It was the time of the year again, school was back in session at Hogwarts, the students were returning and the teachers getting their class rooms in order.

In the dining hall they all gathered laughter filled the room

Hermione looked for her friends but couldn't find them, she took a seat near the teachers' table and waited for Ron, Harry and Ginny.

She looked over at Dumbledore and he nodded, her eyes turned to Professor Snape, he was looking at her, she quickly looked away, then a few seconds later she looked back to him and he was still looking at her but soon turned away.

She thought for a second, there was something different about him this year, something about his eyes... they kind of .. looked happy.

"Oh well" she sighed. I don't know.

About that time Harry walked up and said "Hermione!"
"HARRY" She said as she jumped up and hugged him. "GUYS, SHE'S OVER HERE!"
"Ron, Ginny!" She screamed as she saw them, they hugged and soon took a seat at the table together. "Do you guys notice anything different about Professor Snape this year?" Said Hermione.
"No, he looks just as mean as ever" Said Harry. Ron laughed.
"No, why?" Ginny said. "Nevermind, how was Summer?"
"Ron ran into a bush of poison ivy, he didn't stop scratching for months!"
"Not funny Ginny"
"Harry finds it funny, Ron."
"Some friend you are Harry"
A look went between the friends and they bursted out laughing.
Hermione just sat there, she could feel Snape watching her.

They finished eating and went off to their classes, before they knew it, they were in Potions class.

Snape walked from student to student. "I don't know what you are making Weasley, but that isn't a potion."

Soon he came up beside Hermione, "Miss Granger, what is this?" He picked up a bottle on her desk and she said "Well, Professor Snape it is called .."
"Very well Miss Granger, very well" He handed the bottle back to her and looked into her eyes as if reading her mind. She looked back into his as she took the bottle out of his hand.

There is something mysterious about that man...

Weeks turned into months, and still he acted .. different ..
She needed to clear her head and figure out what is with him.
She wandered through the halls and it finally came to her,
"What if he feels about me, what I feel about him?"
Could he ever 'love' anyone? No, nonsense ... right?

I need fresh air, she thought as she headed through the halls but ran into Harry.
"Where are you going, You'll be late for potions class"
"I will be there soon, I'm going to the loo"
She felt bad lying to her best friend.
She finally made it to the front doors.