Hermione looked at Severus deeply. She fought the urge to hold him, to try to comfort him. The haunted and pained look in his eyes nearly killed her. It wasn't right that he was forced to live as a pariah.
"What wants you dead, Severus?"
"Many people. Old Death Eaters, people who can't forgive me for killing Dumbledore--"
"Dumbledore told you to! He wouldn't allow you to break the Unbreakable Vow!"
"I would have… if he had allowed me. Death would have been a blessing compared to living with this…"
He trailed off, unable to really finish his thought.