Author's Note: So thank you to Angel67Demon and severusgrissom for reviewing Chapter Four! However, as a response to Angel67Demon, I know I PMed you, but just so everyone else knows, my timing is fine. See, in the books, Hermione's birthday is 19 September, 1979, making her a year older than Harry. Therefore, she was eleven when she started at Hogwarts, but turned twelve shortly after her first day. So, in her sixth year, she would be seventeen shortly after starting the year. This would make her of age, thus my timing is correct. BUT, I thank Angel67Demon for pointing that out, because it made me double check in case I had made a mistake, but I checked a few sites, and I know everything is fine now. But still, thank you!

IMPORTANT: I'm starting school in about two weeks, so I'm going to tell you this: I PROMISE TO UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY OR SATURDAY, but if something comes up, I WILL UPDATE WITH AN ATHOR'S NOTE! Lol, with that out of the way, I give you Chapter Five.

Chapter Five

Misunderstandings

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear."

It was a mystery to Hermione why she didn't get up and run for it. Snape stood over her like a looming shadow from one of her childhood nightmares, threatening to suck her up. Fear flooded through her and she wondered if he was half Dementor. Of course, the more logical side of her reminded her that was impossible. If anything, he was just intimidating her more now. Of course he is, he's about to murder me so he doesn't get killed! Her mind was reeling, screaming at her to get up and make for the Weasley's front door. Or anyone's front door, just as long as it wasn't Snape's. But all she could do was stare at him with wide, horrified eyes. In her peripheral field of vision, she saw his finger move. That was all it took for her to start screamed and running out of the room, her head still throbbing. She ran into a dark room and waved away a cob web with another shriek and looked around. There was nothing in front of her but a vast, open darkness that rendered her helpless, should anything lurk in its depths. Hermione moved around blindly with her arms outstretched in front of her, oddly resembling a zombie, trying to see if there was anything blocking her path. She felt against the walls for a window, awaiting that the silken fabric to brush against her hands and save her. She could climb through the window-

"Now stop right there, Miss Granger." The cold, venomous drawl came from the doorway. No! Hermione thought, the door! I forgot to close the door! She paused with her hand flat against the wall, the one wrapped in cloth searching for her wand when she remembered, with a wave of dread and panic hitting her hard in the chest, she had left it on the side table in the library. This wasn't like her! She brought her wand everywhere she went, even if it was just to get butter for her mother at the grocer, and now she was leaving it around Snape's house when he was about to murder her!

"Why would a young Gryffindor witch like you run from something like that? Have you not been nearly killed numerous times while hanging around with Potter?" He sneered the name as if it were a swear word. "Or is that all for show, Miss Granger? Just so you can get your fifteen minutes of fame with the boy? Now do you show your true loyalty? You stand your guard in other deathly situations and among plenty other dangerous wizards, but now, you cannot even face-" here she heard the door slam shut and the lock click. Snape stepped closer to her – she didn't need to see his dark form to know that. The quiet thud of his boots echoed through her mind, bouncing off her brain's cavernous walls. "-your Potions Master." He stood behind her now. She felt the tip of his wand press into the side of her neck and twist painfully. She shut her eyes tight and waited to hear the words, feel the jet of green light rip its way through her body before she felt nothing and fell into whatever lay beyond.

It never came. Instead, she felt herself being pulled roughly around to face him. She opened her eyes and stared at his chest, trying to stop the tremors that rocked her body.

"Pity, Miss Granger, I thought you knew everything. Clearly, you do not. Don't you agree that it would be-" he paused for dramatic effect, "-ideal for you to fight?" Hermione stared at the black buttons running down his robes. She stayed silent, for fear that if she said anything, it would be her last words.

"I asked you question," whispered Snape in a threatening tone. Hermione didn't dare look up at him as she nodded and replied, "Yes sir, it would be ideal for me to fight."

"But?" pressed Snape.

"But you're a teacher," was the only response Hermione could afford, because she knew he would retort with some undermining snipe about how she was clearly not as bright as anyone thought if she told him she had forgotten her wand again. Besides that fact, she really didn't know why she didn't fight with something else. There is nothing else, part of her mind told her, you're stuck in this room with him, and now he's got a hold of you. He can do whatever he wants. You've nowhere to go.

"Surely you can come up with something better than that, hmm?" Snape murmured, and she could hear the smirk in his voice. "I'm sure if Professor Flitwick tried to kill you, you wouldn't be standing here with his wand stuck to your neck." Hermione shivered and shook her head violently, her brown curls bouncing about.

"No, sir," she managed. With a deep breath, she summoned her courage and added, "Because unlike you, other Professors wouldn't try to kill their students." Hermione looked up at Snape with a glare.

"Very good, Miss Granger," Snape sneered and a dark chuckle followed his words. "How observant of you, yes, of course, I should have known that you would have figured that out by now. However, it's not so observant, after all as I have told you before that I have no wish or aspiration to kill you, haven't I, you cheeky witch? Allow me to write it down next time and slip it inside one of your books so you remember it." Hermione stared dumbfounded at Snape.

"Then why-?"

"Why did I chase after you? Yes, very good question, indeed, but perhaps if you had remained seated in my library, then there would have been no need for this. You see, Miss Granger, people have ways of explaining themselves." Hermione still stood in his grasp, her body still trembling but she felt more relaxed. Her professor was not about to kill her – at least, not now. Not until he had the wish to do so. In Hermione's mind, she knew that could be very soon. Snape was clearly a double agent for Voldemort, and what was to stop him from killing her? The Order! The tiny voice in her head was enough to make Hermione realize that it would be entirely stupid on his part if he were to murder her. The Order would surely find out, and he would be sent to Azkaban. No, she had to think like Snape. She had to think like a double agent – consider both sides of the story. If only she knew more information on what he did as a Death Eater, then she would have a better idea of what his moves would be like in his little game of Wizards' Chess.

"Then explain yourself," whispered Hermione, looking down at the ground. "Sir," she added quickly. Snape let go of her and took a step back.

"The Dark Lord," he started, "wants you dead, Miss Granger. He … feels it would be easier to kill Potter. However, I told him I believed it would prove more difficult. I'm sure Potter would be very angry with me if I did in fact take your life, yes?" Hermione looked up and glared at him.

"He's not such a big fan of you as it is, Professor," she said quietly. Snape cocked an eyebrow and went on. He paced around in front of her, hands folded behind his back. He occasionally addressed her with her eyes and Hermione found herself wishing he wouldn't look at her.

"He disagreed, so naturally, I was punished." He stopped and turned sharply to look at her. "I sent the Headmaster an owl last night, Miss Granger, after you had so meticulously healed me, requesting that you stay at Hogwarts until term begins." Hermione opened her mouth to say something but Snape held up a pale hand to stop her.

"You will be safer there. The Dark Lord has made appearances on my doorstep in the past, Miss Granger. Do you think it wise that you be here when he does?" Hermione shook her head.

"No, sir, but I thought you were to keep me safe?" Despite her dislike for the man, Hermione had grown somewhat strangely attached to his home, however un-homey it was. Unlike her own and her friends' houses, it was filled with books and interesting artefacts she had never seen before. His collection of drafts and potions was impressive, though she had never expected less of him. It was clear she had developed a liking to the shadowy hallways and extravagant rugs. She might even allow herself to say she had warmed up to Snape, even though they barely talked unless they were discussing important matters. No, you're just used to it by now, that's all, she thought bolshily.

"The owl I received from Professor Dumbledore stated that I was to accompany you," said Snape. Hermione heard him step closer and felt something brush against her upper back. His touch was gentle, the hand on the small of her back hard to feel through her sweater. Was it even his hand? Maybe she had back up into a curtain without noticing it. A small push toward told her it was his hand and his words make her feel happier. Why they did, Hermione didn't know.

"Oh," she said, trying to sound indifferent. Why was she so happy about this? He's kept you this safe, hasn't he? Of course, she was happier with the prospect that she would continue to be safe. Snape was a Death Eater, but something told Hermione he wasn't so bad. He was insulting and intimidating, yes, but not completely evil.

"Yes, don't be too happy," he sneered and Hermione had to try not to smile. "I want this as much as you do, Miss Granger, so throw a party while you still can." She glanced up at him in the new light of the hallway and saw the sarcasm etched into his features.

"Well, thank you, sir," she said. Snape nodded and continued down the hallway.

"We leave tomorrow," he called over his shoulder before disappearing into his office. Hermione stood awkwardly in the hallway and looked around. Well, that was that, she supposed. She would start packing her things later that night. New school robes were in order – she had outgrown her old ones in more ways than just height. The change was barely noticeable, though. Her hair was still as bushy as ever and her teeth – oh her teeth – remained the same size. With dentists for parents, she knew there was no hope for them changing in size. Her mother and father had often reminded her that people didn't care about teeth, only personality. Their words had little effect on Hermione; she still obsessed over what people thought of them the first time they met her. Shaking her head, she turned around and walked back to the library.

"He's smart, my son," a sudden voice said. Hermione jumped and looked to the portrait of Mrs. Snape. She had silky black hair pulled back into an elaborate up-do, some of it hanging down in loose waves at her shoulders. Her eyes were the same black caverns as Snape's, her skin emitting a pale glow in the dim candlelight. She regarded Hermione with a pointed stare, holding a small, pointed nose up in the air. Snape obviously didn't get much of his looks from his mother.

"Yes of course," said Hermione, feeling once again intimidated by a Snape.

"Then you would do well to listen to him, Miss," said Mrs. Snape.

"Yes of course," repeated Hermione, not sure what to say. "He's – he's saved my life a few times."

"Thank you for saving his," the older witch replied in a velvety voice.

"Oh, it's no problem," Hermione said, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "He wasn't so badly hurt, madam. He was far, erm, he was far from dying…."

"You're his student, are you not?" Hermione nodded.

"Yes," she said. Mrs. Snape offered a small smile.

"Are you bright?"

"I like to think so," said Hermione, blushing again. "I do enjoy learning…." The woman in the portrait laughed.

"It's better to know yourself, than to be modest," she said. "Tell me dear, what is your name?"

"Hermione Granger, madam," replied Hermione. Mrs. Snape smiled softly.

"Lovely name, as well."

"Thank you," said Hermione.

"You should go, I think. Severus does not like to be kept waiting, and you leave tomorrow, I hear. A mother would tell you to pack well, but alas, I am not your mother. I am, however, the eyes and ears of this house, and I know you are not safe, Miss Granger. It is better to get to Hogwarts as fast as possible." Hermione nodded.

"Do you know much about what's going on?" she asked.

"Oh I know more than that, my child," Mrs. Snape said mysteriously. "It's better to leave details to Severus, however. He knows best." Hermione nodded and kept her questions to herself. She wanted to know more about why Voldemort wanted to kill her, but she knew there wasn't much more to it than the fact that he wanted Harry. She and Ron seemed like the only things blocking his way now.

"Then I must go, Mrs. Snape," said Hermione. She smiled at the portrait who returned her pleasantry.

"I bid you farewell and good luck, Miss Granger. And … trust him." With that, she turned around and left her portrait, leaving behind a green armchair that looked remarkably like the one in Snape's reading room. Hermione nodded to no one and returned to the library. She knew she should be packing, but she only needed a few things. The rest was up to Diagon Alley.

Sighing, Hermione sunk back into the couch and rested her head on a cushion. Tomorrow would be better. Tomorrow, she would be back at Hogwarts.

~SSHG~

Author's Note: So I didn't like that chapter as much as the other ones, but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting too long! Also, like I said, I won't be updating until every Friday or Saturday. I start school soon, so I'm just getting everything ready! I might give you the odd double post, though. Mawahahaha! It depends how I feel that week. And I promise that if I won't be able to update, I will leave an Author's Note. So, thanks for reading! Not so much of a cliff hanger, but Hermione had experience some confusion about Snape. Hmmm…. I will add more of his mother in, too. I think she could add interesting twists to this story. Anyway, thanks for reviewing last time! If you reviewed again … I'd love you forever! Alright, I'll stop rambling now…. Bye!