A/N: I have decided to continue this story as if the 6th book had not happened, thus existing in an alternate universe. The run of the story depends on events that would not fit into the world that the 6th book has become. So enjoy everyone!

Harry Potter was sitting silently at a table in the library. Something was definitely wrong. While his friends were acting relatively normal, one particular member of the staff was not. While that isn't too much of an unusual occurrence, it was the matter of the particular staff member's actions. He had been in classes for 2 days, and Snape seemed to be less sneery if such a thing were possible.

In fact, Snape generally seemed less…Snapey. It was really quite strange. Where usually, Snape classes consisted of fear and grumblings, while the difficulty of the level of material did not drop, Snape seemed almost indifferent rather than determined that none of them defiled the art of Potions. While Snape had not treated Harry with anymore enthusiasm than usual, Harry found it very peculiar that Snape, had in fact, not yelled at him once, even when he botched that potion the day before. Something was definitely out of sorts with Snape. And Harry really wanted to know what it was before the other ball dropped or when hell was going to be completely frozen.

He was so lost in his thoughts of Snape that he hadn't even heard Hermione step up behind him. Apparently, she had been talking about something or the other, since suddenly, he was thowked on the head by her wand.

"Ow!"

"You know Harry, the least you could do when I'm trying to tell you something important is to pay attention. Now I have to repeat myself AGAIN!"

"Sorry…I'm just a little… well…preoccupied I suppose."

"Apparently, never before have I seen you ignore any comment about Chocoate Frogs! Egads Harry, what has come over you?"

"What about Chocolate Frogs?"

Hermione sighed. "I just heard that they are coming out with a new flavor, and I knew you would be simply mad about it."

"Come on Mione, tell me! The anticipation is killing me!"

"They are calling it 'Bugs and Slugs', its supposed to be coconut slivers with candied raspberries covered in milk chocolate."

"Oh, my. I have to get one of those."

"I knew it. Now, why on earth were you so…ignorant?"

"I am worried sick Mione. I am waiting for the other shoe to drop… right on my bloody head!"

"Wait. I'm confused Harry. What shoe? Where are you bleeding?"

"Nowhere you git! It's an expression."

"Well, you don't have to get all nasty about it. I am just concerned Harry."

"It's Snape. Something is terribly wrong."

"Whatever do you mean Harry, Snape is well… Snape. I don't think anything could ever bother him."

"That's just it Hermione. There is something wrong with him. When have you ever, in all your years at Hogwart's, seen Snape not yell at me for screwing up a potion."

"ummmm…When did this happen?"

"Yesterday. Remember when my potion turned into that strange snarling pipe cleaner monster that was bright pink?"

"How many times do I have to remind you that you need to gather your mugwort at midnight during the full moon?"

"I know, I know. But that still doesn't explain Snape's reaction."

"I don't remember. What was his reaction? I was running to my extra transfiguration class."

"He calmly squashed the creature with the underside of a beaker and walked out of the room. No yelling…and the very most frightening part…he didn't even sneer."

"Wait….No. Sneer. You've got to be joking."

"I swear Mione. He didn't even raise his eyebrow."

"O.K. I forgive you for not listening at first. I must admit. That is… well…scary. Do you suppose that he has a cold?"

"Even if he did have one, he'd be more difficult than usual. Besides, he is the potions master, he would be over the cold in a heartbeat."

"True Harry, very true."

"If I wasn't disliked by Snape, I'd go to his office and see what's wrong with him."

"Well, Harry. I don't think it would be wise to bother him if he is really in fact a bit unlike his usual self. I mean. What if you interrupt him doing something important and then you'll have the wrath of Professor Snape down your back for the rest of the term."

"I know… But somehow, I am starting to feel like the cat about to be killed for its curiosity."

"Well Harry. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Later that evening, Harry donned his invisibility cloak, hoping that Snape would not kill him for being out of his dorm at inappropriate hours. But he was dying with curiosity. Cautiously, he crept out of Gryffindor house, being careful to not disturb the fat lady who was peacefully snoring.

He slowly crept down the hall until he found his way to the staff's quarters. Once he was outside of Snape's office, he removed the cloak, and began to look around the door. A green light seemed to creep around the edges of the door. Harry moved a little closer to see If he could peep through the peep hole. While his vision was obscured, Harry saw Snape ingesting something from an oddly formed vial.

"Maybe he does have a cold."

Suddenly, Harry lost his balance and fell against the door. He tried to get up to run away, but his cloak was tangled around his ankles.

"Potter!"

Harry froze. "Yes, Professor Snape?"

"What are you doing peeping at my private affairs? I don't storm Gryiffindore house to snoop on you!"

"Sir, I'm sorry. I… well… needed to talk to you and I wanted to make sure that you weren't busy."

"Likely story, Potter. Likely story. You will have detention with me, every evening for the next 3 weeks. Bring your potions book. I'm tired of your repeated lazy performance in my class!"

"I'm sorry Professor."

"Sorry does not cut it Potter. I will see you here, tomorrow after dinner. You will work with me until 8 every evening. Keep chattering and I'll make it more!"

"Yes, sir. Sorry I disturbed you sir."

"Be gone with you and take your infernal 'sorry' with you! I'll teach you to invade another's privacy. I should have you thrown out of this institution! Mark my words boy, if you don't straighten up, you are going to see a side of me you really don't want to know. Now Get. Out. Of. My. Sight!"

Harry ran as fast as he could. Why didn't he listen to Hermione? Uggh. Potions were going to be bloody hell tomorrow.