Minerva had gone to bed a little after midnight and Hermione stayed behind, too awake from the tale to even think of falling asleep.

"Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you know?" Hermione wondered aloud. She reached forward from the chair and grasped his hand delicately within her own grasp. Thoughts ran though her mind and before anyone knew it she had fallen asleep in her chair, slumped forward with her head resting on the bed next to their joined hands. Her dreams were filled with ones of terror and a dark compassionate knight and shining armor, flying to the rescue.

Severus on the other hand, could feel the chokehold of fear that seemed to tighten his chest. He woke with a start, squinting at the bright light that assaulted his sight until he could focus better. He tensed immediately, trying to remember where he was when his last memories flooded back into his mind. He remembered being summoned, being tortured and then the last thing was apparating back to the Granger's home. He relaxed when he noticed that he was safe in the guest room and closed his eyes to rest some more. He heard a soft sigh to the right and felt his hand being squeezed. He whipped his head to the side instantly noticing a hand holding on to his and a face with a bushy mane attached to it.

"Hermione?" a sigh answered him and he continued to look at her through narrowed eyes. She was snoring lightly with her head resting on the side of the bed next to him. He was slightly taken aback that someone, let alone her, was holding his hand and had fallen asleep at his side. No one did such things for Severus Snape. The corners of his lips lifted and he took the moment to give in to such an unrealistic thing that was happening to him. He truly believed he was dreaming.

He officially went insane. He must have, because a sane Severus would not have turned on his side towards her, nor would he still be grasping her hand and continue to watch her sleep. Yet, he did. He couldn't help himself. He didn't want to admit it, not even to himself, but if this was a dream then he could not be held against it. She was lovely. More than Lily ever was and he really had no clue what to make of it. He lay there, watching her sleep, admiring the way long and full eyelashes seemed to fan and brush the edge of her cheek, the perfect arch her dark brows held. The way she looked so beautiful and worry free while asleep. He memorized every shape, turn and curve of her lovely face; the sight of such a creature enraptured him so much that he did not hear the door open behind him. He heard a creaking on the floorboard and quickly shut his eyes, feigning sleep.

He must have not had to feign hard, for the next time he opened his eyes he found his hand empty and no sign of the brunette ever resting next to him. He frowned at the loss of contact, but quickly shook the disappointment from his mind. Such things were frivolous and a nuisance to a person in his line of work. Shifting to his back, he let out a deep groan as his eyes blinked a few times, ridding it of the sands of sleep when he heard movement.

"Severus?" It was Minerva and he relaxed his tense posture.

"Get me Albus, right away."

"Yes." And Minerva disappeared without another word.

"What do you mean, Severus?"

"The Dark Lord wants her, Albus. I cocked up, I couldn't give him a valid excuse for my absence from the school and now he wants her to be turned. He wants me to brainwash her to his side! I am at a loss, I have failed yet again, Albus."

"You have NOT, failed again. Severus you are way to hard on yourself and this is but one more factor to add to the equation. This was unforeseeable, and yes I agree a very unfortunate thing to happen, but I fear it might have happened sooner or later and most likely to someone else. You will do what he has decreed you to do and she will understand. She has a level head on those sturdy shoulders and she has braved through so much. If I am correct, she will wish to do whatever she can to aid us in this fight." Albus' tall and strong figure sat slumped in a chair, looking every 150 years he was. The room seemed to fall silent and Severus trained his gaze on his hands that lay defeated in his lap.

"She will not be able to handle this, she may actually break." He said in a small voice, his tone holding mild compassion, it was more than Severus had ever dared to give.

"Severus you give her little credit, she has asked to see her parents death before she was able to process that they were truly gone, many would never brave to see such a thing. Yet, this young woman has. She watched as you ended their lives and forgave you, because she understood your true intentions of not letting them suffer. She will do what is right in her heart and from what Minerva has told me, she will accept whatever plan, idea or such you offer her."

"What has Minerva said?"

"That she holds you in high regard and that Minerva has never seen you so open with another. Hermione trusts you, for all you have done."

"I killed her parents."

"You gave them peace. They now live in a world where there is no pain, no sorrow and no evil. They happily await the day when their daughter will meet them again after a long and well-lived life. You are a good man Severus Snape, please do not push her away like you have done to others."

"She is a child."

"She has not been one since she met Harry Potter."

"She is a student."

"And one day she will no longer be. Let her in. I bid you farewell, I must return. I trust you to help her and for her to help you.

"You trust too easily."

"And ye have little faith. Good day, I will send her up with your lunch and you will talk. If nothing else, talk." Albus stood from his chair, once again straightening into his persona of the great and almighty Albus Dumbledore. Severus remained in his half laying half sitting position while his gaze seemed to burn a hole through his hands.

"I'm afraid." He whispered again, not expecting the Headmaster to have heard.

"Severus, she is not Lily. I have every faith that when you let her in she will not turn you away. In fact if I know her half as well as I think I do, she will stand by you even more and not be swayed. Fall in love, live while you still have a chance, my son." With that the headmaster disappeared, the door shutting firmly behind him. Severus was shocked by the elder mans words, but shook them away. Not wanting to let hope ripple through him like a seductress, he cleared his mind of all thoughts and focused on his breathing. Something he seemed to find great comfort in.

Hermione was in the kitchen when Albus and Poppy entered, Minerva in tow. She had been nursing a strong cup of tea, unsure of what to think of from the past couple of days. Her mind was spinning out of control.

"Hermione, are you well?" Albus asked with soft blue eyes.

"As well as I can be, sir. Is he up? I came down to have a spot of tea and to prepare some food for everyone." Her voice was grim and her eyes sad and unsure with the recent events from the past few days.

"Yes, he is up my dear, but what has happened to the house-elf that I have sent to help you?"

"I sent her back to Hogwarts, I needed to be alone with my thoughts. Was there something I could get you? Are you leaving now?" Hermione was on her feet, moving towards the still hot kettle and retrieving cups from the cupboard before being halted in her tracks.

"No thank you, Hermione, but I believe Severus would like a cup of tea and a spot of lunch. Poppy will inform Minerva on the care he will need. Good day Hermione." With that Albus slipped out of the back door while Poppy and Minerva followed him out while talking with each other. Hermione had gone to the stove, taking the lid off the pot of chicken noodle soup that she had made earlier. She ladled two scoops into a fancy bowl, muttering a wandless spell that would heat the soup up to perfection, and placed it on a silver tray she had already prepared. Setting a glass of iced water and a cup of tea brewed to perfection, she made her way upstairs, unsure of what lay behind the door.

She was still slightly shocked to wake up laying face first on his bed, her hand clutching his as if it were a lifeline. She was even more so when she found him facing towards her, deep in a calm sleep. A lock of hair lay across his face and she brushed it aside with a slight smile. 'It must be a pleasant dream.' He was an attractive man, and the lines of worry seemed to have disappeared from his face as a smile tugged on his lips. His nose was long and hooked, but upon closer inspection found it to not be so unattractive as she first thought. His cheeks were high, a model could kill for and his hair, though greasy looking sometimes, was now full and elegant looking after she had given it a good cleaning. Hermione had to be careful that she did not fall in love with this dark angel.

Earlier when she had woke up, she had only spared a few more moments to watch him sleep, stroking the back of his hand with her thumb, when he began to stir. Her world stilled, holding her breath as she willed him to go back to sleep. When he did, she disentangled her hand from his and gave one last look before disappearing to prepare breakfast and lunch all in one go.

Now she felt the budding fear of what he might say if he woke up to find her in such a state. She shuddered to think what his temper and wrath would be if he knew, she already knew he disliked her. Balancing the tray on one hip, she knocked with the other.

"Enter."

"Good afternoon, Sir. The Headmaster informed that you were ready for some lunch." Her tone was light; probing to see the air and the direction his mood was in. He nodded towards her, sitting up better in bed and Hermione moved closer, going as far as giving a sweet smile. She placed the tray on his lap, waiting for any requests he might make.

"You may sit down you know." Her eyes flashed to his face, noting that it was looking at the tray of food sheepishly. Without another word she glided towards the chair, gracefully sitting next to him. The room fell silent once more, neither looking at the other, nor moving to eat or speak. Moments seem to flutter by without any movement until Severus finally shifted to take the spoon and start eating from the soup bowl.

Hermione could find nothing to look at and opted to watch her hands as they worried themselves on the hem of her grey jumper.

"Did you make this?"

"Yes." She whispered, looking up to see his face. He stared back into her brown eyes, holding her captive with his black stare. He willed them to soften so as not to frighten her or to put her on her guard, but was unsure if he was having the dire effect.

"It is very good, unlike any I have had before. Thank you." He watched as the emotion of shock scurried across her face then changed into a smile that seemed to light up her face.

"It was an old recipe that my mother had from her grandmother. She always made it for me whenever I was sick or had gotten hurt very badly." This seemed to earn a snort from the man and Hermione was unsure if she had pushed her boundaries.

"Hurt?" he went to take another spoonful of soup to his mouth.

"Not scrapped knees if that's what you're thinking. Sometimes I'd accidentally fall at the playground and come home with a broken arm or twisted ankle." Severus turned curious eyes to the girl next to him.

"Accidentally? I've known you for 7 years now Miss. Granger. I have never known you to be so clumsy."

"I was quiet clumsy when I was younger. I swear." This statement seemed to change the mood, for Severus' eyes turned a hard dark look.

"Miss. Granger, you may lie to others and even to yourself, but you will never lie to me. Do you understand?" His stern look caused her to waver slightly, unsure on why he would care, but unknowingly giving in.

"I was bullied, a lot. It is not something I neither share with others nor wish to. Forgive me for not being open about it. I would never lie to you." Seemingly satisfied with her words he turned back to eat his soup, the room growing silent once more. They didn't speak again until he had finished both his glass of water, his bowl of soup and started on his tea.

"Miss. Granger there are a great many things I wish to speak with you, but first I would like to give thanks for your fast thinking and for the care you have given me. I am sure it was not easy for a Gryffindor to help a nasty Slytherin such as myself."

"I wish you would not say such things. I have never been one for the inter house rivals, I sometimes find it to be in poor taste."

"Such a Gryffindor thing to say."

"And such a Slytherin way to think. I agree all houses define its students characteristics, but sometimes I believe every student portrays all the house traits within them."

"Ah, and there is the Hufflepuff idealism."

"And there is the Ravenclaw assumption." He chuckled lightly at this and Hermione couldn't help but join in.

"What do you think of me?" This seemed to stop her laughter, pausing as if unsure on how to answer before finally finding her voice.

"I think you're a wonderful teacher, who pushes us to our limits and though you are very strict and expect a lot from us, I know it is to better us."

"Now tell me how you really thing about me. I will not hold it against you or take house points away when we return." His eyes danced and was quiet surprised to find the girl speechless. "Have I rendered the know-it-all speechless? I finally allow her to answer a question to her hearts content and she has nothing to say. Dear me!" He let out an uncharacteristic laugh that caused Hermione's face to screw up in more astonishment before turning into a satisfied smile. His laugh was a deep rich sound that soothed her senses and she felt that she could bask in it for the rest of her life.

"You should laugh more often, sir. You simply took me by surprise by inquiring such a think. I do not find you an easy man, but you have been winning me over. Like I said before, your teaching is strict and very straightforward, but it is because of the dangers of working with such ingredients and potions. You are not a particular handsome man, but you are attractive in your own way, which I find appealing. You are brave without comparison. You are quiet the tantalizing figure."

"Oh, in what way?"

"You never offer anyone more than what they ask and even then you are selective in what you give. You do not care what others think of you and you do not try to convince people of your loyalty to Dumbledore, because his word is all you need. Barely anyone trusts you and even fewer completely."

"And are you one of those select few?"

"Yes, but it has taken me a long time to get to that point. I still question your judgment, but I would follow you blindly because I know you will not do something without there being a true meaning to it."

"If you trust me then why do you question my judgment?"

"I'm sorry I was not more clearer. I question your judgment in the way that sometimes I think there is an easier way for you to go about things instead of such an angry way."

"If it were anyone else I would think them a fool for their answer."

"And me?"

"You have never been a fool."

"You have never been so agreeable with anyone outside of your house, no less me. I assumed you hate me."

"I'm turning a new leaf. I have never hated you. Dislike, sometimes, but on the grounds that you always know when to push my buttons." He smiled slightly, catching her eye.

"It is unconsciously done."

"I know, but where I want to laugh at the things you say and offer up I must be angry to deflect that emotion. I cannot have my laughter and opinion of you, ruin my position as a spy." His answer caused them both to grow silent in private reflection. Him wondering if it was ideal to tell her of his true loyalties and to let her in, and she, to think if she could ever openly accept the friendship he discreetly was offering. Yes, she thought, she most definitely would willingly accept his offer.

"Will you give me leave to determine if I like the new leaf better than the old one?"

"Only if you agree to one thing, two in fact. To always trust me no matter what and to never lie to me."

"It sounds like an offer of friendship then demands for a student."

"And if it was an offer of friendship, what might be your thoughts on such a thing?"

"If there was an offer of friendship, I think I would like that greatly. If it is a demand for a student, besides some of the cases in the past, you should know I already uphold and follow such things."

"Then yes, it is an offer of a friendship."

"So as your friend, might I offer a suggestion?"

"You may, but I will not guarantee that I will follow your suggestion."

"Well for me, would you smile and laugh more. You make yourself look very old and grim when you worry."

"I am not in the best of environments to do such things, but in the company of only us two, I will gladly comply." The two chatted, finding a great many things to discuss. She found him to be surprisingly humorous and very good company. He found her to be less annoying with no desk and classroom to separate them.

"Miss. Granger-Hermione. Call me Hermione. We are friends after all." She cut him off with. Severus was taken aback by her comment. He never dared dream to be in such a position, yet here he was living through the event of addressing her by her given name as if from a scene in a story.

"Alright, Hermione." Testing the name on his lips. Hermione watched his lips form the sounds and could feel a shiver run down her spine. "You may call me Severus, only when we are in a room with no one else. I fear I need to break up or conversation for I am in desperate need of a bath."

"Of course, Severus." She tried his name and he too watched her mouth form the sounds and syllables and he could feel something swell within him again. They parted way for the rest of the day, enjoying their private solitude and replaying the conversations that led to their newfound friendship.

A/n: ? Used a song lyric from phantom of the opera mega points if you can find it!