His Future

The Spell and the Reunion

As the stairs carried them upward, Severus couldn't shake the words Black had spoken. The dark incantation echoed in his mind:

'Perficere animam meam.' With his extensive knowledge of Latin, Severus murmured to himself, barely audible, "To complete my soul."

Hermione, who had been walking in silence beside him, glanced up at the whisper. "What?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Severus' expression hardened slightly as he repeated, "The spell Black cast. Perficere animam meam."

Hermione's breath caught, and she instinctively covered her mouth with her free hand. "Sirius used that on you?" Her voice trembled slightly. "How could he...?" She trailed off, looking down at the floor, her mind racing through everything she had ever read about that spell.

Severus squeezed her hand tightly. "Do you know what it means?" he asked quietly, his voice thick with the weight of his own confusion.

Before Hermione could respond, the stairs stopped, and they reached the door to the Headmistress' office. To Hermione's surprise, it was already ajar. Minerva McGonagall stood behind her desk, her back to them, and she turned with a warm smile as they entered.

"Hermione, dear! What a lovely surprise," she greeted them, her voice filled with affection. She stood and walked forward to embrace the young witch.

After the war, Minerva had become more than a mentor to Hermione—she had taken her in as a mother would after Hermione's parents died in a tragic accident. Their bond had deepened, and their relationship now mirrored that of a mother and daughter.

But when Minerva enveloped her in a hug, Hermione hesitated. She only returned the embrace with one arm, her thoughts distant. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Minerva pulled back slightly, her eyes narrowing with concern as she studied Hermione's face. "What is it?" she asked, her tone softer now.

Hermione hesitated for a moment, then gestured to the couch. "Please, sit down, Minnie," she said, guiding her towards the seating area. Minerva complied, but her gaze remained fixed on Hermione.

It didn't take long for Minerva to notice the way Hermione's right hand was clenched, her fingers seemingly wrapped around something she was holding. A small smile tugged at Hermione's lips as she sat down beside Minerva.

"I found the most marvelous thing today in the Potions classroom," Hermione began, her voice warm but guarded. "However, before I reveal it to you, I need you to clarify a few things for me."

Minerva, ever patient, nodded. "Of course, Hermione. What do you need to know?"

Hermione took a deep breath, steadying herself. "What are the three most important people in your life... and their bond to you?"

Minerva blinked, her expression shifting slightly. "Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, my life partner. Hermione Jean Granger, my adoptive daughter. Severus Tobias Snape." She paused after saying Severus' name, and her face grew solemn. Hermione felt Severus give her hand a reassuring squeeze and felt the faint brush of his body against hers.

She held his hand firmly, giving him a gentle squeeze in return. "And your relationship to Severus Snape?" she asked softly.

A single tear slipped down Minerva's cheek. "My surrogate son," she answered, her voice thick with emotion. She wiped the tear away hastily, her hands trembling slightly. "What is going on, Hermione?"

Hermione glanced over her shoulder at Severus, sensing his presence just behind her, close but invisible. She nodded to him, a silent cue. Severus, with a flick of his wand, removed the Disillusionment Charm that had cloaked him from view.

In an instant, Severus was there, standing before Minerva McGonagall. He gave her a small nod, his eyes dark but filled with something like understanding.

"Professor," Severus said quietly, his voice carrying an odd mix of deference and wariness.

Minerva's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in shock as she stood abruptly, her hands trembling as she rushed forward. Without a moment's hesitation, she enveloped Severus in a fierce hug. Tears welled up in her eyes as she held him tightly, as if afraid to let him go.

Severus, uncomfortable and unsure of how to respond, stiffened in her embrace. He hesitated before slowly wrapping his free arm around her, feeling the awkwardness of the gesture. Physical affection was not something he was used to, especially not from someone he thought had long since given up on him.

As Minerva continued to hold him, Hermione noticed Severus' discomfort. He wasn't someone who sought affection, especially not from someone who had once been a source of bitterness for him. When Hermione tried to pull away from his side, Severus looked at her with wide, searching eyes and tightened his grip, unwilling to let go.

"Minnie, please don't break the man," Hermione said softly, her voice laced with both amusement and concern. "There's so much we need to discuss."

Minerva pulled back, still holding Severus at arm's length, her hands resting on his shoulders. Her eyes were filled with both love and confusion. "What's happened?" she asked gently. "What's going on, Severus? How are you here?"

Severus cleared his throat, and though his face was still pale, his voice was steadier now. "I... I'm not entirely sure," he admitted, glancing at Hermione for a moment before turning his gaze back to Minerva. "I was... brought here by a spell. I don't know how, but it seems I've traveled from a different time." His eyes narrowed, processing the strange reality of the situation. "Sirius Black cast a spell on me. Perficere animam meam."

Minerva's expression darkened as the words hit her. Her lips parted in disbelief. "Black... he... used that curse on you?"

Severus nodded grimly. "Yes. And it seems I've been transported here, to this time. I... need answers. And I need your help."

Minerva's eyes flicked from Severus to Hermione, and the weight of the situation settled on her shoulders. "Of course," she said softly, standing straighter. "We will figure this out. But first, let's all sit down. We need to understand what's happened and how we can fix it."

Hermione, still holding Severus' hand, gave him a small but encouraging smile. There was much to discuss, but for now, they had each other. And perhaps, for the first time in a long while, there was hope.

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