Disclaimer: These characters belong to J. K. Rowling. I only own this plot.

AN: This is my first fanfic, I'm hoping to make it at least a ten chapter fic but that depends on how everybody likes it. I would love for you to review! I appreciate any and all advice and constructive criticisms. I hope you enjoy it!

Hermione was alone at Hogwarts for Christmas this year. It was her seventh year and, despite her hopes, both Harry and Ron had decided not to come back to school to finish their last years and instead both took jobs in the Auror department. Ron had invited her back to the Burrow for the holidays, but since their breakup, which Molly hadn't taken well, things had been awkward. Hermione declined and chose to spend the holidays alone.

She was feeling depressed since it would be her first Christmas since her parents had died. She had thought they would be safe in Australia, far away from the fighting, but the death eaters found them anyway. They had been brutally tortured before finally being hit with the killing curse. It had been a huge blow for Hermione when she found out. She believed it was her fault, and since her obliviating them had not been enough, what was worse was that it had all been pointless. Her parents had died not even remembering they had a daughter.

In the Gryffindor common room she dropped onto the couch with a groan and quickly picked up her Arithmancy book, hoping to distract herself from her thoughts. She had barely opened her book when Neville popped around the corner

"Hey, Hermione I just wanted to say goodbye. The train is about to leave so I won't see you till after the holidays."

Hermione smiled and stood up to hug Neville. "Thanks Neville, I hope you have a good holiday. It's going to be boring here without you."

Neville grinned shyly then pulled away and climbed out of the portrait hole, waving as he left.

Hermione sat back down still smiling and picked up her Arithmancy book again. To her great annoyance she could not concentrate and finally shut the book and dropped it on the table. She decided instead to reread one of her favorite muggle novels. Fetching the worn volume, she returned to the couch and was soon engrossed in Pride and Prejudice. The rest of the afternoon was lost to her reading.

When her stomach began to growl, Hermione went down to the Great Hall for dinner. She sat away from the couple of other students who had also stayed and ate quickly. She didn't even wait for desert before heading back up to her rooms.

She spent the rest of the evening in her common room, writing letters to Harry and Ginny as well as a short note to Ron. She managed to focus this time on studying from her Arithmancy book.
At 11:30 she could find nothing else to distract herself with and, barely able to keep her eyes open, she resigned herself to going to sleep.

She got ready for bed and slipped under the covers. As she blew out the candle she hoped that there would be no nightmares tonight.

She woke up screaming. And quickly sat up gasping for breath and tears streaming down her face. In her mind, she could still see the image of Bellatrix torturing her parents, followed by a flash of green light. Their image of her dead parents seemed burned into her brain.

Taking deep breaths she finally calmed down, but she knew she would never be able to get back to sleep tonight. With a sigh, she climbed out of bed and went into the common room. Since the castle was so empty, she decided to risk breaking the rules and go down to the kitchens.

When she got to the kitchens, Winky (the house elf) was immediately in front of her, "Miss would like hot cocoa?"

Hermione smiled tiredly, "If it's not too much trouble, please."

Winky smiled and went back into the kitchens while Hermione turned to sit at the table. But she stopped short when she saw Professor Snape sitting there.

He looked surprised. "Would you care to tell me Miss Granger, why exactly you are out of your rooms in and in the kitchens at two in the morning?" he asking, raising his eyebrow at her.

"Professor… I'm sorry, I just…. I had nightmares and couldn't sleep."

He nodded slightly, not seeming surprised, then turned back to his own cup of hot chocolate.

Hermione bit her lip, not sure whether she should sit down or leave, but seeing that he did not seem to care, she sat down at the small table across from him. Winky appeared with her hot cocoa and set it in front of her as well as a plate of biscuits. Hermione smiled and thanked her.

Picking up her cup and drinking, she observed her professor over the rim. He was reading a book quietly, not doing anything other than occasionally turning a page or picking up his cup for a drink. Finally she broke the silence "If you don't mind my asking sir, what you are doing in here so late?"

He looked at her, seeming to have forgotten she was even in the room. "You are not the only one that has nightmares and does not wish to be alone miss Granger," he said, frowning. Hermione stayed silent not sure what to say. After a moment he spoke again, "Why are you spending your holidays alone in the castle rather than going back to be with Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter?"

She looked back up at him surprised he cared enough to ask. "Well… Things haven't been the same between Ron and I since we broke up. Molly still believes she can get us back together, so things have been awkward. I decided I would spare everyone the uncomfortableness and just stay here at Hogwarts."

He frowned, "I see." He was silent again.

This time Hermione broke the silence, "What is that you're reading?"

Sighing as he looked back up at her, "A book discussing theories on whether or not it would be possible to create a potion to alleviate or eradicate after effects of the Cruciatus curse."

Hermione immediately leaned forward with interest. "And what do you think? Is it possible?"

Surprised that she was interested, but not put off, he responded, "Possibly, I've been researching it, but there are so many variables to consider. Not the least of which is whether or not the potion would have a permanent effect and whether or not it would be stable."

Hermione asked excitedly, "And this, this could help people like Neville's parents?"

"That would be correct, but as I said it's only a theory currently."

She nodded and leaned back in her chair smiling.

Severus was in a bit of shock. He hadn't actually told anyone about his research, and he wasn't sure why he had informed her. But for some reason when she actually showed an interest, he felt strangely pleased.

He watched her as she finished drinking her chocolate, noticing her clothes, or lack of them, for the first time. Her shorts were barely covering her arse and her tank top was far too low in the front. If he leaned forward just a bit her could see down to her, no that would be wrong, she was a student. He started to feel his pants tightening under his robes and in embarrassment quickly jumped up. "I'm going, I suggest you go back to your rooms before one of the other teachers sees you," He quickly said before practically running out of the room.