The Valentine's Day dance was tonight and Severus was nervous. He'd bought a dark red cloak and a new silk black button-down shirt with some black trousers to go with it all, but he was so worried that Hermione wouldn't like the gift that he'd gotten her. What if she just laughed in his face and threw it on the ground like Lily did when he gave her an expensive charm bracelet that used to be his mother's? What if she just walked away? How could he ever love someone again? He couldn't have his heart ripped out again! Yet, Hermione was different; she wouldn't do something like that. If she didn't like it, she'd still keep it just because it would be the polite thing to do. Severus thought she'd like it, though. He looked at his Muggle clock and gasped. It was 6 o'clock! The dance started at eight! Severus sprung up and got into the shower, using a special shampoo that he'd gotten for the occasion. It smelt of sandalwood and fresh rain; it smelt good. When he got out, he dried his hair the Muggle way; when you used magic to dry hair, it didn't have the same effect and it made your hair too dry. Severus knew first-hand. He then combed his hair and stared at himself in the mirror; his hair had certainly gotten better from before the war and his chest and stomach was firm, forming well-developed muscles. He wasn't bulky, though, he was leaner. Severus went to his closet and pulled out black boxers and his clothes. The silk felt really smooth against his chest; he liked it. He then put on his trousers and cape. He saw himself in the mirror and gasped. He looked really good! Then he thought about Hermione. He couldn't wait to see her tonight, but first he needed to relax for thirty minutes before the dance began.


Hermione stared at herself in the mirror one last time before putting on her shoes. The dress fell in all the right places, and her hair looked very nice. She decided against using a lot of make-up and hoped that it was the right thing to do. She did, however, put some light gold shimmery powder on her shoulders to make her skin look as if it was glowing in the ball room. She was so psyched that she couldn't stop shaking her feet when she sat down to try and calm herself. She glanced at the clock; it was 7:50… show time. Hermione stood up and checked herself in the mirror one last time and walked out the door. She could already hear the noise from all the kids in the Ballroom. Hermione stayed at the top of the stairs, feeling more nervous than the Yule Bale with Krum. She peeked behind the wall to catch a glimpse of Severus, but she couldn't see very well. Come on, Hermione, who are you? Are you a coward? Are you? No! You aren't, so stop acting like one! Before she lost her courage, she took a deep breath and cautiously stepped out from behind the wall. There Severus was, waiting for her at the very bottom of the stairs. Hermione's cheeks coloured with pleasure and embarrassment at once. She slowly glided down the stairs, not even noticing how most of the kids at the ball stopped dancing to stare at her, gracefully walking towards Severus. His eyes were dilated and he had both arms slightly stretched out, as if he were trying to urge her closer. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Severus took her hand in his, lowered his mouth to it, and kissed her fingers. She blushed again and he led her to the dance floor, the waves of children parting for them as they walked through. He took both hands in his and they began dancing. Hermione had dance lessons when she was younger, and Severus learned either by his friends, by himself, or his gracefulness. Hermione was nearly fainting with happiness as Severus swung her around the room, dipping and swirling her as her dress flew out behind and to her sides. Hermione's breath was very nearly taken from her lungs as she was picked up by her waist and spun her across the room. She looked into Severus's deep black eyes and stared as if in a trance. She wrapped her arms around his neck as they slowly came to a stop in the middle of the floor. The applause brought them back to reality and they looked around as if coming out of a deep sleep. Severus wrapped his long arms around Hermione's waist and led her out to the Astronomy Tower, both relishing in the perfect silence. Severus felt the velvet box in his pocket with a disillusionment charm cast upon it. He gulped and turned to Hermione. Well, old man, it's now or never, he thought. Severus took a deep breath.

"Hermione, I know that we've never gotten along since you were a mere first year. But when I saw you in your third year, how you were just beginning to form into the young women you were sure to become, I knew that I could never have a beauty like you. I was far too old for you, I wasn't handsome, hell, I just wasn't good enough for you!" Hermione opened her mouth to contradict him, but he placed his finger against her lips. "No, love, let me finish. I knew that I wasn't good enough for you, so I made sure to do as much as I could to make you hate me. I mean, I insulted you, your friends, your friends' parents, but you were adamant of your crush for me.

When I saw you at the Yule Ball in your fourth year, I thought, Gods help me. I knew that even with the help of Merlin, I'd never be able to go another day without thinking of you. So, I threw myself into being a double agent for Dumbledore and Voldemort, every time I was tortured, I'd think of you and the good I was doing. I hoped that if I somehow helped defeat Voldemort, I'd be able to keep you safe. Of course, I didn't imagine I'd ever have to save you from your father. That just made me want to protect you more, keep you away from anyone who could potentially harm you. I've been falling in love with you for so long, that I can't even remember when I fell in love with you. Hermione, I- I want you to know how much I love you. Hermione, please accept this gift from me. It symbolizes true love in- in soul mates."

Severus whispered this in a barely- audible voice, but Hermione could still hear what he said. Severus pulled a dark, velvet box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal the most beautiful piece of jewellery in the world. It had diamond snakes wrapped around a pulchritudinous heart. Her thoughts raced in her mind. He loved her? For so long, she wanted him, and now he finally tell her his true feelings? Hermione's heart was beating so loud, she was afraid Severus would hear it. She could barely make the words come out of her mouth as she softly said,

"Yes, Severus." His smile was brighter than the sun. He picked up Hermione and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. For once, she was truly happy. Severus was so excited and joyful. For once, he'd finally found the one woman who'd love him for rich or for poor, however, he was rich, very rich thanks to his mother. In sickness or in health. Well, ever since the war ended, he's been extremely healthy. For better or for worse. Okay, now that's a tricky one. They'd live in a much better condition than most, financial-wise, but he's also older than her by at least fifteen years! Yet, she still loved him… how was that possible? Perhaps she was his true soul mate… gods know he hasn't found that 'til she came here. Severus put Hermione down, unclasped the necklace, and put it on her. She's never looked so beautiful. Of course, Severus thought, she'd look more beautiful in nothing at all. Quiet, you old man, you don't need to have thoughts of that! Think of what she's been through! No, you will wait 'til marriage to make love to her. Severus mentally groaned. At times he really hated the side of his brain with a conscience.

Great, now he just had to see what he could do about Hermione's jack-ass father. He knew that she was getting restless everyday that went by with him still alive, but how could be get rid of the piece of trash? He couldn't kill him, because he'd get into trouble with both the Muggle cops and the Ministry, and he knew that he couldn't have the Ministry back on his case right after he'd been proved innocent at his court day. What should he do? Maybe Lucius Malfoy would do it… no, he wouldn't bring one of his best mates into his and Hermione's battle. Hmm… perhaps he could "accidently" slip something lethal into his coffee or something without him noticing. It'd be risky, of course, but he'd do anything for Hermione. However, he needed this planned out better; no evidence should be found. Wizards wouldn't be able to do anything about it, so if Mister Granger "just happened" to die, then, if the Muggle authorities found no evidence, they'd have to label the death unknown. They almost never labelled deaths unknown, though. Oh well, he had time to think about it. But somehow, someway, the bastard would pay for what he did to his beautiful Hermione. Now, he just had to make sure that she was happy and joyful. Severus smiled to himself. He loved her so much. So much that he'd kill for her. He's never loved Lily that much.

"Severus, what are you thinking?" He looked down at his beloved, who was still in his arms. His arms were wrapped around her waist, while hers were around his neck. This was his favourite way to hug her.

"Nothing much, really. Just happy and tired," he smiled and squeezed her tighter against him. She snuggled into his chest and sighed contentedly.

"I haven't been this happy in… well, ever, really. I mean, forgive me if this sounds tacky, but it feels as if there was a rather large hole torn in my heart, but now that you're here, everything just feels… right." She smiled again and they both sat in silence until Severus shook her to tell her that it was almost two in the morning, but she didn't move or say anything; she was asleep. Severus chuckled to himself and picked her up effortlessly, carrying her out of the Astronomy Tower and to his rooms that she stayed in with him.

He laid her down on the oversized bed and sat beside her, drinking in every last detail of her; the colour of her skin, the colour of her eyelashes and berry-red lips. He watched as she breathed in and out, holding her in his arms until he fell asleep.


Hermione woke up at four in the morning, sweating and gasping from another nightmare of hers. Like usual, her father was merely calling her names, but then he kept hitting her, and soon he was inside of her, defiling her already disgusting body. Soon, Ron walked in, he was naked, and Hermione screamed for help, but it never came. She was forced to suck Ronald's dick while her father continued to rape her fragile body. She attempted to push them both away, but their combined strength was far too difficult to stop. She just let it continue. Let them call her slut. Let them both lie about how she liked what they were doing. She didn't even care what they were doing to them anymore. Her mind had completely shut down, she couldn't even see them anymore. It was like she had taken Morphine, and become totally numb to everything surrounding her. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her side. Ronald had fucking stabbed her! She cried out in pain, and tried to roll away, but her father put his foot down on her side where the wound was, stopping her from moving, from breathing. Ronald stabbed her one last time in the heart, effectively killing her before throwing the knife down in triumph. Hermione felt happiness in death.


Hermione wanted to cry, but she was determined not to wake up Severus, so she didn't. Instead, she simply laid in misery, reliving every past detail of the abuse she'd suffered, but quickly scolded herself for feeling self-sympathy. You really have the audacity to feel sorry for yourself? Think of what Severus went through! It's not like you are the one and only person to be abused by a parent! With a sad realization, she thought, and you won't be the last either. Hermione had no clue that Severus was having another nightmare of his own while she was wallowing in her own misery.


"Get up, boy! GET UP!" Severus was laying on the cold, unforgiving ground, writhing in pain, in helpless terror. Blood was accumulating in a large puddle around his waist and one around his head. He's been what his father calls "thoroughly fucked", and he was sore and in pain, but he also knew that if he didn't get up, his father would beat both him and his mother. He couldn't allow that to happen, so he got up and stood in front of his father in all his 9-year-old glory, shaking in fear of what his father was going to do to him. Tobias sneered and grabbed him by the upper arm, nearly making Severus cry out; Tobias had just broken the bone there, and Severus knew that if he healed it, the bone would just get broken again, so he didn't bother to heal it.

"You've been a living hell ever since you started doing magic like your freak of a mother! Now, I'll really show you what living hell is like!" Severus tried to run away from his father, but Tobias kept a firm grip on his arm, yanking him hard enough for a popping sound to happen. Severus's eyes widened as he felt wave after wave of pain and numbness shoot over his arm. His father had torn his arm out of socket. Tobias was breathing heavily as Severus attempted to move his right limb, but the movement wasn't happening.

"There. Now, you know what it's like to feel helpless. Hell, I've felt helpless as fuck living with you and your freak mother! Maybe I should just kill you! Maybe then I wouldn't have to worry about you turning into the freak your mother is!" Tobias took out a pocketknife from his back pocket. Severus eyes widened as he plunged the blade into his leg, watching as the blood poured out. His vision turned hazy and the world went black.


Severus shot up in bed, sweat pouring down his face. He felt for Hermione next to him, but felt a cold, empty space. He looked around the room for her.

"Hermione! Hermione, where are you?" Only silence greeted him. Severus tore out of the bed and began frantically searching for her. He looked in the bathroom, but all he found was a black, bloody razor. His pulse spiked. What has she done to herself? Severus ran out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, not finding her there either. Perhaps she had gone out of the Headmaster's Dorm. But where was she?


Hermione felt the cool breeze against her face. She closed her eyes, relishing in the lovely moment before stepping onto the edge of the Astronomy Tower. For once, she could finally end her life, and Severus wouldn't be there to stop it. She didn't bother writing a note, why should she? It's not like she was wanted anyways. After all, Ronald, who used to be her best friend, nearly raped her and had every intention of doing so, too. Until Severus saved her…. But then her father beat and raped her nearly every day she was rescued by Severus…. But no one seemed to care that she cut herself or killed herself…. Except for Severus…. Oh, well, Hermione, get over it! He'll find someone better for him! Someone who isn't worth anything to the world! Hermione looked down at her arms that were sure to have scars on them like the others. She was hideous, why would Severus want someone like her? Just jump and get it all over with! Hermione took a long, slow, deep breath before exhaling and putting one foot out for her to simply step off of the tower. Suddenly, her stomach was in her throat and air was rushing past her. She heard someone screaming her name, but it didn't register in her mind before it was too late; Severus. She let out a long scream before crashing to the ground, breaking almost every bone in her body, and plunging into darkness. She never woke up.


Severus screamed her name. Screamed it over and over again until his throat was raw. He jumped out to where she was, but used a cushioning charm enhanced tenfold. When he got there he saw that her neck was broken along with some ribs and her arm. Severus picked her up and Apparated to Madam Pomphrey. True, it's said that it's impossible to apparate inside of Hogwarts, but Severus had the ability to do so anyways.

"Poppy!" The mediwitch came bustling out of her office and gasped when she saw Hermione. "What happened?" Severus explained to her and sat her down. Madam Pomphrey healed Hermione's broken bones, but Severus knew that it was most likely too late. His shoulders deflated in defeat while Poppy tried her best to revive the girl.

"Severus, I'm afraid we'll just have to wait and see if it's too late or not. If she wakes up, notify me immediately." Severus nodded and knelt on one knee when Poppy left. He brushed Hermione's hair back from behind her ear and ran his thumb over her closed eyelids, down the bridge of her delicate nose, and onto her lips. Her soft, decadent lips. Severus gave a soft smile, pain and agony showing clearly in his eyes.

"Why, Hermione, why? What was so bad that you decided to end your life for a second time?" He spoke in an agonized whisper. He didn't expect an answer back. Severus leaned in and breathed her scent in one last time before placing a kiss on her red, beautiful mouth. He got up and was leaving when he heard a shuffling noise behind him. Could it be? No, that's impossible. He turned around, but only saw Hermione looking like she did when he was leaving. Severus shook his head and began walking away again when he heard a soft voice say,

"Severus?"