The usual disclaimer applies. I own nothing and make nothing, and if you recognise it, it belongs to J K Rowling.

I am so sorry you have had to wait so long for this chapter. My only excuse is that life got in the way. Enjoy! Should be two more chapters and an epilogue.

Chapter 12

It had only been two days since Harry and Minerva had visited Hermione, but now that freedom was within her grasp, Hermione felt like the hours had suddenly slowed to a crawl. Although she knew it was ridiculous, she occasionally would pinch herself just to be assured that she hadn't been dreaming.

Harry would be coming back today with paperwork for her to sign for the Ministry, and every time she heard a sound outside of her cell, she would pause in her reading to see if was the guard to take her to the visitation room. Her anxiety had caused her stomach to be in knots, and she couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of panic that something could still go wrong. It wouldn't seem real to her until she signed the papers. No- not until I walk out the gates a free woman, her mind corrected.

As she pulled the book from under her mattress, she suddenly realised that she had not yet shared her good news with Severus. She started to smile as she imagined his reaction, until it finally dawned on her that she had not even asked Harry about Severus's chance of a reduced sentence or pardon.

Oh gods, how did I forget about Severus?

The tears had started to flow like a floodgate had been opened, and she started to sob even louder as she realised she had not even thought about his future the past couple of days. She would be walking out of Azkaban a free woman, yet he could possibly be here another three years. Although their discussion in the courtyard had partly been in jest, the idea of opening a store next to an apothecary run by Severus had been the centre of many dreams the past few weeks. He was now a friend, a very good friend, and she could not imagine having to restart her life without him in it, even if it was for only a few months. But if it was for three years? She had no idea if she could survive without the man she was starting to fall in love with. In love with? She had no idea where that last thought had come from, but before she had time to think about it, there was a knock on her cell door.

"Visitor, Miss Granger."

She shook her head slightly, trying to dislodge the unfamiliar thought that had come to the surface. As the guard magically shackled her arms, she focused her thoughts to her upcoming meaning with Harry.

-ooOOoo-

As she walked into the visitation room, she saw an already-seated Harry smiling brightly at her. She smiled in return as she took her seat and waited for her arms and ankles to be restrained.

"Hello, Harry," she spoke softly, trying to mask her nervousness.

"Hello, Hermione. I have the paperwork from the Ministry." He ruffled his hand through his hair awkwardly. "The Ministry has put a few stipulations on your release. I tried to get them waved, but it is standard protocol for parolees and early releases."

"What stipulations?"

"Well, there will be a tracer on your wand for the next two years that will alert the Ministry to unforgivable curses, as well as unapproved spells...er, such as Obliviates."

She winced as Harry mentioned the Obliviates. It probably wasn't a spell that was usually tracked, but considering the reason for her incarceration, it shouldn't have been too surprising. But, still, it cut her like a knife to hear him mention it.

"O-okay. What other stipulations?" Her voice wavered slightly.

"Well, usually you are restricted to local Apparation until your original release date. But I did get them to approve the whole United Kingdom since so much Wizarding jobs and transactions don't just occur in England."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, I believe so." Harry shuffled through the stack of parchments in front of him, scanning them quickly before looking back up. "If you agree to all the stipulations, you need to sign the final page, and I will take it to the registrar at the Ministry. Once it is filed, you will be all set to be released in two months."

"Thank you so much, Harry." She smiled at him, but it faltered as she suddenly remembered she had one final thing to ask him. "Harry, when does Professor Snape's case get reviewed?"

Harry's posture stiffened, and his smile started to fade as he began to speak. "I can't talk about other cases, Hermione. That is one of the conditions that Kingsley has placed on me so that I can be your Ministry liaison. You will have to talk with Professor Snape about that."

"Oh, okay." Hermione bit her lip, trying to keep Harry from seeing her emotions, but failing miserably. A lone tear escaped and ran down her cheek.

Harry sighed deeply. "I'm not supposed to tell you anything, but his case is being reviewed as we speak. But that is just between us- don't tell anyone I told you this, including Professor Snape."

Harry watched her nod in understanding, then wipe the tear from her cheek. He stared at her momentarily, then raised his brows as something suddenly seemed to click.

"You really care about him don't you?"

"Of course, I do, Harry. He has been a good friend to me while I've been here. I wouldn't have survived this without him."

"But it's more than that, isn't it?" Harry gave Hermione a questioning look.

She gave him a weary sigh, before speaking quietly. "Yes."

-ooOOoo-

Hermione followed the guard down the long corridor towards the courtyard gates. She was quite familiar with the long walk, and could probably do it in her sleep, blindfolded. It was a good thing that she had the walk memorized, because her thoughts were far from it. Her mind kept replaying the conversation she had with Harry, and also the thoughts she had about Severus prior to that. The rational, practical part of her mind insisted that she wasn't in love with Severus, but in fact, had increased feelings for him simply because he was the only person who had been kind to her in Azkaban.

Her heart, however, was another matter entirely. In the months that she had been in Azkaban, she had stronger feelings for Severus than she had in the years that she had dated Ron. She could feel her heart race when she was near him, and her body ached to touch him, to be closer to him.

Hermione now faced the dilemma of whether to share her feelings with him. The Professor Snape that had taught her had been a stern, and on more than one occasion, cruel man that seemed to keep his emotions buried deep inside. But Severus was a different man. He was kind, caring, and a good friend. She knew that he had to have at least some feelings for her since he had saved her life in the courtyard, but she wondered how deeply those feelings ran. Is it enough, though?

Her musings were interrupted by the cool blast of air from the courtyard doors. As Hermione glanced around nervously, she was relieved that Severus was not already outside. She still needed a few minutes to get her emotions in check before she spoke with him.

She had her head leaned back into the block wall, still breathing deeply, when she heard the soft footsteps approach. He quietly sat down beside her, pulling his knees to his chest in the same manner that she had.

"Minerva tells me that you have some news," he spoke softly in his lilting baritone.

Hermione gave him a questioning look as she replied, "I do, but did she not tell you?"

"No, she did not. I believe her exact words were, 'I think you need to hear it from the thestral's mouth.'" His eyes danced with amusement as he spoke to her. "So what is the good news? I presume it has to do with your sentencing review?"

She smiled at him, but the brightness did not reach her eyes. "I will be released in two months. I filled out the paperwork for the Ministry today."

"That is wonderful, Hermione. You don't belong here- you've never belonged here." He returned her smile, but paused before speaking once again. "But why do I get the impression that you aren't happy?"

It's now or never, she thought, before gently grasping one of his hands. "Because I won't be happy if you are still here, Severus."

His eyebrows rose only for a moment, just long enough to register the surprise of her statement. "Why?"

"Because I care about you, Severus. You have been a good friend, and I really don't think I would have made it to this point without you. You saved me when I was at my lowest point, and encouraged me to survive all of this." She waved her hand around, pointing at the walls of Azkaban. "And somewhere along the way, we became friends. Good friends." She swallowed nervously, "I don't want to leave her without you. I want-I want," she trailed off, turning her head so he couldn't see the tears in her eyes.

"What do you want?" He gently cupped her chin, and turned her face towards his own.

"More. I want more."

Severus pulled her head closer and gently placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

"I want more as well," he whispered softly into her ear, and kissed her once again.

A/N...Thank you for all the reviews, along with the get-well wishes for my son. He is finally over the pneumonia, and doing well.

As usual, reviews are always appreciated!