Disclaimer: I do not own Potterverse, just the plot of this story.

Never Judge a Book by it's Cover
Chapter Three

Madame Pomfrey stumbled up the stairs to the infirmary. She was only going to get a couple of hours sleep before the school day started and then she would be needed again. Opening the door slowly she headed straight for her quarters, too tired to notice Hermione on a bed, or the dark Potion Master asleep on his arms.

That is, until she heard somebody moan.

Madame Pomfrey turned expecting to see two students using the infirmary for intimate escapades seen as she had been gone, but upon seeing the two figures, her adrenaline levels rose and she was ready for action again.

"Severus?" She touched his shoulder and his head shot up and his wand was found pointing at her between the eyes.

"I apologise, Poppy." Professor Snape lowered his wand and ran his other hand over his face, trying to wake himself up.

"What happened to her, Severus?"

"She was hit by lightning - at the top of the Tower." He looked down at Hermione's face. He didn't think it was his place to tell anyone else what he had concluded as being her reason for being at the top of the Tower.

"I see. Well you seem to have stabilised her. Did she say anything when she woke?"

"She hasn't..."

"Shock I suppose. It's a good thing she went back to sleep, she'll need her rest. She hasn't been looking well these last couple of days. I suppose guilt is catching up with her..."

"Madame! Whether you believe her story or not, is not something I wish to discuss with you. I personally believe her." He looked away, trying to calm himself before turning back to the Medi-witch. "But back to the matter at hand, she hasn't woken to be able to say anything." Madame Pomfrey bristled at his attitude.

"I see. Well, I will run some scans then." She pursed her lips as she ran her wand over Hermione, when she finished, she gasped. She glanced at Professor Snape's face, before looking away.

"What is it?"

"She is losing her magic."

"No! She can't be, she is the brightest witch of her age. She..."

"Deserves it! After what she did to those poor twins, she can have her own disability!"

"Do I have to repeat myself, Madame. I believe her story, and I happen to know her a lot better than YOU do! So kindly keep you ill informed opinions to yourself." Professor Snape rose to his feet. Towering over the short Medi-witch. "What I can't fathom, Madame, is how you could believe that I had turned to the light, and was a spy for Albus, BUT cannot believe this young woman -who was best friends with the boy-who-lived, best friends with Ron Weasley and considered family by the rest of the Weasley's. The Burrow was her home away from home! Why would she abandon the main support behind her blood heritage? Her family is dead! Why would she want to be alone?" He ran his hand through his hair. "I never saw her at any meetings or heard anything mentioned about her or her descriptions - apart from when the 'Golden Trio' was discussed! SO WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR BLOODY PROBLEM?"

"Severus, I..."

"THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT AT ALL! YOU ARE WORSE THAN THE BLOODY DARK LORD WAS! DO YOU REALISE THAT! AT LEAST HE HAD SOME MERCY AND KILLED THOSE WHO HE DISLIKED AND DID NOT TRUST!"

"Severus..."

"SHE WAS EVEN TESTED WITH A TRUTH POTION... BREWED BY ME, MADAME! ARE YOU SAYING THAT MY POTION WAS FAULTY?"

"Everyone makes mistakes, Severus." Professor Snape clenched his fists, trying to refrain from cursing the witch standing defiantly before him.

"Be that as it may, Madame, I wasn't the only one who brewed a batch; the Ministry also administered some for her questioning, which is why she is a free witch! I can't believe that you would even... maybe you should try looking at the facts rather than what you saw from a distance."

"I, I didn't see it."

"You didn't see it!" Professor Snape was trembling with rage. "I saw her glassy eyes, I saw her trying to fight the curse, and the rest of the Weasley's were too far to see that! And you just went on what others said!"

"I am a close friend of Molly and..."

"Have you a Pensieve, woman?"

"Yes, but I don't see how that..."

"See for yourself, see the tears of frustration at not being able to throw the curse off, having to hurt her friends which she considered brothers. Knowing that it would mean banishment from the Weasley clan. Knowing that forever more, she would have no family." He sat down and sighed. "Well! It is not going to fetch itself!" He snapped.


AN: Big fluffy bunny hugs to those who read, and big chocolate and marshmellow hugs to those who review too... yes I am in a weird mood.