The Headmistress was left in a moment of unfamiliar indecision by Snape's story. As she began to think it was Professor Snape's disturbed mind that had created this delusional fabrication of treachery and domination, her mistake was brought to her attention by Draco Malfoy who ran into the room wild eyed and clearly distraught. "Potter!" he shouted.
Both Wizards were now unmasked, and clearly wearing 'I'm going to have a hangover' expressions. Harry turned from his slightly inebriated conversation with Ron about the evils of Every Flavour Beans to look at Draco. "Malfoy?What the devil's the matter? Where's Hermione? My god, if you've touched her..."
"Get over yourself Potter, if I laid a finger on that girl without consent she'd make a eunuch out of me, I've learnt humility maybe you should try a dose."
"Then why are you running over here in your, stupid sex god outfit... Hang on, your wearing my robes! What the hell Malfoy?"
"Sex god Potter? Just how slaughtered are you?"
Harry eyed him suspiciously, "Not that slaughtered so don't try anything!"
"Merlin's beard you're priceless you are, does Ginny know you think I'm a sex god?"
"It's you wearing my clothes freak!" Harry's voice began to rise on the defensive side.
"For a good reason Potter,"
"Yeah, You're getting off on it"
"What are you drinking?! What ever it is, sober up. Hermione's in danger. The war is not over and the Death Eaters may be with her." He said quickly, hoping to spur them on.
"I'm sorry run that by us again ferret." Ron said, deciding to emerge himself in the conversation.
Draco raised his eyes and wondered how he had made a promise about the two wizards that made him want to use every unforgivable at once.
"Professor McGonagall could you join us?" Draco shouted.
The Headmistress immediately hurried over, in fact she was already on her way to them. Practically everyone had left, and she needed confirmation of professor Snape's story before any further action could be taken.
"Mr Malfoy, do you have any explanation for Professor Snape's behaviour? "
"Whatever he said to you was the truth." he answered succinctly.
"Merlin preserve us." she whispered.
"Professor you need to speak to Mr and Mrs Weasley, I'm afraid their son and daughter-in-law are currently in St Mungo's."
Draco shot a side long glance at Ron who became pallid and began to stutter,
"what?why? W-when...?"
"Don't panic they are alive, Bill is fine, Fleur I'm not sure ... But she is alive. They need their family. I notice that only the Weasley's and the Minister are still here, you've cleared the place?"
"Yes most were leaving anyway." The Headmistress answered,
"Neville and Luna are still here somewhere." Harry said looking round the near deserted Hall.
"Ok, send the Weasley family to the hospital professor I think they will be waiting for them."
"Yes indeed, Mr Malfoy."
She hurried over to Molly and Arthur, Charlie, Percy and of course Ginny who were already making their way to say goodbye to Ron. The son in question hurried over with the Headmistress.
Harry, and Draco winced at the gasps and muffled sobs that emanated from them. "Jeez that's the last thing they need, just exactly what happened?" asked Harry.
Draco gave a rushed abridged version, when he got to the part about Voldermort's partial return, Harry heaved heavily.
Draco guessing what was coming next conjured a bucket that Harry gratefully threw up in.
"Well I hope that's all the alcohol." Draco grimaced In distaste vanishing it away. "Did anyone see that?" Harry asked wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
"Draco looked over his head towards the Weasley's. "Nah, your fine you've not lost your street crew with them. It's taken a bit of a nose dive in my eyes though." he grinned, the grin was jolted of his face as Harry grabbed his robe,
"I can't do it! I ... Just can't do it again." He gulped and tears started to fall.
"Alright ... Alright Po-Harry its ok, this time no one's making you."
Harry choked slightly, still clutching Draco's clothes. Draco glanced across to the far corner of the room, the Weasley's had left leaving a distraught Ron talking hurriedly to the Headmistress and the Minister for magic.
Draco awkwardly put his arm round Harry who surprisingly staggered into his clumsy attempt at comfort.
"Ok mate pull it together, you're not alone this time we can all pitch in to kill the son of a bitch."
"How? I did it once, he was dead, completely dead. What more can you do he's obviously immortal."
Harry made a strangled sound and hid his head in Malfoy's shoulder.
"whoa, seriously, just how pissed are you Potter? Come on butch up, the Minister's coming over." To compensate for the harsh comment Draco patted his back in a consoling way. Harry straightened up rubbed his hand across his eyes and tried to look composed.
"Mr Malfoy, I've told Kingsley what Professor Snape just conveyed to me, were you given further instructions?"
"No Professor, just keep Potter, Weasley and ... oh ye gods Hermione! Where is she?
"With Bill!" said Harry and Ron in unison.
"Wait, if Bill's in St Mungo's how can Hermione be with him?" Ron asked giving Harry an enquiring look.
Harry rubbed his eyes again and coughed.
"She's not with Bill, she's with Macnair, Snape will kill me if anything happens to her." We better find her." replied Draco.
"Ron where's Cho? " asked Harry peering around the room with his blurry eyes.
"I don't know where she's been half the night, think that's over mate. Harry have you been crying?"
"No, his occulas charm is wearing off." Draco said quickly.
"Oh right, have you got your glasses?"
"Erm, yes, thank you Ron it's fine." Harry blurted, nodding gratefully at Draco.
"Ok Ginny said she will contact us from the hospital, so do we wait or do we search for Hermione? Ron asked.
"Wait" replied Minerva and Kingsley in unison. "Search" shouted Harry and Draco.
"We can't wait professor, that's our friend." Harry pleaded.
Kingsley and Minerva exchanged nervous glances as Neville and Luna came over to find out what the commotion was about.
"look we are wasting time, Hermione's an accomplished witch but she needs back up. Harry and I will go to the tomb and search the grounds. Maybe Neville can guard Potters study, don't go in The Dark Lord ..."
"Say his name." Harry hissed.
"Yeah right V...Voldermort has access to the floo, In fact professor close the floo now! " The headmistress immediately hurried away. "Weasley, explain everything to Neville. Then both of you guard the study, keep out of sight if you can. If Macnair is still on the grounds he may return to the study. Minister, please can you remain here with the headmistress when she returns. If we need your help Potter will send his patronus. That goes for everyone.
"Come on Potter, let's go."
Draco grabbed Harry's wrist and pulled him forward, Harry stumbled in his wake but began to run with him.
As they left the hall still running, Draco waved his wand in the air.
"Accio Sobrius potion"
As the reached the entrance to the caste a small glass bottle flew through the air, Draco let go of Harry's wrist and caught it.
"Drink this, it's a sobering potion, it's good I've used it many times, so has professor Snape, I guessed he'd have some."
Harry drank the potion wrinkling his nose at the taste and texture of raw egg white.
"That's nasty, when Snape accuses me of theft, I'm going to say it was you."
Harry said, feeling the effects of the potion immediately.
"Yeah, ok and I will tell him about your little freak out session."
"Fine, I stole it."
"Thought so."
They opened the doors, sending each other worried looks at the loud crunching grating noises it made.
Once open Harry said "Shall we use my cloak?"
"Alright sounds like a good idea."
Harry removed his cloak turning it the correct way round and they both stepped under it.
"Ok, lets make our way to the tomb."
Harry nodded and set off carefully keeping pace with Draco.
It was cold and the night was at the point of blackest before dawn. Fortunately both Wizards knew the grounds like the backs of their hands.
"Ok, there's the tomb, crap it's open! I can't see anyone around it."
Harry whispered.
"For Merlin's sake Potter don't blow air in my face again, you stink of eggs and vomit."
Hissed Draco between clenched teeth.
"Sorry, shall we go up to the tomb?"
Harry replied aiming his voice to his feet."
"Yes ok."
On approaching the tomb it was clear they were alone, the ground was heavily disturbed so it was a good assumption that more than two people had been there. Removing the cloak from their heads they peered into the tomb.
Harry and Ron shivered at the sight of Dumbledore's body.
Harry gulped, "it's gone!"
"What's gone"
"The wand the unbeatable wand."
"Is that the one the Dar... Voldermort had?"
"Yes it's dangerous, tell The headmistress it's gone."
"I said you would send the patronus."
"Yes you did... Sorry." Harry cast the spell with his brief message, telling the headmistress to secure the castle.
Draco watched the stag wistfully.
"I wish I could do that."
"You can."
"Nope, Death Eaters can't."
"Snape can, and your not a Death Eater now."
"I assume Snape could because he was working for the order, no other death eater can."
"You can see the tomb, that means your no longer a Death Eater. Only those who mean no harm can see it. Recently it was moved and charmed, for protection of the wand.
It's not about the dark mark Draco, it's about the dark heart, Snape loved my mother, and yes helped the order. He had a light heart, the patronus needs light. I think you have found your heart has light too."
"That sounded totally Gay. " Scoffed Draco uncertainly.
Harry ignored his deflection.
"Try it Draco, send it to find Hermione, concentrate on your happiest thought, then cast the spell."
"What am I Peter Pan?"
"Just do it idiot."
Draco closed his eyes and rummaged through hideous memory until he heard his Fathers voice say ' your Mother loves you... I love you.
"Expecto Patronum!" he said clearly.
Something small but bright flickered from his wand. It fluttered ahead of them.
"What the hell is that?" Harry squinted up.
"Erm... I think it's a bat."
"Cool, bad ass, tell it to find Hermione."
Draco huffed a sigh of relief and directed his patronus, in truth he had a moment of worry that it would be a bunny rabbit or something, he was defiantly getting soft.
The bat spread its wings and soared ahead.
Pulling the clock over their heads they began to follow it. Trying not to think about what would happen next.

Kreacher and Professor Snape appeared back at the Hogwarts gates. Letting go of Kreacher, Snape cast a charm, the enormous iron gates swung open then closed neatly behind them. Glancing to his side Snape could see that the old house elf was still trembling next to him, Snape spoke smoothly, "You did really well Kreacher, for you that's the worst over, I know it's difficult but would you go back to Hogwarts and tell Minerva what has happened, tell her to prepare the Medical bay, just in case."

"Yes sir." The frightened elf disappeared.
Snape sighed and looked out over the moonlit grounds, where would she be?"
He knew there was no point going to the tomb they were long gone, so he retraced his memory, visualising the direction he had seen Hermione run in when chased by Macnair, it was towards the forbidden Forrest.
In moments Snape was at the edge of the Forrest, at a loss to understand why the girl would run that way, there were more enemy's than friends in the forrest, but then it wouldn't be the first time the resourceful girl had trapped a foe that way. He went to retrieve his wand once more, his only option being to send a Patronus ahead of him to find her, he was uneasy though, if she was still with Macnair then his patronus would alert him that the rescue was under way.

Then he heard it again, the scream was guttural, thick. Suddenly a small orb of blinding painful light appeared behind his eyes. Snape closed his eyes, held his head in his hands and gave in to the sensations; he could hear her voice.
Snape winced as he searched his mind clearing her screams to uncover her voice. "Professor... Professor... Severus! acromantula" he heard every word. His headache cleared, the light faded from his eyes.
"Good Girl" he whispered. Closing his eyes he sent her a message, "I'm coming." he hoped she somehow could hear.

Hermione ran towards the forest, determined to keep the Death Eater away from her friends at the castle. What she would do in the forest she had no idea, she hoped the centaurs might help her, but she was an adult now and it seemed unlikely, hopefully she could just out run him and hide.
Her wandless magic was limited and in her panic she could not perform a charm to save herself.
Thorns caught her beautiful dress ripping it in various places, low branches scratched at her arms and face as she blindly flew through the undergrowth. For a moment all she could hear were the insects, owls and the fast pump, pump of her heart, she stopped still, out of breath and clutching the stitch in her side, she glanced round sure she had out run him.
In the pitch dark she sensed no human movement, and only the rustle of the leaves in the wind could be heard.
She turned back around slowly, trying to gauge her location, she was back at Aragog's old nest.
'Why do I always end up here?' she wondered.
She tried to decide which way to go, she couldn't stay out all night, never had she been so cold, not even with Harry in the tent. Her thin little dress gave her no protection and the warmth the alcohol gave her when first setting foot on the grounds, with the fake Bill, had long gone. Hermione could barely stand still with the tremors the shivering gave her.

She heard a twig crack. Swinging round sharply she saw her attacker lunge at her.
As she was tackled to the floor, she screamed and flailed; biting, scratching, and hitting.
Macnair used his whole weight to pin her down on the cold damp Forrest floor. Charming a branch into a length of rope, he began to bind her by hand. Tugging and pulling at the rope, as he kneeled on her frantically bucking legs, he tied her wrists first, and then her ankles, but not before she managed to elbowed him in the face cutting his lip open.
When she was fully tied up he stood back, panting with the physical exertion. Hermione had stopped struggling and started screaming, she screamed for Severus and Harry, yelling for all she was worth.
He kicked her viciously in the side, "Shut up!" he bent down, ripped a section of material from her dress and gagged her with it, muffling her shouts and shrieks.
"That's better" he grimaced, kneeling by her side.
"When you were at school you had the reputation of being the greatest witch of your year, I heard it. Now I can't believe it." he snorted.
"I'm wondering how you kept your grades so high, did Severus help you?" He laughed at the scared girl at his feet.
"I bet he did, you have been quite useless to us. For some reason our magic won't work on you, but I did spot something just as my curse rebounded. He placed his hand on her breast causing her to buck and try to roll over futilely. He grinned and pulled again at her ruined ball gown, ripping it further, displaying the top of her chest and the pearl that nestled there. "Is it this? How pretty, Let's take this little trinket off and see how my Crucio works then, ...or maybe my Imperio, the things I would get you to do."
Hermione's eyes were wide with fear as Macnair bent towards her and grabbed the chain, trying to rip it off her neck.
He let out a howl of pain as he fell back clutching his hand, a burn mark already manifesting on his palm. He rolled on the earth nursing his hand until the initial pain wore down.
He rose again clutching his hand to his chest. His voice was hoarse and his breathing ragged, he was clearly in considerable pain.
"Fine, let's do this the muggle way obviously it's the most fitting way for a Mudblood to die, and I'm going to make it slow ... and terrifying."
He pointed at the earth with his wand and a six foot chasm opened up, still nursing his hand he looked for a large fallen branch, pointing his wand again he turned it into a coffin.
"Look how thoughtful I'm being, saving your muggle family on funeral costs."
Then with difficulty he lifted the squirming, fighting girl, being careful not to touch the chain, and dropped her into the coffin. Flinging the hinged lid closed, he sat on top of the coffin, then he transfigured another stick into a hammer and some nails. From his astride position on the coffin he began hamering the lid shut. Underneath him he could feel the vibrations of her gagged screams the banging of her body as she thrashed around in the restricted space.

Once he had the lid secure, he pushed the coffin towards the hole, howling loudly as the action pained his burnt hand. He decided to risk magic on it as technically he wasn't using it on Hermione directly, it worked. The coffin levitated above the hole and then with a swish of his wand it plummeted six foot down with a bang. The thrashing sounds ceased,"maybe the fall has knocked her out" he thought grimly. Macnair looked down into the rough grave to check his coffin survived the fall. "Strong coffin." he remarked to himself smugly. After he levitated the earth back in the hole covering it with a small mound, he laughed and said "Rest in peace Princess." Then disapparated to his master.

Hermione was indeed knocked out for a whole minute, once awake in the darkness she feared she was blind, then her memory flooded back, and she knew exactly where she was. The gag around her mouth made it difficult to breathe, she began to hyperventilate and gag, thrashing forward, she felt the lid of the coffin against the top of her head. In panic she lifted her bound feet and hammered them against the roof of the coffin, thinking that she may not yet be buried. This normally would have been quite useless when covered with that amount of soil, but the six foot drop had weakened the coffin's structure. Hermione heard the wood split, and she realised her mistake as particles of earth started to fall through the crack. Self preservation began to overcome the rising hysteria. Realising how little air there was, made her steady her breathing and try to conserve the fast disappearing oxygen. She could feel herself start to black out, stars burned at the back of her eyes, her lungs felt like they were bursting. As she decided she was going to die the pearl around her neck shone brightly, illuminating the inside of the coffin. Unfortunately, this did not dispel her fears as now she could see the nightmare she was in, she could see the dirt continuing to fall on her body as if she was trapped in an hour glass. However the pearl made her feel loved and confident of rescue, she remembered her occlumancy lessons, she felt the urge to think words of help, "Professor... Professor... Severus! acromantula!" Apart from the quiet sounds of dirt trickling on her, there was silence, the light of the pearl went out, her eyes closed for a few moments then a blinding light emanated from the pearl once more, she heard that strong clear voice that she longed for "I'm coming!" and everything went dark once more as she slipped away.

Snape lay the wand on his palm and said "Point me" the wand indicated the direction, and he set off at speed, in minutes he was at the acromantula's old nest. Snape lit his wand and spun around the clearing, panic surged up from his stomach when he realised she wasn't there. He ran amongst the trees noticing the tree where they had hidden from the death eaters the day he found the Sekhan. He approached the tree hopeful she might be near it. The desperation he felt when he realised he was alone was unreal, he touched the rough bark of the tree, trying to remember how she felt against him. "Hermione where are you?" he shouted feeling useless and impotent.

He looked over into the darkness in the direction of the place the Sekhan had been found. Knowing that Macnair would remember this place very well he pointed his wand towards the patch of ground and followed the light, thinking he would have to look for clues.
Pointing the wand at the ground he saw a mound of earth clearly recently disturbed.
"Dear God no!" he exclaimed, stepping back he pointed his wand at the mound swishing it, flipping the earth to one side leaving a massive gaping hole.

Snape rushed over to the edge forgetting all the magic he ever learned, as he jumped down the hole narrowly missing landing on the coffin itself.

He wrenched the lid off with his bare hands. Recoiling in horror at the sight of Hermione half covered in dirt, motionless and still, recovering himself he bent over her, pushing his hand under her back to raise her up. Remembering his wand he released her joints from the ropes. Placing the wand on top of her lap he supported her back as her head lolled onto him. Absentmindedly he untied the gag with one hand. He placed his fingers against her neck while his cheek lay against her mouth hoping to feel her breathe. He swore loudly and tears began to fall, he couldn't feel anything, he climbed into the coffin, a knee either side of her, clinging to her cold lifeless body. By exchanging the arm that supported her he took off his cloak wrapping it around them. "Come on Hermione breathe, please breathe." he pleaded as he rocked her gently, "Please." with one arm around her back and one hand nestled in her curls, he began to nudge her with his mouth, nuzzling frantically over her face, whispering into her skin... "Wake up...Wake up" She coughed, he felt her chest heave... She opened her eyes and began to thrash and scream punching Snape away. She convulsed with hysteria as Snape fought to gain control of her dangerous lunges.

"Hermione, it's me Severus, you're safe now, you're safe, look at me Hermione, you're safe, I'm here, you're fine, you're just fine... Oh my god you're alive." Snape pulled her into a near foetal embrace, stroked her hair and waited for the sobbing to subside. She stilled against him but then he felt her cold arms reach around his neck and cling on tightly.
"Alright let's get you home, Hermione, I need my wand I've dropped it." Hermione didn't speak she just clung on tighter. Snape freed one arm and routed in the coffin between them, finally clasping the wand. Holding her tight, he fired a spell that lifted them out of the grave. They landed on the floor by the grave side.

Snape tried to prise her fingers from round his neck, but the harder he tried the more she dug in. Giving up, he twisted her body so she lay in his lap. "Hermione, I'm going to cast a warming charm on you, your freezing." She made no comment just moved closer under his chin. He felt the charm take affect as she transferred some of the warmth to him as well. "Alright, we need to move now, can I levitate you?" The hug tightened once more, Hermione was not letting go of her safety net. Snape sighed and stood with difficulty bouncing his charge up into a bridal hold..

He started to walk, "Thank you." He was startled to hear her voice, and a small smile fleetingly appeared on his stern face. "I'm sorry I was late."
She didn't reply, having drifted back to an unconscious state. Snape checked she was just asleep, and continued to walk. He hadn't been walking long, when a silver light flew towards them, Snape immediately realised how foolish he had been to place his wand back in the cloak that was wrapped around Hermione. Thankfully, he realised it was a patronus. A bat, he'd never seen it before, but it could only mean help, the bat turned and fluttered ahead, so Snape followed it.

Seconds later he heard running footsteps, Draco and Harry were hot in pursuit of the patronus.
They stopped in surprise squinting in the early morning darkness.
"Professor" Gasped Harry.
"Is that Hermione? What's wrong with her?" Draco asked coming close to touch her.
Snape moved so Hermione was out of his reach.
"She was buried alive by Macnair but she's ok, I was just in time."
Draco and Harry were open mouthed in shock.
"Levitate her sir it will be quicker."
"I did think of that Potter, but she won't let go."
"Erm, ok, let's go as fast as we can then" Harry said, privately thinking that if Snape wanted her to let go he would damn well make her.

They marched towards the edge of the forest, the light was growing steadily with a morning mist starting to settle. "Are the Weasley's safe Draco?" asked the Professor, breaking the silence. "They are in St Mungo's, so far there has been no attack on Hogwarts."
"Is that your Patronus Draco?" Snape asked as the Patronus disappeared. "Yes sir."
"Well done Draco."
Draco smiled, "Thank you sir."
Harry listened to this interchange and thought back a year, if anyone had told him then about this little scenario he would have laughed.

It seemed like an eternity before they got to the castle, all three weary, in particular Snape looked like he was on his last legs, he was starting to stagger as they approached the entrance to the school. "Professor let me carry her." Draco said watching him stumble a third time.
Snape ignored him.
Harry had already sent a patronus ahead asking for the security on the castle to be lifted so they could come in.
The castle door swung open and the Headmistress rushed forward wringing her hands.
"Oh my dears, the worry, are you ok?"
"Yes Professor, we are all fine. Is everything at Hogwarts ok?"
"Yes, Yes." she ushered them in and resealed the giant doors.
Snape staggered against the door.
"Good heavens, what happened."
Snape just shook his head "She needs the medical bay."
"Can you manage Severus or shall I levitate you both."
"I can manage." he snarled. McGonagall didn't ask why he was carrying her, she learnt her lesson last time, instead she bustled forward telling a portrait to alert Madame Pomfrey. As she continued walking she addressed Draco and Harry.
"Boys you need to rest, I think the room of requirement would be best. Once I secured the castle and sent out an intruder alert spell, I relinquished Neville, Lunna and Ron of their commissions, they are also resting in the room of requirement. I will send food, drink and night clothes, you will be safe there. The Minister of Magic has left to talk about tonight with the ministry."
"I want to stay with Hermione, I always do." Harry said stubbornly.
"Not tonight Mr Potter you can visit as soon as your rested. We will take good care of her."
Harry scowled at both Snape and McGonagal, opening his mouth to argue, "Harry I want to stay with her too, but we can't help her tonight and you need to check on your girlfriend's welfare." Draco said softly.
Harry nodded miserably.
"Thank you Mr Potter. Sleep well Mr Malfoy."
At the appropriate juncture Harry and Draco turned and went up the stairs, the opposite way to the medical wing.

Snape stumbled again, and McGonagall placed an arm around his back to support him. His instinct was to throw her off, but he was very close to dropping Hermione, so he silently allowed the assistance.

On entering the medical centre Madame Pomfrey, marched over with her usual calm and matriarchal manor.
"Place her on the bed Severus."
Snape bent over the bed, lowering her down gently. He reached over to un clasp her arms but she went ridged. He glanced up at the two witches, "A little help." he choked out.
Both witches began to prise the fingers from around his neck, succeeding with some force. Hermione started to shake and scream. "A calming draught I think."
Madame Pomfrey held her head still and pored the potion in her mouth, Hermione spluttered and coughed, but the majority of the potion hit its mark. Her limbs stilled, and her eyes closed once more. The medi witch performed a vital spell, and said that other than a slight concussion and some bruising to her spine she was fine.

Both Snape and McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief. Snape staggered back and slumped into a visitors chair.
"What happened Severus?"
Snape didn't answer, he put his head in his hands.
"Poppy would you mind if I spoke to Severus in private."
Poppy raised her eyebrow suspiciously, "Alright the patient is stable, I will be in my office."
As soon as she left Minerva summoned another chair over next to Snape.
Sitting down she touched his arm gently, he jumped like he'd been electrocuted.
She sighed, " Please trust me, what happened?"
"I killed someone."
"by accident?" McGonagall asked willing him to say yes.
"No ... with deliberation." came the whisper, his head still in his hands.
"Why?"
Severus told her the whole story, while still looking at the floor, pretending not to notice the hand that was stroking his shoulder.
"He deserved it, Antonin needed to be killed." McGonagall said firmly.
"I'm not a judge, I'm not the jury and I certainly do not have the right of execution. Yet I performed all three." he said bitterly.
"He would have killed you. It was self defence, you're not in trouble. You have killed before and never taken it this hard, what's so different?" fleetingly Snape remembered Dumbledore's face as his killing curse had hit him. A bubble of tears pushed through the corner of his eyes and the hot wetness dripped down his face for the second time that night. "With my bare hands, it felt so much more real than with a wand."
McGonagall summoned some tissues and passed them to her colleague.
Embarrassed, he cleared his face and took a deep breath.

"You did the right thing Severus, now what happened to that terrified girl?"She asked pointing to where Hermione lay.
He told her all he knew about Hermione's ordeal.
The Headmistress herself began to cry softly, "She will never sleep well again." she said, wiping her own eyes.
"Yes she will." Snape spoke quietly to himself.
"Macnair has an awful reputation, he wouldn't have interfered with her would he?"
"I think not, although I believe he may have tried, her dress is ripped at the front."
"Well I hope your right. I'm going to call Poppy we need to dress Hermione for the night and clean the dirt and soil off her. I suggest you return to your rooms and rest.

Snape nodded and stood up, he forced himself not to look in Hermione's direction as he left the room.
In his private chambers, Snape showered and dressed, ordered a cup of tea. He knew there was no point going to bed, his mind was full of Hermione's screams. After placing his teacup down, he marched out of his room, and raced towards the medical wing. As soon Snape entered he could hear Hermione whimpering and turning over in her sleep.
Walking towards her bed he spotted both Minerva and Poppy sat by her side.
McGonagall looked up sharply.

"Severus what are you doing here, I told you to get some rest."
"I couldn't sleep, give me an occupation, or I will run mad." he replied.
"There isn't anything for you to do..."
Hermione gave out a small but terrified scream, and placed her hands above her face as if scrabbling at something. Snape rushed forward and caught her hands. "Hermione your safe, go to sleep, your fine just fine." his voice vibrated in her ear.
McGonagall stepped forward to usher Snape away and reprimand him for impropriety, when she realised Hermione was sleeping although she was now gripping Snape's hand.
"Goodness we have been trying to settle her for an hour, she can't have anymore calming draught for another three hours." stated Madame Pomfrey in disbelief.
Snape made to release her hand and she immediately started to stir again.
McGonagall held up her hands in resignation.
"Fine I'm getting some rest, she's all yours Severus call us if she wakes."
Snape nodded clasping the girls hand again.
Left alone he whispered his mantra to her once again, letting her know she was safe. She reached out for him with her other arm pulling him closer to the bed. It was very uncomfortable and he felt weary now he knew she was alright.
So, he untangled himself from her arm and sat on the edge of the bed. His conscience plagued him for a second until he said "Its just an hour, it's just some sleep." He lay down next to her, holding her hand, listening to her soft measured breathing, as he closed his eyes he felt her turn and throw the opposite arm over him snuggling into his side. He gave in to the heavy feeling of sleep and his last thought was 'I won't worry about this now, I will worry when I wake up."
Three hours later, Minerva appeared in the medical wing.
She saw Hermione wrapped around Severus, she also noted that Severus had reciprocated.
Sitting down she decided to wait for him to wake up. It didn't take long he woke with a jolt, retracting his arm like he'd been stung, but he kept hold of Hermione's hand.
"Good Morning Severus."
Snape let his head fall back on the pillow in dismay, how long had he been asleep.
"So Severus, how many times is it now?"
"Honestly Minerva, I have lost count."

*thanks littleblueeyes and your friend.*