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 GigaDragonPuffMaster, iloveseverussnape, bRaTsKi, Applekissis, coldqueen, SeverusSnape'sLove, bets, hpobsessor, Katyes, septentrion, KieraLee, mysticpam, DarkLove25, and screwtheperfectlife for your reviews.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Snape was awakened by the light stirring and small sighs that escaped Hermione's lips the next morning. She looked so angelic as she slumbered. The rise and fall of her chest, the light tapping of cool breath against his skin, a wild mess of chestnut curls, a few strands decorating her face...he had never thought her more beautiful than at this moment.

He brought his hand up and cleared the fallen strands of hair from her face. She stirred once more, moving closer to him, wrapped up in his warm body.

"The perfect moment..." he said softly, unaware of Hermione's eyes fluttering open.

"You know of a perfect moment," she asked casually. He looked down at her. "Care to share you thoughts?"

"That I do," he said as he bent his head and gave her a noble kiss.

"Mmm. I like that thought." She smiled, then stretched her limbs. "You wore me out," she said yawning. "Three times?"

"You're disappointed," he asked, eyebrow raised.

"No," she laughed, slapping his chest playfully. She looked distracted.

"What?" Hermione sighed.

"Is this a good thing?" Snape furrowed his brow. "Will it work?"

"You don't want this?"

"I don't know..." Silence followed. It was broken, however, by a loud knock at the door.

"You weren't expecting anyone were you?"

"Don't be silly," she said in a hushed voice, sitting upright on the bed. "Who is it," she yelled towards the door.

"It's Draco," he yelled back.

"Oh, great what does he want," she said. "Uh, do you mind," she said softly when Snape began to nibble on her neck, making it very hard to concentrate. "What do you want, Draco?"

"Dumbledore is looking for Snape. Have you seen him?" Snape's tongue was tickling her earlobe now. She giggled softly, trying to figure out why her mind wasn't sure of this.

"Um, have I seen Snape," she said as he, himself, pulled her down back onto the pillows. "No, I haven't seen him away where. Did you try his classroom?"

"No."

"Try looking there then," she suggested, trying desperately not to moan too loudly. She heard Draco's footsteps die away from her door. Meanwhile, Snape's caresses went lower and lower, until...

"Oh, crap," she yelled, sitting upright once again.

"What," Snape asked.

"Draco is going to your classroom!"

"So."

"What do you think he's going to do when you're not there!"

"He'll probably look some more," he said capturing her lips. Hermione pulled away.

"Do you not see where this is going? He said Professor Dumbledore is looking for you. When Draco doesn't find you-"

"Dumbledore will..." he said moving for her lips again. Hermione placed a hand over his mouth.

"Think about what you just said." Snape stopped his pursuit and thought about it. Then, amazingly, lighting stuck his head.

"I have to go..."

"You finally got it," she said astonished, waving her hands dramatically. "Draco's probably halfway to your classroom by now. Go, find your stuff..."

Hermione watched Snape fumble around her room, trying to locate his clothes. They were in a pile, mixed with hers, by one of the bookshelves. Hermione, meanwhile, grabbed a robe from her dresser.

Once he retrieved all his garments, Hermione watched him fumble around with them. She had expected him to wave his hand and they would magically appear on his body. But he didn't. She supposed the surprise of the situation persuaded his mind differently. Hermione couldn't help but laugh. Snape's ears loved the sound.

Completely dressed, Hermione gesture Snape towards the door, claiming the coast to be clear. Hermione pop her head outside the door for one last look then pushed Snape back behind it.

"Hermione, what is wr-"

"Hello, Hagrid," she said a little to loudly, Snape getting the message. "What are you doing down here?"

"I came 'ere to see wat was keepn' you, Hermione." Hermione was confused.

"What are you talking about..." Then it hit her. She slapped her hand against her head. "I said I would help you pick out a Christmas tree, didn't I? I totally forgot! I'm so sorry, Hagrid."

"No worry, Hermione."

"You already picked one, didn't you?"

"I 'ad to do it befo' the snow."

"Again, I'm really sorry. I was really tried."

"An'way, I jus came 'ere to let you know," said Hagrid, as brightly as ever. "There always decoratin' o'course." Hermione smiled.

"Of course."

"See you later, 'en." Hagrid waved his goodbye. Hermione closed the door halfway and looked at Snape. He was eyeing her strangely.

"What?"

"Still the same old Gryffindor," he smirked.

"Yeah, and you're exactly the same," she smirked back. "The hallways are clear if you care to take advantage of them."

"Until our next meeting, then," he said, taking her hand, placing a small kiss on her fingertips. Hermione couldn't help but blush. Why did her mind ever doubt their situation?

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