Author's note

I do not own anything in the Harry Potter universe for they all belong to JK Rowling. All I have done was borrow from her, and had a little fun with my ideas.

---

Chapter 3

Over the next few days, Severus watched Hermione constantly at her bedside. He only left for about half an hour every night just to shower and get cleaned up. Still he continued with his comforting gestures such as holding her hand, and kissing her forehead, and of course, talking to her. Subjects about potions and school would be the topic of discussion, and among a few other things such as his feelings for her.

On the tenth day, Hermione's vital signs were much better than expected. Severus was on Hermione's bedside. One hand holding her hand, and the other holding a pocketbook entitled 'Sense and Sensibility.' He started reading the book to her since the day before. Suddenly, he heard a moan that he thought came from Hermione. Pausing, he dropped the book and noticed that there was still no change. Then, he felt a squeeze on his hand—her hand.

"Hermione?" Severus gasped as he jumped from his chair to look over her. He wiped away the strands of curly brown hair from her face, and saw that her eyes were open.

"You're at St. Mugo's," he informed her. "How are you feeling?" The only response that he got from her was a groan, as he eyes seemed to wince in pain.

"I will call the healer then." Severus walked out of the room to call Samuel.

Hermione looked up at the ceiling, and tried to gather her thoughts. The first thing that came to her was the dream with Aphrodite. It was a dream wasn't it? Clearly, she remembered everything.

"He will be there when you awaken."

Did that mean that Severus Snape was her soul mate? Then it had to be a dream, otherwise there had to be an explanation of some sort. Her professor, her soul mate? A part of her seemed to like the idea. She has had a crush on the man for about three years. Despite his rudeness to her, his intelligence, and him sacrificing himself for the Order was what had attracted him to her. Of course, the man did look good, and his voice melted her. It couldn't be true.

Aphrodite's Legend, she remembered. She read it in the restricted section in the library some time back. Soul mates bound by her would become the most powerful witch and wizard. It only happened twice before, and that was thousands of years ago. Some said that it wasn't true, and with the word 'legend,' it couldn't have been. Could it?

Shaking her thoughts away, she remembered that she was in the hospital. She felt like crap, and it was all because of her step father. He had been abusing her for months, ever since he pulled her out of Hogwarts. Witchcraft and wizardry made her look like a freak in his eyes. He beat her silly, locked up in the basement. And the last thing that she remembered was that she was lucky to have escaped.

"Good afternoon Miss Granger," a male greeted her from her right bedside. "My name is Samuel, and I am your healer." He then made her drink a potion, to ease some of her pain away. It was only some because her lung injury was too severe causing too much pain, which any potion couldn't take all away. At least it did lessen it.

Samuel started to explain her injuries to her. She was absorbing the information. The thought of her almost dying was too much to bear. The thought of her being with her step father was worse. Thank Merlin that she was in the hospital, and away from his cruel clutches..

"You will have to have respiratory therapy for months," Samuel continued. "I cannot promise you though that your lung will ever be one hundred percent."

Hermione frowned at him. She never said a word yet, and didn't feel like she wanted to.

"I do not mean that you will be staying here for months," Samuel said, as if he read her mind. "You may be able to go home soon after a few more days, until is see fit that you are stable enough. Perhaps that it is best that we contact your parents."

Hermione suddenly stiffened and grabbed Severus's hand, who was seated on the chair at her left side. Slowly, she moved to lie on her side, and try as best as she could to curve into a fetal position. The both men saw her reaction, and the fear she had in her eyes.

"I'll be back later. I suggest that you eat some lunch Miss Granger." With that, he gave a curt nod to Severus and walked out of the room, leaving the two alone.

"Hermione," Severus called her softly as he squeezed her hand once again. "Please tell me what's the matter?" He sat on the edge of her bed, next to her.

Hermione didn't want to look at him. She closed her eyes, allowing some of her tears to fall.

"Hermione, please, talk to me," he pleaded.

"Step father…" Hermione croaked, "… beats me…" She then clutched onto Severus's hand with both her hands, holding it against her chest. Her cries started to make her shoulders shake.

With those four words, there was no need for further explanation. Severus pulled her to a close embrace with one hand, and placed his head against hers. He started to whisper comforting words to her.

"It's alright Hermione. He will not hurt you anymore. Everything's going to be alright," he promised.

"I'm alone, I'm alone," she whimpered again and again.

"I'm here now Hermione," he said every so gently. "You are not alone. You need not worry Love."

Hermione opened her eyes. Even though they were blurry with tears, she could clearly see who was talking to her. For the first time in her life, she saw the kindness, softness and care in the black orbs of her professor. They did not have the usual cold and angry glare that they always had. She knew deep down that she could trust this man.

Severus continued to hold onto Hermione, allowing her to cry. She was crying out all the pain and grief that she had felt. From that moment on, Severus vowed that he would take care of her. He would protect her, and by Gods, he would do anything for her. She would never be alone.

After lunch, Hermione had fallen asleep. Too tired and exhausted to stay awake. She had felt so weak that she could barely feed herself during lunch. Severus had to feed her, and he made sure that she ate enough to keep her strength up.

"I see that she has finished eating," Samuel said as he took the trays from Severus, and put them in the tray bin at the healers station.

"Yes she has. I had to feed her. She barely had enough strength to fend for herself," Severus told him.

"True. Her body is focusing its own energy to heal."

"It's her step father that's been abusing her," Severus said point blank, getting straight to the point. "She has no mother for she has died a few years back."

Samuel nodded. "Has she agreed to report it to the Ministry?"

"We haven't gotten that far yet," Severus replied.

"With regards to Miss Granger's situation, we will have to find a guardian for her, since it is obvious that she cannot go home."

"I'll take that responsibility Samuel," Severus stated.

"You will also have to care for her though, and help her heal. Not just physically, but emotionally as well," he added. "It is obvious that she is in traumatic shock."

"Of course," Severus said in a silky voice. He knew perfectly well what he had to do when it came to caring for Hermione. There was no need to tell him or instruct him.

"Very well then," Samuel said, as he turned towards the station, and grabbed a few pieces of documents. "Here are a few documents that we the hospital are authorized to give, on behalf of the Ministry—for protecting patients in similar situations such as Miss Granger." He handed them to Severus. "It states that you will be her guardian and caretaker from now on. Of course, you may request to have it changed later if ever needed."

Severus signed it without hesitation. He wanted to care for Hermione and took the liberty of doing so. There was no one else to do it. He was the only one there at that moment. And above all, he promised.

Please do review my story. Thank you!