Disclaimer: Harry Potter and associated ideas, characters, places and events are the property of J K Rowling. Severus Snape and Hermione Granger pairing is not canon, there is an age difference of almost twenty years (please consider wizarding standards) and are in a student/teacher dynamic.

*Note: Severus and Hermione seek out the hidden homestead of McGonagall in the highlands of Scotland.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Faith

~~oOo~~

Severus

Snow began to fall lightly, pressing softly onto the ground and obscuring the vision of the two travellers. Together they had walked north, until their legs grew tired and their lungs struggled to breathe. The snow was a blessing in disguise, covering their tracks and giving them both an excuse to stop for awhile.

"We will make camp for the night."

Beneath the protection of ancient trees, Snape began to place protective charms while the girl gathered stray wood for kindling. A makeshift tent was pitched alongside an elderly tree sporting a hollow large enough for them to fit comfortably. Once the fire was lit, they sat together, basking in the low glow of the fire and trying their hardest to ignore the cold nipping at their backs.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" the girl asked for the hundredth time that day.

Concentrating on the fire, he silently wished for her to keep her paranoia to herself.

"Think about it Severus, what if she isn't there? It has been years since I left the village. Minerva probably thinks I am dead, or maybe she has died herself. What will I do then? I won't be able to come back to Grimmauld Place."

"We have been planning this for weeks," he snapped, "why are you having your doubts now? We have spent all day trekking through knee deep snow to avoid detection and we have already discussed this at length. Have you lost your faith in me?

"I know we have," she scolded him, whacking him softly on the arm, "and I do have faith in you but we are risking our lives and potentially the lives of others by being this selfish. How do we know that nobody is following us right now?"

"Do you think I would still be alive today if I had not learned to cover my tracks. Honestly, the snatchers and the deathsquad have better things to do than keep record of us. Besides, isn't the possibility of capture a small price to pay for your freedom."

As the sun disappeared over the mountain the true magic of the forest came to life; covering them both in the spectral glaze of the dying light. Above them the moon established itself as ruler of the night and together they felt the tightening pull of sleep.

"I suppose," she yawned reluctantly, "but who will look after you while I am away. Will you get someone to help run the house?"

"It will be expected of me."

The girl rustled through her small kit and pulled from it a woollen blanket and a single pillow.

"Will you treat them with the kindness you have shown me?" she eyed him questioningly, settling herself into the hollow of the tree.

"No," he replied honestly, dousing the small fire with some gathered river water, "I will be nothing short of merciless."

Disapproving of his answer, the girl shied away from his touch as he wedged himself into the hollow against her. Pulling the tent covering over them he lit the end of his wand so that he may see her properly.

"Are you going to remain a slave for the rest of your life?"

"No," her iris glowed golden in the wand light, "I will die a free witch."

Nox.

Through the cloth of his robes he felt her small hands grope him firmly, reaffirming that she was their next to him in the darkness. And in this shroud of nightfall, he took her against the ancient tree for the first and very last time, as a free woman.

~~oOo~~

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Authors Note:

Thanks everyone for being so patient! I have been pretty busy trying to find a job and moving house extra, excuses, blah, blah but I am back and pretty keen to finish this story. There is going to be at least four more chappies of this story! I havn't been very happy with some of the content with this story so I have been changing it a little. The chapters now alternate from Snape's to Hermione's perspective to have a little bit of balance because I thought Hermione was getting the raw end of the stick and not getting to be herself. I will have finished editing the other chapters by the end of the week so go back and have a read of them and tell me what you think!

BTW I still do not have a BETA so there are little mistakes (most likely) but I am trying my hardest rabble rabble rabble!