STORIES TO BE TOLD - CHAPTER 28 (Beta'd by Snakeyez82)

I own nothing.

Hermione ran back to Gryffindor tower. As she entered the Common Room, Harry and Ron came into view.

"Hermione, are you ok? Why are you crying, what did Snape do to you?" Harry asked concerned.

She pushed past them, "Please, just leave me alone!" She ran up the stairs to the girls dorm and locked herself in her room. Harry and Ron ran after her, stopping outside her door.

"Hermione, please, let us in!" Ron called from the hallway. They could hear her crying, but she wouldn't respond to them.

"Boys, I believe she is very upset at the moment," Dumbledore said from behind them. They jumped and spun around.

"Professor, Snape did something to her, we just want to make sure she's alright." Harry said to him.

"I believe I will go in and have a word with her, if you boys could wait in the Common Room please?" Dumbledore said, ushering them toward the stairs. He then lightly knocked on the door, "Ms Granger, I am going to enter." As he walked in, he saw Hermione lying face down on the bed, crying into her pillow. Dumbledore sat on the side of the bed, "I must insist that you calm down, for your health and that of the baby." At the mention of the baby, Hermione did her best to stop crying but never moved. "I know Severus hurt and scared you, but I can assure you he didn't mean it and could never think of harming you or the child." Dumbledore said softly, placing a hand on Hermione's arm.

Hermione turned her head to face Dumbledore, "He was so angry, I thought he was going to hit me."

"I can see why you would think that. Yes, he was very angry, but he loves you and would never strike you. He would never intentionally hurt you." Dumbledore said.

"He never wants to talk or spend time with me anymore. He stopped letting me stay the night in his chambers, I actually haven't spent time with him in about a week. And, he looks horrible!" she said, trying to hold back her sobs.

"Severus has a lot on his mind right now. He's very concerned over your health and the health of your child. He also hasn't had a decent night's sleep in months, which I'm sure you're aware of." Dumbledore said softly.

"I tried to get him to take a dreamless sleep potion, but he refused and then we fought for hours," Hermione said sadly.

"Yes, those awful nightmares of death eater meetings and Lucius harming you seem to haunt him. He refuses the potion, because he's afraid something will happen to you while he's asleep and he will not wake." Dumbledore told her.

"But, I'll be fine! I just don't want him to hate me. I'm not even sure he wants to be with me or have this child!" Hermione said, starting to cry again.

"My dear, I can assure you, he has never loved any other the way he loves you. And the child, he was thrilled when he found out you were pregnant. He never thought he would have children, but you changed that for him and he loves you even more for that." Dumbledore said gently. Hermione didn't respond. "I know you would like to be alone, but I think that I am going to have Mr Potter and Mr Weasley come stay with you. I will also have the house elves send up dinner." Dumbledore said, gently squeezing her arm then walking out to retrieve Harry and Ron.

Dumbledore flooed to Severus' chambers from Hermione's room, after getting Harry and Ron. "Severus" Dumbledore called, stepping out of the fireplace. Severus stepped out from his study, with a bottle of firewhiskey in hand.

"Did you talk to her?" he asked, stumbling to the couch.

"Yes, my boy. She was very upset, you scared her very much. But, I assured her you would never harm her, you're just under a lot of stress." Dumbledore said, taking the whiskey from him. Severus said nothing and nodded. "She was afraid that you don't love her or want the baby." Dumbledore said softly. Severus' head snapped up.

"How could she think that?" he nearly slurred.

"These last couple of months have taken a toll on her with all that has happened, then the baby, and now you are looking like death. And Severus, don't forget what pregnancy does to women, her hormones are out of whack," Dumbledore said, standing up and pulling Severus up. "I demand you go lay in your bed and sleep. I know you won't take a potion, but I'm sure the whiskey will help with that," Dumbledore said, guiding him to his bedroom. Severus reluctantly listened, but still only managed a few hours of sleep.

The next morning Hermione woke up feeling terrible. She was tired and was starting to look as bad as Severus. With all that had happened the day before, she had forgotten to go to Poppy and tell her about her dizzy spell. A knock came from outside her door.

"Hermione, are you coming to breakfast?" Harry asked.

"I don't think so Harry, I'm very tired," she replied.

Harry cracked open the door and peeked in, "Please come to breakfast, you barely ate any dinner last night, and you have to remember you have a baby inside of you too."

"Alright," Hermione said, turning around.

"Are you sick?" Harry questioned her.

"I'm fine, I just need a take a nap later," she said.

"Maybe you should go to the infirmary?" Harry suggested.

"After classes." Hermione said as they walked out the door.

Severus had watched Hermione at breakfast and lunch, she looked horrible. All she was doing was pushing the food around on her plate and looked very pale. He just wanted to go scoop her up and take her to the infirmary, but was afraid he would upset her more. So he decided to wait until after their potions class was over, and he'd ask her to stay after.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the classroom, surprised to see Severus sitting behind his desk. Hermione was leaning on Harry for support as they walked to their seat. Severus was pretending he was grading papers but was actually watching Hermione. He watched as Harry supported her while they walked and helped her sit down.

Severus flicked his wand, writing the potion on the board. "Get to work," he said in a flat tone. Harry and Ron got up to get the ingredients, Hermione waited at the table. Severus never took his eyes off her, as he pretended to grade papers. Hermione slowly stood up when Harry and Ron came back with everything they needed. Harry and Ron were doing all the work, as they had discussed right before class, Hermione was to just stand and pretend to be helping. Severus watched as Hermione started to sway.

"Harry.." she murmured as she fell. Before passing out she fell into someone's arms, instead of on the floor. Harry spun around to see Severus catching Hermione.

"Potter, you and Weasley go get Poppy and bring her to my chambers. Everyone else out, NOW!" he said in a panic. Severus got up quickly, picking Hermione up, and entered his chambers through his office. Moments later Poppy and the boys flooed into Severus' chambers.

"Is she awake?" Poppy asked as they rushed into Severus' bedroom.

"No, please just do something to help her and the baby!" Severus said, obviously upset. Poppy got to work as Dumbledore entered Severus' bedroom.

"What is happening here?" Dumbledore asked.

Severus was sitting beside Hermione, looking into her face. "I don't know, she fainted, and now won't wake up."

"Give her time," Poppy said while checking her.

"She said she was dizzy yesterday in potions, but then her and Professor Snape got in an argument and she forgot to come see you," Harry said. Severus stiffened as he heard Harry's words, realising what was going on yesterday when he lost his temper. Moments later, Hermione's eyes fluttered open. Severus let out the breath he was holding and stroked her face, but was afraid to say anything.

"When is the last time you ate?" Poppy asked Hermione.

"I ate a little last night." Hermione said tiredly.

"Well, between all the stress you have endured, hormones, and lack of sleep and nourishment, that is why you fainted," Poppy said.

"So, Hermione and the baby will be ok?" Severus asked hopefully.

"Yes, with some rest and food, she will be just fine," Poppy said. She walked to the door, "I will be right back, I need to retrieve some potion." Severus was visibly upset, he had gotten up and had his back to everyone.

Dumbledore walked over to Hermione, "My dear, why don't you stay here, in Severus' chambers, tonight?"

Hermione stared up at Dumbledore, "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"No, stay, if you want I will leave for the night." Severus said, still turned around.

"No", Hermione said. Severus turned to her but Dumbledore cut in.

"Severus, I want you to stay here as well. Hermione needs someone to stay with her, and you could use the rest as well," Dumbledore said.

Poppy came back in carrying two vials, handing one to Hermione, "Here, this will help you sleep."

"What's the other one for?" Hermione asked.

"Severus," she said, handing him the other vial.

"What? I'm not taking this!" Severus said snarkily.

Poppy looked at him, "It's obvious you need to sleep as well, and I know you won't without any assistance."

Severus handed the vial back to Poppy, "No."

"Severus, please take it, Hermione will be fine through the night. You need this dreamless sleep, you look awful." Dumbledore said to him.

"Severus," Hermione said softly. Severus jerked his head in Hermione direction, surprised she was speaking to him. "Please take it, I'm afraid if you don't you will become very ill. You have looked horrible these last couple of months. Please, I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you," Hermione said, pleading with him. He gripped the vial in his hand and looked at Hermione with soft eyes, "Alright." Dumbledore, Poppy, Harry, and Ron were making to leave Severus' bedroom and chambers.

"Potter, Weasley." Severus said in their direction. Harry and Ron stopped, waiting to hear what he had to say. "I must request that you stay in my chambers tonight, if something happens to Hermione during the night and I don't wake, I want someone a room away," Severus said tiredly. They both nodded and everyone exited the room, Harry and Ron making their way to the living room. Severus climbed into bed with Hermione, then he stared into her eyes and softly stroked her cheek.

"I am truly sorry for what I put you through, I would never harm you or the baby," Severus said quietly. Hermione smiled and cuddled into him.

"I know, you just scared me, but I'm exhausted and I want you to take the potion to sleep, so lets talk tomorrow." Hermione said, pushing the potion towards his lips. Severus smiled and drank the potion. He wrapped his arms around Hermione and pulled the blanket over them. Moments later they were both in a deep sleep, having the best night's sleep they could ask for.

-Review!! Thanks to all who do. And, sorry about the lack of updates, been a little busy with trying to keep up with my classes, work, and I took a day trip to Philly the other day. But, hopefully I will be updating more!