Snape woke early, as usual, and he struggled to remember where he was. He saw Hermione, lying on her back, sleeping soundly.
He looked at her and his eyes made his way down her body. He saw her left arm laying on the comforter. He saw the word. The scar. She would bear it for the rest of her life. It was a cursed wound. It might fade over time, but it would never go away... no matter how he tried.
I'm so sorry, Hermione.
His fingers rubbed the scar lightly. He got lost in his thoughts. How much he loved her. He didn't sense her wake up, and when he heard her breath hitch, he jumped slightly. When he looked at her face, she was crying. Oh, Hermione. I'm so sorry.
"It's hideous. I'm hideous. That label will follow me, be branded on me, for the rest of my life."
He moved down the bed. Looking into her eyes, he kissed the scar, kissed the word that he hated so much. I love you. He pulled back, sat up cross-legged and leaned on his left elbow. His eyes dropped to their arms. On hers, the word 'mudblood' and on his, the Dark Mark.
"You told me the first time you saw this that it didn't define me," He looked into her honey eyes with the golden flecks, and his thumb stroked the scar, "This doesn't define you either."
She cried and nodded, "Thank you. Thank you."
He hugged her to him, but jumped when a knock came at their door.
"Snape, we gotta talk," Weasley's voice was loud.
Snape summoned the door open and Weasley's face dropped as he looked at Hermione's tear stained face. He frowned, "I'm sorry, 'Mione. It's just... he'll have to leave soon, and we need a plan."
Weasley stood there in gray pajama pants and a white tank-top.
Snape nodded, "We will be down in a minute," He said firmly.
"Yeah, alright," Ron said and walked away down the hall.
"We should dress."
"No," She shook her head, "Let them see you human."
He grimaced, "Hermione..."
"You have to let them see that you're human, or they won't ever fully trust you or believe in you, that you're for real."
I see your point. I hate when you're right. He sighed and stood. He walked out the door and she followed him.
Harry and Ron both stared at him. He was concealing his arm as best he could. Luna was the only one who didn't seem to notice any difference in his appearance. Of course she doesn't. The girl exists on a different plane.
He sat on the couch and his body language let on that he was self-conscious, but Hermione spoke to distract them, "What do we want to do?"
"We need to look for the diadem. It has to be the next Horcrux," Harry said.
Snape scratched the back of his neck with his right hand, "It has to be in the castle, but I have absolutely no idea where to start."
"Where all the lost things are of course," Luna said and her voice was dreamy. Yes, of course.
Ron sighed, "Bloody hell."
"The Room of Requirement," She clarified. Fuck. That actually makes sense.
Snape nodded, "That is a fair suggestion."
Ron asked, "But how do we get into the castle, Snape?"
"Aberforth Dumbledore. The brother," Snape said.
The four people around him gasped.
Harry said, "I didn't even know he had a brother."
"The man had a lot of secrets."
"How can he get us in?" Ron was quite focused, more focused than usual. He knows what going back to the castle means.
"I am uncertain why everyone at Hogwarts thinks that I have become less intelligent and less aware when I became Headmaster. He has a tunnel that leads from his house in Hogsmeade into the castle. It leads directly to the little hideout all of Dumbledore's Army spend their time in," He sighed. The conversation had distracted him enough that his conscious attempt to hide his left arm lapsed and the Dark Mark was visible.
Harry and Ron stared at it, mouths slightly open, and there was a small amount of trained fear on their faces. Severus frowned, pulled his arm into his body, and breathed a heavy sigh.
"Did you think he didn't have it?" Luna asked. Good Lord, she is paying attention.
"No...It's just..." Harry stumbled for words.
"It doesn't matter. He needs to leave," Hermione changed the subject, "We will go to Hogsmeade tonight. We need to get Ollivander somewhere safe first. Probably St. Mungo's. He's still weak, but he's on the mend. Doesn't want to leave his room though, or talk to anyone. Poor man," She said sadly.
Snape nodded. Tonight is the end. He transfigured his pajamas into his robes and looked significantly more intimidating.
"Remember... You hate me," He looked at all of them individually, "I will do what I can."
They nodded. He stood to take his leave and Hermione stood with him.
"Be careful, Severus. Take care of yourself," Harry said seriously.
"You too. All of you."
He walked out of the door and Hermione followed him. He enveloped her into a hug and stuck his nose into her hair. Almond. Shea.
"You must survive, Severus. You must," She was crying, "For me."
"Anything for you," He said quietly, "Anything. You must make it through this, Hermione."
"I will. For you."
He wiped his eyes and looked at her, "I love you."
"I love you," She said.
"I love you," He repeated.
"I love you."
And he was gone. He was gone. She would see him tonight. On the opposite side of the battle field.
He landed in his office and looked at the desk with emotional devastation painted all over his face.
It all ends here.
