amorphous | 1 one-shot: Snape/Hermione

Title: Not the Same
Words: 400
Rating: PG
Characers/Pairings: Snape/Hermione
Warnings: n/a
Author's Notes: Happy Christmas,

liquorice_wheel! You are such a great person, and I are such an inspiration and blessing in my life. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being there for me. I hope you enjoy this... drabble or whatever it is.

"You seem different," she said, giving him a scrutinizing look.

He took a long drink of his glass of beer before answering her. "I'm not the same."

She sighed, her stare never wavering. "I know." Her hand stretched out to grab his, but he pulled his back immediately, leaving her grasping air.

"You know nothing," he spat. His glare seemed murderous.

"Severus, please," she pleaded, her eyes showing her genuineness. "I know more than you give me credit for. I know what happened. You told me."

He laughed loudly. "And you believed me?"

She leaned back as if slapped, a gasp escaping her mouth. "Of course I did!"

He took another drink, watching her over his mug. "I lied."

She felt a fury light within her. "No you didn't. I mean you are lying now; you didn't lie before. Don't try to make me believe this. You're different, but we all are. We all just survived a war, not just you. Can't you think about someone else besides yourself?" When he didn't answer her, she went on. "No. No you can't. You're so damn lost. Well, Severus, as much as I'd loved to, I can't be your savior. I won't save you. Drink your worries, memories, and feelings away. I don't care anymore." She pushed her chair back and jumped to her feet. "Just don't come crying to me when the beer won't keep you warm at night."

A hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, making her stay. "Don't talk to me like you have some weight on your shoulders, Hermione. You know nothing of the horrors I've seen. The horrors I've had to commit in the name of war! Don't you dare try to put yourself up on some pedestal. I never asked you to save me."

She wrenched her wrist from his hand and gave him a disgusted look. "That's sad then. Because all I see is a man that needs saving. You don't know the horrors I've seen either, Severus. You don't know what I had to watch, to condone, to feel. Don't you dare make your experience any worse than mine. We went through the war together and now you want to be apart? Have it your way. I'm not going to stay just to watch you hurt yourself."

"I'm different."

She turned at the sound of his voice. It was soft. "So am I."