How Draco Malfoy came to be at Hogwarts was unknown to Hermione. But as she rounded the corner in a pleasant mood, there he stood. Memories she had suppressed resurfaced and Hermione rushed to conceal herself before he caught sight of her. As she worked to take cover within a crowded nearby hall all hope of retreat failed. His eyes locked upon her and that devilish smile developed. Dread washed over Hermione and she continued attempts of escaping. She soon stood face to face with her blonde demon past.

"Draco." Was all she could say, and his eyebrow rose at an angle awaiting her reaction. She quickly swallowed her shock. "You're in my way." Hermione attempted to move around him but he blocked each step.

"Is that all you can say? How about a 'hello, how are you?'" Hermione ignored him and turned around to walk away. He only followed having his own conversation. "'Why hello Hermione nice to see you as well. Fancy knowing why I'm here?'" Hermione continued to walk. But ceased ignoring him.

"I'll bite. Why are you here Draco?" She refused to look him in the eyes.

"I'm a teaching assistant." He answered smugly. Hermione laughed with fake enthusiasm.

"Of course you're not. That's my job." Draco mocked her laugh.

"Is there a rule that states there can only be one?" Hermione turned around abruptly expecting Draco to almost run into her. But he stood firmly still smirking.

Hermione practically glared.

"Why are you really here Malfoy?" Draco cocked his head slightly.

"Are we on a last name basis now…" he leaned in closer. "Granger?" Her name practically slithered off his tongue giving her shivers and reminding her all too much of someone else.

"Are you going to tell me or not. I have a class to go to." She glanced behind him at the empting hallway.

"Well I've already told you so enjoy your class." He smiled with finality and strolled away. Hermione rolled her eyes and proceeded toward Transfiguration.

Hermione had to push all memories of Draco away. Far far away. She needed to focus on something else. As she sat in charms virtually useless while the children wrote essays, Hermione thought about Jimmy. And how she may have fallen in love with him over night. In her usual letter to Ginny she had mentioned it. She wrote:

Is it possible to fall in love with someone suddenly? Last night I couldn't get to sleep so I watched the moon through my bedroom window. As I gazed upon the grounds I spotted a figure walking in the moonlight. His face was too far to see but I watched him. His dark hair flowed effortlessly in wind and he owned a serenity I've never seen. It was by no doubt my Irish sweetheart. How else can you describe my heart pounding deep within me at this moment? I'm sure I'm in love with him. I wasn't before but that enchanting man in the moonlight may just be my true love Ginny Bean. Is that possible? To love him now that I've viewed him from afar? I can hardly wait to see him now! Tell me if I'm being silly. You always know best. Love, Hermione

Hermione anticipated the coming Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. She could not stop imaging her moonlight love.

Unfortunately, as she made her way into the classroom her feelings for Jimmy were unchanged. She remained infatuated but not awestruck. Hermione had to envision the night before and attempt to harness that emotion once more. She watched Jimmy walk to his desk no enchantment in his step. His walk was graceful but different then the night before. Did the moonlight play tricks on my eyes? Jimmy gave her a dazzling smile and Hermione continued to picture him in the moonlight. It kept her interested the whole day.

Severus was prone to giving Hermione lectures about learning Occlumency fast. So when he pulled her aside in Potions class she was expecting more nagging. Though it was curious that he chose to discuss it during a lesson. He didn't look angry either. He looked proud.

"It has just dawned on me the solution to our little problem." He told her in a half whisper. Hermione sighed.

"Really Severus I will learn it. I am progressing maybe slowly but it's coming along." Severus pulled her farther to the back of the room.

"Not that Granger. The entire Legilimency against you can be avoided. His expression was serious but Hermione could see excitement in his dancing eyes. For a moment she was captivated but she pulled herself away.

"Um, how?" Severus glanced back at the student to make sure none were watching. He lowered his voice as he spoke.

"If my hunch is correct we may be able to combine two potions and create a magical barrier. It will only last about six months I believe. That should be enough time to hopefully end this nightmare." Hermione felt the hope rise within her.

"That's fantastic! Why haven't you mentioned this before? Or used it for Harry? We have to do it! How long will it take?" The excitement grew, as did her volume. Severus silenced her.

"Relax Granger, this could be very dangerous and possibly not work. And as for Potter I've only just thought of this all. If it weren't for Dumbledore it never would have occurred to me." Severus saw the confused expression on Hermione's face and sighed. "I can't exactly explain this all right now. I know we don't have a lesson tonight but come here anyway. I'll describe everything and you can decide whether you're up for it or not."

Hermione bit her lip.

"Tonight?" Tonight was her one-month with Jimmy. Hermione thought it was silly to celebrate so soon but Jimmy had something planned and she didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"Yes, are you busy?" Something in Severus' eyes challenged her. She looked at the gray stones staring into her soul and mind, it seemed.

"No." Severus smirked slightly as if he had won some sort of contest.

"Good. I'll see you later then." Hermione nodded. As the class ended she attempted to create an excuse to tell Jimmy, when she canceled. ~

Severus had thought of the solution the day before he told Hermione. He had been lying in bed reading Deathly Magic- Enchantments Gone Wrong when he read about a poison. The poison prolonged death by manipulating the mind into reliving every nightmare and bad memory the victim had endured. It caused the sufferer to believe they were living within their fears. They were literally scared to death. These potions were usually given to criminals on death row before The Dementors. They stopped because in one case the poison was made incorrectly and instead of torturing the prisoner it protected them. It was this moment that Severus had his epiphany. He remembered the draught Albus had provided Hermione with to allow one dreamless sleep. It all clicked and connected. The "how" was a little fuzzy but Severus had little doubt in his abilities. Had he not been so exhausted by the earlier Occlumency lesson and unsure walk along the grounds he would have begun experimenting. It may be valuable to have a second pair of hands. I'll wait and tell Granger.

The next morning Severus sat at the staff table eagerly awaiting Granger's arrival. He couldn't wait to share his theory. As he picked at his banana nut muffin Severus overheard Savage speaking to another younger teacher.

"It's a month today. I plan to take her out for a romantic dinner. Then we'll have drinks back at my room. And maybe even dessert." Savage chuckled at his perverse humor and Severus' stomach churned. The cheesy line added to Savages' stupidity. Severus realized this also meant he wouldn't be testing his hypothesis tonight. This lowered his mood even more. Severus began picking out the nuts from his breakfast and flicked them onto the ground. He imagined each one was Savages head. The idiot continued discussing his plans for the night. "I bought candles and all that. I figured if it happens it's probably her first time. I'd want her to be comfortable. I do care about her." The muffin was becoming a major crumbly mess upon the plate. Severus desperately wanted Savage to choke on his boiled eggs. Even more so he wanted to choke him with his bare hands. Severus never did have a good temper. Instead he rose from his seat and fled the hall, his day already ruined.

Severus decided, after confirmation with Albus, he would test his speculation. Albus also agreed that Granger's help would be ideal. Severus decided as well that he didn't want to wait. He had a plan to make Granger choose between the good of humanity and her love life. If you want to call that spectacle love. He had a hunch thathe wouldn't be working alone that night. So, he was slightly triumphant when she announced her lack of plans for the night. When she entered the dungeons later that night she appeared slightly tired but nonetheless intrigued.

"So how is this possible?" She asked with positivism in her eyes. Severus asked her to sit and then explained what he had discovered in the book. He told her about the draught from Albus and his idea. "But that only lasted a day. How can we get it to last six months?" Severus was anticipating this question.

"There's one potion that I know of. It can prolong any poison but only for as long as three months. I believe the amount can only be doubled before it becomes too dangerous for consumption."

"But I thought the poison must be made incorrectly?" She asked curiously.

"Yes well it is still considered a poison however." She nodded in understanding and possibly a slight fear. "The potion to prolong the poison is quite difficult to create."

"What is made of?" Severus couldn't believe they were finally having an intellectual conversation without argument.

"Simple ingredients really. Wolfsbane, acromantula venom, basilisk blood all a deadly combination." Hermione nodded she was well aware of the magical combination.

"And the draught?" Severus has recently acquired the ingredient list from Albus.

"Well that is a mixture of agaumenti powder, bezoar shavings, and water from a pensieve." Hermione listened then her eyes widened in realization. "I know."

"Severus those two potions are combustible if mixed! We could blow up this entire dungeon!" Severus nodded.

"I know." Hermione was on her feet now obviously worried.

"No you obviously don't know! You can't call me here and give me hope! Then tell a solution that could be more fatal to create then the problem a hand to begin with!" Severus rubbed his temple.

"Relax Granger." Hermione ignored him and began walking to the door.

"Not to mention that half the concoction is poison so it's already dangerous! Thank you for this waste of time Severus." She pulled open the door and Severus stood.

"Must you be so dramatic about everything?" Hermione's head whipped around. A passionate rage lit her entire being.

"Dramatic?! This is life and death we're discussing!" Severus calmly walked to her. Hermione froze on the spot still fuming. They stood face to face and Hermione's breaths shortened. Severus' hand reached out and her pulse quickened. His hand pushed the door closed behind her and he returned to his desk.

"Now believe it or not I do have a plan. And I realize it is life and death, which is why I'm willing try so hard. Are you?" Hermione stared at him with an odd look in her eyes that Severus did not recognize.

"Of course." Severus walked to his ingredient cabinet and began pulling out supplies.

"Good, then come help me." Hermione walked over to him and Severus handed her the components. He gestured for her to bring them to the cauldron on his desk. "What we will do is make the potion in small amounts. I believe if we combine the two mixtures in tiny dosages then the explosions should be minor. We must remember to step away when doing so." He lit the fire beneath the pot. "But first we have to make each individual potion." He handed Hermione the Wolfsbane. "So let's see exactly how good of a Potions student you really were." ~