I know some people reviewed, and I'm not sure I've responded to everybody's. I want to say thank you to all who read and reviewed, but didn't get a reply.

I HATE THIS CHAPTER!! It sucks, and I can't think of anything to make it better.

UNBETA'D!!!

Chapter Ten

Hermione wrapped her cloak more securely around her. Her hair blew in the night wind, and she brushed it back impatiently. The vampire that stood next to her - Stefan, Hermione recalled - seemed unbothered by the cold air. He remained completely still in the shadows of the tree, and if Hermione hadn't seen him disappear into the shadows, she'd never of known he was there. Shivering, Hermione turned her attention away from her personal guard and back to the Blues silently making their way through the woods.

The King had insisted that Hermione stay a safe distance away from the fighting, that she has an invisibility and notice-me-not spell cast on her. He was taking no chances where her safety was concerned, and made it quite clear that she had to deal with the precautions or not go at all. Hermione knew this was all for her own good - and truth be told, she was rather relieved. She wanted to go - but she wasn't stupid enough to think that she'd be completely safe. Vampires were unpredictable, and who knows what would happen to her if she didn't have protection?

Sudden movement from the right caught Hermione's eye. She turned her head to peer into the darkness. Glancing back where she last saw the vampires, Hermione saw no one. It was almost as if they'd disappeared completely. Returning her attention to the general area she'd seen the flicker of movement, Hermione watched as a dark shape slid from shadow to shadow. It was too dark for her eyes to make out what it was, but the hiss of anger coming from behind her let her know that the vampire wasn't similarily limited.

Hermione opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, only to snap it shut when she realized it would direct attention she apperantly didn't want - at least, judging by the Stefan's reaction. A cool hand wrapped around her wrist pulled her gently but firmly into the shadows. She was pressed against the tree. Stefan moved to stand in front of her, turned sideways so he'd be facing her while being able to watch the shadow simultaneously.

"Stay here, and don't move no matter what you see. If you're found, scream as loud as you can." With that the short man slipped away silently. Hermione watched him go, feeling waves of fear pulse through her. She didn't know what that shadow was, but knew she didn't want to meet up with it, whatever it was.

The sudden explosion of sound - of men yelling and the clang of metal on metal - startled Hermione badly enough she jumped. Landing on a root, Hermione landed awkwardly and began to fall. Waving her arms, Hermione managed to fall into the tree rather than forward, face first on the ground. Hermione's vision swam as her head smacked the tree behind her. Raising a hand to her head, she closed her eyes and gently laid her head against the tree. After some time, Hermione cautiously opened one eye. Vision fine, Hermione opened the other eye. The sound of a fight continued to come from up head, in the small clearing that the vampires had been moving through only moments before.

Fidgeting and re-thinking what she was considering doing, Hermione finally came to a decision: she'd sneak down there and see if she could help. After all, she was invisible and spelled to be unnoticable. Walking as silently as possible, Hermione made her way forward. Sticking close to the trees, Hermione peeked around one particularily large oak tree. Hermione could see the Blues fighting against other vampires - presumably the Deathbringers.

Hermione had fought before - in the Department of Mysteries and the Battle For Hogwarts. But never had she seen such thirst for blood, and such enjoyment of inflicing pain on others. Even the vampires she'd come from Shadowland with seemed to enjoy hacking their opponent to pieces. Unsure whether she should interfere or not, Hermione simply watched from her position half-way behind the tree.

Hermione was rooted to the spot at the site of all the vampires in the clearing, and the way they were fighting. Stefan was using impressive sword techniques to take down one enemy after another. It wasn't the flashy type of sword play that you see in the movies - no backflipping off trees for example - but it was interesting to watch nevertheless. One of the female Blues was caught up in fighting two of the Deathbringers and didn't notice a third sneaking up behind her. Hermione knew she had to do something, but what?

Glancing around frantically, Hermione noticed a branch large enough to be wielded as a weapon. Picking it up, Hermione headed back the way she came before turning in the direction of the battle. Coming around behind the vampire slowly advancing on the female Blue, Hermione raised the branch high above her head and swung it down. The sound of the branch hitting the vampires head - the crunch of the skull caving in - would haunt Hermione for the rest of her life. Dropping the branch, Hermione raised a shaking hand before her face. Her lips started to tremble too and her eyes started to blur. I've killed someone! Hermione thought.

She turned and raced back to the tree she'd been standing at. Crouching down, she tucked her hands in her lap and rocked. Hermione didn't think about the fact that the vampire was going to kill one of the Blues, or that what she had killed had been a monster. She could only picture the site of the branch sinking into the human-looking head.

At two battles she had been engaged in, Hermione had never cast a spell worse than a petrificus totalus. She'd certainly never killed anybody. The knowledge one has taken a life is a heavy one, and Hermione wasn't prepared to deal with the storm of emotion that came with the act.

Hermione was much too distracted to notice the person heading toward her. So it was quite the shock to her when she was hit straight on. Hermione fell back on to her arse, wincing in pain as her eye began to throb. Suddenly she was grabbed by her hair and hauled up to her feet. Screeching, Hermione lashed out. Her finger nails dug into cool skin, causing the hand gripping her hair to tighten. Whoever was holding her yanked her along as they turned to move away from the fight. Hermione twisted and turned, dragging her feet in the ground and yelling for all she was worth. But there's no wood, Hermione mocked herself, echoing her words from her first year at Hogwarts. Pulling out her wand, Hermione cast the cutting curse, Ron's words - Are you a witch or not? - playing in her head.

The man - for that's what it looked like: a big, bulky man - jerked and stumbled. Regaining their footing, he turned to Hermione and hissed the way vampires do. Hermione could clearly make out his faintly glowing eyes, and his sharp teeth. Hermione suddenly felt cold with fear. I just hexed a vampire! All the books Hermione had ever read had two pieces of advice: avoid vampires completely, and when that failed - do not ever hex them. The Killing curse was ineffective since they were already dead, and they moved too fast for most to hit them with a stunner. Lumos was artificial light, and everything else was pretty much useless unless one hit the heart. Terrified, Hermione did the only thing she could think of.

She ran.

Through her terror, however, Hermione was doing what she did best: thinking. Hermione didn't expect to get far, but she hoped she'd get close enough to the clearing to scream and distract at least one Blue from the fight. The feeling of being lifted off her feet by her shirt let her know she didn't succeed. With a roar, the vampire tossed her to the right. Hermione slammed into the tree, the pain in her head roaring to life. Hermione felt something in her arm crack, and a wash of pain ran over her arm. The breath knocked out of her, the only thing Hermione could do was lay on the ground and wait to die.

Closing her eyes, Hermione said goodbye to every person she cared about, ending with Snape. She hadn't meant to say goodbye to him, but Hermione knew she wanted to say goodbye to him, more than anyone besides her parents. That finished, Hermione relaxed and allowed herself to begin slipping in to unconciousness. Just before she went under, Hermione felt fingers on her face.

"Hermione..."

Opening her eyes, Hermione's vision was filled with Apraxin's worried face. He was leaning close, his breath moving the strands of hair which lay across her face. Blinking, Hermione started to use her right hand to push herself into a sitting position. Crying out, she jerked her arm up and held it against her body. Breathing heavily through her nose, Hermione looked up.

"How...what happened?" Hermione asked. Her head still ached, and her arm was now throbbing with pain. Carefully, Hermione shifted so she was on her knees and shakily got to her feet. Her arm once again curled around her, her head throbbing, and now her back screaming out in pain, Hermione felt quite willing to become unconcious again. Maksim moved forward and gripped her uninjured arm gently. He began to steer her away from the direction the clearing was in. Hermione glanced back and nearly fell over when she caught site of what was behind her.

Blood. And lots of it. It was all over the tree's and plants, and pooled on the ground. A gasp escaped from Hermione's lips. There were piles of what looked like dirt from this distance, but was actually what Hermione knew to be dust. She met Maksim's eyes and wasn't surprised to find a light in there of one who has enjoyed himself. His eyes almost seemed to say, this is who I am. Deal with it. Fear caused Hermione's stomach to clench and bile to rise in her throat. Fighting it down, she focussed on what Maksim was saying.

"They had information we needed. Vampires can survive a long time with flesh wounds, as long as the heart is left alone." Maksim smirked. "And we bleed as humans do. It took a long time before we were finished with them." Turning his back on the clearing, Maksim pulled Hermione along with him. Tired and in pain, Hermione allowed herself to be dragged along.

"What happened to the vampire that attacked me?"

"We got rid of him." Maksim didn't break his stride or even turn to look at her. Hermione was chilled at the indifference in his voice and felt her panic increase. Clenching he fists, Hermione concentrated on the feeling of her nails digging in to her skin. Afraid to hear anymore of what had happened, Hermione fell silent. Eventually Maksim dropped her arm and moved ahead, leaving her behind. Hermione sighed and walked faster to keep up, fighting not to loose her lunch.

The sun was just starting to rise.

"What the hell is that?"

The voice rang out in the Entrance Hall, causing Hermione and the Blues to wince. Once glance clearly showed that Severus Snape was not a happy man. He was, in fact, furious. He looks like he did in the Shrieking Shack back in third year, Hermione thought. His eyes were wide and wild looking, his lips curled back to show off his pointy teeth. The force of his anger was drawing his magic out, creating a sort of black cloud to hover around him. Hermione shrank back into Maksim, who was standing behind her. Searching around her quickly, Hermione could find no reason for Snape's rage.

"Is that blood? What happened? You were supposed to protect her." Snape hissed as he strode forward to tip Hermione's head up. A sharp pain sliced through her head, and Hermione winced and moved away instinctively from Snape's hands. Hermione noticed blood on his fingers, and for a moment couldn't figure out where it came from. It dawned on her after Snape began to run his fingers all over her head, looking for wounds. The vampires showed remarkable restraint, Hermione thought. I never knew I was bleeding, and not once did they attempt to...well, eat me. Hermione knew how riled up vampires could get when they scented blood. It was why when she got her menses, Hermione sprayed perfume over all her clothes (even her undergarments), to mask the scent of blood. Of course, the vampires knew that when she smelled like her own perfume shop that she was on her monthly, but they were kind and pretended to be oblivious.

"What the fuck happened out there, Apraxin?" Snape snarled. He pulled out his wand and began to cast complex healing spells - at least, that's what Hermioned hoped they were - over her body. The lessening of pain told Hermione her hopes were correct. Her eye stopped throbbing and her back no longer ached. A jab of pain and a sharp crack let Hermione know her arm was now healed. She gave a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully at the Potions Master before her. His face did not change, but his voice sounded calmer when he spoke. "Tell me." He demanded.

Nobody spoke. A few covert glances at Hermione prompted her to speak up, if only to stop the Professor for blaming them for her mistake.

"It was my mistake, sir. I wanted a clearer view of the fighting and I guess I got a little too close. I was attacked by this big man. He dragged me by my hair and threw me against a tree. I...must've passed out, because that's all I remember." Hermione finished.

Snape looked furious yet again.

"YOU...you...you went into the area of battle? Are you daft, you little idiot? You could have been killed, and then what? What do we tell Dumbledore or McGonagall, and the numerous other people that care about you? Could you imagine what they would've done?" Snape bellowed. He continued to rant, although Hermione stopped listening.

Hermione stared with wide eyes at the man before her. The whirl of emotions she'd felt that night was finally catching up with her. Snape's voice slowly faded, as well as the environment noises. All Hermione could hear was her own unsteady breathing. Her trembling worsened, shaking her entire body until she could barely stand.

Terror, shame, and fatigue overwhelmed her. Unable to take it, Hermione fainted for the second time that night.

Miss Granger's eyes rolling up in the back of her head alerted Severus that all was not well. He managed to swoop down and catch her before she could hit the floor, before Apraxin managed to get his hands all over her. One hand under her knees and the other wrapped around her back, Severus turned and walked towards the private rooms section of the mansion. Ignoring the whispers and stares that surrounded him, he calmly opened the door and disappeared beyond it, acting as though moments before he hadn't been bellowing.

It wasn't until he had reached the girls room that he realized he was being followed. Pausing to open the door, he looked back the way he came to see Apraxin making his way down the corridor. Stopping next to Severus, he reached out and opened the door for the struggling man. It's bloody hard to open a door with your arms full of a stupid girl, but I'm sure I could've managed it, Severus thought grumpily as he deposited the unconcious girl on the bed. Still, he deserves thanks. Inclining his head was all Severus could bring himself to acknowledge the help. Yanking off her shoes, Severus unhooked her cloak.

Using his wand to scan her body for injuries he had missed before, he was satisfied to see the girl was in as good a health as to be expected. Snape wanted to undress her more - so she'd be more comfortable, of course. However, Severus had no intention of doing so while Apraxin was in the room. Never taking his eyes off Miss Granger, Severus moved over to sit in the chair beside the bed. Apraxin raised an eyebrow at him.

"What are you doing?" He inquired. Severus gave him the look he reserved for only the most stupid of dunderheads.

"Waiting for Miss Granger to wake up," He replied. Apraxin looked baffled.

"Why? It's not like you care for her."

Severus was offended, even if that were a bit true. "I don't care for her, no. But I am in charge of her welfare and if she gets hurt, Dumbledore will have my -"

"Is that all you care about? Your body parts? What about Hermione? Did you even ask if she was alright?" Apraxin asked calmly. Severus was taken aback. These weren't questions Severus expecting Apraxin to ask. It seems he really cares about the foolish girl. How unexpected, Severus thought. Especially considering his past.

"My body parts are very important to me, Apraxin." Was all Severus said. Apraxin glowered down at him. Severus allowed himself to smirk. He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair and grimaced at the slightly greasy feel to it. When he opened his eyes, he found Apraxin bent over Miss Granger, brushing a lock of hair out of her face. Apraxin's fingers lingered longer than necessary, in Severus' opinion. A snarl twisting his lips, Severus stood.

"I think it's time you leave, Apraxin." He said softly. Apraxin examined Severus' face. Whatever he saw there convinced him that perhaps it really was best to leave. Straightening up, he spared one last glance at Granger before making his way to the door. Before he went through, Apraxin paused.

"Maybe I should have a talk with Dumbledore. Hermione should be looked after by someone who cares for her." Before Severus could respond, Apraxin was closing the door. Severus returned to his chair, settling in to wait for the wretched girl to awaken. Sighing, he leaned his head back against the wall behind him and closed his eyes again.

Severus wasn't one to examine his feelings, but he felt it was important he do so now. Miss Granger was stirring up feelings he wasn't comfortable feeling. Lust, he was used to. But out-of-control lust? When he wasn't touching her (which wasn't often) he was thinking about touching her. That scene in the ballroom had been unplanned. He hadn't meant to drag her into a corner and practically fuck the girl up against the wall. I certainly never would've started it if I'd known I wouldn't be able to finish it, Severus thought grimly. He'd been disappointed when he'd heard caughty sight of the old fart looking for him. He knew he wouldn't be able to ignore the man. Once the old man spotted him, he would've caused a scene for ignoring him, and he knew that Miss Granger would become unbearable if he drew attention to the fact he had her pinned against a wall.

Jealousy was another thing she was causing him to feel. He'd seen men in serious relationships with woman and had concluded that he was better off without them around. They complicated things ridiculously, and his life was bad enough, thank you. He liked them for sex, and nothing more. He had certainly never been jealous over one before, and he didn't enjoy the feeling.

Not one bit.

He was possessive of the girl, too. Another thing he wasn't used to feeling - his woman had been notoriously 'loose' and he had known very well that when they weren't with him, they were with somebody else. Vice versa, as well. He didn't like the idea of Hermione looking at other men, let alone being romantically involved with one. Seeing Apraxin touch her face had made him want to cut the other vampires hand off.

Severus frowned as he considered what other feelings he might be experiencing. Irritation, exasperation...those were emotions he was familiar with. Severus relaxed into his chair even more. No annoying, disgusting emotions to deal with - emotions like affection, care, desire to see happy...no, nothing like that at all. He cared about her just enough to make sure she was well for his own pleasures.

This pleased the Potions Master.

Miss Granger sighed, alerting Severus she was waking up. He opened his eyes and moved closer to the bed. He watched as Miss Granger stretched, causing her shirt to ride up. Severus stared at the smooth, pale skin revealed to him. It looks so soft, so warm...Blinking, Severus tore his gaze away from her stomach and to Miss Grangers eyes. They were fluttering, then opened slowly to reveal her warm brown eyes. Not seeing the Potions Master right away, Miss Granger's lips curled up into a content style. It was only when he shifted that she noticed he was standing there.

With a shriek, she gripped the blanket and rolled away from him. Breathing heavily, eyes wide with fear, Miss Granger stood on the other side of the bed, wrapped up in a blanket. Raising an eyebrow, Severus stayed where he was and waited for Miss Granger to calm down.

"P-professor Snape." Miss Granger whispered. She obviously expects me to yell. Amused, Severus felt his lips twitch. This seemed to frighten the girl even more. She took two large steps back, large eyes never leaving his face. She was cluthing the blanket so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"Miss Granger." Severus replied politely. "If you're done with your hysterics..." Anger darkened Miss Granger's eyes.

"I wouldn't of been so afraid if you would learn to control your anger." Miss Granger snapped.

"I'm perfectly capable of controlling my anger when I'm not confronted with the idiocy of a foolish girl." Snape snapped back. Miss Granger pursed her lips.

"You didn't find me a foolish girl when you had me up against a wall."

Snape smirked. "Yes, well...you weren't acting like a dunderhead at that time." Miss Granger clenched her fists. Her face was turning red, and her hair was almost crackling with energy. Snape's smirked widened, and he continued speaking, wishing to insult her for daring to comment on his control of his anger. "In fact, I think that's the only time I've noticed you haven't acted like a complete fool. I suppose the only way to make you behave is to distract you by fucking --"

Hitting the floor with a thump, Severus was on his feet in an instant. Granger's wand was trained on him, her eyes dark and hard as they stared at him from across the room. Severus took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He could feel his magic running along his skin, making the hairs stand up and the skin to tingle. His head was pounding, and he could feel his teeth slipping down. Experience let Severus know that his eyes were probably turning a deep, deep red.

"You...little...bitch..." Severus whispered. He watched with enjoyment as Granger blanched, her entire body shaking with the force of her fear. Nevertheless, she stood her ground, her wand never wavering. Severus took a step forward, making no noise as he moved across the room. Rooted to the spot, Granger could do nothing more than stare as he drew closer.

Severus stood as close to Granger without actually touching her as he could. He leaned forward, putting his face right up in hers.

"You dared to hex me?" He asked slowly and quietly. Regaining her ability to move, Granger began to back away. Severus reached out and grabbed her before she could do more than sway away from him. Yanking her close, Severus allowed his breath to flit across her face. He pulled his lips back, bearing his teeth to the girl. Hermione's eyes widened as they slid to his mouth. With a cry, Granger tried jerking her arm away from him. A normal man would have problems retraining the young woman, but Severus was no normal man. He was able to keep his hold on her arm.

"Please..." Granger whimpered. Severus didn't move. "Please...let me go..." She pleaded. Severus moved his face closer to hers.

"No!" He snarled. He watched with interest as tears gathered in her eyes. A drop lingered on her eyelashes before sliding down her smooth cheek. He watched it go, staring as it hung from her chin. When it fell, he blinked. Glancing down, he saw his fingers were digging in to her arm. He released her and stepped back.

"Do not ever hex me." He warned her. He felt his composure slip back into place. I wanted to show the girl just who she was messing with, Severus thought - with a little regret, not that he'd ever say so - not make her cry. "Miss Granger...I...apologize for scaring you so. You really should not provoke a vampire."

Granger seemed surprise at his apology, but nodded anyway. Her calm expression was belied her shaking fingers. "I know, sir. I was just so angry..."

"Perhaps before you suggest someone else cannot control their anger, you should learn to control yours." Severus commented. Hermione winced and nodded. He could see past her calm expression to the terror behind them. Feeling the urge to rid those dark eyes of the fear haunting, he did something he'd never done before: he apologized twice. "Again, I apologize for my actions."

"You were teaching me a lesson." Granger shivered. "One I'll remember very well..."

"Yes, well..." Severus murmured. The fear was still there, although nowhere near prominent as before. Reaching out, he gently took Hermione's hand in his. He could feel her tense, and not in a good way. Severus bowed over her hand, lips hovering over it. A tiny brush of his lips was all he permitted himself to do. Letting go of her hand just as gently as he took it, Severus said nothing as he headed for the door. Hermione gaped at him in surprise. Slowly a smile spread across her face.

"Goodnight, professor." She called.

"Goodnight, Miss Granger." He responded without turning around. He shut the door quietly and made his way quickly to his rooms. He nodded a greeting to those he passed, but did not stop to talk. He longed to be alone, to think of what he'd nearly done. Entering his dark room, he collapsed on to the bed. I came very close to destroying the trust the girl has in me. That would've made being her protector quite hard. Staring up at his canopy, Severus made himself a promise.

I'll treat her as an equal. Not as a friend, but as an equal.

Rolling over, Severus allowed himself to smile. Yes, that's what I'll do.

Little Notes: The killing curse would work on a Dhampir, because they're alive (unless they take after their vampire parent more). In Severus' POV: Miss Granger when he's feeling "alright" about her. Granger when he's pissed.

I promised I'd update that one Friday, but a change of plans had me gone the entire Christmas break. So I'm posting this chapter as a sort of apology. I'm once again all out of chapters, and I do need to take some time to write more. I'm hoping I'll get at least 3 done, but if too much time begins to pass before that happens I'll start posting. Never fear, this story will not be abandoned.

Please review!