The war was finally over. Voldemort had fallen; his loyal supporters were forced into hiding. Lives had been lost on both sides. A memorial was erected in honour of those who had sacrificed their lives for the freedom of wizard kind.

Harry and Ron decided not to complete their seventh year at Hogwarts. They both wanted to be Aurors, and seeing as they had been through so much already, were given apprenticeships at the Ministry of Magic. Hermione, however had decided to go back to complete her studies. She knew it would be difficult, with people talking and staring, but she wouldn't be alone. She packed her trunk, and boarded the Hogwarts Express, that would take her to the only home she had now.

As she was expecting it was especially difficult at the great feast. Everyone was happy because they could finally study and be at ease without the constant fear and threat that the Dark Lord once held over them. The familiar and once friendly faces she used to know so well, now seemed like complete strangers to her. She sat alone at the Gryffindor table, though she was able to hear parts of random conversations that she knew she would once have been a part of, and deep down some part of her longed to be again.

She looked up at the teacher's table. Professor McGonagall was the new Headmistress, and as such, she now sat in the centre. A seat, which was once occupied by, until his untimely demise Professor Dumbledore; a man, who she now noticed had held a very imposing presence and stature over the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall however did not, but she made sure her penetrating stare made up for any lack of this.

Hermione continued working her way down the table, recognising the faces of familiar teachers until her gaze met with that of a man she had not spoken to for a long time. Professor Severus Snape looked just as pale as before, but she noticed not as withdrawn. His hair was not as oily as it had once been, but it still hung limp about his face. She also noted that his eyes had changed she remembered how dull and lifeless they used to be. Now however they twinkled and shone as if a fire had been lit behind them.

Hermione suddenly realised that he too was watching her. He smiled, not a warm smile, but she knew that he meant it and she blushed as she returned it. She could now finally admit to herself that she was attracted to him.

During the final battle, Hermione had stayed with Harry and Ron, as they battled their way through the Death Eaters to reach the Dark Lord. She didn't know then, but she was being followed. Finally, the three of them stood before Voldemort and the remaining few Death Eaters that hadn't been defeated or hadn't fled. Curses and hexes were flying everywhere and suddenly Ron was knocked to the ground, and Hermione, fearing the worst, ran to him.

In her moment of weakness, Voldemort saw his chance. He fired a slashing curse at Hermione, but before she could react, she heard a voice cry "NO!" and a body flew in front of her, and then slumped to the ground. A mask fell to the floor and the light from a passing curse illuminated a face she recognised, the face of Severus Snape. Hermione gasped. Voldemort was shocked. Harry took this as an opportunity to end it all. "Arvada Kadavra!"

At first, it was difficult to tell what had happened, sensing their master's defeat the Death Eaters slowly retreated, and the fighting came to an end. Harry joined Hermione at Ron's side but luckily, Ron was only winded and not seriously hurt or worse as they had feared.

Once Hermione could see that Ron was all right she rushed over to where Snape was lying. He wasn't moving and there were three large lacerations across his torso that was bleeding heavily. "HELP! SOMEONE, ANYONE PLEASE GET HELP!" she pleaded. Tears began to well up in here eyes. The remaining Order members gathered around them. They lifted Snape's limp, almost lifeless body off the ground and it was suggested they take him to St. Mungo's. His eyes flickered open, and his gaze fixed upon Hermione and he whispered just three words. "Don't leave me."

"Never," she replied just before his eyes closed again.

For four days, Hermione stayed at his bedside in the ward at St. Mungo's, hoping and praying that he would pull through.

Hey everyone! This is my first fic ever, so please let me know what you think of it! My beta L'Vanna has done a wonderful job with this, without her help this fic would not be here.

These amazing characters don't belong to me, I am only borrowing them.