Class

Hermione's week went by flying, she staid in the back mostly in her classes, she didn't want any worried teachers asking about her pale face. No one knew about her problems, she didn't care. Her bruises were still a deep shade of purple, but it didn't hurt that more anymore. Today however she was not happy, last class she had her favorite class, Potions. Snape was the worst person she had ever met, that's not counting the new side of her uncle, he hated her, but she didn't exactly hate him, he was smart, incredibly smart, she admired his work in silence. There in front of the class he talked about a few new rules they had implied, which one of them was the relatives visiting Hogsmade, she felt scared, her eyes quickly filled with tears, no one noticed, no students, but he did. Severus Snape continued his class with his cold gaze while quietly watching the lonely girl in the back crying unnoticed. As one of the Slitherins turned she wiped away the tears furiously, her life was just…awesome.

Severus watched one of his best student in the back of the class, she was different, not as happy, he knew she was a social butterfly, but lately she sat in the back and never had he seen her in a short sleeved shirt, he had seen students with problems but he had no idea what was hers. He stooped for a second as he saw the tears slide down her cheek, there was something the silly girl was going through, but why not just tell someone? He made a mental note to keep an eye on her.

Sooner than she expected the class was over, eager to leave Hermione rose from her chair and made her way to the door. Just as she could almost see freedom an icy cold voice called after her.

"Miss Granger, stay behind." She sighed, what could he want with her? She didn't even make an effort to answer his questions knowing he hated that, but why couldn't he just let her go? Sighing in frustration she turned around and waited for the very last Gryffindor to leave, she made her way up to his desk, stopping a few feet away from the desk she looked at him, he rose from his chair and got a few scrolls of parchment from his desk.

"You know what this is?" he asked her with absolutely no care in his words.

"Umm…assignments?"

"Correct. These are some of your works." He placed them back on the desk, moving behind his desk he sat down on the big wooden chair.

"I've realized your falling behind, not falling behind other students, no…you're still the first, but falling behind your own self." He said with disgust, she didn't get his point. He saw she didn't get it, rolling his eyes he added dumbly.

"Miss Granger, why are you so…weird lately."

"I'm not…being weird."

"I don't quite care about your personal life and who broke your heart to have made you so…different, dark. I'm just seeing how your work is also not as good as it used to be."

"Maybe I'm just not as smart as they all thought." She said under her breath quietly. He heard her well, did Hermione Granger just admit she's not as smart as they all thought!

"What was that?"

"I said I'm just tired." She mentally punched herself, tired? She was never tired from work. She knew he'd never buy that. He eyed her suspiciously, he hated having to actually care about a student's situation, but she was very weird, her work worried him, she had potential, there was no doubt in that, but he sensed the shadows under her eyes.

"Was that all?" he nodded.

"Good bye." He nodded again, he watched her leave, funny thing, he could swear she was kind of limping. He'd find out what the fuck was wrong with her, it was just a matter of time.

Hermione felt glad to be away, far away form that dark strange classroom. Going up to her room she saw lots of familiar faces, but made no attempt in stopping and chatting. Getting to her room she sat there alone in the dark, there had to be a way out! She just couldn't keep leaving like this, this horrible fear she felt none stop, she knew the right thing was to tell Dumbledore, but she dismissed the idea, how would he help, she'd just feel…awkward. Hermione fell asleep, missing dinner was not a big deal to her, it wasn't the first time, and it surely wouldn't be the last time.