Strength in What Remains Behind

Hermione

I woke up with newfound strength and determination.  Perhaps the Gryffindor Trio was no more.  That didn't mean my life had ended.  The wound was new, but it would heal in time.  One day I would look back on this and wonder how I could have almost let two chiildish boys completely ruin everything. Until then, I needed to find things to distract myself so that I wouldn't... dwell. So, I set my sights on repairing things between Professor Snape and myself.

I had an idea of what had set him off so badly that he would speak to me in that manner.  It was more than his usual vitriol.  I highly doubted it had anything to do with what had happened between the Nott boy and myself. He had almost certainly heard the rumors.  I'd speak to the man himself, but after that display in the hallway I wasn't sure he would even see me, let alone allow me to make amends.  

My suspicions were confirmed during my first class.  Professor McGonagall pulled me from Arithmancy to speak to me in her office.  I couldn't help but overhear a few snickers as I gathered my things to leave.  People still felt the rumors were real, even after his public display of anger and hatred? I heaved a sigh as I followed the Professor through the hallways.  I was not looking forward to this discussion.

When the Professor explained to me why she needed to speak to me, I was completely and utterly shocked.  Apparently, the Headmaster had spoken to Professor Snape about the rumors!  For some unknown reason, I thought he only needed to speak to me. No wonder Professor Snape was angry with me.  For me, the rumors were cruel and humiliating.  For him, it had jeapordized his position here at the school.  I told my Head of House that the rumors had no basis in fact whatsoever.  She smiled, informing me that the Professor had also denied the rumors and that the Headmaster had complete confidence that we both spoke the truth on the matter.  She had merely wished to assure me that these rumors would not affect my academic career here at Hogwarts.

She attempted to pry into the rift between myself and the boys, but I told her I didn't wish to speak on it.  She gave up eventually and allowed me to go back to class. However, I found myself unable to concentrate.  I badly wanted to speak to Professor Snape, now that I knew about the Headmaster's interrogation. It was true that he was not my favorite teacher in school, but he had supported me when I needed it the most, and I wanted him as an ally, not an enemy.  I wanted him to understand that if I could have kept the rumors from tainting his reputation, I would have.  I was merely one person against the entire student body, though.  I didn't even have Harry and Ron to fight for me anymore.

I made my way to the Potions lab directly after my last class of the day.  The chances were good that Professor Snape would be at dinner, but I wanted to speak to him privately, rather than make a public spectacle of ourselves.  I gathered my courage as I hurried down the halls.  I was going to need every ounce of it.