A/N- Well, here's the next chapter. I just want to say that I want to know if anybody out there is reading this. PLEASE REVIEW! Basically, I'm thinking of not continuing this fic, unless someone out there wants me to. So, please tell me what you think.

Disclaimer- I own nothing

Chapter Four- Break Ins and Conversations

Monday seemed to go exceptionally slow, in Hermione's opinion. She would never admit it to either Ron or Harry, or anyone else in Gryffindor for that matter, but she was actually looking forward to working with Snape that afternoon. She looked at her watch during dinner, only to see that it was 5:50. With a quick goodbye to Harry and Ron, she went towards Severus Snape's private laboratory.

Once outside, she muttered the password and cautiously opened the door in front of her. She did not know why, but she had suddenly felt nervous about being Professor Snape's apprentice. What if she did not live up to whatever expectations he might have for her? She pushed the idea out of her head and opened the door completely. The sight that met her eyes, was not what she had expected.

In front of her, a bloody Snape was on the floor. He had obviously collapsed there, as his limbs were spread out about him. Hermione ran towards him, a look of pure concern in her eyes.

"Oh my gosh" she said out loud when she turned him over. She carefully removed his outer robes, trying to find the main source of the overwhelming amount of blood. She removed his shirt, blushing slightly, and saw a large gash that extended the length of his stomach. She performed a few intricate healing spells, and was relieved when the gash sealed. She looked him over, and realized that all his other cuts were relatively minor, and that they would most likely cause no residual injury. She got up to get help, but was shocked when she felt Severus's hand grasp her upper right arm. She turned around to face him, only to see a pleading look in his eyes.

"Please, don't leave me." He said to her. Hermione saw that he was obviously in a large amount of pain, and she assumed that whatever had happened some one had quite evidently used Crucio.

"Don't worry," she responded, "I won't leave you. I just need to know if there's any way for me to contact Professor Dumbledore from here. Only answer me if you can."

" Floo powder..." each word seemed to put him in excruciating pain. He was obviously going to continue, but her Hermione put her hands up to his lips to silence him.

"I understand. You don't have to say more." With that she took a look around the room, and saw a sofa in the corner of the room. She levitated Severus onto it, and ran to the nearby fireplace, grabbing a pinch of floo powder, and sticking her head into the fire.

"Professor Dumbledore! Professor Dumbledore!" she called out. She saw him rush to the fireplace. "It's Professor Snape, he's terribly hurt! Please, come immediately!" with that, she pulled her head out, and went to sit next to Professor Snape. She grabbed a chair and sat next to him. He was obviously in extensive pain, and Hermione watched as his face tensed in response to the spasms of pain that swept through his body. Not knowing what to do to ease his pain, she reached over and held his hand, while her free hand stroked the side of his face. He turned and looked at her. He was obviously not expecting any type of contact, but he had to admit that it was nice to have some try to comfort him. The only person who had ever really been there for him was Dumbledore, and it had taken time for Severus to truly open up to him. But a mere three days ago, if someone had told him that Hermione Granger, the know-it-all Gryffindor would be comforting him in his private laboratory, he would have promptly made reservations for them at St Mungos.

But a mere 3 minutes later, Dumbledore went into the room, along with Madam Pomfrey and Professor Mc Gonagall. Hermione quickly moved out of the way, but not before receiving a quizzical glance from Professor Mc Gonagall. Madam Pomfrey set to healing the scrapes and bruises that seemed to cover Severus. Once she was done with that, she handed Severus a potion, that obviously helped ease his pain.

"Well, Severus, as you look tired, I believe I'll leave you to rest. Ms. Granger, would you please be so kind as to help Professor Snape to his chambers?" Hermione nodded in response, "Very well then, I believe we will leave you now. Good night, Severus, Ms. Granger." With that the three walked out, Madame Pomfrey muttering something about how Snape should be in the Hospital Wing.

"Well, come on then Professor," said Hermione, helping her professor off of the couch. "Umm... You're going to have tell me where to go," she said, his arms around her shoulders for support.

"Simply go through that door right in front of you, Hermione" he said.

"Oh," she replied rather sheepishly.

She opened up the door, and placed Snape in his bed.

"Well then, Professor, I believe I will head to my quarters now."

Hermione was on her way out when Snape called her.

"Thank you... for everything" he said sincerely. She simply smiled and left for her quarters.

Severus woke the next morning, rather sore, and very surprised to find none other than Albus Dumbledore sitting in a chair next to his bed.

"Ahhh, it's good to see you're away Severus, a bit sore I'm guessing?" asked the Headmaster

"Yes, Albus, I'm assuming you're here to find the reason behind my attack yesterday?" Albus simply looked at him expectantly. "Well, as usual, you were right. Last night 4 deatheaters and the Dark Lord himself appeared inside of my quarters. They weren't exactly what I would call merciful. Needless to say, I believe that new securities are needed, as many were removed after the war last year. I'm quite honest when I say that if it hadn't been for Hermione I believe right now, you would be picking out my casket." He said the last bit quieter than the rest.

"There is no need to talk like that, Severus" said Albus firmly, "I believe that I and the other teachers will go around the castle today and reset things the way they were before. Well, I believe I'll go now, and leave you in peace." With that Dumbledore left, and Snape was left thinking about everything that had happened the night before.

Hermione walked into the common room and saw Harry and Ron sitting by the fire, playing Chess.

"Mione! What happened?" Ron asked in response to Hermione's bloody robes and messy appearance.

"I'll tell you all about it tomorrow," she said when she was closer to them. With that, she left to go to her room and sleep, leaving behind two very confused Gryffindors.

Later that afternoon, Snape was woken from a peaceful nap, by a gentle knocking at the door.

"Come in," He replied, his words slightly slurred, as he had just woken up.

"Hello there, Professor," Said Hermione, poking her head inside of the door. "I just brought you some dinner... again," she said with a slight smile. "Honestly, Professor, you really must remember to eat more often"

"Yes, ma'am," replied Severus jokingly.

"Well," said Hermione, setting his plate over his lap, "I believe I'd better go now." Hermione stood to walk out of his chambers.

"Ms. Granger, would you like to sit with me?" Severus looked at her, rather hopefully.

"It'd be my pleasure, Professor Snape," Hermione answered.

"You know, Hermione, I was thinking, since we're going to be spending so much time together, maybe you could call me Severus, mind you you'd still have to call me Professor Snape in class." Hermione couldn't help but be think of how much he sounded like her, when she asked him to use her first name.

"Okay. So, Severus," she was amazed at how easily his name seemed to roll off her tongue, "When am I actually going to go through with my apprentice duties?"

"Well, I suppose we could continue with our plans and meet tomorrow," he said thoughtfully, "Unless you have another idea?" Hermione was a little taken aback at the fact that he had asked her opinion.

"Umm, no, actually, I think that tomorrow at 6:00 would be alright."

"Then tomorrow at 6:00 it is" he said with a slight smile.

They continued talking for quite some time. They talked of the recent strides in the art of potion making, any new news that had come out, and Severus even asked Hermione a bit about her personal life. He didn't ask too much, just things along the line of what kind of family she had and if she had any siblings. At the latter mentioned, she responded that she in fact did have a little sister, Lizzy. After talking a bit more, she looked at the clock, only to realize that it was already 8:00.

"Oh, Prof- I mean, Severus," she said a bit hurriedly, "I really think I'd better go now," She picked up her bag, and went toward the door, "Well, I'll see you tomorrow then!"

"Alright then, until tomorrow," replied Severus. With that Hermione left, realizing just how much Harry and Ron would question her when she returned, and not really caring. When she walked into the Gryffindor common room, she was practically beaming. Little did she know that the dreaded Potions Master of Hogwarts was sitting in his chambers, with an expression very similar to her own.

A/N- Well, that's it! As I said earlier, please review, as I'd really like to know if anyone wants me to continue this.

JVolans