OMG sorry for the long time waiting for this update. Just got back to school, boring as helllllll. lol, enjoy :D

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Snape awoke feeling chilled. He groaned alittle and pulled the blankets around himself just a little tighter. For a moment he tried to stretch his legs and felt a dull ach in his muscles. The last few
days of running and stress had taken its toll on him, now he was just going to take it easy. He ran his hand through his hair and sat up slightly, wondering if Hermione was witnessing his morning display.
But to his surprise, her bed was empty. He didn't know why but this made him feel unnerved. He stood up from his bed, approached the bathroom and noted that it was unoccupied. Where was Hermione? He called her name but no answer was returned. Throwing on his black robes, Snape hastily departed from his quarters. He made his way down from the North Tower, casting glances in empty classrooms, trying to spot her bushy hair amongst the sea of the children busily getting themselves ready for the first lesson of the day.

"Severus, what's your rush?"

In his haste, Snape had failed to register that he had bumped into an irate Mcgonagall who was now eyeing him expectantly, awaiting an explanation.

"Have you seen Rose?" Snape asked bluntly.

Mcgonagall raised an eyebrow, "No, I don't think I have. But don't worry Severus, I'm sure she hasn't gotten far."

"I'm not worried." was Snape's automatic response, said through gritted teeth as his eyes darted over Mcgonagall's head to survey passing students.

Mcgonagall patted his arm, partly sympathetic, partly amused, "If you say so Severus."

Snape shook Mcgonagall off, "I do say so."

"I do know you will come around eventually, even if that does take twenty years. I must be off now, good luck." And with that Mcgonagall strode past Snape leaving him standing in the crowded hallway. Mentally chastising himself for wasting so much time talking to Mcgonagall, Snape started off again, making his way past the heard of students.

Snape reached the Great Hall and so far no such luck had actually prevailed. Dumbledore was one of the last stragglers to leave after breakfast, having lingered over his chai tea for a little longer than
necessary. Snape approached him, keeping his face calm and Dumbledore opened his mouth to greet him.

"Severus...What is the matter?"

Snape despised the fact that the Headmaster was unusually perceptive; he could read nearly everyone's emotions like an open book. Snape's book was harder to access, often needed to be translated but nonetheless Dumbledore regularly paid attention to him. Deciding not to beat about the bush, Snape plunged straight in, "Have you seen Rose, Albus?"

"No my dear Severus, I thought she was with you."

"I can't find her." said Snape sounding exhasperated and annoyed.

"Well," began Dumbledore, "Have you checked by the lake?"

"No, why would she be-"

"Have you checked, Severus?"

"No."

"Well off you go then."

Snape eyed the Headmaster with slight incredulity and irritation but Dumbledore only paid him an amused smile in return as he walked out of the Great Hall, leaving Snape in his wake. Snape huffed and followed, deciding that he might dignify Dumbledore's suggestion, no matter how unreasonable it sounded. He and Dumbledore went their separate ways, Dumbledore to his office and Snape out the entrance door which was conveniently already open for students making their way down to Herbology, even if some of them were rather late.

"Get to class." Snape barked at some second years who immediately became quite frightened, one even dropping their books in shock. Snape did not cast them a second glance as he billowed down the frosty lawn towards the lake. Winter was alittle late this year and the snow had not yet fallen but the air was still icy cold and Snape was willing to return to the warm castle. Then Snape spotted Hermione, actually sitting by the lake. Maybe the old fool wasn't so whacked after all.

Although Snape felt the relief wash over him, he also felt a new emotion. A familiar scowled graced his features and he wasted no time making his way over to Hermione.

"What are you doing?" he growled.

She jumped from her sitting spot and Snape almost thought she even squealed.

"Gosh Severus! You scared the living daylights out of me." Hermione laughed, quickly recovering over her initial shock. And then her brow furrowed with concern, "Is everything alright?"

"No!" Snape spat, now fuming, "How could you do something so idiotic?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just dissapear like that, not telling anyone where you are going. H-how do you think I feel, I mean what do you expect to happen when I wake up and find you gone. Don't you know that we are in serious danger?"

Hermione gaped at him, taking in his exploded words and then very slowly, "Severus, I'm fine, see?"

"It is not fine! What are you even doing out here?"

"Thinking..."

"Thinking?...w-what do you-what kind of excuse-."

Snape ceased his disconnected speech as he watched Hermione's face crumple before him and to his complete horror realized that she was crying.

"Sorry." she choked between tears as she clumsily wiped them off her flushed face.

Snape stood there frozen, feeling at loss and extremely awkward. And now as his anger dissipated, he found himself tainted with guilt, feeling awful. He hadn't expected this, was the girl really that
fragile?

"Hermione-" he began, sounding very much unlike his usual self, "I'm sor-"

"It's not you Severus." Hermione interrupted his apology as more tears spilled over her cheeks.

"Then what?"

Hermione bit her lip, in obvious discomfort, "Don't worry."

Snape sighed in frustration, "Tell me."

Hermione shook her head, not meeting his eyes. Snape growled to himself before uncharacteristically extending a hand, placing it beneath her chin and raising it so her gaze met his.

"Tell me." he tried to order but it sounded much less demanding than he would have hoped.

Hermione's faced was laced with anguish and more tears fell. There were no other words and suddenly Hermione pulled Snape into a tight embrace. Snape hesitantly put his arms around her, absorbed in his shock, as he tried to comprehend what was happening.

"Hermione." he said hoping to somehow fill the void of awkwardness. But he was cut off as Hermione proceeded to sob into his robes, still clutching him tightly. Snape raised his gaze to check no one was witnessing this strange act but discovered the outside grounds were deserted. Heaven forbid that Hagrid would come along, being the gamekeeper and all. Snape pulled Hermione a little closer in an attempt to comfort her. Her body trembled against his and Snape swallowed at the contact. Very gently he traced reassuring circles into her back with his hand. He had no idea what he was doing or if it was even helping but he continued to do so as no other decisions came to his mind. After a few minutes Hermione seemed to calm down and pulled away from him slightly wiping her tears. Snape kept his secure arms around her as he watched her silently.

"Are you ok?"

Hermione nodded and choked out another "Sorry". She didn't look ok to Snape, she looked very pale and Snape hated with way her collar bones jutted out from the V-neck in her top. She removed herself from his arms and swayed on the spot.

"Hermione, I'm serious, are you feeling alright?"

She nodded again but Snape was unconvinced. With a sudden streak of authority and determination, Snape put his arm below Hermione's shoulders.

"Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital wing." he ordered. He knew she would have objected if she had the energy but ad it was she merely frowned. Snape resisted the irrational desire to smirk as he led Hermione back into the castle. They reached the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey came over to them.

"Severus, Rose." she greeted them and then, "Rose my dear, are you ok?"

"It think she is a little run down-"

"Yes, I see what you mean Severus," said Madam Pomfrey frowning slightly, accessing Hermione, "She does look very pale and I don't know why I didn't notice before, Rose you are very thin. Have you been eating enough? Have you been feeling unwell?"

"I'm ok." said Hermione speaking up, "I've just been feeling a little stressed lately."

"Well my dear, that will not do at all. Come sit down."

Snape sat Hermione in the nearest chair while Madam Pomfrey pulled up her own. Snape stood by Hermione and laid a comforting hand over her shoulder.

"Now, you say you have been stressed lately." began Madam Pomfrey noting Hermione's appearance, "Do you think it has been affecting your daily life?"

Hermione considered, she didn't think it would ever reach this stage. Will hunting for the horcruxes with the boys they had survived off a minimal amount of food which was hardly nutritious at best. Then they had stayed at Shell Cottage and supplied with regular meals but she often felt queasy. She didn't want to be an imposing guest and to be fair it was alot of food that was needed for her, Harry, Ron, Luna, Dean, Griphook, Fleur and Bill. There were more important things to worry about.

"I didn't think it was an issue."

"Well Rose, have you been experiencing stomach cramps, headaches, hair loss?"

Hermione subconciosly ran her hand through her hair, thinking. Sure it had thinned quite a bit, looking more curly than bushy but Hermione did not deem this a matter that warranted concern. And she did have headaches, but more regularly than she used to.

Hermione nodded and Madam Pomfrey frowned again, "Rose, you say you have been stressed lately, but these symptoms usually result from prolonged stress, especially the weight loss."

"Yes." said Hermione, making no inclination that she was agreeing or disagreeing.

"Well I prefer not to dose you up on potions as a solution. Severus?"

"Yes?"

"You should watch over Hermione, make sure she relaxes eats properly, you know."

Snape nodded. Madam Pomfrey gave him a small smile and just then a first year clutching her arm walking over forcing back tears.

"My dear." said Madam Pomfrey standing up, "What happened?"

"I was in transfiguration..."

Hermione focused her attention back to Snape who was watching her intently.

"The future...is a dark place?" he asked, deadly serious.

Hermione was silent, thinking of Harry, Ron, her parents, everyone,
"No."

Snape nodded, his obsidian eyes strangely unreadable but not in their usual hostile way. "You miss it, don't you?"

"Yes" said Hermione grimly.

"You miss him."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out Snape's motive, who was he talking about?

"Who?"

"It's obvious, Hermione."

And then it hit her. Snape was talking about Ron! They lived non-existent to each other, but somehow Snape had guessed, he had figured it out. Hermione let out a nervous laugh and shook her head.

Maybe he was right.

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