The Potions Master spent the night in the infirmary, watching over the sleeping girl. He wasn't sure why he came back after his evening duties, or why he was still there as dawn approached. He knew full well she was safe in the hospital wing. Minerva would have spelled Weasley to silence and to remain within his bed with no way of exiting until she released him in the morning, as was standard protocol for internal incidents, and she had no other enemies at the school. However, he felt somehow personally responsible for Miss Granger - that since she'd asked him to help her, he should continue his guard of her person. 'Heaven knows why,' he thought wryly, 'it's not as if she is aware, or that she'd want me here if she knew.'
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his hands under his chin as he contemplated the events of the evening. He'd heard from Poppy that Miss Granger had at least been spared the nastiness of a sexual assault, even though the physical injuries she had occurred were bad enough. He wanted to wake her and rant and rave - shake her and tell her how stupid she had been to let what was clearly an abusive relationship get to this stage. But he knew her well enough to know she would be blaming herself already and he would only ensure she felt even worse. She was the victim here, after all, and deserved support not condemnation. He remembered all too well how his mother had reacted when he had lost his temper and railed on her for letting his dad hurt her.
So no shouting. Just sympathy. 'Well, as much sympathy as I am capable of, anyway' he thought, knowing full well that visible concern for others wasn't his strong point. But what he lacked in expressive emotions, Severus knew he could show in other ways, like offering more lab time and opportunities for her to get away from her peer group. It wasn't long until the end of the year and he knew she was planning to head off to University rather than into Auror training with Potter and Weasley. She would soon be even more focused on learning and education, perhaps leaving childhood friendships behind too. Preparation for her next life phase was something he could definitely support her with in his own unobtrusive Slytherin way.
The ward was quiet and he found himself dozing gently in his chair as he contemplated the complexities of life. All too soon streaks of dawn were brightening the sky. He looked down at the bed and cast a critical eye over Hermione once again.
'She looks tired and drawn, even now. Those bruises on her face are almost healed already which is good. But the shadows under her eyes say that sleep has been hard to find recently. No wonder really, given the stress she's been under.' He flicked his gaze up and then slowly down critically, taking in all of her in the soft half-light of the ward. 'Crazy hair - completely uncontrollable. Too thin, even by my standards. Pretty enough, although not exactly classically beautiful. A mere slip of a girl really, nothing to write home about. And yet…
'And yet. Those eyes of hers are so expressive. She's fiercely intelligent, brash, loyal, and her smile lights up the entire room.' He groaned audibly. He wanted to protest that she was just another student, a colleague in the Order and nothing more. But here in the silence he couldn't do anything but admit to himself that he had a massive weakness for those kind of Gryffindor-ish traits, especially when packaged with an intellect that could rival his own.
"Face it, Severus," he grumbled to himself, "If you were twenty, or even ten years younger, you wouldn't hesitate to pursue her. She's just your type."
But Severus Snape didn't get to where he was in life by chasing after unrealistic dreams. He knew full well that although they had shared a 'moment' back in the woods and had built a cautious friendship over their evenings brewing, she would never look twice at him. 'Nor should she. Bright young thing like her is destined for bigger and better things than her old Defence Professor. Especially now she's finally kicked that idiot Weasley into touch. Surely she can't take him back after this?'
He leaned back in his chair and looked around. The light coming through the windows indicated that he'd gone through the night and into the morning. Poppy would be returning soon to take command of her ward and its occupants. He could almost feel the castle itself creaking and waking under the early morning sun.
Severus stood and stretched. 'Enough of the poetry and the adoring gazes, old man,' he lectured himself, 'Time to go. A new day starts, and with it everything will change. She'll need your friendship even more than ever in the days ahead.'
With one last look at the sleeping girl he stalked out, his expression carefully schooled as always.
A/N - short, but important! Will be back to the normal chapter length next time...