Summary: It wasn't fair. One of her best friends had given up everything to protect the wizarding world. Even the most hated Professor in the school was a spy. All in the hopes of riding them of a madman. Forbidden to interfere. She could do nothing but watch as the rest of their world simply waited for a young teenager to take care of everyone's problems.

Disclaimer: Not mine unfortunately…I just enjoy playing with them and making my own little world away from real life.

Warnings: WIP, basically whatever my poor brain comes up with at the time. Does not follow the books.
Notes: Beta is no other than (gryfferin666). Thanks for all your help.

Chapter Eight

The aftermath was chaos. There was confusion and relief all at the same time. Things slowly returned to normal as the days swiftly passed by. Days turning into weeks and then finally months. As Hermione lay in the hospital wing recovering Severus stayed as busy as possible. Making sure Poppy has everything she needed for the injured. He has slowly recoverd himself. It was only a matter of bruises and broken bones. Not that it had been a picnic. Far from it in fact. Albus had been busy with the cleanup and recovery of the Hogwarts. There was so very much to be done.

Remus had been by his side when he finally regained consciousness. Knowing he would want to be filled in on what had happened. He was almost afraid to believe it but even Albus confirmed what Remus had told him. Hermione was in love with him. It had devastated her when she had seen him so badly injured. He couldn't believe she had destroyed Voldemort. Something about her powers maturing. Evidently she had used some long forgotten Rite of Merlin's. The details on that were sketchy at best. What little was know about it was always thought to be myth and legend.

Poppy had informed him that Hermione would wake up on her own time. She had suffered from magical exhaustion. Just this morning he had been told that her levels were finally back to normal. So here he sat waiting for her to open her eyes. Even the rest of the Gryffiindor trio had left him to sit with her in private. They had stopped by earlier that morning to check on her. Surprisingly enough they hadn't stayed long. After seeing the way he was with her they understood. It was obvious to even them how very much he cared for her. They could see it in the way he held her hand and didn't care that everyone else knew. Quietly saying their goodbyes they left him alone.

Slowly her eyelids started to flutter as she blinked herself awake. "Severus." she whispered. Turning her head to get a better look at him. She finally noticed the way he was holding her hand. The look on his face was so tender. Her breath hitched as she looked into his eyes. The love she could see there was so strong it took her breath. "Severus?" she asked. "Are you sure?"

Placing the hand he held to his cheek he held it there. "Yes my love, very sure. More sure than I've ever been in my life. I love you so much it hurts. I don't know what I would have done if anything had happened to you. If it had I would have never forgiven myself for not saying something. I almost lost the chance. Something that I intend to make up for the rest of our lives, if you will have me." he said softly as a tear ran silently down his face.

She looked at him smiling gently. "Yes my dear Severus, oh yes." she laughed softly. "Indeed I will have you this day and every day after that for the rest of our lives. You complete my very soul. I love you so very much." Placing her other hand on his face she pulled him down for a long kiss. Determined to let him know how much.

The End.