Chapter Three
Hermione awoke the next morning just as light began to pour through the windows. Sheglanced around nervously and gasped when she saw Snape sleeping near the edgeof her bed. Her cry was heard by Madame Pomfrey who came running to her bedside.
"Hermione?"she asked softly.
Hermionestared at Madame Pomfrey still jumpy and suspicious of the people around her.She edged away from Madame Pomfrey slowly.
"Hermione,its ok!" Madame Pomfrey reassured her, "I'm not going to hurt you, I just wantto know how you feel" Hermione didn'tanswer immediately, she blinked repeatedly trying to fight back the tears thatthreatened her again.
"I'mscared" she said quietly.
MadamePomfrey's heart gave a great lurch in pity. She nodded and told Hermione towait there for one moment. She quickly went called Dumbledore and ProfessorMcgonagall down to her office. She then moved to wake Snape who lookedextremely embarrassed to have been found sleeping where he was.
"Hermione?"Professor Mcgonagall asked, "Are you ok?" she reached out to Hermione, butHermione drew away from her.
MadamePomfrey quietly spoke, "Professor, she's going to be a bit jumpy when touched,and I believe she is still quite upset"
"Of course,that's understandable" Dumbledore said. He crossed quietly towards Snape whowas watching a ways back.
"Why was hesleeping so close?" Hermione asked sounding quite upset.
ProfessorMcgonagall thought quickly, "He was watching you over the night in case youshould need anything"
Hermioneseemed to accept this answer. But she refused to eat or drink anything thatMadame Pomfrey offered her and kept her eyes away from everyone elses.
"She wokeup last night" Snape told Dumbledore quietly, "I doubt she even remembers. Butshe was very paranoid"
Dumbledorenodded and sighed, "Severus, I know you are feeling a great deal of guilt, but for Hermione's sake we need to all bestrong for her" he said, "It's the only way Hermione will be able to berecover"
Snapenodded, "Have you figured out what to tell students? Or Potter and Weasley?" heasked.
Dumbledoreshook his head, " I will leave it at she had an accident. Hermione can tellthose she wants to know" he said, "I don't think it will be any easier on her if everyone knows what happened to her."
====================================================================================
"Hurry up Harry!" Ron called up.
"I'mcoming!" Harry said coming down the stairs and they both rushed to the hospitalwing. Ron was holding some flowers he had borrowed from Professor Sprout. Theyburst through the doors as quickly as possible and found themselves facingProfessor Snape.
"Professor"Harry acknowledged rudely.
Snapeglared at him , but didn't answer, he simply got Dumbledore's attention whocame over immediately.
"Um, Wewere wondering if we could visit Hermione yet" Harry asked, "Or at least Iwas" he added as he saw Ron shove pastSnape and run to Hermione's bedside.
"For a veryshort time" Dumbledore finally concluded, "Just be sure not to say anythingthat might even remotely upset her"
Harrynodded and walked over by Ron.
"Hermione?"Ron said, "It's Ron, we came to see how you were doing?"
Hermionelooked up slowly. She didn't say hello she just stared at the two of them.
"Hermione,what happened?" Harry asked gently. He couldn't help but notice Madame Pomfreyfrown at his question.
Hermione glanced at Dumbledore and Professor Mcgonagall quickly, "Nothing, I just had a littleaccident" she said.
Ron staredat her silently, "I hope you'll be ok! If you need to talk.." he started.
Hermione nodded, "I know! I just need some time alone right now" she said hinting thatthey should leave her alone. Which was immediately picked up on. Ron handed her the flowers and they both left with one last worried glance.
"Hermione,"Professor Mcgonagall started, "Noone knows what happened to you except me,Dumbledore, Madame Pomfrey, and Professor Snape. A letter was sent to yourparents this morning. It will be up to you to tell whoever you want to know"
Hermione finally felt the tears return to her eyes, "I don't want anyone else to know!Not even Ron or Harry! I don't know if I could face them again if they knewwhat happened" she said, "It's too unbearable to think about"
Professor Mcgonagall nodded, "It's your decision" she said.
"How long will I have to be in here?" Hermione asked,
"The next week or so just to besafe" Madame Pomfrey said to her.
"I have a class" Professor Mcgonagall said hearing the school bell ring. Madame Pomfrey nodded and she noticed Dumbledore also had to leave. She herself had several things that she needed toget done.
"Don'tleave me alone!" Hermione cried out realizing everyone was starting to depart.
Everyone stopped and stared at each other. Finally, Snape stepped forward, "I can stay.I don't have any classes today!" he said with a great deal of reluctance.
Once alone,Hermione calmed down slightly, "I'm sorry"
Snape looked at her with confusion, "For what?"
Hermione shifted uncomfortably, "That you have to stay here with me" she said, "I know I'm being childish, but if I'm alone I'm afraid that-"
Snape nodded, "Its quite understandable considering the circumstances" he said, "It'sgoing to take time to recover"
Hermione nodded. She stared at the wall in front of herblankly. Snape noted that as she stared at the wall her hand strayed to the bump on the back of her head. The one that she got when Lucius shoved her against the wall afterwards.
"How come you know?" Hermione asked, 'It doesn't make sense! Obviously Dumbledore andMadame Pomfrey would know, and Professor Mcgonagall is the head of my house"
Snape tried to think of an answer and finally told her that he was the one who found herknocked out in the black alley.
Hermione nodded weakly and stared out again.
"What am I going to do? I don't know if I can go out there and act like nothing happened! But I can't bear the thought of anyone knowing" Hermione said to herself. After a moment of hesitation Snape slowly reached his hand out and took hers. He felt Hermione's hand tighten but amazingly she didn't pull away. Instead she looked up with her eyes reaching his.
"I don't understand, Why are you being so nice to me?" she said, "You've always hated me!"
Snape shook his head, "Despite a strong disliking to you and your friends, Hermione, what happened to you was wrong! It was digusting" he said looking away from her, "Noone deserves to have to go through that, least of all you"
Hermione stared at Snape in wonder and shock. In the past few hours she had seen a side of him she had never thought existed. She stared at their hands clasped in each others. Something inside of her changed, "Professor, I was wrong about you"
she said.
Snape's face changed in alarm.
"I think I know why Dumbledore trusts you so much" she said, "You are one of the most good hearted and kind wizards I have ever met in my entire life" With that she closed her eyes and started to sleep, she didn't see the pain of unbearable pain and guilt overcome Snape's face at her words.
===============================================================================================
Snape returned to the circle of deatheaters later that evening. Part of him prayed that Voldemort would kill him and he could end this endless pain and guilt that was consuming him. But that wasn't what what happened. He was told that Lucius informed Voldemort he had passed his test.
"Severus, I hope you realize now that you have returned, I will expect you to become the deatheater you once were" Voldemort said, "Do you remember?"
Snape nodded mournfully. He never had forgotten the crimes he had committed until he had come over to Dumbledore's side, 'Yes, master, I remember" he said.
"Good!" Voldemort said.
===============================================================================================
After a week, Hermione was released from the hospital wing. She still didn't like being left alone, and she still didn't like to be touched, but her mind was calmer than before. Even though none of the students knew what happened to her, they all knew she had had an accident of some sort and treated her like glass. It became clear as well that most of her teachers knew nothing about it. She found herself keeping her mind busy with her schoolwork.
"Professor Snape?" Hermione said walking up to the teacher after class.
"Yes, miss Granger?" he asked trying not to snap in frustration.
"I was wondering if you could give me a list of the assignments I've missed" Hermione said.
Snape shook his head, "Don't worry about them, they've been taken care of" he said, "Just focus on what we are doing now"
Hermione stared at him, "Please give me my assignments"
Snape stared at her, "Hermione-"
"Please! I need to keep myself busy with something! Otherwise I'm going to go nuts!" Hermione begged him.
Snape's eyes widened in surprise. He reached into his desk and pulled out the previous weeks assignments and handed them to her slowly, "Hermione, are you sure you're ok?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, I just like to be busy at the time" she retorted and rushed out quickly.
===============================================================================================
"Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Hello Ron" Hermione said not looking up from her work.
"Do you want to talk or something?" he asked, "You seem really upset still"
"I'm fine!" Hermione said, "I just am having trouble getting back on track"
Ron gently put his hand on her shoulder, and was shocked when Hermione cried out and jumped away from him. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to startle you" Ron said quickly.
"No Ron, its just I still am anxious about being touched since.." Hermione stopped short and shook her head, "It's fine.But I really need to catch up on my schoolwork"
"Since what?" Ron asked, he stopped and nearly collapsed in shock as he slowly realized what she had been avoiding talking about. "Hermione? Why didn't you tell me? Hermione looked up at him in surprise.
"When were you going to tell me that-?" Ron cried.
"Please Ron! I didn't want anyone to know!" Hermione said, "I was scared at what people would think of me?"
Ron's face turned red in anger, "Hermione! I can't believe you didn't tell me or Harry!" he cried, "I thought you trusted us enough to know we would care about you!"
Hermione burst into tears, she was well aware people were staring at her and Ron by now. "Ron, please! I didn't know what to do! I was so scared! and I still am!" Hermione said hysterically.
"DOn't bother explaining yourself" Ron snapped, 'YOu certainly neglected the need to do that before"
===============================================================================================
Hermione ran from the common room as fast as she could. She couldn't stop crying. Her heart was torn and her head was racing with thoughts of agony. As she cried and ran she didn't even notice that several teachers had spotted her. She ran out the front doors and went to the far end of the school where nooone was around.
She had had enough! She didn't want to be here anymore. She didn't want to face anything else. Everything that happened to her seemed to go wrong and bring her more pain. She pulled the small knife from her robe carefully.
"I'm sorry everyone!" she whispered, as she raised the blade to her neck.
===============================================================================================
Authors Note: Well that just about concludes Chapter Three! I hope everyone liked it! Thanks so much for the compliments! Its really helpful! Reviews are always welcome! I have a really good idea And of course the lovely diclaimer note: harry Potter characters are all property of JK Rowling.
Hermione awoke the next morning just as light began to pour through the windows. Sheglanced around nervously and gasped when she saw Snape sleeping near the edgeof her bed. Her cry was heard by Madame Pomfrey who came running to her bedside.
"Hermione?"she asked softly.
Hermionestared at Madame Pomfrey still jumpy and suspicious of the people around her.She edged away from Madame Pomfrey slowly.
"Hermione,its ok!" Madame Pomfrey reassured her, "I'm not going to hurt you, I just wantto know how you feel" Hermione didn'tanswer immediately, she blinked repeatedly trying to fight back the tears thatthreatened her again.
"I'mscared" she said quietly.
MadamePomfrey's heart gave a great lurch in pity. She nodded and told Hermione towait there for one moment. She quickly went called Dumbledore and ProfessorMcgonagall down to her office. She then moved to wake Snape who lookedextremely embarrassed to have been found sleeping where he was.
"Hermione?"Professor Mcgonagall asked, "Are you ok?" she reached out to Hermione, butHermione drew away from her.
MadamePomfrey quietly spoke, "Professor, she's going to be a bit jumpy when touched,and I believe she is still quite upset"
"Of course,that's understandable" Dumbledore said. He crossed quietly towards Snape whowas watching a ways back.
"Why was hesleeping so close?" Hermione asked sounding quite upset.
ProfessorMcgonagall thought quickly, "He was watching you over the night in case youshould need anything"
Hermioneseemed to accept this answer. But she refused to eat or drink anything thatMadame Pomfrey offered her and kept her eyes away from everyone elses.
"She wokeup last night" Snape told Dumbledore quietly, "I doubt she even remembers. Butshe was very paranoid"
Dumbledorenodded and sighed, "Severus, I know you are feeling a great deal of guilt, but for Hermione's sake we need to all bestrong for her" he said, "It's the only way Hermione will be able to berecover"
Snapenodded, "Have you figured out what to tell students? Or Potter and Weasley?" heasked.
Dumbledoreshook his head, " I will leave it at she had an accident. Hermione can tellthose she wants to know" he said, "I don't think it will be any easier on her if everyone knows what happened to her."
====================================================================================
"Hurry up Harry!" Ron called up.
"I'mcoming!" Harry said coming down the stairs and they both rushed to the hospitalwing. Ron was holding some flowers he had borrowed from Professor Sprout. Theyburst through the doors as quickly as possible and found themselves facingProfessor Snape.
"Professor"Harry acknowledged rudely.
Snapeglared at him , but didn't answer, he simply got Dumbledore's attention whocame over immediately.
"Um, Wewere wondering if we could visit Hermione yet" Harry asked, "Or at least Iwas" he added as he saw Ron shove pastSnape and run to Hermione's bedside.
"For a veryshort time" Dumbledore finally concluded, "Just be sure not to say anythingthat might even remotely upset her"
Harrynodded and walked over by Ron.
"Hermione?"Ron said, "It's Ron, we came to see how you were doing?"
Hermionelooked up slowly. She didn't say hello she just stared at the two of them.
"Hermione,what happened?" Harry asked gently. He couldn't help but notice Madame Pomfreyfrown at his question.
Hermione glanced at Dumbledore and Professor Mcgonagall quickly, "Nothing, I just had a littleaccident" she said.
Ron staredat her silently, "I hope you'll be ok! If you need to talk.." he started.
Hermione nodded, "I know! I just need some time alone right now" she said hinting thatthey should leave her alone. Which was immediately picked up on. Ron handed her the flowers and they both left with one last worried glance.
"Hermione,"Professor Mcgonagall started, "Noone knows what happened to you except me,Dumbledore, Madame Pomfrey, and Professor Snape. A letter was sent to yourparents this morning. It will be up to you to tell whoever you want to know"
Hermione finally felt the tears return to her eyes, "I don't want anyone else to know!Not even Ron or Harry! I don't know if I could face them again if they knewwhat happened" she said, "It's too unbearable to think about"
Professor Mcgonagall nodded, "It's your decision" she said.
"How long will I have to be in here?" Hermione asked,
"The next week or so just to besafe" Madame Pomfrey said to her.
"I have a class" Professor Mcgonagall said hearing the school bell ring. Madame Pomfrey nodded and she noticed Dumbledore also had to leave. She herself had several things that she needed toget done.
"Don'tleave me alone!" Hermione cried out realizing everyone was starting to depart.
Everyone stopped and stared at each other. Finally, Snape stepped forward, "I can stay.I don't have any classes today!" he said with a great deal of reluctance.
Once alone,Hermione calmed down slightly, "I'm sorry"
Snape looked at her with confusion, "For what?"
Hermione shifted uncomfortably, "That you have to stay here with me" she said, "I know I'm being childish, but if I'm alone I'm afraid that-"
Snape nodded, "Its quite understandable considering the circumstances" he said, "It'sgoing to take time to recover"
Hermione nodded. She stared at the wall in front of herblankly. Snape noted that as she stared at the wall her hand strayed to the bump on the back of her head. The one that she got when Lucius shoved her against the wall afterwards.
"How come you know?" Hermione asked, 'It doesn't make sense! Obviously Dumbledore andMadame Pomfrey would know, and Professor Mcgonagall is the head of my house"
Snape tried to think of an answer and finally told her that he was the one who found herknocked out in the black alley.
Hermione nodded weakly and stared out again.
"What am I going to do? I don't know if I can go out there and act like nothing happened! But I can't bear the thought of anyone knowing" Hermione said to herself. After a moment of hesitation Snape slowly reached his hand out and took hers. He felt Hermione's hand tighten but amazingly she didn't pull away. Instead she looked up with her eyes reaching his.
"I don't understand, Why are you being so nice to me?" she said, "You've always hated me!"
Snape shook his head, "Despite a strong disliking to you and your friends, Hermione, what happened to you was wrong! It was digusting" he said looking away from her, "Noone deserves to have to go through that, least of all you"
Hermione stared at Snape in wonder and shock. In the past few hours she had seen a side of him she had never thought existed. She stared at their hands clasped in each others. Something inside of her changed, "Professor, I was wrong about you"
she said.
Snape's face changed in alarm.
"I think I know why Dumbledore trusts you so much" she said, "You are one of the most good hearted and kind wizards I have ever met in my entire life" With that she closed her eyes and started to sleep, she didn't see the pain of unbearable pain and guilt overcome Snape's face at her words.
===============================================================================================
Snape returned to the circle of deatheaters later that evening. Part of him prayed that Voldemort would kill him and he could end this endless pain and guilt that was consuming him. But that wasn't what what happened. He was told that Lucius informed Voldemort he had passed his test.
"Severus, I hope you realize now that you have returned, I will expect you to become the deatheater you once were" Voldemort said, "Do you remember?"
Snape nodded mournfully. He never had forgotten the crimes he had committed until he had come over to Dumbledore's side, 'Yes, master, I remember" he said.
"Good!" Voldemort said.
===============================================================================================
After a week, Hermione was released from the hospital wing. She still didn't like being left alone, and she still didn't like to be touched, but her mind was calmer than before. Even though none of the students knew what happened to her, they all knew she had had an accident of some sort and treated her like glass. It became clear as well that most of her teachers knew nothing about it. She found herself keeping her mind busy with her schoolwork.
"Professor Snape?" Hermione said walking up to the teacher after class.
"Yes, miss Granger?" he asked trying not to snap in frustration.
"I was wondering if you could give me a list of the assignments I've missed" Hermione said.
Snape shook his head, "Don't worry about them, they've been taken care of" he said, "Just focus on what we are doing now"
Hermione stared at him, "Please give me my assignments"
Snape stared at her, "Hermione-"
"Please! I need to keep myself busy with something! Otherwise I'm going to go nuts!" Hermione begged him.
Snape's eyes widened in surprise. He reached into his desk and pulled out the previous weeks assignments and handed them to her slowly, "Hermione, are you sure you're ok?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, I just like to be busy at the time" she retorted and rushed out quickly.
===============================================================================================
"Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Hello Ron" Hermione said not looking up from her work.
"Do you want to talk or something?" he asked, "You seem really upset still"
"I'm fine!" Hermione said, "I just am having trouble getting back on track"
Ron gently put his hand on her shoulder, and was shocked when Hermione cried out and jumped away from him. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to startle you" Ron said quickly.
"No Ron, its just I still am anxious about being touched since.." Hermione stopped short and shook her head, "It's fine.But I really need to catch up on my schoolwork"
"Since what?" Ron asked, he stopped and nearly collapsed in shock as he slowly realized what she had been avoiding talking about. "Hermione? Why didn't you tell me? Hermione looked up at him in surprise.
"When were you going to tell me that-?" Ron cried.
"Please Ron! I didn't want anyone to know!" Hermione said, "I was scared at what people would think of me?"
Ron's face turned red in anger, "Hermione! I can't believe you didn't tell me or Harry!" he cried, "I thought you trusted us enough to know we would care about you!"
Hermione burst into tears, she was well aware people were staring at her and Ron by now. "Ron, please! I didn't know what to do! I was so scared! and I still am!" Hermione said hysterically.
"DOn't bother explaining yourself" Ron snapped, 'YOu certainly neglected the need to do that before"
===============================================================================================
Hermione ran from the common room as fast as she could. She couldn't stop crying. Her heart was torn and her head was racing with thoughts of agony. As she cried and ran she didn't even notice that several teachers had spotted her. She ran out the front doors and went to the far end of the school where nooone was around.
She had had enough! She didn't want to be here anymore. She didn't want to face anything else. Everything that happened to her seemed to go wrong and bring her more pain. She pulled the small knife from her robe carefully.
"I'm sorry everyone!" she whispered, as she raised the blade to her neck.
===============================================================================================
Authors Note: Well that just about concludes Chapter Three! I hope everyone liked it! Thanks so much for the compliments! Its really helpful! Reviews are always welcome! I have a really good idea And of course the lovely diclaimer note: harry Potter characters are all property of JK Rowling.