"I still cannot understand how you can do this," Hermione frowned, grasping the handle of her suitcase. "You will regret it."

Ron smiled lopsidedly as he leant back in his chair, putting his feet on the table top. Harry pretended not to hear his friend's words as he busied himself with polishing the handle of his broomstick. He did realise that he should have done something with his life, and yet, for the past two months he had done just nothing but playing quidditch and hanging out with Ginny.

That summer had been truly one of the most wonderful ones he could remember, in spite of everything that had happened. The weather had been amazing – it still was, even though it was September already, every single moment had been spent in the company of his loved ones (at first it had not been quite pleasant as everyone had been mourning over Fred's and others' death), and then, just a couple of weeks before, instead of getting a letter from Hogwarts, containing – as always – a list of the textbooks he would need – he had got a letter from the Ministry in which he had read that there was no need for him to return to the school. If – and when – he wanted, he would be accepted in the Ministry. Therefore he had decided to give himself some time to recover and start his job in January.

Very similar letters had been sent also to his friends, Ron and Hermione, but although Ron had accepted along with Harry, Hermione had decided she was not ready to start her job yet – and asked Professor McGonagall to send her a list of what she would need during the school year as she was willing to return to finish her last year at Hogwarts.

"Do you really think I could regret not attending school when I can just stay at home and do nothing?" Ron laughed loudly, then reached for a big, juicy apple. "No, thanks, Hermione. You just go and study for all three of us, we know you like it."

Hermione snorted and grabbed her trunk, wishing her friends goodbye before she left the kitchen at the Burrow to leave for the railway station, accompanied by Ginny and Mr. Weasley. She knew she would be missing her friends... but her education was way more important than relaxing with them. She would be writing to them very often, anyways.

The journey passed calmly and safely. As they arrived at Hogwarts, it started raining, so she quickly puller the collar of her cloak onto her head and ran towards one of the carriages. Now even she could see the bizarre horses hitched to the carriages. Frowning slightly, she sat down and a couple of students she did not know followed her. It was strange not to sit next to Ronald and Harry, but she did not regret her decision.

Her thoughts soon flew to the beginning of the summer as heavy drops kept hitting the windows. She wondered whether the Master of Potions had survived... if he was alright... because yes, she had saved him, but she had had no courage to go and check on him. No-one actually knew about what she had done before those several months.

As she had fainted, someone brought her to the Hospital Wing, and she had spent a couple of days there, being treated, until she was well enough to go back home. Molly Weasley had suggested Hermione should have stayed at the Burrow – and the girl had accepted. There had been no chance of her sneaking out to meet her former teacher.

Now, though, as she returned to Hogwarts, she had, contrary to appearances, more freedom, and she decided to get to know something about Severus Snape.

"Hey, we're already here," one of the students that had spent the journey with her, nudged her lightly. She had got lost in her thoughts and had not noticed they had already arrived at the castle. The boy glanced at Hermione with worry. "Are you alright?"

Hermione nodded her head, smiling softly, but she did not realise she was actually pretty pale. Until now, never had she spent that much time thinking about Severus Snape. However, although not present, he had been bothering her all summer long. Funny – while at school, she had never cared about him much, even though he had been irritating her pretty much, especially as he had been tormenting Harry. Right now, she kept catching herself recalling all the moments she had spent in his company... and she knew that if the snake had done too much harm to him to survive, she would be missing him.

With her heart strangely heavy, she made her way to the Great Hall and sat down where she usually would have, just this time without Harry and Ron by her sides.

"Don't worry, they're fine," she heard from above her head, and she glanced up to see Ginny. "Soon, you'll get a letter or two about how much they are missing you, but actually, they will have some good time at home, doing nothing. I just wonder... how much mom's going to take before she'll make them do all the chores."

Hermione chuckled. However, she did not fail to notice that the Great Hall was not as crowded as usually and the conversations seemed to be quieter. Sighing, she bit her bottom lip and moved a bit so Ginny could sit down next to her.

"Welcome back after another summer holiday," at last Professor McGonagall stood up and spoke. "Which probably was one of the saddest holiday to some of you... though, I am glad to see so many of you returning to Hogwarts to continue your education."

At that moment, she smiled almost unnoticeably and clapped her hands several times. Hermione noticed that she looked at least a couple of years older than when she had seen her last time – but it was nothing strange. It must have been some terrible time for McGonagall, along with the other teachers.

For the first time, the girl caught herself not listening to the headmaster's speech. Her attention was attracted by something else as she started looking at the High Table and everyone sitting behind it. She could recognise the majority of the staff – apparently some of the teachers had been replaced... however, something made her stomach flip and she quickly lowered her sight.

He was there. And he was certainly looking at her. His face was distorted now and scarred, but she would recognise that look everywhere. Why she reacted to this sight like that, she could not say, but her heart began to throb.

"'Mione, are you alright?" asked Ginny, leaning closer to her friend and wrapping an arm around her. "If you want, we may go..."

"No, no, I'm completely fine," lied Hermione as she brought a smile back onto her face. It did not change the fact that she was now blushing deeply and there was a strange sparkle in her eyes that should not have been there.

He was alive. And it was all thanks to her. However, there was no chance he could remember that... he could not know it was her who had saved him while everyone else had forgotten about him. Nevertheless, she felt some kind of pride. No, she did not expect any payment for that... just the satisfaction itself was enough.

That evening she did not eat much, still feeling sick. Her stomach protested at any of her attempts to eat anything, and it was obvious Ginny was quite worried about her friend. Hermione, though, acted as if nothing had happened.

The feast seemed to have lasted forever, so when it was at last finished, she quickly stood up, ready to go and hide herself in the Gryffindor Tower. First, though, she needed to see Professor McGonagall to get to know the password. After all, she had been made a Head Girl – and it was her responsibility to take care of the younger students.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Ginny frowned deeply, but Hermione nodded and began to weave her way towards the High Table.

Before she got there, though, she felt someone's hand on her shoulder, and she stopped, turning back. She had not expected to see him there, though, so her surprised reaction was completely understandable.

"Miss Granger," Snape's voice was quiet and just as cold as always. His eyes just as deep and inscrutable as back then, when she had last seen him as a teacher.

"Professor," she answered, bowing her head just a bit, at the same time trying to avoid his eyes and trying to keep her glance upon his face. From this little distance his scars seemed to be even worse, and she felt terribly guilty. On the other hand, though, she did realise that without her help, his state would be even worse.

"Leave the responsibilities to the other prefects," he answered, placing his hand on her back and gently pushing her forwards. "There is something you must tell me... and I assume you do not want to gain a detention before the classes even start."

Hermione blushed. Of course she did not want to, however, there was no reason for her to gain one. She could not protest, though, even though she felt slightly offended. What was it what he wanted to talk to her about? Should she be nervous? Besides that moment when she had saved him, there had been just a few times when they had been alone together. No wonder she felt pretty scared.

Without a word, she followed him. She could feel other student's eyes upon her as she wandered right behind Snape towards the dungeons. Never had she liked that part of the castle, but now, as they entered the dark and cold corridors, the teacher seemed to be as if more relaxed. There was no-one to see them and maybe that was the case.

They passed by the door leading to the classroom in which they usually had their Potions lessons, and Hermione realised she had never been that deep in the dungeons. Their steps echoed through the walls and she glanced over her shoulder quite nervously, to check if there really was no-one following them. Maybe it would have been better if she had asked Ginny to go with her, but by that time, Ginny had already got into her warm bed...

She regretted she could not lay down. By now, she had already got quite cold – or maybe it was her fear that made her fingers cold and numb.

"This way."

Snape's voice, although quiet, seemed to be a thunder in this silence. Hermione nodded once again and took a turn, just like he had told her, to find herself in front of a bare wall. The man stepped a bit closer and whispered something, placing his hand against the stone and soon, they stood in the doorway of a rather vast living room.

So that was his apartment... Hermione had never been in any of the teachers' living area. Snape, however, did not pay much attention to that as he walked in and turned to look at the girl who seemed to be even paler in the greenish light of the room.

"Do come in and make yourself comfortable," he said in a voice that seemed to be quite irritated, as he gestured at her. "I'll make us some tea."

Hermione blinked, completely confused. After a couple of seconds, though, she entered the room and looked around. It was pretty big and furnished in a very simple way. Everything there was old but at the same time seemed to be quite cozy. With some hesitation, she took a seat in one of the armchairs which turned out to be even softer than what it looked like.

Several minutes had passed, and she realised not a single word had been spoken. However, she could not bring herself to saying anything, even as she opened her mouth. There was no idea in her mind what she could talk about.

"I wanted to thank you."

Those words made her so flustered that she blinked and raised her eyes to meet Snape's glance. Was he smiling? And if so – it would be the first time she could see him with a smile on his face. A true, honest smile, not one full of irony...

"What for?" she asked, then quickly remembered who she was talking to, and added, "Sir?"

"You know perfectly what for," he answered and handed her one of the cups. Keeping the other one in his hands, he sat down in front of her and fixed his sight upon her; Hermione did her best not to shiver. "You saved my life."

There was no possibility he remembered that... so maybe someone had told him that it had been her...?

"I had to," she mumbled, trying to take a sip of her tea, which turned out to be a bad idea; the beverage was still hot. Grimacing, she pulled back.

"Careful," he told her in a familiar, irritated tone, and the usual, cold look returned to his eyes. "You keep acting like a little girl, Granger, and it's way too late for you to behave like this. You are a grown-up woman already. What you did, returning to me that night, was a stupid act of heroism that showed that you are a real Gryffindor."

Hermione frowned. His words did not sound like a compliment – rather like an invective, and she could feel her heart begin to beat faster. But she could not say anything... she did not want to be punished, and Snape would definitely make use of this situation if she allowed herself to say something improper.

"I could have let you die back then, Professor," she responded in a strangely calm tone. "But I did not... because I knew that wouldn't be right."

"Oh, of course you did," he answered, and the corner of his lips twitched. "Every little hero of your house knows that. Funny that many of them simply ignored that knowledge. They call themselves heroes... and yet none of them returned to me, letting me die. I guess that was the price they wanted me to pay."

His words were bitter, and Hermione felt ashamed. Quickly, she lowered her sight and focused on the amber hue of her tea.

"You could have let me die back then, and yet, you were the only one to get back to me, huh? Bezoar, I guess. It was not enough for such a venom, and yet, it worked surprisingly well. At least well enough for me to survive until they took me to St. Mungo's."

He remembered way too much. Hermione, acting against her own will, stood up and put the cup on the table, wanting to leave, but it turned out that where the entrance had once been, there was a solid wall.

"It won't open until I want it to," said Snape, and she looked at him angrily. "Now, sit down, Granger, now as I'm still kind."

There was no kind note in his voice, and yet, Hermione decided to follow his words. Taking a deep breath to calm down, she slumped down in the armchair. Her fingers sank into the armrests as she glared at the man before her.

"What do you need me here for?" she asked, this time not caring about the tone of her voice, and she would have sworn she could see a triumphant smile upon his lips.

"Be nicer, Granger, the fact you saved my life doesn't change the fact that I am still your teacher," he hissed, "and I am still capable of punishing you. I could take some points from your house. Or everyone will know that the Head Girl was the first one this year to gain a couple of weeks of detention."

Hermione blushed, gritting her teeth, but said nothing.

"Oh, now we're quite nice, aren't we," he murmured in a strangely singsong voice. "I am still considering that detention, though... there's so much I still have to talk to you about..."

"There's nothing we should be talking about, Professor. It's already late, and I am still a student. I have no right to loiter around the castle. And the Gryffindor Tower is really far from here. You should let me go."

"Of course, I will let you go, and soon, I will stop you in the middle of some corridor... and since you are not allowed to be outside your bedroom at this time, you will get a couple of weeks of detention," answered Snape, apparently quite amused.

Hermione opener her mouth, but closed it right after, not sure what to say. He was making fun of her while she simply wanted to get back to her dormitory.

"There is a way we could avoid that," he added after a moment, as he had glutted his eyes with her desperation and embarrassment.

Hermione looked at him with hope, and Snape smirked. Oh, would it be crushed when she got her response...

"You will spend your night here."