Just a quick note. This story takes place in Hermione's especially last year at Hogwarts so is slightly au as Hermione, harry and Ron returned to Hogwarts, Dumbledore is still alive, and Hermione is 19 due to the use of the time turner in her third year. This story will try and remain true t characters, that being said I love Ron he is sweet and good, but I do not think he is well matched for Hermione, she needs someone darker, more masculine. Cue Severus ;) The characters belong to JK I am borrowing them purely for my own entertainment and hopefully yours! This is my first story so any and all review are greatly appreciated!
Chapter 2.
The week passed quickly and before Hermione knew it they were boarding the train at platform 9 ¾ with luggage in to. Looking around Hermione noticed there platform was quieter than usual people whispered and figured as if afraid to move, absent were the usual laughter and chatter that came from the excitement of returning to Hogwarts. Hermione grew more and more concerned as they neared the platform, Harry glanced as her and Ron, who was holding her hand, and whispered "Stay close I have a bad feeling about this" Hermione didn't blame him the platform was eerie, it felt wrong somehow. Ginny and the other Weasley were ahead of them already standing next to the train, Hermione Saw saying something very animatedly to the others and it looked like they were having a debate in hushed tones which was odd as the Weasleys never argued. When Hermione,Harry and Ron reached them they caught the tail end of the argument. "Molly we have to let them go, Dumbledore would never let anything happen to them. Dementors aside, they will be safe at Hogwarts"Mr Weasley said in a calm but assured tone of voice. It was with the word Dementors that Hermione recognised the feeling from four years ago when they rescued Sirius from the Dementors, she glanced upwards as well as around now and in the distance could see what must easily be two dozen Dementors that were a about half a mile away. Just far enough so they were away from the platform but the minute the train sped away they would be travelling through a pack of them. She now understood why the platform was so eerie, why everyone was quiet, they were afraid and so was Hermione. She knew what they could do, Sirius black was a shell of a man thanks to them, they were the appitamy of terror they oozed it even from that great distance.
Hermione shuddered involuntarily. Harry said " is right the safest place for us Is Hogwarts, everywhere else is outside of Dumbledores protection, with you know who influencing the ministry no where is safe now except Hogwarts for us, this just proves that." Hermione thought that was one of the most accurate things harry has ever said, and the thought of Voldemort influencing the ministry made her cringe with fear for herself and all the there Muggle borns. It would seem her fears over the summer were vast becoming a reality. As if sensing this Ron put his arm around her and said "it's fee Hermione we will protect you whatever happens". It was sweet really that he tried to cheer her up, but it didn't work at all she felt no safer with his empty promises She knew he and harry would try and protect her but no one could guarantee her safety, hell no one was safe while Voldemort was still in power least of all her, harry potters best friend and muggle born. So she smiled and nodded.
After some more heated debating mainly from and Percy if you could believe it, it wasn't like him to get involved but he was quite adamant that we should stay home instead of returning to schools though Hermione felt sure his motives were quite different to though what they were she couldn't quite decide. It was eventually decided that they would return and they would re-evaluate at the Christmas break. It really didn't matter to Harry, Ron and Hermione however they had job to do but they didn't want to fall out or upset . They boarded the train just in the nick of time no sooner had they sat down, the train started to pull away. They waved and smiled at the Mr and Mrs Weasley and Percy, who waved and smiled back though their grins looked as strained as Hermione's surely did. Looking out the window in silence they watched as Dementor after Dementor passed them, with a sinking feeling Hermione thought they would probably be the least of their worries soon enough.
...
They were greeted at the gates of Hogwarts by Hagrid who looked more pleased than ever to see them., his face light up upon greeting them and Hermione couldn't help the gigantic grin that crossed her face. He led them to hall were the other year groups were already. Harry and Ron sitting either side of her, when Ron gasped "that's Dolohov and Alecto and amicus Carrow, renowned death eaters!" Hermon gasped and heard harry intake of breath. Things were worse than she thought, Voldemort was further into power than she had imagined. Her eyes trailed along the staff table and saw Dumbledore sitting straight and rigid watching the students with his head held high. The thing that worried her the most was Snape, he looked, worried. A look she had never seen on him, angry, condescending yes but never worried, it was subtle, easily missed, but the way his jaw was clenched his slight crease between his brows it gave it away. Had it not been for the fact Hermione had watched him so closely over the past year, partly due to her distrust of him and partly due to her respect and admiration of his knowledge and skills, she would not have been able to read him quite so easily. As if sensing her observation of him Severus turned and looked directly at her. Hermione blushed and looked away quickly. She could feel his eyes on her for what felt like a lifetime until it passed and his gaze fell elsewhere. Hermione let out a breathe she did not realise she had been holding. "okay?" asked Ron leaning against her shoulder to whisper in her ear. Hermione felt the need to pull away for an unknown reason but resisted and nodded smiling at him.
Further conversation was interrupted by Dumbledore who stood up and a great hush fell across the hall in preparation for his beginning speech. "Good evening to you all, a very, very warm welcome back, it is marvellous to see so many smiling happy faces again I trust you all had a lovely summer." With that Hermione looked at Harry who understood her look of concern, it was as though Dumbledore was being fed his words they didn't quite seem right or like him at all. "some of you may have noticed some new faces. It gives me great pleasure to introduce put new members of staff appointed by the minister himself, Dovolhov our new defence against the dark arts teacher and Alecto and Amicus Carrow our new head of discipline and caretakers." Hermione now understood why Dumbledore sounded so false, so reversed, his every move was being watched by the prime minister who was surely as good as death eater now under the influence of Voldemort. Dumbledore needed to seem like he was pleased with them or they would have an excuse to overthrow him and without Dumbledore the school and the students would fall. Hermione could not have told you what the rest of the speech was about she did not hear it above the ringing in her ears and fear in her heart, she was conscious however of Severus gaze on her more than once.
That evening when they all retired to their dormitories, Hermione in one all to herself now she was head girl, she found she could not sleep, too much was going around her head. She pulled a short purple dressing gown over white scrappy top and short and put on her slippers and set off for the kitchens, a warm glass of milk may help her get to sleep. She was just turning the corner before the kitchen when she suddenly felt a chill and felt uneasy, she walked quicker. Suddenly she felt a wand poking her in the back. Not quick enough she thought. "well, well, well, what do we have here? A griffins or lamb out after curfew! You must remember the new curfew is 8 o'clock b order of Dumbledore you were told a matter of hours ago how thick are you." Dovolhov sneered. She cursed herself under her breathe, she had not heard it actually though it makes sense the death eaters wanted controlled and a reason to punish the students, and she had just handed herself to him on a platter. Well, she wasn't going to make it easy for him, Hogarth was her home she refused to be frightened within it. She stood up sprightly and said "Actually I am head girl, I was out patrolling if you must know, I am well within my right so if you don't mind I will be going, I have a job to do" she got maybe five steps before Dovolhov lunged for her and grabbed her around the waist slamming her into the wall. Hermione couldn't help the gasp of pain that escaped her from the jolt. "dressed like that, I don't think so. No I think you were on the prowl for something else." He levered brining his other arm around and up her thigh continuing up her short and up under her knickers. Hermione cursed herself a second time what was she thinking leaving her room dressed like that, wearing next to nothing. She quickly and roughly pushed his hand away. Gritting her teeth and glaring at him even as her breath caught and her heart beat raced with fear. "Don't touch me you vile, evil excuse for a man" With that she brought her knee up to where the sun most certainly does not shine. He double over and groaned out in pain. Hermione saw her chance and ran as fast as her feet would carry her. She heard rather than saw that he had recovered enough to chase after her though he was slow , still writhing in pain. She flew around a cone rand BANG she bounded straight into Snape. "what..." He started to say but then he must have caught sight of Dovolhov. Then Snape did something Hermione least expected he put his arm behind her and pushed her behind him so that his body was between her and Dovolhov. Hermione struggled to regain her breath. "what do you think you are doing Dovolhov? Do you not recall you are in the middle of a school, do you not recall your duty you are a professor not a professor of discipline!" Severus started in a hushed voice but grew louder to almost a shout, it was his tone of voice however that made Hermione cringe, the pure unadulterated anger in his voice was unmistakable. It almost made Hermione take a step back, but he was helping her. She didn't know why and she didn't question it, she felt safe with Severus which was ridiculous she didn't know him, not really.
Dolohov was not giving up. He squared up to Severus leaning towards him but Severus was a good foot taller and simply looked down his nose at him with a look of pure disgust. "who the full do you think you are Snape. I saw her first she's mine. Back off." Dolohov said pointing his wand Severus , pushing it right under his chin into his throat. "you forget yourself Dovolhov, you forget your ranking" Severus said with a glint in his eye. Hermione frowned slightly, but she was not going to question it, what Severus said worked Dovolhov backed down lowering his wand and shooting Hermione a look of pure hatred. "safe this time mud blood, mark my words this will be the first and last, I will have you I promise you that" He spat the last words out, Hermione returning his glare with a look of hatred of her own and watched as he sauntered away punching a nearby portrait who exclaimed and shouted "Well I never!"
Hermione let out a breath and looked at Severus who had now turned to face her, he grabbed her arms. "what on earth were you thinking Miss Granger!" Severus proclaimed tightening his grip on her arms. "I, I wasn't I guess I didn't think I didn't know. " Hermione said her heart racing again, although not from fear this time. She looked at Severus in the eyes and did not feel fear she knew he was acting out of concern not anger. "you're hurting my arms" Hermione said gently. Severus immediately let go and took a step back. He let out a shaky breathe. " no you didn't think did you not at all. Do you know how close a call that just was? How bad that could have been! No I bet you have no idea a innocent such as yourself would have no clue of the depravaties a man like that is capable of." Hermione took a step forward, incredulous now. "I didn't think, because Hogwarts is my home. I feel safe here." She took another step forward, hand on her hips "As for being an innocent I don't know where you got that impression from!"
Hermione's eyes widened, she hadn't meant to say that out loud, her face flushed. Severus looked shocked his mouth open slightly at what she had just said. Had it been any other situation Hermione would have laughed at his expression. Severus recovered slightly and looked at her in the eyes, a deep look in his eyes that made Hermione shiver, but not from fear this time. From this angle Hermione vaguely took note that his hair was not greasy it was measly very shiny and it fell in front of his eyes slightly in a manner that made her want to brush it back out of his face. She leaned forward, neither of them breaking eye contact, the only sound was their ragged breathing. Severus's eyes flickered to her lips and back. Hermione subconsciously linked her lips and opened her mouth slightly, she leaned forward to close the small gap. When he all of a sudden took a step back and cleared his throat. "You should return to your dormitory Miss Granger." Looking somewhere just above her head.
Hermione looked away from him and pushed down the feeling of rejection threatening to rise within her. It was ridiculous she thought, she shouldn't being thinking of him like that, he was her professor after all., it was just the adrenaline, it must be. With that thought in mind she nodded at him. "thank you professor, truly I am in your debt." She thought she saw a dark flicker in his eyes at her statement, before she could truly place the look it had gone his usually impassive look on his face. A look that almost resembled boredom, but Hermione wasn't fooled she knew she saw something in his eyes. "Not at all, Miss Granger, you owe me nothing. Just be careful from now on." His voice slightly more rough than usual. Hermione frowned slightly at his dismally of her thanks, she did owe him and it occurred to her that perhaps he was not used to gratitude. "I will professor." She nodded again and smiled slightly before turning and starting to walk back to her dormitory. She was surprised when he continued walking the same way as her, the slithering corridor was the other direction, but he walked alongside her keeping pace with her. She pressed down a smile that threatened to show, and they continued the rest of the way in companionable silence. She felt safe with him by her side, despite thinking of Dovolhovs threat and how she would have to be much more prepared in the future, she vowed then to never leave the room without her wand again.