Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews! It means a lot to me and really keeps me inspired! So, yes, shout outs to: Dopplegranger, Severusgrissom, and Kwai Ax'nav! So, I'm sure you're all excited to see how Hermione reacts to poor Severus! I'll get on with Chapter Four now

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter Four

Deafening Silences and Terrifying News

"The wind was a torrent of darkness among the ghastly trees. The moon was a ghostly galleon, tossed upon the cloudy seas. The road was a ribbon of moonlight, over the purple moor…."

~SSHG~

A storm had rolled in shortly after Snape had left to a meeting Hermione could only assume was called by Voldemort. His house was already creepy enough without the flashes of lightning throwing shadows onto the wall, and every deep clap of thunder was too much for Hermione. Every little noise already had her jumping. She curled up with a good book she had found in the depths of a small library that was hidden behind a large, heavy door at the end of a long dark hallway. She discovered it when trying to find a loo to take a shower. The book was so interesting she had almost taken it into the shower with her, but of course remembered her punishment from ruining other things of Snape's and put it back. It was called Charming a Wand, its pages lined with steps on how to create your own charms and spells. Hermione planned on searching for more books like it though, before she tried some of it out on her own. The library offered comfort to her - the smell of old books made her feel at home despite the dark walls and cold furniture. It was easy for her to block out the portraits' eyes on her when she was immersed in a good book, and sometimes she forgot she was in the Over-grown Bat's house, but in the Hogwarts Library instead. It was the thunder that ruined her relaxed state. Words on a page weren't enough to block out the sound she dreaded most about summer.

Hermione had grown weary with her reading and her eyes were heavy with sleep. It was late but she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep with the storm raging on. She decided a spot of tea would calm her nerves and made her way to the kitchen where Tippy was cleaning the counters until they shined spotless. The tiny elf looked up, her violet eyes wide and bright when she saw it was Hermione. Her long ears flopped over a bit, reminding Hermione of a small dog.

"What would Miss Hermione Granger like? Tippy can get her anything!" Hermione smiled gently.

"Some tea please, Tippy. Two sugars?"

"Of course! Anything, Miss!" The young witch smiled as Tippy bounced around the kitchen, preparing the tea. Meanwhile, Hermione picked up the rag Tippy had been using and finished cleaning the counter for her.

"Oh, no! Miss, that is Tippy's job!" Hermione jumped around and laughed lightly.

"Oh, it's really not a big deal. I clean the counters for my parents all the time at home." Hermione frowned and looked at the ground, trying to shake the sudden feeling of homesickness.

"Is Hermione Granger all right?" Tippy's voice brought Hermione out of her thoughts. She smiled again and nodded, taking the tea that was held out in front of her suddenly.

"Yes, Tippy. I'm fine. And thank you," said Hermione, taking a sip of her tea. "This is lovely." The elf beamed and her ears flopped excitedly.

"Miss Granger is very welcome! Tippy is lucky to have such masters!" Hermione's eyes popped and she shook her head.

"Oh, Tippy, I'm not your master! I'm your friend!" She laughed light heartedly at the surprised look on Tippy's face.

"Friend? Tippy likes having friends!" Hermione smiled and patted Tippy on the head gently.

"I'm very happy to be your friend, Tippy," she said in a happy voice. It was nice to have someone else to talk to other than Snape. In fact, it was nice to have someone to talk to at all. Snape didn't say much unless he was angry at Hermione or answering some of her questions. She wondered if he would be more talkative when he was finished all his work for school. That was mainly the reason he hadn't spoken to her. Then again, Hermione knew the man didn't like her all that much. His insults from school proved that. Hermione never let them get to her, but there was one in particular that had always nagged at her from the back of her head. During her fourth year, Malfoy had thrown a curse at her. She still remembered the painful burning as her two front teeth grew to the size of a beaver's. She and Harry and Ron hadn't meant to get caught, so of course it was Snape who had found them. I see no difference, he had said. It was stupid of course – Hermione hadn't expected him to do anything about it, but the comment was completely unnecessary. It had haunted Hermione until this day. She had even looked up spells that could change the appearance of her teeth but found none. She hadn't even been aware of their size before then, either, and now she always worried about what people would think of them. Hermione put it out of her mind – she had bigger things to worry about.

"Tippy must get back to her chores now, Miss!"

"Yes, alright," said Hermione, smiling as the tiny elf moved around her and continued with the kitchen. Hermione took her tea and walked into the reading room. She pulled back the curtains on the tall window, rubbing the silken fabric between her fingers for a moment. Then, she peeked out of the window and into the empty, flooded street. There was a tall tree in Snape's front yard just before a tall, brick fence that seemed to blend into the gloomy sky the higher up it went. It was hard to make out in the dark just how tall it was. The tree loomed overhead, bending and springing back with the force of the wind, threatening to snap off its trunk. The street was empty as the water ran down it, looking like a shallow river. A flash of lightening illuminated the sky and the rest of the neighbourhood, the sound of thunder following it making Hermione grimace. For once, she wished Snape was there. Even if he hated her, at least there was someone there with her. Of course, there was Tippy, but a grown wizard just seemed to make Hermione feel safer, Death Eater or not.

She closed the drapes and let them fall together, swishing around at the floor for a few seconds. She stared at curtains, a strange feeling of sudden fear creeping over her. A sip of tea calmed her nerves, reassuring her that she was on edge only because of the storm outside. As if nodding to a voice whispering to her through the silence, Hermione sat down and finished her tea. The feeling of sleepiness overtook her and she nodded off in the comfy arm chair, her legs curled up beneath her. She dreamt of her parents and escaped to a world where no one was in danger and all was happy, even Snape perhaps….

Crack!

Hermione jumped awake, her eyes searching wildly through the darkness of the room. Her hand flew instinctively to her wand and she rose to her feet. Her head swam again. Her injuries still weren't completely healed; any sudden movements made the room revolve. Ignoring the sick dizzy feeling, she slowly walked from the room and peaked around the corner, catching sight of the grandfather clock in a corner that ticked loudly in her ears against the loud silence. Two thirty-two. How long had she fallen asleep for? Surely the clock was wrong! Another flash of lightning told Hermione that the storm raged on. A sudden howl of wind ran through the house and the silence that followed sent goose bumps across Hermione's skin. The loudest sound was her own breathing, heavy and deafening in her ears. Her heart thumped in time with the tick tock, tick tock of the clock. Wand outstretched in front of her, Hermione stepped over the threshold and looked down the hallway. A sharp inhale of breath from behind made her whip around. She shrieked at the sight before her.

There he stood, hunched over and breathing heavily, one arm clutching his ribs, the other hanging lifelessly from his side.

"Professor!" Hermione yelled, lighting her wand to see him better. The white cuffs under his black robes were stained with blood as were his pale hands. His face was stark white, glowing in the soft light resonating from the tip of her wand. Hermione stood for a moment, quite shocked and not sure what to do. Snape's slight form trembled from what Hermione knew was pain. He teetered on the spot and finally fell against the wall. Gasping, Hermione rushed forward and kneeled beside him, her hands flying over him, not sure what to do.

"Help!" she called out to the silence and immediately felt stupid. There was no one there but Tippy.

Tippy.

"Tippy!" Hermione yelled. "Tippy, come quick please!" A sudden swishing sound alerted Hermione that the elf had materialized beside her.

"Yes, Miss?" the elf squeaked.

"Professor Snape has been hurt, and I'm – I'm not sure where I can help him in this house."

"His private potions lab, Miss!" Tipp glanced down at Snape, her large purple eyes bulging as she played nervously with the hem of her pillow case.

"Yes, of course! Thank you!" Tippy nodded and offered to help as Hermione levitated Snape down the hallway and past the sleeping portraits hanging on the wall.

"My son!" croaked a soft voice. It sounded as though it belonged to a woman. Hermione glanced over and caught the eyes of Snape's mother. "What has happened to him?"

"He's hurt, madam," she said quietly. "He will be fine."

"You help him, Miss," demanded Mrs. Snape.

"Of course," Hermione whispered, feeling somewhat insulted. She didn't much care for Snape, but she wouldn't let him suffer like that, especially if he was saving her life….

The lab was as dark as any other room, but Tippy quickly cast a spell and the candles around the walls were lit with flickering flames. Hermione levitated Snape over to the long counter she had sat on only the day before and lay him down gently. His breathing came in short, shallow puffs and his eyes finally fluttered open.

"Professor?" Hermione whispered. His onyx eyes looked around frantically at first until they rested on her face. "Professor, don't move," she instructed and he seemed as though he had no choice as she undid his black robes with shaking hands. It was completely strange and at the same time necessary. She pulled his cloak off and let it fall in a heap on the floor, revealing his black, form-fitting robes. She took the upper one and pulled it from his torso. Underneath he wore a plain white dress shirt, the sleeve of his injured arm soaked through with blood. Her stomach churned at the sight and smell of it, but she had no choice but to grit her teeth and bear it.

"I hope you have plenty more of these shirts," she murmured apologetically as she ripped the sleeve of his shirt open, gasping at the deep wound. She could swear it was half-way to the bone. What had Snape done to be harmed like this? Surely nothing worth such torture!

Hermione's own breathing matched Snape's as she stared down at the gash and the blood that slowly trickled down his arm. She swallowed hard and looked around. Tippy stood in the door way, cowering at the sight.

"You can go if you like," said Hermione softly. Tipp shook her large head.

"No, Tippy must stay with her friend, in case Miss Hermione Granger needs any assistance!"

"Thank you," said Hermione, now eyeing the cupboard where Snape had got her potion from the other day. Waving her wand, Hermione said clearly, "Accio Essence of Dittany." A small bottle of brown-coloured liquid burst forth from the cupboard and soared through the air toward Hermione. She grabbed it and summoned an eye-dropper. Dipping it into the potion, she began applying to Snape's arm. A soft hiss escaped his lips and she saw him close his eyes tightly.

"It might sting a little," she said, her voice shaking. She watched with relief as his wound started healing instantly, the flesh coming together. There was a light pink scar forming in a cursive line down his arm. Panting slightly, Snape opened his eyes and looked up at her. She had her lips pressed firmly in a line as she finished healing his arm.

"Where else, sir?" she asked.

"Ribs," he muttered, his voice hoarse. It sounded strange to Hermione – weak. She didn't react to it though, knowing Snape would never forgive her if she pointed out that he could sound like those "sentimental children forever whining about how bitterly unfair their lives had been", because he did in fact sound like a young man – though that he was – who was capable of feeling something other than anger. She had always thought of him as someone who would never show pain. But this, this was something entirely different to her. It was obvious that Snape held up a sort of shield. It was as if he was afraid to feel anything but fury.

How very wrong she was. She didn't know about this past.

Hermione nodded and moved to apply a bit of pressure. "Tell me where," she said in a soft voice, pressing the palm of her hand down. A low grunt came from his lips.

"Foolish girl," he growled, scrunching his eyes and hissing again in pain.

"There," said Hermione, taking her hands off. "This will hurt," she warned and whispered, "Epsikey!"

"Ahh!" Snape yelled out loud and glared at her through half-open eyes.

"I'm sorry!" Hermione exclaimed, noting the anger on his face. He clearly did not like being seen in such a weak state. She braced herself for more insults now to make up for it. He stayed silent and a few moments passed until he pulled himself up into a sitting position.

"Professor, I need to wrap your arm…." Hermione trailed off and conjured a plain white cloth which she easily made into a makeshift cast and sling for him. Then she went and got the same potion he had given her for pain and made him drink it ("I do not bloody need that!" Snape had snapped). It took some persuasion and Hermione figured it was because she was "the most annoying, insufferable and persistent twit of the whole bloody student body".

"You should rest, Professor," said Hermione as she put everything away in its proper place. She had misplaced one thing by accident and earned a temper-mental snap from her Potions Master. Tippy had then rushed forward and made sure Hermione knew where the empty vials of potions went. Hermione was much more aware of where things went after that.

"Miss Granger, if you have not noticed by now, I am lying on a table, not running around foolishly. Of course I'm resting!" Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I mean go to sleep, sir," she said softly. Snape looked over and glared at her.

"I was planning on it, Miss Granger, no need to tell me how to live." Hermione sighed and nodded as she washed her hands of his blood. He had tried to kill her before and now he couldn't even thank her for saving his life? It was funny how his mind worked.

"Alright then," she said and started fiddling with her hands. "Do you need anything?"

"Tippy can get Master Snape some nice hot tea, she can!" Hermione glanced at Tippy and then at Snape who shook his head.

"Tippy, I think Professor Snape just needs rest," said Hermione, looking pointedly at Snape whose glare intensified with a fire that could have burned Hermione had it been possible.

"Both of you, get out!" he snapped, standing up now. Tippy scurried off down the hallway, but Hermione stayed in place, staring at him.

"What did you do, Professor?" she asked in a small voice.

"That's none of your concern, is it, Miss Granger?" Snape asked, inclining his head towards her. He raised an eyebrow, daring her to speak. "I don't think it would do well for anyone if you knew … everything." His lips curled up into his usual sneer. Hermione looked down and folded her arms behind her back.

"Of course, sir," she whispered. "Good night, sir," she said. She didn't look at him as she walked from the room and to the bedroom she was currently sleeping in. Angrily, she punched the fluffy pillows until her arms got tired. She collapsed in a fit of tears and curled up into a ball, wishing the mattress would eat her up and hide her away from the world. From him. The man had no heart. She was on the verge of being murdered and all he could do was insult her. The least he could do was just not talk to her.

Despite the flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder, Hermione fell asleep easily. At least the tears had stopped somewhere in between her dreams and when she woke up the following morning. She prepared herself for the day and quietly walked downstairs, praying that he would still be asleep, but her heart fell when the clock in the hallway told her it was half past twelve. With a yawn, she made her way into the kitchen. Snape was nowhere to be seen, so she helped herself to an apple from his kitchen. When she finished it, she walked to the library that she had found the day before, picking up the same book and laying down on a couch. She only had two chapters left, anyway, so why not finish them? She started reading and soon everything surrounding her melted away into the walls, her eyes focused on the words.

Someone clearing their throat front the doorway was what made her jump. She looked up and a feeling of dread filled her entire being as her eyes landed on Snape himself, leaning casually against the door way. The intense gaze he gave her, however, made her heart leap and her stomach flip, contradicting with her other feelings in a horrible, frightening way.

"Professor?" she squeaked.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger," the tall man drawled, smirking at her. "I see you decided to wake up." Hermione could only stare at him for a moment before nodding slowly. She slowly closed the book that lay in her lap and sat up straight.

"Yes sir," said Hermione quietly. "I'm sorry, sir…."

"I also see that when I am not here, you search my house for a secret library, hmm?" Hermione looked around.

"It's not so secret sir," she said cheekily. His gaze darkened and she added in hast, "but if I'm not allowed in here…." Snape smirked again.

"I have no problem with you being in here, Miss Granger, however, I would prefer it if you did not barge into rooms," he said in a firm voice.

"Of course sir, it – it won't happen again," replied Hermione.

"Let's see to it that it doesn't." Snape moved and sat down in the arm chair across from Hermione. She was glad to see that he had kept his sling on. At least he knew how to listen for his own benefit.

"Sir," she said, gesturing to his arm. "How … did that happen? Where did you go last night?" Why? What did you do to get punished? I thought the Dark Lord favoured you? She held her tongue and stopped asking questions before he got too annoyed.

"Miss Granger…." Snape stopped and then frowned at her. "The Dark Lord called a meeting, Miss Granger. I suppose it would be prudent to tell you what about," he said.

"Professor, why do you say that?" Snape fixed her with a look that expressed as much as his next words.

"The Dark Lord wants me to kill you." Hermione felt her body go cold as ice, like one of the ghosts at Hogwarts had flipped her inside out. Her face drained of all colour as she looked at Snape with wide eyes as smirk crossed his face. He stood up and she had an urge to run, but something held her to the couch.

~SSHG~

Author's Note: Mwahahaha! I'm sorry, I know I'm evil; I should be the new Voldemort. Oh well, at least you have something to look forward to! I will update as soon as I can! Review? It would mean a lot! Thank you for reading! XOXO.