Disclaimer: I own nothing

Sorry about the cliffhanger in the last chapter- my evil streak just couldn't resist : )

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The fifth year girls' dormitory was silent. Ginny sighed.

"Hermione?" she called out, hesitantly. Her friend had been acting very strange lately, and hadn't been seen since lunch the day before. Lavender even said she had never made it to bed last night. The trunk at the foot of Hermione's bed was open, contents scattered haphazardly on the floor. Ginny's body flooded with panic. Had someone kidnapped her? She stepped closer, wondering if there was anything missing that would help her understand where her friend had gone, or at least, if she had gone voluntarily.

Then she glanced through the small gap in the bed hangings and saw a very pale foot.

"Hermione, what's-" as she threw the curtains apart, her frantic question was replaced by her own scream. Hermione was curled on the bed wearing nothing but a pair of jeans, naked torso streaked with blood. She ran to the door leading into the common room, flooded with relief at the sight of her friend.

"Harry!" she screamed, "Hermione's hurt, really hurt. Get someone, now!"

She rushed back to her friend, tearing a sheet from a neighboring bed and ripping it violently. She wrapped the other girl's arms as tightly as she could, desperate to stop the bleeding. Each second stretched by like years while the world around her flashed by in a blur.

"Hermione, you're okay. Please be okay." As she pressed against the wounds, trying to keep the blood from spilling out, she caught her first glance of her friend's face.

Hermione's eyes were closed gently, lips curled into a peaceful smile, as though she were just sleeping, as though she were having a pleasant dream. It was a smile that would haunt Ginny for years to come.

The door slammed open, and Snape stood there with fire in his eyes. Wordlessly, he snatched Hermione into his arms and ran with her.

Hermione could feel a bed beneath her.

Am I alive?

Silence around her. Light glowing through her eyelids.

Hospital wing?

A hesitant peek confirmed her suspicions. A small groan escaped her lips. This was going to be a nightmare.

"How are you feeling?" she recognized the voice instantly, but it carried a tenderness she had only heard in her dream. Her body felt heavy, but she turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry, Professor." Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't know how she would live with the knowledge that she had hurt everyone who cared about her. She couldn't stand the thought of the pain she would have caused by succeeding. Hermione's head was spinning, and she didn't know whether to be happy to be alive, or disappointed.

"Hermione, what's happening to you? If Miss Weasley had found you moments later, it would have been too late. Indeed, you only survived because she acted so quickly when she did find you."

She closed her eyes again, sinking into the pillow. Poor Ginny must have been so scared…

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Madam Pomfrey, who asked several questions about Hermione's physical state before turning to Professor Snape.

"If Miss Granger feels well enough, you may discuss her options with her, Severus."

He nodded gravely as the woman left, pulling the curtains around them closed.

"My options?" the words climbed out of her mouth clumsily. She didn't like the way this sounded…

"Obviously, you will need a certain level of supervision in the coming months."

"Months?" she gaped.

"You are a bright girl, and have hidden your troubles from those around you far too well. Initially, the supervision will be constant, but as you regain your health, both mental and physical, you will be allowed increasing amounts of freedom."

"Supervision? You mean I'm going to have someone following me around all the time?" Her voice had a frantic edge to it now.

"Miss Granger, your circumstances are not as dire as they may seem. The headmaster feels that you should be given a chance to live as normally as you possibly can, considering the circumstances. You may tell other students what you wish about your absence from classes during the coming days. To provide you with sufficient privacy, Professor Dumbledore has asked that I allow you to sleep in a room he has attached to my quarters and keep an eye on you in between the visits you will receive from Madam Pomfrey.

"You are fortunate to have such caring friends, Miss Granger. Miss Weasley has consented to share a private room with you for the remainder of the year. Mister Weasley and Mister Potter will take turns escorting you in the halls between classes. If any of your behavior is suspect, they will inform me immediately.

"You will meet with me in the evenings so that I may watch the progress of your recovery. I have been asked to handle this matter because I am one of the few people able to easily detect dishonesty on your part. Because the time you spend with me will not go unnoticed, you have been assigned the title of my assistant. Do not believe, Miss Granger, that I intend to allow you to wallow in self pity during the time we spend together. You will participate in the brewing of potions when you are able."

"Professor, you don't have to-"

"I am confident that having an extra set of skilled hands at my disposal during more complicated processes will more than make up for any inconvenience caused by your presence."

"Thank you." The words came out a tearful whisper. Hermione felt tentative appreciation for her survival. She would be able to be near him every day, and even if he clung to a perpetually foul mood, his presence would warm her like gentle sunlight sifting through the willow branches…

He opened the curtain and poked his head out.

"Poppy, is the room ready?"

"Yes, Severus. You may bring her now if you like."

He looked at her. "Are you ready, Hermione?"

She nodded, and tried to rise. A restraining hand rested on her shoulder, and Professor Snape leaned over the bed, sliding one arm behind her shoulders as he pulled the covers away from her legs and slipped his other arm under her knees.

"Be still, child." the silky voice murmured into her hair as he gently lifted her to his chest and carried her to the fireplace in Madam Pomfrey's office. Shifting her frail body so that it was cradled in his left arm, he tossed a pinch of floo powder into the flames, stepping through the moment they glowed green.

Severus Snape held the girl with more care than he had ever imagined feeling. She was much more fragile than he had imagined, and also more precious. No matter the toll this took on him, he would lock his raging passion away deep inside so that he could give her the guidance and support she needed.