Let Me Help You

DracoxHermione

Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Let Me Help You

Chapter 6

The next morning at during breakfast, Hermione was listening to Harry and Ron talk about the upcoming Quidditch match, as it would be Ron's first time playing as Keeper. Harry was telling their red haired friend that everything would be fine and that he had faith in him, which neither of them were sure Ron would take that confidence or not. Hermione had just taken a bite out of her oatmeal when Ginny plopped down next to her and leant up against her shoulder. Looking over at her she said, "Good morning, Ginny."

"Morning," Ginny said tiredly. The ginger yawned before putting some food on her plate. "Has the mail come by yet?"

"No, not yet. What has you so tired this morning?" Hermione replied before taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.

Ginny sighed and answered, "Dean and I had another fight late last night and I spent the rest of the night crying about it."

Hermione wrapped an arm around her friend and gave her a hug, asking her what it was about though she already had a feeling. Ginny told her that Dean didn't believe she was as into him as she said she was because she was still pining after Harry, just like every other girl in Hogwarts. Hermione decided to say nothing because she honestly agreed with Dean but didn't want Ginny to start yelling at her about not agreeing with her or having her back or whatever else. Deciding to change the subject Hermione and Ginny started talking about going to Hogsmeade together, just the two of them; no boys whatsoever, just a complete girls day.

The sound of wings flapping alerted the Great Hall that the mail was arriving and everyone looked up, looking for their owl (if they owned one) or an owl to bring them a letter, the Daily Prophet, presents from home; just something that they could get. Hermione of course wasn't expecting anything other than the Daily Prophet, but she was surprised when an eagle owl flew above her head and dropped an envelope in her empty bowl and flew away, followed by a barn owl that brought her the Daily Prophet. Frowning she picked up the envelope that had her name on it in very neat and elegant scrawl. Opening it she took the letter out and unfolded it, reading its short message.

Hermione,

Meet me in the Room of Requirement during lunch hour.

A friend.

Hermione was a bit confused at first, but when she looked up and caught grey eyes looking her way, she knew who it was from and she nodded in return. The letter was suddenly snatched from her hands and Ginny was looking at it.

"'A friend'?" Ginny asked as Hermione took the letter back and stuck it in her Charms book. "Who is that?"

"None of your business," Hermione replied as she opened up the Daily Prophet.

Ginny didn't look convinced and asked, "Is it from a secret admirer? Are you talking to a boy?"

Hermione sighed and looked at her friend asking, "Does it matter, Ginny?"

"Not really, but you never get a letter from "a friend". I would have thought it would still be Viktor Krum, but he actually signs his name. And since you refuse to tell me who it is since you obviously know, it has to be a boy. Hermione, what about Ron? I thought you liked my brother."

"Ginny, I have a right to privacy, you know. And just because we're friends and girls and we gossip, I don't have to tell you everything. And this letter doesn't mean that I am talking to anyone. And for your information, I have no sorts of romantic feelings for Ron. I'm sorry if you thought that, but I really don't. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get to get to class."

Hermione stood and grabbed her bag and books and walked away from the Gryffindor table and left the Great Hall, slightly annoyed with Ginny. She knew she didn't mean any harm, but she also didn't have to tell her who the letter was from. Not to mention she would lose it if she told her it was from Draco, even more so if she told her that she had feelings for him. And if she told her the letter was from Draco, Ginny would wonder why and what her involvement with the Prince of Slytherin was, and she couldn't betray Draco's trust in her. All she could do at the moment was stay as tightlipped as she could concerning Draco with her friends. She would prove to Draco that he could trust her.

"I expect an eight foot essay on what we covered today, as well as the advantages and disadvantages for next class. There will also be a quiz next class with demonstration of the defenseive and offensive spells learned today. That will be all; class dismissed," Professor Snape said in his low baritone voice, watching how his sixth year Gryiffindor students practically scrambled out of class, while his Slytherins easily packed up and walked out. His sharp black eyes landed on a less bushy head of hair before he said, "Miss Granger, stay behind."

Hermione looked up in surprise before nodding and continued to pack her books and paper away, making sure her ink pot was securely closed before putting that away as well with her quill. Harry and Ron looked confused at their most hated professor's request for their friend before Ron said, "I wonder what the greasy git wants this time."

"Ron! Hush, he'll hear you," Hermione reprimanded, hoping his remark wasn't heard for fear a more points being taken. They had already lost a total of twenty-five points during DADA period because of Ron, Seamus, and Harry altogether; they really didn't need to lose anymore.

Harry nodded and said, "Yes, we don't need him to take more points from Gryffindor just because. But do you want us to wait outside the classroom for you, Hermione?"

The brunette shook her head and replied, "No, but thanks anyway, Harry. I'm sure it's nothing serious and it's not like Professor Snape will hex me or anything."

"You never know," Ron said skeptically, his blue eyes narrowing at the dark haired man.

Professor Snape looked up from his textbook and glared at the redhead in return saying, "I requested for Miss Granger to stay behind. Unless you want detention for loitering around, I suggest you and Mr. Potter exit the classroom, Mr. Weasley."

Ron and Harry told their friend they would see her later before beating a hasty retreat out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. As soon as they were gone, the Potions Master flicked his wand at the door, making it slam shut behind the boys. Casting a Silencing Charm around the room to prevent eavesdropping that he was sure Granger's friends were going to do, he said, "Miss Granger, I would like to talk to you."

"Yes sir. What about, may I ask?" Hermione replied respectfully, giving her professor her full attention.

"It has come to my attention that Mr. Malfoy has entrusted you with some very serious information. I'm sure you can figure out what I am talking about."

"Yes sir, I know."

Professor Snape nodded and said, "Then you know the repercussions of what will happen if this information was ever found out. And it doesn't help that you, as the insufferable know-it-all that you are, are friends with a nosy person who doesn't know how to keep his nose out of others' business and causes trouble for himself, you, and others. It would be easy for him to run to the Headmaster and tell him this information and getting my godson in trouble."

Hermione had the urge to defend Harry, but wondered if that was the best thing to do at the moment. After all, this was Professor Severus Snape she was talking to and he already had a very low opinion of her friend. And now concerning Draco, he definitely wasn't going to want to hear anything about the Boy Who Lived at the moment. Deciding to reassure the man she said, "I won't tell anyone about Draco's mission from You-Know-Who, Professor. I already promised him I wouldn't tell anyone, and I can promise you that I will keep my word."

"I shall see, Miss Granger. I should hope that out of the three of you, you are the best to keep a secret, unless you just cannot help yourself," the man replied.

"I don't run off at the mouth all of the time, sir. And I would never betray Draco's trust in me like that. After all I li-" Hermione said, only to cut herself off with a blush on her cheeks as she bit her lower lip.

Snape raised an eyebrow in curiosity at what could possibly have made the Gryffindor cut off her own speech. Quickly using Legilimency on Hermione, he was surprised at what he found before pulling out of her mind as quickly as he delved in. Folding his arms he said, "You have feelings for my godson, Miss Granger."

Hermione blushed even more and began to stammer, her unintelligent speech amusing the Potions Master. He never thought he'd see the day where Hermione Granger would be rendered speechless. Chuckling softly he said, "I believe this information can remain confidential. Rest assured I won't tell Draco how you feel, but I wouldn't continue to hold it in if I were you."

"Can we get back to the main reason I am here, please?" Hermione asked desperately wanting to get off the subject of her crush on Draco Malfoy.

"Of course. Now the Dark Lord is entrusting a lot in Draco to fix the mistakes Lucius has made over the years. I'm sure Draco has told you all of this already." A nod was his reply. "My main concern is that you will interfere with his work now that you know. He already has an enormous amount of pressure on him and he doesn't need any more stress on him. Can I trust you to not stress my godson out anymore than he already is?"

The young witch nodded and said, "Yes sir. But all I want to do is help him in any way that I can. Can't I at least do that, Professor?"

Snape regarded her for a moment, his black eyes practically staring into her soul before he said, "There is nothing you can really do. However, I can teach you Legilimency and Occlumency. It will be a great tool in helping you retain information that you would rather not share with others. And should others begin to probe your mind, they will only see what you want them to."

Hermione perked up at the prospect of learning something new that she had only read about. She almost giggled at how Professor Snape's eye twitched lightly at her sudden enthusiasm. Smiling she said, "I would be honored to take lessons, sir. When should we start?"

"Your lessons will begin tonight in my office. I would suggest wearing something comfortable, as each lesson will take hours to go through to see improvement or regression. I expect you to be a much better pupil than that of Mr. Potter. Arrive no later than nine o' clock sharp after dinner; I will expect you then. Let me write you a pass to your next class, as you are most likely going to be late."

"Thank you, sir. Will Harry and Ron get a pass, as well?"

"No."

Hermione asked no more questions as the man wrote her pass and handed it to her. Just as she turned to leave Professor Snape stopped her. Turning to face him once again, she said, "Yes?"

Snape nodded at her and said, "I believe you will be good for Draco, Miss Granger. Be there for him as much as you can."

The brunette stared at the man in surprise for a moment before she flushed a little and nodded. She walked to the door of the classroom and opened it, seeing Harry and Ron waiting for her with annoyed looks on their faces.

"You were trying to eavesdrop, weren't you?" Hermione asked as they walked together towards Care of Magical Creatures.

Ron scoffed and said, "It's not like we could hear anything. So what did the dungeon bat want?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "He wanted to make sure I didn't write more than the needed amount of information for the essay and to not speak out of term anymore when I know the answer and he purposely ignores me."

"That was all?" Harry asked.

"Yes, that was all," Hermione said easily.

Just then Harry's shoulder was bumped and ran into Hermione slightly. Turning she saw that it was Draco, his grey eyes looking into her brown ones for a moment before he continued to walk down the corridor, presumably towards Professor Snape's office. Harry rubbed his shoulder and said, "Malfoy is such a git. I swear, I'm going to find out what he's up to."

"No good, of course; that's nothing new," Ron replied as they walked outside.

Hermione remained quiet as Ron and Harry engaged in conversation, her mind revolving around Draco. She was to meet him during lunch, which would happen after Care of Magical Creatures. She would have to slip away from her friends, or at least make up a legitimate excuse. Wondering what the blond male wanted to talk to her about, Hermione hoped it wasn't anything too serious.