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The next morning, Remus was making travel plans as Hermione finished the packing. They would take a Portkey to London, then Apparate to Remus' home where Hermione would stay for a night before going to Grimmauld Place where Harry would be.

Hermione was pleased with the work they had done. She knew that her decision was something she would have to live with, but she knew her parents would be happy. As her thoughts drifted slowly, an owl tapping at the window suddenly yanked her back to present. The owl was one of the larger ones she had ever seen. Immediately she saw there was a large document strapped to its leg, so Hermione quickly opened the window.

The owl glided in and came to a rest on the table, sticking its leg out.

"Hello," Hermione said, gently scratching the animal's head and untying the papers.

Breaking the Ministry of Magic wax seal, Hermione unfolded the papers. Her eyes scanned the document before freezing on one word. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears as the blood drained from her face.

"What is it?" Remus asked.

Hermione felt her muscles going weak as her hands tightened on the paper. The one word screamed at her: DIVORCE.

Remus looked over her shoulder, reading the document.

"He filed for divorce? When did you two decide this?"

"We-we didn't! I…I don't understand. What happened?"

Her shock was being replaced by sadness. What could she have done to make him go as far as filing for divorce? She has only been away for a few weeks! They had been fine! So why? What had she done? Racking her brain, Hermione tried to pinpoint what went wrong. Her sadness was dissipating quickly by the anger that was filling her chest. He waited until she was halfway across the world to do this? The coward!

Grabbing her things, Hermione darted to the door.

"Where are you going?" Remus called.

"I'm going home, right now. He's not just going to send some papers to me and expect me to just give in,"

"Well, hang on," Remus muttered, grabbing his things.

The two left the room, and Hermione stormed down the street, ready to confront Severus. Remus directed Hermione to the right address and the two entered the small apartment where the Portkeys were produced.

"We need a Portkey to London, immediately," Hermione snapped.

"Well, that's going to be a little extra on such short notice," the fat man muttered.

"That's fine,"

Hermione anxiously watched as the man pulled out a broken hairbrush and his wand. Remus gave him the specific address as Hermione grinded her teeth together. The man was working at an excruciatingly slow pace, grinding on her nerves. Finally, he tossed the brush in the middle of the room.

"One minute," the man said, checking his watch.

Hermione bent down and touched the hairbrush with one hand, the divorce paper crushed in the other. Remus assumed the same position, and moments later, they were being spun around quickly before being deposited on the ground. Hermione instantly jumped up as Remus grabbed her shoulders.

"I think you should just take a moment to calm down,"

"I can't. I'm not going to let him do this without an explanation," she muttered, digging for Remus' luggage in her bag.

She handed him his belongings, before looking up at him.

"Thank you for everything, really. I couldn't have done it without you. Give my best to Tonks and Teddy,"

"I will,"

Hermione instantly Apparated as close to Hogwarts as she possible could. Her heart was pounding, but that didn't stop her as the school came into view. The sun was still low in the sky, but the school was shining brightly with golden sunlight. The sight offered Hermione a small moment of calm before she reached the gates. Professor Flitwick was there, standing guard. Upon seeing her, he forced a smile, Hermione could see how awkward he had become at her appearance, and let her pass. Hermione forced a smile on her face, and didn't say a word as the school grew larger and larger.

Finally, she reached the courtyard, eyes locked on the large doors of the Great Hall. Even though she was beyond furious at this moment, the school was beautiful. Its former grandeur was slowly but surely coming back. People were milling about, most staring at her and whispering. Hermione burst through the front doors, impressed with what has been done so far. Now where was he?

Darting up the stairs, Hermione nearly collided with Minerva.

"Hermione! I didn't know you were coming back today!"

"Professor, where is he?"

"Who?"

"Severus,"

Minerva suddenly became very uncomfortable and began smoothing her robes out.

"He's in the Defense classroom, doing paperwork,"

Hermione barely spared her a glance as she ran up the stairs, finding a secret passage way to the Defense floor. The hallway was empty, and for that she was happy. Her feet were striking the stone in a sharp staccato beat, matching the frantic beating of her heart. The door was looming closer and closer. In a flash she flung the door open, and found him sitting at the desk in the front of the classroom. He lifted his head as she stormed into the room, straight towards him.

"What is this?" she hissed, finally reaching the desk and throwing the papers in front of him.

He was paler than usual, Hermione noted, as he pulled off his reading glasses and placed his quill down.

"I think you of all people are capable of reading," he replied smoothly.

"Why? That's what I want to know, why?"

Hermione saw that he wouldn't look her in the eyes as he pushed the papers slightly away from himself.

"Our contract is fulfilled; there is no reason for it to be active any longer,"

"Stop talking about our relationship like it was just some-some job! What happened that you suddenly think we can't do this? Look at me!" she snapped, placing her palms on the desk.

Severus finally raised his eyes to hers, forcing himself behind those walls Hermione knew all too well. He was trying to be cold and distant, but he couldn't hide the fact that he was struggling to do just that from her.

"Who is she?" Hermione blurted out.

"What?" he asked, seeming appalled by the idea.

"I can't come up with any other reason for you doing this except that you found someone else. Who is she? Is she intelligent? She would have to be for you to like her,"

"There isn't anyone else!" he snapped, showing his first real emotion since she walked in the room. "How can you even-"

"You can't tell me that you don't feel anything, I can see it in your eyes. You may be a spy, but I can tell that you're lying,"

He stared at her for a long moment.

"I don't feel anything,"

Hermione could feel her heart fall into her stomach as her eyes slowly began to well.

"I don't believe you," she said quietly, standing to her full height. "I don't believe you for one second. You may be able to fake your way out of anything, but you can't fake this. I am not going to sign those papers until you talk to me like a human being,"

"Stop acting like a child and just sign the damn paper!" Severus snapped.

"No!"

"Why?!"

"Because I'm in love you!"

Hermione froze; she had just blurted out her deepest secret. Severus looked as if he had been struck, immediately leaning back in his chair. She knew she must look like a deer caught in headlights, but through her embarrassment, Hermione remained eye contact, gauging his reaction. He was taken off guard, clearly, but he wasn't going to crack, she could see. He wasn't going to say anything about her confession, and she felt hurt that he wouldn't acknowledge what she had kept quiet for months.

"You're a coward," Hermione mumbled, shaking her head at him.

She gave a quick glance at the papers, making them to burst into flames, causing Severus to jump up and away from the desk. He met her eyes, allowing his rage to boil in his own. Hermione didn't say a single word to him as she stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her.

She couldn't believe it! What was he thinking?! Hermione would fight him until the very end on this. Not until he sat her down and explained his reasons to her would she even consider signing those papers which were now burning on his desktop. She was beyond furious with him.

Hermione had no idea what she was doing, or where she was going. She still had some money left over from her trip, and she decided to see if the Leaky Cauldron had a room. She just needed to be alone for a while to think about her current situation. Keeping her head held high, Hermione left the school, refusing to look behind her, allowing the front gates to slam behind with a resounding clang. The moment she had left the enchantments, Hermione Apparated to an alley in Diagon Alley. Before entering the stream of people, she raised her hood to hide herself. The last thing she needed was people recognizing her on the streets.

Almost silently she made her was to the dingy place, slipping inside and heading straight to the owner.

"I'd like a room," Hermione mumbled quietly.

"Sure," the man said passing across the ledger book for her to sign her name.

Hermione did, making sure to use her maiden name. The man looked at her name, and his eyes widened before flashing back to her.

"Miss Granger!"

"I'd like to keep my presence here a secret, please," she mumbled.

"Certainly, certainly. Follow me,"

Moments later she found herself walking up a narrow staircase and to the top floor of the building. The owner was being overly gracious, and Hermione quickly said her thanks before locking the door after his departure. She remained sprawled out across the bed, feeling alone and afraid, not knowing what her future held. She had no home – her parents had sold it before the move. Severus – well that was out of the question. She couldn't impose on Remus any more than she already had. Ron was the last person she wanted to see at the moment. And Harry…well, she didn't actually know what Harry was up to as of late.

Moving for the first time in hours, Hermione fished out her parchment and quill, scribbling a hasty note to Harry telling him where she was and that she hoped he would call at his earliest convenience, and he did not disappoint. Within a half hour of sending the note, there was a knock at her door. She peered through the peephole and saw a familiar mess of black hair with sparkling green eyes. Hermione wasted no time in throwing the door open.

"Harry!" she cried, flinging herself on him.

"Hey," he greeted warmly, wrapping his arms around her.

The two friends simply embraced one another. It had been a long while since they had seen one another, and neither knew that they were both completely and utterly lost since the war had finally ended. Finally, Hermione pulled away, making sure no tears had escaped her eyes.

"It's so good to see you," she said, genuinely happy to see his face.

"It's nice to see you too, what have you been up to?"

"Come in, come in," she said dragging him inside.

They both sat on the bed, Hermione jittery with the excitement of Harry's visit.

"How's Ginny?" Hermione asked, anxious to find familiar ground.

"She's good," Harry mumbled shyly.

"That's good, I'm glad to hear it,"

"What about you? What have you been doing? You've been gone for weeks,"

Hermione felt her smile falter before immediately failing all together.

"I've been looking for my parents with Remus,"

"How did that go?"

"We found them,"

"Well that's great!"

"I left them in Australia,"

"Why?"

"They were happy there and any attempt to repair their memories would have most likely done more harm than good,"

"So where are you going to live now?" Harry asked.

"Here,"

"You can't live here,"

"Harry, I don't have much of a choice,"

"You can come and live with me,"

"I couldn't impose on you,"

"Sirius left me his house, and I'm the only one there. There are about a dozen empty rooms, and I could really use the company,"

"Are you sure?"

"Hermione, you're my best friend,"

"Okay," Hermione said smiling. "Give me a week to tie up some things at the school and then I'll move in,"

"Tie up what things?" Harry asked, sounding like he was egging her on.

"I want to talk to Professor McGonagall about taking Year Seven tests so I can officially finish school and maybe start looking for an apprenticeship somewhere,"

Harry suddenly appeared very uncomfortable, and Hermione studied him closely. He looked everywhere in the room but her eyes.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

He dropped his eyes to the floor.

"That night, in the Boathouse…Snape gave me his memories,"

Hermione stared at Harry as her pulse quickened.

"I know," she said, licking her lips. "I was there,"

"Hermione…a lot of them pertained to you,"

"Oh God,"

The words fell from her lips before she could stop them.

"I've been thinking about that night, the memories, and what happened in the Boathouse,"

"Harry-"

"You don't have to apologize," he said offering her a smile. He knew her too well. "It doesn't concern me one way or another who you're involved in, as long as they're treating you right. I just want to know the story, from start to finish,"

Hermione flopped back on the bed.

"It started with the Occlumency lessons. Severus saw things that I never told anyone and I saw things that he never told anyone. We became friends, I guess. Malfoy started trying to attack me, mainly through my parents. He was going to…force me to marry him so he could turn me over to Voldemort, but Severus relayed the information in time, though Malfoy had become…physically violent,"

"Did Snape do something about it?"

"He only suggested that I not go anywhere alone,"

"What happened after that?"

"After Slughorn's party we all went to Grimmauld Palce, and then Christmas, well,"

Hermione held her hand up, presenting the back of it to Harry, whose eyes immediately locked on the silver band.

"I noticed it a while ago, I just never said anything," he mentioned with a smile.

"I figured you had,"

"So, you and Snape-"

"We were married in the library,"

"Why? I mean, why did you two have to go that far?"

"It was supposed to be a contract to insure your safety. Being married to Severus, he could bring me to Voldemort while simultaneously protecting me. My job was to buy you time and give false leads,"

"You-you went to him?"

"Yes,"

"What did he do?"

"That's not important," Hermione said, slightly flinching at the memory.

Harry nodded, and allowed her continue.

"I was basically smuggled into Hogwarts when the year started. Then the Carrows came, and Severus was so desperately trying to stop them from hurting people, it was driving him nearly insane. And then, Voldemort started threatening to kill me, and that's when I found you guys in the graveyard. Severus told him that I was gone because I was trying to find out more information,"

"It was him that night, the doe,"

"Yes, he was there,"

"What about Malfoy Manor? He just showed up out of nowhere,"

"The rings – our rings – are connected to one another. Dumbledore gave them to us. I can turn it twice, and Severus can Apparated to my location. We were in trouble, and I'm ashamed I didn't think of it sooner, but I was a little busy,"

Harry took her hand.

"You were pretty much there for the rest of it. Severus saved Tonks and Remus, though he doesn't want anyone to know about that,"

"I have to say, you kept things pretty well hidden, until after the war,"

"What do you mean?"

"In the Great Hall, at night," he said, giving her a look.

"What?" she asked.

"You two were all over each other,"

Hermione blushed to her roots, and lowered her eyes.

"Not to mention the Boathouse," Harry added, looking casually at the ceiling.

Hermione couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her face, though she knew she must be bright red at this point.

"I also may or may not have seen the episode in Grimmauld Place in Snape's memories,"

"Harry," Hermione groaned, covering her face.

"Anyway," he said changing the subject. "What's up with you two now?"

Hermione's embarrassment dissipated.

"I don't know," she said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"He sent me divorce papers,"

"He sent you divorce papers? Why? I thought you two were hitting it off,"

"Apparently we were all wrong,"

"Hermione, I've seen his memories, there's no way he would do this. He's crazy about you,"

"I thought so too, but I mean, he was a double spy for over twenty years, what if he's just that good? I hope that's not the case, but what if he was just playing the part to get us all through this alive and now he doesn't need to anymore?"

"That's a load of rubbish," Harry muttered.

"When I told him about Ron, he wasn't even angry,"

"You told him about what happened in the Chamber of Secrets?"

"Yes, Ron was holding it against me, so I just told Severus because I couldn't deal with Ron trying to get me to break things off…how did you know?"

"Ron told me that he confronted Snape,"

"He what?"

"He confronted Snape, and he said Snape was extremely protective over you and got a little physical,"

"Oh, please tell me Severus didn't hurt him,"

"Just wounded his ego a little. Ron's crazy about you, you're all he talks about. I try not to get involved. I know you don't feel for him the way he feels about you. It's obvious in the way you look at Snape. You'd have to be blind not to notice that,"

"So where does this leave us?"

"I already told you, it doesn't matter to me who you're with, as long as they treat you the way you ought to be treated,"

"I mean about Ron,"

Harry waved the idea away.

"What he does doesn't affect our friendship, I hope. He's home now, trying to cool down,"

"How was he the last time you talked to him?"

"Fine,"

"Fine?" Hermione asked, knowing Harry was hiding something from her.

"When was the last time you read the Daily Prophet?"

"I can't remember, I've been busy,"

Harry reached into his robes and pulled out a rolled up newspaper that was severely wrinkled.

"You have to promise not to lose it when you read the article,"

"I won't," she snapped, snatching the paper from him.

Smoothing the paper out, Hermione instantly saw the title, and knew that the rest of the article couldn't be good. She saw Severus and herself, smeared across the front page. Was this why he sent those papers to her?

"Harry-"

"No one knows who talked, but I think we all have a pretty good idea who it was,"

"He wouldn't-Harry, you don't think-"

"I was with him the morning that was published. He seemed pleased with it,"

"I didn't think Ronald could do something like this,"

"He's in love with you Hermione, I'm pretty sure he'll do anything to win you over,"

"He's in love with me?" Hermione snapped, jumping up and tossing the paper on the bed. "Love? He had all of school to say something, and all he did was throw that Lavender Brown in my face! Now when I'm finally happy, I know what I want and who I want to spend the rest of my life with, all of a sudden he realizes that he's in love with me! Well it's too late now!"

The two fell silent and for a long moment they didn't so much as acknowledge one another.

"Harry, I don't know what to do anymore. I've spent this whole war planning what I was going to do, and I just can't do it anymore,"

"Well, when you move in, we can do fun things,"

"Like what?" Hermione asked raising her eyebrow at him.

"You know, I still never got that cake for my birthday,"

Hermione couldn't help but smile at him.

"I would love to make you a birthday cake,"

"We can have one joint birthday party for everyone,"

"I can't wait," Hermione replied, beaming.