Please don't try so hard to say goodbye
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye
Hermione made her way to the dungeons the following night. Somehow she was able to avoid Ron all day. She felt extremely bad, leading him on like that. She knocked on Snape's office door.
"Enter," was his only reply.
Hermione was surprised. He sounded angry. She opened the door to find him working at his desk.
"Why weren't you here last night?"
"It was Christmas...I had things to do..."
Hermione didn't say what she was thinking:
Oh, I was just kissing Ron
"That's no excuse."
"I'm sorry,"
He cut her off.
"When you speak to him you will address me as Professor or Sir, as you are my student and I your teacher."
"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Our situation has been really awkward since we,"
Hermione paused.
"Since we kissed. And I just want to know how you feel about me and if our feelings are mutual."
"Granger, I don't know what came over me that night but I assure you, I have no romantic feelings toward you. I wanted to comfort you and that is all."
Tears threatened to spill down Hermione's cheeks but she wouldn't let them. Not in front of this man that suddenly would show no feeling.
Snape walked over to her and rolled up her sleeve. The Mark was still there.
Hermione shuddered. The fingers that had once felt warm and comforting felt cold and distant. Snape didn't speak but went back to his work.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, dismissing her. But Hermione didn't leave.
"What happened when we were all on the Hogsmeade trip? I got a really bad feeling and I know something happened. Just tell me because if it involves me I have a right to know!"
Severus's heart started pounding.
"If it really did concern you Miss Granger you would already know."
Hermione stormed out and slammed the door. She didn't walk away, but slumped against the dungeon wall and sobbed. She eventually fell asleep there.
Severus wanted to cry when Hermione left. He really did care about her. But a relationship would never happen. He look at the Marauder's Map and saw that she hadn't really left. When he listened he could vaguely hear her sobbing.
She cries far too much he thought to himself.
But at least she isn't afraid to show emotion
Severus didn't know what to do. He decided to wait until Voldemort next called him. What he would do then he didn't know. But he couldn't look at her. He had no choice but to hurt her. Right?
Hermione awoke in the middle of the night, still on the cold, hard floor outside of Professor Snape's classroom. She hadn't realized she had fallen asleep there. She stood up to walk back to her dormitory when her arm began to hurt very badly. She was tempted to knock on Snape's door but decided against it. Hermione didn't want to make him any more angry than he already was by waking him up. Besides, something inside her head was telling her to walk to the Entrance Hall and out the doors. She knew she shouldn't but her legs seemed to have a mind of their own, carrying her against her will. Hermione was in a trance and heard the same raspy voice in her head, calling her name.
Severus hadn't fallen asleep yet. He couldn't. His eyes glanced over the Marauder's Map where he saw a suspicious site. Hermione was walking very quickly to the Entrance Hall. Wondering what she was up to he followed her."Miss Granger?" he called.
No answer.
He ran up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Miss Granger!"
She still didn't turn around.
Oh no, he thought to himself.
She's in a trance.
Severus grabbed Hermione around the waist and attempted to carry her. She struggled and kicked.
"I hate to do this Granger," he whispered, and slapped her acroos the face.
Hermione immediately snapped out of it. When she looked at Snape her eyes grew large and she tried to run away.
"You went into a trance Miss Granger. I saw you coming here and followed you."
"Oh yes. I think I fell asleep in the hallway. God that was scary. I didn't want to come here but I couldn't stop myself. It was so weird."
"Yes, I will have to alert Dumbledore in the morning," Severus spoke, avoiding her eyes. "But it obviously isn't safe for you to be alone in Gryffindor Tower for the rest of the night."
He paused.
"You will have to stay the rest of the night in my quarters."
Hermione's eyes grew even wider.
"No, I think I'll be fine."
"Miss Granger you're being downright stupid. You will come with me."
Hermione reluctantly nodded and stood up, following Snape to the dungeons.
Hermione followed Snape out of the Entrance Hall to the dungeons, her heart pounding. What would people think if they found out? She shuddeed at the thought. The two entered Snape's office and through another door.
"Welcome to my quarters Miss Granger."
The room was dark green and black in color and reminded Hermione very much of the Slytherin common room. She could see a living room and kitchen.
"Where will I be sleeping?"
"On the couch. Is that alright with you?"
"Perfectly," Hermione answered.
She made no move to sit down and looked very uncomfortable.
"The sofa won't hurt you Granger. Please, you look scared to death."
Hermione sat down as if to prove a point. She yawned.
"Will you be leaving Professor?"
"Not yet. I haven't quite completed your dear werewolf friend's potion."
So Hermione sat on the couch and waited. There was no way she was going to sleep with him watching her. She was still mad at him and didn't trust him. But as at least an hour passed she laid down on the couch and closed her eyes. Sleep overcame her.
Snape watched the girl sleeping. How could he have been so horrible to her?
Because Severus, you idiot, you promised Voldemort you would bring him her.
He figured he was probably now in big trouble with Voldemort, unless he brought Hermione to him now.
The voice in Severus's head started to encourage him to return to his Death Eater ways.
Maybe you could bring her there. Maybe he'll let her go.
"That's a likely possibility Severus," he told himself. "He obviously wants her badly, there must be a reason other than Potter.
Maybe you could bring her there and find a way to help her escape.
"No no! I won't! And he won't take her! Not again!"
He stormed off to his bedroom, not knowing that Hermione lay awake, petrified.
Hermione awoke in the morning, her arm throbbing. Snape was already up and in his kitchen, making breakfast.
"Good morning Miss Granger."
"Good morning Professor."
"Would you like some breakfast?"
Hermione wasn't sure if she wanted to eat anything Snape cooked, but said yes anyway. She sat down at the table. Snape placed a plate of steaming hot food before her and sat down himself.
"I am sorry for the way I acted yesterday Miss Granger. It was cruel and I have no excuse for it."
"It's fine," Hermione said curtly. She didn't care. He always was horrible to her but then apologized for it. He was becoming hard to forgive.
"I shall alert Dumbledore about your arm shortly."
"Great."
There was an awkward silence.
"Professor, please tell me what happened the other day."
"It doesn't concern you!"
Hermione winced. She hated when he exploded this way. Why was this such a touchy subject?
"I heard you talking in your sleep last night. At least, I think you were. You said something about not again, and that you wouldn't do it."
"Yes, just a nightmare Miss Granger.
"Well, I should be on my way."
Hermione stood up and started walking to the door.
"Wait," Snape started.
Hermione stopped.
"Just be careful. I'll see you again tonight."
Hermione gave him an exasperated look and left, praying no one would see her leaving Snape's. She made it back to the Gryffindor common room without interruption.
Harry and Ron were there.
"Hermione!" Harry began. "Where were you?"
She was not prepared for this question.
"I was, um... well, you see...I fell asleep in the library. Studying."
"Oh, ok," he said, looking relieved.
"Could I have a quick word with Ron alone for a moment?"
"Sure." Harry politely left the room.
Ron approached Hermione, looking embarrassed.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorrying for running away the other night. It was immature of me. And," She paused.
"I have feelings for you too. I was just too afraid to admit it."
She had done it. Lied to one of her best friends. Would probably end up breaking his heart. But for now it seemed that it was the only thing she could do.
"Wow! Thanks Hermione!" Ron gave her a warm hug.
She smiled, but inside felt that she was the most horrible person.