Once again the disclaimer:  I bow in awe of J.K. Rowling genius.  All characters and things in the Harry Potter world are hers. Please do not sue me.  I make no money and you would undoubted piss readers off if you delay in continuing the saga as we anxiously await your next book.  I have cited other fan fiction articles which have inspired me to incorporate their ideas in this story as well.  I encourage you to read them.  Please read and review. Thanks~ Leyna


 Chapter13: Graduation

Snape dressed in fine black robes and wore the customary stoles representative of his education. He had a Masters in Chemistry and Potions from Oxford and Gyonpierre University, a Muggle and Wizarding School respectively. A small gold cypress leaf pinned to his lapel signified his attendance at the secret Imperial College (Guozijian). Located in Beijing, it was known mostly for it's relationship to the Confucian Temple to the outside world, in actuality one of the finest and most private institutions teaching meditation and discipline of the mind in the world. Students didn't apply they were chosen. He had been chosen. Their graduating students taught Aurors their skills. The degree given was a Bachelor of Arts, but the school graduates were recognized by other institutions and were prized highly, there education carrying a lot of weight when applying to institutions of higher learning.

Professor Snape used graduation day to make predictions of his own. He watched as his students marched and reviewed mentally their schooldays. Snape tried to anticipate their future successes and professions that might suit them, he suspected all the teachers did. He was proud of Draco, though a bit disappointed he didn't apply himself to his studies earlier. On grades alone in DADA, transfiguration, and Potions he could enter a fine career. With his name he could find an opening almost anywhere. He hoped Draco Malfoy wouldn't use his family's money to persuade anyone to hire him, that would rob him of feeling the true accomplishment, knowing he could do it on his own.

Harry Potter. He of course was fated to be an Auror. Snape knew he'd never truly consider Quidditch with the heavy responsibilities looming over the young boy. Sibyll had told of it many times. And he was eager to receive more advanced training not covered in school. Surprisingly, he was up to it. He took three times as long as Hermione, but he eventually mastered Occlumency and was a powerful wizard in his own right. Although he found him to be snotty and arrogant, the infuriatingly bullheaded Potter had shaped up also in his last year, showing more restraint he had not been previously capable of. He had separated himself from his friends, becoming cold and somewhat impersonal with Ron and Hermione. Everyone noticed the sting in her eyes when they had the huge row in the Great Hall their last semester. Gryffindor lost 30 points for that spectacle. He saw the boy distance himself like anyone would. He had lost too many people close to him. Snape understood all too well.

Ron was following in his father's footsteps, off to the Ministry. He would work his way up until he found his niche. No longer in the shadow of the Boy Who Lived, he was finding new confidence in himself. Crabbe and Goyle were as thick as ever, more brawn than brains, and knew they would also follow their fathers and fall in line at the feet of the Dark Lord. He wondered about Malfoy. It was an expectation. Draco may have been biding his time. He would be watched carefully. Lucius Malfoy himself had been a bit too public of late. Voldemort needed more discreet members.

On the beautiful front lawn, hundreds of chairs faced in rows as students marched between them, one by one on the beautiful May day. He sat at the right on the stage as Dumbledore called out with pride the names of each graduating student. Parents were in attendance and other classmates. He could see well each student as their hand was shaken by the Headmaster and by their Head of House. Each Head of House had the privilege of placing a stole around the neck of the students in their house. Everyone clapped for each student as they were graduated. All so excited about their own experience, they could not contain their excitement for anyone else. Slytherin had gone first. Professor McGonagall was meeting each one of her flock now: Lavender Brown, Seamus Dean, Hermione Granger… Neville Longbottom, Pavarti Patil, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. Ron received huge cheers because his family had consumed the entire second row.

Snape could see Hermione Granger's parents beaming from beside Molly and Arthur Weasley's side. They were furiously snapping away with a Muggle camera while she walked on stage. He turned his attention to her as Professor McGonagall swelled with pride. Minerva shook the hand of the most accomplished student in school, a stunning product of her own House. Hermione turned and squatted a bit as the stole with long gold cords were slipped over her head. Snape's eyes met hers, Hermione's were happy but with dark circles under them, and she smiled, certain she could read the faint smile playing across his face, one of quiet satisfaction and congratulations. Thank you, Professor Snape.

Hermione was going to miss him. She could hardly bear to look at him. The night before, she had spent hours in tears in the Room of Requirement where her journey began in meditation. She'd reminisced and turned to music for comfort, too maudlin, too melancholy and too fitting to leave her in anything but a worthless state this morning. The words of Sarah McLachlin repeated over and over in her head… What ravages of spirit conjured this temptuous rage…created you a monster, broken by the rules of love… and fate has led you though it, you do what you have to do… and fate had led you through it, you do what you have to do…and I have the sense to recognize, that I don't know how to let you go… every moment marked with apparitions of your soul…I'm ever swiftly moving, trying to escape this desire…the yearning to be near you, I do what I have to do… I know I can't be with you…The lyrics haunted her, her eyes burned hot from the memory and tears of the previous night. Her peers thought it was because she was leaving school. There was nothing she could do. She was going away. Snape was still a spy and in danger. She just had to pray he'd be alright. It wasn't time yet.

Following the ceremony, all of the students crowded in clusters hugging parents and friends as they parted their separate ways. Some were leaving this evening, some with parents, some on vacation, and some straight to work. He had recommended Hermione to the Ministry potions lab, an unusual thing. She did not yet have her degree, but he was confident she was able to pursue both at one time. Not to mention that the MOM could pay for her school supplies and tuition if need be. He didn't feel she would need it of course, she would certainly receive a scholarship at one of the wizarding institutions. Hermione had already proven her research skills in the classroom and in private study. Her research with him on the lycanthropy problem was progressing well. Undergraduate studies had an amazing way of underestimating the abilities of their students. She was of too much value in the scientific community to fade away into strict academic mediocrity. Her talents were needed now. And Hermione's mathematical and scientific gifts should not be wasted in studies taught en masse.

He was surprised to learn from Professor Dumbledore that she would not be working at the Ministry. Obviously she had turned down the position, for something better? He thought not. But she kept it to herself and Dumbledore hadn't elaborated. He watched as she hugged her parents her mother especially tightly, and again saw the man who showed up earlier the previous year. He again kissed her hand, touched the pendant on her neck, and left. Hermione shared a tight embrace with Ron and Ginny. Ron kissed her on the cheek and blushed. A remnant of unrequited love, he thought. The Weasley's had group photos taken of the children together but Harry and Hermione stayed as far away from each other as they could manage.

Later Harry and Hermione snuck off separately and said their goodbyes. One big hug and as they separated they were caught by one of the other students while they promptly launched into an extension of their previous argument. "I still disagree Harry. Nothing you say to me can change that!" Hermione stomped off and she touched the ring on her thumb when she did, signifying her true feelings on the matter.

She left in search of Professor Snape who had almost made his way back to the Hogwarts steps. The party was beginning to break up.

"Professor Snape?" Hermione caught his attention and he spun around with the swish of his robes. She could hear them as they sliced through the air.

"Yes, Miss Granger? Congratulations to you." He said slowly, and as warmly as he could.

"I just wanted to thank you…" she paused. "For everything."

"You are welcome. And where are you off to?"

"A well deserved rest." And a calculated lie. She wasn't permitted to say, but it was the best effort she could make.

He took the hint. "Good luck to you, Miss Granger."

"I'll keep in touch. I'm not giving up on the research on the Wolfsbane anytime soon." She waved her goodbye. She met Professor Dumbledore and asked to borrow his Floo. It was outbound only today, and she had a one was ticket to Beijing.

"Heathrow Airport," she said clearly in the green flames. Dumbledore had a tear in his eye, as one of his favorite students left the nest.

***

Author's Notes:

Ok. I know some of you aren't fond of musical quotes etc. Just bear with me. I've always used music to help me cope through a lot, especially when I was in High School. Since Hermione is so musically inclined, I quite think she'd be likely to do this. She has no one to confide in about her premonition.

Sarah McLachlin's album Surfacing contains two pretty cool songs for this fic, even though I only cited one. Do What you Have To Do is on the album, as well as Angel. After all, Severus did a second chance, maybe he'll get a third?