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

A/N: Thank you to Fuuruma, Voldermort's Daughter, bRaTsKi, and iloveseverussnape for your reviews.

CHAPTER FOUR

Before lunch ended, McGonagall tried her hardest to persuaded Hermione to eat something. After a million refusals, she eventually helped herself to that goblet of pumpkin juice she had though about earlier.

Upon the conclusion of lunch, the students filed out to their classes, and the teachers followed suit. Meanwhile, Dumbledore escorted Hermione to his office.

Hermione wanted to get straight to the point of her visit, but Dumbledore wanted to know everything that had been going on in her life thus far. She had left Hogwarts without a word. Dumbledore explained to her that the entire staff was very concerned, including Professor Snape. Hermione found it a little odd that Snape was affected by her leave. She was all the same very touched by their interest but a big part of her felt she didn't deserve it.

Hermione now sat in Dumbledore's office, telling him the story of her life. She told him that she had become a writer and published numerous novels. He smiled and said he couldn't have pictured a better type employment for her. Hermione, there was no question, was a bookworm. It fitted her personality perfectly.

Once Dumbledore stopped his interrogation, Hermione finally got the chance to tell him why she had come back to Hogwarts. She told him how she felt these days...how she really felt. Hermione mentioned Healer Monroe and his more than scary diagnosis.

When Hermione stopped telling her tale, Dumbledore's silence was comment enough. She knew he was stunned and no doubt completely puzzled with her situation. How many witches do you know that choose a life without magic? It's just not done in such a society. Magic is a gift. Who would return a gift?

"I know you must be terribly angry with me." Dumbledore was reawakened by her soft, full of guilt, voice.

"Angry, Ms. Granger? No." he said with a smile. She watched it fade seconds later. "I am however," he paused, "very surprised. You, above all people, I would have never expected such an action. Was this done because of Harry and Ron?" Hermione's eyes widened. She had hoped he wouldn't bring them up, but she knew there was no escaping it. "Hermione?"

"Yes." she said softly. "I would have never guessed they were going to...I couldn't stay. I couldn't face the world that took my best friends from me. I couldn't face the powers of this world, knowing what they were truly capable of. I was afraid..." Dumbledore stopped her.

"Did you even think about the risks-"

"I am well aware...now." Hermione sighed. "I had no idea such things would happen to me. If I had, I surely would not have-"

"You would have done the same." interrupted Dumbledore. Hermione became perplexed. "Everything happens for a reason. Or did you forget that too?" A punch of anger went through her.

"I didn't come her so you could point out my misfortunes! I am well aware of the mistakes I have made!" She took a calming breath. "I cannot keep this up. I barely had the energy to come back to Hogwarts. And as brave as we Gryfindors are, I could hardly find the strength to show my face."

"But you did find the strength, Hermione." said Dumbledore. "And that is what is important. You are not yet lost to the world you belong. There is hope for you." Hermione smiled at his kind words. They were the sweetest she had heard in what seemed like a lifetime. Hermione believed Dumbledore when he said there was hope for her. She was not yet lost.

"Do you truly believe there is still a chance?"

"There is always a chance, Hermione. Always. But..."

"But?" asked Hermione. A 'but' at the end of a sentence was never good.

"But," Dumbledore continued, "I have never dealt with such a...situation before in my life."

"Well, if your trying to make me feel better, you have failed miserably, Professor." He chuckled lightly. "Sir, this is not a laughing matter. If I do not discover the world of magic again, I'm going to be lost to it forever. I am extremely worried!"

"As you should be, Ms. Granger." said the sly voice of her old Potions Master. Hermione stood from her chair and turned around to see Severus Snape looking at her. "Forgetting how to use magic is risky business. You're swimming in shark infested waters."

"Ah, Severus!" said Dumbledore delighted. "I was wondering when you would arrive."

"You knew he was coming!" said an outraged Hermione, not taking her eyes of Snape.

"Why of course. I asked him to come."

"You asked him to come?" her expression was the same. Despite her love of potions, Snape was Hermione's least favorite teacher...no wait, her least favorite person. And his witty little remark he said just moments ago, wasn't changing her view of him. The nerve of him! Listening to a private conversation. He should not be able to pop in whenever he please, she thought.

"Not happy to see me, Ms. Granger?" Snape said as he approached her. Even though Hermione was now almost eye level with Snape, he still managed to tower over her. He was just as intimidating. Hermione did her best not to falter.

"Oh, no. You always brighten my day." Snape gave her a smirk in return. He moved to sit down in one of the vacant chairs by Dumbledore's desk. Hermione's eyes followed him. "And for your information, Professor, I haven't forgotten how to use magic. I just...haven't cast any spells in a while."

"Or charms, or enchantments, or even mixed a potion for that matter. I'm guessing you haven't touched your wand either. Six years is a very long time, Ms. Granger. Are you sure you haven't forgotten?" Hermione gave him no reply. When Snape said it that way, it made perfect sense. What if she had truly forgotten? The healer at St. Mungo's said nothing about forgetting. Hermione remembered learning magic, but could she apply it?

"Severus, I am sure Hermione has not forgotten-"

"I think I have." said Hermione.

"What?"

"I remember learning it, but if you asked me to, I don't think I could..." She trailed off. She began to pace the room wildly, her breath quickening. "I've been out of practice for so long. What if he's right?"

"Hermione-"

"What if I can't cast a spell or mix a potion?" she continued, ignoring Dumbledore's voice.

"Hermione?" he tried again.

"What if-"

"PLEASE!" screamed Snape. Both Hermione and Dumbledore looked at him. "Becoming hysterical is not going to help you. Ms. Granger, you need to breathe. Sit down and calm yourself." Reluctantly, Hermione sat in the chair beside him. She hated to admit it, but Snape was right. He was rarely ever wrong. They sat in silence for a moment, allowing Hermione to gain her composure. She kept her gaze on the ground. Dumbledore spoke first.

"Where is your wand, Hermione?" She detected curiosity in his voice.

"My wand?" said Hermione. Where was her wand? She sighed. "This day is getting worse by the minute."

"You do know what a wand is, don't you?" asked Snape. Hermione shot him a look of pure venom. Dumbledore looked at him as well, but his gaze was less potent. "Just checking." he said to Dumbledore innocently. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Did you forget about your wand?" asked Dumbledore.

"No. I mean, I know I have one. I just don't know where it is at the moment?"

"So, you misplaced it?"

"I suppose." answered Hermione.

"Not a problem!" said Dumbledore cheerfully.

"How is this not a problem?"

"You will go to Ollivanders, Hermione. You will look in the lost and found."

"Ollivanders has a lost and found?" asked Hermione with raised eyebrows.

"Of course! You are not the only witch in the world who has misplaced your wand. Witches and wizards often loose them. No one is perfect, Hermione. I even lost mine once. Took me weeks to get it back." Hermione smiled. Knowing that the Headmaster had misplaced his wand once too, made her feel at ease.

"I suppose I should go now. The sooner I find it the better." Hermione stood from her seat and began to take her leave, when Dumbledore's voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Severus, would you be so kind as to accompany Ms. Granger to Diagon Alley?"

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