Hermione quietly put her ring away as they walked back to their rooms after the Portkey returned them to Dumbledore's office. She hated to take it off, almost as if it defined her very being, but she knew wearing it would only endanger her parents further. Harry was similarly silent as he put away his memories of the holidays and began to re-focus on the tasks at hand. Once in their common room, they embraced briefly and then looked at the chart on the wall. There was a note tacked over this week.

Welcome back, Harry Potter

Harry turned to Hermione and smiled. "Look's like Dobby's been here." She returned the smile and then frowned.

"Doesn't he realize I live here too?"

"Ya, he does. But he wouldn't think about it unless somebody reminded him…and then he'd go beat his head against the wall for offending you." She smiled again and nodded, knowing that Dobby would never to anything to intentionally offend either of them.

"We should stop by and see them some day." She'd never really given up on elf rights, but it had taken a backseat to more important things lately "I'll add that to our list."

Harry removed the note and focused on the coming weeks. "We need to brew the final recipe of the potion and then start testing. We also need to review and practice surrogates, and look into the Twisting Charms with Flitwick." Hermione wasn't listening. She had taken her ring out once again, and slipped it on. She was back in her other world again…the world where she and Harry were in love and everything was wonderful. Harry looked up, frowned briefly, and walked over to her.

"Hermione, you have to hide that. I know you don't want to, and I wish you didn't have to. Come over here with me," he told her and returned to the chart. She wasn't happy now, but she followed his lead. He pointed at something way up in May.

"Would you like to move this over here?" he asked. She immediately brightened and nodded. "Then you can, if we get this done first." She knew what he was telling her, but somehow it seemed impossible. He decided to explain further.

"If he's really waiting for graduation, then he's not going to act now. What we need to find out is whether he would change his plan if we offer him a target like your parents. Since wearing that ring will offer him a reason to revise what he's doing, we need to determine his reaction. Let's talk to Dumbledore tomorrow and see what he thinks."

She nodded and slowly removed the ring. He took her hand, and then pulled her into his arms, whispering in her ear. "I don't love you any more or less because you're wearing a ring. The ring is only a symbol of what we share. I know you want to share the news, and I want to too. It's worth waiting for, because we don't have to wait." She knew he was right, but it still hurt to take it off, like she had to hide herself and her feelings. Some times she still hurt from comments made years ago by other girls - girls who had a parade of boyfriends and affairs but no one special. Now, she had someone special, who treated her like something other than a potential sex partner, and she wanted to show them.

On Monday, Hermione went down to the dungeon to meet with Snape. He seemed very interested in final recipe they had developed, and they spent an hour looking over each step and what information had driven it. Finally, he stood up and walked over to a shelf, pulling an old, dusty box down and opening the lid. Reaching inside, he pulled out a small bottle of purple liquid and returned to his desk.

"This is something I have never worked with before," he said. "It is an essence of dragon hide, and it has no known use, although it should contain several magical properties. You know that most curses don't affect dragons, as they cannot penetrate their skin. Their eyes are vulnerable, but they are otherwise protected. They can be stunned or influenced by hexes or curses if a number of wizards perform the curse at the same time, however, they cannot be killed that way. No one knows why."

"I believe we should try your potion as you have it, but also consider trying it with this in place of the beetles, since they are included for the protection factor of their scales." Hermione nodded, sensing that they were about to make a breakthrough and also noticing that Snape was again being very helpful and almost friendly. "We can work in here," he said as he opened a side door into a smaller dungeon that held a few tables and lots of dust. "The space is unused otherwise, and both of these will need to age for a few days." She nodded, and began to collect her things. As she reached the door, he spoke once again.

"You have done very well, both of you. I would like to think that I had some small part in the knowledge you have gained in your years here." Hermione almost dropped her books, but managed to keep a neutral expression.

"You have played a big part, Professor. And we also appreciate the risks you are taking personally." Snape almost smiled, and then returned to a serious, but not unfriendly demeanor.

"Professor Dumbledore has told me about your holidays. He asked that I listen carefully for any indication that your plans have been exposed, or that they might influence the Dark Lord." Hermione gasped slightly. "I suspect you are correct that he might see this as a way to draw Potter into a fight." She nodded, not knowing what else to do. "I hope that once this is over, you and Potter will be very happy together."

"Thank you, Professor." She was smiling now and feeling better about everything. As she walked up the stairs, her mind raced, bumping into the walls at every turn, with a confusion of thoughts about things past, present, and future.

Harry had been using the Room of Requirement as a testing ground. It was filled with opportunities, and he practiced curses, hexes, and using surrogates under almost-real conditions. He could also practice apparation within the room, moving from one place to another to confuse his opponents. It wasn't perfect, but it all helped. As he returned from his practice, he came across Frienze, walking down a hallway.

"I haven't seen you for a long time," he said, shaking his hand and smiling. Suddenly, Harry thought of something that he had never considered. He wasn't sure he wanted to know, but decided to ask anyway.

"There is a fight coming."

Frienze paused before answering, as he always did when asked to predict. "The stars have foretold it, yes."

"Can you see a result? Do you know how it will turn out?"

Frienze looked very serious. "Harry, such things are not usually very specific. As you may remember, it is difficult to see details. Frequently, those who claim to see more are wrong. As you know, even amongst the centaurs, there is much disagreement about what signs may mean." Harry waited for him to continue, if he would.

"I believe that the stars suggest a return to more normal life. They seem to show a more peaceful time coming. Beyond that, I do not know." Harry knew that he wouldn't say anything more concrete, and simply thanked him. As he turned to walk on, Frienze spoke up again.

"There is one other thing I believe I can see…you and your wife will have children." He smiled, and turned away before Harry could even react. Did he really know?

In the afternoon, they both went down to see Hagrid. They had compared notes on the morning, neither believing what they heard. Harry replayed everything she had said about Snape. Every time he came to the same conclusion…he had to do it before…well, he had to do it now. It had been riding his conscience for too long, and he was running out of time.

Hagrid was outside, chopping firewood when they arrived. "'Bout time you came by again.. I was thinkin you forgot where I lived."

Harry just laughed as Hermione ran up and gave him a big hug. "We've been pretty busy with studies an all," he said.

"I know what you've been busy doin'," he said with a huge grin. "Dumbledore filled me in so I can listen for any news from the other students. Figures they might talk more out here." Harry and Hermione just grinned, knowing that the Hogwarts teachers would all know now. "Just hope you don't forgit when it's time to invite folks…like to be there, ya know." He turned to Harry and added, "I was there fer Lily and James."

Hermione kissed his bearded face and stepped back. "You'll be there, don't worry."

Harry wanted to turn the conversation back to the reason they came. "We need to test a potion, Hagrid. We're looking for something similar enough to a human that we can tell if it works." Hagrid stopped and set down the axe.

"What'er ya tryin ta do?"

"It's a potion that will provide protection. If we've done it correctly, it will stop avada kadavra.."

"A hedgehog'd be good…we got lots'a them…and they'll drink it without no problem. But you probably want something with soft skin, too. Somethin more like you. Let's see…you could use…nah, they're no good. What you want is toppers…yah, they'd do real good…and they're easy to get."

"What's a topper?" Hermione asked, having never heard of them.

"It's like a garden gnome, but a bit bigger. Find'em in farm fields, usually. They're dumb as a rock, but they'd work good, and the Ministry has a bunch of 'em. They'd be just fine." Hermione looked at Harry and smiled. They stayed with Hagrid for another hour, listening as he brought told them all about his classes, the students, and everything else going on. They kept discovering how much they missed the mundane, day-to-day activities of Hogwarts. Unfortunately, they realized, they were growing up.

At the end of the day, after Hermione finished rounds, they consulted their chart. "We can mark this off, and move this forward to here. Harry, there's only three things left!" He smiled and then pointed towards May and June.

"There's five things left. You can't forget these two." She hugged him and then stepped back.

"My room, my rules!" she said as she dragged him away from the wall and towards the door.

In the morning, Harry checked the school schedule to see what classes were going, and then decided. He steeled his nerve and then left the library, headed for the dungeons. When he arrived at the door, he stood, thinking about exactly what he wanted to say, reminding himself that he could not respond to anything else. Then he knocked.

"Come in."

Harry opened the door and walked into Snape's office. The Professor looked up, and his expression changed immediately. Harry smiled and walked nearer the desk, trying not to tremble. "I wondered if you had a moment, Professor?"

Snape remained silent for a few seconds, clearly appraising the situation, and then motioned to the chair. Harry sat down and replayed his plan once more.

"What was it you need, Potter?"

"Professor, I…I wanted to thank you personally for all your help this year." Snape smiled slightly but remained silent.

"I thought that before it is too late, there are some other things I would like to tell you." Now Snape looked slightly curious, and finally spoke "Go on."

"In the last seven years, I've learned a lot. Aside from the magic and other book learning, I've also learned a lot about myself. I've learned about people, and relationships, and my family. Through others, I've learned something about my parents." He paused, but then had to continue. He had to get this out.

"When I saw my dad in your memories, I couldn't believe how he and Sirius were acting. They were different than I ever imagined. When I asked Sirius and Remus about why you disliked me, they talked about all the things that happened when you were here at school together. I learned more than I wanted to know. My father will always be a hero, for how he tried to protect me, and what he did to oppose Voldemort. That doesn't mean I think he was perfect, in fact, I know he wasn't."

"I'm sorry that you and he weren't friends. I'm sorry that he and Sirius couldn't accept more responsibility when they were younger. I'm sorry that those experiences carried over into our relationship." Harry paused, to collect his thoughts.

"I want to thank you for all the help you've given us this year, and for all you have taught us these seven years." Harry was repeating himselt, and he re-focused on what else he wanted to say.

"I also want to thank you for your efforts against Voldemort. I once asked Professor Dumbledore why he trusted you, after all, you had been a Death Eater. He told me that whatever happened was between you and him, and although I struggled from time to time, I accepted that. In my first year, Professor Quirrell told me that you stopped him from cursing my broom. I couldn't figure out why, because I knew you hated me. I was too young to understand, and I knew nothing about the past."

"I don't know how this is going to turn out. I know that both you and I are at risk, and perhaps neither of us will survive. But while there is time, I wanted to let you know these things, because…because…I don't want them left unsaid." Harry was finished. He didn't expect a response, but he was ready to listen. Snape just sat there, looking at him. Finally, he spoke.

"Potter, I am impressed," he began. "I am impressed that you have learned as much as you have. I am impressed that you have taken the opportunity given you this year and made something of it. I am impressed that you have found an understanding of the past. You are correct that things were not always as you might have imagined, and there have been times when I have unfairly held you accountable for the actions of others."

"As you know, your time is coming. I will do everything I can to help you prepare. You and Ms. Granger have earned my respect, something I do not give away lightly. I hope that you are successful, not because of what it means for our world, but because I believe you have earned that result." He stopped for a moment and then rose, walking around the desk to face Harry, who also stood up. He offered his hand and they shook, declaring an end to years of battle. Snape almost smiled, and then added a last thought.

"I have talked with Professor Dumbledore. Although it is not yet formalized, you and Ms. Granger will both receive an Outstanding N.E.W.T. in potions." Now Harry smiled, thinking this was a grade he could never obtain.

"Thank you, Professor."

"I'm not giving it to you, Potter. You have both earned it."

"Thank you again, Professor." Harry turned to go, but Snape spoke again as he reached the door. "You will need to continue your practice, Harry. The day will come sooner than we think." Harry nodded, and walked out of the dungeons. As he climbed the stairs towards his room, it hit him…Snape had called him "Harry!" Maybe things really had changed.