Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me.
FROM MY HEAD TO MY HEART
Chapter Ten: Only A Memory Away
Hermione looked up just as Dumbledore came walking down the hall. He glanced from Snape to Hermione several times.
"Devia?" He asked very urgently.
"Found and destroyed," Hermione reported, staying close to Snape.
"And Carey Burke?" Dumbledore asked simply.
"We don't know where he is," Snape told him.
"He can do no hard now," Dumbledore said, nodded and pressing the ends of his fingers together. His eyes sparkled with delight.
Hermione ran her hands up Snape's chest and around his neck.
"Now, Miss Granger," Dumbledore began, "I believe it is time you returned to your own time."
Hermione felt Snape's arms tighten around her. She knew what he was thinking. Hermione didn't want to leave either.
"But, Professor," Hermione began, "how can I go forward in time? My Time-turner only takes me back."
"From the moment you arrived, I've been working on a special spell," Dumbledore explained. "It's one of the most complicated spells, but it will allow you to go back to where you belong."
Hermione looked up at Snape. His eyes looked so very sad and imploring.
"Can't I stay?" Hermione asked, still looking into Snape's eyes.
"Can you imagine the repercussions that would create?" Dumbledore retorted, surprised. "Dear, Miss Granger. I understand what you're going through. After all, I was once in love myself. But we cannot take the risk. You belong eighteen years from now."
Hermione lay her head on Snape's chest and closed her eyes.
"I have it set up for you," Dumbledore told her.
Hermione nodded, tears escaping her eyes.
Keeping his arm securely around her, Snape and Hermione followed Dumbledore to a secluded hallway. They couldn't risk anyone seeing what was about to happen.
"Ereptum foris!" Dumbledore casted, holding up his wand.
With the crack of lightening, a glowing door appeared. Hermione looked into the bright portal and saw the faint outline of the door to Dumbledore's office. Hermione clutched on to Snape's robes tightly.
"I took the liberty of sending you father back then when you left," Dumbledore told her, putting away his wand.
"Won't I encounter myself?" Hermione asked.
"This spell will place you in your own shoes," Dumbledore explained. "I believe you are just about to enter my office."
Hermione turned back to Snape. He pressed his chin against her temple. She caressed his chest gently, trying not to cry. She couldn't hold it back. Overcome with feeling of loss and sorrow, Hermione threw her arms around Snape and started to bawl. Snape held her close, not wanting to let go.
"I love you," Snape whispered.
"I love you, too," Hermione sniffled.
Snape touched his fore head to hers and looked into her eyes.
"No matter where we are, we must always remember what we feel," Snape told her. "I will always love you for as long as I live."
Hermione closed her eyes, tears running down her cheeks. Ever so slowly, Snape drew her in and kissed her lips.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, reluctant to interrupt, "it's time that you go."
Snape and Hermione parted. Wiping her eyes, Hermione started walking toward the portal. Snape had a tender grip on her hand. Hermione turned back, and they embraced once more.
"Never forget me," Snape begged, letting her go.
Hermione smiled, saying, "How can I? You're my teacher."
Snape smiled, too.
"Farewell, Hermione Granger," Dumbledore bade.
"Goodbye," she whispered as she stepped through the bright doorway. "See you in eighteen years."
Hermione stepped right into the space before Dumbledore's office. She turned to look upon Snape once more, but the portal was gone. A cold dark place was left in her heart.
"Come in," came Dumbledore's voice on the other side of the door.
Hermione turned the brass doorknob and entered the office. Dumbledore sat at his desk, looking over a piece of paper. He placed the paper on his desk and smiled at Hermione.
"Good morning, Professor," Hermione greeted.
"Good morning, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said cheerily. "What can I do for you?"
Hermione walked up to Dumbledore slowly. Once getting a closer look at her, Dumbledore looked worried.
"Why, Miss Granger, are you all right?" Dumbledore asked. "You look a bit upsetted."
"It's nothing, Headmaster," Hermione assured him. "I was just concerned about my schedule. It seems I only have half of the classes I sighed up for."
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, "you're too young to take on that many subjects. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley have been worried about you having such a tough schedule. They say you stay up 'til all hours doing homework and you have no time to play around anymore."
"I suppose they're right," Hermione said, lowering her head.
"I have no doubt that you could handle it," Dumbledore went on, "but the fact that you can doesn't mean that you should. These are the best years of your life. You don't want to waste your youth on studying."
"Maybe you're right," Hermione murmured.
"If you would like," Dumbledore began, "I think I can give you some of the classes back, but only some."
"No, thank you, Sir," Hermione accepted. "I think I do take too many classes."
"In that case," Dumbledore said, surprised, "you should turn in your Time-Turner."
Hermione looked down at the small hourglass on her necklace. She gently slipped it over her head and handed it to Dumbledore. He took it, still much surprised.
"Time ought not be meddled in," Hermione whispered.
As she was about to turn and leave, she spotted something on Dumbledore's desk. She only read a couple of sentences before Dumbledore snatched the paper and placed it in his desk drawer.
"Good day," Hermione said, smiling.
When she was back in the hall, Hermione thought back on those few sentences.
"It's over, dear friend. Voldemort has given up."
Just then, the bell rang. The sound had startled her. This was it. She had to go to Snape's class. Hermione made her way down to Potions class, all the way trying to keep herself calm. Taking a breath, Hermione pushed the wooden door open and entered.
"You're late!" Professor Snape snapped at her.
"Sorry, Professor," Hermione apologized, not looking at him.
"Take your seat," he commanded, turning away from her.
Hermione quickly went to her seat and sat next to Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.
"By the way, Miss Granger," Snape grumbled as he sat down at his desk, "I am taking five points from Gryffindor for your tardiness."
Hermione just nodded.
"Weren't you talking with Dumbledore?" Ron protested. "You shouldn't get in trouble for that."
Hermione shrugged, looking down at her desk.
"What did he say about your classes?" Harry asked, stirring the potion that had been brewing.
"Mr. Potter!" Snape called across the room. "Would you pipe down and do your Abernez potion."
"Snape is such a pain," Ron grumbled.
Hermione stared down into her cauldron. It had a thin grey solution in it. She opened her book to remind herself where they had left off the yesterday that was so long ago.
"What about your classes, 'Mione?" Harry asked, adding a purple powder to his potion.
"I've decided not to take so many," Hermione muttered.
"What on Earth, Longbottom!" came Snape's yelling.
Ron, Harry and Hermione directed their attention to Neville. His cauldron was boiling over with a sloppy green mush. Snape walked swiftly to where Neville sat, his long black robes flowing. He stared at the mixture that was seeping all over the floor, then added a few ingredients.
"You now have a hiccuping potion, Mr. Longbottom," Snape grumbled. "Ten points from Gryffindor, and stay after class until you can make a proper Abernez potion."
Snape made his way back to his desk. Hermione looked at his rough exterior and saw only a shell of a sad and insecure man. She wanted to go up and hug what was left of the boy she loved. She wanted to show him that she still loved him and would no matter what. It was impossible, though.
"Earth to Hermione," Ron said, waving his hand in front of her eyes. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Hermione insisted.
"I can't believe you're not taking your classes," Harry said as he added bractus leaves to his cauldron. "I figured you would somehow convince Dumbledore to give you more classes."
"Classes just don't seem important anymore," Hermione said quietly.
"Classes not important?" Ron repeated, gawking at Hermione.
"Are you all right, 'Mione?" Harry asked, feeling her for a temperature. "You don't sound quite like yourself"
"I'm not myself," Hermione let out a breath.
"Miss Granger," Snape said.
"Why won't he just shut up?" Ron said under his breath.
Hermione looked up at him.
"Are you ready to show me a working Abernez potion?" Snape asked.
"No, Sir," Hermione murmured.
"Get on it, Granger," Snape warned. "You only have the class period."
Tears came to her eyes. He said he would always love her. Didn't he remember?
"You should have said something," Ron whispered to her. "I've never known you to take it from Snape."
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, seeing her tears. "You shouldn't let him get to you."
"I'm fine," Hermione insisted, sniffling.
Ron and Harry watched her for a moment, then returned to their potions.
When the bell rang, the students put up their ingredients and began to file out of the room. Hermione gathered her books in her arms and made to leave the room just behind Ron and Harry. She passed Snape's desk quickly, unable to let herself look at him.
"Miss Granger," Snape called after her in a harsh tone as she was in the threshold of the door.
Hermione closed her eyes and took a breath before turning and walking up to Snape's desk. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Hermione looked up into the eyes she had known so well. Snape's cruel hardness showed in his tense features. As he saw the wetness of her eyes, Snape abandoned his resolve and melted into concern.
"'Mione?" he said so very gently.
He recognized her. He remembered her from his youth. For the longest time, they just stared at each other, unsure of what was to be done. Snape broke eye contact, glancing down at his desk.
"You're dismissed," Snape allowed, a quiver in his voice.
A few tears escaped Hermione's eyes, and yet, she smiled.
"Goodbye, Severus," she whispered as she left the old, damp, and dreary Potions room.
The End.
A/N: Seems sad, doesn't it? It is sad, but I like it. I like to compare it to the first chapter. Funny the differences. Anyway, I'll miss writing this story. I'm kinda sad it's over.
A/N: Alexial, the road less travled was a way to get to the Great Hall faster for lunch. Ashley Burke was sick of being the last one to lunch. I'm sorry if I didn't explain that well enough.
FROM MY HEAD TO MY HEART
Chapter Ten: Only A Memory Away
Hermione looked up just as Dumbledore came walking down the hall. He glanced from Snape to Hermione several times.
"Devia?" He asked very urgently.
"Found and destroyed," Hermione reported, staying close to Snape.
"And Carey Burke?" Dumbledore asked simply.
"We don't know where he is," Snape told him.
"He can do no hard now," Dumbledore said, nodded and pressing the ends of his fingers together. His eyes sparkled with delight.
Hermione ran her hands up Snape's chest and around his neck.
"Now, Miss Granger," Dumbledore began, "I believe it is time you returned to your own time."
Hermione felt Snape's arms tighten around her. She knew what he was thinking. Hermione didn't want to leave either.
"But, Professor," Hermione began, "how can I go forward in time? My Time-turner only takes me back."
"From the moment you arrived, I've been working on a special spell," Dumbledore explained. "It's one of the most complicated spells, but it will allow you to go back to where you belong."
Hermione looked up at Snape. His eyes looked so very sad and imploring.
"Can't I stay?" Hermione asked, still looking into Snape's eyes.
"Can you imagine the repercussions that would create?" Dumbledore retorted, surprised. "Dear, Miss Granger. I understand what you're going through. After all, I was once in love myself. But we cannot take the risk. You belong eighteen years from now."
Hermione lay her head on Snape's chest and closed her eyes.
"I have it set up for you," Dumbledore told her.
Hermione nodded, tears escaping her eyes.
Keeping his arm securely around her, Snape and Hermione followed Dumbledore to a secluded hallway. They couldn't risk anyone seeing what was about to happen.
"Ereptum foris!" Dumbledore casted, holding up his wand.
With the crack of lightening, a glowing door appeared. Hermione looked into the bright portal and saw the faint outline of the door to Dumbledore's office. Hermione clutched on to Snape's robes tightly.
"I took the liberty of sending you father back then when you left," Dumbledore told her, putting away his wand.
"Won't I encounter myself?" Hermione asked.
"This spell will place you in your own shoes," Dumbledore explained. "I believe you are just about to enter my office."
Hermione turned back to Snape. He pressed his chin against her temple. She caressed his chest gently, trying not to cry. She couldn't hold it back. Overcome with feeling of loss and sorrow, Hermione threw her arms around Snape and started to bawl. Snape held her close, not wanting to let go.
"I love you," Snape whispered.
"I love you, too," Hermione sniffled.
Snape touched his fore head to hers and looked into her eyes.
"No matter where we are, we must always remember what we feel," Snape told her. "I will always love you for as long as I live."
Hermione closed her eyes, tears running down her cheeks. Ever so slowly, Snape drew her in and kissed her lips.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, reluctant to interrupt, "it's time that you go."
Snape and Hermione parted. Wiping her eyes, Hermione started walking toward the portal. Snape had a tender grip on her hand. Hermione turned back, and they embraced once more.
"Never forget me," Snape begged, letting her go.
Hermione smiled, saying, "How can I? You're my teacher."
Snape smiled, too.
"Farewell, Hermione Granger," Dumbledore bade.
"Goodbye," she whispered as she stepped through the bright doorway. "See you in eighteen years."
Hermione stepped right into the space before Dumbledore's office. She turned to look upon Snape once more, but the portal was gone. A cold dark place was left in her heart.
"Come in," came Dumbledore's voice on the other side of the door.
Hermione turned the brass doorknob and entered the office. Dumbledore sat at his desk, looking over a piece of paper. He placed the paper on his desk and smiled at Hermione.
"Good morning, Professor," Hermione greeted.
"Good morning, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said cheerily. "What can I do for you?"
Hermione walked up to Dumbledore slowly. Once getting a closer look at her, Dumbledore looked worried.
"Why, Miss Granger, are you all right?" Dumbledore asked. "You look a bit upsetted."
"It's nothing, Headmaster," Hermione assured him. "I was just concerned about my schedule. It seems I only have half of the classes I sighed up for."
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, "you're too young to take on that many subjects. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley have been worried about you having such a tough schedule. They say you stay up 'til all hours doing homework and you have no time to play around anymore."
"I suppose they're right," Hermione said, lowering her head.
"I have no doubt that you could handle it," Dumbledore went on, "but the fact that you can doesn't mean that you should. These are the best years of your life. You don't want to waste your youth on studying."
"Maybe you're right," Hermione murmured.
"If you would like," Dumbledore began, "I think I can give you some of the classes back, but only some."
"No, thank you, Sir," Hermione accepted. "I think I do take too many classes."
"In that case," Dumbledore said, surprised, "you should turn in your Time-Turner."
Hermione looked down at the small hourglass on her necklace. She gently slipped it over her head and handed it to Dumbledore. He took it, still much surprised.
"Time ought not be meddled in," Hermione whispered.
As she was about to turn and leave, she spotted something on Dumbledore's desk. She only read a couple of sentences before Dumbledore snatched the paper and placed it in his desk drawer.
"Good day," Hermione said, smiling.
When she was back in the hall, Hermione thought back on those few sentences.
"It's over, dear friend. Voldemort has given up."
Just then, the bell rang. The sound had startled her. This was it. She had to go to Snape's class. Hermione made her way down to Potions class, all the way trying to keep herself calm. Taking a breath, Hermione pushed the wooden door open and entered.
"You're late!" Professor Snape snapped at her.
"Sorry, Professor," Hermione apologized, not looking at him.
"Take your seat," he commanded, turning away from her.
Hermione quickly went to her seat and sat next to Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.
"By the way, Miss Granger," Snape grumbled as he sat down at his desk, "I am taking five points from Gryffindor for your tardiness."
Hermione just nodded.
"Weren't you talking with Dumbledore?" Ron protested. "You shouldn't get in trouble for that."
Hermione shrugged, looking down at her desk.
"What did he say about your classes?" Harry asked, stirring the potion that had been brewing.
"Mr. Potter!" Snape called across the room. "Would you pipe down and do your Abernez potion."
"Snape is such a pain," Ron grumbled.
Hermione stared down into her cauldron. It had a thin grey solution in it. She opened her book to remind herself where they had left off the yesterday that was so long ago.
"What about your classes, 'Mione?" Harry asked, adding a purple powder to his potion.
"I've decided not to take so many," Hermione muttered.
"What on Earth, Longbottom!" came Snape's yelling.
Ron, Harry and Hermione directed their attention to Neville. His cauldron was boiling over with a sloppy green mush. Snape walked swiftly to where Neville sat, his long black robes flowing. He stared at the mixture that was seeping all over the floor, then added a few ingredients.
"You now have a hiccuping potion, Mr. Longbottom," Snape grumbled. "Ten points from Gryffindor, and stay after class until you can make a proper Abernez potion."
Snape made his way back to his desk. Hermione looked at his rough exterior and saw only a shell of a sad and insecure man. She wanted to go up and hug what was left of the boy she loved. She wanted to show him that she still loved him and would no matter what. It was impossible, though.
"Earth to Hermione," Ron said, waving his hand in front of her eyes. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Hermione insisted.
"I can't believe you're not taking your classes," Harry said as he added bractus leaves to his cauldron. "I figured you would somehow convince Dumbledore to give you more classes."
"Classes just don't seem important anymore," Hermione said quietly.
"Classes not important?" Ron repeated, gawking at Hermione.
"Are you all right, 'Mione?" Harry asked, feeling her for a temperature. "You don't sound quite like yourself"
"I'm not myself," Hermione let out a breath.
"Miss Granger," Snape said.
"Why won't he just shut up?" Ron said under his breath.
Hermione looked up at him.
"Are you ready to show me a working Abernez potion?" Snape asked.
"No, Sir," Hermione murmured.
"Get on it, Granger," Snape warned. "You only have the class period."
Tears came to her eyes. He said he would always love her. Didn't he remember?
"You should have said something," Ron whispered to her. "I've never known you to take it from Snape."
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, seeing her tears. "You shouldn't let him get to you."
"I'm fine," Hermione insisted, sniffling.
Ron and Harry watched her for a moment, then returned to their potions.
When the bell rang, the students put up their ingredients and began to file out of the room. Hermione gathered her books in her arms and made to leave the room just behind Ron and Harry. She passed Snape's desk quickly, unable to let herself look at him.
"Miss Granger," Snape called after her in a harsh tone as she was in the threshold of the door.
Hermione closed her eyes and took a breath before turning and walking up to Snape's desk. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Hermione looked up into the eyes she had known so well. Snape's cruel hardness showed in his tense features. As he saw the wetness of her eyes, Snape abandoned his resolve and melted into concern.
"'Mione?" he said so very gently.
He recognized her. He remembered her from his youth. For the longest time, they just stared at each other, unsure of what was to be done. Snape broke eye contact, glancing down at his desk.
"You're dismissed," Snape allowed, a quiver in his voice.
A few tears escaped Hermione's eyes, and yet, she smiled.
"Goodbye, Severus," she whispered as she left the old, damp, and dreary Potions room.
The End.
A/N: Seems sad, doesn't it? It is sad, but I like it. I like to compare it to the first chapter. Funny the differences. Anyway, I'll miss writing this story. I'm kinda sad it's over.
A/N: Alexial, the road less travled was a way to get to the Great Hall faster for lunch. Ashley Burke was sick of being the last one to lunch. I'm sorry if I didn't explain that well enough.