A/N: It's been awhile hasn't it? I hope this chapter is a good one! Enjoy, I'll update when I can. I've got two little ones now so it's very busy haha!

Chapter 11. Golden Omens

"Are you ready? "

Albus fixed Severus with a piercing gaze- his bright eyes twinkling in the moon light. Severus quirked an eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth twitched into the same sneer that haunted Neville Longbottom's dreams.

"I am as ready as one can be, when they are not sure what they are getting ready for, Albus ".

Severus remained perfectly still in the frigid cold water of the lake, the warmth of the charged spell and the cold of the lake piquing his curiosity further- together they created an overwhelming sensation.

Albus flexed his long fingers and grabbed his wand, he pushed the sleeves of his periwinkle robes up and focused on Severus in the moonlit lake.

"I will now begin the ritual Severus. I ask that you remain perfectly still, and only move when I tell you so. When the moment is right you will take the tops of the acorns off and submerge yourself into the water. After that, the spell will continue and you will travel back to the land of the living. "

Severus nodded and waited for Albus to proceed. The older wizard cleared his throat softly and extended his wand towards the moon. Albus' voice was soft, but it was clear enough that Severus heard every word.

"Spiritus restaurata, novis initiis et consummatio, amorem vincet".

The tip of Albus' wand began to glow with soft golden light. Golden tendrils began to emerge from the tip of his wand- the tendrils danced smoothly in the moon light, reflecting on the still surface of the lake. Severus watched as the golden tendrils touched the surface of the water, and made their way towards him as he stood perfectly still- his ivory skin illuminated brightly by the moon.

The light of the spell mingled with the glow of the acorns, consumed by their beauty and the feeling of peace and warmth, Severus only just heard Albus tell him to dive under the water and release the rest of the spell from the acorns. Snapped out of his reverie, and without hesitation- Severus did what Albus said and sank into the lake. Severus opened his eyes under the water, he could see the golden tendrils swirling around him. In one swift movement of his thumbs, Severus had the tops of the acorns off and the two sources of golden light combined with one another and continued to swirl around Severus, consuming him in their golden bath.

Faster and faster the golden tendrils swirled, Severus could feel himself drifting into what felt like a deep sleep. In vain, he tried to keep his eyes open, his curiosity wanting desperately to see how the rest of the ritual carried out. Severus' eyes closed, and inwardly he scowled – his thoughts were becoming more disjointed as a deep restorative sleep took over.

Hermione slowly sat up, the pain in her body causing her vision to haze as she tried her best to stay conscious. Slowly her breathing subsided, and the pain was easing. Hermione furrowed her brow as she realized that these attacks were becoming more and more frequent.

Surely after all this time has passed- they should be subsiding?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps bolting down the rickety stairs. Hermione could tell who it was before they reached her. Harry who was panting- looked down at Hermione, before sitting himself down beside her and wrapping his long arms around her thin frame.

Hermione had not realized she had been crying, until she saw the wet marks on the sleeve of Harry's shirt. Gingerly she touched her cheek and wiped away the remaining tears.

"Harry, I'm okay. It wasn't that bad this time, I came-too quicker than before, this time". This was a lie, this episode was much more painful than the last, and Hermione knew that Harry wasn't buying it.

"Don't lie. You need to make yourself an appointment to St. Mungo's, Hermione. They're getting worse, aren't they?" Harry's brow was knit with concern as his best friend sat beside him.

"There are so many other people who need the treatment more than I do. Besides, results have proven to have little to no affect. I would rather someone else receive it- even if it isn't working".

Hermione's voice was strained and soft- her body was now sore from contracting and convulsing. Harry stood up and offered her his arm. She smiled and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you… now I have another task to attend to. Ronald needs his Pepper Up potion and his Hangover Cure… and Harry I should warn you. I might be going away for awhile. I've uncovered something rather… upsetting. It's really put a wrench in mine and Ron's relationship. I don't know if I'll-".

Hermione cut herself off, she couldn't bring herself to say it. As horrid as their relationship had been- Hermione knew she would forgive him. This time would be different however, she could already feel it in her heart- it was time to move on.

Harry merely nodded his head in response, he understood. Together they climbed the stairs to the main floor and Harry looked at her.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Harry's voice was full of tenderness and concern.

"No, it's best if you don't. This needn't be dragged out any longer. I need to cut my ties and move on".

Hermione's voice was full of determination as she made her way through the kitchen, past the teak wood dining table, and to the tall winding staircase. She placed her foot on the first step and hesitated. Hermione could feel Harry's eyes on her back. Huffing slightly, Hermione drew herself up as much as she could, her sore body groaning in protest as she did. She made her way up the stairs and to what she once considered their bedroom, but now it was nothing more than a room where she had lived through the loneliest nights of her life.

Hermione pushed open the door, and to her surprise saw Ronald sitting up- his bleary eyes looking up at her.

"We should talk". Hermione's voice was even, giving nothing away. She passed the vials to Ron who took them, his hand shaking with the effort.

Hermione reached into the front pocket of her jeans and unfolded the letter that Lavender had written to Ron. She placed the parchment on the bed and curled her nose at the scent of the heavy and presumably cheap perfume. Ron looked down at the paper, and then up again at Hermione. His face paled, and he folded the paper up after reading it.

"Yeah, I s'pose we should then".