Hey guys I know it's not long but I thought it were a good place to stop. Thank you so much for the reviews, I love them. Anyway Enjoy!

Chapter 14 A Thing Called Pride

It wasn't until the next evening when Severus was released from Madame Pomfrey's care.

"Now Severus you must take this pain reducing potion every four hours." The medi-witch said giving the disgruntled Potions master the vial. "If you feel…"

Severus glared at the woman darkly. "I know what I'm doing you infernal woman." He snarled impatiently.

The school nurse jumped at his tone of voice, backing up. "Severus…" She hesitated.

Severus growled deep in his throat causing the medi-witch to step back further. Satisfied that he would be left alone Severus limped out of the door. Grumbling under his breath and wincing in pain he made his way slowly down the hall.

As he walked his thoughts wondered towards the Granger-girl. Her words to him when she thought he was unconscious were still wringing in his ears. Severus could understand if she had thought Minerva was a stable figure even Albus, but why him?

Severus knew he wasn't a saint. He had made the girl's life hell the last five and a half years. But yet the girl still looked up to him. That foreign warm feeling crept into his chest as those thoughts came into his mind.

Sighing in frustration Hermione set down her quill knowing she wasn't going to finish the essay tonight. Her thoughts were running like mad through her mind until they settled on her own deep dark problems that wouldn't go away. Groaning she absentmindedly rubbed at her stomach which had twisted into a knot and that foreboding feeling nagged at the back of her mind all day.

Its time… She thought pulling a blank piece of parchment towards her while dipping her quill into the inkwell.

Forty-five minutes and several parchments later Hermione nodded approvingly at the letter she had written before carefully sealing it. Stretching as she stood, muscles protesting at the movement Hermione slipped out of the dungeons.

Making her way through the deserted halls Hermione arrived in the owlery in record time. The owls perched above her head looked down upon the new arrival their large eyes glinting in the torches in hopes that they'd be chosen for the job.

Looking at each owl carefully Hermione finally chose a large barn owl who fluttered down to land on her shoulder.

"Take this to Ron Weasley and Harry Potter at the Burrow." She whispered tying it carefully to the bird's outstretched leg.

The barn owl hooted taking flight and flying off in the early evening sky. Hermione watched it until it disappeared from sight before she turned and made her way down the tower steps.

As she approached the dungeons she noticed a tall dark figure leaning heavily on the stone wall. It only took a moment to realize that it was Snape.

"Professor…." Hermione called softly

The man flinched caught off guard and in vain tried to stand at his true height but failing miserably. His face turned towards her and Hermione noticed that her professor was really pale.

"Professor let me help you." She whispered coming to his side.

Snape pulled his arm out of her hand glaring down at her. "I don't need help." He spat pushing away from the wall to prove himself.

But instead of proving his strength, his pride caused him to lose his balance and fall. Hermione immediately darted forward grabbing the man before he could fall to the ground and steadied him against herself.

"Swallow your pride sir, you know you need assistance." Hermione stated slipping an arm around his middle.

Snape sighed and leaned into the girl allowing just this once for the Granger-girl to help him.

"Checkmate" Ron said with a rather smug look on his face.

Harry glared at the red head good naturally. "Wipe that look off your face you git." He smiled.

Ron rolled his eyes as he put the chess pieces away, storing the board in its spot. Harry collapsed onto his bed and sighed.

"What's wrong mate?" Ron asked seeing the look on his best friend's face.

Harry shrugged rolling over to face his friend. "I was thinking bout 'Mione." He said. "She's been acting strangely lately, have you noticed it?"

Ron looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, did you see her marks this past semester… they've been dropping?"

"Yeah" Harry replied.

At that moment the boy's attention was drawn to the window where there was a tapping sound. "What's that?" Ron muttered making his way over to the window.

Opening the window a barn owl with the Hogwarts ring on its leg fluttered in. Reaching over Harry untied the parchment from its leg while Ron gave it a sip of water and one of Pig's owl treats.

"Speak of the devil." Harry whispered. "Ron it's from Hermione."

Ron moved over to Harry's bed and sat down next to the raven-haired boy who was just opening the letter.

Dear Ron and Harry,

I bet you've been wondering about my behavior recently. I have been harboring a secret since we came back from summer break. You might want to sit down to read this letter it might take some time.

Fear has been breaking my family apart. Fear of being targeted. Harry please don't blame yourself for my family's problem. My parents have been fighting back and forth over the summer causing their marriage to fall apart.

This all left me lost and alone and I felt like I couldn't burden you two with my problems especially you Harry. With feeling so out of control of my life I turned to cutting myself to feel some control in my out of control life.

I know now that I should have come to you for help. But instead I decided to keep it to myself and it almost killed me. I'm sorry, Harry and Ron I tried to take me life.

You're probably wondering why my attempt didn't work right? It's because of one person in our lives. He found me where no one else thought to look. He saved my life that fateful night.

Ron, I know you will flip when I tell you this. And Harry I know you will be understanding. Now for the unveiling. My guardian angel is none other then our Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape.

Please don't take this next news the wrong way, but Professor Dumbledore has given Professor Snape temporary guardianship of me for the Christmas holiday. Ron he hasn't done anything to harm me, he's actually been helping me through this.

I thought it was time to tell you before I chickened out. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner or told you to your face. I will promise to talk to you about all of it when you guys get back from the holiday.

I'm sorry. Please forgive me.

Yours truly,

Hermione

In the shocked silence the parchment fell out of Harry's hands and fluttered to the floor. Ron and Harry could only stare at each other.

"I don't think this can wait." Ron whispered, rising from the bed.

Harry nodded in agreement going after his friend.