AU / Same world as all of my previous stories.
The world and the characters in it belongs to J.K. Rowling

AN: This story will be a multi-chapter one, I don t know how long or how frequently will I update but I will try not to finish on a cliffhanger. If you got any constructive criticism feel free to share it.

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As they strolled across the castle grounds, Hermione's eyes sparkled with curiosity as Harry recounted his weekend escapade with James and Sirius."So, tell us, Harry,"
Hermione urged, her tone eager. "How did it go? Did you finally master the Patronus charm?"
Harry nodded, a proud smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, it was incredible. Dad and Sirius were amazing teachers. We spent hours practicing by the lake, and eventually,
I got it." Ron's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You mean you can conjure a Patronus now? That's brilliant, mate!"

Harry nodded again, his expression still tinged with disbelief at his own accomplishment. "Yeah, it's surreal. But it's like Father said, the key is focusing on the happiest memory you can conjure. For me, it was remembering the feeling of being surrounded by friends, just like we are right now."Hermione beamed, her admiration evident.
"That's wonderful, Harry. It's such a powerful spell, and not easy to master. I'm really proud of you." While she started was wondering if She is on the right path with her education.
Ron clapped Harry on the back, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, well done, mate. Now you'll be able to ward off Dementors like a pro!" With their steps a little lighter and their hearts a little fuller, the trio continued their walk. As they walked, lost in their conversation, Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the air, causing them to stop in their tracks. Hermione turned to see the stern yet concerned face of their Transfiguration professor.

"Excuse me, Miss Granger," the old teacher said, her tone urgent. "I need to speak with you for a moment." Hermione's brow furrowed with worry as she stepped forward.
"Of course, Professor. What's the matter?"
Minerva's gaze shifted briefly to Harry and Ron before returning to Hermione. "It's about Professor Snape. He's in the medical wing."Hermione's heart skipped a beat, concern flooding her features. "Master Snape? What happened with him?"

Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly. "He was conducting an experiment related to the project you've been working on together.
Something went wrong, and he's been injured."Hermione nodded, her mind racing with thoughts of Severus's well-being. "Is he going to be all right?"
As Hermione's worry escalated, Professor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Now, young lady, try not to worry too much. Poppy Pomfrey is attending
to Professor Snape as we speak. From what we can tell so far, it seems his magic was depleted, and he lost consciousness."

Hermione let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, some of the tension leaving her body. "Thank you, Professor. Is there anything we can do to help?"
Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Not at the moment, Miss Granger. Poppy will inform us if there's anything we can do. For now, I suggest you return to your studies." Hermione nodded, still visibly concerned but reassured by the calming words. "Yes, Professor. Thank you for letting me know. I will visit him later"
With a final nod of acknowledgment, Hermione turned to Harry and Ron. "Let's go back to the common room." Harry and Ron nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. Together, they walked back to the common room, Hermione's thoughts filled with concern for Severus Snape and the outcome of his condition.

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As the evening wore on, Hermione's worry for Severus Snape weighed heavily on her mind. Unable to focus on her studies, she found herself drawn to the medical wing,
needing to see for herself how he was faring. The entrance to the medical wing is a heavy oak door adorned with intricate carvings of healing herbs and mystical symbols.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Hermione pushed open the heavy doors of the medical wing and stepped inside. The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the room, casting shadows across the rows of empty beds.

As She stepped inside, the air is filled with the soothing scent of lavender and chamomile, mixed with the faint hint of magical potions brewing hit her.
The short corridors are lined with portraits of former Hogwarts healers, each with a story to tell about their unique contributions to magical medicine.
The medical wing of Hogwarts is a sanctuary of healing, tucked away in a secluded part of the castle. Led by Madam Pomfrey, the Hogwarts matron, it offers a blend of magical and modern care techniques. With comfortable beds, shelves stocked with potions, and private treatment rooms, it's equipped to handle everything from broken bones to magical maladies. There's even a counseling room for mental health support. It's not just a place for treatment, but a haven where the magic of healing and compassion converge to serve the Hogwarts community. Approaching the bed where Severus lay, Hermione's heart clenched at the sight of him. He appeared pale and still, his usually sharp features softened in unconsciousness. Poppy Pomfrey bustled around the room, tending to Severus with practiced efficiency. She glanced up as Hermione approached, her expression softening with sympathy.

"Miss Granger," Poppy said in a hushed tone. "I'm afraid Professor Snape is still unconscious. We're monitoring him closely, but there's been no change."
Hermione nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Is there anything I can do to help?" Poppy smiled kindly at her. "Just being here is enough, dear.
But if you could look for a calming potion in the storage room and bring it to me, it would be much appreciated."
Hermione nodded again, grateful for the opportunity to contribute in some way. "Of course, I'll do it right away." Returning to the medical wing with the not too long ago brewed calming potion, Hermione found Poppy Pomfrey still attending to Severus Snape. With a grateful nod, Hermione handed the potion to Poppy, who accepted it with a small smile. Hermione found it weird that yesterday they brewed the potion together with her master and now it is helping him recover. She also found it reassuring that her time with Snape is not as unnecessary as she thought in the morning after the talk with Harry.
"Thank you, Miss Granger," Poppy said, her tone appreciative. "This should help him relax."Hermione watched anxiously as Poppy carefully administered the potion to Severus,
her skilled hands working with practiced precision. After a moment, she stepped back, her gaze shifting to Hermione.
"We'll have to wait and see how he responds," Poppy said softly. "But your potion should help ease his discomfort and help him wake up sooner. The rest is on him"
Hermione nodded, her fingers twisting nervously in the hem of her robe. "I hope so. He's been through so much already."
Poppy placed a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder. "He's a resilient man, Miss Granger. With time and rest, I'm sure he'll recover."

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As the evening wore on and the medical wing grew quiet, Hermione remained seated beside Severus's bed, her presence a silent vigil of support.
The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the pages of her book as she read, the words providing a small distraction from the weight of worry that settled in her chest.
The ward was enveloped in a profound stillness, broken only by the gentle rhythm of Severus's quiet breathing. Each inhale and exhale seemed to echo in the silence,
a reminder of his presence amidst the hushed surroundings. Hermione glanced up from her book, her eyes scanning Severus's face for any sign of change. He remained still, his expression peaceful in sleep, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had brought him to this state.

Returning her attention to her book, Hermione allowed herself to be drawn into its pages once more, finding solace in the familiar rhythm of the words.
Time seemed to blur as she lost herself in the story, the worries of the outside world fading into the background. In that quiet moment, Hermione found herself grateful for the simple comfort of companionship, even if it was in the form of silent companionship with an unconscious Severus Snape. Startled by the sudden sound, she saw movement on the bed out of the corner of her eye, and her breath caught in her throat. Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she looked up from her book, her eyes widening in surprise. Slowly, she turned her head to see Severus Snape sitting up on the bed, his dark eyes focused and alert. Hermione blinked in astonishment, hardly daring to believe what she was seeing.
"Master Snape?" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. Severus turned his gaze toward her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence between them heavy with unspoken questions.

Then, finally, Severus spoke, his voice hoarse from disuse. "Miss Granger." Relief flooded through Hermione at the sound of his voice, and she moved to his side, her concern evident in her eyes. "Are you all right? What happened?"
Severus shook his head slightly, as if trying to clear it. "I... I don't know. The last thing I remember, I was conducting an experiment on a stronger leftover of that ancient magic. I channelled my own magic into it, suddenly I was blinded by a light and then everything went black." Hermione nodded, her brow furrowed with worry. "You're in the medical wing. Poppy Pomfrey has been taking care of you."

Severus glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings for the first time. "I see."Hermione hesitated, unsure of what to say next. "Do you... do you remember what happened?" Severus shook his head again, a frown creasing his brow. "No, it's all a blur. But I'm... grateful for your assistance, Miss Granger."
Hermione smiled softly, relief washing over her. "Of course, Severus. I'm just glad to see you awake." And as they sat there in the quiet of the medical wing, Hermione felt a glimmer of hope for the future, knowing that Severus Snape was once again among the living. Severus's brows furrowed in concern as Hermione revealed how long she had been keeping watch. "You've been here all this time?" Hermione nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, I wanted to make sure you were all right. We were all worried about you."
A flicker of something akin to gratitude crossed Severus's features before he masked it with his usual stoicism. "I appreciate your concern, Miss Granger, but you needn't have stayed here all day." Hermione shook her head, her determination unwavering. "I wanted to. You've done so much for me and for Hogwarts. It's the least I could do."

There was a brief moment of silence between them, filled with unspoken understanding. Then, Severus inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Miss Granger. Your loyalty does not go unnoticed." A small smile tugged at Hermione's lips. "You're welcome, Master Snape."
Hermione noticed Severus rubbing his temples with a slight grimace. "Are you feeling alright, Professor?" she inquired, concern knitting her brows. Severus glanced up, his dark eyes meeting hers briefly before he offered a faint smile. "Just a touch of a headache, Miss Granger. Nothing to be concerned about."

But Hermione was not one to let things slide, especially when it came to the well-being of those around her. "Would you like me to fetch you something? A headache potion, perhaps? Or maybe just a cup of tea?" At this, Severus hesitated, then replied, "Actually, a cup of coffee would be quite nice."
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. Snape asking for coffee? That was certainly unexpected. But she nodded briskly, jumping up from her chair. "Of course, Professor.
How do you take it?" Severus shifted uncomfortably in his bed, a faint blush creeping onto his pale cheeks. Hermione couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his sudden bashfulness. What could possibly make the formidable Potions Master blush?
"I, um, take it with a lot of milk," Severus mumbled, his gaze fixed on the floor. "And at least six teaspoons of sugar." Hermione blinked, taken aback by the revelation.
Six teaspoons of sugar? That was practically a dessert in a cup! But she quickly masked her surprise with a warm smile.
"A lot of milk and six teaspoons of sugar? That's quite the sweet tooth you have, Severus." Severus's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare hint of embarrassment crossing his typically impassive expression. "Yes, well... I suppose I have a bit of a weakness for sweetened coffee."

Hermione smiled warmly at him. "Don't worry, I'll make it just the way you like it." With that, she hurried off to the kitchen, leaving Severus alone with his thoughts.
As he watched her retreating figure, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the young witch. Despite his gruff exterior and intimidating demeanor,
Hermione Granger had always treated him with kindness and respect. Minutes later, Hermione returned with a steaming mug in hand, the rich aroma of coffee filling the room.
She set it down in front of Severus, a pleased smile gracing her lips. "Here you go, Professor. Just how you like it." She had no chance of knowing that She will make this pair of coffee for the rest of her life. Severus nodded his thanks, taking a tentative sip of the coffee. It was perfect warm, comforting, and just the right amount of sweetness. As he savored the familiar taste, he couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth spread through him not just from the coffee, but from Hermione's thoughtful gesture.
And as the two returned to their discussion, the tension in the ward had dissipated, replaced by a newfound camaraderie between them.

A comfortable atmosphere settled in the room, easing the initial tension. Hermione found herself feeling encouraged by this newfound rapport, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between them. Feeling emboldened by the warmth of the moment, Hermione hesitated for a brief moment before speaking up. "Master," she began tentatively, testing the waters, "may I... call you by your given name?"

Severus, who had been carefully examining a vial of potion ingredients, paused at her request. His dark eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and discomfort, but he quickly schooled his features into their usual composed expression. "As your teacher and master, it would be highly inappropriate for you to address me by anything other than Professor Snape or sir in public. With a hint of smile on his lips he continues It is the matter of respect. I would not call my students on their given name either, Hermione" Suddenly looking up by hearing her name Hermione looked into his eyes. But you are became so much more then only a student long ago. I feel like we are partners for a while now. Her eyes widened in surprise at Severus's unexpected response. His gaze held a hint of vulnerability that she hadn't seen before, softening the edges of his stern demeanor. For a moment, she was taken aback by the intimacy of his words, feeling a rush of warmth spread through her.

"Severus..." she murmured, testing the sound of his name on her lips. It felt oddly intimate yet comforting at the same time, as if a barrier had been lifted between them.
Severus met her gaze steadily, his expression unreadable. "Remember, Hermione," he said softly, his tone a mixture of warning and invitation, "this privilege is granted only in private moments. We must maintain the boundaries of our roles in public."
Hermione nodded, understanding the weight of his words. She couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, knowing that she had been granted a glimpse into the man behind the facade of Professor Snape. It was a secret she would guard carefully, treasuring the rare moments of connection they shared.