These are not my characters, I'm not making any money here.

A/N: This is my first fanfic I've actually had the guts to post and anyone who wants to offer constructive input -well, it's welcome. If you like, you can email at ***redd7@bigfoot.com*** (minus the ***s!) If you archive it elsewhere please list credit and email and give me a holler so I can bask.



"Oh please, Headmaster? It's such a lovely day out. We won't have many more before winter sets in. Just a quick stroll around the lake? It'll do you good." Severus was pleased to note that Hermione managed such a jovial tone, keeping out the edge of panic that she must be feeling at this point. Instead of backing out of, and closing up the doorway in case he needed to quickly fall back on his notebook story, he stayed where he was, choosing to trust Hermione's wits.

"Thank you so very much, dear child. But I really did have some other matters I wanted to attend to this afternoon. Perhaps a rain check?""Er...but that's just it of course! It might rain -any day now! And I really, really want to take a walk with you!"

"Well, again, thank you, Hermione. But I really need to address some things-"

Damn, damn, damn! Snape thought, and started to back out of the parlour.

"I really need to talk to you Professor Dumbledore! It's...important! Uh..really, really important!"

She must of indeed had an urgent expression on her face because Dumbledore's voice lost it's resolution. "Oh dear me, Hermione, why didn't you just say so from the beginning? i can certainly spare a few moments if you need to talk." Snape started to slip into the parlour again. "We can just duck into my office." Damn! Damn! Triple Damn! Snape quickly stepped back out of Dumbledore's parlour.

"No! uh...that is, it's something really, really sensitive! I don't even want to talk about in your office. one of the other faculty members might walk in."

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that. I just changed my password last night and you and Professor Snape are the only ones who I've had occasion to give it to so far. Hmm...must remember to speak to Minerva-"

"That's it! Er..him, I mean! Professor Snape!" Severus groaned internally to himself. Gryffindors! As subtle as a bludger to the head.

"Er..what, Hermione?" Dumbledore was clearly -er, audibly -puzzled by her babblings.

"Professor Snape! I, uh, couldn't possibly have him walking in on us. He can't know I've been to see you!"

Dumbledore sighed heavily, "Ah, Severus..." Still frozen in the parlour doorway, Snape frowned, "Don't worry Hermione, I'll speak to him for you. And I'll go further and ask you to be patient with him. I know he can be wearying to work with, but don't ever doubt that you are very needed for the cause, no matter what Professor Snape may say. He doesn't...mean...to be like that. He's had a hard time of it and it makes him socially closed off at times. But I still have hope that there's a worthwhile human being under all that dark demeanor." The possibly worthwhile human being in question drew himself up indignantly. That condescending old geezer! Wearying to work with! Try putting up with a sugar-deranged lunatic for a colleague! Worthwhile human being! That bloody, wrinkled, prune of a- "I have some correspondence I want to deal with first, but then I'll call Severus to my office and read him the riot act."

"No! Wait!" This is what a child's yo-yo feels like, Snape thought inanely, as he teetered between Dumbledore's office and private quarters.

"It's not that at all! I mean, it's about Professor Snape -but not that! I..I really need to talk to you privately, you see..." Severus held his breath. Was there any way she could save the situation?

"You see..." Hermione continued, "I'm in love with Professor Snape!"