DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

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CHAPTER 8

Who knows why someday we all must die. We're all homeless boys and girls
and we are never heard. It's such a lonely world. People turn their heads and walk on by. Tell me is it worth just another try. -Love Is the Answer (England Dan and John Ford Coley)

"Hermione!"

Hermione did not get the chance to greet the visitor as she was enveloped in a tight embrace upon opening the door. Severus. She smiled at his scent and touch and returned his embrace. Behind him, she saw an older witch with dark hair and hooked nose, similar to Severus's. The older witch was standing beside Albus who was smiling to her affectionately. However, the older witch, Severus's mother, cleared her throat, causing Severus to break their embrace, but did not exactly let go of her. He snaked an arm around her waist possessively.

"Let's get inside," she said to him with a genuine smile and squeezed his hand as a sign of affection.

Albus and Severus's mother followed them in the sitting room and they all settled on their seats. "Tea?" she asked the group.

"Perhaps later, my dear," replied Albus. "I am in a hurry and will be leaving soon. I just came here to drop our guests, Mister Snape and his mother, Madam Eileen Snape." Albus turned to Eileen. "Madam Snape, this is Hermione Granger, known as Professor Jean Puckle to many."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Madam Snape," she said to the woman politely.

"The pleasure is mine as well, Miss Granger," she said rather sternly and they shook hands. The woman in front her right now reminded Hermione so much of Madam Pince, the librarian. However, Eileen Snape's skin colour is so pale, her black eyes were round and her lips were thick; while Madam Pince had almost monolid brown eyes, thin lips and her skin colour was fair despite staying inside the castle most of the time. Madam Pince also appeared to be taller and thinner than this woman, Eileen Snape.

"Madam Snape, Hermione, is adept both in Occlumency and Transfiguration. She can change her appearance easily without being a Metamorphmagus," explained Albus. "I already gave her snippets of your past life, but as soon as I return, I will give her a clearer view of our mission. You will do the same to our young Mr. Snape; and that's your main task."

She nodded in understanding. "Of course, Albus. I'll do it."

Albus stood on his feet. "Well, I shall be taking my leave; I will work on some important papers for our new school librarian," he said dismissively and they all bid the headmaster goodbye.

Eileen Snape, thankfully, busied herself by reading in the library. Though Albus's cottage was not that big, it has a very impressive library, very similar to the one at Grimmauld Place. Meanwhile, Severus and Hermione went to the garden and sat side by side under the oak tree.

"So, are you going to tell me now?" he asked.

She turned to face him uneasily. "Do you remember when I told you about Albus's suggestion of 'asking' for your assistance?"

He nodded seriously. "I do and I told you that I am willing to do anything to help you. I haven't changed my mind. I'll do everything I can to help you with your mission, whatever it is." He sound so sincere and at the same time, insistent.

"I didn't want you to do it... again. You did a lot of things in my past and they weren't easy. Your life was always in danger. I told Albus many times that I did not come back just to see you do those things again. But the other day, during our meeting, I realized that we have to move faster; we have to do something sooner to stop someone in my time. I'm afraid, we indeed need your help... We need you to be our spy again."

"I was a spy?" he asked and his face showed disbelief.

She nodded and met his eyes. "Yes. You were great, though- a double agent, a great actor and loyal to the Light side. But you were risking every second of your life."

"Did I... die in your time?" he asked reluctantly.

She looked down to he lap to avoid his eyes and nodded. "You did. I tried to save you." The memory of the scene at the Shrieking Shack was playing in her mind again and she could not help her tears from falling. "I tried, Sev. But the red-head idiot stopped me and you were left there alone, unconscious." She looked up to meet his beetle-black eyes. "I'm so sorry, Sev." And she sobbed openly, not caring if she looks like a mess. She just couldn't help it- thinking of older Severus Snape dying in the shack and now that she has a chance to save him, they need him to spy again.

Severus pulled her close to him until she was sitting between his legs and her head was buried on his chest. He was stroking her back and hair and murmuring comforting words. He also kissed the crown of her head. He kept on doing those things until she finally relaxed.

"I'm sorry, I'm so weak," she whispered against his chest.

"No, you're not," he said firmly. "You just being human. You went through a lot and it is normal to cry over said events. But I assure you, Hermione, whatever happened in your time; whatever mistakes I made, I will not repeat them. I will not be that kind of man- lonely and pining over the first witch he fancied. Like I said, you're here now. Therefore, I will be fine. I will not be unhappy."

Hermione shifted to face him and cup his cheeks. "You don't have sins to atone for this time. You are free to do whatever you want. If you don't want to do the job anymore, you can quit anytime. Remember that, Severus. I will not allow anyone, even Albus, to give you reasons to hold back."

Severus frowned. "But Hermione, I owe him already my mother's safety."

"Yes. But he cannot use your mother against you like the way the other Dumbledore in my time used Lily's memory to keep you," she reasoned.

"Lily died in your time?" he asked, his voice cracked.

She nodded sadly. "She died protecting Harry. But it won't happen this time. I'll make sure that Harry will live and grow up with his parents alive."

Severus smiled and squeezed her hand. "You care for him a great deal. I want to meet him, not as Potter's son but as your best friend."

"You will. I'll show you the memories. Are you ready?"

He nodded and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Ready."

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"Aren't you coming with me?" asked Severus before diving into the Pensieve.

Hermione hesitated for a moment. She wanted to, but she can't see those memories all over again. She felt a pang of jealousy everytime she remembers her old potions master staying in love and doing everything for Lily Potter. She then shook her head in response to Severus.

"Why?" he asked, looking disappointed.

She forced a smile. "After having a clearer view and if you're brilliant enought, you'll know why," she teased.

Severus sighed. "Fine, then." And he lowered his face to the Pensieve.

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Hermione, Harry and Ron watched Professor Snape walk away, limping and clutching his left thigh from time to time.

"I told you, Snape's after the Philosopher's Stone!" hissed Harry.

Twelve year-old Hermione Granger rolled her eyes. "But Hagrid said that PROFESSOR Snape is one of the Hogwarts teachers who are protecting the stone!" she said with insistence.

"I dunno with you Hermione, but I'm with Harry," said Ron. "Snape's a git according to Fred and George and he's a Slytherin. Meaning, he's ambitious. He wants the stone for himself."

Hermione shook her head, frowning. "I don't know, Harry, Ron. But I know for sure that Professor Snape is not the enemy."

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"Harry!" Hermione shrieked upon seeing Harry walk towards the Gryffindor table. She got off from her seat and ran towards him and together, they shared a tight and friendly embrace in front of many students. "I'm so happy you've been released from the hospital wing!" she said enthusiastically.

"Yeah. I'm glad, too," he said a bit flushed.

She released him from her embrace and took his hand to lead him to the Gryffindor table. "Come one, the feast is about to start!"

Harry settled between Hermione and Ron. Under the table, she took his hand and squeezed it innocently.

"So Harry, what did Dumbledore say when you woke up?" asked Ron.

"Well, he said that Quirell was telling the truth for once. Snape saved my life by casting the counter-spell on my broom. He owes my father his life; saved him from a werewolf in their fifth year," he explained.

"Told you," she said with a triumphant look. "He's not the enemy."

"But he's still a git," said Ron.

"He saved my life. He's paid the life debt so I think he'll be worse next year," said Harry.

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"Harry! Ron!" Hermikne shrieked when the two boys entered the Gryffindor common room. "Is it true? You actually flew Mr. Weasley's Ford Anglia?" she asked sternly.

"Hello to you too, Hermione," grinned Harry.

She stomped her feet impatiently. "Tell me the truth!" she demanded.

"Whoa! Slow down, Hermione," said Ron wjo threw up his arms to surrender. "Look, we're safe."

"And we're not expelled!" said Harry in relief.

"Though the greasy git wanted to send us back to London."

She frowned. "Professor Snape?"

"Who else?" said Ron, rolling his eyes.

"He wasn't at the feast earlier," she said. "I think he was waiting for you, Harry; wondering why you did not arrive with the rest of the students."

"Yeah because he's waiting for me to get expelled," Harry snapped.

"Harry, don't say that," she said gently. "Remember last year? He worked hard to save your life!" she reminded him.

"Only because he owes my father his life," he reasoned. "Now, he doesn't have any reason to protect me."

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Severus found himself again in Professor Dumbledore's personal library and turned his head to find Hermione anxiously sitting on the couch.

"I think that's enough for now," she said rather nervously.

He walked to sit beside her on the couch, still speechless. Harry Potter looked a lot like James Potter except for his eyes. He inherited Lily's beautiful green eyes. He smiled at the thought. Her green eyes were one of the reasons he easily got attracted to her when he was younger. She looked so innocent and there was warmth before they started Hogwarts. He would always look forward to meet her at the park every afternoon and tell her stories about the wizarding world. Those green eyes always looked at him with kindness and curiosity. Every single day for almost five years, he was always looking forward to see the beautiful auburn-haired and green-eyed witch.

There were times they have misunderstandings and Severus was always the first to apologise. He cannot last a day without seeing her, speaking with her. Even though she was slowly changing as the years passed by; even though she became too vain and full of herself, he still adored her. He still dreamed of holding her in his arms.

"Lily," he whispered absent-mindedly and sighed. Seeing Harry Potter with his two best friends remind him so much of his younger days with Lily- when there were just the two of them; when they only rely on each other; when she was still a true friend, brave enough to stand up for him. He realised that he missed their friendship. He missed her. Five years of friendship was not just a walk in the park. And no matter how badly she disappointed him, it's never too late to forgive and start over again.

That's if she will not snog James Bloody Potter in front of him and will be supportive of his feelings for Hermione.

Hermione? He looked around the room and realized that he was alone.

Where did she go? He wondered. Were my thoughts loud again? Has she heard my thoughts about Lily? Fuck!