AN: Put the torches and pitchforks away, because here is the next chapter FINALLY! Sorry about the wait...hopefully I still have readers left! Writer's block can certainly be a pain, if you know what I mean. Anyways though, enough of that, here is the next chapter. R&R...let me know if it was worth the wait or not...

"Harry!"

"Hermione?" Harry seemed sure that his eyes had betrayed him. He had thought her captured...or dead, but certainly he had not expected her to run into him head on while coming around the corner in his search for Snape.

He had no more time to contemplate, however, because she flung her arms around him, seeming like she'd not be letting go soon. He feared she might strangle him; finally, she released him, looking more than relieved.

"I've been so scared for you," she breathed, clearly winded. She seemed to have been running or walking very quickly indeed.

Although happy she was here, appearing safe, a question still burned in his mind. "What are you doing here," he asked almost sharply, confused.

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but immediately clamped it shut as the sight shadow of a person moved in the corner behind Harry, the reasoning for him being here flooded into her mind.

She quickly brainstormed ways to distract him, anything that would deter him in some way from going to seek out Severus. Of course, little did Harry know, the man he wanted to find was mere feet away from him at this very moment. Hermione only prayed that Severus would keep his wits and not do something stupid. She knew better, however, to wish for such foolish things. This would not end well.

"Harry—" she started, unknowing of how to go about explaining this. How do you tell your best friend that for the past months you've been hiding out in the Headmaster's quarters...that you're in love with said Headmaster, a man, consequently, that your best friend hates with all the passion in his being?

How would she explain that they'd been all wrong about him?

"Well wait," she said pulling back, hoping to feign confusion of some sorts...trying to buy time. "What are you doing here?"

She obviously knew full well why he was here, but she needed more time to think about what she was going to have to say to him.

Harry's face hardened. "I'm here to find that treacherous, murdering, bastard Snape and give Dumbledore the justice he deserves," he spat venomously. Hermione winced but found that probably wasn't the best thing to "distract" him with just as she noticed Severus inch closer from out of the shadows. When he was finally in some light, Hermione discretely caught his eye with a warning look while Harry continued to rant about what he was here to do.

Subtly, she shook her head at Severus. He just held a very strange, eerie look in his eyes, like he had been awaiting this confrontation for a very long time. She resolved to hex him into oblivion if she had to...both of them.

"Well, well, Potter," Severus said, finally speaking, his words like fine silk. Harry spun around in a flash, backing up towards Hermione, pointing his wand in front of him. The look on his face was enough to tell how deep the hatred for this man before him went, and that he intended to do nothing but harm to him...or at least try.

"Going to kill me then, are you," Severus sneered, not even bothering to draw his wand.

"Don't," Hermione warned in deadly tone, shooting Severus a look straight in the eye. He only seemed to ignore her. Harry hadn't seemed to hear her either; he was so focused on his target before him.

"You deserve nothing more, you traitor," he growled. Severus barely raised an eyebrow.

Severus...Hermione warned through her mind as she caught his eye once again, knowing he'd involuntarily hear her. Again, she shook her head ever so slightly. His only response was for his mouth to curl upward in the twisted smile he reserved for his most hated of enemies. She would kill him herself if he didn't stop this soon. She wished that McGonagall or another teacher would come by; at least then she wouldn't have to try and separate these two on her own.

Hermione, however, had barely time to react as Harry lunged his wand forward at Severus. "Crucio!" He yelled. Severus merely rolled his head to the side as the curse bounced along down the corridor, sneering in response.

"Is that how you expect to defeat the Dark Lord, Potter? I could hear your curse loud and clear in your mind before it even left your mouth! Have you learned absolutely nothing?"

Harry seemed to have had enough. He leapt forward then, Hermione somehow managing to grab hold of him at the last second, pulling him back. With the help of some kind of miracle, she got herself in front of him, now pushing on his chest, holding his wand arm down to the ground. He fought her furiously but she held fast.

"Stop, Harry! Listen to me," she nearly pleaded. She offhandedly noted that Severus did nothing but stand there calmly, seeming quite amused at the scene before him. "You don't understand! It's not what you think...stop!" He didn't.

"Oh for Merlin's sake," she muttered, glancing over her shoulder and glaring at Severus who was grinning slightly, still not having bothered to take out his wand. "Stop provoking him," she said warningly, a piercing glare shooting him straight in the eyes.

"Let—go of me—Hermione," Harry fought even harder against her. "He deserves it, don't try and defend him, he's not—worth the—trouble!"

Suddenly, Hermione heard the blessed sound of footsteps coming towards them. It didn't faze Harry in the slightest, but she was near overjoyed. Had the situation been any different, the look on Draco's face would probably have been extremely funny as he came around the corner, suddenly met with the sight of Hermione trying to hold off Harry Potter who looked as though he was trying to attack Severus Snape.

He stopped short of the scene, remaining silent, looking nearly as amused as Severus was. That is, he did look amused, until Hermione shot him a death glare. "Help me!" Draco shrugged as if to say ok...but you asked me to...

When Hermione said, "help", she certainly had not meant for Draco to paralyze Harry. "Draco!" she exclaimed, falling to her knees next to her friend's rigid body. Draco merely shrugged again, looking to be even more amused than before as he stowed his wand back in his pocket casually. But Hermione surprisingly turned her glare in the other direction. "And you," she all but growled at Severus before he had a chance to respond. "What in Merlin's name is wrong with you? You should know better."

"I don't know what you're talking about Hermione," he said nonchalantly, examining a fingernail, but Hermione could see the inevitable smirk playing about his lips.

She pointed a finger at him. "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, Severus."

"I assure you—"

A promising glare shut him up.

With that, she turned back to Harry, kneeling beside him on the ground, pulling his head towards her just as McGonagall strode around the corner.

"What—what is the meaning of this," she demanded of the scene before her, pointedly fixing her sharp eyes in Severus' direction. Hermione gave a look as if to say, 'ask him'.

"Yes, do tell her what has just happened here," Hermione said matter-of-factly, raising her expression at Severus who had lost all trace of amusement and emotion on his face.

At this, McGonagall turned her questioning, scrutinizing gaze to Severus as well, waiting for a response.

Without moving, Severus looked over at Draco who looked so indifferent Hermione could have slapped him.

"Care to explain this one, Mr. Malfoy," he drawled, one corner of his mouth twitching upwards as Draco's eyes widened a bit, then narrowed quickly as he realized that Severus was going to drop the blame all on him.

Draco raised his hands in defense. "I was only doing what she told me to do," he said defensively, pointing at Hermione who glared in return.

"I told you to help me, Draco! Not stun him," she exclaimed, near furious that this was getting turned back on her. Draco only shrugged, quietly muttering something about it did actually help, but Hermione ignored him, turning back to Severus, not even giving McGonagall the chance to get over the fact that Draco had stunned Harry in an effort to "help".

"This never would have happened if you," she pointed a finger at Severus, "had just stayed put where you were! And on top of it all, you go and provoke him into attacking! What on Earth is the matter with you?"

The surprise at her outburst only stayed on Severus' face for a moment before it turned blank once again and he spoke. "Do you honestly think that Potter could have done anything to me," he asked, the question basically rhetorical; Hermione knew that Harry's lack of skill at Occlumency was one of his larger flaws when it came to dueling.

"Nevertheless, Severus," McGonagall finally said, stepping in between the three of them, the authority quite present in her voice, "I believe in this instance, Miss Granger is correct."

Severus made a noise in his throat suggesting he thought differently, making Hermione glare in his direction again, but it only kept her attention for a short time for she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye.

Harry was waking up.

Hermione immediately knelt at his side as he started to stir.

"Harry?" She asked cautiously, putting a careful hand on his shoulder to make sure he wouldn't bolt for Severus the moment he opened his eyes. Harry groaned, bringing one hand up to his head.

"What happened," he grumbled, rubbing his temple, looking around a little to try and find out what was going on. Hermione felt him tense under her hand, knowing immediately why. Instantly, she held tighter to his shoulder, grasping some of his shirt, just in case.

"Are you ok," she tried quietly, hoping to divert his attention elsewhere.

It, of course, didn't work.

"You greasy bastard," Harry said murderously, already struggling to get up, but Hermione held fast, keeping him down. "You knocked me out! Bloody coward; probably were trying to kill me, just like you killed—"

"That is quite enough, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said sternly, stepping forward so she was in his line of sight. Harry jumped, startled at the appearance of his professor. He looked, wildly for a few seconds from Hermione to McGonagall to Severus, apparently very confused indeed.

Severus, who Hermione noticed had briefly gone white at Harry's words, was now gripping his wand so tightly it seemed it would crush beneath his fingers...only Hermione noticed. She looked up at him, willing him to look at her in an effort to calm him whilst still keeping a firm hand on Harry.

It worked to some degree; she held his gaze for a few seconds and watched his expression soften, but only in the slightest bit.

"Now," continued McGonagall, "there is much we all need to be filled in on; all of us," she added as Severus rolled his eyes. "I suggest we retire to the Headmaster's office and get this sorted out, don't you?"

Hermione was the only one who nodded, the rest of them standing there blankly, refusing to be the one who would agree, even though they all knew McGonagall would have her way as always. The look on McGonagall's face suggested that she would not be taking arguments from anyone on the matter whatsoever.

Immediately, Severus swept away down the corridor towards the gargoyle, not giving a second glance to anyone. Hermione let it go; she would have time to sort him out later. First, she had to sort Harry out before he killed the man she loved...

Oh, what a day it was turning out to be.

"Will you be needing the hospital wing, Mr. Potter," McGonagall inquired as Harry used Hermione for support to get up off of the floor, groaning a bit in discomfort as he did so and holding onto his stomach.

"No," he shook his head, "I'll be alright, Professor."

He was still clearly partially befuddled as to why Professor McGonagall was standing up for Snape.

But nonetheless, he began to follow Hermione and McGonagall towards the stone gargoyle, which was already opened, the stairs waiting for them to climb. The ride to the top was silent, and when they reached the doorway, Hermione could tell how uneasy Harry had become, even more so as he saw Severus sitting at the desk.

Gently, she placed her hand on his arm, hoping he would stay calm...or at least calm enough. She just didn't want another duel to break out in this office. She hoped that wouldn't be too much to ask for.

Seeming reluctant, Harry sat down next to Hermione in the chairs across from where Severus sat. Professor McGonagall remained standing, authoritive as always, shortly followed by Severus himself, who stood the moment Harry sat down. Harry made to move again, but Hermione applied pressure to his arm, telling him to stay put.

Thankfully, he complied.

"Professor," Harry said after a while of silence, addressing McGonagall, "what is going on here?"

"I do not believe anyone gave you permission to speak, Potter," Severus said coolly, glaring at him over his nose. Hermione shook her head the slightest bit, not at either of them in particular, but just the entire situation that Severus certainly was not making any better.

"Please, Severus, shall we try to be the least bit civil?" McGonagall said almost with as much exasperation as Hermione felt. He only crossed his arms in response, raising an eyebrow when Harry took the opportunity to throw him the dirtiest look he could manage without McGonagall or Hermione noticing.

"Then what is it, Minerva, that you felt such a strong need to share with us? Because I daresay I have other things I'd much rather be doing with my afternoon than fending off Potter's pathetic attempts to harm me," said Severus in a bored tone as he examined his fingernails.

"If Hermione hadn't been there, I would have done more than harm you, you—"

"Harry!" Hermione hissed, applying more pressure to his arm.

He gave her a bewildered look. "What is it with you today? Stop defending him like he's worth the trouble, Hermione!"

"Enough." This time, it was McGonagall who spoke, her tone sharp. Hermione wasn't sure what to say to Harry. Her mind was screaming of course he's worth the trouble! But in Harry's view, Severus should still be the traitorous bat he always had been to Hermione. Never mind the fact that she had somewhere, deep down, always held on to some kind light that there was a reason for it all...and she had been right, but Harry didn't know that, wouldn't have listened in any case had Hermione explained the feeling.

It didn't matter right now though; Harry needed to know the truth or this would never end. She knew what Severus would have to do.

She also had another one of those good feelings it would not be easy to persuade him to do it.

For what could have been the hundredth time, Hermione heard Harry ask what was going on, and Severus bite back with a nasty retort. Her thoughts had suddenly become a jumbled mess, and she had to shake her head to clear them.

"I need to talk to you," she said to Severus quietly, her jaw set, ready for argument. "No, now," she said in a slightly deadly tone when he started to protest. Ignoring Harry and his new look of mixed horror, shock, and confusion at how she had just spoken to the Headmaster, Hermione nodded ever so slightly towards the door to his quarters.

Severus only observed her for a moment, his face a mask, but Hermione knew his mind was sure to be racing. For a second or two, she thought she was going to have to use her wand to get him to listen, but much to her surprise, he swiftly turned and strode towards the door, walking in and standing in the middle of the room with his back to the door.

Hermione sighed quietly and followed with determination. She would have to get through to him somehow, and it was now or never.

"What the bloody hell is going on, Professor," was the last thing she heard Harry exclaim before the sound was cut off as she closed the door.

"Severus," she said. Nothing. "Severus, look at me."

Without turning to face her, he said, "do not talk to me as though I am a child, Hermione...and don't you dare say I'm acting like one!"

"I wasn't going to," she said honestly, shaking her head. Had this been under any other circumstances, she would have to call it childish, but not this. Yes, he wasn't making the situation any better, but she knew this wasn't easy for him.

She took a deep breath. "You know what you have to do," she said evenly, readying herself for a less than pleasant response.

"No," he muttered, still not turning around.

"Severu—"

"NO!" He finally spun around at this, losing his temper, but Hermione didn't falter. She was nearly used to this by now. She kept her face calm, allowing him to yell at her and get it out.

"Minerva was one thing, Hermione, but not Potter. I refuse to allow him access to that, it is none of his damn business!"

"None of his business?" She asked incredulously. "How can you say that? It has everything to do with him, of course it's his business!" She waited for a few seconds before speaking again. "He needs to see it, he needs to understand," she said, bringing her tone back down to a normal level, almost pleading within reasoning. "And he never will if he doesn't know the truth first."

"I don't want his pity," he spat bitterly, turning away from her again.

"You underestimate him," Hermione stated, shaking her head sadly. "It is understanding you'll receive, acceptance, but certainly not pity."

Severus scoffed, starting to pace very slowly. "From the great Gryffindor hero," he mocked, "I expect nothing but pity for something so tragic."

"Stop," she said softly in reference to both his pacing and his attitude. The pacing stopped; the attitude, she knew, would never be gone as long as he lived, but for now it needed to be replaced with something else to put this situation to rest.

"You let me deal with Harry and his reaction." He raised an eyebrow at her. To this, she only smiled slightly. "Have a little faith in me," she said tilting her head to the side to look at him, ready for whatever response he had for her.

Surprisingly, albeit a small one, he nodded, although holding a very prominent frown on his face, obviously still not very happy with the idea of allowing Harry access to his deepest, most revealing memories.

With that, he began to stride from the room, most likely intending to brush past her, but Hermione caught his hand, gently stopping him as he got to her. He, of course, immediately came to a halt, looking down at her, he face unreadable.

She smiled with a soft expression; a thank you of sorts. She knew she couldn't say or do much right here, what with Harry and his temper who could come bursting in at any moment. Right now certainly was not the right time to tell him anything about what had happened since she'd been here, but as she looked up into those deep, black eyes, she knew he understood.

What he hoped she didn't know was how quickly his heart had begun to race at her hand in his own, and her eyes on his.

Of course, little did he know that she felt it the moment they touched.