"You can't be serious!" a familiar voice irritatedly spoke, jerking me out of my peaceful slumber.

     It was daytime, and I only knew that because it was blindingly bright. My eyes burnt painfully every time I tried to use my sandpaper textured eyelids. I swallowed several times and found that to be almost as uncomfortable as my eyes were feeling.

     Once I was able to finally focus on anything, I recognized the familiar surroundings of a St. Mungo's private recovery room. My still blurry, burning eyes began searching the sterile white room while trying to piece together my fragmented memory, like a giant jigsaw puzzle waiting to be finished.

     I clearly remembered Potter looking ragged but determined when he showed up to Hogwarts, as I'd hoped he wouldn't end up doing. I had to keep up my pretense and figure out how to give him the time and space he needed to do whatever he needed to do at Hogwarts without being captured or tipping my hand. There was no way I was going to turn him over to the Dark Lord, but with the Death Eaters at Hogwarts, watching my every move, there was nothing I could do at the moment. Before I had a chance to confront Potter, Minerva McGonagall and I had our deadly tangle, that I hated every moment of and made a quick exit. From there, I went to the Dark Lord and his pet, Nagini.

     I jolted as a frightening flash of the sizeable demonic snake sinking its fangs into me several times and the painful burn of the venom ghosted through my system.

     I should be dead. How in Merlin's beard am I alive? Then I became more confused as images of what I thought was Lily flashed in my mind, and I could taste strawberries. I wasn't sure what I was remembering and felt a little overwhelmed, so I closed my eyes tightly and tried to control my breathing.

     "Severus Snape's head is being demanded by the public, and the Ministry is being pushed to put this matter to rest," the male voice stated.

     "You can't expect him to defend himself for his crimes in front of a full courtroom of witches and wizards, in his current physical state," the familiar, insufferable know-it-alls voice snapped irritatedly.

     "He's a known Death Eater, who murdered Albus Dumbledore and...," he stuttered to a stop as she rolled over him in her authoritarian tone.

     "I refuse to believe the Ministry would want to try and convict an unconscious man. It's unjust and completely unacceptable. I'm sure a smart, well-educated wizard, such as yourself can understand my concern over the Ministry's behavior in this matter."

     "Miss. Granger, please understand that-" he was cut off again and I felt the sides of my mouth twitch in a small smile, knowing exactly how uncomfortable that worker must feel under the heated chocolate-brown gaze burning into his; knowing that she is 100% correct and hating that she's calling you on it. It was a skill that not many have and scary how intense she always seemed to be due to her sharp mind.

     "Fine," she spoke loudly with obvious irritation, "I shall be taking over as his legal representation — Owl me all the charges against my client so that I may begin building his defense. Good day," I heard the familiar Granger huff before the door to my room was closed with a punctual click.

     I lay there pretending to sleep, wondering if I'd really heard her correctly. Eventually, I realized she wasn't leaving anytime soon. I peeked open my burning eyes to find Hermione Granger staring out the sun-filled window; her long butterscotch hair swayed rhythmically down her back while she shifted her weight in an irritated fashion. Her right hand kept fiddling with her bottom lip, and I suspected she was planning on how to take care of my legal matters.

     I jolted once again when it occurred to me that I was alive and thinking about these things. My body's unceremonious jerk drew Granger's eyes over to me, and she appeared to be pleased with the latest turn of events.

     "Pro... Snape," she gave me a small smile as she tentatively stepped towards my bed.

     I tried to sit up with some dignity and croaked out uncomfortably, "If you are to be my legal representation, Severus or Mr. Snape will suffice." I fussed with my bedsheets, trying to hide the fact that I didn't care for the idea of looking feeble in front of a student - an ex-student.

     "You heard that?" she drew her eyebrows together and looked me over.

     "Yes." I wasn't sure if I should thank her or not, considering I had no clue as to how I was still alive.

     "I should get the head healer to look at you," she started to the door.

     I held up my shaking hand and swallowed hard before croaking out, "No - please, not just yet." I wasn't ready for the fifty million questions I was going to be asked, nor was I looking forward to them poking and prodding at my body.

     She stopped and made her way over towards the bed again, "How are you feeling?" Her obvious concern over my well being was making me uncomfortable since I wasn't used to the sensation of someone caring about me in the least.

     "Fine," I lied as my eyes felt like they have lost another layer of sclera from the sandpaper effect. Not to mention I was already feeling fatigued, nauseated with a small headache that the sunlight was helping make worse. I also felt the need to eat a whole hippogriff.

     "Well, that's good, then." She kept her distance but was running her eyes over me in apparent disbelief at my assessment of my well-being. "The head healer said you were lucky to still be alive, as a matter of fact, another ten or fifteen minutes, and the venom would have done its job." She took another small step forward, "Do you need anything, Severus?" her face scrunched up a little at using my first name.

     "Water would be appreciated," I kept an eye on her, wondering why she was here but didn't want to be rude considering our sordid history. Obviously, events occurred that I wasn't fully cognizant of, but I had a sinking suspicion that she may be the only reason I was still alive.

     She looked around and spotted the refreshment pitcher on a nearby table. As she moved to get the much-needed water for me, images of the young lonely girl, flashed in my mind and my heart shot into my throat. I tried to not jump to conclusions and decided I better ask some questions before I completely panic.

     "How did I arrive here?" I asked as calmly as possible when she handed me the cold glass of water.

     "After Nagini," her eyes locked with mine and we shivered at the same time, both revisiting the horrifying memory, "I was able to stabilize you while the war raged on. Shortly after Harry defeated Voldemort, I was able to get you here - St. Mungo's." She looked around the room and then back at me with a strange look in her eye.

     I knew Granger was an extremely talented witch, of that there was never any doubt in my mind, but to have her be able to keep me alive with Nagini's magical venom doing it's best to kill me was beyond impressive. I wasn't sure I'd even be able to do that myself, and for some reason, it excited me that she could do something I couldn't.

     "Impressive," I said after taking a few sips of water, making my throat feel immensely better than it had. Too bad the soothing liquid didn't help my eyes at all. "Once I'm fully recuperated I'd like to hear the details of how you managed to keep me alive, but for now, I believe I owe you a thank you," I smiled warmly at her, trying to convey my appreciation even though I was still feeling confused.

     She smiled slightly, "I'd be happy to go over it with you later, and your welcome Severus."

     "You said the Dark Lord is dead?" I asked, hoping I wasn't hallucinating.

     "Yes. Harry was successful and turned Voldemort into ash that blew off in the breeze." She smiled happily. "Hopefully, that creature won't be able to recover from that kind of death."

     I sat up, "Harry?"

     She smiled warmly, "He's doing all right."

     "Good," I tried to sound unsurprised but knew I wasn't successful.

     "Not that I'm complaining..." I looked her over carefully trying to gain a bit of my lost dignity, "...but considering our history, why did you feel the need to save me?"

     She shook her head, and golden hair flowed around her face. "I...," She started, "...I just knew you didn't deserve to die, and if I could help keep you alive, I would."

     "That's vague, even for you." Based on the looks of guilt and uncertainty that were crossing her face, I was unsure if I was going to like her answer. However, I didn't feel comfortable not knowing why she would bother rescuing me as well as the sense that I owed her more than just a simple thanks for it.

     "Well..." her face contorted more, "...you're a logical minded person, so it never made sense to me that you could be so hateful towards Harry without a valid reason. I knew that you were friends with Lily Evans in your youth, and things eventually became complicated between the two of you." She looked away, fidgeting with her fingers. "It didn't really take me very long to come to the conclusion that you had harbored romantic feelings for Lily and from there, well," she shrugged. "Factoring in that you helped Harry several times over the years and the explicit faith Dumbledore placed in you, it made the most logical sense to me why you behaved the way you did."

     Her empathy filled gaze penetrated into me, and I forgot how to properly breathe as her next words made me want to cry in joy that I made a difference, and someone believed I mattered.

     "I felt that you deserved a chance to live a real life, without being a..." she swallowed hard, "pawn."

     Grangers logic was why she was my favorite student, not that I've ever said that to another living soul but she could have held conversations with some of the most brilliant Witches and Wizards, and most likely could put them to shame.

     I looked Granger over and realized she was no longer the annoying buck-toothed little girl I met, nearly eight years ago. She had grown into a beautiful, skilled, and incredibly perceptive witch. It was rewarding to see her bloom, and I was curious to see how that sharp mind was going to be applied to the wizarding world. Knowing Granger, she'll become something as impressive as Minister of Magic.

     I don't know exactly how long we were staring at each other, but I suddenly felt electricity shock all my nerve endings, and I groaned in pain.

     "Severus, are you okay?" She had placed her hand on my forehead and concern spread across her soft features.

     I was going to tell her I was fine, but when I sucked in a breath, more mind-numbing pain shot through me. I closed my eyes tightly and hoped I wasn't dying after all.

     "Healer Gladis," Granger yelled out, and within moments I could hear the faint noises of people scurrying into the room.

     I could feel myself slipping away, and the last thing I remember was Hermione saying soothingly, "Don't worry Severus, I have you."