Authors note: In response to WIKTT "Hollow Man" challenge. I make no money from this, although I wish I thought of it first. Please review.

Chapter One

September 5th. Minerva McGonagall sat behind her large oak desk, retaining the title of Deputy Headmistress, despite the fact that Dumbledore was missing and most of the wizarding world had feared the worse about his fate. It was barely a month after the final battle had been fought and Hermione Granger was the only first hand testimony that the Hogwarts trio (also consisting of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley) ever existed. Hermione was barely 19 and by default was kicked totally out of her nest by Voldemort's Death Eaters. They had killed her parents in late June and ever since Hermione had taken refuge behind the large and protective halls of Hogwarts. Until a month ago Hogwarts also protected one of the most brilliant potions masters of their generation. His fate was why Hermione had been called to Minerva McGonagall's office that evening.

The Ministry of Magic had decided to play god to a small group of men. Mulicber, Rookwood, Malfoy, Dolohov to name a few of them, one in particular the Minister, Cornelius Fudge, was very happy to finally take care of, Severus Snape. After the exodus of the Dementors of the wizard prison Azkaban, Fudge took it upon himself and a select few to punish the imprisoned Death Eaters personally. Inanis animae. Empty of soul. This was the punishment they were to receive. To have almost all of their soul removed and placed in the department of mysteries for the rest of their unnatural lives.

Severus Snape sat in his individual cell, scarcely larger than a broom closet. He had been given the luxury of two pots, one of water and the other empty, cleaned on a weekly basis, a small stool and the candle stubs Arthur Weasley brought him on a daily basis. In fact Arthur had just left him for the last time. Arthur had come in early to sit with Severus and explain the curse, though Severus wasn't stupid and knew full well what was about to happen to him. The dim yellow light flickered in the dank corner of his tiny cell as Severus rose for what seemed like the millionth time to pace, only to turn and sit back down.

'I deserve everything I have coming to me' he though to himself soon after Arthur had left him. 'In a matter of hours I will be reduced to a mere shell of myself' he smirked 'Of course, it might be quite an improvement.'

Severus folded his hands together in his lap and leaned his head against the cold stone wall, chips of dirt, paint and rock fell onto his shoulders.

'What are you doing now Hermione?' He thought to himself.

Most of his days were dwindled away with thoughts similar to this one. Days and nights passed unnoticed to the Potions Master as he thought of Hermione.

~~~~Flash Back~~~~~~

"Life is like a snowflake Severus."

"A what?"

Hermione held out her gloved hands to catch a falling snowflake.

"Like this! Strong enough to make great journeys, but weak enough to collapse under the tiniest bit of pressure of heat. Like a snowflake."

He watched as she twirled around beneath the gray sky, trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue. All at once Hogwarts most brilliant student and still a little girl inside.

~~~~End Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus thought of her eyes looking at him with disregard. Not the discouraging kind, like she didn't care, but the kind of disregard directed towards his past. He thought of her eyes as the guards picked him up under his arms and drug him from the cell. Down the stairs to the Wizengamot.

'thump thump thump' his legs went. 'Like a snowflake Severus' His mind thought.

'BLAH BLAH BLAH' how Fudge went.

'Severus... don't leave me. Please. I don't want to be alone tonight... Severus... Snowflakes..." His mind raced with thoughts of Hermione as Fudge lowered his wand towards him. Severus looked towards Arthur.

"Anything to say Snape? Before you're dead to the world?" Fudge's lip curled as he snarled out the mandatory permission for final words. Severus truned his head back towards Arthur. Never breaking eye contact he opened his mouth and spoke.

"Tell Hermione she's not alone tonight."

And Severus lost his humanity with a smile on his face and "Hermione" on his lips.

Hermione felt a shiver run up her spine as the doors to Minerva's office swung open and Arthur Weasley walked in. Hermione turned quickly to see that Arthur was not alone. Just a few paces behind him Severus limped into the torch light of McGonagall's private office. With a small gasp the world stood still for what seemed like hours. The once proud and tall potions master was reduced to a stumbling ogre. His dark, lank hair stuck to the sides of his face and his skin was stretched over a skeletal build she was definitely sure Severus didn't have. He was stooped and had a swagger from a terrible limp. Hermione hadn't imagined all of the terrible things that would have happened to him physically. After listening to all that McGonagall had told her, she agreed to take Severus into her home, but after having him brough to her like this, she wasn't quite sure she was up to the task.

"Ar... Ar... Arthur." Hermione stumbled for words.

"Hermione, trust me this is the right thing to do." McGonagall put her bony hands around Hermione's shoulder's. "Severus knows many secrets. If there is even a small chance he can be restored he has that chance with you. He could know where Dumbledore is. That thought alone should sustain you through any doubts you may have with this mission."

Hermione straightened her robes and stood taller. She took long gliding steps towards Severus but stopped short when she looked into his eyes. They were shrunken and dull, his entire face looked as if he had had a run in with a witch doctor, and not the type in St. Mungo's. Stretching her neck again, Hermione took Severus's forearm and lead him to follow her.

"Thank you Arthur. Very much." Arthur closed his eyes and nodded.

After Hermione had left Minerva turned to Arthur with a look in her eye he read well.

"He said she's not alone. And I believe him, Minerva. I truly believe him."

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What do you think? Reviews please! *Kowtows *