Hermione's eyes fluttered open as she came back to consciousness. She was still curled up on the bench in the Tranquility Garden, a thin blanket stretched over her resting form. Her rucksack lay nearby, only slightly worse for wear after her temperamental fit. She sat up, surprised at the moisture on her cheeks. It was then that the dream came flooding back to her.

"Severus," she whispered. Despair filled her at the remembrance his rejection. It was worse than she imagined. Not only did he think her under the enchantment of a love potion, he thought it had driven her to invade his mind and affect his dreams. She sighed. If only it were that simple. With startling clarity she realized the headmaster must have had something to do with this. This was his blanket after all. She recognized it as one of the throws on the couch in his office. What puzzled her was why he would do such a thing.

"Maybe he wanted me to realize the truth and get over Severus," she whispered. If only it was that easy. Somehow the dark man wormed his way into her heart so deeply that one of the most potent potions in existence was rendered inert by her love. That was what happened, she realized. Many love potions did not affect those already under the influence of a powerful love. She should have taken the book from Harry. It would be nice to know how it would influence her, if at all.

"Bugger."

Knowing there was nothing else to do but return to her room and have a good cry, Hermione gathered her things, folded the headmaster's blanket neatly, and strode out of the garden, head high. Severus may despise her, she thought, but she refused to let it break her. The determined Head Girl made her way back to the Head's dormitory, unaware of the sad gaze following her. Had she been more perceptive, and he less skilled, she might have noticed the colorful robes of the headmaster in the shadows, moving silently behind her. It was all he could do not to grab the girl and lock her and his stubborn friend in a room together until they worked things out.

How could the boy be so blind, he wondered. The girl was mad for him, but he refused to see it. Surely Severus Snape was perceptive enough to notice the lovely Gryffindor's eyes on him whenever she was near. Or the way she sighed when he turned his gaze from her, or passed her without acknowledgement. Hermione tried to hide it, he knew, but the young woman was not as skilled as certain Slytherin spies at obfuscating her emotions. Despite her efforts, she still wore her heart on her sleeve, which regrettably led her to this unfortunate pass. That and the stubborn refusal to accept absolution from the object of her affections.

A soft, choking sob produced a wave of endless grief as Albus watched the dejected witch disappear into her room. Love that powerful is a gift, he thought. He turned and strode toward the dungeons. He was not going to let his Potions master destroy it with his self-hatred.

Severus, in the meantime, regained consciousness and immediately glanced around the room for his bottle of Old Ogden's. He was unsurprised to note his wards had been breeched and the room was no longer a graveyard of empty bottles. Muttering to himself about interfering headmasters, he stalked around the room searching for something to drown his sorrows.

It only took a few moments of lucidity to make him realize that Hermione was not the one responsible for their shared dream. The headmaster must have discovered his feelings for her and decided to take it upon himself to perform some matchmaking. Surely the man was growing dotty from old age. What could possibly have convinced him that matching him with Herm… Miss Granger was a viable option? A memory of the pain in her eyes flashed through his mind, causing him to begin doubting his own thoughts. If it was a shared dream, he thought, then she kissed him, again, willingly.

The startling revelation he had before returning to lucidity entered his thoughts forcefully. Was it really possible that the woman he loved was in love with him? How could a beautiful, intelligent, and talented witch like Hermione Granger ever give him the time of day, much less her heart? What was he thinking even considering the idea of giving such a fantasy? But she kissed you, his mind reminded him. Was it real, he wondered. The passion and love he felt from her – was it all for him? With sudden clarity, he realized he had to know. He had to speak with her in reality to find out exactly how she felt about him. If his dream of being with her was even possible.

Disregarding his search for alcohol, Severus grabbed his wand and headed toward the door. Before he went two steps, the wooden portal burst open to reveal the angry countenance of the headmaster.

"SEVERUS SNAPE!"

Despite having survived two wars including the most powerful dark wizard in history, Severus still experience a thrill of fear at the sight of the angry sorcerer. He halted in his tracks, startled by the fury radiating from the old man. He gulped.

"Albus?" Severus was annoyed at the weakness his voice. Uncertainty made him hesitate.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Albus eyed the Potions master sternly, admonishing himself to control his temper. It was not the time for him to force Severus into his habitual defensiveness by attacking him.

"I… uh…" The younger wizard stammered nervously for the first time in decades, frantically trying to imagine what he had done to anger the headmaster so. Was he wrong about who was responsible for the shared dream? Was Albus angry with him for falling in love with a student? A feeling of panic suffused him at the thought. One of the reasons he never revealed his feelings to Hermione was because she was still one of his students. Not for much longer, admittedly, but he still had almost two months to go before she left his realm of influence. He seized control of himself, using the skill that saw him through the war to shut down the panic.

"I am not sure what you mean, Albus."

The elderly wizard inwardly winced at the change in his young friend's bearing. He should have kept control of himself, he berated. Now it would be impossible to get the boy to admit anything.

He sighed. "I don't know what you think you're about, Severus, but there is a young woman up in the Head Girl's room in tears right now. I fear to speculate what you said to her, but I must make mention of my disappointment at your behaviour."

"Headmaster…"

"Severus, sit down and listen!" The startled wizard dropped into a nearby chair, his eyes wide and staring at his mentor. "Good. I am glad to see that you are still good at following instructions despite the years between you and your schooling." Albus gingerly lowered himself into a nearby chair, sighing at the groan of old joints and muscles. He really was not getting any younger.

The old, twinkling blue eyes of the headmaster met those of his former student. "I cast the Somnium Partis spell in hopes that the two of you would work out your feelings in an environment safe from external influences. It will be difficult enough, I think, for you to admit your feelings for the young woman without risking the interruption of her friends or yours." He held up his hand to forestall interruption. "Despite what you may think, Severus, you do have friends. Minerva and I in the least, and you of all people should know what kind of timing Minerva has where you're concerned."

Severus could not help but chuckle at that. The last romantic interlude he had, far too many years ago, came to an abrupt end when Minerva stumbled on them in an alcove down the hallway near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

"I see you remember."

The younger wizard smirked. "It would be hard to forget the look on her face, Albus. I can only imagine what she was thinking."

"Perhaps that you finally found a woman to give your affections?"

Severus snorted. "It was more likely she was wondering how I managed to seduce one of her precious Gryffindors out from under her nose."

"I suspect she will be wondering something similar in the near future."

"Albus, I…"

"Go to her, Severus, tell her how you feel. She deserves that much at least. Today has been a very difficult day for her, and a young woman such as she should not feel the sting of rejection when it is not warranted."

The dark professor gaped at his superiour. "You are saying that you approve of this," he asked incredulously.

"Approve? Severus, my boy, I have been hoping for this for sometime now. I knew years ago that our lovely Miss Granger would turn out to be an extraordinary witch and a true match for a certain young man of my acquaintance."

"But Weasley…"

"She needed to find out for herself that they were not compatible, Severus. Her short-lived interlude with the boy helped her define what she has been looking for in a companion. I suspect she would have spent several years searching without the experience." His eyes twinkled brightly. "Before discovering her match in Hogwart's Potions master, of course."

"Then you believe…"

"That it is true love? Yes, Severus. What more evidence do you need than her response to the Admo Dolus? She is deeply in love with someone whom returns that love, and has chosen to kiss you when her inhibitions were released."

"Then you do not have a problem with it? She's a student."

"Who is of age and a grown woman with no need for special consideration in her grades. If it makes you uncomfortable, my friend, I will grade her Potions homework and tests myself, to spare the two of you any distress. I daresay I remember something of potions."

Coming from the man who discovered the twelve uses of dragon's blood, thought Severus, that said something. He nodded in agreement. "I would prefer that, if things happen the way you wish in regards to Miss Granger."

"Then I suggest you get a move-on, Severus, before the poor girl convinces herself that you hate her."

"I was headed there before your interference, Albus. If you will kindly allow me to leave…"

"Go, my boy. Don't let her get away." Severus rose and headed to the door.

"I have no intentions of that, Albus. Rest assured of that." In a flapping of dark robes he was gone, causing the headmaster to break out into a delighted smile. "Good luck, my friend."

Hermione Granger lay on the bed in her room, contemplating life, love, and the reality that tomorrow was the first class of the week – Potions. For the first time in her life, she considered going to the headmaster and requesting to be removed from one of her classes. Technically, she could still take her Potions NEWT without completing the class. She would have six more hours a week she could spend revising for her other classes and studying the rest of the material for Potions. It would not be too difficult, then, to avoid Severus – PROFESSOR SNAPE – for the next two months, and then afterward, she could go away to university and never think on it again.

At least, that was what she told herself. In reality, she knew it would not be that easy. Love strong enough to nullify a bloody love potion had to be intense indeed, which meant it would be extremely hard to get over it. She could only hope that time and distance would prove to be the cure for the excruciating pain in her heart. It occurred to her that perhaps she would be better off taking her parents' advice to leave the magical world for a few years. The war was over. Harry was safe, and in light of recent events, her reasons for staying were wearing rather thin.

Ginny's words echoed in her head. Maybe she was right. She was a fucking bookworm with no social skills who is never going to find a wizard who will accept her for herself. The Wizarding world was notoriously backwards and far behind the times in comparison to the Muggle world. If she wanted to have a career and independence, then she needed to go somewhere her views would be respected. Perhaps America. They were far more integrated than Europe. That could be the answer she was looking for.

The despondent witch began to think in earnest about her options, drifting into a state between awakedness and dreaming. As she considered her future, her dream self wandered into a familiar place of calming skies and forested lands teeming with the beauty of nature. The calm pervaded her, aiding her in her thought processes. No longer distressed by Severus' rejection, Hermione realized what she needed to do to make her life better. She began to plan, blissfully unaware of her beloved's approach.

Severus raced to the Head Girl's room, resolved to put a stop to the weeping Albus mentioned. He wanted her to feel the pain of his rejection for a short a time as possible, so instead of knocking at the door when he arrived at his destination, he silently cast a spell that allowed him to see through the door and check on her. The object of his determination lay quietly on her bed, her face softly lit by the moon streaming in through the window. It gave her already beautiful features an ethereal quality, taking his breath away. He mentally slapped himself for being an idiot. He held an angel in his arms and like a fool he pushed her away thanks to his damnable pride.

No more.

Muttering the teachers' password, Severus quietly opened the door, silently moving into the room to stand next to the Head Girl's bed. Hermione was dressed in a simple set of blue cotton pajamas, but to him it could have been rags or a ballgown for all it mattered. His love for her surged through him, inattentive to her appearance. It was her mind and personality he loved, and that would last him the rest of his life. Whether she returned it or not.

He marveled that was there, at last, peacefully resting, and all he had to do was reach out and touch her, take her into his arms and hold her.

"Hermione," he whispered. "Hermione, I know you're asleep, but I need to speak with you. Please wake up."

Far away in the depths of her mind, Hermione heard him, and wonderingly turned toward the sound. Was he truly here? "Severus?"

The dark wizard started at the sound of her in his mind. Did she know Leglimancy? He turned his thoughts toward her. Hermione?

Hermione whirled around, hoping to see the man of her dreams walking toward her in this land of fantasy. Was it possible he wanted to talk with her? "Severus, where are you?"

She felt a touch on her hand. I'm here, Hermione. In your room.

Severus was puzzled by her lack of conscious response, until he remembered the full context of the Somnium Partis spell. It lasted for a full night, reactivating whenever one of the subjects fell asleep, unless they knew Occlumency. Hermione did not, therefore she was trapped inside the dreamworld that existed between them as a result of Dumbledore's meddling. Smiling slightly at the knowledge she would not awaken as a result of his actions, Severus removed his outer robes and gingerly crawled into her bed to take her into his arms. It was a matter of will for him to turn his thoughts inward, and after feeling only a slight disorientation, he found himself facing the dream form of his love.

"Hermione."

Her face lit at the sight of him. "Severus! You're…" she faltered, remembering how they parted earlier.

He stepped forward. "I owe you an apology, Hermione." She gazed at him in shock. "Yes, even I am capable of apologizing, but only when it is absolutely necessary. But I accused you of something I know you would never do, and for that I am sorry."

The shadow of her smile returned and she shrugged. "It's not important, Severus, but I appreciate the apology."

Another step took him mere feet from her. "On the contrary, Hermione, it is very important. I can tell by your reactions that I hurt you. That, more than anything, it what compels me to ask your forgiveness. I cannot bear to see you like this, especially if it is due to my thoughtless words."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "You… you… I don't understand."

"I was wrong, Hermione, for not telling you when I had the chance." Severus moved closer, slowly as not to startle her. "But sometimes our fears can choke us, leading us to do things that we ordinarily would not do. Sometimes we lash out at the last person we wish injury to, afraid that if they discovered how much we cared for them that they would despise us and run away." He was less than a foot away now, well within reaching distance. He took her hand.

"I… I never thought you could possibly return the feelings I have for you. The Weasley girl's potion was, to my mind, the worst thing that could have happened to both of us because I thought it made you fall in love with me, and that our friendship, fragile as it was, was lost to me forever. I was angry with her, but I lashed out at you."

Her smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling with an emotion he now recognized as love. How could he have missed it? "Please give me another chance to respond as I should have the last time we stood here. Let me tell you what I was truly thinking, what words should have been said instead of those which never should have been uttered."

His heart fell to his feet when she shook her head. "Hermione…"

She placed her fingers over his lips. "Shhhh. There is no need for more apologies, Severus, although I must compliment you on your articulation. I was not aware you had such in you."

"Me neither," he muttered.

"I… Thank you for coming to speak with me, Severus. It… it means a lot."

He began to get a feeling of dread. "You say that as if it is merely an obligation."

"No!" She shook her head. "No, Severus, I know it's not. You wouldn't be here if you did not truly mean what you're saying. I just… I think maybe now is not the time for us."

His heart plummeted. "What?" he whispered painfully.

Hermione's eyes grew distant. "If you had asked me earlier today what my plans were for the future, I would have told you that I was going to Oxford University for my degree in Charms and Arithmancy, and then I hoped to find a place to either teach or do research on the combination of the disciplines."

"And now?" He silently cursed his week voice.

"And now I think that I need to leave for a little while. Go take some classes at a university offering both Muggle and Wizarding subjects." She looked at him. "Go to school in America."

"But…"

"I'll be back, Severus, I promise. But I think that you need me to go away for a while so you can figure out what you truly feel, and I need to get away from a world that cannot accept me for who I am. I… I'm tired of being the 'bushy-haired know-it-all and bookworm' whom everyone relies on for their schooling, but feels sorry for otherwise. I'm tired of being looked at like there's something wrong with me because I love to learn and read, and because I don't want to get married straight out of school to some strapping, manly wizard with a head of stone and the conversational abilities to go with it. I want more than that."

"Hermione, I can give you that, and more, if you'll let me."

She gently touched his cheek. "I know that now. Thank you, Severus. You have no idea what that means to me."

"But you're still going? Why would you leave me like this?"

"It will only be for a few years, Severus. Then I will be back and far more worthy to be your companion than I am now."

"But…"

"You still think of me as your student, Severus. In a year, if I remain, I will still be your student, or your former student at the least. I want you to think of me as a grown witch capable of matching you in every way."

"I…"

"Tell me honestly, Severus, how do you see me now? Can you imagine us going out on dates, spending our free time together? Having sex?"

He flushed. "I… er…" His shoulders slumped as he realized the truth of her words. "Not yet, I can't."

She gave him a small smile. "I can't either. I need to see you as more than my professor as well."

"But how will you accomplish that from thousands of miles away?"

"Write me."

"Write you?"

"Let me get to know you for Severus Snape, not for the Potions professor who tormented me for seven years. You need time to find yourself too, I think. You are no longer a spy, Severus. You have the freedom you have missed for so long. The time has come to enjoy it."

Hermione smiled as Severus gently cupped her face. "I cannot promise I will enjoy my freedom once you're gone, Hermione, but I will find out who I am without Voldemort and a war to govern me." He took her hand. "And I will write you at every opportunity."

Her face lit up like the sun. "Good." She pulled him into a passionate kiss. "That will give me something to look forward to upon my return."

Severus enfolded her in his arms, his heart heavy at the knowledge she was leaving, but light with the hope that she would return to him. He pressed a kiss into her unruly hair, full of the promise that he would be waiting when she decided to return.

The two spent the rest of the duration of the spell talking about themselves, sharing stories of their past and their future dreams. Severus discovered Hermione's desires and his were very compatible, which thrilled him to no end. He knew it was possible that she would find another while away, but determinedly took the leap of faith that she would ultimately return to him. True love, after all, was the strongest magic.