AN: Sorry for the wait. Please let me know what you think.
When morning arrived, Hermione woke up nestled in their bed. She smiled softly at the image of Severus finding her asleep at the desk and carrying her to bed, but her mood quickly changed at the reminder of him avoiding her all day yesterday.
Determined to address the issue, she quickly got changed and entered their living room, hoping he would be there and hadn't left yet for breakfast. She was relieved to find him sitting on the couch, papers gripped in his hands. She noticed his hands were slightly shaking, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw moisture in the corner of his eyes.
"Severus?" Hermione called softly, moving closer to him.
He looked up, his expression a mixture of surprise and relief. "Hermione, I didn't hear you come in."
"I need to talk to you," she said, taking a seat beside him. "About the Marriage Law being repealed and what that means for us."
Severus sighed, his grip on the papers tightening slightly. "I know. I read the news yesterday. I took a trip to the Ministry during lunch yesterday."
Hermione stared at him in confusion as her anxiety mounted. "Why?"
"You don't have to continue to be with me. I understand this has been difficult for you with the students spreading rumors and causing you a lot of distress. You have the freedom to be with someone you actually want to be with," Severus murmured painfully as he handed the papers to her.
Hermione stared down at the papers, her eyes widening slightly at the realization that he had gotten divorce papers from the Ministry. She didn't know what to say or how to feel as she tried to come up with a response.
"After classes today I can help you gather your things so you can return to Gryffindor Tower. I imagine your friends have missed you," Severus continued flatly.
Hermione hadn't said a word until he stood up from the couch. She immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him back onto the couch. "Do you really think this is what I wanted?" She shrieked. She shook the papers in front of him for emphasis. "You didn't think about my feelings on the matter?"
"I figured there was no point in dragging things out now that the law has been repealed," Severus admitted calmly.
Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing and before she could even think of something more to say, he had already approached the portrait hole that led to the hallway. She immediately tried to follow him.
"Breakfast has started. After dinner tonight, we will discuss this more unless you receive another detention," Severus responded critically, not even looking at her.
Hermione stood there, stunned, as Severus left through the portrait hole. She felt a rush of emotions—anger, frustration, sadness, and a deep sense of betrayal. How could he so casually suggest ending everything they had built together?
Hermione knew better than to follow him and draw attention to themselves. Broken and more alone than ever, she grabbed her school bag and slowly walked to the Great Hall. As she maneuvered through the corridors, she forced herself to keep the tears at bay that longed to be let out.
The walk seemed longer than usual, each step feeling heavier with the weight of uncertainty. When she finally entered the bustling Great Hall, the noise and activity seemed distant, almost muted. She spotted Harry and Ginny at the Gryffindor table and made her way over to them.
Ginny immediately noticed something was off. She saw the somber expression on Hermione's face and the slight moistening of her eyes. "Hermione, are you okay? Did you and Snape talk yet?"
Hermione's grip on her fork tightened at Ginny's words. She opened her mouth to come up with a lie or an excuse but quickly closed it, silently begging Ginny to be quiet and not ask any more questions.
When Ginny remained silent, Hermione forced herself to eat a few bites of her eggs. As the Great Hall buzzed with conversation, she couldn't stop replaying what had transpired that morning. She never would have expected Severus to just hand her divorce papers. Did their marriage mean nothing to him?
Hermione struggled to keep herself from crying as her heart ached from the betrayal. She hoped it was just a mistake and that he didn't mean it, but his coldness toward her suggested otherwise. He was pushing her away. A single tear escaped, but not before Ginny saw it.
"Tell me he didn't," Ginny whispered, mindful to keep her voice down.
Hermione looked up from her plate, staring sorrowfully at Ginny. She didn't have an answer. She still had a shred of hope that this was just a misunderstanding and that when they had their conversation later this evening, he would make it right. They had spent the last three months together. She had believed him when he said he would be there for her. She had believed that they were building a family together. Was everything he said a lie?
She couldn't bring herself to say any of this out loud, so she just shook her head slightly, trying to hold on to that small bit of hope. Ginny reached over and squeezed her hand, offering silent support. Hermione forced herself to eat a few more bites, but each one felt like a struggle.
Going to class was difficult. For the first time at Hogwarts, Hermione had no interest in her studies. The only desire she had was to make things right with Severus. He meant everything to her. Having no other option but to wait until later, she begrudgingly followed Ginny and Harry to class, her thoughts entirely consumed by the looming conversation.
Hermione made a greater effort to focus today, especially after Severus's snide remark this morning about her detention last night. She had not expected him to throw that little tidbit in her face, which made her even more upset. Determined to prove him wrong and not give him any more reasons to criticize her, she concentrated intently on her lessons, despite the turmoil in her heart.
After the first three classes of the morning, Hermione sat silently eating a bowl of soup. It wasn't much, but the warmth from the steaming broth was comforting. As she sipped, she silently rehearsed what she would say once she was alone with Severus, running through different scenarios in her mind, hoping to find the right words to convey her feelings and fears.
"Hermione," Ginny gently nudged her once her spoon was put back in the bowl. "I think it's time you tell me what is going on. You have been quiet all morning."
Hermione looked up at Ginny, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. "Severus gave me divorce papers this morning," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "He said I don't have to stay with him now that the law is repealed. I don't know what to think or feel right now."
Ginny's eyes widened in shock and concern. "Hermione, I'm so sorry. What are you going to do?"
Hermione took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I don't know yet. I need to talk to him tonight. I need to understand why he did this and if he really wants to end things. I can't believe he would push me away like this, not after everything we've been through."
Hermione tried to finish the last few spoonfuls of her soup when tears blurred her vision. "He promised we would do everything together," she uttered.
Ginny's heart ached for her friend. She scooted closer and put an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "I know he did," she said softly. "And maybe there's a reason for this that we don't understand yet. But you're right—you need to talk to him. You deserve to know the truth."
Hermione nodded, wiping her eyes quickly. "I just... I can't lose him, Ginny. Not now. Not after everything."
"You won't," Ginny assured her. "Whatever happens, you won't lose him. And you won't go through this alone, either."
Taking a deep breath, Hermione found a small measure of strength in her friend's support. "Thank you, Ginny. I just have to make it through today. Then I'll talk to him tonight and get some answers."
Hermione wanted to believe what Ginny had told her, but she still feared that she would lose him. Maybe he didn't want to be tied down to a silly girl. He didn't have a wife his whole life so why start now? She tried to ignore the negative thoughts that had taken over her mind, but her insecurities refused to be quiet.
"Let's go," Ginny said gently, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts. "We have Transfiguration next, and Professor McGonagall always helps you clear your mind."
Hermione nodded, grateful for the distraction. "You're right. I can't let my grades slip just because of this."
As they walked to their next class, Hermione forced herself to focus on the day ahead. She could handle this. She had faced worse before. But as the hours passed, the anxiety in her chest never quite went away. Each tick of the clock brought her closer to the moment she would confront Severus, and she could only hope that their conversation would bring the answers—and the reassurance—she desperately needed.
Hermione stood outside the Potions classroom, her final class of the day. She contemplated skipping it, feeling mentally and emotionally drained. She was not prepared to take on any potion, and she certainly was not prepared to face Severus as her critical professor. The thought of his scrutinizing gaze and potential cold remarks made her stomach churn.
But she couldn't avoid him forever. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and walked through the door, finding her usual seat. The familiar smells of various potions and ingredients filled the room, but today they offered no comfort. She could feel Severus's eyes on her as she settled into her place, but she refused to look up.
"Today we will be brewing a memory potion," Severus began, his voice even and professional. "I trust everyone has read the assigned material and is prepared to follow the instructions precisely."
Hermione could barely focus on his words. She mechanically set up her workstation, her mind elsewhere. As the class progressed, she found herself making small mistakes she normally wouldn't, and she could feel Severus's disapproving presence looming over her.
"Hermione," he said quietly, his tone devoid of the usual sarcasm but still firm. "Concentrate."
She looked up, meeting his eyes for the first time that day. There was no anger there, only a weary sort of concern. It was enough to shake her out of her daze, and she nodded, determined to push through.
By the end of the class, her potion was decent—not her best work, but passable. As the students began to pack up, Severus approached her table. "Stay behind," he said softly.
Hermione's heart pounded in her chest as she waited for the classroom to empty. Once they were alone, Severus closed the door and turned to her, his expression unreadable.
"Why didn't you tell me how you felt?" he asked, his voice gentle but probing.
"I tried," Hermione said quietly, her eyes downcast. "I just didn't know how to make you understand."
Severus took a step closer, his eyes softening. "Hermione, I care for you more than you realize. These papers were a mistake. I thought I was doing what was best for you, giving you a chance to be free. But if being with me is what you want, then I... I don't want to let you go."
Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes. "I don't want to be free of you, Severus. I love you."
Severus's expression softened further as he reached out to gently wipe away her tears. "I love you too, Hermione. Let's talk more tonight, properly, without all the misunderstandings."
Hermione nodded, a small smile breaking through her tears. For the first time that day, she felt a flicker of hope. Together, they could face anything.