Disclaimer: I don't own anything, though I wish I did. The Characters, Location, and everything belong to JK Rowling.

Author's Note: This is not compliant with HBP. I love the book, but it makes Hermione/Snape romances too hard to write, and I don't like challenges that great.

A Lesson on Life and Love

Chapter Four

The first Saturday of the school year found Hermione seated at her living room table with a piece of parchment, quill, ink, and a scowl. Severus was seated on the couch, surrounded by parchment with second year essays. On his lap was an Advanced Potions textbook that he was using to be a substitute table while correcting essays.

Hermione suddenly looked up and sent a chilling glare at Severus, "You are an evil man."

Severus looked up in surprise. "Why is that? I thought that I was being pretty nice, letting you use the table for your homework, leaving me the couch to use. Besides, Hermione, we agreed to no name calling."

"Give me my textbook back."

"No."

"This is unfair, Sev, you didn't take anyone else's textbook."

"Hermione, we are not going to argue about this. All the information you need is in your head. I will not give you back the book, end of discussion." Severus looked back down at the essay he was correcting, believing the fight to be over.

"Please, Severus, I need it back. I can't do this assignment without it." Hermione said, tears filling her eyes.

Severus sight and got up, taking the book with him. He sat down across from Hermione and looked her in the eyes. "What is this really about? You know you are smart enough to write the essay without the book. Those tears in your eyes aren't for the book. Tell me, Hermione, what is wrong?"

As Hermione looked at Severus, tears began to fall from her eyes. "All week...people...laugh...me...you...and then you take book...fail..."

"Let's get a few things straight, Hermione. You are smarter then those people out there. Sure, they are going to laugh at you, but it is only because they are immature. And you are not going to fail. You have all the information inside your head; you don't need a book to confirm what you know." Severus sighed seeing that she was still crying. "What are they saying?"

"They...they...they're making fun of me be...because I defended you once. Said you really were nice. They called me stupid. Said I had brains but no common sense. Harry and Ron haven't talked to me in two days." The last part of the sentence brought up a fresh batch of tears.

Severus sighed, "Oh, Hermione. All of this because of me." Then he got up and walked over to where she sat crying. Severus gently picked her up and started carrying her to the bedroom.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked upon being lifted up.

"Carrying you."

"Where?"

"To the bedroom."

"Why?" Hermione asked with alarm.

"To put you to bed. You have overworked yourself, and been stressed out all week, you need rest." Severus said while laying her down on the bed. "Now, don't get up until I say you can, or else..."

"But it is my turn to watch Will." Hermione protested.

"I'll watch him. Now, stray from this bed before I say you can, Missy, and you will have me to deal with." Severus said with a stern look that left no room for argument.

Fifteen minutes later, Severus looked in the bedroom and found Hermione asleep. He put a note on her bedside table saying that she could get up now. Then he left her so that she could catch up on some sleep.

Three hours later, Hermione woke up and went into the living room. Severus looked up at her entrance and smiled at her. "Felling better, dear?"

"Much, thank you. I don't suppose you have relented yet and decided to let me use the book?"

"No, Hermione. And we aren't going to discuss this anymore. Write your paper while I get us some leftovers." Severus got up and walked towards the kitchen, taking William with him. At the door he hesitated and turned to face Hermione. "You know, Hermione, if you ever need help, you could always ask me."

"I know. And Severus..."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Listening to me today, and for challenging me."

"Anytime, dear."

Twenty minutes later, Hermione was interrupted by some banging going on in the kitchen. She got up to see what was happening.

As she leaned against the door, she heard Severus say, "No, Will, you Mommy is trying to study."

She walked back to her paper, smile on her face, and heart beating faster.