Disclaimer: Everything in the potter universe does not belong to me, except the plot, which not many people would claim.

Chapter 4.

" What Sculpture is to marble, Education is to the soul."

The door opened and a flood of first year Hufflepuffs walked in, totally unconcerned about what was happening between the professor and the head girl. Hermione stepped back, not looking at him.

" I need to get to class." Snape nodded, making a hand motion that said 'by all means go' She walked to the door and pulled it open in time to hear him roar angrily

" 5 points from Ravenclaw Mr. Hamilton, I don't want to see those glasses in my class ever again!" She turned to see a small child sporting Harry potter type glasses without the lenses, complete with tape around the middle. He quivered in his chair. She couldn't help but smile sadly at the small fan and walk out. The Gryffindor glanced at her watch and saw that she had been in the dungeons for nearly 10 minutes, and it would take 10 minutes to get to her next class. Hermione ran all the way, across the quidditch field, through the courtyard, past the lake, and into the south end of the castle, up the stairs and into the astronomy tower.

" Miss Granger, you're late." Professor Sinatra said stating the obvious with a smile on her lips

" I'm sorry professor, I was talking to-" She was breathing to hard to speak. The old woman nodded her approval,

" It's quite all right, just don't let it happen again." With that, Hermione took her seat and the class began.

Towards the end, right when the professor was talking about the constellations and what its connection was to the numbers, her stomach lurched. Something was terribly wrong. Terry boot looked over at his partner and noticed that she was a sickly shade of green.

" You ok?" Hermione didn't hear him, it wasn't often that she got sick, perhaps it was breakfast giving her a stomachache. The pain shot through her again. She doubled over, and groaned.

"I'm going to die." Everyone looked at her confused.

"Miss Granger are you all right?" No she wasn't all right; her mid section was giving her hell at the moment. She shook trying not to cry. Her will power lasted about 6 seconds.

" Miss patil, go get Madame pomprey right away!" The Ravenclaw jumped up and ran out the door, looking frightened. The professor was right next to her side within seconds, coaching her through the pain.

" What? Is she pregnant? It's probably Potter's" Blaise Zabini, one of the few slytherins in this class commented scathingly. A brave hufflepuff told her to shut up.

" What hurts?" Sinatra asked, Hermione didn't answer but curled into a ball.

" Help me." She whimpered and cried out again. This was too much for the students, what had just happened? She was fine a moment ago. It took several minutes but the nurse came in through floo and went to Hermione' s side.

Several spells later, she was transported to the infirmary and laid down on a bed.

" It seems you have an ulcer, dear, too much stress I'd say" Hermione lay calmly on the bed. Medicine worked miracles in short periods of time, and she was ever so grateful.

" Can I go back to class?" The Gryffindor already knew the answer, but felt that she should ask.

" Of course not! Your stress level is off the charts, it doesn't look like you've been eating or sleeping much and at from the looks from that bruise on your face-" Her voice softened immediately,

" Someone hasn't been hurting you have they?" She whispered, Hermione understood her worry and it felt nice that someone cared.

" No ma'am, I just fell down. I'm fine, honest." She gave her best smile, which was wasted on the nurse.

" Well I want to keep you here for another day. No more working for you, just good old-fashioned rest and relaxation." It was like a death sentence.

" But Madame! Please! I have newts to study for and classes to go too!"

" I'm sure your professors will understand; now you just settle back and relax." The comment earned a glare from the smaller woman and a pathetic sniff.

"If you keep acting like that, I'm going to write your parents and tell them what you've been up too." The threat was meant to scare Hermione into complying but the Gryffindor only paled considerable and yelled rather testily

" You try that! You'll never get a reply!" Her emotions were bubbling the edge of her inner cauldron; Poppy bustled about and frowned.

" What makes you say that? Of course they'll write me back, they're bound to be worried about you."

" No they won't, They're dead!" Hermione cried out and stood up, unable to take anymore. She had to leave this place. She started for the door and came face to face with Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore who stood there looking quite shocked at what they just heard.

" Miss Granger, you never told us your mother and father passed away." The headmaster said quietly.

" You never asked." She half joked to lighten the situation. She was going to lose her mind if they didn't stop staring at her like that.

" Now I'd really love to stay and chat but I have things to do, people to see." She tried to push past the two but Snape took hold of her and held on fast. She struggled, like any self-respecting person would but he never loosened his grip.

" Just leave me alone. Please."

" I can't do that, why didn't you tell us Hermione?" He knelt down to her level because now she had slumped to the floor suddenly tired

" Don't." She mumbled. " Don't call me Hermione." Snape nodded

" My apologies, Miss Granger." Dumbledore knelt down and looked very grave.

" What did Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley say about all this? Have you told anyone at all?" She shook her head and fell against Snape for support. He smelled of Sandalwood and fresh cut grass, not surprising, she would have pegged him for an earthy person, given the thought. He picked her up in his arms and brought her back to her bed. She didn't want to let go, but with a bit of comforting speech, she managed to lie down.

" Do you want me to go get Harry and Ron?" Poppy asked, making a movement to the door.

" Oh please don't" She said perfectly calm and serious. God this girl could turn her moods on and off like a switch.

" I assure they would want-" Dumbledore started

" No. I assure you they wouldn't. Harry and Ron ended their affiliation with me at the beginning of the year." Snape held back a shocked look; the wonder trio had broken up? Well he certainly hadn't expected that one.

" I'm sorry about your losses Miss Granger." The headmaster stated calmly.

" Thank you sir." He nodded.

" Can I count on you staying here and getting better for us? We do like healthy students in our classes, do we not Severus?"

" I quite agree" was the silky reply. Hermione nodded reluctantly, her curls bouncing around her shoulders.

" Is that a yes? Splendid! Severus and I have come to collect the reports for this month's insta-cast use, that way we can nip this budget problem in the bud!" He made a snipping motion with his hands and grinned like a happy dog.

Severus looked at Hermione; she sat drumming her fingers looking quite bored without something to do.

" Is there anything I can get for you?"

" Well.. There's this book I've wanted to read called-"

" Miss Granger! I said no books, nothing; you need to heal that ulcer!" Poppy glared with her hands on her hips. Frightening woman. The brunette sulked.

" Well, It's stressful enough not being able to do anything, you might as well give me the book, I've heard reading can relax people." She batted her eyes and tried to look innocent. Snape snorted. The girl was as conniving as a Hufflepuff. Madame Pomprey looked insulted.

"I know every relaxing technique in the book, dear child. Do not try to tell me what is good or not." Hermione gave a mock gasp.

" Madame, I was merely stating that I personally am more relaxed with a book." She grinned hopelessly. The woman stood up as strait as possible and took a deep breath.

" If it will make you get well faster, then fine, but I don't want you back here next week complaining of migraines and whatnot ."

" Lovely! Now the book is called Moste Potent Potions, I need to research it for my upcoming N.E.W.T.S-"

" Miss Granger!" The woman left in a huff, clearly unable to imagine why the girl kept pushing her study habits. Severus Snape however was impressed, potent potions was a highly descriptive book, it would hardly be needed in the exams. Wasn't it in the restricted section?

"I'll see what I can do."

A/N: Bwhaha, Hermione's temperament is as predictable as a monsoon.

Anyway, got to say thanks for all the reviews.

Thanks!

I know my grammar is a bit off, if anyone wants to be my beta, don't be hesitant to ask. I need someone to do the dirty work.