AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 6

"Don't do it," Severus said to Hermione as he stood still at the door. Severus had heard the door creak a moment ago which made him awaken. He hadn't been sleeping well since the past night. And, he was also a light sleeper.

Hermione didn't startle when she heard Severus speak to her. She just continued to stare at the vial, as if she were hypnotized.

"Hermione," Severus said softly, he now stood right next to her, and looked down at her. He knew well what potion she was holding since he saw her standing next to the shelf; vial was already taken from its place. "Don't do it, please."

Hermione slowly looked up at Severus, with a few tears running down her cheeks. "They're dead," she said barely above a whimper.

Severus nodded. "It's not worth it." He then held his hand out, asking for the potion.

"Why them and not me?"

"I don't know honestly."

Hermione then looked at the potion. Death seemed like a very tempting offer. She no longer wanted to feel pain anymore, and longed to be with her parents. "I miss them so much." She looked back down at the potion. "If I take this potion…" she trailed off, unable to continue, not knowing what to say after.

"If you take it, you will be missed by many," Severus started. "By your grandfather, friends and I as well Hermione… I as well."

Hermione nodded as a sob escaped from her mouth.

Severus's hand moved below the potion and caught it as soon as she had lost her grasp on it. His other arm went around her shoulders in an instant and pulled her to him. She broke out in sobs against the skin of his chest, as her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

"It's alright Hermione. Let it all out," he told her, knowing that she needed a release of her emotions. He continued to hold her, wishing he could do more for her.

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Hermione was seated on the couch. Her legs crossed, as she was leaning against the couch's arm. She was staring at the plate on her lap as she ate her grilled salami and cheese sandwich. Her hunger was being satisfied very quickly.

Severus, who was seated close to her, was pleased that she was eating. He watched her eat the sides of the sandwich first, before she started to eat the middle part. "Always saving the best for last?" he questioned as she swallowed her last bite.

Hermione looked at him for a brief moment and gave a single nod. She then reached out for her can of cola at the coffee table.

"Allow me," Severus said quickly, getting it before she did. He handed it to her and watched her drink, giving her the slightest smile.

Hermione placed her drink down and avoided his gaze. She felt uncomfortable that Severus was watching her every move.

"What is it?" Severus frowned, as he got her plate and soda, placing it on the coffee table. "Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head. Tears again were flowing from her eyes.

Severus gently took her hand in his, and gave it a small squeeze. "You know you can talk to me. Tell me."

"It's… it's noting," she answered.

"Then why shed tears when you say it's nothing?" He then placed his other hand beneath her chin, and made her face him. "Talk to me."

"We were supposed to go to Italy for the summer. And now they're gone," she answered. She then broke out and cried again. She launched herself at Severus, wrapping her arms around him as she cried against his chest.

"Sshh…" Severus murmured against her brow. He gently stroked her hair and her back, trying to sooth her.

"I miss them."

"I know you do." Severus continued to hold her in his arms, as he whispered comforting words into her ear.

As Hermione cried her eyes out, she couldn't help but notice how she felt being held in Severus's strong arms. No doubt, she felt safe and cared for, and this was supposedly from the most feared professor in Hogwarts. To say the least, it did feel good. She wanted to stay within them forever.

"Feel better now?" Severus asked after an hour had passed, as well as her sobs.

Hermione nodded, trying to relish the feel of him around her.

"Sleepy?" he asked curiously.

"Not really."

"Anything in particular you would like to do or want now?"

Hermione thought about it for a moment, before she answered. She looked up at him with her puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. "Would you read to me?" she asked hesitantly.

"Read to you?" Severus snorted, with a sarcastic tone in his voice. It was such an automatic response for him.

Instantly, Hermione got hurt. Her eyes saddened once again. She pulled away from him and slid off his lap.

"Hermione…" Severus called as he reached out for her hand.

Hermione then looked at their hands. He was holding her. It was all just for pity. Why would he do things for her and spend such time with her? She after all was a stupid girl, annoying, and a know-it-all. All in all, she knew he hated her. She shook her head and headed off towards the bedroom.

Severus cursed himself as she watched her enter his bedroom. Damn! He didn't mean to question or answer her in such a manner. And it's not like he said no. That was her interpretation though. Why did he have to be such a bastard? He then stood up from the couch and walked towards his private library.

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Severus walked in the bedroom with a book in hand.

"Go away," Hermione sniffled.

Severus walked towards the chair next to the bed, and moved it closer. He saw Hermione turn her back towards him. He felt all the more guilty. He hurt her, when he didn't mean to. "I apologize for my… rudeness," he said.

"I said leave," she said, a tad bit raising her voice.

Severus sighed and sat in the chair. He opened the book and started to read to her.

"The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park, in the centre of their property, where, for many generations, they had lived in so respectable a manner as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance. The late owner of this estate was a single man, who lived to a very advanced age, and who for many years of his life, had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister. But her death, which happened ten years before his own, produced a great alteration in his home; for to supply her loss, he invited and received into his house the family of his nephew Mr. Henry Dashwood, the legal inheritor of the Norland estate, and the person to whom he intended to bequeath it. In the society of his nephew and niece, and their children, the old Gentleman's days were comfortably spent. His attachment to them all increased. The constant attention of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood to his wishes, which proceeded not merely from interest, but from goodness of heart, gave him every degree of solid comfort which his age could receive; and the cheerfulness of the children added a relish to his existence…"

Hermione could hear his rich, baritone voice. It sounded nice when he growled, sneered or whatever else more in class. Now though, it sounded perfect. She turned around to face him. She saw one of his hands on the side of the bed. She moved her hand towards it, but stopped midway. She wanted to hold it, but was afraid that he would react negatively to it, and pull away.

Her movement wasn't missed by Severus. He knew what she wanted. Without missing a beat in his reading, he clasped her hand in his, and gave it a slight squeeze. He held her hand the entire night, even when she had fallen asleep.

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AN – The paragraph came from Jane Austen's book, "Sense and Sensibility." If I made Hermione drink the potion, she would have died. No, no, no, that cannot happen. I gave you some sweetness, and please give me some in return. Review!