I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls

The next couple of days were very awkward. Snape would not look Hermione in the eye during class. But she learned that he had talked to the class when she was out of the room about her mark. Since then everyone had been extremely nice to her. She was grateful to him for that. She was so busy with schoolwork that Christmas snuck up on her. Hermione had been so busy that before she knew it it was time to leave Hogwarts to visit her parents. She walked to Snape's office to say goodbye but he was not there. She was a little happy that was so, because a goodbye would have been extremely awkward. She said goodbye to Harry and Ron who were staying at Hogwarts for Christmas.
"Take care of yourself Hermione," Ron whispered when he hugged her.
She then started to feel guilty about Snape because she wondered if Ron sill had feelings for her. She knew Harry and Ron were worried about her, so she felt a little guilty about leaving them. But she felt she needed to get away from the castle for a while so she could clear her mind and think. Hermione boarded the train and waved goodbye.

The day after the students that were leaving for Christmas departed, Snape went searching for Hermione. She hadn't shown up for him to check her arm the previous night. He entered the Great Hall and saw Harry and Ron sitting there.
"Where's your missing Dream Team member?" he asked, smirking.
"She went to visit her family for Christmas," Harry stated. "Why do you care?"
"That does not concern you Potter."
Severus strode away, in shock. Was Hermione stupid? Putting herself in a place with absolutely no wizard protection, where Voldemort could easily capture her. He made his way to Dumbledore's office. He spoke the password (Swedish Fish) and entered.
"Professor," Severus began, "Miss Granger had left for the holidays. She's putting herself in danger! We have to bring her back!"
"Calm down Severus," Dumbledore began. "You may retrieve her. I know for a fact that she is in no harm as of now."
He pulled out the Marauder's Map.
"I have fixed this map to show wherever Miss Granger is. By the looks of it she is safely in her living room now. I also have her address written down for you. You may use Floo Powder to travel there. Good luck."
Severus took the two pieces of parchment from Dumbledore's outstretched hand and left. He returned to his quarters and stepped into his fireplace. He hated traveling by Floo Powder. Too messy. He stated the address and felt himself whirling and traveling. He appeared in a fireplace in a charming living room and stepped out.

Severus stepped out of the fireplace into the house, observing his surroundings. The living room was pink. Definately not what he would've picked out.... He wondered where Hermione was.

Meanwhile, Hermione was feeling very happy. She doubted things between her and Snape would ever work out, but she was happy nonetheless because she had a friend who knew what she was going through. She hadn't shown her parents the Dark Mark. She figured it would scare them too much. She walked into her living room one morning, still in her pajamas, bringing a plate to the kitchen She quickly glanced to the left and saw Snape emerging from her fireplace. She screamed and dropped the plate, shattering it.
"Nicely done," he said sarcastically and cleaned the mess with a flick of his wand.
"What are you doing here?" she started.
"Hermione dear," Hermione's mother Gloria called. "What was that crash?" she asked, entering the room. She gasped when she saw Snape.
"Who is this?"
"This is Severus Snape, my" Hermione paused. "My uh..."
"Potions professor." Snape answered for her.
"Yea, that's what I meant," Hermione said, a slow smile creeping across her face.
"So," Gloria began,"what brings you here, Mr. Snape?"
"Are you even in the slightest aware of the dangerous situation your duaghter is in?"
Gloria's jaw dropped.
"Mum, he doesn't really mean that," Hermione began. "May I have a word with my Professor privately really quick?"
Gloria started to nod yes but Severus interrupted.
"I believe we'll have enough time to talk on the way back to Hogwarts."
"Back to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Miss Granger, you are returning because you are in danger. Now I would like to speak with your mother privately please and alert her of the situation."
Hermione stormed out of the room and slammed the door but quickly turned around and pressed her ear to it, wanting to listen.

The conversation wasn't as interesting as Hermione had hoped it to be. Snape explained about the Dark Mark and how he figured Voldemort was trying to get to Harry through Hermione.
"I hope Hermione will be fine," Gloria began. "She's such a brilliant witch I often wonder who her parents were."
Snape raised his eyebrows. "You mean..."
"Yes Hermione is adopted. I never told her. There is no trace of magical blood in our family. I always felt so badly when people would call her a Mudblood, but I never felt the time was right to tell her. I guess I should now because of the situation she's in."
But Hermione heard already. She ran to her room in a trance-like state

Hermione slammed the door with such force she was surprised she didn't put a hole in it. She flicked her wand at it, locking it. She was in shock and stared blankly across the room. All those years of tears were for nothing. For all she knew she could be a pure blood. There was a light knock at her door. Expecting her mother, she shouted "Go away!"
Instead, Hermione heard Snape mutter Alohomora and the door flew open. She tried to run past him but he stopped her. He was surprisingly strong and he held her back, closed the door, and locked it. Alohomora! Hermione shouted. It didn't work. The last thing she wanted was company right now.
"Go away!," she shouted. "This is MY room and I demand you to leave it at once!"
"You can't keep running away from your problems Miss Granger."
"Yes I can! This is too much for me to handle. I hate my life, I hate my family, and I hate you!"
Severus raised his eyebrows.
"You don't really mean that."
"Well if you hadn't come here I never would have known! And I think it would have been better that way Plus, I'm the one who has to go walking around school like some freak!"
"I came here because I was so concerned for your safety, which you obviously don't care about."
"OK." Hermione paused. "So maybe I don't hate you. This is all just too overwhelming." She sank onto her bed.
"Well," Severus began. I guess we should make out way back to Hogwarts."
Just as he said this an owl flew up to Hermione's window and poked its beak at it. She opened the window and retrieved a letter. She read it aloud:

My dear Severus and Hermione,

It has come to my attention that the Dark Lord knows of your whereabouts and has contaminated the Floo network. You will have to make your way back to Hogwarts in a car or train or whatever Muggles use. Be careful and good luck!

Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts

Great," Severus began, "we get to return to Hogwarts the Muggle way. How long do you think that will take?"
"A two hour car ride to the train station, a full day and night on the Muggle train, and then a half an hour walk to the castle," Hermione spoke bluntly. "My mum will have to drive us to the station."
"First you have to apologize to her."
"God, would you stop telling me what I have to do? I know!"
"Then do it!"
"Fine! OK, so at the moment I don't hate you, but I can't stand you!"
"This is your Potions professor you're talking to Miss Granger. Remember your manners."
Hermione strode out of the room. She entered the kitchen to find her mother holding her head in her hands.
"Mum?" she whispered. "I'm sorry."
Gloria hugged Hermione tightly.
"It's OK."
There were many questions Hermione wanted to ask, but she felt this tender moment was not the right time to do so.
"The last thing I wanted," Gloria began, "was for you to be mad at me. I love you so much.
"I love you too Mum."
"When are you going back to Hogwarts?"
"As soon as we can. But we can't go back the wizarding way. It's not safe. We need you to drive us to the train station."
"I'll take you right now sweetheart. It's still morning, we should get there in time. Just let me call your father and give you time to pack."
Hermione ran back to her room.
"We're leaving."
"Now?" Snape asked.
"Yes, now," Hermione said, throwing her things in a suitcase. "My mum wants me to be in a safe place as soon as possible. I shouldn't have gotten so upset. She really cares about me."
"Do you now agree that I was right to come and get you?"
"Yes. You were right," Hermione said sarcastically but with a smile. "Now let's go, my mum's waiting."
Snape felt happy he could make her smile, but was unhappy that she didn't realize how much he cared about her.

A/N--Thanks to everybody that's supporting this story! It means alot to me!