Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are all property of J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 4

Close Encounters

Being Seventh Years, Harry, Hermione, and Ron had only three classes on Fridays, so their time before dinner was free time. Ron and Harry left Divination, feeling like they were some how stupider than before they went to class, and headed to the Gryffindor Common Room. To their surprise, Hermione was already there, talking with Seamus Finnegan and Neville Longbottom, other seventh years. Ron decided to go up to his dormitory to grab some chocolate frogs he had hidden in his trunk. As Ron was walking up the large stone stair case, Harry sat down in an arm chair beside Hermione, with Neville and Seamus across from them. Hermione was caught up in talk about Stunning Charms and only smiled when Harry sat down.

"Oi, Harry!" Ron called from the stairs.

Harry turned to look at him with a sort of 'what' look on his face.

"D'you want to go out flying for a bit?"

Harry looked at Hermione seeming to be asking permission. Hermione waved her hand at Harry, as if saying 'go, just get out of here,' because she was still immerged in her deep conversation with Seamus and Neville, though all conversations, in Hermione's eyes, were deep.

Harry nodded his head at Ron and stood up, walking toward the stairs, "Yes, it doesn't seem like we're going to be talking to anyone around here anyway." He looked over his shoulder at Hermione.

Ron sighed, "She hasn't been very talkative lately. I think her 'Head Girl Duties' have gone to her head," he snickered.

Harry and Ron had their brooms over their shoulders and were leaving the common room in no time; it was always a good thing to get in some practice, especially with a Quidditch match coming up soon. Besides, Harry knew couldn't stand not to take his Fire Bolt out at least every few days. Even now, that he's had it for three years; its speed still surprises him.

After Harry and Ron had been gone about forty five minutes, Hermione looked up at the clock, it was dinner time, which means, its Draco time. Hermione told Neville and Seamus she was going to go down to dinner, ending their conversation.

As Hermione was just about to exit the portrait hole, Seamus called after her, "Oi! You care for some company?"

Hermione groaned, "Sure you guys can come, but let's go."

She waited for Neville and Seamus to get up and the three of them left the common room.

Hermione didn't really want any company, she just wanted to go to dinner, scarf some food down and go to meet Draco. But as it were, she was going to have to socialize for a few minutes. The three of them, Hermione, Neville, and Seamus, entered the Great Hall at the same time Draco, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle did. Neville, being the klutz that he is, bumped right into Pansy, as he was turning the corner, causing Hermione and Seamus to bump into him.

Neville's mouth dropped open, "I'm s-s-s-sorry. I didn't mean to…"

Pansy cut him off, "You know, Longbottom, you really need to learn to watch where you're going. It's a shame you're a pure blood, you disgrace the name."

Grabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly.

"Why don't you just shove off Parkinson?" Seamus spat.

Pansy's mouth gaped open. "Are you talking to me, you filthy disgusting mud blood!" She looked up at Draco, who was at least a foot taller tan she was, expecting him to say something.

Draco's eyes narrowed at Pansy, then he looked over at Seamus, "You need to watch what you say there Finnegan! You're the one that doesn't deserve to even be here. Maybe I should teach you some respect for your superiors!" Draco glared down at Seamus.

"By superiors I hope you don't mean yourself! The only think you are superior to is a Scum-Sucking Ameba, Malfoy!" Hermione said stepping in front of Neville.

Draco's eyes immediately fixed on Hermione; she could see a glint of hurt in his eyes. He didn't expect her to be the one to stand up to him, and with that insult.

Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles, hoping for a fight.

Draco scoffed, "Let's go to our table, you know, the one without MUD BLOODS!" And with that he turned on the balls of his feet and led his gang to the Slytherin table.

Hermione turned to Neville and Seamus, motioning them to follow her as she walked toward the Gryffindor table. Seamus and Neville praised her for her, not too surprising, insult toward Malfoy. She didn't pay much attention to their praises, she felt rather bad for it, really. Half way through their meal, Ginny came in, throwing herself down beside Neville and began filling her plate, not talking to anyone.

Hermione looked up from her potatoes, "What's the matter Gin?"

Ginny sighed, "Potions class with Snape. I don't understand why he has to give me a hard time. I probably have the best grade in there, and today he came over and emptied my cauldron because I was helping that Creevey boy." She piled ham and pasta on her plate thumping their spoons extra hard on her plate.

"He's just like that. I think it's because you're a Weasley, honestly. There's nothing he can really do to make you fail though, you always do your assignments, and besides, O.W.L's for you will be coming up and once you decide what it is you want to do, maybe you won't ever have to see him again." Hermione said without looking up from her own plate.

Hermione and Ginny sat, talking about random things, until Hermione glanced up at the Slytherin table and saw Pansy and Draco talking. She knew what their topic was and half expected Pansy to glare over at her. Pansy's glare never came though. Instead, she slapped Draco right across his left cheek.

"WHAT! You're breaking up with ME?" Pansy yelled as she stood up.

Draco stood in front of her with his hand rubbing the cheek she had just slapped. He seemed to be trying to keep things quite but Pansy wasn't having it. As continued to yell at him, everyone in the Great Hall diverted their attention to the fight. No one except the people sitting around Draco could hear what he was saying, but Hermione knew it had to be something he made up. She smiled to herself thinking about how she had won and no insult Pansy could ever toss at her would ever compare to what was just happening.

A few minutes into the fight, Ron and Harry came walking into the Great Hall. "What's all the fuss?" Ron said biting into a dinner roll as he and Harry sat down.

Neville pointed toward the Slytherin table, "I think Malfoy's breaking it off with that dreadful Parkinson's girl."

Everyone stared the direction for a long few minutes, trying to hear what Malfoy was saying to Pansy, but their efforts were in vein. Draco seemed to be talking it rather well, though he was the one ending things. Every time she tried to slap him, after the first, he blocked it with the arm he was holding his face with. Finally Hermione decided she had seen enough, she bid the other good bye and told them she had something to do. She didn't want it to be too obvious that she and Draco were going to see each other. No one at the table really acknowledged the fact that Hermione was leaving, they were all busy suppressing their laughter so they could hear Pansy yelling obscenities at Draco.

As Hermione was walking out the entrance of the Great Hall she heard Pansy say, "I gave you everything! EVERYTHING DRACO! You big rich prat! You disgusting git!" By this time Pansy was in tears, which Hermione thought, was because she was embarrassed to be dumped.

No sooner than Hermione had reached the marble stair case, Pansy came storming up beside her, sobbing into the sleeve of her robes, pushing Hermione out of the way. Hermione stopped to watch Pansy run up the stairs and out of sight, half expecting Draco to be running after her. Draco didn't come, which made Hermione that much more happy. She looked behind her, just to make sure, and walked up the stairs. On the way to the Astronomy Tower, she, Hermione, smiled again because she knew she had won.

About five minutes after she had entered the room and sat down on one of the cold stone steps, someone came in behind her. She turned around expecting Draco, but instead, in walked Professor Snape. At the sight of Snape, Hermione shot up in the air like someone had lit a fire under her.

"Professor!" Hermione cried.

"Yes, Ms. Granger, odd seeing you here." The corners of Snapes' mouth twitched.

"I could say the same about you, sir." Hermione glared at him.

Snape closed his eyes for a second then reopened them. "Watch your self, girl. What are you doing here anyway? Not waiting for Mr. Malfoy, I hope."

Hermione's face flushed, "N-No sir."

Snape walked so quickly toward Hermione, she didn't even see him move, "I don't like to be lied to, Ms. Granger."

She backed away, "I'm not lying, Professor."

Snape moved closer to her, "Ah, but I think you are."

Hermione backed farther away, "Sir, I beg your pardon, but I was just studying for an assignment." She was standing only inches from the wall behind her now.

Again, Snape moved closer, "Some how, I am doubting the truth in that. But where is Mr. Malfoy, surely he's not hiding somewhere in here?" Snape looked around the room.

Hermione backed up once more, this time her back hit the wall. "No, sir, Draco isn't in here, you can have a look if you like." She was hoping her would get his greasy head out of her face.

"No need Ms. Granger," Snape moved so close he was nearly nose to nose with Hermione, though she was quite a bit shorter than he.

Hermione tried to move out from in front of Snape but just as she did Snape spoke again. "And where is it you're off to, Ms. Granger?" He stuck his bony hand out toward Hermione's face and swiped a stray hair away.

Hermione was, by this time, very uncomfortable, "I… er… I was trying to get out of your way, sir."

Snape's eyes twinkled, "Out of my way? You didn't seem to mind having Draco this close you to when I caught you two in the hall." He leaned close to Hermione's ear; she could feel the heat of his breath.

"But… But… Sir. You're a…" Hermione was cut off.

"A teacher, Ms. Granger, this I know." He took in the sweet scent of Hermione's hair.

Hermione's body quivered. What was he doing? "Sir, what… What do you want?"

"Ah, I only want to see what has recently captured the mind of our dear Mr. Malfoy." Snape leaned in very close to Hermione's face.

Hermione quickly turned her head and closed her eyes.

"Don't you look away from me you silly girl!" Snapes voice boomed as he grabbed Hermione's chin in his hand, turning her face toward him.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by Snape's mouth covering her own. She snapped her mouth shut and pressed her lips together and tried with all her might to push him away but his weight was crushing her into the wall. Snape's tongue was gliding over Hermione's lips as he squeezed her face with his hand, forcing her mouth open. His tongue entered her mouth and was flicking viciously at hers. She was completely helpless. What could she do? As she wriggled and squirmed, trying to get away, Snape pressed his body against her harder and hiked the side of her skirt up with his free hand. Tears were now streaming down Hermione's face. As Snape grinded his body against Hermione, he put his hand up the back of her skirt and tugged at her underwear. He then pushed his hand into the back of her underwear and grabbed Hermione's butt cheek with suck force his fingernails dug into her flesh. Hermione let out a muffled scream, trying as hard as ever to push Snape off of her. This only made Snape's kiss deepen and his hand grab harder. Hermione could feel him hardening against her stomach, and it make her nauseous.

Snape ran his hand down Hermione's butt cheek, to her inner thigh. He pinched the flesh there causing her flinch and spread her legs wider, and began massaging the fleshy folds between her legs with his middle finger. Just as he was about to insert his middle finger into her, Hermione kneed him in the crotch with all her might.

Snape stumbled backward, doubled over and grasp his manhood in the hand that had been on Hermione's face. He let out a groan and glared up at Hermione as she sank down the wall. He regained his strength and reached for Hermione's head. He grabbed a handful of her hair and forced her head up, so she was looking straight at him.

"That wasn't a smart thing to do, Ms. Granger." He said, eyes consumed with hate.

Hermione began sobbing harder and louder.

"None the less, I think I've had my fun; I can see why Mr. Malfoy is so interested. Let tonight serve as a reminder to you. If I catch you and Malfoy together, I can promise you, what just happened is nothing to what will happen." Snape put the hand that had been in Hermione's underwear up to his face and licked his middle finger, "Ah, so sweet though."

Hermione glared at him through red glassy eyes, "Get out." She said in a small voice.

Snape smirked, turned in his heel and walked toward the door. Just as he had opened the door he said, "I don't make empty threats, Ms. Granger." And with that he shut the door and strolled off down the hall.

Hermione sat against the wall crying, now harder than ever, into her hands. She didn't know how long she had been sitting on the cold hard floor when the door opened again. Hermione snapped her head up just as Draco's back entered the room. He was looking out the door, apparently to make sure no one was following him. As he closed the door he muttered a locking incantation and turned around, a look of horror came across his face. He ran over to where Hermione was sitting and dove to his knees beside her.

"Hermione, what happened? Are you okay? Who's hurt you?" He put is hand on the back of her neck.

Hermione sobbed harder now. "I… He… Um… Sn—Snnn--… Draco!" She threw herself into his lap.

"Slow down, Hermione. I can't understand you, what happened? He sat back, her head in his lap.

Hermione continued to cry into Draco's lap, not saying anything he could make out. Draco sat there with her, stroking her hair. He didn't know what to say, he couldn't ask her again what happened, he knew he wouldn't be able to understand her if she told him.

At least an hour had passed when Hermione's cries diminished to soft sobs and sniffles. So Draco thought this was a good time to try and find out what happened.

"Okay, now tell me, what happened here?" Draco said in a hushed voice.

Tears started to flood Hermione's eyes again, but she could finally speak. "It was Snape. He… He… Oh Draco! He touched me!"

Draco was silent for a moment, but managed to whisper, "What do you mean he… touched you?"

The one thing Hermione didn't want to do was relive her encounter with Professor Snape, but she knew she had to tell him. What was she supposed to do? Not tell him?

Hermione sat up; flinching when she put pressure on the place Snape's bony fingers had dug into her skin. She explained what had happened, and what was said. Draco's eyes went cold and his face flushed. How could a teacher do something like that?

Hermione could see the anguish in Draco's face, which made her feel even worse, if that was possible. She reached for Draco's face but he pulled away. She gazed up at him with her large doe eyes in shock.

"Let me see." Draco said in a dry voice.

Hermione gave him a questioning look. "See… see what?"

Draco grabbed Hermione's hands and stood, pulling her up with him. "Let me see where he hurt you."

Hermione didn't want to show that to Draco, she didn't want to show it to anyone. She just wanted Draco to hold her in his arms and tell her everything was alright. She hesitated.

"Let me see, Hermione. If it's bad we need to put something on it, or heal it… something." Draco said in a caring voice.

Hermione dropped her head. "Draco, I can't." Tears fell from her face.

Draco put his hand out and touched Hermione's cheek, forcing her to look at him. "You have to, it needs to be taken care of and I can do it, unless you'd rather it hurt."

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. She then turned around and pulled up the back of her skirt. "It was on my right side." She was terrified to let Draco see her. She didn't want him to think she had asked for Snape to do this. She didn't want him to think anything bad of her. She didn't ask for this to happen.

Draco moved toward Hermione and hesitated for a moment before pulling down the waist of her underwear. He didn't know what to expect. As he slid her underwear down he saw four deep, red scratch marks and several half moon shaped blue and purple indentions.

"Is it bad?" Hermione ask, slightly afraid to hear the answer.

Draco sighed, "It's nothing I can't fix." He muttered an incantation as he pointed his wand at the wounds, and with a puff of blue smoke, the wounds disappeared.

Draco pushed Hermione's underwear back up and straightened out her skirt. Hermione turned around to face Draco and saw anger in his face.

"Are you okay?" She asked reaching for his hand.

"I feel like this is completely my fault. If I hadn't taken so long getting up here, none of this would have happened to you. I'm sorry." Draco pulled Hermione into his chest and wrapped his arms around her.

Hermione felt a tear hit her cheek and she was sure it wasn't hers, "Draco," she said looking up at his face, "Don't blame your self. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine for not being strong enough to push him away." She extended one hand to wipe Draco's falling tears away.

Draco shook his head, "It's not your fault, its' his! He should have never touched you! I'm going to kill him!" He yelled trying to pull away.

Hermione seized Draco's robes, "NO!" she shouted, "You can't! We can't tell anyone. Who knows what he could do, he could say anything, and who would believe us anyway?"

"Someone will, they have to!" Draco said desperately.

Hermione shook her head, "No one will. We just have to be careful, seeing each other. That's all."

Draco sighed heavily, "Yeah." He turned back to Hermione and pulled her in for another hug and a kiss on the top of the head. "I suppose you don't want to talk about it anymore."

"No." She said looking up at him.

After several minutes of simply standing and hugging Draco turned to sit on the floor and reached for Hermione. Hermione sat down in front of Draco, between his out stretched legs, resting her head against her chest. She felt completely safe as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She didn't think anyone could ever hurt her as long as she was with him. All her worries melted away. He was the source of her strength, rather either of them knew it at the moment or not.

A/N: I know, Snape's sick! PLEASE R&R, I need some feed back.