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The next morning, Hermione awoke early, wanting to talk to Minerva before the rest of the school awoke. On the way to the school, the sun was just rising, making the path seem otherworldly. The moment Hermione reached the front gate; she forced her emotions back, focusing on the task at hand. She knew Minerva would be in the Great Hall, readying for another day of reconstruction. Barely anyone stayed in the school anymore, they had to focus on getting their own lives back on track.

Entering the silent hall, Hermione peaked into the Great Hall, seeing a few sleeping bags spread everywhere.

"Hermione?"

Hermione whirled around, and found Minerva, still in her nightclothes.

"Professor," Hermione said with a smile. "I was hoping I could borrow a moment of your time,"

"Of course, follow me,"

Hermione followed Minerva through the winding hallways, and was not surprised when they entered Dumbledore's office.

"Are you-?"

"Headmistress? Yes, Severus resigned a few weeks ago, taking the Defense Against the Dark Arts position again,"

"Oh," Hermione muttered, taking a seat.

"So, how may I help you?" Minerva asked over the desk.

"I was just wondering – would it be possible for me to complete exams in order to pass my seventh year and complete my schooling?"

Minerva sat back in her chair, a crease in her brow.

"That certainly would be possible. You would have to take the final exam in all of the classes. It would be extremely difficult, but I could arrange a time for your testing,"

"That would be perfect," Hermione replied with a smile.

The two left the room together, discussing which time would be appropriate for the testing (Hermione wanted to complete them all in a row). They stopped in the Entrance Hall, discussing minor details, when movement from the staircase caught Hermione's attention. At first she looked away, thinking a student was walking the halls, but her eyes immediately snapped back. There were seven men from the Ministry, walking down the hallway, and walking in the middle of the men, was Severus Snape.

"What?" Hermione managed to choke out, stepping forward.

"Kingsley! What are you doing?" Minerva cried, approaching the Minister.

"I'm sorry Minerva, it has to be done," he said, looking slightly embarrassed.

"What does? Why do you have those chains on his wrists?" she snapped when her eyes landed on the shackles that were locked on Severus' slender wrists.

"It's so he can't Apparate. There has been an arrest warrant issued for Severus in relation to his connection with Death Eaters,"

"If Severus didn't work for them, most of us would be dead!"

"I'm aware, Minerva, but I did not issue the warrant. I am required to attend such arrests, and interfering in any way would be an abuse of my power,"

Without waiting for a reply, the men started pushing Severus out of the building. He made no sound of resistance and revealed no emotion.

"No," Hermione said, stepping forward, wanting to reach out and touch him.

His eyes flashed to her, burning intensely before he was pushed away.

"No!" she snapped, leaning forward before Minerva restrained her.

Hermione watched horrified as Severus was taken away.

Hermione was distraught over what had happened. Her first reaction was to go to the Ministry and find out who was in charge and talk to them straight away to order Severus' release. She was distracted by the fuss Minerva was making. Waves of anger poured off of the Headmistress, making her as threatening as Severus was on any given day. She instantly stormed back to her office where she began writing the necessary letters. Hermione left the school immediately, returning to the Leaky Cauldron in order to check out of her room. She arrived on Harry's doorstep, less than a half hour later, looking as frazzled as ever.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked as she barged into the room.

"They took him, Harry! They took him!" she cried, dropping her things on the ground and heading straight into the kitchen.

"Took who? What are you talking about?"

"Severus! They took Severus! I watched them!"

Harry halted her pacing in the kitchen and forced her into a chair. Her hands were shaking and her face was pale.

"Now, start from the beginning," Harry said quietly.

"I was talking to McGonagall about the tests when the Ministry started carting him away in shackles. He's going to be tried because of his loyalties,"

"But he was with us,"

"No one else knows that, Harry. Not even half a dozen of us do. What are six people against the entire Wizarding World? They all know he killed Dumbledore, and their minds are already made up,"

Harry could not think of a proper response to her explanation, Hermione could tell by the look on his face. His eyes met hers, and neither smiled.

"I love him, Harry," Hermione said quietly. "More than anything,"

"I know," Harry replied, patting her hand.

The next morning, Hermione returned with dozens of volumes pertaining to laws in their world. She spent her days locked in the library at Grimmauld Place, avoiding any and all media. The papers often mentioned her name, but no one knew where the brains of the Golden Trio had gone after the war, and Hermione was anxious to keep her whereabouts unknown. Remus often helped Hermione and Harry with basic things, like shopping. Hermione didn't think she had enough time in her life to repay him for everything he has ever done. Eventually, Harry and Hermione's absence became the popular headlines, often placed next to the newest update on Severus' trial. Hermione only looked at the paper every few days, fully knowing that the trial was going disastrously for Severus.

One morning, the front door opened, and Hermione paused in her reading, knowing that Remus was not due for a visit and that Harry was in the kitchen. Her heart leapt into her throat as her hand immediately grabbed for her wand. Footsteps thudded gently on the carpet as the intruder traveled down the hall. Hermione was just reaching for the handle of the door when it was thrown open.

"Hermione?!"

She lowered her wand upon seeing a head of ginger hair. Ronald Weasley stood shocked in the doorway of the library.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione snapped harshly.

"Looking for Harry. I haven't been able to reach him for weeks,"

"He's in the kitchen," she bit out.

He stared at her for a long moment.

"It's good to see you,"

She noticed how his eyes drifted and settled on the silver band on her finger that she refused to remove. Hermione heard Harry leaving the kitchen, apparently hearing their voices.

"Ron," Harry said, stunned as his presence.

"Hey, mate," Ron greeted lamely.

"You're lucky this is Harry's house," Hermione growled.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked with wide eyes.

"I know what you did, Ronald! I know that you're the one that told the Daily Prophet about Severus! You're the only one who would!"

"Loads of people know!"

"No they don't! It's you, Harry, Minerva, and Remus. You're the only one who would have a reason!"

"Hermione, I don't think you understand,"

"You better hope that man walks out of the Ministry at the end of this trial with his freedom, or else," she threated darkly.

"Or what?" he taunted.

"Ron, stop," Harry snapped.

Ron turned, shocked that his best friend was not taking his side on things.

"What are you talking about Harry? This is Snape. You were right all of these years that he was working for Voldemort this whole time!"

"Ron, you know that isn't true,"

"I bet he has that mark on his arm, doesn't he?" Ron hissed, turning his eyes on Hermione.

Hermione felt her emotions bubbling up. She wanted to strike that smirk off of his face and curse him until she couldn't speak another word.

"How many times did you watch him sneak off in the middle of the night to kill innocent people for that monster? How often did you sit around watching him okay orders to torture poor First Years? I bet-"

He was cut off as Hermione flung herself on him with a scream. She saw red as he threw his arms up to protect his face. Magic could do more damage, but this was more fulfilling. Hermione could feel Harry wrapping his arms around her, trying to haul her off of Ron. The fear that flashed over Ron's face was replaced by rage, as he shoved back, elbow colliding with her cheek, sending her to the floor with a thud.

Hermione's head exploded with pain, as she briefly lost her bearings.

"Ron!" Harry shouted, immediately helping Hermione to her feet.

"She's crazy, Harry! Snape probably brainwashed her during those lessons she always wanted to get to all the time!"

"He didn't brainwash me, you idiot!" Hermione cried, pressing her hand against her throbbing cheek.

"You act like you love the greasy bat,"

Hermione didn't say anything, but kept her eyes locked on Ron. His eyes studied her face for a moment before they grew wide.

"You…you love him? You love Snape? How could anyone in their right mind-"

"Yes, I love him. He's the bravest man I've ever met and I trust him with my life. He's kind, thoughtful, and gentle if people would just give him a chance,"

"He's a dungeon bat, that's all he'll ever be. A dungeon bat who pines over a dead woman,"

Hermione felt Harry tense beside her, and was afraid that he would snap.

"As many problems as I have had with Snape in the past, he's a good man who has sacrificed a lot for our cause, and I think the least we can do is save him from an unfair sentence. He loved my mother, I know that. I also know that he loves Hermione,"

"You two have lost it, haven't you?" Ron asked, peering at them.

"Ron, I showed you the memories, I know you felt Snape's emotions when he looked at Hermione,"

"He's just obsessed with her, that's all,"

"You thought doing this would make me love you, didn't you?" Hermione prompted.

Ron didn't say anything.

"Ron-" Harry began.

"Don't!" Ron snapped at Harry. "You were so obsessed with Snape, I knew that he had to have you under some kind of spell. I told you to end it with him, Hermione, and you didn't. I couldn't let him get away with taking you away from me, so I knew I had to get him away from you. What better way than telling the Ministry who had killed Dumbledore and where they could find such a person? I knew he'd be in jail and then he would have to feel what I feel,"

"I can't believe you," Hermione muttered, shaking her head.

"I love you, Hermione, I have since we were kids,"

"You never said anything! You just went out with Lavender Brown and snogged her whenever you had more than ten minutes! I did care for you, Ron, for a while, but I was sick of being a second thought! You're too late; I'm happy now, happy with someone who never saw me as a back-up plan,"

For the first time since the war ended, Ron showed signs of guilt. The hallway was silent for a moment before Ron lowered his eyes to the ground.

"I think that you should leave now," Harry said quietly.

Ron didn't say a word as he turned and left the house. Hermione returned to the library, gingerly touching her sore cheek as Harry returned to the kitchen.