Sorry it has taken me so long to update, I've recently started a new job and it takes up all my time.

Third Person Perspective….

Severus did indeed notice the young Gryffindor's late arrival, but the shear lifelessness of her eyes stopped him from bring attention to the poor girl, he wanted to privately speak to the young girl to find out what was happening. She had sat at the very back of his classroom backed into the corner as she was protecting herself from all angles. However, Hermione, if he had any chance of helping her, he had to remember to call her by her name; had yet to look up from the potion's texts sitting before her, she sat alone, and he couldn't help but notice the glares she was receiving from the remaining two thirds of the golden trio.

'You are now third year students, I expect excellence not the unacceptable drivel you produced the previous two years, if any of you want any sort of career in this world you will need qualifications in potions. Do try and succeed, as I will take great pleasure in failing you all.' Snape sneered across the classroom accept this time it was not quite at the same level as it would usually be the power and enthusiasm appeared to have given up.

…..

Hermione sat uninterested not evening planning to listen to what Professor Snape was saying, she was planning to escape Hogwarts for good, she'd never felt so alone, and it wasn't like she could go home. She was working silently on her potion hoping, wishing she could finally be free there was a dark cloud hovering over her sucking out the happiness much like a dementor would.

Potions had passed quickly, and she was so wrapped up in her mind she failed to hear Professor Snape address her.

'Miss Grainger! Is my class boring you?'

'No Sir, I'm sorry.' Hermione kept her head down not even looking up to see the shocked look on Severus's face.

'Detention is 19:00hrs do not be late.' Severus stalked away unable to form anymore words it was a cold day in hell, when someone made the great Severus Snape speechless.

….

Hermione kept her head down all the way to Defence Against the Dark Arts, her back was really hurting not only when she was sitting but when she moved. Her plans were quickly falling into place she would leave Hogwarts tonight after detention, she didn't care where she went as long as she was far away from her world.

As she entered the classroom, she was happy to notice it was not the murderous female at the front of the room but rather tall untidy male.

'Morning Class, I am Professor Lupin, I will be teaching you for half of your classes and Professor Black-Snape at the back of the room will be teaching you for the other half.' Hermione for the first time since returning to Hogwarts head snapped up and looked down to the back of the room, at the witch standing there looking terrifying.

'I expect excellence in my class, you are all more than capable of being accomplished witches and wizards in the dark arts, but it is worth noting, Dark Arts are very much in the hands of the individual. All spells could be used for evil purposes, there is no such thing as an evil spell merely evil intention.' Bellatrix dramatically stalked to the front of the room, but not without glancing at the young Gryffindor whose eyes had now returned to the ground.

'Professor Black-Snape will not be teaching you today, she is merely here to introduce herself, she will be teaching you all: Mondays; Wednesdays and Fridays and I will be teaching you the rest of them time, I will also have posted extra tuition and study times on my office door for anyone who may need help.'

Hermione could not wait to get out of the classroom, she slowly rocked back and forward in her seat her head was down but the rest of the senses were on fire, subconsciously she tracked the dark-haired witch who had stayed to observe the rest of the class though she wasn't teaching, she just stared at the back of Hermione's head, as soon as Remus signalled the end of class the Hermione knew this was her chance and fled.

….

Bellatrix and Severus, waited patiently for Hermione to arrive at detention it was 19:05 and she had yet to appear it was rare for Hermione to be late and thus far she had been late twice in one day, they had little time to ponder this as she came running through the door and stopped dead in her tracks she had clearly forgotten that there would be two professors instead of just one.

'Professors…umm…I'm ssssorry I was late' Hermione barely stuttered out her sentence.

'Miss Granger there was no harm done, we will be heading into the room behind you it is mine and Professor Black-Snape's quarters, we need to talk to you regarding your mysterious behaviour.' Hermione looked panicked but followed nonetheless, knowing there was no way to escape both professors.

Once the professors had guided the young Gryffindor to one of the black leather settees, the slightly trembling girl sat on the very edge of the settee looking as though she was ready to bolt any minute.

'Hermione, what is wrong? You have not been yourself, you are even more quiet than usual and withdrawn, you aren't leaving this room until we get to the bottom of this.' Hermione couldn't understand why Professor Snape was being so kind.

'It's umm nothing sir, I am merely tired that's all. My course load is just overwhelming.' Hermione mumbled, Bellatrix could tell straightaway she was lying.

'Try again young lady, if you are going to lie you need to at least sound convincing' Bellatrix tried to sound equally threatening and soothing.

'If you don't start talking, we will have to contact your parents Hermione, I am very concerned.' Severus spoke firmly but not unkindly.

'You can't contact my parent's sir' Hermione monotoned replied

'And why is that Miss Granger, surely they would be worried about their daughter.' Severus snarled he was growing tired of her inability to form full constructed sentences.

'They died sir, just under two years ago during the Christmas holidays, I live with my grandparents now.' Hermione mumbled.

Severus and Bella looked gobsmacked they honestly weren't expecting Hermione to come out with anything like that. Severus could do nothing other than pull Hermione into a hug he wanted her to feel nothing but kindness and empathy and as he did Hermione let out a gasp of pain. At that point Severus notice blood dripping down the young girl back, Bella gently lifted the Hermione's jumper to her horror to find not only whip marks lining her back but a branded cross stretching the line and width of it and at that moment Hermione finally gave into to the darkness that had been calling her for days.