Severus had just returned from the Ministry, speaking with Kingsley in regards to a recent sighting of Death Eaters. He had entered through the Floo when he saw one of Hermione's letters sitting on the end table by his armchair. Severus smirked, crossing the room as he removed his cloak to pick it up.

How on Earth did it get in the house?

He removed the letter from the envelope, flipping it open and giving a small smile when he saw the familiar handwriting once again.

Severus,

I did it! I really, really did it! I restored my parents' memories with no complications whatsoever!

My parents certainly had countless questions that they bombarded me with, sound at all familiar, eh?

Familiar? Severus thought in his head. I know it all too well with your incessant questions over the last several weeks, you cheeky witch!

Once I was able to thoroughly explain to them what had been going on in our world, and why I did what I did, they understood. However, they aren't too keen on the fact that I altered their memories to make them want to go to Australia! My mother and father despise the kind of heat they're in right now.

I can't even begin to thank you enough for your advice, your writings, and your help over these last several weeks. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have my parents back.

It was your doing at the end of it all, Hermione. I merely helped you push forward just a tad...

I'm not sure if Harry or anyone else has made you aware, but they are planning a memorial ceremony in honour of those we lost in the battle as well as acknowledging the heroic actions of the members of the order and others as well. I plan to return in time for this, I do hope you choose to attend. As much as I'm not very keen on accepting an award for what I did, I still want to be there to honour and remember everyone we lost. Perhaps we can get together privately and chat a couple days before? I plan to return in just about a week.

Let me know what you think, and I look forward to hearing from you soon, Severus. I really can't wait to see you in person again.

Yours,

Hermione

Severus shared the same sentiments Hermione did in regards to the memorial. It didn't feel right, especially after all that Severus had done as a spy, to accept any kind of recognition, and it most definitely didn't feel right to have a ball afterwards, but perhaps he would make a very small exception for Hermione and attend.

I don't think us being so public with our feelings would be the greatest idea with some of those Death Eaters still roaming about...Damn those fools! They need to be captured and thrown into Azkaban before they try to harm more innocent witches and wizards.

Severus was relieved that Hermione was still using the special ink for all of their letters so he had to use the revealer in order to read them. He was more than positive that some of those on the run had been lurking around Spinners End and trying to intercept his letters to find out who he would be speaking to.

Severus swiftly replied to Hermione, congratulating her on her successes with the Obliviation reversal, but also making her aware of his suspicions, and telling her to err on the side of caution while she spent the remainder of her time in Melbourne. After Severus had gotten word of the capture Potter and the other Aurors had made of the Death Eaters in hiding over there, Severus grew more and more worried that one or some of them would try and get a hold of Hermione, showing no mercy on a Muggleborn like her.

Severus sent the owl on its way. He was just ready to retire for the evening when he felt a disturbance in the wards around Spinners End. He retrieved his wand, holding it defensively as he went outside to investigate.

The street outside was poorly lit. Severus cast Lumos, slowly bringing his wand around to inspect the area around his home.

As he rounded a corner, he came face to face with one of Voldemort's lingering followers. The scrawny and dirty looking man shot out a curse. Severus blocked it with barely a flick of the wrist, hurling the spell back at the man, who was no match for Severus' quickness. He was hurled backward, landing with a hard thud on the ground.

"Severus..." A familiar voice hissed.

Severus could see that platinum blonde hair standing out in the darkness of the night. His features looked haggard and tired, but he was exuding confidence with his words.

"You need to come with us. We have much to discuss with you..." The remainder of the conscious followers chuckled.

"To hell with you, Lucius!" Severus growled. "It's time for you and your friends to turn yourselves in."

"If you don't come along, we'll kill the Mudblood. We have men in Melbourne just waiting for the go ahead."

Severus froze. They knew about Hermione, and they knew where she was.

Fuck! Severus roared internally. I can't, I can't let them get to her...she is the one that needs to stay alive...not me. Hermione...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...

"Fine, I'll do what you wish," Severus said in defeat. "Just do her no harm, please. I'm the one you want, so please just leave her be."

"If you come with us, no harm will come to her."

Severus bowed his head. He took a step forward, allowing two men to bind his arms and Lucius to take his wand.

"Let us go, everyone. There is much we have to catch up on with our dear friend here."

Hermione had made it back safely a week later as she had said in her final letter to Severus. She had become eager to speak to him when she received his response a couple days later, when he stated he was concerned that there were Death Eaters nearby. He had mentioned an attempted attack at the Ministry on a day that Severus was supposed to be there for trial, but the date had been changed. He was more than convinced the attack was meant for him.

I really hope Harry, Ron, and the others can track down these ghastly wizards soon! Voldemort is gone. The people shouldn't have to worry, and neither should Severus! Ugh.

Hermione had made arrangements to stay with Harry and Angelina in Godric's Hollow until she was able to get situated in her own place. She had been debating whether or not she would return to Hogwarts for her final year, but she was told by Harry that certain people involved in the Battle of Hogwarts were given the option to take their N.E.W.T.S without having or repeating their seventh year. Hermione made the decision that she would take the test, no doubt confident she'd be able to pass with all O's.

She made it to Godric's Hollow and knocked, Harry being the one to open the door.

"Afternoon, 'Mione! I'm glad to see you made it back safely," Harry said with a smile.

"Thanks, Harry! The trip was just as exhausting as the trip there, but I'm too wired to sit down and rest just yet. I want to go speak with Severus."

"Ah! That's right. I'm supposed to bring him some ingredients he was needing for a brew he was working on. Angelina and I came across them on our way back from Australia when we took a short stop in Berlin. Mind if I come along?"

"Not at all."

"Brilliant. Let me go grab everything."

Harry returned just a moment later with a jar containing European Spindle.

"I wonder what he plans to brew using this?" Harry said.

"Dunno," Hermione replied. "Why don't you check that advanced potions book owned by the Half-Blood Prince?" she teased.

"Oh bugger off," Harry joked back.

"I can't believe it took me so long to see that it was the same writing in that book that was in those letters I had been receiving when we were on the run." Hermione said. "It was right in front of my face the whole time, and it wasn't until I saw him nearly taking his last breath that I put two and two together."

"I guess some things can slip past the brightest witch of her age, eh?" Harry said with a smirk, and Hermione smirked back.

They apparated to Spinner's End, and the moment they arrived, both of them knew something was amiss.

There were no wards in place around the home, and Severus' front door was ajar.

Hermione felt her stomach drop and her throat go dry. Harry and she withdrew their wands, slowly moving towards the home.

"Harry...when was the last you had seen or heard from him?"

"He was just at the Ministry last week speaking to Kingsley," Harry replied. "I didn't think anything of it because he typically keeps to himself like always."

They reached the doorway, and Hermione gasped when she saw the state of his home.

It had been ransacked, torn apart. The shelves in his living room were knocked to the floor, dozens and dozens of books were scattered about with pages ripped and laying across the room. Glass from the broken windows was in the mix of it all, and also on the furniture. Potions ingredients and vials were all over the place.

Hermione and Harry cautiously stepped inside, careful not to step on any glass or break anything else. Hermione glanced about the room and her eyes landed on a neatly folded piece of paper with the word 'Mudblood' written in red ink on the front.

Hermione stepped toward it, reaching out to pick it up.

"Careful, 'Mione," Harry warned. "Make sure there isn't some kind of curse on it first."

Hermione examined it carefully, uttering a spell that could detect any trace of a hex or curse.

"It seems like it's fine," she replied.

She picked it up, slowly unfolding the note and immediately noticing it was addressed to her.

Miss. Granger,

If you're reading this letter, that means you've now discovered the aftermath of a bit of a mishap here at Spinner's End.

You see, my friends and I have a lot of unfinished business to attend to with Severus, so he sacrificed himself for you and joined us so we could go about giving him what he properly deserves.

Such a noble man to give himself up so we would not hunt you down and kill you, but we've made an exception, thanks to your dear Severus.

I do apologise that we took him before you were able to say goodbye, but I was growing impatient. I've waited long enough to do what we've all been wanting to do to a traitor like him.

Don't bother looking for him, Mudblood. He'll be dead and disposed of before you can even find him.

Do take care, and be sure to tell your friends and everyone to stay alert, we aren't finished.

L.M.

Hermione dropped the letter and fell to her knees. The room around her began to spin, and her hearing went fuzzy. She could hear the muffled voice of Harry as he approached, picking up the letter and reading it himself, but Hermione was in such a state of shock she couldn't even make out what he said.

Hermione could feel the sob creep up her throat and escape from her lips. A loud, long and excruciating cry filled the room as Harry wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, allowing her to let herself sob into his chest.

I came too late. I came too late! Stupid, stupid Hermione! You should've taken his concern more seriously! And now he's going to let himself be killed for you!

Hermione screamed-an agonising sound that filled the room. She gripped at the front of Harry's shirt tightly.

" 'Mione…Hermione, takes some deep breaths," Harry said in a soft, soothing voice.

He repeated her name multiple times as she slowly composed herself.

Hermione looked up at Harry, her eyes and cheeks bright red from the tears. "It's my fault Harry…it's all my fault."

"It's not your fault Hermione, you couldn't have known. You can't assume that bastard Lucius is telling the truth. We'll find him, Hermione….we'll find him."

Hermione started to cry again as Harry pulled her close once more in a consoling embrace

Please….let us find him….