Severus' eyes popped open. He looked around, terror gripping his heart. The last thing he remembered he was laying in a pool of his own blood, pain tearing through his body, as he looked into Harry Potter's eyes and gave the brat his memories. Now he was clean, pain free, and alone in the shack. Looking down, he took in the lack of blood before realizing it was light out. The Dark Lord had set that blasted snake on him at night. How long had he been asleep for? And where was all the blood? Had he survived and Potter just left him here to rot? While he could believe that Potter and Weasley would do that, he couldn't imagine Ms. Granger doing it. Damn Gryffindor had a bleeding heart.

He thought he was a dead man; no one survives an attack from Nagini. He thought he heard footsteps coming. Or was it just noises from the old shack? Was someone coming to take him to Azkaban? Or were they coming to verify he was dead and finish the job Voldemort started?

Suddenly, the door to the room was blast open and he jumped to his feet. Glaring, he saw Hermione Granger and Kingsley Shacklebolt walk in. Severus took in their appearance as they stood there, staring at him. How is it that they are both so clean? Hermione was an emaciated, dirty thing last time I saw her. Wasn't that only a few seconds ago? I swear she looks older too. Kingsley looks the same though. What is going on?

"Hello, Severus," Kingsley said, his deep voice cut through his musing. "You must have a lot of questions."

Severus nodded to Kingsley at his greeting. "I do. Is the battle over? Are you taking me to Azkaban?"

"There are a great many things that have happened since I last saw you," Kingsley said. "First, you are not going to Azkaban. Why don't we go get tea and we can tell you all about it."

"How about you tell me now?" Severus said, giving him a hard stare. "Last thing I remember, you and your band of misfits broke into Hogwarts and tried to kill me. Or do you not remember McGonagall saying that?"

"Damn, I forgot about that" Hermione started as the two men turned to her. Oops. I thought I said that in my head. "Hello, Professor Snape."

"Ms. Granger, either tell me what is going on, or kindly shut your mouth," Severus snapped. He didn't have time for niceties. He needed to know what was going on.

Hermione gave Kingsley a look that Severus couldn't decipher before turning back to him. Hermione was half amused, and half terrified of the man, if she was being honest with herself. How many times had she wished he survived the war? And now he was in front of her, alive and (from what she would tell) well. It seemed even death couldn't make him nicer though.

"I will tell you everything, Professor, but we can't talk about it here," Hermione said. "This building isn't secure."

Hermione wanted them to get out of the shack as soon as possible. What if someone had noticed the Minister and her running into the shack? The press could be here at any moment.

"Severus, would you mind if we went to a safe location?" Kingsley asked. "Hermione and I will give you a wand oath to settle your mind about us attacking you or taking you to Azkaban."

Severus thought it over. He realized he still had his wand on him, he could feel it in his arm holster where it always was. He was confident he could take these two in a dual if he had to. Obviously, something was going on, and as much as he didn't want to, he trusted the two people before him. Ms. Granger may be a pain in his arse, but she was as honest and loyal as a Hufflepuff. And Kingsley was a Hufflepuff and had always supported him during Order meetings.

"Fine. I want the oath." Better safe than having to kill them.

After they gave their oaths, magic swirling around all of them as it took, Kingsley spoke. "Hermione, it isn't safe for him to be seen in the magical community. You live in the Muggle world, can we go to your house?"

Just what I want, an irate Snape in my house. I may be in the Muggle world, but Kingsley's place is Secret-Kept, just like mine. It is not like anyone we don't trust can get in there. I bet Kings hasn't cleaned his house and that is why we can't go there.

"Of course," she replied.

"Perfect. I have to go back to the Ministry and have my secretary clear my schedule. I will meet you there in a few minutes."

Turning towards Professor Snape, she gave him a tentative smile. "I will have to take you by side-along Apparation, sir. Would you allow me to?"

Severus hesitated, he hated giving up control. Did he really trust an eighteen year old girl to not splinch him? He looked down as she stretched her hand out to him. "If you splinch me, I will hex you."

Hermione chuckled. "I haven't splinched anyone in seven years." At his raised eyebrow she continued, "I promise to be extra careful, sir."

With a deep sigh, he took her hand. "You better be."


A/N:

Happy Birthday to our favourite snarky professor!