Disregarding Reality

"I..."

Snape retreated and got ahold of himself. There was no way he was going to open up his heart to this know-it-all student who he pretended to hate. But, then again, he didn't have to be a complete git.

"I think that you are a very smart young lady, and you can go somewhere in life with your talents. I would hate to see something that could be fixed ruin your life."

Still crying, Hermione said, "It can't be fixed. Nothing in my life can be fixed." And at this, she curled up into her chair and put her head on her knees.

Snape shifted in his seat. How many times had he felt that his life had come to an end?

"Hermione, look at me," Snape pleaded.

Before Hermione looked up, she realized that he had just used her first name for the first time. And, for some weird reason, it sounded good coming off his tongue. When she looked up, she saw a man that she had never seen before, a complete stranger. They both sat staring at each other, for what seemed liked forever, until Snape broke the silence.

"Everyone gets to a point in their life, at least once; where they think that nothing they do matters. But they eventually learn to move on with their life. And that's what you need to do."

"It's not that easy!"

"Maybe not, but it can be if you want it to."

"Rubbish!"

"Please calm down, I'm trying to help."

"Sorry Professor," Hermione said miserably.

"I know where you are, Hermione. I've been there before myself. And the only way out is with someone's help. Are you willing to accept my help?"

Hermione pondered the question. This man sitting in front of her was not her arrogant potions professor. This was a completely different man. And she was willing to get to know him, and hopefully herself.

"Yes."

"Very good," Snape said gratefully, "Now, we have to get you back to the Hospital Wing. Let's go." He stood and helped Hermione up and together they walked back to the Hospital Wing.

Hermione awoke with a start the next morning. She had fallen asleep seconds after Professor Snape had helped her into bed, and had not woken the entire night. She looked around to see what the reason was for her waking up so abruptly, to see Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall standing around a bed across from hers. She couldn't see who it was, because the two women were obstructing her view. When Madam Pomfrey realized she was awake, she ushered over to her and laid her back down on her bed.

"You go back to sleep dear, I'll get your pills in a little while."

"Who's that?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Luna Lovegood. She fell off a Thestral in the forest. Poor girl knocked herself out cold," Madam Pomfrey said as she closed the drapes around Hermione's bed and disappeared.

"Well, that was good," thought Hermione, "At least I'll have someone to talk to, even if she is a little bit of a nut."