"Hermione, are you sure about this?" Minerva furrowed her brow as Hermione slipped the time turner over her head.

"I have to do this." Hermione nodded and grabbed the cloak, the map and the letter she had written.

"Remember, you must not be seen." Minerva gave a worried sigh.

"I know, don't worry, everything will be fine." Hermione smiled. "Thank you for allowing me to do this."

"I won't say I agree with this, but I trust you." Minerva shook her head as Hermione began to turn the dial. "Be safe."

"I'll see you soon." Hermione watched as Minerva turned and exited into her office, leaving her alone. Hermione took a deep breath, "Well here goes nothing." She released the dial, and closed her eyes. After her previous use of the time turner, she knew better than to keep her eyes open. She was going back months, not a matter of a few hours. She felt her stomach flip before she opened her eyes. She was standing in the headmasters' private quarters, and everything was covered in a layer of dust. She made it. She opened the map and pointed her wand.

"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." The map appeared, and she looked directly at the headmasters' office to see where he was. The room was empty, so she looked to where his private rooms were. There were his footsteps and his name. He was alive. Hermione bit down on her lip hard as she fought the urge to cry with joy. "Get ahold of yourself Hermione, you have a task to perform."

She grabbed the cloak and covered herself before she approached the door; silently she slipped out of the private quarters and found herself standing in the headmasters' office. She slowly tip toed over to his desk and looked around. Sitting in the middle of the desk, half written was the letter she had received. She closed her eyes, and pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind, but one fought against her. He was writing this, and he was still hopeful of seeing her and speaking to her. She shook her head. Suddenly the door opened and jumped. Severus walked through the door, closing it behind him. Hermione shrunk back against the book shelves.

He paused and looked around the room, seeming to sense he wasn't alone. Hermione clamped her hands over her mouth to hide her breathing. Her eyes were fixed on him as he made his way to his desk. She stared at the side of his face, memorizing his profile. He picked up the parchment that was addressed to her. He gently sat it down again, picked up his quill and continued to write.

This continued on for some time, Hermione's calves began to cramp from crouching for too long. Suddenly he spoke aloud, giving her a fright.

"Severus, you damn fool." He shook his head and sat down his quill. "You will not live through this, and she will be sickened by the thought of you being in love with her."

Hermione wanted to throw off the invisibility cloak and run to him. She wanted to throw her arms around him and tell him he wasn't a fool that she did love him. He turned and looked in her direction, his brow furrowed. There was a loud knock on his door, causing his attention to be drawn away from her. She gave a silent sigh of relief when he chose to ignore her, and answer the door. A voice she didn't recognize was on the other side of the door, something was happening and the stranger was telling him he was needed at once. She watched him go.

Quickly she stood up, her face contorted with pain as the blood rushed back to her lower extremities. She frantically reached in her robe pocket for the letter she had written. She didn't know how much time she had. There had been no indication given of when he was going to return. She rushed up to his desk and slipped the envelope on top of the letter he was writing. She looked at it for a moment before slipping back into the private quarters. She took off the cloak and took a deep breath, she had to get back.

"Please be there, please." She whispered as she closed her eyes and pressed the dial to return to her own time.

"Severus, anything the matter?" Albus' portrait asked him as he returned to his desk.

"No, it was a small matter. I have taken care of it." Severus sighed. He looked down at his desk and saw an envelope with his name written on it. He looked up at Albus. "Where did this come from?"

"Ah, it appeared out of thin air." Albus peered over his spectacles at Severus. "I believe you had a visitor, unseen of course."

"A visitor?" Severus asked as he turned his attention to the envelope, he broke the seal and pulled out the parchment. He glanced down at the name signed at the bottom before reading its contents. "It's from Hermione."

"Really?" Albus smirked.

"I cannot read this, she came back to leave this. I can't know anything about the future!" Severus pressed the parchment to his chest.

"Read it, my boy. Go on." Albus nodded towards the letter. Severus inhaled slowly, and hesitantly began to read the letter.

Dear Severus,

I received your letter at the burrow. I think you and I both know what that means. Please, take heed and do not go when summoned by you-know-who once the battle starts at Hogwarts. Yes, that is where it will all end. You were able to see me before…I was there when it happened. I saw it. I saw you…I saw you die. I do love you, Severus. Please, please don't leave me alone.

I love you,

Hermione

Severus looked up at Albus' portrait, shock was all over his face.

"What is it, my boy? What did she say?" Albus asked.

"She told me I died, and she was there when it happened. She said she loves me, and is begging me to listen to her letter." Severus held his face in his hands.

"And now that you know…what will you do?" Albus asked.

"I don't know." Severus shook his head, and looked at the letter again.

Hermione opened her eyes and saw Minerva looking down at her.

"What happened?" Hermione asked, her head was throbbing.

"I found you in my private quarters, and I am not sure how you got there." Minerva's brow knit together.

"What?" Hermione asked, confused. "Tell me, are you headmistress?"

"Yes, Miss Granger, I am." Minerva nodded.

"I am a teacher here, yes?" Hermione winced, and bit her lip.

"Yes you teach Defense against the Dark Arts." Minerva nodded again. "Hermione, what is this all about?"

"Oh Gods, it didn't work! He didn't listen." Hermione threw her hands up over her eyes as she began to cry.

"What didn't work?" Minerva asked as she touched Hermione's hand.

"It doesn't matter, I told him, and he didn't listen. Just leave me be, please." Hermione cried harder.