AN: Thank you all so much for the support! It is very deeply appreciated!

It was a mistake to accept this job.

She fled the mansion, unsure of where to go. In theory she should collect her belongings, but there was no time. She needed to be away from Severus and his scowling, snarling, sneering attitude. Hermione had had enough of his sardonic tongue during her school years. She didn't need to endure it as an adult.

Why had she ever believed he could change? He was still able to cut her down with one words, reduce her to tears with one expression, all with a smile on his face. She'd had difficult patients, but none enjoyed her pain as much as Severus Snape did.

Why had she ever thought he was worth her help?

A tear escaped her eye as she ran further from the mansion. It was foolish of her to want to leave her old life. Her job had been fulfilling. People cared for her back home. Even Terry could be tolerable under the right circumstances, at least more tolerable than Severus ever was. Why had she been so willing to throw all that away for a surly man?

The chilled air burned her lungs as she breathed deeper, her lungs screaming for oxygen. Although she was able to go a few more meters, her body pleaded for rest. Tears in her eyes, she pulled out the coin to summon the Malfoys and prepared to put her finger upon it.

The howling of a werewolf filled the air.

Hermione's eyes grew as she took note of the full moon. Nobody had mentioned werewolves in the area, though it shouldn't have surprised her. This mansion was enchanted. How could she not prepare herself for magical beings?

Could she ask the Malfoys to meet her here when there were werewolves so close? Should she attempt to return to the mansion and face Severus' wrath, or could she make it into town unscathed? If she could reach her wand she could fight them off.

The howling grew closer.

Deciding to stand her ground, she reached for her wand. Her eyes grew as it dawned upon her that it was still at the mansion. Somewhere between the mansion and her present position, it had fallen from her pocket. She knew she should've secured it more tightly, but she didn't think she'd need it until now.

The howls were now growls.

Hermione looked ahead. Three werewolves glowered at her, their eyes red as blood, their mangy fur black as a moonless night. Unlike Remus, there was no rationality in their eyes, no hint of any kindness. They were feral, and hungry. Very, very hungry.

She took a deep breath as she backed away. They may be threatened by her. If she left their territory they may be satisfied and leave her be. If they saw she didn't want to fight, they may decide attacking her wouldn't be worth their potential meal.

One licked its lips. Then, it released a bone chilling howl before charging at her.

Hermione couldn't stop the scream which came from her mouth. She raced back to the mansion, cursing herself for ever wanting to go on an adventure and take work at an exotic place. What was she thinking? There was no place like home. Why hadn't she learned that lesson?

Her first thought was she should have watched where she was running. If she had, she wouldn't have fallen over a raised tree root. Her second thought was that she hoped the werewolves would stop at merely turning her. Perhaps all they wanted was to add to their numbers, and once they'd accomplished that task they would leave her alone.

Her third thought was that the world was bright.

The werewolves yelped as they were thrown away from her. She trembled before looking up.

A man stood beside her, panting, yet standing defiant with a wand in his hand.

"Severus?" Hermione gulped.

"Run," he panted.

"What?"

"I said run!" He yelled before the wolves came charging for him.

Hermione stood, her heart pounding against his chest.

"Septumsempra," Severus cried as he raised his wand.

One of the wolves let out a screech before stopping dead in its tracks, its leg slice and bleeding. A second wolf paused to take note of their injured comrade. With the blast of the wand, it was thrown against a tree.

The third werewolf charged for Severus, its mouth open for the kill. With a defiant smirk, Severus shouted over his panting, "Septumsempra!"

The werewolf shrieked as its back began to bleed. With a whimper, it fled, its two companions limping behind it.

"Severus?" She asked in a soft voice.

"You chit," he growled between pants. "I told you to run."

"I...I didn't know you'd follow me."

"I almost didn't," he admitted.

"I...I'm sorry. I never should been in the West Wing and violated your boundaries. I'm sorry I put you in this position."

He kept eyes on her, searching for any trace of deception. "I think you're the only person to ever apologize to me."

With one last gasp, he collapsed onto a fallen branch.

Hermione cried out his name again. He did not respond. Her throat constricted as she approached him. She put her finger to his neck, only to feel his erratic pulse. He shuddered under her touch. Whether it was from his sweat or the cold was unclear.

She shook him, but he did not stir. Her stomach churned at the thought that he may have died saving her. She had done the one thing he asked her not to do, ran out without discussing anything with him, and had put him in danger. The Malfoys had hired her to save him, and she repaid them by putting herself in a situation where Severus may have sacrificed himself to save her. What the hell kind of healer ran away from her patient and put him in harm's way the way she did?

His body spasmed as he gasped for breath again. A look of determination overtook Hermione's face as she touched the coin. This was no time for regrets or self-pity. She got him into this mess, and she was going to do everything in her power to make sure he survived.

She picked Severus up as best she was able. Then, she touched the coin, and hoped the Malfoys came sooner rather than later. If she was lucky, she could drag Severus halfway to the mansion. From there, she'd need the Malfoys' help.

They decided to place Severus in Hermione's room, not his. The last thing Hermione needed was for Severus to awaken and think she still wasn't respecting his boundaries. Besides, her room was free from any wreckage. It would be easier to monitor him here as well.

"I need a heart slowing potion and a heart speeding potion," Hermione ordered as Lucius placed him onto the bed.

"Why do you need both?" Ginny asked.

"Because when I bring his heart rate down, his heart rate may become too slow. If that happens, it may speed up again to compensate, leading us back to where we are now," Hermione explained. "I'm going to try and administer these potions just right so we get back to his regular heart rate of 72 beats per minute. With any luck, we'll keep it consistent."

"That makes sense." Ginny disapparated to pick up the medication.

"Lucius," she looked at the long haired blond. "We need to get him out of these wet, bloodied clothes. It started snowing when we left, so he runs the risk of hypothermia. If you and Draco can find some comfortable nightclothes for him and dress him in those I would be appreciative," Hermione continued.

"I know where to find his favorite nightshirt." Draco began before rushing off.

"Narcissa," She looked at her. "We're going to need to hydrate him. Please find some hydration potions, preferably with electrolytes."

"We have some in our kitchen."

"Good. There's a way to open his throat and give him hydration without choking or drowning him. I'll use that for the medicine."

"Okay." She left for the kitchen.

Hermione took a deep, cleansing breath. After releasing her excess tension, she looked at Severus. She was going to make this right. Somehow, she would save him, even if it would only lead to more insults.

"Hermione?"

"Severus?" She rushed over to him.

"Are you here?" He croaked.

"I am," she stood over him. "How do you feel?"

"My heart is going to fast," he groaned. "It's too fast."

"I know it is, and I'm sorry. We're going to solve your arrhythmia soon, and get you some fresh clothes. You'll be good as new once we're done."

"Why?"

"You exerted yourself performing magic.."

"No, why did you save me?" He croaked.

She put a hand on his forehead. "Because I care for you."

"No, no you can't care for me."

"But I do," her breath faltered as the guilt steeped through her professional facade. "I care deeply if you live or die."

"You shouldn't. Nobody will ever love a git such as me."

"Love?" She asked.

Severus; eyes closed again.

"Love?" Hermione called. "What do you mean love?"

There was no answer.

Pop!

"I got as many of the heart related potions as I could find. I hope they're enough," Ginny began.

"I'll make sure they're enough," Hermione answered before turning to Severus. "I haven't lost a patient yet, and Severus isn't going to be my first."

With that, Hermione went about saving Severus' life, determined that once he awakened, he would know people cared for him.