Nymphadora Tonks sat proudly at her new spot on the teachers table in the great hall, looking out on the sea of students she was yet to teach. Though she was extremely glad for all of her experiences working as an auror for the ministry, the way had been long. Dora was tired of fighting, exhausted even. Peace was hard earned.

When Headmistress of 3 years, Minerva McGonagall, had asked to speak to her alone at the birthday party of Ginny Weasley, Tonks had been surprised. At first she insisted that she was not professor material. She was clumsy and unorganized. In other words, a terrible example to young children. However, after further thought Nymphadora had realized it was an opportunity she couldn't miss.

So she had accepted the role of defence against the dark arts professor nervously, leading us to Nymphadora being sat at the Teachers table for the welcome feast, having just been acknowledged as new by Minerva in her speech to the school.

The Headmistress continued to speak, giving the usual warnings to the students. Warnings that had been given since before Tonks had even attended school there. Tonks mused in silence, smiling absently. Her Hogwarts day seemed so long ago, yet at the same time- it was as if barely a day had passed since her graduation.

But times had changed. People had changed. A whole war had come and gone since her school days, leaving a world in ruins. Things were getting better, but scars still remained. It would be a century before those who survived the war would begin to die off- leaving it only an area of study in history of magic text books.

Tonks sighed, mentally scolding herself for letting her thoughts turn so dark. It was with an 'oh' of surprise that Tonks realized the feast had begun and the table before them was laden with dishes of wonderful elf made food.

"Dig in Nymphadora, if I remember correctly you were very fond of your meals when you were in school." Minerva, who was sat to her left, said kindly, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Tonks grinned sheepishly, remembering the food fights she'd initiated through her life and the countless detentions she'd been given after each one. "It wasn't as much in the eating," she reflected easily, "as it was in the throwing." She finished. She'd been out of Hogwarts for years and despite what she'd thought when she had first met her teachers out of school, it was no longer weird to talk to them as normal people.

"Yes, I remember that part well." Minerva smirked, raising her goblet thoughtfully. "Though I believe dear Severus remembers better."

The teachers table hushed in the near vicinity and dread, powered by horror, consumed Tonks's mind.

If there was one professor she would never see as anything other than a dungeon bat, it was Snape. In her school years, Tonks and her friends had gone out of their ways to make his life unbearable. It wasn't without good reason, of course, but looking back Tonks felt a little guilty. Well, perhaps guilty wasn't the right word. That man deserved everything he got back then, back when he picked mercilessly on anyone who wasn't in his house. But, Tonks supposed, that was his act. He had to behave like that to keep up his charade. To stop questions from being asked.

So Tonks wasn't guilty. More, ashamed of her behaviour to a man who had ended up saving all their lives.

The fear in Tonks mellowed at the smirk on Minerva's face, she turned to face the potions master who was sat on her right.

"Perhaps, unless he's forced himself to forget those wonderful years?" Tonks giggled, thought Snape's face remained quite stone like. The potions master, turned sharply to address the tow women.

"Or perhaps he couldn't care in the slightest? If you'll excuse me Minerva, Miss Tonks, I have work to attend to." Snape said curtly. It was neither cruel nor nice, but Tonks continued to giggle.

"She isn't a student any more Severus, get used to it." Minerva tutted, fixing Snape with a steely glare. One that Tonks had been on the receiving end of many times in her youth, it wasn't nice.

Snape didn't reply as he tucked his chair in. He simply strode away, his dark cloak billowing out behind him.

"Hasn't changed much, has he?" Tonks mused after a moment, smirking somewhat.


After a month of lessons, Tonks was beginning to get used to her role in Hogwarts. She found she rather enjoyed being the young new teacher who everyone adored for her quirky attitude and abstract teaching methods. Not to mention the fact she was a 'war hero' which the older students appreciated all the more, having been around at the war.

Mid way into November, Tonks found herself on the verge of missing any dinner. She'd been caught up marking essays, wanting a night to herself for once. She usually left all marking to last minute and spend every waking hour trying to catch up on work. But tonight, she had decided to get her work done and enjoy a peaceful night, reading or perhaps singing loudly in the shower.

But it would matter little if she was starving, so, Tonks grabbed her cloak and burst from her rooms. She fled down the three flights of stairs to get to the great hall, only 10 minutes for meals were stopped being served, and tripped only 3 times.

With only 7 minutes to spare, Tonks arrived in the entrance hall and slowed her pace. She didn't want to cause alarm or make a fool of herself in front of everyone, so she walked- albeit slightly out of breath.

Not many people were still left in the hall, only a few on each house table. At the teachers table sat Pomona, Poppy and the new Muggle studies professor who Tonks didn't know. Whilst the ladies were lovely, they were rather chatty. Tonight, though it was a considerably rare occurrence, Tonks wanted quiet and solitude. So, she fixed her gaze on the other side of the table where Snape sat, alone, barely eating as he read some book.

Tonks was loud, she knew this already, so it came as no surprise when Snape spoke without looking up to greet her. "Late again Miss Tonks. I guess some things never change."

"Yes," Tonks muttered, slipping into the seat beside him. "well if I recall, I was rarely late for potions." She protested quietly, dishing herself out some stew before it disappeared.

Snape was silent for a moment and then looked up from his book. "No. I suppose not."

Tonks shrugged awkwardly and attempted to eat her stew, though she didn't feel that hungry anymore. As much as she hated to admit it, without Snape, she wouldn't never have passed her potions exam to get into the Auror department.

Tonks sighed when the bell rang, announcing an hour to curfew. She couldn't wait to get back to her rooms and relax, even if she was hungry.

"Thank Merlin it's Thursday." Snape murmured to himself beside her, closing his book with a quiet snap.

"Why?" Tonks enquired, pushing her bowl away. There had to be something wrong with her. If she was coming down with something, she'd be very annoyed. She hated being ill.

"I have the morning off tomorrow, though I daresay it'll be filled with marking."

Tonks laughed, leaning back in her chair to watch the hall emptying. "Aren't you used to it by now?" She asked, surprised to find that conversation was surprisingly easy between herself and the potions master.

"It get's easier. But I'm afraid it's still as time consuming." Snape spoke softly, half turning to face her.

Tonks sighed theatrically, blowing her fringe from her eyes. "Well, there's something to look forward to." She smiled brightly at the professor, her bright pink hair fading to a chestnut brown. "Hang on. Did you say Thursday?" She asked suddenly, sitting bolt upright.

Snape nodded quizzically, an eyebrow raised.

"Shit! I'm on patrol tonight!" Tonks jumped up, pulling her cloak on hurriedly. She had to finish marking her essays before patrol or else she'd be both exhausted and angry come the next morning when she'd gotten no work done.

"What's the matter?" Snape prompted, wondering what had caused this sudden outburst.

Tonks sighed, itching to leave. "I have papers to mark. If I don't finish them tonight I'll have to do them in the morning."

"What year groups?"

"1st, 4th and 7th." Tonks replied, straightening her robes out as she waited.

"Bring them to the common room, I'll help you out." Snape offered, standing also.

Tonks blinked in shock, not registering what he'd said.

"I- uh- Haven't you got your own to mark?" Tonks asked, rather befuddled. Could it really be Snape? The man she hated. The man everyone had hated. The man who had ignored this and fought for what he believed in anyway. The man who had done nothing but ignore her since September. The man who was now offering her help without being condescending or rude.

"Yes. But I have the morning off to mark them. You're chaotic on a good day."

Well, Tonks thoughts with a huff. She could see clearly what he meant, 'you're chaotic on a good day, you'd be dreadful on a bad day.' However, as much as she wanted to snap at him and storm off dramatically, she could really use the help.

"Are you sure?" She asked, unable to keep her face from lighting up. Snape smirked in reply and held his hand out, in a gesture for her to walk on. Tonks grinned at him, somewhat childishly, and skipped off.

As she hurried ahead, she came to the realization that had been escaping her for months. When she had first returned to school most of the remaining Professors, save for Minerva, still saw her as a student. She had done little to help her image with bright pink hair and childish beam.

But recently, the tiredness of the unending term had gotten to her and she'd began acting a little more maturely. Perhaps, that had altered Snape's view of her- prompting his sudden kindness.

Tonks chewed her lip as she exited the hall hurriedly, returning to her rooms to fetch her work. That was silly of Snape. She had every right to act and look how she wished, it shouldn't matter what anyone thought of her. Especially not Snape…. And yet, it did. Tonks entered her rooms with an air of acceptance. She caught her reflection in her mirror and stared for several long minutes.

Her hair was pink and choppy, the way it had been since she was 15. Her eyes were sparkly blue, but they were natural. She often resembled a pixie due to her short height and heart shaped face, but again, these were both natural.

Yet, maybe Snape had a point. Or at least, the Snape she was imagining in her mind. She was 25 now. In 5 years she'd be 30. It was time she changed her look.

In the blink of an eye, the Tonks in the mirror transformed into someone older and wiser. Her hair became longer and dark brown, which worked well with her startling blue eyes. She didn't look so… in your face.

Tonks smiled at herself in the mirror before tearing her gaze away and sweeping over to her table. She collected her work and hurried back out, hoping that Snape hadn't changed his mind and left.


December the 11th happened to be last scheduled Hogsmeade trip before the Christmas holidays. Though Tonks was a teacher and could leave the school whenever she chose to, she was on the official rota for that day. Therefore, she had to accompany the students to the village and make sure nobody was misbehaving or causing trouble.

Tonks slumped during breakfast, resting her head on the palm of her hand. Nothing interesting ever happened in Hogsmeade, save for the occasional break up and hysterical student.

She supposed she should be grateful for the peace, but she had to wander the village aimlessly for hours until most of the students had left. It was going to be exceedingly dull, not to mention cold. She could always hide away in the three broomsticks. Or perhaps the hogshead, where Aberforth worked. She had gotten to know the last Dumbledore through the war and kept in touch with him, despite not seeing him that often.

"Anything the matter Nymphadora?" Minerva asked gently from beside her, sipping her tea slowly.

Tonks sat up again, wrinkling her nose. "I'm fine. I got Hogsmeade today." Tonks explained with a shrug. It didn't matter that much. It was just one disadvantage to an otherwise perfect job.

"My sympathy. Most Professors meet up with their spouses or family on those days, spend the day shopping. Why don't you invite your mother?" It was a nice, pleasant suggestion in all ways apart form the fact it made Tonks feel like utter crap. Spouses? She had less chance of meeting a potential husband then she did of inviting her mother to visit her.

"My mother wouldn't come. Besides, I wouldn't want students hovering around her anyway. Being all nosey." Tonks was aware she sounded very bitter, but ignored her own growing bad mood and stabbed her breakfast angrily.

"That's a shame. Well, who else is on duty? I'm sure they'd welcome you with open arms." Minerva suggested, smiling wryly.

Tonks sighed and sat back in her chair. "Filius, Aurora and Snape." Minerva quirked an eyebrow a the last name, perhaps noticing that Tonks persisted in calling him by his surname- just as he did to her. "But they all have lives. I'll be fine Minerva. I'll go visit Aberforth or something." Tonks waved her hand distractedly, effectively ending the conversation.

She was no longer in a mood to talk. She certainly wasn't looking forward to the day ahead of her.

Half an hour later, Tonks exited the great hall feeling incredibly morose. She'd worked herself into an even worse mood and wanted nothing more than to return to her rooms and curl up with a soppy book in front of the fire.

Unfortunately, she had a duty to the school. She traipsed out the entrance hall, into the freezing December wind- grateful for the blue hat atop her chestnut hair and the matching scarf and gloves. Still, she pulled her cloak tighter around her and crossed her arms as she trekked to the village amongst the other students.

She was little more than a few minutes away from the village square when she felt a tap on her shoulder and wheeled around, wand drawn. Well, she had trained as an auror and old habits die hard- especially when you were taught by Mad eye Moody.

Luckily, it was only Snape. He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Miss Tonks? I wasn't aware you were on the rota today." he said conversationally, stepping closer to her.

Tonks held out her hands in a 'well here I am' gesture, grimacing at the cold.

"Are you here for anything specific?" He continued, undeterred by her bad mood.

"No. I was just going to walk around until the cold froze me and killed me." Tonks quipped lamely, folding her arms again.

"Excellent. So you won't mind the company?"

Tonks froze, and it wasn't because of the cold. She stared at the potions master as if he were quite mad before finally giggling, breaking from her bad mood. "Not at all." she relented, smirking.

They continued walking in silence, taking in the lightly frosted surroundings. Luckily, it hadn't snowed yet. If it had, Tonks would be practically suicidal by then.

"Why do you insist on referring to me as Miss Tonks?" Tonks said after a while. She wasn't annoyed, nor bitter. Merely curious. She wanted to know whether her suspicions had been correct.

"Why do you still call me 'Snape'?" He replied, casting a glance in her direction. His eyes looked oddly black in the light surroundings and Tonks found herself watching him as they walked, barely looking where she was going.

"Because you're weren't my friend." The words escaped her mouth before she could stop them. Thanks god there were past tense and not present, or else Snape probably would have killed her. Was he her friend? Tonks blushed pink but hid it swiftly. They certainly weren't close, by any measure, but nobody was close to Snape. Yet, the only person she spoke to more than him was Minerva- which was to be expected.

"Because you were my student."

Tonks observed his face for a moment, trying to decipher his mood. Alas, it was impossible. The metamorphmagus could see how he had deceived them all for so long.

They fell back into silence, patrolling the village once, slowly. There was less wind in the shelter of the buildings and Tonks warmed slightly, though not by much. Snape apparently felt no cold, wearing his usual black cloak.

"Aren't you cold?" She asked quickly, almost blurting it out. She felt like a school girl again, yet she had no idea why. It was odd getting to know someone who she'd thought an enemy for so long.

"Not at all. The dungeons are always cold and you get used to it after 20 years."

Tonks let out a low whistle. 20 years. Snape didn't seem that old really. He was one of those people who you could imagine to be young. Aside from the few scars visible on his skin, and the darkness in his eyes that one could only belong to someone who had fought, long and hard- Snape was actually a very normal looking man.

Sure, his nose was a little skewiff… but it fit his face. Besides, Tonks had scars herself. She was just lucky enough to be able to hide them.

Tonks looked away quickly, blushing once again. She silently cursed herself and chewed the inside of her cheek anxiously. What did it matter how Snape looked? It was Snape!

"Shall we stop for a drink? Get you out of the cold?"

Tonks didn't reply because she couldn't find a voice. She nodded animatedly and blinked.

Snape smirked soundly and lead them to the three broomsticks, Tonks trailing behind awkwardly. Not everyone had the benefit of long legs to get them from A to B, she thought coolly.

They found a tale in the corner quickly and Tonks went to fetch drinks. Whilst waiting at the bar, she cursed herself repeatedly.

"Okay. Get a grip. Tiredness does now give you the excuse to act like a moron." She told herself sternly, shaking her head. Rosmerta was at the other end of the bar, serving some 3rd years, which gave Tonks some time to organize her thoughts.

"Are you alright Professor?" A 4th year called Alex Creevey asked concernedly, standing small beside her.

Tonks turned with a start and clutched her heart with her gloved hand. "Yes. Sorry Alex, a little distracted."

Alex frowned, looking over her shoulder amusedly. "If you're sure Professor." He told her with a shrug and returned to his friends.

Rosmerta arrived soon and smiled warmly at Tonks, looking very motherly. "Hello Dora, How're you?"

Tonks sighed and smiled She'd always liked Rosmerta, ever since her own school years.

"I'm alright Rose, and yourself?"

Rosmerta, as it happened, was very well. Tonks collected the butterbeers and returned to Snape slowly, careful not to drop the drinks.

"How much?" Snape offered, pulling his money pouch out the second Tonks had dropped into her seat opposite him.

"Don't worry about it, they were free. Rosmerta loves me!" Tonks smiled softly, pulling off her gloves and cloak easily. It was easier to see the brighter side of life outside the cold.

"If you insist." Snape shrugged. "I suppose you were here a lot as a student?" He suggested, smirking obviously.

Tonks sipped her butterbeer and wrinkled her nose. "I suppose. But I managed to get a few NEWTS so… I can't have been that bad…" Tonks trailed off, smiling absently as she looked around the pub. "What about you professor, how were your Hogwarts years?"

Snape's face grew seriously, though only for a moment and then it was like nothing ever happened. "Usual. Normal school life. Well, as normal as Hogwarts could be."

Snape said no more on the subject, but sipped his own drink thoughtfully. "you still call me professor." He pointed out, smirking behind his bottle.

Tonks rolled her eyes, "It's harder for me. All you have to do is drop 'miss' and leave it at Tonks. I have to drop both and replace them with something completely different." she insisted, placing her bottle down as she spoke.

Snape continued to smirk, shaking his head. Tonks huffed and stuck her tongue out at him childishly. It wasn't fair, he was being purposefully irritating and he knew it.

Then everything changed. His smirk became a genuine smile and his eyes twinkled curiously like coal. "Tonks, please, it's Severus."

Tonks's heart swelled and she beamed, unsure why it mattered so much to her. "Severus." she repeated happily. "Another butterbeer, Sev?" she asked cheekily, winking. Much to her surprise, he didn't resist his shortened name and shook his head gently.

"I'm fine for now." He told her.

Tonks grinned uncontrollably and leant back in her seat, sipping her butterbeer. They sat in silence for a few minutes, watching students arrive at the pub out of the cold, loud and hyperactive.

"I suppose not a lot of people have the patience for a subject like potions." Tonks murmured after a while, her finger trailing around the rim of her bottle. "I never did." she added thoughtfully. It was funny how times changed. Tonks had always gotten her attitude from her father, joking and cheery. Although she tried to keep his memory alive by remaining the girl she had been prior to the war, it was hard. More and more she found herself frowning instead of smiling or looking back reflectively, instead of looking ahead.

Severus looked thoughtful again, as he often did, and sighed. "Not really, no. Most don't see the art to it. To most it's a hassle of a job that could otherwise be done by simply buying a pre-made potion."

"That's sad." Tonks finished her butterbeer slowly, staring out the window to the cold shopping street. "I always wish that-"

Tonks was cut off by the door swinging open and a blur of red flying into the shop, calling "Tonks!"

Tonks looked up, caught off guard as Ginny Weasley slipped effortlessly through a cluster of students with her athletic body, dragging her fiancé behind her.

"Ginny! Harry! What're you doing here?" Tonks asked, her face breaking into a smile as she stood to hug her dear friends.

Harry laughed heartily, moving away to shake hands with Severus good naturedly. "We had business up at the school with Minerva, she told us we'd find you here."

Ginny made to hug Tonks again and pulled away, holding her at arms length and staring into her eyes sternly. "She said you were upset and could use a friend." Ginny narrowed her chocolate eyes, as if inspecting Tonks's face.

"I'm fine Gin, Professor Snape here's kept me company." Tonks swallowed uncertainly, unable to look at her colleague. Why she had suddenly switched back to Professor, she didn't know.

Ginny peered over her shoulder, to where Harry and Severus sat talking in low voices, and her eyebrow raised swiftly. "Oh yes?" She asked, smirking somewhat.

Tonks swirled around, sighing audibly. He hadn't heard her, he'd been talking to Harry. "Yep."

Severus looked up to see Ginny and Tonks looking at him amusedly and frowned, oblivious to their conversation. Both the girls giggled upon him looking up and turned back around.

"So… when did this happen?" Ginny prompted, dragging Tonks a little way away.

"… what?" Tonks asked, now the oblivious one. Her eyes widened, partly in embarrassment and partly in horror as the younger girl's eyes flicked between herself and Severus. "Ginny! No! Godric, no! It's not like that!"

Ginny looked sceptical, smirking cruelly. She was clearly enjoying tormenting the older woman.

"Honestly. We barely talk, we're just both on the rota today." Tonks glanced around, making sure no-one was listening. "I swear Ginny. That's just weird, he was my professor once too you know!"

Ginny sighed heavily, the smirk falling from her face. "I was only kidding, but you could do worse…" she pointed out, shrugging a little. "He gets on fine with Harry now you know, they actually have a lot in common."

"I know that. He's not a bad person, I just. No…" Tonks shook her head, "It's odd enough calling him Severus."

That wasn't strictly true. She'd only called it him twice and it had felt perfectly normal really. It had been more weird calling him professor when he hadn't taught her for years. Besides, she was 25. Not exactly a student anymore.

"Dora." Tonks rolled her eyes at the name. "I'm not trying to force anything onto you. I'm just saying that if you're spending time with someone, anyone, and you're getting along and you think you like him- don't let past opinions rule your life. You have nothing to worry about, with anyone, because we all love you."

"What are you trying to say, Ginevra?" Tonks asked dryly, folding her arms. She prayed to Merlin that Harry and Severus weren't listening in on their conversation, because if they were she'd have to kill herself to escape the shame.

"I'm just saying that things are different now. I don't know anyone who hates Snape anymore. So you need to stop seeing him as the mean teacher that he was and start seeing him as the-"

"Ginny. I love you, you're one of my best friends." Tonks said, with an air of forced calm. "But I want you to listen to me now and try to understand. I do not want that right now. Please."

Ginny didn't look happy, but nodded all the same. "Fine." she said glumly. "But if you change your mind, you'll tell me won't you?"

"Of course." Tonks sighed, smiling once again- grateful that the awkward conversation was now over. They hurried back to their table and sat. Harry slid Ginny a butterbeer and Ginny accepted happily.

"How is everyone? I've not seen anyone since September." Tonks said, somewhat guiltily. She'd been so caught up in her new job that she'd forgotten about life outside of Hogwarts.

"You are allowed to leave school you know." Severus inputted, smirking. Tonks had the urge to snap at him, but it was easily resisted. It was just her guilt in overload.

"Everyone's good." Ginny answered happily. "George is getting better. Mum and Dad are too. Ron and Hermione are… well… they're Ron and Hermione. Perce is… weird. It's like he's trying too hard to change from what he always was."

"It's understandable." Harry said wisely, placing his bottle down. "He was always certain that he was going to work in the ministry and he would have done anything to get there."

"and now he's working in a joke shop with his completely opposite brother, struggling to lighten up?" Tonks suggested, laughing lightly.

"Exactly!" Ginny beamed. "He'll get over it though. You really must go and see mum though Tonks, she loves you! And you Professor!"

Tonks flushed pink, as did Severus, resulting in Ginny's secret delight. Tonks glared at her friend.

"She's right. Molly keeps saying that we need to have a get together, like old times." Harry told them, shaking his head in amusement. "Though how she could class an Order meeting as a 'get together' is beyond me."

"She just loves catering for everyone." Ginny laughed, waving her hand airily. "Why d'you think she had 7 kids? She clearly likes looking after people."

"I'll have to go and see her soon." Tonks smiled sadly, remembering the wonderful Weasley matriarch. "At Christmas, maybe?"

Ginny smiled softly, her chocolate eyes twinkling. "She'd like that."

Many hours later, Tonks and Severus left the pub to make their ways back up to the school. Indeed, it had began snowing lightly but it wasn't sticking so Tonks didn't mind much. Soon she would be back in her rooms, thawing out by the fire.

"How are you feeling? You didn't seem that positive this morning." Severus chuckled, turning his head to her as they battled the light snow and winds to get to school. It was sunset and unless Tonks was mistaken, all the students had returned to school long ago. She herself had only stayed to talk to her friends.

On reflection, she'd actually had a wonderful day.

"I'm fine. Good, actually. Today's been good, Sev." She decided aloud, smiling brightly despite the snow.

"Good."

They walked in silence, quickly approaching the yellow light of the school.

"Can I ask you something, Severus?" Tonks said tentatively, pausing outside the school entrance. She wasn't entirely sure why she was doing this, but followed her mind blindly.

Severus stopped in his tracks and turned, curiosity written into his face. "You may." he said, somewhat suspiciously.

"Ginny said something earlier. She said that you were fine with Harry now. But, I don't understand." Tonks paused to take a breath, forcing herself to look him in the eyes. "Why weren't you before?"

Severus's mouth opened a little and then closed resignedly. "I don't see what concern that is of yours." He finally said coolly and swept away, leaving Tonks stood out in the cold and snow.

She kicked the floor angrily, dropping onto the wall. What had she expected? That he'd just tell her everything politely and they'd bond over it and become best friends? Bullshit. Snape was the same as ever, he couldn't change. He may have proven himself to be a good person, but he couldn't keep up the charade of having a good personality for that long.

Tonks kicked the ground again, staring up at the moon. Her anger soon turned to regret and she sighed, shivering in the cold. She'd ruined a perfectly lovely day by being nosey, and probably ruined a perfectly loose friendship with a colleague.

Finally, too cold to remain outside any longer, Tonks turned and entered the school. Most were leaving dinner but Tonks wasn't hungry. With another pang of regret wrenching at her stomach, she trudged up to her quarters.


Hi! This hasn't been edited but I have written a few more chapters, so if you like it let me know and I'll continue on with it. If not, just say and I'll take it off. It was only an experiment, no harm done :)

Also, If this is continued it is definitely an 'M' even if this chapter isn't.