"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 13 Thanking Snape
A/N: I own none of these characters, so don't come looking for money.
Thank you to all who have read and to all who have reviewed. A word to those who have reviewed: I have been amazed at the wonderful reviews that I have received. I wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate it, and let you know that you are the reason I keep doing this. Thank you.
When Harry and Hermione arrived at Hogwarts, they thanked Mr. Weasley and bid him goodbye. Arm in arm, they made their way up to Gryffindor Tower. Upon arriving at the portrait Harry gave the password and it opened, allowing them entry. The common room, to their relief, was completely deserted. They went over to their favorite place, the couch by the fire, and sat down.
Still concerned about what Mr. Weasley had said earlier, Hermione asked,
"Harry, tell me what happened. Why did Professor Snape make the potion I'm taking? What did Mr. Weasley mean by 'in the nick of time'?"
Looking at Hermione, Harry took a deep breath, and told her everything that had happened, he kept nothing back. He held her close when her tears came and he paused when his own tears flowed down his cheeks. When he finished, they sat there for a long time tightly holding on to each other for comfort.
After several minutes Hermione finally broke the silence, "Harry, we need to see Professor Snape. We need to tell him how grateful we are that he saved my life and our future together"
"I agree love, but, I think we should bring Professor Dumbledore with us. I don't think Professor Snape would talk to us unless the headmaster was there," said Harry.
"We'll plan to see him tomorrow. We can talk to Professor Dumbledore after lunch," said Hermione.
"Yes, tomorrow," agreed Harry.
He leaned over and gently kissed Hermione, and they stayed on the couch until they fell asleep in each other's arms.
They woke next morning to bright sunlight streaming through the windows of the common room. Slowly, they untangled themselves from each other. Harry stretched, trying to get the kinks out of his stiff, sore body. Must have been the awkward angle I slept in, he thought.
"Feel up to a spot of breakfast Miss Granger?" asked Harry playfully.
"That sounds wonderful, but, I need to go change clothes. I can't show up in public with these old wrinkled clothes from where we, um, hmmm, slept together last night," said Hermione with a mischievous look in her eye.
Harry returned her gaze with one of feigned shock saying, "Oh scandalous!"
They smiled at each other considering what she had implied, then they both hurried upstairs to their respective dorms to freshen up and change. They met back in the common room, exited the portrait, and headed to the Great Hall.
Harry had forgotten just how hungry he was since he couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten a decent meal. He put away several helpings of eggs, sausage, bacon, and toast, washing it all down with large amounts of pumpkin juice. He noticed that Hermione was putting away her fair share of food also, but with everything she had been through he wasn't going to make any smart comments. She needed to build up her strength.
Harry glanced up at the staff table and observed the usual compliment of teachers, however, he noticed that Professor Snape was conspicuously absent, as he was probably still grading test papers. Professor Dumbledore was there, in his usual spot, at the head of the table.
"Hermione, if you still want me to, I'll go talk to the headmaster about going with us to see Professor Snape," said Harry softly.
"Yes, I would still like to talk to him. He gave me back my life and my future with you, Harry. I need to tell him how grateful I am," said Hermione.
"I do too, Hermione. If it hadn't been for him, I would have lost you" said Harry.
When they had finished breakfast, they went to talk to Professor Dumbledore, who was still at the staff table conversing with Professor McGonagall. As they approached the table, many of the teachers greeted Hermione. They let her know how glad they were to see her back and that she was doing better. She blushed slightly from all of the attention. Harry walked over and addressed Professor Dumbledore.
"Sorry to interrupt Professor, but could we have a word with you sir?" asked Harry.
"Of course, Harry," answered Dumbledore.
He looked back at the staff table saying, "If you will excuse me."
He quietly rose from the table and joined the couple.
"How do you feel Miss Granger? You look like you are back to your old self again," enquired the headmaster.
"I feel fine, Professor," she said with a smile.
"Good, good. Now, what can I do for you two?" asked the headmaster.
"Sir, we would like to go see Professor Snape. We want to thank him for working so hard on the potion and for saving Hermione's life, but we would like for you to go with us. If we go alone, we don't think he would talk to us. He probably wouldn't even let us in the office," said Harry.
"I understand your concern. Professor Snape stayed up almost three days straight working on the potion for Miss Grange, which caused him to get even further behind in grading his test papers. It is possible he could be a little put out about that, but, I think this is a good idea that you want to tell Severus how you feel, and in his own way, he will appreciate it. If you like, we can go now," said the headmaster.
"Okay. We had originally thought about going after lunch, but now is fine. Is that okay with you?" Harry asked looking over at Hermione.
She nodded.
As they made their way to the dungeons, Harry noticed the odors from the other day were gone and it was back to being cool and clammy like it normally was. On arriving at Professor Snape's office, the headmaster knocked firmly on the door. There was a momentary pause then the door slowly opened. There stood Professor Snape, more appropriately dressed, looking like his old self. He also paid more attention to who was at the door this time.
"Ah, Headmaster, come in," said Professor Snape.
He hadn't noticed Harry and Hermione standing behind Professor Dumbledore.
"I'm still very busy grading my N.E.W.T.'s. Taking almost three days to brew Miss Granger's potion has put me severely behind schedule, not that it wasn't a worthwhile endeavor, but I still have quite a bit of work to do. I trust the potion is working satisfactorily?" enquired Professor Snape.
"Severus, I believe I will let Mr. Potter and Miss Granger answer that question," said the headmaster.
At that moment, Harry and Hermione stepped out from behind the headmaster. They had expected the potions master to be upset, but he just stood there with a confused, awkward look on his face.
"Severus, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger have a few things they want to say to you, but they had the notion that you wouldn't see them unless I accompanied them here," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Well, uh, I, no," stammered Professor Snape slightly flustered.
Harry spoke first.
"Professor Snape, I want to thank you for what you did for Hermione. I don't know if you can understand this, but I love Hermione. She is my reason for living and I almost lost that reason. If it hadn't been for you, she would have died. I want you to know I will always be eternally grateful for what you did,"
Harry could see the uncomfortable look on Professor Snape's face, but he slowly approached the potions master and extended his right hand. For a moment Professor Snape looked like he wasn't sure what to do. However, he finally extended his own hand and shook Harry's.
"Very well Mr. Potter," said the potions master.
If Professor Snape was awkward and uncomfortable with Harry, it was magnified a thousand times when Hermione approached him.
She looked him straight in his dark eyes and said softly,
"Professor Snape, I too would like to thank you for what you did for me. There are no words I can use to express my gratitude for what you have done. You have given me back my life and my future with Harry. I will be eternally indebted to you."
A single tear slid down Hermione's cheek, and before Professor Snape could react, Hermione had approached him and given him a quick hug.
"Miss Granger, is this really necessary? I'm very busy, as I need to finish grading my N.E.W.T.'s. If you two see fit to bother me again, I will take fifty points each from Gryffindor," said Professor Snape, sounding more like his old self.
"What for?" asked Harry, his anger rising.
"For both of you being insufferable know-it-alls. You both got top marks on your Potions N.E.W.T.'s," said the potions master.
Professor Snape stalked off to his desk, stuck his face in a test, and completely ignored them.
Professor Dumbledore motioned to them that they should leave. They quietly exited Professor Snape's office, headed out of he dungeons, and worked their way back towards the Gryffindor common room. Once they were in the corridor Hermione let out a squeal.
"Harry, this is wonderful!" she cried. She threw her arms around Harry and hugged him so tightly, he had to remind her to loosen her grip or she would suffocate him.
"Sorry, I'm just so happy for you. You needed high marks on Potions to help you get into the Auror program. I know that's what you wanted to do after school," said Hermione just beaming at him.
What she said made him realize school was almost over and real life would soon begin. He really needed to talk to Hermione about their future.