Snape walked briskly along the dark corridor, his hand clutched tightly in his pale hand. A movement at the end of the corridor made him raise his wand and say,

"Lumos!" He raised his wand higher and peered to his right. Nothing. He shook his head. He turned a corner and found a wand pointed directly at his face.

"Weasley!" he growled. Ron had a look of steel upon his freckled face.

"What did you do to Harry?"

"None of your business Weasley, move out of my way and lower your wand" Ron didn't move. "Why the hell did you attack him?"

"You really want to know Weasley? I don't think you do!"

"Tell me. Then atleast I'll had a justified reason to blow your head off"

"He raped Hermione" said Snape shortly.

"What?! Don't talk shit!"

"You're the only one talking shit, Weasley!"

"He wouldn't do that...he wouldn't!"

"He did! Hermione came to me and told me, I told the headmaster. The Headmaster is at the Ministry now, no doubt getting Aurors to take him away"

"Why would Hermione tell you?" spat Ron.

"That is none of your concern"

"Wait...", Ron gave an expression as though he had just come to a conclusion, "Hermione was with you before she came to the common room! That's why...why she looked a mess!" "Whatever gave you that idea?" Snape shifted uncomfortably.

"No...she wouldn't...You wouldn't...That's...just wrong!You're like a 100 years old" Ron knew Snape was in his mid-thirties really, but come on, Snape?!

"Shut your mouth Weasley!"

"You're disgusting...I bet you raped her!"

"Potter raped her, I thought we established this, or are you unable to listen?"

"Harry...that pevert! Erghhh...I'll kill him...Hermione where is she?"

"In my bedroom-"

"Too much information!" Snape gave Ron a warning look.

"She is merely waiting for me to return. You can come if you want" Ron nodded and followed Snape down the corridor.
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When they reached the door of the teachers common room, it was slightly open. Snape had a puzzled expression. He pushed open the door slowly, taking out his wand. Ron followed suit. The common room was dark apart from the dancing flames of the fireplace. Various teachers were nursing numerous injuries. Most were awake and looking around mystified. Professor McGonagall was rubbing her head.

"Severus! It was Potter...he attacked us all...he went up to your room-"

"Hermione..."Snape said quietly. He immediately began up the stairs. McGonagall called after him, but he ignored her. He spun into the room. He was relieved to see Hermione was there. She sat shivering on his bed.

"Are you okay?" He went over to her and picked her up.

"He's insane...he's going to kill you...he's going to kill me...he's going to kill us" Hermione had a blank expression on her tear stained face.

"Don't worry. The headmaster has gone to the Ministry" Hermione looked up at Snape's face. "If anything does happen...I don't know why...or how...but I love you" Snape kissed her, paused then looked back at her.

"I love you too"