A/N: Thanks for reading and continuing to be so supportive!

I am glad you all are enjoying this story!

I hope this story can continue to be so helpful for everyone,

Severus Addicted

Chapter Eight: Darkest Times Will Reveal True Friends

"Hermione, please wake up. Breakfast will be served shortly in the Great Hall and I must be there before the rest of the students," Minerva told her gently as she stood in her ward's doorway.

Groaning, Hermione sat up, "Everyone is going to stare at me, Minerva. They probably all know what happened!"

Entering the bedroom the rest of the way, Minerva sat down on Hermione's soft bed, "No one is going to stare at you sweetie. Headmaster Dumbledore and all the other professors were given strict orders to keep you leaving a secret. As far as everyone knows you had to go home to handle some family matters."

Hermione blushed deeply, "All the professors know?"

Minerva nodded, "They had to know. All of your professors had to know so they did not fail you for missing their classes. Also, they needed to know so they could excuse you from all of your assignments that you would and will be missing or so they can put your assignments back for you to make up."

Hermione bit her lip uncomfortably, "Can I just stay here, Minerva?"

Minerva shook her head, "You know you cannot, Hermione. We were given strict orders to not leave you alone for too long."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "That's so stupid!"

Thinning her lips, Minerva gave her a stern look, "Rolling your eyes is not acceptable, Hermione. Do not do it again." When Hermione apologized, Minerva continued, "You may see it as "stupid" but it is for your safety."

Hermione huffed, "Fine."

Ignoring her attitude, Minerva stood and headed for the door, "Please get dressed so we can make it to the Great Hall."

With Minerva's back to her, Hermione rolled her eyes in irritation, "What? You're not going to stay while I get dressed? I thought I was not allowed to be alone?"

Glancing over her shoulder, Minerva sighed, "You know exactly what I meant, Hermione. Calm your attitude. I will be waiting in the living room. Dress quickly, please." With that said, Minerva left the room to give Hermione privacy.

This is so stupid! Why can't I just stay here? It's not like her knives are accessible to me anyway!

Pulling on her shirt roughly, Hermione silently mocked her professor.

Watch out for the suicide-girl, she cannot eat an apple without being watched! Merlin knows there could be a knife hidden in that apple for goodness sakes!

Huffing, Hermione tied her shoes then stood.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione forced her attitude to stay hidden then she went to meet Minerva in the living room.

The trip to the Great Hall seemed to take forever to Hermione.

Even though no one was actually staring at her, Hermione felt as if they were.

Just before opening the Great Hall doors, Madam Pomfrey stopped them.

Smiling warmly at her co-worker, Minerva greeted her, "Good morning, Poppy."

Smiling back, Poppy replied, "Good morning, dearie. May I borrow Hermione for a little while?"

Minerva nodded, "So long as she is back in time for breakfast."

Hermione glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, they had fifteen minutes before the rest of the students should be arriving for breakfast.

Irritated, Hermione muttered, "Don't speak about me as if I am not here!"

Shocked, Poppy glanced from Hermione to Minerva and back again.

Minerva sighed, "We are sorry, dear. Please go with Madam Pomfrey for a little while-"

Hermione quickly cut her off, "Why? I am not sick. . ."

Minerva looked at Poppy to take over.

Poppy nodded, "Technically, you are sick, Hermione. I just need you to come with me to the Infirmary where I will run some diagnostics on you. Then, I will prescribe you some antidepressants."

"I don't want medication!" Hermione snapped angrily.

"The doctor said you had to start taking antidepressants, Hermione," Minerva told her gently.

Hermione felt so frustrated she could stomp her feet, "That does not mean that I will take them! I can choose if I take the medications or not."

"You can choose to take them like a big girl or I will mash the medications up and mix it in a porridge that you will eat every morning. That is your choice, Hermione," Poppy told her sternly.

If a glare could kill, Poppy would be dead ten times over, "Fine!"

Poppy glanced at Minerva with wide-eyes, "She has quite the attitude."

"You're speaking as if I am not here again! No duh I have an attitude! Everyone is controlling me! I have no say in my life!" No wonder I thought suicide was the only way to be happy.

Minerva quickly took a hold of Hermione's shoulders, "Sweetie, please take a deep breath and count backwards from ten."

"She's-" Poppy began but quickly stopped speaking at the deadly glare thrown at her by Minerva.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione did as she was instructed.

After Hermione was calm, Poppy began leading her to the Infirmary.

Before Poppy could go too far, Minerva said, "Have patience, Poppy. She listens with patience."

Ten minutes later, Poppy had the correct dosage of antidepressants in her pocket to give to Minerva. Leading the child back to the Great Hall, she said, "Was that so hard, dearie?"

Glaring at the stone floor, Hermione huffed and kept walking in silence.

Coming upon the Great Hall door, Poppy sighed, "I am sorry, Hermione. I know you hate this. I would have hated it too. However, this is for your own good."

Entering the Great Hall, Hermione mumbled, "Bite me." Then she quickly made her way over to Harry and Ron.

Harry jumped to his feet at seeing her. Pulling her into a huge hug, he said, "Thank merlin you're back, Hermione! You have no idea how far my grades can drop in a matter of three days!"

This made Hermione laugh, "You're not simple-minded, Harry, I am sure you could have figured it out by yourself if you tried very hard."

Harry smirked, "Where is the fun in that?"

Sitting, Hermione glanced over at Ron.

Giving her a smile, he asked, "So where were you? No one would tell us. Are you okay? Is your family okay?" Ron asked genuinely concerned.

Biting her lip, she glanced around herself before casting a silencing charm around them. "I have something I need to tell you guys."

Both boys sat up straighter.

"Are you okay, Herm?" Harry asked with concern laced thickly through every word.

Hermione gave a small shake of her head and kept her gaze locked on her empty plate, "I am really struggling with my classes. The stress is unbearable. I. . . Well I sort of. . . I lost it, guys. I could not control myself and I spiraled into depression."

Harry nodded understandably, "I noticed that but I did not know how to help. . . I am very sorry, Herm."

Hermione shrugged, "Well, I kind of started to h-hurt myself. . ."

The shocked look on both of their faces made Hermione want to disappear.

Biting her lip, Hermione grimaced, "I'm sorry I should not have told you!"

Shaking himself out of his shock, Harry pulled her into a side-hug, "Never regret telling me what is going on with you, Herm. You're my best friend. What can I do to help? I am so sorry I was not there for you! If I would have been there maybe I could have stopped you from using those negative coping skills."

Ignoring Ron's silence, Hermione focused on Harry, "No it's okay, Harry. I just need support now. Can you do that?"

Harry nodded his head firmly, "Of course I can. Anything."

Harry and Hermione glanced at the still silent Ronald expectantly.

Ron shook his head as if he was confused, "I don't get it. Why would you do that to yourself? That's sick. To you get off on pain?"

Hermione's jaw dropped at his accusations, "No! I didn't know what to do!"

"You're a freak. How could you do that to yourself? That's so sick!" Ron's face showed it all, he was very disgusted in her.

Harry pulled Hermione closer to him defensively, "You just do not understand, Ron! How could you say that to her? She's our friend! If you were going through the same thing we would be supportive to you."

"Oh yeah? And you understand?" Ron snapped.

Harry bit his lip before nodding his head, "I understand more than you could imagine. How do you think I used cope at the Durselys before I went to Hogwarts? I had no one , Ron! Do not judge what you do not understand."

Hot tears were welling up in Hermione's eyes as she listened to their heated discussion.

"You're right. I don't understand!" With that, Ron stood and took his tray to sit beside Seamus and Dean.

Hugging her tight, Harry whispered in her ear, "Forget about him, Herm. He's not worth your pain."

With that, Hermione took down the silencing charm.

Giving her a small smile, he pointed to the cheese omelet, "They have your favorite, Herm. Why don't you try to eat something?"

Hermione sighed, "I'm not really that hungry anymore, Harry."

Harry sighed and glared down the table at Ron, "He's just ridiculous, Herm. He will come back, don't worry."

When Hermione did not respond, Harry placed the cheese omelet on her plate for her, "So, what are you doing about school?"

Taking a small bite of the omelet, Hermione sighed sadly, "I am not allowed to start classes for a while yet. Also, Minerva took my time-turner and got rid of my extra classes." Suddenly her eyes went wide as she realized her secret just came out.

Confused, Harry asked, "What do you mean?"

"I was taking double classes. To do so, Headmaster Dumbledore had given me a time-turner because some of my classes were at the same times. I was given strict orders to keep it a secret, I'm sorry Harry."

Harry shrugged, "That does not upset me, Hermione. It's okay. I am just a little disappointed that I will have to continue to do my History of Magic and Potions assignments by myself still," Here he gave her a playful wink.

Laughing, Hermione shook her head, "If you really struggle you can come to me and I will help you."

Smiling, Harry nodded, "Thanks, Herm!"

The rest of breakfast went smoothly with Harry trying to keep Hermione in good spirits.

After breakfast was over, Hermione followed Minerva back to her private chambers, "Don't you have to go to class, Minerva?"

Minerva shook her head, "No, dear. I am staying home with you until you are able to go back to class. Soon I will start teaching you all of the subjects that you are missing."

Confused, Hermione asked, "But you're only the Transfiguration professor. Who is teaching for you?"

"Headmaster Dumbledore used to be the professor before me so he is teaching while I am with you. As for your first question, I took all the same classes as you did in school. Headmaster Dumbledore gave me permission to teach you until you are able to go back to real classes. However, we will not start our lessons for another week or so until you are comfortable being here."

Hermione nodded in understanding then went to her room to play with Crookshanks.

Looking over the top of the Daily Profit at the child carrying books, Minerva raised her eyebrows in surprise and asked, "Hermione where do you think you are going?"

Sighing, Hermione glanced over her shoulder, "I have Muggle Studies and Potions right now. I need my time turner." Walking over to the table, Hermione held her hand out for the necklace.

Staring at the waiting, empty hand, Minerva gave a firm shake of her head, "You are not going anywhere, dear child. You will not be restarting your classes yet. Also, remember, I have dropped your extra classes and, therefore, you have a normal schedule like everyone else now."

Hermione clenched her books tighter in anger, "I told you that I could handle my classes! I told you to leave it be! Why would you drop my classes? You had no right to do that!"

Calmly folding the paper up, Minerva laid it beside her cup of tea as she said in a steady tone, "You will calm yourself. Take a seat. I will pour you a cup of tea."

Blood boiling, Hermione shook her head, "I am going to be late for class. I will be going to class now," With that said, Hermione spun on her heel and headed for the door. Just as she was about to open the door, she heard the irritating sound of the door locking. Taking a deep breath, Hermione slowly turned around to stare at her guardian, "Minerva, I have to go to class! Unlock the door."

Shaking her head, Minerva stood from her seat, "I already told you that you will not be restarting your classes yet, Hermione. Doctor's order. He wants you to relax and get reunited with the castle atmosphere before jumping straight in with classes again. Now, please sit down and have a cup of tea with me."

Hermione felt as if she could throw a hissy fit, "What's the big deal? I want to go!"

"I told you no, Hermione. This discussion is over. Now, sit down and calm thyself," Minerva told her in a stern, no-nonsense tone of voice.

Having never before heard Minerva speak to her like that, Hermione stood frozen in shock. This, however, did not last long for her anger quickly melted her. Clenching her jaw, Hermione slammed her books on the table then took a dramatic flop on her seat.

Eyes wide with disbelief, Minerva said dangerously, "Stand up."

Giving her a glare, Hermione crossed her hands in defiance, "You just told me to sit down."

"And now I am telling you to stand!" Minerva snapped.

Huffing, Hermione stood so fast her chair almost toppled over. Once standing, she cocked her head to the side in frustration.

Taking a deep breath to calm her growing irritation, Minerva said evenly, "Now, you may sit down. This time you will do so correctly. Am I understood?"

Keeping her jaw from falling, Hermione stared at her in utter disbelief, "You have got to be joking me."

"I do not joke when it comes to manners, Hermione. Now, do as you were told."

She's treating me like a baby! I am not a baby!

She doesn't understand how horrible my day has been! I have every right to be angry!

She doesn't understand how it feels to have your best friend practically call her a freak! I am not a freak! I didn't deserve to be treated like that from Ron! I help him with everything and never judge him too much!

Tears of anger and frustration appeared in her burning eyes as she glared at the seat, "I have had a bad day."

Minerva nodded as she folded her hands across each other, "I am quite aware of that, dear. However, saying that, you must be aware that no matter, you must remain obedient and well-behaved. Do not let one horrible thing ruin the rest of your day. You must own your anger. Once you have successfully decided to claim your anger then you must figure out how to release it in an appropriate way. So far, you have been choosing to release your anger in the wrong way which is only causing you more trouble. Direct your anger in the correct direction."

Frustrated, Hermione huffed and shook her head, "No direction I choose is going to be the correct direction! You are just going to tell me that I keep screwing it up!"

Minerva shook her head in denial, "There are many things you can do to release your anger without digging yourself a troublesome hole."

Fiercely wiping away a few tears that were making their way down her heated cheeks, Hermione snapped, "Oh yeah? Do tell."

"You can go get an ice cube and squeeze it. You can go scream in your pillow. You can write out all your pent up negativity. You can do jumping jacks. Do I need to list more?"

Hermione sighed, closed her eyes and counted to ten. When she opened them her breathing was lighter, "No."

Nodding, Minerva took a small sip of her tea. Placing the cup gently on the table, Minerva said, "Now, do you feel you need to go act upon one of those ideas?"

When Hermione stayed silent, she said, "Then please take a seat and we can speak of your classes in civil tones like mature adults."

Blushing lightly, Hermione slowly took her seat.

Keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the tabletop, Hermione bit her lip in shame.

I can't believe I just acted like a baby!

"As I said earlier, I have dropped all of your extra classes. Now you are taking all the classes that a third year would be expected to take. I realize this upsets you but at the same time we cannot afford you becoming overwhelmed. You need to take it easy and you would not be able to do so while taking double classes."

Hermione rolled her eyes but held in her huff of annoyance, "That does not explain why I can't start my classes! I am missing so much! Do you not think having to make-up all the back-work will not be stressful? It will be! It would be less stressful if I was attending classes now!"

"Young lady if you roll your eyes one more time I will cast a spell on them to stick that way! You will mind your manners," Minerva snapped deadly.

Biting her lip, Hermione lowered her gaze to the tabletop, "Fine. Will you answer my question now?"

It felt as if Hermione had just thrown gasoline on her raging fire. Thinning her lips, Minerva gave her a chilling glare. "Hermione Jean Granger," at hearing her full name Hermione immediately regretted her attitude, "We will not continue this discussion until you are capable of being respectful and minding yourself. Please remove yourself from the kitchen and go to your bedroom. There, you will sit on your bed and think about your disrespect. When you are capable of acting like a mature lady you may come back out and we will finish our discussion. I will answer all of your questions then. I realize you are quite upset but you must learn to hold back your attitude and accept the rules."

Blushing a deep scarlet, Hermione bit her lip and did not move a muscle.

Minerva sighed and poured herself a fresh, steaming cup, "You are dismissed from the table. Please go to your bedroom now."

Cringing slightly, Hermione awkwardly stood and hurried to her room. Her face felt as if it were on fire!

This is so embarrassing! She said she would send me to my room if I misbehave but I didn't think she was serious! I just got into trouble by my professor. . . I never get into trouble with my professors!

I don't like this feeling. . . I feel like I am going to die! She probably hates me now. Why do I have to be such a twit all the time? Why did I roll my eyes? I know she hates eye rolling so why did I do it? I am such a brat! If I would have rolled my eyes at mum then she would have slapped the daylights out of me so why did I think I could get away with it with Minerva?

Flopping on her bed dramatically, Hermione grabbed a pillow and shoved it over her face.

Hot tears of shame welled up in her eyes as she thought about all her wrong-doings. After she was done pitying herself for misbehaving and landing herself in trouble, she began thinking about her fight with Ronald.

Tear after tear rolled down her face as she regretted waking up in the morning. She could feel the pillow becoming wet from her many tears.

Being so devastated, she did not hear her bedroom door being opened.

Minerva sighed sadly at the sight. Walking over to the bed, Minerva sat down beside the hysterical child and gently removed the wet pillow from the child's flushed face.

Peeking between her closed eyelids, Hermione bit her lip when she noticed Minerva was sitting beside her.

Hesitantly, Minerva slowly began to rub Hermione's arms, "Sweetie you need to take a deep breath. Surely being sent to your bedroom has not got you in such a fuss?"

Struggling to control her tears, Hermione took a shuddering breath, "I have had the worst day ever. I shouldn't have woken up this morning!"

Continuing to rub the child's arm in a soothing rhythm, Minerva said gently, "You cannot hide from your problems, dear."

Sniffing, Hermione shrugged, "Why not?"

Sighing, Minerva pulled her to sit up then rubbed her shoulders in a comforting rhythm, "Because they will eventually catch up with you."

Biting her lip until it stung, Hermione whimpered.

"Everything will be okay, Hermione. If it is not okay, then, it is not the end." Minerva gently ran her fingers through Hermione's long hair.

Pulling away from her, Hermione huffed, "It's never going to be okay! You do not understand! Ron thinks I am a freak!"

"Why does it matter what others think about you? You have to be supportive to yourself and love yourself. If you do not think you are a freak then no one else's opinion should matter."

"But his opinion does matter, Minerva! He's my best friend; how could his opinion not matter to me?"

"Because his opinion makes you feel bad, Hermione. If someone's opinion hurts you then their opinion is not worth your time."

"I'm losing everyone, Minerva! I can't afford to lose my best friends too. . . My parents hate me, Ron thinks I am a freak, and Madam Pomfrey is treating me like an experiment!"

"Do you truly believe she thinks of you as an experiment, dear?" Minerva asked with a frown.

Hermione nodded sadly, "Yes! She won't stop bothering me! She watches me like a hawk, Minerva! It's as if she's just waiting for me to do something! No one trusts me anymore!"

Minerva sadly shook her head, "I am sure if we talk to her about that she will feel bad for making you feel that way."

"Do you want to know what the worst part is?" Hermione asked with her eyes glued to the pillow on her lap.

Minerva nodded, "Of course I do, sweetie."

Glancing up at her, Hermione forced her tears to not fall as she whispered, "You do not trust me either."

Minerva felt her heart break.

Pulling the little girl into her arms, Minerva held her tight. "Sweetie, I do trust you. I simply do not trust the actions that your negative feelings drive you to."

Roughly, Hermione shook her head, "That makes no sense!"

Grabbing her chin gently, Minerva forced her to look at her, "Do not let your emotions control who you are, Hermione. Take control. I trust you! I do not trust your actions that are caused by your emotions. Do you understand now, dear?"

Slowly, Hermione gave a timid nod of her head, "Yeah. . ."

Nodding, Minerva continued, "Now, as for your mother "hating" you, that is not true. Your mum does not understand what's going on and, therefore, she is frustrated. Her frustration at her own short-comings are being projected onto you. I do not know your mother and so I cannot tell you that my ideas are completely true but they are my beliefs."

"My mum has always been like this, Minerva. I've disappointed her a lot. If I bring home poor marks then she grounds me for the summer. Nothing is good enough for her!"

"Maybe nothing ever will be good enough, Hermione. Do not mirror your self-image and self-esteem off her wrong beliefs. Create your own goals, dear. Your mother's goals do not have to be yours. If something is good enough for you and you are proud of it then your mother's opinions do not matter. I know your marks at the end of the year, Hermione. You have never brought home anything below exceptional."

"It's the exceptional she does not like, Minerva. I am expected to earn all outstanding!"

Minerva couldn't help but find that ridiculous, "Your mother expects too much out of you, dear."

Hermione shrugged, "Perhaps, but I would rather make her happy then be grounded."

Minerva nodded, "That is understandable. However, you must decide what is worth your stress and what is not."

Biting her lip, Hermione held in her miserable sigh.

Pulling her close again, Minerva gave her a comforting hug, "I cannot make that decision for you, dear. You must be the one to decide what your heart is saying. Do not regret anything that your heart tells you."

Hermione gave a small nod of her head, "I understand what you mean, Minerva."

Giving her one more squeeze, Minerva left go of the girl, "I know what will make you feel better."

Seeing Hermione's eyes light up with hidden excitement, Minerva couldn't help her smile, "Let's make some cookies and then we can watch a movie."

Hermione stared at her in complete disbelief, "You have movies?"

Minerva chuckled and nodded her head, "Yes I do, dear. I have a lot of muggle movies, actually. My father had an obsession with muggle entertainment. What would you like to watch?"

Hermione followed Minerva into the living room and sat down on the couch, "I like anything."

Minerva nodded, "Let's pick a comedy."

Minerva flicked her wand at the closet across from them. When the closet opened it revealed a television and a VCR player. Underneath the television was stack upon stack of VHS tapes.

Jumping off the couch, Hermione hurried over to the collection.

Picking out The Goonies, Hermione pushed the VHS into the player then hurried back to sit beside Minerva.

Pausing the movie, Minerva stood, "First, we need to make some cookies."

Smiling, Hermione followed her to the kitchen.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

Severus Addicted

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