Cause and Effect

by Bonnie S

SSHG After being put down by Snape and assigned Hermione Granger as a tutor, Draco Malfoy is out for revenge. Will he destroy the pair, or has fate have a plan to counter his plots? R&R HERE'S CH. 7 & 8!

1. The Match is Lit

Cause and Effect

Chapter One:

The Match is Lit

Draco Malfoy growled as he stormed through the halls towards the Slytherin common room. His eyes were burning with the deepest and ugliest of hate, and the growl in his throat only gave the smallest hint to the rumbling anger in his body and mind. Know-it-all Granger! Stick-in-the-rear Snape! So what if his mandrake potions report was late and too short! So what if his potion was only missing three lousy ingredients! He didn't need any help from a mudblood like her! What was the head of his house thinking?

Draco shook his head as he remembered that awful afternoon. Maybe Snape had is reasons for being upset with his work, but that gave the Head of Slytherin house no right or privilege to treat he, the son of the great Lucius Malfoy – and Severus' former friend, as if Draco was a lowly Gryffindor!

'Mr. Malfoy, do you really expect me to believe that you intended this to be your finished assignment?' Professor Snape was clearly not impressed.

What did the old coot expect? Draco was a Malfoy, and therefore was to be given distinction and preference – not homework. 'Professor Snape, really …' but Draco wasn't allowed to finish.

'I have had quite enough of this pretentiousness attitude of yours, Mr. Malfoy. If you do not proceed to pull your grades up by the end of this month you will be removed from the Slytherin Quidditch team. Am I clear on this?'

'Yes sir.' Draco had snapped, but didn't believe him. It was the beginning of the season. And Draco was the best that their house had. No, Professor Snape would not do that to Slytherin.

Snape on the other hand was deadly serious. 'And given the care your homework has been given, I have no doubt that you are far behind your classmates in all matters of potion making. In light of this fact, Ms. Granger will help you catch up.'

What? That Gryffindor twit! 'You have to be kidding, Professor Snape!'

'Um, Professor Snape?' Hermione nervously spoke up, not hiding the disgusted look on her face at that moment. 'I believe that what Draco means is that he'd feel more comfortable studying with one of his own house.'

Ah, the little foolhardy guttersnipe had some brains as it were. Professor Snape glared at her harshly, making her settle further back in her seat. 'However he would have some pull over his house to avoid his work as he has been doing for undoubtedly since the start of his first year. As I said before, Miss Granger, you will be taking the part of his tutor – seeing that you are far ahead of anyone in this class and have a talent for tutoring lesser students, even when specifically told not to. Starting this evening after dinner. Five points from Gryffindor for your cheek Miss. Granger, and five from Slytherin for yours Mr. Malfoy. Consider tonight's study session to be the detention both of you would have received from me otherwise.'

Granger said nothing, but the look on her face told it all. Like Draco would want to spend any time at all with that Gryffindor know-it-all brat! He didn't have to work! His father was Lucius Malfoy! Professor Snape made it look like that dull and ugly Granger was so important when she was merely a bookworm teacher's pet!

'But!'

Snape glared harsh at Draco. 'If you value your place on our house's team, I would suggest that you do as you are told, Mr. Malfoy. Money or no, you are not that difficult to replace. Perhaps another would do a better job of defeating Gryffindor and Mr. Potter.'

Draco returned the professor's glare and huffed as he rolled his eyes at Hermione and her little friends. 'As if that stupid mudblood is all that.'

'At least Miss. Granger does the work given her without complaint, and finds it within her soul to cope with students like yourself, Mr. Malfoy. And for that, this weekend's game is your final competition. Along with the deduction of ten points for disrespecting your tutor as well as ten for disrespecting myself and another ten for interrupting this class.'

All of Slytherin groaned. Hermione looked as if her eyes were going to pop out of their sockets, and her friends were fighting off the urge to laugh at the situation. Not only had Professor Snape disrespected one of the most powerful students in Slytherin house, but also he had complimented THAT stupid mudblood? How dare he? Malfoy sniffed in disgust, lounged back in his seat, glared at Snape, and spat at the old greasy git. 'Mudblood lover.'

The room went deathly quiet at that heartbeat. The mudblood was flushed because it was obvious that the comment was meaning her. Maybe she was hoping to get a little action off the old man? The look in the Potion Master's eyes had never been colder in all of the seven years that the group had known him. Draco kept a firm hold on his unconcerned mask, even if he was terrified beyond belief as Snape leaned in and growled at him. 'Perhaps you would prefer to spend this class time with the headmaster, Mr. Malfoy? I know that I would not be the only one who would not mind that. Go!'

Mudblood Granger was not all that, and neither was that backstabbing traitor Professor Snape. Draco pushed any and all out of his way as he thundered through the halls. Dumbledore had banished Draco to only his houserooms and the library outside of classes, even at meals! And to make it worse, the other students would shun Draco until he apologized to Hermione and Snape in front of the entire school. That day would never come! He'd rather choke on his own tongue than apologize to those two! Plus he had detention with Snape and Hermione every night until his grades came up, that being the only time another student would talk to him, and only Granger. Like he wanted to spend time with them.

If he could only pay the pair back for his embarrassment in class that day! Wait … why not pay them both back at the same time? Kill two birds with one stone! Yes … it would be perfect – and they both so richly deserved it! Draco grinned as he turned about and rushed for the library. He had some very sweet revenge to plan.

***

Winter mint? Check

Mullein? Check

Barberry? Check

Red Clover? Check

Hyssop? Check

Boneset? Check

Slippery Elm? Check

Willow Bark? Check

Vanilla Beans? Check

Dried Apples? Check

Rosemary? Check

What was this? Hawthorn? What did it do? Who cares … he threw it into the potion. A little myrrh as well, and a pinch of oak root too. Oh, would this be fun.

Now for the first words, Draco couldn't wait for this. "Two must face what each has refused for so long. This spell bind you both by the one you both have done wrong."

With a grin on his face he set the spell to go off once the door was forced open by magic. Now it was time that he showed off one of his few hidden non-magic talents. A magic lock on the door, and Draco hid around the corner to wait. It wasn't a long wait, for Snape stormed into the hallway not five minutes later and pounded on the supply room door.

"Mr. Malfoy, you should have all of the necessary ingredients for that potion by now! Come out of the supply room this moment!" Snape growled as he tried to open the door only to find it shut with a dual spell lock.

Draco did what he could to keep from giggling at his prank as he threw his voice to make it sound like he was inside the room. "I can't. Someone thinks that this is so funny! Let me out of here!"

"What's wrong Professor Snape?" Hermione asked as she came into the short passage off the classroom.

He was agitated that he had to deal with the infuriating boy, but at least Miss Granger could make the time somewhat tolerable. "Mr. Malfoy has been locked in the closet with a dual latching lock spell. Do you know the proper counter-spell, Miss Granger?"

"Yes."

Hermione fought the urge to smile, since she couldn't believe that he was asking her because he wanted to – she was the only one there.

Snape, on the other hand, gave a small grin. A spell that they would perform together, he could think on it later. "Together then on three. One, two, three …"

The second their two spells merged and opened the lock both were sent flying by the blast wave from the spell Draco had set. It was three times what he had planned on. There was a sickening thick cracking that echoed in the hall, and both teacher and favored student slid down the wall – a trail of blood marking down the wall where Hermione's head brushed against it before she bonelessly crumbled onto the floor like a rag doll.

Draco swallowed hard for a moment. That wasn't what he had planned at all! After a few beats Snape came to and groaned. When he saw the blood trail on the wall with Hermione beneath it, his skin went pale. "Miss. Granger?"

Her friends and two of Slytherin house quickly arrived after hearing and feeling the explosion. Snape collected himself fast and thought out what his favored student needed right then. "Mr. Weasley, go for the nurse quickly. Mr. Potter go find the headmaster and Professor McGongall and tell them there has been an accident in the potions classroom area." Crabbe and Goyle were staring at Hermione like she was … no, he wouldn't let her die! "The two of you find out what happened to Mr. Malfoy!"

Seeing Ginny Wesley standing there, Snape remembered his first aid kit. "Miss Weasley, there is a first aid kit in my desk. In the bottom drawer on the right. Bring it here quickly."

She silently nodded and ran off. For a moment it was only he and the wounded Granger. It had been years and his life force was tainted, but he had to try something – Snape could feel that Hermione was on the verge of giving up! ~You are stronger than this Miss. Granger.~

Soft and groggily she answered back with her mind connecting to his own. ~Professor?~

~Yes. Don't you dare give up now. You are stronger than Mr. Malfoy.~ Snape felt relieved for the first time in what felt like eternity. He could feel their souls start to connect; in fact it wasn't as hard as he had feared it would be. Gently, he fed her a small portion of his own life force energy.

Yet, he could feel that she was embarrassed and had all but given up completely. ~He did it again! He's somewhere grinning at this! I should have known that it was a set up!~

~How could you have known what I did not see either? Why do you think I always set you against Malfoy? You are going to be a more powerful witch than any have seen since the founding of this school. All because you do not give up and you work hard to prove only to yourself what you can do. Malfoy will be nothing compared to you, Hermione. Don't let him defeat you now.~

Snape's soft tone and kind words took Hermione off guard for the moment he needed to add more of his energy into her body without her knowing it. But Hermione could feel that it was all true in his heart. That this was how he truly felt. ~You believe that?~

Snape softly smiled on her unconscious body as he brushed her near cheek with his thumb. ~I wouldn't say it if it was not the truth, Miss Granger. You were the one who did the research on Voldemort and even helped Mr. Weasley when he would have almost certainly have been crushed by the Devil's Snare. You helped your friends fight Voldemort to keep him away from the Sorcerer's Stone and then you risked yourself to help the other two end the threat from the chamber of secrets. Where and what was Mr. Malfoy doing both times? I have always been proud to have you in my class. I only avoid calling on you to make the rest work hard to be your equal. Yet some, like Mr. Malfoy will never hope to aspire to that height.~

Hermione suddenly shook off his spirit bond to her. Without that he couldn't strengthen her spirit. ~All I am is a mudblood. No one wants anything to do with witches like me. I'm tainted and will never be anything more than a slightly powerful muggle!~

Snape could feel her inner fire begin to grow dim. Just at that moment, Crabbe and Goyle dragged Malfoy to Snape's presence. The spoiled son of the brat Severus remembered from his own days at Hogwarts as a student simply smirked as he looked down on the young woman beside the Potions professor. "Serves her right. Stupid mudblood. Thinks she is so much better than me! Pure blood is always better than her kind."

Severus shot the trio a stare that would have sent Voldemort running in fear. His voice was colder than the most frigid of ice as he spat in hate. "Take Mr. Malfoy into the classroom and make certain that he remains there."

After the three of them did as ordered, Ginny came back with the kit and tears in her eyes. Deep within herself, Hermione too was crying and losing the battle for her life. Severus wasn't sure what he could do to make the unconscious young woman see that his words were true – short of … no that would never be. Then he saw a small hope. A long shot of a chance, but it was all he had left. ~So, you are going to let Mr. Malfoy's words ring true?~

~What?~

Yes! He had her still. That shock gave him the time needed to reestablish the connection of their souls. ~You are giving up without even trying to show what you are. Perhaps his words are not as hollow as they would seem?~

He could feel her anger building up at his words. Yet it also was building her will and her life force energy. Hermione no longer needed his to survive. Severus couldn't hide the grin when she spat back, ~we will just have to see about that!~

By that time the rest were there. While Madame Pomfrey worked on healing his prized student, Snape went out to find out just what had happened. "Just what were you thinking, Mr. Malfoy?"

"It was just a joke! I didn't know the kick was going to be that strong!" He had his innocent face all put on well, but Snape knew better. "If you had bothered with any of the lessons I have been teaching in the last seven years of training that you have neglected to study properly, you would have known exactly what would have happened! What potion did you use?"

"I kind of made it up?" Draco wasn't about to admit what he had really done – the deepest hidden secret each had was going to be faced and admitted to the other or they would get very sick. At least he thought that was what would happen.

"You did what!" Ron and Harry both shouted together before Snape could say a word.

Luckily Dumbledore knew what Snape was feeling at that moment and took jurisdiction to remove any chance of losing his finest potions master on charges of murdering a student. "You have done both your professor and Miss. Granger a deep wrong with this joke of yours, Mr. Malfoy. It is possible that Miss. Granger will be left with debilitating, if not permanent, injuries."

"Professor Dumbledore, it was a joke. I didn't mean for it to go that bad." Draco was only slightly afraid of the Headmaster. He could ship Draco off for this, before the teen could put his second plan into effect.

"Nevertheless, it did and you must be held accountable for your actions. Therefore, Slytherin house will be deduced thirty points for your careless and damaging behavior. Once a report is made of what elements went into your potion and their effects on Professor Snape and Miss. Granger, you will clean up the closet – which you will personally re-supply, both physically and financially – and the hall. You will not be playing in this weekend's game, in fact that game will be postponed until you are able to train a new Seeker, Professor Snape." Dumbledore looked over at a barely satisfied potions master.

Snape wanted to break the brat's neck. But the severe restrictions would have to do it seemed. However, if Hermione was permanently damaged …

Dumbledore continued on. "You will still be restricted to classes, the library, and you house's rooms for the remainder of the year. You will be refused from all celebrations. And the next time you harm another by your careless actions, you will be expelled for life from this school. Am I understood?"

"Completely." Draco was relieved. He could still get rid of Snape and Granger. And his next potion would not be thrown together haphazardly. But that was a few weeks away yet.

"Now for all of you coming so quickly to help, I give Slytherin fifty points for each of you, Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle. I also give you both another twenty a piece for keeping Mr. Malfoy company rather than allowing him to leave as he was telling you both too when Professor McGonagal and I came in. Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley, fifty points each for helping in this matter as well."

***

It took three days for Hermione to wake up, and even then she couldn't get out of bed. Her friends came to see her everyday and helped her keep up with her studies by bringing her that day's class and home work assignments, when she wasn't helping them keep up with their own studies that is. All of the professors often stopped by to check on her progress … that is except for Professor Snape. She didn't ever see him. She just wanted him to see that she was getting stronger, that she wasn't giving up. Merlin, what if she had imagined him talking to her mind? What if those strong feelings she had sensed from him had been only her heart wishing? The thought depressed her most days, but every night was a different matter.

She would just be dropping off to sleep when she felt someone tuck her in securely. Whoever it was she had no idea. There was a spell that was placed on her to make her sleep. Yet, she could feel that strong presence. A hand would rub her back until she'd fully relax, she'd feel a body sit on the edge of her bed, and every so often she'd feel a soft and chaste kiss brush against her cheek or head. It made her grow all the stronger. If she could only find out who was doing that to her. And then she would wake to find a red thorn-less rose tucked under the covers in her hand.

The day before she was to be released back to her housemates, she and Harry sat talking. "I wish I knew who it was that gave me so much peace and strength at night. That is what made me heal faster, Harry."

"I don't know if I should say this, but …" He was clearly uncomfortable.

A deep voice brought a smile to her lips and a twinkle to her eyes. He had come by to visit! Towering above them both was Professor Snape! "I have been informed that you are to be released tomorrow morning, Miss. Granger."

"Yes sir. And I will be in class." Hermione could have sworn that there was a light that flashed in his dark eyes at her declaration.

Harry looked from Snape to his friend worriedly. "I thought that Madame Pomfrey said for you to take it easy for a few more days?"

"I'm fine. I just want back in class. Malfoy is not going to best me!" The sudden rush of emotions made Hermione dizzy and lightheaded for a moment. Before she knew it, both Snape and Harry were helping her lay back down. "I'm fine … just a little tired."

"I had better not see you in my classroom for another week, Miss Granger." Snape stated clearly with no joke in his eyes. He was deadly serious.

Hermione let a dirty grin slip onto her face. "Fine, I will skip your class for the coming week, while going to the rest of my classes. I've been in bed for over two months now!"

"And you will remain in bed another week, unless you would rather that I inform Madame Pomfrey of your plans?" Snape's eyes were again glittery.

Harry couldn't help but wonder if the couple was flirting with one another in front of him. Wait, Snape and Hermione … a couple? That was a scary thought, though stranger things had happened in those seven years. Still … that was a concept that would take some getting used to. "Um, I agree with Professor Snape, Hermione. You need to let your body finish healing."

"I am fine! MEN!" She growled as she slammed her fists on the mattress in her frustration. Both men chuckled … Merlin's beard! Snape was chuckling? Call the pope!

"And you are going to rest at your house room or here. Your choice, m … Miss. Granger." For a moment Hermione was certain there was a beat he was going to say something along the lines of her being his. No, another case of wishful thinking. It just had to be.

Looking out the window Hermione had an idea of how long she had been in the hospital wing. "It must be near the winter break."

"Actually today is the second day of it." Harry admitted sheepishly.

Hermione sighed as she settled back deeper in the bed. "Then why threaten me with staying here if there is no class? Why not just tell me?"

"Mr. Potter believed it would hurt you to know that it was break now." Snape stood and looked almost lovingly at her. "Will you rest now?"

Hermione nodded sadly. The look on her face pained Harry. "Everyone left you a present, and your folks sent you a bunch of gifts too. Just wait until you see the tree. Everyone worked really hard on the place for you."

"Maybe next week." Hermione sighed with tears prickling in her eyes.

Abruptly Snape left and a few minutes later returned with Madame Pomfrey. "I still say that she could do with at least one more day here, but since she is staying here at school and she has so many watching over her I will let Miss. Granger return to her house rooms. But the second anything is amiss, you send someone for me young lady."

Without question or allowing Hermione to argue, Snape lifted her and carried Hermione back to the Gryffindor houserooms. She stayed silent, heartbroken not to see her family for the holidays, but reveling in the fact that it was Severus who held her tight in his arms. Harry opened the door and followed Snape in to hear Hermione's gasp. "Everyone did this … for me?"

"Well, it wasn't for us." Ron chuckled out with a big smile on his face. Beside him was Ginny with a smile that was brighter than her brother's. "We thought that you weren't going to come back until tomorrow, Hermione!"

"I wasn't …" Snape settled Hermione into the nearby chair that was close to the burning fire. Harry saw it as time that was best spent by the pair alone. "Ginny, Ron … let's get our presents for Hermione to cheer her up. And Ginny, get a blanket to keep her warm."

Before she could argue, the trio left Hermione and Snape alone in the common room. Severus rested a hand on Hermione's shoulder; she could see the softer expression had once again returned to his eyes. "Better?"

She smiled softly up at him and nodded. When he knelt beside her with such a tender look in his eyes, Hermione felt as if her heart was going to burst then and there. "I promise to rest. But, I hope that you will not be surprised when I show up to say hello tomorrow."

His entire face softened at that and Hermione saw him smile. Her Severus was beautiful when he smiled! "With you, I doubt that anything would surprise me. And now I have something to look forward to for tomorrow."

She couldn't fight it. Hermione leaned over and very chastely gave Severus a kiss on the cheek and a whispered, "thank you for the roses."

That stunned him and he stood again just in time to keep their matters private from the other three, but the brilliant smile on her face and the veiled shock on his told Harry that his plan was a success. If this was meant to be, who was he to interfere?

***

Snape was in a daze the entire trip back to the dungeons. How could she have known the roses were his gifts? He had been so careful. Every night he had cast the sleep spell before settling on her bed to feed her some of his life force energy. And he always left long before the spell wore off. So, how did Hermione know that it was him? A guess? Suddenly slamming back against a wall, Snape shook his head – that had to be it, and his reaction only served to confirm it!

She was a force he had never before faced, and Severus was finding it increasingly harder to cope with the fact that in a very few months he would lose beautiful Hermione Granger. This was her final year. Come June she would graduate the top of the class, and he would proudly watch her address the graduating class, receive her diploma, and then leave with the rest. Just as he felt his heart twist each summer she went home, he knew his heart would shatter when she finally left for good. But he wanted the best for her, and that meant leaving Hogwarts to chase her dreams. At least he would have a little time left to adore her from afar. He knew that this love he held for her could never come about to anything more than that. Teachers do not date students … nor do they wed them. And while she was gone he was certain that Hermione would find someone to steal the heart he would give anything he had to have as his own.

What mattered right then was that she was alive and was getting better. As he shut the door to his private rooms, Severus quickly collapsed into a chair. With all of the energy he had been pouring slowly into her body, saving and healing Hermione had nearly cost him his own life. But, that didn't matter to him. She had smiled, kissed his cheek, and would be coming to see him the next day! In short despite Mr. Malfoy's sloppy attempt at destroying her, Severus relaxed because his beautiful Hermione would live. Snape couldn't help but smile as he drifted off into dreams he had no doubt would not come true.

***

As promised, late the next morning Hermione snuck down into the dungeons and was happy to see her hero of a teacher bent over his desk scribbling furiously on something. She sat in the back of the class until he finished with the letters and sent them off via owl. Only then, when he was through and looked up as he stretched his tense back muscles, did he see her in the back of the room. "I believe I said that I did not wish to see you in my class for a week, Miss. Granger."

"And I believe that I had promised to come see you today, Professor." She smiled up at him. Snape was having a hard time keeping his joy hidden. She was beautiful, vivacious, charming, witty, intelligent, and out of his reach. If she only knew the power she held over him.

Hermione was doing all that she could to keep her heart from racing. Gods, she always held him in her heart because he never talked down at her about her blood and he always gave her tougher assignments than the rest of the class – not for extra credit mind you, but for the credit he deemed to whatever assignment the others were up to. He saw that she had studied before coming to Hogwarts and since, and treated her as one who knows what is beyond what the rest of her year were learning. Professor Snape held her respect and adoration for that.

Snape fought to keep his mask intact. They were alone, and she was so beautiful. NO! He would not toy with himself or with her. He was the oldest and therefore had to think for her as well as himself! It was so hard with that beautiful smile on her face. "Things have not changed, Miss. Granger. I am still your professor and you are my student."

"I understand that Professor." God she did, but Hermione really wished that he were a student in Gryffindor rather than the school's Potions Master.

Somehow she could see him in her house. Hanging out with her, Ron, Ginny, and Harry. Going on their adventures. Playing Quidditch with Harry and Ron. Taking her to the dances, on dates, to Hogsmeade on the weekends, studying with her … but she doubted that he'd feel that way towards her. She was at best a student he worried for, and at worse his most hated Gryffindor.

With a heavy sigh, Snape smiled just enough for her to see it. That shocked Hermione more than anything that she had been through in the past couple of months. Severus Snape … smiling a genuine smile? Her heart raced again! Just maybe there was more between them that could be built on – once she was no longer his student. She glowed with happiness as she raced up the steps to his desk and laid on it a package she had hidden in the inner pockets of her robe. "Merry Christmas Professor."

Snape quickly, but gently, took her hand and smiled warmer towards her. "Your gift will be here near lunch. It is from all of the staff."

"Can you tell me what it is?" Hermione smiled brightly. The look in her eyes lit the room for him, and eased the twinge he had in his heart earlier when he started to doubt that she was coming.

"No. Now go on before that Potter and the Weasleys show up and make a scene. Will you be at the Dinning Hall for lunch later?" The truth was she being so near him willingly made Severus feel better. It had to be a cold or something – nothing to do with Draco's spell. Otherwise, Hermione would be feeling the effects as well.

She smiled at him. His skin wasn't as pale as when she first came into the room. And there was a twinkle in his eyes. Hermione had never seen them this close except for the day before, when he knelt down in front of her. They were mysterious and dark and just plain beautiful. Still he was her teacher, and he obviously wanted to keep it that way. But, in her dreams the world was a very different place. Still that would be for that night.

She smiled again and nodded before leaving. Severus leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and smiled. He could still smell her on the air. Merlin, when did he allow himself to fall for his student? He could still remember that first day of class with her waving her hand in the air with every question he gave to the Potter boy. Severus couldn't help but chuckle out loud at that memory. Hermione Granger had been a fuzzy haired, buck toothed, muggle born, know-it-all. He couldn't remember when that vision of her changed, but it did – long before he had nearly lost her to Malfoy's prank. "Hermione."

Sighing hard, Severus spotted that little package she had brought to him rather than resting. He smiled softly. Whatever could she have chosen to give him? Red and green paper tied with one gold and one gray strings, his house and her own. Carefully he removed the string and opened the paper to find a shock. One of the rarest books on ancient world potions there was. It was an early edition and one of the few potion books Severus himself did not own. This book he also knew to be very expensive. How could she have afforded it? "You beautiful girl you."

Inside of the front cover was a letter from her. It read:

Dear Professor Snape,

Because of being in the infirmary for so long, I didn't have the time to go to the stores in Hogsmeade. Even if I had, I wouldn't have bought anything there for you. See, you have done for me what I thought no self-respecting full-blooded wizard would ever do. You saved my life.

As to how I knew you had given me the roses while I was recovering – I sensed this strength going into me every night I was in the infirmary. It was the same strength I felt within you when we were alone in the Common room that morning.

Your strength every night is what made me get well so quickly, and your strength was what made me want to keep on fighting. I know that you seemed to side with Malfoy so that I'd get mad and fight. Thank you.

It isn't what the others like Malfoy or even Ron, Harry, and Ginny think of me, and it never has been. All I care about is what my professors think of me. I'm just grateful that you think anything of this stupid mudblood.

Please keep this. It belonged to a neighbor who lived next door when I was young and after he died it was given to me. I don't know if you have a copy or not. I never have the ingredients for any of the potions in there.

                                                                 With My Respect and Adoration

                                                                                  Yours

                                                                        Hermione Granger

"Little angel, just wait for lunch to arrive. You will see how much respect and adoration we staff hold for you." Severus chuckled.