Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and anything associated with it. It belongs to J.K. Rowling and any affiliated companies. I'm just borrowing them.
A/N: This has been floating around in my head for a while, although I may have some problems getting where I want to with it. If you have a problem with a Snape/Hermione paring then I highly suggest you leave this page, but if you don't then read to your hearts content.
Love's Last Refrain
Summer was coming closer and closer by each second that precariously passed, and each and every student adorning the halls of Hogwarts were all to aware of this fact. Not only were students becoming aware of this but so were the teachers, each piling on the homework more than usual, even though it was only the end of May, depicting the upcoming exams. Regardless of the forbidding exams, students neglected to study anywise, either roaming the corridors, gossiping about others love lives, swimming in the lake, playing meaningless games, or practicing quidditch for next year. That is, everybody except for one Hermione Granger, who was currently held up in the library, studding her life away, even more so since that tragic day. One of two faithful days that will never be forgotten by the likes of the young sixteen-year-old girl.
"Hermione come off it! You don't need to be studding twenty-four seven. Take a break. Go for a walk or something. Hell, even go start up SPEW again! Just stop burring yourself in schoolwork," shouted the concerned voice of one of her best friends, and also long time ex-boyfriend, Ron Weasley.
Looking up from the book she was reading, she smiled timidly up at him and replied, "You know I have to study Ron. Besides, none of that really appeals to me, not any more at least," Hermione muttered the last part more to herself than to anybody else.
Harry's also concerned voice joined the conversation. "Hermione I know you still trying to get over what happened, but sitting in the library reading wont help you. I understand what you going th-"
Bolting out of her chair Hermione hissed at him through her teeth, "No you don't Harry. You have no idea what I'm going through. Only one person does and its not you," she declared and turned on Ron, her voice lowering to an even more deadly tone. "And you're not that person either Ron. My life had changed more in the last two months than both of your entire lives combined. Neither of you know anything."
"Hermione we know that you and Snape get along better now since that day, but…that doesn't mean that we can't try to help you though this too," Ron protested as he reached out to gently grasp her shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"I know Ron…I'm sorry. You are trying to help and all I'm doing is throwing it back in your face. Listen, I appreciate your help and your concern, I'm just stressed and taking all of this really hard."
"Don't worry about it Hermione," interrupted Harry, placing a hand on her other shoulder, "Why don't we go visit Hagrid? I bet he's dying to see us," he suggested, hoping Hermione would agree.
Hermione let one of her now rare smiles show, and she enthusiastically nodded and said, "Alright. Lets go," and walked passed them and grabbed their arms succeeding in dragging them along after her pausing briefly to pick up her things.
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The next three weeks of the term passed rapidly and brought the exams week upon them. During this time Hermione had had her mood improved drastically by Harry and Ron, and even by Professor Snape just due to his abnormal kindness to her during class and the occasional late night conversation that neither Harry or Ron were aware of. Fewer and fewer days and nights were spent zoning out and studying in the library for Hermione. She even began reappearing for meals in the Great Hall much to the relief of her teachers and some of her peers.
The three of them sat in the Great Hall on Thursday during the last week of school preparing to take the last of their exams. "What exams do we have today Harry?" questioned Ron, through the muffin that was stuffed into his mouth.
"Ron we've had exams for the last three days. Surely you remember which ones we have yet to take," replied Harry after swallowing his waffle, attempting to demonstrate some proper table manners to his best friend.
"I do. I just wanted to make sure you remembered," he answered.
Exasperated and growing tired of his childishness Hermione rubbed her temples with her fore fingers and replied, "For Merlin's sake Ron stop behaving so childish. Just to make you happy, and as I am sure you are already aware, we have potions after breakfast and transfiguration after lunch."
"Sorry 'Mione. Hey, we've got less than fifteen minutes to get to the dungeons. As much as I'd like to be late, today wouldn't be a good choice. Com on lets go." Ron stated and stood up and waited for Harry and Hermione to join him.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked down the stairs leading into the dungeons and headed for the classroom. They were just outside of it when they ran into Parkinson who had also continued taking potions. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? The mudblood and her man whores. So tell me Granger, how are you sidekicks in the sack? Maybe I'll enlist them for a good shag sometime."
Hermione said nothing, remembering their last encounter but was unwantingly defended by Harry. "Don't call her that again Parkinson. And I assure you, we'd never shag you, nor have we done anything with Hermione."
"Oh really? Well that's too bad. By the way, how did you enjoy that week, or should I say day about two months ago mudblood? I know I enjoyed it."
Unable to control her rage any longer at that particular memory Hermione buried her hand in her robes and pulled out her wand and shouted, "Bestia abeo!" successfully transfiguring Parkinson into a hamster that began to run around the hall and squeal.
"What is going on here Miss Granger?" questioned a dark, cold voice from directly behind her.
Whipping around she looked up and stared into the intense dark eyes of Professor Snape, "Professor I-"
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for hexing a student. Zabini," he retorted to the boy who had appeared after interrupting Hermione, "Take Parkinson to the hospital wing for Poppy. I don't feel like dealing with her. If it were up to me I'd leave her like that. It's a much better improvement from before. Oh and Miss Granger, detention with me tomorrow at two before the leaving feast. Surely you didn't think you would get off so easily," he drawled coldly and walked into the classroom.
"Dumb greasy git," Ron muttered as Snape retreated. Glancing over at Hermione for her reaction to her detention, he saw the glare she sent at himself as she followed her professor into the classroom. "What's wrong with her Harry?"
"No idea Ron. But lets go in before we are a microsecond late and Snape blows a fuse," he replied, heading into the room and leaving a puzzled Ron behind him.
"Fuse? What's a fuse?!" Ron shouted after Harry, jogging in behind him.
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Well? Should I continue? BTW review please. Just hit that little button down in the left hand corner. Flames are welcome too, even though I don't like them.
*dama_de_tinieblas*
