Another theme is self - doubt. She may doubt her own abilities and worth, even though she's extremely intelligent. For example, in some stories, she might think she's not as good as everyone believes her to be because of her depression.
A frequent theme is the struggle with identity. In many 'hermione depressed fanfiction' stories, her depression is tied to not knowing who she really is anymore. Maybe she's changed due to a traumatic event or just the stress of growing up in the wizarding world. Also, the theme of lost hope is common. She might lose hope in her future, in magic, or in the relationships she once held dear. This could be because of things like bullying at Hogwarts or feeling like she doesn't fit in.
Another theme is self - doubt. Given Hermione's usually confident nature, when she's depressed, she starts to question everything about herself. Her intelligence, her worthiness as a friend, and her place in the wizarding world. In some fics, she might even consider leaving Hogwarts because she feels she no longer belongs.
One possible plot could be that Hermione is struggling with the pressures of her studies and the ongoing battle against the Dark Arts. Snape, being a complex character, might notice her distress in his own way. Maybe he initially dismisses it but then realizes she's in a deeper state of depression. He could then use his knowledge of potions to try and help her, leading to an unexpected bond between them.
One great 'depressed Hermione fanfiction' is 'Hermione's Hidden Struggles'. It delves deep into her post - war depression, showing how she copes with the loss and trauma. The story beautifully portrays her inner turmoil and the way she tries to hide it from her friends.
One popular 'hermione depressed fanfiction' is 'The Darker Side of Hermione'. It delves into her inner turmoil and how she copes with depression in the wizarding world. Another one could be 'Hermione's Struggle' which shows her journey of dealing with emotional distress.
There's also 'A Depressed Hermione' on Archive of Our Own. In this fic, Hermione's depression is triggered by the isolation she feels after her friends start to drift away in their adult lives. It's a very emotional read as it shows her vulnerability and how she tries to find her place again.
You can try fanfiction websites like Archive of Our Own (AO3). It has a vast collection of fanfictions on various topics, including those related to Hermione and Snape. Just use the search function and type in relevant keywords like 'Hermione depressed Snape' to find the stories you're interested in.
A significant theme is the exploration of the cause of her depression. It could be due to overwork, pressure from the wizarding world, or personal losses. These fanfics often dig into these reasons and how they impact Hermione's mental state. For instance, if she fails an important exam or loses someone dear to her, how does she deal with that and how does it lead to her depression.
One common plot is that Snape discovers Hermione's depression due to her overwork and the pressure of being a Muggle - born in a sometimes hostile wizarding world. He then takes it upon himself to mentor her in a way, teaching her how to better manage her stress and deal with the discrimination she faces. Another plot could be that Hermione is depressed because of a personal loss, like the death of a friend, and Snape, who has his own experiences with loss, helps her through it in an unexpected way.