Hey, I don't own ANYTHING, so get over yourselves, you dirty lawyers. Stay away, stay away, I say *beats them off with a stick*

Please read and review. I love feedback. Anyway, here's a shameless plug for two different things: 1)Another fic by me, Changing of Ways, a Draco/Hermione story. 2)My Fun and Games Challenge at WIKTT, want more info, email me at gelsey_greeneyes@yahoo.com

Ch. 1-Painful Confessions

The whole staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had been keeping an eye on Hermione Granger, but none more so than Minerva McGonagall and, oddly enough, Severus Snape. Minerva was easy enough to explain-she was the Gryffindor Head of House, Hermione's mentor, and Hermione was her favorite student.

Severus was much more complicated. He was Head of Slytherin, the enemy house, not to mention a nasty git of a Potions Master. She had applied for Apprenticeship under him, however, and the fact that he was actually considering it was a drastic change. Adding to the mystery, there was also the small fact that she had, for the first time in her history of potions making, totally ruined a potion. As a matter of fact, she had nearly melted the cauldron in the process. Seeing as how her potions were never less than perfect (not that he ever told her that) this was a serious cause for concern.

It did not surprise him, then, when the young Head Girl came to visit him in his office that evening. She entered silently at his order to come in, and it was immediately apparent that she was nervous. She was worrying her lower lip with her teeth, an old habit, and wringing her hands, something that he'd never seen her do before. "Sit down, Miss Granger," he said, not unkindly.

She perched on the edge of her chair, looking ready to bolt. "If you're here about the Apprenticeship, you'll be pleased to hear that I've decided to accept it," he told her, his face carefully blank, not revealing what he felt about the situation.

Briefly, her eyes lit up with pleasure and excitement but the light was soon extinguished. "Actually, Professor," she said, speaking for the first time, "Of the things that I came here for, that was not one of them. I am pleased and honored, sir. I thank you." She paused, clearly torn. "Sir, I came here first off to apologize for today's class."

"Miss Granger, think nothing of it. Even the best have accidents at times." Her eyes flew to him, surprised at his words. Had he, Snape, just complimented her?

"Thank you, sir." She looked at him with appraising eyes. "Sir, can you please cast a Silencing Charm on the room? What I have to say I don't want anyone else to hear."

He looked at her, surprised, but he did as she asked without comment once he saw the plea in her cinnamon eyes. "I," she swallowed. "I need your help."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Well, I need more than that to go on." Her mouth openned and closed several times but nothing came out. Finally, he said in an exasperated voice, "Out with it, child!"

"That's just it!" she wailed, the shell around her breaking, tears rolling down her face as she pulled her knees to her chest. "I'm not a child, I'm with child!!" At this she buried her face in aforesaid knees and sobbed.

He moved slowly around the desk, wondering why the hell she wasn't talking to Minerva about this. He knelt in front of her and hesitantly put a hand on her shoulder. "What is it you need of me, Hermione? Some potion to make the child go away?" He hoped that was not the case. He had done that before, but he hated taking a life that wasn't yet living.

Her head flew up and she shook it vehemently. "No, the . . . the baby is not the problem. Not its fault. I . . . I want it."

"Then what?"

"I don't know how it happened," she said after taking a deep calming breath. "I can't remember-all I know is that I've been having bad dreams. Nightmares where someone . . . touches me, does bad stuff . . . rapes me," she ended in a whisper, and broke into sobs again. He pulled her to him in a rough embrace. He ended up sitting on the floor, her on his lap, holding on to him like her life depended on it. Slowly, he stroked one long- fingered hand down her back, offering what comfort he could.

"I've tried to ignore them, put them down to the war, but I have proof now, that it really happened. Someone abused me, and stole my memory of it, but left enough to torment me every night."

"I'm so sorry," Severus said, trying to think of an endearing term for her. Child no longer fit-it hadn't for a long while, he admitted to himself. "I am so sorry, little witch . . . strong lioness." She was so small, so vulnerable, yet teeming with inner strength, there in his arms.

She pulled her head up from where she had buried it in his shoulder, and looked him in the eye. "Not your fault either," she said. "I'm the one who should be apologizing again. I've gotten your robes all wet." She put on a brave smile, wobbly and watery though it was.

"Think nothing of it. Now, what were you going to ask me?"

The smile slowly slipped off her face. "I . . . I know you're one of the leading Potions Masters in the world. I was hoping you could make a potion to bring my memory back."

He nodded, thinking. "I haven't personally ever come across one, but I've heard of one. We can research it, my Apprentice."

Relief spread across her face as did a smile of pure joy. "Thank you, Master Jedi!" she exclaimed, and threw her arms about his neck and kissed his cheek.

Blushing, she pulled back, suddenly aware that she was sitting on his lap, on the floor, alone, in his office. For a moment, she thought he was angry, but after a second glance it looked more like shock. To cover his own embarrassment and confusion (Master Jedi?), he said, "We need to talk to the Headmaster. He should know about this, and you . . . will need to start making decisions about both yours and the baby's future." He stood up gracefully and pulled her up with him.

At those words, a flicker of panic crossed her features. "Shhh . . ." he stroked her cheek. "Albus will work everything out. We'll all help you, I promise, little witch."

She didn't know what comforted her the most, his hand on her cheek, his use of the Headmaster's first name, the sincerity in his eyes, or the term of endearment. "Thank you," she put all of her emotion behind those two whispered words, and laid her head on his chest for a brief moment.

Inexplicably, his heart seemed to constrict. Never had he known someone to be so trusting of him. "Follow me," he told her, "We can Floo to the Headmaster's office from my quarters."

She tucked her hand into the crook of is arm as he walked over to one of his book cases. He disabled the wards there with his wand and it disappeared. He led her through a large, private laboratory, after replacing the wards. He saw her gawking around, and said, "You'll have plenty of time to look at it later, little witch, because as my Apprentice, you'll be working here a lot."

He disabled another set of wards on a door and this time she gaped at his private rooms. There was a huge fire place directly in from of her, which had a small fire going in it. In front of the fire was a large rug, forest green, which complimented the dark green couch and armchairs perfectly. Along the walls were even more bookcases, all full of books.

He looked down at her and his lips twitched, trying not to smile. "Don't go start salivating just yet, Mis Granger." Was it just her, or was there amusement in his voice?

"It's not what I expected," she admitted.

"What-no bones?" the teasing was apparent this time.

To her surprise, she found herself teasing him back. "No, and no bats hanging from the ceiling, either."

He chuckled and she felt her heart skip a beat. *He has a beautiful laugh* she thought. He looked down at her, eyes still full of mirth, and felt a sudden wave of caring and protectiveness for the beautiful young woman on his arm. "Come," he said, wondering where those emotions had come from. He lead her to the fire place and took some Floo powder from a jar on the mantle.

He threw it in and the fire roared green. He stepped into it, pulling Hermione close, and yelled, "Headmaster's Office!" A whoosh of green later and they were there.

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The Headmaster looked up as the flames in his fireplace turned bright green. "Severus," he greeted, surprised but not displeased to see him. His eyes widened in something that bordered on shock when he saw the girl that he was holding close to his chest. "Miss Granger?"

Minerva, who was visiting with him, stood up with the beginnings of rage on her face when she saw tears still wetting her favorite student's face, and also the fact that she was standing way too close to Severus for her comfort of mind.

"Albus . . . Minerva," Severus greeted stiffly, with a sharp nod at them. Hermione didn't say anything, simply clung to his arm. He guided her carefully to another chair in front of the Headmaster's desk. "Relax," he whispered to her as he gently pried her fingers off of his arm and sat down in the seat right next to her. "Miss Granger has something that desperately needs to be discussed."

Hermione said nothing, just stared at her tightly clasped hands, which lay in her lap. She seemed to be frozen in place. Knowing her fear, and understanding it, SEverus reached over and placed his pale hand over her tan one. He ignored the strangled sound that came from Minerva's direction while willing Hermione to look at him.

She finally did, and when their gazes locked. "You need to tell them. They will help you." She nodded her head fractionally. Her eyes never leaving his, she told her story, not stopping when McGonagall began to cry. She told it nearly emotionlessly, without the tears and anger of the first time, though he could see those emotions lurking in the depths of ther eyes.

When she was done, she leaned back in the chair, exhausted, Severus let her see his pride in her in his eyes. There was a moment of silence, and then Dumbledore spoke. "You need not worry, Hermione, about your future here. Minerva, myself, and Severus, and doubtless the others, are more than willing to help you through your pregnancy. You are welcome to stay at Hogwarts for as long as you like, and continue your schooling both before and after the baby arrives."

"Thank you, Headmaster," she said quietly.

"We can discuss the other details later, child, you need to rest. Minerva will escort you to your room."
Hermione finally broke eye contact with Severus, turning her now defiant gaze on the Headmaster. "I am not a child," she told him firmly, raising her chin ever-so-slightly.

"No . . . no, you're not, are you?" the Headmaster said, more to himself than to her. "Minerva, please take Hermione to her rooms and let her freshen up. I daresay she would like to go to sleep soon." Severus started to rise as well, to accompany them, but the Headmaster held him back. "Severus, I would like a word."

Once the two women were out of earshot, Severus asked, "What, Albus?"

"Just be careful, Severus. For both of your sakes." Severus looked at him with confused eyes, but he refused to elaborate. "You may go now."

"Goodnight, Headmaster," Severus said, hurrying out of the office, hoping to catch up with the two women. He hadn't liked the look that Minerva had worn when she had left.

He stopped when, as he neared her room he heard her voice and Hermione's. "Why did you go to him?" he heard Minerva ask.

"Because," Hermione paused, not wanting to hurt her professor's feelings, but continued, "because I knew there would be no doubts, no judgements, no leaping to conclusions. Just support. I trust him to support me, and he is, unconditionally."

Severus's chest felt tight-he had never heard anyone defend him before, not like this. There was no doubt in her voice whatsoever. *My brave little witch, my smart lioness* he thought, proud of her for standing up to McGonagall. Minerva made no answer, and he only heard her approaching in time to duck into a dark alcove, not wanting to meet her right now.

He waited until her footsteps faded away and knocked on Hermione's door. "Who is it?" her soft voice called out.

"It's me." The portal opened immediately. She gestured him inside. Once there, he said, "Thank you for defending me to your mentor, Hermione."

"How did you?" she was blushing red with embarrassment. "Never mind, you followed us. And anyway, whoever said she's my mentor?"

He gave her a small glare. She merely gave a tired smile. "Fine, it seems like it, I know, but she lost a lot of my respect just now."

"Well, thank you. Now, you need to sleep." He bent down and brushed his lips on her cheek, surprising them both. "Sleep sweet, Hermione," he said, and swept out the portrait again, leaving a startled and pleased Hermione behind him.

By the way, there's a reason for the little GO button below. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. Thanks!! ~Gelsey~