laragirl007: I see what you are saying about him "being too familiar" when Lucius calls her Hermione. He is being sarcastic when he calls her Hermione, saying her name as almost an insult. He also feels that he has power over her, using her real name. Thank you so much for reviewing!
It had been over a week since Hermione had been rescued from the Malfoy Manor and she still hadn't woken up. Madam Pomfrey was working her hardest, feeding the girl every potion imaginable to insure that she would wake from her coma. She claimed Hermione was getting better, at least her heartbeat had regulated. Madame Pomfrey had healed all of her cuts and bruises but her scars remained and she said it was only a matter of days before Hermione would wake.
Severus had only left her side to bathe and eat, but even that was rare. Most times, he ate his meals at her side. Constantly bombarding Madame Pomfrey with questions on her condition. Madame Pomfrey had finally been fed up and told him he would either shut up asking questions or leave. That it was an infirmary and she needed the peace and quiet to tend to Hermione and her other constant stream of students with the usual cuts and bruises. Severus had not accepted this quietly but none the less, he agreed.
Currently, Lucius Malfoy and Draco and been attained. Lucius was awaiting trial in Azkaban. Draco was kept in a separate cell away from the dementors awaiting trail also. Apparently this was so because they didn't know for sure if he took part in the abduction and habitual raping of Hermione. Dumbledore had heard from the Ministry and told Severus that whenever anyone tried to ask questions about Hermione to Draco, his eyes would just go all glassy and his face would take on a haunted look. The only thing he would say was "I tried to stop it, I tried. But father made me watch, he made me watch the whole filthy thing, and then he made me do it. He said if I ever told anyone he would kill her."
Snape didn't know how he felt about this. He wanted to believe that Draco was innocent and it was all Lucius but he just didn't know. He couldn't see now any offspring of Lucius could have any good in them, and he had seen over the numerous years how cruel Draco and been to Hermione. Severus grimaced as he remembered his own cruelty to her. He hadn't meant it, it was more of a means to try and hide his true feelings. He almost felt angry at her for making him love her. He channeled his anger towards her, for being so charming, intelligent captivating, and for enslaving his heard. Damn her, he used to think, when he would wake up at night after a vivid dream of Hermione. In his dreams was the only time he could truly be free, the only time he allowed his mind to wonder to the obscure forbidden corners of his imagination. Where he was allowed to love Hermione and she was allowed to love him back.
Severus sighed at the memories and looked at Hermione's peaceful face. She looked so beautiful and angelic. Her face was almost translucently pale, her red lips standing out vividly against her white skin. Her honey brown hair flowed out from her heart shaped face like ribbons on the crisp white sheets, curling in tendrils around her neck. She was flawless to him, the epitome of perfection. Lying there in front of him, he wanted her so badly he could almost taste her. Oh, how often he had wondered how those plump lips would taste, and how her unruly hair would smell. He longed to lean down and just breathe in her scent, a breath of life to his long dead soul. She captured him in a way no one else had, or ever would.
School had already started back two days ago. It had been all over the papers, how Hermione had been found. Her parents had been to visit her, weeping in joy over her, but at the same time fear shining in their eyes at the fact that she had not woken up. And of course, Potty and Weasel had been to visit, aggravating Severus with their presence. They had both shot glares at Severus, questions in their eyes. He supposed they wondered why he was there. Why he cared. Severus of course, couldn't care less about their questions or what they thought. To be honest, many people were starting to wonder about Severus' constant attention to Hermione. Even Dumbledore. He had actually had someone else take over his potions classes, much to the gratitude of the many students.
Dumbledore came by that afternoon. "Still here I see Severus?" said Dumbledore. Severus gave no indication that he had heard Dumbledore. Dumbledore sighed "You need rest Severus, you are wearing yourself out. It will not help Hermione if you drop dead of exhaustion."
"I am fine Headmaster." Said Snape shortly.
Dumbledore sighed again and said "Very well Severus, but do try and take better care of yourself."
Dumbledore of course knew exactly why Severus wouldn't leave Hermione's side. He could see it in his eyes, just how much Severus cared for Hermione. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at the thought of the Severus having a soft side. Ah love, he though. It has no bounds.
Back in the hospital wing Severus was staring avidly at Hermione's face. He could have sworn he saw her eyelids flutter. But it may have just been a trick of the light, or his own desperate need for her to wake playing tricks with his mind.
He looked away in disappointment and next moment heard a scream of terror come from Hermione. She was staring at Severus as though he were a monster; she screamed and screamed scrabbling away from him to the edge of the bed. She clutched the hospital sheet around her as if to protect herself. She was looking at him like she didn't know him, a dead look in her haunted eyes.
"Hermione, its okay." He said softly. "I won't hurt you. I am Severus Snape, your potions professor. You are at the infirmary at Hogwarts. You were rescued from Lucius'….
Hermione screamed again at the sound of his name, a wild desperate look in her eyes.
Severus jumped up and wrapped his arms around her, she struggled and struggled but he kept whispering "You are safe, you are safe, you are safe." She finally calmed down and just whimpered clutching herself.
Severus gently released her and looked at her sadly. He was so relieved she was awake. He had never expected her to react this way though, it was as if all logic had left her. She was beyond fear, beyond consoling.
She then looked at him tears welling in her eyes and said "I'm not there anymore?"
Severus said kindly "No, no Hermione darling. You don't need to ever be afraid again, I will always keep you safe. He will never come back for you. He is in Azkaban."
"Azkaban.." She whispered softly. "So, he isn't here?"
"No he is not here, and he will never come here. Not as long as I am here to protect you." Said Severus.
Hermione nodded numbly.
"I am going to call Madame Pomfrey to come look at you." Said Severus. "She needs to make sure you are alright."
Hermione didn't make any move that she had taken in what he had said, she looked blank.
Severus left and was back within two minutes having flat out ran to find Madame Pomfrey. He quickly explained about Hermione and they both hastened to reach her.
Madame Pomfrey's face showed intense sadness and she gazed upon Hermione, whimpering, with her knees drawn up to her chest. Madame Pomfrey came over and gently touched the girls shoulder.
Hermione's whole body flinched and she shrank back from her touch muttering "Please don't touch me.."
Madame Pomfrey shook her head and told Severus to watch her, she then went to the store cabinets and came back a with a beaker full of a smoking purple solution. She whispered to Severus that it was a calming draught and would allow her to relax.
"Here darling drink this. It will only help you relax, I know you have been through a terrible ordeal."
Hermione took the beaker with trembling hands and weakly sipped at it. When she had finished the potion, she did seem much more relaxed. She sank back onto her pillow and her face took on a glassy look.
"We have to get her some food" Said Madame Pomfrey. "She is terribly underweight." She turned to Hermione and asked "Is there anything you would like to eat dear."
Hermione just shrugged indifferently.
Severus decided he would go get her something anyways. He made his way down to the kitchens and came back with mashed potatoes, broccoli, grilled chicken, pumpkin juice and some treacle tart for dessert. He hadn't had any idea what Hermione liked but he had tried.
He came back to the hospital wing and handed Hermione her food.
"Thanks" She said indifferently. He could tell the potion had taken effect, it had given her a sleepy drugged appearance.
Hermione ate her food without complaint, not commenting on whether she liked it or not. Madame Pomfrey then given her a sleeping draught to give her a dreamless sleep, she didn't want her having any horrific nightmares about her ordeal. Hermione drifted to sleep within seconds.
"Well, I am glad to see she is better." Said Madame Pomfrey. "Although very scarred as you can tell. I don't believe it would be safe for her to return to her dormitories, I don't think she is ready for that kind of contact with the students. But I don't think its right to keep her here either, this place isn't meant for keeping people for long periods of time."
"Hmm.." Severus thought contemplatively. He didn't want to voice what he was thinking, but he gave it a shot. "Well, I was thinking she might be able to room in my dungeons, I have a spare bedroom and she will be given the peace and quiet she needs to recover. I have someone taking over my potions classes so I will be able to attend to her. I agree that it would be best to keep her away from all the other students for now."
Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened a bit and she said "Well…I hadn't thought of that, but I agree that might be idea. Hmm..We shall have to speak to Dumbledore about this.
Later that evening Severus and Madame Pomfrey went up to Dumbledore's office to discuss Mrs. Granger's housing arrangements. Severus quickly explained his idea to Dumbledore and was puzzled as to why Dumbledore seemed so amused. The old man had that blasted twinkle back in his bright blue eyes.
"Well Severus I see no problem with that idea." Said Dumbledore. "Your dungeons seem an ideal place for her to recover in peace and quiet; she can have all the time she needs.
Madame Pomfrey seemed a little surprised that Dumbledore had agreed so readily, but then again, Dumbledore always surprised her.
Severus was a bit anxious as to how Hermione would react to staying with him, but then again, that would have to wait until morning. He looked upon her peacefully sleeping face, marveling at how she had taken on the appearance of an angel again.
Author's Notes: Please review. Even if its bad!