Hogwarts. Day. Detention with Dolores Umbridge. Students who were involved with Dumbledore's Army, caught by Umbridge and many other Slytherins, found the Room of Requirement through Cho.

She betrayed Harry's trust after Umbridge threatened to make sure her mother would lose her job at the Ministry.

Hermione and other students served detention with Umbridge in which they would be forced to write lines with his own blood using a Blood Quill, which magically scarred their hand.

Hermione bite her lips, holding her pain.

Later. Cho stood in front of the Great Hall door waiting for them. The door bursts open, students storm out and find Cho. They loathe her as they walk past, glaring at her including Harry himself.

Hermione walks out last alone behind. Someone grabs her arm then drags her through the dark corridor.

It was Snape who dragged her toward the corridor. "Let GO! You hurt my arm". He ignored her. "Umbridge will see us! I'm not a cow that you're dragging on. Let GO, Professor Snape! LET GO!"

That doesn't end there, he drags her to the Dungeons. Snape's office. He threw her inside, sealing the door with silent charms and protection. No one could know Hermione was there with him inside the office alone.

Of course Umbridge wouldn't know either. "What do you think you're doing?!" She screams.

"Sits!" Snape snarled. Push her down on the chair. "Give me your hand!" He demanded. "Give me your hand!"

"NO!"

Snape rolled his eyes. Reaching her hand. He sees lines written with her own blood on hand, she tries to shove it. Snape caught it.

"Does it hurt?" He asked without looking up at her. "Did I mention before that I wouldn't forgive myself if someone hurts you".

"So many times, Professor. Even though it's hurt, still - she couldn't stop me".

"Allow me to tend you, Miss Granger".

Snape walks towards his desk where he keeps a first aid kit inside the drawer. then back to hers.

"Wondering why I keep this".

Hermione smiles a little. "Because you need it no matter what". She hissed when Snape used cotton swabs with iodine on it onto her skin. "Gently it hurts!"

"That's what I felt when you didn't return my feelings". She stared at him. "Hurt being rejected".

Hermione seals her lips while Snape tends her hand, he then blows her hand that she feels a bit.

Careful Snape wrapped her hand with the bandage. After he finished, he kneeled on the cold floor without a word beside her.

"Professor?"

Her hand shaking, reaching Snape greasy black hair. He didn't jolt as her hand caressed it gently. She gulped, the silence she breathed.

"Professor... we can't. I mean we can't.. I can't have you nor can you have me. I wasn't ready to have someone in my heart. No one".

She let go of Snape's hair. "Why can I have someone I love in my life?" He whispers. "I deserve to be loved even though people think I don't care about my personal life".

"You'll do, Professor". Snape looked up at her. "But not me". Their eyes met. Hermione quickly turned to her bandage hand. "Beautiful isn't it?" she asked him.

Her eyes met him again. "You learned how to bandage the injuries".

"Always prepared when I need to tend to myself. Who else will if it wasn't me".

"I can". She smiled. Snape blinks. "I can't love you but I can help you if you need me".

Snape rose from his knee. Dusting his robes then walking towards his desk. He stood there, his back in her view.

"Have you still contacted the Drumstrang boy, Miss Granger?"

"Sometimes. And for now we can't exchange our letter because Umbridge banned the post. Besides... I'm busy with something".

Snape turns to her back. His face was full of questions. "You've been caught by that toad and you still think you can't fight her!" He jerked.

"I won't allow you.. do once listen to me.. I am begging you please.. Do not involve everything that could hurt yourself. Enough for today, enough for everything. It's over. It's done!"

"You have no right to stop me, Professor. It's my life, it's my choice and I can do whatever I want. If you love me... professor?"

Snape eyes shoot up on hers. Her lips stuttered. "Let me do". His eyes cried, he couldn't lose Hermione, that is enough.

Slowly he approached her. "Love me Miss Granger. And I'll do... everything for you".

"Remove your spell, Professor. I'm afraid there's nothing we couldn't do here".

He stared into her eyes, she hadn't listened to him. He did what she told, removed his spell, and the door was open. Hermione walks forward with a smile, her shaking hand caresses his pale cheek.

"You're a nice man, Professor. That people doubt you no matter what you're doing. Always not right on their eyes".

She backs away, turns, slowly creeping out from Snape's office. Afraid someone will see her like this.

Especially Umbridge.

Snape stood speechless watching her leave the room. What should he do now, knowing Hermione wouldn't stop helping Harry. He must protect her.

Hogwarts. Day. Wooden bridge. Since they were caught by Umbridge. Detention. There's no Dumbledore's army anymore. No Room of Requirement to practice their magic.

Umbridge is the Headmistress of Hogwarts now. She will do anything to control the entire school.

"You did everything you could. No one could win against that old hag".

"Even Dumbledore didn't see this coming. Harry, if it's anyone's fault, it's ours".

"Yeah, we talked you into it".

"Yeah, but I agreed. I tried so hard to help, and all it's done is make things worse". silent. "Anyway, that doesn't matter anymore. Because I don't want to play anymore. All it does is make you care too much. And the more you care, the more you have to lose. So maybe it's just better to... To what? To go it alone".

Hermione and Ron exchange their looks. Harry looks up at them two. "Hagrid". said Harry as they three hear someone calling in.

"Yer three follow me".

Forbidden Forest. The trio walked down behind Hagrid. Curious because Hagrid hadn't said anything that he wanted from them.

Ron spoke. "Any idea where he's taking us?"

"Hagrid, why can't you just tell us?"

Hermione almost tripped. They watch the centaurs running past them.

"I've never seen the centaurs so riled. And they're dangerous at the best of times. The Ministry restricts their territory much more... they'll have a full uprising on their hands".

"Hagrid, what's going on?"

Hagrid looks at them. "I'm sorry to be so mysterious, you three. I wouldn't be bothering you at all with it, but with Dumbledore gone... I'll likely be getting the sack any day now. And I just couldn't leave without telling someone about him".

Suddenly the trio backed away from Hagrid. A huge giant came out from its hiding place. Hermione bite her lips.

"Grawpy. Down here, you great buffoon". The giant look down at Hagrid. "Grawpy. Brought you some company".

The giant approached them. The trio backed away again. "I couldn't just leave him, because... Because he's my brother".

"Blimey".

"Well, half brother, really. He's completely harmless, just like I said. Little high-spirited, is all".

The giant name, Grawpy. Make it move. Its big hand grabs Hermione, she is shocked and screams as it brings her up in the air.

Hagrid was shocked too. Grumpy could break Hermione bones. "Grawpy, that is not polite".

"Hagrid, do something".

"We talked about this. You do not grab, do you? That's your new friend, Hermione. Grawpy!"

Ron searches for something from the ground. He found a tree branch then hit Grawpy on the leg. It looks down on Ron, it kicks Ron on the ground.

Hermione still on Grawpy grasp. "Grawp!" Her finger point at it face. "Put me down". She breath. "Now!"

Grawpy listen to her. Gently put her down back to the ground. Hermione wrapped herself, back away from it.

"You all right?" asked Ron to her.

"Fine. Just needs a firm hand, is all".

"I think you've got an admirer". said Harry.

Ron shouts up at Grawpy. "You just stay away from her, all right?"

"He gets his own food and all. It's company he'll be needing when I'm gone".

Hagrid studied the trio's face, sadly. "You will look after him, won't you? I'm the only family he's got".

Harry nodded.

Dungeons. Snape's office. Snape and Harry continue their private lesson. Occlumency.

The lesson began under the insistence of Albus Dumbledore. Under Snape's tutelage, Harry repeatedly had his mind broken into in order to train him.

Unfortunately, Harry did not take Snape's lessons too seriously, and neglected to practise. Coupled with Harry being emotionally open at all times.

"Feeling sentimental?"

"That's private".

"Not to me. And not to the Dark Lord, if you don't improve".

Snape marched toward him. "Every memory he has access to is a weapon he can use against you. You won't last two seconds if he invades your mind".

"You're just like your father. Lazy, arrogant".

"Don't say a word against my father!"

"Weak".

"I'm not weak".

"Then prove it. Control your emotions. Discipline your mind". Snape posies his wand again. "Legilimens".

Snape invaded Harry's mind again. This time he sees Harry's hug Black. "I may vomit".

"Stop it".

He stared. "Is this what you call control?"

"We've been at it for hours. If I could just rest".

He marched. "The Dark Lord isn't resting. You and Black, you're two of a kind. Sentimental children forever whining about how bitterly unfair your lives have been. Well, it may have escaped your notice, but life isn't fair. Your blessed father knew that. In fact, he frequently saw it".

"My father was a great man".

Snape began acting rude towards Harry. He pushed him around the room. "Your father was a swine. Legilimens".

"Protego!"

Harry's success invaded Snape's mind. He sees what supposedly he shouldn't not see. Harry stood and saw his dad and other Marauder's bullied Snape when they're young.

Come on, Moony, Padfoot. Snape. Expelliarmus.

Nice one, James.

"Dad".

Impedimenta.

They are enchanting.

Snivellus Greasy. Snivellus Greasy.

Right. Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's trousers?

Snivellus Greasy. Snivellus Greasy.

"Enough!" Snape shouts. Harry backed away. Back to reality. His eye on Snape. "Enough.."

Snape grabbed Harry's collar neck as he hissed. "Your lessons are at an end".

"I..."

"Get out!" Snape threw Harry out from his office and forbade him from ever returning.

The lessons were ultimately canceled when Harry saw a memory of his father hanging Snape in the air by his ankles.