Denouement (Snamione) **On Going**

Chapter 2

"Hermione, you look upset. Is it Ron?" Harry asked sadly, taking a seat next to her on a courtyard Bench. "Partly, I just feel so guilty towards everyone I chose not to save. Ronald hates me and do you know what? I can't blame him." Hermione sighed.

"I think you would feel the same no matter who you brought back. You needed to make a decision, and you did. I know you well enough to know you didn't play a game of 'you are not it' to make your choice. You had your reasons.  Please stop beating yourself up over it." Harry told the witch with insistence.

"You're right Harry, I know..." she smiled gently, but it was as half hearted as you would imagine. "Why did you choose Professor Snape though? If you don't mind me asking.." Harry asked. He felt comfortable enough to ask without Ron around.

"I had a few reasons Harry.. and I don't want to go into them all, but one reason is that he died protecting my best friend." Hermione replied, she couldn't tell him her other reasons.. not yet.
"He did, I can't believe i spent all those years hating him.." Harry replied sadly.

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Hermione was in the great hall that was now fixed, the original grandior remained missing. It was as if the whole castle, where damaged, looked like a patched up piece of crockery.
She sat alone at the far end of the Gryffindor table, She knew Harry wanted to sit with her but he had to stand by Ron.
So as she sat alone, she ate slowly. Her head engrossed in a muggle book based on grieving.

Had everyone forgotten she too had lost during the war? both her parents were gone and she was still struggling to cope with being alone.
"Nice book Hermione, maybe me, George and Ginny could borrow it after you're done with it?" Ron sneered from 10 seats down. A disturbing amount of distain in his watery dull eyes.

Hermione sighed, she felt every muscle in her body contract quickly as she winced. She looked at Ron sadly, guiltily, and desperately. He used to be her Ronald.. now he was just a part of her past.

"Miss Granger dear, do you think you could spare me a few moments of your time? and join me in my office?" Professor McGongall smiled warmly, a smile that was most appreciated by the saddened witch.

"Of course." Hermione replied with her usual teachers pet cheer. She watched as the old witch walked towards the doors turining into a cat as she slunk from the hall.
'I wonder what that is about?' She wondered to herself, taking the last few mouthfuls of her meal and following after the witch with great haste.

Once in the headmasters office, she took a seat opposite her head of house. "I think I can call you Hermione now don't you think?" McGonagall smiled at the young woman sat before her. "Of course Professor!" Hermione beamed, her toothy grin nearly as bright as it used to be.

"Minerva... call me Minerva dear. It has come to my attention that you seem to be visiting Professor Snape regularly? Is there a reason for this?" McGonagall asked with an arched brow. "I chose to save him, as you already know. I think it's my duty to support him during his recovery." She answered simply.

"I see... well, anyway I have a slight proposition for you." McGonagall began, pushing for a moment before continuing. "I don't know if you're aware, but after the summer break Professor Slughorn wishes to retire. Now, I know you planned on taking work at the ministry but you do have a mind for teaching.. would you be interested in taking over Professor Snape's classes until he resumes his position?"

"Wow, I... teaching potions! that would be a dream come true for me. Minerva, what will happen to me once he is able to teach again? I'll have no job.." Hermione asked sceptically. "You will work as an assistant until the following year." McGonagall explained. "Until the next year?" "Hermione i am old, and very tired. I wish to retire.. we will need a new transfiguration teacher, and Gryffindor will need a head of house." The woman smiled teasingly. "MERLINS BEARD! Oh my! This is... I have no words Minerva!!!" Hermione cried with tears of happiness.

"Nothing is set in stone Hermione, you might change your mind after teaching potions for a while.. I fear you might run from teaching.. the students are becoming even bigger handfuls as the years pass." The headmaster joked.

"I really appreciate this opportunity Minerva, thank you." Hermione smiled, getting up to leave. "I wouldn't tell Severus just yet dear.." McGonagall snorted, secretly she couldn't wait to see her old colleagues scowl.