A/N: Sorry for the delay. I actually have this written on paper but I haven't had the time to transfer it here. I am working on the rest of the story. I promise it will get good!

Chapter 7: The Nightmare

Hermione Granger has faced many scary events in her 7 years at Hogwarts. In her first year, she faced a Troll in the girl's washroom on Halloween. Thankfully, Harry and Ron were there to save her from a surely terrible fate. In second year, she was turned into a piece of driftwood, for a better use of the term. She's faced O.W.Ls, Werewolves, Lord Voldemort and even an irate Professor Snape after one of Longbottom's infamous potion screw-ups. These events, however, are in no comparison to how she was feeling right now.

Huddled in a mass near the back entrance of the Hog's Head Pub, she thought for certain that every single Death Eater she has ever come across was surrounding her. In reality, she knew that they were either in Azkaban, dead or for the case of Severus Snape, acquitted of all crimes. These individuals that Hermione now faced were worse than reality. It looked as though every curse hit their body, leaving them grotesquely similar to a very cheesy zombie movie. (bad description but the point is: very scary)

As the Death 'Zombies' came closer to her, a sudden movement blurred her vision. A large black mass came flying at her, dispersing all the images in a cloud of smoke.

All she could do was scream in terror.

Severus, using the Marauder's Map was able to determine that Miss Granger was not on Hogwart's grounds now was her magical signature detected in the Forbidden Forest. A quick deduction let Snape to the only place left were she could have possibly wandered: Hogsmeade.

Searching frantically, the professor spied shoeless foot prints along muddy puddles along an indirect path around the town. From place to place to place, Snape searched around doorways and alleys to find the girl. "This witch clearly needs to learn some navigational skills," thought Snape as he check the entrance to Honeydukes. Spying footprints that seem to lead up to Hogs Head, Snape spotted her huddled against the door covered in mud and leaves. Fear and panic emanated from her.

He has seen Miss Granger in the battle against the Dark Lord and as much as he would ever admit to another soul, she fought with bravery and hope. Seeing her, however in this state, was almost too much for him to take.

Knowing she still possessed a high fever and at full gait, Snape came towards Hermione with a potion in his hand that he grabbed from Pomfrey's stores before he left. Coming towards her, Hermione focused her eyes on him before letting out an ear-piercing scream as if he were the Dark Lord himself. Casting a silencing charm on her, Snape kneeled and took a hold of her jaw and poured the contents of the potion down her throat.

The effects were immediate. Although she still looked like she was death's door, her eyes became cleared and more focused. It was like she was staring at him for the first time, blinking several times and slowing realizing where she was and how close her professor was to her frozen body. "Why am I in a nightgown outside," thought Hermione, hugging her arms closer to her legs.

After staring at each other for several seconds, Professor Snape cleared his throat: "Miss Granger, if I take off this silencing charm, will you promise to never scream at such high decibels ever again?"

Nodding shakily, Hermione felt the coolness in her throat dissipate as the spell was released. Standing up first, Severus offered a hand to Hermione. Taking his grasp, she stood up and within trying to take a couple steps she felt her knees give away and experienced not for the first time that day, a range of weakness creep throughout her body.

Peering at a concerned looking Snape, Hermione glanced down at her feet.

The darkness then took over.