AN: I don't know how often I'll be able to post this week. I just took on a volunteer position and have a slew of meetings this week in addition to my job.

Still, I thank you for your support! It is very deeply appreciated!

Was it just Severus, or was Hermione glowing? There seemed to be a yellow aura around her, though Severus may be so used to interacting with spirits he was imagining things.

"It was amazing seeing everyone's face light up at the end of the experiment!" Hermione plopped onto her sofa. "They looked so relieved and rejuvenated! It was like they were coming back to life!"

"I would imagine," his smile widened.

"It was such an awesome feeling to know I've helped them, that I restored them to health." She raised her hands. "I've never experienced anything like it."

"I am glad you got to experience the fulfillment of a dream." Severus sat on the arm rest.

"It was more than that! It was like, like…"

"You were doing what you were meant to be doing all along."

"Yes." Her eyes glistened. "Exactly."

Severus' glow brightened.

"Oh don't get me wrong." Hermione sat up straighter. "I get fulfillment out of my bookstore. I love seeing a person's face when I find the book they've been searching for, or when a child read their first words."

He nodded.

"My bookstore does so much good for the world too. Through helping people to read and providing textbooks I am certain I am saving lives by creating a better educated populace."

"Yet you have your own ideas which deserve to be developed and tested."

"Yes," her voice grew softer. "I knew I could save Dad with my own ideas. I just needed to implement them myself."

"I am glad you are living up to your potential then."

"I am but," she exhaled. "I don't know if I'd ever want to teach or research full time. The bookstore means so much to me, and to others."

"Then do your research while you run the store."

"I don't know if I can."

He frowned. "Of all the dunderheaded things you've ever said, that had to be the most idiotic."

Hermione glared at him. "I thought you respected me."

"I do, which is why I will not allow such an idiotic statement to go uncontested."

"What is your great insight on my dilemma then?" She lowered her voice.

"You just created a heart strengthening potion while running a bookstore and helping a spirit reach heaven."

"Wait, you're leaving for heaven?" She paled.

"Not yet," he admitted. "Apparently you haven't achieved eudaimonia, or at least not the sense of it the Trinity feels you need to have."

"Oh," her lips curled up. "I guess you'll have to stay longer."

"How hellish."

"Truly?"

"No." He grinned. "This has been the most pleasant period of my time, whether on earth or in the hereafter."

"Even if Sirius Black is involved?"

"Honestly," Severus slid onto the cushion next to her. "Any annoyance he causes is outweighed by the serenity I feel with you."

"I've been called a few things, but serene isn't one of them."

"I suppose there's a first time for everything." He focused on her parted lips.

"Indeed there is." She tilted her head closer, only to realize she did not feel her forehead against his.

He gazed into her eyes. If he'd had a heart it would've been racing. If he was breathing his breath would have hitched. If he could reach for her he would press her against his chest, brush his lips against hers and show her exactly how happy she made him.

"Severus?" She whispered.

"Yes?" He drawled.

An owl pecked at the window.

She startled and fell through him. He scowled as his glow turned red. Why must every tender moment in his life be interrupted?

"Ugh." Hermione trudged to the window.

Severus watched as she opened it and yanked the parchment from the owl's leg. As he watched her, he couldn't help but notice her shirt and sweats were black. She had no idea how appealing that color was on her.

"This can wait," she grumbled before slamming the parchment onto a desk.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes." She returned to her place at the sofa. "In fact I think it should wait."

"Why?"

"Because." Hermione sighed. "It's complicated."

"Mr. McLaggen hasn't been giving you any trouble, has he?"

"No, this isn't him. It's someone else."

"May I ask who?"

She swallowed.

"Would I know him?" He went white.

"You might know him, or you might not."

"Who might I know?"

"His name is Dr. Marsh."

"Dr. Henry Marsh?" Severus' glow dimmed.

"Yes, he remembers you teaching him."

"I remember him quite well too." He drawled. "He was a Hufflepuff who was too social for my liking."

"He was quite social when I met him."

"Indeed," He scratched the sofa. "Did you speak to him outside of the conference?"

"We had a cup of coffee and had a pleasant conversation at a cafe."

"How pleasant was it?" Severus' glow was a light blue.

"It was pleasant enough."

"Would you like to see him again?"

"As a friend most certainly. He was kind, funny, intelligent, and pleasant."

"Then you should become involved with him."

"Excuse me?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Hermione." Severus' glow darkened. "You deserve to be happy. If that requires a romantic interest then so be it."

"No." She shook her head. "I don't want to date him."

"Perhaps you should."

"Why?"

"You said yourself that he is kind, funny, intelligent, and pleasant. Those sound like excellent qualities in a partner." Severus prayed he sounded persuasive, despite his heart screaming for him to draw closer to her again.

"Yes, I need more friends like that, but not every friend wants to be a romantic partner."

"Are you sure he only wants friendship?"

"Why would he want more?" She drawled.

"Why would he not want more?" He argued. "You are an amazing witch who has much to offer any wizard who is lucky enough to win her heart. All you need to do is open yourself up and allow yourself to be loved."

"Loved?" She exclaimed.

"Yes." He bowed his head.

"I'm not looking for love."

"Perhaps you should be." He made eye contact with her.

"Why?"

"It could lead to happiness, and we both know it."

"Either that or it could lead to headaches and heartaches."

His gaze remained fixed on her.

"I don't need to be in love ever again. Everything is perfect just as it is," she concluded.

"How? You spend half your time talking to a spirit and the other half dealing with dunderheaded customers."

"You said it yourself though, I'm living my dreams finally."

"Yes, but don't you want to brew more than one potion?"

"I do, which is why I need you."

"You don't need me for anything," he replied.

"Yes, I do. I was only able to do my research because of you," she answered.

"You would have done just fine without me…"

"I'm not sure of that."

If he could've sighed, he would have. "You need to have some confidence in yourself."

"No, you need to be honest about how I'm allocating my time."

"You're spending it with a spirit."

"Who was able to research with me."

He closed his mouth.

"I was able to run my business because you were helping me with the formula. What could've taken months was accomplished in a matter of days thanks to you."

"I was more than happy to help."

"I know, and I'm grateful. Still, you were helping me, not some man I met at a conference."

"I won't be here forever though."

"I know." A tear fell from her cheek. "But I wish you would be."

"I wish I could be with you forever too," he whispered.

She gulped.

"I don't know how to describe how I feel when I'm here, but I'd imagine it's as close to happiness as I will ever come. That being said." He tried to hold her hand, but his slipped right through. "You need to plan for life without me. One step may be finding someone else to spend your time with."

"Perhaps."

"You will be happy." Severus' glow pulsated.

"Will I be happy without you?"

"I think you'll be much happier without me."

Her lower lip quivered.

"Trust me, you will be happier without me."

"No, I won't be."

From the look in her eyes it was clear that she was sincere. If only they were in a different time under different circumstances. Perhaps then he'd have the courage to envelope her in his arms and whisper in her ear...

"When you leave, will I see you in the afterlife?" She choked.

"I promise to stand by the pearly gates the day you die." His mind returned to the moment. "I will be the first person you see."

"You'd better keep that promise."

"I have every intention of doing so."

She relaxed.

"Please agree to go on a proper date with Dr. Marsh. He might make you happier than you could imagine."

"Do you believe he will make me happy?"

"I," he looked at the teardrop trickling down her cheek. "He's a Hufflepuff so I'm biased against him."

She giggled.

"He may be worth a try though. There are worse men out there."

"Perhaps." She wiped her face.

"Go write him. You're worth loving."

"I will." She rose. "Once I do though, would you like to share some of your notes with me?"

"Only if you agree to look over some of the recipes I plan to write down."

"Deal." She strolled over to her desk.

Severus' glow returned to its dark blue hue.

If Purgatory was about pain, he had just felt the full brunt of it.