Hermione overhears something she shouldn't concerning Professor Snape and decides that maybe the House-elves aren't the only ones in need of protection.

AU, from Order of the Phoenix onwards. Hermione only wanted to learn Healing; she discovers that Professor Snape is a human being after all, and his actions dramatically shape the course of the war as events unfold. Complete.

The end is sometimes brought about by a beginning no one predicted. A story of how subtle, even unnoticed changes can bring about a drastic shift. KakaSaku.