Chapter Seven

For the longest time Snape was frozen in place staring at Hermione's fainted body on the ground before him. It took every bit of strength in him to move and finally lift Hermione into his arms, and walk slowly towards the school. As he reached the large front doors he saw Dumbledore emerging with Professor Mcgonagall and Madame Pomfrey.

"Here!" Snape said, shoving Hermione into Madame Pomfrey's arms.

"Severus, what's going on?" Professor Mcgonagall asked in bewilderment.

Snape didn't answer, he pushed past them and inside of the school. Noone followed as they watched him retreat into the haven of his quarters.

"Well, don't just stand there!" Madame Pomfrey finally said, "Help me get this girl into the hospital wing"

"Especially before Fudge comes down and makes matters worse than he's already made them" Professor Mcgonagall said.                       

"I'll be up in a moment" Dumbledore said staring down the corrider. "I must speak with Severus, Poppy, be sure that Fudge is not told that Hermione's in the hospital wing"

Madame Pomfrey nodded sharply to acknowledge her orders and hurried off with Professor Mcgonagall. Once they were gone, Dumbledore made his way down into the dungeon levels. As he approached Snape's door, it flew open and Snape motioned for him to come inside.

"I'm leaving" Snape said shortly, "Tonight"

"What happened?" Dumbledore asked losing part of the dignity that usually surrounded him, "You can't just leave like that!"

"I can and I will" Snape said fervently.

Dumbledore reached out and grabbed Snape by the arm and sat him down firmly, "What happened?"

"She know's it was me" Snape said quietly. His eyes concealed any signs of his emotions and his body was stiff as it ever was.

Dumbledore studied Snape for a long time, "Whatever the situation may be, we will work it out" he said, "But I can't help you if you leave" He sat beside Snape forced him to look in his eyes, "I did not give up on you before, and I will not give up on you now"

Snape took several deep breaths in silence before nodding to agree that he would stay. He didn't know how it would work, but he didn't seem to have too many options at the moment.

Hermione awoke in the familiar surroundings of the hospital wing several hours later. Her head felt dizzy. Slowly sitting up she saw Dumbledore sitting beside her. Taking a moment to collect herself she let her mind soak in the information she had discovered.

"Professor.." she said trying to suppress the panic rising in her voice.

"Ah, you're awake!" Dumbledore said, "I'm glad! I believe the two of us should talk for a little bit"

"It was Snape" Hermione said dully. She lifted her eyes to meet Dumbledore's, "You all knew didn't you?"

"Yes, we knew, Hermione" Dumbledore said to her, "Snape never once tried to hide it from us, he told us from the beginning"

It was then the tears came falling, Hermione stared out ahead of her crying. She wasn't sure whether she wanted to hug or kill Snape now. Every bit of her she had worked to fix in the past crumbled at that moment. The excitement of their embrace still played through her mind, but  at the same time she felt the terror she had felt.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she sobbed.

Dumbledore shook his head, "You weren't ready to know" he said, "Even now, you aren't ready"

"Why? Why would he do such a thing?" Hermione gasped through tears.

There was no reply from Dumbledore this time. Eventually the silence was interrupted by the door opening, and Snape entered. He looked over at Dumbledore who nodded, and got up and left.

"Hermione.." Snape said.

Hermione looked up sharply in shock at the sound of his voice. She stared up at him with hurt in her eyes, making Snape flinch.

"I hate you!" Hermione said slowly, "I don't think I can even begin to start to say how much I hate you!"

Snape closed his eyes to avoid looking at the blazing eyes of fire. Making him reel, there was no hatred in those eyes, only pain and the bitter sting of betrayal.

"You ruined my life!" Hermione said, "I can never have what you've taken from me back ever again"

Snape stood letting each word cut him. Letting the blood of each word fall down him unnoticed.

"Say something!" Hermione cried, "Don't just stand there quietly! Do Something!"

Snape shook his head, trying to find words. He made a small choking sound as he attempted to speak.

"Stop!" Hermione yelled hysterically, "You're not supposed to be hurt! You're the one who hurt me!" She stood up and without thinking shoved him to the floor with every bit of strength in her. Sobbing frantically she hit him over and over, not caring if she got expelled for this.

"I hate you!" she screamed over again, as she continued to hit him repeatedly. With one final strike to his face, she crawled over across the room. Snape lay still breathing steadily, his fists were clenched, his eyes held shut in silence. He didn't even try to sit up even now.

Suddenly calmer than she had been in a long time, Hermione reached out to him and helped him sit up, "Why did it have to be you?" she whispered, "Why did you have to hurt me so much? And why did you have to let me love you?"

For the first time Snape spoke to her, "Don't say that!" he choked out.

Hermione let her hand cover his gently. She leaned in to him, but Snape pulled away sharply.

"No" he said firmly.

"Why? Before we-embraced and you didn't" Hermione cried.

Snape shook his head, "It was a mistake" he said, "You're too young to understand"

Hermione's face hardened, "I don't care! You owe me the truth" she said harshly. When Snape made no move to tell her anything, she stood up. "Get out"

Snape stood up, refusing to meet Hermione's eyes as he exited.

Author's Notes: Sorry, it's short, but I wasn't really sure what else to put in this chapter. I'm sorry for the lack of updates. But I'll do my best to keep the story going along.

So my sincerest apologies and thanks for the reviews!