Chapter 43

Two weeks later, Hermione was feeling a bit like her old self. She had met Harry at the three broomsticks for an afternoon. They had lunch and talked about the old days. Harry opened up to her about his feelings of losing Sirius, Dumbledore and all the others who perished in the war. She felt closer to him now, more than ever.

Later, they went to the Burrow and spent some time with Ron. He was so distraught over being the 'source' from the Daily Prophet stories, he almost cried. Hermione forgave him, of course, and they were on the road to mending the bridges between them.

The only one who seemed to withdraw further, was Ginny. She no longer gathered at her parent's home for weekend meals. She no longer met with her friends for nights out. She was now involved with a French Wizard in town on business and she spent all of her time with him. It was rumored that she was going back to France with him. Molly and Arthur had plenty to say on the matter the last time Hermione was there. Molly felt the wizard was too old for her. Arthur didn't like the thought of his little girl moving so far away. But Hermione and Harry shared a silent look. They knew it was for the best she left, for now anyway.

Harry had used his authority in the Ministry and the Daily Prophet to discourage any more stories related to Hermione or Snape. This was met with an outcry of protest, but Harry stood his ground and demanded they leave them be. He did have authority within the Ministry and also throughout the Wizarding World. So in time, everything calmed down and no one mentioned the Potions Master or Hermione Granger the Spells Mistress in the press again.

Hermione was kept very busy with the publication of both the Coniectura Potion and the Arbitrio Suo potion/spell combination. The world had been shocked to its core. Everyone wanted to know who the inventors were who created the spells. MagiCall kept Hermione and Snape's names under wraps and there was a overflow of memos and letters that made their way to the company. Some wizards and witches wrote their thanks, others wrote that MagiCall saved the entire Wizarding World. On and on they came and Hermione was able to read every last one.

She and Sylvester would sit and compare letters hour after hour. Though she was happy, a part of her mourned still her personal loss of Severus. Somewhere out there, he was sure to know that their work had finally gone public. She was sure he must have had some satisfaction from it. The newspapers from all over the world hailed MagiCall as the savior of the Wizarding World. Hermione smiled, knowing that Severus was included in that statement as well.

That was another reason she read every letter. She hoped that one of them would be from Severus. But he never wrote. She had such a dull ache in her heart sometimes she would cry for no reason at all. Sylvester tried to cheer her. Elmer even mended his ways…somewhat.

But she missed Severus deeply.

On the third week after Severus' departure, Hermione had dinner in the small pub in the village her and Severus had eaten together. It was bittersweet for her. She sat at the same table and ate quietly, remembering the conversation they had. How he tried to talk her out of wanting him. And her insistence in pushing their relationship further.

She ate her dinner and when she was finished she sighed. She had decided that this was the final goodbye to her memories of Severus. She came here to tell him goodbye and to close the door on that chapter of her life. She loved him, she always would. But she could not spend all of her time pinning for a man who wasn't even around. She had forgiven him for what he did wrong. That was the only way she could say goodbye.

So she did.

She stood from the table and ran her hand across the smooth surface. She remembered him placing her cape on her shoulders and escorting her out. This time she escorted herself out, leaving his memory behind her.

She walked around the village and then disapparted back to her office. She entered the lobby and found Sylvester had stepped out as well. She entered the hallway and walked into the sitting room.

She almost missed him.

She made it halfway to her door and stopped. Her heart thudding wildly in her chest. She turned slowly and faced Severus for the first time in three weeks.

He was sitting in the chair by the fire, with his hands under his chin, looking at her. He looked good. He had color in his cheeks and his hair was washed and full of life. His eyes raked over her, drinking her in. She didn't know what to say, so she stood there, shaking from the torrent of emotions that raged through her.

Severus looked down then and stood before her. He raised his eyes to hers and spoke in a soft voice full of emotion.

"I read somewhere, that some truly brilliant people created some truly brilliant magic here at MagiCall. They were successful in everything that they did. Except that…one of the brilliant inventors left you here to do all of the work. I have come to beg you to allow me to rectify the situation. To allow me to finish what was started. To allow me to replace the man who left you. He was no good. But I am willing to try and be good enough for you. No matter what happens."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as he stepped closer to her.

"Severus…all I have ever wanted was you. I missed you…" she choked back tears as she flung her arms around his graceful neck. With tenderness no one but her would ever know, he kissed her and made promises to her that he had every intention of keeping.

Until the last breath he took, he would live up to every promise of love, friendship and companionship he made to her that night.

The Sparrow and the Raven loved each other beyond all barriers and were as happy as two lovers could ever be, for the rest of their lives.

FIN

A/N: OK...so that is the end! Hooray! I thank you all for reading this little story. I have other stories submitted on this site, so if you get a chance, go check those out as well. Otherwise, I am working on another SS/HG fic right now. But it is not finished yet. So I will finish it and then start posting it. Check back soon! Thanks for the reviews and all the wonderful praise you guys have given me. Hugs to all!