Author's note

I do not own anything in the Harry Potter universe for they all belong to JK Rowling. All I have done was borrow from her, and had a little fun with my ideas.

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Chapter 1

Hermione Granger walked as fast as she could thru the rain. She had to find an empty area and apparate directly to Hogwarts from there. She tried to run, but she couldn't. Her body was in an excruciating amount of pain, most of all, her ribs. There was not a doubt in her ribs were broken, and her lung punctured. Weakness was growing upon her, as well as death. Finally, she knew of a vacant area a few meters away in which she could apparate.

She made it to the park, feeling that her body was about to give out at any moment. She dragged herself to the small area behind the public toilets. She leaned herself against the wall, and within a few seconds, she disappeared. Before she knew it, she appeared right in front of the gates of Hogwarts. She could barely hold her weight, for she was weakened more by traveling by apparition. Hermione leaned her back against the gates, and slowly slid towards the floor.

Slowly loosing consciousness, she coughed, feeling blood rising from her inside, and a gut wrenching pain from her chest. It was not raining in the grounds of Hogwarts, but her clothes were soaked through, from the rain in which she recently came from—home. Her teeth started chatter, and her body shiver. She prayed with all hope that someone would find her soon

Severus stood on the edge of the lake and looked up at the starry sky. The full moon's light shimmered across the lake, making its water silver. Being alone in the castle for weeks, was his enjoyment. Everyone else on staff had left to go elsewhere, including Albus and Minerva. There was always a choice for him to go to his manor, but he did enjoy being in the castle—alone. He inhaled deeply, and sighed as he spun on his heels and headed back towards the castle.

When Severus was a few meters away from the castle gates, he saw a figure against the gates, which he knew was not a part of the gates whatsoever. He approached it slowly, ready to pull at his wand if need be. When he got closer, he noticed that it was a body. He briskly walked towards it, and knelt down next to it. He pushed away the damp curly locks of hair that covered the woman's body.

"Miss Granger!" he gasped. He quickly brought his fingers to her neck and to feel for a pulse. There was one, and it was very weak. "Miss Granger," he said aloud as he cupped her face with one hand and gently shook it.

Slowly, Hermione's eyes fluttered open. It took a few seconds for her blurry vision to somewhat become clear enough, to see what was in front of her. "Professor Snape," she said weakly through her trembling jaws, when she could recognize him.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing here?" he asked in shock and anger, "And why are you soaked through?" He quickly got out his robes, and slightly raised Hermione's shoulders so that he may wrap it around her properly.

"Rain," she groaned. When she felt her body being moved slightly, "Ow!" Her face showed that she was in a lot of pain. She started to cough once again. This time, her blood finally fell from her mouth. Her breathing was becoming shallow and haggard.

"What in Merlin?" Severus gasped seeing the blood.

"Help me Severus…" she pleaded faintly, as her body continued to shiver. She was chocking in her own blood.

"Hermione," he called as he shook her head again. "You have to stay conscious. Do you understand?"

She opened her eyes ever so slowly, and gave a weak nod. Eventually, her eyes closed again. This time, she did lose consciousness.

"Shit!" Severus muttered to himself. He moved quickly to her side, and lifted her up gently in his arms, wishing not to firther injure her. He moved as fast as he could towards the apparating point. He had to get to St. Mugo's Hospital fast.

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