Okay, sorry for the slow update guys. I left the last chapter on a cliff hanger, but you guys are about to find out if she tells Severus Snape the truth. Some of this chapter is going to be from Severus' viewpoint (from the start it is); I hope I can do the character justice. Please review – let me know what you think? =)
Chapter six – Just Like You?
Severus looked at Hermione as the suspense began to build them, would she tell him who exactly had started to bully her; just because she was Muggle-born. He may have been a Death Eater himself but he had no problem with Half-bloods of Muggles in the Wizording world; after all, Severus was a Half-blood. Finally Hermione opened her mouth to speak.
"No... No," She whispered the added. "I am sorry I cannot tell you Severus," her words began to echo through Severus, he was uncertain if he had heard her right. His thoughts were now plagued with what the girl had been through; it began to remind him of how the Marauders had humiliated him at her age. He knew exactly how Hermione was feeling; he was beginning to convince himself he would do anything to protect her. She deserved to not have her life ruined by some arsehole that thinks he is 'Top Dog', Hermione was a very clever girl.
Severus began to think of who hated Muggles enough to do this... 'But would he be capable of this?' Severus began to question in his mind. He felt angry, if his suspicions where true the little bugger what not see daylight again. He just needed Hermione to confirm his thoughts. Severus really did not like the thought of Miss. Granger in pain, he had already seen enough that day when he found her sprawled out and near unconscious. 'I must do something to at least help her,' Severus thought to himself.
"Well, Miss. Granger if you will not confess who has been doing this to you – then there is only so much I can do for you; it is a simple thing but it will help" Severus spoke dryly, it was becoming very warm in this Inn and Severus could feel the heat radiating on him. He lifted his hand to undo a few buttons that were around his neck. He opened the shirt collar a little to cool down, he then decided to roll his left sleeve up; without a second thought Severus did not realise he was showing the rather deep scars of the former wounds he inflicted on himself. He had only been a young vulnerable teenager when he had done them; he was crying out for help and never received it. Hermione's eyes gazed over his arm, the horror light up in her eyes as she saw the scars. She was close to tears which was clear to see; her heart leaped with sorrow. 'Severus Snape, really must have had no one to turn to' Hermione thought, Severus' eyes caught were Hermione was looking after a few moments, he responded by moving his arm under the table. He did not want Miss. Granger to start questioning over the scars; he had many of them. Severus decided to speak.
"The one thing I can do for you Hermione is to teach you Defence spells; I can also teach you to control your fear through Occlumency. I tried to teach Potter it but he was to stubborn to learn," Severus said dryly, he then took a swig of the brown liquid that lay in his glass. Hermione gave him a small smile.
"Well, you know what Harry is like," She laughed then added. "I would appreciate that Severus if I planned to stay at Hogwarts; but I do not..." Hermione confessed.
Severus looked at her quizzically, "Is this really the Hermione Granger I know? The annoying know-it-all that is as sharp as a tack that never stops bloody questioning on everything? Miss. Granger you have worked to damn hard to give up now. I will not allow you to go anywhere, and if think I will stand and allow you to throw it all away because of some idiot trying to scare you I will not. I will set Umbridge on you before you walk through those gates," Severus smirked but he was not joking. Hermione did not dare to argue with him she nodded. "Okay Severus, if it is going to be that way," Hermione answered.
"Right then, Defensive lessons start tomorrow Miss. Granger," Severus ordered, he would not take no for an answer. Severus was conjuring a plan in his mind, to get Hermione to trust him enough to tell him the truth of who was behind these attacks. Hermione simply smiled at Severus before finishing the last of her drink.
"Yes, I understand Severus," Hermione answered her voice a whisper; she could not help but bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. Severus simply shook his head and finished what was in his glass, Severus stood on his feet heading over to the front desk; Hermione watched quizzically, she saw Severus' stony expression, his sharp dry tone when he spoke. He pulled out some coins passing them to the innkeeper, she could not make out what had been said between them, but Severus walked back over to the dark cornered area where Hermione sat at the table.
"Right Miss. Granger, I think you need a little time away from Hogwarts – so you can gather your thoughts properly, tonight you stay here." Severus informed her. "I have booked two rooms in the Inn, not leaving you here on your own, here is you key," Severus passed Hermione a silver key with a tag saying 'Room eight'. Hermione was clearly confused, she understood Severus' intentions – she was not stupid. She did need thinking space and, a night away from Hogwarts would give her that. In silence Hermione climbed the stairs following Severus, the upstairs in the Inn was surprisingly large; it was a little shabby looking though. Severus was located to the room next door to Hermione's. "Miss. Granger I will expect you up, dressed and downstairs by seven; we need to get back to Hogwarts by then," His words were flat, his face stone like, as usual.
"Yes sir, "She responded. They both finally departed into their rooms. Severus twisted the handle entering the room, there was a small fire place on the far wall, there was also a small sized double bed taking up most of the space in the room. A few draws and a lamp; there was noting more to the room really. Severus shrugged himself out of most of his clothes and clambered into the bed – he was tired out. Knowing he would not sleep much he curled up against the pillow and simply rested his eyes.
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Meanwhile, as Hermione had just entered her room she realised she still had Severus'...no Professor Snape's black robe around her shoulders; she smiled a half smile before placing it on the double bed's cream sheets. She knew tonight there she would barely sleep; she had to consider whether she was going to stop studying at Hogwarts. Hermione undid the buttons on her school shirt then shrugged out of it placing it by the fire so it could dry off; it had got wet from the snow. Quickly changing out of the rest of her clothes, she stood in her underwear; she would have to sleep in just this tonight with not having pyjamas with her. Sighing she climbed on the bed laying her head flat against the pillows, grabbing Severus' robe she cuddled up to it; as she desired some sort of comfort. Her thoughts began flooding into her mind again. Did she want to leave Hogwarts really? Just because of a stupid egotistical boy from Slytherin, who thought it was okay to bully her – just because she was a Muggle-born. Severus had been right when he said: 'Miss. Granger you have worked to damn hard to give up now'. Why would she through all her hard work away just because of Draco Malfoy; no she was not going to let him. She decided the best thing to do was listen to Snape's advice; have Defence lessons and Occlumency lessons from him. 'Time to have that Gryffindor courage – and fight back' Hermione thought to herself with a small smile.