~ Chapter 7 ~

The looks on their faces angered Hermione. What right did they have to stare at Snape in such a way? Those eyes were judging him for being close to her, and she spotted the moment their boyish tempers flared.

She took a step back from him and opened her mouth to scold them, but Snape got there first.

"How nice of you to grace us with your presence, Potter," his professional persona slipped back on, leaving Hermione to stand by his side, helplessly.

"W-What…?" Harry trailed off and looked at Ron who swallowed in response.

"Problem?" Snape challenged, and Hermione bit her bottom lip to stop herself from smirking.

There was something satisfying about seeing two war heroes reduced to gaping fish, while trying to think of a way to respond to their ex-professor.

"I see your time spent in the adult world has improved your ability to speak full sentences," he drawled.

"Why are you here?" Hermione asked.

"Sniderfield invited us," Harry managed to say. "He said that we are needed here, by you."

Hermione recoiled away from his words. Sniderfield? What right did he have to invite them here, causing her stress and anxiety? I don't want to tell them; he thinks I should tell them, that's why he invited them.

A part of her wanted to run up and hug them both, but her bitter side still held a grudge towards their lack of contact. She was sick of always being the one trying to keep their friendship alive and receive no effort on their end. I feel like I've formed a stronger bond with Professor Snape in a matter of weeks than I ever did over the many years with them. I'm not sure he would see it that way, but I'm grateful for everything he's doing for me.

"I'm not sure why he would tell you that?" For some reason, she felt uncomfortable keeping eye contact with them. "I assumed from your lack of response to my letters that you no longer cared about my well-being."

"Hermione that's not what—"

"If you don't mind, Miss Granger and I have somewhere else to be," Snape said, and he motioned for her to follow him.

Hermione kept her head down as they passed the silent pair, and she heard Ron say her name, but she kept her eyes on Snape's shoes. Perhaps I'll talk to them later...they might have an explanation.

But, right now, I have bigger things to worry about.

People started to move from the Great Hall, paying no attention to them as they passed through the crowd. Anxiety found its usual spot on her shoulders, and she fiddled with her fingers and gnawed on her bottom lip. He could be anywhere right now, thinking he's safe, but in reality, his life is about to come to an end.

She should feel happy. She should be smiling. Yet, no emotion showed on her face, and all she could focus on was her pounding heart. I don't think his arrest will make any difference; I still have to live with the memory.

They eventually arrived at the Headmistresses office, and Snape muttered the password and they made their way up. He held open the door for her and she stepped into the warm room. Sniderfield stood in front of two younger men who listened to his words carefully, while McGonagall sat behind her desk with a worried look on her face.

"How are you feeling this morning?" McGonagall asked.

"Better," Hermione lied, and Snape gave her a knowing look.

"Take a seat," he said, and she moved over to the chair facing away from McGonagall's desk.

"I wish Penny was here," she whispered to him. "Or Crookshanks."

"Give me a moment," Hermione watched him disappear into the fireplace, and a few seconds later, he returned with Penny in his arms.

His gesture brought tears to her eyes, and she finally realised that this situation was terribly overwhelming. Penny jumped into her lap and nuzzled her face against Hermione's chest. I feel better now.

"Are you ready?" Sniderfield asked, and she opened her mouth to reply but Snape cut her off.

"Can I talk to you first?" his eyes didn't give anything away, and she watched them walk over to the fireplace to exchange heated words.

Anger soon flooded the lines of his face and his baritone voice vibrated his chest. She caught brief snippets of their conversation and knew immediately that he was scolding Sniderfield for inviting Harry and Ron.

I wish I could hug him and have him return the gesture.

"Rest easy, my dear."

Hermione's eyes widened and she glanced down at the cat in her lap. Penny's lids covered her black eyes for a second then she tilted her head innocently.

"W-What…?" Hermione looked over at McGonagall to see her head was down, so it couldn't have been her. She glanced around the room then focused on Penny. "Did you...what?"

Nothing.

She scanned the paintings to seek out the female voice, but none of them seemed interested in her being there. Am I going crazy?

A knock. Everyone froze. Sniderfield nodded at his two understudies and Snape walked over to stand in front of her chair. McGonagall straightened out her robes and stood in front of the desk.

Nods were exchanged then the Headmistress spoke. "Come in."

The door slowly opened and a familiar blond head stepped into the room, oblivious to what he was walking in to. Hermione leaned over the arm of the chair so she could see around Snape's blocking frame.

There he is.

Malfoy scanned the room. She spotted the moment it dawned on him. Sweat started to form on his brow and he shifted on the spot. What if he tries to run off?

"A troubling matter has been brought to our attention," McGonagall said. "A very troubling one indeed. I'd ask you to take a seat but I don't believe Miss Granger wants you anywhere near her."

McGonagall approached Malfoy, and as she got closer, Snape moved his hands behind his back and she watched them curl into fists. Knowing that no one could see her, she reached out her shaking hand and grasped his own to ease his tense body.

She hadn't expected much, however, his shoulders relaxed soon after.

"I'm not sure I know what you mean?"

"You little shit—" McGonagall whirled around and silenced Snape with a glare.

"Letting our tempers get the best of us will not help the situation," she said. "Mr Malfoy, what happened on the night of the Halloween Ball?"

Hermione released Snape's hands and they returned to his sides. She wished he'd move so she could see his face, but a part of her was grateful that he blocked her from Malfoy's view.

"I attended—just like everyone else."

"And where did you go afterward?" Sniderfield asked.

"I returned to my room," he said. "Just like everyone else."

"Hm," Sniderfield looked him over. "Are you sure?"

"Positive, sir."

There was another knock at the door and they all glanced in the direction of the noise.

No...no please don't be them.

Hermione felt the springs jump in her legs and she bounced to her feet to back further into the office. Please, not them.

Snape turned to watch her retreat and she shook her head at him. Penny stayed nearby and seemed to be guiding her to a safe spot to hide.

"Who is it?" McGonagall called out.

"Harry and Ron, Headmistress."

"Would you mind returning later?"

"We need to speak to Auror Sniderfield."

Snape swiftly moved over to her backing form and she stared up at him with watering eyes. "They c-can't know...nothing will be the same again."

"Granger, as much as it pains me to say, I think you need to tell them so you can move on," he explained. "It will constantly be hovering over your head if you don't do it."

Her bottom lip quivered and a few tears fell from her eyes. "I'm scared, sir."

An odd expression flashed across his tight face and Hermione averted her shiny eyes to the floor. Snape sighed and scratched his chin.

"What do you usually do when you're scared?" he asked.

She paused to think. "I'm always with people who I'm comfortable with. They hold my hand, hug me or stay close so I know that I'm not alone."

"Very well."

Hermione's head flew upwards and she watched him walk over to the seat she'd occupied, then he grabbed another and placed it arm-to-arm with it. He waved her over with his hand.

"Come and sit down," he said. "I'll be here and they'll stay far over there...with that thing," he glared at Malfoy, and Hermione moved over to sit by his side. Penny climbed into her lap, and she completely forgot about the voice she'd heard before.

"Shall I?" McGonagall raised a brow and they both nodded. "Come in boys!"

The doors opened and Hermione held her breath as she watched them enter. Their eyes moved over the occupants of the room, trying to work out what could possibly be going on. Harry didn't seem too thrilled at the sight of Malfoy, and when he spotted Hermione's tear-stained cheeks, his scrutiny returned to Malfoy.

"Breathe steady," Snape whispered near her ear. "Tap my arm three times if you want to leave immediately."

"Thank you, sir," More tears fell from her eyes and she felt too embarrassed to look at him.

Why is he so nice to me?

"Mr Malfoy," Sniderfield stepped up behind him. "Where did you go between the end of the ball and your return to your room?"

"I left with some friends and went straight back to the common room," he refused to make eye contact with the people staring at him. Hermione bundled Penny against her chest and kissed her head. She wished to hold Crookshanks, but he rarely allowed her to do so for long periods of time. He preferred to lounge by her side.

"Malfoy," McGonagall spoke with an edge to her voice. "If you don't give me the answer I desire, Professor Snape will be inside your head before you can turn away."

Hermione saw the slight smirk on Snape's lips, but she couldn't think of anything worse. He'll see the attack...I-I don't think I could be in the same room as him if he witnessed it...ever again.

"What's going on?" Harry asked. "Why did you tell us to come here?" he glanced at Sniderfield who inclined his head in her direction. "Hermione?"

"Miss Granger doesn't wish to speak right now," Snape said. "So keep your mouth shut, Potter, and let this play out."

"I'm a grown adult now, you can't tell me what to do—Hermione can speak for herself."

Hermione didn't wish to utter any words to him. She wasn't sure how Professor Snape knew, but she was happy that he'd tried to get Harry to be quiet.

Malfoy shifted again and Hermione finally looked at him, properly. Fear didn't cause her heart to race, instead, pure anger pulsed throughout her body as she watched him sneer at them all.

"Tell me the truth, Mr Malfoy," McGonagall pushed again.

"I don't know what you expect me to say."

Her anger reached the surface and she got to her feet in an attempt to simmer her emotions down. Snape joined her and he started to pace nearby.

"Why am I being scrutinised? I've told you that nothing happened, so why are my Godfather and the know-it-all giving me such venomous looks?"

Know-it-all…

Hermione turned slowly to cast her watery eyes on him. Her body trembled in anger and she took a few steps forward, then shot off towards the blond git. Arms wrapped around her waist and she clawed at Snape's pale hands.

"Tell them what you did to me—TELL THEM THAT YOU RAPED ME!" Her body shuddered beneath her scream. A sob escaped her lips and she felt herself being pulled further away from Malfoy by Snape's arms around her waist.

"You…" Hermione turned in time to see Harry barging into Malfoy; he managed to get a few hits in before Sniderfield pulled him off. Ron stood nearby gaping at her.

"Deep breaths," Snape's baritone voice cleared the fog in her mind, and he turned her away from everyone and kept her close. His arms fell from her waist and she turned so she was level with his chest.

Her whimpers didn't ease, but she tried to gain control of her burning lungs.

"I'm p-pathetic…"

"Hermione, you're far from pathetic," he whispered. "Brave is the first word that comes to my mind when I think of you."

Hermione's hands stilled on her cheeks and she sniffed as she looked at him. My name...he said my name. No one else heard, but that made the moment so much better.

"Brave?" she whimpered, and he nodded his head. "Oh."

"Harry, stop trying to break free!" Sniderfield snapped, and Hermione saw Harry thrashing in his hold while Ron continued to gape at everyone.

The two Aurors pulled Malfoy from the floor and he didn't bother to fight back. His eyes landed on Hermione and a wicked smile curled his lips. A shiver raced up her spine and she stepped closer to Snape unintentionally.

"Don't look at her like that!" Snape charged forward and stepped toe-to-toe with him. Hermione swallowed hard and tried to listen to what he whispered to him. Malfoy looked up at him with empty eyes, but the rumble of Snape's voice caused goosebumps to flood her skin.

Sometimes I forget how scary he can be. I'm not afraid of him, it's just very different to what I've become accustomed to seeing.

"I'm afraid you'll be coming away with us, Mr Malfoy," Sniderfield said.

"Away?"

Snape chuckled deeply. "You'll be having a nice reunion with daddy dearest soon enough."

The twisted look returned to Malfoy's face. "I'm getting taken away, for what? Fucking the Golden Girl!"

Silence.

The air left Hermione's lungs and she didn't know whether to attack him or cry. Even the portraits were quiet. She walked closer to them all, never taking her eyes off him. Her steps were cautious yet the light taps were enough to grasp everyone's attention.

"Your use of the word 'fucking' would imply that it was consensual. But, if I recall correctly you didn't even give me the chance to say no; you robbed me of the opportunity to even give you consent—which would've been no—therefore, you didn't fuck me, you raped me."

"And I know you enjoyed every second of it—"

Three people flew towards him. McGonagall's screams of protest didn't stop them, and all Hermione could do was stare in shock. Snape got there first, but he wasn't the first to act. Anyone would think the attack was coordinated to the finest degree.

Harry fired the first sting into his side and Ron charged forward with another hitting Malfoy's back. Then, with as much grace as a swan, Snape flicked his wrist sharply, sending Malfoy barrelling backward into the door with his feet off the floor.

He stalked closer, ignoring McGonagall's shouts for him to stop. Malfoy started to turn a funny colour as he spluttered for oxygen. Professor Snape didn't stop. His fingers curled more and the veins of his throat swelled up.

"Severus stop!" McGonagall waved her hands about.

"Snape!" Sniderfield snapped. "Let him go."

Hermione closed the distance between them and wrapped her fingers around his wrist. The trance he was in broke and Malfoy fell to the floor with a thud. He glanced down at him with his lip curled then violently swirled around and walked over to the chair.

Malfoy gasped for oxygen but Sniderfield didn't give him time recover. He was pulled to his feet and his hands were bound behind his back.

"We'll take him into custody and you should hear from us tomorrow. I will do the best I can to keep this away from the media, but I can't promise," he explained.

"I understand," Hermione watched them go through tired eyes and when the door shut, she returned to the chair next to Snape.

Penny circled his legs as if to soothe her master. It brought back the memory of the female voice but the rush of other voices caught her attention.

"He raped you!" Harry shouted too bluntly.

"Really? I was under the impression that he only hugged her!" Professor Snape barked.

She could see the lines on his face had got deeper from stress. Tiredness flooded his eyes and nestled in the bags beneath them. I've asked too much of him.

"Why are you involved in this?! You were the one who wanted that ferret in Hogwarts!" Harry shot back.

"Because I confided in him," she said.

"In him?" Ron squeaked. "You could've come to us."

"I'd say that the lack of response to her letters was enough to deter her from doing so," Snape said.

"How does he know that?" Harry started to pace while Ron's face flooded with colour.

"Because I confided in him," she repeated. "To confide in someone means to tell them what's troubling you. I shared my feelings and worries, and he helped me work through them — we're still working through them now. I've just spent my first night without taking Dreamless Sleep, I may have had a nightmare, but I'm making progress, thanks to him."

"You had a nightmare?" This caught Snape's attention and she looked away from him, embarrassed.

"Yes…" she gnawed on her bottom lip.

"We'll discuss it later."

"Later? I don't think so!" Harry stepped closer and Hermione felt tears sting her eyes.

"Harry...please, can you just stop! I understand that this may be difficult to process all in one go, but spare a thought for me! Malfoy raped me! Not you or anyone else in this room. He raped me. And you expect me to sit here and listen to you whining about why I confided in Professor Snape? You should feel shame for not being there when I needed you, and jealous that a man you hate was. I can't let you talk about him like that; I defended you throughout our school years because you were there for me, and I'll do the bloody same for Professor Snape!"

Hermione wiped away her tears and gripped onto the arms of the chair with her shaking hands. Her body quivered beneath the emotional strain and she wished to return to her room. I could do with a phial of Dreamless Sleep.

"I think it would be best for you two to go," McGonagall finally spoke up. "Let everyone calm down, then we can arrange for you three to meet under more relaxed circumstances. Is that OK with you, Hermione?" she nodded her head, and the boys reluctantly left the room in silence.

McGonagall sighed when the doors shut behind them and turned around with a tense face. "You do not have to attend lessons today—"

"I will," she said. "It will take my mind off things for a couple of hours."

"Very well. I would like to discuss things further with you, but that can wait until tomorrow," McGonagall flashed her a loving smile, and Hermione got to her feet and shook her body.

"Thank you for everything, sir," she nodded her head at Professor Snape then thanked McGonagall as she passed.

What a lovely way to start my day.

…

Hermione sat down on the grass that overlooked Hagrid's hut. She pulled at the blades of grass to distract her anxious mind from its worries. I don't want to go to sleep, I'm scared. Her body's reaction was a form of an anxiety attack; it didn't necessarily have to be a case of hyperventilating.

Fidgeting, a tense body, not responding to others and outbursts of anger, are all forms of an anxiety attack.

What if I see him in my dreams? I could always visit Snape, but he looked exhausted after the meeting this morning. He needs to rest.

The grass before her had thinned out dramatically, and she soon moved onto a more dense patch to destroy. Perhaps I should ask Madam Pomfrey for professional help? I want to carry on seeing Professor Snape, but not at the price of his well-being. He's only just escaped a war with his life, and he should start living it to the fullest.

I was meant to see him this evening, but I didn't show up and he never came looking for me—

A heavy cloak fell onto her shoulders and she jumped out of her daze. Hermione glanced up to see Professor Snape standing next to her with a wicker basket, gloves, and gardening tools. She inhaled sharply and took in the comforting scent of his cloak.

"You look cold," he said.

Hermione realised that her body was trembling from the cold night. "Thank you, sir."

"Do you want to keep your hands busy?" He eyed the battered patch of a grass.

"Yes."

"I'm searching for a medicinal herb called Armoranth. Would you like to help me?"

She smiled. "I'd like that."

Hermione got to her feet and followed Snape down the slope. The moon glistened high in the night sky and there were no rain clouds in sight. Good, I don't want to be stuck out in the forest in the rain.

"Won't you be cold?" she asked.

"I'm fine."

There wasn't much else to say in response. She couldn't exactly force it back on him after he'd kindly gave it to her. That would ruin his chivalrous action.

They walked for ten minutes in complete silence. Hermione didn't feel awkward at all, the nightlife sang to them both and she wished to stay out here all night to let it lull her to sleep.

"There," he stopped abruptly and she almost walked into him. "Look."

Hermione followed his finger and saw the purple herb beneath a tree. "What do you need it for?"

"I'm working on a new potion," he crouched down in front of it and she joined him.

Snape handed her a pair of gloves and tools to use for herself. It's like he planned to run into me, the thought made her smile sheepishly.

"You didn't come and see me this evening. Why?"

"I...you looked tired, sir, and I didn't want to bother you."

"I will tell you if you're bothering me," he didn't look up from what he was doing. "Talk to me about your worries instead of assuming."

"I'm sorry-" he pinned her with a look.

"I told you to stop apologising for everything."

"Sorry—it's rather hard not to," a faint smile appeared on his lips. "The nightmare I had took all the energy from me."

"How bad was it?" he asked in a serious tone and cut the herb free from its root.

"I woke up in a sweat...it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was enough to make me fear sleeping again."

"It will get better."

"Has it for you?" Snape paused, then his jaw clenched.

"That's not relevant-"

"Are you telling me that you've never had a nightmare? If you're still having them now, then how could it possibly get better for me?"

"Because it's different," he grumbled.

"How so?" she pushed. "I'm not expecting you to tell me the troubles in your life, sir. I just want to know how you cope with the fear of sleeping."

He cut another herb free and she quickly cut the one she'd been toying with. They carried on in silence for a few minutes until he sighed.

"I don't cope with it," he muttered. "I never have."

"Oh."

"I don't want to fill your head with false hope, Granger, but you've got a smart mind; I know you'll overcome this."

She smiled at him, then they got to their feet and carried on searching, but this time she stayed by his side.

"Professor?"

"Yes."

"What's the probability of a witch being able to communicate with animals?" he stopped and gave her a perplexed look. "I'm certain Penny spoke to me in McGonagall's office."

"Don't be ridiculous," he drawled. "I've told you before that-"

"I know what I heard. She tried to comfort me when I was upset, and she always seems to be there when I need her."

"She just likes the attention."

"Are you sure? Have you never noticed how she responds as if she can understand us?"

"She's a smart cat," he said.

"Oh really?" she retorted. "That's your only explanation."

"That's the only explanation."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Maybe she's your familiar?"

"They don't exist."

"You sound so sure," she retorted. "Like you've researched the topic before?"

"I have done no such thing," he sighed. "Let's carry on; it's painfully obvious that you're looking for a distraction from the matter at hand. I'm not here to engage in normal talk-"

"Can't you be?" Why did I ask that? Stupid mouth not listening to my brain! "I-I mean OK, sir."

He gave her an odd look. "You have friends to engage in talk with."

I should be honest with him. "I've spent most of my time with you these past few weeks. My friends haven't been paying much attention to me — not that I expect them to — you've been a key feature in my life, and I'm grateful for that. Sometimes I wouldn't mind talking about the mundane things; it distracts me from what's really going on inside my head, and oddly enough, you're easy to talk to in a way."

He continued to stare at her in a perplexed way like he wished to venture inside of her mind to listen to her thoughts. His eyes moved to the basket in his hand then he glanced over his shoulders.

"There should be some more this way," he said. "Come along."

Hermione nodded her head and stayed behind him once more. She gnawed on her bottom lip wondering if she'd made things awkward for him. I suppose that this is just his duty as a teacher to help me...this is too much for him, I should talk to Madam Pomfrey tomorrow morning. I'll need to do it before I'm due to see Professor Snape.

They eventually arrived at a new patch of Armoranth. She joined him on her knees and silently worked the herb away from the soil. This is awkward, why am I so stupid?!

"Professor, I'm sorry if — Penny?" Snape glanced her way then followed her eyeline to what she was staring at.

Penny sat underneath a nearby tree, watching them curiously. Her dark eyes shimmered in the moonlight coming through the leaves, and her ears twitched towards the faint sounds rushing through the forest.

She started to move closer to them and Hermione held out her hand. Penny happily brushed her body against Hermione's skin then settled for sitting in the small gap between Snape and her.

"How did she know where to find us?" Hermione whispered, and Snape tutted in response.

"Cats have much better senses than us."

"I'm telling you that there's something special about her-"

"And I'm telling you that there's not-"

"Why don't you just ask me yourselves?"

Huh?

Ever so slowly, they both lowered their gazes down to the black cat. She stared up at them with pure innocence on her face and Hermione puffed out a laugh, then a grin grew on her face.

"You can talk?"

"Telepathically, yes."

"That's not possible," Snape said.

"I'm afraid it is, Master."

"I'm not your-"

Hermione gasped. "She's your familiar! I knew it! I was right; isn't this amazing?!"

Professor Snape didn't look amused at all, but there was no anger or malice on his face. Hermione scratched Penny behind the ears and she purred in response.

"Yes, I'm your familiar, Severus Tobias Snape."

"It's just Severus," he grumbled. "And how is that possible?"

"There aren't a lot of us left anymore," she explained. "We've all abandoned our small group to seek out our masters. Only you can hear me."

"How come I can?" Hermione sat down properly and rubbed some of the dirt from her hands.

"Because you're special to-"

Professor Snape got to his feet with a sigh. "Let's return to the castle now. We should both get some rest after such a tiresome day."

Hermione raced to catch up with him as he practically sprinted from the forest. Penny caught up to him with ease and stayed by his side. I knew I was right about Penny being his familiar!

"Are you angry?" She jogged up to his side and he narrowed his eyes.

"Miss Granger you have done nothing to anger me," he said. "However, it's not escaping my attention that you seem to always be right."

Hermione bit her bottom lip to stop her laugh from escaping. "Am I allowed to apologise for that?"

"No," he grunted. "It looks like it's about to rain, so quicken your pace."

She tried her best to keep up with his long strides and they managed to make it back inside before the rain started to pour. Many things dawned on her as she let Snape guide her back to her room.

Tomorrow will be another long day. I could do with a holiday...maybe I should do that when I finish the school year?

They arrived outside the door and Snape nodded goodbye. She watched him disappear down the corridor with Penny close to his ankles. A heavy weight rested on her chest and warm tears stung her eyes.

Why am I crying? There were many reasons why she should be crying, but none of them plagued the forefront of her mind right now. Professor Snape helps distract me from all the darkness.

She went into her bedroom and petted Crookshanks who lounged on her bed. "Today has been exhausting," she muttered. "And tomorrow won't be any better—Oh!"

Hermione slid Snape's cloak from her shoulders and smiled down at the comforting fabric. I should return this to him...tomorrow. She quickly readied herself for bed then lay on top of her quilt and rested the cloak over her body.

Crookshanks inspected the new item then settled for sleeping right by Hermione's head. For once it wasn't the fire that sent her to sleep; it was the comforting warmth of Snape's cloak wrapped around her body.

AN:/ Hello! Sorry for the delay for this chapter, I've been very busy, plus, this chapter just didn't want to come out and I've rewritten it plenty of times! The schedule should be back to normal now so I'll be posting again next Wednesday! Thank you everyone who favourited, followed and reviewed, I'm glad you're all enjoying it!