Hermione had been certain Snape would have laughed at her declaration. Still, it had felt exceptionally cathartic to tell someone, even if it was a man who had already died. However, when Snape pulled his head back, his large nose brushing against her cheek ever so faintly, she found herself falling into his eyes.  She didn't find humor or bitterness. Instead, she found something she'd previously believed to have been impossible. It was just a flicker, in the endless darkness hidden by the many walls he had built to shield himself. Compassion.

Even when his scowl returned she could find it there, flickering like a candle in a rainstorm. A hint of humanity still left inside him after all he'd been through. Tears welled in her eyes when he stepped back, her vision of him blurring as the lights slowly dimmed. She wanted to scream at him to let her stay, but when she found herself back at her desk she knew why he had let her go.

Tears continued to fall as she pulled her knees up to her chest, her arms—like she had seen his do—wrapping tightly around them. Though her sobs were silent and her body did not ache, her heart pulsed with the reality that simply could not be. He wasn't real. No matter how much she desperately wanted him to be it simply could never be true. Though what had been left of his life certainly was, her future would find her right back as she was. Alone, trapped in the past with no way to move forward.

"Hermione?" Harry was cautious when he came to her partially open door. He'd felt like a complete prat with the way he'd snapped at her before he'd left. He hadn't meant to, he was just so stuck in his own headspace he hadn't realized how sharp his tone had grown. That was until he saw the look on her face when he floo'd away.

He had hurriedly returned to Malenda's room, dropping off Ron's things so that he could spend the night with her before rushing straight home. He'd only paused long enough to throw his robe on the couch before immediately heading up the stairs.

When he saw her curled so impossibly small he knew just how big of a mistake he'd made. Though exceptionally exhausted from the day he moved carefully to her side. Her head was hidden down into her knees he very quietly moved her wand out of her reach before calling out for her again. His hand very lightly ran along her arm.

Hermione twitched to his touch, her head rising enough to see his glasses. Her face twisted between anger and sorrow. He offered a gentle look that begged forgiveness before lightly shifting to wrap his arm around her shoulders. When she slowly uncurled and he felt her fingers claw into the back of his shirt, he let out a soft sigh and rested his cheek on the top of her head.

"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have treated you that way..." He took a slow breath to collect himself, "Can you forgive me?"

Hermione smiled despite herself though the tears still stained her face. His embrace filled her heart with the comfort that she so greatly needed at that moment. She nodded into his chest before starting to pull her arms back to wipe at her face, "It's okay...you had a lot on your mind at once..."

"That may be true but it's still no excuse to treat you that way..." Harry wiped one of her tears away, "I know it's a lot to ask...and I know Ginny won't mind...but do you want to stay with me in my room? I just...I don't want to sleep by myself tonight...and...I don't think you do either..."

Hermione's brows flexed, it had been years since they'd done anything like that. While she knew he was merely seeking companionship it still felt odd given their age. Her eyes rose to his and it was not hard to see how much he was struggling. The ghosts of his past had no doubt begun to pay him an unwanted visit. Under normal circumstances, she would have found the words to deny him his request. Offering alternatives for him to help take his mind off things. As it was, she too felt the soul-crushing need to be held by someone, anyone, and thus very slightly nodded her head.

Harry quirked a morose smile before slowly straightening up, "I'm... going to shower...if you change your mind just let me know okay?"

Hermione nodded again trying to breathe in the self-reliance she was known for. When he disappeared beyond her door she found that she simply didn't want to fight against herself that night and so, she found her way to her dresser, limply pulling out a set of modest pajamas.

She dressed in no time, the warm fleece of her pajamas keeping her comfortable. She could still hear the shower running and so moved to the box Madame Pomfrey had given to her. She pulled out the small list of instructions still absently wiping at her red-ringed eyes checking to see if she'd written any instructions on potions to take before bed.

Though the list was long and wonderfully detailed, she found that she needed to take only one potion at night, the rest would need to be taken in the morning and at meals. Her small fingers moved through the box before finding a small vial with a dropper inside of it. There was no liquid at the bottom, all of its contents held inside the dropper. She checked the list again reading the instructions very carefully.

Called 'Draught of Peace' it was an extremely potent potion that Poppy warned could become highly addictive. She cautioned the use of it only in situations where she would find herself emotionally distressed before bed. While it wasn't a sedative by itself it did work as a sort of muscle relaxant helping the mind to calm and quiet itself before sleep. One drop and one drop only to be administered one hour before bed. It had no known side effects.

Hermione wet her lips lifting the vial up to the light. While she had personally never heard of the potion she trusted Madame Pomfrey. Very carefully, she unscrewed the top and stuck out her tongue. A single drop fell, the taste like crisp spring water. As she made to replace the top she saw a small number appear on the label no doubt a way for Poppy to assess just how many times she used it. Reverently, she replaced it into the box and clipped it closed, a small wandless ward sealing it closed from curious eyes.

With that done, she moved to her bed collecting her own pillow before shuffling down the hall toward Harry's room. Unlike her, both boys had large beds, nearly queen size while hers was a modest double. There would be plenty of space for the both of them to rest comfortably but still feel the other's presence.

As she climbed in she could smell Ginny's perfume all over the sheets and couldn't help but smile ever just so. Their love was so pure and it made her so happy to see Harry so loved by another. He definitely deserved it and more. She wondered absently as she settled her pillow down leaving Harry with the extras if she would be around to witness their inevitable engagement. She held no hope that she would be there for the wedding but she would be content enough to witness the proposal.

She let her eyes close as she waited, her wand tucked securely under her pillow. When the shower stopped she shifted just enough to pull the blankets near her chin. She kept her eyes closed as she just knew Harry would have forgotten to grab his clothes before he showered and not wishing to witness that, helpfully hid her face down into the sheets.

Harry grumbled to himself as he held tight to the towel around his waist. He'd peeked into his own room to find that Hermione had thankfully had her back to his closet and drawers, her face hidden not just by her hair but the blankets as well. He was quick about getting dressed and though Hermione never moved he still glanced to make sure he couldn't be seen. Once finished with a full set of pajamas, shirt and all,  something that had they not been sharing a bed he would have never done, he made towards his side and lightly tugged at the edge of the blanket.

Hermione released her hold only peeking open one eye to assure that he was finished before letting him have enough slack to crawl under. As he shifted towards her, she wondered just how close he would get when finally he settled down, a respectable space between them. She offered only a small curl of her lips before taking one of the hands that were curled under her chin and reached over the gap.

Harry relaxed visibly when she reached out and he took her hand in his, letting his thumb run over the valleys and hills of her knuckles. The silence stretched between them as they watched the other through tired eyes. Hermione's were the first to close, the hand he held in his growing progressively slack. He had wanted to say so much more than he had already but just seeing her beside him was enough.

Gingerly, he shifted from his side to his stomach, letting his hand slip free only to return over top. She made no move against him and with a deep sigh, he finally let the stress of the day slip away.

oOOo

"Hermi-I-I mean Miss Granger, you're back!" Antony sputtered, eyes wide as he dropped his bag on his desk immediately moving towards hers. The department was still empty as usually, he was the second one in behind the woman who now sat at her desk.

"You are allowed to call me by my first name you know." Hermione grinned though her focus was still on the files that had filled her desk, "We've worked together for three years."

Antony blushed brightly when she looked up at him through her lashes, "I...I just like to keep things....you know professional..."

Hermione hummed softly and shook her head a bit before finally giving in to whatever she was doing, "If that makes you feel better. By the way, have you seen the Spinner's End file? I was supposed to turn it in yesterday but..."

"Ah, yes... about that..." His face looked incredibly guilty and his fingers fiddled with themselves as he tried to find the best words to confess, "I may have...forged your signature on it and sent it off..."

Hermione raised her head slowly, her brow raised incredulously. The longer she looked at him the more flustered he became. Her tight lips of disapproval slowly relaxed the more he tried to explain himself.

"Do that often do you?" Her tone was light though her face still tried to remain stern. The man before her surely to be a blubbering mess rather soon.

"N-o of course not. It's just that you were out and I know the file was important and then Potter had said you might be out for a few days and I-"

"Relax, Antony." Hermione couldn't hold back her smile anymore, "It's fine. Just don't make a habit of it."

"Of course not, ma'am..."

"Don't call me ma'am." Hermione sing-songed as she pulled a file center of her desk for review.

"So-sorry..." Antony let out the breath he'd been holding and made his way to his desk. His flush no doubt would be there even when the rest of the department had arrived. He glanced back over to her after giving himself a few moments to collect himself. All in all, she looked better than the last time he saw her.

"So... you're feeling better then?"

"Yes, just a bit of dodgy take-out." Hermione didn't look up.

"Potter made it sound like you were dying..." Antony confessed swallowing a bit thickly.

Hermione raised her head slowly, her eyes narrowing just a bit before she let her eyes roll to the next file, "Harry has always had a flair for the dramatics." Her hand tightened a bit on her quill, "Trust me, I'm fine."

Antony nodded just a bit, her conversation ending tone was quite clear.

Lunch came around quickly enough. Though Hermione had barely noticed her colleagues leaving to take their break, it wasn't until someone came to the edge of her desk did she finally take notice. However, the man she had expected to have come was certainly not the woman who stood before her now.

"Luna? What can I do for you?" Hermione rubbed at one of her eyes before setting down her quill.

Luna smiled brightly, her bright eyes almost sparkling in the magical light above, "Well I was hoping you and I could have lunch together today. I came by yesterday but you weren't here, I'm glad you're feeling better of course. I wanted to ask you a few questions about time turners if I could."

Hermione blinked slowly, how did she manage to speak so much and not breathe? A curious curiosity surely, "Um sure...I don't see why not. Let me just get my bag, did you have a place in mind?"

"Mm, it's this lovely little muggle cafe just off the second block. It has wonderful pastries." Luna continued to smile that all-knowing smile of hers shifting the stack of papers clutched to her chest.

Hermione nodded slightly before motioning to the papers in Luna's hand, "Do you...want me to put those in my bag?"

"Oh, no thank you. I don't like when my papers get shrunk, makes the words all blurry." She replied airily.

"Right...well I do have a muggle satchel here... somewhere..." Hermione had long learned to accept some of Luna's more eccentric traits but she was partially concerned at the attention the pair of them would receive when walking down the street. So—always prepared, Hermione leaned down to pull out her bottom desk drawer. She had a few little personal items there, her magical purse, an extra sweater if she got cold, her recently acquired potions box, and finally a very worn-looking satchel she'd kept from her muggle school days.

"Here you are Luna, I promise no magic inside this." Hermione set the worn bag onto her desk with a soft smile, "If you like it, you can keep it. I hardly use it for anything anyway...it's more of a keepsake than anything else."

Luna gingerly began to put her mass of papers into the bag but looked up at her curiously, "If it means something so precious why would you want to give it away?"

Hermione's lips quirked a bit before she forced them into a small smile, "I think it's perfectly fine to pass on things that mean something to you if the person you give them to would appreciate them."

Satisfied with her logic, Luna hummed before pulling the flap closed. She clipped the oddly feeling gator tooth buckles before pulling the strap over her head and shoulder, taking the strap in her hand. Unconsciously, the blonde's fingers gently caressed the embroidered initials of its former owner, "I quite like it, thank you."

Hermione smiled and picked up her own bag, though it being magical it held far more than it appeared. She set the strap on her shoulder and followed Luna's lead.

The walk was pleasant and the light conversation between the two young women perfectly mudane. Luna hadn't asked more than once about Hermione's health and was seemingly satisfied with her food poisoning story. The topics ranged from Luna's upcoming wedding to Neville's training to become a Hogwarts teacher.

When they finally arrived Hermione found herself awestruck by the beauty of the place. The front outside seating area was intricately covered with hanging vines that ran along lattice, creating privacy from the passers-by and a cozy earthy atmosphere for those who sat inside. Small fairy lights lit up the interior but the sun still peeked through enough to create a soft feeling beneath.

Luna immediately took the table in the far corner, smiling softly as she sat and let her fingers gently caress one of the flowers that had grown through the vines, "Isn't it beautiful?"

Hermione took the seat opposite, while she very much didn't like her back so exposed she didn't find it in her heart to be rude enough to ask to switch seats, "Absolutely, how did you find this place?"

"A friend of mine in the department told me about it. He said a lot of our kind come here. He said the muggles never notice when we place charms around us." She chuckled softly doing just as she said from beneath the table. Casting not one but two charms. One so that they wouldn't be noticed and the other so that they wouldn't be overheard.

"But...how do you order food?" Hermione had instantly felt the enchantments, giving the blonde a puzzled look.

"Well you go in of course." Luna chuckled softly, "They're really kind. They know people like to come outside to study so they only come out to clear the tables." Luna slowly pushed herself up, "I'll go get us a menu."

"Thanks." Hermione gave her a kind smile before reaching down into her bag to pull out a book while she waited. She'd finally gotten around to picking up the book Ginny had bought her about Astral Travel.

She'd just managed the first paragraph when a distinctly familiar soft lowland Scottish accent fluttered by. Hermione couldn't help but sink slightly into her chair for reasons she could only speculate but when another voice joined her she found herself instantly curious.

"How is he Poppy, truly?"
Minerva had taken her seat just one table away, her back to the woman presently eavesdropping on her conversation.

"Well...he certainly looks healthier. He's gaining muscle and dexterity. Though I believe our fears about his mental state were warranted." Poppy replied, worry deep in her tone.

"How do you mean?" Minerva glanced slightly when Luna passed but merely lowered her voice.

"Well...he can't remember... anything..."

"Anything? Not even magic?"

"No, what's worse is that his magic is very much alive inside him. It's only a matter of time before it tries to come out or...destroys him from the inside..."

"Here you are."

Hermione's head jerked as she lost focus on the conversation behind her, her eyes shooting up to the menu that was being offered out to her, "Thank you..."

"What if.... return?"

"...unable to find anything...destroyed..."

Hermione tried her best to refocus on the conversation behind her but for whatever reason she could not find the ability to read and listen at the same time. Besides, it was hardly any of her business. Whatever and whomever they were talking about wasn't anywhere near her concern. Still, old habits died hard.

With a firm mental push Hermione turned her eyes down to the menu in front of her, her eyes scanning through the list of soups and sandwiches.

"See anything you like?" Luna asked after a few minutes setting her own menu down.

"Mm, yes. I think I'll get the club sandwich with the broccoli soup." Hermione set down her menu, her ear twitching a bit when she picked up another snippet of the conversation behind her.

"Two years of being in a coma can be really hard on the body..."

"I'll go order for us." Luna pushed herself up.

"Do you want any help?" Hermione didn't really want to move but she felt dreadfully impolite not to offer.

"No, I've got it." Luna looked down at the book she'd set on the table, "That's a good read by the way. Though I found it rather difficult myself. Couldn't keep my mind from wandering," she chuckled softly at herself before her face went serious and her eyes dramatically wide, "I ended up in the strangest of places."

As Luna left, her attention returned to the women behind her. Though she found her focus torn by what she'd just said and what was being said behind her.

"He keeps referring to a woman with golden eyes..."

"But...green eyes..." Minerva's voice was still low, the wind that wafted through the leaves drowning out some of her words.

"Oh, Hello Professors."

Hermione cursed under her breath, her hands curling into fists for a moment before she gathered her wits. Once more she reminded herself that whatever the elder women were discussing it was none of her business.

With a grumbling sigh, she pulled the book she'd brought with her, opening it back up, and tried to read. The polite conversation behind her no longer of any interest.