Chapter 13

It was Friday evening, eight o'clock, and Severus was desperately trying not to panic, for Hermione wasn't here, yet. He had tried to concentrate on something else than her absence – grading essays, reading, preparing lessons – but all in vain: his thoughts kept coming back to Hermione and with every minute passing without her knocking on the door, he got more and more worried. What if something had happened to her? Malfoy? Any other Slytherin? Weasley?

But then another thought always crept into his consciousness: Maybe she doesn't want to come to you anymore. Doesn't want to spend time with you anymore. Because she doesn't like you anymore.

He shook his head furiously. So what? He didn't care about her!

Oh yes, you do… It was very difficult to fool himself.

At half past eight he couldn't stand it anymore and stormed out of his office. Where could she be? There were only two probable options: the Gryffindor common room or the library. If it was the first he wouldn't go inside and talk with her but if it was the second – and she was alone! – why not. So he went to the library where Madame Pince sat at her desk near the entrance and read a book.

"Is Miss Granger here?" he asked at once.

Madame Pince looked at him dazzled, blinked a few times and then pointed to the Restricted Section. "There."

Severus nodded a thanks and quickly went to where she had pointed. It wasn't difficult to find her, for barely no one was still here: she was sitting at one of the tables in the last corner, a few open books and notes spread over it – and slept with her head on her arms.

Severus couldn't hide a smile when he saw this. She looked peaceful and though he didn't want to admit it, like an anger. He went over to her and saw with one glance that she had researched for their project.

"Hermione?" he whispered automatically, then corrected himself: "Miss Granger?" He shook her shoulder lightly and she mumbled: "Lemesleep."

He blinked a few times, then granted her her wish. He packed her notes and quills in her bag, put the books back on their shelves, and helped Hermione onto her feet.

She opened her eyes a bit. "What-?" she started.

"I'll bring you to your room", he explained.

"Bed", she murmured, smiling, leaned against his arm and slept on.

He shook his head – how could she be so tired? – and went with her out of the library, almost completely carrying her.

"Everything alright?" Madame Pince wanted to know worriedly.

"Yes, yes", Severus brushed her off. "She just needs sleep."

"Poor thing."

Outside the library he put an Indivisibility-Charm around them and started carrying Hermione in his arms – it was easier, quicker this way and students wouldn't see them.

And it's closer…, his unconsciousness thought but he tried to ignore it. Although she was, indeed, very near…

Severus gulped and went quicker to the Gryffindor common room where he, still invisible, entered and brought her to her room. As Head Girl she luckily had a room of her own, so he didn't have to deal with her roommates when an invisible Hermione became visible in her bed again… In her room he put her in her bed and put the blanket over her.

"Thank you", Hermione then mumbled and snuggled herself into her pillow.

Severus smiled, stroked gently over her head and whispered: "You're welcome, my dear."

On his way to his office, he wondered why it was so easy for him to be kind in her presence – because he normally wasn't kind to anyone at all…