A/N: I really need some more reviews people. I'm drowning here. I have no idea what I'm doing, so your comments are of great importance if you wish this story to be continued.

I have realized that Hermione has been a bit OOC in this story. She refrains from saying rude things about teachers, unless of course it refers to them having no moral values or intelligence. I know what she has, in this story, said things about Snape that JKR would never allow her to say. Im sorry. I never intended to give anyone a heart attack.

Disclaimer: I'm not JKR; therefore these characters are not mine.

Chapter Seven- Breaking Down

Her eyes are dark and somber. She does not touch her food; her robes hang from her shrunken frame and her face is swallowed up by her enormous eyes. Yet Harry and Ron are oblivious to her pain and depression.

Snape's eyes eat up her face and he cannot look away. The girl will kill herself if she isn't careful. That's what's difficult. Why will she be careful when it is so obvious that she wishes for death?

Suddenly Hermione speaks to Potter and soon stands and moves swiftly out of the Great Hall. Where exactly was she going? Snape leaves his food untouched and follows Hermione from a distance and it becomes abundantly clear where she is headed. She reaches the library and her evident stress melts away. It doesn't surprise Snape this is where she is most at home, where she can gather her thoughts and just escape from everything. He himself visits the library quite frequently for the same reason.

Snape stands in the shadows as the oblivious Hermione breaks down in her secret place: a secluded isle of books. Her sobs shake her body harshly and Snape is overwhelmed with the desire to make her stop crying. She looks so lost and frightened, completely broken. Snape cannot help but step forward.

"Get away!" She shrieks, her voice shrill.

Alarmed Snape only moves closer. His hands clench at his sides. "Ms. Granger, please tell me what's wrong. Please, let me help you. Why do you refuse to let me help you?" His voice is soft.

"Y-you look l-like him." She whispers, her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking.

Comprehension dawns on his harsh features. He cannot hold back anymore. In one swift motion he takes Hermione into his arms. At first she pulls back, as though to get away from him, but he rubs her back gently. "I'll not hurt you."

Melting into his arms she cries and the sounds coming from her does strange things to Snape's heart. He just wants her well, that's all. He wants her attacker stopped; he wants her to be free from harm, nothing more.

Don't kid yourself. If that's the case why do you want so desperately to kiss her?

He grits his teeth. He has no answer for this astounding question and it frightens him. Having feelings for a student is highly improper, especially one in Hermione's situation.

Hermione is it? The voice jabs. When did you start calling her that?

Snape doesn't realize his hands are still making circular motions on Hermione's back.

"Sir, I'm fine now. You can let me go."

The high voice breaks through his reverie and he is appalled to find that, indeed, his arms are still wrapped protectively around her. He releases his hold and clears his throat.

"Ms. Granger, the next time your emotions reach to such a height please talk to one of your professors. We do not need another body on our hands." Snape winces inwardly at the harshness in his voice.

"Thank you for your concern," Hermione bites out, her voice sarcastic. Her sneer is much like the ones Snape disposes on any unlucky student that happens to get on his bad side. Her eyes spit fire and she turns to leave only to be stopped by a hand to her arm. "Let me go." Her voice is rough and she prays she can make it to her room before letting the tears fall.

"Please, I'm sorry, that was out of line."

Hermione laughs humorlessly. "I've heard that too many times. Now would you refrain from touching me?" Behind the anger is a pain that confuses Hermione greatly. Why is she so hurt by what he said? She knows that Severus Snape doesn't care for her. It hadn't gotten to her before. Yet now tears formed just thinking it. His hands had yet to release her. She yanks free. She refuses to get hurt again, to trust people when they so obviously didn't deserve it.

Her robes flutter behind her as Hermione exits the library and so misses the expression on her professor's face.