Snape was thumbing through the book he'd picked up at the book store. It was a history of the war. He was surprised that Hermione hadn't mentioned that a book, regarding the war, had been published. He quickly skimmed through the section that talked about how cunning and brave he was, fighting for a love, long lost. He looked over the top of the book and glared at Harry. Merlin's beard, was there no one that boy hadn't blabbed his memories to?

Catching his eye, Harry stopped slurping his soup, "What?" Seeing the title of the book in the Professor's hands, Harry blushed and set his soup spoon down. "Oh, that...Uhm, well you were dead and I was trying to clear your name, after all..." Suddenly Harry blurted, "Hey, I just remembered. There's a whole chapter on Hermione, calling her the "Heroine of the War." It's pretty accurate too, although they downplayed the fact that she and Ron, well you know, liked each other." They thought the book would sell more copies if guys thought Hermione was...available."

"Is that so?" Snape said slowly still narrowing his eyes at Harry. Feeling vindicated, Harry started in on his soup again.

Snape returned to his book and located the chapter on Hermione. He poured over the entire chapter, ignoring the waitress who offered him a drink refill, ignoring the curious eyes of those who had just learned he had survived, even ignoring Harry as he asked Snape if he was okay. Snape was too engrossed in the story – too memorized by the photos. Even with grime on her face, his Hermione was heart-stopping beautiful. There was a picture that boy named Creavy must have taken. Snape had been asking the students of Hogwarts if they knew of Harry's whereabouts when Harry himself stepped out and confronted him. The picture he was looking at showed the members of the Order of the Phoenix, right after they burst through the doors, and standing in front was Hermione. His breath caught in his throat and even Ron stopped eating to look at him. Snape loving touched the picture of Hermione; standing there looking past the Harry in the picture, towards him. She had such a look of disappointment on her face. His face lit up in a huge smile, which caused Ron to drop his spoon in shock, as he imagined what he would have done...had he known then what he knew now. He could picture it in his mind. He would remove an empty vial or flask, whatever was at his disposal, from his pocket and very slowly let Potter see him put his memories in the vial. Then he would pocket his wand and hand the vial to Harry, before walking slowly towards the Order, stopping directly in front of Hermione, and announce that he was surrendering. His smile widened when he envisioned snatching Hermione up against him and Apparating himself away with her in his arms before anyone could stop him. Of course, he'd put something in the vial that would show Harry that he loved Hermione and was taking her somewhere far away...to keep her safe. Instantly his face fell. If he'd done that, he would have scared the crap out of her. Unless, of course, he thought smiling again...she also knew then what she knows now. He laughed with glee and looked up to see the shocked look on Potter and Weasley's faces. He quickly made his expression somber and placed the book back in his sack along with the journal and unlimited-ink quill he had purchased for Hermione. He couldn't wait to show her the book and see what she thought about his scenario.

Snape begrudgingly forced himself to eat some soup and part of a sandwich, after Harry threatened to tell Hermione that he had refused to eat lunch. Snape smiled serenely when he said he wasn't scared of Hermione, and then looked at them apprehensively when he admitted that it was Nurse Ginny who scared the crap out of him. Harry and Ron both swallowed hard, and nodded in agreement, each having been on the receiving end of her hexes.

They returned to Hogwarts after lunch and Harry asked Snape to go for a walk with him; implying that he wanted to discuss something very important with him. Snape desperately wanted to hide himself away and think about Hermione, but he knew Potter would nag him to death if he didn't hear what the man had to say. He called to Tippy who appeared and agreed to take their purchases to their respective rooms.

Snape and Harry walked in silence until they found themselves near the lake. Harry sat on the bench, and Snape sat down next to him. Snape started to ask what had been so important when Harry blurted, "When did you first suspect you were in love with Hermione?"

The question took Snape by surprise, "I, well, I..."

Harry laughed, "No use trying to hide it old man, it's written all over your face..."

Snape's face fell when Harry referred to him as an old man, and he narrowed his eyes at him.

"Sorry..." Harry said sheepishly, "Now, please answer the question."

"Not that it's any of your business, Potter, but I guess that first night when she came to see me, in the hospital."

"Thought so..." Harry said looking away.

"Why, what does it matter to you?"

"What do you know about the Legend of the Phoenix Tears?" Harry asked quietly.

Snape shrugged his shoulders and recited what he knew, "The tears have the magical ability to heal snake bites."

"And..." Harry asked.

"And, what Potter? What are you getting at?"

Harry looked back out at the water and asked, "Do you remember my second year at Hogwarts, when Ginny found Tom Riddle's diary and we opened the Chamber of Secrets?"

Snape narrowed his eyes at Harry and nodded that he did, in fact, remember. Harry continued. "I was bitten by the snake and Dumbledore sent Faulkes to put tears on my wound." Snape nodded again, as if to say everyone knew that. "Well Ginny was so grateful, she kissed me." He looked at Snape to see if he was following and realized he wasn't. "I wiped my arm across my face and had the tears on my lips when she kissed me…"

Snape shook his head showing he still didn't understand.

Harry sighed and continued, "The night that Voldemort killed me, I went somewhere; it looked like the train station, except it was a whole lot cleaner and emptier. Dumbledore was there. He told me that I could go back or I could pass on. He knew Ginny was pulling me back. It was then that he told me of the legend. You see the legend of the tears says that a virgin's kiss, when combined with the tears, makes them that much more powerful and creates an unexpected bond. I'd like to say I returned to finish what I started, to destroy Voldemort, but that's not the reason. The reason was the strong pull Ginny had on me. I knew I could never be happy without her. It seemed that I craved her like a man craves air. By kissing me, that night in the chamber, Ginny bound us together. After that moment…there could never be anybody but Ginny, and Ginny will never be able to be with anyone but…Professor, Professor, wait!" Harry yelled, but Snape was already running towards the castle.

Snape slammed open the door to the Headmaster's office, out of breath from running all the way from the water's edge. He'd heard Harry call out to him but he couldn't stop...he had to get here and confront…

"How could you!" He yelled, leaning against the doorway. The room was empty since McGonagall had left to attend to some students in the hospital wing. But Snape was not talking to her; he was speaking to the portrait hanging on the wall.

"Hello Severus, my boy!" the Dumbledore in the painting called out as if no time had passed since the last time they were in the office together. "I was wondering when you were finally going to come see me. Minerva told me about you and Hermione, I couldn't be happier…."

"Happier! Happier!" Snape fairly screamed. "You tricked her; you tricked her into saving me and bound her to me, taking away her free will..." He was leaning against the doorframe, heartbroken and sobbing. It reminded the Dumbledore in the painting of the last time Severus had come to his office crying over his inability to save Lily.

"I should have known," he said bitterly to the painting. "I should have known she would never willingly love me…look at me…and look at her." Severus slid to the floor and putting his head down onto his bent knees said for the second time in his life, "I wish I were dead."

Dumbledore called his name but Severus refused to look up. Finally Dumbledore said, "You've seen her memories…."

"Yes, yes, I've seen them…I saw how you gave her the vial and told her about the stupid kiss. Harry just told me about how it bound him and Ginny together. I didn't want that for Hermione, she deserves so much better than me." Snape sobbed, still refusing to look up. "What did you think would happen to her if I hadn't survived? Did you ever think of that? It didn't work right away and she thought she'd failed…your stupid trick almost drove her mad." He wailed as he finally looked up at the painting, full of despair, "I should have known, I should have known it was something like this that caused her to want me...wretched, horrible me." He laid his head back on his knees feeling like his whole world was falling apart. His heart was breaking and he feared what would happen when Hermione found out the truth about the legend of the tears.

"Severus, tell me, what did Hermione show you?"

"What does it matter? It's all going to be over as soon as she finds out…" Snape said, looking back up at the painting.

"It matters a great deal Severus; please tell me quickly, what did she show you?"

"I saw you here, in this very office, give her a vial and tell her about the wretched kiss."

"Is that all?" Dumbledore whispered.

"Is that all?" Snape hissed. "That was enough to send her on her quest."

"No Severus, there was more, Hermione and I had many discussions after that night. I'm not sure why she chose not to show you."

"Chose to show me…she had no choice, I…"

"No Severus, Hermione is a very bright witch, the brightest of her age. She only showed you what she felt safe showing you. Maybe even a little of something she was hoping you would see, but she did not show you everything."

Severus leaned his head back against the doorframe and considered what Dumbledore had just told him.

"There's a reason Hermione blocked that portion of her memory, but for your sake and hers, I think you need to see it."

"I can't see Hermione until tomorrow and then it will be too late."

"Get the pensive out and put it on the desk, Severus, please you must see this. It's important, and I think it will explain a lot of things."

Severus slowly pulled himself off the floor, retrieved the pensive, and placed it on the Headmaster's desk.

"There is a small vial on the third shelf, in the glass cabinet." Dumbledore said, nodding his head towards the large glass cabinet. "It is marked with Hermione's name. Go ahead, Severus, it's time you knew the whole truth."

Snape located the vial, poured the contents into the pensive and watched the pearly liquid as it swirled around in the bowl. Taking a deep breath, he bent over and submerged his face in the swirling liquid and felt the familiar sensation of falling through the air. He landed on solid ground, and realized he was standing at the top of the Astronomy Tower. It was nighttime and Dumbledore was leaning against the railing admiring the stars; however, he wasn't alone. Someone was standing in the shadows, but Snape couldn't see who it was.

"Is it done?" Dumbledore called out softly.

"Yes, Sir, I've put it where he will be sure to find it." Snape was shocked, when he realized it was Hermione's voice. She stepped out of the shadows, and he saw right away it was definitely her. She was dressed in what appeared to be a sleeping robe, her hair hanging loose down her back but much shorter than it was now.

She walked over to where Dumbledore stood and leaned against the railing with him. "I forgot to ask, how is your hand?"

And I forgot to ask Miss Granger, "How is your heart?"

Granger looked away bitterly, "What does it matter, he doesn't even know I'm alive." She shook her head in disbelief, "Sometimes when I work really hard to do something clever in his class, I hold my breath thinking, just once," she began to cry "Just once he can acknowledge me as a human being. He can see that I'm every bit as good at potions as his precious Slytherin's, and maybe, just maybe tell me…" Her voice faded away as fought to control her tears.

Dumbledore reached out his good hand and placed it on her arm and patted it gently. She placed her hand on his and said through her tears, "I'm so selfish, here you are dying a slow painful death and I'm crying over a man who will never love me. God I'm so pathetic!" She pulled her hand away and cried out to the night angrily, "he's a teacher for Merlin's sake and I'm a student. What was I thinking...letting this happen? Whatever made me think he could ever care about me?"

"You don't live as long as I have Miss Granger, and not see that Love doesn't care to make sense, it only longs for what it wants. There are dark days ahead and I believe Severus should know how you have come to care for him. Your love may be just what it takes to save him."

Hermione gave a small laugh and wiped at her tears. "And what Headmaster…beg him to marry me, a seventeen year old girl? He can't even stand to look at me." She laughed bitterly, "He'd probably deduct a hundred points from Gryffindor just for the way I stare at him—watch him when he's not looking. The way he stirs the ingredients, his hands…" She turned towards the stairs preparing to descend. "No Headmaster…I can't tell him now. He has too much of a burden to bear. I will just wait for the right time, and hope for the day, when I can prove my love to him."

"Did you do as I asked and research the Legend of the Phoenix Tears, Miss Granger…what of the legend?" She turned at the edge of the stairs and replied, "A Fairy tale, headmaster…nothing more, nothing is predetermined, we must all chose our fate in this world. I want him safe, I'll do anything…even if it means letting him go, never knowing how I feel…Good Night Headmaster, thank you for being a good listener, especially to a young woman's hope of love…."

Dumbledore turned back to the railing and whispered, "Love always hopes, Miss Granger…"

Severus pulled back from the pensive and fell into a heap on the floor. He knew that what he'd just witnessed had occurred a few nights before he climbed the tower and killed Dumbledore.

Still lying on the floor, he turned his head towards the Headmaster's painting and whispered, "Why did you never tell me?"

"It was not my place to tell, Severus. Hermione struggled many years with her feelings for you. It began the night you shielded her from Lupin when he became a werewolf. After that, well…Miss Granger was only able to see the good in you. No matter what you did, or said, in her heart she always believed you were a better man than you let on. The real question is…" Dumbledore paused to ensure he had the Professor's complete attention. "Are your feelings for her real or are they a result of the legend? If anyone fears the answer to that question…it is Miss Granger. You see, she came to visit me, the night she returned from the Academy. She had just spent the day with you at St Mungo's and was wearing your engagement ring. You showed her unusual kindness that day and she had begun to fear it was due to the influence of the tears. She realized that her feelings for you had never changed, in fact, they had become stronger. She struggled with the concept that you were beginning to care for her, against your will. She lay on the floor and wept, almost on the very spot where you lay now. That's when I told Miss Granger something I should have told her from the very beginning."

Severus sat up and leaned against the desk, Dumbledore having his full attention now.

"The tears only magnify what is already there. If two people have hate towards one another, than that is what will be enhanced. If pray tale, Hermione and the Draco of her youth had shared the tears, I feel they would have done harm to each other."

"You mean…"

"Yes, Severus, somewhere inside you, before the tears, you had begun to think differently about Miss Granger. Think Severus, think back…was there ever a time where you didn't think, negatively, about Miss Granger? Maybe at some point you started seeing her differently?"

Severus didn't have to think hard, he knew when it had happened.

"What, what is it?" Dumbledore demanded, seeing Snape's look of realization.

"Occlumency, the Occlumency training I gave Potter. We spent hours together, he wasn't very good at shielding his mind. I was able to use Legilimency to see every memory, experience every feeling…"

Dumbledore watched him from the painting as the memories came back to Snape. "No matter what…Hermione was always there for him. She was his lifeline. I saw how wonderful it must be to have a loyal friend like that and I wanted her…I mean her friendship, her…hell who am I kidding, I wanted her. I wanted her the way Potter had her…to be able to talk to Miss Granger and trust her with my secrets the way Potter did. I wanted to lay my head on her shoulder and have her tell me what must be done to make everything all right. The night Lupin transformed into a Werewolf and lunged at us, I shielded them with my body. Lupin swiped at us and we all fell backwards. As Miss Granger fell to the ground, still clutching my arm, I realized she was concerned for my welfare. I saw the look of fear in her eyes...not fear of the werewolf, but fear that I had been hurt. After all I had done to make her life miserable...she still cared about me...about my safety. She attempted to run after Potter, when he chased off after Sirius, but I grabbed hold of Miss Granger and held onto her tightly. For some reason, I suddenly could not bear the thought of her being hurt. I felt more protective of her, in that moment, more so than my concern for Potter."

Snape had stood up from off the floor and was leaning on the corner of the desk with his arms crossed, and continued speaking quietly. "The night I went to deliver the sword to Potter, I knew they were in the Forrest of Dean, but I wasn't exactly sure where. So I reached out with my mind and connected with him. He was thinking of Hermione and how sad she was. He knew it was the effect of the locket but he couldn't help himself, he wanted to make her happy again. I saw them dancing in his mind. He had taken her in his arms and danced with her, trying to cheer her up and Merlin help me, for a brief moment I wished it could have been me dancing with her, trying to cheer her up and give her hope, holding her in my arms trying to shut out the world…." He drifted into silence, lost in his thought of that time. How he had read Potter's mind and then after leaving the sword in the water for Potter to find, he returned to the camp and reached out to Hermione's mind. That was the first time he'd seen her touch herself. She was lying in the tent alone, using her hand to bring herself to orgasm trying to find some level of release. In her mind, she was fantasizing about a dark-haired man, who was holding her down and fucking the hell out of her. He remembered how aroused he had become, while observing that fantasy. He withdrew from her mind when he heard Potter approaching with someone and realized that Weasley had returned. He brought his mind back to the present moment and stood up, feeling every bit his age.

"What are you going to say to Hermione, Severus?"

"What do you mean?" He asked wearily.

"Well, you can either tell her what we discussed, what I showed you, or you can say nothing and keep this secret from her…forever."

Severus looked at Dumbledore who happened to be looking back at him over his spectacles.

"No, there have been too many secrets. With Hermione, I don't feel as if I have to keep secrets from her."

"Then you are a lucky man, Severus…a good woman is worth her weight in rubies."

Snape returned the memory to the empty vial and stored it back in the cabinet, before placing the pensieve back inside its cabinet. He turned around and addressed the Headmaster's Portrait, "Thank you, Headmaster, for always believing in me and trusting me, for providing the cure to save me, and caring enough to share this information with me tonight."

Dumbledore smiled his grandfatherly smile, "There's hope for you yet, Severus. I must say though, Harry is right…Hermione looks good on you."

Snape chuckled and left the office feeling lighter than when he came in.