A/N: Much love and thanks to my dear beta, anogete, for all of her help with my writing. Extra special thanks go out to my readers; I'm glad you're still reading after the evil cliffie of the last chapter!

Obligatory: None of these things belong to me; they all belong to JKR. I just like to have a bit of fun with them, and no profit is desired.

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"Hermione, can you hear me?"

As in one of her dreams, the voice of Albus Dumbledore called to her unconscious.

"Is this heaven?" she wondered to herself.

"No, it is not heaven, Hermione. Can you open your eyes? Will you open your eyes and look at me?"

It took a great deal of effort, but somehow Hermione was able to open her eyes and look through the haze to see nothing but a halo of light surrounding the greatest wizard of all time.

"Am I dead?" she choked out, her whole body conspiring to keep her from forming more coherent thoughts.

"No, you are not dead, my dear. You are very much alive." Like beacons in the fog of her thoughts, Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly at her.

"But Lucius, he cast…" Hermione tried to catch her breath.

"Shh, calm down. I know. Lucius cast the Avada Kedavra at you. But you didn't die. In fact, according to Poppy, there is nothing physically wrong with you. The force of the curse pushed you over, and you hit your head on a rock, knocking you out. But that wound has been healed."

"Then why do I feel…" Hermione tried to lift her head, but it was no use.

"You're fading away, Hermione," Albus answered sadly, and Hermione could feel his hand smoothing down her hair. "It's the Animus Redimio."

"Severus," she choked out. "He's betrayed me."

Albus frowned. "I wish that I could say I disagreed with you, but I am just as confused as you are about what happened. I'm afraid that, in the chaos of the battle, I was unable to witness what occurred between you two and the Malfoys. The only information that I have has come from Draco."

"What... what did Draco say?" Hermione coughed and felt her head flop over to the side.

"When Lucius cursed you, Draco killed him, and then Severus ran. He retrieved his mask, so no one knows what he did after that. He is not among the arrested Death Eaters, nor among the bodies." He sighed. "And as for the bodies, we lost some good Aurors and Order members, but you can rest assured that your friends fought bravely and will survive their injuries."

"Harry?" Hermione managed.

"The potion worked," Albus replied triumphantly. "Tom is dead, and Harry is safe. He will need some time to feel like himself again, as the battle with the Horcrux was taxing on him, but he is going to be fine. He owes you his life."

Hermione managed to gather her strength to ask the obvious question. "Professor, I know that Lucius' curse should have killed me. How is it possible that I am alive?"

"Ah, yes, of course. I can only speculate at this point, but I believe that it was the Animus Redimio."

Hermione let out a shuddering sigh. "I didn't take the potion." She tried to raise her head, but managed only to flop it to the other side.

"Not the potion, my dear, but the enchantment. Like I could not die as long as there were still people in the castle who were loyal to me and needed my help, you could not die as long as the one to whom you are bound still needs you to save his heart." He pulled the blanket up around Hermione as she shivered.

"I don't understand."

"We may think that Severus has betrayed us, but he could not let you go. You didn't die, because somewhere inside of him, he still needs you, wants you even. You cannot give up hope. If you do, you may not survive long enough to see him again." Albus placed a cool cloth on Hermione's sweat beaded forehead.

"What will become of me?" Hermione couldn't keep her strength up for much longer.

"I do not know, Hermione, but I want you to rest. I'm going to let a couple of your friends come in, one at a time, to talk to you, if that's alright. Don't try to talk to them, just listen. I'm afraid that I had to explain the nature of your bond to them, but they are not going to scold you. Okay?" He patted her on the arm.

"How long have I been knocked out?" Hermione managed to whisper.

"A little over two days," answered Albus before leaving the room.

Hermione felt as though she had been knocked over by the Knight Bus. Her whole body shook with the pain that radiated from her stomach. She had never remembered being so weak or tired in her entire life. It was almost as if she were sleeping and wide awake at the same time, unable to choose which state in which to be.

In her conscious awareness, the door to the room opened.

"Hey, Granger. You look like hell." Draco laughed. "I know you can't answer me, but I thought you'd enjoy a little one-sided chat." He paused, and Hermione could hear him shift in his seat. "It was a wild night.

"You should have seen Longbottom go after my dear old aunt. He was incredible. I never knew that he had that kind of mania in him. Are you cold? Here, let me put another blanket on you." Hermione felt the warmth of an additional blanket around her body.

"Anyway, when the Dark Lord faced off with Potter, it was like everything stood still. After I killed Lucius, I looked around and saw that things were coming to a head. Potter and the Dark Lord were locked in that Priori-whatever thing, and Dumbledore was trying to distract the monster. Eventually, Potter broke the lock and let the Dark Lord try to kill him. As soon as the curse hit him, the entire sky lit up, and this flash came from Potter's head that seemed to get inside the Dark Lord and blow him up or something. In the confusion, they were able to round up all the other Death Eaters.

"I'm sure that Potter and Weasley are going to tell you that they told you so or some rubbish about Severus, but, from what I saw, he wasn't really on anyone's side. I don't know why he was there, but after Lucius cursed you, he ran off. It was too dark for me to see his face, but I can't bring myself to believe that he really came to fight against us. It just doesn't make any sense.

"Oh, and it might interest you to know that, since Angelica's family is dead, my father is dead, and my mother's going to Azkaban, she and I are going to get a flat together. Separate beds and all, so it isn't untoward, but a nice little place so that we can take care of each other and recover from all of this. Everything that's happened has taken its toll on everyone.

"I hope that you feel better soon, Lieutenant. I think that my army would be pretty distraught if you died. After all, they all think that you're our savior or some rubbish. I guess they're right." He laughed. "Well, I'm going to let Weasley in. I'll tell him to take it easy on you."

Hermione could hear him make to leave, but then turn around, grab her hand, release it, and exit.

Next, she heard Ron come stomping in and throw himself down on a chair.

"Hey, Hermione. I guess you probably heard what happened to Harry, but I'm sure the ferret didn't manage to tell you that between me, Ginny, Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie, we rounded up half of the Death Eaters on the grounds. Even Percy helped my parents, though I don't think he actually successfully brought anyone down.

"I saw you go down. I was fighting with Wormtail when I heard you scream at Snape. I was so scared, Hermione. I was so angry, but, for some reason, seeing the ferret kill his father kind of helped me fight through it. I went over to you after Harry brought down Voldemort, and you were still warm. I thought I was just dreaming it, but then I felt your pulse, and Remus felt it too, so we levitated you to the hospital wing." Ron took a deep breath.

"Dumbledore told us about how you survived, and what's going on with you now. I can't believe that you can't come back to us unless… I'm sorry; I didn't mean to harp on it. Dumbledore and Harry made me promise not to. I just want you back, Hermione. We all do. I mean, we'll still have to take our N.E.W.T.s, so how will I get through them without you? You have to come back to us, and if getting that traitor Snape to come here will do it, I'll go find the bastard myself!

"I'm sorry, really. Well, I should let Harry come in and say hello. He's still pretty weak, so he can't be out of bed for too long. I'm going to come and see you every day until you get better, Hermione, I swear it. We'll get through this." Hermione tried to answer, but she couldn't. All she could do was sigh when Ron gently touched her cheek. "I always thought that it would be you and me. If I could break this bond or whatever it is and take care of you, I would."

With a sniff, Ron left the room.

Hermione wanted to cry for the pain she felt in the voices of her friends, even Draco's, as they came in to talk to her. She wanted to tell them that everything was going to be alright, but she didn't have the strength to do it. She could feel herself slipping further and further back into her mind.

From the distance of her consciousness, she could hear Harry's voice keeping her anchored in reality. "I don't know if you can hear me, Hermione, but Dumbledore said that now was the time to talk to you if we had something important to say.

"I don't know what was in that potion that you made, but when Voldemort hit me with the curse, I felt invincible. I know that you sacrificed a lot to save me, and I want you to know that, whatever happens and whomever you love, I will always appreciate what you did.

"I've spent a lot of time talking to Ginny since the battle, and she told me what I've been like. I guess that I just wasn't aware of how I was treating everyone, and how much danger I was putting everyone in. I just had no idea that there was something in me making me evil. I am so sorry for anything I may have done to you. I never meant to hurt anyone.

"As for Ginny, she agreed to take me back, somehow. I am so lucky to have people like her who really care about me. I guess that makes me understand the whole Snape thing. Even someone like Snape needs someone to make him see the brighter side of life. If anyone can kick him in the arse and make him see that, it's you. I just hope that it's sooner rather than later."

Hermione was struck by the weak sound of Harry's voice and the sadness in it. "Well, I've got to get back to bed. I mean, I know I'm not as bad off as you, but I'm still pretty beat. I'll be back soon. Get well, Hermione. We need you."

As she listened to Harry leave, she allowed her hold on consciousness to slip. Everything went black, and the silence in the room was oppressive in her mind.

--

"Yes, Hagrid, please let Severus in," came Dumbledore's voice from inside his small office.

Severus huffed in irritation as Hagrid stuck his pink umbrella in his back. "I'll be close by if yer need me, Professor. I wouldn't trust this one."

Dumbledore laughed. "I am not worried about Severus, Hagrid. Please go about your business."

Hagrid hesitated, but then slowly backed out of the door.

Dumbledore motioned for Severus to sit down, and then conjured two cups of coffee. He sipped at his own cup, waiting for Severus to speak.

"So, you were right after all. You did eventually come back," Severus muttered out, taking a drink of the warm, black liquid.

"Well, I never said that my plan was foolproof, Severus. I am sorry that it took so long for the truth to come to light, for your sake." He smiled kindly at the younger wizard.

Severus waved his hand in dismissal. "It is of no matter to me. I never believed your harebrained scheme anyway."

"In that case, we should move on." Albus stood and began pacing in front of his fireplace. "You came here voluntarily, so that means that you are either here to turn yourself in or explain to me why you shouldn't have to."

"I don't know what you mean," Severus replied, looking away.

"At least a dozen people saw you at the battle in your Death Eater robes. It came as quite a shock to me after all that has happened." He pulled off his spectacles and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I thought that you had settled on the side of the Order."

Severus sighed deeply and took another sip of his coffee. "I did settle, but I knew that I would put everyone in more danger if I showed up undisguised. I thought that I could come and infiltrate the Death Eaters, but I did not count on my mask coming off in all of the confusion. I am sorry."

"If that is true, then why did you run? Why not come to me and explain yourself?" Albus moved back to his desk and sat in his chair.

"You know why I ran. Do not make me say it out loud."

"I may be a mind reader, Severus, but perhaps you will remember that your mind is difficult for me to read, considering your talent for Occlumency. Why don't you tell me?" He stared at Severus over his spectacles.

"Do not play this game with me, Albus. Too much has happened for that. You know that I am afflicted with a certain magical leash, and since I have consummated it, I have been experiencing quite a lot of discomfort."

"You make it sound very distasteful, my boy," Albus responded with a smirk.

"It is distasteful to me!" Severus roared. "She is dead! What am I supposed to do now? I came here to ask you if you knew any way to do something about this!"

"Does her being dead make you sad, Severus?"

"I do not know how it makes me feel. I would have continued trying to fight it until we consummated the bond. I never much believed in this Animus Redimio nonsense until I felt the magic that we created." He squeezed his eyes shut in concentration. "How long do I have?"

"How long do you have until what?" Albus asked playfully.

"Until I am no longer able to do magic, you fool. I do not understand how you can find her being dead and me on the verge of death amusing!" Severus stood and paced furiously on the same path Albus had taken.

"Hermione isn't dead, Severus."

Severus stopped in his tracks, and his head snapped up. "Do not play with me, Albus."

"Don't you think that you would be able to feel it if she really were dead?" Albus leaned forward in his seat. "She lives."

Severus sat back down in his seat, bewilderment clear across his face. "How is that possible? I saw Lucius kill her. I watched the curse hit her! No one can survive that unless…"

"Do you believe in the Animus Redimio now? You couldn't let go of her, so she did not leave you." Albus looked into the fire. "So, you see, you came for nothing. I cannot remove a bond that magic has forged."

"Oh, Gods," Severus mumbled, covering his face with his hands. "Where is she?"

"She is in a coma in the hospital wing," Albus answered evenly.

"But I thought that the curse…"

"It isn't the curse that is keeping her in the coma. The last time that anyone saw you, you came to the battle dressed as a Death Eater. She had been fighting the pain of your separation by clinging to the hope that you would come and fight with the Order. When she thought that you had betrayed her, she fell apart. I was able to speak to her early last week, but since then, no one has been able to get any kind of response from her. Poppy tells me that she will die if we do not come up with some solution." Albus relaxed back into his chair and tapped his chin with his finger.

"I take it you have not come up with anything?" Severus refused to meet Albus' gaze.

"I have, but until now, it has been impossible." Albus caught Severus' eyes and compelled him to look at him.

"What is it that you want me to do?" Severus asked with a shaky voice.

"When you go to her, you will know what you have to do. However, I expect that, at his point, only the most drastic of measures will work." He narrowed his eyes at Severus. "You know of what I speak."

Severus chuckled darkly. "I am not going to lie with her when she is in a coma. That would be like rape!"

"You will be able to get her consent, Severus. I believe that you will be able to reach into her mind with Silent Speech and tell her what you have to do. Mind you, she may put up some resistance at first, but if you explain to her why you did what you did, I think she will understand. Right now, she needs to know you are on her side, and she needs to come back to consciousness. We can discuss the rest after that."

"There is no 'the rest.' I will do what I need to do to save her life, and then I will leave her be. She has done nothing to deserve being bound to me. If that means I lose the ability to do magic, then I will risk it." Severus crossed his arms over his chest.

"And that's all? You're going to sacrifice your magic to keep the two of you apart?" Dumbledore scoffed. "What if that isn't the best thing for her?"

"She told me that all she wanted was for me to be able to make my own decision for once. And now, I can. I do not have the Dark Lord holding my life over my head, and I do not have you holding loyalty and a 'Get out of Azkaban free' ticket over my head. I am giving her the same courtesy. I will not force her to be bound to me to save me."

Albus sighed and returned his gaze to the fire. "I have more to say to you later, but you need to go to Hermione right now. Will you do what you need to do?"

"I am not a monster, Albus. Take me to her."