Author's Notes: See Disclaimer on Chapter 1. I don't own 'em, and I never will. Only the plot is mine … and even that was based on a Challenge idea by Andrian1!!

Again, thanks for the reviews! Please don't be offended if I don't individually respond to each one – I do appreciate them all, but I don't want the Author's Notes to be too long on each chapter. So I'll just individually respond to a few each chapter –

BIW- I agree – HG/RW pairing – blech!! Thanks!

Electryone – Ya gotta feel sorry for poor Sev J. Your one-shot was great! And thanks - I did post this on Whispers… if I get the nerve I may try to do some lemony scenes in later chapters and that'll be a safer place for those.

Lizzie – I'm glad to hear that I was possibly the first to build a lab in the HQ basement – I'm trying to come up with new ideas, but so many great fics are already out there that it's tough not to inadvertently duplicate someone else!

Pearle – Thanks! I saw your post rec'ing this fic on WIKTT – I really appreciate that! I'm glad you like it so far.

Corazon & Andrian – Thanks for reviewing – I can't tell you how it makes me feel to have positive reviews from you guys (and Electryone) – I've been admiring your fics for a while now!

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Time Does Not Heal All Wounds

WendyNat

Chapter 3

The men were still high on adrenaline from the Quidditch match when they burst into the Leaky Cauldron, laughing loudly and replaying memorable moments from the game they had just watched.

"That Seeker came out of nowhere! Could you believe it when he missed the Snitch that first time?"

"A bludger to the elbow vill do that to you, Oliver, take my vord for it," Viktor commented wryly. Oliver Wood laughed and slapped Viktor on the back.

"I suppose you know that rather personally, eh, Viktor?"

Viktor chuckled and shrugged. "Still, the second time is vat counted. It vas a very impressive maneuver, coming underneath the stands like that." He looked around the dark room as he spoke, searching for a table that would seat the five of them. There would have been six, but Ron's older brother Bill had to head straight home after the match. His wife was not pleased at being left alone right now, in the late stages of pregnancy.

Ron Weasley let out an excited whoop, his voice rising even over the background noise of the bar, "Yeah, it was great. But it sure wasn't anything like watching you play, Viktor! You were the best!"

Harry thumped him on the arm. "Hey, what about me? How about some loyalty here for your best friend?" he grumbled in mock jealousy.

The men laughed good-naturedly, stopping their banter when Viktor announced that he had found an empty table. "Look, there! That gentleman at the corner table is leaving."

"See? Now THAT'S the sign off a true Seeker, Harry," Oliver remarked, grinning at the look on Harry's face. Harry grinned back, until he caught sight of the man vacating the table in question.

Snape.

Wow. He's not even stopping to pay the tab, Harry thought in surprise. Nudging Ron covertly, Harry twitched his head towards the man who was leaving the Leaky Cauldron with quick, smooth strides. Ron's eyes went wide, his mouth forming an "O" in surprise. They both looked at Krum, who looked back at them curiously.

"Vat is it? Do you know that man?" Viktor asked. His brow wrinkled a bit in thought. "You know, he did look familiar."

Harry found his voice first. "Um, yeah. He's the Potions Professor at Hogwarts."

Viktor remembered. "That's vy he looked familiar. But I know he saw you - he did not say hello? Vy did he leave so quickly?"

Harry looked at Ron a bit desperately. Deciding that a change of subject would be the best option, Ron blurted out, "Hey, Viktor… you've been in Britain now for years… why do you still say "vat" and "vy", anyway? Is the "w" really that hard to pronounce?"

"You're an idiot, Ron," Harry muttered. Viktor just shook his head, smiling a little, and lead the way to the corner table.

Since there were only four chairs at the table, Oliver dragged an extra one over from a neighboring table before taking a seat. After stealing a look at Viktor's face, Harry made a quick decision. Throwing a couple of Galleons and a knut on the table, he suggested, "Hey, Oliver. Why don't you and Stoyan go round up the drinks?" Oliver shrugged affably and stood, reaching out to pick up the money. He looked a little confused when he picked up the knut, until Harry smirked. "That's your tip." Chuckling, Oliver and Stoyan made their way to the crowded bar. There was enough of a crowd to give them a few minutes to talk to Viktor.

Viktor turned his gaze to Harry. "Ok, vat's going on? It must have something to do vith that man."

Harry took a deep breath and nodded. "Look, Viktor. Did Hermione ever tell you about the man she was seeing right after graduation from Hogwarts?"

Viktor nodded. "Of course. Look, Harry, I appreciate vat you did for her. I know it couldn't haff been easy, but you did the right thing. But I don't see what that has to do vith that man."

Now it was Harry and Ron's turn to look confused. "Huh?"

Viktor smiled. "Ve vere friends a long time before ve started a relationship. She owled me about vat happened, how she vas involved with somevun, but couldn't tell me voo it vas because of the danger. She also told me that that somevun broke it off so she could live her life vithout being a target of Voldemort. That somevun protected her, and very vell may haff saved her life." Viktor looked at Harry appreciatively. "It couldn't haff been easy. I'm just impressed you haff been able to remain friends through it all."

Harry still looked bewildered, but something clicked in Ron's brain. "Wait a minute! You think Hermione was involved with Harry!" Viktor nodded, confusion returning to his face.

Harry cleared his throat. Casting a quick glance at the bar, he noted that Oliver and Stoyan were still waiting behind quite a crowd. They would be a few more minutes, at least. "Did Hermione tell you it was me?"

Viktor shook his head. "No. She never speaks of it. I just assumed, from vat she wrote back then – voo else could she haff been involved with that would cause her so much danger if Voldemort found out?" Harry blinked. It was a valid assumption, he admitted to himself. But why didn't Hermione ever tell him who it was? Viktor's voice intruded on his thoughts, "Voo vas it, then, if it vas not Harry?"

Harry and Ron looked at each other again in silence. Ron's expression was quite clear – YOU do it. Harry let out a breath.

"You've got to understand, not many people know about it, Viktor. It was a pretty sticky situation, and Hermione and the… man in question… like to keep their private lives… well, private. Oliver doesn't even know, and since you don't know I'm assuming your mate Stoyan doesn't, either?" Viktor nodded in agreement, and Harry continued, "Well, remember that man that left when he saw us come in?" Harry saw the dawning comprehension in Viktor's eyes, and nodded. "That was him. Severus Snape. Potions Master. Former Death Eater turned spy for the Light. Leading member of the Order of the Phoenix. Betrayer of Voldemort. Hero of the Last Battle…"  

"And don't forget 'Greasy Git'," Ron said. Harry quelled him with a look. Viktor opened his mouth to ask another question, but at that moment Oliver and Stoyan returned with the drinks. Harry shook his head slightly at Viktor and mouthed, "Later." Viktor nodded, looking slightly irritated but accepting the delay for the time being.

He would have to talk to Hermione when he returned.

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

While the Quidditch fans spent the evening discussing the match over their drinks, Saturday night found Hermione working over a steaming cauldron, counting silently to herself as she stirred. Eventually she gave a relieved sigh and withdrew the stirring rod, carefully covering the cauldron. Peering at the clock, she made a mental note of the time. 12 hours to sit, and then I can test it, she thought to herself.

She methodically began cleaning up the worktable. She had a good feeling about this trial, and if all went as she expected she would have something cutting edge to bring to the Potions Conference. Each Ministry display would be well attended, but a working version of this potion would ensure her one of the coveted front presentation tables.  

A light knock on the door interrupted her reflections. Turning, she waved her wand to open the door, revealing her visitor. Hermione gave a genuine smile when she saw it was Susan Bones-Longbottom.

"I saw the light under the door," Susan asked. "It's getting late – what are you still doing here?"

Hermione snorted, "Me? That's a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, don't you think? I'm just clearing up now." Susan was almost as hard of a worker as Hermione herself, although she worked in Charms research rather than Potions. They had progressed from acquaintances to being close friends during their years working at the Ministry.

"Well, then… since our men folk are out of town for the weekend, leaving us poor girls all alone, what do you say to a girls-night-in?" Susan gazed at Hermione eagerly. "We can do stupid girl stuff – order food, talk, do our hair."

Hermione smiled. "That sounds nice, actually. I don't know about the hair part, though… you've been hanging around Lavender too much." Susan laughed. "How about you pick up your coat and meet me at my place in, oh, let's say half an hour?" Susan agreed, and left the room. With a final wave of her wand to ward the cauldron, Hermione followed.

~~~~~~~

Later that evening Hermione sat giggling in front of her mirror. "Oh, goodness, Susan! This is dreadful!" Reaching up one hand to her hair, she giggled again when the other woman smacked it away. Hermione clapped the offending hand to her mouth suddenly, staring at Susan accusingly.

"I don't giggle. Ever," Hermione stated in a muffled voice.

Susan rolled her eyes. "Mmm-hmmm. And you don't drink hot chocolate with butterscotch Schnapps, either, do you?" At this, both women fell into a fit of giggles until Susan stood up, wavering only slightly on her feet.

"You know what I think we need?" Susan waited until Hermione shook her head unsteadily. "A sober-em-up potion."

Hermione feigned a serious look. "Well, lil' Missie, you've come to the right place! Potions Mistress, coming to the rescue!" With that, Hermione stood and made her way to the medicine cabinet, fumbling through the bottles before finding what she was searching for. "Drink up!" Both women downed a swallow of the potion, instantly feeling the effects.

Hermione sat down on the edge of the bed, abruptly somber. "You know Susan, I really am glad you came over. I- I've been having those dreams again, and I can't get it off my mind," she said in a rush. "This is just what I needed tonight."

Susan moved to sit next to her on the bed, putting an arm around her. "Still thinking about him, hmm?" Hermione nodded. "You know, I've only heard bits and pieces of the story. I mean, what happened between you two that you can't stop thinking about it seven years later?"

Hermione looked at the floor. "I just… I can't help it. I'm happy with Viktor, I really am…"

"But it's not the same, is it?"

Hermione shook her head mutely.

Susan looked at her seriously for a moment. "Hermione, did you ever really love Viktor?"

Hermione's head snapped up, shocked. "What do you mean? I do NOW. Of course I do. We're married, Susan!" Susan just stared at her silently in response. "Really. I do. I care for Viktor very much. Look - I miss Severus, of course, it's just… I mean – we never really got a chance to try life out together, you know? I loved him a great deal… don't gag, but we're like two parts of one soul."

Susan lifted one eyebrow. "Did you mean we ARE or we WERE, Hermione?"

Hermione froze for a second. Then she laughed shakily, "WERE, of course, Susan. Think about it – I haven't even really spoken to him in almost seven years. How could it be different? And besides…"

"Go on," Susan prompted when Hermione fell silent again.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione turned to meet Susan's eye. Her long-time confidant waited patiently. "Even if I did still love him… even if I wasn't married to Viktor… and that's a lot of even if's - I'm certain he doesn't feel the same. You see, a while back - right before Viktor proposed, in fact-  Harry told me he was involved with someone else not too long after I left. He said it seemed serious, that he'd walked in on… oh, never mind. Just suffice it to say that I'm quite sure Severus had moved on. And so I moved on, too."

Susan replied, "So you've moved on, have you?"

Hermione was beginning to get a little irritated. "Just what are trying to say, Susan?"

Susan shook her head. "Nothing, really. Just… you need to figure this out. Maybe if you get it straight in your head, you won't be bothered by these dreams and thoughts anymore. Maybe you should talk to him, get a bit of closure. From what I understand, you guys basically went from being soul mates one day to complete strangers the next…" Susan held up a hand to forestall Hermione's interruption. "I know, I know. It's not what you wanted, but he was right. It's what had to happen, for the safety of you both. But you have to admit it's not the healthiest way to end an intense relationship. You ought to talk to him."

"Right. And there are just so many opportunities to casually walk up to him and strike up a conversation, aren't there?  Susan, he never leaves the castle. And what am I supposed to tell Viktor? Bye, honey. I'm going to go out for a day or so to talk to my former soul mate to get closure on a relationship that ended seven years ago. Oh, and don't wait up," Hermione ended sarcastically.

Susan gave her an amused smile. "Well, not in those words exactly. Although I do think you need to tell Viktor about it." Seeing the expression on Hermione's face, she quickly added, "Not details, but… I mean, he doesn't even know who it was, does he? Haven't you been allowing him to think it was Harry all this time? I know, I know – you never said the name but you also haven't told him any differently, have you?"

Hermione shrugged. "We don't really talk about it. It was so long ago."

"Right. Anyway, you won't need to make any excuses to see Severus," Susan stated. At the questioning look she received, she continued, "He'll be at that big Potions Conference at the end of the month, won't he?"

Hermione groaned and dropped back onto the bed, her hands over her eyes, "Oh, that's right. How could I forget – of course he'll be there. He's made some major inroads on that lycanthropy cure."

Susan's eyes glinted mischievously. "Can you keep a secret?"

"What?"

"He's solved it."

"WHAT?"

Susan nodded enthusiastically. "I overheard Fudge talking about it with his assistant. From what I overheard, they're rearranging the speaker list for the conference. I think Fudge had just returned from a demonstration the night before. It must be a pretty big deal."

"Of COURSE it's a big deal, Susan! I think all that Charms research is going to your head," Hermione declared, struggling to a sitting position. "Speaking of research – how's Neville coming with that new magic-enhancing fertilizer he's been working on?"

Hermione sighed with relief when Susan, with an understanding glance, readily changed the subject. Hermione listened well enough to respond appropriately, but her mind was actually on another subject. And judging by the gleam in her eye, Susan knew it too.

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

The next morning, Hermione opened her eyes groggily. The window shade was slightly open, allowing a fierce ray of sun to fall directly on her face. Groaning, she attempted to burrow back under the covers but it proved fruitless. She was awake.

Careful not to disturb Crookshanks, she slid out of bed, glancing at the clock. Don't have to get to the lab for a couple of hours, yet. Good. Yawning, she made her way to the kitchen to clear up the mess from the previous evening. So much easier to clean when you're a witch, she thought gratefully, waving her wand and clearing the countertops. She could have done it last night, but was distracted earlier by Mr. Schnapps and later, after Susan left, by her thoughts.

Before she had disapparated, Susan had leaned over and touched her cheek, saying, "I've known you a long time, Hermione. I want you to be happy. You know that, right?" Hermione nodded, unable to speak past the thickening in her throat. "I think you need to talk to him. You need peace. But you also have to do what you think is right. I'll be here for you, whatever you decide." And with that statement, she had waved her wand and disapparated with a pop.  

Hermione was brought back to the present when she felt two arms wind around her waist from behind. Viktor. Turning, she kissed him in greeting. Viktor smiled down at her. "Did you miss me, Herm-own-ninny?" he asked teasingly, using her favorite pet name.

She smirked up at him playfully. "With all that work I had to do? Are you kidding? I hardly noticed you were gone," she teased. Viktor's expression seemed a little strange, so she added, "Of course I did. How was the match?" Slipping out of his arms, she conjured up a quick breakfast and they sat at the small kitchen table.

"It vas good. Very exciting." At her dubious expression, he smiled. "Although I think you vere happier in your lab than you vould have been vith me." Again, that strange expression.

"Are you feeling okay, Viktor?" Hermione asked, concerned.

Viktor gave her a penetrating stare, not answering for a moment. What he said next stunned her.

"Tell me about Severus Snape."