Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Author's Note: hey guys! Thanx 4 reviewing! Another great story to check out is Lost and Found by Ehann who is a very talented writer.

Does anyone else think that it's stupid that fanfiction has taken all NC-17 fics off? I so do!

Thanks so much for your comments everyone and I'm soooo glad u liked the first chapter! Sorry to everyone who asked for a longer chapter – this one is quite short but I will hopefully get the next chapter up later 2nite.

Also, to anyone who is a bit confused, DON'T worry – ur meant to be confused. All will be explained very soon and the story will really start. Individual thanks at the bottom.

As Severus walked cautiously into the circular room, he was all too aware of the numerous portraits of former Headmasters of Hogwarts gazing down at him as if they still owned the place. They made him feel ridiculously uncomfortable, and he longed to lash out at them; rip them to shreds for daring to make him feel inadequate.

A muscle near his temple twitched convulsively, and he found himself taking yet another deep, calming breath, before continuing his journey across the room that he had adored as a child at Hogwarts.

When he had entered the room, Severus had felt sure that someone (undoubtedly Minerva) had exited the room as quickly as possible. This, although out of character for him, had set him on edge. Just what exactly were they planning? Along with the ever-increasing feelings of apprehension and discomfort, he pushed this thought down into the deep, dark depths of his forever-scarred soul. But, however hard he tried, he could not push down the over-riding feeling of guilt.

He now stood behind the high-backed plum-red plush armchair in which she sat. tears rolled silently down her pale face, and the merrily crackling fire in the hearth in front of her cast flickering shadows upon her profile. For once in his life, Snape felt compassionate when he realised how pathetic and helpless she looked.

Severus moved around the chair and knelt humbly on the rug in front of the weeping girl. She sensed his presence, and her head snapped sharply up, startled. A soft gasp escaped her lips as their eyes met.

He had been expecting nothing short of revulsion, contempt and anger form the girl sat in front of him, or at the very least, horror at having to set eyes on his face again. To his astonishment, he received none of these emotions, and he was thoroughly shocked when she stuttered out a tear-drenched,

          "Pro-professor!" and threw her arms around his neck, holding him in a tight embrace, the kind he had not received for many years. Snape sat motionless for a moment, merely staring at the young woman with her arms around his neck in a death grip, crying copiously into his shoulder.

From the corner of the room, a small yet meaningful cough brought the professor back to his senses, and also reminded him that although Minerva was gone, Albus was still very much in the room. Very hesitantly, he raised a pale, elegant hand to her head, and began to slowly stroke her luxurious chestnut curls with languid movements, whilst his other hand came to rest in the small of her back. After a few minutes had passed, Severus began to gently rub her back with his hand, caressing the skin through her robe with his thumb. A contented moan was issued from her throat. Conscious of the fact that whilst she had quietened, tears were still falling freely from her face, he spoke.

          "Sssssh, child, it's alright, everything's going to be okay," he murmured awkwardly, his voice coming out as a croak. "Ssssh, you can stop crying now. I promise it's going to be okay, Hermione."

A/N: Thanks to all reviewers:

Maddy, I am so glad u liked it, and yeah sorry about the length of chapters, afraid this one is just as bad as the first! Great chapter of Regrets by the way!

Tracy, many thanks, glad u liked it.

Darkfire, thanks for your comment, I hope ur not too confused! All will become clear within the next two chapters, I promise! Definitely will be more chapters in the near future.

Prof G, thanks very much! Hope u will like the rest of the story too.

Mudd Button, glad u enjoyed it, I know there wasn't much of a cliffhanger or anything! U really made me want to continue writing this, I hope u will continue reading it!

Avide reader, thanks, I'm glad u thought snape was in character!

Calbee, thanks for ur comment, very glad u liked it. And thank u 4 being my first ever reviewer!

Rufus, glad u liked it, many thanx.

To anybody I have missed, SORRY! Ur support means a lot to me!

Sorry about the length of this, will try to increase it. Please review!!!!