Disclaimer: I still do not own anything.

A/N: The song lyrics I'll be posting before every chapter has nothing to do with the chapter, per say, but helped with my ridiculous muse that came up with this ridiculous fic. Lol.

Thank you for the review dsbs! I hope you enjoy the ride! (: Thanks for the follows & the favorites! I'm excited it got a bit of love & hopefully I do the characters justice!

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"Once upon a time it was made for us. Woke up one day,it had turned to dust. Baby, we were found but now we're lost. So it's time to let it go." - Slide Away, Miley Cyrus

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December 25, 2008

Walking into the grim library of Grimmauld Place, Hermione grimaced, the ire of their situation finally settling over here. It wasn't that she was nervous, no, she was bloody terrified, but the memories hit her with a force so strong, she sharply inhaled, quickly closing her eyes.

Panic attacks were a common occurrence for her ever since the Battle at Hogwarts. Too many times she'd thought she'd grow out of it but it never happened. With so much that had happened in her life she'd be shocked if they ever went away.

Deeply inhaling, Hermione grabbed onto the closest thing that was within reach and squeezed tight, ignoring the gasp that left her friend's mouth.

There were so many memories she shared in this merlin-forsaking house that it overwhelmed her. She didn't think it would hit her so hard that she was actually having trouble breathing. It wasn't as if she didn't know about what was about to happen but to actually having to go through with it— the heaviness of it all was too much to bear.

There wasn't anyone that hated Voldemort as much as she did. The vile, evil, snake of man that upended her life, not that he hadn't with others, but for Hermione, it was personal. She was targeted by the psychotic wizard, along with her friends, and she swore she would kill him slowly once she destroyed his horcruxes, prophecy be damned. She'd let him know what happened in this timeline even if he was unaware of it but she would let that bastard know.

"Hey," the soft voice of Pansy had spoken in her ear, rubbing her back comfortingly, "Hermione, it's going to be okay."

Taking another deep and slow breath to calm her nerves, she slowly opened her eyes and gave a sharp nod, following Pansy to the back where Severus was sitting calmly as he stared out of the only window in the dusty old room.

It wasn't the time to have a panic attack now. They made their decision and Hermione wouldn't let this break her determination.

Looking at her former professor turned friend, Hermione didn't bother greeting him as she took a seat across from him, staring out that same window. It wasn't much of a view but it was better than staring at the wooden table in front of her or all those books that sat gathering dust on the shelves and if she tilted her head slightly to the left, she could just see the moon obscured by branches and dead leaves near the opening.

Hermione refused to even glance at the wizard before her, knowing if she did, her facade would break and she would crack. How could she not when she felt as if she were abandoning her longtime friend of ten years? The man who had saved her countless times. It wasn't right and it didn't that she had brought this to his attention, too many times to count, he would wave her off as if her needs were nothing— which, she figured, in this case, they weren't.

But who could blame her for worrying about such things? Although the never ending war had changed her, she was still that little witch that cared deeply for her friends and would go to the ends of the earth to save them, which included Severus.

"We're ready, Sev," Pansy murmured, breaking the silent as she reached for Hermione's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

Turning her attention to the raven-haired witch, Hermione gave her a small smile. It was times like these that she was grateful to have someone with her instead of doing this mission alone. She couldn't even imagine and shook the thought from her mind.

Severus cleared his throat, which brought the attention of both witches. He gave a small nod to the both of them before he finally spoke, "I know this is hard for all of us. But I want you both to know that I'm," his voice cracked as he quickly looked away, taking in a shuddering breath. Turning back to them, he continued, "I'm proud of you both."

"Severus," Pansy began, "we don't have—"

"We do," he said firmly, cutting her off from completing her sentence. "And as much as it pains me, pains all of us, we must do this." He looked away, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Pansy sniffled beside her and Hermione knew the witch was crying. She didn't dare face her friend, lest she broke into tears as well, but continued to stare at her other friend across the wooden table in front of them, waiting for him to continue.

Severus swallowed and slowly reached into his robe pocket, also ignoring the crying witch, as he pulled out a crystal orb that was the size of a snowglobe with purple sand sitting at the bottom. He gently sat it on the table for all of them to see.

"You did it," Hermione stated, not realizing how scratchy her voice was but ignored it as she added, "you were able to fix it." She ran her hand, that wasn't being held by Pansy, through her hair, wishing she had a drink to guzzle down.

"Yes," Severus answered as he pulled out four vials out of his pocket, setting it next to the crystal orb. "The de-aging potion is completed and so is the scar-diminishing serum."

"The blood ritual?" Pansy spoke up, her voice raspy. "Were you able to complete it?"

Severus swallowed again and nodded. "It wasn't easy, but it's finished."

The three became quiet as they stared at the items on the table in front of them. Severus stared at it with regret and forlorn; Pansy seemed curious even through her swollen eyes and Hermione glared at the items as if they had personally offended her.

Everything was completed. It was time to go.

Looking away, Hermione turned her attention back to the window, gazing at the moon. She felt the trickle of tears at the corner of her eyes, causing her vision to blur. She hadn't cried in so very long but this pain in her chest, the ache that was finally there after so many years of feeling nothing caused her to sharply inhale as she let a sob escape her lips.

This was it.

Memories, so very good memories of her, Harry and Ron came to the forefront of her mind; sneaking around the castle at night avoiding Filch and his damned cat; their laughter filling the common room in Gryffindor tower as they sat with their friends; lecturing Ron about his lack of table manners; lecturing Harry about his lack of studying for their OWLs and NEWTs.

Memories of Christmas spent at the burrow with the Weasley's; girl-talk with Ginny about boys at Hogwarts; Fred and George with their pranks and laughter; Bill and Fleur's wedding before the Death Eater attack; Neville and his love for plants; even Luna and her witty remarks; dancing with Harry while on the run— it all came rushing back as she tried to control her breathing.

It would be different this time around, Hermione was going to make sure of it. As much as it pained her knowing she wouldn't be a part of their world, she would give them exactly what they didn't grow up having; a happy home with family and friends without ever worrying about being chased and killed by a madman. She was going to give them a future where all they had to worry about were winning the Quidditch cup and dating and eating and laughing, things normal teenagers went through growing up. She loved them so much to give them that, a happy life without imposing danger.

Feeling heavy arms on either of her shoulders, Hermione glanced up, another sob torn from her throat as Severus slowly wrapped his arms around her, bringing Pansy into the hug as well.

Pansy was crying into her neck as she tightened her hold on her, no doubt thinking about her friends and family that she lost; Severus' shoulders were shaking as he held onto them both, knowing what was to come and wishing there was another way.

The three held on tightly as they cried together, knowing this would be the last time they had with each other. Ten years with Severus having her back, like she had his, as they fought for their lives to survive; eight year with Pansy as she worried for their sanity, made sure they ate while planning their mission and slept and were well rested before they left to gather supplies.

Everything was going to change now and, in that moment, she felt lost and broken. But she wouldn't give up now. She and Pansy had a mission to complete and she was going to give it all she got.

Severus cleared his throat as he slowly pulled away, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly as he reached for Pansy and squeezed hers.

"It is time," he rasped, not even bothering to hide the pain in his eyes or dry the tears on his cheeks.

Severus glided to the other side of the table and grabbed the de-aging potion and the scar-diminishing serum and quickly shoved them into his robes. Hesitantly, he grabbed the crystal orb and held it carefully in the crook of his left arm.

"I am so sorry," Severus murmured, clearing his throat. "If there were any other way, I would take it in a heartbeat if it meant to save you both."

"We know, Sev," Pansy assured, squeezing Hermione's hand, "but if we want a future, a happy future full of love and peace, for our friends and our family, for the world, I'm willing to take the risk," she gave a small smile that didn't reach her eyes at Hermione and turned it on Severus, tears glistening in her eyes, "for you," she whispered, "and for us."

Severus nodded slowly, turning to Hermione, "remember your promise and the plan."

"I will," Hermione swore, glancing away from her raven-haired friend.

"What plan?" Pansy asked, slightly taken back that they had kept a secret from her. "Promise? What're you two on about?"

"It's nothing, Pans, don't worry about it, okay?" Hermione said gently, patting her shoulder."

"But—"

"It's time," Severus interrupted, walking to the middle of the room. "Come."

Leading Pansy toward Severus, Hermione took his hand that was held out for her and holding onto it tightly.

Glancing around the room once more, Hermione pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. She hated Grimmauld Place but she would admit, if only to herself, that she would miss it. It had been her home for such a long time. Staring at the fireplace, she smiled as one last memory came to the forefront of her mind.

"Still here, 'Mione? Goodness, take a break, will you?"

Chuckling softly, Hermione shook her head as the black-haired boy settled beside her. "You know I can't, Harry, this is important and if we don't—"

"Pass our NEWTs then how will we get jobs at the ministry and change Wizarding Britain for a fairer world," Harry continued her tirade with a roll of his eyes. "I know, I know, but it's so depressing up here!"

"What's depressing?"

Hermione sighed as she closed her book, narrowing her eyes at the red-head who stood by the door with a plate of treacle tarts. "Unless you're going to share those, Ronald Weasley, I suggest you leave. There's no eating in the library."

"Well, lucky thing I wasn't, yeah?" He retorted with a scoff, "I'll see you guys downstairs."

"Ronald!" Hermione shrieked, laughing as she stood from the sofa, reaching for a treacle tart, knowing how much she loved them, especially if Molly baked them. He knew this, the git!

He laughed, "I don't think so, 'Mione! I'm pretty hungry and these are the last of it!"

She continued to reach for a treacle tart, laughing as Ron kept sidestepping around her, dangling the treat in front of her as he roared with laughter, shoving the tart into his mouth.

Harry swooped her from behind and spun her around as he sat her on the couch, tickling her abdomen.

"Harry, Harry— stop, stop!" She guffawed uncontrollably. "Okay, okay!" She shouted uselessly as he continued to attack her, his fingers digging into her sides. "We won't study! I promise!"

"It unhealthy to study on Christmas anyway, 'Mione, blimey," he chortled with triumph and sat beside her.

Ron shook his head, taking the other seat next to her as the three readjusted themselves on the couch.

Hermione sighed, laying her head on Ron's shoulder, enjoying the smell of freshly mown grass, spearmint toothpaste and new parchment. She deeply inhaled, feeling content and happy.

"Happy Christmas, guys," Harry announced, breaking the silence as he threw his arm over the couch, his fingers curling around Hermione's shoulder.

"Happy—" Ron shoved a treacle tart into her mouth and Hermione sputtered, chewing the baked goods while glaring at her red-headed friend.

He barked out a laugh, smiling as he shoved one into his own mouth, "Happy Christmas!" He said around his food, causing Hermione to grimace as she swallowed.

"Ron! Do not—"

Harry reached over her and grabbed a tart on the plate and swiftly shoved it into her mouth. Her glare turned on the black-haired boy as she shoved his shoulder.

"Don't ruin the moment by lecturing us, 'Mione," Harry told her, his emerald eyes glistening with mischief.

Sighing, she chewed her dessert and harrumphed as she swallowed the yummy goodness slowly, her head back on Ron's shoulder.

"Besides," Ron spoke up, shoving another tart into his mouth, "it's Christmas."

Closing her eyes, she settled herself between her two best friends and sighed happily.

"Happy Christmas." She whispered contentedly.

Softly chuckling as Hermione continued to stare at the sofa in front of the fireplace, she hadn't known tears were freely falling down her cheek, a small smile on her face. It was such a dark time, even then, and they were still able to find happiness together.

"I'll make it better," she whispered under her breath, her eyes unfocused yet still glued on the couch, "I promise."

Turning her attention back to her companions, she smiled, wiping at her tears as they gave her the time to compose herself. Severus knew the memories she had in Grimmauld Place and nodded his head in understanding.

"Happy Christmas," Pansy murmured, wiping away tears of her own.

Hermione turned to her friend, a tear slowly tracking down her cheek as she smiled at her. "Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas," Severus murmured as well before throwing the crystal orb onto the ground, without a moments hesitation, the glass shattering between them as the purple smoke engulfed them all.

The room began to spin and Hermione held on tightly to Severus and Pansy as the world she knew fell away and darkness took over.

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Second chapter! Whoop, whoop! Let me know what you think?

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See y'all next Monday!