Chapter 8

Hermione was back in 2009, the bustling of students walking about hogsmeade filling her ears from her spot in the alley. She took the opportunity to change back into her more formal clothes. She reached for her neck, noticing that the silver time turner was gone. She shoved the rest of her stuff in her beaded bag and shrunk it before aparating back to her office at the ministry.

Well at least that tells me I am still Minister for Magic. She thought, as she successfully apparated back into her office at the ministry.

She tried to gather herself, the butterflies in her stomach going crazy with what had just happened. She took a seat at her desk, trying to focus and bring herself back to the present time. Shortly thereafter, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in!" Hermione exclaimed rather excitedly. She was pleased to see Harry poke his head in, giving her a playful smile.

"Hey, 'Mione!" He exclaimed. "How's the Minister for Magic business coming along?"

"Just fine, Harry." She chuckled. "Just fine. Come in come!" She waved him on. "And shut the door behind you!" Harry was eying her curiously with the excitement in her eyes as he shut the door and came to sit at her desk. He smirked, wondering what it was she was so giddy about?

"What's going on, Hermione? You seem far more chipper than you usually do when you're sitting in this office doing paperwork." Hermione rolled her eyes at his comment, waving her wand to cast a silencing charm on the room and the door.

"I think I actually did it, I actually saved Severus Snape!"

"You saved Severus Snape? What on Earth are you talking about?" Hermione's smile faltered as she tried to grasp what Harry had just said.

"I-erm-well."

Harry noticed the dejected look on her face, and his voice softened as he continued. "'Mione the man has been alive and well for thirteen years now." Harry said, cutting off her stammer. "He was acquitted of any charges after the trials from the events of the war ended and he was honored as a war hero. Have you been living under a rock all this time as you've worked and worked?"

Hermiones heart danced in her chest. It worked! It actually worked! So the theory was wrong, and it seems like Harry doesn't remember the plan at all...

"No no I erm, it was some crazy dream I had the other night, I just was going to tell you about it, but no matter! How are things in the auror office?"

"They're brilliant, we've taken on a new auror finally since Ron left."

Hermione glanced around the office, confirming that today was indeed the day before she made her plans to first try to time travel and save Severus. And that confirmed the encounter with Ron and the moving with Harry, Ginny and Senna had happened as well.

This was right when I returned from my visit with the muggle relatives. Perfect.

"I'm happy to hear that, Harry. Look, I have loads and loads of paperwork to catch up on since my trip to see the family. I'll catch up with you soon, alright?"

"Alright then." Harry said standing up. "Don't overwork yourself too much, you hear? You've been at it pretty hardcore since you took the position and I don't want to see you overwhelm yourself."

"As if the brightest witch of her age couldn't handle it?" Hermione teased.

"All I'm saying is I can see it consume you a bit, remember you've got us around to help you."

Hermione nodded. "I'll remember, thanks Harry."

"Anytime, and don't forget about dinner on Saturday." He said before leaving her office.

Hermione resumed her work, but the fact that her plan had indeed worked had her mind and heart absolutely elated. It was absolutely revolutionary what she had attempted and succeeded at doing.

I just hope he is able to remember what had happened...

A couple of weeks had gone by. Hermione had made frequent visits to the mirror whenever she had a free moment. The downtime she had between work was spent either looking into the mirror, staring back at the reflection of herself, Severus and the mystery childlike figure, or she would visit the dimension. It was the sole bit of positivity in her life at the moment. With the amount of work still piling up, she found herself staying later at the office, even without having to avoid coming home to an intoxicated Ron.

It was a Thursday mid afternoon when Hermione was returning to her office from the mirror. She sat down at her desk and sighed, rubbing her temples to cope with the annoying headache lingering in the front of her head. She brought her hands down to the work on the desk, noticing the mood ring swirl with a mixture of black and grey, the nerves and overwhelming feeling taking her over.

She stood up from her desk, pacing back and forth quickly, trying her level best to calm her nerves. She glanced around the room as she did so, stopping when she noticed a letter sitting on the sill.

Must've come while I was down in the department of artefacts.

She walked over and picked up the letter, examining it and immediately recognizing Kingsley Shacklebolt's script. She opened the letter, reading the contents quickly.

Hermione,

I'm very happy to see the work that you've done for the ministry so far. Harry has told me some of the extraordinary things you have been able to achieve in such a short period of time. Minerva has also informed me of the new occlumency class and new potions professor Ignacio Ironwood she is hiring, who I remember is a good friend of yours.

My wife and children and I have been enjoying our new home here in Africa. I've taken on a position teaching charms part time at The Uagadou School of Magic. I know that may come as a surprise given my reputation as an auror, but you'd be surprised to know I had a knack and a love for charms back when I was in school. We too are making strides to try and bring occlumency as an extracurricular here at the school.

We hope to come visit later next year in the winter time when it gets to be too hot here, so I hope I will be able to visit you and the others when we do.

If you ever have any questions you believe you could direct my way, please do not hesitate to owl me.

However, remember what I said before I left. There is much more to life than all of the busy work and the papers that come with being Minister, be sure you still take time for yourself and your personal life.

I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Hermione read over the letter a couple more times, smiling at Kingsley's kind words and how happy she was that he was happy spending more time with his family.

There is much more to this than 'this"... Hermione played in her head over and over as she sat back down on her desk. She was beginning to realize how fully consumed she was by the work, instead of taking time for herself.

I've buried myself in work and papers, just like Ron buried himself into a bottle. She said to herself, coming to the realization that she truly wasn't happy.

She buried her face in her hands, letting out a soft sob as the tears began to sting her eyes. A soft knock on the door broke Hermione from her moment. She wiped at her tears quickly, composing herself before speaking in response to the knock.

"Ahem, um, come in." Hermione looked up to see Senna, and she gave her a polite smile.

"Yes, Senna, what can I do for you?"

"There's someone here who would like to see you, but he isn't on any of your scheduled meetings. I tried to tell him that he needed to set an appointment with you, but he insisted I come speak to you and let you know he was here. He came by two other times this week while you were away, but he won't desist." She said in a hushed whisper, as if trying to make sure he couldn't hear her.

Oh my goodness...it's him.

"Well who is it that is so eager to speak to me, Senna?"

"Severus Snape...he says he refuses to leave until he speaks with you."

Hermione tried to hide her humoured look from Senna. Grabbing at the tea cup on her desk and taking a sip to shield her smile.

She removed the cup from her lips once she was able to contain the laugh building up in her stomach.

Poor Senna looks terrified, I'll have to owe her several lunches and an extra day off for having to put up with him three days in one week.

"That's quite alright Senna, you can go ahead and show him in." Senna gave Hermione a quick head nod before disappearing from view.

Moments later Severus strode in, his robes billowing. Hermiones heart leapt into her chest at first sight of him.

He really is alive...it worked. It worked!

Senna, looking like a meek little house elf, had followed in behind him, coming to a halt abruptly when he stopped to keep herself from bumping into him. He stopped in the middle of the room, his face serious and intimidating. He placed his hands behind his back, slowly turning his head to look at Senna, raising an eyebrow at her with his one of many signature looks.

Hermione could hear Senna let out a small whimper, and Hermione tilted her head to the side so she could see Senna's small frame from behind Severus' tall, stoic and dark one.

"That's all right, Senna. I can take it from here. Close the door as you leave, please."

Senna nodded her head vigorously, scurrying out and closing the door behind her before Severus had another chance to intimidate her.

As soon as the door closed Hermione eyed him with a warning but playful glare. "Was that absolutely necessary to terrify the poor girl?"

"Indeed. You should certainly know I have a reputation to uphold."

"Mmm, I suppose, but she isn't used to it as much as myself and others, give the poor girl a break." Hermione requested.

"Minister Granger." Severus finally greeted with a very small nod of his head.

"Hermione will do just fine, would you like to sit?"

"I suppose." He droned slightly. Seating himself across from her.

Hermione was just screaming internally at herself to push the formalities aside, but she had no idea if Severus was aware or remembered anything that she did in the past. She made eye contact, trying to choose her words carefully.

"What brings you to my office this afternoon, Severus?"

"I believe you are fully aware of why." He replied.

"Humour me." Hermione said, just a hint of tease in her voice. She placed her elbows on the desk, resting her chin on top of her hands. She glanced down at her mood ring and watched as it swirled, beginning to change colors. She heard Severus clear his throat and she looked back up to him and locked eyes.

"I believe..." he started, talking in much less intimidating fashion than he did to Senna. "a word of thanks from me is in order." He said sounding appreciative, but slightly disappointed at the fact he was lowering his guard around her like this.

"So you do indeed recall what happened that day of the battle?" She asked, trying to validate her own thoughts.

He nodded.

"It took a great deal of motivation, knowledge, courage and...passion, to go through what you went through to save me." He continued. "I took all of this time before approaching you to process everything that had happened, righting some of my wrongs of the past and mending some broken relationships, all the while keeping my intimidating reputation still intact." The last comment made Hermione laugh a little.

"You were the person I wanted to save for seeing last, because you are the main reason I am still walking this Earth."

Hermione felt her heart flutter at hearing him speak this, to lower his guard around her like this, it just went to show how worth it was to go through the efforts to save him.

"Severus you are a brilliant wizard, there was no doubt in my mind that I was making the right decision at that time. I'm happy this plan worked. Truly."

"Now...if you would humour me," he said, teasing Hermione about what she had said just a couple moments ago.

"I'd like to hear more about that ring on your finger you promised you'd 'explain later' all of those years ago."

"That's been wracking in your brain for over thirteen years?"

"I suppose you could put it that way." He mused.

Hermione chuckled again. "The ring is a gift, a gift from your dear friend Senna out there." Hermione said jokingly, motioning to the door.

"Clearly you mustn't be the brightest witch of your age to think that girl is a friend." He droned. Hermione playfully rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, it was a muggle mood ring she purchased that she charmed into actually working and changing colour based on my mood."

"I see. And how are things going as the newly appointed and youngest Minister for Magic? It seems that you're a little over your head with work."

Hermione's smile faltered a little. "It has been rather stressful. Most of my close friends think I'm not setting aside enough time for myself."

"Well you're clearly exhausted and unhappy." Severus replied.

"Is it really that obvious?"

"Very."

"Thank you for coming to see me today, it really helped make my day a bit better."

Severus gave a slow, polite nod. "And thank you...Hermione...for saving my life."

Hermione would have melted into a puddle on the floor if her body allowed it. To hear his voice say her name for the very first time was music to her ears. Her breath hitched, and she felt her cheeks flush. Severus seemed to be aware of his effect, for the faintest smirk appeared on his face.

"Severus I...can I show you something?" She asked. He raised a curious eyebrow at her, nodding again. "I suppose so, I did come all this way to speak with you, what's a few more minutes?" He teased in a monotone voice.

"Come," Hermione said. "this way."

She led Severus out of her office, making her way to the artefacts wing. She gave a polite nod to Sage, who only nodded back in return when he saw who was entering with her. He gave another nod of greeting to Severus, who exchanged the same gesture before following Hermione down the corridor.

"I want to show you what started this whole process of me saving you." Hermione said as they reached the door where the Mirror of Erised was behind.

She opened the door and stepped Inside, standing off to the side of the doorway to allow Severus to enter. He slowly stepped in, observing the room around him. He caught sight of the velvet covering in the middle of the room, and immediately knew what it hid.

"I had been hearing some rumours throughout diagon alley that the mirror had been found, but I didn't partake in such silly gossip. But I see it is indeed true, it has been found."

"Yes, it has been." Hermione replied as she yanked off the thick blanket with one big tug.

Severus studied the mirror quietly, taking just a couple steps forward before stopping himself. He had never visited the mirror, even when it was at Hogwarts.

"If you'd be so kind," Hermione said, interrupting his thoughts. "I'd like you to see what the mirror shows you...if you're willing." Severus glanced over at her, his face serious and hers as well, but he could tell behind those eyes, she was hoping and longing for him to take a look.

He glanced down at the ring on her finger, eying it carefully as he watched a dull hue of gold start to glow around the swirl blue and green in the middle. He stared back up at the mirror for one long moment before taking a few steps forward again, bringing his reflection into view.

Hermione watched him with bated breath. Studying his features intently to see if anything in his face would change when something came into view. She glanced down and she too saw the giant gold hue her ring was emitting, her eyes growing wide at the realization of what this meant. She glanced back up in his direction, but his face and stature were unchanged.

"...Severus?" She said in a sort of whisper. He didn't look her way, but a quiet 'hmm?' was an acknowledgment of her saying his name.

"Do you see anything?"

"Indeed."

"W-what is it?"

Severus hesitated before answering her. He was trying to fully process what it was he was seeing. His reflection stood in his normal robes, potion coat and black trousers, looking down at a radiant Hermione Granger next to him. He had his right arm around her waist, and she was returning his gaze, a big loving smile spread across her cheeks. He had the faintest smile on his lips, gazing back at her with equal love. The biggest shock of it all was the young toddler girl he had situated in his left arm, resting on his hip. The stunning child smiled big at the direction of where Severus stood looking at the mirror, waving her hand vigorously as if saying hello to him. The toddler's features were in full detail compared to the silhouette Hermione had first seen.

Hermione stepped over to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. She broke Severus' gaze from the mirror in doing so, and he turned his head to meet her eyes.

She then brought her hand down to take his, and to his own surprise, he didn't jerk away. The moment their hands touched, the dim golden hue from Hermione's ring shot out bright streams of golden light, filling up the room. Severus brought up his hand with Hermione's still entwined to bring the ring into a better view. It was glowing a brilliant gold, while the brightest green and blue circled and swirled together.

"Blue." Hermione said.. "My favorite colour."

"Green is mine." Severus said in a low whisper.

"Senna said when the ring does this, you're in the presence of the person you're meant to be with, and you're meant to have true happiness with." Hermione said softly as she looked at the ring, slowly bringing her gaze up to meet his again.

"True happiness..." Severus said. "That's something I've never had before in my life."

"Well, it's never too late to start..." Hermione spoke in a mesmerized whisper, the tone of his voice intoxicating her.

Neither realized how close their faces had come to be, until they felt the heat of each other's breath on their cheeks.

"I was hoping to be anywhere but now...until this very moment, Hermione."

"I as well, Severus."

They locked eyes once more before embracing each other, locking lips softly in a passionate kiss. The ring continued to hum, glow and swirl, the true indication that they were indeed at the start of their own true happiness.