Hermione took a deep breath. "My parents…that is…I…" she stopped, took another breath, and centered herself. Say it, Hermione. They're dead. Dead. It's Snape, he of all people will understand.
He watched her expectantly.
"They didn't leave me one." Snape's eyes flickered in surprise, then he nodded, almost to himself.
"I presumed as much. What happened and why did you not tell anyone?"
"They didn't leave me a guardian in their living will, and my uncle, who I was living with for awhile after my parents were killed, died in a car crash shortly after I went to live with him. That was the end of the line, there was no one else left. I didn't really want to burden anyone with my problems, so I dealt with it myself."
"They coddled Potter when Black died. Don't spout bullshit at me and expect me to believe it, Miss Granger."
Come on, Mya. Tell him the truth. "I felt responsible for the accident and for my parents. Don't say anything, I know neither of the incidents were my fault, but my parents wouldn't have been in danger were it not for my rather visible presence in the wizarding world. Uncle Thomas had gone to run an errand for me when he died. I took care of the funeral arrangements and went to therapy. I didn't say anything because I was trying to deal with some issues, and after I dealt with them, I felt no need to say anything."
"You're amazing Miss Granger. You had the presence of mind to enter therapy after your uncle died on impact in, and I quote, 'one of the worst traffic collisions South London has ever seen' and your parents were brutally murdered. You astound me more with every moment. However, in light of your parental situation, I extend an open invitation to Snape Manor."
"Thank you, Severus. I will definitely keep that in mind." She smiled radiantly at him and yawned widely.
"Change into your pajamas and go to bed, Miss Granger. I will check in on you later." He rose and picked up the plates. Hermione moved to help him, thought the better of it, and changed into her pajamas.
Snape bade her goodnight and left. It's the middle of the afternoon. I'll just read some letters till I get tired. She picked up the one at the top of the pile and recognized Harry's scrawl.
Dearest Hermione,
We're so worried about you. Snape told us to write you letters and that he'd give them to you, so here I am. I asked him why we couldn't just see you and he gave me the Greasy Git Death Stare. I miss you so much, Hermione, and I can't sleep worrying about you. Snape says you're okay, considering, but he could be lying for all I know, trying to stop us from panicking. Come back to us, 'Mione. Snape says he'll take care of you and I believe him, but I'll feel better when you're here with us again.
All my love,
Harry.
Hermione smiled and snuggled into bed. She picked up Ron's letter next.
Dear 'Mione,
Snape told us to write you, so Harry and I are sitting in the Common Room writing. Harry said it's sort of like a video diary, whatever that is. We're worried sick about you, 'Mione. Mum and Ginny cried for relief when Snape said he'd got you out. I got a bit misty myself. Life's not the same without you here telling us to do our work. We're back in school, they told everyone you took the term off for personal reasons. You're probably the only person in the world who'd be upset about that. We miss you bunches, 'Mione, come back to us soon. In any case, the old bat's sitting here waiting for us to finish, so I'd best be going. We love you 'Mione, and we'll see you soon.
--Ronald Weasley
Hermione laughed at the mental scene she'd set. They waited till the last moment to do their letters, I'm sure. So tired… She began to doze, but picked up one last letter.
My Dearest Hermione,
I was elated when Severus told us you were safe. We've all been terribly concerned for you. Your bright smile and cheerful love of learning has left a dim sadness in its wake. I'm so sorry this happened to you of all people. Between last summer and this, it's amazing you're not completely insane. You're not completely insane, are you? I'm sure Severus would have mentioned it if you were.
I eagerly anticipate your return to us. Rest, recover, and know that we love you.
Love,
Remus
Hermione slipped Remus' letter under her pillow, smiled, and drifted off to sleep. Snape entered several hours later and walked to her bedside. He leaned over to check her breathing and pupils quickly and made sure she wasn't running a fever.
"Hermione," he murmured in a low voice. She mumbled in her sleep and sighed. "I'll transfigure the chair into a sofa and sleep here tonight, in case you start running a fever or something of the sort. I shall return." She nodded, half awake, and slipped into sleep again.
Snape exited and went to his personal chambers. He walked over to the fireplace and flooed into the Order of the Phoenix.
"She's fine," he told the assembled group. "Sleeping peacefully with Silla watching over her. I shall keep her with me for three weeks, until it is no longer suspicious to release her. It will also be prudent to let her rest for a time." Dumbledore, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Remus, and Tonks all nodded.
"Lupin, you should be here when she returns. Someone will need to watch over her. I recommend she spend a week acclimating to human presences other than myself and the Lestranges before she is sent back to Hogwarts. She is already ahead in my class and should have little trouble catching up to her classmates in her other subjects. I will floo to Hogwarts on Monday for class and leave immediately thereafter to tend to her. The possible spies in my class will think nothing of it—it is common knowledge that I am to test a potion on her."
"That sounds just fine, Severus. You will take good care of her, I'm sure. Do not let us keep you from her." Albus twinkled cheerily, restored to good humour in light of Hermione's rescue.
Snape nodded once, quickly, glanced at Lupin, and flooed back to his manor. He went back to Hermione's room and transfigured the chair into a sofa, grabbed a blanket and pillow, and settled in to sleep.
Three hours later, he jerked into wakefulness as Hermione tossed and turned, groaning softly in her dreams. Snape stood and went to her bedside.
"Miss Granger? It is a dream. Relax, it is just a dream." He placed a calming hand on her shoulder and Hermione relaxed slowly. Snape moved to return to the sofa and Hermione sat straight up, choking back a scream.
No! I won't tell you anything, nothing! Let me go, make it stop! Wait…it stopped. Because you're awake, numnuts. There's no one after you and poor Snape looks like he had a heart attack.
"Sorry," she mumbled. "Just a dream, right?"
"No," he replied gently. "A nightmare based on memories of the torture you endured for over three weeks." Snape sat down and pulled her into his arms.
"Right, of course," she replied and burst into tears. Snape rocked her soothingly till the sobs subsided.
"Feel better, Hermione?"
"Loads," she said sleepily. "Crying is exhausting work. Goodnight, Severus. Thank you."
"No need to thank me, Hermione. It is, after all, what I am here for." He tucked the blankets around her and returned to the couch. Snape watched her pensively for hours before succumbing to sleep himself.