Severus had had enough decency to yank off his sweater (he still had a long-sleeve on underneath) and thrust it at the girl who was by no means dressed appropriately. "Put it on, Granger." He demanded, glad when the stubborn girl slipped the black thing on. He was pleased to see it covered her more than that risque red thing she'd been cased in. He looked at her bare feet and sighed before conjuring up a pair of sandals for her. She slipped them on with a grateful look.

"Thank you." Her voice was sincere, and Severus had to give her credit for that.

"Grab my arm, we're appirating." He ordered, not even really giving her a chance to balance herself before he took off. He felt poorly for the girl, but that didn't mean he was going to coddle her. She wasn't Draco after all.

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Hermione nearly fainted when they landed at the gates of Hogwarts. She hadn't had anything to eat for a couple days, as she had been so terrified of not being able to fit into her dress. And apparition was never really fun to begin with, especially when the person took off without telling you there were going to. She had wanted to glare at her professor, but she was a well-behaved girl and wanted to keep it that way. Plus the man had given her shoes for her feet and a sweater.

"No need to be overdramatic, Granger." Snape sighed, giving her a look that clearly meant she was to get it together and now.

"Sorry." She muttered, wishing that someone would just use her name. It had been weeks since she'd heard it. She made sure to keep up with the long strides, not wanting to anger the man further. She had snapped at him, more than once at that. And plus, she could hardly be rude to someone who had been so kind as to give her clothing she could cover herself with. It was the first bit of kindness she'd been shown in a weeks.

It was a silent, but quick, trip to Dumbledore's office. Hermione had been a bit surprised that they hadn't bumped into any other professors, but it was summer. And they had to have had a life too, or at least the desire to sleep in. Sleep. That sounded nice right about now. That and food. Whichever she could get first.

"Chocolate frogs." Snape snarled at the gargoyle, who hurried to open the doors. He gave a gesture, letting her know she should go first. She obeyed, and her dizziness returned on the steps. She forced herself to stay upright, however, pleased with herself when she kept from collapsing.

Snape didn't even reach up his hand to knock, and Hermione was about to knock herself when Dumbledore's voice sounded.

"Come in!"

Snape shoved the door open, ushering her in once more. She walked quickly to a chair, sinking into it gratefully. She was ready to drop. Seconds later Snape was beside her in another chair. "I found Ms. Granger in the park at Little Whinging in her current state."

Dumbledore turned his eyes to her, and Hermione felt scrutinized. She brought her knees up and pulled the large sweater over her knees too, partially cocooning herself. "Hermione," she smiled as he used her name, not only that but with a nice tone, "Care to explain child?"

"I...I had a fight with my parents again." She looked away from the kind gaze to glare at the carpet. "Which is nothing new...but, this time my father actually choked me. I got upset then, because he whispered that he could kill me, and I thought he'd do it the minute he got me alone. So I took off and I took the bus to Harry's...but he was already gone, and the professor Snape found me and took me here."

"How long has this been going on?" Dumbledore asked kindly, casting spells to heal her injuries.

"Always." She muttered, feeling anger build up on the inside. "They only had me so I could be on display! They think it's great fun to dress me up and parade me around! And at the same time they expect me too seen and not heard!" She hadn't realized how angry she was until a few 'toys' on Dumbledore's desk started to shake. She forced herself to calm down, sure she was adding yet another ulcer to the dozens she surely already had.

"Why didn't you tell someone, child?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because it wasn't that bad..." She reasoned. It was just minor abuse, not full-fledged violence. "Until tonight...I was just scared."

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"You poor thing." Albus muttered, and Severus cringed.

"Pity is the last thing she could want right now." He had to say something, he knew how it felt. He had been in the same chair, listening to the same man say the same things. He had been irked when Albus had done it, and Granger clearly had been too by the way she barely concealed a glare.

"Ah, yes. I do recall I've had this conversation before." He smirked at Severus, and he rolled his eyes back at the headmaster. That was a private matter, not for Granger's ears. "Hermione, I'm sure the Weasley's would be more than willing to take you in for the summer. Molly absolutely dotes on you."

"Thank you." Granger breathed, relief in her eyes. "But before we go, could I maybe nap in the hospital wing?" The girl bit at her lips. "It's never quiet at the burrow- not during the day."

"Oh, yes. Of course." Albus smiled at her. "In fact, if you'd much prefer you can go and sleep in Gryffindor tower. When you're ready, just come back to my office."

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Hermione all but ran from the room, all the way to her dorm. She had thrown herself down on her bed before it occurred to her that headmaster knew of her situation. She frowned. She didn't much feel like going to live with someone else, but then again the headmaster kept making Harry return home...Hopefully he'd do the same for her. Her father would calm down, eventually. But then again, she had never run away before. She frowned, before undressing. Or attempting too. The dress was just so damn tight. She wiggled and clawed but it was stuck. Sighing she lifted her wand to the dress. Her thousand pound dress...Ron would kill her if he saw her cut the damn dress off. She glared at the tiny fabric before tossing it in the bin. Naked she hurried into pajamas and then looked at the black sweater on the floor. It had been so warm. And...there was no way her professor would be coming up to her dorm. She'd wear it now, and then return it before she left. She sighed as she snuggled into the warm blankets, and closed her eyes for a much needed nap.

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Albus had waited until the door to his office had closed before he spoke to what was practically his son, who sat across from him. To the untrained eye, Severus would just look angry, but Albus knew enough to see that Severus was seething. Severus was clearly enraged, just as upset as he was every time Harry was sent back to the Dursley's or when Lucious demanded Draco return Malfoy manner. And of course, Albus was upset too.

"Are you going to make her go back too?" Severus snarled, still in muggle clothes.

"Severus, you know why Harry had to live with the Dursley's." Albus said kindly. "But he's going to be living with Sirius in just a few weeks."

Severus's glare lessened. "About time..." He muttered.

"Severus..." Albus scolded lightly. "You know I would have removed Harry sooner had circumstances allowed."

"I know." Severus sighed. "I don't mean to be so testy."

"I know, Severus." Albus assured. "I know matters such as these strike a chord with you."

"Albus...did you see her arms?" Severus demanded. "You can't make her go back..."

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Hermione woke up slowly, and stretched. Yawning she sat up and jumped from the bed to head to the bathroom for a shower. Throwing her pajamas and sweater off she jumped beneath the nearly scalding water and scrubbed at her skin, hoping to take the feeling of emptiness away. She was in the shower for an hour or more, only to become frustrated when the numbness had not abated. Well, there was only one thing to do than. Dripping wet, and still naked, she walked into her room and sat on the bed. She grabbed her wand and unshrunk her trunk before carefully searching its contents for a flash of silver. She smiled when she spotted the x-acto knife, grateful that that small knife was able to eliminate some of the pressure and numbness she often felt. Breathing in she began to decorate her skin with lines of red. She smirked as the blood dripped. She had overheard Ron once telling Harry that she had amazing skin, if only he knew how ugly the rest of her skin was. One day, she told herself, she'd show Ron...but only him. Her scars were something special, and they weren't just something she'd display for anyone. Ron...she wasn't looking forward to the huge blow-out that would happen when Harry and the Weasley's found out what had happened, and what had been happening. But maybe, just maybe, she could convince Dumbledore not to say anything. Nobody needed to be getting worked up on her account.