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 'Holiday' somewhere in your review, there may be something important here next time.

She lay on the small table, asleep. Severus looked at her small body, wondering what or who could have done so much damage or cause so much grief. When he sent her to pick the muttering ivy plants he thought a student of her caliber would know not to let them spit, he guessed he was wrong; he was rarely wrong. He went over to his cabinet, looking for another bottle. As he found it, Hermione's voice filtered throughout the room.

"No Poppa, I didn't do it! Please don't….Please?"

It took all of his strength not to wake the small girl, but he knew better. She calmed down after a small amount of time, and looked up at him. She didn't know what to say, nor what to do. She slid her skirt down over her knees, and climbed off the table.

"I guess I will serve my detention another night, I apologize, Professor."

"That's all right Miss Granger, but please stay. I want to talk to you."

Hermione pulled up a chair and sat down shakily. Professor Snape crossed his arms and leaned on the table she had moments before descended.

"Your not alone."

"Excuse me?"

"I understand what you're going through. I've been in your shoes, and you can't go back."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Now I have to go."

As she stood, Severus grabbed her thin arm spinning her around and looked her directly in the eye.

"Who was it? How far have they gone Hermione?"

Hermione was shocked. He never addressed her in such a manner and it was scaring her. She tried desperately to escape his strong grip, and she began to panic. She wished she could tell him, she wished he would keep her secret, but she knew better. She hung her head and spoke softly.

"He doesn't mean it, I just do things that annoy him, and I know I shouldn't."

"Who?"

"My Poppa."

Severus was shocked. He did something he never thought he would, he hugged her. He felt her stiffen, and squeezed her harder. Severus Snape was hugging a muggleborn.

"How far has he gone?"

"He only hits me, only sometime. I do stupid things. It's my fault. I should watch what I do around him."

"Don't say that, it's not your fault. We have to talk to Dumbledore."

"No! We can't. No one can know!"

"Well, I can keep this between us, on one condition."

"And what is that?"

"That you will spend holidays with me."

A/N: Well here it is, sorry for the long delay. This small chapter has undergone three re-writes. Sorry it's so short, but the next chapter will be here very soon and it will be much longer. Please review!