**A/N: This story was originally about 15 chapters, but I lost everything after Chapter 2 to a computer virus. So I will be writing as fast as possible, hope you enjoy! Also, I own nothing - just write for fun :)

The years flew by for them both. Hermione, wrapped up in her adventures with Harry and Ron, was barely able to keep up with anything other than her schoolwork. She kept excellent marks in her classes - even potions, which was surprising to her. Snape may not have been the warmest of people but she expected some sort of feedback from him.

Her first year with him she had been labeled a know-it-all. She had been the foolish girl who tried to battle the mountain troll and, unbeknownst to him, had set fire to his robes when they suspected him of hexing Harry's broom. She received only grunts when presenting her perfect brews and though she learned to accept it, she still craved his approval more and more as time went on.

Her second year she was the fool who broke into Snape's store rooms for Polyjuice Potion ingredients, and then turned herself into a cat. His smirk when he came to give counter potions said it all. He thought she was a silly little girl.

Year three they all saw another side of Snape. Sirius Black had been on the run and everyone, including her, thought he was a monster. She had learned from Snape's cryptic lessons while he substitute taught Defense classes that Lupin was a werewolf, found that Snape would come to their rescue - first (perhaps selfishly) at the Shrieking Shack and then again from being hurt by the transformed Lupin.

As silly as it was, she still remembered that moment. The terror upon seeing Lupin transform and turn his hungry gaze towards them still made her shiver. But Snape suddenly leaped in front of them, shielding them from his attack. She had never expected him to do so. She could still feel his hand on her hip as he threw himself forward; still feel his hard muscles through his robes when they fell together.

The Triwizard Tournament in year four had been quite the experience. Keeping up with her schoolwork while helping Harry and keeping that vile Skeeter woman off her back had been hard enough to handle, but she also had the unexpected romance with Viktor Krum. It was distracting and fun but she realized by the time he left that he was not the wizard for her. So much had happened that year, it left her reeling.

The last two years were a blur. With Voldemort back, the Order, the DA, Umbridge… it was truly amazing that she was able to keep her marks up. She was surprised to find Snape was a member of the Order, and felt a pull towards him knowing he was on their side. Then the unthinkable happened and Dumbledore was killed at his hand. She, Harry and Ron began running and she began to doubt his real loyalties.

A romance bloomed with Ron and they shared their first kiss in the Chamber of Secrets. He was cute, funny and her best friend. The near death experiences drew them together and she was happy. The war was tough on them all, she was sure they would not make it - and many did not. But the loss of Snape was one she hadn't expected.

Lingering outside while they heard Nagini's attack had been torturous. But to enter and see him bleeding out, sharing his memories with Harry and then stilling broke her heart. She didn't want to leave him, but Ron pulled her along with Harry. That night had been the longest she could remember.

Severus stared out the window, memories fading in and out, Hermione in all of them. Thinking how foolish she was fighting the troll, being impressed that she figured out his potion test guarding the stone, holding back laughter as he saw her as a cat…

He remembered feeling her arm on his when they fell outside of the Shrieking Shack, watching her walk down the steps in her beautiful dress at the Yule Ball down to that scum Viktor Krum… he remembered sharing many stolen glances with her that year, even a blush or two appeared on her cheeks as she met his glance. Seeing her occasionally at Grimmauld Place was the only thing that made the year with Umbridge bearable.

And then all hell broke loose and things crumbled around him. He made the Unbreakable Vow and spoke with Dumbledore. The year passed incredibly slowly knowing what was coming, and eventually the day came when he killed his friend and colleague for his Godson. He did not see Hermione again for almost a year. Being Headmaster, working so frequently with Voldemort, the guilt and the lack of her was terrible. He knew the end was coming and prepared the best he could. He was almost happy when he saw Harry and Hermione appear out of nowhere. He was not surprised when McGonagall began throwing hexes at him. He blocked them all and then fled, knowing it was now time to retreat to the Dark Lord.

During the battle he kept his distance. He watched from afar until he heard Voldemort's voice calling him. He had known this moment was coming and had prepared himself but wished desperately he could see her face one more time. After meeting Voldemort and being attacked he was thankful that Harry found him and he could give him his memories. He also was able to catch a glimpse of Hermione. Though it was all wrong, he thought, her face was full of sorrow and tears streamed down her face. She shouldn't cry for him, he wasn't worth it. Then everything went black.

By some miraculous event, Kingsley had found him shortly after the attack. He checked for a pulse and barely felt a flutter. He quickly apparated him to St. Mungo's and then returned to the fight. Thankfully for Severus, the anti-venom potion he took during the battle had worked just enough to keep him alive until the healers started working on him. It was a fight, and they had to work for hours, but they were able to save him, leaving just a jagged scar across his neck.

He lay in his hospital bed for days under supervision. Kingsley was often there, partially for support but mainly as a Ministry Official keeping an eye on him. They were not taking his role with the Dark Lord lightly. He didn't blame them, he had done unspeakable things. Every day in his bed, he relived his transgressions in his mind, and tried to keep thoughts of Hermione at bay. Once he had heard the nurse say a girl had come to visit but was turned away by Kingsley. He dared not hope that it was her coming to see him.

Finally he was told they would be moving him to Azkaban during his trials. He knew that it was a possibility but it still hit him hard. On his last day, he sat in a chair beside the window, trying to prepare himself for the journey.

"Professor Snape?" A soft voice sounded behind him. He froze instantly, knowing that voice well. He slowly turned his head and saw her standing a few feet away, absent mindedly rubbing her left arm. He warmed to her; wishing he could take her in his arms, hold her to him until he had to leave. Though she was not his student anymore, she was still so young, too young for him. Yet, something drew him to her.

She approached him carefully and sat beside him. She looked down at her hands and he noticed she kept tugging her sleeve down. She looked tired and there was sadness in her eyes that hadn't been there before. The war had taken a toll on her.

She looked up and his breath caught when he saw her eyes were full of tears.

"I'm so glad you're alright. I - we were all so worried." Her voice shook as she spoke and he couldn't stop his hand reaching up and wiping away a tear that fell down her cheek. She looked down quickly and started to wring her hands.

"So many died. Lupin, Tonks, even Fred Weasley. It was terrible… so terrible." He reached for her hand but she pulled away and stood.

"I…I'm seeing Ron Weasley. He really needs someone at the moment. I just wanted to see you for myself and make sure you were alright." She finally met his gaze again and he saw something in her gaze. They just stood and stared at each other for a few moments until Kingsley announced it was time for her to go.

"Thank you for coming Ms. Granger." He said and dropped his gaze first.

"Please, call me Hermione." She said. He looked up quickly but she was already walking out of the room. His heart fluttered. Could it be that she had feelings for him as well?

A/N: Just wanted to mention - I apologize if I make it sound like Snape lusted after Hermione at 11, 12, 13... I did not mean whatsoever to imply he had feelings for her until about year 5 or so. Remembering her hand on his arm is merely meant as an interpretation of how neglected he'd been throughout his life. That small moment in which someone actually touched him left an impression- not a sexual one though. Admiring her in her dress is simply the very beginning of a growing attraction to him. Again, not meant to be lusting after her with that statement. Sorry if that was all very unclear!