(I don't own Harry Potter or any characters. I am not J.K. Rowling though I wish I was that amazing) A sharp crack echoed in the night.
Severus Snape looked upon the iron wrought gates of Hogwarts with a weary expression. It was times like these that he wished that he could apparate directly into his dungeons. With a large sigh, he began to make his way in agony pushing open the gate and letting in clang shut. A noise coming from nearby drew his attention to the large oak trees towering over the gates. He narrowed his eyes. Most people would call out "who's there" or some other such cliche from a muggle film.
However, Severus Snape was not most people.
He drew his wand from his robes, careful not to disturb his already tender muscles from being under the cruciatus curse too many times. As his hand rose, aiming at the tree branches, he hoped that it was a Malfoy he was about to hex. It would serve them right. Doubting my loyalty to the cause. I am sure the Dark Lord would turn a blind eye to whatever...incident should happen. Especially if it involved knocking Lucius Malfoy off that self-proclaimed pedestal he sits his arse on. The Dark Lord is still displeased with him at the moment...would work quite well in my favor I suppose.
Taking aim, he cast a silent binding spell and felt satisfaction rise up in him as he heard a loud thump, unmistakably human, fall from the tree below. With his wand still drawn, he made his way towards the crumpled heap lying on the cold hard ground.
"Miss Granger, what have we here?" Annoyance ran clear through his voice as he realized who the culprit was.
She stared up at him wide eyed and looking terrified. He was too tired to think straight. All he could think about was the cool feel of his sheets beneath him. He felt himself begin to droop slightly and realized with a start that he would most likely pass and soon. He would have to let the girl go lest he wanted people to whisper in the morning when passing students and faculty would find him lying unconscious on the ground next to the fully bound Granger. Besides what was the girl doing out here in the middle of the night anyway? Was the Weasel and the Chosen Snob waiting for her? That didn't seem likely. If she had been accompanied, those two oafs would have went running towards her when they saw her fall. So what was she doing out here all alone in the middle of a bloody war? Didn't she realize she could get herself killed being so erroneously stupid? Not like I would care. But I am sure that Potter would be a miserable wreck if his little girlfriend would be killed.
He nearly snorted. Everyone short of the dimwitted Weasley boy knew that Granger never saw anything in Potter. Whereas she was book smart know-it-all, all Potter was an arrogant replication of his father. Even if no one else truly believed him, he suspected that Granger felt similarly from the looks he saw her pass him in Potions class.
He glanced up at the sky and back at the girl below. With a heavy sigh, he waved his wand over her releasing her from the binding spell. Startled, she began to sit up slowly with unwavering eyes focused on him.
"Well Miss Granger? I haven't got all day. Spit it out you insufferable girl."
"I...can't...I..." She choked out and began to sob loudly.
"SPIT IT OUT GRANGER!"
"Professor Snape I...I..." She looked down. "Can we go to your quarters? I'd much rather tell you in a much more...private setting."
He looked at her for a moment considering legilimency. But when he saw how broken she was in her eyes, he gave in.
"Come along girl."