Full Summary: Hermione thought is was the flu. But it is anything but. After a desperate plea for help from her mother, Severus finds himself having his very foundations shaken as he comes to Hermione's rescue. But Severus is not the only one whose world gets turned upside down. New truths and lies are exposed and amidst the chaos that becomes Hermione's life, Draco becomes the most unsuspecting life raft.

Disclaimer: HP belongs to JK Rowling, I'm just taking it out for some fun :)

Warning:

Dumbledore, and weasley bashing (not all weasleys, but some). There will also be lemons in this fic! You have been warned, this fic is M, so expect some lemons sprinkled throughout. This is my first fanfiction, so bear with me. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Hermione lurched, her back arching off her bed with the ferocity of the cough, bits of blood speckling her pale lips. The bright crimson was a harsh contrast to the sickly hue of her cheeks and it made her mother cringe.

"Hermione, honey...just tell me what to do…" Jean's voice was full of desperation and tears welled in her eyes. She felt so helpless. "How can I do this?" She questioned her daughter in frustration. The tears finally sprang free, and a sob racked her frame. Seeing her daughter dying in front of her… she could do nothing. She knew she needed to keep her composure, but her baby was in pain, and seeing her this way was wreaking havoc on her.

"How can there be no way to contact anyone? This is fucking ridiculous!" Hermione's father exclaimed, pacing in anger and worry. He hated feeling so helpless. His baby was so sick and had been for over a week now, and nothing was helping. The Grangers had deduced that the illness was magical, as they had exhausted all forms of their medicine, and, according to muggle doctors, there was nothing wrong with her. Too much stress they said. She just needs rest they said...

Jean tried in vain to get it together. Sobbing would not help Hermione.

"I don't know, but surely an owl will be by soon… this is the time when they usually get their test results and schedules for next term… If we can manage to get a message to someone at her school…"

Noah growled and punched the wall angrily causing Jean to jump in surprise.

"Noah! Please, we can't do this. We need to be ready when the owl comes. It has to come…"

Noah stared at his wife for a long time before nodding. "You're right. Let's get a message written so we can just tell the bird where to take it."

Jean nodded and jumped up, running to Hermione's desk to grab a piece of notebook paper and a pen.

"To whom it may concern," She wrote, frowning.

"I am writing on behalf of my daughter Hermione Granger, a 6th year Gryffindor at Hogwarts. She is very ill. Whatever illness this is, it is not something that I, or her father are able to treat. If she does not receive medical care immediately...I don't know how much longer her body can handle the strain. I'm begging you, as a mother...please help my baby.

Jean Granger.

The letter was short, but Jean didn't care. Jean sighed and folded the paper in half before placing it by Hermione's bedside. "I'll stay with her tonight, you get some rest."

Noah frowned but nodded before leaning down and kissing Jean on the head and giving his daughter a loving glance.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Jean startled awake at the sound and her eyes immediately went to her daughter, who was shaking slightly, drying blood on her nose and lips. Jean gasped and went to grab a rag to wash it away when she heard the tapping again.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

When Jean realized there was an owl at the window she nearly lost it. She lunged for the latch, letting the bird in before shutting it harshly. The owl hooted and flapped nervously, dropping the letter on the nightstand before landing near Hermione, giving her an odd look.

"Easy bird.." Jean muttered, grabbing her note. She was almost certain that this bird was Hermione's friends bird. It's feathers were snowy white and her yellow eyes were piercing and intelligent, as if understanding she was still needed.

"Are you Harry Potter's bird?"

The owl hooted what, to Jean sounding like 'duh' before nodding its head slowly up and down.

"Thank god. Okay listen, Hermione is sick. I need you to take this note to someone that she trusts and that can help her. Can you do that?"

The owl's only was to flap her wings and snatch the paper away from Jean's unsuspecting fingers before flapping her wings again.

"Okay bird. My daughter's life is on the line...please...I beg you...save her." Jean cried before opening the window, and the owl took off like a bullet, giving Jean hope for the first time in over a week.

Severus wanted to hex something terribly.

"Yes, but with You-Know-Who back-"

"We don't know that he is really back-"

"Hogwarts is the safest place there is, regardless if You-Know-Who is really back or not, there is no need to add extra regulations on the students or bring in aurors to guard the place."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose angrily and mentally calculated how long he had been sitting here with these morons, and nearly groaned when he it came to more than three hours. IF he stayed here much longer he was going to hex someone.

"Perhaps," Severus ground out, "instead of squabbling over topics that only the Headmaster can decide on, we should decide on our Heads so that we can leave. Unlike some here, I still have important work to do."

The other professors frowned, but Minerva smiled tightly. "Severus is right. This is getting us nowhere. It's been hours. We need to conclude our business so that we may mail out our notices and exam grades to our students."

"To right you are Minerva. Who should be Head Boy?" Pomona questioned her peers, trying desperately to keep the peace. She did not like these meetings either, but they were a necessity."I was thinking it should be Katie Bell."

Many of the professors readily agreed to this, and she was quickly decided to be Head Girl.

"And for Head Boy?" Minerva asked.

Septima sighed. "I think Adrian Pucey is a good candidate. He is one of the top students, and well behaved."

"But he's a -"

Severus straightened and glared, "A what? An intelligent and hard working student who's skill in arithmancy and charms has already given him an apprenticeship at the Ministry? Or was it an excellent role model for his peers, whom he tutors? Or perhaps…" Severus sneered. "It's because he's a Slytherin?"

"Now now Severus, no need to be testy. I think Adrian Pucey is an excellent choice. Any against this?" Albus questioned. His eyes twinkling madly.

There was no response and the decision was made. "Excellent. Next would be the Prefects for the coming term. Have you all chosen?"

Pomona nodded. "Susan Bones and Justin Finch-Fletchley."

Severus rolled his eyes at the choices, but kept quiet. He just wanted to be out of here.

"Filius?"

"Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil." Filius answered immediately, also wanting the meeting over.

"Excellent. Minerva?" Albus questioned.

Minerva pinched her lips together for a moment. "Hermione Granger and…" Minerva paused, taking a deep breath before finishing. "Neville Longbottom."

"Longbottom!"

Minerva just raised a brow. "Yes. He has grown exponentially in his coursework, he is approachable to the younger years, and the extra responsibilities will only help him."

Minerva ignored the gobsmacked stares of some of her peers, irritated that they would doubt one of her lions.

"Yes, but he-"

Severus grit his teeth. "As much as I would love to debate the qualities that Mr. Longbottom may or may not have, the choice is not yours to make, Burgage, as you are not a head of house."

"An excellent and surprising choice. Severus?" Albus commented to defuse the tension. He could see Charity wanted to argue, but his words stilled her lips.

Minerva to frown at the remark. Her choice was not all that shocking if one looked at the options she had to work with. Neville was the more responsible of all of the boys that qualified for the position. Just because she didn't pick Harry or Ronald, 'honestly', she thought to herself in agitation.

Severus just raised a brow at the old man. "Daphne Greengrass and Draco Malfoy."

"Malfoy is surrounded by darkness…"Sybil muttered.

Severus glowered at Sybil, but Septima intervened before he could speak.

"Honestly Sybil. Draco Malfoy is the second brightest student in Hogwarts. Just because he wears silver and green doesn't mean a bloody thing."

Albus tilted his head thoughtfully, his azure eyes twinkling bright -something that only frustrated Severus more. The damnable man was a puppet master. "Well said Septima. If that is everything on the agenda for today, I think we are finished. Minerva, you will see to it that the letters and badges are all sent out?"

Minerva pinched her lips together in agitation. "Of course Albus."

"Then we are adjourned. I will see you all back in a few weeks." Albus bid the staff farewell and his blue eyes sought out Severus. He needed to speak with him privately.

"Thank Merlin." Septima groaned, standing up, and popping her back. "Have a good summer Severus." She called out before leaving the staff room as fast as possible. Severus smirked and followed the woman out, well aware that he was ignoring Albus' beckoning look. The two professors gave polite nods before Septima headed to her quarters, and Severus made his way to the gates to apparate back to Spinner's End. He knew he would be getting a summons from Albus, and it would have been easier had he just stayed behind, but for the life of him he just didn't care.

He had just made it to the gates when he saw Potter's owl flying like it's life depended on it toward him.

Hedwig spotted the Potions Master and made a beeline to him, flapping around him in a flurry.

"Bloody Bird!" Severus growled. "If you don't cease your flapping I will use you in my potions and feed you to Potter!"

Hedwig settled immediately and gave him a harsh hoot before holding a claw out to him, the letter clenched tightly in her talons.

"Bird, I will not deliver this to the old man for you. Just as lazy as your master."

Hedwig hooted and bit his hand fiercely, again thrusting the letter out, dropping it, and flapped a few feet away, hooting nervously at the dark man.

Severus growled and glared at the letter. He was about to curse the owl when he noticed that the letter was written on Muggle paper.

Curiously, Severus bent down and retrieved the letter, eyeing it suspiciously before slowly unfolding it.

He knew immediately that it was not from Potter, the penmanship was far too delicate. He quickly read the short note, and felt the blood drain from his face. Hermione Granger was ill? Why was Potter's owl sending this to him?

"Did you see her?" He questioned the bird.

Hedwig hooted in affirmation, her wings flapping nervously again.

"I must tell Albus-"

Hedwig hooted loudly and flapped her wings angrily, flying around him in a tizzy.

Severus growled, "Why would I not tell the Headmaster you blasted bird?"

There was something compelling him to tell the Headmaster about the smartest of the golden trio that he didn't quite understand. However, what truly confounded him was the fear that washed over him when he had read the letter. What did he care if the girl was ill. With her gone, Potter would be helpless. Helpless against the Dark Lord...

Hedwig just hooted at him in response.

Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was doing that a lot today…

"Fine. I must retrieve potions from my home to assist her. Then you will show me where she is."

Hedwig hooted, her head bobbing in understanding.

"Spinner's End." Severus growled at the bird.

Hedwig didn't waste time, but shot into the air, flying as fast as she could to reach her destination.

Severus sighed before apparating away to his home and heading directly into his labs.

"Sev-"

"Quiet, I don't have time." Severus growled, ignoring his gobsmacked godson in favor of stalking over to his potions stores.

Severus knew it wasn't fair to take his anger out on his godson, but he couldn't help it at the moment. Severus stared at his potion's stores for a moment before reaching for the ones related to healing. Blood replenishers, blood detoxification, nutrition potions, pain relievers, salves, and stasis potions all were carefully packed into a leather satchel before he grabbed several healing herbs and put them in the bag as well.

Draco sighed and leaned against the wall closing his eyes. He knew him being there was taxing on his Godfather, and he hated to inconvenience him. If it was up to him, he wouldn't be staying with Severus, but nothing was ever up to him. Bloody war. Draco thought to himself in frustration. His mother had squirreled him away from the Dark Lord for now, but Draco knew it was only a matter of time before he was summoned. He was the Malfoy heir after all. Not that he wanted to kneel before the man, but he also didn't support the "Light Side." For the millionth time, Draco wished for a third party or something where he didn't have to bow to the views of one mad man or the other.

Draco opened his eyes pushed away from the wall, stirred his potion once more. It was in its final stages and he he needed to be attentive, but he raised a brow as he watched his Godfather fly around the room, gathering potions and salves, placing them in a black leather bag. Severus looked up and caught Draco staring.

"If you are going to stand there, you can make yourself of use. Begin brewing blood replenishers and nutrient potions. I don't know when I will return. Call Syl for your dinner. I will lock the floo and reinforce the wards."

Draco nodded in confusion at Severus's behavior, but knew not to question the man. "This batch of calming draught is about finished. I will start on those brews after its bottled, if that is acceptable."

Severus nodded absently and picked up the bag and headed for the door, leaving Draco to wonder what in the bloody hell was going on. He cast several complex spells at the floo before glancing at the window. He opened the latch and sighed. But he did not have to wait long as Potter's owl flew into the open window. She hooted at him before landing on the windowsill.

Severus retrieved several maps and laid them out on the table, his eyes never leaving the bird.

"Show me where she is." Severus commanded, watching as Hedwig moved the maps around with her claws before selecting one. Severus cleared the others away and laid the map flat for her.

Hedwig studied the map with sharp yellow eyes before piercing the map once with her claw.

Severus lifted the map and studied it. The location was actually not far from his own home, and he knew the area enough to apparate there.

"Meet me here." He demanded and Hedwig hooted before taking off once again.

Severus emerged a few seconds later at his desired destination and he looked around. It had been a long time since he had been to this part of Muggle London, but luckily he remembered it enough to apparate without getting splinched. Severus sighed and sat on a park bench, waiting for the far too intelligent owl of Potter's. Not that he would ever say as much, but he couldn't deny the snowy owl was something else.

Severus didn't have much time to think before Hedwig hooted and landed on the bench beside him.

Severus stood. "Well? Are you going to nap or can we get on with it?" He sneered.

Hedwig seemed to roll her eyes at the Potions Master before taking flight, circling Severus before flying slowly in the correct direction. Severus followed at a brisk pace, his long legs covering the distance quickly.

It was only ten minutes later that Severus found himself outside of the Granger residence. The house was simple, but tasteful. Severus didn't waste too much time and quickly strode to the door, rapping his knuckles against the door. Not a moment later the door was thrown open by a haggard, but handsome man.

"Yes?" Noah questioned the dark man at the door a bit nervously. He tall and had long black hair that hung about his face like a curtain. His clothing was all black, but impeccably neat. And despite the summer heat, he wore long sleeves.

"You are Mr. Granger?" Severus questioned.

Noah nodded. "Noah Granger." He introduced, extending his hand.

Severus raised a brow but took the hand anyway. "Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Noah's eyes widened before his shoulders sagged in relief. "Oh thank god. Please come in, sir. I didn't realize- I should have, Hermione talks about you enough. You're her favorite teacher." Noah rambled as he led the slightly stunned Severus into his home. He was Granger's favorite professor? He who never gave her the time of day? He who was nothing but rude to her? Severus tucked this information aside for further speculation. He didn't know why, -a theme of the day it seemed, but the thought of him being Granger's favorite made his want to smile. Severus followed Hermione's father up the stairs and to a plain white door. "Please sir...my baby...help her." Noah begged before pushing the door open.

Severus immediately went to his student's side and took in her physical symptoms. Her skin was sickly pale, and despite her shaking, a sheen of sweat covered her skin. Severus felt his stomach knot up looking at her, but forced himself to calm.

"Honey, this is Mr. Snape from Hermione's school. He is gonna help her."

Jean jumped up from her daughter's side. "Thank god. Anything you need-"

Severus cut her off. "What are her symptoms."

Jean began to wring her hands. "It started at the beginning of summer with just headaches, we thought it was stress...Hermione never tells us much about school, but we got a bad feeling when she came home...But then started to get dizzy with strong bouts of vertigo. We took her to a doctor when she stopped being able to keep food down. We thought it was the Flu, but she tested negative. The doctor said there was nothing wrong...he said it was probably anxiety. The medicine helped at first but," Jean's voice broke.

Noah took a step forward and wrapped an arm around his wife. "But then she just collapsed one day, and blood started to pour out of her nose and ears. We panicked. The doctors said it was the drugs. But she never got better. We knew it was Magical then, the problems, but we had no way of contacting anyone. For a week she has gotten worse. It's like her body is attacking itself." Noah finished.

Severus' gaze had never left Hermione's prone form. He knelt down by her bed and lifted his wand, casting a diagnostic charm.

"Has she regained consciousness since she collapsed?" Severus asked as he worked, uncorking potions as he went, coaxing them down her throat.

"She woke once, but she was delirious. She started crying, and shortly after passed out again." Jean answered.

"How often does she have nose bleeds?"

"Everyday. Not just from her nose, but mouth and ears and sometimes her tears are tinged red when she cries in her sleep. She shakes from cold, but her fever hasn't broken either."

Severus 'hmmed' and cast more spells, studying Hermione's magical core closely.

The Granger's watched the man work on their daughter for more than two hours before he cursed.

"What? What is it?" Jean asked frantically.

"Her magic is attacking itself. It's killing her." Severus said frankly as he uncorked more potions and coaxed Hermione to take them by massaging her neck.

"What does that mean? How could this happen?" Noah questioned, his voice full of desperation.

Severus turned to the Grangers. Trying to gauge how much they knew of the war. "Last term Ms. Granger alongside a group of her peers left Hogwarts and were attacked by Death Eaters. She was hit with a vicious curse of the man's own making. She healed from this curse, but there is something blocking her Magical core, something that seems to have been there for a long time...I believe the curse she was hit with should have killed her, but whatever is within her somehow mixed with the curse, and her body can't take the strain."

Noah and Jean stared at the man in horror. "What do you mean? How could she have left school? How does a child-" Jean choked back on a sob. Noah wrapped his arms around his wife.

"What could be within her?" He paused composing his thoughts and cleared his throat. "Something on her magic? That it has been there for a long time...what do you mean? Who would do that to her? And how could it have happened?"

Severus's eyes darkened in anger. "Whatever it is, it's like a sieve. Only a little of her magic is accessible. And for her to function like this for as long as she has demonstrates how powerful of a witch she is. As for how long...I will have to do more tests, but considering how interwoven it is, I would say from early in her childhood." Severus sighed. He wasn't good at this. Consoling people. He was desperate to study what was mixing with Hermione's magic. How could a muggleborn have this kind of problem? Who could do this and why? And while he was skilled in charms, he was not good enough to solve this alone.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, if whatever is mixing with her magic is not removed she will die." Severus informed them, trying to keep his voice even, but the statement affected him more than it should have. Since when did this child mean so much to him?

Noah closed his eyes to compose himself, tightening his arms around Jean. "How long?" He asked, proud that his voice didn't crack.

"Days at most." Severus responded.

"What do we need to do?" Jean questioned, trying hard to keep her tears at bay. Her daughter needed her, she wouldn't be weak.

"She will need to be moved to a safer location with wards that can stabilize her and stand when her magic gets erratic. I will need others to assist me, the magic is too complex to tackle alone."

Noah nodded, partially understanding. "Where? Her school? No offense, but I no longer trust my daughter there." He sneered.

Severus smirked, despite the situation. "None taken. If it is acceptable, I have the room, and required materials needed at my home to care for her."

He didn't know what was possessing him to do this. He should have gone to Albus...Now here he was, offering his home to the girl so that he could save her. Like some noble Gryffindor.

Severus watched Noah and his wife have a silent conversation before they turned to him.

"Please. Whatever you have to do...Please save her."

Severus nodded once. "Once she is stabilized, I will come back so that you may be with her."

Jean smiled a watery smile at him and Severus felt distinctly uncomfortable. "Thank you."

Severus nodded and collected his potions vials before gingerly picking Hermione up in his arms. He was stunned to feel how light she was, and he held her tightly to his chest.

He turned to the Grangers. "I will do everything I can." He promised. He didn't know why he did it, but he knew it was the truth. He would do everything in his power to save this witch. He just didn't understand why.

With those final words Severus apparated out of Hermione's bedroom and into his living room.

That was Chapter one. Let me know what you think.

Cheers.