Chapter 13

"Arthur, you should get some sleep."

"I could say the same for you, Poppy. Not much sleep is happening lately."

Arthur, Minerva, and Poppy sat together in the mediwitch's office.

Poppy sighed. "It's hard to believe that two days have already passed. At times, it feels like a lifetime has already gone by."

McGonagall nodded. "How is Molly?"

Arthur sighed. "She's trying to keep herself busy. As long as she's busy, she doesn't have time to think."

"And the boys?"

"Bill has regained consciousness, Charlie has not. How is your arm, Minerva?"

"No pain anymore. I can take the sling off tomorrow. I heard Potter woke up a few hours ago, Poppy."

The mediwitch nodded. "Yes. He'll be fine with a bit of rest. Is Remus going to sit down with him?"

"He's due back in about an hour. I doubt Potter will wait much longer than that. Once Remus speaks to him, we'll move him from the warded section. Has anybody else's condition changed?"

"Sadly, no," Poppy replied. "Everyone is much the same. We got the word that the search on the grounds and castle have finished."

McGonagall nodded. "The wards on the castle have taken a huge hit. We have temporary ones up, but they need to be repaired over the next few weeks. It will be a slow process. Some of them will heal on their own. The statues of Hogwarts have vowed to keep watch until that time."

"When will term restart?" Arthurs asked.

"We are hopeful for the first of February. I think it will be the most beneficial to start some normalcy again. Well, as normal as can be. For the most part, the staff is set. Neville has agreed to take over Pomona's position, Horace has agreed to fill in for Severus, and I'm sure Potter will for Hermione. Remus will act as Head of Gryffindor and Poppy will be liaison to Hufflepuff. We will have weekly common room meetings."

"It won't be the same," Arthur said. "Hopefully we won't need Horace and Harry."

The two witches nodded.

Harry stared at a spot above Remus' head.

"I don't want you to think that you should be in their spot, Harry. You cannot put all of the blame for those that passed on your shoulders. Voldemort was already well on before you came into the picture."

Harry sighed. "I know, but that doesn't make it any easier."

"No, it doesn't."

"So if those are the ones that didn't make it, everyone else is alright, then?"

"For the most part," Remus replied. "Charlie took a nasty fall and has yet to awake. A handful were transferred to St. Mungo's."

Harry took a deep breath. "What about Hermione, Ron, and Ginny?"

"Ginny is fine, Ron…Well, Ron has been a bit lost the past few days. Hermione hasn't awoken yet."

"What? What happened?"

"She found a way to divert her magical energy out with a spell. She knocked a lot of people out and gave you the opportunity to strike Voldemort. Hermione nearly exhausted her core. Poppy isn't sure how long it will take to recover enough for her to wake up."

"And Snape?" Harry whispered.

"I know this isn't easy for you to hear, Harry. Severus was hit with some kind of freezing curse. They are still working on trying to find a counter-curse. His body is slowly freezing – the only thing that has slowed the curse down is Crookshanks."

Harry furrowed his brow. "Crookshanks?"

Remus nodded. "Hermione's cat has been keeping the cold away from spreading to his heart."

"Why can't they just put more on him?"

"Cats?"

"Or something—someone," Harry said and slowly swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Harry—"

"Remus, I have to do something." He grabbed his wand. "I'm in a locked ward?"

"Yes—"

"Are Hermione and Snape here?"

"Harry—"

Harry wobbled to the curtain next to him and yanked it open.

"Remus, we've got to put Hermione with Snape. She won't mind at all. It might be a nice wake up call for her."

Harry made his way to the other curtain and flung it open, revealing an extremely pale Severus.

Remus stopped Harry with a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, you need to sit back down. I'll do it."

Harry swayed.

"Please. Your idea is very good and I will do it as soon as you sit down."

"Fine," Harry conceded and sat in a chair next to Severus' bed.

Remus quickly drew his wand and moved Severus over to the side of his bed, making Crookshanks hiss. Harry watched as Hermione was levitated slowly through the air before being laid down next to the freezing Potions Master.

"You have to move her arm, Remus."

"Miss Granger!" Poppy ran into the room, closely followed by Minerva. "What in the blazes are you two doing?"

She looked between the four. "Body heat?"

Harry nodded, standing up. "I'm sure Hermione won't mind at all. I didn't do any magic, so you don't need to worry."

The two witches scurried over to the bed. "This could work. We've been trying to replicate body heat through a spell. I don't think it even dawned on us to put them both in a bed together. Severus will just have to accept it when he wakes up."

"I don't think he'd mind," Harry muttered.

McGonagall elbowed him.

"We'll keep a close eye on them tonight," Poppy said. "Off to bed with you, Mr. Potter. You can surprise the masses in the morning."

Harry nodded. "Well, goodnight then."

"Goodnight," the room chorused.

The light was blinding. The sounds were booming. Every single joint in his body ached terribly.

He groaned.

"Severus! Well, it's about time!" Poppy exclaimed. "We were wondering when you were going to come around."

Severus slowly sat up and looked around the room. Poppy was standing in front of him with a glass of water. He accepted the glass and took a long sip.

"It's been a few days-"

"Where's Hermione?"

Poppy took the glass back from him and set it on the bedside table.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

"Blacking out in the doorway."

"That's it?"

"Yes, why? Did I get up and start cursing people?"

"Nothing of the sort. You had us scared for a while," the mediwitch replied as she ran her wand over his body.

"So you found the counter-curse?"

"Not quite. Your levels have returned back to normal. They were still a bit off last night, but your body was no longer freezing."

"It just wore off?"

"Oh no, we found a way to counteract the curse without a counter-curse."

"Are you planning on being vague all day, Poppy?"

"With a little bit of rest, I don't see why you can't be out of here by the morning. I want to make sure that curse doesn't return."

"Poppy, where is Hermione? You've been avoiding the question."

"Nice to see the cold hasn't rattled your brain, Severus. She's in the bed next partition over."

Severus slipped out of bed and nearly stumbled into his bedside chair.

"Severus Snape, I swear to Merlin!"

When Severus crossed the partition, he stopped. Hermione laid perfectly still underneath the hospital blanket and what looked like a knitted Weasley creation.

"She hasn't woken up yet," Poppy said from next to him.

Severus slowly walked to the side of Hermione's bed.

"She's been steadily improving the last few days. We weren't sure if she was going to make it through the first night. She used most of her magic. Although, I think you might have already known that."

Severus turned to look at the matron.

"I hope you didn't help her create that spell, Severus."

"No," he replied softly. "She already had it."

"If you didn't give her energy, it's doubtful she would have survived the night," Poppy eyeing him carefully.

"We're at Hogwarts?" He finally asked.

"Yes."

"Where is everybody?"

"The Hospital Wing opens in twenty minutes."

"Are we the last ones here?"

"Tonks, Charlie and Bill Weasley are still here. Others will be discharged today. It's January sixth."

He nodded.

"I think that's enough standing for now Severus. I don't want you to push your luck. Off to bed with you," the mediwitch said, as she put her arms on his shoulders and guided him back to his half of the partition. "I'm going to close this for now, unless you want the Weasleys in here poking around."

"No. Thank you, Poppy."

Madam Pomfrey smiled as she watched Severus slip back under the covers.

A few hours later, Harry slipped into Severus' make-shift room and froze.

"You're awake!" Harry whispered.

"Very astute, Potter."

Harry looked around.

"There are silencing charms."

"That's why nobody knows. Good on you, Professor."

"Do I want to know why you're here?"

Harry shrugged. "I've been coming by every day to check how you are. Usually when I need a break from everybody else. You've been a good listener, Professor. It's great to see you awake."

"It's good to see you alive as well." Severus motioned for Harry to sit.

Harry's eyes widened. "I may die of shock here, Professor."

"Don't get used to it. I'm glad to see that the spell worked."

Harry nodded. "I don't know how I can ever repay you-"

Severus held up a hand. "It was a group effort. It was actually Hermione that unknowingly laid all of the ground work."

Realization dawned upon Harry. "Those sneaky bastards."

"Potter-"

"Does she know?'

"Yes."

"I always thought it was a little weird when we found out she was sent away for her mastery."

Severus inclined his head. "As I was saying, most of it is over and done with. You do not need to worry about anything."

"Hermione told me about your potion."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"You know Hermione. I'm shocked she kept it a secret for so long."

"She didn't want to get your hopes up."

Harry nodded. "Hermione said you're very close. I believe it, but I won't be crushed if it doesn't work out. I'm used to things going wrong at the last moment."

Severus frowned. "It's a pity that you had to grow up that way."

The younger wizard was quiet for a moment. "Yeah, but now we can move on."

"How are you feeling after the spell?"

"Alright now. I feel a bit different. I'm actually myself for once. Nothing too drastic, but I feel a bit lighter. I can't speak parseltongue anymore. I still remember the stuff I've already said, but I can't form anything else. I haven't rooted around too much yet."

"What happened when the spell reached you?"

"I'm glad I don't have to experience that one again. At first, it was odd. I felt like I was cool, almost like floating in water. And then the pain was excruciating. It still felt like I was helplessly floating and then it felt like my head was being burned alive at the same time.

"And then the scar literally ripped itself off my forehead. I think that's when I passed out."

"Your scar left too?"

"Yeah," he said, and flipped up his hair.

A very faint white outline of his scar was still visible.

"Did your mark disappear too? I heard Madam Pomfrey talking about it."

Severus lifted up his sleeve to reveal a very faint dark mark. "Has anyone else asked you about the spell or recorded it?"

"Not really. Remus asked about it, but he didn't write anything down."

"Filius hasn't been by yet?"

Harry was quiet for several moments. "Professor…Has anyone come and talked to you?"

"I've only been up for a few hours."

"Oh…Erh…Professor Flitwick didn't make it. I thought McGonagall would have spoken to you."

"She hasn't been able to make it down yet."

"Oh…" Harry found an interesting spot on the floor. "I can fill you in, if you'd like."

"I would…appreciate it."

Harry took a deep breath in. "I'm shocked you've been in the dark."

"It's still morning. Poppy has agreed to keep it quiet that I'm awake, so Molly doesn't come in here."

"Ah. Alright. I guess I'll start at the beginning. I was out for two days. Remus sat down with me after I came to. The castle grounds were secured while I was out. A few death eaters were able to escape. I'm not exactly sure which ones. Neville killed Bellatrix, if you can believe it. Although, he did it accidentally. He and Luna are fine. Luna has a broken leg, the spell made it impossible to heal with magic.

"So Hogwarts…Flitwick and Sprout didn't make it. A lot of past students came back and fought. Seamus Finnegan, Cormac McLaggen, Alicia Spinnet, Lavender Brown…They're probably not the people you want to hear about."

"That doesn't mean they don't deserve to be recognized."

Harry nodded. "They had a memorial service on the lawn yesterday. It was a big deal. They read all of the times of those that passed away. They also included you and Hermione on a questionable list. They laid flowers and had wreaths. McGonagall made a memorial monument right on the inside of the Forbidden Forrest. It's…It's really well done."

"What of the Order?"

"Percy didn't make it. He…he jumped in front of Molly and took a curse for her. Bill is still in the hospital wing. Charlie hasn't awoken yet. Moody is in St. Mungo's, but he's expected to make it. I know more people died, but I don't know them. House Elves, centaurs…McGonagall included them all on the monument."

"What about the castle?"

"The Quidditch pitch was scorched. We're going to rebuild it this summer. I heard the wards took a hit. The statues are standing watch over the castle, until they're fixed."

"When are they fixing them?"

Harry looked hesitant to talk. "McGonagall is checking the root wards tomorrow night to see if the damage went that far. She doesn't think so, but she doesn't want anyone sneaking in."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "No one can be in the castle if she checks those. It will reveal if anyone is hiding."

"Yeah…Anybody not discharged by Madam Pomfrey tomorrow morning is being transferred to St. Mungo's."

"Severus!" McGonagall said, as she threw open the curtains to his room.

He put his book down. "I see your arm is doing better."

"It's so good to hear your voice again, no matter what it's saying. I apologize for not making it down sooner. I've been in meetings all day. How are you?"

"I'm alive."

McGonagall gave him a hard stare.

Severus sighed. "I feel fine. A little stiff."

"We had to put you in a full body bind at first, because you were shaking so violently."

"How did you overcome the spell?"

McGonagall smiled. "It was all Potter."

"Pardon?"

"He came up with the solution."

"He didn't say anything."

"You didn't ask."

"Minerva."

"It's so good to see you get riled up again. He put it together rather quickly. Hermione's cat laid on you and kept the spell from killing you. Poppy and I were trying to recreate body heat through a spell, but magic wouldn't work on it. Potter knew instantly what to do."

Severus looked towards the closed curtain and the Headmistress nodded.

"He had the idea for you two to share the same bed. It took about three days for the spell to wear off enough to move you both back."

Severus had an undiscernible look on his face. "Minerva, was anyone allowed to visit?"

"Only four people."

"You, Poppy, Potter, who else?"

"Remus."

Severus cursed.

"Remus was with him when he figured it out. Besides, what are you going to do when you're released? Ward her room off from everybody else? She's had a steady stream of visitors today, especially since I suspect you'll be a constant fixture…Oh, don't give me that look, Severus. I've known you practically your entire life. Since when do you come out for drinks at The Three Broomsticks?"

He remained stoic.

"I've noticed that you've given almost every detention to Filch in December."

"What do you want me to say, Minerva?"

She smiled again. "That's enough for me." She patted his leg, turned towards the curtain dividing the two and opened it. "Poppy has stopped her visitors for the rest of the evening. I'm sure you've heard by now that everyone not discharged is being transferred to St. Mungo's tomorrow."

"Yes."

"I waited as long as I could. St. Mungo's will have visitor restrictions. They have secured a ward for battle injuries. Poppy will be in momentarily to give you your potions before lights out. I'll stop by in the morning."

"Minerva?"

The older woman stopped at the curtain.

"Thank you."

"Good morning, Poppy," McGonagall greeted the next morning. "How was it last night?"

"It looks like Severus and Tonks will be discharged today. Bill will need to go to St. Mungo's with Charlie and Hermione."

"How are her levels?"

"They have restored themselves to a little above half. She's starting to react to her brain activity."

"She's dreaming?" The headmistress asked.

"Periodically, which is a good sign. She's coming back to herself. I think they're nightmares, from the way she's been reacting."

"Does Severus know?"

"He does now. I told him about an hour ago. Against his protests, he got a good dose of Dreamless Sleep last night."

"Did you discharge him yet?"

"I told him after breakfast, on the condition that he goes to his quarters and takes care of himself first. He's not allowed back in here until after lunch. She only set the alarm off once," Pomfrey replied.

"What time is the move to St. Mungo's happening?"

"After dinner. We're hoping to have the three moved by seven."

"Keep me posted, Poppy. I'll check in on Severus in a bit."

It had been a long two days since the small group was transferred to St. Mungo's. Severus and Molly had become permanent fixtures in the closed off section of the hospital. Molly frequently hopped rooms between everyone that was still left, while Severus had taken to reading in Hermione's room.

Mrs. Weasley was talking to Harry, when the sound of the bed sheets rustling made her look up. She furrowed her brow as she saw Hermione's hands start to slide across the bed sheets. Quickly, she made her way to the side of her bed and gently grabbed Hermione's hand.

"Hermione," she whispered. "It's alright, dear. You're safe. Everyone is safe," she paused as Hermione's hand was almost yanked out of her grasp.

"Harry, go and get Severus," Mrs. Weasley said, turning around. "It's a bad one this time."

Harry looked back at her with wide eyes, before dashing out of the room.

Moments later, Severus came rushing into the room.

"Calming didn't help this time," Mrs. Weasley said. "Just when we thought that the poor dear was getting better."

In one fluid moment, he was sitting at Hermione's side, muttering a spell. The two watched him for a moment, before Mrs. Weasley ushered Harry from the room.

Severus carefully crept through the dark corridors where Hermione's nightmares had led him. He looked around and saw that he was in a dungeon of a castle, but it wasn't Hogwarts. Rather, it felt like he was walking through a dungeon that was depicted in movies. After he walked down another corridor, he could hear Hermione's voice, and started to run; she was yelling his name out. Once he reached a corner, he crept behind the room's half-dividing wall and took in the scene before him.

His pale form was laying on a raised cement table, with Hermione crying on him.

Severus gritted his teeth and looked down; there was nothing he could do. He was already dead in her dream.

"Severus," Hermione cried. "No...this can't be the end. I should have made you promise not to confront anybody. Please..." Hermione trailed off when she heard footsteps, and then suddenly looked alarmed.

With one last agonizing look at the body on the slab, she took off running down a corner. Severus listened to the sound and realized that the footsteps were getting louder. If he couldn't get Hermione to stop, he at least would get her...his attacker to stop.

Setting his face to a complete angry mask, Severus stepped out into the open corridor and stopped, blocking the way with his arms crossed. Immediately, the hooded figure saw him and paused.

"You're supposed to be dead!" A familiar voice said.

"Apparently not," Severus drawled, trying to place the voice.

"Yes," the man said, as Severus started to walk towards him.

"You have no business here."

"I think so," the voice said, and then suddenly, the figure took out his wand.

Before Severus really knew what he was doing, before he knew if it would even work, he grabbed the figure's robes and slammed him against the wall, making his hood fall down.

It was Ron Weasley.

"Severus?" Mrs. Weasley asked tentatively, once she saw him move.

Severus turned around to see the older woman poking her head into the room.

"There really wasn't anything I could do," he replied. "I was already dead in her dream."

"I'm sorry, Severus," she said sincerely.

Severus looked at her; Molly Weasley had the most peculiar look on her face.

"Harry," Mrs. Weasley began, as she turned around. "Why don't you get Ron and grab a bite to eat downstairs?"

"Is Hermione alright?" Harry asked.

"She's fine. Severus is here," she replied, as Harry slowly walked out.

Molly watched silently as Severus continued to stare at Hermione.

"You love her." It was not a question.

"Yes," he replied softly.

It was quiet for several long moments, when Mrs. Weasley literally put her foot down.

"Severus Snape!" She exclaimed, rising to her feet.

Severus snapped his head towards her.

"Go home."

He looked as though a train was headed for him.

"You haven't left here in two days. Have you even slept? Go home. Take a shower, put more comfortable clothes on, and eat something, or I will drag you to my house."

He looked alarmed. "Molly-"

"Don't 'Molly' me, Severus. I'll stay here for you. If anything changes, I'll contact you straight away."

Severus stood up.

"Go," Molly said, and pulled on his arm. "And I don't want to see you back in an hour," she finished and pushed him out the door.

It wasn't a surprise when Severus made it back in record time. Molly was speechless when he came back showered, wearing new clothes (sans his usual attire), and claimed to have eaten in a little over an hour. It was now passed dinner and the Weasley matriarch left to sit by Charlie's bed. Severus turned around when he heard a rustling of the curtains and caught a glimpse of red hair. He was getting quite sick of Ron Weasley peeking into the room and then running away. When he turned back around, he found that Hermione was suffering from another nightmare.

"Hermione," Severus said softly, sitting down next to her. "It's a dream, Hermione. Mr. Wea-Ron, isn't going to hurt you," he said, as she started to get worse. "Hermione, listen to my voice. Stop running...I'll come back in, if it's absolutely necessary. It's not real," he insisted, gently grabbing her hand. "I'm real."

Suddenly, Hermione flew upwards, as if someone stuck a pin in her back, and Severus almost fell off of the bed.

"Severus!" She rasped, looking around the room. "Oh my God!" She said, her voice scratchy, and threw her arms around him.

"Hermione-"

"I heard things, Severus. About Harry, about you."

"I-"

"You're awake!" Madam Pomfrey said and nearly dropped the vase she was carrying.

Immediately, she bustled into the room and put the object down on the first free surface she saw.

"What are you doing here?" Severus asked.

"I brought flowers for everyone. It is such a relief! Severus, you'll have to go now," she said, and waved her wand.

"You're not her doctor-" He was cut off when two Healers came into the room.

"Poppy-"

"Severus, you can't be in here, we have to make sure she's alright," Madam Pomfrey said, gently pushing him to the door.

"Severus-"

"You can see her when we're done," the mediwitch continued, pushed him out the door, and then shut it behind him.

After they finished running numerous spells on Hermione, it was deemed that after a lot more rest, she would be fine. She was restricted to low activity and given a plethora of potions to take. When the two healers left, Madam Pomfrey stayed and gave Hermione her potions. When she was getting ready to leave, something struck her.

"I almost forgot!" She exclaimed and put the vials down on Hermione's bedside table.

Hermione watched as the mediwitch pulled two objects out of her pocket.

"I meant to give these to Severus, but I kept forgetting," she said, and handed Hermione their serpent necklace.

Hermione picked her piece off the top and put it back on, revealing Severus' half still in her hand.

"Where did you get this?" Hermione asked, holding up the other part of the necklace.

"Severus was wearing it," Poppy replied.

Hermione let it dangle in front of her face. "I didn't know…"

The older witch sat at the end of Hermione's bed. "He was using it to give you energy…Without it, we think there was a very good chance you wouldn't have made it to the castle."

Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. "How did I get back?" She whispered.

"Hermione, I don't think I should be the one to tell you."

"Please," Hermione said. "He won't tell me and then someone else will."

"He carried you all of the way back. We found the necklaces when he collapsed at the entrance to the Hospital Wing. He was using it to transfer his energy to you."

Hermione let the pendant fall into her open hand and clenched it tightly.

"Thank you, Poppy."

Poppy smiled as she stood up. "I'll let your visitors back in now."

Hermione smiled back as the mediwitch left the room.

Severus appeared moments later and sat in the chair next to her bed.

"Severus, I…Can you tell me what happened?"

"I think you should rest."

"I've been sleeping for ages, I think I can handle a few hours. I need to know."

He sighed. "What do you want to know?"

Hermione let his part of the snake pendant dangle from her hand.

Severus watched it sway for a few moments, before reaching for it.

"You've been wearing it this whole time," she whispered, as he took it.

He was quiet for several seconds.

"I brought you back," he said quietly. "After you went down, I didn't think…And after everything that happened…It couldn't end like that." He paused. "I charmed the necklaces."

Hermione watched as Severus clenched the pendant; she couldn't believe that she was able to get that much out of him.

"Severus, Harry and Ron?"

"Potter is doing much better, although he's supposed to be resting. He's up here all of the time and they're threatening to readmit him."

"What happened?"

"When the Horcrux was…detached, it affected him in a way that was unforeseen," Severus said and crossed his arms. "And Mr. Weasley is fine. If he doesn't stop poking his head in every hour on the hour, I'm going to give him something to look at."

Hermione shook her head. "What about the Weasleys? Is Ginny alright?"

"Percy was the only one who didn't make it…He jumped in front of Molly."

Hermione covered her mouth.

"She took it pretty hard. She was in pieces for the first week. After the memorial service, she busied herself with worrying over everyone else. She spends the day rotating from her two eldest sons' beds and yours."

"What's wrong with Charlie and Bill?"

"Charlie fell off his dragon and was in a coma and Bill was hit with a spell. They're in the same room, so when she's had enough, she comes here. Potter spends most of his time in here too."

"You don't sound too happy."

He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Spending the day with Potter is not my ideal day."

"Memorial service?"

"Hogwarts had a service a few days after the battle. Potter said our names were mentioned…I guess they weren't sure if we were going to make it or not. He said it was a big deal. Minerva has created a memorial on the edge of the grounds."

Hermione looked thoughtful. "What day is it?"

"You have technically been unconscious for nine days."

"It's the ninth?"

"Yes."

"It's your birthday!"

"Hermione-"

"Happy Birthday! Oh, this is a rotten place to have a birthday. Please tell me that you didn't spend the whole day here."

He gave her a look.

"Well, we'll just need to pick a day and celebrate it then," Hermione said.

"My birthday is just another day."

Hermione scoffed. "Fine. We'll talk about it later. So tell me what happened to you."

"Potter will be here at any minute," Severus stated the next morning. "Visiting hours start at nine."

Hermione took a sip of her pumpkin juice. "I'm surprised that he hasn't pulled strings to get here sooner."

"He did, but since they're threatening to put him back in a bed again, he leaves. Anybody who they consider a war hero can stay as long as they like."

Hermione put down her fork and a smile pulled at her lips. "Is that why the healers aren't hounding you to leave?"

He crossed his arms. "They consider you one too."

"What?"

"It was all over the papers," he said as she buttered her toast.

"Why don't you go home while Harry's here? I know you don't want to sit with him any longer than you have to. You can go, freshen up, and bring back a paper."

He looked at her.

"I'm sure Ron will find his way over…and Molly. I know you don't like being around them any longer than necessary."

Severus looked like he was about to argue, but then thought better of it. "Alright."

Hermione smiled. "You have to be back for lunch."

"I'll try," he replied dryly.

"I mean it, Severus!"

He smirked. "I'll be back before then. I can't miss the chance to terrorize Weasley."

Hermione tried not to smile. "I'm glad that you're back to normal."

A/N: Thanks for all of your support and reviews - I really appreciate it! I hope that last cliffhanger wasn't too evil - I needed to throw one good one in there!