This is based on the 5th Harry Potter book. Order of the Phoenix. This is when Umbridge has gone mental and become dictator of Hogwarts.

Everything belongs to JK Rowling. Nothing is mine, but the twist in the plot that would have been really great in the book/movie. Please don't sue me.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"We need someone to teach us to defend ourselves." Hermione said staring out the window in the common room. It was raining out and her two friends stood behind her.

Lately things had been really bad at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Their headmaster had been under suspicion of illegal activities and the Ministry of Magic had sent a woman named Delores Umbridge to 'see how things are' at the school.

She had conducted several torture sessions and it seemed she made a new decree everyday. The latest one was "All Weasley products will henceforth be banned."

Hermione turned to Harry who looked at her like she was crazy. "What, me?"

"Indeed." she nodded her head.

He held up a finger. "I don't think so." he said with a sly grin on his face. "But I know who would be perfect." he continued to smile as they left for lunch. They'd had defense against the dark arts earlier that day, directly after breakfast and then care for magical creatures. The three of them missed Hagrid very much.

"Oh come on Harry." Ron pleaded. "Just tell us already." he groaned as Harry once more shook his head.

"Not yet." he said, the sly grin still on his face.

The three friends sat at the Griffyndor table and waited until after Dumbledore made his speech.

Hermione had been shocked to see how many first years went to Slytherin this year. She filled her plate and looked towards Harry. "Won't you at least give us a hint?" she pleaded.

"Alright." he said taking a sip of his pumpkin juice. "He's a teacher." he said slowly.

"What? Flitwick?" Ron asked.

"No you dolt." Harry rolled his eyes.

Hermione scanned the professors until her eyes locked on just one. "Are you crazy?!" she cried taking in the pale skin and black hair. He had his cloak wrapped around him and was sitting back with his arms crossed over his chest. He was scowling as he looked down at the Slytherin table, obviously wondering what he'd gotten himself into with the amount of newcomers this year.

Harry nodded his head. "Yup." he saw how Hermione and Ron was looking at him. "Oh come on!" he said exasperated. "He's been vying for the position for years! Don't you think he'd appreciate the offer?" he said.

"Um, Harry. He's an ex-death eater. Do you really think it's such a good idea to bring him back towards the dark arts?" Ron asked with a mouth full of food.

Hermione glared in disgust at her friend.

Harry nodded eagerly.

Hermione sighed. "I hope you're right."



Snape sat at the head table with his arms crossed. He was trying to avoid any sort of glance at the Gryffindor table. He found this to be an inconvenience because that meant he couldn't deduct points for Weasley or Potter's behavior. The reason for his aversion sat chatting happily with her idiotic friends, her mane of hair had been tamed over the years and her brown eyes always seemed to be alight with laughter.

He felt a grin cross his face and quickly turned it into a sneer. He saw her gaze slide his way and he quickly looked towards his own table. He sighed as she turned back and seemed to yell at Potter. This he could appreciate. The girl knew how to put someone in their place.

He glanced over and saw Dumbledore watching him. He groaned as he knew he'd seen him staring at the object of his recent EXTREMELY unhealthy affections.

His gaze locked with Hermione's and he felt heat stir in the air between them. He jumped to his feet and stormed out of the great hall, leaving Hermione staring after her teacher.



"What do you think has gotten into him?" Harry asked nodding in the direction his potion's teacher had stormed off in.

"Who knows?" Ron asked. "The git probably realized he needed to wash his hair." Ron snorted at his own joke and ended up choking on his pumpkin juice.

Hermione jumped to her feet and slammed her hand on his back.

He sputtered and looked up at her dazed. "Th-thank you." he stuttered.

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat back down.

Ron continued to stare at his friend, completely dazed.

Hermione saw the way Ron was looking at her. Uh oh. She thought to herself. "If you pay any attention at all, you'd realize his hair's not greasy, it's really shiny." she snapped gathering up her books, having no idea why she was suddenly defending her teacher. All he did was yell at her, even when she wasn't doing anything wrong.

Harry raised his eyebrow at his friend. "And when did you notice this?" he laughed quietly and watched Ron closely.

"Quite a while ago, actually. If you look closely enough, you'd actually see that he has quite nice hair." she said smugly and sauntered off to do her homework.

Ron was left pale-faced and Harry was distracted as Cho came into the great hall.



Snape watched all this from a couple of tables over. He'd decided to come back to try and conquer this feeling. He would not let some insignificant know it all Gryffindor girl get the better of him. Even though she'd done it once more when he'd heard her defending him.

She thinks I have nice hair? he asked himself. He reached up and took it between his fingers. He sniffed it, taking in the woodsy scent. He looked around dazed while the Slytherins looked at him in horror. They obviously thought he'd lost his mind. Severus sighed. Maybe he had…he realized that for the first time in many years, he had feelings...and he absolutely hated it.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

*PLEASE R&R!!!*