Honourable
Hermione sat at the table glancing at the papers in front of her. A letter to her, a reference for her to forward to the examination board and the books he had left. Severus Snape…her potions Professor had left her something. Why her? He had hated her…
Although that wasn't true, he hated Harry not her. Actually that wasn't true either, he hated Harry's father and by extension would never like Harry. He hadn't really hated her nor had he liked her, she was irrelevant to him she supposed. Just one student in a sea of students that he disliked.
"What are you looking at?" a voice came from behind her. Charlie and Harry came into the kitchen and helped themselves to a cold drink.
"A letter." She replied softly. "From Professor Snape."
"Snape?!" Harry asked his eyes widening. "He's alive?"
"The letters are backdated, they were left in the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore's portrait was able to tell McGonagall where he had seen Snape put them." Hermione explained. "I don't know if he's alive or not, I'd like to think so though."
"So why did he send you a letter?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"He's recommended that I apply for my Potion's Mastery and take his job." She replied.
"He recommended you?" Harry gaped. "But he's never written a letter or reference or recommendation. Ever."
"I know." She nodded. "But Professor McGonagall has the recommendation and provided that I pass the exam she's offered me the job."
"Are you going to take it?" Charlie asked.
"I…I think so." She replied. "He's given me his books and everything. These ones are specifically for me to read before the mastery exam and in the letter he has given me permission to take any or all of his books that I wish and any remaining ones that I don't want can be left for McGonagall to dispose of however she so chooses. I'm also to keep any of his belongings that I may find of use in my new post…"
"He really was on our side wasn't he?" Charlie asked after a moment of silence.
"Yes. I think he truly was." She nodded.
"As brave and honourable as any Gryfindor." Harry agreed. "I wish I could tell him that I'm grateful for what he did. For everything he did."
"Have you tried?" she asked.
"I tried to send an owl, it took three days to come back but it came back with the letter unopened." He nodded. "I really don't think he could have survived that attack Hermione."
"I'm not so sure. Why else would he have just vanished?" she shrugged.
"We'll never know." Charlie spoke up. "He was a bloody good spy, no one had a clue what side he was truly on until the very end. If he doesn't want to be found, he won't be."