Do Not Be Afraid

This is a response to the HP Chapter Challenge issued by Southern_witch_69 over at her Yahoo! Group: Potter Place and at The Petulant Poetess. Rules are at the end of the first chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing that you see here. All characters belong to the wonderful and talented Ms. J K Rowling.

Thanks go to Southern_Witch_69 for beta reading this story for me; she's been motivational and encouraging.

Just how well do you know him, Hermione? The question is ringing in my head.

"Sit down, Harry," I say calmly, preparing to answer.

"Hermione," he says with clear warning in his voice.

"I'll tell you. Just please sit down." He reluctantly complies. I wish that there were an easier way to tell this story. Part of me is afraid to tell Harry everything, and the other part of me is relieved that this will all be brought out into the open. I carefully sit down again. "After you destroyed the last remnants of Voldemort, Harry, I really began thinking about all of those things that I mentioned. It was as if they were haunting me. I saw him at the first Victims of War Remembrance Service. The one that was about two months after they declared the ruddy war finally over."

"He was there? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I didn't know for certain! I caught a glimpse of him, but as soon as it registered to me who it was, he was gone," I snap. Once again, I need to calm myself before I can continue. He's still glaring daggers at me. I know he loves me, but it's frustrating to know that he's this upset with me.

"I saw him again at the one year anniversary." Holding up my hand, for what seemed like the hundredth time, I continue. "I've usually been late to the celebration dinner, but that year I was horribly late..."

Hermione was dabbing her eyes. It had only been a year since they were all, finally, allowed to grieve. During the war many people died in service to the Order and to the Wizarding community at large. They had been very dark days, and there had been little time to mourn those that were lost.

Hermione wasn't sure where she was walking. Everyone else was leaving through the gates so they could quickly Disapparate to a happier and drier location. They couldn't leave fast enough. Solemn, Hermione was not in the mood to join her friends just yet. She exited the sphere with a soft pop to walk among the dead. Instantly, she began feeling drops of water on her hair and body.

The black cloak hanging over his shoulders was flapping in the breeze. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his plain black robes, and his stringy hair was blowing across his face as he stood at a respectable distance in front of Albus Dumbledore's burial site. Hermione could not see his face, but she found herself wondering why the man's murderer would be standing, as if paying his respects.

"Snape was standing over Dumbledore's grave?" Harry interrupts.

"Yes, he was," I reply. "Now, hush!"

Carefully, quietly, she dared to walk closer, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Professor?" she asked tentatively.

"I don't know what you're playing at, Miss Granger," he hissed, stooping over her. "However, regardless of your intentions, I cannot have you preventing me from leaving." He stood back up. "Accio Firebolt," he said. Moments later, a broom slapped into his hand. Mounting the broom, he kicked off the ground and quickly left.

"...it took about five minutes more for the Petrificus Spell to wear off, and I was able to move. I was soaked to the bone from lying on the ground, so I had to go home, clean up, and change. That's why I was so late that evening."

"A Firebolt? Snape had a Firebolt?" Harry mutters.

"I tell you about seeing the man after a remembrance service, and all you can mention is his ruddy broom?" I ask in undisguised disgust.

"Actually, Hermione, I can't believe that you were so stupid as to approach the git. You should've called for help, detained him, something... ANYTHING!"

I roll my eyes at him. It was that or get riled up again, and I honestly think that one of us needs to stay calm right now. Sure, it may have been a tad foolish to approach a murderer that way, but I didn't see it that way. Where I typically stick with my brains and logic, I am a woman... and there had been something telling me that Severus Snape could truly be trusted.

"That wasn't the only time that you saw him, was it?" Harry accuses.

"No, it wasn't," I say firmly.

After that first meeting, Hermione began visiting the cemetery often. Something about Severus Snape began fascinating her. She began wondering about his motives, intentions, and true allegiances. Her attempts to see the man proved to be futile, she never saw him there.

"The ruddy git had you at wandpoint? Bloody hell, Hermione! What did you think you were doing going there if you thought he'd show up?" Harry chastises.

"By that point, I really didn't think that Severus would appear," I reply, noticing Harry shudder at Snape's given name. "I just found it relaxing to be there. However, I was hoping to learn the truth... not some cobbled version of everyone else's assumptions," I spit back at him before going back to my story.

"I just came by to visit. I honestly didn't expect for you to be here."

"You interrupted my meeting, Miss Granger. I had come back a few times to try to finish my time here and found that every time I tried, you were here. After a while, however, I must admit that I became intrigued." He relaxed the pressure that his wand was pressing into her skin. "Last year, I was hiding just beyond that tree over there. I had expected you to arrive with a team of Aurors. I must admit that you surprise me, Miss Granger. Haven't you told Potter or Weasley about your trips here?"

"I suppose I want to know what really happened."

"If you truly wish to know the truth, Miss Granger, begin by looking carefully at the headmaster's memoirs. Be back here next year, come alone, and if you truly wish to have your questions answered, we will talk." His voice was quiet and surprisingly calm in her ears. That is until he hissed, "Do NOT double-cross me, Miss Granger."

POA quote: "A Firebolt?"

Author's Notes: I hope that this starts to answer some of the questions. I spoke with several people regarding the way that Hermione retold her story. I believe that the styles that I've used here, tell the story the best way.

Southern's Notes: I'm really enjoying this Hermione and am intrigued with the tale of how she came to "know" Snape so well. Muahahaha!