Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Beta: Ms. Marauder-Cullen

Endearment

Severus sat at the staff table watching the Gryffindor table, his black eyes resting on one person, Hermione Granger. He let his eyes roam over her appearance.

Hermione's once unruly bushy hair was now in smooth slick ringlets that stopped at her shoulders. She had tone skin and wore light makeup that enhanced her facial features; especially her bright, honey brown eyes. She no longer had beaver buckteeth but a brilliant perfect white smile. She had formed a curvy, womanly figure with long, smooth legs. She wore clothes that tastefully showed off the beautiful woman she had come.

Severus's black eyes made contact with Hermione's honey brown eyes. He quickly turned back to his plate. He couldn't believe that she had helped him with no doubt in her mind that he hadn't brought a band of Death Eaters to her home. She willing helped him, even after his protests. He owed her for saving his life. He then sneered at the thought of helping the Know-It-All-Gryffindor.

Severus turned his attention back to the young woman. Albus followed Severus gaze and his eyes twinkled. It would most defiantly make an interesting match. He could tell Hermione Granger cared a great deal about Severus Snape. He would only have to wait and see what the future held in store for them.

****

Severus stood in front of his bathroom mirror and looked at the fresh scars on his chest. He could still feel the gentle touches of care she laid on each cut as she cleaned them; not showing any of them less attention than the first. He craved her touch and she was so close now that he felt as if he could touch her. Granger was off limits. She was his student.

Severus shook his head to clear his mind of the beauty that slept in the Gryffindor Tower. He went to bed, knowing she would haunt his dreams as she had for the past month.

****

Hermione tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable spot in the large four-post bed of her private room. She rolled over on her back and stared up at the ceiling. She at lest didn't have to deal with her pain in the ass roommates as being Head Girl did have its advantages. The one that Hermione enjoyed the most was the endless pass to the restricted section of the library. She rolled over on her side to find a comfortable position and she finally fell into the land of dreams to meet a dark Potions Master.

A small black spider with a green hourglass quietly climbed up the post of the bed. He looked at his target with eight small eyes. The small creature lowered himself down onto the sleeping witch. The spider climbed over the fur ball cat and stopped at the perfect place to strike. The creature bit Hermione, injecting her with his poison. Then, the spider vanished.

****

Professor Snape sat at his desk grading six year essays. He crossed out an entire top section of the paper and wrote a large note next to it. He looked up and out over at the seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin class. He narrowed his black eyes when he saw that Granger's seat was empty next to Potter.

"Potter," Harry looked up, "where's Miss Granger?" Professor Snape snapped. Harry looked at Ron, who shrugged his shoulders. He looked back at the Potions Master. "Where is she?"

"I don't know sir. I haven't seen her since last night." Harry said sincerely.

"Ten points from Gryffindor." Severus smirked when he heard low moans. "Bottle your potions and put them on my desk. I want three rolls of parchment on the Blood Replenishing Potion. Get out!" The students quickly left the room, not wanting to be last to leave the classroom.

Severus swept down the hall after dismissing in his last class. He had grown worried of Miss Granger. She normally didn't miss classes unless she was very ill. He saw Minerva standing outside of her classroom door.

"Minerva, have you seen Miss Granger at any time today?" he asked in concern.

"No. I've asked the other teachers and they haven't seen her. Poppy hasn't seen her any today either."

The Professor then saw Harry, Ron and Ginny running down the hall towards them. The trio stopped in front of the couple, breathing heavily. Minerva looked at her students. Severus raised a questionable brow.

"Mione…" gasped Harry, "Something wrong."

"Why didn't you take her to the Hospital Wing?" Severus snapped angrily.

"I don't think she can help, sir." Ginny told the Potions Master.

Minerva spoke up before Severus could snap again and said, "Lead the way Miss Weasely. Severus I might need your help." He gave her a nod and followed the trio down the corridor.

****

Minerva walked into the Gryffindor Common room followed by Severus. The students stopped taking when they saw the Head of Slytherin House. "Severus follow me. Students go back to what you were doing." she told them. "This way Severus." She led him up the stairs to the Head Girl dormitory.

Professor McGonagall knocked on the door but didn't get answer. She slowly opened the door and walked into the room followed by Severus, Ginny, Harry and Ron. Minerva slowly covered her mouth at the state of her student.

Hermione's face was pale as a sheet of paper, with black circles under her eyes and sweat poured from her brow. Hermione's body shook, her breaths coming out raged and gasping.

Severus walked over to Hermione and pressed his hand again her forehead. He quickly pulled back, as if it burnt him. "She's burning up with fever." He felt her pulse. "It's sky rocking and then it drops down to barely non existent."

Severus pulled back the covers and let his black eyes scan her body. He couldn't help but notice the silk, deep green, thin-strapped short gown she wore. The fabric was bunched up just below her hips, showing off her smooth, tone, long legs. Severus felt himself harden at the sight of her beauty. 'Now isn't the time for this.' He thought. Severus searched for any sign of a bite or a reason for her fever. He lowered her right strap.

"Severus maybe-"

"Do you want my help or not Minerva?" he snapped. She nodded and he turned back to the woman. "Now why is it deep blue?" He asked himself, lowing the strap of her gown. He saw a bite mark over her heart and that the blue/black colouring was spreading through her body.

"Emerald Dante. It's a dark magical creature. The spider injects its prey with dangerous venom that slowly and painfully kills those that are attacked." He told them.

Hermione gasped for air and stopped breathing. Severus quickly felt for a pulse and found none. He quickly pulled out a travel potions bag. He tapped it with his wand and it grew to normal size. Severus grabbed a bottle with a clear liquid and a syringe and filled it. He stabbed Hermione in the heart, injecting it directly into her heart.

Harry quickly caught Ginny, who had passed out when the Potions Master stabbed her best friend in the heart. He looked at the two witches in worry. Ron's eyes went wide and he winced at the idea of the pain.

Hermione gasped for air just as Professor Snape pulled out the needle from her heart. Severus vanished the syringe and put the potions bag back into his pocket. He hid his shaky hands from his students, but Minerva saw them, though she said nothing.

"I must keep an eye on her for the next twenty-four hours," he told the Deputy Headmistress. "The Emerald Dante is highly poisonous." He gently lifted Hermione into his arms and wrapped her in a thick blanket. They left the room. "Tell the Headmaster of the events." Minerva nodded and Severus left Gryffindor Tower.

****

Severus walked into his private chambers and laid Hermione down on his four-post bed. He went into the bathroom and filled the tub with cold water. He had to break her fever before it killed her. He went into the bedroom, picked up Hermione, and carried her into the bathroom.

"Miss Granger?" said Professor Snape. She slowly opened her eyes. "I'm going to put you in the tub. I have to break your fever." Hermione only nodded. Severus took a deep breath and flicked his wand and her clothes were transfigured in a two-piece swimsuit.

He lowered her into the cold water. Severus grabbed a rag and began to wipe her face. Hermione slowly opened her eyes and let her eyes come into focus. She smiled weakly at the Potions Master. Severus rubbed the back of her neck. She sighed under the gentle touches.

Albus knocked slightly on the open bathroom door. Severus turned his head and saw the Headmaster. "Thank you Severus. Your fast thinking saved Miss Granger's life."

"She's not out of danger yet. Her fever has to break still. The poison was mainly injected into the heart but it's spreading throughout her lungs. I can only do so much Albus."

He nodded his head and watched Hermione's ragged breathing. "I'll leave her in your hands."

"Me?!" Severus hissed.

"Yes. Of course. You're the only one that knows about the Emerald Dante." Albus told him.

"Very well. I'll do my best to help the Know-It-All." He hissed.

"Thank you my boy." Albus left the Potions Master chambers.

Severus placed his hand on her forehead and sighed in relief. Her fever had finally broke. He scooped Hermione up out of tub and drained the water. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her limp body.

He walked into the bedroom and laid her down on the mattress. He waved his wand and Hermione was dressed in one of his button up white shirts. He pushed a wet curl from her face. Severus flicked his wand and his robes were dry. He pulled up a chair next to the bed, sat down, and watched her sleep.

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