Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Seriously, I'm seventeen I don't own anything in the world.
A/N: I am so sorry for not continuing this story, I lost my muse, but I found it again and I have it beside me right now.
Chapter 4 Confidant
Hermione sat staring out the window in the library where she's remained for several hours after her encounter with Professor Snape. Of all the people to find out about her secret, he was the best. He wouldn't tell anyone and she doubted he's care enough to find out what happened, least of all confront her father about it. Now were it Harry or Ron…
She supposed that she should speak with him, not because she thought it would make her feel better, but because not having that book she'd been waiting to read was going to drive her absolutely mad. Perhaps she could persuade him to give it to her if she told him she'd have it back to him in a few hours. I should have asked him long ago then, before he had a chance to start reading it, he may have been a bit more obliging before he started reading. Then again, I doubt he's at his most rational early in the morning.
She had to get it back though, if it weren't for books she'd have gone insane long ago and the fact that she wanted this book so badly was doing little for her nerves. Why would he want a book on the theory of spelled potions anyway? He's a potion's master; he should have already not only learned the theory about them, but successfully brewed several.
Decisively, Hermione stood to her feet, wincing only slightly at the pain this sudden movement caused, and strode out the door.
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When he head the tentative knock at his door, Severus smiled to himself. He was quite surprised with the young Gryffindor's restraint. He would have thought that it would have been bare minutes before she rushed up the stairs, demanding that he return her book. He had noticed, with wry amusement, that the book she'd been so intent upon acquiring was a book he'd written several years prior, when he hadn't lost all hope on her generation. Gone now was his belief that they would produce adequate Masters and Mistresses of the intriguing subject of potions. There was, he believed, only one person who may possibly achieve excellence in the art, and that would only be if she realized that books couldn't teach everything.
Straightening his frock coat, he picked up the book and opened the door with one hand as he held the book open to a random spot with the other.
"Ms. Granger, why are you interrupting my quiet reading time? I can assure you, it is not something I often have, especially not when I am forced to teach persistently annoying students like a certain brunette Gryffindor."
"I want that book, sir. I've been looking forward to reading it since I discovered it during the winter holidays last year. Aside from that, I thought that something as trivial as the theory of spelled potions would be utter simplicity for a potion's master."
Hmmm, he hadn't thought of that.
"Is it against the law to read books based upon one's specialty now, Ms. Granger?"
He saw a faint rosy blush tint her cheeks. "Well, no but…"
"But, what Ms. Granger?"
Hermione shook her head wordlessly and Severus had to hold back an astonished laugh. He'd never seen the girl struck speechless before. Oh, where was the impudent Colin Creevy and his camera now?
"Please, will you just let me have the book Professor?"
The fun was sucked from his game in that moment. She sounded so tired and defeated. Whoever had hurt her should be tortured slowly by the Dark Lord. He would have never believed that Hermione Granger would lose the spirit and fight so quickly.
"Please come in Ms. Granger," she looked up at him, shocked. "I promise I won't bite you, I never thought that you would be one to believe all of the silly vampire rumours. I can assure you that no harm will come to you while you are in my presence." When she remained motionless, staring at him he sighed. "Well, if you don't want the book then, fine." He went to close the door but she slipped in before he shut her out.
"Now, Ms. Granger I want to know, who hurt you."
Her eyes shot to the door and he leaned against it bringing an end to any thought of escape.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"I don't want to tell you." Even to her ears, that sounded childish.
"Ms. Granger I swear to you, whatever is told in this room will not leave it unless you wish it so. I'd suggest you tell me what I want to know, lest I accidentally let it slip to the Headmaster that the school's Golden Girl is in an abusive relationship with some boy from her home town."
"I don't have a boyfriend." She objected to that immediately.
"So, your brother, mother, uncle…" he stared into her eyes "father?"
When he'd said father, she looked away quickly and he had his answer.
"That's all, then Ms. Granger. The book is yours."
"You won't tell anyone will you sir?"
He felt his back stiffen at this and he turned a cold eye upon her.
"I gave you my word, you should not insult me by asking me if I will keep it."
Hermione grabbed the book and left his room. As the door shut behind her she slid against it, holding the prized tome against her chest. She felt like screaming.
"Hermione, what the hell were you doing in the git's room?"
A/N: That's all for now, I'll try to update often. I hope it was worth waiting for.
