The next day Severus was able to get up and move around. He felt better than he had in a very long time. Partly this was due to Hermione being the genius that she is, though he still didn't know what spell it was she used to pull out Nagini's venom. But his lightness and more relaxed state of being was because he was free. There was no Dark Lord hanging over his head, no need to look over his back (though he knew that there would be some people who would want him dead). And at this moment he no longer had a reason to reside at Hogwarts. Though, he couldn't return to Spinners End, the house had been torched in retaliation of Albus' death. He was smart though to keep his massive book collection at Hogwarts in a spare room of his chambers.

Severus had showered and was now getting dressed, for what he was not sure. When he walked out of his bedroom there was a knock at the door. Severus, with wand at the ready, cautiously opened the door to find his bushy haired savior.

"Good morning Severus." She said as she quickly slipped in. Severus closed the door and slipped his wand back into his sleeve.

"Why are you here?" he asked authoritatively. Hermione, being used to his moods, just rolled her eyes.

"I came to check on you to see if you're all right but it seems you are." Hermione stepped closer to him. For a moment Severus stepped back. He didn't really get a look at her the night before; his room was semi dark. But looking at her now with all torches lit he could see the change. In the year she was on the run with Ron and Harry she'd grown taller now up to his eyes in height. Her hair was limp and she was much too thin, obviously underweight. He could see the battle ridden state of her the ever alertness that he had known for so long. She was not the childish teenager he remembered her as. Severus could see that she was calmer and thought things out thoroughly.

"I was about to call for breakfast would you like to join me?" he asked. The question threw Hermione for a loop so she stuttered.

"I…I think I will." Severus was prepared for her to say no, to which he would have forced her to sit and eat. Severus called for Aya who popped in to the room and asked for breakfast for two. She was gone for a few moments then reappeared with food placed on the table then left. Once again they ate in silence.

"So what are you going to do now?" asked Hermione. He knew she couldn't keep quiet for too long.

"Leaving here. You?"

"Going to become a healer." She responded.

"I half expected you to join the ministry." Severus got his answer in the disgusted look on her face. "I guess not. What was the spell you used to pull out the venom?"

"It's to di̱li̱tí̱rio aposýrei. I used it on Harry when he was partially bit by Nagini. Not surprisingly I found it in a book."

"Not surprising at all." Severus grumbled.

"Well, I should probably go. It's good to see you're all right Severus." Hermione stood and made it to the door. "I hope to see you again sometime." She said as she stepped through the door and it closed.

The next time they saw each other was two weeks later during the awards ceremony. Severus, Hermione, Harry and Ron had been awarded The Order of Merlin First class and a large sum of money that each could live off of. Not wanting to stay for the festivities later Harry and Hermione helped Severus move his things from Hogwarts to his new home.

5 Years Later

Severus sat in his favorite wing back chair by the fire. After the awards ceremony Severus had moved to two-bedroom home in the Forest of Dean. It was heavily warded so muggles could not stumble upon it. But as Severus sat and read his new Potions journal there was a frantic knock to the door. For a moment Severus did not move but then he remembered that there were only two people in existence that knew where he lived, Harry and Hermione. Severus jumped from his seat and ran to the door and wrenched it open to find a soaking wet and shaking Hermione.

He stepped aside and let her in and closed the door. Hermione did not move after entering so Severus cast a quick drying and warming spell and removed the cloak covering her. At the sight of her he dropped the cloak. He was instantly angry.

"Who has done this to you?" he boomed. Hermione was covered in bruises and cuts and was bleeding. For a moment Hermione did not make a sound as tears fell from her eyes.

"Ron." She whimpered. Severus was ready to leave and find the red headed idiot and tare him to shreds. But Hermione stopped him with a simple touch. Severus turned and looked down at her. "Harry and all the other aurors have been alerted." She whispered. Satisfied by this Severus sat Hermione on the ottoman by the fire and left for some salves and potions. He returned a few minutes later.

"Take these potions." Without question she downed the three bottles. One was to calm her, the other was to kill the pain and swelling, and the third was to help close the wounds. "This salve you are to put on in a few hours to help with the bruising." Hermione nodded. "How long has this been going on?" as asked.

"Two years." She answered.

"Why am I just now hearing about this?"

"This is the first time I've been able to get away." At the look of Severus' questioning look she went on. "After I got my healers license Ron would not let me leave the house. He even went so far as to cast wards and break my wand. I was only able to get out after telling Ginny and Harry. Harry gave me this," she produced a obsidian stone, "and as soon as I squeezed it the port key dropped me a few feet from your door." Severus was satisfied by this answer. Wandless and imprisoned she would not be able to do much.

"Stay put, I'm going to make some tea." Severus left and returned five minutes later to find Hermione on his sofa curled up in a ball staring at the fire. Scarily she looked the same as she did the last time he saw her. Severus placed down the tea set and poured her a cup and handed it to her. "Does his family know?"

"They do but they were powerless as well, they didn't know the way to break the ward. Harry was only able to find a way because he's an Auror. Ron's been disowned by his entire family." More somewhat good news. Good to know that his side of the family didn't cast a blind eye to the situation.

"They should have gotten me." Hermione looked at him with sad eyes. Severus looked back and took a sip of his tea. He couldn't keep in his thoughts though. "Did he starve you?" Hermione nodded yes in answer. Do you know or remember what brought on this violence, what was his feeble excuse?"

"It started out with me not giving him enough attention. I admit I did get into it, that's how I am. But when I got my healers license he stopped but he wasn't violent. He just threw tantrums. But he got violent when I didn't get pregnant. Healers have checked me and there is nothing wrong with me. Then he got checked and found out he's infertile, that's when he started getting violent. As if I was the cause." She said bitterly. At least she knew this was not her fault.

"I knew that boy was daft but by Merlin." Severus wanted to give the red headed menace a slow painful death. "Well you're safe here, and even if he found this place and got through the wards I'd kill him. I think you should go bathe and put that salve on then go to bed." Severus said as he took away her empty cup. Hermione nodded in agreement and trudged her way up the steps.

Severus sat and waited for the sounds of Hermione finally climbing into bed. He'd laced the tea with dreamless sleep. Satisfied that she was in bed Severus wrote a few letters. One to Olivander to get Hermione a new wand, one to Harry to cryptically let him know Hermione was safe, and the third to Kingsley Shacklebolt the new Minister to fill him in on what was happening. All three were sent out that night.

The next morning Severus was first to rise and was greeted by his crow tapping on the kitchen window. Severus let Corax hop onto his arm and took the letter and gave her a little treat. Corax flew to her perch and relaxed. Severus read the letter. Olivander would be happy to help Hermione get a new wand and even allowed a safe place and time for them to meet up. As he heard Hermione moving around above an owl flew through his window depositing two rolled scrolls. The first was a simple thank you in Harry's writing. The other was Kingsley thanking Severus on filling him in on all the information.

Hermione came in the kitchen when Severus read the last letter. She looked well rested but she needed to eat. Severus placed all three letters on the table for Hermione to read which she did. She sipped her tea quietly as she watched Corax pick at her feathers. She remembered the crow from her school days. Corax jumped from her perch into Hermione's lap and let her gently stroke her feathers. Severus prepared a breakfast of bacon eggs and toast and placed both plates on the table. Hermione devoured her food but Severus could not blame her she was being starved. Severus threw the dishes in the sink and allowed them to be magically cleaned.

"We should leave now if we are to make it to Olivander." Hermione nodded and put on the sneakers she fled in. She was dressed in sneakers, jeans that were baggy on her thin frame and a jumper that hung from her shoulders. Her hair was brought up in a loose bun and her traveling cloak was threadbare. Sighing Severus gave her an extra cloak that was shrunk to fit. The clothes he could not change but at least the cloak was waterproof with a warming charm. They stepped out and walked a ways from the house before apparating.

Severus and Hermione landed in a muddy field and few yards away was a small cottage. Severus walked towards the cottage and Hermione followed close by. She was on high alert in case Ron should somehow figure out where she was. Severus then knocked on the door and Olivander answered. He was frailer then the last time they both saw him but he looked healthier and happier. He welcomed them in. They were surprised though. They could tell the home was one story but it was much like the Tardis, larger on the inside. Olivander looked at Hermione and shook her hand. He then led her to a room that was far neater than his old shop, probably because he had more space.

"Sit here dear." He said as he pointed to the stool near the fireplace. Severus walked in but stayed near the door. "Not this one…" he mumbled continuously as he went through the boxes until he stopped at one. He pulled out the box and hobbled over to Hermione "try this one".

"Okay." Hermione stood up and looked around the room and found a pillow. She pointed her wand and "Engorgio". She watched as the pillow grew to the size of a large sofa. She walked over and sat on it. "I think this is good."

"Good, thirteen inches Maple Dragon core and Rigid." Said Olivander smiling. Severus stopped for a moment. "It's much like yours Severus. But if I'm correct yours is ebony instead of maple." Severus nodded and looked at Hermione who was too preoccupied with having a wand again.

"My magic hasn't weakened." She exclaimed with a smile. Severus smiled but Olivander pulled his attention.

"May I see your wand?" Severus produced his wand for Olivander to inspect. Olivander had an unknown magic that was specific to wands that no one knew and he had no one to pass to. "Your wand is doing good Severus." Said Olivander as he handed back his wand. Hermione came over and Severus stood straight.

"I think its time to leave. Thank you." Severus turned and headed for the door.

"Thank you." Hermione said as she followed Severus.

"Your welcome dear." Olivander winked and the two were out the door. Severus walked a ways out of the boundaries of the property and waited for Hermione to catch up. She looked a little more confident now that she had a wand.

"Severus?"

"Yes." He answered as he turned.

"Since you're with me and I have a wand now do you think it would be possible for me to get a few things?" Severus mulled it over. If Ron were to suddenly show up he wouldn't be a match for Severus or an armed Hermione.

"Yes." Hermione smiled and grabbed Severus arm. "Off we go!" They landed with wands at the ready just in case but were met by Aurors who were keeping a look out on the place.

"Sorry, I'm just here to grab a few things." Mentioned Hermione. They were happy with this and let her and Severus in. Though the sight of Severus alone probably was a factor in letting her in. He'd probably taught them and they did not want a reoccurrence of their past. Hermione found a bag a filled it quickly with as much clothing she could shrink and fit in. Turned out she was able to fit her entire wardrobe, books, and some very valuable trinkets.

She met Severus downstairs and they left the small home and immediately apparated to his. Hermione unpacked in the room she stayed in.

For once in two years she was safe. She was safe with Severus Snape, former professor, dungeon bastard, git of all gits, and best friend. Though there were times she wondered what would have happened if she had stayed by Severus' side rather than go to Ron.