Snape was kept in the hospital wing for another day to ensure there were no lasting side effects.
Hermione stayed in the next bed over and glared at anyone who tried to disturb him.
She still didn't quite know what to think of the last day; she should be angry or at least afraid of Snape, though he couldn't hurt her. She seemed unable to feel anything but worry for the man which made her very uneasy.
Snape would barely speak to her, avoiding eye contact and pretending to be asleep when she tried to be friendly.
She didn't know what to do and Minerva was very clipped and cold when she visited the two.
Hermione figured it was due to Snape but she wasn't entirely sure.
After the two were released from the hospital wing Hermione gave into the silence and didn't speak to Snape for three days afterwards.
Finally the silence was broken when Hermione had another nightmare.
The twisted face of Bellatrix was mere inches from her bloody forearm her eyes were shinning with pride over her handy work. Hermione was screaming at the top of her lungs. She suddenly awoke her mouth open the scream from her nightmare sliding into reality and flying out of her throat.
"Shhh...it's alright," Hermione heard a deep male voice right beside her ear.
She knew it was Snape but couldn't help the involuntary flinch that overcame her at the sound of another person being so close to her.
"Was it about Lestrange again?" He was keeping his distance, for which Hermione was grateful. Anyone else would have tried to hug her or touch her which wouldn't have helped in the least at the moment.
Hermione turned and keeping her eyes focused on the duvet, nodded.
"Come with me," he ordered quietly, extending his hand to her.
She turned and placed her petite hand lightly into his.
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He lead Hermione to the courtyard he'd shown her the last time she'd suffered a nightmare.
He walked her to the bench she'd sat on last time and took the seat beside her, keeping a few inches between them.
Hermione quietly sat; she hadn't looked up at Snape yet, but she felt a light pressure in her left eye, not knowing if something was wrong she turned her face towards his asking if something was wrong with it.
Snape looked at her with a completely neutral expression, but nodded his head slightly.
"Here, let me take care of it," He reached out for her face but she backed away.
"What's wrong?" She didn't want to sound hysterical but obviously something was wrong with her and she'd rather be told straight out than kept in the dark.
"It's nothing much you have busted a blood vessel most likely due to the screaming," he sounded so calm and detached as though a burst blood vessel was nothing more than a speck of lint.
Hermione pulled out her wand and transfigured a twig she found lying near her feet, into a small hand mirror.
Hermione looked at her reflection and was shocked to see the large dark spot that marred her snow white pupil.
Hermione was very proud of her ability to keep calm; but this coupled with her nightmare had worn her nerves thin.
She dropped the mirror onto the stone floor; it shattered, then turned back into discarded wood.
Her hands shook and she couched forward trying to not cry. Tears escaped though because Hermione was terrified she'd make the dark spot grow if she put to much pressure on the afflicted eye.
"Granger, look here," Snape's voice startled Hermione into looking up.
Snape took his opportunity to frame her face with his pale hands and hold her head steady.
"Now, relax." His voice was so authoritative that Hermione instinctively obeyed.
"Good, now look into my eyes," he whispered, Hermione hesitated but eventually looked back into the dark depths.
She could feel a slight warmth deep in her left eye socket, she kept still and continued to do as she'd been told.
"There," he said at last releasing her face. "I did all I can. There will still be a dark spot for a few days but I stopped it from growing."
Hermione nodded her thanks to him and turned her face up to look at the bright moon.
"How do you know about this place?" Hermione asked.
"I should've expected to be questioned eventually," He said with a sigh, his usual nastiness absent. "I used to come here during my days as a student."
Hermione waited for him to elaborate and when he didn't she turned to look at him.
He sighed deeply and stood up.
Hermione watched him as he paced around the small courtyard avoiding small stone fixtures and plants with an ease that only comes with being very familiar with a place.
"As I'm sure the Golden boy has told you, I was tormented in my youth," he continued to trace a path through stone and flora as he spoke; making Hermione's head spin trying to follow his dark figure.
"I found this place after a particularly nasty encounter. I later realized that the castle would only allow me in here, like my own safe haven." His voice was becoming quiet and Hermione wondered if he had forgotten his audience.
He continued to pace and lapsed into silence.
"If it will only allow you to enter, how am I here?" Hermione asked, still sitting on the stone bench
"I brought you here," he said as he sat back down onto the bench.
"Why did you let me into such a private place?" Hermione asked, her voice quiet.
Snape turned and looked at her.
"You saved my life, miserable as it is, the least I could do was give you a place to escape your nightmares." He said in such a matter of fact tone that Hermione felt stupid for asking, after a few minutes Hermione stood up extending her hand to Snape.
"Come on we need sleep, we'll be up bright and early to attend breakfast on time," she said with a soft smile, her face brightening as Snape actually took her hand and allowed her to lead him back to their rooms.
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Hermione was up and ready seconds before the sun began to emerge over the horizon. She knew it'd be a while before Snape was ready, but no harm could be done trying to hurry him along some.
Hermione knocked on his door a few times, eventually he emerged. She had to stifle a giggle as she looked at him.
His hair was in disarray and he seemed to be having difficulty focusing on her.
"Sun in't up yet, why the hell are you knocking on my door?" His voice sounded genuinely confused, which caused Hermione to stifle another fit of laughter.
"We're making it to breakfast, remember?" Her voice sounded too cheery and she knew her smile was too wide; but Snape's sense of perception seemed too clouded by sleep to notice.
"Mmm second," he mumbled and closed the door.
Hermione went into the living area and sat down to wait.
Snape finally emerged, his hair put to rights, and his pajamas replaced by his usual black robes.
"Ready?" She asked as she stood.
"Obviously," He growled back. Hermione made a mental note to wake him a little later next time.
Hermione took the lead as they headed down to breakfast.
Her nerves were starting to get the better of her the closer she got to the Great hall.
Snape and Minerva hadn't been in the same room since the incident.
Hermione also hadn't heard a word out of the Headmistress which was very unusual. She hoped to catch Minerva at breakfast, due to the usual lack of attendance. Hermione was apprehensive as to what would happen though.
She knew she'd stick by Snape and defend him like the lioness she was; but Minerva could be just as fierce. If she saw Hermione's wellbeing at stake she didn't know what the Headmistress would do.
Madame Pomfrey was sworn to silence so that the four of them were the only ones who knew, but if Minerva told Kingsley there would no hope for Snape, even if Hermione fought tooth and claw.
Hermione took a deep breath as she neared the double doors. She looked over her shoulder at Snape. After a moment she pushed open the doors and entered a room of chaos.