The usual disclaimer applies. I own nothing and make nothing- everything belongs to the talented JK Rowling.

A/N...Sorry for the delay in posting. I had a killer case of writers' block.

Chapter 5

Hermione walked quietly towards the visitor's area, shivering slightly as the cold drafts in the corridors permeated her robes. It was only late September, but it already felt like November in Azkaban. Although the prison provided heavier robes in the colder weather, they couldn't get rid of the chill that not only came from the dropping temperatures, but the dementors lasting effects as well.

She sat down in the uncomfortable chair, and watched as the door slowly opened. She had been expecting a visit from Harry, but was surprised when Professor McGonagall walked in.

The surprise must have been evident on her face, as the older woman spoke to her. "You seem surprised to see me, Hermione. Harry had given me the impression that you were up to visitors now."

"I-I am. I am just surprised that you would come see me after-after your last visit," Hermione replied sheepishly. She was still very ashamed of how she had acted the last time the Professor had visited her.

"Harry told me of his visit, and I had assumed it would be- safe- to visit you now. Even Severus had commented that you were doing better," Minerva reached towards Hermione, but stopped as one of the guards gave her a warning look.

"Yes...I am doing much better. I am not surprised that you spoke to Harry about me, but I am surprised that Severus," she blushed slightly, "er-Professor Snape, spoke about me."

Minerva noticed the discomfort in her former student, but spoke reassuringly none the less, "Well, I visit Severus weekly. He was much like you when he was first incarcerated, but after the first few visits when he had me thrown out," she smiled genuinely at Hermione, "he finally accepted that I would be a regular visitor. I started bringing him books to read, and he finally started opening up to me."

"Oh-," Hermione started, but she quickly stopped when she realised Professor McGonagall wasn't finished speaking.

"He told me that he has been loaning you his books. I'm actually quite surprised, you know. He rarely let anyone borrow his books at Hogwarts."

"They are his books?"

"Yes, I tried to salvage as much of his possessions as possible before they were auctioned off. It is a shame that he had no family to claim them before he was sentenced."

There were several minutes of silence when neither woman knew exactly what to say. Hermione finally broke the silence, "How is he, Minerva? I haven't seen him in a few weeks."

"I assume he is fine, not that he would ever tell me. We usually discuss happenings at Hogwarts, and occasionally his books. Very rarely does he ever speak of himself." She stopped for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face, "I thought that you saw him every few weeks, though."

"I- do, er I did. It has either been raining or very cold. I haven't been allowed outside in almost a month. I miss it."

Professor McGonagall smiled at her former student, "You miss it? Or do you miss him?"

Hermione blushed slightly, "Both, I guess. He is the only person that talks to me here, and he is a much different person than he was at Hogwarts."

Both women looked up as the guard started to approach them. Professor McGonagall quickly touched Hermione's arm as she stood up to leave, "I'm glad you have each other. He needs you as much as you need him."

Hermione watched the door shut behind her former professor. She couldn't help but think about the words she had spoken on the way back to her cell.

-ooOOoo-

There was quite the chill in the air as Hermione walked out the gate and into the courtyard. Even with the winter-weight prison robes, she was still quite cold. What I wouldn't give to be able to cast a warming charm or my bluebell flames, she thought as she took her usual seat in the now almost-dead patch of grass.

She had not seen Severus in well over a month, and even though it was cold, today was the first day it wasn't raining or below freezing outside. Although she had the last book with her that he had loaned, she had no desire to open it since she had read it numerous times in the past few weeks.

Pulling her knees toward her body, she was trying to keep warm, but was still shivering enough for her teeth to chatter. It was times like this that she still wished she had her long hair, despite it's previous matted condition. She reached up and pulled slightly on the short curls.

Glancing at the courtyard gate, she couldn't help but smile when she saw Severus approach her. She was shocked that his hair had now grown out a couple of inches, and she couldn't help to think he looked more handsome with the shorter hair. More handsome in a rakish sort of way, her inner voice corrected.

He handed her a new book as he took a seat beside her, "I'm sure that you finished the book weeks ago, so I've brought you something new to read." It wasn't quite a smile on his face, but the slight smirk did indicate that he was glad to see her.

She flipped the book over to look at the title, and couldn't contain the grin on her face. "Really, Severus?"

"I thought you would know my tastes by now, Hermione. What is wrong with Lord of the Flies?"

She sighed, then turned her head towards him. "Nothing, I guess. But isn't it depressing enough being here, why would you want to read depressing books?"

"Why not?" He gave her a contemplative look. "I can take it back with me if you aren't interested."

"No, no," she replied quickly, "I'll read it. I just noticed that all of your books tend to have a similar theme. How long have you had them?" She hoped she answered him quickly enough to not offend him. She really didn't want him to leave, especially since she had no idea when the next time she would be able to see him.

"I've had most of them since I was a teenager. I would buy them during the summers when I was home from Hogwarts. Almost all of them came from either yard sales or thrift stores- I would buy whatever I could with the spare change my mother would give me. I'm sure that...Potter told you my home life was less than ideal, and books were a way to escape reality. My father would leave me alone when I was reading, especially since they were muggle books."

She occassionally smiled at him as they continued to discuss his books. After listening to him talk for a few minutes, she noticed that he stopped abruptly and then just stared at her.

"I have no idea why I am telling you this, to be honest. I don't think I have shared any of this in many years. Not since- well not since I was a student."

She knew that he almost said 'not since Lily,' but she wasn't about to push it since he was being so open with her. She looked at him, and gave him a small smile. "That is what friends do, Severus."

His eyebrows rose in shock before he quickly regained his composure. "Friends? Why would you want to be my friend? I've not exactly been very kind to you and your friends over the years. In fact, I think I brought you to tears several times when you were a student."

"That is in the past," she looked into his eyes, and her tone became more serious. "Do you really think how we treated each other five years ago matters? I am here another year and a half, and you have at least that long. I don't have any friends here, and as far as I know, you don't either. I've enjoyed the talks we have had the past couple of months- and I thought that maybe you did as well. But if this is how you feel about it-," she started to get up until she felt a hand grasp her wrist tightly.

"Don't go, Hermione," he said in a pleading voice that she was not used to. "I- I do want to be your friend. I'm just- not that good at being a friend."

"You seem to be doing a good job so far," she spoke softly as she sat back down. "Now tell me about the book that Professor McGonagall brought you this week."

They discussed the book quietly until their respective guards took them back to their cells.

A/N...There are about five chapters left, including an epilogue. I can't promise updates as quickly as I had at first. I have two kids in school and one in preschool, and life is being terribly demanding at the moment.

As always, reviews are appreciated!