Disclaimer: the same as the previous chapters.

Chapter 23

"Each of us needs to make our journey based on our understanding of ourselves and of our surroundings and also of those around us."

"Recognize yourself once again. Delve deep, reintroduce yourself to your soul and follow your heart and the rest will follow you. I know you can do it because I have already met you."

Severus Snape stumbled out of the fireplace and crawled up to the nearest chair. Hoisting himself upon it, he hugged himself tightly and started sobbing in earnest. The door opened somewhere to his right and he wheeled to lash out," Leave me alone! Get out...I said…"

Poppy Pomphrey rushed to his side and startled him," Severus! Hush, you will wake Minerva up. What are you doing?"

The man paled and looked around then hastily whipped his face in his sleeves. He stammered," I...I didn't...I…" staring back at the medi-witch he asked eagerly," How is she?"

The woman bit her lip and shook her head," Sleeping." It was not the word he was looking for, but he knew better. They were going to lose her. Sleeping meant she was still breathing, she was still around, alive, even if it was barely. In desperation, He grabbed hold of Poppy and buried his head in her lap. His tears fell freely soaking through her apron. He shuddered, whimpered, sobbed, and hiccuped like a frightened muggle-born first year, unsure of the new world and terribly homesick.

Poppy Pomphrey had been the first person in his life to speak to him fondly at Hogwarts. When every student had been called for a mandatory health check-up at the beginning of the term, she looked at him once and called him later in the evening, when the hospital wing was empty. She never asked about those bruises. For that, the small boy was most thankful. And when she had finished documenting everything in his medical file, she showed him everything, she had written in it. He had refused to meet her eye.

The middle-aged medi-witch had nonchalantly brought out several supplement potions and as she fed him one after the other, she spoke in a matter of fact tone," These marks and bruises don't define you unless you wish they do." Their interactions were minimal until the Marauders decided to torment the lonely Slytherin. Even today, as the sun rose, as she continued stroking his long hair, Poppy Pomphrey realized, a part of this formidable wizard never stopped at being that struggling boy with soulful eyes.

Turning his head slightly, he whispered," It is all because of me."

Madam Poppy hissed," Never say that. Minerva…"

Sitting up abruptly the man countered," Tell me the truth Poppy at least now…" gripping his shoulder she apologized, "I have tried but I can't…but don't blame yourself." Snape insisted," At least tell me if the former headmaster is involved…" The medi-witch blanched at that, but she could say nothing to relieve him from this ongoing turmoil. Turning on his seat, leaned forward and held his head within his hands, threading his fingers through his long black hair, grimaced and cursed. "He left it for me to figure it out like always, didn't he?"

"I...don't think that is the whole truth. But I can't tell you."

He got up, informing gravely," Omjir Genarg died last evening. And I believe with him, my chance to know more about this curse or magical ailment died as well. He has sent a small boy to help us. We would need to keep him a secret both from Granger and from the rest of the world. I thought I was done lying to the world. My private life was growing as normal as the rest of you, but the devil never sleeps does he?"

Cursing under his breath, he decided to leave the Deputy Headmistress's office, where he had accidentally landed. But the medi-witch halted him by placing her hand on his wrinkled sleeves," Severus, I have managed to make Zabini sleep in the hospital wing. The rest of the staff has retired to their quarters. Even Luna has managed to force Draco to go back to their cottage at Hogsmeade. Hermione is all alone if you wish to…"

The young man had turned at her sharply and hugged her. Giving her a slight squeeze he whispered," Thank you, Poppy."

The elderly witch sniffed and smiled. She patted his back as he subtly placed a soft kiss over her grey hairline. When they parted, she saw a faint line of a hopeful smile dancing over his thin lips. Even if he was thoroughly drained both mentally and physically, he collected some floo powder and muttered," Hospital wing," and was gone.

Severus Snape tried not to look at his reflection as he effortlessly walked beside the Mediwitch's glass cabinets, holding several potions, labeled and arranged according to their frequency of requirement. It is all clear to him, he had borrowed his youth from a woman half his age. The saddest part of it was neither of them was aware of this constant exchange. He wished he had not kissed her that day. It was all to clear now, that single mishap had opened up fresh channels between them. If it meant he was to die pining for her, so be it. She would live, won't she? She was young, famous, and could have settled in life.

He stopped by Blaise's bedside, watching the man snoring softly. As soon as the man was up, he would call him for a private meeting. Zabini should know about Sanyu's arrival. He had shown acute eagerness to heal Granger, he would definitely comply with the conditions the boy had led. He would hire as soon as the papers are in place. Covering the man up with the blanket, he had accidentally tossed aside, Severus turned and crossed the floor feeling tired to his bones.

Crookshanks was waiting for him at the threshold of the secluded room. Greeting the master with a swish of his bushy tail, the half kneazle jumped back on his mistress's bed.

Their eyes met the moment he entered. His baritone voice brushed against her skin," Good morning," as he looked around the room and noticed several blank leather-bound journals stacked up. There were two of them open in front of her and she had one propped up on her lap. A simple muggle pen held between her pale fingers over the open page. She nodded and looked back on the journal on her lap, saying," I know he died last night. They would probably say, he died as soon as I left. But he was still alive when I walked inside the Deputy Headmistress's bed-chamber."

She looked at him briefly then turned to watch the owls flying next to the window. It was morning and those school owls were going back to the owlery after a night-long hunt. "I am sorry I ruined your office." Leaning over the door frame, Snape mumbled," all that can be fixed." Wheeling back at him she pursed her lips and hissed," No, no one can fix things I have ruined so far…" choking over her next words, she fixed her eyes on Crookshanks who was busy cleaning himself.

Snape felt as long as he was not riling her up they could still have a civil conversation. Eyeing the empty chair, he ventured," May I sit here?"

"I know you stayed here, I can tell, you don't need my permission," she replied, trying to keep the acid out of her voice but failed nevertheless. Settling down, he stared at her impassively and began," Shall I assume he died the moment Minerva touched your animagus form, accidentally?" Her eyes snapped back at him, and she nodded trying hard not to insult the man.

"Hermione, it is clear to everyone that our personalities have got switched with each other and so has our temperaments. But I believe we are at an advantage here." she tried to oppose but Snape held up his hand and continued," The advantage is our age gap. I have known you for a while but the same cannot be said in your case. I was never forthcoming in sharing my personal interests with the world. I never warmed up to students until after the war. And I have you to thank for everything that happened afterward."

"Thank me, I don't need your gratitude!"

"Yet, I will offer it."

She snarled," I don't need it. Don't you dare pity me."

"And I will never pity you, offer my gratitude unless I have a reason to do it. Because Granger, I know myself better than anyone else. That is yet another advantage I have over you. In order to learn Legilamancy and Occlumency, one needs to understand himself. I know my flaws, and I am aware of my strengths."

Severus noticed her clenching the blanket into a tight fist as she blurted out," Took me two years to master both. Mother Mirembe was ecstatic. But I hated myself for earning such high praises, especially when I had done nothing…"

"I have been taking the first-year History of Magic classes, giving Binn some time to fly around the castle." She squinted her eyes at him and scowled. But he continued," What I am trying to say is, it took me time, but I accepted those changes."

"No, you never realized those were my personality traits until…"

"I did, I have and I guessed. Hermione, since your first day in my class, I knew you were quite like my younger self. We are alike in many ways. Hating Harry was easier, hating Ron Weasley was collateral, but pretending to hate you was tougher than killing Dumbledore."

She countered unable to control herself," YOU never killed that man, you just acted on his own order. I relive that moment, I…"

Severus shook his head. Her struggling emotions were banging at his mental shield, twisting his heart, but this pain was more pleasurable. Allowing a small smile to ghost over his thin lips, he said airily," How often have we wished for someone to step into our shoes and feel the weight of the world we carry on our shoulders? Miss Granger, I can say without any hesitance, it has been an honour to imbibe your salient characteristics."

Hermione studied the man trying hard to understand his hidden intentions. At length she twisted her lips and forced out the words," And it has been absolutely pathetic to…" tears rolled down her eyes and embarrassed, she threw herself over her bed, facing away from the man, she wanted to hate, yet fell steadily in love with.

There was a rustle of clothes and her bed dipped back her. She felt herself getting picked up. Snape sat down gently, holding her in his arms, stroking her back drawing small circles over her spine. His trilling baritone voice melted those million icicles barricading her mind. " See for yourself, Hermione, how difficult it was to hate you. I couldn't. Your insights, your essays, your theories, your logic had baffled me. I am not going to marry you for the want of love and family. At least let me help you out of this misery. If staying side by side heals you, then I am willing to marry you. If being with me, helps you achieve greater academic heights, than I will be the proudest man. Because Hermione, I am honoured to have the privilege to teach you. I will not ask for explanations. I will leave you to yourself. You can continue your research."

She mumbled after burying her head into his lapel and taking long breathes," YOu won't ever wish to no about it? About why I am studying…" pressing his palms harder on her back, he firmed conveyed," No, not unless you wish to tell me. But in exchange, I want your permission to study this, "motioning his hand in between themselves, he pointed out," I want to study this, I wish to no more about it. And I want to do it without bothering you."

Hermione stared at his long hair, tracing his sharp features, she noticed his growing stubble and sniffed," You smell like a dishcloth."

Lowering her back on the bed, he ran his knuckles over her jawline and muttered close to her cheek," And I would anything for a comfortable bed and a soundless sleep. We can talk and plan this ridiculous wedding after that. I also believe the hospital wing should become your permanent residence. If you would allow me, I can have a room prepared for you to settle down."

Pulling back, studying her palms, she whispered, remorse echoing through her words," Professor McGonagall…"

"She is fine. We would need to prepare ourselves for the inevitable Miss Granger. The battle of Hogwarts had cost her more than she allowed the world to see. Her magical core had depleted by three fourth. She is a strong-willed witch. Don't blame yourself for what happened. I will explain the reasons once we have this marriage thing planned and rehearsed. And there are other things to be addressed as well."

As stood straighter and nodded briefly, Crookshank took the opportunity to jump into his arms. Despite herself, Hermione's lips curled," He can be persuasive."

Severus nodded and whispered conspiratorially," Yet he falls short of being incapable of restraining himself…" the cat hissed at being mocked, and digging his claws on his hand. Snape winced slightly and gallowed at the half kneazle, Oh! I strongly believe YOU do take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all!"

With that, he had dropped the familiar on the bed, right next to the young man, glaringly adding," You are banished from my quarters until further notice." Offering Hermione, a secretive smirk, he turned.

Hermione watched the man walk till the doorway and called out, "I will try not to hate you."

Snape turned halfway, throwing her a mischievous smile, he drawled, "I can assure you that is not something for you to try."

A/N: It will be a strange wedding, followed by a funeral.