A/N: Hope you like this! The story is evolving….

When Voldemort fell it was deadly quiet, save for the sound of his body exploding and turning into ash. And then there was cheering. Loud. Deafening celebration as the side of Light finally claimed the ultimate victory.

Lord Voldemort was dead.

But amidst all of that joy, there was also sorrow. Many had eyes filled with tears as they collected their dead and aided their wounded. And in one corner of the room was a sobbing witch trying to recover her lover from the rubble. That is how Harry found her, hovering over the battered and bloody body of Professor Snape. "Is he….?"

"He still has a pulse, but it's damn near nonexistent," Hermione hissed, her wand out as she cast multiple spells in a frantic manner.

Harry felt completely out of depth in this but he stayed by her side, casting cleansing charms in order to rid his body of all the filth. It was the least he could do. After all, this man was a hero. He kept them all safely hidden, provided the information that led to Tom Riddle's defeat and fought alongside them. "Hermione…." He let out in a soft voice, wary of his friend's reaction to what he was about to say. "We may not be able to do much for him. This damage is pretty bad." And none of her spells were having much effect. "Come on, we should get him to St. Mungos," he commanded gently, taking a hold of her trembling body whilst a sullen looking Remus came up and levitated the Potion Master's frail frame.

*******Hermione*******

"I am sorry, Hermione. I had no idea."

Watery, amber eyes looked up at the tired werewolf with confusion. "No idea of what?"

"That he was….truly in love with you. I thought it was all lust and misplaced affection born from being cooped up together. I was certain that you could not mean that much to him," Remus confessed, resting a hand on the young woman's shoulder.

"Don't say: was," she whispered, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. She wiped at them bitterly, knowing that they'd do nothing to help the situation. "But yes he does and I love him. With all my heart. I just wish that he'd wake up, and then we could get married." She was referring to the coma Severus slipped into due to the trauma his brain suffered during the battle. It has been three months since Voldemort was defeated and he still hadn't woken up. Which was a bit odd since the healers were successful in restoring him. Hermione knew some people were beginning to lose hope. After all, the first month everyone visited him. These days it was usually just her and Lupin. Currently he had moved to sit beside her at Snape's bed side.

Remus smiled faintly, but there was worry etched in his features. "So that ring is from him? I didn't know he already proposed…."

"He didn't," Hermione replied, shaking her head. "At least not in the traditional sense. He wanted to wait until after the battle. He wanted to give me time to make sure that I was making the right decision. He is far more honorable than most people give him credit for."

The werewolf nodded. "That is true. I see that more and more. In a different life, we probably could've been friends."

"It's not too late," Hermione interjected.

She was granted a weak smile in response. Remus's eyes flickered to Severus and then back to Hermione. The thin hand that held the ex-Death Eater's hand caused Lupin to frown. "Hermione, how are you holding up? You know, I expected to see you around the Nest. Are you really okay staying in that mansion all alone?"

"Remus I….it really is safe at Snape Manor. Severus's wards are strong and it helps me…." She whispered, unable to hide her pain. "I try to eat but….my appetite is gone. I can barely manage to sleep sometimes. But you know them, they'd force me to stay there and focus on anything other than Severus. But I can't do that," Hermione declared. "Not until he wakes up."

The older man sighed and reached over to cover the hand that held Snape's. "What if he never recovers. Or what if it's six months from now? How long are you willing to wait? And would he really want you here, wasting away like this?"

Hermione flinched and then sighed, turning to look up at him. "I'm not sure, Remus. But right now, I want to be here." It seemed like a betrayal to leave him now.

"Promise me you'll at least see a mediwitch while you're here," Remus insisted. "They can give you something to help with your appetite and sleeping issues."

Hermione nodded. "Okay, I promise. I have gotten pretty thin…." After a few minutes of chatting, Remus left and Hermione was left alone. She stayed only a few minutes longer, before following the wolf's advice and seeing a mediwitch. She opted for a full physical thinking it would be best to gain a full understanding of her body after surviving something as traumatic as the war.

"Alright Miss Granger, we have the compiled list of things for you to take," the red haired mediwitch said as she handed over her prescription. The tests had been fairly quick and she was glad that she received a clean bill of health. She was just told to improve her diet.

Hermione took the parchment, glancing over it. She recognized two of the potions but the third one was something she'd never seen before. "Forgive me but what is this one for?"

"Why for the baby of course."