SUMMARY: Hermione looses her two best friends in the war against Voldemort. Because of this, she becomes depressed and flees from the world she loves. To London she goes and chooses to live as a muggle. Six years pass. Hermione slowly begins to forget how to use magic. Will the staff of Hogwarts be able to teach her again before the damage becomes permanent?

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

PAIRINGS: Hermione Granger, Severus Snape (eventually); Rated M

CHAPTER THREE

You cannot erase what you are.

Those words rang in Hermione's mind over and over again.She had no intention of forgetting what she was. She knew she was a witch. And she was proud of being a witchShe was the only witch in her family. Hermione was honored.

As much as she hated to admit it, Hermione knew Healer Monroe was right. The way she felt now a days could very well be because of the lack of magic in her life. It made perfect sense.

If you do not embrace it soon, your magic will die and you will never be able to get it back.

Remembering his words cut through her soul like a knife. But was it really true? If she never performed magic again, would she loose the ability entirely? Would she become a muggle? Was that how it worked? Hermione never knew a witch or wizard could loose their powers. She always thought magic was a gift from the heavens that could never be taken away. But apparently, she had been wrong.

Magic is a huge part of your life.

Hermione knew magic was a huge part of her life. She didn't need some healer to tell her that. Hermione had every reason to leave magic behind. It was her choice. But yet, the fear of never being able to make a feather levitate ever again, left her worried and afraid. Even as she sat at her kitchen table thinking about it, she was barely able to keep her head up. Sleep was claiming her.

"This has to stop. I have to get better." she moaned softly. The healer did have a suggestion on how to help her condition. Hermione thought it ridiculous and completely pointless at first, but his words eventually convinced her. He said it was the best medicine he could prescribe. So, she took it. Hermione was on her way back to Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hermione hesitated to walk through the front doors of Hogwarts when she arrived. So many memories flooded her mind when she saw that huge castle. Memories of the Great Hall, the Fat Lady, butterbeers, Honeydukes, her old professors, her friends...Harry and Ron. It was so hard to make that first step. But once she took it, the pain she felt from long ago began to diminish, though she knew it would never truly go away.

It was mid October. It wasn't cold, but it wasn't hot either. A light jacket was enough to keep her body warm. Along with her black jacket, Hermione wore a white T-shirt underneath it and a pair of blue jeans. It was all tied together with a pair of black sneakers and her hair was placed in a messy, but very attractive bun.

It was around noon. Unless things had changed, Hermione was almost certain everyone was eating lunch in the Great Hall. The question was, do she dare interrupt? Though knowing Professor Dumbledore, he probably already knew she was there. For once in her life, Hermione would love to surprise her old Headmaster. She automatically assumed Dumbledore was still the Headmaster of Hogwarts. She could never see anyone else in his position.

A new school year had begun. Hermione was very curious to see what kind of students Hogwarts held today.

As Hermione walked through the doors of the Great Hall, she was greeted with a sense of safety. It was a type of security she could only find at Hogwarts.

With every step she took, Hermione felt like she was walking to be sorted. She felt like it was her first day.

Not many students caught her entrance. They were too busy stuffing their faces with what little food they could while trying to complete their homework for the next class. Hermione smiled at their efforts, remembering how she was once surrounded by young Gryfindors who did the very same.

The Head Table was coming nearer with every footprint. In the middle, Hermione immediately saw Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. He still had his ever so long white beard, small frame glasses, and the most vibrantly colored robes any wizard would wear.

Completely unaware of it, Hermione did not know she had caught the eye of her old Head of House, Professor McGonagall. She recognized her immediately. Minerva could hardly contain her excitement.

"Ms. Granger!" screamed Minerva. Hermione nearly jumped from her skin. Not to mention, all eyes in the Great Hall were now on her. She was not expecting such a welcome from such a frail looking woman. Professor McGonagall was not young when Hermione met her and it was no different today. Age had caught up with her considerably. Though, she still held that lovely warm light that Hermione always found welcoming.

"Professor McGonagall! You startled me." Hermione smiled.

"How delightful to see you again."

"It is good to see you too, Professor."

Before he stood from his seat, Dumbledore gave a light chuckle.

"Hermione Granger." She couldn't help but smile at him.

"Professor Dumbledore." He eyes still held that mysterious twinkle.

"We were not expecting you." Dumbledore said with a smile. "We would have prepared more food." This made Hermione laugh loudly. She knew there was always more than enough food.

"No. It is fine." Though, I wouldn't mind having a goblet full of pumpkin juice, she thought. "Sadly, I did not come here for the food." Even though her smile never left her face, Dumbledore noticed she seemed a little wary in her speech. Little did Hermione know, that Severus Snape noticed it too.

"Is everything all right, Ms. Granger?" Hermione turned her heard to met the black eyes of the Potions Master of Hogwarts. He returned her gazed and it was unwavering. Snape looked one hundred percent the same. The same greasy black hair. The same black teaching robes. And she was pretty sure he was still Head of Slytherin. You haven't changed a bit.

"Nothing gets past you, does it Professor Snape?"

"So, there is a problem?" asked Dumbledore.

"Well, yes." Hermione nodded.

"What is it, Ms. Granger?" asked a worried Professor McGonagall. Hermione turned to Dumbledore.

"I need your help." She then looked around at all the professors at the table. "I need everyone's help."

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