"Whoever it is, they will be begging for mercy should it not be something very important," grumped the black-haired man frustratedly.

She however just smiled a bit sadly and said:  "I think that our guests have arrived, Sev. Please don't kill them for wanting to help you, my dear."

At that he just sighed melancholically and said: "How are there still people who ask me why I prefer to spend my time in solitude"

Hermione laughed wholeheartedly at that, a sound that Severus really enjoyed. Still laughing she went to answer the door.

"Ah, you've found your way back here I see. Come in," she said jokingly, ushering the two guests in. After having hung their cloaks up, the young blonde man spoke up.

"Hermione, do you have any idea how grand it is to see you again. How are you?"
He went in and embraced her, at which she immediately had to smile. She had really missed all of her friends.

"I'm fine, more than fine, if I may say so. It's so great to see the two of you, Dray, Astoria. Come on in, the coffee table is already prepared," and with her two guests trailing along, she went back into the living room where Severus was already waiting for them.

"Uncle, I didn't think I would ever see you walk among us mortals, let alone here at Hogwarts. Anyway, I'm glad to see it. How are you feeling?" greeted the young man, bombarding the elder.

Severus didn't really mind this bombardment, even to his own surprise. "I'm fine, especially with the company I currently find myself in. Sit down, so we can catch up a bit, won't you?" was his answer and Draco was astounded at his godfather's rather unusual and nearly cheerful behaviour.

Only a minute later, all four were seated around the coffee table and began to eat and drink.

Finally, Astoria started talking: "We've been really fine. We got married last summer with only our parents as guests, but we have a second wedding planned this summer to which all of our friends and family are going to be invited. That includes the two of you." she smiled at them.

Severus just smiled back at her and said: "I think that we'll be able to arrange that."

In the meantime, everyone was finished, and so they went onto the couch to talk more.

"Now, I'm really curious about how the three of you became friends. I remember a time were you loathed each other."

Severus' eyebrow was raised into his hairline. He sat comfortably on his couch with Hermione cuddled up next to him.

Both, Draco and Astoria, were at a loss for words to explain how their friendship with Hermione came to be and so it was Hermione who began to explain: "After the war, some of us went back to re-do our seventh year and take our NEWTS. I, being the insufferable know-it-all, obviously returned and so did Dray and Astoria along with a few others. I was appointed headgirl and Dray headboy, and so we had to share our dorms. At the beginning, living together in what could be called a flat with two bedrooms was not easy, our relationship was more than strained because of our former differences. However, after a few days we decided to talk everything over that happened in the past. We talked much about the war, too. That kind of helped us with coping with the war's effects on us. We both lost people who were very dear to us, and it was wonderful to be able to talk about these things with someone who understood what you were going through. Draco sometimes brought Astoria with him and I brought some friends of mine and at the end of the year, our whole year and some younger students were comfortable around each other, and we all became friends." She looked at the couple that was seated on the couch across from the one she and Severus were occupying. 

"Now that uncle's curiosity has been sated I want to know what the two of you have been up to and how you even met in the first place," said Draco, smirking at them.

"OK, so. A few days ago I went outside as usual to take a walk in the park near my flat. It had been snowing for the first time in years in London and so quite a few people were outside enjoying themselves. I walked around and I saw that woman who slipped on an icy puddle near me, and so I just rushed to hold her to prevent her from falling down. I turned her over to check on her - you know, for injuries and so on. 

She however looked oddly at me. I took her home with me, and we drank some tea to get warm again. The flashbacks started when she told me why she looked at me that way. I began to remember episodes from my life I had forgotten. Sometimes it were gestures she did or things she said or even only places she took me. She helped me to remember my life. 

4 days ago I remembered everything except the things that happened here at Hogwarts, and so we came here. We went down here and as we stepped foot into the potions classroom, my scar opened again, and I fell unconscious. 

When I woke up again a day later, Poppy Pomfrey told me that there is no poison left in my body but as a side effect I have to wear these glasses now. But what was surprising for us was that I suddenly remembered everything. 

Everything I didn't know since I woke up two years ago," told Severus, leaving out the details he deemed uninteresting. 

Draco and Astoria however knew Severus, or at least the Severus he was before, and understood why he did cut himself that short. 

"I, for one, think that those glasses do suit you. You seem to be more human to me than before. With them, you look like Severus and not like Professor Snape. You look a bit younger with them and whether you like it or not, you need them so don't complain about it, Sev," giggled Hermione looking up at him. 

The two guests start to laugh at that. After a while of scowling even Severus began to laugh heartily.

Some time later they were talking about school again due to Draco asking: "What are you two going to do now?"

Hermione looked questioningly at Severus, who just nodded. 

"I'm going to take on an apprenticeship under Minerva and as soon as Severus has tested Horace's apprentice he will be taking over as headmaster again. So it seems that Hogwarts won't be rid of us for quite a while now." 

Hermione laughed and Severus did so, too. She felt his whole body reverberate under her and that sent shivers up and down her spine. 

"Talking about Horace's apprentice. I'm honoured to take over your old post, uncle," smirked Draco. 

"I think I could live with you doing that," he said, wearing a smirk of his own. After exchanging quite a few other stories and having caught up with what happened during the last years, Astoria glanced at her watch. 

"Draco, we should be leaving now, or otherwise we'll be late to dinner with your parents." 

"Already?" 

At her confirming nod he stood up and helped her to do the same. 

"Uncle, Hermione, you are most welcome to come over for dinner sometime, but sadly we have to go." 

Severus and Hermione nodded and followed them to the entrance hall of Severus' chambers. After being dressed in their warm cloaks and winter shoes again everyone said their Goodbyes embracing each other. As the two women were having a bit of small talk, Draco pulled his godfather to the side. 

"Just watch out for her. She's been through so much with losing Ron and erasing her parents' memories. Don't play with her feelings, she doesn't deserve that. She loves you, she's happy when you're near her, so please don't break her heart. Otherwise, I will go through hell and back to avenge her, and you will wish you never hurt her. She won't be able to suffer another loss after her parents."

"Do you per chance know where they live?" 

"They live in Australia, I don't know where, exactly. She already tried to return their memories, but it didn't work," admitted the blonde sadly. 

"Don't worry, Draco. I'm not going to leave her alone for as long as she doesn't want me to. I will not force her to do anything that she doesn't want, and I will leave her should she desire so. I will accept anything she may or may not offer me. Trust me, Draco." 

Draco gazed into his godfather's eyes and saw that he spoke the truth. He nodded and embraced him. After saying goodbye again, the two of them were settled on the couch  a few minutes later. They lit the fireplace and just sat there, gazing into the flames and listening to the calming crackle that was to be heard throughout the living area.

"Now, where were we?" whispered Severus, his mouth right next to her ear and she shivered at his dark tone. He took her face in his hands, and she closed her eyes in anticipation. She nearly fainted when she finally felt his soft lips on hers. They slowly but surly deepened the kiss and that wasn't the only thing that happened that night down in the dungeons of Hogwarts Castle.