Disclaimer: Oddly enough, I do not own Harry Potter or anyone/thing in his universe. That belongs to JK Rowling.

AN: Warning: This story will contain severe child abuse, though not very graphic. Mostly mentioning, but not always. If you do not like such themes, then please do not read, you're not forced. If, by some chance, you are forced to read this and find it not to your liking, tell your captor to choose better stories. Any reviews are welcome, especially if someone wants to Beta this. This story is going to be short - possibly two or three chapters at most. I sometimes have a tendency to rush things, so if anyone can help out with that, please let me know.

The Fates were mocking him. No, the Fates were getting their revenge. That's what this was. Why else would he be forced to teach Potter Jr? The clone started this year, and of course, Albus wouldn't let him forget that. Well, if the Fates were going to push him around, it's only fair he did it to the boy. He had hoped that maybe there was a slight chance he'd have inherited some traits from his mother in potions, but that hope proved to be in vain.

The Granger chit knew the answers, which surprised him, but he couldn't deal with the know-it-all attitutde. He hoped she would tone it down a bit over the years. Tomorrow would be best, or later today, but he knew that was wishful thinking. There was something about the child though, something that he should be concerned about – but not knowing what it was, he brushed it off. It wasn't until the third week of class that he thought of it again.

He was walking through the class, looking over the potions and hoping no one – Longbottom – blew anything up. It was as he was passing by Granger that he noticed it. She stiffened. He was not sure how he missed it before, but he sure as hell did not miss it now. Normally, no one notices his presence until he's hovering over them, a fact in which he prided himself; but she somehow noticed. Upon testing his theory towards the end of the period, he was proven correct. She had stiffened again. Something was wrong with her. Perhaps he'll talk to Minerva about it, after all, whatever it is could be dealt with her Head of House. He knows she doesn't have any friends, but he refuses to pity her. Besides, what can honestly plague an 11-year-old child? Nothing serious.

That night during supper, he conversed with Minerva about what he'd seen. She seemed worried.

"I don't know, Severus, something has always been off about her. Even when I delivered her Hogwarts letter. She didn't even ask any questions. Her father asked for a demonstration, but it didn't seem to surprise the girl. I've tried talking to her since she arrived, but she remains tight-lipped. The other children ridicule her."

"What of her mother?" Snape was truly curious now.

"She's ill. It seems to be some type of cancer. It has her bedridden most of the time." Minerva's face held worry. She wasn't lying when she told Severus of what she thought – something was off with the girl, but she's not sure what. She seemed – sad. Perhaps it was because of her mother.

Although unknowingly, Severus was thinking the same thing. He couldn't help feeling that there was something more, but overall, he ignored the feeling. It was probably just her mother. He let his gaze travel to the Gryffindor table where he saw the subject of their conversation. She was sitting at the very end, alone. He dismissed the tug he felt in his heart. He narrowed his eyes as he caught something.

"Minerva, does she often talk to herself?" He could have sworn she glanced to the side and whispered.

"Yes, she does." Minerva, too, glanced down the table. Sure enough, she glanced to the side again and whispered. What on Earth is she saying?

As if on cue, Severus cast an Eavesdropping Spell, adjusted to only Hermione Granger, and adjusted so only he and Minerva can listen. „Severus! What in Merlin's name do you think you're doing?" she hissed.

"Quiet." He concentrated on listening. Even with the spell, her voice was barely audible.

"It's getting close to Christmas."

"I don't want to go home, but I can't stay here."

"Daddy said-"

"I know but he says-" She abrutly cut herself off and looked towards the the people eavesdropping. Severus cancelled the spell and both professors fought off the guilty feeling. The meal ended leaving both of them unnerved.

Severus Snape had decided to keep an eye on the girl. He refused to recognise the fact that he felt a bit, well, creeped out, that he was caught. What kind of spy was he? Obviously not a very good one anymore – he couldn't even find the child. Every time he got a glimpse of her, she disappeared. Whenever he did catch her, she stopped whispering to herself. In fact, he thought with a frown, I do not believe I have ever heard her speak in anything other than a whisper, save for that troll incident and the first day of classes. He knew she was lying with the troll, but he couldn't fathom why. Often enough, she glanced to the side before whispering. Other than that bit of information, he remained clueless about her. He didn't like puzzles he couldn't solve.

Then it happened. The last day of classes before the little brats left for the Christmas hols. The class had just left and he was sweeping over the room to see if anything was left behind when he spotted a nondescript leather book on the floor where Granger had been sitting. Upon opening to the first page, he read:

This Diary Belongs To

Hermione Jane Granger (born Griffin)

If you have found this book by error, please return it to its rightful owner. I would expect that you have enough decency not to turn the pages and read its contents. If you have intentionally opened this with the intent to read its contents, please know that these are my thoughts. Mine alone and I do not wish for anyone to read them. I cherish the privacy that these pages give me and if you were to violate that, I would never forgive such an abuse of trust.

Quite well written for a child. He knew very well that he should return this to her, or at the very least to her Head of House, but what Severus should do and what he does are sometimes two very different things.