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 Applekissis, septentrion, Aleeen, hpobsessor, iloveseverussnape, screwtheperfectlife, KellyRoxton, KieraLee, Lady Saffron of the Daggers, Katyes, bRaTsKi, Murphyangel, Ocean Fish, mysticpam, mr snibbles, and kiwi6498 for your reviews.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"You wanted to see me Professor Dumbledore," Hermione asked as she took a seat.

She was all prepared to leave, having changed into the clothes she wore the day she arrived...blue jeans, white top, black jacket, and sneakers. She thought about taking the clothes Dumbledore's niece had allowed her to wear over the duration of her stay at Hogwarts, but she decided not to.

Hermione assumed Dumbledore wanted to say his good-byes. But he didn't look as though he wanted to express his farewells. And her heart fell a little when he didn't offer her any lemon drops.

"Is something wrong, sir?"

"I was going to ask you the exact same question," he said softly. Hermione was confused. What on earth was he talking about?

"Sir, you'll have to be a little more clear. I'm...I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Are you happy, Hermione?"

"Excuse me?" Where was he going with this?

"Are you happy?"

The simpliest question in the world, and she could not answer it. In truth, Hermione wasn't happy at all. She thought it was the right thing to do...to say goodbye, to only be friends. Hermione thought it would have been better this way...it was the right way. But once she had gone through with her plan, she felt completely miserable. Hermione felt a pain she hadn't experienced in a long time...the loss of someone she loved.

"What is this about?"

"I spoke with Draco a few minutes ago," answered Dumbledore.

"So?" Hermione's guard was up. She wasn't going to let him break it down. "What does he have to do with anything?"

"He brought some news to my attention."

"Did he?" Dumbledore couldn't possible know!

"I know," he said simply. Hermione's breath quickened.

"You know what, exactly?"

"Hermione, your secret is safe. I will not say a word."

"I have no idea as to what you're talking about," said Hermione, standing from the chair she sat in only seconds ago, her voice and temper rising. "Seeing how my time at Hogwarts is limited, I should probably go." She made her way to the door. "Thank you for everything you have done for me, sir. You shall be greatly missed."

"I'm sure Severus would miss you as well," Dumbledore said as Hermione reached out for the door knob. She hesitated to move at first, but took a step and turned it. "You walk out that door, you'll regret it forever." Hermione continued to twist the knob. She swung the door open, but she was unable to find the strength to leave.

"Why does it hurt so much?"

"You're the one who made it so, Hermione," said Dumbledore. She turned to face him. "You're the one who said never. You and you alone made that decision. No one else is to blame. You fed the fire. It hurts because you provided the pain."

"I am not blaming anyone."

"Oh, but aren't you," he countered. "Lets see, you blame me for my many interruptions and for your close encounter at the Halloween Ball, Peeves for his mischievous quality, Draco for his peeping, which I'm almost positive was an accident, and then, there is Severus..."

"I don't blame him!"

"Not yet you don't." Hermione eyed him curiously.

"What are you talking about?" Dumbledore said nothing. She repeated her question. "What are you talking about?"

"I have a proposition for you."

"Why are you changing the subject," she demanded.

"A change in the subject is necessary," he said simply. "You're in pain. You're confused. It's clear you don't understand what you've gotten yourself into."

"Your point?"

"I can take it all away."

"What?"

"There is a potion called Forget-Me-Not. It is made for individuals who wish to omit certain...memories from their minds-"

"I don't wish to forget-" Dumbledore held his hand up to silence her. Meanwhile, his other hand reach into his pocket and he pulled out a small vial of blue liquid, placing it lightly on his desk. The potion shimmered against her eyes.

"Though no memory is ever truly erased, the thoughts that worry ones senses would be less potent. It is a form of permanent relief. Your pain would subside and the memories would be more like a keepsake, more dream-like."

"So everything would be unreal and imaginative, fake."

"In a sense," said Dumbledore. "And eventually your mind would stray from the memory entirely, though it would never truly be gone, of course. You see that is why they call it Forget-Me-Not. You would stop remembering, but you would never, ever, forget."

"Never, ever, forget," she repeated his words. What Dumbledore offered was very tempting. She could feel her soul calling for it. Why would he offer her such a thing?

"The choice is yours, Hermione," he said. "You can either take the potion and deny yourself tranquillity, forgetting memories along the way, or, you can give yourself a chance at happiness." He paused. "Hermione, you believed saying good bye was the right way. But before you make your decision, keep in mind, saying good bye isnt the only way."

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