"You're worried."

"About?"

"Don't play the fool, Severus."

"She will be fine, she is...where she needs to be..." He was a horrible liar.

"She isn't now, but she will be soon." Galia turned her head slowly, watching the man pacing in front of the fireplace, "You're going to kill him aren't you?"

"You tell me." Severus glanced her way, trying to catch a glimpse of her eyes but she was just as clever as he and had turned her eyes before he could see clearly.

A small smirk slithered across her lips and her hand came up to hide her amusement. "Why have you left her there when you're obviously so opposed?"

"You're the Seer." Severus snarled and turned away completely. He knew exactly why he'd done what he'd done. While not the noblest of methods, he himself was bound to his own inner demons. He wasn't some knight in shining armor. He was just a man, a scared, cowardly man.

He had stayed away for fear of being caught returning her memories. Well, most of them. The missing memories now sat inside his room, hidden away. He had visited her only one other time, during the night. He had found her curled up in his cloak, peacefully sleeping away. It had stirred up something deep inside him, something he couldn't identify. He had left after only a few minutes.

It had been odd to see her again. He had made sure that her fugue-self wouldn't be able to spill the magical beans so to speak. The subconscious feeling he had placed inside her mind had still been in place when he'd rifled through what had been left of her mind. He had been shocked and nearly horrified to find that she, not the healers, had been the one virtually erase away everything that she was. Though the healers had finished the job, she was still responsible.

When he'd viewed the memory, he had been nearly beside himself with anger and confusion that later turned into soul-crushing guilt. He had left her mind such a mess, that when all the protections he'd hastily put into place finally broke away it had given her a complete mental break down. He could still see her pain stricken face as the memories she could no longer process fell from her eyes while she desperately begged the healers to make it all go away. He knew the healers had had their own agenda at the time but he hadn't put much thought into their now so obvious compliance. He should have gone to her then, but he hadn't been able to. Fawkes had taken him too far away, so far away that even he hadn't known where he was until four days after. His own body had betrayed him then, leaving him only able to pick up the broken pieces.

He had planned to take much more time carefully putting her back together. Determined to leave her better than before; to take away all the pain and hurt the war had done to destroy the light that had so brightly shined in her eyes. He had planned yes, but fate was a cruel and heartless mistress. When he had seen the twisted memory of the Weasley boy touching her in his sleep and he had nearly torn the house apart to find him. The thirst for revenge had never tasted so sweet. Unfortunately, he knew if he'd revealed himself then, his entire plan would have been for naught. Instead, he'd taken the memory away. It was distorted anyway, like everything inside her fugue-state had been.

There was no fear upon her face when the boy had done what he'd done. Only confusion, she had remained still, unsure of what to do. It had been almost like the time inside the cellar and just as painful to witness. She had been obeying his orders. It was he, who was truly to blame. The boy had been merely dreaming, he rationalized. As wrong as it was, Severus didn't know the circumstances leading to the boy even being in the bed with her. In his heart, he felt it was wrong. Exceptionally wrong. But who was he to judge? Hadn't he done nearly the same thing? Hadn't he done worse? He didn't know for sure if she had invited him, or if he'd come on his own. It still riled his blood and tormented his sleep.

"I'll see you tonight." Galia turned her eyes down to the book resting in her lap, not even raising an eyebrow to the man leaving the room, obviously on a mission.

oOo

"Mm'mione..."

Hermione shifted the book she presently held in her hand to look down at Ron who had fallen asleep in her lap again. His face was nearly as red as his hair, though he didn't look to be in pain. Her hand left the worn pages of her book to rest on his forehead but didn't find a temperature. When he let out another soft whining moan and shifted his hips she glanced down his body. Was he...surely he wasn't...The little hairs on the back of her neck rose and so did her temper.

"Ron." Her voice was stern and her face mirrored her tone. She set the book aside on the armrest and lifted her legs to jostle his head, "Ron!"

"Mmm-ah wha-what happened?" Ron jolted awake from his dream, disoriented and obviously flustered.

Hermione sighed heavily and shook her head slightly, "Go to bed. It's late." She tried to keep the anger out of her voice. It wasn't like he could help it...it was a dream...it's not like one had any control over them. Still, she didn't want him having them with his head in her lap. It just felt...wrong. She shivered despite herself and gave his head a small push to help him on his way. "Go. Out." She pushed him again as he came to sit up properly.

"I'm going...I'm going..." Ron rubbed his eyes for a moment to clear them before shifting his legs, obviously uncomfortable in his current state. "G'night... Don't stay up too late..." He pushed himself up like a zombie and started to shuffle towards his room.

Hermione watched him go with a sharp eye. It wasn't until she heard the soft click of his door shutting did she let out the breath she'd been holding. Officially distracted from her book now, she let out a sharp huff and placed her bookmark inside. It was getting late and she had her test tomorrow first thing in the morning. She turned her head towards the desk that held her new journal that was already becoming full with the copious amounts of notes she'd taken.

Her time inside the records vault had proved to be most rewarding though she wasn't quite ready to share what information she'd gathered just yet. She wanted to take it to McGonagall first, she of all those living might have more insight into the man of who she sought. She just hoped the woman would be cooperative.

She had found considerable information on different estates, the long line of ancestors in the Prince line leading all the way back to the 1600s. The family was impressive in its own rights. The first ever legilimens to ever expose their gifts to the wizarding world. They were renowned for their ability to see not just into others minds but the future as well. It was a rather impressive history if she did say so her self. She had only made it up to the early 1900s when her shift had ended.

Like all Pure-blooded families in the vault. Their shelves didn't just contain names and files of those in the family but also large books about their lives. Anything they may have accomplished to aid—or harm—the wizarding world. It appeared to have been the old way things had been kept, as most of the birth and death records had been handwritten in large books with magically expanding pages. It had been an exceptionally fascinating experience.

The clock on the wall chimed softly and she gave a small stretch. She rubbed the warm spot on her thigh where Ron had been, trying to erase the feeling. Why did it seem like everyone but she was able to find pleasure in the smallest moments? Was there something wrong with her?

A small furrow marred her brow as she pushed herself up. She shook her head to clear it but the thought still lingered in the back of her mind. She'd, of course, explored her body at least once or twice when she'd been home alone over the summer holidays. It was only natural for her to do so. She could recall doing just that after their fourth year. The small kiss Viktor had given her after the dance having sparked a small curiosity. She hadn't gotten very far, her mind had been too busy, too focused on other things. Like now. Her NEWTS were tomorrow. She felt exceptionally silly to even ponder the thought. A sad sigh left her chest as she dragged herself towards her room. Would she ever feel normal again?

oOo

"That concludes the test. If all of you will please bring your parchments to the front and place them here."

Hermione came to her feet slowly. The entire world seemed to lift off of her shoulders at once leaving her a bit light headed but extremely satisfied. She turned her head when Neville came to stand beside her a soft smile on his face. He among at least ten others had come to take the test. Even Malfoy had come. He was the only one from the Slytherin house who had. He hadn't said a word to anyone and had kept to the very back possibly hoping to stay invisible. Every time Hermione had tried to look his direction he had found the floor suddenly more fascinating.

His family had been pardoned for their role in the war thanks to Harry, a fact she'd only come to know today when she'd heard a few of the other students commenting on it. The final battle was still a mystery to her but at least she knew that he'd survived. He looked well enough, perhaps a bit thinner than he should be but otherwise alright.

"Miss Granger?"

Hermione snapped out of her headspace to hand over her test. A small blush of embarrassment highlighting her features. Headmistress McGonagall gave her a kind smile. "I can see you now."

"Thank you Prof- I mean Headmistress." Hermione slowly came to her side giving one passing glance to Neville who was sure to be going to see Luna. He had told her that she had started walking again without any help. She definitely wouldn't be running any marathons but she could navigate stairs without risk of injury. Everyone was moving on.

"Minerva, please. How have you been Miss Granger?"

"I'm...well. I've moved out with Ron and I've gotten a small job at the ministry."

"I heard you had a bit of a difficult start after... everything."

"It's...better now." Hermione gave her a small glance. She had always admired her head of house for the amount of restraint and strength she portrayed. She had hoped that one day she could be so respected. Though that dream had since faded.

oOo

"Hey, Neville! How'd the test go?"

"Easier than I thought it'd be. I'm just glad its over." Neville leaned back in the booth with Luna tucked comfortably to his side nibbling away at their small serving of chips.

"Hello, Ron. Harry." Luna adjusted just a little so she could be more easily seen around Neville's chest. The boys gave her a small wave and smile coming sit down across from them.

"Hey, Luna. You're looking better."

"Feel better too, though I think there may be a niffler living under Neville's Grandmother's house."

Neville smiled softly and kissed the top of her head, "I set the chocolate coins out this morning. Hopefully, he'll be asleep by the time we get back and we can put him someplace safe."

Ron and Harry shared a small look but decided not to comment. Ron shifted a little and pulled out a worn out paper from his pocket.

"Hey, so you know Hermione's birthday is coming up right?" Harry glanced at his friend but turned away to address Luna and Neville.

"She's going to 19 right?" Neville shifted to try and see the paper Ron had taken from his pocket.

"20." Harry stole a chip from the basket, "Time Turner, 3rd year."

"Man, you guys always had the best adventures." Neville pouted slightly before resting on his arms. "You thinking of throwing a big party?"

"Nothing too big, but I'd like to invite everyone I can. Ginny has already asked for special leave that weekend from McGonagall and I think she's going to give it to her. You could probably come too Luna if she says yes."

Luna smiled softly and nodded her head before looking down at the paper Ron had, "What's that Ron?"

"It was supposed to be my present to Hermione... the only problem is she's allergic to one of the ingredients. I was hoping either of you might have some ideas?" He pushed the paper across the table taking a chip for himself.

"What ingredient?" Neville let Luna look at the paper first. Though he had never been all that skilled at potions as a soon to be Herbology Apprentice he did have extra knowledge about magical ingredients.

"Pearl Dust."

All heads and brows rose, turning toward the redhead with varying degrees of concern. Harry had only known that Ron was trying to impress Hermione with his ability to do something complicated without her help. He hadn't actually seen the potion himself yet. He was also unaware that he had already attempted to give her a small dose. He recognized the ingredient from their sixth-year potions class and a small stone of worry was starting to form in his stomach.

Neville was aware of the ingredients' hallucinogenic properties. A difficult and heavily regulated substance outside of educational institutions he wondered where he would even get such an ingredient. He hadn't taken potions for his sixth or seventh year and thus hadn't made the same connection that Harry had.

Luna had only looked at him briefly before her mind had turned elsewhere. She recognized the ingredient from something she had read recently. Though she couldn't recall the source and was cycling through her thoughts to try and remember.

"What?" Ron let out a nervous if clueless chuckle.

"Ron, you're not trying to make a...a love potion are you?" Harry gave him a most disappointed look filled with a small bit of anger that his friend would do something so despicable.

"What?! No!" Ron sputtered looking down at the paper, "It's supposed to help you relax! I swear!" Harry shook his head as though he didn't believe him and he could feel his face growing hot. "The title's gone but I swear it said Mind Easing Potion! I got it from one of the old potion textbooks in the library at Grimmauld place!"

"Was it a green bound book?" Luna shifted to look into her bag, "With gold letters?"

Ron relaxed marginally, for once glad that Luna was there. "Yes, yes it was. Do you know it?"

"Ron." Harry's tone had gone sharp, and his eyes had narrowed thinking back to the horrible rash Hermione had had for days after she'd gone out with Ron to the movies. "Did you already try to make this potion?"

"I think I have the book actually..." Luna's words bifurcated the boy's dangerous tension but Harry put up his hand to stop her from speaking any further until Ron answered his question.

"I gave her three drops." He held up his fingers to accent his point but Harry was already coming to his feet. "She was just so stressed from studying for the NEWTS test, I just wanted her to enjoy the night off! I didn't think she'd get sick! I didn't know she was allergic!" Ron was scrambling back both verbally and physically as Harry came closer. The fear and shame appearant on his face while Harry looked murderous.

"You are beyond dense!" Harry grabbed the taller boys shirt, his hand curling tight into a fist. Neville had come to his feet as well but it was only to keep Harry from doing something regrettable. "She's been struggling to even remember to eat every day and your bright idea to help her is to make her mind even worse!? She was scratching for days! Thank Merlin Ginny accidentally walked in on her after her shower! Do you know how hard it was for us to get her to even see a healer?! Have you lost all sense?! It's a wonder you can even tie your shoes in the morning!"

Neville winced when Ron cowered back even further. His eyes shining with tears, it was clear to Neville that the teen hadn't meant to do her any harm. That his heart had been in the right place even if his head wasn't anywhere close.

"I...I was just trying to help her...If Snape could do it...why couldn't I?" His voice wavered with the tears that choked his throat.

"Found it..." Luna set the book down on the table gently. Her eyes turning up to the boys all ready to explode like a powder keg, it was a miracle that the pub was empty save from them, otherwise, the fight very well would have made the front page.

"You'd be lucky to be a quarter of the man Snape was!" Harry's voice had gone dangerously low. He couldn't even begin to understand his friend's logic. In the far corner of his mind, he wondered if this was how his Godfather had felt when he'd found out that Pettigrew was the reason his parents were dead.

A heavy tension was building in the space. There was a small pause where everyone held their breath, then—like the sudden backfire of a car—Harry's fist shot out sending Ron instantly to the floor.

oOo

"This castle is gorgeous." Hermione ran her fingers over the large ancient book in front of her. Her eyes sparkling with wonder. "Is it still standing?"

"That I can't answer. Though I'm sure very few outside of this room even know where its located. I myself am not entirely sure where it is."

"Do you think he would go there?" Hermione turned the page slowly and carefully looking at the next image of a beautifully breathtaking ballroom. She scanned the underwriting for any clues as to where the castle might have built.

"I honestly couldn't say." Minerva looked over her desk sadly. "Severus was...a private man..." This war had been so hard on her, not just for the children who had been lost but for what had been stolen from those left behind. The light inside Hermione was gone, though she appeared functional on the outside Minerva knew it was only a matter of time before the girl would collapse under the hidden pressure. She desperately wanted to help her, she just didn't have the answers the girl sought.

"You can take that with you if you'd like. There really isn't a need here for it anymore."

"Really?" Hermione looked up with wide eyes, "Are you sure?"

"I know it will be in good hands." Minerva gave her a kind smile.

oOo

"You have three days Ron, after that. I'll tell her everything." Harry pushed himself away from Ron's prone and pathetic form. His eyes turning to Neville and Luna for a long moment before he turned to make his way out of the pub. Aberforth looked on silently from behind the counter curious but also smart enough to keep his mouth shut.

Neither Luna nor Neville helped Ron up, rather they gathered their things quietly paying Aberforth for the chips on the way out. Once they were outside Neville looked down at Luna who had kept the book and Ron's paper. Still quietly comparing the two. They walked on through the town for a little while before Neville found the courage to ask.

"What kind of potion was it?"

Luna shifted the book over to his hands for him to read for himself, "Well...It wasn't a love potion..."

Neville looked down the page, his brow furrowing and his feet coming to a stop. "This...this is definitely illegal..."

"Mm...maybe now, but it used to be very popular in the 1920s. See?" Luna pointed to the bottom of the page, "Apparently it does actually help with stress. Though...the side-effects..."

"Yeah...I don't think he read far enough..."

Luna nodded slightly, "It was probably a good thing she was allergic to it...I can't imagine what that could have been like if it had actually gotten into her system..."

"Yeah...small favors..." Neville looked down at the bottom of the page. The potion was listed in the book for its historical usage, it wasn't actually meant to be a guide on how to brew it. At least, in Luna's copy. It only listed the ingredients, not the method of which to brew them. Explaining that the potion had been meant at one-time to be a medicinal potion, something to help victims of extreme trauma to sort of escape reality for a while. Neville could read between the lines as to what that meant but he was almost completely certain Ron hadn't understood what it meant at all. To put it bluntly, it was a hallucinogenic potion, it would leave the drinker in a sort of stoned bliss without the ability to really think or in some cases, unable to even move. Just sort of leaving them in an artificial paradise.