Wow… was really surprised that this was received more popular than I expected. Thank you everyone for your support and reviews! It really means a lot

Although, there is a thing some reviewers brought up that I want to kinda address. Some accused this as being Ron bashing, but I'm confused on how, considering the whole making fun of Hermione happened in canon, and if this is Ron bashing then, isn't it also Harry bashing as well? Hermione calls out Harry too. I'm just a little confused so if anyone can explain this to me I'd be grateful. I wanna avoid unfair bashing.

That being said, Ron will not be treated as completely horrible and irredeemable. He's eleven years old—he's a kid. He may be a jerk, but he isn't evil. Also, I don't understand how repressed anger issues make someone perfect—Hermione's got issues. This is to touch upon what JKR didn't—people develop issues when they are bullied. I'm surprised Harry only had anger issues when he was older, and no other repercussions to his mental state while living with the Dursleys.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter Two:

A Conversation

For once, Hermione didn't feel the need to attend her classes. The anger still churned in her gut and it felt if she had the ability, she could conjure fire from her skin. The aftereffects of bottling her emotions left her feeling shaky and anxious, but she couldn't bring herself to go to Madam Pomfrey for medicine, knowing the object of her anger would be there, and the cycle of her fury would commence all over again.

She sat herself outside, hoping the fresh air would do her some good. Her wobbly hands grasped her stress ball, squeezing it rapidly, trying to calm herself. She hated when she got like this—the aftermath of the high. Lashing out was so instantaneous—it didn't take thinking or plotting—it's by instinct, and your body can't help but soak all the adrenaline up like a sponge, before the euphoric feeling of making the person that hurt you hurt back, and you're left with a sickness as if you're going through withdrawal.

The torrent of emotions made her stomach lurch, and Hermione did her best to swallow the anxiety, trying not to dwell on what she had done, but also couldn't help but replaying it over and over in her mind. She kept telling herself she should've had better control, or she should've let it go, but humiliation and pain caused her to snap before she could even get a grip on herself.

Hermione inhaled deeply, an attempt to calm her nerves, but it had no effect. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and not come out—anything to spare her the inevitable when Professor McGonagall would confront her. She wasn't a stranger to this before with her teachers since violence wasn't looked highly upon. Yet, that only made her even more anxious because she knew it would eventually come but didn't know exactly when.

Her stress ball was covered in sweat, but Hermione didn't dare stop squeezing it. She had to calm down. Worrying would do her no good. In fact, if she was honest, she still didn't regret punching Ron, even though it wasn't really the best solution. However, the rush of vindication that ran through her when she heard his nose crack was incredibly satisfying.

"I'm a mess…" Hermione laughed humorlessly. She practiced some more deep breathing exercises, not noticing the lone figure approaching her. When a shadow fell over her, Hermione felt a lump in her throat when she caught sight of not her head of house, but Professor Snape staring intensely down at her instead.

Neither of them said anything, and Snape surveyed her critically catching her blotchy face, heavy breathing, and eyes wide with fear, before sighing in exasperation. He appeared to want to pinch the bridge of his nose if he wasn't so composed.

"Come along, Miss Granger." He ordered. Hermione gulped, standing up on wobbly legs. Professor Snape didn't bother waiting for her and she quickly hurried after him, her heart pounding in her ears. A cosmic being must've had mercy on her for no one caught the sight of Hermione following the infamous potions master down into the dungeons. They quickly arrived at his office, where she followed him in without complaint, not wanting to take any chances with her Potions Professor.

Professor Snape seemed to not pay her any heed, searching through his cabinets for something before returning to her with a vial. Hermione looked at the bottle warily, wondering what Snape was doing.

"It's a calming draught, Miss Granger. If I was going to poison you, I'd have make sure you definitely wouldn't suspect." Snape sneered. That satisfied Hermione, for Snape brought up a very good point. He was too cunning to even give a clue if he was going to poison someone.

"Thank you." Hermione said quietly before downing the vial in one go. She assumed he was done with her, but Professor Snape had other ideas.

"Not so fast, Miss Granger. I believe there is something we need to discuss." Snape was quick to shut any plans of escape down in her mind. Hermione huffed, feeling irritation build up despite her anxiety.

"Shouldn't my head of house be discussing this with me?" Hermione asked, crossing her arms. Snape wasn't amused.

"Your show of backbone may intimidate your schoolmates, but me it will not, Miss Granger." Snape sneered. "As for your head of house, she is still looking for you and expecting you and Mister Weasley to talk about your differences and apologize." Hermione made a face at his statement.

"With all due respect Professor, that never stops a bully." She was feeling bold now, the calming draught clearing her of her anxiety, only leaving irritation. She was familiar with this all too well and was very familiar with the after effects would be.

"Who said I agreed with Professor McGonagall?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "'Resolving differences' under the supervision of an adult often doesn't stop bullies. Your own ferocity will."

"So… you agree with me?" Hermione ventured. Snape narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't say that either. Uncontrolled violence also leads to more conflict. I thought your high grades would clue you in on acting smarter with your enemies." Hermione felt her anger flare up, not enjoying his jabs at her.

"So what? Should I have ignored it as my housemates were laughing at me?! Everyone is intimidated by you! You have no idea what it's like to be picked on all the time, no matter what you do, there's always that someone to find something to pick at!"

Snape's face darkened. However, Hermione's self-preservation no longer mattered. She was too angry. He just didn't understand. He brushed people's hate off like it was a spec of dirt on his robes. He didn't care for others' opinions. Even when Snape rose from his desk and strode around his desk to stand in front of her chair, Hermione's glare didn't waver.

"Don't presume to know me Miss Granger. I have been through things that you couldn't begin to comprehend. Things that would break you and make your measly thin skin crumble." He hissed.

"Then don't presume to know me either, Professor." Hermione bit back. "You think I didn't try to let stuff not bother me? I went to every session, did every exercise, but that didn't make any of it stop." She stood from her seat and a desire to hit something increased. Emotions churned inside her as she looked at her reflection in the glass cabinet. She hated the image staring back at her. "Then I came here. I was so hopeful that things would finally be different. But it isn't and it makes me so—ugh!" she couldn't contain it and punched the glass cabinet, shattering it. Her hand bled, but she was too upset with image of herself to care.

It was silent in his office before a sob broke out of Hermione's mouth. It wasn't from her hand, but rather from her turmoil of emotions—the anger, the humiliation, the self-loathing, the wish for things to be different. She slid down the side of the wall, crumbling to the floor. She didn't care about the blood on her uniform or the fact that it was Snape of all people seeing her breakdown.

A handkerchief was soon presented to her. Hermione peeked up and Professor Snape was as impassive as ever. However, he was patient as he held out the cloth. Hermione sniffled, taking the cloth with her good hand and blowing her nose. Snape sighed, kneeling down and taking out his wand. He recited a spell quietly, and Hermione was amazed to see her hand completely healed.

"Contrary to popular belief, Miss Granger," he began in a slightly gentler tone. "I, too, know what it's like to feel trapped and hopeless that you just lose control of yourself."

Hermione watched him in awe. This was a side of her Potions Professor she had never seen—perhaps no one has ever seen. It left her feeling humbled.

"Did… did you get fixed?" Hermione whispered. She wanted to know. She needed to know if there was hope for her. Snape rose from the floor, casting a repairing charm to his cabinet.

"I'm not a therapist, Miss Granger. I don't presume to judge whether or not someone is fixable." Snape replied. Hermione was downcasted, but also understood Snape couldn't provide her that answer.

"Oh…" Hermione murmured.

"Are you composed enough now?" Snape asked not kindly but not unkindly either. Hermione nodded, sighing.

"I guess I should get this over with…"

I wanted to type more but I am not really doing so great right now and am exhausted. I will try to update as soon as I can but there's a lot of stress right now. Please let me know what you think.

Also if anyone wants a Everyone Loves Hermione fic let me know! I started writing it since it's a lot more light hearted and easier to write.

I usually reply to my reviewers in the chapter, but I'm going to try to send replies privately this time since I'm just going through a lot of stuff but I really want to show you guys how much I really appreciate you!