Back in time...

Back in time..., Chapter 4.

The summer came and went in blissful happiness for the young Slytherin and Gryffindor and all to quickly it was again time to board the Hogwarts express and head of for another year of learning.

" 'Rus, I'm just going with Lily to change into my robes, we should be in Hogsmede any moment now so you probably should too." Severus mumbled a reply and watched the bushy haired girl leave the compartment. The summer had brought many things for Severus including realisation. The realisation that he was in love with Hermione Granger. Shut up you idiot, its not like she'll ever love you back, just keep acting like you only want her as a friend. Don't be stupid and ruin everything you have with her! Severus replayed through his mind as he fetched his robes of the shelf and left the compartment to change.

How wrong he was, for Hermione had realised something that summer too. She was in love with Severus Snape. Her mind played almost the same tune as his as she watched him leave the compartment from the shadows. And so the ignorant fools continued with their friendship whilst hidding secret feelings and not knowing they those very feelings are returned in the other.

Weeks passed and the two carried on as usual, It wasn't until Severus was once again missing from Potions that Hermione became worried, she hadn't seen him in two days, he hadn't been at breakfast or lunch or dinner. So when leaving transfiguration she took a left instead of a right and headed to the Hospital Wing to see if he was there.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione called with a knock on the door.

"Yes dear, what is it?" She replied looking a little flustered.

"I haven't seen Severus in a few days, i was wondering if he'd fainted again. Have you seen him?" Hermione asked, not even bothering to mask her concern.

"Oh dear, nobody told you. Severus involved in an incident with Mr Lupin, I believe it was a trick from Mr Black but luckily Mr Potter saved him before anything to bad happened."

"WHAT? Oh Gods, is he okay? Can I see him?" Many possible situations were running through Hermione's head, she knew Remus was a werewolf and was furious at Sirius for doing such a thing.

"He's okay now, sleeping in fact, good thing too, he'll need the rest after what happened. You can see him but at the moment he still has quite a lot of cuts. I mended all of the broken bones and the cuts and bruises are fading, he will unfortunately left with a few scars though. he's just through there." Said Madam Pomfrey Pointing to the closed white curtain several beds away. Hermione rushed over and pulled the curtain back to see Severus lying on the white sheeted bed with cuts and bruises scribbled on his porcelain skin, bandages adorning various parts of him as well. Upon seeing this Hermione collapsed into the chair beside him with a wail and started to cry all over his broken body. Hermione heard a croak of

"Mione..." and quickly sat up.

"oh Severus, I'm so sorry, are you okay? Is there anything you need?"

"You are enough..." He whispered before drifting back into to sleep. She simply smiled and taking his hand in hers lay back down on his chest contented by just hearing the slow and steady beat of his heart.

Time passed and Severus slowly but surely recovered and the two carried on as usual, until a poster was left on the notice board and the girls went wild.

"a Christmas Ball! Oh how lovely" Hermione exclaimed. She wasn't really into girly things but the idea of a ball sounded wonderful to her and felt that she could indulge in being silly just this once. Severus, who was walking with her, was not overly fond of the idea but thought if Hermione would enjoy his feelings on it no longer mattered.

"Yes, it does sound rather enjoyable." Severus said "do you have to have a date, um partner, person to go with?" Severus mumbled. Hermione visibly sagged

"Oh yes i'm sure you do, not that anyone will ask me" she whispered.

"What! I'm sure someone will ask you." Hermione just looked at him with one eyebrow raised. "Well if your so worried about it, why don't you just go with me?" Severus said quickly.

"You would do that for me? Oh Rus, thank you so much" Hermione exclaimed pulling him into a tight squeeze. She looked up as Severus gifted with a smile that he only ever saved for her.