I Learned the Truth at Seventeen

 Sorry for the mix up, a chapter was left out. xx

Hermione made her way back to her rooms with her new familiar Phoenix; Severus had given her Phoenix for her protection although the panther seemed to laid back to ever protect her. He seemed tame compared to how her little Crooks had been.

She walked into the Head's rooms and went straight up to her room with Phoenix following, as soon as she opened the door Phoenix jumped straight onto her bed and purred.

Hermione got ready for bed and climbed into bed and softly pushed Phoenix to the end of the bed. 'You can sleep on the bed Phoenix but you have to sleep at the end.' She said.

How is Phoenix? 

He's fine, sleeping on my bed at the moment; trying to move him to sleep at the bottom. Thank you for Phoenix.

You are most welcome; she is for your protection.

What do you mean for my protection?

If I am ever away you will have Phoenix there to protect you where I can't. 

The next morning, Hermione was woken by knocking outside her door. 'Oi! Granger, get your Mudblood ass out of bed!' Malfoy shouted.

Fuck off Malfoy! It's only six o'clock what in the world does he want. Hermione thought as she got out of bed and woke Phoenix in the process. She pulled open her door and look at Draco who was dressed immaculately. 'What!'

'What the hell is that!' Draco said pushing aside her door and her and walking into her room.

'That's my familiar Phoenix if you must know Malfoy; now what do you want?' she said pulling on her grey cardigan she wore the previous night.

'I need you to stay in the Gryffindor tower tonight; I'm having friends over.' He said.

'Friends? Do you mean you're having Pansy over for loud, vigorous sex and you want me out the way?' she said.

'Exactly.' He said smirking.

'Ewww!' she said. Well looks like I'll be staying in the Gryffindor tower tonight. 'I'll happily stay in the Gryffindor tower if it means I don't have to hear you and Pansy. Now that you know I'll be gone tonight, leave me alone so I can get some sleep.' She said.

'Fine.' He said as he walked to the door. 'Oh and Granger...could you put a silencing spell on your room; I can hear you moaning.' And he left.

Moaning? I do not moan. 

Hermione sighed and got back into bed and snuggled into the covers next to Phoenix. She pressed a kiss to his head and lied back down on her pillow.

The day went as usual for Hermione, she went to breakfast and listened to Ginny gush about Harry and listen to Harry and Ron talk about the up and coming Quidditch match. After breakfast, she went to her first lesson then spent the next hour in the library revising.

At Lunch, Ginny and herself went down to the Quidditch pitch to watch the Gryffindor team practice.

'You know Ron really does like you Hermione.' Ginny said.

'It would never work Ginny.' She said. 'Were just too different.'

He's thick, you're not. Simple. 

Severus! That's mean; he's not thick, he just doesn't care too much about studying.

Exactly...He's thick.

'Hermione? Are you listening?' Ginny said.

'Oh, sorry.' Hermione said distracted by Severus's voice. 'I just don't find him...attractive like that.'

'Oh...I wish you did then you'd be my sister in law. I have five other brothers, any of them take your fancy?' Ginny said laughing.

'No not really.' She said smiling.

'So what is your type Hermione Granger?' Ginny asked.

'Some one intelligent, tall and dark.' She said looking out to the Quidditch pitch. 'Someone who like studying and books as much as I do.'

'Don't know anyone like that.' Ginny said.

'I do.' Hermione said softly.

After practice had finished, Hermione made her way down the stand to go to her last lesson of the day, potions.

'Mione.' Ron shouted and came running towards her.

'Oh, Hi Ron.' She said 'I can't stop, I've got potions, can't be late Professor Snape will kill me if I'm late.'

'Oh. Hermione, I really need to talk to you.' Ron whined.

'Quick then Ronald.' She said.

'I love you!' He shouted a bit too loudly and then pushed Hermione back against the wall of the stand and kissed her.

Hermione tried to push him off her and scream but he grabbed the back of her wrists and pushed them over her head and continued to kiss her.

HELP!!

Ron pulled back and looked at Hermione 'Don't you love me?'

'No! Ron you just pushed yourself on me and expect me to love you! I don't...I never will.' She shouted.

'Hermione, you do, you just don't know it yet.' He said.

'God! Listen to yourself Ronald!' she said but before she could say anything else she found herself against the wall with her hands above her head and Ron trying to kiss her again but before his lips touched hers, he was thrown off Hermione.

Thank God. 

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

'Mr Weasley, attacking a fellow student and a female student. 50 points from Gryffindor!' he said glaring at Ron. 'Report to the Headmaster immediately while I take Ms Granger to the hospital wing.'

'I'm fine Professor.' Hermione said softly.

'You will be seen Ms Granger.' He said. 'Go Weasley before I do something I won't regret.'

And Ron walked off sulking.

'Are you okay?' Severus said as he rushed to Hermione and took her into his arms and pressed into his chest.

'No...not really.' Hermione said as she started to cry. 'I'll be fine thought, I don't need to see Madam Promfrey.'

'No but you'll go and rest in my rooms until I finish class. Come on, I'll take you there now and get a house elf to get Phoenix from your rooms and you can rest up for a while.' He said.

'Thank you.' She said looking up at him.

'You're welcome' he said softly.

Severus walked Hermione to his rooms and left her in the living room to relax while he went back down to his classroom to teach. Dobby got Phoenix from her rooms and the two of them lounged on Severus's sofa until he finished class.

Severus finished his lesson and rushed to his rooms to find Hermione and Phoenix cuddled up on the sofa together reading a potions magazine.

'I see you've made yourself at home.' He said smirking.

'I have.' She said smiling. 'Thank you for letting me stay here. Did I miss much in lesson?'

'Nothing you don't already know Hermione.' He said.

Hermione only smiled and put down the magazine. 'I should go, I need to pack a bag for tonight.'

'Tonight?' he said confused.

'I'm staying in the Gryffindor tower, Draco wants the head rooms to himself something about having pansy over.' She said.

'Oh I see so that's why you were swearing at the thought of him this morning.' He said.

'Oh...yeah sorry did I wake you?' she asked.

'No...it seems that I can hear your thoughts even when I am asleep, not clear as when I'm awake but I can remember some of what you were thinking.' He said.

'Oh.' She said standing up.

'Hermione, I don't want you staying in that tower tonight, not with him ten feet away.' Severus said. 'Go pack a bag and return here, you can stay in the spare room.'

'Are you sure?' she said.

'I am. Now go and pack that bag. I'll keep Phoenix occupied while his mistress is gone.' Severus said sitting down.

'Thank you.' She said as she pressed a kiss on his cheek and practically ran out the room.

AN: Thanks for reading; please leave a review xx