A/N: Here is another chapter. A chapter where you will get to see, i think, for the first time, Hermione's point of view. The chapter deals with only two characters and i hope you won't miss other too much. I think these two characters deserved a chapter.

It was a beautiful day with a pleasant weather. Hermione picked her books and headed for her garden which was in full bloom.

Dumping her books on the mat, Hermione inhaled deeply. Spring was her favourite season. The air was full of smell of flowers. Sweet.

Hermione smiled. Her mother hated summer for all the insects that would be roaming around the house because of its big garden.

"'Mione!"

Name the devil, Hermione thought. "Yes, Mom?"

"In the garden?"

"Yeah."

"I made pumpkin juice for you. Come take it."

It was the only thing that her father would let Mom make. What are house-elves for, he would ask. Not that Mom had much time to do household chores. Pa worked as an Unspeakable and Mom as an Auror in the Ministry of Ireland.

Hermione went straight to the kitchen to take her pumpkin juice. There it was. A glass full of pumpkin juice. Hermione picked it and made to sip from it when she realised the colour had changed.

In fact, the contents had changed.

Blood.

Hermione threw the glass away. "Mom!" she shrieked as the glass shattered into million pieces.

"I made you a perfect drink, Hermione," her Mom's voice floated in. "A glass of blood isn't enough? You want more?"

This was not the sweet voice of her Mom. It was chilling. Warily, Hermione turned around and felt her stomach drop.

There standing in the doorway was her mother, in torn clothes, haywire hair and chains all over. Her face was bloodied; there were gashes on her arms and legs. Just above her heart, there was a deep wound from where blood was flowing freely.

Hermione felt sick and doubled over.

"Want more, Hermione?"

"Mom, please," Hermione pleaded.

Her mother gave her a chilling smile and cupped the blood that was flowing from her wound. "Want to drink more? What will difference it make, Hermione? You killed us anyway. Don't you want to celebrate it?"

"Mom, please," Hermione tried again through her shock and horror. She backed away slowly as her mother came forward.

"Drink it, Hermione," Mom roared, her face turning ugly. "Drink it!"

And she flung the blood at Hermione.

"Mum, NO!" Hermione ducked, shouting.

Hermione awoke from her nightmare startled. She was panting heavily as if she had run miles and she wasn't sure whether she had shouted or not.

Once she got her breathing to normal, she chanced a glance at her room mates. No one was awake.

Thank Merlin!

Resting her head against the headboard of her bed, Hermione sighed. This was getting worse. Her nightmares haven't gone away, like she had predicted. They had rather become worse after that letter.

Hermione

Don't try to contact me. I don't want my family dead as well because of you. Stay away. This is the last time I am warning you.

Ronald.

Ronald hadn't been so vicious before and Hermione had understandably paled. He was her last contact to normalcy, to her family.

So much had she lost in one single day; her parents, her brother, her home, her life…

Hermione sighed. There was no point thinking about it anymore. Glancing at her watch, she realised it was only four.

Well, she wouldn't be able to get any sleep tonight. Better go for a walk around the lake.

It was eerily quiet. Moon was shining at far side, ready to make way for sun. The breeze was cold and calming.

All in all a perfect time to think, reflect and decide.

Severus frowned as he stared at his reflection in the lake. When had he lost control of his life?

If there was one thing Severus prided about, it was his well organised nature. It showed in everything – his homework, his decisions, his potions. He would even organise facts in his mind. That helped him make a good decision, helped him retain full control of his life.

Things, however, had been downhill since the fifth year.

He had come in contact with wannabe Death Eaters. He had a genuine interest in Dark Arts and they knew so much about it. Dark Lord had no bones against it, unlike Dumbledore. Dark Lord's ideals also were based on intelligence and power. Something he could identify with.

Lily, on the other hand, did not. She rather hated his company. He could understand that. His circle comprised of pure-bloods who didn't think highly of muggle-borns and never left an opportunity of voicing their dislike of his friendship with a 'mudblood'. In fact, before that year, he was almost a loner in his House because of his friendship with Lily and was constantly at the receiving end of jibes and rude comments.

The only reason he got their acceptance when things had gone too far and he had hexed a sixth year with his own 'Sectumsempra'. Not only had the jibes vanished, he had been welcomed into their group.

That didn't mean he had friends.

Rather he lost the only one he had because of it. Oh, how many times he had wondered was it really worth it.

Severus shook his head. In the end, he was meant to be aligned. Lily couldn't forgive him calling her a mudblood. Or maybe that was the last straw? He just hoped she would stay away from Potter, the git.

Severus was startled out of his reverie when he heard footsteps approaching. Who would be out at this time? Maybe some other prefect? Well, then, she or he will just have to find some other spot.

With that in mind, Severus turned around to tell the person off, but was surprised into silence.

Tying her shoes, Hermione straightened and walked out of her common room. She had finally decided on jogging.

The air was cool and Hermione gave a small shudder. It didn't take her long to reach the grounds. Once there, she closed her mind and inhaled deeply for some time to calm herself.

Walking towards the lake, Hermione noticed a lone figure sitting at the edge and she could guess who he was. After all they had known each other for some time.

Spent some time together was the correct version and that too talking strictly about potions.

He heard her approaching and turned around.

"Good morning," Hermione whispered.

Severus just nodded his head and turned back.

"Do you mind if I just sit here?" Hermione asked, surprising herself. It wasn't that they were on friendly terms. Why would she want to sit there? Surely, she could walk a bit and find another spot for herself.

Severus had the same idea as he raised an eyebrow at her. Hermione answered with a tentative small smile.

At length, Severus nodded. Hermione took her seat, some one foot from Severus and gazed at the lake, jogging long forgotten.

"Alright, class, settle down," Professor Patterson called out.

The class took its time to settle down. Patterson smiled. They were way too excited about Patronus Charm. Maybe he had made a mistake in letting them know in advance.

"Alright," he called, once he had everyone's attention. "You will submit your essays at the end of the class. Now, everyone stand up, please."

As the class did so, Patterson flicked his wand and the desks were piled at the far corner of the room.

"Everyone line along the wall," he instructed. The Gryffindors and Slytherins did as instructed.

"Everyone must have gotten the incantation," he continued, "what I will tell you is the wand movement. Observe carefully."

The class observed as one.

"Ex-pecto Patro-num!" Patterson said slowly so as to match his wand movements. "There is a strong flick at the end of Expecto and smooth one at the end of Patronum. Plus you should have a very strong happy or content moment to think of.

"Now we all will try. Wands out! Here we go! One, two, three … Expecto Patronum!"

There was only one corporeal patronus gliding around … that of Professor Patterson. The class groaned when they realised they had only produced wisps of smoke and clapped enthusiastically seeing Patterson's Owl Patronus.

"Don't be dejected. It's not easy. You start and I will see where you are going wrong. Just remember one thing – strong happy memory."

Severus rolled his eyes at Patterson's instructions. What a stupid spell! Why can't it be based on concentration just like other spells?

Happy memory!

He scoffed once again before concentrating on searching some happy memory.

Hermione realised on her third try that though she had many happy memories, she will have to feel them to produce a corporeal patronus. Thinking wistfully of those memories wouldn't do.

Hermione sighed. All her memories of happy times were with her family or friends – all she had left behind or rather lost. She couldn't help but think of them sadly.

She will have to think of something recent.

What did Professor say? Content? Yes. Content will have to do.

Hermione closed her eyes to think of something 'content'.

Now this was frustrating, Severus thought. Even Potter had managed to pull a slightly better patronus, whereas he was nowhere near it. He had tried all his happy memories – of his childhood spent with mother, his play time spent with Lily, when he had gotten his letter, when Lily and he had boarded the train, his beautiful moments spent staring at Lily.

He had nothing else.

Grudgingly, Severus admitted the problem. All his memories were tainted with bitterness or hurt. Looks like, Patronus isn't going to reveal it to me without my being actually happy, Severus thought gloomily.

"Any problem, Severus?" Patterson asked kindly.

"So far no luck, Professor," Severus answered. He was good in the class and Patterson had a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Try some recent memory," Patterson suggested. "One can easily feel the emotions from a recent memory."

"I have tried quite a lot of 'happy memories', Sir," Severus answered irritably. "None seem to be working."

"Try something when you felt content," Patterson suggested. "They ought to produce the same effort. We have to feel whatever makes us stand against Dementors. Happiness and feeling content are almost good."

Severus saw Patterson moving to another student, before frowning at his suggestion. He stared ahead and found that Granger was also struggling with her Patronus.

Granger!

Hermione looked around. Many had managed to produce a corporeal patronus even if it hadn't stayed for longer than a second.

Glancing around, her eyes fell on Severus.

Severus. It has almost been a routine for her to go to lake and sit there with him. They have been following it for a month now. They wouldn't talk to each other, just sit their quietly. Just once when he was feeling very agitated, she had placed a hand on his shoulder. He had tensed for sometime before relaxing again. Similarly a week back, he had brought chocolate drinks for both of them. It was getting colder sitting out.

It was a strange companionship, but Hermione enjoyed it and felt relieved of all the worries and nightmares.

Relieved! That will have to do.

Two identical shouts of 'Expecto Patronum' echoed around the room and two very corporeal patronuses glided around the room.

Severus and Hermione shared a surprised glance before turning to admire their patronuses.

Hermione's was a fox and Severus' was an eagle.

Everyone clapped at their achievement. Theirs were the ones to stay for so long and glide around the class.

"Bravo!" Patterson called out. "Twenty points to both Snape and Granger for producing a corporeal patronus."

Hermione looked at her fox as it snuggled at her legs and vanished. Severus' eagle had also flown to his shoulder, perched itself there and vanished.

Hermione smiled at Severus when she found him looking at her. Severus nodded in thanks.

And Hermione knew there and then, that they had used the same memory.

And that they would be friends for life time.

A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers and readers who read the story. I request the readers who put story on alert or those who read it but don't leave a review, to review it. Your suggestions and expectations make me think and write faster. Thanks.