When Tears Fall.
One well known fact about Severus Snape was that he was a bastard. There was no way around it. He just was. No one really knew why. He wasn't unattractive, he was very intelligent, and no one that knew him really hated him. Actually the whole staff of Hogwarts School respected him. Everyone knew that he had a rough childhood. No one but Dumbledore knew anything extensive about his past. The man just seemed like he had no heart at all. It was sad really.
Severus took his seat at the staff table like usual and ate quickly. He did not say a word; he looked around the crowed noisy hall and seemed to see right through all of the students within the room. An almost sad look came across his face, but was quickly replaced by the blank unreadable stare that usually graced his features.
His head turned sharply and he glared at me like he knew I was watching him. I quickly looked down at my plate and poked at my food a little. 'He really needs some happiness in his life.' I thought to myself.
"I know Minerva. I think so to, the only problem is that he won't let anything or anyone inside. It is quite sad." said Dumbledore. I looked to my left at the Headmaster.
"Albus? How did you know I was thinking that?" the Headmaster chuckled softly.
"I just knew."
"I want to help him Albus. He really does need someone to break through that wall of his and pull his head out of his…" she stopped rambling quickly before she said something very inappropriate.
"I agree Minerva, but none of the staff would volunteer for such a task. It's not that they don't like him; they just don't appreciate his sarcasm." Albus chuckled a bit at this. "I don't know of many students who would like to spend that much time with their snaky potions professor either," said Albus with a very sad look taking over his face.
"It can't be a Slytherin, for obvious reasons." Minerva decided. One reason being that they were all evil little prats. The second being that he was their head of house and they obviously aren't helping him much.
"Huffelpuff wouldn't work either. They are all afraid of him and those who are not…well…they get on his nerves for being difficult in the learning process." Albus almost looked amused at this.
"Right, so they would have to be able to hold an intellectual conversation. And be able to debate with him on some matters." Minerva pointed out. He needed someone who he could have a… friendly disagreement with.
"Ravenclaw's are always so busy with studying, and on top of that they aren't all that well versed in potions."
"Then that leaves Gryffindor, but it would be impossible for us to find someone in Gryffindor who would befriend him." said Minerva.
"I know of someone who could get the job done." there was a sparkle in Albus' eye that Minerva didn't like.
Albus stood and the hall went silent.
"Would our Head Girl please join me in my office after breakfast. I have some things I need to discuss with you." Albus announced. The young woman nodded her head and went back to her breakfast.
"Albus no! Not her!" Minerva was very upset with his choice.
"And may I ask why not?"
"She is a girl! I was thinking along the lines of a male companion. Not a female. Least of all her. I mean really Albus. You just can't put an attractive young woman and a sexually deprived teacher in a room together…alone…and expect them to just be friends."
"Minerva, he is not a pervert. I highly doubt he would do anything to her if she did not agree. Despite what many think he is quite the gentleman. And lastly, how are you to know if he is sexually deprived or not?" Albus had a smug look on his face.
Minerva didn't want to even think about Severus' sex life. She did bring it upon herself with the 'sexually deprived' comment.
"I think she will do just fine. Anyway who else could we find that would assist our potions professor with a little project I have set up for him. You see I have came to him with the idea of a student assistant during his class. He has been swamped with work lately and it has been even harder for him to get things done with all of his other… activities." Albus looked at Severus very fondly. Minerva knew of him being a spy on the dark lord.
"Fine I give my consent." Minerva said wishing she had never brought it up.
~*~
"I've got to go to that meeting with the Headmaster guys. I'll see you later." she waved to Harry and Ron as they headed to the quidditch pitch and she went the opposite direction toward the Headmasters office.
She arrived in front of the gargoyle that opened the door to the Headmasters office.
"Sour Patch." came the dark silky voice from behind. She quickly realized that it belonged to her potions master.
"Hello Professor Snape." She said politely. She looked at the man that she respected and almost idolized. She would never in her life let anyone else know that bit of information though.
"Good morning Miss. Granger." he said in return. She quickly turned away from him and went up the stairs and to the Headmasters office. She knew Snape was right behind her and it made her nervous.
"Miss Granger! Severus! Right on time!" came the cheerful voice of the Headmaster.
"Albus could you hurry this on. I have many papers to grade." Snape said in a low drawl as he sat in a chair in front of the Headmasters desk. Hermione followed suit and sat in the one that was beside it.
"Of course Severus." the Headmaster said kindly. He turned his attention to Hermione. "Miss. Granger how would you like to be the new potions assistant?" he asked smiling from ear to ear.
"Albus! I told you that I did not need an assistant!" Snape stated sounding like he was trying to hold back a lot of anger.
"And I think you do. I think it would be good for her to learn the ways of being a professor. Seeing that she may very well become one someday."
Hermione was overcome with joy. She loved potions, it was her favorite subject and she wanted so badly to teach it when she could.
"Are you serious?" she asked stunned.
"Very serious my dear." the Headmaster smiled. Hermione looked over to where Snape was sitting. He had a very disgusted look on his face.
"I am sorry Headmaster, but I can not. It is very difficult to accept something like this when Professor Snape so obviously wants no part of the idea." Hermione said upset that the professor would hate being in her company so. She excused herself politely and quickly exited the room.
~*~
"Severus Snape! That was the most disgusting display I have ever witnessed." Albus said his disappointment written all over his face.
"Albus I do not need an assistant. I need a Bloody cure for this scar!" he yelled frustrated speaking of the dark mark.
"Severus you will find Miss. Granger, apologize, and take her on as an assistant." Albus said sounding dead serious.
"Fine." he said giving up. He walked out the door and went to the library to find the little know it all.
~*~
Hermione didn't know why she let him get to her like this. He was only her professor, and yet she cried over him constantly like he was an abusive boyfriend. She didn't fancy him. At least she didn't think she did. She was seventeen, there were hundreds of single boys in the school. Why on earth would she fancy her twenty year older potions professor.
She sat in the library crying like a baby. She just couldn't help it. He was the only teacher she couldn't impress. He never acknowledged her work in the least. Even when she knew that a potion was absolutely perfect he still gave her no credit.
She was horrible with men. Her father ignored her. He talked fondly of her sister, but never one word of her accomplishments. Her older brother was a jerk. She had and would never tell anyone of what he did to her in the middle of the night while the others slept. And his friends were no better. She hated it when her parents would leave her alone at home with Brock (her brother).
Her parents had basically forgotten she was alive since she received her letter. The people that took her to get her school supplies were her aunt and uncle. Her parents made it clear the only reason she was still part of the family was because they were well respected people in the business and if anyone knew they kicked out their youngest daughter their reputation would be ruined.
Her sister was twenty-four and beautiful. She had a job as a model for some of the beauty magazines. She was tall and slender she had long thick curly brown hair that showed no frizz. And she had blue eyes.
Her brother was twenty-one. Brock was a high school drop out. He was on drugs and an alcoholic. Brock still lived at home. He was very good looking also. Very tall and had a well defined body and face. Brock had deep brown eyes and sandy blond hair in a layered cut. He was a total jerk and Hermione hated him.
She let out another silent sob. She was used to crying without making any noise by now. If her brother ever heard her cry after one of his visits he would try again to make her feel better in his twisted way.
She felt a hand touch her shoulder and turned around quickly. "No!" she screamed. She was totally lost in thought. She wouldn't look at who it was afraid she would see her brother's face.
The figure pulled her out of the chair and pulled her against them. She tried to beat them with her fists all the while not looking at them. She kept screaming no over and over. They had a hold of her wrists. Flashes of that summer and many before then bombarded her mind and all she knew was what she saw.
"Miss. Granger! I assure you I am not trying to hurt you!" She heard the familiar silky voice of her mentor. She looked up in shock.
~*~
Severus had no idea that his being upset with the assistance Albus had insisted on would make the poor girl cry. He hated it when women cried. It was one of his only weaknesses. He had never cried in his entire life. Not be cause of mental or physical pain. He just couldn't do it. And for some reason it bothered him when people did it. He felt a certain loss. Especially when women cried.
He stood behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She screamed and sharply ran from his touch. At first he was shocked, but then he saw that her eyes had glazed over and she would not look him in the eye. He pulled her out of her chair in order to try and comfort her, something he was not used to doing with anyone. She yelled even more and tried desperately to hit him.
"Miss. Granger! I assure you I am not trying to hurt you!" Suddenly she seemed to come out of her trance. Her eyes went wide like she just realized something important.
"I am here to apologize for my display in the Headmasters office. And I would like you to become my assistant." that had to have been one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life.
"Do you mean it!" she cried. He nodded his head and the girl and she threw her arms around his neck in a hug. Severus didn't know what to do. He just stood there awkwardly.
"Now I suggest that you go and see the nurse. Then you are to meet me in the classroom to make arrangements." he said. His voice was back to that cold unwelcoming tone.
~*~
It had been two weeks since Hermione had started assisting Snape. She actually enjoyed it. Even though he was back to his horrid mood swings. She had not seen Snape act with the… you couldn't really call it kindness, but courtesy, that he had shown her that day in the library.
Today was not a good day for Hermione. Today was the beginning of Christmas break, and that meant she would be going home.
"Okay professor. I will be back in two weeks. The papers I've graded are on your desk and the papers that need graded are on your bookshelf. The seventh years lesson plans are still in need of revising…"
"I am sure I can handle it all Miss. Granger," he said coldly.
"Okay then, Happy Christmas." she said and walked out the door and made her way to the train.
~*~
Harry and Ron were waiting in the last compartment for her. They both smiled when she entered.
"Herms! What took you so long?" Ron asked with a mouth full of chocolate. Harry was going to spend Christmas with the Weasleys. Hermione had been invited, but her parents would not allow it. They had parties and such that they needed her to attend.
"I had to say good-bye to Professor Snape." Hermione said quickly.
"I don't know why you bother being nice to him Hermione. He is always going to be a cruel bastard." Harry commented.
"I agree." came Ron's put in.
"Come on, he's not so bad. He just likes to…"
"Criticize everyone and everything," said Harry
"To make everyone feel like a bunch of idiots," Ron suggested.
"Oh come off it! He isn't that bad really." Hermione was trying to defend him, but everything they said was true.
There were a few moments of silence and then the boys launched into a conversation on quidditch. Hermione didn't much feel like taking part in their enthusiasm and pulled 'Hogwarts: A History' out of her bag.
~*~
It was going to be another lonely Christmas. Severus was used to it by now. He sat down in front of his desk and saw the pile of graded papers Hermione had left him. He hated to admit it, but he actually enjoyed the silent presence of her the past two weeks.
She was very beautiful girl, he had to admit that. She wasn't thin but she wasn't fat. She had soft curves which he found amazingly attractive in women. Her hair was curly and chocolate colored with soft highlights. But her eyes were what got him. She would look him in the eye and he thought he could just drown in the honey colored pools. He would never admit any of this to a soul, but he was starting to like the girl.
~*~
Hermione got off the train and quickly hugged and kissed Harry and Ron on the cheek.
"We'll wait with you until your parents get here." said Harry.
"Thanks, oh no…" she spotted her brother getting out of his black 1967 mustang and walking toward her.
"Hermione! It's great to see you!" he said with a smile on his face that she didn't like. She noticed he had gotten his lip and eyebrow pierced.
"Hullo Brock" she said with no excitement in her voice.
"Who's this?" Asked Ron eying Brock suspiciously.
"It's my brother." she answered plainly.
Brock went toward her to get her things and she quickly moved out of his reach. She didn't want to touch him. She didn't want him to be anywhere near him.
"I'm fine, I'll carry them." she said in a voice that was not her own. "See you guys." she hugged them both once more and quickly left.
Brock was right behind her. "Mione what was all that about? Didn't you miss me while you were gone? I know I missed you." he whispered this in her ear and she jumped about ten feet.
"No I didn't miss you Brock. Why should have I?" she knew she shouldn't irritate him, but she couldn't help it at times.
"I will refresh your memory of why later." Brock said coldly. They reached the car and she climbed into the back seat while Brock got in the drivers.
~*~
Harry and Ron watched as Hermione left with her brother. They didn't like what they saw. She was all jumpy and walked as far away from him as she could. There was something wrong with that picture.
~*~
A/N: So there is the first chapter. I know the whole brother thing is twisted, but if you don't like it don't read it. This is my first fic so please go easy on me. I don't like flames either. Please review.
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE HARRY POTTER CHARACTERS!!!
One well known fact about Severus Snape was that he was a bastard. There was no way around it. He just was. No one really knew why. He wasn't unattractive, he was very intelligent, and no one that knew him really hated him. Actually the whole staff of Hogwarts School respected him. Everyone knew that he had a rough childhood. No one but Dumbledore knew anything extensive about his past. The man just seemed like he had no heart at all. It was sad really.
Severus took his seat at the staff table like usual and ate quickly. He did not say a word; he looked around the crowed noisy hall and seemed to see right through all of the students within the room. An almost sad look came across his face, but was quickly replaced by the blank unreadable stare that usually graced his features.
His head turned sharply and he glared at me like he knew I was watching him. I quickly looked down at my plate and poked at my food a little. 'He really needs some happiness in his life.' I thought to myself.
"I know Minerva. I think so to, the only problem is that he won't let anything or anyone inside. It is quite sad." said Dumbledore. I looked to my left at the Headmaster.
"Albus? How did you know I was thinking that?" the Headmaster chuckled softly.
"I just knew."
"I want to help him Albus. He really does need someone to break through that wall of his and pull his head out of his…" she stopped rambling quickly before she said something very inappropriate.
"I agree Minerva, but none of the staff would volunteer for such a task. It's not that they don't like him; they just don't appreciate his sarcasm." Albus chuckled a bit at this. "I don't know of many students who would like to spend that much time with their snaky potions professor either," said Albus with a very sad look taking over his face.
"It can't be a Slytherin, for obvious reasons." Minerva decided. One reason being that they were all evil little prats. The second being that he was their head of house and they obviously aren't helping him much.
"Huffelpuff wouldn't work either. They are all afraid of him and those who are not…well…they get on his nerves for being difficult in the learning process." Albus almost looked amused at this.
"Right, so they would have to be able to hold an intellectual conversation. And be able to debate with him on some matters." Minerva pointed out. He needed someone who he could have a… friendly disagreement with.
"Ravenclaw's are always so busy with studying, and on top of that they aren't all that well versed in potions."
"Then that leaves Gryffindor, but it would be impossible for us to find someone in Gryffindor who would befriend him." said Minerva.
"I know of someone who could get the job done." there was a sparkle in Albus' eye that Minerva didn't like.
Albus stood and the hall went silent.
"Would our Head Girl please join me in my office after breakfast. I have some things I need to discuss with you." Albus announced. The young woman nodded her head and went back to her breakfast.
"Albus no! Not her!" Minerva was very upset with his choice.
"And may I ask why not?"
"She is a girl! I was thinking along the lines of a male companion. Not a female. Least of all her. I mean really Albus. You just can't put an attractive young woman and a sexually deprived teacher in a room together…alone…and expect them to just be friends."
"Minerva, he is not a pervert. I highly doubt he would do anything to her if she did not agree. Despite what many think he is quite the gentleman. And lastly, how are you to know if he is sexually deprived or not?" Albus had a smug look on his face.
Minerva didn't want to even think about Severus' sex life. She did bring it upon herself with the 'sexually deprived' comment.
"I think she will do just fine. Anyway who else could we find that would assist our potions professor with a little project I have set up for him. You see I have came to him with the idea of a student assistant during his class. He has been swamped with work lately and it has been even harder for him to get things done with all of his other… activities." Albus looked at Severus very fondly. Minerva knew of him being a spy on the dark lord.
"Fine I give my consent." Minerva said wishing she had never brought it up.
~*~
"I've got to go to that meeting with the Headmaster guys. I'll see you later." she waved to Harry and Ron as they headed to the quidditch pitch and she went the opposite direction toward the Headmasters office.
She arrived in front of the gargoyle that opened the door to the Headmasters office.
"Sour Patch." came the dark silky voice from behind. She quickly realized that it belonged to her potions master.
"Hello Professor Snape." She said politely. She looked at the man that she respected and almost idolized. She would never in her life let anyone else know that bit of information though.
"Good morning Miss. Granger." he said in return. She quickly turned away from him and went up the stairs and to the Headmasters office. She knew Snape was right behind her and it made her nervous.
"Miss Granger! Severus! Right on time!" came the cheerful voice of the Headmaster.
"Albus could you hurry this on. I have many papers to grade." Snape said in a low drawl as he sat in a chair in front of the Headmasters desk. Hermione followed suit and sat in the one that was beside it.
"Of course Severus." the Headmaster said kindly. He turned his attention to Hermione. "Miss. Granger how would you like to be the new potions assistant?" he asked smiling from ear to ear.
"Albus! I told you that I did not need an assistant!" Snape stated sounding like he was trying to hold back a lot of anger.
"And I think you do. I think it would be good for her to learn the ways of being a professor. Seeing that she may very well become one someday."
Hermione was overcome with joy. She loved potions, it was her favorite subject and she wanted so badly to teach it when she could.
"Are you serious?" she asked stunned.
"Very serious my dear." the Headmaster smiled. Hermione looked over to where Snape was sitting. He had a very disgusted look on his face.
"I am sorry Headmaster, but I can not. It is very difficult to accept something like this when Professor Snape so obviously wants no part of the idea." Hermione said upset that the professor would hate being in her company so. She excused herself politely and quickly exited the room.
~*~
"Severus Snape! That was the most disgusting display I have ever witnessed." Albus said his disappointment written all over his face.
"Albus I do not need an assistant. I need a Bloody cure for this scar!" he yelled frustrated speaking of the dark mark.
"Severus you will find Miss. Granger, apologize, and take her on as an assistant." Albus said sounding dead serious.
"Fine." he said giving up. He walked out the door and went to the library to find the little know it all.
~*~
Hermione didn't know why she let him get to her like this. He was only her professor, and yet she cried over him constantly like he was an abusive boyfriend. She didn't fancy him. At least she didn't think she did. She was seventeen, there were hundreds of single boys in the school. Why on earth would she fancy her twenty year older potions professor.
She sat in the library crying like a baby. She just couldn't help it. He was the only teacher she couldn't impress. He never acknowledged her work in the least. Even when she knew that a potion was absolutely perfect he still gave her no credit.
She was horrible with men. Her father ignored her. He talked fondly of her sister, but never one word of her accomplishments. Her older brother was a jerk. She had and would never tell anyone of what he did to her in the middle of the night while the others slept. And his friends were no better. She hated it when her parents would leave her alone at home with Brock (her brother).
Her parents had basically forgotten she was alive since she received her letter. The people that took her to get her school supplies were her aunt and uncle. Her parents made it clear the only reason she was still part of the family was because they were well respected people in the business and if anyone knew they kicked out their youngest daughter their reputation would be ruined.
Her sister was twenty-four and beautiful. She had a job as a model for some of the beauty magazines. She was tall and slender she had long thick curly brown hair that showed no frizz. And she had blue eyes.
Her brother was twenty-one. Brock was a high school drop out. He was on drugs and an alcoholic. Brock still lived at home. He was very good looking also. Very tall and had a well defined body and face. Brock had deep brown eyes and sandy blond hair in a layered cut. He was a total jerk and Hermione hated him.
She let out another silent sob. She was used to crying without making any noise by now. If her brother ever heard her cry after one of his visits he would try again to make her feel better in his twisted way.
She felt a hand touch her shoulder and turned around quickly. "No!" she screamed. She was totally lost in thought. She wouldn't look at who it was afraid she would see her brother's face.
The figure pulled her out of the chair and pulled her against them. She tried to beat them with her fists all the while not looking at them. She kept screaming no over and over. They had a hold of her wrists. Flashes of that summer and many before then bombarded her mind and all she knew was what she saw.
"Miss. Granger! I assure you I am not trying to hurt you!" She heard the familiar silky voice of her mentor. She looked up in shock.
~*~
Severus had no idea that his being upset with the assistance Albus had insisted on would make the poor girl cry. He hated it when women cried. It was one of his only weaknesses. He had never cried in his entire life. Not be cause of mental or physical pain. He just couldn't do it. And for some reason it bothered him when people did it. He felt a certain loss. Especially when women cried.
He stood behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She screamed and sharply ran from his touch. At first he was shocked, but then he saw that her eyes had glazed over and she would not look him in the eye. He pulled her out of her chair in order to try and comfort her, something he was not used to doing with anyone. She yelled even more and tried desperately to hit him.
"Miss. Granger! I assure you I am not trying to hurt you!" Suddenly she seemed to come out of her trance. Her eyes went wide like she just realized something important.
"I am here to apologize for my display in the Headmasters office. And I would like you to become my assistant." that had to have been one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life.
"Do you mean it!" she cried. He nodded his head and the girl and she threw her arms around his neck in a hug. Severus didn't know what to do. He just stood there awkwardly.
"Now I suggest that you go and see the nurse. Then you are to meet me in the classroom to make arrangements." he said. His voice was back to that cold unwelcoming tone.
~*~
It had been two weeks since Hermione had started assisting Snape. She actually enjoyed it. Even though he was back to his horrid mood swings. She had not seen Snape act with the… you couldn't really call it kindness, but courtesy, that he had shown her that day in the library.
Today was not a good day for Hermione. Today was the beginning of Christmas break, and that meant she would be going home.
"Okay professor. I will be back in two weeks. The papers I've graded are on your desk and the papers that need graded are on your bookshelf. The seventh years lesson plans are still in need of revising…"
"I am sure I can handle it all Miss. Granger," he said coldly.
"Okay then, Happy Christmas." she said and walked out the door and made her way to the train.
~*~
Harry and Ron were waiting in the last compartment for her. They both smiled when she entered.
"Herms! What took you so long?" Ron asked with a mouth full of chocolate. Harry was going to spend Christmas with the Weasleys. Hermione had been invited, but her parents would not allow it. They had parties and such that they needed her to attend.
"I had to say good-bye to Professor Snape." Hermione said quickly.
"I don't know why you bother being nice to him Hermione. He is always going to be a cruel bastard." Harry commented.
"I agree." came Ron's put in.
"Come on, he's not so bad. He just likes to…"
"Criticize everyone and everything," said Harry
"To make everyone feel like a bunch of idiots," Ron suggested.
"Oh come off it! He isn't that bad really." Hermione was trying to defend him, but everything they said was true.
There were a few moments of silence and then the boys launched into a conversation on quidditch. Hermione didn't much feel like taking part in their enthusiasm and pulled 'Hogwarts: A History' out of her bag.
~*~
It was going to be another lonely Christmas. Severus was used to it by now. He sat down in front of his desk and saw the pile of graded papers Hermione had left him. He hated to admit it, but he actually enjoyed the silent presence of her the past two weeks.
She was very beautiful girl, he had to admit that. She wasn't thin but she wasn't fat. She had soft curves which he found amazingly attractive in women. Her hair was curly and chocolate colored with soft highlights. But her eyes were what got him. She would look him in the eye and he thought he could just drown in the honey colored pools. He would never admit any of this to a soul, but he was starting to like the girl.
~*~
Hermione got off the train and quickly hugged and kissed Harry and Ron on the cheek.
"We'll wait with you until your parents get here." said Harry.
"Thanks, oh no…" she spotted her brother getting out of his black 1967 mustang and walking toward her.
"Hermione! It's great to see you!" he said with a smile on his face that she didn't like. She noticed he had gotten his lip and eyebrow pierced.
"Hullo Brock" she said with no excitement in her voice.
"Who's this?" Asked Ron eying Brock suspiciously.
"It's my brother." she answered plainly.
Brock went toward her to get her things and she quickly moved out of his reach. She didn't want to touch him. She didn't want him to be anywhere near him.
"I'm fine, I'll carry them." she said in a voice that was not her own. "See you guys." she hugged them both once more and quickly left.
Brock was right behind her. "Mione what was all that about? Didn't you miss me while you were gone? I know I missed you." he whispered this in her ear and she jumped about ten feet.
"No I didn't miss you Brock. Why should have I?" she knew she shouldn't irritate him, but she couldn't help it at times.
"I will refresh your memory of why later." Brock said coldly. They reached the car and she climbed into the back seat while Brock got in the drivers.
~*~
Harry and Ron watched as Hermione left with her brother. They didn't like what they saw. She was all jumpy and walked as far away from him as she could. There was something wrong with that picture.
~*~
A/N: So there is the first chapter. I know the whole brother thing is twisted, but if you don't like it don't read it. This is my first fic so please go easy on me. I don't like flames either. Please review.
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE HARRY POTTER CHARACTERS!!!