Yeah
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain

Try so hard to say goodbye

The day before classes resumed Severus made his way to Dumbledore's office. He entered to find Dumbledore reading a book.
"Ah Severus! Please have a seat."
"No need Professor. I just thought you should know that Miss Granger was almost taken by Voldemort the other day. I was able to stop her from walking out the door in a trance, but I was wondering if some measures should be taken to protect her."
"Have you been called by Voldemort?"
"No," Severus lied. "But I am sure he will ask for my help when he does."
Dumbledore gave Severus a knowing look for a split second.
"Well I suppose she should stay in your quarters at night to ensure her safety."
Snape opened his mouth to protest but closed it. He would have to live with her.
"Are you still giving Harry Occlumency lessons?"
"No, I stopped last year."
"Well with Voldemort on the rise again it may be wise to again. And perhaps Miss Granger should be given lessons as well. Yes, I think that would be helpful. But not from you, you will have your hands full with Harry. I'll speak to Remus, he may be of some help for Miss Granger."
Severus nodded and left the room. He had to give Potter lessons again. Hermione would be living with him. Could this day get any worse?

Hermione felt horrible about Ron. She was up all night worrying about hurting his feelings. She had been behaving so unlike herself lately. The students that had been away returned the previous night and classes resumed the next day. Hermione awoke a little late and made her way to the Great Hall for some breakfast. Ron immediately greeted her with a kiss on the cheek which made her blush. She then helped herself to some breakfast and sat down.
"What have we got today?" Harry asked.
"Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions."
"Snape? On the first day back?"
"Maybe he won't be so bad."
Harry and Ron stared at Hermione like she was crazy.
"Nevermind," Hermione spoke quickly. "It was just a thought."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way to Transfiguration, which was pretty uneventful. They learned how to turn objects into Portkeys. They then went to Defense Against the Dark Arts. After the lesson Hermione was called by Professor Lupin.
"Hermione! A quick word?"
Hermione made her way to Lupin's desk.
"I just thought you should know that Dumbledore thinks it would be wise for you to learn Occlumency. And I will be your teacher."
He gave her a warm smile.
"That sounds like a good idea. Are Friday nights good for you?"
"Great. Friday at 7:00. Oh and tell Harry he will be resuming lessons as well with Professor Snape."
Hermione nodded and left the room.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked.
"I'm taking Occlumency lessons with Professor Lupin. And sorry Harry, but you'll be taking them with Snape again?"
"Again? Why? And with Snape?"
Harry shuddered.
"Yes Harry. Now let's get to lunch, I'm starving!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to the Great Hall to eat lunch, then went down to the dungeons. On the way there Ron grabbed Hermione's hand. She felt very uncomfortable doing this, but didn't say anything.

Snape's next class entered. He noticed that Ron was holding Hermione's hand. Weasley and Granger? A couple? He was at first shocked, but then became angry.
"Today we will be making a potion that I am sure you have heard of before, AND that I doubt any of you will be able to complete successfully. It is Veritaserum. When administered the person will tell you any information you want from them. The instructions and ingredients," he flicked his wand at the board, "are on the board. You may begin."
He strolled down the aisles, correcting potions. When Severus came to Hermione's perfect cauldron he didn't say anything. Soon the class was over.
"If everyone would please bring their potion vials to the front to be graded. Miss Granger I need to speak with you. Class dismissed."

Hermione walked apprehensively to the front of the room.
"I assume you know of your Occlumency lessons with the werewolf?"
Hermione nodded, hating the way Snape talked about Lupin.
"Well, Dumbledore feels it necessary to take more precautions. And I do not want this as much as you won't Miss Granger. He wishes that you move in to my chambers for the remainder of the school year."
"WHAT? No way! I refuse!"
"It's for your own good, but really it's not my decision."
"So I have to be constantly watched? I don't get to have a life?"
"What? Afraid your relationship with Weasley won't work out?"
Hermione's face grew red.
"That is none of your business!"
"I know you don't really like him. I see right through it. Perhaps some Veritaserum would help you?"
"I don't have to take this!"
Hermione started to storm out of the room.
"You will move in tomorrow evening. Don't think about running away. I will see to it myself that Dumbledore walks you here. And I still expect to see you tonight to check your arm."
Hermione ran, heart pounding, past Ron and Harry to her room, sobbing.

Hermione cried in her room for hours. She would have to live with Snape? She knew it was for her own good, but he had been so cruel to her. She hated him. She soon fell asleep, deliberately missing her appointment with Snape. She would see him often enough soon. The next day was the weekend, so Hermione slept in later than she usually did. When she went to the common room in the morning it was empty as it usually was on weekends. Empty except for one person. McGonagall.

"I'm glad to see you're up Miss Granger."
"What are you doing here?"
"So accusatory. You've been behaving so unlike yourself lately Hermione."
"You didn't answer me. Did Snape put you up to this?"
"Actually the Headmaster did. This is all for your own good and deep down you know it."
"Why did it have to be him? Anyone else would have been better. I hate him!"
"Why is that," McGonagall prompted gently.
"Because he's so cruel to me! And I've been so stressed out lately and no one cares. I've been hurting my friends! And all because he is so nasty and puts me in horrible moods all the time! I do hate him!"
Tears began to flow down Hermione's cheeks again.
"I'm so sorry Miss Granger. But I think deep down Severus knows how you feel. He's just not the kind of man to show that much emotion. But I find it hard to believe that comments from him would cause this much emotion from you. He's always been this way. Is there something else you would like to tell me?"
Sure! Just that we kissed and now he denies it. I think I can admit to myself that I'm dating Ron to get back at him. Nothing that important.
Hermione simply shook her head and said nothing.
"Well Miss Granger, I'm sorry to say that I must escort you to your new home. I'll give you a little time to pack."
"Where am I supposed to tell people I'm going?"
"Just say that for your own protection Dumbledore wishes you to move. Which is true. You don't have to tell them where."
She gave Hermione a warm smile.
"Now get to packing."
Hermione nodded, attempted a smile, and went back up to her room.

Hermione packed her things quickly. She pulled her trunk down the stairs to where McGonagall stood.
"Thank you for cooperationg Miss Granger. It made things so much easier on my part."
She gave Hermione another smile.
The two left the Gryffindor common room and began to walk to the dungeons. McGonagall noticed Hermione was crying but trying to hide it.
"Miss Granger, what's the matter?"
"I'm sorry Professor McGonagall. It's just that this is my last year at Hogwarts, and that was my home. I know it's stupid, but I'll really miss it. And I don't want to stay with Snape!"
She was sobbing again.
McGonagall wrapped Hermione in a warm hug.
"There there. It'll all work out. Hopefully Voldemort will go away and you can return before the year is over."

"That's likely to happen," Hermione said sarcatically.
The two continued walking. They soon arrived at Snape's quarters. Hermione raised her hand to knock on the door but McGonagall handed her a key.
"This is your home now. Don't you think you should have a key?"
Hermione gave a feeble smile and entered the key in the lock. Snape was brewing a potion.
"You weren't here last night. Do you not care about your well-being?" he asked silkily.
"For goodness sake Severus! Do you care for no one's feeling? This girl had been crying her eyes out for the past couple of days about coming here to live with you, and honestly I don't blame her."
McGonagall's face was red with anger and rage.
"Now you two are going to have to live each and deal with it! And if you don't treat her right Severus..."
"Believe me Minerva, the Granger girl can be crueler than you think. She can backstab and hurt you and rub it in your face. I see this as a punishment for myself."
"Now I don't know what issues the two of you have to work out and frankly, I don't want to know. But if things continue this way there will be serious consequences!"
McGonagall slammed the door on her way out, leaving Snape and Hermione alone and in shock.