Snape yawned widely over his morning coffee. Dumledore looked at him, smiling gently.

-Did you sleep well, Severus?

-Yes, thank you Headmaster.

-Haven't you had any problems with your snakes this night?

Snape huffed. Really, the old man knew everything what happened in the castle.

-I wouldn't call it a problem, sir. That was a little misunderstanding of the rules. However, I assure you that the culprits were severely punished.

That wasn't exactly true. But really, he can't punish every child in his House, who decide to organize a snogging session in a broom closet. Bill was so terrified, when he saw him in a black dressing-gown, fury in his eyes, that it was enough of punishment for him. As for Penelope Gray, he didn't make impression on that girl anyway. He tried to since her first year, but when she was in trouble (what happened quite often), she only smiled at him, no resentment in her blue eyes. He had to admit that his seven-year had the nerve.

-You idiots. –he said. –How did it happen that my Slytherins were caught by Filch? You are not some stupid Gryffindors, I expect you to watch for yourself, and not to put our House in disgrace.

-That won't happen again. –muttered the blond girl. Snape looked at her in the candle light. Her cheeks were blushed, fair, curly hair falling on her angle-like face. She looked like a pure innocence.

-Good. –he didn't took away points, he wasn't stupid enough to ruin his House's chance to win the House Cup. –Off to bed with you. Separately. –he added.

Dumbledore nodded his head. –Be a teenager again…

Severus didn't want to waste time.

-Could you tell me, what happened?

-Ah, Severus. Here we are. As you remarked yesterday, it is all about the boy.

-Yes, I know. Golden Boy, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Chosen One. What about him, now?

Dumledore's face fell in worry.

-I am concerned about him. Mainly about his safety. The one, who put his name into the Goblet did in on purpose. I think that the boy is in danger.

-Headmaster, let me point out, that he is always in danger. And it is difficult to keep him safe. So reckless. So brave, always a hero… -he said ironically.

-Always reminding you about Her.

-Stop it Albus. You are not my counselor, so stop acting like one. Potter reminds me of James, that's all. He didn't inherited much from Lily. Now, let's continue.

-I'm not only worried about his physical state. He is terrified and he feels lonely. Mr Weasley abandoned him for some time, I'm sure he will understand his mistake, but for now, Harry is all alone in a difficult situation.

-I see. But we weren't meant to keep Potter happy. We keep him alive, this is hard enough, considering his character.

-He is a competitor now, among the older and more qualified wizards. The tasks are difficult, if not impossible to accomplish by four-year student. He is worried and terrified. He smokes, Severus. MadameHooch has seen Weasley Twins buying a pack of cigarettes in Hogsmade's. It's a matter of time, before Harry totally breaks down. He needs help, Severus. He needs your help. –Headmaster clarified.

-What do you expect me to do Albus? –Snape knew that he will regret this question.

-I want you to be a boy's tutor. –Severus' eyes widened.

-No, no, no, no. When I say no, I mean no. No, no, no.

-Everything, Severus. Do you remember?

Snape looked at him with hatred.

-You asked me to give you everything I've got. I said yes. You asked me to put my life in danger. I didn't hesitate. Now I'm teaching a bunch of untalented dunderheads, instead of being a St. Mungo's Potion Master. Now you ask me to take care of my enemy's son.

-He's not only his son.

Severus didn't answer.

-I want you to do it, Severus.

Younger man looked at the older one and nodded his head.

-Yes, Headmaster.

There was no point arguing. Albus was the one, who had control over Severus. Snape didn't like it, but he was a honorable man. Everything.: he said that night, putting his life in Headmaster's hands.

-So what precisely, do you want me to do? –old, manipulative fool. –he added in his thoughts.

According to the Headmaster, Snape's task was to teach boy some bit of magic, useful during the Tournament. He had to take care of boy's sanity (Severus huffed at that statement) and well-being. He could punish the boy, however he wanted to (Severus liked this part) and encourage boy to talk about his problems.

When Snape was walking out of the Headmaster's office, he turned around and asked:

-Why me, Headmaster? You know about our… dislike toward each other. Surely, the boy wouldn't like the idea of me being his tutor.

-It's not about liking or disliking. You are the one , who can keep the boy in line. We, other teachers are full of mercy towards the boy. We consider him as our beloved young boy. Now I see that it is not good for him. He needs a firm hand. –Severus smiled venomously. –Not too firm, my boy. And what is the most important, of all people, you are the only one, who I can entrust someone I care about the most. I trust you, Severus Snape.

Old fool, he know how to make Snape speechless.

Despite his confusion, on his way to his quarters, he managed to take twenty points away from Gryffindor and put three Hufflepuff girls in detention. Not bad, Mr. Snape.

Hermione woke up at 7 a.m, all terrified, because of the horrible dream, she had that night. She sat on her four-poster bed and she repeated all Slimming Potion ingridients. Uff, she remembered them all, her dream didn't turned out to be reality.

Calmly, she put her slippers on and went to the bathroom to wash her teeth and make-up. She glanced at the mirror. Carmel eyes looked at her happily, lips were twitching and even her hair weren't as bushy as always.

Hermione hadn't think that one day she would care about how she looks. Maybe it was because of the fact, that she's never considered herself as a pretty girl. She didn't want to think about her appearance, her face, which wasn't as regular as Cho Chang's. She didn't want to think about her body, because it wasn't curved like Angelina's. Her hair didn't shine like Ginny's. And still, Victor was interested in her of all the girls from Hogwart.

She smiled triumphantly and waved with her wand to bat lashes.

She wore her black school robes and went to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Harry sat there alone, determined not to look in Ron's direction.

-Hallo. –she said, seating herself between the boys.

-Hi.

-Hey.

She put two toast with jam on her plate and helped herself with some pumpkin juice. She shot a glance towards Victor and smiled seductively.

She didn't know that Harry and Ron are looking at her intensively. Hemione's and Victor's eyes locked, and she could see that he likes what he sees.

-You look different, Hermione. –said Harry, putting an arm over her shoulders. After all, Krum was a competitor in a Triwizard Tournament. His best friend shoudn't flirt with that guy in the middle of the Great Hall! Harry couldn't let Krum think that his Hermione was interested in Victor romantically. Because she wasn't, was she?

Hermione put Harry's arm away and blushing slightly, she started eating her breakfast. During the meal, Harry made sure, that she was laughing with him, talking to him and she didn't pay attention to Damn Quiddich player, Mr. Look-at-my-muscles.

Later that day, when he and Hermione were heading to Charm's classroom, Krum crossed their way, came closer to the girl and kissed her straight on the lips. The kiss was brief, but Hermione blushed furiously. Harry heard ringing in his ears, anger boiling in his veins.

His fist clutched and landed on Krum's hooked nose.

Sevlover