Harry sat in utter disbelief before Hermione. Hermione had just finished telling him that not only was she Snape's lab assistant, but that she and Snape were…involved? He shuddered inwardly. How had that happened? He decided he'd rather not ask for details. Hermione seemed as if she needed to say something else, though, and he gestured for her to continue.

He watched as she took a shaky breath. "Draco Malfoy found out. He must have been following us somehow. He threatened Severus, blackmailed him. And he threatened me. Severus told me about Draco's plan if he didn't do as he was told, and as punishment, Draco attacked me." Harry's jaw hit the floor.

"I hope you clocked him one!" Harry remembered fondly when Hermione had smacked him in their Third Year. At the look on Hermione's face, though, Harry's heart sank. "Hermione, when you say he attacked you…?"

Hermione bit her lip. "He r-raped me." Harry saw tears flood her eyes. He felt the bile rise in his throat.

"I'll kill him," he said, standing abruptly. Hermione held her hands out, trying to calm him.

"Harry, stop. Please sit." After a moment's debate he did so, holding her hand. "Harry, I told you these things because I couldn't stand keeping the secret anymore, but also because I need your help." Harry nodded.

"Anything."

Hermione closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "First, you can't tell anybody what I've told you - not even Ronald." Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione shot him a look that shut him up quickly. "Second, you can't confront Draco. Not until Severus and I have come forward with our relationship." Harry's stomach soured at that thought.

She's a grown woman, she can make her own decisions, Harry's inner voice spoke. The child inside him wanted to scream at her, shame her for this choice, but the person he had become knew that he didn't want to lose her because of his bias. Snape was a hero, and they were on good terms. Because he cared about Hermione, Harry would support her.

Harry stood, pulling Hermione up with him. He wrapped her in a tight hug and pressed a kiss to her head. "What am I gonna do with you?" he sighed. "How much longer are you here for?" he asked, releasing her as they sat back down.

"Eight more days."

Harry nodded. "And how are you doing, after…" He paused, not wanting to say the words. Hermione gave him a small smile.

"Honestly? It's been helpful to be away. I've been able to think and sort through my emotions and not have to worry about anything." Hermione paused, trying to find the right words. "It's given me an amazing perspective. What I've been through isn't easy, and it's still very hard to cope with, but I'm getting better."

They talked for a while about Harry's job, the upcoming wedding, Harry's search for a house to surprise Ginny. Harry explained that the money his parents had left him combined with the fortune he'd inherited from Sirius (after the war, Harry had proven Sirius innocent; the Black family fortune had become part of his 'estate' as the last Black) would provide them with a lovely home in the country.

At around midnight, the security witch behind the counter came over to them. "Right miss, sir - visiting hours are over. Miss, it's lights out." Harry and Hermione stood and embraced, then went their separate ways.

Hermione crawled into her bed, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Hugging the niffler to her chest and rolling onto her side, she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

—

Snape,

Hermione told me about your relationship. It's difficult to understand, and it's a tough pill to swallow, but I love her. She's my best friend. I will support her - within reason.

That said, she also told me what happened. I won't tell anyone about you, and I won't confront Draco. Yet. I assume this is the real reason you wanted to speak with Lucius Malfoy.

If Lucius Malfoy's release or home confinement will ensure Draco doesn't expose you or hurt Hermione again, I will see what I can do. I'll need to know what he said to you at Azkaban.

Once we can deal with Draco, he'll wish he'd never so much as looked at Hermione. I promise you that much.

-Harry

Severus read the letter again. She told him. Severus was surprised. He knew how afraid Hermione had been of alienating her friends with news of their relationship. He was proud of her for her courage. A Gryffindor to the core.

He folded the letter and placed it under his plate. Professor Maxwell, the new Muggle Studies teacher, struck up a conversation with him about the ongoing struggle between America and Iraq. "You know, it's a wonder the magical communities can stay so separate in these types of situations. I mean, I know the International Statute means we can't reveal ourselves, but you'd think we'd have found a legal way to prevent the Muggles from trying to kill each other on a large scale like this. Wars happen, but the weapons the Muggles have developed…"

Severus nodded, not really listening. He'd had enough talk of war to last him a lifetime. He quietly ate his kippers and toast, sipping black coffee and waiting for the bell to sound.

After his final class of the day, Severus waited in the Potions Lab for Ginevra. She was already 10 minutes late. He sighed, beginning to brew the hospital wing's fresh stock of potions. After another few minutes, he heard Ginny's feet pounding down the corridor. She burst into the room, breathless. "17 minutes late today, Miss Weasley," he stated, not looking up from the cauldron.

"I'm sorry, Professor. Quidditch practice ran late," she said, holding a stitch in her side. She moved over to the table, taking the utility knife he held out to her.

"That excuse would hold more water if you were not the captain." Ginny rolled her eyes, beginning to chop the dittany he'd placed in front of her. Severus chuckled lightly to himself. They worked mostly in silence, only speaking when Ginny needed additional instruction or clarification, or when Severus requested something of her.

"Harry told me he went to see Hermione," Ginny said suddenly. Severus' hand hitched, momentarily, before he cleared his throat.

"Yes," he confirmed. "Yes, he sent me a letter stating that he had. She told him about us."

Ginny hummed. After a few more moments of silence, she said, "He must have been under the impression I knew why she was in the hospital." This stopped Severus entirely. He looked up at her to see her staring at him. "Why is Malfoy still walking the halls? A monster like him deserves to be thrown into the deepest pit in the Forbidden Forest."

Severus sighed, closing his eyes. "I cannot retaliate against him at the moment…because he knows." He opened his eyes again. "And he plans to release the information and ruin Hermione's reputation if I don't do as he's asked. Her assault was to exert control over me." Ginny's hand covered her mouth. "Nobody else can know," he stated. "The current story is that she's had a fit of exhaustion and was sent to recover from that."

Ginny nodded, swiping at her eyes. Checking her watch, she said, "I've got to go, but…thank you for taking care of her. And," she paused, searching for words. "You're not so bad, you know? When you aren't trying to push people away." She gave him a small smile before turning on her heel. Severus hadn't had time to formulate a response before she was gone.