Hey Guys! Starting a new story for Hermione and Snape, this contains mature subject matter in later chapters so be warned! If any of you have read my other stories you know I like lemons ;) Pretty much canon though Ron and Hermione were always friends and not lovers. Disclaimer: No I don't own shit, so sad =( Enjoy!

The sun was warm as it flitted through the Hospital Wing, glittering off tanned flesh

as Hermione Granger sat by a bed, reading a book she'd been most anxious to settle down with. The most unusual occurrence in this scenario is that the person lying in the bed in front of her was not one Harry James Potter as it so often had in the past. No, this time Hermione, while staring out the window at a half ruined Hogwarts, was seated next to the bed of one Severus Snape, known hero to Hogwarts. By all means the man should have died when bitten by Nagini but Hermione, unbeknownst to others, had charmed him quickly, before he died, stopping the flow of venom from reaching his heart for at least a couple of hours.

While others still believed him to be a death eater at the time, Hermione had always believed there was a greater plot to the mess they faced. Acting on a whim and perhaps pity, Hermione had set out to save the man. She imagined there wouldn't be any damage even if he would have turned out as evil as everyone had thought. The man would be incapacitated and once his judgment came to term, he would either be proven innocent or guilty. No harm, No foul.

"Hermione, dear, you've been here for three days, honestly I can take care of the man," Madame Pomfrey said gently, touching the girls shoulder with concern.

"Oh, I'm quite alright," Hermione, said with a small smile.

No one seemed to understand her need to be by his side constantly.

The honest truth was that the respect she had earned for the man had absolutely quadrupled since Harry had shown the rest of them his memories. She was fairly sure the man wouldn't appreciate this but there was no need for him to know, she reasoned. After all, Harry had only shown Ron and herself. The reason she could not leave his bedside was because of the sheer awe she felt for the man, it wasn't love or any such silly thing. She simply admired him to a point where his bravery brought tears to her eyes. The horrors the man had to endure made her heart break for him and she felt deep in her heart that she would like to be the one to tell him it was all over when he awoke.

She had no false impression that he would have changed, no, she did not expect him to be cheery, or even pleasant. She expected the same sneering, snide potions master she always had. She would simply feel it would be an honor if she were the one to tell him his suffering had come to an end.

She looked him over for the thirtieth time, and once again gentle tears of empathy filled her eyes. He was as she remembered him. His skin was white pale, snow like in the sun. Hair as black as coal and the obsidian eyes to match. Although his eyes were not yet open she could only imagine the way they glittered when he spoke of his craft, how they hardened at a student's impunity. She knew no other emotions on his face but hoped, even if it was a small hope, that she would come to know him better. She, unlike others, felt there was a debt to repay to him. He had played the biggest, the hardest role. Watching students, colleagues, friends die right before his eyes, unable to help in any way. Or causing the deaths himself, unwillingly but without a choice. And finally, knowing all along he was going to die for the greater good.

She reached her fingers out gently and touched his hand. It was soft but cold to the touch. She continued to scrutinize him and noticed his crooked nose, which seemingly had been broken several times in the past. His black lashes curled gently against his eyelids and small wisps of black hair lay gently around his face, he was the image of a fallen angel.

She reached up gently to move the hairs from his face when suddenly, his hand shot up so fast she had barely time to squeak her surprise. His long, pianist like fingers curled around her wrist gently but firmly. Snape's eyes flashed open quickly and met hers. They stared at each other for several awkward moments. Well, they were awkward for her, she was not used to being stared at so vehemently for quite sometime. His eyes were solid black and confused for a brief moment. Without releasing her, he looked around the room carefully, understanding his surroundings. Hermione didn't speak a word as he slowly recognized the Hospital Wing; she thought it better to remain still and harmless.

"Professor?" She asked softly, letting her breath out slowly so as not to scare him. He winced slightly as she spoke but otherwise he released her wrist slowly but continued to stare at her. When moments passed and he said nothing, she began to worry he'd lost his memory.

Madame Pomfrey came bustling over at the sound of Hermione's voice and fussed over the man for several seconds, taking measurements and thinking up diagnostics.

"Severus, my dear boy, how many times must I see you here? Honestly, you've grown twenty years and you still occupy this bed more than the students for heavens sake!"

Snape grunted quietly but allowed her to fuss over him. One thing Hermione had failed to notice was that he had a certain lack of clothing, with all the sheets she couldn't tell, but now that he was seated upright his nakedness wasn't something to miss. She could only see his torso but even that made her blush as a flush of heat raced through her body. She attempted to look away but when she realized he had all but forgotten her there, she attempted a small peak. His chest was broad, much more broad without his slimming black cloaks. His arms, especially biceps were heavy with muscle and flexing in earnest. Small flecks of black hairs littered his pale skin and trailed down to his muscled stomach, flowing down past were the sheets covered. Realizing the trail her eyes had set her blush deepened, more color flushing her cheeks.

"Miss Granger, this situation would be much better off if you would avert your eyes." Ok, so he had noticed her staring. She was surprised at his tone; it hadn't been biting, or cold, simply empty. The sheer lack of emotion he seemed to have frightened her more than his bitter tones. His eyes turned slowly to face her and his black eyes were also empty, swirling like black holes in his face. Madame Pomfrey soon nodded her consent and instructed him back to sleep, giving him a small potion. It had happened in mere minutes, but Severus Snape was back asleep. She hadn't even had the chance to tell him the good news. Suddenly her cheeks flushed once again as she realized that he had probably deduced that much already. After all, he was a very observant, intelligent man. It soon dawned on the young witch that telling him hadn't been the only reason she had stayed by his bedside…

XOXOXOXOXO

The very next day, Hermione was packing her bags. She reflected quietly upon the request Minerva had asked of her. She was to take her old potions Professor back to her family's home for the duration of his trial, this way Severus would be safe with her; after all, there were still plenty of bounty's on his head. Hermione had accepted dutifully and had already apparated back to her old muggle home in order to prepare it. Her parents still lived far away, oblivious of their daughter or old home. Hermione had planed on selling it anyway, but if it could be used as a safe house for her Professor she would do her best to ensure he at least didn't hate it there. She decided to give Snape her parent's master bedroom, after all, she didn't need all the space. She decorated the room in dark shades of blue and green, hoping to appeal to his taste… if he had taste. She then set her kitchen up into a magic working environment and established a potions/library room in her basement. Pleased with herself, Hermione had returned to the castle in order to escort him back.

Brought back to her present thoughts by a short tap at the door of the girls dormitories, she turned around and smiled at her two life long friends. Harry and Ron entered; Harry had a large smile on his face while Ron looked grim.

"Hermione! I heard what you're going to do for Sn—ah, Professor Snape." Hermione smirked at his use of the word, she had noticed Harry attempting more respect for the man, and this pleased her.

Harry clapped her on the shoulder gently, "I think what you're doing is wonderful, but also scary." Harry made a face, somewhere between a grimace and a smirk.

"Well thank you, Harry." Hermione smiled but it faltered when she saw Ron's expression, "What?"

"Well," Ron said, scratching the back of his head uneasily, "He's still a git, Mione, just watch out, okay?" She beamed at his concern for her well being all the while wanting to reprimand him for her Professor's sake. "Thank you, both of you. I'll see you when the summers over?" She asked, tilting her and grabbing her bag.

"Of course, Mione, and if you need help taking Professor Snape down you know who to call." Harry winked at her and she kissed them both on the cheek.

She left the boys quickly, trying to hold back tears. They'd gone through so much together, she didn't want to leave them just yet.

Face flushed and eyes glossy from held back tears, she met her Professor at the front gates of Hogwarts. He had on his sweeping black robes as usual except his left arm was held in a sling and there were heavy bandages on his neck. He didn't look at her as she approached and for that she was glad, she probably looked awful anyway.

Snape watched the girl discreetly from the corner of his eye; she had grown and changed since he'd last seen her. Her hair was less bushy, with more length and sheen to it. She had also grown in size; she was now tall enough to reach his shoulder. Her figure was long and lean but she covered it, using bulky sweaters and robes. He noticed her watching him and noted her glossy eyes. The girl seemed to have been crying. He rolled his eyes discreetly, if she hadn't wanted him in her home, she should not have accepted Minerva's ridiculous ideas. He would be fine on his own and the old women knew it, he thought snidely but he could not muster up as much disdain as he used to. Hermione leaned in to him slowly and touched his good shoulder.

"Are you ready, Professor?" She asked tentatively and he nodded slowly, never saying a word. God, he still hates me… Hermione thought, crushed, as they disapperated.

They landed a little more harshly than she had anticipated and Severus, still a little weak, toppled over, grasping her arm for support. He grunted quietly in pain as his arm was moved from its sling. Hermione panicked and swung over quickly, catching him as he went to his knees. She was suddenly aware of his proximity as he leaned against her for support. She felt his heart beat strongly against her ear and his heat warmed her cheek. Being shorter than him, she had mistakenly put her entire torso up against his own in order to break his fall. She helped him back to his feet all the while her heart fluttered desperately in her chest.

"S-sorry Professor," She stuttered as she backed reluctantly away from his warmth. Once again he said nothing, and brushed himself off. She looked him over carefully, his eyes were still dull, his movements stiff and sore and above all else, he looked exhausted.

"It's right over here, Professor." She led him quickly to the front door of her parent's home and ushered him quickly inside.

"Um, well, this is it." She gestured at her living room and adjoining kitchen. Severus looked around once again without a word and took in the nicely lit and furnished house. It was empty of occupants and he wondered briefly where the girl's parents were. He looked back slowly at the woman beside him and noticed her nervous expression. Her large chocolate brown eyes beseeched his approval like they did all those years he taught her.

"Very well," he said quietly, his voice soft and vacant, like he remembered it so many years ago. Hermione was shocked and her heart broke a little when she heard this tone, it sounded so defeated, so lacking in strength and hatred as she remembered. His spirit is broken, she thought solemnly and helped him up the stairs to his new room. To her shock, he never protested being helped up the stairs; actually, he rarely uttered anything at all. After she helped him into bed, she conjured him a cup of tea and a book from the downstairs library. He lay there, quietly, looking past her at the wall.

"Well, um, there you go, Professor… If you need anything, just ask," Hermione said gently, retreating from the room.

"Miss Granger," His voice was soft again, she hated that defeated voice, but she turned quickly, heart beating. "Yes, Professor?" She waited with baited breath as she expected an insult or belittlement.

"Thank you," he said, even quieter. She stared into his charcoal eyes, he didn't seem like he appreciated any of this, but he wasn't being sarcastic.

"You're welcome," She said just as quietly as she shut the door. She felt dazed and confused by this new, low energy, vacant Severus Snape. But suddenly wondered, if the bitter Snape was only the result of years of torment…

Alright guys hope you enjoyed! Please review and give me some feed back, I don't know when I'll be able to update, I'm in school and very busy but your reviews keep me writing! Thanks!