Hey guys! I know this is a little late; I lost track of the days, sorry! It is nearly 4:30 AM here, and I can't sleep, so what better thing to do than update?

We're getting down to the end here!

Review and let me know what you think!

Severus sat in his childhood home, glad to have the comforts of a house rather than a cold damp cell at the Ministry. The fire was crackling quietly, soothing him. His eyes fell to the table to his left, seeing his ring glaring back at him. It was the only object, besides his wand, that the Ministry had taken from him when they dragged him from Hogwarts.

He didn't regret anything he did, or said to Hermione. The papers had slowly forgotten about her, which is what he wanted all along. If anyone was going to be taken down, it would be him and him alone. They would have dragged her into an interrogation room and forced her to tell them everything she knew about him. He knew that she would hold out; Hermione was loyal to a fault, but eventually, they would resort to nastier methods until she did crack.

Severus felt like a coward, disappearing after Kingsley basically threw him out of the Ministry. She would be waiting in the courtroom, among the destruction. He needed time to think through things without the threat of Azkaban hanging over his head and without her warm presence surrounding him.

Severus spent his time in his cell, pondering the thought of being locked up for the rest of his life. He was well aware that most occupants in the cells would have found out about his double-spy gig throughout the war, and would be unhappy with his false allegiance. His life would be in danger, but he was ready for it, especially for the most likely outcome of his imprisonment: death.

His thoughts drifted back to the courtroom. He certainly didn't think that she would have really found a way to get him out of that mess. She was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Granted, he was furious when she suddenly showed up in the courtroom and jumped into the middle of the floor. He was even angrier when he saw Kingsley pull out the license from the box. Regardless, he was impressed with how graceful and powerful she performed her spell work. She was beautiful and courageous, a Gryffindor through and through. The amount of dedication she displayed to him was something he knew he could never be able to thank her for in words, not for the remainder of his life.

It was in that chair, while chained up, that he realized how much she had sacrificed for him, and how much she was still willing to sacrifice for him. She was furiously fighting Death Eaters, risking her own life after breaking into the Ministry and collecting memories from people in order to free him.

He remembered the warmth of her body, and how he welcomed it after the coldness of his cell and the general discomfort he lived with every day for months. No matter what, he needed some time to himself, to pull himself together and think through things before jumping back into life, especially before facing her again with no obstacle in front of him that he could use to push this relationship away from himself. First he claimed that their relationship was just a cover for Voldemort, and then he pushed her away because of the potential of Azkaban and the fact that the media would destroy her name. Now, there was nothing preventing him from being with her, for real this time.

Would she show up here looking for him? He certainly hoped not. Mentally, he wasn't ready to have any sort of conversation with her quite yet. With that thought in mind, Severus grabbed a sheet of parchment and a quill, scribbling a quick note.

Keep her away until I come.

Immediately he sent the note to Remus, knowing he was probably with Hermione. A few moments later, he made the trek upstairs so he could turn in for the night. It had been a while since he had been here, in his room. He had straightened up before they had left for Hogwarts so her presence had basically been wiped from the house.

The second his head touched the pillow, he fell asleep, but it was anything but peaceful.

He found himself back in the cell, cold and wet, seeing dark figures looming above him. His heart was pounding in his chest as he jumped from the dirty mattress and pressed his back against the wall. Suddenly hands were everywhere, pulling him up and shoving him around. Anxiously he was reaching for his wand, digging through his robes. It was gone.

A moment later, he was being thrown to the ground, being chained to the floor. This chamber was colder than his cell, chilling him to the bone. The figures suddenly disappeared into the shadows, leaving him alone. It was then that his eyes drifted towards the ceiling, causing his breath to catch. Swirling around impatiently were at least a hundred of Dementors. Instinctually, he began fighting his restraints as the shield separating them suddenly vanished. The room instantly became colder, and Severus was able to see his harsh breath turn into mist. A second later, they were on him, feeding off of him. A few moments passed and he could feel his eyes rolling back in his head, about to lose consciousness. A Dementor was suddenly hovering in front of him, and Severus knew what was coming. Before he had time to breathe, everything went black.

Severus instantly sat up in bed, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. Tossing the covers from his body, Severus left the room, running his hands through his hair. Instead of trying to sleep again, he spent the night at the small kitchen table that he often ate breakfast at with Hermione reading the Daily Prophet across from him.

He thought through everything from the moment Hermione left to find her parents until he was released from the Ministry. So much had happened, and Severus had been a fool. He immediately thought of the day Hermione returned from looking for her parents. She had stormed into his classroom, hair wild and eyes blazing. He had known the moment he sent those papers that she would throw a fit. The fact that she had set the papers on fire on his desk didn't bother him as much as the words that left her lips. Severus knew that they were always there, churning behind her eyes and hanging on the tip of her tongue. I'm in love with you. Even now he could see her face as she accidentally let slip something that both had been dancing around. Even after twenty years, Severus was never so shocked in his life. Even after she had gone he remained at his desk, replaying the events over and over again. He couldn't believe that someone like her could want someone like him. He knew he had nothing to offer her, he was old, had spent twenty years learning how to hid his emotions, and was especially nasty to her throughout the last few months.

Even though she did show up in the courtroom radiating dedication and loyalty, Severus could never forget the crushed look on her face in that classroom. She tried to hide it from him behind her confidence and denial, but he could see it in her eyes, especially when he didn't respond to her accidental slip. Severus had spent months in his cell attempting to completely obliterate any feelings he had for her. He thought he had been doing well, until she suddenly burst out onto the courtroom floor. From that moment on, he knew he would never be able to force her from his mind. She had slowly wormed her way in, and he had been none the wiser, until it was far too late to push her away. Severus knew that he needed her. No matter what he had felt for Lily, Hermione outshined her in every way. He didn't think it was possible to feel anything more than what he felt for Lily, but he had been mistaken. Hermione opened a whole new world for him, a world he couldn't leave even if he wanted to.

The repercussions of him going to her and admitting his true feelings would be too much. He was proud, very proud, and explaining what he really felt for her would be putting him in a vulnerable position. Severus would never allow himself to be vulnerable. For twenty years, he had been successful. No doubt she would want to immediately go public if he did say something; Severus could only imagine what her friends would think once they openly admitted they were together and not just married because it was convenient in the effort to stop Voldemort.

He knew deep down inside he was glad that she hadn't signed the divorce papers, or destroyed the marriage license. When Kingsley had pulled the paper from the box, Severus instantly felt relieved, yet was still furious that she had thrown herself in front of the gunfire. He was trying to get her name out of the papers, and in a single second, she had managed to destroy months of work.

Months. He had been locked up for months. Minerva sent him a letter nearly every week, updating him on how the school's reconstruction was going, and mostly about how Hermione and the others were doing. She mentioned that Hermione had passed her exams with flying colors (not that he expected much less from her) and had finally chosen a career for herself, but Minerva would never say what. Even when he asked Arthur, he would avoid his eyes and mumble a different story each time. No one seemed willing to tell him. In any case, he learned of the attack on the Lupins, and how they were all now cooped up in Black's house. Severus, in one of the few times he was allowed to respond to Minerva, warned her of the dangers following the war. There would still be a band of Death Eaters attacking people, especially those who openly rejected Voldemort and his cult. Minerva relayed the information that many of them were being followed, and also made a point of pointing out how lonely Crookshanks appeared most of the time, and that she was sure the fur ball missed Severus (which caused him to roll his eyes).

The next morning, Severus made the journey to Hogwarts, taking special care to stay as hidden as possible. When his eyes fell on the school, he couldn't help the swell in his chest. Hogwarts was almost there; the school had almost fully regained its former glory that was present before Dumbledore was killed. The stone castle had begun to look like it did when he was at school. He quickened his pace through the gates, anxious to walk the halls again. The school year was almost upon them, and he wondered if Minerva would open the school on time or delay until the reconstruction was finished.

His shoes made familiar clicking sounds on the stone of the courtyard as the large wooden doors loomed ahead. Severus climbed the stairs, slowly pushing one of the doors opened. The warm castle air hit him, instantly making him feel at home. Slipping inside, he closed the door over as softly as he could, though he didn't close it without being detected by a keen pair of eyes.

"May I help you?" Minerva asked, not recognizing him because of how tightly he was wrapped in his cloak.

"I thought I might have a word with you," he said quietly.

Her mouth fell open as the blood drained from her face.

"Severus? What on Earth are you doing here? Everyone is wondering where you went off to after the trial! Hermione's nearly –"

"Minerva," Severus cut her off sharply.

"Of course, follow me," she said looking around for any sign of people in the hallways.

Silently they made their way to Minerva's office. Severus made sure to study everything as he passed. Some things still needed a little work, but overall the school looked normal once more. As they entered the familiar room, Minerva took the spot behind the large desk, while Severus took a chair opposite of her.

"Hello, Severus. It's nice to see you again," the portrait of Dumbledore said with a smile.

Severus simply nodded before turning his eyes to Minerva who was studying him closely.

"Headmistress suits you," he mentioned, seeing how natural she looked sitting in the large chair.

"Yes, well, I had large shoes to fill, didn't I?" she replied, giving him a smile.

She could see that he was all business, and instantly changed her tone.

"So, Severus, what can I help you with today?"

"I was wondering if there was any teaching positions not yet filled,"

He could tell she was startled, but he was not in the mood to beat around the bush.

"Well, yes, I haven't had a chance to interview anyone for the positions the Carrows held, but are you sure you want to go back to teaching so soon?"

"Why not? Nothing has changed,"

"Except you were just on trial, the public knows about Albus, and your relationship with Hermione was on the front of every newspaper this morning,"

"Is that your way of saying you won't hire me? I simple 'no' would have sufficed," Severus replied, leaning back in his chair.

"Of course I'll hire you, though the Potions position is filled,"

"I was going to ask for Defense Against the Dark Arts,"

"Yes, that position is opened, if you'd like to take it. I would be more than happy to have you back,"

"I would like the position,"

"Then welcome back," Minerva replied with a warm smile.

"Thank you,"

Minerva wasted no time changing the subject.

"What are you going to do about Hermione?" she asked in a serious tone.

"I think that's my business,"

"That girl, no, that woman worships you. She has no parents and has spent every second of her free time making sure you weren't sent away to Azkaban, knowing full well that you would be killed there if you were sentenced,"

"Of course she has parents," he scoffed. "I've yelled at them before,"

"Were you aware that she altered their memory?"

"Yes, she mentioned it, and I know she went off on a spree with Lupin to find them,"

"Well she did,"

"Then what the bloody hell are you going on about?"

"She decided to leave them there, with their altered memory. Right now, they're somewhere in Australia, running a grocery store. So I repeat. Hermione does not have parents,"

Severus stared at her, soaking in the information. He'd been selfish. When she had returned with the divorce papers crushed in her fists, he hadn't even thought about whether or not she had accomplished her task. Severus was too busy trying to break ties with her.

"Why didn't she bring them to a professional to undo the charm?" he asked stupidly, fully knowing why.

"The process is too risky. It could potentially damage their memory further,"

What had she been through since that day he had basically rejected her admission of love? Severus could feel the guilt in the pit of his stomach. He had been so stupid.

"Now, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly, too caught up in his own thoughts.

"Well, I suggest you figure it out soon. Remus wrote me this morning,"

He didn't even ask for the letter, but she was passing it to him anyway, and he found himself taking the parchment.

Minerva,

I'm sending you this quick note, wondering if you could perhaps drop Crookshanks off at some point today? Hermione could use a good pick-me-up. I showed her the note Severus sent, and she hasn't done anything since, except sit at the kitchen table and wait. I turned in last night, late due to the fact I stayed up trying to get her to eat something or go to bed, but she refused, saying she was fine. I found her in the same spot this morning, obviously not having slept. Send your response.

Remus

Severus flung the letter back on the desk and stood, heading towards the window. Even if he didn't reciprocate her feelings, he had to face her sooner or later, sooner appearing to be the better option. She had expected him to remain at her side the moment he was released, but he needed time and space to sort through things for himself. Severus rolled his eyes at himself. If he didn't reciprocate her feelings? Who was he trying to kid? Of course he felt the same way about her. How could he not? She was beautiful in a unique way, as brilliant as some of the professors that were at Hogwarts, and determined to fight for what she wanted, even if that included him. Severus had known for a long while how she truly felt for him, but didn't want to admit it to himself. So many things made him question himself, his age, his past, their past, her friends, his co-workers. Everyone would reject their relationship, and they would most likely be ridiculed because of it. The only thing that anyone would focus on is that he had been her professor for six years and had somehow seduced her. Wouldn't they be surprised to find that he wasn't the instigator in this relationship?

"You need to decide soon, Severus, Hermione has been waiting months,"

He didn't say anything, but sighed deeply. He could hear Minerva coming towards him, but refused to look anywhere but the tree line.

"When Hermione showed up at Hogwarts when you were Headmaster, I thought that you were irritated by her presence, but the more I saw you two interact, I knew that there was something more. The night you sent her away, I've never seen you look so sullen. That was the day I knew that you were in love with her, and I realized you weren't sullen at all, you were heartbroken,"

Severus felt his muscles tense at her little speech, and jumped when she placed hand on his arm, drawing his eyes to her.

"You're a stubborn man, Severus, but there's no use fighting what you already know. You'll just be hurting yourself in the long run,"

Without waiting for a response, Minerva left the room, humming quietly to herself.

Severus knew what he had to do, and Minerva was right. Of course she was right; she was right all of the time. He could spent the rest of his life telling himself he didn't feel for her in the same way she felt for him, but he knew he'd regret every moment of keeping his feelings a secret from her.