AN:/ Hello! Thank you to everyone who favourited, followed and reviewed, it really means a lot! This chapter is a bit shorter, but the mild cliffhanger at the end will make up for it :D Please leave me your thoughts and I'll be back in another week with the next installment!

~ Chapter 4 ~

Hermione kept her head down as she raced down the corridor towards Richard. He gave her a funny look, to which she shook her head at him to not ask any questions.

To say today has been a massive earache would be an understatement. I've been busy avoiding Professor Snape all day — I never knew of his spectacular ability to be everywhere all at once.

Perhaps I'm being childish. I am. I am. I am. I am.

She came to a stop at Richard's side, and he turned away from a second year Gryffindor with a smile. "Are you ready to ask around?"

Hermione nodded her head and shook her shoulders to prepare herself for the long time ahead of her. I can't be afraid of everyone.

There was the distant thought that she might run into him, but her eyes constantly moved around trying to identify any danger. I will be quick to flee if I do see him.

"Lucy here has suggested a school-wide secret Santa," Richard explained. "What do you think?"

"There's no way that will work-" Hermione clamped her mouth shut, and flinched away from her harsh words. The young Gryffindor frowned then said "goodbye" to them.

"Are you all right?" Richard asked.

"It's been a long day," she said. "I didn't mean to upset her…"

"We'll only ask a few more people, then we can head back and relax."

"Thank you."

They moved further down the corridor and called out to the students who passed. Some of them had ridiculous ideas and others gave suggestions that would be hard to implement. As they got closer to the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom, Professor Sniderfield sashayed through the doors with a huge grin on his face.

"There you are, my golden stars!" He waved them over, and Hermione looked him up-and-down.

What's with this change in attitude? In lessons, he seemed serious, but she could practically feel the joy radiating from him—and the gayness.

"I hear you're looking for event ideas," he said. "I have many to offer you."

"That would be great, sir," Richard readied his quill against his notebook.

"A Valentine's Day ball would be splendid. We could have a school Cupid who people can deliver their love letters to—oh, and a confession booth where people can admit their feelings to one another! I will be in charge of decorations, food, the layout, and the outfits."

Hermione responded with a passive look on her face. She wasn't sure how she felt about this new revelation; his personality seemed very 'in-your-face', and she struggled to not want to run away.

"That's an excellent idea, sir," Richard finished writing and smiled. "I definitely think Valentine's Day will be the best event to celebrate. Too many people leave around Christmas time to do anything big."

"How are you finding your last year?" Hermione's eyes moved over the courtyard and followed the students who left the benches before night approached.

Oh, is he talking to me?

She turned to look at him and met his vibrant eyes. "I'm...enjoying it, sir," She sighed and stared down at her feet.

He gave her a funny look that told her he didn't believe her words. "Oh! I just remembered, Professor Snape has been looking for you all day. It doesn't set a good example if the Head Girl skips her Potions lesson."

"You skipped Potions?" Richard gave her a look of disbelief. "Professor Snape's going to kill you."

"Do you think I don't know that?" She snapped back.

Her rudeness took them both by surprise, and Hermione blinked in response. What's wrong with me? I have such a short-temper today…

"Well, I'll see you two in our next lesson," Professor Sniderfield bowed his head then left. Richard walked off without another word, and she sighed as she watched him leave.

"I'm telling you Draco, you should go for it."

Hermione's eyes widened, and she frantically looked around to gather what direction the voice came from. At the end of the corridor, she spotted a clan of green laced robes, then dived towards the rose bushes in the courtyard. The large thorns covered her body, but she still curled herself up and protected her ears with her hands.

Go away. Go away. Go away.

Her heart pounded against her rib cage, and she took in some deep breaths and released them hesitantly. A rustling sound filtered through her fingers, and she almost screamed in fright when Penny strutted out from the bush unscathed.

The black feline took notice of her immediately and started to rub her slim body against her head. Hermione lowered her hands and grabbed hold of Penny; she responded with a rough lick, and Hermione relaxed when she realised there were no more voices.

"I didn't know Professor Snape allowed you to wander about," She whispered, and Penny gave her a slanted look. "Oh, so he doesn't know."

Hermione spent a few more minutes behind the bush until the rain started to trickle down on her. She managed to slip Penny under her grey jumper, then she raced towards her room to warm up. Richard didn't pay her any attention as she ran past him and into her humble abode.

Penny slithered out from her jumper and landed on her bed. Hermione slipped under the covers and Penny lay down on her chest. Crookshanks didn't pay them any mind and seemed content to relax in front of the fireplace.

The warmth of her bedroom lulled Hermione into a light sleep until she was rudely awoken by banging on her door.

"Crap!" She hid herself and Penny beneath her quilt, then sent a thousand prayers to Merlin that he would go away.

I know who it is.

The door opened with a click and creaked on its hinges as it swung open slowly. She heard his steady footsteps and cringed when a weight settled on the side of her bed.

"I know you have my cat hiding under there with you."

Penny broke free from the heavy quilt, and Hermione poked her head out from underneath. Penny walked over to Professor Snape and rubbed herself against his outstretched hand.

She couldn't deny that there was something odd stirring in her chest at the sight of him on her bed. He seems relaxed. After a few seconds of silence, she sighed and sat up properly. Penny quickly left his side and went off to investigate Crookshanks by the fire.

"I owe you an apology," he said. "The way I spoke to you last night was uncalled for-"

"You don't have anything to apologise for, sir," She pushed some of her hair from her face. "My mind is running around in circles...You spoke the harsh truth to me last night, and I appreciate it."

His eyes moved over her face then he looked away. "You've spent the day avoiding me, so I must've offended you. Perhaps we should inform someone else who will be a better caregiver than I."

"Professor?"

"Yes."

"I don't want anyone else," she sighed. "I'm beyond grateful for everything you've done for me. I just don't know how t-to deal with all of this...I can't even hold a conversation with people I'm used to talking to."

"If your mind is running wild, I'd expect nothing less," He shifted in his spot. "I've told you before that there isn't a certain way for people to react to such an attack. Some people can wake up the next day and carry on with their lives as if it never happened, others can't do that. I'm not expecting you to feel yourself again tomorrow, so stop fretting over it. I'm here for you when you need to vent out your pent-up emotions. If you need to scream and cry then you can do so with me."

"I know you're used to being able to understand everything put before you, but maybe you need some guidance when it comes to this. By no means am I an expert; I'm sure there are better people to help you, but I will do my best to be here for you until you no longer need me."

Hermione's eyes fluttered closed for a second and released her held back tears. The only thing she wanted to do was hug him, but she knew that would make him feel uncomfortable. Her heart continued to pound in her chest, and she nodded her head at him.

"Thank you, sir," She wiped away her tears. "It really means a lot to me."

"You should get some rest," he said. "We can go for a walk in the morning if you want?"

"I'd like that very much."

...

The early morning air nipped at Hermione's cheeks, and she pulled her cloak around her. Professor Snape walked ahead of her and kept his eyes glued to the cold lake. They never talked much on their walks; she wished to change that, but he always looked tired, so she left him alone.

I should tell him. I have to tell him.

Hermione stared at his long black strands and tried to mentally push a message into his mind—even though she had zero skill in the art of doing so. After he left her room last night, she tried to get herself to say his name out loud to herself, but the words wouldn't come from her lips.

I'm too scared. She knew how hard he'd worked to get Draco back into Hogwarts, and the idea of shattering all his heroic actions, made her not want to tell him. He even set him up in housing since both of his parents are in Azkaban.

Just say it...do it now. Hermione opened her mouth to say it, but only her misty breath came out. She clenched her hands into fists and let out a frustrated squeak. Professor Snape turned around at the noise and quirked a brow.

"What is it?"

Hermione's eyes widened a little. "W-What did you expect your life to be like after the war?"

Well isn't that a stupid question!

She caught up with him as he carried on walking, and he stared far off into the distance. "I didn't expect to live."

She'd never spoken to him about the night she saved his life. She knew his answer was a lie, because the only reason why she managed to save him, was due to him having the correct potions in his pocket. He went to see Voldemort prepared for such an attack, but he didn't have the strength to administer his life-saving concoctions, so I did.

"Are you happy that you did?" She asked.

"I'm not sure yet."

"Well, I'm glad you did."

He hummed back in response, and they made their way back inside. Hermione shook off her cloak and returned to walking behind him. Have I upset him? She started to stare at the back of his head again, wishing that her mouth would release the words she wanted.

She became entranced by his left hand as it dangled by his side. When they neared her quarters she quickly made a grab for his hand, and he whirled around to stare down at her. Hermione inhaled sharply and tightened her grip on his fingers.

"Erm…" Her chest felt tight and her heart was close to jumping out her mouth. "I…"

"Granger?"

"I'm sorry, sir," She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "M-Malfoy did it."