The longtime member of the Order of the Phoenix and Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, firmly shook my hand before waving me towards a chair, "Snape, please come in."

     "Minister," I greeted him. He was always so lively that no one would notice the tired look in his eyes unless they knew him, and I wondered how bad the situation with the Death Eaters had become.

     "I heard you'd been away for some additional treatment. How are you feeling?"

     "Better."

     Dark-brown eyes ran over me, "What can I do for you?"

     I lifted several newspapers from various publishers I'd brought with me, "I keep seeing the headlines."

     He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly, conveying his exhaustion over the situation, "It's not looking too good in Scotland."

     "If that was the only location it wouldn't be quite as bad. Have you seen the mysterious attacks being mentioned in the muggle newspapers from Russia, Europe, and even Africa?" I tossed the stack of papers onto the desk for him to look at. "The fact that the Dark Lord's followers are causing trouble after his defeat comes as no surprise, but this..." I nodded at the stack. "Not good."

     He seemed to be debating over something before leaning back in his chair, "I have people working around the clock trying to clean up after Voldemort's loyalists, but my hands are full, and I've no more tricks to pull from my hat."

     I nodded, "I'm sure you've been overwhelmed, and I'm not here to chastise you, in fact, I'm here to offer my assistance."

     Shacklebolt looked as if someone had lifted a three-ton boulder off his shoulders while giving me a pearly-white smile. "Thank you, Severus. I'll make sure you're compensated, and you can work whatever case you wish to."

     "There is one thing I'm concerned over, and I believe that if I were to be involved, it might cause some additional trouble."

     "What is it?"

     "I worry that because I wasn't killed by Nagini, many uneducated people will come to the conclusion that it was the reason Potter was able to defeat Voldemort. This makes Hermione Granger a very likely target for the Death Eaters."

     "Has anyone made a threat?" Concern etched his face.

     "Not as far as I know, but I've been out of contact with her for some time now." I wasn't going to tell him that I wanted to owl her but wasn't sure if I should interrupt her studies now that she was back finishing up at Hogwarts. On top of that, she was dating Weasley and even though every fiber of my being felt like it would combust at the idea of him touching her, I needed to behave rationally and respect their relationship.

     Unfortunately, every time I thought about or was reminded of Hermione, I'd feel small daggers scathingly slice and twist around in my chest, knowing I'd never get to kiss her and be able to remember all of it. The taunting image of pulling her mouth to mine was driving me insane because I could only remember that little flash and the taste of strawberries, not how soft her lips were or if her face felt as smooth as it looked.

     On top of that frustration, the images of Bellatrix torturing her, and the emotional exchange of that whole experience was discombobulating, to say the least. To this day, I still couldn't figure out where my emotions had stopped, and hers began.

     Shacklebolt appeared to be reading my mind before nodding and digging into his desk and pulling out a photo. "I'd thought the same thing as soon as Miss. Granger informed me that she'd saved you, and when she told me she was your legal representation, I had them located." He handed me the photograph.

     The picture had captured Wendell, and Monica Granger wandering, hand in hand, through an open-air farmers market somewhere warm, and they looked as if they didn't have a care in the world.

     "Good thinking. I'd planned on asking if you knew their whereabouts."

     "That was in Australia about a month ago."

     "You didn't make contact with them, did you?"

     "No, I thought it best not to bring attention to them. But, I do have someone check on them monthly. At present, they appear to be living happily and even opened up a business." He shook his head, looking confused, "I think it was something involving teeth." He shook his head again as if to clear such a ridiculous notion.

     "They're dentists." Shacklebolt blinked at him in confusion at the strange terminology. "Muggle doctors for toothaches and such maladies."

     Comprehension slowly dawned on his face. "I've never had a toothache," he quietly stated before running his tongue over his teeth as if making sure they were all still in place.

     I held up the photo, "I'd like to give this to Miss. Granger so that she knows her parents are alive and appear to be safe."

     I tried not to think about her as the daggers began there slow internal torture once again. "As part of my payment for services rendered, I'd like regular updates on her."

     "That can be arranged. I'll contact McGonagall and have her send us bi-monthly reports if that sounds alright with you?"

     "That'll be sufficient. Now, I need a list of the cases the Aurors are working on concerning the Death Eaters, and I'll begin compiling any information I have, as well as immerse myself into the Scotland case."

     "How come that case?"

     "Two of the victims were good acquaintances of mine. When I learned of their deaths, I made a promise to someone that I'd help the Ministry put an end to this."

     "I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I have two Aurors that are young but skilled, and I'd like to have you work with them." He waved to the door as he stood from his chair.

     We made our way down the curved hallway, and I wondered if I'd be stuck working with idiots. I'd never been a team player, so I had to ask, "Young?"

     "They all look young to me now," he shrugged.

     "How successful have they been on other cases?"

     "I can't give you exact numbers, but at least a dozen have been brought in by the duo since partnering them up, oh about a month after the war ended."

     Twelve wasn't bad at all, "And failed cases?"

     "So far only this case."

     I nodded in approval, "Let's meet the younglings."

     Kingsley and I made our way into a large room where several desks, bookshelves and filing cabinets scattered about the room. There was a handful of Auror's standing around with beverages. When they caught sight of us, they moved away from each other, attempting to look busier than they were only moments ago.

     "This is Ellison Markus," Shacklebolt nodded at the bear-sized blonde. I shook his hand and realized he was a student of mine a few years back. I clearly recalled his loud, goofy voice filling my classroom with his inane ramblings. He'd never looked like he was paying any attention to what I was teaching or anything for that matter, but he passed every single exam without breaking a sweat. I decided to handle him the same way I did when he was my pupil, like a dunderhead.

     "And this is Yasmine Abdelaziz." The small coco-skinned female surprised me with her firm handshake and the sharp eagle eyes sitting behind her thick-rimmed glasses gave me a good feeling about her ability to handle intense situations. It would be interesting to see how she fared in the field.

     "Mr. Snape will be taking over as the lead investigator of the Scotland case. Make sure that he gets everything that he needs." Kingsley took my hand in his and shook it kindly, "Let me know if you have a need for anything, and I'll keep you updated on the matter we discussed."

     I nodded at Kingsley before turning to Markus and his nervously, shifting blue eyes, "Professor Snape. I was a student of yours back in..."

     I held up my hand to stop him. "Snape will suffice as I'm no longer a professor. I'll need all the information on the Scotland case immediately."

     He looked unsure of how to respond, "Did I stutter Mr. Markus?"

     "Uh... no. Let me go get those."

     He lumbered off, and I made myself comfortable in his newly vacated plush office chair before looking coolly at everyone still standing around.

     "Miss. Abdelaziz, why don't you fill me in on what you have so far while we wait for him to come back. And the rest of you, I'm sure, have jobs you're being paid to be doing."

     Everyone quickly became busy as the lone Abdelaziz nodded smartly at me, "Where would you like me to start Mr. Snape?"

     I smiled slightly at the way she handled herself, "Were you a part of the team that went to Scotland back..."

     I'd spent the rest of the day going over the files and getting a clear idea of what was going on with Markus and Abdelaziz help. I kept asking them things that the reports might not have in them, such as their impressions and overall feelings on things to see if there was more I could glean but hadn't come up with much.

     Late into the evening, I'd made my way home thinking over the dozens of connections to various witches and wizards we'd discussed, but the lack of any concrete evidence felt too convenient. I wondered if the Ministry had already been infiltrated by Death Eaters and if so, who was leading them.

     As I ate my dinner in my study and watched a rerun of Star Trek, my mind wandered to the Grangers. I looked down at the picture of the happy couple sitting on my desk and decided that I wanted to make sure they were really safe.

     I had a contact in Australia that I hadn't spoken to in years, but I could have her fill me in on all the troubles they're facing in the outback and keep feelers out for anyone out of the ordinary.

     I cleaned up my dinner mess before pulling out the newest stack of mail I had to attend to. Most of them went straight into the fireplace, but my pulse jumped when I recognized the handwriting on a small envelope. I dropped all the letters but that one and noticed my hands were shaking as I opened the lily-scented treasure. I took several deep calming breaths before reading the black ink with care.

     Severus,

     I had hoped to hear from you before now, but your recovery must be taking longer than I'd anticipated. I continue to hope that Master Tamaki will produce good results and that you mend quickly.

     My curiosity has gotten the better of me, and I'd really like to know how the potion we'd worked on together has treated you. Has it helped or have you suffered any adverse reactions?

     I've been researching more exotic herbs with Neville Longbottom. He had a few options I'd never even considered, but I'd like to know how the potion we created treated you before I go too overboard with research. Although that ship may have already sailed...

     I don't know if you'd heard or not, but Hogwarts has been almost fully restored, and I'm back to finish my education. Classes are going well, but Slughorn's teaching methods are still less intensive as your sessions were, and I feel as though my fellow students and I are missing out on having an actual advanced potions class. I was thinking I'd make a few suggestions to the Professor on things he could add to enhance our learning experience. Do you have any suggestions?

     All the best,

     Miss. Hermione J. Granger

     I felt the small blades working on my insides as I longed more than anything to hold her to me and keep her safe. I set the letter down and stared at it for a long time debating over how best to respond to her as well as if I should even do so.

     After re-reading the letter a few more times, I finally worked up the courage to write to back.

     Walking up to my laboratory, I stood in the doorway, realizing how empty it felt - how empty I felt. I couldn't look at my beloved butterflies without thinking about her and the way her eyes lit up as we talked.

     My heart squeezed painfully as the imagined scent of lilies filled my nose.

     I sighed heavily and made my way to the window to hail a carrier owl, and Fawkes nudged my shoulder.

     Staring at the large bird, I smiled, remembering her squeal of delight at seeing him. As if he'd known what I was thinking he flapped his wings at me and squawked.

     "Fawkes," I nodded at the wise Phoenix, and he cocked his head at me as if reading me psychically before jerking his redhead at the letter.

     "Yes. It's for Hermione." 

     He swiveled his head the other way, asking me if I was really this dumb.

     "I know, I'm being a fool."

     He lifted his claw out, asking for it.

     "You want to go to Hogwarts and deliver it?"

     He squawked again.

     "I'd never ask you to do something like that, you're no owl."

     He flapped his wings wildly before grabbing the letter from my hand and disappearing out the window with it.

     I watched him fly off until he disappeared and wondered if I'd made a mistake in replying to her and if she'd be upset about her parents having been located.