Disclaimer: The wonderful JKR owns it all... I'm just playing.

Death of Innocence

Prologue

Hermione strode across the grounds of Hogwarts, head bent against the beating wind and rain, careful not to look back at the school that had been her home for so long. He had told her as much. "Remember, Hermione, don't look back. Come straight to me. I will help you." She smiled as his words rang in her head.

"Miss Granger, I suggest that you stop this reckless course of action at once."

Startled, she looked up, only to find herself staring up the long nose of Severus Snape.

"Pr- Professor Snape! I didn't expect to see you here." She faltered as his glare deepened.

"You are aware, Miss Granger, that Viktor Krum is a Death Eater?"

"Wha-- how did you know? What do you mean? Viktor would never hurt me. He's only going to help... it hurts so much."

"Seeing as it is against school rules for you to be out right now, not to mention the slightly inclement weather, I suggest that we adjourn to the school."

Her plans ruined, she collapsed on the ground. "It hurts. It hurts so much."

Snape looked down at the young woman at his feet, then grimaced slightly and picked her up. He was very surprised to find out that she weighed next to nothing. When she felt his touch, she yanked her wrists to her chest.

Striding swiftly, Snape found the portrait to his chambers in no time. Whispering "wolfsbane," he entered, only to find that he had a guest: apparently Albus had deigned to visit at this time of night.

"Ah, Severus. I knew you'd be here eventually. I see you found Miss Granger."

"Yes," he replied, setting the young witch down.

"Perhaps you can find a place for Miss Granger to sleep, seeing as she looks positively exhausted."

Hermione could only look on mutely as the two men spoke about her. She felt Professor Snape pick her up again, then found herself buried in the middle of a soft, comfortable place, and immediately fell asleep.

"Now then, Albus. Please tell me just how you knew that Miss Granger would be running away to Viktor Krum this evening. She was quite startled to find out that I knew where she was going."

"That must wait, my friend."

"You certainly picked a good time to send me off. I don't think I've ever seen a student look quite so much like one of the Inferi before. The deaths of her lover and her best friend really weigh on her hard, do they not?"

"There, you would be right, Severus. She has tried very hard to prevent us from finding this out, but she is in a bad state of emotion right now."

"Yes, and the Death Eaters will most certainly exploit this advantage. With wonder-boy's redheaded friend put out of commission, they will jump on the chance to play more with his emotions. She is in dire need of protection."

"She is safe at Hogwarts for now."

"Yes, for now, but term ends in a few weeks. Where will she go that is safe after her NEWTs?"

"We shall see, my friend. We shall see. I suggest you retrieve Miss Granger and return her to her rooms in Gryffindor tower."

Snape could tell he was dismissed. He picked Miss Granger up and stalked off to Gryffindor tower. It was a good thing he did not run across any students, for their house cup would be severely lacking in gemstones when they woke up the following morning.

Laying her down in her bed, he whispered, "Miss Granger, I hope you can learn to take care of yourself. This behavior is utterly unacceptable."

Despite all his best efforts, her gaunt face haunted him all the way to his quarters.

It hurts so much.

A/N: I hope you all like it. Please review, this is both my first romance, and my first non-oneshot.