A/N: I hope this chapter makes up for the shortness of the last. I'm going to try to get some more chapters written this week but I have scrapbooks that need to get done for the kindergarten classes I volunteer in, so no promises. Not to mention my hockey team is in the NHL Playoffs.
Disclaimer: All characters, location, & other recognizable themes belong to JKR.

Chapter 4

Hermione started to become aware of voices around her, but was too scared to move. She couldn't make out who the voices belonged to but could tell there was at least one male in the room. She prayed that Cormac wasn't in the room, that he had no idea there were people to see she was not okay. She couldn't handle anymore of his punishments.

"Professor, I think she's waking up," Ginny called out as she moved closer to Hermione's hospital bed. "Mia, sweetie, how are you doing? Do you need anything for your jaw?"

"No, Gin, I'm fine. I just need to get back to my dorm before Cormac gets ma- worried," Hermione whispered as she looked around her. Not only was Ginny there but a furious Ron, Harry, Draco, and Luna where there, with Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape. Be them stood the Weasley clan and to Hermione's horror, her parents. "Ginny, why is everyone here? I'm fine honest, I just tripped walking down the stairs and must of ban-"

"Enough! Mia, why didn't you tell us? Tell me? I could have gone to Severus and this could have stopped before it got to this point!" Draco couldn't stand seeing this broken girl. She wasn't that strong spirited girl that slapped him in their third year; she wasn't that strong girl that faced down his father, his crazy bitch of an aunt, and other Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. He wanted his friend back, damn it! "When I get my hands on that vile excuse for a man, I swear I'm going to show him how much I learned from the Dark Lo-"

"Draco, no. You know that won't change what's happen to our Mia. We just need to be here for her," Harry said, coming up beside the third member of his relationship and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't we go for a walk? That way we can calm down a bit. The Professors and Weasley's are here, not to mention her parents. There's no way in hell that douche bag will get near her again," Harry turned to Ginny, "You know how to contact us if you need us right away. Love you baby girl."

"Thank you Harry. Draco, he's right. Go blow of some steam on the Quidditch pitch or something. I'll get you both if something changes. I love you both," Ginny hugged and kissed them before turning back to Hermione.

"Little girl, why didn't you tell me? You know your mum and I would have been here to help you. Hell the Weasleys would have helped you," Mr. Granger said as he pulled a chair up to her bedside.

"I thought I could handle it, Daddy. I didn't want to worry you and mum, or the Weasleys. I took on Tom Riddle since I was eleven for Merlin's sake, I should be able to handle a Quidditch player," Hermione said somewhat defensively.

"Miss Granger, this isn't something that you ever needed to handle alone. Misters Potter and Malfoy would have stepped in for you," Professor McGonagall said, shocked at her top student felt she couldn't, or shouldn't, lean on anyone for help.

"Bloody hell, Mione, you know I would have helped you out," Ron held his hand up and Hermione opened her mouth to protest, "Forget about the break up and Lavender and all that. You were in serious trouble, love. I would not think twice to come and help you. You've been there for me when I've been a total prick and you've been there for Harry no matter what. We will always do the same for you," Ron walked up to Hermione's bed and kneeled. "Promise me, Hermione, look me in the eye and promise me that if Cormac or anyone else ever causes you problems you come get me or Ginny or anyone in our little family. We protect each other. Always."

Severus stood back and watched as Hermione realized that she really was loved, that whatever Cormac had drilled into her brain was starting to lose its foundation. "Miss Granger, you know that no matter what you can come to me. Why didn't you? I could have easy made him disappear. All I had to do was end his apprenticeship," Severus couldn't understand why she hadn't come to him.

"I… I couldn't. Please don't ask me why, just trust me when I saw that it was more important to not go to you, than to keep him from hurting me," Hermione said, her eyes tearing up as she refused to make eye contact with him.

"Mia, why couldn't you go to him? What happened?" Ginny was tired of letting Hermione push them away when they tried to help her. She wasn't going to let it happen anymore.

"Ginny, he's been arrested, he can't hurt me anymore. Just let it go," Hermione pleaded with Ginny, she didn't believe what she said, but she'd say anything at this point to get them to drop the subject.

"Bullshit! You don't believe that anymore than I do," Ginny was getting royally pissed off. Why won't she open up to us? Why won't she let us help her? Ginny's thoughts were just one question after another.

"Please, Ginny, it's nothing," Hermione pleaded with her again, wanting her to stop.

"He threatened someone you care about didn't he?" Everyone's heads turned to look at Severus, surprised that they hadn't thought of that. "Your parents? Ginny? The boys?" Hermione shook her head at each suggestion, which left him confused. He knew she wouldn't be worried about Albus or Minerva, or the Weasleys. Hell ever since Molly killed Bellatrix, no one fucked with the Weasleys, he thought to himself. "Did he threaten to hurt… me?"

Once again everyone turned there attention to him, Albus's eyes twinkled with the knowledge that he picked up from what was being said and not being said, but Severus looked at no one but Hermione.

"Please, please just let it be. Leave it alone, leave him alone," she paid no attention to the tears streaming down her eyes as she pleaded with Severus to not go after Cormac for any reason. She couldn't lose him; she came too close to losing the man she foolishly loved. He may not know her feelings, he may not return them but that didn't stop her from loving him and that meant she couldn't let him do something foolhardy that would cause him to be seriously injured or killed.

"Why do you care if Professor Snape hurts Cormac, Mia?" Ginny asked, completely confused by her friends behavior.

"It's not me hurting him that she's worried about, Miss Weasley. She's worried he will do serious damage to me or kill me," Severus answered for Hermione. When he saw the shock in her eyes, he realized that there was more than concern for a favorite professor or mentor, but fear and concern for someone the heart truly cares for.