DISCLAIMER: See first chapter

A/N: The last chapter of my story! I'm going to miss it. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed this story, and thanks ever so much to HPFanFicLuvr who has helped me endlessly with the production of this story.

Raclswt: No, that's not the very end. This is, though.

little me again again again again again again again again again: Att du inte fattar är väl något som vi är vana vid, gumman.

BeCkY6: Yay! Another one of your very positive reviews! Thanks ever so much.

Abluebird225: So she ought. And she is, it's just that we don't get to see it.

Epiphanys-Curse: Thank you ever so much.

Severus blinked. He looked over the sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins and sighed. Especially when he reached the innocent face of know-it-all Granger. Hermione… He couldn't see how she could have been his friend. Hermione who had introduced him to Lily – and Mia, in a way. Hermione who had flung herself around his neck. It couldn't have been this girl who was sitting with his nemesis's son. And yet…

"Granger, stay behind," he called.

Ron and Harry gave her sympathetic looks, but Hermione lit up.

"It's alright, Ron, Harry. I don't think it's Snape who said that, I think it's Severus."

Ron and Harry shot her confused looks, but Neville seemed to understand what she was getting at. He nodded and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"Have I told you that you're my favourite sister," he asked before leaving the classroom. She smiled at him. He was such a sweet boy.

Severus narrowed his eyes.

"I remember things, Miss Granger," he said at last. The 'Miss' escaped his lips without him thinking about it.

"Indeed," replied Hermione, fighting to keep a straight face. "I think we all do that."

He sighed, and decided to take a different approach. If he were Potter or Black, he'd probably just confront her and ask her straight out if she was his school friend. But that method was far too Gryffindor for his tastes.

"Granger. Does the name Amelia Diggory ring a bell?" he asked instead.

Hermione smiled.

"Mia? Of course I remember her! How is she?"

He smiled back. It was his first genuine smile in god knows how many years.

"Welcome back Hermione," he said.

He had never known how fast girls could be. One barely had time to see them before one staggered backwards under the unexpected weight as they flung themselves around one's neck. Severus struggled to keep his balance as he patted Hermione on the back. He hadn't known how much he missed her.

He wondered why she had made friends with him. She knew that he was her hated Potion's Master. What were the parting words she had said?

"We'll meet again, Severus, and that time it won't be me tutoring you in potions." He had forgotten all about them, until now.

She released him after a while.

"I should probably be going. Professor McGonagall will be wondering where I am," she said, but didn't move.

"Right," he said. There was an uncomfortable silence between them. 20 years. Had it really been so long ago he met her for the first time? "Do you want a note or anything?"

Hermione's eyes bulged. He was prepared to cover for her? She felt stupid for being so surprised. After all, they had been friends in the past.

"Yes please."

She took the note and turned to leave, but was called back.

"Hermione, come back here at seven," Severus smiled.

At seven precisely, Hermione stood outside the potions classroom. Severus opened the door and let Malfoy out.

As Malfoy retreated, Severus smiled a warm – well, nearly warm – smile.

"Hermione," he said. "Come in!"

Hermione returned his smile.

"You are nearly the best in the class at potions," Severus began. "No, don't say anything," he held up a hand, "you know it's true. I thought you'd like some tutoring. And I know just the tutor for you."

He grabbed some floo powder and threw it into the fire. Hermione couldn't quite hear what he called, but not long afterwards a woman tumbled out through the fire.

"Hello Severus," she said pleasantly and gave him a quick hug. She turned and faced Hermione. An older version of Amelia Diggory smiled at Hermione and scooped the latter up in her arms.

"I missed you, Hermione," she said. Hermione could only nod. She felt as though she was bursting with happiness.

The hour seemed to fly. Mia told her all about what happened after the time travellers left.

"Lily, Severus and I remained friends, although Lily and Sev argued quite a lot. When he was angry he called her Mudblood, she called him Snivellus. But they always made up again. Severus became my surrogate brother, and I know it's not right, but I liked him better than I liked Amos. Nora Perks was with us sometimes. She changed a great deal. I suppose you know that. I have a feeling you set that in motion. She broke up with Sirius, saying that he only liked her because she was popular. You should have seen Sirius' face," Mia laughed. "First time he'd been dumped that way. You changed a lot around Hogwarts, Hermione, even though we didn't remember you. I think what you changed most was the relationship between Lily and James. They stared dating in their seventh year, and we all know the result of that. I think it really was you who showed James how better things were if you didn't date someone because of their popularity."

Mia also told Hermione what happened to everyone after Hogwarts – she herself was on a protection board, working with potions – while the potion they were making brewed. Far too quickly it was time to go.

"I'll see you next week, Hermione," Mia smiled as the hour drew to a close. Hermione walked out through the potions door. She gave Mia and Severus one last smile before walking quickly up the corridor.

"I still can't believe it," Harry shook his head. "My best friend dated my dad."

Hermione smiled.

"Don't think too much about it; it'll only give you a headache," Ron told his best friend.

Neville put his arm around Hermione.

"I'm so proud of my sister. She changed history to make the present like it is."

Ron opened his mouth to protest and say that he and Neville did equally much, but Neville shook his head.

"No, Ron, she did the most. We were just there to make sure she was able to do it. Hermione's the real hero."

Hermione smiled proudly. Neville's opinion mattered a great deal to her, since he was a very good judge of character, under the outside layers of nervousness.

"So, Harry," Ron grinned. "You're not the only hero here any more."

"I'm glad. If there's anyone who deserves being a hero, it's Hermione Granger."