Chapter 42

(Riddle's Death)

It was bloody freezing. Except it wasn't corporeal.

But she was damn cold mentally.

The reason why was because she was inside his psyche. It was cold here. Full of obscure corners that reeked of death. Something was wrong. She had to get out. She had brought the fire inside but that had only been his physical body. His mind was a whole other thing. She couldn't move since she didn't have a body. Yet, she had a feeling that she was wading through his mind a snail's pace. Her blood nor her body held power here.

"You're right. It's different here because he isn't human. Neither are you. You might never be fully human. Too much time has passed. We were together for far longer...Things won't ever be the same."

"Will I remember this? This conversation? This place?"

"Maybe. The mind is a vast and strange thing. You might remember something or nothing at all. The mind protects itself when the unknown comes into contact with it. But then again, you're mind has always been different. So, I don't have the answer you seek."

That strangely made sense. "How do I get out of here?"

"When you kill the last part of his soul. Or I can help you with it but it will be the last time we ever have any sort of contact. The last of me will take his soul as a prize and when I die naturally he will die as well."

"But isn't that a reward? To not die right away?"

"Ahh...that is something a human would worry about. No, it won't be a reward. He will relieve every kill as the victim until the end. But it is not up to us to judge him. No matter how much we think he deserves it."

Hermione didn't want to think of the afterlife. She had never thought of it but now faced with it…

The Sphinx was right. To play such a role towards somebody like that...she didn't want it. She just wanted to get rid of him so that the rest of the world wouldn't suffer anymore. She searched the darkness of his mind and thought she heard something like a snake hissing. She looked and looked for what felt like hours. It probably was only a minute or two but it still felt like forever.

Seeking something she wasn't sure she wanted to find was a lot harder than knowing what lay ahead. But with the Sphinx with her, it was easy to deal with it. She hissed as something burned in her own mind.

It reminded her that she still wielded the fire and needed to deal with it soon.

"It lays at your feet, Hermione."

What? She looked down and gasped. Something short like a toddler lay at her. It was coiled up with its spine sticking out. The head was disfigured. Indented in a way that guaranteed the skull was hollow. It shivered with keening vibrations. She shuddered as something squirmed out of its chest where a large hole was. The hole should have contained its heart but instead something black was creeping out. She would have screamed as the thing wiggled.

The scream did build up then as she continued to stare. She choked and gasped out, "What is that?"

She couldn't help the dread from shadowing her voice. She wanted to look away but feared it would move towards her if she did.

"It's his heart. It's rotting. It's the last of his soul transforming into another second body."

Hermione reached for her wand but she didn't have it here. The Sphinx's voice filled the place, bring the thing to a standstill.

"Do you wish for me to take it?"

"A part of me wants to just kill it. But another bigger part wants it to suffer because a lot of lives have been lost because of it."

"Then this is goodbye, my friend."

Hermione found herself reluctant to say goodbye. But she also didn't want to stay inside Riddle's mind. She closed her eyes.

"I don't want to say goodbye."

"We'll meet again someday. Maybe not in our current bodies but then again they are just vessels for our souls. Goodbye, Hermione Granger."

o0o

(Present time)

Hermione sat between Adrian and Severus on the couch in the living room. She told them about her time in Riddle's mind.

She had woken up with some if not all of the encounter intact. She shuddered along with Adrian when she went over the part of the creature in the chest. Zeph made a face while Dimitry and Severus shared a look. She tucked her feet under Adrian's arms and laid back against Severus.

"I know why I slept so long as well. Even as we speak, I'm getting stronger. My muscles don't feel as weak. When I healed Adrian, I gave him what little I had left of the Sphinx's power. Which had always laid in my blood. If I tried doing something like now it wouldn't do anything but make things bloody."

"But you aren't fully human?" Dimitry bid as he wrapped an arm around Zeph.

"No. I spent too long entangled with the Sphinx to ever be but time will tell how different I am."

Zeph spoke up next and she actually gazed at Severus for this one even as she asked Hermione outright. "Do you plan on having children? It will probably be passed on to any children you have."

That was actually something to think about. Hermione picked at her dress and shrugged. "We might have some. But there hasn't really been time to actually think it through. When it does happen, we'll know."

Adrian tapped her knee. "We need to tell the others you're awake. They demanded to know even if it was the middle of the night. Which it is. Potter has been crawling up the walls asking for you every day."

"Let me get my shoes. It's best to go to Hogwarts and discuss things there. Where are the others?"

"Xeno went back to his house since he's been busy with the newspaper. Narcissa and Draco have gone to the states for Draco to finish school away from all this. He left a letter for you. The twins are back in school. They'll finish the school year to appease their parents. Not that they'll be actually finishing it but that's their story to tell. Amelia has Percy with her. The Order has disbanded. They lost trust in Dumbledore and saw no reason to stay together," Severus answered, his fingers playing with her short hair.

"Charlie went back to Romania. He plans to come back eventually to settle here. He also left you something. Sirius is actually finding a place to move into with a lot of space."

"Bigger place?" she inquired.

"He plans to live with Remus and Harry plus the twins. So he's looking for a house. A large one."

That was something.

Severus stirred and pulled her closer. "Your parents have gone back to France to bring back their stuff. They should be back in a day or two. Your father almost didn't go back but we advised against your mother going alone since we're still not sure about their safety. Heidi and Gabriel are helping Remus and Sirius since they want to get a place close to Sirius so they have been house hunting too. They have bunked with them for the last couple of nights."

Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. "So Dumbledore left? Why do I get a feeling he won't stay away."

"Because he gave in too easily. But Amelia warned him already. If he so much as raises a finger against you…" Dimitry didn't have to finish. She knew what threat had been given.

It was one thing to respectfully retire and another to be sent to Azkaban.

"He will probably try something. Maybe not today. Or tomorrow. But soon. And it might not be an actual attack. He doesn't work that way." Severus muttered.

He was right. Albus Dumbledore hadn't been satisfied with the outcome.

But Hemione wasn't worried.

"What of Mad-Eye?"

"Same as Dumbledore. Except that he made his troubles obvious. He stands with Dumbledore. He also made not so nice comments about your affiliation with former Death Eaters."

"Ahh...yes. For some reason, seeing me with you all makes people think the most improper thoughts. I wonder why."

Zeph chuckled, eyes dancing with open humor. "Maybe because they are so handsome?"

Dimitry scowled. "I'm the only handsome one around. Severus looks like Dragon dung and Aiden is a pale imitation. Marcus isn't even on the scale."

Something flashed across the room and Dimitry yelped.

Hermione burst out laughing. "That should show you. Leave my man alone. My brother is actually a better copy. Or at least Marcus thinks so."

"Hermione!" Adrian's voice was full of astonishment. Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Are we never going to address the elephant in the room?"

"He got that aspect from me," Dimitry said proudly.

"Father!"

"Well, you did. Ask your mother."

"Dimitry!"

o0o

Hogwarts

"Hermione," Minerva whispered into her ear.

Hermione grinned and hugged her back.

They stood in what used to be Dumbledore's office. It looked the same except for the missing Fawks. Hermione had arrived with Adrian and Severus in tow. She stepped back and looked over to the portrait that held Lady Phyllida Spore. The woman who had helped her.

She walked over to it and smiled as the others continued talking behind her.

"Lady Spore."

"Hermione, dear, you look well. Many were worried about you these past few weeks."

"I know. That's why I'm here. But I'm also here to thank you in person."

"There is no need for it. The outcome is thanks enough."

"Nevertheless, thank you for leading me to where I am now."

"I pointed you in the right direction. But you did all the work. Now rest and live, child."

Hermione smiled. "I will."

The door to the office opened and Hermione turned to see Harry. He wasn't alone. He had Ron and Neville with him. Harry left them and ran to her. She already had her arms opened and welcomed him with just as much enthusiasm. He shuddered once in her grasp and she patted the back of his neck as she kissed his cheek.

"I'm okay, Harry. Truly."

"But I'm not so please just hold on for a bit longer."

So she held him for quite a long time. Enough that she had to talk to Ron and Neville while she held him. Severus didn't even bat an eye at it. He knew the desperation that gripped Harry.

That didn't mean he had to like it.

Hermione kept up with the conversation as Ron explained everything that had happened since the day of the battle. Not many of them had been injured like Harry had been but they had seen what had happened to those that had died by the Centaurs. Many still couldn't sleep after seeing that.

Harry finally let go of her and the others ignored the red eyes. She brushed her fingers across his face and smiled gently.

"Are you feeling better now?"

He nodded and tried to smile back. "It's been hard being here and not being able to be with you. Are you sure you won't come back."

At that, the others turned to look at her. Hermione sighed. "It would feel wrong. I'm not even the right age anymore. I'm not who I was years ago. Plus, I could sit the tests without much effort. I rather not."

Minerva nodded. "I already spoke with Amelia and the school board. Many are trying to get back on Amelia's good side so they agreed without a fight. You'll graduate with full marks this year."

The marks weren't important to her anymore. They hadn't for a long time.

The door opened once again and this time it was the twins. Hermione went through all the hugs once more and finally was able to tell fill them all in on what had happened thus far. By the time she was done, the sun had already begun to show through the large windows behind the desk.

Breakfast would be served soon so they all headed down. That's when she learned about the twin's plans for the upcoming year.

"We plan to open a joint store with Remus and Sirius. They liked our idea but they also wanted to try their own thing. We have two others that want in on it all but not until they graduate. Remus wants to offer a place to read and have a cup while Sirius wants to open a dueling room. I'm not sure how that's going to work out yet but it sounds exciting."

"Who are the other two interested in all of this." She could already guess who.

"Malfoy wants in on what Sirius is going to do while Nott is more interested in Remus's idea. They both already invested their money in it. We just need to speed through the rest of the year and we're good to go."

That all did sound quite exciting.

They arrived at Breakfast soon enough and Hermione spent her time answering questions left and right. Through it all, she noticed the looks she received. Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he let her to the Gryffindor table. Severus followed close behind.

Many students were still making their way to the Great Hall for Breakfast so Severus took the time to talk to the other professors. They had only briefly spoken to Minerva about his position at the school but he had made it clear that he wasn't coming back to teach.

For now, Gabriel was going to teach in his position.

That was hilarious to think about. Gabe had actually like being at Hogwarts and Minerva had already spoken to the school board about it. He would begin teaching in a few days once they got things settled. Hermione smiled at Ginny and sat down for the last time with her old school mates.

Many asked questions and she knew word would begin to spread to the Wizardly World soon. They asked about her obvious aged appearance. Something she didn't and wouldn't hide anymore. Others asked about Harry's involvement. When Theo and Luna joined them, many stared. It only grew worse when Daphne Greengrass joined them. The blond chose to sit right by Harry who went scarlet at being signaled out. Susan Bones passed by them and waved at Hermione.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that their jaws dropped when Adrian came back from his search of Marcus and hugged her briefly before stepping aside to let Marcus pull her off her seat.

The touch, both mental and physical calmed her racing mind as she realized that he was the third person she was still linked to. She showered his stressed mind with affection. He buried his head in her neck and stood silently with her in his arms as people regarded them. He finally sat her back down when she felt his emotions settle into their normal rhythm.

Ignoring the looks, Marcus brushed her hair back.

"We'll head back first. Adrian has to meet Amelia and I have to meet with Kingsley."

Why...oh. "When did you make that decision?"

"Last week. I've been thinking about it for quite a while but I think that's what I want to."

"Just an excuse to be near Adrian, uh?"

Marcus gave her a deadpan stare. She grinned and waved him off. Adrian ruffled her hair and followed his…

Her attention was grabbed by Seamus when he choked. "Aren't you with...you know."

Hermione kept her face blank as she shared the question with Severus.

"What exactly aren't you asking, Seamus?"

"Well," he nervously looked at his mates and glanced at the Head Table quickly before meeting her eyes once more. "Aren't you with HIM."

None of the others had asked her outright. She had expected that. But she watched now as the others shot him nervous looks.

Hermione suddenly smiled her most sinful smile yet and casually snapped her fingers.

"Severus, Seamus wants to know something. Can you come here, love."

Silence. None of the tables uttered a word. The only ones not reacting were the idiots suppressing their laughs. Theo held Luna with one arm as she grinned mischievously at Hermione. The twins were smirking even as they demolished their food. Ron was red in the face as he played with his spoon. Harry was too busy making eyes at Daphne to notice. Neville was hunched forward but only because he was trying not to laugh. Adalene was eating her oats but cast a glance everywhere all at once.

Severus shared his dark amusement with her through their link but outwardly turned to face their table. He excused himself without so much as a backward glance as he walked towards her. His steps echoed across the Great hall. Hermione suppressed a shiver of awareness as he neared. She had never really taken the time to see him. Not like this. His walk was so...powerful? His robes drew attention to his body in a way she hadn't really ever looked at before.

She suddenly wanted to be alone back in their room to explore this new...awakening. He was now close enough for her to see the same need echoing in his eyes. She swallowed hard and stood up as he came to a standstill in front of her. He gazed down at her, making sure to stare at her lips briefly before meeting her eyes once again.

"What would that be, Miss Granger?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Miss Granger? I suppose that's true enough. Now. But it will soon change, no?"

Severus reached for her hand, gently touching her fingers one by one. "There wouldn't be any question as to who you belong to if you stopped hiding the evidence."

She had forgotten about the concealment charms on the engagement ring. He didn't wait for her to take them off. He did it with a wave of his hand and suddenly the dark diamond appeared. The gasps around them began to turn into loud whispers.

"She's going to MARRY him?"

"Granger is going to be a Snape!"

"That's such a pretty ring."

"What in the bloody hell…"

Hermione smiled slyly. "I guess that answers that."

"It was never in question, my love."

o0o

Ministry

Hermione stared out the window that overlooked the Atrium as Amelia talked. They had arrived not long after eating breakfast. Percy and shed a tear or two after seeing her and Amelia had smiled warmly in welcome. Adrian had slipped out with Marcus while Severus had stepped out to talk to Kinglsey.

She nodded when Percy asked something but otherwise didn't interrupt. They briefed her on other things but they all knew she had no interest in Ministry work.

"What do you plan do to now?" Amelia asked as she sat down behind her desk. Hermione turned to lean back against the window seal.

"Aside from getting married? Nothing else. I'm not actually sure if we even plan to stay here."

Percy snapped to attention. "You would leave the country? Where would you go? Why?"

"There is so much I want to do. But nothing really holds me here. Aside from friends and family that is. We might come back and settle here but I think we just need to go away and be on our own."

Amelia nodded. "You both have given so much to the cause that it's easy to forget how long you've both put your lives on hold. But I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't ask you to reconsider the position I offered before. But if you want any other position…"

Hermione laughed. "I'm fine as I am now, Amelia. I might call upon the favor one day but that won't be anytime soon," she pulled away from the wall and reached the armchair that had her coat. "But I expect to see you both at the wedding."

"Now that's something I want to see," Percy commented dryly as he stood up to escort her out.

"I think many want to see it happen as well," Amelia replied a she went back to her work.

o0o

Villa

The cold wind pulled her hair as she stared out onto the front yard of the villa. The sun was just setting so the chill was bearable yet.

Hermione curled up further on the porch stair and waited for her father. She had already spoken to her mother who was now deep in talk with Zeph about dresses. Her father, on the other hand, was acting distant. He had barely eaten dinner and she knew he had wanted to get her alone. Severus had left her alone seconds ago to bring her hot chocolate.

It was an excuse.

Charles Granger wasn't one to miss such an opportunity. He was at her side in the next minute. He sat down and reached for her hand. Sometimes words weren't needed to express emotion. But sometimes those emotions became too much to bear so they needed an outlet. Her father squeezed her hand.

"You scared us, Hermione."

She didn't say anything. She knew that wasn't all he wanted to say. He proved her right in the next couple of seconds as he made a frustrated sound.

"I knew from the beginning that I might lose you. That you would probably get hurt many times or even die. But I was in denial. Your mother was the positive one. But during the night my mind would wander. It always came down to you. For you to be safe. To be with us far away from that monster and the people that needed you to help them. We were put in the back burner and I hated it."

Hermione made a soft sound and turned to him. "I know that I pushed you both away. I did it for selfish reasons. I wanted to know for sure that you both would make it. But it was the best choice. You wouldn't have liked the other choice."

"What would you have done?"

"Erasing me from your lives. I would have sent you both far away."

Silence. It took him minutes to absorb that tidbit of information. But he didn't grow angry. Just sad. So damn sad. Hermione saw his emotions as they flashed across his face so she drew him forward and kissed him on his cheek.

"I'm okay, dad. He protected me. I protected myself. I wasn't alone in this. I know it will take a long time for you to forgive me for everything I did but just know that it won't change how much I love you and mother."

He drew her into his arms and she felt him nod as he rested his chin on top of her head.

"Just don't get hurt like that again."

"Life is too unpredictable for such a promise. But believe me when I say that I just want a normal life now. No fighting. No wars to finish. No battles to fight. Just everyday life."

"I can live with that."

Over his shoulder, she saw her mother and Severus standing in front of the open doorway. She smiled and closed her eyes.

Normal was she would ever be from here on out.

As long as she had Severus at her side.

…...o0o0o0o0o0o0o…..

Short but necessary. More to come.

Str.Ego

Vanee