DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: How's everyone? I hope you are all safe and healthy. Thanks for the wonderful reviews!

Do you want another SevMione child traveling from the future? Check out my fic "Savelius". But I should warn you, it needs to be heavily Beta'd.

Do you want a DraMione? Check out "Draco Malfoy and the Half-Blood Prince's Daughter".

Thank you!

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Chapter 15:

October 31, 1971

(twenty-four years ago)

Everything was well at Hogwarts. Hermione was grateful for her housemates. No one in Ravenclaw was a bully. Everyone in her House shared knowledge and studying techniques. Ravenclaws didn't have time for pranks, Hermione observed. Sure, they knew how to have fun, but no one would dare to do something stupid to lose points. Although, some Eagles (a nickname for Ravenclaws) lost house points because of staying up late at the library, beyond curfew. Some lost points because of the overdue of library books.

While Hermione appreciated that she had friends like Alice, Amelia, and Alona and some boys were friendly, she still preferred Severus's company. They would often spend time together after classes either in the library or the castle grounds. They would sometimes debate about theories and laws such as Gamp's or Golpalott's. But oftentimes, they were just studying together, sharing their insights about the lessons they just had, or helping each other research for their essays.

Severus made friends with some Slytherins like his fellow first-years Antonin Dolohov, Jr. and Evan Rosier, and Lucius Malfoy, a fifth-year prefect who was genuinely kind. Malfoy often praised Severus for his 'self-preservation' and resourcefulness. One more thing Hermione learned about Slytherins was that they were loyal. No, they weren't prone to the heroic, extroverted loyalty that Gryffindors possess and it wouldn't appear that they were as loyal as Hufflepuffs, but Slytherins were loyal to people or ideals. Family loyalty was a very common trait Pureblood Slytherins possess. They also stick together. Once, Severus was hexed by Potter and his gang for speaking with Lily Evans (because she approached him in the library), and all of the Slytherins in their year stood up for him.

It was also not a secret that Hermione Puckle was a Muggleborn, but Slytherins never said anything about her blood status, knowing that she was good friends with one of the Snakes.

Hermione was sitting on the grass, her back was leaning on an oak tree and she was facing the lake. She was waiting for Severus. It was Sunday and they planned to do a bit of light reading. Hermione woke up late and missed breakfast. She couldn't find Severus, too, so she decided to go to their favourite spot by the lake.

"Damn Gryffindors."

Hermione closed her Transfiguration book and looked up. "Oh, good morning to you!" she said with a smirk.

Sev was wearing plain black school robes - no Slytherin colours and logo. He looked cranky, as usual. He sat beside her.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Potter and company," he replied angrily. "Hexed me again."

She frowned. "What? Why?" She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"He was declaring his love for Evans again this morning at breakfast. He made confetti hearts the moment she sat at the Gryffindor table and declared that she's the one he's going to marry one day. As usual, Evans shrieked and rejected him. Lucius stepped in and told Potter that he was such a disgrace to the Pureblood families for he didn't have any subtlety left in his body. Lucius compared him to me." He stopped talking and sighed.

She raised an eyebrow in question.

Sev looked away - he turned to the lake. "Lucius told Potter that he should take a leaf out of my book; modest, slow and steady when it comes to wooing the witch he likes."

She frowned.

"He means you," he informed her. "Lucius appreciates the way I treat you. He said, every wizard should be like that; not loud and proud like Potter."

Hermione hid her smile and ignored the joy in her heart. "So, he hexed you after because of Lucius's telling off?"

Severus snorted. "Obviously. I was on the fifth floor, on my way to your house when he and Black hit me with Twitchy-Ears and Sardine Hexes."

Her nose flared. "What did you do?" she demanded?

"Hexed them back, of course. Nothing serious. I didn't want them to end up in the infirmary," he scoffed.

"Oh, dear. They're going to pay for what they did to you," she swore.

Severus's face relaxed and he placed an arm around her, pulling her closer. "You don't have to get yourself in trouble just because of me, you know. I managed to defend myself."

She glared at him. Severus smiled. "Fine. Just make sure you won't get caught."

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November 5, 1971

(twenty-four years ago)

Hermione and Severus were laughing when they made it to the castle grounds. She took his waiting hand and they walked to their favourite spot by the lake.

"Did you see Potter when the Nose-Biting teacup bit his nose?" she asked between laughter.

"I did!" Severus was laughing, too and he looked so relaxed, flashing his still crooked, but now white teeth. "Lestrange said that his nose was as red as Evans's hair!"

"And Black! Poor Black didn't realize that he was eating Hiccoughing Sweets, not a real treacle tart!" she continued as they sat on the ground.

"They started accusing each other of Transfiguring the teacups and sweets, but they didn't realize that someone Disillusioned was doing it," she whispered and giggled.

Severus pulled her closer. "Brilliant witch! Though, I hope you had your eyes closed when you Divested their clothes in the middle of their argument?"

She nodded with a wide grin. "I did and ran to take my leave."

Severus was still laughing, leaning his back on the tree. The sight of him made Hermione smile. "How did you Disillusion yourself? That's a very advanced charm."

"Asked a brilliant seventh-year with a promise that I will not get caught and lose house points," she grinned.

Severus gave her an affectionate look. "Thanks, Hermione."

"Sure. Anything for you." And she looked away because her cheeks warmed.

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December 25, 1971

(twenty-four years ago)

Christmas at the Puckles wasn't loud, but it was fun, Severus decided. The family was used to calm and low-volume conversation and laughter. They would open presents in the sitting room in the morning before breakfast. Between breakfast and lunch, they would watch TV or listen to Christmas songs. In the evening, they would watch Christmas shows in London.

Severus had been spending the last three Christmases with the Puckles. His mother would insist that he leave the house and never let himself in his father's sight. Thankfully, the Puckles loved him being around. Especially Hermione. She had given him her room and bunked with her sister. She had given her a second family. Severus didn't know what would happen a few years from now when Hermione would have new best friends - most probably from her own House - or boyfriend. Where would that leave him? Would he still be allowed to stay with the Puckles? Or would he be forced to go back to his parents? Or would it be time he meets his maternal grandparents?

He couldn't- and didn't want to imagine his life without Hermione in it. He wasn't sure yet, but he wanted to be with her until they grow old. Was he in love? Did he truly want to be with Hermione for the rest of his life? Or was he just afraid of losing the family who showed him love and affection?

Maybe I should ask Lucius about this. He seems to be an expert when it comes to relationships, he thought. He heard that upper-class students would go to Lucius Malfoy and seek for advice, not only when it came to wooing their witches, but also when it came to family relationships.

"Sev?"

The door creaked open. Severus buried his head deeper on the pillow, inhaling the scent of Hermione's shampoo.

Then, he felt her hand on his shoulder. She shook him lightly. "Sev, wake up."

Severus turned around to face her. "Morning," he greeted with a smile.

Hermione beamed and sat on the edge of the bed. "I like it better when you aren't grumpy."

"Don't ruin my mood," he warned.

"Now you're starting to be grumpy," she snorted and stood up with hands on her hips. "Get up. Mum wants us all to be at the lounge in ten minutes."

He covered his mouth with the blanket as he yawned. "I'll be there."

He noticed Hermione staring at him with a faked disapproving look. "Remind me to change my sheets when I can have my room back."

He scowled and she left the room, looking smug.

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January 9, 1972

(twenty-three years ago)

Hermione woke up early; earlier than the usual, even if it was a Sunday. She wanted to make sure she would be outside the Slytherin common room before Severus could go out for the day. For the past four months, he would always wake up early and wait outside her common room. For once, Hermione wanted to be the one waiting for him.

It was his birthday, after all.

She smiled, holding a wrapped present for Sev while walking in the dungeons. She learned that her friend, Alice, was a daughter of two herbologists and that they have a garden of potions ingredients at home. She asked Alice if she could buy some plants for Severus's birthday present, but Alice insisted that she should not pay for them because they were friends and her parents wouldn't mind. Hermione explained that she wanted to buy something special and useful for Severus, so Alice agreed to take the money. But the Hufflepuff wanted to give Severus some flowers for potions making as a birthday gift.

Hermione was sure Sev wouldn't mind receiving gifts from her friends. He didn't mind last Christmas when Alice sent him the latest edition of Potions Daily, a magazine Sev admitted he hadn't heard of yet. He was really pleased and in return, he sent Alice Cure for Boils he brewed with Hermione. Sev didn't mind, too, when Amelia and Alona sent him packs of Honeydukes sweets. Hermione and Sev sent the two Ravenclaw girls Muggle sugar-free snacks.

"Puckle?"

Hermione looked up and saw Evan Rosier and Antonin Dolohov, Jr. walking towards her direction. "Oh, hey, Evan, Toyin."

"What are you doing here?" asked Evan with an expression of disbelief in his face.

"I'm going to wait for Sev," she replied with a smile. "It's his birthday."

Evan's disbelief turned to a cheery smile he exchanged with Toyin. "That explains. He's still singing in the shower. Shall I tell him to hurry up because a witch is waiting outside?"

She shook her head. "No. I'll just wait here. But thank you."

"All right. See you around, Puckle!"

"You go ahead. I'll wait here with Puckle," announced Toyin, causing Evan to give him a questioning look. "Go!"

"See you around," she replied as Evan continued walking away. Then, she turned to Toyin who was already standing beside her. "I'm fine. You don't have to wait with me."

"Oh, but I want to ask your opinion about Emeric Switch's theory on food transfiguration..."

Hermione smiled. She had never met someone in her year who was as eager as Severus when it comes to magical theories and concepts.

For the next fifteen minutes, all they talked about was food transfiguration, which was not even discussed yet in their class with Professor McGonagall.

"Toyin, what are you still doing here?" came Lucius Malfoy's voice who just emerged from the Slytherin common room with two upper-class boys.

"Debating with a Ravenclaw about transfiguration," he replied with a shrug.

Lucius Malfoy rolled his eyes. "That's Severus Snape's job. Go to breakfast, boy!" he reprimanded.

"Fine," Toyin snapped. "See you around, Puckle."

"See you around, Toyin!" she waved at him.

Hermione waited for five more minutes. She wondered how long Severus has waited for her every single day for the past four months. He never told her when she asked once, so, she didn't ask again. She tried a couple of times to get up thirty minutes earlier and see if she could beat him, but to her dismay, she always found him already sitting at the staircase, reading.

His patience and care for her were unwavering. That was why she couldn't be mad and push him away whenever they had arguments. Sometimes, she would scold her for being so straightforward and rude to the other students in their year. There were times she was angry when he hexed Potter and Black first the moment they opened their mouths to insult him and it landed Severus to month-long detention with Professor McGonagall. He would get angry and would sneer at her when she was nagging, but he still waited for her every day. They still walked together to the Great Hall. He still walked her to her classes and carried her book bag. She still studied and brewed with him. Alice once said that she was the only person who could handle Severus Snape. Even some Slytherin girls would tug at her sleeves when Sev mocked them in Potions.

"What are you doing here?"

Hermione jumped at the booming voice of her best friend the moment he saw her outside. He rushed forward and placed his hands on her shoulders, inspecting her.

She giggled. "I'm not hurt." She lifted the present in her hands. "Happy birthday!"

Severus's face relaxed and released her to accept the gift. "Thank you, Hermione. I thought something happened, that's why you're here."

"You happened," she teased and leaned closer, in her tiptoes, to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Happy birthday."

It was dark in the dungeons, but Hermione saw his face turned red and he froze for a moment.

"Breakfast?" she asked, trying to ignore the curiosity in her mind as to why Sev blushed.

Sev nodded and smiled. He took her hand. "Yes. Let's go."

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Hermione was chatting animatedly with Amelia about their D.A.D.A. lesson over breakfast, but her eyes would constantly lay on Severus who was looking happy, especially when he opened her present. He gaped at her for a few seconds when he saw the potions ingredients, but she mouthed Alice's name. She followed his gaze to the Hufflepuff table and saw him smile.

They finished eating at the same time. Sev got up and motioned for her to go at the end of the table. She excused herself from her friends and went to meet her best friend whose hand was already waiting for her.

"Thank you for the plants. I really appreciate them," he said fondly, patting her head with his other hand.

"You're welcome, Sev. I wanted to get you something really useful and since you're the best at Potions, I thought potions ingredients are the best."

Sev smiled. "They are. And don't forget that I'm not the only one the best in class. You are, too."

"Only because we study together and you're my Potions partner," she shrugged.

"That's not true," he frowned. "We're equally brilliant."

She smiled and touched his cheek. "Fine, then. Thank you for letting me study and brew with you."

Severus frowned. "I don't want to do anything enjoyable without you."

She giggled and gave him a side-hug. "Aren't you sweet?" She heard him snort when she nuzzled his neck.

"Sev!"

She gently pulled away from him, but Severus didn't release her hand. Alice was walking towards them with a wrapped box in her hands.

"Happy birthday!" she greeted him cheerfully.

Severus smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Alice."

Alice handed him the present. "From my parents' garden. I hope they're to your liking."

Severus accepted Alice's present. "Thank you, Alice. You didn't have to get me anything. I probably missed your birthday - "

"Next week," Alice cut him off with a grin. "It's my birthday next week, the seventeenth if you want to know."

"Oh! Wonderful!" she exclaimed happily. "I think I know what to get you!"

"Oh, Hermione! Your friendship is enough!" Alice told her kindly. "And you, Sev... you patiently tutor me, even when you don't have to."

Severus nodded. "Hermione's friends are my friends, too. Hermione and I are going to the library. Would you like to join?"

"Oh, sure! Can you check my Charms essay, Mione? I'm almost done, but I have to make sure I wrote the right things," she chuckled.

"Of course!" she agreed happily.

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February 14, 1972

(twenty-three years ago)

Hermione was surprised when she saw Severus waiting outside the Ravenclaw entrance, holding a white stemmed rose.

She froze for a moment, her eyes darted to the flower. Her heart leaped with joy and her cheeks flushed, and she didn't know what to say.

"Just so you know, I just Transfigured this," said Severus nonchalantly.

That made her relax and laugh. She stepped towards him and handed him her bag, then took the flower in his hand. "Of course. You are never nice to me, bastard."

"I'm not a bastard, I swear," he said with an eye roll. "My parents were married before they planned to have me."

She snaked her arm to his. "Good. Let's go, I'm starving."

They arrived at the Great Hall, which was horridly decorated with floating hearts. Hermione wanted to puke at the sight. "Glad we share the same sentiment," chuckled Severus.

He walked her to the Ravenclaw table and placed her bag beside her. "Wait for me and don't rush eating. Swallow your food, or else your father will hear about it."

She faked a sneer. "Yes, father." Severus ruffled her already messy hair before walking away. "Git," she called after him.

He turned around and winked instead.

She started her breakfast and her classmates soon arrived. They exchanged conversations, but not about Valentine's Day, not the cards they received, but about the classes and assignments, as usual. Even when the owls swooped in to deliver letters, Hermione and her classmates continued talking about magical theories.

"Oh, gods," muttered Amelia beside her.

"What's the matter?" she asked, looking up at her friend.

"I hope Evans would stop bragging about the five Valentine cards she received," she groaned.

Hermione craned her neck to find a certain redhead amongst the lions and true to Amelia's words, Lily Evans was telling everyone at the Gryffindor table that she got five Valentine cards.

She shook her head in disapproval. "Some people never change," she muttered.

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Haven't I told you that Lily Evans and I went to the same primary school? She was my classmate for six years," she said.

"Oh, that explains why you're so used to her," Amelia snorted.

She was not able to reply because an owl landed in front of her, with a red envelope attached to its leg. She reached for the envelope and saw her name written on it. After giving the owl a piece of toast, she opened the letter.

It was from Severus. A short letter from him.

Thank you for being my friend. Since 1969.

And that was it. No silly 'Happy Valentine's Day', but it made her smile. Her eyes darted to the Slytherin table. Severus was also holding a small card and he smiled while looking at it. Their eyes met afterwards and they exchanged friendly looks.