How Much Time

"How much time?" Harry questioned. "What hope do we have?" Harry looked to Hermione's hand were the black parchment lay crumpled.

"Enough time!" Hermione answered coolly. "Every armour has a weakness. I've invited Neville here because his knowledge of plants is outstanding. He is bringing the seed of Armstrong with him, a slow growing plant that's roots will brake up solid rock. However there in lies the problem. It's slow growing." She looked to Severus hopefully, it appeared she had many years to come up with the plan.

"I can brew a potion that will increase the growing rate." He offered. Hermione nodded. "I will need help-"

"Ron will-" Hermione began, she could not work with him. However he did look hurt by the suggestion of someone else. Hermione had known the reason he was asking for help was to work with her.

"Hermione, you are the most suitable candidate to help him." Albus offered, he hadn't agreed to the union of the pair. However, seeing them now, they were lost without each other and Albus would use any means necessary to get them back together. Both gave each other an awkward glance and nodded.

"We are to allow him to transform?" Minerva questioned. Thinking the strategy was totally absurd. her ideas involved him not changing into anything at all.

"Yes. There is a hole in the stone statue he had commandeered. Harry, your expertise will be needed to fly over him and plant the seed." Hermione explained. "You'll need to practice. And possibly train a few others. Just in case. Once the seed has been dropped I will cast a spell which will allow the seed to germinate, allowing erosion to take effect."

"An excellent plan Her- Miss Granger." Severus answered as she fell silent. That stung Hermione, Miss Granger. He saw her eyes well up. "When would you like to start brewing Hermione." He corrected himself.

"Whenever you are ready Professor Snape." Hermione replied coolly. How it hurt her to use such expressionless words. "Perhaps we should wait for Mr Longbottom to arrive and ask him which potion would be best." Severus snorted. "Neville Longbottom may not be able to brew a potion, however he knows more about Herbology than you could only dream about." A hand came to comfort the angering Hermione, it was Ron. It appeared to everyone in the room that she was looking for anything to throw at Severus.

"Very well Miss Granger." Severus rose bowed gracefully to everyone and stalked out of the room.

"Hermione!" Albus sighed sitting back in his chair, "Was that truly nec-"

"Yes!" Hermione snapped. "Yes, it was."

"That boy has been through the wars these last few months.... Couldn't you go easy with him?" Minerva suggested.

"Yes, well. I've been through the same. For longer. And without the support of my daughter or my friends. I coped, I stayed faithful. Please don't ask me something I can not do." Hermione whispered.

"We were all taken in Hermione," Draco assured her, feeling guilty that he hadn't pressed the familiarity of Hero a little more. "It wasn't just Severus."

"And the only reason why you are not in the hospital wing nursing a broken neck is that you are a father. You of all people, you knew what she did to me. Why wasn't the memory of her etched on the inside of your eyelids." Hermione spat through gritted teeth, the memories of New York coming to the surface. "Why didn't anyone question my actions? Why didn't anyone say, hey that doesn't actually sound like Hermione, I wonder if something's wrong?" Hermione stood.

"We are so sorry Hermione." Harry offered. He'd been so worried about Severus.

"You know what Harry, I've had ten years of bitterness welling up inside me. A simple sorry just isn't going to cut it." Hermione stalked out after Severus.

"Is this the end?" Minerva questioned the relationship of Hermione and Severus looking from one man to another. They all wore blank faces. None of them knew. "We can not win this war without them."

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Remus caught up with Hermione just as she was about to enter the hospital wing. She was silently sobbing into her hands when Remus pulled her into a hug.

"Hush child." Remus cooed soothingly. "Everything will be ok."

"You didn't see him! Every time I close my eyes, he's there. Telling me I'm a fool for not giving in, letting go of Severus." Hermione cried. "He wanted me. The Juggernaut wanted me, and I resisted because I loved him. I was tortured because of Severus, and when I look at him." Hermione took in gulps of air. "I can see what Severus sees; me with Oliver. He doesn't trust me."

"Hush...." Remus smoothed the woman's hair. "Hush. He does trust you. And he did battle with his soul for what he's done. He always doubted it." He kissed her forehead. "He never slept with her. It was just...."

"Weakness." Hermione finished drying her tears. "Can you do something for me?" Remus nodded. "Take my mother and my daughter away to London. I can't have them here. I can't guarantee their safety. When the time comes. Will you take them to my mother's home."

"Yes. Don't you want me to fight?" He asked.

"My mother has already lost my father. She can't loose you as well.... Is selfish of me not to loose a man I now look to as a father?" Hermione hugged him, tears welling up once again.

"Not at all." Remus answered, choking up himself. He hadn't intended to replace Hermione's father, however what she had said hit home. Elizabeth and himself had talked about having children. They were in fact waiting on results to tell them if Remus would pass on his werewolf genes. Then they would begin to try for a child. Remus had always wanted to be a father.

"I need to see Ginny." Hermione tried to compose herself. "Mum at the cabin with Andromeda?" Hermione sparked something in Remus. Where was Hagrid? "He didn't make it." Hermione answered solemnly. "He sacrificed himself for me in Ocularis." Hermione laughed softly. "On the condition that I went on to have a happy life with Severus."

"Sound advice Hermione. I'll see you later." He again kissed her forehead. She entered the hospital wing, were Ginny sat cradling Dillon. Molly was by the window rocking Jonathan to sleep.

"Hermione!" Ginny smiled as she sat down on the edge of the bed. She offered the baby to Hermione who refused. It may have been ten years ago, but this was the first time she had seen a new born baby and it lurched at her stomach. She felt so envious. Ginny understood, everything had been explained to her by Draco. "How are you feeling?" Ginny asked. Hermione nodded.

"I've missed you." Hermione caught the dropping tears. Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and squeezed. "I shouldn't have left. I've ruined my marriage."

"This not your fault." Ginny pulled softly on her arm to get her attention. "Nor was it Severus'"

"Then who's was it?" Hermione looked at her friend. "I wanted him for so long. My love grew for him everyday. But it wasn't enough, we don't trust each other."

"Look. There is only one person who is to blame here. Hero." Ginny reasoned.

"A mere woman. Severus should have contained himself."

"She's part veela Hermione-"

"No, her mother was Rebecca. She wasn't Veela." Hermione wrecked her brain.

"Which explains it. It was her father who was Veela. Which meant she could control her ability; using it on Severus alone. Hermione do you realise how much strength he must have to resist her at all?"

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Hermione sat on a deck chair in the grounds watching Andromeda, days later. Severus and Neville were having a meeting as to which potion would be best to use with the Armstrong seed. Hermione had excused herself wanting to spend more time with her daughter and less with her estranged husband. Andromeda was still staying with her father while Hermione had been offered the quarters next door. It angered her to find out they had previously been Alisha's and refused them. She was at present taking residence in the cabin with her mother and Remus. Andromeda was running around the field in a lime green summer dress, trying to catch a butterfly.

Hermione smiled to herself. How little she had changed in the ten years she'd been away. When Albus had rescued her, she had expected to see a bitter ten year old looking back at her, angry that she's been away for so long. Andromeda bounced onto Hermione's lap mid thought. She hugged her mother.

"I missed you mommy." She smiled.

"I missed you too honey." Hermione wondered where this was going. There was a twinkle in her daughter's eyes that was telling her there was more to come. She was just hoping that it wasn't about how old she looked. Hermione was a little sore about that point which Ron kept bringing up.

"Daddy missed you too." Andromeda pressed. Hermione smiled, it wasn't just Hermione Andromeda missed. It was her parents she missed. Hermione did too. "When are you moving back in?"

"I don't know." Hermione answered honestly.

"But you will move back in?" Andromeda asked hopefully. Hermione nodded hesitantly. "Did you hear that daddy, mommy said she's thinking about moving back in." Hermione spun round to find Severus behind her. Wearing swimming trunks under a white cotton shirt blowing Hermione away. Her memory had not done Severus any justice. She thought admiring his pale shape.

"I didn't me-" Hermione began, her arm resting on the back of the chair. Her chin leaning on her arm. Severus hushed her with a wave of the hand. "Swimming?" She tried to change the subject scraping back an unruly curl.

"Yes, I thought it was time our daughter learnt to swim." Severus smiled at the child who jumped off her mothers lap and undid her summer dress to reveal a swimsuit. "Hope you don't mind?"

"Is it safe in the lake for her?" Hermione questioned looking to the murky lake that had entrapped her so many years ago. She had become the prize of Victor in the Triwizard cup.

"Why don't you come see for yourself?" Severus offered his hand for Hermione to ease herself off the seat. She refused. "The water is really nice." He tried again, wanting to see her in a bathing suit. The clumpy robes she were wearing didn't do her body any justice.

"Yes mommy, come and swim." Andromeda pulled at the thick fabric that was mounted on her mothers legs.

"Perhaps in a moment." Hermione assured them both. "I am still a little weak."

"Ok." Severus nodded, a little hurt. He wanted her to come swimming. "You ready my little star?" He picked her up and placed her on his shoulders. Andromeda screamed excitedly. He turned to Hermione. "Whenever you are ready." She was ready. She was dying to jump into the lake. It had been so long since she had been swimming. After five minutes of watching Severus and Andromeda play in the lake, Hermione transfigured her summer dress into a two piece swimming costume. More out of jealous than anything. Severus was having fun, even though she wasn't a part of it. Andromeda didn't seem to be missing her mother as much as Hermione missed her.

Hermione found the water pleasant enough. She dipped her head back to wet her long hair. She would have to cut it soon. She thought dragging her hand through ten years worth of growth. Andromeda swam over to her. Splashing water.

"Daddy, can I go get a drink please?" Andromeda turned and questioned, a gleam in her eye. It reminded her of Dumbledore. Strange that she would ask Severus for permission. It stung Hermione slightly.

"Yes." Severus had joined them. Andromeda climbed out onto the bank and began running to the castle. "Glad you joined us." He smiled weakly, his hands brushing back his short black hair.

"I expected to come back to see you with long hair." Hermione's hand instantly went to his hair. Composing herself she changed the subject. "What did Neville say?"

"He's chosen a potion. We can start whenever. Tonight, tomorrow morning?" Severus circled Hermione. She followed him while remaining in her own spot in the water. "He thinks it's an excellent plan." Hermione pulled Severus in closely.

"Stop that. You're making me dizzy." She felt his arms wrap round her hips. The heat was still there, her skin tingled where he touched her. She melted into to him. She sighed contently. "Erm-" Hermione went to say something as Severus lowered his lips on hers. He could feel her body, all skin and bone. There was still the potential there though, he thought as his hand grazed her breast while bringing it up to her chin. Before there lips met they were stopped by the arrival of Andromeda. "How deep is the lake? I was unconscious the last time." Before Severus could answer her, Hermione removed herself from his tangle of arms and legs and had began swimming down to the bottom of the lake.

She had almost given in. Her heart was beating so fast. She swore that he had never made her feel like this before. Her skin still burnt from his passionate touch as if she was still in his arms. Darkness fell upon her suddenly. She was at the bottom of the lake. She didn't like it, she regretted being there. Nothing grew. No living soul was in sight not even a single fish. As she made to leave, a hand came from through the lake bed and pulled her by her hair. Down and down. Hermione's head ached and her mind raced. How could she get out. The hand was going to pull her into the bed, where did it lead?

"You belong to me." The familiar voice shouted as a set of arms pulled her upwards away from the lake bed. Soon she found herself gasping for breath above the water.

"What happened?" Severus questioned smoothing Hermione's hair away from her face. Andromeda sat on the bank watching frightened. "You've been down there so long. I was worried"

"A hand, a hand grabbed me." Hermione gasped for breath as Severus held her above the water.

"You were tangled in a weed." Severus contradicted her.

"It was a hand. The juggernaut." Hermione whimpered, growing distressed.

"THERE WAS NO HAND." Severus angered, Hermione used all her strength to push him underwater while she made her way out of the water.

"You just don't believe me do you. YOU STILL DON'T TRUST ME." Hermione stormed off in the direction of the castle. She had collapsed in tears on the steps of the castle, dripping wet. She pulled Andromeda into a tight hug as she approached.

"I'm sorry baby." Hermione whispered.

"I don't like you and daddy fighting. I want it to be back to normal. I want a baby brother or sister." Andromeda looked to the approaching Severus for support. "I want you to be happy. I want a brother mommy."

"Andromeda!" Severus warned harshly. "Go inside. We'll be in soon."

"Can I set up a board game?" Andromeda questioned. Severus nodded and Andromeda disappeared into the castle.

"I'm sorry Hermione." Severus ventured. Sitting down beside her. She looked up into the man she loved eyes. There was that cold recognition that cut her like ice. "I want nothing more for this to go away. I do still love you."

"But you still think something happened between me and Oliver.... You can't get that image out of your head, can you?" Hermione cried as Severus shook his head. It was the truth, he couldn't get the image of his wife, his love, naked with Oliver Wood. The man he despised, even dead he would be considered a god. In fact it probably was of some benefit. Everyone will remember him as quidditch stud instead of the washed up bloated man he was about to become. "I need to tell you something." Hermione sighed. "The juggernaut. The "thing" that imprisoned me in Ocularis. He looked like Oliver. He tried to break me. He tried to make me betray you. He would have had to have raped me. Because I would never have given myself willingly. I felt as if I did relent... You would have been right. You were so concerned about me and my fidelity you were blind to your own. It hurts me so much that even under the most painful and unrelenting tortures.... I stayed faithful to you. All it took for you was an American in a mini skirt. That must have been some torture."

"My torture was the thought of you and him-"

"That your defence. Your imagination?" Hermione angered.

"Fact! My defence is based on fact.... I received letters by your hand." Severus shouted. "Why would I believe otherwise."

"Because I thought you knew ME. I love you. I can't.... Couldn't see an end. I wanted to wake up everyday in your strong." Hermione trailed trembling kisses up his left arm. "Strong arms. I was your equal. Your a bug now. How could you disrespect yourself so much."

"I was justified. Not once did anyone say, you're betraying Hermione. Because they all thought you had done the dirty on me. No one else contradicted me. Tell me why I should have believed the letters were counterfeit?"

"Do you really think so little of me to think I would ask for a divorce through an owl. I would say it to your face. Like now."

"What do you mean?" Severus looked bewildered.

"I want that divorce to stand. Until you return the man I loved, my marriage is a mockery. The man I married would not hurt me so much." Hermione walked away from him. He knew right then that the man that she married would not return until one thing was taken care of; Alisha's death. He secretly agreed with Hermione. He should never have doubted her. It was his own guilt that he was defending. And he hated it. He could not leave Andromeda alone. Slowly he picked himself up from the stone stairs. How he felt old. How old Hermione must feel. He thought climbing the stone stairs into the castle.

A/N: Really like this chapter. Don't know why.

Anarane Anwamane : It will, just not sure when lol

poetrychik: What would you like to see him do to win her back?

JasperPress77: Awwwww thank you. Glad you like it

QueenBonnie: Hands over all the chocolate you need What do you think of this one?

Crimson Regret177: They will get back together. I couldn't do that to them and not find each other again.

Again no preview. Sorry