I own none of the characters mentioned in this story. They all belong to the goddess J.K. Rowling.

This is my very first fanfic, so please let me know what you think of it!

Severus Snape paced through the dimly lit hallway. Left alone with his thoughts, the Potions Professor inwardly sighed toward the moon. He halted for a moment too long, gazing out at the night sky with envy.

Why must the world remain beautiful, forever taunting of my suffering?

With another sigh, Snape moved toward the staircase that led to his quarters in the dungeon. He approached his door with a flick of his wand, and he was inside the cold, damp room that he had learned to call home long ago.

The bed sat in the middle of the room, complete with an emerald green Slytherin bedspread. This was one of the professor's guilty pleasures; he would never tell another soul about how his room was decked out in green with Slytherin Quidditch posters. Not that anyone would ever visit his room, anyway.

Yes, life was unfair. Severus still wasn't quite sure how he survived that last night of the war. After waking up with two snake bite-sized holes in his neck nearly a day later, he jumped to his feet only to realize that he was not a ghost. He then did what any intellectual would do to find answers – he went to the Hogwarts library after a short stop in his room to get cleaned up.

Severus searched and searched for a book that would explain his current predicament. It wasn't that he was necessarily disappointed to be alive. He just wanted to know why.

An old, leather-bound copy of The Ancient Magic of Love caught his attention. Severus found his way to the nearest open table, which wasn't difficult, since all of the students had been sent home after the battle. Even Madam Pince was not here to watch over the library. Hogwarts was practically abandoned, and Severus could only hope that one day, things would go back to normal.

He scanned through the book and stopped on page one hundred. It read:

"Love is one of the most underutilized forms of magic known to the wizarding world. It can defy the very laws of magic, time and space. One of the most notable examples of this powerful emotion is Amoremin Fidem, which provides protection to one facing death. There are no known examples of this phenomenon occurring in nature…"

Severus scoffed. This book was obviously much older than Potter, so it wouldn't have documented Lily Potter's death that protected her son. The thought of Lily no longer set Severus' heart aflame, but there was still a dull tingle. He only wished there was someone to fill the void. But there will never be another Lily.

Hermione Granger sat in the Hogwarts library reading Hogwarts: A History. The book brought back a flood of memories that nearly brought the eighteen-year-old to tears. Suddenly, the flash of a black cloak glided across her periphery. She drew her wand close, the years of countless duels and battles coming back to her. With relief, she realized that it was only Snape lurking about the library.

Wait…Snape?!

He was supposed to be dead! Hermione's eyes bulged at the thought of a ghostly Snape, haunting the halls of Hogwarts forever and terrorizing the Gryffindor students.

Hermione had left the scene of the battle merely twenty-four hours ago. She had spent the night in the Gryffindor Common Room, unbeknownst to Headmistress McGonagall. The girl simply had nowhere else to go. Spending the night in the abandoned Gryffindor room made her realize how very much alone she felt, so she sought comfort in her favorite place – the library.

She had stood beside Snape as he died – or so she thought. As she looked into the eyes of her former Potions Professor, she felt something stir within her. Pity? Remorse? She had no idea, and didn't let herself dwell on the feeling. Now, however, she was faced with confronting Snape, who was very much alive. She wanted to thank him for saving Harry's life countless times, but somehow, "thank you" didn't seem to suffice.

Meanwhile, her heart was beating a million miles an hour, and she felt her face turn red. What is wrong with me?!

Severus looked up from his desk at the first sound of a page turning. Someone else was in the library – he was sure of it. Rounding the corner slowly, he came face-to-face with a blushing Hermione Granger.

They both gasped. "Miss Granger," Snape began, trying to sound as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

"P…Professor Snape," she replied.

The two of them stared at one another for a moment, and an awkward silence followed.

"How did –"

"What –"

They both snapped their mouths shut. Snape stared at Hermione patiently, so she decided to speak first, although she still had no clue what to say.

"Professor, I know it's much too little, too late, but I wanted to thank you for everything you have done. You saved us all by putting yourself at great risk. Everyone thought you were the bad guy, when really, you were protecting us all along. You are…simply amazing. I have the utmost respect for you."

The words came gushing out without censorship. Hermione felt her face redden even deeper when she realized that she had just told Snape that he was amazing. After all the times he insulted her and called her an "insufferable know-it-all," she still thought highly of him. It made Severus' heart quicken to realize that the young witch had such a positive view of him.

"Thank you, Miss Granger," was all he could muster up.

Another awkward silence followed.

"Are you staying at Hogwarts this summer?"

"Yes," the professor drawled out. "Are you?"

"Yes." Hermione thought fleetingly of her obliviated parents. She couldn't go home if she wanted to.

"Very well. Headmistress McGonagall is staying also. So are Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and Hagrid, of course."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief at Hagrid's name. "I don't know of any students at all that are staying. Do you?"

"No. However, if you are the only one here, we must make arrangements accordingly."

"Arrangements, sir?"

"Yes. You will most likely be moved to new quarters if the Gryffindor rooms are empty. It wouldn't do to have a sole student residing on the other side of the castle with no supervision."

This shocked Hermione. "No supervision? Have you forgotten how much I have been through in the last seven years? I believe I am adept enough to sleep on my own! I don't need a babysitter!"

Snape's eyes flickered ever so slightly at the girl's declaration. She was, of course, right. Her battle skills and intellect were more than satisfactory. However, until Hogwarts was deemed safe again, Professor McGonagall would never agree to letting Hermione live on her own.

"We shall see."

At that moment, the headmistress herself strode into the library. "Severus! Hermione!" Her eyes lingered on the former. "Severus, oh dear, I thought the worst…"

"Nay, Professor. Something, or rather, someone, seems to have saved me."

"Saved you? But how?"

"The only way one can escape death as I have is by Amoremin Fidem." Observing the incredulous look on her face, he continued. "I too am astounded. I know of no one that loved me in that moment. In fact, I would venture to say that not many regarded me in a positive way at all." Suddenly, Hermione's speech from earlier dawned on him. Could it be…?

"Well, no matter the cause, I am so grateful to have you back. Potter told me everything." She scooped Severus into a tight hug that surprised him. "Thank you so much, Severus. We are forever grateful."

After a moment, Professor McGonagall seemed to realize that a certain young witch was still in the room. Turning to face Hermione, Professor McGonagall realized that she was in tears.

"Are you alright, dear?"

Hermione simply shook her head and covered her eyes. The headmistress and Snape caught each other's eyes.

"Of course you aren't alright. With what we all just went through, I discern that none of us will be for a while. Come with me, both of you."

Severus followed without protest. Professor McGonagall led them into the Great Hall, which was drearier than Hermione had ever seen it before. "The house elves are still here, of course. We shall eat momentarily."

Hermione wrinkled her nose at the thought of house elves slaving over their meals at a time like this, but she let the thought go. Perhaps there were other things to worry about at the moment.