Hermione was lost. She was in a forest, dark and cold, all alone. She had no idea where she was and did not intend to stay in the place longer than she had to. All around her she kept hearing a wailing sound, almost as if someone was being tortured. She could tell the sound was coming from somewhere near to hear, so she started jogging towards the crying noise. As it got louder, Hermione started to run. Faster and faster, she picked up the pace when finally the crying stopped.
"Hermioneeeeeee." Something was calling her name. A raspy voice that she had never heard before. "Saveee me."
"Who are you?!" Hermione shrieked. "I can't help you if I don't know where you are? Show yourself! Please!"
All of a sudden, she could make out a soft green light in front of her. Slowly, she made her way towards it, never taking her eyes off the glow.
"Hermione?! Wake up!"
"Hermioneee. I need you."
At the sight that appeared before her, Hermione dropped to her knees in disbelief.
Her bird was there- dying- in front of her eyes. Only it wasn't the fact that it was her bird that scared her, it was how the bird was dying. Clear as day, two perfect bite marks on its neck were expunging blood rapidly.
"I need you." The voice repeated, only this time Hermione recognized the voice. It was Snape's.
"Hermione! You're just having a bad dream! Wake up!"
"Headmaster?" She whispered, placing a hand to the bird's neck.
"Forgive me, Hermione. You're too late this time. The bond is broken. Let me go."
Without warning, the bird burst into green flames, causing Hermione to scream in pain.
"NOOOO! Headmaster!"
Hermione awoke at once to three sets of eyes staring worriedly back at her.
"Wha- what are you all doing here?"
Hermione was confused. It was Ginny who spoke.
"Hermione, you've been having screaming fits all night. I got so concerned that I had to get Professor McGonagall. Sna- er Professor Snape was with her at the time. I didn't ask him to come, I swear!" Ginny's explanation gone panic-rant was cut short by Snape.
"That's quite enough Miss Weasley. Thank you for your concern, but I do believe Professor and I are more than qualified to handle the situation now."
Ginny immediately took that as her signal to leave, but not before casting her friend an apologetic look.
It was Minerva who spoke first.
"Hermione, dear, whatever is wrong? Are you always this restless when you sleep? I'm sure Professor Snape could find something for you to ease the nightmares…" Minerva looked just about as lost as Hermione felt.
"I- er I'm sorry Professors. I've never had anything like this happen. Not since the few weeks after the War ended. I hope I haven't been too much of a bother to you today." Hermione was desperately trying to avoid talking about the dream whilst avoiding Snape's intense glare at the same time. He was too perceptive though.
"Miss Granger, please tell us what happened. Perhaps the dream can point us in the direction of an appropriate remedy." He wouldn't move his eyes from hers, and she felt obligated to return the gesture.
Taking a deep breath and putting on her best unreadable face, she turned to look at both of her professors, "I failed every exam this year."
Minerva's face promptly moved from one of concern to relief. She was clearly fooled. Snape, however, was not. He briskly raised one eyebrow at her, causing Hermione to look down.
"Well, Miss Granger, do not fear. I happened to chance across your records just this morning and your marks are impeccable. As always. Now, do not fret, and perhaps Professor Snape can find something for you regardless." Minerva walked to the door, ready to take her leave, when she turned back to the two left in the room.
"Professor, do remember what we discussed this morning." And with one of her renowned downwards glances, Minerva exited Hermione's bedchamber.
Hermione was left alone with Snape. Barely a minute from Minerva's exit passed before Snape started with the questions.
"Hermione," he whispered, "do not even try to tell me that lie. It may have fooled Professor McGonagall, but it certainly is not going to fool me. Tell me, please, what happened."
For a few moments, Hermione just sat in silence, disbelief pouring out of her at the current situation. Snape is in my room. With me. Alone.
"Hermione…" He prodded, which was more of a command than anything else.
"You were dying. Well, no, the bird was dying, but it was you. The bond was broken and- and you told me to let you go."
Snape looked at her with wide eyes. She continued.
"Professor, what is going to happen with the bird? What if it never fulfills my deepest desire? I-," her hands flew to her face as she began to sob.
Without missing a beat, Snape placed his arms around the crying girl in a comforting manner that only she would know of.
"Hush dear, it's over and I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
With a broken look, Hermione lifted her head and spoke, "I can't lose you. I just can't. What's going to happen?"
It was her pleading look that did him in. Snape held her firmly with both arms and looked deep into her eyes.
"Hermione, I am an honorable man. I do not give things up easily, nor do I intend to break promises that mean something to me. You are not going to lose me. I'm not going anywhere. As for the future, well, that is up to you. It is something that we, unfortunately, are going to have to discuss rather soon. You have a lot of choices ahead of you, dear." Snape gently moved one of his hands from her shoulder to her face, where he brushed away the lingering tears.
Hermione perked up. "What choices? About what? Us?"
Snape chuckled lightly and shook his head, watching disappointment flood her face.
"The other aspects of your life, Hermione. I'm not the only thing you have- and do not argue with me because it's true. You have an education and a career to think about. Things that have nothing to do with poor old me." Hermione started shaking her head furiously.
"That's not true. You are everything to me. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't go all Juliet on you, but you mean a great deal." The Muggle literary reference was lost on Snape, but that didn't stop him from offering a response.
"Think what you must, but a conversation is in order. Professor McGonagall wants to speak with you, and sooner is probably better than later." Snape finished, rising from the bed where he had been seated. "And Hermione, do not fear. You will get every desire you have ever wanted. I promise." With that, he bowed slowly and left her room.