Creator's Notes: Almost there kittens. Read on!

Poppy Pomfrey was awoken the next morning by Severus Snape traipsing through her Hospital Ward. In his arms he was carrying the delicate looking Miss Granger who, to Poppy's relief was sporting a gorgeous pair of human legs. After he gently set her down Poppy pushed Severus away so she could check on the fragile student. Severus left without a word and Madam Pomfrey was left in peace to inspect the girl. It seemed that Miss Granger's anatomy had returned to its normal state, although her canine teeth were slightly sharpened and it seemed that her enhanced beauty was a new part of her future.

Severus returned some time later while Poppy was scurrying around tending to her other patients as Miss Granger had yet to awaken. Severus had armfuls of clothes that he left in a neat stack beside her bed and he took a moment away from the judging eyes of Madam Pomfrey who had taken the opportunity to step into her office. He reached out to stroke her soft cheek when a loud noise startled him. Poppy was staring at him from her office, now Madam Pomfrey was not the kind of woman to judge but if she could remind Severus of his appropriate place she would. She purposefully rattled more loud objects and stared pointedly at him. She wanted to ensure that he knew people were watching, and with that in mind Severus gathered himself together and left the Hospital Wing. Severus would not return to visit Miss Granger.

Miss Granger's recovery took some time but it felt as though a weight had been lifted off of the castle and its occupants. Her friends were allowed to visit her and she was soon heard laughing again. Day after day multiple books were brought to her side and she could be found reading if she did not have company. Madam Pomfrey was helping her learn to walk again and Professor McGonagall often visited to take her on a leisurely stroll around the castle to stretch her legs. Slowly Hermione rejoined her friends in their activities. She was even spotted sitting bundled up tightly between Dumbledore and Minerva during a Quidditch match where she shouted and laughed with everyone else.

She sat with Ronald and Harry as they ate and she picked tenderly at her food. She was still having trouble adapting but the love and support of her friends was certainly helping her along. She had a terrible secret that she kept tucked away from the rest of the world. Every night she went to bed eagerly, closing her eyes with a smile and the hope to see her companion again. She wanted to dance with him in the wet grass and pretend that they were two different people of a different time. He didn't come to her and after many nights she began to attribute the dreams to her poisoning. It was a slow process, healing from what had happened but Miss Granger was slowly growing back to her normal self again.

Miss Granger was alone in the Hospital Wing, reading a comfortingly good book when someone burst in and startled her. A deep shouting had her peaking from behind her drawn curtain.

"It's bleeding again!" Draco Malfoy was striding through the Nursing ward and sat heavily on a bed. He started to unbutton his shirt and Hermione Granger blushed as she watched. She had started regaining her memory from the past few weeks and one memory that stood out among the rest was the snogging that she and Draco had shared. So she watched as Nurse Pomfrey tended to his shoulder – Hermione felt a guilty pang as she recalled Harry and Ronald telling her it was her bite that caused his infection – as Draco positively whined and whimpered. His shoulder was no longer swollen but it was a deep purple from bruising and he kept it wrapped tight.

Poppy dismissed him and went about her business but Draco drew the curtain and took to the bed with soft moans. He was feeling bad for himself and was content to spend some time there. Hermione, in her Muggle pajamas slipped from her bed to stand before the curtain that was hiding Draco from her view. With a devious smile she opened the curtain and slipped out of view.

Draco backed away from her.

"Stay away from me Mudblood!" His shirt was off and suddenly she felt rather mischievous.

"That's not what you called me the last time we met Draco Darling." She strode closer to him. His alert eyes took in her clothes – a tight tank top that matched the shorts that she had on – and he suddenly swallowed roughly.

"Stay away!" He was backed against the wall and she was inches away. Her lips were full and she had her hands on his chest. With a smile she leaned her mouth close enough so their lips were barely touching.

"I know you missed me." A small noise escaped Draco and with a devilish smile Hermione threw her head back to laugh. When she faced him once again she bared her teeth at him and he pushed her roughly away. Her laugh was nearly hysterical as she sat on the bed and watched the Malfoy scamper away; his shirt had been left on the bed.

Hermione returned to her normal classes soon after the incident with Draco. She was sleeping in her own bed again after an awkward confrontation with her bunk mates. Severus never returned to her dreams but after a few days of normality Hermione stayed late after a Potions class and with a flick of the wrist locked the dungeon's door. Severus looked up in surprise; enchanted erasers went to work on the chalkboards behind him and he watched her walk over to his desk. She smiled at him but he didn't return it.

"Yes Miss Granger?"

"I just…" She paused and stared at his face. The only time she had seen him was when he returned Crookshanks. Now that she was facing him she was overwhelmed with the images of them together, she was twirling in circles while Severus watched with a content smile. She grabbed ahold of something as the memories faded in and out of her mind's eye. When she regained her composure she found herself in Severus' arms. He gathered her up and held her close. His forehead was resting against hers and his hands were on her forearms holding her up.

It seemed that old habits are hard to shake, Severus kissed in between her eyes gently and Hermione smiled. So, it hadn't been just dreams. The intimate affection that Severus was displaying was something that Hermione had missed those nights that he stopped appearing in her dreams. With a bravery that Hermione didn't truly know she possessed she stood on her tiptoes and caught him off guard with a kiss.

This was something different, but terrifyingly familiar. Hermione moved her mouth softly against his and placed her hands on his shoulders. His arms moved around her waist and suddenly they were kissing.

They were unsure of how long they were entangled together but when they finally broke apart Severus couldn't make eye contact and Hermione couldn't remember ever feeling so loved. He turned away from her and she wiped the edges of her mouth while looking at her feet. Feelings of embarrassment washed over her and she couldn't imagine what had possessed her. What had possessed her to kiss this man? She wanted to say something but there were no words.

"Go." With that simple command she was gone from the room and he was left alone.

Everyone noticed a difference in Miss Hermione Granger. She had a confidence that the little know-it-all would've never possessed before. Now she walked with a strut and often was caught flirting with a tempting smile. Fred and George could now be seen fighting over her attention with a steaming Ron not far behind. But there was something else different about Hermione that only Harry seemed to be noticing. It seemed that she and Professor Snape had an abnormal amount of tension between them. They rarely made eye contact and Hermione refused to raise her hand or speak in his class.

What no one knew was that while Miss Granger ran around during the day flirting and being chased by hormonal boys her nights were reserved. She dreamed effortlessly, often she closed her eyes and opened them again in the Potions dungeon where Severus Snape was waiting for her. He sipped wine while she explored his private library, she watched at his elbow as he concocted things that amazed her they spent their nights together – dating? – With stolen kisses and soft touches.

The dreams continued on as Hermione grew stronger back in her natural form. Soon she no longer required any care and she returned to the normal life of a young Witch. Her studying returned to its regular pace and Miss Granger was able to pass her classes with the flying colors that were expected of her. She left the Hogwarts Castle that year for Summer break alongside her two best friends with her large cat in her arms, who had developed the habit of being unusually grumpy if he did not visit the Potions Master at least once a week.

Hermione's life would never be the same after the things she had experienced that school year. She, along with her two friends found themselves throw into the adult world that they had not been prepared or. Lord Voldemort returned and soon the dreams stopped. Hermione didn't have time to chase after what she had lost but she would never forget what had happened between them.

Severus never forgot either. He spent long nights in his study's armchair, avoiding sleep because he found it hard to sleep without dreaming with her. Sipping at wine and imagining her in her summer dresses and bare feet as they traveled wherever they desired. With a heavy sigh he stood and put his glass down. Life had changed, and he would never forget that Know-It-All.