The memorial ceremony and ball had been postponed once word got out that Severus was either missing or possibly killed. Despite the outcome of things not looking very good, the Aurors and many others put forth a valiant effort into finding him and at least having some kind of answer. Hermione assisted them all the first couple days of searching, but as the days went on, she found herself losing hope. After weeks of searching both with the Aurors and sometimes on her own, Hermione had no luck and not a trace of Severus was shown anywhere. Physically and mentally exhausted from the countless hours of traveling and searching, she retreated to the room she had at Godric's Hollow, spending most of the days cooped up in it, keeping to herself and barely speaking to anyone. Harry and Angelina had made several attempts over the course of the week to try and have her come out or join them for daily meals, but she resorted to eating her meals alone.

Harry reached out to Ginny one day, asking her to come over to see if she could get Hermione to talk to her. Hermione had always gotten along with Angelina well, but she was nowhere near as close with her as she was with Ginny.

Ginny arrived later that day, making her way up the stairs. She knocked on the door lightly.

"I told you I'm not hungry, Harry…I'll eat later." She heard Hermione speak from the other side of the door.

"Hermione? It's me, Ginny."

There was a moment of silence, and shortly after she could hear Hermione shuffling around and approaching the door. She opened the door a crack, peeking out with one eye.

"Ginny? What are you doing here?"

"Harry reached out and told me to come talk to you. May I come in?"

"I look ghastly…"

"As if I care? Let me in, please?"

Hermione hesitated briefly before slowly opening the door and allowing her in. Ginny immediately pulled her into a tight hug, and the gesture caused Hermione to start crying.

"I'm sorry, Ginny. I know you and your family have a lot going on right now…there's no reason you should be here consoling me."

"Hermione, we're all going through a difficult time right now, but there's no reason you should be spending all your time here all alone. You have a lot of people that care about you very much. We need to lean on each other in the moments to come."

"I was falling for him, Ginny. You probably think I'm mad."

"Not at all. What would you say if I told you I've been conversing with Blaise Zabini?"

Hermione's eyebrows rose. "Blaise? You used to give him all kinds of shit about Quidditch over the years. How did this come about?"

"He came to my aid during the battle. His allegiance wasn't at all what we thought it was. He was against all of the pure blood anarchy. That's why he mainly stayed so quiet. He's one of the reasons I'm still alive. After the battle and everything was cleaned up, we just continued to talk and have been ever since, and it's developed into somewhat of a relationship."

Hermione was surprised, but wasn't at all against it. Since things didn't work out between Ginny and Harry, she was happy that Ginny had found someone else.

"That's great, Ginny! I'm happy for you, and I truly hope all goes well." Hermione replied with a smile.

"Thanks, Hermione. They're having the memorial tomorrow. Are you still going to attend?"

The memorial hadn't even come across Hermione's mind in the last several days.

I have to go…it's what's right…

"Yes, I'm going. I can't miss that."

Ginny nodded her head. "Good. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Try to get some rest, and get some food in your stomach as well. Harry says you haven't eaten much."

"I'll certainly try. Thanks, Ginny," Hermione replied, pulling her friend into another hug.

They held onto each other for a while, but Ginny eventually pulled away, giving her friend one last reassuring smile and encouraging words that everything would be okay the following day before leaving.

Hermione eventually found her appetite and ate a little before going to sleep early. She had been in her room for several days, but she had barely slept in that timeframe. She had mainly lay awake, staring up at the ceiling, and eventually crying herself to exhaustion and eventual sleep.

Tonight was the first night she was able to get herself a good night's rest without tears. She took a Dreamless Sleep draught to keep away all of the negative dreams she had been having.

—-

The following day there were hundreds of witches and wizards gathered at Hogwarts Castle. They had set up an area outside for the ceremony, with designated seats in the front for the people being honoured that day, and another row of empty seats showing pictures of the fallen that they were remembering.

Hermione arrived with Harry, Ron, Ginny and Angelina, making their way to the seats that were designated for them. They walked past the empty row of seats, and Hermione felt a lump form in her throat when she saw Severus' portrait amongst them. She turned her head away quickly and continued to walk, knowing if she looked any longer, she was sure to break down crying.

Kingsley led the ceremony. Each member of the order was called forth to come up and receive their medal, and the crowd would erupt into applause as each person walked up to the elevated area where Kingsley stood. He placed the medal around their necks, and one by one, they all gave a smile and humble nod of appreciation towards the crowd that cheered for them.

After Harry was the last to come up and receive, the demeanour of the crowd changed immediately as Kingsley began to read off the names of those they had lost. There were scatterings of sniffles and sobs as he spoke briefly about each one and their valiant efforts to put an end to Voldemort and his followers.

"And lastly, I would like to acknowledge Severus Snape."

The area grew silent, save for the low rumble of thunder in the distance.

"Severus did not lose his life in the battle of Hogwarts, but we did, unfortunately, lose this great and powerful man recently. Severus' work as a double agent with the Order and with Voldemort were essential in us being successful in our efforts. It is thanks to him that many of us are still here today, and Voldemort is no more."

Hermione bowed her head, trying so hard not to allow the sob to escape her lips. She could feel the sprinkle of rain start to come down, and soon enough a heavy rain came down upon them. With the noise of the crowd and the heavy rainfall, Hermione allowed herself to let go, allowing the streams of tears to cascade down her face, and let the uncontrollable sob escape her lips.

Kingsley cast Sonorous, addressing the crowd before him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please make your way into the Great Hall! We can resume our memorial there, and everyone can then get themselves cleaned up and ready for dinner and the ball this evening.

The crowd of people began to stand, making their way into the castle. Harry began to stand and walk, pausing when he realized that Hermione hadn't stood. He turned and saw that she was hunched over with her head in her hands, her shoulders moving up and down with each sob. He went over to her, crouching down in front of her.

"Hermione!" he said over the noise of the crowd. Hermione lifted her head from her hands, her eyes puffy and red.

"C'mon, 'Mione! Let's get you out of this rain."

Hermione sat for a moment before giving him a nod and standing. He stood up with her, pulling his best friend into a tight hug.

"It will be okay, Hermione. You're going to be okay."

Hermione didn't want to pull away from his hug. She could have cared less about the fact she was standing in the pouring rain, drenched from head to toe.

"Hermione!" She heard a low voice call out amongst the noise of the dispersing crowd and the sounds of the rain. An all too familiar voice. Hermione froze, pulling away from her hug with Harry as she met Harry's eyes. Harry had glanced over her shoulder, and his own eyes went wide.

Harry's reaction caused Hermione to slowly turn. Eventually, the tall, stoic figure of Severus Snape came into view past the crowd of people. Her knees buckled ever so slightly, almost making her lose her balance, but thankfully Harry caught her before her legs completely gave out. She corrected herself, her lip beginning to quiver once more and tears streaming down her face once again.

Hermione felt her legs drawing her forward, moving her way through the crowd, who all began to turn and realize in shock who she was moving towards. Her legs picked up speed, and soon she was through the crowd,heading towards Severus at full speed.

"You're here," Hermione stammered, running to him through the stinging rain. She threw her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder. The force of her hug nearly caused him to lose his balance and fall backwards, but he braced himself, enveloping his arms and black cloak around her small frame.

"You're alive and you're here!" she cried out in a sob. The crowd watched in stunned silence as he returned her embrace.

Severus pulled her closer to him, not a care in the world who was watching. He contemplated his escape, and how he was able to get away from them so quickly. After an error on Lucius' right hand man's part, Severus gained the upper hand and escaped. He stayed in hiding for that period of time during the search for him, for fear that they would come after Hermione at any given point. Once he found that his and her safety were guaranteed, detained the last of them for the time being, content in the knowledge they wouldn't escape before he was able to come here to the castle and inform Harry and the other Aurors where he had kept them.

He was finally able to see Hermione again, and finally able to express all of the affection for her that he had been wanting to for all of this time.

"I'm here, Hermione. I'm here." He murmured into her ear in a soft and loving whisper.

Hermione started to uncontrollably sob at those words. This whole time she had thought the man she had grown to love had been dead and she hadn't been able to do anything about it, yet here he was. Alive, and here for her.

They held each other for what felt like hours in a comfortable silence, the cold and heavy rain not even putting a damper on their emotional reunion. She pulled away from their embrace, smiling up at him with love, and he gazed down at her with the faintest smile on his face, his eyes exuding an equal amount of love.

"I love you," Hermione whispered.

"And I you."

Hermione smiled even wider.

She braced herself on her toes and inclined her neck. Severus leaned his head forward, meeting her in the middle and bringing their lips together in an intense and passionate kiss. The love and affection that had been building up inside of them after all this time radiating from that first kiss. They were finally able to express themselves to each other.

"Don't ever let me think I lost you again, Severus Snape. My heart can't take it."

"Don't worry, Hermione, I won't be going anywhere without you."