Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

BETA: Ms. Marauder-Cullen

Endearment

Severus rested both hands on the mantle, starring at the dancing flames. It had been three days since the Emerald Dante bit Hermione. He couldn't handle Potter and the two Weaselys asking questions non-stop. It was enough to make him go mad. The most madding thing of it all was that she was in his bed. The one placed he dreamed of her being, but not like this. He dreamed of her screaming his name in the heat of passion. He couldn't have that though; it was against the rules and she'd have nothing to do with a Death Eater. He had an extremely dark past. No one would want to be with him, not after what he had done over the years. Severus shook his head and walked into the bedroom.

He couldn't seem to stay away from her for too long. He feared if he stayed away that her heart would stop beating. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Miss Granger," he said. She opened her eyes weakly. "I'm going to look at your chest." She raised a brow. "I need to see how much the poison has spread." Hermione nodded.

Severus unbuttoned the white shirt, slowly relieving her black and blue chest. He looked closely at the bite over her heart. He took out his wand and ran it over her heart. He put away his wand and grabbed a syringe from his black bag, which was on the bedside table.

"I need you to take deep, soothing breaths." Severus instructed.

She nodded and took deep breaths. He carefully pushed the needle into the Emerald Dante bite and extracted a bright green substance. Hermione hissed out of pain.

"I can't remove it with a potion Miss Granger. Just relax." Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. He grabbed a jar and put the poison inside it. "Alright." he buttoned up her shirt. "I was able to pull out four syringes full."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you Professor."

Severus rose from bed and towered over the witch. "I'm not doing this out of the kindness of my heart. I would have thrown you into the Hospital Wing and left you." He hissed and swept from the room.

Hermione frowned after the Potions Master. She only wanted him to stay in the room and talk to her, so she would not be alone. She hated being stuck in the bed and unable to nothing to pass the time. She loved to read, but she could only read for so long.

Hermione grabbed her school bag and pulled out a pen and piece of paper. She thought it was time to write Christian. He had a right to know what had happened. She hoped Dumbledore could get him to Hogwarts. She wanted her brother with her. Hermione wrote him the letter, sat it down on the bedside table, and asked Professor Snape if he would owl it for her.

****

Harry and Ron sat in the common room thinking about their best friend and the idea of her stuck in the bat's chambers. It made them want to strangle him. Snape was like a fly that they would like to squish.

"I swear. Why did Dumbledore have to leave Mione with Snape?" Ron asked in angry growl. "I know he's treating her like dirt."

They knew Dumbledore trusted him, but that did not mean that they trusted him. Snape was a Death Eater and that made it even worse.

"I want to go and see Mione." Harry told Ron. "I want to make sure she's safe." Ron nodded in agreement and the boys left Gryffindor Tower.

Ron and Harry stood in front of the statue that guarded the Headmaster's office. Harry gave the password and the statue jumped aside. They stepped onto the moving staircase.

"Snape better not have done anything to Mione or he'll be dead." Ron told his best friend and knocked on the large wooden door.

They heard "Enter," and they walked into the office. Ron and Harry saw Professor Dumbledore sitting behind his desk.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasely, what do I owe for this surprise visit?" Professor Dumbledore asked the young men before him.

"We were wondering if we could go see Hermione." Harry said, praying for a 'yes.'

Albus propped his elbows on his desk and pressed his fingertips together. "I would allow you to see her Mr. Potter, but we are talking about invading Professor Snape's private chambers. He likes his privacy." He raised his hand when they opened their mouths. "I know Miss Granger is down in the dungeons, but he is the only one that has seen this dark creature. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Voldemort were behind the Emerald Dante attacking her. Nevertheless, I cannot allow you down there. Not without Professor Snape's approval. I will discuss it with him, but right now please try not worry. I trust him with her life. He is an honourable man. You may go."

Harry narrowed his eyes at the Headmaster. He and Ron angrily left the office. They stormed down the hall.

"We're going to get into that chamber somehow." Harry told him. Ron nodded in agreement.

****

Severus stood in his private lab, hunched over a hot steaming caldron, slicing daisy roots thinly, and then dropping them into a purple boiling liquid. He angrily stirred the crushed moonstone. He couldn't believe that the Know-It-All asked him to owl a letter. He wasn't a massager. He was a highly trained Potions Master.

He was exhausted from work, worry, and spying. He just wanted his quarters to himself. It was the only place he could relax and rest. But not anymore and it angered him.

Severus cut his finger. He hissed and sucked the blood from his finger. "Shit. Now the entire area is contaminated." He quickly turned around when he heard someone walk into the room. "What are you doing in here girl?" he snapped at Hermione.

"I got tried of lying about," she said gently.

Severus made quick short steps and stood over the woman. "Do you want the poison to kill you faster?" Hermione shook her head. "When you move too much your heart works harder. I suggest you get back up those stairs."

Hermione slowly stepped back. She had never seen him so angry. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. He quickly realized that he should not have yelled at her. Hermione's world went black. Severus quickly caught her limp form before she hit the floor. He waved his wand and the area was cleaned. He quickly lifted her up in his arms and went to his chambers.

Severus walked into his bedroom and gently laid Hermione down on the bed. He grabbed his wand and ran it over her body. He slumped down into the chair behind him. Hermione had fallen into a coma. He ripped opened her shirt and saw her entire chest was black. He flicked his wand and her shirt was buttoned.

"This is all my fault." Severus whispered and buried his face in his hands.

"Severus," he looked at the doorway and saw Albus and Minerva. "You look exhausted. How is she doing?"

"She's in a coma. I caused it. I yelled at her." he said, answering Minerva's unasked question.

"Miss Granger's heart, how is it?" Minerva asked with worry.

He looked over at the witch and closed his eyes. "Miss Granger needs a heart transplant." Minerva let out a small gasp of shock. "She will die if doesn't receive a heart."

"I'll contact Mr. Granger." Albus said and quickly left the Potions Masters chambers.

"I'll inform Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasely. You just watch over her Severus. It's not your fault." Minerva said and left the chambers.

"Yes it is." he whispered and looked at the sleeping witch.

Severus brushed a curl from her face. He pulled out his wand and summoned a book. He grabbed the floating book. He put away his wand. Severus looked at the cover. He knew it was one of her favourite books. He had seen her read it many times. It was also one of his favourite romance novels. He didn't care for many romance novels, but this one was different from the rest.

"The Thorn Birds." Severus said.

There is a legend about a bird, which sings just once it its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Than, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And dying, it rises above its own agony to out carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain…Or so say the legend.

****

Christian grabbed his keys from the hook near the door. He opened the front door just as two owls flew inside the house. He sighed and sat his keys down on the table. He untied them from their legs. He noticed one written in Hermione's handwriting. He saw one in handwriting he had never seen. Christian sat his sister's letter on the table. He couldn't understand what made the one in his hand call it was important. He cracked the Hogwarts seal. He pulled out the parchment and unfolded it. Christian sat a bracelet down on the table next to the other letter.

Mr. Granger,

You are needed at Hogwarts. I fear something has happened with your sister. I know she will like you to be there. I advice you to contact your place of employment. The bracelet is your portkey and will allow you to see the castle. It will take you to the office. Just say Lemon Drops and it will activate the portkey.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

Christian quickly called the Police Department and told them that a family emergency had come up and he wouldn't be able to come to work. He ran up the up the stairs to get packed. He ran back down and made sure everything was locked and turned off. Christian placed his bag over his shoulder and placed the bracelet on his wrist.

He said, "Lemon Drops," and he felt a tug at his navel and vanished.

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Special thanks to:

Ms. Marauder-Cullen for being a wonderful friend and BETA. She has done a wonderful job with her work. You're great!

My readers I am so glad you have enjoyed this story. I've been having a blast writing this story.

X&O's

hermione snape

AN: The legend of the thorn bird is from the novel by Colleen McCullough. It is one of my favourite romances. You will read about the boy's reaction in the next chapter.