Aali's notes: None of these belong to me. They all belong to the wonderful J.K. Rowling, I am just a young fan fiction writer who wishes she owned these characters. Major thanks to my beta Kare, without whom, this story never would have been put up. She is a great beta, no matter who says otherwise.
Severus was in his living room, sitting on the dark green leather couch, with a glass in one hand, and a bottle of firewhiskey in the other. There was a knock on the door. And he didn't even get up to answer it. He just grabbed his wand, waved it, opening the door for him. In stepped the Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his weekly "Try to cheer Severus up" session. He had been trying this for a little less than a year now, but his efforts had been to no avail. But the headmaster was hoping that this time around, things would be different.
"Hello Severus!" The headmaster walked in and went over to the couch and took the bottle of firewhiskey from his potions master. "You won't need this tonight." He took the glass from Severus before he could down the last bit. "Severus, I want you to tell me exactly why you have been in such a foul mood for the past year." Snape looked at his employer with contempt. "I won't have any of this 'there is nothing wrong' nonsense. I want to know, and I want to know now."
"Albus, I am a grown man. I am not a silly teenager who is depressed because his girlfriend dumped him, and I do not need you to question my attitude or change of."
"Well I'm sorry you feel this way Severus. But unless you tell me precisely why you are in this mood, I cannot have you working at Hogwarts. You have scared more first years than in any year previous. I've had thrice the amount of owls from worried parents about the 'Mean and nasty potions professor, who insists on picking on their child in front of the entire class making him more nervous than he already is.' Severus, it is time to buck up and admit to what is going on. If you cannot do that, than pack your bags because you will not be staying in this castle with that attitude." The potions master looked at the old man, and got up and walked into his room. He came out a few minutes later holding a letter in his hand. Severus thrust the letter into Dumbledore's hands.
"Here, read it. If you can't tell what's going on after reading that, then you aren't as smart as everyone thinks" With that Severus grabbed his whiskey bottle and his glass and went into his room to continue the drinking game he had started before the headmaster interrupted
Albus opened up the letter and started to read.
Dear Severus,
I am sorry about this, I really am. But we cannot continue this lie. You never loved me. You said so over and over, but it never seemed as if you meant it. You used me as a few quick shags. That's all. I thought I could change you, that I could get you to become a better man. I know you are wondering what brought this about. I know you are going to want answers, but I cannot give them to you, as I do not know them yet either. The only thing I know for sure is that you didn't care for me.
I'm sorry that it had to end this way. I hate that it is ending, because being with you was one of the best things in my life. But I guess everyone must float down from cloud nine eventually. My time is now. I love you with all my heart Severus. I truly do. But until you can love me the same, I cannot continue our relationship as it stands.
Good Bye Severus Snape,
Hermione Granger
After Albus finished reading this letter, he had half a mind to storm to Hermione Granger's house and drag her back to the school. How could she have written this? She knows that is not the reason she left Hogwarts. The headmaster, finally at the breaking point, couldn't think of it anymore for one night. He went to bed, hoping that tomorrow, a new chapter would open to this story, and everything would make sense.