The next day, after getting marginally settled in her new Gryffindor Tower
rooms - marginally, as she stubbornly decided not to unpack more than her
box of toiletries and clothes - Hermione headed to the library for some
research on the history of the past 17 years. Everything was as she had
left it that day on the road from Hogsmeade. That, at least, was
reassuring. Apparently, she had come full circle in her travels through
time and everything was somehow, ridiculously, as it should be.
Now, if I can only figure out how I was sent back to the 1970s in the first place, she mused. A stack of magical books on the use of time turners and time traveling spells joined Muggle texts by scientists such as Stephen Hawking on her table. After an hour or two, she began to head toward the restricted section and the books about the Arithmancy of time and space when two boisterous seventh years noisily invaded the library.
"Hermione!" called Ron and Harry.
"Boys!" she responded, smiling. She had sent them a brief letter the day after she had arrived, letting them know that she was well and just had some things to "work out" before joining the real world again. The three met in the center of the library in a giant group bear hug with several pecks and friendly smooches thrown in for good measure.
After a few minutes, the trio sat down in front of the roaring fireplace to catch up. Harry told Hermione all about the dangerous mission that he, Snape, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Ron had went on at Halloween. Working against Fudge's wishes and in great secrecy, the Hogwarts team had penetrated the Death Eaters stronghold on Malfoy's estate and, in disguise, had managed to help Snape slip Voldemort a large dose of poison. As their leader crumbled to dust leaving only a reptilian skeleton in front of them, the Death Eaters split into two groups: the power hungry hangers-on who promptly apparated for home before being caught; and the loyal revenge- seekers who turned on the Hogwarts team with killing curses and raw hatred. Snape had gotten it the worst, Harry told her, as the remaining loyalists sought to punish the traitor that had suddenly put an end to their party. He and Harry had spent two weeks together, healing, in the Hospital Wing - playing countless games of chess and Harry's favorite Muggle board game, Monopoly. Harry had developed a truce of sorts with the older man and had come to respect his bravery and devotion to the cause. Even if he did still think he was a cranky, sour, greasy git most of the time. But, Harry had to give credit where credit was due.
"You should be proud of him, Hermione," Harry finished. "He is a hero, he even was finally given an Order of Merlin. We all did, but he and I were awarded First Class, and he definitely deserved it."
Harry gave his two friends a half grin and continued: "Me, I just got it because I'm the damned Boy Who Lived and it was expected. But there was quite a controversy last month when Snape's honor was announced."
Hermione sat quietly and waited for the other male portion of their group to say something. Ron grimaced and finally decided to speak up.
"Was he at least - well, nice in the past, Hermione?" he finally choked out as Hermione and Harry stifled smiles at his discomfort. Hermione nodded. "I'm sorry, I'm just having a hard time with the whole time travel thing in the first place, not to mention the fact that you are - geez, married to Snape. I mean, are you going to stay married? The Marauder's Map showed us that you're staying mostly near Gryffindor Tower, why aren't you in the dungeons?"
Hermione sat quietly for a moment and considered what to tell her two best friends.
"Yes, we are staying married, Ron. I'm living in Gryffindor for the moment because Severus needs some time to adjust to my being home. To me, I left the 1980s and jumped right into this time with no pause. To him, I left the 1980s and just now reappeared after a 17 -ear absence. It's going to take some time, but I think he'll come around soon."
Hermione then took a deep breath and explained the tenuous circle that began with her departure from their seventh year, led to her marriage to Snape and then back to the present. Thinking the idea that she was carrying Snape's baby (and the thought of the act that had surely caused it) would probably do Ron in at the moment, she left out her exact reasoning for wanting to check on their future. Harry, however, had different ideas.
"Hermione, I don't understand why you chose that moment to come back? I mean, if you had the ability all those months and years to return --?" Harry asked confused.
"I didn't always have the ability, Harry. Shortly after my marriage, I found an old time turner in a box of Snape family jewelry that Severus' mother had given me. It was only functional for hour-long time jumps, but after some time I was able to charm it to cover years instead. But, I was happy for the most part in the past with Severus, and decided not to ever make the jump unless necessary," Hermione replied. "Besides, I was certain that I'd messed history up enough in my one adventure through time."
Ron nodded and patted Hermione's hand.
"We'll forgive you, Hermione, for not coming back to us right away. Even if you were with Snape," Ron shuddered. "I can't imagine being in that position. Dumbledore told us the other night about how torn the two of you were at first, whether to try and send you back or not. He tried to explain the ethics of the situation, but it really just made my head hurt."
Hermione laughed and nodded, hugging Ron again.
"Wait, hang on -- what made coming home again necessary? You are hiding something, Mrs. Snape, I can tell!" said Harry, grinning. Hermione glanced sharply at him and Harry's eyebrows hit the ceiling. "And I think I know what it is!"
Hermione looked at Harry in horror for a moment before letting her eyes drift to Ron, who was looking rather worried himself. The three sat for a moment - she nervous, Harry almost gleeful and Ron concerned. She finally cleared her throat and made her announcement with a wry grin.
"Boys. I'm pregnant."
And for the second time in a week, Ron Weasley passed out.
Hermione and Harry chuckled as Harry tentatively reached a hand out to pat her still-flat tummy with more than a bit of awe. They hugged and Harry congratulated her. As they parted, their eyes were drawn to Ron.
"I suppose we'd better wake him up," Harry said, his green eyes sparkling like Dumbledore's.
After reviving Ron and after Hermione promised that never, ever -- not even while under the Imperius curse -- would she ever share any information about her sex life with Snape within ear shot of Ron - the trio linked arms and headed to the Great Hall and lunch.
The Great Hall was beautiful, Hermione thought. Light shone in through the leaded-glass windows and she could faintly see a dusting of snow joining the whiteness that already lay on the ground. Unsure of where she should sit, Hermione allowed herself to be tugged to the Gryffindor table and was swiftly drawn into a conversation about the last three months and her three years in the past. She told stories about people's parents and older relatives, ratted out Severus on a few secrets she didn't think the students knew from his school days, talked about their wedding and showed off her lovely wedding and engagement rings, and begged Lavendar to send a message to her mother - Lucinda - for her. And she listened to stories about the Hogwarts' victory over Voldemort, the latest Quidditch matches, who was dating whom, who was engaged and which recent graduates were married or expecting. She never mentioned the baby she was carrying, however. Harry shot her a concerned gaze when she didn't mention her pregnancy and she slowly shook her head at him.
Later, she mouthed silently. Ron caught the exchange and reached under the table to squeeze her hand. She smiled at them both. Yes, it really was good to be home.
She was so engrossed in conversation with her former classmates that she didn't notice her husband enter from the side staff door and take his seat at the Head Table. He immediately heard her gleeful laugh, however, and his eyes quickly found her at her old house table. She sat between her "honor guard" of Potter and Weasley and occasionally one or both of them would reach down to hold her hand or put their arms around her shoulders for a quick, reassuring squeeze. Somehow, it was comforting that she had friends to turn to, even if he really didn't.
Harry looked up at that moment and caught his professor's eye. He brought his goblet up for a mute, mock toast and trailed his eyes from Snape to Hermione's belly and then back. He cocked his head cheekily at the frowning potions master and drank deeply of his pumpkin juice. Snape's mouth quirked into what Harry supposed was a grin and he nodded, shifting his gaze to the happily chatting and oblivious Hermione. He left his gaze on her, barely touching his own lunch, for the rest of the meal. Finally, he decided to head back to the dungeons and begin his annual Christmas inventory of his stock and supplies. A final backwards glance at his wife showed that the Gryffindor table was lingering over their food long past the normal lunch hour - and that the table held students from all four houses and at least two teachers.
Some time later, under the angry gaze of impatient house elves wishing to clean up from lunch, the group decided to put on their heavy winter cloaks and trudge outside for some snowy, Christmasy fun. The Slytherin contingent of the group, surprisingly Crabbe and Goyle, even decided to join in making snow angels and tossing around a few snowballs. Apparently, they had decided that if associating with a Gryffindor and mudblood was good enough for the Head of their house, then it was good enough for them, as well, Hermione mused. She couldn't remember seeing the rather menacing twosome laugh and have fun - when it wasn't at another's expense, that is.
Soon, a rousing snowball fight between teams formed loosely of Slytherin and Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and Gryffindor began. Heat-seeking missle snowballs were quickly charmed and launched, balls enchanted to scream as they sought their target flew through the air over their makeshift fort and a few Filibuster fireworks found their way from Ron's pockets and were stuffed inside snow that was lobbed in the Slytherin-Hufflepuff direction - exploding over their heads in a rain of icy water and sparks. Hermione was careful to avoid any rough and tumble collisions, but she could not resist the temptation to join in. Just as she had figured out how to charm a snowball to whirl like a top while spitting ice and snow all over her opponents, she was slammed in the face by a loudly screaming snowbomb. From the grin on Goyle's triumphant face, she was pretty sure she knew where it came from, too. She wound up and prepared to launch her whirling bomb at him, when he suddenly froze and clattered to the ground under what could only be Petrificus Totalis.
The merry group began to laugh and everyone looked around attempting to figure out who enchanted a snowball to perform that particular hex. All eyes soon fell on Professor Snape, where he stood menacingly glaring at them in the snow.
He wasn't pleased. Pissed would be an appropriate word, Ron thought, looking at Goyle in sympathy.
He spun from his position near Goyle and stalked to Hermione through the silence that had fallen.
"Miss Granger," he began.
"Mrs. Snape," she replied.
"Hermione," he conceded, with a silky hiss that had most of the students on the lawn shivering in fright. "You may not care anything about the baby you are currently carrying, but I most assuredly do. You've already risked her life once with an ill-advised jump through time and I had assumed that would have been enough to scare you into taking better care of yourself. It appears I was wrong. I must ask that you refrain from this childish and potentially dangerous entertainment and attempt to be an adult while you are pregnant with my child. Once the baby is born, please feel free to return to your childish, carefree life and allow your friends once again to hurl hexes and projectiles at you at their whim."
"But for now, you will cease this stupid, childish and dangerous game," he spat, moving into her until they were nearly nose-to-nose. "Believe me, our little girl is not a game."
Without waiting for her to reply, he began to stalk off towards the castle. Hermione was fuming. How dare he, she thought at first, then she gave voice to it.
"How DARE you, Severus Snape?" she yelled after the dark figure. "You possessive, domineering, self-centered, pompous, superior, overgrown bloody BAT!"
He stopped at the top of the stairs leading into the castle for a moment. The group of students gasped collectively and waited for their professor to explode. To their surprise, he did not. Without turning to acknowledge his wife, he swept into the castle and softly shut the doors behind him.
Harry and Ron sped to Hermione's side, while Lavender and Ginny attempted to remove the hex from Goyle. Hermione was fuming. Harry pulled her to him for a tight hug before pulling away and looking into her eyes.
"Hermione, go to him and work this out. I don't know what is wrong, but - " he hesitated nervously for a moment, trying to put his thoughts into words, and wishing there wasn't an audience. "But, if I had a wife as beautiful and smart and nice as you, and she was carrying my baby AND she'd been gone for years and years - well, let's just say she wouldn't be living in another part of the castle. In fact, if I were Snape, I'm not sure I'd let you out of bed, much less the dungeons."
A few of the students milling around worriedly looked at Harry in shock at his words. Several of their classmates looked like they may pass out from the news that vile Professor Snape had created an offspring with one of their own, in fact, and Harry talking about sex was simply making a bad situation worse. However, Hermione and Ron were used to speaking frankly with each other, and they just waited for Harry to cautiously continue.
"So, I know there must be some pretty serious problems between you two, I knew it before this afternoon when neither of you came down for meals or were anywhere to be found and this little spat just confirms it. Hermione, you have to work it out. Dumbledore said Snape has waited all these years for another chance with you. Hermione, he's been faithful to you for 17 years, did you know that?" asked Harry of his furious friend.
"No, I didn't," she replied, secretly relieved at the knowledge. "But, that doesn't give him an excuse to behave like a total ass."
"Snape's always a total ass, Hermione," piped up Crabbe, who had Goyle leaning on him. "You'll just have to get used to him again."
"No, I want my husband back, and by Gods, I'm going to get him - not the bastard that I saw today," snapped Hermione. "Excuse me, I believe I have some business in the dungeons."
With a reassuring look from Ron and Harry and looks of fear from her former classmates, Hermione squared her shoulders and stomped off toward the castle. Her furious gait mimicked that of her husband and the assembled group could almost see the rage, steam and determination emanating from her.
Harry and Ron exchanged a knowing look. They were two of the few people that had ever been on the receiving end of Hermione's ill temper and her rage. Ron shook his head.
"You know, I never liked the guy, but I'm sure gonna miss him," he intoned.
"Yep, Snape is totally fucked," countered Harry.
Tbc
Thanks again for all the reviews. I hope that as the story moves along the time jumps will only become clearer and clearer. If it doesn't make perfect sense yet, don't worry, it's not really supposed to. There are a total of 20 chapters of this story and the whole time travel thing won't be cleared up until the end. So, it isn't you, those of you who were afraid you'd missed something crucial -- you're not crazy. ( It's supposed to be a bit of a mystery to everyone, including Hermione and Severus. Thanks again for reading and reviewing everyone!
Now, if I can only figure out how I was sent back to the 1970s in the first place, she mused. A stack of magical books on the use of time turners and time traveling spells joined Muggle texts by scientists such as Stephen Hawking on her table. After an hour or two, she began to head toward the restricted section and the books about the Arithmancy of time and space when two boisterous seventh years noisily invaded the library.
"Hermione!" called Ron and Harry.
"Boys!" she responded, smiling. She had sent them a brief letter the day after she had arrived, letting them know that she was well and just had some things to "work out" before joining the real world again. The three met in the center of the library in a giant group bear hug with several pecks and friendly smooches thrown in for good measure.
After a few minutes, the trio sat down in front of the roaring fireplace to catch up. Harry told Hermione all about the dangerous mission that he, Snape, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Ron had went on at Halloween. Working against Fudge's wishes and in great secrecy, the Hogwarts team had penetrated the Death Eaters stronghold on Malfoy's estate and, in disguise, had managed to help Snape slip Voldemort a large dose of poison. As their leader crumbled to dust leaving only a reptilian skeleton in front of them, the Death Eaters split into two groups: the power hungry hangers-on who promptly apparated for home before being caught; and the loyal revenge- seekers who turned on the Hogwarts team with killing curses and raw hatred. Snape had gotten it the worst, Harry told her, as the remaining loyalists sought to punish the traitor that had suddenly put an end to their party. He and Harry had spent two weeks together, healing, in the Hospital Wing - playing countless games of chess and Harry's favorite Muggle board game, Monopoly. Harry had developed a truce of sorts with the older man and had come to respect his bravery and devotion to the cause. Even if he did still think he was a cranky, sour, greasy git most of the time. But, Harry had to give credit where credit was due.
"You should be proud of him, Hermione," Harry finished. "He is a hero, he even was finally given an Order of Merlin. We all did, but he and I were awarded First Class, and he definitely deserved it."
Harry gave his two friends a half grin and continued: "Me, I just got it because I'm the damned Boy Who Lived and it was expected. But there was quite a controversy last month when Snape's honor was announced."
Hermione sat quietly and waited for the other male portion of their group to say something. Ron grimaced and finally decided to speak up.
"Was he at least - well, nice in the past, Hermione?" he finally choked out as Hermione and Harry stifled smiles at his discomfort. Hermione nodded. "I'm sorry, I'm just having a hard time with the whole time travel thing in the first place, not to mention the fact that you are - geez, married to Snape. I mean, are you going to stay married? The Marauder's Map showed us that you're staying mostly near Gryffindor Tower, why aren't you in the dungeons?"
Hermione sat quietly for a moment and considered what to tell her two best friends.
"Yes, we are staying married, Ron. I'm living in Gryffindor for the moment because Severus needs some time to adjust to my being home. To me, I left the 1980s and jumped right into this time with no pause. To him, I left the 1980s and just now reappeared after a 17 -ear absence. It's going to take some time, but I think he'll come around soon."
Hermione then took a deep breath and explained the tenuous circle that began with her departure from their seventh year, led to her marriage to Snape and then back to the present. Thinking the idea that she was carrying Snape's baby (and the thought of the act that had surely caused it) would probably do Ron in at the moment, she left out her exact reasoning for wanting to check on their future. Harry, however, had different ideas.
"Hermione, I don't understand why you chose that moment to come back? I mean, if you had the ability all those months and years to return --?" Harry asked confused.
"I didn't always have the ability, Harry. Shortly after my marriage, I found an old time turner in a box of Snape family jewelry that Severus' mother had given me. It was only functional for hour-long time jumps, but after some time I was able to charm it to cover years instead. But, I was happy for the most part in the past with Severus, and decided not to ever make the jump unless necessary," Hermione replied. "Besides, I was certain that I'd messed history up enough in my one adventure through time."
Ron nodded and patted Hermione's hand.
"We'll forgive you, Hermione, for not coming back to us right away. Even if you were with Snape," Ron shuddered. "I can't imagine being in that position. Dumbledore told us the other night about how torn the two of you were at first, whether to try and send you back or not. He tried to explain the ethics of the situation, but it really just made my head hurt."
Hermione laughed and nodded, hugging Ron again.
"Wait, hang on -- what made coming home again necessary? You are hiding something, Mrs. Snape, I can tell!" said Harry, grinning. Hermione glanced sharply at him and Harry's eyebrows hit the ceiling. "And I think I know what it is!"
Hermione looked at Harry in horror for a moment before letting her eyes drift to Ron, who was looking rather worried himself. The three sat for a moment - she nervous, Harry almost gleeful and Ron concerned. She finally cleared her throat and made her announcement with a wry grin.
"Boys. I'm pregnant."
And for the second time in a week, Ron Weasley passed out.
Hermione and Harry chuckled as Harry tentatively reached a hand out to pat her still-flat tummy with more than a bit of awe. They hugged and Harry congratulated her. As they parted, their eyes were drawn to Ron.
"I suppose we'd better wake him up," Harry said, his green eyes sparkling like Dumbledore's.
After reviving Ron and after Hermione promised that never, ever -- not even while under the Imperius curse -- would she ever share any information about her sex life with Snape within ear shot of Ron - the trio linked arms and headed to the Great Hall and lunch.
The Great Hall was beautiful, Hermione thought. Light shone in through the leaded-glass windows and she could faintly see a dusting of snow joining the whiteness that already lay on the ground. Unsure of where she should sit, Hermione allowed herself to be tugged to the Gryffindor table and was swiftly drawn into a conversation about the last three months and her three years in the past. She told stories about people's parents and older relatives, ratted out Severus on a few secrets she didn't think the students knew from his school days, talked about their wedding and showed off her lovely wedding and engagement rings, and begged Lavendar to send a message to her mother - Lucinda - for her. And she listened to stories about the Hogwarts' victory over Voldemort, the latest Quidditch matches, who was dating whom, who was engaged and which recent graduates were married or expecting. She never mentioned the baby she was carrying, however. Harry shot her a concerned gaze when she didn't mention her pregnancy and she slowly shook her head at him.
Later, she mouthed silently. Ron caught the exchange and reached under the table to squeeze her hand. She smiled at them both. Yes, it really was good to be home.
She was so engrossed in conversation with her former classmates that she didn't notice her husband enter from the side staff door and take his seat at the Head Table. He immediately heard her gleeful laugh, however, and his eyes quickly found her at her old house table. She sat between her "honor guard" of Potter and Weasley and occasionally one or both of them would reach down to hold her hand or put their arms around her shoulders for a quick, reassuring squeeze. Somehow, it was comforting that she had friends to turn to, even if he really didn't.
Harry looked up at that moment and caught his professor's eye. He brought his goblet up for a mute, mock toast and trailed his eyes from Snape to Hermione's belly and then back. He cocked his head cheekily at the frowning potions master and drank deeply of his pumpkin juice. Snape's mouth quirked into what Harry supposed was a grin and he nodded, shifting his gaze to the happily chatting and oblivious Hermione. He left his gaze on her, barely touching his own lunch, for the rest of the meal. Finally, he decided to head back to the dungeons and begin his annual Christmas inventory of his stock and supplies. A final backwards glance at his wife showed that the Gryffindor table was lingering over their food long past the normal lunch hour - and that the table held students from all four houses and at least two teachers.
Some time later, under the angry gaze of impatient house elves wishing to clean up from lunch, the group decided to put on their heavy winter cloaks and trudge outside for some snowy, Christmasy fun. The Slytherin contingent of the group, surprisingly Crabbe and Goyle, even decided to join in making snow angels and tossing around a few snowballs. Apparently, they had decided that if associating with a Gryffindor and mudblood was good enough for the Head of their house, then it was good enough for them, as well, Hermione mused. She couldn't remember seeing the rather menacing twosome laugh and have fun - when it wasn't at another's expense, that is.
Soon, a rousing snowball fight between teams formed loosely of Slytherin and Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and Gryffindor began. Heat-seeking missle snowballs were quickly charmed and launched, balls enchanted to scream as they sought their target flew through the air over their makeshift fort and a few Filibuster fireworks found their way from Ron's pockets and were stuffed inside snow that was lobbed in the Slytherin-Hufflepuff direction - exploding over their heads in a rain of icy water and sparks. Hermione was careful to avoid any rough and tumble collisions, but she could not resist the temptation to join in. Just as she had figured out how to charm a snowball to whirl like a top while spitting ice and snow all over her opponents, she was slammed in the face by a loudly screaming snowbomb. From the grin on Goyle's triumphant face, she was pretty sure she knew where it came from, too. She wound up and prepared to launch her whirling bomb at him, when he suddenly froze and clattered to the ground under what could only be Petrificus Totalis.
The merry group began to laugh and everyone looked around attempting to figure out who enchanted a snowball to perform that particular hex. All eyes soon fell on Professor Snape, where he stood menacingly glaring at them in the snow.
He wasn't pleased. Pissed would be an appropriate word, Ron thought, looking at Goyle in sympathy.
He spun from his position near Goyle and stalked to Hermione through the silence that had fallen.
"Miss Granger," he began.
"Mrs. Snape," she replied.
"Hermione," he conceded, with a silky hiss that had most of the students on the lawn shivering in fright. "You may not care anything about the baby you are currently carrying, but I most assuredly do. You've already risked her life once with an ill-advised jump through time and I had assumed that would have been enough to scare you into taking better care of yourself. It appears I was wrong. I must ask that you refrain from this childish and potentially dangerous entertainment and attempt to be an adult while you are pregnant with my child. Once the baby is born, please feel free to return to your childish, carefree life and allow your friends once again to hurl hexes and projectiles at you at their whim."
"But for now, you will cease this stupid, childish and dangerous game," he spat, moving into her until they were nearly nose-to-nose. "Believe me, our little girl is not a game."
Without waiting for her to reply, he began to stalk off towards the castle. Hermione was fuming. How dare he, she thought at first, then she gave voice to it.
"How DARE you, Severus Snape?" she yelled after the dark figure. "You possessive, domineering, self-centered, pompous, superior, overgrown bloody BAT!"
He stopped at the top of the stairs leading into the castle for a moment. The group of students gasped collectively and waited for their professor to explode. To their surprise, he did not. Without turning to acknowledge his wife, he swept into the castle and softly shut the doors behind him.
Harry and Ron sped to Hermione's side, while Lavender and Ginny attempted to remove the hex from Goyle. Hermione was fuming. Harry pulled her to him for a tight hug before pulling away and looking into her eyes.
"Hermione, go to him and work this out. I don't know what is wrong, but - " he hesitated nervously for a moment, trying to put his thoughts into words, and wishing there wasn't an audience. "But, if I had a wife as beautiful and smart and nice as you, and she was carrying my baby AND she'd been gone for years and years - well, let's just say she wouldn't be living in another part of the castle. In fact, if I were Snape, I'm not sure I'd let you out of bed, much less the dungeons."
A few of the students milling around worriedly looked at Harry in shock at his words. Several of their classmates looked like they may pass out from the news that vile Professor Snape had created an offspring with one of their own, in fact, and Harry talking about sex was simply making a bad situation worse. However, Hermione and Ron were used to speaking frankly with each other, and they just waited for Harry to cautiously continue.
"So, I know there must be some pretty serious problems between you two, I knew it before this afternoon when neither of you came down for meals or were anywhere to be found and this little spat just confirms it. Hermione, you have to work it out. Dumbledore said Snape has waited all these years for another chance with you. Hermione, he's been faithful to you for 17 years, did you know that?" asked Harry of his furious friend.
"No, I didn't," she replied, secretly relieved at the knowledge. "But, that doesn't give him an excuse to behave like a total ass."
"Snape's always a total ass, Hermione," piped up Crabbe, who had Goyle leaning on him. "You'll just have to get used to him again."
"No, I want my husband back, and by Gods, I'm going to get him - not the bastard that I saw today," snapped Hermione. "Excuse me, I believe I have some business in the dungeons."
With a reassuring look from Ron and Harry and looks of fear from her former classmates, Hermione squared her shoulders and stomped off toward the castle. Her furious gait mimicked that of her husband and the assembled group could almost see the rage, steam and determination emanating from her.
Harry and Ron exchanged a knowing look. They were two of the few people that had ever been on the receiving end of Hermione's ill temper and her rage. Ron shook his head.
"You know, I never liked the guy, but I'm sure gonna miss him," he intoned.
"Yep, Snape is totally fucked," countered Harry.
Tbc
Thanks again for all the reviews. I hope that as the story moves along the time jumps will only become clearer and clearer. If it doesn't make perfect sense yet, don't worry, it's not really supposed to. There are a total of 20 chapters of this story and the whole time travel thing won't be cleared up until the end. So, it isn't you, those of you who were afraid you'd missed something crucial -- you're not crazy. ( It's supposed to be a bit of a mystery to everyone, including Hermione and Severus. Thanks again for reading and reviewing everyone!