Disclaimer:

It's not mine, don't sue me. I'm too cute to sue! ::grins:: I'm just kidding, but seriously, I own nothing to do with Harry Potter...it's all JK, who is my hero.

Author's Note:

Ok, I had to write this chapter, because I had an emotional day, so I felt like screwing things up a bit. But hey, life is like a box of chocolates...

(That's not mine either)

Chapter Six

Knock, knock, knock.

Severus Snape abruptly stumbled from the comfort of his bed, feeling his way through his chambers, tripping over furniture and books scattered across the floor until he reached the entrance.

"WHO THE HELL IS IT?!" he roared. Hermione, who was on the other side of the door, rolled her eyes and giggled.

"Did you forget about our Hogsmeade date?" she asked sweetly and he opened the door shyly, "Good morning, sunshine!" she said sarcastically and he scoffed.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't get to sleep last night so I couldn't wake up this morning," he motioned for her to come inside and Hermione's jaw dropped as she witnessed a most enjoyable sight. Severus was in nothing but flannel pants, exposing his surprisingly nice abdominal region and pectoral muscles. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail with wispy pieces framing his face, making him look much younger than he was.

"Err...alright. Do you need any help getting ready?" after she said it, Hermione felt like a complete idiot and was thankful Severus couldn't see her bright pink blush. What kind of question was that? It's not like she planned on dressing him!

"No thank you," he replied awkwardly, then paused and spoke again, "Actually," he shifted uncomfortably, "Could you pick out something for me to wear?" he lowered his head and looked very ashamed.

Hermione put her hand on his shoulder and spoke reassuringly, "Of course! That'll be fun!" and with that, she scurried to his massive black armoire. She pulled the heavy doors open and frowned. There wasn't much to choose from. Everything was black and plain. She picked through the heavy cloaks and slacks and neck-high shirts until she found the perfect pair right next to one another and she smiled slyly. 'It's wrong to take advantage of the fact that he can't see and put him in something that he would be miserable in and would never wear if he could see. But, maybe he wears all this high-buttoned black to be miserable so that he could make everyone else miserable!' she thought cunningly. She smiled and handed him a beautiful green turtleneck sweater and khaki slacks that had been hidden deep in the obis of his armoire.

"Here you go! I'll leave so you can change."

"Thank-you, Hermione."

"You're welcome, Severus," she smiled and spoke sincerely.

He quickly pulled on the mysterious shirt and slacks that she had chosen for him to wear and shyly exited his quarters and entered the cool Hogwarts corridors.

"You look wonderful!" she exclaimed and he stiffened and muttered his thanks as she placed her arm in the crook of his and they made their way through the halls, Hermione sniggering as she saw female students gasp and giggle and male students gasp and sneer.

Some time later, when they had arrived in Hogsmeade, Hermione still held his hand as they went around to the different shops. 'Why is she voluntarily touching me,' Severus wondered, perplexed.

"Let's go get some breakfast! There's a wonderful little café here."

"I suppose that would be alright," he tried to use his snarky professor voice, but he found it impossible knowing that such a beautiful woman was touching him so willingly.

"Great!" and with that, Severus felt a strong pull to the left, "Watch your step," she almost whispered as they made their way through the door of the quaint café. Immediately, the thick smell of homemade breads, cheeses, and Italian food attacked his senses and he breathed through his nose deeply to take it all in.

"Mmm," she moaned beautifully as she, too, breathed deeply, "Doesn't it smell wonderful in here? They have the best food ever!"

"Hermione!" came the rich, deep voice of a man that Severus believed to be very close to them, "It's been so long! Who is your friend?" the stranger's voice asked with a tinge of jealousy.

"Oh! This is my friend Professor Severus Snape, Severus, this is Robert O'Neill-"

"Call me O'Neill!" the large man interrupted and put a hand out to shake.

Hermione noticed this and mouthed 'He's blind' so that O'Neill would understand why Severus wasn't shaking his hand, although she wasn't sure he would shake his hand if he could see.

"So Hermione, babe, where ya been?" Severus could feel O'Neill throw his arm around Hermione's waist and pull her away from him. 'Who in hell does that bastard think he is?' he thought lividly.

"O'Neill," Hermione said through gritted teeth as she pushed the solid man's arm off from around her waist, "We'll just have the house special please," she said coolly and helped Severus sit at a little round table in the corner of the comfy restaurant.

"I'll be right back, Severus, I need to use the restroom," with that, he heard her footsteps go to the opposite side of the room.

"Leave me alone!" he heard Hermione's voice cry as heard a loud smack, "How dare you-"

"Excuse me," never before had Hermione been so afraid of the tone in someone's voice in her entire life, "But I do not think the lady wants you touching her, as a matter of fact, I don't believe she wishes to converse with you at all, so get the fuck away. Now."

"What are you going to-"O' Neill started before he whimpered, holding his crotch, and ran out of the restaurant.

"What-"

"Wandless magic. Are you alright?" he felt for her shoulders and unknowingly brushed her breasts, causing Hermione to gasp and blush profusely.

"Err...I'm alright," she said even though her cheek hurt terribly and was bleeding from O'Neill slapping her with quite a bit of force, "I should've suggest we left the moment I saw him," she looked down, ashamed, "I'm sooo sorry."

"How do you know such a vile man?" he snapped.

"I used to apparate here a lot during college and he would always be here, so we talked a lot. He seemed really nice, until one night he got a little fresh. It's no big deal-"

"'No big deal'?! That's the kind of man who rapes women, kills them and throws them into ditches when he's done!" Snape's jaw dropped and he felt extremely nauseated. He had done those very things. Hermione could tell what was wrong and put her hand on her shoulder, but he merely pushed it off and apparated out of the café.

"Oh no," Hermione whispered to herself.

"Oh dear, I've missed him."

Hermione's blood ran cold.

She'd know that voice anywhere.

She slowly turned and looked into the terrifying eyes of Lucius Malfoy.

Before she could scream, Lucius Malfoy uttered that horrible word.

"Crucio!" he watched gleefully as Hermione writhed on the ground screaming and muttered a silencing spell and an invisibility spell so the ordeal could only be seen and heard by himself.

Some time later, Hermione blacked out.

"We have some bad news Severus, Hermione was found in an ally in Hogsmeade...she's been the victim of crucio. We believe Lucius Malfoy is to blame," Albus Dumbledore looked very sorrowful as he spoke and his eyes were twinkling with unseen of tears.

Author's Note:

That's what you get, Severus! Anyway, mouse and mare, go to my ALS fan page and get my email there...it doesn't show them when you post it on reviews or on chapters...so poo...lol...just email me there! Much love to all my reviewers and readers!!! Next chapter will be as soon as possible!