AN: Hey! Two chapters in one day! I feel accomplished. Keep the wonderful reviews coming! Might not have any updates for a few days...lots to do before Monday! Yes, the romance will begin...or has it already begun and they don't know it? :-) You decide...

Hermione stared at the closed door for several seconds. The meaning of Severus' words had yet to fully seep into her consciousness, yet she was touched by the caring nature he had shown her. In all of their dealings, he had been professional at best, sarcastic and scathing at the worst. She had seen and handled worse than that but to see a caring Snape strangely unnerved her. However, she had more pressing matters to deal with for the moment.

The sun shone, almost in mockery of her feelings, as Hermione wandered to the window. The view outside hadn't changed. The grass was still green. The birds still called from the forest. The sky was still a cerulean blue. How dare everything else not notice that my world has just come crashing down? The strange thought passed through Hermione's brain. She still struggled to make sense of everything that had happened in the last few days. Just a week ago, she still fancied herself in love with Ron. Then she had confronted him with what she had seen and somehow everything turned into her fault. All she wanted to do was to take a break before the wedding to get her head on straight and Ron had forced the decision for her. Looking back, it seems that was all he had ever done. If she didn't seem like she would agree with his side, Ron liked to force the issue. Hermione pondered these thoughts as she stared out at the white clouds surrounding the castle. It's almost sad, my world has come tumbling down and still the sun shines and life goes on, she thought sadly. It was almost enough to make her wonder if Ron was as important to her as she had let herself believe.

Silent tears streamed down her cheeks as the previous few hours came back to her. Ron's words and accusations hurt, but they no longer held the power to spur her into action. Instead, they made her angry and sad. There was not a doubt in her mind that the relationship was over, that the marriage was off, and she would probably never speak to Ron civilly again. Hermione was scared, though. Ron had been a major part of her life since she was eleven years old…more than half of her life. To go through life without him was a scary and sad thought. Hermione continued crying as she thought of what could have been if Ron hadn't been so self-centered. Maybe they would have had a family, gone on long holidays together, sat around the dinner table with Ginny and Harry…

The thought of her friends brought Hermione up short. What were they going to think? What were they going to do? Would she even see them again? Ron and Harry were best friends…not to mention Ginny was Ron's sister. Surely, they would be on his side. Sighing, Hermione thought I have never felt more alone than I do right now.

"So what the bloody hell happened this afternoon? I thought you were supposed to be keeping an eye on her, Severus!" Minerva's voice was a mixture of anger, concern, and frustration as she confronted Severus leaving the North Tower.

"All I know is that I was inside working when I heard raised voices and came to the courtyard to investigate. When I walked in, I saw Mr. Weasley trying to grab Hermione and kiss her even though she was fighting him and trying to get away. What was I supposed to do? Leave them to their happy reunion?"

Sighing, Minerva replied, "I suppose you're right Severus. What was he doing here anyway?"

"By the looks of it, the boy was trying to get his woman back and she wanted nothing to do with him. If you ask me, I think the boy is bloody insane or incredibly daft. When a woman says no, it means no. End of conversation."

"Very true. So what else happened that you are aware of?"

At that, Severus filled her in on what Ron said, how Hermione reacted, and Ron's final accusation of infidelity. Minvera's face reflected the anger she felt as she listened. When Severus finished, Minerva wanted to hex Ron into oblivion but pulled herself together and said, "It's a good thing you were there for her. I'd hate to think about what would have happened if you hadn't stepped in."

"Despite Mr. Weasley's accusations, I think Ms. Granger would have held her own. She was doing a fine job despite the lack of a wand."

"Either way, it's over now. Needless to say, Hermione will be staying with us for the foreseeable future. She is going to need a lot of support, I would think, in the coming weeks. Ron may be daft at times but he can be convincing. He nearly had me convinced when he showed up here a couple of weeks ago asking me to talk to the girl."

Severus feigned innocence as he asked, "Oh, he came here once before?"

"He came to me about two or two and a half weeks ago saying Hermione was having some mental problems and wanted to call off the engagement. Portrayed it as if she had suddenly lost her mind. I told him it was none of my business because I didn't want to get involved. I look back now and wonder how long there have been underlying issues between those two."

"Longer than we think I suspect." With that, Severus stood up and started pacing as he recalled the conversation. He had sworn to himself that he was not going to invade her mind, especially at her most vulnerable. Nevertheless, that promise was getting harder and harder to keep. If only he could see inside her mind, he might understand how to help her, or at the very least how to work with her in a professional manner once school started. As he pondered whether to go back and talk to her, he could hear her voice so plain it was as if she was next to him. The words tore his heart out with the emotion behind it.

I have never felt more alone than I do right now…

With that, his resolve crumbled and he spoke back to her mentally, trying hard to hide the emotions he was feeling

You are not alone…You have me…

You are not alone…You have me… The words reverberated in Hermione's head as if Severus had some up behind her and whispered into her ear. Hermione shook herself out of her reverie and thought What the hell just happened? Did I just imagine that?

Only if I imagined it too… Severus' voice chuckled at her confusion before continuing…that happens when you have the sometimes annoying ability to read minds.

Hermione scoffed and bristled for a second. If he was admittedly in her mind now, could he have done it before?

No Hermione, I swear to you this is the first time I have ever use occlumency against you. Severus' "thought" voice took on the usual sardonic tone he used when he hated to admit something. I was…ahem…concerned about you.

Ah…back to the usual Severus now. It wouldn't be the same if he didn't have the low snark in his voice

I beg your pardon?

UGH! GET OUT OF MY HEAD FOR A MINUTE! I need to think….alone.

With that, there was silence in Hermione's head. Severus…what was she going to do about that? She couldn't deny that he had been a surprisingly great friend to her in the past week and she didn't know what she have done without him when Ron showed up. But having him in her head? Hearing her most private thoughts at any random time? The idea was not only preposterous but also unnerving. She turned back to the window and unwillingly, Ron's words came back to her about being a whore and a liar. Recalling the venom in his voice, Hermione started to shake, worried that he was going to do something to himself and it would be all her fault. She turned away from the window and went upstairs. With the Severus' words still ringing in her head about not being alone, she curled up with her pillow and Crookshanks and tried to relax…

…until the owls started showing up…