• 1-Empty
• 2-Sear
• 3-Try
• 4-Hold
• 5-Stay
• 6-Start
• 7-Fun
• 8-Dark
• 9-Work
• 10-Ceremony
• 11-Comfort
• 12-Class
• 13-Wrath
• 14-Hate
• 15-Over
• 16-Kiss
• 17-Say
• 18-Mine

 I'd say about five minutes passed before I heard someone approach, I hoped they weren't going to mug me.

“Are you going to lie there all night, Miss Granger?” My eyes snapped open, and looking straight down at me was Snape. I was so happy I wanted to cry all over again, and I think I did. His face was as usual, unreadable. I shifted, trying to get up but I kept falling back down, the centre of gravity always moving, making one leg land away from the other, making me un-coordinated. He impatiently sighed before grabbing my upper arm, dragging me to my feet. The grip was painful, but I wasn't about to complain, he was here when he so easily couldn't have been. I was going to keep my mouth shut.

Snape didn't say a word the whole time, he towed me along the many streets, around corners, down more streets. Without warning we abruptly disaparated, appearing on the other end at none other than Hogwarts.

The feeling of being shoved through a tight rubber tube catching up with me, it was a difficult enough sensation to deal with when I was sober, but now I was full of alcohol I couldn't stand it. I fell to the side, onto the floor, and threw up.

He didn't give me a second to recover before grabbing my arm again, pulling me along, he waved his hand over my face and it felt as through someone had poured ice cold syrup down my back, I shivered, knowing he'd used a disillusioning charm. Without a beat he pushed me forward, we moved through the castle, he shoved me into the potions class, through his back office, we passed several bookshelves when we halted in front of a wall. He let go of me suddenly and I braced myself against the wall. The fast movement previously causing my stomach to clench.

“Empty your stomach in here, Miss Granger, and you'll find yourself cleaning it up, with your tooth brush.” Snape warned, not even looking at me. I tried my best to calm my stomach as I watched him. Why were we looking at a wall? Then he touched it, and a door appeared.

“W... Wow...” I hiccuped. Anyone else probably would have laughed at my unrestrained amazement but he didn't even acknowledge me. He opened the door and roughly pushed me through it first, him behind me. It took a moment for me to realise I was inside his personal chambers... His living space... His personal space... Any other day I'd have been so utterly shocked, knowing that pretty much no one, including Minerva had been in this room, but all I wanted to do right now was empty my stomach and pass out. This day had gone on long enough. I didn't even know why we were here, I assumed he'd just take me back to my own house.

“The bathroom is there.” He pointed straight ahead of me to a door. I quickly lunged for it, I didn't even get my bearings before locking onto the toilet, flushing more alcohol out of my body. I slumped onto the floor. A shadow cast over me and I realised Snape was leaning casually against the door frame.

“I don't want to lose my job.” I whispered, surprising myself. It didn't even sound like me who said it. He scoffed.

“If you didn't want to lose your job, why did you defy my orders.” It wasn't really a question. “I remember you saying, not yesterday that you were willing to do anything for a position in this school. That lasted a while, didn't it?” He mocked. I felt my cheeks burn with shame and I wanted to cry again. The idiocy of my impulsive actions weighing on me, it only took one moment of consuming need and I'd caved. I had no spine.

“I...” Unable to finish or even start a line, I just sobbed. He remained silent. It took a few seconds then it passed, utter defeat filling by body, I felt anger, but not at anything but myself.

“Thank you for coming for me.” I said, flatly. “As you put it, I'm a weak and pathetic Gryffindor, a child.” My voice not changing tone, I just felt numb. “I've blown the only opportunity I had. So if you could so kindly do me one last favour, I'd like to go home. There's nothing else for me here.” Spitting the last part, I managed to get up, the raw hole in me flaring up slightly, sobering me up enough to stand.

“I never called you weak and pathetic.” He interjected simply. Why did that matter, it was the same thing wasn't it? I am both. He just moved over and sat at the edge of the bathtub. I stared at the wall, expression unmoving.

“You haven't lost your job.” He informed. I almost couldn't believe it. I turned my eyes to him, staring with disbelief.

“Believe it or not Miss Granger. You're not the only person in the world to fall on hard times, you're not even the only person in this room.” Snape leaned his elbows on his knees, draping his head forward. “We all know suffering, so I will give you a chance to redeem yourself.” Looking up he nodded at me.

“I'll only do it again...” I admitted, noting how totally defeatist I'd become in the last year, but I couldn't bring myself to care, I was so far gone I didn't even know where to start. I looked down at my hands as I picked at my cuticles, crying silently, my face felt hot and swollen, so very uncomfortable. After a while I heard him move, so I looked at him. The wizard sighed and rubbed his face.

“At the very least, you're honest Miss Granger.” He acknowledged. He seemed a lot softer just then. “You're also a Gryffindor at heart. You may not feel it, but you don't just give up, it's not in your nature.”

I stared at him, he'd leant back against the wall, eyes closed now.

“I don't even know where to start.” I whispered, mostly to myself. A small sob caused my stomach to flip, I caught the toilet in time to watch more booze get flushed away. Snape got up slowly and opened a small cabinet above the sink, it was fairly empty apart from basic items, he gracefully plucked a small vial from a shelf before closing the door and transfiguring the laundry hamper by the lavatory into a chair and sitting down.

“Just start small.” He handed me the vial, all I did was look at it dumbly in his hand. Severus sighed impatiently, popping out the cork and shoving it into my grasp.

“Start by drinking this, and getting some sleep.” He motioned for me to drink it, I did so without thinking, the flavour making me want to throw it instantly back up. But only moments after it hitting my stomach did I start to feel a bit better, the nausea left me slightly, and I felt less dizzy.

“What do I do after that? I'll just end up back in the gutter again. I don't know how to fight this.” I sobbed, clutching my body. “It hurts so much.” I sharply panted out, clamping my eyes shut and holding my breath. Without the weight of the alcohol, I could feel it all again, it was too much.

“I drink and I fuck cause it stops this!” Shouting, I panted loudly, feeling myself lull to the side, I felt like my oxygen was being cut off no matter how much I tried to gulp it in. The wizard said nothing the whole time, just calmly studied me. My episode lasting longer than it has done in a while, yet it passed eventually.

“Drinking numbs me...” I informed through gritted teeth. As I was about to continue he finished my sentence.

“And your hobby stops these 'attacks' coming quite so frequent I take it?” Suggesting. I just looked at him, I couldn't really believe we were having this conversation... While I was intoxicated and curled around his toilet, of all places. What was more surprising was how calm and patient he seemed, such a contrast to his usual surly self. After a minute or so he nodded and eased himself up from his makeshift chair. Snape outstretched his hand to me, I wasn't sure what the gesture was until he rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand, helping me up.

“This way.” He let me go, walking out of the bathroom. Whatever potion he had given me was working, I feel lighter on my feet and the world didn't feel quite so foggy. Following him a few paces behind, we exited the bathroom and he walked me to what looked like a study.

“You'll sleep here, I'm far too tired to be taking you home, Miss Granger. So my study will have to suffice, it's the most comfortable sofa in my chambers, I'm afraid I haven't a spare room.” I followed his gaze to his rather lush settee, as I was studying it I didn't even notice him leave the room. Noting how he was no longer there, I tugged at my travel cloak and shrugged it off. I opened my enchanted satchel and shoved the garment in there. Not to many peoples surprise, I kept all sorts of items in here, just in case. A change of clothes or two were always kept in there, to the back, I took comfort in that, and here I was, needing them. I undid my jeans and hooked my thumbs in the belt loops before bending over and slipping them down.

Behind me, Snape cleared his throat. I nearly jumped out of my skin. My jeans were already around my ankles so I didn't bother trying to pull them back up. I simply grabbed my bag as I turned around to cover my underwear. The man was just stood in the door way with what appeared to be, several blankets and two bed pillows.

“As amusing as your little-pink-bunny-rabbit printed underwear is to view-” He started, and smirked. “-These are for you.” He left them on the desk, all I could pay attention to was the heat in my cheeks. “Good night Miss Granger.” He ended finally, leaving the room and gently shutting the door.

I felt so embarrassed, naturally. But considering that he'd seen, so much more of me, I decided it wasn't worth dwelling over. I closed my eyes, took a breath and continued to undress. I was contemplating sleeping in my shirt but as I sniffed it, it smelled mildly of vomit. So I shoved it off and reached in to find another, larger T-shirt, with an old, faded emblem on the front and pulled it on. As I walked over too take the blankets he had left for me, I took the time to ponder the man's strange change in demeanour. Was he just too tired to be cruel? Part of me thought it took no effort for the stoic man to be as cruel as possible, if anything I assumed that it would take Snape more energy to be kind and patient, rather than be rude and blunt. I fluffed the pillows, plopping them on the arm of the couch, I walked over to turn off the lights before settling myself down and wrapping the many blankets around my form. I just lay there, reeling at the events of the evening. I wasn't sure what would happen next, all I knew was that I still had my job, and that mattered to me. Still surprised by the mere fact that I was sleeping in none other than the infamous Potions Masters study, I didn't think I would sleep, but before I knew it, my eyes had fluttered to a close, the exhaustion of so much emotional drain catching up with me at once.

Did I smell bacon?

I opened my eyes and automatically took in a large gulp of air. Yes, that was bacon for sure. The room was dark, I didn't know what else to expect from the dungeons. Dungeons... I sat bolt upright, causing me to sway. I'd totally forgotten I was sleeping in the dungeons. I sat for a bit, taking a mental note that I'd have to somehow get used to not waking up with daylight down here. My curiosity got the better of me and I found myself getting up, shuffling slowly to the door. Opening it, I followed my nose to the mouthwatering scent, emerging in a kitchen that, for some reason, I was surprised to see. Snape glanced at my entrance, he was stood over his stove with a fork. Looking around I noticed it looked very much like a normal kitchen, counters, over head storage, pans hung on the walls, a fridge and even a toaster and kettle. Though honestly, I felt a bit stupid, what else would there be? What would an abnormal kitchen look like? Inwardly rolling my eyes I actually heard the wizard chuckle, it was only for the tiniest of moments, but I caught it.

“Let me guess, you're surprised that I eat?” Clearly he was amused.

“Umm.. Well no. I see you eat in the Great Hall... I just... Uuh...” I stammered, not really sure what to say. I felt stupid. “I guess I've never really thought about it. Though you are human. I don't know why it surprises me that you have a kitchen, or that you eat bacon.” I looked at his cooking project, frying away in the pan. “Just seems too normal for you.” I whispered as quietly as I could, I honestly didn't intend him to hear me but of course, he did.

“You presume, perhaps, that I live purely on the crushed souls of my students as sustenance?” I couldn't see his face, but I could hear the smirk in his voice. I couldn't help but laugh.

“That very might well be what I thought.” I chuckled. As I did he retrieved some items from a cupboard. I was about to leave him to eat his breakfast when he turned with two plates of food, and set them on his little table, along with two glasses of orange juice and some toast. He placed the used frying pan into the sink before turning and sitting at the table. I just stood dumbstruck.

“Eat.” Is all he commanded before sipping his orange juice. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I'd see the day I'd witness Professor Snape enjoying some OJ in the morning. I smiled and warily made my way to the opposite seat, I took a moment to just stare at the food, there was more than I thought there would be, beans, bacon, a sausage or two, scrambled eggs and half a fried tomato. His plate mirrored mine, even in quantity. I gulped, suddenly realising that I hadn't actually eaten a meal in months and I didn't think that I'd manage it, I didn't want to offend him; I mean the man made me breakfast, the least I could do was eat it.

“Eat what you can.” He corrected his previous order, I knew he obviously saw distress on my face, I didn't want him to think I wasn't grateful. I looked up to smile at him before picking up my knife and fork. Deciding to start easy, I took a mouthful of eggs. I had to stop myself from groaning, the flavour making my belly swoon with unexpected delight, I forgot how nice it was to eat real food. After watching me, to ensure I would in fact, eat it, Snape took a bite from his, also starting with the eggs. We ate in silence.

“Thank you.” I uttered, while he was half way through buttering himself some toast. He only nodded acknowledgement. I knew how much he appreciated his silence, so I didn't dare say anything else during the meal.

Granted, I ate more than I was expecting, but I still only managed a third of the entire plate, I felt really guilty. I'd managed the eggs, tomato and some of the beans, but left the rest. I even waited a few moments to see if I had room, but nothing. After Snape finished his meal, he took both his and my plate over to the counter, seemingly confident that I'd had just about as much as I could take. He then plucked out a packet of tea from a wall cupboard and set about boiling the kettle. For a second, it felt normal and right being here, having not to pretend or cover up.

Speaking of covering up I hadn't exactly forgotten I was only sat in his kitchen in a large logo shirt. It reached my mid thigh, but I was stupidly bare none-the-less. But funnily enough, I didn't actually care. He'd already mocked my bunny panties and fingered me to near orgasm, he didn't even call me on my current appearance so I figured he probably didn't care either. He on the other hand, was dressed neck to toe in black, only visible spots on him were his fingertips and face, even then it was covered by hanging hair.

The kettle whistled and he poured two mugs, coming to sit at the table with me again. The moment he passed me mine, I noticed it was the same aroma that I stocked myself, at my home. I smiled.

“Can I ask you something?” I started, gingerly. He was sat so perfectly still and upright I thought he might have been a statue.

He sighed. “Must you?” I decided he was right, I should just keep quiet. After a few moments he put down his mug. “What is it?” I was again, surprised. I had no idea what was causing his new found patience but I decided I was going to see how far it would stretch.

“Where you the man who brought me home, leaving a potion and letter for me the other night?” I'd wanted to know, considering the letter bore the same spidery handwriting I could only assume, since my memory was shot.

“Indeed.” Came his curt reply, he took another sip of his tea. I wasn't all that surprised by his answer.

“Why were you at the same bar two nights in a row?” I asked suddenly, it only just dawned on me that he was. He smirked.

“Why were you?” He retorted. “My business is my own, as is yours.”

“But you know my business.” Narrowing my gaze at him.

“That's because I caught you.”

“Why won't you tell me?”

“Would you have told me your reason for being there if I hadn't already found out?” He raised an eyebrow at me. I opened my mouth to argue, but I couldn't. He had a point.

“I have other places to be. Once you're decent you can use the floo in my study to see yourself out.” Snape got up from his chair and placed his mug by the other dishes before abruptly leaving the room. My overly curious nature almost drove me to follow him and demand an answer, but I bit back the urges. He was right, his business was his own, but I was determined to eventually get my answer.

Hello again! Here's another, I'm rather pleased with this one purely cause I love any instance where Hermione and Snape are together, don't you?