A/N: Editing is not my forte. I apologize for the amount of errors in the last chapter. I cringed when I reread the chapter. I thought I edited thoroughly.

Also, the chapters get longer as time goes on... Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2:

Hours later Severus was tossing and turning but ultimately gave up his search for sleep. He was restless in this bed and remembered he was in the hospital wing and turned over. To his surprise he looked over to see Hermione sleeping in the chair. He looked over her face. She looked as tired as he was. Why is she still here? He thought. He got up slowly, trying to steady himself, and took a look around the infirmary. There was no one left but him. He slowly walked towards Poppy's door, gripping the door frame to remain standing. He looked over to her and cleared his throat. Startled, the medi-witch turned around with a look of fear and then switched to relief when she realized who it was.

"Severus, you're awake. You should be resting!" Poppy exclaimed.

"I have been sleeping for two months; I believe that is enough rest, don't you?" Severus replied.

Poppy looked at him questioningly.

"Poppy?" Severus began.

"Yes, Severus, she has been looking after you since we brought you back from the Shrieking Shack," replied Madam Pomfrey.

"Why is she still here?" asked Severus.

Poppy looked him over and simply said "Because she is stubborn, you should know that Severus."

Severus knew there was more but settled for Poppy's answer. Poppy then shoved a potion across her desk and Severus picked it up and swallowed. Dreamless sleep, my old friend, Severus thought before he heading back slowly to his cot. Lying back down, careful not to wake the sleeping witch, he fell back to sleep.

Waking up with a jolt, it took Hermione a minute or two to remember she had fallen asleep in the chair next to Severus' bed. She peered over at him and he was still asleep. She let out a sigh of relief before getting up. She crept over to the bathroom and shut the door. She looked in the mirror and cringed. She looked awful. She took her wand and mumbled a couple spells to tame her hair and clean her teeth. She left the bathroom feeling better than when she went in. She came out and Minerva was there to greet her.

"Good morning, Hermione," said the Scottish woman.

"Good morning, Pro—Minerva" replied Hermione.

"How's our boy this morning?"

Hermione raised her eyebrow then responded, "He's doing better, and he was awake for a bit last evening."

"Very good, he should be up and around in no time" declared Minerva.

Hermione didn't say anything to that. While she was thrilled that Severus was better, what would happen when he decided to leave? What would she do when he decided to leave? Hermione felt very conflicted.

Severus was awake and went to speak up to call for a house-elf; just then Hermione appeared around the corner with two trays,

"I thought we could eat breakfast together."

"Very well," Severus replied not caring who he ate with as long as he ate.

She sat down the trays and Severus flung his legs over the bed with a groan quickly grabbing a fork to begin eating.

"We'll do some walking today, to strengthen your legs," remarked Hermione.

He glanced up at her for a second and then resumed eating. Hermione began to eat as well. After a bit, Hermione looked up again and was going to ask a question but closed her mouth.

"Spit it out, witch!" called Severus who could feel her eyes watching him.

"You don't have to be nasty, I was only going to ask a question," Hermione retorted.

"Just one, Miss Granger," Severus smirked.

Hermione looked up once again to notice his smirk and the corners of her mouth turned a bit, "you know me to well, Professor."

Severus flinched. "Miss Granger, please call me Mr. Snape or just Snape. You are no longer my student and I am not even sure that I am still a professor. What is your question?"

"Well, I wanted to ask if you remembered much about that night" Hermione asked.

Severus raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment before saying anything. I know what she is referring to; I know my shields were down. What am I going to tell her? How she even learned to do that, I am not quite sure, but I know I did not teach her.

Hermione watched his face as he was pondering her question. He must realize his mask is not in place, I can pretty much read him!

Severus broke from his reverie and looked at Hermione. He decided to tell her the truth. "I know you performed legilimency on me just before I slipped out of consciousness," he said coolly, watching her expression. Surprise, guilt, relief, and what was that last one, he thought, a bit frustration perhaps?

"I'm sorry-"

Severus cut her off "it is fine, you do not have to apologize."

She looked at him, waiting.

"I know you have questions, but I am not sure I have the answers you wish," Severus began, "I wish I could tell you that I was lying and I do not feel that way. I know what you must think of me. I know what kind of man I am…" he trailed off.

"Snape, you are a hero!" Hermione quickly interjected.

"I am no hero, Miss Granger. Potter, he is your hero. I am but a tortured man who did what he did out of selfishness; for my needs," he replied.

She looked at him contemplating what she said next.

He spoke first, "why are you still here?"

She quickly looked down, her hair covering her eyes and looked down at her hands, her cheeks flushing. "I am not sure, sir, maybe out of guilt for how we treated you," Hermione continued, "I felt like I had to make sure you were okay, that you would fully recover."

"But why, you owe me nothing," Severus replied dismissively.

Hermione knew he was wrong, she felt like she owed him her life, if not more. She and her friends and family are alive because of him. Sure we lost some in the battle, but that is what wars are, we can't expect to come out completely unscathed.

"Sir, I know that you say that, but I feel differently, I can't explain it. But... you can look... if you want," Hermione looked at him from under her untamed hair, "it's only fair for using it on you, especially, when you were near death."

He looked at her for a second and considered her invitation for a moment. Do I really want to know what this witch is thinking? What if it is something I do not wish to know? I don't know if I can handle another rejection. Sure, he no longer loved Lily; in fact it had been a long time since he felt love for the witch that denied him all those years ago. He actually felt free, if this is what freedom felt like? He wanted to accept her invitation but now was not the time.

He looked at her once more, "I'd like to but I would prefer to rest at the moment."

She smiled warmly and left him to sleep. She picked up the trays and decided to walk down to the kitchens instead of just banish them. She felt like she needed the walk; to be alone and to think.

A/N: I just wanted to make the usual disclaimer that I do not own HP or its characters etc. Rowling does...