Let Me In

Chapter Fifteen

Hermione awoke startled and confused. She felt around her and deduced that she was in a bed. A large bed. Much larger than her own. She sat up, leaning against the headboard, thinking. She remembered Dobby bringing her to Professor Snape's chambers. They spoke, she cried. They went into the lab to do some work, she'd fallen asleep and.. Oh God. She was in Professor Snape's bed! But where was Professor Snape? He wasn't in the room, thank Merlin, that would have been awkward. She noticed the clock on the wall - 5:20 am. It was still dark outside, he was probably still brewing in the lab. She gently slid out of the bed, wincing slightly at the cold tiles on her feet - he must have removed her shoes - and set off towards his lab

"Professor?" She asked quietly, he turned around to face her

"Hermione, what are you doing awake?"

"Couldn't sleep" she shrugged

"You should rest" he told her. His tone of voice telling her that he wasn't going to order her back to bed; he was merely stating she should sleep, not that she had to

"How's the potion coming along?" She asked, walking over to the cauldron he was stirring

"It's nearly ready for the next stage. Seventeen more stirs and it can be left to simmer for a week, by which time it will be complete" Hermione didn't respond. Instead, she watched his hands as they worked. So delicate and intricate, it was truly mesmerising. He was a completely different person in the comfort of his own lab: gentle, relaxed, soft-spoken. Totally the opposite of the man she knew from the classroom. She preferred this man. There was almost a subtle intimacy to the way he brewed his potions; she admired it wholly

"Sir?" She spoke and he looked over to her "why have you been calling me Hermione?" She had to ask. She'd been curious since the first night he'd used her given name. Not that she minded. She didn't think she'd ever tire of hearing her name in his smooth, rich voice, but, naturally, she was curious

"I hadn't realised I had been, in all honesty"

"Oh" that wasn't the answer she was hoping for, but she'd take it

"I would like you to accompany me to the Infirmary in a moment, as soon as I've finished stirring"

"What, why?"

"Because you're unwell. I want you to be examined by Madam Pomfrey"

"There's nothing wrong with me"

"I wasn't asking you, Hermione" he told her sternly

"Fine" she huffed, sitting down annoyed.

Once Snape had finished stirring and readjusted the heat, he motioned for her to follow him out of the room. He retrieved her shoes and a blanket for her to wrap around her

"It's cold in the castle at this time in the morning" he explained.

Madam Pomfrey was surprised to see them enter

"Severus, what's wrong, are you hurt?" She hurried over to him

"I'm fine, Poppy. It's Hermione I'm worried about" the matron raised her eyebrows at the use of Hermione's name, but said nothing of it "would you examine her for me please?"

"Of course, follow me, Miss Granger"

Snape sat down on the nearest bed and watched Hermione follow the matron into her office. He had to admit, he was worried. He'd never seen someone lose weight so drastically. All because of him. He was reminded of himself, after that day he'd fallen out with Lily. Hermione was showing the same symptoms he did all those years ago. It made him wonder whether Hermione would do for him what he did for Lily: Betray Lord Voldemort; act as a spy, change her morals and views completely. She was certainly intelligent enough and definitely had the bravery but that didn't bear thinking about. He'd never let Hermione anywhere near that monster. He'd have to die first. As long as he was around, she would never have to be subjected to live his lifestyle. He'd make sure of it.