Chapter 36

The class had filed out, and Severus had wandered back to Hermione. He was grinning broadly, something Hermione wasn't used to seeing on his older face. She got up and threw her arms around him, kissing him soundly. He put his hand in her hair and caressed it.

"Merlin, I've missed you, Hermione," he murmured in between kisses.

She pulled away and looked at him appreciatively.

"You've changed, Severus. You were a good teacher before, but now you are amazing."

He smiled again. "I was hoping you would approve."

"I'm a bit out of sorts, to be truthful," she admitted with a small chuckle.

"Come on, you have a lot of catching up to do. Let's go somewhere private to talk."

He led her to his room and opened the door for her. She entered and looked around curiously while smiling at the warmth she felt when she entered. The walls were made of grey stone. Hermione admired the large enchanted window that went the length of the side wall. It showed a beautiful view of the lake. The room was richly decorated in forest green draperies. Two forest green couches faced each other in front of the fireplace, which was the main focus of the room. It had a mahogany mantel that had two carved snakes slithering up the sides. The fireplace was so massive that it took up a large amount of the far wall.

"I've never been in your apartment, Severus, it's beautiful," she remarked.

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Really, you've never been in here? I thought you used to help me brew."

"I did, but you never invited me into your room."

"I must have really been a fool, then," he observed.

She smiled as she settled on one of the couches. He sat down next to her and drew her to his side.

"I've tried really hard not to turn into the man you described me as, Hermione."

"You're nothing like him, Severus."

He visibly exhaled. "I was hoping you would say that, but part of me was afraid that you would see your old, snarky Potions professor when you looked at me. I figured you would not want to have anything to do with me then."

"Don't be silly. I will always want to have everything to do with you. I love you."

"Are you sure?" he asked hesitantly. "I'm not the young, dashing boy I used to be."

She smiled at him and looked into his eyes. "You're still that dashing boy to me. Perhaps you're a little older and wiser, but still very dashing."

"Hermione," he said and kissed her again.

After a moment, Hermione pulled back and studied him. She took her hand and caressed his face.

"You look younger," she told him.

"How can I look younger than seventeen?" he asked curiously as he chuckled.

"No, I mean you look younger than I remember you from this time." She drew a finger around his face. "You have fewer worry lines, you seem brighter somehow. Did the war go easier for you this time?"

He shook his head. "No, it was long and dangerous. As you explained all those years ago, Voldemort liked to torture me. A few months before the end of the war, my cover was blown and I was practically beaten to death. I was here at Hogwarts for a long time recuperating."

"I'm sorry, Severus. I wish I had been here with you."

"You were in a way. You were always in my mind, Hermione. Your counterpart and I were close, too, as you probably have gathered. You came to me in my mind while I was unconscious after the beating. If it hadn't been for you, I don't think I would have survived."

"I don't know what I would have done if you didn't survive," Hermione told him, her eyes filled with emotion.

"I survived to await your return," he said huskily and kissed her once again.

She pulled back after a minute of bliss with him. "So, why do you not seem as affected by all this?" Hermione asked curiously, running her finger around his face again.

"It's because of you, of course."

Hermione looked at him doubtfully.

"I am being serious, Hermione. As I said before, thoughts of you kept me going. They helped me to have a more positive outlook about my circumstances and helped me overcome the hardest parts."

Hermione gave him a small smile. "I'm glad I was able to help, even though I was unaware of it."

Hermione kissed him again, feeling fulfilled by the passion she felt from him.

"I thought I told you to forget about me," she murmured.

Severus kissed her cheek. "I was unable to do that. I have thought of you every day." He kissed her cheek again and slowly moved down to her neck, kissing her lightly. "Oh, I tried dating off and on, but no one could hold a candle to you. You don't realize just how amazing you are."

Hermione pulled away from him finally and gazed into his eyes. "I have a confession to make," she told him.

He raised an eyebrow to her.

"I have always been attracted to you, even before I traveled back in time."

"How could you ever be attracted to such a nasty individual?" Severus said with a scowl.

She smiled and caressed his face. "There was always a hint of the real you inside of him somewhere. Few people ever saw it, but I did. I was hoping my trip back would help you to be more of the man I had glimpsed deep within you before."

"I owe it all to you, Hermione. Everything I am is because of you."

She kissed his cheek. "Nonsense! I just told you about a possible future. You were the one who made sure it didn't happen."

His face was right next to hers as he spoke.

"Without your warnings I would be that man again. You saved me, Hermione. I will not soon forget that."

He kissed her softly, remembering their times together so long ago. He worshiped her. She was with him again finally. He never wanted to let her go. He wrapped himself around her and reveled in her closeness. After a long time, he pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"Hermione, I love you," he said softly.

"I love you so much, Severus," she answered.

"Then I am the luckiest man in the world."

They embraced while Hermione settled comfortably into his arms. Severus couldn't believe that she was here, and he was holding her. The weight of her absence had finally been lifted, and he was completely content. He reveled in her closeness… something he'd been bereft of for so long now. He felt her snuggle closer to him as elation filled him. The endless wait for her was finally over. They could finally live the life he'd hoped for. Hermione still loved him, even though he wasn't the young man she'd fallen for. His heart filled with joy at the thought of having her with him again, this time forever.

oooOOOooo

Sometime later, Severus squeezed her for what seemed the hundredth time. He just couldn't believe she was actually there. Thoughts of Hermione growing up before him filled his mind.

"I must admit, Hermione, you were quite the little hellion during your school days."

Hermione laughed. "I guess you found out about me setting your robes on fire."

Severus looked at her quizzically.

"Or maybe not," she said, looking embarrassed.

"What are you talking about?" he asked her.

"In my first year… at the Quidditch Match. You were trying to save Harry from falling off his broom, but we thought you were trying to kill him, so I set your robes aflame to distract you."

Severus' eyes narrowed. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I noticed Quirrel casting the spell and bumped into him to distract him before anything dangerous could happen."

"Okay, then, it never happened," Hermione said with a wave of her hand. "Forget I said anything about it. I never set your robes on fire. Nope, it wasn't me!"

"That really happened in your reality?"

Hermione blushed furiously. "Yes, and I've been sorry about it ever since."

"It seems you were even worse than your counterpart, she only tried to steal my stores and lie to me about her Time-Turner. She was very sneaky."

"Well, I stole your stores too, but I don't know what you're talking about with the Time-Turner."

"You are truly a troublemaker in any timeline, Hermione Granger," Severus said with a smirk.

Hermione saddened as she looked into Severus' eyes. "How did you do it, Severus? How did you stand watching me all the time and not saying anything about us? I think I would have died a little bit every day had I had to do that."

Severus tightened his arms around her. "It was not easy. I will not try and make it seem so, but it was comforting to have you nearby. After living so many years without you, it was almost a relief to see you again, even if you were so young."

Hermione sat quietly and listened as Severus continued.

"I must say, Hermione, we really were good friends. You confided in me, and I did the same to a point. I never spoke to you about your time travel. I was unsure if that would tamper with the future."

"I feel terrible, Severus, I killed her off with my return."

"What do you mean?"

"That's why she's gone. Albus said there couldn't be two of me from the same time. She just ceased to exist. I killed her."

Severus looked sadly at Hermione. "She's not dead, love, she's right in here with you." He touched her chest. "You both led similar lives. Most people won't even know you are a different woman."

"I know. I just didn't realize what would happen when I returned. It seems rather a waste."

"I am sorry that she will no longer be here, but I would never trade her for you, my love."

Hermione smiled at Severus. "Why did I stay with Ron for so long? I only dated him six months before."

"You believe in miracles, don't you?"

She nodded.

"So did your counterpart. She thought that one day she would wake up and all of the horrid qualities of Mr. Weasley would right themselves. She hoped that then he would appreciate her and treat her well. Finally, she came to her senses and gave up. I can't tell you how relieved I was when she decided to break it off with him. He was rude, controlling, and jealous. He was jealous of Harry and of me. It became so bad that neither Harry nor I speak to him anymore."

Hermione snuggled closer into Severus and laid her head on his chest. "That's awful. Ron used to be jealous before too, but he was never jealous of Harry. Well, except maybe once, but it never interfered with their friendship. He wasn't that stupid. Besides, we all had gotten beyond that a long time ago. We were still good friends. It's hard for me to imagine not having him as a friend anymore."

"Well, he has ruined all our friendships with his actions this time around. I can't speak for Harry, but I am not willing to forgive him enough to be friends again."

"So, how did you become best friends with Harry Potter? You couldn't stand the sight of him before."

"I fostered the friendship."

Hermione's eyes grew wide, but Severus couldn't see them.

"I don't seem to have any lasting hatred for James Potter. It doesn't matter to me that he married Lily because I am no longer in love with her and haven't been for over twenty-five years. I certainly don't like the man, but his son is not to blame for his nastiness."

Hermione smiled.

Severus continued. "I approached him in his first year and offered to teach him some defensive spells to help prepare him for his future. He readily agreed. Our friendship started from there. We have kept an eye out for each other, and I have saved his life on several occasions."

Hermione gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad to see the two of you getting along finally. You can't imagine how exasperating it is to have your best friend constantly belittling, badmouthing, and suspecting someone, even after you know he's on our side."

"Was it that bad?"

"It was much worse, actually, not that he didn't have reason. You hated him as much as he hated you, and you were never afraid to show it."

Severus frowned, sad to know that at some other time his best friend and he were mortal enemies.

"Well, I'm glad that isn't the case now," he said grimly.

"Me too. You can't imagine how ecstatic that makes me. Hearing Harry is happy for us just about made me jump up and down for joy. I was expecting he would give me the silent treatment for months when he found out."

"It seemed you affected more than just me with your little time trip."

"Why is Harry working here, anyway? He was an Auror when I left."

"He's still an Auror, Hermione. He just can't stand working under a Ministry directed by Lucius Malfoy. He's taken an extended leave since Malfoy took power and has been working here ever since. He participates in some Auror work, but has distanced himself from the Ministry as much as possible."

Hermione pulled back and looked seriously at Severus. "Dumbledore explained what Lucius is doing. Have you spoken to him? What is he thinking?"

"He is thinking that he is all-powerful. He loves being showered with money and objects. He cares nothing for the people and seeks to silence any naysayer within our world. I have not gone near him for six months as the last time we spoke we became so irate that we almost blasted each other through the wall."

"Are you still friends, at least, were you before that episode?"

"Yes, and no. We have not been very close for several years since the war. We have been civil to one another though. I suspect we could be civil again, but I have no desire to speak with him."

"He has always given me the creeps," Hermione huffed, "smiling at people with that sneer of a smile, going around making fun of people poorer than he is, trying to kill us at the Ministry in my fifth year."

"He tried to kill you then?"

"He tried to kill all of us when Harry took the prophecy. He ran the raid. Did it happen the same way in this time?"

"No, he wasn't involved. Bellatrix ran the raid. She almost killed Sirius."

Hermione's eyes grew wide. "Sirius Black is still alive?" she said incredulously.

Severus regarded her curiously. "I take it he didn't survive the attack in your reality?"

"She killed him! He fell through the veil." She thought for a moment. "Harry! He never had to deal with Sirius' death!"

"Neville petrified her before she was able to send the killing curse to Black. He is now married to Petunia Dursley."

Hermione's face fell. "P… Petunia D… Dursley?"

Severus nodded.

"How?" was the only word that she could form.

Severus explained about the house swapping and the friendship that had grown between Sirius and Petunia.

"Wait a minute. Petunia is a witch?"

"Of course, so is Dudley. They both had magic bloom late for them."

"I'm feeling a little light headed," Hermione mumbled, rubbing her forehead with her hand.

Severus pulled her to him. "So, this never happened in your time?"

Hermione shook her head.

"Then I can assume that Dudley and Susan Bones never married?"

"What?"

"Dudley Dursley married Susan Bones about two years ago. They're expecting their first child."

"How can that be?" Hermione asked. "How could either of those horrid Dursleys be wizards?"

"Maybe you should tell me what you do know about Petunia Dursley from your time, and I'll try to fill in the blanks," he urged her.

"She's a witch all right, but not the magical kind. She treated Harry horridly! He was glad to leave his Aunt and Uncle's home. How did she wind up married to Sirius Black?"

Severus explained the whole thing to Hermione as she sat in stunned silence. Finally she shook her head. "And I thought you had changed a lot," she murmured.

Severus grinned at her and then kissed her forehead. "It seems you have caused quite the domino effect with your actions, my love."

"Who would have thought?" Hermione mused. "Petunia Black… unbelievable."

Getting back to the subject at hand, she looked at Severus. "What are we going to do about Lucius then? We can't just let this go on, people are starving and dying. There must be some way to take him down."

"He surrounds himself with loyal minions, much like Voldemort did. He has made himself untouchable."

Hermione looked at him skeptically. "No one is untouchable. There must be a chink in his armor. We just have to find it."

"Dumbledore already has. It's his home. He is still heavily guarded there, but if there is a chance to get to him, it will be there. The tricky thing is that when we take him out, we need to take his undersecretary out too. They are both despots. If the undersecretary takes over the Ministry, nothing will change. We'll also need to take out his close allies, or we'll have a revolution on our hands."

Hermione thought about what Severus was saying. "Albus said there was a plan being formed, but he wouldn't go into it."

"It involves attacking the house. We haven't gotten all of the details sorted yet."

"Well, what do you have so far?"

Severus smiled at her enthusiasm. Looking at her, he could control himself no more and closed in on her beautiful mouth. His kiss was tender and loving. He felt her shudder underneath him and reveled in his ability to still make her quake. He had worried that his older self would not be as attractive to her, but that didn't seem to be the case at all. If anything, she seemed to be reacting to him more. Severus hadn't felt this happy in a long time. It felt as if the world had stopped, and nothing mattered but the two of them. Hermione's hand closed in around his neck, and she pulled him harder into her.

"We will attack the home" Severus managed to say in between her kisses, "during a party that Lucius is throwing," he placed a strategic kiss on her neck, "for his loyal friends." She kissed his mouth. "Everyone we need to attack," she kissed him again, "will be in one place."

Hermione continued her onslaught, pausing only to ask, "Who will take over the Ministry?"

Severus reluctantly withdrew from her heavenly mouth.

"You're jumping the gun a bit aren't you?" he queried.

Hermione gave him a look of longing before getting serious about what they were discussing.

"You need to have the plan fully in place before you begin it, Severus, you taught me that."

"You're as clever as ever, my dear. Albus will probably run the Ministry. He will be accepted eagerly."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "When is this party?"

"In a month's time."

"So, we have about a month to plan an attack."

"We?"

She looked at him sternly. "Yes, we… I was stuck in this castle for a year unable to do anything about anything. I'm not just going to sit back and let everybody else do the work."

Severus put his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay. You win. You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met."

She frowned at him. "Thank you, I think," she retorted.

He smiled and pulled her to him again. Gathering her into his arms, he held her tightly.

"I am so glad you're finally here, Hermione," he whispered to her.

"I will never leave you again, Severus," she replied before his lips covered hers.

A/N: Next up: Harry's thoughts on the matter.

It's nice to have Hermione back, isn't it? Even though she's a bit befuddled, she's eager as ever to fight for the cause. Thanks, everyone, for your support.