A/N: Hi guys, firstly I would like to thank all of you that have reviewed so far, they were lovely to read. Can't wait to read your thoughts on this chapter!

Chapter Two: Damsel in distress

It had been two weeks since Hermione had last heard from Severus - or whoever he was - and she was getting restless. She wanted…no…needed to see him. The feeling had been with her ever since she got back into her bed after their last meeting. Hermione knew in her heart that this was what she wanted. It was different to her original plan - possibly get with Ron at some point, get married, work at the Ministry and have a few kids along the way - but evidently more exciting!

The dawn for that Sunday morning was bright and earlier than most would have liked. However, Hermione always enjoyed her mornings and was already in the lounge down stairs with a good book. Harry, having stayed the few weeks, had been shipped home by Sirius and so she was the only guest in the house. It was strange being the only non-Weasley in the vicinity. Ron especially was worrying her.

The previous day he had cornered her in the in the garden…

"Hermione," interrupted a voice, "can I have a word?"

She looked up from her book and smiled at Ronald who was looking nervous, "of course, would you like to sit down?"

He nodded and carefully sat beside her - though closer than she would have liked.

"Hermione, I know we've been friends for a long time," he paused, "but I was wondering if you fancied… being something more than that….?"

There was a long, awkward pause and Hermione searched around for the best ways to reject the offer.

"…I'm…Ron… I'm sorry, I can't…." she replied nervously.

"Why not?" he questions, looking hurt, "are you with someone else?"

"Ron… I just don't think there will be anything more than friendship between us…." she took a deep breath, "I like someone else….I'm sorry, but no."

She stood and headed to her room – it was so strange to thing that if he had asked her last week she would have said yes…

Severus stared at the small boy that was curled up in silent tears at the base of the tree he was hidden in. At least Hermione had said no to the mite – otherwise he would have torn the boy apart to show her that she was his. Pesky mortal… he would need to keep an eye on him…

Then, after a few deep breaths, he disappeared from sight.

Meanwhile, Hermione was upstairs in the room she shared with Ginny. She found she could do nothing apart from stare into the distance, hoping t catch a sight of her vampire. She knew she would have to see him soon. Putting her life into limbo until she felt 'ready' wasn't doing anyone any good. The funny thing was that she had actually come to care for the strange, majestic creature. It was still weird that she would have to spend the rest of eternity living with him… but perhaps it would be alright. Her parents had always believed in fate and that all hints of its plan should be followed to the letter – but would her parents really want her to change into a different species and would she ever see them again? She would have to check with them… yes that was probably a good idea… talk it over with them…

Standing up from where she had sat at the edge of her bed, she smoothed down her robes and walked to the bedroom door. She would have to go now while she had firmly decided on it. Silently, she slid down the stairs and out of the backdoor – no-one was allowed to see her go as they'd prevent her leaving.

She popped backed into existence in the woods behind her parent's estate. Though the branches, she could just about see the grand old building. Hermione paused for a moment and carefully set about checking the wards that she had placed up before she had left.

Her breathing steadily began to get faster – they were gone! She pointed her wand in front of her and carefully crept behind a row of bushes towards the house.

The blood was carefully licked off his lips as Severus examined what was left of his latest meal. The dried out corpse before him had once been a child killer who had just recently escaped jail. She had been part of the lowest dregs of society and his kind made it a habit of going after these monsters – no one really liked biting innocents. Suddenly, there was a deeply unpleasant feeling in his stomach. Hermione was in trouble…at least she waited until after he had finished.

"What are you doing Miss Granger?" he hissed before disappearing.

Hermione breathed in deeper, trying to calm herself. She couldn't see her parents anywhere, but their car was still on the front drive! They had to be alright…she prayed they'd be alright.

At the top of the first flight of stairs she discovered a small black mark on the cream wall paper – a sign of a curse. There had been wizards here fairly recently. As she slipped further forward, towards her parent's sitting room, a fear of panic gripped her stomach with a painful ferocity. Peering round the door, she saw the back of her parent's heads – both were sitting on the seat that faced towards the window.

"Mum? Dad?" she whispered, "are you alright?"

No answer.

"Why hello Miss Granger," hissed a voice from behind her.

Ice gripped her and her eyes froze on the face of the most evil wizard alive.

"What have you done to them Voldermort?" she growled, "If they're dead then you will regret it."

"Of course they're dead," he replied nonchalantly, "muggles have no use in future society. Although, now they are dead and you are supposedly the brightest witch of your age I believe I could over look you disgusting blood. You would like to join me wouldn't you Hermione? Power and recognition beyond your wildest dreams… Appreciation… "

Severus appeared the bottom of the first staircase. After catching sight of some family photos on the mantel piece he realized this was Hermione's house – at least she would be used to living in such grandeur. However that didn't explain why she was here now – he had left her with the Weasley's!

His ears caught the ending of Voldermort's speech to Hermione and then he realized he was in trouble. Severus had stopped being a Voldermort supporter when he grew into his powers and the mark faded from his arm – a brand new start. However, he hadn't exactly handed in his resignation…

Taking a deep breath, he jumped though the shadows and landed softly in front of Hermione. After spreading his arms out to protect her, he proceeded to speak.

"Leave Voldermort, you are not wanted here," he hissed.

"My Severus, how did you get here?" asked Voldermort, his face briefly displaying his confusion about Snape's sudden appearance.

Hermione managed to calm herself down as she starred into the back of the newly appeared vampire before her. He was standing up to Voldermort for her! Not that he could be killed…but the caring sentiment was still there and she felt a lot safer now.

"You know as a future vampire king you could be very appreciated within my ranks," Voldermort tempted in a light hiss, "we could make history – the three of us together. All equals…and all immortal…"

"No one is ever your equal Voldermort," Severus growled, "And do not drag Hermione into this – she is mine and destined for greater things. We will not join you and you will regret touching her or her family."

Turning, he encased Hermione in his arms and disappeared silently from Voldermort's presence. Screaming in anger, the Dark Lord destroyed the building.

The couple appeared in the meadow behind the Weasley's house.

"Why did you go out on your own? You could have been killed!" reprimanded Severus angrily.

"I had to talk to my parents before I made a decision," she sobbed, "…They're dead now…I hardly ever spoke to them… they died because of me…"

Once again, Severus wrapped her in his arms and held her against his chest as she cried her heart out, breaking into pieces. They stood there for many minutes before they heard a voice,

"Oi Snape! What you doing here? Get away from Hermione!"

The pair turned round to see Ron standing by the back gate looking upset. This then caused a sequence of events to begin as Molly Weasley ran out from the back door and waved both of them into the property,

"Both of you, come inside, it's not safe there!"

Ron looked slightly upset by the idea, but wisely made no comment until everyone was sat around the dining room table with a cup of tea.

"Where did you go Hermione?" he asked, "we were so worried."

However, Severus responded for her – knowing that she was in no position to form a coherent sentence at the moment, let alone account for how he had suddenly turned up or how they'd both escaped unscathed from a meeting with the Dark Lord.

"I was in the vicinity of southern Cornwall, visiting a friend, when I looked across to the large house opposite. Though the 2nd floor windows I saw a flash of green light and excused myself to take a look – having discovered from my friend that the house was the Granger establishment. To my horror, I discovered Miss Granger's parents dead in the living room and Miss Granger shaking in fear at the corner of the room. Voldermort was trying to persuade her to join him," he took a deep breath before continuing, "having not expected any interruptions he was not able to respond before I grabbed the girl and apparated her back here."

The table sat stunned around the pair,

"Is this true Hermione?" questioned Molly Weasley.

She nodded though her tears.

That night she was out in the gardens once again. The lawn was bathed in moonlight and the stars flickered above her head. She was waiting for him again and was ready to inform him of her decision. It was now nearly at the time he had suggested and she had nothing more to do. Her focused once again on the small pond and watched as the gentle night breeze created ripples in its surface. Severus would be here soon, she was sure of it.