The hall fell silent as two black owls soared in through the great hall windows. Bereavement owls sent by the ministry to inform someone of a loss. Circling above the mesmerized crowd they searched for their intended. Finding they swooped down together. One flying off the Head Table whilst the other flew to the Gryffindor table. With a soft thud letters landed together in front of Hermione Granger and Professor Severus Snape.

With out even glancing at the letter Hermione gathered it up and practically sprinted the length of the hall to the Head table, drawing bemused and pitiful glances from the rest of the school as she went. Staring at each other, Snape and Hermione tentatively reached for the envelopes and opened them.

The sound of silence never felt so loud.

Suddenly, Hermione dropped her letter on the table as her body racked with sobs. Surprising almost everyone in the hall, Snape – the greasy, snarky, pupil hating git of the dungeons – enveloped her in a hug. Those closest to him could see he was fighting to keep his own tears at bay.

Scooping her up, he walked the length of the hall and disappeared out of the doors. There was a scraping of many chairs as the entire staff table rose as one and followed them out. Dumbledore pausing only briefly to collect Harry who joined the staff. Once out of the door, the headmaster turned and without his customary twinkle or smile he said to the remaining pupils – who were still stunned into silence by the mornings events – " Stay in here, nobody is to try and leave I'm going to lock you all in and silence the room.". He then also left.

Noise broke out instantly as the only exit was locked. Pupils jumped up and ran to meet with friends trying to fathom what had just occurred.

"Why did they both get one?"

"They can't be related – she's muggleborn!"

"He HUGGED her!"

"What one earth just happened?"

"Why are we locked in?"

Questions flew back and forth between the students. Except one. A tall, red-headed Gryffindor slowly made his way up to the headmaster's podium, muttering a charm his magically magnified voice rang out…

"SILENCE!"

And there was silence.

Staring around at his fellow pupils and with hatred for a certain know-it-all witch in his heart he said "I know what happened but none of you are going to like it"…

Meanwhile – just down the corridor out of sight of the Great Hall. The teachers were stood solemnly just watching as Severus and Hermione lay crumpled together on the floor sobbing together like nothing would ever be good again.

Tentatively, Harry stepped forward. Kneeling down by the distraught pair, he tried to disentangle them.

"Come on, you can't cry here. Let's get you to the infirmary. Please Hermione you can't lay here….Professors please help!"

Slowly, uncertainly, some of the staff edged forward. It was not lost on anyone present that Severus Snape – the man who never let anyone see his emotions, was so consumed by grief that he would willingly cry in front of people he actively avoided on a daily basis. Gripping the sobbing pair Professors McGonagall, Sprout, Lupin and Dumbledore gently lifted them to their feet.

"Here Professors, let me" said Hagrid as he carefully lifted Hermione into his arms.

"Severus, come on my son" whispered Albus as he sadly watched the still crying man "I know it hurts but be strong – just till we get you to the infirmary."

Seeing that he was seemingly unable to move Albus stepped forward. However, as he moved a flash of red light whipped past him along with a whispered "Stupefy". Looking around, Albus's eyes met with Hermione's. Managing a small smile through her tears she whispered in a strangled voice

"He would never have let you help him and he certainly wouldn't be carried." Before she collapsed in renewed tears.

Magically lifting the now unconscious professor the headmaster began up to the infirmary. Followed, silently, by the rest of the staff.