AN:/ Hello again! This chapter took a lot out of me because I had to keep rewriting Severus' reaction to discovering the truth. I really couldn't settle on how I wanted him to react, everything was either too dramatic or a monotone response. I'm much happier with this one. Please excuse any major mistakes, this has been looked over with tired eyes!

Thank you to everyone who favourited, followed and reviewed! It means a lot! Enjoy!

~ Chapter 5 ~

A hot pain surged up her arm from his tight grip. She thought for a second that he hadn't heard her, but his nostrils started to flare, so she knew he'd taken in her words.

He burned a hole in her face like he was expecting her to disappear. I shouldn't have said anything.

"P-Professor?"

Tears stung her eyes and she bit down on her bottom lip. Say something.

His gaze dropped to their joined hands and he pulled away like she'd burnt him. Snape took a large step back, and Hermione felt worry build up inside her. Does he not believe me?

"Stay here."

What? He put his back to her and slowly walked away in a daze.

"Where are you going?" Hermione followed behind him, and he turned to look back at her.

"Stay," He said.

There was no emotion in his voice and her heart leapt in her chest. He carried on walking and she watched him disappear around the corner. Her breath came out in small gasps as she tried to get her thoughts to clear in her mind.

"Professor!" Hermione took off running and rounded the corner, only to find he was no longer there. "S-Sir!" Her bottom lip quivered, and her sob hiccuped in the back of her throat.

Hermione leant against the cold wall and tried to steady her breathing. I don't want him to do anything that will get him into trouble. A voice in her mind doubted her worthiness of his defence. Why would he waste his time defending me?

She stayed there for a few minutes until she gathered her thoughts, and her eyes were dry. Perhaps he returned to his quarters? Should I try and find him?

Hermione kept her body close to the wall and took small strides toward the dungeons. The shadows soon engulfed her, then she heard the distant sound of something crashing against a hard surface.

With a staggering breath, Hermione walked deeper into the coldness, and she almost screamed in fright when a slender body hugged her feet. She glanced down and saw Penny's black eyes glistening in the firelight as she purred up at her.

"Hi," She whispered. "What are you-"

Another loud crash cut her off, and Penny took off running. Hermione chased behind her and more sounds of destruction got louder as she approached. They came to a stop outside the potions room.

"Oh…" Tears stung her eyes and she placed a shaking hand on the handle.

Should I go in?

A loud cry followed a bang, and Hermione shook her head. He won't be happy if I interfere with his emotional side…

Penny bumped her head against the door, and Hermione sniffled and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

I shouldn't go inside.

"I'm telling you Draco, I can hear something," Hermione's eyes widened and she flung open the door then slammed it shut. She managed to dodge a flying chair which soon shattered against the wall. It didn't take her long to spot the heaving body standing in the centre of the room.

He whirled around with a venomous look on his face. Anger rocked through his body, causing his left eye to twitch as his burning gaze consumed her skin.

Hermione watched him raise his hand and a nearby chair started to hover above the floor. It flew across the room and splintered into pieces. She rushed over and hesitated for a moment, then charged into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"P-Please be quiet," She whispered, and he stiffened under her touch. "He's near."

His body twitched and tremored; she wasn't sure if it was because of her presence around his body or the bombshell she had just dropped on him.

"I shouldn't have said anything," she said. "I'm sorry."

He released a staggering breath. "No, I'm sorry."

Hermione felt him relax and his breathing started to steady. "I...should've been more careful-"

"Shut up."

She glanced up at him to see his head lowered and his eyes closed. The pain and anger were evident on his face, and she felt a stab of guilt in her chest. This is all my fault.

"I'm telling you, it's coming from the potions room," The muffled voice of Malfoy's friend caused them to pull away and stare at the door.

Professor Snape practically flew towards the door, thankfully, Hermione was quick to react. She managed to wedge herself firmly between the hard surface and Snape. Her trembling hand clawed into his own—he held on tight to the handle.

She levelled his menacing glare and she shook her head at him. I don't want him to get himself into trouble. It's because of me...is it all my fault?

Hermione didn't know how to communicate her wish for him not to open the door. There was no use in talking to him because they would hear them through the door. I don't think I could bear such a confrontation.

A fresh batch of tears formed in her eyes and they silently fell over cheeks. The sight of her crying struck his steeled expression, and he eventually relaxed and rested his forehead against the door.

We're very close…

Her chest rose rapidly for air and she unintentionally inhaled his scent. He smells like a potioneer...obviously. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down, and the sound of the pair walking away made Snape step back. He reached up to rub his temple, and she offered him an awkward smile.

"Do you want me to leave?" She asked with her head hanging low.

"I will walk you back to your room," His baritone response only added to the awkwardness.

The handle started to turn causing Hermione to stumble away when it opened. She turned in time to see Professor McGonagall standing there in her evening clothes. Her spectacles sat at the end of her nose, and her hair rested in a neat bun on the top of her head.

Her eyes scanned them both carefully, and Hermione swallowed the lump in the back of her throat.

"My office, now."

...

I don't think this day could get any worse, and lessons haven't even started yet!

Hermione sat down in the chair opposite the Headmistresses desk and continued to pet Penny. She had scooped up the black cat as McGonagall marched them both through the dark halls towards her office.

What do I say? There isn't a good enough reason for me being in my Professor's company this early in the morning...Sweet Merlin, what if she thinks we are together—there's no way she can think that! Hermione glanced Snape's way with a worried look, but he was too busy stirring the spoon in his cup of tea.

McGonagall walked around her desk and sat down. She cast a sharp look at Dumbledore's portrait, then linked her fingers together to rest them on the wooden surface. Hermione nervously glanced around the room and stroked Penny some more.

"Who does that cat belong to?" McGonagall asked with mild interest.

"She's mine," Snape said.

She responded with a cold look. McGonagall isn't happy with him...bloody hell, this is all my fault!

"Why don't you just ask us what happened?" Snape snapped.

"I'm waiting for Professor Sniderfield to get here."

"W-Why?" Hermione stumbled over her words.

"He's an Auror. I allowed him into the school to keep a close eye on Mr Malfoy throughout his last year; it's only to make sure that he doesn't get into any more trouble," She explained, and Hermione saw Snape flinch at the mention of his name.

Bloody hell. Sickness turned in her gut, and Penny seemed to sense her oncoming distress and licked her hand as a sign of comfort. Snape's eyes met hers and she tried to signal her panic to him—her tear-glazed eyes were an obvious sign of her wanting to leave.

"Why does he need to be here?" Snape spoke through gritted teeth and turned away from her.

"He's an Auror, and I'd like his presence during our talk, just in case."

"In case of what?"

"I think you know."

A deathly silence settled, and Snape put down his cup of tea. "Minerva, are you seriously insinuating what I think you are?"

"You tell me."

Hermione's eyes widened and she frantically shook her head at Professor McGonagall. "No!" She yelled. "You've got it all wrong!"

Snape got to his feet and leaned over the desk in an attempt to intimidate her. "Are you suggesting that I've engaged in inappropriate relations with a student?"

"Do you have a better explanation?"

He let out a deep growl and whirled away from her. Hermione watched him pace back-and-forth, chewing on the side of his thumb. She wished to reach up and stop him from hurting himself, but she found herself unable to move.

I need to think of a better excuse...or maybe I should tell the truth.

The thought made her tears fall and she sank back into the chair. I have to tell the truth, otherwise, Professor Snape will get into trouble. I need him to know how grateful I am for everything he has done to help me so far...I don't want him to stop helping me.

"Hermione, my dear, you can tell me anything—you will not be held accountable for anything that has happened between you two-"

"Minerva!"

Hermione couldn't contain her anger anymore. She wiped her tears from her face and nudged Penny off her lap. "Do you think so lowly of him after everything?"

Professor Snape stopped pacing and she felt his eyes on her. McGonagall perked up at her response with an offended look on her face.

"Hermione-"

"He's helping me deal with something personal. I went to him because he was the only person I felt like I could turn to. He's doing what he should be doing as my professor; helping me through such a difficult time by giving me advice and guidance, like a teacher should do. I find it appalling that you would accuse him of something like that, and it makes it worse that you assume I had no control over the situation. Do you truly believe me incapable of thinking for myself—even if there happened to be something going on between Professor Snape and me, I assure you that there would be consent from both parties, meaning we would both be held accountable for our actions!"

OK, she hadn't meant to say the last bit. Her cheeks flushed a flaming red, and she averted her gaze from the Headmistress.

"You couldn't come to me about this personal problem?" McGonagall's tone of voice softened.

Again, she felt Snape's eyes on her. I don't think I can cope with looking at him right now.

"No."

A knock cut off McGonagall's response, and they all turned to see Professor Sniderfield walking through the door with a tired yawn. "How can I help?"

If Sniderfield is an Auror perhaps I should tell him. But what if it gets out to everyone that Malfoy was arrested for...the rape of Hermione Granger.

"It appears that I no longer need you, Professor Sniderfield. I apologise-"

Hermione got to her shaking knees and bit her bottom lip. I have to tell them...I'm only prolonging my pain, plus, I can't even imagine what Professor Snape plans on doing to Malfoy the moment he leaves this office.

"Hermione?" McGonagall stood up and walked around her desk.

"You're an Auror, Professor Sniderfield?"

"I am," He said. "Is there a problem?"

"I…" Hermione's breathing hitched in the back of her throat, and she felt a trembling panic attack hovering above her head. I'm scared. Terrified. She sniffled and finally glanced at Professor Snape, who was watching her closely. Her body started to twitch and she noticed the slight shuffle he made towards her.

"There's something I must tell you, sir," She turned her attention back to Sniderfield.

"OK."

Her chest moved rapidly for air and she clamped her eyes shut for a few seconds. They flew open when she felt Snape's presence at her side. A brief brush of his hand on hers filled her body with the confidence she needed to tell Sniderfield what had happened.

"You're in charge of watching over Malfoy?"

"Yes?"

She cast a quick look at Professor Snape, who nodded back in response and her body started to calm down. "He raped me."