I was in a very emotional mood and decided to write this. As of right now it is just a one-shot, but maybe that will change in the future.

You Always Hurt Those You Love

Being alone had never been an easy task, despite what some people may believe. It was all just a front for those around him. It was a way to protect himself from the pain that he endured every night and every day. He pushed everyone away. He hated the world.

When Severus Snape had been younger, he was eager to please and open to emotion, but as the years went on and the abuse got worse, he became more and more standoffish. He became cold to all those around him. Neglect is one of the worst things that a parent could do to a child. Emotion abuse was another. Had he been loved while growing up, perhaps things would have turned out different.

He stood by and watched her crying. He hadn't bothered apologizing or making a move to comfort her as she wept on their bed. He'd been cruel to her before they became involved and he was cruel to her now. Nothing seemed to warm his heart. Not even the anguished cries of his lover. He scowled and walked away, thoroughly ignoring her.

She looked up where he had been standing and felt fresh hot tears stream down her face. What did she have to do to prove that she loved him? How many times did she have to tell him how much she cared? How many dinners would she have to cook? How much house cleaning would she have to do? How many more things would she need to buy for him? All she had ever asked for in return was his love. She didn't care for diamond rings or fancy clothes. She didn't want his fortune, his house, credit for his work; all she wanted was his love. Unfortunately, it seemed to be too much to ask.

So she waits. Hoping. It was sad actually. Most people get that breathless, happy feeling when they see the person they love, but she got that feeling whenever she hoped she would actually get an apology. Time passed and nothing came of her waiting. Her head hurt, her eyes burned, and her heart ached. He hadn't returned yet. She knew her heart could only take so much. It was a battle she thought she could win, but it turned out that it was a war she stood alone in. There was no hope.

He had never been loved as a child. He had never been accepted with open arms. He had never been the center of anyone's attention. Years of torment, betrayal, and pain had turned him into the cold, empty shell of a man that he was. She slowly got off the bed and with a few flicks of her wand, her things were packed and flooed to a place far from Hogwarts. She wrote on a piece of parchment as tears flowed down her face.

He didn't want her. He couldn't. You don't treat someone that you love like they are nothing more than the dirt on your boot. You don't push them away from you. You don't make them cry and then walk away after you've placed the blame on the person you've hurt.

She took one last look at the now gloomy room before lowering her head and going to the fire place. Memories of the few times he actually smiled flashed before as the green flames engulfed her. That's all they were. Memories.

Severus Snape walked into the room ready to speak with her only to find the room to be empty. It took a moment for him to register that her things were gone. Realization hit him and all he could do was stare at the uninviting room. He didn't understand why his stomach clenched painfully, or why his chest ached. He couldn't fathom why he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. Slowly, he looked over the room before his eyes rested on the mattress where she had sat. He hesitantly reached out a trembling hand and picked up the parchment.

My dearest Severus,

I have tried to show you that I love you. I have tried to prove to you that my feelings are genuine. I tried to tell you, but you would not listen. You don't give me the chance to speak about how I feel. You get angry when I cry. Most of the time, you are the one who makes me cry and yet, I am the one at fault. You never want to talk. You say that it is pointless to spend quality time together alone because we see each other at work everyday. Did anything matter to you? Did I matter to you? I have done nothing but try my best to meet your standards and my best wasn't good enough. I love you so much and this hurts me more than it will ever hurt you. I guess my Gryffindor courage has failed me at last because I am not brave enough to endure a lifetime of loneliness and heartache. Forgive me for being a coward.

I love you

Now and Forever

H.G.

Severus reread the letter at least five times before his world came crashing down around him. He fell to his knees; clutching the parchment. He clenched his jaw, trying to make himself angry so he wouldn't cry, but it didn't work. She was right. He had hurt her and not thought twice about it. He knew now that you can't push away the one you love and expect them to stay. His emotional barrier crumbled as he realized that he had lost the one person in life he really did love.

"Hermione…"