For Whom The Bell Tolls…

"I left you a gift, Severus," she whispered into his ear. "It was very hard to think of something visitors won't see and Voldemort can't extract with Legilimency. So it couldn't be a photo, a medallion or something like that."

She caressed his chin with her hand and looked in his eyes.

"When you lie down in bed, you will see that the snake ornament in the centre of the headboard is now silver. It has been changed into a kind of Pensieve. It will activate itself when you sleep so that you will remember only a particular dream. I have stored my memories in there, and Albus helped me change it. When I am gone, you will have to carefully edit your memories of us and store them and other memories away safely."

She followed the curve of his lips with her fingers.

"Touch the snake and go to sleep. Dream of me, as I will dream of you, love." She sealed his lips with a last kiss.

He had to gather all his strength not to beg her on his knees to stay.

She stepped back, his arms caressing hers, until their fingers parted and activated her Time-Turner. "Soon, very soon, I will be in your arms again...." With those words she vanished.

"Hermione!" he cried.