Leaving his Mark
by
Thunderspeak

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Harry Potter franchise, created by J.K. Rowling.

Summary: In the final days of Battle, Harry and his friends prepare for the worst. Lives are lost, and the world is taken over by Voldemort. Even worse, Hermione has committed the worst atrocity there is—opening her heart to one of the most unlikely people. Severus/Hermione

Chapter 7

"Hello Severus."

The graveyard was silent, except for her voice carried by the wind. She scowled at the weather, thinking of how fitting the gloomy clouds were.

She had passed many tombstones, all of them marked with inconsequential names except for his. His tombstone was bare, bereft of the colorful flowers that decorated the others. Hermione huffed angrily, thinking of all the years he had given up. He was unappreciated, even scorned when he had died for them, for their freedom.

She should say a few words to soothe his restless soul, although Hermione thought condolences were better made to soothe the living left behind.

'Well, maybe you're in heaven? If it even exists…'

She kneeled on the ground, putting her face in her hands. If only she knew for certain that a heaven existed, a special spot for him, she'd be comforted. The uncertainty brought no peace.

"You deserve the best spot they have."

Pulling the leather covered book from her bag, she placed Hogwarts, a History on the ground. She fondly recalled when Severus had caught her reading it for the 37th time.

"How many times have you read that book?"

His face was filled with scorn when he looked at her, and Hermione felt infinitely small. Taking a breath, she sat up proudly and said, "This is my 6th time sir. I just love all that has happened in this school. The legends of the founders are fascinating-"

"Miss Granger," he cut her off sharply, "you have an unhealthy obsession with reading."

Her face turned red, and he smirked and continued. "An obsession like this will kill you one day."

And with that, the potions professor stalked out of the room with a whoosh of his robes.

Hermione furrowed her brows in confusion. Professor Snape had appeared from nowhere, insulted her, and then stalked away.

'What a strange man…' she thought.

Pulling the book close, Hermione continued to read. However, after a moment she looked at it warily. She shut it, and then did something she had never done in her life.

Hermione Granger pushed a book away.

Back in the present, she laughed through her tears. She remembered that day clearly. It had been the first time she had pushed a book away and ventured into the world.

He had affected her so much, even when she was a child.

Hermione stood up, and turned to walk away.

The sun was now peeking through the clouds, lighting up the graveyard. Hermione wondered if she looked close enough she would see pearly gates opening just for him.

Wiping the tears from her face, Hermione went back to the school, where a surprise awaited her...

"—in the cold, too! Hermione, I told you to stay in bed with your condition and you blatantly disobeyed me!"

Madame Pomfrey had been ranting for nearly 20 minutes at Hermione for leaving the infirmary with her condition. She wasn't a cancer patient for merlin sakes.

"But Madam Pomfrey, Dumbledore said I could-" she began, only to be cut off.

"Does Albus have the medical expertise that I do? He does not. So when I tell you to stay in bed, you do it."

Hermione sullenly nodded and flopped into bed. She tried to fall asleep, but unfortunately, fate had a different idea. Albus Dumbledore had arrived.

"Hermione?"

She glared at him for awaking her, in which he responded with a sheepish smile. He then cleared his throat and said, "I apologize for Poppy's outburst. I forgot to tell her that I had granted your leave for the day."

Hermione continued to glare. He wouldn't sway her with his twinkling eyes.

"Anyway," he continued, "I've come to offer you a home here, for as long as you want. I know you have no where else to go…"

She remembered that day clearly. The day she found out that she had no home to return to.

"I'm so sorry Hermione," Harry whispered, his voice aching with pity and understanding.

Her parents were dead, and she was filled with shock. She had expected their death during this turmoil, as Voldermort would certainly target them, but it was how they died that had been a surprise.

They had been driving into town when an eighteen wheeler crashed into them, crushing their car in milliseconds. They died instantly. It was such an ordinary, muggle way to die.

Hermione smiled bitterly and said, "I'll get through it Harry. Don't worry about me."

And Hermione did get through it, with the help of a certain Potions professor.

"—if you want anything, you should retrieve it before tomorrow."

Hermione returned to the present and looked at him in confusion. Dumbledore smiled and patted her on the head. She felt very small.

"I said that we are cleaning out the potions classroom for a new professor who will arrive within the next month. If you would like anything, you should retrieve it before noon tomorrow."

Sitting up and pulling the covers off, she sighed, "I'll go now if you don't mind."

Dumbledore smiled and exited the room. Hermione was surprised he didn't offer her a lemon drop, and she thought, 'Finally learning.' She quickly dressed and made her way to the classroom.

Her thoughts couldn't stop whirling on the way there. She prayed that seeing his classroom wouldn't be too painful. It was like a home to her.

It was where she had fallen in love with him, kissed him, and in his chambers, made love to him.

Hermione shuddered, leaning against a wall to catch her breath. The memories of that night made her legs shake.

Severus had been a wonderful lover. She remembered the drag of his lips across her skin, the touch of his skillful hands on her stomach. In a matter of minutes she was begging him to take her, and when he did, it was a rising torrent of pleasure.

Hermione was verbose in the classroom, but even more so in the bedroom.

Still shivering, she straightened and approached the classroom door. Hermione took a deep breath and turned the knob, the weight of the moment crushing her.

Hermione breathed in the thick scent of wood and plants. It smelled like the wilderness, and the toxic smell electrified her.

She stepped into the room, almost expecting to see Severus hunched over his desk, his long fingers scribbling away grades on tests.

'His piano playing fingers…'

She had asked him if he played the piano, and he recoiled with disgust, stating that it was a frivolous activity he would take no part in. Hermione slyly spoke of how beautiful the music was, and how playing an instrument was a very attractive trait.

Severus made no comment, but a week later she found sheet music, stuffed between his textbooks in the classroom. It was adorable.

Hermione peered around the dusty classroom. They were cleaning the classroom out tomorrow, so she was determined to find anything to take, for her own selfish reasons.

After what seemed like hours, Hermione ended up with a variety of items.

They were mostly books; Ancient Ruins, Potions and YOU, and surprisingly, a muggle book, Beauty and the Beast along with an assortment of others.

She also bundled up some blankets (laced with his scent) and even snatched his black robe that had been draped on his chair. She knew it was pathetic, but the idea of sleeping in it comforted her.

In his bedroom were many useful ingredients for potions, and she stacked them in a box along with some candles, vases, and other trinkets.

Hermione stood at the door with the box in her arms, staring at the classroom. It was filled with so many items, but there was nothing else she could take. She didn't need everything to remember him; her memories were enough.

'Nox,' she whispered, holding her new wand out. The lights slowly died down, shrouding the classroom in darkness. Hermione shut the door, the faint smell of wood and pine wafting out. She inhaled deeply, feeling nostalgia wash over her.

It was the last time she smelled the fragrance, and it was the last time Hermione Granger saw any of Severus's remaining possessions for they were taken away the next day.

It was also the last time Hermione visited the classroom for many, many years.


Hey guys, I'm really sorry for the wait. Life is just hectic and taking over everything. Anyways, here the next chapter :) Hope you like it. I'll put up the next chapter by Friday

-Thunderspeak