AN As always I do not own Harry Potter. JK does. She sets him free but not in a way she expected. What is the next step?

Act of a Familiar XI

Thanantos suddenly arrived and landed on her shoulder. "It is time you visited his quarters and learn the final piece."

"No Thanantos. Severus should have been released. Crabbe got his ashes and that released him. Cleaning the blood released Professor Snape from the Shack, but not Hogwarts. Why is that? Is it because of your plan? A plan perhaps he was not aware of?"

Hermione made her way to the castle. "The reason he did not pass was because he never expected to live. He had no hope in the past and likely feels no hope in the present. I have nothing to release him."

Thanantos remained silent while holding onto the witch and after a while Hermione knocked on the Headmistresses door.

After a few minutes Minerva opened up the door in her tartan nightgown. "Hermione, do you know the hour?"

"Sorry Headmistress but it's important." Moving into Minerva's chamber and explained everything that happened.

Minerva sat down. "So Severus can come up to the castle now. I shudder to think of what he will do to the students."

Both witches gasped out in surprise when the form of Severus Snape appeared.

Severus chuckled. "I promise that I will not scare them." Pausing for a moment to correct his words. "Overly much." Smirking.

"Severus, you look like you did when you graduated here." Minerva gasped out in shock.

"So Miss Granger informs me." Floating to the large mirror on the opposite side of the room and looked, watching a younger version of looking back. "It makes no difference."

He turned back to the witches. "What do you expect of me Minerva? It seems you will be stuck with me and after a year of isolation I desire….a purpose. Perhaps something along the lines of Binns?"

Minerva took hold of her whirling emotions. "Are you offering to teach? I must admit I'm surprised for I knew your view of teaching out "Darling Students".

Severus sighed. "Granger freed me and I am thankful to be away from the Shack. It would help my time if I could be of service. I've had enough of floating about with nothing to keep me pre-occupied."

Hermione and Minerva watched a flicker of fear cross the usually stern face of her ex-colleague.

Hermione timidly spoke. "You are afraid that your penance will drive you insane?"

"Ever the clever witch Miss Granger. It took most of my will to keep sense of myself at the Shack. I think that the Wizarding world owes me something. My sanity in the Ever After seems fair compensation being I died to protect it."

"Severus you are only qualified to teach Potions and that requires an ability to hold a wand and be able to brew. You can't do that in your state."

"So nothing for me then is that it despite what I have done?" Severus growled out.

"No!" Hermione shouted out before composing herself. "I can be his physical assistant and he can teach me to be a Potions master. We can assist one another."

"So I am promised at least four years of sanity. Take it or I can spend my time haunting the students. It's up to you Headmistress."

"The ghosts have rules here Severus and you have to abide by them." Minerva reminded him.

A dry chuckle sounded out. "The Ghosts want nothing to do with me and told me I was not a Ghost and therefore not of their group. Even the Bloody Baron shied away from me, much to my surprise."

"Miss Granger offered up her service to you. If you can work with her you shall be the Potions professor for the next term. It will send the Board of Governors into turmoil but I will present your alternative. I'm sure they will accept it."

They watched Severus nod and floated through a wall.

"Are you sure Hermione?" Minerva asked in worry.

Hermione smiled. "It will allow me the time to learn a way to set him free. There must be something."

Thanantos thought to Hermione. "I know of a way. If you only listen to me!"

"No!" Hermione thought back. "I don't trust you! Minerva warned me of you and I need to tread carefully."

Thanatos grumbled. "You will come to me in the end."

"Professor Snape's sudden departure from the castle Minerva. What did you do with his belongings?"

"I placed them in storage as no will was revealed. I will have the elves deliver them to his old quarters and you can live there while you help him."

"Thanks Minerva." Hermione replied. "I'll be away now and return one week before the students arrive. I'm sure Professor Snape and I will come to a working solution."

Minerva watched Hermione and her Familiar leave.

Hermione left the castle and walked down the path. "You will go to Spinner's End and stay there Thanantos until I call you. I know that you must do what I command for my Bond to you tells me."

"Hermione if you only listen to me I will tell you my plans. All of it! Do not push me away!"

"No! Now go and wait for my command!" Hermione growled out.

She watched the raven fly off.

Severus floated on the ramparts of the Astronomy Tower watching her send his Familiar off. Despite what she thought, there was no way she could save him, even if Thanantos managed to wiggle her way back in. He sighed. Maybe she could have done it, but her distrust in his Familiar was set by Minerva and after a moment of thinking it was for the best.

If freed from where he was he was sure eternal damnation was set for him and he desired none of that.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione arrived at Grimuald place and banged hard on the door and after a few moments a very sleepy Harry opened up the door.

"Hermione do you know what time it is?"

Hermione pushed by him. "I need all of the records and anything taken from Spinners End and Hogwarts concerning Severus Snape. Documents of his investigation as well. You are an Aurour and have access."

Harry closed the door behind her. "Why in the world do you need that Hermione? He's dead and we burned his body."

"Because his soul is stuck at Hogwarts and it is up to us to set him free."