Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or the song used in this chapter, I just own the story line.
Author's Note: It seems that the last chapter made everyone cry. That makes me happy because it means did my job. :grins: This will be a bit of an akward chapter as its strictly through Hermione's eyes. So she keeps reacting to mixed messages. It won't make any sense really until the next chapter when we look at the situation through Snape's eyes. So bear with me. Also I apologize for spelling Hermione's name wrong all this time. I can't believe I spelled it wrong for so long. And by the way I accidently misqouted 'My Immortal', I thought really thought that one lyric was right. I guess I was wrong.
If any of you have read my other stories before you know I can't get through a any one of them without having a least one character sing. So my musical muse has invaded this chapter and I think the lyrics really speak for themselves and have real deep meaning for these two characters. So I have a reason. Enjoy.
Chapter 3: Get Me Through This
Hermione reached the potions classroom and didn't even bother to knock, she simply threw open the door and raced in. She stopped breathlessly when she saw the room was empty. She groaned and flopped herself into the chair behind Severus's desk. When her breathing slowed to leave the room in silence a soft sound came from a deeper part of the dungeons. Was that a guitar?
Hermione crept towards the direction the sound was coming from and found the door that no doubt led to Severus Snape's personal quarters. Hermione carefully opened the door to see a figure bent over near the fireplace of a large personal library. For once the books weren't that important to Hermione. As she came closer it was obvious that the sound was indeed an acoustic guitar and it was being played by none other then Severus Snape, feared potions master and teacher and the man Hermione Granger loved.
He was facing her but he simply stared at the guitar strings as he played the instrument. His dark hair falling to cover all but his eyes which concentrated on his task. Hermione simply sat on the floor in front of him and listened to the sound then something that shocked the woman even more then whatever she'd already learned all that day happened. He opened his mouth and began to sing. A rich and beautiful voice flowed over her as he sang.
Can you see?
The honest questions in my heart this hour
Opening like a flower to the rain
And do you know this silent sorrows of a never ending journey
Through the pain?
Do you see a brighter day for me
Another day, a day
Do you wonder what's in store for me
The cure for me, the way
Severus slowly looked up at Hermione and held her eyes with his serious expression as he continued and she couldn't move or misinterpret his words with that gaze on her.
Oh look down
See the tears i've cried, the lives i've lived
The depths i've dived.
But you dived them too, and all for me
(you say)
I will pour the water down on a thirsty barron lands
And streams will flow from the dust of your bruised and broken soul
And you will grow like the grass upon the fertile plains of Asia
By the streams of living water you will grow
Oh, you will grow...
Do you know?
The story from the start and do you know me
Like you've always told me
Do you see?
The whispers in my heart against your kindness
My eternal blindness
Do you see?
Do you see a brighter day for me
Another day, a day
Do you wonder what's in store for me
The cure for me, the way.
Oh look down
See the tears i've cried, the lives i've lived
The depths i've dived.
But you dived them too, and all for me you say.
I will pour my water down on the thirsty barren lands.
And streams will flow from the dust of your bruised and broken soul
And you will grow like the grass upon the fertile plains of Asia
By the streams of living water you will grow.
Oh...you will grow...
The last line died slowly on Severus's lips as if it were a long painful moan. His fingers stilled the guitar strings and the room was filled with a tense silence that not even Hermoine dared to break first. Gently stroking the binding of Severus's journal she found the courage that he was so proud of in her.
" I do see." Was the only soft reply Hermione could come up with. And she was sincere, she did see. She saw him for who he was, knew that there would be a happier day for him sometime. She had even seen his tears once after the battle. They had been silent and simply ran down his soot covered face when the dark mark had visibly disappeared from his arm.
Severus was staring down at the book in her hands and sighed before looking her straight in the eye, seemingly searching for something there. He gestured at the book. " You've read the entire thing I imagine." He said, Hermione nodded. " Then you'll understand why i'm going to ask you to leave now Hermione." His voice was so soft that Hermione stood up and came towards him. Severus saw this and got up as well but turned away from her with the guitar still in his hand. He didn't leave, he simply stood there as if he were trying to regain his composure.
Hermione stopped, that had been the first time he'd ever said her name before. Not a Miss Granger or Miss Know-It-All. Just Hermione.
" Now Miss Granger, if not sooner!" Severus finally growled out and Hermione jumped at the sound of his voice. Her feet wanted to run but she told herself not to. The moment had passed and Proffessor Snape was back. She couldn't let him regain his composure.
Hermione was screaming at herself when she came to stand in front of Severus Snape who tried to sneer at her in an attempt to make her run away. She wasn't foolish enough to not see through it. Hermione didn't give him time to say anything, she stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with all she had. All her love and trust.
Hermione pulled back moments later and before Severus could respond she smacked him. The sound echoed off the walls and Severus stared at the young woman with a look of utter shock. She flinched inwardly at her own actions, but it succeeded in what she'd set out to do. He would finally listen to her.
But Hermione didn't say a word, instead she pulled a small book even smaller then Snape's journal from her pocket and tossed it on the floor between them. It was silver and gold with a Willow tree gracing its cover.
" Now i'll go." Hermione said. Turning on her heel, Hermione left without looking back. This would either make or break her heart in the end. But it was a chance she'd have to take if she ever meet the man who wrote the journal that was still clutched to her breast.
Author's Note: Ouch! How painfull. Things will be explained in the next chapter, mainly Snape's reasons for acting like that during Hermione's little mini confession. So hope you guys will review and wait for the next one to come around.