TITLE: A fear of home

AUTHOR: ARen'T I a ToRtureD SoUL

RATING: Strong R

EMAIL: Ryan_Omira@mail.com

CATEGORY/FANDOM: Harry Potter

CHARACTERS: Hermione, Snape, mentions many others.

SUMMARY: What if home was where the fear was? Where would you go then?

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I don't remember the first names of the Grangers, so I made them up. The timeline is screwy, so bear with me. There is violence in this story. And please put the word "Billowing" in the review. This chapter includes flash backs of verbal abuse, so don't say I didn't tell you.

The first week of school went by quickly and without any problems. Hermione's last class was potions. She despised that class. She walked in and took her regular seat next to Harry. She gathered her parchment and quill and looked up to see Snape's billowing cape fly past her. He went to the front of the class and began to speak.

"Today we will be learning how to deform the facial features with the Cosmetica Potion. Now gather your ingredients, and come to the front of the class to get the ting root. Do not get this anywhere on your face. Never on the face…."

Hermione's mind snapped into memory.

"What are you stupid? Pick it up, now!"

"Sorry Poppa."

"That's it. Go get my belt!"

He never hit her in the face, never in the face. People would notice if he hit her in the face, they would ask too many questions. She had to stay there and take a beating…. all because she spilled mock fairy dust.

"Miss Granger! Silly girl, it come up to get the ting root!"

"Sorry Professor."

Hermione went up to him and tried to take the ting root from his hand. It fell to the floor and started to smoke. Snape began screaming to evacuate. Five minutes later Hermione was sanctioned a detention and she really wasn't up to it. She went directly to her room, and closed her bed covers. She took a nap and woke up a few hours later. She was late!

^^^ In the dungeons ^^^

Hermione ran into the dungeons and struck Snape square in the chest.

"Sorry Professor."

"Sorry just won't do. Give me your wand and take off your robes. You will be dusting tonight; No magic. Oh and Miss Granger?"

"Yes."

"You have two more detentions for being late."

"Yes sir."

Hermione rolled up her sleeves and finished polishing the last of the cauldrons. Snape had came up behind her, and his voice startled her.

"Finished already, I do believe I am losing my touch."

"Yes sir I am finished, may I leave now?"

"Good-."

Snape's face changed from that of dismissal to pure curiosity.

"What is that, Miss Granger?"

"What is what?"

"That abomination on you side?"

Hermione looked down at the disappearing bruise on her left side. Her stomach hurt for days after the last attack. She tugged on the edge of her shirt and turned from him.

"Oh, I was practicing gymnastics in my backyard, I fell."

"Gymnastics?"

"Yes sir, it is a muggle sport."

"Well then, show me what you did."

"I h-haven't perfected it yet sir."

"Well show me the novice performance then."

"I-I am s-still sore Sir, maybe next time."

Snape's eyes narrowed. He looked suspiciously at Hermione, then back to the space that the bruise was.

"Fine, leave my office. Be here tomorrow, PROMPTLY at eight o'clock."

"Yes Professor."

She walked into the hallway. She heard the echo of footsteps behind, and turned. It was Malfoy. His two goons, Crab, and Goyle accompanied him. They soon caught up to the now walking Hermione.

"Hey mudblood, did you miss me?"

"Shove it Malfoy."

"Awe, the little baby is going to cry."

Malfoy grabbed her shoulder, and turned her around.

"Hey, lets write mudblood on back. She deserves a name tag."

Hermione reached for her wand, but remembered that Snape had it. Malfoy pushed her against a wall, and turned her around. He pulled out a sharpened quill and lifted her shirt. Suddenly Crab and Goyle stopped laughing. Malfoy's gasp did not go unnoticed. She squeezed her eyes tight as the tears began to fall. She was caught, they knew. Malfoy was the first to speak.

"H-Her back looks like the d-death eaters got to her. Lets go before they blame this on us."

They high-tailed it out of the corridor, and left Hermione on the wall. She pulled her shirt down, and silently ascended the stairs to her dormitory.

A/N: Hey, I pulled this one out of the hat! There goes another one. I will update as soon as possible. Please review.