A/N: I don't own anything you recognize
(MCD)
Her hands shook as she added the final ingredient, the one that would activate her potion, the one that would let her see him again, talk to him again. She knew nothing could ever bring him back, that death was permanent, but she needed him right now. She needed him to see that she'd survived, that she missed him, that… She shook the thoughts from her head as the clock struck midnight and she added the pinch powder that created a thick grey smoke. Once it cleared, he stood there, slightly transparent, an annoyed expression on his face. She smiled at him.
"Severus."
"Hermione? How?"
"A potion, one I found in your old books, I know I shouldn't have, but I needed to see you."
"How long does this last?" he asked, reaching out, his hand passing through her.
"One night, well, until dawn, which is six or so hours away."
"Should I lecture you on how dangerous this was, how messing with things like this can have consequences?"
"No, well, you can, but it would waste the time we have. It took me longer to find the potion, figure out how to brew it than I had expected, I wanted to see you months ago, wanted to tell you then, but," Hermione paused, stepping aside so Severus could see the darkly stained wicker bassinet against the wall. She watched Severus cross the room, peering down at the sleeping infant.
"I had no way to tell you, you died before I had even found out."
"She's mine?"
"Severus, who else's would she be? You know I only loved you, that I only love you," she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
"What's her name?" he asked.
"Rose Minerva Eileen Snape," Hermione answered, standing next to Severus, her hand hovering in the air slightly above his. He nodded, tears streaming down his own face as his mind tried to figure out a way to escape the afterlife and come home