"Nice patronus." Hermione smiled at Draco as she let him into Hogwarts. "What is it?"

"A Whooping Crane." The youngest Malfoy smiled sheepishly. "It's only in the last few weeks I've been able to cast a corporeal one."

"That's amazing, Draco. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks."

"I did think it was an albino peacock, you know, just for a second."

"You're insufferable, Granger." He said, his face alight with humour, and irritation.

"Thank you."

She let him into her rooms and called Lolly for tea. The little elf beamed at them both and bowed deeply at Hermione's thanks.

"So." She smiled. "Seeing as I'm annoying and insufferable, am I safe to assume this isn't a social call?"

"Goodness you're intelligent." Draco sneered, though he couldn't keep it up when Hermione laughed. "I'm here about those loose Death Eaters."

"Oh." She sobered. "How worried should I be?"

"It's nothing like that." He looked back and stared at her. "Potter wrote to me to warn me. I think they'd only seek me out if they wanted help, I technically haven't betrayed anyone, I just got lucky."

"It wasn't quite that simple-"

"That's not the point." Draco waved a hand, dismissing her comment. "They won't be able to find me, anyway. I also don't think they'd go after Potter."

"Really?! Why?!"

"I'll tell you if you stop interrupting." He snapped. "As far as they're concerned, he rose from the dead and defeated the most power Dark Wizard of all time while he was still a teenager. They're probably scared shitless of him."

Hermione stared at Draco, dumbfounded. She couldn't imagine anyone being scared of her Harry, let alone two very powerful Dark wizards.

"Personally I think they've only resurfaced to cause a bit of a stir and now they've disappeared again. Or they're trying to get some money somehow to make an escape once and for all. But there is a chance they're after revenge. And if they are, there's only one person they'd be after."

"Severus." Hermione breathed.

"Exactly, to a Death Eater, nothing is worse than a traitor." Draco was staring at her intently. "I knew it."

"Knew what?!" Hermione demanded.

"There's something going on with the two of you."

"There isn't!" Hermione said indignantly. "What exactly are you accusing us of?!"

"Keep your wig on." Draco was smiling. "Our last day here, when we were getting on the boats, you were stood there beaming at Severus like a ninny. I looked over at him, expecting him to verbally eviscerate you, but he was just standing there gazing back at you like a school boy with a crush."

"He wasn't! And he certainly wasn't... gazing." She spluttered, nearly surprised into speechlessness for the second time. "He doesn't ... gaze."

"He was and he did." Draco said firmly. "I mentioned it to Luna and she said the two of you had been friends for months and asked me if I'd gone blind."

"She what?!"

"I was surprised too. She didn't even take Potions, I can't think when she'd have ever seen the two of you together."

"We're ... We're sort of friends." Hermione said hesitantly, still not quite sure how much she trusted Draco. "But there's absolutely nothing romantic between us, and there certainly wasn't while I was still a student. Even calling it a friendship then would be a bit of a stretch."

"You're telling the truth." He said after a moment.

"Yes."

"Huh." Draco leant back against the sofa and smirked. "Well that complicates things slightly."

"How so?"

"Well for one, Severus has got it for you, bad. And if he's keeping to his moral code then he's probably riddled with guilt about having feelings for you when you were still a student and will do his level best to supress them indefinitely, no matter how miserable it makes him. Or he's in complete denial and has been this whole time."

"Severus does not have feelings for me." Hermione said faintly.

"Of course he does. I've known him since I was a baby and I have never seen him look at anyone like that. Ever. He has is bad, Granger." He said easily.

"He doesn't. Harry's Mum-"

"Yes that was a surprise." Draco frowned. "But she died nearly two decades ago. Not even Severus is so tragic he'll mourn her forever. And I'm not even going to bother asking if you have feelings for him because it's so obvious you do."

Hermione stared miserably at the floor.

"Relax, Granger." Draco smiled. "I like Severus. He's a better, smarter man than me, turning sides the way he did. And I'm hardly going to want to loose you as an ally, am I?! Besides, Slytherins are all about discretion."

"I think that's reassuring. Thanks."

"You're welcome." Draco sighed. "It also complicates matters because I had assumed the two of you were going at it like rabbits and you'd be well placed to keep him safe."

Hermione stared at him in open mouthed shock, which didn't lesson even when he started laughing.

"I wish I had a camera." He laughed harder. "Merlin, don't be such a prude."

After several more moments of laughing at her, Draco pulled it together, and Hermione managed to finally close her mouth.

"Have you at least warned him?" The Slytherin said, which finally brought her back to the rather serious matter at hand.

"Of course I have." She replied indignantly. "He spends most of his time here anyway, where he should be perfectly safe."

"Good." Draco sighed. "He should be fine if he's still being a total recluse. I suppose it's a near miracle you've managed to even befriend him, the state he's been in since that last year of the war."

"Does he ... does he have any friends?" She asked cautiously.

"No." He answered bluntly. "I'm not entirely sure he ever did. I certainly grew up thinking he was friends with my parents, and maybe he was, in his own way, but they had absolutely no idea he wasn't truly loyal to the Dark Lord. Or that he was in love with a muggleborn. He even keeps his distance from me now."

"Why is that, do you think?" She asked softly.

"Guilt. He tortures himself with it." He said seriously. "He came to see me when he first got out the hospital, we were both total wrecks in hindsight, Mother and Father had only just been sent to Azkaban. But he came round, looking and acting like a dead man walking, and apologised for not being able to do more to protect me. I told him that was rubbish and I would have been a lot worse off without him, but he could barely look at me, I thought he was going to cry. And he's hardly said a word to me since. I think he's still too much of a mess to deal with any of it. He's had a whole lifetime of trauma, plus he's not had a bunch of solid weirdos around him in the aftermath like I have. And he's too stubborn and proud to go to Dr Prewett."

"You went right from the beginning, didn't you?"

"Yes." Draco rolled his eyes, though the fondness he felt for Severus showed in the way he spoke about him. "I have no intention of being a fuck up forever. Or letting the trauma of the war ruin the rest of my life."

"And that's exactly why you'll do well, Draco." Hermione smiled, though she felt sad.

"Thanks." Draco smiled again. "So, do you want me to play matchmaker or do you want me to let you both mope about forever?"

"Draco!" Hermione shouted, horrified as he laughed. "Don't you dare do anything! Don't you dare say a word! I mean it!"

"Okay, okay!" He held his hands up in surrender, grinning. "But you both deserve some happiness. I think you could be really good for each other."

"Right now, he just needs a friend." She said firmly. "Anything else can wait. And I'm still not sure I even believe you."

"Merlin, Gryffindors are so annoying." He scoffed. "I'm not telling you my opinion, I'm stating a fact. He likes you, you like him. I can't understand why you're making it into a big deal and not just pursuing it."

"You literally just said he's such a total mess he can't even look at the son of quite possibly the only friends he's ever had." Hermione said seriously. "What on earth makes you think he'd be ready for any sort of a romantic relationship?! For any sort of complications in his life at all?"

"Good point." Draco said eventually. "Blimey, you really are good for him. Though I maintain he'd feel better for a good shag."

"You did not just say that to me." Hermione put her head in her hands. Her face was so hot she felt like her hands were burning.

"You'd feel better for it too, apparently." Draco said, laughing again.

"Right I think this visit is over." She said, standing as Draco laughed harder. "Do you remember the way out?"

Laying in bed that night, Hermione thought over what Draco had said. Could he be right? Could Severus really ... like her? Ginny certainly thought so, and Draco had only seen one look between them. If that had convinced him then he'd certainly be even more adamant if he knew about the occasional moments of intimacy they shared. The thought was ... unsettling. Exciting too, of course, but also at least mildly terrifying. She meant everything she had said on the subject, Severus was in no way ready for any sort of complications in his life, and even if their relationship was to develop, she would have to be incredibly patient, incredibly understanding. Was she capable of it? The absolute last thing she would want to do would be to damage him further. She also didn't want to get hurt herself. And she still couldn't quite quell the voices in her head telling her not only would he not be interested in her, she could also never compare to Lily. How could Severus ever look at her when he had immortalised a beautiful, vivacous, unobtainable witch, seared her forever into his heart and soul, carried her with him through his darkest times, never turning away from her memory. Hermione sighed. Perhaps she would do as Ginny had suggested and try to be more objective as she interacted with him, looking for any signs he was interested. If she was going to even consider this, she needed to be absolutely sure he wanted her, and just as sure she could handle him, just as he was, damaged and churlish and bitter.

And, in a way, what was the rush? Yes they had setbacks and bumps and difficult moments, but really, they were making steady, undeniable progress. This time a year ago she had only just begun to turn her attention towards him, and now they were ... they were certainly more than two acquaintances. Perhaps she needed to just stop stressing, enjoy the time they spent together and where it was going, and watch Severus, objectively. She was only just 20, after all. She hardly needed to have everything figured out already. Yes, it hurt, wanting him as she did. But if there was a chance it could one day develop into something more ... then perhaps she didn't need to feel quite so sorry for herself.

"You promised me a poker league." Hermione said to Filius, as she made them drinks.

"Poker starts after Christmas." He smiled. "We're all too busy the first few months. The league runs January-April."

"The quietest part of the school year? Sensible."

"Exactly." Filius grinned. "Final game is the last week of term in June. It's a messy one."

"Is it?" Hermione smiled. "Well consider me suitably warned."

The little Charms Professor winked conspiratorially and made his way over to the far corner of the staffroom, taking his usual seat by the fire as they waited for the staff meeting to start. So far, Hermione had found their meetings quite dull. When she was a student, she hadn't really thought about her Professors having regular meetings, nor had she realised what a closely guarded secret they were. They weren't held at a regular time or on a regular day, and staff were strictly forbidden from mentioning them. It was understandable, goodness knows who sort of mischief the students would get up to if they ever realised there were periods where the whole faculty were suitably distracted. Hermione leant back into the little sofa she shared with Neville. Most of the staff were gathered now, awaiting Minerva.

Just over an hour later they were nearly finished. They'd gone through upcoming events, struggling and challenging students, and had a complete run-through of student clubs, including a lengthy discussion on whether they should try to get the Gobstone's Society reinstated. Hermione had been unable to stop herself looking over at Severus, during this, seeing as his Mother had been captain of the society during her time at Hogwarts, but he had been staring blankly at the floor, as he always did when in company. Even when spoken to directly he kept his responses to grunts or one or two word answers. She could tell from the expressions that some of her colleagues wore that they believed he was being petulant and difficult on purpose. Perhaps he was, at least sometimes, but Hermione couldn't help but think it was because he truly believed they hated him.

Finally, the meeting came to a close, and the staff started to dissipate or mingle. With a brief smile at Neville, she pounced on the Potions Master, before he could make his exit.

"It was a full moon last night."

"'Hello' is a more usual greeting." He scowled, only softening slightly when Hermione smiled.

"Hello." Hermione smiled wider. "It was a full moon last night, can we go and collect ingredients?"

"There is only an hour until dinner begins."

"So we'll be quick. Or we'll get a later dinner, or miss it entirely."

"If we are both absent from dinner it is likely to be noted."

"So?" She asked, genuinely not understanding the issue. "I seriously doubt anyone is paying that much attention, and even if they are, who cares? We're not contractually obligated to be at every single mealtime."

Severus was staring at her, his eyes were narrowed slightly, and he looked somewhere in between irritated and hopeful.

"Do you really wish to risk further scrutiny from the staff?" He asked, sneering. "Any sort of association with me will not be pleasant for you."

"Severus." Hermione reached out and touched his arm lightly, ignoring the sting when he quickly pulled away, ignoring the eyes she could feel upon her. "They won't give me a hard time for being friends with you. And even if they did, why would I care? You're talking to the girl who championed S.P.E.W, do you really think I'm the sort of person that worries what other people think?"

This brought a reluctant half smiled out of him.

"The nights will start drawing in really quickly now." She continued. "We should make the most of it while we can."

"Fine." Severus snapped, though his thin lips were still turned slightly upwards. "Let's get a move on."

Less than 30 minutes later they had collected the items they needed from Severus' office and were already just past the outskirts of the forest.

"Do you want me to try to be quiet today or can I chatter?" She asked, surprised when the question made Severus frown. "It's a genuine question, Severus. I'm happy either way."

He stared at her for several heartbeats, the wicker basket on his arm looking oddly out of place.

"Do as you wish." He said finally, turning and walking further into the woods.

Hermione smiled to herself. From anyone else, that would be borderline rude, but Severus was basically telling her he was happy for her to talk to him as she wanted to. It might not sound like much, but she knew it was a compliment and she knew it was ... sweet. In a twisted, roundabout way, of course.

It wasn't long before they came across some Wolfsbane and harvested it, the Potions Master letting her take the lead.

"Do you have favourite students?" She asked, as Severus led them deeper into the forest, away from the path.

"Of course." He answered idly.

"Really?"

"Yes." He glanced at her, looking amused. "Do you not?"

"I... I suppose I do. I thought that was awful of me."

"It's only awful if you treat the others detrimentally. How could teachers not have favourites? Who would ever like the dunderhead who disrupts the class and doesn't do the work the same as the hardworking, considerate child who hands in thoughtful homework and always tries their best?"

"I suppose." Hermione said thoughtfully. "Are your favourite students always Slytherins?"

"Not always." Severus said slowly, pulling a low tree branch out of the way and holding it back for her. "But often. You know them better, when you're their Head of House. And they need someone on their side."

They paused to gather some Lovage, their hands touching briefly as they both put some sprigs into a box. Severus' eyes widened at the contact and he quickly looked away, his hair falling forwards and hiding his face. She felt her pulse in her throat, wondering if he could have reacted because Draco was right, or whether he was just painfully unaccustomed to touch.

"You were never a favourite, before you ask." Severus said, as he stood. "You were too keen, too loud, too desperate to show off. And regurgitating information is not the same as thinking for yourself."

"I actually wasn't going to ask." Hermione said indignantly. "I was always very aware of the fact that I was far from being anything close to a favourite."

"That's your fault." He said dismissively. "If you'd been like you were in your final year, I might have thought more highly of you."

"You mean if I'd been a completely traumatised, fully grown adult the whole time?" She asked, amused despite herself.

"Yes." Severus replied, smiling again. "I suppose that is what I mean."

"I didn't have much of a chance then, did I?" Hermione laughed. "Oh look, Motherwort."

"Well spotted."

They continued walking, stopping now and again to gather certain ingredients, exchanging a few softly spoken words and shy smiles. Even Hermione couldn't talk herself out of the notion that Severus was enjoying himself. He seemed more relaxed outdoors. And he smiled more. At her. It was completely disarming. As the light faded they headed back to the castle.

"I like spending time with you away from Hogwarts." Hermione said softly. "You seem happier."

Severus gave her an incredulous look, before he frowned and seemed to consider what she'd said.

"Perhaps I ..." He paused, looking troubled. "Perhaps it is easier."

"That's not really surprising, though, is it?" She said tentatively. "When you think of everything that's happened to you here."

They continued walking in silence, Severus' brow still furrowed in quiet contemplation.

"Why did you come back here?" She asked softly, unable to stop herself. "I'm really glad you did, but I've never understood why you would have wanted to."

"Want had nothing to do with it." Severus spat, turning to glare at her. "What the hell else was I supposed to do? Where was I supposed to go? I have nothing, no one... I am nothing. No one."

The look on his face was so dark it changed him completely, and as he stalked off, Hermione had to consciously gather herself, and run after him.

"Stop!" She said, grabbing his arm and forcing him to turn around and face her. Rage was evident in every line in his body, and she knew what she said next was important. "You are not nothing. You are a veteran, like the rest of us, but with the longest and hardest service of all. You are not no one. You are Severus Snape. You are a loyal member of the Order of the Phoenix. You are a Potions Master, and a Spy and a Professor at a very esteemed school. You have survived two Wizarding Wars, you have passed invaluable intelligence to the Order, lying to arguably the Darkest wizard of all time, you risked everything to keep the students safe. You are my friend, my confidante, my ally. When you're not storming off and glowering at me."

At some point during her little speech, she had watched the anger drain out of him, to be replaced with exhaustion as he stared desolately at the floor. But now, he looked up at her, his black eyes glittering.

"You're here right now." She continued. "And so am I, and I'm happy we're here together. But you still have so much ahead of you. You still have time to do whatever you like. Your life isn't over at 39."

Severus sighed and more of the tension drained out of him.

"You're too young to be so profound." He said finally, giving her an annoyed look. "And so arrogant."

"I'm not arrogant. Everything I said was a fact. There's nothing arrogant about stating facts."

"You're insufferable." He scowled, but he seemed much more himself again.

"Probably." She agreed. "You sound like Draco."

Something unnameable crossed his face momentarily.

"You still see Draco?" He asked, sounding indifferent.

"Mmm." Hermione replied noncommittally. "The 7 of us still meet regularly. The first Friday of every month."

"Really?" Severus asked, turning and resuming the walk back to the castle.

"Yes. It's really nice actually, I've never really made friends that easily, and it would be so easy to lose touch after school. It's like a ready made social group full of people of I actually like."

"You actually like them?!" Severus sneered.

"Yes!" Hermione laughed. "Why would I hang out with them if I didn't like them?"

"Networking, to gain favours, influence, to gather intel." Severus listed the reasons on his long fingers.

"Is that how Slytherins think?" Hermione asked, aghast as Severus smirked. "Do Slytherins ever hang out with anyone just because they like them?"

"Occasionally." Severus said quietly, glancing at her with a strange, gentle expression on his face.

"You're not with me at all today, are you?" Dr Prewett stared at Hermione over her glasses, her light brown eyes kind.

"No." Hermione smiled guiltily.

"Why don't you tell me what's on your mind?"

"I like someone." She said slowly, unsure exactly how to handle this. She had never, in all her sessions with Dr Prewett, mentioned Severus at all. "I like them a lot."

"Okay." The Psychiatrist said. "That's quite a big development in your life, why haven't you said anything about it before?"

There was no hint of accusation in her voice, yet Hermione still felt the instinct to defend herself.

"It's private."

"Hermione." Dr Prewett smiled. "These sessions-"

"I don't mean it's private to me," she rolled her eyes. "They're a very private person and I wouldn't want to break their trust by telling you personal things about them."

"It's someone I would be able to identify then." Dr Prewett smiled slightly wider. "So another War hero, a celebrity or someone at this school."

"Damn." Hermione grumbled, scowling.

"You don't have to tell me anything you're not comfortable with." She reassured. "But you don't seem particularly happy by this development, can you tell me why? Having feelings for someone is usually a very exciting time."

"I didn't think they would ever be able to feel the same." Hermione said slowly.

"So it's unrequited? That's a really painful thing to go through."

"I ... I think it's unrequited." Hermione said slowly. "But a couple of people have told me that maybe I'm wrong. And now I don't know what to think."

"Have you considered just asking this person how they feel?"

"That's not an option." Hermione said firmly. "Firstly I can't imagine anything more humiliating, and secondly they ... they're quite ... troubled ... and isolated since the war. They need a friend, first and foremost. I wouldn't want to do anything that could risk damaging our friendship. Maybe not ever and certainly not until I'm sure they feel the same."

"And have they given you any reason to think they might feel the same?"

"Not really." She said uncomfortably. "They got me flowers once, but I think they were more of a thank you than anything else. And sometimes ... just sometimes the way they look at me..." Hermione sighed and broke off. "But I don't know! I can't be sure! And they're such a reserved person I have no idea if I'd even be able to notice if they did."

"It sounds like for now, you need to just observe your interactions objectively. Proceed cautiously, and keep yourself safe and comfortable."

"You sound like Ginny."

Dr Prewett smiled.

"I take it any sort of relationship with this person would be difficult?" She asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered. "Very."

"Are you sure it's something you wish to pursue?"

"No." Hermione frowned. She thought of Severus dark eyes, and the way his thin lips moved as he said her name. She thought of his shaking hands, of his eyelashes against his skin when his eyes were closed. She thought of his rare, beautiful smile. "Yes. But only if I'm sure I can handle it, and only if I'm sure it's what he wants."

"You do like a challenge."

"Stop channelling Ginny!

Dr Prewett laughed.

"Try to relax a bit, Hermione." She said. "You're still so young, you have so many options here. Unrequited love is painful, but it's not the end of everything, and it sounds like it might not even be that. For now, spend time with them, enjoy their company, figure out what you want to do and how to proceed, and try not to fall back into catastrophic thinking."

"I'm so good at catastrophic thinking though."

"You are, yes." Dr Prewett winked. "It's not an achievement to glorify though, is it?"

"Right." Minerva poured Hermione a glass of wine and sat back more comfortably on her armchair. "Spill."

"W-what?"

"How are you finding teaching?! What do you think of the students? Are the faculty being nice to you? Have you got any good gossip?" Minerva's eyes were twinkling. "It's been years since I've been friends with a young person! Tell me everything!"

Hermione laughed, relieved and feeling slightly silly.

"Although I suppose we should talk work first." Minerva smiled. "What do you think of the Muggle and Wizarding classes?"

"I think they're AMAZING!" Hermione enthused. "I've never known students to be so interested in muggle culture before. And I really think the Wizarding studies classes are going to help muggleborns assimilate. I think over the summer I might look into expanding them to include muggleborn families too."

"That will be challenging." Minerva said thoughtfully. "But I agree it's a good idea. Let me know when you start working on it and if I can help at all."

"I will."

"I agree that the students are very engaged in Muggle Studies, particularly the younger years. I've sat in a couple of them and Wilma is so good, but it does help she has such a good curriculum as well." Minerva smiled. "I love knowing that in a few years time, all the students that come through Hogwarts will leave with a minimum of an OWL in Muggle Studies. And with how popular the class is there's a good chance we'll see lots of students with a NEWT in them as well."

"I know!" Hermione said happily. "It really does have the potential to make such a difference."

"It does. Like I said, Hermione, you're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

"Thank you."

"How far have you got with your guide to protecting muggle equipment?"

"Oh. Errrm."

"You haven't started it, have you?"

"I've outlined the structure!" Hermione said defensively.

"Relax!" Minerva laughed. "You don't have a deadline and you don't actually have to do it at all. I was only asking because I think it will be an incredibly useful tool. Imagine all the muggleborns that will be delighted to be able to use a mobile phone. And the implications it could have! Imagine there being computers in the Ministry someday!"

"It could change everything." Hermione said numbly.

"Exactly! Imagine having that under your belt at only 20 years old!"

"I hadn't really thought about it! I've been so caught up in teaching."

"And that's lovely and completely understandable." Minerva said kindly. "But there's more to life than Hogwarts. And I really believe you're going to change the world. Even more than you already have."

"You sound like Ginny too." Hermione smiled and blinked away her tears. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Minerva winked. "Now. Spill. How's teaching? Answer all my questions, tell me everything."

"I love teaching." She said. "The students are mostly fine, some are very sweet, some are very funny and a few are really annoying. The faculty are lovely and have made me feel very welcome, but I've been so busy I haven't had much time to really chat to them. I don't think I have any gossip at all I'm afraid."

"You must have some!" Minerva exclaimed, frowning over the top of her glasses. "When are Harry and Ginny getting married? What was Mr Malfoy doing here? Are the two of you involved? What's Miss Lovegood up to now?"

"Oh." Hermione blinked. "I had no idea you were so interested in stuff like this."

"I'm old by muggle standards and I've just survived a second major war. Let me have some fun."

"You're not a muggle though." Hermione said mildly. "But fair enough. I have no idea when Harry and Ginny are getting married, I don't think it will have even occurred to him to propose. They're just enjoying being together and being stable and normal for a while. Luna has recently finished her trip to Thailand and is off to the US next, she's touring 20 sates. And she's meeting with Rolf Scamander in New York - Newt Scamander's grandson - he's studying Magizoology with MACUSA. I wouldn't be surprised if Luna decided to become a Magizoologist too someday."

"I can see that." Minerva said thoughtfully. "She's a strange girl."

"She is." Hermione agreed. "And one of the best people I know."

"What about Draco?"

"We're not involved." Hermione shuddered slightly at the thought. "He just came by to pay me a visit. Warn me about the Death Eaters."

"Ah." Minerva frowned. "Why did he feel the need to warn you specifically?"

"I think he feels indebted to me." She said truthfully. "He doesn't seem to think I'm likely to be a specific target. Or Harry, actually. He rather seemed to think it would be-"

"Severus." Minerva finished. "I thought the same thing."

"You did?"

"Yes." The Headmistress looked grim. "But I'm rather hoping it won't be an issue, seeing as he never leaves the school."

"Never?"

"Not that I'm aware of." Minerva said softly. "Any supplies he needs he gets delivered in by owl."

"So he should be fine, right?"

"Yes." She said tiredly. "Obviously the protections surrounding Hogwarts aren't infallible. But the fire destroyed the room of hidden things so there shouldn't be anymore rogue vanishing cabinets. And I'm rather hoping an entire army of Dark forces isn't imminent again."

"Same."

"So..." Minerva gave her a penetrating stare. "You and Severus. Are you going to tell me the secret to getting the man to talk to you?"

"Pardon?" Hermione could hear her heartbeat in her ears.

"I'm old, Hermione. I'm not blind. He talks to you. He smiles at you."

"He doesn't smile at me." Hermione said uncomfortably. "Not really."

"For Severus, the grumpiest man on the planet, he absolutely does smile at you." Minerva sighed. "I can't tell you what a relief it is to know he's still capable of it. I feel like a weights been lifted off my shoulders every time I see it. But I can't help but be curious, can I? He's certainly never seemed to like you. He would barely even acknowledge what a good student you were. And he took 50 point off you last year for asking him how he was!"

"That was too direct, too Gryffindor." Hermione smiled. "I've got better at not annoying him."

"Hermione!"

"What?!" She laughed. "There's honestly not much to tell. He tolerates me. He doesn't associate me with the guilt and shame he does everyone else, because I wasn't here last year. That's all it is."

"He's still so troubled by it, isn't he? His tenure as Headmaster? It doesn't matter that we all forgave him the moment we understood."

"He stood between you all and total, total darkness." Hermione said softly. "And you all hated him for it. You didn't understand, you didn't know, but he must have suffered more than we will ever be able to appreciate. And he was completely alone. I don't think he can forgive himself, or you."

Minerva lifted a hand to cover her face.

"I'll never forgive Albus for it." She said, her voice hushed. "I know our grief and shock and anger had to look genuine, mine especially, but he could have picked someone, anyone to know the truth."

"Yes." Hermione agreed. "I don't get it either. I think having to go through that all alone did untold damage."

"Poor Severus." Minerva sighed. "He was always such a troubled boy. But I should have had faith in him."

"You didn't know." Hermione said softly. "None of us did. How could anyone have thought Severus was meant to kill Dumbledore."

"I suppose." She rubbed her hands over her face and then took a large gulp of wine. "Do you think he'll ever forgive me?"

"I don't know him anywhere near well enough to comment, Minerva, I'm sorry." Hermione sighed. "We've never spoken about the war. But I'd like to think with time, and some healing, he could forgive most people. Himself included."

"You'll be such a good influence on him, dear." Minerva said fondly. "I do hope you can truly befriend him."

"Thank you." Hermione said hesitantly. "You shouldn't give up on him either, you know. I think half of the problem is he really thinks you all still hate him."

"But we've tried! I've tried! So many times! He won't hear it."

"I know." Hermione patted the older woman's arm. "Maybe he's not ready to accept it yet. But it doesn't do any harm to keep trying."

"No. I gave up on him when he was still a student here, and again when Albus died. I won't do it for a third time."

"Good." Hermione said fiercely. "He's earnt our loyalty. Even if he doesn't want it."

Minerva gave her an indecipherable look.

"He's had a shit life so far." She said, with uncharacteristic bluntness. "But he's a lucky boy to have you in his corner now, isn't he?"

Hermione didn't know how to reply to that, but the Headmistress only laughed and asked her how she felt about taking over the 4th and 5th years, which she felt great about, quite frankly, and the conversation moved on.

Sorry for the delay with this chapter - busy time of year!

So a question.

I write at least two chapters ahead in case something happens and I need a buffer, so chapter 14 & 15 are mostly done. Would you like a bonus chapter on Christmas Eve? It's such an exciting one I'm very keen to share it, but it will mean there's a longer delay before the following update so I can catch back up. Thoughts?

And in case there is a consensus to carry on as I usually would, have a wonderful festive period and a very Happy New Year!

Andie x