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 septentrion, iloveseverussnape, mysticpam, Applekissis, Murphyangel, screwtheperfectlife, bRaTsKi, DarkLove25, KieraLee, hpobsessor, SeverusSnape'sLove, Katyes, mr snibbles, coldqueen, Lady Saffron of the Daggers, Gerry Phanatic, Snape's Opera Rose, and DracoGinnyFan17 for your reviews.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Upon Snape's departure, Hermione got dressed. She thought he would never leave. After he kissed her fingertips, he proceed to pull her into his embrace for a kiss. When they finally separated, Snape headed for the door, but then paused. Hermione thought he might have forgot something, but he didn't. All he wanted was another kiss.

Now that Hermione was fully clothed, she continued on to make her bed, though she really didn't have to (the house elves would see to that). But nevertheless, she wanted to eat up time. Hermione needed to think...think about what just happened between her and he old potions professor.

Her mind was first flooded with how great the sex was. Amazing was the only word she knew. Never had anyone ever made her moan so much in one night.

Next, Hermione thought about who she spent the night with.

Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape.

It was not the first person she would have expected. But regardless, it did transpire.

The only question left was, why? Hermione had her reasons, her many dream-related reasons. But why did he go through with it? Was Snape having wild dreams about her? She didn't know, and even if she asked, he wouldn't say a word.

But, of course, Hermione played a huge roll in this too. She could have said no, but she didn't. Why didn't she say no? If she was thinking last night she probably would have. They were arguing, yelling, screaming at each other. Anyone would hate to be in the middle of that. Snape insulted Hermione more than once, and then he called her a mudblood. Clearly she wasn't herself. She even slapped him across the face. Never in her right mind would dream of such a thing. Although, never in her right mind would she dream of having more than a student-teacher relationship.

However, Hermione wasn't a student anymore, and Snape wasn't her teacher. What did she have to fear? Why was she doubting this? Snape, on the other hand, was quandary free. He awoke this morning, giving her sweet kisses. He was more than happy.

Hermione wasn't sure of her happiness. She hadn't been happy for along time. Some of the best years of her life happened within the walls of Hogwarts. And, some of the worst.

Hermione felt so cheated. It wasn't fair. Why was this one little thing threatening to rip her in two? On one hand, the past night was enchantingly delightful. Yet, on the other hand, it was unbelievably confusing.

Why did everything have to be so complicated? Hermione thought, complicated, was that the right word? Perhaps disastrous would describe it better, or even misfortunate. Or maybe the simplest word of all was the best explanation.

Hermione didn't want to think negatively about the situation. But something was telling her not to do this. Do not get attached, it said to her. Something inside, her continence perchance, was telling her not to dwell in this moment, for no good could come of it. She had a strong feeling it would hurt her before the end.

Hermione's search to find Snape wasn't going as planned. She thought it best to go to Dumbledore first, seeing how he was the one who most likely would have saw him last. When she met him in the corridor connecting to the Great Hall, Hermione stopped him in his tracks.

"Professor Dumbledore, may I have a short word?" Dumbledore gave his trademark smile.

"I've been meaning to speak to you as well," he said. Hermione raised her brow.

"You have?"

"Yes. But, ladies first," he said all too politely. Hermione smiled her quick thanks.

"I heard you were looking for Sev-Professor Snape earlier this morning." He nodded. "Did you find him?"

"That I did."

"You wouldn't happen to know where he might be now, would you?"

"I thought he would have came to you after we spoke, Hermione."

"I don't understand, sir," she said, completely confused. "Why would he seek my company after your meeting?"

"Well," he said, "because our meeting was about you."

"About me," she questioned, more perplexed than ever. "Why were you two talking about me?"

"We were discussing your progress," he said simply. "Apparently, you're cured."

"Oh," she said softly. This would mean she would have to leave. "Um, are you sure?"

"You're disappointed?"

"Well, I am happy to be regain my knowledge," she said, "but I didn't think I would get it back so soon."

"I too am sorry for you hasty departure," said Snape emerging from the shadows. His eye contact was very limited. He was always sneaking up on her. "Here is the last potion Ms. Granger made, Headmaster." Hermione watched him as he handed Dumbledore a dark tinted vial, almost black. She never remembered making that concoction...

"Veritaserum," asked Dumbledore. "This was Ms. Granger's last brew?" Snape nodded.

"It is rather exceptional," he said. "I was very...impressed." Dumbledore looked at her. Hermione gave a weak smile.

"Yes, well..." Hermione didn't know what to say. She never made that potion. What was he doing? "Um, Professor, can I talk to you for a moment...please," she said grabbing Snape by the arm, saying her last word though clenched teeth. She guided him to a secluded hallway, no students, teachers, or ghosts.

"Problem?"

"Yes! You're my problem," she said. "You lied to him again. You should not have done that. I didn't make that potion."

"True," he said, "but, you would have." Hermione furrowed her brow. "Last night. That was your assignment. But somehow we skipped that task and went straight to extra credit."

"Extra credit? That's what you're calling it?"

"Nevertheless..."

"You're impossible. I can't believe I slept with you." He became very attentive at those words. "I know your meeting was about me." Snape said nothing. "Dumbledore didn't mention how long I would have left. Did he run it by you?"

"You have an hour before you must take your leave," he said, "or the Ministry will become involved."

The Ministry knew all about Hermione peculiar situation. They agreed in the beginning to allow her stay at Hogwarts until she regained what she had lost. After all, it was the least they could do, considering she helped rid the world of Voldemort. Now that she has her powers back, departure was her only option.

"That doesn't leave me much time for good-byes now, does it?"

"No, it doesn't, Ms. Granger."

Ms. Granger, she thought.

"When did we go back to formalities, Professor?"

"Why not," he asked. Hermione stood there open mouthed.

"Don't you think formalities are a little out-dated for us? I mean considering what we did last night..."

"Don't ask me why, Hermione."

"You know I will," she said.

"You doubt-"

"Not everything," she said quickly. "I will not lie to you. After you left, I thought...I thought a lot about what happened. I wanted to tell you...I..." Why is this so hard? "My mind thinks it best to only peruse a friendship with you."

"I thought you didn't doubt everything?"

"You," she said simply. "I don't doubt you. I never will. And that is what makes this so hard. I'm not sorry for...I wish I could, but...I can't. Please understand."

Snape closed the distance between them, not caring if anyone saw them. He had expected this. He knew Hermione was uneasy about the whole situation. It was only a matter of time before they would go their separate ways.

"Do you understand?"

"I understand," he said, lightly caressing her cheek with his hand. Hermione closed her eyes, loosing herself in his touch. Aside from his hands, his lips found hers and kissed her sweet mouth once more. Hermione melted in his arms, knowing it would be their last kiss, she never wanted to separate from his warm embrace.

When Snape broke away and walked out of sight without a word, Hermione was left there, standing alone. She leaned against the castle stone walls, contemplating what was the biggest mistake of her life, not even noticing Draco's face peaking around the corner.

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