Piecing it Back Together Chapter 11: Love Letters, and Broken Hearts, a harry potter fanfic

Severus hadn't realized just how hungry he actually was, at least not until he heard his stomach exert a tremendous growl. Hermione looked at him as she giggled.

"Hungry?" She asked as they finally reached the front door of the school.

"I think so." He answered holding the door open for, "What about you? You must be starving."

"Oh, not really actually. Just a little lunch will be good for me."

"How is that possible?"

"I guess I just got used to French eating habits." She answered, he noticed that she used her hands to express herself, "Besides, I've never really been a big eater."

"Huh. Well I bet I could eat enough for the both of us."

"That's good. You need to eat, you have been looking a little scrawny," she joked.

"Ha me, and what about you. A little puff of wind would blow you away."

"Oh I doubt that."

They turned into the Great Hall and this time Severus did not notice the stares. Even the ones they received from the teachers. They sat next to one another at the teacher's table and Severus had himself a very big lunch. Hermione picked at a few things before they both decided they were successfully filled. They departed the hall and starting walking back to his rooms, and for some reason it got quiet. It seemed like there was nothing else to talk about. He chanced a glance at her as they started walking down the stairs. A long curling strand had managed to get itself out of her bun and she tucked it back into place behind her ear. He breathed in deeply when she did and she noticed.

"Are you alright Severus?" She asked.

"Yes, yes I'm fine."

"Hm," she replied, "Well that may be, but when we get back to room I think you should rest. I hope I didn't push you too much today."

"Actually I think today had a great affect on me." He answered, "I've been feeling much better since…" He stopped himself he couldn't…wouldn't say what he wanted too. It was she that made him feel better, healthier. When she realized he was not going to continue she started talking.

"All the same, I think I remember you telling me something about a pain in your back." She looked up at him with a questioning glance. He nodded and turned the corner and down the corridor that led to his rooms. He spoke the password and the door made a small creak as it unlocked. He pushed it open and gestured for her to go first. She floated passed him into the room and he once again resisted the urge to touch her.

"What a day." He said as he closed the door behind himself.

"Was it really that bad?" She asked feigning disappointment.

"It was bearable."

"Bearable." She said putting her hands on her hips, "Really. Well my presence must really be a bore then huh?"

"No." He said bluntly and she raised an eyebrow in question. He didn't need to say much, just a name and she would understand, "Malfoy." She released a sigh as she sat down on the couch.

"Yes I know what you mean. I could have led a happy life if I never had to see him again."

"I would never believe that you could loathe someone so much Hermione."

"See the reason that I've never hated anyone else is because I direct all…all." She made it a point to emphasize this word, "of my hatred towards him." Severus laughed at this. "Don't laugh at me." She said as she threw a couch pillow at him.

"I think I'm beginning to understand you."

"Well I'm not really a hard person to understand."

"Oh trust me you are. More than you know."

"What does that mean."

"It means, Hermione, that you have more depth than you allow yourself to believe." He said smirking.

"Oh rubbish. I'm as simple as they come."

"Okay, okay let's not get into a fight over it." He said but she, all of a sudden, seemed distracted by something.

"Do you hear that," she whispered. He allowed his ears to adjust and after a while heard a small tapping noise.

"What the hell is that?" He said almost to himself because Hermione was already busy searching for the source of the noise. He watched her go into his bedroom, and after a moment followed her. He found her there sitting on his bed with a note in her hand, and when he saw the owl he understood.

"Someone has sent you a post then?" He asked.

"Y-yes, but it doesn't say from who." She answered.

"Is it from Harry?" She shook her head.

"No if Harry had to ask me something he could just call. Besides the note…it just couldn't be from him." She said still looking at the letter.

"Why? What does it say?" Severus asked as he reached for it. She handed it over reluctantly and watched as he read it. It was written in big loopy letters, and it read:

Hermione,

Long have I seen you and still never have I known you. I wish to do so. Please meet me in the gardens tonight at 12:00. I will be waiting. If you do not show I will leave you alone forever.

Love always...

"Severus, do you have any idea who wrote this?"

"N-no." he said calmly, " It could be anyone."

"Hm." She seemed perplexed. Never had he ever seen Hermione Granger, incessant know-it-all, perplexed. At this he smiled. "What?" She asked returning the look, "Do you know something. I swear Severus if I find out you had som…"

"No, no it's not that," he said laughing, "I just cannot believe I am witnessing the one and only time that Hermione Granger is stumped." She pushed him playfully.

"Oh stuff it you." This just made him laugh more.

"Well I guess we'll just have to start your therapy right away then."

"Why's that?" He asked the laughter now fading.

"Well I don't want to be late for my date." Severus wondered if she could hear his heart drop into the pit of his stomach. He was almost positive it had made a loud splash.

"Y-you mean you're actually goin?"

"Of course I'm going. Wouldn't you?" She said, "If I don't go then I will wonder for the rest of my life who it was. He could be the man of my dreams for all I know." She had to have heard it that time. The sound his heart made as it broke was deafening.

"But it could be anyone. He could be a death eater for all you know."

"Look Severus, I'm flattered that you're concerned, but I can take care of myself." She said taking his hands into hers, "So don't worry I'll be fine." She really was the dumbest smart person he had ever met. Here he was trying to express how he felt, and failing miserably, but still if anyone could understand him it would be her. But he had no such luck. "Now come we'll get the massage started right away."

I know, I know when it comes to French eating habits they usually have big lunches, but I needed an excuse. For what, you ask. Hmm…

"Mad World"

All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere

Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

And I find it kinda funny
I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very mad world mad world

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me