Author's note

I do not own anything in the Harry Potter universe for they all belong to JK Rowling. All I have done was borrow from her, and had a little fun with my ideas.

---

Chapter 10

Inside the infirmary, Hermione was curled up in a fetal position on a cot. She refused to have Poppy and Minerva touch her. She could pain build up in her body more and more. She didn't care. All sense of her security had gone out the window. There was only one that she could trust. Her savior and protector. Where was he? She thought he heard him call her name a few minutes ago.

Poppy and Minerva tried to talk to her calmly and try to examine her. They always stepped back when Hermione would scream and tell them no. it worried both witches, but they could do nothing more unless she obliged.

"She refuses to be examined," Poppy informed Severus once he glided into the infirmary. She then watched Severus sit on the edge of the bed. Could he do any better than her or Minerva?

"Hermione dear," Minerva said gently as she tried to put a hand on her arm.

"Don't," Severus warned her as he grabbed her wrist gently.

Minerva looked at him with puzzlement as she pulled her hand away. It was unlike him to do something like that. And why would he do something like that? She didn't say a word. It occurred to her that Hermione was the Gryffindor cub that he was referring to.

"Hermione," Severus called her softly as his mouth was inches from her ear. "It's me Severus. I promise, you're safe now. He's gone." Slowly, he placed a hand on her arm, testing to see if she would push him away. And she didn't.

Hermione was starting to hear words from a voice that she recognized. It seemed like the voice of an angel. Severus… safe… It made sense.

"Look at me Hermione," Severus coaxed. "Look at me."

Hermione slowly turned her head. Through her tears, she recognized it was Severus. She sat up quickly and wrapped his arms around his neck, and cried into his shoulder. Severus pulled her onto his lap, and held her close, rocking her gently.

"Hush now Hermione," he whispered in her ear. "I'm here, I'm here."

"How is Miss Gran-" Albus started as he and Remus stepped into the infirmary. He no longer continued for he was surprised at the site that he was seeing. Remus too slowed down in his tracks and stood next to the two witches.

"Severus…" Hermione cried out loud.

Severus rubbed her back, and continued to whisper comforting words into her ear. He knew that her cries had to subside eventually, and hopefully, she would allow Poppy to examine her.

Eventually Severus heard Hermione's cries starting to subside. Something wasn't right though his ears told him. Hermione's breathing wasn't right at all. Severus pulled back, and cupped her face with one hand and looked at her. Her face was all puffy with a bruise on one cheek, and her breathing seemed too shallow.

"Poppy, call Healer Samuel at St. Mugo's now," Severus commanded. The medi-witch didn't need to be told twice what to do. Severus then lowered Hermione back on the bed and made her lie down on her back.

"What's the matter with her?" Minerva asked with worry as she took a step closer.

Severus turned to face her for a moment. Now was not the right time to answer her questions. He turned back, and looked over Hermione, still cupping her face in his hand. She saw that her eyes were closing slowly again and again.

"Stay with me now Hermione," Severus pleaded.

"Healer Samuel will be here in a minute," Poppy informed everyone, and looked at Severus leaning over Hermione.

"Come on Love, just a minute longer," Severus continued. He then started to plant kisses on he cheeks and forehead. His emotions could no longer be controlled as he chocked out a sob. He could feel Hermione weakly squeeze his other hand.

Everyone's brows frowned when they heard the word Love come out of Severus's mouth. They frowned all the more when they saw Severus plant kisses. They were not as shocked anymore when they saw him cry. It was clear then that he did care for the girl, and possibly, even love. Even though they wanted to approach Hermione themselves, they all thought that it would be best if Severus was just the one at her side

Albus moved forward and placed a hand on Severus's shoulder.

"I'll be damned if I lose her again!" he snapped back at the old wizard. He looked again at Hermione, and saw her brown eyes. Images of her flat lining were running though his mind. He really couldn't bare to lose her again. Not now, not ever.

Everyone turned to see Samuel walk in when he swung the infirmary doors open. He immediately rushed to the cot, and told Poppy to stand by him.

"Is she bleeding?" Samuel asked Severus.

"I don't know," Severus gulped.

Samuel then pulled out his wand, and pointed it to Hermione's right rib. He then muttered a spell. With in seconds, a 3d scan appeared just over Hermione. It showed that her lung was slowly deflating.

"Madam Pomphrey, I will be in need of your assistance," Samuel stated. He then looked again at Severus, and then said, "You must wait outside."

Before Severus could object, Remus pulled him onto his feet. Remus started to push the wizard backwards out of the infirmary along with Minerva and Albus. Severus never took his sight off Hermione until the doors closed on him.

"She'll be alright my boy," was all Severus heard as he slowly slid down the wall, and ended up sitting on the ground.

That was it. He started to break down all the more. His shoulders started to shake as he placed his face in his hands. The others did not know what to do. They had never seen Severus like this, except for years ago when he was a student in Hogwarts. His guard was down, and his emotions flowing in tears.

Albus sat down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I have failed her Albus," Severus croaked. "I promised to protect her from her step father… and I have failed her."

"It's not your fault my dear boy, don't blame yourself," Albus said in a fatherly tone.

Severus shook her and then said, "I can't lose her."

"You won't," Albus said and he hoped his words were right. He didn't promise it, but by Merlin, he had hoped it. He knew nothing except for the fact that Severus was present the first time Hermione had died. If there was a second time, he had hoped that she would comeback. He knew she was a fighter, for she was a Gryffindor. Was it enough though?

Please do review my story. Thank you!