~ Chapter 11 ~

Hermione's eyes flew open and she gasped to contain her rapidly beating heart. Various nightmares had plagued her sleep, all of them frightful and too real. She sat up slowly and massaged her forehead.

What a lovely way to start the day! She'd gone to bed in a sour mood, and now she felt even worse than before. She was too scared to face him today because it was painfully obvious that he knew she'd witnessed his nightmare.

I shouldn't have slammed the door...I'm so stupid! She buried her face in her hands and sighed. Everything's going to be OK; he won't mention what happened because it's too personal. She knew now that he would never want to be friends with her.

It was then that she registered the shouting.

Hermione quickly dressed and raced downstairs to see what the fuss was about. Her ankle caused her mild discomfort, and she reminded herself to put some more bruise salve on it later.

She made her way into the kitchen. McGonagall and Sniderfield were standing up, and Snape sat down with little interest towards the Head Auror as he continued to shout at him.

"-you honestly think that I would give those sadistic people your location?"

"I said you might be to blame," Snape muttered. "It was hardly an accusation."

"You annoying prat-"

"Hermione!" McGonagall cut him off and the other two turned to look at her. "Come and sit down."

She did as she was told. Snape glanced away from her as she sat next to him, and she covered up her disappointment by grabbing the hot teapot to pour herself some tea.

"We were just discussing your situation," McGonagall said.

"I wouldn't call what I heard discussing," she saw Snape smirk behind his tea. "What's going on?"

"Snape thinks I turned you in," Sniderfield sat down with a sigh. "I would never do such a thing."

"I don't believe you did it, but I do think one of your understudies did," she explained. "No one else had access to that information; I'd say that a little bribery would be enough to get them to talk."

"They're good boys though."

"Well you never truly know somebody," she sipped her tea and ignored Snape's pointed stare.

"I think you should go under the protection of someone else," Hermione stilled at McGonagall's words.

"You still don't trust me," Snape drawled. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Of course I don't trust you!" she snapped. "After everything you've done: the lies, the cruelty and every snide thing in between! You shouldn't be left alone with someone so young and impressionable!"

Hermione's eyes widened at her horrible words and disgusting accusations. She couldn't take it anymore. "Impressionable? What the bloody hell do you think he's going to do to me? Because I really hope you're not implying that he is, in any way, like Malfoy!"

"Now, Hermione just listen to me-"

"Listen to you?! Every time I have a conversation with you, it ends up with you insulting the man who saved my life! He may not see it that way but I do. I can tell you, wholeheartedly, that I wouldn't have made it through this with someone else's help. Not yours, and not some pretentious therapist. I am happy being here with him, I feel safe under his protection, and if at any time he wishes to leave, he can. So, please, could you just stop insulting him, and me, every bloody minute."

McGonagall stared back at her with a sheen to her eyes. She couldn't find it within herself to care that her words had hurt her feelings. Snape never defends himself when she says those things, someone has to.

Sniderfield cleared his throat. "I'll look into my understudies."

No one responded to him. Hermione focused on her cooling cup of tea, while Snape continued to stare at everyone but her.

"Well," McGonagall sighed. "I guess we'll leave you two be for a few days," she gave Sniderfield a demanding look and they left through the fireplace in the other room. Snape slowly took a sip of his tea then placed it onto the saucer with a loud clunk. Hermione followed his every move with caution on her face. What do I say now? She felt ashamed of the way she acted towards him last night, but a part of her still felt unreasonable anger.

Penny let out a loud hiss that startled her. She turned to see the black cat glaring at the back of her masters head; it occurred to her then that they were having a private, telepathic discussion. I wonder what he said to upset her?

Hermione moved some of her hair from her face then cleared her throat. "Would I be able to write to Harry and Ron?"

He got to his feet abruptly. "No." She watched him leave the kitchen and after a few gasped breaths, she chased after him.

"Sir!" he moved quickly up the stairs, and she reached him just as he slammed the door in her face.

How childish!

She lifted her hand to start knocking on the door but paused halfway. Ever so slowly, she lowered her fist and sighed. "I...I'm sorry for disturbing you last night," this was easier to say since she didn't have to look at him. "It was just a nightmare and I should have left you alone...again, I'm sorry, but I can't keep living like this. Back at Hogwarts you were my rock...talking to you made my day and I'm grateful for it all. But, I'd rather have Sniderfield look after me-"

The door flung open to reveal a narrow-eyed professor. "Stop rambling."

Her cheeks flooded with colour. "Sorry." He raised a brow like she was forgetting something, then her eyes widened when she remembered. "It's hard to not apologise!"

"You haven't had breakfast yet," he said. "Go downstairs and make something."

"I wanted to talk to you."

"I'm not letting you write to those simpletons-"

"That's not it!" she exclaimed with a wave of her hands. "I had a nightmare last night."

"Have you been keeping a journal?" he stepped from the doorway and shut the door so he was out in the hall.

She nodded. "I think you're right when you said it may be down to my emotions."

"How did you feel before you went to bed?"

Her lips parted as she recalled why she'd fallen into a disturbed sleep. I cannot tell him that I was angry about him saying Lily's name. Bugger.

"Worried," she played with her fingers. "After the attack, I couldn't stop thinking about Malfoy."

"Lucius Malfoy is only capable of so many things inside Azkaban, as long as Draco stays in custody you have nothing to worry about," he explained, and she could hear the reassurance in his tone.

"It's easier said than done."

He sighed. "Follow me."

She trailed behind him as they moved down the hall and stopped outside a bolted door. He tapped the locks with his wand and they slid open to reveal a cosy library. Hermione ran into the room with a huge smile on her face and glanced around the book-covered walls.

"Oh...this place is amazing, sir," she smiled at him and he responded with a quick nod of his head.

"Quite a lot of these books are one of a kind, and extremely dangerous," he explained. "However, I trust you."

She paused her scanning eyes. He trusts me. Her heart beat a little faster, but she shook the feeling off. "What shouldn't I touch with my bare hands?"

"The top two shelves."

"OK," she walked over to the left wall and ran her fingers along the middle row of books. Some of them wiggled beneath her touch, and others rippled with dark magic through her fingertips. "Why are you showing me this?"

"When I find time to come here, this is the place where I come to relax and clear my mind," he took a seat in one of the armchairs that faced the fireplace. "I thought you might find a similar use for it."

She smiled sheepishly at the bookshelf so he couldn't see. "I can work with this."

…

Two days later, Hermione found herself laying on her front in Snape's private escape. Numerous books surrounded her, but her eyes were focused on the half-written letter to Harry. Snape hadn't agreed to anything yet; she needed to think of a different way to approach him with her wish.

The past two nights have been spent in one another's company in this room. He sits in his armchair while I spread myself out in front of the fire. She enjoyed their peaceful nights together, but she wished he would talk to her more.

I haven't had another nightmare, so that's a positive for now. She tickled her nose with her quill, then chewed her bottom lip while she pondered on her words. I'm not sure what to say to Harry...I really need to see them both in person so we can move past this.

Suddenly, she became aware of eyes on her. She carried on like normal but kept her mind focused on the shadow watching her from the doorway. Why's he staring at me? She could practically feel his worry and curiosity.

Shall I take this opportunity to be nonchalant? She mentally shook her head. He'd avoid me forever if I teased him, and he hardly talks to me at all.

"Miss Granger."

She turned to look over her shoulder with an innocent smile. "Yes, sir."

"You've got some visitors downstairs."

Her eyes widened in realisation, and she scrambled to her feet with a wider smile. She raced over to meet him at the doorway and beamed up at him. "Harry and Ron?" he responded with a simple nod, and without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him quickly.

The moment was over in mere seconds and she ran downstairs to reunite with her friends. Harry and Ron stood in front of the fireplace looking to be nervous about being in their ex-professor's home.

Harry noticed her first. "Hello," he took a hesitant step forward, and when Hermione smiled, he walked over in a few strides and hugged her.

She relaxed into his body and nuzzled her face against his neck. Ron came over with an awkward smile on his face then Hermione moved from Harry's arms to his.

They parted ways and she led them over to the small sofa. She could see their discomfort, but they looked happy to see her again.

"I'm glad you came to see me," she said. "I was just writing a letter to you."

"Actually, Snape invited us-" Harry hit Ron's arm with a glare.

"We've been worried about you," Harry fixed his glasses with a sad smile. "There are so many things I want to ask you."

Hermione sighed. "Can your questions wait, I had hoped to make things better between us. I miss you both very much."

Harry took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We'd like that."

"Good," she pushed some of her hair away from her face. "How's life as a trainee Auror?" Ron scoffed immediately and Harry blushed a little. Why is he blushing?

"It's a lot of work, I just wish dad wasn't around to scrutinise me all the time," Ron grumbled, and Harry's coloured cheeks deepened.

"How about you Harry? I bet it's hard being taught by someone you're much more experienced than!"

"That's exactly why he got under one of them," Ron said.

Hermione's mouth fell open while Harry glared daggers at his best friend. "It's meant to be a secret, you bloody idiot!" Harry wailed.

"Under him?" Hermione blinked numerous times. "Harry Potter, if you think that you can work your way up to the top by sleeping with-"

"Calm down, 'Mione," Harry said sheepishly. "He's a nice guy, we get along well."

"What about Ginny?"

"Things ended between us at the start of the school year," he explained. "I've been keeping my distance from her."

Ron gave her a lingering look and it reminded her of the kiss they'd shared during the battle. We never discussed what had happened, and she wasn't looking to rekindle that dying flame. I love Ron as a friend, plus, I don't think I could be with anyone ever again, not after Malfoy.

"I'm glad you're happy," she smiled. "What's his name?" Harry bit his bottom lip and avoided eye contact. "Do I know him?"

Ron chuckled deeply. "We never said it was our superior, he's someone else's."

She tried to think over all the Auror's she knew personally. I hardly know any, the only person who comes to mind is—

"Professor Sniderfield!" she yelled and her eyes lit up in fury.

"He's not really a professor," Harry muttered as if it would make the revelation any better.

"That doesn't matter, shame on you!" she hit his arm playfully, and he tried to cover his pink cheeks with his growing hair. "How did you find the time to see him? He spent most of his time at Hogwarts."

Ron shrugged his shoulders. "Sniderfield does home calls."

"Ron!" Harry snapped in embarrassment. "Could we stop talking about my love life and move onto something else?"

"Fine," Ron laughed once more and dodged Harry's fist.

"How are you?" Harry asked shaking off the playful conversation.

She hadn't prepared herself for this bit. Even though talking to Snape was hard, it was easier for her to tell him how she felt than her best friends. "I'm doing better day-by-day."

"That's good," Harry said. "What's it like living with Snape?"

"Normal."

"Really?" Ron moved closer. "You can tell us the truth, he's horrible, isn't he?"

She shook her head. "No! I enjoy his company."

"How?" Harry seemed confused by her answer.

"What do you mean how? I've found comfort in Professor Snape and he's done everything in his power to help me and keep me safe. We were attacked yesterday morning and he protected me from harm."

"Who attacked you?" Ron's fingers curled around his knees.

"We suspect they were some of Lucius' friends," she explained. "He knows about his son being taken into custody, and he's not happy at all. However, his power is limited since he's locked up in Azkaban."

"Can you trust him?" Ron asked.

"Of course I trust him!" she exclaimed. "Why is it so hard for you to comprehend that I can live alongside him?"

"I just never thought he would befriend one of his students," Ron admitted with a sullen look on his face.

She sighed. "We aren't friends," her tone lowered as sadness flooded her face. I wish we were friends. "He doesn't want that from me. Our relationship is strictly professional, and he's doing his best to help me get through this."

"Just as long as you're happy," Harry said. "Can we write to you?"

She nodded. "I think it will be OK."

"Good," Harry moved closer and hugged her again.

They sat around and talked for another ten minutes until they had to leave. Hermione stared at the flames with her arms folded and thought over their chat. I feel better now that I've seen them.

She sensed eyes on her again and she turned around to look at Snape. Penny ran from behind him and Hermione bundled her up against her chest.

"Thank you, sir."

He simply nodded his head in response, but curiosity still lingered in his eyes. "Would you like some dinner?"

"Yes please," she scratched Penny's ears and moved into the kitchen.

He moved around the kitchen without paying her any attention. Hermione watched him busy himself with preparing the food and she wondered what she could say to fill the silence between them. He suddenly stopped over the stove and his shoulders tensed.

"Miss Granger, I hope you know that I don't view this as just part of my job," he said, and Hermione's eyes widened. "I'm here because you came to me, and I'm helping you because you mean more to me than just a student. I suppose you could say we're friends, although, a dysfunctional pair at the very least."

A wetness fell from her eyes. She wiped away her tears quickly and smiled at his back. "I suppose we are."

They spent the rest of the evening in a comfortable silence, and Hermione found herself wishing him a good night then falling into a dreamless sleep.

An:/ Hello! Please leave me your thoughts and feelings on this chapter! Thank you to everyone who has favourited, followed and reviewed so far!