I do not own Harry Potter.

Ch.4

They sat and ate in silence for a while. When Snape had finished his food, he took his plate to the sink and turned to Hermione.

"Finish your food. You need your strength. I am positive that there will be side effects and you will be worse off than you are now. I advise that you stay here unless you feel well enough to apperate to the burrow. I am going to Daigon Alley and will be back in about an hour. "

He left Hermione in the kitchen looking dumbstruck. Snape took a hot shower and used magic to get rid of his stubble. He put on his traditional robes, the all black ones that seemed to billow out as he walked and left the room. He nearly ran into Hermione in the hall. She was leaning against the wall and swayed a bit with each step.

"Hermione, are you al..." Snape never finished his sentence. Hermione clutched her stomach and spewed her breakfast on the floor right in front of him. She leaned dangerously to the right, but Snape was able to jump over the mess and catch her before she fell. He scooped her into his arms and carried her like a child into his room. He laid her on the bed and conjured a cool cloth to put on her forehead. He sat next to her and admittedly awkwardly patted her arm. He wasn't used to caring this much for a person, not even his students. They usually went to Madame Pomfrey if they were ill or their house leaders. Even his own Slytherins didn't bother him unless there was a dire emergency. He felt something tug at his heart when he stared at Hermione. She was thin, small, pale, and frail and he felt like it was his job to protect her.

"Hermione, I will be back in an hour. I promise. Stay in bed and rest. If you feel nauseous again, the bathroom is across the hall. Oh and before it slips my mind, your wand is in the top drawer of the bureau."

He gave one last sad look at Hermione and apperated on the spot.

There were few people in Diagon Alley when Snape arrived. The wind bit you even through the thickest traveling cloak and the ground was slick with ice and slush. He stopped into the apothecary to replenish his potion ingredients and pick up a medicine for Hermione's fever. Next, he went to flourish and blotts to see if they had any new potion books. Lastly he went to gringotts to check his bank statement. Once all the errands were ran he was about to apperate home but Hermione popped into his head. Maybe he should do something to cheer her up. She wasn't able to go home because she was too ill and he thought living with him would make anyone upset. He left Diagon Alley and went to a muggle bakery. The smell of fresh baked dough and coffee wafted into his nose and he couldn't help but smile. He ordered two cinnamon rolls and a small latte for Hermione. He didn't care for coffee much. Smiling to himself he apperated to the house. Snape conjured a bouquet of flowers into his already full arms and walked to his bedroom.

"Hermione. I brought you a surprise. I'm sorry that..." The bed was empty and the drawer was open. Hermione had to have went to the bathroom. She was supposed to stay in bed. He couldn't help but feel a panic rise into his chest from his stomach. He didn't want to turn around because he knew what he would see. The bathroom door stood open and the light was out. No one had been in there. He walked swiftly through the house checking every room, the library, the kitchen, the sitting room, the dining room, the basement, even the house elf's quarters. She was in none of those places. He found his house elf in the main hallway dusting the clock.

"Tell me... please. Where is Hermione?" His voice cracked.

"Oh I am so sorry master. You just missed her. She went out in search of her broom. Honestly I think she was a bit mad sir myself. Goin out with no cloak and all and only her wand."

At this, Snape dropped everything in his arms and ran out the door. Hot coffee splashed his shins but he didn't care.

"Hermione! Hermione!"

He received no answer. There was a field less than a mile from his home. That had to be where Hermione had gone. He apperated there immediately. Soft huge snowflakes began falling from the sky. It would have been beautiful if the circumstances were different. He trudged over the small hill in the pasture, frozen tall grass crunching under his boots. A tree could be seen at the top. It was missing half of its branches. His heart felt like it imploded when he saw Hermione. She was on the ground under the tree just inches from the wreckage of a broom, her wand in the snow. She looked so peacful laying there in the snow. Her hair shone like brass against the white background and her skin was almost as pale.

Snape kneeled down and shook Hermione. Her eyes fluttered and opened.

"It's really cold."

"I know Hermione and it was stupid of you to come out here alone." Snape took off his cape and wrapped it around Hermione as she sat up.

" I was looking for my broom and when I found it I tried to repair it. I think I passed out from the exertion."

"That's why I told you to stay put." Snape sniffed. Hermione thought it was because of the cold but she couldn't see that he was crying.

Hermione looked at the cloak around her and back at Snape.

"There's something I always wanted to ask you," she said.

"What is it Hermione?" Snape questioned.

"Why does your cloak always billow like it's being blown in the wind?"

He seemed taken aback by the question. Then he did something that Hermione had never seen him do. Snape smiled. "It's a little spell called Dramaticus Effectus." He scooped Hermione into his arms as she laughed and apperated back to the manor. Her laugh was such a beautiful sound.

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