we going?" Severus looked at them both. Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. "We think we know a place," Harry said. Hermione nodded. Severus snorted, "Do I not have a say in where I go?" "No," Harry and Hermione said together. "Professor, we need to think this through. Other than Voldemort, no wizard has ever come back from the dead. Which is what you've done." Hermione looked up at her former professor. "Please trust us, sir." "And why should I trust Harry Potter and his know-it-all friend Hermione Granger?" Harry stepped forward, "Because right now, we are all you've got." Harry and Hermione grabbed each of Severus' arms and apparated.
Author's Notes: Before anyone moans about it - it is purposeful the change from calling him "Snape" to calling him "Severus". It is technically the first time in the story we've had his POV.
I had hoped to update weekly, but I also set myself goals as to writing a certain amount and then publishing. This way I complete the story and move on to the next phase. But not only are the holidays coming up, but I will be moving at the beginning of January, so I might not be updating very much in the next few weeks. I will definitely return in 2015 to complete the story (mapped to 16 chapters), so no worries.