Disclainer: See Chapter 1. Thanks to all my followers out there! I've must have re-written this a billion times, haha but I don't want to keep it from you any longer! I hope you enjoy! Reviews make my day, just saying! Enjoy!

Chapter 10

After what seemed like hours, Severus tried to pull away. Hermione shrieked and pulled him closer, not wanting to lose the comfort he was providing her with. "No." She murmured, burying her face into his chest. "Hermione." He said, trying to shift away. "No." She repeated, clutching at him more firmly. "You can't leave me. You just can't." She whispered, her voice hoarse from all the screaming and crying she had been doing.

Severus pulled away just so he could get a good look at the witch in his arms. She was broken, a shell of what she used to be. It broke his heart, seeing her in this state. He cared for Hermione, even though he knew it was wrong. And his feelings were spinning out of control, but started out as worry was turning into something stronger, into affection. He feared that at the rate he was going, he would fall in much farther, very soon. He couldn't help but want to be with her, to protect her.

Yes, Severus Snape had found someone. He wanted to save her, to be the one to free her from this evil, and from herself. He wanted to protect her, and do anything in his power to do just that. He would die for her, that much was certain. And that thought, it should have sent him running in the direction. Severus didn't care about anyone. He hated children. He hated relationships and friendships and contact with all other people. This world, this war, had made him cold. He had always told himself he would only love one person in this lifetime, and she was dead. But looking down in his arms, he realized he was wrong. He did crave a relationship, contact with someone. It was the know it all in his arms. She had challenged everything he had thought to have been true. He wanted to spend time in her company, he wanted to listen to her talk for hours about nothing at all.

Whatever he was feeling, this thing, it had gone out of control. What had started as fatherly concern had quickly transformed into something completely different. He wanted her in his life. And he was pretty sure she wanted him in his. With Hermione, he felt something that he had never felt with another human in his entire life: trust. Hermione trusted him. She had put her trust in him. That was the greatest gift that anyone had ever given him. And in a way, Severus trusted her back. He knew he could be his true self around her, although he was still very cautious about what he showed. But still, trust. That was big, and very important in any kind of relationship.

He wrapped his arms around her tighter, whispering soothing words into her ear. He would protect this little witch, even if it was the last thing he would ever do.

Hermione leaned into Severus' touch, glad she had him here. She knew what would happen next would be rocky and dangerous, but she was still glad. She knew Severus was someone she could count on, to help her. She was scared though, for him, and for her. When Darius found out that Severus knew, it would open a whole new can of worms, one that Hermione was too afraid to even think about. This incident with Severus would change everything, but still...

It was a huge relief to have someone know what was going on with her. And she knew Severus wouldn't face it in a immature way. He would calculate every move, especially since him getting involved would put him in a very dangerous position with the Dark Lord. Frowning, she buried her face into him even deeper. She didn't want him to get hurt because of her. If anything happened to him, she would never forgive herself.

She cared for Severus, more than she should care to admit to herself. She knew it was inappropriate, his was her professor for Merlin's sake! But that didn't stop the butterflies she felt when she saw him. He was everything to her. He was her source of comfort, in some weird way. It was twisted, but she didn't care. She wanted him around, because he made her feel normal, almost. Things weren't as bad. When she was upset, or whenever she felt horrible, she just pictured his face. She didn't know when that had started, but it had. She closed her eyes and pictured his long black hair, framing his face. His piercing black eyes staring into her soul. That stupid little smirk of his one his face. It was incredibly creepy, but she didn't give a damn. She cared about Severus Snape.

She knew they needed to talk though, and soon. Reluctantly, she pulled away from him. Looking up into his eyes, she thanked him. "Severus, I, well, thank you. For everything. I don't know what I would have done.. I.." She paused, trying to fight back her tears. She was so sick and tired of crying.

Severus frowned. "Really Hermione, what were you thinking? I don't even know where to begin with you."

Hermione grimaced. "I just, I couldn't tell anyone. And you can't either. Please, Severus."

Severus scowled, "Well, if you think I'm just going to let this happen you're highly mistaken."

"Please, Severus, no one else can know." Hermione looked at him, her eyes widened in fear.

Severus frowned. Things were obviously much more worse than he had thought if she was this afraid of him. "Hermione, you need to talk to me, and to be honest. I need to know what's going on." She nodded in agreement. "Is it Darius?" Hermione remained silent. "Hermione, you need to trust me. I have to help you, so please, let me."

Hermione knew what Severus had just said held great importance. The fact that he admitted he wanted to help her spoke volumes. "It was him." She whispered, wanting Severus to know that she did trust him.

Severus closed his eyes and Hermione knew he was trying to hold back his anger. "How long?" He asked next.

"Since this summer. My parents, I think their under a curse. I mean, they have to be, how else could they had not known.."

Severus frowned. "This had been going on for months, but you never thought to tell anyone? Why Hermione?"

She shrugged. "Protecting Harry is important. Darius wants information, but I would never sell Harry out. He keeps thinking I'm going to crack one of these days, but I can't. I won't let myself. Too much is at stake. And telling Harry would have made it worse. Dumbledore gave him something to do, something that is very important to this war. I can't distract him. Honestly, I'm kind of upset he never noticed something was even wrong with me this year, but I suppose it's for the best. Our friendship is something that is fragile, and a bit strange. I was mostly just the brains, but still. It's just easier this way for now." She paused, catching her breath and wiping away a few tears.

"But Neville noticed right away. He's been really nice about things. I know you don't like him much, but he's stronger than anyone gives him credit for. I talk to him a lot, but he doesn't know. But his suspicions are getting closer, especially after the incident at the lake, which I'm sure you saw."

She paused again, trying to catch her breath and prepared herself for what she was about to say. "You noticed. And I'm glad you did. Severus, I. It's nice to have someone to care for me, the way you do. I hope I'm not being assumptious in assuming you care for me, because I certainly care for you. I know it's completely inappropriate, but I don't give a damn. You noticed me. You noticed how hurt I was, both emotionally and physically. I will forever be grateful for you Severus. I know this is going to make both of our lives so much harder, and I would never try and put you in danger. In fact, I almost hate that you're getting involved, because I would be devastated if anything happened to you and it was my fault. I-"

Severus smirked as he cut her off. "You talk to much Hermione." And he pressed his lips to hers.