Proud of You

Hello to all my lovely readers! Thank you for your reviews. I want to apologize in advance for any errors you may find in this chapter. I briefly looked over it so there may be some that I missed. I was just so anxious to get the new chapter out to you guys! :) The song I listened to while writing this was Drag by Placebo. I'm sorry for the lack of Snape thus far, but he'll be more prominent in later chapters, trust me.

Review responses:

HarryGinny4eva: That explanation is coming in the next chapter so I hope I don't disappoint!

katiekrm: The reason for Hermione's tears regarded Dumbledore are touched on briefly in this chapter and the explanation for why Dumbledore planned to give her to Voldemort is coming soon.

neelix: Yay for feeling things! Stephen King said something once about his own writing and I found it applies to me as well. "I'm an emotional writer...I'm not that interested in what you think all the time, but I am interested in what you feel." I try to write in a way so that the reader can identify with what the character is going through. I love it when I get reviews telling me that I made someone feel a certain emotion strongly or that they really felt the character's emotion as if they were the one experiencing it.

lilashannah: I love Snape. In any story I write, he will always live. It broke my heart when Rowling killed him off. :(

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Hermione didn't sleep well that night, for her mind was on overdrive. She couldn't believe that Professor Snape was alive, let alone that the Headmaster had survived as well. Though if she were honest with herself, she was only happy for Harry that the latter of the two survived. In the back of her mind, there was the notion that such a thought somehow made her a horrible person but she quickly dismissed it. He was, after all, ready and willing to hand her over to He- Who -Was- A- Frigid- Lunatic- Asshole. Besides, there was no doubt in her mind that he would be able to talk himself out of any backlash that might occur if anyone else found out about his little plan. She decided not to dwell on those particular thoughts because she was sure Harry would demand answers soon enough.

Instead, she let her mind wander to Professor Snape. She couldn't understand why she was practically beaming because the man was alive. It wasn't like he was ever kind to her, or anyone else for that matter. But he was kind to you, a little voice said. She sighed and once again tried to get comfortable in her bed. Her brain sensed her desire to move onto another subject and tauntingly made her aware of her nervousness regarding the upcoming Potions class. She always prided herself on being one of the few students who didn't squirm under Professor Snape's imposing demeanor. Her current thoughts and feelings concerning that man both unnerved and confused her. Whilst rubbing her eyes, an image flashed in her mind. It was during the feast, right after he walked out from behind the curtain and he was looking out into the sea of students. She couldn't be sure, but she swore his eyes lingered on her. She saw something in his face that she didn't understand. Even now it eluded her and that is what frustrated her the most.

"This is utterly ridiculous. Go to bed, Hermione," she muttered to herself. Her brain complied...eventually.

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Morning arrived much too soon for Hermione's liking. She met up with her friends in the Gryffindor common room and they proceeded to head towards the Great Hall for breakfast. On their way. they noticed Draco standing off to the side of the hallway looking rather lost.

"What do you suppose is wrong with him?" Ron asked.

Hermione bit her lip. "Well, Professor Snape is his godfather and from the look on his face in the Great Hall yesterday, I'd guess that he didn't know he was alive."

"Maybe someone should go check on him," Harry said. The friends all looked at each other expectantly.

"Oh honestly! And you call yourselves Gryffindors!" Hermione admonished, then turned and walked towards Draco. She swallowed nervously. This was uncharted territory. It was strange to be moving towards Draco Malfoy in the hallway rather than away, which was the norm for so many years. "Draco, are you alright?" He looked up, startled, and the emotion whirling in his eyes shocked her. His eyes seemed darker, the color of heavy rainclouds.

"He didn't even tell me he had survived. Then I come back here...trying to...I don't know what exactly...and then here he is, alive and well. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around it, you know? And I fluctuate between furious and relieved." He swallowed thickly and looked at her for the first time during his admission.

She offered him a reassuring smile. "His being here is a shock to everyone, but I can't really imagine how hard this must be for you. I know that we just recently started being civil with each other, but we are all here if you need us, Draco. Me, Harry, Ron, and Ginny. I'd like to think we are well on our way to becoming friends."

He nodded at her slowly. "This is new to me. I've never had real friends, nor do I remember ever being a friend to anyone. You guys are going to have to be patient with me, as it's all very different for me."

"Well, we put up with you for seven years and somehow managed to refrain from killing you, so I think we'll be alright." She smirked.

He raised an eyebrow. "Hermione Granger, did you just smirk at me?" he asked incredulously.

The smirk widened into a grin. "Yes, Harry and Ron are worried that you're rubbing off on me."

"Ah, I'm corrupting their little Mione," he said dramatically. They both shared a laugh and Draco finally noticed their friends lurking further down the hall, watching with rapt attention. "You're still the brave lioness of the pride, I see," he drawled casually. She followed his gaze and began to laugh again.

"It's a tough job but someone has to do it," she replied, barely keeping a straight face.

He offered her his arm. "Shall we go to breakfast?" She looked from his arm to his face. He rolled his eyes and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and began walking towards their odd little group. "I swear, you Muggle-borns are so uncivilized."

"Spoken like a true haughty pure-blood." They exchanged smiles, glad they could engage in this kind of banter with neither offended anymore.

The guys easily fell into a heated debate about quidditch, while the girls discussed their classes. Upon entering the Great Hall, they parted ways with Draco as they took seats at their respective tables. Hermione glanced up at the staff table and was met with Professor Snape's coal black gaze. She quickly averted her eyes to her plate. Her mouth felt dry, but as she reached for her pumpkin juice she accidentally knocked it over. Muttering a quick apology, she vanished the mess and reached for the pitcher to refill her glass.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Ginny asked, as she pushed Hermione's hand away and refilled her glass for her.

"Yes I'm fine Gin, I just didn't sleep well last night," she replied distantly.

"What's the matter Mione? I never took you for someone who got nervous about school," Ron replied, after just shoveling a fork full of eggs into his mouth.

"Ronald Weasley, how many times have I told you not to talk with your mouth full?!"

"Only about a million, Mum," he teased. She glowered at him and then quickly stood from the table.

"I'm going to the library. I'll see you two in Arithmancy," she said as she glanced between Harry and Ron. Hefting her bag onto her shoulder, she practically ran from the Great Hall.

Little did she know that Snape had watched the entire scene with keen interest from around the corner of his copy of The Daily Prophet. Something isn't quite right with Miss Granger, he mused as he watched her scurry out the door.

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Hermione's day didn't get any better. For some unknown reason, she couldn't get her mind to focus on anything other than Professor Snape. The more she thought of him, the more she wanted to cry. Emotions weren't her forte, as most of the time they were irrational at best, and her logical mind couldn't reason them out. By the time Potions class rolled around, she was exhausted from trying to figure herself out. Her stomach was in knots when she pushed open the door to the classroom. She was early so of course she was the only person there, or so she thought. She saw him out of the corner of her eye before she heard the scratching of his quill on parchment. She swallowed the lump in her throat, walked to one of the desks, and quietly set her bag on the floor.

"Miss Granger," Snape drawled softly, without looking up from what he was doing.

"Sir?" One corner of his mouth turned up, but Hermione couldn't see it because his face was obscured by a curtain of hair.

"Good afternoon," he said and finally looked up at her.

"Good afternoon, sir," she replied as she took her seat. He fixed her with a penetrative stare briefly and then went back to writing. She took this moment to observe him. It was odd to see him seated at his desk. He normally walked the classroom with a predatory gait, reminiscent of a panther stalking its prey.

"I'd like to see you after class, Miss Granger," he said quietly.

"Of course, sir."

Students began filing in. Harry and Ron sat at the desk in front of her and Dean Thomas took the seat next to her. Draco walked in. He looked at Hermione and she mouthed, 'Are you okay?'. He gave her a brief nod and took a seat next to Blaise. Once everyone was seated, Snape stood from his desk and walked to the front of the class. He staggered slightly, and Harry, being the closest to him, posed to stand.

"I'm fine, Mr. Potter. Remain in your seat," he said stoically. Harry relaxed, but only slightly. "Today, we're going to do things a bit differently. We are going to be brewing a complex potion tomorrow and this class period will be spent studying up on said potion." He paused briefly. "The information you will need can be found on page 335 of your texts. The assignment that is due at the end of class is outlined on the board for you. You may begin." His voice lost its silkiness towards the end of his speech, and took on a rough, labored quality. Some people, namely Draco, Harry, and Hermione we concerned, but diligently got to work on their assignment. Knowing Snape's temperament, it wouldn't be wise to voice their worry. At the end of class everyone turned in their papers and Hermione told the three guys waiting for her that Professor Snape asked her to stay after. Draco said he would tell Professor Flitwick that she would be late before he, Harry, and Ron left to go to Charms. After the last student left, Hermione approached Professor Snape's desk.

"Sir, what was it you..." she trailed off as she noticed the stirring rods she had placed on his grave sitting on his desk atop a green velvet cloth. He followed the direction of her gaze and cleared his throat.

"Ah yes, I wanted to thank you for those. They're very...nice."

Hermione swallowed. "Y...you're welcome, sir." He noticed her visibly pale and then she began to tremble. He swiftly stood.

"Miss Granger, are you alright?" When she looked up at him, he understood why she was shaking. Her face was wet with tears. This was something he was hoping to avoid. He had no experience with emotional women. He hesitantly lifted his arm and patted her shoulder. "It's alright, Miss Granger." Without thinking, Hermione leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist and cried into his chest. Snape's eyes widened as he looked down at the curly mass of brown hair buried in the front of his robes. The poor girl was clinging to him as if her life depended on it. He wavered for a fleeting moment and then slid an unsteady arm around her shoulders. By this time, she was sobbing and muttering incoherently. "Miss Granger...it's alright...I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," he replied soothingly to her mumblings His other hand came up and rubbed her back of its own accord. She slowly came to her senses and gasped as she pulled back to look at him.

"I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't mean to..."

"It's fine, Miss Granger. These things happen."

"Yes, well...I'm sorry I wasted time by acting like a blubbering emotional idiot," she lamented, as she looked anywhere but at Professor Snape's face.

"Miss Granger, please stop apologizing. It is unnecessary. And I do believe my face is up here." Her head snapped up immediately and she stared at him with wide teary eyes. He realized he was still holding her and let go, moving around his desk to sit down. He grabbed a scrap of parchment and his quill. "I believe I heard Mr. Malfoy saying you had Charms next, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir. If you don't mind me asking, why did you wish to see me?"

"I simply wanted to thank you for the stirring rods," he replied nonchalantly, as he penned a quick note to Professor Flitwick. Hermione, remembering she had been crying, cast a cleansing spell on her face, as well as a glamour so her face didn't appear red and splotchy. Professor Snape handed her the note and she hefted her bag onto her shoulder before heading towards the door. "Miss Granger?"

"Sir?"

"These stirring rods must have cost a small fortune. Why would you spend so much money on a dead man?" He hadn't turned to face her when he voiced his question so once again she couldn't read his expression, which was one of confusion.

"Well sir, as I'm sure you are aware, the Ministry awarded us quite a large sum of money. I saved most of mine but I was in the apothecary when I happened upon the stirring rods. They reminded me of you and I just bought them. It was the strangest, most impulsive thing I've ever done," she said pensively. "But I don't regret it," she added quickly.

"That was very...thoughtful of you," he said, his voice taking on a tranquility she had never heard before.

"I'm glad you like them, sir." She went to open the door but turned back to him. "Professor Snape?" An incline of his head was the only response she received. She took a deep breath. "I'm really happy you're still here, sir."

"Off to class with you, Miss Granger," he said, his voice hoarse. He turned his head and nodded at her and she gave him a tiny smile before she left. It was only after the door closed behind her that he allowed himself a small smile as well.