SS- First off, thank you to everyone who reviewed, I love you guys! I'm really sorry this one took a while to upload. Shit hit the fan in my personal life so if the updates take a while I apologize in advance. For all the suggestions and people wanting to know when the steamy parts will come, they are coming! But I'm not going to all of a sudden make Snape all fluffy and warm inside, that's just not him so I'm warming him up to the idea. Happy reading!

Days passed very quickly for Hermione who sat curled up on a small mattress in the corner of a dimply lit bedroom. She wore a short, baggy night gown; one she had found lying in the dresser. Since her arrival, Hermione had spent most of her afternoons exploring the manor. Professor Snape had cleaned up nicely, restoring at least some kind of life into the house. He had given her the option of an array of bedrooms, in which case, she chose the smallest.

"It belonged on my mother's side," Snape had said quietly while showing her around. There was something off about her Professor, she had noticed. She had thought once he had a good rest, he would be back to his normal, bitter self, but something was wrong. The bags under his eyes never left, his face never regained colour, and his biting attitude seemed too much effort for him to conjure up. The only time he really snapped at her was when she questioned his health. Often, she heard him moan or yell in his sleep, that is, when he did sleep. Usually she wouldn't see him much; he would either be at Hogwarts, cooped up in the Headmaster's office, or in the basement, making potions for Voldemort.

Hermione bolted upright on her bed, listening. She swore she heard something. Hair in disarray, she gazed at a clock stationed at the back of the wall.

2:05 am.

Her nerves felt bunched tight as she listened. She never quite felt at ease when Snape was out of the house. She knew he had put wards up around the mansion, but even he had warned her to keep her wand with her at all times. Hermione slipped off the bed quietly, her wand clutched tightly in her hand. She tip toed to the door and listened intently. There was no sound. Sighing, she sank down, her back against her closed door. She gazed out the window; it was pitch black, the only light in the room came from the small, tattered lamp by her bedside table. There was a full length mirror just in front of her against the back wall and she stared at herself. Her butterscotch eyes were bright and alert even though her face hinted at her tiredness. She had been having a very difficult time sleeping, images of Voldemort, memories of her torture plaguing her. Besides these disturbing images, she was either kept awake by her Professors nightmare filled sleep, or awake, too on edge to sleep when he wasn't around.

Her hair, though very much clean now, lay in messy ringlets around her face, lightened to a golden brown from being out in the sun. Her baggy nightgown hung low on her shoulders, exposing her neck. She thought of resizing it to fit her but enjoyed loose fitting clothes.

Suddenly, and so unexpected that Hermione jumped violently, there was a loud bang and crash of broken glass. She scuttled to her feet and wrenched the door open but could not go through it, fear paralyzing her.

She gripped her wand tightly and shook herself, if it were a Death Eater; she'd have to pull herself together. With a sinking feeling, Hermione began descending the stairs, as quietly and as quickly as she dared. Her chest squeezed tight as she drew nearer to the entrance. It has to be a Death Eater, she thought in a panic, Snape never returned in the middle of the night, he would either stay in the manor or be gone until morning. She finally reached the bottom of the stairs but flattened herself against the wall opposite to the kitchen where she had heard the noise.

There was no sound.

Eyes wide, a suddenly clap of thunder sounded, a flash of lightening brightened up the room and she saw what she feared most. On the floor in front of her for just a brief second, was the shadow of a large figure.

Heart racing, palms sweaty, Hermione jumped out from behind the wall, her wand brandished, a curse on the tip of her tongue. She stopped dead, mouth still lightly open. A roll of thunder clapped through the house as she stared at her Professor. Snape was unconscious, slumped on the kitchen table, blood trickling rapidly into a pool underneath him. Hermione inhaled sharply, stumbling over to help. She grabbed him around the shoulders, struggling to pull him onto the ground. He was much wider and taller than her.

"Professor!" She gasped, as she noticed the deep gash on his forehead, leading down his throat behind his frock coat. She leaned down close to him, her ear on his chest. His heart was beating dully but he wasn't breathing.

"Oh God, oh God!" she breathed, panicking. She grabbed her wand.

"Anapenoi," she gasped, a pale green light shooting into his chest. Nothing happened. She grabbed his head, forcing it upwards to open his airways further. Blood pulsed down the side of her hand, soaking her with crimson.

"Vulnera Sanentur!" The blood began flowing backwards, inching its way back into the cut. He still wasn't breathing. Her eyes landed on his lips, slightly parted. Grabbing his head firmly, she leaned in, her mouth inches from his. Hermione hesitated, her lips quivering, hovering just millimetres away. Her lips began to tingle, so close to his and suddenly... he exhaled. His eyes flickered open, they were foggy, unclear.

"Lily?" she heard him murmur, his eyes curious, longing.

Who was Lily? She backed away gently and suddenly his eyes refocused on her own. She watched as they hardened, and she felt something drop into her stomach; disappointment. He wasn't happy to see her. Why would he be? She asked herself. You're the one with a crush, not him.

To her immense surprise he reached his hand up to her, even though his eyes were still guarded. She grasped it in her own and helped him into a sitting position on the floor. She wondered briefly how she must appear, wearing a baggy night gown, her hair wild and covered in his blood.

Snape rubbed his neck gingerly, feeling the cut as yet another scar to add to his collection. He grunted, moving his back against a cabinet so he could remain in a sitting position. Hermione sat across from him, allowing her back to slide down the wall until her bottom hit the floor. For a time they said nothing, eyes locked in a kind of trance. She was aware that she had just saved his life, had she not been there, he would have surely died. It seemed as though her Professor had come to the same conclusion for he regarded her curiously.

Another bolt of lightning flashed through the room.

"What is it with you, Miss Granger, in constantly touching me without my permission?" He asked her but his tone did not hold any venom as it should. Hermione squirmed, wondering if he had indeed been awake when she had tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. Snape sighed, his face once again looking much older.

"I suppose I should… thank you, Miss Granger," he muttered distractedly, rubbing his shoulder.

"Are you hurt still?" Hermione asked cautiously, she knew he wasn't in a favourable mood and didn't want to provoke any bitterness she had yet to see from him.

"Nothing to concern yourself with," he drawled, eyeing her suspiciously. Hermione let the silk of his voice wash over her. Her stomach twisting uncomfortably and her mouth dry as he continued.

"Perhaps you should… clean up," he said, nodding at her blood soaked hands and chest. Hermione blushed, she had honestly forgotten about the blood when he began speaking. It felt good to hear his voice, she felt as though she hadn't heard him in ages.

Snape watched as she lifted herself off the floor, walked over to the sink just behind him and washed her hands. It wasn't what he had it mind, he meant she should change her clothing entirely, cursing himself when he realized that the blood wasn't the only reason he wished she would remove such short clothing. She turned abruptly before he could suggest once again that she change and sank down beside him.

"Professor?" She asked, her head tilted. Snape turned to her, she was very close to him and he didn't like it. He was about to tell her so when he caught her scent, it was vanilla with a hint of cinnamon. His eye flickered quickly to her long, smooth, exposed legs. Immediately cursing himself, he put up his shields, allowing his eyes to go blank as they turned to her.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" His tone a little harsher than he had intended. He watched as she bit her lip, her eyes worried.

"Never mind," she said quickly, ducking her head so that a mass of dark golden hair hid her face. Snape grunted, feeling a migraine begin a slow, agonizing beat in the back of his head. Out of the corner of his eyes he picked up on her quick glances in his direction, as if she were contemplating asking him again. Suddenly, she got up and rolled the sleeves of her nightgown up past her now clean elbows. She whispered a warming spell on her hands and moved in front of him.

"Professor, seeing as you so evidently despise being touched without permission, I am asking, may I touch you?" He regarded her carefully, her scent filling his mind. He hesitated, looking at her suspiciously, but nodded. She undid the buttons at the top of his neck, loosening the coat enough to allow her hands to slip inside. Hermione would have squealed with delight had she not been afraid he would chuck her across the room. She knew he was probably aching horribly, probably punished more than his body could handle. She watched his eyes as she slipped her fingers around his neck, massaging the tight area. She moved her hands over his shoulders and marvelled at their strength, pushing down hard on any knots she found. His lips thinned as he suppressed a moan, his eyes fluttering. She slipped her hands out of his coat so she could scoot around behind him. After some coaxing, he finally readjusted himself on the floor so that she could get to his back. She took her time pulling his cloak down his shoulders, her eyes widening at the curve of his muscles, the smoothness of his porcelain skin. Trying not to make her arousal apparent, she crossed her legs, her cheeks reddening furiously. Hermione continued to work the muscles in his back until finally, the difficult knots seemed to lessen. He stayed mostly quiet but she heard the occasional grunt when she found a tight area.

Oh. My. God. She thought, her eyes closing slightly, her brain filled with images of the tight muscles she might find were she to uncover more clothing… Suddenly he stiffened and pulled away slightly. She sighed quietly in frustration; she was going to have to learn to be less obvious.

Snape was feeling immensely uncomfortable; as much as he was secretly pleased with her ministrations he had never felt such energy around him. The young witch definitely had a presence about her. He felt her hunger and was mildly shocked. Of course she's excitable you idiot, she's a young, lonely, hormonal witch; he berated himself, pulling away from her. He tried to raise himself off the floor but once again she never failed to fall in closely next to him, assuring that he didn't fall. Before he had a chance to escape, she grabbed his arm tightly so she could support him.

Despite himself, he smirked at her, both of them knowing that he could easily free himself from her grasp had he been in any condition. She smiled shyly back at him and they walked up the stairs together. She laid him down gently on his bed and was reluctant to let him go. She felt goose bumps rise on her skin as he relinquished her. Blushing, Hermione turned to leave but just before she left the room she heard him clear his throat.

"Miss Granger," he began, his voice dangerously quiet. She turned slowly, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. They locked eyes, his were cold and intense as they regarded her, and then they softened slightly. "If I were you, I would be a little more prudent as to whom I... seek satisfaction with." He said, letting the weight of his gaze take her on.

"Sir?" She began, her cheeks flushing furiously.

"I... am not—," here he coughed, seemingly at a loss for words. "I should not be mistaken for someone whom you can seek affections from." He waved his hand impatiently. "I am a dangerous ally, Miss Granger," his eyes hardened again, "I cannot provide what you seek, and if there were any way I could provide you with protection that did not involve me personally, I would do so." Hermione felt her heart sink, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from him, they were trapped, entranced. She understood. He was dangerous. Unfortunately this only made the longing in her stomach intensify.

"Good night, Professor," she said quietly, shutting the door behind her. She traipsed her way back into her modest room and threw herself onto the bed, a small tear escaping the corner of her eye. She was frustrated, she longed for him, she wanted him. The way his hands moved, the muscle at the corner of his jaw that twitched impatiently, his eloquent speech and those eyes.

God, Those eyes.

She understood what he meant, he was dangerous. He was broken down. But this only made her longing worse. She squirmed on her bed as she remembered the way he looked at her, the coolness and excitement in his eyes. She lay on her back, running her hands over her breasts, twisting her nipples gently when she found them. Her back arched gently and she moaned. She conjured up a fantasy she had always kept in the back of her mind whenever she needed it. She was kissing him, those soft lips, and his hands running along her body. Oh god, if only she could kiss him. She imagined his tongue forcing its way into her mouth, tasting her. Hermione's eyes rolled back into her head, her hands reaching farther down until she uncovered the hem of her nightgown. She imagined his hand with hers, reaching down, rubbing, kneading.

"Oh, Severus..." she moaned, allowing the freedom of whispering his first name to fill her up. She rubbed her clit hard, imagining him forcing her up against the kitchen table, grabbing her hair, forcing her head down. She panted on her bed, her legs spread wide, chest glistening with sweat. Next she imaged pinning him down, ridding him hard, watching his eyes as he climaxed, spilling forcefully up inside her. The heaviness in her tummy built up and she covered her mouth to muffle her scream. Her body twitched madly as she recovered, suddenly quiet, listenening.

She heard a crash in the next room but after listening to his mumbled cursing, she knew he was having a tantrum. She noticed a pattern. Whenever he came back from a meeting with Voldemort, he would hide in his room and let out his frustration on the objects lying about the house. Something else she had noticed about her Professor, as much as he was cool and stoic usually, he had an explosive part of him too where a burst of emotion would get the better of him.

Ignoring the muffled noises of crashing objects and cursing, Hermione lay, now more relaxed, and allowed her heavy eyelids to close. Her thoughts churning with the nights events, a question nagging at the back of her mind, a thought of a person named Lily.

Hermione was woken the next morning by a light tapping on her door.

"Miss Granger?" Came the voice she was all too happy to hear.

"Yes?" She asked groggily, sitting up on her bed, rubbing he eyes. He opened the door and walked in, clad in his usual black cloak but his hair was wet after taking a shower. He looked rather pleased with himself but hid it well.

"I believe I have found a way for you to communicate with Mr. Weasley and Potter," he began and Hermione lept up out of her seat, stumbling to get closer to him. Her eyes wide with excitement, he handed her what looked like the Put-Outer Dumbledore had given to Ron.

"How did you get this, Professor?" She asked, suddenly suspicious. He rolled his eyes impatiently at her and she shut her mouth.

"This is not the exact item Albus gave to Mr Weasley. I invented this little device but it has the same core. No, it will not hold the same properties but the core will allow a kind of link to be created and you may speak to them, at the very least." Hermione glowed, her face alight with gratitude.

"Thank you Professor! Thank—," he cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"You are not to disclose your location, is that understood?" He said to her very seriously. "You are also not to disclose that you are with me, it is... better if they are unaware of my allegiance," he said a little uncomfortably.

She nodded and he handed her the device.

"Can I try them now?" She asked eagerly, rolling the small item in her hand. He nodded slowly and they both sat down on her bed. Snape leaned forward and tapped his wand to the object.

"Coagmento," he said gently and it levitated from Hermione's hand into the air, rotating slowly. He nodded to her and so she cleared her throat.

"Um... Hello?" She asked, her stomach flipping. She could hear rustling and muffled voices, having a feeling the Put-Outer was in Ron's pocket. She glanced over at Snape nervously and he nodded again.

"Ron? Harry?" She asked more loudly, her voice wavering a little.

"What was that?" She heard Harry's voice and the rustling stopped.

"What was what?" Asked Ron uncertainly. The rustling began again and she spoke up, even louder, more excited.

"Ron? Ron it's me!" she cried at the object.

"Hermione?" Harry's disbelieving voice. Finally the voices were clear, Ron having taken the lighter out of his pocket.

"Yes! Yes it's me!" She squealed, her eyes wet. "Oh God Harry, Ron, are you alright?" Tears began sliding down her face.

"Us? 'Mione, you were the one they captured! We thought you died!" Ron bellowed, Harry attempting to say the same think at the same time.

"Calm down, calm down! It's ok, I'm ok!"

"Oh thank God, where are you?" Harry asked.

"Um..." Hermione glanced over at Snape's sour face, he shook his head violently.

"I-I can't tell you. I'm sorry, but it would put us all in danger." Silence, and then...

"Ok..." They said together slowly.

"I'm so sorry, but I-I have to stay where I am, but I'll be able to help you! I have access to books and notes; I can help you figure out the rest of the horcruxes!" She said breathlessly, her eyes still streaming. She missed them terribly. They talked for a few more minutes; they informed her that they still weren't sure how to break the locket and were no closer to getting the other items. They discussed several theories but she assured them she would be spending all her time trying to figure it out.

"Thank Merlin for you, 'Mione," Ron said, his voice relieved but grumpy.

"I'll talk to you guys later ok? If you ever need to talk to me, um..." She glanced over at Snape again and he mouthed the word Coagmento.

"Just tape the lighterand say 'Coagmento', ok?" They said their goodbyes, Hermione rubbing her red eyes furiously. She caught the lighter as it fell back into her hands and offered it back to Snape.

"It is yours, Miss Granger." He still looked as though he had swallowed a lemon whole and she wondered if was because of Harry. He got up from her bed, swinging his travelling cloak around him but stopped at the door way.

"If you are... feeling up to it, Miss Granger," he began, "I have also found a temporary amulet that will allow you to leave the premises undetected for several hours. That being said, I have a mission I must fulfill in the next coming week and if you wish to take this time to leave the manor..." he trailed off.

"You mean, I can come with you?" Hermione asked excitedly, bounding off her bed. She was thrilled, it had been weeks since she'd been cooped up, not allowed to venture out past the gardens.

"Only if you follow every order I ask of you!" He said sharply, eyeing her sternly. "This will be of the upmost importance for your safety. There shouldn't be an incident, but should there be, I must have full confidence that you will listen, and obey." She felt like she was back in school, his voice was lecturing and his eyes surveyed her until she squirmed.

"Of course," she said curtly, a little annoyed that he even had to mention it. She wasn't one of the dunderheads in his class, she knew when to shut up and listen.

Satisfied with the response, Snape swept away and was about to leave for the second time when Hermione piped up.

"If you don't mind me asking, Professor, what is your mission?" she asked curiously, expecting a bitter 'none of your business.' But instead he turned slowly, his eyes darkly amused, the corner of his mouth twitching comically.

"I have a date," he said and smirked at her shocked expression.

THANK YOU! Please continue to review, you all know how warm and fuzzy that makes me feel! Thanks again!

-SS

(PS. I'm already getting questions about this 'date' haha don't anyone worry, it's all part of the plan...)