This song is called 'Stay'

By, Sugarland.

Stay

I've been sittin' here staring

At the clock on the wall

And I been layin here praying

Praying she won't call

It's just another call from home

And you'll get it and be gone

Hermione felt the tears slide down her face as her boyfriend got up to leave. They had been together for almost two years and he still hadn't committed to her.

And I'll be crying

And I'll be beggin you baby

Beg you not to leave

He paid her no mind as he walked out of her flat, leaving her standing in the middle of the living room.

But I'll be left here waiting

With my heart on my sleeve

Oh for the next time we'll be here

Seems like a million years

And I think I'm dying

Hermione screamed in anguish as the door slammed behind him.

What do I have to do to make you see

She can't love you like me

Hermione knew he wouldn't listen to her. He never had. She had always been his friend and over time they had become lovers. It was only a few months in before she realized that he wasn't faithful, yet she stayed. She stayed because she loved him and believed that one day he would change.

Why don't you stay

I'm down on my knees

I'm so tired of being lonely

Don't I give you what you need

When she calls you to go

There is one thing you should know

We don't have to live this way

Baby why don't you stay

She knew he wouldn't stay though. No matter how much she begged, cried, or screamed, he wouldn't stay. He would go on with his affairs not caring what she said. He always said that she wouldn't leave him. It was too bad that it had proven true thus far.

You keep telling me baby

There will come a time

When you will leave her arms

And forever be in mine

But I don't think that's the truth

And I don't like being used

And I'm tired of waiting

Hermione arrived at Hogwarts, hoping to see Minerva. She needed someone to talk to, but the Headmistress was no where to be found. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair was a mess, and her clothes were wriggled. As she wandered the halls, she thought about what her boyfriend was doing with that woman and it broke her down.

It's too much pain to have to bare

To love a man you have to share

She hardly acknowledged the strong pair of arms that wrapped around her unexpectedly. She cried on this man's chest, not caring who he was at the moment. She needed to feel something…someone.

Why don't you stay

I'm down on my knees

I'm so tired of being lonely

Don't I give you what you need

When she calls you to go

There is one thing you should know

We don't have to live this way

Baby why don't you stay

When she finally looked up, she was shocked to find herself staring into the black eyes of Severus Snape. Of all people to come and hold her while she cried, she would never have thought Snape would be the one to do it. Her own friends no longer comforted her when she needed them.

When she went to back away, she found that he wouldn't let her go. He held her body to his tightly and stared into her eyes with a look of longing. She couldn't help the sensation that went through her body. It had been so long since she felt wanted. Hermione had always admired the man and even had a crush on him when she was in school, but she never tried to pursue anything with him for fear of rejection. Now she would give anything to turn back time and take a chance with him instead.

"Stay here with me," he murmured softly.

She was shocked. How could she? She was already in a relationship. Then she remembered when he walked out the door earlier like so many times before without even a backward glance. He had just left her crying as usual. Alone.

"Hermione, I am by far not the kindest man in the world, but I will never hurt you. I would never seek to bed another if you were mine. Stay with me. Leave your job, your home, and him…" Severus said. Hermione felt the tears sting her eyes as she stared up at her former Potions master. Looking into his eyes was nothing like looking into her boyfriends'. Within the depths of the fathomless black eyes of Severus Snape was complete honesty and love. She needed to decide.

When Hermione went home that night, she looked around her flat. It was plain and uninviting. Her job at the Ministry was not what she had wanted to do with her life, but it was all she could get at the time. Her boyfriend was a liar and cheat. She was constantly alone, having no one to lean on when she needed a friend. Now, there was someone that did care for her and want her. It was the one person that had always been untouchable. She had wasted two years of her life with someone who couldn't commit to her.

I can't take it any longer

But my will is getting stronger

And I think I know just what I have to do

I can't waste another minute

After all that I've put in it

I've given you my best

Why does she get the best of you

Hermione made her decision. She wanted to live happily. She wanted a career she enjoyed and a man she could love. With the wave of her wand, she had her things packed and sent to Hogwarts, then she sent a letter of resignation to the Ministry. Hermione casts a few charms on herself to clean herself up and look presentable. She looked around the empty flat and suddenly felt a little lighter. She was going to take a chance with a man that no one would offer a chance to. She wanted a new life. Summoning, a piece of parchment and a quill from her purse, she wrote a short note for her boyfriend.

Then she left without looking back. The minute she left the room, her boyfriend of two years, Ron Weasley walked in and was stunned to find nothing and no one there, except a note.

Hermione went straight back to Hogwarts and to the dungeons where Severus Snape would undoubtedly be. He was grading essays when she walked in, but stopped the moment he saw her. She approached him carefully, hoping that his invitation was still open to her.

"Do you promise never to hurt me?" she asked softly.

Severus Snape was on his feet and a mere foot from her within seconds. Reaching up to grasp her waist, he stared into her big cinnamon colored eyes. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"I promise you, Hermione Granger, that should you accept me, I will be yours and only yours. I will do everything within my power to bring you happiness for the rest of your life," he told her, his eyes betraying his hope that he might actually be lucky enough to have her.

"Then I'll stay." It was barely above a whisper, but in the empty dungeons, it could be heard clearly. Severus bent down and captured her lips in a soft and gentle kiss. He knew that he would have to take his time with her. She had been hurt and lonely for so long just like he had. He would prove that he was a worthy man and that she was worthy of the love she deserved.

Ron Weasley picked up the note and read it, not believing what it said at first. He had told her that he would come back and be faithful to her if she would give him the time. Apparently, he had waited far too long.

The next time you find

You wanna leave her bed for mine

Why don't you stay

I'm up off my knees

I'm so tired of being lonely

You can't give me what I need

When she begs you not to go

There is one thing you should know

I don't have to live this way

Baby why don't you stay