Let Me In

Chapter Seven

The next week was torturous for Hermione. Not only because every time she closed her eyes she could see Professor Snape's wounds but also because he seemed to be trying his hardest to be as cruel and unfair to Hermione as possible during his lessons. She thought that she had gotten past the point of letting Professor Snape's hurtful comments get to her but, every lesson, she found herself holding back tears and resisting the urge to run from his classroom and never look back. The worst part was, the more upset Hermione got, the more hurtful his words became, it became a vicious cycle and Hermione wasn't sure if she could take much more of it.

Hermione coped with the pain the only way she knew how – by throwing herself into her work. She was writing up her reports, when she came across the one name she was trying to avoid: Severus Snape. She'd obviously made notes about his case the night he'd come to her in the infirmary; after all, he was a patient – but, she couldn't help but wonder whether she should write up his report. You're being ridiculous, she told herself. He was a patient, of course she should write up his report. She shook her head at her own absurdity and finished her reports. She then dropped them off to Madame Pomfrey in the infirmary, before heading off her to her next class, Charms.

"Remember to put emphasis on your vowels, class. Incantations can be very tricky. If said incorrectly, they can be very dangerous" Professor Flitwick called to his class. They were suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door and everybody was surprised to see Professor Dumbledore enter the classroom

"Excuse me for interrupting, Professor, but I was wondering if I might steal Hermione Granger from your lesson?"

"Of course, Headmaster" surprised, Hermione picked up her bag and followed Professor Dumbledore out of the room

"what is this about, Professor?"

"You'll find out soon enough, Miss Granger, please, follow me" Hermione followed him through the castle and found herself standing in his office. She was even more surprised to find Madame standing by the fireplace, waiting for them to return "please have a seat" Dumbledore motioned to the chairs in front of his desk and Hermione sat, obediently

"Hermione" Madame Pomfrey spoke "we've called you in here to speak to you about Professor Snape"

"Professor Snape?" Hermione asked, confused

"yes" Dumbledore continued "Madame Pomfrey brought to my attention the fact that you treated Professor Snape, in the infirmary, last week, is that correct?"

"Yes sir, I assumed he had just returned from Lord Voldemort" Madame Pomfrey winced but Dumbledore nodded for her to continue "he had fractured his wand arm and had deep cuts across his back, presumably from a whip, so I treated him and then he left"

"Miss Granger, why did you not call Madame Pomfrey back from St. Mungos, to deal with Professor Snape?"

"Because, sir, Professor Snape needed my help there and then, they were simple enough injuries and I knew I could help him. If I'd felt that anything was beyond my capabilities I'd have fetched Madame Pomfrey or yourself, immediately. Besides, Madame Pomfrey told me she believed that I was 'more than capable' of running that infirmary. Why should that not apply to a professor in need of my assistance?" Professor Dumbledore didn't answer her

"wait" Madame Pomfrey spoke "did you say you treated his back? Meaning he removed his shirt? How did you get him to do that? He has to be unconscious before even I can remove any of his clothing"

"well, he was being stubborn and uncooperative. I knew his back was injured, I could see the blood on his shirt. So I told him the sooner he did what I asked, the sooner he could leave. Then I asked him to remove his shirt, and he did." Madame Pomfrey looked astounded but Professor Dumbledore was smiling at Hermione as though he had discovered a gift