Disclaimer: Still JK's, no money.
AN: Thanks to AriadneAWS. My beta, my author.

From Memory

Stretched long on a thin cot, he focused on his wand's travel, how the magic flowed and the darkness followed. Methodically he practiced, reviewing notes scrawled in the margins of a tattered school book.

Familiar voices rose from the next room, then something crashed and a woman's scream was cut short.

His brow furrowed, and he slowly rose. Fingers turning around worn wood, he waited, watching the door, listening for the steps….

Hermione stood breathless, her hand pressed over her pounding heart as Severus replaced the memory's vial.

She swallowed hard and nodded.

"You did what you had to do."