Family Matters

By Aurora

Chapter 5

It was a whole week now. He hadn't spoken a word to her. Barely glanced in her direction. What was going on with him? One minute he was fine and even nice, the next he was sour and angry. What did she apparently do? She ran the day over and over in her mind, but still couldn't come up with a logical explanation. It was crazy! She missed his…well…his smile. It was hard juggling her classes and worrying about all of this. Minerva had even asked her if she was alright. Of course she lied. This was between her and Snape, and she remembered enough about him to know he was very private. No one needed to know of their rift, though she was sure Remus had his ideas already. He was always intuitive when it came to such things. Now she sat in her office, sipping her tea, staring off into space. The sudden knock at her door caused her to shutter and almost drop her tea.

"Professor Granger?"

She cleared her throat.

"Yes? Oh hi Remus! You don't have to call me that. Call me Hermione."

She smiled at him.

"Alright Hermione. Are you doing ok?"
She sighed heavily.

"Yes, I'm fine I guess." she spoke rubbing the back of her hand across her eyes.

"Your best bet is to go talk to him. He wont come to you, I promise that."

She looked at him with shock on her face.

"How did you-I mean, why would I..?"

He chuckled.

"Believe me. I just know."

She nodded. She put her tea down on her desk and when she looked up he was gone.

She struggled inwardly. She wanted to clear this up, but she had to admit she was afraid. Somehow, a part of her felt she should already know what was wrong. It was like remembering something yet you just cant put your finger on it. It was an odd feeling. She made her decision, steeling herself for the distress to come.

Severus Snape was grading first year potions papers. He already had a headache and he pinched the bridge of his nose. He began to clear his things away in his office, when a knock was at his door.

He spoke an enter midst the shuffling of his papers and didn't hear the high heels click on the floor. When he turned around and saw her standing there, he was glued to the spot. What was she doing there?

Hermione stared at the motionless Potions Master running over her first lines in her mind. What to say?

She decided on a " Hello Severus."

"What can I do for you Miss Granger?" he spoke coldly, still not moving.

He began to clench and unclench his fists as she spoke he next words.

"I came to see about you."

"Really. And what would there be to see about me?"

She moved closer to him then, a little off of his right.

"Why you aren't speaking to me. Why you aren't looking at me. Did it finally hit you that you were becoming friends with a Gryffindor and realized how disgusting that is? How disgusting I am?" each word was spoken with increasing anger.

Merlin no, he thought.

Just as he would have said something to counter her words, she spoke again.

"You selfish prat!" she bellowed.

Those three words squashed anything nice he might have said and opened up the gates of anguish within him.

"Me! I'M the selfish one!" he spoke with fierce strength, still stationary in his spot.

Hermione stepped back a little.

"Well that's really funny, Hermione. Here I thought you were the one. I'm glad we cleared that up then. Good day to you." He spoke quickly turning away from her. But she stopped him by grabbing his arm.

"Me! What are you talking about Severus? Tell me what's wrong with you?"

He turned on her so quickly, she didn't have a chance to breathe before her back was to the wall and he was looming over her.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe people were hurt by you being gone?  Hmm..that maybe you caused a lot of pain? I blocked out the memories Hermione! That's how bad it hurt me! I didn't want to remember that pain every day of my life! Didn't you think anyone would miss you? Or were you too selfish to think of anyone but yourself? After everything…after everything. How could you just leave me? Leave us? After everything I..we did for you?" he spat at her, giving no chance of a forgiving tone or glance. She almost whimpered.

I practically told you I loved you back then, he thought. He wanted to say it, but he didn't.

" I guess it really doesn't matter now does it? Just leave. Leave me be."

And with that he dismissed her turning away. He stood with his back towards her, hands on the chair gripping for deal life, trying to get control of himself again. He breathed in and out heavily, hoping to calm himself. A twinge of guilt surfaced then for being so hard on her. It had only been a few seconds, but when he turned around she was gone. Footsteps could be heard running away down the hall while sobs were trying to be muffled.