They had successfully avoided each other over the holiday break, which was torturous for both - especially as they had a moment of hope up in the Tower that they would be spending it together. Severus thought about his words and actions and thought he could maybe try talking to her. If she really didn't want to be in her marriage, maybe there was hope for them after all.

The night of the feast when all the students returned, he was still mulling this all over. There she was, standing at the entrance to the Great Hall. He paused for a moment, but saw she was speaking with a student. He took a deep breath and tried to stride quickly past them, but the boy left just before he could pass her.

"Mr. Snape! Hello, how are you this evening?" Hermione said in a nervous, but polite voice. Severus nodded curtly back to her.

"I am well. And yourself?" He asked, eyes scanning the Hall.

"I am well." She said quietly. She opened her mouth to say something else but he cut her off.

"Well, Miss Granger, I hope you enjoy the feast."

"Miss Granger?" A high-pitched voice sounded behind them. They both turned to see a confused 4th year Ravenclaw. "Have you never met Professor Weasley, Professor Snape? Strange…" The girl shook her head and walked past them. Hermione looked up quickly at Severus, just catching a flash of pain in his eyes. He once again nodded stiffly to her.

"Mrs. Weasley, forgive me for my error." And before she could get a word out, he was striding down the aisle, robes billowing behind him.


That night, Hermione paced in her chambers, turning a piece of folded parchment over and over in her hands. The owl perched impatiently on her windowsill. After arguing with herself for at least 15 minutes, she finally latched the note to the owl's leg and sent him off before she could change her mind.

She then crawled into bed and tried to calm her racing heart. It was simple. After this she would know if he wanted anything to do with her or not. Either he would show up and tell her his feelings, and she could end her marriage and be with him….or…. he could not reply and it would be over. She didn't like to think of that option, though, for all she knew, it could be that he really didn't have feelings for her. She gave a frustrated sigh and turned out the light. She could worry herself to death over this. She'd just have to wait a few days and she would have her answer.


Severus sat in his office that night, working hard on notes for his potion. He stood up to collect a text from his shelf when an owl flew in. He distractedly fed the bird a treat and tossed the note on his desk. With his back turned, however, he didn't notice that the breeze from the owl's wings as it departed had knocked the note off his desk onto the floor below.


The weeks went by slowly, as Hermione grew colder and colder towards him which he supposed he deserved, but couldn't help feeling a bit distraught about. One of the professors was quite pregnant, due at the beginning of the summer. When he went to congratulate her, he didn't quite catch when she said "Baby fever is spreading".

Hermione could often be found among those girls and Severus never dared approach her that way. He thought a few times about sending her an owl, but by the way she carefully avoided ever speaking to him or making eye contact, he assumed she wanted nothing more to do with him.

Suddenly it was the end of year fest and Severus finally pushed back from his desk with a sigh, realizing he'd have to put off his research until the fall. As he began to stand up, he noticed a corner of something sticking out from underneath his desk. He stooped to pick it up and recognized Hermione's handwriting. His heart quickened as he hastily unfolded it.

Dearest Severus,

I have made so many mistakes. I can't tell you how sorry I am for all of them. But one I am not sorry about is falling in love with you. You are all I can think of, all I dream of. The time I spend with you is the best time of my life.

My marriage is over and has been for quite some time. I'm going to end it, but I need your support. Please come to me before the weekend and tell me you love me. Tell me you'll be here for me once I leave him. Please.

Love,

Hermione

Severus was breathing heavily by the time he finished reading the note. He had remembered the night he received it. It was months ago! No wonder she refused to speak to him. This was his chance. She said she was going to leave Ron, and that she loved him. Hermione loved him. Unbelievable as it was, he knew he had to go and see her, beg for her forgiveness and plead for her to end her marriage still. Maybe she would take pity on him.

He burst out of his room not bothering to button his robes. He rushed as quickly as he could without sprinting down the corridors and up to the Great Hall. Rounding the corner, he froze. There were Harry, a newly pregnant Ginny, Hermione and Ron. They looked so comfortable together, Severus noted bitterly. With his arm around her waist and her arm resting on his shoulder, they looked content. Ron said something he couldn't make out and Ginny squealed.

"Hermione, you're pregnant!" She shouted.

Severus heart dropped. He felt as though he was going to be sick right there. His legs felt weak and he couldn't breathe. Pregnant? Hermione? No, it couldn't be. But Ginny had pulled Hermione in for a hug and Harry clapped Ron on the back, a smug smile on that Weasley boy's face. Hermione suddenly saw him and made eye contact. Her face went white. At that, Severus finally pulled himself together and fled.

He had never moved so quickly. Without even bothering to close his door, he hastily cast spell after spell, packing his belongings and then rushed down the halls, carefully avoiding the Great Hall and out to the apparition point. Just like that, he spun into his living room and paused a moment, breathing hard.

And then he lost control. He flung down his trunk and attacked the bookcase, ripping the books down, swiping his hand across the meaningless knick-knacks on his mantle, upending his table and breaking the side lamp. He roared as he destroyed the room. He whirled around looking for the next item to destroy but saw only a woolen sweater Hermione had left draped over his armchair. He stared a moment, the anger draining from his heart.

Severus dropped to his knees and crumpled, agony washing over him. He lay, curled up on the floor, holding himself tightly, and sobbing harder than he ever had. It was the second time in his life that he could actually feel his heart breaking.