Severus watched the child brew the potion all by herself. She was a bright one that was for sure. She was a talented child as well. Anyone with eyes could plainly see just how much potential the child had. She reminded him of someone that he once knew. She was just as intelligent. Just as talented. But he was afraid. He was afraid that she would met a similar fate. He was afraid that her intelligence and talent would give her a spotlight. A spotlight that in their world would possibly be the end of her. The wrong people would notice her and they would hurt her. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't allow his student to fall as Lily had.
Lily had been very bright. She had been very talented. No one could deny the potential that Lily possessed. But she had been noticed. The wrong people had seen her. They had become interested in the intelligent woman she had become. They wanted her to side with them even as they killed off those like her. But she had been strong willed. She had been proud. She had been killed.
Severus hadn't been able to save his Lily. He hadn't been able to protect his Lily. But maybe if he discouraged his new student she wouldn't thrive like his Lily. Maybe if he dragged her down now then her confidence and pride wouldn't grow. Then maybe she'd be safe. Maybe then his new student wouldn't end up like his Lily had.
But how was he to know that Hermione Granger was destined even then as a first year to be a savior. To be brave. To be a fighter. To survive.
(I own nothing. Not a thing. JK Rowling owns it all. And no amount of obliviation will change that. Read and Review! Thanks!)