Chapter 4 Trees hold secrets

The birds sang merrily on the warm glowing Saturday. Hermione had awoken early, at first feeling disorientated and uncertain of where she was. She remembered quickly, however, about the last few days' events and, deciding she could sleep no longer on such a glorious day, she got dressed quickly and went down to breakfast.

As it was still quite early there were very few people about; a few Gryffindors, a Hufflepuff, two Ravenclaws and a group of Slytherin boys in the corner. She sat down on her own as she knew none of the Gryffindors and ate her breakfast in silence. She found this very odd, she was used to the chatter of her friends around her, not used to not hearing the boys chatter aimlessly about Quidditch, a sport she found pointless. Sadness threatened to overcome her. She thought of going to the library, something familiar for her to cling to but she soon grew tired, she had read all these books thousands of times before, it was no fun without the boys annoying her about homework and such like. She sighed.

To cheer herself up she thought a nice walk outside would be best, some alone time to think about things. She decided to take a walk along the lake and to the edge of the forest. This was a familiar walk, one she often used to take with Ginny as they talked about random things, often ending up in fits of giggles. She picked up a stone by the edge of the lake; she had watched Harry skim stones across the water before and thought it wouldn't be that hard to do it. She threw it as hard as she could, releasing some of the pent up anger she had inside her about her predicament. "Plop." The stone sank without even a hint of going to skim. Hermione sighed. She wished Harry was here.

Something distracted her from her thoughts; she could hear sobbing. Not loud, just a whimper. She looked around; it seemed no one else could hear it. She followed the crying, thinking someone was hurt. There, in the midst of overgrown trees she saw a figure hunched over, sitting on a tree trunk crying. She hid behind a tree, trying to decide whether to go comfort the boy. Then she realised it was Snape crying. Not exactly a cry but more of a whinging. Not realising she was there he muttered to himself, "Why am I so lonely!? Why do I push away anyone that tries to be nice to me?" She felt sorry for him again, and she cursed herself for still pitying him, after what he said to her last time. She turned to walk away when her foot broke a branch. Hearing the noise Snape turned to her.

"You!? What are you doing here?" His tone tried to sound spiteful and hateful but it just sounded sad.

"I heard crying and I thought someone was hurt, I didn't mean to interrupt you. I'll just go." Hermione turned to walk away.

"No, don't go! Please. Stay," Snape pleaded.

Hermione had never heard this tone before. It was soft and angelic.

"Why do you want me to stay? You told me to fuck off before, when I was only trying to help you."

"I'm… I'm…Look here, I wrote this for you." Snape showed her a note.

Hermione sat on the tree stump with Snape. She took the note from him and opened it.

Hermione,

I have never had any friends and almost everyone hurts me. I am sorry for lashing out at the only person that's ever been nice to me. I know you hate me now like everyone else. I blew it.

I'm sorry

Severus.

Hermione read it again and again; she couldn't believe these words had come from the most hated professor ever to be at Hogwarts.

"Severus, I… I …" She couldn't think of what to say to this.

Snape moved closer to her, and she took his hand in hers. "I really am sorry, Hermione; I didn't mean to hurt you." Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing, but still, she listened intently.

Snape leaned in and slowly let his lips touch hers. He expected her to run away screaming, but she did not so he pushed harder on her lips.

Hermione felt the lips on hers and they were soft, warm and moist, not how she expected Severus Snape's lips to be. She could feel him getting closer, edging his tongue into her mouth and as much as she thought she would be repulsed by this she realised she was really enjoying it. She pressed her lips against Severus's, wanting to feel his tongue more, wanting to explore every part of his mouth. Snape suddenly pulled away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I'm sorry, I'll go now." Before Hermione could say a word Severus had run off.

Hermione sat on the trunk for a long time after he had gone. She shouldn't have kissed him, she hated him! She slapped herself. What was wrong with her? She decided she must be in shock from the time travelling and that was why she had kissed him. Snape was an evil, horrid man. She didn't like him, she never would but she found herself looking at the note he had written to her. It was simple but kind, something she wouldn't have expected from the hated Potions master. This just confused her more. "Argh, I hate you Severus Snape!" She screamed to the trees. Birds fluttered away. She kicked the tree and stubbed her toe. "Owww! Great, now my foot hurts, too," she thought angrily. This was all his fault, even the pain in her foot… Hermione looked up at the sky and realised it must be way past dinner time now, so she headed up towards the castle, still not understanding what to make of earlier events. She passed no one on her way up to the castle and was grateful for this, she knew she looked upset and she couldn't deal with people speaking to her right now. She made her way straight up to her dorm, deciding she had to make herself look better before she went to the Great Hall; she didn't want Lily asking questions.

Sorry for the short chapter, it didnt fit with the next chapter though! Hope you liked it, more coming soon! Reviews always welcome :)