Disclaimer: JK Rowling still owns Harry Potter! Aren't you all shocked?

A/N: Just a little something to lighten things a bit before some more drama!

Severus drifted back to sleep as Hermione lay comfortably in his arms, taking in all he had tried to console her with. She slipped out of his embrace and stood at the window for a moment before deciding what she had to do. Hermione tied the letter to the owl and quickly wrote out a note for him when he awoke. She gathered her belongings and walked out the door, turning around once to watch him sleeping, his black locks covering part of his face. He didn't know she had gotten up. She walked out of the dungeons and went to her rooms, quickly packing before she grabbed a handful of floo powder and was on her way.

Severus awoke roughly an hour later missing the warmth Hermione's fragile body supplied him. He shivered once and looked to his side to see her place empty. He sat up in bed quickly and looked on the bedside table to see an envelope with his name written on it. As he opened it up, he could hear her words.

Severus,

So much has happened in the past that I need some time to sort things out. I appreciate everything that you have done for me but I need some time, some time to work through all of this. I will be back before our potion is a total wash. I would have woken you, but you would have asked me stay, and I cannot do that right now. I'm sorry Severus, I'm sorry for everything I have put you through.

Yours always,

Hermione

He closed the letter and put it in the drawer of the table. Sitting in his bed, he didn't know what to do with himself. He battled it out within. Did I scare her away? I shouldn't have kissed her. Severus, you're a fool! You should have left well enough alone! Why did you do it? Why did you bring up making love with her? She probably thinks that's all you're after now. No, she should know better. But, she doesn't, she thinks I'm just like all the rest, just like that bastard Krum. Merlin! Get hold of yourself man! Sort it out! Give her time, just give her time. He walked into his bathroom and ran himself a tub of hot water before immersing himself in its depths. As he closed his eyes, he could still feel her lips pressed against his.

Hermione arrived at the Weasley's in mere moments where Molly Weasley was waiting for her.

"Oh Hermione! I'm so glad you owled. I'm afraid that Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Lexi have gone on holiday."

"I know, Mrs. Weasley, I actually came to see you."

"Well, sit yourself down, I've got a kettle on."

"Thank you, this isn't a bother is it?"

"Of course not, sit down, we'll have a cuppa and talk about it."

Molly Weasley's motherly instinct kicked into action as Hermione sat down and painstakingly poured her heart out to her. She told the woman everything. Molly looked at her, cried when she cried, and finally embraced her in a giant hug.

"Oh, Hermione! Why didn't you say anything? I know you and Ginny are close, not a word to her or anyone? Why darling why?"

"I don't know, I just didn't think I was supposed to say anything. It was my problem to deal with."

"You never have to shoulder things alone, you know that I'm always here for you… Minerva owled me last week, I was going to come for a visit this week to check on you."

"Minerva? What did she say?"

"She just was concerned, she didn't really give me any of the details, just that you hadn't been yourself and had spent some time in the hospital wing. She thought that I should come and speak with you. She thought that you really needed a mother… I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean it like that… she was worried, as was I. You understand don't you?"

"Yes, to be honest, you and Minerva are the closest thing I've ever had to a mother. My father… well, it doesn't matter anymore."

"It always matters Hermione, I just wished you had told someone sooner. I think of you as one of my own."

Hermione smiled at that and let the one hold her, she felt the warmth a child would feel when his mother holds him, and right now, she wanted a mother, she needed one.

Severus got out of the bath and tried to busy himself with work, but he just couldn't concentrate, not knowing where she was. He got up from his desk and looked out the window. Thinking long and hard for several moments, he pinched a bit of floo powder and through into the grate "Where is Hermione Granger?" The floo choked back at him in a pale green response. He could vaguely see the house before him and the young girl sitting beside a red-haired woman. He smiled to himself before he doused the image. He knew she was safe, but he wondered if she would ever come back. He picked up his book from the chair and sat down trying to forget about her but he couldn't shake the image from his mind.

Molly Weasley took Hermione up to Charlie's old bedroom where she lay down for a short nap. She thought of Severus and as she did, she smiled as she fell asleep.

A/N: No fears loyal readers, much more to come.