First off I apologize that it took so long to update. On top of losing my job, my son started having problems with his hearing and his speech as a result of it, then my computer quit, taking several chapters with it. I have been having to redo everything on my phone in between appointments with ENTS and such. The next updates should not take as long in coming. Thanks.

"Hey Hermione! Congratulations on your appointment, from what I heard you beat out quite a few applicants." Neville said from her right, jerking her from her study of Severus's seat, which was currently occupied by Slughorn.

" Thanks Neville, how have you been?"

" Oh you know, working in the greenhouses. I have quite a good selection coming up this year, better than even Sprout had when we were here." He replied excitedly, waving his hands about. " I even have some plants that don't usually grow in this climate coming up, they are harder to keep up, but worth every minute."

She beamed at him, "That's great Neville! I will have to come down sometime and see them. Um, on a different topic, why is Slughorn in Severus's seat?"

He glanced down the table at the seat in question before shrugging, "He came back last year to teach potions. I think Snape decided he wanted to work on other things."

"Other things, any ideas on what those are?"

Neville darted a quick look behind her and shook his head. She turned around to see Malfoy sitting down beside her. Great just the person I wanted to see, she thought sarcastically.

"Can I help you Malfoy?"

"Just came to see if the rumors were true, that you finally came back to face Godfather. Especially after running away last time."

"I don't run away from things Malfoy. I simply decided to live my life as I see fit, not searching for answers that aren't there. And what is this about facing him? He walked out of my apartment and never tried to contact me again. Despite my letters trying to stay in touch."

"You wrote to him?" The incredulous look on Malfoy's face portraying his disbelief. "Look, just stay away from him, you've caused enough damage the way it is."

With that Malfoy got up and strode out of the Great Hall. She looked over at Neville who was staring at the table, "Any idea what he's talking about?"

"Look 'Mione, it's not really my place to say anything. But after Snape spent those two weeks in the hospital wing he's been distant, closed off in his rooms, and is looking rather haggard. No one is sure what's gotten into him, but Malfoy would be your best shot at finding out."

Looking down the table, she noticed that McGonagall was staring at them with a frown. Shaking her head she got up, strode out of the Great Hall through the front doors, and into the courtyard. Spying Malfoy taking off on his broom she rushed over and grabbed his cloak, jerking him back down. She watched him struggle to get back on his feet while cursing.

"What in the hell Granger! Are you trying to kill me? Do you know how dangerous that is?"

"Oh don't be so dramatic, you were barely six feet off the ground. Now what exactly were you talking about in there? What kind of damage have I supposedly done?"

He sneered at her, "Why in the hell should I tell you? After all you have done, that would be just a little too easy for you. Besides, I'm sure you already know."

Exasperated she threw her hands up in the air and huffed, "Know what?!"

" The effects a dark magic spell like that has on the person on the receiving end when they are away from the-"

"That will be enough Draco," Professor McGonagall said sharply from the front steps. "I thought you had left for London already."

"What, and miss all this excitement? I just stopped to have a little chat with Granger is all."

" That will not be necessary, I am sure Miss Granger would like to rejoin the feast. The sorting ceremony is about to begin."

"Really Professor, I'd much rather hear what he has to say," Hermione interjected somewhat forcefully.

"Yes well, that is not possible at this time, I have to introduce you to everyone. That will be all Draco."

With a nod of his head in their direction and a lingering look of puzzlement at Hermione he mounted his broom and took off into the night. When she rounded on the Headmistress it was to find her already gone. Sighing in frustration she walked back inside and to her seat.

After the formalities of the evening were over in the food was served Hermione tried once again to question Neville. The only insight she had gotten was that when Severus returned to Hogwarts after their argument he had gotten sick and ended up staying in the hospital wing for two weeks. After that he had never talked about what had happened, and if someone else had mentioned her name he would promptly end the conversation and leave. She knew he had more knowledge about the situation than he was letting on, but decided to let the issue rest. Listening to the small tidbits of conversation from the people at the table hinted that they knew what was going on as well. It wasn't until after the feast was over that she overheard a few teachers talking about her amongst themselves.

"So that's her eh, the one Severus won't talk about?" Asked a woman she didn't recognize.

"Yes that is her, her name is Hermione Granger. She is considered to be the brightest witch of her age, and is also the brains behind the Golden Trio in their victory over Voldemort."

"Slughorn old man, you're forgetting the main thing, she brought him back to life. Now I don't know about you two but I'm eager to meet her." Said a tall man with his back to her.

"I know her, she used to be part of the Slug Club. Only the best and brightest you know," Slughorn said puffing his chest out.

"Yes yes, we all know the infamous Slug Club. Do you think he didn't show up because she is here? It's all very interesting you know, I wonder what happened between the two of them. Come Slughorn, introduce us to her."

She looked up to see them slowly headed in her direction and thinking fast walked over to where Hagrid stood and tried to start up a conversation with him. Her hopes were in vain though when she heard Slughorn clear his throat and interrupt them.

"My dear Miss Granger, may I introduce Professor Hazleton and Professor-"

"Quentin Declyn, at your service madam." Interjected the tall man, grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles, "It is a pleasure to meet the famous Hermione Granger."

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you both as well," She said drawing her hand back. "How are you Professor Slughorn, I would have thought you would have retired by now?"

"Me as well my dear, but duty calls," He chuckled. "You must come to one of my club meetings, it would be a delight to have you again."

"I will see what I can manage. I still have to get settled and all, I'm sure you understand."

"Of course, of course, the first few weeks of a new term are always hectic," He mumbled spying a platter of desserts on another table, and wandering off. "If you all will excuse me I would like to try one of those."

The conversation turn to the classes they were each going to be teaching and how many students they were going to have. Eventually the woman drifted off leaving just Hermione and Quentin alone. She's not quite put her finger on it but something about the man made her feel uncomfortable. Not wanting to stay in his company for long she excused herself acting as though she was tired. Making her way through the castle she wandered around trying to figure out what was going on with Severus. Without realizing it she walked to the kitchens, an old haunt when she was trying to free the house elves in her fourth year. Settling on a course of action she reached forward and tickled the pear, getting swarmed by eager house elves when the portrait swung open.

"Whats can we be doing for Professor Granger?" An older one from the back of the crowd asked.

"I was just wondering is Severus had had his dinner sent to him yet?"

"Not yet he hasn't, we was just fixing to take it up."

"Is there any way you would let me take it to him? And could one of you show me the way?"

After a round of complaints from all the way around her, she finally managed to talk them into helping her, and a short while later they stood in front of a nondescript door on the second floor. The small house elf nodded to her and disappeared with a faint pop. Looking up and down the hallway and seeing no one around, she knocked on the door and waited. Hearing a faint dismissal from within she shook her head and knocked again. When there was still no answer she started banging on the door until a few minutes later when he finally opened it. Her first thought was that he had lost too much weight and was not getting enough sleep. The circles under his eyes were in sharp contrast to the paleness of his face and his cheekbones stood out prominently. When he seen he was at his door he slammed it shut in her face. Staring at the door an outrage she began pounding on it, " Severus Snape you open this door right now!"

"In case you didn't hear me the first time, I said go away," a voice growled from the other side of the door.

"If that's how you want to play it fine. I'll stand out here yelling and making a racket and then everyone will be privy to what I want to talk to you about. I'm sure it'll be making rounds by morning." As predicted he opened the door with a glower on his face. "Good, now that that's settled you can start by telling me why you weren't at the feast."

"I don't believe that is any of your business," He drawled, crossing his arms.

"Well seeing as I heard Professor Hazleton say that it was due to my being there I do believe that it is my business. Of course that was after the cryptic little remarks from Malfoy before McGonagall stopped him."

Looking at the way his face was set into a scowl she could tell he wasn't going to let any information go. Deciding to ask forgiveness versus asking permission, she shoved past him and into his rooms. They looked like a war zone, books were strewn everywhere, some of them held open with ingredients or by cups. It looked as if no none had cleaned in weeks from all the clothes, dust, and ash. "I take it you're still looking?"

"Well at least I don't just give up on something halfway through it."

"Found anything yet?" She asked picking up a heavy tome in a language she didn't understand.

"No."

" Well then you won't mind if I clean up a bit." She took out her wand and just as she was about you cast the charm an iron hand closed around her wrist.

"I do mind, I mind you being in my room without permission."

"And I mind you closing yourself off from everyone and not living the life you were given a second chance at! If the mere thought of my presence or my name being mentioned bothers you that much then maybe me being in your rooms will chase you out of them. Now you can either tell me that the hell is going on or I can stay here and wait until you do." She jerked her wrist out of his hand and walked over to his armchair and sat down. "What exactly happened after our argument? I heard that you were sick for two weeks and couldn't leave the hospital wing. You were perfectly healthy when you stormed out of my house that evening."

Severus stared at the witch currently invading his rooms and scowled. The insolent chit was twirling her wand around her fingers, a seemingly innocent action until he noticed that things were starting to tidy up. The dust and ash were already gone by the time he noticed and the books had started organizing themselves. She returned his scowl with a worried look.

"You have lost quite a bit of weight Severus, and apparently you aren't getting enough sleep. McGonagall said that you are rarely seen if at all. Now I'm no expert but that is a little odd and not just to me. People are beginning to talk, especially now that I'm here. Then the comments from Malfoy about me causing you damage…" She looked around the room," Ah, now that is much better."

He didn't say anything, just stood there staring at her. How could he explain it when he didn't even know what was going on? The closest thing he had found had been an ancient binding spell from the Dark Ages, one that hadn't been used in centuries due to people often dying as an outcome. Which meant that there was no way Granger would have known about it. Even then it hadn't been about bringing people back to life the way she had. It merely made a reference to people suffering as he had when put under a binding spell and then forced away from the caster. He had said something to Draco about it; maybe the hot head had taken it as that was what she had done and was the reason he had been getting sick the past two years. He pinched the bridge of his nose, his headache that had been fading coming back full force.

"They must be mistaken. I am neither avoiding you nor worrying about you being brought up in conversation." It was a lie of course, he had been avoiding the topic mainly due to the innumerable questions that usually followed. "As for dinner tonight, I had a migraine and did not wish to listen to students yelling and cheering for hours."

She was staring at him as if she was seeing right through him, " Have a migraine every night do you?"

For the most part yes, he thought to himself. "I have a lot of work and research as you can see."

"Shutting the world out won't help Severus, it'll only make it worse. When was the last time you had a good nights sleep?"

Thinking back no answer came to him. It had been months for sure and that was simply due to a sleeping draught. Usually his rest consisted if a few hours here and there whenever he couldn't hold his eyes open any longer. "My sleeping patterns are none of your concern. Neither is anything else about my life."

"I see. So the fact that you look like skin draped over bones is not to be of concern? Or the giant dark bags under your eyes? The last time I seen you you were in almost perfect health. What in the hell happened that you let your health go like that? Even during the war you took better care of yourself."

"Miss Granger you are perilously close to being forcibly removed from my rooms."

"Hermione. I have a name Severus and it doesn't begin with miss. Anyways I brought you dinner and I'm not leaving until you eat some of it. Even if it takes all night." She said walking over to the plate and handing it to him.

"I do believe I told the house elves that I was not hungry tonight," He replied. Setting the plate back down on the table untouched.

"Well fortunately for you I'm not a house elf."