Fighting For His Life

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own or I'd be rich. Pity though.

Well, Hermione thought. that was sufficently awkward. She'd gone back to her dorm after meeting Snape. There was no one there except herself. Then there was a knock on the door. Since when did anyone knock on the door? She opened it. Dumbledore stood there.

"Miss Granger, may I come in?" he said. She nodded.

"I'd like to ask a favor of you."

"What favor?" she asked cautiously

"Professor Snape, as you know, is in no way, shape, or form able to take care of himself at the moment. I was hoping you could stay with him for a month, keep an eye on him until he is well."

"Uh... what about classes sir?" she asked.

"Your homework would be brought to you and I'm sure we can find a way for you to view lectures and do practical parts of lessons." Dumbledore said.

"Uh what did Professor Snape say?" she asked hesitantly.

"I gave him a choice, you or Madame Pomfrey and he quickly agreed you were the best choice." he said, the twinkle in his eyes eminate.

"Uh ok, I suppose I'll do it." Hermione said. Dumbledore smiled.

"I've set up a cot next to his bed for you, he has grudgingly given you full reign of his ingrediants, private potion stores, and library. Just get all of your school things and we'll get you set up down there." he said.

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She was kinda nervous, she was staying with her PROFESSOR after all. Her professor. How weird was that? Especially Snape, the professor whose wrath everyone feared most. It was unnerving. Maybe he's different in private, or he'll be at least civil to me 'cause I'm helping him. she thought. Yeah right this is Snape we're talking about. said a voice in the back of her mind. There's only on way to find out.

Before she knew it, she and Dumbledore were at the door.

"Come Miss Granger." Dumbledore said. She complied and entered the now dimly lit room. Snape, see noticed, was in a fitful sleep. But at least he's resting. she thought.

Her cot was actually more like a low bed with gold silk sheets similar to Snape's emerald green ones and had a scarlet comforter with the Gryffindor crest embroidered on it. She quietly set her things down, pulled out her Potions essay on The Properties of Amortentia and How to Brew it Correctly.

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Snape woke a hour and a half later. He saw Hermione lying on a cot next to him, her copy of Advance Potion-Making open on her pillow and a large roll of parchment where, he realized, she was doing the essay he'd assigned earlier in the week. He shifted position, ready to go back to sleep, and moaned at the sharp pain radiating from his chest. Hermione looked up at the sound.

"Are you ok Professor?" she asked, concerned. He nodded.

"Just stiff." he lied. He knew that if he told her, she probably fuss and that's the last thing he wanted. She nodded and went back to work. He turned over and even though it hurt, and this time he didn't make a sound. He soon fell back into sleep.