Back to Reality.

Sitting in Dumbledoor's office. Hermione wept in Snape's arms. Every now and then pounding her fists into his chest until she collapsed in another flow of tears. He was used to torture, this was nothing. He deserved it, and that's what made it hurt.

"You knew my father had been killed?!" She said for the umpteenth time. "You knew in New York and didn't tell? That's the real reason we came home?" That was a new question.

"No... Well yes." He brushed back her matted hair. Her eyes were stung red with salt tears. That hurt him more than anything in the world. "We believe you were a target Herm-" He was interrupted.

"Snape you really are a FOOLISH little man." Dumbledoor bellowed, followed in by McGonagall. No twinkle in his eyes this time. "Please remove your hands from Miss Granger this instant." He refused. "NOW!" Snape did as he was told.

"What were you playing at Snape?" The old woman said sitting down beside the weeping girl. Holding her softly. It wasn't as soothing as Snape. Hermione, and Ginny had a sinking feeling that couldn't be ignored.

"What? She found out. You couldn't-" Snape began, bewilderment clearly on his face.

"We do not mean the death of her father. You know what I mean man. Can't you keep it in your trousers just this once?" Dumbledoor looked deep into Snape's eyes. "She's a child-"

"-And nothing happened. I did not take advantage." Snape hissed, standing defensively. "I declared my love. Nothing more."

"And that will get you killed and make Miss Granger a target-"

"Albus, don't fuck with me. She was already a target. As last night clearly shows!" He walked over to the desk where Dumbledoor was sitting. Hermione watched on helplessly. Pinned to McGonagall's side.

"What happens when Draco tells Lucius? It will get back to Voldermort that you have a weakness. You can deny it all you want. But he will find out about your love for Hermione." Dumbledoor spat, repulsed by the situation. "And Miss Granger. I thought you had more sense!"

"That's the beauty of love professor. All sense goes out the window." Hermione retaliated weakly her hate for the headmaster growing. "And there is nothing you can do to change what we've shared."

"That is where you are wrong Miss Granger."

"You wouldn't?!" Snape's head snapped up, Dumbledoor nodded. "I won't let you. Not to her."

"No. Not just to her. To both of you." Dumbledoor said coldly. "I can't let you fall into the hands of Voldermort with the ability to betray the other. You are both too powerful to loose."

"What?!" Hermione asked the stern professor who was holding her. "What's happening?"

"We are going to remove you memories of-" It was all Hermione needed to hear.

"No!" Hermione stood, and crumpled. She wept at the thought "They say true love is suicide!" Hermione looked pointedly at Dumbledoor, the ambiguity of her words were clear to all that were present.

"I don't respond well to threats Miss Granger." Dumbledoor hissed. What happened to the man who liked is sugar? His smiled had been missing for the last few months. "I warned you not to take her Snape, you foolish, little man." He placed a pensive upon the table.

"Now Albus?" McGonagall question, not at all happy at Dumbledoor's drastic actions. "The poor girl has lost her father. Does she really have to loose the love of her life in the same day?" She smiled at each of the loving pair. She saw something there that the headmaster couldn't.

"You have until sundown. Minerva, we can not wait much longer." Dumbledoor whispered harshly.

"Would you kindly take Hermione to my quarters please?" Snape asked McGonagall, clearly with unfinished business. "Stay with her until I return."

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Hermione found Snape's room to be warm and inviting, despite its cold colours of green and silver.

"How did he die?" She found herself blurting out, tracing her finger over the spines of the books on the self. "Why was my mother saved?"

"Harry Potter is no longer unique Miss Granger. It is true what you said, true love is suicide." McGonagall paused, watching the fatigued girl sit at Snape's desk. "Your father protected your mother when Voldemort attacked."

"An unforgivable?" Hermione asked. McGonagall nodded softly. "Does he fear me?"

"I don't know." McGonagall answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Because he should!" Hermione looked at McGonagall who didn't like what she saw.

"Don't get any ideas child!" She warned not noticing Snape appear behind her.

"Am I the only one that sees her true potential?!" He paused. "She's no longer a child. She has a maturity beyond her years."

"You were the first to notice Serverus. Always jealous you were in my house Miss Granger." On that note she left. Leaving them alone. Hermione shook with fatigue.

"Here my love." He helped her up and led her to the lovers chair that was in front of the fire. Carved from black oak, two silver serpents winding round the curve that joined the facing chairs. He sat her down on the seat that opened to the fire; which he lit on his way to the adjoining chair. He sighed a deep sigh. "I feel like I am condemned to death."

"We could run away!" Hermione suggested. Her hand reached out for his. He took it and kissed it.

"One, or both would find us Hermione." Unless her eyes were deceiving her. He was crying. "What ever harsh words I will say. I'm sorry. I will not mean-"

"Hush-" She put her hand to his mouth. "We will always have New York!" He kissed her outstretched hand. "Are they going to destroy our memories, or just hide them?"

"Destroy-" He was whimpering. "Promise me something. You have to promise before I tell you."

"I promise." She said instantly.

"Don't go hunting for him." Snape grabbed her hand when she looked away. "You promised. You can't break it." He said just as the two serpents heads came to life and bit the occupants. Both winced at the pain, two spots of blood appeared in the creases of each persons arm.

"Interesting chair?" Hermione enquired. For once he was glad of the questioning know-it all.

"Wedding gift for my mother and father. It's traditional at a wizards wedding ceremony for them to take a blood oath. These to serpents are my uncles way of showing off." Snape thought for a minute. "It appears you are under oath to following my wishes."

"Not if I can't remember." She said. "Why are they doing this to us?" Her head buzzed, she really did need sleep. But did she really want to loose the last few hours with Serverus? She looked at him, he needed sleep too. "Take me to bed Serverus. Hold me, let me fall asleep in your arms one last time." He did just that. They slept till dusk.

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A polite cough woke them. It was professor McGonagall, she smiled sweetly not wanting to disturb the pair. They were good for each other. McGonagall had a sense Hermione was about to go off the rails in a bad way. Snape and Hermione were each others missing pieces. A balance of the strongest houses of Hogwarts. Although truth be told, both of them had aspects of each group. The sorting hat had a tough decision with both. However, Snape chose family legacy over what he really wanted. How things could have been different.

"It's time." She said, tears welling up. "I'm so sorry. You two united could bring an end to this war. You both have the knowledge. Hermione has the fire and Serverus has the grace." She led them back to Dumbledoor's office. The pensive lay upon the table, ominous and frightening. Hermione clung to Serverus. He swooped her into one last satisfying kiss.

"I will always love you." He assured her. His mouth reaching her ear. "I will remember. Love this strong can not be broken." He sat down at the seat Dumbledoor had placed in front of the pensive.

"believe me when I say I didn't want it to end like this. I warned you about this. I tried my best to keep-"

"Bite me old man! We have enough enemies without you treating us like this. If only Hermione hadn't made me ten times the man I was, I'd hex you where you stand." He looked back at Hermione, teary eyed.

"I will forget you said that boy. For you will." Dumbledoor began removing Snape's memories. Slowly, Snape's head drooped until it was resting upon his chest. He was dead to the world. Dumbledoor placed the pensive into his draw. "They need to be sorted through." He explained to a perplexed Hermione, who was cradled by McGonagall. With a click of his fingers, Snape vanished. Dumbledoor gestured for Hermione to sit. "Serverus has asked that you keep your memories. He believes they are of a warrantable benefit to you. He also vouched for you that you will keep it to yourself. You will not try to remind him." Dumbledoor said in a softer tone.

"How very kind of you." Hermione wore a face of stone. Dumbledoor moved from behind his desk.

"It also means you can not tell Mr Potter or any of the Weasley family." He explained to her. "I will know if you do. Mark my words carefully child." Hermione nodded avoiding his eyes. "I am very disappointed in you Miss Granger." His tone reached it's harsh peek again. "With your muggle background, you should know that teacher/ student relations are strictly prohibited."

"Of course. And damned either way! I'm, and I quote, `up the professors arses`, for trying to prove myself a worthy witch. But my heritage condemns me to racism and ridicule. You bat endless eyelids at Slitherins you know will end up fighting against you. And I disappoint you. You've just destroyed a good man. A man that made me strong, kept my world from falling down. He would never have betrayed me. Willing or none. Nor would I." Hermione paused. "I've had six years of being alone in this world. Now I wish I didn't know how gifted I was." McGonagall placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Your mother is in the Weasley's summer home in France. You are to join her in the morning. You will not return until the start of the September term. Mr Potter, Mr and Miss Weasley will join you at the end of the school year." His voice was so distant. So formal. It then changed. "My condolences Miss Granger."

"My condolences to you... Your dead to me!" Hermione left his room, with no intention of returning to Hogwarts.

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Ginny wondered if this counted as Hermione telling her. How would Dumbledoor know? Would he come barging through that door, hexing both of them. All anger of Hermione's secrecy faded. She would have told Ginny everything in very fine detail had she been warned not to. Perhaps Dumbledoor never destroyed Snape's memories, perhaps he had kept them until the war was over, which it still wasn't. Then he fell in love, and was now married. How much did Dumbledoor remove, did he still have feelings for her? The question that raised was, how long had he loved her?

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A/N Bit of a dark chapter. Little bit of a change in Dumbledoor from the norm. Hope you like it.... Bit nervous about peoples reaction of him!!!!!!!!! Not sure how many chapters the summer holidays are going to cover before we get into Hermione's seventh year where I will reveal the lady who is about to steal Snape from our dear Hermione. Next chapter might just deal with Hermione and her mother consoling each other. I know there wasn't much mention of it here, but I think Hermione would still be in shock. Then with the whole telling off... What did you think of Dumbledoor not accepting the relationship? Most fics I read, he's all for it and is sometimes the one that brings them together. Had something else to say, but never mind.

Crimson Regret177: Thank you again for reviewing. I must admit though. I'm more for Reed. That charming British thing he's got going on there. It's really winning me over.

SiruisBlacksgirl4eva: Hope this chapter cleared up the fact that Snape knew, although it was just her dad that was killed, is was going to be both but I then remember she was in chapter one and it's too late to rewrite it now, although I like it better this way. Nope, wasn't Draco's father. However he will be the cause of something later on. I think it will be at least two chapters before we catch up with Snape again.

sweetytweety013: Unfortunately you won't be able to guess for at least another two chapters, I didn't realise how long away the storyline will begin. But prizes for the attempt.

If I have forgotten anyone, thank you for your review and I will give you a shout out in the next chapter. Chocolate frogs to whoever can tell me what is in the core of Hermione's wand. (Which I broke on her and need to replace.)

Again it is 1 am GMT and My head is pounding. Plot bunnies are dancing round my room. Good night to you all.

xxxxxxx