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: Well, just remember to put 'Squeeze' somewhere in your review, there may be something important here next time.

Hermione walked down to the dungeons to attend her second detention for Professor Snape. She had retrieved her wand that morning. She tried her best to avoid Malfoy and his goons, but she noticed they were doing the same. Her secret was safe. She reached the door to his office and went to knock when he walked out, a small basket in his hands. He looked at her and closed the door behind him. He looked down on her as she squirmed under his scrutiny.

"Miss Granger I hope you're properly dressed because we are making a trip to the forest, follow me, and stay close."

They walked to the foregrounds, and Professor Snape's cape was all that Hermione could see. His hand gripped her tightly at her waist, and she felt as though she were flying. As her feet hit the ground, he let go of her, and she stood in a delightful stupor. Professor Snape grabbed her arm lightly, and Hermione's mind went back to that night.

Her wand lay on the table in the living room, along with her old copy of Hogwarts a History. Her father's laugh filled the room along with the noise of his other guests. The look of pure embarrassment crossed his face as his guests asked what Hogwarts was. She was sent to her room, and her father quickly dismissed his guests. His footsteps were heard throughout the hallway as he finally got to her room. He walked in, calm and collected, and told her to stand.

"Don't ever do that again!"

"Do what Poppa?"

He grabbed her arm, and backed her against the wall. Her head banging against it signaled she had no where to run. His hand dug into her gut as she doubled over. She didn't know what to do. That's when the beating started….

"Silly girl, wake up, there is no time for games."

Hermione's mind could only register that his hand was on her arm. Her arms covering her head, she crouched into the defensive position and waited for him to hit her. Severus stood there, not knowing what to do. Hermione looked up to see her Potions Master standing before her. She stood up, embarrassed, and walked in front of him.

"Sorry Professor, I thought I saw a bat."

"Fine, fine. Stay close and don't stop walking."

They trudged through the forest for what seemed like forever, until they came to a patch of green plants, with black oval shaped mouths. The plants were all muttering incoherent things.

"Well, start picking and put them in the basket."

"Excuse me?"

"Your detention. I need at least 9 dozen. Don't rip them."

Professor Snape sat down on a nearby rock, and watched her pick the obnoxious plant.

"May I ask, what are these things?"

"They are called muttering ivy plants. Not too many people know about them. We will be using them in our revealing potions next week."

"R-Revealing Potions?"

"Yes, don't let them spit on you, or you will have every scrape and scar since the age of six, and you will be blurting out every secret that you have kept."

Just as he had said the words, one of the little plants spat in her hand. She felt her stomach tighten as some of her ribs began to re-break, her face swelling and her body falling as she felt her legs give from the pain. Professor Snape swiftly ran to her side, gathered her in his arms, and whispered the words that got them to the front ground of Hogwarts. He rushed down into the dungeons and put Hermione's unconscious body down. He ransacked his cupboards for the antidote. Finally, he found the bright green liquid. He brought it to her lips and tilted her head back. The nasty dark purple bruises began to disappear, and Hermione's face shrunk back to its normal size. The Professor sat down next to her, and waited.



A/N- I am so sorry I have to do this…but that is the end of Chapter 3. I will be back with chapter 4 in about three days. I hope you review, because reviews brighten my day. Do me a favor, and make me smile…cause I need one.