Harry went down to the dungeons after dinner, he wanted to speak to Severus and try and make things right. He stormed into the room without knocking, "I want a word, now!" Harry said standing his ground before Severus could even tell him to leave.
Severus rolled his eyes at Harry and quipped "Oh, two times in one day! Hopefully this time it's not about health and safety!" Severus sneered with an evil smile.
"You know full well what about!" Harry was in a rage. "Very well Mr Potter, care to join me in my quarters for a fire whiskey where we can discuss this like adults? Although, maturity isn't really your strong point today is it?" Severus sighed and led Harry through to his living room. He poured two glasses of fire whiskey and passed one to Harry. "Now, before you say anything Harry, I must tell you something. I don't wish to be cold or hard on Hermione" he explained to the young wizard.

"Severus, I know that. But Hermione thinks you hate her!" Harry sighed with frustration. "I didn't want to hurt her, I love the girl and you know that surely?" Severus asked. "I do know that, but you have to understand. You can't just dump someone and cancel your engagement after they play a harmless joke on you! it was a private joke, she didn't prank you in front of the whole school! Fred and George did that once and she went apeshit at them, remember?" "I know, I know.... It's just. I.." Severus began, sounding tormented by his own thoughts. "Felt humiliated, took it too seriously and ended up breaking the heart of the only girl that ever truly loved you." Harry finished for him, Severus looked at him in amazement. "How did you? Never mind." Severus threw his hands up in the air and gave up. "Hermione loves you, and you love her. Don't let your own personal problems come between you, I won't let you hurt her again. She is my best friend and I will never forgive you." Harry said knocking back his drink.

"I just don't know what I should do Harry, I love her so much and I'm terrified of living without her in my life..but..." "Then swallow your bloody pride and stop being a git! And grow a sense of humour at the same time." Harry scolded and left the room, slamming the door behind him as he went. He went to see Hermione but she was different, she was broken. So broken that she was practically the image of.... Severus.

"Hermione, everything will be ok. Severus will come round... He told me he still loves you!" Harry explained trying to cheer her up. "If that's his idea of love Harry, then to be quite honest I do not wish to receive it. He has hurt me too much this time and I'm not going to get back with him. That's it." She said coldly, her eyes red from crying. She was like Severus had been all those years after his mother, reluctant to trust. Cold hearted even..

"You don't mean that Herms." Harry sighed. "Yes! Yes I do Harry, I mean it." She explained firmly, Harry knew then that she was serious. He nodded and excepted her decision. "It's just going to take me some time, to let go inside." She rested her head on Harry's shoulder and he brought his arms around her. "I know, but I'm here. And so is Ginny." He gave her a squeeze and headed up to his dormitory for an afternoon sleep.

Hermione decided to take a walk to clear her head, she was stopped on her way out of the castle by a hand on her shoulder. She knew that hand. Oh how she knew that cold callused hand. "Hermione...." He pleaded, "Professor Snape I do not wish to talk to you, it's over remember." She told him with a tone as cold as ice, pushing his hand from her shoulder. "Please, forgive me I...." He began to explain himself, dropping to his knees to beg, but she cut him off . "Yes I know, it's just those stupid insecurities of yours again, I've had it up to here with them!" She seethed pointing at her forehead. "You have broken me, you have ripped my heart out and shat on it! I don't want to speak to you or look at you, it hurts too much." She screamed with tears in her eyes, she pulled off his mothers engagement ring and placed it in his hand.
"Goodbye Severus." She whimpered through her tears and left him standing there, his heart breaking into a million pieces. He crouched down and cried, he had truly fallen apart.

"Severus! what on earth has happened?" Dumbledore shrieked staggering up behind him and crouching beside him, "she... Hates me." Was all Severus could manage to say, Albus pulled him to his feet and told him to Come to his office for a chat. Severus did as asked, reluctantly.