It was over. Voldemort lay a shell of ash at Harry's feet. He was shocked, not only because he had helped in destroying voldemort. But because Professor Snape had dealt the first blow.
He knelt next to his Godfather, he was unconscious and bloodied. Remus knelt beside him, "He will live," He said putting his hand on Harry's shoulder, "You had better go see if Ron is still in one piece.
Harry nodded and stood. He walked away from the growing crowd of Aurors. Of the one hundred that had been in the initial attack only forty remained. He saw Ron with hagrid.
******
"'arry yer all right?" Hagrid asked when he saw the young man.
He nodded, "I'm all right,"
"You look like you've seen a ghost," He said hugging Harry's shoulder.
Harry walked over to where he thought Snape had landed, "I don't think it was a ghost I saw," Ron walked beside him as Harry walked around the ruins.
Ron gasped when he saw the batter robe shrouded form, "Snape?"
Hagrid was next to them, "Professor Snape? We thought he were dead,"
"He hit Voldemort first, he weakened him, but was flung here. He saved me." Harry said as Hagrid knelt beside the figure, and scooped him up. "Is he still alive?"
"Barely. We're going to have to take him back to Hogwarts," Hagrid said as he walked away from the ruins and the Aurors.
"Why not St. Mungo's?" Ron asked as the found a secluded section of the field where they could disapperate.
"I don't think many of the Aurors could stand his presence, Ron." Harry replied, "Besides I don't think Snape could be anywhere were he didn't know where the potions came from," Hagrid nodded.
*********
Ron sat in his london flat he was writing a letter to hermione.
Mione,
It's over! Voldemort's dead. No doubt the Daily prophet will have the story. We lost most of the Aurors i'm glad you were there though. From what Harry told me it was Snape that dealt the blow that weakened Voldemort. I thought he was dead. We all thought he was dead. Harry hit him next then the Aurors.
But can you believe it? Snape survived two months only to lose again. Hagrid took him to Hogwarts. He needs a bloody miracle to survive. He was thrown thirty feet into a pile of bricks. almost every inch of him was bruised cut or broken. Maybe the Git did do something good with his life after all.
We are all okay. Sirius is a little rough right now he got his with the cruciatus hard, so did remus but not as bad. Harry's all right, he misses you terribly. Ginny Sends her love as do us all.
Always
Ron
"Here ya' go Pig," he gave the letter to his little owl, pigwidgeon, and opened the window for the owl.
*********
Two months later:
Severus sat in a high backed wheel chair. He sat by the large window in the infirmary. He still had bandages about his middle but his broken bones had been healed.
It was his mind that had yet to heal completely. He had nightmares, horrible dreams that haunted him every night.
Well Severus, he thought, you've faced your demons and lived. Maybe fate has some higher purpose for you anyways, he told himself, though i don't think passing your genes is high on that list. Maybe improving potions, perhaps find a cure for the phantom pains or improve on Remus' wolfbane potion?
"Ah, Severus," Albus strode into the room with Madam Pomfrey, "I see you are up,"
"Of course I am, I have been for the better part of a week."
"I told you he's getting his temper back, and with term starting in two weeks the sooner he gets out of here the sooner I will have peace of mind," Madam Pomfrey wasn't usually as straightforward, but she had grown rather tired of the man's snide remarks and criticism. She left in a huff and went to her office.
"Am I too assume that I finally get to return to my chambers. if they are still here." He didn't know if they had cleaned them out for the replacement teacher.
"They are still here, no one has disturbed them, apart from the house elves cleaning. It was Actually Miss Granger who insisted that we not do anything to your chambers until next term started."
"Why would that silly girl do that?"
"She had hope that you were still alive I'm sure." Albus smiled slightly, "She was the one figured out where Voldemort's keep was."
"Was she in the battle?" Severus couldn't remember seeing her there.
"No, She was taking the Auror exam that day,"
"Oh. Well can I return to my Chambers now? I must prepare for the coming term,"
"Very well Severus," Albus smiled before he turned and left.
*******
Hermione sat with her letter from the ministry. She had yet to open it. Crookshanks sat at her feet purring, He meowed. "All right you silly thing I'll open it."
She opened the parchment envelope and unfolded the letter.
Dear Miss Granger.
We regret to inform you that you have not adequately passed the temperament portion of your test. Your temperament was between wrathful and vengeful. The rest of the test was passing, but without passing the temperament portion you cannot be accepted into the advanced training. You may, however, try again in five years.
Signed
Gabriel Pembry
Head of Auror Testing and Training
She signed, "So much for that eh, Crookshanks? Shall we try again in five?" He meowed. "We could unless something else comes up."
She patted his head.
*******
Nearly four years later:
Hermione walked through her Diagon alley flat. Crookshanks followed at her heels. She walked into the kitchen to make herself some lunch.
Hermione heard the insistent tapping at her window and saw large gray owl sitting on the sill on her flats largest window.
"Oh," She said opening the window, "A letter?"
The owl hopped inside and dropped the letter on the table under the window. Hermione gave him a bit of biscuit, and opened the letter.
Dear Miss Granger,
We have recently had an opening in the staff. it is a position that you might find interesting. Please owl your response as soon as you can.
Signed,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster Hogwarts
Hermione wondered what position it was for. She had spent the past three and a half years working several different Jobs. None of them felt comfortable for her.
Albus,
I am very interested in the position at Hogwarts. Is it potions by chance?
Hermione Granger
She sealed her response and gave it to the owl. She closed the window after the bird had left. She half-hoped it would be potions, the other half hoped it wouldn't be. She knew Severus was dead, even though they had found him just barely alive. The way Ron had described it, no one could have survived that, even with a miracle. He had no doubt died from his injuries.
********
Hermione got her reply two days later.
Miss Granger,
The Potions Position is still being held by Professor Snape. He is still very much alive and kicking. The position that had come to my attention was Assistant Librarian. Madam Pince is retiring at the end of term, but would like to have someone there to train. You are the only one that came to mind.
Signed
Albus
Hermione took quill and parchment and wrote a reply. it took her several minutes to write out the simple reply. Severus alive? her heart fluttered
Albus,
I would love to take the position. Just let me know how early I should arrive before term.
Signed
Hermione Granger
*******
One month later & nearly one week until the start of term:
Severus sat in his chambers when Albus' head popped through the flames of the fireplace, "Severus, may I speak with you in my office as soon as possible.'
"Yes sir," Severus watched Albus disappear from the flames and he began to reach for the bottle of fire whiskey on his writing desk. "No, Severus. You don't want to show up drunk," Yes, you do, said a small voice in his mind. Severus left his chambers an hour later.
Severus made his way through the, thankfully quiet, halls of Hogwarts. His black robes billowing behind him, making him seem even more frightening than normal. What could the man want? He thought to himself. They had already had the staff meeting a week before. And as usual he had sat farthest away from anyone.
He thought of the nearly empty bottle of fire whiskey on his desk, "Severus, what has reduced you to this?" he said to himself, as he walked. He had often drunk himself into a stupor just to keep from hearing the screams when he slept.
He truly couldn't wait for the school year to start. He truly enjoyed making the first years tremble, It teaches them respect me, he thought.
He made his way to Albus' office doors sooner than he thought and was about to knock, "Come in," This puzzled Severus how did the old man always know when someone was there? He opened the door and slinked inside, "Ah, Severus, I am so glad you could make it. Please take a seat. Lemon drop?"
"Albus, you know I never touch those things," He slid into a leather chair in front of Albus' massive desk, "Why am I here?"
"Well seeing as you are the only one who hasn't met our newest faculty member," Albus started then realized Severus hadn't even noticed that they were in the room, "Actually Assistant Librarian,"
"A book worm eh?" He could picture a small mousy woman with no backbone, "Well where is this new Librarian," His remark was touched with sarcasm.
"She's over by the fire," Severus turned slightly and looked, he saw a figure in burgundy robes with gold trim. Obviously a Gryffindor, he thought, "Will you come here my dear," The figure turned and walked over to the desk and sat in the chair next to Severus, "I think you know Severus already,"
Severus looked more closely at the women. She did indeed seem familiar; her hair was a rich chestnut and fell in luxurious ringlets, warm brown eyes, well shaped face and perfectly curved body. She also seemed half his age. "I know you?" He couldn't place this lovely woman's face with any student he remembered, but she did look familiar.
"Severus, I am surprised you don't recognize former students. I owled Miss Granger at the end of last term. Asking if she wanted the position. A bit short noticed I know,"
"Miss Granger?" He couldn't believe that this woman had been one of his most trying students, The ugly duckling has become a swan. She had never been ugly, she had always been quite a striking beauty.
"I hope you will all just call me Hermione," Four years hadn't changed Severus at all she thought, as she smiled warmly at him.
"Certainly," Albus said, and smiled warmly at her.
"If you'll excuse me gentlemen, I promised to help Madam Pomfrey with a few books she wanted," With that She slid effortlessly out of the chair and glided out of the office.
"She truly is a lovely girl, eh, Severus?" Dumbledore smiled and took another lemon drop, "She really had her eye on potions though, she didn't know you had made it through,"
"Not many people knew. Sorry to disappoint her" Severus replied bitterly, "She was a good student, would've been better if she didn't have Potter and Weasely,"
"But it was those two who found you," Albus replied.
How could I forget, thought Severus, being tortured by Voldemort, kept alive for the sole purpose of the Dark Lord's amusement. Escaping the cell where he had been kept, finding his way out of the ruins, walking amongst innocent bodies. Striking Voldemort, being flung. Then being found by Potter and Weasely after Voldemort had been finally defeated, being carried by Hagrid back to Hogwarts. "Excuse me, I must finish cataloging my stores,"
With that Severus left Dumbledore's office, but he didn't go to the dungeons he went to the library. "There won't be any quiet time in that place when school starts," he muttered to himself as he entered the library. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw, Miss Granger and Hagrid sitting at a far table talking...
"I truly had no idea Severus had made it through," Hermione started, "Ron said he looked frightful,"
"Aye 'e were in bad shape 'e was," Hagrid replied, "Took 'im a good two months to recover. Ah professor Snape, lovely to see yer here,"
"Can I help you Severus?" Hermione asked, "A book you're looking for perhaps? We just got 'Arcane Uses for Chimaera, Hydra and Basilisk' if you're interested in it of course,"
"I'll take a look at it," Of course he was interested in it, it was one of the few books he have. He watched as she left to get the book for him. "Reading Hagrid? Nothing on dragons I hope,"
"No Sir," Hagrid picked up the book he had been reading, "Werewolves," Hagrid chuckled silently as he watched Severus scowl once more, then left.
******
Hermione smiled to herself when she left to get the book he had a childlike gleam in his eyes. It was the look a child got when they saw something they desired.
She picked up the book from where it rested on it's opened brown paper wrapper. She ran her fingers a across the gold letters, I have to read this one one day, she thought as she walked back towards Severus.
"Here it is Severus," Hermione returned and watched Snape give an incredibly small smile, she smiled warmly at him, He wasn't as vile looking as she remembered, rather handsome she thought, she realized she had been staring then said, "It has to be returned in a week so it can be properly cataloged," She smiled again then turned and left him standing, book in hand, alone.
Why had she smiled at me like that? Surely she didn't think I would be her friend, He thought as he quickly left, I've got to get rid of that fire whiskey, he continued to think as he walked, Didn't do me any good when I was eighteen, won't do me any good now.
He stood at the entrance to his chambers, a large oak door "Taimat" he muttered, and the door swung open, His rooms were large, richly decorated with bookshelves lining the living room walls. he set a fire in the fireplace then took of his robes. He sat down in a large dark green armchair, and loosened the top two buttons of his shirt.
He thought of Hermione, maybe she was trying to be nice to him, not out of sympathy but out of a mutual respect. He did respect her, not many would have the nerve to try poly juice potion in their second year.
Did she respect him though? Or was it fear? He didn't dwell on it and opened the book that sat on his lap, he read until late and fell asleep. It was the first time in many nights he hadn't drunk himself into a stupor and fallen asleep at his desk....
~~~~~~~~~~~~THE END?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Continues as: To where shadows dwell and angels cry.
A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews for this story. It is now complete. I hope you like how it ended. And I know I didn't cover everything in the four year absence but that's okay, I can always cover it in the other story. But I had fun writing this one and i hope you had fun reading it despite the few less than happy scenes.
He knelt next to his Godfather, he was unconscious and bloodied. Remus knelt beside him, "He will live," He said putting his hand on Harry's shoulder, "You had better go see if Ron is still in one piece.
Harry nodded and stood. He walked away from the growing crowd of Aurors. Of the one hundred that had been in the initial attack only forty remained. He saw Ron with hagrid.
******
"'arry yer all right?" Hagrid asked when he saw the young man.
He nodded, "I'm all right,"
"You look like you've seen a ghost," He said hugging Harry's shoulder.
Harry walked over to where he thought Snape had landed, "I don't think it was a ghost I saw," Ron walked beside him as Harry walked around the ruins.
Ron gasped when he saw the batter robe shrouded form, "Snape?"
Hagrid was next to them, "Professor Snape? We thought he were dead,"
"He hit Voldemort first, he weakened him, but was flung here. He saved me." Harry said as Hagrid knelt beside the figure, and scooped him up. "Is he still alive?"
"Barely. We're going to have to take him back to Hogwarts," Hagrid said as he walked away from the ruins and the Aurors.
"Why not St. Mungo's?" Ron asked as the found a secluded section of the field where they could disapperate.
"I don't think many of the Aurors could stand his presence, Ron." Harry replied, "Besides I don't think Snape could be anywhere were he didn't know where the potions came from," Hagrid nodded.
*********
Ron sat in his london flat he was writing a letter to hermione.
Mione,
It's over! Voldemort's dead. No doubt the Daily prophet will have the story. We lost most of the Aurors i'm glad you were there though. From what Harry told me it was Snape that dealt the blow that weakened Voldemort. I thought he was dead. We all thought he was dead. Harry hit him next then the Aurors.
But can you believe it? Snape survived two months only to lose again. Hagrid took him to Hogwarts. He needs a bloody miracle to survive. He was thrown thirty feet into a pile of bricks. almost every inch of him was bruised cut or broken. Maybe the Git did do something good with his life after all.
We are all okay. Sirius is a little rough right now he got his with the cruciatus hard, so did remus but not as bad. Harry's all right, he misses you terribly. Ginny Sends her love as do us all.
Always
Ron
"Here ya' go Pig," he gave the letter to his little owl, pigwidgeon, and opened the window for the owl.
*********
Two months later:
Severus sat in a high backed wheel chair. He sat by the large window in the infirmary. He still had bandages about his middle but his broken bones had been healed.
It was his mind that had yet to heal completely. He had nightmares, horrible dreams that haunted him every night.
Well Severus, he thought, you've faced your demons and lived. Maybe fate has some higher purpose for you anyways, he told himself, though i don't think passing your genes is high on that list. Maybe improving potions, perhaps find a cure for the phantom pains or improve on Remus' wolfbane potion?
"Ah, Severus," Albus strode into the room with Madam Pomfrey, "I see you are up,"
"Of course I am, I have been for the better part of a week."
"I told you he's getting his temper back, and with term starting in two weeks the sooner he gets out of here the sooner I will have peace of mind," Madam Pomfrey wasn't usually as straightforward, but she had grown rather tired of the man's snide remarks and criticism. She left in a huff and went to her office.
"Am I too assume that I finally get to return to my chambers. if they are still here." He didn't know if they had cleaned them out for the replacement teacher.
"They are still here, no one has disturbed them, apart from the house elves cleaning. It was Actually Miss Granger who insisted that we not do anything to your chambers until next term started."
"Why would that silly girl do that?"
"She had hope that you were still alive I'm sure." Albus smiled slightly, "She was the one figured out where Voldemort's keep was."
"Was she in the battle?" Severus couldn't remember seeing her there.
"No, She was taking the Auror exam that day,"
"Oh. Well can I return to my Chambers now? I must prepare for the coming term,"
"Very well Severus," Albus smiled before he turned and left.
*******
Hermione sat with her letter from the ministry. She had yet to open it. Crookshanks sat at her feet purring, He meowed. "All right you silly thing I'll open it."
She opened the parchment envelope and unfolded the letter.
Dear Miss Granger.
We regret to inform you that you have not adequately passed the temperament portion of your test. Your temperament was between wrathful and vengeful. The rest of the test was passing, but without passing the temperament portion you cannot be accepted into the advanced training. You may, however, try again in five years.
Signed
Gabriel Pembry
Head of Auror Testing and Training
She signed, "So much for that eh, Crookshanks? Shall we try again in five?" He meowed. "We could unless something else comes up."
She patted his head.
*******
Nearly four years later:
Hermione walked through her Diagon alley flat. Crookshanks followed at her heels. She walked into the kitchen to make herself some lunch.
Hermione heard the insistent tapping at her window and saw large gray owl sitting on the sill on her flats largest window.
"Oh," She said opening the window, "A letter?"
The owl hopped inside and dropped the letter on the table under the window. Hermione gave him a bit of biscuit, and opened the letter.
Dear Miss Granger,
We have recently had an opening in the staff. it is a position that you might find interesting. Please owl your response as soon as you can.
Signed,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster Hogwarts
Hermione wondered what position it was for. She had spent the past three and a half years working several different Jobs. None of them felt comfortable for her.
Albus,
I am very interested in the position at Hogwarts. Is it potions by chance?
Hermione Granger
She sealed her response and gave it to the owl. She closed the window after the bird had left. She half-hoped it would be potions, the other half hoped it wouldn't be. She knew Severus was dead, even though they had found him just barely alive. The way Ron had described it, no one could have survived that, even with a miracle. He had no doubt died from his injuries.
********
Hermione got her reply two days later.
Miss Granger,
The Potions Position is still being held by Professor Snape. He is still very much alive and kicking. The position that had come to my attention was Assistant Librarian. Madam Pince is retiring at the end of term, but would like to have someone there to train. You are the only one that came to mind.
Signed
Albus
Hermione took quill and parchment and wrote a reply. it took her several minutes to write out the simple reply. Severus alive? her heart fluttered
Albus,
I would love to take the position. Just let me know how early I should arrive before term.
Signed
Hermione Granger
*******
One month later & nearly one week until the start of term:
Severus sat in his chambers when Albus' head popped through the flames of the fireplace, "Severus, may I speak with you in my office as soon as possible.'
"Yes sir," Severus watched Albus disappear from the flames and he began to reach for the bottle of fire whiskey on his writing desk. "No, Severus. You don't want to show up drunk," Yes, you do, said a small voice in his mind. Severus left his chambers an hour later.
Severus made his way through the, thankfully quiet, halls of Hogwarts. His black robes billowing behind him, making him seem even more frightening than normal. What could the man want? He thought to himself. They had already had the staff meeting a week before. And as usual he had sat farthest away from anyone.
He thought of the nearly empty bottle of fire whiskey on his desk, "Severus, what has reduced you to this?" he said to himself, as he walked. He had often drunk himself into a stupor just to keep from hearing the screams when he slept.
He truly couldn't wait for the school year to start. He truly enjoyed making the first years tremble, It teaches them respect me, he thought.
He made his way to Albus' office doors sooner than he thought and was about to knock, "Come in," This puzzled Severus how did the old man always know when someone was there? He opened the door and slinked inside, "Ah, Severus, I am so glad you could make it. Please take a seat. Lemon drop?"
"Albus, you know I never touch those things," He slid into a leather chair in front of Albus' massive desk, "Why am I here?"
"Well seeing as you are the only one who hasn't met our newest faculty member," Albus started then realized Severus hadn't even noticed that they were in the room, "Actually Assistant Librarian,"
"A book worm eh?" He could picture a small mousy woman with no backbone, "Well where is this new Librarian," His remark was touched with sarcasm.
"She's over by the fire," Severus turned slightly and looked, he saw a figure in burgundy robes with gold trim. Obviously a Gryffindor, he thought, "Will you come here my dear," The figure turned and walked over to the desk and sat in the chair next to Severus, "I think you know Severus already,"
Severus looked more closely at the women. She did indeed seem familiar; her hair was a rich chestnut and fell in luxurious ringlets, warm brown eyes, well shaped face and perfectly curved body. She also seemed half his age. "I know you?" He couldn't place this lovely woman's face with any student he remembered, but she did look familiar.
"Severus, I am surprised you don't recognize former students. I owled Miss Granger at the end of last term. Asking if she wanted the position. A bit short noticed I know,"
"Miss Granger?" He couldn't believe that this woman had been one of his most trying students, The ugly duckling has become a swan. She had never been ugly, she had always been quite a striking beauty.
"I hope you will all just call me Hermione," Four years hadn't changed Severus at all she thought, as she smiled warmly at him.
"Certainly," Albus said, and smiled warmly at her.
"If you'll excuse me gentlemen, I promised to help Madam Pomfrey with a few books she wanted," With that She slid effortlessly out of the chair and glided out of the office.
"She truly is a lovely girl, eh, Severus?" Dumbledore smiled and took another lemon drop, "She really had her eye on potions though, she didn't know you had made it through,"
"Not many people knew. Sorry to disappoint her" Severus replied bitterly, "She was a good student, would've been better if she didn't have Potter and Weasely,"
"But it was those two who found you," Albus replied.
How could I forget, thought Severus, being tortured by Voldemort, kept alive for the sole purpose of the Dark Lord's amusement. Escaping the cell where he had been kept, finding his way out of the ruins, walking amongst innocent bodies. Striking Voldemort, being flung. Then being found by Potter and Weasely after Voldemort had been finally defeated, being carried by Hagrid back to Hogwarts. "Excuse me, I must finish cataloging my stores,"
With that Severus left Dumbledore's office, but he didn't go to the dungeons he went to the library. "There won't be any quiet time in that place when school starts," he muttered to himself as he entered the library. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw, Miss Granger and Hagrid sitting at a far table talking...
"I truly had no idea Severus had made it through," Hermione started, "Ron said he looked frightful,"
"Aye 'e were in bad shape 'e was," Hagrid replied, "Took 'im a good two months to recover. Ah professor Snape, lovely to see yer here,"
"Can I help you Severus?" Hermione asked, "A book you're looking for perhaps? We just got 'Arcane Uses for Chimaera, Hydra and Basilisk' if you're interested in it of course,"
"I'll take a look at it," Of course he was interested in it, it was one of the few books he have. He watched as she left to get the book for him. "Reading Hagrid? Nothing on dragons I hope,"
"No Sir," Hagrid picked up the book he had been reading, "Werewolves," Hagrid chuckled silently as he watched Severus scowl once more, then left.
******
Hermione smiled to herself when she left to get the book he had a childlike gleam in his eyes. It was the look a child got when they saw something they desired.
She picked up the book from where it rested on it's opened brown paper wrapper. She ran her fingers a across the gold letters, I have to read this one one day, she thought as she walked back towards Severus.
"Here it is Severus," Hermione returned and watched Snape give an incredibly small smile, she smiled warmly at him, He wasn't as vile looking as she remembered, rather handsome she thought, she realized she had been staring then said, "It has to be returned in a week so it can be properly cataloged," She smiled again then turned and left him standing, book in hand, alone.
Why had she smiled at me like that? Surely she didn't think I would be her friend, He thought as he quickly left, I've got to get rid of that fire whiskey, he continued to think as he walked, Didn't do me any good when I was eighteen, won't do me any good now.
He stood at the entrance to his chambers, a large oak door "Taimat" he muttered, and the door swung open, His rooms were large, richly decorated with bookshelves lining the living room walls. he set a fire in the fireplace then took of his robes. He sat down in a large dark green armchair, and loosened the top two buttons of his shirt.
He thought of Hermione, maybe she was trying to be nice to him, not out of sympathy but out of a mutual respect. He did respect her, not many would have the nerve to try poly juice potion in their second year.
Did she respect him though? Or was it fear? He didn't dwell on it and opened the book that sat on his lap, he read until late and fell asleep. It was the first time in many nights he hadn't drunk himself into a stupor and fallen asleep at his desk....
~~~~~~~~~~~~THE END?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Continues as: To where shadows dwell and angels cry.
A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews for this story. It is now complete. I hope you like how it ended. And I know I didn't cover everything in the four year absence but that's okay, I can always cover it in the other story. But I had fun writing this one and i hope you had fun reading it despite the few less than happy scenes.