A/N:The italics at the end of this chapter are Severus' thoughts. Hope you dont get confused!!

The next day Hermione woke up being a bit disoriented. Then she remembers where she was. She got out of bed and stretched noticing a note on the bedside table. She looked at the clock next to it seeing it was eleven in the morning. She then picked up the note and read it:

Miss Granger:

I took the liberty of buying you some clothes. Hopefully they will be to your liking. I will no be around today seeing as I have some business to attend to in Hogsmead. You may make yourself at home. I have a library I know you will enjoy. I will be back to join you for supper.

S

P.S. I know how you detest house elves, but if you have any trouble just call for mine. His name is Charlie (A/N:My bestest friend had to get him in here somewhere!!)

She shook her head and went to the closet to see what Severus had bought her. She was right in thinking it all was black. She just rolled her eyes and pulled on a nice long sleeve turtle neck and a sleek pair of black jeans. She then went to the mirror in the corner of the room and peering in it she actually liked her new look. She told herself she would have to thank Severus later.

Hermione stretched once more shaking off what was left of her sleep and then decided to go have something to eat. She walked down the hall finding her way to the kitchen. As soon as she entered she heard a distinct "pop" and she looked down at the house elf in front of her.

"Oh um Hello." Hermione smiled and nodded to the house elf. "You must be Charlie."

"Yes Misses. I am Charlie. What would you like this morning? Master told me to get you whatever you wanted."

"My names Hermione and I'm fine I'll just help myself to some toast." She walked around the confused elf and popped some bread in the toaster. She found some butter and a knife. When the bread was done toasting she put some butter on it and took a bite.

"Would Hermione like anything else this morning?"

"No I'm good, but could you be nice enough to point me in the direction of the library?"

"Of course. It is down the hall third door on the right. The second door on the right is the lounge. It is a very nice place to read."

Hermione nodded and went to leave but before she did she turned back around to the house elf.

"Two more things before I go. Make yourself a snack on my orders you look famished. That and is there anything else to do around here other then read?

Hermione had to laugh to herself at the look she received from the elf. It was a look of shock and confusion if it was possible to have those at the same time.

"Miss Hermione is very nice to Charlie very nice indeed. Yes there is the pond in back just behind the trees if you want to go for a walk."

Hermione smiled once again and then said, "Your welcome Charlie and thanks again." with that said she headed for the library. Hermione perused the books for a while as she ate her toast. Once the toast was gone she decided she didn't want to read. So instead she went for a walk out back to the pond.

Severus returned home earlier then expected. He had been shopping for food for the week. As he walked in the door her levitated the bag to the kitchen while he headed to the library. He peeked in seeing no one there. He wondered where Granger had went. He went back to the kitchen to put things away. As he walked in he heard a "pop" and looked down at the house elf in front of him.

"Ah Master is home. What can Charlie do for Master?"

Severus crossed his arms and said, "Do you happen to know where Miss Granger is Charlie?"

"Yes Sir, Hermione is by the pond." The house elf smiled up to his Master but stopped when he seen Severus' angry face.

"M-master do not be angry with Hermione she said I may call her that and she said I could have a snack Sir." The house elf looked down at the floor expecting to be punished.

"Very well. Put these grocery's away and after that get started on supper!" With that said Severus stormed out of the house and towards the pond. He would not have Granger trying to free his one and only house elf.

He moved through the trees and bushes quietly not making a sound. He stopped behind a bush so he was hidden but could still see the Hermione was doing. She was sitting on the edge of the pond tossing little rocks into it every once in a while. She looked so peaceful and innocent he didn't want to disturb her. He watched her a few moments but then he felt a twig snap under his foot.

Hermione jumped hearing the noise and pulled out her wand casting lumos since it was getting a bit dark. She moved her wand in the direction of the noise seeing the shadow of someone.

"Who is it? Who's there?"

Severus sighed mentally and walked out from his hiding spot and into the light. He could have stayed there and watched her like that the whole night. He answered quickly not wanting to get hexed.

"It's just me Miss Granger."

Hermione relaxed but kept her wand up for the light.

"How long were you there for?"

Severus didn't want to tell her the truth because he really didn't know so he just shrugged.

"Miss Granger I did not come here to watch you skip rocks. I came here to tell you supper will be ready soon."

As soon as the words came out of his mouth he regretted it. He'd known he made her mad which is one thing he didn't want to do. Sometimes he hated himself for being so stubborn about showing his emotions.

Hermione glared at him while storming by. She was more then angry, she was confused and embarrassed. She was angry because the words that came out of his mouth were like fingernails across a chalk board. She was confused because for a second, when Severus came out of the bushes she felt this odd feeling she had never felt before. And she was embarrassed because he was the cause for making her feel this way.

Severus watched Hermione storm off and then started a mental battle with himself.

"Damn Severus why do you have to be so stupid?"

"I'm not stupid!"

"Yes you are. Why can't you just tell her how you feel about her?"

"Because she hates me that's why. Look at her she would never love someone like me."

"She might if you weren't such a snarky bastard."

"Well even if she did...I'm just afraid of rejection. I don't want this to end up like Lily all over again."

"She isn't Lily, Severus and you know that."

Severus growled and then stormed back to the house. He hated it when his conscience was right