It's been a while. I'm in the process of editing my Nanowrimo novel, so that's taking a lot of my time. Happy New Years, everyone!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Hermione shivers, fighting the cold that only the dungeons bring. She was back for her seventh year at Hogwarts, and dreading Potions as she always had.

But this was worse. One on one Potions lessons with Professor Snape was not something she looked forward to.

"Miss Granger."

She looks up, startled. "Professor."

"You're late."

"I forgot about—"

"No excuses, Granger. You will serve detention with me tomorrow night at seven o' clock. Do not be late."

"But, Sir—"

"No excuses, Granger."

She breaks eye contact with him, but only for a moment. She sets her bag next to her chair, and sits down. "What potion am I brewing today, Sir?"

...

"Sir, I'm finished," she says, nearly a half an hour later. She looks up at the desk. "Sir, I—"

"I heard you, Miss Granger."

She pauses, looks down at her potion, suddenly embarrassed.

When she hears his footsteps, she looks up again. When he reaches her desk, he stands over the potion.

"Is it right?" she asks quietly.

"Fine. You may leave, Granger."

She throws her hands up in defeat. "Would it kill you to give a compliment?" She stops suddenly.

"What did you say to me, Granger?"

"Nothing, Sir. I… I'm sorry." She picks up her bag, leaving the cauldron, and walks out of the classroom.

"Granger, come back here."

She closes her eyes, dropping her bag outside of the classroom. "Sir?"

"You've wanted to say that to me for a while, haven't you?"

Her eyebrows cinch together. "What do you mean?"

"I've been teaching you for seven years, Granger. I know you have to bite your tongue to keep from saying these things."

"Professor, why are you telling me this?"

"You tell me, Granger."

"Sir, I'm sorry. I… don't understand."

"Oh, don't you, Granger?"

"No. I'm afraid I don't, Sir," she replies, more forcefully than she had intended. She sighs. "Why did you call me back here because if you're going to give me another detention for that comment, then you can just get it over with then. "

"No, I agree."

"Agree with what?"

"Granger, I thought you were the brightest witch of your age. I thought you would've been able to figure it out."

"Professor… I'm lost. What's going on?"

"Hermione, I agree. I think you're the brightest witch of your age."

Her eyes widen in disbelief. "Sir, are you drunk?"

"No, Granger. I am not."

"But why did you just give me a compliment?"

"Someone once asked me if it would kill me to give out a compliment."

"So, you're turning your life around in a matter of seconds?" she asks, confused.

"I suppose so."

"You know, Sir, that was kind of awkward," she says with a laugh. "You could've warned me."

That was really rough. Please don't favorite without a review. And review anyways! It makes my day!