I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
Hermione entered the common room to find Harry and Ron playing Wizard's chess.
"Hermione!," Harry gasped. "What are you doing here?"
The two boys both embraced her in warm hugs.
"Snape said I'm in danger and that it wasn't safe to be at home and was a stupid decision to go there."
"Was he cruel to you?" Ron asked.
"Not especially," Hermione answered. "We actually had some nice conversations."
Harry and Ron stared at her like she had three heads.
"So, I'm back here," Hermione said with a smile. "And I heard there's a Hogsmeade trip coming up."
"Yea," Ron said. "Tomorrow. I still have to buy Christmas presents."
"Me too," Harry and Hermione said in unison.
"So, what's been going on around the castle lately?" Hermione asked as she flopped down on a couch.
"Not much. But I missed you," Ron blurted out.
"Umm.. thanks Ron," Hermione spoke, blushing. "You know, I really should go up and unpack. I'll see you guys later."
Hermione left the room, embarrassed.
Severus's heart was still pounding when he returned from the Death Eater meeting. What had he done? When did Voldemort expect him to bring him Hermione? Why did he want Hermione so badly in the first place? What was the new vital information? His head was spinning with these thoughts and more. Severus knew he should go immediately to Dumbledore but he didn't. He went to his chambers and collapsed on his bed. He didn't want anyone to see him cry. Tears began pouring down his face, but hee quickly wiped them away. Now Hermione would probably die if he brought her to Voldemort. Plus he would be betraying Dumbledore and the Order. But if Severus didn't bring Hermione he would be killed. He would give anything to be out of this predicament. And he didn't want anything to happen to Hermione. He eventually fell asleep.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione left Hogwarts to go to Hogsmeade. It was a snowy winter day and extrememly cold. When they arrived the trio split up to buy Christmas presents. Hermione had made a list of everyone she needed to buy something for. She entered a bookshop and ended up buying two copies of Hogwarts, A History for Harry and Ron. One day they would read it. She smiled to herself at this thought. She also bought them assorted candy from Honeyduke's. She then bought presents for her parents and Hagrid. She wondered who else she had to buy for. Then she realized who else she should buy for. Snape. She had no clue what would happen between them, but still. He gave up his own time to come and bring her back to Howarts. She should buy him something. But what? Hermione wandered back into the bookstore. Then she saw it. The perfect present. A brand new book, just placed on the shelf.
A Guide to Complex Potions of a New Era
She knew he didn't have it. Hermione purchased the book, then went to go find Harry and Ron. They had said they would meet at the Three Broomsticks. On her way there Hermione subconciously rubbed her arm. She got a feeling that something terribly wrong had just happened, but she had no idea what.
It was Christmas morning. Hermione awoke quite early; she wanted to give Snape his present before everyone else woke up. Who knew what they would think of her if they found out she gave him a Christmas gift. She made her way to the dungeons, clutching the book in her arms. She knocked cautiously on his door. She hadn't seen him since they first arrived back at Hogwarts. The door slowly opened. Hermione saw Snape standing there, looking more grim than she had ever seen him before.
"Here Professor. I got you a Christmas gift."
Severus was surprised. Hermione was probably the only one who would give him a gift this year. But he couldn't bear to look at her. The idea of bringing her to Voldemort made him feel sick to his stomach.
"Thanks you Miss Granger. I have been busy and didn't get you anything."
"That's quite alright," she said with a smile. She leaned up, kissed him on the cheek and left.
That was awkward she thought to herself.
Severus closed the door behind the girl. He sat down on a chair. There was a note with the gift.
Dear Professor Snape,
Thank you for eveything you've done for me the past few months. It meant the world to me that someone cared. I'm sorry for some of my behavior, for I know you only wanted to protect me. Happy Christmas!
With love,
Hermione
With love. Did that mean she loved him? Or did she write that to everyone? Severus was very puzzled. He opened the package to find the Potions book he had been wanting. She knew him well. He almost smiled to himself but stopped when Voldemort's image popped into his head. What was he going to do?
Hermione made her way back to the Gryffindor common room after she delivered her gift to Professor Snape. She didn't know what to think. He wouldn't look her in the eye. Hermione hated that about him. She could never tell what he was thinking. Hermione entered the common room to find that Harry and Ron were up.
"Hey," Ron said. "Where were you?"
"Happy Christmas to you too, Ron. Anyway, it doesn't matter where I was. I have something to tell you guys." Hermione paused. "While I was home I found out something. I'm adopted."
"Aww.. Mione," Harry began. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I honestly don't know. I just didn't want to."
"Well you shouldn't be ashamed. You're such a brilliant witch! Your parents must have been amazing."
"Yea. I bet they were."
Hermione then went up to her room to retrieve their prents, which Harry and Ron both liked. Later that night Harry left the dormitory, leaving Ron and Hermione alone before the firplace. Hermione had to admit, it was a very romantic setting.
"I've been worried about you Hermione. So much strange stuff has been going on. Is everything still alright?"
"Yes Ron. I think I'm in good hands."
There was an awkward pause. Ron stared into Hermione's eyes. He leaned in to kiss her and she kissed back. She felt horrible, but she couldn't bear to break his heart. She instantly remembered when she and Professor Snape had kissed. This felt nothing like that. She realized she had wanted to kiss Snape. Did she somehow still have feelings for him? She would have to talk to him soon. Then Hermione remembered she was supposed to go to him to have her arm checked.
Oh well, she thought. I can skip one night.
She and Ron pulled away from the kiss. Hermione blushed, embarrassed at herself for doing this, and ran to her room.