In this fanfiction, perhaps Hermione has had some sort of emotional breakdown. It could be due to the stress of the wizarding war or personal losses. Snape, who has his own complex past and emotions, steps in to help her 'pick up the pieces'. This could involve him sharing his own experiences to give her strength or using his skills to protect her from further harm.
Well, it could be about Severus Snape coming to Hermione's aid in some difficult situation. Maybe she's facing problems at Hogwarts like bullying from other students or difficulties in her studies, and Snape, despite his usually stern nature, decides to help her get through it. It might explore a different side of their relationship, one that we don't see much in the original books.
The fanfiction might center around an event where Hermione has made a mistake or is in a self - doubting phase. Snape, seeing her potential and the importance of her in the wizarding world, decides to help. He could offer her guidance in magic that she's struggling with, or he might help her regain her confidence in her own intelligence and abilities. It could also explore how their interaction changes both of their characters in unexpected ways.
Another option is to look at the works of well - known Harry Potter fanfiction authors. If you can find authors who often write about Snape and Hermione's relationship in different contexts, there's a good chance they might have a story that fits this 'Snape helps Hermione pick up the pieces' theme. You can usually find lists of popular fanfiction authors on fanfiction - related websites.
One common theme is the breaking of barriers. Snape and Hermione start with a lot of animosity, so when he helps her, it's about breaking down those initial negative feelings.
Maybe Hermione has lost her confidence in her magical abilities due to some traumatic event. Snape, in his own gruff way, decides to mentor her. He helps her recover by guiding her through difficult spells and magical concepts she had previously mastered but forgotten. This journey of recovery could also involve them exploring parts of Hogwarts that are little - known, and in the process, they form an unlikely friendship.
Well, in some fanfictions, Hermione might use her vast knowledge of magic. She could research rare spells or potions to heal whatever ails Snape. Maybe she discovers a way to reverse the effects of a dark curse that was placed on him. For example, if the curse is sapping his strength, she might find an ancient counter - curse in the library that requires precise incantations and rare ingredients. She would then gather those ingredients, perform the spell, and slowly help Snape regain his health and vitality.
One challenge could be Snape's pride. He's a proud man and might not be willing to accept help easily. He could resist Hermione's attempts at first, seeing it as pity or interference. Another issue might be the secrecy involved. If Snape's condition is something that needs to be kept quiet, Hermione has to be very careful about who she involves and what she reveals. For example, if his ailment is related to a secret mission or some dark magic he was involved with, any leaks could put Snape in more danger.
Well, Snape could use his strict teaching style in a positive way. He might push Hermione out of her comfort zone. By giving her tough tasks related to her fears, like facing a certain dark magic creature. And as she accomplishes these tasks, her fears gradually disappear. Also, his presence alone, with his reputation for being powerful, could make Hermione feel safer and more able to confront her fears.
One of the most popular themes is redemption. Snape has a complex past and many see Hermione as a character who can help him find redemption. Another theme is the power of knowledge. Hermione is known for her intelligence, and in these fanfictions, she uses her knowledge to assist Snape in various situations, whether it's solving a mystery or dealing with a magical threat. Friendship is also a common theme. Despite their differences in the original series, fanfiction often explores how Hermione and Snape can form an unlikely friendship.
In some fanfictions, Hermione might help Snape when he is in trouble with the Ministry of Magic. She could use her logical thinking and knowledge of the wizarding laws to defend him. It could be that Snape has been wrongly accused of something, and Hermione steps in to prove his innocence. This would require her to dig deep into the Ministry's records and use her persuasive powers, which she has shown throughout the original series, to convince the authorities that Snape is not the villain they think he is.
One great example could be a fanfiction where Snape secretly helps Hermione with a difficult Potions assignment. He might see her struggling in class and, despite his usual gruff exterior, gives her some subtle hints or access to a rare ingredient. Another could be set during a dangerous situation in Hogwarts, like when there's a dark magic threat. Snape, using his skills and knowledge, aids Hermione in finding a solution to stop the threat, perhaps because he realizes her intelligence and potential value in protecting the school.
You can start by looking on popular fanfiction websites like Fanfiction.net or Archive of Our Own (AO3). On these platforms, you can simply use the search bar and type in 'Hermione helps Snape' to see a list of relevant fanfictions.