A/n: This is a sequel to "Something to live for", which I recommend you read before this story. I apologize if it's terribly cliché and OOC. I don't want it to be too fluffy either, at least not until the end. I don't have a beta-reader and English is not my native language, so there might be some grammatical errors and such. If so, I'm sorry. Rating because of suicide themes, swearing and such. It might change later, I don't know yet. Italics means thoughts. Constructive criticism very much appreciated, so please review!

A/n 2: Read300300, Genny79, Innogen, excessivelyperky, Chainmailgrl, A Perfect Lie, Cow as White as Milk, amsev and DRUNKEN LANDLORD:

Thank you so much for your reviews! I'm glad you like my story. Just for the record, I plan to update about once a week, unless my life decides to intervene. Which shouldn't happen, since I don't actually have a life.. Just kidding. And yes, I do know cliffhangers are evil, that's why I love them so much. I promise I'll try to limit them.

Disclaimer: No matter how much I want everything from Harry Potter to belong to me, it unfortunately does not (yet -I'm allowed to dream, right?). It belongs to wonderful J.K. Rowling.

Unexpected feelings –3

In the middle of the room stood professor Snape, clutching the back of a chair to stand up straight. His robes were shredded and drenched in blood, and several stab wounds were visible through the torn fabric. Before Hermione had a chance to react, he stumbled forward and fell to the ground.

"Professor!", Hermione yelled breathlessly, hurrying forward to help the fallen man. Kneeling down beside him, she gently turned him around. His face was an awful sight. Three big gashes were bleeding badly and he had several bruises.

Oh, no.. What on earth has happened to him?? Please let him be alright..

"Professor Snape, can you hear me? Wake up, professor, please.. Open your eyes..". Hermione couldn't keep her voice from shaking slightly as she held his wrist to check for a pulse. Numerous seconds passed until Hermione finally sighed deeply of relief. He did have a pulse, though it was rather weak.

Suddenly his eyes flew open and he grabbed her arm with a vicious expression on his face. Hermione stared into his dark eyes for a second, paralyzed by fear, when he seemed to realize what he was doing and let her go.

"Ms. Granger.. I.. I am sorry, I did not mean to scare you.. What.. Why are you here?". His voice was hoarse and trembling slightly, and it frightened Hermione even more than his many wounds. Suppressing the anxiety, she asked him in a worried voice: "Are you alright professor? Do you need help getting to the Hospital Wing?".

He looked at her with confusion in his eyes for a moment and then nodded.

I hope I'm able to get him to the Hospital Wing in time...

She carefully put her arms around his waist and pulled him off the floor, struggling as he leaned heavily on her shoulder. Slowly they started walking, Hermione halfway dragging the semiconscious professor with her. It took them what seemed like forever just to get out of the room, and Hermione was nervously trying to ignore her thoughts and the pain in her back, hoping they could get to the Hospital Wing before anyone saw them. Professor Snape kept drifting in and out of consciousness.

Finally they reached the Hospital Wing. Hermione pushed the the door open and stumbled through, nearly dropping Snape on the floor. "Oh, dear child, what has happened?!", Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as she rushed forward, catching the both of them before they fell. Hurriedly she got the now unconscious Snape on to the nearest bed.

"I don't know what's happened, I just found him this way.. Is he going to be alright?", Hermione gasped. Madam Pomfrey waved her wand to remove his clothes, leaving him in only his underwear. Though slightly embarrassed, Hermione couldn't look away from him. His body was full of wounds and scars, and the sight brought tears to her eyes. Fighting the confusing emotions of fear, despair and something she was afraid to define, Hermione sat down on the bed next to him and watched as the medi-witch examined the professor.

Several tense minutes passed before Madam Pomfrey straightened her back and said: "He is badly hurt, but he will live. You brought him here just in time. Are you alright, Ms. Granger?". Hermione looked at the man before her, so severely injured. Her own minimal backpain seemed like nothing in comparison and she nodded, closing her tear-filled eyes. Madam Pomfrey cleaned his wounds and healed a couple of broken ribs, and then waved her wand to dress him in a black pajamas. She pulled the covers over him and turned to face Hermione again.

"You should get some rest, dear child, but could you stay with him while I will go fetch the Headmaster? I would like for someone to be here if he wakes, to make sure he gets the needed potions if he should experience any kind of pain.". The medi-witch's voice was filled with concern, and she looked at Hermione with a tentative expression. Hermione nodded once more and Madam Pomfrey brought her the required potions before leaving.

Hermione stared at the door through which the medi-witch had just left for several moments, completely lost in her own thoughts.

I wonder why they did this to him? Maybe they discovered his true allegiance? Or maybe this is just what they usually do..

A slight movement caught her eye and she turned her head to see her professor looking at her through half-closed eyes. "Are you alright, Ms. Granger? I hope your back is not too severely damaged?", he asked. It took a moment before his words got through to her. He was lying badly wounded in a hospital bed, and he was asking her if she was alright.

"Of course, professor, I'm quite alright.. Are you, sir?". She looked at him with concern clearly etched on her face.

He smiled. Not a very big smile, but a smile non the less. Hermione had no idea of what to say to him, the sight of him actually smiling had made her very bewildered.

I don't think I've ever seen him smile before.. It suits him.

The last part of her thoughts made her blush, but he didn't seem to notice. Instead he said: "I will live, but-". He was cut of by a sudden shudder and his face contorted in to an expression of extreme pain. Hermione jumped up as he started to tremble violently, and instinctively grasped his arms to hold him steady. Her heart was beating rapidly as she desperately tried to hold on to him. Then, as suddenly as the tremble started, he relaxed into the soft pillows.

He was breathing heavily and looked even more pale than he usually did. Hermione fought of the intense feeling of dread and pulled together her Gryffindor courage as she started pouring into a goblet a relaxation potion, that Madam Pomfrey had given to her. As Snape's breathing returned to normal he opened his eyes as she handed him the potion.

"Thank you, Ms. Granger. I do not know what would have happened if you had not been here tonight.". The unusual comment made Hermione blush slightly once more, but she ignored her own reaction and simply smiled at him before answering: "That's alright, sir.".

The door burst open and Madam Pomfrey rushed in, followed by Dumbledore. After a brief conversation with the Headmaster, Hermione left the Hospital Wing deeply immersed in her thoughts.

The sunlight was pouring through the large windows opposite his bed when Severus opened his eyes. It took him a moment to remember why he was in the Hospital Wing, the memory of the previous night slowly resurfacing in his mind. It was difficult to distinguish the incoherent events, but he managed to remember most of it. Especially the involvement of Hermione Granger stood out clearly in his mind, and it was a most puzzling thing.

Why did she help me?

He tried to find possible explanations, such as her Gryffindor personality or the obligation toward a teacher, but it did not seem adequate, and it certainly did not explain the intense look of fear and concern on her face. She had feared for his life, and this thought was possibly the most puzzling thing.

His thoughts were cut of as the Headmaster entered the Hospital Wing. "Ah, Severus, I see you are awake! How are you feeling this morning?". He sat down in the chair next to the bed.

"Quite horrible, but nothing too serious.", he mumbled, trying to ignore the headache developing in the back of his head.

"That's good to hear, you gave us quite the scare. Now, Severus, I would like to hear what happened?".

Severus sighed deeply and took a deep breath before answering:

"I fear I have been discovered, Albus, or that the Dark Lord at least suspect that I know who the spy is. During the meeting he was in a particularly foul mood, and he made several remarks that indicated that he suspected a spy among his ranks. I thought I had managed to fool him when he tortured several others, but after the meeting, as I turned to leave, he hit with the Cruciatus from behind. He told me to 'tell whoever that spy is, that you do not fool the Dark Lord without it having consequences.' He then put his gorillas on me, and I must have lost consciousness, because the next thing I remember is waking up some time later and apparating back to the castle. I have no recollection of getting in to the castle."

Albus sat pensieve in thoughts for several minutes before speaking: "I am afraid we will have to end your work as a spy. If Voldemort knows there is a spy, he will soon figure out it is you.".

"I know, Albus. It is not an easy thing to admit, but I have failed.".

"That is not the case, Severus, and you know that very well. You have risked your life more times than I would ever have asked you to, and you have saved many people. Do not berate and denounce yourself.". His voice was sharp, and he looked at Severus with eyes that spoke of no condemnation, but stern compassion.

I wish he could just see how wrong he is. I have failed.

"Now, as I said before, you gave us all quite the scare. Especially a certain student has been very anxious about your health.". His voice was still somewhat somber, but his eyes were beginning to twinkle in a way Severus knew far too well.

Oh no, you don't, Albus, you are not getting me to admit to anything..

"And who might that be, Albus?", Severus asked, carefully keeping his voice sounding detached.

"Oh, I am quite sure you know of whom I speak. She has asked repeatedly if she could come and see you as soon as you awoke again, and I told her that it would be quite alright. I hope you do not have anything against that, Severus?".

Frowning slightly at the now obvious twinkle in the Headmaster's eyes, Severus considered his answer carefully. It wasn't that he was irritated about the thought of Hermione visiting, but he didn't like the way the Headmaster was behaving at all. He had seen the meddling of Albus far too many times to not know, that it was exactly what the Headmaster was doing right now, meddling.

Finally he answered: "I suppose it would do no harm.".

"That is nice to hear, Severus. Now, get some rest, I am certain your guest can wait just a little bit longer, even if you are anxious to see her. Good day, Severus.". Smiling benignly, he rose and walked out of the door before Severus had a chance to speak.

What on earth was that about?

At that same moment Madam Pomfrey came out of her office and, seeing that Severus was awake, started fussing about him. Instead of fighting against her, as he usually did, Severus stared absentmindedly into the air, his mind still on the rather odd comments the Headmaster had made before leaving.

As Hermione walked toward the Hospital Wing later that afternoon, it was not without a hint of anxiety. The events of the previous evening was still on her mind, and she couldn't help but feeling nervous about going to see her professor. He had, after all, been under the influence of a large amount of pain when she had last spoken to him, and she wasn't sure that he would still feel the same way about her helping him. She knew he was a proud man, and Hermione couldn't help but worry about whether he would be annoyed or not about the fact that she had seen him in a weak moment.

Pushing these thoughts aside, she stepped through the doors of the Hospital Wing. Professor Snape had been moved to a bed at the far end of the room, and it looked like he was asleep. As she walked toward the bed she examined his face carefully, trying to figure out his reactions to her.

Get over it, Hermione! You have no reason to fear him, this behaviour is truly stupid..

Feeling slightly annoyed at her own thoughts, she sat down in the chair next to the bed and looked out of the window, wondering whether to wake him up or not.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Granger.", he said, startling Hermione. She hadn't noticed him waking, and blushed slightly at her reaction.

"Good afternoon, sir.".

"I am afraid I startled you once again. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.". His lips twisted into a small smile, and Hermione felt unsure of how to react.

Did he mean that as a joke?

"That's quite alright, sir. Ehm.. How are you feeling?".

"I am much better than last night. And thank you for your help.". His expression was as unreadable as always, but his voice was sincere. Smiling, Hermione replied: "You don't need to thank me, sir. I'm just glad you're going to be alright."

She paused for a couple of seconds, and then continued: "Sir, I you don't mind me asking.. What happened last night?".

He simply looked at her and she was about to apologize, when he said: "I assume you know of my.. involvement with the Dark Lord?". She nodded and he continued: "Last night I was summoned, and.. the Dark Lord was not in a particularly good mood. He suspects there is a spy among his followers-"

"You were found out?". She couldn't help herself asking.

"No, not yet. But it will not be too long before I am."

Hermione didn't know what to say and simply stared at her hands. Finally she found her voice and said: "I'm sorry to hear that, sir."

They looked at each other for a couple of moments, the silence stretching out uncomfortably between them. Finally Snape broke it by saying: "Ms. Granger, have you perhaps read this book?". He held up the book in his hand, a book called "Advanced potions beyond N.E.W.T.s level".

Hermione stared at him for two seconds, at a complete loss of what to say. Then she answered: "Yes, I have, actually.".

He smiled at her and before any of them realized it, they were deeply immersed in a discussion about the book. They soon moved on to other subjects, such as the horrible talentless substitute who had temporarily taken over potions class, and neither of them realized how quickly the time passed.

When their conversation was cut off by Madam Pomfrey several hours later, Hermione had long since missed dinner time, in fact it was nearly midnight. The medi-witch nearly chased Hermione out of the doors, only allowing them to agree on postponing Hermione's debut as a potions assistant until the professor's health had improved.

Walking down to the kitchens to get a bit to eat before going to bed, Hermione couldn't help but feel amazed at how easy it had been for her to talk with the normally so menacing professor.

It's odd.. He's always been so different, I don't think I've ever seen him like this before.

She paused in front of the painting that concealed the entrance to the kitchen and stood there for a couple of minutes before entering, pondering a very confusing thought.

Why has he changed so much?

Why have I changed so much?

That was the thought that kept showing up in his mind. Every time he started thinking of his conversation with Hermione that night, he eventually returned to that very thought.

Why was it so easy to talk with her? I never would have thought.. She is the Gryffindor know-it-all, dammit, since when has she changed? And why did I even begin to talk to her?

Severus was staring at his newspaper, not seeing it at all. He had been in the Hospital nearly a week, and felt thoroughly bored. His free time was spent on reading books he already knew by heart, planning lessons or thinking about Hermione. However much he tried to deny it, it was thoughts of Hermione that took up most of the time.

He couldn't figure out what he thought or how he felt about everything that had happened in the last month. It was not something he was used to, being this confused about his own feelings, and the combination of this and the phlegm of being stuck in the Hospital Wing was starting to get on his nerves. The daily visits from Albus did not help matters, Severus was having a very difficult time in not loosing his patience with the Headmaster's constant allusions and twinkling eyes.

So when Madam Pomfrey interrupted his reverie with the news of his almost complete restoration of health and that he was free to leave the next day, he couldn't have been more pleased. The rest of the day passed just as slowly as the previous had done, but his annoyance was gone, replaced with the knowledge that he would soon be able to get out of the Hospital Wing. He was even able to tolerate the visit of the Headmaster without sneering at him once.

When Hermione went down to breakfast the next morning, she was met with the rumours of professor Snape's recovery. Very few of the students knew the reason of his absence, in fact it was only Hermione and Ginny, who Hermione had told a few days after the incident.

"So, Hermione.. Have you that heard Snape's back?", Ginny said, with a sidelong glance.

"Yes, I heard a couple of third-years talking about it in the common room. Why?".

"Oh, no reason in particular. Just thought you'd be happy to know he's back."

Ginny's acting a bit strange..

"Erh.. Right.". Hermione didn't particularly like the sly expression on Ginny's face and steered the conversation away from the subject. When she got up with Harry and Ron to go to their first classes, she couldn't shake the feeling of something being a bit off in Ginny's behaviour.

"Are you OK, Hermione?". Harry's voice shook her out of her thoughts. Both he and Ron were looking at her with slightly worried looks, and she hurriedly smiled at them.

"Yes, I am fine. Just a bit lost in thought, that's all." They continue to look at her with wary expressions, but Hermione ignored them and led them into the dungeons, pushing the thoughts of the odd behaviour around school out of her mind.

Once again Severus had a difficult time in concentrating in Potions class. And once again it was thoughts of Hermione Granger that made it difficult.

The 7th year Potions class consisted only of a few students. Two Ravenclaws, one Hufflepuff, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson from Slytherin, and Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger from Gryffindor. The students were, mostly, sufficiently talented in Potions, and it was one of his less annoying classes, despite a certain couple of students. He usually had no large problem with this class, but his ever-present thoughts about Ms. Granger made it almost unbearable. When the class finally ended he was relieved and sat down at his desk to grade a couple of papers before his next class, and was slightly surprised when someone cleared their throat in front of him.

Looking up he saw that it was Hermione Granger.

"Yes, Ms. Granger?". He tried to keep his voice as cold as usual, and nearly succeeded.

"I would just like to verify our appointment for tomorrow evening, sir."

Always the civilized student.

Trying even harder to keep his usual expression he replied: "Of course. We will proceed as planned, Ms. Granger, I expect to see you here at seven o'clock.".

She flashed a brief smile before nodding and walking out of the door, bidding him good day on the way.

As soon as she was out of sight, the smile he had been fighting broke out.

The next evening Hermione left for the dungeons with a slight feeling of déja-vu.

However much she tried to ignore it, she couldn't get the memory of the night she had found her professor wounded out of her head, and she didn't feel comfortable until she had reached the Potions class room and knocked on the door, opening it to see Professor Snape sitting at his desk. Hermione walked through the door and sat down opposite her professor.

"Good evening, Professor.".

"Good evening, Ms. Granger. You know you are here to fulfill your new duties as my assistant, but I would just like to be certain that you are aware of my expectations of you.". He looked at her with a sharp look, and she felt a bit uneasy and a small pang of annoyance.

I understand why he'd say this, but there's no need to look at me like this, I have done nothing wrong.

She nodded slightly and he continued: "You are a cautious and clever student in class, Ms. Granger, and I require the same standard now. You will be helping me with advanced and some times dangerous potions that calls for absolute precision and caution. Do you understand, Ms. Granger?".

"Yes, I do, Professor.".

"Good. Let us begin, then. The first thing I would like you to assist with is the Draft of Peace.."

They set to work and was soon so engrossed in it that several hours passed without them noticing. Just as the night in the Hospital Wing they found it surprisingly easy to talk with each other, and after completing the potion and cleaning up, they fell into an interesting discussion about a recent article on potions.

It's odd how easy this is.. He seems so much more relaxed than he usually does. A wonder, really.

When they finally broke off their work it was very late. Hermione jumped up, horrified, when she looked at her watch. "Oh my.. It's nearly half past eleven, sir.".

An odd expression crossed his face, but it was gone before she could be certain of what it was. He looked at his own watch and said: "Yes, you're right, Ms. Granger. You should get back to your room."

She gathered her things and walked over to the door, pausing in the doorway. Turning around she smiled and said: "Good night, Professor, I've enjoyed helping you out tonight. I'll see you tomorrow.".

He smiled back at her and said: "Good night, Hermione.".

Hermione walked up the stairs, so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't realize that her professor had called her by her given name before she was lying in bed some time later.

Down in the corridor of the Potions class room stood a person. This person was dressed in black in order to blend in with the shadows, and had been standing outside the class room door for quite a while before Hermione's departure from the room. This persona non grata had been listening to the amicable conversation between the Potions Master and his assistant, and was now contemplating what had been overheard before leaving as well.

A/n 3: This was a really difficult chapter for me to write. I had a bit of writer's block, and the minor detail of having to write three essays in a week didn't exactly help matters. I hope to have the next chapter out in a week or possibly two.