Note: I've revised this chapter to correct a few things that I thought should be. The content is a little different but the story line is the same. Chapter 2 will be up soon. Thanks for reading! I'd love to know what you think.

oOo

An Undeniable Revelation

"AHH-CHOO!"

"Ms. Granger?" Professor Flitwick gave an exasperated squeak. "Would you care to visit Madam Pomfrey?"

Hermione looked at him and tried to shake her head but the next round of sneezes had begun. She'd been sniffling and sneezing most of the day as the seventh-years took their mock N.E.W.Ts and the entire class was thoroughly irritated with her. The pressure of the coming exams was too much and no one, including the teachers, had any patience left.

"Yes please, Profes… ah… ah… ahh-choo! I'm sorry, Professor! I know I'm disrupting the cla… ahh-choo!"

"Go, Ms. Granger," said the diminutive teacher, happy she'd agreed and would be leaving before one of her classmates hexed her. "You may complete the written portion of the test as homework and take the practical when you're feeling better."

Embarrassed, Hermione rose quickly and collected her bulging bag from under the desk. She was halfway to the door when the sheer force of yet another sneezing attack knocked her to the floor. Her humiliation obviously wasn't complete for the day. She looked up to find herself on her knees at the feet of Draco Malfoy, the one boy in all of Hogwarts she wished not to notice her.

Her bag slid to a stop at his feet; quills and books spilling everywhere. He kicked it away from him, sneered down at her and right in character he snarled quietly, "A sick Mudblood. You're bad enough healthy but ill..."

She gulped, her face going an even deeper shade of red, and shoved her things into her satchel. Luckily Harry jumped up to rescue her.

"Stuff it, Malfoy," he growled. "She feels bad enough without your insults. Come on, Hermione," he said, reaching for her hand to help her up. "Excuse me, Professor," he called, "may I escort her to the hospital wing? I'm not sure she'll make it on her own."

"Of course you may, Mr. Potter, but do hurry back to finish your test."

Harry grabbed her bag and guided her out the door.

Once they were in the corridor Hermione put her head in her hands and groaned. "Sorry, Harry. I can't believe what a pest I've been today! Ah-choo!"

"Don't worry, you can't help being sick. But, if I were you, I wouldn't show up sneezing like this tomorrow. Who knows what they'll end up being cursing you with!" he said, gesturing back at the classroom door. "You might end up as a pink-polka-dotted Hippogriff or something."

"Ha, ha, funny!" she said with a huff. "Well, at least I'd be intimidating then. You know, if I have another one these stupid encounters with Malfoy I might just scream!"

"Yeah, Hermione, what exactly did he say to you? I couldn't hear him, but from the look on his face I know he was being a git." He stared at her and shook his head.

Malfoy was a difficult subject for the two of them and one Harry really wished to avoid. After weeks of odd behaviour she'd finally confessed to him that she had a crush on ferret boy. He'd gone into a rage, but eventually calmed down enough to just listen to her. Though, through most of their conversation all he had wanted to do was go strangle the Slytherin just for existing.

"Oh God, Harry, why?! Why do I like him so much? All I ever do is embarrass myself in front of him. Its like every time he's around I turn into a bumbling… ah-choo… idiot!"

"I really don't know, but I'd give a whole sack of galleons to wave my wand and have you forget about that bloody ferret."

"Hmm, me too," she sighed. "Harry, I know this is hard for you, but thanks again for keeping my secret. Especially from Ron. Can you imagine his reaction? At least you talked—okay, shouted at me—but you tried to understand. He'd hex me into next week, go after Malfoy, and then never speak to me again. You know if it wasn't for you I'd go nuts not having anyone to talk to about this… this stupid infatuation.

…AHHH-CHOO!"

"Come on, Hermione. Let's get that Pepper-up in you before you sneeze yourself to Hogsmeade!" They walked down the corridor, not noticing Draco lurking in the shadow of the Charms doorway.

oOo

Draco stood silently, watching two of his enemies; no, correction, two of his father's enemies walk away. When the professor had sent him to give Granger her book, he hadn't been thrilled, but it had turned into a surprisingly pleasant errand.

So…, Granger had a crush on him. What an interesting revelation. One, he would no doubt be taking advantage of.

Everything in his upbringing pointed to him hating her, but he didn't. Actually most of the time, he didn't know what to think about her. For seven years he'd been second in academics only to her and had heard nothing but taunts from his parents about being bested by the 'dirty Mudblood' friend of the prat, Harry Potter.

He had hated her for so long for just being Hermione Granger, but something in him had changed. It started last year with a begrudging appreciation of her intelligence but had somehow evolved into more. He truly appreciated her Gryffindor bravery, her steadfast loyalty to those she loved, and her never ending quest for knowledge that rivalled his own. She wasn't a beauty, but neither were any of the purebloods his parents insisted he court. Most pureblood families had been inbred to the point of being profoundly stupid or extremely ugly. The Malfoys had been one of the few families that had escaped that fate. Yes, he was too vain to settle for ugly and he didn't suffer idiots; Granger was in a class of her own, good looking enough and brilliant.

These growing feelings he had for her had been suppressed of course, as he'd never gotten the impression that she would ever return them. This wasn't going to be easy, but after hearing her confession, he wasn't going to pass up his chance. He knew any kind of relationship between the two of them would be seriously frowned upon by his family and peers, not to mention the indignant reaction from her friends.

His parents would throw a fit if they only knew what he was contemplating. He would have to be his most Slytherin self to keep his intentions secret and still get Granger to trust him.

Hmmm… what to do, what to do? With that question on his mind he sauntered back to the charms classroom, the book he'd been sent to return, forgotten in his hand.

oOo

"Madam Pomfrey?" Harry called over Hermione's newest fit of sneezes.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Harry said louder as he walked toward the Mediwitch's office.

Before he could knock, the door opened and the sneering face of the Potions Professor leered down at him.

"What, Potter?" he barked.

"Wh… where's Madam Pomfrey?" Harry stammered at the man in front of him. "Hermione needs to see her."

"Ah-choo – Professor, I'm not feeling so well and I…," she tried meekly.

"That's obvious, Ms. Granger," he interrupted. "Please refrain from spraying your germs in my presence. I do not wish to contract whatever you have infected yourself with. If you must sneeze, be sure to cover nose and mouth completely and do not touch anything. I am sure you would not like to be the cause of an epidemic in this castle." He stared at her urging her to contradict him.

Hermione had more self-control and knew better than to oppose her Professor. Unfortunately, Harry didn't.

"Epidemic? How could you…," he began, but seeing the look of warning on his friend's face he quickly shut his mouth. "Where's Madam Pomfrey? What are you doing here?" he questioned instead, putting an accusatory emphasis on the word you.

"That is not your business, Mr. Potter. Do you have an ailment? No? Then I suggest you leave." Professor Snape turned his back to them and walked to the potions cupboard. "Immediately," he finished.

Harry looked at Hermione and mouthed, "Will you be okay?" She nodded and waved him toward the door.

"I don't hear footsteps, Mr. Potter. Five points from Gryffindor for disobeying a teacher. And twenty for your impudence."

"Ah-choo, Ahh-choo, Ahhhh-choooo!" Hermione sneezed and pushed Harry toward the door before he could lose any more housepoints.

"Ms. Granger, do you enjoy torturing yourself?" Professor Snape asked, his voice low.

He quickly closed the distance between them, and hovered over her as he growled, "You do know that for cold potions to work properly you must ingest them as soon as you begin to feel ill, don't you? Or does the 'know-it-all' think that doesn't apply to her? Ah yes, I forgot, our Head Girl does not follow rules. She finds herself above them."

"Professor, it's not that bad. I'm sure I'll be fine as soon as I have a Pepper-up potion. I haven't been sick for that long. It's just that, well… I haven't had time to come to the hospital ward, with studying for the mock exams, and my duties and…" she rambled, his nearness making her nervous.

"Are you deaf, girl? Pepper-up will have no effect on your cold at this point. I know you have been sick for at least three days now. Maybe I should speak to Professor Dumbledore about having your Head Girl duties reduced. It seems your schedule is so hectic that you are unable to care for something as important as your health," he smirked at the offended expression on her face.

"You will just have to wait this out," he continued. "I suggest you retire to your room until this illness abates, Ms. Granger."

"Ah-choo! Professor isn't there anything that I could take? Wouldn't a Pepper-up at least help?' she begged, practically in tears. "There must be something else… I don't want to miss my tests tomorrow."

Before he was able to respond to her pleas the voice of the Deputy Headmistress interrupted.

"Severus… I trust Madame Pomfrey safely portkeyed home?" she raised a questioning eyebrow at the Potions Professor. Not missing the fact that he looked slightly nervous at being caught in bullying the Head Girl she asked, "What's wrong Ms. Granger?"

"She's completely ignor…"

"Severus… I was speaking to Hermione..."

"Professor McGonagall," she began in a rush. "I'm not well and I've been very busy with studying and my duties… Ah-choo… and I forgot that a Pepper-up doesn't work properly unless given at the first signs of a cold and Professor Snape was just reminding me and… and…" she trailed off, not knowing what else to say. She didn't want to cause the Professor trouble, knowing that it would come back to haunt her.

"Severus, I'm sure you could brew the Algor Yao potion for her."

Turning toward her favourite student, she smiled and said, "Hermione dear, this potion has a much wider scope than the Pepper-up Potion and will surely take care of your complaints. Of course, it is more difficult to brew. But, I think, well within the range of our Potions master?"

Snape scowled at the two Gryffindors, knowing he was being baited. "Minerva, I don't have time to do any such thing. The Elecampane would have to be harvested at sunset and I would need to visit the apothecary in Hogsmeade for the ground, dried Allium Cepa. I refuse to make this potion, I don't have the time," he said petulantly.

"Well, I realize you're a busy man, but as a teacher I'm sure you realize the value of curing Ms. Granger. Not only for the rest of the student body, but for the teachers as well. We don't need more sick children, not with Poppy gone. It's bad enough we'll be treating them for anxiety for the next couple of days until the testing is over. I don't believe you want to spend more time in the hospital ward than necessary. Do you, Professor?" she questioned, already knowing the answer.

"Mr. Malfoy can help you. He has detention with me this evening and I'd be happy to have him serve it with you. I believe he's competent enough to help you with the harvesting and the brewing. I really can see no reason for you not to brew it." McGonagall said in a tone that dared her colleague to say no.

Knowing he wouldn't win in a battle with Minerva, the Potions master gave a final sneer at Hermione and said, "Very well, I seem not to have a choice in the matter. Ms. Granger you will meet me in my office precisely at seven tomorrow morning to collect your potion. But, the next time you ignore your health, do not expect me to mollycoddle you like some of your other professors." With a curt nod at his colleague, he turned toward the door and quickly exited, his robes billowing behind him.

"That man sure knows how to make an exit," Professor McGonagall muttered under her breath as they watched him leave.

Hermione stifled a giggle, silently agreeing and said, "Thank you, Professor. If it's too much trouble for Professor Snape to brew, I can… Ah-choo… just wait the cold out. I don't want to be an inconvenience."

"Oh dear girl, it's no inconvenience. His blustering is all an act. You do realize that he has a certain persona he must maintain." She shook her head slightly and gave Hermione a wry smile. "Anyway, he wouldn't have agreed if he didn't want to. Now, I suggest you go and relax. Take a nice hot scented bubble bath, read a book and try to get some rest."

"Thank you Professor, that sounds like a wonderful idea."

Hermione reached down to pick up her bag, only sub-consciously noticing it was lighter than usual, and left the hospital ward.

oOo

Algor – Latin for cold

Yao – Mandarin for cure

AN: This was inspired by the March Dirty Dozen challenge at Sycophant Hex, but I couldn't seem to keep it short enough for a one-shot!! Thank you so much to both my beta's Demos and lux.astraea. Without them I would never have posted. Thanks girls for the encouragement! To my 2 A's – thanks for putting up with me and reading this to many times to count! Love you! All mistakes are mine!