School had begun. Classes were going as smoothly as they could, and Hermione had only found 3 first years accidentally locked in a broom closet.

Her classes went well. She enjoyed her older students (especially the ravenclaws) because they seemed to be excelling wonderfully in the art of charms.

Hermione loved her life here, it was perfect. She was doing what she loved with the man that she loved, but she felt like there was something missing. She couldn't put her finger on it, so she tried to brush it away, but that was proving to be a difficult task.

Ginny came to visit often because professor McGonagall let her use the quidditch pitch for practicing. Sometimes Harry would come along with her but the auror office kept him quite busy.

At night, she and Hermione would sit in front of the fire talking and laughing for hours while Severus stayed hidden in the bedroom.

Ron was always a sensitive subject for them but ginny brought him up frequently. "Maybe if you too just had a real conversation again things could go back to the good old days."

"Ginny, I've tried. He doesn't want to. He'll always be bitter towards my marriage and I've come to accept it."

"He's grown up! I think."

"I think you should just leave it be. Ron can come to me when he's ready."

This would usually end the subject, but sometime Ginny would drag on more leaving Hermione uncomfortable, but she listened and nodded whenever there was a pause.

After Ginny left, Hermione would sit at the desk in the corner of the sitting room grading papers until late at night when Severus would come out and force her to go to bed.

In the middle of September, at breakfast, hermione was sitting beside Severus poking at her oatmeal with her spoon. While other students were receiving letters and packages, an owl swooped in and sat in front of Hermione and dropped an envelope in front of her. She recognized this owl as the one she had given to her parents a few years earlier so they could write her as often as they pleased.

She picked up the envelope and opened it slowly, noticing a few tear stains around the edges.

Her mothers handwriting was smudged and somewhat illegible but Hermione tried her hardest to make it out.

Hermione,
I have some bad news. Dad has gotten very sick suddenly and the doctors don't think he'll make it much longer. Please come home if you can. He keeps asking for you. If Severus can make it too, that would mean the world to him. Hurry darling, we don't have much time.
-Mum

Hermione stared at the letter for several minutes. Severus had not noticed the contents, he just stared out at students as he usually did and was taken back when Hermione quickly exited the great hall without a word.

He tried to follow her, but she had broken into the run once out in the hallways.

"Professor snape!" He called after her. She was heading towards the dungeons and he slowed knowing she might need a moment.

Once her got into their quarters, he found Hermione in the bedroom packing a small suitcase with both of their clothes and tears quickly flowing down her face.

"Severus grab your toothbrush." She rubbed her face and ran into the bathroom grabbing her makeup bag.

"Hermione what's going on?"

"I've already got clothes for three days. That's should be enough for you. If it takes longer than that, you can come back."

"If what happens?"

"Now I can't find your shampoo. Did you run out?"

Severus walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder but she walked away in pursuit of her hairbrush and clips.

The letter lay next to the suitcase and he gingerly picked it up reading the smudged handwriting. "Oh my god."

He walked again to her and closed his hands tightly on both shoulders. She struggled to move but he wouldn't let her.

"Severus let go."

"Hermione?"

"No Severus we need to go and talk to McGonagall and go. We don't have time."

His voice was softer this time. "Hermione, please."

She turned to look at him. Her face was streaked with tears and her eyes were red and puffy. He pulled her into his chest and she began to sob hysterically. She began to lose strength in her legs and he sunk down to the floor and held her. She rubbed her back and held her hand. They say for what felt like forever before her cries became less frequent and she began taking deep breaths.

"I'm going to lose my dad."

"Sh" Severus said wiping her cheeks and kissing her forehead. "It's alright darling. You finish packing and I'll go talk to Minerva."

"No, please don't leave me." She pushed her face into his chest again and he held her. They didn't speak. He just held her.