A/N: Hey everyone. Again, I'm posting these few chapters at once since I have no Idea when my computer will be fixed. I just hope my computer guy can salvage all my data on my hard drive. Take care everyone and keep your fingers crossed for me.

Special thanks to my wonderful Beta, Kristine Thorne. You have done a fabulous job on this story.

Chapter 20

Later that night, Hermione came into the Great Hall with Severus walking with her. She had bumped into him after leaving Remus in the hospital.

Remus had apologized profusely, saying that he would never hurt her and was surprised she didn't send him more harmful spells to stop him. Hermione had smiled and said that he was her friend and that she could never hurt him either.

They talked for a bit more before she left the hospital to go eat dinner. Remus apologized again, and she had smiled, telling him that he had nothing to apologize for. Saying she knew about werewolves and knew he hadn't been in control. She had seen he still felt bad, but at least didn't apologize again.

She had been walking towards her dorm when a hand shot out and grabbed her again. She smiled as she looked up into the same piercing black eyes as usual. Severus pulled her with him into a niche again.

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her before she had a chance to say a word. She met his fierce kiss with her own, and had they not been in such a tiny space that was easily accessible by anyone, it probably would have progressed into more.

Pulling back, though he didn't want to, he looked at her upturned face. "You are so beautiful, do you know that?" He asked her softly.

Hermione blushed. "Not everyone would agree, but thanks anyway."

He smirked at her. "You are. Even if the idiots that you know don't think so. Especially when you blush."

She blushed even more. "Thank you. So I got all but pounced on when I got back to my dorm by James and Sirius. They wanted to make sure we were all right. They really feel bad for what happened and I assured them that it was fine. Remus feels really bad too. I told him that it wasn't his fault, but I know he still blames himself."

Severus sighed. "No it wasn't their fault. I still don't know why they sent Peter to find you, assuming they did of course. I might just have to deal with the rat myself."

Hermione smirked, even as anger flashed in her eyes. "Assuming I don't get him first."

Severus raised an eyebrow at her. He doubted she'd do much to harm the slimy bastard. He couldn't see her doing anything to harm anyone.

She leaned up and kissed him again before pulling away. "Lets go eat."

He nodded and led her to the Great Hall. Letting her go when she reached her table and going to find a seat at his table.

He saw her spot Peter and keep him in her line of sight. She laughed and talked with her friends, but she glanced at the little rat every now and then.

When Peter got up and went to leave, he saw Hermione excuse herself and follow him. Severus got up as well and went after them both. He didn't think Peter had the skill or nerve to do much to her, but he intended to make sure.

He walked down the hall and turned a corner just as she caught up with Peter. Severus paused when he saw her grab the slimy little git and slam him hard into the wall next to them, her wand at his throat.

The sight startled him. He really hadn't believed her capable of it. He stayed where he was watching, able to hear them just fine in the empty halls.

"Peter, you little weasel. Surprised to see me after your little stunt? Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right here?" She snarled at him as she pressed her wand deeper into his throat as her other arm held him in place.

Peter swallowed, speaking in his shy and timid voice. Finding it hard to breath with her wand pressed to his windpipe. "Hermione, you know I'd never hurt you. I didn't mean for you to get hurt. Please don't hurt me."

Hermione scoffed, her eyes blazing with hatred. "I'm sure. I'm sure you're just an innocent bystander too." She said as the wand dug in so deep she felt him choking a bit from it. I should show him what being shredded, like we would have been, is like. She thought. I should flay his skin open and let him scream in agony, like I would have been. It might be interesting to watch.

Severus eyes were wide as he listened to her. With a whisper he was in her mind, her focus on the man in front of her and not on her walls. Hearing her thoughts, his lips parted in shock. Had it been anyone but her thinking these things, he would have smirked and walked away, but it was Hermione. His Hermione, and she wasn't like this.

Peter was trembling. "Hermione, I beg you. Don't hurt me. I didn't mean for it to happen. I…I must have misunderstood the boys when they told me to go find you and Lily. I couldn't find Lily so I just brought you instead. I didn't know Remus had changed already. I swear."

Hermione opened her mouth but a movement caught her eye. Seeing Severus watching her from a small distance, she instantly put her strongest walls up. Kicking him out of her mind.

Dammit. She thought. Her anger fading at seeing him, especially seeing him look so shocked at her. That part of her that had come out briefly during the war, was clawing to get out to deal with Peter right now. That same part of her, that had allowed her to kill the Death Eaters, one after another without a second thought, slowly slipped back into its dark cage in her mind.

Reason returning as her anger faded. You can't kill Peter, Hermione. Too much is at stake to risk changing it by killing him. You risk Voldemort winning by changing too much. Lower your wand. Make some excuse about why you suddenly believe the lying rat and then apologize for threatening him. Her brain screamed at her.

The thought of apologizing to him made her skin crawl. Do it now! Put your wand down, and smooth things over so nothing changes the time line! Don't kill him! Her brain screamed again. She looked at Peter long and hard and forced herself to pull her wand away. Her breathing deep as she tried to calm herself.

"You're right Peter. You're my…friend. You wouldn't have done it on purpose. I guess I over reacted. I'm…I'm sorry." She said, feeling bile rise in her throat at her words.

Severus had been startled when she threw him from her mind, but now he frowned. Even more surprised by this than by her thoughts. She's forgiving him? Is she stupid? The rat tried to kill her. Severus started walking towards her.

Peter seemed to sink into the wall with relief. "It's okay Hermione. I understand why you were mad. I'd be mad too if I thought my friend tried to kill me. You wouldn't really have killed me would you?"

Hermione forced a small smile. "No. I…I wouldn't have. I couldn't have. It would be wrong. I was just angry. So still…friends?" She asked forcing herself to hold out her hand to him.

Peter grinned shyly and shook it. Not noticing her slight grimace at him touching her. Not noticing her quickly pull it away and clench it. "Still friends. I have to go. I'll see you later. Okay?"

She nodded, not trusting her voice. He quickly left, just as Severus came upon her. He was looking at her oddly and opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head. Instead she took his hand and pulled him with her.

She took him to the Room of Requirement. The room quickly opening to show their cozy scene inside when he read to her, along with another door. She let go of him and ran to the other room.

When he didn't hear anything, he realized she had silenced the room to the loo he saw her enter. He took a seat on the sofa and waited for her to come back.

Hermione was shaking as she leaned against the closed door in the loo. She tried to calm her churning stomach as she told herself over and over again that she couldn't kill Peter. When the shaking eased some, she went over to the sink and scrubbed her hands that had touched him.

She rinsed her mouth of the bile she tasted earlier and then a goblet appeared next to the sink. She looked in it and smiled as the room had given her some cool water to drink.

Drinking it down she felt even calmer than before. She knew Severus had seen her with Peter. How much? She didn't know yet, but she was sure she would.

She knew she would have to convince him that Peter hadn't meant them any harm. Convince Severus from doing something that would change the time line. Convince him that she believed he was innocent of any wrongdoing. Which made her snort in derision.

She rehearsed what she would say, making sure it sounded natural as she said it. Taking a final look at herself, she pulled down the wards she had thrown up, and opened the door.

She came out of the bathroom and gave him a smile. He quirked a brow at her but stayed silent. She walked over and sat down next to him on the couch.

He waited but she didn't speak right away. He tried to probe into her mind, but found a solid wall again. She didn't want him to know her thoughts.

"Would you stop poking at my head? Just ask me what you want to know." She told him.

Severus sighed. "So why did you let the little weasel go?"

Hermione told him that Peter explained that he hadn't meant any harm. Told him how it was a misunderstanding. That he thought when Sirius said to go check on her and Lily that he was supposed to go get them.

She assured him that Peter didn't mean any harm to her or Lily and since he hadn't known Severus was following them, he hadn't meant to harm him either. He was Hermione's friend after all. Hermione had even been able to get that word 'friend' out without stumbling.

Severus simply stared at her the whole time, not saying a word or interrupting. When she was done, he sat there for several moments silently. Hermione swallowed and waited for him to speak.

"That is very…interesting. Why do you believe him?" He asked her, not betraying his thoughts.

"He's my friend and he's the others' friend as well. Friends don't try to hurt each other like that." She replied.

Severus continued to study her again. Finally he sighed. "If you're trying to convince me that the rodent is your friend, you might try not grimacing when you say it."

Hermione cursed silently at herself for not keeping her mask in place. She gave him a smirk. "Fine. He's not someone I consider a friend. I don't like him and it's obvious. But he is their friend. Do you really think that he would purposely do something to hurt them?" Knowing Peter would, but kept the smirk in place.

Severus searched her eyes before answering. "I can't say what the little worm would or wouldn't do, but if you're sure he wouldn't do anything to them…I guess I'll have to take your word for it."

Hermione forced herself not to wince at his statement. Her word right now wasn't worth spit and she knew it. "Just do me a favor. Please promise me you wont do anything to hurt Peter."

He raised his eyebrow at her. "Why would I promise you that?"

She smiled and leaned against him. "Because I'm asking you to. Rather nicely too."

He smirked. "You did ask nicely." When she continued to plead at him with her eyes he rolled his. "Fine. I wont hurt the little worm. I still don't trust him though."

Hermione sighed in relief. "I…guess I can't blame you for that. You're not a very trusting person to begin with."

He frowned slightly but didn't comment. "Since I'm doing this for you, what are you going to do for me?"

She gave him a real smile. "That depends. What did you have in mind?"

He pulled her into his lap and whispered in her ear. She was laughing when she pulled back. "Is that all you want? I doubt it would take much coaxing to get that." She said, leaning in and kissing him while with a wave of her hand, she warded and silenced the room.

A few weeks later, she was walking with her friends towards the side doors so they could take a walk outside when Minerva called to her. Minerva waved her friends off, saying she had to borrow Hermione so she would have to catch up to them later.

They all teased her about being in trouble. Then, with a glare from Minerva, they raced out the door. Hermione was chuckling to herself as she followed the woman to her office.

They passed many students along the way. They all glanced at Hermione and thought the same thing her friends did. They all thought she was in trouble for some reason.

Which slightly unnerved Hermione. Did she really look like the trouble making type? Did people think she did nothing but get in trouble? Maybe Minerva was looking for me due to being my head of house. Maybe it was because of something pertaining to her classroom.

Hermione sighed. They didn't know her very well, but they didn't have to assume she had done something wrong. Even if as a young student she had constantly broken the rules with her friends, most of the students didn't know about it though.

Once inside, she saw Dumbledore inside waiting on them. Hermione frowned slightly at the change of scenery, but Dumbledore simply said he didn't want too many questions about why she always went to his office.

She nodded and took her seat, waiting for her professors to let her know what they wanted to see her about. She didn't have long to wait.

"Hermione, I wanted to let you know that I got the book from my friend. I will be reading it shortly and seeing if we can figure this out on how to get you back home." Dumbledore said.

Hermione swallowed. She wasn't sure she wanted to go anymore. She had James and Lily here. She had Sirius here. Remus would be with her in both times, but the others wouldn't. She had Severus now, and he would be gone too.

Dumbledore smiled at her. "I understand your ties here have made the choice difficult, but you know you have to go back. You know too many things Hermione. It could potentially cause problems for the time line with you around."

Hermione sighed. She did know that. But… "Sir, if you figure it out, I don't have to leave right away do I? I could stay for a bit longer before going back. It wouldn't damage the time line anymore than it already is. I could wait until after graduation and then tell them that I had to leave to go...somewhere. A job that was far away or something. Some family crisis that I had to be there for."

Dumbledore frowned. "Hermione, do you think it wise to stick around and gain stronger ties that you already have?"

Hermione matched his frown. "Sir, my ties are already strong. Do you think I will want to leave no matter when it is? Do you think that when I leave I wont miss them terribly?"

Minerva sighed. "Hermione, surely you will see some of them again when you return. Won't you?"

Hermione looked away. "Only one. After I leave Hogwarts, I don't know how often I'll see him either."

Dumbledore sighed this time. "I know we have a long road ahead of us to get to where you are at in the future my dear. I know going back to so many losses will be hard for you. But what of the people you have left behind that are not here with you now?"

Hermione smiled. "I'll miss them. Harry and Ron have been my best mates since my first year here. Ron's family is my family too. His mum adopts everyone and Remus and I have spent many nights talking together. He used to help with my nightmares after the war. He would climb in bed with me. He would talk to me and just hold me until I fell asleep again."

Minerva smiled sadly. That explained why she wanted him to climb in bed with her in the hospital when she arrived. Minerva thought. He's the only survivor out of all her friends here? That's so sad.

Dumbledore patted Hermione's hand. "You need to go back to them, my dear. They need you, even now. If it was as bad as you say, how do you think they will take your disappearance?"

Hermione sighed. "Not well at all. Harry would probably spend the rest of his life looking for me. Ron…Ron would want me back, but I don't know how much effort he might put into finding me. At first he would, then he'd…forget."

Dumbledore sighed. "That is why you must go back too. Your friends need you. You will move on too."

Hermione glared at him. "For the greater good right? Well, I doubt I'll be able to just move on and forget about my time here."

Dumbledore took her hand again. "My dear, I'm not saying you'll forget or that it will be easy for you."

Minerva spoke. "We don't even know yet what Dumbledore will find Hermione. We don't have to talk about this now. We don't have to make any decisions yet. When and if we find a way to send you home, we can talk about it and figure it out then."

Dumbledore nodded and Hermione let it go. Minerva was right. They didn't have to make any decisions yet. They could find a solution of sorts later.

Hermione took her leave a bit later. She didn't feel like being with her friends. She wanted to be alone. Talking about all of this just brought the reality of leaving back to her and weighed heavily on her.

The sadness and despair of it all so much that she felt like she couldn't breathe with it. She slowly made her way to the one room that helped during times like this. She went to the Room of Requirement.

She closed the door and saw the Death Eater dummies waiting on her. She flicked her wand and the wards were set on the room. The room was silenced as usual and the doors locked. Keeping everyone out, even Severus if he tried to join her.

She wanted to be alone to let her sadness out. She started the dummies to attacking her. When the three moving in on her wasn't helping, she added another. Then another. And another. With the sixth finally added, she found stings hitting her constantly and called for an end of the program.

Collapsing where she stood as the pain of leaving everyone descended on her even worse. Tears running down her cheeks at the thought of going back to a world that didn't have James and Lily. A world where Sirius wouldn't flirt with her constantly and annoy her daily. A world where Severus wouldn't be there to talk to her, to hold her, or to love her.

She didn't think she wanted to be apart of that world any longer. She wanted to stay. Even if it meant never seeing Harry and Ron again.

A/N: Okay that was kind of a sad ending to the chapter, but there is more angst coming up soon so just be ready for it. Hope you all liked this chapter. Please leave me your thoughts. Take care.