The sun rose slowly casting a shadow across their faces, Snape was the first one to stir, laid in his back with Hermione's head resting on his chest, her warm form pressed against his that was the best sleep he had had in a while. Hermione stirred moments later "Mmm… Morning" she mumbled sleepily the only reply she got was a slightly… shy! "…Morning…" several moments later he added "How did you sleep?"

"Good thanks you?" careful to keep her eyes from his

"The best I have done in a while now stop lying to me, how did you sleep?"

Hermione sighed in defeat "Terribly I feel like I haven't slept at all"

"Thought so" he replied standing

"Why?"

"Because you look tired and empty" he whispered in her ear from behind and she rolled over so his face was millimetres from hers

"Empty?"

"The light, in your eyes, it's gone" he stated sadly standing straight once more

"They really are gone, aren't they?"

"I'm afraid so…Hermione…"

'Its mind blowing that just one day can change your life forever' she thought to herself before continuing

"Don't say any of the I'm sorry for your loss shit" Hermione growled as Snape sat next to her

"Okay, I'm not the type of person that opens up easily, so what I'm about to say stays in this room okay?"

"Why wouldn't it? Let me just run off and tell Ronald or maybe Harry, oh, wait, THEY DON'T CARE!" Snape raised an eyebrow but continued

"I. No wait let me finish" he added quickly as she opened her mouth to argue "I have faith in you, you're a strong girl, stronger than you should have to be at your age, you've been through a lot and this may just be the worst, but you'll come out the other end stronger and more ready than ever, just remember you're not alone, you've always got people there for you even if it doesn't feel like it, and screw the rules if you want to owl Black then owl him, he'll want to hear from you, if he doesn't in the next 24 hours he'll owl you himself and Dumbledore will class that as acting rashly and will make sure you can't owl each other, so which would you rather?"

"I'll owl him now"

"No you'll owl him after you've ate"

"But I'm not hungry"

"I don't care Dumbledore told me to look after you and it's the least I can do."

He stood and waited until she stood before ordering "Living room. Now."

"But"

"NOW" he growled pointing to the door mumbling "What was that Miss Granger?"

"Nothing professor" she sighed walking through the door

"That's what I thought" he smirked when her back was turned brushing past her to get to the fireplace which he lit and summoned a house elf with a pop she appeared bowing low "How may I help Sir?" In her squeaky voice.

"Breakfast for two" he ordered

"Please" Hermione slid in earning a glare from Snape

"Yes sir, of course sir. It'll be here right away" and with that and a snap of her fingers she disappeared, two trays appearing with toast, butter, butter beer, full English breakfast and some pumpkin juice accompanied by two plates and two goblets. A note reading enjoy your breakfast Mr Professor and Company

This made Hermione smile at least someone cared enough to write something nice even if it is just wishing them a nice breakfast. They ate in silence and sat in silence for a while after Snape knew by the distant look in her eyes she was thinking and would speak when she was ready.

"Sometimes don't you just wish you could switch of your thoughts or at least the bad ones and be at peace even just for a little while?"

"All the time" Snape sighed "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay"

"There's always a little truth behind every 'just kidding'. A little knowledge behind every 'I don't know'. A little emotion behind every 'I don't care'. And a little pain behind every 'it's okay'"

Hermione smiled weakly at Snape "Why are you so smart?"

"I've been through enough shit in my life to know, when people are and aren't okay"

"Yes of course I'm sorry"

"It's okay" and at that moment she realised how true his words were this man was not okay you could tell that when the pain shot through his eyes, and this caused her pain.

"Let me see your hand" ordered Snape changing the subject as he walked over to her and kneeling before taking his hand, which she handed to him gingerly

"You know it wasn't that bad in the first place"

"Yes I know" he smirked as he ran his fingers along the half healed cuts "But the jar was most likely dirty" and with a swish off his wand the bandaged disappeared "Now your cheek" and he ran his fingers along her cheek bone, Hermione reached up and stopped his hand placing it flat against her cheek, holding it there for a second, her eyes closed. Snape didn't pull away in fear of causing her more pain the she already was suffering, also of course the fact that he didn't really want to. But the pain excuse he would use if anyone asked. Hs eyes traced her face, she was tired, so very tired, he could tell by the dark circles under her eyes, his free hand subconsciously reached out and lightly traced one with his fingers, her eyes flickered open and met his, pain visible in them, with his guards down Severus wasn't prepared and her pain caused him pain, before he realised and could throw them up again she whispered "Don't…"

"Miss Granger."

"Severus… Please" she begged in a small voice

"I'm not promising anything"

She smiled weakly "Thank you"

"You need to sleep"

"I can't"

He sat on the sofa and sighed

"Hermione, I can't believe you're making me say this… Please" Hermione whispered "Stay with me please" He stood and held out his hand, Hermione took it gently and stood up closer than anticipated but not closer than was comfortable in fact the closer to this man she was the safer and happier she felt. Leading her to the bedroom and letting go off her hand as she slid out of her trousers he averted his eyes when a soft, gentle hand came up and cup his cheek making him look at her "Thank you….what do you usually sleep in?"

"My Pyjama trousers"

"Do that then, I don't care, I know it's nothing more than comfort, my lips are sealed" she smirked, she always felt better around him no matter what, her teacher, the one person she shouldn't, and never thought she would. He sighed and pulled off his shirt "I have to warn you, I have a lot of scars on my back"

"Turn around" but he hesitated "Trust me" placing a hand on his shoulder she turned him. Managing to hide her sharp intake of shocked breath from him, as she looked upon his marred back, there were more scars than she wanted to count, yet tracing each one with her finger tips apologizing as he winced once or twice as she ran her hand over what must have been the newer ones. Not knowing what to do or say she merely took his hand and pulled him into bed "Let's get to sleep" cuddling up to him as he laid next to her. Her dreams full of a darkness threatening to engulf her, but there was a light at her side fighting it off, protecting her from what would have surely meant her end.


PLEASE R&R LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK AND IF YOU WANT ANYTHING CHANGED AND I'LL TRY MY BEST TO IMPROVE THANKS FOR READING! :)