Chapter 12 – The Love of My Life

That night, Hermione stayed with Severus in his rooms.

The next morning, Monica and Charles came to visit Hermione. Hermione barely spoke during the whole visit. Every time she closed her eyes, flashbacks of last night would come back.

"Is she going to be okay?" Monica asked Severus once they were out of Severus' quarters.

"I'm not sure. She's still scared and her mind obviously won't let her forget what happened."

"Just take care of her for us," said Charles patting Severus on the back.

"I will. I promise you both that I won't let anything happen to her."

Monica and Charles both said their good byes and walked out of the dungeons.

Over the next few weeks, Hermione became very distant. She rarely spoke with anybody and her grades started to slip again.

"Miss Simmons, please stay behind," said Severus one day after Potions. (A/N- I seem to do that a lot.)

Hermione did as she was told and took a seat across from Severus. As the last student closed the door, Severus' expression softened.

"Hermione," he reached out to her hand and was a bit surprised when she didn't pull away, "are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she lied.

"I know you're not fine," Hermione chose not to reply so he continued, "I know you still have dreams of what happened. Draco says he hears you screaming almost every night." He saw tears starting to come out of her eyes, but nonetheless he continued. "You're not going to heal if you shut everyone out of your life."

He got up from his seat and walked over to Hermione. He embraced her, letting her cry on him.

"Shh, it's going to be okay," he whispered in her ear.

"I'm scared sniff he's gonna sniff come after me sniff again."

He kissed her forehead and continued to let her cry while he comforted her.

Ten minutes later, Hermione and Severus felt the mark burn.

"We have to go. First, clean up your face," said Severus.

Hermione did as she was told and went to the bathroom to clean up. When she was done, she put on her Death Eater robe and walked to the apparation point.

They appeared at the graveyard. All the Death Eaters were there including Voldemort himself.

"My loyal followers," boomed Voldemort, "I have received some disturbing news. Theodore, come forward."

Theodore Nott did as he was told and stepped forward with a smirk on his face.

"You have displeased me Nott. Crucio!"

The smirk was immediately wiped off his face as Nott fell to the ground screaming in pain. After a few moments, Voldemort lifted the curse.

"Pathetic," Voldemort muttered. "The next person who decides to rape one of my followers will serve a harsher punishment. Now, on with more important things," said Voldemort like the previous topic was never discussed. "We will attack Hogwarts the day before graduation. I will provide you all with more details soon."

Voldemort apparated away along with the rest of the Death Eaters. The only people that stayed were, Draco, Monica, Charles, Severus, and Hermione.

"Honey, how are you feeling?" asked Monica.

"Yea, I'm fine mom."

"Why did you tell the Dark Lord, Monica?" asked Severus.

"Because I couldn't risk telling Albus and that boy deserved to be punished."

Valentine's Day was around the corner and Severus was more nervous than has ever been in his whole life. He paced around his room thinking about what to get Hermione.

"Maybe I should get her chocolate," he said to himself.

"Or," said a voice from the door, "you could get her jewelry."

Severus turned around and saw Draco leaning against the wall.

"Jewelry?" he asked.

"Yea, get her something simple, yet beautiful. I know she doesn't like all that fancy stuff."

"Very well. And what, may I ask are you getting Miss Weasley?" Severus asked smirking.

"I'm going to kill Hermione," he said.

"It wasn't her that told me. Actually, it was obvious by the way you look at her."

"Does anyone else know?" he asked frustrated.

"If I'm correct, Mr. Zabini should also know."

"Argh! Zabini's going to make my life hell if he knows."

"What are you going to get Miss Weasley," he asked again.

"I don't know yet, maybe some chocolate and flowers."

"Get who chocolate and flowers?" Hermione asked walking in Severus' quarters.

"Nobody," lied Draco.

"As a matter of fact, it's Miss Weasley," said Severus who ignored the glare Draco shot him.

"Flowers and chocolate aren't a bad idea you know. You could also-"

"Thanks for the help, but I'll figure out what to get her," Draco interrupted. He then proceeded to leave the room.

It was finally Valentine's Day. Hermione was eating breakfast at the Slytherin table with Draco and Blaise.

"So, what did you get Ginny?" she asked Draco.

"You'll see."

Soon, the owl post arrived. An owl hovered over Hermione's food with a package tied to its let. Hermione untied the package from the owl.

"I see my godfather got you something," said Draco.

Hermione ignored him and left the Great Hall to open the package. She arrived at the Heads common room. She opened the package and saw a piece of parchment and a box. She picked up the parchment and began to read it.

Every time that I'm with you

I never know what to do

You saw through my cold facade

Something I will never regret to this day

I hope we will never be apart

Sincerely, with all my heart

Severus

Happy Valentine's Day Hermione.

Hermione then proceeded to open the box. She opened it and gasped. Inside, was a silver heart shaped necklace with the letters SSHS engraved on the heart.

Hermione grabbed the necklace and walked briskly towards the dungeons. She opened the door to his classroom and saw that he was in the middle of a lesson.

The class was a Ravenclaw/Gryffindor sixth year class. The sixth years looked up at the Head girl when she opened the door without knocking.

"Miss Simmons, to what do I owe you the pleasure of disrupting my class."

"Err…sorry Professor, I just wanted to know if I can have a word with you."

"Very well, we will talk in my office. The rest of you, finish your potion and then you can leave."

Severus led the way to his office and opened the door for Hermione

"What do you need?" he asked once the door behind him was closed.

"I just wanted to thank you for the necklace and the poem. You really didn't have to get me anything."

"You deserve those things Hermione. I'm glad you liked it even though I'm not really good with this kind of stuff. Do you want me to help you put it on?"

Hermione nodded than handed Severus the necklace.

"I love you," said Severus after he put on the necklace.

"I love you too," said Hermione. "I better go now before people get suspicious."

When Hermione left his office, she caught Ginny's eye. Ginny seemed to have a knowing look on her face.

A/N – The poem above was written by me. I know it's not the bestest poem, but I felt I needed to write one instead of taking one off the internet. I hope you all will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Also, don't forget to REVIEW. )