Authors Note:

Thank you to everyone who is reading. I really appreciate it.

Hugs to everyone who reviewed! This is my first fanfic and I'm glad people are enjoying it.

As some of you have already guessed, this story is going to go year by year. At which point it will lead to the "present", and then onward. I'm writing this as if Severus were sitting in a chair remembering it. Eventually we'll catch up with him in the chair. I hope that makes sense?

I'm so happy people are enjoying my twist on the books/film. I'm a massive Snape fangirl, so I watch/read the scenes he's in obsessively.

This is mostly movie based, as it's what inspired me to write in the first place. I was watching Chamber of Secrets, and the scene where he says "Yes, Miss Granger?" when they're standing in front of a petrified Mrs. Norris made me think, "What's he thinking about right now?" It's obvious to all us sane people of the H/S community that he was thinking about how much he loves her. But that's neither here nor there!

Back to the point! Since this is my first time writing, if anyone has any advice or suggestions please tell me. I apologize for any misspelled words or grammatical errors. I try to catch as many as I can.

This WILL continue to be fluff filled. But as the years go on, it will become darker. To me, Snape is a Byronic hero, which is my personal favorite. And by definition that entails a little darkness. But hopefully you'll think it's the seductive, good kind of darkness.

By the way, His Student is a possessive nickname he has for Hermione. I didn't want it to seem like I was capitalizing it for no reason. I just worry that I'm not clear enough in my writing.

ENJOY!

There are two incidents he immediately remembers when he thinks of His Student's third year. Both of them taking place on the same day. When that infernal Potter stupefied him, and when he stood between her and a werewolf Lupin.

When he arrived at the Shrieking Shack, other than his arch nemesis standing in the middle of the room, he also saw her terrified face. It enraged him further.

But he couldn't keep an eye on them both, so obviously he had to look at Black. He was the immediate threat after all.

But then, of course, there was Potter. And he saw the look on her face when she realized he had stolen her wand. More fear.

And then he was flying back. Right before he had hit the wall, he glimpsed at her face again. She was terrified. And more than anything, she was concerned for him. He could see it.

"Harry! You attacked a professor!"

And then everything turned to black.

When he awoke, he realized no one else was there. Panic. Pure panic. She was out there with the volatile Potter, a werewolf, and Sirius Black. He didn't have time to feel pain or be dizzy. It was time to act.

He spotted them on the hill. Rushing forward, he grabbed Potter by the collar. She was relieved to see him. Even as he was holding her best friend (disgusting) by the collar and shaking him, she was relieved. He loved her more in that moment than he had ever before. Because part of her was loyal to him. Part of her felt Potter deserved it.

As her expression morphed into terror however, he knew what was behind him. He was the one who brewed the bloody Wolfsbane potion for him after all. A split second later he was in front of her, holding her to his back. Weasley was holding on to him for dear life, nearly knocking Granger out from the protection of his arms. Coward!

"Sir!" She was trying to pull him back, out of harms way. He gathered her more tightly to him, shaking Weasley off a bit.

Well, if he were to die, might as well relish the warmth that flooded him at being cared for.

She was holding on to him. Not the death grip Weasley had on him, or the angry one Potter had. It was firm. He could feel her fear in that grip. And he could feel her concern.

Soon, Black had diverted Lupin away from them. He could recognize his animagus anywhere. He staunchly refused to be grateful however.

Potter ran forward. Toward the danger. What an idiot. But then so did His Student, trying to stop Potter. He grabbed her to him.

"No."

It was firm and absolute. She would not be leaving his presence. She began to cry. Weasley was still too out of sorts to concentrate. He wouldn't notice. So he shushed her. He ran his hand down her arm and grabbed her hand. She squeezed it back.

He led them toward the castle. The weasel was ungrateful of course. He didn't thank him. He didn't care. But then the red headed twit turned his attention to His Student, who was walking slightly behind him, with a handful of his robes. Weasley couldn't see.

"We could of gone after him 'Mione! Why did you stand there!"

She gave out a shocked cry.

Well. He wouldn't being having any of that.

"Ronald! I-I...I didn't want to leav-"

He cut her off.

"Mr. Weasley." Well, that had gotten his attention. "You will refrain from being any more troublesome by starting arguments. Not another word. And need I remind you of your behavior just a moment ago? I didn't see you running valiantly to your friends aide. Cease the senseless prattle. And by God boy. Close your mouth."

He was looking at Snape with what could only be interpreted as terror and shock. Terror, for obvious reasons. Shock, that Snape had spoken. It would seem he had almost forgotten he was there. He hoped the boy wouldn't catch on to what he was really doing. Protecting His Student. Oh, wait, it was Weasley. No fear of that then.

He felt her give him a thankful squeeze on the arm. Worth it.

They had made it back to the infirmary by that point. Weasley was rushed off by Poppy immediately because of his leg, leaving him alone with His Student. Knowing how they usually interacted when no one was looking, he double checked to make sure that they were in fact, alone. They were. He turned his gaze back to her.

She had tears on her cheeks.

"Gods! Sir! Are you alright? I'm so sorry Harry did that to you! I didn't know he had my wand, truly!"

"I know Miss Granger."

"And then...and then. Oh my God! Professor Lupin! Than-thank you Sir! You saved my life!"

His arms were then full of Granger.

But as much as he liked being able to comfort her, it had to end. He heard footsteps turning the corner. Granger was out of his arms and being taken care of. He left.

He'll never forget that day. There are the obvious reasons. Such as accosting Sirius Black and almost being murdered by Remus. But then that's not really why he remembers it at all, is it? He remembers it because someone showed him they cared if he lived or died. He remembers it because someone showed him they cared if he was injured or not. Someone was thankful to him. His Student. His favorite student.

There had been a few other noteworthy moments that year. Such as when he was called to the staff meeting on to see her there, in the middle of the room. She was being given the time turner and all of her professors were being made aware. He wasn't proud of her. She was taking too much on at once! She'd could fall ill. Get a grip old man.

And then there had been the time he found her crying in a hallway during his free period.

"Miss Granger. Where are you supposed to be?"

"Divination, sir. But I...but she told me..."

More crying. He made sure they were alone. She'll be the death of me, blasted girl.

"What the devil did she tell you, Granger?"

"She told me my...my... soul was as shriveled as the parchment t-t-to wh-which I c-c-cleave!"

He let out a loud sigh.

"Granger, listen to me. 'Professor' Trelawney is an dried up loon. And in my opinion a drunk. You can't even imagine how many times she's told me I'll be dead within the hour. And I'm here, am I not? Now, chin up girl. Drop the class. It's worthless. And remember, at least you know how to read. Which is something I've always strongly suspected she does not. Other than palms, anyway. Now up! Go to the library. Be around which you so desperately "cleave" and be productive. You'll feel less contaminated by the sham that is her class."

I was awarded more giggles that day, and a hug. They meant enough to me that I didn't regret talking to a student in that manner.

Third year was good for Miss Granger and I, relationship wise. Fourth year, not as much.