A/N Once again I thank my reviewers and welcome all comments and or criticism.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize in this story is owned by JK Rowling. I unfortunately make no profit from the wonderful world of Harry Potter.
Chapter 4: Confrontations
It had been two days and Hermione was beginning to get lonely. Professor Snape had not come back since his unexpected visit. Madame Pomfrey was always around, but what was she going to talk about with her. Professor McGonagall was kind enough to bring her some books from the library, but she had already finished them. Now she was left alone again to contemplate her life. She knew she had to tell Harry and Ron, but she was afraid. Dumbledore mentioned that he had got a letter from Arthur Weasley saying that Ron and Harry were concerned that they had not heard from her for over a month. She knew she had to write a letter to them, so she took all the courage she had and started writing.
Dear Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasley's
I am writing to let you know that I am fine. I understand that you have been worried about me not writing you, but trust me when I say I had my reasons. Writing about them in this letter would be too difficult, I'll explain the next time I see you. For now I am safe, I am at Hogwarts. I got injured a few days ago and will remain here until I am feeling better. I do not know where I will go then.
Hermione
Hermione borrowed a school owl and sent the letter off to the burrow. Harry was there for the summer along with the Weasley's. She decided that a nap was in order, since she was extremely tired.
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"No please don't hurt me; I'm sorry I didn't mean to do it. Daddy please NOOOO." Hermione shot out of bed and came face to face with Professor Snape.
Snape looked at her sadly, "Perhaps a dreamless sleep draught would be beneficial."
"I take them at night, I didn't think about it earlier. So, Professor Snape do you often watch former students while they sleep."
"Well it is quite peaceful here; I was quite surprised to learn that you did not shout out incessantly annoying answers in your sleep."
Before she could answer she heard arguing in the hall. "Where is she, what happened, is she okay." She recognized those voices Harry and Ron; of course they would show up demanding to know what happened. Professor Snape turned and left through the back door he had no desire to see those two anytime soon. She wondered why she felt a bit of loss when he left. That was something she would have to ponder another time, now she had to deal with the other members of the "Dream Team."
The door to the hospital wing opened and Ron and Harry ran to her bed. "Hermione are you okay, where were you, what happened?" She was immediately overwhelmed by questions.
"Harry, Ron one question at a time, I can not answer them otherwise. First I am fine. Second I had been at home before coming here, and third I was hurt."
Harry eyed her up and down then asked, "How were you hurt?"
"I was beat up."
At this Ron started ranting. "Beat up by who, was it Malfoy, I'll kill him, who was it Mione so I know who to start cursing."
"Calm down Ron, of course it wasn't Malfoy I haven't seen him since school let out."
He still looked mad, but he calmed down enough to ask, "If it wasn't Malfoy, then who was it?"
She didn't know what to say. Could she tell them, would they be mad? She couldn't hide it forever; they were bound to find out eventually. "My father," she mumbled.
Harry was the first to react, "Your father?" he questioned.
"Yes" was all she could say.
Ron took a deep breath then, "Why would your father do something like this to you."
"He didn't like me being a witch; he would always hurt me because of it. This summer my mother died, and he was mad at her for leaving him. He took out his anger on me. I just barely escaped. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't make it here."
Harry and Ron were shocked, but Ron was the first to speak. "You mean this wasn't the first time, how long has this been going on."
"Since I was eleven," was her quiet reply.
"Eleven, this has been going on for seven years, and you never told anyone. How could you be so stupid Mione? I thought you were this brilliant witch, and here I find out that you did something so idiotic." Ron just couldn't understand.
Tears were forming in her eyes; she didn't know what to say anymore. Maybe she was stupid, why didn't she anything before. But before she could respond, she was saved by someone she was growing to appreciate.
"Potter Weasley, you seem to be upsetting Miss Granger, perhaps you should come back when you are calmer." Harry and Ron were both surprised to see Snape come into the room.
Ron was still upset, "What you think, you the evil bat of the dungeon, will upset her less than her two best friends."
"That may be so Weasley, but I have enough sense not to yell at someone who has just lived through a very emotional trauma. I am asking you to leave and to come back when you can think instead of just react."
Ron just stomped out of the room, but Harry looked back again, "If you need anything Hermione, you know how to reach me." She nodded and he followed Ron out.
Hermione turned her attention to Snape, "thank you for standing up for me."
"Somebody had to," was the response she got back. "Look it is starting to get late and I brought you some more dreamless sleep. I made the batch stronger; I thought it would be helpful." He set the vials next to her bed and turned to leave the room.
"Thank you Professor Snape."
She could have sworn she heard him say your welcome Hermione as he left the room.
