"Stop fussing woman!" Snape huffed as Madame Pomfrey fluffed his pillows. "Now Severus, you must learn to control your temper. We are only trying to help you." She spat, becoming increasingly frustrated by the wizard.

"I don't WANT help! Fine... do what you want then hopefully you will leave faster." He grunted, with a snort.
"Right, I will be back later to change your dressings.. get some rest." Poppy chirped and disappeared.

Just as she had taken her leave Hermione arrived at his bedside.
"Oh for fucks sake!" He cried in frustration. "Good afternoon to you too Professor." Hermione sighed, plonking herself down at his bedside.

"How are you feeling?" She asked kindly, placing her hand on his gently. "I would be feeling much better if your removed your bloody hand from mine." He scowled at the young witch. He had to admit to himself she was a beautiful young woman.. still, he remained insistent that he disliked the insufferable know it all.

"Fine.. I will just sit here silently." Hermione insisted, before Snape turned his head away from her and stared out of the window. After half an hour, he became tired of performing his stubborn routine and glanced at Hermione. She was still sat by his bedside, her face covered by a book. 'How to Grieve and find comfort.' by Doctor Bart goldhorn.

Snape sighed, he felt something in his heart. He couldn't place the feeling for it was one he had never really experienced.
Empathy.
"Miss Granger... I must let you know that i am incredibly sorry for your loss." He spoke gently, his dark bat of the dungeons demeanour falling away for a brief moment.

"Thank you Professor, I really appreciate it." She sighed sadly, closing the book and looking to the window. "Would you like to.. talk about it?" He asked awkwardly, he felt so uncomfortable trying to be 'there' for someone.

"It's just so hard, sometimes, for a second I almost forget. Then it hits me again and again.." Hermione replied.
Snape nodded, he understood only too well how she felt but he couldn't find the right words to comfort her.

"Miss Granger, you are strong young witch. I know that in time you will find the strength to find peace." He insisted.
Hermione was shocked, she had never seen this kind side to her potions master.
"I hope so Professor, I really do." She smiled scanning his face and admiring his perfect obsidian eyes.

See, She had always had a crush on him.
Physically.
What was not to admire? He was a handsome man, a bad boy, so alluring.
since viewing his tears with Harry though, she saw something else completely, a gentle, brave, kind and beautiful soul.

"Are you still with that buffoon Weasley?" He inquired, surprised by the fact that every time she had visited him she had never mentioned his name. "No, Ronald loathes the sight of me... I did something that he will never forgive." Hermione replied, Snape's face froze with his mouth agape. "Please excuse my shock Miss Granger..." he drawled, unable to explain that it felt so familiar to him.

"What's done is done. I cannot make him forgive me, I have tried to explain myself to him and he will not listen."
"What exactly did you do?" Snape inquired, his brow arched with curiosity.
"I don't really want to talk about it sir, I hope you understand?" Hermione smiled as if longing for acceptance.
"I understand Miss Granger." He replied softly.

"I must go Professor, I have some studying to do.. but I can return later this evening if you wish?" Hermione asked as she placed her book back in her sachel. "Miss Granger, you do not need to waste your time visiting me, I'm sure you would rather be doing something else.." "Actually there's nowhere else I'd rather be.. now I'm Billy no mates." She laughed, she caught a small glint in his eyes but he didn't laugh with her.
She left the infirmary swiftly and made her way up to Gryffindor tower.