Hey everyone!

Ok, ok I know its been a while since I updated this story. Lets just say life got in the way. I will continue to upload this story. I am so sorry for the long delay.

Tiffany

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. Whatever you do recognize belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling. Please don't sue.

Summary: When Voldemort begins to target Hermione, Severus steps in to protect her.

Will love blossom or will the war separate them? R/R

Author's Note: I think I covered all warnings except Severus being OOC. If you haven't figured out that in most of my stories he's OOC then that's not my problem. No Flames please.

Potions and Killing Curses

Chapter 4

Hermione sat on the back patio. She had instantly fallen in love with the back yard. It was filled with a flower garden, an herb garden, fruit orchard, and a luxurious pool.

"Does Miss need anything?" Celest asked as she popped in.

"Not unless you can bring Severus, uh I mean the Professor home a day early?" Hermione answered sadly.

"I's sorry, Miss." Celest replied as she gently patted Hermione's hand.

"I just want to be alone right now. Please." Hermione said gently.

"Yes, Miss. Dinner will be ready at six." Celest sighed. Before she left, the elf spoke once more. "Miss, I knows it's nots my place, but when Master Severus returns, tell him yous love him." She said.

Hermione spun around, but the elf was gone. She sighed and headed for a nearby stone bench. She sat down and let her mind wander. Her thoughts dwelling on her former Potions Professor.

'Should I take a chance and tell him? What if he just laughs at me? What if I was reading too much into his soft smiles and the looks he was giving me over the summer?' she thought as she watched the birds flit and fly around the flower garden.

Inside, Celest was just finishing instructing the kitchen elves to prepare Hermione's favorite meal and dessert. The elf was just about to enter the study to write a letter to Severus, when the front door opened and the Wizard in question came rushing in.

"Master Severus! Is somethings wrongs?" Celest exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes. Lucius Malfoy is searching for Her…Miss Granger. I came home early to check on her and add some extra wards." Severus answered.

"The Miss is in the flower garden." Celest said.

"Thank you." Severus replied as he headed for the garden.

"Uh, Master Severus, the Miss will be happys to sees you." Celest added.

"What do you mean?" Severus asked.

"Since Master returns to the school, Miss has been sad. I was about to go and writes to yous abouts it," Celest answered.

Severus spun on his heel and rushed to the garden. He found her sitting on a stone bench with her chin resting on her knees. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was up in a French twist with two ringlets framing her beautiful face. She wore a lavender sweater with blue jeans and her feet encased in black boots. He cleared his throat, announcing his presence.

"Ohh! Professor, you're back early!" Hermione exclaimed as she jumped to her feet.

"Lucius Malfoy paid me a visit at Hogwarts. Albus agreed I should come straight here at once." Severus said.

"Oh," she replied as she once more sat on the bench.

Severus walked over and sat beside her. His heart pounding as he tried to form the words he wanted to say to her.

"Miss Granger, Hermione. There's something I want to tell you," he said.

"What's that sir?" she asked quietly as she faced him.

"I want to tell you how I feel about you. For the past year and a half I have been in love with you. I didn't dare say anything while you were a student. You are no longer my student, you are my equal. I love you, Hermione Jane Granger. I also swear on my life that I would die before I let Voldemort, or anyone else for that matter, hurt you," he said.

Hermione could only sit there and stare at him. She couldn't believe what he had just said. He loved her. Slowly, she came out of her revere and began speaking.

"I…I can't believe what you just said," she stuttered.

"All I'm asking for is a chance. A chance for you to get to know the real me," he said.

"Professor, um Severus, I was just thinking about my feelings toward you as well," she replied.

"And?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, but I think I may be falling in love with you. This past week, all I could think about was you. The Manor felt so empty and lonely without you," she explained.

"If you need time to figure out your feelings, just say so," he said.

"All I need is to spend time with you. I mean, we've only know each other as teacher and student. The rules have changed," she replied.

"We can start now. I'll be here until Monday morning. I'll floo Albus and tell him I will be returning early Monday morning," Severus said.

"Won't Albus get suspicious?" Hermione asked.

"No. He will actually be pleased. He was the one who told me to tell you how I felt about you," Severus answered.

Hermione fell silent and stared over the gardens. Severus moved a little closer and stared over the gardens as well. A few moments later, he felt her hand take hold of his.

"Where do we start?" she asked.

"I don't know," he chuckled.

From the study, Celest smiled as she watched the couple sitting on the bench talking. The elf was happy for her Master and the lady. It had been too long since she had seen him happy.

At the same moment, Lucius was meeting with Voldemort. Lucius was pissed that Severus wasn't telling him the truth. It was time to expose Severus for the traitor Lucius knew he was.

"Have you found the mudblood, Lucius?" Voldemort hissed.

"No, My Lord. Though I believe Severus knows where she is. My son has informed me that she has not attended classes all week, nor was she on the train," Lucius answered.

"What does this have to do with Severus?" Voldemort questioned.

"He has betrayed you, My Lord. I believe he has been siding with Dumbledore since before your disappearance. I believe he is helping Dumbledore hide the mudblood," Lucius explained.

Voldemort's red eyes began to glow in anger. The thought of one of his Death Eaters, let alone one of his inner circle, betraying him, had his blood boiling in rage.

"I will summon him. If he is a traitor, you will be rewarded for informing me of his betrayal. If he is not a traitor, you know the penalty," Voldemort hissed.

Lucius nodded. Voldemort waved his hand in dismissal. Lucius bowed as he exited the room. He quickly apparated back to Malfoy Manor. All he had to do now was wait.

Later that evening, Severus and Hermione sat in the flower garden staring up at the stars. They had, had a pleasant dinner. She spoke of her childhood, while he spoke of his.

"I've enjoyed getting to know you," she said as he draped his arm around her shoulders.

"As have I, Hermione," he replied.

Hermione snuggled closer to him as he held her close. She rested her head against his chest. She felt so safe and relaxed. A second later, Severus let out a hiss, let go of her, and grabbed his left arm.

"Severus? What is it?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Voldemort. He's summoning me. Once I leave, floo Albus. No matter what, remain in the house," Severus instructed.

Hermione nodded. With a flick of his wand, he was dressed in his Death Eater robes. With one last look, he apparated away. Hermione jumped to her feet and into the house to inform Albus about what was happening.

"Welcome, Severus," Voldemort hissed.

"My Lord," Severus said as he dropped to his knees.

"I have been informed that you have betrayed me. Is this true?" Voldemort asked.

'Shit! Lucius must have found out!' Severus thought.

Voldemort just stared down at Severus. Severus met Voldemort's evil stare. He knew it was over, but Hermione was safe and that was all that mattered to him.

"Where is the mudblood, Severus?" Voldemort demanded.

"Go to hell," Severus snarled.

"Crucio!" Voldemort cried.

Severus fell to the floor. He wasn't going to give the bastard the satisfaction of crying out in pain.

Back at Snape Manor, Hermione was pacing in front of the fireplace in the study. Albus had told her to floo him the moment Severus returned. Hermione could tell that Albus was worried about Severus being summoned so soon after having a visit from Lucius.

"Can I gets you anything, Miss?" Celest asked.

"I just want Severus home, Celest," Hermione answered worriedly.

"I understand. We's all are worried about Master Severus. He will return," Celest said gently.

"Celest, I have finally realized that I may be falling in love with him. We are trying to get to know each other. Now Voldemort summons him and god knows what he's doing to Severus," Hermione replied as tears began to fall from her eyes.

Celest walked over and held the witch's hand. A second later, Hermione fell to her knees and began sobbing. All Celest could do was pat Hermione's shoulder.

Back at Voldemort's hideout, Severus was struggling to remain conscious. Voldemort had summoned Walden McNair, Bellatrix and Randolph LeStrange, as well as Lucius. These four were the most ruthless interrogators, besides Severus, Voldemort had.

"Now, where is she, Severus?" Voldemort hissed.

"F…Fuck you," Severus growled.

"McNair, now," Voldemort ordered.

Severus watched as McNair pulled out a cat o'nine tails. Severus tried to maintain a calm mind. He couldn't let his thoughts wander and betray his feelings for Hermione, nor her whereabouts.

Severus held back a groan as the cat o'nine tails made contact with his bare back, flesh ripping as the leather straps were pulled back. For ten minutes McNair continued to whip him, but to their displeasure, Severus remained silent.

"Enough! Tell me, Severus, is she worth dying for?" Voldemort asked.

"You'll…n…never…find…her," Severus gasped.

Voldemort drew his hand back and backhanded Severus. Severus spit out blood and met Voldemort's evil stare. Next up was Bellatrix and Randolph, both brandishing daggers. Just as before, Severus kept from crying out in pain. By the time the LeStranges were done, Severus was barely conscious. Blood was flowing from the numerous cuts and wounds all over his body.

"This is your last chance, Severus. Tell me where the mudblood is. If you do, I just may let you live," Voldemort said.

Severus just flipped Voldemort the bird. Voldemort nodded toward Lucius. Just before Lucius reached Severus, he managed to use wandless magic to cast the Crucatious curse. While the four Death Eaters and Voldemort were distracted, Severus somehow managed to get to his feet and ran like hell. The last bit of strength he had, came from the thought of never seeing Hermione again. Once he was beyond the wards, he apparated away.

At Snape Manor, Hermione was sitting on the back porch. Celest insisted that Hermione needed some fresh air. She had stopped crying and felt much calmer. Just then, one of the other house elves popped in.

"Miss! Celest says shes needs yous!" The elf exclaimed.

Hermione jumped to her feet and followed the elf. She was immediately taken to Severus's bedroom. Nothing could have prepared her for what she saw in the room.

"Oh god! Severus! Is he alive Celest?" Hermione demanded as she ran to his bedside.

"He's alive, Miss, but I needs help," Celest answered worriedly as she used her elven magic to try and heal Severus.

Hermione ran to the fireplace and flooed Albus. A few moments later Albus, Minerva, and Poppy came through the flames. Poppy rushed to help Celest, while Albus and Minerva pulled Hermione off to the side.

For nearly five hours, the elf and the medi-witch worked non-stop. Minerva had her arm around Hermione's shoulder, trying to keep the young witch as calm as possible. Finally, Poppy approached the three.

"Severus is finally stabilized. His injuries were quite severe," Poppy said.

"How bad, Poppy? Please, I need to know," Hermione demanded.

Reluctantly, Poppy began speaking. "His back had been sliced open by what looked like cat o'nine tails. He's also been stabbed over thirty times by a dagger. There was also extensive internal bleeding. With the help of Celest, his injuries have been healed."

"So he will be fine?" Minerva asked.

"Yes, but he will be on bed rest for at least a week or two, but considering this is Severus, I'd say more like a week on bed rest. His back and some of the bruising will take time to heal," Poppy answered.

"Hermione, we shall leave you now. Send word once he awakens. If you need anything, please let us know," Albus instructed.

"Yes, sir," Hermione whispered as she kept her eyes locked on the bed.

Poppy left several potions, bandages, and a salve for his back. The three said good night, then left. Hermione walked over to the bed and sat at the edge.

"Master will be fine. Yous gives him strength," Celest said gently.

"I hope so, Celest. I can't and won't lose him. Not now, not ever," Hermione replied.

"Miss needs rest. Lays down. I will wake yous once Master awakens," Celest instructed.

Hermione nodded. She removed her shoes and moved to lay beside Severus, who was laying in the center of the King-size bed. Within moments, Hermione was sound asleep.

"Please, Master Severus. Comes back to us. The Miss needs yous, as yous needs hers," Celest." whispered, hoping he would and did hear her.

T.B.C