In Person
Hermione hurriedly placed the Time Turner on its shelf, her eyes darting around the room to ensure everything was as they had left it. Harry kept watch by the door, his wand at the ready. The sands of time continued to whirl within the device, as if eager to return to their proper place in history. With trembling hands, she whispered the incantation to reseal the room, the ancient runes flickering back to life around the doorway.
They stepped into the corridor, the Disillusionment Charm in effect again. The portraits remained asleep, oblivious to their presence as they crept through the deserted halls. The Ministry had a different feel at this hour, the air thick with secrets and unspoken truths. Hermione's heart pounded in her chest with every step they took, the fear of discovery a constant thrum in her ears. The quiet was broken only by the distant echoes of their footsteps, a rhythm that seemed to count down the moments until their escape.
The alleyway was a blessed relief when they reached it, the cool night air a stark contrast to the stifling tension of the Ministry. Hermione took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the scent of the city. The smell of exhaust and rain mixed with the faint tang of magic that always lingered in the air, a comforting reminder that she was still in the world she knew. They apparated with a pop, the familiar jolts of travel through space leaving them momentarily disoriented.
When they landed, they found themselves standing on the soft, dew-kissed grass outside her vacation house. The moon cast a silver glow over the landscape, painting the cottage in a serene light that seemed to mock the turmoil in her heart. The journey back had been fraught with the fear of discovery, every shadow a potential threat, every creak of the floorboards a warning. Yet, here they were, unscathed and holding the fate of a soul in their hands.
With trembling fingers, Hermione reached into her pocket and pulled out a small crystal, the soul bond between her and Severus. It had been a gift from a long-dead witch, a relic that allowed soulmates to find one another, even across vast distances. She held it up, the crystal pulsing with a gentle light, and whispered the incantation that would reveal the truth.
The light grew stronger, and she closed her eyes, focusing all her energy on the bond. A warmth began to spread through her chest, filling her with a sense of peace she hadn't felt since before the war. The light grew so intense she could feel it in her fingertips, a gentle pressure that grew stronger with each passing second. And then, like a sudden gust of wind, she felt it: a pulse, a beat, the unmistakable presence of Severus's soul. He was alive.
Her eyes flew open, and she couldn't contain the sob that escaped her lips. Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as she whispered his name over and over again. The crystal grew warmer, and she heard his voice, faint at first, like an echo in the back of her mind. "Hermione," he murmured, his voice a soft caress that seemed to come from within her very soul. "I'm here."
The words grew clearer, and she clutched the crystal to her chest, the warmth spreading through her body like a healing balm. "Where are you?" she asked, her voice trembling with the hope that he was truly alive.
"Hogwarts," Severus's voice echoed in her mind, faint but unmistakable. "The hospital wing. Poppy says it's a miracle I survived." Hermione felt the weight of his words, the gravity of what they had just done.
Turning to Harry, she whispered, "It worked. He's alive." The words were barely audible, but the joy in her eyes was unmistakable. Harry's face lit up, the tension draining from his features. He pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering his congratulations into her ear. "You did it, Hermione," he said, his voice filled with a mix of amazement and relief.
Severus's voice grew stronger, a testament to the power of their bond. "I knew it was you, Hermione. I felt you, even as the venom took hold. Your love was like a beacon in the dark." The words sent a shiver down her spine, and she tightened her grip on the crystal, her eyes squeezed shut.
"I'm coming to you," she murmured, the words a solemn vow. "I can't stay away anymore. I'll be there soon."
Severus's voice grew weaker, but she heard the smile in his words. "I'll be waiting, my love."
Without another moment's hesitation, Hermione grabbed Harry's arm, the warmth of his touch anchoring her in the present. The crystal still pulsed with the rhythm of Severus's heartbeat, a steady metronome guiding them back to Hogwarts. "We have to go," she urged, her eyes alight with determination.
They apparated in a flash of green light, the Hogwarts' grounds coming into focus around them. The castle loomed tall and majestic, the windows of the hospital wing casting a warm glow into the night. Hermione didn't wait for Harry to catch his breath; she took off at a sprint, her feet barely touching the ground. The path was a blur as she raced towards the beacon of light that represented hope and the possibility of a future she had thought lost.
The doors to the hospital wing swung open with a whisper, and she rushed through the corridor, her eyes searching for the telltale sign of his presence. The smell of herbs and potions filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile emptiness of the Ministry. Madam Pomfrey looked up from her desk, her eyes widening in surprise. Hermione didn't stop; she knew exactly where she needed to be. She reached the curtain to the last bed on the left, and her heart hammered against her ribs.
With a swift motion, she yanked the curtain open and flung herself at Severus, her mouth crushing against his in a desperate, passionate kiss. His body was warm, his breath real, and she could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. The world around them stilled as the kiss grew deeper, their souls entwining once more. Severus's arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly as if he too were afraid she would vanish. The pain of his injuries was evident, but his grip was firm, a testament to the strength of his spirit.
As they broke apart, panting and smiling through their tears, Harry cleared his throat awkwardly from the doorway. "I'm just going to... talk to Poppy," he said, pointing back down the hall. Hermione nodded, her eyes never leaving Severus'. Harry knew when to give them space. With a knowing smile, he stepped out and pulled the curtains closed behind him.
Severus studied her, his eyes searching hers for the truth. "How?" he rasped, the question barely a whisper. Hermione took a deep breath and told him everything—the pain of losing him, the desperation that had driven her to seek Harry's help, the daring break-in at the Ministry. She recounted their frantic return to this moment, the world spinning around them as they stepped through the arch of time.
With every word, his expression softened, the anger and confusion giving way to wonder and, finally, love. "You risked everything," he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion. "For me."
Hermione nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "I couldn't bear the thought of a life without you," she confessed, her voice trembling. "You were my strength, my solace in the darkest times. I had to save you, Severus. Without you, I'm lost."
Severus's gaze softened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing hers once more in a gentle, lingering kiss. "And I," he whispered, "would have done the same for you." His voice was low, filled with a depth of feeling she had never heard before. "If fate had turned against you, I would have torn apart the very fabric of time to save you as well, Hermione."