Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I have just borrowed the characters to play with and will return them unharmed.
A/N: I've been working on this fic for a few months now and am glad to have it finally finished. I shall be posting a chapter once a week, depending on reviews I may post sooner. So, here's the first chappie, I hope you enjoy!
Severus found her out on the front steps of Hogwarts. The train back to London had left hours ago and now a heavy rain had settled in. She was soaked to the bone, shivering from the cold and sobbing. It was the end of Hermione Granger's rain at Hogwarts and it hadn't escaped Severus' attention that she now had the body of a woman. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, he tried to get the girls' attention. When he couldn't, he scooped the young woman up in his arms, whispered a drying charm on them both once they were inside, and headed for the Headmaster's office. He knocked on the door and entered without waiting for a reply.
"Oh. Merlin!" Minerva rushed to Severus and Hermione as he placed her on the sofa in front of the blazing fire. Minerva sat next to her and held her hand. "Where on earth did you find her, Severus?"
"On the main steps." Severus stood looking down at the beauty he had just carried in his arms.
"Why was she not on the train?"
"I don't know headmaster. I brought her straight here."
"Albus, look." Minerva had moved the sleeve of Hermione's jumper up slightly to check her pulse as she cried. All up her arm were burns, scars and yellowing bruises. "Who would do such a thing to her?"
"I don't know, Min." Albus pulled Minerva into his arms as the tears started to flow.
"Can she stay?"
"Of course Min. Severus could you look after her? I know how close you both are."
"Of course headmaster." Severus once again picked Hermione up in his strong arms and took her to his rooms. Poppy was already waiting there for them. He placed her on his bed and sat in the living room waiting for Poppy to finish examining her.
"Severus, please be kind and gentle with her. From what I can tell, she's been beaten and raped several times."
"Who?"
"I don't know, but I do know that she's been going home at the holidays and weekends since her mother passed away. Now, I've healed what I can so, make sure she rests and has plenty to eat. I'll be back around noon tomorrow to check on her. And remember, Severus, she needs you."
Severus nodded at Poppy and watched her leave. He and Hermione had been brewing together since her third year and they had built up a relationship. The care that he held for her had slowly become love. He wasn't going to say anything, not until he knew how she felt. A scream from the bedroom brought Severus out of his thoughts and he quickly went into the bedroom and held the now awake Hermione.
"Severus?" Hermione sobbed.
"It's me Hermione." Severus held her close as she buried her face in his chest as the tears trickled down her cheeks. "Shh, I'm here." Severus soothingly ran his fingers through Hermione's chocolate locks, easing her sobs slowly.
Half an hour later, Hermione was still in Severus' arms and had calmed down.
Severus asked quietly, "Why didn't you go home, Hermione?"
"I just can't go back there. I just can't." A few teas started falling again.
"Is it your father?"
Hermione nodded. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay 'Mione." Severus held Hermione as she calmed down again before carrying her into the living room. Her placed Hermione on the sofa by the fire and went to make her a cup of tea. He came back five minutes later and handed her a cup as he sat next to her.
"How are you feeling, Hermione?"
"Tired. Sore." Hermione put her mug on the coffee table and curled up in the corner of the sofa.
"Rest. I'll let Minerva know how you're feeling." Hermione nodded. "Would you like to see her?" Severus asked quietly.
"Yes please." Hermione smiled at the thought of seeing the woman who had been a mother to her since her birth mom passed away.
"I'll floo her for you now." Severus brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and flooed Minerva.
Less than ten minutes later, Hermione was in Minerva's arms after another burst of tears.
"There, there, 'Mione. I'm here." Minerva cooed.
"Thank you, Minerva."
"It's okay." Minerva smiled. "Do you want to talk?"
"No."
"Okay. You know where I am." Minerva gave Hermione one last hug and stood to leave.
When Minerva was at the door, Hermione shouted over her shoulder, "Stay!"
"Of course." Minerva sat next to Hermione and pulled her back into her arms. "Are you okay?"
"I'm tired and sore."
"Sore in what way?"
"Down..." Hermione stopped when she saw Severus enter the room.
"Severus." Minerva greeted.
"Minerva. Hi Hermione." Severus knelt down in front of Hermione and her hand. "Feeling any better?"
"No." Hermione shook her head and squeezed his hand.
"Can you give us a moment please, Severus?"
"Of course, Minerva. I'll be in my study. Let me know when you're done." Severus nodded to Minerva, squeezed Hermione's hand and went straight to his study.
"Hermione, has your father ever hit you? Forced himself on you?"
Hermione nodded. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay. Will you let Poppy take a look at you?"
Hermione vigorously shook her head. "I don't want anyone else touching me other that you and Severus."
"Okay kitten." Minerva soothed Hermione and called Severus into the room.
"What is it, Minerva?"
"Do you think you could convince Hermione to let Poppy ..."
"Poppy's already healed what she can."
"When?" Hermione asked.
"You were unconscious when I got you down here. You were bleeding, so I'm glad Poppy was here when she was." Hermione stood and went to Severus who embraced her.
"So you know then?"
"Vaguely, yes." Severus ran his fingers through her hair. "He shouldn't have done that to you honey. If you didn't need me right now, I'd be out there hunting him down."
"Please don't do anything stupid, Severus. I need you."
"I'm not going anywhere, Hermione." Severus soothed.
"I'll go and make us some tea and get an house-elf to bring up dinner." Minerva said, feeling the pair needed a moment alone.
Severus sat down with Hermione on the sofa and she snuggled into the side of him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. The food appeared on the table in front of them just as Minerva walking in with the tea.
"I'm not hungry, Severus." Hermione whispered as the other two started eating.
Severus put down his plate and held Hermione's hand. "Can you try, for me?"
Hermione nodded and Minerva passed her, her plate of jacket potatoes and baked beans. She started to pick at the potato and the professors smiled at her for trying. After a few more mouth full's, Hermione stood quickly and ran to the bathroom. Severus followed her and held her hair out the way rubbed her back as she lost the little she had eaten. Hermione collapsed into his arms and closed her eyes, exhausted.
"It's okay, I'm here."
"I'm so tired, Sev." Hermione whispered.
"Let's get you into bed then." Severus scooped Hermione up in his strong arms and took her to his bed. He placed her under the sheets, brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well, angel." Severus whispered and went to join Minerva in the living room.
A few hours later, Severus crawled under the sheets and watched Hermione as she slept. Sighing, Severus closed his eyes and smiled as he drifted off to sleep, knowing that Hermione was safe and right beside him.