A faint ringing could be heard by Snape alone. In the magical world it was
like the sound of a car pulling into your driveway; it announced that
someone was about to show up. Snape's spell had been brief. It had
written into the air 'They have Hermione. Four Death Eaters and Voldemort.
Broke loose of a spell. Can't fight them on my own. Bring help.' The
Headmaster would not have enough time to bring a fully qualified Auror, but
many of the teachers had been trained in their ways. Snape tensed, his
whole body ready and waiting for their arrival.
In a flash and a few popping noises Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick and Sinistra appeared. They already had their wands out, poised to attack. It took the Death Eaters a moment to realize they had been ambushed. In this time, Snape sprung from the wall as the Hogwarts four separated. Curses, charms and hexes suddenly sprang from every direction. Voldemort wasted no time in belting out killing curses at every movement, succeeding in killing one of his own Death Eaters. At this Malfoy sprang off Hermione, who was ducking curses left and right. Bolts of light shot through the air as Hermione grabbed her cloak, tears flowing down her face. Snape threw her wand to her, and instantly she was composed enough to stupefy Malfoy, knocking him to the ground as he blubbered about nothing.
Samantha ducked Sinistra's disarming spell and managed to knick Flitwick in the finger with Avada Kedarva. The old man gasped, and instantly set a healing spell upon him. No doubt he would survive, since the spell had just barely hit him, but his finger was glowing with an eerie green light and he clutched it in pain. Snape was after Voldemort with Dumbledore as McGonagall retaliated by giving Samantha a dose of a quite painful stunning spell. The man dropped to his knees, grabbing at his heaving chest. Flitwick was dodging curses left and right as he and Sinistra cornered Macnair. He evaded them, starting to apparate. The pair got a leg locker curse and a few pain inducing spells in before he disappeared. Hermione hit Malfoy with a quite excruciating curse, causing him to write in pain under her. In another situation she would've smiled, but this was in revenge. Taking Malfoy's wand, she threw it towards the woods behind them as the blonde man thrashed on the ground. The same thought all seemed to occur to the five standing after they watched Hermione's curse: Voldemort.
Snape and Dumbledore stood in front of the Dark Lord, each with his wand pointed like a gun at the other. They were almost engaged in a battle of wits as each stared at the other unblinkingly. Snape yelled Expelliarmus as Voldemort directed a Cruciatus at him. Hermione saw the spell come out of his wand in a bright blood red beam of light. She was reminded of Muggle movies, where everything suddenly seemed to be happening in slow motion. The wand flew out of Voldemort's hand. It was caught by Dumbledore, but not before the red light flashed towards Snape. Voldemort never even hesitated before apparating, his wand being pulled to him as he turned to air. Hermione saw her lover's face twist as he realized there would be no way to move in time, the scope of the Cruciatus spell was quite wide, made so that almost no one could get away. Hermione didn't even hear herself scream as she took a running start. She wasn't going to make it. She jumped, putting herself between the light and her lover. As she fell to the ground, pushing Snape out of the way, the light hit her. The pain would have made her fall to the ground if she hadn't been there already.
Tears poured down her face as her horrible screams filled the air. All around her eyes went wide with panic. Malfoy took the opportunity to reach for his wand. McGonagall, however, caught him and petrified him. His features froze in an expression of shock and horror. Hermione curled into a tight ball on the ground, her screams echoing through the thick night air. Her teachers crowded around her instantly. Dumbledore looked at them pleadingly. It would take all of them and a lot of strength to stop an unforgivable curse from someone as powerful as Voldemort. They put their wands together, the tips all pointed to Hermione. Each did something different to harness their energy. Dumbledore gritted his teeth, McGonagall closed her eyes, Snape tightened his other hand in a fist as Sinistra squelched up her face in concentration and Flitwick took a gaze upwards before they all recited the powerful words.
It took almost a minute before the spell completely worked and Hermione was left weak and broken on the ground. The cloak that she had thrown on in her haste was lying open, and Snape turned to retrieve her clothes for her. He never would've expected her to jump in front of a curse for him, especially an unforgivable. The girl was getting more and more amazing every day. For now he handed her her clothes and spread his cloak in front of her, shielding her from view as she made herself decent again. The thought that almost all of her professors had just seen her almost naked didn't even occur in her mind. All she wanted was this tragedy to be over. The body of the unknown Death Eater still layed on the ground. Dumbledore walked over to it, drawing attention away from Hermione.
"Edvard Zabini." He spoke, and looked to Snape, who nodded. Dumbledore shook his head. "Good kid who fell into the wrong crowd."
Hermione peeped out from behind Snape's cloak. She was fully dressed now, although the tears adamantly refused to stop falling from her eyes. She walked in front of Severus and then collapsed on him, her arms seeking his shoulders as she could no longer hold herself up. The other teachers gazed with surprise and horror as Hermione sobbed into his chest, and Snape drew her into a hug, his hands moving over her back in soothing circular patterns. She turned her head up to him and he brushed his fingers through her hair. Dumbledore smiled. McGonagall gave Severus a raised eyebrow and an 'I knew it' look. Snape ignored them and bent to whisper into Hermione's ear. The forms around him instinctively leaned forward to catch his words.
"Hermione....shhhh. It's going to be okay Hermione. It's all over now." To the surprise of everyone except Dumbledore, Snape placed a gentle kiss on her lips. An audible gasp was heard from Sinistra, bringing Snape back to reality. For a moment all he had known was Hermione, and their surroundings had faded away.
"Crap." He whispered. Hermione fell forward then, onto his shoulder. She was asleep on her feet. Flitwick looked completely horrified. Dumbledore managed a soft smile.
"For those of you who do not know..." They all turned their eyes to meet him. "Severus and Miss Hermione here have developed a well..." he smiled fully now. "Different relationship than just that of a student and a teacher. It is unfortunate that you have had to find out about it this way, but I'm sure you can fully understand my reasons for not informing you prior to this. I also expect that it will stay between the six of us. As we all know Miss Granger is an adult and perfectly capable of making her own decisions, and I trust that you will treat her no differently know that her involvement with Severus has been made known." The venerable wizard turned to the man he had been speaking of. "It appears that I'm going to have to conjure a stretcher after we apparate. Hermione doesn't seem to be quite able to walk unassisted." He went to motion them all to apparate when Snape cleared his throat.
"I'll carry her Headmaster." He stood up tall at the thought, and Dumbledore frowned.
"You were hit too, Severus. I don't think that would be quite as wise in..."
Snape cut him off, much to the surprise of his coworkers. You did not just cut off Albus Dumbledore calmly. "I'm able enough to carry her Albus."
The Headmaster looked at his friend. Determination was etched into his handsome face, and he nodded.
"As you wish."
And the five Professors apparated, bringing Hermione and Zabini with them back to the castle.
************************************************
Ginny Weasley glanced at the clock in her room. It was getting late. Very late, and Hermione hadn't been seen for hours. She sighed, staring out the window of her room, which was empty save for her. Ginny squinted through the darkness outside. Shining through the night was the glow of wandlight. Ginny breathed on the window and then rubbed the spot with her sleeve to give herself a clearer view. It seemed as if Dumbledore and the other teachers were returning. Never had she made the connection between Hermione's absence and the sudden departure of the teachers, but she saw now that they were indeed related. Hermione was lying unmoving, held in Snape's arms as they trudged to the castle.
Luckily it was late when the Professors, Zabini and Hermione were coming into the castle. They were not met with many students as they made their way to the Hospital Wing. Dumbledore shielded the body from view, but students in the infirmary gaped openly at the unconscious Hermione in Snape's arms. It was an odd scene, especially to the students. To see Snape be so, well, caring with her as he laid her on a bed while Dumbledore fetched Madam Pomfrey was a little unnerving to them.
Poppy stared as the procession of teachers came in. A hand flew to her mouth to hide her audible gasp as Dumbledore took her aside and showed her Zabini.
"We're just going to have to keep his body here until the Ministry arrives. I'm sure they'll want it for examining...or something. Who knows? Anyway, Flitwick and Hermione were hurt. Flitwick got the killing curse." Poppy's eyes widened, and she looked at the shorter man, who was rubbing his thumb absentmindedly. "Just knicked him though. Hermione...." The two turned their heads to where Snape was sitting on the bed beside Hermione, and the other teachers crouched around them. "She's been through a lot. Lucius Malfoy got a hold of her." The Headmaster cast his eyes on the nurse, and she understood what that meant. Horror shone on her face.
"Oh Albus, did he...?" She couldn't even finish the question; she looked as if she was going to be sick.
"Not fully, no. Thankfully. He was about to when we got there...would've if Severus hadn't gotten out of the Death Eaters' spell and contacted me sooner." They both turned to look at the tired man who held Hermione's hand in his. Poppy gave the Headmaster a questioning look.
"Severus got hit with a few things too. He won't be too happy about anybody helping him, but he ought to be looked after. I suspect he'll stay the night anyway." At this Poppy nodded, but said nothing. The Headmaster would tell her what was going on soon enough. Meanwhile he walked over to Snape. He nodded to McGonagall, who took the hint and ushered the teachers who were in good health out of the crowded room. Madam Pomfrey swept over to Flitwick and began casting healing spells on him. Dumbledore put a hand on Snape's shoulder.
"It might appear a bit odd to Poppy if I don't inform her of your circumstance with Hermione. I won't do it without your consent of course, Severus. I do think it will be easier for the two of you then, however. Poppy can put Hermione in a private room, and make a bed for you to stay the night if you'd like." Dumbledore's face shone with compassion. Snape sighed. He was really too tired to care who found out about them. He nodded, and the older wizard walked away to Poppy, patting him on the shoulder as he went past.
All that mattered to Snape now was the soft figure lying before him. Hermione was moving slightly in her sleep. The steady rising and falling of her chest made a small smile curve on Snape's lips. She would be alright. He squeezed her hand, and Hermione shifted in her sleep, reaching out for him. She looked so young today. He had almost gasped aloud when he first saw her after apparating. With the older Malfoy next to her she had seemed even younger, and he was reminded of her innocence. At least now she would see some of the things he had had to do in his past, and he would not have to explain everything to her. He wasn't sure if he could have, staring into her beautiful face.
Dumbledore stuck a head in. He nodded to Snape, and waved a goodnight. Snape acknowledged him with another nod, and soon Madam Pomfrey was bustling about, bringing a tray with potions and bandages into the room. 'It will be good to get a private room.' Snape thought as his gaze turned to the beds of the two other students left in the hospital wing. Their eyes were closed, but he could tell that they weren't sleeping. In this moment he didn't care. Hermione was safe, and he vowed to himself never to take her for granted. If she would've be lost tonight it would have been his entire fault, and yet she still would stay with him. He loved and hated her at the same time for it. While her love for him was so strong that she would face Voldemort for him, as she had done tonight, he still felt the need to protect her. In the back of his mind he hardly thought himself deserving of her. His thoughts were halted as Poppy took his arm.
"Will you help me move Miss Granger into her own room? You can get her things if you'd like. I know that you want to stay by her side, seeing as you were the one who found her." She winked at him, and Snape saw the other students stir. Poppy was surely a remarkable woman. Not only had she accepted their relationship together, she was covering for him in front of other students. His eyes extended a thanks and he nodded, picking up Hermione's wand and discarded cloak.
Behind Poppy's office was a circular room. It was very comfortable looking, and two beds had been placed side by side in the middle, they even touched. Snape smiled at the woman, who seemed to blush under his uncharacteristic gesture.
"Let me just bandage Hermione up in a few places here, and give her a Dreamless Sleep potion. Then I'll be gone. You know," she looked him up and down. "You really ought to take one yourself. No." She shook her head, causing Snape to give her a raised eyebrow. "That's an order. And you're going to let me give you a quick look-see."
Snape sighed in mock frustration. He really quite admired the witch. She was discreet, pleasant, and intelligent. Concealing spells were placed on a few rough spots on Hermione, where Malfoy's touch had grown so vicious that he left reminders on her skin. Snape had to turn his gaze away for a few moments. He couldn't bear to see Hermione in pain. Bandages were placed thoroughly and tightly around Hermione's arm, and one was stuck on her neck. There were scratches from fingernails that just didn't want to be concealed. She guided a few drops of potion on to her tongue and rubbed her throat so it would slide down. A full-blown smile was then directed at Snape. He scowled. Poppy laughed.
"Don't give me that, Severus. This wonderful little woman here is proof that you're not as cold and cruel as you would have everybody going around thinking you were. I can see right past that fake expression of yours. Give it up, dear. It's only Hermione and me." And she squeezed his shoulder, lifting his sleeves to give him a look. She was a little surprised when Snape immediately complied. Hermione looked a ton better now, he noticed, and it was thanks to this witch. He pulled her into a hug. Poppy gave a little gasp as Snape's arms moved quite awkwardly around her. You could tell he hadn't much practice in hugging. Poppy rubbed his back for a moment before handing him the potion.
"That's better, isn't it? Always knew you had a soft, kind heart, I did." To this Snape didn't reply, he simple drank the potion. Instantly he felt tired, and Madam Pomfrey handed him a pair of shorts. She smiled, and stopped just as she was in the doorframe.
"I'll lock this for you. Sleep well, Severus." And Snape cocked his head as she gave an unmistakable wink. He shook his head and climbed into bed, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. It was, however, enough time to take Hermione's hand. She reached out to him instinctively in her sleep, and as they slept in the dark room their figures moved closer and closer to each other. Finally they were in the middle of the two beds, Snape's arms wrapped around Hermione's middle as their hands were still intertwined. Hermione's head rested on Snape's shoulder, and she smiled somewhere in her dreamless subconscious.
In a flash and a few popping noises Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick and Sinistra appeared. They already had their wands out, poised to attack. It took the Death Eaters a moment to realize they had been ambushed. In this time, Snape sprung from the wall as the Hogwarts four separated. Curses, charms and hexes suddenly sprang from every direction. Voldemort wasted no time in belting out killing curses at every movement, succeeding in killing one of his own Death Eaters. At this Malfoy sprang off Hermione, who was ducking curses left and right. Bolts of light shot through the air as Hermione grabbed her cloak, tears flowing down her face. Snape threw her wand to her, and instantly she was composed enough to stupefy Malfoy, knocking him to the ground as he blubbered about nothing.
Samantha ducked Sinistra's disarming spell and managed to knick Flitwick in the finger with Avada Kedarva. The old man gasped, and instantly set a healing spell upon him. No doubt he would survive, since the spell had just barely hit him, but his finger was glowing with an eerie green light and he clutched it in pain. Snape was after Voldemort with Dumbledore as McGonagall retaliated by giving Samantha a dose of a quite painful stunning spell. The man dropped to his knees, grabbing at his heaving chest. Flitwick was dodging curses left and right as he and Sinistra cornered Macnair. He evaded them, starting to apparate. The pair got a leg locker curse and a few pain inducing spells in before he disappeared. Hermione hit Malfoy with a quite excruciating curse, causing him to write in pain under her. In another situation she would've smiled, but this was in revenge. Taking Malfoy's wand, she threw it towards the woods behind them as the blonde man thrashed on the ground. The same thought all seemed to occur to the five standing after they watched Hermione's curse: Voldemort.
Snape and Dumbledore stood in front of the Dark Lord, each with his wand pointed like a gun at the other. They were almost engaged in a battle of wits as each stared at the other unblinkingly. Snape yelled Expelliarmus as Voldemort directed a Cruciatus at him. Hermione saw the spell come out of his wand in a bright blood red beam of light. She was reminded of Muggle movies, where everything suddenly seemed to be happening in slow motion. The wand flew out of Voldemort's hand. It was caught by Dumbledore, but not before the red light flashed towards Snape. Voldemort never even hesitated before apparating, his wand being pulled to him as he turned to air. Hermione saw her lover's face twist as he realized there would be no way to move in time, the scope of the Cruciatus spell was quite wide, made so that almost no one could get away. Hermione didn't even hear herself scream as she took a running start. She wasn't going to make it. She jumped, putting herself between the light and her lover. As she fell to the ground, pushing Snape out of the way, the light hit her. The pain would have made her fall to the ground if she hadn't been there already.
Tears poured down her face as her horrible screams filled the air. All around her eyes went wide with panic. Malfoy took the opportunity to reach for his wand. McGonagall, however, caught him and petrified him. His features froze in an expression of shock and horror. Hermione curled into a tight ball on the ground, her screams echoing through the thick night air. Her teachers crowded around her instantly. Dumbledore looked at them pleadingly. It would take all of them and a lot of strength to stop an unforgivable curse from someone as powerful as Voldemort. They put their wands together, the tips all pointed to Hermione. Each did something different to harness their energy. Dumbledore gritted his teeth, McGonagall closed her eyes, Snape tightened his other hand in a fist as Sinistra squelched up her face in concentration and Flitwick took a gaze upwards before they all recited the powerful words.
It took almost a minute before the spell completely worked and Hermione was left weak and broken on the ground. The cloak that she had thrown on in her haste was lying open, and Snape turned to retrieve her clothes for her. He never would've expected her to jump in front of a curse for him, especially an unforgivable. The girl was getting more and more amazing every day. For now he handed her her clothes and spread his cloak in front of her, shielding her from view as she made herself decent again. The thought that almost all of her professors had just seen her almost naked didn't even occur in her mind. All she wanted was this tragedy to be over. The body of the unknown Death Eater still layed on the ground. Dumbledore walked over to it, drawing attention away from Hermione.
"Edvard Zabini." He spoke, and looked to Snape, who nodded. Dumbledore shook his head. "Good kid who fell into the wrong crowd."
Hermione peeped out from behind Snape's cloak. She was fully dressed now, although the tears adamantly refused to stop falling from her eyes. She walked in front of Severus and then collapsed on him, her arms seeking his shoulders as she could no longer hold herself up. The other teachers gazed with surprise and horror as Hermione sobbed into his chest, and Snape drew her into a hug, his hands moving over her back in soothing circular patterns. She turned her head up to him and he brushed his fingers through her hair. Dumbledore smiled. McGonagall gave Severus a raised eyebrow and an 'I knew it' look. Snape ignored them and bent to whisper into Hermione's ear. The forms around him instinctively leaned forward to catch his words.
"Hermione....shhhh. It's going to be okay Hermione. It's all over now." To the surprise of everyone except Dumbledore, Snape placed a gentle kiss on her lips. An audible gasp was heard from Sinistra, bringing Snape back to reality. For a moment all he had known was Hermione, and their surroundings had faded away.
"Crap." He whispered. Hermione fell forward then, onto his shoulder. She was asleep on her feet. Flitwick looked completely horrified. Dumbledore managed a soft smile.
"For those of you who do not know..." They all turned their eyes to meet him. "Severus and Miss Hermione here have developed a well..." he smiled fully now. "Different relationship than just that of a student and a teacher. It is unfortunate that you have had to find out about it this way, but I'm sure you can fully understand my reasons for not informing you prior to this. I also expect that it will stay between the six of us. As we all know Miss Granger is an adult and perfectly capable of making her own decisions, and I trust that you will treat her no differently know that her involvement with Severus has been made known." The venerable wizard turned to the man he had been speaking of. "It appears that I'm going to have to conjure a stretcher after we apparate. Hermione doesn't seem to be quite able to walk unassisted." He went to motion them all to apparate when Snape cleared his throat.
"I'll carry her Headmaster." He stood up tall at the thought, and Dumbledore frowned.
"You were hit too, Severus. I don't think that would be quite as wise in..."
Snape cut him off, much to the surprise of his coworkers. You did not just cut off Albus Dumbledore calmly. "I'm able enough to carry her Albus."
The Headmaster looked at his friend. Determination was etched into his handsome face, and he nodded.
"As you wish."
And the five Professors apparated, bringing Hermione and Zabini with them back to the castle.
************************************************
Ginny Weasley glanced at the clock in her room. It was getting late. Very late, and Hermione hadn't been seen for hours. She sighed, staring out the window of her room, which was empty save for her. Ginny squinted through the darkness outside. Shining through the night was the glow of wandlight. Ginny breathed on the window and then rubbed the spot with her sleeve to give herself a clearer view. It seemed as if Dumbledore and the other teachers were returning. Never had she made the connection between Hermione's absence and the sudden departure of the teachers, but she saw now that they were indeed related. Hermione was lying unmoving, held in Snape's arms as they trudged to the castle.
Luckily it was late when the Professors, Zabini and Hermione were coming into the castle. They were not met with many students as they made their way to the Hospital Wing. Dumbledore shielded the body from view, but students in the infirmary gaped openly at the unconscious Hermione in Snape's arms. It was an odd scene, especially to the students. To see Snape be so, well, caring with her as he laid her on a bed while Dumbledore fetched Madam Pomfrey was a little unnerving to them.
Poppy stared as the procession of teachers came in. A hand flew to her mouth to hide her audible gasp as Dumbledore took her aside and showed her Zabini.
"We're just going to have to keep his body here until the Ministry arrives. I'm sure they'll want it for examining...or something. Who knows? Anyway, Flitwick and Hermione were hurt. Flitwick got the killing curse." Poppy's eyes widened, and she looked at the shorter man, who was rubbing his thumb absentmindedly. "Just knicked him though. Hermione...." The two turned their heads to where Snape was sitting on the bed beside Hermione, and the other teachers crouched around them. "She's been through a lot. Lucius Malfoy got a hold of her." The Headmaster cast his eyes on the nurse, and she understood what that meant. Horror shone on her face.
"Oh Albus, did he...?" She couldn't even finish the question; she looked as if she was going to be sick.
"Not fully, no. Thankfully. He was about to when we got there...would've if Severus hadn't gotten out of the Death Eaters' spell and contacted me sooner." They both turned to look at the tired man who held Hermione's hand in his. Poppy gave the Headmaster a questioning look.
"Severus got hit with a few things too. He won't be too happy about anybody helping him, but he ought to be looked after. I suspect he'll stay the night anyway." At this Poppy nodded, but said nothing. The Headmaster would tell her what was going on soon enough. Meanwhile he walked over to Snape. He nodded to McGonagall, who took the hint and ushered the teachers who were in good health out of the crowded room. Madam Pomfrey swept over to Flitwick and began casting healing spells on him. Dumbledore put a hand on Snape's shoulder.
"It might appear a bit odd to Poppy if I don't inform her of your circumstance with Hermione. I won't do it without your consent of course, Severus. I do think it will be easier for the two of you then, however. Poppy can put Hermione in a private room, and make a bed for you to stay the night if you'd like." Dumbledore's face shone with compassion. Snape sighed. He was really too tired to care who found out about them. He nodded, and the older wizard walked away to Poppy, patting him on the shoulder as he went past.
All that mattered to Snape now was the soft figure lying before him. Hermione was moving slightly in her sleep. The steady rising and falling of her chest made a small smile curve on Snape's lips. She would be alright. He squeezed her hand, and Hermione shifted in her sleep, reaching out for him. She looked so young today. He had almost gasped aloud when he first saw her after apparating. With the older Malfoy next to her she had seemed even younger, and he was reminded of her innocence. At least now she would see some of the things he had had to do in his past, and he would not have to explain everything to her. He wasn't sure if he could have, staring into her beautiful face.
Dumbledore stuck a head in. He nodded to Snape, and waved a goodnight. Snape acknowledged him with another nod, and soon Madam Pomfrey was bustling about, bringing a tray with potions and bandages into the room. 'It will be good to get a private room.' Snape thought as his gaze turned to the beds of the two other students left in the hospital wing. Their eyes were closed, but he could tell that they weren't sleeping. In this moment he didn't care. Hermione was safe, and he vowed to himself never to take her for granted. If she would've be lost tonight it would have been his entire fault, and yet she still would stay with him. He loved and hated her at the same time for it. While her love for him was so strong that she would face Voldemort for him, as she had done tonight, he still felt the need to protect her. In the back of his mind he hardly thought himself deserving of her. His thoughts were halted as Poppy took his arm.
"Will you help me move Miss Granger into her own room? You can get her things if you'd like. I know that you want to stay by her side, seeing as you were the one who found her." She winked at him, and Snape saw the other students stir. Poppy was surely a remarkable woman. Not only had she accepted their relationship together, she was covering for him in front of other students. His eyes extended a thanks and he nodded, picking up Hermione's wand and discarded cloak.
Behind Poppy's office was a circular room. It was very comfortable looking, and two beds had been placed side by side in the middle, they even touched. Snape smiled at the woman, who seemed to blush under his uncharacteristic gesture.
"Let me just bandage Hermione up in a few places here, and give her a Dreamless Sleep potion. Then I'll be gone. You know," she looked him up and down. "You really ought to take one yourself. No." She shook her head, causing Snape to give her a raised eyebrow. "That's an order. And you're going to let me give you a quick look-see."
Snape sighed in mock frustration. He really quite admired the witch. She was discreet, pleasant, and intelligent. Concealing spells were placed on a few rough spots on Hermione, where Malfoy's touch had grown so vicious that he left reminders on her skin. Snape had to turn his gaze away for a few moments. He couldn't bear to see Hermione in pain. Bandages were placed thoroughly and tightly around Hermione's arm, and one was stuck on her neck. There were scratches from fingernails that just didn't want to be concealed. She guided a few drops of potion on to her tongue and rubbed her throat so it would slide down. A full-blown smile was then directed at Snape. He scowled. Poppy laughed.
"Don't give me that, Severus. This wonderful little woman here is proof that you're not as cold and cruel as you would have everybody going around thinking you were. I can see right past that fake expression of yours. Give it up, dear. It's only Hermione and me." And she squeezed his shoulder, lifting his sleeves to give him a look. She was a little surprised when Snape immediately complied. Hermione looked a ton better now, he noticed, and it was thanks to this witch. He pulled her into a hug. Poppy gave a little gasp as Snape's arms moved quite awkwardly around her. You could tell he hadn't much practice in hugging. Poppy rubbed his back for a moment before handing him the potion.
"That's better, isn't it? Always knew you had a soft, kind heart, I did." To this Snape didn't reply, he simple drank the potion. Instantly he felt tired, and Madam Pomfrey handed him a pair of shorts. She smiled, and stopped just as she was in the doorframe.
"I'll lock this for you. Sleep well, Severus." And Snape cocked his head as she gave an unmistakable wink. He shook his head and climbed into bed, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. It was, however, enough time to take Hermione's hand. She reached out to him instinctively in her sleep, and as they slept in the dark room their figures moved closer and closer to each other. Finally they were in the middle of the two beds, Snape's arms wrapped around Hermione's middle as their hands were still intertwined. Hermione's head rested on Snape's shoulder, and she smiled somewhere in her dreamless subconscious.