I do not own any of the characters, they are the wonderful J.K. Rowling's. As always, any reviews are welcome and I hope you're enjoying the story! I had a big long outline of my story and it has not been used, this story had been writing itself!

Amarenima Redwood: Thank you!

Chapter 7: Phoenix Falling

Draco sat in the Great Hall with his half eaten plate of food. He was too nervous to eat due to his meeting with Hermione after dinner. It had taken him two weeks to ask her to walk with him and he was not going to ruin his chance with her. He would be completely content with just walking and talking with her, but he'd also love to hold her or even kiss her. Stop it, his father's voice shouted in his head, she is nothing but a filthy mudblood. You're being a pathetic schoolboy. He scowled at that thought. Draco had tried to put his father's thoughts out of his head, but they always crept back in. You know nothing father, she's so much more than that. Draco argued with his father in his head throughout the rest of dinner. Lucius had already ruined his innocence and childhood with forcing him to endure the real horrors of the world and he was done. He slammed his fists on the table, drawing the attention of his other Slytherins and made his way to his room. Dinner was not over yet and he did not want to seem too eager to see Hermione, so he would show up at the front entrance just a little late. Since 7th years had been granted the permission to stay out until 9:30 he would at least an hour with her if he showed up at 8:15.

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Severus spent dinner pacing back and forth in his chambers. He had ordered his food to be sent to his sitting room and had not touched it. First Hermi- no, Miss Granger, had decided to see Draco tonight and then he had received a grim letter from Professor Dumbledore. He was told to come to the headmaster's office at 7:30 and it was only 7:15. He read the letter over and over again.

Severus,
Please come to my office at 7:30. I have terrible news. I'm assuming you had no knowledge of this.
Dumbledore

He had no idea what the old man was referring to and knew that he would be blamed, at least by himself, for not finding out about whatever it was sooner. He scowled at the clock and at 7:20 he could no longer wait. He grabbed the floo powder shouted, "Headmaster's Office," and disappeared into the fireplace.

"Severus," Dumbledore said, looking shocked. "I did not expect you for another ten minutes, but I suppose you could not wait another minute."

"What is so urgent, you had to interrupt my nice private dinner," Snape spat.

"We both know you have not even touched your food," Dumbledore said, inspecting him. After a long pause, he spoke. "It's about Miss Granger."

Everything from the beginning of school flooded into Snape's head. He cursed himself for stealing glances at the Gryffindor table and thinking about the way her skirt swayed and fell just above her knees. However, he did not want to expose this if that Headmaster was referring to something else so he just stayed quiet.

"Her parents Severus...they're dead." The Headmaster said after a few minutes.

Snape took a few steps backward trying to ground himself. For a brief moment the look a look of horror swept across his face, then he regained his apathetic expression and spoke. "And why are you telling me this and not Mcgonagall?" Snape asked.

"Because, my boy, you have been growing closer to her, and also you have established connections with the Death Eaters in hiding…" Dumbledore spoke softly, the twinkle in his eyes was gone. He had finally said it. He did not need to ask if Snape knew outright, Snape knew the question was in this sentence.

"If you are asking if I knew, you are a fool." Severus shouted. "Of course I did not know! I would have stopped it…" The last sentence came out in a painful whisper. He felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. How was he supposed to tell her, surely the Headmaster would put the burden on him. He felt the guilt splash inside of him like acid. It had already started eating at him in just a few moments. I could have done more...I could have stopped this. He cursed himself.

"Do not tell her tonight Severus, let her enjoy her evening…" Dumbledore sighed. Snape did not reply, but sneered at the older man and marched to the floo. He threw down the powder in anger and returned to his rooms.

When he arrived in his room, he collapsed in his chair by the fireplace. He was overcome with guilt, sadness, regret, and utter despair. How could he tell her? What we should say? She just started to trust me...she comes here every night...would she ever come back. He had no power to argue with himself tonight. He wanted her with him, and in this moment of weakness he accepted it. Before returning to his desk, he grabbed the bottle of fire whiskey and his book.

He had no concept of time as he drank glass, after glass of the drink. It was old and tasted foul but he did not care at all. He wanted to subdue his feelings of guilt and shame. After the bottle was halfway gone, he began to forget and slipped in and out of sleep while he sat at his desk. Before he decided to retire to his rooms, he heard a knock. He stood up trying to regain his control over his emotions. "Come in," he barked.

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Hermione had decided to let Professor Snape she would not be coming to his lab today. She had already made plans with Draco and figured he would understand, so she made her way down to the dungeons. She had worked in his lab every night and had even taken time off of studying to assist him. Although she would rather be walking with Professor Snape, she was still happy it was Draco. He had been so much nicer to her and they worked well in potions class.

When she arrived at Snape's office, she knocked, and heard him say to come in.

"Professor, I'm sorry, but I have made plans tonight and I won't be able to come and brew the potions tonight," Hermione spoke quickly. She was terribly nervous and did not see the state her Professor was in.

"With Draco?" He hissed. His voice was icy and cold. She glared at her.

"Yes...I uh…" Hermione began.

"Just nothing. Get the fuck out of my chambers, this instant," He roared.

Hermione stood there in shock. Tear were building up in her eyes as she took in his words. Why is he being like this? She thought.

"Have fun with your Slytherin," he spat, "I'm sure he'll enjoy you." Snape was disgusted with himself as the words spilled from his mouth. They were filled with anger, hate and most of all jealousy.

Hermione could not stand this anymore and the tears fell from her eyes and burned her cheeks. She turned around and ran from his office. She was crying so loudly she did not hear him curse himself or apologize. She was so distraught and needed someone to comfort her. Hermione ducked into one of the deserted hallways, sunk to the floor and sobbed.

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Draco was lying on his bed waiting for the minutes to go by. He stared at the clock for the hundredth time, and it was 8:03. He was done waiting, he collected himself and left his room. He walked down the corridors when he heard a noise. He figured it was nothing and continued walking, but he heard it again. He followed the sound and slowly crept towards it. When he turned the corner, he saw Hermione crumpled up on the floor crying. She hadn't heard him and he stood there unmoving. He had made Pansy cry numerous times when he pushed her away but had never cared. Now he was watching the girl that consumed his mind crying.

"Hermione...It's me Draco," he said slowly moving towards her. She didn't respond and continued to cry, so he put a hand on her shoulder.

Hermione looked up, startled, then leaned into Draco's arms. He held her there while she cried. She cried for herself. She cried for Snape, and she cried for the way she had been deceiving Harry and Ron. She still did not want to tell them about working with Snape; she knew they wouldn't understand. But Draco….Draco will.

Draco held Hermione in his arms as she cried. He felt anger boiling inside him. He knew Snape had something to do with this. What had they been doing every night? Had he used her then thrown her away when he was satisfied. He held her tight and she clung to him. He feared someone would see them, and knew Hermione could not stand the embarrassment of any one knowing she sat in the hallway crying, and being held by a Slytherin. He picked her up and began walking towards his room. The whole way there she did not protest or flinch away from him, instead she moved into his arms.

Draco had no idea what to do with her. He carried her in through his portrait hole, making sure no one was looking. He laid her on his bed and went to turn away, but she pulled him closer. He had know idea how long they lay there, but they did. He allowed the Gryffindor to cry her eyes out and stain his shirt with mascara. Finally after a long time, she looked up at him. Her eyes were red and her skin blotchy.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Pro..Prof...Professor Sn..Snap," was all Hermione could say before bursting into tears.

Draco held her tighter as she continued crying. That bastard. He will pay. He was disgusted at the Professor. Hermione was so sensitive, so innocent, and he had torn that from her. I will kill him. He will never hurt my Hermione again. He was filled with rage as he noticed her breathing slow. She was asleep, in the Slytherin's dungeons, in the Head Boy room, with her childhood enemy.

After some time, Draco got up from the bed. He covered her in his green sheets and made his way to his couch. He had all new furniture in his room and did not mind the couch. His mother had insisted she buy all new furniture for her son. Now that Lucius was gone, she had to keep up appearances. She convinced Dumbledore to allow her son to bring his new furniture and that it would make him feel better after the "tragedy" that happened with his father. She believed buying things and furnishing Draco's new room would heal his wounds from his father leaving, but she left deep gashes every time a new man left in the early morning from her bed.

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The night Hermione spent in Draco's bed, she dreamed of nothing. It was like she took a dreamless sleep potion, and slept comfortable under his Slytherin themed comforter. She had cried until her body had no energy and then fell asleep.

She slowly opened her eyes, but did not recognize the room. She was confused, but then everything from the night before came back to her. She felt like such a fool crying in front of Draco, so she quietly pulled the blankets down and got out of his bed. Before leaving, she stopped and saw him sleeping peacefully on the couch. She watched the boy as his chest moved up and down. He had been the one there for her...the one she needed after last night's events. Harry nor Ron would have understood. They would not have gathered her in their arms and held her till she cried to sleep. His cold body had felt good against hers.

She slowly left his room and began her walk back to Gryffindor tower. Her mind was racing and she was thankful it was Saturday and could sleep the rest of the day away.

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Snape woke up, his back aching and his head pounding. After finishing the first bottle of Fire Whisky and then half of another, he had passed out on the couch. Before he let his mind run rampant, he grabbed, a strong Hangover Potion he had brewed, and drank the entire contents. After he sat down at his desk the memories of last night flew back into his mind. He was disgusted at his behavior and reached for the rest of the unfinished Fire Whiskey but stopped himself. I have to be sober today. I have to tell her what happened... He thought. His body shook and he ran to the bathroom. He threw up whatever was in his stomach from the day before, and fell to the ground. I have just destroyed the only good thing in my life, and now I have to tell her possibly the word thing she'll ever hear.

After wallowing in self pity, he stood up and walked towards the door. He was going to find her. He had made it halfway down the corridor when he saw the Head Boy's portrait swing open. More feelings of disgust flooded him. I have led her straight into his arms. He was going to release his anger of Draco, so he quickened his pace towards the room, but was horrified to see Hermione walk out. He stopped dead in his tracks. What have I done...