Summary: Severus and Hermione Apparate back to Hogwarts after a Death Eater meeting.

Author's Notes: Single quotes denote Sev's thoughts. This story was very strongly inspired by Ramos' "Hinge of Fate". I strongly suggest reading it if you haven't already.

Rating: R for descriptions of torture using the Unforgivables and rape and possible foul language

Disclaimer: They don't belong to me, I just love messing with them.

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Mea Culpa

By OcelotKitten

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The first gust of cold wind cut straight through Severus and he couldn't suppress a shiver. That was the one part he'd always hated about Apparating in winter. The sudden change in temperature was never pleasant. He cast a quick glance at the girl next to him.

'Not a girl, a woman. She's earned at least that much from you.'

Hermione was shivering as well, and it was small wonder. She should have been shivering from the night's events alone. The bitter wind was merely insult to injury.

He shrugged out of his cloak and settled it across her shoulders. She tensed for a moment, as if to reject it and Severus held his breath, but she subsided, drawing the heavy fabric tighter around herself. His Death Eater robes now his only scanty protection against the cold, Severus shivered again.

The sight of the long front drive of the school suddenly making him aware of the exhaustion dragging at his limbs, Severus thought longingly of his dungeons and his bed. 'Time enough for that later.' Eyeing the long walk from the gates to the school, he offered to her, "It is a long way, Miss Granger. I could carry you."

Hermione straightened, visibly making an effort to compose herself, "No. I can walk."

Severus had his doubts about that, but he kept his own counsel, instead offering his arm for support, wondering if she would want to touch him after what had happened. 'It's miracle enough she can even stand to be near me.'

She tucked her cold hand into the crook of his elbow and they started up the winding drive together, her steps occasionally faltering. Severus was tempted on more than one occasion to simply lift her, but he knew that she needed to reclaim this small bit of control over her life.

At last, they reached the great doors, and from there it was a shorter, but no less torturous journey to the Hospital Wing. Severus was grateful that it was so late. The last thing he wanted was to deal with the inevitable rumors that would arise if the Gryffindor Head Girl was seen being escorted through the halls by the Head of Slytherin, and he rather suspected that Hermione would feel the same.

When they finally reached the Infirmary, Severus glanced at her. She seemed to be holding up remarkably well, he reflected as he pushed the doors open. However, an impending meltdown was evident in the paleness of her face, the faint trembling of her hands, and the tight, drawn line of her mouth.

Dumbledore and Pomfrey were already waiting for them. Snape's lip curled involuntarily at the unwelcome sight of Harry and Ron standing behind the Headmaster. With a small gasp of shock at Hermione's appearance, Poppy hurried forward and bustled her to a bed as Dumbledore approached Severus.

Suddenly bereft of the only thing that had been keeping him moving, Severus was suddenly aware of how tired he was, and just how much every inch of him hurt. He simply stood for a moment, staring blankly at the floor until Albus laid a gentle hand on his arm and guided him to a chair. Severus sank down onto it gratefully, leaning back and closing his eyes for a moment.

When he opened his eyes again, he found Dumbledore watching him, his blue eyes showing none of their usual twinkle. Instead, they were filled with concern and Severus was unable to meet that quietly searching gaze. Ignoring Harry and Ron standing behind the Headmaster, he said quietly, "Albus, we have a rather large problem."

"What happened tonight, Severus?"

Snape was prevented from answering by the sudden reappearance of Madam Pomfrey. She hurried over to Albus and Severus giving Harry and Ron a disapproving look before glancing questioningly at Dumbledore.

"It is quite all right, Poppy," he said, "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley have just as much right as I do to know whatever you have found out about Miss Granger."

"Very well, Albus," the medi-witch sniffed, "Miss Granger appears to be unharmed for the most part, save for minor bruising and that she seems to be suffering from shock." She cast the two Gryffindors a reproachful glance and lowered her voice as if to exclude them, "She is also bleeding from complete transection of her hymen and forced entry."

Severus, having already known this, was able to watch the reactions of the other three. Dumbledore merely looked sadly resigned, as if the thing he had dreaded and known better than to hope wouldn't happen, had come to pass. Snape allowed himself a small smirk of derision at the looks of puzzlement on the faces of the two younger Gryffindors.

Ron simply looked baffled, but Harry's expression was swiftly shifting to dawning realization. His green eyes narrowed in rage as he snarled, "You bastard! You were supposed to protect her!"

Ron stared at him, still confused, "Harry, what . . .?"

"Think about it, Ron," Harry said, angrily, not looking away from Severus, "Hermione was raped."

The sudden look of comprehension on the red-head's face was almost pitiful, and he looked nauseous. Harry took a menacing step towards his teacher, fury written in every line of his young face. He growled, "Why didn't you protect her, Snape? So help me . . ."

"That is quite enough, Harry!" Dumbledore stated, coming between them. He gave the young Gryffindor a piercing look, "I'm sure Severus did everything he could to help Hermione, and I for one would like to hear what actually happened before you try to hex him into oblivion."

Harry grudgingly stepped back, the respect he had for the old Headmaster overriding his anger. Albus looked back to the Potions Master, "Severus?"

"I do not think that it is appropriate for them to be here, Albus," Snape said, only partly feigning irritability. 'Anything to stop them from knowing what I'm really capable of. Their hatred will know no bounds then.'

"Severus," Albus said, a touch impatiently, "I've already stated where I stand on that."

"Yeah, Snape," Harry said, almost tauntingly, "Let's hear it. Tell me why you couldn't protect Hermione when you swore you would."

Snape's fist clenched in anger and for a moment, he was sorely tempted to strike that sneering face. 'Another sin to add to the night's tally. Breaking the nose of the Boy Who Lived.'

With effort, he restrained himself and said, bitterly, "Oh, yes, let me finally, thoroughly earn your vilification of me." He stared coldly at Harry, "You want the whole story, Potter? Then you shall have it."

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AN: I know I've left you with a bit of a cliffhanger. *evil grin* The chapter ended so well there. Next chapter will be the recounting, and I'll hopefully have it posted within the week.

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