Chapter 34

Sunday, March 3

Hermione ran into the great hall for breakfast. Her heart fell when she saw there was no Severus. She made her way to her seat at the table. Ginny squeezed her hand. She sipped her coffee. She had no appetite. She was sick with worry.

"I'm not hungry. See you later, I'll be in my room." She left the hall.

"Ginny, do you know who she is dating?" Harry asked.

"No. Why?" Ginny lied biting into her toast.

"We were thinking that's what's wrong. Boyfriend problems." Ron said.

"In light of the latest gossip fiasco, you can she why she would keep it quiet. I'll go talk to her." Ginny gulped down her juice and left the table. Arriving at Hermione's door, she knocked.

"Come in." was heard.

Ginny peeked in and saw Hermione crying at the window.

"Herms? What's the matter?" she said hurrying towards the crying girl.

"Severus left Friday night on a mission and hasn't returned. I'm so scared." she wailed.

Ginny hugged her and held on, letting her get it out.

"Is that why you were moody yesterday?" Ginny asked. Hermione nodded her head.

"If anything happens to him, I'll go crazy. First Viktor, now Severus…."

"Wait, hold on. You don't know anything yet. I'm not sure what this mission stuff is, but don't be going all crazy on us yet. Go talk to Dumbledore. I'm sure he could help."

"You're right Gin."

In Dumbledore's office, she sat across from him as he finished explaining the situation.

"…and he should return sometime this evening, we hope. Granted we would have liked to have heard from him before now, but he may have been unable to contact us. It must have been a very good reason for him not to contact anyone. I trust his judgement."

"Thank you sir. You have taken a load off my mind. I'm still worried a bit though."

"Are you planning on joining the Order upon graduation Miss Granger?"

"Probably sir."

"Then you will understand better what goes on at that time. Now, is there anything else you would like to talk about?"

"Yes sir, but it's of a personal nature."

"Go ahead Miss Granger."

"How long have you known Professor Snape?" she asked.

"Since he was a first year."

"Did he date much?"

"No, not that I recall."

"Has he ever been in love with someone? A serious relationship?"

"Ahh, I see where this is going. What you're asking, is why he is not with anyone?"

"Yes, I suppose."

"I know he loved Harry's mother for the longest time."

"Really?"

"When she married James, he was devastated. When she died, I think he closed his heart. The result is the endearing Severus Snape we know and love today."

"I see."

"Do you Miss Granger?"

"I think so. He's really afraid of loss."

"Precisely. He'd rather not have to go through losing someone again. It's just too hard. He once told me 'Albus, nothing gained, nothing lost, it's easier that way.' Sad really."

"But why me?" Hermione asked.

"That is something you have to ask him yourself, Miss Granger. I just have my theories."

"What theories?"

"He saw in you someone with a thirst for learning and knowledge that he has. He sees in you someone who loves him unconditionally. You know of his past, but love him nonetheless. This is new territory for him."

Fawkes the phoenix flew in the room. He deposited a note into Dumbledore's hands. He read the note. "Ahh."

"It will set your mind at ease, Miss Granger to know that Severus is at St. Mungo's as we speak…"

She jumped up. "WHAT?' she shrieked.

"Calm yourself, Miss Granger. As I was saying, he is recovering from an injury received last night. No one wanted to contact us until it was safe to do so. He should return by tomorrow's morning class."

She melted into the chair. "Thank God."

Hermione was sitting in her bay window scribbling on some parchment when Severus peeked in through her fireplace. Seeing that no one was there, he stepped through the fire. Hermione saw this and jumped up, running into his embrace.

He grimaced as she made contact. "Careful my dear. My ribs are still tender."

"Severus, where have you been? What happened? I've been worried sick!" she cried with tears in her eyes.

"You've been worried about me?" he asked.

"Severus, what a silly question. I love you. Of course I've been worried." she replied softly. He kissed her softly and ran his hands through her hair.

"I need to sit down, Hermione." He sat on her bed. "I'm quite tired. I will explain everything tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know that I'm back and that Albus will not have to teach my class tomorrow. There's no telling what he would have had them brew."

"You have to leave. But at least I will sleep knowing that you are here." she stated.

"See you tomorrow, my dear. Good night, I love the shirt and I love you.." He kissed her again. She looked down to her t-shirt. Today it read:

Keep staring. I may do a trick.

Dumbledore was in Severus' chambers when he walked through the doors.

"I take it everything is well?"

"Quite well Albus."

"You will be well enough to instruct your classes tomorrow?"

"Yes Albus."

"Something you need to get off your mind, my boy?"

"It's of a personal nature." Severus returned.

"She said the same thing."

"She? If you are referring to Miss Granger, then yes, it involves her."

"She was beside herself with worry today when she came to see me. I let her know as much as I safely could. That young lady loves you, Severus."

"I know. It's a miracle. But why me?"

"She asked me the same thing this afternoon." Dumbledore said softly.

"She wonders why I love her? Silly girl." Severus said shaking his head.

"She merely needs reassurance. Like you, she's afraid of loss. Like you, she has experienced loss at too young an age."

"I understand." Severus replied.

"Good. Now how about a glass of Ogden's? And by the way, I am glad to see you return in one piece, Severus."

At breakfast, Hermione walked through the great hall doors, throwing a wink at Severus. As usual, he nodded in return. She smiled, sat down and started on her coffee.

"Pass the syrup, please Ron?" she said lightly.

"Glad to see you feeling better, Mione." Ron said handing her the syrup.

"Is he—and is he-?" Ginny asked.

"Yes and yes." Hermione answered. Harry and Ron were confounded at the cryptic question, and equally cryptic answer.

Girls! they looked at each other thinking.

"Ready for potions Hermione?" Harry asked gathering his things.

"Absolutely." she replied.

In the potions classroom, Hermione sat next to Harry awaiting the entrance of Severus. It was a thrill to her every day. The way he swooshed in, the scent of his aftershave, the way he looked at everyone then at her. She was drumming her fingers on the table so much that Harry asked her if she was alright. Severus swooshed through the door and her heart did a flip. When he turned around, she saw some bruising around his neck that caused her to frown. She didn't notice it last night. She rubbed one of her hands along her neck in a signal that was clearly for him. He cleared his throat and started:

"From this point on, we will be reviewing for your NEWT exams. Have no fear, when I am done with you, you WILL be ready for the exams. Some of your career choices depend upon your performance on NEWT potions." His gaze landed on Hermione. She sat straight up. "Furthermore, NEWT exams are individual effort, so from here on out, your classwork and review will be also. Questions? If not, let's begin….."

When class had concluded, Hermione gave Severus a wink on the way out and "dropped" a small note on the floor beneath her desk. He stooped to pick it up. It read:

What in the world happened to your neck? You should be happy to know that your NEWT potions class is sufficiently panicked about exams, including yours truly. Eagerly awaiting your next kiss, H.

Severus chuckled. He awaited his next class, the second year dunderheads.

Later, Severus was walking towards the great hall for lunch when he heard angry voices and shouts. One from Hermione, then Harry, then another student.

"Get Pomfrey!" he heard Harry shout.

"No Harry, I'm alright. Help me up." What? Help me up? Severus thought. He walked a bit faster. Turning a corner, he saw Harry helping Hermione off the ground. Hermione was wiping blood from her swollen lip.

"What is going on here? Mr. Potter? Miss Granger? Who struck the head girl?"

The group gathered was silent. Hermione spoke up.

"It was an accident sir."

"An accident?"

"Well, yes." He could see her struggling for an explanation then wince at her stinging lip. Ron was looking at it up close and dabbing at it.

"It's like this, Professor. Those two were fighting, then I tried to stop them. He got mad at me then swung at me. I instinctly ducked and Hermione got hit instead." Harry said angrily, and stepped forward, glaring at the boy who had swung. Then Ron stepped forward. Harry just at six feet, and Ron at about six feet three inches, struck quite an imposing picture.

"There will be no more fighting. You-" he said pointing to the Ravenlaw student who had done the swinging, "have cost your house one hundred points for fighting and striking the head girl. Now off to lunch with you."

"Yes sir."

Severus turned to the three.

"Are you quite sure your lip is alright Miss Granger?" Severus asked.

"Yes sir. It should be in kissable condition in no time at all," she said in all seriousness, with twinkling eyes.. Harry and Ron looked down at her in confusion.

"Lunch has started. I suggest you three head that way as well."

"Yes sir." the three said.

As they walked away, Severus heard Ron ask: "Mione, why did you say that just now? Kissable lips? To Snape? Ugh. Are you just trying to get a rise out of him?"

Hermione stopped in her tracks and laughed. "Yeah Ron, something like that."

"Are you sure he didn't hit you in the head?" Harry asked.